Vacuum cleaner and method for controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaners face challenges in accurately moving the cleaner body towards the user while avoiding obstacles, due to complex structures and inaccurate detection of user movement and mechanical operations.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner 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 follow the user's movement and avoid obstacles by adjusting wheel rotation and direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a structure in which rotation and translation motions of a movable member are performed at the same time is provided, then the vacuum cleaner can detect user movement, but the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical motion detection structures with an ultrasonic detection system. Instead of using mechanical sensors to detect rotation and translation motions simultaneously, the system uses an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver to measure distance changes, thereby substituting a mechanical detection system with an acoustic field-based system that achieves the same detection function with simpler mechanics.
2Device complexity
If mechanical operation detection is used to move the driving unit, then the structure is simpler, but actual movement of the user cannot be accurately detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical operation detection with ultrasonic distance measurement. The ultrasonic transmitter and receiver calculate the user's actual movement by measuring distance changes over time, providing accurate movement detection without requiring complex mechanical sensors or linkages.
3Ease of operation
If the cleaner body moves toward the user automatically, then user convenience is improved, but the ability to avoid obstacles may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the ultrasonic distance measurement continuously monitors the environment ahead of the cleaner body. When an obstacle is detected (distance threshold exceeded), the system automatically adjusts the cleaning head's position or stops movement, providing real-time feedback that enables obstacle avoidance while maintaining automatic follow-up operation.
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 the user's movement and quickly reacts to obstacles, ensuring accurate navigation and improved user convenience 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
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
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.