US2569222A

US2569222A - Vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: US2569222A
Application number: US169964A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arnold H Beede; Leon P Borkoski
Original assignee: Electrolux Corp
Current assignee: Electrolux Corp
Priority date: 1950-06-23
Filing date: 1950-06-23
Publication date: 1951-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 1968-09-25

Description

Sept. 25, 1951 A. H. BEEDE EFAL 2,569,222

, VACUUM CLEANER Filed June 23, 1950 v 4 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTORS ARNOLD H. BEEDE L-EON P BORKOSK! ATTORNEY.

Sgapt. 25, 1951 A. H. BEEDE ETAL VACUUM CLEANER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 23, 1950 OOO OO UOOO OOOOO 000 0 000000 0000000000 ov lw mw WIQI .i I

INVENTORS NOLD H. BEEDE LEON I? BORKOSKI Sept. 25, 1951 A. H. BEEDE ETAL VACUUM CLEANER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 23, 1950 mmvroxs ARNOLD H. BEEDE By -LEON P BORKOS'K/ ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 25, 1951 VACUUM CLEANER Arnold H. Beede and Leon P. Borkoski, Stamford,

Conn.,

assignors to Eleetrolux Corporation,

New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application June 23, 1950, Serial No. 169,964

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a vacuum or suction type cleaner having means adapted to dispose of the dust and dirt accumulated therein. More particularly, it embraces an automatically conditioned tank type cleaner having mechanically actuated self-contained control mechanisms for removing accumulated dirt after such an amount is collected in a porous disposable bag located within the cleaner as is capable of effecting a predetermined change in the operating efficiency of the cleaner.

It is a major object of this invention to provide an improved vacuum cleaner having automatic means for disposing of dust collected in a paper bag by ejecting from the cleaner the porous disposable paper bag filled with dust separated from the suction air stream, the ejection of the dust and dirt filled bag being effected upon the attainment of a predetermined pressure drop within the cleaner.

It is a further and important object hereof to provide completely mechanical means for effecting the automatic operation of the dust bag ejecting devices.

A still further object is to provide a vacuum cleaner having a large dust collecting capacity which operates at a substantially uniform efficiency.

Still other and further objects will be disclosed hereinbelow or will become obvious to those skilled in the art from a study of the following description together with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner as seen from the air intake end, showing a portion of the hose without the conventional wand and nozzle attachments;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the ejector mechanism; the

cord plug connection, the motor fan unit and the hose connecting assembly being shown in plan view;

Figure 3 is a partial sectional view taken on the line 39, Fig. 1 with the cover closed, showing details of the pneumatic control system,

switching means and cover latch;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3, Fig. l, the cover however being shown released to open position;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the broken line 55, Fig. 1 with the cover closed, showing details of the automatic and manual means for releasing the cover and Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the broken line 55, Fig. 1, the cover however being shown 24 released to open position and showing a portion of the bottom parallel linkage broken away in order to show the internal arrangement of parts more clearly.

It is a feature of this invention that the functioning of the cleaner in its dust disposal capacity is automatic, self-contained and after being one initiated by the establishment of predetermined changes in the operational characteristics of the air suction stream within the cleaner, the entire sequence of operations terminating in the ejection of the dust-filled bag is efiected in a series of steps. Thus, with continued dust collection during the regular operation of the cleaner, a pressure diflerence is gradually built up within the cleaner between the inside and the outside 01' the dust-collecting bag, i. e. an increasein pressure drop through the bag is gradually built up. This results in a continuous and progressively increasing force being exerted upon a pressure differential measuring diaphragm the opposite sides of which are subjected to the difierent pressures built up on the outside and inside of the dust bag, the chamber on one side of the diaphragm being connected to an opening communicating with the clean side of the dust bag, the chamber on the other side 'of the diaphragm being connected to an opening communicating with the dirty side of the dust bag. Then, upon the attainment of a predetermined value in the resultant force exerted upon the pressure diiierential diaphragm, motion is imparted to this diaphragm in response to an increase in pressure drop through the dust bag and at a predetermined distortion the diaphragm conditions means which sets into operation a series or seequence of mechanically actuated steps which sequence when once initiated culminates in the ejection of the dust-filled bag from the cleaner housing.

In a preferred embodiment, the differential pressure diaphragm mechanically withdraws restraining means in the form of a pair of roller elements which normally hold a pair of tracks in relatively fixed position and between which tracks the roller elements are disposed so as to render or hold inoperative a triggering mechanism in the form of a spring biased bell crank. The release of this bell crank enables the latter to actuate a spring biased cover retaining latching means so as to release the cover which is then free to assume its spring biased open position.

This normally restrained or immobilized bell crank also serves upon release to actuate a circuit deenergizing snap type toggle switch whereby the circuit to the motor fan unit is broken in x hollow casing having :a handle H.

timed relation with the opening of the cover. The sequential cover opening steps together with the timely breaking of the motor fan circuit results in a progressive slowing down in motor fan speed and consequently the air suction stream also progressively decreases to a value at which highly effective bag ejection is thereupon more readily attainable.

The automatic dust bag ejection is effected by a spring actuated ejector plate which is held in fully cocked or loaded position by a latch means spring biased to restrain the ejector plate from operation. In the embodiment illustrated an extension on one of apair of parallel link members hingedly supporting the removable cover, in the terminal travel of the latter to wards its fully opened position, serves as a tripping mechanism to actuate the ejector plate restraining latch to its releasing position whereupon the dust-filled bag is expelled from the cleaner housing .and deposited on the, floor.

Thus, in accordance with this preferred embodiment of the invention, ;automatic dust bag ejection is efiected by mechanical means, after :a tripping mechanism is released for operation byawpneumatically actuated pressure differenitial-measuring device. The pressure differential measuring device is conditioned for operation by utilizing the air pressure difference built up within the cleaner casing by dust layers collected and deposited within the dust bag. This pressure difference is established between the insideiand outside-f the dust collecting bag and is communicated therefromby appropriate con- .duit means during the dust collecting process-.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, vacuum cleaner housing ,IIL'F-ig. 1, is a It is appropriately supported on a pair of runners I2.

*The suction or tinletvportion of the casing ID is provided W-ithan air inlet nozzle and" wand (not shown) and aflexible :hose I3 (partly-shown in Fig. 1*) andconnecting coupling I 4 adapted for insertioninto hosecoupling member I5 mounted on icover I'B. Cover =I-6 effects an air tight seal upon its juxtaposition with reinforcing rubber sealing :ring member I9; cardboard disc 3I of dust bag 30 :and the (Figs. 5, '6.) conventional sealing ring 22 through which the bag is inserted "into the cleaner .by way of the opening of front body ring'20. Tubular -member2| of the hose coupling assembly I5 is inserted through the opening '32 cut in cardboard disc 3|, extends a short distance into the interior of dust collecting-receptacle 30, and is sealed against disc 3I by rubber sealing ring I9. Switch button I 6a extending through body ring .20 provides the onand-off manual control and reset button for the cleaner unit.

A perforated sleeve 23 is afiixed at one end to front body ring '20 and is adapted to receive within its interior a disposable dust bag 30 of paper construction. This entire unit (sleeve 23,

body ring 20, etc.,) 'is telescopically fitted within the openend of cleaner housing I0 and is afiixed thereinby retainingscrews'M, Figs. 1, 2, etc. In the'embodiment shown, sleeve 23 is substantially rectangular incross section and is thus adapted to take a bag of substantially similar but slightly smaller cross-section 30.

Dust bag '30, Fig. 2, comprises a dust receptacle of paper or similarly air-pervious, dustimpervious, material 33 affixed at its mouth to the rear surface of a hard paper or cardboard disc 3|, the latter of which is clamped between guide member rubber sealing ring I9 of hose coupling assembly I5 and rubber sealing ring 22 within the open end of front body ring 20. Cardboard disc 3| has a central opening 32 through which tubular member 2| is inserted in order to introduce the air and entrained dust directly into the interior of dust bag 30. I

The entire surface of sleeve member or dust bag compartment 23 is provided with apertures 27, Fig. 2, in order to permit suction current free passage therethrough and into chamber 40. Sleeve member 23 contain the ejector unit 5| and it associated expulsion spring 53. From chamber 48, the suction air current passes through conduit '50, motor housing 70 which contains mounted therein motor 'II, after which the .suction current passes through fan housing 13 containing fan I2 and out through louver openings I4.

