VACUUM CLEANER WITH REMOVABLE DUST COLLECTOR, AND METHODS OF OPERATING THE SAME
First Claim
1. A method of operating a vacuum cleaner having a dust collection unit with at least one movable dust compression plate that moves to compress dust and foreign objects collected in the dust collection unit, comprising:
- moving the at least one dust compression plate as the vacuum cleaner operates to compress dust in the dust collection unit;
determining how far the at least one dust compression plate can move;
comparing the determined amount of movement to a predetermined minimum amount of movement; and
signaling that the dust collection unit needs to be emptied when the result of the comparison step indicates that that the determined amount of movement is equal to or less than the predetermined minimum amount of movement.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner includes a dust collector that compresses dust stored inside a dust container to minimize the volume of the dust. The dust collector would include one or more pressing plates that are used to compress the dust stored in dust collector. Various methods are used to control movements of the movable pressing plates to facilitate the compression operations. Also, various methods are used to determine when the dust collector is full and needs to be emptied.
21 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of operating a vacuum cleaner having a dust collection unit with at least one movable dust compression plate that moves to compress dust and foreign objects collected in the dust collection unit, comprising:
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moving the at least one dust compression plate as the vacuum cleaner operates to compress dust in the dust collection unit;
determining how far the at least one dust compression plate can move;
comparing the determined amount of movement to a predetermined minimum amount of movement; and
signaling that the dust collection unit needs to be emptied when the result of the comparison step indicates that that the determined amount of movement is equal to or less than the predetermined minimum amount of movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of controlling a vacuum cleaner having a dust collection unit with at least one movable compression plate that compresses dust and foreign objects in the dust collection unit, comprising:
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applying power to a compression motor to move the at least one dust compression plate in a first direction to compress dust and foreign objects in the dust collection unit;
sensing an amount of electrical current applied to the compression motor; and
cutting the power applied to the compression motor when the sensed electrical current suddenly increases. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification