Vacuum Docking Station for Automatic Cyclone Dust Emptying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vacuum cleaners require manual disposal of dust from the dust collecting chamber, which is inconvenient and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning apparatus with a docking station that automatically discharges dust from the dust collecting chamber using a suction device, which includes a centrifugal cyclone for separation and a flow rate regulator to manage air flow, allowing for automated dust removal upon docking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual dust disposal is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inconvenient manual emptying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust collecting chamber is designed to automatically empty itself by docking with the docking station, which provides suction to remove collected dust automatically without requiring user intervention for manual emptying

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The docking station acts as an intermediary between the vacuum cleaner and the dust disposal process, providing the suction function that enables automatic emptying of the dust collecting chamber

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If automated dust discharge is implemented, then productivity is improved through automatic emptying, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dust collecting chamber is separated as a removable component from the main vacuum cleaner body, allowing it to be detached and docked with the docking station for automatic emptying, thereby extracting the dust disposal function from the main device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The docking station serves as an intermediary device that provides suction for automatic dust removal, enabling the dust collecting chamber to empty itself without adding complex mechanisms to the vacuum cleaner body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the dust collecting chamber is separated and docked, then ease of operation is improved for automatic emptying, but reliability may deteriorate due to docking alignment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dust collecting chamber and docking station are designed with asymmetric docking interfaces that ensure proper alignment during docking, preventing misalignment and ensuring reliable connection for automatic emptying operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 automated dust disposal, reducing user effort and improving cleaning convenience by integrating a suction device and cyclone separation within the docking station.

Implementation Method 1

The dust collecting chamber is configured to collect foreign substances through centrifugation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 2

the docking station includes a suction device configured to suction the foreign substances and air in the dust collecting chamber docked to the docking station

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4122366B1Cleaning apparatus having vacuum cleaner and docking station
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4122366B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4122366B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4122366B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a cleaning apparatus including a vacuum cleaner and a docking station. The cleaning apparatus includes a vacuum cleaner including a dust collecting chamber in which foreign substances are collected, and a docking station configured to be connected to the dust collecting chamber to remove the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber. The dust collecting chamber is configured to collect foreign substances through centrifugation, and configured to be docked to the docking station, and the docking station includes a suction device configured to suction the foreign substances and air in the dust collecting chamber docked to the docking station.