Suction device aid and method for operating same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Suction devices, especially battery-operated ones, face overheating issues when operating at high ambient temperatures or on thick carpets, leading to reduced battery life due to inefficient air movement and existing solutions like secondary air valves or temperature-controlled shutdowns.

Innovation Solution

A suction device with a control device that temporarily throttles or boosts motor operating parameters based on temperature measurements from a sensor, ensuring energy efficiency and preventing overheating by adjusting speed, power, or torque.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If secondary air valves are used to release additional ambient air for cooling, then motor overheating is prevented, but battery life is reduced due to unusable air movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor temperatureVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts motor operating parameters (speed, power, torque) based on real-time temperature measurements from the temperature sensor. When temperature exceeds thresholds, the control device modifies these parameters to reduce heat generation while maintaining acceptable performance, thereby preventing overheating without wasting battery energy on ineffective air movement adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the suction device is switched off when temperature becomes too great, then components are protected from overheating, but operation is interrupted and battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidcontinuous operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors temperature via the temperature sensor and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust motor operating parameters. This closed-loop control allows the system to operate continuously by modulating performance rather than shutting off, protecting components from overheating while maximizing continuous operation time and battery utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If motor operates at high power to maintain suction performance, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but heat generation increases causing component overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts motor operating parameters (speed, power, torque) based on real-time temperature measurements from the temperature sensor. When temperature exceeds thresholds, the control device modifies these parameters to reduce heat generation while maintaining acceptable performance, thereby preventing overheating without wasting battery energy on ineffective air movement adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution effectively prevents overheating of motor and electronic components while maintaining energy efficiency, allowing continuous operation with reduced perceptible impact on the user and improved cooling, compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one, in particular precisely one, temperature sensor is preferably arranged within a housing of the suction device. The temperature sensor preferably has an NTC resistor.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermistor

Implementation Method 2

the control device is designed and set up in such a way that at least one operating parameter of the motor is throttled or increased depending on a comparison of a temperature measurement value of the temperature sensor with at least one temperature threshold value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal management through parameter adjustment: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4226824A1Suction device aid and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP4226824A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4226824A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4226824A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a vacuum device (1) with at least one blower (2) with a motor, at least one temperature sensor (3), and at least one control unit (4). The invention further relates to a method for operating a vacuum device and a computer program. A vacuum device (1), a method (100) for operating a vacuum device (1), and a computer program, which prevent overheating of components within a vacuum device (1) and simultaneously ensure energy efficiency, are realized by designing and configuring the control unit (4) to at least temporarily throttle or increase at least one operating parameter of the motor depending on a comparison of a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor (3) with at least one temperature threshold value.