Vacuum cleaner and method for controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners with integrated rotation and translation motion structures are complex and often fail to accurately detect and follow user movement, leading to difficulties in accurately moving the cleaner body towards the user and avoiding obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner equipped with a moving device, suction device, detection device, and controller that uses ultrasonic waves and current detectors to determine the need for movement and obstacle avoidance, allowing the cleaner body to automatically adjust its path to follow the user and avoid obstacles by controlling the movement of wheels and motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a structure with integrated rotation and translation motion detection is provided, then the vacuum cleaner can detect user movement, but the structure becomes complicated and actual movement cannot be accurately detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical motion detection structures with an ultrasonic detection system. The ultrasonic transmitting unit sends signals and the receiving unit detects echoes to calculate distance and movement, substituting mechanical sensors with acoustic field-based detection that provides higher precision without structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ultrasonic waves as an intermediary medium between the vacuum cleaner and the user's movement. Instead of directly detecting mechanical motion, the system uses ultrasonic wave propagation and reflection to indirectly measure distance changes and infer user movement with high accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical motion detection is used to move the cleaner body, then the driving unit can be moved, but actual user movement cannot be accurately detected and the cleaner body cannot be accurately moved toward the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical motion detection with ultrasonic distance measurement. By continuously measuring the distance between the cleaner body and the user through ultrasonic wave transmission and reception, the system accurately detects user movement and translates it into corresponding cleaner body movement for precise following.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the ultrasonic detection continuously monitors the distance to the user, the controller processes this information to determine required movement, and the driving unit adjusts the cleaner body position accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures accurate tracking of user movement.
3Reliability
If the cleaner body moves forward without obstacle detection, then it can follow the user, but it cannot avoid obstacles effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary obstacle detection using ultrasonic waves before the cleaner body moves forward. By detecting obstacles in advance and calculating their position relative to the cleaning direction, the system can proactively adjust the cleaning path to avoid obstacles while minimizing interruptions to cleaning productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic obstacle avoidance by continuously monitoring the environment with ultrasonic sensors and adjusting the cleaner body's movement in real-time. The system dynamically modifies the cleaning path based on detected obstacles while maintaining overall cleaning efficiency through intelligent route optimization.
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
The vacuum cleaner effectively follows user movement and accurately avoids obstacles, enhancing user convenience and reaction speed by determining the presence of obstacles and adjusting its path accordingly.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transmitting unit disposed on the suction device to transmit ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic receiving unit disposed on the cleaner body to receive the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitting unit
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body including a moving device for moving, a suction device connected to the cleaner body to suction dusts and air and guide the suctioned dusts and air to the cleaner body, the suction device including a handle, a detection device for detecting a distance between the handle and the cleaner body, and a controller determining whether movement of cleaner body is necessary on the basis of the distance between the cleaner body and the handle, the controller controlling the moving device when the movement of the cleaner body is necessary. The controller controls the moving device to allow the cleaner body to avoid an obstacle when it is determined that an operation for avoiding the obstacle is necessary while the moving device operates.