Vacuum cleaner with sterilizing system

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner with a sterilizing system including a safety device for a sterilizer thereof. The vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a cleaner body and a suction brush. The suction brush comprises a sterilizer using an ultraviolet (UV) ray; and a safety device interrupting power supply to the sterilizer when the suction brush is moved apart from the surface being cleaned by a predetermined distance. Here, the safety device comprises a micro switch controlling power to the sterilizer, a micro switch operator released from contact with the micro switch as the suction brush is separated from the surface being cleaned by an amount at least equal to the predetermined distance, thereby turning off the micro switch, and a biasing member that biases the micro switch operator in a certain direction.

1 . A vacuum cleaner having a suction brush for drawing in dust from a surface being cleaned, wherein the suction brush comprises: 
 a sterilizer; and    a safety device interrupting power supply to the sterilizer when the suction brush is moved apart from the surface being cleaned by a predetermined distance,    the safety device comprising, 
 a micro switch turning the sterilizer on and off,  
 a switch operation part, the switch operation part being released from contact with the micro switch when the suction brush is separated from the surface being cleaned by at least the predetermined distance, thereby turning off the micro switch, and  
 a resilient member biasing the switch operation part in a direction away from the micro switch.  
   
   
   
       2 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the switch operation part comprises: 
 a wheel rotated by friction with the surface being cleaned; and    a wheel guide supporting the wheel and in selective contact with an actuator of the micro switch.    
   
   
       3 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 2 , wherein the wheel guide moves through a bottom frame of the suction brush.  
   
   
       4 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the safety device is disposed at a rear portion of the suction brush not exposed to the outside.  
   
   
       5 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the sterilizer comprises a UV sterilizing lamp.  
   
   
       6 . A vacuum cleaner comprising: 
 a cleaner body including a suction motor and a dust separator; and    a suction brush disposed at a lower portion in fluid communication with the cleaner body to draw in dust-laden air from a surface being cleaned and discharge the dust-laden air into the cleaner body,    wherein the suction brush comprises, 
 a UV sterilizing lamp,  
 a micro switch turning the UV sterilizing lamp on and off,  
 a switch operation part, the switch operation part being released from contact with the micro switch as the suction brush is separated from the surface being cleaned by at least a predetermined distance, thereby turning off the micro switch, and  
 a resilient member biasing the switch operation part in a direction away from the micro switch.  
   
   
   
       7 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 6 , wherein the switch operation part comprises 
 a wheel rotated by friction with the surface being cleaned; and    a wheel guide supporting the wheel and in selective contact with an actuator of the micro switch.