Handheld vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A method of controlling a handheld vacuum cleaner (10) having a fluid flow path extending from a dirty air inlet (14) to a clean air outlet (18) is provided. The method includes measuring a pressure value of an airflow through the fluid flow path, and determining whether the pressure value exceeds a predetermined threshold, which is indicative of a clog within the fluid flow path. The method further includes alerting a user of the handheld vacuum cleaner (10) when the pressure value exceeds the predetermined threshold. Alerting the user includes transmitting an alert to a personal device (418) of the user and identifying to the user a plurality of possible clog locations along the fluid flow path.

1 . A method of controlling a handheld vacuum cleaner having a fluid flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet, the method comprising:
 measuring a pressure value of an airflow through the fluid flow path;   determining whether the pressure value exceeds a predetermined threshold, which is indicative of a clog within the fluid flow path;   alerting a user of the handheld vacuum cleaner when the pressure value exceeds the predetermined threshold;   wherein alerting the user includes transmitting an alert to a personal device of the user and identifying to the user a plurality of possible clog locations along the fluid flow path.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting an alert to the personal device is transmitted with direct vacuum-to-device wireless data communication. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting an alert to the personal device is transmitted with wireless internet or network communication. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the personal device is a cell phone. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the personal device is a personal computer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alert includes instructions for the user to clean the possible clog locations along the fluid flow path to remove the clog. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein alerting the user further includes activating a visual indicator positioned on the handheld vacuum cleaner. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein measuring the pressure value of the airflow is measured downstream of a pre-motor filter. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising disabling the airflow through the fluid flow path when the pressure value exceeds the predetermined threshold.