Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02617707 2010-01-12
FLOOR CLEANING APPARATUS
WITH FILTER CLEANING SYSTEM
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to the floor care equipment field and,
more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner, extractor or the like equipped with a
solenoid
driven mechanism for vibrating dirt and debris from the filter including,
particularly,
fine dirt particles from the pores of the filter in order to enhance filter
cleaning
efficiency and extend filter service life.
Background of the Invention
A vacuum cleaner is an electro-mechanical appliance utilized to effect the dry
removal of dust, dirt and other small debris from carpets, rugs, fabrics or
other
surfaces in domestic, commercial and industrial environments. In order to
achieve the
desired dirt and dust removal, most vacuum cleaners incorporate a rotary
agitator. The
rotary agitator is provided to beat dirt and debris from the nap of the carpet
or rug
while a pressure drop or vacuum is used to force air entrained with this dirt
and debris
into the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. The particulate laden air is then drawn
into a
dirt collection vessel. The air is then drawn through a filter before being
directed
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through the motor of the suction generator to provide cooling. Finally, the
air is
filtered to remove any fine particles of carbon from the brushes of that motor
or other
dirt that might remain in the airstream before being exhausted back into the
environment.
Often the dirt collection vessel is designed to produce cyclonic airflow by
providing that vessel with a dirt chamber having a cylindrical sidewall and a
tangentially directed air inlet. This arrangement forces the air to swirl
around the dirt
collection chamber in the manner of a cyclone. The centrifugal force that is
produced
causes dirt and debris to move toward and against the cylindrical sidewall of
the
chamber while relatively clean air may be drawn off from the center of the
chamber
through the filter toward the suction generator.
Under most operating conditions most or all of the dirt and debris is removed
from the airstream by the cyclonic airflow. At times, however, some dirt and
debris
remains entrapped within the airstream. Typically, that dirt and debris is
relatively
fine dirt particles of light weight which are not as susceptible to the
centrifugal
separation force produced by the cyclonic airflow. Over time such fine
particles may
become entrapped and fill the pores of the filter media thereby restricting
airflow and
reducing the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner. Eventually the
cleaning
efficiency of the vacuum cleaner becomes so impaired it is necessary for the
operator
to either clean or change the filter in order to achieve the desired level of
cleaning.
The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, extractor or the like
equipped with a more efficient and effective filter cleaning mechanism.
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Advantageously, the present invention allows one to quickly and conveniently
clean
dirt and debris from a filter including particularly fine particles from the
pores of the
filter in situ. As a result each filter has a longer service life and the
apparatus may be
operated at a higher cleaning efficiency over the entire length of that
extended service
life.
Sumnnary of the Invention
In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described herein,
a
floor cleaning apparatus is provided. The floor cleaning apparatus comprises a
housing
carrying a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel. A filter is carried
in the dirt
collection vessel and a clicker engages the filter. Further, a solenoid is
provided for
driving the clicker and cleaning the filter. In one possible embodiment the
clicker is a
rotary clicker. The rotary clicker includes a pinion, a body and at least one
resilient
lug. A rack is attached to the solenoid and engages the pinion. Further, the
housing
includes a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. In one possible embodiment
the
nozzle assembly and canister assembly are pivotably connected together.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention resides in a floor cleaning
apparatus, comprising: a housing; a suction generator carried on said housing;
a dirt
collection vessel carried on said housing; a filter carried on said dirt
collection vessel;
a rotary clicker engaging said filter, said rotary clicker including a pinion,
a body and
at least one resilient lug; and a solenoid for driving said rotary clicker and
cleaning
said filter; said solenoid being attached to a rack that engages the pinion.
In another aspect, the present invention resides in a floor cleaning
apparatus,
comprising: a housing; a suction generator carried on said housing; a dirt
collection
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vessel carried on said housing; a filter carried on said dirt collection
vessel, said filter
carrying a pinion; a clicker engaging said filter; and a solenoid for moving
said filter
with respect to said clicker to thereby vibrate dirt and debris from said
filter, said
solenoid being connected to a rack that meshes with said pinion.
In the following description there is shown and described several preferred
embodiments of this invention, simply by way of illustration of some of the
modes
best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention
is capable of
other different embodiments and its several details are capable of
modification in
various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention.
Accordingly, the
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drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not
as
restrictive.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of this
specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and
together with the
description serve to explain certain principles of the invention. In the
drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective, partially broken-away view of the floor cleaning
apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of the assembled dirt collection
vessel;
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the dirt collection vessel, filter
and
flow control valve assembly of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dirt collection vessel, filter and
flow
control valve assembly in the first position allowing for normal vacuum
cleaner
operation;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 4 but illustrating the
flow
control valve assembly in the second position allowing cleaning of a section
of the
filter;
Figure 6 is a detailed top perspective view of the filter assembly;
Figure 7 is a schematical illustration of an additional filter cleaning
feature that
may be utilized to clean dirt and debris from the filter in situ in the dirt
collection
vessel; and
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Figures 8a-8d are schematical illustrations of solenoid driven clicker
arrangements for cleaning dirt and debris from a filter.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of
the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing
figures.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Reference is now made to Figure 1 which illustrates the floor cleaning
apparatus 10 of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the
floor
cleaning apparatus 10 comprises an upright vacuum cleaner. It should be
appreciated,
however, that the apparatus 10 may just as easily be a canister vacuum
cleaner, a
handheld vacuum cleaner or even an extractor.
As illustrated, the apparatus 10 includes a housing 12 including both a nozzle
assembly 14 and a canister assembly 16. The nozzle assembly 14 includes a
suction
inlet 18 through which air entrained with dirt and debris is drawn into the
vacuum
cleaner 10. A rotary agitator 20 is mounted to the nozzle assembly 14 and
extends
across the suction inlet 18.
The canister assembly 16 includes a handle 22 having a handgrip 24. An
actuator switch 26 for turning the vacuum cleaner on and off is provided
adjacent the
handgrip. In addition the canister assembly 16 includes a cavity or receiver
28 for
receiving and holding a dirt collection vessel 30. A suction generator 32 is
mounted
in a compartment in the canister assembly 16. During normal operation, the
rotary
agitator 20 beats dirt and debris from the nap of the rug or carpet being
cleaned. The
suction generator 32 draws air entrained with that dirt and debris through the
suction
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inlet 18 into the dirt collection vessel 30. The dirt and debris is trapped in
the dirt
collection vessel 30 and the now relatively clean air passes through and over
the
motor of the suction generator 32 to provide cooling before being exhausted
through
an exhaust port (not shown) back into the environment.
As best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the dirt collection vessel 30
comprises a
dirt cup section 36 and a lid section 38. The dirt cup section 36 comprises a
sidewall
35, a bottom wall 37 and a packing ring 39. In the illustrated embodiment, the
bottom
wall 37 is a "dump door" connected by a hinge 31 to the side wall 35. A
bracket 33
and fastener 29 complete the hinged connection. A latch 150 secures the bottom
wall
37 in the closed position. A sliding latch release 152 is displaced downwardly
to
release the latch 150 and open the bottom wall 37 in order to dump dirt and
debris
from the dirt collection vessel in a manner described in greater detail in co-
pending
U.S. Patent application serial no. 11/104,711 filed 13 April 2005.
The lid section 38 comprises a first element 40, a second element 42 and a
third element 43. The first element 40 includes the first or dirty air inlet
44 and a
filter chamber or cavity 46. The second element 42 includes a clean air outlet
48.
The third element 43 receives a pivoting handle 51 for conveniently carrying
the dirt
collection vessel 30. The first element 40 is connected to the side wall 35 by
the
screws 160. The third element 43 is connected to the second element 42 by the
screws 162.
A filter, generally designated by reference numeral 52, is received in the
filter
cavity 46 of the first element 40. The filter 52 includes a sidewall 54, a hub
56 and
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multiple partitions 58 extending between the hub and the sidewall (see also
Figure 6).
The partitions 58 serve to divide the filter 52 into multiple sections 60. A
filter media
62, of a type well known in the art, extends between the sidewall 54, hub 56
and
partitions 58 defining each section 60. Gaskets 166 and 168 provide a seal
between
the hub 56 and the side wall 54 of the filter 52 and the supporting lid
element 40.
A prefilter 66 and an inner support 64 extend downwardly in the dirt cup
section 36 from the first element 40 to the bottom wall 37. A gasket 164
provides an
airtight seal between the support 64 and the bottom wall 37. The prefilter 66
includes
a series of intake apertures 68 that allow airflow in a manner that will be
described in
greater detail below.
In the illustrated embodiment, the dirt collection vessel 30 is designed to
produce cyclonic airflow and thereby use centrifugal force to improve the
efficiency
with which dirt and debris are removed from the airstream. More specifically,
as
clearly illustrated in Figure 3, the dirt cup section 36, the lid section 38,
the inner
support 64, the prefilter 66 and the filter 52 are all substantially
cylindrical in shape.
As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the inner support 64 and prefilter 66 are
concentrically received in the sidewall 35 of the dirt cup section 36. The
filter 52 is
concentrically received in the filter cavity 46 of the first element 40 of the
lid section
3 8. The dirty air inlet 44 is tangentially directed into the annular space
formed
between (a) the first element 40 and sidewall 35 on the outside and (b) the
inner
support 64 and prefilter 66 on the inside.
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The airstream flows around the annular space or dirt collection chamber in a
circular or vortex pattern generating centrifugal force that causes dirt and
debris in the
airstream to move outwardly toward the sidewall 35 thereby causing the dirt
and
debris to collect in the dirt cup section 36. Simultaneously, the relatively
clean air is
drawn through the intake apertures 68 provided in the prefilter 66 along the
inner wall
of the annular space where it is then directed upwardly through the filter 52.
Specifically, the air passes through the filter media 62 where any fine dirt
and debris
remaining in the airstream is stopped while clean air passes through the media
on
through the clean air outlet 48 to the suction generator 32. The direction of
airflow
during normal vacuum cleaner operation when the flow control valve assembly is
in
the home position is illustrated by action arrows in Figure 4.
The flow control valve assembly of the present invention will now be
described in detail. The flow control valve assembly includes an actuator such
as a
drive motor 70 that is connected to a first drive gear 72. The first drive
gear 72
meshes with a second drive gear 74 carried in the lid 38. The second drive
gear 74 is
connected to a rotary air guide 76 by the screws 75. The air guide 76 has a
concavity
78 that holds a clean air inlet valve comprising a valve body 80 and biasing
spring 82.
When in the home or normal operating position illustrated in Figure 4, the
valve body
80 engages and closes the second clean air inlet 50 provided in the element 42
and
further defined by the central aperture in the second drive gear 74. As
further
illustrated in the drawing figures the air guide 76 includes an air guide
passage 84 that
defines an arc of A'.
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The flow control valve assembly also includes a static air guide 86 that is
held
in the lid 38 overlying the filter 52. A seal 167 is provided between the air
guide and
the filter 52. The static air guide 86 includes a central aperture 88 and a
series of
radially arrayed partitions 90 defining a series of air pathways also having
an arc of
A . As noted above, the filter 52 includes partitions 58 that divide the
filter into equal
sections 60 each having an arc of A . It should be appreciated that the
partitions 90 in
the static air guide 86 are aligned with the partitions 58 in the filter 52.
Accordingly,
the air pathways or air guide sections 92 in the static air guide 86 are each
aligned
with a single section 60 of the filter 52.
In the illustrated embodiment, the filter 52 includes eight partitions 58
dividing
the filter 52 into eight equal sections 60, each spanning a 45 arc.
Similarly, the static
air guide 86 includes eight partitions 90 dividing the guide into eight air
pathways 92
each spanning an arc of 45 . Further the air guide passage 84 in the air
guide 76 also
spans an arc of 45 . As will be described in greater detail below the air
guide 76 is
precisely rotated to bring the air guide passage 84 in perfect alignment with
a single
air pathway 92 of the static air guide 86 and thus a single section 60 of the
filter 52
during each movement of the filter cleaning cycle.
As further illustrated, the air guide 76 includes a first cam 94 projecting
from
the bottom wall thereof. The cam 94 includes eight cam profiles, one for each
section
60 of the filter 52. The cam 94 engages a cam follower 96 (also with eight
matching
profiles) that is connected by means of a telescoping shaft to a flow control
valve 100.
More specifically, the telescoping shaft 98 comprises a first section 102
connected to
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the cam follower 96 and a second section 104 having a bore 106 that
telescopingly
receives the first section 102. A compression spring 108 received in the bore
106
engages the first section 102 of the shaft and biases the telescoping shaft 98
into an
extended position. A second compression spring 110 is received in the hub 112
of the
element 40. This compression spring 110 engages the bottom of the cam follower
96
and biases the cam follower 96 into engagement with the cam 94. A cap seal 170
and
expander 172 seal around the shaft 98 and the element 40 to prevent any
passage of
air.
The flow control valve 100 comprises a flexible tubular diaphragm 114
supported at a first or upper end by a first open air guide 116 and a second
or lower
end by a second open air guide 118. The air guide 116 is secured to the
element 40
and is static. In contrast, the second open air guide 118 is fastened to the
distal end of
the second section 104 of the telescoping shaft 98.
During normal vacuum cleaner operation when the flow control valve
assembly is in the home position, the rotary agitator 20 functions to beat
dirt and
debris from the nap of an underlying carpet being cleaned. That dirt and
debris is
then drawn by the suction generator 32 through the inlet 44 into the dirt
collection
vessel 30. As the airstream flows in cyclonic fashion around the side wall 35,
dirt and
debris are collected in the dirt collection vessel 30. The relatively clean
air is then
drawn through the apertures 68 in the prefilter 66 (see action arrow A in
Figure 4) up
through the filter 52. The filter media 62 allows the passage of clean air but
prevents
the passage of any relatively fine dust particles that might remain in the
airstream.
CA 02617707 2008-01-10
The now clean air then passes upwardly through the static air guide 86 (note
action
arrow B) and then passes through the air outlet 48. The air then travels
through a
conduit to the suction generator 32. From there the clean air passes over the
motor of
the suction generator 32 to provide cooling before being exhausted to the
environment
through a final filter and exhaust port (not shown) back into the environment.
As the vacuum cleaner 10 operates, the fine dirt particles not removed from
the
airstream by the cyclonic action in the dirt cup section 36 are stripped from
the
airstream and trapped by the filter media 62 of the filter 52. Over time,
these fine
particles begin to close off the pores in the filter media 62 thereby
restricting airflow.
This not only causes the motor of the suction generator 32 to run hotter and
at a lower
efficiency, it also reduces airflow thereby adversely affecting the cleaning
efficiency
of the vacuum cleaner 10. Consequently, the airflow may become so restricted
as to
prevent the vacuum cleaner from cleaning properly. Before this occurs it is
then
necessary to either clean or replace the filter 52.
The present invention allows the filter 52 to be cleaned in situ in a very
convenient and efficient manner before any substantial loss of cleaning power
or
efficiency occurs. Specifically, the motor 70 is activated to rotate the air
guide 76
through an arc of 45 by means of the meshing gears 72, 74. Precise rotation
may be
provided by a stepper motor or a permanent magnet direct current motor in
combination with a sensor and sensor target such as a magnet 120 fastened to
or held
in a cavity on the drive gear 74. An annular bearing 122 and cooperating
bearing
plate 124 ensure free rotation of the drive gear 74. As the rotation is
completed, the
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air guide passage 84 in the air guide 76 is aligned with one of the air
pathways 92 in
the static air guide 86 and, accordingly, one of the sections 60 of the filter
52. The
rotation of the drive gear 74 simultaneously causes the cam 94 on the bottom
of the
air guide 76 to rotate from the position shown in the Figure 4 to the position
shown in
Figure 5.
As this occurs, the cam follower 96 follows the cam 94 causing the telescoping
shaft 98 to be displaced downwardly. This in turn causes the second open air
guide
118 of the flow control valve 100 to engage the top of the support 64. As this
occurs
the diaphragm 114 is expanded and the air pathway for normal operation
illustrated
by action arrow A in Figure 4 is interrupted (compare Figure 5 to Figure 4).
Thus, the
first flow control valve 80 and second flow control valve 100 are placed in
the filter
cleaning position. The telescoping shaft 98 accommodates any discrepancy that
may
exist in the height of the cam 94 and the distance the second open air guide
118 is
moved to engage the top of the support 64.
When the valve 100 closes the normal airflow pathway, no air may be drawn
by the suction generator through the prefilter 66 or the suction inlet 18. As
the
negative pressure builds, the biasing force of the spring 82 is overcome and
the valve
body 80 is displaced to open the clean air inlet 50 in the element 42 and the
drive gear
74. As a consequence, clean air is drawn through the inlet 50 past the valve
body 80.
That clean air then passes through the air guide passage 84 in the air guide
76 and the
aligned air pathway 92 in the static air guide 86 (see action arrow C in
Figure 5). The
clean air is then drawn through a single section 60 of the filter 52 in a
direction
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reverse to normal flow so as to remove fine dust particles from the pores of
the filter
media 62. As a result of a pressure drop, those fine dust particles settle in
the bottom
of the support 64 (note action arrow D) while the airstream travels back
through the
other sections 62 of the filter 52 not aligned with the passage 84 of the air
guide 76
(note action arrow E). The airstream then travels back through the air
pathways 92 of
the static air guide 86 (i.e. those not aligned with the air guide passage 84)
before
passing out of the dirt collection vessel 30 through the outlet 48. The
airstream is
then drawn through the suction generator 32 before being exhausted back into
the
environment.
During a cleaning cycle, the sections 60 of the filter 52 are sequentially
cleaned
in the manner described above as the air guide 76 is rotated into alignment
with each
air pathway 92 and each filter section 60. The cleaning cycle may last, for
example,
from about one to about 30 seconds and more typically from about 3 to about 15
seconds. After rotating the air guide 76 precisely through 360 , the drive
motor 70
stops and the flow control valve 100 is opened as illustrated in Figure 4.
When this
occurs, airflow is restored to the suction inlet 18 and the spring 82 biases
the valve
body 80 so as to close the clean air inlet 50 and restore airflow for normal
vacuum
cleaner operation (i.e. the first flow control valve 80 and the second flow
control
valve 100 are returned to the home position).
The motor 70 is activated by means of an activator 300 as schematically
illustrated in Figure 3. The activator 300 may assume a number of forms. In
one
possible embodiment, the activator 300 is a timer that times the operation of
the
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suction generator 32 of the vacuum cleaner 10. After the suction generator 32
is
operated for a predetermined period of time, such as, for example 15 minutes,
the
timer 300 activates the motor 70 to initiate the filter cleaning cycle.
In another possible embodiment, the activator 300 is a position sensor. In
this
embodiment, the position sensor 300 detects the position of the handle 22.
Upon
detecting the return of the handle 22 into the upright, storage position from
the
lowered, use position, the position sensor activates the motor 70 to initiate
the filter
cleaning cycle.
In yet another embodiment, a timer is added to the position sensor so that the
activator 300 only functions to initiate the cleaning cycle when the handle 22
is
returned to the upright position after a predetermined time of operation has
lapsed
since the last filter cleaning.
In still another embodiment the activator 300 is a performance sensor. The
performance sensor 300 may, for example, be an air pressure sensor for sensing
air
pressure between the dirt collection vessel 30 and the suction generator 32 or
a dirt
volume sensor for detecting the level of dirt in the dirt cup. Upon reaching a
predetermined pressure or level of dirt, such an activator 300 functions to
activate the
motor 70 and initiate the cleaning cycle.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the activator 300 is a switch. The
switch 300 may function to initiate the filter cleaning cycle when the vacuum
cleaner
10 is first switched on or when the vacuum cleaner is switched off.
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Still further, the vacuum cleaner 10 may include a manual activator switch
300.
The manual switch 300 may be engaged by the user at any desired time in order
to
initiate the cleaning cycle. Obviously, a manual switch of this nature may be
provided on the vacuum cleaner in addition to any of the other activators
previously
discussed if desired to allow the user to override the automatic system to
initiate the
cleaning cycle.
Reference is now made to Figure 7 schematically illustrating an optional
additional feature of the present invention that may be provided to further
enhance the
cleaning of the filter 52. A clicker 130 may be provided. In the illustrated
embodiment the clicker 130 includes an elongated mounting arm 131 that is held
on a
stub shaft 132 secured to the lid section 38. A resilient flap 134 is provided
at each
end of the arm 131. As illustrated the tips of the flaps 134 engage the media
62 of the
filter 52 between the sidewall 54 and the hub 56. A drive motor 136 is
provided. As
illustrated in full line in Figure 7, the drive motor may be connected to the
clicker 130
and activated to rotate the clicker with respect to the lid section 38 and the
filter 52.
As the clicker 130 is rotated, the tips of the flaps 134 engage the peaks of
the ribbed
filter material 62 thereby vibrating the filter material and effectively
loosening dirt
and debris from the pores thereof. While the vibration provides good cleaning
action
when utilized alone, it is particularly effective when utilized with the
pneumatic
cleaning mechanism previously described in this document.
In an alternative arrangement also illustrated in Figure 7, the drive motor is
connected to the filter 52 (note dash line in drawing Figure 7). In this
arrangement
CA 02617707 2008-01-10
the filter 52 is rotated while the clicker 130 and lid section 38 remain
stationary. The
result is the same in that the tips of the flaps 134 engage the peaks of the
ribbed filter
media 62 as the filter is rotated thereby vibrating the media and loosening
dirt and
debris therefrom.
Figures 8a-8d schematically illustrate four possible alternative embodiments
of
a solenoid driven clicker arrangement for cleaning dirt and debris from a
filter. In
Figure 8a a solenoid 150 is provided for driving a clicker 152. More
specifically, the
clicker 152 may take the form of a bumper. The solenoid 150 is utilized to
drive the
clicker 152 back and forth in the direction of action arrow G into and out of
engagement with the side of the filter 154. This serves to vibrate the filter
154
thereby loosening and cleaning dirt and debris therefrom.
In Figure 8b a solenoid 160 is connected directly to the frame of the filter
162.
The solenoid is utilized to drive the filter 162 back and forth as indicated
by direction
arrow H so that the opposite side of the filter is brought into and out of
engagement
with a stationary clicker or bumper 164 mounted to a housing 166 of, for
example, the
dirt cup. The contact between the filter 162 and the clicker 164 creates
vibration that
loosens dirt and debris and cleans the filter.
Figure 8c shows yet another possible embodiment wherein the clicker 170 is
fixed to the wall of the dirt cup. The clicker 170 includes multiple resilient
lugs 172
that engage the filter media 62 that extends between the hub 56 and outer side
wall 54
of the filter 52. As illustrated, the filter 52 also carries a pinion 174
fixed to the hub
56. A solenoid 176 is connected to a rack 178 that meshes with the pinion 174.
The
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solenoid 176 functions to displace the rack 178 back and forth in the
direction of
action arrow I thereby causing the pinion 174 and the filter 52 affixed
thereto to rotate
back and forth. As this occurs the lugs 172 engage the media 62 of the filter
52
thereby vibrating the filter material and effectively loosening dirt and
debris from the
pores thereof.
Figure 8d discloses yet another embodiment. In this embodiment a rotary
clicker 180 is provided. The rotary clicker 180 includes two depending,
resilient lugs
182 and a pinion 184. The lugs 182 engage the filter media 62 that is
stretched
between the hub 56 and outer side wall 54 of the filter 52. A solenoid 186 is
connected to a displaceable rack 188 that meshes with the pinion 184. The
solenoid
186 functions to displace the rack 188 back and forth as illustrated by action
arrow J.
Since the rack 188 meshes with the pinion 184 this causes the clicker 180 to
rotate
back and forth with respect to the filter 52. As the clicker 180 is rotated,
the lugs 182
engage the peaks of the ribbed filter material 62 thereby vibrating the filter
material
and effectively loosening dirt and debris from the pores thereof.
The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present invention
has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious
modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings.
The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of
the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby
enable one of
ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and
with
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various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All
such
modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as
determined by
the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which
they
are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred
embodiments do
not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims and their
fair and
broad interpretation in any way.
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