Remote-control radio vacuum cleaner

• US 4,369,543 A
• Filed: 04/13/1981
• Issued: 01/25/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hong Chen, Jen Chen
• Original Assignee: Hong Chen, Jen Chen
• Inventors: Chen, Hong, Chen, Jen
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US06/253,496
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 15/319, 15/339, 15/340, 325/37, 180/98
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation

Abstract

A remote-control radio vacuum cleaner comprises a remote control device having radio transmitting circuits matched with a control mechanism for generating various control signals, and a separate vacuum cleaner structure disposed with vacuum cleaning fittings for dust suction operations, a storage battery system for supplying the required power in the vacuum cleaning structure, a radio receiving circuit disposed with respect to the transmitting circuits, and d.c. motors arranged in conjunction with the radio receiving circuit for moving the vacuum cleaner in performing dust cleaning work under the control of the remote control device.

Claims

1. A remote-control radio vacuum cleaning system comprising:

(a) remote radio signal transmitting means capable of generating a carrier matched with multivibrator generated frequencies as control signals, and having plural push-button control means for controlling transmission and generation of said carrier matched frequencies; and

(b) vacuum cleaning means comprising, a vacuum cleaning device having drive means comprising a pair of d.c. motor sets for propulsing said vacuum cleaning device, rechargeable d.c. power supply means for supplying power to said pair of d.c. motor sets, electronic control means comprising four sets of relay channels, one of said four sets of relay channels controlling on and off operation of said vacuum cleaning device, and the others of the said four sets of relay channels associated with said drive means for controlling propulsive movement of said vacuum cleaning device, and radio signal receiving means associated with said four sets of relay channels for receiving and demodulating control signals of the multivibrator frequencies from said remote radio signal transmitting means for controlling the closing and opening of respective ones of said four sets of relay channels, whereby cleaning operation can be performed under control of said remote radio signal transmitting means.

2. A remote-control radio vacuum cleaning system as in claim 1 wherein said d.c. power source is a set of storage batteries which can be charged as their condition dictates.

3. A remote-control radio vacuum cleaning system as in claim 1 wherein said drive means system includes at least two d.c. motors, and speed reducers matched with said d.c. motors for making controlled movement with respect to said radio receiving circuit thereof.

4. A remote-control radio vacuum cleaning system as in claim 3 wherein said vacuum cleaning means has wheels coupled with said d.c. motors for making forward and backward straight movements, as well as left and right turns therewith in response to predetermined carrier matched frequency signals received.

5. A remote control radio vacuum cleaning system according to claim 1 wherein said remote radio signal transmitting means further comprises a power switch for turning said rechargeable d.c. power supply means on and off, a remote control switch for starting said vacuum cleaning device, and an operating button having forward, reverse, and stop positions for providing desired control signals to said radio signal receiving means.

6. A remote-control radio vacuum cleaning system as in claim 5 wherein said d.c. power supply means comprises a charging means associated with said storage batteries.

7. A remote control radio vacuum cleaning system according to claim 1 wherein said remote radio signal transmitting means comprises self-excited multivibrator means associated with a crystal oscillator and a short-wave amplitude modulator, and an antenna for operating said control signals, and said radio signal receiving means comprising a super-regenerative detector for detecting and receiving the signals, and amplifying means for amplifying the detected and received signals.

8. A remote control radio vacuum cleaning system according to claim 7 wherein said super-regenerative detector is adapted for detecting signals from said remote radio signal transmitting means at a distance of up to about 50 meters.