AC/DC hand portable wet/dry vacuum having improved portability and convenience

• US 20040088817A1
• Filed: 08/13/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Goger, Jason M., Watson, James B., Lopano, Daniel N., Cochran, John R., Potter, Christine H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,653,963 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/327.5
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4019 Fill level sensors; Security means to prevent overflow, e.g. float valves
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/14 cleaning by blowing-off, also combined with suction cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/36 Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0028 Security means, e.g. float valves or level switches for preventing overflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0009 Storing devices winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26; Supports, stands or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0027 specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0045 specially adapted for holding the suction tube
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/22 Mountings for motor fan assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/242 Hose or pipe couplings
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/26 Incorporation of winding devices for electric cables devices specially adapted for repeatedly paying-out or re-storing cables B65H75/34; arrangements of electrical cables or lines between relatively-movable parts H02G11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2878 Dual-powered vacuum cleaners, i.e. devices which can be operated with mains power supply or by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2889 Safety or protection devices or systems, e.g. for prevention of motor over-heating or for protection of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 15/01 Rechargeable batter

Abstract

A wet/dry utility vacuum with a canister, a powerhead assembly with a fan, a shut-off device that prevents the fan from drawing liquids into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume. The powerhead assembly includes a controller that permits the utility vacuum to be operated in a desired power mode so that the user may employ either an AC power source or a DC power source, such as a battery pack, for example. In some applications, the battery pack may be interchangeable with the battery packs of various cordless tools, including drill/drivers and saws. A tool set and a method for operating a battery-powered tool set are also provided.

Claims

1. A utility vacuum comprising:

a canister;

a powerhead assembly coupled to the canister and having a fan, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan, and a power supply for distributing electrical power to the motor, the fan including a fan inlet;

a shut-off device associated with the powerhead assembly, the shut-off device being configured to prevent the fan from drawing a liquid into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume;

an electrical cord associated with the power supply, the electrical cord being configured to permit a user to selectively couple the power supply to a source of alternating current power; and

a battery associated with the power supply, the battery being a source of direct current electrical power for powering the power supply when the power supply is not receiving alternating current power from the source of alternating current power.

2. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the battery is removable from the utility vacuum.

3. The utility vacuum of claim 2, further comprising a battery charger, the battery charger being electrically coupled to one of the power supply and the electrical cord, the battery charger being operable for charging the battery when the electrical cord is coupled to the source of alternating current power.

4. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the power supply includes a circuit for selecting between the source of alternating current power and the source of direct current power.

5. The utility vacuum of claim 4, wherein the circuit inhibits the battery from transmitting electrical power to the power supply when the power supply is receiving alternating current power.

6. The utility vacuum of claim 5, wherein the power supply includes an AC/DC converter and a DC/DC converter.

7. The utility vacuum of claim 6, wherein the AC/DC converter and the DC/DC converter each include a switching power supply to pulse modulate electrical energy to the motor.

8. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the power supply includes at least one switching power supply to pulse modulate electrical energy to the motor.

9. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the powerhead assembly includes a housing in which the fan, the motor and the power supply are housed, the housing including an inlet and an outlet, wherein operation of the utility vacuum draws an intake flow of air into the canister through the inlet and discharges a discharge flow of air through the outlet.

10. The utility vacuum of claim 9, wherein a cooling air intake aperture and a cooling air discharge aperture are formed in the housing, the cooling air discharge aperture being associated with the outlet so that air flowing through the outlet blows across the cooling air discharge aperture to set up a zone of relatively low pressure that causes air to be drawn out of the cooling air discharge aperture to thereby cool the motor.

11. The utility vacuum of claim 10, wherein the cooling air intake aperture is positioned proximate the inlet.

12. The utility vacuum of claim 11, wherein the cooling air intake aperture is positioned concentric about the inlet.

13. The utility vacuum of claim 1, wherein the shut-off device includes an object for blocking the fan inlet.

14. The utility vacuum of claim 13, wherein the object is a float.

15. The utility vacuum of claim 1, further comprising a second battery that is interchangeable with the battery, the second battery having a voltage that is different than a voltage of the battery, the second battery being the source of direct current electrical power for powering the poser supply when the second battery is interchanged with the battery and the power supply is not receiving alternating current power from the source of alternating current power.

16. A tool set comprising:

a battery pack;

a power tool having a receptacle assembly for detachably receiving the battery pack; and

a utility vacuum having a canister, a powerhead assembly and a shut-off device, the powerhead assembly being coupled to the canister and having a fan, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan, and a power supply for distributing electrical power to the motor, the fan including a fan inlet, the shut-off device being associated with the powerhead assembly and configured to prevent the fan from drawing a liquid into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume, the power supply including a receptacle assembly for detachably receiving the battery pack;

wherein the battery pack may be selectively coupled to either of the power tool and the utility vacuum to provide a source of electrical power thereto.

17. The tool set of claim 16, further comprising an electrical cord associated with the power supply, the electrical cord being configured to permit a user to selectively couple the power supply to a source of alternating current power.

18. The tool set of claim 17, further comprising a battery charger, the battery charger being electrically coupled to one of the power supply and the electrical cord, the battery charger being operable for charging the battery pack when the electrical cord is coupled to the source of alternating current power.

19. The tool set of claim 17, wherein the power supply includes a circuit for selecting between the source of alternating current power and electrical energy provided by the battery pack.

20. The tool set of claim 19, wherein the circuit inhibits the battery pack from transmitting electrical power to the power supply when the power supply is receiving alternating current power.

21. The tool set of claim 16, wherein the power tool is selected from a group of power tools consisting of flashlights, circular saws, reciprocating saws and drill drivers.

22. The tool set of claim 16, further comprising a battery charger, the battery charger for recharging the battery pack.

23. The tool set of claim 16, wherein the powerhead assembly includes a housing in which the fan, the motor and the power supply are housed, the housing including an inlet and an outlet, wherein operation of the utility vacuum draws an intake flow of air into the canister through the inlet and discharges a discharge flow of air through the outlet.

24. The tool set of claim 23, wherein a cooling air intake aperture and a cooling air discharge aperture are formed in the housing, the cooling air discharge aperture being associated with the outlet so that air flowing through the outlet blows across the cooling air discharge aperture to set up a zone of relatively low pressure that causes air to be drawn out of the cooling air discharge aperture to thereby cool the motor.

25. The tool set of claim 24, wherein the cooling air intake aperture is positioned proximate the inlet.

26. The tool set of claim 25, wherein the cooling air intake aperture is positioned concentric about the inlet.

27. The tool set of claim 16, further comprising a second battery pack that is interchangeable with the battery pack, the second battery pack having a voltage that is different than a voltage of the battery pack, the second battery pack being the source of direct current electrical power for powering the power supply when the second battery pack is interchanged with the battery pack and the power supply is not receiving alternating current power from the source of alternating current power.

28. A utility vacuum comprising:

a canister;

a powerhead assembly coupled to the canister and having a fan, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan, and a power supply for distributing electrical power to the motor, the fan including a fan inlet;

a shut-off device associated with the powerhead assembly, the shut-off device being configured to prevent the fan from drawing a liquid into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume; and

a battery associated with the power supply, the battery providing a source of direct current electrical power for powering the power supply.

29. The utility vacuum of claim 28, wherein the battery is detachably coupled to the powerhead assembly.

30. The utility vacuum of claim 28, further comprising an electrical cord associated with the power supply, the electrical cord being configured to detachably, couple the power supply to a second source of direct current power, the second source of direct current power being distinct and separate from that of the battery.

31. The utility vacuum of claim 30, wherein a voltage of the electrical power provided by the battery is different than a voltage of the direct current power provided by the second source of direct current power.

32. The utility vacuum of claim 30, further comprising an electrical cord associated with the power supply, the electrical cord being configured to detachably couple the power supply to a source of alternating current power.

