Vacuum Cleaner Agitator Clutch
First Claim
1. A clutch assembly for a vacuum cleaner, the clutch assembly comprising:
- a clutch assembly input adapted to be driven by a motor;
a clutch assembly output adapted to drive an agitator;
a starter clutch moveable between an engaged starter clutch position in which the starter clutch receives a first drive torque from the clutch assembly input, and a disengaged starter clutch position in which the starter clutch receives substantially no torque directly from the clutch assembly input; and
a drive clutch moveable between an engaged drive clutch position in which the drive clutch receives a second drive torque from the clutch assembly input, and a disengaged drive clutch position in which the drive clutch receives substantially no torque directly from the clutch assembly input;
wherein the starter clutch is coupled to the drive clutch such that the starter clutch, when in the engaged starter clutch position, can transmit the first drive torque to the drive clutch to move the drive clutch into the engaged drive clutch position; and
wherein the drive clutch is coupled to the clutch assembly output such that the drive clutch, when in the engaged drive clutch position, can transmit the second drive torque to the clutch assembly output.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner clutch assembly having an input driven by a motor, an output to drive an agitator, a starter clutch and a drive clutch. The starter clutch moves between an engaged position in which it receives a first drive torque from the input, and a disengaged position in which it receives substantially no torque directly from the input. The drive clutch is moveable between an engaged position in which it receives a second drive torque from the input, and a disengaged position in which it receives substantially no torque directly from the input. When engaged, the starter clutch is coupled to the drive clutch to transmit the first drive torque to the drive clutch to move the drive clutch into the engaged drive clutch position. When engaged, the drive clutch is coupled to the clutch assembly output to transmit the second drive torque to the output.
28 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A clutch assembly for a vacuum cleaner, the clutch assembly comprising:
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a clutch assembly input adapted to be driven by a motor; a clutch assembly output adapted to drive an agitator; a starter clutch moveable between an engaged starter clutch position in which the starter clutch receives a first drive torque from the clutch assembly input, and a disengaged starter clutch position in which the starter clutch receives substantially no torque directly from the clutch assembly input; and a drive clutch moveable between an engaged drive clutch position in which the drive clutch receives a second drive torque from the clutch assembly input, and a disengaged drive clutch position in which the drive clutch receives substantially no torque directly from the clutch assembly input; wherein the starter clutch is coupled to the drive clutch such that the starter clutch, when in the engaged starter clutch position, can transmit the first drive torque to the drive clutch to move the drive clutch into the engaged drive clutch position; and wherein the drive clutch is coupled to the clutch assembly output such that the drive clutch, when in the engaged drive clutch position, can transmit the second drive torque to the clutch assembly output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A clutch assembly for a vacuum cleaner, the clutch assembly comprising:
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a motor adapted to generate a drive torque; a clutch assembly input adapted to be driven by the drive torque; a clutch assembly output adapted to drive an agitator; a drive clutch adapted to selectively transmit at least a portion of the drive torque from the clutch assembly input to the clutch assembly output; and a starter clutch adapted to selectively engage the drive clutch by transmitting a starting torque from the clutch assembly input to the drive clutch. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A clutch assembly for a vacuum cleaner, the clutch assembly comprising:
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a clutch assembly input adapted to be driven by a motor; a clutch assembly output adapted to drive an agitator; and a drive clutch adapted to selectively transmit a drive torque from the clutch assembly input to the clutch assembly output; wherein the drive clutch comprises a self-adjusting clutch that increases the drive torque as a rotational resistance of the clutch assembly output increases. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification