BLOWER DEVICE AND VACUUM CLEANER INCLUDING THE SAME

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a by-pass continuation application of International Application No. PCT/KR2025/013766, filed on Sep. 5, 2025, which is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0120493, filed on Sep. 5, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0134892, filed on Oct. 4, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein their entireties.

Technical Field

An embodiment of the disclosure relates to a blower device and a vacuum cleaner including the same.

BACKGROUND ART

A cordless vacuum cleaner is a type of vacuum cleaner that receives power from a built-in battery without the need for connecting a cord to an outlet. A cordless vacuum cleaner includes a suction motor that generates suction power, and may suck in foreign objects, such as dust, together with air from a vacuum cleaner head (brush) through the suction power generated by the suction motor, and collect the sucked dust or foreign objects while separating the air therefrom.

Recently, various types of vacuum cleaner heads (such as brushes) are becoming available for cordless vacuum cleaners. The brushes for cordless vacuum cleaners may be divided into main brushes, which are generally used for cleaning floors, and auxiliary brushes, which are used for special purposes. To enable application to various cleaning environments, the types of auxiliary brushes used for special purposes are becoming subdivided.

Various types of auxiliary brushes may include a wet mop brush, a bedding cleaning brush, a pet cleaning brush, and a niche brush for cleaning tight areas, and a blower device.

Meanwhile, as an example of an auxiliary brush, a blower device is a device for discharging a gas such as air at a predetermined pressure, and may blow foreign objects positioned in narrow areas or areas difficult for users to reach. The blower device may be disposed to be detachably coupled to or removed from a main body of a cordless vacuum cleaner. The cordless vacuum cleaner may suck foreign objects blown by the blower device into a dust container connected to the main body, so that the user may easily remove foreign objects accumulated in a predetermined area.

The above-described information may be provided as related art for the purpose of helping understanding of the disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the foregoing is applicable as background art in relation to the disclosure.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Solution to Problems

A vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure may provide a blower device that is disposed to be connectable to a main body of the cleaner.

A vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure may identify whether a blower device is coupled, and selectively drive a blower motor and a suction motor disposed inside the main body of the cleaner in response to whether the blower device is coupled.

Aspects of embodiments of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner main body; a suction motor inside the cleaner main body; a battery; a blower device configured to be couplable to the cleaner main body, the blower device including: a blower motor, a blower fan configured to rotate based on driving force generated from the blower motor, and a connector configured to be couplable and electrically connectable to the cleaner main body; and a controller to control driving of the blower device, the controller configured to identify whether the blower device is coupled to the cleaner main body, and, in response to identifying that the blower device is coupled to the cleaner main body, control driving power from the battery to be supplied through the connector to the blower device.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, provided is a method of controlling a vacuum cleaner including a cleaner main body, a suction motor inside the cleaner main body, a battery, a blower device configured to be couplable to the cleaner main body, the blower device including a blower motor, a blower fan configured to rotate based on driving force generated from the blower motor, and a connector configured to be couplable and electrically connectable to the cleaner main body, the method including identifying whether the blower device is coupled to the cleaner main body; in response to identifying that the blower device is coupled to the cleaner main body, identifying whether the suction motor is driving; when the suction motor is identified as driving, stopping driving of the suction motor; and supplying driving power from the battery through the connector to the blower motor.

The disclosure is not limited to the foregoing embodiments but various modifications or changes may rather be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings listed below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner in a state in which a blower device is coupled to an extension pipe according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner in a state in which a blower device is coupled to a main body of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a blower device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a blower device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a blower device coupled with a discharge nozzle according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an operational flowchart for a vacuum cleaner to control driving of a blower device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an operational flowchart for a vacuum cleaner to generate a notification for instructing management of a filter of a blower device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a signaling diagram illustrated from a perspective of signal transmission between a vacuum cleaner and a blower device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a signaling diagram illustrated from a perspective of signal transmission between a vacuum cleaner and a blower device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a control panel of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a control panel of a vacuum cleaner and a user interface displayed on the control panel according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a control panel of a vacuum cleaner and a user interface displayed on the control panel according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a control panel of a vacuum cleaner and a user interface displayed on the control panel according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a control panel of a vacuum cleaner and a user interface displayed on the control panel according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a control panel of a vacuum cleaner and a user interface displayed on the control panel according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the disclosure to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order).

Unless mentioned otherwise in the disclosure, “forward/backward direction”, “left/right direction”, and “upper/lower direction” in the disclosure may be defined with respect to the direction in which the vacuum cleaner (e.g., the vacuum cleaner 1 of FIG. 13) is disposed. For example, in a state in which the extension pipe (e.g., the extension pipe 30 of FIG. 13) of the vacuum cleaner 1 is disposed in the vertical direction, the direction which the dust container (e.g., the dust container 20 of FIG. 1) included in the vacuum cleaner 1 faces may be defined as a forward direction of the vacuum cleaner 1, and the direction which the battery mount (e.g., the battery mount 12 of FIG. 13) of the vacuum cleaner 1 faces may be defined as a backward direction of the vacuum cleaner 1. For example, in a state in which the extension pipe 30 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is disposed in the vertical direction, the direction which the control panel (e.g., the control panel 16 of FIG. 1) of the vacuum cleaner 1 faces may be defined as an upper side of the vacuum cleaner 1, and the suction head (e.g., the suction head 40 of FIG. 13) of the vacuum cleaner 1 faces may be defined as a lower side of the vacuum cleaner 1. For example, when the dust container 20 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is viewed from the front, the left side of the vacuum cleaner 1 may be defined as a left direction, and the right side of the vacuum cleaner 1 may be defined as a right direction.

However, in the disclosure, “forward/backward direction,” “left/right direction,” and “up/down direction” may be used based on the illustrated drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited thereby.

According to an embodiment, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities. Some of the plurality of entities may be separately disposed in different components.

The cordless vacuum cleaner (e.g., the vacuum cleaner 1 of FIG. 1) described below may be understood as an example to help understand the disclosure, and it may be understood that various changes may be made thereto. Further, in some of the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated rather than being shown at the actual scale to help understand the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner in a state in which a blower device 100 is coupled to an extension pipe according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner in a state in which a blower device 100 is coupled to a main body of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, a cleaner 1 may include a cleaner main body 10, a dust container 20 for receiving foreign objects such as dust, an extension pipe 30 detachably coupled to the cleaner main body 10, a suction head 40 for sucking foreign objects, and a battery 50.

According to an embodiment, the cleaner main body 10 may include a battery mount 12, a handle unit 14, a control panel 16, a suction motor (e.g., the suction motor 650 of FIG. 6), and a filter unit 18.

According to an embodiment, the battery mount 12 may be configured so that the battery 50 is mounted and fixed to the cleaner main body 10. The battery mount 12 may be configured so that the battery 50 is mounted in an upper/lower direction, for example. The battery mount 12 may be formed, e.g., at the rear portion of the cleaner main body 10.

According to an embodiment, the handle unit 14 may be configured to allow the user to manipulate the vacuum cleaner 1 by gripping the vacuum cleaner 1. The user may, e.g., clean the surface to be cleaned (e.g., the floor surface) by moving the vacuum cleaner 1 in the forward/backward direction after gripping the handle portion 14.

According to an embodiment, the control panel 16 may be provided to receive various commands related to the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 from the user. The control panel 16 may include, e.g., an input device (e.g., the input button 621 of FIG. 6) such as a button, a switch, or a touch panel and a display device (e.g., the display 623 of FIG. 6) such as a display. For example, the control panel 16 may be implemented as a touch screen panel (TSP), so that the input device and the display device may be integrally formed. The control panel 16 may include, e.g., a power button (e.g., the power button 621a of FIG. 9) that adjusts turn-on or turn-off of the vacuum cleaner 1. The control panel 16 may include, e.g., a function button (e.g., the function buttons 621b and 621c of FIG. 9) for changing the operation mode of the vacuum cleaner 1.

According to an embodiment, the power button 621a may receive a user input for activating the function of the coupling nozzle in response to the type of the coupling nozzle coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30. For example, the blower device 100 of FIGS. 2A and 2B may be coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30, and the blower device 100 may be turned on as the power button 621a is pressed.

According to an embodiment, the power button 621a may receive a user input for selecting a command for the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1. For example, the power button 621a may identify a notification displayed on the display 623 and receive a user input for returning to the previous user interface.

According to an embodiment, the function buttons 621b and 621c may receive a user input for adjusting the suction power of the vacuum cleaner 1. For example, the function buttons 621b and 621c may include a button for changing the cleaning modes including normal mode/strong mode/super-strong mode that determines the suction intensity (or cleaning power) of the vacuum cleaner 1. The suction intensity of the cleaner may be set in descending order of strength: super strong mode, strong mode, and normal mode.

According to an embodiment, the function buttons 621b and 621c may activate functions corresponding to the type of the coupling nozzle coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30 and receive a user input for adjusting the intensity of the activated function. For example, when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30, the function buttons 621b and 621c may receive a user input to change the operation mode of the blower device 100. For example, when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30, the function buttons 621b and 621c may receive a user input to adjust the intensity of the operation mode of the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the display 623 may display operation information and state information about the vacuum cleaner 1. For example, the display 623 may display the driving mode and driving intensity of the vacuum cleaner 1 being driven. For example, the display 623 may display a notification for indicating the remaining power level of the battery of the vacuum cleaner 1 and instructing to empty the dust container 20.

According to an embodiment, the display 623 may display an operation state of the coupling nozzle in response to the coupling nozzle coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30, or may display a notification for instructing to manage the coupling nozzle. For example, when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30, the display 623 may display the current driving state (e.g., driving mode or remaining driving time) and driving intensity according to the turn-on of the blower device 100. For example, when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30, the display 623 may display a notification for indicating that the filter of the blower device 100 is blocked.

According to an embodiment, the filter unit 18 may filter foreign objects such as ultra-fine dust that are not filtered from the dust container 20. The filter unit 18 may receive, e.g., a filter member therein. The filter member may include, e.g., a HEPA filter, but the type of filter is not limited thereto. The filter member may further include, e.g., a pre-filter and an electrostatic dust collecting filter, and a plurality of filters may be combined (e.g., disposed to overlap).

According to an embodiment, the suction motor 650 may provide suction power to the vacuum cleaner 1 so that foreign objects such as dust or hair present on the floor surface are sucked into the vacuum cleaner 1. In an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 forms a rotational airflow (e.g., cyclone airflow) inside the dust container 20 through the suction motor 650, and may separate the foreign objects and air sucked into the dust container 20. For example, the air sucked into the dust container 20 may be separated from foreign objects by the centrifugal force of the rotational airflow and discharged to the outside of the vacuum cleaner 1. For example, foreign objects sucked into the dust container 20 may be separated from the air by the centrifugal force of the rotational airflow and collected inside the dust container 20. Although not illustrated, the vacuum cleaner 1 may further include a suction fan that receives a driving force from the suction motor 650 to form a rotational airflow by driving the suction motor 650.

According to an embodiment, the dust container 20 may be configured to receive foreign objects sucked from the floor surface therein when the vacuum cleaner 1 operates. In an embodiment, the dust container 20 may be configured to collect foreign objects such as dust filtered from the air introduced through the suction head 40. In an embodiment, the dust container 20 may be detachably coupled to the cleaner main body 10. In an embodiment, the dust container 20 may be provided to have a substantially cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the dust container 20 may be formed of a transparent material so that the user may identify the amount of dust collected in the dust container 20 from the outside.

According to an embodiment, the extension pipe 30 may form a flow path through which air or foreign objects introduced from the suction head 40 flow. In an embodiment, the extension pipe 30 may be detachably coupled to the cleaner main body 10, the dust container 20, and/or the suction head 40. For example, the extension pipe 30 may be provided so that one end is pivotally connected to the suction head 40 so that the suction head 40 may move jointly with respect to the extension pipe 30. In an embodiment, the extension pipe 30 may have a substantially hollow cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the extension pipe 30 may be provided to extend in the upper/lower direction. The extension pipe 30 may have a double pipe shape whose length varies in the upper/lower direction according to the user's manipulation, for example.

According to an embodiment, the suction head 40 may be formed to suck up air and dust from the floor surface into the vacuum cleaner 1 while contacting the floor surface while the vacuum cleaner 1 is operating. In an embodiment, the suction head 40 may be configured to be rotatable in the upper/lower direction or the left/right direction. In an embodiment, the suction head 40 may be detachably coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30.

According to an embodiment, the cleaner 1 may include various types of coupling nozzles that may replace the suction head 40. For example, the coupling nozzle may include a blower device 100 to be described below. Although not illustrated, the coupling nozzle may include a wet mop brush, a bedding cleaning brush, a pet cleaning brush, and a niche brush.

According to an embodiment, the battery 50 may be formed to supply power to components necessary for the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1, such as the suction motor 650. In an embodiment, the battery 50 may be detachably mounted on the cleaner main body 10. The battery 50 may be coupled to the cleaner main body 10 in the vertical direction through the battery mount 12 of the cleaner main body 10, for example. In an embodiment, the battery 50 may be provided as a rechargeable secondary battery. In an embodiment, the battery 50 may be electrically connected to a charging terminal provided on a vacuum cleaner holder or docking station, although not illustrated. In this case, the battery 50 may be charged by receiving power from the charging terminal provided in the vacuum cleaner holder or docking station.

According to an embodiment, the battery 50 may be formed to supply power to an electric component included in the coupling nozzle, corresponding to the type of coupling nozzle coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30. For example, when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30, the battery 50 may be configured to supply power to the blower motor 210 included in the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may further include a blower device 100 (e.g., the blower device 100 of FIGS. 2A and 2B). The blower device 100 may be configured to suck external air (e.g., ambient air of the blower device 100), compress the sucked external air, and discharge the sucked external air at a predetermined pressure.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may be configured to discharge air having a predetermined pressure to blow foreign objects such as dust present in the room. For example, the blower device 100 may blow foreign objects that are present in areas that the user may not reach (e.g., high areas or narrow spaces indoors) and drop them to the floor.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may be coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30 in the vertical direction.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the blower device 100 may be coupled to the extension pipe 30.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may be disposed under the extension pipe 30. The blower device 100 may include a connector (e.g., the connector 110 of FIG. 3) to be coupled to the extension pipe 30. The blower device 100 may be physically and/or electrically connected to the extension pipe 30 by the connector 110. Although not illustrated, the extension pipe 30 may include a signal line (not illustrated) for being electrically connected to a connector receiving portion (not illustrated) for being physically connected to the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may be electrically connected to the cleaner main body (e.g., the cleaner main body 10 of FIG. 1) through the extension pipe 30. The blower device 100 may receive power from the cleaner main body 10. For example, the blower device 100 may drive the blower motor (e.g., the blower motor 210 of FIG. 4) using power supplied from the cleaner main body 10.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the blower device 100 may be directly coupled to the cleaner main body 10.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may be disposed under the cleaner main body 10. The blower device 100 may include a connector 110 for coupling with the cleaner main body 10. The blower device 100 may be physically and/or electrically connected to the cleaner main body 10 by the connector 110. Although not illustrated, the cleaner main body 10 may include a signal line (not illustrated) for being electrically connected to a connector receiving portion (not illustrated) for being physically connected to the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may be electrically connected to the cleaner main body (e.g., the cleaner main body 10 of FIG. 1). The blower device 100 may receive power from the cleaner main body 10. For example, the blower device 100 may drive the blower motor (e.g., the blower motor 210 of FIG. 4) using power supplied from the cleaner main body 10.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may be selectively coupled to the cleaner 1 by being disposed so as to be coupled to the cleaner main body 10 or the extension pipe 30.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may be easily coupled or removed by replacing the suction head 40.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may be driven by power supplied from the cleaner main body 10 without a separate power source. Therefore, the blower device 100 may be driven by the cleaner main body 10 without a separate power supply device (e.g., a battery), and may implement a lightweight product.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may transmit and/or receive control information with the cleaner main body 10 based on a predetermined communication interface method with the cleaner main body 10. Therefore, when the blower device 100 is coupled, the cleaner 1 may identify whether the blower device 100 is coupled and control the blower device 100 through manipulation of the cleaner main body 10.

Hereinafter, the structure of the blower device 100 and the configuration included in the blower device 100 are described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a blower device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a blower device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the blower device 100 of FIG. 3 taken along the line A-A′.

The embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the blower device 100 may include housings 101, 102, and 103 that form an overall appearance and a path for air flow, a blower motor 210 disposed inside the housings 101, 102, and 103, and a blower controller 220 configured to control the blower motor 210.

According to an embodiment, the housings 101, 102, and 103 may include a main housing 101, a first cover housing 102, and a second cover housing 103.

According to an embodiment, the first cover housing 102 and the second cover housing 103 may be disposed on one surface of the main housing 101. For example, the first cover housing 102 and the second cover housing 103 may be coupled to an attachment portion formed on one surface of the main housing 101. For example, the attachment portion may be formed by cutting or removing a portion of the main housing 101. For example, the first cover housing 102 and the second cover housing 103 may be attached to one surface of the main housing 101.

According to an embodiment, an intake port 140 may be formed in the first cover housing 102. The intake port 140 may form an inlet through which the blower device 100 sucks ambient air. For example, the intake port 140 may be formed by cutting or removing a portion of the first cover housing 102. For example, a plurality of intake ports 140 may be provided.

