IP Library Granted Patent US 12,660,971
Granted Patent B2
US 12,660,971 · App. 18/587,516 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

System and method for controlling a motor at a constant rotations per minute (RPM)

Inventor: Kevin Terry (Charlotte, NC)
Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
A47L9/2842A47L9/2831A47L9/2884A47L9/2894
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,660,971
App. No.
18/587,516
Filed
Feb 26, 2024
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Examiner
LUO, DAVID S
Art Unit
2837
USPC
318/432
Abstract

A cleaning system including a motor configured to provide rotational energy, a current sensor configured to sense current provided to the motor, and a controller having an electronic processor. The controller is configured to receive, from the current sensor, a current signal indicative of the current provided to the motor, filter the current signal to produce a filtered current signal, and control the motor based on the filtered current signal.

Claims (41)

1 . A cleaning system comprising:

a brush;

a motor configured to provide rotational energy to the brush;

a current sensor configured to sense current provided to the motor; and

a controller having an electronic processor, the controller configured to

receive, from the current sensor, a current signal indicative of the current provided to the motor,

filter the current signal to produce a filtered current signal, and

control the motor based on the filtered current signal,

wherein the controller controls the motor to operate at a first substantially constant rotations per minute when the current signal is less than a predetermined current threshold, and to operate at a second substantially constant rotations per minute when the current signal is greater than the predetermined current threshold.

2 . The cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the motor further based on a gain value.

3 . The cleaning system of claim 2 , wherein the gain value is a predetermined value.

4 . The cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the motor based on a first gain value when the current signal is less than the predetermined current threshold, and a second gain value when the current signal is greater than the predetermined current threshold.

5 . The cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the motor further based on the current compared to an unladen current.

6 . The cleaning system of claim 5 , wherein the unladen current is a predetermined value.

7 . The cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the motor to operate a substantially constant rotations per minute (RPM).

8 . The cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the motor via a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal.

9 . The cleaning system of claim 1 , further comprising a battery configured to supply power to the motor.

10 . The cleaning system of claim 9 , wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery pack.

11 . The cleaning system of claim 9 , wherein the controller controls the motor independent of a voltage of the battery.

12 . A method of controlling a cleaning system including a motor configured to provide rotational energy to a brush, the method comprising:

sensing, via a current sensor, a current provided to the motor;

receiving, via a controller, a current signal indicative of the current from the current sensor;

filtering, via the controller, the current signal to produce a filtered current signal;

controlling, via the controller, the motor based on the filtered current signal; and

operating the motor to rotate the brush at a first substantially constant rotations per minute when the current signal is less than a predetermined current threshold, and operating the motor to rotate the brush at a second substantially constant rotations per minute when the current signal is greater than the predetermined current threshold.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the motor is further controlled based on a gain value.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the gain value is a predetermined value.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising controlling the motor based on a first gain value when the current signal is less than the predetermined current threshold, and a second gain value when the current signal is greater than the predetermined current threshold.

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the motor is further controlled based on the current compared to an unladen current.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the unladen current is a predetermined value.

18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the motor is operated at a substantially constant rotations per minute (RPM).

19 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the motor operated with a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal.

20 . A cleaning system comprising:

a brush;

a motor configured to provide rotational energy to the brush;

a current sensor configured to sense current provided to the motor; and

a controller having an electronic processor, the controller configured to

receive, from the current sensor, a current signal indicative of the current provided to the motor,

filter the current signal to produce a filtered current signal, and

control the motor based on the filtered current signal,

wherein the controller controls the motor based on a first gain value when the current signal is less than a predetermined current threshold, and a second gain value when the current signal is greater than the predetermined current threshold.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 4, 2026
From: TERRY, KEVIN
To: TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITED
Reel/Frame 074851/0451 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2024
From: TERRY, KEVIN
To: TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITED
Reel/Frame 066563/0827 →
ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 26, 2024
From: TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITED
To: TECHTRONIC FLOOR CARE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 066680/0920 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17017168 · Sep 10, 2020
Provisional Application 62910193 · Oct 3, 2019
Related Publication 20240197129A1 · Jun 20, 2024
References Cited (24)
US 6545443B2 · Kushida · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6984948B2 · Nakata et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 8064729B2 · Li et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8294393B2 · Schock et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8350508B2 · Celik · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8362736B2 · Woodward · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8373371B2 · Clothier et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8395340B2 · Marvelly · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8432114B2 · Clothier · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8474095B2 · Clothier et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8487569B2 · Dawe et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8561253B2 · Clothier et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8614557B2 · Clothier · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 8648552B2 · Dai · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8710778B2 · Clothier et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 9001098B2 · Seo et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9054614B2 · Roh · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9225281B2 · Dai · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9301665B2 · Clothier et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9742319B2 · Marvelly · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 9801516B2 · Zheng et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9993129B2 · Santini · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20020175648A1 · Erko et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20150265121A1 · Kim et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]