Vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaning system and methods of use in a raised floor environment

• US 9,888,820 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2015
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Martins Maintenance, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Martins Maintenance, Inc.
• Inventors: Martins, Jr., Manuel E., Sadowski, Marek, Czarnecki, Tomasz, Iwaszko, Roman, Miklaszewicz, Franciszek, Kszonowski, Lukasz
• Primary Examiner(s): GOLIGHTLY, ERIC WAYNE
• Application Number:
  US14/826,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20150342434A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 134 21, 134 18, 15319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/14 cleaning by blowing-off, also combined with suction cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/00 Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0472 Discs
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/08 with means adapted for blowing
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2826 the condition of the floor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2884 Details of arrangements of batteries or their installation

Abstract

A method of cleaning a raised access flooring system includes providing a vacuum cleaner for raised floor environments. The vacuum cleaner includes a body sized to fit underneath the raised access floor system, a power source supported by the body, a vacuum module supported by the body, the vacuum module being configured to intake air and exhaust air, and a drive module supported by the body. The method further includes placing the vacuum cleaner into a space formed between an original floor and a plurality of raised panels of the raised access flooring system, and operating the vacuum cleaner to perform a cleaning operation.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning a raised access flooring system, the raised access flooring system consisting of a plurality of panels based on posts that are placed on an original floor of a room, the method comprising:

providing a vacuum cleaner for raised floor environments comprising a body sized to fit underneath the raised access floor system and configured to operate within an environment defined by the raised access floor system, a power source supported by the body, a vacuum module supported by the body, the vacuum module being configured to intake air and exhaust air, and a drive module supported by the body;

placing the vacuum cleaner into a space formed between an original floor and a plurality of raised panels of the raised access flooring system; and

operating the vacuum cleaner to perform a cleaning operation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a vacuum cleaner for raised floor environments includes providing a vacuum cleaner for raised floor environments having a controller supported by the body, the controller being configured to control the operation of the power source, the vacuum module and the drive module.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein providing a vacuum cleaner for raised floor environments includes providing a vacuum cleaner for raised floor environments having an infrared sensor coupled to the processor and configured to detect objects proximate to the body of the vacuum cleaner.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the body includes an outer casing, the outer casing having channels configured to divide and channel exhaust flow and to direct exhaust flow in multiple directions.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner further includes a controller supported by the body, the controller being configured to control the operation of a power source, the vacuum module and the drive module.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner further includes a communications module supported by the body.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the communications module comprises a receiver supported by the body and a transmitter supported by the body.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the drive module includes two wheels on a left side of the vacuum cleaner, two wheels on a right side of the vacuum cleaner, and independent drive systems for the left side and the right side configured to allow the vacuum to turn in place.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum module includes a suction module, a dustbin, a pump, and a filter, supported by the body.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum module further includes a sound module.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery selected from the group consisting of a lithium-ion polymer battery and a lithium-ferrum battery.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum module further includes an electronic amplifier in electrical communication with the power source, wherein the electronic amplifier is capable of converting a voltage from about 22 to 24 volts to a voltage of greater than 200 volts.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum module further includes at least one video camera supported by the body.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum module further includes a light supported by the body.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum module further includes a video recording device supported by the body.

5. A method of cleaning a raised access flooring system comprising:

providing a vacuum cleaner for raised floor environments comprising a body sized to fit underneath the raised access floor system, a power source supported by the body, a vacuum module supported by the body, the vacuum module being configured to intake air and exhaust air, and a drive module supported by the body;

placing the vacuum cleaner into a space formed between an original floor and a plurality of raised panels of the raised access flooring system; and

operating the vacuum cleaner to perform a cleaning operation,

wherein the body includes an outer casing, the outer casing having channels configured to divide and channel exhaust flow and to direct exhaust flow in multiple directions, and

wherein the body further includes an outer casing having an upper dissipation plate that blocks exhaust air from the vacuum module and directs the exhaust air to the channels.