Method and apparatus for controlling a vacuum cleaner

• US 20090049639A1
• Filed: 10/13/2005
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Gordon, Evan A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,945,988 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/22 with rotary fans
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2836 characterised by the parts which are controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2847 Surface treating elements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2894 Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/32 Handles

Abstract

A control system for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The control system includes a control pad for generating a number of user inputs. The control system further includes a serial controller for reading the state of the number of inputs and generating serial data in response thereto. The control system yet further includes a processor adapted to receive the serial data and generate control signals that controls a number of electric devices on the vacuum cleaner. A method of operating a vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A control system for a vacuum cleaner comprising:

a control pad for generating a number of user inputs;

a serial controller for reading the state of the number of inputs and generating serial data in response thereto; and

a processor adapted to receive the serial data and generate control signals that controls a number of electric devices on the vacuum cleaner.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein on the electric device is a suction motor.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the electric devices is an agitator drive motor.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the electric device is an LED array.

5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the electric device is an filter motor.

6. The control system of claim 1, wherein the electric device is a height adjustment motor.

7. The control system of claim 1, wherein the electric device is a warning light.

8. The control system of claim 1, wherein a single user input is converted to serial data which causes processor to generate a plurality of control signals.

9. The control system of claim 8, wherein:

the single user input selects a hard floor mode input, and

the controller generates signals which i) operates an agitator motor at reduced speed, ii) sets a height adjustment motor to position a nozzle at a low height, and iii) operates a suction motor at substantially full power.

10. The control system of claim 8, wherein:

the single user input selects a filter cleaning mode, and

the processor generates signals which i) turns off the an agitator motor, ii) operates a suction motor at substantially full power, and iii) operates a filter motor.

11. The control system of claim 10, wherein the suction motor is operated for a predetermined period of time.

12. The control system of claim 10, further comprising:

a sensor that senses an operating parameter of the vacuum cleaner,

wherein the suction motor is operated until the sensor reads a predetermined value.

13. The control system of claim 1, wherein serial data is passed though a pivoting joint of the vacuum cleaner.

14. A method of operating a vacuum cleaner comprising the steps:

entering a number of user inputs;

converting the user inputs to a serial data;

receiving the serial data with a controller; and

generating a number of vacuum cleaner control signals in response to the recieved serial data.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of controlling the speed of a motor.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of controlling an illumination device.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the entering step includes entering a single user input, and

the generating step includes generating a plurality of control signals.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the single input is the selection of a hard floor mode, and

and the generating step generates a control signals which i) operates an agitator motor at reduced speed, ii) set the height adjustment motor to position a nozzle at a low height, and iii) operates the suction motor at substantially full power.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the single input is a selection of a filter cleaning mode, and

the generating step i) turns off an agitator motor, ii) operates a suction motor at substantially full power, and iii) operates the filter motor.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of passing the serial data through a pivot joint of the vacuum cleaner.