Self cleaning filter and vacuum incorporating same

• US 7,351,269 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2003
• Issued: 04/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lau Kwok Yau
• Original Assignee: Lau Kwok Yau
• Inventors: Yau, Lau Kwok
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Duane
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLEMENTE, ROBERT ARTHUR
• Application Number:
  US10/744,190
• Publication Number:
  US 20050132528A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,562 Days
• Field of Search: 552/83, 552/84, 552/89, 552/90, 552/95, 552/96, 552/97, 552/98, 553/04, 55D/IG.3, 153/47, 153/49, 153/52, 210/767, 210/791, 210/796, 964/25, 962/78, 962/82
• US Class Current: 55/297
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/20 Means for cleaning filters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A brush configured to move repeatedly over a vacuum filter. The brush will remove dust particles to prevent them from clogging the filter. In the preferred embodiment, the brush is mounted on a revolving shaft. As the shaft turns it moves the bristles of the brush over the surface of the filter, whereby dust particles may be dislodged. In one embodiment, the shaft is attached to the vacuum motor and is turned directly by the motor. In this embodiment a speed reducer may be employed to slow the rate of rotation of the brush. In another embodiment, a turbine is attached to the shaft. The turbine is placed in the path of the air stream moving through the vacuum. The air passing through the turbine cause it and the shaft to rotate, thereby reducing the load on the motor.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a housing containing a motor configured to drive a fan, said fan positioned to draw air through an air intake aperture and discharge air through a vent;

a dust collection chamber operatively attached to said housing, said dust collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet configured to allow air and airborne particles to enter said dust collection chamber, said outlet positioned to fluidly communicate with said air intake aperture for said fan;

a first filter configured to prevent at least some of said airborne particles from reaching said fan;

a movable brush configured to encounter said first filter as said brush moves, whereby at least some of said airborne particles that adhere to said first filter may be dislodged by said brush; and

wherein said brush is operatively connected to said motor whereby operation of said motor will cause said brush to move.

2. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 wherein said connection between said motor and said brush includes a speed reducer configured to drive said brush at a lower speed than said motor.

3. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 further comprising a second filter positioned between said first filter and said fan.

4. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 wherein said brush is mounted on a frame.

5. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 wherein said frame further comprises a channel.

6. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 5 wherein said brush is positioned within said channel.

7. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 6 wherein said brush further comprises bristles, a base, and a spring extending from said base, whereby expansion of said spring will cause said bristles to extend further from said frame.

8. A self cleaning filter assembly positioned in a fluid line containing a passage, said assembly comprising

a filter positioned to require all fluid passing through said passage to pass through said filter, said filter configured to prevent selected particles from passing through said passage;

a moveable brush configured to encounter said filter as said brush moves, whereby at least some of said selected particles that adhere to said filter may be dislodged by said brush;

wherein said brush is mounted on a shaft whereby rotation of said shaft will cause said brush to rotate;

said self cleaning filter assembly further comprising a turbine.

9. A self cleaning filter assembly according to claim 8 wherein said turbine is operatively attached to said shaft, whereby rotation of said turbine will result in rotation of said shaft.

10. A self cleaning filter assembly according to claim 9 wherein said fluid flows through said fluid line.

11. A self cleaning filter assembly according to claim 10 wherein said turbine is positioned in the path of said flowing fluid, whereby said turbine may be driven by said fluid.