BACKGROUND
The disclosure relates to vacuum cleaner, and more particularly to wet/dry and utility vacuum cleaners.
SUMMARY
The disclosure provides, in one aspect, a vacuum cleaner including a debris collector having a base, a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the base, and a plurality of housing segments coupled to the base. A lid is coupled to the debris collector and a suction source is configured to generate an airflow to draw fluid and debris into the debris collector. The vacuum cleaner further includes an exhaust passageway downstream from the suction source for discharging the airflow from the debris collector. The debris collector is moveable between a collapsed position and an extended position along a longitudinal axis, thereby changing a distance between the base and the lid. At least one of the plurality of housing segments nest within a remainder of the plurality of housing segments when the debris collector is in the collapsed position.
Other features and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating the vacuum cleaner in an extended position.
FIG. 2 is cross sectional view of the vacuum cleaner along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in a collapsed position.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a locking mechanism of the vacuum cleaner in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1, illustrating a liner to collect and store debris.
FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating the vacuum cleaner in an extended position.
FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 6 in a collapsed position.
FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating the vacuum cleaner in an extended position.
FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 8 in a collapsed position.
Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a vacuum cleaner 10 including a debris collection container 14 and a lid 18. The debris collection container 14 collects and stores debris and includes a base 20. The container 14 also includes a plurality of housing segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 that are each ring-shaped in the illustrated embodiment. Each of the plurality of housing segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 are concentrically disposed relative to each other and centered about a longitudinal axis 38. The longitudinal axis 38 is also oriented perpendicular to the base 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the uppermost segment 34, which is adjacent the lid 18, has the largest outer dimension of the segments such that the other segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 nest within the segment 34 and the outer dimensions of the segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 decrease in a direction from the uppermost segment 34 to the lowermost segment 24. In other embodiments, the uppermost segment 34, which is adjacent the lid 18, has the smallest outer dimension such that the segments nest within the lowermost segment 24 and the outer dimensions of the segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 increase in a direction from the uppermost segment 34 to the lowermost segment 24.
The lid 18 is removably coupled to the container 14 and includes a handle 42. The handle 42 allows a user to grasp and maneuver the vacuum cleaner 10 (i.e., if the lid 18 is coupled to the container 14) or the lid 18 relative to the container 14 (i.e., if the lid 18 is not coupled to the container 14). The vacuum cleaner 10 further includes latches 44 that are coupled to the lid 18 and engageable with the container 14. The latches 44 are movable between a locked state, in which the lid 18 is coupled to the container 14 (FIG. 1), and an unlocked state, in which the lid 18 is permitted to be removed from the container 14. In some embodiments, the lid 18 may be coupled to the container by alternative means such as a twist-lock configuration, a hinged lid with a single latch and lock, push-button locking tabs, and the like. Still, in other embodiments, the lid 18 may be permanently coupled to the container 14. The vacuum cleaner 10 further includes a plurality of wheels 48 rotatably coupled to the container 14 and a hose storage 50. Specifically, the wheels 48 and the hose storage 50 are coupled to the base 20. The wheels 48 support the vacuum cleaner 10 for movement along a support surface. In other embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 10 may not include wheels (FIG. 5).
With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the vacuum cleaner 10 further includes an inlet port 52 that is coupled to the lid 18. The inlet port 52 allows debris and fluid (e.g., air and liquid) to enter the debris collection container 14. A flexible nozzle 56 is coupled to the inlet port 52 to extend the inlet port 52 to a cleaning surface. The flexible nozzle 56, for example a hose or flexible conduit having a suction inlet, is moveable relative to the vacuum cleaner 10 and may receive an accessory tool 58. When the accessory tools 58 are not coupled to the nozzle 56, the accessory tools 58 are stored on or within the vacuum cleaner 10. The nozzle 56 may also be received by the hose storage 50 when not in use. Although the inlet port 52 of the illustrated embodiment is coupled to the lid 18, in other embodiments, the inlet port 52 may alternatively be coupled to or integrally formed as part of the container 14.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vacuum cleaner 10 further includes a suction source 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction source 60 is coupled to the lid 18, while in other embodiments, the suction source 60 may be coupled to the container 14 (FIG. 6). The suction source 60 generates an airflow to draw fluid and debris into the debris collection container 14. The suction source 60 includes a motor 64 and an impeller 68 (FIG. 2) rotatably driven by the motor 64. The motor 64 is powered when supplied with power via a power source, such as a battery pack 72. As the motor 64 is activated, the impeller 68 is also driven. As such, a region of low pressure is created within the debris collection container 14, thereby drawing fluid and debris into the container 14 through the nozzle 56 and the inlet port 52. Although the motor 64 of the illustrated embodiment draws power from the battery pack 72, in other embodiments, the motor 64 may alternatively draw power from other electrical sources via a power cord (e.g., wall outlet, generator, etc.). A user interface 76 is provided on the lid 18 and is operable to activate the suction source 60 and control various settings of the vacuum cleaner 10 and the suction source 60.
With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the vacuum cleaner 10 further includes a filter 80 that is coupled to the lid 18 and disposed within the debris collection container 14 when the lid 18 is coupled to the container 14. The filter 80 separates the debris from the air that enters the container 14. In one embodiment, the filter 80 is micro-porous to enable passage of air through the filter 80 and to allow discharge of air from the vacuum 10 while inhibiting passage of debris through the filter 80. Therefore, debris is collected via the nozzle 56 and is blocked from being discharged from the vacuum cleaner 10 via the filter 80. Air is discharged from the container 14 via an exhaust passageway 84 that is downstream of the suction source 60 and the filter 80. The exhaust passageway 84 is provided within the lid 18. The exhaust passageway 84 terminates at an exhaust outlet port 88 of the lid 18.
The illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 include a sensor 92 (e.g., limit switch, photoelectric distance sensor, laser distance sensor, electromechanical switch, or the like) that is operable to inhibit activation of the suction source 60 in certain situations, as explained in further detail below. Although the sensor 92 of the illustrated embodiment is coupled to the filter 80, in other embodiments, the sensor 92 is coupled to another component of the vacuum cleaner 10 (e.g., the container 14, the lid 18, or any other suitable component). For example, in some embodiments, the sensor 92 is located on the bottom wall of the container 14.
The vacuum cleaner 10 is moveable between an extended position (FIG. 1) and a collapsed position (FIG. 3) along the longitudinal axis 38. When the vacuum cleaner 10 is in the collapsed position, the lid 18 is substantially adjacent to the base 20, whereas the lid 18 is spaced away from the base 20 when the vacuum cleaner 10 is in the extended position. When the vacuum cleaner 10 is in the collapsed position, the lid 18 is spaced a first distance D1 from the base 20, and when the vacuum cleaner 10 is in the extended position, the lid 18 is spaced a second distance D2 from the base 20 that is greater than the first distance D1. As such, the container 14 defines a first volume when the vacuum cleaner 10 is in the collapsed position and defines a second volume that is greater than the first volume when the vacuum cleaner 10 is in the extended position. In the collapsed position, the sensor 92 inhibits activation of the suction source 60, such that the vacuum cleaner 10 is inoperable in the collapsed position. For example, in embodiments where the sensor 92 includes an electromechanical switch, the lid 18 or base 20 contacts the switch when the vacuum cleaner 10 is in the collapsed position to mechanically move the switch to electrically disconnect the power source from the suction source 60. In embodiments where the sensor 92 includes a distance sensor, the sensor 92 determines the distance D between the between the base 20 and the lid 18 and enables activation of the suction source 60 only when the distance D exceeds a predetermined value or disables activation of the suction source 60 when the distance D is less than a predetermined value.
With reference to FIG. 4, each of the plurality of housing segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 (although only segments 26, 28 are shown) includes a locking mechanism 96 that allows the vacuum cleaner 10 to move between the collapsed position and the extended position when unlocked and maintain (e.g., lock) the vacuum cleaner 10 in either the collapsed position or the extended position when locked. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, each housing segment 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 includes only a single locking mechanism 96. However, in other embodiments, each segment 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 may include multiple locking mechanisms 96 spaced around the perimeter of the segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34. For example, in one embodiment, each housing segment 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 includes four locking mechanisms each spaced about 90 degrees around the perimeter of the segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34. In other embodiments, the segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 may include 2 to about 12 locking mechanism 96 spaced around the perimeter of the segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34. The number of locking mechanisms 96 on each segment 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 can be selected based on the weight of the lid 18 and other components of the vacuum cleaner 10 to properly support the weight of the vacuum cleaner 10 in the extended position.
With continued reference to FIG. 4, the locking mechanism 96 includes a protrusion 98 (e.g., a pin, etc.) that extends outward from the segment 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and a slot 100 that receives the protrusion 98. Specifically, the protrusion 98 affixed to an inner segment 26 is received within the slot 100 disposed in the outer segment 28. The protrusion 98 is constrained by the slot and is moveable along the slot 100, and thereby travels through the slot 100 as the vacuum cleaner 10 is moved between the collapsed position and the extended position. The slot 100 includes a first channel 104 that is oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 38 and a second channel 108 that is oriented generally perpendicular to the first channel 104. The first channel 104 moves upward relative to the protrusion 98 as the outer segment (e.g., segment 28) moves relative to the inner segment (e.g., segment 26) when the vacuum cleaner 10 moves to the extended position, and the first channel 104 moves downward relative to the protrusion 98 when the outer segment (e.g., segment 28) moves relative to the inner segment (e.g., segment 26) when the vacuum cleaner 10 moves to the collapsed position. Also, the plurality of housing segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 rotate relative to each other (e.g., counterclockwise) about the longitudinal axis 38, such that the protrusion 98 translates through the second channel 108 as the outer segment (e.g., segment 28) is rotated relative to the inner segment (e.g., segment 26) when the vacuum cleaner 10 is moved toward the locked position in the extended position, as shown in FIG. 4. The segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 reach a locked position when all of the segments are rotated such that the protrusions 98 are within a locking portion 110 of the second channels 108. In some embodiments, gravity, or the weight of the lid 18 is sufficient to retain the protrusions 98 in the locking position 110. To unlock, lifting the lid 18 relative to the base 20 moves the protrusions 98 from the locking positions 110 to the second channels 108. Then, the plurality of housing segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 are rotated relative to each other (e.g., clockwise) about the longitudinal axis 38, such that the protrusions 98 translate back through the second channels 108 toward the first channels 104. When the protrusions 98 of each segment 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 are within the first channels 104, the lid 18 moves down and toward the base 20, and the segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 can nest together as the protrusions 98 translate along the first channels 104. When the vacuum cleaner 10 is in the collapsed position, each of the plurality of housing segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 nest within each other. In other embodiments, the plurality of housing segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 stack or fold on top of each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 38.
To place the vacuum cleaner 10 in an operational mode, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be moved from the collapsed position to the extended position by grasping the handle 42, pulling the lid 18 upward along the longitudinal axis 38 causing the protrusions 98 to translate along the first channel 104, and rotating the handle 42 about the longitudinal axis 38 (e.g., counterclockwise) causing the protrusions 98 to translate along the second channels 108 to the locking portions 110 of the second channels 108. Then, the motor 64 is activated by the user via the user interface 76 which, in turn, drives the impeller 68. The battery pack 72 supplies power to the motor 64. Once the impeller 68 begins to rotate, fluid and debris are drawn into the debris collection container 14 via the nozzle 56 and the inlet port 52, at which point the filter 80 separates the debris from the air and the debris is stored in the container 14. The air passes through the filter 80 and travels toward the impeller 68. After passing through the impeller 68, the air is discharged along the exhaust passageway 84 and out the exhaust outlet port 88. Upon completion of the operation mode, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be placed in a storage mode (i.e., collapsed position) by pulling the lid 18 upward along the longitudinal axis 38 causing the protrusions 98 to release from the locking portions 110 then rotating the handle 42 to rotate the plurality of housing segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 about the longitudinal axis 38 causing the protrusions 98 to translate along the second channels 108 to the first channels 104, and then moving the lid 18 toward the base 20 causing the protrusions 98 to translate along the first channels 104, thus moving the vacuum cleaner 10 back into the collapsed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 10 includes six segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34. In other embodiments there are between two and ten segments, the number of segments selected based on the amount of compression desired and the desired volume of the expanded container 14. In one embodiment, there are between four and sixteen segments.
In the illustrated embodiment, the segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 do not form a sealed connection. As such, the vacuum cleaner 10 includes a collapsible liner 114 (FIG. 5) inside the container 14. In one embodiment, the liner 114 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the container 14, for example a cylindrical bag. The liner 114 is sealingly connected to the lid 18 to receive fluid and debris from the inlet port 52. The liner 114 may be formed from a thermoplastic film, such as polyethylene film. The liner 114 includes a structural member 118 to inhibit the liner 114 from collapsing under suction. In one embodiment, the structural member 118 is a coil spring positioned inside of the liner 114 and/or connected to the liner 114 configured to inhibit the liner 114 from collapsing in a radial direction. The structural member 118, e.g., coil spring, is collapsible along the longitudinal direction 38 (i.e., in an axial direction) as the vacuum cleaner 10 moves to the collapsed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the structural member 118 include a coil spring, but in other embodiments, other structural members may be utilized to hold the liner 114 in position. For example, other embodiments, the structural member may include clips, clasps, magnets, clamps, and the like that hold the liner 114 in position.
FIG. 6 illustrates a vacuum cleaner 1010 in accordance with another embodiment, with like features being given like reference numerals, plus 1000. The vacuum cleaner 1010 is operable in both the extended position (FIG. 6) and the collapsed position (FIG. 7).
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the vacuum cleaner 1010 includes a debris collection container 1014, a lid 1018, and a base 1020. The debris collection container 1014 includes a plurality of housing segments 1026, 1028 that are each ring-shaped. Each of the plurality of housing segments 1026, 1028 are concentrically disposed relative to each other and centered about a longitudinal axis 1038. The longitudinal axis 1038 is also oriented perpendicular to the base 1020. The lid 1018 includes a handle 1042 and the base 1020 includes a hose storage 1050.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the vacuum cleaner 1010 further includes an inlet port 1052 that is coupled to the lid 1018. A flexible nozzle 1056 is coupled to the inlet port 1052 and the nozzle 1056 may receive an accessory tool 60 (FIG. 1). Although the inlet port 1052 of the illustrated embodiment is coupled to the lid 1018, in other embodiments, the inlet port 1052 may alternatively be coupled to or integrally formed as part of the container 1014.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the vacuum cleaner 1010 further includes a suction source 1060 disposed within the container 14 and includes a motor 1064 and an impeller 1068 (FIG. 6) rotatably driven by the motor 1064. The motor 1064 is powered when supplied with power via a power source, such as a battery pack 1072. Although the motor 64 of the illustrated embodiment draws power from the battery pack 1072, in other embodiments, the motor 64 could draw power from other electrical sources via a power cord (e.g., wall outlet, generator, etc.). The vacuum cleaner 1010 further includes a filter disposed within the debris collection container 1014. Air is discharged from the container 1014 via an exhaust passageway that is downstream of the suction source 1060 and the filter. The exhaust passageway terminates at an exhaust outlet port.
The vacuum cleaner 1010 is moveable between the extended position (FIG. 6) and the collapsed position (FIG. 7) along the longitudinal axis 1038. When the vacuum cleaner 1010 is in the collapsed position, the container 1014 defines an interior volume that is approximately half the amount of the interior volume when the vacuum cleaner 10 is in the extended position. For example, while in the extended position, the container 1014 may define a volume of approximately 3 gallons, and in the collapsed position the container 1014 may define an interior volume of approximately 1.5 gallons. Other volumetric ratios and/or approximate volumes of the collapsed and extended positions may be implemented as appropriate (e.g., a volumetric ratio of 1:3, approximate volumes of 2 gallons and 4 gallons, and the like). Also, when the vacuum cleaner 1010 is in the collapsed position, the lid 1018 is spaced a first distance D1 from the base 1020, and when the vacuum cleaner is in the extended position, the lid 1018 is spaced a second distance D2 from the base 1020 that is greater than the first distance D1. The vacuum cleaner 1010 is operable in both the collapsed position (e.g., for collecting small amounts of debris) and the extended position (e.g., for collecting large amounts of debris).
With reference to FIG. 6, a locking mechanism 1096 allows the vacuum cleaner 1010 to move between the collapsed position and the extended position when unlocked and maintain (e.g., lock) the vacuum cleaner 1010 in either the collapsed position or the extended position when locked. The locking mechanism 1096 includes a protrusion 1098 that extends inward from the segment 1028 and a slot 1100 on the segment 1026 that receives the protrusion 1098. Specifically, the protrusion 1098 of an outer segment 1028 is received within the slot 1100 of the inner segment 1026. The protrusion 1098 travels through the slot 1100 as the vacuum cleaner 1010 is moved between the collapsed position and the extended position. The slot 1100 includes a first channel 1104 that is oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 1038 and a second channel 1108 that is oriented generally perpendicular to the first channel 1104. The protrusion 1098 translates upward through the first channel 1104 when the vacuum cleaner 1010 moves to the extended position and translates downward through the first channel 1104 when the vacuum cleaner 1010 moves to the collapsed position. Also, the housing segments 1026 rotates relative to the housing segment 1028 (e.g., clockwise) about the longitudinal axis 1038, such that the protrusion 1098 translates through the second channel 1108 as the housing segment 1028 is rotated relative to the housing segment 1026 when the vacuum cleaner 1010 is moved toward the locked position in the extended position, as shown in FIG. 6. To unlock, the housing segments 1026 rotates relative to the housing segment 1028 (e.g., counterclockwise) about the longitudinal axis 1038, such that the protrusion 1098 translates back through the second channel 1108 toward the first channel 1104. When the protrusion 1098 is within the first channel 1104, the segments 1026, 1028 can nest together as the protrusions 1098 translate along the first channel 1104. When the vacuum cleaner 1010 is in the collapsed position, the housing segment 1026 is nested within the housing segment 1028.
In the illustrated embodiment, the segments 1026, 1028 form a sealed connection via a seal 1114 (e.g., O-ring, radial seal, or the like) between the segments 1026, 1028, as shown in FIG. 6. Specifically, the housing segment 1028 is double walled, such that an inner wall 1118 is disposed on the inner periphery of the housing segment 1026 and an outer wall 1122 is disposed on the outer periphery of the housing segment 1026. The seal 1114 is disposed between the inner periphery of the housing segment 1026 and the outer periphery of the inner wall 1118. In other embodiments, the seal 1114 may alternatively be disposed between the outer periphery of the housing segment 1026 and the inner periphery of the outer wall 1122. Still, in other embodiments, the seal 1114 may be disposed elsewhere, so long as a fluid tight seal is formed between the housing segments 1026, 1028. In other embodiments, the housing segment 1028 may not be double walled and include only a single wall. In such an embodiment, a seal may be located between the single wall of the housing segment 1028 and the housing segment 1026.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a vacuum cleaner 2010 according to another embodiment, with like features given like reference numerals, plus 2000 and only differences between the vacuums 10 and 2010 will be discussed below. The vacuum cleaner 2010 includes a debris collection container 2014 that is collapsible by pushing or a force in a downward direction from the lid 2018 toward the base 2020. Also, the collection container 2014 is extendable by pulling or a force in an upward direction from the base 2020 toward the lid 2018. That is, the user can move the container 2014 from the extended position (FIG. 8) to the collapsed position (FIG. 9) by pushing downwardly on the lid 2018 toward the base 2020, which causes the container 2014 to collapse. The user can move the container 2014 from the collapsed position (FIG. 9) by pulling upwardly on the lid 2018 relative to the base 2020, which causes the container 2014 to expand. In the illustrated embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 2010 includes supports 2051 that retain the container 2014 in the extended position against the weight of the lid 2018. In such embodiments, the supports 2051 are moved to allow the user to move the container 2014 to the collapsed position. In some embodiments, the supports 2051 are telescoping. In other embodiments, the container 2014 can remain in the extended position against the weight of the lid 2018 without the supports 2051 and the supports 2051 are not needed or omitted.
The container 2014 is formed from rigid segments 2053 and flexible segments 2055. The uppermost segment 2053a and the lowermost segment 2053b are rigid segments 2053. Additional rigid segments 2053 are located between the uppermost segment 2053a and the lowermost segment 2053b. Flexible segments 2055 extend between each adjacent rigid segment 2053. The container 2014 may be constructed of any suitable materials that provide relative stiffness or rigidity to the rigid segments 2053 and provide relative flexibility to the flexible segments 2055. For example, the rigid segments 2053 may be formed from polypropylene and the flexible segments 2055 formed from a thermoplastic elastomer overmolded onto the polypropylene of the rigid segments 2053 to connect the flexible segments 2055 and rigid segments 2053 into single component. The flexible segments 2055 allow the container 2014 to move between the collapsed and extended positions and the rigid segments 2053 provide enough rigidity and strength for the container 2014 to remain in the extended position. When the container 2014 is in the collapsed position, the rigid segments 2053 and the lowermost segment 2053b are nested within the uppermost segment 2053a. In other embodiments, lowermost segment 2053b may have the largest outer dimension and the rigid segments 2053 may nest within the lowermost segment 2053b. Also, although FIG. 8 illustrates the container 2014 in the maximum extended position and FIG. 9 illustrates the container 2014 in the maximum collapsed position, other positions between those positions illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are possible. For example, the user can partially extend or partially collapse the container 2014 to convert the container 2014 to different storage volumes.
Various features and advantages are set forth in the following claims.
Patent Application
20250113958
