Vacuum cleaner and method of determining type of floor surface being cleaned thereby
US5144715A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 14, 1990 |
| Grant date | Sep 8, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47L9/2857
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner and method for determining the kind of floor surface being cleaned by a vacuum cleaner wherein dust amount per unit interval is detected and dust detection change patterns are analyzed for determining floor type. This analysis is based on the following assumptions: smooth and carpet surfaces can be distinguished by dust detection patterns for an interval of several seconds. On the smooth surface, almost all of the dust at one place is picked up during an early stage of the interval. On the other hand, on a carpet floor, dust is picked up continuously. On a new carpet, many piles detach during vacuuming. Thus, if dust detection is continuous over several seconds it may be assumed that, the carpet is a new carpet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.