Central vacuum cleaning system control subsystems

• US 20080184519A1
• Filed: 04/03/2008
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
• Inventors: Cunningham, J. Vern
• Application Number:
  US12/078,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20080184519A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/38 Built-in suction cleaner installations, i.e. with fixed tube system to which, at different stations, hoses can be connected
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2805 Parameters or conditions being sensed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2831 Motor parameters, e.g. motor load or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2884 Details of arrangements of batteries or their installation
• 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 9/2894 Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7172 Conduits for light transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/0833 for electric motors with control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A central vacuum cleaning system control subsystem for use in a central vacuum cleaning system having a motor includes a central vacuum unit control module with a receiver for wirelessly receiving command signals, and a power stage for controlling the motor in accordance with command signals received through the receiver. The control module is stable in high ambient temperature. Current flowing to the motor is sensed, and motor overcurrent and undercurrent conditions are determined. The control module determines when the motor is in an overcurrent condition. Power stage has a triac for controlling power to the motor. The control module also has a microprocessor that compares the current sensed against a normal operating current to determine overcurrent condition. Power to motor ceases when overcurrent condition exists. A generator is powered by air flow in a cleaning system for production of electrical energy.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner system comprising:

a) a line power input;

b) a dirt collection unit;

c) at least one dirty air intake conduit defining an airflow path to the vacuum unit and terminating in a dirt collection unit;

d) a vacuum motor adapted to generate a working airflow from the dirty air intake to conduit to the dirt collection unit; and

e) a programmable control unit having a power conditioning module and adapted to be programmed with a control program that controls the power conditioning module to provide power from the line power input to drive the vacuum motor.

2. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 1, wherein the programmable control unit comprises a microprocessor-based printed circuit board (PCB).

3. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 1, wherein the power conditioning module is controlled by the programmable control unit to deliver power to the vacuum motor.

4. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 1, wherein the dirt collection unit, at least one dirty air intake, the vacuum motor, and the programmable control unit are located in a power unit of a central vacuum system.

5. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 1, wherein the control program is stored in a memory structure in the control unit.

6. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a memory structure and the control unit is adapted to record operational data relating to operation of the vacuum system in the memory structure.

7. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 6, wherein operational data comprises measured motor current levels.

8. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further comprises a service tool interface.

9. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 8, wherein the service tool interface comprises an interface selected from the group consisting of a connector, a wireless interface and combinations thereof.

10. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface in electrical communication with the control unit and adapted to receive user inputs and output status information.

11. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 10, wherein the user interface comprises an indicator panel with one or more status indicators.

12. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further adapted to execute a power shut off if at least one error condition is detected from the group consisting of a detected locked motor rotor, a detected current level exceeding a predetermined threshold, a detected temperature exceeding a predetermined threshold, a period of continuous vacuum motor operation exceeding a predetermined threshold, and combinations thereof.

13. The vacuum cleaner system according to claim 12, further comprising a remote user interface in communication with the control unit and adapted to permit a user of the system to restart the vacuum system after a power shut off event.