Vacuum Cleaner Optical Dust Detection for Filter Cleanness Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuuming cleaner robots lack a mechanism to accurately assess filter cleanliness, making it difficult to adjust cleaning strategies based on suction force variations caused by filter cleanness.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system and method that uses a light source, optical sensor, and processing unit to capture and compare successive image frames, identifying dust particles and determining cleanness conditions, allowing for adjustments in cleaning strategies and filter maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If rotation speed of motor is used to determine obstacles block air inlet and outlet, then suction force can be monitored, but it is difficult to accurately determine filter cleanness condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical detection method (motor rotation speed monitoring) with an optical detection system. A light source emits light through the air flow passage, and an optical sensor captures image frames of dust particles. The processing unit analyzes particle features to determine filter cleanness condition, providing accurate measurement without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dust particles as intermediaries to indirectly assess filter condition. By monitoring the characteristics of dust particles passing through the air flow passage and comparing successive image frames, the system can determine filter cleanness without directly measuring suction force variations, which are too subtle to detect accurately.
2Measurement precision
If suction force variation is used to assess filter condition, then existing sensors can be utilized, but the variation is too small to provide accurate cleanness information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dust particles as intermediaries to translate the subtle suction force variations into observable optical signals. By capturing and analyzing image frames of dust particles passing through the air flow passage, the system can detect filter condition changes that are otherwise imperceptible through suction force measurement alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from suction force (which varies minimally) to dust particle characteristics (which provide more distinguishable signals). By analyzing particle size, shape, concentration, and movement patterns in successive image frames, the system achieves higher measurement precision for filter cleanness assessment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If no confirmation and reporting mechanism is provided for user, then system remains simple, but cleaning strategy cannot be adjusted according to dust status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the processing unit analyzes dust particle features from optical sensor data, determines cleanness conditions, and provides this information to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the cleaning strategy accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to real-time dust status without requiring complex user intervention.
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
Enables effective adjustment of cleaning strategies and timely filter replacement by analyzing particle features from image frames, improving cleaning efficiency and user feedback through cleanness maps.
Implementation Method 1
The light source is configured to emit light to the air flow passage
Implementation Method 2
The optical sensor is configured to capture a plurality of successive image frames from the air flow passage
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning system and a cleaning method are provided. The cleaning system includes a main body, an air suctioning device, a light source, an optical sensor, a memory and a processing unit. The air suctioning device includes an air flow passage and a fan-motor assembly that is disposed in the air flow passage and generates a suction force to suction outside air through the air flow passage. The light source emit light to the air flow passage. The optical sensor captures a plurality of successive image frames from the air flow passage. The processing unit is configured to: obtain first and second image frames from the successive image frames; compare the first image frame with the second image frame to identify dust particles; obtain a particle feature of the dust particles; and determine a current cleanness condition according to the particle feature.