Robot vacuum cleaner incorporating a detachable hand vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robot vacuum cleaners are limited in their ability to access and clean raised surfaces such as stairs, shelves, and walls, requiring a separate handheld vacuum cleaner for these tasks, and their airflow performance is not optimal.

Innovation Solution

A robot vacuum cleaner design that integrates a handheld vacuum cleaner with a mobile base, where the handheld vacuum cleaner has its own rechargeable batteries for independent use and shares power with the mobile base when engaged, optimizing airflow performance and simplifying the power supply system by eliminating batteries from the mobile base.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile base incorporates batteries for autonomous operation, then the robot vacuum cleaner can operate independently, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous operation capabilityVSAvoidpower supply system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handheld vacuum cleaner's battery system serves dual purposes: it powers the handheld unit during individual use and simultaneously powers the mobile base when docked together. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate batteries in the mobile base, reducing device complexity while maintaining autonomous operation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the power supply systems of the handheld vacuum cleaner and mobile base into a single integrated battery system. The electrical connectors establish a shared power circuit where the handheld unit's batteries supply both units when engaged, simplifying the overall power supply architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile base incorporates batteries for autonomous operation, then the robot can function independently, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent operation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The handheld vacuum cleaner's battery system serves dual purposes: it powers the handheld unit during individual use and simultaneously powers the mobile base when docked together. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate batteries in the mobile base, reducing device complexity while maintaining autonomous operation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the power supply systems of the handheld vacuum cleaner and mobile base into a single integrated battery system. The electrical connectors establish a shared power circuit where the handheld unit's batteries supply both units when engaged, simplifying the overall power supply architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a mouthpiece with brush roller is added to the mobile base, then the suction quality improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction qualityVSAvoidairflow system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex mouthpiece with brush roller from the mobile base design. Instead, the handheld vacuum cleaner's nozzle directly engages with the mobile base's suction opening, achieving effective dust pickup without the additional complexity of an integrated brush roller system in the base.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the handheld vacuum cleaner is designed for individual use with separate batteries, then it can operate autonomously, but the power supply system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual operation capabilityVSAvoidpower supply system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handheld vacuum cleaner's battery system serves dual purposes: it powers the handheld unit during individual use and simultaneously powers the mobile base when docked together. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate batteries in the mobile base, reducing device complexity while maintaining autonomous operation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enhances suction efficiency, reduces the mobile base's size and weight, simplifies maintenance, and lowers manufacturing costs while allowing seamless transition between robot and handheld operation modes.

Implementation Method 1

the handheld vacuum cleaner (6) comprises a set of rechargeable batteries (22) configured to allow electrical supply of the handheld vacuum cleaner (6) and of the mobile base (5) during the engagement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

a robot vacuum cleaner which comprises a mobile base (5) and a handheld vacuum cleaner (6)... capable of sucking up waste

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3476265B1Robot vacuum cleaner incorporating a detachable hand vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 SEB SA
  • EP3476265B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3476265B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3476265B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a robotic vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a mobile base (5) and a handheld vacuum cleaner (6), with first receiving means arranged between the mobile base (5) and the handheld vacuum cleaner (6) to allow them to engage with each other in order to vacuum a surface (7) by means of the handheld vacuum cleaner (6) during the movement of the mobile base (5) over this surface (7), said handheld vacuum cleaner (6) being detachable from said mobile base (5) for individual use, with first electrical connection means (44a-44e, 46a-46e) arranged between the handheld vacuum cleaner (6) and the mobile base (5) and engaged during said engagement. The handheld vacuum cleaner (6) includes a set of rechargeable batteries (22) configured to provide power to itself and to the mobile base (5) during said engagement.