Vacuum cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional active driving vacuum cleaners lack precise directional control and efficient manual operation due to their reliance on physical distance measurements without directional properties, leading to inaccurate movement and inconvenient wheel rotation when the power is turned off.
Innovation Solution
The vacuum cleaner incorporates a system with displacement sensors and actuators that allow the main body to rotate and move in various directions based on the suction hose's movement, and includes a clutch mechanism to disconnect the driving motor and wheels for smooth manual operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If ultrasonic sensors measure distance between handle tube and main body to activate driving motor, then the main body can advance when distance becomes equal to or greater than predetermined distance, but the movement cannot accurately reflect directional movement of the handle tube
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ultrasonic distance measurement system with a mechanical linkage system consisting of a suction hose, actuator, and displacement sensor. The actuator is connected to the suction hose such that when the user moves the suction hose in a specific direction, the actuator rotates accordingly, and the displacement sensor directly measures this rotational displacement to determine both distance and direction of movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves as an intermediary mechanical element that converts linear movement of the suction hose into rotational movement. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to capture directional information by translating the user's pulling motion into a form that can be accurately measured by the displacement sensor.
2Extent of automation
If driving motor and reduction gears are connected to wheels for active driving, then the main body can be driven automatically, but the wheels cannot rotate smoothly when user manually moves the main body after cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic coupling system where the connection between the driving motor and wheels can be changed based on operational mode. During active driving, the driving motor is connected to the wheels through reduction gears to provide automatic movement. When manual operation is required, the connection is disconnected, allowing the wheels to rotate freely without the load of the driving motor and gears.
Solution Approach 2:
The drivetrain is segmented into separable components: the driving motor, reduction gears, and wheel assembly. This segmentation allows the system to disconnect the power transmission path between the driving motor and wheels when manual maneuvering is needed, while maintaining the automatic driving function when active driving is required.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner includes an actuator connected to a suction hose to rotate in left and right directions centering on a first rotation axis, or in forward and backward directions centering on a second rotation axis according to movement of the suction hose, a first displacement sensor detecting rotational displacement of the actuator in the left and right directions, and a second displacement sensor detecting rotational displacement of the actuator in the forward and backward directions, and controls activation of a plurality of driving motors according to the rotational displacement of the actuator in the left and right directions and in the forward and backward directions, which are detected by the first displacement sensor and the second displacement sensor, thereby advancing or rotating the main body in the left and right directions.