33. The utility vacuum of claim 30, wherein the powerhead assembly includes a housing in which the fan, the motor and the power supply are housed, the housing including an inlet and an outlet, wherein operation of the utility vacuum draws an intake flow of air into the canister through the inlet and discharges a discharge flow of air through the outlet;

and

wherein the battery is housed in a compartment, the compartment being defined by the housing and a lid, the lid being movable relative to the housing between a first condition, which permits ingress of the battery to the compartment and egress of the battery pack from the compartment, and a second condition, in which the battery is inhibits ingress of the battery to the compartment and egress of the battery from the compartment.

34. The utility vacuum of claim 33, further comprising a flexible hose that is configured to be coupled to the inlet.

35. The utility vacuum of claim 34, wherein the flexible hose has a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a body interconnecting the first and second ends, the flexible hose being positionable in a storage position wherein the first end is coupled to the inlet and the body is wrapped about a side of the utility vacuum so as to extend under the compartment.

36. The utility vacuum of claim 35, wherein the second end of the flexible hose is coupled to the outlet.

37. The utility vacuum of claim 36, wherein the body is maintained in a state of tension when the hose assembly is positioned in the storage position.

38. The utility vacuum of claim 35, wherein the second end of the flexible hose is configured to be coupled to a clip attached to the housing.

39. The utility vacuum of claim 38, wherein the body is maintained in a state of tension when the hose assembly is positioned in the storage position.

40. The utility vacuum of claim 34, wherein the inlet and outlet are located on opposite sides of the housing and the flexible hose is positionable in a storage position wherein a first end of the flexible hose is coupled to the inlet and a second end of the flexible hose opposite the first end is coupled to the outlet.

41. The utility vacuum of claim 40, wherein a cooling air intake aperture and a cooling air discharge aperture are formed in the housing, the cooling air discharge aperture being associated with the outlet so that air flowing through the outlet blows across the cooling air discharge aperture to set up a zone of relatively low pressure that causes air to be drawn out of the cooling air discharge aperture to thereby cool the motor.

42. The utility vacuum of claim 41, wherein the cooling air intake aperture is positioned proximate the inlet.

43. The utility vacuum of claim 41, wherein the cooling air intake aperture is positioned concentric about the inlet.

44. The utility vacuum of claim 28, further comprising a second battery that is interchangeable with the battery, the second battery having a voltage that is different than a voltage of the battery, the second battery being the source of direct current electrical power for powering the poser supply when the second battery is interchanged with the battery.

45. A method for operating a battery-powered tool set, the tool set including a utility vacuum and a power tool, the method comprising:

uncoupling the battery pack from the power tool; and

coupling the battery pack to the utility vacuum to thereby provide the utility vacuum with a cordless source of electrical power.

46. The method for operating a battery-powered tool set of claim 45, further comprising:

providing an electrical cord associated with the utility vacuum, the electrical cord being configured to detachably couple the utility vacuum to a source of alternating current power; and

operating the utility vacuum with electrical power from one of the battery pack and the source of alternating current power.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the step of operating the utility vacuum includes:

operating the utility vacuum with electrical power from the source of alternating current power if the electrical cord is coupled to the source of alternating current power; and

otherwise, operating the utility vacuum with electrical power from the battery pack.

48. A utility vacuum comprising:

a canister;

a powerhead assembly removably coupled to the canister, the powerhead assembly having a fan, a motor for providing rotary power to the fan and a housing coupled to the fan and the motor, the housing including a fan inlet;

a shut-off device associated with the powerhead assembly, the shut-off device being configured to prevent the fan from drawing a liquid into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume;

a filter coupled to the housing and configured to filter a flow of air into the fan inlet, the filter including a filter flange; and

a filter gasket fixedly coupled to the housing and positioned adjacent the filter flange;

wherein one of the filter flange and the fan inlet includes a retaining tab and the other one of the filter flange and the fan inlet includes a retaining slot for receiving the retaining tab and wherein the retaining tab and the retaining slot are configured such that when engaged to one another the filter flange is drawn in an axial direction toward the housing to sealingly engage the filter flange to the filter gasket.

49. The utility vacuum of claim 48, wherein the retaining slot extends about a portion of a circumference of the other one of the filter flange and the fan inlet.

50. The utility vacuum of claim 49, wherein the retaining slot is spiral shaped.