Carpet cleaning machine

The invention relates to a carpet cleaning machine and a method for adjusting a vacuum therein according to the preamble of claims 1 and 13 respectively.

Carpets, textiles, blinds, upholstery and like are often using steam / hot water systems cleaned. Since these devices usually by the same Principles work, but with different pressures and with different solvents, they are all herein generically identical and interchangeable as carpet cleaners, Carpet cleaning machines, systems, equipment, facilities and so further referred to. Altogether have steam / hot water systems have the same basic Components, namely a pipe for distributing and recovering a cleaning liquid, an optional container for retaining of reserve liquid a liquid pump for providing pressurized cleaning fluid in the pipe, an air pump (sometimes referred to as a vacuum pump) for sucking up waste liquid, and a surge tank for spent Liquid. Carpet cleaning equipment, which is in this case considered, ranging from relatively small fixed Facilities to large mobile devices with long tubes leading to the carriage of the surface to be cleaned . rich

The effectiveness of carpet cleaning equipment Steam / hot water type is dependent on many factors, comprising the skill and experience of the operator, the quality and the State of the engine, the solvents used, the temperature and the pressure at which the cleaning fluid is distributed, and the vacuum, with which the cleaning liquid is recovered. Due to the many factors involved, it is not uncommon some or learn all of the following problems. First, an operator their equipment keep in a poorly maintained. For example, the surge tank not emptied regularly are, or the equipment can not regularly maintained will.

Secondly, operators tend to their equipment to push to the limit, for example, by setting the thermostat at the heating to an unsafe level. Third, know the operators not necessarily how the equipment is to operate properly. This problem can addressed to some extent with operation manuals are, however, such manuals are little used, where the manuals at a work site is not available or an operator is not willing to work through a manual to the relevant find section. Fourth, operators hold not necessarily exactly descriptions of operating conditions, so that when a Error on the equipment occurs, it is often almost impossible is to determine exactly the cause, if anything is what is covered by warranty or not. Fifth, when equipment failure occur, the equipment in a large Removal of an appropriate repair facility be, and individual operators can do not have the skills to actually determine the problem.

Even where carpet cleaning equipment in the best Shape is maintained and is operated correctly, a single Machine not for a special work have required capacity. Typically, the heating insufficient hot enough solvent provide, or the vacuum pump draws a sufficient volume of air out to spent solvent remove sufficient. Naturally it is not difficult, increasingly carpet cleaning machines with greater heating and to make air pumps, but this makes a total of the equipment always bigger and volume up. Many mobile devices are already so loud that their use in residential and even industrial areas is not permitted.

Therefore, there is a need to operate of carpet cleaning equipment to improve in a way that the above problems can solve and there is nothing in the art which teaches or encourages as this can be achieved. UK Patent Application GB 2,243,992 (which Application '992) for example, discloses a carpet cleaning machine, which has a Microprocessor includes, but is not this microprocessor used to control the operation of the equipment to improve. Instead, the application '992 uses the microprocessor only as a Safety switching mechanism to the operator of the high voltage switches restrain which are connected to the various pumps. Other patents as the <patcit><text>US 5,075,921</text></patcit>. are in a particular component of a carpet cleaning system directed, but do not speak the above problems at.

Method and apparatus are provided, in which a microprocessor, various components a carpet cleaning machine controls to improve their functionality.

According to the invention this is achieved by a machine and a method according to the features in the characterizing Part of claims 1 and 13 reached. Advantageous further embodiments are described in the subclaims.

In various aspects of the invention the microprocessor is controlled by software and can sequential operating instructions provide to the operator, force inputs and shutdown sequences, a electronic recording of operational parameters for future use Save, provide self- and remote diagnostics, and remote control create. In another aspect of the invention, the microprocessor to the operation of the entire system by dynamic control the speed of the motor act. In ei&lt;?page 3?&gt;nem another aspect of the invention may be a more potent silencer on the exhaust of the engine mounted , whereby the noise level considerably is reduced. In still other aspects of the invention, the Microprocessor a Zündungsabstellschalter to the motor, solenoid and / or clutch control systems for the liquid and Inflation, a Energieabsperrschalter for heating, and updates the software modem operate.

Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are selected from the following detailed Description of the preferred embodiments of the invention together with the accompanying Drawings visible, in which like reference numerals designate like represent components.

<figref idrefs="S16">1</figref> is a schematic of a preferred carpet cleaning machine according to the disclosure herein.

<figref idrefs="S16">2</figref> is a diagram showing details of the drive subsystem from <figref idrefs="S16">1</figref> shows.

<figref idrefs="S17">3</figref> is a schema that details the fluid subsystem out <figref idrefs="S16">1</figref> shows.

<figref idrefs="S17">4</figref> is a diagram showing details of the application subsystem from <figref idrefs="S16">1</figref> shows.

<figref idrefs="S18">5</figref> is a schematic of a preferred pressure control assembly.

<figref idrefs="S18">6</figref> is a perspective view of the control subsystem of <figref idrefs="S16">1</figref>,

<figref idrefs="S19">7</figref> is a flow diagram of the logic, the preferred embodiment in a the software is included.

<figref idrefs="S16">1</figref> provides overall carpet cleaning machine <figref>1</figref> represents that a Energy subsystem <figref>100</figref>An air subsystem <figref>200</figref>. a fluid subsystem <figref>300</figref>. an application subsystem <figref>400</figref> and a control subsystem <figref>500</figref> having.

The relevant subsystem detail facing, provides <figref idrefs="S16">2</figref> additional Details of the drive subsystem <figref>100</figref> is that a motor <figref>110</figref>, A drive train <figref>120</figref>, A battery <figref>130</figref>. a charging circuit <figref>140</figref>, An engine silencer <figref>150</figref>a throttle <figref>160</figref> and an ignition <figref>170</figref> having.

The motor <figref>110</figref> is preferably a Kohler^TM Gasoline engine with overhead Camshaft, although engines from other manufacturers work just as well can, and other types of motors, such as propane, diesel, or electricity, would also go. It is intended that the motor<figref>110</figref> about 16 horsepower to about 50 horsepower, with a preferred power of about 25 HP should be enough. The engine speed is not critical, so long as the engine <figref>110</figref> can be translated to a provide speed of the air pump of at least about 900 U / min. A preferred speed of the motor is 3600 r / min.

The preferred drive subsystem <figref>100</figref> has four Sensors, a speed sensor <figref>111</figref>, A throttle position sensor (Not shown), an oil pressure sensor <figref>113</figref> and a subsystem voltage sensor <figref>114</figref>, The sensors are all standard units, and their connections and operation are well within the usual Expertise in the technical field.

The drive subsystem <figref>100</figref> has two actuators, a throttle valve control device <figref>162</figref> and a Zündungsabstellschalter <figref>172</figref> on. The throttle control device <figref>162</figref> is preferably a Dayton 12 volt DC gear motor Model 2L004, although many other Throttle control devices would also be satisfactory. Of the Zündungsabstellschalter <figref>172</figref> is again any Stardardeinheit and is in a conventional manner connected and operated.

<figref idrefs="S17">3</figref> provides total additional Details of the air subsystem <figref>200</figref> represents, comprising an air pump <figref>210</figref>. a reservoir <figref>220</figref> for spent Liquid, a vacuum line <figref>230</figref>That the air pump <figref>210</figref> and the reservoir <figref>220</figref> for spent liquid ties together, and an input line <figref>240</figref> from the application subsystem <figref>400</figref>,

The preferred air pump <figref>210</figref> is a Roots^TM Universal RAI Model <figref>47</figref> Displacement type rotary screw compressors, the for operation with 3600 U / min is determined. This is consistent with the nominal operating speed of the motor <figref>110</figref> agree so that a transducer housing can be omitted. It is for the air pump is not necessary, a nearly perfect vacuum to create, and the preferred pump approximately 381 mm (15 '') Hg reach. Of course, other types and models can be of pumps also suitable.

<figref idrefs="S17">3</figref> has also a main silencer <figref>250</figref> on, what about a line <figref>260</figref> with the air pump <figref>210</figref> connected is. The preferred design has a large housing<figref>252</figref> stainless steel, the approximately 127 mm (5 '') to about 508 mm (20 '') measures with each other staggered partitions <figref>254</figref> on, with foam <figref>256</figref> are covered, and has passages between the partitions of approximately 76.2 mm (3 '') to 457.2 mm (18 ''). The preferred foam is Technifoam TFX- 38.1 mm (1.5 '') flat Melomyn, although other foams can be used, including foams with pyramidal or other projections. Fiber should be considered are foam replacement avoided as this tends to damp be what then their sound damping properties considerably reduced. The administration<figref>260</figref>That the air pump <figref>210</figref> and the silencer <figref>250</figref> pneumatically together coupling, in the inner diameter is preferably about 76.2 mm (3 ''). There is also a tube<figref>151</figref> from the exhaust of the engine muffler <figref>150</figref>which in inner diameter about 25.4 mm (1 '') is. The main silencer<figref>250</figref> this Design may be about 500 ft³/ Min promote.

The air subsystem <figref>200</figref> Has a vacuum sensor <figref>232</figref>Communicating with the vacuum line <figref>230</figref> coupled &lt;?page 4?&gt;is, and a liquid level sensor <figref>222</figref>. of the storage tank <figref>220</figref> for spent liquor coupled. These sensors are all standard units whose Operating well within the usual Expertise in the technical field is.

The air subsystem <figref>200</figref> has a vacuum relief <figref>234</figref> on which common a spring activated may have valve, which, however, advantageously a solenoid valve has that of the control subsystem <figref>500</figref> controlled becomes. There are numerous advantages to this feature. Especially are spring-actuated Relief valves specially ineffective because they probably open under its nominal discharge threshold. To the For it is in a vacuum line of a typical carpet cleaning machine usually he wishes, the vacuum at no more than 355.6 mm (14 '') keep Hg to damage to the motor of the air pump and the reservoir for used liquid to prevent. A spring activated Vacuum-relief valve, which is nominally calculated for 355, 6 mm (14 '') is Hg, at 190, 5 mm (7.5 '') Hg almost 50% open, whereby a significant amount of energy remains unused and a (e) relatively large (r) Motor and air pump are required. In a preferred embodiment, however, receives the control subsystem <figref>500</figref> Signals from the vacuum sensor <figref>232</figref> and controls the solenoid (not shown) of the vacuum-relief <figref>234</figref>which a slider (not shown) is operated to the vacuum at about to hold 355.6 mm (14 '') Hg. This allows the motor and the air pump to be much smaller than it however, would be required, and / or allows it, additional pipes simultaneously with a given size of the engine and the air pump to use.

<figref idrefs="S17">4</figref> provides total additional Details of the liquid portion of the system <figref>300</figref> represents, which is a liquid pump <figref>310</figref>. a cleaning liquid container <figref>320</figref>. a line <figref>330</figref>That the liquid pump <figref>310</figref> and the cleaning liquid container <figref>320</figref> together combines, heating <figref>340</figref> a power source <figref>350</figref>. the above a line <figref>352</figref> is connected to a conduit <figref>360</figref>. the liquid pump <figref>310</figref> and the heating system <figref>340</figref> ties together, and an output line <figref>370</figref> to the Application subsystem <figref>400</figref> having.

The preferred liquid pump <figref>310</figref> is a displacer Hypro^TM Model 2345B, which for 4.8 gallons is calculated per minute and up to 10.342 MPa (1500 psi). Of course, others may liquid pumps also be satisfactory, provided that they can pressures within of 3.447 to 20.684 MPa (500 to 3000 psi) provide that the Cat^TM or Giant^TM pump have, usually are used in the industry.

The liquid subsystem <figref>300</figref> has a low-pressure side liquid sensor <figref>332</figref>. a high-pressure side liquid sensor <figref>372</figref>. and a heating temperature sensor <figref>342</figref> on. The liquid subsystem<figref>300</figref> has a high-pressure side controller <figref>380</figref> (Please refer <figref idrefs="S18">5</figref>), An electronic clutch (Not shown), and a Heizungsabsperrsolenoid on. Apart from the high-pressure side controller <figref>380</figref> these are all Standard units.

<figref idrefs="S18">5</figref> shows A preferred high-pressure side controller <figref>380</figref>. in which a by a solenoid <figref>362</figref> controlled valve <figref>364</figref> in between two different pressures selects. In this arrangement, coupling both the first and the second pressure relief valve <figref>366</figref>. <figref>368</figref> the high-pressure side management <figref>360</figref> with the low pressure side pipe <figref>330</figref> over a dropline <figref>363</figref>, Assuming that the fixed point the pressure relief valve <figref>364</figref> higher than the set point the pressure relief valve <figref>366</figref> is, then the pressure, the application of the subsystem <figref>400</figref> is supplied to the point set of the relief valve <figref>366</figref> adjusted when the valve <figref>364</figref> is closed, and is fixed to the Point of the relief valve <figref>368</figref> adapted, when the valve <figref>364</figref> open is. The preferred pressure regulator is a Suttner^TM model ST230. The double fixed point of the high-pressure side controller<figref>380</figref> is advantageous because this a convenient electronic switching between two different pressures allows for the Different applications are suitable. A preferred pressure for the Upholstery cleaning can for example, about 0.1379 (20) to about 1.379 MPa (200 psi) be while preferred pressures for the Carpet cleaning of about 0.3447 (50) to about 4.826 MPa (700 psi) enough.

The application subsystem <figref>400</figref> (not in detail shown) may be one of many different shapes. Typically , the application subsystem, a pipe with manual release control (s) on the one hand and an adapter on the other hand. The adapter comprises typically spray nozzles, suction ports and a cap on. Optional features include articulations or pivots, wheels and the same. It is intended that the application subsystem<figref>400</figref> a Plurality may include application-specific tubes, various pipes particularly for Various carpets, textiles, blinds, upholstery or other applications are also suitable.

<figref idrefs="S18">6</figref> provides total additional Details of the control subsystem <figref>500</figref> is that a base <figref>510</figref> having, the CPU module a <figref>520</figref> connects with a plurality of Einsteckplätzen, the plug-in <figref>530A</figref>. <figref>530B</figref> and so on. connector <figref>540</figref> to the various modules <figref>530</figref> are with the various sensors and actuators that described above are about Lines (in <figref idrefs="S18">6</figref> not shown) and appropriate analog / digital and counter interfaces (Not shown) wired. Of course, the special type of base <figref>510</figref> and modules <figref>520</figref>. <figref>530</figref>. the special position of the modules <figref>520</figref>. <figref>530</figref> within the base <figref>510</figref> and the special wiring connector in many different &lt;?page 5?&gt;Arrangements occur, all of which well within the knowledge in the art in Conjunction with the teachings herein.

A preferred sub-system was using a <figref>6</figref> Slot base W / 12/24 / VDC of Koyo^TM built as a base and power supply. The preferred system includes a CPU module <figref>520</figref>, Which a microprocessor (not shown), 2 serial ports <figref>522</figref>. a CPU battery (not shown), RAM and ROM memory (not shown) , into which the software (not shown) for operating the is loaded subsystem. The preferred Systemeinsteckmodule<figref>530</figref> are a 12-24 VDC input module, a 5-30 VDC insulated transmission output, 4-20 mA analog input module, a 5 KHz counter input module and an intermediate module, all of which also Koyo^TM Are available.

<figref idrefs="S18">6</figref> provides a user interface <figref>550</figref> represents that a LCD display <figref>552</figref> and a plurality of data input keys <figref>554</figref> having. The preferred display <figref>552</figref> is a 2 × 40 <figref>4</figref> line display Optimizer^TM, The user interface<figref>550</figref> is with at least one of the serial ports <figref>522</figref> cable <figref>524</figref> coupled.

The <figref idrefs="S19">7a</figref>-<figref idrefs="S19">7m</figref> questions the logic of preferred software. As with the hardware, the actual Software Implementation countless different take shape within the taught herein inventive idea. The software flow diagram of the <figref idrefs="S19">7a</figref>-<figref idrefs="S19">7m</figref> is self-explanatory.

Therefore, various aspects have been discloses improved carpet cleaning machine. While particular embodiments have been shown and described and applications, it would for someone visible with expertise in the technical field that much more modifications possible are, without departing from the inventive concept herein. The invention is thus of no by the attached claims not restrict.