WO2020168415A1 - Surface cleaning apparatus having an energy storage member and a charger for an energy storage member - Google Patents
Surface cleaning apparatus having an energy storage member and a charger for an energy storage member Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2020168415A1 WO2020168415A1 PCT/CA2020/050158 CA2020050158W WO2020168415A1 WO 2020168415 A1 WO2020168415 A1 WO 2020168415A1 CA 2020050158 W CA2020050158 W CA 2020050158W WO 2020168415 A1 WO2020168415 A1 WO 2020168415A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- surface cleaning
- cleaning unit
- energy storage
- capacitor
- storage member
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- 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
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/225—Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
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- 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
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/24—Hand-supported suction cleaners
- A47L5/26—Hand-supported suction cleaners with driven dust-loosening tools
-
- 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
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
- A47L5/30—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
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- 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
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/36—Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back
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- 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
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/24—Hoses or pipes; Hose or pipe couplings
- A47L9/242—Hose or pipe couplings
- A47L9/246—Hose or pipe couplings with electrical connectors
-
- 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
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2868—Arrangements for power supply of vacuum cleaners or the accessories thereof
- A47L9/2873—Docking units or charging stations
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- 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
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2868—Arrangements for power supply of vacuum cleaners or the accessories thereof
- A47L9/2878—Dual-powered vacuum cleaners, i.e. devices which can be operated with mains power supply or by batteries
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- 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
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2868—Arrangements for power supply of vacuum cleaners or the accessories thereof
- A47L9/2884—Details of arrangements of batteries or their installation
-
- 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
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/32—Handles
- A47L9/322—Handles for hand-supported suction cleaners
-
- 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
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
Definitions
- This application relates to the field of surface cleaning apparatus operable on an energy storage member, chargers for an energy storage member and a surface cleaning apparatus having an on board charger for an energy storage member.
- Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known, including upright surface cleaning apparatus, canister surface cleaning apparatus, stick surface cleaning apparatus, central vacuum systems, and hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus such as hand vacuums. Further, various designs for cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners, including battery operated cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners, are known in the art.
- Battery operated vacuum cleaners are known.
- Best (US 7,377,007) discloses an upright vacuum cleaner having a detachable vacuum module wherein the detachable vacuum module may have an on board battery.
- a charger may be provided in the surface cleaning head or the detachable vacuum module. Accordingly, when the on board battery requires recharging, the on board charger may be used to recharge the battery.
- the battery charger may be provided in a docking station and the battery recharged when the upright vacuum cleaner is placed in the docking station.
- an energy storage member charger such as a battery charger, may have its own on board energy storage member.
- the energy storage member in the charger may be used to charge the energy storage member of the surface cleaning apparatus by itself or concurrently with power drawn, e.g., from a stationary source of power such as a household electrical outlet.
- the energy storage member of the energy storage member charger may hold sufficient charge to charge the external energy storage member at least twice and optionally 3, 4, 5, 6 or more times.
- a charger having an on board energy storage member a user may be able to recharge an energy storage member of a surface cleaning apparatus at a rate of 2C, 3C, 4C, 5C, 6C or more.
- the energy storage member of the portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises or consists of one or more capacitors such as an ultra-capacitor.
- a surface cleaning apparatus comprises a floor cleaning module and a portable surface cleaning unit (e.g., a lift away module or a hand vac) that has an on board energy storage member. A user may use the portable surface cleaning unit to clean part of a household (e.g., furniture).
- the portable surface cleaning unit may be mounted on the floor cleaning unit.
- the floor cleaning unit may then be operated on power drawn from a household electrical outlet (e.g., the surface cleaning apparatus may have an electric cord).
- the energy storage member of the portable surface cleaning unit may be recharged in, e.g., 1 - 15 minutes, 2 - 12 minutes, 3 - 10 minutes 4 - 7 minutes, about 5 minutes or any desired time frame less than 15 minutes. Accordingly, by the time a user needs to again use the portable surface cleaning unit, the energy storage member of the portable surface cleaning unit may be fully charged. Accordingly, this aspect allows a user to continuously use the surface cleaning apparatus in a floor cleaning and an above floor cleaning mode.
- a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
- a floor cleaning unit comprising:
- a surface cleaning head having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end and a center positioned midway between the front and rear ends;
- a portable surface cleaning unit connectable to the floor cleaning unit, the portable surface cleaning unit comprising a portable surface cleaning unit air inlet connectable in air flow communication with the floor cleaning unit air outlet, a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and a capacitor,
- the energy storage member when fully charged, stores sufficient stored power to recharge the capacitor at least twice.
- the suction motor may not be operable directly on power supplied by the energy storage member.
- the suction motor may be operable only from:
- the surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power and the suction motor is operable from power supplied from the capacitor and power supplied from a stationary power supply.
- the energy storage member may be provided in the surface cleaning head and, optionally, in a forward portion of the surface cleaning head (e.g., at a location forward of the portable surface cleaning unit such as adjacent the dirty air inlet).
- the energy storage member may have a center of gravity and the center of gravity may be positioned forward of the center of the surface cleaning head.
- the floor cleaning unit may further comprise a thermal cooling unit thermally connected to the charger.
- the charger may be operable to recharge the capacitor at a rate of at least 4C or at least 6C.
- the capacitor may comprise an ultra-capacitor.
- the surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power.
- the portable cleaning unit may further comprise an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power.
- the electrical cord may be removably connectable with the portable cleaning unit.
- the capacitor may be removably mounted in the portable surface cleaning unit.
- the portable surface cleaning unit may comprise a hand vacuum cleaner and the upper section may comprise a rigid air flow conduit having an upper end and a lower end,
- a surface cleaning apparatus comprises a floor cleaning module and a portable surface cleaning unit that has an on board energy storage member that optionally comprises or consists of one or more capacitors such as an ultra-capacitor.
- the surface cleaning head is provided with a charger whereby the on board energy storage member may be charged at a rate of 2C, 3C, 4C, 5C, 6C or more.
- a charger whereby the on board energy storage member may be charged at a rate of 2C, 3C, 4C, 5C, 6C or more.
- a vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a floor cleaning unit comprising:
- a surface cleaning head having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a center positioned midway between the front and rear ends and a charger;
- a portable surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the upper section, the portable surface cleaning unit comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and a capacitor,
- the portable surface cleaning unit is rechargeable when mounted to the floor cleaning unit and
- the capacitor is rechargeable at a rate of at least 4C.
- the suction motor may be operable only from:
- the surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power and the suction motor is operable from power supplied from the capacitor and power supplied from a stationary power supply.
- the energy storage member may have a center of gravity and the center of gravity is positioned forward of the center of the surface cleaning head.
- the center of gravity may be positioned at the front end of the surface cleaning head.
- the capacitor may comprise an ultra-capacitor.
- the portable surface cleaning unit may comprise a hand vacuum cleaner and the upper section may comprise a rigid air flow conduit having an upper end and a lower end,
- the lower end of the rigid air flow conduit is moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between the upright storage position and the rearwardly inclined floor cleaning position, and wherein the hand vacuum cleaner is connectable to the upper end of the rigid air flow conduit, whereby, when the hand vacuum cleaner is connected to the upper end of the rigid air flow conduit the handle is a steering handle for the vacuum cleaner.
- the portable cleaning unit may further comprise an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power.
- the energy storage member may store sufficient stored power to recharge the capacitor at least twice.
