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 Filter cleaning system for floor cleaning apparatusUSPTO Application #: 20070174993Title: Filter cleaning system for floor cleaning apparatus Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing. A dirt collection vessel with filter and a suction generator are carried on the housing. The floor cleaning apparatus also includes a four port/two position directional control valve and a valve actuator. The valve actuator selectively displaces the directional control valve between a first position wherein dirt and debris is captured in the dirt collection vessel by the filter and a second position wherein clean air purges dirt and debris from the filter into the dirt collection vessel. (end of abstract)
Agent: King & Schickli, PLLC - Lexington, KY, US Inventors: Kerry L. Dever, Jeffrey M. Elrod USPTO Applicaton #: 20070174993 - Class: 15352 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070174993. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/764,417 filed Feb. 2, 2006. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002]The present invention relates generally to the floor care equipment field and, more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner, extractor or the like equipped with a pneumatic mechanism for cleaning dirt and debris from the filter including, particularly, fine dirt particles from the pores of the filter in order to enhance filter cleaning efficiency and extend filter service life. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]A vacuum cleaner is an electromechanical appliance utilized to effect the dry removal of dust, dirt and other small debris from carpets, rugs, fabrics or other surfaces in domestic, commercial and industrial environments. In order to achieve the desired dirt and dust removal, most vacuum cleaners incorporate a rotary agitator. The rotary agitator is provided to beat dirt and debris from the nap of the carpet or rug while a pressure drop or vacuum is used to force air entrained with this dirt and debris into the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. The particulate laden air is then drawn into a dirt collection vessel. The air is then drawn through a filter before being directed through the motor of the suction generator to provide cooling. Finally, the air is filtered to remove any fine particles of carbon from the brushes of that motor or other dirt that might remain in the airstream before being exhausted back into the environment. [0004]Often the dirt collection vessel is designed to produce cyclonic airflow by providing that vessel with a dirt chamber having a cylindrical sidewall and a tangentially directed air inlet. This arrangement forces the air to swirl around the dirt collection chamber in the manner of a cyclone. The centrifugal force that is produced causes dirt and debris to move toward and against the cylindrical sidewall of the chamber while relatively clean air may be drawn off from the center of the chamber through the filter toward the suction generator. [0005]Under most operating conditions most or all of the dirt and debris is removed from the airstream by the cyclonic airflow. At times, however, some dirt and debris remains entrapped within the airstream. Typically, that dirt and debris is relatively fine dirt particles of light weight which are not as susceptible to the centrifugal separation force produced by the cyclonic airflow. Over time such fine particles may become entrapped and fill the pores of the filter media thereby restricting airflow and reducing the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner. Eventually the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner becomes so impaired it is necessary for the operator to either clean or change the filter in order to achieve the desired level of cleaning. The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, extractor or the like equipped with a more efficient and effective filter cleaning mechanism. Advantageously, the present invention allows one to quickly and easily clean dirt and debris from a filter including particularly fine particles from the pores of the filter. As a result each filter has a longer service life and the apparatus may be operated at a higher cleaning efficiency over the entire length of that extended service life. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006]In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described herein, an improved floor cleaning apparatus is provided. That apparatus comprises a housing, a dirt collection vessel with filter carried on the housing and a suction generator carried on the housing. The floor cleaning apparatus further includes a four port/two position directional control valve and a valve actuator. The valve actuator functions to selectively displace the directional control valve between a first position wherein dirt and debris is captured in the dirt collection vessel by the filter and a second position wherein clean air purges dirt and debris from the filter into the dirt collection vessel. [0007]In one possible embodiment of the present invention the valve actuator is a solenoid. The solenoid is connected to a rotary solenoid switch. The housing rides over the floor on a series of wheels. The rotary solenoid switch is connected to one of those wheels. In one possible embodiment two gears connect the rotary solenoid switch with the wheel. [0008]The dirt collection vessel includes an air inlet and an air outlet. A first conduit connects the air outlet with the directional control valve. A motor prefilter is provided in that first conduit. [0009]The suction generator is provided in a motor compartment including an intake plenum and an exhaust plenum. A second conduit connects the exhaust plenum with an exhaust port. An exhaust filter is provided in the second conduit. In one possible embodiment a check valve is provided in the second conduit as well. [0010]The housing includes a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet. At least one rotary agitator is carried by the nozzle assembly adjacent the suction inlet. A flexible hose connects the nozzle assembly with the canister assembly. In addition the nozzle assembly includes a control wand. [0011]In the following description there is shown and described several preferred embodiments of this invention, simply by way of illustration of some of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING [0012]The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part of this specification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serves to explain certain principles of the invention. In the drawing: [0013]FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway, perspective view illustrating one possible embodiment of the floor cleaning apparatus of the present invention; [0014]FIG. 2 is a schematical top plan view illustrating the airflow pathway when the directional control valve is in a first or floor cleaning position; and [0015]FIG. 3 is a schematical top plan view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating the airflow path when the directional control valve is in the second or filter cleaning position. [0016]Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0017]Reference is now made to FIG. 1 illustrating the floor cleaning apparatus 10 of the present invention in the form of a canister vacuum cleaner It should be appreciated that a canister vacuum cleaner is only representative of the floor cleaning apparatus 10 which may in fact assume other forms including, for example, an upright vacuum cleaner or even an extractor. [0018]The floor cleaning apparatus 10 comprises a housing including a canister assembly 12 and nozzle assembly 14. The nozzle assembly 14 includes a suction inlet 16. A rotary agitator 18 extends across the suction inlet 16. In the illustrated embodiment the rotary agitator 18 is driven by an agitator motor 20. Brushes, wipers, bristle tufts, beater bars or other cleaning structures project from the rotary agitator 18 and function to beat dirt and debris from an underlying carpet as the agitator is rotated at high speeds. [0019]The nozzle assembly 14 also includes a wand 22 incorporating a control handle 24 having a hand grip 26 and operator controls 28. The operator controls 28 allow the operator to selectively control the operation of the vacuum cleaner 10 in a manner that is well known in the art. Continue reading... Full patent description for Filter cleaning system for floor cleaning apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Filter cleaning system for floor cleaning apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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