US20060070206A1 - Floor cleaning apparatus with wireless control interface - Google Patents
Floor cleaning apparatus with wireless control interface Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060070206A1 US20060070206A1 US11/242,442 US24244205A US2006070206A1 US 20060070206 A1 US20060070206 A1 US 20060070206A1 US 24244205 A US24244205 A US 24244205A US 2006070206 A1 US2006070206 A1 US 2006070206A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- carried
- vacuum cleaner
- nozzle assembly
- assembly
- handle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
- A47L5/32—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle with means for connecting a hose
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2836—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means characterised by the parts which are controlled
- A47L9/2842—Suction motors or blowers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2836—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means characterised by the parts which are controlled
- A47L9/2847—Surface treating elements
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2894—Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more particularly, to a floor cleaning apparatus equipped with a wireless control interface.
- An upright vacuum cleaner may be generally described as comprising a canister assembly that is pivotally connected to a nozzle assembly.
- the canister assembly includes an operating handle that is manipulated by the operator to move the vacuum cleaner back and forth across the floor during the cleaning operation.
- the canister assembly also includes a dirt collection vessel, in the form of a dirt cup or filter bag that traps dirt and debris.
- a suction generator in the form of a motor driven fan, is provided on either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly. It is this suction generator that provides the drop in air pressure necessary to produce the desired cleaning action.
- the nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet through which dirt and debris is drawn into the vacuum cleaner by the suction generator.
- a suction inlet through which dirt and debris is drawn into the vacuum cleaner by the suction generator.
- most upright vacuum cleaners are also equipped with a rotary agitator.
- the rotary agitator is carried on the nozzle assembly and usually extends substantially across the full width of the suction inlet.
- the rotary agitator beats dirt and debris from the nap of the underlying carpet. That dirt and debris is then drawn in an airstream through the suction inlet into the vacuum cleaner by the suction generator.
- the dirt and debris becomes entrapped in the dirt collection vessel and the suction generator then moves the clean air through the motor to provide cooling before exhausting that air back into the environment.
- buttons or control switches at the end of the operating handle near the hand grip.
- these buttons or switches have been hardwired to the control circuit board (e.g. CPU) and the various electrical components of the vacuum cleaner including, for example, the suction generator motor, the agitator drive motor if present in the particular model, and the vacuum cleaner propulsion motor if present in the particular model.
- the control circuit board e.g. CPU
- the various electrical components of the vacuum cleaner including, for example, the suction generator motor, the agitator drive motor if present in the particular model, and the vacuum cleaner propulsion motor if present in the particular model.
- taper the control handle This limits the interior space available for the routing of the hardwiring from the control buttons and switches to the other electrical components of the vacuum cleaner.
- the present invention addresses and solves these problems by providing a wireless connection between the control buttons or switches and the remaining electrical components of the vacuum cleaner.
- the vacuum cleaner incorporates a removable control handle and wand assembly
- the wireless control interface further eliminates the need to provide control hardwiring from the switches and buttons on the control handle through the flexible hose to the remaining electrical components provided in the main vacuum cleaner housing. Accordingly, the present invention represents a significant advance in the art.
- an upright vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly pivotally connected to that nozzle assembly.
- the vacuum cleaner further includes a suction generator carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly.
- a dirt collection vessel is also carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly.
- the vacuum cleaner includes a control handle with user interface carried on the canister assembly.
- a transmitter is carried on the control handle and a receiver and controller, remote from the transmitter, are carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly.
- the nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet.
- a rotary agitator may be carried on the nozzle assembly adjacent the suction inlet. The rotary agitator functions to beat dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned.
- the dirt collection vessel may take the form of a porous filter bag or alternatively a dirt cup.
- dirt cup includes a cylindrical dirt collection chamber and a tangentially directed inlet so as to provide cyclonic airflow and the airstream cleaning benefits associated therewith.
- a first filter may be provided in that dirt cup.
- a second filter may be provided downstream from the suction generator.
- a floor cleaning apparatus comprises a housing and both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel carried on the housing.
- the floor cleaning apparatus includes a handle that is displaceable between a first, floor cleaning position wherein the handle is carried on the housing and a second, remote cleaning position wherein the handle is removed from the housing.
- a control actuator is carried on the handle.
- a transmitter is carried on the handle and operatively connected to the control actuator.
- a receiver responsive to the transmitter is carried on the housing.
- an upright vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle assembly including a suction inlet and a canister assembly pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly.
- a suction generator is carried on either of the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly.
- a dirt collection vessel is carried on either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly.
- the upright vacuum cleaner further includes a handle that is displaceable between a first, floor cleaning position wherein the handle is carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly and a second, remote cleaning position wherein the handle is removed from the nozzle assembly or canister assembly.
- a control actuator is carried on the handle.
- a transmitter is carried on the handle and operatively connected to the control actuator.
- a receiver responsive to the transmitter is carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly. Together the control actuator, transmitter and receiver function as a wireless control interface for the vacuum cleaner.
- the vacuum cleaner includes at least one rotary agitator mounted for rotation relative to the nozzle assembly in the suction inlet.
- the dirt collection vessel may take the form of a porous filter bag or a dirt cup.
- dirt cup includes a cylindrical dirt collection chamber and a tangentially directed inlet so as to provide cyclonic airflow.
- a first filter may be provided in the dirt cup.
- the suction generator is provided downstream from the dirt cup and a second filter is provided downstream from the suction generator.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the wand assembly withdrawn from the canister assembly to allow for above floor cleaning;
- FIG. 3 illustrates a dirt cup of cylindrical construction including a tangentially directed inlet and a centrally located filter so as to provide for cyclonic airflow;
- FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic illustrations of two possible embodiments of the wireless control interface provided on the floor cleaning apparatus of the present invention.
- the present invention relates to an upright vacuum cleaner 10 including a housing comprising both a nozzle assembly 12 and a canister assembly 14 .
- the canister assembly 14 is pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly 12 .
- the upright vacuum cleaner 10 rides over the floor surface being cleaned on wheels 15 carried on the housing.
- the nozzle assembly 12 includes a suction inlet 16 .
- a rotary agitator 18 carried on the nozzle assembly 12 is mounted in the suction inlet 16 .
- the rotary agitator 18 includes bristle tufts 20 , brushes, wipers or the like to beat dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned as the agitator 18 is rotated at high speeds with respect to that carpet and the nozzle assembly 12 .
- the canister assembly 14 includes a dirt collection vessel 22 housed in an internal cavity 23 .
- the dirt collection vessel 22 is a filter bag of permeable filter material adapted to entrap dirt and debris while allowing the passage of clean air through the bag.
- the dirt collection vessel 22 may take the form of a dirt cup 24 .
- such a dirt cup 24 may include a cylindrical dirt collection chamber 26 having a tangentially directed inlet 26 and an axial outlet 28 .
- a filter 30 may be concentrically mounted within the dirt collection chamber 26 over the outlet 28 . Such a filter 30 strips any remaining fine dirt and debris from the airstream as it moves through the filter toward the outlet 28 .
- the canister assembly 14 also includes a telescopic wand assembly generally designated by reference numeral 32 .
- the wand assembly 32 includes first and second telescopic wand sections 34 , 36 .
- the second wand section 36 is telescopingly received in the first wand section 34 .
- the wand sections 34 and 36 are connected together by a wand lock, generally designated by reference numeral 38 , that is carried on the end of the section 34 .
- a control handle 40 having a hand grip 42 is provided at the end of the first wand section 34 opposite the wand lock 38 .
- the end of the second wand section 36 opposite the wand lock 38 is received in a connector 44 mounted to the rear of the canister assembly 14 .
- a flexible hose 46 extends from the control handle 40 to the inlet 48 connected to the dirt collection vessel 22 .
- the rotary agitator 18 scrubs and beats dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned.
- a suction generator 50 carried on the housing draws air entrained with that dirt and debris through the suction inlet 16 , the connector 44 , the wand section 36 , the wand section 34 , the control handle 40 , the hose 46 and the inlet 48 into the dirt collection vessel 22 .
- the dirt and debris is captured in the vessel 22 while relatively clean air is drawn over the motor of the suction generator 50 in order to provide cooling. That air is then exhausted through a final filter 53 and returned to the environment through an exhaust port 54 .
- the wand assembly 32 includes a distal end that is removable from the canister assembly 14 to allow manipulation and specialty cleaning. More specifically, the distal end of the wand section 36 is removable from the connector 44 .
- the telescopic sections 34 , 36 of the wand assembly 24 may then be retracted or extended as desired to produce a wand of desired length.
- the wand assembly 32 is then manipulated by the operator through the control handle 40 . In this mode of operation air including dirt and debris is drawn into the open distal end of the wand assembly 32 . That air then travels through the wand section 36 , the wand section 34 , the control handle 40 , the hose 46 and the inlet 48 into the dirt collection vessel 22 . There the dirt becomes trapped and clean air then passes over the motor of the suction generator 50 before being exhausted through the final filter 52 and exhaust port 54 into the environment.
- the operation of the suction generator 50 and rotary agitator 18 are controlled by the operator through manipulation of the control actuator or user interface 60 provided on the control hand grip 42 .
- the control actuator 60 is connected to a transmitter 62 through a control line 63 .
- the user selected control setting is transmitted (see action arrow A) by the transmitter 62 to one or more remote receivers 64 provided in the nozzle assembly 12 and/or the canister assembly 14 .
- the receiver 64 is connected to the controller/CPU 66 of the vacuum cleaner 10 through the signal line 68 .
- the user selected setting information signal is passed from the receiver 64 to the controller 66 along the line 68 .
- the controller 66 then sends control signals to the motor 80 of the suction generator 50 , the motor 82 of the rotary agitator 18 and/or the self propulsion motor 84 so that both operate in accordance with the user selected settings.
- the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed.
- the invention broadly encompasses other floor cleaning apparatus such as, for example, extractors.
- the vacuum cleaner could include multiple agitators or even none at all.
- the CPU 66 sends a control signal that operates a transmission or pto drive thereby allowing interruption of the drive to the agitator while allowing that same motor to continue driving the suction fan.
- FIG. 5 An additional alternative embodiment is schematically illustrated in FIG. 5 .
- This embodiment includes two receivers 64 and CPUs 66 with one of each positioned in the canister assembly 14 and in the nozzle assembly 12 .
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/615,781 filed on 4 Oct. 2004.
- The present invention relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more particularly, to a floor cleaning apparatus equipped with a wireless control interface.
- Upright vacuum cleaners have become increasingly popular over recent years. An upright vacuum cleaner may be generally described as comprising a canister assembly that is pivotally connected to a nozzle assembly. The canister assembly includes an operating handle that is manipulated by the operator to move the vacuum cleaner back and forth across the floor during the cleaning operation. The canister assembly also includes a dirt collection vessel, in the form of a dirt cup or filter bag that traps dirt and debris. A suction generator, in the form of a motor driven fan, is provided on either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly. It is this suction generator that provides the drop in air pressure necessary to produce the desired cleaning action.
- The nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet through which dirt and debris is drawn into the vacuum cleaner by the suction generator. In order to provide more effective cleaning of the nap of rugs and carpets, most upright vacuum cleaners are also equipped with a rotary agitator. The rotary agitator is carried on the nozzle assembly and usually extends substantially across the full width of the suction inlet. During vacuum cleaner operation the rotary agitator beats dirt and debris from the nap of the underlying carpet. That dirt and debris is then drawn in an airstream through the suction inlet into the vacuum cleaner by the suction generator. The dirt and debris becomes entrapped in the dirt collection vessel and the suction generator then moves the clean air through the motor to provide cooling before exhausting that air back into the environment.
- In order to provide for convenient operation of the upright vacuum cleaner, it has been found desirable to provide a user interface such as a series of buttons or control switches at the end of the operating handle near the hand grip. In the past these buttons or switches have been hardwired to the control circuit board (e.g. CPU) and the various electrical components of the vacuum cleaner including, for example, the suction generator motor, the agitator drive motor if present in the particular model, and the vacuum cleaner propulsion motor if present in the particular model. In order to provide an aesthetically pleasing design it has also been found desirable to taper the control handle. This limits the interior space available for the routing of the hardwiring from the control buttons and switches to the other electrical components of the vacuum cleaner. As a consequence, routing of the hardwiring has become quite complicated and the necessary space for hardwiring has often limited the aesthetic designs that may be applied to the control handle. The present invention addresses and solves these problems by providing a wireless connection between the control buttons or switches and the remaining electrical components of the vacuum cleaner. Where the vacuum cleaner incorporates a removable control handle and wand assembly, the wireless control interface further eliminates the need to provide control hardwiring from the switches and buttons on the control handle through the flexible hose to the remaining electrical components provided in the main vacuum cleaner housing. Accordingly, the present invention represents a significant advance in the art.
- In accordance with the purposes of the present invention, an upright vacuum cleaner is provided comprising a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly pivotally connected to that nozzle assembly. The vacuum cleaner further includes a suction generator carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly. Similarly, a dirt collection vessel is also carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly. Further the vacuum cleaner includes a control handle with user interface carried on the canister assembly. A transmitter is carried on the control handle and a receiver and controller, remote from the transmitter, are carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly.
- More specifically describing the invention, the nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet. In addition a rotary agitator may be carried on the nozzle assembly adjacent the suction inlet. The rotary agitator functions to beat dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned.
- The dirt collection vessel may take the form of a porous filter bag or alternatively a dirt cup. In one possible embodiment that dirt cup includes a cylindrical dirt collection chamber and a tangentially directed inlet so as to provide cyclonic airflow and the airstream cleaning benefits associated therewith. Still further a first filter may be provided in that dirt cup. In addition a second filter may be provided downstream from the suction generator.
- In accordance with another aspect of the present invention a floor cleaning apparatus is provided. The floor cleaning apparatus comprises a housing and both a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel carried on the housing. In addition the floor cleaning apparatus includes a handle that is displaceable between a first, floor cleaning position wherein the handle is carried on the housing and a second, remote cleaning position wherein the handle is removed from the housing. A control actuator is carried on the handle. A transmitter is carried on the handle and operatively connected to the control actuator. A receiver responsive to the transmitter is carried on the housing.
- In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, an upright vacuum cleaner is provided. The upright vacuum cleaner comprises a nozzle assembly including a suction inlet and a canister assembly pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly. A suction generator is carried on either of the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly. Similarly, a dirt collection vessel is carried on either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly.
- The upright vacuum cleaner further includes a handle that is displaceable between a first, floor cleaning position wherein the handle is carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly and a second, remote cleaning position wherein the handle is removed from the nozzle assembly or canister assembly. A control actuator is carried on the handle. A transmitter is carried on the handle and operatively connected to the control actuator. Further a receiver responsive to the transmitter is carried on one of the nozzle assembly and the canister assembly. Together the control actuator, transmitter and receiver function as a wireless control interface for the vacuum cleaner.
- More specifically describing the invention, the vacuum cleaner includes at least one rotary agitator mounted for rotation relative to the nozzle assembly in the suction inlet. The dirt collection vessel may take the form of a porous filter bag or a dirt cup. In one possible embodiment that dirt cup includes a cylindrical dirt collection chamber and a tangentially directed inlet so as to provide cyclonic airflow. A first filter may be provided in the dirt cup. In one possible embodiment the suction generator is provided downstream from the dirt cup and a second filter is provided downstream from the suction generator.
- In the following description there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration, of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
- The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part of this specification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serves to explain certain principles of the invention. In the drawing:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar toFIG. 1 but showing the wand assembly withdrawn from the canister assembly to allow for above floor cleaning; -
FIG. 3 illustrates a dirt cup of cylindrical construction including a tangentially directed inlet and a centrally located filter so as to provide for cyclonic airflow; and -
FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic illustrations of two possible embodiments of the wireless control interface provided on the floor cleaning apparatus of the present invention. - Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
- As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , the present invention relates to anupright vacuum cleaner 10 including a housing comprising both anozzle assembly 12 and acanister assembly 14. Thecanister assembly 14 is pivotally connected to thenozzle assembly 12. Theupright vacuum cleaner 10 rides over the floor surface being cleaned onwheels 15 carried on the housing. - The
nozzle assembly 12 includes asuction inlet 16. Arotary agitator 18 carried on thenozzle assembly 12 is mounted in thesuction inlet 16. Therotary agitator 18 includes bristletufts 20, brushes, wipers or the like to beat dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned as theagitator 18 is rotated at high speeds with respect to that carpet and thenozzle assembly 12. - The
canister assembly 14 includes adirt collection vessel 22 housed in aninternal cavity 23. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 thedirt collection vessel 22 is a filter bag of permeable filter material adapted to entrap dirt and debris while allowing the passage of clean air through the bag. In an alternative embodiment thedirt collection vessel 22 may take the form of adirt cup 24. As illustrated inFIG. 3 , such adirt cup 24 may include a cylindricaldirt collection chamber 26 having a tangentially directedinlet 26 and anaxial outlet 28. Such an arrangement promotes cyclonic airflow in thechamber 26 which efficiently removes dirt and debris from the airstream in a manner well known in the art. Afilter 30 may be concentrically mounted within thedirt collection chamber 26 over theoutlet 28. Such afilter 30 strips any remaining fine dirt and debris from the airstream as it moves through the filter toward theoutlet 28. - The
canister assembly 14 also includes a telescopic wand assembly generally designated byreference numeral 32. Thewand assembly 32 includes first and secondtelescopic wand sections second wand section 36 is telescopingly received in thefirst wand section 34. Thewand sections reference numeral 38, that is carried on the end of thesection 34. A control handle 40 having ahand grip 42 is provided at the end of thefirst wand section 34 opposite thewand lock 38. The end of thesecond wand section 36 opposite thewand lock 38 is received in aconnector 44 mounted to the rear of thecanister assembly 14. Aflexible hose 46 extends from the control handle 40 to theinlet 48 connected to thedirt collection vessel 22. - During standard floor cleaning operation, the
rotary agitator 18 scrubs and beats dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned. Asuction generator 50 carried on the housing draws air entrained with that dirt and debris through thesuction inlet 16, theconnector 44, thewand section 36, thewand section 34, the control handle 40, thehose 46 and theinlet 48 into thedirt collection vessel 22. The dirt and debris is captured in thevessel 22 while relatively clean air is drawn over the motor of thesuction generator 50 in order to provide cooling. That air is then exhausted through a final filter 53 and returned to the environment through anexhaust port 54. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2 thewand assembly 32 includes a distal end that is removable from thecanister assembly 14 to allow manipulation and specialty cleaning. More specifically, the distal end of thewand section 36 is removable from theconnector 44. Thetelescopic sections wand assembly 24 may then be retracted or extended as desired to produce a wand of desired length. Thewand assembly 32 is then manipulated by the operator through the control handle 40. In this mode of operation air including dirt and debris is drawn into the open distal end of thewand assembly 32. That air then travels through thewand section 36, thewand section 34, the control handle 40, thehose 46 and theinlet 48 into thedirt collection vessel 22. There the dirt becomes trapped and clean air then passes over the motor of thesuction generator 50 before being exhausted through the final filter 52 andexhaust port 54 into the environment. - The operation of the
suction generator 50 androtary agitator 18 are controlled by the operator through manipulation of the control actuator oruser interface 60 provided on thecontrol hand grip 42. As best illustrated inFIG. 4 , thecontrol actuator 60 is connected to atransmitter 62 through acontrol line 63. The user selected control setting is transmitted (see action arrow A) by thetransmitter 62 to one or moreremote receivers 64 provided in thenozzle assembly 12 and/or thecanister assembly 14. Thereceiver 64 is connected to the controller/CPU 66 of thevacuum cleaner 10 through thesignal line 68. Thus, the user selected setting information signal is passed from thereceiver 64 to thecontroller 66 along theline 68. Thecontroller 66 then sends control signals to themotor 80 of thesuction generator 50, themotor 82 of therotary agitator 18 and/or theself propulsion motor 84 so that both operate in accordance with the user selected settings. - In summary, numerous benefits result from employing the concepts of the present invention. By eliminating the need for hard wiring between the
user interface 60 in thecontrol hand grip 42 and theCPU 66, there is no need to provide this wiring in theflexible hose 36, thereby reducing hose production costs. Further, there is no longer any need to accommodate such wiring in the control handle 40 and, accordingly, no associated limits are placed upon aesthetic handle design. - The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. For example, while an upright vacuum cleaner is illustrated in the drawing figures, the invention broadly encompasses other floor cleaning apparatus such as, for example, extractors. Further, while only one agitator is illustrated in the drawing figures, the vacuum cleaner could include multiple agitators or even none at all. Further, for single motor units, the
CPU 66 sends a control signal that operates a transmission or pto drive thereby allowing interruption of the drive to the agitator while allowing that same motor to continue driving the suction fan. - An additional alternative embodiment is schematically illustrated in
FIG. 5 . This embodiment includes tworeceivers 64 andCPUs 66 with one of each positioned in thecanister assembly 14 and in thenozzle assembly 12. - The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred embodiment do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims and their fair and broad interpretation in any way.
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/242,442 US20060070206A1 (en) | 2004-10-04 | 2005-10-03 | Floor cleaning apparatus with wireless control interface |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US61578104P | 2004-10-04 | 2004-10-04 | |
US11/242,442 US20060070206A1 (en) | 2004-10-04 | 2005-10-03 | Floor cleaning apparatus with wireless control interface |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060070206A1 true US20060070206A1 (en) | 2006-04-06 |
Family
ID=36141724
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/242,442 Abandoned US20060070206A1 (en) | 2004-10-04 | 2005-10-03 | Floor cleaning apparatus with wireless control interface |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060070206A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2522116A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110162677A1 (en) * | 2005-08-05 | 2011-07-07 | Thomas Stein | Method for cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces |
WO2014011221A1 (en) * | 2012-07-11 | 2014-01-16 | Tennant Company | Battery-operated cleaning apparatus |
US9282866B2 (en) | 2009-12-22 | 2016-03-15 | Ab Electrolux | Vacuum cleaner with retractable auxiliary suction hose |
US20190150683A1 (en) * | 2017-11-22 | 2019-05-23 | Guido Valentini | Vacuum Cleaner |
USRE47623E1 (en) | 2008-12-24 | 2019-10-01 | Midea America, Corp. | Vacuum cleaner handle lock and valve control |
US20210283006A1 (en) * | 2020-03-16 | 2021-09-16 | Starella Bolton | Adjustable Stimulation Device |
Citations (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2941346A (en) * | 1953-11-02 | 1960-06-21 | Perry Edward Gordon | Method and apparatus for the remote control of a lawn mower |
US3956688A (en) * | 1971-12-28 | 1976-05-11 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Remote control phase shift circuit for thyristor |
US4238689A (en) * | 1979-02-28 | 1980-12-09 | Beamco Co., Inc. | Vacuum cleaner control system |
US4369543A (en) * | 1980-04-14 | 1983-01-25 | Jen Chen | Remote-control radio vacuum cleaner |
US4419783A (en) * | 1981-06-18 | 1983-12-13 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Remote control for a vacuum cleaner motor |
US4611365A (en) * | 1983-02-12 | 1986-09-16 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Vacuum cleaner |
US4654924A (en) * | 1985-12-31 | 1987-04-07 | Whirlpool Corporation | Microcomputer control system for a canister vacuum cleaner |
US4854000A (en) * | 1988-05-23 | 1989-08-08 | Nobuko Takimoto | Cleaner of remote-control type |
US5353468A (en) * | 1991-10-17 | 1994-10-11 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Vacuum cleaner comprising a suction tube and suction tube provided with a remote-control circuit comprising a capacitive sensor |
US5495636A (en) * | 1994-04-06 | 1996-03-05 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Vacuum cleaner with independently operating on/off switches on the handle and the motor housing |
US5499423A (en) * | 1993-05-19 | 1996-03-19 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Noise control apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US5542146A (en) * | 1994-05-12 | 1996-08-06 | Electrolux Corporation | Electronic vacuum cleaner control system |
US5798913A (en) * | 1995-02-16 | 1998-08-25 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Power-supply and communication |
US5839156A (en) * | 1995-12-19 | 1998-11-24 | Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Remote controllable automatic moving vacuum cleaner |
US20020174507A1 (en) * | 1999-06-14 | 2002-11-28 | Kasper Gary A. | Extraction cleaner with power drive |
US20020174506A1 (en) * | 2001-03-16 | 2002-11-28 | Wallach Bret A. | Autonomous canister vacuum cleaner |
US20040010884A1 (en) * | 2002-07-22 | 2004-01-22 | Hitzelberger J. Erik | Floor care apparatus with deep cleaning action |
US20040025285A1 (en) * | 2000-11-13 | 2004-02-12 | Mccormick Michael J. | Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with filter and filter sweeper |
US7424766B2 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2008-09-16 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Sensors and associated methods for controlling a vacuum cleaner |
-
2005
- 2005-10-03 US US11/242,442 patent/US20060070206A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-10-03 CA CA002522116A patent/CA2522116A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2941346A (en) * | 1953-11-02 | 1960-06-21 | Perry Edward Gordon | Method and apparatus for the remote control of a lawn mower |
US3956688A (en) * | 1971-12-28 | 1976-05-11 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Remote control phase shift circuit for thyristor |
US4238689A (en) * | 1979-02-28 | 1980-12-09 | Beamco Co., Inc. | Vacuum cleaner control system |
US4369543A (en) * | 1980-04-14 | 1983-01-25 | Jen Chen | Remote-control radio vacuum cleaner |
US4419783A (en) * | 1981-06-18 | 1983-12-13 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Remote control for a vacuum cleaner motor |
US4611365A (en) * | 1983-02-12 | 1986-09-16 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Vacuum cleaner |
US4654924A (en) * | 1985-12-31 | 1987-04-07 | Whirlpool Corporation | Microcomputer control system for a canister vacuum cleaner |
US4854000A (en) * | 1988-05-23 | 1989-08-08 | Nobuko Takimoto | Cleaner of remote-control type |
US5353468A (en) * | 1991-10-17 | 1994-10-11 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Vacuum cleaner comprising a suction tube and suction tube provided with a remote-control circuit comprising a capacitive sensor |
US5499423A (en) * | 1993-05-19 | 1996-03-19 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Noise control apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US5495636A (en) * | 1994-04-06 | 1996-03-05 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Vacuum cleaner with independently operating on/off switches on the handle and the motor housing |
US5542146A (en) * | 1994-05-12 | 1996-08-06 | Electrolux Corporation | Electronic vacuum cleaner control system |
US5798913A (en) * | 1995-02-16 | 1998-08-25 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Power-supply and communication |
US5839156A (en) * | 1995-12-19 | 1998-11-24 | Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Remote controllable automatic moving vacuum cleaner |
US20020174507A1 (en) * | 1999-06-14 | 2002-11-28 | Kasper Gary A. | Extraction cleaner with power drive |
US20040025285A1 (en) * | 2000-11-13 | 2004-02-12 | Mccormick Michael J. | Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with filter and filter sweeper |
US20020174506A1 (en) * | 2001-03-16 | 2002-11-28 | Wallach Bret A. | Autonomous canister vacuum cleaner |
US20040010884A1 (en) * | 2002-07-22 | 2004-01-22 | Hitzelberger J. Erik | Floor care apparatus with deep cleaning action |
US7424766B2 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2008-09-16 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Sensors and associated methods for controlling a vacuum cleaner |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110162677A1 (en) * | 2005-08-05 | 2011-07-07 | Thomas Stein | Method for cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces |
US8287655B2 (en) * | 2005-08-05 | 2012-10-16 | Stein & Co. Gmbh | Method for cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces |
USRE47623E1 (en) | 2008-12-24 | 2019-10-01 | Midea America, Corp. | Vacuum cleaner handle lock and valve control |
US9282866B2 (en) | 2009-12-22 | 2016-03-15 | Ab Electrolux | Vacuum cleaner with retractable auxiliary suction hose |
WO2014011221A1 (en) * | 2012-07-11 | 2014-01-16 | Tennant Company | Battery-operated cleaning apparatus |
US20190150683A1 (en) * | 2017-11-22 | 2019-05-23 | Guido Valentini | Vacuum Cleaner |
US10959583B2 (en) * | 2017-11-22 | 2021-03-30 | Guido Valentini | Vacuum cleaner |
US20210283006A1 (en) * | 2020-03-16 | 2021-09-16 | Starella Bolton | Adjustable Stimulation Device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2522116A1 (en) | 2006-04-04 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA2522159C (en) | Upright vacuum cleaner incorporating telescopic wand assembly | |
US20060026788A1 (en) | Upright vacuum cleaner incorporating telescopic handle and wand assembly with electrified hose | |
US20060026791A1 (en) | Upright vacuum cleaner incorporating telescopic wand assembly with trigger operation | |
US7124467B2 (en) | Edge cleaning system for vacuum cleaner | |
US7356874B2 (en) | Vacuum cleaner | |
JP5600509B2 (en) | Surface treatment head | |
JP4938876B2 (en) | Surface treatment head | |
US20060026789A1 (en) | Upright vacuum cleaner incorporating releaseable locking mechanism for wand assembly | |
US20060070206A1 (en) | Floor cleaning apparatus with wireless control interface | |
AU2010272316B2 (en) | A surface treating head | |
AU2006207348A1 (en) | Cleaner head for a cleaning appliance | |
AU2007209801A1 (en) | Cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner | |
CA2747911A1 (en) | Floor cleaning apparatus with cleaning attachment release mechanism | |
US6918155B2 (en) | Dual agitator drive system with worm gear | |
US20060070203A1 (en) | Vacuum cleaner equipped with sound cancellation generator | |
US20060070209A1 (en) | Vacuum cleaner with displaceable height adjustment assembly and rotary agitator switch | |
US7210197B2 (en) | Nozzle assembly with air flow acceleration channels | |
CA2464577C (en) | Holder for alternately receiving wand or cleaning tool | |
US7357823B1 (en) | Disposable filter within a removable chamber | |
US7636983B2 (en) | Floor care apparatus with telescoping handle stalk | |
US20030070251A1 (en) | Vacuum cleaner | |
US20040168282A1 (en) | Nozzle assembly with edge cleaning through agitator cavity | |
US20080184521A1 (en) | Canister vacuum cleaner equipped with air cushion caster wheel assembly | |
KR20060116998A (en) | Vacuum cleaner having air injection apparatus |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA, NEW JERSEY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FISCHER, RICHARD J.;HAFLING, DANIELLE M.;HITZELBERGER, J. ERIK;REEL/FRAME:017120/0094;SIGNING DATES FROM 20050920 TO 20050929 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA, NEW JERSEY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FISCHER, RICHARD J.;CHARBONNEAU, GARY P.;HITZELBERGER, J. ERIK;REEL/FRAME:018035/0113;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060619 TO 20060717 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |