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It was previously unlikely that these technologies would be used in vacuum cleaner products one day.

Laser detection is a technology that was previously used mainly for calculating the distance to objects in space. Its main principle is to transform the received laser signal into an electrical signal, convert optical information into electrical information, and obtain different information through different information processing methods to achieve detection purposes.

What the public is most familiar with now is perhaps the laser radar used in autonomous driving.

Piezoelectric sensor. The same technology NASA uses to detect space debris. The main principle is to convert the sound waves generated by impurities hitting the sensor into electrical signals, which can be analyzed through algorithms.

The headphones we use in our daily lives are achieved by "doing the opposite".

…

However, the latest vacuum cleaner products now all integrate them.

Without a doubt, it comes from Dyson, which is famous for its black technology strength .

Black technology vacuuming?

The most obvious difference in the Dyson V12 is the addition of a laser device on the right side of its soft velvet suction head .

This is a laser diode 7.3mm above the ground. When in use, the laser will be scattered by the lens to form a plane in front of the suction head, forming an angle of 1.5 degrees with the ground.

The reason why we need to add a lighting system to the vacuum cleaner is mainly because in our daily lives, it is difficult for the naked eye to identify dust particles with low density and small diameter.

However, under the irradiation of this laser, dust that is not easy to detect will also appear as a long shadow behind.

The current common practice in the industry is to add lighting to the suction head, but Dyson is the only one using laser technology.

What difference does using more expensive lasers make compared to the more widespread LED lighting?

The most critical difference may come from the strong directionality of laser.

Ordinary light sources usually emit light in all directions throughout the space.

As shown in the figure below, when the light from the bottom of the LED bead shines on the dust, it can draw a longer shadow, but the light from the other direction will illuminate the original shadow from above. Therefore, the dust display effect of ordinary LED lighting will be greatly reduced.

On the other hand, laser is a directional light emitted by the laser in the direction of illumination, with a small divergence angle. Almost all lasers are directed in a single direction, and the shadow of the dust will not be interfered by light from other directions. When applied to the suction head of a vacuum cleaner, the dust in front will be more obvious.

In addition, lasers have a very small solid angle, so they are brighter. In particular, the green light used by Dyson this time is much brighter than red and blue light to the human eye.

This allows dust to be illuminated in both low-light and brightly lit environments.

If you only rely on ordinary LED lighting, the effect will be further reduced during daytime use.

So, what problems are piezoelectric acoustic sensors used to solve?

If lasers are used to solve the problem that human eyes cannot see dust clearly, then piezoelectric acoustic sensors are used to enable vacuum cleaners to identify dirt.

The principle of piezoelectric acoustic sensors is somewhat related to headphones. The headphones or speaker devices we use in our daily lives all convert digital electrical signals into vibrations of the diaphragm to produce sound.

The piezoelectric acoustic sensor, on the other hand, converts the sound waves generated by impurities hitting the sensor into electrical signals. The electrical signals are analyzed by algorithms, allowing the vacuum cleaner to identify the size and number of inhaled particles.

The piezoelectric sensor used by V12 can measure and count the size of dust particles at a frequency of 15,000 times per second .

After knowing the size and quantity of dust particles...

The vacuum cleaner can adjust the suction power autonomously, thereby achieving a balance between cleaning effect and battery life.

It is precisely because of the "teaching according to students' aptitude" automatic adjustment of suction function that the V12 canceled the previous trigger power button and instead designed a switch button right above the machine.

Just like the currently popular smart driving cars, there are fewer scenarios where users need to "actively" adjust the system. Just turn it on and use it, with intelligent recognition and evolution.

Currently, there are also ways to analyze the size and quantity of particles using infrared detectors , but the principle of this type of sensor is to count through dust shadows. If the amount of dust is huge, the error of the result will be large.

In comparison, piezoelectric sensors have stronger and more accurate ability to measure and analyze dust, and are more sensitive. They are also the basis for the device algorithm to intelligently sense and adjust the suction power.

What else does Dyson V12 have?

Of course, laser devices and piezoelectric sensors are not all of V12's technology.

Dyson's signature patent, the Strata Cyclone, the same type used in helicopters to separate impurities from air, will be retained and strengthened this time.

The exclusive Hyperdymium digital motor can reach a speed of 125,000 revolutions per minute, creating a suction force of 150AW.

While reducing the weight of the V12, the suction level is still maintained at a high level.

There are also some small details.

For example, the original electric mattress suction head can be upgraded to the current anti-tangle spiral suction head.

For pet owners and many girls with long hair, current vacuum cleaner products have a huge pain point, that is, after each cleaning, a lot of hair will be entangled on the roller brush, which is disgusting and unhygienic to clean with bare hands.

Dyson solved the problem by designing the roller brush of the suction head into a conical structure with a built-in motor. It is said that the inspiration was found in Archimedes' screw pump.

In the actual test, we prepared some thin wires to simulate hair, and we can see that the hair is directly sucked into the dust collection bin after cleaning:

In addition, the weight of the whole machine has been further optimized. The main unit weighs only 1.5kg.

Even a single lady with less strength can clean her home more easily.

Well, this is also the most attractive part after trying it out - one more reason to give a gift to a young lady living alone.

Vacuum cleaners are being redefined

In short, looking at the above new technologies and capabilities in summary, the hidden main thread behind them is becoming increasingly clear.

Vacuum cleaner hardware is also beginning to undergo intelligent redefinition brought about by software and algorithms.

Whether it is a laser device or a piezoelectric sensor, they are all "forms", and the "spirit" behind them is more precise data thinking, machine learning thinking and AI thinking.

These sensors can digitize the "processing goals" and "implementation processes" of the vacuum cleaner, allowing AI to play its strengths, make more accurate decision-making measures based on data patterns, and lay the foundation for personalization for thousands of people.

This kind of change is already happening in areas like mobile phones and cars, but it is more "low-key" in areas like vacuum cleaners. However, this also shows that even an ordinary-looking vacuum cleaner can take its capabilities and user experience to a new level, and the effort behind it is not simple.

Therefore, even in a seemingly daily field like vacuum cleaners, the competition behind the scenes has begun to turn into a competition of technical strength and technological innovation. The quality of a product may seem to be "good or bad", but behind it is the accumulation of technology and strength.

The reason why companies like Dyson are often compared with Apple is that the product experience brought by technological innovation may be a core reason that is easily overlooked.

Only this time, the obvious upgrade of V12 provides an opportunity and window to see through the industrial transformation.

Of course, if you don’t want to see through the industrial changes, but just want to enjoy the fun of black technology, or find a reason to give a gift to your favorite girl or brother...

Dyson Tmall Super Product Day is coming on April 9th, and there are more surprises waiting for you to unlock~