Vacuum Cleaner Brush Roll Motor Control Based on Floor Type Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning systems lack the ability to optimize suction force and brush roll operation based on specific floor types, as factory settings may not be tailored to individual users' hardwood or carpet floors, leading to suboptimal cleaning performance.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning system equipped with a sensor and controller that senses floor parameters, determines floor coefficients, and adjusts the brush roll motor operation accordingly to optimize cleaning modes for different floor types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If factory settings are used for brush roll motor control, then the cleaning system can operate on various floor types, but the cleaning performance is not optimized for specific floor types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different floor typesVSAvoidcleaning performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush roll motor control transitions from static factory settings to dynamic adjustment based on real-time sensor feedback. The controller continuously monitors sensor data and adjusts motor parameters (speed, torque) according to the detected floor type, enabling the system to adapt its operation dynamically to maximize cleaning performance on each specific floor surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A sensor provides feedback about floor characteristics to the controller, which then adjusts the brush roll motor operation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to detect floor type and automatically optimize motor parameters, resolving the contradiction between versatility and specialized performance by using information from the environment to adapt control parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If sensor-based floor detection is implemented, then cleaning performance can be optimized for specific floor types, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electronic sensor-based detection and control system. Instead of requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical adaptors for different floor types, a sensor electronically detects floor characteristics and the controller automatically adjusts motor parameters, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining high cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system optimizes cleaning performance by dynamically changing motor operating parameters (speed, torque, power) based on sensor-detected floor characteristics. Rather than adding complex mechanical components, the invention achieves adaptability through parameter adjustment, transforming the motor's operational state to match the detected floor type and maximize cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11202543B2System and method for operating a cleaning system based on a surface to be cleaned

Publication Date: 2021.12.21 TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECH LTD

AI summary

A cleaner including a base defining a suction chamber, a brush roll driven by a brush roll motor, a sensor configured to sense a parameter related to a floor; and a controller having a memory and electronic processor. The controller is configured to receive the parameter, control the brush roll motor based on the parameter and a first floor coefficient, determine a second floor coefficient based on the parameter, and control the brush roll motor based on the second floor coefficient.