U.S. patent application number 11/249282 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for vacuum cleaner with cyclonic separating dirt cup and dirt cup door.
This patent application is currently assigned to Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.. Invention is credited to David Khalil.
Application Number | 20060156508 11/249282 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36378857 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060156508 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Khalil; David |
July 20, 2006 |
Vacuum cleaner with cyclonic separating dirt cup and dirt cup
door
Abstract
The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. In one
embodiment, a hand-held vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a
first end and a second end, a suction nozzle located at the first
end of the housing, and a suction fan and motor assembly located in
the housing. A brushroll may be disposed within the suction nozzle.
The hand-held vacuum cleaner further includes a dirt cup including
an inlet, an outlet, a cyclonic flow chamber, a filter assembly,
and a dirt cup door. The dirt cup is rotatably detachable from the
housing. At least one nub cooperates with the at least one slot in
the dirt cup to rotatably secure the dirt cup to the second end of
the housing. In addition, the filter assembly includes at twist on
filter cartridge.
Inventors: |
Khalil; David; (Highland
Heights, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jay F. Moldovanyi, Esq.;Fay, Sharpe, Fagan, Minnich & McKee, LLP
Seventh Floor
1100 Superior Avenue
Cleveland
OH
44114-2579
US
|
Assignee: |
Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
|
Family ID: |
36378857 |
Appl. No.: |
11/249282 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29221441 |
Jan 14, 2005 |
D521137 |
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11249282 |
Oct 13, 2005 |
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29221442 |
Jan 14, 2005 |
D520127 |
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11249282 |
Oct 13, 2005 |
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29237958 |
Sep 8, 2005 |
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11249282 |
Oct 13, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/353 ;
15/344 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/1666 20130101;
A47L 9/165 20130101; A47L 5/24 20130101; A47L 5/26 20130101; A47L
9/127 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/353 ;
015/344 |
International
Class: |
A47L 5/24 20060101
A47L005/24; A47L 5/28 20060101 A47L005/28 |
Claims
1. A hand-held vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing having a first
end and a second end; a suction nozzle located adjacent the first
end of the housing; a suction fan and motor assembly located in the
housing; a dirt cup detachably mounted adjacent the second end of
the housing; wherein, the dirt cup includes an inlet in fluid
communication with the suction nozzle, an outlet in fluid
communication with the suction fan and motor assembly, and a dirt
cup door located on one end of the dirt cup.
2. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein at least a
portion of the dirt cup defines a cyclonic flow chamber.
3. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the dirt cup
includes a latch for releasably engaging the dirt cup door.
4. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 3 wherein the dirt cup
door includes a catch for releasably engaging the latch.
5. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the dirt cup
includes a hinge for the dirt cup door.
6. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 1 further comprising a
filter assembly releasably mounted to the dirt cup, wherein the
filter assembly is disposed upstream of the suction fan and motor
assembly.
7. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 6 wherein the filter
assembly includes a filter cartridge and a filter support
plate.
8. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 7 wherein the filter
support plate includes a cyclonic airflow deflector inlet, a
centrally located clean air outlet, and a sealing gasket disposed
about an outer circumference of the filter support plate.
9. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 1 further comprising a
brushroll mounted to the housing wherein the brushroll is rotatably
driven by the fan and motor assembly.
10. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the dirt cup
door includes a sealing gasket.
11. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing including at least one
nub disposed about an outer circumference of the housing; a suction
nozzle located adjacent a first end of the housing; a suction fan
and motor assembly located in the housing; and a dirt cup including
a first end and a second end, the dirt cup having an inlet in fluid
communication with the suction nozzle and an outlet in fluid
communication with the suction fan and motor assembly, and at least
one slot disposed about an inner circumference of the first end of
the dirt cup, wherein the at least one nub of the housing
cooperates with the at least one slot to rotatably secure the dirt
cup to the housing; and a filter assembly mounted to at least one
of the dirt cup and the housing.
12. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 11 further comprising a
brushroll which is rotatably driven by the fan and motor
assembly.
13. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the filter
assembly includes a filter cartridge and a filter support
plate.
14. Then hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 13 wherein a cyclonic
flow chamber is defined within the dirt cup between the filter
support plate and the second end of the dirt cup.
15. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 13 wherein the filter
support plate includes a cyclonic airflow deflector, a centrally
located outlet, and a sealing gasket about an outer circumference
of the filter support plate.
16. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 13 wherein the filter
assembly is disposed upstream of the suction fan.
17. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 13 wherein the filter
assembly is frictionally engaged along an inner wall surface of the
dirt cup.
18. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 13 wherein the filter
cartridge includes a filter base, a filter end cap, and a filter
medium disposed between the filter base and the filter end cap.
19. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 18 wherein the filter
base includes at least one tab that is snappingly engageable with
at least one detent of the filter support plate.
20. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 18 wherein the filter
base includes a handle portion.
21. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing having a first end and a
second end; a suction nozzle located adjacent the first end of the
housing; a suction fan and motor assembly located in the housing; a
dirt cup rotatably mounted to the housing; a filter support
including a segmented flange, the segmented flange having at least
one notch and at least one detent adjacent to the at least one
notch, the filter support plate being disposed upstream from said
suction fan and motor assembly; and a filter including at least one
tab disposed on the filter, the at least one tab having a ridge,
the at least one tab and the ridge cooperating with the at least
one notch and the at least one detent to rotatably mount the filter
to the filter support.
22. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 21 wherein the segmented
flange includes at least one stop adjacent to the at least one
detent, the at least one stop precluding the at least one tab from
rotating past the at least one detent.
23. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of claim 21 wherein the filter
further comprises a handle portion.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 29/221,441, filed on Jan. 14, 2005, and Ser. No.
29/221,442, filed on Jan. 14, 2005, and Ser. No. 29/237,958, filed
on Sep. 8, 2005.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum
cleaners. It finds particular application in conjunction with
vacuum cleaners which employ cyclonic separation.
[0003] Vacuum cleaners have become extremely popular for cleaning a
variety of surfaces in homes, offices, cars or the like. One well
known type of vacuum cleaner is a portable hand-held unit. Such
units are utilized typically for small clean-up jobs or for
cleaning in hard-to-reach places. These portable vacuum cleaner
units are relatively light-weight and have a handle in order to
enable a user to readily employ them in places where canister,
upright, or shop-type vacuum cleaners cannot be used or are
inconvenient to use.
[0004] However, the above mentioned hand-held vacuum cleaners
suffer a number of disadvantages. One disadvantage is that the
filter elements are often small and tend to clog with debris
relatively quickly. This disadvantage arises as a result of the
compact nature of these hand-held vacuum cleaners. As the filter
collects debris the air flow through the hand-held vacuum cleaner
is reduced. Thus, the overall vacuum and pickup efficiency of the
cleaner is reduced as well.
[0005] Another disadvantage with prior hand-held vacuum cleaners is
that they do not provide a convenient method of emptying the dirt
which accumulates in the dirt cup of the cleaner. These units
require the operator to shut-off the device and physically remove
the dirt cup in order to empty the collected debris.
[0006] Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a new and improved
vacuum cleaner which would overcome the foregoing deficiencies and
others while meeting the above stated needs and providing better
and more advantageous results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a
hand-held vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a first end and
a second end, a suction nozzle located adjacent the first end of
the housing, a suction fan and motor assembly located in the
housing, and a dirt cup detachably mounted adjacent the second end
of the housing. The dirt cup includes an inlet in fluid
communication with the suction nozzle, an outlet in fluid
communication with the suction fan and motor assembly, and a dirt
cup door located on one end of the dirt cup.
[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
vacuum cleaner includes a housing having at least one nub disposed
about an outer circumference of the housing, a suction nozzle
located adjacent a first end of the housing, a suction fan and
motor assembly located in the housing, and a dirt cup including a
first end and a second end. The dirt cup includes an inlet in fluid
communication with the suction nozzle and an outlet in fluid
communication with the suction fan and motor assembly. The dirt cup
further includes at least one slot disposed about an inner
circumference of the first end of the dirt cup, wherein the at
least one nub of the housing cooperates with the at least one slot
to rotatably secure the dirt cup to the housing. The vacuum cleaner
further includes a filter assembly mounted to at least one of the
dirt cup and the housing.
[0009] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a first end and a second
end, a suction nozzle located adjacent the first end of the
housing, a suction fan and motor assembly located in the housing, a
dirt cup rotatably mounted to the housing, and a filter support
including a segmented flange. The segmented flange includes at
least one notch and at least one detent adjacent to the at least
one notch. The filter support plate is disposed upstream from said
suction fan and motor assembly. The vacuum cleaner further includes
a filter which includes at least one tab disposed on the filter.
The at least one tab includes a ridge. The at least one tab and the
ridge cooperate with the at least one notch and the at least one
detent to rotatably mount the filter to the filter support.
[0010] Other benefits and advantages of the invention will become
apparent to those of average skill in the art upon a reading of the
following detailed specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention may take form in certain structures and
components, several embodiments of which will be described in
detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. In the drawings:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an assembled front perspective view of a first
embodiment of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention
illustrating a hand-held cyclonic vacuum cleaner.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded front perspective view of the
hand-held cyclonic vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1, showing a dirt cup
being detached from a housing of the hand-held vacuum cleaner.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded rear perspective view of the
hand-held cyclonic vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1, the detached dirt cup,
is shown as including a dirt cup door.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded front perspective view of the
dirt cup of the hand-held cyclonic vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1,
showing a filter assembly removed from the dirt cup.
[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view from the front of the
filter assembly of FIG. 4 showing a filter cartridge removed from a
filter support plate.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view from the rear of the
filter assembly of FIG. 4 showing the filter cartridge removed from
the filter support plate.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the hand-held cyclonic
vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 illustrating the dirt cup door of the dirt
cup in an open position.
[0019] FIG. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical cross sectional
view of the hand-held cyclonic vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1,
illustrating the air flow path.
[0020] FIG. 9 is an enlarged horizontal cross section as viewed
from the top of the hand-held cyclonic vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1,
illustrating the air flow path.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a greatly enlarged view of the dirt cup and the
filter assembly of the hand-held cyclonic vacuum cleaner shown in
FIG. 8.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross section of a second embodiment
of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention illustrating
a stick type vacuum cleaner.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a vertical cross section of a third embodiment of
a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention illustrating an
upright vacuum cleaner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] With reference to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a hand-held
vacuum cleaner 100 is shown. The hand-held vacuum cleaner 100
generally includes a housing 110, a suction nozzle 112, a handle
114, a dirt cup 116 and a suction fan and motor assembly 118 (FIG.
8). As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 110 can be formed of two
bilaterally symmetrical pieces, a left half portion and a right
half portion. Of course, other housing constructions are also
contemplated. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the suction fan and motor
assembly 118 is disposed internally to the housing 110. The suction
nozzle 112 can be disposed adjacent a first end 110a of the housing
110, whereas the dirt cup 116 can be disposed adjacent a second end
110b of the housing 110.
[0025] Now with reference to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the
first embodiment 100 of the hand-held vacuum cleaner is shown with
the dirt cup 116 removed from the housing 110. A plurality of nubs
120 are disposed along the second end 110b of the housing 110. More
particularly, the nubs are located circumferentially around a
periphery of the housing 110. The nubs 120 cooperate with a
plurality of slots 122 defined in the dirt cup 116. As shown in
both FIGS. 2 and 4, the slots 122 are disposed along an inner
circumference of an opening 124 of the dirt cup 116. The shape of
each slot 122 may resemble an `L`. In the first embodiment, a first
portion of the slot 122 is formed perpendicular to the opening 124,
whereas a second portion of the slot 122 continues at about a
90.degree. angle to the first portion and parallel to the opening
124. The second portion of the slot 122 includes a raised ridge 126
which functions as a frictional lock for the nub 120. As shown in
FIG. 2, the dirt cup 116 can be secured to the housing 110 by first
aligning the nubs 120 with the first portion of the slots 122 and
advancing the dirt cup 116 towards the second end 110b of the
housing 110 until the opening 124 abuts the housing 110. Once the
nubs 120 have seated fully into the first portion of the slots 122,
the dirt cup 116 is rotated in a counterclockwise fashion (as
viewed from the front of the hand-held vacuum cleaner 100). The
dirt cup 116 is rotated until each of the nubs 120 snap past its
respective raised ridge 126. Also visible in FIG. 2, is a filter
assembly 128 that is disposed internally to the dirt cup 116. The
filter assembly 128 slides into the dirt cup 116 and is held in
place by a frictional fit between the filter assembly 128 and an
inner wall surface of the dirt cup 116.
[0026] With reference now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the
first embodiment of the hand-held cyclonic vacuum cleaner 100 is
shown (as in FIG. 2) but now from a rear view. As in FIG. 2, the
dirt cup 116 is shown to be removed from the housing 110. More
clearly visible in FIG. 3 are the nubs 120. In addition, a suction
fan inlet 130 is shown. As best shown in FIG. 9, a pair of suction
fan exhaust ports 131 can be defined in the housing 110. A dirty
air outlet 132 is located at an upper portion of the second end
110b of the housing 110. Generally speaking, the suction fan and
motor assembly 118 draws air through the suction fan inlet 130
which in turn, draws air through the filter assembly 128 and
through the dirty air outlet 132. The dirty air outlet 132 is in
fluid communication with the suction nozzle 112.
[0027] With reference now to FIG. 7, a dirt cup door 134 is located
at a rear portion of the dirt cup 116. The dirt cup door 134 is
attached to the dirt cup 116 via a hinge 136. Located at an upper
portion of the dirt cup door 134 is a catch 138. The catch 138 is
engaged by a latch 140 which firmly secures the dirt cup door 134
against the dirt cup 116. The latch 140, the catch 138, and the
hinge 136 are further depicted in FIG. 10. By depressing the latch
140, the catch 138 on the dirt cup door 134 is released and the
dirt cup door 134 will pivot downward about the hinge 136. A
spring, not illustrated, can be employed for this purpose. In this
manner, the dirt cup door 134 provides a convenient method of
emptying the dirt cup 116 without requiring the removal of the dirt
cup 116 from the housing 110.
[0028] Now with reference to FIG. 4, the filter assembly 128
disposed in the dirt cup 116 of the first embodiment of the
hand-held cyclonic vacuum cleaner 100 is shown. The filter assembly
128 generally includes a filter support plate 142 and a filter
cartridge 144. The filter support plate 142 includes an outer
sealing gasket 146, that is attached to the outer circumference of
the filter support plate 142, a dirty air inlet 148, a cyclonic air
flow deflector 150, and a segmented flange 151.
[0029] When the filter assembly 128 is inserted into the dirt cup
116, the volumetric space between the filter support plate 142 and
the dirt cup door 134 defines a cyclonic flow chamber. It should be
noted that the dirty air outlet 132 (FIG. 3) and the dirty air
inlet 148 (FIG. 4) are rotated slightly about a Z-axis by an
angular displacement .alpha.. This slight angular displacement
permits the dirt cup 116 to rotate with respect to the housing 110
without interference during attachment of the dirt cup 116. As the
dirt cup is attached, the dirty air inlet 148 rotates into
alignment with the dirty air outlet 132 such that the one contacts
the other and a seal is formed when the dirt cup 116 is fully
attached. In addition, a dirty air outlet sealing gasket is
disposed about the circumference of the dirty air outlet 132 (FIG.
3) and is pinched between the interface of the dirty air outlet 132
and the dirty air inlet 148 when the dirt cup 116 is mounted to the
housing 110.
[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the filter cartridge 144 is
secured to the filter support plate 142 via a frictional twist-on
assembly. With particular reference to FIG. 5, the filter assembly
128 is shown in an exploded perspective view. The segmented flange
151 of the filter support plate 142 and the filter cartridge 144
are plainly visible. The segmented flange 151 can include a notch
151a, a detent 151b, and one or more stops 151c. The filter
cartridge 144 includes a filter base 152, a filter medium 154 and a
filter end cap 156. The filter base 152 includes a collar 152a, a
plurality of tabs 152b, and a handle 152c. The plurality of tabs
152b, include a raised ridge 152d. The collar 152a and the tabs
152b are oriented such that they are received by the segmented
flange 151 of the filter support plate 142. Specifically, each tab
152b slides past its respective notch 151a in the segmented flange
151. Then, the filter cartridge 144 is rotated counterclockwise (as
viewed from the front) causing the ridge 152d to slide over the
segmented flange 151 and into the detent 151b. Furthermore, as the
filter cartridge 144 is rotated, each of the tabs 152b will
eventually come to rest against a respective one of the plurality
of stops 151c. As the tabs 152b are rotated into position, the
segmented flange 151 deflects slightly such that a small amount of
pressure is generated between the segmented flange 151 and the tabs
152b. Eventually, each tab 152b snaps into place when each ridge
152d is aligned with its respective detent 151b. This pressure, in
combination with the seating of the ridge 152d into the detent
151b, holds the filter cartridge 144 firmly in place with the
filter support plate 142.
[0031] The handle 152c may be used to grip the filter cartridge 144
so as to facilitate the installation and removal of the filter
cartridge 144 without damaging the filter medium 154. The filter
medium 154 may be formed from a pleated filter material such as
paper or a filter mesh material using fiberglass, nylon, plastic,
or other various synthetic or organic materials. Assembly of the
filter cartridge 144 may be accomplished by adhering, molding, or
crimping the filter cap 156 to a first end of the filter medium 154
and by similarly attaching the base 152 to a second end of the
filter medium 154.
[0032] Now with reference to FIG. 6, a rear exploded perspective
view of the filter assembly 128 is shown. Here, the rear portions
of the filter support plate 142 and the filter cartridge 144 are
clearly visible. With respect to the filter support plate 142, the
cyclonic air flow deflector 150 is shown as is an inner sealing
gasket 158. With respect to the filter cartridge 144, the end cap
156 and the filter medium 154 are clearly visible, whereas the base
152 is partially eclipsed. As the filter cartridge 144 is mated
with the filter support plate 142, the inner sealing gasket 158 is
compressed between the filter support plate 142 and the base 152 of
the filter cartridge 144 providing an airtight seal for reducing
the possibility of unfiltered airflow across the filter assembly
128.
[0033] Now with reference to FIG. 7, a side perspective view of the
first embodiment of the hand-held cyclonic vacuum cleaner 100 is
shown. FIG. 7 clearly illustrates the operation of the dirt cup
door 134. Here, the dirt cup door 134 is shown in an open position.
With the dirt cup door 134 in the open position, the catch 138 and
the hinge 136, as well as the latch 140, are clearly visible. In
addition, a sealing gasket 160 is located about the outer perimeter
of the dirt cup door 134. As described previously, when the latch
140 is depressed, the catch 138 is released and a spring biasing
element that may be located within the hinge 136 urges the dirt cup
door 134 open. At this stage, the user of the hand-held vacuum
cleaner 100 may hold the cleaner by its handle 114 in a vertical
orientation, such that any debris within the dirt cup 116 will
simply drop out. Once the debris has been emptied, the user may
close the dirt cup door 134 by lifting it and pressing it up
against the latch 140.
[0034] Now with reference to FIG. 8, a vertical cross section of
the hand-held vacuum cleaner 100 is shown. The section fan and
motor assembly 118, the filter assembly 128, the filter cartridge
144, and a brushroll 162 are shown. The brushroll 162 may be
disposed internally to the housing 110 and adjacent to the suction
nozzle 112. When the suction fan and motor assembly 118 is
operating, air begins to enter through the suction nozzle 112, past
the rotating brushroll 162, through a fluid channel 164 and out the
dirty air outlet 132. As shown in FIG. 8, the dirty air outlet 132
abuts the dirty air inlet 148 of the filter support plate 142 when
the dirt cup 116 is attached to the housing 110. As airflow exits
the dirty air outlet 132 it enters the dirty air inlet 148 and
impinges against the cyclonic air flow deflector 150. The air flow
then continues in a tangential direction with respect to the filter
cartridge 144 and spirals towards the rear portion of the dirt cup
116. Heavier than air particles are separated from the airflow due
to the centrifugal forces generated by the cyclonic flow of the
air. These particles accumulate in or near the bottom and rear
portions of the dirt cup 116. As the airflow slows it moves towards
the center of the cyclonic airflow chamber and is drawn through the
filter medium 154 toward the suction fan inlet 130. Lastly, the
airflow exits the dirt cup 116 via the collar 152a (FIG. 5) and
enters the suction fan and motor assembly 118. As the air flow
passes through the suction fan and motor assembly 118, the air
cools the motor and exits the vacuum cleaner through the exhaust
ports 131 in the housing 110.
[0035] With reference now to FIG. 9, a horizontal cross section of
the hand-held vacuum cleaner 100 is shown. Clearly visible in FIG.
9 are the suction nozzle 112, the brushroll 162, the housing 110,
the suction fan and motor assembly 118, the dirt cup 116, the dirt
cup door 134 and the filter assembly 128. Also, a portion of the
air flow path is shown within the cyclonic separating chamber of
the dirt cup 116 (as indicated by the solid arrows showing circular
movement about the filter cartridge 144). Dotted arrows indicate
air flow from the filter cartridge 144 into the suction fan and
motor assembly 118 and out through the exhaust ports 131 on the
sides of the housing 110.
[0036] Now with reference to FIG. 10, an enlarged vertical cross
section of the dirt cup 116 and the filter assembly 128 is shown.
The filter cartridge 144 including the base 152, the filter medium
154 and the filter cap 156 are shown. The handle portion 152c of
the base 152 of the filter cartridge 144 is also shown. As
described previously, the filter cartridge 144 is rotatably engaged
with the filter support plate 142 via the segmented flange 151. The
tabs 152b of the collar 152a engage and generate a pressure fit
between the base 152 and the segmented flange 151.
[0037] With continued reference to FIG. 10, the air flow moves from
the fluid channel 164 through the dirty air outlet 132 past the
dirty air inlet 148 as indicated by reference indicia A. The air
flow is then redirected by the cyclonic air flow deflector 150 to
produce a cyclonic air flow B. The air flow C then spirals about
the filter cartridge 144 by which dense heavier than air debris is
deposited in the dirt cup 116. The airflow D then proceeds through
the filter medium 154, through the collar 152a, past the suction
fan inlet 130, and into the suction fan and motor assembly 118.
Also illustrated in FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross section of the
latch 140, the catch 138, the hinge 136 and the dirt cup door
sealing gasket 160. The latch 140 includes a button surface 166
which the user may depress to open the dirt cup door 134.
Depressing the latch 140 causes an end of the latch to pivot
upward. As the latch end pivots upward the catch 138 disengages
permitting the dirt cup door 134 to pivot about the hinge 136 into
the open position.
[0038] During operation of the hand-held vacuum cleaner 100, dirty
air is drawn into the dirt cup wherein the dirty air undergoes a
cyclonic dirt separation as described previously. As more and more
debris collects in the dirt cup, the air flow through the vacuum
cleaner 100 is reduced. This results in a lower amount of suction
being produced at the suction nozzle. In order to restore the air
flow to its original level, the user of the hand-held vacuum
cleaner 100 will need to empty the dirt cup. Emptying the dirt cup
may be accomplished in a number of ways. One way of emptying the
dirt cup is by simply removing the dirt cup from the housing. This
is accomplished by rotating the dirt cup in a clockwise direction
(as viewed from the front of the hand-held vacuum cleaner 100) and
pulling outward until the nubs 120 disengage the slots 122 (FIGS.
3, 4). Once the dirt cup is removed, the filter assembly may be
removed by gently pulling on the handle portion 152c of the filter
cartridge. With the filter assembly removed, the dirt cup may be
emptied by tilting the dirt cup opening towards and into an
appropriate trash receptacle. At this point, the user may also
elect to replace the filter cartridge with a new clean cartridge,
or simply clean the filter material of the cartridge.
[0039] Another technique for emptying the dirt cup involves using
the dirt cup door. In this case, the dirt cup need not be removed
from the housing. Nor does this require the filter assembly to be
removed from the dirt cup. In fact, the hand-held vacuum cleaner
100 need only be tilted in a vertical orientation with the dirt cup
door pointing in a downward direction while the user depresses the
latch. Depressing the latch releases the catch and allows the dirt
cup door to swing open. Agitating or lightly tapping the dirt cup
will aid in dislodging dirt and debris within the dirt cup,
allowing such dirt and debris to drop through the dirt cup door
opening and into an appropriate trash receptacle. As before, the
user may elect to clean or change out the filter cartridge after
removing the dirt cup. In fact, it should be appreciated, that the
filter cartridge could be removed from the dirt cup (without first
removing the dirt cup from the housing) by reaching through the
dirt cup door opening and disengaging the filter cartridge from the
filter support plate. However, as illustrated, the present filter
cartridge is too large to pass entirely through the dirt cup door
opening. Nevertheless, it can be contemplated that either the
present filter cartridge can be reduced in size to accommodate the
dirt cup door opening or the dirt cup door opening could be
enlarged to accommodate the filter cartridge.
[0040] Also, to facilitate the removal of the filter cartridge from
the filter support plate, it should be appreciated that the handle
on the filter cartridge could be differently shaped and located
elsewhere on the filter cartridge. For example, the filter
cartridge could utilize a filter frame that would rigidly secure
the filter base 152 to the end cap 156 (FIG. 5), thus, allowing the
end cap to be used as a handle surface. Similarly, the handle
portion could be formed on the outer circumference of the base. In
addition, the filter support plate could be fastened or integrally
formed to the housing, rather than being secured internally to the
dirt cup via a frictional fit.
[0041] It should be noted that multiple gaskets located in the
handheld vacuum cleaner 100 cooperate to prevent unfiltered dirty
air flow from entering the suction fan and motor assembly and to
also prevent ambient air from entering into the dirt cup from the
edges of the dirt cup door during operation. The dirty air outlet
gasket, the filter support plate gasket, and the filter cartridge
base gasket prevents unfiltered dirty air within the dirt cup 116
from directly entering the suction fan and motor assembly 118. A
leak of this nature, over-time, could cause extensive dirt
accumulation within the suction fan and motor assembly. This
accumulation could result in overheating of the motor or premature
wear-out of journal and or roller bearings. The dirt cup door
gasket, located about the perimeter of the dirt cup door, prevents
ambient air from entering the dirt cup during operation of the
hand-held vacuum cleaner 100 and prevents fine debris from escaping
when the cleaner is not operating. An air leak of this nature would
have no detrimental impact on the suction fan and motor assembly,
however, it would reduce the overall suction capability of the
hand-held vacuum cleaner 100. The dirt cup door gasket is
compressed due to the pressure generated between the catch and the
latch, thus, providing an air tight seal about the dirt cup door
opening. Because of the pressure generated between the catch and
the latch, the dirt cup door is prevented from accidentally opening
on its own during use. Additional latch pressure may be generated
by placing a compression spring beneath the button surface of the
latch to generate greater downward force at the tip of the
latch.
[0042] The hand-held vacuum cleaner 100 may be powered by a variety
of sources. One source could be a 110-120 volts AC house supply (as
is standard in the U.S.A.) or 220-240 volts AC (as prevalent in
Europe) provided via a power line 170, shown in FIG. 1.
Alternately, the hand-held vacuum cleaner 100 could be configured
to operate on a DC power supply by having an appropriate DC motor.
A DC power supply could include a 12 volt supply as provided, for
example, by a rechargeable or removable battery pack or even by a
cigarette lighter or a power outlet in an automobile or other
vehicle. Doing so would have the advantage of making the hand-held
vacuum cleaner 100 even more portable. Lastly, it should noted that
the hand-held vacuum cleaner 100 need not contain the brushroll as
described previously. As an alternative to having the brushroll,
the suction nozzle may be flat, smooth, or only contain static
bristles located along an opening of the suction nozzle to help
agitate and deflect debris into the suction nozzle.
[0043] Now with reference to FIG. 11, a side cross sectional view
of a second embodiment of a vacuum cleaner having a cyclonic twist
off dirt cup is shown. More particularly, the second embodiment
depicts a stick type vacuum cleaner 200. Generally, the stick
vacuum cleaner 200 includes a housing 210, a nozzle portion 212, a
handle located at an upper portion 214, a dirt cup 216 and a
suction motor and fan assembly 218. Normally, stick vacuums do not
employ a brushroll. Thus, one is not shown in FIG. 11. As described
with reference to the first embodiment of the vacuum cleaner 100,
the second embodiment of the vacuum cleaner 200 also includes a
dirt cup door 234 having a hinge 236, a catch 238 and a latch 240.
Disposed internally to the dirt cup 216 is a filter support plate
242, a filter cartridge 244 and a cyclonic air flow deflector 250.
The cyclonic air flow deflector 250 may be formed integrally with
the filter support plate 242. The filter cartridge 244 further
includes a base 252, a filter medium 254 and an end cap 256. As
before, the filter base 252 includes a plurality of tabs which
engage a plurality of notches in a segmented flange of the filter
support plate 242. In addition, the dirt cup 216 of the second
embodiment can employ the same twist on assembly as does the first
embodiment. The dirt cup 216 may be attached to the housing 210
through the use of a plurality of nubs disposed along an outer
circumference of the housing 210, as well as a plurality of slots
disposed along an inner circumference of the dirt cup 216. The
plurality of slots in the dirt cup 216 engage the plurality of nubs
along the outer circumference of the housing 210.
[0044] In much the same way (as described previously with respect
to the first embodiment 100), the user of the second embodiment may
use a dirt cup door 234 to empty debris that is collected in the
dirt cup 216 during vacuuming. As before, the dirt cup 216 may be
emptied a number of ways. The user may elect to twist off the
entire dirt cup 216, remove the filter support plate 242 along with
the filter cartridge 244 and empty out the contents of the dirt cup
216. Alternatively, the user may elect to leave the dirt cup 216
attached and use the dirt cup door 234 to the empty the dirt cup
216. The debris may be emptied through the dirt cup door 234 by
depressing the latch 240 and allowing the dirt cup door 234 to
rotate about the hinge 236. In this case, the user may conveniently
empty the dirt cup by simply lifting the stick type vacuum cleaner
200 over a trash receptacle while depressing the latch 240. In all
other aspects, the operation of the dirt cup 216 and the dirt cup
door 234 are the same as in the first embodiment 100.
[0045] Now with reference to FIG. 12, a side cross sectional view
of a third embodiment of a vacuum cleaner having a cyclonic twist
off dirt cup is shown. In particular, the third embodiment depicts
an upright type vacuum cleaner 300. As in the earlier two
embodiments, the upright vacuum cleaner 300 also includes a housing
310, a suction head portion 312, a handle that may be located at an
upper portion 314 of the housing 310, a dirt cup 316 and a suction
motor and fan assembly 318. In contrast to the stick type vacuum
cleaner 200 of the second embodiment, in the third embodiment, the
suction motor and fan assembly 318 is disposed in the suction head
portion 312, rather than in the housing portion 310. Similar to the
first and second embodiments, the dirt cup 316 of the third
embodiment includes a dirt cup door 334, a hinge 336, a catch 338
and a latch 340. However, a filter support plate 342 may be rigidly
secured or made of one-piece with the housing 310 and may only be
partially disposed internally to the dirt cup 316. As with the
first and second embodiments, a filter cartridge 344, is at least
partially disposed internally to the dirt cup 316 and may be
secured via a twist-on assembly to the filter support plate 342. In
addition, the third embodiment 300 includes a cyclonic air flow
deflector 350 that can be integrally formed with the filter support
plate 342.
[0046] Once again, the method of operation and attachment of the
dirt cup 316 and the filter cartridge 344 are the same in the third
embodiment as they were in the first and second embodiments. One
noteworthy difference is the dirt cup 316 and the filter cartridge
344 have an overall longer length than the dirt cup 216 and filter
cartridge 244 of the second embodiment. The longer or larger dirt
cup 316 and larger filter cartridge 344 provide for greater volume
of debris accumulation than do the first or second embodiments.
This provides the added advantage of reducing the frequency of
emptying the dirt cup 316. Furthermore, a larger cartridge 344
provides a lower loss of air flow through the upright vacuum
cleaner 300 as dirt and debris begin to accumulate in the dirt cup
316.
[0047] Another difference involves the pathways of the clean air
and dirty air through the upright vacuum cleaner 300. The dirty air
flow pathway begins at an opening in the suction head 312 moving
past a rotating brushroll 313 and flows through the suction head
through a dirty air fluid channel 364 in the housing 310. Then the
airflow begins to move downward towards the dirt cup 316 and
impinges against the cyclonic air flow deflector 350 which induces
the cyclonic airflow separation within the dirt cup 316. As the air
flow slows, it enters through the sides of the filter cartridge 344
initially traveling upward into the clean air fluid channel in the
housing 310, then downwards through the suction fan and motor
assembly 318 eventually exiting the upright vacuum cleaner 300.
[0048] It should also be noted that the dirt cup 316 need not be
removed in order to be emptied. The user may simply and
conveniently locate a trash receptacle beneath the dirt cup 316
directly below the dirt cup door 334 and depress the latch 340 in
order to empty any dirt and debris directly into the trash
receptacle. The unique structural orientation of the dirt cup 316
with respect to the upright vacuum cleaner 300 permits this method
of convenient emptying of the dirt cup 316. In all other aspects,
the operation of the dirt cup 316 and the dirt cup door 334 are the
same as in the first embodiment.
[0049] Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon
reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is
intended that the embodiments described herein be construed as
including all such modifications and alterations, insofar as they
come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *