U.S. patent application number 10/857154 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for electrostatic dust collection wand.
Invention is credited to James F. Kimball.
Application Number | 20070192972 10/857154 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34971045 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070192972 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Kimball; James F. |
August 23, 2007 |
Electrostatic dust collection wand
Abstract
An electrostatic dust wand has a handle, a triboelectric charge
generator, and a fibrous material. The triboelectric charge
generator is coupled to the handle, and generates an electrostatic
charge to attract dust particles to the cleaning implement. The
fibrous material at least partially covers the triboelectric charge
generator, to collect and to retain dust particles. The
triboelectric charge generator has at least one movable member
having a first triboelectric property, and an actuator for driving
the at least one movable member. The electrostatic charge may be
generated by movement of he at least one movable member against the
fibrous material. Alternatively, or in addition, the electrostatic
charge may be generated by relative movement of two members of the
triboelectric charge generator against one another.
Inventors: |
Kimball; James F.; (Hales
Corners, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
1525 HOWE STREET
RACINE
WI
53403-2236
US
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20060064826 A1 |
March 30, 2006 |
|
|
Family ID: |
34971045 |
Appl. No.: |
10/857154 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/1.52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/40 20130101;
A47L 13/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/001.52 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/40 20060101
A47L013/40 |
Claims
1. A cleaning implement comprising: a handle; a triboelectric
charge generator coupled to said handle, said triboelectric charge
generator generating an electrostatic charge to attract dust
particles to the cleaning implement; and a fibrous material, at
least partially covering said triboelectric charge generator, for
collecting and retaining the dust particles.
2. A cleaning implement according to claim 1, said triboelectric
charge generator comprising at least one movable member having a
first triboelectric property, and an actuator for driving said at
least one movable member.
3. A cleaning implement according to claim 2, said fibrous material
having a triboelectric property different than that of said at
least one movable member and contacting at least a portion of said
at least one movable member, motion of said at least one movable
member relative to said fibrous material at least partially
generating the electrostatic charge.
4. A cleaning implement according to claim 2, said triboelectric
charge generator further comprising at least one stationary member
having a triboelectric property different than that of said movable
member and contacting at least a portion of said at least one
movable member, motion of said at least one movable member relative
to said at least one stationary member at least partially
generating the electrostatic charge.
5. A cleaning implement according to claim 4, said fibrous material
having a triboelectric property different than that of said movable
member and contacting at least a portion of said at least one
movable member, motion of said at least one movable member relative
to said fibrous material at least partially generating the
electrostatic charge.
6. A cleaning implement according to claim 4, wherein one of said
at least one movable member and said at least one stationary member
is disposed circumjacent to the other of said at least one movable
member and said at least one stationary member.
7. A cleaning implement according to claim 4, said at least one
movable member and said at least one stationary member being
disposed substantially parallel to and adjacent to one another.
8. A cleaning implement according to claim 1, said triboelectric
charge generator comprising at least two movable members, at least
one movable member having a first triboelectric property and at
least one movable member having a second triboelectric property
different than the first triboelectric property, and an actuator
for driving said at least two movable members, said at least two
movable members being at least partially in contact with and
movable relative to one another.
9. A cleaning implement according to claim 1, said fibrous material
comprising a sleeve, which fits over said triboelectric charge
generator.
10. A cleaning implement according to claim 9, said fibrous
material being removably attached to the cleaning implement by a
fastener.
11. A cleaning implement according to claim 9, said fibrous
material comprising at least one of loose fibers and loose flaps of
material protruding from an exterior surface of said sleeve of
fibrous material.
12. A cleaning implement according to claim 2, said actuator
comprising an electric motor powered by a power source, said
electric motor driving said at least one movable member to impart
motion thereto.
13. A cleaning implement according to claim 2, said actuator
comprising a manual actuator, said manual actuator configured to
convert work input by a user to mechanical energy to drive said at
least one movable member to impart motion thereto.
14. A cleaning implement according to claim 2, said actuator
driving said at least one movable member for substantially axial,
reciprocating motion relative to said handle.
15. A cleaning implement according to claim 2, said actuator
driving said at least one movable member for substantially
rotational motion relative to said handle.
16. A cleaning implement according to claim 2, said at least one
movable member comprising a first roller, said triboelectric charge
generator further comprising a band of flexible material, said band
extending around and riding on said roller.
17. A cleaning implement according to claim 16, said triboelectric
charge generator further comprising a second roller, said band of
flexible material extending around and riding on both said first
and second rollers.
18. A cleaning implement according to claim 17, further comprising
a conductive sleeve at least partially surrounding said
triboelectric charge generator, and at least one conductive brush
in electrical communication with said conductive sleeve, one end of
said at least one brush being adjacent to, or in contact with, said
band of flexible material.
19. A cleaning implement according to claim 18, at least one of
said conductive sleeve and said conductive brushes comprising a
metal.
20. A cleaning implement according to claim 18, at least one of
said conductive sleeve and said conductive brushes comprising a
conductive polymer.
21. A cleaning implement according to claim 1, said cleaning
implement comprising an electrostatic dust collection wand.
22. A cleaning implement comprising: a handle; a triboelectric
charge generator coupled to said handle, said triboelectric charge
generator comprising an electric motor for driving at least one
movable member, having a first triboelectric property, in motion
relative to at least one other element having a second
triboelectric property different than the first triboelectric
property, thereby generating an electrostatic charge; and a sleeve
of fibrous sheet material at least partially covering said
triboelectric charge generator, for collecting and retaining dust
particles.
23. A cleaning implement according to claim 22, said fibrous
material being removably attached to the cleaning implement by a
fastener.
24. A cleaning implement according to claim 22, said fibrous
material comprising at least one of loose fibers and loose flaps of
material protruding from an exterior surface of said sleeve of
fibrous sheet material.
25. A cleaning implement according to claim 22, further comprising
a power source for powering said electric motor.
26. A cleaning implement according to claim 22, said electric motor
driving said at least one movable member for substantially axial,
reciprocating motion relative to said handle.
27. A cleaning implement according to claim 22, said electric motor
driving said at least one movable member for substantially
rotational motion relative to said handle.
28. A cleaning implement according to claim 22, said at least one
other element comprising said sleeve of fibrous sheet material,
motion of said at least one movable member relative to said sleeve
of fibrous sheet material at least partially generating the
electrostatic charge.
29. A cleaning implement according to claim 22, said at least one
other element comprising at least one stationary member having a
triboelectric property different than that of said movable member
and contacting at least a portion of said at least one movable
member, motion of said at least one movable member relative to said
at least one stationary member at least partially generating the
electrostatic charge.
30. A cleaning implement according to claim 29, wherein one of said
at least one movable member and said at least one stationary member
is disposed circumjacent to the other of said at least one movable
member and said at least one stationary member.
31. A cleaning implement according to claim 29, said at least one
movable member and said at least one stationary member being
disposed substantially parallel to and adjacent to one another.
32. A cleaning implement according to claim 22, said at least one
movable member comprising a first roller, said triboelectric charge
generator further comprising a band of flexible material, said band
extending around and riding on said roller.
33. A cleaning implement according to claim 32, said triboelectric
charge generator further comprising a second roller, said band of
flexible material extending around and riding on both said first
and second rollers.
34. A cleaning implement according to claim 33, further comprising
a conductive sleeve at least partially surrounding said
triboelectric charge generator, and at least one conductive brush
in electrical communication with said conductive sleeve, one end of
said at least one brush being adjacent to, or in contact with, said
band of flexible material.
35. A cleaning implement according to claim 34, at least one of
said conductive sleeve and said conductive brushes comprising a
metal.
36. A cleaning implement according to claim 34, at least one of
said conductive sleeve and said conductive brushes comprising a
conductive polymer.
37. A cleaning implement according to claim 22, said cleaning
implement comprising an electrostatic dust collection wand.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to cleaning implements for
removing dust and other contaminants from a surface. In particular,
the invention relates to cleaning implements having a triboelectric
charge generator for generating an electrostatic charge to attract
the dust and contaminants to the cleaning implement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many techniques are known for cleaning dust and other
contaminants from a surface. The most common method for removing
dust from a surface is to use a cloth, with or without a cleaning
or polishing solution, to wipe the dust from the surface. It is
also known, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,435 to Suzuki et
al., to use a cleaning cloth attached to a handle in order to clean
hard-to-reach areas. However, cleaning cloths may not pick up all
of the dust on a surface, especially once the cloth starts to get
dirty. Also, cleaning cloths cannot adequately remove dust from
rough or uneven surfaces, where the dust is trapped in recesses,
grooves, cracks, or the like.
[0003] An electrostatic brush has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,355,755 to Brooks. The brush includes an elongated handle having
a brush head with a plurality of bristles surrounding a central
dust passage, opposite to which is a piezo-electric ceramic
crystal. When a hand lever is operated, a plunger is reciprocated
to energize the piezo-electric crystal to generate an electrostatic
charge. However, such a brush does not effectively trap and hold
the dust. Thus, once the piezo-electric crystal is deactivated, the
dust may fall back onto the surface to be cleaned. Also, once the
brush becomes dirty, there is no provision to remove the bristles
to clean or to replace them. Moreover, a brush having the foregoing
construction would be complicated and costly to manufacture.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a cleaning
implement that can adequately clean a wide variety of surfaces, and
is inexpensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] My invention relates to a cleaning implement that remedies
the foregoing and other deficiencies in the prior art. Generally, a
cleaning implement according to my invention includes a
triboelectric charge generator for generating and maintaining an
electrostatic charge to attract dust and contaminants to the
cleaning implement, and a fibrous material that collects and
retains dust that comes into contact with the cleaning implement.
The electrostatic charge is generated by contact and separation of
two or more elements that have different triboelectric properties.
Preferably, the electrostatic charge is generated by movement of a
member of the triboelectric charge generator against the fibrous
material. Alternatively, or in addition, the electrostatic charge
may be generated by relative movement of two members of the
triboelectric charge generator against one another.
[0005] As used herein, the terms "dust" and "dust particles" should
be interpreted broadly to include any substance comprising a
plurality of small particles, including (without limitation) dust,
clay, pollen, dust mites, dead skin, inorganic matter, hair,
sawdust, and the like.
[0006] As used herein, the term "triboelectric property" refers to
the relative propensity of a material to gain or to lose electrons
due to contact with and separation from another material. For the
purposes of this application, two materials will be said to have
"different" triboelectric properties if, when those materials are
brought into contact and then separated, at least one of the
materials has a gain or loss of electrons. Repeated contact and
separation of the materials results in a build up of a measurable
electrostatic charge. One way to measure static charge is through
the use of an electrostatic field meter. Such meters have various
ranges of measurement. One such meter is a portable field meter
Model 257D available from Monroe Electronics, Inc. in Lyndonville,
N.Y. Other conventional devices for measuring static charge are
known in the art. A wide range of electrostatic charges may be used
to attract dust particles. The greater the charge, the greater the
attractive force will be. By way of example only, an electrostatic
charge in the range of about 250 to about 20,000 volts is typical
of the charge generated by a cleaning implement according to my
invention to collect dust.
[0007] Briefly, when two surfaces of different materials are
brought into contact, the atoms at the interface of the two
surfaces tend to share their valence electrons. When the materials
are separated, the atoms near the surface of one material have a
tendency to keep some of the shared electrons, while atoms of the
other surface have a tendency to give the shared electrons away.
The result is a net charge imbalance, or triboelectric charge,
between the two surfaces. While only contact is necessary to
generate the triboelectric charge, rubbing the materials together
enhances the effect.
[0008] Materials are often ranked in order of their propensity to
lose or to gain electrons when brought into contact with another
object. This ranking is known as the "triboelectric series."
[0009] The following is a representative triboelectric series,
listing materials from most positive (i.e., greatest propensity to
lose electrons) to most negative (i.e., greatest propensity to gain
electrons): [0010] Dry human skin (high positive charge) [0011]
Asbestos [0012] Leather [0013] Rabbit's fur [0014] Glass [0015]
Mica [0016] Human hair [0017] Nylon [0018] Wool [0019] Lead [0020]
Cat's fur [0021] Silk [0022] Aluminum [0023] Paper (small positive
charge) [0024] Cotton (no charge) [0025] Steel (no charge) [0026]
Wood (small negative charge) [0027] Lucite [0028] Amber [0029]
Sealing wax [0030] Acrylic [0031] Polystyrene [0032] Resins [0033]
Hard rubber [0034] Nickel, Copper [0035] Sulphur [0036] Brass,
Silver [0037] Gold, Platinum [0038] Acetate, Rayon [0039] Synthetic
rubber [0040] Polyester [0041] Styrene (Styrofoam) [0042] Orlon
[0043] Saran [0044] Polyurethane [0045] Polyethylene [0046]
Polypropylene [0047] Vinyl (PVC) [0048] Silicon [0049] Teflon.RTM.
(high negative charge)
[0050] A material towards the bottom of the series, when touched to
a material near the top of the series, will attain a more negative
charge, and vice versa. The further away two materials are from
each other on the series, the greater the charge transferred.
[0051] In one aspect, my invention relates to a cleaning implement
comprising a handle, a triboelectric charge generator, and a
fibrous material. The triboelectric charge generator is coupled to
the handle, and generates an electrostatic charge to attract dust
particles to the cleaning implement. The fibrous material at least
partially covers the triboelectric charge generator, for collecting
and retaining the dust particles.
[0052] Preferably, the triboelectric charge generator comprises at
least one movable member having a first triboelectric property, and
an actuator for driving the at least one movable member.
[0053] In one preferred arrangement, the fibrous material has a
triboelectric property different than that of the at least one
movable member and contacts at least a portion of the at least one
movable member. Thus, motion of the at least one movable member
relative to the fibrous material at least partially generates the
electrostatic charge.
[0054] Additionally, or instead, the triboelectric charge generator
may comprise at least one stationary member having a triboelectric
property different than that of the at least one movable member and
contacting at least a portion of the at least one movable member.
Thus, motion of the at least one movable member relative to the at
least one stationary member at least partially generates the
electrostatic charge.
[0055] Alternatively, the triboelectric charge generator may
comprise at least two movable members and an actuator. At least one
movable member has a first triboelectric property and at least one
movable member has a second triboelectric property different than
the first triboelectric property. The actuator drives the at least
two movable members, the at least two movable members being at
least partially in contact with and movable relative to one
another.
[0056] In another respect, my invention relates to a cleaning
implement comprising a handle, a triboelectric charge generator,
and a sleeve of fibrous sheet material. The triboelectric charge
generator is coupled to the handle, and comprises an electric motor
for driving at least one movable member, having a first
triboelectric property, in motion relative to at least one other
element having a second triboelectric property different than the
first triboelectric property, thereby generating an electrostatic
charge. The sleeve of fibrous sheet material at least partially
covers the triboelectric charge generator, for collecting and
retaining dust particles.
[0057] As used herein, the term "sleeve" should be understood to
include any sleeve, sock, tube, sheath, or the like. A sleeve may
be open at, one or both ends, and may have any suitable cross
section (e.g., circular, rectangular, oval, square, etc.) so as to
fit over at least a portion of a triboelectric charge
generator.
[0058] A better understanding of these and other features and
advantages of the invention may be had by reference to the drawings
and to the accompanying description, in which preferred embodiments
of the invention are illustrated and described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0059] FIG. 1 is a front view of a cleaning implement according to
a preferred embodiment of my invention.
[0060] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning implement
according to another preferred embodiment of my invention, with the
fibrous material removed for clarity.
[0061] FIG. 2A is an end view of the cleaning implement of FIG. 2,
taken from the end opposite to the handle.
[0062] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cleaning implement
according to another preferred embodiment of my invention.
[0063] FIG. 3A is an end view of the cleaning implement of FIG. 3,
taken from the end opposite to the handle.
[0064] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a cleaning implement
according to another preferred embodiment of my invention.
[0065] FIG. 4A is an end view of the cleaning implement of FIG. 4,
taken from the end opposite to the handle.
[0066] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a cleaning implement
according to another preferred embodiment of my invention.
[0067] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a cleaning implement
according to another preferred embodiment of my invention.
[0068] FIG. 6A is a detail view of the triboelectric charge
generation portion of the cleaning implement of FIG. 6.
[0069] FIG. 6B is an end view of the cleaning implement of FIG. 6,
taken from the end opposite to the handle.
[0070] FIGS. 7A-7D are cross-sectional views of four different
embodiments of fibrous material that are usable with my
invention.
[0071] Throughout the figures, like or corresponding reference
numerals have been used for like or corresponding parts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0072] Generally, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a cleaning implement 1
according to a preferred embodiment of my invention comprises a
handle 10 having an on/off switch 16, a triboelectric charge
generator (as shown in FIGS. 2-6, and described in detail in the
descriptions of those figures), and a fibrous material 14 at least
partially covering the triboelectric charge generator. Preferably,
a cleaning implement according to my invention is a hand held unit
or "electrostatic dust collection wand."
[0073] The handle may be of any suitable shape and size, depending,
for example, on the size, shape, and/or location of a surface that
the cleaning implement is designed to clean. For example, the
handle of the cleaning implement 1 shown in FIG. 1 is relatively
small to accommodate dusting surfaces that are within arms' reach,
such as table tops, counters, window sills, electronic equipment,
blinds, appliances, and the like. However, if the implement is to
be used for cleaning floors, walls, ceilings, ceiling fans, or
other more remote surfaces, the handle could be made longer and/or
extendible to reach those surfaces. Likewise, if smaller surfaces
are to be cleaned, a smaller handle could be provided to fit into
tight spaces, crevices, under furniture, and the like, or to clean
more fragile objects, such as pictures, vases, curios, and the
like. The material of the handle is not critical. However, if the
handle is formed integrally with the triboelectric charge
generator, it should be made of a dielectric material so that the
charge generated by the triboelectric charge generator is not
dissipated to the user of the cleaning implement through the
handle.
[0074] The triboelectric charge generator preferably comprises at
least one movable member having a first triboelectric property, and
an actuator for driving the at least one movable member to impart
motion thereto. The movable member preferably is in contact with
and moves relative to at least one other element having a second
triboelectric property different than the first triboelectric
property. The at least one other element may be the fibrous
material, one or more stationary members, and/or one or more
additional movable members. The relative motion between the at
least one movable member and the at least one other element causes
electrons to be transferred from one to the other, thereby creating
a charge imbalance and generating an electrostatic charge.
[0075] The at least one movable member and the at least one other
element can be made of any materials, as long as the materials have
different triboelectric properties. Preferably, the at least one
movable member comprises at least one of glass, nylon, wool, lead,
silk, aluminum, paper, and cotton, and the at least one other
element comprises at least one of wood, butyl rubber, nickel,
copper, brass, silver, gold, platinum, polyester, styrene,
polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl, polyvinylchloride
(PVC), silicon, polytetrafluoroethene, perfluoroalkoxy polymer
resin (the foregoing two materials being commonly known as
Teflon.RTM.), and rubber. More preferably, the at least one movable
member comprises nylon and the at least one other element comprises
polypropylene and/or PVC, and may preferably be coated with a layer
of Teflon.RTM., polyethylene, and/or silicon. Of course, these
material constructions could be reversed, in which case the
electron transfer would be in the opposite direction.
[0076] The fibrous material preferably comprises a sleeve of
fibrous sheet material, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1, 4,
5, and 6. However, the fibrous material may advantageously take any
other suitable form, such as a flat sheet (which may wrap partially
or completely around the triboelectric charge generator), a
geometric block, a sphere, an ovoid, or the like, depending, for
example, on the surface to be cleaned, consumer preference, and the
like. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 7A-D, the fibrous material may
take numerous different configurations. For example, FIG. 7A
depicts a sleeve of fibrous material 14a comprising a filter
material, such as a spun-glass filter, a spun-lace filter, a
cellulose fiber filter, composites thereof, and the like. FIG. 7B
depicts a sleeve of fibrous material 14b having a plurality of
fibers extending from at least one surface thereof. FIG. 7C depicts
a sleeve of fibrous material 14c having a plurality of flaps of
fibrous material-extending from at least one surface thereof. FIG.
7D depicts a sheet of fibrous material 14d having a plurality of
fibers extending from a distal end thereof.
[0077] The fibrous material is preferably made of a synthetic,
nonwoven sheet material, such as Grab-its.RTM. cloths made by S.C.
Johnson & Son, Inc. of Racine, Wis. However, the fibrous
material may be made of any other suitable fibrous material, as
long as it is capable of collecting and retaining dust and, when
desired, generating at least a portion of the electrostatic charge.
Examples of suitable materials include woven and/or nonwoven
fibrous materials, sponge materials, foam materials, microfiber
and/or nanofiber cloth materials, like materials, and composites
thereof. Further, the fibrous material may include synthetic
fibers, natural fibers, or a combination thereof. The fibrous
material may itself be (or become) electrostatically charged and/or
may be at least partially conductive so as to distribute a
generated charge throughout the fibrous material.
[0078] Preferably, the fibrous material is releasably secured to
the cleaning implement by a fastener. As used herein, the term
"fastener" should be construed to include a hook and loop fastener
(e.g., Velcro.RTM.), a snap, a clip, a clamp, a hook, or any other
suitable retainer, such that the fibrous material can be removed
and cleaned or replaced when it becomes soiled. However, other more
permanent forms of attachment may also be acceptable. This
arrangement also allows a user to change the type of fibrous
material, depending on the surface to be cleaned, the type of dust
or debris that is to be cleaned, the user's preference of shape
and/or color of the fibrous material, or the like.
[0079] Moreover, it may be desirable, in each of the embodiments
described herein, to select a fibrous material having a
triboelectric property different than one or more members of the
triboelectric charge generator, such that motion of the member(s)
relative to the fibrous material generates a triboelectric charge
in addition to, or instead of, the charge generated by the
member(s) of the triboelectric charge generator alone. Along these
lines, a further ring or sleeve (not shown) could be provided
outside the fibrous material. By sliding the ring along the outside
length of the cleaning implement, a charge would be generated by
the contact of the ring with the fibrous material. In that case,
the ring should be selected to be a material having a triboelectric
property different than that of the fibrous material.
[0080] FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a cleaning
implement according to my invention. The cleaning implement of FIG.
2 is shown with the fibrous material removed for clarity. The
cleaning implement comprises a handle 210 having a switch 216 for
activating the triboelectric charge generator to generate an
electrostatic charge. In this embodiment, the triboelectric charge
generator includes an elongated central member 220 extending
axially from the handle 210, and a cylindrical member 230
positioned circumjacent the central member 220. For weight reasons,
the central member 220 is preferably itself a hollow cylinder, as
shown in FIG. 2A. Alternatively, the central member 220 could
comprise a solid rod. Preferably the central member 220 is
stationary, while the cylindrical member 230 is driven for
reciprocating axial (i.e., oscillating) and/or rotational motion
relative to the central member 220 by an actuator (not shown) of
the triboelectric charge generator via a conventional gear train
(also not shown). Alternatively, however, the central member 220
could be driven for oscillating and/or rotational motion while the
cylindrical member 230 is held stationary. Preferably, the actuator
comprises an electric motor powered by a power source, such as one
or more batteries, a rechargeable or replaceable battery pack, a
wall socket, or any other conventional power source.
[0081] A triboelectric charge can be generated by the motion of the
cylindrical member 230 relative to the central member 220, through
interaction between the moving cylindrical member 230 and the
fibrous sleeve of material (not shown in this figure), or both. In
the first case, the cylindrical member 230 and the central member
220 are respectively made of materials having different
triboelectric properties, as described in detail above. In the
second case, the moving cylindrical member 230 and the sleeve of
fibrous material are respectively made of materials having
different triboelectric properties.
[0082] FIG. 3 illustrates a cleaning implement according to another
embodiment of my invention. The cleaning implement of FIG. 3 is
shown with the fibrous material removed for clarity. The cleaning
implement of FIG. 3 is similar to that pictured in FIG. 2, to the
extent that it has a handle 310 and a switch 316 to activate a
triboelectric charge generator. In the embodiment of FIG. 3,
however, the triboelectric charge generator comprises a plurality
of generally flat plates 320, 330, so that the cleaning implement
can fit in narrow spaces, such as between blinds, under doors, and
the like. FIG. 3 illustrates a triboelectric charge generator
comprising three plates, a central plate 320, which is stationary
relative to the handle 310, and a pair of side plates 330
positioned substantially parallel and adjacent to the stationary
plate 320 and oscillating axially relative to the stationary plate
320. Preferably, the stationary plate 320 is made of a material
near one end of the triboelectric series (e.g., nylon), while the
side plates 330 are chosen to be a material near the other end of
the triboelectric series (e.g., polypropylene and/or PVC). In this
manner, the stationary member 320 would become positively charged
and the side members 330 would both become negatively charged.
Because the materials are further apart in the triboelectric
series, this arrangement would generate a greater electrostatic
charge.
[0083] Also, the sleeve of fibrous material (not shown in this
figure) could be made of a material having a triboelectric property
different from that of the side plates 330, such that the
interaction between the side plates 330 and the fibrous material
generates an electrostatic charge in addition to, or instead of,
the charge generated between the stationary and movable members
320, 330.
[0084] Alternatively, the stationary plate 320 could be chosen to
be a material (e.g., steel or cotton) near the center of the
triboelectric series, while one side plate 330 is chosen to be a
material (e.g., nylon) near the positive end of the triboelectric
series and the other side plate 330 is chosen to be a material
(e.g., polypropylene and/or PVC) near the negative end of the
triboelectric series. Because the stationary member 320 in this
alternative variation is made of a material near the center of the
triboelectric series, it accepts electrons from the nylon side
member 330 and donates electrons to the polypropylene and/or PVC
side member 330. Accordingly, the charge on the stationary member
320 will remain substantially neutral, which allows a triboelectric
charge to be generated quickly. In this manner, one side plate 330
would become positively charged and the other side plate 330 would
become negatively charged. This arrangement has the additional
benefit that the cleaning implement can attract particles having
either a positive charge or a negative charge.
[0085] In practice, my invention is not limited to three plates,
and any number of two or more plates can be used, as long as each
successive plate has a different triboelectric property than the
last. Moreover, rather than some plates being stationary and some
being moving, all of the plates could be made to move relative to
one another. Also, as previously mentioned, the members 320, 330 of
the triboelectric charge generator and the fibrous material can be
so selected as to generate an electrostatic charge.
[0086] FIG. 4 illustrates a cleaning implement according to another
embodiment of my invention. The embodiment of FIG. 4 is similar to
that of FIG. 2, in that it includes a handle 410 including a switch
416 for activating a triboelectric charge generator, and fibrous
sleeve of material 414. The sleeve of fibrous material 414 is shown
removed from the cleaning implement for clarity. In use, however,
the sleeve of fibrous material 414 is slid over the triboelectric
charge generator and held in place by a suitable fastener. Also,
like the embodiment of FIG. 2, the triboelectric charge generator
comprises a stationary central member 420 extending axially from
the handle 410, and a cylindrical member 430 positioned
circumjacent the central member 420. In this embodiment, the
central member 420 comprises a solid rod having an enlarged end
422, which retains and stabilizes the cylindrical member 430. As
shown, the cylindrical member 430 is driven for rotation by an
electric motor 460, which is powered by one or more batteries 450,
via a gearbox 470 and a drive axle 472. The drive axle 472 extends
from the gearbox 470 and engages a gear surface 432 formed on the
interior of the cylindrical member 430, as shown, for example, in
FIG. 4A. Alternatively, the motor 460 could be directly coupled to
the gear surface 432 by the drive axle 472, but without the
provision of a gearbox.
[0087] The cylindrical member 430 has a triboelectric property
different than at least one, and preferably both, of the fibrous
sleeve 414 and the central member 420. Thus, as the cylindrical
member 430 is rotated, an electrostatic charge is generated at the
interface(s) of the cylindrical member 430 with the fibrous sleeve
414 and/or the central member 420.
[0088] FIG. 5 shows a manually powered cleaning implement according
to another embodiment of my invention. The concept of the cleaning
implement shown in FIG. 5 is similar to that shown in FIG. 4, to
the extent that it includes a handle 510, a triboelectric charge
generator, and a fibrous sleeve 514. However, instead of an
electric motor as the actuator for the triboelectric generator,
this embodiment uses work input by an operator squeezing the handle
510 of the implement to power the triboelectric charge generator.
In this embodiment, the triboelectric charge generator comprises a
rotating member 530 having a triboelectric property different than
that of the fibrous sleeve 514, and an actuator.
[0089] The actuator in this embodiment comprises a lever 560 which,
when depressed by an operator, translates a linear gear 570, which
rides against and engages a drive gear 573 mounted on a drive shaft
572 to rotate the inner member 530. A hinge 571 allows the linear
gear to pivot so as to constantly align with and engage the drive
gear 573 on the drive shaft 572. A flywheel 580 provides additional
inertia to the drive shaft 572 to keep the member 530 rotating.
When a user releases the lever 560, a torsion spring 590 biases the
lever back toward a raised position (shown in FIG. 5). With each
subsequent depression of the lever 560, the member 530, and hence
the flywheel, gain additional speed and momentum. Thus, a suitable
triboelectric charge can be built up and maintained by a user at
the interface of the rotating member 530 and the fibrous sleeve
514. In FIG. 5, the fibrous sleeve of material 514 is shown affixed
to the cleaning implement by a suitable fastener 540.
[0090] A cleaning implement according to yet another embodiment of
my invention is shown in FIGS. 6, 6A, and 6B. The cleaning
implement of FIG. 6 is similar to that shown in FIG. 4, except for
the configuration of the triboelectric charge generator. In the
embodiment of FIG. 6, the triboelectric charge generator functions
similarly to a conventional Van de Graff generator. The details of
charge generation in a Van de Graff generator are known in the art,
as described for example in Electrostatics: Exploring, Controlling
and Using Static Electricity, by A. D. Moore et al., Laplacian
Press, 2nd edition, December 1997, which is incorporated herein by
reference. Accordingly, only a general discussion of this charge
generation process is described below. However, a Van de Graff
generator has not previously been used to generate an electrostatic
charge in a cleaning implement to collect dust. Nor has the
technology been used in connection with a fibrous material to
collect and retain dust that is attracted to the cleaning implement
by the electrostatic charge.
[0091] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the triboelectric charge generator
comprises a pair of rollers 620, 622, and a band of flexible
material 630 extending around and riding on the rollers 620, 622.
One of the rollers 620 ("the driven roller") is coupled to and
driven by an electric motor 660 via a gearbox 670, the motor 660
being powered by a suitable power source 610. Alternatively, the
gearbox may be dispensed with and the motor 660 coupled to drive
the roller 620 directly. The other roller 622 ("the free roller")
is freely rotatable. The rollers 620, 622 are spaced apart from one
another within a housing 612 of the cleaning implement, and are at
least partially supported by roller supports 613, 611,
respectively, formed on the interior of the housing 612.
[0092] A pair of conductive brushes 654, 652, preferably made of
steel or brass, is positioned adjacent to or in contact with the
flexible band 630, with one brush located near each roller 620,
622. However, the brushes could be made of any suitable conductive
material, metals being particularly suitable for this purpose.
Brush 652 is electrically connected to a conductive sleeve 656,
which at least partially surrounds the housing 612. Preferably, the
conductive sleeve 656 is made with smooth or rounded contours to
minimize charge concentrations and, hence, arcing. The conductive
sleeve 656 can also be made of any suitable conductive material,
with metals again being particularly suitable. Brush 654 is
connected to a ground. As best seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the
conductive sleeve 656 is spaced from the housing 612 by a plurality
of raised support ribs 615.
[0093] A sleeve of fibrous material 614 is positioned over the
triboelectric charge generator and held in place by a suitable
fastener 640.
[0094] In operation, when a user manipulates a switch 616 to
activate the triboelectric charge generator, the electric motor 660
drives the gearbox 670, which in turn rotates the driven roller
620. Because the flexible band 630 passes around the rollers 620,
622, it is rotated around the exterior of the rollers 620, 622. As
the flexible band 630 travels around the rollers 620, 622, the band
630 is continuously brought into contact with and then separated
from both of the rollers 620, 622. This contact with and subsequent
separation of the band 630 from the rollers 620, 622, causes a
transfer of electrons between the band 630 and the rollers 620,
622. The direction of the electron transfer between the band 630
and the rollers 620, 630, depends on the materials each of these
components is made of. In one configuration, shown in FIG. 6A, the
band 630 is made of synthetic rubber or natural rubber, preferably
without any conductive fillers. The rollers 620, 622, are made of
nylon, the driven roller 620 being covered with a material that is
closer to the negative end of the triboelectric series than rubber,
such as silicon.
[0095] As the band 630 passes around the driven roller 620,
electrons are transferred to the driven roller 620, from the band
630. Thus, the inner surface of the band 630 becomes positively
charged and the driven roller 620 becomes negatively charged, as
generally shown in FIG. 6A. The negative charge at the driven
roller 620 is much more concentrated than the positive charge on
the band 630. The concentrated negative charge of the driven roller
620 repels the electrons from the brush 654, causing it to become
positively charged. The concentrated negative charge of driven
roller 620 also causes nearby air molecules to break down into
plasma and free electrons. The positively charged plasma particles
are attracted by the negatively charged driven roller 620, but are
blocked by, and adhere to, the outer surface of the band 630 and
are carried away from the driven roller 620. The free electrons are
attracted to the positively charged brush 654. Thus, a continuous
stream of positively charged particles is carried on the band 630
away from the driven roller toward the free roller 622.
[0096] The free roller 622, being made of nylon, looses electrons
to the band 630. Thus, the free roller 622 develops a concentrated
positive charge, while the inner surface of the band 630 develops a
negative charge (top inside in FIG. 6A), as shown in FIG. 6A. The
concentrated positive charge of roller 622 attracts electrons to
the tip of brush 652. Thus, as the positively charged particles
carried up on the outside of the band 630 (bottom inside in FIG.
6A) approach the brush 652, they are attracted to the negatively
charged brush 652. This positive charge is transferred from the
brush 652 to the conductive sleeve 656, where the charge
distributes evenly over the surface of the conductive sleeve 656.
In this manner the sleeve 656 becomes electrostatically
(positively) charged.
[0097] Alternatively, the rollers could be reversed (i.e., the free
roller could be coated with silicon while the driven roller is
not), in which case the polarity of the charge on the conductive
sleeve 656 would be reversed.
[0098] Throughout the drawings, conventional mounting features
within the handle of the cleaning implement (e.g., flanges,
bushings, bearings, bosses, guides, supports, connectors, and the
like) have been omitted for clarity, the arrangement of such
features being within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art
and not forming a part of my invention.
[0099] The embodiments discussed above are representative of
preferred embodiments of my invention and are provided for
illustrative purposes only. They are not intended to limit the
scope of the invention. Although specific structures, dimensions,
components, etc., have been shown and described, such are not
limiting. Modifications and variations are contemplated within the
scope of my invention, which is intended to be limited only by the
scope of the accompanying claims. For example, the various
different handles, triboelectric charge generation components, and
fibrous materials described herein can be interchanged and combined
in various different combinations.
[0100] Also, preferred materials for each of the components are
discussed herein; however, any of the various materials described
as being suitable for a component of one embodiment may be applied
to similar or analogous components of the other embodiments.
[0101] Moreover, where two components are described as being made
of materials at opposite ends of the triboelectric series, or one
material being at the positive end of the triboelectric series and
the other being at the negative end of the triboelectric series,
the materials need not be at the extreme ends of the series
(although the further the materials are separated on the
triboelectric series, the greater their ability to transfer
electrons and, consequently, the greater the charge generated).
Rather, any two materials having different triboelectric properties
than each other can be used in each of the embodiments described
herein. This is because the triboelectric series is only a ranking
of the materials relative to one another. For example, steel will
take electrons when brought into contact with nylon, but will
donate electrons when brought into contact with silicon.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0102] My invention provides an effective cleaning implement that
is usable for cleaning dust from surfaces. The cleaning implement
is effective to clean dust from uneven and porous surfaces, as well
as flat, smooth surfaces, due to the electrostatic charge generated
by the implement. The cleaning implement is particularly cost
effective due to the relatively inexpensive materials and simple
construction.
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