Abstract:
A vacuum apparatus built-in to a vehicle has a vacuum canister with a vacuum motor. A retractable hose is fluidly connected to the vacuum canister. The hose is selectively retractable and extendable from a motorized reel. Both the vacuum and the reel are operable from a switch on a nozzle at the end of the hose. Cleaning solution from a tank can be selectively sprayed simultaneously with the vacuum operation.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application 60/319,502, filed Aug. 27, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner installed in a vehicle. In one aspect, the invention relates to a retractable hose storage device. In another aspect, the invention relates to a wet/dry vacuum cleaner with a combination cleaning solution sprayer and vacuum attachment.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Conventional techniques to vacuum the interior of vehicles require the use of exterior household vacuum cleaners and related attachments. Such devices require the cleaning operation to occur in garages, or near homes having convenient sources of electrical power. Vacuuming motor vehicles at commercial carwashes typically utilize exterior stanchions, where a retractable hose is connected to a fixed vacuum unit.  
           [0006]    The advent of handheld cordless vacuum cleaners enabled users to carry such portable vacuum cleaner units in a vehicle, untethered to electrical cords, but such units typically do not have the power and suction of a conventional vacuum cleaner, and when power runs low, they must be recharged.  
           [0007]    It is known to use portable vacuum cleaners specifically adapted to connect to the vehicle power source, as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,753 to Sousa et al. It is also known to use built-in central vacuum cleaning systems in a vehicle as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,787 to Rothstein et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,091 to Ingram et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,804 to Lee et al. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,472 to Arena suggests the use of a wet/dry vacuum system in a vehicle.  
           [0008]    There still remains a problem with effective hose management in the vehicle, as well as problems with effective cleaning. While known vacuum systems can be effective for removal of dirt and debris, stained carpet or upholstery typically requires the use of something more.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0009]    These limitations of prior art vacuum cleaning systems in vehicles are overcome by the present invention of a vacuum cleaner for a vehicle having a vacuum canister and a retractable hose fluidly connected to it. The hose is retractable into a storage space in the vehicle. Preferably, the hose is retractable onto a reel stored in the way-back space or trunk of a passenger automobile. In one aspect of the invention, the reel is selectively operable by a switch that actuates a motor to drive the hose off of or onto the reel. Preferably, the vacuum system will have an electrical supply separate from that of the vehicle, or at least selectively separate.  
           [0010]    In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for storing a vacuum hose has a frame and a reel rotatably mounted within the frame for rotation about an axis. The reel has a hub and a vacuum hose has one end mounted to the hub. A roller is fixedly mounted relative to the frame adjacent to the reel in a position to engage the vacuum hose in order to urge the vacuum hose onto and off of the reel when the roller rotates. The frame has a slot extending from the axis toward the roller and the hub moves within the slot, biased toward the roller to keep the vacuum hose engaged with the roller.  
           [0011]    In another aspect of the invention, a cleaning system for a vehicle has a vacuum canister fixedly mounted to the vehicle with means for drawing a vacuum in the canister. A hose is fluidly connected to the vacuum canister and a suction nozzle is on the hose. A cleaning solution tank is provided for holding carpet and upholstery cleaning solution and a conduit extends from the cleaning solution tank to a spray nozzle for dispensing cleaning solution from the cleaning solution tank. A control on the suction nozzle controls operation of the vacuum means and the spray nozzle. Preferably, a brush can be located on the suction nozzle to assist in cleaning.  
           [0012]    In a further aspect of the invention, sensors are included to determine air quality associated with an occupancy compartment of the vehicle. The sensors can determine when the vacuum canister is full, and can also determine the quality of the exhaust air form the vacuum canister. Preferably, devices can be employed to clean the exhaust air, such as ultraviolet light and photocatalysts. In addition, the exhaust air can be scented to add freshness. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    In the drawings:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is an elevation view, broken away and in section, showing the interior compartment of a vehicle with a vacuum system according to the invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a motor vehicle showing a vacuum console according to the invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vacuum console of FIG. 1 in the open position;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a vacuum nozzle according to the invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the vacuum nozzle of FIG. 4;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a vacuum system according to the invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 6 with the cover to a hose storage module according to the invention removed;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the hose storage module of FIG. 7 showing a portion of the hose retraction system;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along lines  9 - 9  of FIG. 7;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the hose storage module of FIG. 7;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a vacuum canister according to the invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the vacuum canister of FIG. 11 in the open position;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is an elevation view similar to FIG. 6 of an alternative embodiment of a vacuum system according to the invention with a cleaning solution module; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a nozzle for the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 13. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a vehicle  10  having a vacuum system  12  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The unique design of the vacuum system  12  enables it to be compactly built in to a way back space  14  behind a vehicle seat  16 , in the trunk of a passenger automobile, or in virtually any unused portion of the interior of the vehicle. In the exemplary embodiment, the vacuum system  12  comprises a vacuum console  18 , a hose storage module  20 , and a vacuum canister  22 .  
         [0029]    Looking now at FIGS. 2 and 3, the vacuum console  18  may sit adjacent to the vehicle seat  16 , and holds a vacuum nozzle  24  attached to the end of a vacuum hose  26 . It will be understood that the vacuum console  18  can be apart from a vehicle seat  16  as shown, or it can be integral and indistinguishable from the vehicle seat wherein the vehicle seat itself can serve as the vacuum console. The vacuum console  18  comprises a pivotable and slidable cover  28 , here shaped to look like a vehicle seat, and which covers an interior space  30 . Within the space is a horizontal panel  32  having an open ended slot  34 . The slot  34  is sized to receive and hold the vacuum nozzle  24 .  
         [0030]    The nozzle  24  is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. It comprises generally a handle portion  36  and a suction spout  38 . At a convenient location on the handle portion  36 , are two switches  40 ,  42 . One of the switches  40  is electrically connected to the vacuum canister  22  to operate the vacuum, and the other switch  42  is electrically connected to the hose storage module to operate a motorized extension and retraction of the hose  26  as hereinafter described. The hose storage module  20  and the vacuum canister  22  are shown more generally in FIG. 6. The hose storage module is enclosed by a cover  44  and an intermediate vacuum hose  46  extends between the hose storage module  20  and the vacuum canister  22 .  
         [0031]    The vacuum canister is best shown in FIGS. 6, 11 and  12  and comprises a housing  48  with a pivotable cover  50 . Mounted to the cover  50  is a motor  52  and an impeller  54  which, together, will draw a vacuum in the housing  48  when the motor is operating. An exhaust port  56  extends from the impeller  54 . An intake port  58  is mounted to the housing  48  and the intermediate vacuum hose  46  is connected to the intake port  58 . Inside the housing  48  between the intake port  58  and the impeller  54  is a removable filter  60 .  
         [0032]    The motor  52  is a conventional 110 volt motor driven by a rechargeable, deep draw battery  62  operatively connected to the  12  volt system of the vehicle. An inverter  64  transforms the voltage for operation of the motor  52 . The motor  52  and battery  62  are electrically connected to the vacuum switch  42  on the nozzle  24 .  
         [0033]    Looking now at FIGS.  7 - 10 , the unique hose storage module  20  according to the invention is shown. The hose storage module  20  comprises generally a reel  70  and a hose retraction device  72  that work together to form a hose retraction and storage system. The reel  70  is best shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and  10  and comprises a fixed frame  74  which is formed of cross members  76  spaced from each other by end brackets  78 . One side of the frame  74  is adapted to be mounted to a vertical wall or the back of a seat in a way back space as shown, or to the floor of a trunk in a motor vehicle. One of the vertical members  76  outboard of the supporting surface to which the frame is secured has a slot  80 . A hollow hub  82  rotates within the frame at the intersection of the cross members  76  and defines the axis  84  of the rotation of the wheel  70 . One end of the hub  82  is closed and mounted to an axle  86  that rides in the vertical slot  80  on the inboard member  76 . The other end of the hub  82  communicates with the hollow swivel  88 , and is mounted to rotate relative to the swivel  88 . The swivel  88  and the hub  82  are permitted to articulate linearly within the slot  80  on the outboard member  76 . Opposing circular flat walls  90  are spaced from each other on the hub  82 . One end of the retractable hose  26  is secured in fluid communication to the hub  82  at a connection  92 . The hose  26  is wrapped spirally around the hub and constrained by the flat walls  90 . The intermediate hose  46  is connected in fluid communication to the swivel  88 . It will be apparent that the air flow path, when the vacuum is operating, runs from the nozzle  24  through the hose  26 , whether or not it is wound on the wheel  70 , to the hub  82  and then through the swivel  88  to the intermediate hose  46  to the vacuum housing  48  where it is filtered by the filter  60  and expelled by the impeller  54  through the exhaust  56 .  
         [0034]    The hose retraction system  72  is best shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and  9 . The hose retraction system  72  comprises a drive motor  100  with a worm gear  102  mounted to a shaft  104 . A roller, preferably formed rubber, is mounted to the frame  72  adjacent to the house  26  where it is spiraled onto the wheel  70 . The roller  106  generally has a concave surface having a radius roughly the same as the radius of the vacuum hose  26 . The roller  106  has projections  108  sized and spaced from each other to engage adjacent valleys  110  on one side of the vacuum hose  26 . The roller  106  is mounted to a shaft  112  that extends outwardly from the frame  74  to a gear  114  at one end thereof. The gear  114  is disposed to mesh with the worm gear  102 . With this configuration, it will be apparent that when the motor  100  is operated in one direction, the hose  26  will be urged by the projections  108  on the roller  106  to move in one direction. Conversely, as the motor  100  is operated in the reverse direction, the hose  26  will also move in the reverse direction.  
         [0035]    In order to keep the hose  26  bearing against the roller  106  as it is reeled off of or on to the reel  70 , a gas spring  116  has one end  118  mounted to the frame  74  and the other end  120  mounted to the swivel  88 . The gas spring is mounted so as to bias the swivel  88  and the hub  82  toward the roller  106 .  
         [0036]    Preferably, an upper limit switch  122  is mounted at the upper end of the slot  80  and a lower limit switch  124  is mounted near a lower end of the slot  80 . The motor  100  is electrically connected to the switch  42  on the nozzle  24 . The electrical connections between the retraction drive motor  100  and the switch  42  and the electrical connections between the vacuum motor  52  and the switch  40  are disguised in the hose  26 , but it will be apparent that the wiring must accommodate the rotation of the wheel  70 .  
         [0037]    The electrical wiring is preferably conducted through a control module  126  and the wiring that runs along the hose  26  is connected to the wiring module  126  by a flexible cord  128  similar to a telephone cord which can easily accommodate as many revolutions as necessary to reel and unreel the hose  26  on the reel  70 .  
         [0038]    Operation of the vacuum system according to the invention is conducted entirely from the nozzle  24 . A user will open the console and grasp the nozzle  24 . Actuating the switch  42  will energize the drive motor  100  causing the roller  106  to urge the vacuum hose  26  off of the reel  70  through a guide tube  132  and into the console where the user can direct the hose and the nozzle to any location in the vehicle. When the hose  26  is extended to the user&#39;s satisfaction, further extension is stopped by turning the switch  42  off. At this time, the user can actuate the switch  40  which energizes the motor  52  to start the vacuum. The user can further extend or retract the hose  26  by actuation of the switch  42  either during or after vacuuming. Dirt will be filtered out by the filter  60  and deposited within the housing  48 . When vacuuming is complete, the user can turn the vacuum off with switch  40  and retract the nozzle  24  and the hose  26  back into the console by actuation of the switch  42 . As the hose  26  is being extended or retracted, the gas spring  116  continues to bias the hub  82  toward the roller  106  to keep the hose  26  engaged with the roller  106 .  
         [0039]    Dirt and debris picked up in the vacuuming process can be removed by opening the cover on the housing  48 , removing the filter  60 , and emptying the contents of the housing  48  as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.  
         [0040]    Modifications of this embodiment that are clearly within the scope of the invention include utilizing a removable dust bag in the housing  48  within which to entrap dirt and debris from the vacuuming process. It will also be apparent that the intermediate hose  46  can be removed from the intake port  58  and attached to the exhaust port  56  so that the nozzle  24  can be used as a blower instead of a vacuum.  
         [0041]    An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. This embodiment comprises a vacuum system virtually identical to that earlier described, except for the provision of adding cleaning solution to surfaces in the vehicle such as carpet and upholstery. Here a cleaning solution module  150  includes a cleaning solution tank  152  to hold a cleaning solution. The tank  152  has a covered fill opening  154 . A conduit  156  extends from the tank to a spray nozzle  158 , preferably located on the vacuum nozzle  24 . Solution in the tank can be gravity fed to the spray nozzle  158 , where it can be sprayed by a manual pump (not shown). Alternatively, the tank  152  and conduit can be pressurized to permit spray from the nozzle  158  upon actuation of a switch (not shown).  
         [0042]    While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.