Disinfecting device utilizing ultraviolet radiation

• US 20070192986A1
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Oreck Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Garcia, Carrie, Garcia, Ken
• Granted Patent: US 7,444,711 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/339
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/10 Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/00 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
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/02 Nozzles suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/04 with driven brushes or agitators
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2805 Parameters or conditions being sensed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2836 characterised by the parts which are controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• 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: A47L 9/30 Arrangement of illuminating devices

Abstract

A disinfecting device is presented having a UV light source for radiation of a cleaning medium to eradicate the medium of infestation agents such as molds, viuses, bacteria and dust mites. The device enhances the disinfection of the medium by providing mechanisms for enhanced penetration of the UV light into the cleaning medium. The device also offers enhanced heat dissipation to promote effective use of the device. Also provided are safety mechanisms to promote the safe and advantageous use of the UV device.

Claims

1. A disinfecting device for use in disinfecting a cleaning medium of infestation agents, the device comprising:

a housing;

a bulb assembly disposed within the housing, the bulb assembly having an airtight bulb chamber, the bulb assembly having a UV bulb positioned in the chamber and operable to radiate UV light onto the cleaning medium;

a vacuum assembly for vacuuming the cleaning medium, the vacuum assembly operable to produce a flow of air; and

a heat dissipation system, the system including flowing air produced by the vacuum assembly across the bulb assembly.

2. A device as in claim 1, the heat dissipation assembly further comprising a heat dissipation chamber formed outside the bulb chamber, at least one air flow passage for communicating air from the exterior of the heat dissipation chamber to the interior of the heat dissipation chamber.

3. A device as in claim 1, the heat dissipation assembly further comprising at least on fin extending from the bulb chamber and operable to transfer heat away from the bulb chamber.

4. A device as in claim 1 wherein the heat dissipation system is operable to maintain the interior of the bulb assembly chamber at less that 110 degrees.

5. A device as in claim 2 wherein the heat dissipation assembly further comprises at least one fin extending from the heat dissipation chamber.

6. A device as in claim 5 wherein the at least one fin extends into the flowing air produced by the vacuum assembly.

7. A device as in claim 1 wherein the bulb chamber is partially defined by a lens disposed between the UV and the cleaning medium.

8. A device as in claim 1, the bulb assembly further comprising a mechanism for dampening vibration on the UV bulb.

9. A device as in claim 1 wherein the bulb assembly further comprised a polished aluminum reflector operable to reflect UV light radiated from the UV bulb onto the cleaning medium.

10. A device as in claim 1 wherein the vacuum assembly further comprises a beater bar.

11. A device as in claim 1 wherein the UV bulb is positioned no more than one inch above the cleaning medium.

12. A device in claim 1, the device further comprising at least one protruding member operable to contact the cleaning medium and to expose at least a portion of the cleaning medium to UV light radiated from the UV bulb.

13. A device as in claim 12 wherein the cleaning medium is a carpet medium having a plurality of fibers, the at least one protruding member operable to contact the fibers, create space between the fibers and expose a portion of the fibers to direct UV light.

14. A device as in claim 12 wherein the at least one protruding member is positioned in the direct path of UV light radiated from the UV bulb.

15. The device as in claim 12 wherein the at least one protruding member is operable to maintain the lens above the cleaning medium.

16. A device as in claim 1 further comprising a first safety switch operable to deactivate the UV bulb.

17. A device as in claim 16 further comprising a second safety switch assembly operable to deactivate the UV bulb.

18. A device as in claim 16 wherein the safety switch is a dead-man'"'"'s switch.

19. A device as in claim 17 wherein the second safety switch is a cleaning medium contact switch.

20. A device as in claim 1 wherein the bulb assembly further comprises multiple UV bulbs.

21. A device as in claim 1 wherein the bulb assembly is a bulb-in-bar assembly.

22. A device as in claim 17, wherein the second safety switch is a tilt switch operable to deactivate the UV bulb when the housing is tilted more than a preselected amount.

23. A device as in claim 17 wherein the first and second safety switches are connected in series.

24. A device as in claim 18, wherein the dead-man'"'"'s switch requires depression of a button by the user to activate the UV bulb.

25. A device as in claim 1 further comprising at least three safety switches, at least two of the safety switches connected in series.

26. A device as in claim 1 further comprising an indicator light, visible to the user, for indicating when the UV bulb is activated.

27. A device as in claim 17 further comprising a indicator light, visible to the user, for indicating when the UV bulb is activated.

28. A disinfecting device for use in disinfecting a cleaning medium of infestation agents, the device comprising:

a housing

a bulb assembly disposed within the housing, the bulb assembly having a bulb chamber, the bulb assembly having a UV bulb positioned in the bulb chamber and operable to radiate UV light onto the cleaning medium, the bulb assembly having a reflector operable to reflect UV light radiated from the UV bulb onto the cleaning medium, the bulb chamber at least partially defined by a lens, the lens allowing UV light to pass therethrough;

a vacuum assembly for vacuuming the cleaning medium, the vacuum assembly having a motor operable to produce a flow of air, the vacuum assembly having a collection bin for collecting particles extracted from the cleaning medium; and

multiple safety switches for deactivating the UV bulb, at least two of the safety switches connected in series such that opening one or more of the switches deactivates the UV bulb.

29. A device as in claim 28 wherein the bulb chamber is airtight.

30. A device as in claim 28 wherein the vacuum assembly further comprises a beater bar.

31. A device as in claim 28 wherein the UV bulb is positioned no more than about one inch above the cleaning medium.

32. A device as in claim 28 wherein at least one of the safety switches is a dead-man'"'"'s switch.

33. A device as in claim 28 wherein at least one of the safety switches is a tilt switch operable to deactivate the UV bulb when the housing is tilted more than a preselected amount.

34. A device as in claim 32 wherein the dead-man'"'"'s switch requires depression of a button by the user to activate the UV bulb.

35. A device as in claim 28 further comprising an indicator light, visible to the user, for indicating when the UV bulb is activated.

36. A device as in claim 32 further comprising an indicator light, visible to the user, for indicating when the UV bulb is activated.