Airflow sensor system for monitoring air inlet airflow and air outlet airflow of a vacuum cleaner
First Claim
1. An airflow sensor system adapted for monitoring air inlet airflow and air outlet airflow of a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
- a vacuum cleaner air duct including an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the air duct conducts a vacuum airflow generated by the vacuum cleaner;
a bypass tube including a first end connected to the air duct between the air inlet and the air outlet and with the bypass tube including a second end communicating with an external air, wherein the bypass tube conducts a bypass tube airflow; and
an airflow sensor positioned at least partially in the bypass tube, wherein the airflow sensor is configured to generate a normal voltage differential range when the bypass tube airflow is within a predetermined normal airflow range, configured to generate an input blockage voltage differential range when the bypass tube airflow is greater than the predetermined normal airflow range, and further configured to generate an output blockage voltage differential range when the bypass tube airflow is less than the predetermined normal airflow range.
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Abstract
An airflow sensor system for monitoring air inlet airflow and air outlet airflow of a vacuum cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The airflow sensor system includes a vacuum cleaner air duct, a bypass tube connected to the air duct, and an airflow sensor positioned at least partially in the bypass tube. The airflow sensor is configured to generate a normal voltage differential range when the bypass tube airflow is within a predetermined normal airflow range, configured to generate an input blockage voltage differential range when the bypass tube airflow is greater than the predetermined normal airflow range, and further configured to generate an output blockage voltage differential range when the bypass tube airflow is less than the predetermined normal airflow range.
35 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An airflow sensor system adapted for monitoring air inlet airflow and air outlet airflow of a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
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a vacuum cleaner air duct including an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the air duct conducts a vacuum airflow generated by the vacuum cleaner; a bypass tube including a first end connected to the air duct between the air inlet and the air outlet and with the bypass tube including a second end communicating with an external air, wherein the bypass tube conducts a bypass tube airflow; and an airflow sensor positioned at least partially in the bypass tube, wherein the airflow sensor is configured to generate a normal voltage differential range when the bypass tube airflow is within a predetermined normal airflow range, configured to generate an input blockage voltage differential range when the bypass tube airflow is greater than the predetermined normal airflow range, and further configured to generate an output blockage voltage differential range when the bypass tube airflow is less than the predetermined normal airflow range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An airflow sensor system adapted for monitoring air inlet airflow and air outlet airflow of a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
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a vacuum cleaner air duct including an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the air duct conducts a vacuum airflow generated by the vacuum cleaner; and an airflow sensor positioned at least partially in the vacuum airflow, with the airflow sensor comprising; a first temperature-dependent element connected to a first voltage node and also connected to a first bridge node, with the first temperature-dependent element being positioned in at least a portion of the vacuum airflow; a first bridge resistor connected to the first bridge node and also connected to a second voltage node; a second temperature-dependent element connected to the first voltage node and also connected to a second bridge node, with the second temperature-dependent element being positioned outside the vacuum airflow and positioned in ambient air; a second bridge resistor connected to the second bridge node and also connected to the second voltage node; and a heater element in close proximity with the first temperature-dependent element, wherein the heater element heats the first temperature-dependent element substantially as a function of a voltage differential across the first bridge node and the second bridge node; wherein the airflow sensor is configured to generate a normal voltage differential range when the vacuum airflow is within a predetermined normal airflow range, configured to generate an input blockage voltage differential range when the vacuum airflow is greater than the predetermined normal airflow range, and further configured to generate an output voltage differential range when the vacuum airflow is less than the predetermined normal airflow range. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification