U.S. patent application number 11/653685 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for airflow system for bagless vacuum cleaner.
Invention is credited to J. Erik Hitzelberger, Henry Marcussen, Michael J. McCormick, Tamaki Nishikori, Hiroshi Nishimura, Eric J. Streciwilk.
Application Number | 20070113372 11/653685 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22895387 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070113372 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCormick; Michael J. ; et
al. |
May 24, 2007 |
Airflow system for bagless vacuum cleaner
Abstract
A bagless vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a
suction nozzle for picking up dirt and debris from a surface to be
cleaned and a canister assembly including a cavity. A dust
collection assembly is received and held in that cavity. The dust
collection assembly includes a filtering subassembly and a dust
container. The dust container has an open top, a bottom wall, a
first cylindrical sidewall, an inlet, and a downwardly directed
outlet extending through the bottom wall. An airstream conduit is
provided for conveying a vacuum airstream between the suction
nozzle and the inlet. A suction fan and suction fan drive motor
carried on either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly
generates the vacuum airstream for drawing dirt and debris through
the suction nozzle, the airstream conduit and the dust
container.
Inventors: |
McCormick; Michael J.; (Long
Beach, CA) ; Marcussen; Henry; (Danville, KY)
; Hitzelberger; J. Erik; (Danville, KY) ;
Nishikori; Tamaki; (Kusatsu, JP) ; Nishimura;
Hiroshi; (Gamo-Gun, JP) ; Streciwilk; Eric J.;
(Perryville, KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KING & SCHICKLI, PLLC
247 NORTH BROADWAY
LEXINGTON
KY
40507
US
|
Family ID: |
22895387 |
Appl. No.: |
11/653685 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10380604 |
Sep 5, 2003 |
|
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|
PCT/US01/30910 |
Oct 3, 2001 |
|
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11653685 |
Jan 16, 2007 |
|
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60237832 |
Oct 3, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/351 ; 15/353;
15/389 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 55/03 20130101;
A47L 9/1666 20130101; A47L 9/1691 20130101; A47L 9/1683 20130101;
A47L 5/30 20130101; A47L 9/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/351 ;
015/353; 015/389 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/16 20060101
A47L009/16; A47L 5/30 20060101 A47L005/30 |
Claims
1.) An upright vacuum cleaner, comprising a nozzle assembly
including a suction nozzle for picking up dirt and debris from a
surface to be cleaned; a canister assembly pivotally mounted to
said nozzle assembly and including a control handle; a bagless
means for collecting dirt and debris cleaned from said surface,
said bagless means including a washable dust container; an agitator
held in said nozzle assembly; a beltless agitator drive motor
carried on one of said nozzle assembly and said canister assembly
for driving said agitator and lifting dirt and debris from said
surface; and a suction fan and beltless suction fan drive motor
carried on one of said nozzle assembly and said canister assembly
for generating a vacuum airstream for drawing dirt and debris
through said suction nozzle into said dust container.
2.) An upright vacuum cleaner, comprising: a nozzle assembly
including a suction nozzle; a canister assembly pivotally mounted
to said nozzle assembly and including a control handle; a dirt
collection assembly including a bagless dust container held in a
cavity on said canister assembly; an agitator held in said nozzle
assembly; a beltless agitator drive motor carried on one of said
nozzle assembly and said canister assembly; and a suction fan and
beltless suction fan drive motor carried on one of said nozzle
assembly and said canister assembly for generating a vacuum
airstream for drawing dirt and debris through said suction nozzle
into said bagless dust container.
3.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein said bagless dust
container includes a bottom wall and a cylindrical sidewall.
4.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein said bagless dust
container includes a tangentially directed inlet.
5.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein said bagless dust
container includes an outlet extending through said bottom
wall.
6.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of
said bagless dust container is annular.
7.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said dust collection
assembly further includes a filtering subassembly.
8.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein said filtering
subassembly includes a main body and a cooperating cover defining a
primary filter cavity.
9.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, further including a primary
filter positioned in said primary filter cavity and dividing said
primary filter cavity into an intake chamber and a discharge
chamber.
10.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein said primary filter is
an annular corrugated material filter.
11.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein said main body
includes a frustoconical wall around said intake chamber.
