Vacuum Cleaner Single-Card Electronic Control for Multi-Mode Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners have complex structures and high manufacturing costs due to the configuration of electronic control units with multiple contacts, complicating assembly and increasing production expenses.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner design with an electronic control unit featuring a single electronic card with both activation contacts, allowing for simplified assembly and reduced manufacturing costs, while maintaining the ability to switch between normal and reinforced suction modes with intuitive and ergonomic operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electronic cards with separate contacts are used to control different operating modes, then the control functionality is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidelectronic control unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate electronic cards with individual contacts into a single integrated electronic card containing all necessary contacts. This merging approach maintains the full control functionality for different operating modes while significantly reducing device complexity, assembly steps, and manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single electronic card is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating all contact arrangements needed for different operating modes (normal mode, reinforced mode, pulse mode) on one card, making it a universal control component that replaces multiple specialized cards.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electronic cards with separate contacts are used, then the control functionality is achieved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging all contact arrangements onto a single electronic card, the patent reduces the number of assembly operations required. The single card can be installed in one operation rather than requiring multiple separate cards to be positioned and connected, thereby simplifying the assembly process and reducing manufacturing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electronic cards are used, then the control functionality is achieved, but the manufacturing costs significantly increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The consolidation of multiple electronic cards into one reduces material costs, manufacturing overhead, and quality control expenses. The single card approach eliminates the need to produce, test, and manage multiple separate components, leading to significant reductions in overall manufacturing costs while preserving all control functionalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If the activation organ is positioned remotely from the control body, then the user can easily access it, but the device structure becomes more complex

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

Solution Approach 1:

The single electronic card serves as a universal interface that receives signals from both the control body and the remotely positioned activation organ. This multi-functional design allows the system to accommodate the remote activation organ for user convenience without adding structural complexity, as the same card handles all control inputs.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3865040B1Vacuum cleaner comprising an electronic board provided with a first and second contacts
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 SEB SA
  • EP3865040B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3865040B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3865040B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This vacuum cleaner (2) comprises a main body (3) in which a motor-fan is housed; a control element (23) which is actuated by a user; an activation element (24) which is actuated by a user; and an electronic control unit (22) which is configured to control the operation of the motor-fan according to a first mode of operation when the control element is actuated by a user and to control the operation of the motor-fan according to a second mode of operation when the activation element is actuated by a user.The electronic control unit (22) includes an electronic card (25) equipped with a first contact and a second contact, the control member (23) being configured to activate the first contact when the control member (23) is operated by a user, and the activation member (24) being configured to activate the second contact when the activation member (24) is operated by a user.