Patent Abstract:
A vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a suctioning nozzle, a height adjusting unit, a manipulating part, a position sensing part, and a display part. The suctioning nozzle suctions air including dust. The height adjusting unit adjusts the height of the suctioning nozzle. The manipulating part manipulates the height adjusting unit. The position sensing part senses the height adjusted by the height adjusting unit. The display part externally displays the height sensed by the position sensing part.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner.  
         [0002]     In general, a vacuum cleaner is an apparatus that uses suctioning force generated by a suctioning motor installed within a main body to suction air including dust, and then filter the dust within the main body.  
         [0003]     Vacuum cleaners can largely be categorized into canister vacuum cleaners that have a suctioning nozzle connected via a hose to a main body, and upright vacuum cleaners that have the suctioning nozzle and main body integrally formed.  
         [0004]     In an upright vacuum cleaner, the main body is capable of rotating with respect to the suctioning nozzle. The suctioning nozzle is height adjustable with respect to a floor surface.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     Embodiments provide a vacuum cleaner.  
         [0006]     In one embodiment, a vacuum cleaner includes: a suctioning nozzle suctioning air including dust; a height adjusting unit adjusting a height of the suctioning nozzle; a manipulating part manipulating the height adjusting unit; a position sensing part sensing the height adjusted by the height adjusting unit; and a display part displaying the height sensed by the position sensing part to an outside.  
         [0007]     The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to present embodiments.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2 a  schematic block diagram of suctioning nozzle controls on a vacuum cleaner.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3 a  cutaway view showing the structure of a suctioning nozzle.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view showing the height adjusting unit in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a detailed perspective view of a position sensing part.  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is perspective view showing the operation of a height adjusting unit. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to present embodiments.  
         [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an upright vacuum cleaner is exemplarily described in the present embodiments. The vacuum cleaner includes a main body  2  with a built-in suctioning force generating member that generates suctioning force and a filtering member that removes impurities from suctioned air, and a suctioning nozzle  4  installed at the bottom of the main body  2  to suction impurities from a floor surface.  
         [0017]     The main body  2  has a cover  3  coupled thereto, to enable the filtering member provided within the main body to be inserted and removed. A handle  6  is formed at the top of the main body  2 . A switch  8  is provided on a side of the main body  2  to control the operation of the main body  2 .  
         [0018]     The main body  2  is coupled rotatably to the suctioning nozzle  4 . A lever  12  is provided at the rear of the suctioning nozzle  4 , to control the rotation of the main body  2  with respect to the suctioning nozzle  4 , with the main body  2  in an upright position. Also, a manipulating part (described below), for adjusting the height of the suctioning nozzle  4 , is provided at the rear of the suctioning nozzle  4 .  
         [0019]     The operation of the above-configured vacuum cleaner will be briefly addressed below. When a user connects a cord  10  to an electrical socket, power may be supplied to the vacuum cleaner.  
         [0020]     In this state, when a switch  8  installed on one side of the main body  2  is manipulated, the operation of the vacuum cleaner commences. When the operation of the vacuum cleaner begins, impurities on a floor are suctioned together with air through a suctioning port defined in the undersurface of the suctioning nozzle  4 . The user grasps the handle  6  and moves the suctioning nozzle  4  to perform cleaning.  
         [0021]     In the above cleaning operation, the suctioned air including impurities is guided through a connecting hose  14  into the main body  2 . The air guided into the main body  2  is removed of impurities by means of a filtering member built in the main body  2 . When required, the connecting hose  14  may be removed from the suctioning nozzle  4 , so that a user may clean crevices using only the connecting hose  14 .  
         [0022]     The air that is removed of impurities by the filtering member within the main body  2  passes the internal suctioning force generating member, and is then expelled to the outside of the vacuum cleaner.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2 a  schematic block diagram of suctioning nozzle controls on a vacuum cleaner.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the vacuum cleaner  1  includes a manipulating part  20  that can be pressed by a user&#39;s foot, a height adjusting unit  30  that adjusts the height of the suctioning nozzle according to manipulation of the manipulating part  20 , a position sensing part  40  with a rotating part connected to the height adjusting unit  30 , and a display part  50  that displays the height of the suctioning nozzle  4  in response to an electrical signal output from the position sensing part  40 .  
         [0025]     In detail, the manipulating part  20  is rotatably coupled to the rear portion of the suctioning nozzle  4 . The optimum position of the manipulating part  20  may differ according to the configuration of the lower nozzle  4 .  
         [0026]     The height adjusting unit  30  is rotated in one direction by the manipulation of the manipulating part  20 , to incrementally adjust the height of the suctioning nozzle  4 .  
         [0027]     The position sensing part  40  is a potentiometer with a rotating part that rotates in engagement to the height adjusting unit  30 , and is model no. “N-15” manufactured by the company, PIPHER, according to the present embodiment.  
         [0028]     The rotating part of the position sensing part  40  is engaged with the height adjusting unit  30 , so that the height of the suctioning nozzle  4  may be automatically determined by the position sensing part  40  according to the operation of the height adjusting unit  30 .  
         [0029]     The display part  50  may be formed above the suctioning nozzle  4  to enable the height of the nozzle  4  to be easily checked by a user. To allow a user to easily check the height of the suctioning nozzle  4  while manipulating the manipulating part  20 , the display part  50  may be disposed proximately to the manipulating part  20 . However, there are no restrictions to the position of the display part  50 , which may be formed on the handle  6 , for example.  
         [0030]     Information displayed by the display part  50  includes information on the height of the suctioning nozzle  4  sensed by the position sensing part  40 . The display part  50  may display the height of the suctioning nozzle  4  in increments.  
         [0031]     The display part  50  may be formed of a display part including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), or a liquid crystal display (LCD). If a plurality of LEDs is used, the number of illuminated LEDs may differ according to height. That is, when the suctioning nozzle  4  is in its lowermost position, the LEDs may remain unlighted, and the number of LEDs that are illuminated may increase as the position of the suctioning nozzle  4  is raised.  
         [0032]     When an LCD is employed on the other hand, the suctioning nozzle may, for example, be depicted at height increments through bars. The method of depicting increments in height of the suctioning nozzle is not limited with the use of an LCD.  
         [0033]     In addition, when using LEDs to emit light to the outside, any configuration may be used to emit light.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3 a  cutaway view showing the structure of a suctioning nozzle,  FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view showing the height adjusting unit in  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 5  is a detailed perspective view of a position sensing part.  
         [0035]     Referring to FIGS.  3  to  5 , when viewed from the top of the suctioning nozzle, the manipulating part  20  is formed on one side at the rear of the suctioning nozzle  4 , and the lever  12  is formed on the other side at the rear of the suctioning nozzle  4 .  
         [0036]     The height adjusting unit  30  includes a rotating member  320  that rotates, a transferring part  310  that transfers manipulative force from the manipulating part  20  to the rotating member  320 , a cam  330  provided inside the rotating member  320  and coupled to the transferring part  310  to rotate the rotating member  320 , and a stopping guide  340  that stops the rotating member  320  after a certain amount of rotation in one direction.  
         [0037]     In detail, the transferring part  310  is elongated in a front-to-rear direction, with one end rotatably coupled to a coupling part  332  formed on the cam  330 . The coupling part  332  is cylindrical, and the transferring part  310  defines a through-hole  312  through which the coupling part  332  passes.  
         [0038]     A supporting part  21  is formed on the suctioning nozzle  4  to support the transferring part  310  and guide the movement of the transferring part  310 . The transferring part  310  passes through the supporting part  21 . An elastic member  360  is coupled to the supporting part  21  and the transferring part  310 .  
         [0039]     A first coupling rib  311  formed on the transferring part  310  and is coupled to one end of the elastic member  360 , and a second coupling rib  22  is formed on the supporting part  21  and is coupled to the other end of the elastic member  360 . Accordingly, when a user removes force after applying manipulating force to the manipulating part  20 , the elastic member  360  restores the manipulating part  20  to its original position.  
         [0040]     The rotating member  30  is rotated in only one direction by the transferring part. That is, the rotating member  30  may be a ratchet. The ratchet is configured as a serrated wheel that is rotated in only one direction through interaction with a pawl, and is prevented from rotating in the reverse direction. Here, the stopping guide  340  functions as the pawl.  
         [0041]     The rotating member  320  is rotated in a counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 4  (toward the manipulating part). A plurality of outer slots  321  is formed in the outer circumference of the rotating member  320  to define the starting points of the serrations. When the stopping guide  340  is disposed at an outer slot  321 , the rotating member  320  is prevented from rotating clockwise.  
         [0042]     A height adjusting part  350  is integrally formed at one side of the rotating member  320 . The height adjusting part  350  is rotated in concert with the rotating member  320  to adjust the height of the suctioning nozzle  4 .  
         [0043]     The cam  330  is rotatably coupled inside the rotating member  320 . The cam includes a plurality of rotating guides  331  formed around its outer circumference, and a plurality of inner slots  322  is defined in the inner circumference of the rotating member  320 .  
         [0044]     When the cam is rotated with the rotating guide  331  disposed at an inner slot  322 , the rotating member  320  is rotated in the same direction as the cam  330  through the rotating guides  331 .  
         [0045]     The rotation shaft  334  of the cam  330  is supported by a mounting part  24  formed on the suctioning nozzle  4 . The mounting part  24  defines a through-hole  25  through which the rotation shaft  334  passes.  
         [0046]     The position sensing part  40  is fixed to the mounting part  24 . The rotation shaft  334  is passed through the through-hole  25  and coupled to the position sensing part  40 .  
         [0047]     That is, the mounting part  24  not only fixes the position sensing part  40 , but also fixes and guides the rotation of the rotation shaft  334  extending from the cam  330 .  
         [0048]     A rotating part  42  is provided at the center of the position sensing part  40  and rotates in engagement with the rotation shaft  334 , and the position sensing part  40  senses the rotation of the rotating part  42  to determine the height of the suctioning nozzle  4 .  
         [0049]     In the present embodiment, model no. “N-15” used as the position sensing part  40  is an “endless rotation” type ratchet whose rotating part  42  at the center thereof can rotate infinitely. The position sensing part  40  is engaged with the rotation shaft  334 , and separates data on the height of the suctioning nozzle  4  (already separated into multiple levels) into a plurality of levels to relay to the display part  50 , for every one turn of the rotating part  42 . That is, the position sensing part  40  discerns by how much the rotating part  42  has rotated from a reference position, to sense the height of the suctioning nozzle  4 .  
         [0050]     Below, a detailed description of the operating process of the vacuum cleaner will be given with reference to  FIG. 6 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 6  is perspective view showing the operation of a height adjusting unit.  
         [0052]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the rotating member  320  is stopped by the stopping guide  340  positioned at an outer slot  321  from rotating clockwise.  
         [0053]     In this state, when a user steps on the manipulating part  20 , the transferring part  310  moves to the left. Thus, the cam  330  is rotated counterclockwise by the transferring part  310 .  
         [0054]     When the cam  330  rotates counterclockwise, the rotating guide  331  formed on the outer circumference of the cam  330  rotates the rotating member  320  counterclockwise.  
         [0055]     The amount by which the rotating member  320  is rotated counterclockwise is an amount that allows the stopping part  340  to insert into the subsequent outer slot.  
         [0056]     Accordingly, when a user releases the pressure on the manipulating part  20 , the transferring part  310  is moved to the right by means of the restoring force of the elastic member  360 . Then, the stopping guide  340  inserts into the next outer slot  321 , preventing reverse rotation (clockwise) of the rotating member  320 .  
         [0057]     When the rotating member  320  is rotated counterclockwise, the height adjusting part  350  is rotated, thereby adjusting the height of the suctioning nozzle  4  through the rotation of the height adjusting part  350 . This is made possible due to the oblong shape of the rotating member  320 , as shown in the diagrams. Thus, the rotation of the rotating member  320  becomes the cause for the height variation of the height adjusting part  350  (that is engaged to the rotating member  320 .)  
         [0058]     When the cam  330  is rotated counterclockwise, the rotating part  42 , fixed and coupled to the rotation shaft  334 , rotates by a predetermined angle. The position sensing part  40  senses the fixed state of the suctioning nozzle  4  according to the amount by which the rotating part  42  has rotated.  
         [0059]     The information sensed by position sensing part  40  is relayed to the display part  50 , which displays the height of the suctioning nozzle  4 .  
         [0060]     The present embodiment employs a method using an oblong rotating member  320  to adjust for optimally respective heights along the rotating member  320  according to the rotation of the rotating member  320 , thereby automatically adjusting the height of the height adjusting part  350  engaged to the rotating member  320 .  
         [0061]     However, this method is limited to only one embodiment, and in other embodiments, the height adjusting part  350  may be directly engaged with the cam  330  to rotate therewith.  
         [0062]     Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “exemplary embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with others of the embodiments.  
         [0063]     Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0