Cleaning device and auxiliary device for cleaning with a basic unit of the cleaning device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices with attachments lack bidirectional communication between the attachment and the base unit, limiting the ability of the attachment to output control commands and receive information from the base unit, which restricts dynamic control of operating parameters such as fan output.

Innovation Solution

The attachment is equipped with an attachment control device that can transmit an ID code and receive information from the base unit, allowing it to output control commands, including instructions for operating parameters like fan power, through a bidirectional communication interface, enabling the attachment to control the base unit's operating parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the attachment is equipped with control capabilities to dynamically adjust base unit operating parameters, then cleaning efficiency and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different surface typesVSAvoidcomplexity of communication system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bidirectional communication interface serves multiple functions: it transmits identification codes from attachment to base unit, sends surface type information, and delivers control commands for operating parameter adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each communication task, thereby improving adaptability while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where the attachment receives information from the base unit about current operating parameters and surface conditions, processes this information, and sends back control commands to adjust parameters like fan power. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adaptation to different cleaning scenarios without requiring complete system redesign for each situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If real-time communication between attachment and base unit is implemented, then dynamic control of operating parameters is enabled, but information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidinformation processing load
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control logic and information processing functions are extracted from the base unit and placed in the attachment, which has direct contact with the cleaning surface. This allows the attachment to independently process surface type information and generate appropriate control commands, reducing the information processing burden on the base unit while maintaining real-time control capabilities that improve cleaning efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment performs preliminary identification of surface types and pre-processing of cleaning requirements before transmitting control commands to the base unit. This preliminary action reduces the amount of raw information that needs to be processed in real-time by the base unit, as the attachment has already analyzed surface conditions and determined the appropriate cleaning parameters in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the attachment can transmit control commands to the base unit, then operating parameter control is improved, but reliability requirements for communication increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of parameter controlVSAvoidreliability of control signal transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bidirectional communication interface acts as an intermediary between the attachment control unit and the base unit control system. It provides a standardized protocol for transmitting control commands, ensuring that signals are properly formatted and transmitted reliably. This intermediary layer simplifies the control operation for the user while maintaining high reliability through standardized communication procedures and error handling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3162263B1Cleaning device and auxiliary device for cleaning with a basic unit of the cleaning device
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP3162263B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3162263B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3162263B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an attachment (2) for connection to a base unit (3) of a cleaning device (1), in particular for connection to a base unit (3) of a household vacuum cleaner. To extend the interaction between the attachment (2) and the base unit (3), it is proposed that the attachment (2) has an attachment control unit (6) configured to output a control command to a base control unit (5) of the base unit (3). Furthermore, the invention relates to a cleaning device (1), in particular a household vacuum cleaner, and a method for operating a cleaning device (1) comprising a base unit (3) and an attachment (2).