The bag ejector mechanism 5|, 53, Fig. 2, for

operating the bag ejector plate52, is in the form "ofqa spiral compressible spring 53 which can be collapsed into fully 'flexed or loaded condition by pushing ejector plate 52 back into the cleaner housing until latch 52a engages opening 52b in ejector plate 52. U-shaped frame member 55 affixed to the rear end of perforated sleeve .23

supports the fixed end mounting 5% of the ejector spring53.

Latch pin 52a is held in restraining position by lever BI fulcrummed at Bla and maintained in ejector restrainin position by biasing spring '62. .Latch 52a is operated or actuated to releasing position by automatic triggering effected by the extension 53 of parallel cover linkage I1. Thus, with this particular latching device for restraining the ejector mechanism 5I, plate 52 is held in loaded position until cover I6 is practicallyfully-opened. Cover I 6 is normally held closed by latch (bell crank) I00, Figs. 3, 4, fulcrummed at IIlI and biased to retain cover I5 in closed position by spring I02. Latch I00 holds cover I6 by projectin lug I03.

The cover may be opened for inspection of the dust bag and its contents by pressing release button lfib Figs. 1,5 and 6, mounted on the front surface of cover link member I60. Pressing button ISb inwards causes plunger I05 mounted in I06 and biased outwardly by spring I08'to contact latch actuating pin 99 and through extension lug 99a to thereby release cover restraining latch I00.

Latch 52a can be tripped only when cover I5 is .fully opened and hence compression and jamming of bag 30 within sleeve member 23 is impossible.

It is to be noted that pneumatically operated device 200,.Figs. 3, 4, releases bell crank 25!) one arm of which'is in the form of a movable track 25! affixed to a shaft 252 bearinged in mounting

members

253, 254 the other arm 255 is affixed to shaft 252 and provided with unidirectionally actuating finger 255a pivoted at 2551) and biased to operating position by spring 2552. Finger 225a trips cover restraining latch I by actuating arm IIU thereof. Arm 25I of bell crank 25!] also actuates toggle switch 3I0 to its off position through a mechanical connection including link member 96 which actuates switch arm 9'! through pin 98, thereby stopping the motor fan unit and thus deenergizing the cleaner unit.

The pneumatic control means 20!! measures the increased pressure drop through the bag accompanying continued dust collection and triggers the mechanical cover releasing means I00.

It comprises :a;two chamberedrelement 2015202 separatedby a diaphragm 203abiasedi by spring 204" to forward position; Chamber 2M is connected pneumatically'by tube 205'to the clean 'siiriace'or dust bag 30. .while' chamber 202 "is connecte'd'by tube"'206' to thedirtysurfa'ce' of dust bag 30 by way of tubular memberZI.

Connecting rod 2I'0f has one end. affixed to and movable with. the center of diaphragm 203so as-to convey'motiontherefrom to a pair of rollers/2 I'l, 2I2 bea'ringedtin end-pieces! l3, 2H! and adapted to ride on fixed track 220 and movable-track 25L When extended, rod 2 I causes'rollers 2 II, 212 to hold-the movable-track in relatively fixed position and when retracted releases the movable 'track'for movement with respectto thefixed' track. in response to the biasing action of spring 256;

Cover I6, Figs'l, 2, 5, is hingedly supported at Ilband I Gefromfront body ring 20 by meansof a pair of parallel links, one link I! being pivoted at'l la, while the second link is the lower portion of front cover member I6c pivoted at IBd. A springlt; Fig.5, maintains the cover I6 biased to its open position. The extension Ii3-"of :linki- H has a" unidirectionally" actuating. fingers 63d. pivoted at 631); is biased to operating positio'n by'sp'ring 63c and functions as above described" to release latch 52a and" effect dust bag ejection "only upon downward" travel" and' substantially full opening of cover I6.

The tripping device for operating the cover re= leasing mechanism" in the embodiment. illus trated is 1 independent of" the. Pejection"unit-:51. As illustrated in the drawings, Figs; 3; 4; 5 and '6 pressure differencediaphragm:200:releaseslbell crank triggering mechanism 2 50, Figs: 3; 4'," 5 and 6 which trips the normally spring :biased cover restraining latch I00. The "normallyi restrained cover 'triggering mechanism also: actuates switch filllowhich breaks the motor .fan'iicircuitiin timed means; e-. g1, machine I screws, 'bolts;etce, as: shown I at 24,-Fig. 2. Rubber sealingwrings iflld are used where necessary in orderto attain wmore perfect assurance against air suctionvleakage and h'ence effectbetter dust collection.

With-the dustbag. 30in place and cover-"I6 closed-as in Fig; 3, the-motor-fanunitis started by pressing button.- ltfa' which actuatestoggle switch SIB to its on position.- Ifbell cranke250 is in the position shown in Figs.*-.4"'and- 6-, actuax tion .of switch button I6a-causesring-3I0w to de press levenmember 96 and-reset or returni'move able track 25 Ito its relatively fixedposition shown in-Figs. B and 5 withrollers-ZI I, 2 I2 out of notch 25! d. The cleaner isthen'in conditionrforioperaition and automatic bag ejection. l I Thus; this invention provides a simplified control system for enabling'a pneumatically--trig gered device to effect-the automatic operation of a predetermined-control mechanism or to initiate a sequence of steps in a device. suchea's ayacuum cleaner or a similarly suction-or pre'ssure opere atedpiece of apparatus.

More specifically means is proyidedlfor use in a vacuum cleaner wherebypneumatieand mechane ica-l controls are used to trigger'suchielementsas sealing means in the form or a movable cover, or energizing and deenergizing means-in the torm of a toggle -switch', -etc.; etc., all of whichare oper ated or atuated-inresponse to and'upon thee'stablishnient of, predetermined pressure condi' tions within the cleaner.

It is to be understood that the embodiment herein s ecifically described is to. be considered as an illustrative =and nct limitativ'e disclosure of the-invention, ithei'scope of Whichis more clearly defined by the appended claims.

We claim 2.

1. In a vacuumcleaner, the combinationcomprising a casing-having an opening, means mov; able-relative. to saidaopening, a hose connector carried by saidmovabletmeans, means for producing a'flow of air through said casing, a dust bag in said casing inthe path of said air flow for separating entrained dirt from saidair', a; mem: ber movable in response to an increase inpressure drop'throu'gh said bag, a fixed track, amovable track, resilient means tending to move said movable track with respect to said fixed track, roller'means disposed between said tracks for holding the latter in relatively fixed position, said rollermeans being displac'eable by movement of said movable memberto release said movable track for movement with respect to said fixed track, and control mechanism operative in response to movement of said movable track to effect movement of said first mentioned means.

2. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination comprising a casing having" an opening, means for producing a flow of air through said casing, a dust bag in said casing in the path of said airflow for separating entrained dirt from said air, releasable means forejecting said dust bag, a member movable in response to an increase in pressure drop through said bag, a fixed track, a movable track, resilient means tending to move'said movable'track with respect to said fixed track, roller means disposed'between said'tracks for holding the latter in relatively fixed position, said roller means being displaceable by movement of said movable member to release saidmovable track for movement with respect to said fixed track, and means for operating the releasable means for e ecting the dust bag in response to movement of saidmovable track.

3. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination comprising a casing having an opening, a mov able cover for said opening, means for producing a flow of air through said casing, a dust bag in said casing in the path of said air'flow for separating entrained dirt from said air; a member movable in response to an increase in pressure drop through said bag; a fixed track, a movable track, resilient means tending to move said movable track with respect to said fixed track, roller means disposed between said tracks for holding the'latter in relatively fixed position, the roller means being displaceable by movementof the movable member to release. the movable track for movement with respect to the fixed track, and means for opening sa'idmovable'cover in response to movement. of the movable track;

4. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination com prising a casing having an opening, a movable cover forsaid opening, means for producingv a. flow of air through said casing, a dust bag in said casing in the path of said air flow for separating entrained dirtxfrom said air, releasable means for ejectingsaid dust bag, a member. mov

ablein responseto an increase in pressure drop through. said bag, a fixed track, a movable track, resilient means tending to move said movable track with respect to said fixed track, roller means disposed between said tracks for holding the latter in relatively fixed position, the roller means being displaceable by movement of the movable member to release the movable track for movement with respect to the fixed track, means for opening said movable cover in. response to movement of the movable track, and means for operating the releasable means for ejecting the dust bag in response to movement of said cover.

5. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination comprising a casing having an opening, means for producing a fiow of air through said casing, a dust bag in said casing in the path of said air flow for separating entrained dirt from said air, switching means for energizing and deenergizing said air fiow producing means, a member movable in response to an increase in pressure drop through said bag, a fixed track, a movable track, resilient means tending to move said movable track with respect to said fixed track, roller means disposed between said tracks for holding the latter in relatively fixed position, said roller means being displaceable by movement of the movable member to release the movable track for movement with respect to the fixed track, and means for actuating said switching means for deenergizing the air flow producing means in response to movement of said movable track.

6. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination comprising a casing having an opening, means for producing a fiow of air through said casing, a dust bag in said casing in the path of said air flow for separating entrained dirt from said air, switching means forenergizing and deenergizing said air flow producing means, releasable means for ejecting'said dust bag, a member movable in response to an increase in pressure drop through said bag, a fixed track, a movable track, resilient means tending to move said movable track with respect to said fixed track, roller means disposed between said tracks for holding the latter in relatively fixed position, said roller means being displaceable by movement of the movable member to release the movable track for movement with respect to the fixed track, and means for actuating said switching means for deenergizing the air flow producing means and for operating the releasable means for ejecting the dust bag in response to movement of said movable track.

'7. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination comprising a casing having an opening, a movable cover for said opening, means for producing a flow of air through said casing, a dust bag in said casing in the path of said air flow for separating entrained dirt from said air, switching means for energizing and deenergizing said air flow producing means, releasable means for ejecting said dust bag, a member movable in response to an increase in pressure drop through said bag, a fixed track, a movable track, resilient means tending to move said movable track with respect to said fixed track, roller means disposed between said tracks for holding the latter in relativelly fixed position, said roller means being displaceable by movement of the movable member to release the movable track for movement with respect to the fixed track, and means for actuating said switching means for deenergizing the air fiow producing means, for opening said movable cover and for operating the re- Ieasable means'for ejecting the dust bag in response to movement of said movable track.

8. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination comprising a casing having an opening, means for producing a flow of air through said casing, a dust bag in said casing in the path of said air flow for separating entrained dirt from said air, releasable means for ejecting said dust bag, a member'movable in response to an increase in pressure drop through said bag, a fixed track, a movable track, resilient means tending to move said movable track with respect to said fixed track, roller means disposed between said tracks for holding the latter in relatively fixed position, a roller receiving notch in one of said tracks, the roller means being displaceable by movement of said movable member to enter said notch and release said movable track for movement with respect to said fixed track, and means for operating the releasable means for ejecting the dust bag in response to movement of said movable track.

9. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination comprising a casing having an opening, a movable cover for said opening, means for producing a flow of air though said casing, a dust bag in said casing in the path of said air flow for separating entertained dirt from said air, releasable means for ejecting said dust bag, a member movable in response to an increase in pressure drop through said bag, a fixed track, a movable track, resilient means tending to move said movable track with respect to said fixed track, roller means disposed between said tracks for holding the latter in relatively fixed position, a roller receiving notch in one of said tracks, the roller means being displaceable by movement of said movable member to enter said notch and release said movable track for movement with respect to said fixed track, and means for opening said movable cover and for operating the releasable means for ejecting the dust bag in response to movement of said movable track.

10. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination comprising a casing having an opening, a motor fan unit for producing a flow of air through said casing, a dust bag in said casing in the path of said airflow for separating entrained dirt from said air, a circuit for energizing said motor fan unit. a manual switch for opening and closing said circuit, a member movable in response to an increase in pressure drop through said bag, a fixed track, a movable track, resilient means tending to move said movable track with respect to said fixed track, roller means disposed between said tracks for holding the latter in relatively fixed position, said roller means being displaceable by movement of the movable member to release the movable track for movement with respect to the fixed track, means for opening said switch in response to movement of said movable track, and means responsive to subsequent manual closing of said switch for returning said movable track to its original position with respect to said fixed track.

11. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination comprising a casing having an opening, a movable cover for said opening, means for producing a flow of air through said casing, a dust bag in said casing in the path of said air flow for separating entrained dirt from said air, releasable means for ejecting said dust bag, a member movable in response to an increase in pressure drop through said bag, a fixed track, a movable track, resilient means tending to move said movable track with ing the dust bag in response to movement of said 10 movable track.

ARNOLD H. BEEDE. LEON P. BORKOSKI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,532,642 Senne Dec. 5, 1950 2,534,280 Lofgren Dec. 19, 1950