Smart-Grid Vacuum Cleaner Power Management for Selective Cleaning Modes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional power grids are centralized and one-directional, limiting consumers' ability to select electricity prices and leading to inefficient energy use, as they do not provide real-time price information or allow for two-way communication between power suppliers and consumers.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner integrated with a smart grid system that includes a communication unit to receive power information, a power management unit to determine available cleaning functions based on received power, and a display unit to show users the available functions and power supply options, allowing users to select the appropriate power source for their cleaning needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a centralized power grid system is used, then power supply stability is ensured, but consumer ability to select electricity prices and real-time information exchange is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidconsumer ability to select electricity prices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power grid system is segmented into multiple independent power supply sources (main power source, auxiliary power source, and distributed power sources) that can operate independently. This allows the vacuum cleaner to select from different power sources based on real-time pricing and availability, while each source maintains its own stability characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power management unit is designed to universally interface with multiple types of power sources (mains power, battery, and distributed power sources). This multi-functionality enables the system to adapt to different power supply scenarios and consumer preferences regarding electricity price selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If all cleaning functions are always available, then cleaning effectiveness is maximized, but power consumption increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The available cleaning functions are dynamically adjusted based on real-time power supply conditions and user-selected power modes. The system transitions from a static full-function mode to a dynamic mode where functions are enabled or disabled according to available power and pricing conditions, optimizing the balance between cleaning effectiveness and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (available cleaning functions) based on power supply parameters (price, availability, type). When expensive or limited power is detected, the system modifies which cleaning functions are available, allowing users to achieve necessary cleaning tasks while avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If high power consumption mode is used for all cleaning tasks, then cleaning performance is optimized, but energy waste increases for simple tasks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidenergy waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by enabling only the necessary cleaning functions based on the specific task and power availability. Instead of always providing full power to all functions, the system provides exactly the amount of power needed for the current cleaning task, avoiding excessive energy consumption for simple cleaning requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Adaptability or versatility

If distributed power sources are integrated, then consumer-oriented power selection is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower source selection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple power sources and their management functions are merged into a single integrated power management unit. This unit handles communication with all power sources, monitors their status and pricing, and automatically manages power distribution, thereby reducing the complexity that would otherwise be distributed across multiple separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power management unit acts as an intermediary between the vacuum cleaner's cleaning functions and the multiple distributed power sources. It abstracts the complexity of managing multiple power sources by providing a unified interface that translates power source characteristics into appropriate operational modes for the cleaning functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8978195B2Vacuum cleaner using an intelligent power network

Publication Date: 2015.03.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A vacuum cleaner to perform a plurality of cleaning functions includes a main body including a suction motor, a nozzle to suction air and foreign material by using a suction power generated by the suction motor, and a handle disposed between the nozzle and the main body to be gripped by a user. A communication unit receives power information from an external, and a power management unit receives the power information from the communication unit. The power management unit determines a number of cleaning functions available to the vacuum cleaner among the plurality of cleaning functions based on the received power information, and a display unit displays the number of the cleaning functions determined by the power management unit to be available to the vacuum cleaner.