U.S. patent application number 12/070763 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-05 for stick type vacuum cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jung-gyun Han, Jin-gon Lee, Jang-keun Oh.
Application Number | 20090056060 12/070763 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40029204 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090056060 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Han; Jung-gyun ; et
al. |
March 5, 2009 |
Stick type vacuum cleaner
Abstract
A stick type vacuum cleaner is provided. The stick type vacuum
cleaner includes a suction port assembly and a stick unit having a
first end is engaged with a first side of the suction port assembly
and a second end having a handgrip. The suction port assembly
includes a casing part comprising a suction port through which air
and dust is drawn from the object being cleaned, a suction force
generating unit formed inside the casing part to generate a suction
force, a dust separating unit to separate and accommodate dust from
the drawn air and dust, and a power supply unit to supply power to
the suction force generating unit. The suction force generating
unit is disposed between the suction port and the dust separating
unit so that the drawn air and dust is passed through the suction
force generating unit before being introduced into the dust
separating unit.
Inventors: |
Han; Jung-gyun;
(Gwangju-city, KR) ; Oh; Jang-keun; (Gwangju-city,
KR) ; Lee; Jin-gon; (Gwangju-city, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Paul D. Greeley;Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero & Perle, L.L.P.
One Landmark Square, 10th Floor
Stamford
CT
06901-2682
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
40029204 |
Appl. No.: |
12/070763 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/349 ;
15/159.1; 15/347; 15/383 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/30 20130101; A47L
5/28 20130101; A47L 5/12 20130101; A47L 9/1608 20130101; A47L
9/1683 20130101; A47L 9/1691 20130101; A47L 9/1666 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/349 ; 15/383;
15/347; 15/159.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/16 20060101
A47L009/16; A47L 5/22 20060101 A47L005/22; A47L 9/10 20060101
A47L009/10; A46B 5/00 20060101 A46B005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 28, 2007 |
KR |
2007-86690 |
Claims
1. A stick type vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction port assembly
movable along an object being cleaned to draw in dust and air from
the object; and a stick unit in which a first end is engaged with a
first side of the suction port assembly and a second end comprises
a handgrip so that a user can grip the handgrip to move the suction
port assembly along the object being cleaned, wherein the suction
port assembly comprises: a casing part comprising a suction port
through which the air and dust is drawn from the object being
cleaned, a suction force generating unit formed inside the casing
part to generate a suction force, a dust separating unit to
separate the dust from the drawn air and dust and accommodate the
separated dust therein, and a power supply unit to supply power to
the suction force generating unit, and wherein the suction force
generating unit is disposed between the suction port and the dust
separating unit so that the drawn air and dust passes through the
suction force generating unit before being introduced into the dust
separating unit.
2. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the suction
force generating unit comprises: an impeller exposed to a passage
defined between the suction port and the dust separating unit, the
impeller being configured to generate the suction force by
rotational movement; and a suction motor to receive a power from
the power supply unit and rotate the impeller.
3. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the dust
separating unit comprises: a cyclone chamber to separate dust from
the air and dust drawn through the suction port by using a
centrifugal force; and a dust collecting chamber to accommodate the
dust separated from the cyclone chamber.
4. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the dust
separating unit comprises: a cyclone dust separating unit in which
the cyclone chamber and the dust collecting chamber are arranged in
parallel, in a manner such that a cyclone inlet is formed on a
first end and the cyclone chamber and the dust collecting chamber
are open in a second end; and a side cover to cover the second side
of the cyclone dust separating unit, the side cover comprising an
air discharge pipe to guide the air to be discharged from the
cyclone chamber.
5. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein the dust
separating unit comprises: a filter member formed on an outer
surface of the side cover to filter remaining dust from the air
being discharged from the cyclone chamber; and a filter support
member removably formed on the outer surface of the side cover to
support the filter member formed on the side cover.
6. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein the filter
support member comprises at least one air passing hole.
7. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein an upper side
of the cyclone dust separating unit is made out of a transparent
material to enable a user to see the cyclone chamber and the dust
collecting chamber therethrough.
8. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the casing
part comprises a dust separating unit chamber so that the dust
separating unit is removably housed in the dust separating unit
chamber.
9. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the suction
port assembly further comprises: a rotatable brush movably formed
in the suction port; and a rotatable brush motor to drive the
rotatable brush.
10. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein the rotatable
brush motor receives power from the power generating unit.
11. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the stick
part comprises: an engaging part engaged to the first side of the
suction port assembly; a stick type extension part extended from
the engaging part; and a handgrip formed on one end of the
stick-type extension part.
12. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the power
supply unit comprises a battery removably disposed inside the
casing part.
13. A stick type vacuum cleaner comprising: a stick-type extension
part having a handgrip part formed at a first end thereof; a casing
part comprising a suction port and stick engaging part, the stick
engaging part being configured to engage a second end of the
stick-type extension part; a suction force generating unit inside
the casing part to generate a suction force, the suction force
being configured to draw in air and dust from an object being
cleaned through the suction port; a dust separating unit to
separate and collect the dust from the air and dust; and a battery
removably inside the casing part, the battery being configured to
supply power to the suction force generating unit, wherein the
suction force generating unit is disposed between the suction port
and the dust separating unit so that the drawn air and dust passes
through the suction force generating unit before being introduced
into the dust separating unit.
14. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the suction
force generating unit comprises: an impeller exposed to a passage
defined between the suction port and the dust separating unit, the
impeller being configured to generate the suction force by
rotational movement; and a suction motor to receive a power from
the battery and rotate the impeller.
15. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the dust
separating unit comprises: a cyclone chamber to separate dust from
the air and dust drawn through the suction port by using a
centrifugal force; and a dust collecting chamber to accommodate the
dust separated from the cyclone chamber.
16. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the casing
part comprises a dust separating unit chamber so that the dust
separating unit is removably housed in the dust separating unit
chamber.
17. The stick type vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the casing
part further comprises: a rotatable brush movably formed in the
suction port; and a rotatable brush motor to drive the rotatable
brush, wherein the rotatable brush motor receives power from the
battery.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent
Application No. 2007-0086690, filed Aug. 28, 2007 in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a stick type vacuum
cleaner, and more particularly, to a stick type vacuum cleaner,
which has a power supply unit such as a battery of increased
lifespan, and is capable of reducing noise level.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Vacuum cleaners are among the most widely used home
electronic appliances. Vacuum cleaners draw in air and dust from a
surface being cleaned, using a suction force generated by a vacuum
source.
[0006] A canister vacuum cleaner includes a main body, a suction
port assembly, and a connecting part. The main body includes a
suction force generating unit and a dust separating unit to
separate dust from air and collect the separated dust. The suction
force generating unit includes an impeller which is generally
rotatably installed, and a suction motor to rotate the impeller.
The suction port assembly moves along an object being cleaned,
drawing in dust and air through a suction port. The connecting part
connects the suction port assembly with the main body, and includes
a handgrip, an extension pipe to connect the suction port assembly
and the handgrip, and a flexible hose to connect the handgrip and
the main body.
[0007] The canister type vacuum cleaner includes a power line which
is exposed to outside to supply power to the suction force
generating unit. Generally, a plug formed on one end of the power
line is inserted in a socket formed in walls of a room to supply
power to the suction force generating unit.
[0008] Meanwhile, a user of a canister type vacuum cleaner moves
not only the suction port assembly, but also the main body engaged
with the suction port assembly. While using the vacuum cleaner, the
user has to be careful not to hit the objects nearby.
[0009] A stick type vacuum cleaner is one of those cleaners that
are proposed to overcome such inconveniences mentioned above. In
terms of appearance, a stick type vacuum cleaner is similar to a
canister type cleaner in that it includes a suction port assembly,
an extension pipe and a handgrip. However, a stick type vacuum
cleaner skips the main body, and instead accommodates a suction
force generating unit and a dust separating unit in the suction
port assembly. The suction port assembly of the stick type vacuum
cleaner draws in dust using a suction force generated therefrom,
and also collects the separated dust therein. Furthermore, the
stick type vacuum cleaner usually accommodates a power supply unit
such as a battery in the suction force generating unit to supply
power to the suction force generating unit, and so does not require
a separate power line.
