Cleaner with attachable / removable control module

Abstract

Disclosed is a cleaner, the cleaner comprising: a cleaner body, the cleaner body comprising a suction motor; a control module for operating the cleaner, and attachable / detachable from the cleaner body, and including a main processor that communicates with a battery module at intervals of a predetermined period when mounted on the cleaner body; and a battery module that recognizes that the control module is separated from the cleaner body and stops supplying power to the cleaner body when a communication signal is not received from the control module for a preset first time period or longer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning appliance having a detachable or separable control module. Background Art

[0002] A cleaner, such as a vacuum cleaner, sucks in air containing foreign matter such as dust by using negative pressure, separates the foreign matter from the sucked air, and collects the foreign matter in a dust collection container. The cordless cleaner may include a battery. The cordless cleaner may receive power from the battery to perform a cleaning operation. The cleaner includes a control module for controlling the operation of the cleaner. A user may control the operation of the cleaner, such as power on / off, by using the control module. Summary of the invention

[0003] Technical Solution

[0004] A cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a cleaner body, the cleaner body including a suction motor; a battery module; and a control module, the control module being configured to control the operation of the cleaner. The control module is mountable on the cleaner body and separable from the cleaner body, and the control module includes a main processor, the main processor being configured to communicate with the battery module in a preset first time period when the control module is mounted on the cleaner body. The battery module is configured to: based on not receiving a communication signal from the control module within a preset first time period or longer time period, recognize that the control module is separated from the cleaner body, and stop supplying power to the cleaner body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional perspective view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0006] Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating a structure in which a controller is attached to or detached from a cleaner in an up-and-down direction according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0007] Figure 3 is a schematic side view illustrating an electrical connection structure between a main body and a controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 4 A snap-fit ​​fixing structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0009] Figure 5 A magnetic fixing structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0010] Figure 6A screw fastening structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0011] Figures 7a to 7e Various examples of controllers are illustrated.

[0012] Figure 7f is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a user terminal is installed instead of installing a controller.

[0013] Figure 8 is a schematic side view illustrating a state in which the filter case is separated from the main body.

[0014] Fig. 9 A structure in which a controller is attached to or detached from a main body by sliding in the front-rear direction according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0015] Fig.10 is a side view in the lateral direction illustrating a structure in which a controller is attached to or detached from a main body by sliding in the lateral direction according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Fig.11 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Fig.12 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Fig.13 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Fig.14a is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Fig.14b is a schematic diagram for describing a wire connecting a controller to a main body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Fig.15 is a schematic perspective view of a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Fig.16 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Fig.17 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Fig.18 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Fig.19 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Fig. 20 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Fig.21 is a block diagram for describing the functions of a cleaner main body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram for describing a brush device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Fig.23 is a schematic diagram for describing the operation of the processor of the cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Fig.24 is a schematic diagram for describing a communication operation between a battery module and a control module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Fig.25 is a flowchart for describing a method of operating in a safety mode performed by each of a battery module and a control module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Fig.26 is a schematic diagram for describing a communication operation between a motor assembly and a control module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Fig. 27 is a flowchart for describing a method of operating in a safety mode performed by each of a motor assembly and a control module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Fig.28 is a flowchart for describing a method of determining whether a control module is separated from a cleaner body based on a battery supply voltage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Fig.29 is a schematic diagram for describing changes in a battery power supply voltage and an internal power supply voltage of a control module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Fig.30 is a flowchart for describing a method performed by a control module to perform a preliminary operation based on a difference between a battery supply voltage included in data received from a battery module and a battery supply voltage measured by the control module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Fig.31 is a schematic diagram for describing an operation of detecting separation of a control module from a cleaner body by using a tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor or a micro switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Fig.32 is a flowchart for describing an operation method performed by a control module when separation of a screw from a locking hole is detected according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Fig.33 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation performed by a control module to output information through an output interface when separation of a screw from a locking hole is detected according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Fig.34 is a schematic diagram for describing a notification message output by a user terminal when separation of a screw from a locking hole is detected according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Fig.35 is a flowchart for describing a method of determining whether to maintain or release locking of a locking portion, performed by a control module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Fig.36 is a schematic diagram for describing a blocking device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Fig.37 2 is a schematic diagram for describing an operation of detecting that a control module is switched from a use position to a retreat position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Fig.38 is a flowchart for describing a method of operating in a safety mode performed by each of a battery module, a control module, and a motor assembly when the control module is switched from a use position to a retreat position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Fig.39 is a flowchart for describing a method of outputting a message related to replacement of a filter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Fig.40 2 is a schematic diagram for describing an operation of outputting a message related to replacement of a filter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Terms used herein will be briefly described, and then embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0048] Although the terms used herein are selected from commonly used terms that are currently widely used in consideration of their functions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, these terms may be different depending on the intentions of ordinary technicians in the field, precedents, or the development of new technologies. In addition, in specific cases, the terms are freely selected by the applicant of the present disclosure, in which case the meanings of these terms will be described in detail in the corresponding descriptions of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in this article are not just the names of the terms, but are defined based on the content and terms and meanings throughout the entire disclosure.

[0049] As used herein, the expression “at least one of a, b, or c” may mean: only a; only b; only c; both a and b; both a and c; both b and c; all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof.

[0050] Throughout the disclosure, when a part or component "includes" an element, it should be understood that, unless otherwise stated, the part or component may also additionally include other elements, rather than excluding other elements. In addition, as used herein, terms such as "... device (part)", "... unit", "... module", etc. represent a unit that performs at least one function or operation, which can be implemented as hardware or software or a combination thereof.

[0051] In the present disclosure, the cleaner sucks air with foreign matter such as dust by the suction force generated by the suction motor, filters the foreign matter out of the air, and contains the foreign matter in a dust collection container. The cordless cleaner receives power from a battery to perform a cleaning operation. The battery can be separated from the cordless cleaner. A controller is provided in the cleaner. Hereinafter, the controller may also be referred to as a control module. Control of the operation of the cleaner, such as power on / off, may be performed by using the controller. As the use condition of the cleaner changes, the shape and function of the controller may also change. The present disclosure provides a cleaner having a structure in which the controller can be separated from the cleaner. According to the user's preference, the aesthetic element of the cleaner can be improved by separating the controller from the top of the cleaner and replacing the controller with another controller having a different design. In addition, by installing a controller having a manipulation unit and an indication unit suitable for the use condition of the cleaner on the cleaner, the convenience of use and manipulability of the cleaner can be improved. In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the controller is separated from the main body of the cleaner, the operation of the cleaner can be limited or stopped for the safety of the user.

[0052] The cleaner includes a filter that eventually filters out fine dust in the air that has traveled through the dust collector. The filter is installed in a filter housing. In order to replace the filter, the filter housing can be separated from the main body of the cleaner. In the cleaner of the present disclosure, the filter housing is separated from the cleaner in a rearward direction. The cleaner includes a handle to be held by a user. The controller is arranged at the rear of the filter housing to allow the user holding the handle to easily manipulate the controller. The structure in which the controller can be separated from the cleaner enables the use of various controllers and separates the filter housing from the rear of the cleaner.

[0053] The performance of the cleaner is affected by the resistance of the air flow path (i.e., flow path resistance). For a cordless cleaner using a rechargeable battery, by reducing the flow path resistance, the suction efficiency and battery efficiency can be improved. The cleaner of the present disclosure has a reverse motor structure in which the impeller is located downstream of the suction motor. As the flow resistance to the air sucked in by the suction fan (hereinafter also referred to as the motor assembly) and discharged through the filter is improved, the battery efficiency related to the output can be increased, and as the battery efficiency is improved, the use time of the vacuum cleaner that needs to be charged before use can be increased.

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, similar reference numerals indicate parts or components that perform substantially the same function.

[0055] Figure 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional perspective view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The exemplary cleaner shown is a pole-type cordless cleaner. Figure 1 , the cleaner may include a main body 1000 (hereinafter also referred to as the cleaner main body) and a controller 180 (hereinafter also referred to as the control module) for controlling the operation of the cleaner. The main body 1000 may include: a suction fan 191 (hereinafter also referred to as a motor assembly) for generating a suction force for sucking air, a dust collector 192 for separating foreign matter from the sucked air, and a filter 197 for filtering foreign matter from the air that has traveled through the dust collector 192. The filter 197 is accommodated in a filter housing 198. The controller 180 is located at the rear of the filter housing 198. The controller 180 can be separated from the main body 1000.

[0056] The main body 1000 may include an extension pipe coupling unit 110 to which an extension pipe (not shown) is coupled. A suction nozzle (not shown) (e.g., a brush device) is detachably coupled to one end of the extension pipe. The other end of the extension pipe may be detachably coupled to the extension pipe coupling unit 110 of the main body 1000. The extension pipe connects the main body 1000 to the suction nozzle to form a passage through which air and foreign matter sucked in by the suction nozzle move to the main body 1000. The suction fan 191 is configured to generate a suction force required for sucking in air with foreign matter on the surface to be cleaned, and the dust collector 192 is configured to separate foreign matter from the sucked air. A dust collection container 193 in which separated foreign matter is accommodated and a filter housing 198 accommodating the filter 197 are provided in the main body 1000.

[0057] The suction fan 191 may include a suction motor 191a and an impeller 191b, which is mounted on the rotating shaft of the suction motor 191a. When the suction motor 191a is driven to rotate the impeller 191b, a suction pressure is generated for sucking air and foreign matter on the surface to be cleaned through the air intake path 195. The air is compressed by the impeller 191b in an adiabatic manner, and the temperature is thus increased. In a structure in which the impeller 191b is located upstream of the suction motor 191a, the suction motor 191a is exposed to high-temperature compressed air. The motor coil of the suction motor 191a is cooled by the sucked air, and when the high-temperature compressed air flows around the suction motor 191a, the motor coil may not be effectively cooled. The high-temperature compressed air may instead cause the temperature of the motor coil to rise, and the power and efficiency of the suction motor 191a may deteriorate. The suction fan 191 according to the present embodiment of the present disclosure has a reverse motor structure, in which the impeller 191b is arranged downstream of the suction motor 191a relative to the air flow direction. According to the present embodiment of the present disclosure, in the suction fan 191 with the reverse motor structure, low-temperature uncompressed air passes around the suction motor 191a. The low-temperature air can effectively cool the motor coil. The motor coil can be maintained at a stable operating temperature, and thus the power and efficiency of the suction motor 191a can be improved.

[0058] An air intake path 195 connecting the extension pipe coupling unit 110 to the dust collector 192 is provided in the main body 1000. Foreign matter and air sucked through the suction nozzle by the suction force generated by the suction fan 191 are moved to the dust collector 192 via the extension pipe, the extension pipe coupling unit 110 and the air intake path 195. The dust collector 192 may have, for example, a cyclone dust collection structure. The dust collector 192 may be located between the dust collection container 193 and the suction fan 191 relative to the flow path of the sucked air. Foreign matter is separated from the sucked air by the dust collector 192 and then contained in the dust collection container 193. The dust collection container 193 can be separated from the main body 1000. For example, by pulling the front portion of the dust collection container 193, the dust collection container 193 may be separated from the main body 1000. After the dust collection container 193 is separated from the main body 1000, the foreign matter collected in the dust collection container 193 may be removed.

[0059] An exhaust path 196 for discharging air from which foreign matter has been removed is provided in the main body 1000. The exhaust path 196 is provided downstream of the suction fan 191. The filter 197 may be provided at the inlet of the exhaust path 196, in the exhaust path 196, or at the outlet of the exhaust path 196. In the present embodiment of the present disclosure, the filter 197 is provided at the outlet of the exhaust path 196. There is no particular limitation on the type of the filter 197. The filter 197 may include, for example, a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. The filter 197 may filter out ultrafine dust, etc., which is not filtered out by the dust collector 192. The filter 197 may be accommodated in a filter housing 198. The air from which foreign matter has been removed may be discharged to the outside after traveling through the exhaust path 196 and the filter 197. An exhaust port 199 may be provided in the filter housing 198, through which the air that has traveled through the exhaust path 196 and the filter 197 is discharged.

[0060] The filter housing 198 can be mounted on the main body 1000 and can be separated from the main body 1000 for maintenance of the filter 197, such as cleaning or replacement. The filter housing 198 may have a forward separation structure in which the filter housing 198 moves forward to separate from the main body 1000. The forward separation structure is disadvantageous in terms of user convenience because the dust collection container 193 needs to be separated from the main body 1000 first in order to separate the filter housing 198 from the main body 1000. In addition, since the filter 197 needs to be located relatively far in front of the outlet of the suction fan 191, the curvature of the exhaust path 196 may be high, resulting in an increase in the resistance of the flow path. This may lead to a deterioration in the suction efficiency of the suction fan 191. At the same time, when the suction fan 191 has a reverse motor structure, the connection line fastening portion between the battery 900 and the suction motor 191a is located at the front end of the suction motor 191a (located downstream in the air flow direction). Therefore, in order to separate the filter 197 in the forward direction, the outer diameter of the filter 197 becomes relatively large to pass through the connecting line fastening part, thereby causing the product competitiveness to be reduced. In the cleaner of the present embodiment of the present disclosure, the filter housing 198 has a backward separation structure, in which the filter housing 198 moves backward to separate from the main body 1000. That is, the filter housing 198 can be separated from the main body 1000 in the backward direction. The backward separation structure is advantageous in terms of user convenience, because the filter housing 198 can be separated from the main body 1000 without separating the dust collection container 193 from the main body 1000. In addition, since the filter 197 can be located near the outlet of the suction fan 191, the curvature of the exhaust path 196 can be low, and therefore, the resistance of the flow path can be less than the resistance of the flow path of the forward separation structure. Therefore, the suction efficiency of the suction fan 191 can be improved. Meanwhile, when the suction fan 191 has a reverse motor structure, the outer diameter of the filter 197 can be designed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the filter of the forward separation structure, and thus the product competitiveness is improved. The user can separate the filter housing 198 from the main body 1000, and then replace the filter 197 accommodated in the filter housing 198 with a new filter 197. Alternatively, the user can clean the filter 197 accommodated in the filter housing 198.

[0061] The main body 1000 includes a frame 101, which is used to support or accommodate the above-mentioned components of the cleaner. For example, the frame 101 may include: a support portion 102 extending in the front-to-back direction (X), a battery mounting portion 103 extending in the front-to-back direction (X) in parallel with the support portion 102, and a support portion 104 connecting the support portion 102 to the battery mounting portion 103. The support portion 102 may extend beyond the support portion 104 in the rearward direction. The dust collection container 193, the dust collector 192, the suction fan 191 and the filter housing 198 may be arranged in the front-to-back direction (X) and arranged above the support portion 102. The extension pipe coupling unit 110 may be arranged at the front of the support portion 102. The air intake path 195 is arranged inside the support portion 102 and extends from the extension pipe coupling unit 110 to the dust collector 192. The exhaust path 196 may be arranged downstream of the suction fan 191 and above the support portion 102. The battery 900 may be mounted on the battery mounting portion 103 or may be separated from the battery mounting portion 103. The support portion 104 may connect the front end of the battery mounting portion 103 to the support portion 102. For example, the support portion 104 may be inclined forward from the lower end to the upper end.

[0062] The main body 1000 may include a handle 105 that can be grasped by a user. The user holding the handle 105 can move and manipulate the cleaner. The handle 105 may be located at the rear of the support 104. For example, the handle 105 may connect the rear end of the battery mounting portion 103 to the rear end of the support portion 102. Considering the convenience of use, the handle 105 may be tilted forward from the lower end to the upper end. For example, the upper end of the handle 105 may form an obtuse angle with the support portion 102, and the lower end of the handle 105 may form an acute angle with the battery mounting portion 103. The handle 105 may have a size suitable for the user to comfortably grasp the handle 105.

[0063] The controller 180 is located at the rear of the filter housing 198. The controller 180 may be located near the rear end of the support 102 and above the handle 105. A user holding the handle 105 may use the cleaner. Here, the controller 180 may naturally enter the user's field of vision, and thus the convenience of use may be improved. In addition, the user may easily manipulate the controller 180 with the thumb of the hand holding the handle 105 or with the other hand.

[0064] The controller 180 may include a control circuit unit and a manipulation unit 181 for performing manipulation input, such as power on / off, adjusting suction intensity, or changing operation mode. The controller 180 may also include an indication unit 182, which is configured to indicate information about the operating state of the cleaner. The manipulation unit 181 may include a physical button, a resistive or capacitive touch panel, etc. The manipulation unit 181 may have a structure that enables manipulation input through voice recognition and manipulation input through communication with an external control device. The indication unit 182 may indicate the operating state of the cleaner in an auditory manner and in a visual manner. For example, the indication unit 182 may include a buzzer, a display, one or more light-emitting units, etc. When a touch panel display is adopted, the manipulation unit 181 and the indication unit 182 may be integrated into one unit. The control circuit unit may control the cleaner according to the manipulation input through the manipulation unit 181, and may control the indication unit 182 to indicate information about the operating state of the cleaner.

[0065] As described above, the controller 180 can be detachable from the body 1000. For example, the controller 180 can be attached to or detached from the body 1000 by sliding in the front-rear direction (X), the lateral direction (Y), or the up-down direction (Z), for example.

[0066] Figure 2 1 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating a structure in which the controller 180 is attached to or detached from the cleaner in the up-down direction (Z) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 , the socket 300 may be provided in the body 1000, by which the controller 180 is supported in a detachable manner. For example, the socket 300 may be provided in the filter housing 198. For example, the socket 300 may be formed integrally with the filter housing 198, or the socket 300 may be coupled to the filter housing 198. The socket 300 includes a housing portion 310, in which the controller 180 is accommodated in a detachable manner. The accommodation portion 310 may extend in the up-down direction (Z), and may have an open top. For example, the accommodation portion 310 may be defined by a pair of side walls 311, a lower wall 312, and a front wall 313, the pair of side walls 311 being spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction (Y), the lower wall 312 connecting the lower ends of the pair of side walls 311 to each other, and the front wall 313 connecting the front ends of the pair of side walls 311 to each other.

