Control method and apparatus for self-cleaning maintenance station, and device and medium

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of conveniently draining residual water from self-cleaning maintenance stations to prevent water leakage during transportation is unresolved.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for controlling a self-cleaning maintenance station that includes a clean water tank, wastewater tank, and cleaning tank, utilizing pumps and sensors to automatically drain water and wastewater within preset time ranges, allowing users to initiate the process through a mobile app or button, and incorporating error detection and troubleshooting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual emptying of residual water is required before packing, then water leakage damage is prevented, but user convenience deteriorates and operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of water leakage damageVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects when packing is needed and initiates the drainage process without user intervention. The control unit monitors the operational state and autonomously activates the drainage pump to empty residual water, making the system serve itself rather than requiring manual emptying by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs the drainage operation in advance before the user packs the device. By detecting the packing state and automatically draining water beforehand, the system eliminates the need for manual emptying and prevents water leakage damage during transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If automatic drainage system is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it monitors operational state, detects packing conditions, controls the drainage pump, and manages water supply. By making the control unit multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining automatic drainage capability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage control functionality is merged with the existing control unit rather than being implemented as a separate system. This integration combines multiple control functions into a single device, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Use of energy by moving object

If drainage operation is delayed, then energy consumption is reduced, but water leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidwater leakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the operational state and packing conditions of the device. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect when drainage is needed and activate the pump at the appropriate moment, balancing energy consumption with the need to prevent water leakage by draining at the optimal time rather than continuously or too early.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables efficient and user-friendly automatic drainage of residual water, ensuring the station is ready for packing and transportation, enhancing user experience by simplifying the process and preventing damage.

Implementation Method 1

pumping the clean water from the clean water tank to the cleaning tank by a clean water pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

pumping wastewater from the cleaning tank to the wastewater tank by a wastewater pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 3

draining the wastewater from the wastewater tank by a drainage pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP4663087A1Control method and apparatus for self-cleaning maintenance station, and device and medium
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 BEIJING ROBOROCK INNOVATION TECH CO LTD
  • EP4663087A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4663087A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4663087A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A control method and apparatus for a self-cleaning maintenance station, and a device and a medium. A self-cleaning maintenance station comprises a clear-water tank (4000), a dirty-water tank (5000), and a cleaning tank (2200). The method comprises : acquiring a self-cleaning maintenance station emptying instruction which is triggered by a user, and stopping injecting clear water into a clear-water tank (4000) (S301); and executing drainage operation instructions within a first preset time range, wherein the drainage operation instructions comprise : pumping clear water from the clear-water tank (4000) to a cleaning tank (2200) by means of a clear-water pump (4100), sucking dirty water from the cleaning tank (2200) to a dirty-water tank (5000) by means of a dirty-water pump (2210), and draining the dirty water from the dirty-water tank (5000) by means of a drainage pump (5100) (S302). Residual water can be automatically drained, such that encasement and transportation requirements are satisfied, thereby improving the user experience.