Optical Detection-Based Suction Force Adjustment for Vacuum Cleaners
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners and sweeping robots often face reduced suction force in dirty environments, leading to inefficient cleaning and increased power consumption due to the inability to effectively adjust suction force based on the physical characteristics of objects being cleaned.
Innovation Solution
A suction force adjustment method utilizing a linear light source and sensor group to detect physical features of objects, regulating the suction force of the suction unit based on sensed data, and optionally communicating with a remote control device for further adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the suction force is increased to improve cleaning effect in dirty environments, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction force is made dynamically adjustable based on detected object characteristics. The system transitions from a fixed suction force mode to a variable suction force mode, where the suction unit adjusts its output according to the physical features (transparency, density, size, shape) of objects detected by the optical detection unit. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high suction force only when needed for specific objects, rather than maintaining high suction force continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction force parameter is changed based on detected object characteristics. The system detects physical features of objects and adjusts the suction force parameter accordingly - increasing suction force for objects requiring stronger suction and reducing it for lighter objects. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between cleaning efficiency and power consumption.
2Reliability
If the suction force is maintained at high level to clean various objects, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy waste occurs on light objects
Solution Approach 1:
The suction force is customized according to the specific characteristics of each detected object. Instead of applying uniform high suction force to all objects, the system adjusts the suction force locally matched to each object's physical features (transparency, density, size, shape). This ensures adequate cleaning effectiveness for each object type while avoiding energy waste on objects requiring less suction force.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical detection to obtain feedback information about object characteristics, then adjusts the suction force based on this feedback. The detection unit continuously monitors objects on the suction path, and the control system uses this information to regulate suction force in real-time, creating a closed-loop control that prevents energy waste while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
3Reliability
If repeated sweeping is performed to improve cleaning result, then cleaning completeness is improved, but time consumption and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of object characteristics before the suction process using the optical detection unit. By detecting physical features (transparency, density, size, shape) in advance, the system can pre-adjust the suction force to optimal levels, ensuring effective cleaning in a single pass. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated sweeping, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining cleaning completeness.
4Ease of operation
If fixed suction force is used to simplify device operation, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment of suction force based on automatic detection of object characteristics. The optical detection unit and control system work together to automatically regulate suction force without requiring user intervention or complex manual adjustments. This self-service mechanism maintains ease of operation while significantly improving adaptability to different object types and characteristics.
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
Improves suction efficiency and reduces power consumption by dynamically adjusting suction force based on object characteristics, enhancing cleaning performance and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
At least one linear light source is provided, and the linear light source provides a light curtain formed by multiple beams
Implementation Method 2
the sensor group senses the beams uninterrupted by the object to be tested to generate a sensing signal
Data Source
AI summary
A suction force adjustment method is provided. An optical detection unit is disposed on a suction path of a suction pipe to detect an object flowing through the suction pipe. Physical features of the object are determined according to a sensing result of the optical detection unit. A suction force of a suction unit is regulated based on the physical features of the object.