Vacuum Cleaner Overload Clutch
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vacuum cleaner overload clutch system comprising:
- a motor adapted to selectively provide a drive torque;
an agitator adapted to contact a surface to be cleaned;
an overload cog operatively connected between the motor and the agitator and adapted to rotate about a rotating axis, the overload cog having one or more first cog portions that extend a first distance from the rotating axis;
a spring mount operatively connected between the motor and the agitator and adapted to rotate about the rotating axis;
an overload spring mounted on the spring mount, the overload spring having;
an engaged configuration in which the overload spring wraps around at least a portion of the overload cog and has one or more first spring portions that contact the one or more first cog portions to thereby transfer the drive torque between the overload cog and the spring mount, anda disengaged configuration in which the one or more first spring portions do not substantially contact the one or more first cog portions to thereby not substantially transfer the drive torque between the overload cog and the spring mount, andwherein the overload spring is adapted to move to the disengaged configuration when the drive torque exceeds a predetermined torque value, and remain in the disengaged configuration until the overload cog and spring mount substantially stop rotating.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner overload clutch having an overload cog, a spring mount, and an overload spring. The spring is engaged with the cog to provide torque transfer, and disengaged from the cog to terminate torque transfer. The spring may not reengage until the parts stop rotating. A weight may be provided to bias the spring into the disengaged position, and the spring may have an engagement portion that is captured between the overload cog and a wall on the spring holder when the clutch is engaged. The clutch may be part of a system including a motor and agitator, and may have other features, such as a graduated engagement clutch.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A vacuum cleaner overload clutch system comprising:
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a motor adapted to selectively provide a drive torque; an agitator adapted to contact a surface to be cleaned; an overload cog operatively connected between the motor and the agitator and adapted to rotate about a rotating axis, the overload cog having one or more first cog portions that extend a first distance from the rotating axis; a spring mount operatively connected between the motor and the agitator and adapted to rotate about the rotating axis; an overload spring mounted on the spring mount, the overload spring having; an engaged configuration in which the overload spring wraps around at least a portion of the overload cog and has one or more first spring portions that contact the one or more first cog portions to thereby transfer the drive torque between the overload cog and the spring mount, and a disengaged configuration in which the one or more first spring portions do not substantially contact the one or more first cog portions to thereby not substantially transfer the drive torque between the overload cog and the spring mount, and wherein the overload spring is adapted to move to the disengaged configuration when the drive torque exceeds a predetermined torque value, and remain in the disengaged configuration until the overload cog and spring mount substantially stop rotating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vacuum cleaner overload clutch comprising:
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an overload cog adapted to rotate about an axis; a spring mount adapted to rotate about the axis; an overload spring mounted on the spring mount and adapted to contact the overload cog in an engaged position, and not substantially contact the overload cog in a disengaged position; and a movable weight adapted to bias the overload spring into the disengaged position upon rotation of the spring mount. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A vacuum cleaner overload clutch comprising:
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an overload cog adapted to rotate about an axis and having at least one protrusion extending radially therefrom; a spring mount at least partially surrounding the overload cog and adapted to rotate about the axis, the spring mount having a wall facing the overload cog; an overload spring mounted on the spring mount and adapted to contact the overload cog in an engaged position, and not substantially contact the overload cog in a disengaged position; and wherein the overload spring comprises a first engagement portion that is captured between the at least one protrusion and the wall when the overload spring is in the engaged position, and is not captured between the at least one protrusion and the wall when the overload spring is in the engaged position. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A vacuum cleaner clutch assembly comprising:
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a motor; an agitator; an overload clutch adapted to receive a drive torque generated by the motor and transmit the drive torque to the agitator when the drive torque is less than a predetermined torque limit, and not transmit the drive torque to the agitator when the drive torque is greater than a predetermined torque limit; and an engagement clutch adapted to transmit the drive torque from the motor to the agitator in a graduated manner. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification