System and method for detecting walls or objects within a specific proximity of a vacuum floor nozzle

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-powered vacuum cleaners face challenges in maintaining effective suction and lighting intensity while conserving battery power, particularly when operating near edges or vertical surfaces.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of infrared sensors to detect proximity to vertical surfaces, adjusting suction motor power and lighting intensity based on sensor input, and using a controller to manage power distribution for enhanced cleaning performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If suction motor power is increased to maintain effective suction near vertical surfaces, then cleaning performance is improved, but battery power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The suction motor power is dynamically adjusted based on detected environmental conditions. The controller increases motor power when vertical surfaces are detected within a predetermined distance, and decreases power when no vertical surfaces are detected, optimizing the balance between cleaning performance and battery consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to continuously detect the presence of vertical surfaces and provides feedback to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the suction motor power level, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing cleaning conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Illumination intensity

If headlight intensity is increased to improve visibility in dark environments, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but battery power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadlight intensityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The headlight intensity is dynamically adjusted based on ambient light detection. The controller increases headlight intensity when low ambient light is detected, and decreases intensity when sufficient ambient light is available, optimizing visibility while minimizing power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses light sensors to continuously monitor ambient light levels and provides feedback to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the headlight intensity, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing lighting conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If suction power is maintained at high levels to ensure effective cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but battery usage time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidbattery usage time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by using high suction power only when and where needed (when vertical surfaces are detected), rather than maintaining high power continuously. This allows the vacuum to achieve effective cleaning at critical areas while conserving battery power during normal operation, thereby extending battery usage time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The suction motor power parameter is changed dynamically based on detected conditions. The controller adjusts the power level between high and low states, optimizing the balance between cleaning effectiveness and battery usage time by matching power output to actual cleaning needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances cleaning ability near edges and vertical surfaces by temporarily increasing suction and lighting as needed, optimizing battery usage and maintaining overall cleaning efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating infrared sensors to detect vertical surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS12605025B2System and method for detecting walls or objects within a specific proximity of a vacuum floor nozzle

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC

AI summary

A vacuum cleaner may include a suction motor; one or more edge detect sensors; a headlight assembly; one or more light sensors; and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine whether the vacuum cleaner is within a predetermined distance of a vertical surface based on an input received from the one or more edge detect sensors; responsive to determining that the vacuum cleaner is within the predetermined distance of the vertical surface, increase a suction power of the suction motor to a predetermined value; determine an ambient light level in an environment of the vacuum; and adjust an intensity of the headlight assembly based on the ambient light level in the environment.