Vacuum Cleaner Power Control for Nozzle Lift-Off Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners consume excessive energy and produce noise when not in use, as they continue to operate at maximum power without generating suction power, leading to inefficient energy use and unnecessary noise emission.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner system that includes a drive unit controller capable of determining the volume flow rate and negative pressure, generating an operand from these measurements, and comparing it to predefined thresholds to reduce electrical power input when the floor nozzle is lifted off the floor, thereby recognizing non-use conditions and automatically adjusting power input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vacuum cleaner continues to operate at maximum power when the floor nozzle is lifted off the floor, then the drive unit is ready for immediate use, but excessive energy is consumed and unnecessary noise is emitted
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressure sensors to continuously monitor the operating condition and provides feedback to the controller. When the pressure difference indicates the floor nozzle is lifted off the floor, the controller receives this feedback and automatically reduces the drive unit power, eliminating unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining readiness through quick restart capability
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit power is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of the floor nozzle position. The system transitions from static maximum power operation to dynamic power control, reducing power when idle and restoring it when needed, thereby optimizing energy usage without compromising operational readiness
2Ease of operation
If the vacuum cleaner operates at maximum power during non-use periods, then the drive unit remains ready for immediate use, but noise is continuously emitted
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor feedback mechanism detects when the floor nozzle is lifted off the floor and communicates this state to the controller, which then reduces drive unit power and consequently noise emission, while maintaining the capability for immediate restart when needed
3Use of energy by moving object
If pressure sensors and control mechanisms are added to detect non-use conditions, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing suction mechanism to generate the pressure differential that the sensors detect. The vacuum cleaner's own operation creates the measurement signal, eliminating the need for external measurement devices or complex sensor systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving energy savings
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cleaner includes a drive unit configured to generate a volume flow rate and a negative pressure, when energized, during operation of the vacuum cleaner, a means for determining a measure of the volume flow rate generated during operation, a pressure sensor for determining a measure of the negative pressure generated during operation, and a drive unit controller. The drive unit controller is configured to generate an operand from the measure of the determined volume flow rate and the measure of the determined negative pressure, and to compare the operand with a predefinable threshold as a design limit. The drive unit controller is operable to reduce the electrical power input to the drive unit based on the comparison of the operand to the design limit.