[0067] The first guide portion 320 is provided to guide the controller 180 to be attached to or detached from the socket 300. The first guide portion 320 extends in the direction of attaching and detaching the controller 180, that is, in the up-down direction (Z). For example, the first guide portion 320 may be provided on each of the pair of side walls 311. The second guide portion 184 to be guided by the first guide portion 320 is provided in the controller 180. The first guide portion 320 and the second guide portion 184 may have complementary shapes for relative movement in the direction of attachment and detachment. For example, the first guide portion 320 may have a groove shape extending in the up-down direction (Z), and the second guide portion 184 may have a shape protruding from both side walls of the controller 180 in the lateral direction (Y) so as to be inserted into the first guide portion 320. Although not shown in the drawings, the first guide portion 320 may have a protruding shape, and the second guide portion 184 may have a groove shape. In addition to the above-described examples, the first guide portion 320 and the second guide portion 184 may also have complementary shapes for relative movement in the directions of attachment and detachment.

[0068] Figure 3 1 is a schematic side view illustrating an electrical connection structure between the main body 1000 and the controller 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In order to electrically connect the main body 1000 to the controller 180, a first connector 183 is provided in the controller 180. The controller 180 may include a printed circuit board 185 having a control circuit unit. The controller 180 may include one or more printed circuit boards 185. The manipulation unit 181 and the indication unit 182 may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board 185 (e.g., a control circuit board) through a connection unit (not shown), such as a wire, a cable, a connector, or a flexible circuit board. The first connector 183 is provided on the printed circuit board 185. For example, the first connector 183 may be provided at the lower end of the printed circuit board 185. The first connector 183 may have various types depending on the shape and connection method of the first connector. For example, the first connector 183 may include, but is not limited to, a detachable connector for repeated attachment and detachment, a board-to-board (B-to-B) connector, and a C-type connector.

[0069] A second connector 410 for engaging the first connector 183 may be provided in the main body 1000. A printed circuit board (first printed circuit board) 401 is provided in the main body 1000. The printed circuit board 401 is electrically connected to the battery 900 and control elements of the main body 1000 including the suction motor 191a and the sensor. For example, the printed circuit board 401 may be housed in the support portion 104. A printed circuit board (second printed circuit board) 402 may be provided in the support portion 102. The printed circuit board 402 may be located near the rear end of the support portion 102. The second connector 410 is provided on the printed circuit board 402. The printed circuit board 401 and the printed circuit board 402 are electrically connected to each other via a wire 403, but the printed circuit board 401 and the printed circuit board 402 may also be wirelessly connected.

[0070] The second connector 410 is exposed to the interior of the receiving portion 310 through an opening 314 provided in a lower wall 312 forming the receiving portion 310. The controller 180 is inserted into the receiving portion 310 by aligning the second guide portion 184 with the first guide portion 320 and moving the controller 180 downward. When the controller 180 is fully inserted into the receiving portion 310, the first connector 183 is engaged with the second connector 410. Therefore, the controller 180 can communicate with the battery 900 and the control elements of the main body 1000.

[0071] The second connector 410 may be formed to be complementary to the first connector 183. For example, the first connector 183 may include a protruding pin, and the second connector 410 may include a groove that can accommodate the pin. Alternatively, the second connector 410 may include a protrusion, and the first connector 183 may include a groove that can accommodate the protrusion. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first connector 183 and the second connector 410 may include a wafer connector. The controller 180 may be fixed to the main body 1000 by various fixing structures. For example, the controller 180 may be fixed to the main body 1000 by a snap-fit ​​fixing structure, a magnetic fixing structure, a screw fastening structure, etc.

[0072] Figure 4 The figure illustrates a snap-fit ​​fixing structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the snap-fit ​​fixing structure may include a capture portion 514 and an elastic locking portion 513, the capture portion 514 being provided in any one of the controller 180 and the socket 300, and the elastic locking portion 513 being provided in the other of the controller 180 and the socket 300 so as to be elastically captured or locked by the capture portion 514. In the present embodiment of the present disclosure, the capture portion 514 is provided in the controller 180, and the elastic locking portion 513 is provided in the socket 300. For example, the elastic locking portion 513 may include an elastic arm 511, the elastic arm 511 being provided on the front wall 313 of the socket 300 to be elastically bent in the front-rear direction (X), and an engaging protrusion 512 being provided at one end of the elastic arm 511. The capture portion 514 has a shape that can capture or lock the engaging protrusion 512. For example, the capture portion 514 may be concavely formed on the front wall 186 of the controller 180.

[0073] When the controller 180 is inserted into the receiving portion 310 of the socket 300 and then slides downward, the front wall 186 of the controller 180 pushes the engaging protrusion 512 forward, so that the elastic arm 511 bends forward. When the installation of the controller 180 is completed, the elastic arm 511 elastically returns to its original position, and the engaging protrusion 512 is thereby captured or locked by the catch portion 514, so that the controller 180 can be fixed to the socket 300. Unless a force greater than or equal to the elastic force of the elastic arm 511 is applied, the controller 180 can remain fixed to the socket 300. By sliding the controller 180 upward with a force greater than the elastic force of the elastic arm 511 to separate the controller 180 from the socket 300, the engaging protrusion 512 is pushed forward by the catch portion 514, and the elastic arm 511 bends forward, so that the engaging protrusion 512 is separated from the catch portion 514. By continuously sliding the controller 180 upward, the controller 180 can be separated from the receiving portion 310 of the socket 300. When the controller 180 is separated from the socket 300 , the elastic arm 511 elastically returns to its original position.

[0074] Figure 5 FIG. 1 illustrates a magnetic fixing structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the magnetic fixing structure may include a magnet 521 and a magnetic member 522, the magnet 521 being provided in any one of the controller 180 and the socket 300, and the magnetic member 522 being provided in the other of the controller 180 and the socket 300. The magnetic member 522 is a member capable of being adsorbed to the magnet 521, such as iron. In the present embodiment of the present disclosure, the magnetic member 522 is provided in the controller 180, and the magnet 521 is provided in the socket 300. For example, the magnet 521 may be provided on the front wall 313 of the socket 300, and the magnetic member 522 may be provided on the front wall 186 of the controller 180 facing the front wall 313. When the controller 180 is inserted into the receiving portion 310 of the socket 300, the magnetic member 522 may be attached to the magnet 521 by the magnetic force of the magnet 521, and the controller 180 may be fixed to the socket 300. By sliding the controller 180 upward with a force greater than the magnetic force of the magnet 521 to separate the controller 180 from the socket 300 , the magnetic member 522 may be separated from the magnet 521 , and the controller 180 may be separated from the receiving portion 310 of the socket 300 .

[0075] Figure 6 The figure shows a screw fastening structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 , a locking portion 187 to be inserted into the handle 105 is provided in the controller 180. For example, the locking portion 187 extends downward from the lower end of the controller 180. The locking portion 187 may be located at the rear of the first connector 183. A locking hole 188 is provided in the locking portion 187. An opening 314 is provided in the lower portion of the socket 300, for example, in the lower wall 312. The above-mentioned second connector 410 is exposed upward through the opening 314. The opening 314 provides a passage through which the locking portion 187 is inserted into the handle 105.

[0076] When the controller 180 is mounted on the socket 300, the locking portion 187 is inserted into the handle 105 through the opening 314. A screw fastening hole 531 aligned with the locking hole 188 is provided in the handle 105. The controller 180 can be fixed to the main body 1000 by screwing the screw 532 through the screw fastening hole 531 into the locking hole 188. The cover 533 can cover the screw fastening hole 531. The cover 533 can be connected to the handle 105 in a detachable manner. In order to maintain the appearance quality of the cleaner, the cover 533 can have a shape that matches the appearance of the handle 105. The cover 533 can be formed of, for example, rubber, etc. The controller 180 can be separated from the main body 1000 by separating the cover 533 from the handle 105, loosening the screw 532, and then sliding the controller 180 upward to separate the controller 180 from the socket 300.

[0077] As the use condition of the cleaner changes, the shape and function of the controller 180 may also change. According to the present disclosure, the controller 180 can be separated from the main body 1000. According to the user's preference, the user can improve the aesthetic elements of the cleaner by separating the controller 180 from the main body 1000 and replacing the controller 180 with another controller 180 having a different design. In addition, the user can improve the convenience and manipulability of the cleaner by installing a controller 180 having a manipulation unit 181 and an indication unit 182 suitable for the use condition of the cleaner on the cleaner.

[0078] Figures 7a to 7e Various examples of the controller 180 are shown. Figure 7a , the controller 180a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a conventional or standard controller with an indication unit 182a having a quadrilateral shape and a standard size. The controller 180a may have a form factor that is smaller than the form factor of the filter housing 198, for example, including a length in the lateral direction (horizontal direction) (Y) and a length in the up-down direction (vertical direction) (Z). In other words, the projection area of ​​the controller 180a along the front-to-back direction (X) on the YZ plane is within the projection area of ​​the filter housing 198 along the front-to-back direction (X) on the YZ plane. Reference Figure 7b According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 180b and Figure 7a The illustrated controller 180a differs in that the indication unit 182b has a circular shape.

[0079] At least one of the shape factors of the controller 180 may be greater than the shape factor of the filter housing 198. The shape factor of the filter housing 198 refers to a parameter that determines the shape and size of a projection area of ​​the filter housing 198 along its attachment or detachment direction. Similarly, the shape factor of the controller 180 refers to a parameter that determines the shape and size of a projection area of ​​the controller 180 along the attachment or detachment direction of the filter housing 198. For example, in the case where the appearance of the filter housing 198 has a cylindrical shape, the diameter of the maximum cross-section of the filter housing 198 on the YZ plane is the shape factor of the filter housing 198. The controller 180 may include the longest length of the controller 180 in the lateral direction (Y) and the longest length in the up-down direction (Z).

[0080] refer to Figure 7c According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 180c includes an indication unit 182c, which indicates that the controller 180c is a controller 182c that is configured to indicate the position of the controller 182c in the up-down direction (Z). Figure 7aThe indicating unit 182a of the controller 180a shown in FIG is longer. The length of the controller 180c in the up-down direction (Z) is greater than the diameter of the filter housing 198. The controller 180c extends upward beyond the periphery of the filter housing 198. That is, the projection area of ​​the controller 180c on the YZ plane exceeds the projection area of ​​the filter housing 198 on the YZ plane in the up-down direction (Z).

[0081] refer to Figure 7d According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 180d includes an indication unit 182d, which is larger than the horizontal direction (Y). Figure 7a The indicating unit 182a of the controller 180a shown is longer. The length of the controller 180d in the transverse direction (Y) is greater than the diameter of the filter housing 198. The controller 180d extends beyond the periphery of the filter housing 198 in the transverse direction (Y). That is, the projection area of ​​the controller 180d on the YZ plane exceeds the projection area of ​​the filter housing 198 on the YZ plane in the transverse direction (Y).

[0082] refer to Figure 7e According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 180e includes an indication unit 182e which is larger than the vertical direction (Z) and the horizontal direction (Y). Figure 7a The indicating unit 182a of the controller 180a shown is longer. The controller 180e extends beyond the periphery of the filter housing 198 in the up-down direction (Z). The length of the controller 180e in the up-down direction (Z) and the length in the lateral direction (Y) are both greater than the diameter of the filter housing 198. That is, the projection area of ​​the controller 180e on the YZ plane exceeds the projection area of ​​the filter housing 198 on the YZ plane in the up-down direction (Z) and the lateral direction (Y).

[0083] Therefore, the controller 180 including the indication unit 182 having various sizes and shapes may be installed on the main body 1000 to reflect the needs of the user. Figures 7a to 7e Although not shown in the drawings, various controllers 180 having various exterior colors and including the manipulation unit 181 having different colors and shapes may be provided, and an appropriate controller 180 may be mounted on the body 1000 according to the user's preference.

[0084] In some embodiments, the various controllers 180 have a variety of sizes and shapes, a variety of exterior colors, etc., and can be modular and interchangeable with each other so that a user can change between the various controllers 180 at any time.

[0085] Another controller 180 having multiple functions reflecting the user's usage pattern may be installed on the main body 1000 to replace the existing controller 180. For example, according to the user's usage pattern, the main body 1000 may be installed with: a standard controller capable of selecting a normal mode, a strong suction mode, and an extra-strong suction mode; a professional controller capable of selecting a normal mode, an energy-saving mode, a strong suction mode, an extra-strong suction mode, and a spray mode; or an advanced controller capable of selecting a normal mode and an extra-strong suction mode and displaying information in a large size. For example, the standard controller and the professional controller may have Figures 7a to 7e For example, a high-end controller may have a shape for displaying large letters, such as Figure 7d and Figure 7e shown.

[0086] Figure 7f is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a user terminal is installed instead of installing a controller.

[0087] refer to Figure 7f , a user's mobile terminal 180f (e.g., a smart phone or a tablet device) can be installed on the main body 1000 to replace the controller 180. Here, the mobile terminal 180f can be a device in which a specific application for managing home appliances is installed. The user can control the operation of the cleaner by executing the application installed in the mobile terminal 180f. During the cleaning operation, the user can control the operation of other home appliances or monitor the status of other home appliances through the specific application of the mobile terminal 180f. For example, during the cleaning operation, the user can manage the status of the refrigerator, remotely control the washing machine, set the temperature of the air conditioner, change the channel of the television (TV), or turn on / off the lights through the mobile terminal 180f installed on the cleaner.

[0088] The cleaner may be connected to the mobile terminal 180f via a wireless network such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy Consumption (BLE), 5G communication, or Long Term Evolution (LTE). For example, when the mobile terminal 180f is mounted on the cleaner, the mobile terminal 180f may establish a wireless communication channel with the cleaner and automatically execute a specific application for managing the home appliance.

[0089] As described above, the cleaning device of the present disclosure includes the filter housing 198, which can be separated from the cleaning device in the rearward direction. The detachable controller 180 enables the filter housing 198 to be separated from the cleaning device in the rearward direction. Figure 8 1 is a schematic side view illustrating a state in which the filter case 198 is separated from the main body 1000. Figure 8, since the controller 180 is arranged at the rear of the filter housing 198, the user first separates the controller 180 from the main body 1000 before separating the filter housing 198 from the main body 1000. For example, the cover 533 is removed from the handle 105 to expose the screw fastening hole 531. The fixation of the controller 180 is released by loosening the screw 532. Then, the controller 180 is separated from the socket 300 by sliding the controller 180 upward. Then, the filter housing 198 can be separated from the main body 1000 by sliding the filter housing 198 backward. The socket 300 is separated from the main body 1000 in a manner integrated with the filter housing 198.

[0090] The user may replace or clean the filter 197, and then mount the filter housing 198 back to the main body 1000. The filter housing 198 may be fixed to the main body 1000, for example, by hooking on a hook 106 provided on the main body 1000. Then, the user inserts the controller 180 into the socket 300 by aligning the controller 180 with the receiving portion 310 of the socket 300, and then sliding the controller 180 downward. When the controller 180 is fully inserted into the socket 300, the first connector 183 is coupled to the second connector 410 of the main body 1000. The locking portion 187 is inserted into the handle 105, and the locking hole 188 is aligned with the screw fastening hole 531. The controller 180 may be fixed to the main body 1000 by fastening the screw 532 through the screw fastening hole 531 into the locking hole 188. The screw fastening hole 531 may be covered by coupling the cover 533 to the handle 105.

[0091] According to the conventional cleaner, a filter housing having a hollow cylindrical shape is adopted. In order to allow the filter housing to be separated from the main body when sliding backward, the size of the controller needs to be smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion of the filter housing. Therefore, the size of the indicating unit is limited, and it is difficult to adopt or incorporate a controller having various sizes and shapes.

[0092] According to the cleaner of the present disclosure, the controller 180 can be separated from the main body 1000. By first separating the controller 180 from the main body 1000, and then sliding the filter housing 198 backward from the main body 1000, the filter housing 198 can be separated from the main body 1000. Therefore, the backward separation of the filter housing 198 is not limited by the size or shape of the controller 180. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, according to a cleaner including a filter housing 198 that can be separated from the cleaner in the backward direction, the filter 197 can be easily replaced, so that the cleaner can be easily kept clean and can perform a high-performance cleaning operation. In addition, since the filter 197 can be positioned relatively close to the outlet of the suction fan 191, the curvature of the exhaust path 196 is relatively small, whereby the resistance of the flow path is relatively low, and the suction efficiency of the suction fan 191 can be improved. In addition, compared with the power of the suction fan 191, the efficiency of the battery 900 is improved, and therefore, the use time of the cordless cleaner that needs to be charged before use can be increased. Furthermore, since the controller 180 having various sizes, shapes, and functions may be used, user convenience may be improved.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 180 slides in the up-down direction (Z) to be attached to or detached from the body 1000 (eg, the socket 300 ), but the sliding direction of the controller 180 may be changed. Fig. 9 A structure in which the controller 180 is attached to or detached from the main body 1000 by sliding in the front-rear direction (X) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. Fig. 9 , the socket 300 is provided on the rear surface of the filter housing 198. A first guide portion 320 having a groove shape extending in the front-rear direction (X) is provided inside the socket 300. A second guide portion 184 having a protrusion shape extending in the front-rear direction (X) is provided on the side wall of the controller 180. In order to electrically connect the main body 1000 to the controller 180, a first connector 183 is provided in the controller 180. The first connector 183 is provided on a printed circuit board 185 (see Figure 3 ). A second connector 410 for engaging the first connector 183 is provided in the main body 1000. The second connector 410 is provided on the printed circuit board 402, which is connected to the printed circuit board 402 by a wire 403 (see Figure 3 ) connected to the printed circuit board 401 (see Figure 3 ). The first connector 183 and the second connector 410 may be coupled to each other in the front-rear direction (X).

[0094] The controller 180 is inserted into the receiving portion 310 of the socket 300 by aligning the second guide portion 184 with the first guide portion 320 and moving the controller 180 forward. When the controller 180 is fully inserted into the receiving portion 310, the first connector 183 is engaged with the second connector 410. Therefore, the controller 180 can communicate with the battery 900 and the control elements of the main body 1000. The controller 180 can be fixed to the main body 1000 by a variety of fixing structures. For example, the controller 180 can be fixed to the main body 1000 by the snap-fit ​​fixing structure or the magnetic fixing structure described above. Although not shown in the drawings, in the snap-fit ​​fixing structure, the elastic locking portion 513 (see Figure 4 ) may be provided on the side wall 311 forming the receiving portion 310, and the capturing portion 514 (see Figure 4 ) may be disposed on a side wall of the controller 180 opposite to the side wall 311. Although not shown in the drawings, the magnetic fixing structure may be provided with Figure 5 Although not shown in the drawings, the controller 180 may be fixed to the main body 1000 by a screw fastening structure or the like.

[0095] Fig.10 is a side view in the transverse direction (Y) illustrating a structure in which the controller 180 is attached to or detached from the body 1000 by sliding in the transverse direction (Y) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.10 , the socket 300 is disposed on the rear surface of the filter housing 198. The socket 300 includes a housing portion 310 that is open in the lateral direction (Y). For example, the housing portion 310 may be defined by a pair of walls 316, a side wall 311, and a front wall 313, the pair of walls 316 being arranged in the up-down direction (Z), the side wall 311 connecting one ends of the pair of walls 316 in the lateral direction (Y) to each other. A first guide portion 320 having a groove shape extending in the lateral direction (Y) may be disposed inside the pair of walls 316. A second guide portion 184 having a protrusion shape may be disposed on the upper and lower walls of the controller 180. In order to electrically connect the main body 1000 to the controller 180, a first connector 183 is disposed in the controller 180. The first connector 183 is disposed on a printed circuit board 185 (see Figure 3 ). A second connector 410 for engaging the first connector 183 is provided in the main body 1000. The second connector 410 is provided on the printed circuit board 402, which is connected to the printed circuit board 402 by a wire 403 (see Figure 3 ) connected to the printed circuit board 401 (see Figure 3 ). The first connector 183 and the second connector 410 may be coupled to each other in the transverse direction (Y).

[0096] The controller 180 is inserted into the receiving portion 310 of the socket 300 by aligning the second guide portion 184 with the first guide portion 320 and moving the controller 180 in the lateral direction (Y). When the controller 180 is fully inserted into the receiving portion 310, the first connector 183 engages with the second connector 410. Therefore, the controller 180 can communicate with the battery 900 and the control elements of the main body 1000. The controller 180 can be fixed to the main body 1000 by various fixing structures. For example, the controller 180 can be fixed to the main body 1000 by the snap-fit ​​fixing structure or the magnetic fixing structure described above. In the snap-fit ​​fixing structure, the elastic locking portion 513 can be provided on the front wall 313 forming the receiving portion 310, and the capture portion 514 (see Figure 4 ) may be disposed on the front wall 186 of the controller 180 opposite to the front wall 313 (see Figure 4 Although not shown in the drawings, the magnetic fixing structure may be Figure 5 Although not shown in the drawings, the controller 180 may be fixed to the main body 1000 by a screw fastening structure or the like.

[0097] Fig.10 The structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated, in which the controller 180 is mounted on the main body 1000 by sliding in the left direction (-Y), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the cleaner may be designed as a structure in which the controller 180 is mounted on the main body 1000 by sliding in the right direction (+Y), a structure in which the controller 180 is mounted on the main body 1000 by sliding in the downward direction (-Z), or a structure in which the controller 180 is mounted on the main body 1000 by sliding in the upward direction (+Z).

[0098] The controller 180 may be coupled to the filter housing 198 , and thus the controller 180 may be attached to the body 1000 in a manner of being integrated with the filter housing 198 or may be separated from the body 1000 . Fig.11 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.11 , the socket 300 is disposed on the rear surface of the filter housing 198, and the controller 180 is supported by the socket 300. The printed circuit board 402 including the second connector 410 is located in the main body 1000, for example, at the rear of the support portion 102. The filter housing 198 and the controller 180 integrally form a controller assembly 180X1. The controller assembly 180X1 can be attached to or detached from the main body 1000 by sliding in the front-rear direction (X). The controller 180 can be fixedly supported by the socket 300, and as described above, the controller 180 can be attached to or detached from the socket 300.

[0099] When the controller assembly 180X1 slides forward, the first connector 183 and the second connector 410 are connected to each other, and the front end of the filter housing 198 is captured or locked on the hook 106 provided in the main body 1000. Therefore, the controller assembly 180X1 can be fixed to the main body 1000. The controller assembly 180X1 can be fixed to the main body 1000 by a fixing unit not shown in the drawings. When the controller assembly 180X1 slides backward, the front end of the filter housing 198 is separated from the hook 106, and the first connector 183 is separated from the second connector 410. Therefore, the controller assembly 180X1 can be separated from the main body 1000. In this state, maintenance of the filter 197, such as replacement or cleaning, can be performed. In the case where the controller 180 can be separated from the socket 300, another controller 180 can be installed on the socket 300 to replace the existing controller 180. In a case where the controller 180 is fixedly supported by the socket 300 , another controller assembly 180X1 employing another controller 180 may be mounted on the main body 1000 to replace the existing controller assembly 180X1 .

[0100] The controller 180 may be coupled to the handle 105 , and thus the controller 180 may be attached to the body 1000 in a manner of being integrated with the handle 105 or may be detached from the body 1000 . Fig.12 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.12 , the controller 180 is supported by the upper end of the handle 105. Although not shown in the drawings, the socket 300 may be provided at the upper end of the handle 105, and the controller 180 may be supported by the socket 300 in a detachable manner. The second connector 410 is provided in the body 1000, for example, at the rear of the support portion 102. Although not shown in the drawings, the second connector 410 is provided on the printed circuit board 402 (see Figure 3 The handle 105 and the controller 180 integrally form a controller assembly 180X2. The controller assembly 180X2 may be attached to or detached from the body 1000 by sliding in the front-rear direction (X).

[0101] When the controller assembly 180X2 slides forward, the first connector 183 and the second connector 410 are coupled to each other, and the handle 105 is supported by the main body 1000. For example, the upper end and the lower end of the handle 105 are supported by the support portion 102 and the battery mounting portion 103, respectively. The controller assembly 180X2 can be fastened to the support portion 102 and / or the battery mounting portion 103 by screws (not shown) or the like. Therefore, the controller assembly 180X2 can be fixed to the main body 1000.

[0102] By loosening the screw (not shown) and sliding the controller assembly 180X2 backward, the upper and lower ends of the handle 105 can be separated from the support portion 102 and the battery mounting portion 103, respectively, and the first connector 183 can be separated from the second connector 410. Therefore, the controller assembly 180X2 can be separated from the main body 1000. In the case where the controller 180 can be separated from the socket 300, another controller 180 can be installed on the socket 300 to replace the existing controller 180. In the case where the controller 180 is fixedly supported by the socket 300, another controller assembly 180X2 using another controller 180 can be installed on the main body 1000 to replace the existing controller assembly 180X2. When the filter 197 needs maintenance (such as replacement or cleaning), after the controller assembly 180X2 is separated from the main body 1000, the filter housing 198 can be separated from the main body 1000.

[0103] The controller 180 may be attached to the body 1000 in a manner of being integrated with the filter housing 198 and the handle 105 or may be separated from the body 1000 . Fig.13 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.13 , the filter housing 198 and the controller 180 are supported by the upper end of the handle 105. The controller 180 is located at the rear of the filter housing 198. Although not shown in the drawings, the socket 300 may be provided at the upper end of the handle 105, that is, at the rear of the filter housing 198, and the controller 180 may be supported by the socket 300 in a detachable manner. The second connector 410 is provided in the body 1000, for example, at the rear of the support portion 102. Although not shown in the drawings, the second connector 410 is located on the printed circuit board 402 (see Figure 3 The handle 105, the filter housing 198 and the controller 180 integrally form a controller assembly 180X3. The controller assembly 180X3 can be attached to or detached from the main body 1000 by sliding in the front-rear direction (X).

[0104] When the controller assembly 180X3 slides forward, the first connector 183 and the second connector 410 are connected to each other, and the upper and lower ends of the handle 105 are supported by the support portion 102 and the battery mounting portion 103, respectively. The front end of the filter housing 198 can be caught or locked on the hook 106 (see Figure 8 ). The controller assembly 180X3 may be fastened to the support portion 102 or the battery mounting portion 103 by screws (not shown) or the like. Thus, the controller assembly 180X3 may be fixed to the main body 1000.

[0105] By loosening the screw (not shown) and sliding the controller assembly 180X3 backward, the hook 106 (see Figure 8 ) releases the front end of the filter housing 198, and the upper and lower ends of the handle 105 are separated from the support portion 102 and the battery mounting portion 103, respectively. The first connector 183 is separated from the second connector 410. Therefore, the controller assembly 180X3 can be separated from the main body 1000. In the case where the controller 180 can be separated from the socket 300, another controller 180 can be installed on the socket 300 to replace the existing controller 180. In the case where the controller 180 is fixedly supported by the socket 300, another controller assembly 180X3 using another controller 180 can be installed on the main body 1000 to replace the existing controller assembly 180X3. When necessary, maintenance of the filter 197, such as replacement or cleaning, can be performed.

[0106] In order to enable the filter housing 198 to be separated backward, when the filter housing 198 is separated from the cleaner in the backward direction, the controller 180 can be switched to the retreat position so as not to interfere with the filter housing 198. In other words, the controller 180 can switch between the use position at the rear of the filter housing 198 and the above-mentioned retreat position.

[0107] Fig.14a is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.14a , the controller 180 can be rotated to a retreat position 180Y2 and a use position 180Y1 at the rear of the filter housing 198, in which the controller 180 does not interfere with the separation of the filter housing 198 from the cleaner in the rearward direction. The main body 1000 may include an upper support 107. The upper support 107 may be located above the filter housing 198 and may extend rearward while surrounding the periphery of the dust collector 192. The upper support 107 may extend from the bearing 102. The upper support 107 may partially surround the filter housing 198. The upper support 107 may completely surround the filter housing 198. In this case, the rear end of the upper support 107 may be open. The controller 180 is supported by a hinge 108 located at the rear end of the upper support 107 in a rotatable manner. The hinge 108 includes an axis along the transverse direction (Y). The printed circuit board 185 of the controller 180 can be electrically connected to the printed circuit board 401 (see Figure 3 ). Although not shown in the drawings, the cleaner may have a fixing structure for fixing the controller 180 to the use position 180Y1. The fixing structure may include, for example, a snap-fit ​​fixing structure, a magnetic fixing structure, a screw fastening structure, etc.

[0108] When the cleaner is in use, the controller 180 is in the following state: Fig.14a 180Y1. In the use position 180Y1, the controller 180 is located at the rear of the filter housing 198 and above the handle 105. Before separating the filter housing 198 from the main body 1000, the controller 180 is rotated upward about the hinge 108 so as to be in the retreat position 180Y2. In the retreat position 180Y2, the controller 180 does not interfere with the filter housing 198 sliding backward from the main body 1000. When the controller 180 is in the retreat position 180Y2, the filter housing 198 can be separated from the main body 1000.

[0109] Fig.14b 4 is a schematic diagram for describing a wire 404 connecting the controller 180 to the main body 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] refer to Fig.14b , when the controller 180 is in the retreat position 180Y2, the controller 180 may be electrically connected to the main body 1000 through the wire 404. That is, when the controller 180 is in the retreat position 180Y2, the controller 180 may be physically separated from the main body 1000 (incomplete connection state), but electrically connected to the main body 1000. Therefore, even if the controller 180 is in the retreat position 180Y2, the controller 180 may receive power from the battery 900, and the controller 180 may perform communication (e.g., universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART) communication or inter-integrated circuit (I2C) communication) with various components in the main body 1000 (e.g., the battery 900, the suction fan 191, or the pressure sensor).

[0111] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wire 404 may be a flexible printed circuit (FPC), a flexible flat cable (FFC), a curling wire, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0112] Fig.15 is a schematic perspective view of a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.14a The difference of the cleaner of the embodiment of the present disclosure shown is that the upper support portion 107a completely surrounds the filter housing 198. Fig.14a The differences between the embodiments of the present disclosure shown in the drawings are shown, and redundant descriptions will be omitted. Fig.15, the upper support portion 107a completely surrounds the filter housing 198. The upper support portion 107a may have a cylindrical shape with an open rear end. The filter housing 198 is located inside the upper support portion 107a. The controller 180 is supported by a hinge 108 at the rear end of the upper support portion 107a so that the controller 180 can be rotated to a retreat position 180Y2 and a use position 180Y1 at the rear of the filter housing 198, in which the controller 180 does not interfere with the separation of the filter housing 198 from the cleaner in the rear direction. The printed circuit board 185 of the controller 180 (see Fig.14a and Fig.14b ) can be electrically connected to the printed circuit board 401 (see Figure 3 ), through, for example, a flexible wire 404. The wire 404 may be an FPC, an FFC, a curling wire, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0113] When the cleaner is in use, the controller 180 is in the following state: Fig.15 180Y1. In the use position 180Y1, the controller 180 blocks the open end of the upper support 107. The controller 180 is located at the rear of the filter housing 198 and above the handle 105. Before separating the filter housing 198 from the main body 1000, the controller 180 is rotated upward around the hinge 108 so as to be in the retreat position 180Y2. In this state, the filter housing 198 can be separated from the main body 1000.

[0114] The upper support portion 107a may be a filter housing 198. In this case, the filter housing 198 has a cylindrical shape with an open rear end. The controller 180 is supported by a hinge 108 at the rear end of the filter housing 198 so as to be able to rotate to a use position 180Y1 and a retreat position 180Y2. When the controller 180 is in the use position 180Y1, the rear end of the filter housing 198 is blocked by the controller 180. When the controller 180 is in the retreat position 180Y2, the rear end of the filter housing 198 is opened, and in this state, the filter 197 can be separated from the filter housing 198, and a new filter 197 can be installed in the filter housing 198. Of course, after cleaning the filter 197, the filter 197 can be installed in the filter housing 198 again.

[0115] Fig.16 is a schematic side view of a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.14a The illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure is different from the above-described cleaner in that the controller 180 is rotatably supported at the upper end of the handle 105. Fig.16, the controller 180 is supported by the main body 1000, for example, by the handle 105, so that the controller 180 can be rotated to a retreat position 180Y2 and a use position 180Y1 at the rear of the filter housing 198, in which the controller 180 does not interfere with the separation of the filter housing 198 from the cleaner in the rear direction. The controller 180 is supported by a hinge 108a at the upper end of the handle 105 in a rotatable manner. The hinge 108a includes an axis along the lateral direction (Y). The printed circuit board 185 (see Fig.14a and Fig.14b ) can be connected by, for example, a flexible wire 404 (see Fig.14a and Fig.14b ) is electrically connected to the above-mentioned printed circuit board 401 (see Figure 3 ).

[0116] When the cleaner is in use, the controller 180 is in the following state: Fig.16 180Y1. In the use position 180Y1, the controller 180 is located at the rear of the filter housing 198 and above the handle 105. Before separating the filter housing 198 from the main body 1000, the controller 180 is rotated upward about the hinge 108a so as to be in the retreat position 180Y2. In the retreat position 180Y2, the controller 180 does not interfere with the filter housing 198 sliding backward from the main body 1000. When the controller 180 is in the retreat position 180Y2, the filter housing 198 can be separated from the main body 1000.

[0117] Fig.17 is a schematic side view of a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.14a The cleaner of the embodiment of the present disclosure shown is different in that a hinge 108c including an axis along the front-rear direction (X) is adopted. Hereinafter, the difference between the two cleaners will be mainly described. Fig.17 , the controller 180 can be rotated to a retreat position 180Y2 and a use position 180Y1 at the rear of the filter housing 198, in which the controller 180 does not interfere with the separation of the filter housing 198 from the cleaner in the rearward direction. The controller 180 is supported by a hinge 108c at the rear end of the upper support portion 107 in a rotatable manner. The hinge 108c includes an axis along the front-to-back direction (X). The printed circuit board 185 of the controller 180 can be electrically connected to the above-mentioned printed circuit board 401 (see Fig.14b). Although not shown in the drawings, the cleaner may have a fixing structure for fixing the controller 180 to the use position 180Y1. The fixing structure may include, for example, a snap-fit ​​fixing structure, a magnetic fixing structure, a screw fastening structure, etc.

[0118] When the cleaner is in use, the controller 180 is in the following state: Fig.17 180Y1. In the use position 180Y1, the controller 180 is located at the rear of the filter housing 198 and above the handle 105. Before separating the filter housing 198 from the main body 1000, the controller 180 is rotated upward about the hinge 108c so as to be in the retreat position 180Y2. In the retreat position 180Y2, the controller 180 does not interfere with the filter housing 198 sliding backward from the main body 1000. When the controller 180 is in the retreat position 180Y2, the filter housing 198 can be separated from the main body 1000.

[0119] The controller 180 may be switched to the use position 180Y1 and the retreat position 180Y2 in a manner integrated with the handle 105 . Fig.18 is a schematic side view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.18 , the handle 105 and the controller 180 are integrally formed into a controller assembly 180X2. The controller assembly 180X2 is supported by the main body 1000 so that the controller 180 can be rotated to a retreat position 180Y2 and a use position 180Y1 at the rear of the filter housing 198, in which retreat position 180Y2 the controller 180 does not interfere with the separation of the filter housing 198 from the cleaner in the rear direction. For example, the lower end of the handle 105 is rotatably supported by a hinge 108b at the battery mounting portion 103. The hinge 108b includes an axis along the transverse direction (Y). The printed circuit board 185 of the controller 180 can be electrically connected to the above-mentioned printed circuit board 401 (see, for example, a flexible wire 404) via the hinge 108b. Figure 3 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wire 404 may be an FPC, an FFC, a curling wire, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0120] When the cleaner is in use, the controller assembly 180X2 is in the following state: Fig.18180Y1. In the use position 180Y1, the controller 180 is located at the rear of the filter housing 198 and above the handle 105. Before separating the filter housing 198 from the main body 1000, the controller assembly 180X2 is rotated about the hinge 108b so as to be in the retreat position 180Y2. In the retreat position 180Y2, the controller 180 does not interfere with the filter housing 198 sliding backward from the main body 1000. When the controller 180 is in the retreat position 180Y2, the filter housing 198 can be separated from the main body 1000.

[0121] In order to be able to detach the filter housing 198 rearwardly, the controller 180 may have a flexible structure so as to be able to be bent from the use position to the retracted position. Fig.19 is a schematic side view of a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.14a The difference between the cleaning device of the embodiment of the present disclosure shown is that a flexible controller 180AA is adopted. In the following, the difference between the two cleaning devices will be mainly described. Fig.19 , the controller 180AA may include a flexible window 601 and a flexible display 602 supported by the window 601. The flexible display 602 may be, for example, a touch panel display in which the manipulation unit 181 (see Figure 1 ) and indicating unit 182 (see Figure 1 ). The window 601 may be formed of a light-transmitting material. A flexible circuit board 603 may be provided along the inner surface of the window 601. The display 602 may be arranged on the inner surface of the window 601. The flexible circuit board 603 may be connected to the display 602. One end 601a of the window 601 is fixed to the rear end of the upper support portion 107. The flexible circuit board 603 extends into the body 1000 through the upper support portion 107 and may be connected to the above-mentioned printed circuit board 401.

[0122] When the cleaner is in use, the controller 180AA is in the following state: Fig.19 180Y1. In the use position 180Y1, the controller 180AA is located at the rear of the filter housing 198 and above the handle 105. Before separating the filter housing 198 from the main body 1000, the controller 180AA is rotated to the retreat position 180Y2. Because the window 601 is flexible, the window 601 can be bent by using the adjacent portion of one end 601a as a hinge. Therefore, the controller 180AA can be in a position such as Fig.19 The solid line in FIG. 180A shows the retracted position 180Y2. When the controller 180AA is in the retracted position 180Y2, the filter housing 198 can be separated from the main body 1000.

[0123] Fig. 20 is a schematic side view of a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.19 The difference between the cleaning device of the embodiment of the present disclosure shown is that a non-flexible display 604 is used. In the following, the difference between the two cleaning devices will be mainly described. Fig. 20 , the controller 180BB may include a flexible window 601 having a light-transmitting property and a display 604 supported by the window 601. The display 604 is non-flexible due to its rigidity. The display 604 may be, for example, a touch panel display in which the manipulation unit 181 (see Figure 1 ) and indicating unit 182 (see Figure 1 ). A flexible circuit board 603 may be provided along the inner surface of the window 601. A display 604 may be arranged on the inner surface of the window 601. The flexible circuit board 603 may be connected to the display 604. One end 601a of the window 601 is fixed to the rear end of the upper support portion 107. The flexible circuit board 603 extends into the body 1000 through the upper support portion 107 and may be connected to the above-mentioned printed circuit board 401.

[0124] When the cleaner is in use, the controller 180BB is in the following state: Fig. 20 180Y1. In the use position 180Y1, the controller 180BB is located at the rear of the filter housing 198 and above the handle 105. Before separating the filter housing 198 from the main body 1000, the controller 180BB is rotated to the retreat position 180Y2. Because the window 601 is flexible, the window 601 can be bent by using the adjacent portion of one end 601a as a hinge. Therefore, the controller 180BB can be in a position such as Fig. 20 The solid line in FIG. 180B shows the retracted position 180Y2. When the controller 180BB is in the retracted position 180Y2, the filter housing 198 can be separated from the main body 1000.

[0125] In the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 180 and the main body 1000 are connected to each other in a communicative manner through a wired connection structure. The controller 180 and the main body 1000 may be connected to each other in a communicative manner through a wireless connection structure. For example, the controller 180 and the main body 1000 may be connected to each other through a short-range wireless network. The short-range wireless network may include, for example, Bluetooth. TM(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15.1), Zigbee (IEEE802.15.4), Wi-Fi Direct, Near Field Communication (NFC), Z-Wave, etc.), but not limited thereto. Each of the controller 180 and the body 1000 may include a communication module capable of wireless communication.

[0126] Fig.21 1 is a block diagram for describing functions of the cleaner main body 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0127] refer to Fig.21 , the cleaner body 1000 may include: a suction force generating device (hereinafter referred to as a motor assembly 1100), which is configured to generate the suction force required for sucking foreign matter on the surface to be cleaned; a dust collecting container 1200 (also referred to as a dust container), which is used to accommodate foreign matter sucked from the surface to be cleaned; a filter unit 1300; a pressure sensor 1400; a battery module 1500, which can supply power to the motor assembly 1100; a communication interface 1600; a user interface 1700; at least one processor (for example, a main processor 1800) and a memory 1900. However, Fig.21 Not all components shown in the figure are necessary components. The cleaning device body 1000 may be composed of Fig.21 For example, the cleaner body 1000 may further include a motion sensor (not shown).

[0128] Fig.21 The motor assembly 1100 may correspond to Figure 1 Suction fan 191, Fig.21 The suction motor 1110 may correspond to Figure 1 The suction motor 191a, and Fig.21 The impeller 1120 may correspond to Figure 1 Impeller 191b. In addition, Fig.21 The dust collecting container 1200 may correspond to Figure 1 Dust collection container 193, Fig.21 The filter unit 1300 may correspond to Figure 1 The filter 197 and the filter housing 198, Fig.21 The battery module 1500 may correspond to Figure 1 900 batteries, and Fig.21 The control module 180 may correspond to Figure 1 Controller 180.

[0129] Hereinafter, each component will be described.

[0130] The motor assembly 1100 may include: a suction motor 1110 configured to convert electricity into a mechanical rotational force; an impeller 1120 connected to the suction motor 1110 and rotating with the suction motor 1110; and a printed circuit board (PCB) 1130 connected to the suction motor 1110. The suction motor 1110 and the impeller 1120 connected to the suction motor 1110 and rotating with the suction motor 1110 can generate a vacuum inside the cleaner. Here, vacuum refers to a state where the pressure is lower than the atmospheric pressure. The suction motor 1110 may include a brushless motor (hereinafter referred to as a brushless DC (BLDC) motor), but is not limited thereto.

[0131] The PCB 1130 may include, but is not limited to: a processor (hereinafter referred to as a first processor 1131), which is configured to control the suction motor 1110 and control communication with the brush device (not shown); a first switching element 1132, which is connected to the signal line; a switching element 1133 (hereinafter referred to as a pulse width modulation (PWM) controlled switching element), which is used to supply power to the brush device; and a load sensor 1134, which is configured to detect the load on the brush device. The PWM controlled switching element 1133 may include a field effect transistor (FET), a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), etc. The load sensor 1134 may include a shunt resistor, a shunt resistor and an amplifier circuit (OP-AMP), a current sensor, a magnetic field sensor (non-contact type), etc. In the following, for the convenience of description, FET is described as an example of the PWM controlled switching element 1133, and the shunt resistor is described as an example of the load sensor 1134.

[0132] The motor assembly 1100 may have a reverse motor structure in which the positions of the impeller 1120 and the PCB 1130 are reversed or inverted. In the reverse motor structure, the PCB 1130 may be located at a lower level than the suction motor 1110 with respect to the air flow direction, and the impeller 1120 may be located at a higher level than the suction motor 1110. Therefore, the impeller 1120 may be closer to the filter unit 1300 than the PCB 1130.

[0133] The first processor 1131 may acquire data related to the state of the suction motor 1110 (hereinafter referred to as state data), and send the state data of the suction motor 1110 to the main processor 1800. In addition, the first processor 1131 may control the operation of the first switch element 1132 connected to the signal line (e.g., turning on or off the first switch element 1132) to send a signal (hereinafter referred to as a first signal) to the brush device through the signal line. The first switch element 1132 is an element capable of causing the state of the signal line to be "low". For example, the first switch element 1132 is an element capable of causing the voltage of the signal line to be 0V. The first signal may include data representing at least one of the following items: a target revolutions per minute (RPM) of the rotating brush of the brush device 2000 (hereinafter also referred to as a target roller RPM), a target circuit-breaking level of the brush device, or power consumption of the suction motor 1110, but is not limited thereto. For example, the first signal may include data for controlling a lighting device included in the brush device. The first signal may be implemented with a preset number of bits. For example, the first signal may be implemented with 5 bits or 8 bits, and may have a transmission period of 10 ms per bit, but is not limited thereto.

[0134] The first processor 1131 may detect a signal (hereinafter referred to as a second signal) transmitted from the brush device through the signal line. The second signal may include data indicating the current state of the brush device 2000, but is not limited thereto. For example, the second signal may include data on the current operating condition (e.g., the current drum RPM, the current trip level, or the current lighting device setting value). In addition, the second signal may also include data indicating the type of the brush device. The first processor 1131 may transmit the data indicating the current state of the brush device or the data indicating the type of the brush device included in the second signal to the main processor 1800.

[0135] The motor assembly 1100 may be located inside a dust collection container (dust container) 1200. The dust collection container 1200 may be configured to filter out and collect dust or dirt in the air flowing into the dust collection container 1200 through the brush device. The dust collection container 1200 may be provided to be separable from the cleaner body 1000.

[0136] The dust collecting container 1200 can collect foreign matter by using a cyclone method to separate foreign matter using centrifugal force. The air from which foreign matter is removed by the cyclone method can be discharged to the outside of the cleaner body 1000, and the foreign matter can be stored in the dust collecting container 1200. The multi-cyclone separator can be arranged inside the dust collecting container 1200. The dust collecting container 1200 can be arranged to collect foreign matter in the lower side of the multi-cyclone separator. The dust collecting container 1200 can include a dust container door (also referred to as a cover of the dust container 1200), which is used to open the dust container 1200 when connected to the station. The dust collecting container 1200 can include a first dust collector and a second dust collector, the first dust collector being used to mainly collect relatively large foreign matter, and the second dust collector being used to collect relatively small foreign matter by using the multi-cyclone separator. When the dust collecting container door is opened, both the first dust collector and the second dust collector can be arranged to be open to the outside.

[0137] The filter unit 1300 may filter out ultrafine dust that is not filtered out by the dust collection container 1200. The filter unit 1300 may include an outlet for allowing air that has passed through the filter 197 to be discharged to the outside of the cleaner. The filter unit 1300 may include a motor filter, a HEPA filter, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0138] The pressure sensor 1400 can measure the pressure inside the flow path (hereinafter also referred to as the flow path pressure). The pressure sensor 1400 set at the suction end (e.g., the suction duct 40) can measure the change in the flow rate at the corresponding position by measuring the static pressure. The pressure sensor 1400 can be an absolute pressure sensor or a relative pressure sensor. In the case where the pressure sensor 1400 is an absolute pressure sensor, the main processor 1800 can use the pressure sensor 1400 to sense a first pressure value before running the suction motor 1110. In addition, the main processor 1800 can sense a second pressure value after driving the suction motor 1110 at a target RPM, and use the difference between the first pressure value and the second pressure value as the pressure value inside the flow path. Here, the first pressure value may be a pressure value due to internal / external influences such as weather, altitude, condition of the cleaner, or amount of introduced dust; the second pressure value may be a pressure value due to internal / external influences such as altitude, condition of the vacuum cleaner, or amount of introduced dust and a pressure value due to driving of the suction motor 1110; and the difference between the first pressure value and the second pressure value may be a pressure value due to driving of the suction motor 1100. Therefore, by using the difference between the first pressure value and the second pressure value as the pressure value inside the flow path, internal / external influences other than the influence of the suction motor 1110 may be minimized.

[0139] The flow path pressure measured by the pressure sensor 1400 can be used to identify the current state of the use environment of the brush device (for example, the state of the surface to be cleaned (e.g., a floor, carpet, mat, or corner) or the state in which the surface to be cleaned has left the floor), and can also be used to measure the suction force that varies depending on the degree of contamination of the dust collection container 1200 or the degree of dust collection.

[0140] The pressure sensor 1400 may be located at the suction end (e.g., suction duct 40). The suction duct 40 may be a structure that connects the dust collection container 1200 to the extension tube 3000 or to the brush device, thereby allowing the fluid containing foreign matter to move to the dust collection container 1200. In view of the contamination of foreign matter / dust, the pressure sensor 1400 may be located at one end of the straight section of the suction duct 40 (or at the inflection point between the straight section and the curved section), but is not limited thereto. The pressure sensor 1400 may be located in the middle of the straight section of the suction duct 40. Meanwhile, in the case where the pressure sensor 1400 is located at the suction duct 40, the pressure sensor 1400 is located in front of the suction motor 1110 configured to generate suction force, and therefore the pressure sensor 140 may be implemented as a negative pressure sensor.

[0141] In the present disclosure, an example is described in which the pressure sensor 1400 is located at the suction duct 40, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The pressure sensor 1400 may be located at the discharge end (e.g., inside the motor assembly 1100). In the case where the pressure sensor 1400 is located at the discharge end, the pressure sensor 1400 is located behind the suction motor 1110 and thus may be implemented as a positive pressure sensor. In addition, a plurality of pressure sensors 1000 may be provided in the cleaner.

[0142] The battery module 1500 may be mounted on the cleaner body 1000 in a detachable manner. The battery module 1500 may be electrically connected to a charging terminal provided in the station. The battery module 1500 may be charged by receiving power from the charging terminal. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery module 1500 may include a processor (e.g., MICOM) for controlling the voltage supplied to the cleaner body 1000 and communicating with the main processor 1800 of the control module 180. The battery module 1500 may perform data communication with the main processor 1800 included in the control module 180. The battery module 1500 may periodically send information about the battery charge state, output voltage, etc. to the main processor 1800.

[0143] The battery module 1500 may include a light emitting diode (LED) display 1501 configured to indicate a battery charging state, a discharging state, etc. For example, the LED display 1501 may display red, orange, or yellow depending on a charging rate, and then display green when charging is completed.

[0144] The control module 180 is used to control the operation of the cleaner, and the control module 180 can be separated from the cleaner body 1000. The control module 180 may include, but is not limited to, a communication interface 1600, a user interface 1700, a main processor 1800, and a memory 1900.

[0145] The communication interface 1600 may include a module for performing communication with an external device. For example, the cleaner body 1000 may perform communication with a station or server device through the communication interface 1600. The communication interface 1600 may include a short-range communication unit and a long-range communication unit. The short-range wireless communication unit may include, but is not limited to: a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE communication unit, a near field communication (NFC) unit, a wireless local area network (WLAN) (e.g., Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi direct connection (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc. A long-range communication unit may be used to enable the cleaner body 1000 to communicate remotely with a server device. The long-range communication unit may include: the Internet, a computer network (e.g., a LAN or a wide area network (WAN)), and a mobile communication unit. The mobile communication unit may include, but is not limited to: a 3G module, a 4G module, a 5G module, an LTE module, a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) module, a machine LTE (LTE-M) module, etc. The user interface 1700 may be provided on the handle. The user interface 1700 may include an input interface (eg, Figure 1 The control unit 181) and the output interface (for example, Figure 1 The cleaner body 1000 may receive user input related to the operation of the cleaner through the user interface 1700, and output information related to the operation of the cleaner. The cleaner body 1000 may output information about the operating state, information about the charging state of the battery, information about the docking state, information about the state of the dust container 1200, the state of the dust bag, etc. through the user interface 1700.

[0146] The input interface may include but is not limited to: at least one of a motion input unit, a voice input unit (e.g., a microphone), or a manipulation input unit (e.g., a power button, a suction force adjustment button). The output interface may include but is not limited to: an LED display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a touch screen, a speaker, etc.

[0147] The cleaner body 1000 may include at least one processor. The cleaner body 1000 may include one processor, or may include multiple processors. For example, the cleaner body 1000 may include a main processor 1800 connected to the user interface 1700 and a first processor 1131 connected to the suction motor 1110. The at least one processor may control the overall operation of the cleaner. For example, the at least one processor may determine the power consumption (e.g., suction force level) of the suction motor 1110, the roller RPM of the brush device, the circuit breaker level of the brush device, etc.

[0148] At least one processor according to the present disclosure may include at least one of the following items: a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a multi-core integrated (MIC) processor, a digital signal processor (DSP) or a neural processing unit (NPU). The at least one processor may be implemented in the form of an integrated system on a chip (SoC) including one or more electronic components. Each of the at least one processor may be implemented as separate hardware (H / W). The at least one processor may be referred to as a MICOM (microcomputer, microprocessor computer or microprocessor controller), a microprocessor unit (MPU) or a microcontroller unit (MCU).

[0149] At least one processor according to the present disclosure may be implemented as a single-core processor or a multi-core processor.

[0150] The memory 1900 may store programs for at least one processor to perform processing and control, and may also store input / output data. For example, the memory 1900 may store: a pre-trained artificial intelligence (AI) model (e.g., a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm), state data of the suction motor 1110, a measurement result of the pressure sensor 1400, state data of the battery module 1500, state data of the brush device, error occurrence data (e.g., fault history data), power consumption corresponding to an operating condition of the suction motor 1110, RPM of a roller to which a rotating brush is attached, a trip level, an operation sequence corresponding to a suction force generation mode of the suction motor 1110, a type of brush device corresponding to a voltage value input through a signal line, a PWM frequency of each type of brush device, an average input voltage of each type of brush device, a high load reference value (or a low load reference value) of each type of brush device, information about a predetermined motion pattern corresponding to a plurality of control commands (e.g., a user gesture), a reference value for determining a separate battery supply voltage of the control module 180, and the like. When the cleaner is released, information about a predetermined motion pattern (e.g., a user gesture) corresponding to a plurality of control commands may be pre-stored in the memory 1900. Alternatively, the cleaner may receive information about a predetermined motion pattern (e.g., a user gesture) corresponding to a plurality of control commands from the server device and store the information in the memory 1900.

[0151] The memory 1900 may include an external memory and an internal memory. The memory 1900 may include at least one of the following items: a flash memory type storage medium, a hard disk type storage medium, a multimedia card micro storage medium, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. The programs stored in the memory 1900 may be classified into a plurality of modules according to their functions.

[0152] In the following, reference will be made to Fig. 22 A brush device that may be coupled to the cleaner body 1000 is described.

[0153] Fig. 22 2 is a schematic diagram for describing a brush device 2000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0154] The brush device 2000 is a device that is in close contact with the surface to be cleaned and sucks air and foreign matter from the surface to be cleaned. The brush device 2000 may also be referred to as a cleaner head or a suction nozzle. The brush device 2000 may be rotatably coupled to the extension pipe.

[0155] refer to Fig. 22 , the brush device 2000 may include: a motor 2100; a drum 2200 having a rotating brush attached thereto; an illumination device 2300, etc., but is not limited thereto. The motor 2100 of the brush device 2000 may be disposed inside the drum 2200, or may be disposed outside the drum 2200. In the case where the motor 2100 is disposed outside the drum 2200, the drum 2200 may receive power from the motor 2100 through a belt.

[0156] refer to Fig. 22 2210, the motor 2100 may be a planetary gear motor. The planetary gear motor may be a combination of a direct current (DC) motor and a planetary gear 2101. The planetary gear 2101 is used to adjust the RPM of the drum 2200 according to a gear ratio. For the planetary gear motor, the RPM of the motor 2100 and the RPM of the drum 2200 may have a constant ratio. Fig. 22 2220, the motor 2100 may be a BLDC motor, but is not limited thereto. In the case where the motor 2100 is a BLDC motor, the RPM of the motor 2100 and the RPM of the drum 2200 may be equal to each other.

[0157] The lighting device 2300 is used to illuminate the dark surface to be cleaned, so as to identify dust or foreign matter on the surface to be cleaned or indicate the state of the brush device 2000, and the lighting device 2300 can be set on the front surface or upper end of the brush device 2000. The lighting device 2300 may include but is not limited to an LED display. For example, the lighting device 2300 may be a laser. The lighting device 2300 may work automatically when the motor 2100 is driven, or may work under the control of the second processor 2410. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lighting device 2300 may change the color or brightness of the lighting device 2300 under the control of the second processor 2410.

[0158] refer to Fig. 22 2220, the brush device 2000 may further include a PCB 2400. The PCB 2400 may include a circuit for communicating with the cleaner body 1000 through a signal line. For example, the PCB 2400 may include, but is not limited to: a second processor 2410, a switching element (hereinafter also referred to as a second switching element) connected to the signal line (not shown), an identification resistor (not shown) indicating the type of the brush device 2000, and the like.

[0159] Meanwhile, various types of brush devices 2000 may be provided. For example, the brush device 2000 may include, but is not limited to, a multi-purpose brush 2001, a floor brush 2002, a mopping brush 2003, a turbo (carpet) brush 2004, a bed brush 2005, a bristle brush (not shown), a gap brush (not shown), a pet brush (not shown), etc.

[0160] In the following, reference will be made to Fig.23 The operation of the processor of the cleaner is described in detail.

[0161] Fig.23 is a schematic diagram for describing the operation of the processor of the cleaner according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0162] refer to Fig.23 , the main processor 1800 of the control module 180 can identify the status of each component in the cleaner by communicating with the battery module 1500, the pressure sensor 1400, the motion sensor (not shown) (e.g., a gyroscope sensor or an acceleration sensor) and the first processor 1131 in the motor assembly 1100. Here, the main processor 1800 can periodically communicate with each component by using UART communication or I2C communication (but not limited to this). For example, the main processor 1800 can obtain data about the voltage state of the battery (e.g., "normal", "abnormal", "fully charged" or "fully discharged") from the battery module 1500 by using UART. The main processor 1800 can obtain data about the flow path pressure from the pressure sensor 1400 by using I2C communication. The main processor 1800 can obtain angular velocity data from the gyroscope sensor (not shown) through UART communication, and can also obtain acceleration data from the acceleration sensor (not shown) through I2C communication. The main processor 1800 can determine whether the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000 according to whether the communication connection with each component is interrupted. For example, when the communication connection with the battery module 1500 is interrupted for more than a preset time period, the main processor 1800 can recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0163] In addition, the main processor 1800 can obtain data about the suction force level, the RPM of the suction motor 1110, and the state (e.g., "normal" or "abnormal") of the suction motor 1110 from the first processor 1131 connected to the suction motor 1110 by using UART communication. The suction force is related to the power consumed for the cordless cleaner 100 to operate and can be referred to as power consumption. The main processor 1800 obtains data related to the load of the brush device 2000 and data related to the type of the brush device 200 from the first processor 1131.

[0164] In addition, the first processor 1131 can obtain the status data of the brush device 2000 (e.g., drum RPM, circuit breaker level, "normal" or "abnormal") from the brush device 2000 by communicating with the signal line of the second processor 2410 of the brush device 2000. Here, the first processor 1131 can send the status data of the brush device 2000 to the main processor 1800 through UART communication. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first processor 1131 can send the status data of the suction motor 1110 and the status data of the brush device 2000 to the main processor 1800 at different cycles. For example, the first processor 1131 can send the status data of the suction motor 1110 to the main processor 1800 every 0.02 seconds, and can send the status data of the brush device 2000 to the main processor 1800 every 0.2 seconds, but is not limited thereto.

[0165] The main processor 1800 can determine whether an error has occurred based on the status of each component within the cordless cleaner 100, the status of the suction motor 1110, and the status of the brush device 2000, and periodically send data related to the error occurrence to the station device via short-range wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication).

[0166] When the first processor 1131 of the cleaner body 1000 and the second processor 2410 of the brush device 2000 are connected to each other through UART communication or I2C communication, there may be the following problems, including high impedance effects caused by the internal wires of the extended pipe, etc., damage to circuit elements caused by electrostatic discharge (ESD) and / or overvoltage (e.g., exceeding the maximum voltage of the MICOM AD port), etc. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first processor 1131 of the cleaner body 1000 and the second processor 2410 of the brush device 2000 can communicate with each other through signal line communication instead of UART communication or I2C communication. Here, the circuit for signal line communication may include a voltage divider circuit (hereinafter also referred to as a voltage divider) for preventing damage to circuit elements caused by overvoltage, power noise, surge, ESD or electrical overload (ESO). However, the communication between the first processor 1131 of the cleaner body 1000 and the second processor 2410 of the brush device 2000 is not limited to signal line communication.

[0167] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a noise reduction circuit is applied to a cleaner body 1000 and a brush device 2000, the first processor 1131 of the cleaner body 1000 and the second processor 2410 of the brush device 2000 can communicate with each other by using UART communication or I2C communication. The noise reduction circuit may include at least one of a low-pass filter, a high-pass filter, a band-pass filter, a damping resistor or a voltage divider resistor, but is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a level conversion circuit is applied to a cleaner body 1000 or a brush device 2000, the first processor 1131 of the cleaner body 1000 and the second processor 2410 of the brush device 2000 can communicate with each other by using UART communication or I2C communication. Hereinafter, for ease of description, an example in which the cleaner body 1000 and the brush device 2000 communicate with each other by signal line communication will be mainly described.

[0168] At the same time, the main processor 1800 may receive a user input to a setting button (e.g., an on / off button, a + / - setting button) included in the user interface 1700, and may control the output of the LCD. The main processor 1800 may use a pre-trained AI model (e.g., an SVM algorithm) to identify the use environment state of the brush device 2000 (e.g., the state of the surface to be cleaned (e.g., a floor, a carpet, a mat, or a corner), or the state that the surface to be cleaned has left the floor), and determine the operation information of the cordless cleaner 100 that matches the use environment state of the brush device 2000 (e.g., the power consumption of the suction motor 1110, the drum RPM, or the circuit breaker level). Here, the main processor 1800 may send the operation information of the cordless cleaner 100 that matches the use environment state of the brush device 2000 to the first processor 1131. The first processor 1131 can adjust the suction force level (power consumption or RPM) of the suction motor 1110 according to the operation information of the cordless cleaner 100, and transmit the operation information of the cordless cleaner 100 that matches the use environment state of the brush device 2000 to the second processor 2410 through the signal line communication. In this case, the second processor 2410 can adjust the drum RPM, the cut-off level, the lighting device (e.g., LED display), etc. according to the operation information of the cordless cleaner 100.

[0169] Meanwhile, when the communication connection with the battery module 1500 or the first processor 1131 of the motor assembly 1100 is interrupted, the main processor 1800 may determine that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000. On the other hand, when the communication connection with the main processor 1800 is interrupted, the first processor 1131 of the battery module 1500 or the motor assembly 1100 may also determine that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000. In addition, for safety, each of the main processor 1800, the battery module 1500, and the motor assembly 1100 may operate in a safety mode (protection mode). Hereinafter, reference will be made to Figure 24 to Figure 27 A method of identifying whether the control module 180 is separated and operated in a safety mode, which is performed by each of the main processor 1800, the battery module 1500, and the motor assembly 1100, is described in detail.

[0170] Fig.24 1 is a schematic diagram for describing a communication operation between the battery module 1500 and the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.24 An example is illustrated in which the control module 180 has a screw fastening structure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0171] refer to Fig.24 , when the control module 180 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may communicate with the battery module 1500 coupled to the cleaner body 1000. For example, the main processor 1800 of the control module 180 may periodically perform UART communication with the processor of the battery module 1500. The main processor 1800 of the control module 180 and the processor of the battery module 1500 may transmit and receive data to and from each other every 20 ms (but not limited thereto).

[0172] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main processor 1800 of the control module 180 may receive data including the status of the battery (e.g., “charging” or “charging completed”), the charging status of the battery (e.g., 50%), the supply voltage of the battery (e.g., 25V), etc. from the battery module 1500. The control module 180 may send a response signal to the battery module 1500.

[0173] refer to Fig.24, the control module 180 can be separated from the cleaner body 1000. For example, the user can separate the cover 533 from the handle 105, loosen the screw 532, and then slide the controller 180 upward to separate the controller 180 from the socket 300. Alternatively, the control module 180 can be separated from the cleaner body 1000 due to physical impact. When the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 and the battery module 1500 connected to the cleaner body 1000 cannot perform UART communication with each other. Therefore, when the communication connection interruption between the control module 180 and the battery module 1500 lasts for more than a preset time period, each of the control module 180 and the battery module 1500 can recognize that the controller 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0174] When the cleaner continues to operate even when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, a safety problem may occur. Therefore, when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, each of the control module 180 and the battery module 1500 may be operated in a safety mode. Fig.25 A method of operating in a safety mode performed by the control module 180 and the battery module 1500 is described in detail.

[0175] Fig.25 is a flowchart for describing a method of operating in a safety mode performed by each of the battery module 1500 and the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0176] In operation S2501, the control module 180 and the battery module 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may periodically perform communication with each other. For example, when the control module 180 is stably mounted on the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may send data to and receive data from the battery module 1500 connected to the cleaner body 1000 through UART communication.

[0177] In operation S2502 , the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether a communication signal is received from the battery module 1500 within a preset first time period.

[0178] The preset first time period may be used to determine the separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000. The first time period may be preset in consideration of a communication cycle between the control module 180 and the battery module 1500. For example, when the control module 180 and the battery module 1500 communicate with each other at a cycle of 20 ms, the preset first time period may be 2 seconds, but is not limited thereto.

[0179] When the cleaner hits a wall or the like due to its nature during cleaning, the communication between the control module 180 and the battery module 1500 may be temporarily interrupted even when the control module 180 is not separated from the cleaner body 1000. Therefore, when the control module 180 receives a communication signal from the battery module 1500 again within the preset first time period (i.e., "yes" in S2502), in operation S25022, the control module 180 may determine that the control module 180 is not separated from the cleaner body 1000. Then, the control module 180 may continue to communicate with the battery module 1500.

[0180] In operation S2503, when the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure does not receive a communication signal from the battery module 1500 within a preset first time period or longer (i.e., "No" in S2502), the control module 180 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000. For example, when the control module 180 does not receive a communication signal (e.g., a response signal) from the battery module 1500 within a time period of 2 seconds or longer, the control module 180 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0181] In operations S2504 to S2506, the control module 180 may be operated in the safety mode based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000. Even when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 has a voltage for use for a period of time, so the control module 180 may switch to the safety mode and perform necessary operations.

[0182] In operation S2504, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may power off the output interface (e.g., the indication unit 182). For example, based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may immediately power off the output interface to notify the user that the control module 180 cannot be manipulated. Alternatively, the control module 180 may power off the output interface after outputting a notification message. For example, the control module 180 may output a notification message stating that "the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 and therefore cannot be manipulated", and then power off the output interface.

[0183] In operation S2505, based on recognizing that the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may ignore a user input received through an input interface (e.g., the manipulation unit 181). For example, the control module 180 may ignore an input such as pressing a power button, a "+" button, or a "-" button, and not respond to the input.

[0184] In operation S2506, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may store in the memory 1900 operation history information corresponding to the time point at which it is recognized that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000. For example, the control module 180 may record in the memory 1900 information about the operation mode, usage status, interruption situation, etc. at the time point at which the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0185] Some of operations S2504 to S2506 may be omitted, and the order of some of operations S2504 to S2506 may be changed.

[0186] In operation S2507, the battery module 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether a communication signal is received within a preset first time period. The preset first time period may be used for the battery module 1500 to determine the separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000. For example, the preset first time period may be 2 seconds.

[0187] When the cleaner hits a wall or the like due to its nature during cleaning, even when the control module 180 is not separated from the cleaner body 1000, the communication between the control module 180 and the battery module 1500 may be temporarily interrupted. Therefore, when the battery module 1500 receives a communication signal from the control module 180 again within a preset first time period (i.e., "yes" in S2507), in operation 25072, the battery module 1500 may determine that the control module 180 is not separated from the cleaner body 1000. Then, the battery module 1500 may continue to communicate with the control module 180. For example, the battery module 1500 may send data including a power supply voltage of the battery, a charge state of the battery, etc. to the control module 180. The power supply voltage of the battery is a voltage supplied from the battery module 1500 to the cleaner body 1000, and as the charge state of the battery decreases, the power supply voltage of the battery may gradually decrease.

[0188] In operation S2508, when the battery module 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure does not receive a communication signal from the control module 180 within a preset first time period or longer (i.e., "No" in S2507), the battery module 1500 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000. For example, when the battery module 1500 does not receive a communication signal (e.g., a response signal) from the control module 180 within a time period of 2 seconds or longer, the battery module 1500 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0189] In operations S2509 to S2510 , based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 , the battery module 1500 may operate in a safety mode.

[0190] In operation S2509, based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, the battery module 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can stop the power supply to the cleaner body 1000. When the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000 and the cleaner continues to operate, a dangerous situation may occur. Therefore, for safety, the battery module 1500 can block all or part of the power supplied to the cleaner body 1000. When the battery module 1500 stops the power supply to the cleaner body 1000, the operation of the suction motor 1110 and the brush device 2000 can be stopped.

[0191] In operation S2510, based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, the battery module 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may stop the output of the LED display 1501 included in the battery module 1500. The battery module 1500 may stop the output of the LED display 1501 to notify that the power supply to the cleaner body 1000 has been stopped.

[0192] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, each of the control module 180 and the battery module 1500 may improve the stability of the cleaner by operating in a safety mode.

[0193] Fig.26 1 is a schematic diagram for describing the communication operation between the motor assembly 1100 and the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.26 An example is illustrated in which the control module 180 has a screw fastening structure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0194] refer to Fig.26 , when the control module 180 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may communicate with the first processor 1131 of the motor assembly 1100 provided in the cleaner body 1000. For example, the main processor 1800 of the control module 180 may periodically perform UART communication with the first processor 1131 connected to the suction motor 1110. The main processor 1800 and the first processor 1131 of the control module 180 may transmit and receive data to and from each other every 20 ms (but not limited thereto).

[0195] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main processor 1800 of the control module 180 may receive data about the state of the suction motor 1110 and the state of the brush device 2000 from the first processor 1131 of the motor assembly 1100. In addition, the main processor 1800 of the control module 180 may send a signal to the first processor 1131 for controlling the power consumption of the suction motor 1110, the RPM of the brush device 2000, etc.

[0196] refer to Fig.26 , the control module 180 can be separated from the cleaner body 1000. For example, the user can separate the cover 533 from the handle 105, loosen the screw 532, and then slide the controller 180 upward to separate the controller 180 from the socket 300. Alternatively, the control module 180 may be separated from the cleaner body 1000 due to physical impact. When the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, the motor assembly 1100 included in the control module 180 and the cleaner body 1000 cannot perform UART communication. Therefore, when the communication connection interruption between the control module 180 and the motor assembly 1100 lasts for more than a preset time period, each of the control module 180 and the motor assembly 1100 can recognize that the controller 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0197] When the cleaner continues to operate even when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, a safety problem may arise. Therefore, when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, each of the control module 180 and the motor assembly 1100 may be operated in a safety mode. Fig. 27 The method performed by the control module 180 and the motor assembly 1100 to operate in the safe mode is described in detail.

[0198] Fig. 27 is a flowchart for describing a method of operating in a safety mode performed by each of the motor assembly 1100 and the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0199] In operation S2701, the control module 180 and the motor assembly 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may periodically perform communication with each other. For example, when the control module 180 is stably mounted on the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may send data to and receive data from the motor assembly 1100 included in the cleaner body 1000 via UART communication.

[0200] In operation S2702, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether a communication signal is received within a preset second time period.

[0201] The preset second time period may be used for the control module 180 and the motor assembly 1100 to determine the separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000. The second time period may be preset in consideration of the communication cycle between the control module 180 and the motor assembly 1100. For example, when the control module 180 and the motor assembly 1100 communicate with each other at a cycle of 20 ms, the preset second time period may be 5 seconds, but is not limited thereto.

[0202] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second time period for determining that the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000 by the motor assembly 1100 may be equal to the first time period for determining that the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000 by the battery module 1500. For example, both the first time period and the second time period may be 2 seconds. Alternatively, the first time period and the second time period may be different from each other. For example, for safety purposes, it is effective to cut off the battery supply power, and therefore, the first time period may be shorter than the second time period, so that the battery module 1500 detects the separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000 earlier than the motor assembly 1100. Hereinafter, an example in which the first time period is 2 seconds and the second time period is 5 seconds will be described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0203] When the cleaner hits a wall or the like due to its nature during cleaning, the communication between the control module 180 and the motor assembly 1100 may be temporarily interrupted even when the control module 180 is not separated from the cleaner body 1000. Therefore, when the control module 180 receives a communication signal from the motor assembly 1100 again within the preset second time period (i.e., "yes" in S2702), in operation S27022, the control module 180 may determine that the control module 180 is not separated from the cleaner body 1000. Then, the control module 180 may continue to communicate with the motor assembly 1100.

[0204] In operation S2703, when the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure does not receive a communication signal from the motor assembly 1100 within a preset second time period or longer (i.e., "No" in S2702), the control module 180 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000. For example, when the control module 180 does not receive a communication signal (e.g., a response signal) from the motor assembly 1100 for a period of 5 seconds or longer, the control module 180 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0205] In operations S2704 to S2706, based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may operate in a safe mode. For example, in operation S2704, based on recognizing that the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may power off the output interface (e.g., the indication unit 182). In operation S2705, based on recognizing that the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may ignore the user input received through the input interface (e.g., the manipulation unit 181). In operation S2706, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may store in the memory 1900 operation history information (e.g., operation mode, usage status, interruption situation) corresponding to the time point when it is recognized that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000. Operations S2704 to S2706 correspond to, respectively. Fig.25 Operations S2504 to S2506 are described below, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0206] In operation S2707, the motor assembly 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether a communication signal is received within a preset second time period. The preset second time period may be used for the motor assembly 1100 to determine the separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000. For example, the preset second time period may be 5 seconds.

[0207] When the cleaner hits a wall or the like due to its nature during cleaning, the communication between the control module 180 and the motor assembly 1100 may be temporarily interrupted even when the control module 180 is not separated from the cleaner body 1000. Therefore, when the motor assembly 1100 receives a communication signal from the control module 180 again within the preset second time period (i.e., "yes" in S2707), in operation S27072, the motor assembly 1100 may determine that the control module 180 is not separated from the cleaner body 1000. Then, the motor assembly 1100 may continue to communicate with the control module 180. For example, the motor assembly 1100 may send data including the state of the suction motor 1110 (e.g., power consumption or suction force mode), the state of the brush device 2000 (e.g., drum RPM or circuit breaker level), etc. to the control module 180.

[0208] In operation S2708, when the motor assembly 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure does not receive a communication signal from the control module 180 within a preset second time period or longer (i.e., "No" in S2707), the motor assembly 1100 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000. For example, when the motor assembly 1100 does not receive a communication signal (e.g., a response signal) from the control module 180 within a time period of 5 seconds or longer, the motor assembly 1100 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0209] In operations S2709 to S2711 , based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 , the motor assembly 1100 may be operated in the safety mode.

[0210] In operation S2709 , based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 , the motor assembly 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether the suction motor 1110 is being driven.

[0211] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when the battery module 1500 stops supplying power to the cleaner body 1000, the power supplied to the suction motor 1110 may not be accurately or completely blocked due to a failure of a switching element (eg, FET). In this case, the suction motor 1110 may be continuously driven.

[0212] In operation S2710 , when the suction motor 1110 is being driven even when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000 (ie, YES in S2709 ), the motor assembly 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may stop driving the suction motor 1110 for safety.

[0213] In operation S2711, the motor assembly 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may stop driving the brush device 2000. For example, based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, the first processor 1131 of the motor assembly 1100 stops driving the brush device 2000 by controlling the switch element 1133 used to supply power to the brush device 2000 connected to the cleaner body 1000.

[0214] The cleaner body 1000 may include a switching element 1133 (hereinafter also referred to as a PWM control switching element) for PWM control to keep the roller RPM of the brush device 2000 constant. PWM control may refer to a control method that allows the average power per unit time to be input to the brush device 2000 by repeating a power supply section (ON section) and a power cut-off section (OFF section) at regular intervals. Here, the average power per unit time input to the brush device 2000 may vary depending on a duty cycle value. The duty cycle value refers to the duty cycle (or duty ratio) of a pulse width when a cycle is constant, and in particular may refer to the proportion of a power transmission section (hereinafter also referred to as an ON section) within a single cycle. As the duty cycle value increases, the total time period during which current flows through the motor 2100 of the brush device 2000 increases, and thus the average power supplied to the brush device 200 may increase.

[0215] Based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 , the first processor 1131 of the motor assembly 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may cut off power supplied from the battery module 1500 to the brush device 2000 by turning off the PWM control switching element 1133 .

[0216] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000 , each of the control module 180 and the motor assembly 1100 may increase the stability of the cleaner by operating in a safety mode.

[0217] In addition, in addition to the interruption of communication with the battery module 1500 or the motor assembly 1100, the control module 180 can also detect the separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000 based on the battery supply voltage. Fig.28 A method performed by the control module 180 to determine whether the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner main body 1000 based on the battery supply voltage will be described.

[0218] Fig.28 is a flowchart for describing a method of determining whether the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000 based on the battery supply voltage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0219] In operation S2810 , the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may measure a battery supply voltage applied to the control module 180 from the battery module 1500 .

[0220] For example, the main processor 1800 of the control module 180 can measure the battery supply voltage through a voltage divider circuit. The battery supply voltage input to the control module 180 can be rated at 25.2V (30V to 18V), which is a voltage level that the main processor 1800 cannot directly receive. Therefore, the input port of the main processor 1800 can receive the result of converting the battery supply voltage to 3.3V (or 5V) or lower through the voltage divider circuit. The voltage divider circuit can convert the maximum value (30V) of the battery supply voltage to 3.3V or lower, or 5V or lower. For example, when the battery supply voltage is 25.2V and the voltage divider circuit includes a first resistor of 1.5KΩ and a second resistor of 20KΩ, the voltage value input to the input port of the main processor 1800 can be: battery supply voltage (ie 25.2V) × 1.5KΩ / (1.5KΩ + 20KΩ) = 1.7581V. Here, the main processor 1800 may reversely convert the voltage value (eg, 1.7581V) input to the input port through the voltage divider circuit to confirm that the battery supply voltage is 25.2V.

[0221] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as the battery module 1500 is gradually discharged, the battery supply voltage measured by the main processor 1800 may be gradually reduced. Meanwhile, when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, the battery supply voltage may be rapidly reduced. Fig.29 From the first curve 2901, it can be seen that the battery supply voltage is separated from the control module at the time point T 0 Rapidly decreases. In addition, refer to Fig.29 As can be seen from the second curve 2902, at the time point T when the control module is separated 0 Soon after, the internal power supply voltage supplied to the internal components (eg, LCD display) of the control module 180 also rapidly decreases. Therefore, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can determine whether the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000 based on the measured battery power supply voltage.

[0222] In operation S2820, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether the voltage drop rate of the battery supply voltage is greater than a threshold value, which may be about 10V / 50ms to 10V / 10ms, but is not limited thereto.

[0223] When the control module 180 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000, the battery supply voltage input to the control module 180 may be gradually reduced, and when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, the battery supply voltage input to the control module 180 may be rapidly reduced. Therefore, the voltage drop rate of the battery supply voltage is less than or equal to the threshold value ("No" in S2820) means that it is determined in operation S28202 that the control module 180 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000, and thus the control module 180 may continuously monitor the battery supply voltage input to the control module 180. For example, when the battery supply voltage is reduced to 10V or less within 10ms to 50ms, the control module 180 may determine that the control module 180 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000.

[0224] In operation S2830 , when the measured voltage drop rate of the battery power voltage is greater than the threshold value, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 .

[0225] For example, when the battery power voltage decreases by more than 10V within 10 ms to 50 ms, the control module 180 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 .

[0226] In operation S2840 , based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 , the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may operate in a safety mode.

[0227] For example, based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may power off the output interface (e.g., the indication unit 182) and ignore the user input received through the input interface (e.g., the manipulation unit 181). In addition, the control module 180 may store in the memory 1900 the operation history information corresponding to the time point at which it is recognized that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000. For example, the control module 180 may record in the memory 1900 information about the operation mode, the use status, the interruption status, etc. at the time point at which the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0228] At the same time, the above reference Fig.28 The embodiment of the present disclosure in which the control module 180 recognizes the separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000 based on the battery supply voltage is described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The control module 180 may also recognize the separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000 based on the internal supply power (e.g., 3.3V or less, or 5V or less) supplied to the internal components.

[0229] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 180 may include a DC / DC converter and / or a regulator. Therefore, when the battery supply voltage is applied to the DC / DC converter, the DC / DC converter outputs a voltage of 5V or less, and the voltage output from the DC / DC converter can be input to the regulator. Here, the regulator can output a voltage of 3.3V or less. The voltage output from the regulator can be supplied to the internal components of the control module 180.

[0230] When the control module 180 is separated from the cleaning device body 1000, the output voltage of the DC / DC converter or the output voltage of the regulator also decreases rapidly (see Fig.29 2902), and thus the main processor 1800 of the control module 180 can determine whether the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000 by monitoring the output voltage of the DC / DC converter or the output voltage of the regulator.

[0231] Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 180 may perform a preparatory operation for preparing for the separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000. Fig.30 A method of performing the preparatory operation performed by the control module 180 is described in detail.

[0232] Fig.30 is a flowchart for describing a method performed by the control module 180 to perform a preliminary operation based on a difference between a battery supply voltage included in data received from the battery module 1500 and a battery supply voltage measured by the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0233] In operation S3010 , the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may receive data including a battery supply voltage from the battery module 1500 .

[0234] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the control module 180 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may periodically receive data including the battery supply voltage from the battery module 1500. For example, the control module 180 may receive data including the battery supply voltage every 20 ms through UART communication.

[0235] In operation S3020 , the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may measure a battery supply voltage applied to the control module 180 .

[0236] For example, the main processor 1800 of the control module 180 can measure the battery supply voltage through a voltage divider circuit. The battery supply voltage input to the control module 180 can be rated at 25.2V (30V to 18V), which is a voltage level that the main processor 1800 cannot directly receive. Therefore, the input port of the main processor 1800 can receive the result of converting the battery supply voltage to 3.3V (or 5V) or lower through the voltage divider circuit. The voltage divider circuit can convert the maximum value (30V) of the battery supply voltage to 3.3V or lower, or 5V or lower. For example, when the battery supply voltage is 25.2V and the voltage divider circuit includes a first resistor of 1.5KΩ and a second resistor of 20KΩ, the voltage value input to the input port of the main processor 1800 can be: battery supply voltage (ie 25.2V) × 1.5KΩ / (1.5KΩ + 20KΩ) = 1.7581V. Here, the main processor 1800 may reversely convert the voltage value (eg, 1.7581V) input to the input port through the voltage divider circuit to confirm that the battery supply voltage is 25.2V.

[0237] In operation S3030 , the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether a difference between a battery supply voltage included in the received data and the measured battery supply voltage is greater than a preset reference value.

[0238] When the control module 180 is stably mounted on the cleaner body 1000, the difference between the battery supply voltage included in the data received from the battery module 1500 and the battery supply voltage measured by the control module 180 may be within the error tolerance. Therefore, when the difference between the battery supply voltage included in the received data and the measured battery supply voltage is less than or equal to the preset reference value (i.e., "No" in S3030), in operation S30302, the control module 180 may determine that the control module 180 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000. Then, the control module 180 may continuously monitor the difference between the battery supply voltage included in the data received from the battery module 1500 and the battery supply voltage measured by the control module 180.

[0239] In operation S3040, when the difference between the battery supply voltage included in the received data and the measured battery supply voltage is greater than a preset reference value (i.e., "yes" in S3030), the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may store information related to the current operating state of the cleaner in the memory 1900.

[0240] When the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, the battery supply voltage measured by the control module 180 may be rapidly reduced. On the other hand, when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, the communication between the control module 180 and the battery module 1500 is interrupted, and therefore, the battery supply voltage included in the received data may be constant to the battery supply voltage just before the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000. Therefore, when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, the difference between the battery supply voltage included in the received data and the measured battery supply voltage may gradually increase.

[0241] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the difference between the battery supply voltage included in the received data and the measured battery supply voltage reaches a reference value (e.g., 2V), the control module 180 is likely to have been separated from the cleaner body 1000, and therefore, as a preparatory operation, the control module 180 may record information related to the current operation state of the cleaner in the memory 1900. For example, the control module 180 may record in the memory 1900: an operation mode of the vacuum cleaner (e.g., suction mode or AI mode), a usage condition (e.g., a type of brush device 2000 coupled to the cleaner body 1000, a condition of a surface to be cleaned (e.g., a state in which the floor, the floor, the mat, or the surface to be cleaned has left the floor), an interruption condition (e.g., an impact occurs, screw separation is detected, a fault history), and the like.

[0242] In operation S3050, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether a communication signal is received from the battery module 1500 within a preset first time period.

[0243] The preset first time period may be used to determine the separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000. The first time period may be preset in consideration of a communication cycle between the control module 180 and the battery module 1500. For example, when the control module 180 and the battery module 1500 communicate with each other at a cycle of 20 ms, the preset first time period may be 2 seconds, but is not limited thereto.

[0244] When the cleaner hits a wall or the like due to its nature during cleaning, the difference between the battery supply voltage included in the received data and the measured battery supply voltage may be temporarily greater than the preset reference value even when the control module 180 is not separated from the cleaner body 1000. Therefore, when the control module 180 receives a communication signal from the battery module 1500 within a preset first time period (i.e., "yes" in S3050), in operation S30302, the control module 180 may determine that the control module 180 is not separated from the cleaner body 1000. Then, the control module 180 may monitor the difference between the battery supply voltage included in the received data and the measured battery supply voltage while continuously communicating with the battery module 1500.

[0245] In operation S3060, when the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure does not receive a communication signal from the battery module 1500 within a preset first time period or longer (i.e., "No" in S3050), the control module 180 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000. For example, when the control module 180 does not receive a communication signal (e.g., a response signal) from the battery module 1500 within a time period of 2 seconds or longer, the control module 180 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0246] In operation S3070, based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may operate in a safety mode.

[0247] For example, based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaning machine body 1000, the control module 180 can immediately power off the output interface to notify the user that the control module 180 cannot be manipulated. Alternatively, the control module 180 can power off the output interface after outputting a notification message. For example, the control module 180 can output a notification message stating that "the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaning machine body 1000 and therefore cannot be manipulated", and then power off the output interface.

[0248] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on recognizing that the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may ignore a user input received through an input interface (e.g., the manipulation unit 181). For example, the control module 180 may ignore an input such as pressing a power button, a "+" button, or a "-" button, and not respond to the input.

[0249] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even before the first time period has passed after the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000 (i.e., before the first time period has passed after the communication with the battery module 1500 is interrupted), the control module 180 can record important data in the memory 1900 in advance based on the difference between the battery supply voltage included in the received data and the measured battery supply voltage.

[0250] In addition, in addition to the interruption of communication with the battery module 1500 or the motor assembly 1100, the control module 180 can also detect the separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000 by using a TMR sensor or a micro switch. Fig.31 A method of determining separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000 by using the TMR sensor or the micro switch, performed by the control module 180, will be described.

[0251] Fig.31 31 is a schematic diagram for describing an operation of detecting separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000 by using the TMR sensor 3102 or the micro switch 3103 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0252] refer to Fig.31 3110, control module 180 may include TMR sensor 3102, and cleaner body 1000 may include magnet 3101. Magnet 3101 may be arranged adjacent to a surface, cleaner body 1000 and control module 180 are coupled to each other at this surface. For example, magnet 3101 may be arranged in socket 300, by which control module 180 is supported in a detachable manner. When control module 180 is installed on cleaner body 1000, magnet 3101 and TMR sensor 3102 may be aligned with each other.

[0253] When the control module 180 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000, the distance between the magnet 3101 attached to the cleaner body 1000 and the TMR sensor 3102 decreases, and the TMR sensor 3102 of the control module 180 can detect the magnet 3101. When the TMR sensor 3102 detects the magnet 3101, the control module 180 can recognize that the control module 180 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000.

[0254] On the other hand, when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, the distance between the magnet 3101 attached to the cleaner body 1000 and the TMR sensor 3102 increases, and the TMR sensor 3102 of the control module 180 cannot detect the magnet 3101. When the TMR sensor 3102 cannot detect the magnet 3101, the control module 180 can recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0255] At the same time, the above reference Fig.31 3110 describes an example in which the control module 180 includes a TMR sensor 3102 and the cleaner body 1000 includes a magnet 3101, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The control module 180 may include a magnet 3101, and the cleaner body 1000 may include a TMR sensor 3102. In this case, when the TMR sensor 3102 detects the magnet 3101, at least one processor of the cleaner body 1000 may determine that the control module 180 is installed on the cleaner body 1000. On the other hand, when the TMR sensor 3102 cannot detect the magnet 3101, at least one processor of the cleaner body 1000 may determine that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0256] refer to Fig.31 3120, the cleaner body 1000 or the control module 180 may include a micro switch 3103. In this case, at least one processor of the cleaner body 1000 or the main processor 1800 of the control module 180 may recognize whether the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 according to a change in the state of the micro switch 3103 (e.g., short circuit→disconnection, or disconnection→short circuit).

[0257] For example, the control module 180 may include a micro switch 3103, and the cleaner body 1000 may include a protrusion to be aligned with the micro switch 3103. In this case, when the control module 180 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000, the micro switch 3103 may be short-circuited, and when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, the micro switch 3103 may be disconnected. Therefore, when the micro switch 3103 changes from a short-circuited state to an disconnected state, the control module 180 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0258] Alternatively, the cleaner body 1000 may include the micro switch 3103, and the control module 180 may include a protrusion to be aligned with the micro switch 3103. In this case, when the control module 180 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000, the micro switch 3103 may be short-circuited, and when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, the micro switch 3103 may be disconnected. Therefore, when the micro switch 3103 changes from the short-circuited state to the disconnected state, at least one processor of the cleaner body 1000 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 100.

[0259] Meanwhile, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may detect an attempt to separate the control module 180 through the magnet 3101 and the TMR sensor 3102 or through the micro switch 3103. In this case, one or more TMR sensors 3102 or one or more micro switches 3103 may be applied. In addition, the TMR sensor 3102 and the micro switch 3103 may be used in combination (e.g., one TMR sensor 3102 and one micro switch 3103). When an attempt to separate the control module 180 is detected, the control module 180 may output an appropriate notification message according to the operating state of the cleaner. In the following, reference will be made to Fig.32 The operation performed by the control module 180 to output a notification message when a separation attempt is detected is described in detail.

[0260] although Fig.31 The use of a TMR sensor 3102 and a micro switch 3103 is described, but it should be understood that other embodiments are also available. These embodiments include, but are not limited to: optical sensors or optical switches, analog sensors or analog switches, and / or other types of electronic sensors or electronic switches.

[0261] Fig.32 1 is a flowchart for describing an operation method performed by the control module 180 when it is detected that the screw 532 is separated from the locking hole 188 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.32 Description wherein the control module 180 has a screw fastening structure (see Figure 6 ) example.

[0262] In operation S3210 , the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may detect separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 .

[0263] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 180 can detect the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 by a TMR sensor. For example, the TMR sensor can be disposed in the locking hole 188, and a magnet can be attached to one end of the screw 532. Alternatively, a magnet can be attached to the locking hole 188, and the TMR sensor can be disposed at one end of the screw 532. In this case, when the user rotates the screw 532 to remove the screw 532 from the locking hole 188, the distance between the TMR sensor and the magnet increases, and thus the TMR sensor cannot detect the magnet. Therefore, when the TMR sensor cannot detect the magnet, the control module 180 can recognize that the screw 532 has been separated from the locking hole 188.

[0264] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module 180 can detect the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 through a micro switch. For example, the micro switch can be set in the locking hole 188 or the screw 532. In this case, when the user rotates the screw 532 to remove the screw 532 from the locking hole 188, the micro switch can change from a short-circuit state to an open state. Therefore, when the state of the micro switch changes from a short-circuit state to an open state, the control module 180 can recognize that the screw 532 has been separated from the locking hole 188.

[0265] In operation S3220, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether the cleaner is operating based on detecting the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188. For example, the control module 180 may determine whether the suction motor 1110 or the brush device 2000 is being driven.

[0266] Based on the cleaner being in operation when detecting screw 532 is separated from locking hole 188, control module 180 can determine that an abnormal separation attempt has occurred. In addition, based on the cleaner not being in operation when detecting screw 532 is separated from locking hole 188, control module 180 can determine that a normal separation attempt has occurred.

[0267] In operation S3230, based on the fact that the cleaner is operating when it is detected that the screw 532 is separated from the locking hole 188 (i.e., "Yes" in S3220), the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output a message indicating that the control module 180 cannot be separated, or send information to the server device that the control module 180 cannot be separated.

[0268] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaning machine main body 1000 when the cleaning machine is in operation, a safety problem may occur. Therefore, when the separation of the screw 532 and the locking hole 188 is detected when the cleaning machine is in operation, the control module 180 can determine that an abnormal separation attempt has occurred. Then, before the control module 180 is separated from the cleaning machine main body 1000, the control module 180 can output a notification message that the control module 180 cannot be separated from the cleaning machine main body 1000 through the output interface. For example, the control module 180 can display a message indicating that the control module 180 cannot be separated during the cleaning operation, or a message for requesting to power off the cleaning machine before separating the control module 80, or a voice of such a message can be output through a speaker.

[0269] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on detecting the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 while the cleaner is operating, the control module 180 may send information that the control module 180 cannot be separated from the cleaner body 1000 to a server device connected to a user mobile terminal (hereinafter also referred to as a user terminal). In this case, the server device may send information that the control module 180 cannot be separated from the cleaner body 1000 to the user mobile terminal, and the user mobile terminal may output a notification message that the control module 180 cannot be separated during the cleaning operation, or a notification message for requesting that the vacuum cleaner be powered off before the control module 180 is separated. Reference will be made to the following. Fig.34 An operation of outputting a notification message performed by a user mobile terminal is described in detail.

[0270] In operation S3240, based on detecting the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 when the operation of the cleaner is stopped (ie, "No" in S3220), the control module 180 may output information related to a method of separating the control module 180 or a method of separating the filter housing 198 through the output interface.

[0271] For example, based on detecting the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 when the operation of the cleaner is stopped, the control module 180 can determine that a normal separation attempt has occurred. After separating the screw 532 from the locking hole 188, the user is likely to separate the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000 or separate the filter housing 198 to replace the filter, and therefore, the control module 180 can display text or images on the display to guide the user to separate the control module 180 or the filter housing 198. Alternatively, the control module 180 can output a voice to guide the user to separate the control module 180 or the filter housing 198 through a speaker.

[0272] In the following, reference will be made to Fig.33The operation performed by the control module 180 to output information through the output interface when separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 is detected is described in more detail.

[0273] Fig.33 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation performed by the control module 180 to output information through an output interface when separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 is detected according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0274] refer to Fig.33 , the control module 180 can be separated from the main body 1000 by separating the cover 533 from the handle 105, loosening the screw 532, and then sliding the control module 180 upward to separate the control module 180 from the socket 300. Therefore, separating the cover 533 from the handle 105 and loosening the screw 532 can be a preparatory operation for separating the control module 180 from the main body 1000.

[0275] For example, as mentioned above Fig.31 As discussed, the control module 180 can determine whether the cleaner is currently operating based on the detection of the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 by the TMR sensor or the micro switch. When the cleaner is operating, the control module 180 can output a notification 3310 that the control module 180 cannot be separated during the cleaning operation (e.g., "cannot be separated during cleaning").

[0276] On the contrary, when the operation of the cleaner has been terminated, the control module 180 may output a notification image 3320 showing that the control module 180 can be separated from the socket 300 by sliding the control module 180 upward. The user can easily separate the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000 through the notification image 3320. In addition, the control module 180 may display at least one image for guiding the user to replace the filter.

[0277] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on detecting the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 while the cleaner is operating, the control module 180 may output a notification through the user terminal that the control module 180 cannot be separated during the cleaning operation. Fig.34 The operation of outputting a notification performed by a user terminal is described in detail.

[0278] Fig.34 1 is a diagram for describing a notification message output by the user terminal 400 when it is detected that the screw 532 is separated from the locking hole 188 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0279] refer to Fig.34, the cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cordless cleaner 100, a station device 200, a server device 3400, and a user terminal 400. Each device will be described below.

[0280] The cordless cleaner 100 may refer to a vacuum cleaner having a built-in rechargeable battery and not requiring a power cord to be connected to an outlet during cleaning operation. The cordless cleaner 100 may include a communication interface for communicating with the station device 200. For example, the control module 180 of the cordless cleaner 100 may send and receive data to and from the station device 200 via a short-range wireless network (e.g., a wireless personal area network (WPAN)).

[0281] The station device 200 may refer to a device for discharging dust from the wireless cleaner 100, charging the battery of the wireless cleaner 100, or storing the wireless cleaner 100. The station device 200 may also be referred to as a cleaning station or a charging station. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 may communicate with the wireless cleaner 100 or the server device 3400 through a network. For example, the station device 200 may send and receive data to and from the wireless cleaner 100 through a short-range wireless network (e.g., WPAN) without an access point (AP). The station device 200 may also send and receive data to and from the server device 3400 through an AP that connects a LAN connected to the station device 200 to a WAN connected to the server device 3400. For example, the station device 200 may be connected to the wireless cleaner 100 through BLE communication, and may communicate through Wi-Fi. TM The server device 3400 may be connected to the server device 3400 using (IEEE 802.11) communication, but is not limited thereto.

[0282] The server device 3400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a device for managing the station device 200 and the wireless cleaner 100. For example, the server device 3400 may be a household appliance management server. The server device 3400 may manage user account information and information about household appliances connected to the user account. For example, a user may access or access the server device 3400 through the user terminal 400 to create a user account. The user account may be identified by both an identifier (ID) and a password set by the user. The server device 3400 may register the station device 200 and the wireless cleaner 100 to the user account according to a setting procedure. For example, the server device 3400 may register the station device 200 and the wireless cleaner 100 by linking the identification information of the station device 200 (e.g., a serial number or a media access control (MAC) address) and the identification information of the wireless cleaner 100 to the user account. When the station device 200 and the cordless cleaner 100 are registered in the server device 3400 , the server device 3400 may manage the status of the station device 200 or the status of the cordless cleaner 100 by periodically receiving status information of the station device 200 or the status information of the cordless cleaner 100 from the station device 200 .

[0283] The user terminal 400 may be a device registered in the server device 3400, having the same account as the station device 200 or the cordless cleaner 100. The user terminal 400 may be a smartphone, a notebook computer, a tablet personal computer (PC), a digital camera, an e-book terminal, a digital broadcast terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a wearable device, a device including a display, etc., but is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, for ease of description, an example in which the user terminal 400 is a smartphone will be described.

[0284] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user terminal 400 may communicate with at least one of the server device 3400, the station device 200, or the wireless cleaner 100. The user terminal 400 may communicate directly with the station device 200 or the wireless cleaner 100 through short-range wireless communication, or may communicate indirectly with the station device 200 or the wireless cleaner 100 through the server device 3400.

[0285] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user terminal 400 may execute a specific application (e.g., a home appliance management application) provided by the server device 3400 based on a user input. In this case, the user may check the state of the cordless cleaner 100 or the state of the station device 200 through the execution window of the application. For example, the user terminal 400 may provide information related to the operation of the ultraviolet (UV) irradiation unit (e.g., “UV LED is working”) and information related to dust discharge in the station device 200 (e.g., “the dust container was emptied 1 minute ago”) through the execution window of the application, but is not limited thereto.

[0286] Meanwhile, when the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 is detected while the cleaner is operating, a notification that the control module 180 cannot be separated during the cleaning operation or a notification that the cleaner is powered off may be output through the user terminal 400. For example, when the control module 180 detects that the screw 532 is separated from the locking hole 188 while the cleaner is operating, the control module 180 may transmit information that the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 has been detected during the cleaning operation to the server device 3400 through the station device 200. In this case, the server device 3400 may output a notification message 3401 (e.g., “First, power off the cleaner to separate the control module”) to power off the cleaner through an application installed in the user terminal 400 registered with the same account as the cordless cleaner 100.

[0287] Fig.35 1 is a flowchart for describing a method for determining whether to maintain or release the lock of the locking portion 187, which is executed by the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.35 Description wherein the control module 180 has a screw fastening structure (see Figure 6 ) example.

[0288] In operation S3510, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may detect the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188. For example, the control module 180 may detect the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 through a TMR sensor or a micro switch.

[0289] Operation S3510 corresponds to Fig.32 Operation S3210 is described below, and thus a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0290] In operation S3520, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether the cleaner is operating based on detecting the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188. For example, the control module 180 may determine whether the suction motor 1110 or the brush device 2000 is being driven.

[0291] In operation S3530 , based on the fact that the cleaner is operating when it is detected that the screw 532 is separated from the locking hole 188 (ie, “YES” in S3520 ), the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may maintain the locking of the locking portion 187 .

[0292] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000 while the cleaner is operating, a safety problem may occur. Therefore, when the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 is detected while the cleaner is operating, the control module 180 may determine that an abnormal separation attempt has occurred. Then, the control module 180 may maintain the movement lock of the locking portion 187 to prevent the control module 180 from being separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0293] For example, when the control module 180 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000, the locking portion 187 may be automatically captured or locked on the hook so that the locking portion 187 cannot move. Based on the fact that the cleaner is operating when the screw 532 is detected to be separated from the locking hole 188, the control module 180 may maintain the state in which the locking portion 187 is captured or locked on the hook to prevent the control module 180 from sliding upward.

[0294] In operation S3540 , the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may release the locking of the locking portion 187 based on detecting that the screw 532 is separated from the locking hole 188 when the operation of the cleaner is stopped (ie, “No” in S3520 ).

[0295] For example, based on detecting that the screw 532 is separated from the locking hole 188 when the operation of the cleaner is stopped, the control module 180 can determine that a normal separation attempt has occurred. After separating the screw 532 from the locking hole 188, the user is likely to separate the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000 or separate the filter housing 198 to replace the filter, and therefore, the control module 180 can release the lock of the locking portion 187 to facilitate the separation of the control module 180 from the cleaner body 1000. For example, based on the stop of the operation of the cleaner when the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 is detected, the control module 180 can release the hook from the locking portion 187 to allow the user to slide the control module 180 upward.

[0296] Fig.36 is a schematic diagram for describing a blocking device 3600 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0297] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cleaner body 1000 may further include a blocking device 3600 connected to a plurality of loads including the suction motor 1110. The blocking device 3600 may be electrically connected to the battery module 1500 and a plurality of loads 3600-1, 3600-2, ..., 3600-N. The plurality of loads may include, but are not limited to, the suction motor 1110, the motor 2100 of the brush device 2000, the pressure sensor 1400, and the like.

[0298] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the blocking device 3600 may periodically communicate with the control module 180. For example, the blocking device 3600 may periodically communicate with the control module 180 through UART communication or I2C communication. When no communication signal is received from the control module 180 within a preset first time period (e.g., 2 seconds) or longer, the blocking device 3600 may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000. It is dangerous to operate the cleaner when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000, and therefore, based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, the blocking device 3600 may selectively block the power supply from the battery module 1500 to at least one of the multiple loads 3600-1, 3600-2, ..., 3600-N. For example, based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, the blocking device 3600 may selectively block the power supply to the suction motor 1110.

[0299] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 , the blocking device 3600 may block the power supply to all the loads 3600 - 1 , 3600 - 2 , . . . , 3600 -N at one time.

[0300] Meanwhile, the control module 180 may have a structure completely separated from the cleaner body 1000 (eg, Figure 6 and Figures 8 to 13 ), or may have a structure that is not completely separated from the cleaner body 1000 through some contact points (for example, Fig.14a and Figures 15 to 20 ). In the following, reference will be made to Fig.37 and Fig.38 The operation of the control module 180 having a structure not completely separated from the cleaner main body 1000 is described.

[0301] Fig.37 180Y1 is a schematic diagram for describing an operation of detecting that the control module 180 is switched from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0302] refer to Fig.373710, the cleaner body 1000 may include a TMR sensor 3701, and the control module 180 may include a magnet 3702. The TMR sensor 3701 may be arranged adjacent to a surface, and the cleaner body 1000 and the control module 180 are connected to each other at the surface. When the control module 180 is located at the use position 180Y1, the TMR sensor 3701 and the magnet 3702 may be aligned with each other. Hereinafter, the state in which the control module 180 is located at the use position 180Y1 will be defined as the complete connection state of the control module 180 and the cleaner body 1000. In addition, hereafter, the state in which the control module 180 is located at the retreat position 180Y2 will be defined as the incomplete connection state of the control module 180 and the cleaner body 1000.

[0303] When the control module 180 is located at the use position 180Y1 (i.e., the fully coupled state), the distance between the magnet 3702 attached to the control module 180 and the TMR sensor 3701 provided in the cleaner body 1000 is reduced, and thus the TMR sensor 3701 can detect the magnet 3702. When the TMR sensor 3701 detects the magnet 3702, the control module 180 can recognize that the control module 180 is in the fully coupled state in which the control module 180 is located at the use position 180Y1.

[0304] In contrast, when the control module 180 rotates from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2 (i.e., the incompletely coupled state), the distance between the magnet 3702 attached to the control module 180 and the TMR sensor 3701 provided in the cleaner body 1000 increases, and thus the TMR sensor 3701 cannot detect the magnet 3702. When the TMR sensor 3701 cannot detect the magnet 3702, the control module 180 can recognize that the control module 180 is in the incompletely coupled state in which the control module 180 is located at the retreat position 180Y2.

[0305] At the same time, the above reference Fig.37 3710 describes an example in which the control module 180 includes the magnet 3702 and the cleaner body 1000 includes the TMR sensor 3701 , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The control module 180 may include the TMR sensor 3701 , and the cleaner body 1000 may include the magnet 3702 .

[0306] refer to Fig.373720, the cleaner body 1000 or the control module 180 may include a micro switch 3703. In this case, the main processor 1800 of the control module 180 can identify the connection state (e.g., complete connection state or incomplete connection state) of the control module 180 and the cleaner body 1000 according to the change of the state of the micro switch 3703 (e.g., short circuit→disconnection, or disconnection→short circuit).

[0307] For example, the cleaner body 1000 may include a micro switch 3703, and the control module 180 may include a protrusion aligned with the micro switch 3703. In this case, when the control module 180 is located at the use position 180Y1 (i.e., the fully connected state), the micro switch 3703 may be short-circuited, and when the control module 180 is rotated from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2 (i.e., the incompletely connected state), the micro switch 3703 may be disconnected. Therefore, when the micro switch 3703 changes from the short-circuited state to the disconnected state, the main processor 1800 of the control module 180 may recognize that the control module 180 is in the incompletely connected state, in which the control module 180 is located at the retreat position 180Y2.

[0308] On the contrary, the control module 180 may include a micro switch 3703, and the cleaner body 1000 may include a protrusion aligned with the micro switch 3703. In this case, when the control module 180 is located at the use position 180Y1 (i.e., the fully connected state), the micro switch 3703 may be short-circuited, and when the control module 180 is rotated from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2 (i.e., the incompletely connected state), the micro switch 3703 may be disconnected. Therefore, when the micro switch 3703 changes from the short-circuited state to the disconnected state, the control module 180 may recognize that the control module 180 is in the incompletely connected state, in which the control module 180 is located at the retreat position 180Y2.

[0309] Meanwhile, when the cleaner is operating, when the control module 180 is rotated from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2, a safety problem may occur. Therefore, when the control module 180 is rotated from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2 (i.e., when an incomplete connection state is recognized), the control module 180 may be operated in a safety mode. Fig.38 The method of operating in the safety mode performed by the control module 180 is described in detail.

[0310] Fig.38is a flowchart for describing a method of operating in a safety mode performed by each of the battery module 1500, the control module 180, and the motor assembly 1100 when the control module 180 switches from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0311] In operation S3810, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can detect an incomplete connection state in which the control module 180 is located at the retreat position 180Y2. For example, the control module 180 can detect the incomplete connection state through the TMR sensor 3701, the magnet 3702 or the micro switch 3703.

[0312] References Fig.37 The operation of detecting the incomplete coupling state performed by the control module 180 is described in detail, and thus a redundant description will be omitted.

[0313] In operation S3820, when the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is in an incompletely coupled state with the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may operate in a safety mode.

[0314] For example, based on detecting the incomplete connection state in which the control module 180 is located at the retreat position 180Y2, the control module 180 may power off the output interface (e.g., the indication unit 182) and ignore the user input received through the input interface (e.g., the manipulation unit 181). In addition, the control module 180 may store operation history information corresponding to the time point when the control module 180 rotates from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2 in the memory 1900. For example, the control module 180 may record information about the operation mode, the use condition, the interruption condition, etc. at the time point when the control module 180 rotates from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2 in the memory 1900.

[0315] In operation S3830, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may transmit information that the control module 180 is in an incompletely connected state to the battery module 1500. Even when the control module 180 is rotated from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2, the control module 180 may be electrically connected to the battery module 1500. Therefore, the control module 180 may receive power supplied from the battery module 1500, and transmit and receive data to and from the battery module 1500 through UART communication.

[0316] In operations S3840 to S3850, based on receiving information from the control module 180 that the control module 180 is in an incompletely coupled state, the battery module 1500 may operate in a safety mode.

[0317] In operation S3840, based on the information received from the control module 180 that the control module 180 is in an incompletely connected state, the battery module 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may stop the power supply to the cleaner body 1000. When the cleaner is continuously operated in a state where the control module 180 is incompletely connected to the cleaner body 1000, a dangerous situation may occur. Therefore, for safety, the battery module 1500 may block all power supplied to the cleaner body 1000. When the battery module 1500 stops the power supply to the cleaner body 1000, the operation of the suction motor 1110 and the brush device 2000 may stop.

[0318] In operation S3850, based on the information received from the control module 180 that the control module 180 is in an incomplete connection state, the battery module 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may stop the output of the LED display 1501 included in the battery module 1500. The battery module 1500 may stop the output of the LED display 1501 to notify that the power supply to the cleaner body 1000 has been stopped.

[0319] In operation S3860, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may send information that the control module 180 is in an incompletely connected state to the motor assembly 1100. Even when the control module 180 is rotated from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2, the control module 180 may be electrically connected to the motor assembly 1100. Therefore, even at the retreat position 180Y2, the control module 180 may periodically send and receive data to and from the motor assembly 1100 through UART communication.

[0320] In operations S3870 to S3890, based on receiving information from the control module 180 that the control module 180 is in an incompletely coupled state, the motor assembly 1100 may be operated in a safety mode.

[0321] In operation S3870, based on information received from the control module 180 that the control module 180 is in an incompletely coupled state, the motor assembly 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether the suction motor 1110 is being driven.

[0322] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when the battery module 1500 stops supplying power to the cleaner body 1000, due to a malfunction of a switching element (eg, FET), power supplied to the suction motor 1110 may not be accurately blocked. In this case, the suction motor 1110 may be continuously driven.

[0323] In operation S3880, even if the control module 180 is in an incompletely coupled state, when the suction motor 1110 is being driven (ie, "yes" in S3870), the motor assembly 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may stop driving the suction motor 1110 for safety.

[0324] In operation S3890, the motor assembly 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may stop driving the brush device 2000. For example, based on receiving information from the control module 180 that the control module 180 is in an incomplete connection state, the first processor 1131 of the motor assembly 1100 stops driving the brush device 2000 by controlling the switch element 1133 for supplying power to the brush device 2000 connected to the cleaner body 1000.

[0325] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the control module 180 is in an incompletely coupled state (ie, in the retreat position 180Y2 ), each of the control module 180 , the battery module 1500 , and the motor assembly 1100 may increase the stability of the cleaner by operating in a safety mode.

[0326] Fig.39 is a flowchart for describing a method of outputting a message related to replacement of the filter 197 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0327] In operation S3910, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may monitor the accumulated filter usage time. For example, the control module 180 may monitor a time period starting from a time point when the filter 197 is newly installed in the filter housing 198.

[0328] In operation S3920, the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether the accumulated filter usage time has reached the filter replacement time. The filter replacement time may be set by a system administrator or a user.

[0329] For example, when the filter replacement period is 6 months, the control module 180 may determine whether 6 months have passed after the filter 197 is newly installed in the filter housing 198 .

[0330] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the accumulated filter usage time has not reached the filter replacement time (ie, “No” in S3920 ), the control module 180 may continue to monitor the accumulated filter usage time.

[0331] In operation S3930, when the accumulated filter usage time has reached the filter replacement time (i.e., "yes" in S3920), the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output a message for guiding the user to switch the control module 180 from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2, or the control module 180 may automatically switch from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2.

[0332] For example, in order to notify the user that the filter replacement cycle has been reached, the control module 180 may visually or audibly output a notification message stating “The filter can be replaced. Remove the control module, rotate the filter 180 degrees counterclockwise, and then replace the filter.” Alternatively, the control module 180 may cause the user terminal 400 to output the notification message via a wireless network.

[0333] In addition, the control module 180 can automatically switch from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2 to enable separation of the filter housing 198. For example, the control module 180 can automatically rotate from the use position 180Y1 located at the rear of the filter housing 198 to the retreat position 180Y2, where the control module 180 does not interfere with the separation of the filter housing 198 from the cleaner in the rear direction. When the control module 180 automatically switches from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2, the user can recognize that the filter replacement cycle has been reached.

[0334] In operation S3940 , the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether replacement of the filter 197 has been completed.

[0335] When the control module 180 is switched from the use position 180Y1 to the retreat position 180Y2, the user can separate the filter housing 198 from the cleaner body 1000 and then replace the filter 197. Thereafter, the user can again install the filter housing 198 on the cleaner body 1000. The control module 180 can detect that the filter housing 198 is installed on the cleaner body 1000 through a TMR sensor or a micro switch.

[0336] Based on detecting that the filter housing 198 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 may output a message for inquiring whether the filter replacement has been completed. For example, the control module 180 may output a message stating "If the filter replacement has been completed, press the "+" button." The user may input a response indicating that the filter replacement has been completed through the input interface. For example, the user may select the "+" button.

[0337] In S3950, when the replacement of the filter 197 has been completed (i.e., "Yes" in S3940), the control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can output a message for guiding the user to switch the control module 180 from the retreat position 180Y2 to the use position 180Y1, or can automatically switch from the retreat position 180Y2 to the use position 180Y1.

[0338] For example, the control module 180 can output a notification message visually and audibly stating "Filter replacement is complete. Please rotate the control module 180 degrees clockwise." In addition, since the replacement of the filter 197 has been completed and the filter housing 198 has been installed on the cleaner body 1000, the control module 180 can automatically switch from the retreat position 180Y2 to the use position 180Y1.

[0339] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the filter 197 has been replaced, the control module 180 may monitor the accumulated usage time of the new filter 197 .

[0340] Fig.40 1 is a schematic diagram for describing an operation of outputting a message related to replacement of the filter 197 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0341] refer to Fig.40 In 4010, when the accumulated use time of the filter 197 reaches the filter replacement cycle, the control module 180 may output a notification message (e.g., "Please rotate the display upward") for guiding the user to switch the control module 180 to the retreat position 180Y2 to replace the filter 197. Here, the control module 180 may display an image for guiding the user to switch the control module 180 to the retreat position 180Y2. The user may rotate the control module 180 counterclockwise by 180 degrees by referring to the message or image displayed on the display.

[0342] refer to Fig.40 In 4020, the control module 180 may be located at the retreat position 180Y2 to enable the filter housing 198 to separate backward. The control module 180 may detect the rotation angle through a TMR sensor, a micro switch, or a geomagnetic sensor. The control module 180 may recognize that the current position of the control module 180 has reached the retreat position 180Y2 through a TMR sensor, a micro switch, or a geomagnetic sensor.

[0343] At the retreat position 180Y2, the control module 180 may output a message (e.g., “Please remove and replace the filter”) or an image for guiding the user to replace the filter 197. Here, because the control module 180 has been rotated 180 degrees, the control module 180 may display the message or image rotated 180 degrees relative to the X-axis so that the user can easily check the message or image.

[0344] refer to Fig.40 In 4030, when the replacement of the filter 197 is completed, the control module 180 may output a notification message (e.g., "Please rotate the display downward") for guiding the user to switch the control module 180 to the use position 180Y1. Here, the control module 180 may also display an image for guiding the user to switch the control module 180 to the use position 180Y1. The user may rotate the control module 180 clockwise by 180 degrees by referring to the message or image displayed on the display.

[0345] At the same time, the above reference Fig.39 and Fig.40 The control module 180 has a structure that is not completely separated from the cleaner body 1000 through some contact points (eg, Fig.14a and Figures 15 to 20 ), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. When the filter replacement cycle has been reached, the filter has a structure that is completely separated from the cleaner body 1000 (for example, Figure 6 and Figures 8 to 13 )'s control module 180 may also output a message or image for guiding the user to separate the control module 180 to replace the filter 197.

[0346] An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of improving safety of a cleaner, wherein when the control module 180 is separated from the cleaner body 1000 , at least one of the battery module 1500 , the control module 180 , or the motor assembly 1100 operates in a safety mode.

[0347] A cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a suction motor 1110; a control module 180, which is configured to control the operation of the cleaner, the control module 180 being separable from the cleaner body 1000 and including a main processor 1800, the main processor 1800 being configured to communicate with a battery module 900 or 1500 for a preset time period when the control module 180 is installed on the cleaner body 1000; and a battery module 900 or 1500, which is configured to recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000, and stop supplying power to the cleaner body 1000 based on not receiving a communication signal from the control module 180 within a preset first time period or longer time period.

[0348] The battery module 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may stop the output of the LED display 1501 provided in the battery module 1500 based on recognition that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body.

[0349] The first processor 1131 for controlling the suction motor 1110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 based on not receiving a communication signal from the control module 180 within a preset second time period or longer. The first processor 1131 may stop driving the suction motor 1110.

[0350] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the preset second time period may be longer than the preset first time period.

[0351] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the preset second time period may be equal to the preset first time period.

[0352] The first processor 1131 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may stop driving the brush device 2000 connected to the cleaner body 1000 by controlling the switching element 1133 for supplying power to the brush device 2000 based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body.

[0353] The control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include: an output interface configured to output information related to the state of the cleaner; an input interface configured to receive input for manipulating the cleaner; a main processor 1800 for controlling the cleaner; and a memory 1900 for storing information related to the operation of the cleaner. The main processor 1800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 based on not receiving a communication signal from the battery module 1500 for a preset first time period or longer.

[0354] The main processor 1800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may power off the output interface based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000. The main processor 1800 may ignore a user input received through the input interface.

[0355] The main processor 1800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may store operation history information corresponding to a time point at which it is recognized that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 in the memory 1900 .

[0356] The cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a blocking device 3600 connected to a plurality of loads including the suction motor 1110. The blocking device 3600 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may selectively block the power supply from the battery module 1500 to at least one of the plurality of loads based on recognizing that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000.

[0357] The control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may measure a battery supply voltage applied to the control module 180 from the battery module 1500. The control module 180 may determine whether the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 based on the measured battery supply voltage.

[0358] The control module 180 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may recognize that the control module 180 has been separated from the cleaner body 1000 based on the measured voltage drop rate of the battery power voltage being greater than a threshold value.

[0359] The control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may receive data including a battery supply voltage from the battery module 1500. Based on the difference between the battery supply voltage included in the received data and the measured battery supply voltage being greater than a preset reference value, the control module 180 may store information related to the current operating state of the cleaner in the memory 1900.

[0360] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the socket 300 detachably supporting the control module 180 is provided in the cleaner body 1000 , and the control module 180 may be attached to and detached from the socket 300 by sliding in upward and downward directions, respectively.

[0361] The cleaner body 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a handle 105 to be held by a user. The control module 180 may be located above the handle 105 and at the rear of the filter housing 198 .

[0362] The filter case 198 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be separated from the cleaner body 1000 in a rearward direction.

[0363] The control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a locking portion 187 that is inserted into the handle 105 when the control module 180 is mounted on the cleaner body 1000, and the locking portion 187 includes a locking hole 188. A screw fastening hole 531 to be aligned with the locking hole 188 may be provided in the handle 105. By screwing a screw 532 through the screw fastening hole 531 into the locking hole 188, the control module 180 may be fixed to the cleaner body 1000.

[0364] The control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may detect the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 through a TMR sensor or a micro switch provided in the locking portion 187 .

[0365] The control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output a notification message that the control module 180 cannot be separated from the cleaner body 1000 through the output interface based on detecting the separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 while the cleaner is operating.

[0366] The control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may transmit information that the control module 180 cannot be separated from the cleaner body 1000 to the server device 3400 connected to the user's mobile terminal based on detecting separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 while the cleaner is operating.

[0367] The control module 180 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may output information related to a method of separating the control module 180 or a method of separating the filter housing 198 through an output interface based on detecting separation of the screw 532 from the locking hole 188 when the operation of the cleaner is stopped.

[0368] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cleaner may include: a cleaner body, the cleaner body including a suction motor; a battery module; and a control module, the control module is configured to control the operation of the cleaner, and the control module can be mounted on the cleaner body and can be separated from the cleaner body, and the control module includes a main processor. The main processor can communicate with the battery module when the control module is mounted on the cleaner body. The battery module can receive a control signal from the cleaner body, and in the case of not receiving a communication signal within at least a first time period, recognize that the control module is separated from the cleaner body to stop the power supply to the cleaner body.

[0369] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cleaner may include: a main body, the main body including a motor; a battery module; a control module, the control module is configured to control the operation of the cleaner, and the control module can be installed on the main body and can be separated from the main body, and the control module includes a main processor; a first processor. When the control module is installed on the main body, the main processor can communicate with the battery module during a first time period. The battery module can recognize that the control module is separated from the main body based on the fact that a first signal from the control module is not received in at least the first time period, and stop the power supply to the main body. The first processor can recognize that the control module is separated from the main body based on the fact that a second signal from the control module is not received in a second time period, and stop driving the motor.

[0370] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for operating a cleaner may include: performing communication between a control module and a battery module; determining whether the control module receives a signal from the battery module; determining whether the battery module receives a communication signal; and identifying whether the control module is installed to the cleaner body or separated from the cleaner body based on each determination result, and in the latter case causing the control module to operate in a safe mode.

[0371] The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term "non-transitory storage medium" refers to a tangible device and does not include signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term "non-transitory storage medium" does not distinguish between a case where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and a case where data is temporarily stored. For example, a non-transitory storage medium may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0372] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method according to various embodiments disclosed herein may be included in a computer program product and then provided. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a commodity. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disc ROM (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through an application store, or distributed directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., an application program that can be downloaded) may be temporarily stored in a machine-readable storage medium, such as a memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

Claims

1. A cleaning device, comprising: A cleaning device body (1000), the cleaning device body comprising a suction motor (1110); Battery module (900; 1500); and a control module configured to control the operation of the cleaner, the control module being mountable on and detachable from the cleaner body, and comprising a main processor (1800) configured to communicate with the battery module (900; 1500) at preset intervals in a state where the control module is mounted on the cleaner body, The battery module is configured to recognize that the control module is separated from the cleaner body and stop supplying power to the cleaner body based on not receiving a communication signal from the control module for a preset first time period or longer.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein: The battery module is further configured to stop output of a light emitting diode (LED) display (1501) provided in the battery module based on recognition that the control module is separated from the cleaner body.

3. The cleaner according to claim 1 or 2 further includes a first processor (1131), which is configured to control the suction motor, and the first processor is configured to: based on not receiving a communication signal from the control module within a preset second time period or a longer time period, identify that the control module is separated from the cleaner body and stop driving the suction motor.

4. The cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein: The preset second time period is longer than the preset first time period.

5. The cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein: The first processor is further configured to stop driving the brush device by controlling a switch element (1133) used to supply power to the brush device (2000) connected to the cleaner body, based on recognition that the control module is separated from the cleaner body.

6. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The control module also includes: an output interface configured to output information related to a status of the cleaner; an input interface configured to receive input for operating the cleaning device; and a memory (1900) storing information related to the operation of the cleaner, The main processor is further configured to: recognize that the control module is separated from the cleaner body based on not receiving a communication signal from the battery module within the preset first time period or a longer time period.

7. The cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein: The main processor is also configured to: Based on recognizing that the control module is separated from the cleaner body, the output interface is powered off and a user input received through the input interface is ignored.

8. The cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein: The main processor is further configured to store, in the memory, operation history information corresponding to a time point at which it is recognized that the control module is separated from the cleaner body.

9. The cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 8 further includes a blocking device, which is connected to a plurality of loads including the suction motor, and the blocking device is configured to: selectively block the power supply from the battery module to at least one of the plurality of loads based on identifying that the control module is separated from the cleaner body.

10. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The control module is further configured to measure a measured battery supply voltage applied from the battery module to the control module, and determine whether the control module is separated from the cleaner body based on the measured battery supply voltage.

11. The cleaning device according to claim 10, wherein: The control module is further configured to recognize that the control module is separated from the cleaner body based on a voltage drop rate of the measured battery power voltage being greater than a threshold value.

12. The cleaning device according to claim 11, wherein: The control module is also configured to receive data including a battery supply voltage from the battery module, and store information related to a current operating state of the cleaner in a memory based on a difference between the battery supply voltage included in the data and the measured battery supply voltage being greater than a preset reference value.

13. The cleaning appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a socket, the socket being arranged in the cleaning appliance body and capable of supporting the control module by the socket, in, The control module is attachable to and detachable from the socket by sliding in an upward direction and in a downward direction, respectively.

14. A cleaning device according to claim 13, wherein: The cleaner body also includes a handle (105) to be held by a user, and The control module is located above the handle and at the rear of the filter housing (198).

15. The cleaning device according to claim 14, wherein: The filter housing is separable from the cleaner body in a rearward direction.

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