Vacuum cleaner motor assembly
First Claim
1. A vacuum cleaner motor assembly, comprising:
- a vacuum motor,connected to a fan so as to drive the fan to provide suction airflow for the vacuum cleaner, andconnected to an epicyclic gear system so as to produce an output of a rotational speed that is reduced as compared to that generated by the motor, the output being configured so as to drive an agitator; and
a clutch mechanism comprising clutch members having an engaged position, in which torque generated by the motor is transmitted to the output and a disengaged position in which torque is not transmitted to the output, the clutch members being capable of slipping.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner motor assembly includes a motor in a bucket, configured so as to drive a fan to provide airflow. An epicyclic gear system is attached to the output shaft of the motor, to produce an output of reduced rotational speed. The output is employed to drive an agitator via a belt. The belt is driven at a reduced rotational speed to that achievable hitherto, and thus there is reduced wear on the belt. The provision of a gear arrangement mounted directly to the motor casing provides a compact assembly. One of the epicyclic gears, such as the ring gear, is arranged to slip with respect to a clutch member if the agitator becomes jammed. An actuator switches off the motor if the heat of friction of the slipping gear exceeds a predetermined value, or if the slipping gear rotates at a speed above a predetermined value. Thus, the motor switches off before damage occurs to any of the components of the system.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A vacuum cleaner motor assembly, comprising:
a vacuum motor, connected to a fan so as to drive the fan to provide suction airflow for the vacuum cleaner, and connected to an epicyclic gear system so as to produce an output of a rotational speed that is reduced as compared to that generated by the motor, the output being configured so as to drive an agitator; and a clutch mechanism comprising clutch members having an engaged position, in which torque generated by the motor is transmitted to the output and a disengaged position in which torque is not transmitted to the output, the clutch members being capable of slipping. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
Specification