Vacuum Cleaner Boost Power Mode for Smooth Floor Dust Pick-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum cleaners face challenges in achieving optimal cleaning results on smooth floors and with stubborn dirt due to reduced aerodynamic performance and power consumption, leading to unsatisfactory dust pick-up effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner with a boost power setting that allows for differentiated increase in fan power beyond the maximum continuous operation, enabling effective dust pick-up on smooth floors and reducing volume flow requirements for carpeted floors, thus enhancing cleaning efficiency and energy savings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If fan power is reduced to lower energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but dust pick-up effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddust pick-up effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum cleaner implements dynamic power adjustment with multiple operating modes (power saving mode, standard mode, and intensive mode) that allow the fan power to be dynamically changed based on cleaning requirements. The control unit enables switching between these modes during operation, providing optimal balance between energy consumption and cleaning performance for different floor surfaces and dirt types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If volume flow is reduced for energy efficiency, then energy consumption is improved, but cleaning performance on smooth floors deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcleaning performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the operating parameters of the fan by implementing multiple power modes that adjust both power consumption and volume flow characteristics. The power saving mode operates at lower parameters for energy efficiency, while the intensive mode increases both power and volume flow parameters to maintain reliable cleaning performance on smooth floors and for stubborn dirt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If simple power increase is provided for short-term operation, then power availability is improved, but cleaning effectiveness on different floor surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower availabilityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness on different floor surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power output of the fan is segmented into distinct operating modes (power saving mode, standard mode, and intensive mode) rather than providing a simple continuous power increase. This segmentation allows the system to offer three different power availability levels, each optimized for specific cleaning scenarios and floor surface types, thereby improving adaptability and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 achieves improved dust pick-up effectiveness on smooth floors and reduces energy consumption by allowing adjustable boost power for short-term operations, ensuring optimal cleaning results while maintaining energy efficiency in continuous operation.

Implementation Method 1

a fan for generating a negative pressure for picking up dirt by means of an air stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

a separating system for cleaning dirt from the air taken in

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3446610B1Vacuum cleaner and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3446610B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3446610B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner (1) for cleaning and maintaining floor surfaces (30) with a blower for generating a negative pressure for picking up dirt by means of an airflow and a separation system (2) for cleaning the picked-up air of dirt, an adjustment device for adjusting the power (P) of the blower, wherein the vacuum cleaner (1) has a maximum power (A) adjustable via the adjustment device for continuous operation of the vacuum cleaner (1) and an intensive power (B) adjustable via the adjustment device for short-term operation of the vacuum cleaner (1), wherein the intensive power (B) is higher than the maximum power (A), wherein the vacuum cleaner (1) has a boost power (C) adjustable via the adjustment device for short-term operation of the vacuum cleaner (1), wherein the boost power (C) is higher than the intensive power (B), and a method for adjusting a blower power (P) of a vacuum cleaner (1).