U.S. patent application number 10/409422 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-27 for dust collecting filter for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner having the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jin, Hyoung-Jong, Joo, Sung-Tae.
Application Number | 20040098826 10/409422 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19720692 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040098826 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Joo, Sung-Tae ; et
al. |
May 27, 2004 |
Dust collecting filter for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner having
the same
Abstract
A dust collecting filter for an vacuum cleaner capable of being
reused after being emptied and washed The dust collecting filter
comprises a filter casing having a backside surface and a side
surface vertically extended from an edge of the backside surface to
thereby define a predetermined space therein, the backside surface
having an air discharging hole formed therein to fluid-communicate
with the air outlet, a cover having an air inflow hole
fluid-communicating with the air inlet and separably connected with
the filter casing, and a dust filtering means mounted in the filter
casing, for filtering dust from the air that is drawn in through
the air inflow hole and discharged through the air discharging
hole. Accordingly, since the dust collecting filter can be reused
after being emptied and washed, it is not required to replace the
dust collecting filter. Also, since the filter is designed to
prevent the propagation of the bacteria, it can keep the
cleanliness of the environment. Also, easy separation and mounting
of the filter improves the convenience in using the cleaner.
Inventors: |
Joo, Sung-Tae;
(Gwangju-City, KR) ; Jin, Hyoung-Jong;
(Gwangsan-Gu, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Paul D. Greeley, Esq.
Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero & Perle, L.L.P.
10th Floor
One Landmark Square
Stamford
CT
06901-2682
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
19720692 |
Appl. No.: |
10/409422 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/347 ;
15/327.1; 15/327.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/1409 20130101;
A47L 9/127 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/347 ;
015/327.1; 015/327.7 |
International
Class: |
A47L 009/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 25, 2002 |
KR |
2002-73390 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A dust collecting fitter for a vacuum cleaner mounted in a dust
collecting chamber of the vacuum cleaner having an air inlet and an
air outlet, for filtering dust from air drawn in through the air
inlet, the dust collecting filter being reusable, the dust
collecting filter comprising: a filter casing having a backside
surface and a side surface vertically extended from an edge of the
backside surface to thereby define a predetermined space therein,
the backside surface having an air discharging hole formed therein
to fluid-communicate with the air outlet; a cover having an air
inflow hole fluid-communicating with the air inlet and separably
connected with the filter casing; and a dust filtering means
mounted in the filter casing, for filtering dust from the air that
is drawn in through the air inflow hole and discharged through the
air discharging hole.
2. The dust collecting filter for the vacuum cleaner of claim 2,
wherein the filter casing has a cylindrical shape and the filter
casing and the cover are removably connected with each other by a
projection portion and hooks respectively disposed at the fitter
casing and the cover and corresponding to each other.
3. The dust collecting fitter for the vacuum cleaner of claim 1,
wherein the dust filtering means comprises: a first dust-filtering
member for filtering a big-sized dust; and a second dust-filtering
member for filtering a minute dust that is not filtered by the
first dust filtering means.
4. The dust collecting filter for the vacuum cleaner of claim 3,
wherein the first dust-filtering member comprises: a frame
integrally formed with the backside surface of the filter casing to
section an inner space of the fitter casing into an outer dust
collecting portion and an inner air discharging portion, the frame
having a plurality of holes being formed in a radial direction; and
a net body attached to a side of the frame to enclose the holes of
the frame.
5. The dust collecting filter for the vacuum cleaner of claim 4,
wherein the second dust-filtering member comprises: a first bracket
contacting with the backside surface of the filter casing
corresponding to the air discharging portion and having a passage
hole formed in a center thereof to correspond to the air
discharging hole; a second bracket supported by an end of the frame
at an edge thereof; and a minute dust filter supported by
circumference ends of the first and the second brackets.
6. The dust collecting filter for the vacuum cleaner of claim 5,
wherein the second bracket is formed in a conical shape that
becomes gradually wider from a central point toward the other end,
thereby allowing air drawn in through the air inflow hole of the
cover to smoothly flow into the dust collecting portion disposed in
the filter casing.
7. The dust collecting filter for the vacuum cleaner of claim 5,
wherein the minute dust filter is made of nonwoven fabric and the
nonwoven fabric has a plurality of pleated portions to increase a
dust filtering area.
8. The dust collecting filter for the vacuum cleaner of claim 5,
wherein the cover is provided with a plurality of ribs protruding
from an inside of the cover, the ribs pressing the second bracket
supported by the end of the frame as the cover is connected with
the filter casing.
9. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a cleaner body having a dust
collecting chamber provided with an air inlet and an air outlet and
connected to a suction brush; a vacuum-generating device disposed
in a driving chamber, for generating a negative pressure in the
dust collecting chamber, the driving chamber disposed in a rear
portion of the dust collecting chamber of the cleaner body to
fluid-communicate with the dust collecting chamber through the air
outlet; and a dust collecting filter mounted in the dust collecting
chamber, for filtering and collecting dust collecting filter from
air drawn into the dust collecting chamber, the dust- collecting
fitter being reusable, the dust collecting filter comprising, a
filter casing having a backside surface and a side surface
vertically extended from an edge of the backside surface to thereby
define a predetermined space therein, the backside surface having
an air discharging hole formed therein to fluid-communicate with
the air outlet; a cover having an air inflow hole
fluid-communicating with the air inlet and separably connected with
the filter casing; and a dust filtering means mounted in the filter
casing, for filtering dust from the air that is drawn in through
the air inflow hole and discharged through the air discharging
hole.
10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein the filter casing has a
cylindrical shape and the filter casing and the cover are removably
connected with each other by a projection portion and hooks
respectively disposed at the filter casing and the cover and
corresponding to each other.
11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein the dust filtering means
comprises: a first dust-filtering member for filtering a big-sized
dust filtering means; and a second dust-filtering member for
filtering a minute dust filtering means that is not filtered by the
first dust filtering means.
12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, wherein the first
dust-filtering member comprises: a frame integrally formed with the
backside surface of the filter casing to section an inner space of
the filter casing into an outer dust collecting portion and an
inner air discharging portion, the frame having a plurality of
holes being formed in a radial direction; and a net body attached
to a side of the frame to enclose the holes of the frame.
13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein the second
dust-filtering member comprises: a first bracket contacting with
the backside surface of the filter casing corresponding to the air
discharging portion and having a passage hole formed in a center
thereof and corresponding to the air discharging hole; a second
bracket supported by an end of the frame at an edge thereof; and a
minute dust filter supported by circumference ends of the first and
the second brackets.
14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the second bracket is
formed in a conical shape that becomes gradually wider from a
central point toward the other end, thereby allowing air drawn in
through the air inflow hole of the cover to smoothly flow into the
dust collecting portion disposed in the filter casing.
15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the minute dust filter
is made of nonwoven fabric, and the nonwoven fabric has a plurality
of pleated portions to increase a dust filtering area.
16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the cover is provided
with a plurality of ribs protruding from an inside of the cover,
the ribs pressing the second bracket supported by the end of the
frame as the cover is connected with the filter casing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a dust collecting filter
for a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to a dust collecting
filter that can be reused after being emptied and washed and a
vacuum cleaner having the dust collecting filter.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Generally, a vacuum cleaner draws in dusts and various
foreign substances (hereinafter called `dust`) from a surface to be
cleaned together with air by using a suction force generated at a
suction brush by a vacuum-generating device and separates and
collects the dust from the drawn air by using a filter.
[0005] Such a filter generally uses a paper filter (paper bag). The
paper filter is a consumable product, which is removed from the
vacuum cleaner, and discarded together with the dust contained
therein when it is full of the dust. Accordingly, such a disposable
paper filter causes the maintenance cost of the vacuum cleaner to
be increased. Also, since the paper filter provides a condition
where bacteria are easy to live and propagate, it cases a sanitary
problem. Also, there is an inconvenience of having to frequently
replace the paper filter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been developed in order to solve
the above problems in the prior art. Accordingly, an object of the
present invention is to provide a dust collecting filter for a
vacuum cleaner that can be re-used after being empted and washed so
as to be usable.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a dust
collecting filter for a vacuum cleaner which is hygienic because it
does not allow the inhabitation of bacteria and is easily mounted
in and removed from a dust collecting chamber of the vacuum
cleaner.
[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a vacuum cleaner using the dust collecting filter having the
above-described features, thereby contributing to a reduction of
the maintenance cost and convenience of use.
[0009] The above objects of the present invention are achieved by
providing a dust collecting filter for a vacuum cleaner mounted in
a dust collecting chamber of the vacuum cleaner having an air inlet
and an air outlet, for filtering dust from air drawn in through the
air inlet, the dust collecting filter comprising a filter casing
having a backside surface and a side surface vertically extended
from an edge of the backside surface to thereby define a
predetermined space therein, the backside surface having an air
discharging hole formed therein to fluid-communicate with the air
outlet, a cover having an air inflow hole fluid-communicating with
the air inlet and separably connected with the filter casing, and a
dust filtering means mounted in the filter casing, for filtering
dust from the air that is drawn in through the air inflow hole and
discharged through the air discharging hole. The dust collecting
filter can be reused after being emptied and washed.
[0010] According to the present invention, since it is not required
to replace the filter, the cost to replace the filter can be
reduced. Also, since the filter is designed to prevent the
propagation of the bacteria, it can keep the environment clean.
Also, easy separation and mounting of the filter improves the
convenience in using the cleaner.
[0011] Preferably, the filter casing has a cylindrical shape and
the filter casing and the cover are removably connected with each
other by a projection portion and hooks respectively disposed at
the filter casing and the cover and corresponding to each
other.
[0012] It is preferred that the dust filtering means comprises a
first dust-filtering member for filtering a big-sized dust and a
second dust-filtering member for filtering a minute dust that is
not filtered by the first dust filtering means.
[0013] The first dust-filtering member comprises a frame integrally
formed with the backside surface of the filter casing to section an
inner space of the filter casing into an outer dust collecting
portion and an inner air discharging portion, the frame having a
plurality of holes being formed in a radial direction, and a net
body attached to a side of the frame to enclose the holes of the
frame.
[0014] Also, the second dust-filtering member comprises a first
bracket contacting with the backside surface of the filter casing
corresponding to the air discharging portion and having a passage
hole formed in a center thereof to correspond to the air
discharging hole, a second bracket supported by an end of the frame
at an edge thereof, and a minute dust filter supported by
circumference ends of the first and the second brackets.
[0015] In here, it is preferred that the second bracket is formed
in a conical shape that becomes gradually wider from a central
point toward the other end, thereby allowing air drawn in through
the air inflow hole of the cover to smoothly flow into the dust
collecting portion disposed in the filter casing.
[0016] Also, it is preferred that the minute dust filter is made of
nonwoven fabric and the nonwoven fabric has a plurality of pleated
portions to increase a dust filtering area.
[0017] Also, it is preferred that the cover is provided with a
plurality of ribs protruding from an inside of the cover, the ribs
pressing the second bracket supported by the end of the frame as
the cover is connected with the filter casing.
[0018] Meanwhile, the above objects of the present invention are
achieved by providing a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner body
having a dust collecting chamber provided with an air inlet and an
air outlet and connected to a suction brush, a vacuum-generating
device disposed in a driving chamber, for generating a negative
pressure in the dust collecting chamber, the driving chamber
disposed in a rear portion of the dust collecting chamber of the
cleaner body to fluid-communicate with the dust collecting chamber
through the air outlet, and a dust collecting filter mounted in the
dust collecting chamber, for filtering and collecting dust from air
drawn into the dust collecting chamber, the dust-collecting filter
being reusable.
[0019] The dust collecting filter comprises a filter casing having
a backside surface and a side surface vertically extended from an
edge of the backside surface to thereby define a predetermined
space therein, the backside surface having an air discharging hole
formed therein to fluid-communicate with the air outlet, a cover
having an air inflow hole fluid-communicating with the air inlet
and separably connected with the filter casing, and a dust
filtering means mounted in the filter casing, for filtering dust
from the air that is drawn in through the air inflow hole to be
discharged through the air discharging hole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The above objects and the features of the present invention
will be more apparent by describing a preferred embodiment of the
present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a dust
collecting filter for an vacuum cleaner according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the dust collecting
filter of FIG. 1 in an assembled state;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a side section view showing the half of the
interior of the dust collecting filter for the vacuum cleaner
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a side section view showing the dust collecting
filter for the vacuum cleaner performing the dust filtering
operation according to the preferred embodiment of the preset
invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a side section view showing the dust collecting
filter mounted in a dust collecting chamber of the vacuum cleaner
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0026] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the dust collecting filter of
FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] A dust collecting filter for a vacuum cleaner according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in
greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, a dust collecting filter 100
for a vacuum cleaner according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention includes a filter casing 10, a cover 20, and a
dust filtering means 30. The dust collecting filter 100 can be
re-used even when the dust collecting filter 100 is full of dust by
separating the cover 20 from the filter casing 10 and emptying and
washing the filter casing 10. That is, the dust collecting filter
100 is reusable. The following descriptions are made about
respective elements of the dust collecting filters 100.
[0029] The filter casing 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape having
a backside surface 10a and a side surface 10b vertically extended
from the edge of the backside surface 10a. Accordingly, the filter
casing 10 has a predetermined space defined therein. The backside
surface 10a is provided with an air-discharging hole 11 disposed
approximately at a center thereof. The side surface 10b is provided
with a projection portion 12 formed at the end thereof in a
circumference direction. A groove 13a is formed inside the
projection portion 12, for receiving an O ring 13. The O ring 13 is
for maintaining the airtightness when the cover 20 is connected
with the filter casing 10. The air-discharging hole 11
fluid-communicates with an air outlet 221 of a dust collecting
chamber 210 of a cleaner body 200 when the dust collecting filter
100 is mounted in the dust collecting chamber 210 as shown in FIG.
5. The reference numeral 230 of FIG. 5 indicates a driving chamber
230 in which a vacuum-generating device 300 is mounted. The dust
collecting chamber 210 and the driving chamber 230 are divided from
each other by a partition 220 and fluid-communicate with each other
through the air outlet 221 formed in the partition 220. The
reference numeral 211 of FIG. 5 indicates an air inlet 210 of the
dust collecting chamber 210, which is connected to a suction hose
of a suction brush (not shown).
[0030] The cover 20 is removably connected with the filter casing
10. The cover 20 is provided with an air inflow hole 21 formed
approximately in a center thereof and a plurality of hooks formed
at the edge of the cover 20 to hook the projection portion 12 of
the filter casing 10. Due to the presence of the projection portion
12 and the hooks 22, the cover 20 is enabled to connect with and be
separated from the filter casing 10. The air inflow hole 21
fluid-communicates with the air inlet 211 of the dust collecting
chamber 210 when the dust collecting filter 100 is mounted in the
dust collecting chamber 210 of the cleaner body 200 as shown in
FIG. 5. Accordingly, when the vacuum-generating device 300 is
driven, the dust-laden air is drawn into the dust collecting
chamber 100 from the suction brush though the air inflow hole 21.
Meanwhile, the cover 20 is provided with a plurality of ribs 23
protruding from an inside thereof, which will be described
later.
[0031] The dust filtering means 30 is mounted in the filter casing
20, for filtering the dust from the dust-laden air that is drawn in
through the air inflow hole 21 of the cover 20 and discharged
through the air-discharging hole 11 of the filter case 10. The dust
filtering means 30 includes a first dust-filtering member 31 for
filtering big-sized dust and a second dust-filtering member 35 for
filtering minute dust that is not filtered by the first
dust-filtering member 35.
[0032] The first dust-filtering member 31 includes a frame 32 and a
net body 33. The frame 32 is integrally formed with the backside
surface 10a of the filter casing 10 to partition an inner space S
of the filter casing 10 into an outer dust collecting portion S1
and an inner air discharging portion S2. The frame 32 has a
plurality of holes 32a formed in a radial direction. The net body
33 is attached to a side of the frame 32 to enclose the holes 32a
of the frame 32. The air flowing through the air inflow hole 21 of
the cover 20 is discharged through the dust collecting portion S1,
the net body 33, the air discharging portion S2, and the
air-discharging hole 11 of the filter casing 10. At this time, the
dust entrained in the air is blocked by the net body 33 and thus is
separated from the air and collected in the dust collecting portion
S1.
[0033] The second dust collecting member 35 includes first and
second brackets 36 and 37 and a minute dust filter 38. The first
bracket 36 contacts with the backside surface 10a of the filter
casing 10 corresponding to the air discharging portion S2 of the
filter casing 10, and a passage hole 35a is formed in a center
portion of the first bracket 36, corresponding to the air
discharging hole 11. The second bracket 37 is supported on the end
of the frame 32 at the edge thereof. Both ends of the minute dust
filter 38 are supported on the circumference edges of the first and
the second brackets 36 and 37. In here, the minute dust filter 38
may be made of nonwoven fabric, which preferably has a plurality of
pleated portions for increasing a dust filtering area. Also, the
second bracket 37 is formed in a conical shape, i.e., becomes
gradually wider from a central point toward the other end, and thus
allows smooth air flowing. That is,, due to the presence of the
conical second bracket 37, the air drawn in through the air inflow
hole 21 of the cover 20 smoothly flows into the dust collecting
portion S1 disposed inside the filter casing 10. Meanwhile, as the
cover 20 is connected with the filter casing 10, the plurality of
ribs 23 of the cover 20 press the second bracket 37 supported on
the end of the frame 32, thereby preventing the second bracket from
being separated from its installation position.
[0034] The reference numeral 14 indicates an O ring for maintaining
the airtightness between the backside surface 10a of the filter
casing 10 and the first bracket 36. The O ring is fitted in a
groove 14a formed along a portion of the backside surface 10a
disposed adjacent to the frame 32.
[0035] Hereinbelow, the operations of a vacuum cleaner having the
dust collecting filter according to the present invention as
constructed above will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and
6.
[0036] The dust collecting filter 100 as a main part of the present
invention is removably mounted in the dust collecting chamber 210
of the cleaner body 200 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The air inflow
hole 21 of the dust collecting filter 100 fluid-communicates with
the air inlet 211 of the dust collecting chamber 210, and the
air-discharging hole 11 of the dust collecting filter 100
fluid-communicates with the air outlet 221 of the dust-collecting
chamber 210.
[0037] When the vacuum -generating device 300 of the driving
chamber 230 is driven for the cleaning operation, there occurs a
negative pressure in the dust collecting chamber 210. Accordingly,
due to the strong suction, the dust-laden air is drawn in from the
cleaning surface into the dust collecting chamber 210 through the
suction brush (not shown).
[0038] The drawn air flows into the dust collecting filter 100
through the air inlet 211 of the dust collecting chamber 210 and
the air inflow hole 21 of the dust collecting filter 100. Then, the
air is guided to the dust collecting portion S5 of the filter
casing 10 by the second bracket 37 of the second dust-filtering
member 35, and is discharged out through the net body 33 of the
first dust-filtering member 31, the minute dust filter 38 of the
second dust-filtering member 35, the air discharging portion S2,
the air discharging hole 11 of the dust collecting filter 100, the
air outlet 221 of the dust collecting chamber 210, and the driving
chamber 230.
[0039] At this point, as the big-sized dust entrained in the air is
blocked by the net body 33 of the first dust-filtering member 31,
it is separated from the air and collected in the first
dust-filtering member 31. The minute dust that is not filtered by
the first dust-filtering member 31 is secondarily filtered by the
minute dust filter 38 of the second dust-filtering member 35.
Cleaned air is discharged out through the above-described
discharging paths.
[0040] Meanwhile, when the dust collecting portion S1 of the filter
casing 10 is full of the separated dust, the dust collecting filter
100 is removed from the dust collecting chamber 210 of the cleaner
body 200, the cover 20 is separated from the filter casing 10 and
then the filter casing 10 is emptied. Simultaneously, the second
dust-filtering member 35 is also emptied. Next, after being washed
and reassembled, the dust collecting filter 100 is remounted in the
dust collecting chamber 210 of the cleaner body 200 for reuse.
[0041] According to the present invention as described above, since
the dust collecting filter 100 for filtering the dust from the
drawn air can be reused, the cost for the replacement paper filter
is reduced. Accordingly, the maintenance cost of the cleaner can be
reduced.
[0042] Also, according to the present invention, since the dust
collecting filter 100 is designed to prevent the propagation of the
bacteria, it can keep the cleanliness of the environment. Also,
easy separation and mounting of the dust collecting filter 100
improves the convenience in using the cleaner.
[0043] That is, the present invention provides the vacuum cleaner
which is hygienic, and contributes to the reduction of maintenance
cost and improvement of user convenience. Accordingly, a highly
satisfactory vacuum cleaner that satisfies the customer's needs can
be provided.
[0044] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without
departing from the principles and sprit of the invention, the scope
of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *