Vacuum Cleaner with Sensing System

• US 20080301899A1
• Filed: 06/08/2007
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tacony Corporation
• Original Assignee: Tacony Corporation
• Inventors: Kaido, John F., Blocker, Douglas L., Petty, T. Joy H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,627,927 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2815 using optical detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2836 characterised by the parts which are controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2889 Safety or protection devices or systems, e.g. for prevention of motor over-heating or for protection of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/30 Arrangement of illuminating devices

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner having a floor nozzle movable by a user of the vacuum cleaner over a floor to suction dirt from the floor. A sensing system is provided for sensing a condition relating to the vacuum cleaner and for generating a signal in response to the condition. A sensor-responsive light system on the floor nozzle is responsive to the signal for projecting light onto the floor for observance by the user.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising

a suction head configured to draw air from a surface as the suction head is moved over a working area of the surface,

a sensing system for sensing a condition relating to the vacuum cleaner and

a sensor-responsive light system for projecting light away from the suction head and toward the working area.

2. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the condition sensed by the sensing system is a presence of dirt in the air drawn from the surface by the suction head.

3. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sensor-responsive light system projects the light in a generally forward direction onto the surface.

4. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an illumination system for projecting illuminating light to illuminate the working area of the surface.

5. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an illumination system configured to project light to illuminate the working area, wherein the light projected by the illumination system and the light projected by the sensor-responsive light system are different colors.

7. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an illumination system for illuminating the working area, wherein the sensor-responsive light system is disposed outboard of the illumination system.

9. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sensor-responsive light system projects the light into a line of sight of a user of the vacuum cleaner.

13. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a handle pivotally coupled with the suction head, wherein the sensor-responsive light system does not project the light when the handle is in an upright position.

19. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an illumination system configured to illuminate the working area, the sensor-responsive light system projecting the light on opposing sides of the working area illuminated by the illumination system.

20. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sensor-responsive light system projects the light onto the working area in a downward direction forward of the suction head.

21. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the condition sensed by the sensor-responsive light system is an air flow characteristic through a filter.

22. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the condition sensed by the sensor-responsive light system is a level of dirt in a dirt collector.

6. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

10-12. -12. (canceled)

14. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a suction head movable by a user of the vacuum cleaner over a working area of a surface to suction air from the surface,

an illumination system for illuminating the working area,

a dirt sensing system for sensing condition of the vacuum cleaner,

a sensor-responsive light system for projecting light in response to the condition sensed by the dirt sensing system, the light projected toward the working area for observance by the user.

15. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 14 wherein the illumination system and the sensor-responsive light system project different colored lights toward the working area.

16. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 14 wherein the light from said sensor-responsive light system is projected onto the working area at a location visible by the user of the vacuum cleaner.

18. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 14 further comprising a handle pivotally coupled with the suction head, wherein the sensor-responsive light system does not project the light when the handle is in an upright position.

23. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 14 wherein the condition sensed by the sensor-responsive light system is a presence of dirt in the air drawn by the suction head.

24. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 14 wherein the condition sensed by the sensor-responsive light system is an air flow characteristic through a filter.

25. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 14 wherein the condition sensed by the sensor-responsive light system is a level of dirt in a dirt collector.

26. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 14 wherein the sensor-responsive light system projects the light on opposing sides of the working area.

17. (canceled)