Steam-vacuum cleaner with electric power controlling function and method thereof

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.

1 . A cleaner, comprising:
 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 measures a total electric power 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.   
   
   
       2 . The cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller maintains the magnitude of heat emitted from the heater constant and adjusts the rotational velocity of the suction motor, thereby maintaining the total electric power less than the threshold value. 
   
   
       3 . The cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the rotational velocity of the suction motor by means of phase control. 
   
   
       4 . The cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller maintains the rotational velocity of the suction motor constant and adjusts the magnitude of heat emitted from the heater, thereby maintaining the total electric power less than the threshold value. 
   
   
       5 . The cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller adjusts the magnitude of heat emitted from the heater and adjusts the rotational velocity of the suction motor, thereby maintaining the total electric power less than the threshold value. 
   
   
       6 . A method for controlling an electric power, comprising:
 comparing a total electric power with a threshold value; and   if the total electric power exceeds the threshold value, controlling at least one of a rotational velocity of a suction motor and a magnitude of heat emitted from a heater to maintain the total electric power less than the threshold value.   
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the controlling step comprises maintaining the magnitude of heat emitted from the heater constant and adjusting the rotational velocity of the suction motor, thereby maintaining the total electric power less than the threshold value. 
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the controlling step comprises adjusting the rotational velocity of the suction motor by phase control. 
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the controlling step comprises maintaining the rotational velocity of the suction motor constant and adjusting the magnitude of heat emitted from the heater, thereby maintaining the total electric power less than the threshold value. 
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the controlling step comprises adjusting the magnitude of heat emitted from the heater and adjusting the rotational velocity of the suction motor, thereby maintaining the total electric power less than the threshold value.