Sensors and associated methods for controlling a vacuum cleaner
First Claim
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1. A cleaning appliance, including:
- a housing to which is mounted a brushroll and a wheel;
a mounting tube secured to said housing;
a floor type sensor, disposed within said mounting tube, for emitting sonic energy toward a surface being traversed by the cleaning appliance and receiving corresponding sonic energy reflected by the surface;
a comparator, electrically coupled to said sensor, for comparing the received reflected sonic energy to one or more associated predetermined values to determine the type of surface being traversed; and
a processor that analyzes the results of the comparison and controls at least one of a suction fan, said wheel and said brushroll, based at least in part on the analysis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cleaning appliance includes a housing with a brushroll and a wheel mounted thereto. A floor-type sensor is disposed within a mounting tube secured to the housing. The floor-type sensor emits sonic energy toward a surface being traversed by the cleaning appliance and receives corresponding sonic energy reflected by the surface. A comparator, electrically coupled to the floor-type sensor, compares the received reflected sonic energy to one or more associated predetermined values to determine the type of surface being traversed. A processor analyzes the results of the comparison and controls at least one of a suction fan, said wheel and said brushroll, based at least in part on the analysis.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A cleaning appliance, including:
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a housing to which is mounted a brushroll and a wheel; a mounting tube secured to said housing; a floor type sensor, disposed within said mounting tube, for emitting sonic energy toward a surface being traversed by the cleaning appliance and receiving corresponding sonic energy reflected by the surface; a comparator, electrically coupled to said sensor, for comparing the received reflected sonic energy to one or more associated predetermined values to determine the type of surface being traversed; and a processor that analyzes the results of the comparison and controls at least one of a suction fan, said wheel and said brushroll, based at least in part on the analysis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
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a housing including; a suction opening located in a bottom wall of said housing; a brushroll mounted to said housing and located in said suction opening; a wheel mounted to said housing for supporting said housing on a subjacent surface; and a mounting tube secured to said housing, said mounting tube including; a first end, opening to said housing bottom wall; and a second end; a floor type sensor disposed adjacent to said mounting tube second end for emitting sonic energy toward the subjacent surface and receiving corresponding sonic energy reflected by the surface; a comparator, electrically coupled to said sensor, for comparing the received reflected sonic energy to one or more associated predetermined values to determine the type of surface being traversed; and a processor that analyzes the results of the comparison and controls at least one of a suction fan, said wheel and said brushroll, based at least in part on the analysis. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
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a floor nozzle including; a suction opening communicating with a suction source; a brushroll; a first motor for driving said brushroll; at least one wheel on which said floor nozzle is mounted to allow the floor nozzle to move in relation to a subjacent surface; a second motor for driving said at least one wheel; and a mounting tube including a first end, opening toward the subjacent surface, and a second end; a sonic sensor disposed adjacent to said mounting tube second end for emitting sonic energy toward the subjacent surface and receiving corresponding sonic energy reflected by the surface; a comparator, electrically coupled to said sensor, for comparing the received reflected sonic energy to one or more associated predetermined values to determine the type of surface being traversed; and a processor that analyzes the results of the comparison and controls at least one of said suction source, said first motor, and said second motor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification