Suction device with a charger

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Solution Overview

Problem

The inconvenience of needing to connect hand-held machine tools to a power supply for charging their energy storage devices, especially in remote or mobile applications, where a separate charger may be forgotten or not readily available.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a charging device into a suction device that allows for on-board charging of the hand-held machine tool's energy storage module, eliminating the need for a separate charger and enabling charging during operation, with wireless communication for controlling the suction motor and energy storage module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate charger is used for the handheld power tool, then the energy storage module can be charged, but the charger may be forgotten or not readily available in remote locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging availabilityVSAvoidnumber of separate components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging device is integrated into the suction device housing, combining two separate functions (suction and charging) into one unified system. This eliminates the need to carry a separate charger for the handheld power tool, as the suction device itself serves as the charging station when connected to power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a vacuum cleaner and simultaneously serve as a charging device for the handheld power tool's energy storage module. The holder and charging contacts enable the suction device to universally accommodate and charge various energy storage modules.

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

2Ease of operation

If the suction device includes a holder and charging contacts, then on-board charging is enabled, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging convenienceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service charging where the energy storage module can be charged by simply placing it into the holder within the suction device housing. The charging contacts automatically establish electrical connection, eliminating the need for manual plug insertion or complex charging operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The holder for the energy storage module is nested within the suction device housing, utilizing the existing internal space of the suction device. This integration adds charging functionality without requiring a completely separate external charging unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Duration of action of moving object

If the energy storage module is charged on the vacuum cleaner, then continuous operation is ensured, but the charging device requires additional space in the vacuum cleaner housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidhousing space
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage module is charged in advance while the suction device is stationary and connected to power. This preliminary charging action ensures that a charged module is ready for use when needed, enabling continuous operation without interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses multiple energy storage modules that can be exchanged: one module is used in the handheld power tool while another is charged in the suction device. When the operating module is depleted, it is discarded (removed from use) and replaced with the recovered (charged) module, ensuring continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP3524110B1Suction device with a charger
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 FESTOOL GMBH
  • EP3524110B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3524110B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3524110B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a suction device (10) for separating particles from a suction stream (20), comprising a suction motor (19) for generating the suction stream (20) and a suction housing (11) in which the suction motor (19) and a dust collection chamber (15) for collecting the particles separated from the suction stream (20) are arranged. The suction device (10) is provided to have a charging device (61) for charging an electrical energy storage module (90) of a hand-held power tool (80), wherein the charging device (61) comprises electrical charging contacts (65) for providing a charging voltage (L) for the electrical energy storage module (90).