Smart nozzle and a surface cleaning device implementing same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable surface cleaning devices face limited battery life due to high power consumption by brushrolls, especially when cleaning thick carpets or high-friction surfaces, and existing solutions either disable brushrolls to conserve power or require user input for activation.
Innovation Solution
Nozzle control circuitry integrated into a removable nozzle housing that detects cleaning operations through sensors, autonomously activating and adjusting brushroll speed and orientation based on floor type without user input, using separate power supplies to reduce overall power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If brushrolls are activated to improve cleaning performance on carpeted surfaces, then cleaning performance is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The brushroll motor operates dynamically by adjusting its rotational speed based on detected floor type. The motor controller varies the RPM between low-speed mode for hard floors and high-speed mode for carpeted surfaces, optimizing cleaning performance while minimizing unnecessary power consumption on non-carpet surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to autonomously detect floor type and automatically adjusts brushroll operation without user input. The microprocessor controller receives sensor data, determines the appropriate cleaning mode, and controls the brushroll motor accordingly, enabling the device to serve itself in adapting to different surfaces.
2Reliability
If brushrolls are continuously activated to maintain cleaning readiness, then cleaning performance is maintained, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The brushroll motor operates periodically rather than continuously. The system transitions between active cleaning mode and idle/standby mode based on sensor detection of floor type and usage conditions. This periodic operation maintains cleaning readiness when needed while conserving battery power during transitions and idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between different operational states including high-speed brushroll operation, low-speed operation, and complete shutdown. The microprocessor controller manages these state transitions based on real-time sensor input, optimizing the balance between cleaning readiness and battery conservation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If sensors and control circuitry are added to enable autonomous brushroll control, then power optimization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into modular components: sensors for floor type detection, a microprocessor controller for decision-making, and a motor controller for brushroll actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, managing overall system complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system and control circuitry serve multiple functions: detecting floor type, determining brushroll operational mode, controlling motor speed, and managing power distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each task, thereby managing complexity while achieving power optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, the present disclosure is directed to nozzle control circuitry for use in surface cleaning devices that preferably reduces overall power consumption of a surface cleaning device by detecting the start of a cleaning operation by a user before energizing one or more components such as an agitator. The nozzle control circuitry can detect a cleaning operation based on data output from one or more sensors (also referred to herein as operation sensors). For example, the nozzle control circuitry can communicate with at least one of a motion sensor such as an accelerometer, an orientation sensor such as gyroscope, and/or an air pressure sensor operatively coupled within a dirty air inlet to detect the presence of generated suction.