U.S. patent application number 12/151786 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for vacuum cleaner used as both upright type cleaner and canister type cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG GWANG JU ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. Invention is credited to Dong-hun Yoo.
Application Number | 20090144929 12/151786 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39747185 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090144929 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoo; Dong-hun |
June 11, 2009 |
Vacuum cleaner used as both upright type cleaner and canister type
cleaner
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner convertible between upright and canister modes
is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction port body that
draws in dust from a cleaning surface therethrough, a cleaner body
that separates and collects dust from air drawn in through the
suction port body, an extension pipe that fluidly communicates with
the suction port body, a flexible hose that is detachably connected
with the cleaner body, and a manipulation handle that connects the
extension pipe and the flexible hose to each other, wherein the
suction port body has a drum brush and a driving motor that are
disposed inside the suction port body, the driving motor being
driven by a power supplied from the cleaner body, wherein the
vacuum cleaner is converted into an upright type cleaner or a
canister type cleaner by mounting or dismounting the cleaner body
to or from the extension pipe.
Inventors: |
Yoo; Dong-hun;
(Gwangju-city, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Paul D. Greeley;Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero & Perle, L.L.P.
10th Floor, One Landmark Square
Stamford
CT
06901-2682
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG GWANG JU ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD
|
Family ID: |
39747185 |
Appl. No.: |
12/151786 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/327.5 ;
15/327.1; 15/328 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/32 20130101; A47L
5/225 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/327.5 ;
15/327.1; 15/328 |
International
Class: |
A47L 5/00 20060101
A47L005/00; A47L 5/28 20060101 A47L005/28; A47L 5/24 20060101
A47L005/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 5, 2007 |
KR |
2007-125716 |
Claims
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction port body that draws in
dust from a cleaning surface therethrough; a cleaner body that
separates and collects dust from air drawn in through the suction
port body; an extension pipe that fluidly communicates with the
suction port body; a flexible hose that is detachably connected
with the cleaner body; and a manipulation handle that connects the
extension pipe and the flexible hose to each other, wherein the
suction port body has a drum brush and a driving motor that are
disposed inside the suction port body, the driving motor being
driven by a power supplied from the cleaner body, wherein the
vacuum cleaner is converted into an upright type cleaner or a
canister type cleaner by mounting or dismounting the cleaner body
to or from the extension pipe, and wherein the power is supplied
from the cleaner body to the driving motor when the vacuum cleaner
is converted into the upright type cleaner or the canister type
cleaner.
2. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible
hose, the manipulation handle, and the extension pipe have electric
wires embedded therein to connect them in sequence, and the
electric wires electrically connect a power supply of the cleaner
body and the driving motor to each other.
3. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flexible
hose is pivotably connected with at least one of the cleaner body
and the manipulation handle.
4. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flexible
hose has a transport handle formed on a connection portion with the
cleaner body to enable a user to carry the cleaner body.
5. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
manipulation handle is detachably connected with the extension pipe
and a cleaning accessory is mounted on the manipulation handle if
the extension pipe is detached from the manipulation handle.
6. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extension
pipe has a telescopic structure so that it is compressible and
expandable in its length.
7. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extension
pipe is detachably connected with a connection pipe that is hinged
on a rear side of the suction port body, such that the extension
pipe fluidly communicates with a suction passage of the suction
port body.
8. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 7, wherein, if the vacuum
cleaner is operated as an upright type cleaner, a lower portion of
the cleaner body is supported on the extension pipe and an upper
portion thereof is mounted on a part of the extension pipe.
9. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaner
body comprises a plurality of auxiliary wheels arranged on a rear
side surface thereof to allow the cleaner body to move along the
cleaning surface if the vacuum cleaner is operated as a canister
type cleaner.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2007-0125716, filed on Dec. 5, 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] Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present
disclosure relate to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to a
vacuum cleaner that is convertible between an upright mode and a
canister mode.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A vacuum cleaner is generally divided into an upright type
cleaner and a canister type cleaner. The upright type vacuum
cleaner has a suction port body and a cleaner body that are
directly connected to each other without any extra hose or
extension pipe, and improves a cleaning efficiency due to a
self-weight when cleaning a carpet.
[0006] On the other hand, the canister type vacuum cleaner has a
suction port body and a cleaner body that fluidly communicate with
each other through a hose and an extension pipe, and, compared to
the upright type vacuum cleaner, it has an unrestricted freedom of
manipulating the suction port body. Therefore, the canister type
vacuum cleaner is of benefit to areas, such as narrow spaces or
stairs, which impose a restriction on movement of the upright type
vacuum cleaner or manipulation of the suction port.
