EP4543273A1 - Surface treatment apparatus rotational speed indicator user interface - Google Patents

Surface treatment apparatus rotational speed indicator user interface

Info

Publication number
EP4543273A1
EP4543273A1 EP23827895.6A EP23827895A EP4543273A1 EP 4543273 A1 EP4543273 A1 EP 4543273A1 EP 23827895 A EP23827895 A EP 23827895A EP 4543273 A1 EP4543273 A1 EP 4543273A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
suction motor
motor
debris
agitator
rotation speed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP23827895.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Casey MCCLAY
Kevin Kelemen
Street BARNETT
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SharkNinja Operating LLC
Original Assignee
SharkNinja Operating LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SharkNinja Operating LLC filed Critical SharkNinja Operating LLC
Publication of EP4543273A1 publication Critical patent/EP4543273A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
    • A47L9/2805—Parameters or conditions being sensed
    • A47L9/2831—Motor parameters, e.g. motor load or speed
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
    • A47L9/2857—User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
    • A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
    • A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
    • A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
    • A47L5/30—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/02—Nozzles
    • A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
    • A47L9/0405—Driving means for the brushes or agitators
    • A47L9/0411—Driving means for the brushes or agitators driven by electric motor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
    • A47L9/2805—Parameters or conditions being sensed
    • A47L9/281—Parameters or conditions being sensed the amount or condition of incoming dirt or dust
    • A47L9/2815—Parameters or conditions being sensed the amount or condition of incoming dirt or dust using optical detectors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
    • A47L9/2836—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means characterised by the parts which are controlled
    • A47L9/2842—Suction motors or blowers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
    • A47L9/2836—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means characterised by the parts which are controlled
    • A47L9/2847—Surface treating elements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
    • A47L9/30—Arrangement of illuminating devices

Definitions

  • the present disclosure is generally related to surface treatment apparatus user interface (UI) and more specifically related to a surface treatment apparatus rotational speed indicator UI.
  • UI surface treatment apparatus user interface
  • Surface treatment apparatuses can include upright vacuum cleaners configured to be transitionable between a storage position and an in-use position.
  • Upright vacuum cleaners can include a suction motor configured to draw air into an air inlet of the upright vacuum cleaner such that debris deposited on a surface can be urged into the air inlet. At least a portion of the debris urged into the air inlet can be deposited within a dust cup of the upright vacuum cleaner for later disposal.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic example of a vacuum cleaner, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic example of a vacuum cleaner surface cleaning head assembly incorporating a light bar, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the light bar assembly of the vacuum cleaner surface cleaning head assembly of FIG. 2, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 is an example cross-sectional view of an upright section of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 containing a debris sensor, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for adjusting a surface treatment apparatus UI based on rotational speed of suction motor, the agitator motor, or both.
  • the present disclosure is generally related to a surface treatment apparatus rotational speed indicator UI.
  • An example of the surface treatment apparatus may be a vacuum cleaner having an agitator configured to agitate/dislodge debris adhered to a surface to be cleaned (e.g., a floor) from the surface to be cleaned, an agitator motor configured to rotate the agitator, a dust cup configured to collect debris from the surface to be cleaned, and a suction motor configured to cause debris to be drawn from a surface to be treated into the dust cup via a dirty air path.
  • An operational mode of the vacuum cleaner can be based, at least in part, on the determined amount of debris being collected.
  • suction power which is proportional to the rotational speed of the suction motor, may be based, at least in part, on the amount of debris being collected.
  • a surface treatment apparatus incorporating a UI that indicates to the user the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both. It should be noted that the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both, may further indicate the amount of debris being collected, since the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both may be adjusted based on a debris sensor in the dirty air path of the surface treatment apparatus.
  • Another method of indicating the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both, to the user by a surface treatment apparatus is to adjust the output of a display, e.g., a light bar consisting of a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs), based on the outputs of the debris sensor.
  • a display e.g., a light bar consisting of a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs)
  • the debris sensor typically changes very rapidly, and when these rapid changes are directly coupled to the display, the display will also change very rapidly, which is perceived by a user as flickering. Many users may find this flickering distracting.
  • the present disclosure avoids the problem of flickering by using the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both, to control the UI (e.g., a light bar). Since the rotation speed of the suction motor and the agitator motor change at a rate much slower than the output of the debris sensor, using the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both dampens the change in the UI and avoids the problem of a flickering display.
  • the UI e.g., a light bar
  • both the audio (motor sounds) and the visual (e.g., light bar display) will change concurrently, giving the user simultaneous audio and visual feedback.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic example of a vacuum cleaner 100.
  • the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a surface cleaning head 102, an upright section 104 which may be pivotally coupled to the surface cleaning head 102, and a vacuum assembly 106 coupled to the upright section 104.
  • the vacuum assembly 106 can include a suction motor 108 (shown in hidden lines) and a dust cup 110, each being fluidly coupled to the surface cleaning head 102, wherein the suction motor 108 is configured to cause air to be suctioned into the surface cleaning head 102, thereby causing debris to be drawn from a surface to be treated.
  • the surface cleaning head 102 can include one or more agitators 112 (e.g., a brush roll) configured to engage a surface to be cleaned 114 (e.g., a floor).
  • the vacuum cleaner 100 also includes UI 116, e.g., a light bar, coupled to the surface cleaning head 102, and air inlet 118, which is the inlet for dirty air path 122.
  • the dirty air path 122 is a passageway within the vacuum cleaner 100 that allows for the transfer of debris suctioned from the surface to be cleaned 114 via air inlet 118 into the dirt cup 110.
  • the UI 116 may be coupled elsewhere on vacuum cleaner 100.
  • the vacuum cleaner 100 can include a controller 120 (shown in hidden lines) communicatively coupled to a debris sensor 124, the UI 116, and the suction motor 108.
  • the controller 120 is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the suction motor 108, the agitator motor 126, or both, by, for example, varying the electrical current provided to the suction motor 108 and the agitator motor 126 by a power source (not shown) based on the amount of debris detected by the debris sensor 124.
  • the UI 116 is a light bar consisting of LEDs.
  • the LEDs in UI 116 are sequentially illuminated based on the rotational speed of the suction motor 108, such that as the rotational speed of suction motor 108 is increased, the next LED in the sequence is turned on until all the LEDs are illuminated when the rotational speed of the suction motor 108 increased above a predetermined threshold.
  • each LED in the sequence is turned off starting with the last LED that was turned on, until all the LEDs are off when the rotational speed of the suction motor 108 drops below a predetermined threshold.
  • the intensity of the LEDs in UI 116 is adjusted based on the rotational speed of the suction motor 108, wherein a higher rotational speed from the suction motor 108 will cause a higher intensity illumination in the LED light bar.
  • the color of the LEDs in UI 116 is adjusted based on the rotational speed of the suction motor 108.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic example of a vacuum cleaner surface cleaning head assembly incorporating a light bar, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 shows a top view example of the surface cleaning head 102 from vacuum cleaner 100 from FIG. 1.
  • the top view of FIG. 2 more clearly illustrates the UI 116, e.g., a light bar. Also shown, for reference, is the position of the upright section 104.
  • FIG. 3 is an example exploded view of the light bar assembly 300 of the vacuum cleaner surface cleaning head assembly 102 of FIG. 1, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • UI 116 is comprised of a UI cover 302, a mylar strip 304 covering light pipe 306, and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 308, which contains components 310.
  • Components 310 may include a plurality of LEDs, the circuitry to power the LEDs, and the circuitry to control the LEDs.
  • the UI 116 is communicatively coupled to the controller 120 and receives signals from the controller 120 to control the output display of UI 116 based on the rotational speed of the suction motor 108 and the speed of agitator 112.
  • FIG. 4 is an example cross-sectional view of an upright section 104 of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 containing a debris sensor, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the debris sensor is an infrared (IR) optical sensor, which detects the amount of debris based in the dirty air path 122 based on a quantity of the IR light that is received by IR receiver 402 versus the quantity of IR light that is transmitted by IR transmitter 404. Both IR receiver 402 and IR transmitter 404 are protected by IR sensor covers 406. While the example debris sensor of FIG. 4 is an IR optical sensor, any other type of debris sensor may be used as would be known to one skilled in the art.
  • IR infrared
  • FIG. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating an example of a method 500 for adjusting a surface treatment apparatus UI based on rotational speed of the suction motor 108, the agitator motor 126, or both.
  • the method 500 may be embodied in any one or more of software, firmware, and/or hardware.
  • the method 500 may be embodied as software configured to execute on the controller 120 of FIG. 1. Although a single cycle of the method 500 is shown below for illustrative purposes, it should be understood that the method 500 repeats continuously as long as the surface treatment apparatus, e.g., the vacuum cleaner 100, is in operation.
  • the method 500 commences when, for example, the vacuum cleaner 100 is powered on.
  • the method 500 may include a step 502.
  • the step 502 includes receiving a signal indicative of the amount of debris in the dirty air path 122 of the vacuum cleaner 100.
  • the signal may be received from the debris sensor 124.
  • the method 500 may also include a step 504.
  • the step 504 includes adjusting the rotational speed of at least one of the suction motor 108 or the agitator motor 126.
  • the rotational speed of the suction motor 108 and the agitator motor 126 may be adjusted by signaling a power supply for each of the motors to supply a current that causes each motor to rotate at the desired rotational speed. It should be noted that to achieve the desired rotational speed, the current required by the suction motor 108 and the current required by the agitator motor 126 may be different.
  • the method 500 may also include a step 506.
  • the step 506 includes adjusting the UI 116 based on the rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor 108 or the agitator motor 126.
  • the UI 116 may receive an indication of the rotational speed for either the suction motor 108, the agitator motor 126, or both, and adjust the output of the UI 116 based on either or both rotational speeds.
  • the UI 116 may receive an indication of the rotational speed for both the suction motor 108 and the agitator motor 126, and may select either the suction motor 108 or the agitator motor 126 to use as the basis for adjusting the UI 116.
  • the step 506 may adjust the UI 116 based on the rotation speed of both the suction motor 108 and the agitator motor 126.
  • the UI 116 may receive an indication of the rotational speed for both the suction motor 108 and the agitator motor 126 and adjust the output of the UI 116 based on the rotational speed of both motors, for example, by averaging the rotational speed of both the suction motor 108 and the agitator motor 126 and using the average rotational speed to adjust the UI 116.
  • a surface treatment apparatus includes: a surface cleaning head having an agitator, an agitator motor configured to cause the agitator to rotate, a suction motor configured to cause debris to be drawn from a surface to be treated, a debris sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of debris in a dirty air path, a user interface (UI), and a controller.
  • the controller can be configured to receive the signal indicative of the amount of the debris in the dirty air path, adjust a rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor, and adjust the UI based on the rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor.
  • a vacuum cleaner includes: a surface cleaning head having an agitator; a dust cup fluidly coupled to the surface cleaning head; a suction motor fluidly coupled to the surface cleaning head; an agitator motor configured to cause the agitator to rotate; a debris sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of debris in a dirty air path; a user interface (UI); and a controller.
  • the controller may be configured to: receive the signal indicative of the amount of the debris in the dirty air path; adjust a rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor; and adjust the UI based on the rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor.
  • a surface treatment apparatus includes: a suction motor configured to cause debris to be drawn from a surface to be treated; a debris sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of debris in a dirty air path; a user interface (UI); and a controller.
  • the controller may be configured to: receive the signal indicative of the amount of the debris in the dirty air path; adjust a rotation speed of the suction motor; and adjust the UI based on the rotation speed of the suction motor
  • the present disclosure has discussed a rotational speed indicator UI for a surface treatment apparatus using an upright vacuum cleaner
  • the surface cleaning apparatus may be a robotic cleaner, a handheld cleaner, a cannister vacuum cleaner, and/or any other type of cleaner.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)

