Cleaning apparatus and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners face challenges in protecting users from exposed rotating brushes and effectively suctioning foreign substances in corner spaces between walls and floors, as existing designs lack automatic control mechanisms for brush output and require manual adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A control method and apparatus that utilize sensors to detect the distance between the cleaning module and surfaces, adjusting the motor output based on this distance to prevent injuries and enhance suction efficiency, including automatic operation and shutdown to optimize battery life and user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the brush is exposed to the outside and rotated for cleaning, then cleaning function is improved, but user safety deteriorates due to risk of injury from contact with rotating brush
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect the presence of objects or users near the brush and autonomously controls the motor output without requiring manual intervention. The cleaning apparatus serves itself by monitoring its own operational environment and adjusting accordingly, eliminating the need for user awareness or action to prevent injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operational environment using sensors and provides feedback to the control unit, which adjusts motor output based on detected conditions. This closed-loop control ensures the brush stops or reduces speed when users are nearby, resolving the safety issue while maintaining cleaning functionality.
2Productivity
If the brush output is manually adjusted for corner cleaning, then suction efficiency in corners is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to requiring separate manual manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when the cleaning apparatus is positioned in a corner using sensors and autonomously adjusts the brush output accordingly. Users simply need to position the device in the corner, and the system handles the output adjustment automatically, eliminating the need for separate manual manipulation while maintaining high suction efficiency.
3Productivity
If the motor operates continuously for cleaning, then cleaning productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases reducing battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic sensor monitoring to detect when the cleaning apparatus is in idle positions (such as corners or against walls) and automatically reduces or stops motor operation during these periods. This periodic on-off control based on environmental detection maintains cleaning productivity when needed while significantly reducing energy consumption during idle periods, thereby extending battery life.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a cleaning apparatus and a control method thereof. A cleaning apparatus according to the present specification, comprising a cleaning module and a main body, comprises: a motor for suctioning air outside the cleaning apparatus; a sensor which is included in the cleaning module and detects a facing distance between the cleaning module and a facing surface while the motor is operating; and a processor which controls the output of the motor on the basis of the facing distance. Thus, even without an additional operation by the user, it is possible to pre-emptively protect a user from injury by a brush that rotates while externally exposed, on the basis of the distance between the cleaning module and the floor surface.