Vacuum Cleaner Suction Control With Dual Pressure Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners require manual adjustment of suction power due to filter bag clogging and varying floor types, leading to energy wastage and inconsistent cleaning performance.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum cleaner with dual pressure sensors and control circuits that maintain constant suction power at the nozzle by adjusting motor/fan unit output based on detected pressures and floor type, using a higher-level control circuit to manage two independent control loops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual readjustment of suction power is performed, then suction power can be restored after filter bag clogging, but energy is wasted due to over-regulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction power consistencyVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic feedback control by measuring the actual suction power at the suction nozzle using a pressure sensor, comparing it with the set suction power, and automatically adjusting the motor speed through a control circuit to maintain consistent suction power without manual intervention or energy waste from over-regulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum cleaner performs self-regulation of suction power through an automatic control system that monitors filter bag clogging conditions and adjusts motor speed independently, eliminating the need for manual readjustment and preventing energy waste from user over-regulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If suction power is increased for soft floor coverings, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but pushing force of the suction nozzle increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidpushing force
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the suction power parameter based on detected floor type (hard or soft flooring), automatically selecting appropriate power levels to maintain cleaning effectiveness on soft floors while reducing pushing force on hard floors through electronic control of motor speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single pressure sensor is used for dust bag filling detection, then device complexity is reduced, but only one signal for evaluating filling level is obtained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor quantityVSAvoidfilling level information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the pressure measurement function into two separate pressure sensors positioned at different locations (one for suction nozzle pressure and one for dust separation unit pressure), allowing independent evaluation of suction power and dust bag filling level without interfering with each other's measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Ensures consistent suction power at the nozzle regardless of dust separation unit filling and floor type, optimizing energy use and maintaining effective cleaning performance.

Implementation Method 1

a first pressure sensor for detecting a negative pressure generated by the motor/fan unit and present at the dust separation unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure detection: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

a second pressure sensor for detecting a negative pressure present at the suction nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure detection: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 3

the suction force generated by the vacuum cleaner is reduced as soon as the signal from the second pressure sensor approaches an upper threshold value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2249688B1Vacuum cleaner with a device for the automatic suction power regulation
Publication Date: 2013.05.01 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2249688B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2249688B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for a vacuum cleaner (1). Said device only supplies as much electrical power to the motor/fan unit (10) as is necessary for the optimal cleaning of the floor surface to be cleaned and required by the respective operating states of the vacuum cleaner (1), thereby ensuring an energy-efficient use of the vacuum cleaner. Said device thereby ensures a constant cleaning action over the usable life of the vacuum cleaner (1). As the suction nozzle has a constant suction power, dust and dirt particles are always sucked up with a consistently applied suction power and supplied to a dust collection unit (3). The invention also protects the surfaces to be cleaned from being subjected to too much cleaning.