Patent Publication Number: US-11638508-B2

Title: Locking assembly for in-vehicle vacuum cleaner

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/822,595 filed Mar. 22, 2019. The entire contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a vacuum cleaner configured to be mounted in a vehicle and, more particularly, to a locking assembly for the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In order to clean a vehicle, such as a car or truck, a vacuum cleaner is often used to vacuum out dirt and debris. However, it can be awkward and/or inconvenient to use a typical in-home vacuum cleaner to clean out the interior of a vehicle. To address this inconvenience, attempts have been made to permanently install on-board vehicle vacuum cleaners inside the vehicle. However, the known on-board vehicle vacuum cleaners typically have a complex and dedicated installation arrangement, which limits the usage across different vehicles and/or in different arrangements within a vehicle. Further, once installed, some components of the vacuum cleaners move around during vehicle use and/or are not adequately secured, increasing risk that debris from the vacuum cleaner may be unintentionally spilled in the vehicle. 
     In addition, removal of the vacuum cleaner in a dedicated installation arrangement within the vehicle may be time consuming and difficult. For example, it is often difficult for users to access one or more devices or parts used to help remove the vacuum cleaner from a desired location, such as to remove debris collected in the vacuum cleaner, particularly without spilling the debris. In addition, while some parts may be relatively accessible, they can be heavy or cumbersome to handle, further adding to the difficulties in removing such vacuum cleaners from various positions within a vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In accordance with a first exemplary aspect of the disclosure, a vacuum cleaner configured to be mounted in a vehicle comprises a vacuum module configured to draw a vacuum, and a collector module configured to collect debris and coupled to the vacuum module, the collector module having a canister sub-assembly. The vacuum cleaner further includes a locking assembly for the canister sub-assembly and the locking assembly comprises at least one latch stay, a latch, and a latch lock having a latch lock blade. The latch lock is moveable between a fully closed position, in which the latch lock blade contacts a panel member to maintain engagement between the latch and the at least one latch stay, and a fully open position. In the fully open position, the latch is disengaged from the at least one latch stay, enabling the canister sub-assembly to be removed from the collector module. 
     In accordance with a second exemplary aspect of the disclosure, a vacuum cleaner configured to be mounted in a vehicle comprises a vacuum unit configured to draw a vacuum, and a collector configured to collect debris and coupled to the vacuum unit. The collector includes a canister sub-assembly including a canister with a lid having a tab, and the canister includes a housing defining a cavity and a filter removably disposed in the cavity. An interlock assembly having a filter interlock is disposed adjacent to a side of the filter disposed in the canister of the collector. So configured, the filter contacts the filter interlock, preventing the tab of the lid from contacting the filter interlock and allowing the lid to completely close. 
     In accordance with yet another exemplary aspect of the disclosure, a vacuum cleaner configured to be mounted in a vehicle comprises a vacuum unit configured to draw a vacuum, and a collector configured to collect debris and coupled to the vacuum unit. The collector includes a canister sub-assembly, and a locking assembly is adapted to secure the canister sub-assembly within the collector. The locking assembly comprises at least one latch stay, a latch, and a latch lock having a latch lock blade. So configured, the latch lock is moveable between a fully closed position, in which the latch lock blade maintains engagement between the latch and the at least one latch stay, and a fully open position. In the fully open position, the latch is disengaged from the at least one latch stay, enabling the canister sub-assembly to be removed from the collector. 
     In further accordance with any one or more of the exemplary aspects, the vacuum cleaner optionally may include any one or more of the following preferred forms. 
     In some preferred forms, the collector module may further comprise a mounting plate, and the at least one latch stay is disposed on the mounting plate. In addition, the at least one latch stay may comprise a pair of latch stays disposed on the mounting plate, and the latch may contact each latch stay of the pair of latch stays when the latch lock is in the fully closed position. Further, the latch lock is disposed perpendicular to a lateral axis of the latch in the fully closed position. Also, the latch lock is disposed parallel to the lateral axis of the latch in the fully open position and the latch lock blade does not contact the panel member in the fully open position. 
     In other preferred forms, the latch may include a central portion having a first side and a second side, a first shoulder extending from the first side and contacting a first end of the mounting plate, and a second shoulder extending from the second side and contacting a second end of the mounting plate. The latch lock may be disposed on the central portion of the latch. In addition, the central portion may further include two downwardly and inwardly extending projections and a gripping portion integral with and disposed between both of the downwardly and inwardly extending projections. The gripping portion is adapted to be pulled when the latch lock is in the open position. Further, the first shoulder may engage a first latch stay disposed on the first end of the mounting plate, and the second shoulder may engage a second latch stay disposed on the second end of the mounting plate when the latch lock is in the fully closed position. 
     In still other preferred forms, the canister sub-assembly includes a canister with a lid having a tab, and the canister includes a housing defining a cavity. A filter may be removably disposed in the cavity, and a filter interlock may be disposed adjacent to a side of the filter, such that the filter contacts the filter interlock. This prevents the tab on the lid from contacting the filter interlock and allows the lid to completely close. An interlock spring may interact with the filter interlock and bias the filter interlock toward a center area of the cavity. So configured, the tab on the lid contacts the filter interlock when the filter is removed from the cavity, preventing the lid from completely closing. 
     In other preferred forms, the housing may include sides and a wall extending from one side of the housing to divide the cavity into a first cavity and a second cavity. The filter interlock may be disposed on the wall, such as an inside surface of the wall, and the interlock spring may be disposed between the wall and the filter interlock. The filter is adapted to be removably disposed in the first cavity. An interlock spring may be disposed between the inside surface of the wall and the filter interlock, biasing the filter interlock toward a center area of the first cavity. So configured, when the filter is not disposed in the cavity, the interlock spring moves the interlock toward a center area of the cavity, such that the tab on the lid contacts the interlock and prevents the lid from completely closing. 
     In still other preferred forms, the vacuum cleaner may include a locking assembly coupling the canister sub-assembly to the collector. The locking assembly may comprise at least one latch stay, a latch, and a latch lock having a latch lock blade adapted to contact a panel member to engage the at least one latch stay to the latch. In addition, the latch lock is moveable between a fully closed position, in which the latch lock blade contacts the panel member to maintain engagement between the latch and the at least one latch stay, and a fully open position. In the fully open position, the latch lock blade does not contact the panel member, and the latch is disengaged from the at least one latch stay, enabling the canister sub-assembly to be removed from the collector. 
     Additional optional aspects, arrangements, forms, and/or advantages of the vacuum cleaners disclosed herein will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended drawings, each different functionally operable and technically effective combination of which is expressly included as a part of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The Figures described below depict various aspects of the system and methods disclosed therein. It should be understood that each figure depicts an example of a particular aspect of the disclosed system and methods, and that each of the figures is intended to accord with a possible example thereof. Further, wherever possible, the following description refers to the reference numerals included in the following figures, in which features depicted in multiple figures are designated with consistent reference numerals. 
       There are shown in the drawings arrangements which are presently discussed, it being understood, however, that the present examples are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is front view of a vacuum cleaner according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the vacuum cleaner having a latch lock in a closed position; 
         FIG.  2    is a sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  1    taken along the line A-A of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a front perspective view of a portion of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a close-up view of a portion A of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    is another close-up view of the portion A of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  3   , with a front panel removed from the vacuum cleaner; 
         FIG.  6    is a portion B of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a front perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of the present disclosure, the latch lock of the vacuum cleaner in an open position; 
         FIG.  8    is a close-up view of a portion C of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is another close-up view of the portion C of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  7   , with the front panel removed from the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a close-up view of a portion of a sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  7   , with the latch lock in the open position; 
         FIG.  11    is a rear perspective view of a portion of a vacuum cleaner, such as the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  1   , according to another aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  12    is a side view of the portion of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  13    is a sectional view of the portion of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  12    taken along the line B-B of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  14    is another rear perspective view of a portion of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  1   , with a filter removed from the portion of the vacuum cleaner; 
         FIG.  15    is a side view of the portion of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  14   ; and 
         FIG.  16    is a sectional view of the portion of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG.  15    taken along the line C-C of  FIG.  15   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A vacuum cleaner configured to be mounted in a vehicle is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum module configured to draw a vacuum and a collector module configured to collect debris and coupled to the vacuum module. The collector module has a canister sub-assembly. In addition, a locking assembly secures the canister sub-assembly to the collector module and includes a latch stay, a latch to contact the latch stay, and a latch lock. The latch lock has a latch blade that maintains engagement between the latch and the latch stay when the latch lock is in a fully closed position. The latch lock is moveable between the fully closed position, in which the latch blade contacts a panel member of the collector module to maintain engagement between the latch and the latch stay, and a fully open position. In the fully open position, the latch blade is removed from contact with the panel member, and the latch is disengaged from the latch stay. As a result, the canister sub-assembly is able to be easily removed from the collector module for emptying. Likewise, the canister sub-assembly is able to be easily reinserted back into the collector module after emptying, and the latch lock moved back to a fully closed position. This easily secures the canister sub-assembly within the collector module before another use of the vacuum cleaner. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 - 2   , a vacuum cleaner  10  having a locking assembly  20  according the present disclosure is depicted. The vacuum cleaner  10  is configured to be installed and operated within a vehicle, such as a car or truck or other type of vehicle. Preferably, the vacuum cleaner  10  is configured to be installed within a passenger compartment of the vehicle to provide easy access and use of the vacuum cleaner for cleaning the interior of the passenger compartment. 
     In one example, the vacuum cleaner  10  has a modular configuration. The modular configuration includes a vacuum module  22  and a collector module  24  that can be connected to each other as an integrated unit in any of a plurality of different pre-defined assembly arrangements, such as with an interconnecting duct (not depicted) or other coupling mechanism. For example,  FIG.  2    depicts the vacuum cleaner  10  with the collector module  24  operatively connected to the vacuum module  22  in an in-line configuration. However, various other configurations may alternatively be employed, such as a side-by-side configuration or an upright installation configuration, and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Because of its modular configuration, the vacuum cleaner  10  can be easily assembled and/or oriented in many different shapes and orientations. As a result, one can easily configure the vacuum cleaner  10  to fit different shapes and/or configurations of receptacle spaces within a vehicle, while maintaining the vacuum cleaner  10  as an integrated unit. For example, the vacuum cleaner  10  may be configured and oriented to fit in a space between seats, such as within a center console. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner  10  may be configured and oriented to fit on the side or underneath a seat, in a space along the side wall of a cargo bay of a van or sport utility vehicle (SUV), in a passenger compartment or in the trunk. However, because the interconnecting duct or other coupling mechanism operatively couples the collector module  24  to the vacuum module  22  in pre-defined orientations as an integral unit, the vacuum cleaner  10  can be easily installed and/or removed and/or otherwise moved around as a single unit, which may provide easier handling of the vacuum cleaner  10  as compared to a vacuum cleaner that is not connected together as an integrated unit. When the collector module  24  is operatively coupled to the vacuum module  22 , air can be drawn from the interior of the collector module  24  into the interior of the vacuum module  22 , for example, by a motor of the vacuum module  22 , as explained more below. 
     Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner  10  may not include a modular configuration and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the vacuum cleaner  10  may include a vacuum unit  23  and a collector  25  that still are coupled to each other to form an integrated vacuum cleaner unit. While the vacuum cleaner  10  may not include all of the various modular arrangements in this example, the vacuum cleaner  10  may still be configured and oriented to fit in various spaces within a vehicle. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , the vacuum module  22  includes a motor/impeller unit  28  within a motor housing  30 . The motor housing  30  has an outer shell with a generally elongate rectangular form. However, the motor housing  30  may take many different forms and shapes and sizes depending upon the particular space needs and/or arrangements desired for installation in a particular vehicle and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. The motor/impeller unit  28  includes a motor  32  that drives an impeller assembly  34 , and a controller  36  that controls the motor  32 . The motor  32  can be of any design suitable for vacuum cleaners, including standard motors with brushes or brushless motors, and switched reluctance motors. The impeller assembly  34  may take any form suitable for moving air in a manner that will create a vacuum. In this arrangement, the impeller assembly  34  includes three in-line impellers. However, other forms of the impeller assembly  34  may also be used. The motor  32  is operatively coupled to the impeller assembly  34  to drive the impellers to create a vacuum. The controller  36  includes suitable electronics, such as a PCB board and/or other appropriate electronic control circuits configured to control the motor  32 . The motor housing  30  includes an intake opening (not depicted) that forms a duct receiver and an air inlet for air that is drawn into the impeller assembly. 
     Still referring to  FIG.  2   , the collector module  24  includes a housing  40  and a canister sub-assembly  42  disposed within the housing  40 . The canister sub-assembly  42  also includes a pre-filter  43  and a filter  45 , as explained more below ( FIG.  11   ). The canister sub-assembly  42  is removably received within the housing  24  such that the canister sub-assembly  42  can be slidably removed from and returned into the housing  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the locking assembly  20  for the canister sub-assembly  42  of the vacuum cleaner  10  is further depicted. More specifically, and in one example, the locking assembly  20  includes at least one latch stay  44 . The at least one latch stay  44  is disposed on a mounting plate  46  attached to a portion of the housing  40  of the collector module  24 , as depicted in  FIG.  4   . In another example, and as depicted in  FIG.  5   , the at least one latch stay  44  includes a pair of latch stays  44   a ,  44   b , such as a first latch stay  44   a  and a second latch stay  44   b , disposed on the mounting plate  46 , as explained more below. The locking assembly  20  further includes a latch  48  adapted to contact the at least one latch stay  44 , and a latch lock  50  having a latch lock blade  52 . A panel member  54  is disposed one or more of around and/or over the latch  48 , as depicted in  FIG.  4   , for example. In this example, the panel member includes a centrally located recess, such that the latch  48  is accessible through the recess when the panel member  54  is included. 
     So configured, the latch lock  50  is moveable between a fully closed position, as depicted in  FIG.  4   , for example, and a fully open position, as depicted in  FIG.  8 - 9   , for example. More specifically, when the latch lock  50  is in the fully closed position, the latch lock blade  52  contacts the panel member  54  to maintain engagement between the latch  48  and the at least one latch stay  44 . When the latch lock  50  is in the fully open position, the latch lock blade  52  does not contact the panel member  54  and the latch  48  is disengaged from the at least one latch stay  44 , as explained more below. As a result, the canister sub-assembly  42  is able to be removed from the collector module  24  for emptying. In addition, the latch  48  includes a lateral axis LA, and the latch lock  50  is disposed perpendicular to the lateral axis LA of the latch  48  when the latch lock  50  is in a fully closed position. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , the panel member  54  is removed from the collector module  24  and further features of the latch  48  and collector module  24  are depicted. For example, and in one example, the latch  48  includes a central portion  56  having a first side  58  and a second side  60 . The latch lock  50  is disposed at the central portion  56  of the latch  48 . In addition, the mounting plate  46  includes a first end  62  and a second end  64 , such that the first latch stay  44   a  is disposed on the first end  62  of the mounting plate  46  and the second latch stay  44   b  is disposed on the second end  64  of the mounting plate  46 . 
     The latch  48  also includes a first shoulder  66  extending from the first side  58  of the latch  48  and contacting the first end  62  of the mounting plate  46 . A second shoulder  68  extends from the second side  60  of the latch  48  and contacts the second end  64  of the mounting plate  46 . In one example, and when the latch lock  50  is in the fully closed position, the first shoulder  66  contacts the first latch stay  44   a  at the first end  62  of the mounting plate  46 . In addition, the second shoulder  68  of the latch  48  contacts the second latch stay  44   b  at the second end  64  of the mounting plate  46 . 
     The central portion  56  of the latch  48  further includes two downwardly and inwardly extending projections  70 ,  72  and a gripping portion  74 . The gripping portion  74  is integral with and disposed between the two downwardly and inwardly extending projections  70 ,  72 , as depicted in  FIG.  5   , for example. When the latch lock  50  is moved to the fully open position (e.g.,  FIGS.  8 - 9   ), the gripping portion  74  is completely accessible and capable of being pulled, which helps enable the canister sub-assembly  42  to be removed from the collector module  24  for emptying. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , a cross-sectional view of a portion B of the collector module  24  of  FIG.  2    is depicted. The latch lock  50  is in the fully closed position, and the latch lock blade  52  of the latch lock  50  contacts the panel member  54  to maintain engagement between the latch  48  and the at least one latch stay  44  ( FIG.  5   ). In one example, the latch lock  50  contacts the panel member  54  to maintain engagement between both the first shoulder  66  of the latch  48  and the first latch stay  44   a  and the second shoulder  68  of the latch  48  and the second latch stay  44   b.    
     Referring now to  FIGS.  7 - 10   , the latch lock  50  of the locking assembly  20  is disposed in a fully open position. In the fully open position, the latch lock  50  has been moved from a position perpendicular to the lateral axis LA of the latch  48  to a position parallel to the lateral axis LA of the latch  48 , as depicted in  FIG.  8   , for example. Said another way, the latch lock  50  may be rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the fully closed position in which the latch lock  50  is disposed perpendicular to the lateral axis LA of the latch  48  to the fully open position, in which the latch lock  50  is disposed parallel to the lateral axis LA of the latch  48 . Alternatively, the latch lock  50  may be moved and/or rotated in another direction to reach the fully open position and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     After moving the latch lock  50  to the fully open position, the latch  48 , such as the gripping portion  74  may be moved and/or rotated from a vertical position ( FIGS.  4  and  5   ) to a horizontal position, as depicted in  FIGS.  8 - 10   . The gripping portion  74  may then be pulled in a direction away from the collector module  24  to remove the canister sub-assembly  42  from the collector module  24  for emptying debris disposed therein. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  9   , a portion of the collector module  24  is depicted with the panel member  54  removed from the collector module  24  and the latch lock  50  still in a fully open position. In the fully open position, the latch  48  is disengaged from the at least one latch stay  44 . More specifically, and in one example, the first shoulder  66  of the latch  48  is not engaged with the first latch stay  44   a , and the second shoulder  68  of the latch  48  is not engaged with second latch stay  44   b . In particular, the first shoulder  66  includes a recess  67  and the second shoulder  68  includes a recess  69 , such that when the latch  48  is moved from the vertical position (e.g.,  FIG.  4   ) to the horizontal position (e.g.,  FIG.  9   ) each of the first and second shoulders  66 ,  68  rotate. The corresponding recesses  67 ,  69  align with each corresponding latch stay  44   a ,  44   b , preventing engagement between the first and second shoulders  66 ,  68  and the first and second latch stays  44   a ,  44   b.    
     Referring now to  FIG.  10   , another cross-sectional view of a portion of the collector module  24  is depicted, with the latch lock  50  in the fully open position and the latch  48  moved to a horizontal position. So positioned, the latch lock blade  52  no longer contacts the panel member  54 , and the latch  48  is disengaged from the at least one latch stay  44 . Further, a tab  78  of a canister  80  of the canister sub-assembly  42  holds the latch  48  in the horizontal position depicted in  FIGS.  7 - 10   . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  11 - 13   , the canister sub-assembly  42  of the collector module  24  of  FIGS.  1 - 10    is depicted. While the canister sub-assembly  42  of the collector module  24  is coupled to the vacuum module  22  of  FIG.  2   , for example, the canister sub-assembly  42  may alternatively be coupled to another vacuum source including a motor and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Said another way, the collector module  24  may be a collector having the canister sub-assembly  42  coupled to the vacuum unit without any modular configuration. As noted above, such an alternative arrangement still falls within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As shown therein, the canister sub-assembly  42  includes the canister  80 , the pre-filter  43 , and the filter  45 . The canister  80  includes a lid  82  having a tab  84  and a housing  86  defining a cavity  88 . Both the pre-filter  43  and the filter  45  are removably disposed within the cavity  86  of the housing  84 . 
     An interlock assembly  90  includes a filter interlock  91  disposed adjacent to a side of the filter  45 . So configured, the filter  45  contacts the filter interlock  91 , which prevents the tab  84  of the lid  82  from contacting the filter interlock  91 . As a result, the lid  82  is able to completely close, as depicted in  FIG.  13   . As depicted in  FIG.  11   , the housing  86  includes sides  92 , such as four sides  92 . The housing  86  may alternatively have fewer or more sides  92  and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. A wall  93  extends from one side  92  of the housing  86  to divide the cavity  88  of the housing  86  into a first cavity  88   a  and a second cavity  88   b . The filter  45  is adapted to be disposed in the first cavity  88   a  and the filter interlock  91  is disposed on an inside surface  94  of the wall  93 . 
     The interlock assembly  90  further includes an interlock spring  95  disposed between the inside surface  94  of the wall  93  and the filter interlock  91 , as best depicted in  FIGS.  13  and  14   , for example. In one example, the interlock spring  95  is a steel spring or a portion of a steel spring. Alternatively, the interlock spring  95  may take various other forms and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. In another example, the interlock spring  95  may be preloaded when installed in the canister  86  and will not have a bend to at least a portion of the interlock spring  95 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  14 - 16   , the canister sub-assembly  42  is depicted without the filter  45  disposed within the cavity  88 ,  88   a  of the canister  86 . The interlock spring  95  biases the filter interlock  91  toward a center area of the first cavity  88   a , as depicted in  FIG.  14   , for example. Said another way, when the filter  45  is not disposed in the cavity  88   a  of the canister  86 , the interlock spring  95  moves the filter interlock  91  toward the center area of the cavity  88   a . As a result, the tab  84  of the lid  82  contacts the filter interlock  91 , as depicted in  FIG.  16    when the lid  82  is moved to a closed position, preventing the lid  82  from completely closing. 
     In view of the foregoing, the vacuum cleaner  10  has several advantages. The unique locking assembly  20  disposed on the collector module  24  secures the canister sub-assembly  32  to the collector module  24  once installed within a vehicle, for example. As a result, the canister sub-assembly  42  moves very little, if at all, reducing if not eliminating the risk of debris (from the canister sub-assembly  42 ) spilling inside the vehicle during use of the vacuum cleaner  10  and/or the vehicle. 
     Further, the unique interlock assembly  90  secures the filter  45  within the canister sub-assembly  42 , preventing movement of the same during use of the one or both of the vacuum cleaner  10  and/or the vehicle. Further, the lid  84  is able to completely close when the filter  45  is disposed therein in view of the interlock assembly  90 , further reducing risk of debris spilling from the canister sub-assembly  42  during operation of the vacuum cleaner  10  and/or the vehicle. In addition, an advantage of the lid  84  not completely closing, such as when the filter  45  is not disposed within the canister sub-assembly  42 , is the vacuum will not create any suction, preventing the user from sucking up any debris. 
     Still further, the shapes and sizes of the collector module  24  and the vacuum module  22  may be modified to conform to many different space configurations as may be dictated by the space and sizes of components within the vehicle and/or decorative design considerations. While it is anticipated the vacuum cleaner  10  will be configured for installation within the passenger and/or cargo compartment of the vehicle, the vacuum cleaner  10  may alternatively be configured for other areas of the vehicle, increasing the flexibility of the vacuum cleaner  10 . 
     Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein. 
     As used herein any reference to “one example” or “an example” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one example” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same example. 
     Some examples may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some examples may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other. The examples are not limited in this context. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B is true (or present). 
     In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the description. This description, and the claims that follow, should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. 
     This detailed description is to be construed as examples and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this application. 
     While various embodiments have been described herein, it is understood that the appended claims are not intended to be limited thereto, and may include variations that are still within the literal or equivalent scope of the claims.