Clutchless self-propelled vacuum cleaner and nozzle height adjustment mechanism therefor

• US 20040134019A1
• Filed: 01/09/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Royal Appliance Manufacturing Company (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Royal Appliance Manufacturing Company (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Paliobeis, Steven J., Cipolla, Mark E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,222,390 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/340.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/28 Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle A47L5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/34 with height adjustment of nozzles or dust-loosening tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2805 Parameters or conditions being sensed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2852 Elements for displacement of the vacuum cleaner or the accessories therefor, e.g. wheels, casters or nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/325 for wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle

Abstract

A clutchless, direct drive, self-propelled vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle base having a suction inlet and a housing pivotally mounted on the nozzle base. A suction source is mounted to one of the nozzle base and the housing. A filter chamber is located in one of the nozzle base and the housing. A drive motor is mounted to one of the nozzle base and the housing, the drive motor having an output shaft. A transmission is directly coupled to the output shaft of the motor. A driven wheel is directly coupled to the transmission. Also disclosed is a height adjustment mechanism for the vacuum cleaner, the height adjustment mechanism employing the drive assembly of the vacuum cleaner.

Claims

1. A clutchless, direct drive, self-propelled vacuum cleaner comprising:

a nozzle base having a suction inlet;

a housing pivotally mounted on said nozzle base;

a suction source mounted to one of said nozzle base and said housing;

a filter chamber located in one of said nozzle base and said housing;

a drive motor mounted to one of said nozzle base and said housing, said drive motor having an output shaft;

a transmission directly coupled to said output shaft of said motor; and

,

a driven wheel directly coupled to said transmission.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said transmission comprises at least two gears operatively positioned between said output shaft and an axle of said driven wheel.

3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 further comprising a housing for accommodating said transmission.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3 wherein said housing includes a shelf for supporting said motor.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3 wherein said housing includes a portion for accommodating an axle of said driven wheel.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said motor comprises a direct current motor.

7. A direct drive self propelled vacuum cleaner comprising:

a nozzle base having a suction inlet;

a housing pivotally mounted on said nozzle base;

a suction source mounted to one of said nozzle base and said housing;

a filter chamber located in one of said nozzle base and said housing;

a drive motor mounted to one of said nozzle base and said housing, said drive motor having an output shaft;

a control located on one of said housing and said nozzle base for directing a rotational direction and a speed of said drive motor;

a transmission directly coupled to said output shaft of said drive motor; and

,

a driven wheel directly coupled to said transmission.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7 wherein said control comprises a trigger mounted on a handle extending from said upright housing.

9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8 wherein said control further comprises a sleeve mounted for reciprocation on said handle.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9 wherein said control further comprises:

a sensor for detecting a pulling force and a pushing force on said sleeve; and

,

a circuit in communication with said sensor and said motor for directing said motor to rotate in a first direction and in a second direction and to cease rotation.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10 wherein said sensor detects an amount of movement of said sleeve in relation to said handle and said circuit directs said motor to rotate at a speed of rotation commensurate with a degree of movement of said sleeve in relation to said handle.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10 wherein said sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12 wherein said sensor further comprises a magnet spaced from said Hall effect sensor.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10 wherein said motor comprises a direct current motor.

15. A height adjustment mechanism for a self propelled vacuum cleaner comprising:

a nozzle base having a suction inlet;

an upright housing pivotally mounted to said nozzle base;

a suction source mounted to one of said nozzle base and said upright housing;

a filter chamber located in one of said nozzle base and said upright housing;

a drive motor mounted to a motor housing pivotally connected to said nozzle base, a driven wheel connected to said drive motor;

a height adjustment control mounted to said nozzle base;

a cam connected to said height adjustment control;

a height adjustment lifter pivotally mounted to said nozzle base and cooperating with said cam, wherein said height adjustment lifter contacts said motor housing to rotate same and thus adjust a height of said suction inlet in relation to an associated subjacent support surface.

16. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 15 wherein said height adjustment lifter comprises a protrusion and said drive motor housing comprises a portion which is contacted by said protrusion.

17. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 15 further comprising a clamp for pivotally mounting said height adjustment lifter to said nozzle base.

18. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 15 wherein said motor housing comprises a pair of opposed stubs which are mounted in supports secured to said nozzle base for allowing a pivoting motion of said motor housing on said nozzle base.

19. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 15 further comprising a roller mounted to said nozzle base for supporting at least a portion of said nozzle base on the associated-surface.

20. A height adjustment mechanism for a self propelled vacuum cleaner comprising:

a nozzle base having a suction inlet;

at least one wheel rotatably mounted to said nozzle base for supporting said nozzle base on an associated subjacent support surface;

a housing connected to said nozzle base;

a suction source mounted to one of said nozzle base and said housing;

a filter chamber located in one of said nozzle base and said housing;

a drive motor mounted to said nozzle base, said drive motor having an output shaft;

a driven wheel coupled to said drive motor output shaft;

a height adjustment control mounted to said nozzle base;

a cam connected to said height adjustment control;

a height adjustment lifter pivotally mounted to said nozzle base and cooperating with said cam, wherein said height adjustment lifter contacts said motor housing to rotate same and thus adjust a height of said suction inlet in relation to the associated surface.

21. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 20 wherein said height adjustment lifter comprises a protrusion and said drive motor housing comprises a portion which is contacted by said protrusion.

22. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 20 further comprising a clamp for pivotally mounting said height adjustment lifter to said nozzle base.

23. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 20 wherein said motor housing comprises a pair of opposed stubs which are mounted in supports secured to said nozzle base for allowing a pivoting motion of said motor housing on said nozzle base.

24. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 20 further comprising a roller mounted to said nozzle base for supporting at least a portion of said nozzle base on the associated surface.

25. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 20 wherein said height adjustment control comprises a knob rotatably mounted to said nozzle base.