EP0695137B1 - Remote control device for an integrated suction cleaner installation - Google Patents

Abstract

Remote control device for an integrated suction cleaner installation comprising a suction cleaning unit (1) pneumatically connected to a system of tubes (13) which open, at their ends (13A), onto couplings (11) into which the mating end (9) of a hose (8) is inserted, the latter having at its other end (8A) a handle (5) onto which are fitted the cleaning accessories. The remote control device is of the type using acoustic transmission via the tube system (13) between the suction cleaning unit (1) and the couplings (11), and means (19, 23 and 28) for detecting the specific acoustic pressure wave and operating said unit (1). The device is characterized in that said acoustic pressure wave generating means consist of the hose (8) which, when connected to one of the suction cleaning couplings (11), produces, after handling, a specific acoustic wave conveyed by the tube system (13) to the detecting means (19) and operating means (23 and 28) of unit (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a remote control device for integrated central vacuum.

An integrated central vacuum unit is made up of a set comprising a dust container, electric motor, turbine, and various electrical devices for the control of the suction group and finally of suction sockets which can receive cleaning devices.

The suction unit can be placed in a service room, a room technical, garage, basement, etc ...; this is connected by a network of conduits to suction outlets judiciously arranged in the areas to be cleaned. Each take suction is closed by a hinged cover and can receive the end of a flexible the other end of which is equipped with a handle and a telescopic tube provided for receive various cleaning accessories such as brush, turbo-brush, nozzle etc.

There are different devices to start and stop the suction group; the most widespread uses micro-contacts incorporated in the sockets systems electrically connected by a low voltage network to the control relay of the suction group, the introduction of the hose end into one of the sockets activates the micro-contact authorizing the supply of a relay which will control the starting of the electric motor of the suction unit, the stop being effected by the reverse operation.

The disadvantage of this device is that it requires a relatively long time to time of installation to make the electrical connection of the sockets to the group This results in an expensive installation to which must be added the price of supplies electric.

• son coût,
• l'emplacement de l'émetteur sur la poignée du flexible qui n'est pas à l'abri des chocs,
• l'usage de piles électriques pour fonctionner,
• la mise en fonctionnement impromptue du groupe d'aspiration par simple pression involontaire sur le bouton poussoir de l'émetteur, et cela sans que le flexible ne soit branché dans une des prises d'aspiration,
• de sérieux problèmes de liaison entre l'émetteur et le récepteur placé à proximité du groupe d'aspiration (qui se trouve le plus souvent éloigné de la surface de nettoyage par de multiples cloisons), obligeant les installateurs à prévoir un récepteur réémetteur en supplément de prix pour parer à cet inconvénient.

Another principle consists in using a remote control by hertzian way where the transmitter is placed on the handle of the flexible where and the receiver is placed near the suction group, the control being carried out on the transmitter by action on a push button. This principle has many disadvantages and among these:

• its cost,
• the location of the transmitter on the handle of the hose which is not protected from impact,
• the use of electric batteries to operate,
• the impromptu start-up of the suction group by simple involuntary pressure on the push button of the transmitter, and this without the hose being connected in one of the suction sockets,
• serious connection problems between the transmitter and the receiver placed near the suction unit (which is most often removed from the cleaning surface by multiple partitions), forcing installers to provide a re-emitting receiver in addition to price to overcome this drawback.

Another principle works by pneumatic pressure wave. For his switching on, manual action on the handle of the hose blows air through the network of conduits to the suction group which, equipped with a sensitive pressure switch puts into operation. The suction group is stopped after the flexible using the handle, this action then causing increasing depression in the network that a pressure switch placed in the suction group will detect for cut the power supply to the group after a certain time. This principle requires a pneumatic network perfectly sealed because the slightest air leak can disturb the good operation of the suction unit. Too much air leakage can also attenuate the pneumatic pressure wave to start the group. The situation the most damaging is that where the latter can no longer stop because the depressostat, calibrated in the factory and then installed inside the group, does not take account of leaks on the pneumatic network as a whole.

A last principle described and represented in patent WO-A-88/02232 in ALLAWAY OY name consists in using a sound wave transmission for the setting of the suction unit, by means of a transmitter installed in the handle of the hose and a microphone installed near the suction unit. This wave sound propagates, via the network of conduits, to the microphone which, after analysis and recognition of said sound wave, will emit a signal to control the relay of the electric motor of the suction unit to cause it to start. This transmitter is made from a push button that activates a speaker providing a sound wave at a frequency of the order of 16 Hz as output. embodiment has many disadvantages because it requires the adoption of a oversized loudspeaker and an autonomous supply of significant energy all two incorporated into the handle to provide an audible signal of such frequency. In in addition, the speaker diaphragm must be in direct pneumatic communication with the duct network, which undergoes significant variations in depression (of the order 3000 to 4000 mm water column) which can damage said membrane. A such an embodiment is therefore inconceivable.

The device according to the invention overcomes such a drawback while by remaining reliable, inexpensive and able to be installed on an existing or future network in less than fifteen minutes.

Such a device is defined in claim 1 and in claims 2-8 which relate to particular modes of execution.

To this end, the device according to the invention of the type of that using, via the duct network, sound transmission means between the suction unit and the sockets and means for detecting this specific sound pressure wave and act on the functioning of said group, is remarkable in that the aforementioned means suitable for generating an acoustic pressure wave consist of the above flexible which, connected to one of the suction sockets, will create, after manipulation, a wave specific sound conveyed by the network of conduits to the aforesaid means of detection and activation of the suction unit.

So, after connecting the suction hose to one of the sockets the simple act of manipulating it produces a specific sound wave on a dominant frequency which will propagate in the pneumatic network up to proximity of the suction unit where the means to detect this sound wave using a receiver equipped with a microphone type sensor pneumatically connected to the network suction and electrically to a control logic which will control the setting suction unit running.

To stop the suction unit, the control device the invention comprises on the one hand the means of interrupting the suction flow using a quarter-turn valve constituted by a fitting placed in seconds between the handle and the hose, and secondly, near the suction group, means to detect the absence of flow with an increase in depression and connected pneumatically to the network of conduits and electrically to a sensor itself connected to the control logic which, after a certain time, will control the electrical relay of the motor to stop the suction unit. The same control logic authorize the restarting of the suction unit controlled by the manipulation of the flexible, only after the turbine has come to a complete standstill.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the above means to detect the absence of flow with an increase in depression in the network of conduits are constituted by a tubular-shaped depressostat with an orifice its base and inside a core screwed on a bolt, itself supported on a spring compression. It also includes a sensor electrically connected to the control unit and able to detect in the tube at the height of a second orifice, the absence or the presence of said nucleus. The pressure switch used is adjustable to adapt to the maximum vacuum possible in the pneumatic network of conduits in order to tolerate any non-repairable leak arising from improper installation.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the above means to detect the absence of flow with an increase in depression in the network of conduits are formed by the microphone making it possible to detect in said network the sound wave produced by the manipulation of the hose. Do this when the suction unit is in operation, the microphone is also able to detect the difference in noise level caused in the ductwork by an increase in vacuum, so as to output a second signal to the control unit which will stop the group, after a predetermined time delay.

It goes without saying that these two means of detecting the increase in depression in the pneumatic network of conduits can be used individually or together for more security, with a judicious adaptation of the programming of the logic of ordered.

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the adjustable pressure switch with its sensor, the pressure wave detector microphone acoustic and / or increased depression in the network as well as the logic of order are put together in a single container so they can bind pneumatically very easily using a tee connecting to the above network of It is important to note that the control unit can also manage a source of current from the suction unit generally intended to be connected to the sockets this source available via a connector outside the group facilitates the installation of the system because a simple electrical connection with two conductors enough.

• en supprimant toute liaison électrique entre les prises d'aspiration et le groupe,
• en pouvant être installé sur des réseaux existants ou futurs ayant par défaut des fuites et ce, grâce au dépressostat réglable ou grâce au microphone qui ne tient pas compte des fuites,
• en s'adaptant à la majorité des centrales d'aspiration intégrées disponibles sur le marché,
• et enfin, en s'installant très facilement par un non spécialiste, en peu de temps et pour un coût inférieur à la plupart des procédés actuellement employés.

As a result, this control device of the invention offers numerous advantages, in particular:

• removing any electrical connection between the suction outlets and the group,
• by being able to be installed on existing or future networks having by default leaks, thanks to the adjustable pressure switch or thanks to the microphone which does not take leaks into account,
• by adapting to the majority of integrated suction units available on the market,
• and finally, by installing very easily by a non-specialist, in a short time and at a lower cost than most of the methods currently used.

Although the main aspects of the invention considered to be new have been expressed above, further details regarding an embodiment preferred of a remote control device respecting the fundamental concepts of the invention will be better understood by referring to the description below and to the drawings accompanying him illustrating this embodiment.

La figure 1 est une vue schématique de côté avec coupes transversales partielles représentant la forme d'exécution du dispositif selon l'invention.

Les figures 2 et 3 représentent deux formes d'exécution de la vanne avec une vue de côté en coupe dans sa position de marche et une vue de dessus en coupe dans sa position d'arrêt.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view with partial cross sections showing the embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Figures 2 and 3 show two embodiments of the valve with a side view in section in its operating position and a top view in section in its stopped position.

As shown in the drawing in Figure 1, the suction unit referenced 1 as a whole and of the most widespread type by design on the market, is equipped with a motor 49 controlled by a relay 41 to rotate a turbine 48 in order to create a depression in a box 16 and, via a orifice 17 made in said box, throughout the pneumatic network of ducts 13.

Very often an anti-vibration connection hose 15 is placed between the network of conduits 13 and the box 16. The conduits 13 are at their ends 13A connected to suction outlets 11, distributed in the cleaning zone, each being equipped a shutter 10 sealing the network 13 when closed.

A flexible and light hose 8 fitted with a nozzle 9 connects to one of the sockets 11 after opening the shutter 10. At the other end of the hose 8 is a handle 5 which can, at its end 5A, receive cleaning accessories.

According to the invention, this installation is advantageously equipped with a remote control device ensuring the starting or stopping of the group suction 1 shown in 2 for its receiving part and in 3 and 8, for its sending part.

The compact receiver 2 is housed in a tee 14 for its pneumatic connection with network 13 and connect to connector 36 by the conductors 34 and 35, for its connection to the electrical part 37 of the suction group 1. The suction group 1 route takes place after introduction of hose 8 with its end piece 9 in the intake 11 after opening the shutter 10. The fact of manipulating the flexible 8 is enough to produce a sound wave on a specific frequency which by traversing the network of conduits 13 arrives at a sensor 19 of the microphone type which transmits the signal, via its conductors 22, to all of the electronic components defining a control logic 23. After analysis and recognition of the received signal by the microphone 19, the control unit 23 controls a current source 28 of so as to cause a current draw in the circuit constituted by all of the conductors 50, 51, 34, 35, 39, 40 and 42 interconnected by means of connectors 33 and 36, so that the coil of the relay 41 of the suction group 1 establishes, using its contact of power, a current flow in conductors 45, 43 and 47 representing the phase of a mains supply at 220 volts, the neutral being connected directly to the motor 49 by conductors 44 and 46. The electric motor 49 of the turbine 48 starts then on to create a depression in the box 16 then, passing through the orifice 17, in the entire network of conduits 13.

The current source 28 supplying the control logic 23 comes advantageously of the low voltage transformer 38 supplying the relay 41. It should be noted that the control logic 23 uses a very current source for its operation weak or even insignificant, this one being able to cross the coil of relay 41 without harming its smooth running

According to the invention, the suction unit 1 is stopped on the one hand, with means making it possible to interrupt the flow of air in the suction network 13, and on the other hand with means making it possible to detect this absence of air flow in the network.

The means for interrupting the air flow in the network 13 are constituted by a valve 3 formed in a connector connected with its sleeve 3B to the end 8A of the flexible 8 and with its sleeve 3A at the end 5B of the handle 5.This valve, shown in detail in the drawing of Figure 2, has a housing 7 where comes fit and adjust a handle 6 provided with an orifice 12 corresponding to the diameter inside of hose 8. A screw 4 held in valve 3 and protruding into the housing 7 comes to fit into a groove 6A formed in the lever 6, on a quarter of perimeter of the latter 6, which allows, after a manual action of a quarter turn on lever 6 to authorize or interrupt the air flow throughout the network pneumatic 13.

Obviously, the action of disconnecting the nozzle 9 from the suction intake 11, after closing the shutter 10, can also interrupt the air flow in the network pneumatic.

In both cases (by valve 3 or by plugging outlets 11), these phenomena lead to an increase in depression in the network tire 13, which can be detected in two ways.

In the first embodiment, the means making it possible to detect the absence of air flow with increased vacuum in the ductwork 13 may consist of a pressure switch 21, which, associated with a sensor 32 connected to the control logic 23, is constituted by a tube 27 with an orifice 20 at its base and at inside a core 30 screwed onto a bolt 26 bearing on a compression spring 24. The increase in depression in the duct network 13 is transmitted to the pressure switch 21, through the orifice 20 in the tube 27 causing the displacement of the core 30 in the direction of arrow 29 which compresses, using the depression adjustment bolt 26, the spring 24. The purpose of this displacement of the core 30 is to release an orifice 31 formed on the height of the tube 27 thus allowing said electronic sensor 32 disposed opposite, to detect the absence of the core 30 at this height and transmit, via its conductors 25, a signal to the control logic 23 which will command the source 28, after a period of time preset, cancellation of current flow in the circuit formed by the conductors 50, 51, 34, 35, 39, 40 and 42, which are interconnected by connectors 33 and 36. The time delay preset in control unit 23 for stopping group 1 has for object of avoiding any untimely stoppage of said group, due to the temporary obstruction of cleaning accessories during normal use.

Consequently, the coil of the control relay 41 actuates its contact power towards the opening causing the interruption of the current flow in the circuit constituted by the conductors 45, 43 and 47 of the motor 49 of the turbine 48 which, no longer being powered by phase but only by neutral using conductors 46 and 44, stops to work.

Then, under the action of the restoring force of the compression spring 24 and at as the depression decreases in the pneumatic network, the core 30 of the pressure switch 21 rises in the opposite direction to that of arrow 29 obstructing the orifice 31 of the tube 27 at the height of the sensor 32 which then transmits, via its conductors 25, a new signal to the control logic 23 to give, after a certain time delay (corresponding to the end of the complete shutdown of the turbine (48), the possibility of sensor-microphone 19 to listen to a new signal to restart the suction group 1.

In the second case, possibly cumulative with the first, the absence of flow with an increase in the vacuum in the duct network 13, can be detected by the sensor-microphone 19 which measures the difference in the sound level produced at inside the network of conduits 13 by the variations in depression. The microphone 19 will analyze this level difference and send a signal to the output logic control which will program the shutdown of the motor supply circuit 49.

1

Groupe d'aspiration

2

Partie réception du dispositif de commande

3

Raccord de vanne assurant l'émission du dispositif de commande

3A, 3B

Manchons de raccordement de la vanne 3

4

Vis de blocage

5

Poignée

5A

Extrémité destinée à recevoir les accessoires

5B

Extrémité destinée à recevoir le manchon 3A
du raccord 3

6

Manette

7

Logement du raccord de vanne 3

8

Flexible de commande

8A

Extrémité du flexible relié au manchon 3B

8B

Extrémité du flexible reliée à son embout 9

9

Embout du flexible 8

10

Volet d'obturation

11

Prise d'aspiration

12

Orifice de la manette 6

13

Réseau de conduits

14

Té de raccordement

15

Flexible anti-vibration

16

Caisson

17

Orifice

19

Capteur de microphone

20

Orifice de communication du tube 27

21

Dépressostat

22

Conducteur reliant le microphone 19 à la logique de commande 23

23

Logique de commande 23

24

Ressort de compression

25

Conducteur électrique reliant le capteur 32
à la logique 23

27

Tube du dépressostat

28

Source de courant

29

Flèche de déplacement du noyau 30

30

Noyau

31

Orifice de détection de la présence ou de l'absence du noyau 30

32

Capteur du dépressostat

33

Connecteur du raccordement électrique

34, 35

Conducteurs électriques

36

Connecteur de raccordement électrique

37

Partie électrique du groupe 1

38

Transformateur basse tension

39

Conducteur électrique

40

Connecteur électrique

41

Relais

42

Conducteurs électriques

43, 46

Conducteurs de phase

44, 47

Conducteurs de neutre

45

Conducteur de phase

48

Turbine

49

Moteur

50, 51

Conducteur électrique

In order to allow a better understanding of the drawings, a list of references with their legends is listed below.

1

Suction group

2

Reception part of the control device

3

Valve connection ensuring emission of the control device

3A, 3B

Valve connection sleeves 3

4

Locking screw

5

Handle

5A

End for receiving accessories

5B

End intended to receive the 3A sleeve
of fitting 3

6

Controller

7

Valve connector housing 3

8

Flexible control

8A

End of hose connected to sleeve 3B

8B

End of the hose connected to its end 9

9

Hose connector 8

10

Shutter

11

Suction socket

12

Joystick hole 6

13

Conduit network

14

Connection tee

15

Anti-vibration hose

16

Box

17

Orifice

19

Microphone sensor

20

Communication port of tube 27

21

Pressure switch

22

Conductor connecting the microphone 19 to the control unit 23

23

Control unit 23

24

Compression spring

25

Electric conductor connecting sensor 32
to logic 23

27

Pressure switch tube

28

Power source

29

Core displacement arrow 30

30

Core

31

Orifice for detecting the presence or absence of the nucleus 30

32

Pressure switch sensor

33

Electrical connection connector

34, 35

Electrical conductors

36

Electrical connection connector

37

Electrical part of group 1

38

Low voltage transformer

39

Electrical conductor

40

Electrical connector

41

Relay

42

Electrical conductors

43, 46

Phase conductors

44, 47

Neutral conductors

45

Phase conductor

48

Turbine

49

Engine

50, 51

Electrical conductor

Claims (8)

1. A remote control device for an integrated suction cleaning installation comprising :

   a suction cleaning unit (1) pneumatically connected to a system of tubes (13) which open at their ends (13A) onto couplings (11) onto which a mating end (9) of a hose (8) is inserted, the hose having at its other end (8A) a handle (5) suitable for receiving cleaning accessories of the type using via the tube system (13)

   means of acoustic transmission between the suction cleaning unit (1) and the couplings (11),

   means (19, 23 and 28) for detecting a specific acoustic pressure wave within the system of tubes and for operating said suction cleaning unit (1),

   and means (21, 32) allowing to detect the absence of flow by an increase of negative pressure in the tube system (13);
   wherein that said means of generating an acoustic pressure wave for operating said suction cleaning unit is activated when said hose (8) which, connected to one of the suction cleaning couplings (11), produces, after handling, a specific acoustic pressure wave conveyed by the tube system (13) to said detecting means (19) and operating means (23 and 28) of the suction cleaning unit (1).
2. Control device according to claim 1, wherein means for detecting the absence of flow by an increase of negative pressure in the tube system (13), further comprises a negative pressure switch (21) in the form of a tube (27) provided with an orifice (20) at its base and within which a core (30) moves, said core screwed to a bolt (26) resting on a compression spring (24).
3. Control device according to claim 1, in which said means for detecting the acoustic pressure wave generated by said hose (8) further comprises a microphone (19), wherein said means for detecting the absence of flow by detecting an increase of negative pressure in the tube system (13) comprises a microphone (19) capable of detecting the difference in sound level caused by the increase of negative pressure in said system.
4. Control device according to claims 1 and 2, wherein said negative pressure switch (21) for detecting the absence of flow by detecting an increase of negative pressure in the tube system (13), comprises a sensor (32) capable of detecting the absence or presence of said core (30) in the tube (27) at the level of an orifice (31).
5. Control device according to claims 1, 2 and 4 wherein said core (30) is threaded about its periphery to accomodate a bolt (26) permitting adjustment of the height of said core (30) in relation to said orifice (31), to adjust the negative pressure switch (51) to the maximum possible negative pressure of the tube system (13).
6. Control device according to claims 1 to 5 taken as a whole, wherein it comprises a control logic (23) for controlling :

   the information transmitted by the microphone (19) and/or the sensor (32) capable of controlling the operation of the suction cleaning unit (1).

   time delays necessary for stopping and restarting the suction cleaning unit (1),

   a current source (28) coming from the suction cleaning unit (1) via connectors (33 and 36) and conductors (34 and 35).
7. Control device according to claims 1, to 6 taken as a whole, wherein said microphone (19), said negative pressure switch (21), said control logic (23), said sensor (32), and said current source (28) are grouped together in a single container (2) linked on one hand, pneumatically to the tube system (13) and on the other hand, electrically to the suction cleaning unit (1).
8. Control device according to any one of the claims 1 to 7 comprising a means for interrupting the flow of air in the system (13) further comprises a valve (3) incorporated in the handle (5) of the hose (8) wherein said valve formed by an attachment linked by a sleeve (3B) to an end (8A) of the hose (8); and with its sleeve (3A) to the side (5B) of the handle (5) further comprising a housing (7) into which is inserted and adjusted a quarter-turn (6) fitted with an orifice (12) corresponding to the inner diameter of the hose (8), a screw (4) maintained in the valve (3) overlapping into the housing (7) and fitting into a groove (6A) in the quarter-turn (6) fitting on a quarter-turn of the perimeter of the quarter-turn (6).

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