公开(公告)号：US20190320865A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-24

申请号：US16392480

申请日：2019-04-23

Applicant: SharkNinja Operating, LLC

Inventor： Andre D. BROWN ,  David S. CLARE ,  Nicholas SARDAR ,  Christopher P. PINCHES ,  Samuel Emrys JAMES ,  Michael James DOUGLAS ,  Hugh J. CROGGON ,  Jason B. THORNE

IPC: A47L9/28

Abstract: In general, the present disclosure is directed to a force-sensing arrangement for use in surface cleaning devices, such as a vacuum device, that allows a user-supplied force to be translated into a command signal to cause the surface cleaning device to accelerate forward, reverse or to veer/turn in a desired direction. In an embodiment, the surface cleaning device includes a nozzle, wheels, motor(s) to drive the wheels, and an upright handle portion. The surface cleaning device includes a force-sensing arrangement with load cells coupled at a position where user force is transferred from the upright portion to the nozzle. The force-sensing arrangement detects the user supplying a relatively small amount of force and translates the same into measurement signals. A controller coupled to the load cells utilizes the measurement signals to determine or “infer” a desired direction of travel.