Control device for an integrated suction cleaner unit

• US 5,850,665 A
• Filed: 07/11/1997
• Issued: 12/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aldes Aeraulique (Aldes Groupe)
• Original Assignee: Aldes Aeraulique (Aldes Groupe)
• Inventors: Bousset, Serge
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/893,659
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 15/314, 15/319, 15/339
• US Class Current: 15/319
• 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 9/2821 Pressure, vacuum level or airflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2894 Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners

Abstract

The invention discloses a control device for an integrated suction cleaner unit (1) pneumatically connected to a system of tubes (13) which open, at their ends (13A), onto couplings (11) into which the mating end (9) of a hose (8) is inserted, the latter having at its other end (8A) a handle (5) onto which are fitted the cleaning accessories. The control device for the suction cleaning unit is of the type using acoustic transmission via the tube system (13) located between the suction cleaning unit (1) and the couplings (11) pressure wave detection (19, 23 and 28) for detecting specific acoustic pressure waves and controlling the suction cleaning unit (1). The positive pressure wave detection occurs when an acoustic pressure wave is generated when the hose (8) is connected to one of the suction cleaning couplings (11), and produces after handling, a specific acoustic wave conveyed by the tube system (13) to the detecting microphone (19) and pressure wave detection unit (23 and 28) controlling the suction cleaning unit (1). A negative pressure detection unit comprises a negative pressure switch (21), in the form of a tube (27) containing an orifice (20), a moveable core (26), and a compression spring (24), which detects negative pressure in the tube system (13), and controls the suction cleaning unit (1).

Claims

1. A control device for an integrated suction cleaner installation comprising:

a suction cleaning unit (1) pneumatically connected to a system of tubes (13) which open at their ends (13A) onto couplings (11) onto which a mating end (9) of a hose (8) is inserted, the hose having at its other end (8A) a handle (5) suitable for receiving cleaning accessories;

said system of tubes (13) between the suction cleaning unit (1) and couplings (11), capable of transmission of acoustic pressure waves;

means for operating said suction cleaning unit (1);

means (19, 23 and

     28) for detecting a specific acoustic pressure wave created by handling of the hose, and located within the system of tubes, said specific acoustic pressure wave detecting means adapted to signal said operating means;

means (21,

     32) for detecting an increase of negative pressure in the tube system (13), said negative pressure detecting means adapted to signal said operating means;

wherein said means for operating said suction cleaning unit is activated when said specific acoustic pressure wave detecting means senses said specific acoustical pressure wave and said means for operating said suction cleaning unit is deactivated after said negative pressure detecting means senses said increase of negative pressure.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said means for detecting an increase of negative pressure in the tube system (13) comprises a negative pressure switch (21), said negative pressure switch comprising a tube (27) provided with an orifice (20) at its base, a core (30) disposed inside said tube, said core connected to a bolt (26) resting on a compression spring (24) within said tube (27), said core (30) and said bolt (26) moving in said tube (27) from a second orifice (31) and a sensor (32), toward said orifice (20) at the base of said tube during an increase in negative pressure, said sensor (32) signalling said operating means when said core is not adjacent to said sensor (32).

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein said means for detecting an increase of negative pressure in the tube system (13) further comprises said sensor (32) capable of detecting both the absence and the presence of said core (30) in the tube (27) at the level of the second orifice (31), said core moving in said tube (27) in relation to the absence of flow in said tube system (13).

4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein said handle (5) includes a valve (3) for selectively interrupting the flow of air in the tube system.

5. The control device as recited in claim 4, wherein said valve comprises:

a rotor element movably disposed within the handle for selectively interrupting a flow of air in the system, said rotor element including a an orifice (12) corresponding to an inner diameter of the hose and a groove (6A);

a lever connected to said rotor element and extending from the handle for moving said rotor element; and

a projection secured to said handle and engaging said groove to limit rotation of the rotor element within the handle.

6. The control device according to claim 2 wherein said core (30) is threaded to accommodate said bolt (26), said bolt permitting adjustment of the height of said core (30) in relation to said second orifice (31).

7. The control device according to claim 2, wherein said means for detecting the absence of flow by detecting an increase of negative pressure in the tube system (13), further comprises a control logic (23) adapted to:

receive the signal transmitted by the sensor (32) of said negative pressure switch (21);

receive the signal transmitted by said specific acoustic pressure wave detecting means; and

generate a signal to said operating means for stopping and restarting the suction cleaning unit (1) after a time delay from receiving the signal from one of the negative pressure switch and the specific acoustic pressure wave detecting means.

8. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said means for detecting a specific acoustic pressure wave transmitted by said tube system (13) and said means for detecting an increase of negative pressure in the tube system (13) comprise:

a control (23) logic for signalling said operating means;

a microphone (19) detecting the sound level in said system and transmitting a signal to said control logic (23) in response to the sound level, wherein said control logic detects a change in sound level in said system;

a negative pressure switch (21) detecting an increase of negative pressure in said tube system (13); and

said negative pressure switch transmitting an electrical signal to said control logic (23) upon detecting the increase of negative pressure in said tube system (13).

9. The control device according to claim 8, further comprising a plurality of electrical conductors for transmitting electrical signals from said microphone and said negative pressure switch to said control logic (23) for controlling the operation of the suction cleaning unit (1).

10. The control device according to claim 8, wherein said microphone (19), said negative pressure switch (21), said control logic (23), and a current source (28) are grouped together in a single container (2) linked pneumatically to the tube system (13) and electrically to the suction cleaning unit (1).

11. The control device according to claim 10, wherein said control logic (23) receives:

the signal transmitted by the microphone (19) and the signal transmitted by the negative pressure switch (21) for controlling the operation of the suction cleaning unit (1), said signal received by said control logic (23); and

said current source (28) associated with the suction cleaning unit (1), said current source providing electrical current to said control logic, said microphone, said negative pressure switch, and to a plurality of electrical conductors of said suction cleaning unit;

wherein said control logic produces time delay signals necessary for stopping and restarting the suction cleaning unit in response to said signals from said signals from said microphone and said negative pressure switch.

12. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said suction cleaning unit (1) further comprises a valve (3) for selectively interrupting a flow of air in the system.

13. The control device as recited in claim 12, wherein said valve comprises:

a rotor element movably disposed within the handle for selectively interrupting a flow of air in the system, said rotor element including a an orifice (12) corresponding to an inner diameter of the hose and a groove (6A);

a lever connected to said rotor element and extending from the handle for moving said rotor element; and

a projection secured to said handle and engaging said groove to limit rotation of the rotor element within the handle.

14. The control device for an integrated suction cleaner as recited in claim 13, further comprising a means (3, 10) for generating an increased negative pressure in said suction cleaner.

15. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said means for detecting the specific acoustic pressure wave within the system of tubes (13) further comprises a control logic (23) for controlling said suction cleaning unit and for receiving:

a signal transmitted by a microphone (19) and a signal transmitted by a negative pressure switch (21), said signals transmitted by a plurality of electrical conductors to said control logic (23); and

said control logic producing time delay signals necessary for stopping and restarting the suction cleaning unit (1); and

a current source (28) associated with the suction cleaning unit (1), said current source providing electrical current to said control logic, said microphone, said negative pressure switch, and said electrical conductors of said suction cleaning unit;

wherein said control logic produces time delay signals necessary for stopping and restarting said suction cleaning unit in response to said signals from said microphone and from said negative pressure switch.

16. The control device according to claim 15 wherein said microphone (19), said negative pressure switch (21), said control logic (23), and said current source (28) are grouped together in a single container (2) linked pneumatically to the tube system (13) and electrically to the suction cleaning unit (1).

17. A control device for an integrated suction cleaner, said suction cleaner comprising:

a suction unit (1);

a tube (13) having a first end pneumatically connected to said suction unit, and a second end;

a coupling (11) attached to said second end of said tube; and

a hose (8) having a first end removably connected to said coupling, and a second end suitable for receiving cleaning accessories, the device comprising;

a means for operating said suction unit;

a means (19, 23,

     28) for detecting the handling of said hose, said means for detecting the handling being operatively connected to said means for operating, and generating a signal when detecting the handling of said hose; and

a means (21,32) for detecting an increase in negative pressure in said suction cleaner, said means for detecting an increase in negative pressure being operatively connected to said means for operating, and generating a signal when detecting the increase in negative pressure in said suction cleaner;

wherein said means for operating activates said suction unit in response to the signal from the means for detecting the handling, and deactivates said suction unit in response to the signal from the means for detecting the increase in negative pressure.