Vacuum Cleaner Battery Airflow Routing for Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery-powered devices require separate charging stations with integrated cooling, making them more expensive and prone to operational limitations due to limited cooling capacity, especially in mobile use scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner design that incorporates a vacuum generator to control the temperature of rechargeable batteries by routing air flow through a battery compartment, allowing for both cooling and heating, and integrating a charger for simultaneous temperature control and charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a separate charging station with integrated cooling is used, then battery temperature control is achieved, but device cost increases and operational flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery temperature controlVSAvoidseparate charging station requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the vacuum generator, battery cooling system, and charging function into a single integrated vacuum cleaner unit. The vacuum generator serves dual purposes: generating suction for cleaning and providing forced convection cooling for battery temperature control during charging or discharging operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum generator is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates air flow for the vacuum cleaning function and simultaneously provides temperature control for the battery pack. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate cooling fans or charging stations, reducing overall system complexity.

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

2Temperature

If a separate cooling fan is used for battery cooling, then temperature control is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery coolingVSAvoidadditional cooling fan
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum generator is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates air flow for the vacuum cleaning function and simultaneously provides temperature control for the battery pack. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate cooling fans or charging stations, reducing overall system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum generator's air flow, generated for cleaning purposes, is utilized to cool the battery pack during charging or discharging. The system uses its own operational resources (air flow from vacuum generation) to accomplish temperature control, eliminating the need for dedicated cooling components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If battery cooling is implemented during operation, then thermal management is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery cooling during operationVSAvoidcooling system integration
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum generator is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates air flow for the vacuum cleaning function and simultaneously provides temperature control for the battery pack. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate cooling fans or charging stations, reducing overall system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum generator's air flow, generated for cleaning purposes, is utilized to cool the battery pack during charging or discharging. The system uses its own operational resources (air flow from vacuum generation) to accomplish temperature control, eliminating the need for dedicated cooling components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively manages battery temperature, enhances operational efficiency, and reduces costs by utilizing a powerful vacuum generator for dual purposes of suction and temperature control, while allowing for optimal charging conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum generator (5) which is prepared for generating an air flow along a flow path A

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the at least one accumulator or the at least one battery compartment (3) is arranged in said flow path A

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2468166B1Vacuum cleaner with tempered accumulator
Publication Date: 2014.01.08 HILTI AG
  • EP2468166B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2468166B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner (1) with a housing (2) and at least one rechargeable battery (4) arranged therein and/or at least one rechargeable battery compartment (3) which is prepared for receiving at least one rechargeable battery (4). The vacuum cleaner (1) comprises a vacuum generator (5) which is prepared for generating an air flow along a flow path (A), the at least one accumulator (4) or the at least one battery compartment (3) being arranged in said flow path (A). is.