[0010] In most of stick type vacuum cleaners, a suction force
generating unit is arranged at a rear portion of the dust
separating unit. Accordingly, a vacuum pressure of the suction
force generating unit is transmitted to the suction port via the
dust separating unit. However, the dust separating unit can be
damaged by the vacuum pressure being transmitted to the suction
port. Therefore, the suction force generating unit has to rotate
the impeller at relatively fast speed to overcome loss of pressure
in the dust separating unit and to provide the suction port with
sufficient suction force.
[0011] When the suction force generating unit is arranged at a rear
side of the cleaner like in the stick type vacuum cleaner, the
suction force generating unit consumes a relatively large amount of
power, causing decrease of life span of the power supply unit such
as battery which supplies power to the suction force generating
unit. Furthermore, the impeller generates offensive noise during
its fast rotation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the
above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a
stick type vacuum cleaner which has a power supply unit of
increased lifespan, and is capable of reducing noise level of the
suction force generating unit.
[0013] An aspect of the present disclosure provides a stick type
vacuum cleaner which includes a suction port assembly movable along
an object being cleaned to draw in dust and air from the object,
and a stick unit in which a first end is engaged with a first side
of the suction port assembly and a second end comprises a handgrip
so that a user can grip the handgrip to move the suction port
assembly along the object being cleaned. The suction port assembly
may include a casing part comprising a suction port through which
air and dust is drawn from the object being cleaned, a suction
force generating unit formed inside the casing part to generate a
suction force, a dust separating unit to separate dust from the
drawn air and dust and accommodate the separated dust therein, and
a power supply unit to supply power to the suction force generating
unit. The suction force generating unit may be disposed between the
suction port and the dust separating unit so that the drawn air and
dust pass through the suction force generating unit before being
introduced into the dust separating unit.
[0014] The suction force generating unit may include an impeller
disposed to be exposed to a passage defined between the suction
port and the dust separating unit, to generate the suction force by
rotational movement, and a suction motor to receive a power from
the power supply unit and rotate the impeller.
[0015] The dust separating unit may include a cyclone chamber to
separate dust from the air and dust drawn through the suction port
by using a centrifugal force, and a dust collecting chamber to
accommodate the dust separated from the cyclone chamber.
[0016] The dust separating unit may include a cyclone dust
separating unit in which the cyclone chamber and the dust
collecting chamber are arranged in parallel, in a manner such that
a cyclone inlet is formed on a first end and the cyclone chamber
and the dust collecting chamber are open in a second end, and a
side cover to cover the second side of the cyclone dust separating
unit, and comprising an air discharge pipe to guide the air to be
discharged from the cyclone chamber.
[0017] The dust separating unit may include a filter member formed
on an outer surface of the side cover to filter remaining dust from
the air being discharged from the cyclone chamber, and a filter
support member removably formed on the outer surface of the side
cover to support the filter member formed on the side cover.
[0018] The filter support member may include at least one air
passing hole.
[0019] An upper side of the cyclone dust separating unit may be
made out of a transparent material to enable a user to see the
cyclone chamber and the dust collecting chamber therethrough.
[0020] The casing part may include a dust separating unit chamber
so that the dust separating unit is removably housed in the dust
separating unit chamber.
[0021] The suction port assembly may further include a rotatable
brush movably formed in the suction port, and a rotatable brush
motor to drive the rotatable brush.
[0022] The rotatable brush motor may receive power from the power
generating unit.
[0023] The stick part may include an engaging part engaged to a
first side of the suction port assembly, a stick type extension
part extended from the engaging part, and a handgrip formed on one
end of the stick-type extension part.