[0007] In recent years, a vacuum cleaner that is convertible
between upright and canister modes by changing a position of a
cleaner body has been developed. However, it has been determined by
the present disclosure that there is a continuing need for such
convertible vacuum cleaners.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the
above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above.
Also, the present disclosure is not required to overcome the
disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure may not overcome any of the problems described
above.
[0009] An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a vacuum
cleaner that is capable of cleaning a carpet by rotating a drum
brush through a driving motor of a suction port body without any
extra manipulation when the vacuum cleaner is operated as a
canister type cleaner.
[0010] The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the
present disclosure may be achieved by a vacuum cleaner including a
suction port body that draws in dust from a cleaning surface
therethrough, a cleaner body that separates and collects dust from
air drawn in through the suction port body, an extension pipe that
fluidly communicates with the suction port body, a flexible hose
that is detachably connected with the cleaner body; and a
manipulation handle that connects the extension pipe and the
flexible hose to each other, and the suction port body has a drum
brush and a driving motor that are disposed inside the suction port
body, the driving motor being driven by a power supplied from the
cleaner body, and the vacuum cleaner is converted into an upright
type cleaner or a canister type cleaner by mounting or dismounting
the cleaner body to or from the extension pipe.
[0011] The flexible hose, the manipulation handle, and the
extension pipe may have electric wires embedded therein to connect
them in sequence, and the electric wires may electrically connect a
power supply of the cleaner body and the driving motor to each
other.
[0012] The flexible hose may be pivotably connected with at least
one of the cleaner body and the manipulation handle. The flexible
hose may have a transport handle formed on a connection portion
with the cleaner body to enable a user to carry the cleaner
body.
[0013] The manipulation handle may be detachably connected with the
extension pipe and a cleaning accessory may be mounted on the
manipulation handle if the extension pipe is detached from the
manipulation handle.
[0014] The extension pipe may have a telescopic structure so that
it is compressible and expandable in its length. Accordingly, the
user can property adjust the height of the manipulation handle by
adjusting the length of the extension pipe when the vacuum cleaner
is operated as an upright type cleaner. Also, the extension pipe
can be compressed to the extent that the vacuum cleaner is placed
in a small space when not in use.
[0015] The extension pipe may be detachably connected with a
connection pipe that is hinged on a rear side of the suction port
body, such that the extension pipe fluidly communicates with a
suction passage of the suction port body. If the vacuum cleaner is
operated as an upright type cleaner, a lower portion of the cleaner
body is supported on the extension pipe and an upper portion
thereof is mounted on a part of the extension pipe. Accordingly,
the cleaner body can be stably fixed to the extension pipe.
[0016] The cleaner body may comprise a plurality of auxiliary
wheels arranged on a rear side surface thereof opposite a cleaning
surface to allow the cleaner body to move along the cleaning
surface if the vacuum cleaner is operated as a canister type
cleaner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Above and other aspects of the present disclosure will
become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with
the accompany drawings of which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a vacuum
cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an interior of a suction
port body of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner according
to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is operated
as an upright vacuum illustrating the manipulation handle in a
compressed state;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG.
illustrating an example of adjusting the height of a manipulation
handle when the vacuum cleaner according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure is operated as an upright
vacuum; and
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the vacuum cleaner
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
after conversion into a canister type cleaner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will
be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0024] In the following description, the same drawing reference
numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings.
The matter defined in the description, such as detailed
construction and elements, are provided to assist in a
comprehensive understanding of the disclosure. Thus, it is apparent
that the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be
carried out without this specifically defined matter. Also,
well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail
since they would obscure the disclosure with unnecessary
detail.
[0025] Hereinafter, a vacuum cleaner that is convertible between
upright and canister modes according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0026] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a vacuum
cleaner 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an interior of a
suction port body of FIG. 1.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the vacuum cleaner 1
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
includes a cleaner body 10, a flexible hose 20, a manipulation
handle 30, an extension pipe 40, and a suction port body 50.
[0028] The cleaner body 10 has a suction motor (not shown) disposed
in an inner and lower portion thereof and a dust separator 11
disposed on an upper portion thereof to separate dust from air
drawn in through the suction port body 50. A dust receptacle 13 is
removably mounted between the suction motor and the dust separator
11 to collect the dust separated from the air by the dust separator
11.
[0029] Also, the cleaner body 10 has an inflow hole 15 disposed on
an upper portion thereof to fluidly communicate with the dust
separator 11 and to be detachably connected with one end of the
flexible hose 20. A first connector 17 is formed around the inflow
hole 15 and is electrically connected to a power supply (not shown)
of the cleaner body 10. Also, the cleaner body 10 has a plurality
of auxiliary wheels 19 (see FIG. 4) that are arranged at a
predetermined interval on a rear side surface of the cleaner body
10 opposite a cleaning surface in case that the vacuum cleaner 1 is
operated as a canister type cleaner.
[0030] The flexible hose 20 has first and second adaptors 21, 22
disposed at opposite ends thereof. The first and the second
adaptors 21, 22 are electrically connected to the opposite ends of
the flexible hose 20 and pivotably connected to them.
[0031] The first adaptor 21 has a locking protrusion 21a formed on
one side thereof to be detachably connected to the cleaner body 10,
and has a unlocking button 21b to unlock the locking protrusion 21a
from a locking recess (not shown) of the cleaner body 10 that the
locking protrusion 21a is locked into. The first adaptor 21 has an
insertion portion 23 to be detachably inserted into the inflow hole
15 of the cleaner body 10. The first adapter 21 also has a second
connector 24 electrically connected to the first connector 17 of
the cleaner body 10 and a transport handle 25 extending from one
side of the first adaptor 21 toward the insertion portion 23. A
free end 25a of the transport handle 25 is inserted into a fixing
recess 10a formed on the cleaner body 10 as the first adaptor 21 is
connected with the cleaner body 10, so that a user can easily mount
and dismount the cleaner body 10 to and from the extension pipe 40
or easily carry the cleaner body 10 using the transport handle
25.
[0032] The second adaptor 22 is fixedly connected with one side 32a
of the manipulation handle 30. Naturally, the second adaptor 22 may
be detachably connected with one side 32a of tile manipulation
handle 30.
[0033] A first electric wire 27 is wound inside the flexible hose
20 in a spiral pattern. The first electric wire 27 has one end
connected to the first connector 17 and the other end connected to
a connection terminal (not shown) in the second adaptor 22.
[0034] The manipulation handle 30 has a grip portion 31 to be
gripped by the user, and has one side 32a to that the second
adaptor 22 of the flexible hose 20 is connected and the other side
32b to that an insertion portion 41 of the extension pipe 40 is
detachably connected. The other side 32b of the manipulation handle
30 has a locking member (not shown) to lock and unlock with respect
to the extension pipe 40. The opposite sides 32a and 32b of the
manipulation handle 30 fluidly communicate with each other such
that the manipulation handle 30 has a channel 35 to guide
dust-entrained air from the extension pipe 40 to the flexible hose
20.
[0035] Also, the manipulation handle 30 has a second electric wire
37 arranged therein to electrically connect the opposite sides 32a
and 32b of the manipulation handle 30 to each other. Furthermore, a
third connector 33 is disposed at the other side 32b of the
manipulation handle 30.
[0036] If the other side 32b of the manipulation handle 30 is
detached from the extension pipe 40, a cleaning accessory such as a
motorized mini brush may be attached to the manipulation handle
30.
[0037] The extension pipe 40 has fourth and fifth connectors 43, 45
disposed at one side and the other side thereof. The fourth
connector 43 is electrically connected to the third connector 33
and the fifth connector 45 is electrically connected to a sixth
connector 53 disposed at a connection pipe 51 of the suction port
body 50.
[0038] The extension pipe 40 has a telescopic structure so that it
is compressible and expandable in its length (see FIG. 4).
Accordingly, if the vacuum cleaner 1 is operated as an upright type
cleaner, the user appropriately adjusts the height of the
manipulation handle 30 by adjusting the length of the extension
pipe 40. Also, the extension pipe 40 is compressed to the extent
that the vacuum cleaner 1 can be placed in a small space when not
in use (see FIG. 3).
[0039] Furthermore, a clamping portion 49 is disposed on a
circumference of the extension pipe 40 to detachably fix an upper
portion of the cleaner body 10.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the connection pipe 51 is
hingedly disposed on a rear end of the suction port body 50. The
connection pipe 51 fluidly communicates with a suction passage 50a
disposed inside the suction port body 50.
[0041] The connection pipe 51 has an insertion portion 51a to be
inserted into the other side of the extension pipe 40. The sixth
connector 53 is arranged around the insertion portion 51a to be
electrically connected to the fifth connector 45. The connection
pipe 51 has a support protrusion 51b protruding therefrom forwardly
to securely support a lower portion of the cleaner body 10. The
support protrusion 51b and the clamping portion 49 of the extension
pipe 40 stably fix the lower portion and the upper portion of the
cleaner body 10 to the connection pipe 51 and the extension pipe
40. Also, the connection pipe 51 has a snap connection portion 51c
protruding therefrom backwardly to elastically hold the flexible
hose 20. The connection pipe 51 has a unlocking lever 51d disposed
at one side thereof to unlock a locking protrusion 40a of the
extension pipe 40 as the extension pipe 40 is connected with the
connection pipe 51.
[0042] The suction port body 50 has a drum brush 56 and a driving
motor 57 that are disposed inside the suction port body 50. The
drum brush 56 is rotatably disposed on a suction port (not shown)
formed on a bottom of the suction port body 50. The driving motor
57 transmits a driving force generated by a driving shaft 58 to the
drum brush 56 through a driving belt 59.
[0043] Furthermore, the driving motor 57 is electrically connected
to the sixth connector 53 through a fourth electric wire 52 (see
FIG. 2). Accordingly, the driving motor 57 is supplied with a power
from a power supply (not shown) of the cleaner body through the
first and the second connectors 17, 24, the first and the second
electric wires 27, 37, the third and the fourth connectors 33, 43,
a third electric wire 47, the fifth and the sixth connectors 45,
53, and the fourth electric wire 52. These wire arrangements
enables the drum brush 56 of the suction port body 50 to rotate
without changing electric and mechanical connection and
configuration even if a conversion is made between upright and
canister modes. Therefore, it is possible to clean a carpet through
the drum brush 56 under optimal conditions even when the vacuum
cleaner 1 is operated as a canister type cleaner.
[0044] Operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 constructed above
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.
[0045] If the vacuum cleaner 1 is operated as an upright type
cleaner, the cleaner body 10 is secured to the extension pipe 40 as
shown in FIG. 3. More specifically, the lower portion of the
cleaner body 10 is fixed to the extension pipe 40 by the support
protrusion 51b of the connection pipe 51 and the upper portion
thereof is fixed to the extension pipe 40 by the clamping portion
49 of the extension pipe 40.
[0046] In this state, as shown in FIG. 4, the user can grip the
grip portion 31 of the manipulation handle 30 and pulls up the grip
portion 31, thereby extending the length of the extension pipe 40
to adjust the height of the manipulation handle 30 in consideration
of his/her height.
[0047] Next, the user grips the grip portion 31 of the manipulation
handle 30 and pivots the extension pipe 40 to a predetermined angle
with respect to the suction port body 50 to perform a cleaning
operation.
[0048] On the contrary, if the vacuum cleaner 1 is operated as a
canister type cleaner, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to detach the
cleaner body 10 from the extension pipe 40, the upper portion of
the cleaner body 10 is separated from the damping portion 49 and
then the lower portion thereof is separated from the support
protrusion 51b by lifting the cleaner body 10 with the transport
handle 25.
[0049] After that, the cleaner body 10 is placed on a cleaning
surface with its rear side surface on the cleaning surface. Then,
the user drags the cleaner body 10 to perform a cleaning operation.
At this time, the plurality of auxiliary wheels 19 enable the
cleaner body 10 to travel on the cleaning surface smoothly.
[0050] As described above, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can supply a power
to the driving motor 57 of the suction port body 50 without any
electric/mechanical manipulation even when being converted into an
upright type or a canister type cleaner, and thus performs a carpet
cleaning operation through the drum brush 56 under optimal
conditions.
[0051] Moreover, after detaching the suction port body 50 from the
extension pipe 40, the user can use the extension pipe 40 as it is
or attach a cleaning accessory to the extension pipe 40 for a
specific purpose. Likewise, after detaching the extension pipe 40
from the manipulation handle 30, the user may attach a cleaning
accessory to the manipulation handle 30 for a specific purpose.
[0052] As described above, the vacuum cleaner 1 can supply a power
to the driving motor 57 of the suction port body 50 without any
electric/mechanical manipulation even when being converted into an
upright type or a canister type cleaner, and thus performs a carpet
cleaning operation through the drum brush 56 under optimal
conditions.
[0053] The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are
merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the
present disclosure. The present teaching can be readily applied to
other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to be
illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *