U.S. patent application number 12/428880 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-28 for internal air separators in a dirt separation device.
Invention is credited to Brian K. Ruben.
Application Number | 20100269289 12/428880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42245246 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100269289 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruben; Brian K. |
October 28, 2010 |
INTERNAL AIR SEPARATORS IN A DIRT SEPARATION DEVICE
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner includes a body having a canister assembly and
a nozzle assembly including a suction inlet. A suction generator is
carried on the body. In addition a dirt collection vessel is
carried on the body. The dirt collection vessel includes a cyclonic
separator having a cylindrical sidewall, a tangentially directed
inlet and an axially directed outlet. The dirt collection vessel is
characterized by a compound airflow guide provided adjacent the
axially directed outlet. The compound airflow guide includes a
blade portion and a frustoconical portion.
Inventors: |
Ruben; Brian K.; (Danville,
KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KING & SCHICKLI, PLLC
247 NORTH BROADWAY
LEXINGTON
KY
40507
US
|
Family ID: |
42245246 |
Appl. No.: |
12/428880 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/353 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B04C 2005/136 20130101;
B04C 5/13 20130101; A47L 9/1658 20130101; A47L 9/1625 20130101;
A47L 9/1641 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/353 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/16 20060101
A47L009/16 |
Claims
1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: a body including a canister
assembly and a nozzle assembly including a suction inlet; a suction
generator carried on said body; and a dirt collection vessel
carried on said body, said dirt collection vessel including a
cyclonic separator having a cylindrical sidewall, a tangentially
directed inlet and an axially directed outlet; said dirt collection
vessel being characterized by a compound airflow guide adjacent
said axially directed outlet, said compound airflow guide including
a blade portion and a frustoconical portion.
2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said blade portion is
provided between said frustoconical portion and said axially
directed outlet.
3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein said blade portion
provides multiple feed channels in communication with said axially
directed outlet.
4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein said blade portion has a
substantially +-shaped cross section.
5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein said frustoconical
portion converges toward said blade portion.
6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein said frustoconical
portion includes a closed concavity.
7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein said axially directed
outlet is defined by a conduit and said blade portion includes
multiple notches that engage said conduit.
8. A method of guiding airflow through a cyclonic separator
including a cylindrical sidewall and an axially directed outlet,
comprising: providing a compound airflow guide in said cyclonic
separator adjacent said outlet; moving air over a frustoconical
surface of said compound airflow guide so as to promote cyclonic
airflow; and moving said air through channels defined by a blade
portion of said compound airflow guide so as to redirect said air
into said axially directed outlet.
9. The method of claim 8, including dissipating cyclonic flow of
said air as said air is fed into said axially directed outlet.
10. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: a body including a canister
assembly and a nozzle assembly including a suction inlet; a suction
generator carried on said body; and a dirt collection vessel
carried on said body; said dirt collection vessel including a
primary cyclone and at least one secondary cyclone; said primary
cyclone having a primary dirt collection chamber including a first
cylindrical sidewall, a first tangentially directed inlet and a
first axially directed outlet; said at least one secondary cyclone
including a second dirt separation chamber having a second
cylindrical sidewall, a second tangentially directed inlet, a
second axially directed outlet and a compound airflow guide
adjacent said second axially directed outlet, said compound airflow
guide including a blade portion and a frustoconical portion.
11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein said blade portion is
provided between said frustoconical portion and said second axially
directed outlet.
12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, wherein said blade portion
provides multiple feed channels in communication with said second
axially directed outlet.
13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein said blade portion has
a substantially +-shaped cross section.
14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein said frustoconical
portion converges toward said blade portion.
15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein said frustoconical
portion includes a closed concavity.
16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein said second axially
directed outlet is defined by a conduit and said blade portion
includes multiple notches that engage said conduit.
17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10 further including a secondary
dirt collection chamber.
18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 17, wherein said at least one
secondary cyclone includes a dirt particle discharge outlet in
fluid communication with said secondary dirt collection
chamber.
