Mounting device for sensors and pick-ups

• US 4,937,912 A
• Filed: 01/30/1989
• Issued: 07/03/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Interlava AG
• Original Assignee: Interlava AG
• Inventors: Kurz, Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/302,950
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 15/339, 15/319, 55/274, 73/861.41
• US Class Current: 15/339
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2815 using optical detectors

Abstract

In connection with a mounting device for sensors and pick-ups generally, serving as dust-detecting means for vacuum cleaners, in particular in the form of luminous diodes and phototransistors arranged adjacent the suction channel of the said vacuum cleaner, it is proposed to form at least one axial channel, leading from the inside to the outside, immediately adjacent the sensor, through which an air flow is passed due to underpressures or overpressures prevailing in the area of the sensor, which air flow acts to continuously clean the sensitive area of the sensor.

Claims

1. Mounting device for sensors and pick-ups of vacuum cleaners which are arranged, as dust-detecting means, adjacent a suction channel passed by the dust and dirt particles, and whose sensitive areas are exposed, at their point of installation, to contamination or to being covered up, in particular optical or electric dust-detecting means, characterized in that at least one channel (14) is arranged in the mounting area (11) of the sensor, directly adjacent the body of the sensor (12, 13) and its sensitive area, through which an air flow is guided due to the underpressures and overpressures produced by the vacuum blower itself, Whereby the sensitive area is continuously cleaned.

2. Mounting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one channel (14) is axially guided, relative to the longitudinal axis of the sensor, in such a manner that the blowing effect of the air flow reaches the sensitive area of the sensor.

3. Mounting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one channel (14) is provided with an inclined portion (17) at the level of the sensitive area which portion serves as a baffle surface for the air flow guided through the channel, so that the air flow is deflected towards the sensitive area of the sensor.

4. Mounting device according to claim 1, characterized in that for receiving the (optical) sensor used as dust detecting means in vacuum cleaners, the suction channel is designed as an integrally formed outwardly projecting holder of generally cylindrical shape, with inner wall portions (15) projecting inwardly over the length of the holder, in peripherally spaced arrangement, for retaining the luminous diode or the phototransistor, and forming between them a plurality of axial channels (14) through which the cleaning air flow is passed due to the underpressure prevailing in the suction pipe.