Lux model 30/XXX tools

[rugsucker]

-LX-

There is an early magazine ad(and this is when Elux just started using magazine advertising after much study according to an advertising textbook I have)showing only the 'see no,touch no,breathe no dust'lady and directing reader to set up a demo.It is somewhat like the Duesenburg ads showing elegant,wealthy woman(or man)and stating"She(or he)drives a Duesenburg"without feeling the need to show the product.--I have heard that at one time Elux had the idea of adjusting the LX to the region they were shipped.That is shipment to sandy beach areas would be adjusted differently than shipment to dusty desert states.I wonder how long it took to realise that each house and even each room can have its own dust conditions?

 

[aeoliandave]

Jimmy, likely as soon as the LX complaints started rolling in for premature ejaculation.

Dave

 

[caligula]

Hi rugsucker.

I've addressed this subject in detail in my article 'The History Of The Electrolux Corporation,' which was published in several newsletters. However, here is a brief excerp telling about the minor repairs in the field.

'There were problems right from the start with this Electrolux, though they were minor, they were numerous enough to force the engineering department to improve the machine. The ejector worked as intended, but all too often the front cover didn't open fast enough, or not at all, and this caused the bags to burst under pressure. This sent dust and dirt into the motor chamber and had to be repaired, or replaced at the expence of Electrolux. It was decided to put a retard dial on the front cover in order to slow down the ejection process.' I have since rewritten this article, and go into far more detail. If you want a copy let me know and I'll get it to you.

Alex.

 

[smith]

Wow, awesome thread. The LX has always been one of my favorite Luxes. Very nice examples in this thread!

 

[crevicetool]

Here's a blast from the past.....

Some of the devices talked about in the following archived thread about the automatic control can be seen in the pictures above. Please pardon the sad attempts at humor within my portions of the thread. I thought I was funny back then.....

http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?1152

 

[caligula]

My Thanks to everybody who has posted on this thread..

This has grown like a weed, and I love it. Big Fred said it so well, this is what the club is all about. There can be no doubt that the Electrolux model LX in any form,, from first generation to the last LXI that rolled off the assembly line at the factory in Old Greenwich, Connecticut was the most advanced vacuum cleaner of it's time.

And I hope this thread continues, as there's a lot more info on Electrolux models as well as the XXX and LX.

Alex Taber.

 

[aeoliandave]

Fun Things to do with your Lux...

I'll say! No machine is foolproof and at times I am the most maniacal cackling mad scientist fool in the room.
Great to hear from you, Rick. I've tried to keep my humour quotient up to your lofty standards but, well,
Nobody does it better
Makes me feel sad for the rest.
Nobody does it half as good as you
Baby, you're the best.

Dave

 

[aeoliandave]

Here we go again some more, just can't help myself.

The Electrolux Engineers began working on the prototypes for the LX perhaps as early as 1948/49. By 1950 they were applying for patents of the various mechanisms under development, although, as is the practice the Patent would not be officially granted until 1955, three years after the debut.

Several bag ejecting solutions were tested, such as this scheme to use a 'scissors' rack to thrust and guide the sled forward. Note that at this early juncture the exterior shape of the LX was not locked in.

 

[aeoliandave]

The pneumatic control had been established and for those who love to read Patent-speak, here is the salient section concerning this action.
I term the 'ejector plate' a sled because it acts like one.

 

[aeoliandave]

The spring loaded scissors were designed to pull the sled forward while guiding it's trajectory with a geared connection of the arms at one end.[this post was last edited: 1/19/2013-20:31]

 

[aeoliandave]

Unfortunately the integrated spring proved too weak to push out a heavy full wrapper.

Another means of propulsion was considered - a tempered steel coiled watch spring under the sled (this same principle used in post LX cord-winders to this day).[this post was last edited: 1/19/2013-20:32]

 

[luxman107]

You all are amazing with all these pictures, engineering diagrams ,patents and history. Thanks for posting. This thread is priceless. Thanks

 

[aeoliandave]

A variation on the coil spring application.

 

[aeoliandave]

In the end, tho', keeping it simple and less prone to maintenance of the various levers & hinge points it was determined best to use a single rail to guide the sled reliably down the bag chamber.

Even then a more powerful spring was desired.

As highlighted in red, the solution was found in a 4" wide tempered steel band spring folded double and hinge-attached against the sled and back wall fan case. It took up less space than the coil, was reliable for long service and allowed the bag to be larger and the vacuum body to be shorter.
Fully deployed it is the exact length needed to run the sled to it's stops when released negating any further metal fatigue stress at the attachment points.
I have never known one of these band springs to either snap in half or become deformed from decades of folded & cocked inaction. Brilliant engineering.

 

[aeoliandave]

The final configuration of the pneumatic system and the exterior sculpture of the LX is locked in.

The tubular rod guide rail is #57 in this cross section.

Dave

 

[aeoliandave]

This idea from 1945 is too groovy to leave out. Eject the bag with a diverted blast of exhaust.

Here an excerpt from a communication from Alex Taber providing even more food for thought in the early genesis and development of a self-ejecting Dust Wrapper:

"The Jack-in-the-box canister, XXX side ejecting, lofting top (like a cannon) design, the one with the exhaust tube resting atop the main housing, and the one where the housing lifts off the runners, pops the front cover, ejects the wrapper, and unlatches the hose coupling, and the most odd designs that I think the club will find interesting"

 

[caligula]

Thank you powermate1970.

All because of a simple question about an Electrolux attatchment, this wonderful thread has just gon on and on. Everything from basic tools to some awesome patents have graced this thread. By now it's clear that I'm not alone in the love of the model LX, and as I have a lot more to share, this thread will continue.

Just wait till I get my book 'Electrolux, the first 40 years 1924 - 1964,' as it's full of info like Sarah the cat.

The 'Companion' is boxed, along with some history on the vacuum cleaner, especially about Electrolux' that I think you'll enjoy.

Once again, thanks for starting this thread.

Robert Alexander Taber

 

[caligula]

'The little tin can with the motor.'

Here's the vacuum cleaner that started it all. The Swedidsh export called the Electro-lux. Today we know it as the model V (5) and it was introduced to American housewives in 1924.

The rest, as they say, is history!

 

[powermate1970]

Alex, here it is!

I guess we can turn this thread from a 30 to a 60, and beyond! LOL Here is my acquired 60 that I broke the corner on. From reading Dave's comments, I'm going to try to replace the tube and clean out the bleed hole to see if that gets the bag eject working. I'm going into this one kinda blind as I've never actually seen one of these in action, live.

 

[powermate1970]

and another

backside