[0024] The power generating unit may include a battery removably
disposed inside the casing part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will
be more apparent from the following detailed description of
exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a partial, exploded perspective view of a stick
type vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a suction port assembly
of the stick type vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 from which an upper
casing is removed;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a partial, exploded perspective view of a dust
separating unit f the stick type vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a side cover of
the dust separating unit of FIG. 3 from different direction;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view taken on line V-V of FIG. 1;
and
[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view taken on line VI-VI of FIG.
1.
[0032] Throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference numerals
will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and
structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0033] The matters defined in the description such as a detailed
construction and elements are provided to assist in a comprehensive
understanding of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
various changes and modifications of the embodiments described
herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of
the disclosure. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and
constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a stick type vacuum cleaner 1
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
includes a suction port assembly 100, and a stick part 200.
[0035] The suction port assembly 100 is disposed to be moved along
an object being cleaned, and to draw in dust from the object and
collect the drawn dust therein. The stick part 200 is engaged with
a rear portion of the suction port assembly 100 to facilitate a
user's operation of the suction port assembly 100 along the object
being cleaned. The stick part 200 includes an engaging part 210
formed on a rear portion of the suction port assembly 100, a
stick-type extension part 220 extending from the engaging part 210,
and a handgrip 230 formed on an upper portion of the stick-type
extension part 220.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the suction port assembly 100
includes a casing part 110, a rotatable brush 120, a rotatable
brush motor 121, a power supply 130, a suction force generating
unit 140, and a dust separating unit 150.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, the casing part 110 includes an upper
casing 111 and a lower casing 112. The upper casing 111 includes a
dust separating unit chamber S to receive the dust separating unit
150 therein. The upper casing 111 also includes a plurality of air
discharge holes 111a formed in a rear portion to permit the clean
air to be discharged outside the suction port assembly 100 after
the dust is separated in the dust separating unit 150.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 6, the lower casing 112 includes a suction
port 112a formed on the front portion. Dust and air can be drawn
into the suction port assembly 100 through the suction port
112a.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the rotatable brush 120 is
formed on the front portion of the lower casing 112, to be disposed
in the suction port 112a. The rotatable brush 120 is rotated by the
rotatable brush motor 121, to hit with its lower portion the object
being cleaned and remove dust from the object being cleaned.
[0040] The rotatable brush motor 121 receives power supply from the
power supply 130 (FIG. 6). The power supply 130 according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is implemented as a
replaceable battery 130 mounted inside the casing part 110. The
battery 130 supplies power not only to the rotatable brush motor
121, but also to a suction motor 141 which will be explained
below.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, the suction force generating unit 140
includes the suction motor 141, an impeller 142, and a suction port
connecting pipe 143. The suction motor 141 receives power from the
battery 130 to rotate the impeller 142. The impeller 142 is rotated
by the suction motor 141 to generate a vacuum pressure, or suction
force. The suction port connecting pipe 143 connects the suction
port 112a and the impeller 142 to guide the air and dust drawn from
the object being cleaned into the impeller 142.
[0042] The suction port assembly 100 includes the suction force
generating unit 140 and the battery 130 to supply power to the
suction force generating unit 140 to generate a suction force. The
vacuum cleaner 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure does not need a power line to receive external
power.
[0043] Referring again to FIG. 2, the suction force generating unit
140 is arranged in front of the dust separating unit 150. That is,
the suction force generating unit 140 is provided between the
suction port 112a and the dust separating unit 150. Air and dust is
drawn through the suction port 112a, and then passes the suction
force generating unit 140 and flows into the dust separating unit
150. More specifically, air and dust drawn through the suction port
112a flows into the dust separating unit 150 via the impeller 142
provided in the suction force generating unit 140. The impeller 142
is arranged on a fluid passage that connects the suction port 112a
and the dust separating unit 150 according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the impeller 142
operates as a bypass impeller, while the motor to drive this bypass
impeller operates as a bypass motor.
[0044] In comparison with a vacuum cleaner in which the suction
force generating unit 140 is arranged in the rear portion of the
dust separating unit 150, the vacuum cleaner according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can provide almost
unaffected level of suction force to the suction port 112a when the
suction motor 141 rotates the impeller 142 with relatively slower
speed.
[0045] Because the suction force generating unit 140 is arranged in
front of the dust separating unit 150, the vacuum pressure
generated at the suction force generating unit 140 is transmitted
to the suction port 112a intact, that is, without being affected by
the dust separating unit 150. Furthermore, because the suction
force generating unit 140 is arranged in front of the dust
separating unit 150, the impeller 142 of the suction force
generating unit 140 is able to draw in dust and air introduced
through the suction port 112a using not only vacuum pressure, but
also mechanical friction. The mechanical friction of the impeller
142 more specifically refers to a friction between air and dust
with the rotating blades (not illustrated) of the impeller 142,
which provides a moving force in the direction of the dust
separating unit 150.
[0046] If the suction force generating unit 140 is arranged in back
of the dust separating unit 150, the vacuum pressure generated by
the suction force generating unit 140 can be transmitted to the
suction port 112a via the dust separating unit 150. Accordingly,
the dust separating unit 150 has the loss of vacuum pressure while
the vacuum pressure is transmitted from the suction force
generating unit 140 to the suction port 112a. Furthermore, if the
suction force generating unit 140 is arranged in back of the dust
separating unit 150, dust is filtered at the dust separating unit
150 already prior to arriving at the suction force generating unit
140, and therefore, it is impossible for the impeller 142 to draw
the dust into the dust separating unit 150 by mechanical
friction.
[0047] As explained above, when the suction force generating unit
140 is provided in front of the dust separating unit 150, the
impeller 142 can be rotated at a relatively slower speed than when
the suction force generating unit 140 is provided in back of the
dust separating unit 150, but without compromising the level of
suction force provided to the suction port 112a. Because the
suction motor 141 consumes less power to rotate the impeller 142,
the lifespan of the battery 130 to supply power to the suction
motor 141 can be increased. Furthermore, because the rotational
speed of the impeller 142 decreases, less amount of noise is
generated from the rotation of the impeller 142.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the dust separating unit 150 is
removably mounted in the dust separating unit chamber (S) of the
upper casing 111. The dust separating unit 150 includes a cyclone
dust separating unit 160, a side cover 170, a filter member 180,
and a filter support member 190.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 1, the cyclone dust separating unit 160
includes a cyclone inlet 162 formed in a first side 160a. The dust
and air, after passing through the suction force generating unit
140, is introduced into the cyclone chamber 163 through the cyclone
inlet 162.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the cyclone dust separating unit
160 includes a cyclone chamber 163 and a dust collecting chamber
164 both formed therein. The cyclone chamber 163 separates, using a
centrifugal force, dust from air that introduced through the
cyclone inlet 162. The dust collecting chamber 164 collects the
dust separated from the cyclone chamber 163. The cyclone chamber
163 and the dust collecting chamber 164 are arranged in parallel
and divided from each other by a single partition 165. The cyclone
chamber 163 and the dust collecting chamber 164 are open to a
second side 160b of the cyclone dust separating unit 160.
[0051] The cyclone dust separating unit 160 includes a dust
separating unit handgrip 161 formed on an upper side 160c so that a
user can grab it and carry the dust separating unit 150 with ease.
The upper side 160c of the cyclone dust separating unit 160 may be
made out of a transparent material to allow observance of the
cyclone chamber 163 and the dust collecting chamber 164 from
outside. Accordingly, a user is able to see and check the dust
separating performance of the cyclone chamber 163 and also check
the amount of dust collected in the dust collecting chamber 164,
without having to disassemble the dust separating unit 150.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the side cover 170 covers the
second side 160b of the cyclone dust separating unit 160. The side
cover 170 is detachably formed on the cyclone dust separating unit
160. If the dust collecting chamber 164 is full, the user detaches
the side cover 170 from the cyclone dust separating unit 160 and
empty the dust collecting chamber 170. The side cover 170 includes
an air discharge pipe 171 formed thereon. Accordingly, clean air is
discharged from the cyclone chamber 163 to the filter member 180
through the air discharge pipe 171 when dust is separated from the
air.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 3, the filter member 180 is disposed on an
outer side 172 of the side cover 170 to filter remaining dust from
the air received from the cyclone chamber 163.
[0054] The filter member 180 is supported by the filter support
member 190 to remain engaged with the side cover 170. The filter
support member 190 is detachably engaged with the side cover 170.
Accordingly, if the filter member 180 gets too dusty, the filter
support member 190 along with the filter member 180 is removed
through the side cover 170 and a user can remove dust from the
filter member 180. The filter support member 190 includes a
plurality of air holes 191 for air to pass after passing through
the filter member 180.
[0055] The operation of a stick type vacuum cleaner constructed as
above according to the exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 2, 5 and
6.
[0056] As a user drives a stick type vacuum cleaner 1, the
rotatable brush motor 121 receives power from the battery 130 to
rotate the rotatable brush 120. At the same time, the suction motor
141 also receives power from the battery 130 to rotate the impeller
142. The rotation of the impeller 142 generates a suction force
(vacuum pressure), which is provided to the suction port 112a
through the suction port connecting pipe 143 (see FIG. 2).
[0057] As explained above, because the suction force generating
unit 140 having the suction motor 141 and the impeller 142 is
arranged between the dust separating unit 150 and the suction port
112a, unaffected level of suction force can be provided to the
suction port 112a even when the suction motor 141 rotates the
impeller 142 at a relatively lower speed. As a result, the battery
130 to supply power to the suction motor 141 can be used for a
longer period of time. Furthermore, because the impeller 142
rotates at a relatively slower speed, noise is reduced.
[0058] During cleaning, as a user moves the suction port assembly
100 along an object being cleaned, air and dust is drawn through
the suction port 112a. The rotatable brush 120 hits the dust of the
object being cleaned in rotating movement, to thereby facilitate
the removal of the dust. As a result, more efficient cleaning is
achieved.
[0059] The air and dust enters through the suction port 112a, and
is introduced into the impeller 142 through the suction port
connecting pipe 143 (see FIG. 2). The air and dust is then guided
to the back of the cleaner by not only the suction force, but also
the mechanical friction with the impeller 142, and guided to the
cyclone inlet 162 of the cyclone dust separating unit 160. Because
the air and dust is introduced into the cyclone inlet 162 by both
the suction force and mechanical friction, output of the suction
motor 141 to rotate the impeller 142 can be relatively reduced.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 5, air and dust enters the cyclone inlet
162 and rotates inside the cyclone chamber 163 towards the side
cover 170. The dust is separated from the air by centrifugal force
and collected in the dust collecting chamber 164. The clean air
exits the cyclone chamber 163 through the air discharge pipe 171
formed on the side cover 170 and reaches the filter member 180
engaged with the side cover 170. The air is secondly filtered as it
passes through the filter member 180 so that any remaining dust is
separated. The clean resultant air is then passed through the air
passing hole 191 of the filter supporting member 190 and discharged
out of the dust separating unit 150. The air then passes through
the passages such as the air discharge hole 111a (see FIG. 1)
formed on a rear portion of the upper casing 111 and is discharged
through the suction port assembly 100.
[0061] Meanwhile, a user can observe the status of the cyclone
chamber 163 and the dust collecting chamber 164 disposed inside the
cyclone dust separating unit 160 during cleaning process. If
determining that the dust collecting chamber 164 needs emptying,
the user separates the dust separating unit 150 from the dust
separating unit chamber (S) (FIG. 1), removes the cyclone dust
separating unit 160 and the side cover 170, and discards dust of
the dust collecting chamber 164. The user may remove the filter
support member 190 together with the filter member 180 from the
side cover 170 to clean the filter member 180.
[0062] While certain exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure have been shown and described with reference to certain
preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be
made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *