GB2490256A

GB2490256A - Mobile electric floor treatment machine

Info

Publication number: GB2490256A
Application number: GB1207068.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Daniel Lawrence
Original assignee: Numatic International Ltd
Current assignee: Numatic International Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-21
Filing date: 2012-04-20
Publication date: 2012-10-24
Also published as: GB201207068D0; GB201106953D0

Abstract

A mobile electric floor treatment machine comprises an electrically powered floor treatment device driven by an electric motor and a power management system therefor. The power management system is adapted to permit user-selectable activation and de-activation of the electric motor and comprises at least one sensor 17 and at least one processor. The sensor 17 is adapted to sense whether the activated machine is in a first use state in which the machine is in use, or in a second non-use state in which the machine is not in use. The power management system is arranged while the machine is activated, to detect the signal and to control power to the motor in dependence on the detected signal, wherein the sensor 17 is provided on a handle portion 14 of the treatment machine and the sensor 17 is configured to sense the presence or absence of a user gripping the handle 14. In the second state, after a time delay, the motor may power down into an idling state. The sensor 17 may be a touch sensor.

Description

Mobile Electric Appliance This invention relates to the field of mobile electric floor treatment appliances such as vacuum cleaners, floor scrubbers, floor polishers and carpet cleaning machines. The invention particularly relates to means for controlling the power to floor treatment machine electric motors, so as to save energy. ln preferred aspects the invention relates to vacuum cleaners equipped with energy saving measures.

Domestic and industrial or commercial vacuum cleaners of either an upright type or a bin and wand type are typically powered by an electric motor which operates a vacuum drive. A power connection is usually provided by an electric cord which connects the vacuum cleaner to the mains electricity supply.

Typically a switch is provided on the vacuum cleaner to operate the motor.

A problem with current vacuum cleaners is that a user will typically switch the vacuum cleaner on, thus powering up the motor, and will leave the vacuum cleaner on, with the motor running, throughout the vacuum cleaning process.

This will usually include time in which the vacuum cleaner is not in use, for example when a user is moving furniture. This period, in which the vacuum cleaner is switched on with the motor running, but is not doing any useful cleaning, can be called the idle time. The vacuum cleaner is of course wasting energy during the idle time.

Similar considerations apply of other mobile electric floor treatment appliances in which idle time occurs when the machine is running but not usefully engaged.

US2005/0065662 describes robotic vacuum cleaners that use suction airflow sensing, floor distance sensing and suction brush motor current sensing to automatically vacuum a space. EP0933058 describes a suction device which uses differential air pressure sensing to control the reduction in suction rotor speed from a use speed to a lower speed. JP2010075612 describes a vacuum cleaner with a sensor that can sense when the suction head of the vacuum cleaner is in contact with the ground, and can reduce the suction power when the suction head is not in contact with the ground. Maintaining the suction power at a low level ensures that no space is left uncleaned as vacuuming is restarted. JP09024005 describes a vacuum cleaner in which the motor S remains running for as long as it receives a radio signal from a radio-emitting control unit. If the radio signals are interrupted, the motor stops. JP0421 5733 describes a vacuum cleaner in which the modification of a sound field is used to control a suction motor. JP2O1 1041621 describes a vacuum cleaner in which a sensor is used to detect acceleration of a suction tooL A suction motor is stopped when no acceleration is detected. KR100747770 describes a vacuum cleaner which can stop automatically when a call to a mobile telephone is detected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide mobile electric floor treatment appliances, and in particular vacuum cleaners, having reduced energy usage.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile electric floor treatment machine comprising an electrically powered floor treatment device driven by an electric motor and a power management system therefor, the power management system being adapted to permit user-selectable activation and de-activation of the electric motor, and comprising at least one sensor and at least one processor, wherein the sensor is adapted to sense whether the activated machine is in a first use state in whibh the machine is in use, or in a second non-use state in which the machine is not in use, the sensor being arranged to output a signal indicating whether the machine is in the first use state or the second non-use state; the power management system being arranged, while the machine is activated, to detect the signal and to control power to the motor in dependence on the detected signal, wherein the sensor is provided on a handle portion of the floor treatment machine, and the sensor is configured to sense the presence or absence of a user gripping the handle.

The power management system may be arranged to power down the motor on detection that the machine goes from being in the first use state to being in the second non-use state.

The machine powers down when idle, as indicated by lack of motion or release of user handles. Thus the machine tends to save energy as compared to a machine which can be left running while inactive.

The sensor may be a touch sensor. The touch sensor may be one of a capacitance sensor and a pressure sensor.

The or another sensor may be a motion sensor. The motion sensor may be one of a force sensor and an acceleration sensor.

Two or more sensors may be provided, each of which is capable of indicating that the machine is in the first use state.

One sensor may be located on a user-directed wand portion of the floor treatment machine. One sensor may be located on a body portion of the floor treatment machine.

The power management system may comprise a clock which outputs a time signal, and the processor may be arranged to detect the time signal and to associate the time signal with the signal from the sensor, the power management system being arranged to power down the motor after a predetermined time period has elapsed after detection that the machine goes from being in the first use state to being in the second non-use state.

The power management system may comprise a first sensor arranged to output a first signal indicating that the machine is in the first use state or a third signal indicating that the machine is in the second non-use state, and a second sensor arranged to output a second signal indicating that the machine is in the first use state or a fourth signal indicating that the machine is in the second non-use state, wherein the first sensor and second sensor are different types of sensor.

Preferably, the first sensor is a motion sensor and the second sensor is a touch sensor. Thus the signals output from the first and second sensors may indicate different states of the machine, i.e. whether it is in the first use state or the second non-use state. Both sensors may be touch sensors, or both sensors may be motion sensors.

The processor may be arranged to detect the first, the second, the third and the fourth signals, and the power management system may be arranged to control power to the motor in dependence on the detected signals.

The processor may be arranged to associate the time signal with the or each is detected signal, and the power management system may be arranged to power down the motor when a predetermined time period has elapsed after detection of the second signal and the fourth signal. Thus, the power management system may be arranged to power down the motor a certain time period after a user stops using the machine.

The power management system may be arranged such that, on detection of the first signal or the third signal, the power management system powers up the motor.

The machine may be provided with an indicator, and the power management system may be arranged to output an indicator signal, to the indicator, when the machine is switched on and the motor is powered down, such that the indicator indicates that the machine is in an idle mode.

The power management system may comprise at least one wireless transmitter device for transmitting the or each signal, and at least one wireless receiver device for receiving the transmitted signal.

The floor treatment machine may be a vacuum cleaner, and the electric motor may be arranged to drive a vacuum suction drive. The machine may comprise a user-directable wand and a flexible conduit for conveying air-entrained detritus from a floor surface to a collection bin or bag provided in a body portion of the machine, one sensor being provided on the wand.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure us a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the power management system of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a partial schematic view of a different embodiment of the present invention.

In Figure 1 a vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment is shown generally as 1. The vacuum cleaner I comprises a generally cylindrical main body 3. The main body has a lower end region which is provided with two spaced apart rear wheels 5 (only one of which is visible in Figure 1) and two spaced apart front casters 7.

The sidewall of the base portion is formed with an inlet port 9. An outer region of the inlet port 9 is engaged with a tubular flexible air-conveyance pipe 11.

The pipe 11 is connected at a distal end from the inlet port 9 to a rigid wand 13.

A distal end of the wand 13 is provided with a workhead 15 which has an underside (not visible) provided with a slot for drawing in detritus.

An upper portion 14 of the wand I 3, where a user will typically hold the wand whilst the vacuum cleaner I is in use, is provided with a touch sensor 17 (shown schematically in Figure 1). The touch sensor 17 may be a capacitor sensor or a pressure sensor. It will be appreciated that alternative touch sensors may also be used. The touch sensor 17 is connected to a power source (not shown).

The touch sensor 17 is connected to a first wireless transmitter 19 (shown schematically in Figure 1). The first wireless transmitter 19 is shown in Figure 1 to be adjacent the touch sensor 17, although this is not necessary. It may be that the first wir&ess transmitter 19 and touch sensor 17 are more conveniently located apart from one another and connected by, for example, standard electrical wires.

The workhead 15 is provided with a motion sensor 21 (shown schematically in Figure 1). Of course, the motion sensor 21 may be provided on a portion of the wand 13 towards the workhead 15 instead. The motion sensor 21 may be a force sensor or an acceleration sensor. It will be appreciated that alternative motion sensors may also be used. The motion sensor 21 is connected to a power source (not shown).

The motion sensor 21 is connected to a second wireless transmitter 23 (shown schematically in Figure 1). The second wireless transmitter 23 is shown in Figure 1 to be adjacent the motion sensor 21 although this is not necessary. it may be that the second wireless transmitter 23 and motion sensor 21 are more conveniently located apart from one another and connected by, for example, standard electrical wires.

Of course, the touch sensor 17 and the motion sensor 21 may be located on any convenient portion of the vacuum cleaner 1. Additional sensors may also be provided. Where two or more sensors are provided, at least two of the sensors may be located apart from one another.

Referring now to Figure 2, the main body 3 comprises a motor 24 for operating a vacuum drive (not shown) in a conventional manner. The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a main power button or switch (not shown) for switching the vacuum cleaner I on and off. The main body 3 further comprises a control PCB 25, for controlling at least some of the electric functions of the vacuum cleaner 1, a clock 26 and an indicator 29. The control PCB 25 comprises a processor/receiver 27 for receiving wireless signals transmitted by one or other, or both, of the first wireless transmitter 19 and the second wireless transmitter 23. in this embodiment, the processor/receiver 27 is shown as one device integral with the control PCB 25.

The processor/receiver 27 may be two devices: a receiving device for receiving the transmitted signals and a processing device for processing the received signals, both of which devices may be integral with the control PCB 25. The processor/receiver 27 and the receiving device and/or processing device may be separate from the control PCB 25.

It will be understood that one or more of the sensors provided may be connected to the processor/receiver 27 directly. This connection may be via standard electrical wires. In such embodiments, the provision of one or more wireless transmitters and the wireless receiver (or wireless receiving portion of the processor/receiver 27) may not be necessary.

The clock 26 is arranged to output a time signal. The power management system is arranged to detect the time signal.

The power management system is arranged to output an indicator signal. In this embodiment, the indicator 29 is a light emitting diode (LED). The LED 29 is arranged to receive the indicator signal such that, on receiving the indicator signal, the LED 29 operates.

The embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 will now be further described with reference to Figure 3. Initially, a user wilt switch on the vacuum cleaner I (step 1), the power management system will detect that the vacuum cleaner I is switched on and will monitor the signals received from the motion sensor 21 and the touch sensor 17 (step 2). The power management system also detects the time signal received from the clock 26 and associates the time signal with signals received from the motion sensor 21 and touch sensor 17 respectively.

In other words, the power management system detects the time at which the signals are received. Of course, it will be understood from the following discussion that detection of the absolute time is not necessary. Instead it is sufficient that a relative time between detection of successive signals can be established. Thus in other embodiments (not shown) the clock 26 may not be present and the time signal may be obtained from the processor 27, for example, based on clock cycles of the processor 27.

A user wi usuafly begin using the vacuum cleaner I immediately after switching it on. Thus the motion sensor 21 will sense the motion of the vacuum cleaner 1 and will output a first signal to indicate that the vacuum cleaner I is in use, i.e. it is in the first state. The user may hold the vacuum cleaner I at the upper portion 14 of the wand 13 and will therefore operate the touch sensor 17 located there. The touch sensor 17 will sense that the user is holding the vacuum cleaner I and will output a second signal to indicate that the vacuum cleaner 1 is in use, i.e. it is in the first state. The power management system detects the first and second signals and thus detects that the vacuum cleaner 1 is in use, i.e. it is in the first state (step 3).

However a user may not start using the vacuum cleaner I immediately after switching it on. Also a user may stop using the vacuum cleaner 1 and leave it unattended for a period without switching the vacuum cleaner I off, for example, when moving furniture around as part of the vacuum cleaning process. Thus the situation may arise in which the vacuum cleaner I is switched on but is not being used, i.e. it is not performing any useful work.

This state can be called idle time. The vacuum cleaner I is wasting energy during the idle time as the motor continues to operate.

In such a situation, the motion sensor 21 will sense that the vacuum cleaner 1 is not in motion and will output a third signal to indicate that the vacuum cleaner us not in use, i.e. that the vacuum cleaner I is in the second state.

Similarly, the touch sensor 17 will sense that the vacuum cleaner 1 is not being held by a user and will output a fourth signal to indicate that the vacuum cleaner I is not in use, i.e. that it is in the second state (step 4).

The power management system detects the third and fourth signals from the motion sensor 21 and the touch sensor 17, respectively, and associates the third and fourth signals with the time signal. On detection of both of the third and fourth signals, the power management system stores the time signal as a first time signal (step 5). The power management system does not immediately power down the motor 24. Rather, the power management system continues to detect the third and fourth signals from the motion sensor 21 and the touch sensor 17.

As long as both of the third and fourth signals are detected, the time signal associated with the most recently detected third and fourth signals is compared to the first time signal to determine an elapsed time period between the first time signal and the (current) time signal (step 6). If the elapsed time period is less than 20 seconds, the power management system continues to detect the third and fourth signals. If the elapsed time period is equal to, or greater than, 20 seconds, the power management system powers down the motor (step 7).

In this embodiment the power management system is arranged to power down the motor if the vacuum cleaner I is not in use for 20 seconds. in alternative embodiments, the time period which is compared to the elapsed time period may be longer or shorter than 20 seconds. It will be appreciated that, in different circumstances, different time periods may be more appropriate. The time period may be adjustable.

The state, in which the vacuum cleaner 1 is switched on and the motor 24 is powered down, is an idle mode of the vacuum cleaner 1.

On entering the idle mode, the power management system outputs an indicator signal to the LED 29 (step 8) causing the LED 29 to flash I0 intermittently. The LED 29 may light continuously instead. The LED indicates to the user that the vacuum cleaner 1 is in the idle mode.

When the vacuum cleaner us left unattended and has entered the idle mode, a user may pick up the wand 13 or may begin moving the vacuum cleaner I with or without holding the upper portion 14 of the wand 13. A user picking up the upper portion 14 of the wand 13 so as to touch the touch sensor 17 will cause the touch sensor I 7 to output the second signal indicating that the vacuum cleaner Us in use. Movement of the vacuum cleaner I will cause the motion sensor 21 to output the first signal indicating that the vacuum cleaner I is in use.

On detection of either the first signal (step 9) or the second signal (step 10), or both of the first and second signals (step 11), the power management system is powers up the motor, stops outputting the indicator signal such that the LED 29 turns off and resets the power management system, such that the stored value of the first time period is removed from the power management system (step 12). The automatic powering up of the motor avoids the user having to take any additional steps, such as pressing a button, before they begin to use the vacuum cleaner 1.

Thus the vacuum cleaner I is simple to use and the power management system will not necessarily affect the way that a user uses the vacuum cleaner 1.

Alternatively, a user may retain hold of the vacuum cleaner I such that the touch sensor 17 outputs the second signal indicating that the vacuum cleaner 1 is in use, i.e. it is in the first state, whilst not moving the vacuum cleaner I such that the motion sensor 21 outputs the third signal indicating that the vacuum cleaner I is not in use, i.e. it is in the second state (step 13). The power management system will detect the second signal and the third signal and will not power down the motor 24. Should the user then release hold of the vacuum cleaner 1, such that the touch sensor 17 outputs the fourth signal, the power management signal will detect this (step 4), and the associated time ii signal will be stored as the first time signal (step 5). This, in effect, starts running the time period (20 seconds in this embodiment) after which the power management system will power down the motor 24.

Of course, a user may hold the vacuum cleaner 1 such that the touch sensor 17 is not touched. The touch sensor 17 will output the fourth signal indicating that the vacuum cleaner I is not in use, i.e. it is in the second state. The user may still move the vacuum cleaner I such that the motion sensor 21 outputs the first signal indicating that the vacuum cleaner I is in use, i.e. it is in the first state. The power management system will detect the first signal and the fourth signal and will not power down the motor 24. Should the user then stop moving the vacuum cleaner 1, such that the motion sensor 21 outputs the second signal, the power management signal will detect this, and the associated time signal will be stored as the first time signal. This, in effect, starts running the time period (20 seconds in this embodiment) after which the power management system will power down the motor 24.

It will be understood that the power management system operates when the vacuum cleaner I is switched on. If a user switches the vacuum cleaner 1 off, the power management system is also switched off and is reset either when the vacuum cleaner I is switched off, or when the vacuum cleaner I is next switched on.

in an alternative embodiment (see Figure 4), the vacuum cleaner I comprises a single sensor 31, and a third wireless transmitter 33 (shown schematically in Figure 4). The third wireless transmitter 33 and the sensor 31 are shown to be adjacent in Figure 4, although this is not necessary. It may be that the third wireless transmitter 33 and the sensor 31 are located apart and are connected by, for example, standard electrical wires.

Of course, the sensor 31 may be connected to the processor/receiver 27 directly This connection may be via standard electrical wires. In such an embodiment, the provision of the third wireless transmitter 33 and the wireless receiver (or wireless receiving portion of the processor/receiver 27) may not be necessary.

The sensor 31 may, for example, be located on an upper portion 14 of the wand 13. The sensor 31 may be one of a touch sensor and a motion sensor, and is arranged to output a fifth signal if the sensor 31 detects that the vacuum cleaner I is in use (as described above), and a sixth signal if the sensor 31 detects that the vacuum cleaner 1 is not in use (again, as described above).

Similarly to the previous embodiment, the power management system detects whether the vacuum cleaner 1 is in the first use state or the second non-use state as described above, and on detection that the vacuum cleaner 1 is in the second non-use state (i.e. it is not in use) and has been in the second non-use state for 20 seconds or more (for example, by comparing the current time is signal with a stored time signal, as described above in relation to the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2), powers down the motor 24 and outputs the indicator signal, for example such that the LED is caused to flash intermittently. The power management system powers up the motor 24, and stops outputting the indicator signal such that the LED is turned off, on detection of the fifth signal.

In the foregoing description, it is to be understood that standard electrical wires may comprise low voltage wiring.

Claims

Claims 1. A mobile electric floor treatment machine comprising an electrically powered floor treatment device driven by an electric motor and a power management system therefor, the power management system being adapted to permit user-selectable activation and de-activation of the electric motor, and comprising at least one sensor and at least one processor, wherein the sensor is adapted to sense whether the activated machine is in a first use state in which the machine is in use, or in a second non-use state in which the machine is not in use, the sensor being arranged to output a signal indicating whether the machine is in the first use state or the second non-use state: the power management system being arranged, while the machine is activated, to detect the signal and to control power to the motor in dependence on the detected signal, wherein the sensor is provided on a handle portion of the floor treatment machine, and the sensor is configured to sense the presence or absence of a user gripping the handle.
2. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor is a touch sensor.
3. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein two or more of said sensors are provided, each of which is capable of indicating that the machine is in the first use state.
4. A floor treatment machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the power management system is arranged to power down the electric motor on detection that the floor treatment machine goes from being in the first use state to being in the second non-use state.
5. A floor treatment machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein another sensor is a motion sensor and motion indicates use.
6. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim S wherein the other sensor is Located on a user-directed wand portion of the floor treatment machine.
7. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein the other sensor is located on a body portion of the floor treatment machine.
8. A floor treatment machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the power management system comprises a clock which outputs a time signal, and the processor is arranged to detect the time signal and to associate the time signal with the signal from the sensor, the power management system being arranged to power down the motor after a predetermined time period has elapsed after detection that the floor treatment machine goes from being in the first use state to being in the second non-use state.
9. A floor treatment machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the power management system comprises a first sensor arranged to output a first signal indicating that the floor treatment machine is in the first use state or a third signal indicating that the floor treatment machine is in the second non-use state, and a second sensor arranged to output a second signal indicating that the floor treatment machine is in the first use state or a fourth signal indicating that the floor treatment machine is in the second non-use state, the processor being arranged to detect the first, the second, the third and the fourth signals, and the power management system being arranged to control power to the motor in dependence on the detected signals.
1O.A f!oor treatment machine as claimed in claim 9 wherein one sensor is a touch sensor and the other is a motion sensor.
11.A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 9 wherein both sensors are touch sensors, or both sensors are motion sensors.
12.A floor treatment machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the processor is arranged to associate the time signal with the or each detected signal, and the power management system is arranged to power down the motor when a predetermined time period has elapsed after detection that the machine is in the second non-use state.
13.A floor treatment machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the power management system is arranged such that, on detection of the first signal or the third signal, the power management system powers up the motor.
14.A floor treatment machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the floor treatment machine comprises an indicator, and the power management system is arranged to output an indicator signal, to the indicator, in the event that the floor treatment machine is switched on and the motor is powered down, such that the indicator indicates that the floor treatment machine is in an idle mode.
15.A floor treatment machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the power management system comprises at least one wireless transmitter device for transmitting the or each signal, and at least one wireless receiver device for receiving the transmitted signal.
16.A floor treatment machine as claimed in any preceding claim which is a vacuum cleaner and wherein the electric motor is arranged to drive a vacuum suction device.
17. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 16 which comprises a user-directable wand and a flexible conduit for conveying air-entrained detritus from a floor surface to a collection bin or bag provided in a body portion of the machine, and wherein one of said sensors is provided on the wand.