US20050050679A1 - Apparatus for preventing motor overload of vacuum cleaner - Google Patents
Apparatus for preventing motor overload of vacuum cleaner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050050679A1 US20050050679A1 US10/847,237 US84723704A US2005050679A1 US 20050050679 A1 US20050050679 A1 US 20050050679A1 US 84723704 A US84723704 A US 84723704A US 2005050679 A1 US2005050679 A1 US 2005050679A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- body frame
- damper body
- aperture
- resilient member
- opening
- 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
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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
- 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
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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
- A47L9/2889—Safety or protection devices or systems, e.g. for prevention of motor over-heating or for protection of the user
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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
- A47L9/0072—Mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action
-
- 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
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/19—Means for monitoring filtering operation
-
- 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
- A47L9/2805—Parameters or conditions being sensed
- A47L9/2821—Pressure, vacuum level or airflow
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to an apparatus for preventing overload of a driving motor when it generates a suction force for a vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 1 schematically shows such a conventional vacuum cleaner.
- a conventional vacuum cleaner includes a body 10 in which a driving motor 1 is mounted, a suction pipe 3 which is in fluid communication with the body 10 at one of its ends and a suction nozzle 5 which is formed at the other end of the suction pipe 3 from the end connected to body 10 .
- the body 10 includes a motor housing portion 11 , in which the driving motor 1 is disposed, and a dust collecting housing portion 13 , that includes a filtering portion 7 for filtering and collecting dust drawn in through the suction pipe 3 .
- the motor housing portion 11 and the dust collecting housing portion 13 are divided from each other by a partition 15 .
- the suction pipe 3 contains and transfers the dust from the suction nozzle 5 and directs it toward the dust collecting housing portion 13 . It is preferably made of a flexible material.
- the vacuum cleaner constructed as above draws in dust through the suction nozzle 5 by using the suction force that is generated by the driving motor 1 .
- the air and entrained dust are passed through the suction pipe 3 and the dust is collected in the filtering chamber 7 inside the dust collecting housing portion 13 .
- the air, after it is filtered at the filtering chamber 7 is discharged to the outside of the body 10 through a discharging section 11 a, which is formed at a rear side of the motor housing portion 11 .
- FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate in cross-sectional views one example of a conventional motor overload preventing apparatus 20 .
- the conventional motor overload preventing apparatus 20 includes a casing 21 , a resilient member such as spring 23 , an opening/closing member 25 and a flange portion 27 .
- the casing 21 defines a space for receiving the spring 23 and the opening/closing member 25 .
- One end of the casing 21 is open, while the other end is formed with a plurality of holes 21 a, as shown in FIG. 2B .
- the casing 21 is also fixed to the partition 15 by the flange portion 27 within an opening 15 a of the partition 15 , which divides the motor housing portion 11 from the dust collecting housing portion 13 .
- the flange portion 27 is formed in an annular or ring shape with a central hole formed therein so as to hold the open end of the casing 21 securely against the partition 15 .
- the opening/closing member 25 is formed of a material, such as rubber, to ensure tight sealing capability within the opening 15 a.
- the member 25 selectively opens or closes the ring-type flange portion 27 depending on the relative pressure, as will be explained below.
- the opening/closing member 25 has a plurality of holes 25 a formed to correspond to a ring having a diameter outside of the diameter of a hole 27 a at a central location formed in the flange portion 27 . When the opening/closing member 25 engages the flange portion 27 , it closes the hole 27 a of the flange portion 27 , and simultaneously the flange portion 27 selectively blocks the holes 25 a of the opening/closing member 25 .
- the spring 23 is interposed between the other end of the casing 21 and the opening/closing member 25 , and resiliently biases the opening/closing member 25 toward the direction of the flange portion 27 , thereby maintaining the closed condition of the hole 27 a.
- the opening/closing member 25 as a result of the negative pressure, overcomes the resilient recovery force of the spring 23 and is transposed toward the dust collecting housing portion 13 , and thereby retracts the opening/closing member from the hole 27 a.
- the opening/closing member 25 does not block the ring-type flange portion 27 , and an external air flow is introduced inside the dust collecting housing portion 13 through the hole 27 a of the ring-type flange portion 27 , and the holes 25 a of the opening/closing member 25 and holes 21 a of the casing 21 , thus preventing overload conditions of the driving motor 1 .
- the motor overload preventing apparatus 20 requires an overly complex structure. Further, because the opening/closing member 25 is usually made of expensive material, such as rubber, in order to ensure sufficient sealing of the opening/closing member 25 , manufacturing cost increases.
- a motor overload preventing apparatus for use in a vacuum cleaner which has a simple structure and which can reduce inconvenience that results from a requirement for additional material, such as rubber, while ensuring a sealing of an opening/closing member.
- an apparatus for preventing motor overload conditions of a vacuum cleaner includes a damper body having an opening/closing portion formed adjacent a first end to selectively block a tapered aperture extending through a body frame of the vacuum cleaner, the opening/closing portion being tapered to correspond in shape with the tapered shape of the aperture, and a resilient member to resiliently bias the opening/closing portion toward a direction of closing the aperture.
- the damper body is mounted and movably disposed to rotate so as to selectively open and close the aperture, and to this end, the damper body is preferably connected to the body frame and is transversely transposable to selectively open and close the aperture.
- the resilient member preferably comprises a plate spring having two ends which engages and overlaps the damper body adjacent a first end, and the second end engages and overlaps the body frame adjacent the second end.
- a hinge portion of the body frame on which the other end of the resilient member is mounted protrudes from the body frame and the recovery force may be made adjustable by adjusting the position of the plate spring.
- the hinge portion of the body frame is adjustable in the height to which it protrudes from the surface of the body frame of the vacuum cleaner.
- the apparatus for preventing motor overload constructed as above can be mounted in the partition which divides a motor housing, where a driving motor of the vacuum cleaner is disposed, from a dust collecting housing, where a dust filtering portion is placed.
- the motor overload preventing apparatus can also be mounted on the frame of the dust collecting housing.
- a cap portion disposed adjacent the second end of the damper body.
- the resilient member preferably comprises a coil spring interposed between the opening/closing portion of the damper body and the cap portion.
- the coil spring is shaped and configured having a diameter that is larger than the smallest diameter of the tapered opening/closing portion of the damper body, and is larger than the smallest diameter of the aperture.
- the damper body comprises a plurality of holes to permit air to flow therethrough, and the plurality of holes extend in a lengthwise direction of the damper body so as to define posts.
- the above-described apparatus for preventing motor overload constructed can be mounted on the partition which divides a motor housing, where a driving motor of the vacuum cleaner is placed, from a dust collecting housing, where a dust filtering portion is placed.
- the motor overload preventing apparatus can also be mounted on the frame of the dust collecting housing.
- the opening/closing portion instead of forming the opening/closing portion with additional material, such as rubber, satisfactory sealing can be ensured by tapering the opening/closing portion and the aperture even when surface contact occurs between the opening/closing portion and the aperture. Additionally, the number of components can be reduced, and with the omission of expensive flexible material, such as rubber, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
- additional material such as rubber
- FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional vacuum cleaner
- FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of a motor overload preventing apparatus of the conventional vacuum cleaner
- FIGS. 3A to 3 C are, respectively, an exploded perspective view, a front view and a side view, illustrating a motor overload preventing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention
- FIGS. 4A and 4B are side views illustrating in partial cross-section the operation of the motor overload preventing apparatus as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3 C;
- FIGS. 5A and 5B are, respectively, an exploded perspective view and a side view, showing a motor overload preventing apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views illustrating the operation of the motor overload preventing apparatus shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B .
- FIGS. 3 A-C and 4 A-B are views of a motor overload preventing apparatus for use in a vacuum cleaner according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the first preferred embodiment of the motor overload preventing apparatus 100 includes a damper body 101 and a resilient member 107 .
- a tapered opening/closing portion 101 a is formed in an end of the damper body 101 , while the other end of the damper body 101 is connected to the partition 15 of the vacuum cleaner by a hinge, as shown. More specifically, the damper body 101 is connected to the partition 15 by the cooperation of rotary axes 101 b, which laterally protrude from both sides of the other end of the damper body 101 , and hinge mounts 115 , each having an axis hole on which the two opposite ends of rotary axis 101 b is turnably seated, are disposed on the partition 15 .
- the tapered opening/closing portion 101 a is shaped and configured to enable it to block a corresponding tapered aperture 113 of the partition 15 that divides the motor housing 11 from the dust collecting housing 13 .
- the tapered aperture 113 is tapered so as to correspond to the shape of the tapered opening/closing portion 101 a.
- the opening/closing portion 101 a and the aperture 113 are each tapered so as to ensure sufficient sealing capacity therebetween as a result of surface contact of the tapered surfaces. Accordingly, there is no need to provide to the opening/closing portion 101 a any additional material such as rubber, and therefore, manufacturing costs can be reduced.
- the resilient member 107 resiliently biases the damper body 101 toward the direction where the opening/closing portion 101 a of the damper body 101 closes the aperture 113 of the partition 15 .
- the resilient member 107 further comprises a plate spring, and more preferably comprises stainless spring steel.
- one end of the resilient member 107 is overlaps the damper body 101 , while the other end is overlaps with the partition 15 .
- the partition 15 where the other end of the resilient member 107 is mounted, includes a fixing portion 111 disposed thereon which protrudes so as to cause the resilient member 107 to have a predetermined resilient recovery force biasing the spring toward the partition 15 . Due to the fixing portion 111 of the partition 15 , the resilient member 107 resiliently biases one end of the damper body 101 toward the aperture 113 of the partition 15 .
- resilient member receiving portions 101 c, 111 a are formed to engage each other at the other end and the fixing portion 111 of the damper body 101 .
- the fixing portion 111 of the partition 15 is preferably adjustable in the height to which it can protrude above the surface of partition 15 . Accordingly, the resilient recovery force can be adjusted appropriately by adjusting the protruding height of the fixing portion 111 without being influenced by the elastic modulus of the resilient member 107 .
- the motor overload preventing apparatus 100 When there is dust undesirably clogging the filtering portion 7 or when the suction pipe 3 is obstructed by dust or other obstruction, negative pressure is generated inside the dust collecting housing 13 . Because of the negative pressure, the opening/closing portion 101 a of the damper body 101 is able to overcome the resilient recovery force of the resilient member 107 , and consequently it rotates about the rotary axes 101 b in a counter-clockwise direction away from aperture 113 and toward the dust collecting housing 13 , as shown in FIG. 4A .
- the damper body 101 is rotated by the resilient member 107 in a clockwise direction toward the aperture 113 so as to block the aperture 113 in the partition 15 , as shown in FIG. 4B .
- FIGS. 5A and 5B are exploded perspective and side views, respectively, of a motor overload preventing apparatus 200 for use in a vacuum cleaner according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the motor overload preventing apparatus 200 includes a damper body 201 and a resilient member 203 .
- a tapered opening/closing portion 201 a is formed adjacent one end of the damper body 201 , and a cap portion 205 , which will be described below, is formed adjacent the other end of the damper body 201 .
- the cap portion 205 may be separately made and attached to the damper body 201 , as shown. Alternatively, the cap portion 205 may be integrally formed as part of the damper body 201 .
- the tapered opening/closing portion 201 a blocks the aperture 215 of the partition 15 which divides the motor housing 11 from the dust collecting housing 13 , and the aperture 215 is also tapered to correspond in shape to the taper of opening/closing portion 201 a.
- the slots 201 b are extended in the lengthwise direction, and the slots 201 b define a plurality of posts 207 , which are arranged annularly around a central longitudinal passage 209 .
- the cap portion 205 at the other end of the damper body 201 , also has a plurality of holes 205 a to permit air to flow therethrough.
- the cap portion 205 is biased against protrusions at the end of the posts by the resilient member 203 so as to retain it in place and inhibit it from separating from the mounting mechanism.
- the resilient member 203 resiliently supports and biases the damper body 201 toward the direction where the opening/closing portion 201 a of the damper body 201 closes the aperture 215 of the partition 15 .
- the resilient member 203 is a coil spring.
- the coil spring 203 is interposed between the opening/closing portion 201 a of the damper body 201 and the cap portion 205 .
- the coil spring 203 engages the partition 15 , while the other end engages the cap portion 205 . It is preferred that the coil spring 203 has a diameter larger than the smallest diameter of the tapered opening/closing portion 201 a of the damper body 201 , and also larger than the smallest diameter of the tapered aperture 215 of the partition 15 . By this construction, the coil spring 203 is supported by the wall of the partition 15 even when the damper body 201 moves laterally, and thus can exert a predetermined resilient recovery force to bias the cap portion 205 away from the partition 15 .
- the cap portion 205 a is also transposed toward the partition 215 by the pressure of the external atmosphere applied to the opening/closing portion 201 a, and by the movement of the cap portion 205 a, the coil spring 203 is compressed.
- the damper body 201 is transposed toward the motor housing 11 by the resilient recovery force of the coil spring 203 , and therefore, the opening/closing portion 201 a re-blocks the aperture 215 of the partition 15 .
Abstract
A motor overload preventing apparatus for a vacuum cleaner includes a damper body and an resilient member. The damper body has an opening/closing portion formed on one end, to selectively block a tapered aperture of a body frame of the vacuum cleaner, and the opening/closing portion is tapered to correspond in shape with the aperture. The resilient member resiliently biases the opening/closing portion toward a direction of closing the aperture. The damper body is movably disposed to rotate so as to selectively open and close the aperture, and to this end, it is preferred that the damper body is connected by a hinge to the body frame. Satisfactory sealing can be ensured even when there is surface contact between the opening/closing portion and the aperture without requiring additional material, such as a rubber. Additionally, the number of components can be reduced, and with the omission of flexible material, such as rubber, the manufacturing costs can be reduced.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates generally to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to an apparatus for preventing overload of a driving motor when it generates a suction force for a vacuum cleaner.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Generally, a vacuum cleaner draws in air and entrained dust by using a suction force that is generated by a driving motor.