19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, further including an inner wall
concentrically received in said first cylindrical sidewall, said
secondary dirt collection chamber being provided within said inner
wall.
20. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein said first axially
directed outlet is upstream from said second tangentially directed
inlet.
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 highly efficient and
effective vacuum cleaner incorporating a cyclonic separator having
a compound air flow guide to enhance cleaning efficiency.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Cyclonic vacuum cleaners have long been known in the art.
Such vacuum cleaners remove dirt and debris from the air stream by
means of vortex separation. Specifically, a high speed rotating air
flow is established within a cylindrical chamber often referred to
as a cyclone. Air flows in a spiral pattern before exiting the
cyclone through an axially directed outlet. Rotational effects,
centrifugal force and gravity all function to separate dirt and
debris from the air stream. Specifically larger particles in the
rotating stream have too much inertia to follow the tight curve of
the stream. Such particles strike the outer wall of the cyclone
falling to the bottom of the cyclone where they are collected or
removed. The relatively clean air is then drawn through the axially
directed outlet.
[0003] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner
incorporating a new and improved dirt collection vessel having a
cyclonic separator equipped with a compound air flow guide to
better direct air flow and provide enhanced cleaning
efficiency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as
described herein, a vacuum cleaner is provided comprising a body
including a canister assembly and a nozzle assembly. The nozzle
assembly includes a suction inlet. A suction generator is carried
on the body. A dirt collection vessel is also carried on the body.
The dirt collection vessel includes a cyclonic separator having a
cylindrical side wall, a tangentially directed inlet and an axially
directed outlet. The dirt collection vessel is characterized by a
compound air flow guide adjacent the axially directed outlet. The
compound air flow guide includes a blade portion and a
frustoconical portion.
[0005] The blade portion is provided between the frustoconical
portion and the axially directed outlet. The blade portion provides
multiple feed channels in communication with the axially directed
outlet. The blade portion has a substantially +-shaped cross
section. The frustoconical portion converges toward the blade
portion. The frustoconical portion includes a closed concavity.
More specifically describing the invention the axially directed
outlet is defined by a conduit and the blade portion of the
compound air flow guide includes multiple notches that engage that
conduit.
[0006] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention a method is provided of guiding air flow through a
cyclonic separator wherein that cyclonic separator includes a
cylindrical sidewall and an axially directed outlet. The method
comprises the steps of: (a) providing a compound air flow guide in
the cyclonic separator adjacent the outlet, (b) moving air over a
frustoconical surface of the compound air flow guide so as to
provide cyclonic air flow and (c) moving the air through channels
defined by a blade portion of the compound air flow guide so as to
redirect that air into the axially directed outlet. In addition,
the method includes the step of dissipating the cyclonic flow of
the air as the air is fed into the axially directed outlet.
[0007] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, a vacuum cleaner comprises a body including a canister
assembly and a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a
suction inlet. Both a suction generator and dirt collection vessel
are carried on the body. The dirt collection vessel includes a
cyclonic separator having a primary cyclone and at least one
secondary cyclone. The primary cyclone has a primary dirt
collection chamber including a first cylindrical sidewall, a first
tangentially directed inlet and a first axially directed outlet.
The at least one secondary cyclone includes a dirt separation
chamber having a second cylindrical side wall, a second
tangentially directed inlet and a second axially directed outlet. A
compound air flow guide is provided adjacent the second axially
directed outlet. The compound air flow guide includes a blade
portion and frustoconical portion.
[0008] In the following description there is shown and described
several different embodiments of the invention, simply by way of
illustration of some of the modes best suited to carry out the
invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of
other different embodiments and its several details are capable of
modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from
the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] 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:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a left side elevational view of a vacuum cleaner
incorporating the novel dirt collection vessel of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the dirt
collection vessel;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating the dirt
collection vessel of the present invention and the air flow through
that vessel;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a compound air flow
guide of the type provided in the dirt collection vessel of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a detailed cross sectional view through the
conduit forming the axial outlet of the secondary cyclone, looking
toward the compound air flow guide; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the dirt collection vessel of the present
invention.
[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiment of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0017] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 illustrating an upright
vacuum cleaner 10 of the present invention. While an upright vacuum
cleaner 10 is illustrated, it should be appreciated that the
present invention is not limited to upright vacuum cleaners but
instead covers any type of vacuum cleaner incorporating the novel
dirt collection vessel 12 of the present invention. This includes,
but is not limited to, canister vacuum cleaners.
[0018] 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 19 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 dirt collection vessel 12. The
details of the dirt collection vessel 12 will be described in
greater detail below. The control assembly 18 also includes a
control stalk 30 and an actuator switch (not shown) 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) and/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 back into the environment through the exhaust vent or
port 34.
[0021] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dirt collection
vessel 12 includes a primary cyclone 40 having a first cylindrical
side wall 42 and a bottom wall 44. In one possible embodiment the
bottom wall 44 is connected by means of a hinge 46 and latch
mechanism 48 to the side wall 42. Thus, the bottom wall 44 may be
pivoted open to allow emptying of the primary dirt collection
chamber 50 provided inside the side wall 42. A seal 52 is provided
between the bottom wall 44 and the side wall 42.
[0022] The primary cyclone 40 also includes a first tangentially
directed inlet 54. A shroud 56, concentrically received within the
side wall 42, includes an upper lip 58, a lower lip 60 and a side
wall 62 including a series of perforations or openings. Upper lip
58 defines an axially directed outlet of the primary cyclone
40.
[0023] The dirt collection vessel 12 also includes an inner wall 64
that is concentrically received within the shroud 56 and the first
cylindrical sidewall 42. The lower end of the inner wall 64 is
connected to the bottom wall or door 44 by a connector 66. The
upper end of the inner wall 64 incorporates a collector 68. The
collector 68 forms a base for supporting an inner secondary cyclone
assembly 70.
[0024] The secondary cyclone assembly 70 includes a substantially
star shaped support 72 including a series of indented sidewalls 74,
a concentrically located air diverter 76 and five radially arrayed
apertures 78. A partition 80 rests on the support 72 and includes a
central opening 82. An inner secondary cyclone housing 84 includes
five secondary cyclones 86.
[0025] As illustrated, the inner secondary cyclone housing 84 is
held in the central opening 82 of the partition 80. Fasteners 88
secure the support 72, partition 80 and inner secondary cyclone
housing 84 together. Specifically, the fasteners 88 threadedly
engage the bosses 90 provided on the inner secondary housing
84.
[0026] As illustrated, each of the secondary cyclones 86 includes a
dirt separation chamber 92 having a second cylindrical sidewall 94
and a second tangentially directed inlet 96. The bottom of each
secondary cyclone 86 includes a dirt particle discharge outlet 98.
Each such outlet 98 is aligned with and received in one of the five
apertures 78 provided in the support 72.
[0027] An air stream distributor 100 is received and held on the
inner secondary cyclone housing 84. The air distributor 100
includes a central opening 102 and five radially arrayed channels
104. One channel 104 communicates with each second tangentially
directed inlet 96 of the secondary cyclones 86. An outer secondary
cyclone housing 106 includes a top wall 108 for closing the tops of
the secondary cyclones 86 and a downwardly directed flange 110
received over and around the inner secondary cyclone housing 84.
The lower lip 112 of the flange 110 engages the partition 80 and
the top edge of the side wall 42. A series of five radially arrayed
conduits 114 are provided in the top wall 108 and define the second
axially directed outlets 116 of each of the secondary cyclones
86.
[0028] A top 118 is secured on the outer secondary cyclone housing
106. A seal 120 is provided between the top 118 and the outer
secondary cyclone housing 106 to seal the discharge manifold 122
defined between the top 118 and the top wall 108 of the outer
secondary cyclone housing 106. A discharge outlet 124 is provided
in the top 118. In one possible embodiment a handle 126 is
pivotally connected to the top 118. The handle 126 may be used by
an operator to conveniently lift and hold the dirt collection
vessel 12 when it is removed from the vacuum cleaner 10.
[0029] A compound air flow guide, generally designated by reference
numeral 126 is provided in each secondary cyclone 86. As best
illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, each compound air flow guide 126 includes
a blade portion 128 and a frustoconical portion 130. The blade
portion 128 is provided between the frustoconical portion 130 and
the second axially directed outlet 116 of each secondary cyclone
86. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, each blade portion 128 provides
multiple feed channels 132. Thus, where the blade portion has a
substantially +-shaped cross section four feed channels 132 are
provided for feeding the air stream into the associated conduit
114. As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, each blade portion 128
includes a series of notches 134 that engage the conduit 114 at the
end of the conduit opposite the axially directed outlet 116. A
permanent adhesive may be utilized to secure the compound air flow
guides 126 on the conduits 114 in the secondary cyclones 86. As
further illustrated in FIG. 3, each frustoconical portion 130
includes a closed concavity 136 at the bottom thereof that
converges toward the blade portion 128.
[0030] The operation of the vacuum cleaner will now be described in
detail. During vacuum cleaner operation the rotary agitator 22
beats dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet being
cleaned. Simultaneously, the suction generator 28 draws an air
stream, entraining that dirt and debris, through the suction inlet
20. The air stream, dirt and debris are then conveyed by duct work
(not shown) through the tangentially directed inlet 42 of the
primary cyclone 40. The air stream with entrained dirt and debris
then moves in a cyclonic air flow pattern through the dirt
collection chamber 50 (note action arrows A). This air flow pattern
creates centrifugal forces that force dirt and debris in the air
stream outwardly toward the side wall 42. That dirt and debris then
gradually falls downwardly toward the bottom of the primary dirt
collection chamber 50 where it collects. Relatively clean air is
then drawn through the apertures in the side wall 62 of the shroud
56 and through the axially directed outlet formed by the upper lip
58 (see action arrow B). The air stream is then drawn past the
indented side walls 74 of the support 72 and then over the top of
the support and along the air diverter 76 upwardly between the
secondary cyclones 86 (see action arrow C).
[0031] More specifically, the partition seals 80 around the
secondary cyclones 86 and along the flange 110 forcing the air
stream to then pass through the aperture 82. The air streams then
travels between the secondary cyclones 86 through the central
opening 102 in the air distributor 100. The air distributor 100
divides the air stream in five ways as the air stream is directed
through the channels 104 to each of the tangentially directed
inlets 96 of the secondary cyclones 86 (see action arrow D). The
air stream then moves in a cyclonic air flow pattern through the
dirt separation chambers 92 of the secondary cyclones 86. During
this process, the air stream then flows over and around the
frustoconical surface of the frustoconical portion 130 of the
compound air flow guides 126. The frustoconical surface promotes
smooth non-turbulent flow so that fine particles move efficiently
under centrifugal force into engagement with the second cylindrical
side walls 94. Those particles then fall downwardly through the
dirt particle discharge outlets 98 into the collector 68 which
serves to deliver the particles into the secondary dirt collection
chamber 136 provided in the inner wall 64.
[0032] Simultaneously, the air stream, now free of fine particles,
is drawn toward the axially directed outlets 116. As the air stream
moves toward the conduits 114 defining the outlets 116, the air
stream is redirected by the blade portions 128 of the compound air
flow guides 126. As a consequence, cyclonic air flow is dissipated
so that the air stream now moves more smoothly and efficiently
through the conduits 114 and the axially directed outlets 116 into
the discharge manifold 122. From there the air stream is discharged
through the discharge outlet 124 and delivered by conduit (not
shown) to the suction generator 28. The air stream then flows over
the motor of the suction generator 28 to provide cooling before
being exhausted through a final filter (not shown) into the
environment through the exhaust vent 34.
[0033] An alternative embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 6. This embodiment is identical to the
previously described embodiment except for the fact that it does
not include an air diverter 76. Otherwise, the air flow is exactly
as previously described with respect to the earlier embodiment.
[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.
* * * * *