U.S. patent application number 12/782111 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-25 for cleaning apparatus and detecting method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE. Invention is credited to Long-Der CHEN, Yu-Liang CHUNG, Chun-Chieh WANG, Tung-Chuan WU.
Application Number | 20100293742 12/782111 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43123560 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100293742 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHUNG; Yu-Liang ; et
al. |
November 25, 2010 |
CLEANING APPARATUS AND DETECTING METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
The disclosure provides a cleaning apparatus and detecting
method thereof. The cleaning apparatus includes a fan, a motor, a
detecting device and a control unit. The motor drives the fan to
create an air flow through the cleaning apparatus. The detecting
device is electrically connected to the motor, and is utilized
detected an impedance of the motor. The control unit is
electrically connected to the motor and the detecting device
respectively, for comparing the impedance of the motor with a
predetermined value and outputting a signal indicative of a
comparison result.
Inventors: |
CHUNG; Yu-Liang; (Taipei
City, TW) ; WU; Tung-Chuan; (Hsinchu City, TW)
; WANG; Chun-Chieh; (Banqiao City, TW) ; CHEN;
Long-Der; (Hsinchu City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN HAM & BERNER, LLP
1700 DIAGONAL ROAD, SUITE 300
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH
INSTITUTE
Hsinchu
TW
|
Family ID: |
43123560 |
Appl. No.: |
12/782111 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/339 ; 324/649;
356/237.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/19 20130101; G01N
21/534 20130101; A47L 9/2842 20130101; A47L 9/2815 20130101; A47L
9/2831 20130101; A47L 9/2857 20130101; A47L 9/2889 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/339 ; 324/649;
356/237.3 |
International
Class: |
A47L 5/00 20060101
A47L005/00; G01R 27/28 20060101 G01R027/28; G01N 21/00 20060101
G01N021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 21, 2009 |
TW |
098116839 |
Claims
1. A cleaning apparatus, comprising: a fan; a motor for driving the
fan to create an air flow through the cleaning apparatus; a
detecting device electrically connected to the motor to detect an
impedance of the motor; and a control unit electrically connected
to the detecting device, for comparing the impedance of the motor
with a predetermined value and outputting a signal indicative of a
comparison result.
2. The cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising: a dust collecting unit positioned in a path of the air
flow to trap dust from the air, wherein the signal indicates a
state of the dust collecting unit or the filter.
3. The cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further
comprising: an indicator electrically connected to the control unit
to be activated by the control unit when the signal indicates that
a volume occupied by dust inside the dust collecting unit has
reached a predetermined level.
4. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a housing
receiving the fan and having an inlet for the air flow; and at
least one optical sensor disposed in the inlet of the housing to
detect the amount of dust passing through the inlet; wherein the at
least one optical sensor and the control unit are configured to
determine a dust covered surface area of the at least one optical
sensor.
5. The cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further
comprising: a blowing device for directing exhaust air from the fan
to a sensing surface of the at least one optical sensor to blow
dust off the sensing surface.
6. The cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
blowing device comprises an air outlet located under the optical
sensor.
7. The cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further
comprising: a valve electrically connected to the control unit for
controlling the exhaust air flowing through the blowing device.
8. The cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at
least one optical sensor comprises multiple optical sensors
positioned at different locations in the inlet for detecting dust
levels at said different locations, the control unit being
electrically connected to said optical sensors for controlling a
cleaning operation of the cleaning apparatus based on the detected
dust levels received from said optical sensors.
9. The cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
control unit comprises a band pass filter leaching off the
electrical noise from the motor.
10. The cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the band
pass filter is a multi-stage circuit having a gain of 2.+-.3%, a
center frequency at 110.+-.3% Hz, a 3.+-.3% dB bandwidth of
90.+-.3% kHz, and an electronic bandwidth from 20 kHz to 200
kHz.
11. The cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
control unit comprises a pulse extension device for adjusting a
sampling frequency of the signal from the detecting device.
12. The cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising: a warning member to be activated by the control unit
when the signal indicates that the impedance of the motor is higher
than the predetermined value.
13. A method for debris detection in a cleaning apparatus, said
method comprising: measuring an impedance of a motor of a fan of
the cleaning apparatus; determining a level of debris accumulation
in the cleaning apparatus based on the impedance of the motor; and
issuing a signal indicative of the level of debris accumulation
exceeding a predetermined value.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: stopping
the motor in response to said signal.
15. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:
determining a dust covered surface area of an optical sensor, and
controlling a cleaning operation of the cleaning apparatus based on
the determined dust covered surface area.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising: blowing
exhaust air of the fan at the sensing surface of the optical sensor
before said determining the dust covered surface area.
17. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:
arranging multiple optical sensors at different locations in the
inlet for detecting the sensing surface at said different
locations; wherein the cleaning operation of the cleaning apparatus
is controlled based on the determined dust covered surface areas
received from said optical sensors.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said controlling
comprises: turning the cleaning apparatus to a direction of the
optical sensor with the determined dust covered surface areas
larger than those determined by the other optical sensors.
19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said controlling
further comprises: adjusting at least one of suction power and a
moving speed of the cleaning apparatus in said direction.
20. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein a turning radius of
the cleaning apparatus is equal to a length of the inlet.
21. A cleaning apparatus, comprising: a housing having an inlet; a
fan within the housing for creating an air flow into the housing
through the inlet; at least one optical sensor disposed in the
inlet of the housing to determined a dust covered surface area of a
sensing surface of the at least one optical sensor; and a blowing
device for directing exhaust air of the fan to the sensing surface
of the at least one optical sensor to blow debris off said sensing
surface.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims priority of Taiwan Patent
Application No. 098116839, filed on May 21, 2009, the entirety of
which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The disclosure relates to cleaning apparatus and detecting
method, and in particular relates to an auto-cleaning device and
detecting method.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Particles detection technology is currently being used in
traditional vacuum cleaners, air cleaners, self-propelled vacuum
cleaners, and clean rooms. The detection of amount of particles and
environmental control is to make cleaning more efficient. With a
simple and effective way to measure the amount of dust and the
size, the cleaning performed by the traditional vacuum cleaners,
air cleaners, or self-propelled vacuum cleaners can be more
efficient, and thus it can promote environment protection by
energy-saving and carbon emission reduction.
[0005] Known particle detection technology can be broadly divided
into the following three categories:
(1) Optical detection: The main principle is to use a pair of
optical transmitter and receiver devices, where each receiver
detects intensity of light emitted by the corresponding optical
transmitter. In principle, the detected intensity increases when
the density of dust grains declines, thereby identifying the amount
of dust present. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,082, optical
sensors are used to detect dust. Further, in U.S. Pat. No.
5,608,944 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,422, circuits of signal
processing, such as amplification, filtering, and other methods,
are introduced to improve the sensor's sensitivity. (2)
Pressure-Difference detection: The principle determines whether the
filter needs to be replaced or the amount of waste dust collection
box is full by comparing the pressure difference between the dust
collection box and the suction inlet. (3) Piezoelectric pressure
sensing: The PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate) pressure sensing element
is placed at the inner wall of the vacuum suction inlet. The amount
of dust inhaled is determined by the pressures applied to the PZT
pressure sensing element by the impact of dust.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In an embodiment, the cleaning apparatus includes a fan, a
motor, a detecting device, and a control unit. The motor is for
driving the fan to create an air flow through the cleaning
apparatus; the detecting device is electrically connected to the
motor to detect an impedance of the motor; and the control unit is
electrically connected to the detecting device, for comparing the
impedance of the motor with a predetermined value and outputting a
signal indicative of a comparison result.
[0007] In another embodiment, the cleaning apparatus further
includes a dust collecting unit positioned in a path of the air
flow to trap dust from the air, and the signal indicates a state of
the dust collecting unit or filter.
[0008] In another embodiment, the cleaning apparatus further
includes a blowing device for directing exhaust air of the fan to a
sensing surface of the at least one optical sensor.
