AU2008238967B2

AU2008238967B2 - Dust separating apparatus of vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: AU2008238967B2
Application number: AU2008238967A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Seong-Koo Cho; Geun-Bae Hwang; Kie-Tak Hyun; Kyeong-Seon Jeong; Jin-Hyouk Shin
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2007-04-12
Filing date: 2008-04-07
Publication date: 2010-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-07
Also published as: AU2008238967A1; EP2142064A4; WO2008127002A1; EP2142064B1; ES2575556T3; EP2142064A1; KR100816910B1; RU2408250C1; CN101668466A; CN101668466B

Description

1 Description DUST SEPARATING APPARATUS OF VACUUM CLEANER Technical Field [1] The present disclosure relates to a dust separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner. 5 Background Art [2] In general, a vacuum cleaner is an apparatus that uses suctioning force imparted by a suction motor installed in the main body to suction air including dust and filter the dust within the main body. [3] Such vacuum cleaners can largely be divided into canister vacuum cleaners that 10 have a suctioning nozzle provided separately from and connected with a main body, and upright vacuum cleaners that have a suctioning nozzle coupled to the main body. [4] A related art vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum cleaner main body, and a dust separating apparatus installed in the vacuum cleaner main body for separating dust from air. The dust separating apparatus is generally configured to separate dust using the 15 cyclone principle. [5] The performance of a thus -configured vacuum cleaner can be rated based on the fluctuating range of its dust separating performance. Therefore, dust separating apparatuses for vacuum cleaners have continuously been developed to provide improved dust separating performance. 20 [6] Also, from a user's perspective, dust separating apparatuses for vacuum cleaners that can be easily separated from the vacuum cleaner main body, and that enable dust to easily be emptied are required. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem 25 [7] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dust separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner with improved dust separating performance. [8] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dust separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner having a dust container with a simplified configuration to allow a user to easily empty dust. 30 [9] A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a dust separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner that allows a user to use minimal exertion to handle a dust container.

2 Summary of the Invention [10] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a dust separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, including: a dust separator defining a plurality of air inlets; 5 a dust outlet that is less in number than the air inlets, the dust outlet for discharging dust separated from air suctioned through the respective air inlets; and a dust container for storing dust discharged through the dust outlet. [11] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a dust separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, including: 10 a dust separator for separating dust from suctioned air; a single dust outlet for discharging dust separated in the dust separator; a plurality of outlets formed in the dust separator, for discharging air from which dust has been separated; and a dust container for storing dust discharged through the dust outlet, 15 wherein the dust separator is provided with a plurality of inlets through which air including dust is suctioned. [12] According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a dust separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, including: a dust separator generating a plurality of cyclone airflows; 20 a dust outlet for discharging dust separated in the dust separator; and a dust container for storing dust discharged through the dust outlet, wherein each of the cyclone airflows moves in a mutually convergent direction, wherein the dust separator is provided with a plurality of inlets through which air including dust is suctioned. 25 [12a] Comprises/comprising and grammatical variations thereof when used in this specification are to be taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Advantageous Effects 30 [13] An advantage according to embodiments of the present disclosure is that because a plurality of inlets is formed in a cyclone, and a plurality of cyclone airflows is formed within the cyclone, the airflow volume is increased and airflow loss is reduced, for improved dust separating performance.

2a [14} Also, inlets are formed at either side of the cyclone, and a dust outlet is formed in the center of the cyclone, so that a forceful cyclone airflow is generated at the central portion of the cyclone to allow dust to be easily discharged. [15] In addition, because a dust outlet is formed tangentially to the cyclone, the dust 5 can be discharged in the same direction in which it has been rotating. Thus, not only can dust of higher density be easily discharged, dust of lower density can also be discharged easily from the cyclone. [16] Further, because a cover member is detachably coupled to the cyclone, with the cover member separated from the cyclone, a user can easily clean the inside of the 10 cyclone and the filter member. [17] Still further, because a pair of guide members is provided at the dust outlet, separated dust can be prevented from moving to the outlet, and separated dust can easily be discharged. Accordingly, separated dust clogging the outlet or the filter member can be prevented, and airflow is facilitated, so that dust separating performance is increased. 15 [18] Furthermore, because a dust container that stores dust is provided as a separate component from a dust separator, a user can empty dust by separating only the dust container, thereby increasing user convenience in handling the dust container. [19] Moreover, because a structure for separating dust within the dust container is not provided, the structure of the dust container is simplified, and the weight of the dust 20 WO 2008/127002 PCT/KR2008/001946 container is minimized, thereby increasing user convenience. [20] Additionally, by simplifying the internal structure of the dust container, emptying of dust stored in the dust container can easily be performed. Brief Description of the Drawings [21] Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views schematically showing the structure of a dust separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [22] Fig. 3 is a disassembled perspective view of the dust separating apparatus in Figs. 1 and 2. [23] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along line A-A. [24] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along line B-B. [25] Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views showing airflow within a dust separating apparatus according to the first embodiment. [26] Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of a dust separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [27] Fig. 9 is a sectional view of Fig. 8 taken along line C-C. Mode for the Invention [28] Below, detailed descriptions of embodiments according to the present disclosure will be provided with reference to the drawings. [29] Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views schematically showing the structure of a dust separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 3 is a disassembled perspective view of the dust separating apparatus in Figs. 1 and 2. [30] Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, a dust separating apparatus 1 of a vacuum cleaner according to present embodiments includes a dust separating unit 10 that separates dust from suctioned air, a dust container 20 for storing dust separated by the dust separating unit 10, a suctioning guide 30 that guides the flow of air including dust toward the dust separating unit 10, and a distribution unit 40 for distributing the air in the suctioning guide 30 to the dust separating unit 10. [31] In detail, air suctioned through a suctioning nozzle (not shown) flows to the suctioning guide 30. The suctioning guide 30 is provided inside the vacuum cleaner, and is disposed below the dust container 20. The suctioning guide 30 has the dis tribution unit 40 connected thereto. [32] The dust separating unit 10 separates dust from air supplied from the distribution unit 40. The dust separating unit 10 uses the cyclone principle to separate dust from air, and includes a cyclone 110 for this purpose.

WO 2008/127002 PCT/KR2008/001946 [33] The axis of the cyclone 110 extends in a horizontal direction. Thus, the air within the cyclone 110 rotates in a vertical direction. [34] A pair of inlets 120 is formed (one on either side) on the cyclone 110, to suction air. The pair of inlets 120 may be formed in tangential directions with respect to the cyclone 110 in order to generate a cyclone airflow within the cyclone 110. The pair of inlets 120 provides suctioning passages for air entering the cyclone 110. [35] The pair of inlets 120 is connected, one on either side of the distribution unit 40. Therefore, the air that flows through the suctioning guide 30 is branched at either side at the distribution unit 40, and the branched air rises along the respective inlets 120 to be suctioned into the cyclone 110. [36] A dust outlet 130 that exhausts dust separated within the cyclone 110 is formed at the center of the cyclone 110. [37] Accordingly, the dust separated from air suctioned through each inlet 120 at either side of the cyclone 110 moves to the center of the cyclone 110. Next, the dust that flows to the center of the cyclone passes through the dust outlet 130 and is discharged to the dust container 20. [38] Here, the dust outlet 130 is formed tangentially with respect to the cyclone 110 to allow easy discharging of dust. Thus, the dust separated in the cyclone 110 is discharged tangentially with respect to the cyclone 110 - that is, in the same direction in which the dust has been rotating - allowing easy discharging of not only dust with higher density, but also easy discharging of dust with lower density from the cyclone 110. [39] Because dust with lower density can easily be discharged, dust with lower density will accumulate less on a filter member (to be described below), facilitating flow of air and improving dust separating performance. [40] Also, air outlets 140 are formed, one on either side of the cyclone 110, to discharge air separated from dust in the cyclone 110. The air discharged through the air outlets 140 converges at a converging passage 142 and enters the main body of the vacuum cleaner (not shown). [41] The dust container 20 stores dust separated in the dust separating unit 10. Since the dust container 20 is installed on the vacuum cleaner main body, the dust container 20 communicates with the dust separating unit 10. [42] Specifically, when the dust container 20 is installed on the vacuum cleaner main body, the dust container 20 is disposed below the dust separating unit 10. Thus, a dust inlet 210 is formed in the upper side of the dust container 20. Also, the dust outlet 130 extends downward from the cyclone 110. [43] Accordingly, the dust separated in the cyclone 110 moves downward along the dust outlet 130, and the separated dust can easily enter the dust container 20.

WO 2008/127002 PCT/KR2008/001946 [44] A cover member 220 is coupled at the bottom of the dust container 20 to discharge dust stored within. The cover member 220 may be pivotably coupled to the dust container 20, and may be detachably coupled thereto. The coupling method of the cover member 220 in the present embodiment is not restricted to any particular methods. [45] Thus, the dust container 20 is provided as a separate component to the dust separating unit 10, and is configured to be selectively communicable with the dust separating unit 10. Accordingly, a user can separate only the dust container 20 from the vacuum cleaner main body to empty dust stored in the dust container 20 to the outside. [46] Because a structure for separating dust within the dust container 20 is not provided, the structure of the dust container 20 is simplified and the weight of the dust container 20 can be minimized. [47] By minimizing the weight of the dust container 20, a user can easily carry and handle the dust container 20, and because the internal structure of the dust container 20 is simple, dust can easily be emptied to the outside, and a user can easily clean the inside of the dust container 20. [48] Below, a more specific description of a dust separating apparatus will be provided. [49] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along line A-A, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along line B-B. [50] Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the cyclone 110 includes a body 111 for generating cyclone airflow, and a pair of sides 115, each constituting one of either sides of the body 111. The sides 115 parallelly face one another. [51] An inlet 120 is respectively formed on either side of the body 111. Each inlet 120 is formed tangentially with respect to the cyclone 110. Thus, the air suctioned through each inlet 120 forms one of two cyclone airflows within the cyclone 110. The cyclone airflows circulate along the inner surface of the body 111. [52] Thus, when a pair of cyclone airflows is generated within a single space, the flow volume of air is increased, loss of airflow is reduced, and separating performance can be improved. [53] Also, when a pair of cyclone airflows is generated within a single space, the cyclone can be formed smaller than with a single cyclone airflow generated in a single space. [54] Here, even if the cyclone 110 is formed smaller, the centrifugal force generated at the inlets 120 is greater than in the related art, thus improving dust separating performance. [55] Also, when a pair of cyclone airflows is generated in a single space, the same level of dust separating performance as in a structure where air passes through a plurality of dust separating units can be realized. Thus, additional dust separating units for WO 2008/127002 PCT/KR2008/001946 separating dust from air discharged from the dust separating unit are not required. However, additional dust separating units may be provided in the present embodiment. [56] Furthermore, when a pair of cyclone airflows is generated with one at either side of the cyclone 110 and the cyclone airflows flow toward the center, the cyclone airflow at the center increases. Therefore, a stronger cyclone airflow is generated at the center of the cyclone 110 than at the sides of the inlets 120. [57] Thus, when the pair of cyclone airflows converge at the center of the cyclone 110, the strength of the airflow is greater than in the case where a single cyclone airflow is generated in a single space, thereby increasing dust separating performance. [58] Dust that moves to the center of the cyclone 110 can be discharged through the dust outlet 130 to the dust container 20 by means of the strong cyclone airflow, so that dust discharging performance can be increased. [59] Hair and other impurities can easily adhere to the entrance or the inside of the dust outlet 130 by means of static electricity. However, because in the present embodiment, a strong cyclone airflow is generated at the dust outlet 130, hair and other impurities do not adhere to the dust outlet 130, and can easily be discharged to the dust container 20. [60] An outlet 116 is formed to pass through each side 115 to discharge air from which dust is separated in the cyclone 110. [61] Also, a filter member 150 is coupled to each outlet 116 to filter the discharged air. In detail, the filter member 150 is configured with a cylindrical fastener 152 fastened to the inside of the cyclone 110, and a conical filter 154 extending from the fastener 152 to filter air. Also, a plurality of holes 156 is formed in the filter 154 for air to pass through. [62] Accordingly, air separated from dust in the cyclone 110 passes through the plurality of holes 156 and is discharged from the cyclone 110 through the outlets 116. [63] Here, the fastener 152 does not have through-holes formed therein, so that air suctioned through the inlet 120 is not immediately discharged, but is able to smoothly circulate within the cyclone 110. [64] That is, through the fasteners 152, the circulation of suctioned air can be guided to generate a smooth cyclone airflow within the cyclone 110, thereby increasing dust separating performance. [65] A length (LI) between the pair of filter members 150 provided within the cyclone may be made greater than a width (L2) of the dust outlet 130. [66] In detail, the cyclone airflows generated in the cyclone 110 converge in the center of the cyclone 110, as described above, and the dust separated from air through the cyclone airflow is discharged through the dust outlet 130. [67] Here, when the length (LI) between the pair of filter members 150 is made smaller than the width (L2) of the dust outlet 130, impurities such as hair and tissue paper are WO 2008/127002 PCT/KR2008/001946 not discharged through the dust outlet 130, and can adhere to the filter member 150 or lodge inside the holes 156. In this case, the air cannot easily pass through the filter member 150, causing a reduction in suctioning force. [68] Accordingly, in the present embodiments, the length (LI) between the pair of filter members 150 is made greater than the width (L2) of the dust outlet 130, so that impurities such as hair and tissue paper can be completely discharged through the dust outlet 130. [69] As described above in the present embodiment, air is suctioned through the plurality of inlets 120 into the cyclone 110, and air separated from dust in the cyclone 110 is discharged from the cyclone 110 through the plurality of outlets 116. [70] Thus, air that is suctioned into the cyclone 110 through the respective inlets 120 is discharged through the respective outlets 116, to allow easy discharging of air. [71] When air is thus easily discharged from the cyclone 110, suctioning force is actually increased, and cyclone airflow within the cyclone 110 is smoothly performed. [72] Also, even when dust collects on such a filter member so that air cannot flow easily, air can be discharged through the other filter member, thereby preventing a sudden loss of air suctioning force. [73] A pair of guides 170 is formed within the cyclone 110 to prevent dust separated through cyclone airflow from moving to the outlets 116. [74] In detail, the guide members 170 are formed along the inner peripheries of the cyclones 110 in unbroken curvatures. The guide members 170 extend predetermined lengths from the inner peripheries of the cyclones 110 to the axes of the cyclones. [75] Also, the guide members 170 extend from the inner peripheries of the cyclones 110 to the dust outlet 130. That is, the guide members 170 have a cross section that is formed with a predetermined slope. Accordingly, one end 171 of each of the guide members 170 has a diameter greater than the other end 172 thereof. Specifically, the guide members 170 are formed to have diameters that gradually narrow from the outlets 116 toward the dust outlet 130. [76] Here, the cyclone airflow generated at the inlet 120 moves toward the dust outlet 130 along the inner periphery of the cyclone 110. When the diameters of the guide members 170 become progressively smaller toward the dust outlet 130, the cyclone airflows are guided by inner sloped surfaces 173 of the guide members 170 to easily flow to the dust outlet 130. [77] Conversely, when the cyclone airflows move toward the other ends 172 of the guide members 170, the cyclone airflows flow between outer sloped surfaces 174 of the guide members 170 and the inner periphery of the cyclone 110, and are prevented from flowing toward the outlets 116. [78] When the cyclone airflows are thus prevented from flowing toward the outlet 116 WO 2008/127002 PCT/KR2008/001946 by means of the guide members 170, separated dust is prevented from moving to the outlets 116. Therefore, the separated dust circulates between each guide member 170, and can be completely discharged through the dust outlet 130. [79] When the separated dust is prevented from moving to the outlets 116, the holes 156 of the filter member 150 being clogged by the separated dust (especially by larger impurities such as tissue paper) can be prevented, and thus, a reduction of suctioning power of air can be prevented. [80] In addition, because the diameter of the flow guide 170 progressively lessens toward the dust outlet 130, the strength of the cyclone airflows converging at the dust outlet 130 can be increased, allowing the separated dust to be easily discharged. [81] Thus, each guide member 170 in the present embodiment can guide the cyclone airflows to flow smoothly from the outlets 116 to the dust outlet 130, and allow cyclone airflow to circulated between the respective guide members 170 when the cyclone airflows have moved to the dust outlet 130. [82] Here, to allow easy discharging of dust flowing along the outer sloped surface 174 of each guide member 170, the one end 172 of each guide member 170 may be disposed within the width of the dust outlet 130. That is, at least a portion of the dust outlet 130 is disposed between the guide members 170. [83] When the one end 172 of each guide member 170, as described above, is disposed within the width of the dust outlet 130, dust on the outer sloped surfaces 174 of each guide member 170 is not discharged through the dust outlet 130, and can be prevented from continuously circulating along the guide members 170. [84] An opening 112 is formed on the body 111 of the cyclone 110 to allow replacing and cleaning of the filter member 150. The opening 112 is opened and closed by means of a cover member 160. A sealing member 114 is provided at the coupling region of the opening 112 and the cover member 160. [85] Here, the inner surface of the cover member 160 may be formed to have the same curvature as the inner periphery of the body 111 when the cover member 160 is coupled to the body 111. Accordingly, changes to the cyclone airflow due to the cover member 160 within the cyclone 110 can be prevented, and the cyclone airflow can be uniformly maintained. [86] Also, because the cover member 160 is detachably coupled to the cyclone 110, a user can detach the cover member 160 to easily replace the filter members 150 and easily clean the inside of the cyclone 110 and the filter members 150. [87] A dust compartment 202 for storing dust is defined within the dust container 20, and a dust inlet 210 is defined in the top of the dust container 20. Also, a sealing member 212, for sealing the contacting region between the dust inlet 210 and the dust outlet 130, is provided on the dust inlet 210. Here, the sealing member 212 may also be WO 2008/127002 PCT/KR2008/001946 provided on the dust outlet 130. [88] Below, the operation of the dust separating apparatus will be described. [89] Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views showing airflow within a dust separating apparatus according to the first embodiment, where Fig. 6 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along line A-A showing airflow, and Fig. 7 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along line B-B showing airflow. [90] Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, when suctioning force is generated by the vacuum cleaner, air including dust flows along the suctioning guide 30. The air flowing through the suctioning guide 30 flows to the distribution unit 40 and is distributed to each inlet 120 by the distribution unit 40. Then, the air including dust passes through each inlet 120 and is suctioned in tangential directions at either side of the cyclone 110. [91] The suctioned air rotates along the inner surface of the cyclone 110 to move along the guide members 170 and converge at the center of the cyclone 110, and during this process, air and dust are subjected to different centrifugal forces due to their differences in weight, so that separation occurs therebetween. [92] The separated dust (represented by the broken lines) is discharged from the center of the cyclone 110 through the dust outlet 130, and the discharged dust flows through the dust outlets 130 and into the dust container 20. [93] Conversely, air (represented by the solid lines) separated from dust is filtered by the filter members 150, and then passes through the outlets 116 and is discharged from the cyclone 110. The discharged air flows through the respective air outlets 140, converges at the converging passage 142, and enters the main body of the vacuum cleaner. [94] Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of a dust separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 9 is a sectional view of Fig. 8 taken along line C-C. [95] The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in all other aspects except that it is characterized by differences in the shapes of the cyclone and the dust outlet. Therefore, description will be provided of only the characterizing portions of the present embodiment. [96] Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, a dust separator 60 according to the present embodiment includes a cyclone 610 that progressively increases in diameter from either end to the center 611. [97] Also, a pair of guide members 640 is formed at the dust outlet 630. The guide members 640 are symmetrically formed about the center of the dust outlet 630. [98] Because the cyclone 610 is thus formed to have a progressively increasing diameter toward the center, a pair of cyclone airflows generated at either side of the cyclone 610, can easily converge at the center. [99] Also, because the diameter at the center of the cyclone 610 is greater than at either WO 2008/127002 PCT/KR2008/001946 ends, the cyclone airflow velocity at the center of the cyclone 610 is reduced, thus reducing generation of eddies at the center of the cyclone 610. [100] Additionally, because the pair of guide members 640 is provided symmetrically to either side of the dust outlet 630, the cyclone airflows can move between the respective guide members 640, to thereby facilitate the converging of the cyclone airflows toward the center 611. [101] Likewise, when the cyclone airflows converge easily at the center of the cyclone 610, dust can be easily discharged through the dust outlet 630. [102] Because the cyclone 610 increases in diameter toward the center, the dust outlet 630 is also larger than that in the first embodiment. Here, the upper and lower perimeters 632 and 634 of the dust outlet 630 may be formed to be angled corresponding to the sloped angle of the cyclone 610. [103] When the dust outlet 630 is thus enlarged, dust discharging performance increases to also increase suctioning power. [104] Also, when the diameter at the center of the cyclone 610 is greater than the diameters at both ends thereof, the center of the cyclone 610 may be configured to be mounted on top of the dust container 70. Accordingly, the dust container 70 may have a mounting recess 701 formed to mount the central portion of the cyclone 610 therein. [105] The spirit and scope of the present disclosure are not limited to embodiments herein, and may provide other embodiments such as those described below. [106] First, the dust container 20 may be disposed below the cyclone 110 while installed on the main body of the vacuum cleaner, or alternatively, the dust container 20 may be disposed at the front of the cyclone 110. In these cases, the dust inlet of the dust container 20 may be defined in a side of the dust container 20, or may be disposed at the top of the dust container 20. [107] Also, when the dust inlet is defined in a side of the dust container 20, a cover member for discharging dust may be provided at either the top or the bottom of the dust container. [108] As in the first embodiment, the dust inlet may be formed in a side of the dust container, and the cover member may be provided at the bottom of the dust container; or alternatively, the cover member may be provided at the top of the dust container, and the dust inlet may be formed in the cover member. In the latter case, the structure of the dust container itself may be simplified. [109] Furthermore, a compressing apparatus for compressing dust stored within the dust container may be further provided. Such a compressing apparatus may be provided within the dust container, may include at least one compressing member capable of moving within the dust container, and be provided with a driving apparatus for moving the compressing member and provided outside of the dust container - on the vacuum WO 2008/127002 PCT/KR2008/001946 cleaner main body, for example.

Claims

1. A dust separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, including: a dust separator defining a plurality of air inlets; a dust outlet that is less in number than the air inlets, the dust outlet for 5 discharging dust separated from air suctioned through the respective air inlets; and a dust container for storing dust discharged through the dust outlet.

2. The dust separating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dust outlet is provided singularly.

3. The dust separating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air inlets are 10 provided with one on either side of the dust separator, and the dust outlet is disposed between the air inlets.

4. The dust separating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dust separator comprises a body for generating cyclone airflow, and a pair of sides formed with one forming either side of the body, and each of the sides defines an outlet through which air 15 from which dust has been separated is discharged.

5. The dust separating apparatus according to claim 1, further including a guide member provided within the dust separator, for guiding discharging of separated dust.

6. The dust separating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the guide member is formed along an inner perimeter of the dust separator. 20

7. A dust separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, including: a dust separator for separating dust from suctioned air; a single dust outlet for discharging dust separated in the dust separator; a plurality of outlets formed in the dust separator, for discharging air from which dust has been separated; and 25 a dust container for storing dust discharged through the dust outlet, wherein the dust separator is provided with a plurality of inlets through which air including dust is suctioned. 13

8. The dust separating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the dust separator comprises a body for generating cyclone airflow, and a pair of sides formed with one forming either side of the body, wherein the outlets are formed in either of the sides, respectively. 5

9. The dust separating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the dust outlet is formed in the body.

10. The dust separating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the inlets are disposed to either side of the dust outlet, respectively.

11. A dust separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, including: 10 a dust separator generating a plurality of cyclone airflows; a dust outlet for discharging dust separated in the dust separator; and a dust container for storing dust discharged through the dust outlet, wherein each of the cyclone airflows moves in a mutually convergent direction, wherein the dust separator is provided with a plurality of inlets through which air 15 including dust is suctioned.

12. The dust separating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the dust outlet is provided at a side toward which the cyclone airflows move in mutually convergent directions.

13. The dust separating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the dust separator is 20 provided with a plurality of guide members therein, for guiding the movement of the cyclone airflows.

14. The dust separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. LG ELECTRONICS INC WATERMARK PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS P32408AUOO