Abstract:
A vacuum cleaning system includes a nozzle assembly comprising a first nozzle and a second nozzle, a first air conduit in communication with the first nozzle, an air blower that can produce a suction air stream into the first nozzle and through the first air conduit and produce an exhaust air stream out of the second nozzle, a dirt separation member that can stop dirt in the suction air stream and to allow the exhaust air stream to pass through the dirt separation member, a dirt collection chamber that can collect the dirt in the suction air stream, and a second air conduit that can guide the exhaust air stream to the second nozzle.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This application relates to a vacuum cleaning system. 
         [0002]    A conventional vacuum cleaner  100 , referring to  FIG. 1 , includes a suction nozzle  110 , a flexible hose  120  connected to the suction nozzle  110 , a pipe  130  connected to the flexible hose  120 , a dirt collection chamber  140  connected to the pipe  130 , and an exhaust pipe  170  connected to the dirt collection chamber  140 . A filter  150  is mounted on a wall on the down stream side of the direct collection chamber  140 . An electric blower  160  coupled to the exhaust pipe  170  is configured to create exhaust vacuum behind the dirt collection chamber  140  and to produce a suction air stream. Air carrying dirt can be suctioned into the suction nozzle  110 , flowing through the hose  120  and the pipe  130 , into the dirt collection chamber  140 . A majority of the dirt  145  is filtered by the filter  150  and collected in the dirt collection chamber  140 . Air is exhausted through the exhaust pipe  170  and out of the vacuum cleaner  100 . 
         [0003]    A drawback for the above described conventional vacuum cleaner is that it is often ineffective in removing dirt hidden behind objects, in narrow spaces, or non-flat surfaces such as computer keyboard, computer vent, car dashboard, or non-flat filters. In these situations, the air current drawn into the suction nozzle often cannot reach some areas where the dirt is located. A narrow suction nozzle tip is usually not small enough for it to reach some of these narrow spaces (e.g. in the case of a computer key board) and cannot cover enough area (e.g. in the case of a car dashboard). 
         [0004]    Another drawback for the above described conventional vacuum cleaner is that it is often ineffective in removing dirt adhered to a surface. The suction force at the suction nozzle is often not strong enough to detach the dirt from the underlying surface in these situations. 
         [0005]    Another drawback for the above described conventional vacuum cleaner is that any residual dirt that is not stopped by the filter is blown right back into the air, which not only results in incomplete cleaning, but can also cause allergy problems to people residing in the ambient environment. 
         [0006]    There is therefore a need to provide a more effective vacuum cleaning system to overcome the above described drawbacks. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In a general aspect, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaning system that includes a nozzle assembly comprising a first nozzle and a second nozzle, a first air conduit in communication with the first nozzle, an air blower that can produce a suction air stream into the first nozzle and through the first air conduit and produce an exhaust air stream out of the second nozzle, a dirt separation member that can stop dirt in the suction air stream and to allow the exhaust air stream to pass through the dirt separation member, a dirt collection chamber that can collect the dirt in the suction air stream, and a second air conduit that can guide the exhaust air stream to the second nozzle. 
         [0008]    In another general aspect, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaning system that includes a first nozzle that can receive a suction air stream, a first air conduit in communication with the first nozzle, a second nozzle that can output an exhaust air stream, a second air conduit that can guide the exhaust air stream to the second nozzle, an air blower that can produce the suction air stream in the first air conduit and to produce the exhaust air stream in the second air conduit, an exhaust air regulator that can exhaust at least a portion of the exhaust air stream and to vary the amount of the exhaust air stream exiting the second nozzle, a dirt separation member that can stop dirt in the suction air stream and to allow the exhaust air stream to pass through the dirt separation member, and a dirt collection chamber that can collect the dirt in the suction air stream. 
         [0009]    Implementations of the system may include one or more of the following. At least one of the first nozzle or the second nozzle is moveable to allow the distance between the first nozzle and the second nozzle to be adjusted. The vacuum cleaning system can further include an exhaust air regulator that can exhaust at least a portion of the exhaust air stream, wherein the exhaust air regulator can vary the amount of the exhaust air stream exiting the second nozzle. The vacuum cleaning system can further include a hose through which the first air conduit and the second conduit are disposed. The first air conduit and the second conduit are separable. At least one of the first air conduit and the second conduit comprises a flexible hose. The vacuum cleaning system can further include a first pipe in connection with the first air conduit in the hose and the dirt collection chamber; and a second pipe in connection with the second air conduit in the hose and the dirt collection chamber, wherein the air blower is coupled to the second pipe. The first pipe, the second pipe, and the dirt collection chamber in part form a close loop. The vacuum cleaning system can further include an exhaust air regulator coupled to the second pipe and that can exhaust at least a portion of the exhaust air stream, wherein the exhaust air regulator can vary the amount exhaust air stream exiting the second nozzle. The exhaust air regulator can include one or more openings along the second pipe, wherein the one or more opening can exhaust at least a portion of the exhaust air stream and a cover can cover the one or more openings to regulate the amount of the exhaust air stream exhausted through the one or more openings. 
         [0010]    Embodiments may include one or more of the following advantages. The disclosed vacuum cleaning system can overcome some drawbacks in conventional vacuum cleaners. An advantage of the disclosed vacuum cleaning system is that it is effective in removing dirt hidden behind objects, in narrow spaces, and non-flat surfaces. The disclosed vacuum cleaning system is also more effective in removing dirt adhered to a surface. 
         [0011]    Another advantage of the disclosed vacuum cleaning system is that it provides additional air blowing function in additional to the vacuum cleaning function, which makes it effective for removing dirt as well as collecting dirt. 
         [0012]    Yet another advantage of the disclosed vacuum cleaning system is that it is energy efficient. Part of the energy in the exhaust air stream can be recycled to assist the movement of the suction air current. The improved energy efficiency may lead to smaller motor size for the air blower and weight reduction for the vacuum system. 
         [0013]    Still another advantage of the disclosed vacuum cleaning system is that it can re-collect the residual dirt that passes through the filter and thus is more effective in dirt collection. The exhaust air can thus be cleaner and the dirt removal more comprehensive than some conventional vacuum cleaners. 
         [0014]    Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to multiple embodiments, it will be understood by persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The following drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a conventional vacuum cleaner. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic diagram of an implementation of a vacuum cleaning system in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram of the vacuum cleaning system of  FIG. 2A  wherein the exhaust air regulator is in a different position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2C  is a schematic diagram of the vacuum cleaning system of  FIG. 2A  wherein the exhaust air regulator is in yet another different position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of the vacuum cleaning system of  FIG. 2A  in a vacuum cleaning operation. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a schematic top view of the vacuum cleaning system of  FIG. 2A  showing the flow directions of the suction air and the blown air. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the vacuum cleaning system of  FIG. 2A  wherein the air suction nozzle and the air blowing nozzles are positioned apart. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of another implementation of a vacuum cleaning system in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , a vacuum cleaning system  200  includes a suction nozzle  210 , a flexible hose  220 , a suction pipe  230 , a dirt collection chamber  240  connected to the suction pipe  230 , and an exhaust pipe  270  connected to the dirt collection chamber  240 . A dirt separation member  250  such as a filter is mounted on the down stream side of the direct collection chamber  240 . The flexible hose  220  includes two air conduits  221  and  222 . The air conduit  221  connects the suction nozzle  210  and the suction pipe  230 . The exhaust pipe  270  connects to the air conduit  222  via a turn-around path  278 . The air conduit  222  is connected to an exhaust nozzle  290 . The suction nozzle  210  is connected to the air conduit  221  via a connection member  211  while the exhaust nozzle  290  is connected to the air conduit  222  via connection member  291 . The ends of the air conduits  221 ,  222  are closed. The suction nozzle  210 , the exhaust nozzle  290 , and their connections to the hose  220  form a nozzle assembly  215 . 
         [0025]    An electric blower  260  is coupled to the exhaust pipe  270  at the downstream side of the dirt collection chamber  240 . The electric blower  260  is configured to create exhaust vacuum behind the dirt collection chamber  240  to create a suction air stream  235  along the suction pipe  230  and an exhaust air stream  275  along the exhaust pipe  270 . Air carrying dirt is suctioned into the suction nozzle  210 , flowing through the air conduit  221  and the suction pipe  230 , into the dirt collection chamber  240 . Majority of the dirt  245  in the suction air is stopped by the dirt separation member  250  and collected in the dirt collection chamber  240 . The exhaust air stream  275  is guided by the turn-around path  278  to the air conduit  222 , and blown out of the exhaust nozzle  290 . The suction pipe  230 , the exhaust pipe  270 , and the dirt collection chamber  240  in part form a close loop. In one implementation, the close loop forms a circular path. 
         [0026]    The vacuum cleaning system  200  is capable of suctioning air into the suction nozzle  210  and collecting the dirt carried by the suction air stream in the dirt collection chamber  240 . The vacuum cleaning system  200  can also blow exhaust air using the exhaust nozzle  290 . The air blowing function can help blow out dirt hidden behind objects, in narrow spaces, and non-flat surfaces, which can be subsequently suctioned into the suction nozzle  210 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , air blown out of the exhaust nozzle  290  can be directed to push the dirt  245  in a cleaning area  310  on a surface  300 . The direct  245  is moved toward the suction nozzle  210 . The suction nozzle  210  suctions air to draw the dirt  245  into the suction nozzle  210 . The combination “pushing and moving” force and the “suction” force make the disclosed vacuum cleaning system more effective than some conventional vacuum cleaner systems. 
         [0028]    The air blowing function is effective for cleaning objects such as computer keyboard, car dash board, car seat, and carpets, etc. The vacuum cleaning system  200  can also be used to assist removing dirt adhered to a surface. Some dirt is stuck to a surface too strongly to be detached by vacuum suction alone. The blown air out of exhaust nozzle  290  can help detach the dirt from the underlying surface, and then removed by suction by the suction nozzle  210 . 
         [0029]    Another advantageous feature of the vacuum cleaning system  200  is that the exhaust air is recycled to the vicinity of the suction nozzle  210 . At least a portion of the residual dirt that passed through the dirt separation member  250  can be re-collected to go through a second and a third filtering event. The exhaust air is thus cleaner and dirt removal more exhaustive than some conventional vacuum cleaners. 
         [0030]    The vacuum cleaning system  200  can be more energy efficient. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , part of the momentum of the blown air (i.e. the exhaust air) can be recycled to accelerate the suction air into the suction nozzle  210 . The improved energy efficiency can also lead to smaller motor size in the blower  260  and potentially reduce weight for the vacuum cleaning system. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , the vacuum cleaning system  200  can further include an air regulation system  280  that is configured to regulate the exhaust of the exhaust air stream  275  along the exhaust pipe  270 . The air regulation system  280  can be implemented in many forms, and can be operated manually or with electric power. For example, the air regulator can include holes  285  that allow air to be exhausted out of the exhaust pipe  270 . The holes  285  can be clear or installed with secondary air filters. A sliding cover  282  can be manually moved along a direction  288  to different positions along the pipe  270  to expose the holes  285 , or cover some or all the holes  285 . The air blowing strength is at maximum when all the holes  285  are blocked ( FIG. 2C ), and is the least strong when all holes are exposed to let some exhaust air out. The amount and the strength of the exhausted air out of the exhaust nozzle  290  can thus be adjusted by allowing different amount of the air to be exhausted through the holes  285 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, referring to  FIG. 3 , the exhaust nozzle  290  can be mounted to the connection member  291  in rotatable joint. The suction nozzle  210  can also be mounted to the connection member  211  in rotatable joint. The exhaust nozzle  290  can thus be positioned apart from the suction nozzle  210  so that air blowing can be performed at a distance away the air suction. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A-3 , the exhaust nozzle  290  can exist in different shapes to maximize blowing intensity. For example, the exhaust nozzle  290  can have a narrower opening than that of the suction nozzle  210  to produce strong air blowing power. The suction nozzle  210  and the exhaust nozzle  290  can be replaceable to allow different nozzles to be mounted for different cleaning situations. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, referring to  FIG. 3 , a vacuum cleaning system  300  includes two separate air conduits  221  and  222  respectively connected to the suction nozzle  210  and the exhaust nozzle  290 . The air conduits  221  and  222  can be formed by flexible hoses, which allows a user to flexibly position and orient the exhaust nozzle  290  for blow exhaust air and to position the suction nozzle  210  to remove dust without being constrained by the position of the exhaust nozzle  290 . 
         [0035]    It is understood that the present invention is described above with reference to exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made and other embodiments can be used without departing from the broader scope of the present invention. Therefore, these and other variations upon the exemplary embodiments are intended to be covered by the present invention. For example, the exhaust air regulator can be implemented in forms different from the example illustrated above. Moreover, the disclosed vacuum cleaning system is compatible with different configurations of the air conduits for the suction air and the exhaust air. For example, the exhaust air can be guided to the exhaust nozzle by a separate hose or pipe instead of sharing the same hose with the suction air as illustrated in the drawings of the present application.