Central vacuum cleaner control, unit and system with contaminant sensor

• US 20100162513A1
• Filed: 03/04/2010
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
• Inventors: Muirhead, Allen D., Cunningham, J. Vern
• Granted Patent: US 8,096,014 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/301
• 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 9/0072 Mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2805 Parameters or conditions being sensed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/281 the amount or condition of incoming dirt or dust
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2894 Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A central vacuum cleaning system 3 has a central vacuum unit 17 with a motor 10, a motor compartment 19, and a vacuum chamber 25. The system 3 also has a control circuit 1 for controlling power to the motor 10, and one or more airborne contaminant sensors 15 for sensing contaminants within the system 3. The sensors 15 may be located in pipes 31 motor compartment 19, vacuum chamber 25 and hose handle 34. Vacuum air may be drawn through aperture 37 in wall valve 38.

Claims

1. A central vacuum unit for use in a central vacuum cleaning system, the unit comprising:

a) a motor compartment,

b) a vacuum chamber,

c) a control circuit for controlling power to the motor,

d) one or more airborne contaminant sensors for sensing contaminants within the unit, and

e) one or more indicators for communicating with a user when a contaminant is sensed by one or more of the one or more airborne contaminant sensor.

2. A central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a) a central vacuum unit including a motor, a motor compartment, a vacuum chamber, a control circuit for controlling power to the motor,

b) one or more airborne contaminant sensors for sensing airborne contaminants within the central vacuum cleaning system, and

c) one or more indicators for communicating with a user when a contaminant is sensed by one or more of the one or more airborne contaminant sensors.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one indicator is located on the central vacuum unit.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one indicator is located on a vacuum hose handle.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one indicator is located remotely from the central vacuum cleaning system.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the at least one indicator is a wall display.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one indicator is a display.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one indicator is a sounder.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one indicator is a LED array.

10. A method of communicating to a user a presence of one or more sensed airborne contaminants, the method comprising:

a) running a central vacuum unit of a central vacuum cleaning system to draw air through the unit,

b) sensing for contaminants within the central vacuum cleaning system, and

c) communicating to the user the presence of the one or more sensed airborne contaminants using one or more indicators.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein a signal is sent to the one or more indicators in response to the sensed airborne contaminants.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the signal is sent to the one or more indicators over a wired connection.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the signal is sent to the one or more indicators over a wireless radio frequency.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the signal sent to one or more indicators is through a remote controller that is capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequencies.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of communicating comprises at least one indicator in the form of an audible alarm.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of communicating comprises at least one indicator in the form of a visible alarm.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the visible alarm indicates a sensed airborne contaminant by displaying text on a display.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the visible alarm indicates a sensed airborne contaminant by displaying an icon on a display.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the visible alarm indicates a sensed airborne contaminant using an LED array.

20. The method of claim 10 wherein sensing for contaminants comprising sensing for radon.

21. A contaminant sensing circuit for use in a central vacuum cleaning system, the circuit comprising:

a) a controller,

b) a power source,

c) one or more airborne contaminant sensors for sensing airborne contaminants; and

d) one or more indicators for communicating with a user.

22. The circuit of claim 21 wherein the circuit is contained within a vacuum hose handle.

23. The circuit of claim 21 wherein at least one indicator is a display.

24. The circuit of claim 21 wherein at least one indicator is a sounder.

25. The circuit of claim 21 wherein at least one indicator is a LCD array.

26. The circuit of claim 21 wherein the one or more airborne contaminant sensors comprise a radon sensor.