Vacuum cleaner filter cleaning mechanisms

• US 20070186372A1
• Filed: 01/17/2007
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rowntree, David, Pears, Barry
• Granted Patent: US 8,032,984 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/347
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/127 tube- or sleeve-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1666 with filtering means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1683 Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/20 Means for cleaning filters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2836 characterised by the parts which are controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2878 Dual-powered vacuum cleaners, i.e. devices which can be operated with mains power supply or by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2273/28 Making use of vacuum or underpressure
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/46 automatic

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner comprising an inlet (26) for dirty air; an outlet (24) for clean air; a filter (44) located in fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet; a motor; a fan driven by the motor for moving air from the inlet through the filter to the outlet; an electrical power supply for supplying power to the motor; an on/off switch (30) for placing the motor in powered electrical connection with the fan and having a first state wherein the motor drives the fan and a second state wherein the motor does not drive the fan; and a filter cleaning mechanism for removing dirt from the filter; wherein activation of the filter cleaning mechanism is operatively associated with the on/off switch, whereby operation of the on/off switch results in operation of the filter cleaning mechanism. In a second aspect, the present invention also provides a vacuum cleaner comprising an inlet (26) for dirty air; an outlet (24) for clean air; a filter (44) located in fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet; a motor; a fan driven by the motor for moving air from the inlet through the filter to the outlet; an electrical power supply for supplying power to the motor; and a filter cleaning mechanism for removing dirt from the filter; wherein the filter cleaning mechanism is electrically powered; and the vacuum cleaner further comprises a user-operated switch (30) for activating the filter cleaning mechanism, whereby operation of the switch results in operation of the filter cleaning mechanism.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

an inlet for dirty air;

an outlet for clean air;

a filter located in fluid communication between said inlet and said outlet;

a first motor;

a fan driven by said motor for moving air from said inlet through said filter to said outlet;

an electrical power supply for supplying power to said motor;

an on/off switch for placing said motor in powered electrical connection with said fan and having a first state wherein said motor drives said fan and a second state wherein said motor does not drive said fan; and

a filter cleaning mechanism for removing dirt from said filter;

characterized in that;

activation of said filter cleaning mechanism is operatively associated with said on/off switch, whereby operation of said on/off switch results in operation of said filter cleaning mechanism.

2. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 further comprising a timing device, wherein operation of said on/off switch from the first state to the second state activates said filter cleaning mechanism and said timing device, and said timing device subsequently deactivates said filter cleaning mechanism.

3. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 further comprising a timing device, wherein operation of said on/off switch from the second state to the first state activates said filter cleaning mechanism and said timing device, whereupon said timing device delays said motor from driving said fan, and said timing device subsequently deactivates said filter cleaning mechanism and ends the delay of said motor driving said fan.

4. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the on/off switch has a third state wherein said motor does not drive said fan, operation of said on/off switch from the first state to the second state activates said filter cleaning mechanism and operation of said on/off switch from the second state to the third state deactivates said filter cleaning mechanism.

5. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the on/off switch has a third state wherein said motor does not drive said fan, operation of said on/off switch from the second state to the third state activates said filter cleaning mechanism and operation of said on/off switch from the third state to the first state deactivates said filter cleaning mechanism.

6. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the filter is pleated and the filter cleaning mechanism comprises:

a plurality of ribs which interengage with said pleats;

a hub connected to said filter about which said filter is able to rotate relative to said ribs;

a source of rotary motion; and

means for transferring rotary motion from said source to said hub.

7. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein said source of rotary motion is said first motor.

8. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein said source of rotary motion is a second motor additional to the first motor and which second motor is dedicated to driving said filter cleaning mechanism.

9. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein said means for transferring rotary motion is a train of gears.

10. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein said means for transferring rotary motion is a rubber belt.

11. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein said filter is a fine dust filter and said ribs are mounted on an inner surface of a course dirt filter surrounding said fine dust filter.

12. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said electrical power supply comprises a mains electrical cable.

13. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said electrical power supply comprises a first battery.

14. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein said electrical power supply is for supplying power to said second motor as well as to said first motor.

15. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, further comprising a second battery additional to said electrical power supply and which second battery is dedicated to supplying power to said second motor.

16. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

an inlet for dirty air;

an outlet for clean air;

a filter located in fluid communication between said inlet and said outlet;

a first motor;

a fan driven by said motor for moving air from said inlet through said filter to said outlet;

an electrical power supply for supplying power to said motor; and

a filter cleaning mechanism for removing dirt from said filter;

characterized in that;

said filter cleaning mechanism is electrically powered;

and in that said vacuum cleaner further comprises a user-operated switch for activating said filter cleaning mechanism, whereby operation of said switch results in operation of said filter cleaning mechanism.

17. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, wherein said switch has a first state in which said filter cleaning mechanism is activated and a second state in which said filter cleaning mechanism is de-activated, and said switch latches in the first and second states thereof unless operated.

18. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, wherein said switch has a first state in which said filter cleaning mechanism is activated and a second state in which said filter cleaning mechanism is de-activated, and said switch is monostable in the second state thereof, but must be held by a user in the first state thereof.

19. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 16 further comprising a timing device, wherein operation of said switch activates said filter cleaning mechanism and said timing device, and said timing device subsequently deactivates said filter cleaning mechanism.

20. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, wherein the filter is pleated and the filter cleaning mechanism comprises:

a plurality of ribs which interengage with said pleats;

a hub connected to said filter about which said filter is able to rotate relative to said ribs;

a source of rotary motion; and

means for transferring rotary motion from said source to said hub.

21. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 20, wherein said source of rotary motion is said first motor.

22. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 20, wherein said source of rotary motion is a second motor additional to the first motor and which second motor is dedicated to driving said filter cleaning mechanism.

23. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 20, wherein said means for transferring rotary motion is a train of gears.

24. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 20, wherein said means for transferring rotary motion is a rubber belt.

25. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 20, wherein said filter is a fine dust filter and said ribs are mounted on an inner surface of a course dirt filter surrounding said fine dust filter.

26. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, wherein said electrical power supply comprises a mains electrical cable.

27. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, wherein said electrical power supply comprises a first battery.

28. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 22, wherein said electrical power supply is for supplying power to said second motor as well as to said first motor.

29. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 22, further comprising a second battery additional to said electrical power supply and which second battery is dedicated to supplying power to said second motor.