KR20240031859A - Station device and operation method of station device - Google Patents

Abstract

Based on the information regarding the amount of reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner received from the wireless cleaner, when it is identified that the amount of reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner is greater than or equal to a preset threshold reduction amount, a station device that performs a dust discharge operation may be started.

Description

Station device and operation method of the station device {STATION DEVICE AND OPERATION METHOD OF STATION DEVICE}

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a station device that performs a dust discharge operation and a method of operating the station device.

A cordless vacuum cleaner is a type of vacuum cleaner that charges the battery built into the vacuum cleaner itself without the need to connect a wire to an outlet. The cordless vacuum cleaner includes a suction motor that generates suction force, and can suck foreign substances such as dust along with air from the cleaner head (brush) through the suction power generated by the suction motor, and separate the sucked foreign substances from the air to collect dust.

Since the size of the dust bin of a cordless vacuum cleaner is limited, the cordless vacuum cleaner itself cannot collect a lot of dust. In addition, if you continue to operate the cordless vacuum cleaner with the dust bin full of dust, the internal flow path of the cordless vacuum cleaner will be blocked and the cleaning performance will be greatly reduced. Cleaning performance will not be restored by simply emptying the dust bin, and the inside of the dust bin must be disassembled. Cleaning may be inconvenient. Therefore, it is necessary to empty the dust bin of the cordless vacuum cleaner at an appropriate time.

Recently, the function of the station for storing the cordless vacuum cleaner along with the cordless vacuum cleaner has been updated. In addition to storing the cordless vacuum cleaner and charging the cordless vacuum cleaner's battery, the station also provides the function of manually or automatically discharging dust collected in the cordless vacuum cleaner's dust bin.

A station device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication interface for communicating with a wireless cleaner; A suction motor that generates suction force to suck dust from the dust bin included in the wireless vacuum cleaner; A collection unit for collecting dust in the dust bin; a memory that stores information about a preset threshold reduction amount; And it may include at least one processor. At least one processor may receive information about the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner from the wireless vacuum cleaner through a communication interface. At least one processor, when it is identified that the reduction in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner is greater than a preset threshold reduction amount based on the received information on the amount of reduction in suction power, drives the suction motor to discharge dust in the dust bin into the collection unit. The action can be performed.

A method of operating a station device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of operating a station device for discharging dust from a wireless vacuum cleaner, in which information about the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless cleaner is received from the wireless cleaner through a communication interface of the station device. receiving; Comparing the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless vacuum cleaner with a preset threshold reduction amount, based on the received information about the amount of suction power reduction; And as a result of the comparison, if it is identified that the decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner is greater than the preset critical decrease amount, a dust discharge operation is performed to drive the suction motor of the station device to discharge dust from the dust bin of the wireless cleaner into the collection part of the station device. It may include steps.

1 is a diagram for explaining a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a station device and a wireless cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining the main body of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of processors of a cordless vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining a brush device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation of identifying the type of brush device in the cleaner main body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method in which a station device performs a dust discharge operation in conjunction with a decrease in suction power of a wireless vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation of identifying a lifting state of a brush device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation of identifying a state in which a wireless cleaner is mounted on a station device as a state in which the brush device is lifted, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a wireless vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure to identify a decrease in suction power when the brush device is lifted.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a wireless vacuum cleaner to identify the usage environment state of a brush device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an AI model for inferring the usage environment state of a brush device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the cleaner main body identifying the lifting state of the brush device using an SVM model according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a station device to identify a discharge mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a graphical user interface (GUI) for setting the discharge mode of a station device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an operation of setting a discharge mode through an input interface of a station device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method in which a station device performs a dust discharge operation according to a type of user input for selecting a dust discharge button according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method by which the station device 200 sets a threshold reduction amount for a smart discharge mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 20 is a diagram illustrating a GUI for setting a threshold reduction amount according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 21 is a flowchart for explaining a method of performing a dust emission operation based on the emission intensity or emission maintenance time set by the user according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 22 is a diagram illustrating a GUI for setting emission intensity or emission maintenance time according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 23 is a flowchart for explaining a method of performing a dust discharge operation when satisfying the discharge timing condition set by the user according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 24 is a diagram illustrating a GUI for setting discharge timing conditions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 25 is a flowchart for explaining a method of performing a dust ejection operation in conjunction with the main cleaning mode of a wireless vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 26 is a diagram for explaining the critical reduction amount and discharge operation conditions corresponding to the main cleaning mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Terms used in the present disclosure will be briefly described, and an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

The terms used in the present disclosure have selected general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible while considering the function in an embodiment of the present disclosure, but this may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person working in the art, the emergence of new technology, etc. there is. In addition, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of this disclosure, rather than simply the name of the term.

In the present disclosure, the expression “at least one of a, b, or c” refers to “a”, “b”, “c”, “a and b”, “a and c”, “b and c”, “a, b and c", or variations thereof.

Throughout the present disclosure, when a part “includes” a certain element, this means that it may further include other elements rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary. In addition, terms such as "...unit" and "module" described in the present disclosure refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and "...unit" and "module" are implemented in hardware or software. Alternatively, it can be implemented through a combination of hardware and software.

Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily practice them. However, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiment described herein. In order to clearly describe an embodiment of the present disclosure in the drawings, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are assigned similar reference numerals throughout the present disclosure.

1 is a diagram for explaining a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a wireless cleaner 100 and a station device 200. However, not all of the components shown in Figure 1 are essential components. The cleaning system may be implemented with more components than those shown in FIG. 1, or may be implemented with fewer components. For example, the cleaning system may be implemented to further include a server device (not shown) and a user terminal (not shown). The cleaning system further including a server device and a user terminal will be discussed in detail later with reference to FIG. 7 .

The wireless cleaner 100 may refer to a vacuum cleaner that has a built-in rechargeable battery and does not need to connect a power cord to an outlet during cleaning. The user can move the wireless cleaner 100 back and forth using the handle mounted on the cleaner body and have the brush device (cleaner head) suck foreign substances (eg, dust, hair, trash) from the surface to be cleaned. Foreign substances sucked from the surface to be cleaned through the brush device may be collected in the dust bin (1200, also called dust collection bin) of the cleaner main body. The wireless cleaner 100 may include a suction motor 1110 that creates a vacuum inside the wireless cleaner 100. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the suction motor 1110 of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 may be expressed as the first suction motor 1110. The wireless cleaner 100 may include a communication interface for communicating with the station device 200. For example, the wireless cleaner 100 may transmit and receive data with the station device 200 through a wireless personal area network (WPAN). The configuration of the wireless cleaner 100 will be examined in detail later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

The station device 200 may be a device for discharging dust, charging the battery, or storing the wireless cleaner 100. Station device 200 may also be expressed as a clean station. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 may communicate with the wireless cleaner 100 or a server device through a network (NET). For example, the station device 200 may transmit and receive data with the wireless cleaner 100 through a wireless local area network (WPAN) without an access point (AP). The station device 200 is connected to the server device through an access relay (AP) that connects the local area network (LAN) to which the station device 200 is connected to the wide area network (WAN) to which the server device is connected. Data can also be sent and received. For example, the station device 200 may be connected to the wireless cleaner 100 through BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication and may be connected to the server device through Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) communication. , but is not limited to this.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 includes a communication interface 201, at least one processor 203, a suction motor 207 (hereinafter referred to as a second suction motor), and a collection unit 209. ) may include, but is not limited to this. The second suction motor 207 may be a device that generates suction force to discharge foreign substances collected in the dust bin 1200 of the wireless cleaner 100 from the wireless cleaner 100. For example, the second suction motor 207 may generate a pressure difference inside the dust bin 1200. The second suction motor 207 may be located lower than the collection unit 209 when the station device 200 is erected.

Referring to 101 in FIG. 1, after using the wireless cleaner 100, the user can mount (dock) the wireless cleaner 100 on the station device 200. When the distance between the wireless cleaner 100 and the station device 200 becomes closer, the wireless cleaner 100 and the station device 200 can establish a short-range wireless communication channel and transmit and receive data. For example, the wireless cleaner 100 may transmit information about the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless cleaner 100, information about the main cleaning mode, information about the occurrence of an error, etc. to the station device 200 through short-distance wireless communication. However, it is not limited to this.

Referring to 102 in FIG. 1, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure uses a smart discharge mode in addition to the manual discharge mode or the automatic discharge mode when the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200. It can operate as . The manual ejection mode may refer to a mode in which the station device 200 performs a dust ejection operation according to the manual input of the user who selects the dust ejection button. In the present disclosure, the dust discharge operation includes driving the second suction motor 207 of the station device 200 so that dust in the dust bin 1200 of the wireless cleaner 100 is discharged to the collection unit 209 of the station device 200. It can mean something. According to the manual discharge mode, if the user does not select the dust discharge button for a long time, the suction power (cleaning performance) of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 may be greatly reduced due to dust accumulated in the dust bin 1200.

The automatic discharge mode may be a mode in which the station device 200 automatically performs a dust discharge operation whenever an event occurs in which the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200. In the case of the automatic discharge mode, even in situations where the practical benefit of dust discharge is not significant (e.g., when there is almost no dust in the dust bin 1200), as long as the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted again on the station device 200, The station device 200 may perform a dust discharge operation. Therefore, according to the automatic discharge mode, energy may be unnecessarily wasted due to the dust discharge operation, and the dust discharge operation may be inconvenient even in situations sensitive to noise generation, such as late at night.

The smart discharge mode may be a mode in which the station device 200 automatically performs a dust discharge operation when the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 and satisfies specific conditions for dust discharge. Specific conditions for dust discharge may be related to at least one of the decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100, the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100, or the discharge timing condition set by the user, but are not limited thereto. .

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the station device 200 operates in a smart discharge mode, the station device 200 may perform a dust discharge operation in conjunction with the level of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100. For example, the station device 200 may perform a dust ejection operation when the suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is lowered to a threshold reduction amount or more. If the suction power of the cordless cleaner 100 is greatly reduced due to dust in the dust bin 1200, the cleaning performance of the cordless cleaner 100 may also be greatly reduced. Accordingly, when the suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 decreases beyond the critical decline amount, the station device 200 may perform a dust ejection operation to restore the suction power (cleaning performance) of the wireless cleaner 100. Additionally, the station device 200 does not perform a dust discharge operation in situations where there is little decrease in the suction power of the wireless cleaner 100, thereby preventing unnecessary waste of power.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 may perform a dust discharge operation in connection with the amount of dust in the dust bin 1200. For example, the station device 200 may perform a dust discharge operation when the amount of dust in the dust bin 1200 increases to a critical level or higher. However, it often happens that the suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is reduced regardless of the amount of dust in the dust bin 1200. In addition, even if only a small amount of fine dust is inhaled, the pre-motor filter inside the dust bin 1200 may be clogged or the HEPA filter may be clogged, causing the internal pressure of the passage to rise rapidly, thereby significantly reducing the suction power of the cordless vacuum cleaner 100. , On the other hand, even if a large amount of bulky foreign matter is inhaled, there may be little decrease in suction power. Therefore, when the station device 200 performs a dust discharge operation in conjunction with the amount of dust in the dust container 1200, the station device 200 reduces the suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 before the dust container 1200 is full. You may not be adequately prepared for situations that arise. In addition, even if an optical sensor is installed in the dust bin 1200 to measure the amount of dust in the dust bin 1200, the light emitting part or the light receiving part of the optical sensor may be obscured by dust, so the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 cannot measure the amount of dust in the dust bin 1200. It is difficult to measure accurately. Therefore, it may be more advantageous in terms of maintaining the cleaning performance (suction power) of the wireless cleaner 100 for the station device 200 to perform a dust discharge operation in conjunction with the level of suction power reduction rather than the amount of dust in the dust bin 1200.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 may perform a dust ejection operation in conjunction with the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100. The main cleaning mode of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 may refer to the cleaning mode used for the longest time during the cleaning operation. The cleaning mode is related to the strength of the suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 and may include, but is not limited to, an ultra-strong suction mode, a strong suction mode, a medium suction mode, and a weak suction mode. When the station device 200 performs a dust discharge operation in conjunction with the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100, the cleaning environment or the user's individual preference may be reflected. For example, in a cleaning environment that requires strong suction power or when the user prefers a strong suction mode, even a slight decrease in suction power needs to be dealt with immediately, so the station device 200 performs a dust discharge operation even if the decrease in suction power is small. It can be done. On the other hand, in an environment where cleaning is relatively easy or when the user prefers energy saving, low noise, or long usage time rather than strong suction power, the station device 200 can take into account a slight decrease in suction power and lengthen the dust discharge cycle. The method by which the station device 200 performs a dust ejection operation in conjunction with the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100 will be discussed in detail later with reference to FIG. 25 .

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 may perform a dust discharge operation in conjunction with discharge timing conditions set by the user. That is, if the user sets the emission timing conditions (emission cycle, emission timing, etc.), the station device 200 can perform the dust emission operation when the emission timing conditions are satisfied. For example, the user can set the discharge time to when the cumulative operating time of the wireless cleaner 100 is 10 minutes. At this time, the station device 200 does not perform the dust ejection operation if the accumulated operation time of the wireless cleaner 100 is less than 10 minutes, and performs the dust ejection operation if the accumulated operation time of the wireless cleaner 100 is more than 10 minutes. You can. The method by which the station device 200 performs a dust emission operation in connection with the emission timing conditions set by the user will be discussed in detail later with reference to FIG. 23 .

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 may perform a dust emission operation according to the emission intensity or emission maintenance time set by the user. For example, the station device 200 may adjust the power consumption or operation time of the second suction motor 207 during the dust discharge operation according to the emission intensity or emission maintenance time set by the user. If the second suction motor 207 of the station device 200 is always driven at the maximum suction level, problems of increased energy usage and noise generation may occur. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user can adjust the emission intensity or emission maintenance time according to the user's preference. The operation of the station device 200 to perform a dust emission operation according to the emission intensity or emission maintenance time set by the user will be discussed in detail later with reference to FIG. 21 .

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 provides a smart discharge mode in addition to the manual discharge mode and the automatic discharge mode, thereby reflecting the user's preference during the dust discharge operation and preventing unnecessary waste of energy. , it is possible to efficiently manage the suction power (cleaning performance) of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100. How the station device 200 performs the dust ejection operation in the smart ejection mode will be discussed in detail later with reference to FIG. 8. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the station device 200 will be described in more detail. Let’s take a closer look.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the station device 200 and the wireless cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a communication interface 201, a memory 202, and at least one processor 203. In addition, the station device 200 includes a user interface 204 and a wired connector 205 (e.g., HASS for updating at least one processor 203 or providing smart services (inspection, self-diagnosis, history check, etc.) (Home Appliance Smart Service) connector), pressure sensor (206, hereinafter also referred to as the second pressure sensor), suction motor (207, also referred to as the second suction motor), power supply device (208), dust collector coupling unit, collection It may further include a unit 209, a filter unit, etc. However, not all of the components shown in FIG. 2 are essential components. The station device 200 may be implemented with more components than those shown in FIG. 2, or the station device 200 may be implemented with fewer components. Below, we will look at each configuration.

The station device 200 may include a communication interface 201 for communicating with an external device. For example, the station device 200 may communicate with the cleaner main body 1000 or the server device of the wireless cleaner 100 through the communication interface 201. At this time, the communication interface 201 may communicate with the server device through a first communication method (e.g., Wi-Fi communication method) and communicate with the wireless cleaner 100 through a second communication method (e.g., BLE communication method). .

The communication interface 201 may include a short-range communication unit, a long-distance communication unit, etc. The short-range wireless communication interface includes a Bluetooth communication unit, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, NFC (Near Field Communication interface), WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, Zigbee communication unit, and infrared (IrDA) communication unit. , Infrared Data Association) communication department, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication department, UWB (ultra wideband) communication department, Ant+ communication department, etc., but is not limited thereto. The remote communication unit can be used to enable the station device 200 to remotely communicate with the server device 300. Telecommunications units may include the Internet, computer networks (e.g., LAN or WAN), and mobile communications units. The mobile communication unit may include, but is not limited to, a 3G module, 4G module, 5G module, LTE module, NB-IoT module, LTE-M module, etc.

The communication interface 201 may transmit data to at least one processor 203 through a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART), but is not limited thereto.

The memory 202 of the station device 200 may store programs (eg, one or more instructions) for processing and control of at least one processor 203, and may store input/output data. For example, the memory 202 of the station device 200 includes software related to the control of the station device 200, status data of the suction motor 207, measured values of the pressure sensor 206, and error occurrence data (failure data). historical data), information on the operation mode for dust discharge (e.g., suction motor 207 operation time for each operation mode, suction force generation pattern for each operation mode), preset threshold reduction amount for smart discharge mode, discharge timing conditions, etc. It may include, but is not limited to this. The memory 202 of the station device 200 may store data received from the cleaner main body 1000. For example, the station device 200 may include product information (e.g., identification information, model information, etc.) of the wireless cleaner 100 mounted on the station device 200, version information of the software installed on the wireless cleaner 100, Error occurrence data (failure history data) of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100, information on the main cleaning mode, information on the amount of suction power reduction calculated in the lifted state of the brush device 200, and information on the cumulative cleaning time after dust discharge. , information on the cumulative number of cleaning times after dust is emitted can also be stored.

The memory 202 is a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory, etc.), and RAM. (RAM, Random Access Memory) SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk , and may include at least one type of storage medium among optical disks. Programs stored in the memory 202 may be classified into a plurality of modules according to their functions.

Station device 200 may include at least one processor 203. The station device 200 may include one processor or may include multiple processors. At least one processor 203 according to the present disclosure includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU), Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), Many Integrated Core (MIC), Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and NPU ( Neural Processing Unit) may be included. At least one processor 203 may be implemented in the form of an integrated system-on-chip (SoC) including one or more electronic components. Each of the at least one processor 203 may be implemented as separate hardware (H/W). At least one processor 203 may be expressed as a MICOM (Micro-Computer, Microprocessor Computer, Microprocessor controller), MPU (Micro Processor unit), or MCU (Micro Controller Unit).

At least one processor 203 according to the present disclosure may be implemented as a single core processor or a multicore processor.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one processor 203 may receive information about the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 from the wireless cleaner 100 through the communication interface 201. When the at least one processor 203 identifies that the reduction in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold reduction amount, the at least one processor 203 drives the suction motor 207 to collect dust in the dust bin 1200 of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100. A dust discharge operation may be performed to discharge dust into the unit 209. For example, the at least one processor 203 receives a user input for selecting a smart discharge mode, sets the discharge mode of the station device 200 to the smart discharge mode, and operates the wireless cleaner 100 in the smart discharge mode. If the reduction in suction power is identified as being greater than or equal to a preset critical reduction amount, a dust ejection operation can be performed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one processor 203 may receive information about the threshold reduction amount set by the user from the server device. For example, the at least one processor 203 receives a user input for selecting one operation mode from among the plurality of operation modes of the station device 200, and sets the degradation amount corresponding to the selected operation mode as the threshold degradation amount. You can choose.

At least one processor 203 obtains user setting information regarding at least one of emission intensity or emission maintenance time, and, based on the user setting information, determines the power consumption of the suction motor 207 or the suction motor when performing the dust emission operation. The operation time of (207) can also be controlled.

At least one processor 203 obtains information related to the discharge timing condition set by the user, and when the discharge timing condition set by the user is satisfied, compares the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless vacuum cleaner with a preset threshold reduction amount, and , when the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold reduction amount, the suction motor 207 may be driven to perform a dust discharge operation. Information related to the discharge timing condition set by the user may include at least one of the discharge cycle, discharge time, cumulative operation time of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100, or cumulative operation number of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100, but is limited thereto. That is not the case.

At least one processor 203 receives information about the main cleaning mode of the cordless cleaner 100 from the cordless cleaner 100 and, based on the main cleaning mode of the cordless cleaner 100, reduces a preset threshold. At least one of the amount, emission intensity, or emission time can be determined.

When detecting an input of pressing the dust discharge button for a first time, the at least one processor 203 may perform a dust discharge operation by controlling the suction motor 207 according to the discharge intensity or discharge time set by the user. there is. When detecting an input of pressing the dust ejection button for a second time different from the first time, the at least one processor 203 controls the suction motor 207 according to the basic ejection intensity or the basic ejection time to perform the dust ejection operation. It can be done.

The user interface 204 of the station device 200 may include an input interface and an output interface. The input interface may include a discharge start button, an discharge end button, a mode selection button, etc. The output interface may include, but is not limited to, an LED, LCD, touch screen, and audio output module for voice guidance. The output interface may display the battery charge level of the vacuum cleaner body 1000, software update progress information, etc., but is not limited thereto.

Station device 200 may include a wired connector 205. The wired connector 205 may include a terminal for connecting a computing device of a system administrator (eg, service technician). A system administrator may connect a computing device storing a new version of software to the wired connector 205 and transfer the new version of the software to the memory 202 of the station device 200. At this time, if the new version of software is software related to control of the station device 200, the pre-installed software of the station device 200 may be updated. On the other hand, if the new version of software is software related to the control of the cordless cleaner 100, the station device 200 may deliver the new version of software to the cordless cleaner 100 depending on whether a preset condition is satisfied. For example, if the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 and BLE communication with the wireless cleaner 100 is possible, the station device 200 can transmit a new version of software to the wireless cleaner 100. there is. At this time, the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 can update pre-installed software.

The pressure sensor 206 (second pressure sensor) of the station device 200 may be a sensor for measuring the pressure inside the station device 200. The pressure sensor 206 may measure a pressure value before dust is discharged, a pressure value during dust discharge, or a pressure value after dust is discharged. The pressure sensor 206 may transmit a pressure measurement value to at least one processor 203 through I2C communication or UART communication. The pressure sensor 206 may be provided between the collection unit 209 and the suction motor 207, but is not limited to this. When the pressure sensor 206 is provided between the collection unit 209 and the suction motor 207, the pressure sensor 206 is located at the front of the suction motor 207, and therefore can be implemented as a negative pressure sensor. You can.

The suction motor 207 (second suction motor) may be a device that generates suction force to discharge foreign substances collected in the dust bin 1200 of the cleaner main body 1000 from the cleaner main body 1000. The suction motor 207 can rotate a suction fan that moves air. The suction fan may include an impeller.

The power supply device 208 may include a Switching Mode Power Supply (SMPS) that receives alternating current power from a power source and changes it into direct current power. When the cordless cleaner 100 is mounted (docked) on the station device 200, the direct current power converted by the power supply device 208 is supplied to the battery of the cleaner main body 1000 through the charging terminal, thereby charging the battery. It can be.

The dust collection container coupling portion may be provided so that the dust collection container (dust container, 1200) of the cleaner main body 1000 is docked. When the dust bin 1200 is seated on the dust collection bin coupling portion, docking of the cleaner main body 1000 and the station device 200 can be completed. The dust collection container coupling part may include a docking detection sensor for detecting docking of the cleaner main body 1000. The docking detection sensor may be a Tunnel Magneto-Resistance (TMR) sensor, but is not limited thereto. The TMR sensor can sense whether the cleaner main body 1000 is docked by detecting a magnetic material attached to the dust bin 1200. The station device 200 includes a step motor ( It may include a first step motor). The station device 200 may further include a step motor (also referred to as a second step motor) that presses one side of the cover of the dust bin 1200 to close it after dust discharge is completed.

The collection unit 209 is a space where foreign substances discharged from the dust bin 1200 of the cleaner main body 1000 can be collected. The collection unit 209 may include a dust bag in which foreign substances discharged from the dust bin 1200 are collected. The dust bag is made of a material that allows air to pass through but does not allow foreign substances to pass through, so that foreign substances flowing from the dust bin 1200 to the collection unit 209 can be collected. The dust bag may be provided to be detachable from the collection unit 209. The station device 200 may include an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the collection unit 209. The ultraviolet irradiation unit may include a plurality of ultraviolet lamps. The ultraviolet irradiation unit can suppress the growth of bacteria in the collection unit 209 including the dust bag. For example, the ultraviolet irradiation unit can inhibit the growth of bacteria in dust accumulated in the dust bag.

The filter unit can filter ultrafine dust that is not collected in the collection unit 209. The filter unit may include an outlet that allows air passing through the filter to be discharged to the outside of the station device 200. The filter unit may include a motor filter, a HEPA filter, etc., but is not limited thereto.

The wireless cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a stick-type cleaner including a cleaner main body 1000, a brush device 2000, and an extension tube 3000. However, not all of the components shown in FIG. 2 are essential components. The wireless cleaner 100 may be implemented with more components than those shown in FIG. 2, or the wireless cleaner 100 may be implemented with fewer components. For example, the wireless cleaner 100 may be implemented as a cleaner body 1000 and a brush device 2000, excluding the extension tube 3000.

The cleaner main body 1000 is a part that the user can hold and move when cleaning, and may include a suction motor 1110 (first suction motor) that creates a vacuum inside the wireless cleaner 100. The suction motor 1110 may be located in the dust bin 1200 where foreign substances sucked from the surface to be cleaned (eg, floor, bedding, sofa, etc.) are accommodated. In addition to the suction motor 1110, the vacuum cleaner body 1000 may further include at least one processor, a battery, and a memory in which software related to control of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is stored, but is not limited thereto. The vacuum cleaner body 1000 will be examined in detail later with reference to FIG. 3 .

The brush device 2000 is a device that is in close contact with the surface to be cleaned and can suck air and foreign substances from the surface to be cleaned. The brush device 2000 may also be represented as a vacuum cleaner head. The brush device 2000 may be rotatably coupled to the extension pipe 3000. The brush device 2000 may include a motor, a drum with a rotating brush attached thereto, but is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the brush device 2000 may further include at least one processor for controlling communication with the cleaner main body 1000. There may be various types of brush device 2000, and the types of brush device 2000 will be discussed in detail later with reference to FIG. 5.

The extension pipe 3000 may be formed of a pipe or flexible hose with a certain rigidity. The extension tube 3000 transmits the suction force generated through the suction motor 1110 of the cleaner main body 1000 to the brush device 2000, and transfers air and foreign substances sucked through the brush device 2000 to the cleaner main body 1000. It can be moved. The extension tube 3000 may be separably connected to the brush device 2000. The extension tube 3000 may be formed in multiple stages between the cleaner main body 1000 and the brush device 2000. There may be two or more extension tubes 3000.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cleaner main body 1000, brush device 2000, and extension tube 3000 included in the wireless cleaner 100 each have a power line (for example, a +power line, a -power line). and signal lines.

The power line may be a line for transmitting power supplied from the battery to the cleaner main body 1000 and the brush device 2000 connected to the cleaner main body 1000. The signal line is different from the power line and may be a line for transmitting and receiving signals between the cleaner main body 1000 and the brush device 2000. The signal line may be implemented to be connected to a power line within the brush device 2000.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the at least one processor 1001 of the vacuum cleaner body 1000 and the processor of the brush device 2000 controls the operation of a switch element connected to a signal line, thereby controlling the vacuum cleaner body 1000 and the brush. Two-way communication between devices 2000 can be performed. Hereinafter, when the cleaner main body 1000 and the brush device 2000 communicate through a signal line, communication between the cleaner main body 1000 and the brush device 2000 may be defined as 'signal line communication.' Meanwhile, the cleaner main body 1000 and the brush device 2000 may communicate using I2C (Inter Integrated Circuit) communication or UART (Universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter) communication.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cleaner main body 1000 goes beyond detecting whether the brush device 2000 is attached or detachable to identifying the type of the brush device 2000 and determining the use environment status of the brush device 2000 (e.g. : The operation (e.g., drum RPM) of the brush device 2000 may be adaptively controlled depending on the condition (hard floor, carpet, mat, corner, lifted state from the surface to be cleaned, etc.). For example, the cleaner main body 1000 may transmit a signal for controlling the operation of the brush device 2000 to the brush device 2000 by periodically communicating with the brush device 2000. Below, we will look at the configuration of the cleaner main body 1000 in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the cleaner main body 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cleaner main body 1000 includes a suction force generating device (hereinafter referred to as the motor assembly 1100) that generates the suction force necessary to suck in foreign substances on the surface to be cleaned, and a dust collection container that accommodates foreign substances sucked from the surface to be cleaned. (1200, also known as a dust bin), a filter unit 1300, a pressure sensor 1400, a battery 1500 capable of supplying power to the motor assembly 1100, a communication interface 1600, a user interface 1700, at least one may include a processor 1001 (e.g., main processor 1800) and a memory 1900. However, not all of the components shown in FIG. 3 are essential components. The cleaner main body 1000 may be implemented with more components than those shown in FIG. 3, or the cleaner main body 1000 may be implemented with fewer components.

Below, we will look at each configuration.

The motor assembly 1100 includes a suction motor 1110 that converts electrical force into mechanical rotational force, a fan 1120 that is connected to the suction motor 1110 and rotates, and a drive circuit (PCB: Printed) connected to the suction motor 1110. Circuit　Board) (1130) may be included. The suction motor 1110 can form a vacuum inside the wireless cleaner 100. Here, vacuum means a state lower than atmospheric pressure. The suction motor 1110 may include a brushless motor (hereinafter referred to as a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor), but is not limited thereto.

The driving circuit 1130 controls the suction motor 1110, a processor (hereinafter referred to as the first processor 1131) that controls communication with the brush device 2000, and a first switch element 1132 connected to a signal line. , a switch element (hereinafter referred to as the PWM control switch element 1133) for controlling the power supply to the brush device 2000 (e.g. FET, Transistor, IGBT, etc.), a load that senses the load of the brush device 2000 It may include a detection sensor 1134 (e.g., a shunt resistor, a shunt resistor and amplification circuit (OP-AMP), a current detection sensor, a magnetic field detection sensor (non-contact type), etc.), but is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the FET will be described as an example of the PWM control switch element 1133, and the shunt resistance will be described as an example of the load detection sensor 1134.

The first processor 1131 may obtain data related to the state of the suction motor 1110 (hereinafter referred to as state data) and transmit the state data of the suction motor 1110 to the main processor 1800. In addition, the first processor 1131 controls (e.g., turns on or turns off) the operation of the first switch element 1132 connected to the signal line and sends a signal (hereinafter referred to as the first signal) to the brush device 2000 through the signal line. ) can be transmitted. The first switch element 1132 is an element that can set the signal line to Low. For example, the first switch element 1132 is an element that can cause the voltage of the signal line to be 0V. The first signal is the target rotation per minute (hereinafter also referred to as target drum RPM) of the rotating brush of the brush device 2000, the target trip level of the brush device 2000, or the consumption of the suction motor 1110. It may include data representing at least one of power, but is not limited thereto. For example, the first signal may include data for controlling a lighting device included in the brush device 2000. The first signal may be implemented with a preset number of bits. For example, the first signal may be implemented with 5 bits or 8 bits, and may have a transmission period of 10 ms per bit, but is not limited thereto.

The first processor 1131 may detect a signal (hereinafter referred to as a second signal) transmitted from the brush device 2000 through a signal line. The second signal may include data indicating the current state of the brush device 2000, but is not limited thereto. For example, the second signal may include data regarding current operating conditions (e.g., current drum RPM, current restraint level, current lighting device setting value, etc.). Additionally, the second signal may further include data indicating the type of brush device 2000. The first processor 1311 may transmit data indicating the current state of the brush device 2000 or data indicating the type of the brush device 2000 included in the second signal to the main processor 1800.

The motor assembly 1100 may be located within a dust collection container (dust container, 1200). The dust collection container 1200 may be configured to filter and collect dust or dirt in the air flowing in through the brush device 2000. The dust collection box 1200 may be provided to be detachable from the cleaner main body 1000.

The dust collection container 1200 can collect foreign substances through a cyclone method that separates foreign substances using centrifugal force. Air from which foreign substances have been removed through the cyclone method may be discharged to the outside of the cleaner main body 1000, and the foreign substances may be stored in the dust collection container 1200. A multi-cyclone may be placed inside the dust collection container 1200. The dust collection container 1200 may be provided to collect foreign substances on the lower side of the multi-cyclone. The dust collection container 1200 may include a dust container door (also referred to as a cover of the dust container 1200) that opens the dust container 1200 when connected to the station device 200. The dust collection container 1200 may include a first dust collection unit that is primarily collected and relatively large foreign substances are collected, and a second dust collection unit that is collected by a multi-cyclone and relatively small foreign substances are collected. Both the first dust collection unit and the second dust collection unit may be arranged to be open to the outside when the dust collection container door is opened.

The filter unit 1300 can filter ultrafine dust that is not filtered in the dust collection container 1200. The filter unit 1300 may include an outlet that allows air that has passed through the filter to be discharged to the outside of the wireless cleaner 100. The filter unit 1300 may include a motor filter, a HEPA filter, etc., but is not limited thereto.

The pressure sensor 1400 can measure the pressure inside the flow path (hereinafter also referred to as flow path pressure). In the case of the pressure sensor 1400 provided at the suction end (e.g., suction duct 40), the change in flow rate at the corresponding location can be measured by measuring the static pressure. The pressure sensor 1400 may be an absolute pressure sensor or a relative pressure sensor. When the pressure sensor 1400 is an absolute pressure sensor, the main processor 1800 can use the pressure sensor 1400 to sense the first pressure value before operating the suction motor 1110. Additionally, the main processor 1800 may sense the second pressure value after driving the suction motor 1110 at the target RPM, and use the difference between the first pressure value and the second pressure value as the pressure value inside the flow path. At this time, the first pressure value may be a pressure value due to internal/external influences such as weather, altitude, status of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100, and dust inflow, and the second pressure value may be a pressure value due to altitude, status of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100, and dust inflow. It may be a pressure value due to internal/external influences such as the inflow amount and a pressure value due to driving the suction motor 1110, and the difference between the first pressure value and the second pressure value may be a pressure value due to driving the suction motor 1110. Therefore, when the difference between the first pressure value and the second pressure value is used as the pressure value inside the flow path, internal/external influences other than those of the suction motor 1110 can be minimized.

The flow path pressure measured by the pressure sensor 1400 identifies the current use environment state of the brush device 2000 (e.g., the state of the surface to be cleaned (floor, carpet, mat, corner, etc.), the state lifted from the surface to be cleaned, etc.) It may be used to measure suction power that changes depending on the degree of contamination of the dust collection container 1200 or the degree of dust collection.

The pressure sensor 1400 may be located at the suction end (eg, suction duct 40). The suction duct 40 is a structure that connects the dust collection container 1200 and the extension pipe 3000 or the dust collection container 1200 and the brush device 2000 to allow fluid containing foreign substances to move to the dust collection container 1200. It can be. The pressure sensor 1400 may be located at the end of a straight section (or an inflection point between a straight section and a curved section) of the suction duct 40 in consideration of contamination by foreign substances/dust, but is not limited thereto. The pressure sensor 1400 may be located in the middle of the straight portion of the suction duct 40. Meanwhile, when the pressure sensor 1400 is located in the suction duct 40, the pressure sensor 1400 is located in front of the suction motor 1110 that generates suction force, so the pressure sensor 1400 is a negative pressure sensor. sensor).

In the present disclosure, the case where the pressure sensor 1400 is located in the suction duct 40 is described as an example, but is not limited thereto. The pressure sensor 1400 may be located at the discharge end (eg, within the motor assembly 1100). When the pressure sensor 1400 is located at the discharge end, the pressure sensor 1400 is located at the rear end of the suction motor 1110, so it can be implemented as a positive pressure sensor. Additionally, a plurality of pressure sensors 1000 may be provided in the wireless vacuum cleaner 100.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cleaner main body 1000 may include a flow rate sensor (not shown). For example, a flow rate sensor may be provided in the intake duct 40 or the discharge end (eg, within the motor assembly 1100). Flow sensors may include, but are not limited to, hot wire flow meters, ultrasonic flow meters, turbine-type flow meters, differential pressure-type flow meters, etc.

The battery 1500 may be detachably mounted on the cleaner body 1000. The battery 1500 may be electrically connected to a charging terminal provided in the station device 200. The battery 1500 can be charged by receiving power from a charging terminal.

The cleaner main body 1000 may include a communication interface 1600 for communicating with an external device. For example, the cleaner main body 1000 may communicate with the station device 200 (or server device 300) through the communication interface 1600. The communication interface 1600 may include a short-range communication unit and a long-distance communication unit. The short-range wireless communication interface includes a Bluetooth communication unit, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, NFC (Near Field Communication interface), WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, Zigbee communication unit, and infrared (IrDA) communication unit. , Infrared Data Association) communication department, WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication department, UWB (ultra wideband) communication department, Ant+ communication department, etc., but is not limited thereto.

The user interface 1700 may be provided on the handle. The user interface 1700 may include an input interface and an output interface. The cleaner main body 1000 may receive user input related to the operation of the wireless cleaner 100 through the user interface 1700, and may output information related to the operation of the wireless cleaner 100. The cleaner main body 1000 may output information about the docking state, information about the state of the dust bin 1200, information about the state of the dust bag, etc. through the user interface 1700. The input interface may include a power button, a suction power intensity control button, etc. The output interface may include, but is not limited to, an LED display, LCD, touch screen, etc.

The cleaner main body 1000 may include at least one processor 1001. The cleaner main body 1000 may include one processor or may include a plurality of processors. For example, the cleaner body 1000 may include a main processor 1800 connected to the user interface 1700 and a first processor 1131 connected to the suction motor 1110. At least one processor 1001 may control the overall operation of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100. For example, the at least one processor 1001 determines the power consumption (suction force intensity) of the suction motor 1110, the drum RPM of the brush device 2000, the trip level of the brush device 2000, etc. You can. At least one processor 1001 may drive the suction motor 1110 to remove dust based on a control signal received from the station device 200.

At least one processor 1001 according to the present disclosure includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU), Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), Many Integrated Core (MIC), Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and NPU ( Neural Processing Unit) may be included. At least one processor 1001 may be implemented in the form of an integrated system-on-chip (SoC) including one or more electronic components. Each of the at least one processor 1001 may be implemented as separate hardware (H/W). At least one processor 1001 may be expressed as a MICOM (Micro-Computer, Microprocessor Computer, Microprocessor controller), MPU (Micro Processor unit), or MCU (Micro Controller Unit).

At least one processor 1001 according to the present disclosure may be implemented as a single core processor or a multicore processor.

The memory 1900 may store programs for processing and control of at least one processor 1001, and may also store input/output data. For example, the memory 1900 includes a pre-learned AI model (e.g., SVM (Support Vector Machine) algorithm, etc.), state data of the suction motor 1110, measured values of the pressure sensor 1400, and the battery 1500. Status data, status data of the brush device 2000, error occurrence data (failure history data), power consumption of the suction motor 1110 corresponding to operating conditions, RPM of the drum with rotating brush, restraint level, and suction force generation pattern. The operation sequence of the suction motor 1110, etc. can be stored. The trip level is used to prevent overload of the brush device 2000 and may mean a reference load value (eg, a reference current value) for stopping the operation of the brush device 2000.

The memory 1900 may include an external memory 1910 and an internal memory 1920. For example, the memory 1900 may be a flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, or card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory). etc.), RAM (Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), magnetic It may include at least one type of storage medium among memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. Programs stored in the memory 1900 may be classified into a plurality of modules according to their functions.

Hereinafter, the operation of the processors of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 will be looked at in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of processors of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, the main processor 1800 communicates with the battery 1500, the pressure sensor 1400, and the first processor 1131 in the motor assembly 1100 to check the status of parts in the cordless vacuum cleaner 100. You can. At this time, the main processor 1800 may communicate with each component using universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) communication or Inter Integrated Circuit (I2C) communication, but is not limited to this. For example, the main processor 1800 may obtain data about the voltage status (e.g., normal, abnormal, fully charged, fully discharged, etc.) of the battery 1500 from the battery 1500 using the UART. The main processor 1800 may obtain data about flow path pressure from the pressure sensor 1400 using I2C communication.

In addition, the main processor 1800 uses the UART from the first processor 1131 connected to the suction motor 1110 to determine the suction force intensity, RPM of the suction motor 1110, and the status of the suction motor 1110 (e.g., normal , abnormalities, etc.) can be obtained. Suction power is the electrical power consumed to operate the wireless vacuum cleaner 100, and may be expressed as power consumption. The main processor 1800 may obtain data related to the load of the brush device 2000 and data related to the type of the brush device 2000 from the first processor 1131.

Meanwhile, the first processor 1131 provides status data (e.g., drum RPM, trip level, normal, abnormal) of the brush device 2000 through signal line communication with the second processor 2410 of the brush device 2000. etc.) can also be obtained from the brush device 2000. At this time, the first processor 1131 may transmit status data of the brush device 2000 to the main processor 1800 through UART. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first processor 1131 may transmit state data of the suction motor 1110 and state data of the brush device 2000 to the main processor 1800 at different cycles. For example, the first processor 1131 transmits the status data of the suction motor 1110 to the main processor 1800 once every 0.02 seconds, and transmits the status data of the brush device 2000 to the main processor 1800 once every 0.2 seconds. ), but is not limited to this.

The main processor 1800 determines whether an error has occurred based on the state of the parts in the wireless cleaner 100, the state of the suction motor 1110, and the state of the brush device 2000, and sends data related to the error occurrence at a short distance. It may also be periodically transmitted to the station device 200 through wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication).

When connecting the first processor 1131 of the cleaner main body 1000 and the second processor 2410 of the brush device 2000 through UART communication or I2C communication, high impedance and electrostatic discharge due to internal lines of the extension tube 3000 may occur. Problems include electrostatic discharge (ESD) and/or damage to circuit elements due to overvoltage (e.g. exceeding the maximum voltage of the Micom AD port). Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first processor 1131 of the cleaner main body 1000 and the second processor 2410 of the brush device 2000 communicate through signal line communication instead of UART communication or I2C communication. . At this time, the circuit for signal line communication is a voltage distribution circuit (hereinafter referred to as voltage distribution circuit) to prevent damage to circuit elements due to overvoltage, power noise, surge, ESD (Electrical Overstress), and EOS (Electrical Discharge). (referred to as a distributor). However, communication between the first processor 1131 of the cleaner main body 1000 and the second processor 2410 of the brush device 2000 is not limited to signal line communication.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the noise reduction circuit is applied to the cleaner main body 1000 and the brush device 2000, the first processor 1131 of the cleaner main body 1000 and the second processor 1131 of the brush device 2000 The processor 2410 may also communicate using UART communication or I2C communication. The noise reduction circuit may include at least one of a low pass filter, a high pass filter, a band pass filter, a damping resistor, and a distribution resistor. It is not limited to this. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the level shifter circuit is applied to the cleaner main body 1000 or the brush device 2000, the first processor 1131 of the cleaner main body 1000 and the second processor 1131 of the brush device 2000 The processor 2410 may also communicate using UART communication or I2C communication. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the case where the cleaner main body 1000 and the brush device 2000 communicate through signal line communication will be described as a main example.

Meanwhile, the main processor 1800 may receive user input for setting buttons (e.g., ON/OFF button, +/- setting button) included in the user interface 1700, and may control the output of the LCD. . The main processor 1800 uses a previously learned AI model (e.g., SVM algorithm) to determine the usage environment status of the brush device 2000 (e.g., the state of the surface to be cleaned (floor, carpet, mat, corner, etc.), the surface to be cleaned, (e.g. lifted state, etc.), and operation information of the wireless cleaner 100 (e.g., power consumption of the suction motor 1110, drum RPM, trip level, etc.) that matches the usage environment condition of the brush device 2000. ) can also be determined. At this time, the main processor 1800 may transmit operation information of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 that matches the usage environment state of the brush device 2000 to the first processor 1131. The first processor 1131 can adjust the strength of the suction force (power consumption, RPM) of the suction motor 1110 according to the operation information of the wireless cleaner 100, and generate a wireless cleaner suitable for the usage environment of the brush device 2000. The operation information of 100 may be transmitted to the second processor 2410 through signal line communication. In this case, the second processor 2410 may adjust the drum RPM, restraint level, lighting device (eg, LED display), etc. according to the operation information of the wireless cleaner 100. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, we will look at the brush device 2000 in more detail.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a brush device 2000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, the brush device 2000 may include a motor 2100, a drum 2200 with a rotating brush attached thereto, a lighting device 2300, etc., but is not limited thereto. The motor 2100 of the brush device 2000 may be provided inside the drum 2200 or may be provided outside the drum 2200. When the motor 2100 is provided outside the drum 2200, the drum 2200 can receive power from the motor 2100 through a belt.

Referring to 510 in FIG. 5, the motor 2100 may be a planetary geared motor. A planetary geared motor may be a combination of a DC motor and a planetary gear. The planetary gear is used to adjust the RPM of the drum 2200 according to the gear ratio. In the case of a planetary geared motor, the RPM of the motor 2100 and the RPM of the drum 2200 may have a constant ratio. Referring to 520 in FIG. 5, the motor 2100 may be a BLDC (Brushless Direct Current) motor, but is not limited thereto. When the motor 2100 is a BLDC motor, the RPM of the motor 2100 and the RPM of the drum 2200 may be the same.

The lighting device 2300 is used to illuminate the dark surface to be cleaned, to facilitate identification of dust or foreign matter on the surface to be cleaned, or to indicate the status of the brush device 2000, and is located on the front or top of the brush device 2300. It can be provided. The lighting device 2300 may include, but is not limited to, an LED display. For example, the lighting device 2300 may be a laser. The lighting device 2300 may operate automatically as the motor 2100 is driven, or may operate under the control of the second processor 2410. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lighting device 2300 may change color or brightness under control of the second processor 2410.

Referring to 520 of FIG. 5, the brush device 2000 may further include a driving circuit (PCB) 2400. The driving circuit 2400 may include a circuit for signal line communication with the cleaner main body 1000. For example, the driving circuit 2400 includes a second processor 2410, a switch element (hereinafter also referred to as a second switch element) (not shown) connected to the signal line, and an identification resistor (not shown) indicating the type of the brush device 2000. (not shown), etc., but is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, types of brush device 2000 may vary. For example, the brush device 2000 includes a multi brush 501, a floor brush 502, a mop brush 503, a turbo (carpet) brush 504, a bedding brush 505, and a brush brush (not shown). , gap brush (not shown), pet brush (not shown), etc., but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the type of brush device 2000 may be distinguished by an identification resistor included in the brush device 2000. An operation in which the cleaner body 1000 identifies the type of brush device 2000 coupled to the wireless cleaner 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 .

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation of identifying the type of brush device 2000 in the cleaner main body 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, the motor assembly 1100 of the cleaner main body 1000 may include a first processor 1131 and a load detection sensor 1134 (e.g., shunt resistor), and the brush device 2000 An identification resistor 2500 may be included. The identification resistor 2500 may be located between the power lines 10 and 20 and the signal line 30. The identification resistor 2500 represents the type of brush device 2000 and may be different for each type of brush device 2000. For example, the discrimination resistance 2500 of the multi brush 501 is 330KΩ, the discrimination resistance 2500 of the floor brush 502 is 2.2MΩ, and the discrimination resistance 2500 of the turbo (carpet) brush 504 is It may be 910KΩ, but is not limited thereto.

The first processor 1131 can detect whether the brush device 200 is attached or detached using the load detection sensor 1134. For example, when the brush device 2000 is not coupled to the wireless cleaner 100 (e.g., handy mode), the operating current of the brush device 2000 detected by the load detection sensor 1134 is “0” (zero). ) can be. On the other hand, when the brush device 2000 is coupled to the wireless cleaner 100 (e.g., brush mode), the operating current of the brush device 2000 detected by the load detection sensor 1134 may be 50 mA or more. Accordingly, the first processor 1131 determines that the brush device 2000 is detached when the operating current of the brush device 2000 detected by the load detection sensor 1134 is 0, and the load detection sensor 1134 determines that the brush device 2000 is detached. If the detected operating current of the brush device 2000 is 50 mA or more, it may be determined that the brush device 2000 is coupled. Meanwhile, the reference operating current value for determining that the brush device 2000 is coupled is not limited to 50 mA and may be changed.

When it is determined that the brush device 2000 is coupled to the wireless cleaner 100, the first processor 1131 operates the brush device 2000 based on the voltage value input to the input port of the first processor 1131. type can be identified. For example, if the brush device 2000 includes an identification resistor A, and the driving circuit 1130 of the cleaner body 1000 includes a voltage divider (resistor B and resistor C) connected to the signal line 30, The voltage input to the input port of the first processor 1131 may be as follows.

The voltage value input to the input port of the first processor 1131 may decrease as the value of the identification resistor 2500 increases. When resistance B and resistance C are constant, the voltage value input to the input port varies depending on the value of identification resistor A, so the first processor 1131 sets the identification resistor 2500 based on the voltage value input to the input port. The type of corresponding brush device 2000 can be identified.

For example, the identification resistance of the multi brush 501 may be 330KΩ, the identification resistance of the floor brush 502 may be 2.2MΩ, and the identification resistance of the turbo (carpet) brush 504 may be 910KΩ. If the voltage of the battery 1500 is 25.2V, the voltage value input to the input port of the first processor 1131 when the multi brush 501 is coupled to the wireless cleaner 100 is 2.785V, and the voltage value input to the input port of the wireless cleaner 100 is 2.785V. When the floor brush 502 is coupled to the 100, the voltage value input to the input port of the first processor 1131 is 0.791V, and when the turbo (carpet) brush 504 is coupled to the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 The voltage value input to the input port of the first processor 1131 may be 1.563V. Accordingly, the first processor 1131 determines that the brush device 2000 is coupled to the wireless cleaner 100, and in a situation where the voltage of the battery 1500 is 25.2V, the voltage value input to the input port is 2.785V. If , the multi brush 501 is identified as being combined, and if the voltage value input to the input port is 0.791V, the floor brush 502 is identified as being combined, and if the voltage value input to the input port is 1.563V. It can be identified that the turbo (carpet) brush 504 is combined.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 6, the type of the brush device 2000 is described as an example in which the type of the brush device 2000 is distinguished by an identification resistor included in the brush device 2000, but the description is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cleaner main body 1000 may distinguish the type of brush device 2000 based on a data signal transmitted from the brush device 2000. For example, the brush device 2000 may transmit a data signal including information indicating the type of the brush device 2000 to the cleaner body 1000.

Hereinafter, a cleaning system that further includes a server device and a user terminal in addition to the wireless cleaner 100 and the station device 200 will be examined in detail with reference to FIG. 7 .

Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a server device 300 and a user terminal 400 in addition to the wireless cleaner 100 and the station device 200. Since the cleaning system including the wireless cleaner 100 and the station device 200 has been described in FIG. 1, the server device 300 and the user terminal 400 will be described here.

The server device 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a device for managing the station device 200 and the wireless cleaner 100. For example, the server device 300 may be a home appliance management server. The server device 300 may manage user account information and information on home appliances connected to the user account. For example, a user may access the server device 300 through the user terminal 400 and create a user account. A user account can be identified by an ID and password set by the user. The server device 300 can register the station device 200 and the wireless cleaner 100 to a user account according to a set procedure. For example, the server device 300 links the identification information (e.g., serial number or MAC address) of the station device 200 and the identification information of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 to a user account, 200) and wireless vacuum cleaner 100 can be registered. When the station device 200 and the wireless cleaner 100 are registered in the server device 300, the server device 300 sends the status information of the station device 200 or the status information of the wireless cleaner 100 to the station device 200. ), the status of the station device 200 or the status of the wireless cleaner 100 can be managed.

The user terminal 400 may be a device registered to the server device 300 with the same account as the station device 200 or the wireless cleaner 100. The user terminal 400 includes a smart phone, laptop computer, tablet PC, digital camera, e-book terminal, digital broadcasting terminal, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), and wearable. It may be a device, a device including a display, etc., but is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the case where the user terminal 400 is a smartphone will be described as an example.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user terminal 400 may communicate with at least one of the server device 300, the station device 200, and the wireless cleaner 100. The user terminal 400 may communicate directly with the station device 200 or the wireless cleaner 100 through short-distance wireless communication, or indirectly with the station device 200 or the wireless cleaner 100 through the server device 300. You can also communicate.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user terminal 400 may execute a specific application (eg, a home appliance management application) provided by the server device 300 based on user input. In this case, the user can check the status of the wireless cleaner 100 or the status of the station device 200 through the application execution window. For example, the user terminal 400, through the execution window of the application, information related to the operation of the ultraviolet irradiator (e.g., UV LED is operating), information related to dust emission of the station device 200 (e.g., the last dust bin) Emptying - 1 minute before) can be provided, but is not limited to this.

Meanwhile, the user terminal 400 displays icons related to dust discharge (e.g., emptying the dust bin), a GUI for setting the ejection mode (e.g., manual ejection mode, automatic ejection mode, smart ejection mode button), and a smart ejection mode. A GUI for setting the critical reduction amount, a GUI for setting the emission intensity or emission retention time, a GUI for setting emission timing conditions, etc. may be provided. Through the user terminal 400, the user can set at least one of the following conditions: discharge mode, threshold reduction amount for smart discharge mode, discharge intensity, discharge maintenance time, or discharge timing condition. At this time, the station device 200 may perform a dust emission operation based on at least one of the emission mode, threshold reduction amount, emission intensity, emission maintenance time, or emission timing condition set by the user.

Hereinafter, we will take a closer look at how the station device 200 performs a dust discharge operation in the smart discharge mode with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method by which the station device 200 performs a dust discharge operation in connection with the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step S810, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless cleaner 100 may identify a state in which the brush device 2000 is lifted from the surface to be cleaned (hereinafter, a lifted state of the brush device 2000). The lifting state of the brush device 2000 may include a state in which the brush device 2000 is lifted above a predetermined height from the surface to be cleaned, or a state in which the flow path of the cordless cleaner 100 is open. For example, the lifting state of the brush device 2000 is a state in which the user moves the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 while turning on the power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 (also called 'idle state' or 'moving state'), and the user This may include, but is not limited to, a state in which the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless cleaner 100 is configured to use a brush device ( 200) can be identified.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the wireless cleaner 100 may identify the lifting state of the brush device 2000 based on the pressure value inside the passage measured by the pressure sensor 1400. For example, when a user cleans a hard floor with the wireless cleaner 100, the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 1400 of the wireless cleaner 100 may be about 980 Pa to 984 Pa (910). On the other hand, when the user lifts the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 during cleaning (the brush device 2000 is lifted), the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 1400 of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is 500 Pa or less (e.g., 381 ~ 383 Pa) and can drop sharply (920).

Accordingly, the wireless vacuum cleaner 100, when the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 1400 suddenly decreases, or when the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 1400 falls below the reference value (e.g., 500 Pa), It may be determined that the brush device 200 is currently lifted from the surface being cleaned (the lifted state of the brush device 2000).

Referring to FIG. 10, when the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted (docked) to the station device 200, the current usage environment state of the brush device 2000 may be determined to be in the lifted state. .

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the battery 1500 of the cleaner main body 1000 comes into contact with the charging terminal of the station device 200, at least one processor 1001 of the cleaner main body 1000 is connected to the battery ( By periodically communicating with 1500, the start of charging of the battery 1500 can be detected. Accordingly, when charging of the battery 1500 included in the vacuum cleaner body 1000 begins, the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted (docked) on the station device 200, so the brush device 2000 ) can be determined to be in a lifted state.

Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless cleaner 100 may include a magnetic material 1450, and the station device 200 may include a docking detection sensor 209. The docking detection sensor 209 may be a Tunnel Magneto-Resistance (TMR) sensor, but is not limited thereto. When a user places the cleaner body 1000 on the station device 200, the distance d between the magnetic material 1450 attached to the dust bin 1200 of the cleaner body 1000 and the docking detection sensor 209 becomes closer. The docking detection sensor 209 can detect the magnetic material 1450 attached to the dust bin 1200. When the docking detection sensor 209 detects the magnetic material 1450, the station device 200 can identify that the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is mounted. At this time, the station device 200 may transmit information indicating that the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 through short-range wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication). Based on the information received from the station device 200, the wireless cleaner 100 detects that the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 and hears the current usage environment status of the brush device 2000. It can be identified by status.

In FIG. 10 , the wireless cleaner 100 includes a magnetic material 1450 and the station device 200 includes a docking detection sensor 209 as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The wireless cleaner 100 may include a docking detection sensor 209 and the station device 200 may include a magnetic material 1450. In this case, the wireless cleaner 100 can directly detect that the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 through the docking detection sensor 209.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless cleaner 100 determines the usage environment of the brush device 2000 using an artificial intelligence model (hereinafter referred to as AI model) learned to infer the usage environment state of the brush device 2000. It is possible to identify whether the state is a lifting state or not. For example, the wireless cleaner 100 may transmit data (e.g., pressure value) regarding the flow path pressure measured by the pressure sensor 1400 and the load of the brush device 2000 obtained through the load detection sensor 1134. By applying the data to the AI model, it is possible to identify whether the current usage environment state of the brush device 2000 is the lifted state. The operation of the wireless cleaner 100 to identify the usage environment state of the brush device 2000 using the AI model will be examined in detail later with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14.

In step S820, the wireless cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the sensor measurement value of the pressure sensor 1400 or the flow sensor in the lifted state of the brush device 2000, A decrease in suction power can be obtained.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless cleaner 100 compares the pressure sensor value measured by the pressure sensor 207 with the initial pressure value when the lifting state of the brush device 100 is identified, and the wireless cleaner ( 100) of the reduction in suction power can be calculated. The initial pressure value is determined when there are no foreign substances in the dust bin 1200 and the brush device 2000 of the wireless cleaner 100 is lifted, and the first suction motor 1110 operates at a reference power consumption (reference RPM) (e.g. This may be a pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 1400 when driven at 58W). For example, the initial pressure value may be 500Pa, but is not limited thereto. The initial pressure value may be calibrated according to the state of the wireless cleaner 100. For example, when parts wear out as the wireless cleaner 100 is used, the wireless cleaner 100 may calibrate the initial pressure value according to the state of the wireless cleaner 100. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the initial pressure value may vary depending on the type of brush device 2000 or the power consumption of the first suction motor 1110.

Referring to FIG. 11, as the amount of dust in the dust bin 1200 increases, the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 1400 may gradually become lower than the initial pressure value. For example, when the pressure sensor 1400 is located in the suction duct 40, the dust bin 1200 is located later than the pressure sensor 1400 in the flow path, so the more dust in the dust bin 1200 accumulates, the more the pressure sensor The pressure value of (1400) may be lowered (1101). That is, when the brush device 2000 is in a lifted state, the initial pressure value is the highest, and as the amount of dust in the dust bin 1200 increases, the pressure value may gradually decrease.

Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cordless vacuum cleaner 100 may compare the initial pressure value and the current pressure value in the lifted state to calculate the amount of suction power reduction (suction power reduction ratio). For example, if the initial pressure value is 500 Pa and the current pressure value is 475 Pa, the wireless cleaner 100 may calculate the amount of suction power reduction as '5%. Additionally, when the initial pressure value is 500 Pa and the current pressure value is 450 Pa, the wireless cleaner 100 can calculate the amount of suction power reduction as '10%.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless cleaner 100 may calculate the amount of suction power reduction in real time based on the current pressure value, and calculate the amount of suction power reduction corresponding to the current pressure value from the previously stored table 1102. You can also search. The previously stored table 1102 may show the correlation between the pressure value of the pressure sensor 1400 and the amount of reduction in suction power.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless cleaner 100 calculates the amount of suction power reduction by comparing the pressure value at that time with the initial pressure value whenever the lifting state of the brush device 2000 is identified during cleaning. You can. For example, if the lifting state of the brush device 200 is identified several times during cleaning, the wireless cleaner 100 may calculate the amount of suction power reduction several times.

Meanwhile, the wireless cleaner 100 may determine the use environment state of the brush device 2000 as being lifted when the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200. Accordingly, the wireless cleaner 100 may briefly drive the first suction motor 1110 at a standard power consumption (e.g., 58 W) and measure the pressure value inside the flow passage through the pressure sensor 1400. The wireless cleaner 100 may calculate the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 by comparing the pressure value measured while the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 with the initial pressure value.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless cleaner 100 may identify the amount of reduction in suction power based on the flow rate value measured by the flow rate sensor of the wireless cleaner 100. The flow rate value measured by the flow sensor may appear in a similar pattern to the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 1400. For example, as the dust in the dust bin 1200 increases, the flow rate value may gradually decrease. Accordingly, when the usage environment state of the brush device 2000 is identified as lifted, the wireless cleaner 100 compares the flow rate value at that time with the initial flow rate value to calculate the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless cleaner 100. can do. The initial flow rate value is determined when there are no foreign substances in the dust bin 1200 and the brush device 2000 of the wireless cleaner 100 is lifted, and the first suction motor 1110 operates at a reference power consumption (reference RPM) (e.g. When driven at 58W), it may be the flow rate value measured by the flow sensor.

In step S830, the wireless cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may transmit information regarding the amount of suction power reduction to the station device 200.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when mounted on the station device 200, the wireless cleaner 100 may establish a short-range wireless communication channel (eg, BLE communication channel) with the station device 200. The wireless cleaner 100 may transmit information about the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 to the station device 200 through a short-distance wireless communication channel. If the wireless cleaner 100 calculates the amount of suction power reduction multiple times, the wireless cleaner 100 may transmit information regarding the most recently calculated amount of suction power reduction to the station device 200.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless cleaner 100 may transmit information regarding the amount of suction power reduction when a request is received from the station device 200. In addition, even if there is no request from the station device 200, the wireless cleaner 100 can be sent to the station device 200 when the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 and communicates with the station device 200. Information regarding the amount of decrease in suction power can be transmitted.

In step S840, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may receive information about the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 from the wireless cleaner 100. The station device 200 may receive information about the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 from the wireless cleaner 100 through short-distance wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication). At this time, the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 may be obtained based on a sensor measurement value measured through the pressure sensor 1400 or the flow rate sensor of the wireless cleaner 100. For example, the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 can be determined by measuring the pressure sensor 1400 or the flow rate sensor of the wireless cleaner 100 when the brush device 2000 connected to the wireless cleaner 100 is lifted from the surface to be cleaned. It can be obtained based on sensor measurement values measured through. The lifted state may include at least one of a state in which the brush device 2000 is lifted above a predetermined height from the surface being cleaned during a cleaning operation or a state in which the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200.

In step S850, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure determines the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless cleaner 100 and a preset threshold based on the information regarding the amount of suction power reduction received from the wireless cleaner 100. The amount of degradation can be compared.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the critical degradation amount is a standard degradation level for determining whether to perform a dust emission operation of the station device 200, and may be preset by the user or the system. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the preset threshold reduction amount may be changed by user settings. The user can set the threshold reduction amount through the input interface of the station device 200, the input interface of the wireless cleaner 100, or the application execution window of the user terminal 400. For example, if the user places importance on the performance of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100, the user may set the threshold degradation amount to a low level. If the user values energy saving, the user can set the threshold degradation amount high. The operation in which the preset threshold reduction amount is changed by the user's settings will be examined in detail later with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when information on the threshold reduction amount set by the user is stored in the memory 202, the station device 200 stores the suction power reduction amount of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 and the threshold setting by the user. The amount of degradation can be compared. If information on the threshold reduction amount set by the user is not stored in the memory 202, the station device 200 may compare the suction power reduction amount of the wireless cleaner 100 with the basic threshold reduction amount. The basic threshold reduction amount may be a threshold reduction amount preset by the system.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 compares the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 with a preset threshold decrease amount, and as a result, the decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is the preset threshold decrease amount. If it is lower (No in S850), dust ejection operation may not be performed. For example, if the preset threshold reduction amount is 30% and the suction power reduction amount of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is 20%, the station device 200 will detect dust even if the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200. The discharge operation may not be performed.

In step S860, when the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure identifies that the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold reduction amount (Yes in S850), the station device 200 operates the suction motor 207. A dust discharge operation can be performed by driving the dust container 1200 to discharge dust into the collection unit 209.

For example, if the preset critical reduction amount is 30% and the suction power reduction amount of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is 35%, the station device 200 determines that the suction power reduction amount (35%) of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is set to 35%. Since it is above the critical reduction amount (30%), dust discharge operation can be performed by driving the suction motor 207. When the dust in the dust bin 1200 is discharged to the collection unit 209 through the dust discharge operation, the suction power (cleaning performance) of the wireless cleaner 100 can be recovered.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the emission intensity or emission maintenance time is set by the user, the station device 200 may perform a dust emission operation according to the emission intensity or emission maintenance time set by the user. . For example, the station device 200 may adjust the power consumption of the suction motor 207 during the dust emission operation based on the emission intensity set by the user. The station device 200 may adjust the operation time of the suction motor 207 based on the discharge maintenance time set by the user. The operation of setting the emission intensity or emission maintenance time by the user will be discussed in detail later with reference to FIG. 21.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the user does not arbitrarily set the emission intensity or emission maintenance time, the station device 200 may perform a dust emission operation according to the basic emission intensity or basic emission maintenance time. The basic discharge intensity may be the discharge intensity basically set by the system, and the basic discharge maintenance time may be the operation time of the suction motor 207 basically set by the system.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 performs a dust discharge operation in conjunction with the decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100, thereby preventing unnecessary waste of energy and requiring user intervention. Even without it, the suction power (cleaning performance) of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 can be efficiently managed.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14, we will look in detail at the operation of the wireless cleaner 100 to identify that the usage environment state of the brush device 2000 is in the lifted state using an AI model.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method by which the wireless cleaner 100 identifies the usage environment state of the brush device 2000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step S1210, the wireless cleaner 100 may obtain data about the flow path pressure measured by the pressure sensor 1400.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one processor 1001 of the cleaner main body 1000 may acquire the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 1400. For example, the main processor 1800 may receive the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 1400 from the pressure sensor 1400 through I2C communication. The pressure sensor 1400 is located within the flow path and can measure the pressure inside the flow path (flow path pressure). For example, the pressure sensor 1400 may be located within the suction duct 40 or the motor assembly 1100, but is not limited thereto.

The pressure sensor 1400 may be an absolute pressure sensor or a relative pressure sensor. When the pressure sensor 1400 is an absolute pressure sensor, the main processor 1800 uses the pressure sensor 1400 to determine the first pressure value before operating the suction motor 1110 and drives the suction motor 1110 at the target RPM. The second pressure value can be sensed, and the difference between the first pressure value and the second pressure value can be used as the pressure value inside the flow path. When the difference between the first pressure value and the second pressure value is used as the pressure value inside the flow path, internal/external influences other than those of the suction motor 1110 can be minimized.

In step S1220, the wireless cleaner 100 may obtain data related to the load of the brush device 2000 through the load detection sensor 1134.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the load detection sensor 1134 is located in the driving circuit 1130 of the motor assembly 1100 and may include, but is limited to, a shunt resistor, a current detection circuit, a load detection circuit, etc. It doesn't work. The main processor 1800 of the cleaner main body 1000 may receive data related to the load of the brush device 2000 from the first processor 1131 in the motor assembly 1100.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the data related to the load of the brush device 2000 is one of the operating current of the brush device 2000, the voltage applied to the brush device 2000, or the power consumption of the brush device 2000. It may include at least one, but is not limited thereto. The power consumption of the brush device 2000 may be the power consumption of the motor 2100, and may be calculated as the product of the operating current of the brush device 2000 and the voltage applied to the brush device 2000. If the brush device 2000 includes a lighting device 2300 (e.g., an LED display), the load of the brush device 2000 can be calculated as the sum of the load of the motor 2100 and the load of the lighting device 2300. there is.

In step S1230, the cleaner main body 1000 can identify the current usage environment state of the brush device 2000 by applying data related to the flow path pressure and data related to the load of the brush device 2000 to the previously learned AI model. there is.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the AI model may be a machine learning algorithm learned to infer the usage status of the brush device 2000. The AI model may be trained or updated (renew, refined) in an external device (eg, a server device, external computing device), or may be trained or updated in the vacuum cleaner main body 1000. For example, the cleaner body 1000 may receive an AI model learned from an external device and store it in the memory 1900, and at least one processor 1001 of the cleaner body 1000 may use the brush device 2000. An AI model for inferring environmental conditions can also be created through learning.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the AI model may include at least one of a Support Vector Machine (SVM) model, a Neural Networks model, a Random Forest model, or a Graphical Model. , but is not limited to this.

The SVM model may be an algorithm that creates a hyper plane with the maximum margin that can classify data in three-dimensional space using a kernel function of the characteristics in the data. The Random Forest model may be an ensemble algorithm that trains multiple decision trees and predicts by combining the results of multiple decision trees. A neural network model may be an algorithm that derives an output by combining weights and transformation functions for each input value. A graphical model may be an algorithm that expresses the independence between random variables as a graph. At this time, random variables can be expressed as nodes, and conditional independence between random variables can be expressed as edges.

In the case of the SVM model, the accuracy is relatively high and the response speed is fast, so the operation of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 can be quickly converted to optimal specifications. Therefore, the case where the AI model is the SVM model will be described below as a main example.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the usage environment state of the brush device 2000 may be related to the environment in which the brush device 2000 is being used during cleaning. For example, the state of the use environment of the brush device 2000 may be the state of the surface to be cleaned on which the brush device 2000 is located, the relative position of the brush device 2000 within the surface to be cleaned, or the state of the surface to be cleaned when the brush device 2000 is It may include at least one of the states mentioned in, but is not limited to this. Here, the surface to be cleaned may refer to a surface that comes into contact with the brush device 2000 during cleaning, such as a floor, bedding, or sofa. The condition of the surface to be cleaned may refer to the material of the surface to be cleaned, and may include, for example, a floor, a general carpet (normal load), a high-density carpet (overload), a mat, etc. The relative position state may include, but is not limited to, the center of the floor, the side of the floor (wall surface), a corner, etc. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the mat state, floor state, carpet state, and lifting state will be described as examples among various usage environment states.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main processor 1800 of the vacuum cleaner main body 1000 stores data on the flow path pressure obtained from the pressure sensor 1400 and the data obtained from the first processor 1131 in a pre-stored AI model. Data related to the load of the brush device 2000 may be input, and the current usage environment state of the brush device 2000 may be obtained as a result of inference of the AI model.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an AI model for inferring the use environment state of the brush device 2000 may vary depending on the type of the brush device 2000. Accordingly, the cleaner main body 1000 stores a plurality of AI models for each type of brush device 2000 in the memory 1900, and as the type of brush device 2000 is identified, the cleaner body 1000 stores a plurality of AI models corresponding to the type of brush device 2000. By selecting the AI model, the current usage environment state of the brush device 2000 can be identified. The main processor 1800 of the vacuum cleaner main body 1000 selects a first AI model corresponding to the first type of the brush device 2000 from among the plurality of AI models, and provides data on flow path pressure and the selected first AI model. By applying data related to the load of the brush device 2000, the current usage environment state of the brush device 2000 can be identified. For example, if the brush device 2000 is a multi-brush 501, the main processor 1800 selects an AI model corresponding to the multi-brush 501, and adds data about flow path pressure and the multi-brush to the selected AI model. By applying data related to the load of the multi-brush 501, the current usage environment state of the multi-brush 501 can be identified.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the parameter values of the AI model may vary depending on the strength of the suction force of the suction motor 1110. Accordingly, the main processor 1800 of the cleaner main body 1000 applies the strength of the suction force of the suction motor 1110 before inputting data related to the flow path pressure and data related to the load of the brush device 2000 to the AI model. You can modify the parameter values of the AI model. And the main processor 1800 can identify the current usage environment state of the brush device 2000 by applying data related to flow path pressure and data related to the load of the brush device 2000 to the AI model with modified parameter values. .

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the load value of the brush device 2000 used as an input value of the AI model may vary depending on the type of the brush device 2000. For example, when the brush device 2000 is the floor brush 502, the main processor 1800 may input operating current data of the floor brush 502 into the AI model corresponding to the floor brush 502. On the other hand, when the brush device 2000 is a multi-brush 501, the power consumption (or operating current and applied voltage) of the multi-brush 501 can be input into the AI model corresponding to the multi-brush 501.

When cleaning a hard floor, the channel pressure and the load of the brush device 2000 are normal, but when cleaning a mat, the channel pressure and the load of the brush device 2000 can increase significantly, and when cleaning a carpet, the channel pressure is Normally, the load on the brush device 2000 may greatly increase, and when the brush device 2000 is in a lifted state, the flow path pressure and the load on the brush device 2000 may be significantly reduced. Accordingly, the cleaner main body 1000 can identify the current usage environment state of the brush device 2000 by applying data related to flow path pressure and data related to the load of the brush device 2000 to a previously learned AI model. For example, when a normal first flow path pressure value and a normal first load value are applied to the AI model, the AI model may output 'hard floor' as the use environment state of the brush device 2000. And, when a low second flow path pressure value and a low second load value are applied to the AI model, the AI model may output 'hearing' as the usage environment state of the brush device 2000.

Meanwhile, since the usage environment status of the brush device 2000 may change at any time, the cleaner main body 1000 transmits data related to the flow path pressure and data related to the load of the brush device 2000 at a predetermined period to the previously learned AI model. By applying this, it is possible to continuously monitor the usage environment status of the brush device 2000.

In step S1240, the wireless cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether the current usage environment state of the brush device 2000 is the lifted state, based on the inference result of the AI model.

In step S1250, the wireless cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure determines the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 1400 when the current usage environment state of the brush device 2000 is in the lifted state (Yes in S1240). Based on this, the amount of reduction in suction power can be calculated. For example, the cordless vacuum cleaner 100 may calculate the amount of suction power reduction (suction power reduction ratio) by comparing the pressure value when in the lifted state and the initial pressure value. Additionally, the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 may store the calculated decrease in suction power in the memory 1900. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 may newly calculate the amount of suction power reduction each time the usage environment state of the brush device 2000 is raised during cleaning.

In steps S1260 and S1270, when the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 (Yes in S1260), the wireless cleaner 100 sends information about the most recently calculated amount of suction power reduction to the station device 200. ) can be transmitted. For example, when the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200, the wireless cleaner 100 establishes a short-range wireless communication channel (e.g., BLE communication channel) with the station device 200 and performs short-range wireless communication. Information on the most recently calculated reduction in suction power can be transmitted to the station device 200 through the channel.

Below, with reference to FIG. 13, we will look at the SVM model in more detail as an example of an AI model for inferring the usage environment state of the brush device 2000.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an AI model for inferring the use environment state of the brush device 2000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to 1310 in FIG. 13, the SVM model can be created through supervised learning. The SVM model is a model that learns with labeled training data and then finds out which group the newly input data belongs to among the groups it was trained on. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the SVM model may be learned using the load value of the brush device 2000 and the pressure value of the suction motor 2000 in a specific usage environment state as learning data.

For example, a first flow path pressure value and a first load value of the brush device 2000 obtained when cleaning a floor, a second flow path pressure value and a second load value of the brush device 2000 obtained when cleaning a carpet, The third flow path pressure value and the third load value of the brush device 2000 obtained when cleaning the mat, the fourth flow path pressure value obtained when the brush device 2000 is lifted from the floor, and the fourth load value of the brush device 2000 The load value can be used as learning data. In addition, the SVM model uses the usage environment status (e.g. floor, carpet, mat, lifting, etc.) when the flow path pressure value and the load value of the brush device (2000) are obtained as a label (ground-truth). This can be learned.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the SVM model may be trained in an external device (eg, a server device, an external computing device) or in the vacuum cleaner main body 1000.

Referring to 1320 of FIG. 13, the learned SVM model may be composed of at least one hyperplane for classifying the usage environment state. For example, an SVM model for predicting the state of the use environment may be composed of a hyperplane to distinguish between floors and carpets, a hyperplane to distinguish between floors and mats, and a hyperplane to distinguish between carpets and lifts. . Each hyperplane can be expressed by a straight line equation (y = ax + b). In the linear equation, a and b may be parameters, and the parameters may depend on the suction force strength of the suction motor 1110, the type of brush device 2000, the state of the cleaner 100 (e.g., amount of dust, etc.), etc. It can be modified. Additionally, the equations of the hyperplane may be higher-order equations (e.g. y = ax ² + b, y = ax ³ + b, etc.).

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the cleaner main body identifying the lifting state of the brush device using an SVM model according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In Figure 14, the usage environment state of the brush device 2000 is divided into four types, such as floor (1411, hf: hard floor), carpet (1412, carpet), mat (1413, mat), and lift (1414, lift). Let's explain this using an example.

When cleaning the floor 1411, the flow path pressure and the load of the brush device 2000 are normal, but when cleaning the mat 1413, the flow path pressure and the load of the brush device 2000 can greatly increase, and the carpet 1412 When cleaning, the flow path pressure is normal, but the load on the brush device 2000 may greatly increase, and when the brush device 2000 is in the lifted state (1414), the flow path pressure and the load on the brush device 2000 may be greatly reduced. Therefore, when a normal flow path pressure value and a normal load value are input to the SVM model, the SVM model may output 'floor 1411' as the usage environment state of the brush device 2000. When a high flow path pressure value and a high load value are input to the SVM model, the SVM model may output 'mat 1413' as the usage environment state of the brush device 2000. When a normal flow path pressure value and a high load value are input to the SVM model, the SVM model may output 'carpet 1412' as the usage environment state of the brush device 2000. When a low flow path pressure value and a low load value are input to the SVM model, the SVM model may output 'lifting 1414' as a usage environment state of the brush device 2000.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless cleaner 100 determines the current pressure value of the pressure sensor 1400 whenever the SVM model outputs 'hearing 1414' as the usage environment state of the brush device 200. By comparing with the initial pressure value, the amount of suction reduction can be calculated. And when the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200, the wireless cleaner 100 transmits information about the most recently calculated reduction in suction power to the station device 200 through short-distance wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication). It can be transmitted through .

At this time, when the station device 200 is operating in the smart discharge mode, the station device 200 may determine whether to perform the dust discharge operation based on the most recently calculated decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100. On the other hand, when the station device 200 is operating in the automatic ejection mode or manual ejection mode, the station device 200 does not use the information regarding the most recently calculated decrease in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 during the dust ejection operation. It may not be possible. Let's look at how the station device 200 performs the dust discharge operation in each discharge mode in more detail with reference to FIG. 15.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method by which the station device 200 identifies a discharge mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step S1510, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may detect that the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 may determine whether the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 using the docking detection sensor 209. For example, referring to FIG. 10, when a user mounts the cleaner body 1000 on the station device 200, the magnetic body 1450 attached to the dust collection container 1200 of the cleaner body 1000 and the docking detection sensor As the distance d of 209 becomes closer, the docking detection sensor 209 can detect the magnetic material 1450 attached to the dust collection container 1200. When the docking detection sensor 209 detects the magnetic material 1450, the station device 200 can identify that the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is mounted.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the battery 1500 of the cleaner body 1000 is charged through the charging terminal of the station device 200, the station device 200 charges the battery 1500 of the cleaner body 1000 through the charging terminal. The power (or current) charged in the battery 1500 can be detected. Accordingly, the station device 200 may identify that the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is mounted when the power (or current) charged in the battery 1500 is detected.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the battery 1500 of the cleaner main body 1000 comes into contact with the charging terminal of the station device 200, the cleaner main body 1000 detects the start of charging of the battery 1500. can do. Accordingly, when charging of the battery 1500 begins, the cleaner main body 1000 can identify that the cleaner main body 1000 is mounted (docked) on the station device 200. At this time, the cleaner main body 1000 may transmit information indicating that it is mounted on the station device 200 through short-range wireless communication (eg, BLE communication). The station device 200 may detect that the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted based on information received from the cleaner main body 1000.

In step S1520, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may identify the currently set discharge mode as the mounting of the wireless cleaner 100 is detected.

Discharge modes according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include, but are not limited to, manual discharge mode, automatic discharge mode, smart discharge mode, etc. Users can select one of manual ejection mode, automatic ejection mode, and smart ejection mode depending on the situation.

Referring to FIG. 16, the user can set the discharge mode of the station device 200 through the user terminal 400 connected to the station device 200. For example, the user terminal 400 may display the first screen 1610 of a predetermined application (eg, a home appliance management application). The first screen 1610 may include an icon 1601 for setting the discharge mode. When the user selects the icon 1601 for setting the discharge mode on the first screen 1610, the user terminal 400 may display the second screen 1620. The second screen 1620 includes a first icon 1602 for setting the automatic discharge mode, a second icon 1603 for setting the smart discharge mode, and a third icon 1604 for setting the manual discharge mode. You can.

When the user selects one of the first icon 1602, the second icon 1603, and the third icon 1603, the user terminal 400 sends information about the discharge mode corresponding to the selected icon to the station device 200. ) can be transmitted. At this time, the user terminal 400 may transmit information about the discharge mode corresponding to the selected icon to the station device 200 via the server device 300. For example, when the user terminal 400 receives a user input for selecting the second icon 1603, the user terminal 400 sends information that a user input for setting the smart discharge mode has been received to the server device 300. It can be sent to . The server device 300 may transmit information to set the smart discharge mode to the station device 200. Meanwhile, the user terminal 400 may directly transmit information to operate in a discharge mode (eg, smart discharge mode) corresponding to the selected icon to the station device 200 through short-distance wireless communication.

Referring to FIG. 17, the user can set the discharge mode of the station device 200 through the input interface of the station device 200. For example, the user may open the cover of the station device 200 and set the discharge mode of the station device 200 using a predetermined button 1710 (eg, Auto Empty). When the user deactivates the automatic emptying function by pressing a predetermined button 1710, the station device 200 can set the manual emptying mode. On the other hand, when the user activates the automatic emptying function by pressing the predetermined button 1710 again, the station device 200 can set the automatic emptying mode. Although not shown in FIG. 17, the input interface of the station device 200 may include a button for setting the smart discharge mode.

In steps S1530 and S1540, when the currently set discharge mode is the smart discharge mode, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may obtain information about the amount of reduction in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100. . For example, information about the amount of reduction in suction power may be received from the wireless cleaner 100 through short-distance wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication). At this time, the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 may be obtained based on a sensor measurement value measured through the pressure sensor 1400 or the flow rate sensor of the wireless cleaner 100. For example, the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 can be determined by measuring the pressure sensor 1400 or the flow rate sensor of the wireless cleaner 100 when the brush device 2000 connected to the wireless cleaner 100 is lifted from the surface to be cleaned. It can be obtained based on sensor measurement values measured through. The lifted state may include at least one of a state in which the brush device 2000 is lifted above a predetermined height from the surface being cleaned during a cleaning operation or a state in which the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200.

In step S1550, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure determines the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless cleaner 100 and a preset threshold based on the information regarding the amount of suction power reduction obtained from the wireless cleaner 100. The amount of degradation can be compared.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 compares the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 with a preset threshold decrease amount, and as a result, the decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is the preset threshold decrease amount. If it is lower (No in S1550), the dust discharge operation may not be performed. For example, if the preset threshold reduction amount is 30% and the suction power reduction amount of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is 20%, the station device 200 will detect dust even if the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200. The discharge operation may not be performed.

In step S1560, when the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure identifies that the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold reduction amount (Yes in S1550), the station device 200 operates the suction motor 207. A dust discharge operation can be performed by driving the dust container 1200 to discharge dust into the collection unit 209.

For example, if the preset critical reduction amount is 30% and the suction power reduction amount of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is 35%, the station device 200 determines that the suction power reduction amount (35%) of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is set to 35%. Since it is above the critical reduction amount (30%), dust discharge operation can be performed by driving the suction motor 207. When the dust in the dust bin 1200 is discharged to the collection unit 209 through the dust discharge operation, the suction power (cleaning performance) of the wireless cleaner 100 can be recovered.

Therefore, in the smart discharge mode, the station device 200 performs a dust discharge operation in conjunction with the decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100, thereby maintaining the suction power (cleaning performance) of the wireless cleaner 100 even without user intervention. ) can be managed efficiently.

In steps S1570 and S1560, when the currently set discharge mode is the automatic discharge mode, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure automatically performs a dust discharge operation as the mounting of the wireless cleaner 100 is detected. It can be done. For example, when the station device 200 detects that the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted, the station device 200 may control the step motor to open the cover of the dust bin 1200.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when an automatic closing mode is set to automatically close the cover of the dust bin 1200, the station device 200 closes the dust bin 1200 as the dust discharge operation is completed. A step motor can also be controlled to close the lid.

Meanwhile, when the emission intensity or emission maintenance time is set by the user, the station device 200 performs a dust emission operation based on the emission intensity or emission maintenance time set by the user when the mounting of the wireless cleaner 100 is detected. can be performed.

In steps S1580 and S1590, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether an input for selecting a dust discharge button is received when the currently set discharge mode is a manual discharge mode.

The dust discharge button according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be present on the surface of the station device 200 or may be displayed in an execution window of an application running on the user terminal 400.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the currently set ejection mode is the manual ejection mode, the station device 200 does not receive an input for selecting the dust ejection button from the user even if the mounting of the wireless cleaner 100 is detected. If not (No in S1590), the dust ejection operation may not be performed.

In steps S1590 and S1560, the station device 200 may perform a dust discharge operation when an input for selecting the dust discharge button is received (Yes in S1590).

For example, when the station device 200 detects an input for selecting a dust discharge button present on the surface of the station device 200, the station device 200 may perform a dust discharge operation. Additionally, referring to FIG. 16, when the user selects the 'Empty Dust Bin' button on the first screen 1610, the user terminal 400 may transmit information that the Empty Dust Bin button has been selected to the server device 300. , the server device 300 may transmit a control command to perform a dust discharge operation to the station device 200. The station device 200 may perform a dust discharge operation according to a control command received from the server device 300.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 may differently adjust the emission intensity or emission maintenance time when performing a dust emission operation depending on the type of user input for selecting the dust emission button. Referring to FIG. 18, we will take a closer look at the operation of the station device 200 to differently adjust the emission intensity or emission maintenance time when performing the dust emission operation.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart to explain how the station device 200 performs a dust discharge operation according to the type of user input for selecting the dust discharge button according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step S1810, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may receive a user input for selecting a dust discharge button. For example, the station device 200 may receive a user input of pressing the dust discharge start/stop button 1810 while the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200. The dust discharge start/end button 1810 may be provided at the top of the station device 200. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a user input for selecting a dust ejection button may be received in a manual ejection mode, an automatic ejection mode, or a smart ejection mode.

In step S1820, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may identify the operation mode according to the type of user input for selecting the dust discharge button.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the type of user input may be distinguished according to the time the dust discharge button is pressed or the number of times the dust discharge button is pressed. For example, an input in which the user presses the dust ejection button for more than a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) is defined as the first type (long key) user input, and the input in which the user presses the dust ejection button for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) is defined as a user input of the first type (long key). The input of pressing less than or equal to 100% can be defined as a second type (short key) user input. Additionally, an input in which the user presses the dust discharge button once may be defined as a third type of user input, and an input in which the user presses the dust discharge button twice may be defined as a fourth type of user input.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a first type of user input (or a third type of user input) is received, the station device 200 may identify the operation mode as the basic mode. The basic mode may be a mode in which the suction motor 207 is controlled according to the emission intensity or emission maintenance time basically set in the station device 200 during the dust emission operation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a second type of user input (or a fourth type of user input) is received, the station device 200 may identify the operation mode as a user setting mode. The user-set mode may be a mode in which the suction motor 207 is controlled according to the emission intensity or emission maintenance time set by the user during the dust emission operation.

In steps S1830 and S1850, when the operation mode is the basic mode, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs a dust emission operation according to the emission intensity or emission maintenance time basically set in the station device 200. can be performed. For example, the discharge intensity set by default in the station device 200 may be strong (1400W), and the discharge maintenance time may be 30 seconds. At this time, when the user presses and holds the dust discharge button while the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 (first type of user input), the station device 200 opens the cover of the dust bin 1200. After controlling the step motor to open, the suction motor 207 can be driven for 30 seconds with a power consumption of 1400W.

In steps S1840 and S1850, when the operation mode is a user-set mode, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may perform a dust emission operation according to the emission intensity or emission maintenance time set by the user. there is. For example, the emission intensity set by the user may be medium (1190W), and the emission maintenance time may be 20 seconds. At this time, when the user briefly presses the dust discharge button while the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 (second type of user input), the station device 200 opens the cover of the dust bin 1200. After controlling the step motor to open, the suction motor 207 can be driven for 20 seconds with a power consumption of 1190W.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the user presses the dust discharge start/end button 1810 even before the discharge maintenance time set by the user or the default discharge maintenance time has elapsed, the station device 200 ) may control the step motor to stop the dust discharge operation and close the cover of the dust bin 1200.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 19, we will look at the operation of setting the critical reduction amount for the smart discharge mode.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method by which the station device 200 sets a threshold reduction amount for a smart discharge mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step S1910, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may set a smart discharge mode. For example, when the user selects a smart ejection mode that determines whether to perform a dust ejection operation in connection with the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless cleaner 100 among a plurality of ejection modes, the station device 200 switches to the smart ejection mode. It can work.

In step S1920, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may obtain information about the threshold reduction amount selected by the user for the smart discharge mode. Additionally, the station device 200 may store information regarding the threshold reduction amount selected by the user in the memory 202 .

Referring to FIG. 20, the user can set the threshold reduction amount for the smart discharge mode through the user terminal 400 connected to the station device 200. For example, the user terminal 400 may display a threshold reduction amount setting screen 2001 in the execution window of a predetermined application (eg, a home appliance management application). When the user selects the threshold reduction amount through the threshold reduction amount setting screen 2001, the user terminal 400 may transmit information regarding the selected threshold reduction amount to the station device 200. At this time, the user terminal 400 may transmit information about the selected threshold reduction amount to the station device 200 via the server device 300. For example, when the user terminal 400 receives a user input selecting '30%' as the threshold reduction amount, the user terminal 400 receives information that a user input selecting the threshold reduction amount as 30% has been received. It can be transmitted to the server device 300. The server device 300 may transmit information to the station device 200 to set the critical reduction amount for the smart discharge mode to 30%. Meanwhile, the user terminal 400 sets the threshold reduction amount for the smart discharge mode to '30' selected by the user through short-range wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication, WFD (Wi-fi Direct) communication, etc.) to the station device 200. You can also directly send information to set to '%'.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the user wants the suction power (cleaning performance) of the wireless cleaner 100 to be maintained high, the user may select a low threshold reduction amount. On the other hand, if the user values energy saving, he or she may select a high threshold reduction amount.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 receives a user input for selecting one operation mode among a plurality of operation modes of the station device 200, and determines the degradation amount corresponding to the selected operation mode to the user. It can be selected by the threshold reduction amount set by . For example, referring to FIG. 20, the user can select one of powerful clean mode, economy mode, and energy saving mode. The reduction amount corresponding to the powerful cleaning mode may be 5%, the reduction amount corresponding to the economic mode may be 30%, and the reduction amount corresponding to the energy saving mode may be 50%. Accordingly, when the user selects the powerful cleaning mode, the station device 200 may set 5%, which is the reduction amount corresponding to the powerful cleaning mode, as the critical reduction amount for the smart discharge mode. When the user selects the economic mode, the station device 200 may set 30%, the reduction amount corresponding to the economic mode, as the critical reduction amount for the smart discharge mode. When the user selects the energy saving mode, the station device 200 may set 50%, the reduction amount corresponding to the energy saving mode, as the critical reduction amount for the smart discharge mode.

In step S1930, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may detect the mounting of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 may determine whether the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 using the docking detection sensor 209.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the battery 1500 of the cleaner body 1000 is charged through the charging terminal of the station device 200, the station device 200 charges the battery 1500 of the cleaner body 1000 through the charging terminal. The power (current) charged in the battery 1500 can be detected. Accordingly, the station device 200 can identify that the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted when the power (current) being charged in the battery 1500 is detected.

In step S1940, it can be detected that the wireless cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is also mounted on the station device 200.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the battery 1500 of the cleaner main body 1000 comes into contact with the charging terminal of the station device 200, the cleaner main body 1000 detects the start of charging of the battery 1500. can do. Accordingly, when charging of the battery 1500 begins, the cleaner main body 1000 can identify that the cleaner main body 1000 is mounted (docked) on the station device 200.

In step S1950, when the wireless cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted on the station device 200, the wireless cleaner 100 and the station device 200 may establish a communication connection. For example, the wireless cleaner 100 and the station device 200 may establish a short-range wireless communication channel (eg, BLE communication channel).

In step S1960, when the wireless cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to the station device 200, information regarding the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 may be transmitted.

The amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 may be obtained based on a sensor measurement value measured through the pressure sensor 1400 or the flow rate sensor of the wireless cleaner 100. For example, the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 can be determined by measuring the pressure sensor 1400 or the flow rate sensor of the wireless cleaner 100 when the brush device 2000 connected to the wireless cleaner 100 is lifted from the surface to be cleaned. It can be obtained based on sensor measurement values measured through. The wireless vacuum cleaner 100 may transmit information regarding the most recently obtained decrease in suction power to the station device 200.

In step S1970, when the threshold reduction amount selected by the user is stored in the memory 202, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure determines the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless cleaner 100 and the threshold reduction amount selected by the user. Quantities can be compared.

In step S1980, if the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is lower than the threshold reduction amount selected by the user (No in S1970), the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure does not perform the dust ejection operation. It can operate in standby mode without. Thereafter, the station device 200 may not perform a dust ejection operation even if the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is mounted until the user further uses the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 and the reduction in suction power reaches the threshold reduction amount selected by the user. .

For example, if the threshold reduction amount selected by the user is 30% and the current suction power reduction amount of the wireless cleaner 100 is 10%, the station device 200 may not perform the dust discharge operation. That is, the station device 200 may operate in standby mode without performing a dust discharge operation until the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 reaches 30%.

In step S1990, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may perform a dust ejection operation if the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is greater than or equal to the threshold reduction amount selected by the user (Yes in S1970). .

For example, the reduction in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 may be 20%. At this time, if the critical reduction amount selected by the user is 10%, the station device 200 can perform the dust ejection operation, and if the threshold reduction amount selected by the user is 30%, the station device 200 does not perform the dust ejection operation. It may not be possible.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as the user selects a lower threshold reduction amount, the station device 200 may perform a dust discharge operation more frequently. On the other hand, as the user selects a higher threshold reduction amount, the station device 200 may perform a dust ejection operation infrequently.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the user sets the emission intensity or emission maintenance time, the station device 200 operates the suction motor 207 according to the emission intensity or emission maintenance time set by the user when performing the dust emission operation. can be controlled. Referring to FIG. 21, we will look in detail at the operation of the station device 200 to control the suction motor 207 according to the emission intensity or emission maintenance time set by the user.

Figure 21 is a flowchart for explaining a method of performing a dust emission operation based on the emission intensity or emission maintenance time set by the user according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step S2110, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may obtain user setting information regarding at least one of emission intensity or emission maintenance time. The discharge intensity refers to the suction intensity of the suction motor 207 of the station device 200, and may be proportional to the power consumption of the suction motor 207. The discharge maintenance time may mean the operation maintenance time of the suction motor 207.

Referring to 2210 of FIG. 22, the user can set the emission intensity through the user terminal 400 connected to the station device 200. For example, the user terminal 400 may display a first screen 2201 for setting the emission intensity in the execution window of a predetermined application (eg, a home appliance management application). When the user selects an emission intensity through the first screen 2201, the user terminal 400 may transmit information about the selected emission intensity to the station device 200. The user terminal 400 may transmit information about the selected emission intensity to the station device 200 via the server device 300. For example, when the user terminal 400 receives a user input for selecting the emission intensity as 85% (Economy mode), the user terminal 400 receives a user input for selecting the emission intensity as 85% (Economy mode). Information that has been received can be transmitted to the server device 300. At this time, the server device 300 may transmit information requesting to set the emission intensity to 85% (Economy mode) during the dust emission operation to the station device 200. Meanwhile, the user terminal 400 reduces the emission intensity to 85% (Economy mode) during dust emission operation through short-distance wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication, WFD (Wi-fi Direct) communication, etc.) to the station device 200. You can also directly send information asking you to set it to .

Referring to 2220 of FIG. 22, the user can set the discharge maintenance time through the user terminal 400 connected to the station device 200. For example, the user terminal 400 may display a second screen 2202 for setting the discharge maintenance time in the execution window of a predetermined application (eg, a home appliance management application). When the user selects the discharge maintenance time through the second screen 2202, the user terminal 400 may transmit information about the selected discharge maintenance time to the station device 200. The user terminal 400 may transmit information about the selected discharge maintenance time to the station device 200 via the server device 300. For example, when the user terminal 400 receives a user input for selecting the discharge maintenance time as 30 seconds, the user terminal 400 sends information to the server device 300 that a user input for selecting the discharge time as 30 seconds has been received. It can be sent to . At this time, the server device 300 may transmit information to the station device 200 to set the discharge maintenance time to 30 seconds during the dust discharge operation. Meanwhile, the user terminal 400 sends information to the station device 200 through short-distance wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication, WFD (Wi-fi Direct) communication, etc.) to set the emission maintenance time to 30 seconds during the dust emission operation. You can also send it directly.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user can adjust the emission intensity or emission maintenance time according to the cleaning environment or preference. For example, if there is a lot of long hair or dust in the cleaning space, the user can set the emission intensity to be strong and the emission time to be long. Users can set the emission intensity to be weak and the emission retention time to be short to save energy.

In step S2120, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may receive information about the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 from the wireless cleaner 100.

The station device 200 may receive information about the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 from the wireless cleaner 100 through short-distance wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication). At this time, the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 may be obtained based on a sensor measurement value measured through the pressure sensor 1400 or the flow rate sensor of the wireless cleaner 100. For example, the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 can be determined by measuring the pressure sensor 1400 or the flow rate sensor of the wireless cleaner 100 when the brush device 2000 connected to the wireless cleaner 100 is lifted from the surface to be cleaned. It can be obtained based on sensor measurement values measured through.

In step S2130, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may compare the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 with a preset threshold decrease amount.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 compares the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 with a preset threshold decrease amount, and as a result, the decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is the preset threshold decrease amount. If it is lower (No in S2130), the dust discharge operation may not be performed. For example, if the preset threshold reduction amount is 30% and the suction power reduction amount of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is 20%, the station device 200 will detect dust even if the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200. The discharge operation may not be performed.

In step S2140, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may perform a dust emission operation based on user setting information regarding at least one of emission intensity or emission maintenance time.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 may control the power consumption of the suction motor 207 or the operation time of the suction motor 207 when performing a dust discharge operation, based on user setting information. .

For example, if the emission intensity set by the user is 85% (Economy mode) and the emission maintenance time set by the user is 30 seconds, the station device 200 adjusts the power consumption of the suction motor 207 to 1190W and , dust discharge operation can be performed by adjusting the operation time of the suction motor 207 to 30 seconds.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 may perform a dust ejection operation in conjunction with an ejection time condition set by the user. With reference to FIG. 23, we will take a closer look at how the station device 200 performs a dust emission operation in connection with emission timing conditions.

Figure 23 is a flowchart for explaining a method of performing a dust discharge operation when satisfying the discharge timing condition set by the user according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step S2310, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may obtain information related to the discharge timing condition set by the user. The emission timing condition may mean a point in time that triggers the station device 200 to perform a dust emission operation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the information related to the discharge timing condition set by the user is at least one of the discharge cycle, discharge time, accumulated operation time of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100, or accumulated operation number of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100. may include.

Referring to 2401 of FIG. 24, the user can set discharge timing conditions through the user terminal 400 connected to the station device 200. For example, the user terminal 400 may display a first screen 2411 for setting discharge timing conditions in the execution window of a predetermined application (eg, a home appliance management application). When the user sets discharge timing conditions through the first screen 2411, the user terminal 400 may transmit information regarding the selected discharge timing conditions to the station device 200. The user terminal 400 may transmit information about discharge timing conditions set by the user to the station device 200 via the server device 300. For example, the user can set the discharge time condition to once a week, or set a specific time (e.g., every hour, 11 a.m.). Additionally, the user may not set discharge timing conditions.

This will be explained by taking as an example a case where a user wants to perform a dust emission operation from the station device 200 during the day and sets 11 AM as the emission timing condition. When the user terminal 400 receives a user input for setting the discharge timing condition to 11 a.m., the user terminal 400 sends information to the server device 300 that a user input for setting the discharge timing condition to 11 a.m. has been received. Can be transmitted. At this time, the server device 300 may transmit information to set the discharge timing condition to 11 a.m. to the station device 200. Meanwhile, the user terminal 400 may directly transmit information to set the discharge timing condition to 11 a.m. to the station device 200 through short-range wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication, WFD (Wi-fi Direct) communication, etc.). It may be possible.

Referring to 2402 of FIG. 24, the user may set discharge timing conditions in connection with the accumulated operation time or the accumulated number of operations of the wireless cleaner 100. For example, the user terminal 400 may display a second screen 2412 for setting discharge timing conditions in the execution window of a predetermined application (eg, a home appliance management application). Through the second screen 2412, the user may set the discharge timing condition so that the dust discharge operation is performed when the accumulated operation time of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 exceeds 30 minutes, and the accumulated operation number of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 You can also set the emission timing conditions so that the dust emission operation is performed when is 3 or more times. The cumulative operation time or cumulative operation number may be initialized when a dust discharge operation is performed in the station device 200. For example, when the station device 200 transmits information that the dust ejection operation has been completed to the wireless cleaner 100 through short-range wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication), the wireless cleaner 100 determines the accumulated operation time or cumulative operation time. The number of operations can be reset to '0'.

In step S2320, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether the discharge timing condition set by the user is satisfied.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the user sets the discharge time condition to 11 AM, the station device 200 may determine whether the current time has reached 11 AM. Additionally, if the user sets the discharge timing condition to once a week, it can be determined whether a week has passed since the dust discharge operation was previously performed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the user sets the discharge timing condition to the case where the cumulative operation time of the wireless cleaner 100 exceeds 30 minutes, the station device 200 You can check information about the cumulative operation time of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless cleaner 100 may process the accumulated operation time data and transmit a flag (e.g., 1) indicating that the accumulated operation time exceeds 30 minutes to the station device 200, Accumulated operation time data (e.g., 40 minutes and 5 seconds) of the wireless cleaner 100 may be directly transmitted to the station device 200.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the discharge timing condition set by the user is not satisfied, the station device 200 may not perform the dust discharge operation and may wait until the discharge timing condition is satisfied. Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the user does not set discharge timing conditions, step S2320 may be omitted.

In step S2330, if the discharge timing condition set by the user is satisfied (Yes in S2320), the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine whether the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is in a mounted state. .

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even if the discharge timing condition is satisfied (Yes in S2320), the dust discharge operation cannot be performed unless the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted (No in S2330), so the station device 200 may determine whether the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is mounted. If the discharge timing condition is satisfied but the wireless cleaner 100 is not mounted, the station device 200 may wait until the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted.

In step S2340, if the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure satisfies the discharge timing condition (Yes in S2320) and the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 (S2330 Yes), the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 can be compared with the preset threshold reduction amount.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 compares the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 with a preset threshold decrease amount, and as a result, the decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is the preset threshold decrease amount. If it is lower (No in S2340), the dust discharge operation may not be performed. For example, if the preset critical reduction amount is 30% and the suction power reduction amount of the wireless cleaner 100 is 20%, the station device 200 satisfies the discharge timing condition, and the wireless cleaner 100 is the station device ( Even if it is mounted on 200), the dust discharge operation may not be performed.

In step S2350, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure satisfies the discharge timing condition (Yes in S2320), and the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 (S2330). Yes), if the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold reduction amount (Yes in S2340), the dust discharge operation can be performed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the emission intensity or emission maintenance time is set by the user, the station device 200 may perform a dust emission operation according to the emission intensity or emission maintenance time set by the user. .

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a user can set emission timing conditions so that the dust emission operation does not occur in situations sensitive to noise, such as late at night. Additionally, the user can save energy by performing a dust discharge operation after the wireless cleaner 100 operates for a predetermined time (eg, 30 minutes) or a predetermined number of times (eg, 3 times).

Meanwhile, not all steps in FIG. 23 are required steps. For example, step S2340 may be omitted. In this case, the station device 200 satisfies the emission timing conditions regardless of the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless cleaner 100, and discharges dust when the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200. The action can be performed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 may perform a dust ejection operation in conjunction with the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100. Referring to FIG. 25, we will take a closer look at how the station device 200 performs a dust ejection operation in conjunction with the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a dust ejection operation in conjunction with the main cleaning mode of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step S2510, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may detect the mounting of the wireless cleaner 100.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 may determine whether the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200 using the docking detection sensor 209.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the battery 1500 of the cleaner body 1000 is charged through the charging terminal of the station device 200, the station device 200 charges the battery 1500 of the cleaner body 1000 through the charging terminal. The power (current) charged in the battery 1500 can be detected. Accordingly, the station device 200 can identify that the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is mounted when the power (current) charged in the battery 1500 is detected.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the battery 1500 of the cleaner main body 1000 comes into contact with the charging terminal of the station device 200, the cleaner main body 1000 detects the start of charging of the battery 1500. can do. Accordingly, when charging of the battery 1500 begins, the cleaner main body 1000 can identify that the cleaner main body 1000 is mounted (docked) on the station device 200. At this time, the cleaner main body 1000 may transmit information indicating that it is mounted on the station device 200 through short-range wireless communication (eg, BLE communication). The station device 200 may detect that the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted based on information received from the cleaner main body 1000.

In step S2520, the wireless cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure sends information about the amount of suction power reduction and the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100 to the station after being mounted on the station device 200. It can be transmitted to the device 200.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200, it can be connected to communication with the station device 200. For example, the wireless cleaner 100 may establish a short-range wireless communication channel (eg, BLE communication channel) with the station device 200.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless cleaner 100 can transmit information about the amount of suction power reduction and the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100 to the station device 200 through a short-distance wireless communication channel. there is. The main cleaning mode may mean the most used cleaning mode in the wireless vacuum cleaner 100. For example, if the user uses the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 in the strong suction mode for 15 minutes and in the medium suction mode for 5 minutes out of a total cleaning time of 20 minutes, the main cleaning mode may be the strong suction mode.

In step S2530, the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may compare the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 with the amount of decrease in the critical amount corresponding to the main cleaning mode.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the threshold reduction amount may be defined differently for each cleaning mode of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100. Referring to FIG. 26, the critical reduction amount corresponding to the strong suction mode may be 5%, the critical reduction amount corresponding to the medium suction mode may be 30%, and the critical reduction amount corresponding to the weak suction mode may be 50%. The numbers in FIG. 26 are illustrative and are not limited thereto.

Accordingly, when the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100 is the strong suction mode, the station device 200 can determine whether the decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is 5% or more. When the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100 is the intermediate suction mode, the station device 200 may determine whether the decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is 30% or more. When the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100 is a weak suction mode, the station device 200 may determine whether the decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is more than 50%.

In step S2530, if the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is greater than or equal to the threshold reduction amount corresponding to the main cleaning mode (Yes in S2530), the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure enters the main cleaning mode. Based on the corresponding discharge operation conditions, the dust discharge operation may be performed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, discharge operation conditions may be defined differently for each cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100. Referring to Figure 26, the first discharge operation condition corresponding to the strong suction mode is 'discharge intensity: 100%, power consumption: 1400W, discharge maintenance time: 30 seconds', and the second discharge operation condition corresponding to the medium suction mode. is 'Emission intensity: 85%, power consumption: 1190W, emission maintenance time: 20 seconds', and the third emission operation condition corresponding to the weak suction mode is 'Emission intensity: 70%, power consumption: 980W, emission maintenance time: It could be ‘10 seconds’.

Accordingly, the station device 200, when the main cleaning mode of the cordless cleaner 100 is the strong suction mode and the decrease in suction power of the cordless cleaner 100 is 5% or more, the first discharge operation condition (discharge intensity: 100%) , power consumption: 1190W, discharge maintenance time: 30 seconds), the dust discharge operation can be performed by driving the suction motor 207. The station device 200 sets the second discharge operation condition (discharge intensity: 85%, consumption Dust discharge operation can be performed by driving the suction motor 207 according to (power: 1190W, discharge holding time: 20 seconds). The station device 200 sets the third discharge operation condition (discharge intensity: 70%, consumption Dust discharge operation can be performed by driving the suction motor 207 according to (power: 980W, discharge holding time: 10 seconds).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the station device 200 determines whether to perform a dust discharge operation or discharge operation conditions in connection with the main cleaning mode of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100, thereby determining the user's usage pattern of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100. Dust discharge operation can be performed according to the . For example, in a cleaning environment that requires strong suction power or when the user prefers a strong suction mode, even a slight decrease in suction power needs to be dealt with immediately, so the station device 200 performs a dust discharge operation even if the decrease in suction power is small. It can be done. On the other hand, in an environment where cleaning is relatively easy or when the user prefers energy saving, low noise, or long usage time rather than strong suction power, the station device 200 can take into account a slight decrease in suction power and lengthen the dust discharge cycle.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by adaptively determining whether to perform a dust discharge operation based on the degree of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100, the cleaning performance of the wireless cleaner 100 can be properly maintained while A station device 200 that reduces energy usage due to emissions may be provided.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the dust emission operation is performed according to the user's usage pattern of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 by determining whether or not to perform the dust emission operation or the emission intensity in connection with the main cleaning mode of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100. A station device 200 may be provided.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a station device that reflects the user's intention (taste) and improves user convenience by performing a dust emission operation according to the emission timing, emission intensity, or emission maintenance time selected by the user. 200) may be provided.

The station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication interface 201 for communicating with the wireless cleaner 100; A suction motor 207 that generates suction force to suck dust from the dust bin 1200 included in the wireless vacuum cleaner 100; A collection unit 209 for collecting dust in the dust bin 1200; a memory 202 that stores information about a preset threshold reduction amount; and at least one processor 203. At least one processor 203 may receive information about the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 from the wireless cleaner 100 through the communication interface 201. When the at least one processor 203 identifies that the suction power reduction amount of the wireless cleaner 100 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold reduction amount based on the information regarding the received suction power reduction amount, the at least one processor 203 drives the suction motor 207 to drive the dust bin ( A dust discharge operation may be performed so that the dust in 1200 is discharged to the collection unit 209.

The amount of reduction in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be obtained based on a sensor measurement value measured through the pressure sensor 1400 or the flow rate sensor of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100.

The amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is determined by the pressure sensor or flow rate sensor of the wireless cleaner 100 when the brush device 2000 connected to the wireless cleaner 100 is lifted from the surface to be cleaned. It can be obtained based on sensor measurement values measured through.

The lifting state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one of a state in which the brush device 2000 is lifted above a predetermined height from the surface being cleaned during a cleaning operation or a state in which the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200. can do.

At least one processor 203 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may receive a user input for selecting a smart discharge mode in which whether to perform a dust discharge operation is determined based on the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100. . At least one processor 203 may set the discharge mode of the station device 200 to the smart discharge mode based on the received user input.

At least one processor 203 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may perform a dust ejection operation when it is identified that the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 in the smart ejection mode is greater than or equal to a preset threshold reduction amount.

At least one processor 203 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may receive information about a preset threshold reduction amount set by a user from the server device 300 or the wireless cleaner 100.

At least one processor 203 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may receive a user input for selecting one operation mode from among a plurality of operation modes of the station device 200. At least one processor 203 may select a degradation amount corresponding to the selected operation mode as a preset threshold degradation amount.

At least one processor 203 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may obtain user setting information regarding at least one of emission intensity or emission maintenance time. At least one processor 203 may control the power consumption of the suction motor 207 or the operation time of the suction motor 207 when performing the dust discharge operation, based on user setting information.

At least one processor 203 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may obtain information related to discharge timing conditions set by the user. When the discharge timing condition set by the user is satisfied, at least one processor 203 may compare the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner with a preset threshold decrease amount. When the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold reduction amount, at least one processor 203 may drive the suction motor 207 to perform a dust discharge operation.

Information related to the discharge timing condition set by the user according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one of the discharge cycle, discharge time, cumulative operation time of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100, or cumulative operation number of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100. It can be included.

At least one processor 203 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may receive information about the main cleaning mode of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 from the wireless vacuum cleaner 100. The at least one processor 203 may determine at least one of a preset threshold reduction amount, discharge intensity, or discharge time based on the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100.

At least one processor 203 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure controls the first step motor to open the door of the dust bin 1200 when the reduction in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold reduction amount. , dust discharge operation can be performed.

At least one processor 203 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may control the second step motor to close the door of the dust bin 1200 as the dust discharge operation is completed.

When detecting an input of pressing the dust discharge button for a first time, at least one processor 203 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure controls the suction motor 207 according to the discharge intensity or discharge time set by the user. Thus, a dust discharge operation can be performed. When detecting an input of pressing the dust ejection button for a second time different from the first time, the at least one processor 203 controls the suction motor 207 according to the basic ejection intensity or the basic ejection time to perform the dust ejection operation. It can be done.

A method of operating the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes receiving information about the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 from the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 through the communication interface 201 (S840). ; Comparing the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless cleaner with a preset threshold reduction amount based on the received information about the amount of suction power reduction (S850); And as a result of the comparison, if it is identified that the reduction in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner is greater than the preset critical reduction amount, the suction motor 207 is driven to collect dust in the dust bin 1200 of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 in the station device 200. It may include performing a dust discharge operation to discharge dust into the unit 209 (S860).

The amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is determined by the pressure sensor or flow rate sensor of the wireless cleaner 100 when the brush device 2000 connected to the wireless cleaner 100 is lifted from the floor. It can be obtained based on sensor measurement values measured through.

The step of performing a dust ejection operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes receiving a user input for selecting a smart ejection mode in which whether to perform the dust ejection operation is determined based on the amount of reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100; Based on the received user input, setting the discharge mode of the station device 200 to the smart discharge mode; And when it is identified that the reduction in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 in the smart discharge mode is greater than or equal to a preset threshold reduction amount, it may include performing a dust discharge operation.

A method of operating the station device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes receiving information about a preset threshold reduction amount set by a user from the server device 300 or the wireless cleaner 100; And it may include storing information about the preset threshold reduction amount in the memory 202 of the station device 200.

Performing a dust emission operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes obtaining user setting information regarding at least one of emission intensity or emission maintenance time; and controlling the power consumption of the suction motor 207 or the operation time of the suction motor 207 when performing the dust discharge operation, based on user setting information.

Performing a dust emission operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes obtaining information related to an emission timing condition set by a user; When the discharge timing condition set by the user is satisfied, comparing the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 with a preset threshold decrease amount; And, as a result of the comparison, if the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner is greater than or equal to a preset threshold reduction amount, the step may include driving the suction motor 207 to perform a dust discharge operation.

A storage medium that can be read by a device may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory storage medium' simply means that it is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g. electromagnetic waves). This term refers to cases where data is semi-permanently stored in a storage medium and temporary storage media. It does not distinguish between cases where it is stored as . For example, a 'non-transitory storage medium' may include a buffer where data is temporarily stored.

According to one embodiment, methods according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided and included in a computer program product. Computer program products are commodities and can be traded between sellers and buyers. The computer program product may be distributed on a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) or Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive), through an application store, or on two user devices. It can be distributed (e.g. downloaded or uploaded) directly between devices (e.g. smartphones) or online. In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) is stored on a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server. It can be temporarily stored or created temporarily.

Claims (20)

In the station device 200 for discharging dust from the wireless cleaner 100,
a communication interface 201 for communicating with the wireless cleaner 100;
a suction motor 207 that generates suction force to suck dust from the dust bin 1200 included in the wireless vacuum cleaner 100;
A collection unit 209 for collecting dust in the dust bin 1200;
a memory 202 that stores information about a preset threshold reduction amount; and
Comprising at least one processor 203,
The at least one processor 203,
Receiving information about the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless cleaner 100 from the wireless cleaner 100 through the communication interface 201,
When it is identified that the suction power reduction amount of the wireless cleaner 100 is greater than the preset threshold reduction amount based on the received information on the amount of suction power reduction, the suction motor 207 is driven to collect dust in the dust bin 1200. A station device (200) that performs a dust discharge operation such that the dust is discharged to the collection unit (209). The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of decrease in suction power of the cordless vacuum cleaner 100 is,
The station device 200 is obtained based on a sensor measurement value measured through the pressure sensor 1400 or the flow sensor of the wireless cleaner 100. The method of claim 2, wherein the amount of decrease in suction power of the cordless vacuum cleaner 100 is,
Station device obtained based on the sensor measurement value measured through the pressure sensor or the flow sensor of the wireless cleaner 100 when the brush device 2000 connected to the wireless cleaner 100 is lifted from the surface to be cleaned. (200). The method of claim 3, wherein the lifted state is:
The station device 200 includes at least one of a state in which the brush device 2000 is lifted above a predetermined height from the surface being cleaned during a cleaning operation, or a state in which the wireless cleaner 100 is mounted on the station device 200. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one processor (203):
Receiving a user input for selecting a smart discharge mode in which whether to perform a dust discharge operation is determined based on the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100,
Based on the received user input, set the discharge mode of the station device 200 to the smart discharge mode,
The station device 200 performs the dust discharge operation when the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 in the smart discharge mode is identified as being greater than or equal to the preset threshold reduction amount. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one processor (203):
A station device (200) that receives information about the preset threshold reduction amount set by a user from the server device (300) or the wireless vacuum cleaner (100). The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one processor (203):
Receiving a user input for selecting one operation mode among a plurality of operation modes of the station device 200,
The station device 200 selects a degradation amount corresponding to the selected operation mode as the preset threshold degradation amount. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one processor (203):
Obtain user-set information regarding at least one of emission intensity or emission retention time,
The station device 200 controls the power consumption of the suction motor 207 or the operation time of the suction motor 207 when performing the dust discharge operation, based on the user setting information. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one processor (203):
Obtain information related to discharge timing conditions set by the user,
When the discharge timing condition set by the user is satisfied, the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless cleaner is compared with the preset threshold reduction amount,
As a result of the comparison, if the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is greater than or equal to the preset threshold reduction amount, the station device 200 drives the suction motor 207 to perform the dust discharge operation. The method of claim 9, wherein information related to discharge timing conditions set by the user is,
A station device (200) including at least one of a discharge cycle, an discharge time, a cumulative operation time of the wireless cleaner (100), or a cumulative number of operations of the wireless cleaner (100). 11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one processor (203):
Receiving information about the main cleaning mode of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100 from the wireless vacuum cleaner 100,
The station device (200) determines at least one of the preset threshold reduction amount, discharge intensity, or discharge time based on the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner (100). 12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one processor (203):
When the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is greater than or equal to the preset threshold reduction amount, the dust discharge operation is performed by controlling the first step motor to open the door of the dust bin 1200,
As the dust discharge operation is completed, the station device 200 controls a second step motor to close the door of the dust bin 1200. 13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the at least one processor (203):
When detecting an input of pressing the dust discharge button for a first time, performing the dust discharge operation by controlling the suction motor 207 according to the discharge intensity or discharge time set by the user,
When detecting an input of pressing the dust discharge button for a second time different from the first time, the station device performs the dust discharge operation by controlling the suction motor 207 according to the basic discharge intensity or basic discharge time. (200). In the method of operating the station device 200 for discharging dust from the wireless vacuum cleaner 100,
Receiving information about a decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 from the wireless cleaner 100 through the communication interface 201 of the station device 200 (S840);
Comparing the amount of suction power reduction of the wireless cleaner 100 with a preset threshold reduction amount based on the received information about the amount of suction power reduction (S850); and
As a result of the comparison, if it is identified that the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is greater than the preset threshold reduction amount, the suction motor 207 of the station device 200 is driven to remove the dust bin of the wireless cleaner 100. A method of operating the station 200, including a step (S860) of performing a dust discharge operation so that the dust of the 1200 is discharged to the collection unit 209 of the station device 200. The method of claim 14, wherein the amount of decrease in suction power of the cordless vacuum cleaner 100 is:
The station device 200 is obtained based on a sensor measurement value measured through a pressure sensor or flow sensor of the wireless cleaner 100 when the brush device 2000 connected to the wireless cleaner 100 is lifted from the floor. ) operation method. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein performing the dust evacuation operation comprises:
Receiving a user input for selecting a smart discharge mode in which whether to perform a dust discharge operation is determined based on a decrease in suction power of the wireless vacuum cleaner 100;
Based on the received user input, setting the discharge mode of the station device 200 to the smart discharge mode; and
A method of operating the station device 200, comprising performing the dust discharge operation when the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 in the smart discharge mode is identified as being greater than or equal to the preset threshold reduction amount. The method of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the operating method of the station device 200 includes:
Receiving information about the preset threshold reduction amount set by the user from the server device 300 or the wireless vacuum cleaner 100; and
A method of operating a station device (200), further comprising storing information regarding the preset threshold reduction amount in a memory (202) of the station device (200). The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein performing the dust ejection operation includes:
Obtaining user-set information regarding at least one of emission intensity or emission retention time; and
A method of operating the station device 200, including controlling the power consumption of the suction motor 207 or the operation time of the suction motor 207 when performing the dust discharge operation, based on the user setting information. 19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein performing the dust ejection operation comprises:
Obtaining information related to discharge timing conditions set by the user;
When the discharge timing condition set by the user is satisfied, comparing the amount of decrease in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 with the preset threshold decrease amount; and
As a result of the comparison, if the reduction in suction power of the wireless cleaner 100 is greater than or equal to the preset threshold reduction amount, the station device 200 includes the step of driving the suction motor 207 to perform the dust discharge operation. How it works. The method of any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the operating method of the station device 200 includes:
Receiving information about the main cleaning mode of the wireless vacuum cleaner (100) from the wireless vacuum cleaner (100); and
A method of operating the station device 200, further comprising determining at least one of the preset threshold reduction amount, discharge intensity, or discharge time based on the main cleaning mode of the wireless cleaner 100.

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