Method for controlling a vacuum cleaner or a central vacuum cleaner

• US RE36,584 E
• Filed: 05/14/1991
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lindsey Manufacturing Co.
• Original Assignee: Lindsay Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Harkonen, Jouko, Mustalampi, Reino
• Primary Examiner(s): WAYNER, WILLIAM E
• Application Number:
  US07/699,952
• Time in Patent Office: 3,213 Days
• Field of Search: 236/51, 15/314, 15/319, 15/339, 417/43, 406/15, 367/82, 367/197, 367/199
• US Class Current: 15/314
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/38 Built-in suction cleaner installations, i.e. with fixed tube system to which, at different stations, hoses can be connected
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2805 Parameters or conditions being sensed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2821 Pressure, vacuum level or airflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2894 Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of control for a device such as a vacuum cleaner or a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery and a pipe or a pipe system connecting the central machinery with a working point. In order to avoid the installation of control conductors connecting the working points with the central machinery, the operation of the central machinery is controlled according to the invention in a wireless manner by means sound or pressure impulses transmitted from the working point to a receiving sensor using the pipe or the pipe system of the device as a transmission channel, whereby for the start-up of the central machinery, sound or pressure impulses are transmitted from the working point; said impulses are detected with an acoustic sensor; and the central machinery is started in response to the detection of the acoustic sensor, and for the stopping of the central machinery, the flow in the pipe system is blocked; the stopping of the flow is detected by means of a flow sensor; and the central machinery is stopped in response to the detection of the flow sensor.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery and a pipe system connecting said central machinery with a working point, in which method the central machinery is controlled in a wireless manner using the pipe system of the device as a transmission channel, comprising for the start-up of the central machinery the steps of

transmitting sound or pressure impulses from the working point;

detecting said impulses with an acoustic sensor; and

starting the central machinery in response to the detection of the acoustic sensor;

and for the stopping of the central machinery the steps of

blocking the flow in the pipe system;

detecting the stopping of the flow by means of a flow sensor; and

stopping the central machinery in response to the detection of the flow sensor.

2. A method of control according to claim 1 wherein the central machinery is stopped in response to the detection of the flow sensor after a predetermined time delay.

3. A method of control according to claim 1, wherein for the stopping of the central machinery the pipe system is blocked by means of a flap positioned in a handle of a suction pipe of the device.

4. A method of control according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic sensor is positioned in connection with the central machinery.

5. A method of control according to claim 1, wherein the sound or pressure impulses for starting the central machinery are sent from said handle of the suction pipe of the device.

6. A method of control according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the sound or pressure impulses starting the central machinery is within the range of 0 to 20,000 Hz.

7. A method of control according to claim 1, wherein said flow sensor is positioned in connection with the central machinery.

8. A system for controlling a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery and a pipe arrangement connecting said central machinery with a working point, said central machinery being controlled in a wireless manner using the pipe arrangement as a transmission channel, comprising:

means for transmitting sound or air pressure impulses from the working point to start up said central machinery;

means including a sensor for detecting said impulses;

means responsive to said detection means for starting said central machinery in response to the detection of energy by said sensor;

means for stopping of said central machinery including means for blocking the flow of air in said pipe arrangement;

means including an air flow sensor for detecting the stopping of the flow of the air in said pipe by said flow sensor; and

means for stopping said central machinery in response to the detection of air flow stoppage in said pipe by said flow sensor.

9. The system according to claim 8, including time delay means coupled with said central machinery for stopping thereof in response to the detection by said flow sensor after a predetermined time delay of the air flow stoppage in said pipe.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein said stopping means includes a flap operatively associated with said pipe arrangement.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein said stopping means includes a handle coupled with said pipe arrangement and a flap in said handle for cutting off air flow through said handle.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein said acoustic sensor is positioned in a connection with said central machinery.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein said acoustic sensor is positioned in said handle.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the sound or pressure impulses for starting said central machinery are sent from said handle through said transmission channel to said central machinery.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein said transmission channel is a suction channel to which said handle is connectable, and said flap in said handle controls the sending of sound or pressure impulses to said central machinery for starting thereof.

16. The system according to claim 8, wherein the frequency of the sound or pressure impulses starting the central machinery is within the range of 0 to 20,000 Hz.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the sound or pressure impulses is within the range of 0 to 20,000 Hz.

18. The system of claim 8, wherein the sound or pressure impulse is 16 Hz.

19. The system according to claim 8, wherein said air flow sensor is connected with said central machinery.

20. The system of claim 8, wherein said last-mentioned stopping means includes a swingable flap controllable from outside said pipe arrangement. .Iadd.

21. A method for controlling a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery and a pipe system connecting said central machinery with a working point, in which method the central machinery is controlled in a wireless manner using the pipe system of the device as a transmission channel for sound waves in the air inside, comprising for the start up of the central machinery the steps of:

a) transmitting low frequency sound in the area of 16 Hz from the working point;

b) by detecting said sound with an acoustic sensor; and

c) starting the central machinery in response to the detection of the acoustic sensor. .Iaddend..Iadd.22. A method for controlling a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery and a pipe system connecting said central machinery with a working point, in which method the central machinery is controlled in a wireless manner using the pipe system of the device as a transmission channel, comprising for the stopping of the central machinery the steps of;

a) blocking the flow in the pipe system;

b) detecting the stopping of the flow by means of a flow sensor; and

c) stopping the central machinery in response to the detection of the flow

22. sensor. .Iaddend..Iadd.23. A system for controlling, a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery and a pipe arrangement connecting said central machinery with a working point and including a flexible suction hose with a handle wand, said central machinery being controlled in a wireless manner using the pipe arrangement as a transmission channel for sound waves in the air inside, comprising:

a) means for transmitting low frequency sound in the area of 16 Hz from the working point to start up said central machinery, said means for transmitting being located within said handle wand and transmitting said sound through said hose and said pipe arrangements;

b) a sensor for detecting said sound;

c) means responsive to said detection means for starting said central machinery in response to the detection of said low frequency sound by said sensor. .Iaddend..Iadd.24. A system for controlling a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery and a pipe arrangement connecting said central machinery with a working point, said central machinery being controlled in a wireless manner using the pipe arrangement as a transmission channel, comprising;

a) means for stoppling of said central machinery including means for blocking the flow of air in said pipe arrangement;

b) means including an air flow sensor for detecting the stopping of the flow of the air in said pipe by said air flow sensor; and

c) means for stopping said central machinery in response to the detection of air flow stoppage in said pipe by said flow sensor. .Iaddend..Iadd.25. A method for controlling a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery and a pipe system having a plurality of sharp bends and providing an air channel connecting said central machinery with a working point, comprising the steps of controlling the central machinery in a wireless manner by transmitting a control signal of low frequency sound in the area of 16 Hz through the air and around said sharp bends in said pipe system receiving the control signal and actuating said central machinery in response to said control signal. .Iaddend..Iadd.26. A system for controlling a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery and a pipe arrangement having a plurality of sharp bends and connecting said central machinery with a working point, said central machinery being controlled in a wireless manner using the pipe arrangement as a transmission channel for sound waves in the air inside, comprising;

a) means for transmitting low frequency sound in the area of 16 Hz from the working point through said pipe arrangement and around said sharp bends to start up said central machinery;

b) a sensor for detecting said sound; and

c) means responsive to said detection means for starting said central machinery in response to the detection of said sound by said sensor. .Iaddend..Iadd.27. A system for controlling a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery and a pipe arrangement having a plurality of sharp bends and connecting said central machinery with a working point, said central machinery being controlled in a wireless manner using the pipe arrangement as a transmission channel for sound waves in the air inside, comprising;

a) means for transmitting low frequency sound in the area of 16 Hz from the working point through said pipe arrangement and around said sharp bends to start up said central machinery, said means for transmitting being an acoustic sound transmitter positioned within said pipe arrangement;

b) a sensor for detecting said sound; and

c) means responsive to said detection means for starting said central machinery in response to the detection of said sound by said sensor.

23. Iaddend..Iadd.28. A system for controlling a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery and a Pipe system having a plurality of sharp bends and connecting said central machinery with a working point, in which system the central machinery is controlled in a wireless manner using the pipe system as a transmission channel for sound waves in the air inside, comprising:

a) means for transmitting low frequency sound within human sound range and which is sufficiently low so as to pass through the air in a pipe system which may have sharp bends, said sound traveling from a working point through the pipe system to start up said central machinery;

b) a sensor for detecting said sound; and

c) means responsive to said detection means for starting said central machinery in response to the detection of said sound by said sensor.

24. Iaddend..Iadd.29. A system for controlling a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery having a motor and a pipe system having a plurality of sharp bends and connecting said central machinery with a working point, in which system the central machinery is controlled in a wireless manner using the pipe system as a transmission channel for sound waves in the air inside, comprising:

a) means for transmitting low frequency sound within human sound range and which is sufficiently low so as to pass through the air in a Pipe system which may have sharp bends, said means having a capability for adjusting the frequency of said low frequency sound for controlling power supplied to the motor of said central machinery, said sound traveling from a working point through the pipe system to start up said central machinery;

b) a sensor for detecting said sound; and

c) means responsive to said detection means for starting said central machinery in response to the detection of said sound by said sensor.

25. Iaddend..Iadd.30. A system for controlling a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery having a motor and a pipe system having a plurality of share bends and connecting said central machinery with a working point, in which system the central machinery is controlled in a wireless manner using the pipe system as a transmission channel for sound waves in the air inside, comprising:

a) means for transmitting low frequency sound well below 20,000 Hz and within human sound range and which is sufficiently low infrequency so as to pass through the air in a pipe system which may have sharp bends, said sound traveling from a working point through the sine system to start up said central machinery;

b) a sensor for detecting said sound; and

c) means responsive to said detection means for starting said central machinery in response to the detection of said sound by said sensor.

26. Iaddend..Iadd.31. A system for controlling a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery having a motor and a pipe system having a plurality of sharp bends and connecting said central machinery with a working point, in which system the central machinery is controlled in a wireless manner using the pipe system as a transmission channel for sound waves in the air inside, comprising:

a) means for transmitting low frequency sound within the range of audible sound and well below the ultrasonic range, and which is sufficiently low infrequency so as to sass through the air in a pipe system which may have sharp bends, said sound traveling from a working point through the pipe system to start up said central machinery;

b) a sensor for detecting said sound; and

c) means responsive to said detection means for starting said central machinery in response to the detection of said sound by said sensor.

27. Iaddend..Iadd.32. A system for controlling a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery having a motor and a pipe system having a plurality of share bends and connecting said central machinery with a working point, in which system the central machinery is controlled in a wireless manner using the pipe system as a transmission channel for sound waves in the air inside, comprising:

a) means for transmitting low frequency sound within the range of audible sound and well below the ultrasonic range and of a selected frequency low enough to allow the pipe system to act as a signal channel that permits the signal to propagate with sufficient energy that said signal can be detected near the central machinery after transmitting around said many sharp bends, said sound traveling from a working point through the pipe system to start up said central machinery;

b) a sensor for detecting said sound; and

c) means responsive to said detection means for starting said central machinery in response to the detection of said sound by said sensor. .Iaddend.