[0001] The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner particularly, but not exclusively, to a
robotic vacuum cleaner.
[0002] Vacuum cleaners operable in more than one mode, i.e. in upright mode and in cylinder
mode, are well known. In the upright mode, the cleaner operates by drawing dirty air
into the cleaner by way of a cleaner head which travels across the floor or other
surface to be cleaned. In the cylinder mode, the dirty air is drawn into the cleaner
via a hose or a hose and wand assembly. Most cleaners which are convertible between
the two modes of operation are essentially upright cleaners which have permanently
attached hoses which can be brought into operation when cylinder cleaning is required.
In some cases, the hose is permanently connected to the inlet to the dirt and dust
separating apparatus of the cleaner and the distal end of the hose is then stored
in a hollow socket during upright cleaning so that the hose becomes part of the dirty
air inlet path during upright cleaning. Such an arrangement results in losses which
are higher than is desirable during upright cleaning due to the passage of the air
through a hose rather than through a smooth conduit or pipe. In other arrangements,
the hose is permanently connected to the main body of the cleaner but a valve is used
to select whether dirty air is drawn into the cleaner through the cleaner head or
through the hose.
[0003] The operation of the valve can be made dependent upon the angle of inclination of
the main body of the upright cleaner as illustrated and described in EP-B-0 134 654.
This type of arrangement is better than the aforementioned alternative arrangement
during upright cleaning because the dirty air is not required to pass through a hose.
However, in such an arrangement, the airflow passage is often longer than is desirable
during cylinder cleaning and, as a result, avoidable losses can occur.
[0004] US-A-5,477,586 shows an upright vacuum cleaner where removal of a wand operates a
valve door so as to direct air from a hose or a cleaner head.
[0005] Autonomous or robotic vacuum cleaners have also been proposed. Robotic vacuum cleaners
operate in a manner which is different to that of both upright and cylinder cleaners.
In the normal or autonomous mode of operation, the cleaner traverses the surface to
be cleaned under its own power and using its own navigation system so that human intervention
is not required. Dirty air is drawn into the machine through a cleaner head in a manner
similar to that used in upright cleaning using an upright cleaner. Robotic vacuum
cleaners are shown and described in,
inter alia, US-A-5781960 and US-A-5109566. The latter of these documents also indicates that
a hose can be attached to the robotic vacuum cleaner for the purpose of attaching
a conventional suction hose for manual cleaning of areas which cannot be reached by
the robotic cleaner. As in conventional vacuum cleaners, a device for changing the
air path so as to select the dirty air inlet for the desired mode of operation is
included. Such changeover devices are inevitably prone to failure on occasion and
normally cause a discontinuity in the airflow paths in which they are placed. This
can lead to frictional losses and/or pressure drops within the relevant cleaner.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner which is convertible
between two different modes of operation easily and conveniently. It is a further
object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner which is convertible between
two different modes of operation in a manner which avoids unnecessary losses or in
which unnecessary losses are minimised.
[0007] The invention provides a vacuum cleaner comprising a chassis for releasably supporting
a dirt and dust separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from an airflow,
and a cleaner head having an outlet communicating releasably with an inlet of the
dirt and dust separating apparatus, the dirt and dust separating apparatus being releasable
from the chassis to allow the dirt and dust separating apparatus, or a part thereof
incorporating the inlet, to move into an alternative position in which the outlet
of the cleaner head is not in communication with the inlet of the dirt and dust separating
apparatus and in which an alternative dirty air inlet may be connected to the inlet
of the dirt and dust separating apparatus.
[0008] This arrangement allows a hose, or a hose and wand assembly, to be attached directly
to the inlet to the dirt and dust separating apparatus without forcing the incoming
air which then enters via the hose to travel through the ducting designed to carry
dirty air from the cleaner head. When the cleaner head is in use, the incoming air
is not forced to travel through the hose or any other ducting designed to carry air
from the hose. In each case, the airflow path is kept to an absolute minimum. Furthermore,
there is no changeover valve involved which reduces the risk of malfunction or failure
in this area and also avoids the need for the incoming air to pass through a discontinuity
in the airflow path of the cleaner.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the dirt and dust separating apparatus comprises, or is
surrounded by, a rigid shell or housing. This makes the movement of the apparatus,
or the relevant part thereof, easier and more manageable for the user. More preferably,
the dirt and dust separating apparatus is generally cylindrical, with one end portion
being attachable to a main body in more than one position relative thereto, advantageously
in two diametrically opposed positions. The diametric opposition of the two said positions
is advantageous because the risk of the wrong position being inadvertently selected
by the user is minimised. Other spacings of the two said positions are possible, a
spacing of 90° being advantageous as well. As an alternative to removing the part
of the separating apparatus incorporating the inlet and reattaching it in a new position,
the part of the separating apparatus incorporating the inlet can be rotatable with
respect to the remainder of the separating apparatus. Suitable indicia or physical
formations can be used to mark the positions between which the part of the separating
apparatus incorporating the inlet should be rotated.
[0010] It is preferred that the dirt and dust separating apparatus comprises a centrifugal
separator, more preferably two cyclones arranged in series. Such an arrangement provides
efficient and effective separation of dirt and dust from the airflow.
[0011] Preferably the vacuum cleaner comprises means for sensing the position of the dirt
and dust separating apparatus, or the part incorporating the inlet, and for controlling
operation of the cleaner according to the sensed position. When the cleaner is an
autonomous cleaner which is capable of autonomously moving across an area, the sensed
position of the inlet can control whether the cleaner operates in an autonomous mode
or a manual mode.
[0012] Preferably, when the sensing means senses that the outlet of the cleaner head is
not in communication with the inlet of the dirt and dust separating apparatus, operation
of the brush bar of the cleaner is inhibited.
[0013] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an underneath view of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a sectional view through the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 taken along the
line III-III of Figure 2;
Figure 4a is a transverse sectional view through part of the cleaner of Figure 1 showing
the separating apparatus in a first position;
Figure 4b is a transverse sectional view through part of the cleaner of Figure 1 showing
the separating apparatus in a second position;
Figure 5a is a longitudinal sectional view through part of the cleaner of Figure 1
showing the separating apparatus connected to the chassis;
Figure 5b is a longitudinal sectional view through part of the cleaner of Figure 1
showing the separating apparatus being released from the chassis;
Figures 6a and 6b are similar transverse sectional views to Figures 4a and 4b showing
an alternative form of sensing the position of the inlet to that shown in Figures
4a and 4b;
Figure 6c is a more detailed view of the sensing arrangement shown in Figures 6a and
6b;
Figure 7 is a block diagram of a control system for the cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 8 is a flow diagram of a method of operating the cleaner which can be performed
by the control system of Figure 7; and
Figure 9 is a block diagram of an arrangement not within the scope of the claims,
for controlling operation of the cleaner head according to whether the cleaner head
or an alternative dirty air inlet is being used.
[0014] The vacuum cleaner 10 shown in the drawings has a supporting chassis 12 which is
generally circular in shape and is supported on two driven wheels 14 and a castor
wheel 16. The chassis 12 is preferably manufactured from high-strength moulded plastics
material, such as ABS, but can equally be made from metal such as aluminium or steel.
The chassis 12 provides support for the components of the cleaner 10 which will be
described below. The driven wheels 14 are arranged at either end of a diameter of
the chassis 12, the diameter lying perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 18 of the
cleaner 10. Each driven wheel 14 is moulded from a high-strength plastics material
and carries a comparatively soft, ridged band around its circumference to enhance
the grip of the wheel 14 when the cleaner 10 is traversing a smooth floor. The driven
wheels 14 are mounted independently of one another via support bearings (not shown)
and each driven wheel 14 is connected directly to a motor 15 which is capable of driving
the respective wheel 14 in either a forward direction or a reverse direction. By driving
both wheels 14 forward at the same speed, the cleaner 10 can be driven in a forward
direction. By driving both wheels 14 in a reverse direction at the same speed, the
cleaner 10 can be driven in a backward direction. By driving the wheels 14 in opposite
directions, the cleaner 10 can be made to rotate about its own central axis so as
to effect a turning manoeuvre. The aforementioned method of driving a vehicle is well
known and will not therefore be described any further here.
[0015] The castor wheel 16 is significantly smaller in diameter than the driven wheels 14
as can be seen from, for example, Figure 3. The castor wheel 16 is not driven and
merely serves to support the chassis 12 at the rear of the cleaner 10. The location
of the castor wheel 16 at the trailing edge of the chassis 12, and the fact that the
castor wheel 16 is swivellingly mounted on the chassis by means of a swivel joint
20, allows the castor wheel 16 to trail behind the cleaner 10 in a manner which does
not hinder the manoeuvrability of the cleaner 10 whilst it is being driven by way
of the driven wheels 14. The swivel joint 20 is most clearly shown in Figure 3. The
castor wheel 16 is fixedly attached to an upwardly extending cylindrical member 20a
which is received by an annular housing 20b to allow free rotational movement of the
cylindrical member 20a therewithin. This type of arrangement is well known. The castor
wheel 16 can be made from a moulded plastics material or can be formed from another
synthetic material such as Nylon.
[0016] Mounted on the underside of the chassis 12 is a cleaner head 22 which includes a
suction opening 24 facing the surface on which the cleaner 10 is supported. The suction
opening 24 is essentially rectangular and extends across the majority of the width
of the cleaner head 22. A brush bar 26 is rotatably mounted in the suction opening
24 and a motor 28 is mounted on the cleaner head 22 for driving the brush bar 26 by
way of a drive belt (not shown) extending between a shaft of the motor 28 and the
brush bar 26. The cleaner head 22 is mounted on the chassis 12 in such a way that
the cleaner head 22 is able to float on the surface to be cleaned. This is achieved
in this embodiment in that the cleaner head 22 is pivotally connected to an arm 27
about a first pivot 29a (see Figure 5) which in turn is pivotally connected to the
underside of the chassis 12 about a second pivot 29b (chassis 12 is not shown in Figure
5 for the sake of clarity). The double articulation of the connection between the
cleaner head 22 and the chassis 12 allows the cleaner head 22 to move freely in a
vertical direction with respect to the chassis 12. This enables the cleaner head 22
to climb over small obstacles such as books, magazines, rug edges, etc. Obstacles
of up to approximately 25mm in height can be traversed in this way. A flexible connection
30 (see Figures 4 and 5) is located between a rear portion of the cleaner head 22
and an inlet port 32 located in the chassis 12. The flexible connection 30 consists
of a rolling seal, one end of which is sealingly attached to the upstream mouth of
the inlet port 32 and the other end of which is sealingly attached to the periphery
of an aperture in the cleaner head 22. When the cleaner head 22 moves upwardly with
respect to the chassis 12, the rolling seal 30 distorts or crumples to accommodate
the upward movement of the cleaner head 22. When the cleaner head 22 moves downwardly
with respect to the chassis 12, the rolling seal 30 unfolds or extends into an extended
position to accommodate the downward movement. In order to assist the cleaner head
22 to move vertically upwards when an obstacle is encountered, forwardly projecting
ramps 36 are provided at the front edge of the cleaner head 22. In the event that
an obstacle is encountered, the obstacle will initially abut against the ramps 36
and the inclination of the ramps will then lift the cleaner head 22 over the obstacle
in question so as to avoid the cleaner 10 from becoming lodged against the obstacle.
The cleaner head 22 is shown in a lowered position in Figures 3 and 5. The castor
wheel 16 also includes a ramped portion 17 which provides additional assistance when
the cleaner 10 encounters an obstacle and is required to climb over it. In this way,
the castor wheel 16 will not become lodged against the obstacle after the cleaner
head 22 has climbed over it.
[0017] As can be seen from Figure 2, the cleaner head 22 is asymmetrically mounted on the
chassis 12 so that one side of the cleaner head 22 protrudes beyond the general circumference
of the chassis 12. This allows the cleaner 10 to clean up to the edge of a room on
the side of the cleaner 10 on which the cleaner head 22 protrudes.
[0018] The chassis 12 carries a plurality of sensors 40 which are designed and arranged
to detect obstacles in the path of the cleaner 10 and its proximity to, for example,
a wall or other boundary such as a piece of furniture. The sensors 40 comprise several
ultra-sonic sensors and several infra-red sensors. The array illustrated in Figure
1 is not intended to be limitative and the arrangement of the sensors does not form
part of the present invention. Suffice it to say that the vacuum cleaner 10 carries
sufficient sensors and detectors 40 to enable the cleaner 10 to guide itself or to
be guided around a predefined area so that the said area can be cleaned. Control software,
comprising navigation controls and steering devices, is housed within a housing 42
located beneath a control panel 44 or elsewhere within the cleaner 10. Battery packs
46 are mounted on the chassis 12 inwardly of the driven wheels 14 to provide power
to the motors for driving the wheels 14 and to the control software. The battery packs
46 are removable to allow them to be transferred to a battery charger (not shown).
The vacuum cleaner 10 also includes a motor and fan unit 50 supported on the chassis
12 for drawing dirty air into the vacuum cleaner 10 via the suction-opening 24 in
the cleaner head 22.
[0019] The chassis 12 also carries a cyclonic separator 52 for separating dirt and dust
from the air drawn into the cleaner 10. The features of the cyclonic separator 52
are best seen from Figures 3 and 4. The cyclonic separator 52 comprises an outer cyclone
54 and an inner cyclone 56 arranged concentrically therewith, both cyclones 54, 56
having their coaxial axes lying horizontally. The cyclonic separator 52 comprises
an end portion 58 which has a tangential inlet 59. The tangential inlet 59 has a mouth
at the distal end thereof. The mouth is generally circular in shape, but is somewhat
flattened along one edge to give the mouth a vaguely D-shaped section. The end portion
58 is otherwise generally cylindrical and has an end wall 60 which is generally helical.
The end portion 58 opens directly into a cylindrical bin 62 having an outer wall 64
whose diameter is the same as that of the end portion 58. The end portion 58 and the
cylindrical bin 62 are held together by joined by way of a releasable clip which can
be of any known design. No specific clip is shown in the drawings. A lip seal is provided
between the cylindrical bin 62 and the end portion 52 in order to maintain a good
seal between the respective parts. The cylindrical bin 62 is made from a transparent
plastics material to allow a user to view the interior of the outer cyclone 54. The
end of the bin 62 remote from the end portion 58 is frusto-conical in shape and closed.
A locating ring 66 is formed integrally with the end of the bin at a distance from
the outer wall 64 thereof and a dust ring 68 is also formed integrally with the end
of the bin 62 inwardly of the locating ring 66. Located on the outer surface of the
bin 62 are two opposed gripper portions 70 which are adapted to assist a user to remove
the separator 52 from the chassis 12 for emptying purposes. Specifically, the gripper
portions 70 are moulded integrally with the transparent bin 62 and extend upwardly
and outwardly from the outer wall 64 so as to form an undercut profile as shown in
Figure 1.
[0020] The inner cyclone 56 is formed by a partially-cylindrical, partially-frusto-conical
cyclone body 72 which is rigidly attached to the end face of the end portion 58. The
cyclone body 72 lies along the longitudinal axis of the transparent bin 62 and extends
almost to the end face thereof so that the distal end 72a of the cyclone body 72 is
surrounded by the dust ring 68. The gap between the cone opening at the distal end
72a of the cyclone body 72 and the end face of the bin 62 is preferably less than
8mm.
[0021] A fine dust collector 74 is located in the bin 62 and is supported by the locating
ring 66 at one end thereof. The fine dust collector 74 is supported at the other end
thereof by the cyclone body 72. Seals 76 are provided between the fine dust collector
74 and the respective support at either end. The fine dust collector 74 has a first
cylindrical portion 74a adapted to be received within the locating ring 66, and a
second cylindrical portion 74b having a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical
portion 74a. The cylindrical portions 74a, 74b are joined by a frusto-conical portion
74c which is integrally moulded therewith. A single fin or baffle 78 is also moulded
integrally with the fine dust collector 74 and extends radially outwardly from the
second cylindrical portion 74b and from the frusto-conical portion 74c. The outer
edge of the fin 78 is aligned with the first cylindrical portion 74a and the edge
of the fin 78 remote from the first cylindrical portion 74a is essentially parallel
to the frusto-conical portion 74c. The fin 78 extends vertically upwardly from the
fine dust collector 74.
[0022] A shroud 80 is located between the first and second cyclones 54, 56. The shroud 80
is cylindrical in shape and is supported at one end by the end portion 58 and by the
cyclone body 72 of the inner cyclone 56 at the other end. As is known, the shroud
80 has perforations 82 extending therethrough and a lip 83 projecting from the end
of the shroud 80 remote from the end portion 58. A channel 84 is formed between the
shroud 80 and the outer surface of the cyclone body 72, which channel 84 communicates
with an entry port 86 leading to the interior of the inner cyclone 56 in a manner
which encourages the incoming airflow to adopt a swirling, helical path. This is achieved
by means of a tangential or scroll entry into the inner cyclone 56 as can be seen
from Figure 4. A vortex finder (not shown) is mounted on the housing of the motor
and fan unit 50 and extends into the second cyclone 56 through an aperture in the
end wall 60 of the end portion 58. The vortex finder is located centrally of the larger
end of the inner cyclone 56 to conduct air out of the cyclonic separator 52 after
separation has taken place. It also helps to secure the cyclonic separator 52 in position
on the chassis 12.
[0023] The exiting air is conducted past the motor and fan unit 50 so that the motor can
be cooled before the air is expelled to atmosphere. Additionally, a post-motor filter
(not shown) can be provided downstream of the motor and fan unit 50 in order to further
minimise the risk of emissions into the atmosphere from the vacuum cleaner 10.
[0024] The entire cyclonic separator 52 is releasable from the chassis 12. A seal arm 90
is pivotally mounted about a pivot point 92 on the chassis 12. The seal arm 90 carries
the inlet port 32 which, as described above, communicates with the cleaner head 22
by means of the rolling seal 30. The seal arm 90 is biased into an upward position
(ie in an anticlockwise direction as seen in Figures 5a and 5b) by means of a spring
(not shown) acting between a seat 94 of the seal arm 90 and a fixed part of the chassis
12. When the cyclonic separator 52 is located in the position shown in Figure 5a,
the inlet port 32 is pressed against the mouth of the tangential inlet 59 of the end
portion 58 to form a seal therewith so that air can flow from the cleaner head 22
directly into the outer cyclone 54. A hooked catch 96 is provided on the seal arm
90 adjacent the inlet port 32 and on the side thereof remote from the motor and fan
unit 50. The cyclonic separator 52 is held in position by means of the hooked catch
96 (in conjunction with the location of the vortex finder in the aperture in the end
wall of the end portion) when the cleaner 10 is in use, as shown in Figure 5a. A button
34 located in the control panel 44 is connected by a rod (not shown) to the seal arm
90 so that pressing the button 34 causes the seal arm 90 to move in a clockwise direction
(as seen in Figure 5) against the bias of the spring. The hooked catch 92 is then
released from the mouth of the tangential inlet 59 so that the cyclonic separator
52 can be lifted away from the chassis 12 by means of the gripper portions 70. The
bin 62 can then be released from the end portion 58 (which carries with it the shroud
80 and the inner cyclone body 72) to facilitate the emptying thereof.
[0025] When the bin 62 is released from the end portion 58, the user has the option to replace
the two parts together in a different configuration. Instead of locating the end portion
58 on the bin 62 so that the tangential inlet 59 extends downwardly towards the inlet
port 32, the end portion 58 can be turned through 180° so that the tangential inlet
59 extends vertically upwardly. The two positions of the end portion 58 with respect
to the bin 62 are diametrically opposed. Shapings (not shown) can be moulded into
the bin 62 and end portion 58 in order to avoid the relevant parts being joined together
in other configurations. The execution of the rotation of the end portion 58 with
respect to the bin 62 is easily carried out by first separating the two parts, re-orienting
them and then joining them in the appropriate manner.
[0026] When the end portion 58 has been rotated with respect to the bin 62 as described
above, the tangential inlet 59 will then extend vertically upwardly. This exposes
the tangential inlet 59 as shown in Figure 4b so that a hose or a hose and wand assembly
can be attached directly to the tangential inlet 59. The hose 100 has a connector
102 which comprises a tubular conduit 104 which is dimensioned so as to fit snugly
inside the tangential inlet 59, and a flange 106 which extends outwardly from the
conduit 104. The flange 106 carries a seal 107 which, when the connector 102 is introduced
to the tangential inlet 59, abuts against the mouth of the tangential inlet 59. When
the hose 100 is fitted to the tangential inlet 59, the operation of the motor and
fan unit 50 draws air into the cleaner 10 via the hose 100 instead of via the cleaner
head 22. The hose or hose and wand assembly can then be used to clean areas of the
carpet or other surface to be cleaned which cannot be reached by the cleaner when
it is operating in a robotic mode; for example, when small or narrow areas need to
be accessed.
[0027] The vacuum cleaner 10 described above operates in the following manner in a robotic
mode. In order for the cleaner 10 to traverse the area to be cleaned, the wheels 14
are driven by the motors 15 which, in turn, are powered by the batteries 46. The direction
of movement of the cleaner 10 is determined by the control software which communicates
with the sensors 40 which are designed to detect any obstacles in the path of the
cleaner 10 so as to navigate the cleaner 10 around the area to be cleaned. Methodologies
and control systems for navigating a robotic vacuum cleaner around a room or other
area are well documented elsewhere and do not form part of the inventive concept of
this invention. Any of the known methodologies or systems could be implemented here
to provide a suitable navigation system.
[0028] The batteries 46 also provide power to operate the motor and fan unit 50 to draw
air into the cleaner 10 via the suction opening 24 in the cleaner head 22. The end
portion 58 is orientated so that the tangential inlet 59 to the outer cyclone 56 communicates
with the cleaner head 22. The motor 28 is also driven by the batteries 46 so that
the brush bar 26 is rotated in order to achieve good pick-up, particularly when the
cleaner 10 is to be used to clean a carpet. The dirty air is drawn into the cleaner
head 22 and conducted to the cyclonic separator 52 via the telescopic conduit 30 and
the inlet port 32. The dirty air then enters the entry portion 58 in a tangential
manner and adopts a helical path by virtue of the shape of the helical wall 60. The
air then spirals down the interior of the outer wall 64 of the bin 62 during which
motion any relatively large dirt and fluff particles are separated from the airflow.
The separated dirt and fluff particles collect in the end of the bin 62 remote from
the entry portion 58. The fin 78 discourages uneven accumulation of dirt and fluff
particles and helps to distribute the dirt and fluff collected around the end of the
bin 62 in a relatively even manner.
[0029] The airflow from which dirt and larger fluff particles has been separated moves inwardly
away from the outer wall 64 of the bin 62 and travels back along the exterior wall
of the fine dust collector 74 towards the shroud 80. The presence of the shroud 80
also helps to prevent larger particles and fluff traveling from the outer cyclone
54 into the inner cyclone 56, as is known. The air from which comparatively large
particles and dirt has been separated then passes through the shroud 80 and travels
along the channel between the shroud 80 and the outer surface of the inner cyclone
body 72 until it reaches the inlet port 86 to the inner cyclone 56. The air then enters
the inner cyclone 56 in a helical manner and follows a spiral path around the inner
surface of the cyclone body 72. Because of the frusto-conical shape of the cyclone
body 72, the speed of the airflow increases to very high values at which the fine
dirt and dust still entrained within the airflow is separated therefrom. The fine
dirt and dust separated in the inner cyclone 56 is collected in the fine dust collector
74 outwardly of the dust ring 68. The dust ring 68 discourages re-entrainment of the
separated dirt and dust back into the airflow. When the fine dirt and dust has been
separated from the airflow, the cleaned air exits the cyclonic separator via the vortex
finder (not shown). The air is passed over or around the motor and fan unit 50 in
order to cool the motor before it is expelled into the atmosphere. When a hose or
hose and wand assembly is to be used to clean other areas, the cyclonic separator
52 is released from the chassis 12 and the end portion 58 is moved to the orientation
in which the tangential inlet 59 is exposed so that the hose 100 can be attached.
The cyclonic separator is then replaced on the chassis 12 and the hose is attached
to the inlet 59. The motor and fan unit 50 is then switched on and cleaning recommences.
The cyclonic separator 52 is also released from the chassis 12 when the bin 62 requires
to be emptied.
[0030] A user rotates the end portion 58, and thereby the tangential inlet 59, into the
appropriate position, depending on whether they wish cleaning to be achieved by the
cleaner head 22 (auto mode) or manually by a hose 100 (hose mode). The cleaner automatically
senses the position of the tangential inlet 59 and responds according to the sensed
position. There are a variety of ways in which the position of the end portion 58
can be sensed. Referring again to figures 4a and 4b, these show an optical sensing
arrangement comprising an optical source, such as an infra-red source, and detector
112 mounted on the chassis of the cleaner compartment that underlies the end portion
58. This can also be seen in Figure 3. The end portion 58 carries two labels 110,
111. The labels are mounted on the outer face of end portion 58 at positions such
that they lie directly opposite the sensor 112 when the end portion has been properly
inserted into the cleaner in either its auto mode position or hose mode position.
The sensing arrangement works by illuminating the label 110,111 with the optical source
112 and sensing light reflected from the label 110,111. The labels are shown in Figure
4c. Each of the labels 110,111 carries two portions of differing reflectivity; label
110 has a black (low reflectivity) portion 113 and a silver (high reflectivity) portion
114. Other colours could of course be used. Label 110 is mounted on the end portion
58 so that the order of black/silver portions 113,114 is reversed with respect to
the black/silver portions 115,116 on label 111. Sensor 112 is arranged to monitor
light reflected from one half of the label and therefore, due to the different ordering
of the black/silver label portions, will receive differing amounts of light depending
on whether label 110 or label 111 is adjacent the sensor 112 and provides an electrical
signal to the control system of the cleaner.
[0031] Figures 6a-6c show an alternative arrangement for sensing the position of end portion
58. Here, the position of the end portion 58 is sensed mechanically. Instead of the
labels 110,111 and optical sensor 112, a microswitch 120 is mounted on the chassis
12 of the cleaner adjacent where locating ribs of the end portion 58 lie. Two locating
ribs 121,122 on the outer face of end portion 58 are differently formed: rib 121 (seen
more clearly in Figure 6c) is solid whereas rib 122 has an indentation. When the end
portion is fitted to the cleaner chassis, solid rib 121 causes operating member 123
of microswitch 120 to remain retracted within the switch casing, whereas indented
rib 122 allows operating member 123 to project in to the indentation. The microswitch
120 responds differently under these two situations, and provides an electrical signal
to the control system of the cleaner. It will be appreciated that the microswitch
can be mounted in other positions and can respond to other mechanical features of
the end portion 58. For example, it may be preferable to have the indentation part-way
along the longitudinal axis of locating rib 122, i.e. directed into the paper in Figures
6a and 6b.
[0032] As a further alternative to the optical or mechanical sensing arrangements described,
an electrical sensing arrangement can be used. A conductive strip is placed on one
side of the end portion 58, in place of the reflective label 110, and a pair of contacts
are located on the chassis 12 in place of the optical sensor 112. In one position
of the end portion 58, the contacts will be electrically coupled by the conductive
strip so that a current can flow between the contacts, and in the other position of
the end portion 58 the contacts will be separated by the electrically insulating plastic
casing of the end portion 58 so that a current cannot flow.
[0033] Figure 7 shows part of the control system for the cleaner. A central processor 140,
such as a Hitachi H8/3334 microprocessor, is connected to a user interface board 135.
A user can control the cleaner using switches 130,131,132, which generate inputs to
the processor 140, and the processor 140 generates output signals for illuminating
lights 133 to signal warning conditions and the mode of operation to the user. Processor
140 also receives inputs from sensors 19, 40 which are used for navigation and from
sensor 112,120 which senses the position of the inlet 59. Processor 140 also generates
control signal outputs for controlling parts of the cleaner. For simplicity, only
the control signals that are relevant to this application are shown.
[0034] The user controls the cleaner 10 through interaction with the control switches 130,
131 and 132. Switch 130 is a global ON/OFF switch which interacts directly with the
processor 140. Setting the switch 130 to ON activates the processor 140 which then
executes a power up sequence. Switches 131 select slow or fast forward operation for
the autonomous mode of the cleaner, and switch 132 is a go/pause button.
[0035] Figure 8 shows a method performed by control processor 140 to control operation of
the cleaner. When a user presses the ON/OFF switch 130, the control processor 140
monitors the output of the end portion 58 sensor, which will be the optical sensor
112 or microswitch 120. The control processor compares the monitored output of the
sensor with stored data representing expected sensor outputs for the two positions
of the end portion 58 (step 151, Fig. 8) and selects the appropriate mode of operation
according to the sensed position of inlet 59 - hose mode for inlet 59 in the upwardly
pointing position (Fig. 4a) and auto mode for the inlet 59 in the downwardly pointing
position (Fig. 4b.) When the user presses the 'GO' switch 132 and hose mode has been
selected, the control processor 140 issues control outputs to start the vacuum fan
motor (output 136, Fig.7) but to inhibit the brush bar (outputs 137, 138, Fig. 7.)
The control processor 140 can also output a signal to user interface 135 to light
an appropriate indicator lamp 133 indicating hose mode operation. During hose mode
operation the control processor 140 does not need to operate its navigation system.
[0036] For autonomous mode operation, the control processor 140 issues control outputs to
control use of the vacuum fan motor (output 136, Fig.7), the traction motors and the
brush bar (outputs 137, 138, Fig. 7.) The control processor 140 also outputs a signal
to user interface 135 to light an appropriate indicator lamp 133 indicating autonomous
operation. During autonomous mode, the control processor 140 receives inputs from
the exterior sensors 19, 40 and uses this information to navigate around an area.
[0037] The invention is not intended to be limited to the precise details of the embodiment
described above. Most importantly, the invention is not to be regarded as applicable
only to vacuum cleaners with cyclonic separators or which are robotic in nature, although
the specific example described above indicates that the invention has application
in these areas. The cyclonic separator illustrated in the drawings could be replaced
by a bag filter with a shell or part-shell surrounding it in order to give it some
structure, or by a bag filter merely fitted with a rigid inlet which would then be
attachable to the cleaner head in one configuration and to a clip or holder to allow
a hose to be attached in another configuration. It is also envisaged that the whole
of the cyclonic separator shown in the drawings (or an equivalent non-cyclonic separator)
could be rotatable or otherwise movable as a whole, i.e. the end portion is always
connected to the bin in the same configuration but the whole cyclonic separator is
rolled through 180°, in order to move the tangential inlet from the first position
into the second position. This arrangement is also intended to be included within
the scope of the invention along with arrangements in which the cyclonic separator,
or the part incorporating the inlet, is rolled through other angles, such as 90°,
between the first and second positions. The invention is, of course, applicable to
any type of vacuum cleaner which requires to be converted between a first mode in
which the dirty air is drawn in through a cleaner head and a second mode in which
the dirty air is drawn in through a hose. It will be appreciated from the above description
that the means by which the cleaner is propelled across the surface to be cleaned,
the means by which the cleaner head is attached to the chassis, the means by which
the cleaner (if it is robotic) senses and avoids obstacles and other non-essential
features are all immaterial to the present invention.
[0038] A preferred aspect of the invention controls operation of the agitating device within
the cleaner head according to whether the cleaner head or the alternative dirty air
inlet is being used. The inlet of the dirt and dust separating apparatus, or the entire
dirt and dust separating apparatus incorporating the inlet, is movable between two
positions.
[0039] In an arrangement not within the scope of the claims, the dirt and dust separating
apparatus has two inlets: a first inlet from the cleaner head, and a second inlet
from an alternative dirty air inlet. Figure 9 shows this form which is not part of
the invention Dirt and dust separating apparatus 52 has inlet ducting 220 which can
receive dirty air from the cleaner head 22 or an alternative dirty air inlet. A sensor
202 at the alternative dirty air inlet senses the presence of a hose at the inlet
and supplies a sensing signal 210 indicative of the presence of a hose at the inlet
or of a cover to the alternative inlet being moved to insert a hose. In response to
receiving inlet sensing signal 210, the control processor 140 issues a cleaner head
inlet control signal 212. to control inlet valve 204, or an inlet changeover control
signal 206 to operate changeover valve 206, to close one of the inlet paths such that
the dirt and dust separating apparatus receives a dirty airflow from only one of the
inlet paths. The control processor 140 also issues a brush bar control signal 138
to inhibit operation of the brush bar whenever the alternative dirty air inlet is
being used. The cleaner head may have a brush bar or some other device to agitate
the floor surface beneath the cleaner head 22.
1. A vacuum cleaner (10) comprising a chassis for releasably supporting a dirt and dust
separating apparatus (52) for separating dirt and dust from an airflow, and a cleaner
head (22) having an outlet (32) communicating releasably with an inlet (59) of the
dirt and dust separating apparatus (52), characterized by the dirt and dust separating apparatus (52) being releasable from the chassis to
allow the dirt and dust separating apparatus (52), or a part thereof incorporating
the inlet (59), to move into an alternative position in which the outlet (32) of the
cleaner head (22) is not in communication with the inlet (59) of the dirt and dust
separating apparatus (52) and in which an alternative dirty air inlet (100) may be
connected to the inlet (59) of the dirt and dust separating apparatus (52).
2. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alternative dirty air inlet (100)
consists of a hose or a hose and wand assembly.
3. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the dirt and dust separating
apparatus (52) comprises, or is surrounded by, a rigid shell or housing (62).
4. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rigid shell or housing (62) is
generally cylindrical in shape.
5. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the rigid shell or housing has
a portion (58) thereof which is attachable to the remainder of the rigid shell or
housing (62) in more than one position relative thereto.
6. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claims 4 and 5, wherein the generally cylindrical shell
or housing (62) has a main body and a removable end portion (58), the end portion
(58) being attachable to the main body in more than one position relative thereto.
7. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 6, wherein the end portion (58) is attachable
to the main body in two predetermined positions.
8. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 7, wherein the predetermined positions are diametrically
opposed.
9. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dirt and
dust separating apparatus (52) comprises a centrifugal separator.
10. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 9, wherein the centrifugal separator comprises
two cyclones (54, 56) arranged in series.
11. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the inlet to the centrifugal
separator is a tangential inlet (59).
12. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the part of the
separator incorporating the inlet (59) carries a cyclone body (72) which fits within
the remainder of the dirt and dust separating apparatus.
13. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet
comprises a mouth (32) and the outlet comprises a corresponding mouth carrying a seal
(30).
14. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising
a hose or a hose and wand assembly having a connector portion (102) adapted to be
connectable to the inlet (59) of the dirt and dust separating apparatus.
15. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claims 13 and 14, wherein the connector portion comprises
a mouth (106) corresponding to the mouth of the inlet.
16. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 15, wherein the mouth (106) of the connector
portion carries a seal (107).
17. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means (110, 112) for
sensing the position of the dirt and dust separating apparatus, or the part incorporating
the inlet, and for controlling operation (140) of the cleaner according to the sensed
position.
18. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cleaner is an autonomous cleaner
which is capable of autonomously moving across an area, and wherein the sensed position
of the inlet controls whether the cleaner operates in an autonomous mode or a manual
mode.
19. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 17 or 18 wherein, when the sensing means senses
that the outlet of the cleaner head is not in communication with the inlet of the
dirt and dust separating apparatus, operation of the brush bar of the cleaner is inhibited.
1. Staubsauger (10), umfassend ein Chassis zum lösbaren Haltern einer Schmutz-und Staubtrennvorrichtung
(52) zum Trennen von Schmutz und Staub von einem Luftfluss, und einen Reinigerkopf
(22) mit einem Auslass (32), der lösbar mit einem Einlass (59) der Schmutz- und Staubtrennvorrichtung
(52) in Verbindung steht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schmutz- und Staubtrennvorrichtung (52) von dem Chassis lösbar ist, um der Schmutz-
und Staubtrennvorrichtung (52) oder einem Teil davon, der den Einlass (59) beinhaltet,
zu ermöglichen sich an eine alternative Position zu bewegen, an der der Auslass (32)
des Reinigerkopfs (22) nicht in Verbindung mit dem Einlass (59) der Schmutz- und Staubtrennvorrichtung
(52) ist und an der ein alternativer Schmutzluft-Einlass (100) mit dem Einlass (59)
in der Schmutz- und Staubtrennvorrichtung (52) verbunden werden kann.
2. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 1, wobei der alternative Schmutzluft-Einlass (100) aus einem
Schlauch oder einer Schlauch- und Handaufnahme-Anordnung besteht.
3. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Schmutz- und Staubtrennvorrichtung (52)
eine starre Schale oder ein starres Gehäuse (62) umfasst, oder von dieser/diesem umgeben
ist.
4. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 3, wobei die starre Schale oder das starre Gehäuse (62)
allgemein von einer zylindrischen Form ist.
5. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, wobei die starre Schale oder das starre Gehäuse
einen Abschnitt (58) davon aufweist, der an dem Rest der starren Schale oder des starren
Gehäuses (62) an mehr als einer Position relativ dazu angebracht werden kann.
6. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, wobei die allgemein zylindrische Schale oder das
allgemein zylindrische Gehäuse (62) einen Hauptkörper und einen entfernbaren Endabschnitt
(58) aufweist, wobei der Endabschnitt (58) an dem Hauptkörper an mehr als einer Position
relativ dazu angebracht werden kann.
7. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Endabschnitt (58) an dem Hauptkörper an zwei
vorgegebenen Positionen angebracht werden kann.
8. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 7, wobei die vorgegebenen Positionen diametral gegenüber
liegend angeordnet sind.
9. Staubsauger nach irgendeinem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Schmutz- und Staubtrennvorrichtung
(52) einen Zentrifugalseparator umfasst.
10. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 9, wobei der Zentrifugalseparator zwei Zyklonen (54, 56),
die in Reihe angeordnet sind, umfasst.
11. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, wobei der Einlass zu dem Zentrifugalseparator
ein tangentialer Einlass (59) ist.
12. Staubsauger nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 9 bis 11, wobei der Teil des Separators,
der den Einlass (59) beinhaltet, einen Zyklonkörper (72) trägt, der in den Rest der
Schmutz- und Staubtrennvorrichtung passt.
13. Staubsauger nach irgendeinem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Einlass einen
Mund (32) umfasst und der Auslass einen entsprechenden Mund, der eine Abdichtung (30)
trägt, umfasst.
14. Staubsauger nach irgendeinem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend eine Schlauch-
oder eine Schlauch- und Handaufnahme-Anordnung mit einem Verbinderabschnitt (102),
der dafür ausgelegt ist, um mit dem Einlass (59) der Schmutz-und Staubtrennvorrichtung
verbindbar zu sein.
15. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 13 oder 14, wobei der Verbinderabschnitt einen Mund (106),
der dem Mund des Einlasses entspricht, umfasst.
16. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 15, wobei der Mund (106) des Verbinderabschnitts eine Abdichtung
(107) trägt.
17. Staubsauger nach irgendeinem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, umfassend eine Einrichtung
(110, 112) zum Erfassen der Position der Schmutz- und Staubtrennvorrichtung oder des
Teiles, der den Einlass beinhaltet, und zum Steuern eines Betriebs (140) des Reinigers
in Übereinstimmung mit der erfassten Position.
18. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 17, wobei der Reiniger ein autonomer Reiniger ist, der sich
autonom über ein Gebiet bewegen kann, und wobei die erfasste Position des Einlasses
steuert, ob der Reiniger in einem autonomen Modus oder einen manuellen Modus arbeitet.
19. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 17 oder 18, wobei dann, wenn die Erfassungseinrichtung erfasst,
dass der Auslass des Reinigerkopfs nicht in Verbindung mit dem Einlass der Schmutz-
und Staubtrennvorrichtung ist, ein Betrieb des Bürstenstabs des Reinigers gesperrt
wird.
1. Aspirateur (10) comprenant un châssis destiné à supporter de manière amovible un dispositif
de séparation des saletés et des poussières (52) pour séparer les saletés et les poussières
d'un débit d'air, et une tête de nettoyage (22) comportant un orifice de sortie (32)
communiquant de manière amovible avec un orifice d'admission (59) du dispositif de
séparation des saletés et des poussières (52), caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de séparation des saletés et des poussières (52) peut être enlevé du
châssis pour permettre le déplacement du dispositif de séparation des saletés et des
poussières (52) ou d'une partie correspondante incorporant l'orifice d'admission (59)
dans une autre position, dans laquelle l'orifice de sortie (32) de la tête de nettoyage
(22) n'est pas en communication avec l'orifice d'admission (59) du dispositif de séparation
des saletés et des poussières (52) et dans laquelle un autre orifice d'admission de
l'air sale (100) peut être raccordé à l'orifice d'admission (59) du dispositif de
séparation des saletés et des poussières (52).
2. Aspirateur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'autre orifice d'admission de l'air
sale (100) est constitué par un tube ou un assemblage de tube et de tube-rallonge.
3. Aspirateur selon les revendications 1 ou 2, dans lequel le dispositif de séparation
des saletés et des poussières (52) comprend une enveloppe ou un boîtier rigide (62)
ou est entouré par celle-ci.
4. Aspirateur selon la revendication 3, dans lequel l'enveloppe ou le boîtier rigide
(62) a en général une forme cylindrique.
5. Aspirateur selon les revendications 3 ou 4, dans lequel l'enveloppe ou le boîtier
rigide comporte une partie (58) pouvant être fixée sur la partie restante de l'enveloppe
ou du boîtier rigide (62) dans plus d'une position par rapport à celle-ci.
6. Aspirateur selon les revendications 4 ou 5, dans lequel l'enveloppe ou le boîtier
généralement cylindrique (62) comporte un corps principal et une partie d'extrémité
amovible (58), la partie d'extrémité (58) pouvant être fixée sur le corps principal
dans plus d'une position par rapport à celui-ci.
7. Aspirateur selon la revendication 16, dans lequel la partie d'extrémité (58) peut
être fixée sur le corps principal dans deux positions prédéterminées.
8. Aspirateur selon la revendication 7, dans lequel les positions prédéterminées sont
diamétralement opposées.
9. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le dispositif
de séparation des saletés et des poussières (52) comprend un séparateur centrifuge.
10. Aspirateur selon la revendication 9, dans lequel le séparateur centrifuge comprend
deux cyclones (54, 56) agencés en série.
11. Aspirateur selon les revendications 9 ou 10, dans lequel l'orifice d'admission au
séparateur centrifuge est un orifice d'admission tangentiel (59).
12. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 9 à 11, dans lequel la partie
du séparateur incorporant l'orifice d'admission (59) support un corps de cyclone (72)
ajusté dans la partie restante du dispositif de séparation des saletés et des poussières.
13. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'orifice
d'admission comprend une embouchure (32), l'orifice de sortie comprenant une embouchure
correspondante comportant un joint (30).
14. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre
un tube ou un assemblage de tube et de tube-rallonge comportant une partie de raccordement
(102) destinée à être raccordée à l'orifice d'admission (59) du dispositif de séparation
des saletés et des poussières.
15. Aspirateur selon les revendications 13 et 14, dans lequel la partie de raccordement
comprend une embouchure (106) correspondant à l'embouchure de l'orifice d'admission.
16. Aspirateur selon la revendication 15, dans lequel l'embouchure (106) de la partie
de raccordement comporte un joint (107).
17. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant un moyen
(110, 112) pour détecter la position du dispositif de séparation des saletés et des
poussières ou de la partie incorporant l'orifice d'admission, et pour contrôler le
fonctionnement (140) de l'aspirateur en fonction de la position détectée.
18. Aspirateur selon la revendication 17, dans lequel l'aspirateur est un aspirateur autonome
capable de se déplacer de manière autonome à travers une surface, la position détectée
de l'orifice d'admission permettant de contrôler si l'aspirateur fonctionne dans un
mode autonome ou dans un mode manuel.
19. Aspirateur selon les revendications 17 ou 18, dans lequel, lorsque le moyen de détection
détecte que l'orifice de sortie de la tête de nettoyage n'est pas en communication
avec l'orifice d'admission du dispositif de séparation des saletés et des poussières,
le fonctionnement de la barre à brosse de l'aspirateur est empêché.