METHOD AND SYSTEM OF DETECTING A BLOCKAGE IN A VACUUM CLEANER
A vacuum cleaner with a blockage sensor and methods of identifying an obstructed airway in a vacuum are described. The vacuum cleaner has a motor and a circuit board to provide electrical current to the motor including an amperage flow sensor to determine the electrical current draw of the motor, and a blockage determiner to sample the electrical current draw and count the number of times the sampled electrical current draw exceeds a threshold amperage within a window of time. The blockage determiner can sense a blockage within the airflow path or the beater bar, and can optionally shut down the motor prior to motor failure.
1 . A vacuum comprising;
a motor; and
a power supply to provide electrical current to the motor;
an amperage flow sensor to determine the electrical current draw of the motor; and
a blockage determiner to sample the electrical current draw and count the number of times the sampled electrical current draw exceeds a threshold amperage within a window of time.
2 . The vacuum of claim 1 , wherein the blockage determiner signals that vacuum is experiencing blockage when the count during the window of time exceeds a desired percentage of samples sampled in the window of time.
3 . The vacuum of claim 2 , wherein the desired percentage is at least 30% of the samples sampled in the window of time.
4 . The vacuum of claim 2 , wherein the desired percentage at least 50% of the samples sampled in the window of time.
5 . The vacuum of claim 1 , where the blockage determiner samples the amperage draw 60 times a second or more.
6 . The vacuum of claim 1 , where the sliding window of time is greater than or equal to 10 seconds.
7 . The vacuum of claim 1 , where the sliding window of time is greater than or equal to 60 seconds.
8 . The vacuum of claim 1 , further comprising a reset switch connected to the control board.
9 . The vacuum of claim 1 , wherein the electrical current to the motor is stopped when the blockage determiner signals that vacuum is experiencing blockage.
10 . The vacuum of claim 9 , wherein the blockage being experienced is an obstructed air flow conduit.
11 . The vacuum of claim 9 , wherein the blockage being experienced is an obstructed beater bar.
12 . The vacuum of claim 1 , wherein the circuit board further comprises a variable speed control for the motor.
13 . The vacuum of claim 1 , wherein the circuit board further comprises a LED power supply.
14 . The vacuum of claim 1 , wherein the circuit board further comprises a control circuit to actuate a diverter valve.
15 . A method of detecting blockage along an airpath, the method comprising:
providing a vacuum comprising a motor;
providing electrical current to the motor;
determining the amperage flow of the electrical current; and
detecting blockage along an airpath by sampling the amperage flow of the electrical current and counting how many times the sampled amperage draw exceeds a threshold amperage within a window of time.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the detecting comprises counting the number of times the amperage draw exceeds a desired percentage of samples sampled within the window of time.
17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising enabling a blockage indicator when a blockage is detected.
18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
receiving a reset signal; and
enabling the current flow to the motor.