Vacuum cleaner with floor type detection means and motor power control as a function of the detected floor type

• US 5,722,109 A
• Filed: 11/18/1996
• Issued: 03/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Delmas, Gilles, Driessen, Johannes A. T.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/751,280
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 15/319, 15/339
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/281 the amount or condition of incoming dirt or dust
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2826 the condition of the floor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2847 Surface treating elements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2894 Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner has: an air outlet, an air inlet, a dust chamber in communication with the air inlet, a fan driven by a main motor provided in a housing in communication with the air outlet and the dust chamber, a pressure detector which provides a signal showing variations characteristic of the floor type being cleaned; and circuitry, including a neural network for recognizing and classifying the floor type as a function of these variations, a setpoint generator for determining a pressure setpoint as a function of the variations, and a control circuit for controlling the power of the main motor so as to maintain the pressure setpoint.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner body provided with an air inlet (11) and an air outlet (21), and a hose provided with a nozzle and coupled to the air inlet of the vacuum cleaner body, a dust chamber (10) in communication with the air inlet (11) and a housing (20) for a fan (23) driven by an electric motor (22), called main motor, which housing (20) is in communication with the dust chamber (10) and the air outlet (21), a flow path provided between said nozzle and said outlet comprising said hose, said vacuum cleaner in addition comprising:

detection means for detecting the characteristics of the floor type which is being cleaned and providing a signal indicative of said characteristics,

preprocessing means (30), responsive to the signal provided by said detection means for evaluating these characteristics and providing a signal indicative of said evaluation,

classification means (40) comprising a neural network, responsive to the signal provided by the preprocessing means, for recognizing and classifying the floor type which is being cleaned and providing a signal indicative of the resultant classification,

set point generating means (50), responsive to the signal provided by said classification means for determining a pressure set point at said air inlet as a function of the floor type classification and providing a signal indicative of said pressure set point, main-motor control means (60), responsive to the signal provided by said set point generating means, for controlling the power of the main motor so as to maintain this pressure set point, which vacuum cleaner is characterized in that;

the detection means comprise a first pressure detector (14) whose measuring point (15) is directed at the inlet (11) of the dust chamber and which provides a signal which shows variations characteristic of the type of the floor being cleaned, and that there is also provided a sequential command system (65) for activating, in a given order and automatically, the preprocessing means (30), the classification means (40), the set point generating means (50) and the main-motor control means (60) during appropriate time periods.

2. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises in addition an electric brush arranged in the suction nozzle and control means (70) for the electric power of the motor of this brush, as a function of the calculated floor type.

3. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the control means for the power of the brush motor comprise a setpoint generating block (70) for determining a control value (71) for the supply voltage of the brush motor through a direct conversion as a function of the detected floor type provided by the neural network (40) so as to provide that power which leads to a switching-on or switching-off of the brush arranged in the suction nozzle in dependence on the detected floor type.

4. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sequential command system is a FINITE STATE unit which comprises at least the following STATES:

STATE 4/CONTROL of the electric power of the main motor during a time T4 in which, a setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector 14 having been previously imposed, as well as a setpoint (71) for the brush motor;

the control means (60) are ACTIVATED,

the classification means (40) are DE-ACTIVATED,

STATE 5/WATT until the preceding STATE has finished producing its effects, during a time T5, taking into account the time constants of the elements;

STATE 6/ANALYSIS during a time T6 which embraces at least one change in direction of the nozzle on the floor during cleaning, during which;

the control means (60) are DE-ACTIVATED;

the preprocessing means (30) are ACTIVATED,

the neural network (40) is ACTIVATED,

the setpoint generating means (50) are ACTIVATED so as to determine;

either a new setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector (14), and a setpoint (71) for the brush motor,

or that the setpoints (51,

     71) remain unchanged,

subsequently, RETURN TO STATE 4/, then to STATE 5/, in which the system does not remain if the setpoints (51,

     71) were unchanged.

5. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sequential command system is a FINITE STATE unit which comprises at least the following STATES:

STATE 4/CONTROL of the electric power of the main motor during a time T4 in which, a setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector 14 having been previously imposed, as well as a setpoint (71) for the brush motor;

the control means (60) are ACTIVATED,

the classification means (40) are DE-ACTIVATED,

STATE 5/WAIT until the preceding STATE has finished producing its effects, during a time T5, taking into account the time constants of the elements;

STATE 6/ANALYSIS during a time T6 which embraces at least one change in direction of the nozzle on the floor during cleaning, during which;

the control means (60) are DE-ACTIVATED;

the preprocessing means (30) are ACTIVATED,

the neural network (40) is ACTIVATED,

the setpoint generating means (50) are ACTIVATED so as to determine;

either a new setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector (14), and a setpoint (71) for the brush motor,

or that the setpoints (51,

     71) remain unchanged,

subsequently, RETURN TO STATE 4/, then to STATE 5/, in which the system does not remain if the setpoints (51,

     71) were unchanged.

6. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sequential command system is a FINITE STATE unit which comprises at least the following STATES:

STATE 4/CONTROL of the electric power of the motor during a time T4 in which, a setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector 14 having been previously imposed, a setpoint (71) for the brush motor;

the control means (60) are ACTIVATED,

the classification means (40) are DE-ACTIVATED,

STATE 5/WATT until the preceding STATE has finished producing its effects, during a time T5, taking into account the time constants of the elements;

STATE 6/ANALYSIS during a time T6 which embraces at least one change in direction of the nozzle on the floor during cleaning, during which;

the control means (60) are DE-ACTIVATED;

the preprocessing means (30) are ACTIVATED,

the neural network (40) is ACTIVATED,

the setpoint generating means (50) are ACTIVATED so as to determine;

either a new setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector (14), and a setpoint (71) for the brush motor,

or the setpoints (51,

     71) remain unchanged,

subsequently, RETURN TO STATE 4/, then to STATE 5/, in which the system does not remain if the setpoints (51,

     71) were unchanged.

7. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the neural network (40) provides two classes of signals at its output corresponding to the detection of two different surface states of the floor to be cleaned, which are a state "CARPET" and a state "HARD FLOOR".

8. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that it comprises means for limiting the pressure in the flow path, which means limits the motor power independently of the action of the control means (60) as a function of the average pressure detected by a second pressure detector arranged in the vacuum cleaner.

9. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said vacuum cleaner comprises a differential, second pressure detector (24), coupled to said first pressure detector (14), having said measuring point (15) and a measuring point (25), directed to the outlet of the dust chamber, for providing a signal which is a function of the difference of the air pressure measured at the outlet (PM) and of the air pressure measured an at the inlet (PM'"'"') of the dust chamber (12) and that the neural network (40) determines the type of floor being cleaned as a joint function of the characteristics of the signal of the first pressure detector (14) (AP) (PM) and of the difference in amplitude between the first and second pressure detectors (PM'"'"'-PM).

10. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, the signal of the first pressure detector on the one hand presenting quasi-periodical oscillations whose maxima (γ

) and minima (.di-elect cons.) correspond to the forward strokes and to the return strokes, respectively, of the suction nozzle over the floor during the vacuum cleaning operation, with a difference in amplitude (Δ

P) between these maxima and minima which varies in dependence on the type of floor being cleaned, and this signal on the other hand having an average amplitude (PM) which lies between the amplitudes of the maxima (γ

) and minima (.di-elect cons.) and which varies with the type of floor being cleaned, the neural network (40) determines the type of floor being cleaned as a joint function of the amplitude difference (Δ

P) between the maxima and the minima and of said average amplitude (PM) of the signal of the first pressure detector.

11. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the preprocessing means (30) receive at their input the signal provided by the first pressure detector (14) and provide to the neuron network (40), as a result of said preprocessing:

a first signal (32) which is a function of said value (PM) of the pressure measured in the flow path by the first pressure detector;

a second signal (31) which is a function of the value of the difference in amplitude (Δ

P) between maxima (γ

) and minima (.di-elect cons.) of the oscillations of the pressure measured in the flow path by the first pressure detector (14); and

in that the preprocessing means (30) receives the signal (26) provided by the second pressure detector (24) and supply to the neural network (40);

a third signal (33) which is a function of the value (PM'"'"'-PM) of the difference in pressure between the inlet and the outlet of the dust chamber.

12. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the preprocessing means calculate the second signal (31) as a function of the value of the difference in amplitude (Δ

P) taking into account the first minimum (.di-elect cons.) which is offered and the maximum (γ

) which follows this first minimum, while disregarding any maximum which was offered prior to said first minimum.

13. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 12 wherein it comprises in addition an electric brush arranged in the suction nozzle and control means (70) for the electric power of the motor of this brush as a function of the calculated floor type.

14. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 13 wherein the sequential command system is a FINITE STATE unit which comprises at least the following STATES:

STATE 4/CONTROL of the electric power of the main motor during a time T4 in which, a setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector 14 having been previously imposed, as well as possibly a setpoint (71) for the brush motor;

the control means (60) are ACTIVATED,

the classification means (40) are DE-ACTIVATED,

STATE 5/WAIT until the preceding STATE has finished producing its effects, during a time T5, taking into account the time constants of the elements;

STATE 6/ANALYSIS during a time T6 which embraces at least one change in direction of the nozzle on the floor during cleaning, during which;

the control means (60) are DE-ACTIVATED;

the preprocessing means (30) are ACTIVATED,

the neural network (40) is ACTIVATED,

the setpoint generating means (50) are ACTIVATED so as to determine;

either a new setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector (14), and a setpoint (71) for the brush motor,

or that the setpoints (51,

     71) remain unchanged,

subsequently, RETURN TO STATE 4/, then to STATE 5/, in which the system does not remain if the setpoints (51,

     71) were unchanged.

15. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 12 characterized in that the setpoint generating means (50) determine a setpoint value (51) for said average amplitude (PM) of the signal of the first pressure detector (14) as a function of the calculated floor type and that the control means (60 compare the setpoint value (51) with a measure for the average pressure (32) measured by the first pressure detector and determine a control value (61) for the electric power which permits the average amplitude (PM) of the signal of the first pressure detector to reach the setpoint value (51) to thereby control the suction pressure as a function of the calculated floor type.

16. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 11 wherein it comprises in addition an electric brush arranged in the suction nozzle and control means (70) for the electric power of the motor of this brush as a function of the calculated floor type.

17. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 16 wherein the sequential command system is a FINITE STATE unit which comprises at least the following STATES:

STATE 4/CONTROL of the electric power of the main motor during a time T4 in which, a setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector 14 having been previously imposed, as well as a setpoint (71) for the brush motor;

the control means (60) are ACTIVATED,

the classification means (40) are DE-ACTIVATED,

STATE 5/WAIT until the preceding STATE has finished producing its effects, during a time T5, taking into account the time constants of the elements;

STATE 6/ANALYSIS during a time T6 which embraces at least one change in direction of the nozzle on the floor during cleaning, during which;

the control means (60) are DE-ACTIVATED;

the preprocessing means (30) are ACTIVATED,

the neural network (40) is ACTIVATED,

the setpoint generating means (50) are ACTIVATED so as to determine;

either a new setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector (14), and a setpoint (71) for the brush motor,

or that the setpoints (51,

     71) remain unchanged,

subsequently, RETURN TO STATE 4/, then to STATE 5/, in which the system does not remain if the setpoints (51,

     71) were unchanged.

18. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 11 characterized in that the setpoint generating means (50) determine a setpoint value (51) for said average amplitude (PM) of the signal of the first pressure detector (14) as a function of the calculated floor type and that the control means (60) compare the setpoint value (51) with a measure for the average pressure (32) measured by the first pressure detector and determine a control value (61) for the electric power which permits the average amplitude (PM) of the signal of the first pressure detector to reach the setpoint value (51) to thereby control the suction pressure as a function of the calculated floor type.

19. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 18 wherein it comprises in addition an electric brush arranged in the suction nozzle and control means (70) for the electric power of the motor of this brush as a function of the calculated floor type.

20. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 19 wherein the sequential command system is a FINITE STATE unit which comprises at least the following STATES:

STATE 4/CONTROL of the electric power of the main motor during a time T4 in which, a setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector 14 having been previously imposed, as well as a setpoint (71) for the brush motor;

the control means (60) are ACTIVATED,

the classification means (40) are DE-ACTIVATED,

STATE 5/WAIT until the preceding STATE has finished producing its effects, during a time T5, taking into account the time constants of the elements;

STATE 6/ANALYSIS during a time T6 which embraces at least one change in direction of the nozzle on the floor during cleaning, during which;

the control means (60) are DE-ACTIVATED;

the preprocessing means (30) are ACTIVATED,

the neural network (40) is ACTIVATED,

the setpoint generating means (50) are ACTIVATED so as to determine;

either a new setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector (14), and a setpoint (71) for the brush motor,

or that the setpoints (51,

     71) remain unchanged,

subsequently, RETURN TO STATE 4/, then to STATE 5/, in which the system does not remain if the setpoints (51,

     71) were unchanged.

21. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 10 wherein it comprises a second pressure detector (25) for providing a signal which is a function of the difference in air pressure measured between the inlet (PM) and the outlet (PM'"'"') of the dust chamber (12), and in that the neural network (40) determines the type of floor being cleaned as a joint function of the characteristics of the signal of the first pressure detector (14) (Δ

P, PM) and of the difference in average amplitude between the first and second pressure detector (PM'"'"'-PM).

22. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 10 wherein it comprises in addition an electric brush arranged in the suction nozzle and control means (70) for the electric power of the motor of this brush as a function of the calculated floor type.

23. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 22 wherein the sequential command system is a FINITE STATE unit which comprises at least the following STATES:

STATE 4/CONTROL of the electric power of the main motor during a time T4 in which, a setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector 14 having been previously imposed, as well as a setpoint (71) for the brush motor;

the control means (60) are ACTIVATED,

the classification means (40) are DE-ACTIVATED,

STATE 5/WAIT until the preceding STATE has finished producing its effects, during a time T5, taking into account the time constants of the elements;

STATE 6/ANALYSIS during a time T6 which embraces at least one change in direction of the nozzle on the floor during cleaning, during which;

the control means (60) are DE-ACTIVATED;

the preprocessing means (30) are ACTIVATED,

the neural network (40) is ACTIVATED,

the setpoint generating means (50) are ACTIVATED so as to determine;

either a new setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector (14), and possibly a setpoint (71) for the brush motor,

or that the setpoints (51,

     71) remain unchanged,

subsequently, RETURN TO STATE 4/, then to STATE 5/, in which the system does not remain if the setpoints (51,

     71) were unchanged.

24. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 9 wherein it comprises in addition an electric brush arranged in the suction nozzle and control means (70) for the electric power of the motor of this brush as a function of the calculated floor type.

25. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 24 wherein the sequential command system is a FINITE STATE unit which comprises at least the following STATES:

STATE 4/CONTROL of the electric power of the main motor during a time T4 in which, a setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector 14 having been previously imposed, as well as a setpoint (71) for the brush motor;

the control means (60) are ACTIVATED,

the classification means (40) are DE-ACTIVATED,

STATE 5/WAIT until the preceding STATE has finished producing its effects, during a time T5, taking into account the time constants of the elements;

STATE 6/ANALYSIS during a time T6 which embraces at least one change in direction of the nozzle on the floor during cleaning, during which;

the control means (60) are DE-ACTIVATED;

the preprocessing means (30) are ACTIVATED,

the neural network (40) is ACTIVATED,

the setpoint generating means (50) are ACTIVATED so as to determine;

either a new setpoint (51) for the average pressure amplitude of the first pressure detector (14), and a setpoint (71) for the brush motor,

or that the setpoints (51,

     71) remain unchanged,

subsequently, RETURN TO STATE 4/, then to STATE 5/, in which the system does not remain if the setpoints (51,

     71)