Convertible central vacuum unit

Abstract

An convertible central vacuum system is disclosed allowing for operation in both a cyclonic separation (bagless) mode as well as in a filter bag mode (via an removable filter bag adapter housing). With each mode having its own advantages and disadvantages, the user can readily convert between them as desired.

Claims

1. A central vacuum system, comprising: an upper housing; a lower housing; a pair of interchangeable intermediate structures disposed between said upper housing and said lower housing; wherein the upper housing comprises a motor housing, a filter housing, an exhaust outlet and a cyclonic separation intake port; wherein the motor housing comprises a motor and a power source; wherein the filter housing comprises a filter holder; wherein the filter holder comprises a removable filter; wherein the cyclonic separation intake port is positioned externally on the upper housing; wherein the cyclonic separation intake port is angled tangentially to the upper housing to initiate cyclonic spin as debris-filled air is drawing through the cyclonic separation intake port into the upper housing; wherein the pair of interchangeable intermediate structures comprises a first interchangeable intermediate structure for cyclonic separation operation and a second interchangeable intermediate structure for filter bag operation; wherein the first interchangeable intermediate structure for cyclonic separation operation comprises a removable trap funnel comprising a wider diameter top and a narrower diameter bottom; wherein the wider diameter top of the removable trap funnel is installed at the top of the lower housing; wherein the narrower diameter bottom of the removable trap funnel protrudes downward into the lower housing; wherein the second interchangeable intermediate structure for filter bag operation comprises a removable filter bag adaptor housing; wherein the removable filter bag adaptor housing is cylindrical; wherein the removable filter bag adaptor housing is installed between the upper housing and the lower housing; wherein the removable filter bag adaptor housing comprises a filter bag intake port, a filter bag attachment point and an intake pipe; wherein the filter bag intake port is positioned externally on the removable filter bag adaptor housing; wherein the filter bag intake port is angled radially to the removable filter bag adaptor housing; wherein the intake pipe and the filter bag attachment point are positioned inside the removable filter bag adaptor housing; wherein the intake pipe connects the filter bag intake port to the filter bag attachment point; wherein the filter bag attachment point further comprises a disposable filter bag; wherein the disposable filter bag orients downward toward the lower housing; and, wherein the cyclonic separation intake port is sealable during filter bag operation.

2. The central vacuum system of claim 1 wherein the cyclonic separation intake port further comprises a removable cap for sealing the cyclonic separation intake port during filter bag operation.

3. The central vacuum system of claim 1 wherein the removable trap funnel comprises one or more concentric circular ridges.

4. The central vacuum system of claim 1 wherein the first interchangeable intermediate structure for cyclonic separation operation further comprises a removable seal between the upper housing and the lower housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following Figure drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view (exploded) of a convertible central vacuum unit configured in cyclonic separation mode, utilizing the removable trap funnel and removable gasket;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view (exploded) of a convertible central vacuum unit configured in filter bag mode, utilizing the removable filter bag adapter housing and a seal (cap) on the cyclonic separation intake;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view (assembled) of a convertible central vacuum unit configured in cyclonic separation mode;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view (assembled) of a convertible central vacuum unit configured in filter bag mode;

(6) FIG. 5 is a bottom view looking up into the filter housing, showing the filter holder and the removable filter;

(7) FIG. 6 is a top view looking down at the exterior of the upper housing (the motor housing and the filter housing);

(8) FIG. 7 is a top down view of a removable filter bag adapter housing;

(9) FIG. 8 is a side view of a removable filter bag adapter housing;

(10) FIG. 9 is a top down view of a removable filter bag adapter housing with a filter bag;

(11) FIG. 10 is a side view of a removable filter bag adapter housing with a filter bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) The invention shown in FIG. 1 (exploded diagram) and FIG. 3 (assembled) is a Convertible Central Vacuum Unit, as configured in cyclonic separation mode. The invention shown in FIG. 2 (exploded diagram) and FIG. 4 (assembled) is a Convertible Central Vacuum Unit, as configured in filter bag mode.

(13) The Convertible Central Vacuum Unit has an upper housing comprising a motor housing 100 and a filter housing 101 and a lower housing serving as a dust collecting bin 300. The motor housing 100 comprises the motor and power source, as well as the exhaust outlet 103 and power cord 104, as also shown in FIG. 6 (top down exterior view of the upper housing: the motor housing and the filter housing). The filter housing 101 comprises a removable filter 107 in a filter holder 106, as well as the cyclonic separation intake port 102 as also shown in FIG. 5 (interior view of filter housing). The lower housing further comprises latches 301 (or other connectors) to securely attach the lower housing to the adjacent section.

(14) In cyclonic separation mode, no bag is used and an intake hose is attached to the cyclonic separation intake port 102. During cleaning, the debris and dust are drawn through the intake hose (not shown) into a cyclonic separation vortex formed between the outer wall of the filter housing 101 and the filter holder 106, allowing dust and debris to spiral out to the outer wall of the filter housing 101 (where gravity pulls dust and debris down through the removable trap funnel 201 to settle on the bottom of the dust collecting bin 300 without being disturbed by the vortex above the removable trap funnel). Furthermore, in cyclonic separation mode, exhaust air is drawn through the removable filter 107, on through the vacuum motor, and exhausted through the exhaust outlet 103. In cyclonic separation mode, only the removable trap funnel 201 and seal gasket 200 are assembled between the upper housing 100, 101 and lower housing 300.

(15) In filter bag mode, the removable trap funnel 201 and removable gasket 200 are set aside, a removable seal (such as a cap) 105 is installed on the cyclonic separation intake port 102, and the removable filter bag adapter housing 400 is assembled directly between the upper housing 100, 101 and lower housing 300 using a pair of filter bag adapter gaskets 405 to ensure a seal.

(16) The removable filter bag adapter housing 400 is illustrated in FIG. 7 (top view, without filter bag installed), FIG. 8 (side view, without filter bag installed), FIG. 9 (top view, with filter bag installed), and FIG. 10 (side view, with filter bag installed) also includes latches 404 (or other connectors) to securely attach the removable filter bag adapter housing 400 to the upper housing 100, 101. The removable filter bag adapter housing 400 further comprises a filter bag intake port 401 to attach an intake hose to (not shown), an intake pipe 402 which channels the dust, debris and air downwards directly into a filter bag 406 attached to filter bag attachment point 403. As the air, dust and debris passes though the filter bag 406, it serves as an air filter, where dust and debris are retained for easy removal while filtered air is allowed to be drawn through the vacuum motor and out the exhaust outlet 103.