The present invention relates to vacuum cleaning systems and, in particular, to power head systems and methods for vacuum systems.
Vacuum systems are of several basic types. One type is an upright vacuum cleaner. The vacuum system of an upright vacuum cleaner is mounted in a housing that may be moved across the surface to be cleaned. Another type is a central vacuum cleaner in which the vacuum system is arranged at a central location and one or both of rigid pipe or flexible hose extends from the vacuum system to the location of the surface to be cleaned. Yet another type of vacuum cleaner is a canister vacuum cleaner in which the vacuum system is mounted on wheels, and a hose extends from the vacuum system to allow the vacuum to be applied to the surface to be cleaned. It is possible to combine these types of vacuum cleaners. For example, and upright vacuum cleaner may be provided with a hose to facilitate the application of the vacuum to surfaces over which the main portion of the upright vacuum cleaner may not be moved.
Any type of vacuum cleaners that uses a hose may also include a vacuum head to facilitate the removal of debris from the surface to be cleaned. The vacuum heads typically contain a brush. A brush on a vacuum head may be fixed or may move (e.g., rotated) to facilitate the lifting of debris from the surface to be cleaned. A moving brush may be powered by the movement of air drawn through the vacuum head by the vacuum system or may be motorized. Commonly, a short, helical brush is mounted on a shaft supported parallel to the surface to be cleaned for rotation by a motor.
The present invention is of particular significance when applied to a motorized brush adapted for use with a central vacuum cleaner, but the principles of the present invention may have application to other types of vacuum cleaners using a vacuum head.
A motorized vacuum head designed for use with a central vacuum cleaner is typically referred to as a power head. A power head may be configured to obtain power from wires supported by the hose or separate battery. The need exists for improved power heads for vacuum cleaners.
The present invention may be embodied as a vacuum system comprising a vacuum source, an energy-storage device, a handle operatively connected to the vacuum source, an extension tube operatively connected to the handle, and a power head. The power head comprises a housing assembly defining a main chamber and a main outlet and a brush assembly. The brush assembly comprises a brush defining an axle chamber, a motor assembly, and a transmission system. The brush is supported for rotation relative to the housing assembly. The motor assembly defines a fixed portion and a rotating portion. The energy-storage device is operatively connected to the motor assembly, at least part of the motor assembly is arranged within the axle chamber, and the fixed portion of the motor assembly is supported relative to the housing assembly. The transmission system transmits rotation of the rotating portion of the motor assembly to the brush. At least part of the transmission system is arranged within the axle chamber. The power head is detachably attached to the extension tube such that operation of the vacuum source causes air to be drawn through the main chamber, through the main outlet, through the extension tube, and into the handle. The energy-storage device supplies power to the motor such that operation of the motor assembly causes the rotating portion of the motor assembly to rotate the brush through the transmission system to rotate the brush relative to the brush housing.
The present invention may also be embodied as a vacuum system comprising a vacuum source, an energy-storage device, a handle operatively connected to the vacuum source, an extension tube operatively connected to the handle, and a power head. The power head comprises a main housing and a brush assembly. The main housing defining a main chamber, a main inlet, and a main outlet. The brush assembly comprises a brush housing, a brush, a motor assembly, and a transmission system. The brush housing defines a brush chamber. The brush defines an axle chamber. The brush is supported for rotation relative to the brush housing, and a portion of the brush is arranged within the brush chamber. The motor assembly defines a fixed portion and a rotating portion. The energy-storage device is operatively connected to the motor assembly, at least part of the motor assembly is arranged within the axle chamber, and the fixed portion of the motor assembly is supported by the brush housing. The transmission system transmits rotation of the rotating portion of the motor assembly to the brush, and at least part of the transmission system is arranged within the axle chamber. The power head is detachably attached to the extension tube such that operation of the vacuum source causes air to be drawn through the brush inlet, through the brush chamber, through the brush outlet, through the main inlet, through the main chamber, through the main outlet, through the extension tube, and into the handle. The energy-storage device supplies power to the motor such that operation of the motor assembly causes the rotating portion of the motor assembly to rotate the brush through the transmission system to rotate the brush relative to the brush housing.
The present invention may also be embodied as a vacuum method comprising the following steps. A vacuum source, an energy-storage device, and a power head are provided. A handle is operatively connected to the vacuum source. An extension tube is operatively connected to the handle. The power head housing assembly defines a main chamber and a main outlet. A brush defining an axle chamber is supported for rotation relative to the power head housing assembly. A motor assembly defining a fixed portion and a rotating portion, and the motor assembly and the energy-storage device are operatively connected. At least part of the motor assembly is arranged within the axle chamber. The fixed portion of the motor assembly is supported relative to the power head housing assembly. A transmission system is arranged to transmit rotation of the rotating portion of the motor assembly to the brush, and at least part of the transmission system is arranged within the axle chamber. The power head housing assembly is detachably attached to the extension tube such that operation of the vacuum source causes air to be drawn through the main chamber, through the main outlet, through the extension tube, and into the handle. The energy-storage device is caused to supply power to the motor such that operation of the motor assembly causes the rotating portion of the motor assembly to rotate the brush through the transmission system to rotate the brush relative to the brush housing.
Referring initially to
The first example power head system 20 is adapted to be used as part of a vacuum system 30. The vacuum system 30 comprises a hose 32 connected between a vacuum source 34 and a handle 36. An extension tube 38 is connected between the handle 36 and the power head system 20. As is conventional, when connected together as shown in
The first example power head 22 comprises a main body assembly 40, a brush assembly 42, and a latch system 44 for detachably attaching the brush assembly 42 to the main body assembly 40.
The main body assembly 40 comprises a main housing 50 defining a main chamber 52 and a battery chamber 54. The main chamber 52 defines a main inlet 56 and a main outlet 58. The example battery chamber 54 is isolated from the main chamber 52 and is adapted to contain a battery assembly 60. As shown in
The brush assembly 42 comprises a brush housing 80 defining a brush chamber 82. The brush chamber 82 defines a brush inlet 84 and a brush outlet 86. The brush assembly 42 further comprises a brush 90 arranged within the brush chamber 82 and a brush drive system 92. The brush drive system 92 comprises a brush motor 94. The example brush drive motor 94 is electrically connected to first and second brush contacts 96 and 98 as shown in
The example latch system 44 comprises a first latch assembly 120 and a second latch assembly 122. The example latch assemblies 120 and 122 are identical, and, as depicted in
The latch assemblies 120 and 122 are configured to detachably attach the brush housing 80 to the main housing 50. When the brush housing 80 is attached to the main housing 50, the brush outlet 86 is in fluid communication with the main inlet 56, and a power head flow path is defined. The power head flow path extends from the brush inlet 84, through the brush chamber 82, through the brush outlet 86, through the main inlet 56, through the main chamber 52, and out of the main outlet 58.
The example power head remote 24 comprises a remote housing 130 and one or more remote buttons 132. A wireless communication system (not shown) formed by the electrical system 28 and the remote 24 allows the brush motor 94 to be turned on and off using the remote button(s) 132. The wireless communications system is or may be conventional and will not be described herein in detail.
The example adapter system 26 comprises a fixed member 140, a movable member 142, a first adapter member 144, and a second adapter member 146. The example fixed member 140 is sized and dimensioned to engage the main housing 50. The movable member 142 is rotatably supported by the fixed member 140 and is sized and dimensioned to receive the extension tube 38. The extension tubes 38 may come in different sizes and/or styles, and the first and second adapter members 144 and 146 are sized and dimensioned to engage the movable member 142 on one end and a selected size and/or style of the extension tube 38. The example adapter 26 may take a number of different configurations, but in each configuration the adapter system forms a substantially air-tight connection between one size and/or style of the extension tubes 38 and the main housing 50. When the adapter system 26 is formed between the extension tube 38 and the main housing 50, the vacuum source 34 causes air to flow through the main inlet 56, through the main chamber 52, and out of the main outlet 58.
Referring now more specifically to the main chamber 52,
In the example main housing 50, the battery chamber 54 is arranged above the central main portion 164 and between the central side portions 172 defined by the first and second side portions 154 and 156. This arrangement of the battery chamber 54 provides space for the battery assembly 60 while minimizing a height of the main housing 50 and maintaining adequate air flow through the main chamber 52.
Referring now to
Referring now in more detail to the brush drive assembly 92,
This application, (Attorney's Ref. No. P219508) is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/302,717 filed Oct. 7, 2016, currently pending. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/302,717 is a 371 of International PCT Application No. PCT/US2015/024576 filed Apr. 6, 2015, now expired. International PCT Application No. PCT/US2015/024576 claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/976,403 filed Apr. 7, 2014, now expired. The contents of all related applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61976403 | Apr 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15302717 | Oct 2016 | US |
Child | 16105888 | US |