U.S. patent application number 12/352725 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-23 for vacuum cleaner equipped with motor exhaust system.
Invention is credited to Ronald E. Davis.
Application Number | 20090183337 12/352725 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40875263 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090183337 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davis; Ronald E. |
July 23, 2009 |
VACUUM CLEANER EQUIPPED WITH MOTOR EXHAUST SYSTEM
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and
a canister assembly. A suction inlet is carried on the housing. A
dirt collection vessel is carried on the housing. A suction
generator is carried on the housing. In addition, the vacuum
cleaner includes a motor exhaust assembly. The motor exhaust
assembly includes a motor enclosure having a first cavity receiving
at least a portion of the suction generator and a filter element
received over the motor enclosure.
Inventors: |
Davis; Ronald E.;
(Lancaster, KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KING & SCHICKLI, PLLC
247 NORTH BROADWAY
LEXINGTON
KY
40507
US
|
Family ID: |
40875263 |
Appl. No.: |
12/352725 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61021773 |
Jan 17, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/347 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/22 20130101; A47L
9/127 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/347 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/00 20060101
A47L009/00 |
Claims
1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: a housing including a nozzle
assembly and a canister assembly; a suction inlet carried on said
housing; a dirt collection vessel carried on said housing; a
suction generator carried on said housing; and a motor exhaust
assembly including (a) a motor enclosure having a first cavity
receiving at least a portion of said suction generator and (b) a
filter element received over said motor enclosure.
2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said motor enclosure
comprises a body including an open end, a closed end and at least
one sidewall.
3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein a series of airflow
apertures are provided in said at least one sidewall.
4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein said closed end includes
a first mount engaging said suction generator.
5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein said at least one
sidewall includes a second mount engaging said suction
generator.
6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein said body is
cylindrical.
7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 6, wherein said suction generator
includes an outer cylindrical housing having an outer diameter
D.sub.1 and said second mount has an inner diameter D.sub.2 where
D.sub.1 substantially equals D.sub.2 to provide a friction fit.
8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein said filter element
includes a frame holding a filter media.
9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein said filter element
includes a second cavity receiving said motor enclosure.
10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein said filter element is
cylindrical and has a first open end and a second closed end.
11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein said motor enclosure is
concentrically received in said second cavity of said filter
element.
12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, further including a third mount
and a fourth mount securing said filter element to said motor
enclosure.
13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein said third mount
comprises a mounting lug provided on said second closed end of said
filter element wherein said mounting lug is sized and shaped to
engage said motor enclosure and said fourth mount is an elastomeric
mounting ring extending between said filter element and said motor
enclosure.
14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein said third and fourth
mounts comprise two elastomeric mounting rings extending between
said filter element and said motor enclosure to hold said filter
element concentrically around said motor enclosure.
15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, further including a fastener to
secure said filter element over said motor enclosure.
16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, wherein said body includes a
series of lugs radially arranged around said at least one
sidewall.
17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein said filter element
includes a series of locking tabs radially arrayed around said
frame wherein said series of locking tabs engages said series of
lugs to secure said filter element to said motor enclosure.
18. A method of improving noise suppression and vibration damping
of a vacuum cleaner motor, comprising: placing a motor enclosure
over at least a portion of said suction generator; and placing a
filter element over said motor enclosure.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/021,773 filed on 17 Jan. 2008.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the vacuum
cleaner art and, more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner equipped
with a unique motor exhaust system.
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 locations. To achieve the desired dirt and dust removal,
a pressure drive or "vacuum", is used to force air entrained with
dirt and dust into the suction inlet on the nozzle of the vacuum
cleaner. The particulate-laden air is then drawn through a dirt
collection vessel such as a bag like filter or dirt cup which traps
the dirt and dust, while the substantially clean air is exhausted
by an electrically operated fan that is driven by an onboard 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 suction
generator.
[0004] As should be appreciated, the ability of the vacuum cleaner
to efficiently and effectively pull air through the nozzle and
create the desired suction is a critical factor in determining the
level of cleaning power for the vacuum cleaner. The present
invention relates to a vacuum cleaner incorporating a unique motor
exhaust system or assembly that provides good cooling of the
suction generator motor and smooth, clean and efficient air flow
through a final filter before exhausting air from the vacuum
cleaner into the environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as
described herein, a vacuum cleaner is provided comprising a housing
including a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly, a suction
inlet carried on the housing, a dirt collection vessel carried on
the housing, a suction generator carried on the housing and a motor
exhaust assembly. The motor exhaust assembly includes (1) a motor
enclosure having a first cavity receiving at least a portion of the
suction generator and (2) a filter element received over that motor
enclosure.
[0006] More specifically, the motor enclosure comprises a body
including an open end, a closed end and at least one side-wall. A
series of air flow apertures are provided in the at least one side
wall. The closed end includes a first mount engaging the suction
generator. Similarly, the at least one side-wall includes a second
mount engaging the suction generator. The body may be cylindrical
in shape.
[0007] The suction generator includes an outer cylindrical housing
having an outer diameter D.sub.1 and the second mount has an inner
diameter D.sub.2 where D.sub.1 substantially equals D.sub.2 in
order to provide a friction fit for holding the motor exhaust
assembly on the suction generator housing.
[0008] The filter element includes a frame holding a filter media.
Further the filter element includes a second cavity receiving the
motor enclosure. In one possible embodiment the filter element is
cylindrical and has a first open end and a second closed end. The
motor enclosure is concentrically received in the second cavity of
the filter element. A third and fourth mount secure the filter
element to the motor enclosure.
[0009] In one possible embodiment the third mount comprises a
mounting lug provided on the second closed end of the filter
element wherein the mounting lug is sized and shaped to engage the
motor enclosure. In this embodiment the fourth mount is an
elastomeric mounting ring extending between the filter element and
the motor enclosure.
[0010] In another possible embodiment both the third and fourth
mounts are elastomeric mounting rings extending between the filter
element and the motor enclosure to hold the filter element
concentrically around the motor enclosure.
[0011] In yet another possible embodiment a fastener is provided to
secure the filter element over the motor enclosure. More
specifically, the body of the motor enclosure includes a series of
lugs radially arrayed around the sidewall. In addition, the filter
element includes a cooperating series of locking tabs radially
arrayed around the frame. The series of locking tabs are engaged
with the series of lugs in order to secure the filter element to
the motor enclosure.
[0012] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, a method is provided for improving the noise suppression
and vibration damping of a vacuum cleaner motor. The method
includes the steps of (a) placing a motor enclosure over at least a
portion of the suction generator and (b) placing a filter element
over the motor enclosure.
[0013] In the following description there is shown and described
possible embodiments of this invention, simply by way of
illustration of some 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 DRAWINGS
[0014] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part
of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present
invention and together with the description serve to explain
certain principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner of
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a detailed partially exploded perspective view of
the suction generator and motor exhaust assembly;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view illustrating the
suction generator received in a first embodiment of the motor
exhaust assembly;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view illustrating the
suction generator received in a second embodiment of the motor
exhaust assembly; and
[0019] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views illustrating yet
another alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the
body of the motor enclosure includes a series of lugs and the frame
of the filter element includes a series of locking tabs wherein the
tabs and lugs are engaged to secure the motor enclosure and filter
element together.
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of this invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 showing the upright vacuum
cleaner 10 of the present invention. The upright vacuum cleaner 10
includes a housing comprising a nozzle assembly 14 and a canister
or handle assembly 16. The handle assembly 16 includes a control
handle 18 and a handgrip 20. A control switch 22 is provided for
turning the vacuum cleaner 10 on and off. Of course, electrical
power is supplied to the vacuum cleaner 10 from a standard
electrical wall outlet through an electrical cord (not shown).
Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner 10 could be powered by battery if
desired.
[0022] A pair of rear wheels (not shown) are provided on the lower
portion of the handle assembly 16 and a pair of front wheels (also
not shown) are provided on the nozzle assembly 14. Together, these
wheels support the vacuum cleaner 10 for movement across the floor.
To allow for convenient storage of the vacuum cleaner 10, a foot
latch 30 functions to lock the canister assembly in an upright
position as shown in FIG. 1. When the foot latch 30 is released,
the handle assembly 16 may be pivoted relative to the nozzle
assembly 14 as the vacuum cleaner 10 is manipulated back and forth
to clean the floor.
[0023] In the presently illustrated embodiment, the handle assembly
16 includes a cavity adapted to receive and hold the dirt
collection vessel 32. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the dirt collection
vessel 32 may take the form of a dirt cup and lid 34 including a
cylindrical sidewall 36, a tangentially directed inlet (not shown)
and an axially directed outlet 40. A primary filter 42 may be
provided in the dirt cup 34 over the axially directed outlet 40.
The primary filter 42 is cylindrical in shape and concentrically
received within the cylindrical sidewall 36 of the dirt cup 34.
Such a structural arrangement induces cyclonic airflow in the dirt
cup 34 and provides for enhanced cleaning efficiency. In an
alternative design, the handle assembly 16 includes a closed
compartment that houses a filter or vacuum cleaner bag, of a type
known in the art, that functions as the dirt collection vessel
32.
[0024] The nozzle assembly 14 includes a suction inlet 44. A rotary
agitator 46 is carried on the nozzle assembly 14 so as to extend
across the suction inlet 44. A suction generator 48, including a
fan and a cooperating drive motor, is carried on the handle
assembly 16. The suction generator 48 functions to generate a
vacuum air stream for drawing dirt and debris from the surface to
be cleaned. The rotary agitator 46 is connected by power take off
to the motor of the suction generator 48. While the suction
generator 48 is illustrated as being carried on the handle assembly
16, it should be appreciated that, alternatively, it could be
carried on the nozzle assembly 14 if desired.
[0025] During normal vacuum cleaner operation, the rotary agitator
46 is driven by the motor of the suction generator 48 and functions
to beat dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet. The
suction generator 48 functions to draw a vacuum air stream into the
suction inlet 44. Dirt and debris from the carpet is entrained in
the air stream, which is then drawn by the suction generator 48
into the dirt cup 34. Dirt and debris is captured in the dirt cup
34 while relatively clean air is drawn through the primary filter
42. That air stream then passes over the motor of the suction
generator 48 to provide cooling before being exhausted through a
final filter 56, such as a HEPA filter, before being exhausted
through an exhaust port 38 into the environment (see also FIGS. 2
and 3).
[0026] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the suction generator
48 is held in the canister or handle assembly 16 in a motor exhaust
assembly, generally designated by reference number 50. This first
embodiment of the motor exhaust assembly 50 includes a motor
enclosure 52 in the form of a cylindrical body having a first
cavity 54 for receiving at least a portion (i.e. the exhaust end)
of the suction generator 48 and a filter element 56 received over
the motor enclosure.
[0027] The motor enclosure 52 includes a body having an open end
58, a closed end 60 and at least one side-wall 62. The closed end
60 includes a first mount, illustrated as mounting tabs 64, for
engaging an end of the suction generator 48. As illustrated, the
side-wall 62 includes a second mount 66 for engaging the suction
generator 48. More specifically, the second mount 66 comprises a
portion of the body of the motor enclosure 52. The suction
generator 48 also includes an outer cylindrical housing 68 having
an outer diameter D.sub.1. The second mount 66 has an inner
diameter D.sub.2 where D.sub.1 substantially equals D.sub.2.
Accordingly, a friction fit is provided by the first and second
mounts 64, 66 with the housing 68 of the suction generator 48 at
two different points adjacent the ends the motor enclosure 52.
[0028] As further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the filter element
56 includes a frame 70 holding a filter media 72 of a type known in
the art for the purposes of filtering dirt and debris from an air
stream of a vacuum cleaner. As illustrated, the filter element 56
includes a second cavity 74 for receiving the motor enclosure 52.
The filter element 56 is substantially cylindrical and has a first
open end 76 and a second closed end 78. As best illustrated in FIG.
3 the motor enclosure 52 is concentrically received in the second
cavity 74 of the filter element 56.
[0029] More specifically, the first embodiment of the motor exhaust
assembly 50 includes third and fourth mounts 80, 82. Each mount 80,
82 comprises an elastomeric mounting ring sized and shaped to
extend between the frame 70 of the filter element 56 and the body
of the motor enclosure 52. The mounting rings 80, 82 function to
provide a friction fit between the motor enclosure 52 and filter
element 56. Further, the fourth mount 82 effectively seals the open
end 76 of the filter element 56 so as to form an annular exhaust
manifold 84 between the filter media 72 of the filter element 56,
the side-wall 62 of the motor enclosure 52 and the two mounting
rings 80, 82. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 3 air is drawn into the
suction generator 48 through the inlet (note action arrow A). That
air then passes over the motor of the suction generator 48
providing cooling. The air is then discharged through the airflow
apertures 86 provided in the side-wall 62 of the motor enclosure 52
(note action arrows B). The air then passes from the exhaust
manifold 84 through the filter media 72 of the filter element 56
(note action arrows C). The airflow apertures 86 in the sidewall 62
of the motor enclosure 52 and the annular exhaust manifold 84
function together to provide a radial air flow exhaust path from
the suction generator 48 and the motor exhaust assembly 50. This
results in consistent, even motor cooling and more efficient air
flow movement than possible with other designs. At the same time,
any residual dirt, debris and particulates in the air stream
including, for example, any carbon from the brushes of the motor of
the suction generator 48 are captured by the filter media 72. The
resulting clean air is then exhausted from the vacuum cleaner 10
through the exhaust ports 3 8 (see FIG. 1).
[0030] A second, alternative embodiment of the motor exhaust
assembly 50 is illustrated in FIG. 4. In this embodiment the third
mount 80 comprises a mounting lug 88 that projects inwardly from
the closed end 78 of the filter element 56. The lug 88 may be
continuous or interrupted and is sized and shaped to engage in
friction fit with the end of the sidewall 62 of the motor enclosure
52. The structure of the motor exhaust assembly 50 is otherwise
unchanged and like parts are identified by the same reference
numbers used for the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and
3.
[0031] In yet another alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS.
5A and 5B the sidewall 62 of the motor enclosure 52 includes a
series of lugs 90 that project radially and outwardly. The frame 70
of the filter element 56 includes a series of cooperating locking
tabs 92. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the filter element 56 is
positioned over the sidewall 62 of the motor enclosure 52 with the
locking tabs 92 adjacent the lugs 90. The filter element 56 is then
rotated or twisted relative to the motor enclosure 52 in the
direction of action arrow Z to engage the series of tabs 92 and
lugs 90 (see FIG. 5B). This secures the filter element 56 to the
motor enclosure 52.
[0032] In summary, any of the embodiments of the present invention
provide a motor exhaust assembly 50 incorporating a motor enclosure
52 and filter element 56 that are cooperatively connected together
and receive the suction generator 48 in a manner that ensures
superior sound suppression, superior vibration damping and smooth
and efficient air flow to maximize suction generator efficiency
while also ensuring all particulates are captured before the air
stream is exhausted back into the environment. Any of the
embodiments may also be used in a method to improve noise
suppression and vibration damping of a vacuum cleaner motor. This
is done by placing a motor enclosure over at least a portion (i.e.
the exhaust end) of the suction generator and placing a filter
element over the motor enclosure.
[0033] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention have 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. The
embodiments were 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. The drawings and preferred embodiment do not
and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims
and their fair and broad interpretation in any way.
* * * * *