Dust detection system
First Claim
1. A dust detection system for a vacuum cleaner comprising a dirt separation chamber having an inlet for receiving a dust laden air stream, said dust separation chamber being adapted to provide a generally cyclonic airflow for separating dust from said dust laden air stream, and having an outlet arranged at a bottom of said dust separation chamber, said outlet being connected to a dustbin for collecting said separated dust, said dust detection system further comprising:
- an emitter positioned to emit an electromagnetic signal into said dust separation chamber during operation of the vacuum cleaner; and
a receiver positioned to receive said electromagnetic signal;
wherein said emitter and receiver are positioned in a bottom portion of said dust separation chamber and being arranged to detect dust accumulating at said bottom portion during operation of the vacuum cleaner, thereby providing an indication of said dustbin being full; and
wherein said bottom portion extends from said bottom of the dust separation chamber to a height corresponding to an upper rim of said outlet.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a dust detection system for a vacuum cleaner comprising a dust separation chamber (20) of cyclone type and having a separate dustbin (30) for collecting separated dust. The dust separation chamber is adapted to provide a generally cyclonic airflow for separating dust from a dust laden air stream, and is at a bottom (25) of the dust separation chamber connected via an outlet (22) to the dustbin. The dust detection system further comprises an emitter (41) positioned to emit an electromagnetic signal into the dust separation chamber during operation of the vacuum cleaner, and a receiver (42) positioned to receive the electromagnetic signal. The inventive concept is based on an understanding that when the dustbin becomes full, dust accumulates at the bottom of the dust separation chamber, i.e. stays rotating at the bottom, since it cannot enter the dustbin. The emitter and receiver are positioned in a bottom portion (26) of the dust separation chamber and are arranged to detect dust accumulating at the bottom portion during operation of the vacuum cleaner, thereby providing an indication of the dustbin being full.
49 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A dust detection system for a vacuum cleaner comprising a dirt separation chamber having an inlet for receiving a dust laden air stream, said dust separation chamber being adapted to provide a generally cyclonic airflow for separating dust from said dust laden air stream, and having an outlet arranged at a bottom of said dust separation chamber, said outlet being connected to a dustbin for collecting said separated dust, said dust detection system further comprising:
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an emitter positioned to emit an electromagnetic signal into said dust separation chamber during operation of the vacuum cleaner; and a receiver positioned to receive said electromagnetic signal; wherein said emitter and receiver are positioned in a bottom portion of said dust separation chamber and being arranged to detect dust accumulating at said bottom portion during operation of the vacuum cleaner, thereby providing an indication of said dustbin being full; and wherein said bottom portion extends from said bottom of the dust separation chamber to a height corresponding to an upper rim of said outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A dust detection system for a vacuum cleaner comprising a dirt separation chamber having an inlet for receiving a dust laden air stream, said dust separation chamber being adapted to provide a generally cyclonic airflow for separating dust from said dust laden air stream, and having an outlet arranged at a bottom of said dust separation chamber, said outlet being connected to a dustbin for collecting said separated dust, said dust detection system further comprising:
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an emitter positioned to emit an electromagnetic signal into said dust separation chamber during operation of the vacuum cleaner; a receiver positioned to receive said electromagnetic signal; and a protruding element arranged at said bottom of said dust separation chamber, said protruding portion being arranged for facilitating said cyclonic airflow; wherein said emitter and receiver are positioned in a bottom portion of said dust separation chamber and being arranged to detect dust accumulating at said bottom portion during operation of the vacuum cleaner, thereby providing an indication of said dustbin being full. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification