Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present disclosure generally relates to vacuum cleaning system, and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaning system integrated with a vacuum pump of a vehicle to carry out cleaning of a cabin of the automobile.

BACKGROUND
[002] Vehicles, especially passenger cars require frequent cleaning of the interior space/cabin of the vehicle due to constant exposure of the vehicle to external pollution, dust, and dirt. While services for cleaning the vehicle are available, such professional cleaning services cannot be availed frequently by a user because of the high charges and the time consumed while availing such services. Also, accessibility to such cleaning services is difficult when the user is travelling to distant places in the vehicle.
[003] A wide range of portable vacuum cleaning devices which are compatible to be used for vehicles is available in the market. Such vacuum cleaning devices can be plugged into a power outlet provided in the vehicle and operated from the power received through the vehicle, wherein the power is generally derived from a battery of the vehicle. The user can effectively clean the interior space of the vehicle by using these vacuum cleaning devices which can reach the corners and crevices of the interior space, eliminating dust and dirt accumulated in the vehicle. However, such external portable vacuum cleaning devices are prone to overheating when used for a longer time. Other drawbacks of such devices include low suction force, generation of excessive noise, and burning odor on overheating. Sometimes such vacuum cleaning devices become dysfunctional due to overheating and require replacement of components, resulting in additional cost to the user. Also, since the user is required to carry the vacuum device separately, the device takes up storage space, therefore affecting the available storage space in the vehicle boot.
[004] Alternatively, some prior arts provide a vacuum cleaning device that is configured to operate using a negative pressure of an intake manifold in a vehicle engine, therefore foregoing the need to use a separate vacuum cleaning device for cleaning the vehicle. Although such a system overcomes the drawback of portable vacuum cleaning devices, the system can damage the engine or result in seizing of the engine since the system is directly connected to the engine combustion system, creating a possibility of entry of dust and foreign particles into the engine, leading to the seizing of the engine.
[005] Therefore, there is a requirement for a vacuum cleaning system that is integrated into the vehicle and overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the existing solutions.

OBJECTS
[006] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a vacuum cleaning system integrated with a vacuum pump of a vehicle for facilitating cleaning of an interior of a vehicle.
[007] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the vacuum cleaning system which utilizes a negative pressure of the vacuum pump of a brake vacuum circuit for enabling vacuum cleaning operation.
[008] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the vacuum cleaning system in which an outlet for connecting a vacuum cleaning hose is integrated with an instrument panel of the vehicle.
[009] Still another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the vacuum cleaning system which includes a modulator provided in communication with a vacuum reservoir of the brake vacuum circuit for controlling supply of negative vacuum pressure of the vacuum pump in the vacuum cleaning system.
[0010] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the vacuum cleaning system in which an ECU of the vehicle actuates the modulator to operate the vacuum cleaning system on determining that the vehicle is in an idle state.
[0011] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the vacuum cleaning system which includes a filter assembly for collecting and filtering the dust sucked in by a suction nozzle connected to an end of the vacuum cleaning hose.
[0012] Still another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the vacuum cleaning system integrated within the vehicle which eliminates the need for a separate vacuum cleaning device for cleaning the interior space/cabin of the vehicle, therefore facilitating ease and convenience to a user of the vehicle.
[0013] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] The embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0015] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting a vacuum cleaning system of a vehicle, integrated with a brake vacuum circuit of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 2 is a detailed schematic view of the vacuum cleaning system of the vehicle disposed towards a front panel/dashboard area of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 3 is a front view of a vacuum reservoir of the brake vacuum circuit of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0018] Fig. 4 is a front view of a modulator of the vacuum cleaning system of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0019] Fig. 5 depicts a front view of a hose connector of the vacuum cleaning system of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0020] Fig. 6A is a front view of a filter assembly of the vacuum cleaning system, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0021] Fig. 6B is an isometric view of a glove box of the vehicle depicting positioning of the filter assembly accessible through an opening of the glove box, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0022] Fig. 7 is schematic diagram depicting the vacuum cleaning system integrated with the brake vacuum circuit, wherein the filter assembly is provided in communication with the vacuum cleaning hose, according to another embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0023] Fig. 8 is a flowchart depicting a flow of steps for operating the vacuum cleaning system when a user switches the vacuum cleaning system ON with a switch button provided on the front panel of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0025] The embodiments herein achieve a vacuum cleaning system integrated with a vacuum pump of a vehicle for facilitating cleaning of an interior space of a vehicle. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the vacuum cleaning system which utilizes a negative pressure of the vacuum pump of a brake vacuum circuit for enabling vacuum cleaning operation. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the vacuum cleaning system in which an outlet is provided on an instrument panel of the vehicle for connecting a vacuum cleaning hose. The embodiments herein achieve the vacuum cleaning system which includes a modulator for controlling a supply of negative vacuum pressure from the vacuum pump through/ via a vacuum reservoir. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the vacuum cleaning system in which an ECU of the vehicle is configured to actuate the modulator to operate the vacuum cleaning operation on determining that the vehicle is in an idle state. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the vacuum cleaning system which includes a filter assembly for collecting and filtering the dust sucked in by a suction nozzle connected to an end of the vacuum cleaning hose. Additionally, the embodiments herein achieve the vacuum cleaning system integrated within the vehicle which eliminates the need for a separate vacuum cleaning device for cleaning the interior space of the vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 8, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0026] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vacuum cleaning system (200) of a vehicle integrated with a brake vacuum circuit (100) of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention. The brake vacuum circuit (100) of the vehicle, according to an embodiment, includes a vacuum pump (1), a reservoir (2), and a brake booster (3). In an embodiment, the vacuum pump (1) is mounted on an engine (M) of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the vacuum pump (1) is an electronic/electrical vacuum pump mounted separately in a front-end auxiliary drive (FEAD) portion of the vehicle or an underbody compartment of the vehicle. Further, the vacuum reservoir (2) is provided in communication with the vacuum pump (1), wherein a first connecting tube (5) connects an outlet port (1a) of the vacuum pump (1) to an inlet channel (2a) of the vacuum reservoir (2). The brake booster (3) is connected to a brake pedal (4) of the vehicle and provided in communication with the vacuum reservoir (2), wherein one end of a second connecting tube (6) is connected to an outlet channel (2b) of the vacuum reservoir (2) and another end of the second connecting tube (6) is connected to an inlet passage (3a) of the brake booster (3).
[0027] The brake vacuum circuit (100) of the vehicle is provided to reduce the efforts/force required to press the brake pedal (4) by a driver. The brake booster (3) is configured to use a differential pressure between atmospheric pressure and a lower pressure (negative pressure) generated by the vacuum pump (1) to reduce the force required for pressing the brake pedal (4). Further, the brake booster (3) is positioned between the brake pedal (4) and a master cylinder (not shown) of the vehicle. When a force is applied on the brake pedal (4), the differential pressure of the brake booster (3) reduces the effort to be applied on the brake pedal (4). Furthermore, in the brake vacuum circuit (100), the vacuum reservoir (2) is provided to maintain sufficient vacuum within the brake vacuum circuit (100) for the braking application.
[0028] According to an embodiment as shown in Fig.1 and Fig.2, the vacuum cleaning system (200) comprises a modulator (7) provided in communication with an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle, an adapter (9) disposed in communication with the modulator (7), a vacuum cleaning hose (13) adapted to be attached to the adapter (9), a suction nozzle (14) connected to an end of the vacuum cleaning hose (13), and a filter assembly (8) adapted to collect and filter dust sucked/drawn by the suction nozzle (14). The vacuum cleaning system (200) is configured to utilize the negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump (1) to carry out cleaning operation. In an embodiment, a bypass port (2c) of the vacuum reservoir (2) (as shown in Fig.3) is connected to an inlet opening (7a) of the modulator (7) with a first connecting member/pipe (10). In another embodiment, wherein the brake vacuum circuit (100) of the vehicle does not include a vacuum reservoir, the modulator (7) is connected to the vacuum pump (1) via a connecting member (not shown).
[0029] According to an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the modulator (7) is an electric actuator which comprises the inlet opening (7a), an outlet opening (7b), and an electrical connector (7c). In an embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig.2 and 6A, the outlet opening (7b) of the modulator (7) is connected to an inlet (8c) of the filter assembly (8) via a second connecting member (11). In another embodiment as shown in Fig. 7, the outlet opening (7b) of the modulator (7) is connected to the adapter (9) installed in an instrument panel (16) of the vehicle via the second connecting member (11). Further the electronic connector (7c) facilitates connecting the modulator (7) with the ECU of the vehicle to receive signals from the ECU, and to receive power supply from a power source provided in the vehicle. When the modulator (7) is actuated in an ON condition by the ECU, the modulator (7) receives supply of negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump (1) via the vacuum reservoir (2). Further, the negative pressure received by the modulator (7) is supplied to the suction nozzle (14) via the vacuum cleaning hose (13) connected to the hose adapter (9), facilitating vacuum cleaning operation. In an embodiment, the modulator (7) comprises a solenoid valve.
[0030] As shown in Fig. 6A, the filter assembly (8) comprises a filter (8a), a dust collector bin (8b), the inlet (8c), and an outlet (8d). In an embodiment, the filter (8a) is a cyclone filter. The dust drawn in by the suction nozzle (14) passes through the vacuum cleaning hose (13) and gets collected in the dust collector bin (8b) of the filter assembly (8) after passing through the filter (8a), wherein the filter (8a) prevents the dust particles from entering the brake vacuum circuit (100).
In an embodiment as shown in Fig. 2 and 6B, the filter assembly (8) is mounted near a glove box (16a) of the vehicle for facilitating easy removal and cleaning of the filter assembly (8), especially the dust collector bin (8b). The filter assembly (8) is positioned such that it is accessible for mounting and dismounting on opening of the glove box of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the inlet (8c) of the filter assembly (8) is connected to the output (8d) of the modulator (7) via the second connecting member (11) and the output (8d) of the filter assembly (8) relates to the hose adapter (9) via a third connecting member (12). In another embodiment, as shown Fig. 7, the filter assembly (8) is directly connected to the hose adapter (9).
[0031] Further, as shown in Fig. 5, in an embodiment, the adapter (9) comprises an inlet vent (9a), an outlet vent (9b) and a nipple (9c) connected to the outlet vent (8b), wherein the nipple (9c) facilitates in ease of engaging and disengaging the vacuum cleaning hose (13) from the outlet vent (9b) of the hose adapter (9). The nipple (9c) acts as a shut off valve wherein the nipple (9c) provides an opening only when the hose (13) is connected to the hose adapter (9) and the nipple (9c) closes the opening when the hose (13) is not connected, therefore preventing entering of dust particles into the vacuum cleaning system (200) and the brake vacuum circuit (100) when the vacuum cleaning system (200) is not in operation. In an embodiment, the hose adapter (9) is mounted on the instrument panel (16) of the vehicle, facilitating direct connection of the vacuum cleaning hose (13) within the vehicle.
[0032] In an embodiment, a switch (15) for operating the vacuum cleaning system (200) is provided on the instrument panel (16) of the vehicle. When a user wants to operate the vacuum cleaning system (200) of the vehicle, the user connects the vacuum cleaning hose (13) to the adapter (9) and operates the switch (15) to an ON position for operating the vacuum cleaning system (200) of the vehicle. When the switch (15) is actuated in the ON position, a signal S1 is sent to the ECU of the vehicle. On receiving signal S1, the ECU is configured to determine whether an engine (M) of the vehicle and/or the vacuum pump (1) of the brake vacuum circuit (100) are in an ON/operating condition. On determining that the engine (M) and the vacuum pump (1) are in the ON/operating condition, the ECU is configured to determine whether the vehicle is in an idle state i.e. that the vehicle is stationary, by checking the rotation per minute (rpm) of wheels of the vehicle is equal to Zero. On determining that the vehicle is in the idle state, the ECU actuates the modulator (7) by sending a second signal S2, wherein the modulator (7) supplies the negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump (1) of the brake vacuum circuit (100) for vacuum cleaning operation. When the ECU determines that the engine (M), the vacuum pump (1) and the vehicle are not in the ON/operating condition, and the wheels of the vehicle are in motion, the ECU does not actuate the modulator (7). Further, the ECU is configured to actuate the modulator (7) in an OFF position when the user operates the switch (15) to an OFF position or on determining that the vehicle is not in the idle state. Therefore, to operate the vacuum cleaning system (200) of the vehicle, the vehicle is required to be in the idle state wherein the engine and vacuum pump are in operative/ON condition and the vehicle is stationary. By ensuring that the vacuum cleaning system is operated only when the vehicle is stationary, any possibility of additional load on the vacuum pump is avoided, therefore providing a fail-safe system for vacuum cleaning which does not affect the braking application of the vehicle.
[0033] In an embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaning system is configured to be operated at different predetermined ranges of suction pressures by increasing and decreasing the engine rpm.
[0034] Further, in an embodiment of the invention, the modulator (7), the filter assembly (8) and the plurality of connecting members (10, 11, 12) are housed within the instrument panel/dashboard of the vehicle, and the vacuum cleaning system operating switch (15) and the adapter (9) are installed on the instrument panel (16) for accessibility to the user.
[0035] The technical advantages achieved by the embodiments disclosed herein include vacuum cleaning system integrated within the vehicle which utilizes the vacuum pump of the brake vacuum circuit used for braking application, foregoing the need for a separate vacuum cleaning device for cleaning the interior space of the vehicle. Further, the vacuum cleaning system is configured to be operative only when the vehicle is in an idle state therefore avoiding additional load on the vacuum pump and ensuring smooth functioning of the brake pedal. Since the vacuum cleaning utilizes the vacuum pump mounted on the engine or an underbody of the vehicle, the system has a noise free operation. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaning system can be operated at different suction pressures by increasing and decreasing the engine rpm. The vacuum cleaning system is cost effective, durable and does not affect the normal braking application of the vehicle.
[0036] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:
1. A vacuum cleaning system (200) of a vehicle integrated with a vacuum pump (1) of a brake vacuum circuit (100) of the vehicle, the vacuum cleaning system (200) comprising:
a modulator (7) provided in fluid communication with the vacuum pump (1);
an adapter (9) provided in fluid communication with the modulator (7) and disposed within an interior of the vehicle at an accessible position for connecting a vacuum cleaning hose (13);
wherein,
the modulator (7) is configured to receive a negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump (1) and supply the negative pressure to the adapter (9), whereby the negative pressure is utilized for vacuum cleaning operation through the vacuum cleaning hose (13); and
the modulator (7) is configured to be actuated by an electronic control unit of the vehicle;
the electronic control unit is configured to actuate the modulator (7) in an operative/ ON position on determining the vehicle is in an idle state.

2. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modulator (7) is connected to a vacuum reservoir (2) coupled to the vacuum pump (1) of the brake vacuum circuit (100).

3. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a bypass port (2c) of the vacuum reservoir (2) is connected to an inlet opening (7a) of the modulator (7) with a first connecting member (10).

4. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaning system (200) includes a filter assembly (8) adapted to filter and collect dust sucked through the vacuum cleaning hose (13), wherein the filter assembly (8) is connected to the vacuum cleaning hose (13) at a predetermined position.

5. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter assembly (8) comprises:
a filter (8a) disposed in an upper portion of the filter assembly (8), wherein the filter (8a) is a cyclone filter;
a dust collector bin (8b) forming a removable lower portion of the filter assembly (8);
an inlet (8c); and
an outlet (8d).

6. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the filter assembly (8) is provided in communication with the modulator (7) and housed within an instrument panel (16) of the vehicle, said filter assembly is positioned such that the filter assembly (8) is accessible by opening a glove box (16a) of the vehicle.

7. The vacuum cleaning system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inlet (8c) of the filter assembly (8) is connected to an outlet (7b) of the modulator (7) with a second connecting member (11), and the outlet (8d) of the filter assembly (8) is connected to an inlet vent (9a) of the adapter (9) with a third connecting member (12), wherein the second connecting member (11) and the third connecting member (12) are housed within the instrument panel (16) of the vehicle.

8. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adapter (9) comprises:
the inlet vent (9a) adapted to receive the negative pressure flow upon actuation of the modulator (7) to the ON position through the second connecting member (11);
an output vent (9b) connected to the inlet vent (9a) adapted to supply the negative pressure flow to the vacuum cleaning hose (13) connected to the adapter (9); and
a shut-off valve (9c) comprising a nipple adapted to close an opening of the output vent (9b) when the hose (13) is disconnected from the adapter (9) and open the opening of the output vent (9b) for connection of the hose (13).

9. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the nipple (9c) is adapted to be pressed for one of connecting and disconnecting of the hose (13) with the adapter (9), wherein the adapter (9) is mounted on the instrument panel (16) of the vehicle.

10. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaning system (200) comprises a suction nozzle (14) adapted to be attached to an end of the vacuum cleaning hose (13) for suction of dust from an interior space of the vehicle.

11. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining the idle state of the vehicle by the ECU comprises:
determining the vacuum pump (1) and an engine (M) of the vehicle are in an operating condition; and
determining a rate of rotation per minute of wheels is Zero to determine a stationary state of the vehicle.

12. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a switch (15) is provided on the instrument panel (16) to control an operation of the vacuum cleaning system (200).

13. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive a signal S1 when a user operates the switch (15) in an ON position.
14. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to send a signal S2 to the modulator (7), whereby actuating the modulator (7) to the ON position, on determining the vehicle is in the idle state.

15. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to actuate the modulator (7) in an OFF position in any one of a condition comprising the user operating the switch (15) to the OFF position and on determining the vehicle is not in the idle state.

16. The vacuum cleaning system (200), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modulator (7) comprises an electrical connector (7c) facilitating connection of the ECU of the vehicle with the modulator (7) and facilitates supply of power to the modulator (7) from a power source provided in the vehicle.

17. The vacuum cleaning system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaning system (200) is configured to operate at different range of suction pressure by varying a rpm of any one of an engine (M) of the vehicle and the vacuum pump (1).