A stick vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in determining the cleanliness of dark and narrow areas while using stick vacuum cleaners, as existing models with cameras struggle to distinguish dust particles from the background, especially on carpeted surfaces, requiring users to bend and use light sources, which is uncomfortable and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A stick vacuum cleaner equipped with a camera, light source, dust sensor, and control unit that captures images, illuminates dark areas, detects dust particles, and highlights them on a display, providing ergonomic cleaning without the need for users to bend or use external light sources, with an auditory signal for notification and wireless communication for reduced maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a camera is attached to the brush head to capture images of the swept area, then users can view the area being cleaned, but users still cannot distinguish dust particles from the background, especially on carpeted surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical camera-based detection system with a dust sensor that uses acoustic or other physical fields to detect dust particles. The dust sensor mounted on the bracket can sense dust particles in the air flow without relying on optical imaging, thereby solving the problem of dust particle visibility and detection accuracy on various surfaces including carpets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dust sensor as an intermediary detection device between the brush head and the control unit. This dust sensor acts as a mediator that directly detects dust particles in the suction air flow and transmits signals to the control unit, which then provides auditory feedback to the user, eliminating the need for visual differentiation of dust particles.
2Illumination intensity
If users bend over and use light sources to check the cleanliness of dark and narrow areas, then they can see the swept area, but this causes discomfort and reluctance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the vacuum cleaner to perform the function of illuminating and detecting dust particles autonomously. The dust sensor mounted on the bracket automatically detects dust particles in the suction air flow without requiring user intervention with external light sources or bending, and provides feedback through the auditory signal means, allowing the system to serve itself in the detection and monitoring function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical action of users bending over and using external light sources with an automated sensor-based detection system. The dust sensor and auditory feedback system provide automatic monitoring of cleaning effectiveness, eliminating the need for users to physically position themselves awkwardly or manipulate external lighting devices.
3Measurement precision
If a dust sensor is placed on the bracket to detect dust particles, then dust particle detection becomes possible, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the bracket serve multiple functions: it continues to provide structural support and positioning for the brush head, and simultaneously serves as the mounting location for the dust sensor. This multi-functionality approach allows the dust detection capability to be added without requiring a completely separate mounting structure, thereby minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the dust sensor mounting function with the existing bracket structure. Instead of adding a separate complex mounting system, the dust sensor is integrated onto the bracket that already exists in the vacuum cleaner design, merging the detection function with the structural support function of the bracket.
4Loss of information
If the control unit processes images from the camera to recognize dust particles, then dust identification is possible, but the processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the computationally intensive image processing system with a direct dust particle detection system using the dust sensor. The sensor directly detects the presence of dust particles in the suction air flow and generates immediate signals, eliminating the need for time-consuming image capture, processing, and analysis, thereby significantly reducing processing time and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The dust sensor provides direct detection capability that serves the control unit immediately without requiring intermediate processing steps. The sensor autonomously detects dust particles and generates signals that can be directly used by the control unit to provide feedback, creating a self-sufficient detection pathway that bypasses the time-consuming image processing chain.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to efficiently clean hard-to-reach areas by clearly identifying dust particles, reducing discomfort and time consumption, while minimizing maintenance costs through effective dust particle detection and notification, and improved depth perception and detection rates.
Implementation Method 1
A dust sensor (9) placed near to the brush head (3) and more preferably on to the bracket (4) is provided so as to detect dust particles sucked inside the stick vacuum cleaner (1)
Implementation Method 2
In order to illuminate dark areas a light source is provided on the brush head
Implementation Method 3
The motor, powered by the battery, creates a suction force which helps the brush head to suck inside the air along with the dust particles and transfer them via the pipe to the dust bag
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to A stick vacuum cleaner (1) comprising; a body (2), a brush head (3) having a bracket (4), a pipe (5) extending between and connecting the body (2) to the brush head (3) via the bracket (4), at least a camera (6) and a light source (7) placed on to the brush head (3) so as to capture the image of the area to be swept, a display (8) placed on to the body (2) to display the image captured by the camera (6).