- the floor cleaning unit may further comprise a thermal cooling unit thermally connected to the charger.
- a vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a floor cleaning unit comprising:
- a surface cleaning head having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a center positioned midway between the front and rear ends and a charger; (ii) an upper section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between an upright storage position and a rearwardly inclined floor cleaning position; and,
- a portable surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the upper section, the portable surface cleaning unit comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and a capacitor,
- the portable surface cleaning unit is rechargeable when mounted to the floor cleaning unit
- the energy storage member has a center of gravity and the center of gravity is positioned forward of the center of the surface cleaning head.
- the suction motor may be operable only from:
- the surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power and the suction motor is operable from power supplied from the capacitor and power supplied from a stationary power supply.
- the center of gravity may be positioned at the front end of the surface cleaning head.
- the capacitor may comprise an ultra-capacitor.
- the portable surface cleaning unit may comprise a hand vacuum cleaner and the upper section may comprise a rigid air flow conduit having an upper end and a lower end,
- the lower end of the rigid air flow conduit is moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between the upright storage position and the rearwardly inclined floor cleaning position, and wherein the hand vacuum cleaner is connectable to the upper end of the rigid air flow conduit, whereby, when the hand vacuum cleaner is connected to the upper end of the rigid air flow conduit the handle is a steering handle for the vacuum cleaner.
- the portable cleaning unit may further comprise an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power.
- the suction motor may be operable only from:
- the surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power and the suction motor is operable from power supplied from the capacitor and power supplied from a stationary power supply.
- the energy storage member may store sufficient stored power to recharge the capacitor at least twice or at least three times.
- the floor cleaning unit may further comprise a thermal cooling unit thermally connected to the charger.
- the charger may be remote from the surface cleaning apparatus.
- An advantage of this design is that the surface cleaning apparatus may be lighter. This may be preferred for the elderly or those with a physical disability.
- such a design may be used for embodiments wherein the charger includes a thermal cooling member.
- a surface cleaning apparatus kit comprising:
- floor cleaning unit comprising a surface cleaning head and a rigid air flow conduit having an upper end and a lower end moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between an upright storage position and a rearwardly inclined floor cleaning position;
- a portable surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the rigid air flow conduit, the portable surface cleaning unit comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and a capacitor;
- the capacitor when the capacitor is electrically connected to the charger, the capacitor is recharged at a rate of at least 4C.
- the capacitor may comprise an ultra-capacitor.
- the charger may be operable to recharge the capacitor at a rate of at least 6C.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit may further comprise a thermal cooling unit thermally connected to the charger.
- the capacitor may be removably mounted to the portable surface cleaning unit.
- the portable cleaning unit may further comprise an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power.
- the electrical cord may be removably connectable with the portable surface cleaning unit.
- the portable cleaning unit may further comprise an electrical cord connectable with the charger.
- the electrical cord may be removably connectable with the portable surface cleaning unit.
- a surface cleaning apparatus kit comprising:
- floor cleaning unit comprising a surface cleaning head and a rigid air flow conduit having an upper end and a lower end moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between an upright storage position and a rearwardly inclined floor cleaning position;
- a portable surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the rigid air flow conduit, the portable surface cleaning unit comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and a capacitor;
- thermo cooling unit thermally connected to the charger.
- the capacitor may comprise an ultra-capacitor.
- the charger may be operable to recharge the capacitor at a rate of at least 6C.
- the thermal cooling unit may comprise a liquid heat sink.
- the capacitor may be removably mounted to the portable surface cleaning unit.
- the portable cleaning unit may further comprise an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power.
- the electrical cord may be removably connectable with the portable surface cleaning unit.
- the portable cleaning unit may further comprise an electrical cord connectable with the charger.
- the electrical cord may be removably connectable with the portable surface cleaning unit.
- a user may be able to clean continuously or more continuously using any of the aspects set out herein. Accordingly, there is provided a method of cleaning a surface using a stick vacuum cleaner, the stick vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a floor cleaning unit comprising:
- a surface cleaning head having a front end having a dirty air inlet and a rear end;
- a hand vacuum cleaner removably mounted to the upper end of the rigid air flow conduit, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and a capacitor,
- step (b) may comprise using the stick vacuum cleaner to clean the floor for up to 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 120, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14 or 15 minutes while the capacitor substantially or fully recharges.
- the floor cleaning unit may further comprise a charger having an energy storage member, wherein, when fully charged, the energy storage member stores sufficient stored power to recharge the capacitor at least twice, and step (b) may comprise using the energy storage member to recharge the capacitor.
- a floor cleaning unit comprising a surface cleaning head and a rigid air flow conduit having an upper end and a lower end moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between an upright storage position and a rearwardly inclined floor cleaning position;
- a portable surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the rigid air flow conduit, the portable surface cleaning unit comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and a capacitor,
- step (b) may comprise using the stick vacuum cleaner to clean the floor for up to 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 120, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14 or 15 minutes while the capacitor substantially or fully recharges.
- the floor cleaning unit may further comprise a charger having an energy storage member, wherein, when fully charged, the energy storage member stores sufficient stored power to recharge the capacitor at least twice, and step (b) may comprise using the energy storage member to recharge the capacitor.
- the method may be conducted using a stick vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a hand vacuum cleaner removably mounted to the upper end of the rigid air flow conduit, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle, a capacitor and an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power,
- the handle is a steering handle for the vacuum cleaner.
- the electrical cord may be removably connectable with the hand vacuum cleaner.
- the capacitor may be removably mounted to the hand vacuum cleaner.
- the capacitor may be an ultra-capacitor.
- one or more of these aspects may be used with outer household self-powered appliances such as power tools, kitchen appliances, personal appliances and the like.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portable surface cleaning unit of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with another embodiment
- FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 5;
- FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the portable surface cleaning unit of FIG. 3 with an energy storage member removed;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the energy storage member of FIG. 7 and a charger
- FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portable surface cleaning unit connected by a power cable to a stationary power supply, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 1 1 is a schematic illustration of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portable surface cleaning unit disconnected from a power cable, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus with a floor cleaning unit connected by a power cable to a stationary power supply, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus with a floor cleaning unit connected by a power cable to a charger, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment
- FIGS. 18-20 are schematic illustrations of an energy storage member, a thermal cooling unit, and a charger, in accordance with various embodiments;
- FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a method of cleaning with a surface cleaning apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 22 is a schematic illustration of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment
- FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment.
- FIG. 24 is a schematic illustration of a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment.
- two or more parts are said to be “coupled”,“connected”,“attached”,“joined”,“affixed”, or“fastened” where the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts), so long as a link occurs.
- two or more parts are said to be“directly coupled”,“directly connected”,“directly attached”, “directly joined”, “directly affixed”, or “directly fastened” where the parts are connected in physical contact with each other.
- two or more parts are said to be“rigidly coupled”,“rigidly connected”,“rigidly attached”,“rigidly joined”, “rigidly affixed”, or“rigidly fastened” where the parts are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. None of the terms “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, “joined”, “affixed”, and “fastened” distinguish the manner in which two or more parts are joined together.
- Some elements herein may be identified by a part number, which is composed of a base number followed by an alphabetical or subscript-numerical suffix (e.g. 1 12a, or 1 12i). Multiple elements herein may be identified by part numbers that share a base number in common and that differ by their suffixes (e.g. 1 12i, 1 122, and 1 123). All elements with a common base number may be referred to collectively or generically using the base number without a suffix (e.g. 1 12).
- FIGS. 1 -6 exemplary embodiments of a surface cleaning apparatus are shown generally as 100.
- apparatus 100 provides a basis for understanding several of the features which are discussed herein. As discussed subsequently, each of the features may be used individually or in any particular combination or sub-combination in this or in other embodiments disclosed herein.
- Surface cleaning apparatus 100 may be any type of surface cleaning apparatus, including for example a stick vacuum cleaner as shown in FIG. 1 , an upright vacuum cleaner as shown in FIG. 5, a canister vacuum cleaner, an extractor or a wet/dry type vacuum cleaner.
- the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may use one or more cyclones and may therefore be a cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus.
- surface cleaning apparatus 100 is illustrated as including a floor cleaning unit 104, and a portable surface cleaning unit 108 that is connectable to the floor cleaning unit 104.
- the floor cleaning unit 104 may include a surface cleaning head 1 12 adapted to clean floors.
- Portable surface cleaning unit 108 may include an air treatment member 1 16.
- Surface cleaning apparatus 100 may include an upright configuration (also referred to as a ‘floor cleaning configuration’, see FIGS. 1 and 5) in which portable surface cleaning unit 108 is mounted to floor cleaning unit 104, and dirty air that enters the surface cleaning head 1 12 flows downstream to portable surface cleaning unit 108 where the dirty air is cleaned by air treatment member 1 16.
- Surface cleaning apparatus 100 may also include a ‘portable cleaning configuration’ (also referred to as a‘hand carriable configuration’, or‘above-floor cleaning configuration’, see FIGS. 3 and 6), in which portable surface cleaning unit 108 is separated from floor cleaning unit 104, such as to clean above floor surfaces and surfaces generally inaccessible to or unsuitable for cleaning with surface cleaning head 1 12 for example.
- a ‘portable cleaning configuration’ also referred to as a‘hand carriable configuration’, or‘above-floor cleaning configuration’, see FIGS. 3 and 6
- portable surface cleaning unit 108 is separated from floor cleaning unit 104, such as to clean above floor surfaces and surfaces generally inaccessible to or unsuitable for cleaning with surface cleaning head 1 12 for example.
- surface cleaning apparatus 100 is illustrated as a stick vacuum cleaner, which may also be referred to as a“stickvac”.
- a stick vacuum cleaner is one in which portable surface cleaning unit 108 is a hand vacuum cleaner, which may also be referred to also as a“handvac” or
- a hand vacuum cleaner is a vacuum cleaner that can be operated to clean a surface generally one-handedly. That is, the entire weight of the hand vacuum cleaner may be held by the same one hand used to direct a dirty air inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner with respect to a surface to be cleaned.
- handle 120 and dirty air inlet 124 may be rigidly coupled to each other (directly or indirectly), such as being integrally formed or separately molded and then non-removably secured together such as by an adhesive or welding, so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other.
- canister and upright vacuum cleaners whose weight is typically supported by a surface (e.g. a floor) during use.
- surface cleaning apparatus 100 is illustrated as a convertible upright vacuum, in which portable surface cleaning unit 108 is a‘lift away’ pod that, in the portable cleaning configuration, can be hand carried by handle 120.
- portable surface cleaning unit 108 may include a dirty air inlet 124 upstream of a flexible hose 128.
- dirty air inlet 124 may be located at an upstream end of a rigid conduit 132 (e.g. a wand).
- rigid conduit 132 may include a handle 136 for the user to grasp while manipulating rigid conduit 132.
- floor cleaning unit 104 may include surface cleaning head 1 12, an upper section 140, a dirty air inlet 144, an air outlet 148, and an air flow path 152 extending from dirty air inlet 144 to air outlet 148.
- surface cleaning head 1 12 may include a front end 156 opposed to a rear end 160, opposed sides 164 and 168, and a lower end 172 opposed to an upper end 176.
- Dirty air inlet 144 may be located on lower end 172.
- dirty air inlet 144 may be provide at front end 156.
- dirty air inlet may be provided at rear end 160, or intermediate front and rear ends 156, 160.
- Upper section 140 may be movably mounted to surface cleaning head 1 12 in a manner that allows upper section 140 to move between an upright storage position (e.g. FIG. 1 ), and an inclined floor cleaning position (e.g. FIG. 5).
- upper section 140 may have a rotating connection to surface cleaning head 1 12 that allows upper section 140 to rotate between the upright storage and inclined floor cleaning positions.
- the portable surface cleaning unit 108 is a hand vacuum cleaner and in FIGS. 5-6, the portable surface cleaning unit 108 is a lift- away pod. Accordingly, the description of apparatus 100 and portable surface cleaning unit 108 below makes frequent reference to figures showing embodiments in which portable surface cleaning unit 108 is illustrated as a hand vacuum, similar to FIGS. 1-4. To be clear and concise and avoid duplication, the description may not reference a lift-way pod version which has an appearance similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 5-6. However, it is expressly contemplated, and will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art, that the features described with reference to hand vacuum cleaners similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 -4 also apply mutatis mutandis to embodiments with a lift-away pod similar to FIGS. 5-6, unless expressly stated otherwise.
- portable surface cleaning unit 108 includes a main body 180 having an air treatment member 1 16 (which may be permanently affixed to the main body or may be removable therefrom for emptying), a dirty air inlet 124, a clean air outlet 184, and an air flow path 188 extending between the dirty air inlet 124 and the clean air outlet 184.
- Portable surface cleaning unit 108 has a front end 192, a rear end 196, an upper end (also referred to as the top) 204, and a lower end (also referred to as the bottom) 208.
- dirty air inlet 124 is at an upper portion of front end 192 and clean air outlet 184 is at rear end 196. It will be appreciated that dirty air inlet 124 and clean air outlet 184 may be positioned in different locations of portable surface cleaning unit 108.
- FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which clean air outlet 184 is located at front end 192.
- portable surface cleaning unit 108 may include a suction motor 212 to generate vacuum suction through air flow path 188.
- Suction motor 212 may be positioned within a motor housing 216.
- Suction motor 212 may be a fan-motor assembly including an electric motor and impeller blade(s).
- suction motor 212 is positioned in the air flow path 188 downstream of air treatment member 1 16.
- suction motor 212 may be referred to as a“clean air motor”.
- suction motor 212 may be positioned upstream of air treatment member 1 16, and referred to as a“dirty air motor”.
- Air treatment member 1 16 is configured to remove particles of dirt and other debris from the air flow.
- air treatment member 1 16 includes a cyclone assembly (also referred to as a“cyclone bin assembly”) having a single cyclonic cleaning stage with a single cyclone 220 and a dirt collection chamber 224 (also referred to as a“dirt collection region”,“dirt collection bin”,“dirt bin”, or“dirt chamber”).
- Cyclone 220 has a cyclone chamber 228, a cyclone air inlet 232, and a cyclone air outlet 236. Dirt collection chamber 224 may be external to the cyclone chamber 228 (i.e.
- dirt collection chamber 224 may have a discrete volume from that of cyclone chamber 228). Cyclone 220 and dirt collection chamber 224 may be of any configuration suitable for separating dirt from an air stream and collecting the separated dirt respectively and may be in communication by a dirt outlet of the cyclone chamber.
- air treatment member 1 16 may include a cyclone assembly having two or more cyclonic cleaning stages arranged in series with each other. Each cyclonic cleaning stage may include one or more cyclones arranged in parallel with each other and one or more dirt collection chambers, of any suitable configuration.
- the dirt collection chamber(s) may be external to the cyclone chambers of the cyclones.
- one or more (or all) of the dirt collection chamber(s) may be internal to one or more (or all) of the cyclone chambers.
- the internal dirt collection chamber(s) may be configured as a dirt collection area within the cyclone chamber.
- air treatment member 1 16 may not include a cyclonic cleaning stage.
- air treatment member 1 16 may include a bag, a porous physical filter media (such as, for example foam or felt), one or more screens, or other air treating means.
- portable surface cleaning unit 108 may include a pre-motor filter 240 provided in the air flow path 188 downstream of air treatment member 1 16 and upstream of suction motor 212.
- Pre-motor filter 240 may be formed from any suitable physical, porous filter media (also referred to as“porous filter material”).
- pre-motor filter 240 may be one or more of a foam filter, felt filter, HEPA filter, or other physical filter media.
- pre-motor filter 240 may include an electrostatic filter, or the like. As shown, pre-motor filter 240 may be located in a pre-motor filter housing 244 that is external to the air treatment member 1 16.
- dirty air inlet 124 is the inlet end 252 of an air inlet conduit 248.
- inlet end 252 of air inlet conduit 248 can be used as a nozzle to directly clean a surface.
- air inlet conduit 248 may be connected (e.g. directly connected) to the downstream end of any suitable accessory tool such as a rigid air flow conduit (e.g., an above floor cleaning wand), a crevice tool, a mini brush, and the like.
- a rigid air flow conduit e.g., an above floor cleaning wand
- a crevice tool e.g., a crevice tool
- mini brush e.g., a mini brush, and the like.
- dirty air inlet 124 may be positioned forward of air treatment member 1 16, although this need not be the case.
- the air treatment member comprises a cyclone 220, the air treatment air inlet is a cyclone air inlet 232, and the air treatment member air outlet is a cyclone air outlet 236.
- suction motor 212 may be activated to draw dirty air into portable surface cleaning unit 108 through dirty air inlet 124.
- the dirty air is directed along air inlet conduit 248 to the cyclone air inlet 232.
- cyclone air inlet 232 may direct the dirty air flow to enter cyclone chamber 228 in a tangential direction so as to promote cyclonic action. Dirt particles and other debris may be disentrained (i.e.
- Air exiting cyclone chamber 228 may pass through an outlet passage 256 located upstream of cyclone air outlet 236. Cyclone chamber outlet passage 256 may also act as a vortex finder to promote cyclonic flow within cyclone chamber 228.
- cyclone outlet passage 256 may include a screen 260 (also referred to as a shroud) (e.g. a fine mesh screen) in the air flow path 188 to remove large dirt particles and debris, such as hair, remaining in the exiting air flow.
- a screen 260 also referred to as a shroud
- shroud e.g. a fine mesh screen
- the air flow may be directed into pre-motor filter housing 244.
- the air flow may pass through pre-motor filter 240, and then exit pre-motor filter housing 244 into motor housing 216.
- the clean air flow may be drawn into suction motor 212 and then discharged from portable surface cleaning unit 108 through clean air outlet 184.
- the treated air Prior to exiting the clean air outlet 184, the treated air may pass through a post-motor filter, which may be one or more layers of filter media.
- dirty air inlet 124 of portable surface cleaning unit 108 is fluidly connected to air outlet 148 of floor cleaning unit 104, whereby air flow path 188 of portable surface cleaning unit 108 is located downstream of air flow path 152 of floor cleaning unit 104.
- dirty air enters dirty air inlet 144 of floor cleaning unit 104, travels along air flow path 152 to air outlet 148, and then enters portable surface cleaning unit 108 at dirty air inlet 124. From dirty air inlet 124, the dirty air flow moves through portable surface cleaning unit 108 as described above in connection with the portable cleaning configuration.
- upper section 140 of floor cleaning unit 104 may include a rigid air flow conduit 132.
- Rigid air flow conduit 132 includes a conduit upper end 264 downstream of a conduit lower end 268.
- Conduit lower end 268 may be movably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus between the upright storage position and the rearwardly inclined floor cleaning position.
- Portable surface cleaning unit 108 may be connected to conduit upper end 264. As shown, this allows handle 120 of handvac 108 to be used as a steering handle for stickvac 100.
- a trend in cordless vacuum cleaners is to provide longer runtime in a single charge. For example, some cordless vacuum cleaners can run continuously for 30 minutes or more before recharging. However, such vacuum cleaners require large, expensive, heavy batteries. In use, this can make these vacuum cleaners unwieldy to carry, in both size and weight. Moreover, it can take a long time to fully recharge high capacity batteries, and batteries often degrade and require replacement during the working life of a vacuum cleaner. The battery replacement cost is a significant expense for the user.
- a surface cleaning apparatus includes a portable surface cleaning unit equipped with an energy storage member having one or more capacitors.
- a capacitor can be recharged much faster, and have a much longer lifespan (measured in charge cycles).
- battery powered vacuums traditional design philosophy is that it is important to have a long runtime to mitigate having to recharge in the middle of a cleaning session, since the recharge could take several hours (e.g., 4-8), which would be disruptive to the user who wishes to finish their cleaning session in a timely manner.
- a capacitor powered portable surface cleaning unit may include comparatively less energy storage capacity because avoiding a recharge mid-session is not a priority.
- a capacitor powered portable surface cleaning unit may have a relatively smaller and lighter on board energy storage member (one or more capacitors), as compared with a high capacity battery pack. This can make a capacitor powered portable surface cleaning unit smaller and lighter overall, without compromising performance or user experience.
- the long lifespan of capacitors (often 1 million charge cycles or more) means that the capacitors will not generally require replacement during the working life of the portable surface cleaning unit.
- a capacitor herein means“one or more capacitors”, unless expressly stated otherwise (e.g.“a single capacitor”).
- reference to “a battery” herein means“one or more batteries”, unless expressly stated otherwise (e.g.“a single battery”).
- portable surface cleaning unit 108 is shown including an energy storage member 272.
- Energy storage member 272 may include a capacitor 276.
- capacitor 276 may be the only significant energy storage in energy storage member 272, or energy storage member 272 may further include a battery.
- Some or all of the power consuming elements of portable surface cleaning unit 108 may be powered by capacitor 276.
- at least suction motor 212 may be powered by capacitor 276.
- some or all power consuming elements of portable surface cleaning unit 108 may be exclusively powered by capacitor 276.
- at least suction motor 212 may be exclusively powered by capacitor 276 in some embodiments.
- Capacitor 276 may be any capacitor suitable for supplying power required to operate at least suction motor 212.
- capacitor 276 may be an ultracapacitor (also referred to as a supercapacitor or Goldcap).
- ultracapacitors As compared to an electrolytic capacitor, ultracapacitors have dramatically higher energy density (per unit mass and per unit volume). Types of ultracapacitors include electrostatic double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), electrochemical pseudocapacitors, and hybrid capacitors that store charge both electrostatically and electrochemically. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that a portable surface cleaning unit 108 may use only a single capacitor 276 or optionally, for example, 2, 3 or 4 capacitors 276.
- Capacitor 276 may be recharged by power from a power source external to portable surface cleaning unit 108.
- FIGS. 7-8 show an example in which energy storage member 272 is removable from portable surface cleaning unit 108 for electrically connecting to an external charger 280.
- External charger 280 may be powered by an electrical connection to a stationary power supply 284 (e.g. mains power).
- a stationary power supply 284 e.g. mains power.
- An advantage of this design is that the external charger 280 also reduces the size and weight of portable surface cleaning unit 108 as compared with including charger 280 within portable surface cleaning unit 108. Further, this design may not require portable surface cleaning unit 108 to have a power cord or power cord connector, which may also reduce the size and weight of portable surface cleaning unit 108 all else being equal.
- the capacitor is charged rapidly (e.g., 1 , 2, 3, 4, or 5 minutes), then the user may be able to make a cup of coffee or make a quick call and then return to continue the cleaning operation with a fuller recharged capacitor 276.
- a further advantage of this design is that it can allow the user to swap a discharged energy storage member 272 for a charged energy storage member 272 that has been stored on the charger 280.
- energy storage member 272 may be rechargeable in-situ without removal from portable surface cleaning unit 108.
- FIGS. 9-10 show an embodiment in which portable surface cleaning unit 108 includes a power cable 288 for transmitting power from stationary power supply 284 towards energy storage member 272.
- An advantage of a non-removable energy storage member 272 is that it may not require a discrete outer shell for user handling and transportation since it is permanently held within main body 180. Further, a non removable energy storage member 272 may not require hardware to support easy user removal and insertion of energy storage member 272. This may make energy storage member 272 smaller and lighter, all else being equal.
- portable surface cleaning unit 108 includes charger 280 within main body 180.
- An advantage of this design is that it may make connecting portable surface cleaning unit 108 to a stationary power supply 284 more convenient, in that an external charger does not need to be relocated to the selected stationary power supply 284.
- FIG. 1 1 shows an alternative embodiment in which energy storage member 272 is rechargeable in-situ without removal from portable surface cleaning unit 108, by a corded connection to an external charger 280.
- An advantage of this design is that it may reduce the size and weight of portable surface cleaning unit 108 as compared with including charger 280 within portable surface cleaning unit 108, all else being equal.
- Energy storage member 272 may have sufficient energy capacity to power at least suction motor 212 (or all power consuming parts of portable surface cleaning unit 108) for at least 3 minutes (e.g. 3 minutes to 15 minutes).
- an energy storage member 272 with a capacity of at least 5Wh can provide 100W of power to a suction motor 212 for at least 3 minutes.
- all of the energy storage may be provided by capacitor 276 in some embodiments.
- a 3 to 5 minute runtime may be sufficient for short cleaning sessions, such as to clean crumbs off a couch, to clean dirt around a planter, or to clean cereal spilled by a child for example.
- charger 280 may be configured to recharge capacitor 276 at a rate of at least 2C, 3C or 4C (e.g. at least 6C, such as 4C to 10C, or 6C to 10C). This can allow capacitor 276 to be fully recharged in a matter of seconds or minutes, as compared with hours in the case of many batteries.
- power cable 288 may be permanently connected to portable surface cleaning unit 108.
- An advantage of this design is that it may not require portable surface cleaning unit 108 to have hardware to support a removable connection, and it may make connecting portable surface cleaning unit 108 to a stationary power supply 284 more convenient to the extent that a separate power cable 288 does not need to be relocated to the selected power supply 284.
- FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment in which power cable 288 is removably connected to portable surface cleaning unit 108.
- power cable 288 may be connected to portable surface cleaning unit 108 only to recharge energy storage member 272.
- An advantage of this design is that it does not require the user to carry the weight of power cable 288 when portable surface cleaning unit 108 does not require a connection to a stationary power supply 284 (e.g. when not recharging).
- the floor cleaning unit charges the capacitor of the portable surface cleaning unit when the portable surface cleaning unit is connected to the floor cleaning unit.
- the capacitor of the portable surface cleaning unit may be recharged while the surface cleaning apparatus is operated in the upright configuration.
- this design can mitigate the capacitor of the portable surface cleaning unit being dead when disconnected from the floor cleaning unit for use in the portable cleaning configuration.
- this design can allow cleaning to continue in the upright configuration if the portable surface cleaning unit runs out of power in the portable surface cleaning mode. For example, if the capacitor of the portable surface cleaning unit runs out of power while cleaning an above-floor surface, the user may connect the portable surface cleaning unit to the floor cleaning unit and resume cleaning floor surfaces while the capacitor recharges.
- this design can allow the capacitor to recharge while the portable surface cleaning unit is connected to the floor cleaning unit in the storage mode. This mitigates misplacing the floor cleaning unit, as compared to a design that requires the portable surface cleaning unit to be disconnected from the floor cleaning unit to recharge.
- floor cleaning unit 104 may include a charger 280.
- charger 280 may be located in surface cleaning head 1 12 as shown, or in upper section 140.
- charger 280 may recharge energy storage member 272 (including at least capacitor 276).
- portable surface cleaning unit 108 is connected to floor cleaning unit 104 in an upright configuration.
- energy storage member 272 may be recharged while surface cleaning apparatus 100 is in a storage position and/or an inclined floor cleaning position.
- Embodiments that can recharge energy storage member 272 while apparatus 100 is in the inclined floor cleaning position can allow the user to continue cleaning without interruption when portable surface cleaning unit 108 runs out of power in a portable cleaning configuration.
- the rapid charging rate of capacitor 276 means that capacitor 276 may be fully recharged in a short period of time, and therefore allow the user to return to the portable cleaning configuration after only a short time in the upright configuration.
- suction motor 212 may be powered only (i.e. exclusively) by (i) energy storage member 272 (e.g. when in the portable cleaning configuration), or (ii) by a stationary power supply (e.g. mains power, when in the upright cleaning configuration).
- charger 280 when in the upright cleaning configuration, charger 280 may be electrically connected by power cable 288 to stationary power supply 284.
- Power cable 288 may have a length suitable to allow surface cleaning apparatus 100 to be used for cleaning floors in the upright configuration while connected to stationary power supply 284. For example, power cable 288 may be at least 10-15 feet long.
- Power cable 288 may be permanently connected to floor cleaning unit 104.
- surface cleaning apparatus 100 may require an electrical connection to a stationary power supply 284 when in the upright configuration. This may encourage users to arrange their cleaning routine to allow energy storage member 272 to recharge between short periods of use in the portable cleaning configuration.
- power cable 288 may be removably connected to floor cleaning unit 104.
- This allows surface cleaning apparatus 100 to operate in a cordless manner while in the upright configuration, even if only for a short duration subject to the power capacity of energy storage member 272. For example, this can allow surface cleaning apparatus 100 to be used in an upright configuration to clean floors (e.g. in an unfinished basement) where there is not an electrical outlet within range.
- FIG. 15 shows an embodiment in which charger 280 is located external to floor cleaning unit 104. This can reduce the size and weight of floor cleaning unit 104 as compared with a design having charger 280 inside floor cleaning unit 104.
- the floor cleaning unit may include an energy storage member.
- the energy storage member may have sufficient power capacity to fully recharge the capacitor of the portable surface cleaning unit several times. This allows a continuous cordless cleaning session with the surface cleaning apparatus wherein the cleaning session includes two or more iterations of (i) cleaning with the portable cleaning unit in the portable cleaning configuration, and (ii) recharging the portable cleaning unit while cleaning in the upright cleaning configuration.
- the floor cleaning unit may include a relatively inexpensive, rechargeable energy storage member (e.g. a lead acid, NiCad, NiMH, or lithium) with an energy storage capacity that is several times greater than the capacitor of the portable surface cleaning unit.
- While providing a rechargeable energy storage member in the floor cleaning unit increases the weight of the floor cleaning unit, this added weight is supported by the floor being cleaned, and may also help stabilize the surface cleaning apparatus 100 when in the storage configuration by lowering the center of gravity. Alternately, or in addition, it can provide needed weight to help maintain the dirty air inlet of the surface cleaning head a desired distance from the floor being cleaned.
- floor cleaning unit 104 may include an energy storage member 292.
- Floor cleaning unit 104 may also include a charger 280 as shown.
- Charger 280 may include one or more charging circuits for one or more of :
- Energy storage member 292 can be any device suitable to supply power for fully recharging energy storage member 272 one or several times.
- energy storage member 292 may include a battery and/or a capacitor that collectively have an energy storage capacity sufficient to recharge energy storage member 272 (or at least capacitor 276) two or more times (e.g. three or more times, or six or more times).
- energy storage member 272 is charged by charger 280 with power from energy storage member 292.
- surface cleaning apparatus 100 may be operated in the inclined floor cleaning position to clean floors while energy storage member 272 is charging. After a short period (e.g. 15 minutes or less), energy storage member 272 will have been substantially or fully recharged, and portable surface cleaning unit 108 can be removed for use again in the portable cleaning configuration.
- suction motor 212 While energy storage member 272 is being charged by charger 280 from power supplied by energy storage member 292, suction motor 212 may be powered exclusively by energy storage member 272.
- An advantage of this design is that it does not require portable surface cleaning unit 108 to include circuitry that can electrically reconfigure suction motor 212 to receive power directly from energy storage member 292 and/or enable suction motor 212 to receive power directly from energy storage member 292. Further, this design does not require energy storage member 292 to be capable of discharging at a rate sufficient to supply both (i) recharging of energy storage member 272, and (ii) powering suction motor 212.
- suction motor 212 may be powered exclusively by energy storage member 292.
- An advantage of this design is that it may reduce or stop the discharge of energy storage member 272, so that energy storage member 272 can sooner attain a substantially or full charge for use in the portable cleaning configuration.
- suction motor 212 may be powered by energy storage members 272, 292 together.
- floor cleaning unit 104 when portable surface cleaning unit 108 is connected to floor cleaning unit 104, and floor cleaning unit 104 is connected to an external power supply (e.g. power cable 288 is connected to mains power and floor cleaning unit 104) one or more of the following may occur concurrently:
- energy storage member 272 may be charged by charger 280 with power from energy storage member 292 and/or power from the external power supply;
- energy storage member 292 may be charged by charger 280 with power from the external power supply;
- suction motor 212 may be powered by energy from energy storage member 272, and/or energy storage member 292, and/or the external power supply.
- An advantage of partially or completely powering suction motor 212 from the external power supply in this situation is that it can reduce or stop the discharge of energy due to energy storage members 272, 292 powering the suction motor 212 so that energy storage members 272, 292 can sooner attain be substantially or fully recharged.
- surface cleaning apparatus 100 can again be used in a cordless configuration (e.g. power cable 288 can be disconnected from mains power and/or disconnected from floor cleaning unit 104).
- floor cleaning unit 104 may be connectable to an external charger 2802.
- internal charger 280i may be configured with a charging circuit for transferring power from energy storage member 292 to energy storage member 272
- external charger 2802 may be configured with a charging circuit for transferring power from an external power supply (e.g. mains power) to energy storage member 292.
- This design may reduce the size and/or weight of floor cleaning unit 104 as compared with a design that includes both chargers 280i and 2802 (or a single charger with the functionality of both chargers) inside floor cleaning unit 104.
- energy storage member 292 may be located anywhere inside floor cleaning unit 104.
- energy storage member 292 may be located at (e.g. inside, part of, or attached to) surface cleaning head 1 12 as shown, or upper section 140.
- surface cleaning head 1 12 has a center 304 located midway between front and rear ends 156, 160, and energy storage member 292 has a center of gravity 296 located forward of cleaning head center 304.
- An advantage of this design is that energy storage member 292 may help move the center of gravity of surface cleaning apparatus 100 forwards, and thereby help stabilize surface cleaning apparatus 100 when in the storage position. For example, a more forward center of gravity of apparatus 100 may mitigate surface cleaning apparatus tipping over rearwardly when in the storage position.
- the rate at which an energy storage member can be charged, without suffering damage or substantial degradation, may be limited by heat generated during charging.
- a thermal cooling unit that, directly or indirectly, cools an appliance energy storage member during charging is provided. This can help keep the temperature of the energy storage member within safe limits when the energy storage member is charged rapidly (e.g. at a rate of 4C or faster).
- the charger is in a surface cleaning unit, then the surface cleaning apparatus may include the charger and the thermal cooling unit. Alternately, if the charger is remote, then the charger may include the thermal cooling unit.
- Such a thermal cooling unit may be referred to as an appliance energy storage member thermal cooling unit.
- a charger which is used to charge an energy storage member may itself have an onboard energy storage member.
- the rate at which such an on board energy storage member can be discharged, without suffering damage or substantial degradation, may also be limited by heat generated during discharge.
- the generated heat can raise the temperature of the energy storage member to dangerous or damaging levels.
- a thermal cooling unit that, directly or indirectly, cools an charger energy storage member during discharging is provided. This can help keep the temperature of the energy storage member of the charger within safe limits when the charger is rapidly charging an energy storage member (e.g. at a rate of 4C or faster).
- the surface cleaning apparatus may include the charger and the thermal cooling unit.
- the charger may include the thermal cooling unit.
- Such a thermal cooling unit may be referred to as an charger energy storage member thermal cooling unit.
- the appliance energy storage member thermal cooling unit and the charger energy storage member thermal cooling unit may be the same thermal cooling unit.
- FIGS. 18-20 illustrate various embodiments of a charger 280 electrically connected to an energy storage member 272 or 292, and a thermal cooling unit 308 thermally connected to the energy storage member 272, 292 to remove heat generated during recharging of energy storage member 272 or 292 or the discharge of energy storage member 292, and thereby keep the temperature of the energy storage member 272, 292 within safe limits when the energy storage member is charged rapidly or the energy storage member 292 is discharged rapidly.
- thermal cooling unit 308 can be used in combination with energy storage member 272 and/or 292 in any embodiment of surface cleaning apparatus 100, floor cleaning unit 104, or portable surface cleaning unit 108 described elsewhere or illustrated in any figure. Further, a thermal cooling unit 308 may be included at a location at which the energy storage member is used (e.g., in the portable surface cleaning unit 108) or where the energy storage member is recharged (e.g., in the portable surface cleaning unit 108 if recharged in situ or in charger 280 if recharged exterior to appliance 100). For example, referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the portable surface cleaning unit 108 may include a thermal cooling unit 308 as energy storage member 272 may be recharged in situ.
- surface cleaning head 1 12 may include a thermal cooling unit 308 to cool energy storage member 292 when energy storage member 292 is charged and/or discharged.
- energy storage member 272 is recharged external to the apparatus 100.
- remote charger 280 is provided with a thermal cooling unit 308 that may be used to cool energy storage member 272 and/or 292 during charging and/or to cool energy storage member 292 during discharge.
- charger 280 may have a single thermal cooling unit 308 that is thermally connected to each of energy storage members 272, 292 when energy storage members 272, 292 are installed in the charger 280.
- a first thermal cooling unit 308 may be provided that is thermally connected to energy storage members 272 when energy storage member 272 is installed in the charger 280 and a second thermal cooling unit 308 may be provided that is thermally connected to energy storage members 292 when energy storage member 292 is installed in the charger 280.
- thermal cooling unit 308 may include active cooling. Any active cooling means known in the art may be used. That is, thermal cooling unit 308 may include a powered cooling element 312. An advantage of this design is that the rate of cooling can be controlled by regulating the power supplied to cooling element 312. This may provide better control over the temperature of energy storage member 272, 292.
- Powered cooling element 312 may be any powered device that can be operated to remove heat from energy storage member 272, 292.
- powered cooling element 312 may be a fan as shown, a coolant circulating pump (e.g., the energy storage member or a casing in which the energy storage member is received) may include flow channels through which a cooling fluid may flow due to operation of the coolant circulating pump), or a Peltier cooler.
- charger 280 may be configured to control the operation of powered cooling element 312.
- charger 280 may include a temperature sensor that provides a signal to a controller that, in turn, controls the speed of fan 312 according to a signal from the sensor that represents the temperature of energy storage member 272, 292.
- thermal cooling unit 308 may include a passive cooling element 316.
- a passive cooling element 316 may be an unpowered device that is effective for removing heat from energy storage member 272, 292 during charging.
- FIG. 19 shows an example in which passive cooling element 316 is a heat sink (e.g. a metal heat sink, such as an aluminum heat sink).
- FIG. 20 shows an example in which passive cooling element 316 is a liquid heat sink.
- passive cooling element 316 may be configured to provide an enlarged surface area to promote natural convective cooling with the ambient air.
- heat sink 316 in FIG. 19 includes a plurality of fins 320 that collectively provide a large surface area for convective cooling.
- energy storage member 272, 292 is positioned in thermal (e.g., abutting) contact with heat sink 316 whereby heat from energy storage member 272, 292 is transferred into heat sink 316 by conduction, and heat from heat sink 316 is lost by convection into the ambient air.
- passive cooling element 316 may have a heat capacity sufficient to absorb the heat generated by one or several charges of energy storage member 272, 292 (e.g. at least 2 charge cycles, at least 3 charge cycles, or at least 4 charge cycles) and/or the rapid discharge of energy storage member 292.
- passive cooling element 316 may include a volume of material that after absorbing one or several charges of energy storage member 272, 292, maintains the energy storage member 272, 292 below a target temperature.
- heat sink 316 may be composed of a sufficient volume of metal (e.g. aluminum) to achieve this effect.
- metal e.g. aluminum
- thermal cooling unit 308 is shown including a housing 324 that holds energy storage member 272, 292 in a volume of liquid 328 (e.g. mineral oil, or other coolant).
- the liquid 328 may have sufficient volume to maintain the temperature of energy storage member 272, 292 within safe limits after several charging cycles.
- passive cooling element 316 After passive cooling element 316 has absorbed the heat generated by a number of charge cycles, and the user has finished their cleaning session, passive cooling element 316 will passively cool back to room temperature while surface cleaning apparatus 100 rests in storage (e.g. overnight). Once at room temperature, passive cooling element 316 will again be capable of absorbing heat generated by a number of charge cycles. [00158] In an alternate embodiment, it will be appreciated that passive cooling element319 may also be provided with active cooling using any technique disclosed herein.
- a surface cleaning apparatus operable in both upright and portable cleaning configurations, and having a portable surface cleaning unit that may be powered by a rapidly rechargeable energy storage member may be operated according to a new paradigm.
- a rapidly rechargeable energy storage member e.g. a capacitor- powered portable surface cleaning unit
- embodiments disclosed herein promote a cleaning session that includes several iterations of: (i) cleaning in an upright configuration while the portable surface cleaning unit charges, and (ii) cleaning in a portable cleaning configuration with the portable surface cleaning unit powered by its, e.g., capacitor.
- the portable surface cleaning unit can have a smaller, lighter, and possibly less expensive energy storage member.
- the energy storage member preferably uses a capacitor which enables very fast charging.
- a battery or battery pack that is rapidly chargeable may also be used.
- the handvac may have a short run time (e.g., 3, 5, 7 or 10 minutes)
- the handvac may have only one or a few (e.g., 2 or 3) batteries.
- the amount of energy required to fully charge the batteries is reduced compared to traditional battery packs that may have 6-7 batteries. Accordingly less heat will be generated during rapid recharging and the handvac may accordingly include a thermal cooling unit 308 that does not add excessive weight to the handvac.
- the features in this section may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features described herein.
- FIGS. 2 and 21 a method 400 of cleaning a surface using surface cleaning apparatus 100 (e.g. a stickvac) is shown.
- surface cleaning apparatus 100 e.g. a stickvac
- portable surface cleaning unit 108 (e.g. handvac 108) is removed from floor cleaning unit 104.
- portable cleaning unit 108 may be disconnected from rigid conduit upper end 264 to reconfigure surface cleaning apparatus 100 into a portable cleaning configuration.
- portable surface cleaning unit 108 is used to clean surface(s) in the portable cleaning configuration.
- portable surface cleaning unit 108 may be used to clean surfaces unsuitable for surface cleaning head 112, such as seat cushions, counters, drapes, and ceilings.
- Portable surface cleaning unit 108 may be powered by a capacitor 276 (FIG. 4).
- portable surface cleaning unit 108 is remounted to floor cleaning unit 104.
- portable cleaning unit 108 may be reconnected to rigid conduit upper end 264 to reconfigure surface cleaning apparatus 100 into an upright configuration.
- step 416 surface cleaning apparatus 100 is used in the upright configuration to clean a floor, simultaneously while portable surface cleaning unit 108 recharges.
- Capacitor 276 (FIG. 4) may be recharged by an internal or external charger 280 with power from an external power supply and/or another energy storage member 292, as described above in connection with FIGS. 9-17. Cleaning and recharging in step 416 may continue for a period sufficient to substantially or fully recharge capacitor 276 (FIG. 4). For example, step 416 may continue for up to 15 minutes or for up to 10 minutes or for up to 5 minutes or for up to 3 minutes, during which capacitor 276 (FIG. 4) may be substantially recharged or fully recharged.
- step 416 method 400 may return to step 404 and continue until the cleaning session is completed. Accordingly, a user may remove the portable cleaning unit 108 and use it in the portable cleaning unit configuration until portable cleaning unit 108 requires recharging or until the cleaning job is finished.
- a vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a floor cleaning unit comprising:
- a surface cleaning head having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a center positioned midway between the front and rear ends and a charger;
- a portable surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the upper section, the portable surface cleaning unit comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and a capacitor,
- the portable surface cleaning unit is rechargeable when mounted to the floor cleaning unit and
- the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power and the suction motor is operable from power supplied from the capacitor and power supplied from a stationary power supply.
- the energy storage member has a center of gravity and the center of gravity is positioned forward of the center of the surface cleaning head.
- the surface cleaning apparatus of clause 3 wherein the center of gravity is positioned at the front end of the surface cleaning head.
- the capacitor comprises an ultra-capacitor.
- the portable surface cleaning unit comprises a hand vacuum cleaner and the upper section comprises a rigid air flow conduit having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end of the rigid air flow conduit is moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between the upright storage position and the rearwardly inclined floor cleaning position, and
- the hand vacuum cleaner is connectable to the upper end of the rigid air flow conduit
- the handle is a steering handle for the vacuum cleaner.
- the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power and the suction motor is operable from power supplied from the capacitor and power supplied from the stationary power supply.
- the energy storage member stores sufficient stored power to recharge the capacitor at least twice.
- the floor cleaning unit further comprises a thermal cooling unit thermally connected to the charger.
- a floor cleaning unit comprising:
- a surface cleaning head having a front end having a dirty air inlet, a rear end, a center positioned midway between the front and rear ends and a charger;
- a portable surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the upper section, the portable surface cleaning unit comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and a capacitor,
- the portable surface cleaning unit is rechargeable when mounted to the floor cleaning unit
- the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power and the suction motor is operable from power supplied from the capacitor and power supplied from a stationary power supply.
- the surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 1 wherein the center of gravity is positioned at the front end of the surface cleaning head.
- the surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 1 wherein the portable surface cleaning unit comprises a hand vacuum cleaner and the upper section comprises a rigid air flow conduit having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end of the rigid air flow conduit is moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between the upright storage position and the rearwardly inclined floor cleaning position, and
- the hand vacuum cleaner is connectable to the upper end of the rigid air flow conduit
- the handle is a steering handle for the vacuum cleaner.
- the portable cleaning unit further comprises an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power.
- the suction motor is operable only from: (a) power supplied from the capacitor, or
- the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power and the suction motor is operable from power supplied from the capacitor and power supplied from a stationary power supply.
- a surface cleaning apparatus kit comprising:
- floor cleaning unit comprising a surface cleaning head and a rigid air flow conduit having an upper end and a lower end moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between an upright storage position and a rearwardly inclined floor cleaning position;
- a portable surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the rigid air flow conduit, the portable surface cleaning unit comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and a capacitor;
- the capacitor when the capacitor is electrically connected to the charger, the capacitor is recharged at a rate of at least 4C.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 1 wherein the capacitor comprises an ultra-capacitor.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 1 wherein the charger is operable to recharge the capacitor at a rate of at least 6C.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 1 further comprising a thermal cooling unit thermally connected to the charger.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 1 wherein the capacitor is removably mounted to the portable surface cleaning unit.
- the portable cleaning unit further comprises an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 6 wherein the electrical cord is removably connectable with the portable surface cleaning unit.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 1 wherein the portable cleaning unit further comprises an electrical cord connectable with the charger.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 8 wherein the electrical cord is removably connectable with the portable surface cleaning unit.
- a surface cleaning apparatus kit comprising:
- floor cleaning unit comprising a surface cleaning head and a rigid air flow conduit having an upper end and a lower end moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between an upright storage position and a rearwardly inclined floor cleaning position;
- a portable surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the rigid air flow conduit, the portable surface cleaning unit comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and an energy storage member;
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 10 wherein the energy storage member comprises a capacitor.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 1 1 wherein the capacitor comprises an ultra-capacitor.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 10 wherein the charger is operable to recharge the capacitor at a rate of at least 6C.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 10 wherein the thermal cooling unit comprises a liquid heat sink.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 10 wherein the capacitor is removably mounted to the portable surface cleaning unit.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 10 wherein the portable cleaning unit further comprises an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 16 wherein the electrical cord is removably connectable with the portable surface cleaning unit.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 10 wherein the portable cleaning unit further comprises an electrical cord connectable with the charger.
- the surface cleaning apparatus kit of clause 18 wherein the electrical cord is removably connectable with the portable surface cleaning unit.
- a method of cleaning a surface using a stick vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a floor cleaning unit comprising:
- a surface cleaning head having a front end having a dirty air inlet and a rear end;
- a hand vacuum cleaner removably mounted to the upper end of the rigid air flow conduit, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and a capacitor,
- step (b) comprises using the stick vacuum cleaner to clean the floor for up to 15 minutes while the capacitor fully recharges.
- step (b) comprises using the stick vacuum cleaner to clean a floor for up to 10 minutes while the capacitor at least substantially recharges.
- step (b) comprises using the stick vacuum cleaner to clean a floor for up to 10 minutes while the capacitor fully recharges.
- the floor cleaning unit further comprises a charger having an energy storage member, wherein, when fully charged, the energy storage member stores sufficient stored power to recharge the capacitor at least twice, and step (b) comprises using the energy storage member to recharge the capacitor.
- a floor cleaning unit comprising a surface cleaning head and a rigid air flow conduit having an upper end and a lower end moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between an upright storage position and a rearwardly inclined floor cleaning position;
- a portable surface cleaning unit removably mounted to the rigid air flow conduit, the portable surface cleaning unit comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle and a capacitor,
- step (c) subsequently removing the portable cleaning unit from the floor cleaning unit and using the portable cleaning unit to clean a surface.
- step (b) comprises using the surface cleaning apparatus to clean the floor for up to 15 minutes while the capacitor fully recharges.
- step (b) comprises using the surface cleaning apparatus to clean a floor for up to 10 minutes while the capacitor at least substantially recharges.
- step (b) comprises using the surface cleaning apparatus to clean a floor for up to 10 minutes while the capacitor fully recharges.
- the floor cleaning unit further comprises a charger having an energy storage member, wherein, when fully charged, the energy storage member stores sufficient stored power to recharge the capacitor at least twice, and step (b) comprises using the energy storage member to recharge the capacitor.
- a stick vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a hand vacuum cleaner removably mounted to the upper end of the rigid air flow conduit, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising a main body, an air treatment member, a suction motor, a handle, a capacitor and an electrical cord connectable with a stationary source of power,
- the handle when the portable surface cleaning unit is mounted to the upper end of the rigid air flow conduit, the handle is a steering handle for the vacuum cleaner.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB2111944.1A GB2595178B (en) | 2019-02-20 | 2020-02-07 | Surface cleaning apparatus having an energy storage member and a charger for an energy storage member |
CN202080029123.1A CN113710135A (en) | 2019-02-20 | 2020-02-07 | Surface cleaning device with an energy storage member and a charger for the energy storage member |
Applications Claiming Priority (8)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/280,978 US11246465B2 (en) | 2019-02-20 | 2019-02-20 | Surface cleaning apparatus having an energy storage member and a charger for an energy storage member |
US16/280,951 | 2019-02-20 | ||
US16/281,023 | 2019-02-20 | ||
US16/280,951 US11229333B2 (en) | 2019-02-20 | 2019-02-20 | Surface cleaning apparatus having an energy storage member and a charger for an energy storage member |
US16/280,930 US20200260924A1 (en) | 2019-02-20 | 2019-02-20 | Surface cleaning apparatus having an energy storage member and a charger for an energy storage member |
US16/280,978 | 2019-02-20 | ||
US16/281,023 US11033164B2 (en) | 2019-02-20 | 2019-02-20 | Surface cleaning apparatus having an energy storage member and a method of use thereof |
US16/280,930 | 2019-02-20 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2020168415A1 true WO2020168415A1 (en) | 2020-08-27 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/CA2020/050158 WO2020168415A1 (en) | 2019-02-20 | 2020-02-07 | Surface cleaning apparatus having an energy storage member and a charger for an energy storage member |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
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CN (1) | CN113710135A (en) |
GB (1) | GB2595178B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020168415A1 (en) |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN113710135A (en) | 2021-11-26 |
GB2595178A (en) | 2021-11-17 |
GB2595178B (en) | 2022-12-07 |
GB202111944D0 (en) | 2021-10-06 |
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