Battery pack for a vacuum cleaner and battery-operated vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-operated vacuum cleaners face conflicting requirements of low standby consumption and quick activation, with existing solutions either increasing costs, risk of defects, or restricting design, especially when using a hardware switch for wake-up.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack with a wake-up circuit and acceleration sensor that switches the BMS from sleep mode to operating mode based on detected movement patterns, eliminating the need for a physical switch and enhancing safety by preventing unintended power-up during falls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the battery pack is placed in standby mode to minimize power consumption, then battery life is extended and standby consumption is reduced, but the vacuum cleaner cannot be activated quickly without additional hardware switches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandby power consumptionVSAvoidactivation delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by keeping the BMS in a light sleep mode rather than full standby, allowing it to be quickly awakened by motion detection. The acceleration sensor continuously monitors for user pickup actions, enabling the system to transition from low-power state to active state rapidly without requiring hardware switches or buttons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical hardware switch system with a motion-based detection system. Instead of requiring physical button presses or switch operations, the acceleration sensor detects the mechanical motion of the user picking up the vacuum cleaner, automatically triggering the wake-up sequence and eliminating the need for manual switching operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If a hardware switch is added to enable quick wake-up from standby, then activation speed is improved, but device complexity, cost, and risk of defects increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation delayVSAvoidswitch and wiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the hardware switch component entirely from the system. By using the acceleration sensor to detect user intent through motion, the physical switch and its associated wiring are eliminated, reducing device complexity, manufacturing cost, and potential failure points while maintaining quick activation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting when the user intends to activate the vacuum cleaner through motion detection. The acceleration sensor monitors for pickup motions and automatically triggers the wake-up sequence without requiring manual switch operation, making the system more reliable and easier to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a hardware switch is used for wake-up, then activation is enabled, but the external design is restricted due to required cutouts and switch placement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewake-up operationVSAvoidhousing design freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical switch system with a motion-based detection system embedded within the housing. The acceleration sensor can be integrated into the existing structure without requiring external cutouts or openings, preserving design freedom while enabling convenient automatic wake-up functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Loss of time

If the acceleration sensor continuously monitors for wake-up patterns, then immediate activation is achieved, but standby power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation delayVSAvoidstandby power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by maintaining the BMS in a light sleep mode rather than full standby, allowing it to be quickly awakened by motion detection. The acceleration sensor continuously monitors for user pickup actions, enabling the system to transition from low-power state to active state rapidly without requiring hardware switches or buttons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 immediate and convenient device activation with minimal standby consumption, reduced risk of defects, and preserved battery life, while preventing potential damage from falls and ensuring safe operation.

Implementation Method 1

a wake-up circuit with an acceleration sensor; where the battery management system (BMS) has at least one operating mode in which battery power is provided for the vacuum cleaner and a sleep mode in which no battery power is provided for the vacuum cleaner; and the wake-up circuit is configured to switch the battery management system (BMS) from the sleep mode to the operating mode based on a first acceleration pattern detected by the acceleration sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3440974B1Battery pack for a vacuum cleaner and battery-operated vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3440974B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a battery pack for a vacuum cleaner, comprising a battery management system (BMS), a wake-up circuit with an accelerometer, wherein the battery management system (BMS) has at least one operating mode in which battery power is provided for the vacuum cleaner and a sleep mode in which no battery power is provided for the vacuum cleaner, and the wake-up circuit is configured to switch the battery management system (BMS) from the sleep mode to the operating mode based on a first acceleration pattern detected by the accelerometer.