Moisture indicator for wet pick-up suction cleaner
First Claim
1. A detecting system for a suction cleaner comprising:
- a first sensor mounted to the cleaner and positioned to detect the moisture level of a cleaning surface;
a circuit electrically connected to the first sensor for generating a first control signal in response to the detected moisture level of the cleaning surface;
a tank removably mounted to said suction cleaner for containing liquid;
a second sensor mounted to the cleaner to detect when the liquid of said tank reaches a predetermined level, said second sensor being a pressure switch responsive to a pressure level associated with said predetermined liquid level in said tank;
wherein said circuit is electrically connected to the second sensor for generating a second control signal in response to the detected liquid level of said tank; and
a device responsive to said second control signal for indicating when the liquid of said tank reaches a predetermined level.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The moisture sensor and indicator for a wet pickup vacuum cleaner, more particularly a wet extraction type carpet cleaner, is positioned in the suction duct to sense when water droplets or moisture is traveling through the suction duct. An indicator is activated to indicate to the operator that water is being extracted from the carpet. The sensor may alternatively be located in the bottom of the floor-engaging portion where it contracts the floor. When the degree of moisture in the carpet exceeds a predetermined threshold an indicator is activated to indicate to the operator that the floor is still wet and to continue extracting moisture from the floor. Alternatively, the moisture sensor can be used as a safety device on a dry pickup vacuum cleaner. When moisture is detected within the suction duct, the motor-fan assembly of the dry pickup vacuum cleaner is disabled to prevent a potentially hazardous condition. Also, another sensor is positioned in the cleaner to detect when the moisture level of the solution or recovery tank reaches a predetermined level. An indicator is activated to indicate to the operator when the moisture level reaches the predetermined level.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A detecting system for a suction cleaner comprising:
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a first sensor mounted to the cleaner and positioned to detect the moisture level of a cleaning surface;
a circuit electrically connected to the first sensor for generating a first control signal in response to the detected moisture level of the cleaning surface;
a tank removably mounted to said suction cleaner for containing liquid;
a second sensor mounted to the cleaner to detect when the liquid of said tank reaches a predetermined level, said second sensor being a pressure switch responsive to a pressure level associated with said predetermined liquid level in said tank;
wherein said circuit is electrically connected to the second sensor for generating a second control signal in response to the detected liquid level of said tank; and
a device responsive to said second control signal for indicating when the liquid of said tank reaches a predetermined level.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A detecting system for a suction cleaner, said suction cleaner having a recovery tank for holding extracted liquid, said detecting system comprising;
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a sensor operatively connected to said recovery tank to detect when the liquid of said recovery tank reaches a predetermined level, said sensor including a pressure switch responsive to a pressure level associated with said predetermined liquid level in said recovery tank;
a circuit electrically connected to said sensor for generating a control signal in response to said pressure level of said recovery tank; and
a device responsive to said control signal for indicating when the liquid of said tank reaches a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A detecting system for a suction cleaner, said suction cleaner having a recovery tank for holding extracted liquid, said detecting system comprising;
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a sensor operatively connected to said recovery tank to detect when the liquid of said recovery tank reaches a predetermined level, said sensor including a pressure switch responsive to a pressure level associated with said predetermined liquid level in said recovery tank;
a circuit electrically connected to said sensor for generating a control signal in response to said pressure level of said recovery tank; and
wherein said circuit includes a microprocessor for outputting said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A detecting system for a suction cleaner, said suction cleaner having a recovery tank for holding extracted liquid, said detecting system comprising;
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a first sensor operatively connected to said recovery tank to detect when the liquid of said recovery tank reaches a predetermined level, said sensor including a pressure switch responsive to a pressure level associated with said predetermined liquid level in said recovery tank;
a circuit electrically connected to said first sensor for generating a first control signal in response to said pressure level of said recovery tank;
a suction conduit assembly in fluid communication with said recovery tank for transporting said cleaning solution and dirt into said recovery tank; and
wherein said first sensor is mounted to said suction conduit assembly. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A detecting system for a suction cleaner, said suction cleaner having a recovery tank for holding extracted liquid, said detecting system comprising;
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a sensor operatively connected to said recovery tank to detect when the liquid of said recovery tank reaches a predetermined level, said sensor including a pressure switch responsive to a pressure level associated with said predetermined liquid level in said recovery tank;
a circuit electrically connected to said sensor for generating a control signal in response to said pressure level of said recovery tank; and
a switching transistor being operatively connected to said lamp and said circuit, wherein said circuit outputs said control signal to turn on said switching transistor which causes said lamp to illuminate.- View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A detecting system for a suction cleaner, said suction cleaner having a recovery tank for holding extracted liquid, said detecting system comprising;
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a sensor operatively connected to said recovery tank to detect when the liquid of said recovery tank reaches a predetermined level, said sensor including a pressure switch responsive to a pressure level associated with said predetermined liquid level in said recovery tank;
a circuit electrically connected to said sensor for generating a control signal in response to said pressure level of said recovery tank; and
wherein said circuit comprises an oscillator circuit. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A detecting system for a suction cleaner comprising:
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a first sensor mounted to the cleaner and positioned to detect the moisture level of a cleaning surface;
a circuit electrically connected to the first sensor for generating a first control signal in response to the detected moisture level of the cleaning surface;
a tank removably mounted to said suction cleaner for containing liquid;
a second sensor mounted to the cleaner to detect when the liquid of said tank reaches a predetermined level;
wherein said circuit is electrically connected to the second sensor for generating a second control signal in response to the detected liquid level of said tank; and
a switching transistor being operatively connected to said lamp and said circuit, wherein said circuit outputs said second control signal to turn on said switching transistor which causes said lamp to illuminate. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A detecting system for a suction cleaner comprising:
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a first sensor mounted to the cleaner and positioned to detect the moisture level of a cleaning surface;
a circuit electrically connected to the first sensor for generating a first control signal in response to the detected moisture level of the cleaning surface;
a tank removably mounted to said suction cleaner for containing liquid;
a second sensor mounted to the cleaner to detect when the liquid of said tank reaches a predetermined level;
wherein said circuit is electrically connected to the second sensor for generating a second control signal in response to the detected liquid level of said tank; and
wherein said circuit comprises an oscillator circuit. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A detecting system for a suction cleaner comprising:
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a first sensor mounted to the cleaner and positioned to detect the moisture level of a cleaning surface;
a circuit electrically connected to the first sensor for generating a first control signal in response to the detected moisture level of the cleaning surface;
a tank removably mounted to said suction cleaner for containing liquid;
a second sensor mounted to the cleaner to detect when the liquid of said tank reaches a predetermined level; and
wherein said circuit is electrically connected to the second sensor for generating a second control signal in response to the detected liquid level of said tank, said circuit includes a microprocessor coupled to said first sensor and said second sensor. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification