U.S. patent application number 11/044142 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-28 for vacuum cleaner with twin independently driven agitators.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA. Invention is credited to Mayes, R. Michael.
Application Number | 20050160555 11/044142 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34826086 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050160555 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mayes, R. Michael |
July 28, 2005 |
Vacuum cleaner with twin independently driven agitators
Abstract
A floor cleaning apparatus includes a nozzle assembly and a
canister assembly. A suction generator is carried on the nozzle
assembly or the canister assembly. A dirt collection vessel is also
carried on the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly. Still
further, a first agitator with a first internal drive motor and a
second agitator with a second internal drive motor are both carried
on the nozzle assembly. Additionally, a method is also provided.
The method includes the steps of equipping a floor cleaning
apparatus with first and second agitators and independently driving
those agitators.
Inventors: |
Mayes, R. Michael;
(Lancaster, KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KING & SCHICKLI, PLLC
247 NORTH BROADWAY
LEXINGTON
KY
40507
US
|
Assignee: |
PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH
AMERICA
|
Family ID: |
34826086 |
Appl. No.: |
11/044142 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60539467 |
Jan 27, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/384 ;
15/389 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/30 20130101; A47L
9/0411 20130101; A47L 9/0477 20130101; A47L 9/0488 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/384 ;
015/389 |
International
Class: |
A47L 005/30 |
Claims
1. A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising: a nozzle assembly; a
canister assembly; a suction generator carried on one of said
nozzle assembly and said canister assembly; a dirt collection
vessel carried on one of said canister assembly and said nozzle
assembly; a first agitator having a first internal drive motor
carried on said nozzle assembly; and a second agitator having a
second internal drive motor carried on said nozzle assembly.
2. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said canister
assembly is pivotally connected to said nozzle assembly.
3. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dirt
collection vessel is a filter bag.
4. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dirt
collection vessel is a dirt cup.
5. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dirt
collection vessel is a cyclonic airflow chamber.
6. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said floor
cleaning apparatus is a device selected from a group consisting of
an upright vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner, a hand-held
vacuum cleaner and an extractor.
7. A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising: a nozzle assembly; a
canister assembly; a suction generator carried on one of said
nozzle assembly and said canister assembly; a dirt collection
vessel carried on one of said canister assembly and said nozzle
assembly; a first agitator carried on said nozzle assembly; a first
agitator drive motor connected to said first agitator; a second
agitator carried on said nozzle assembly; and a second agitator
drive motor connected to said second agitator.
8. A method of providing an improved floor cleaning apparatus,
comprising: equipping said floor cleaning apparatus with a first
agitator and a second agitator; and independently driving said
first and second agitators.
9. The method of claim 8 including driving said first and second
agitators at different speeds.
10. The method of claim 9, including driving said first and second
agitators in different directions.
11. The method of claim 8 including driving said first and second
agitators in different directions.
12. The method of claim 8 including providing said first agitator
with a first internal drive motor and said second agitator with a
second internal drive motor.
13. The method of claim 12 including driving said first and second
agitators at different speeds.
14. The method of claim 13, including driving said first and second
agitators in different directions.
15. The method of claim 12 including driving said first and second
agitators in different directions.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/539,467 filed on Jan. 27, 2004.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the vacuum
cleaner art and, more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner
incorporating twin agitators with each agitator driven by an
internal drive motor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A vacuum cleaner is an electromechanical appliance utilized
to effect the dry removal of dust, dirt and other small debris from
carpets, rugs, fabrics or other surfaces in both domestic and
industrial environments. In order to achieve the desired dirt and
dust removal, a rotary agitator is provided to beat dirt and dust
from the nap of the carpet and a pressure drop or vacuum is used to
force air entrained with this dirt and dust into the nozzle of the
vacuum cleaner. The particulate-laden air is then drawn through a
bag-like filter, a dirt cup or a cyclonic separation chamber and
filter combination which traps the dirt and dust, while
substantially clean air is exhausted by an electrically operated
fan that is driven by an on board motor. It is this fan and motor
arrangement that generates the drop in air pressure necessary to
provide the desired cleaning action. Thus, the fan and motor
arrangement is commonly known as the vacuum or suction
generator.
[0004] Many advanced, high performance vacuum cleaners incorporate
a dual motor system. In such a system, a separate agitator drive
motor is provided in addition to the motor of the suction
generator. In most designs the separate agitator drive motor is
mounted on the nozzle assembly adjacent the agitator. A gear drive
or more commonly a pulley and belt arrangement transmits the power
from the agitator motor drive shaft to the agitator.
[0005] While very effective for its intended purpose, the mounting
of a separate agitator drive motor in front of or behind the
agitator necessitates a significant increase in the fore-aft length
of the nozzle assembly in order to accommodate the motor. This not
only increases the overall weight of the nozzle assembly but also
the wheelbase and/or the body overhang beyond the wheels. All of
these characteristics negatively impact the ease of manipulation of
the vacuum cleaner in and around furniture and, therefore, are a
detriment.
[0006] In contrast, it is possible to mount the agitator drive
motor above the agitator. In this situation, no increase in the
length of the nozzle assembly and/or the wheelbase thereof is
necessary to accommodate the agitator motor. The height of the
nozzle assembly must, however, be increased significantly to
provide motor clearance. This unacceptably restricts the use of the
vacuum cleaner as the resulting higher profile will not clear many
overhanging obstructions such as bed frames, tables and chair
frames. Accordingly, this is generally recognized to be an
unacceptable solution.
[0007] Another possible alternative is the mounting of the separate
agitator drive motor within the agitator itself. Such an
arrangement makes use of what would otherwise be lost space within
the agitator. Further, it allows the agitator motor to be
accommodated without any substantial increase in the height or
length of the nozzle assembly. Thus, the vacuum cleaner may be more
easily manipulated on a shorter wheel base and is of lighter
overall weight. It also includes the desired low profile which
allows cleaning under bed frames, tables, chairs and other such
objects.
[0008] More recently, it has been determined that vacuum cleaners
equipped with multiple agitators provide a performance advantage
resulting in enhanced cleaning efficiency. The present invention
relates to a multi-agitator vacuum cleaner wherein each agitator is
independently driven and includes its own internally mounted drive
motor. Such a vacuum cleaner provides maximum cleaning performance
while also limiting the height and footprint of the nozzle
assembly. As a consequence, the vacuum cleaner is easy to maneuver
and has a relatively low profile so as to allow cleaning under
beds, chairs and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as
described herein, an improved floor cleaning apparatus is provided.
That floor cleaning apparatus comprises a nozzle assembly, a
canister assembly and a suction generator carried on one of the
nozzle assembly and the canister assembly. Additionally, the floor
cleaning apparatus includes a dirt collection vessel also carried
on one of the canister assembly and the nozzle assembly. Still
further, a first agitator having a first internal drive motor is
carried on the nozzle assembly. Additionally, a second agitator
having a second internal drive motor is carried on the nozzle
assembly.
[0010] The canister assembly may be pivotally connected to the
nozzle assembly. Further, the dirt collection vessel may take any
of various forms including but not limited to a filter bag, a dirt
cup and a cyclonic airflow chamber. Further, the cleaning apparatus
itself may be a device selected from a group consisting of an
upright vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner, a hand-held
vacuum cleaner and an extractor.
[0011] Alternatively, the present invention may be described as a
floor care cleaning apparatus comprising a nozzle assembly, a
canister assembly, a suction generator carried on one of the nozzle
assembly or the canister assembly and a dirt collection vessel
carried on one of the nozzle or the canister assembly. The
apparatus further includes a first agitator and first agitator
drive motor and a second agitator and second agitator drive motor.
Thus, the two agitators are independently powered.
[0012] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, a method is disclosed for providing an improved floor
cleaning apparatus. The method includes the steps of equipping the
floor cleaning apparatus with a first agitator and a second
agitator and independently driving those two agitators. The
agitators may be driven at different speeds and/or in different
directions.
[0013] Advantageously, the floor cleaning apparatus provides
enhanced cleaning performance and a relatively low profile and
compact nozzle assembly that is easily maneuvered over a surface to
be cleaned and has the necessary clearance to be used under beds,
chairs and the like.
[0014] In the following description there is shown and described a
preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of
illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the
invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of
other different embodiments and its several details are capable of
modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from
the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0015] The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part
of the specification, illustrates several aspects of the present
invention, and together with the description serves to explain
certain principles of the invention. In the drawing:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floor cleaning apparatus
of the present invention, illustrated in the form of an upright
vacuum cleaner;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the vacuum cleaner
through the first agitator; and
[0018] FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the first
agitator and gear drive showing the engagement therebetween.
[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 showing a floor cleaning
apparatus 10 of the present invention. As illustrated, that floor
cleaning apparatus 10 takes the form of an upright vacuum cleaner.
It should be appreciated, however, that the floor cleaning
apparatus may also take the form of a canister vacuum cleaner, a
hand-held vacuum cleaner or even an extractor.
[0021] The overall basic design of the floor cleaning apparatus 10
is generally well known in the art. In the typical arrangement, the
floor cleaning apparatus 10 includes a housing 14 that comprises
the nozzle assembly 16 and the canister assembly 18. The canister
assembly 18 further includes the handle 20 and the hand grip 22.
The hand grip 22 carries a control switch 24 for turning the floor
cleaning apparatus 10 on and off. Of course, electrical power is
supplied to the floor cleaning apparatus 10 from a standard
electrical wall outlet through a cord (not shown). Alternatively,
the floor cleaning apparatus 10 could be powered by an onboard
battery.
[0022] At the lower portion of the canister assembly 18, rear
wheels (not shown) are provided to support the weight of the floor
cleaning apparatus 10. A second set of wheels (also not shown)
allow the operator to raise and lower the nozzle assembly 16
through selective manipulation of the height adjustment switch 28.
Such a height adjustment mechanism is well known in the art and is
exemplified, for example, by the arrangement incorporated into the
Kenmore Progressive vacuum cleaner currently available in the
marketplace. To allow for convenient storage of the floor cleaning
apparatus 10, a foot latch 30 functions to lock the canister
assembly 18 in an upright position, as shown in FIG. 1. When the
foot latch 30 is released, the canister assembly 18 may be pivoted
relative to the nozzle assembly 16 as the floor cleaning apparatus
10 is manipulated to clean the floor.
[0023] The canister assembly 18 also carries an internal chamber 32
that houses a suction generator 33 (i.e. a state of the art fan and
motor combination) and a dirt collection vessel 34 for removing
dirt or dust entrained in the air stream as it passes from the
nozzle assembly 16 to the suction generator. The canister assembly
18 may also carry a final filtration cartridge 48 to trap small
particulates and prevent their reintroduction into the environment
through the exhaust air stream.
[0024] The nozzle assembly 16 includes a nozzle and agitator cavity
36 that houses multiple rotating agitators 38. The agitators 38
shown are each independently and rotatably driven by a motor 40 and
cooperating gear drive 42 housed within the agitator and described
in greater detail below (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In the illustrated
floor cleaning apparatus 10, the scrubbing action of the rotary
agitators 38 and the negative air pressure created by the suction
generator 33 cooperate to brush and beat dirt and dust from the nap
of the carpet being cleaned and then draw the dirt and dust laden
air from the agitator cavity 36 to the dirt collection vessel 34.
Specifically, the dirt and dust laden air passes serially through a
suction inlet and hose and/or an integrally molded conduit in the
nozzle assembly 16 and/or canister assembly 18 as is known in the
art. Next, it is delivered into the dirt collection vessel 34 held
in the chamber 32. The vessel 34 serves to trap the suspended dirt,
dust and other particles inside while allowing the now clean air to
pass freely through the porous wall thereof and then through the
suction generator 33, final filtration cartridge 48 and ultimately
to the environment through the exhaust port 50.
[0025] As illustrated, the dirt collection vessel 34 takes the form
of a dust or filter bag of a type well known in the art. Of course,
it should be appreciated that the dirt collection vessel could also
be a dirt cup or even a cyclonic separation chamber if desired.
Essentially substantially any vessel capable of collecting dirt may
be utilized.
[0026] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 3 which show the
mounting of the agitator motor 40 and associated gear drive 42 in
one of the agitators 38 in detail. As shown, the agitator 38 is
mounted for rotation relative to the nozzle assembly 16.
Specifically, a first end of the agitator 38 includes an end cap 52
which is supported on bearings 54 on a stub shaft 55 held in
mounting block 56 keyed into slot 58 in the side of the nozzle
assembly 16. An end cap 60 at the opposite end of the agitator 38
is supported on bearings 62 mounted on the housing 64 of the motor
40. As should be appreciated, the motor 40 is fixed to the nozzle
assembly 16 by means of the mounting block 66 fixed to the motor
housing 64 and keyed in the slot 68 in the side of the nozzle
assembly.
[0027] The motor 40 drives a shaft 70 including gear teeth 72. The
drive shaft 70 extends through a bearing 74 held in the hub 76 of
the planetary gear set carrier 78. In the most preferred embodiment
a fan 80 is keyed or otherwise secured to the distal end of the
drive shaft 70.
[0028] The planetary gear set carrier 78 includes three stub shafts
82 that each carry a planetary gear 84. Each of the planetary gears
84 include teeth that mesh with the gear teeth 72 of the drive
shaft 70. Additionally, the planetary gears 82 mesh with the teeth
of an annular gear 86 that is fixed to the agitator motor housing
64 by pin or other means. Thus, it should be appreciated that as
the drive shaft 70 is driven by the motor 40, the planetary gears
84 are driven around the annular gear 86, thereby causing the
planetary gear set carrier 78 to rotate. Planetary gear set carrier
78 also includes a drive ring 88 and associated rubber drive boot
87 which includes a series of spaced channels 89 that receive and
engage axial ribs 91 projecting inwardly radially from the inner
wall of the agitator 38. Thus, the rotation of the planetary gear
set carrier 78 is transmitted by the drive ring 88 and drive boot
87 directly to and causes like rotation of the agitator 38. The
rubber drive boot 87 provides the necessary damping to insure the
smooth transmission of power to the agitator. Simultaneously with
the rotation of the planetary gear set carrier 78 and agitator 38,
the drive shaft 70 also drives the fan 80 at a ratio of between 4-1
to 10-1 (e.g. 6-1) with respect to the agitator 38. The resulting
rapid rotation of the fan 80 helps to ensure proper cooling of the
agitator motor 40 during its operation.
[0029] More specifically, the floor cleaning apparatus 10 of the
present invention incorporates a novel air cooling system or
circuit, which will now be described in detail. Specifically, air
is drawn into the floor cleaning apparatus 10 through a vent 90 at
the upper rear face of the nozzle assembly 16 by operation of the
suction generator 33 (note action arrow A in FIG. 2). Specifically,
the air first passes through a filter (not shown) of foam rubber or
other appropriate material into the illumination compartment 94
defined between the upper transparent window 96 and the lower
transparent window 98 which allow viewing of the operation of the
agitator 38. This air then passes over and around the light source
100 so as to provide cooling thereto (note action arrows B in FIG.
2). Next, the air is drawn through the passageway 102 in the nozzle
assembly 16 and around and through an opening 104 in the end cap 52
(note action arrow C). The air then moves through the lumen of the
agitator 38 to the fan 80 driven by means of the agitator drive
motor 40 (note action arrows D). The fan 80 forces the air through
openings 106 in the planetary gear set carrier 78 (see also FIG. 3)
and then around the annular gear 86 before it passes through the
housing 64 of the motor 40 (note action arrows E and F).
[0030] After passing over the windings and other internal
components (not shown) of the agitator motor 40 for purposes of
heat exchange and cooling, the air passes through the passageway
108 into the manifold 110 (note action arrow G). Manifold 110
includes an outlet (not shown) in fluid communication with the
agitator cavity 36. Of course, as noted above, the agitator cavity
36 is in direct fluid communication with a suction inlet 44 that
leads through the hose 46 into the dirt collection vessel 34 in
chamber 32.
[0031] While only one agitator 38 has been illustrated and
described in detail, it should be appreciated that both agitators
38 have identical structures: that is, each agitator 38 has its own
drive motor. As a result, the agitators 38 are independently
driven. The agitators 38 may be driven by their individual,
independent internal motors in different directions and/or even at
different speeds as desired to provide the greatest cleaning
efficiency. Thus, design flexibility and performance are all
maximized.
[0032] The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For
example, while two agitators are illustrated, it should be
appreciated that three or even more could be provided.
[0033] The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best
illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical
application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to
utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All
such modifications and variations are within the scope of the
invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in
accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and
equitably entitled.
* * * * *