U.S. patent application number 11/245420 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-12 for upright vacuum cleaner.
Invention is credited to Jae Kyum Kim, Young Gun Min.
Application Number | 20070079474 11/245420 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37909910 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070079474 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Min; Young Gun ; et
al. |
April 12, 2007 |
Upright vacuum cleaner
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner comprises a
cleaner body, a cyclonic chamber comprising a primary cyclone and
at least one secondary cyclone disposed around the primary cyclone,
a flow passage guide for guiding the airflow discharged from the
primary cyclone to a secondary airflow inlet of the secondary
cyclone, a first conduit for fludically connecting a nozzle section
defining a suction opening to a primary airflow inlet of the
primary cyclone, a suction source having an suction source inlet
and an suction source outlet, and a second conduit for fludically
connecting a secondary airflow outlet to the suction source inlet
of the suction source. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a low
flow resistance by virtue of the flow passage guide and an enhanced
dust collecting performance by virtue of a sealing effect of the
sealing member.
Inventors: |
Min; Young Gun;
(Changwon-si, KR) ; Kim; Jae Kyum; (Gimhae-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLESHNER & KIM, LLP
P.O. BOX 221200
CHANTILLY
VA
20153
US
|
Family ID: |
37909910 |
Appl. No.: |
11/245420 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/353 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/1683 20130101;
A47L 9/1625 20130101; A47L 5/30 20130101; A47L 9/122 20130101; A47L
9/1641 20130101; A47L 9/165 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/353 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/16 20060101
A47L009/16 |
Claims
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a cleaner body; a cyclonic chamber
comprising; a primary cyclone for separating contaminants from an
airflow, the primary cyclone being in fluid communication with the
cleaner body; and at least one secondary cyclone integrated with
the primary cyclone and disposed around the primary cyclone for
separating contaminants entrained in the airflow discharged from
the primary cyclone; a flow passage guide for guiding the airflow
discharged from the primary cyclone to a secondary airflow inlet of
the secondary cyclone; a first conduit for fludically connecting a
nozzle section defining a suction opening to a primary airflow
inlet of the primary cyclone; a suction source having an suction
source inlet and an suction source outlet, the suction source
operative to generate and maintain an airflow flowing from the
suction source inlet, to the suction source outlet; and a second
conduit for fludically connecting a secondary airflow outlet to the
suction source inlet of the suction source.
2. The vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1, wherein the flow
passage guide is formed at an underside of a chamber cover mounted
to the upper end of the cyclonic chamber.
3. The vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 2, wherein the flow
passage guide has a conical shape and one end of the flow passage
guide extends to the secondary airflow inlet.
4. The vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a
third conduit for fludically connecting the suction source outlet
to the atmosphere.
5. The vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 4, whereby upon
activation of the suction source, contaminants from a surface being
cleaned are entrained in the airflow, the airflow travels: (a) from
the cleaner body into the primary cyclone through the primary
airflow inlet; (b) downwardly from the primary airflow inlet and in
a cyclonic fashion within the primary cyclone so that the entrained
contaminants are separated from the suction airflow; (c) from the
primary cyclone into the secondary cyclone with passing through the
flow passage guide; (d) downwardly from the secondary airflow inlet
and in a cyclonic fashion within the secondary cyclone so that
contaminants are separated from the airflow flowing into the
secondary cyclone; and (e) from the secondary cyclone into the
suction source with passing through the second conduit.
6. The vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a
main filter assembly for filtering contaminants from the airflow
discharged form the secondary cyclone.
7. The vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 6, the main filter
assembly comprising a selectively permeable material, and the main
filter assembly is located on an upper portion of the secondary
cyclone.
8. The vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: a
final filter assembly connected in fluid communication with the
suction source outlet and adapted for filtering the airflow
exhausted by the suction source prior to the airflow being
dispersed into the atmosphere, wherein the final filter assembly
comprises a high efficiency particulate arrest (HEPA) filter
medium.
9. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a dust collector comprising, a
primary cyclone for separating contaminants from an airflow; and at
least one secondary cyclone for separating contaminants entrained
in the airflow discharged from the primary cyclone; a cleaner body
comprising a socket for holding selectively the dust collector; a
suction source located in the cleaner body for generating a
cyclonic flow of the airflow in the dust collector; and a
selectively removable main filter assembly located in the dust
collector for filtering contaminant from the airflow prior to the
airflow flowing into the suction source.
10. The vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 9, wherein the primary
cyclone is integrated with the secondary cyclone.
11. The vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 10, wherein the dust
collector is at least partially transparent.
12. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising: a dust collector
comprising a primary cyclone and at least one secondary cyclone for
separating contaminants from an airflow; a cleaner body including a
socket for holding selectively the dust collector; a nozzle section
pivotably connected the cleaner body and including a suction
opening; an agitator positioned in the nozzle section for
contacting and scrubbing the surface being cleaned; a suction
source located below the dust collector for generating a cyclonic
flow of the airflow in the dust collector, the suction source
include an suction source inlet and an suction source outlet; a
belt for transferring the rotational force of the suction source to
the agitator; a first conduit for fludically connecting the suction
opening to a primary airflow inlet of the primary cyclone; and a
second conduit for fludically connecting a secondary airflow outlet
to the suction source inlet.
13. The upright vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 12 further
comprising a flow passage guide for guiding the airflow discharged
from the primary cyclone to a secondary airflow inlet of the
secondary cyclone.
14. The upright vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 13, whereby
upon activation of the suction source, contaminants from a surface
being cleaned are entrained in the airflow, the airflow travels:
(a) from the cleaner body into the primary cyclone through the
primary airflow inlet; (b) downwardly from the primary airflow
inlet and in a cyclonic fashion within the primary cyclone so that
the entrained contaminants are separated from the suction airflow;
(c) from the primary cyclone into the secondary cyclone with
passing through the flow passage guide; (d) downwardly from the
secondary airflow inlet and in a cyclonic fashion within the
secondary cyclone so that contaminants are separated from the
airflow flowing into the secondary cyclone; and (e) from the
secondary cyclone into the suction source with passing through the
second conduit.
15. The upright vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 14, wherein
the secondary cyclone is disposed around the primary cyclone.
16. The upright vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 14, wherein
the primary airflow inlet is horizontally oriented and arranged so
that the airflow entering the primary cyclone through the primary
airflow inlet moves cyclonically within the primary cyclone.
17. The upright vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 12 further
comprising an agitator brush provided at an outer circumference of
the agitator.
18. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising: a nozzle section; a
rotating brush assembly disposed in the nozzle section; a primary
cyclone for separating contaminants from an airflow, the primary
cyclone being in fluid communication with the nozzle section; at
least one secondary cyclone for separating contaminants entrained
in the airflow discharged from the primary cyclone; a dust
collecting container comprising: a primary dust storing part for
storing contaminants separated in the primary cyclone; and a
secondary dust storing part for storing contaminants separated in
the secondary cyclone a sealing member for sealing airtightly the
primary dust storing part and the secondary dust storing part a
suction source for generating the airflow; and a selectively
removable main filter assembly located on upper portion of the
secondary cyclone for filtering contaminants from the airflow prior
to the airflow flowing into the suction source.
19. The upright vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 18 further
comprising a conduit interconnecting the secondary cyclone with the
suction source.
20. The upright vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim 18 further
comprising a final filter assembly connected in fluid communication
with the suction source and adapted for filtering the airflow
exhausted by the suction source prior to the airflow being
dispersed into the atmosphere, wherein the final filter assembly
comprises a high efficiency particulate arrest (HEPA) filter
medium.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners. More
particularly, the present invention relates to upright vacuum
cleaners used for suctioning dirt and dust from carpets and
floors.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] Upright vacuum cleaners are known to include a cleaner body
having a handle, by which an operator of the vacuum cleaner may
grasp and maneuver the cleaner, and a nozzle section which travels
across a floor, carpet, or other surfaces being cleaned.
[0005] The cleaner body often formed as a rigid plastic housing
which encloses a dirt and dust collecting filter bag. The underside
of the nozzle section includes a suction opening formed therein
which is in fluid communication with the filter bag.
[0006] A suction source such as a motor and fan assembly is
enclosed within the cleaner body. The suction source generates the
suction force required to pull dirt from the carpet or floor
through the suction opening and into the filter bag.
[0007] To avoid the need for vacuum filter bags, and the associated
expense and inconvenience of replacing the bag, another type of
upright vacuum cleaner utilizes cyclonic airflow, rather than a
filter bag, to separate a majority of the dirt and other
particulates from the suction airflow. The air is then filtered to
remove residual particulates, returned to the motor, and
exhausted.
[0008] Such cyclonic airflow upright vacuum cleaners have not been
found to be entirely effective and convenient to use. For example,
with these cyclonic airflow vacuum cleaners, the coupling structure
of the dust collector is complex, thereby causing an inconvenience
in use of the vacuum cleaner.
[0009] Also, in the vacuum cleaner having the above-mentioned
configuration, there is a problem in that the vacuum cleaner has a
low dust collecting performance by virtue of the leakage in the
dust collector.
[0010] Also, in the vacuum cleaner having the above-mentioned
configuration, there is a problem in that a flow resistance is high
because the air within the dust collector does not flow smoothly
due to the structure of the dust collector.
[0011] Accordingly, it has been deemed desirable to develop a new
and improved upright vacuum cleaner which would overcome the
foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more
advantageous overall results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to the present invention, a new and improved
upright vacuum cleaner is provided.
[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum
cleaner which has a simple coupling structure, and is convenient in
use.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
vacuum cleaner which has a high dust collecting performance.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the
flow resistance during the operation mode.
[0016] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0017] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein.
[0018] In accordance with the first aspect of this invention, a
vacuum cleaner comprises a cleaner body, a cyclonic chamber
including a primary cyclone and at least one secondary cyclone, a
flow passage guide for guiding the airflow discharged from the
primary cyclone to a secondary airflow inlet of the secondary
cyclone, a first conduit for fludically connecting a nozzle section
defining a suction opening to a primary airflow inlet of the
primary cyclone, a suction source having a suction source inlet and
a suction source outlet, and a second conduit for fludically
connecting a secondary airflow outlet to the suction source inlet
of the suction source.
[0019] The primary cyclone being in fluid communication with the
cleaner body separates contaminants from the airflow. The secondary
cyclone is integrated with the primary cyclone and disposed around
the primary cyclone for separating contaminants entrained in the
airflow discharged from the primary cyclone.
[0020] The suction source generates and maintains the airflow
flowing from the suction source inlet to the suction source
outlet.
[0021] The flow passage guide is formed at an underside of a
chamber cover mounted to the upper end of the cyclonic chamber. The
flow passage guide has a conical shape and one end of the flow
passage guide extends to the secondary airflow inlet.
[0022] The vacuum cleaner may further comprise a third conduit for
fludically connecting the suction source outlet to the
atmosphere.
[0023] Upon activation of the suction source, contaminants from a
surface being cleaned are entrained in the airflow. The airflow
travels (a) from the cleaner body into the primary cyclone through
the primary airflow inlet, (b) downwardly from the primary airflow
inlet and in a cyclonic fashion within the primary cyclone so that
the entrained contaminants are separated from the suction airflow,
(c) from the primary cyclone into the secondary cyclone with
passing through the flow passage guide, (d) downwardly from the
secondary airflow inlet and in a cyclonic fashion within the
secondary cyclone so that contaminants are separated from the
airflow flowing into the secondary cyclone, and (e) from the
secondary cyclone into the suction source with passing through the
second conduit.
[0024] The vacuum cleaner may further include a main filter
assembly for filtering contaminants from the airflow discharged
form the secondary cyclone.
[0025] The main filter assembly comprises a selectively permeable
material, and the main filter assembly is located on an upper
portion of the secondary cyclone.
[0026] The vacuum cleaner may further comprise a final filter
assembly connected in fluid communication with the suction source
outlet and adapted for filtering the airflow exhausted by the
suction source prior to the airflow being dispersed into the
atmosphere, wherein the final filter assembly comprises a high
efficiency particulate arrest (HEPA) filter medium.
[0027] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a vacuum cleaner comprises a dust collector including a primary
cyclone for separating contaminants from an airflow and at least
one secondary cyclone for separating contaminants entrained in the
airflow discharged from the primary cyclone, a cleaner body
comprising a socket for holding selectively the dust collector, a
suction source located in the cleaner body for generating a
cyclonic flow of the airflow in the dust collector, and a
selectively removable main filter assembly located in the dust
collector for filtering contaminant from the airflow prior to the
airflow flowing into the suction source.
[0028] It is preferred that the primary cyclone is integrated with
the secondary cyclone.
[0029] It is preferred that the dust collector is at least
partially transparent.
[0030] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an
upright vacuum cleaner comprises a dust collector comprising a
primary cyclone and at least one secondary cyclone for separating
contaminants from an airflow, a cleaner body including a socket for
holding selectively the dust collector, a nozzle section pivotably
connected the cleaner body and including a suction opening, an
agitator positioned in the nozzle section for contacting and
scrubbing the surface being cleaned, a suction source located below
the dust collector for generating a cyclonic flow of the airflow in
the dust collector, the suction source include an suction source
inlet and an suction source outlet, a belt for transferring the
rotational force of the suction source to the agitator, a first
conduit for fludically connecting the suction opening to a primary
airflow inlet of the primary cyclone, and a second conduit for
fludically connecting a secondary airflow outlet to the suction
source inlet.
[0031] The upright vacuum cleaner may further comprise a flow
passage guide for guiding the airflow discharged from the primary
cyclone to a secondary airflow inlet of the secondary cyclone.
[0032] Upon activation of the suction source, contaminants from a
surface being cleaned are entrained in the airflow. The airflow
travels (a) from the cleaner body into the primary cyclone through
the primary airflow inlet (b) downwardly from the primary airflow
inlet and in a cyclonic fashion within the primary cyclone so that
the entrained contaminants are separated from the suction airflow,
(c) from the primary cyclone into the secondary cyclone with
passing through the flow passage guide (d) downwardly from the
secondary airflow inlet and in a cyclonic fashion within the
secondary cyclone so that contaminants are separated from the
airflow flowing into the secondary cyclone, and (e) from the
secondary cyclone into the suction source with passing through the
second conduit.
[0033] The secondary cyclone is disposed around the primary
cyclone.
[0034] The primary airflow inlet is horizontally oriented and
arranged so that the airflow entering the primary cyclone through
the primary airflow inlet moves cyclonically within the primary
cyclone.
[0035] The upright vacuum cleaner further comprises an agitator
brush provided at an outer circumference of the agitator.
[0036] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an
upright vacuum cleaner comprises a nozzle section, a rotating brush
assembly disposed in the nozzle section, a primary cyclone being in
fluid communication with the nozzle section for separating
contaminants from an airflow, at least one secondary cyclone for
separating contaminants entrained in the airflow discharged from
the primary cyclone, a dust collecting container comprises a
primary dust storing part for storing contaminants separated in the
primary cyclone and a secondary dust storing part for storing
contaminants separated in the secondary cyclone, a sealing member
for sealing airtightly the primary dust storing part and the
secondary dust storing part, a suction source for generating the
airflow, and a selectively removable main filter assembly located
on upper portion of the secondary cyclone for filtering
contaminants from the airflow prior to the airflow flowing into the
suction source.
[0037] The upright vacuum cleaner further comprises a conduit
interconnecting the secondary cyclone with the suction source.
[0038] The upright vacuum cleaner further comprises a final filter
assembly connected in fluid communication with the suction source
and adapted for filtering the airflow exhausted by the suction
source prior to the airflow being dispersed into the atmosphere,
wherein the final filter assembly comprises a high efficiency
particulate arrest (HEPA) filter medium.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] The invention may take form in certain components and
structures, preferred embodiments of which will be illustrated in
the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cyclonic airflow
upright vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state of
an operative mode of the upright vacuum cleaner in FIG. 1.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the vacuum cleaner
shown in FIG. 1;
[0043] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the vacuum cleaner of
FIG. 1;
[0044] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG.
1;
[0045] FIG. 6 is a side view in cross-section of the vacuum cleaner
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0046] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the dust collector
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0047] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an upper part of
the dust collector illustrated in FIG. 7;
[0048] FIG. 9 is a partial side view in cross-section of the dust
collector illustrated in FIG. 7
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0049] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0050] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an upright vacuum cleaner including a
cleaner body 100, a nozzle section 200 connected to the cleaner
body 100, and conduits for guiding the suction airflow from the
nozzle section 200 to the atmosphere with passing through the
cleaner body 100.
[0051] The cleaner body 100 and the nozzle section 200 are
pivotally or hingedly connected through the use of suitable hinge
assembly so that the cleaner body 100 pivots between a generally
vertical storage position (as shown) and an inclined operative
position.
[0052] The hinge assembly includes a rotation shaft 150 and
rotating shaft holes 151 corresponding to the rotation shaft 150.
The rotation shaft 150 protrudes from two lower opposing sides of
the cleaner body 100 and the rotating shaft holes are provided at
nozzle section 200 for retaining the rotation shaft 150.
[0053] The cleaner body 100 and nozzle section 200 are connected to
each other as the rotation shaft 150 is inserted into the rotating
shaft hole 151, allowing the cleaner body and the nozzle section to
rotate freely with respect to each other.
[0054] The nozzle section 200 includes a nozzle case 210, a suction
opening 211 which formed at the underside of the nozzle case 210,
and a rotating brush assembly which provided in the nozzle case
210. Front wheels 121 and rear wheels 120 are rotatably mounted to
underside of the nozzle case 210, respectively, to enable the
nozzle section 200 to smoothly move on a floor.
[0055] The suction opening 211 extends substantially across the
width of the nozzle case 210 at the front end thereof. And, the
suction opening 211 is in fluid communication with the cleaner body
100 through a first conduit 410.
[0056] The rotating brush assembly includes an agitator 220, an
agitator brush 230 which provided at the outer circumference of the
agitator 220, and a belt 240 for transferring the rotational force
of a suction source 180 to the agitator 220.
[0057] The agitator 220 and the agitator brush 230 are positioned
in the region of the suction opening 211 for contacting and
scrubbing the surface being vacuumed to loosen embedded dirt and
dust. That is, when the rotational force of the suction source 180
is transferred to the agitator 220, the agitator rotates and
brushes up contaminants from the surface being cleaned. The
rotating brush assembly may further include an agitator motor (not
shown) for driving the agitator.
[0058] A height adjustment knob 110 is rotatably mounted in the
nozzle section 200. The user rotates the height adjustment knob 110
with his/her hand to lift up and down a shaft supporting front
wheels (not shown) of the vacuum cleaner and thus adjust the height
of the nozzle section 200. It is preferred that the height
adjustment knob 110 is capable of adjusting the height of the
nozzle section step by step and in accordance with the state of the
surface to be cleaned.
[0059] The cleaner body 100 includes a control part (not shown) for
controlling the vacuum cleaner, the suction source 180 for
generating the required suction airflow for cleaning operations,
and a dust collector 300 for separating contaminants entrained in
the suction airflow passed through the suction opening 211.
[0060] The cleaner body may further comprise a coupling device
including a latch 327 and a coupling protrusion 190 for coupling
the dust collector 300 to the cleaner body 100. Also, the cleaner
body further comprises a socket 195 for holding selectively the
dust collector 300. The socket has a shape of a recess and several
grooves corresponding to the surface of the dust collector.
[0061] The suction source 180 including an electronic motor and a
fan generates a suction force in a suction source inlet 181 and an
exhaust force in a suction source outlet 183.
[0062] The suction source outlet 183 is in fluid communication with
a final filter assembly 600 for filtering the exhaust airflow of
any contaminants immediately prior to its discharge into the
atmosphere. The suction source inlet 181 is in fluid communication
with the dust collector 300 of the cleaner body 100. Of course, the
suction source could be disposed in the nozzle section 200.
[0063] The cleaner body 100 further includes a handle 700 extending
upward therefrom by which a user of the vacuum cleaner is able to
grasp and maneuver the vacuum cleaner. The handle 700 includes a
telescopic release lever 710 for adjusting the height of the handle
according to a height of the user.
[0064] The cleaner body 100 further includes a cord hook provided
at rear side of the cleaner body 100. The cord hook includes an
upper cord hook 141 and a lower cord hook 140 corresponding to the
upper cord hook. The space between the upper cord hook 141 and the
lower cord hook 140 is sufficient to accommodate the number of
turns necessary to store the entire length of the cord. A cord
holder (not shown) adjacent to the cord hook prevents the cord
releasing from its stored position.
[0065] The conduits include a first conduit 410 connecting the
suction opening 211 to dust collector 300, a second conduit 420
connecting the dust collector 300 to the suction source inlet 181,
and a third conduit 430 connecting the suction source outlet 183 to
the atmosphere.
[0066] The first conduit 410 including hoses is supported and
connected by fitting members. One side of a first fitting member
171 is connected to a first hose 411 and the other side of the
first fitting member 171 is connected to a passage 170 which is in
fluid communication with the suction opening 211.
[0067] A second fitting member 173 connects the first hose 411 to a
second hose 412 and a third fitting member 175 connects the second
hose 412 to the cleaner body. Each of first and second hose (411,
412) is connected detachably to the second fitting member 173.
[0068] The vacuum cleaner further includes body release lever13O
for an inclined operative position of the vacuum cleaner. The body
release lever13O is pivotably mounted on a mounting portion 131
which is provided at the nozzle section. The body release lever13O
has a locking protrusion 132 protruding from a side thereof. The
locking protrusion 132 is sequentially locked in the one or more
locking recess 135 provided at lower side of cleaner body.
[0069] When the vacuum cleaner is in use, with cleaner body 100
being rotated at a predetermined angle with respect to a surface to
be cleaned, a locking protrusion 132 is locked in one of the
inclined position recesses 135.
[0070] Hereinafter, the structures of the dust collector will be
described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7-9.
[0071] Referring to the FIGS. 7-9, the dust collector 300 comprises
a cyclonic chamber 320, a dust collecting container 330, a bottom
panel 340 which is positioned at lower end of the dust collecting
container 330 and a top cover 310 which is positioned at upper end
of the cyclonic chamber 320.
[0072] According to the present invention, the dust collecting
container and the cyclonic chamber are formed as one body.
[0073] The dust collector 300 further includes a dust collector
handle 350 which is provided on the exterior of the dust collecting
container 330 for handling the container. For coupling the dust
collector to the cleaner body, the latch 327 is positioned at the
upper end of the dust collector handle 350 and the coupling
protrusion (190, as shown FIG. 6) is formed at the front portion of
the cleaner body.
[0074] The cyclonic chamber 320 includes a primary cyclone 321 and
at least one secondary cyclone 323. The primary cyclone 321
separates dust and dirt from the suction airflow passed through the
suction opening 211. The secondary cyclone 323 separates dust and
dirt entrained in the airflow discharged form the primary cyclone
321.
[0075] The primary cyclone 321 has a downwardly-opened cylindrical
container shape. A primary airflow inlet 321a is formed through an
upper portion of the primary cyclone 321 at one side of the primary
cyclone 321. A primary airflow outlet 321b is formed through the
top of the primary cyclone 321 such that the primary airflow outlet
321b extends vertically.
[0076] The primary airflow inlet 321a is tangentially oriented and
arranged so that the airflow entering the primary cyclone 321
through the primary airflow inlet 321a moves cyclonically within
the primary cyclone 321. That is, the primary airflow inlet 321a
guides dirt-laden air into the cyclonic chamber 320 in a tangential
direction of the primary cyclone 321 so that the air flows spirally
along an inner wall surface of the primary cyclone 321.
[0077] The secondary cyclones 323 have peripheral walls formed
integrally with a peripheral wall of the cyclonic chamber 320,
respectively. The secondary cyclones 323 are partitioned each other
by peripheral walls of the secondary cyclones 323. The cyclonic
chamber 320 may be constructed as one body with the dust collecting
container 330 and define the dust collecting container 330 at least
partially.
[0078] In particular, the secondary cyclones 323 are
circumferentially arranged around the primary cyclone 321. Each
secondary cyclone 323 has an upper end upwardly protruded to a
level higher than that of the upper end of the primary cyclone
321.
[0079] The peripheral wall of each secondary cyclone 323 is
vertically cut out at a region where the peripheral wall is
upwardly protruded above the upper end of the primary cyclone 321,
thereby forming a secondary airflow inlet 323a communicating with
the primary airflow outlet 321b.
[0080] Each secondary cyclone 323 also has a cone shape in partial.
That is, the secondary cyclone 323 has a conical portion 323d
formed at a lower portion of the secondary cyclone 323 such that
the conical portion 323d has a diameter reduced gradually as the
conical portion extends toward the bottom of the dust collecting
container 330.
[0081] A contaminants discharge port 323c is formed at a lower end
of each secondary cyclone 323 to downwardly discharge contaminants
such as dust.
[0082] The secondary cyclones 323 have an integrated structure such
that adjacent ones of the secondary cyclones 323 are in contact
with each other to prevent air from being leaked between the
adjacent secondary cyclones 323.
[0083] The cyclonic chamber 320 may further include a chamber cover
325 mounted to the upper end of the cyclonic chamber 320 to open or
close the upper ends of the cyclonic chamber 320.
[0084] A flow passage guide 326 is provided at the underside of the
chamber cover 325. The flow passage guide 326 guides more smoothly
air emerging from the primary airflow outlet 321b to the secondary
cyclones 323. The flow passage guide 326 has a conical shape and
one end of the flow passage guide extends to the secondary airflow
inlet 323a.
[0085] The secondary airflow inlet 323a of each secondary cyclone
323 guides air discharged from the primary airflow outlet 321b to
flow in a tangential direction of the secondary cyclone 323 so that
the air entering the secondary airflow inlet 323a flows spirally
along an inner wall surface of the secondary cyclone 323.
[0086] Secondary airflow outlets 323b are formed at the chamber
cover 325 along the peripheral portion of the chamber cover 325 to
discharge air from the secondary cyclones 323, respectively.
[0087] Dust separated in the primary cyclone 321 and second
cyclones 323, which have the above-described configurations,
respectively, is stored in a dust storing part formed at the dust
collecting container 330. The stored dust is subsequently outwardly
discharged by virtue of gravity when the bottom panel 340 is
opened.
[0088] An opening/closing device 360 is mounted to the peripheral
wall of the dust collecting container 330 to open or close the
bottom panel 340. The opening/closing device 360 includes a locking
hook 361 for locking the bottom panel 340. Also, the bottom panel
340 includes a bottom hook 341 corresponding to the locking hook
361.
[0089] The dust collecting container 330 is preferably at least
partially transparent so that an operator of the vacuum cleaner is
able to view the level of dirt and dust accumulated therein for
purposes of determining when the dust collecting container should
be emptied.
[0090] The dust storing part includes a primary dust storing part
331 for storing the dust separated by the primary cyclone 321, and
a secondary dust storing part 333 for storing dust separated by the
secondary cyclones 323.
[0091] The primary dust storing part 331 and secondary dust storing
part 333 are partitioned by a substantially cylindrical boundary
wall 335, which is connected to the secondary cyclones 323, and has
a diameter smaller than that of the peripheral wall of the dust
collecting container330.
[0092] The boundary wall 335 has a lower end extending downward to
the bottom of the dust collecting container 330, that is, the upper
surface of the bottom panel 340, beyond the lower end of the
primary cyclone 321.
[0093] The boundary wall 335 may have a circumferentially
corrugated shape, in order to prevent the dust stored in the
primary dust storing part 331 from floating due to a spiral air
flow formed in the primary cyclone 321.
[0094] A sealing member 342 is mounted between the boundary wall
335 and the bottom panel 340. The sealing member 342 having a
cylindrical shape is a elastic material. The sealing member 342
prevents the primary dust storing part 331 from communicating with
the secondary dust storing part 333. The sealing member seals
airtightly the primary dust storing part and the secondary dust
storing part and then the dust collecting performance is
improved.
[0095] In addition to the above-described configuration, the dust
collector 300 according to the illustrated embodiment of the
present invention further includes a discharge member 370 mounted
on the upper end of the primary cyclone 321. Plurality of holes 371
are formed at a peripheral wall of the discharge member 370, in
order to allow the discharge member 370 to communicate with the
primary airflow outlet 321b of the primary cyclone 321.
[0096] It is preferred that the discharge member 370 be centrally
arranged in the primary cyclone 321, extend axially through the
primary cyclone 321, and have a substantially conical structure
having an opened upper end and a closed lower end while having a
diameter gradually reduced as the discharge member 370 extends
downward.
[0097] When the discharge member 370 has such a structure, the
velocity of the spiral air flow in the primary cyclone 321 is
gradually reduced toward the lower end of the primary cyclone 321.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust from being influenced by
a suction force exerted in the discharge member 370. Of course, the
discharge member 370 may have a cylindrical shape.
[0098] The upper end of the discharge member 370 is coupled
separably to the peripheral edge of the primary airflow outlet
321b. In detail, a coupling part 376 is coupled to a coupling
protrusion 321c formed at the upper edge of the primary airflow
outlet 321b.
[0099] An annular sealing member (not shown), which provides a
sealing effect for the dust collector, is interposed between the
upper end of the discharge member 370 and the primary airflow
outlet 321b.
[0100] A floatation prevention member 373 may also be mounted to
the lower end of the discharge member 370, in order to prevent the
dust collected in the primary dust storing part 331 from rising due
to the spiral air flow, and thus, from entering the secondary
cyclones 323.
[0101] For such a function, it is preferred that the floatation
prevention member 373 have an inclined portion formed integrally
with the lower end of the discharge member 370. It is also
preferred that the inclined portion has a radially-extending and
downwardly-inclined upper surface. Specifically, the floatation
prevention member 373 has a conical structure having a diameter
gradually increased as the floatation prevention member 373 extends
downward.
[0102] Also, it is preferred that a cross blade 375 is attached
under the inclined portion for preventing swirling airflow in the
primary dust storing part 331 additionally. If there is no cross
blade 375, then the air turbulence will occur causing more dust to
rise up. Of course, the structure of the floatation prevention
member 373 does not be restricted in this embodiment.
[0103] The dust collector 300 also includes a guide rib 380
provided at the primary cyclone 321. The guide rib 380 guides air
entering the primary airflow inlet 321a to flow in a direction
tangential to the inner peripheral wall surface of the primary
cyclone 321. That is, the guide rib 380 prevents the air entering
the primary airflow inlet 321a from being directly introduced into
the discharge member 370.
[0104] Meanwhile, a main filter assembly 500 located on the dust
collector 300 for filtering contaminants from the airflow
discharged form the secondary cyclone 323.
[0105] The main filter assembly 500 includes a filter housing 510
and a main filter element 520 mounted in the filter housing 510 and
a filter housing knob 530 for handling the filter housing.
[0106] The filter housing 510 coupled detachably to the cleaner
body receives and retains the main filter element 520. The filter
housing 510 includes a plurality of apertures, slots, or other
passages formed therethrough, preferably in the lower half thereof,
so that the suction airflow flows freely from the cover discharge
port 313 into the filter housing 510 and to the main filter element
520.
[0107] It is preferable that the main filter element 520 is made of
permeable material. For cleaning the main filter element 520, the
user is able to detach the filter housing 510 from the cleaner body
by rotating and drawing out the filter housing knob 530.
[0108] The preferred main filter element 520 comprises Porex. RTM.
brand high density polyethylene-based open-celled porous media
available commercially from Porex Technologies Corp., Fairburn, Ga.
30213, or an equivalent foraminous filter member. This preferred
main filter element 520 is a rigid open-celled foam that is
moldable, machinable, and otherwise workable into any shape as
deemed advantageous for a particular application.
[0109] The main filter assembly 500 may further include a filter
supporter (not shown) for supporting and fixing the main filter
element 520. The filter supporter is formed at the inner frame of
the filter housing. Also, the main filter assembly 500 may be
positioned in the top cover 310.
[0110] The cleaner body 100 also comprises a final filter assembly
600 for filtering the suction airflow immediately prior to its
exhaustion into the atmosphere. The preferred final filter assembly
600 includes a final filter element 610 and a final filter housing
620 for retaining the final filter element.
[0111] The final filter element 610 is preferably a high efficiency
particulate arrest (HEPA) filter element in a sheet or block form.
The final filter housing 620 has protective grid or grate structure
for securing the final filter element 610 in place.
[0112] The vacuum cleaner may further include an auxiliary filter
assembly (not shown) disposed downstream from the main filter
assembly. The auxiliary filter assembly includes an auxiliary
filter element (not shown), a filter supporter for supporting and
installing the auxiliary filter element, and an auxiliary filter
housing (not shown) for retaining the auxiliary filter element.
[0113] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the final
filter assembly 600 will remove the contaminant such that only
contaminant-free air is discharged into the atmosphere.
[0114] Operation of the vacuum cleaner, in which the dust collector
300 according to the illustrated embodiment of the present
invention is incorporated, will now be described referring to FIGS.
1-9.
[0115] When the vacuum cleaner operates, the suction source 180
establishes a suction force at its suction source inlet 181, in the
elongated the first conduit, and thus in the primary cyclone
321.
[0116] This suction force or negative pressure in primary cyclone
321 is communicated to the suction opening 211 formed in the nozzle
underside through the hoses and associated fitting members. This,
then, in combination with the scrubbing action of the rotating
brush assembly causes dust and dirt from the surface being cleaned
to be entrained in the suction airflow and pulled into the primary
cyclone 321 through the primary airflow inlet 321a.
[0117] The air introduced into the primary cyclone 321 is guided by
the guide rib 380 to flow in a direction tangential to the inner
peripheral surface of the primary cyclone 321 without being
directly introduced into the discharge member 370, thereby forming
a spiral flow.
[0118] In the instance, the air acquires a certain swirling force,
and the swirling force separates heavy and large dust particles. As
a result, relatively heavy and large dust is separated from the air
in accordance with the cyclone principle, and is then stored in the
primary dust storing part 331 after falling downward.
[0119] The dust stored in the primary dust storing part 331 is
prevented from floating in accordance with the functions of the
floatation prevention member 373 and corrugated boundary wall
335.
[0120] The air, from which relatively heavy and large dust has been
separated, is discharged from the primary cyclone 321 through the
primary airflow outlet 321b communicating with the holes 371 formed
at the peripheral wall of the discharge member 370.
[0121] The finer dust is then filtered through the discharge member
370 placed between the primary cyclone 321 and the secondary
cyclones 323. Also, the air is then introduced into the secondary
cyclones 323 so that the air is again subjected to a dust
separation process, in order to separate relatively light and fine
dust from the air.
[0122] The air, from which relatively light and fine dust has been
separated in the secondary cyclones 323, is introduced into the
interior of the top cover 310 detachably connected to the dust
collecting container 330.
[0123] The air introduced into the interior of the top cover 310 is
discharged through a cover discharge port 313 formed at the center
of the top cover 310. The air emerging from the cover discharge
port 313 is introduced into the main filter assembly 500.
[0124] Then, the air passes through the apertures formed in the
filter housing 510, passes through the main filter element 520 so
that residual contaminants are removed, and exits the main filter
assembly 500. The air discharging from the main filter assembly 500
is introduced into the suction source 180 through the second
conduit 420. Then, the air emerging from the suction source outlet
183 is introduced into the final filter assembly 600 through the
third conduit 430.
[0125] In the final filter assembly 600, the air is filtered again
by the HEPA filter to remove any contaminants that passed through
the dust collector 300 and the main filter assembly 500. The air
passed through the final filter assembly 600 outwardly is
discharged from the vacuum cleaner to atmosphere.
[0126] The invention has been described with reference to the
preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations
will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding
detailed description. It is intended that the invention be
construed as including all such modifications and alterations
insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the
equivalents thereof.
[0127] The above-described vacuum cleaner according to the present
invention has various effects.
[0128] First, in accordance with the present invention, there is
advantage in that the vacuum cleaner has a low flow resistance by
virtue of the flow passage guide guiding the airflow smoothly.
[0129] Second, in accordance with the present invention, there is
further advantage in that it is possible to enhance the dust
collecting performance of the dust collector by virtue of the
provision of the sealing member adapted to provide a sealing effect
between the primary and secondary dust storing parts.
[0130] Third, in accordance with the present invention, there is
still further advantage in that the vacuum cleaner separates dust
and dirt from the airflow and deposits the dust and dirt into the
dust collecting container easily and conveniently.
* * * * *