EP1806831A2 - Portable air-flow appliance with dual electrical power supply - Google Patents

Portable air-flow appliance with dual electrical power supply Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1806831A2
EP1806831A2 EP06026791A EP06026791A EP1806831A2 EP 1806831 A2 EP1806831 A2 EP 1806831A2 EP 06026791 A EP06026791 A EP 06026791A EP 06026791 A EP06026791 A EP 06026791A EP 1806831 A2 EP1806831 A2 EP 1806831A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
voltage
appliance
mains
battery
relatively high
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06026791A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1806831A3 (en
Inventor
Antonio Luigi Carioni
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ametek Italia SRL
Original Assignee
Ametek Italia SRL
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ametek Italia SRL filed Critical Ametek Italia SRL
Publication of EP1806831A2 publication Critical patent/EP1806831A2/en
Publication of EP1806831A3 publication Critical patent/EP1806831A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
    • A47L9/2868—Arrangements for power supply of vacuum cleaners or the accessories thereof
    • A47L9/2884—Details of arrangements of batteries or their installation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
    • A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
    • A47L5/14—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum cleaning by blowing-off, also combined with suction cleaning
    • 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
    • A47L9/2836—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means characterised by the parts which are controlled
    • A47L9/2842—Suction motors or blowers
    • 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
    • A47L9/2857—User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
    • A47L9/2868—Arrangements for power supply of vacuum cleaners or the accessories thereof
    • A47L9/2878—Dual-powered vacuum cleaners, i.e. devices which can be operated with mains power supply or by batteries

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an innovative air-flow appliance (suction or blowing) powered alternatively by batteries or by mains voltage.
  • the general purpose of this invention is to remedy the above-mentioned shortcomings by making available an appliance operating alternatively on battery or mains voltage with power even higher in mains voltage operation, equal for example to normal professional appliances with only mains voltage and which at the same time in battery operation still allows good power and which allows anyway satisfactory utilization of the appliance with acceptable battery life and even with reduced weights and size.
  • a portable air-flow appliance with an impeller rotated by a universal electric motor powered alternatively by the electrical mains or by an internal battery and characterized in that it includes a DC-DC electronic converter unit which converts the direct low voltage of the batteries into a direct voltage intermediate between battery voltage and the relatively high mains voltage and switching means allowing sending to the motor alternatively said intermediate voltage or said relatively high mains voltage.
  • a portable air-flow appliance designated as a whole by reference number 10 is shown diagrammatically.
  • This appliance including the impeller 11 rotated by a universal electric motor 12 can be a portable vacuum cleaner appliance or a portable blowing appliance as readily imaginable to one skilled in the art.
  • the appliances includes a connection 13 (for example, a cord ending with a plug) to be powered by the mains and an internal battery 14 advantageously rechargeable.
  • a connection 13 for example, a cord ending with a plug
  • the appliance also includes a DC-DC electronic converter unit 15 which converts the direct low voltage of the batteries into a direct voltage intermediate between the battery voltage and the relatively high mains voltage, and switching means 16 allowing sending to the motor said intermediate voltage or said relatively high mains voltage alternatively.
  • the DC-DC converter unit 15 can be of known type readily imaginable to one skilled in the art.
  • the batteries are rechargeable by connection of the appliance to the mains.
  • the intermediate voltage is chosen between 1/3 and 1/2 of the relatively high mains voltage.
  • the converter takes the battery voltage to a direct voltage intermediate between 100V and 110V.
  • a particularly interesting figure for the motor was found in an intermediate voltage around 106V DC. To have good efficiency and duration it was also found preferable that the batteries have a voltage around 24V.
  • Mains power can be 240V AC.
  • the solution in accordance with this invention is also suited to medium small appliances while not requiring special motors with windings dedicated to dual voltage or the like.
  • the battery can be chosen on the basis of life at the desired weight and space occupied. However, it may be considered that with the system in accordance with this invention, during battery operation with 300W absorbed power and 106V intermediate voltage, the current absorbed by the battery at 24V is on the order of a few amperes and therefore even a battery of a few ampere/hours can ensure satisfactorily long life.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

A portable airflow appliance (10) with an impeller (11) rotated by a universal electric motor (12) is powered alternatively by the electrical mains (13) or by an internal battery (14). It includes a DC-DC electronic converter unit (15) which converts the direct low voltage of the batteries (14) into a direct voltage intermediate between the battery voltage and the relatively high mains voltage and switching means (16) allowing sending to the motor (12) alternatively said intermediate voltage or said relatively high mains voltage.

Description

  • This invention relates to an innovative air-flow appliance (suction or blowing) powered alternatively by batteries or by mains voltage.
  • In the known art the practicality of appliances such as portable or battery-powered vacuum cleaners is known. On the other hand it is convenient to be able to use mains power when possible to increase the capability of continued use of the appliance.
  • Appliances have therefore been proposed which can be powered alternatively by battery or by mains voltage. To obtain this dual function in the known art, low power DC motors are usually proposed suited to the voltage supplied by the battery which, when necessary, are supplied be the mains over an appropriate AC-DC voltage reducer. This solution implies however having a low-power appliance in both of the uses.
  • It has also been proposed to use an AC mains voltage motor utilizing a DC to AC converter to raise the battery voltage to the mains voltage so as to power the motor in a manner substantially identical whether during mains or battery operation. But the solution is complicated and allows only a few minutes of autonomy in battery operation unless battery packs of absolutely unacceptable size and weight for portable use are used.
  • The general purpose of this invention is to remedy the above-mentioned shortcomings by making available an appliance operating alternatively on battery or mains voltage with power even higher in mains voltage operation, equal for example to normal professional appliances with only mains voltage and which at the same time in battery operation still allows good power and which allows anyway satisfactory utilization of the appliance with acceptable battery life and even with reduced weights and size.
  • In view of this purpose it was sought to provide in accordance with this invention a portable air-flow appliance with an impeller rotated by a universal electric motor powered alternatively by the electrical mains or by an internal battery and characterized in that it includes a DC-DC electronic converter unit which converts the direct low voltage of the batteries into a direct voltage intermediate between battery voltage and the relatively high mains voltage and switching means allowing sending to the motor alternatively said intermediate voltage or said relatively high mains voltage.
  • To clarify the explanation of the innovative principles of this invention and its advantages compared with the prior art there is described below with the aid of the single annexed drawing a possible embodiment thereof by way of non-limiting example applying said principles.
  • With reference to the figure, a portable air-flow appliance designated as a whole by reference number 10 is shown diagrammatically. This appliance including the impeller 11 rotated by a universal electric motor 12 can be a portable vacuum cleaner appliance or a portable blowing appliance as readily imaginable to one skilled in the art.
  • The appliances includes a connection 13 (for example, a cord ending with a plug) to be powered by the mains and an internal battery 14 advantageously rechargeable.
  • The appliance also includes a DC-DC electronic converter unit 15 which converts the direct low voltage of the batteries into a direct voltage intermediate between the battery voltage and the relatively high mains voltage, and switching means 16 allowing sending to the motor said intermediate voltage or said relatively high mains voltage alternatively. The DC-DC converter unit 15 can be of known type readily imaginable to one skilled in the art.
  • Advantageously the batteries are rechargeable by connection of the appliance to the mains.
  • Preferably the intermediate voltage is chosen between 1/3 and 1/2 of the relatively high mains voltage. In particular, the converter takes the battery voltage to a direct voltage intermediate between 100V and 110V. A particularly interesting figure for the motor was found in an intermediate voltage around 106V DC. To have good efficiency and duration it was also found preferable that the batteries have a voltage around 24V.
  • Mains power can be 240V AC.
  • With the above values it was found that by giving the appliances a mains voltage one can have a motor power of, for example, 1000W while battery power remains around 300W which is still a more than interesting power for having a practically usable appliance.
  • It must also be considered that by using such a power reduction, battery life will still be acceptable without overloading the weight of the appliance and the relatively low current absorbed during battery operation ensures long life of the motor and avoids stress on the electronic components of the converter, which can be relatively small and occupy little space.
  • The solution in accordance with this invention is also suited to medium small appliances while not requiring special motors with windings dedicated to dual voltage or the like.
  • It is now clear that the preset purposes have been achieved by supplying the motor with alternating current when the maximum power supplied by the mains is available, and in direct current with reduced voltage (but in any case much higher than the battery voltage to still have satisfactory power without compromising the life of the batteries) when mains power is lacking.
  • The battery can be chosen on the basis of life at the desired weight and space occupied. However, it may be considered that with the system in accordance with this invention, during battery operation with 300W absorbed power and 106V intermediate voltage, the current absorbed by the battery at 24V is on the order of a few amperes and therefore even a battery of a few ampere/hours can ensure satisfactorily long life.
  • Naturally the above description of an embodiment applying the innovative principles of this invention is given by way of non-limiting example of said principles within the scope of the exclusive right claimed here. For example, the form and function of the appliance can vary depending on the needs of practical realization. The switching means can be either automatic or even electronic or manual as readily imaginable to one skilled in the art.

Claims (6)

  1. Portable airflow appliance (10) with an impeller (11) rotated by a universal electric motor (12) powered alternatively by the electrical mains (13) or by an internal battery (14) and characterized in that it includes a DC-DC electronic converter unit (15) which converts the direct low voltage of the batteries (14) into a direct voltage intermediate between the battery voltage and the relatively high mains voltage and switching means (16) allowing sending to the motor (12) alternatively said intermediate voltage or said relatively high mains voltage.
  2. Appliance in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the intermediate voltage is chosen between 1/3 and 1/2 of the relatively high mains voltage.
  3. Appliance in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the intermediate direct voltage is between 100V and 110V and preferably around 106V DC.
  4. Appliance in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that said low direct voltage supplied by the batteries is around 24V.
  5. Appliance in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the batteries are rechargeable by connection of the appliance to said mains voltage.
  6. Appliance in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that it is a portable vacuum cleaner.
EP06026791A 2006-01-05 2006-12-22 Portable air-flow appliance with dual electrical power supply Withdrawn EP1806831A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000015A ITMI20060015A1 (en) 2006-01-05 2006-01-05 PORTABLE AIRFLOW APPLIANCE WITH DOUBLE ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1806831A2 true EP1806831A2 (en) 2007-07-11
EP1806831A3 EP1806831A3 (en) 2010-06-23

Family

ID=37946253

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06026791A Withdrawn EP1806831A3 (en) 2006-01-05 2006-12-22 Portable air-flow appliance with dual electrical power supply

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1806831A3 (en)
IT (1) ITMI20060015A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2065662A1 (en) * 2007-11-29 2009-06-03 Johnson Controls Neige Secured water and/or air dispenser for a snow cover system, equipped with a valve controlled by an electrical actuator
EP2524640A4 (en) * 2010-01-14 2016-05-25 Lg Electronics Inc Vacuum cleaner using smart grid
EP3620094A1 (en) * 2018-08-22 2020-03-11 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Vacuum cleaner

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1260170A1 (en) * 2001-05-23 2002-11-27 Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha Electric vacuum cleaner
WO2005084511A1 (en) * 2004-03-02 2005-09-15 Bissell Homecare, Inc. Vacuum cleaner with detachable cyclonic vacuum module
EP1764020A1 (en) * 2005-09-16 2007-03-21 Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG Suction device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1260170A1 (en) * 2001-05-23 2002-11-27 Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha Electric vacuum cleaner
WO2005084511A1 (en) * 2004-03-02 2005-09-15 Bissell Homecare, Inc. Vacuum cleaner with detachable cyclonic vacuum module
EP1764020A1 (en) * 2005-09-16 2007-03-21 Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG Suction device

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2065662A1 (en) * 2007-11-29 2009-06-03 Johnson Controls Neige Secured water and/or air dispenser for a snow cover system, equipped with a valve controlled by an electrical actuator
EP2524640A4 (en) * 2010-01-14 2016-05-25 Lg Electronics Inc Vacuum cleaner using smart grid
EP3620094A1 (en) * 2018-08-22 2020-03-11 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Vacuum cleaner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITMI20060015A1 (en) 2007-07-06
EP1806831A3 (en) 2010-06-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11152886B2 (en) Battery pack and battery charger system
EP3270437B1 (en) Electrical energy provision device
US8732896B2 (en) Hybrid electric cleaning device
EP3725201A1 (en) Battery powered appliances
US11715967B2 (en) Surface cleaning apparatus, and a charging unit therefor
CN105025770A (en) Battery-powered cordless cleaning system
US11108254B2 (en) Cordless appliance, such as a surface cleaning apparatus and a charging unit therefor
CN101678547B (en) Hand-propelled appliance, in particular vacuum cleaner
US7876065B2 (en) Method for extending the time a portable generator powered by a DC battery may operate by recharging the battery at the same time it is being used as a power source
EP1806831A2 (en) Portable air-flow appliance with dual electrical power supply
WO2020168416A1 (en) Cordless appliance, such as a surface cleaning apparatus, and a charging unit therefor
US20020121000A1 (en) Freedom vac (upright high-powered cordless vacuum cleaner)
US11190043B2 (en) Cordless appliance, such as a surface cleaning apparatus, and a charging unit therefor
WO2016034133A1 (en) Power tool
JP2007104802A (en) Charging set and vacuum cleaner
AU2014287349B2 (en) Electric DC motor system
JP3090480U (en) DC chargeable cordless AC motor architecture
JP2014155668A (en) Vacuum cleaner
JPH0838397A (en) Electric cleaner

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK RS

AKY No designation fees paid
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R108

Effective date: 20110201

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8566

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20101224