Vacuum cleaner brush roll control device

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner including a brush roll, a motion sensor assembly that detects motion of the vacuum cleaner and that generates signals indicative of the detected motion, and a brush roll control unit that controls operation of the brush roll based on the signals generated by the motion sensor assembly.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure relates to vacuum cleaners and, more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner having a brush roll that is automatically switched on and off during operation of the vacuum cleaner.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Conventional vacuum cleaners typically include a brush roll disposed in the vacuum cleaner nozzle head that rotates in contact with the surface to be cleaned to agitate and loosen ingrained dirt particles so that the dirt particles can be more easily sucked up by the vacuum. When a vacuum cleaner has a driven brush roll, such as a brush roll driven by a motor or an air forced brush roll, it is important for the user to constantly move the nozzle head across a carpet. If the user holds the nozzle head stationary without lifting the nozzle head, raising the brush roll off the carpet or turning off the brush roll, the spinning brush roll will apply excessive wear and tear on the carpet, as well as on the bristles on the brush roll, it...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In at least one embodiment, the method further includes delaying the step of stopping operation of the brush roll for a predetermined period of time after the vacuum cleaner is sensed as being stationary

Problems solved by technology

If the user holds the nozzle head stationary without lifting the nozzle head, raising the brush roll off the carpet or turning off the brush roll, the spinning brush roll will apply excessive wear and tear on the carpet, as well as on the bristles on the brush roll, itself.

This is particularly troublesome when the user is distracted, such as when the user needs to pick up an object that is in the way of the vacuum, and walks away from the vacuum cleaner while the brush roll is still being driven in place.

However, these control systems are not particularly effective, since the user must remember to place the handle in the upright position when the nozzle head is held stationary to ensure that the brush roll is inactivated.

However, when above-the-floor cleaning is not being performed, the user must once again remember to turn off the brush roll when the nozzle head is held stationary.

Further, some vacuum cleaners simply do not allow the user to switch on and off the brush roll while the vacuum in being operated.

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