Vacuum Cleaner Fill-Level Detection Using Motor Power Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners face challenges in accurately and cost-effectively determining the filling level of dust separation devices, often requiring complex measurements and additional sensors, which complicates the detection of suction power reduction and maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

The method involves recording the current and power consumption of the blower motor and nozzle motor, using these values to determine the filling level of the dust separation device, allowing for precise and simple determination independent of floor coverings, without the need for additional sensors or circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional sensors and complex measurement systems are used to determine dust separation device filling level, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling level determination accuracyVSAvoidsensor and circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum cleaner system uses its own existing operational parameters (motor current, power consumption) to determine the filling level of the dust separation device. The control unit processes these self-generated signals to provide maintenance indications, eliminating the need for external sensors or additional measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical sensors and mechanical measurement systems with an electronic control system that utilizes electrical measurement signals (current, power consumption) already available in the vacuum cleaner's operational circuitry. This substitution simplifies the overall system while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple measured variables and pressure sensors are used to correct filter loading, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter loading detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and utilizes only the essential measurement signals needed for filling level determination - specifically the current and power consumption of the blower motor - while discarding unnecessary measurements. This extraction approach maintains reliable detection capability while significantly simplifying system operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex multi-parameter measurements to infer filling level, the patent inverts the approach by directly using the readily available motor electrical parameters (current, power) as the primary indicators of dust separation device filling status, thereby simplifying the operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If conventional filling level determination methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidfilling level determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs multiple functions: it manages the vacuum cleaner's operational control and simultaneously processes motor electrical signals to determine dust separation device filling level. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain simplicity while achieving accurate filling level detection through existing operational data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach enables continuous and accurate monitoring of the dust separation device's filling level, providing a reliable maintenance signal to users, improving the operability of the vacuum cleaner by simplifying the detection of maintenance requirements across different floor coverings.

Implementation Method 1

at least one electric fan motor for generating a suction air flow through the dust separation device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

separate dirt particles contained in the suction air flow from the suction air flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2946711B1Vacuum cleaner and method for operating same

Publication Date: 2017.03.22 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

AI summary

In a method for operating a vacuum cleaner, which comprises a dust separation device, at least one electric fan motor for generating a suction air flow through the dust separation device and a suction nozzle that is flow-connected to the dust separation device and has a nozzle brush that can be driven electrically by a nozzle motor, a current and/or power consumption of the fan motor, a current and/or power consumption of the nozzle motor is recorded and a degree of filling F of the dust separation device is determined as a function of the current or power consumption of the fan motor and the current or power consumption of the nozzle motor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a correspondingly designed vacuum cleaner. The invention makes it possible to determine the degree of filling of the dust separating device more precisely in a simple manner, even with different floor coverings.