VACUUM APPLIANCE FILTER CONDITION INDICATOR

• US 20070017373A1
• Filed: 05/09/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Tomasiak, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,789,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 96/421
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/19 Means for monitoring filtering operation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/34 Indicator and controllers

Abstract

A filter condition indicator for a vacuum appliance having a filter includes a housing with a diaphragm dividing the housing into first and second chambers. One chamber receives a pressure indication from inside the filter, and the other chamber receives a pressure indication from outside the filter. An indicator device is activated by movement of the diaphragm in response to a pressure differential between the first and second chambers.

Claims

1. A filter condition indicator for a vacuum appliance having a filter, comprising:

a housing;

a diaphragm dividing the housing into first and second chambers, the first chamber receiving a pressure indication from inside the filter, the second chamber receiving a pressure indication from outside the filter; and

an indicator device activated by movement of the diaphragm in response to a pressure differential between the first and second chambers.

2. The filter condition indicator of claim 1, wherein the indicator device includes a rack and display pinion arrangement that moves in response to movement of the diaphragm.

3. The filter condition indicator of claim 1, wherein the indicator device is situated in the first chamber.

4. The filter condition indicator of claim 1, further comprising a spring that biases the indicator device so as to maintain the position of the indicator device when the appliance is off.

5. The filter condition indicator of claim 1, further comprising a reset device.

6. The filter condition indicator of claim 5, wherein the reset device includes a shaft that interacts with the indicator device in response to actuation by a user to return the indicator device to an initial position.

7. A vacuum appliance, comprising:

a collection drum;

a powerhead operably connected to the drum to selectively create a suction within the drum;

a filter connected to the powerhead and situated in the drum;

a housing;

a diaphragm dividing the housing into first and second chambers, the first chamber receiving a pressure indication from inside the filter, the second chamber receiving a pressure indication from outside the filter; and

an indicator device activated by movement of the diaphragm in response to a pressure differential between the first and second chambers.

8. The vacuum appliance of claim 7, wherein the indicator device includes a rack and display pinion arrangement that moves in response to movement of the diaphragm.

9. The vacuum appliance of claim 7, wherein the indicator device is situated in the first chamber.

10. The vacuum appliance of claim 7, further comprising a spring that biases the indicator device so as to maintain the position of the indicator device when the appliance is off.

11. The vacuum appliance of claim 7, further comprising a reset device.

12. The vacuum appliance of claim 11, wherein the reset device includes a shaft that interacts with the indicator device in response to actuation by a user to return the indicator device to an initial position.