Vacuum Cleaner Control System

Abstract

The present invention provides a vacuum cleaner control system comprising a first user-operable control for switching a suction source of the vacuum cleaner between an on condition and an off condition, a second user-operable control for switching a rotatable brush in a floorhead of the vacuum cleaner between an on condition and an off condition, a third user-operable control for switching a filter cleaning mechanism for cleaning a filter of the vacuum cleaner between an on condition and an off condition, a detector for detecting when a handle of the vacuum cleaner is tilted between a substantially vertical, storage position and an angled, use position, and an electronic circuit for receiving input signals from the first, second and third user-operable controls and from the detector. The electronic circuit has a first output for switching the suction source on and off, a second output for switching the floorhead brush on and off and a third output for switching the filter cleaning mechanism on and off. The vacuum cleaner control system further comprises a display, and the electronic circuit further comprises an output for driving the display, and the display comprises an input for receiving the output from the electronic circuit.

1 . A vacuum cleaner control system comprising:
 a first user-operable control ( 30 ) for switching a suction source ( 14 ) of said vacuum cleaner between an on condition and an off condition;   a second user-operable control ( 32 ) for switching a rotatable brush ( 24 ) in a floorhead ( 22 ) of said vacuum cleaner between an on condition and an off condition;   a third user-operable control ( 34 ) for switching a filter cleaning mechanism ( 20 ) for cleaning a filter ( 18 ) of said vacuum cleaner between an on condition and an off condition;   a detector ( 38 ) for detecting when a handle ( 12 ) of said vacuum cleaner is tilted between a substantially vertical, storage position and an angled, use position; and   an electronic circuit ( 40 ) for receiving input signals from said first, second and third user-operable controls ( 30 ,  32 ,  34 ) and from said detector ( 38 ), said electronic circuit having a first output for switching said suction source ( 14 ) on and off, a second output for switching said floorhead brush ( 24 ) on and off and a third output for switching said filter cleaning mechanism ( 20 ) on and off.   
   
   
       2 . The vacuum cleaner control system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a display ( 36 ), wherein said electronic circuit ( 40 ) further comprises an output for sending signals to said display, and said display comprises an input for receiving said output from said electronic circuit. 
   
   
       3 . The vacuum cleaner control system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an interlock switch ( 42 ) for detecting when a cover of said floorhead ( 22 ) is removed, said interlock switch having an output, wherein said electronic circuit ( 40 ) further comprises an input for receiving said output from said interlock switch. 
   
   
       4 . The vacuum cleaner control system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third user-operable controls ( 30 ,  32 ,  34 ) are located on said handle ( 12 ) of said vacuum cleaner. 
   
   
       5 . The vacuum cleaner control system according to  claim 1 , wherein when said detector ( 38 ) detects that said handle ( 12 ) is in said substantially vertical, storage position, switching on of said floorhead brush ( 24 ) by said electronic circuit ( 40 ) is disabled. 
   
   
       6 . The vacuum cleaner control system according to  claim 5 , wherein said detector ( 38 ) is placed in series with said second user-operable control ( 32 ). 
   
   
       7 . The vacuum cleaner control system according to  claim 2 , wherein when a user switches said first user-operable control ( 30 ) on, said electronic circuit ( 40 ) sends an output to said display ( 36 ) causing said display to display power-on indicia, and wherein when a user switches said first user-operable control off, said electronic circuit sends an output to said display causing said display to cease displaying said power-on indicia. 
   
   
       8 . The vacuum cleaner control system according to  claim 1 , wherein when a user switches said third user-operable control ( 34 ) on, said electronic circuit ( 40 ) switches said filter cleaning mechanism ( 20 ) on for a predetermined period of time and then switches said filter cleaning mechanism off again. 
   
   
       9 . The vacuum cleaner control system according to  claim 8 , wherein when a user switches said third user-operable control ( 34 ) on, said electronic circuit ( 40 ) sends an output to said display ( 36 ) causing said display to display filter-cleaning indicia for the period of time that said filter cleaning mechanism is on. 
   
   
       10 . The vacuum cleaner control system according  claim 1 , wherein when one or both of said suction source ( 14 ) is on or said floorhead brush ( 24 ) is on and a user switches said third user-operable control ( 34 ) on, said electronic circuit ( 40 ) switches said suction source and said floorhead brush off respectively, then switches said filter cleaning mechanism ( 20 ) on for the predetermined period of time and then switches said filter cleaning mechanism off again. 
   
   
       11 . The vacuum cleaner control system according to  claim 3 , wherein when said interlock switch ( 42 ) detects that the cover of said floorhead ( 22 ) is removed, switching on of said floorhead brush ( 24 ) by said electronic circuit ( 40 ) is disabled. 
   
   
       12 . The vacuum cleaner control system according to  claim 2 , wherein when said electronic circuit ( 40 ) switches said floorhead brush ( 24 ) on, the electronic circuit also sends an output to said display ( 36 ) causing said display to display floorhead brush-on indicia, and wherein when said electronic circuit switches said floorhead brush off, the electronic circuit also sends an output to said display causing said display to cease displaying floorhead brush-on indicia. 
   
   
       13 . The vacuum cleaner control system according to  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum cleaner is battery powered, said control system further comprises a battery charge level sensor generating an output signal, said electronic circuit ( 40 ) comprises an input for receiving the output signal from said charge level sensor, and when said output signal reaches a predetermined level, said electronic circuit sends an output to said display ( 36 ) causing said display to display low-battery indicia. 
   
   
       14 . The vacuum cleaner control system according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said first, second and third user-operable controls ( 30 ,  32 ,  34 ) is integrated into said display ( 36 ).