Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a fan motor configured to generate suction, an input button configured to receive an input of a user, a first power supply circuit configured to convert alternating current (AC) power supplied from an external power source and output first direct current (DC) power, a second power supply circuit configured to store electric energy upon receiving the first DC power, and output second DC power based on the stored electric energy, a driver circuit configured to drive the fan motor upon receiving at least one of the first DC power and the second DC power, a first semiconductor switching circuit configured to control the first DC power supplied to the second power supply circuit, a second semiconductor switching circuit configured to control the first DC power and the second DC power that are supplied to the driver circuit, and a microprocessor configured to output a control signal for turning on or off the first semiconductor switching circuit and the second semiconductor switching circu

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a fan motor configured to generate suction, an input button configured to receive an input of a user, a first power supply circuit configured to convert alternating current (AC) power supplied from an external power source and output first direct current (DC) power, a second power supply circuit configured to store electric energy upon receiving the first DC power, and output second DC power based on the stored electric energy, a driver circuit configured to drive the fan motor upon receiving at least one of the first DC power and the second DC power, a first semiconductor switching circuit configured to control the first DC power supplied to the second power supply circuit, a second semiconductor switching circuit configured to control the first DC power and the second DC power that are supplied to the driver circuit, and a microprocessor configured to output a control signal for turning on or off the first semiconductor switching circuit and the second semiconductor switching circu

Abstract: An improved cleaning robot that uses a simple structure to sense an obstacle is provided. The cleaning robot includes a robot main body comprising a driving unit to drive the cleaning robot, and a cleaning unit to remove dust, a bumper unit which is movably mounted in the robot main body to protect the robot main body from collision with an obstacle, a sensor unit which supports the bumper unit movably in a plurality of directions to sense the collision of the bumper unit and the obstacle, and a control unit which controls the driving unit on the basis of a signal sensed by the sensor to avoid the obstacle.

Abstract: A steam-vacuum cleaner with an electric power controlling function and a method thereof are provided. The steam-vacuum cleaner includes a suction motor which rotates to generate a suction force; a heater which emits heat to generate a steam; a power supply part which supplies an electric power to the suction motor and the heater; an electric power measuring part which measure a total electric power supplied from the power supplier and consumed in the suction motor and the heater; and a controller which controls at least one of a rotational velocity of the suction motor and a magnitude of heat emitted from the heater such that the total electric power of the suction motor and the heater is maintained less than a threshold value. Accordingly, steam and vacuum cleaning functions are simultaneously performed within the limit of power capacity of a wire.

Abstract: An improved cleaning robot that uses a simple structure to sense an obstacle is disclosed. The cleaning robot includes a robot main body comprising a driving unit to drive the cleaning robot, and a cleaning unit to remove dust, a bumper unit which is movably mounted in the robot main body to protect the robot main body from collision with an obstacle, a sensor unit which supports the bumper unit movably in a plurality of directions to sense the collision of the bumper unit and the obstacle, and a control unit which controls the driving unit on the basis of a signal sensed by the sensor to avoid the obstacle.