According to an embodiment, the intake port 140 may be disposed closer to the cleaner main body 10 than side surfaces of the first cover housing 102 and the second cover housing 103 surrounding the blower motor 210. For example, when a blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10, the intake port 140 may be disposed to be far from the cleaner main body 10 with respect to a connector 110, and the intake port 140 may be disposed close to the cleaner main body 10 with respect to the blower motor 210.

According to an embodiment, due to the arrangement structure of the intake port 140 as described above, when the blower device 100 is driven, a flow path of external air sucked into the intake port 140 may be efficiently designed.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may further include an intake port filter 141 formed to filter foreign objects included in the external air sucked into the intake port 140. For example, the intake port filter 141 may include a pre-filter, an electrostatic dust collecting filter, and a HEPA filter, or a combination thereof.

According to an embodiment, the intake port filter 141 may limit the accumulation of foreign objects included in the air flowing into the intake port 140, around the blower motor 210.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may further include a button 120 for being coupled to or removed from the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30. For example, the button 120 may be disposed to be coupled with the second cover housing 103. For example, the button 120 may be physically connected to an outer surface of the second cover housing 103.

According to an embodiment, the button 120 may include a protruding portion 121 formed to protrude from the second cover housing 103, and a pressing portion 123 connected to the protruding portion 121 and formed to be pressurized by the user. For example, the connector 110, which is described below, may be configured to be inserted into the main housing 101 by a predetermined distance when the pressing portion 123 is pressed by the user.

According to an embodiment, the connector 110 may physically and/or electrically connect the cleaner main body 10 (or the extension pipe 30 coupled to the cleaner main body 10) and the blower device 100. The connector 110 may include a plurality of signal lines 111 for electrically connecting the cleaner main body 10 and the blower device 100. The plurality of signal lines 111 may include, e.g., a first signal line 1111, a second signal line 1112, and a third signal line 1113.

According to an embodiment, the first signal line 1111 and the third signal line 1113 may be power lines for supplying power. For example, the first signal line 1111 may be a (+) power line, and the third signal line 1113 may be a (−) power line.

According to an embodiment, the second signal line 1112 may be a signal line for transmitting/receiving a connection status between the cleaner main body 10 and the blower device 100 and control signals.

Although not illustrated, the vacuum cleaner 1 (e.g., the vacuum cleaner 1 of FIG. 1) may further include a connector receiving portion (not illustrated) disposed at a position corresponding to the connector 110 when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10. The connector receiving portion may include signal lines corresponding to the first signal line to the third signal line 1111, 1112, 1113. Further, when the blower device 100 is coupled to the extension pipe (e.g., the extension pipe 30 of FIG. 1), the cleaner 1 may further include a connector receiving portion (not illustrated) disposed at a position corresponding to the extension pipe 30.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may include a discharge nozzle 150 forming a path through which external air sucked through the intake port 140 passes through the housings 101, 102, and 103 and is discharged by the blower motor 210. The discharge nozzle 150 may be disposed to be coupled to the main housing 101.

According to an embodiment, the inside of the discharge nozzle 150 may form a path through which external air sucked through the intake port 140 flows by the blower motor 210. For example, the inside of the discharge nozzle 150 may be formed as an empty space. The outlet of the discharge nozzle 150 may form the discharge port 150a. The air introduced into the housings 101, 102 and 103 by the blower motor 210 may flow along the inner space of the discharge nozzle 150 and may be discharged to the discharge port 150a.

Although not illustrated, the blower device 100 may further include a discharge port filter disposed near the discharge port 150a. For example, the discharge port filter may be formed to filter foreign objects included in the air discharged through the discharge port 150a.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may include a filter sensor 250 (e.g., the filter sensor 250 of FIG. 6) configured to detect whether an intake port filter 141 and a discharge port filter are clogged. The filter sensor 250 may be configured to detect whether foreign objects at a level equal to or larger than a threshold level are collected in the intake port filter 141 and the discharge port filter.

According to an embodiment, the discharge nozzle 150 may be disposed to be coupled to the main housing 101. For example, the discharge nozzle 150 may be fastened to one side of the main housing 101 by fitting.

According to an embodiment, the discharge flow path formed inside the discharge nozzle 150 may form a path through which air pressurized or accelerated by the blower motor 210 flows. For example, the flow path cross-sectional area of the discharge flow path may be formed to be relatively narrow compared to the flow path cross-sectional area inside the main housing 101. For example, the flow path cross-sectional area of the discharge flow path may be formed to be relatively narrow compared to the flow path cross-sectional area positioned at the output end of the blower motor 210. As the flow path cross-sectional area of the discharge flow path is relatively narrow, the air discharged from the blower device 100 may be compressed to a predetermined pressure.

According to an embodiment, the blower motor 210 may be configured to discharge external air sucked through the intake port 140 to the discharge nozzle 150. The blower motor 210 may include a driving motor and a blower fan formed to rotate by driving the driving motor. For example, the blower fan may be formed to rotate together by the driving motor and a rotating shaft. For example, when the driving motor is driven, the driving motor provides a driving force to rotate the rotating shaft, and the blower fan may be rotated in conjunction with the blower fan by the rotation of the rotating shaft.

According to an embodiment, the driving motor included in the blower motor 210 may be implemented as a brushless DC motor or an AC motor.

According to an embodiment, the rotational speed of the blower fan of the blower motor 210 may be determined by the driving speed of the driving motor. For example, based on the rotational speed of the blower fan according to the driving speed of the driving motor, the blower motor 210 may determine the air volume and/or wind speed for discharging the sucked air.

According to an embodiment, the driving of the blower motor 210 may be controlled in response to receiving a user input to an input button (e.g., the input button 621 of FIG. 6) included in the control panel 16. For example, it may be turned on or off in response to receiving a user input to a power button (e.g., the power button 621a of FIG. 9). For example, the wind speed of the blower motor 210 may be controlled in response to receiving a user input to the function button (e.g., the function buttons 621b and 621c of FIG. 9).

According to an embodiment, the blower motor 210 may be disposed in an inner space formed by the housings 101, 102, and 103.

According to an embodiment, the blower motor 210 may be positioned at a center of an inner space of the blower device 100. For example, an auxiliary line C extending in a length direction of the blower device 100 with respect to a rotation axis of the blower motor 210 may be disposed to substantially coincide with an inner center of the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the rotation axis of the blower motor 210 may be positioned on the same line as a center of an inlet of the cleaner main body 10. For example, the auxiliary line C may be positioned to pass through the inlet center of the cleaner main body 10.

According to an embodiment, since the blower motor 210 is disposed at centers of the blower device 100 and the cleaner main body 10, when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10, the blower device 100 may be designed so that a center of gravity is evenly distributed so that the blower device 100 may be easily handled by the user.

According to an embodiment, the blower motor 210 may be disposed at the front side of the inner space. For example, the blower motor 210 may be disposed adjacent to the discharge nozzle 150.

According to an embodiment, the blower motor 210 may be seated on the motor bracket 163 disposed in the inner space formed by the housings 101, 102, and 103. The motor bracket 163 may form a space for stably supporting the blower motor 210. For example, the blower motor 210 may be fixed to the inside of the motor bracket 163.

According to an embodiment, when the blower motor 210 is seated in the inner space of the motor bracket 163, a buffer member 165 may be disposed between the motor bracket 163 and the blower motor 210. For example, when the blower motor 210 is driven, the buffer member 165 attenuates the vibration level generated by the blower motor 210, thereby reducing the noise level caused by the driving of the blower device 100. For example, the buffer member 165 may protect the blower motor 210 from damage caused by an impact applied to the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the buffer member 165 may be formed of a material having predetermined elasticity or buffering properties to attenuate vibration caused by driving the blower motor 210 and protect the blower motor 210 from external impact. For example, the buffer member 165 may include sponge, urethane, silicone rubber, EPDM rubber, and plastic elastomer (TPE).

According to an embodiment, the blower controller 220 may be configured to receive a control command for the blower device 100 from the cleaner main body 10 and control the driving of the blower motor 210 based on the control command. The blower controller 220 may be implemented as a control circuit. For example, the blower controller 220 may be configured by mounting various electrical elements on a printed circuit board (PCB). The blower controller 220 may be configured to transmit/receive signals to/from the first processor 611 disposed inside the cleaner main body 10.

According to an embodiment, the blower controller 220 may include a second processor (e.g., the second processor 221 of FIG. 6) configured to control the operation and/or function of the blower device 100, a communication circuit, and a memory. The second processor 221, the communication circuit, and the memory included in the blower controller 220 may be implemented as a single integrated circuit or may be implemented separately.

According to an embodiment, the blower controller 220 may be electrically connected to a first processor (e.g., the first processor 611 of FIG. 6) disposed inside the cleaner main body 10. For example, when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30, the blower controller 220 may be electrically connected to the first processor 611 by a signal line 111 included in the connector 110.

According to an embodiment, the blower controller 220 may be physically and/or electrically connected to the blower motor 210. For example, the blower controller 220 may be connected to the blower motor 210 by a power line formed to exchange power and a signal line formed to exchange signals. The blower controller 220 may be configured to transmit a signal for controlling the blower motor 210 to the blower motor 210 by a control command generated from the first processor 611.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may be driven without a blower controller 220. For example, the blower device 100 may directly receive a driving command for the blower motor 210 from a first processor 611 included in the cleaner main body 10, and the blower motor 210 may be driven in response to the driving command.

According to an embodiment, the blower controller 220 may be disposed inside a space formed by the housings 101, 102, and 103. For example, the blower controller 220 may be disposed in an inner space S formed by a blocking wall 130 to be described below. However, without being limited to the illustrated configuration, the blower controller 220 may be disposed adjacent to the blower motor 210.

According to an embodiment, the blocking wall 130 may be formed to limit the flow of external air sucked through the intake port 140 into the cleaner main body 10. For example, the blocking wall 130 may be positioned inside the housings 101, 102 and 103 adjacent to the connector 110.

For example, the blower controller 220 may be disposed inside the space S formed by the blocking wall 130. Since the blower controller 220 is disposed inside the space S, the blower controller 220 may be protected by an external impact.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a blower device 100 (e.g., the blower device 100 of FIGS. 2A and 2B) coupled with a discharge nozzle 150-1 (e.g., the discharge nozzle 150 of FIGS. 3 and 4) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 may be understood as a perspective view illustrating a blower device 100 in a state where the discharge nozzle 150-1 formed to be detachable and/or attachable from/to the housings 101, 102, and 103 (e.g., the housings 101, 102, and 103 of FIG. 3) is coupled. The discharge nozzle 150-1 to be described in connection with FIG. 5 may be understood as an extended embodiment of the discharge nozzle 150 of FIGS. 3 and 4. Therefore, descriptions of overlapping configurations are omitted, and the description focuses primarily on the differences.

The embodiment of FIG. 5 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, the discharge nozzle 150-1 may be disposed to be detachable from the housings 101, 102 and 103 of the blower device 100. For example, the discharge nozzle 150-1 may be disposed to be detachable from the outlet of the main housing 101.

According to an embodiment, the discharge nozzle 150-1 may include a housing 301, a housing cover 303, a coupling button 320, and a discharge pipe 330.

According to an embodiment, the housing 301 may be formed to be coupled to the main housing 101. For example, a connector 110 may be formed on one side of the housing 301 coupled to the main housing 101.

According to an embodiment, the housing cover 303 may be positioned on a side surface of the housing 301. A coupling button 320 may be disposed on one surface of the housing cover 303. For example, the coupling button 320 may be formed to protrude from one surface of the housing cover 303. The user may remove the discharge nozzle 150-1 by pressing the coupling button 320.

According to an embodiment, the coupling button 320 may include a protruding portion 321 formed to protrude from the housing cover 303, and a pressing portion 323 connected to the protruding portion 321 to be pressed by the user. For example, when the pressing portion 323 is pressed by the user, the connector 110 may be configured to be inserted into the housing 301 by a predetermined distance.

According to an embodiment, the discharge pipe 310 may be coupled to the outlet of the housing 301. The discharge pipe 310 may be formed to have various lengths and cross-sectional areas according to the purpose of use.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may provide user convenience by including the discharge nozzle 150-1 formed to be easily detachable from the main housing 101.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a vacuum cleaner (e.g., the vacuum cleaner 1 of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 may be understood as a block diagram illustrating a vacuum cleaner from the viewpoint of function, and some components may be omitted as necessary. For example, FIG. 6 may be understood as a block diagram where the suction head (e.g., the suction head 40 of FIG. 1) is removed from the cleaner main body (e.g., the cleaner main body 10 of FIG. 1) and/or the extension pipe 30 and the blower device (e.g., the blower device 100 of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B) is coupled.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 may be selectively combined with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the vacuum cleaner 1 may include a controller 610, an input button 621, a display 623, a communication unit 630, a current sensor 640, a suction motor 650, a battery 50, and a blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the controller 610 may be configured to control overall operations and functions performed by the vacuum cleaner 1. The controller 610 may include a first processor 611 and a memory 613.

According to an embodiment, the first processor 611 may be operatively connected to components of the vacuum cleaner 1 including the memory 613. For example, the first processor 611 may be configured to control the overall operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory 613.

For example, the first processor 611 may control the operation and function of components (e.g., the input button 621, the display 623, the suction motor 650, and the battery 50) included in the cleaner main body (e.g., the cleaner main body 10 of FIG. 1).

According to an embodiment, the first processor 611 may be implemented in various ways. For example, the first processor 611 may be implemented as at least one of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an embedded processor, microprocessor, hardware control logic, hardware finite state machine (FSM), and a digital signal processor (DSP). For example, the first processor 611 may be implemented as a system-on-chip (SoC) with a built-in processing algorithm, a large scale integration (LSI), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). For example, the first processor 611 may be configured to perform various functions by executing computer executable instructions stored in the memory 613.

According to an embodiment, the memory 613 may store at least one instruction related to the vacuum cleaner 1. The memory 613 may store various software programs or applications for operating the electronic device 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure. Further, the memory 613 may include a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or a magnetic storage medium such as a hard disk.

According to an embodiment, the memory 613 may be implemented in the form of a memory embedded in the vacuum cleaner 1 according to a data storage purpose. For example, the memory 613 may be implemented in a memory form that may be detachable from the vacuum cleaner 1. For example, data for driving the electronic device 1 may be stored in a memory embedded in the electronic device 1.

For example, the memory embedded in the vacuum cleaner 1 may be implemented as at least one of, e.g., a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), etc.) or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory (e.g., a NAND flash, or a NOR flash), a hard drive, or solid state drive (SSD).

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 630 may be configured to support communication between components included in the vacuum cleaner 1 or to support communication between the vacuum cleaner 1 and an external device. For example, the communication unit 630 may receive and/or transmit a wired/wireless signal between an external wired/wireless communication system, an external server, and/or other devices according to a predetermined wired/wireless communication protocol. For example, the communication unit 630 may be implemented as communication circuitry.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 630 may include a wired communication module supporting wired communication and a wireless communication module supporting wireless communication. The wired communication module and the wireless communication module may be implemented in the form of respective communication circuitry, or may be implemented as integrally combined communication circuitry.

According to an embodiment, the first processor 611, the memory 613, and the communication circuit constituting the communication unit 630, included in the controller 610, may be implemented as one integrated circuit. For example, the first processor 611, the memory 613, and the communication unit 630 may be disposed to be mounted on the same printed circuit board (PCB). For example, the printed circuit board may be disposed inside the cleaner main body 10. For example, the printed circuit board may be disposed near a control panel (e.g., the control panel 16 of FIG. 1).

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 630 may support communication with an external device and a server based on a wired or wireless communication method.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 630 may include a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, an infrared (IR) module, a local area network (LAN) module, and an Ethernet module. The wireless communication module may include at least one communication chip performing communication according to various wireless communication standards, such as ZigBee, universal serial bus (USB), mobile industry processor interface camera serial interface (MIPI CSI), 3rd generation (3G), 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), long-term evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LTE-A), 4th generation (4G), 5th generation (5G), or the like, in addition to the above-described communication schemes.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 630 may include a communication module supporting pulse width modulation (PWM), UART, I2C, and GPIO communication. For example, the wired communication module and wireless communication module may be implemented in the form of at least one hardware chip. However, the methods which communication unit 630 may support are merely an embodiment, and the communication unit 630 may use at least one communication module among various communication modules.

According to an embodiment, a communication module supporting communication with an external device and a communication module supporting communication with a server may be implemented as different modules. The first processor 611 may obtain information about the unique information or the resistance of the resistor of a specific component (or module) from at least one of the vacuum cleaner 1, various electric components included in the vacuum cleaner 1, an external device, or an external server through the communication unit 630.

According to an embodiment, the first processor 611 may be configured to identify the type of the coupling nozzle from the resistance of the resistor included in the coupling nozzle when the suction head 40 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is removed, and any one of various types of coupling nozzles is coupled. For example, the blower device 100 may include an identification resistor with a specific resistance that the vacuum cleaner 1 may identify. The first processor 611 may identify that any coupling nozzle is coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30 based on the identification resistor. As an example, an identification resistor may be positioned on a connector (e.g., the connector 110 of FIG. 3) included in the blower device 100. The first processor 611 may identify whether the blower device 100 is coupled based on the identification resistor without separate communication.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 630 may support communication between the cleaner main body 10 and the blower device 100 when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or an extension pipe 30. For example, when the blower device 10 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10, the first processor 611 may perform bi-directional communication with the second processor (e.g., the second processor (221 of FIG. 6) included in the blower device 100 to identify that the coupled device is the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the current sensor 640 may be configured to detect the value of the current applied to the driving component. For example, the current sensor 640 may detect the value of the current applied to the suction motor 650 or the blower motor 210 and transmit the electric signal corresponding to the current value to the first processor 611. The first processor 611 may sense the current speed of the suction motor 650 being driven or the blower motor 210 being driven based on the electric signal.

According to an embodiment, the control panel 16 may include an input button 621 and a display 623.

According to an embodiment, the input button 621 may be configured to receive a user input for controlling the operation and function of the vacuum cleaner 1. For example, the input button 621 may receive an input by the user's physical pressure or an input by a touch.

According to an embodiment, the input button 621 may include a power button (e.g., the power button 621a of FIG. 9) for receiving a user input for turning on or off the vacuum cleaner 1 and/or the blower device 100, and a function button (e.g., the function buttons 621b and 621c of FIG. 9) for receiving a user input for activating the function of the vacuum cleaner 1 and/or the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the first processor 611 may generate a control command based on a user input obtained by the input button 621.

According to an embodiment, the display 623 may be configured to display information about the operation state of the vacuum cleaner 1 and/or a notification for instructing to manage the vacuum cleaner 1. For example, the display 623 may display information about the remaining battery capacity of the vacuum cleaner 1 and whether charging is required according to the remaining battery capacity.

According to an embodiment, the display 623 may display whether the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and the operation state of the blower device 100 and/or a notification for instructing to manage the blower device 100. For example, the display 623 may display information about a current driving state of the blower device 100. For example, the display 623 may display a notification for instructing to manage the filter (e.g., the intake port filter 141 of FIG. 4) of the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the display 623 may include a display panel, a display module, and a display driver. For example, the display 623 may drive a light emitting element (e.g., LED pixel) included in the display module under the control of the first processor 611. For example, the first processor 611 may apply a predetermined driving voltage or driving current to the display driver to control the display module.

According to an embodiment, the input button 621 and the display 623 may be implemented integrally. For example, the input button 621 and the display 623 may be implemented as a touch screen panel and may be integrally formed.

According to an embodiment, the first processor 611 may control driving of the suction motor 650. For example, the first processor 611 may apply a driving current or a driving voltage for driving the suction motor 650. For example, when the blower device 100 is coupled, the first processor 611 may stop driving the suction motor 650.

According to an embodiment, the battery 50 may be configured to supply power required for driving the electric components included in the vacuum cleaner 1. For example, the battery 50 may be configured to supply power for driving the display 623, the communication unit 630, the suction motor 650, and the blower motor 210.

According to an embodiment, the first processor 611 may selectively control driving of the electric component. To the end, the first processor 611 may include a switching element 615. For example, the switching element 615 may be formed to branch power supplied by the battery 50. For example, the switching element 615 may be disposed in the signal line connecting the battery 50 and the suction motor 650. For example, the switching element 615 may be disposed in the signal line connecting the battery 50 and the blower motor 210. The switching element 615 may distribute power supplied from the battery 50.

According to an embodiment, when the blower motor 210 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10, the first processor 611 may control the switching element 615 to stop power supplied from the battery 50 to the suction motor 650 and to supply power to the blower motor 210 through the second processor 221.

According to an embodiment, as the suction motor 650 is driven, a cyclone airflow is formed toward the cleaner main body 10, and foreign objects may be collected as air is sucked into a dust container (e.g., the dust container 20 of FIG. 1) included in the cleaner main body 10 by the cyclone airflow.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may include a blower motor (e.g., the blower motor 210 of FIG. 4), a second processor 221, and a filter sensor 250.

According to an embodiment, the second processor 221 may be provided to communicate with the first processor 611 through a predetermined communication scheme. For example, the second processor 221 may be configured to transmit/receive data to/from the first processor 611 based on I2C, UART, and GPIO schemes. The second processor 221 may transmit data for identifying that the device coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30 is the blower device 100 to the first processor 611.

According to an embodiment, the second processor 221 may be configured to control the overall operation and function of the blower device 100. For example, the second processor 221 may generate a control signal for driving the blower motor 210. For example, the second processor 221 may control the flow rate and wind speed discharged by the blower device 100 by driving the blower motor 210 at a preset driving speed.

According to an embodiment, the second processor 221 may receive a driving command for the blower motor 210 from the first processor 611. For example, the driving command may be generated by a user input inputted to the input button 621.

According to an embodiment, the second processor 221 may receive data on a driving current or a driving voltage for driving the blower motor 210 from the first processor 611. For example, the second processor 221 may transmit data on the current driving speed of the blower motor 210 to the first processor 611.

According to an embodiment, the second processor 221 may obtain data on whether a filter (e.g., the intake port filter 141 of FIG. 4) is clogged from the filter sensor 250, and transmit data on whether the filter is clogged to the first processor 611.

In addition to what is illustrated, the blower device 100 may further include a communication circuit and memory. The second processor 221, communication circuit, and memory may be configured as one integrated circuit. For example, the second processor 221, communication circuit, and memory may be implemented as a blower controller (e.g., the blower controller 220 of FIG. 4).

According to an embodiment, the filter sensor 250 may be configured to detect whether an intake port filter (e.g., the intake port filter 141 of FIG. 4) and a discharge port filter are clogged. For example, the filter sensor 250 may be configured to detect that foreign objects at a level equal to or larger than a threshold level are collected in the intake port filter 141 and the discharge port filter. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the intake port filter 141 and the discharge port filter are referred to as a “filter”.

As an example, the filter sensor 250 may include a position sensor, an infrared sensor, a pressure sensor, or a flow sensor. For example, when the filter sensor 250 is implemented as a position sensor, it may sense physical deformation of the filter due to accumulation of foreign objects in the filter. For example, when the filter sensor 250 is implemented as an infrared sensor, the filter sensor 250 may radiate infrared rays toward the filter from one side and sense an amount of foreign objects accumulated in the filter corresponding to an amount of infrared rays received from the other side. For example, when the filter sensor 250 is implemented as a pressure sensor or a flow sensor, the filter sensor 250 may sense pressure of air flowing at an air intake (e.g., the intake port 140 of FIG. 3) or a discharge port 150a, or detect an amount of foreign objects accumulated in the filter based on a flow rate around the filter.

According to an embodiment, the first processor 611 may determine clogging of the filter without the filter sensor 250. For example, the first processor 611 may obtain information about the current driving speed of the blower motor 210 from the second processor 221, compare the target driving speed of the blower motor 210 with the current driving speed, and determine that the intake port 140 or the discharge port 150a is clogged when the driving speed of the blower motor 210 differs from the target speed by a threshold level or more.

According to an embodiment, the first processor 611 may display a notification for instructing to manage the filter on the display 623. For example, when the foreign objects accumulated in the filter exceed a threshold level, the first processor 611 may display a notification for instructing to manage the filter on the display 623. For example, the first processor 611 may predict the clogging of the filter based on the driving speed of the blower motor 210 and display a notification for instructing to manage the filter on the display 623. This is described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 14.

Hereinafter, flowcharts related to the vacuum cleaner 1 identifying coupling of the blower device 100 and controlling operation of the blower device 100 are described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7 is an operational flowchart for a vacuum cleaner (e.g., the vacuum cleaner 1 of FIGS. 2A and 2B) to control a blower device (e.g., the blower device 100 of FIGS. 2A and 2B) according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 7 is an operational flowchart for a vacuum cleaner 1 to control driving of a blower device 100 when the blower device 100 is coupled to a cleaner main body (e.g., the cleaner main body 10 of FIG. 1).

FIG. 8 is an operational flowchart for a vacuum cleaner 1 to generate a notification for instructing management of a filter (e.g., the intake port filter 141 of FIG. 4) of a blower device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Some of the operations illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be omitted, the same operations may be repeated, and an order of at least some operations may be changed as necessary.

The embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 6.

Referring to FIG. 7, the vacuum cleaner 1 may identify whether the blower device 100 is coupled in operations 710 and 720. The blower device 100 may be coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or an extension pipe (e.g., the extension pipe 30 of FIG. 1).

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may identify whether an external device is coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30 based on an identification resistor included in the blower device 100. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may transmit a signal having a predetermined voltage and current, and primarily identify whether an external device is coupled according to the identification resistor included in the external device.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may identify that an external device coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30 is the blower device 100 based on bi-directional communication with the blower device 100. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may transmit identification request information for identifying the device as the blower device 100. The blower device 100 may transmit identification information corresponding to the identification request information to the vacuum cleaner 1. The vacuum cleaner 1 may receive the identification information and identify that a device coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30 is the blower device 100 based on the identification information.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may identify whether the blower device 100 is coupled based on the identification resistor included in the blower device 100. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may identify whether the blower device 100 is coupled based on the identification resistor without performing bi-directional communication.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may identify whether a suction motor (e.g., the suction motor 650 of FIG. 6) is driven in operation 730 in response to identifying a state in which the blower device 100 is coupled. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may identify whether the suction motor 650 is currently driving based on current applied to the suction motor 650.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may stop driving of the suction motor 650 in operation 750 in response to identifying a state in which the blower device 100 is coupled and the suction motor 650 is driving in operation 740. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may stop driving of the suction motor 650 to drive the blower motor 210 when the blower device 100 is coupled.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may initiate driving of the blower device 100 in operation 760 in response to identifying a state in which the blower device 100 is coupled and the suction motor 650 is not driving in operation 740. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may omit an operation of stopping driving of the suction motor 650 separately and initiate driving of the blower device 100 in response to identifying a state in which the suction motor 650 is not driving.

According to an embodiment, as the blower device 100 is driven by a blower motor (e.g., the blower motor 210 of FIG. 4), the vacuum cleaner 1 may cut off power supplied to the suction motor 650. For example, a first processor (e.g., the first processor 611 of FIG. 6) may control the switching element 615 and cut off power supplied from a battery (e.g., the battery 50 of FIGS. 1 and 6) to the suction motor 650.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may initiate driving control for the blower device 100 in operation 760. For example, the first processor 611 may control the switching element 615 so that power is supplied from the battery 50 to the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, as the vacuum cleaner 1 initiates driving control for the blower device 100 in operation 760, it may display information indicating that the blower device 100 is coupled on a display (e.g., the display 623 of FIG. 6). The operation 740 is described with reference to FIG. 10.

According to an embodiment, when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30, the cleaner main body 10 and the blower device 100 may be electrically connected by the switching element 615.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may receive a driving command for the blower device 100 in operation 770. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may receive a control command for the blower device 100 by a user input received through a function button (e.g., the function button 621b, 621c of FIG. 9) included in an input button (e.g., the input button 621 of FIG. 6).

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may receive a control command for the driving speed of the blower device 100. The driving speed may be set, e.g., by flow rate and flow velocity discharged from the blower device 100 according to the driving speed of the blower motor 210.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may receive a control command for a driving mode of the blower device 100. For example, the driving mode may be an operation mode of the blower device 100 according to preset flow rate and flow velocity corresponding to the use of the blower device 100. For example, the driving mode may include a normal mode, a car wash mode, and a camping mode. The vacuum cleaner 1 may store the driving speed of the blower motor 210 and the driving time (or cycle) of the blower motor 210 for each driving mode. An example of a user interface related to operation 750 is described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may drive the blower motor 210 in response to receiving a control command for controlling driving of the blower device 100 in operation 780. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may generate a driving command according to a user input received through the input button 621 and transmit the driving command to the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may control driving of the blower motor 210 in response to the received driving command. For example, a second processor (e.g., the second processor 221 of FIG. 6) may drive the blower motor 210 at a predetermined speed in response to the driving command received from the cleaner main body 10. However, without being limited thereto, the blower motor 210 may directly receive the driving command transmitted from the cleaner main body 10 and be driven in response to the driving command.

Referring to FIG. 8, the vacuum cleaner 1 may predict whether a filter (e.g., the intake port filter 141 and/or an discharge port filter of FIG. 4) is clogged based on the driving speed of the blower motor 210. FIG. 8 may be understood as a control flowchart for the vacuum cleaner 1 to predict whether the filter is clogged when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10 and/or the extension pipe 30 and the blower device 100 performs a blowing function.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may obtain the current speed of the blower motor 210 being driven in operation 810. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may obtain the current driving speed of the blower motor 210 based on a driving current or driving voltage applied to the blower motor 210 from a second processor (e.g., the second processor 221 of FIG. 6). For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may obtain the driving speed of the blower motor 210 based on a current value applied to the blower motor 210 from a current sensor (e.g., the current sensor 640 of FIG. 6).

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may compare a current driving speed and a target driving speed of the blower motor 210 in operation 820. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may compare the target driving speed of the blower motor 210 to be driven by a user input with the current driving speed.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may detect whether there is a driving abnormality in the blower motor 210 in operation 830. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may detect that the blower motor 210 is in a driving abnormal state when a difference between the target driving speed and the current driving speed of the blower motor 210 obtained in operation 820 exceeds a threshold level.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may display a notification instructing filter management on a display (e.g., the display 623 of FIG. 6) in operation 840. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may display a notification instructing cleaning of the intake port filter 141 or an discharge port filter.

According to an embodiment, in addition to generating a notification instructing filter management based on the driving speed of the blower motor 210, the vacuum cleaner 1 may detect filter clogging based on information sensed by the filter sensor 250 (e.g., the filter sensor 250 of FIG. 6) and accordingly generate a notification instructing filter management. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may generate a notification instructing filter management at regular intervals.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may transmit information instructing filter management to a user terminal (e.g., smartphone, tablet, and wearable device) or a home appliance (e.g., refrigerator, oven, and washer). For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may transmit the information to the user terminal or home appliance in a wireless communication manner. The user terminal or home appliance that received the information may display a notification instructing filter management. Hereinafter, an embodiment related to the user interface instructing the filter management is described with reference to FIG. 14.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are signaling diagrams illustrated from a perspective of signal transmission between a cleaner main body 10 (e.g., the cleaner main body 10 of FIG. 1) included in a vacuum cleaner (e.g., the vacuum cleaner 1 of FIG. 1) and a blower device 100 (e.g., the blower device 100 of FIGS. 2A and 2B) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a signal transmission process for controlling functions of the blower device 100 when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10. For example, FIG. 9 may be understood as illustrating a signal transmission process for the control flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 illustrates a signal transmission process for the vacuum cleaner 1 to display a notification instructing management of a filter (e.g., the intake port filter 141 of FIG. 4) by detecting clogging of an intake port (e.g., the intake port 140 of FIG. 4) or a discharge port of the blower device 100. For example, FIG. 10 may be understood as illustrating a signal transmission process for the control flowchart illustrated in FIG. 8.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7, and the embodiment of FIG. 10 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 8.

Referring to FIG. 9, the cleaner main body 10 and the blower device 100 may exchange signals based on a predetermined communication method. For example, a first processor (e.g., the first processor 611 of FIG. 6) included in the cleaner main body 10 and a second processor 221 included in the blower device 100 may exchange signals based on the predetermined communication method.

According to an embodiment, in step 911, the blower device 100 may be coupled to the cleaner main body 10. When the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10, the blower device 100 and the cleaner main body 10 may be physically and/or electrically connected by a connector (e.g., the connector 110 of FIG. 3) included in the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10, the cleaner main body 10 may identify that an external device is coupled based on an identification resistor included in the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, in step 913, the cleaner main body 10 may transmit identification request information to the blower device 100, and in step 915, the blower device 100 may transmit identification information to the cleaner main body 10 in response to receiving the identification request information.

According to an embodiment, in step 921, the cleaner main body 10 may identify that the coupled external device is the blower device 100 based on the identification information received from the blower device 100. For example, the cleaner main body 10 may display information about the coupling of the blower device 100 on a display (e.g., the display 623 of FIG. 6).

According to an embodiment, in step 921, the cleaner main body 10 may identify whether a suction motor (e.g., the suction motor 650 of FIG. 6) is driving. For example, the cleaner main body 10 may identify whether the suction motor 650 is currently driving based on a driving current applied to the suction motor 650.

According to an embodiment, in step 925, the cleaner main body 10 may stop driving of the suction motor 650 in response to identifying that the blower device 100 is coupled and the suction motor 650 is currently driving. For example, the cleaner main body 10 may cut off power supplied to the suction motor 650 by controlling a switching element (e.g., the switching element 615 of FIG. 6).

According to an embodiment, in step 927, the cleaner main body 10 may receive a user input for the blower device 100. For example, the cleaner main body 10 may receive a user input for a driving mode and/or driving intensity of the blower device 100 through a control panel (e.g., the control panel 16 of FIG. 1).

According to an embodiment, in step 929, the cleaner main body 10 may generate a control command for the blower device 100. For example, the cleaner main body 10 may generate a control command for the blower device 100 in response to a user input entered through an input button (e.g., the input button 621 of FIG. 6) of the control panel 16.

According to an embodiment, in step 917, the cleaner main body 10 may transmit the control command for the blower device 100 generated in step 927 to the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, in step 913, the blower device 100 may drive a blower motor (e.g., the blower motor 210 of FIG. 4) in response to the control command received from the cleaner main body 10. For example, the blower device 100 may drive the blower motor 210 to rotate at a predetermined speed in response to the control command.

Referring to FIG. 10, in step 1011, the blower device 100 may transmit information detected by a filter sensor (e.g., the filter sensor 250 of FIG. 6) to the cleaner main body 10.

According to an embodiment, in step 1013, the cleaner main body 10 may request driving information of the blower motor 210 from the blower device 100. In step 1015, the blower device 100 may transmit driving information of the blower motor 210 corresponding to the driving information. For example, the driving information of the blower motor 210 may include the current driving speed of the blower motor 210 and the target driving speed of the blower motor 210. For example, the cleaner main body 10 may determine the driving speed of the blower motor 210 based on a current value obtained from the blower device 100 from a current sensor (e.g., the current sensor 640 of FIG. 6).

According to an embodiment, in step 1021, the cleaner main body 10 may determine that the filter 141 is in a clogged state. For example, the cleaner main body 10 may determine that the filter 141 is in a clogged state based on information detected from the filter sensor 250 and a difference between the current driving speed and the target driving speed of the blower motor 210.

According to an embodiment, in step 1023, the cleaner main body 10 may generate a notification instructing management of the filter 141. For example, the cleaner main body 10 may generate information indicating that the filter 141 is in a clogged state and a notification instructing cleaning of the filter 141.

According to an embodiment, in step 1025, the cleaner main body 10 may display the notification instructing filter management on the display 623. The cleaner main body 10 may also transmit the notification to an external device (e.g., user terminal).

FIG. 11 illustrates a cleaner main body 10 (e.g., the cleaner main body 10 of FIG. 1) and a control panel 16 (e.g., the control panel 16 of FIG. 1) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The embodiment of FIG. 11 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 8.

Referring to FIG. 11, the control panel 16 may be disposed on an upper side of the cleaner main body. The control panel 16 may include an input button 621 (e.g., the input button 621 of FIG. 6) configured to receive a user input and a display 623 (e.g., the display 623 of FIG. 6) configured to display an operation state of the vacuum cleaner 1.

According to an embodiment, the input button 621 may include a power button 621a for turning on or off a suction motor (e.g., the suction motor 650 of FIG. 6) included in the vacuum cleaner 1 and/or a blower motor (e.g., the blower motor 210 of FIG. 4) included in a blower device (e.g., the blower device 100 of FIGS. 2A and 2B).

According to an embodiment, the power button 621a may receive a user input to selecting a driving mode. For example, when receiving a user input through the power button 621a, an object displayed on the display 623 may be selected.

According to an embodiment, the input button 621 may include function buttons 621b and 621c for activating the function of the vacuum cleaner 1 or adjusting the function of the vacuum cleaner 1. For example, the function buttons 621b and 621c may include a first function button 621b and a second function button 621c.

According to an embodiment, the function buttons 621b and 621c may receive a user input for changing the driving speed of the suction motor 650 or the blower motor 210. For example, the first function button 621b may receive a user input for reducing the driving speed of the suction motor 650 or the blower motor 210. For example, the second function button 621c may receive a user input for increasing the driving speed of the suction motor 650 or the blower motor 210.

According to an embodiment, the function buttons 621b and 621c may receive a user input for moving the object displayed on the display 623. For example, when a plurality of objects are displayed on the display 623, an object positioned on the left side of the currently selected object may be selected by an input to the first function button 621b, and an object positioned on the right side of the currently selected object may be selected by an input to the second function button 621c.

FIGS. 12 to 16 illustrate an example of a control panel (e.g., the control panel 16 of FIG. 1) of a vacuum cleaner (e.g., the vacuum cleaner 1 of FIG. 1) and a user interface displayed on a display 623 (e.g., the display 623 of FIG. 6) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 12 to 16 may be understood as exemplarily illustrating user interfaces displayed on the display 623 in response to various functions of the vacuum cleaner 1 being activated.

The embodiments of FIGS. 12 to 16 may be selectively combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 11.

Referring to FIG. 12, the vacuum cleaner 1 may display a first user interface 1200 indicating a state in which a blower device (e.g., the blower device 100 of FIGS. 2A and 2B) is coupled on the display 623.

According to an embodiment, the first user interface 1200 may include a first object 1210 indicating connection of the blower device 100 and a second object 1220 for receiving whether the user identifies information indicated by the first user interface 1200.

According to an embodiment, when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10, the vacuum cleaner 1 may display the first interface 1200 on the display 623 in response to identifying that the coupled device is the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may control the display 623 to return to a previous screen according to reception of an input of the power button 621a. For example, the vacuum cleaner 1 may display the user interface 1100 of FIGS. 11 to 14 according to reception of an input of the power button 621a.

Referring to FIG. 13, the vacuum cleaner 1 may display a second user interface 1300 indicating information about a driving state of a blower device (e.g., the blower device 100 of FIGS. 2A and 2B) on the display 623. For example, the second user interface 1300 may include a first object 1310 indicating an air volume level discharged through a discharge port (e.g., the discharge port 150a of FIG. 4) of the blower device 100, a second object 1320 indicating remaining air blowing time of the blower device 100, and a third object 1330 (e.g., the second object 1220 of FIG. 12) for receiving whether the user identifies information indicated by the second user interface 1300.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may display the first object 1310, which is information indicating the target driving speed of the blower device 100, on the display 623. The target driving speed may be selected by an input of a first function button 621b or a second function button 621c.

According to an embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 1 may display the second object 1320, which is information indicating remaining air blowing time of the blower device 100, on the display 623. The remaining air blowing time may be set according to the turn-on of the blower device 100. For example, the remaining air blowing time may be set corresponding to the air blowing mode of the blower device 100.

Referring to FIG. 14, the vacuum cleaner 1 may display a third user interface 1400 indicating information about air blowing intensity of a blower device (e.g., the blower device 100 of FIGS. 2A and 2B) on the display 623. For example, the third user interface 1400 may include a first object 1410 indicating that the third user interface 1400 is for selecting air blowing intensity of the blower device 100 and a second object 1420 for receiving a user input for air blowing intensity of the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the second object 1420 may include a plurality of objects according to the levels of air blowing intensity discharged by the blower device 100. For example, the second object 1420 may include a 2-1th object 1421 indicating that air blowing intensity of the blower device 100 is at a “weak” level, a 2-2th object 1422 indicating that air blowing intensity of the blower device 100 is at a “medium” level, a 2-3th object 1423 indicating that air blowing intensity of the blower device 100 is at a “strong” level, and a 2-4th object 1424 indicating that air blowing intensity of the blower device 100 is at a “booster” level.

According to an embodiment, the levels of air blowing intensity of the blower device 100 may have increasing wind speed in the order of weak, medium, strong, and booster. The blower motor 210 may be configured to rotate at different speeds in response to the blowing intensity of the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the “booster” mode may be defined as a mode that performs an operation of controlling the driving speed of the blower motor 210 to compress and discharge air sucked into the blower device 100 at high pressure. For example, the blower device 100 may compress air sucked into the blower device 100 at high pressure and then discharge it by repeatedly performing an operation of rotating the blower motor 210 at high speed and then stopping.

According to an embodiment, the 2-1th, 2-2th, 2-3th, and 2-4th objects 1421, 1422, 1423, 1424 included in the second object 1420 may be selected by an input of a function button 621b, 621c. For example, when current air blowing intensity of the blower device 100 is at a “medium” level and an input of the first function button 621b is received, the air blowing intensity may be changed to a “weak” level. For example, when current air blowing intensity of the blower device 100 is at a “medium” level and an input of the second function button 621c is received, the air blowing intensity may be changed to a “strong” level.

Referring to FIG. 15, the vacuum cleaner 1 may display a fourth user interface 1500 indicating information about the air blowing mode of the blower device 100 on the display 623. For example, the fourth user interface 1500 may include a first object 1510 indicating that the fourth user interface 1500 is for selecting the air blowing mode of the blower device 100 and a second object 1520 for receiving a user input for the air blowing mode of the blower device 100.

According to an embodiment, the second object 1520 may include a plurality of objects according to types of air blowing modes discharged by the blower device 100. For example, the second object 1520 may include a 2-1th object 1521 indicating that the air blowing mode of the blower device 100 is a “car wash” mode, a 2-2th object 1522 indicating that the air blowing mode of the blower device 100 is a “normal” mode, and a 2-3th object 1523 indicating that air blowing intensity of the blower device 100 is a “camping” mode. Referring to FIG. 15, the blower device 100 is currently in a state in which functions for normal mode are activated.

According to an embodiment, when receiving a user input for various types of air blowing modes, a blowing function may be activated according to preset air blowing intensity and air blowing time corresponding to the input air blowing mode.

As an example, when car wash mode is activated for the blower device 100, the blower device 100 may perform a blowing function with an air blowing intensity for blowing moisture remaining on a vehicle exterior after car washing. For example, when car wash mode is activated for the blower device 100, the blower device 100 may perform a blowing function with an air blowing intensity for blowing foreign objects inside a vehicle.

As an example, when normal mode is activated for the blower device 100, the blower device 100 may perform a blowing function with a preset air blowing intensity.

As an example, when camping mode is activated for the blower device 100, the blower device 100 may perform a blowing function with an air blowing intensity for accelerating ignition during camping. For example, when camping mode is activated for the blower device 100, it may perform a blowing function with an air blowing intensity for blowing foreign objects around a campsite.

According to an embodiment, the 2-1th, 2-2th, and 2-3th objects 1521, 1522, 1523 included in the second object 1520 may be selected by an input of a function button 621b, 621c. For example, when a current air blowing mode of the blower device 100 is “normal” mode and an input of the first function button 621b is received, the air blowing mode may be changed to “car wash” mode. For example, when a current air blowing mode of the blower device 100 is “normal” mode and an input of the second function button 621c is received, the air blowing mode may be changed to “camping” mode.

Referring to FIG. 16, the blower device 100 may display a fifth user interface 1600 instructing filter management on the display 623 according to the detection of clogging of a filter (e.g., the intake port filter 141 or discharge port filter of FIG. 4). For example, the fifth user interface 1600 may include a first object 1610 that identifies whether the filter is clogged and indicates a notification instructing filter management (e.g., filter cleaning) and a second object 1620 (e.g., the second object 1220 of FIG. 12 or the third object 1330 of FIG. 13) for receiving whether the user identifies information indicated by the fifth user interface 1600.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may identify whether the filter is clogged based on information detected by a filter sensor (e.g., the filter sensor 250 of FIG. 6) or the driving speed of the blower motor. The blower device 100 may display a notification instructing filter management on the display 623 in response to identifying whether the filter is clogged.

According to an embodiment, the blower device 100 may display a notification instructing filter management on the display 623 whenever a preset period is reached regardless of whether the filter is clogged.

A vacuum cleaner 1 (e.g., the vacuum cleaner 1 of FIG. 1) according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a blower device (e.g., the blower device 100 of FIGS. 2A and 2B) configured to suck and discharge external air.

The blower device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may receive power by a battery (e.g., the battery 50 of FIG. 1) disposed inside the cleaner main body (e.g., the cleaner main body 10 of FIG. 1) without a separate power source, thereby lightening the product.

The vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be configured to identify whether the blower device 100 is coupled and limit power supplied to a suction motor (e.g., the suction motor 650 of FIG. 6) in response to whether the blower device 100 is coupled.

The vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may display information about whether the blower device 100 is coupled, driving information of the blower device 100, and clogged states of an intake port (e.g., the intake port 140 of FIG. 3) and a discharge port (e.g., the discharge port 150a of FIG. 4) of the blower device 100 on a display (e.g., the display 623 of FIG. 6).

The vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may receive a user input for the blower device 100 through a control panel (e.g., the control panel 16 of FIG. 1) disposed on the cleaner main body 10 and transmit a control command corresponding to the user input to the blower device 100.

The blower device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may provide driving modes according to uses by driving a blower motor (e.g., the blower motor 210 of FIG. 4) at preset speeds corresponding to various driving modes.

Effects obtainable from the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

A vacuum cleaner (e.g., the vacuum cleaner 1 of FIG. 1) according to an embodiment of the disclosure may comprise a cleaner main body 10, a suction motor 650 disposed inside the cleaner main body 10, a battery 50, a blower device 100 configured to be couplable to the cleaner main body 10, the blower device 100 including a blower motor 210, a blower fan configured to rotate based on driving force generated from the blower motor 210, and a connector 110 formed to be couplable and electrically connectable to the cleaner main body 10, and a controller 610 to control driving of the blower device 100, the controller 610 configured to identify whether the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10, and in response to identifying that the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10, control driving power from the battery 50 to be supplied through the connector 110 to the blower device 100.

In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the controller 610 may be configured to, in response to an external device being coupled to the cleaner main body 10, transmit identification request information to the external device, obtain identification information corresponding to the identification request information from the external device, and based on the obtained identification information corresponding to the blower device 100, identify that the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10.

In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the connector 110 may include an identification resistor, and the controller 610 may be configured to obtain the identification information corresponding to the blower device 100 from the identification resistor.

In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the blower device 100 may further include an intake port 140 on a side surface of the blower device 100 and through which external air is sucked, and a discharge nozzle 150 through which the sucked external air is discharged.

In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, when the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10, the intake port 140 may be spaced further from the cleaner main body 10 than the connector 110, and positioned between the cleaner main body and the blower motor 210.

In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the blower device 100 may further include an intake port filter 141 under the intake port 140, and a discharge port filter inside a path formed inside the discharge nozzle 150.

In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the blower device 100 may further include a discharge port 150a in the discharge nozzle 150, and a filter sensor 250 configured to detect clogging of the intake port 140 or the discharge port 150a, and the filter sensor 250 may include at least one of a position sensor, an infrared sensor, and a pressure sensor.

In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the vacuum cleaner 1 may include a current sensor 640 configured to sense a driving current applied to the blower motor 210, the controller 610 may be configured to: based on the sensed driving current applied to the blower motor 210 that is sensed by the current sensor 640, obtain a current driving speed of the blower motor 210 and, when a difference between the obtained current driving speed of the blower motor 210 and a target driving speed of the blower motor 210 is larger than a threshold level, identify whether at least one of the intake port 140 and the discharge port 150a is clogged.

In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the controller 610 may be configured to identify whether the intake port 140 or the discharge port 150a is clogged based on information obtained from the filter sensor 250.

In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cleaner main body 10 may further include a switching element 615 configured to branch power supplied from the battery 50 to either the suction motor 650 or the blower device 100, and the switching element 615 may be connected to a signal line 111 connecting the battery 50 and the suction motor 650, and the switching element 615 may be connected to a signal line 111 connecting the battery 50 and the blower device 100.

In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cleaner main body 10 may further include a control panel 16, and the control panel 16 may include an input button 621 and a display 623.

In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the controller 610 may be configured to, in response to identifying that the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10, display a user interface on the display 623 indicating that the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10.

In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the blower device 100 may include a blower controller 220 configured to control driving of a rotational speed of the blower motor 210, and the controller 610 may be configured to, in response to receiving a user input through the input button 621: generate a control command for the blower device 100 corresponding to the received user input, and transmit the control command to the blower controller 220 to control driving of the rotation speed of the blower motor 210.

In the vacuum cleaner 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cleaner main body may include a display 623, the blower device 100 may include: an intake port filter 141 under the intake port 140, and a discharge port filter inside a path formed inside the discharge nozzle 150, and the controller 610 may be configured to, in response to identifying that at least one of the intake port 140 and the discharge port 150a is clogged:, display a notification instructing management of the intake port filter 141 or the discharge port filter on the display 623.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, provided is a method of controlling a vacuum cleaner 1 including a cleaner main body 10, a suction motor 650 inside the cleaner main body 10, a battery 50, a blower device 100 configured to be couplable to the cleaner main body 10, the blower device 100 including a blower motor 210, a blower fan configured to rotate based on driving force generated from the blower motor 210, and a connector 110 configured to be couplable and electrically connectable to the cleaner main body 10, the method including identifying whether the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10; in response to identifying that the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10, identifying whether the suction motor 650 is driving; when the suction motor is identified as driving, stopping driving of the suction motor 650; and supplying driving power from the battery 50 through the connector 110 to the blower motor 210.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further include, in response to an external device being coupled to the cleaner main body 10, transmitting identification request information to the external device, obtaining identification information corresponding to the identification request information from the external device, and based on the obtained identification information corresponding to the blower device 100, identifying that the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the connector 110 may include an identification resistor, and the method may further include obtaining the identification information corresponding to the blower device 100 from the identification resistor.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the vacuum cleaner may include a current sensor 640 configured to sense a driving current applied to the blower motor 210, and the blower device 100 may include an intake port 140 and a discharge port 150, and the method may further include, based on the sensed driving current applied to the blower motor 210 that is sensed by the current sensor 640, obtaining a current driving speed of the blower motor 210; comparing the obtained current driving speed of the blower motor 210 with a target driving speed of the blower motor 210; and, when a difference between the obtained current driving speed of the blower motor 210 and the target driving speed of the blower motor 210 is larger than a threshold level, identifying whether at least one of the intake port 140 or the discharge port 150 is clogged.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the blower device 100 may include an intake port filter 141 under the intake port 140, a discharge port filter proximate the discharge port 150, and a filter sensor configured to detect clogging of the intake port filter 141 or the discharge port filter, and the method may further include, based on information obtained from the filter sensor, identifying whether at least one of the intake port 140 and the discharge port 150 is clogged.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cleaner main body 10 may include a display 623, and the method may further include, in response to identifying that the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10, displaying a user interface indicating that the blower device 100 is coupled to the cleaner main body 10.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further include, in response to identifying the intake port 140 and the discharge port 150 is clogged, displaying a notification instructing management of the intake port filter 141 or the discharge port filter on display 623.