US20070130718A1 - Cleaner having steam generator - Google Patents

Cleaner having steam generator Download PDF

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Publication number
US20070130718A1
US20070130718A1 US11/566,943 US56694306A US2007130718A1 US 20070130718 A1 US20070130718 A1 US 20070130718A1 US 56694306 A US56694306 A US 56694306A US 2007130718 A1 US2007130718 A1 US 2007130718A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
supply unit
power supply
cleaner
supplied
external power
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/566,943
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Choon Chung
Jeong Lee
Hyoung Kim
Sung Park
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LG Electronics Inc
Original Assignee
LG Electronics Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=37831645&utm_source=***_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=US20070130718(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by LG Electronics Inc filed Critical LG Electronics Inc
Assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC. reassignment LG ELECTRONICS INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CHUNG, CHOON MYUN, KIM, HYOUNG JUN, LEE, JEONG HO, PARK, SUNG IL
Publication of US20070130718A1 publication Critical patent/US20070130718A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/34—Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4002—Installations of electric equipment
    • A47L11/4005—Arrangements of batteries or cells; Electric power supply arrangements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/408—Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents
    • A47L11/4086—Arrangements for steam generation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cleaner, and more particularly, to a steam cleaner.
  • a cleaner and more particularly, to a steam cleaner.
  • the present invention is suitable for a wide range of applications, it is particularly suitable for cleaning by discharging steam from a bottom surface of a cleaner body.
  • power consumption ranging between 500 W to 1,500 W is needed to produce a phase change from water to steam for performing a steam function of a cleaner.
  • the cleaner should perform a vacuum suction function of sucking particles by vacuum from a floor to be cleaned as well as the steam function, requiring power consumption greater than that for steaming
  • the external power is required and the cord of the cleaner connects the external power source to the cleaner.
  • the cord can interfere with and interrupt the cleaning conducted by a user.
  • the cord connected to the external power source has a limited length. This limits a cleaning range of the cleaner.
  • the present invention is directed to a cleaner that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaner, by which water preheating for a steam function of the cleaner in the early stage of operation of the cleaner is achieved by receiving an external power, and by which a steaming operation is achieved by receiving power from a battery provided within the cleaner.
  • a cleaner according to the present invention includes a body, a steam generator provided within the body to generate steam by changing stored water into vapor, an internal power supply unit supplying stored electricity to the steam generator; and an external power supply unit supplying electricity from an external source to the generator.
  • the cleaner further includes a vacuum suction unit that sucks particles from a floor and transfers the particles to an internal storage space, the vacuum suction unit selectively receiving electricity from the external power supply unit or the internal power supply unit.
  • the cleaner further includes a control unit controlling connections and power transfer between the steam generator, the vacuum suction unit, the external power supply unit and the internal power supply unit.
  • the internal power supply unit comprises a battery. More preferably, the battery is detachably connected to the body. More preferably, the battery is rechargeable.
  • the cleaner further includes a handle potion connected to the body.
  • the internal power supply unit includes a battery and the battery is detachably connected to the handle portion.
  • the external power supply unit includes a cord and a plug.
  • a method of controlling a cleaner includes the steps of determining whether power is being supplied to the cleaner through an external power supply unit; if power is supplied through the external power supply unit, operating a steam generator with power supplied though the external power supply unit; and if power is not supplied through the external power supply unit, operating the steam generator with power supplied from an internal power supply unit.
  • the method further includes charging the internal power supply unit with power supplied to the cleaner through the external power supply unit.
  • the method further includes operating a vacuum suction unit with power supplied to the cleaner through the external power supply unit.
  • the method further includes operating a vacuum suction unit with power supplied from the internal power supply unit.
  • a method of controlling a cleaner includes the steps of preheating water within a steam generator with power supplied through an external power supply unit; determining whether power continues to be supplied through the external power supply unit; if power continues to be supplied through the external power supply unit, generating steam by heating the preheated water within the steam generator with power supplied through the external power supply unit; and if power is not being supplied through the external power supply unit, generating steam by heating the preheated water within the steam generator with power supplied from an internal power supply unit.
  • the method further includes charging the internal power supply unit with power supplied through the external power supply unit.
  • the method further includes operating a vacuum suction unit with power supplied through the external power supply unit.
  • the method further includes operating a vacuum suction unit with power supplied from the internal power supply unit.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaner according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inner configuration of the cleaner shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the cleaner shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaner according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inner configuration of the cleaner shown in FIG. 1
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the cleaner shown in FIG. 1 .
  • a cleaner according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a body 10 configured as a cleaner head and a handle or grip portion 12 provided on one side of the body 10 to be griped by a user in operating the cleaner.
  • a floorcloth (not shown in the drawings) can be attached to a bottom of the body 10 .
  • a steam generator 14 is provided within the body 10 .
  • a prescribed space is provided within the steam generator 14 to store water therein.
  • the steam generator 14 turns the water stored in the prescribed space into steam using electric power received from a power source.
  • An outlet (not shown in the drawing) is provided to a lower side of the steam generator 14 through a bottom of the body 10 .
  • the steam generated from the steam generator 14 is sprayed downwardly from the bottom of the body 10 via the outlet.
  • An external power supply unit 16 is provided to one side of the body 10 for supplying external power, e.g., an AC power to the body 10 .
  • the external power supply unit 16 includes a cord 18 having a prescribed length.
  • One end of the external power supply unit 16 is connected to an electrical device within the body 10 and a plug 20 of the external power supply unit 16 is configured to be connected to an external power source.
  • An internal power supply unit 22 is provided to one end of the handle 12 to supply a DC power to the body 10 .
  • the internal power supply unit 22 is configured to be detachable from the handle portion 12 and may include a rechargeable battery.
  • the power supplied to the external power supply unit 16 can be an AC power.
  • the internal power supply unit 22 discharges a DC power
  • a vacuum suction unit 24 is also provided within the body 10 .
  • the vacuum suction unit 24 sucks particles from a floor and transfers the sucked particles to a storage space (not shown in the drawing) of the body 10 .
  • the steam generator 14 , the external power supply unit 16 , the internal power supply unit 22 and the vacuum suction unit 24 are connected to a control unit 26 .
  • the control unit 26 transfers electrical signals or power between the steam generator 14 , the external power supply unit 16 , the internal power supply unit 22 and the vacuum suction unit 24 .
  • the plug 20 of the external power supply unit 16 of the body 10 is connected to an outlet (not shown in the drawings) provided in a wall.
  • An AC power is supplied to the body 10 via the plug 20 connected to the outlet, i.e., via the external power supply unit 16 .
  • the control unit 26 is activated to enable the AC current to be transferred to the steam generator 14 from the external power supply unit 16 .
  • a preheating button on the body 10 may be pressed to activate the preheating function.
  • the steam generator 14 receiving the AC current may preheat the water stored in the steam generator 14 until the water turns into steam.
  • the control unit 26 cuts of the AC power supplied to the steam generator 14 from the external power supply unit 16 .
  • the control unit may inform a user that the preheating is completed, such as by providing an indication via a panel (not shown in the drawing) provided on the body 10 .
  • an indicator signal can be delivered via a display or by lighting or flickering of a display light.
  • the internal power supply unit 22 including the battery preferably may be charged with the AC power supplied through the external power supply unit 16 .
  • the internal power supply unit 22 may be detached from the body 10 and then charged by a separate charging device (not shown in the drawing).
  • a process for performing cleaning work using the preheated cleaner is explained as follows.
  • the cleaner is moved to a place to be cleaned by the user.
  • a steaming function is activated, such as by pressing a button.
  • the control unit 26 then supplies the DC power to the steam generator 14 from the internal power supply unit 22 .
  • the steam generator 14 receiving the DC power turns the water into steam completely and discharges the steam via the outlet provided to the bottom of the body 10 .
  • the user is also able to clean the floor by activating the vacuum suction function, such as by pressing a vacuum suction button, while the steam function of the cleaner is working.
  • the vacuum suction unit 24 may also receive power from the internal power supply unit 22 .
  • control unit 26 controls the AC power to be supplied to the steam generator 14 from the external power supply unit 16 .
  • the steam generator 14 receiving the AC power heats the preheated water again until the water turns into steam completely.
  • the steam is externally discharged from the body 10 via the outlet provided to the bottom of the body 10 .
  • the user is also able to clean the floor to be cleaned by pressing the vacuum suction button,
  • the vacuum suction unit 24 receiving power from the external power supply unit 16 .
  • the present invention provides the following effects or advantages.
  • water of a cleaner may be preheated by an external AC power, while cleaning is carried out by a DC power of an internal battery. In this manner a wireless steam cleaner can be provided.

Landscapes

  • Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)
US11/566,943 2005-12-09 2006-12-05 Cleaner having steam generator Abandoned US20070130718A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020050120547A KR100662440B1 (ko) 2005-12-09 2005-12-09 스팀 청소기
KR10-2005-0120547 2005-12-09

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/979,123 Continuation US8510572B2 (en) 2004-01-21 2007-10-31 Remote access system, gateway, client device, program, and storage medium

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20070130718A1 true US20070130718A1 (en) 2007-06-14

Family

ID=37831645

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/566,943 Abandoned US20070130718A1 (en) 2005-12-09 2006-12-05 Cleaner having steam generator

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20070130718A1 (ru)
EP (1) EP1795108B2 (ru)
KR (1) KR100662440B1 (ru)
RU (1) RU2340275C2 (ru)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090313767A1 (en) * 2008-06-22 2009-12-24 Antimicrobial Test Laboratories, Llc Cordless Battery Operated Handheld Steamer and Methods of Operation
CN102217922A (zh) * 2011-06-27 2011-10-19 佛山市顺德区盛熙电器制造有限公司 地拖
US20150202659A1 (en) * 2012-07-12 2015-07-23 Ecodrop Wireless cleaning apparatus using electrical energy to produce calories
US20150305588A1 (en) * 2012-12-13 2015-10-29 Carl Freudenberg Kg Cleaning apparatus with a fluid container
US20160114360A1 (en) * 2014-10-28 2016-04-28 Darcy McMenamin Steam cleaner for baffle-type grease filters
US10214852B2 (en) 2014-01-06 2019-02-26 Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited Portable garment steamer
CN113558542A (zh) * 2021-07-27 2021-10-29 江苏佑米电子科技有限公司 一种电蒸汽控制方法、***及蒸汽清洁机

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102009018716B4 (de) * 2009-04-27 2013-10-02 Miele & Cie. Kg Vorsatzgerät für einen Staubsauger
EP3023049B1 (en) 2014-11-20 2017-05-31 Black & Decker Inc. Steam cleaning apparatus
EP3023048B1 (en) 2014-11-20 2017-07-05 Black & Decker Inc. Steam cleaning appliance
CN106214070B (zh) * 2016-08-31 2019-02-12 天佑电器（苏州）有限公司 交直流电源供电的工具及吸尘器
WO2022182201A1 (ko) * 2021-02-26 2022-09-01 엘지전자 주식회사 청소기

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4209875A (en) * 1978-08-11 1980-07-01 Black & Decker, Inc. Cordless vacuum cleaner bowl and filter system
US4835409A (en) * 1988-02-26 1989-05-30 Black & Decker Inc. Corded/cordless dual-mode power-operated device
US5839158A (en) * 1996-02-07 1998-11-24 Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. Sweeping brooms
US20020073504A1 (en) * 1997-12-05 2002-06-20 Bissell Homecare, Inc. Extraction cleaner with tank retention
US6571421B1 (en) * 2000-10-03 2003-06-03 John Chun Kuen Sham Vacuum cleaner and steamer apparatus
US6683396B2 (en) * 1999-07-02 2004-01-27 Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Portable motor powered device
US20040088817A1 (en) * 2002-11-12 2004-05-13 Cochran John R. AC/DC hand portable wet/dry vacuum having improved portability and convenience
US6839933B2 (en) * 2002-06-19 2005-01-11 Black & Decker Inc. Fluid supply tank for hand held vacuum
US6886214B2 (en) * 2002-02-28 2005-05-03 Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. Steam jet apparatus for a vacuum cleaner
US20060150363A1 (en) * 2005-01-11 2006-07-13 Goodway Electrical Company, Ltd. Floor cleaning apparatus and method
US20070079470A1 (en) * 2005-10-11 2007-04-12 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Micro powered floor cleaning device
US7478455B2 (en) * 2003-01-10 2009-01-20 Lisa Ann Heim Hand-held clothing spot remover

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8912386D0 (en) † 1989-05-30 1989-07-12 Tedder Kenneth S Cleaning apparatus
IT226715Z2 (it) † 1992-06-24 1997-07-01 Dassi Francesco Pulitore e disinfestatore per stanze da bagno e servizi igienici
US5427125A (en) † 1994-03-08 1995-06-27 Mortech Technologies Of North America Ltd. Lavatories and the like cleaning appliance
DE10209465A1 (de) * 2002-03-05 2003-10-02 Cleanmax Ag, Au Modul für Reinigungsgeräte
KR100504860B1 (ko) † 2002-12-13 2005-07-29 엘지전자 주식회사 물청소가 가능한 청소용 로봇
JP3484188B1 (ja) * 2003-03-31 2004-01-06 貴幸 関島 蒸気噴射式クリーニング装置

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4209875A (en) * 1978-08-11 1980-07-01 Black & Decker, Inc. Cordless vacuum cleaner bowl and filter system
US4835409A (en) * 1988-02-26 1989-05-30 Black & Decker Inc. Corded/cordless dual-mode power-operated device
US5839158A (en) * 1996-02-07 1998-11-24 Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. Sweeping brooms
US20020073504A1 (en) * 1997-12-05 2002-06-20 Bissell Homecare, Inc. Extraction cleaner with tank retention
US6683396B2 (en) * 1999-07-02 2004-01-27 Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Portable motor powered device
US6571421B1 (en) * 2000-10-03 2003-06-03 John Chun Kuen Sham Vacuum cleaner and steamer apparatus
US6886214B2 (en) * 2002-02-28 2005-05-03 Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. Steam jet apparatus for a vacuum cleaner
US6839933B2 (en) * 2002-06-19 2005-01-11 Black & Decker Inc. Fluid supply tank for hand held vacuum
US20040088817A1 (en) * 2002-11-12 2004-05-13 Cochran John R. AC/DC hand portable wet/dry vacuum having improved portability and convenience
US7478455B2 (en) * 2003-01-10 2009-01-20 Lisa Ann Heim Hand-held clothing spot remover
US20060150363A1 (en) * 2005-01-11 2006-07-13 Goodway Electrical Company, Ltd. Floor cleaning apparatus and method
US20070079470A1 (en) * 2005-10-11 2007-04-12 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Micro powered floor cleaning device

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090313767A1 (en) * 2008-06-22 2009-12-24 Antimicrobial Test Laboratories, Llc Cordless Battery Operated Handheld Steamer and Methods of Operation
CN102217922A (zh) * 2011-06-27 2011-10-19 佛山市顺德区盛熙电器制造有限公司 地拖
US20150202659A1 (en) * 2012-07-12 2015-07-23 Ecodrop Wireless cleaning apparatus using electrical energy to produce calories
US9808837B2 (en) * 2012-07-12 2017-11-07 Ecodrop Wireless cleaning apparatus using electrical energy to produce calories
US20150305588A1 (en) * 2012-12-13 2015-10-29 Carl Freudenberg Kg Cleaning apparatus with a fluid container
AU2013357890B2 (en) * 2012-12-13 2017-01-19 Carl Freudenberg Kg Cleaning apparatus with a fluid container
US9962057B2 (en) * 2012-12-13 2018-05-08 Carl Freudenberg Kg Cleaning apparatus with a fluid container
US10214852B2 (en) 2014-01-06 2019-02-26 Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited Portable garment steamer
US20160114360A1 (en) * 2014-10-28 2016-04-28 Darcy McMenamin Steam cleaner for baffle-type grease filters
CN113558542A (zh) * 2021-07-27 2021-10-29 江苏佑米电子科技有限公司 一种电蒸汽控制方法、***及蒸汽清洁机
US20230036413A1 (en) * 2021-07-27 2023-02-02 Nanjing Dayoo Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. Electric steam control method, electric steam control system, and steam cleaner
US11766701B2 (en) * 2021-07-27 2023-09-26 Nanjing Dayoo Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. Electric steam control method, electric steam control system, and steam cleaner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR100662440B1 (ko) 2007-01-02
RU2340275C2 (ru) 2008-12-10
EP1795108B2 (en) 2017-05-10
EP1795108A2 (en) 2007-06-13
RU2006143721A (ru) 2008-06-20
EP1795108B1 (en) 2013-07-24
EP1795108A3 (en) 2012-03-21

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: LG ELECTRONICS INC., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHUNG, CHOON MYUN;LEE, JEONG HO;KIM, HYOUNG JUN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:018585/0680

Effective date: 20061205

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION