U.S. patent application number 12/359803 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-29 for vacuum cleaner having dirt collection vessel with a labyrinthine air flow path.
Invention is credited to Brian K. Ruben.
Application Number | 20100186189 12/359803 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42352940 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100186189 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruben; Brian K. |
July 29, 2010 |
VACUUM CLEANER HAVING DIRT COLLECTION VESSEL WITH A LABYRINTHINE
AIR FLOW PATH
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner includes a body having a nozzle assembly with a
suction inlet and a control assembly including a control stalk. A
suction generator and dirt collection vessel are both carried on
the body. A dirt collection vessel includes a housing, having a
dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, a labyrinthine air flow path
connecting the dirty air inlet with the clean air outlet, and a
dirt collection chamber opening to the labyrinthine air flow
path.
Inventors: |
Ruben; Brian K.; (Danville,
KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KING & SCHICKLI, PLLC
247 NORTH BROADWAY
LEXINGTON
KY
40507
US
|
Family ID: |
42352940 |
Appl. No.: |
12/359803 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/347 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/1666 20130101;
A47L 9/102 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/347 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/14 20060101
A47L009/14 |
Claims
1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: a body including (a) a nozzle
assembly having a suction inlet and (b) a control assembly
including a control stalk; a suction generator carried on said
body; and a dirt collection vessel carried on said body; said dirt
collection vessel being characterized by a housing having a dirty
air inlet, a clean air outlet, a labyrinthine air flow path
connecting said dirty air inlet with said clean air outlet and a
dirt collection chamber opening to said labyrinthine air flow
path.
2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said dirt collection
vessel includes a series of spaced baffles forming a series of
interconnected passageways.
3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein said series of spaced
baffles comprises a first ring shaped baffle, a second ring shaped
baffle and a third ring shaped baffle.
4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein said first, second and
third ring shaped baffles are concentrically disposed with respect
to one another.
5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein a first air flow
passageway is defined between said dirty air inlet and said first
ring shaped baffle, a second air flow passageway is defined between
said first and second ring shaped baffles and a third air flow
passageway is defined between said second and third ring shaped
baffles.
6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein said dirt collection
chamber includes a first divider, a second divider and a
cylindrical outer wall.
7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 6, wherein said first and second
dividers are ring shaped and concentrically received within said
cylindrical outer wall.
8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein said first divider
projects between said first and second ring shaped baffles so that
said second airflow passageway is u-shaped.
9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein said second divider
projects between said second and third ring shaped baffles so that
said third air flow passageway is u-shaped.
10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein a first blind channel is
formed in said first divider and a second blind channel is formed
in said second divider.
11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein a third blind channel
is formed adjacent said cylindrical outer wall.
12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, wherein said clean air outlet
is formed between said third ring shaped baffle and said third
blind channel.
13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein said dirt collection
chamber includes a first dirt compartment formed between said dirty
air inlet and said first divider, a second dirt compartment formed
between said first and second dividers and a third dirt compartment
formed between said second divider and said cylindrical outer
wall.
14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, including a ring shaped air
deflector positioned in said second dirt compartment and aligned
with said second ring shaped baffle.
15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein said dirt collection
vessel further includes a primary cyclone separator upstream from
said labyrinthine air flow path so that air flows through said
dirty air inlet into said primary cyclone separator and from said
labyrinthine air flow path to said clean air outlet.
16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said labyrinthine air
flow path is shaped like a sign wave.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the floor care
equipment field and, more particularly, to a new and improved
vacuum cleaner incorporating a dirt collection vessel having a
labyrinthine air flow path for enhanced cleaning performance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A vacuum cleaner is an electromechanical appliance utilized
to effect the dry removal of dust, dirt and other small debris from
carpets, rugs, fabrics or other surfaces in domestic, commercial
and industrial environments. In order to achieve the desired dirt
and dust removal, most vacuum cleaners incorporate a rotary
agitator. The rotary agitator is provided to beat dirt and debris
from the nap of the carpet or rug while a pressure drop or vacuum
is used to force air entrained with this dirt and debris into the
nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. The particulate laden air is then
drawn into a dirt collection vessel before being directed through
the motor of the suction generator to provide cooling. Finally, the
air is filtered to remove any fine particles of carbon from the
brushes of that motor or other dirt that might remain in the
airstream before being exhausted back into the environment.
[0003] Dirt collection vessels on vacuum cleaners typically
comprise a dirt cup having a cylindrical sidewall, a tangentially
directed air inlet for receiving dirt and debris from the nozzle of
the vacuum cleaner, and an axially oriented outlet for discharging
clean air from the dirt collection vessel. Such a structural
arrangement allows for cyclonic air flow in the dirt cup. Such air
flow causes dirt and debris to move outwardly toward the side wall
of the dirt cup under the centrifugal force generated by the
cyclonic air flow. That dirt and debris is then collected in the
dirt cup as the clean air is drawn toward and through the axially
directed outlet.
[0004] In many vacuum cleaners a filter of some type is provided
over the discharge outlet to eliminate any dirt and debris not
removed from the air stream by the cyclonic air flow. In other,
more recent designs, one or more secondary cyclones are provided to
remove any fine dust particles that may have escaped the first or
primary cyclone cleaning stage.
[0005] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner
incorporating a dirt collection vessel of novel design that
includes a labyrinthine air flow path that provides enhanced
cleaning performance without the need for a fine particle filter in
the dirt collection vessel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as
described herein, an improved vacuum cleaner is provided. That
vacuum cleaner comprises a body including (a) a nozzle assembly
having a suction inlet, (b) a control assembly including a control
stalk, (c) a suction generator carried on the body, and a dirt
collection vessel carried on the body. The dirt collection vessel
is characterized by a housing having a dirty air inlet, a clean air
outlet, a labyrinthine air flow path connecting the dirty air inlet
with the clean air outlet, and a dirt collection chamber opening to
the labyrinthine air flow path. As the air stream follows the
labyrinthine air flow path it moves in the shape of a sign
wave.
[0007] More specifically describing the invention, the dirt
collection vessel includes a series of spaced baffles forming a
series of interconnected passageways. This series of spaced baffles
comprises a first ring shaped baffle, a second ring shaped baffle,
and a third ring shaped baffle. The first, second and third ring
shaped baffles are concentrically disposed with respect to one
another.
[0008] A first airflow pathway is defined between the dirty air
inlet and the first ring shaped baffle. A second airflow pathway is
defined between the first and second ring shaped baffles. A third
air flow passageway is defined between the second and third ring
shaped baffles.
[0009] Still further describing the invention, the dirt collection
chamber includes a first divider, a second divider and a
cylindrical outer wall. The first and second dividers are ring
shaped and concentrically received within the cylindrical outer
wall. The first divider projects between the first and second ring
shaped baffles so that the second air flow passageway is u-shaped.
Similarly, the second divider projects between the second and third
ring shaped baffles so that the third air flow passageway is
u-shaped. A first blind channel is formed in the first divider
while a second blind channel is formed in the second divider. Still
further, a third blind channel is formed adjacent the cylindrical
outer wall. A clean air outlet is formed between the third ring
shaped baffle and the third blind channel. All of the blind
channels open toward the dirt collection chamber and away from the
labyrinthine air flow path.
[0010] The dirt collection chamber includes a first dirt
compartment formed between the dirty air inlet and the first
divider, a second dirt compartment formed between the first and
second dividers, and a third dirt compartment formed between the
second divider and the cylindrical outer wall. In addition, a ring
shaped air deflector is positioned in the second dirt compartment.
The ring shaped deflector is aligned with the second ring shaped
baffle.
[0011] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the dirt
collection vessel further includes a primary cyclone separator
upstream from the labyrinthine air flow path. In this embodiment,
air flows through the dirty air inlet, into the primary cyclone
separator, and from the primary cyclone separator into the
labyrinthine air flow path, and then from the labyrinthine air flow
path to the clean air outlet. Thus, the labyrinthine air flow path
acts as a secondary cleaning means for removing fine dirt and
debris from the air stream.
[0012] In the following description, therein describes multiple
embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of some
of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it should
be realized, the invention is capable of other different
embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in
various, obvious aspects departing from the invention. Accordingly,
the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in
nature, but not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and forming a
part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the
present invention and together with the description serve to
explain certain principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner
incorporating the novel dirt collection vessel of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, illustrating a first
embodiment of the dirt collection vessel of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematical cross-sectional view of an
alternative embodiment of the dirt collection vessel of the present
invention.
[0017] Reference will now be made in detail of the present
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0018] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 illustrating an upright
vacuum cleaner 10. incorporating the novel dirt collection vessel
12 of the present invention. The vacuum cleaner 10 includes a body,
generally designated by reference numeral 14. The body 14 includes
a nozzle assembly 16 and a control assembly 18. As is known in the
art, the control assembly 18 is pivotally connected to the nozzle
assembly 16 to aid the operator in manipulating the vacuum cleaner
10 back and forth across the floor. Wheels (not shown) carried on
the body 14 allow the vacuum cleaner 10 to be moved smoothly across
the floor. As illustrated, the nozzle assembly 16 is equipped with
a suction inlet 20. A rotary agitator 22, including bristle tufts,
wipers or cleaning ribs 23, is mounted on the nozzle assembly 16
and extends across the suction inlet 20. The rotary agitator 22
rotates relative to the nozzle assembly 16 in a manner well known
in the art.
[0019] The control assembly 18 carries a suction generator 28 (i.e.
a fan and motor assembly) and the collection vessel 12. The details
of the dirt collection vessel will be described in greater detail
below. The control assembly 18 also includes a control stalk 30 and
an actuator switch 32 for turning the vacuum cleaner 10 on and off.
The vacuum cleaner 10 may be powered by electricity from an
electrical wall outlet through a power cord (not shown) or by means
of an onboard battery.
[0020] In operation, the rotary agitator 22 quietly and efficiently
brushes dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet. That
loosened dirt and debris is first drawn into the suction inlet 20
before being delivered to the dirt collection vessel 12 by means of
the suction generator 28. Dirt and debris is trapped in the dirt
collection vessel 12 and the now clean air is directed over the
motor of the suction generator 28 to provide cooling before being
exhausted into the environment through the exhaust vent or port
34.
[0021] A first embodiment of the dirt collection vessel 12 of the
present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated, the
dirt collection vessel 12 includes a housing 40, including a
cylindrical outer wall 42, as well as a cylindrical inner wall 44
concentrically received within the cylindrical outer wall 42. The
cylindrical inner wall 44 defines the dirty air inlet 46. Dirty air
inlet 46 opens into a labyrinthine air flow path, generally
designated by reference numeral 48. A dirt collection chamber,
generally designated by reference numeral 50, opens to the
labyrinthine air flow path 48. The dirt collection chamber 50 is
closed at one end by an annular bottom wall 52 that may be
connected by means of a hinge 54 to the outer side wall 42. A latch
mechanism of a type known in the art and generally designated by
reference numeral 56, holds the bottom wall 52 closed. When the
latch mechanism 56 is unlatched, the bottom wall 52 pivots about
the hinge 54 to allow one to empty dirt and debris from the dirt
collection chamber 50.
[0022] The labyrinthine air flow path 48 is formed by a series of
spaced baffles 58, 60, 62, that project from the top wall 64 of the
dirt collection vessel 12. As illustrated, the ring shaped baffles
58, 60, 62 are concentrically disposed with respect to one another.
A first air flow passageway 66 is defined between the dirty air
inlet 42 or cylindrical inner wall 44 and the first ring shaped
baffle 58. A second air flow passageway 68 is defined between the
first ring shaped baffle 58 and the second ring shaped baffle 60. A
third air flow passageway 70 is defined between the second ring
shaped baffle 60 and the third ring shaped baffle 62.
[0023] The dirt collection chamber 50 includes a first divider 72
and a second divider 74. The dividers 72, 74 are ring shaped and
concentrically received within the cylindrical outer wall 42. As
illustrated, the first divider 72 projects between the first and
second ring shaped baffles 58, 60 so that the second air flow
passageway 68 is unshaped. Similarly, the second divider 74
projects between the second and third ring shaped baffles 60, 62 so
that the third air flow passageway 70 is unshaped.
[0024] A first blind channel 76 is formed in the first divider 72,
and a second blind channel 78 is formed in the second divider 74.
In addition, a third blind channel 80 is formed adjacent to the
cylindrical outer wall 42. All of the blind channels 76, 78, 80
open toward the bottom wall 52 of the dirt collection chamber 50
and away from the labyrinthine air flow path 48. The clean air
outlet 82 is formed between the third ring shaped baffle 62 and the
third blind channel 80.
[0025] The dirt collection chamber 50 includes a first dirt
compartment 84 formed between the dirty air inlet 42 and the first
divider 72, a second dirt compartment 86 formed between the first
and second dividers 72, 74, and a third dirt compartment 88 formed
between the second divider 74 and the cylindrical outer wall 42. An
annular or ring shaped deflector 90 is positioned in the second
dirt compartment and aligned with the second ring shaped baffle 60.
Ribs 95 connect the inner wall 44, first divider 72, second divider
74 and deflector 90 to the sidewall 42.
[0026] The movement of air through the dirt collection vessel 12
will now be described in detail. Suction generator 28 draws an air
stream entrained with dirt and debris through the suction inlet 20.
That air stream is delivered by duct work (not shown) to the dirty
air inlet 46 provided in the cylindrical inner wall 44. At this
point, the air stream enters the labyrinthine air flow path 48. For
purposes of this document, the terminology "labyrinthine air flow
path" shall mean an air flow path having intricate passageways.
Upon entering the labyrinthine air flow path 48, the air stream
passes through the first air flow passageway 66 between the
cylindrical inner wall 44 or dirty air inlet 46 and the first ring
shaped baffle 50. That air stream then makes a sharp 180 degree
turn around the first ring shaped baffle 58 before entering the
second air flow pathway 68 (note action arrows A). As the air
stream turns 180 degrees around the first ring shaped baffle 58,
centrifugal forces act upon dirt and debris in the air stream,
forcing that dirt and debris downward where it is collected within
the first dirt compartment 84. The air stream now minus the dirt
and debris collected in the first dirt compartment 84 travels
through the second air flow passageway 68. The air stream then
makes another 180 degree turn around the second ring shaped baffle
60 (Note action arrow B). Here, the air stream passes through the
annular gap 92 provided between the second ring shaped baffle 60
and the air deflector 90. Once again, centrifugal forces are
generated on any remaining dirt and debris in the air stream as the
air stream moves around the second ring shaped baffle 60 to enter
the third air flow passageway 70. Thus, any remaining fine
particles of dirt are acted upon by centrifugal force that tends to
capture those particles in the second dirt compartment 86. The air
stream, minus the particles captured in second dirt compartment 86,
then passes through the third air flow passageway 70 until making
yet a third 180 degree turn around the third ring shaped baffle 62
(note action arrows C). At this point, only a relatively few of the
finest dirt particles, if any, are remaining in the air stream.
Centrifugal forces generated by the 180 degree turn of the air
stream force any remaining particles outwardly toward the bottom of
the third dirt compartment 86 where those particles are collected
while the now clean air stream passes through the clean air outlet
82. As should be appreciated, the air stream moves along a sine
wave shaped path as it moves through the passageways 66, 68, 70 of
the labyrinthine air path 48.
[0027] It should be appreciated that the unique combination of ring
shaped baffles 58, 60, 62 that force the air stream to make a
180.degree. change of direction, blind channels 76, 78, 80 that
help capture dirt particles and prevent their return to the air
stream traveling through the labyrinthine air path 48, dirt
compartments 84, 86, 88, and air deflector 90 function to clean the
air free of dirt and debris including fine dirt particles. Thus,
there is no need to provide a fine particle filter media in the
dirt collection vessel 12 of the present invention. This eliminates
the need to service/replace such a filter. It also eliminates any
possibility of operating the vacuum cleaner at less than top
efficiency due to the presence of such a filter when it is
partially clogged with particles.
[0028] As is further illustrated in FIG. 2, the air stream travels
from the clean air outlet 82 into the internal chamber 94 of the
discharge manifold 96. A discharge port 98 in the manifold 96 is
connected by duct work (not shown) to the suction generator 28 (see
action arrows D). Accordingly, the air stream, now clean of
particles, is drawn over the motor of the suction generator 28 to
provide cooling before being exhausted back into the environment
through the exhaust port 34. If desired, it should be appreciated
that a filter, such as a HEPA filter, may be provided between the
suction generator 28 and the exhaust port 34 in order to filter any
carbon particles from the coils of the motor, or from any other
source that might remain in the air stream.
[0029] An alternative embodiment of dirt collection vessel 100 is
illustrated in FIG. 3. As illustrated, the dirt collection vessel
100 includes a primary cyclone, generally designated by 102, and a
secondary cyclone generally designated by reference numeral
104.
[0030] Primary cyclone 102 includes a dirt collection chamber 106
having an outer or side wall 108, of substantially cylindrical
shape, a tangentially directed inlet 110 and an axially directed
outlet 112. A bottom wall 116 is pivotally connected to the Outer
side wall 108 by means of a hinge 118. A latching arrangement 120
of a type known in the art, secures the bottom wall 116 in the
closed position, but may be unlatched by the operator to allow the
bottom wall 116 to hinge open so that dirt and debris may be
removed from the dirt collection vessel 100.
[0031] The axial outlet 112 of the dirt collection chamber 106 is
covered by a shroud 122. The upper portion 124 of the shroud 122
provides smooth continuous inner and outer surfaces to promote
smooth air flow. The lower portion 126 of the shroud 122 includes a
series of apertures 128. The shroud 122 is supported in the center
of the dirt collection chamber 106 by the top wall 114 of the
primary cyclone 102.
[0032] During vacuum cleaner operation, the suction generator 28
draws dirt and debris through the suction inlet 20. That dirt and
debris is then conveyed by duct work (not shown) to the
tangentially directed inlet 110. The air stream with entrained dirt
and debris then moves in a cyclonic air flow pattern through the
dirt collection chamber 106 (note action arrows E). This flow
pattern creates centrifugal forces that force dirt and debris in
the air stream outwardly toward the side wall 108. That dirt and
debris then gradually falls downwardly toward the bottom of the
dirt collection chamber 106, where it collects. Relatively clean
air is then drawn through the apertures 128 (only some of which are
illustrated in FIG. 3 for simplicity) of the shroud 122 and passes
through the axially directed outlet 112, connected directly from
the inlet 46 of the secondary cyclone 104 (not action arrow F). The
secondary cyclone 104 is identical to the dirt collection vessel 12
discussed above.
[0033] Thus, the air stream exiting the axially directed outlet 112
of the primary cyclone flows through the inner cylindrical wall 44,
past the dirty air inlet 46, into the labyrinthine air flow path
48. Any relatively fine particles of dirt and debris remaining in
that air stream are removed from the air stream by centrifugal
force as the air stream travels along the labyrinthine air flow
path 48, making 180 degree turns around the first, second and third
ring shaped baffles 58, 60, 62 (note action arrows A, B and C).
That fine dirt and debris is collected in the first, second and
third dirt compartments 84, 86, 88. The clean air then passes
through the clean air outlet 82, entering the discharge manifold
chamber 94 before passing through the outlet port 98 and then
through duct work to the suction generator 28. The air stream is
then exhausted back into the environment through the exhaust vent
34. The air stream may, of course, be directed through a final
filter, such as a HEPA filter, before exhausting through the air
vent 34 if desired.
[0034] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of
the present invention have 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. The embodiments were 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. The drawings and preferred
embodiments do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary
meaning of the claims in their fair and broad interpretation in any
way.
* * * * *