FIG. 1 schematically shows such a conventional vacuum cleaner. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , a conventional vacuum cleaner includes abody 10 in which a driving motor 1 is mounted, a suction pipe 3 which is in fluid communication with thebody 10 at one of its ends and asuction nozzle 5 which is formed at the other end of the suction pipe 3 from the end connected tobody 10. Thebody 10 includes amotor housing portion 11, in which the driving motor 1 is disposed, and a dust collectinghousing portion 13, that includes a filteringportion 7 for filtering and collecting dust drawn in through the suction pipe 3. Themotor housing portion 11 and the dust collectinghousing portion 13 are divided from each other by apartition 15. - The suction pipe 3 contains and transfers the dust from the
suction nozzle 5 and directs it toward the dust collectinghousing portion 13. It is preferably made of a flexible material. - The vacuum cleaner constructed as above, draws in dust through the
suction nozzle 5 by using the suction force that is generated by the driving motor 1. The air and entrained dust are passed through the suction pipe 3 and the dust is collected in thefiltering chamber 7 inside the dust collectinghousing portion 13. The air, after it is filtered at thefiltering chamber 7, is discharged to the outside of thebody 10 through adischarging section 11 a, which is formed at a rear side of themotor housing portion 11. - However, when the
filtering chamber 7 is filled with dust, or if the suction pipe 3 becomes clogged, fluid communication through the system is hampered, and therefore, the driving motor 1 suffers an overload condition as a result of lack of available air in the suction process. In order to prevent undesirable damage to the driving motor 1 due to such an overload condition, there is usually provided a motoroverload preventing apparatus 20, which permits external air flow into the dust collectinghousing portion 13. -
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate in cross-sectional views one example of a conventional motoroverload preventing apparatus 20. Referring now toFIGS. 2A and 2B , the conventional motoroverload preventing apparatus 20 includes acasing 21, a resilient member such asspring 23, an opening/closing member 25 and aflange portion 27. - The
casing 21 defines a space for receiving thespring 23 and the opening/closing member 25. One end of thecasing 21 is open, while the other end is formed with a plurality ofholes 21 a, as shown inFIG. 2B . Thecasing 21 is also fixed to thepartition 15 by theflange portion 27 within anopening 15 a of thepartition 15, which divides themotor housing portion 11 from the dust collectinghousing portion 13. - The
flange portion 27 is formed in an annular or ring shape with a central hole formed therein so as to hold the open end of thecasing 21 securely against thepartition 15. - The opening/
closing member 25 is formed of a material, such as rubber, to ensure tight sealing capability within theopening 15 a. Themember 25 selectively opens or closes the ring-type flange portion 27 depending on the relative pressure, as will be explained below. The opening/closing member 25 has a plurality ofholes 25 a formed to correspond to a ring having a diameter outside of the diameter of ahole 27 a at a central location formed in theflange portion 27. When the opening/closing member 25 engages theflange portion 27, it closes thehole 27 a of theflange portion 27, and simultaneously theflange portion 27 selectively blocks theholes 25 a of the opening/closing member 25. - The
spring 23 is interposed between the other end of thecasing 21 and the opening/closing member 25, and resiliently biases the opening/closing member 25 toward the direction of theflange portion 27, thereby maintaining the closed condition of thehole 27 a. - According to the conventional motor
overload preventing apparatus 20, constructed as above, if the filteringportion 7 becomes clogged with dust or the suction pipe 3 becomes obstructed during the operation of the vacuum cleaner, thereby causing a negative pressure to be generated inside the dust collectinghousing portion 13, the opening/closing member 25 as a result of the negative pressure, overcomes the resilient recovery force of thespring 23 and is transposed toward the dust collectinghousing portion 13, and thereby retracts the opening/closing member from thehole 27 a. - Accordingly, the opening/
closing member 25 does not block the ring-type flange portion 27, and an external air flow is introduced inside the dust collectinghousing portion 13 through thehole 27 a of the ring-type flange portion 27, and theholes 25 a of the opening/closing member 25 andholes 21 a of thecasing 21, thus preventing overload conditions of the driving motor 1. - However, the motor
overload preventing apparatus 20 requires an overly complex structure. Further, because the opening/closing member 25 is usually made of expensive material, such as rubber, in order to ensure sufficient sealing of the opening/closing member 25, manufacturing cost increases. - In an effort to overcome the above-mentioned problems, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a motor overload preventing apparatus for use in a vacuum cleaner which has a simple structure and which can reduce inconvenience that results from a requirement for additional material, such as rubber, while ensuring a sealing of an opening/closing member.
- In order to accomplish the above aspect and/or other features of the present invention, an apparatus for preventing motor overload conditions of a vacuum cleaner includes a damper body having an opening/closing portion formed adjacent a first end to selectively block a tapered aperture extending through a body frame of the vacuum cleaner, the opening/closing portion being tapered to correspond in shape with the tapered shape of the aperture, and a resilient member to resiliently bias the opening/closing portion toward a direction of closing the aperture.
- According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the damper body is mounted and movably disposed to rotate so as to selectively open and close the aperture, and to this end, the damper body is preferably connected to the body frame and is transversely transposable to selectively open and close the aperture.
- The resilient member preferably comprises a plate spring having two ends which engages and overlaps the damper body adjacent a first end, and the second end engages and overlaps the body frame adjacent the second end.
- According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in order to adjust the recovery force biasing the resilient member toward the body frame, a hinge portion of the body frame on which the other end of the resilient member is mounted protrudes from the body frame and the recovery force may be made adjustable by adjusting the position of the plate spring.
- The hinge portion of the body frame is adjustable in the height to which it protrudes from the surface of the body frame of the vacuum cleaner.
- The apparatus for preventing motor overload constructed as above can be mounted in the partition which divides a motor housing, where a driving motor of the vacuum cleaner is disposed, from a dust collecting housing, where a dust filtering portion is placed. Alternatively, the motor overload preventing apparatus can also be mounted on the frame of the dust collecting housing.
- Meanwhile, according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cap portion disposed adjacent the second end of the damper body. The resilient member preferably comprises a coil spring interposed between the opening/closing portion of the damper body and the cap portion.
- The coil spring is shaped and configured having a diameter that is larger than the smallest diameter of the tapered opening/closing portion of the damper body, and is larger than the smallest diameter of the aperture.
- Further, the damper body comprises a plurality of holes to permit air to flow therethrough, and the plurality of holes extend in a lengthwise direction of the damper body so as to define posts.
- The above-described apparatus for preventing motor overload constructed can be mounted on the partition which divides a motor housing, where a driving motor of the vacuum cleaner is placed, from a dust collecting housing, where a dust filtering portion is placed. Alternatively, the motor overload preventing apparatus can also be mounted on the frame of the dust collecting housing.
- Instead of forming the opening/closing portion with additional material, such as rubber, satisfactory sealing can be ensured by tapering the opening/closing portion and the aperture even when surface contact occurs between the opening/closing portion and the aperture. Additionally, the number of components can be reduced, and with the omission of expensive flexible material, such as rubber, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
- The above aspects and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional vacuum cleaner; -
FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of a motor overload preventing apparatus of the conventional vacuum cleaner; -
FIGS. 3A to 3C are, respectively, an exploded perspective view, a front view and a side view, illustrating a motor overload preventing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; -
FIGS. 4A and 4B are side views illustrating in partial cross-section the operation of the motor overload preventing apparatus as shown inFIGS. 3A to 3C; -
FIGS. 5A and 5B are, respectively, an exploded perspective view and a side view, showing a motor overload preventing apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views illustrating the operation of the motor overload preventing apparatus shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B . - Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the description, the elements similar to, or identical with, those described in the background art as illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2 A-B will be identified by the same reference numerals and further detailed description of the structure and function thereof will rely on the description made above. - FIGS. 3A-C and 4A-B are views of a motor overload preventing apparatus for use in a vacuum cleaner according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- Referring now to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first preferred embodiment of the motoroverload preventing apparatus 100 includes adamper body 101 and aresilient member 107. - A tapered opening/
closing portion 101 a is formed in an end of thedamper body 101, while the other end of thedamper body 101 is connected to thepartition 15 of the vacuum cleaner by a hinge, as shown. More specifically, thedamper body 101 is connected to thepartition 15 by the cooperation ofrotary axes 101 b, which laterally protrude from both sides of the other end of thedamper body 101, and hinge mounts 115, each having an axis hole on which the two opposite ends ofrotary axis 101 b is turnably seated, are disposed on thepartition 15. - The tapered opening/
closing portion 101 a is shaped and configured to enable it to block a correspondingtapered aperture 113 of thepartition 15 that divides themotor housing 11 from thedust collecting housing 13. The taperedaperture 113 is tapered so as to correspond to the shape of the tapered opening/closing portion 101 a. The opening/closing portion 101 a and theaperture 113 are each tapered so as to ensure sufficient sealing capacity therebetween as a result of surface contact of the tapered surfaces. Accordingly, there is no need to provide to the opening/closing portion 101 a any additional material such as rubber, and therefore, manufacturing costs can be reduced. - The
resilient member 107 resiliently biases thedamper body 101 toward the direction where the opening/closing portion 101 a of thedamper body 101 closes theaperture 113 of thepartition 15. According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, theresilient member 107 further comprises a plate spring, and more preferably comprises stainless spring steel. - In the present embodiment, in order to allow the
resilient member 107 to attach to thedamper body 101 more securely, one end of theresilient member 107 is overlaps thedamper body 101, while the other end is overlaps with thepartition 15. Thepartition 15, where the other end of theresilient member 107 is mounted, includes a fixingportion 111 disposed thereon which protrudes so as to cause theresilient member 107 to have a predetermined resilient recovery force biasing the spring toward thepartition 15. Due to the fixingportion 111 of thepartition 15, theresilient member 107 resiliently biases one end of thedamper body 101 toward theaperture 113 of thepartition 15. - Also, in order to facilitate the overlap of the
resilient member 107, resilientmember receiving portions FIG. 3A ) are formed to engage each other at the other end and the fixingportion 111 of thedamper body 101. - The fixing
portion 111 of thepartition 15 is preferably adjustable in the height to which it can protrude above the surface ofpartition 15. Accordingly, the resilient recovery force can be adjusted appropriately by adjusting the protruding height of the fixingportion 111 without being influenced by the elastic modulus of theresilient member 107. - The operation of the motor
overload preventing apparatus 100 will be described below. When there is dust undesirably clogging thefiltering portion 7 or when the suction pipe 3 is obstructed by dust or other obstruction, negative pressure is generated inside thedust collecting housing 13. Because of the negative pressure, the opening/closing portion 101 a of thedamper body 101 is able to overcome the resilient recovery force of theresilient member 107, and consequently it rotates about the rotary axes 101 b in a counter-clockwise direction away fromaperture 113 and toward thedust collecting housing 13, as shown inFIG. 4A . - As the opening/
closing portion 101 a is rotated, theaperture 113 of thepartition 15 is opened, and therefore, flow of external air is introduced into thedust collecting housing 13. By the external air flow being introduced, overload conditions of the driving motor 1 can be prevented. - Meanwhile, as the dust of the
filtering portion 7 is borne away by the air flow, or the suction pipe 3 again achieves fluid communication, the negative pressure is lessened to below a certain degree so that thedamper body 101 cannot any longer overcome the resilient recovery force of theresilient member 107. Accordingly, thedamper body 101 is rotated by theresilient member 107 in a clockwise direction toward theaperture 113 so as to block theaperture 113 in thepartition 15, as shown inFIG. 4B . - Meanwhile,
FIGS. 5A and 5B are exploded perspective and side views, respectively, of a motoroverload preventing apparatus 200 for use in a vacuum cleaner according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIGS. 5A and 5B , the motoroverload preventing apparatus 200 includes adamper body 201 and aresilient member 203. - A tapered opening/
closing portion 201 a is formed adjacent one end of thedamper body 201, and acap portion 205, which will be described below, is formed adjacent the other end of thedamper body 201. Thecap portion 205 may be separately made and attached to thedamper body 201, as shown. Alternatively, thecap portion 205 may be integrally formed as part of thedamper body 201. The tapered opening/closing portion 201 a blocks theaperture 215 of thepartition 15 which divides themotor housing 11 from thedust collecting housing 13, and theaperture 215 is also tapered to correspond in shape to the taper of opening/closing portion 201 a. - Because of the tapered shape of the opening/
closing portion 201 a, sufficient sealing capacity can be ensured even when surface contact between the opening/closing portion 201 a and theaperture 215 is present. Accordingly, there is no need to employ additional material, such as rubber, to ensure sealing between theaperture 215 and the opening/closing portion 201 a, and thus manufacturing costs can be reduced. - Further, there is a plurality of
slots 201 b formed in thedamper body 201 so as to permit air to pass therethrough. According to the present embodiment, theslots 201 b are extended in the lengthwise direction, and theslots 201 b define a plurality ofposts 207, which are arranged annularly around a centrallongitudinal passage 209. - The
cap portion 205, at the other end of thedamper body 201, also has a plurality ofholes 205 a to permit air to flow therethrough. Thecap portion 205 is biased against protrusions at the end of the posts by theresilient member 203 so as to retain it in place and inhibit it from separating from the mounting mechanism. - The
resilient member 203 resiliently supports and biases thedamper body 201 toward the direction where the opening/closing portion 201 a of thedamper body 201 closes theaperture 215 of thepartition 15. In the present embodiment, theresilient member 203 is a coil spring. Thecoil spring 203 is interposed between the opening/closing portion 201 a of thedamper body 201 and thecap portion 205. - One end of the
coil spring 203 engages thepartition 15, while the other end engages thecap portion 205. It is preferred that thecoil spring 203 has a diameter larger than the smallest diameter of the tapered opening/closing portion 201 a of thedamper body 201, and also larger than the smallest diameter of the taperedaperture 215 of thepartition 15. By this construction, thecoil spring 203 is supported by the wall of thepartition 15 even when thedamper body 201 moves laterally, and thus can exert a predetermined resilient recovery force to bias thecap portion 205 away from thepartition 15. - The operation of the
overload preventing apparatus 200 constructed in accordance with the above described embodiment will be described below in more detail. - When there is dust clogging the
filtering portion 7 or when the suction pipe 3 is obstructed by an object or by collected dust, negative pressure is generated inside thedust collecting housing 13. As a result of the negative pressure, the opening/closing portion 201 a of thedamper body 201 overcomes the recovery force of thecoil spring 203 and causes thedamper body 201 to move toward thedust collecting housing 13, as shown inFIG. 6A . One end of thecoil spring 203 engages thepartition 15, and the other end engages thecap portion 205 a. Together with thedamper body 201, thecap portion 205 a is also transposed toward thepartition 215 by the pressure of the external atmosphere applied to the opening/closing portion 201 a, and by the movement of thecap portion 205 a, thecoil spring 203 is compressed. - As the opening/
closing portion 201 a is transposed to open theaperture 215 in thepartition 15, external air flow is introduced into thedust collecting housing 13, and therefore, prevents overload of the motor 1. - Meanwhile, with the dust of the
filtering portion 7 being cleaned, or the obstruction in suction pipe 3 being removed so as to resume fluid communication, the negative pressure is lessened to below the threshold amount so that thedamper body 101 is not impelled to overcome the resilient recovery force of thecoil spring 203. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 6B , thedamper body 201 is transposed toward themotor housing 11 by the resilient recovery force of thecoil spring 203, and therefore, the opening/closing portion 201 a re-blocks theaperture 215 of thepartition 15. - Although the preferred embodiments are described above for purposes of illustration and description, the invention is not to be considered limited by the above description, but is to be considered as including any modifications, changes and alterations and the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
Claims (18)
1. An apparatus for preventing motor overload during operation of a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
a damper body having an opening/closing portion formed adjacent to a first end to selectively block a tapered aperture extending through a body frame of the vacuum cleaner, the opening/closing portion being tapered to correspond in shape with the tapered shape of the aperture; and
a resilient member to resiliently bias the opening/closing portion toward the direction of closing the aperture.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the damper body is mounted and movably disposed to rotate so as to selectively open and close the aperture.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the damper body is connected to the body frame and is transversely transposable to selectively open and close the aperture.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the damper body is connected to the body frame by a mounting mechanism removed from the aperture through the cooperation of a rotary axis which is disposed adjacent a second end of the damper body, the mounting mechanism having a hinge portion which has an axis mount for receiving the rotary axis in an upright position and the mounting mechanism protrudes outwardly from the body frame.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the resilient member further comprises a plate spring, having two ends, which engages the damper body adjacent the first end, and engages the body frame adjacent the second end.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the resilient member further comprises a plate spring, having two ends, which engages the damper body adjacent the first end, and engages the body frame adjacent the other end.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein one end of the resilient member overlaps the damper body and the other end overlaps the body frame.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein one end of the resilient member overlaps the damper body and the other end overlaps the body frame.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the mounting mechanism further comprises a hinge portion protruding from the body frame, and having a plate engagement section connected to the second end of the resilient member so as to enable adjustment of the recovery force provided by the resilient member by adjusting the position with respect to the body frame.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the mounting mechanism further comprises a hinge portion protruding from the body frame, and having a plate engagement section connected with the second end of the resilient member so as to enable adjustment of the recovery force provided by the resilient member by adjusting the position of the hinge portion with respect to the body frame.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the hinge portion is adjustable in the height to which it protrudes from the surface of the body frame of the vacuum cleaner.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the hinge portion is adjustable in the height to which it protrudes from the surface of the body frame of the vacuum cleaner.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a cap portion is disposed adjacent the second end of the damper body, and
the resilient member further comprises a coil spring interposed between the opening/closing portion of the damper body and the cap portion.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the coil spring is shaped and configured having a diameter that is larger than the smallest diameter of the tapered opening/closing portion of the damper body, and is larger than the smallest diameter of the aperture.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the damper body comprises a plurality of holes to permit air to flow therethrough.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of holes extend in a lengthwise direction of the damper body, thereby defining posts.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the cap portion comprises a plurality of holes to permit air to pass therethrough.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the coil spring is fixed to the body frame adjacent one end, and fixed to the cap portion adjacent the other end.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR2003-63138 | 2003-09-09 | ||
KR1020030063138A KR20050026163A (en) | 2003-09-09 | 2003-09-09 | Apparatus for protecting motor-overload of vaccum cleaner |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050050679A1 true US20050050679A1 (en) | 2005-03-10 |
Family
ID=34132254
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/847,237 Abandoned US20050050679A1 (en) | 2003-09-09 | 2004-05-17 | Apparatus for preventing motor overload of vacuum cleaner |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050050679A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1514505A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2005081144A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20050026163A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1593326A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2004202471A1 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2004121430A (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060021187A1 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2006-02-02 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner and damper installation structure thereof |
US20060265834A1 (en) * | 2005-05-30 | 2006-11-30 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for protecting motor of a vacuum cleaner |
US20210290017A1 (en) * | 2018-12-14 | 2021-09-23 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Cleaning apparatus having vacuum cleaner and docking station |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE202005012503U1 (en) * | 2005-08-09 | 2005-12-08 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Bag-Full indicator for a vacuum cleaner has a piston normally held clear of the sight window until a vacuum on one side is generated when it becomes visible |
DE202005012922U1 (en) * | 2005-08-16 | 2006-01-19 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Fault indicator for vacuum cleaner |
KR20070099359A (en) * | 2006-04-04 | 2007-10-09 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Robot cleaner system having robot cleaner and docking station |
EP2027806A1 (en) | 2006-04-04 | 2009-02-25 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Robot cleaner system having robot cleaner and docking station |
DE102007001757B4 (en) * | 2007-01-11 | 2013-07-18 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Secondary air aperture for vacuum cleaners |
DE102010030222B3 (en) * | 2010-06-17 | 2011-07-28 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, 81739 | Vacuum cleaner has auxiliary air valve, moving locking element, elastic element and separator with air opening, where locking element is brought in closed position by elastic element |
JP2013183900A (en) * | 2012-03-08 | 2013-09-19 | Panasonic Corp | Vacuum cleaner |
CN103654628B (en) * | 2012-09-11 | 2018-01-30 | 天佑电器(苏州)有限公司 | Dust catcher |
GB2608158B (en) * | 2021-06-24 | 2023-09-20 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Vacuum cleaner |
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US3111961A (en) * | 1959-04-27 | 1963-11-26 | John E Dudgcon | Removable spring check valve |
US3192946A (en) * | 1963-04-15 | 1965-07-06 | Heil Co | Breather check valves |
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DK138825B (en) * | 1976-11-29 | 1978-11-06 | Fisker & Nielsen As | Vacuum cleaner with a motor-driven fan and a temperature-controlled valve in an inflow passage from the surroundings to the suction side of the fan. |
DE2917142A1 (en) * | 1979-04-27 | 1980-11-06 | Mauz & Pfeiffer Progress | Vacuum cleaner with temp. control - incorporates valve blocking or opening air vent, using permanent magnet and spring |
JP3149430B2 (en) * | 1990-02-22 | 2001-03-26 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Upright vacuum cleaner |
GB2315231A (en) * | 1996-07-15 | 1998-01-28 | Notetry Ltd | Apparatus for Separating Particles |
KR100432730B1 (en) * | 2001-10-15 | 2004-05-24 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Device for protecting moter in vacuum cleaner |
-
2003
- 2003-09-09 KR KR1020030063138A patent/KR20050026163A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2004
- 2004-05-17 US US10/847,237 patent/US20050050679A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-06-03 AU AU2004202471A patent/AU2004202471A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-06-09 EP EP04253436A patent/EP1514505A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-06-15 CN CNA200410048749XA patent/CN1593326A/en active Pending
- 2004-07-13 RU RU2004121430/12A patent/RU2004121430A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2004-09-01 JP JP2004254448A patent/JP2005081144A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3111961A (en) * | 1959-04-27 | 1963-11-26 | John E Dudgcon | Removable spring check valve |
US3192946A (en) * | 1963-04-15 | 1965-07-06 | Heil Co | Breather check valves |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060021187A1 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2006-02-02 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner and damper installation structure thereof |
US7665182B2 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2010-02-23 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner and damper installation structure thereof |
US20060265834A1 (en) * | 2005-05-30 | 2006-11-30 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for protecting motor of a vacuum cleaner |
US7487570B2 (en) | 2005-05-30 | 2009-02-10 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for protecting motor of a vacuum cleaner |
US20210290017A1 (en) * | 2018-12-14 | 2021-09-23 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Cleaning apparatus having vacuum cleaner and docking station |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2005081144A (en) | 2005-03-31 |
CN1593326A (en) | 2005-03-16 |
EP1514505A3 (en) | 2006-04-05 |
RU2004121430A (en) | 2006-01-10 |
EP1514505A2 (en) | 2005-03-16 |
AU2004202471A1 (en) | 2005-03-24 |
KR20050026163A (en) | 2005-03-15 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., KOREA, REPU Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:JEON, KYOUNG-HUI;REEL/FRAME:015342/0645 Effective date: 20040512 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |