Method for activating battery-powered cleaner body by counter-electromotive force, and wireless cleaner device employing same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cordless vacuum cleaners experience frequent battery charging and power consumption issues due to continuous operation of display functions and communication processes, leading to reduced battery life and increased frequency of battery replacements.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing back-electro motive force (BEMF) generated by a suction motor in a cordless cleaner body when docked with a station, to activate the main processor and minimize power consumption by interrupting electrical connections, allowing efficient battery charging and reducing unnecessary power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery is charged frequently to maintain display and communication functions, then the operational availability is improved, but the battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enters sleep mode during periods when cleaning operations are not needed, periodically waking up only when necessary for dust discharge operations. This periodic operation pattern reduces overall power consumption and extends battery life while maintaining operational availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The display and communication functions are extracted and disabled during sleep mode, separating them from continuous operation. Only essential functions (motor control, basic sensing) remain active, reducing power consumption while maintaining core cleaning capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If the processor remains active continuously to handle display and communication, then the functional responsiveness is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor operates in periodic cycles, alternating between active states (handling display, communication, and cleaning operations) and sleep states (minimal power consumption). The processor wakes up periodically to perform dust discharge operations and returns to sleep mode, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining functional responsiveness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for dust discharge operations by waking up the processor in advance when the dust bin level sensor detects accumulation, before actual discharge is needed. This preliminary activation allows smooth transition to operational mode without delaying necessary functions.
3Ease of operation
If the cleaner body operates independently with battery power, then the mobility is improved, but the operational duration is limited by battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner body autonomously returns to the base station for dust discharge and battery recharging without user intervention. The system self-manages its operational cycle by detecting when dust bin emptying or battery recharging is needed, navigating to the base station, and performing these maintenance functions automatically, thereby extending overall operational duration while maintaining mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile cleaner body is combined with a stationary base station that provides dust collection and battery recharging functions. This hybrid system allows the cleaner to operate independently for extended periods by periodically returning to the base station for maintenance, effectively extending operational duration beyond what the battery alone could provide.
4Reliability
If the motor runs continuously to maintain suction capability, then the cleaning performance is improved, but the battery depletion rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when cleaning operations are needed and deactivating during idle periods or when returning to the base station. This periodic operation maintains cleaning performance during active phases while significantly reducing overall battery depletion rate during non-operational periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor speed and operation are dynamically adjusted based on operational needs, dust bin fullness, and battery charge level. The system optimizes motor operation by reducing speed or entering idle mode when full power is not required, dynamically balancing cleaning performance with energy conservation to extend operational duration.
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
This approach minimizes power consumption and extends battery life by using BEMF as a wake-up signal to activate the processor, reducing frequent charging and extending the operational time of the cordless cleaner.
Implementation Method 1
back-electro motive force (BEMF) is generated in the first suction motor by rotation of a suction fan connected to the first suction motor according to an air flow of the flow path by the driving of the second suction motor
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are, as a method of minimizing power consumption in a cordless cleaner, a method of activating a cleaner body by using, as a wake-up signal, back-electro motive force (BEMF) generated by rotation of a suction fan on the cleaner body when a dust suction motor on a station operates while a connection between a battery and a controller of the cleaner body is released and battery charging is also stopped in the station, and an electrical device employing the method.