Central vacuum cleaning system control subsytems

• US 20080222836A1
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
• Inventors: Cunningham, J. Vern
• Granted Patent: US 9,693,667 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/314
• 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 central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a vacuum source including a motor within a motor housing,

a receptacle extending from the motor housing for receiving dirt,

a motor control circuit controlling power to the motor,

valves to which a flexible hose may be connected,

conduits connected to the vacuum source and terminating in the valves,

a handle to be held by an operator, the hose terminating at the handle,

a cleaning attachment connected to the handle, such that dirt is drawn by a vacuum created by the vacuum source through the attachment, handle, hose, and conduits,

display means at a location remote from the vacuum source,

input means, and

duplex communication means to provide control signals from the input means to the motor control circuit and to receive at the remote location from the motor control circuit a plurality of messages regarding the status of the system, such information to drive the display means for communication with an operator.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the duplex communications means comprises low voltage wires between the display means and the motor control circuit.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the duplex communications means comprises low voltage wires between the input means and the motor control circuit.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the duplex communications means comprises a RF wireless receiver at the remote location and a RF wireless transmitter through which the motor control circuit transmits the messages.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the duplex communications means comprises a RF wireless transmitter through which the input means transmits control signals and a RF wireless receiver through which the motor control circuit receives the control signals.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the input means and the display means are located on the handle, and the duplex communications means comprises an RF wireless receiver and RF wireless transmitter in the handle, and a RF wireless transmitter and RF wireless receiver through which the motor control circuit transmits the messages.

7. A central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a vacuum source including a motor within a motor housing,

a receptacle extending from the motor housing for receiving dirt,

a motor control circuit including a microprocessor and a triac, and the microprocessor controls the triac to control power to the motor,

conduits connected to the vacuum source and terminating in the valves,

a handle to be held by an operator, the hose terminating at the handle, and

a cleaning attachment connected to the handle, such that dirt is drawn by a vacuum created by the vacuum source through the attachment, handle, hose, and conduits.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a current sensor, such that the current sensor senses current powering the motor and informs the microprocessor.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the triac is driven by a phase-angle gate drive signal from the microprocessor.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the triac is driven by a pulse width modulation gate drive signal from the microprocessor.

11. A central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a vacuum source including a motor within a motor housing,

a receptacle extending from the motor housing for receiving dirt,

a motor control circuit controlling power to the motor,

valves to which a flexible hose may be connected,

conduits connected to the vacuum source and terminating in the valves,

a handle to be held by an operator, the hose terminating at the handle,

a cleaning attachment connected to the handle, such that dirt is drawn by a vacuum created by the vacuum source through the attachment, handle, hose, and conduits, and

display means to provide a plurality of different messages to a user regarding the status of the system.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the display means is driven by the motor control circuit to provide messages to a user at the vacuum source.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the display means is located on the handle.

14. The system of claim 11 herein the display means is located at a remote station apart from the vacuum source and the handle.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein such display means comprises an LCD screen.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein such display means comprises a multiple colour light source.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein the multiple colour light source comprises multiple single colour LED light sources.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein the multiple colour light source comprises a multi-colour LED.

19. A hose assembly comprising a flexible hose having a first end and a second end, said first end having a handle assembly with a nozzle, said second end having a connection means removably securing said hose to a vacuum source, said handle assembly having a means for transmitting a radio frequency signal to said vacuum source, said radio frequency signal being capable of activating the vacuum source so that a vacuum is present at an end of said nozzle.

20. The hose assembly according to claim 19 wherein said handle assembly signaling said vacuum source to deactivate said vacuum source.

21. The hose assembly according to claim 20 wherein said handle assembly has an antenna and an RF wireless transmitter in said handle.