1. A DC to AC inverter having a circuit arrangement for limiting capacitor inrush current and fault currents and reducing electrical sparking at relay contacts, comprising: \u2014
a control processor for performing a predetermined sequence of start-up or shut-down steps;
DC to AC conversion circuitry controllable to be activated or deactivated by said control processor by enabling or disabling transistor switching;
input terminals for the connection of a DC power source;
output terminals for outputting AC power from said DC to AC conversion circuitry;
at least one output relay having at least one set of normally open contacts for connecting the output of said DC to AC conversion circuitry to said output terminals, said at least one output relay being controllable by said control processor;
a main power relay having at least one set of normally open contacts for connecting said DC power source from said input terminals to said DC to AC conversion circuitry, said main power relay being controllable by said control processor;
a start-up relay having at least one set of normally open contacts connected in series with an incandescent filament lamp, the series combination being connected in parallel with said at least one set of normally open contacts of said main power relay, said start-up relay being controllable by said control processor, and
a photodetector placed adjacent to said incandescent filament lamp for providing an indication to said control processor of whether said lamp is lit.
2. The DC to AC inverter of claim 1, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry in order to start up said DC to AC inverter according to a sequence including at least the following steps:
STEP 1: Ensuring that all relays are initially in the open condition, and
STEP 2: Activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry to start attempting to convert DC power to AC power before a DC power input is applied via said main power relay or start-up relay.
3. The DC to AC inverter of claim 1, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry in order to start up said DC to AC inverter according to a sequence including at least the following steps:
STEP 1: Ensuring that all relays are initially in the open condition;
STEP 2: Activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry to start attempting to convert DC power to AC power before a DC input is applied from said main power relay or start-up relay, and
STEP 3: Controlling said start-up relay to close its contacts in order to apply DC power to the input of said DC to AC conversion circuitry through said incandescent filament lamp in order to limit any inrush or fault current to the magnitude of current passed by said incandescent filament lamp.
4. The DC to AC inverter of claim 1, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry in order to start up said DC to AC inverter according to a sequence including the following steps:
STEP 1: Ensuring that all relays are initially in the open condition;
STEP 2: Activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry to start attempting to convert DC power to AC power before a DC input is applied from said main power relay or start-up relay;
STEP 3: Controlling said start-up relay to close its contacts in order to apply DC power to the input of said DC to AC conversion circuitry through said incandescent filament lamp in order to limit any inrush or fault current to the current passed by said incandescent filament lamp;
STEP 4: Monitoring the output of said photodetector to determine that said incandescent filament lamp lit momentarily and then extinguished within a predetermined period of time, and
STEP 5: If and when the conditions in step 4 are fulfilled, controlling said main power relay to close its contacts, else if the conditions in step 4 are not fulfilled, controlling said start-up relay to the open condition and aborting start-up.
5. The DC to AC inverter of claim 1, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry in order to start up said DC to AC inverter according to a sequence including at least the following steps:
STEP 1: Ensuring that all relays are initially in the open condition;
STEP 2: Activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry to start attempting to convert DC power to AC power before a DC input is applied from said main power relay or start-up relay;
STEP 3: controlling said start-up relay and main power relay to apply DC power to the input of said DC to AC conversion circuitry;
STEP 4: Temporarily deactivating said DC to AC conversion circuitry by disabling said transistor switching;
STEP 5: Controlling said at least one output relay to the contact closed condition, and
STEP 6: Re-activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry by re-enabling transistor switching.
6. A safe start-up and shut-down circuit arrangement for use with a high power DC to AC inverter for converting power from a DC power source to AC power at an AC output, comprising: \u2014
A control processor for performing a predetermined sequence of start-up or shut-down steps;
DC to AC conversion circuitry including a DC-to-DC converter, said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter being controllable to be activated or deactivated by said control processor by enabling or disabling transistor switching;
a main power relay having normally open contacts connected between a first polarity terminal of said DC power source and a corresponding polarity DC input of said DC to AC converter circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter, the main power relay contacts being controlled to open or close by said processor;
a double-throw start-up relay having a normally open contact, a normally closed contact and a common contact, the contacts being connected such that when the relay is energized, DC current flows from said first polarity DC power power source terminal through an incandescent filament lamp to said corresponding polarity DC input of said DC to AC converter circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter, and when the relay is not energized, said corresponding first polarity DC input of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter is connected through an incandescent filament lamp to the DC power source terminal of opposite polarity to said first polarity, the start-up relay being controlled by said processor;
at least one output relay having normally open contacts for connecting the AC output of said DC to AC conversion circuitry to a load, the at least one output relay being controlled by said processor, and
photodetection circuitry to provide an indication to said control processor of whether an incandescent filament lamp connected to said double-throw start-up relay is lit or not lit.
7. The DC to AC inverter of claim 6, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter in order to start up said DC to AC inverter according to a sequence including at least the following steps:
STEP 1: Ensuring that all relays are initially in the open condition, and
STEP 2: Activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter to start attempting to convert DC power to AC power before a DC input is applied via said main power relay or start-up relay.
8. The DC to AC inverter of claim 6, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter in order to start up said DC to AC inverter according to a sequence including at least the following steps:
STEP 1: Ensuring that all relays are initially in the open condition, and
STEP 2: Activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter to start attempting to convert DC power to AC power before a DC input is applied from said main power relay or start-up relay, and
STEP 3: Energizing said start-up relay to close its contacts in order to apply DC power to the input of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter while limiting any inrush or fault current to incandescent filament lamp current.
9. The DC to AC inverter of claim 6, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter in order to start up said DC to AC inverter according to a sequence including at least the following steps:
STEP 1: Ensuring that all relays are initially in the open condition, and
STEP 2: Activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter to start attempting to convert DC power to AC power before a DC input is applied from said main power relay or start-up relay;
STEP 3: Controlling said start-up relay to close its contacts in order to apply DC power to the input of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter while limiting any inrush or fault current to incandescent filament lamp current;
STEP 4: Monitoring the indication provided by said photodetection circuitry to determine that a lamp-lit indication was detected followed by a lamp-extinguished detection within a predetermined period of time, and
STEP 5: If and when the conditions in step 4 are fulfilled, controlling said main power relay to close its contacts, else if the conditions in step 4 are not fulfilled, controlling said start-up relay to the open condition and aborting start-up.
10. The DC to AC inverter of claim 6, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter in order to start up said DC to AC inverter according to a sequence including at least the following steps:
STEP 1: Ensuring that all relays are initially in the open condition, and
STEP 2: Activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter to start attempting to convert DC power to AC power before a DC input is applied via said main power relay or start-up relay;
STEP 3: controlling said start-up relay and main power relay to apply DC power to the input of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter while limiting inrush current to that of an incandescent filament lamp;
STEP 4: Temporarily deactivating said DC to AC conversion circuitry by disabling its transistor switching;
STEP 5: Controlling said at least one output relay to the contact closed condition, and
STEP 6: Re-activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry by re-enabling its transistor switching.
11. The DC to AC inverter of claim 6, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter in order to shut down said DC to AC inverter according to a predetermined sequence including at least the following steps:
STEP 1: Deactivating said DC to AC conversion circuitry by disabling its transistor switching;
STEP 2: De-energizing said at least one output relay and said main power relay to the contact open condition;
STEP 3: De-energizing said start-up relay while monitoring the indication from said photodetection circuitry;
STEP 4: Determining that said photodetection circuitry provided a lamp-lit indication followed by a lamp-extinguished indication within a predetermined time period after de-energizing said start-up relay, and
STEP 5: Deactivating said DC to DC converter by disabling its transistor switching after said predetermined time period.
12. A safe start-up and shut-down circuit arrangement for use with a high power DC to AC inverter, comprising: \u2014
A control processor for performing a predetermined sequence of start-up or shut-down steps, including enabling or disabling transistor switching within said DC to AC converter circuitry;
DC to AC conversion circuitry including a DC-to-DC converter, said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter being controllable to be activated or deactivated by said control processor by enabling or disabling transistor switching;
a main power relay having normally open contacts connected between a first polarity terminal of a DC power source and a corresponding polarity DC input of said DC to AC converter circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter, the main power relay contacts being controlled to open or close by said processor;
a double-throw start-up relay having a normally open contact, a normally closed contact and a common contact, the contacts being connected such that when the relay is energized, DC current flows from said first polarity DC power power source terminal through a current limiting device to said corresponding polarity DC input of said DC to AC converter circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter, and when the relay is not energized, said first corresponding DC input of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter is connected through a current limiting device to the DC power source terminal of opposite polarity to said first polarity, the start-up relay being controlled by said processor;
at least one output relay having normally open contacts for connecting the AC output of said DC to AC conversion circuitry to a load, the at least one output relay being controlled by said processor, and
current indication circuitry to provide indications to said control processor of whether any current limiting device connected to said double-throw start-up relay is passing current greater or less than predetermined thresholds.
13. The DC to AC inverter of claim 12, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter in order to start up said DC to AC inverter according to a sequence including at least the following steps:
STEP 1: Ensuring that all relays are initially in the open condition, and
STEP 2: Activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter to start attempting to convert DC power to AC power before a DC input is applied from said main power relay or start-up relay.
14. The DC to AC inverter of claim 12, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter in order to start up said DC to AC inverter according to a sequence including at least the following steps:
STEP 1: Ensuring that all relays are initially in the open condition, and
STEP 2: Activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter to start attempting to convert DC power to AC power before a DC input is applied from said main power relay or start-up relay, and
STEP 3: Controlling said start-up relay to close its contacts in order to apply DC power to the input of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter while constraining the magnitude of any inrush or fault current by a current limiting device.
15. The DC to AC inverter of claim 12, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter in order to start up said DC to AC inverter according to a sequence including at least the following steps:
STEP 1: Ensuring that all relays are initially in the open condition, and
STEP 2: Activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter to start attempting to convert DC power to AC power before a DC input is applied from said main power relay or start-up relay;
STEP 3: Controlling said start-up relay to close its contacts in order to apply DC power to the input of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter while constraining the magnitude of any inrush or fault current by a current limiting device;
STEP 4: Monitoring the current indication provided by said current indication circuitry to determine that the current in a current limiting device first exceeded a predetermined threshold and then fell below a predetermined threshold within a predetermined period of time, and
STEP 5: If and when the conditions in step 4 are fulfilled, controlling said main power relay to close its contacts, else if the conditions in step 4 are not fulfilled, controlling said start-up relay to the open condition and aborting start-up.
16. The DC to AC inverter of claim 12, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter in order to start up said DC to AC inverter according to a sequence including at least the following steps:
STEP 1: Ensuring that all relays are initially in the open condition, and
STEP 2: Activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter to start attempting to convert DC power to AC power before a DC input is applied from said main power relay or start-up relay;
STEP 3: controlling said start-up relay and main power relay to apply DC power to the input of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter while constraining the magnitude of any inrush or fault current by a current limiting device;
STEP 4: Temporarily deactivating said DC to AC conversion circuitry by disabling its transistor switching;
STEP 5: Controlling said at least one output relay to the contact closed condition, and
STEP 6: Re-activating said DC to AC conversion circuitry by re-enabling its transistor switching.
17. The DC to AC inverter of claim 12, further including: \u2014
Software for execution on said processor configured to control said start-up relay, said main power relay, said at least one output relay and the activation and deactivation of said DC to AC conversion circuitry and said DC-to-DC converter in order to shut down said DC to AC inverter according to a predetermined sequence including at least the following steps:
STEP 1: Deactivating said DC to AC conversion circuitry by disabling its transistor switching;
STEP 2: De-energizing said at least one output relay and said main power relay to the contact open condition;
STEP 3: De-energizing said start-up relay while monitoring the indication from said current indication circuitry;
STEP 4: Determining that said current indication circuitry provided an indication that current in a current limiting device first exceed a predetermined threshold and then fell below a predetermined threshold within a predetermined period of time after de-energizing said start-up relay, and
STEP 5: Deactivating said DC to DC converter by disabling its transistor switching after said predetermined time period.
18. The DC to AC inverter of claim 12 in which the term \u201ca current limiting device\u201d can include a device having an electrically resistive element having a much greater resistance when the temperature of the resistive element is high than when the temperature of the resistive element is low.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for rotatably driving a floor cloth employed in a suction assembly of a vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner drawing in and collecting air and dust in a dust collecting chamber through an air path connecting a suction assembly to a connecting pipe by a negative pressure generated by an operation of a driving portion that is activated by manipulating a driving switch of a handle portion, the apparatus comprising:
a rotary member rotatably disposed on a lower end of the suction assembly, for supporting the floor cloth cleaning a cleaning surface;
rotary driving means on-off controlled by the manipulation of the driving switch, for supplying a driving force for rotating the rotary member in an on-state; and
power supplying means for supplying an electric signal from the manipulation of the driving switch to the rotary driving means.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power supplying means is disposed in a separate space of the connecting pipe that is protected by a protective cover from the air path, and includes a power terminal electrically connected to the driving switch of the handle portion, and a power conductor for electrically connecting the power terminal to the power driving means.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, the rotary driving means includes a bi-directional rotary motor having a pair of rotary shaft portions formed on both sides of the rotary motor and simultaneously rotated with each other by the power supplied from the power supplying means, and a power transmission unit disposed for transmitting the driving force of the rotary shaft portions to the rotary member.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the power transmission unit includes a pair of worm gear members connected to the rotary shaft portions for being rotated in the same direction as the rotary shaft portions are rotated; and transmission gears meshed with the pair of worm gear members for converting a rotational force of the worm gear members into a perpendicular direction and transmitting the converted rotational force to the rotary member.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the worm gear members are connected to the rotary shaft portions by joint connecting members, respectively.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the worm gear members have threads formed on outer circumferences thereof in an opposite direction from each other, for being rotated in the opposite direction when the transmission gears are rotated.
7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the power transmission unit includes a transmission gears connected to the rotary member; and a worm gear member having a worm gear portion formed on the outer circumference of the worm gear member for being meshed with the transmission gear, and a key portion formed on one end of the worm gear member for being connected to the rotary shaft portion of the rotary driving means in a key way.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein either the key portion or the rotary shaft portion has a key groove having a non-circular section formed on one end, while either the key portion or the rotary shaft portion without the key groove has a key portion that is formed on one end having corresponding shape to the key groove.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the worm gear members have threads formed on the outer circumference in an opposite direction so that the transmission gears can be rotated in the opposite direction.
10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the power transmission unit includes a transmission gears connected to the rotary member; and a worm gear member having a worm gear portion formed on the outer circumference of the worm gear member for being meshed with the transmission gear, and a connecting portion formed on one end of the worm gear member for being screwed to the rotary shaft portion of the rotary driving means.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein either the connecting portion or the rotary shaft portion has a male thread formed on the outer circumference, while either the connecting portion or the rotary shaft portion without the male thread has a female thread formed on the end corresponding to the male thread.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the threads formed on the connecting portion and the rotary shaft portion are left-hand threads for screw-fastening when the rotary shaft portion is rotated on the rotary shaft in a clockwise direction.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the threads formed on the connecting portion and the rotary shaft portion are right-hand threads for screw-fastening when the rotary shaft portion is rotated on the rotary shaft in a counterclockwise direction.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the threads on the outer circumferences of the worm gear members are formed in an opposite direction so that the transmission gears are rotated in the opposite direction.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a casing member formed in the suction assembly for enclosing the rotary driving means, thereby screening the rotary driving means from the air path of the suction assembly.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the casing member has a lower casing having openings formed on a bottom through which the transmission gears are directly connected to the rotary members, respectively, and a plurality of fixing means for rotatably supporting the worm gear members; and an upper casing connected to an upper portion of the lower casing for screening the rotary driving means mounted on the lower casing from the outside.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising removable means for removably supporting the floor cloth onto the rotary members.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the removable means includes at least one Velcro fastener disposed on a lower surface of the rotary members in a predetermined pattern.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the Velcro fastener is seated on a plurality of recesses formed on the lower surface of the rotary members around a center of rotation at a uniform distance from each other.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the Velcro fastener is disposed on the lower surface of the rotary member around the center of rotation at an angle of 120.
21. A floor cloth removably employed in a mounting portion at a lower end of a suction assembly of a vacuum cleaner, the floor cloth for mopping impurities on a cleaning surface, the floor cloth comprising:
a body contacting the cleaning floor;
a removable layer attached to an upper surface of the body, supportable by a binding force with removable means formed on the mounting portion; and
supporting means for improving cleaning efficiency by preventing deformation of the body and enabling easier contact against the cleaning surface, when the body contacts the cleaning surface.
22. The floor cloth of claim 21, wherein the body and the removable layer are connected with each other by an adhesive.
23. The floor cloth of claim 21, wherein the supporting means includes a supporting member disposed between the body and the removable layer, for recovering the body into an original shape, elastically.
24. The floor cloth of claim 23, wherein the supporting member is formed of a porous material capable of absorbing a liquid during a wet cleaning with respect to the cleaning surface.
25. The floor cloth of claim 21, wherein the supporting means includes a protruding pattern protruding from a lower surface of the body contacting the cleaning surface in a predetermined pattern.
26. The floor cloth of claim 25, wherein the protruding pattern includes a plurality of protruding lines protruding from the lower surface of the body contacting the cleaning surface in a linear pattern.
27. The floor cloth of claim 25, wherein the protruding pattern is formed of a fabric that is identical with the fabric of the body.