[0009] In another embodiment, a method for debris detection in a
cleaning apparatus includes measuring an impedance of a motor of a
fan of the cleaning apparatus; determining a level of debris
accumulation in the cleaning apparatus based on the impedance of
the motor; and issuing a signal indicative of the level of debris
accumulation exceeding a predetermined value.
[0010] In another embodiment, a method for debris detection in a
cleaning apparatus includes arranging multiple optical sensors at
different locations in the inlet for detecting the sensing surface
at said different locations. The cleaning operation of the cleaning
apparatus is controlled based on the determined dust covered
surface areas received from said optical sensors.
[0011] While the disclosure has been described by way of example
and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood
that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention can be more fully understood by
reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with
references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus
according to an embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 1b is an explosive view of a cleaning apparatus
according to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1a;
[0015] FIG. 1c is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus
according to another embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 1d is an explosive view of a cleaning apparatus
according to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1c;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of a cleaning apparatus
according to an embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 3a is a block diagram of the control unit according to
the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 3b is a function diagram of the band pass filter
according to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3a;
[0020] FIG. 3c is a block diagram of the control unit according to
another embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an intake of the
cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a detecting method of a cleaning
apparatus according to an embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a detecting method of a cleaning
apparatus according to another embodiment; and
[0024] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a detecting method of a cleaning
apparatus according to yet another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The descriptions below are made to illustrate exemplary
embodiments of the disclosure. It is noted that the drawings of the
disclosure are not to scale. The drawings are intended to depict
only typical aspects of the disclosure, and therefore should not be
considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In the
drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the
drawings.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1a, 1b and FIG. 2, cleaning apparatus 1
includes a housing 10, a fan 20, a motor 30, a detecting device 40,
a control unit 50, two pairs of optics sensor 60, a dust collecting
unit 70, three warning members 80, four blowing devices 90, and a
driving system 110. Although, in the following illustration,
cleaning apparatus 1 is sometimes referred to as an auto-cleaning
device, in some embodiments, cleaning apparatus 1 can be a vacuum
cleaner or an air cleaning machine. Thus, other embodiments are
also within the scope of the following claims.
[0027] The housing 10 substantially encloses the fan 20, the motor
30, the detecting is device 40, and the control unit 50 therein.
Further, the housing 10 has an inlet 11, which has a shape of a
long strip and includes a left area 11a and a right area 11b.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1a, the motor 30 is configured to drive
the fan 20 to create an air flow through the cleaning apparatus so
that dust can be sucked in through the inlet 11. The motor 30 is
set below the fan 20 inside the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the
motor 30 is coupled to the fan 20 in order to drive the fan 20.
[0029] The detecting device 40 is disposed beside the control unit
50 and the motor 30 inside the housing 10, and is electrically
connected to the motor 30 and the control unit 50, respectively, in
order to detect the an impendence of the motor 30. In some
embodiments, if the motor 30 is a brushless motor, the detecting
device 40 is integrated into the circuit of the brushless
motor.
[0030] The control unit 50 is disposed below the motor 30 inside
the housing 10, and is electrically connected to the motor 30, the
detecting device 40, and the driving system 110, respectively, in
order to control the operation of the fan 20 and the moving speed
of the cleaning apparatus 1. The control unit 50 is configured to
compare the detected impedance of the motor with a predetermined
value and output a signal indicative of the comparison result.
[0031] The detecting device 40 of the cleaning apparatus 1
according to at least one embodiment is configured to detect an
impedance of the motor 30 for measuring debris accumulation inside
a dust collecting unit. The dust collecting unit could include a
filter 72 and a box 71. The impedance of the motor 30 increases
when the debris accumulation inside the dust collecting unit or the
blockage of the air outlet and inlet increases. When the voltage of
the motor 30 is fixed, it leads to the decrease of the current and
increase of the resistance. The resistance of the motor 30 can be
measured after the current value of the motor 30 detected by the
detecting device 40. In some embodiments, the detecting device is a
current detecting device that detects a current value of the fan.
When the detecting device detects a current value that is below a
predetermined current value, the control unit 50 may stop driving
the motor 30.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 3a, in at least one embodiment, the control
unit 50 including a band-pass filter 51, an amplifier 52, a pulse
expander 53, an analog/digital converter 54, and a micro controller
55. The band-pass filter 51 is a multi-level filter circuit that is
configured to remove the electronic noise from other components
(e.g. the motor 30). In one embodiment, as FIG. 3b shown, the
band-pass filter 51 is a four-level filter circuit, including a
high-pass filter 51a, a low-pass filter 51b, a band-pass circuit
51c, and a wave-shaping circuit 51d. In some embodiments, regarding
the band-pass filter 51, the gain is 2.+-.3%, the central frequency
is 110 kHz.+-.3%, the bandwidth of 3 dB is 90 kHz.+-.3%, and an
electronic bandwidth is 20 kHz.about.200 kHz. It should be realized
that although the embodiment disclosed herein is a four-level
filter circuit, it is not limited to such design. Any other circuit
design is workable as long as the gain, central frequency, 3 dB
bandwidth, and electronic bandwidth comply with standards
previously stated.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3a, the amplifier 52 amplifies signals
from the band-pass filter 51; the pulse expander 53 adjusts the
sampling frequency of signals from other components (ex: optical
sensor 60); the analog/digital converter 54 performs a
analog/digital conversion for signals from other components; and
the micro controller 55 utilizes signals processed by the
analog/digital converter 54 to control the suction and the moving
speed of the cleaning apparatus 1. Furthermore, in some
embodiments, it is also desirable to utilize PWM (Pulse Width
Modulation) to control the suction and the moving speed stated
above. When the cleaning apparatus 1 detects a rather dusty
condition, it will be adjusted to have a stronger suction power and
slower moving speed, therefore improving the cleaning
efficiency.
[0034] It should be realized that internal configuration of control
unit 50 is not limited to the way FIG. 3a shown. Any configuration
accomplished substantially the same result is desirable. For
example, FIG. 3c shows another example of the control unit. The
control unit 50' includes two band-pass filters 51, two amplifiers
52, a pulse expander 53, an analog/digital converter 54, a micro
controller 55, and a comparator 56. The difference between the
control unit 50' in FIG. 3c and the control unit 50 in FIG. 3a is
that the control unit 50' further includes a comparator 56. The
comparator 56 compares the signal after the suction operation is
commenced with the signal before the suction motion is
commenced.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 1a, two pairs of optical sensors 60 are
disposed inside the inlet 11 of the housing 10, in order to detect
the amount of duct passing though the inlet. While the surface area
of any of the two optical sensors 60 is covered by dust over a
predetermined percentage (ex: over 90%), the control unit 50 ceases
the motor 30 that drives the fan 20. The two optical sensors 60 are
separately disposed on the left area 11a and the right area 11b
inside the inlet 11. It should be realized that although the
embodiment disclosed herein utilizes two optical sensors, the
number of optical sensor is not limited to two, and it's also
desirable to change the number of optical sensors used.
[0036] As FIG. 4 shown, each optical sensor 60 comprises a
transmitter 61 and a receiver 62, wherein the transmitter 61 and
the receiver 62 are placed facing each other inside the inlet 11.
It is realized that the location of transmitter 61 and receiver 62
is not limited to what figures illustrated. Referring FIG. 1c and
FIG. 1d, in some embodiments, the transmitter 61 and receiver 62
are disposed in a manner that they both face the same direction. In
that case, the receiver 62 receives signals from the transmitter 61
by reflection.
[0037] Referring FIG. 1a, the dust collecting unit 70, which is
positioned in a path of the air flow to trap dust from air inhaled
by to the fan 20, comprises a box 71 and a filter 72. When the
control unit 50 ceases the motor 30 that drives the fan 20, the
dust collecting unit 70 is configured to be cleaned up. That is,
the box 71 is cleaned and/or the filter 72 is replaced by another
one.
[0038] Referring FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the cleaning
apparatus. There are three warning members 80 disposed on the
housing 10 and electrically connected to the control unit 50. The
warning member 80 is activated (e.g. switched on) by the control
unit 50 when the signal indicates that the impedance of the motor
is higher than the predetermined value. In some embodiments, three
warning members 80 may be light emitting diodes respectively and
can emit light when switched on by the control unit 50. In some
other embodiments, the warning member 80 can be buzzers,
indicators, or other devices according to various applications.
Also, although only three warning members 80 are depicted for an
exemplary embodiment, the number of the warning members 80 can be
more or less than three.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an intake of the
cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment. In some embodiments,
there are two blowing devices 90 is for directing exhaust air from
the fan 20 to a sensing surface of the at least one optical sensor
(not shown in figures) to blow dust off said sensing surface for
preventing the optical sensor 60 from being affected by the dust
coverage. Each blowing device contains one air outlet 90a. The two
air outlets 90a respectively located under the transmitter 61 and
the receiver 62. The two blowing devices 90 are separately
connecting to the air outlet (not shown in figures) of the fan 20.
The a portion of air-exhaust of the fan 20 is guided to and blows
through the air outlet 90a to the transmitter 61 and the receiver
62 for cooling the transmitter 61 and /or the receiver 62 and
reducing the coverage of the dust. Each of the blowing devices 90
includes a valve 91 as depicted in FIG. 1. The valve 91
electrically connected with the control unit 50 to control the
exhaust air flowing through the blowing device 90. The air outlet
90a can be located under the transmitter 61 and the receiver 62 in
this exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4. The air outlet 90a can also be
located on the side part of the transmitter 61 and the receiver 62.
The location of air outlet 90a can be adjusted as long as the
exhaust air of the air outlet 90a can blow to the transmitter 61
and the receiver 62.
[0040] The driving system 110 for moving the auto-cleaning device
is disposed on the housing 10, connected to the fan 20 and the
motor 30 in the way as depicted in FIG. 1a, and electrically
connected with the control unit 50 in the way as depicted in FIG.
2. Note that the arrangement of every element in the housing are
not limited to these embodiments depicted by the figures.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, it is a flowchart of a detecting method
of the cleaning apparatus. The step of method comprises: turning on
the power of the cleaning apparatus 1(S11), measuring the impedance
of the motor 30 by the detecting device 40(S12), determining a
level of debris accumulation in the cleaning apparatus 1 based on
the impedance of the motor 30(S13). When the level of debris
accumulation exceeds a predetermined value, the process proceeds to
Step S14. Then, a signal indicative of the level of debris
accumulation exceeding a predetermined value is issued (in one or
more embodiments to the warning member 80 such as light emitting
diodes or buzzers), and stop the motor 30(S14). Then, the power of
the cleaning apparatus 1 is turned off and the dust collecting unit
70 is cleaned (S15).
[0042] In one embodiment, Step 4 (S14) is to issue a signal when
the level of debris accumulation reaches 80% of the space inside
the box 71. The predetermined percentage value of the space inside
the box 71 can be adjusted according to various applications.
[0043] In one or more embodiments, to decide when to clean the dust
collecting unit 70 by using the impedance value of the motor 30 can
improve the efficiency of the cleaning apparatus 1.
[0044] There are three warning members 80 are disposed on the
housing 10, and electrical connected with the control unit 50. When
the control unit 50 determines that motor 30 for the fan 20 need to
be stopped, the control unit 50 activates one or more warning
members 80. In some embodiments, the warning members 80 are
light-emitting diodes. When the control unit 50 activates one or
more warning members 80, the light-emitting diodes (i.e. the
warning members 80 being activated) emit light. Although only three
warning members 80 are depicted in the exemplary embodiment, in
some other embodiments, there can be more or less than three
warning members 80 disposed on the housing 10. Further, the warning
members 80 disclosed in the exemplary embodiment are light-emitting
diodes. However, in some other embodiments, the warning members 80
can be light-emitting diodes, buzzers, other indictors, and/or
combination thereof.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a detecting method
in a cleaning apparatus. The detecting method comprises some steps
as follows. First, power the cleaning apparatus 1 on in step S21.
