U.S. patent application number 11/072984 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-04 for suction port assembly of vacuum cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Gwangiu Electronics Co., Ltd. Invention is credited to Hyun-Ju Lee, Sung-Cheol Lee, Jong-Kook Lim, Hwa-Gyu Song.
Application Number | 20060093501 11/072984 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36201966 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060093501 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Hyun-Ju ; et
al. |
May 4, 2006 |
Suction port assembly of vacuum cleaner
Abstract
A suction port assembly for a vacuum cleaner is provided which
comprises a lower housing having first and second suction ports, an
upper housing connected to the lower housing and thereby forming a
connection path with the first and the second suction ports, and a
noise reducing unit positioned along the connection path.
Inventors: |
Lee; Hyun-Ju; (Gwangju-City,
KR) ; Song; Hwa-Gyu; (Gwangju-City, KR) ; Lim;
Jong-Kook; (Gwangju-City, KR) ; Lee; Sung-Cheol;
(Gwangju-City, 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 Gwangiu Electronics Co.,
Ltd
|
Family ID: |
36201966 |
Appl. No.: |
11/072984 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/423.2 ;
417/423.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/02 20130101; A47L
9/0081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/423.2 ;
417/423.1 |
International
Class: |
F04B 17/00 20060101
F04B017/00; F04B 35/04 20060101 F04B035/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 3, 2004 |
KR |
2004-88648 |
Claims
1. A suction port assembly for a vacuum cleaner having a vacuum
source, comprising: a lower housing having first and second suction
ports; an upper housing connected to the lower housing and thereby
forming a connection path with the first and the second suction
ports; and a noise reducing unit positioned along the connection
path, wherein the connection path is in fluid communication with
the vacuum source.
2. The suction port assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper housing
comprises: a path cover; and an upper cover connected to the lower
housing above the path cover.
3. The suction port assembly of claim 2, wherein the noise reducing
unit comprises: a first noise reducing rib having a plurality of
first slanted holes; and a second noise reducing rib having a
plurality of second slanted holes.
4. The suction port assembly of claim 3, wherein the first and the
second noise reducing ribs are substantially symmetrical to each
other.
5. The suction port assembly of claim 3, wherein the connection
path has an air outlet in a middle portion of a rear wall thereof,
the first noise reducing rib is positioned along the rear wall of
the connection path to the right with respect to the air outlet,
and the second noise reducing rib is positioned along the rear wall
of the connection path to the left with respect to the air
outlet.
6. The suction port assembly of claim 5, wherein heights of the
first and the second noise reducing ribs are lowered in a direction
away from the air outlet, respectively, and the first and the
second noise reducing ribs are respectively curved towards the
first and the second suction ports.
7. The suction port assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the
plurality of first and second slanted holes are slanted by angles
.theta.1 and .theta.2 in a direction of dust-laden air being
discharged through the air outlet, and wherein the angles .theta.1
and .theta.2 are approximately between 40.degree. and
70.degree..
8. The suction port assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the
plurality of first and second slanted holes have widths W1 and W2
of approximately between 0.5 and 1.0 times as large as distances D1
and D2 between each of the plurality of the first slanted holes and
between each of the plurality of the second slanted holes,
respectively.
9. The suction port assembly of claim 3, further comprising first
and second noise absorbing members along the connection path.
10. The suction port assembly of claim 9, wherein the first noise
absorbing member is positioned between the first noise reducing rib
and the connection path, and the second noise absorbing member is
positioned between the second noise reducing rib and the connection
path.
11. The suction port assembly of claim 9, wherein the first and the
second noise absorbing members have heights H5 and H6 that are
lowered in a direction away from the air outlet, and wherein the
first and the second noise absorbing members are curved towards the
first and the second suction ports, respectively.
12. The suction port assembly of claim 11, wherein the first and
the second noise absorbing members are at least partially made of
porous material.
13. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum source; and a suction
port assembly in fluid communication with the vacuum source and
having upper and lower housings and a noise reducing unit, wherein
the lower housing h as first and second suction ports, wherein the
upper housing is connected to the lower housing and at least
partially defines a connection path with the first and the second
suction ports, wherein the connection path has an air outlet in a
middle portion thereof for air flow to the vacuum source, and
wherein the noise reducing unit is positioned along the connection
path.
14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the noise reducing unit
comprises: a first noise reducing rib having a plurality of first
slanted holes; and a second noise reducing rib having a plurality
of second slanted holes.
15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein the first and the
second noise reducing ribs are substantially symmetrical to each
other and disposed on opposite sides of the air outlet.
16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein the air outlet is
positioned along a rear wall of the connection path, and wherein
the first and second noise reducing ribs are positioned on opposite
sides of the air outlet.
17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein the first and the
second noise reducing ribs have heights that are lowered in a
direction away from the air outlet, respectively, and the first and
the second noise reducing ribs are respectively curved towards the
first and second suction ports.
18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein the connection path has
first and second noise absorbing members.
19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, wherein the first noise
absorbing member is positioned between the first noise reducing rib
and the connection path, and wherein the second noise absorbing
member is positioned between the second noise reducing rib and the
connection path.
20. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, wherein the first and the
second noise absorbing members are at least partially made of
porous material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2004-88648, filed Nov. 3, 2004, in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a suction port
assembly for a vacuum cleaner, for drawing in impurities of a
surface being cleaned.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, vacuum cleaners draw in dust on a surface being
cleaned using a suction force generated by driving a vacuum source
mounted within a cleaner body. Such vacuum cleaners comprise a
cleaner body mounting therein the vacuum source, a suction port
assembly for facing the surface being cleaned to draw in the dust,
and an extension path for guiding the dust drawn in through the
suction port assembly.
[0006] Since general suction port assemblies have a suction port
being transmitted with the suction force to draw in the dust in the
middle thereof, the suction force is focused on the middle portion
where the suction port is formed whereas side portions are less
subject to the suction force. As a result, suction efficiency is
deteriorated at the side portions, compared to the middle
portion.
[0007] In order to overcome such problems, a method has been
introduced in U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,622, the method of providing a
pair of the suction ports on both sides of the suction port
assembly. However, this also has a problem in that dust-laden air
currents drawn in through the pair of suction ports are converged
at a narrow discharge port connected to an extension connector,
thereby causing noise from the increase in speed of the air
currents and an air whirlpool generated as air currents collide
with each other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An aspect of the present invention is to solve at least the
above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the
advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present
invention is to provide a suction port assembly for a vacuum
cleaner, in which suction efficiency at both sides of suction ports
are equally improved.
[0009] In order to achieve the above-described aspects of the
present invention, there is provided a suction port assembly for a
vacuum cleaner comprising a lower housing having first and second
suction ports, an upper housing connected to the lower housing and
thereby forming a connection path of the first and the second
suction ports, and a noise reducing unit mounted along the
connection path. The upper housing comprises a path cover, and an
upper cover connected to the lower housing above the path
cover.
[0010] The noise reducing unit may comprise a first noise reducing
rib having a plurality of first slanted holes, and a second noise
reducing rib having a plurality of second slanted holes. The first
and the second noise reducing ribs can be substantially symmetrical
to each other.
[0011] The connection path may have an air outlet in the middle of
a rear wall thereof, the first noise reducing rib can be mounted
along the rear wall of the connection path to the right with
respect to the air outlet, and the second noise reducing rib may be
mounted along the rear wall of the connection path to the left with
respect to the air outlet.
[0012] Heights of H2 and H3 of the first and the second noise
reducing ribs can be lowered toward the right and the left of the
air outlet, respectively, and the first and the second noise
reducing ribs may be respectively curved toward the first and the
second suction ports.
[0013] The first and second slanted holes can be slanted by angles
.theta.1 and .theta.2 in a direction of dust-laden air being
discharged through the air outlet.
[0014] The angles .theta.1 and .theta.2 may be approximately
between 40.degree. and 70.degree..
[0015] The first and the second slanted holes respectively can have
widths W1 and W2 of approximately between 0.5 and 1.0 times as
large as distances D1 and D2 between the first slanted holes and
between the second slanted holes.
[0016] The suction port assembly may further comprise first and
second noise absorbing members mounted at both sides of the
connection path.
[0017] The first noise absorbing member can be mounted between the
first noise reducing rib and the connection path, and the second
noise absorbing member can be mounted between the second noise
reducing rib and the connection path.
[0018] The first and the second noise absorbing members may have
heights H5 and H6 that gradually lower to the right and to the left
of the air outlet, and can also be curved toward the first and the
second suction ports, respectively.
[0019] The first and the second noise absorbing members may be made
of porous material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0020] The above aspect and other features of the present invention
will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary
embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein;
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vacuum cleaner having a
suction port assembly according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded and perspective view of the suction
port assembly of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the suction port
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the suction port assembly of FIG.
1;
[0025] FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the suction
port assembly of FIG. 4 showing a first noise reducing rib and a
first noise absorbing member;
[0026] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
suction port assembly of FIG. 4 showing the first noise reducing
rib; and
[0027] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
suction port assembly of FIG. 4 showing the first noise absorbing
member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawing figures.
[0029] In the following description, same drawing reference
numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings.
The matters defined in the description such as a detailed
construction and elements are nothing but the ones provided to
assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it
is apparent that the present invention can be carried out without
those defined matters. Also, well-known finctions or constructions
are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention
in unnecessary detail.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a vacuum cleaner 100 adopting a suction
port assembly 200 according to an embodiment of the present
invention, comprises a cleaner body 110 having therein a vacuum
source (not shown), the suction port assembly 200 for drawing in
dust on a surface being cleaned by a suction force generated by the
vacuum source, and an extension path 120 connected to the suction
port assembly 200 to guide the dust drawn in through the suction
port assembly 200 into the cleaner body 110. The extension path 120
comprises an extension connector 126 pivotably mounted to the
suction port assembly 200, an extension pipe 124 and a suction hose
122 connected to the extension pipe 124 connected to the extension
pipe connector 126 by one end and connected to the cleaner body 110
by the other end.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the suction port assembly 200
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
comprises a lower housing 210, an upper housing 250 and a noise
reducing unit 300.
[0032] The lower housing 210 comprises a first suction port 211 and
a second suction port 212 for drawing in the dust from the surface
being cleaned, which are distanced from each other.
[0033] The first second suction port 211 is formed on a bottom of
the lower housing 210 at a predetermined distance to the right from
a partition 213, and the second suction port 212 is formed on the
bottom of the lower housing 210 at a predetermined distance to the
left from the partition 213.
[0034] By existence of the first and the second suction ports 211
and 212, the suction force is preferably evenly transmitted to a
middle portion M and side portions S of the suction port assembly
200. That is, dust-laden air drawn in toward the middle portion M
in an arrowed direction Q1 and dust-laden air drawn in toward the
side portions S in arrowed directions Q2 and Q3 can all smoothly
flow into the suction port assembly 200.
[0035] Therefore, suction efficiency at the side portions S can be
guaranteed as well, compared to a conventional suction port
assembly having one suction port only in the middle portion M.
Also, since suction efficiency at the middle portion M is improved,
the surface for cleaning can be widen. Although the first and the
second suction ports 211 and 212 have a semicircular shape in the
present embodiment, the shape thereof is not limited to that. The
suction ports 211 and 212 can be formed in various shapes, such as,
for example, an oval and a triangle.
[0036] In order to enhance cleaning efficiency, first and second
lower openings 216 and 217 and first and second dust channels 214
and 215 are formed in the lower housing 210. An upper cover 230 may
have first and second upper openings 231 and 232.
[0037] The first and the second lower openings 216 and 217 are
formed on the bottom of the lower housing 210 in a manner that the
first lower opening 216 inclines to the right and the second lower
opening 217 inclines to the left with respect to the partition
213.
[0038] The first and the second lower openings 216 and 217 are
rectangularly formed in this embodiment, however, they may formed
in other various shapes, such as, for example, an oval and a
triangle. Also, locations thereof may vary in consideration of
locations of the first and the second suction ports 211 and
212.
[0039] The first dust channel 214 is formed on the bottom of the
lower housing 210 through the first lower opening 216 and the first
suction port 211 to the right from the partition 213 up to a right
sidewall 210b of the lower housing 210. The second dust channel 215
is formed on the bottom of the lower housing 210 through the second
lower opening 217 and the second suction port 212 to the left from
the partition 213 up to a left sidewall 210c of the lower housing
210.
[0040] By the above structure, external air drawn in through the
first and the second upper openings 231 and 232 respectively in
arrowed directions F1 and F2 passes through an inside of the
hermetical suction port assembly 200 (FIG. 1) in arrowed directions
F3 and F4, and is guided toward the bottom of the lower housing 210
through the first and the second lower openings 216 and 217.
[0041] The guided external air scatters dust stacked between the
first and the second dust channels 214 and 215, and the dust-laden
air including the scattered dust is drawn into the first and the
second suction ports 211 and 212 along the first and the second
dust channels 214 and 215 in the arrowed directions F3 and F4.
Accordingly, the dust between the first and the second dust
channels 214 and 215 can be cleaned with ease, thereby improving a
cleaning efficiency.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the upper housing 250 comprises
a path cover 220 and the upper cover 230. The path cover 220 and
the upper cover 230, which are separately provided in this
exemplary embodiment, may be integrally formed.
[0043] The path cover 220 is connected to the lower housing 210,
thereby forming a connection path 221 for connecting the first and
the second suction ports 211 and 212.
[0044] More specifically, an upper wall of the connection path 221
is formed by the path cover 220, and a bottom and a rear wall 210d
of the connection path 221 are formed by the lower housing 210.
[0045] The path cover 220 has a substantially arched or arcuate
section, which is vertical with respect to the direction of
movement of the drawn-in air, and is curved in the direction of its
length into a U-shape, as seen from an arrowed direction XI. The
path cover 220 has a maximum height Hi substantially in the middle
thereof, and is gradually lowered toward both sides.
[0046] The path cover 220 is preferably made of a transparent
material for a user to be able to observe movement of the drawn-in
dust.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, the upper cover 230 is connected to the
lower housing 210 above the path cover 220, thereby forming a
sealed space inside the suction port assembly 200. The upper cover
230 has first and second upper openings 231 and 232 for
communication of the external air as described above. The external
air passing through the sealed space and drawn in through the first
and the second upper openings 231 and 232, can be discharged out to
the first and the second lower openings 216 and 217 (FIG. 3).
[0048] The upper cover 230 has a cutaway portion 233 having a
corresponding shape to the path cover 220 to expose the path cover
220 with respect to the suction port assembly 200. In other words,
the path cover 220 is exposed out of the upper cover 230 through
the cutaway portion 233.
[0049] Although the first and the second upper openings 231 and 232
are formed as slits according to this exemplary embodiment,
alternative numbers, shapes and sizes can also be used, such as,
for example, a plurality of through-holes. Alternatively, a
shielding member or valve may be provided to the first and the
second upper openings 231 and 232 so as to open the first and the
second upper openings 231 and 232 only for inflow of the air.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, an air outlet 210e is formed
in the middle of the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221, and
the air outlet 210e has an extension pipe connector 126 (FIG. 1)
which is pivotably and/or rotatably mounted thereon.
[0051] The dust-laden air currents drawn in from the first suction
port 211 in an arrowed direction Q5 and from the second suction
port 212 in an arrowed direction Q6 are converged to the air outlet
210e.
[0052] As the dust-laden air currents drawn in through the first
and the second suction ports 211 and 212 and then converged to the
air outlet 210e, are discharged all together through the extension
pipe connector 126, noise can be caused by the increased speed of
the air currents and a air whirlpool generated as the air currents
collide with each other. Also, pressure and direct collision of the
air currents with the rear wall 210d may make noise.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, the connection path 221 has a noise
reducing unit 300 in order to prevent such noise, which comprises
first and second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320 and first and
second noise absorbing members 330 and 340.
[0054] The first and the second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320 are
preferably symmetrical to each other with respect to the connection
path 221 and may be made of a plastic material, such as, for
example, acryl. Other materials, such as, for example, glass and
metal, can also be used for the noise reducing ribs 310 and
320.
[0055] Since the first and the second noise reducing ribs 310 and
320 are configured in the same way, only the first noise reducing
rib 310 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be explained hereinbelow for
detailed description of the first and the second noise reducing
ribs 310 and 320.
[0056] The first noise reducing rib 310 is mounted along the rear
wall 210d of the connection path 221 in an arrowed direction R,
that is, to the right of the air outlet 210e.
[0057] This is to enable the dust-laden air to contact the rear
wall 210d as much as possible because the dust-laden air is likely
to incline to the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221 while
flowing from the first suction port 211 to the connection path 221
due to the curved form of the connection path 221. Therefore, by
mounting the first noise reducing rib 310 along the rear wall 210d,
the noise can be more effectively prevented.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 5, the first noise absorbing member 330 is
inserted between the first noise reducing rib 310 and the rear wall
210d of the connection path 221.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 2, the first noise reducing rib 310 is
arranged in a manner that the heights H2 thereof are gradually
decreased in an arrowed direction R, that is, toward the right, and
the arrangement is curved toward the first suction port 211.
[0060] The first noise reducing rib 310 is configured as described
above in consideration of the height of the path cover 220 and the
form of the rear wall 210d of connection path 221, thereby
facilitating installation thereof on the connection path 221. In
addition, the dust-laden air can pass through the connection path
221, being less subject to resistance by the first noise reducing
rib 310.
[0061] Referring back to FIG. 5, the first noise reducing rib 310
includes a plurality of first slant holes 310a which are slanted by
an angle .theta.1 with respect to a vertical line, in the arrowed
direction Q5, that is, the moving direction of the dust-laden air
from the first suction port 211 to the air outlet 210e. Here, the
slant angle .theta.1 is approximately between 40.degree. and
70.degree..
[0062] The slant prevents the dust-laden air passing through the
connection path 221 from directly flowing into the first slanted
holes 310a. More specifically, the dust-laden air, while passing
through the connection path 221 in the arrowed direction Q5,
indirectly flows into the first slanted holes 310a in an arrowed
direction Q8. To this end, the angle .theta.1 can restrict
dispersion and deviation of the dust-laden air flowing in the
arrowed direction Q5.
[0063] The first slanted holes 310a have a width W1 of
approximately between 0.5 and 1.0 times as large as a distance D1
between the first slanted holes 310a. Through the width W1 of the
first slanted holes 310a, the dust-laden air may be partly
received.
[0064] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the first noise absorbing member
330 has a height H5 gradually lowered in the arrowed direction R,
that is, to the right of the air outlet 210e and is curved toward
the first suction port 211, so as to be mounted or otherwise
positioned between the first noise reducing rib 310 and the rear
wall 210d of the connection path 221.
[0065] The first noise absorbing member 330 secondarily decreases
the noise that is first decreased by the first noise reducing rib
310, and for this, porous materials, such as, for example, sponge,
general filters and foam, can be used for the first noise absorbing
member 330.
[0066] Hereinbelow, a relation between the first noise absorbing
member 330 and the first noise reducing rib 310 will be
described.
[0067] Referring to FIGS. 2, 5 and 7, a rear side 330b of the first
noise absorbing member 330 is preferably connected to the rear wall
210d of the connection path 221 using an adhesive. Next, the first
noise reducing rib 310 is connected to a front side 330a of the
first noise absorbing member 330 by an adhesive, thereby mounting
the first noise reducing rib 310 and the first noise absorbing
member 330 along the connection path 221.
[0068] However, the first noise absorbing member 330 is not
indispensable to the present invention. When the first noise
absorbing member 330 is omitted, the first noise reducing rib 310
can be directly attached to the rear wall 210d of the connection
path 221. Also, other methods such as screw and welding instead of
the adhesive may be applied to attach the first noise reducing rib
310 and the first noise absorbing member 330.
[0069] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the second noise reducing rib
320 is mounted along the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221
in an arrowed direction L, that is, to the left of the air outlet
210e. The second noise absorbing member 340 is inserted between the
second noise reducing rib 320 and the rear wall 210d of the
connection path 221.
[0070] The second noise reducing rib 320 has a height H3 gradually
lowered in the arrowed direction L, that is, to the left of the air
outlet 210e and is curved toward the second suction port 212.
[0071] The reason for configuring and positioning the second noise
reducing rib 320 as the above is the same as in the first noise
reducing rib 310.
[0072] The second noise reducing rib 320 includes a plurality of
second slant holes 320a which are slanted by an angle .theta.2 with
respect to a vertical line, in the arrowed direction Q6, that is,
the moving direction of the dust-laden air from second suction port
212 to the air outlet 210e. Here, the slant angle .theta.2 is
approximately between 40.degree. and 70.degree..
[0073] The slant prevents the dust-laden air passing through the
connection path 221 from directly flowing into the second slanted
holes 320a. More specifically, the dust-laden air, while passing
through the connection path 221 in the arrowed direction Q6, may
indirectly flow into the second slanted holes 320a in an arrowed
direction Q9. To this end, the angle .theta.2 can restrict
dispersion and deviation of the dust-laden air flowing in the
arrowed direction Q6.
[0074] The second slanted holes 320a have a width W2 of
approximately between 0.5 and 1.0 times as large as a distance D2
between the second slanted holes 320a. Through the width W2 of the
second slanted holes 320a, the dust-laden air may be partly
received.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 2, the second noise absorbing member 340
has a height H6 that is gradually lowered in the arrowed direction
L, that is, to the left of the air outlet 210e and is curved toward
the second suction port 212, so as to be mounted or otherwise
positioned between the second noise reducing rib 320 and the rear
wall 210d of the connection path 221.
[0076] The second noise absorbing member 340 secondarily decreases
the noise that is first decreased by the second noise reducing rib
320, and for this, porous materials, such as, for example, sponge,
general filters and foam, can be used for the second noise
absorbing member 340.
[0077] Since relations among the rear wall 210d, the second noise
absorbing member 340 and the second noise reducing rib 320 are the
same as those among the rear wall 210d, the first noise absorbing
member 330 and the first noise reducing rib 310, description
thereof will not be repeated.
[0078] Hereinbelow, the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100
adopting the suction port assembly 200 according to an embodiment
of the present invention will be described.
[0079] Referring to FIG. 1, the suction force generated by the
vacuum source (not shown) mounted in the cleaner body 110 is
transmitted to the suction port assembly 200, passing through the
suction hose 122, the extension pipe 124 and the extension pipe
connector 126.
[0080] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the suction force transmitted to
the suction port assembly 200 is then transmitted to the first and
the second suction ports 211 and 212 respectively in reverse
directions to the arrowed directions Q5 and Q6.
[0081] By the transmitted suction force, the dust-laden air current
drawn in the arrowed direction Q1 to the middle portion M of the
suction port assembly 200 and the dust-laden air currents drawn in
the arrowed directions Q2 and Q3 to the side portions S of the
suction port assembly 200, are drawn into the first and the second
suction ports 211 and 212, respectively.
[0082] In addition, referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the suction force
transmitted to the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212
is then transmitted to the first and the second lower openings 216
and 217, respectively, through the first and the second dust
channels 214 and 215.
[0083] The suction force transmitted to the first and the second
lower openings 216 and 217 is transmitted to the first and the
second upper openings 231 and 232 through the sealed space formed
by the connection of the upper cover 230 and the lower housing 210.
By the suction force, the external air is drawn in through the
first and the second upper openings 231 and 232 in the arrowed
directions F1 and F2.
[0084] While passing through the sealed space formed by the
connection of the upper cover 230 and the lower housing 210, and
the first and the second lower openings 216 and 217, the air drawn
in through the first and the second upper openings 231 and 232
collides with the surface being cleaned and therefore scatters the
dust stacked in the first and the second dust channels 214 and
215.
[0085] The air including the scattered dust passes through the
first and the second dust channels 214 and 215 in the arrowed
directions F3 and F4 and flows into the first and the second
suction ports 211 and 212.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 4, the dust-laden air drawn into the first
and the second suction ports 211 and 212 in the directions Q1, Q2,
Q3, F3 and F4 moves along the arrowed directions Q5 and Q6 to pass
through the connection path 221 where the noise reducing unit 300
is mounted, which comprises the first and the second noise reducing
ribs 310 and 320 and the first and the second noise absorbing
members 330 and 340.
[0087] At this time, the dust-laden air may flow into the first and
the second slanted holes 310a and 320a formed on the first and the
second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320 in the arrowed directions Q8
and Q9, and accordingly, the dust-laden air can be partly received
in the first and the second slanted holes 310a and 320a.
[0088] Also, when the dust-laden air collides with the first and
the second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320 due to the first and the
second slanted holes 310a and 320a, impact and pressure can be
dispersed.
[0089] As a result, the noise occurring in the conventional vacuum
cleaner, which is caused by the dust-laden air currents converged
to the air outlet 210e and the collision of the dust-laden air with
the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221 can be reduced. Such
an effect of reducing the noise can be enhanced by the first and
the second noise absorbing members 216 and 217.
[0090] According to test data, by existence of the noise reducing
unit 300, total noise can be reduced by approximately 1.5 dB(A),
that is, from 74.5 dB(A) to 73.0 dB(A).
[0091] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dust-laden air currents are
converged to the air outlet 210e and moved to the cleaner body 110,
passing through the extension pipe connector 126, the extension
pipe 124 and the suction hose 122. During this, the dust is
collected, and dust-separated air is discharged to the outside.
[0092] Some of the advantages of the suction port assembly 200 for
a vacuum cleaner, as described above, are as follows.
[0093] First, the suction force can be evenly transmitted to the
middle portion and the side portions by providing the first and the
second suction ports 211 and 212 distanced from each other, thereby
improving the suction efficiency.
[0094] Second, since increase in speed of the air currents and air
whirlpool generated by collision of the air currents can be
prevented by the noise reducing unit 300, the noise is reduced,
enabling a more quiet cleaning environment.
[0095] Third, the noise caused by the impact and pressure generated
as the dust-laden air directly collides with the rear wall 210d of
the connection path 221 can be decreased by the noise reducing unit
300, thereby enabling a more quiet cleaning environment.
[0096] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details
may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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