12.) The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, further including a prefilter
carried on said main body.
13.) A method of making an upright vacuum cleaner having a nozzle
assembly, a canister assembly, a suction generator and a dirt
collection vessel, comprising: equipping said upright vacuum
cleaner with a bagless dirt collection vessel; and driving a fan of
said suction generator and said agitator with a beltless drive
mechanism.
14.) The method of claim 13, further including providing said dirt
collection vessel with a cylindrical sidewall and a tangentially
directed inlet so as to produce air flow in a cyclonic path around
said dirt collection vessel.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/380,604 filed 5 Sep. 2003 which claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/237,832, filed Oct.
3, 2000.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the vacuum
cleaner art, and, more particularly, to a bagless vacuum cleaner
incorporating a novel air flow system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A recent consumer products trend has resulted in a rapid
increase in the popularity of bagless upright vacuum cleaners. Such
vacuum cleaners are equipped for bagless operation and generally
incorporate a washable and rigid dust container or cup for
collecting intermediate and larger particles of dirt and debris and
a second, upstream corrugated paper, porous foam or like filter or
filter cartridge for collecting smaller dirt and dust particles.
The intermediate and larger particles of dirt and debris are
collected in the dust container or cup usually by establishing a
vortex airstream therein which allows the heavier particles to be
separated from the airstream and collected in the bottom of the
container or cup. Generally, the container or cup is made from
transparent or translucent material so that the operator may
observe the "cyclonic" cleaning action. This seems to add
significantly to the customer satisfaction with the product. Of
course, the transparent or translucent container or cup also allows
the operator to confirm when the cup or container is nearing
capacity. At that time the vacuum cleaner may be switched off and
the cup or container removed for emptying into a garbage can or
other appropriate dirt receptacle.
[0004] While many available designs exist for bagless vacuum
cleaners it should be appreciated that further improvements in
design including improvements in air flow so as to provide more
cleaning power and more efficient operation are still desired. The
present invention meets this goal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in
accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described
herein, an improved bagless vacuum cleaner is provided. The bagless
vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a suction nozzle
for picking up dirt and debris from a surface to be cleaned and a
canister assembly including a cavity. The bagless vacuum cleaner
also includes a dust collection assembly. That dust collection
assembly includes a filtering subassembly and a dust container. The
dust container has an open top, a bottom wall and a first
cylindrical sidewall. The container also includes an inlet that in
at least one embodiment is directed tangentially with respect to
the first cylindrical sidewall in order to establish a vortex
airstream to allow efficient cleaning action. Still further, the
dust container includes a downwardly directed outlet which extends
through the bottom wall of the container. The bagless dust
collection assembly is received and held in the cavity in the
canister assembly.
[0006] The bagless vacuum cleaner further includes an airstream
conduit for conveying a vacuum airstream between the suction nozzle
and the inlet. Additionally, a suction fan and suction fan drive
motor is carried on either the nozzle assembly or the canister
assembly. The suction fan and cooperating suction fan drive motor
function to generate the vacuum airstream for drawing dirt and
debris through the suction nozzle, the airstream conduit and the
dust container.
[0007] More specifically describing the invention, the dust
container includes a second cylindrical sidewall concentrically
received within the first cylindrical sidewall so that at least a
portion of the dust container is annular. This second cylindrical
sidewall defines an exhaust pathway which is provided in fluid
communication with the outlet.
[0008] The filtering subassembly includes a main body and a
cooperating cover defining a primary filter cavity. A primary
filter is positioned in the primary filter cavity. The primary
filter divides the primary filter cavity into an intake chamber and
a discharge chamber. The primary filter may take the form of an
annular corrugated filter made from paper or other natural and/or
synthetic fiber materials appropriate for the intended purpose.
[0009] The main body of the filter subassembly includes a
downwardly depending exhaust conduit which provides fluid
communication between the discharge chamber and the exhaust pathway
leading to the outlet. Additionally, the main body includes a first
conical wall around the intake chamber.
[0010] A prefilter is carried on the main body. The prefilter
extends concentrically around the exhaust conduit but is spaced
therefrom so as to form an intake channel between the prefilter and
the exhaust conduit. The intake channel is provided in fluid
communication with the intake chamber. The prefilter may take the
form of a cylindrical open-ended screen.
[0011] An air current guide may be carried on the main body
adjacent the prefilter. The air current guide extends between the
prefilter and the second cylindrical sidewall. The air current
guide includes a disc-like separator and at least one downwardly
depending air current guide vane.
[0012] Once fully assembled a first gap having a width W.sub.1 is
formed between the prefilter and the first cylindrical sidewall of
the dust container. Further, the inlet includes a diameter D.sub.1.
The diameter D.sub.1 is .ltoreq.the width W.sub.1. In a typical
embodiment, diameter D.sub.1 is between about 30-35 and the width
W.sub.1 is between about 34 mm-36 mm. Additionally, a second gap
having a width W.sub.2 between about 12 mm-16 mm is provided
between an outer edge of the separator and the first cylindrical
sidewall.
[0013] The vacuum cleaner also includes a filter clicker carried on
the cover of the filtering subassembly. The filter clicker includes
a cleaning element having at least one projecting lug and an
actuator for rotating the cleaning element relative to the primary
filter. The primary filter preferably includes a frame for
supporting the corrugated filter material. A series of projecting
tabs extend from the frame. The projecting lug on the cleaning
element engages the series of projecting tabs on the frame
vibrating the frame and filter material held by the frame and
thereby cleaning dirt from the primary filter when the actuator is
manually manipulated.
[0014] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention a method is provided for directing airflow through a
bagless vacuum cleaner wherein that vacuum cleaner includes a
primary filter and a dust container having an inlet and an outlet.
The method includes the steps of directing the airflow from the
inlet around the dust container, drawing the airflow upwardly
through the primary filter and discharging the airflow downwardly
through the outlet by passing the airflow through a discharge
conduit extending through a bottom wall of the dust container.
[0015] In addition, the present invention may be broadly described
as relating to a novel bagless upright vacuum cleaner also
providing beltless operation. The bagless upright vacuum cleaner
includes a nozzle assembly having a suction nozzle for picking up
dirt and debris from a surface to be cleaned and a canister
assembly pivotally mounted to the nozzle assembly and including a
control handle. The upright vacuum cleaner also includes a washable
dust container providing a bagless means for collecting dirt and
debris cleaned from the surface. Additionally, an agitator is held
in the nozzle assembly. A beltless agitator drive motor carried on
the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly is provided for
driving the agitator and lifting dirt and debris from the surface.
A suction fan and beltless suction fan drive motor carried on the
nozzle assembly or the canister assembly generates a vacuum
airstream for drawing dirt and debris through the suction nozzle
into the dust container.
[0016] Still other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following
description wherein there is shown and described a preferred
embodiment of this invention simply by way of illustration of one
of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be
realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments
and its several details are capable of modification in various,
obvious aspects all without departing from the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0017] The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part
of this specification, illustrates several aspects of the present
invention, and together with the description serves to explain the
principles of the invention. In the drawing:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner constructed
in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the nozzle assembly
of the vacuum cleaner showing the agitator and agitator drive
arrangement.
[0020] FIG. 2a is a detailed cross-sectional view through the
agitator;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the dust
collection assembly incorporated into the vacuum cleaner of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dust collection
assembly; and
[0023] FIGS. 5a and 5b are cutaway, cross-sectional views through
the canister assembly showing the latch handle in the unlatched and
latched positions respectively.
[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 showing the vacuum cleaner
10 of the present invention. It should be appreciated that while an
upright vacuum cleaner 10 is illustrated, embodiments of the
present invention also include canister vacuum cleaners
incorporating a dust collection assembly 12 of the nature that will
be described in detail below.
[0026] The upright vacuum cleaner 10 illustrated includes a nozzle
assembly 16 and a canister assembly 18. The canister assembly 18
further includes a control handle 18 and a hand grip 22. The hand
grip 22 carries a control switch 24 for turning the vacuum cleaner
on and off. Of course, electrical power is supplied to the vacuum
cleaner 10 from a standard electrical wall outlet through a cord
(not shown).
[0027] At the lower portion of the canister assembly 18, rear
wheels 26 are provided to support the weight of the vacuum cleaner
10. A second set of wheels 27 allow the operator to raise and lower
the nozzle assembly 16 through selective manipulation of the height
adjustment switch 28. Such a height adjustment mechanism is well
known in the art and is exemplified, for example, by the
arrangement incorporated into the Kenmore Progressive Vacuum
Cleaner presently in the marketplace. To allow for convenient
storage of the vacuum cleaner 10, a foot latch (not shown)
functions to lock the canister assembly 18 in an upright position
as shown in FIG. 1. When the foot latch is released, the canister
assembly 18 may be pivoted relative to the nozzle assembly 16 as
the vacuum cleaner 10 is manipulated to-and-fro to clean the
floor.
[0028] The canister assembly 18 includes a cavity 32 adapted to
receive and hold the dust collection assembly 12. Additionally, the
canister assembly 18 carries a suction fan 34 and suction fan drive
motor 35. Together, the suction fan 34 and its cooperating drive
motor 35 function to generate a vacuum airstream for drawing dirt
and debris from the surface to be cleaned. While the suction fan 34
and suction fan drive motor 35 are illustrated as being carried on
the canister assembly 18, it should be appreciated that they could
likewise be carried on the nozzle assembly 16 if desired.
[0029] The nozzle assembly 16 includes a nozzle and agitator cavity
36 that houses a rotating agitator brush 38. The agitator brush 38
shown is rotatably driven by a motor 40 and cooperating gear drive
42 housed within the agitator and described in greater detail below
(see FIGS. 2 and 2a). In the illustrated vacuum cleaner 10, the
scrubbing action of the rotary agitator brush 38 and the negative
air pressure created by the suction fan 34 and drive motor 35
cooperate to brush and beat dirt and dust from the nap of the
carpet being cleaned and then draw the dirt and dust laden air from
the agitator cavity 36 to the dust collection assembly 12.
Specifically, the dirt and dust laden air passes serially through a
suction inlet and hose and/or an integrally molded conduit in the
nozzle assembly 16 and/or canister assembly 18 as is known in the
art. Next, it is delivered into the cyclonic dust collection
assembly 12 (described in greater detail below) which serves to
trap the suspended dirt, dust and other particles inside while
allowing the now clean air to pass freely through to the suction
fan 34, a final filtration cartridge 48 and ultimately to the
environment through the exhaust port 50.
[0030] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 2a which show the
mounting of the agitator motor 40 and associated gear drive 42 in
the agitator 38 in detail. As shown, the agitator 38 is mounted for
rotation relative to the nozzle assembly 16. Specifically, a first
end of the agitator 38 includes an end cap 52 which is supported on
bearings 54 on a stub shaft 55 held in mounting block 56 keyed into
slot 58 in the side of the nozzle assembly 16. An end cap 60 at the
opposite end of the agitator 38 is supported on bearings 62 mounted
on the housing 64 of the motor 40. As should be appreciated, the
motor 40 is fixed to the nozzle assembly 16 by means of the
mounting block 66 fixed to the motor housing 64 and keyed in the
slot 68 in the side of the nozzle assembly.
[0031] The motor 40 drives a shaft 70 including gear teeth 72. The
drive shaft 70 extends through a bearing 74 held in the hub 76 of
the planetary gear set carrier 78. In the most preferred embodiment
a fan 80 is keyed or otherwise secured to the distal end of the
drive shaft 70.
[0032] The planetary gear set carrier 78 includes three stub shafts
82 that each carry a planetary gear 84. Each of the planetary gears
84 include teeth that mesh with the gear teeth 72 of the drive
shaft 70. Additionally, the planetary gears 82 mesh with the teeth
of an annular gear 86 that is fixed to the agitator motor housing
64 by pin or other means. Thus, it should be appreciated that as
the drive shaft 70 is driven by the motor 40, the planetary gears
84 are driven around the annular gear 86, thereby causing the
planetary gear set carrier 78 to rotate.
[0033] Planetary gear set carrier 78 also includes a drive ring 88
and associated rubber drive boot 87 which includes a series of
spaced channels 89 that receive and engage axial ribs 91 projecting
inwardly radially from the inner wall of the agitator 38. Thus, the
rotation of the planetary gear set carrier 78 is transmitted by the
drive ring 88 and drive boot 87 directly to and causes like
rotation of the agitator 38. The rubber drive boot 87 provides the
necessary damping to insure the smooth transmission of power to the
agitator. Simultaneously with the rotation of the planetary gear
set carrier 78 and agitator 38, the drive shaft 70 also drives the
fan 80 at a ratio of between 4-1 to 10-1 and most preferably 6-1
with respect to the agitator 38. The resulting rapid rotation of
the fan 80 helps to ensure proper cooling of the agitator motor 40
during its operation.
[0034] The dust collection assembly 12 will now be described in
detail. The dust collection assembly 12 includes a filtering
subassembly generally designated by reference numeral 100 and a
dirt collection vessel or dust container 102. Dust container 102
includes an open top 104, a bottom wall 106 and a first cylindrical
sidewall 108. An inlet 110 is shown directed tangentially with
respect to the cylindrical sidewall 108. In this orientation, the
inlet 110 promotes the formation of a vortex airstream as described
in greater detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that
substantially any other inlet orientation could be utilized.
[0035] A downwardly directed outlet 112 extends through the bottom
wall 106. A second or inner cylindrical sidewall 114 is
concentrically received within the first cylindrical sidewall 108
so that at least a portion of the dust container 102 is annular. As
best shown in FIG. 3, the second cylindrical sidewall 114 defines
an exhaust passageway 116 provided in fluid communication with the
outlet 112.
[0036] The filtering subassembly 100 includes a main body 118 and a
cooperating cover 120. Together the main body 118 and cooperating
cover 120 define a primary filter cavity 122. A primary filter 124
is positioned in the primary filter cavity 122 and divides that
cavity into an intake chamber 126 and a discharge chamber 128. In
one embodiment, the primary filter 124 is an annular corrugated
filter made from paper or other natural and/or synthetic fiber
material with each of the corrugations held by a plastic frame 130.
That frame 130 includes a series of upwardly projecting tabs 132
radially arranged about the primary filter 124.
[0037] The main body 118 includes a downwardly depending exhaust
conduit 134 providing fluid communication between the discharge
chamber 128 and the exhaust pathway 116 leading to the outlet 112.
As also shown the main body 118 includes a frustoconical wall 136
defining the peripheral margin of the intake chamber 126.
[0038] A prefilter 138 is carried on the main body 118 below the
frustoconical wall 136. The prefilter 138 is shown as comprising a
cylindrical open-ended screen which extends concentrically around
the exhaust conduit 134 so as to form an intake channel 140 between
the prefilter 138 and the exhaust conduit 134. Of course, other
materials such as a porous plastic could be used for the prefilter.
The intake channel 140 is provided in fluid communication with the
intake chamber 126 through spaced openings 142 in the base 144 of
the main body 118.
[0039] As further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an air current guide,
generally designated by reference numeral 146 is carried by the
main body 118 adjacent the prefilter 138. The air current guide 146
extends between the prefilter 138 and the second cylindrical
sidewall 114 of the dust container 102. As shown the air current
guide 146 includes a disc shaped separator 148 and one or more
downwardly depending air current guide vanes 150. The air current
guide vane is canted inwardly between 0.degree.-30.degree. from the
vertical toward the second cylindrical sidewall 114. The function
of the separator 148 and guide vane 150 will be described in
greater detail below.
[0040] In operation, dirt and debris lifted by the agitator brush
38 and drawn through the suction inlet and hose passes through the
inlet 110. Inlet 110 directs the air to tangentially flow in a
cyclonic path (note action arrows A in FIG. 3) around the dust
container 102. Specifically, the air first flows around a prefilter
138 with the heavier debris falling under the force of gravity
toward the bottom of the dust container 102. The air current guide
vane 150 helps maintain smooth, uninterrupted and unturbulent
cyclonic flow in order to maximize cleaning action. Further, the
inward cant of the guide vane causes dirt and debris entrained in
the airstream A to move toward the center of the dust container
102. This effectively compacts the dirt and debris allowing the
dust container to fill to a higher capacity. The largest and
heaviest of the dirt and debris entrained in the vacuum airstream
delivered into the dust container 102 through the inlet 110 settles
to the bottom wall 106 of the dust container.
[0041] The vacuum airstream now devoid of the relatively larger and
heavier dust, debris and particles is drawn through the prefilter
screen 138 into the intake channel 140. The screen includes pores
having a diameter of between substantially 40 .mu.m and 300 .mu.m.
Relatively intermediate size dust, dirt and debris too light to
settle to the bottom of the dust container 102 but too large to
pass through the prefilter screen 138 is removed from the vacuum
airstream by the prefilter screen. There this material collects and
gradually accumulates into a heavier mass which will eventually
fall under the force of gravity onto the separator 148 where it
will be displaced by the moving airstream and drop down into the
bottom of the dust container 102.
[0042] As best shown by action arrow B, the vacuum airstream moving
through the prefilter screen 138 into the intake channel 140 is
then drawn through one of the apertures 142 in the main body 118
into the intake chamber 126. From the intake chamber 126 the vacuum
airstream is drawn upwardly through the primary filter 124 which
removes substantially all of the remaining fine dust from the
airstream. Next the vacuum airstream is drawn into the discharge
chamber 128. From there the vacuum airstream is redirected
downwardly through the exhaust conduit 134 and then the exhaust
passageway 116 to the outlet 112. From there the airstream passes
through a foam or sponge rubber filter pad 152 carried at the
bottom wall of the cavity 32 in the canister assembly 18. That
filter pad 152 covers the inlet to a passageway (not shown) leading
to the suction fan 34. From there the vacuum airstream is exhausted
over the suction fan drive motor 35 to provide cooling and is
delivered through a sound muffling passageway to the final
filtration cartridge 48 and then it is exhausted through the
exhaust port 50.
[0043] The flow of the vacuum airstream is carefully shaped and
controlled throughout its passage through the vacuum cleaner 10 in
order to ensure the highest possible cleaning efficiency. Toward
this end a first gap 154 having a width W.sub.1 of between about 34
mm and 36 mm is provided between the prefilter screen 138 and the
first cylindrical sidewall 108. The inlet 110 is provided with a
diameter D.sub.1 of between about 30 mm and 35 mm. In the most
preferred embodiment diameter D.sub.1.ltoreq.the width W.sub.1.
[0044] Additionally, a second gap 156 having a width W.sub.2
between about 12 mm and 16 mm is provided between an outer edge of
the separator 148 and the first cylindrical sidewall 108. The width
W.sub.2 of the gap 156 must be carefully controlled as it allows
the separator 148 to concentrate the vacuum airflow from the inlet
110 in the area of the prefilter screen 138 away from the dirt and
debris collecting in the bottom of the dust container 102. This is
done while simultaneously maintaining a sufficiently large gap 156
to allow the free passage of the larger, heavier dirt and dust
particles entrained in the airstream into the lower portion of the
dust container 102 where they can be collected.
[0045] During vacuuming, the dust container 102 will gradually fill
with dirt and debris which will also collect on the prefilter
screen 138. Further, fine dust particles will be collected on the
primary filter 124. By forming the dust container 102 and the cover
120 of the filtering subassembly 100 from transparent or
translucent plastic material it is possible to visually monitor and
inspect the condition of the dust container and primary filter 124
during vacuuming. Following vacuuming or as otherwise necessary it
is easy to dispose of this dirt and debris. Specifically, the
vacuum cleaner is turned off and the dust collection assembly 12 is
removed from the cavity 32 in the canister assembly 18. This may be
done by lifting and releasing the latch handle 158 (the operation
of which is described in greater detail below) or by simply pulling
the dust collection assembly 12 from its nested position if no
latch is provided. The latch handle 158 is pivotally connected to
the cover 120 and serves as a simple and convenient means of
handling the dust collection assembly 12.
[0046] A filter clicker, generally designated by reference numeral
160, allows easy cleaning of the primary filter 124. More
specifically, the filter clicker 160 includes a revolving cleaning
element 162 shown with a pair of projecting lugs 164. An exposed
actuator 166 is carried on the top of the cover 120. The actuator
166 includes a hub 168 which projects through an opening in the
cover 120 and engages in a cooperating socket provided in the
cleaning element 162. By manually rotating the actuator 166, the
cleaning element 162 is likewise rotated and the projecting lugs
164 engage with each of the series of projecting tabs 132 on the
frame 130 of the primary filter 124. As the projecting lugs 164
resiliently snap past the projecting tabs 132, the corrugated
filter material is vibrated shaking the fine dust and dirt
particles from the primary filter 124. Since the projecting tabs
132 are provided around the outer margin of the frame, greater
vibration is produced for better cleaning action. These dust and
dirt particles then drop under the force of gravity and slide down
the frustoconical sidewall 136 of the main body, pass through the
aperture 142 and drop down into the bottom 170 of the intake
channel 140 where they are captured.
[0047] The cover 120 is then removed from the dust container 102 by
twisting. When separated the filtering subassembly 100 including
the main body 118, cover 120, prefilter screen 138 and air current
guide 146 stay together as a unit. As the filtering subassembly 100
and the dust container 102 are separated, the bottom 170 of the
intake channel 140 opens and the fine dirt and debris that is
collected there from the cleaning of the primary filter 124 falls
under the force of gravity into the bottom of the dust container
102. Similarly, any relatively light dirt and debris remaining on
the prefilter screen 138 or the upper ledge of the separator 148
falls easily to the bottom of the container with minor shaking of
the filtering subassembly 100 during its removal from the
container. The dirt and debris is then dumped from the container
102 into a garbage receptacle. The filtering subassembly 100 is
then rejoined with the dust container 102 by twisting the cover 120
onto the threaded upper end of the dust container 102 and the
entire dust collection assembly 12 is then repositioned in the
cavity 32 in the canister assembly 18 with the inlet 110 in
communication with a coupling 47 in communication with the hose or
other conduit leading to the nozzle and the outlet 112 in
communication with the port 113 leading to the suction fan 34.
[0048] As best shown in FIGS. 3, 5a and 5b, the latch handle 158 is
pivotally connected to the cover 120 by opposed stub shafts 200
received in cooperating opposed apertures in the cover. Springs 201
bias the latch handle to the latched position resting flat against
the cover 120. When disengaged or unlatched, the latch handle 158
may be utilized in the manner of a handle of a pail to conveniently
hold and manipulate the dust collection assembly 12. As the dust
collection assembly 12 is being secured in the cavity 32 the latch
handle 158 is utilized to provide a positive connection.
[0049] More specifically, the latch handle 158 includes a pair of
spaced cams 202 that engage a cooperating lip or shoulder 204 on
the canister assembly 18. Thus, as the latch handle 158 is pressed
downwardly toward the cover 120, the cams 202 engage the shoulder
204 thereby forcing the dust collection assembly 12 rearwardly and
downwardly. This dual action firmly seats the inlet 110 in the
coupling 47 and the outlet 112 in the port 113 leading to the
suction fan 34. As a result, a good seal is provided at each
connection, vacuum pressure losses are avoided and peak operating
efficiency of the suction fan is insured.
[0050] Under certain circumstances, such as after extended heavy
duty service, it may become necessary to access the primary filter
124. This is relatively easily accomplished. More particularly, the
main body 118 and the cover 120 of the filtering subassembly 100
are connected together by means of the upstanding mounting flange
170 on the main body which provides either a threaded or a fiction
fit in the cooperating groove 172 of the cover 120. Accordingly,
the cover 120 may be pulled from the main body 118 to open the
primary filter cavity 122. The primary filter 124 is then replaced
with a new filter. The cover 120 is then repositioned on the main
body 118 by inserting the mounting flange 170 in the cooperating
groove 172 and completing the reconnection.
[0051] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of
this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For
example, a back light 180 could be provided behind the dust
collection assembly 12 in the cavity 32 of the canister assembly 18
to visually enhance monitoring of the airflow and/or dirt level in
the dust container 102. The vacuum cleaner 10 could also include a
bypass valve (not shown) in the airstream conduit upstream from the
inlet 110. The valve could be spring loaded to permit only high
velocity air flow into the dust container 102. If desired, a
performance indicator of the type presently found on the Kenmore
Model 38912 upright vacuum cleaner could be provided in the
airstream conduit to give a true indication of vacuum cleaner
performance. Further, while the vacuum cleaner is described with an
agitator drive motor held in the agitator, the drive motor could be
positioned outside of the agitator in either the nozzle assembly or
the canister assembly in any manner desired.
[0052] The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best
illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical
application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to
utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All
such modifications and variations are within the scope of the
invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in
accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and
equitably entitled.
* * * * *