Vacuum electronic power tool sense

• US 20080189899A1
• Filed: 10/11/2007
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: DiPasquale, Kathy E., Maid, Spencer G., Beers, David R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,015,657 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/20 Means for cleaning filters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2805 Parameters or conditions being sensed
• 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 9/2889 Safety or protection devices or systems, e.g. for prevention of motor over-heating or for protection of the user

Abstract

A vacuum electronic power tool sense system senses the operation of a power tool that is plugged into an onboard power outlet and the vacuum source is automatically operated to facilitate user clean-up of debris generated by use of the power tool. A delay period can be utilized to maintain the vacuum source is an on state for a predetermined period of time after the power tool is turned off.

Claims

1. A vacuum comprising:

a housing;

a vacuum source disposed in said housing;

a power outlet disposed on said housing;

a power tool sensing system for sensing operation of a power tool plugged into said power outlet; and

a controller for operating said vacuum source in response to a sensed operation of said power tool.

2. The vacuum according to claim 1, wherein said power tool sensing system includes a current transformer for sensing current passing through a wire carrying current to said power tool.

3. The vacuum according to claim 1, wherein said power tool sensing system includes a coil component for detecting current through a circuit component delivering current to said power tool.

4. The vacuum according to claim 1, wherein said power tool sensing circuit senses a voltage applied to the power tool and said controller operates said vacuum source in response to voltage dips and turns off said vacuum source in response to voltage spikes.

5. The vacuum according to claim 1, wherein said controller continues operation of said vacuum source for a predetermined period of time after said operation of said power tool is stopped.

6. A vacuum comprising:

a housing;

a vacuum source disposed in said housing;

a power outlet disposed on said housing;

a power tool sensing system for sensing operation of a power tool plugged into said power outlet; and

a controller for operating said vacuum source in response to a sensed operation of said power tool.

7. The vacuum according to claim 6, wherein said power tool sensing system includes a current transformer for sensing current passing through a wire carrying current to said power tool.

8. The vacuum according to claim 6, wherein said power tool sensing system includes a coil component for detecting current through a circuit component delivering current to said power tool.

9. The vacuum according to claim 6, wherein said power tool sensing circuit senses a voltage applied to the power tool and said controller operates said vacuum source in response to voltage dips and turns off said vacuum source in response to voltage spikes.

10. The vacuum according to claim 6, wherein said controller continues operation of said vacuum source for a predetermined period of time after said operation of said power tool is stopped.

11. A vacuum comprising:

a housing;

a vacuum source disposed in said housing;

a power outlet disposed on said housing;

a power tool sensing system for sensing operation of a power tool plugged into said power outlet; and

a controller for operating said vacuum source in response to a sensed operation of said power tool;

wherein said power tool sensing system includes a current transformer for sensing current passing through a wire carrying current to said power tool, said power tool sensing circuit senses a voltage applied to the power tool and said controller operates said vacuum source in response to voltage dips and turns off said vacuum source in response to voltage spikes.

12. The vacuum according to claim 11, wherein said controller continues operation of said vacuum source for a predetermined period of time after said operation of said power tool is stopped.

13. A vacuum comprising:

a housing;

a vacuum source disposed in said housing;

a power outlet disposed on said housing;

an outlet cover disposed on said housing and movable to a first position for covering said power outlet and a second position for allowing a plug to be inserted in said power outlet, said outlet cover having a notch adapted to receive a cord connected to the plug, said outlet cover being operable for preventing the plug from being inadvertently pulled out of the power outlet.

14. The vacuum according to claim 13, wherein said outlet cover is pivotally mounted to said housing.

15. The vacuum according to claim 13, wherein said outlet cover is slidably mounted to said housing.

16. The vacuum according to claim 14, wherein said outlet cover pivots in a plane parallel with a surface of said housing that surrounds said power outlet.

17. The vacuum according to claim 14, wherein said outlet cover pivots about an axis that is parallel to a surface of said housing that surrounds said power outlet.

18. The vacuum according to claim 17, wherein said notch of said outlet cover is disposed on a face of said outlet cover that faces said power outlet when said outlet cover is in said first position.