Abstract

A surface treatment apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having an agitator, an agitator motor configured to cause the agitator to rotate, a suction motor configured to cause debris to be drawn from a surface to be treated, a debris sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of debris in a dirty air path, a user interface (UI), and a controller. The controller can be configured to receive the signal indicative of the amount of the debris in the dirty air path, adjust a rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor, and adjust the UI based on the rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor.

Description

SURFACE TREATMENT APPARATUS ROTATIONAL SPEED INDICATOR USER INTERFACE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure is generally related to surface treatment apparatus user interface (UI) and more specifically related to a surface treatment apparatus rotational speed indicator UI.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] Surface treatment apparatuses can include upright vacuum cleaners configured to be transitionable between a storage position and an in-use position. Upright vacuum cleaners can include a suction motor configured to draw air into an air inlet of the upright vacuum cleaner such that debris deposited on a surface can be urged into the air inlet. At least a portion of the debris urged into the air inlet can be deposited within a dust cup of the upright vacuum cleaner for later disposal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Reference should be made to the following detailed description which should be read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like numerals represent like parts.
[0004] FIG. 1 is a schematic example of a vacuum cleaner, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a schematic example of a vacuum cleaner surface cleaning head assembly incorporating a light bar, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the light bar assembly of the vacuum cleaner surface cleaning head assembly of FIG. 2, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. [0007] FIG. 4 is an example cross-sectional view of an upright section of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 containing a debris sensor, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for adjusting a surface treatment apparatus UI based on rotational speed of suction motor, the agitator motor, or both.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] The present disclosure is generally related to a surface treatment apparatus rotational speed indicator UI. An example of the surface treatment apparatus may be a vacuum cleaner having an agitator configured to agitate/dislodge debris adhered to a surface to be cleaned (e.g., a floor) from the surface to be cleaned, an agitator motor configured to rotate the agitator, a dust cup configured to collect debris from the surface to be cleaned, and a suction motor configured to cause debris to be drawn from a surface to be treated into the dust cup via a dirty air path. An operational mode of the vacuum cleaner can be based, at least in part, on the determined amount of debris being collected. For example, suction power, which is proportional to the rotational speed of the suction motor, may be based, at least in part, on the amount of debris being collected.
[0010] There exists a need for a user of the surface treatment apparatus to determine the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both, while using the surface treatment apparatus without the user having to look away from the surface being treated. Disclosed herein is a surface treatment apparatus incorporating a UI that indicates to the user the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both. It should be noted that the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both, may further indicate the amount of debris being collected, since the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both may be adjusted based on a debris sensor in the dirty air path of the surface treatment apparatus.
[0011] The rotational speed of the suction motor and the agitator motor (in revolutions per minute, or RPMs) are adjusted based on the amount of debris detected by a debris sensor that monitors the dirty air path of the surface treatment apparatus. When more debris is detected, the rotational speed of the suction motor and the agitator motor are increased accordingly; when less debris is detected, the rotational speed of the suction motor and the agitator motor are decreased accordingly. The rotational speed of the suction motor and the agitator motor may, therefore, indicate the amount of debris in the dirty air path of the surface treatment apparatus.
[0012] Another method of indicating the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both, to the user by a surface treatment apparatus is to adjust the output of a display, e.g., a light bar consisting of a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs), based on the outputs of the debris sensor. The debris sensor, however, typically changes very rapidly, and when these rapid changes are directly coupled to the display, the display will also change very rapidly, which is perceived by a user as flickering. Many users may find this flickering distracting.
[0013] The present disclosure avoids the problem of flickering by using the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both, to control the UI (e.g., a light bar). Since the rotation speed of the suction motor and the agitator motor change at a rate much slower than the output of the debris sensor, using the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both dampens the change in the UI and avoids the problem of a flickering display. In addition, since the change in the rotational speed of the suction motor, the agitator motor, or both, result in a proportional change in the noise level of the surface treatment apparatus, both the audio (motor sounds) and the visual (e.g., light bar display) will change concurrently, giving the user simultaneous audio and visual feedback.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a schematic example of a vacuum cleaner 100. As shown, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a surface cleaning head 102, an upright section 104 which may be pivotally coupled to the surface cleaning head 102, and a vacuum assembly 106 coupled to the upright section 104. The vacuum assembly 106 can include a suction motor 108 (shown in hidden lines) and a dust cup 110, each being fluidly coupled to the surface cleaning head 102, wherein the suction motor 108 is configured to cause air to be suctioned into the surface cleaning head 102, thereby causing debris to be drawn from a surface to be treated. The surface cleaning head 102 can include one or more agitators 112 (e.g., a brush roll) configured to engage a surface to be cleaned 114 (e.g., a floor).
[0015] The vacuum cleaner 100 also includes UI 116, e.g., a light bar, coupled to the surface cleaning head 102, and air inlet 118, which is the inlet for dirty air path 122. The dirty air path 122 is a passageway within the vacuum cleaner 100 that allows for the transfer of debris suctioned from the surface to be cleaned 114 via air inlet 118 into the dirt cup 110. In some other embodiments, the UI 116 may be coupled elsewhere on vacuum cleaner 100.
[0016] The vacuum cleaner 100 can include a controller 120 (shown in hidden lines) communicatively coupled to a debris sensor 124, the UI 116, and the suction motor 108. The controller 120 is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the suction motor 108, the agitator motor 126, or both, by, for example, varying the electrical current provided to the suction motor 108 and the agitator motor 126 by a power source (not shown) based on the amount of debris detected by the debris sensor 124.
[0017] In some embodiments the UI 116 is a light bar consisting of LEDs. In some embodiments, the LEDs in UI 116 are sequentially illuminated based on the rotational speed of the suction motor 108, such that as the rotational speed of suction motor 108 is increased, the next LED in the sequence is turned on until all the LEDs are illuminated when the rotational speed of the suction motor 108 increased above a predetermined threshold. Likewise, as the rotational speed of suction motor 108 decreases, each LED in the sequence is turned off starting with the last LED that was turned on, until all the LEDs are off when the rotational speed of the suction motor 108 drops below a predetermined threshold. In some other embodiments, the intensity of the LEDs in UI 116 is adjusted based on the rotational speed of the suction motor 108, wherein a higher rotational speed from the suction motor 108 will cause a higher intensity illumination in the LED light bar. In yet other embodiments, the color of the LEDs in UI 116 is adjusted based on the rotational speed of the suction motor 108.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic example of a vacuum cleaner surface cleaning head assembly incorporating a light bar, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows a top view example of the surface cleaning head 102 from vacuum cleaner 100 from FIG. 1. The top view of FIG. 2 more clearly illustrates the UI 116, e.g., a light bar. Also shown, for reference, is the position of the upright section 104.
[0019] FIG. 3 is an example exploded view of the light bar assembly 300 of the vacuum cleaner surface cleaning head assembly 102 of FIG. 1, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, UI 116 is comprised of a UI cover 302, a mylar strip 304 covering light pipe 306, and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 308, which contains components 310. Components 310 may include a plurality of LEDs, the circuitry to power the LEDs, and the circuitry to control the LEDs. As discussed above in FIG. 1, the UI 116 is communicatively coupled to the controller 120 and receives signals from the controller 120 to control the output display of UI 116 based on the rotational speed of the suction motor 108 and the speed of agitator 112.
[0020] FIG. 4 is an example cross-sectional view of an upright section 104 of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 containing a debris sensor, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 4, the debris sensor is an infrared (IR) optical sensor, which detects the amount of debris based in the dirty air path 122 based on a quantity of the IR light that is received by IR receiver 402 versus the quantity of IR light that is transmitted by IR transmitter 404. Both IR receiver 402 and IR transmitter 404 are protected by IR sensor covers 406. While the example debris sensor of FIG. 4 is an IR optical sensor, any other type of debris sensor may be used as would be known to one skilled in the art.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating an example of a method 500 for adjusting a surface treatment apparatus UI based on rotational speed of the suction motor 108, the agitator motor 126, or both. The method 500 may be embodied in any one or more of software, firmware, and/or hardware. For example, the method 500 may be embodied as software configured to execute on the controller 120 of FIG. 1. Although a single cycle of the method 500 is shown below for illustrative purposes, it should be understood that the method 500 repeats continuously as long as the surface treatment apparatus, e.g., the vacuum cleaner 100, is in operation.
[0022] As shown, the method 500 commences when, for example, the vacuum cleaner 100 is powered on. The method 500 may include a step 502. The step 502 includes receiving a signal indicative of the amount of debris in the dirty air path 122 of the vacuum cleaner 100. For example, and as shown, the signal may be received from the debris sensor 124.
[0023] The method 500 may also include a step 504. The step 504 includes adjusting the rotational speed of at least one of the suction motor 108 or the agitator motor 126. The rotational speed of the suction motor 108 and the agitator motor 126 may be adjusted by signaling a power supply for each of the motors to supply a current that causes each motor to rotate at the desired rotational speed. It should be noted that to achieve the desired rotational speed, the current required by the suction motor 108 and the current required by the agitator motor 126 may be different. [0024] The method 500 may also include a step 506. The step 506 includes adjusting the UI 116 based on the rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor 108 or the agitator motor 126. For example, the UI 116 may receive an indication of the rotational speed for either the suction motor 108, the agitator motor 126, or both, and adjust the output of the UI 116 based on either or both rotational speeds. In another example, the UI 116 may receive an indication of the rotational speed for both the suction motor 108 and the agitator motor 126, and may select either the suction motor 108 or the agitator motor 126 to use as the basis for adjusting the UI 116.
[0025] In some embodiments, the step 506 may adjust the UI 116 based on the rotation speed of both the suction motor 108 and the agitator motor 126. The UI 116 may receive an indication of the rotational speed for both the suction motor 108 and the agitator motor 126 and adjust the output of the UI 116 based on the rotational speed of both motors, for example, by averaging the rotational speed of both the suction motor 108 and the agitator motor 126 and using the average rotational speed to adjust the UI 116.
[0026] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is thus provided a surface treatment apparatus. The apparatus includes: a surface cleaning head having an agitator, an agitator motor configured to cause the agitator to rotate, a suction motor configured to cause debris to be drawn from a surface to be treated, a debris sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of debris in a dirty air path, a user interface (UI), and a controller. The controller can be configured to receive the signal indicative of the amount of the debris in the dirty air path, adjust a rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor, and adjust the UI based on the rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor.
[0027] According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes: a surface cleaning head having an agitator; a dust cup fluidly coupled to the surface cleaning head; a suction motor fluidly coupled to the surface cleaning head; an agitator motor configured to cause the agitator to rotate; a debris sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of debris in a dirty air path; a user interface (UI); and a controller. The controller may be configured to: receive the signal indicative of the amount of the debris in the dirty air path; adjust a rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor; and adjust the UI based on the rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor. [0028] According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a surface treatment apparatus. The apparatus includes: a suction motor configured to cause debris to be drawn from a surface to be treated; a debris sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of debris in a dirty air path; a user interface (UI); and a controller. The controller may be configured to: receive the signal indicative of the amount of the debris in the dirty air path; adjust a rotation speed of the suction motor; and adjust the UI based on the rotation speed of the suction motor
[0029] While the present disclosure has discussed a rotational speed indicator UI for a surface treatment apparatus using an upright vacuum cleaner, other surface treatment apparatuses may be used. For example, the surface cleaning apparatus may be a robotic cleaner, a handheld cleaner, a cannister vacuum cleaner, and/or any other type of cleaner.
[0030] While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A surface treatment apparatus comprising: a surface cleaning head having an agitator; an agitator motor configured to cause the agitator to rotate; a suction motor configured to cause debris to be drawn from a surface to be treated; a debris sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of debris in a dirty air path; a user interface (UI); and a controller configured to: receive the signal indicative of the amount of the debris in the dirty air path; adjust a rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor; and adjust the UI based on the rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor.
2. The surface treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein adjust the UI based on the rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor comprises: adjust the UI based on the rotation speed of both the suction motor and the agitator motor.
3. The surface treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the debris sensor is an infrared (IR) optical sensor.
4. The surface treatment apparatus of claim 3, wherein the IR optical sensor further comprises: an IR transmitter configured to transmit IR light; and an IR receiver configured to output the signal based on a quantity of the IR light received by the IR receiver.
5. The surface treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the UI is a light bar comprising: a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs); circuitry to power the plurality of LEDs; and circuitry to control the plurality of LEDs to sequentially turn each LED of the plurality of LEDs on or off based on the rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor.
6. The surface treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotation speed of the suction motor and the agitator motor are controlled by adjusting a current supplied to the suction motor and the agitator motor.
7. The surface treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the debris sensor is located within the dirty air path.
8. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a surface cleaning head having an agitator; a dust cup fluidly coupled to the surface cleaning head; a suction motor fluidly coupled to the surface cleaning head; an agitator motor configured to cause the agitator to rotate; a debris sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of debris in a dirty air path; a user interface (UI); and a controller configured to: receive the signal indicative of the amount of the debris in the dirty air path; adjust a rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor; and adjust the UT based on the rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor.
9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein adjust the UI based on the rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor comprises: adjust the UI based on the rotation speed of both the suction motor and the agitator motor.
10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the debris sensor is an infrared (IR) optical sensor.
11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the IR optical sensor further comprises: an IR transmitter configured to transmit IR light; and an IR receiver configured to output the signal based on a quantity of the IR light received by the IR receiver.
12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the UI is a light bar comprising: a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs); circuitry to power the plurality of LEDs; and circuitry to control the plurality of LEDs to sequentially turn each LED of the plurality of LEDs on or off based on the rotation speed of at least one of the suction motor or the agitator motor.
13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the rotation speed of the suction motor and the agitator motor are controlled by adjusting a current supplied to the suction motor and the agitator motor.
14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the debris sensor is located within the dirty air path.
15. A surface treatment apparatus comprising: a suction motor configured to cause debris to be drawn from a surface to be treated; a debris sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of debris in a dirty air path; a user interface (UI); and a controller configured to: receive the signal indicative of the amount of the debris in the dirty air path; adjust a rotation speed of the suction motor; and adjust the UI based on the rotation speed of the suction motor.
16. The surface treatment apparatus of claim 15, wherein the debris sensor is an infrared (IR) optical sensor.
17. The surface treatment apparatus of claim 16, wherein the IR optical sensor further comprises: an IR transmitter configured to transmit IR light; and an IR receiver configured to output the signal based on a quantity of the IR light received by the IR receiver.
18. The surface treatment apparatus of claim 15, wherein the UI is a light bar comprising: a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs); circuitry to power the plurality of LEDs; and circuitry to control the plurality of LEDs to sequentially turn each LED of the plurality of LEDs on or off based on the rotation speed of the suction motor.
19. The surface treatment apparatus of claim 15, wherein the rotation speed of the suction motor is controlled by adjusting a current supplied to the suction motor.
20. The surface treatment apparatus of claim 15, wherein the debris sensor is located within the dirty air path.
EP23827895.6A 2022-06-24 2023-06-23 Surface treatment apparatus rotational speed indicator user interface Pending EP4543273A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17/849,173 US20230414052A1 (en) 2022-06-24 2022-06-24 Surface treatment apparatus rotational speed indicator user interface
PCT/US2023/026111 WO2023250160A1 (en) 2022-06-24 2023-06-23 Surface treatment apparatus rotational speed indicator user interface

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4543273A1 true EP4543273A1 (en) 2025-04-30

Family

ID=89324504

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP23827895.6A Pending EP4543273A1 (en) 2022-06-24 2023-06-23 Surface treatment apparatus rotational speed indicator user interface

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20230414052A1 (en)
EP (1) EP4543273A1 (en)
CN (1) CN119451611A (en)
CA (1) CA3260464A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2023250160A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022221274A1 (en) 2021-04-12 2022-10-20 Sharkninja Operating Llc Robotic cleaner
US12339324B2 (en) 2021-04-23 2025-06-24 Sharkninja Operating Llc Determining state of charge for battery powered devices including battery powered surface treatment apparatuses
US12433461B2 (en) 2022-07-05 2025-10-07 Sharkninja Operating Llc Vacuum cleaner
US20230043567A1 (en) 2021-08-03 2023-02-09 Sharkninja Operating Llc Surface cleaning device with odor management
US12376722B2 (en) 2021-08-13 2025-08-05 Sharkninja Operating Llc Robotic cleaner
EP4398781A4 (en) 2021-09-07 2025-10-15 Sharkninja Operating Llc CLEANING ROBOT
WO2023081352A1 (en) 2021-11-05 2023-05-11 Sharkninja Operating Llc Surface cleaning device with odor control
US12329350B2 (en) 2022-05-09 2025-06-17 Sharkninja Operating Llc Robotic cleaner
US11957298B1 (en) * 2022-10-21 2024-04-16 Old Dominion Brush Company System and method for efficient engine operation
WO2024216566A1 (en) 2023-04-20 2024-10-24 Sharkninja Operating Llc System and method for detecting walls or objects within a specific proximity of a vacuum floor nozzle

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2547630B2 (en) * 1988-12-19 1996-10-23 三洋電機株式会社 Electric vacuum cleaner
US7203993B2 (en) * 2003-12-23 2007-04-17 The Hoover Company Suction nozzle height adjustment and control arrangement
US9156148B2 (en) * 2013-05-10 2015-10-13 Snap-On Incorporated Preset electronic torque tool
JP6831213B2 (en) * 2016-11-09 2021-02-17 東芝ライフスタイル株式会社 Vacuum cleaner
US10582823B2 (en) * 2017-03-03 2020-03-10 Tti (Macao Commercial Offshore) Limited Vacuum cleaner including a surface cleaning head having a display
US10795377B2 (en) * 2018-01-03 2020-10-06 AI Incorporated Method for autonomously controlling speed of components and functions of a robot

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20230414052A1 (en) 2023-12-28
CN119451611A (en) 2025-02-14
WO2023250160A1 (en) 2023-12-28
CA3260464A1 (en) 2023-12-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20230414052A1 (en) Surface treatment apparatus rotational speed indicator user interface
US20050278888A1 (en) Sensors and associated methods for controlling a vacuum cleaner
KR920001440Y1 (en) An electric vacuum cleaner
CN101342064B (en) Electric dust collector
US4953253A (en) Canister vacuum cleaner with automatic operation control
US7203993B2 (en) Suction nozzle height adjustment and control arrangement
CN215078015U (en) Surface Cleaning Equipment
US20040231088A1 (en) Power management system for a floor care appliance
US6800140B2 (en) Extraction cleaning with optimal cleaning speed
JP5492799B2 (en) Electric vacuum cleaner
KR101411028B1 (en) Electric cleaner
GB2437246A (en) A floor care apparatus having a flexible mebrane circuit
JP2007130207A (en) Electric vacuum cleaner
JP2007130207A5 (en)
JP4951686B2 (en) Electric vacuum cleaner
KR20190117173A (en) Cleaner and controlling method
JP4500833B2 (en) Vacuum cleaner
KR970011916B1 (en) Apparatus and method for controlling speed of suction in a vacuum cleaner
JP3505919B2 (en) Electric vacuum cleaner
JP4735322B2 (en) Vacuum cleaner
JP4655949B2 (en) Electric vacuum cleaner
JP2009017920A (en) Electric vacuum cleaner
JP2011206356A (en) Vacuum cleaner
JPH04338436A (en) Vacuum cleaner
JP2654617B2 (en) Electric vacuum cleaner

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20250106

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)