Vacuum Cleaner Power Control for Interchangeable Battery Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand tools, such as vacuum cleaners, lack flexibility in power adjustment and convenience in battery replacement, requiring additional tools and complex communication systems for varying battery capacities.

Innovation Solution

A hand tool system with a receiving unit for interchangeable charge storage devices, a power control unit that regulates the electric motor's maximum power based on the connected battery, and a detection unit that identifies battery properties without active communication, allowing for automatic power adjustment and easy battery replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the battery capacity is increased to achieve longer operating time, then the operating duration is improved, but the weight of the tool increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating durationVSAvoidtool weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power adjustment that automatically adapts the motor power output to the detected battery capacity. When a high-capacity battery is detected, the system allows higher power consumption rates, enabling shorter operating cycles to be completed more quickly. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the tool weight less of a burden when longer duration is achieved, as the system optimizes power usage based on available energy reserves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters (power output, current draw) based on the detected battery capacity. By detecting battery properties and adjusting motor power accordingly, the system allows users to achieve longer operating durations with larger batteries while maintaining acceptable weight levels, as the power profile is optimized to match the energy available without unnecessarily increasing mechanical load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the maximum power is increased to improve cleaning performance, then the productivity is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts motor power output based on real-time detection of battery capacity and charge state. When high-capacity batteries are detected, the system permits higher power consumption to achieve better cleaning performance. When lower capacity batteries are used, the system automatically reduces power consumption to match available energy reserves. This dynamic power management resolves the contradiction by allowing high productivity only when sufficient energy capacity is available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors battery properties (capacity, charge state) and adjusts motor power output accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that energy consumption is optimized to match available battery capacity, allowing high productivity when appropriate batteries are installed while preventing excessive energy consumption when smaller batteries are used.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If a detection system is added to identify battery properties, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit serves multiple functions: it identifies battery capacity, determines charge state, and provides this information to the control unit for power regulation. By making the detection system multi-functional, the patent achieves high adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity. The same detection infrastructure supports multiple operational modes and battery types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting battery properties and adjusting operating parameters without user intervention. The control unit autonomously adapts power output based on detected battery characteristics, eliminating the need for manual settings or complex user interfaces. This self-service approach achieves high adaptability while keeping the user-facing complexity low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If the power control unit regulates motor power based on battery capacity, then the efficiency is improved, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit regulates motor power by changing electrical parameters (current, voltage, duty cycle) based on detected battery capacity. This parameter-based control approach achieves high system efficiency by optimizing power delivery to match battery capabilities, while avoiding the need for complex mechanical or structural modifications. The control complexity is managed through electronic parameter adjustment rather than complex system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3620094B1Vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3620094B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3620094B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a hand tool (1) comprising a housing (3), an electric motor (4), and a receiving unit (5) for receiving a charge storage device (2) for supplying the electric motor (4) with electrical energy. The hand tool (1) is characterized in that it includes a power control unit (6) designed to regulate the maximum power of the electric motor (4) depending on the charge storage device (2) connected to the receiving unit (5). The invention further relates to an associated charge storage device and a corresponding hand tool system.