Next, in step S22, detect the amount of dust passing through an
inlet 11 of the cleaning apparatus 1 and a sensing surface of an
optical sensor 60 by the optical sensor 60. After that, in step
S23, determine a dust covered surface area of the optical sensor
60. In detail, optical sensor 60 senses the status of the sensing
surface. When a percentage of the sensing surface which dust
covered exceed a predetermined value, such as 90% in some
embodiments, the optical sensor 60 outputs a sensing signal to the
control unit 50, then go to step S24. In an embodiment, the sensing
surface may separate to several equal grids. By counting the number
of the grids which dust covered on the sensing surface, it may
obtain the percentage to determine a dust or garbage covered
surface area of the optical sensor. In some embodiments, a cleaning
operation of the cleaning apparatus is controlled based on the
determined dust covered surface area. In step S24, when the control
unit 50 receives the sensing signal, the motor 30 is stopped and a
warning member 80 is activated. Finally, power off the cleaning
apparatus 1 and clean a dust collecting unit 70 of the cleaning
apparatus 1 in step S25.
[0046] Before the step S23, in some embodiments, a blowing device
90 can be activated and used to blow exhaust air of the fan 20 at
the sensing surface of the optical sensor 60 before said
determining the dust covered surface area to decrease the amount of
dust or garbage covered on the sensing surface of the optical
sensor 60. It may prevent the sensitivity of the optical sensor 60
from degrading. In addition, in at least one embodiment, the
predetermined value is 90%, but the predetermined value may change
in various applications. It is not limited hereto.
[0047] The detecting method in a cleaning apparatus which said
before may determine when to clean the dust collecting unit 70 of
the cleaning apparatus 1 by detecting status of the sensing surface
of the optical sensor 60. It may increase the efficiency of the
cleaning apparatus 1 when the cleaning apparatus 1 is working.
[0048] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a detecting
method of a cleaning apparatus. In an embodiment, the detecting
method may apply to an auto-cleaning device. The auto-cleaning
device comprises multiple optical sensors arranged at different
locations in the inlet for detecting the sensing surface at said
different locations. Take FIG. 1c and FIG. 1d for example, there
are two optical sensors 62' and 61' arranged at a left area 11a and
a right area 11b of the inlet, respectively, and a cleaning
operation of the cleaning apparatus 1 is controlled based on the
determined dust covered surface areas received from said optical
sensors 60'. The detecting method comprises some steps as follows.
First, in step S31, power the cleaning apparatus 1 on. When a dust
collecting unit 70 of the cleaning apparatus 1 needs not to be
cleaned, the cleaning apparatus 1 remains in a walking mode. Next,
in step S32, detect the amount of dust passing through an inlet 11
of the cleaning apparatus 1 and sensing surfaces of the optical
sensors 62' and 61' by the optical sensors 60'. Then, compare with
the determined dust covered surface areas received from the optical
sensors. In an embodiment, the cleaning apparatus 1 turns to a
direction where an optical sensor has a dust covered surface area
larger than another optical sensor in step S33. For example, when
the determined dust covered surface area of the optical sensor 62'
at the left area 11a larger then the determined dust covered
surface area of the optical sensor 61' at the right area 11b, the
cleaning apparatus 1 turns left. On the contrary, when the
determined dust covered surface area of the optical sensor 61' at
the right area 11b larger then the determined dust covered surface
area of the optical sensor 62' at the right area 11a, cleaning
apparatus 1 turns right. In addition, the cleaning operation of the
cleaning apparatus 1 further adjusts at least one suction power
and/or a moving speed of the cleaning apparatus 1 in said
direction.
[0049] Before the step S32, a blowing device 90 may be activated to
blow exhaust air of the fan 20 at the sensing surface of the
optical sensors 60'. It may prevent the sensitivity of the optical
sensors 60' from degrading. Furthermore, in some embodiments, when
the cleaning apparatus 1 turns to said direction, a turning radius
of the cleaning apparatus 1 is equal to a length of the inlet
11.
[0050] By the detecting method in a cleaning apparatus set forth
above, the cleaning apparatus may decide which side is dirtier
based on determined dust covered surface area of the optical
sensors 62' and 61' at the left area 11a and the right area 11b
respectively. It may increase the cleaning efficiency of the
cleaning apparatus 1.
[0051] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *