U.S. patent application number 12/154523 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-02 for upright vacuum cleaner having steering unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Jung-gyun Han, See-hyun Kim, Tae-gwang Kim, Byung-jo Lee, Joung-soo Park.
Application Number | 20090165242 12/154523 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39767337 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090165242 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Byung-jo ; et
al. |
July 2, 2009 |
Upright vacuum cleaner having steering unit
Abstract
An upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed, the upright vacuum
cleaner including a cleaner body that houses a suction motor and a
dust separating unit, and includes a manipulation handle at the top
thereof, a suction port assembly that is connected to a lower
portion of the cleaner body; and a steering unit that is disposed
between the cleaner body and the suction port assembly, and
elastically supports the cleaner body to shift the center of
gravity of the cleaner body to the left or right, so that the
direction of the cleaner body is changed.
Inventors: |
Lee; Byung-jo;
(Gwangju-city, KR) ; Kim; See-hyun; (Gwangju-city,
KR) ; Park; Joung-soo; (Gwangju-city, KR) ;
Han; Jung-gyun; (Gwangju-city, KR) ; Kim;
Tae-gwang; (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 Gwangju Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
39767337 |
Appl. No.: |
12/154523 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/411 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/242 20130101;
A47L 5/28 20130101; A47L 9/009 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/411 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/00 20060101
A47L009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 2, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0000409 |
Claims
1. An upright vacuum cleaner, comprising: a cleaner body having a
manipulation handle at the top thereof; a suction port assembly
that is connected to a lower portion of the cleaner body; and a
steering unit that is disposed between the cleaner body and the
suction port assembly, wherein the steering unit elastically
supports the cleaner body in order to shift the center of gravity
of the cleaner body to the left or right, so that the direction of
the cleaner body is changed.
2. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the steering unit
comprises: a support housing that is hinged to a lower portion of
the cleaner body forward and backward, and a front portion of which
is contacted by the suction port assembly; first and second main
wheels; and a steering portion that is formed in such a manner that
the first and second main wheels are disposed at both ends thereof,
and that is elastically disposed on the support housing.
3. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein the suction port
assembly is formed in such a manner that a rear portion thereof
contacts the support housing about a shaft, and the center of the
shaft is disposed so as to slope downward from the front portion of
the cleaner body towards a rear portion of the cleaner body.
4. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein the steering
portion is made of a metal or synthetic resin having elasticity,
and if a user tilts the cleaner body, the steering portion is
twisted, and if the user moves the cleaner body vertically, the
steering portion is restored, in order to change the direction of
the suction port assembly.
5. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein the steering
portion is formed in such a manner that the center is fixed to the
bottom of the support housing, and is bent progressively toward the
rear portion.
6. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein the steering
portion comprises: a first portion of which the center is fixed to
the bottom center of the support housing, and that is disposed so
as to slope downward toward at the rear of the support housing; a
second portion that extends from the rear of the first portion, and
is disposed so as to slop upward toward the rear of the support
housing; and a third portion that extends from both sides of the
rear of the second portion, and is rotatably connected to the first
and second main wheels.
7. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein the steering
portion comprises: a rotating portion that is rotatably connected
to the bottom center of the supporting housing; first and second
main rods that are formed in such a manner that one end of each is
connected to a respective side of the rotating portion, and the
other end of each faces the rear of the support housing, and to
which the first and second main wheels are rotatably disposed; a
fixing portion that is fixed to the bottom center of the support
housing; and first and second sub rods that are formed in such a
manner that one end of each is pivotally fixed to a respective side
of the fixing portion, and the other end of each is pivotally fixed
to the first and second main rods, respectively.
8. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the steering unit
comprises: a support housing that is hinged to the bottom of the
cleaner body, and of which the suction port assembly is connected
to a front portion so that the suction port assembly rotates
according to the direction of the shaft; first and second main
wheels; first and second supports that are formed in such a manner
that one end of each is connected to a respective side of the
support housing, and the opposite end of each comprises the first
and second main wheels, respectively; and first and second elastic
member that elastically connect the first and second supports to
the support housing, respectively, and wherein one of the first and
second supports is disposed so as to be closer to the cleaner body
than the other of the first and second supports, and rotates at a
greater angle than the other of the first and second supports.
9. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the first and
second elastic members are formed in such a manner that one end of
each is hinged to the supporting housing, and the other end of each
is formed as a damper hinged to the first and second supports,
respectively.
10. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the first and
second elastic members are torsion springs.
11. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the support
housing comprises a support wheel on a lower central portion
thereof.
12. The upright vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the support
wheel tapers symmetrically toward the left and right sides.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119
from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0000409, filed on Jan.
2, 2008, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to an upright vacuum
cleaner that draws in dust-laden air from a surface being cleaned
through a suction port assembly or an extension pipe connected to a
cleaner body according to a user's selection, using a suction force
generated by a motor housed in the cleaner body, and that separates
the dust from the drawn-in air.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Vacuum cleaners can be generally divided into upright vacuum
cleaners and canister vacuum cleaners. An upright vacuum cleaner
has a suction port assembly that is directly connected to a cleaner
body, without requiring a separate hose of extension pipe, and
provides improved cleaning efficiency, especially on carpets, using
its own weight.
[0006] Unlike the upright vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner
has a suction port assembly connected to a cleaner body using a
hose and an extension pipe. The canister vacuum cleaner is easier
for a user to manipulate than an upright vacuum cleaner, and
therefore, the canister vacuum cleaner is generally used to clean
narrow places that are not accessible by an upright vacuum cleaner,
such as stairs, or corners.
[0007] An upright vacuum cleaner is generally heavy, and thus it is
hard for a user to change the direction of a suction port assembly.
Furthermore, since the suction port assembly generally moves in a
straight line, a user of an upright vacuum cleaner has to pull the
vacuum cleaner towards him first, in order to move the suction port
assembly to an intended location.
[0008] An example of a conventional upright vacuum cleaner is
described in GB2391459, published on Feb. 11, 2004, by Dyson. The
upright vacuum cleaner of GB2391459 includes a suction motor housed
in a cleaner body, and a spherical rotatable member to increase
maneuverability of the vacuum cleaner.
[0009] However, conventional upright vacuum cleaners have a very
complicated structure, and accordingly suffer deteriorated
assemblability. Furthermore, a considerable amount of cost and time
is required for repair and maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An aspect of the present disclosure is to address at least
the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the
advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present
disclosure is to provide an upright vacuum cleaner having a
steering unit to adjust the direction of a suction port assembly
conveniently to the left or right, according to the movement of the
center of gravity of the vacuum cleaner.
[0011] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an
upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body that houses a
suction motor and a dust separating unit, and comprises a
manipulation handle at the top thereof; a suction port assembly
that is connected to a lower portion of the cleaner body; and a
steering unit that is disposed between the cleaner body and the
suction port assembly, and that elastically supports the cleaner
body in order to shift the center of gravity of the cleaner body to
the left or right, so that the direction of the cleaner body is
changed.
[0012] The steering unit may include a support housing that is
hinged to a lower portion of the cleaner body forward and backward,
and a front portion of which is contacted by the suction port
assembly; first and second main wheels; and a steering portion that
is formed in such a manner that the first and second main wheels
are disposed at both ends thereof, and that is elastically disposed
on the support housing.
[0013] The suction port assembly may be formed in such a manner
that a rear portion thereof contacts the support housing about a
shaft, and the center of the shaft may be disposed so as to slope
downward from the front portion of the cleaner body towards a rear
portion of the cleaner body.
[0014] The steering portion may be made of a metal or synthetic
resin having elasticity, and if a user tilts the cleaner body, the
steering portion may be twisted, and if the user moves the cleaner
body vertically, the steering portion may be restored, in order to
change the direction of the suction port assembly.
[0015] The steering portion may be formed in such a manner that the
center is fixed to the bottom of the support housing, and is bent
toward the rear portion.
[0016] The steering portion may include a first portion of which
the center is fixed to the bottom center of the support housing,
and that is disposed so as to slope downward toward at the rear of
the support housing; a second portion that extends from the rear of
the first portion, and is disposed so as to slop upward toward the
rear of the support housing; and a third portion that extends from
both sides of the rear of the second portion, and is rotatably
connected to the first and second main wheels.
[0017] The steering portion may include a rotating portion that is
rotatably connected to the bottom center of the supporting housing;
first and second main rods that are formed in such a manner that
one end of each is connected to a respective side of the rotating
portion, and the other end of each faces the rear of the support
housing, and to which the first and second main wheels are
rotatably disposed; a fixing portion that is fixed to the bottom
center of the support housing; and first and second sub rods that
are formed in such a manner that one end of each is pivotally fixed
to a respective side of the fixing portion, and the other end of
each is pivotally fixed to the first and second main rods,
respectively.
[0018] The steering unit may include a support housing that is
hinged to the bottom of the cleaner body, and of which the suction
port assembly is connected to a front portion so that the suction
port assembly rotates according to the direction of the shaft;
first and second main wheels; first and second supports that are
formed in such a manner that one end of each is connected to a
respective side of the support housing, and the opposite end of
each comprises the first and second main wheels, respectively; and
first and second elastic member that elastically connect the first
and second supports to the support housing, respectively, and
wherein one of the first and second supports is disposed so as to
be closer to the cleaner body than the other of the first and
second supports, and rotates at a greater angle than the other of
the first and second supports.
[0019] The first and second elastic members may be formed in such a
manner that one end of each is hinged to the supporting housing,
and the other end of each is formed as a damper hinged to the first
and second supports, respectively.
[0020] The first and second elastic members may be torsion
springs.
[0021] The support housing may include a support wheel on a lower
central portion thereof.
[0022] The support wheel tapers symmetrically toward the left and
right sides
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The above and/or other aspects of the present invention will
be more apparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments of the
present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an upright vacuum
cleaner according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective views of the upright vacuum
cleaner according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the upright vacuum
cleaner according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a steering unit of an
upright vacuum cleaner according to the first exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the upright vacuum cleaner
according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure while in use;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating an upright vacuum cleaner
according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a bottom surface view illustrating the upright
vacuum cleaner according to the second exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a
connection portion of a sub rod of a steering unit of the upright
vacuum cleaner of FIG. 7;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the upright vacuum cleaner
according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure while in use;
[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the upright
vacuum cleaner according to a third exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the
steering unit of FIG. 10;
[0035] FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a support wheel of
FIG. 10; and
[0036] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a steering unit
of an upright vacuum cleaner according to a fourth exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0037] Hereinafter, a vacuum cleaner according to exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawing figures.
[0038] An upright vacuum cleaner according to a first exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure is described, and
specifically, a steering unit 30 is described in detail with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
[0039] The upright vacuum cleaner according to the first exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cleaner body 10, a
suction port assembly 20, and a steering unit 30.
[0040] The cleaner body 10 houses therein a suction motor (not
shown) to provide the suction force, and also houses a dust
separating unit (not shown) to separate and collect dust from
drawn-in air. The cleaner body 10 includes a manipulation handle 11
at the top thereof, and a support housing 31 at the bottom left and
right. The support housing 31 is hinged to the cleaner body 10 so
as to be capable of rotating forward and backward.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, the suction port assembly 20 is
connected to the dust separating unit (not shown) of the cleaner
body 10, and includes a suction port 21 formed on a lower portion
to draw in dust and air from a surface being cleaned. A drum brush
23 may be rotatably disposed within the suction port 21 of the
suction port assembly 20. A pair of protection wheels 25 may be
provided at both ends of the suction port 21.
[0042] The inside of the suction port assembly 20 is connected to
the suction port 21, and a guide pipe 27 extends towards the rear
of the suction port assembly 20. The guide pipe 27 is rotatably
connected to a connection portion 31 a protruding axially towards
the front of the support housing 31.
[0043] A connection surface between the guide pipe 27 and the
connection portion 31 a is inclined from a normal (N) about a
surface toward the support housing 31 at a predetermined angle
(.crclbar.) as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the center of a
rotating shaft A2 is also inclined towards the support housing 31
at the same angle as that (.crclbar.) of the connection surface.
The inclined angle (.crclbar.) may preferably be the same as the
angle at which a user tilts the cleaner body. When the center of
gravity of cleaner body 10 is shifted to the left or right to
change the direction of the suction port assembly 20 while the
cleaner body 10 is tilted back, the rotating shaft A2 is
approximately perpendicular to a shaft C of the cleaner body 10 as
shown in FIG. 4, and thus the support housing 31 easily rotates
about the suction port assembly 20.
[0044] The steering unit 30 is disposed between the cleaner body 10
and the suction port assembly 20, and includes the support housing
31, a steering portion 33, and first and second main wheels 41 and
42.
[0045] The support housing 31 encloses the lower portion of the
cleaner body 10, and both sides thereof are hinged to the cleaner
body 10. The cleaner body 10 rotates forward and backward about a
hinge point (P) at a predetermined angle. The connection portion 31
a that contacts the guide pipe 27 of the suction port assembly 20
is formed on a front portion of the support housing 31. A flexible
hose (not shown) is disposed inside the guide pipe 27 to deliver
the dust and air drawn-in from the suction port 21 toward the dust
separating unit (not shown). This prevents the interference between
the guide pipe 27 and the connection portion 31 a due to
rotation.
[0046] The steering portion 33 may be made of a metal or synthetic
resin having high elasticity. Accordingly, if the center of gravity
of the cleaner body 10 shifts to the left or right, the steering
portion 33 is twisted, and if the cleaner body 10 moves vertically,
the steering portion 33 is restored. A user can efficiently move
the cleaner body 10 to the original position (vertical state of
FIG. 3) using the elastic force of the steering unit 33.
[0047] The steering portion 33 is bent from the first portion 33a
to the second and third portions 33b and 33c in a stair formation,
and has greater length than width. The center of the first portion
33a is fixed to the bottom of the support housing 31 by a fixing
sphere 32, and is disposed obliquely downward at the rear of the
support housing 31. The second portion 33b extends from the rear of
the first portion 33a, and is disposed obliquely upward at the rear
of the support housing 31. A plurality of support ribs 34 maintain
the bent formation of the first and second portions 33a and 33b.
The third portion 33c extends from the rear of the second portion
33b, and includes a shaft 33d rotatably connected to the first and
second main wheels 41 and 42. The first and second portions 33a and
33b of the steering portion 33 are bent, and the first and second
main wheels 41 and 42 are disposed at the rear of the cleaner body
10, so the steering portion 33 stably supports the suction port
assembly 20 and the cleaner body 10.
[0048] The steering portion 33 may also include only the second and
third portions 33b and 33c, without the first portion 33a,
according to the formation of the support housing 31.
[0049] The operation of an upright vacuum cleaner according to a
first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be
explained in detail with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a view
illustrating an example in which a user rotates the upright vacuum
cleaner to the right. Herein, the direction of rotation of the
cleaner body 10 will be described as being towards the right from
the vantage point of the user.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 5, a user grabs the manipulation handle 11
of the cleaner body 10 and cleans a surface being cleaned while
tilting the cleaner body 10 towards the user about the hinge point
(P) of the support housing 31 at a predetermined angle.
[0051] If the user rotates the manipulation handle 11 to the right,
in order to move the suction port assembly 20 to the right, the
cleaner body 10 rotates according to the direction of rotation of a
rotating shaft A2 (Referring to FIG. 3), and the center of gravity
of the cleaner body 10 shifts to the right.
[0052] As a result, the weight of the cleaner body 10 is
transmitted to the steering portion 33 of the steering unit 30, and
the steering portion 33 is twisted horizontally. The steering
portion 33 causes the first and second main wheels 41 and 42 to
rotate to the right in order to move the suction port assembly 20
to the right. Accordingly, a user can maneuver the suction port
assembly 20 conveniently, by simply rotating the manipulation
handle 11 to the right.
[0053] If the user rotates the manipulation handle 11 to the left
in order to change the direction of a suction port assembly 20
horizontally, the cleaner body 10 rotates according to the
direction of rotation of the rotating shaft A2, the weight of the
cleaner body 10 is removed from the twisted steering portion 33,
the steering portion 33 recovers its original formation, and the
first and second main wheels 41 and 42 return to their original
location. The elasticity of the steering portion 33 enables the
user to conveniently restore the cleaner body 10 to its original
position.
[0054] Although omitted herein, one will understand that the
suction port assembly 40 may also be moved to the left in a similar
manner.
[0055] The operation of an upright vacuum cleaner according to the
second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be
explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. The second
exemplary embodiment has a steering unit 130 that differs from that
of the first exemplary embodiment and that is explained
hereinbelow, but other elements of the second exemplary embodiment
are identical to elements of the first exemplary embodiment, and
detailed description thereof is omitted here.
[0056] As in the first exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, the steering unit 130 of the second exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure is disposed between the
cleaner body 10 and the suction port assembly 20, and includes a
support housing 131, a steering portion 133, and first and second
main wheels 41 and 42.
[0057] The support housing 131 covers the lower part of the main
body 10, and is hinged to the main body 10 to the left and
right.
[0058] The steering portion 133 includes a fixing portion 135,
first and second main rods 136a and 136b, a rotating portion 137,
and first and second sub rods 139a and 139b.
[0059] The fixing portion 135 is fixed to the bottom of the support
housing 131, and protrudes from the center thereof. One end of each
of the first and second main rods 136a and 136b is connected to a
respective side of the rotating portion 137. The other end of each
of the first and second main rods 136a and 136b faces the rear of
the support housing 131, and as shown in FIG. 7 shafts 138a and
138b are attached thereto. The first and second main wheels 41 and
42 are rotatably connected to the shafts 138a and 138b. A hinge pin
138 is inserted into the center of the rotating portion 137 and the
center of the fixing portion 135, so the rotating portion 137 is
rotatably fixed to the fixing portion 135. The rotating portion 137
may be directly hinged on the center of the support housing 131
without using the fixing portion 135. A torsion spring (not shown)
may be mounted in the center of the fixing portion 135 in which the
hinge pin 138 is inserted, in order that the rotating portion 137
may elastically rotate about the fixing portion 135.
[0060] The first and second sub rods 139a and 139b prevent the
first and second main rods 136a and 136b from rotating more than a
predetermined angle about the rotating portion 137. One end of each
of the first and second sub rods 139a and 139b is pivotally fixed
to a respective side of the fixing portion 135, and the other end
of each of the first and second sub rods 139a and 139b is pivotally
fixed to the center of the first and second main rods 136a and
136b, respectively.
[0061] One end of each of the first and second sub rods 139a and
139b is connected by a ball bearing 143, as shown in FIG. 8. If the
first and second main rods 136a and 136b rotate so as to be twisted
in opposite directions about the rotating portion 137, as shown in
FIG. 9, the other end of each of the first and second sub rods 139a
and 139b rotates at various angles about the fixing portion
135.
[0062] The steering operation of the upright vacuum cleaner
according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, in which the user rotates the suction port assembly 20
to the right, will be explained below.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 9, if the user grabs the manipulation
handle 11 and rotates it to the right in order to move the suction
port assembly 20 to the right, the cleaner body 10 rotates to the
right about the rotating shaft A2 (referring to FIG. 6), and the
center of gravity of the cleaner body 10 thus shifts to the
right.
[0064] As a result, the weight of the cleaner body 10 is
transmitted to the steering portion 133 of the steering unit 130,
the first and second main rods 136a and 136b of the steering
portion 133 rotate in opposite directions about the rotating
portion 137 at a predetermined angle, and the rotating portion 137
rotates to the left side. The first and second sub rods 139a and
139b prevent the first and second main rods 136a and 136b from
rotating more than a predetermined angle. Accordingly, the first
and second main wheels 41 and 42 rotate to the right, and a user
can thus maneuver the suction port assembly 20 conveniently by
simply rotating the manipulation handle 11 at a predetermined
angle.
[0065] If the user rotates the manipulation handle II to the left
at a predetermined angle in order to move the suction port assembly
20 to the left, the cleaner body 10 rotates to the left about the
rotating shaft A2 (Referring to FIG. 6). Accordingly, the weight of
the cleaner body 10 is removed from the steering portion 133, the
first and second main rods 136a and 136b rotate in opposite
directions, and thus the rotating portion 137 rotates to the right.
As a result, if the first and second main rods 136a and 136b return
to the original location, the first and second main wheels 41 and
42 also return to the original location, and the user can move the
suction port assembly 20 in a straight line.
[0066] The operation of the upright vacuum cleaner according to a
third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be
explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. Elements in
common with the first exemplary embodiment are omitted from the
description of the third exemplary embodiment, and only the
steering unit 230, which differs from that of the first exemplary
embodiment, will be explained.
[0067] The steering unit 230 of the third exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure is disposed between the cleaner body 10 and
the suction port assembly 20, and includes a support housing 231, a
steering portion 233, a support wheel 238, and first and second
main wheels 41 and 42.
[0068] The support housing 231 encloses a lower portion of the
cleaner body 10, and the left and right sides thereof are hinged to
the cleaner body 10.
[0069] The steering portion 233 includes first and second supports
234a and 234b, and first and second dampers 235 and 236. One end of
each of the first and second supports 234a and 234b is hingeably
connected to the support housing 231. The opposite end of each of
the first and second supports 234a and 234b is connected to a rear
portion of the support housing 231. The first and second main
wheels 41 and 42 are rotatably connected to the opposite end of
each of the first and second supports 234a and 234b, respectively.
The first and second dampers 235 and 236 include respective elastic
rods 235a and 236a, and return springs 235b and 236b. One end of
each of the elastic rods 235a and 236a is hinged to a respective
side of the support housing 231, and the opposite end of each of
the elastic rods 235a and 236a is hinged to an upper central
portion of the first and second supports 234a and 234b,
respectively. The elastic rods 235a and 236a are implemented as
telescopic structures that are elastically extensible. The return
springs 235b and 236b coil around the circumference of the elastic
rods 235a and 236a, when the length of the elastic rods 235a and
236a is reduced, the return springs 235b and 236b are
compressed.
[0070] The steering portion 233 may include a pair of torsion
springs 335 and 336 instead of the first and second dampers 235 and
236, as shown in FIG. 13. The torsion springs 335 and 336 of FIG.
13 are disposed between the first and second supports 234a and
234b, and are hinged to respective sides of the support housing
231, so that the first and second supports 234a and 234b are
elastically connected to the support housing 231.
[0071] The support wheel 238 is rotatably connected to a support
237 that protrudes from a lower central portion of the support
housing 231. The support wheel 238 forms a tapered surface around
the circumference of the left and right sides 238a and 238b about
the support 237. When the cleaner body 10 leans to the right or
left, a taper surface of the left or right side 238a or 238b of the
support wheel 238 contacts a surface being cleaned and stably
supports the cleaner body 10, enabling the vacuum cleaner to move
smoothly across a surface being cleaned in the same manner as the
first and second main wheels 41 and 42.
[0072] The steering operation of the upright vacuum cleaner
according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure will be explained below.
[0073] In order to change the direction of the suction port
assembly 20 to the right, the user grabs the manipulation handle
11, and rotates it in the direction of rotation of the rotating
shaft (not shown). As a result, the center of gravity of the
cleaner body 10 shifts to the right.
[0074] As a result, the weight of the cleaner body 10 is
transmitted to the steering portion 233 of the steering unit 230,
and the first support 234a of the steering portion 233 that is
disposed on the side to which the vacuum cleaner rotates at a
predetermined angle, and the second support 234b does not rotate.
The length of the elastic rod 235a of the first damper 235 is
reduced, and the return spring 235b is compressed.
[0075] The first and second main wheels 41 and 42, and the support
wheel 238 are implemented to be inclined at a predetermined angle
to the right.
[0076] A user can maneuver the suction port assembly 20
conveniently by simply rotating the manipulation handle 11 to the
right.
[0077] In order to adjust the direction of the suction port
assembly 20 from the heading in a rightward to heading straight
ahead, the user rotates the manipulation handle 11 to the left at a
predetermined angle, and the cleaner body 10 thus rotates in the
direction of rotation of the rotating shaft.
[0078] The weight of the cleaner body 10 is removed from the first
damper 235 of the steering portion 233, the elastic rod 235a is
reduced to the original length by the elasticity of the return
spring 235b, the first support 234a rotates and returns to its
original position, the cleaner body 10 returns to its original
position and the first and second main wheels 41 and 42 are
arranged in their original positions. Accordingly, the user can
move the suction port assembly 20 straight ahead.
[0079] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, a steering unit having a simple structure is provided,
to reduce the number of assembled parts, increase productivity, and
greatly reduce the cost of repair and maintenance.
[0080] Furthermore, a user of an upright vacuum cleaner can easily
move the suction port assembly, by simply moving a manipulation
handle and return the cleaner body to its original position with
minimal effort.
[0081] The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are
merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the
present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to
other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary
embodiments of the present invention 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.
* * * * *