US20090183333A1

US20090183333A1 - Vacuum Dust Collector

Info

Publication number: US20090183333A1
Application number: US12/015,672
Authority: US
Inventors: Sam Tsai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-17
Filing date: 2008-01-17
Publication date: 2009-07-23

Abstract

A vacuum dust collector comprising a housing including a concaved space inside and a control knob on the top; an suction generator placed under the concaved space; a bottom cover, covered at the bottom of the housing, including a dust inlet and at least one sensor; and a dust container, disposed in the concaved space, including a cover, a chamber, a filter, an outlet pipe, an inlet pipe, and a latch. Moreover, the shape of the housing is corresponding to the place where it is located, and the latch is pressed by the filter disposed on the outlet pipe of dust container to allow the cover to be eclipsed on the chamber.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, more particularly to a vacuum dust collector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, the cleaning procedure requires the user to sweep the debris and dust into a pile and use a collection device such as dustpan to pick up the debris and dust. But dust flies in the air easily when swept, and the user might feel uncomfortable. However, it is not easy for the user to collect all dust and dump into a waste container precisely, results in the poor efficiency and high demanding efforts.
According to U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,924 B1 which is published on Jan. 6, 2004, titled “Vacuum Dustpan” disclosed a vacuum dustpan having a housing with an inlet to the level of the floor surface into which dust and debris can be directed. The vacuum dustpan is equipped with a vacuum motor which transfer the debris to a collection chamber within the housing. However, the poor control over usage results in inconvenience for the user while cleaning. The vacuum dustpan is actuated by a switch and the switch is to control the vacuum motor. Nevertheless it is only required the user press the switch, and the vacuum motor turned on without an auxiliary instrument to assure whether the filter is installed or not, even the vacuum motor may be damaged by dust and dirt.
Moreover, it is hard to arrange space efficiently for the shape of the vacuum dustpan may occupy too much room or not fit perfectly to where it is located.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a vacuum dust collector which has a shape fits or corresponding to the place where it is located. Thus, space usage of the vacuum dust collector can be more efficiency.
The second objective of the present invention is to provide a vacuum dust collector comprising a housing, a suction generator, a bottom cover, and a dust container, wherein the housing includes a concave space, a control knob, an outlet port, and an inlet port. The control knob is set on the top surface of the housing and electrically connected to the suction generator. In addition, the control knob having at least two-stage mechanism used to switch the operation mode of the vacuum dust collector. The outlet port and the inlet port are mounted in the bottom of the concaved space.
Furthermore, there is a suction side and an exhausted side in the suction generator placed under the concaved space of the housing and connected to the outlet port of housing by the suction side. Subsequently, the suction generator includes a motor and a fan. The motor and the fan are electrically connected to the control knob. After the suction generator is driven through an external power to be actuated, the motor operates the fan to make air flow. When the motor revolves the fan, dirt and dust is drawn into the vacuum dust collector and goes along with air flow.
The bottom cover is assembled on the bottom of the housing and includes a dust inlet and at least one sensor, wherein the dust inlet is connected to the inlet port of housing through an inlet pipe of the bottom cover, and the sensor electrically connected to the suction generator. The sensor is used to control suction generator. Therefore, the dust can be automatically drawn into the vacuum dust collector once the sensor has detected dust.
The dust container is disposed in the concaved space. The dust container includes a cover, a chamber, a filter, an outlet pipe, an inlet pipe, and a latch. The chamber is a container, and the cover eclipses on the top of the chamber. Inside the chamber, the outlet pipe and the inlet pipe are mounted on bottom side surface of the chamber, and the latch is aligned to inner side surface. The filter is installed on the outlet pipe. The filter absorbs the dust, and the air is expelled from the housing.
The latch is an L-shape structure with a block at the long edge and an extending portion at the short edge. When the filter is not installed on the outlet pipe, the block is leaned against the inner surface of the chamber to prohibit the cover from being eclipsed on the chamber. Once the filter installed on the outlet pipe, the extending portion is pressed by the filter and the block is departed from the inner surface of the chamber. The block leaves a gap for the cover to be eclipsed on the top of chamber. Thus, the cover can seal the chamber.
Accordingly, the dust container can not be put in the housing when the cover is not eclipsed on the chamber completely. In other words, the latch is adopted as a secured device to prevent the vacuum dust collector from being used without the filter.
Furthermore, the housing further includes a manual operation button, and the manual operation button is electrically connected the suction generator. However, the sensitivity of sensors should be considered. Once the sensor fails to detect dust, the user can just simply press the manual operation button to actuate the vacuum dust collector, more flexible controller can be obtained.
The housing further includes a plurality of air grates for air circulation to facilitate heat dissipation.
The shape of the housing is especially designed for interior decoration, such as a triangular cylinder instead of a monotonous cube. Thus, this designed shape can be fit perfectly the interior angle of the inner surface or a corner inside the house.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects, as well as many of the attendant advantages and features of this invention will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the exploded view of another picture angle of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates the longitudinal sectional view of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the filter and latch of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation illustrating the utilization of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates another schematic representation of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, illustrates the perspective view and the exploded view of the present invention, respectively. A vacuum dust collector 1 comprises a housing 11, a suction generator 12, a bottom cover 13, a dust container 14 and a power cord 15, wherein the housing 11 includes a concaved space 111, a control knob 112, an outlet port 1111 and an inlet port 1112 mounted in the bottom of the concaved space 111. The control knob 112 is set on the top surface of the housing 11 and electrically connected to the suction generator 12. In addition, the control knob 112 is used to switch the operation mode of the vacuum dust collector 1.
Furthermore, there is a suction side and an exhausted side in the suction generator 12 placed under the concaved space 111 of the housing 11. The suction generator 12 is connected to the outlet port 1111 of housing 11 by the suction side. Subsequently, the suction generator 12 includes a motor 121 and a fan (unshown). The motor 121 and the fan are electrically connected to the control knob 112. After the suction generator 12 is driven through an external power and actuated by the user, the motor 121 operates the fan to make air flow. When the motor 121 revolves the fan, dirt and dust is drawn into the vacuum dust collector 1 and goes along with air flow.
The bottom cover 13 is assembled on the bottom of the housing 11 and includes a dust inlet 131 (as shown in FIG. 4) and at least one sensor 132, wherein the dust inlet 131 is connected to the inlet port 1112 of housing 11 through an inlet pipe 133 of the bottom cover 13, and the sensor 132 is electrically connected to the suction generator 12. The sensor 132 is used to control suction generator 12. Therefore, the dust can be automatically drawn into the vacuum dust collector 1 once the sensor 132 has detected dust.
The dust container 14 is disposed in the concaved space 111. The dust container 14 includes a cover 141, a chamber 142, a filter 143, an outlet pipe 144, an inlet pipe 145, and a latch 146. The chamber 142 is a container, and the cover 141 eclipses on the top of the chamber 142. Inside the chamber 142, the outlet pipe 144 and the inlet pipe 145 are mounted on bottom side surface of the chamber 142, and the latch 146 is aligned to inner side surface. The filter 143 is installed on the outlet pipe 144. The filter 143 keeps the dust, and the air is expelled from the housing 11, when the vacuum dust collector 1 is running.
Generally, there is heat produced while the suction generator 12 is running, so the housing 11 further includes a plurality of air grates 114 for heat dissipation. In this embodiment, the housing 11 includes two air grates 114 set at the back side of housing 11 to allow air to circulate through the air grates 114. Therefore, the heat dissipation of the suction generator 12 is facilitated by the air grates 114.
Furthermore, the housing 11 further includes a manual operation button 113, and the manual operation button 113 is electrically connected the suction generator 12. However, the sensitivity of sensor 132 should be considered. Once the sensor 132 fails to detect dust, the user can just simply press the manual operation button 113 to actuate the vacuum dust collector 1, more flexible controller can be obtained.
Refer to FIG. 3, illustrates the exploded view of another picture angle of the present invention and refer to FIG. 2 simultaneously. The outlet port 1111 of housing 11 is corresponding to the suction side of suction generator 12 and the outlet pipe 144 of dust container 14. The inlet port 1112 of housing 11 is corresponding to the dust inlet 131 (as shown in FIG. 4) and the inlet pipe 145. Moreover, the filter 143 is installed on the outlet pipe 144, and the inlet port 1112 is connected to the dust inlet 131 through the inlet pipe 133.
The dust container 14 inside the vacuum dust collector 1 is an airtight space. Air in the dust container 14 is expelled through the filter 143, the outlet pipe 144 and the outlet port 1111, when the suction generator 12 is operated. At the same time, air outside is drawn into the dust container 14 through the dust inlet 131, the inlet pipe 133, the inlet port 1112 and the inlet pipe 145. Through the passage, an air flow is then resulted from the circulating air. Consequently, dust and dirt is drawn into the dust container 14 with the air flow. The filter keeps the dust and the air is expelled from the housing.
Subsequently, refer to FIG. 4 illustrating the longitudinal sectional view of the present invention and refer to FIG. 2 simultaneously. The control knob 112 includes at least two-stage control mechanism, and in this embodiment, the control knob 112 having a three-stage control mechanism of auto, manual, and off modes.
In this embodiment, dust and debris is sensed by the sensor 132 and then automatically drawn into the dust container 14, when the control knob 112 is turned to the auto mode. Besides, the manual operation button 113 is pressed to actuate the suction generator 12 to draw dust and debris in, when the control knob 112 is turned to the manual mode. Furthermore, the vacuum dust collector 1 is turned off, when the control knob 112 is turned to the off mode.
Therefore, users can use the control knob 112 to control the operating status of the vacuum dust collector 1 according to personal demands.
Referring to FIG. 5 illustrating a diagram of the operation of the filter and latch of the present invention, and refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 simultaneously. The latch 146 disposed in the dust container 14 is an L-shape structure with a block 1461 at the long edge and an extending portion 1462 at the short edge.
The block 1461 is leaned against the inner surface of the chamber 142 to prohibit the cover 141 from being covered on the chamber 142, when the filter 143 is not installed on the outlet pipe 144. Once the filter 143 is installed on the outlet pipe 144, the extending portion 1462 is pressed by the filter 143 and the block 1461 is then departed from the inner surface of the chamber 142 to make a gap for the cover 141 to be eclipsed on the top of chamber 142. So, the cover 141 can seal the chamber 142.
However, the block 1461 is returned to the inner surface of the chamber 142, due to a spring (unshown) disposed at the joint of the L-shape structure, whenever the filter 143 is dismantled for replacement. Thus the block 1461 is leaned against the inner surface of the chamber 142 again to prohibit the cover 141 from being eclipsed on the chamber 142. Consequently, the latch 146 is adopted as a secured device to prevent the vacuum dust collector 1 from being used without the filter 143 and to keep the suction generator 12 away from dust and dirt.
Finally, refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrating the schematic representation of utilization of the present invention. The shape of the housing 11 is corresponding to the place where it is located and is especially designed for interior decoration. In this embodiment, the shape of the housing 11 is a triangular cylinder instead of a monotonous cube. Thus, the designed shape can be fit perfectly the interior angle of the wall or a corner inside the house.
Furthermore, the vacuum dust collector 1 is actuated to perform cleaning operation when dust and debris swept into the bottom of the vacuum dust collector 1 is sensed by the sensor 132. Moreover, the vacuum dust collector 1 is also actuated by the manual operation button 113 once the sensor 132 fails to sense dust and dirt.
In conclusion, the vacuum dust collector of the present invention is used to draw dust and dirt by auto mode and manual mode to provide convenience for users when cleaning. Besides, the shape of the vacuum dust collector is corresponding to the place where it is located for users to utilize the indoor space easier. Additionally, the vacuum dust collector is provided with the latch to prevent users from using the vacuum dust collector without the filter for protecting the suction generator from dust and dirt.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, these are, of course, merely examples to help clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, and alterations in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A vacuum dust collector comprising:

a housing, including a concaved space inside and a control knob on the top;

a suction generator, placed under the concaved space;

a bottom cover, covered at the bottom of the housing, including a dust inlet and at least one sensor; and

a dust container, disposed in the concaved space, including a cover, a chamber, a filter, an outlet pipe, an inlet pipe, and a latch;

wherein the shape of the housing is corresponding to the place where it is located, and the latch is pressed by the filter disposed on the outlet pipe of dust container to allow the cover to be eclipsed on the chamber.

2. The vacuum dust collector of claim 1, wherein the shape of the housing is triangular cylinder.

3. The vacuum dust collector of claim 1, wherein the housing further including a plurality of air grates for air circulation to facilitate heat dissipation of the suction generator.

4. The vacuum dust collector of claim 1, wherein the control knob having at least two-stage control mechanism to start the vacuum dust collector.

5. The vacuum dust collector of claim 1, wherein the suction generator including a motor and a fan to generate air flow to collect dust.

6. The vacuum dust collector of claim 1, wherein the latch is an L-shape structure with a block at the long edge and an extending portion at the short edge.

7. The vacuum dust collector of claim 1, wherein the housing having a manual operation button electrically connected to the suction generator.