CA2738294A1 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body comprising a suction motor, a dust separation unit communicating with the cleaner body, the dust separation unit comprising a suction opening for sucking air and dusts and an exhaust opening for exhausting the air separated from the dusts, and a dust container in which the dusts separated through the dust separation unit are stored.

Description

= k CA 02738294 2011-03-23 VACUUM CLEANER

BACKGROUND
[0001] Embodiments relate to a vacuum cleaner.

[0002] Generally, vacuum cleaners are devices that suck air containing dusts using a suction force generated by a suction motor installed inside a main body to filter the dusts in a dust separator.

[0003] Such a vacuum cleaner is classified into a canister type in which a suction nozzle for sucking dusts is separately provided from a main body and connected to the main body using a connection unit and an upright type in which a suction nozzle is rotatably connected to a main body.

[0004] A related art vacuum cleaner includes a main body and a dust separator installed in the main body to store dusts separated from air. The dust separator is configured to separate the dusts from the air using a cyclone principle. Thus, the dust separator includes a dust separation chamber. Also, the dust separator may include a filter member for filtering the air separated from the dusts in the dust separation chamber.

[0005] Embodiments provide a vacuum cleaner having improved dust separation performance.

[0006] Embodiments also provide a vacuum cleaner in which a filter member for filtering dust within a dust separation chamber is easily cleaned.

[0007] Embodiments also provide a vacuum cleaner which is easily manufactured because a dust separation unit is constituted by a plurality of bodies.

[0008] In one embodiment, a vacuum cleaner comprises: a cleaner body comprising a suction motor; a dust separation unit communicating with the cleaner body, the dust separation unit comprising a suction opening for sucking air and dusts and an exhaust opening for exhausting the air separated from the dusts;
and a dust container in which the dusts separated through the dust separation unit are stored, wherein the dust separation unit is constituted by a plurality of dust separation bodies coupled to each other, and the plurality of dust separation bodies are coupled to each other in a direction parallel to that in which the air is discharged through the exhaust opening.

[0009] In another embodiment, a vacuum cleaner includes: a cleaner body; a dust separation unit communicating with the cleaner body, the dust separation unit comprising a suction opening for sucking air and dusts and an exhaust opening for exhausting the air; a suction passage for guiding the air and dusts into the suction opening; a suction guide disposed in the dust separation unit to define a portion of the suction passage;
and an exhaust member disposed outside the dust separation unit to guide the air exhausted through the exhaust opening, the exhaust member defining the other portion of the suction passage.

[0010] In further another embodiment, a vacuum cleaner includes: a cleaner body; a dust separation unit communicated with the cleaner body, the dust separation unit comprising an exhaust opening for discharging air; and a filter unit, movably connected to the dust separation unit, wherein the filter unit includes: a filter member in which at least portion thereof selectively passes through the exhaust opening by a movement of the filter unit to take in or out of the dust separation unit;
and a coupling member for fixing the filter unit to the dust separation unit in a state where the filter member takes in the dust separation unit.

[0011] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in a state where a dust separator is separated according to the first embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dust separator according to the first embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the dust separator according to the first embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dust separation unit according to the first embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the dust separation unit according to the first embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a lower side of an exhaust member according to the first embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a state in which the exhaust member is coupled to the dust separation unit.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating an airflow within the dust separation unit according to the first embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a state in which a coupling member is coupled to a cover member according to the first embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cover member according to the first embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the coupling member according to the first embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a filter member according to the first embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a state in which a filter unit is rotated according to the first embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cover member according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, that alternate embodiments included in other retrogressive inventions or falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0028] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in a state where a dust separator is separated according to the first embodiment.

[0030] Although a dust separator is installed in an upright type vacuum cleaner in the current embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the dust separator may be installed in a canister type vacuum cleaner.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vacuum cleaner 1 -according to the current embodiment includes a main body 10, a suction nozzle 20, a dust separator 60, a suction tube 30, a handle 40, and a connection hose 50. A suction motor (not shown) for generating a suction force is disposed in the main body 10.
The suction nozzle 20 is rotatably connected to a lower portion of the main body 10 and disposed on a floor surface. The dust separator 60 is separably mounted on the main body 10. The suction tube 30 is separably mounted on the main body 10. The handle 40 is connected to the suction tube 30. The connection hose 50 connects the handle 40 to the main body 10.

[0032] In detail, wheels 22 are disposed on both sides of the suction nozzle 20 to easily move the suction nozzle 20.

[0033] An operating lever 24 is disposed on a rear side of the suction nozzle.20 so that the main body 10 is rotated with respect to the suction nozzle 20 in an upright state.

[0034] Thus, when the operating lever 24 is operated, the main body 10 is rotated with respect to the suction nozzle 20.
Then, a user grasps the handle 40 to clean the floor surface while moving the suction nozzle 20.

[0035] The dust separator 60 is separably mounted on a mounting part 11 disposed on a front portion of the main body 10.
The suction tube 30 is separably mounted on a rear potion of the main body 10.

[0036] The dust separator 60 separates dusts from air sucked into the main body 10 to store the separated dusts.

[0037] Hereinafter, a structure of the dust separator 60 will be described in detail.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dust separator according to the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the dust separator according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dust separation unit according to the first embodiment.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the dust separator 60 includes a dust separation unit 100 for separating dusts from sucked air, a dust container 200 in which the dusts separated by the dust separation unit 100 are stored, and an exhaust guide unit 300 for guiding an airflow of the air exhausted from the dust separation unit 100.

[0040] The dust separation unit 100 is coupled to an upper side of the dust container 200 and a lower side of the exhaust guide unit 300. A deco cover 360 is coupled to the dust separation unit 100.

[0041] An inner deco 370 and an outer deco 380 are coupled to the deco cover 360 and the dust container 200 in a state where the dust container 200 is coupled to the dust separation unit 100.
The deco cover 360, the inner deco 370, and the outer deco 380 improve the exterior beauty of the dust separator 60.

[0042] The dust separation unit 100 includes a cyclone unit 110 for separating the dusts from the air, a distribution unit for guiding the air and the dusts to the cyclone unit 110, and a plurality of filter units 130 rotatably coupled to the cyclone unit 110 to filter the air from which the dusts are separated.

[0043] The respective filter units include a filter member 140, a cover member 150, a cover coupling part 160, a coupling member 170, an elastic member 190, and a shaft 180. The filter member 140 is inserted into the cyclone unit 110 from the outside of the cyclone unit 110. The cover member 150 is coupled to the filter member 140. The cover coupling part 160 is coupled to the cover member 150 to rotatably support the cover member 150. The coupling member 170 is coupled to the cover member 150 to operate rotation of the cover member 150. The elastic member 190 elastically supports the coupling member 170. The shaft 180 allows the cover member 150 to be rotatably connected to the cover coupling part 160.

[0044] The cover coupling part 160 may be coupled to the distribution unit 120. Alternatively, the cover coupling part 160 may be integrated with the distribution unit 120.

[00451 The filter member 140 includes a filter body 141 and an opening cover 143 extending from an outer circumference of the filter body 141.

[0046] The filter body 141 selectively passes through an exhaust opening 116 defined in the cyclone unit 110, and the opening cover 143 selectively opens and closes the exhaust opening 116.

[0047] The dust container 200 includes a dust collector body 210 in which a dust storage part 214 is disposed and a lower cover 220 for covering a lower side of the dust collector body 210.

[0048] For example, the dust collector body 210 may have a cylindrical shape and an opened lower side. However, the current embodiment is not limited to the configuration of the dust collector body 210.-[0049] A dust inlet 212 through which the dusts discharged from the dust separation unit 100 is introduced is defined in a top surface 211 of the dust collector body 210.

[0050] Since the dust collector body 210 is coupled to a lower portion of the dust separation unit 100 and the dust inlet 212 is defined in the top surface 211 of the dust collector body 210, the dusts discharged from the dust separation unit 100 may drop into the dust collection body 210.

[0051] The lower cover 220 has one side connected to the dust collector body 210 by a hinge 222 and the other side selectively coupled to the dust collector body 210 by a coupling hook 224.
When the lower cover 220 is rotated to open a lower opening of the dust collector body 210, the dusts within the dust collector body 210 may be easily discharged.

[0052) A plurality of compression members 240 and 250 for compressing the dusts stored in the dust storage part 214 are disposed in the dust collector body 210.

[0053] The plurality of compression members 240 and 250 include the first compression member 240 movably disposed in the dust storage part 214 and the second compression member 250 fixed to the dust storage part 214.

[0054] The exhaust guide unit 300 includes an exhaust member 330, an exhaust filter 340, a filter housing 350, a filter seat guide 320, and an upper cover 310. The exhaust member 330 is coupled to an upper portion of the dust separation unit 100. The exhaust filter 340 is seated on the exhaust member 330 to filter the exhausted air. The filter housing 350 protects the exhaust filter 340. The filter seat guide 320 guides the seat of the filter housing 350 to which the exhaust filter 340 is coupled and is coupled to the exhaust member 333. The upper cover 310 is rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the exhaust member 330.

[0055] An air exhaust hole 311 for exhausting air is defined in the upper cover 310. The air passing through the air exhaust hole 311 is moved to the main body 10.

[0056] A handle part 312 is disposed on the upper cover 310 to allow the user to easily grasp the upper cover 310. The handle part 312 includes a first coupling button 313 for fixing a position of the upper cover 310 and a second coupling button 314 coupled to the main body 10. The first coupling button 313 is selectively coupled to the inner deco 370.

[0057] An exhaust passage 332 through which the air exhausted from the dust separation unit 100 flows is defined in the exhaust member 330. The air exhausted through the exhaust passage 332 passes through the exhaust -filter 340, and then is exhausted through the air exhaust hole 311.

[0058] Hereinafter, a structure of each of components constituting the dust separation unit 100 will be described in detail.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the dust separation unit according to the first embodiment.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the dust separation unit 100 includes a first dust separator body 101 and a second dust separator body 102, which are coupled to each other.

[0061] The first dust separator body 101 includes a first cyclone body 111 generating a first cyclone flow and a first distribution body 121 integrated with the first cyclone body 111 and guiding air to the first cyclone body 111.

[0062] The second dust separator body 102 includes a second cyclone body 112 generating a second cyclone flow and a second distribution body 122 integrated with the second cyclone body 112 and guiding air to the second cyclone body 112.

[0063] The first cyclone body 111 and the second cyclone constitute the cyclone unit 110, and the first distribution body 121 and the second distribution body 122 constitute the distribution unit 120.

[0064] The respective cyclone bodies 111 and 112 include an air suction part 113. Thus, the cyclone unit 110 may include the plurality of air suction parts 113 on the whole.

[0065] A first dust discharge part 114 is integrated with the first cyclone body 111, and a second dust discharge part 115 is integrated with the second cyclone body 112.

[0066] When the first cyclone body 111 and the second cyclone body 112 are coupled to each other, the first dust discharge part 114 and the second dust discharge part 115 are coupled to each other to complete a singular dust discharge part.

[0067] The, singular dust discharge part defines a singular dust discharge passage. The respective dust discharge parts 114 and 115 extend from the respective cyclone bodies 111 and 112 in .a direction inclined to a cyclone flow axis (see reference symbol A of FIG. 6).

[0068] The dust discharge parts 114 and 115 are disposed at a central position of the cyclone unit 110, and the air suction part 113 is disposed on each of both sides of the dust discharge parts 114 and 115.

[0069] A suction hole 123 is defined in any one of the first and second distribution bodies 121 and 122. A structure in which the suction hole is defined in the first distribution body 121 is illustrated in FIG. 5 as an example.

[0070] The respective distribution bodies 121 and 122 include flow guides 125 and 126 for guiding air sucked through the suction hole 123 such that the air flows toward the air suction part 113. That is, the air sucked into the distribution unit 120 through the suction hole 123 is branched to flow along the respective flow guides 125 and 126, and then is moved to the respective air suction part 113.

[0071] A coupling boss 124 coupled to the cover coupling part 160 is disposed on a side surface of each of the distribution bodies 121 and 122.

[0072] At least portion of the respective cyclone bodies 111 and 112 has a cylindrical or conic shape to generate a cyclone flow.

[0073] The first dust separator body 101 has a first coupling surface 103, and the second dust separator body 102 has a second coupling surface 104 facing the first coupling surface 103. At this time, the exhaust opening 116 of the respective dust separator bodies 101 and 102 is defined in a surface opposite to each of the coupling surfaces 103 and 104.

[0074] The first dust separator body 101 and the second dust separator body 102 are coupled to each other in a direction of the cyclone flow axis A (or in a direction parallel to each other).

[0075] That is, the first coupling surface 103 and the second coupling surface 104 are inclined to the cyclone flow axis A
(substantially perpendicular to the cyclone flow axis A), and thus, the first coupling surface 103 and the second coupling surface 104 are closely attached to each other in the direction of the cyclone flow axis A.

[0076] As described above, since the two dust separator bodies 101 and 102 are coupled to each other in the direction of the cyclone flow axis A, the dust separation unit 100 may be easily manufactured, and also, manufacturing costs may be reduced.
In addition, the number of components may be reduced.

[0077] That is, when compared that one complete dust separation unit is manufactured, in case where the dust separation bodies 101 and 102 having the same configuration as each other are separately manufactured, the number of molds for manufacturing the respective dust separation bodies 101 and 102 may be reduced, and also mold structures may be simplified. Thus, the dust separation unit 100 may be easily manufactured, and the costs for manufacturing the dust separation unit 100 may be reduced.

[0078] Also, since the respective dust separator bodies 101 and 102 include the cyclone bodies 111 and 112 and the distribution bodies 121 and 122, a separate distribution body may be not required to reduce the number of components.

[0079] A seat part 105 for seating a sealer (see reference symbol S of FIG. 9) is disposed on any one of the first coupling surface 103 and the second coupling surface 104. A structure in which the seat part 105 is disposed on the first coupling surface 103 is illustrated in FIG. 6 as an example.

[0080] As described above, since the plurality of dust separator bodies 101 and 102 are coupled to each other in the direction of the cyclone flow axis, an area for sealing or a length of the sealer may be reduced. That is, when compared that the plurality of dust separator bodies are coupled to each other in a direction perpendicular to the cyclone flow axis, in case where the plurality of dust separator bodies are coupled to each other in the direction of the cyclone flow axis, an contact area of the respective dust separator bodies 101 and 102 may be reduced, and also, the area for sealing or the length of the sealer may be reduced.

[0081] Also, since the singular dust discharge part is dispose in the dust separation unit, a structure of the dust separation unit may be simplified. In addition, when compared that a plurality of dust discharge parts are disposed, space utilization may increase.

[0082] When the first cyclone body 111 and the second cyclone body 112 are coupled to each other, a singular cyclone chamber C
is defined. That is, the first cyclone body 111 defines one portion of the cyclone chamber C, and the second cyclone body 112 defines the other portion of the cyclone chamber C.

[0083] The air suction part 113 includes a suction opening 113a passing through the respective cyclone bodies 111 and 112 and a suction guide 113b protruding-from the respective cyclone bodies 111 and 112. The suction guide 113b defines a lateral surface of a suction passage 113c communicating with the distribution unit 120. The suction passage 113c is covered by the exhaust member 330 coupled to the upper portion of the dust separation unit 100.

[0084] The exhaust opening 116 through which air is exhausted is defined in a lateral surface of the respective cyclone bodies 111 and 112. An exhaust guide 117 for guiding the air exhausted through the exhaust opening 116 is disposed outside the lateral surface of the respective cyclone bodies 111 and 112. The exhaust guide 117 and the respective distribution bodies 121 and 122 define an air exhaust passage 118. The air exhaust passage 118 communicates with the exhaust passage 332 of the exhaust member 330.

[0085] A coupling part 119 coupled to a coupling hook (see reference numeral 172 of FIG. 12) of the coupling member that will be described later is disposed on the respective cyclone bodies 111 and 112.

[0086] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a lower side of an exhaust member according to the first embodiment, and FIG.
8 is a sectional view of a state in which the exhaust member is coupled to the dust separation unit.

[0087] A vertical sectional view of the first dust separator body is illustrated in FIG. 8 as an example. Since the first dust separator body and the second dust separator body have the same configuration, the configuration of only the first dust separator body will be described below.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, a plurality of coupling holes 331 through which the coupling member coupled to the dust separation unit 100 passes are defined in the exhaust member 330.
A hinge part 338 coupled to the upper cover 310 is disposed on a .rear side of the exhaust member 330.

[0089] The plurality of exhaust passages 332 through which the air within the air exhaust passage 118 passes are defined in the exhaust member 330. A passage formation part 333 for defining a portion of the suction passage 113c is disposed between the plurality of exhaust passages 332. The passage formation part 333 defines a top surface of the suction passage 113c.

[0090] The passage formation part 333 includes a meddle portion 334, a first guide portion 335 disposed at a rear side of the middle portion 334 with respect to an air suction direction, and a second guide portion 336 disposed at a front side of the middle portion 334 with respect to the air suction direction.

[0091] That is, the air sequentially flows along the second guide portion 336, the middle portion 334, and the first guide portion 335, and then is introduced into the cyclone chamber C
through the suction opening 113a.

[0092] Here, the passage formation part 333 may have a rounded shape on the whole, or at least surface of the passage formation part 333 may be flat.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 8, the flow guide 125 of the first distribution body 121 and an outer surface of the first cyclone body 111 define a connection passage 127 through which the suction hole 123 communicates with the suction passage 113c.

[0094] Thus, at least portion of the air sucked through the suction hole 123 flows along the outer surface of the first cyclone body 111.

[0095] A bottom surface of the passage formation part 333, an inner surface of the flow guide 125, and an inner circumference of the cyclone chamber C form a continuously curved surface in a state where the exhaust member 330 is coupled to the dust separation unit 100 such that air and dusts smoothly flow along the insides of the connection passage 127 and the suction passage 113c.

[0096] Thus, since the air and dusts flow along the inner surface of the flow guide 125 and the bottom surface of the passage formation part 333 and then the air and dusts flow along the inner circumference of the cyclone chamber C, the cyclone flow may be easily generated within the cyclone chamber C.

[009.71. That is, since the air and dusts flow into the cyclone chamber C in a state where a centrifugal force is applied to the air and dusts flowing along the inner surface of the flow guide 125 and the bottom surface of the passage formation part 333, the air and dusts may smoothly flow along the inner circumference of the cyclone chamber C.

[0098] In the current embodiment, since the connection passage 127 and the suction passage 113c guide the air and dusts to the suction opening 113a, the connection passage 127 and the suction passage 113c may be called guide passages, respectively.
Thus, it may be described that the passage formation part 333 defines a portion of the guide passage.

[0099] Hereinafter, an effect of the dust separator according to the current embodiment will be described.

[00100] FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating an airflow within the dust separation unit according to the first embodiment.
[00101] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, when the suction force is generated by the suction motor disposed within the main body 10, air containing dusts is sucked through the suction nozzle 20.
The sucked air is introduced into the main body 10, and then exhausted to the dust separator 60.

[00102] The air exhausted from the main body 10 is sucked into the distribution unit 120 through the suction hole 123. The air sucked into the distribution unit 120 is branched into each of the connection passages 127, and then sucked into the cyclone unit 110 through the respective suction openings 113a.

[00103] Thus, a plurality of cyclone flows are generated within the singular cyclone chamber C disposed within the cyclone unit 110. That is, a first cyclone flow is generated within the first cyclone body 111, and a second cyclone flow is generated within the second cyclone body 112.

[00104] The sucked air circularly flows along the inner circumference of the cyclone unit 110 and concentrated at a central portion of the cyclone unit 110. In this process, the air and dusts may be separated from each other because different centrifugal forces are respectively applied to the air and dusts due to their weight difference.

[00105] As described above, since the plurality of cyclone flows are generated within, the singular cyclone chamber C, an flow passage area of the air may increase, and thus, passage losses of the air may be reduced to improve dust separation performance may be improved.

[00106] Also, since the plurality of cyclone flows are generated within the singular cyclone chamber C, the cyclone unit 110 may decrease in size when compared to a structure in which one cyclone flow is generated.

[00107] Also, since the plurality of cyclone flows are generated within the singular cyclone chamber C, the dust separation performance similar to that of a structure in which air sequentially flows along a plurality of cyclone units may be obtained. Thus, an additional cyclone unit for re-separating the dusts from the air exhausted from the cyclone unit is not required. However, in the current embodiment, the additional cyclone unit may be further provided.

[00108] The separated dusts (dot line) are discharged from the central portion of the cyclone unit 110 to the dust discharge parts 114 and 115. Thereafter, the dusts flow within the dust discharge parts 114 and 115, and then drops into the dust container 200.

[00109] On the other hand, the air (solid line) in which the dusts are separated is filtered while passing through a hole 142 of the respective filter member 140. Then, the air flows into the air exhaust passage 118 through the exhaust opening 116. The air within the respective air exhaust passages 118 flows along the exhaust passage 332 of the exhaust member 330 and then is exhausted from the dust separator 60 through the air exhaust hole 311.

[00110] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a state in which a coupling member is coupled to a cover member according to the first embodiment, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cover member according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the coupling member according to the first embodiment.

[00111] Referring to FIGS. 4, and 10 to 12, the cover member 150 is rotated in a state where it is coupled to the cover coupling part 160. The cover member 150 covers a side of the exhaust guide 117.

[00112] A plurality of coupling bosses 154 coupled to the filter member 140 by the coupling member are disposed on the cover member 150. Also, a plurality of rotation guides 151 and 152 configured to rotate the cover member 150 are disposed on the cover member 150. The plurality of rotation guides 151 and 152 are vertically spaced from each other as shown in FIG. 11. An insertion holes 153 in which the shaft 180 is inserted are defined in each of the rotation guides 151 and 152. One portion of the shaft 180 is coupled to the cover coupling part 160, and the other portion of the shaft 180 passes through the insertion hole 153 of each of the plurality of rotation guides 151 and 152 and is coupled to the plurality of rotation guides 151 and 152.

[00113] The cover member 150 includes a coupling part 155 to which a screw for preventing the elastic member 190 from being separated in a state where the elastic member 190 is seated and a support rib 158 supporting the elastic member 190.

[00114] The cover member 150 has a through-hole 156 through which the coupling hook 172 of the coupling member 170 passes and a guide hole 157 to which a guide hook 173 of the coupling member 170 is coupled.

[00115] The coupling hook 172 is elastically supported by the elastic member 190 in a state where the coupling hook 172 passes through the through-hole 156. For example, a leaf spring may be used as the elastic member to increase the space utilization.
The elastic member 190 applies a force to the coupling hook 172 in a direction in which the coupling hook 172 is inserted into the coupling part 119.

[00116] The through-hole 156 and the guide hole 157 may have horizontal lengths greater than those of the coupling hook 172 and the guide hook 173 such that the coupling hook 172 and the guide hook 173 may be moved in left and right direction with respect to the cover member 150 in a state where they 172 and 173 pass through the through-hole 156 and the guide hole 157.

[00117] The coupling member 170 includes the coupling hook 172 and the plurality of guide hooks 173. The respective guide hooks 173 are disposed on a spaced upper side and a spaced lower side of the coupling hook 172, respectively.

[00118] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a filter member according to the first embodiment.

[00119] Referring to FIGS. 4, and 10 to 13, the filter member 140 includes the filter body, the opening cover 143, and a flow guide 145. The plurality of holes 142 through which air passes are defined in' the filter body 141. The opening cover 143 extends from an outer surface of the filter body 141 to selectively cover the exhaust opening 116. The flow guide 145 guides a flow of the air passing through the holes 142.

[00120] The filter body 141 passes through the exhaust opening 116 and is selectively inserted into the cyclone chamber C. At least portion of the filter body 141 has a cylindrical shape.

[00121] Here, a reason in which the filter body 141 is selectively inserted into the cyclone chamber C is for easily cleaning the inside of the cyclone chamber C and the filter body 141.

[00122] That is, when the cover member 150 to which the filter member 140 is coupled is rotated, the filter body 141 is withdrawn to the outside of the cyclone chamber C. Thus, the user may- easily clean the filter body 141 or the inside of the cyclone chamber C.

[00123] A plurality of coupling holes 144 through which the coupling member to be coupled to the cover member 150 passes are defined in the opening cover 143.

[00124] At least portion of the flow guide 145 has a cylindrical shape, and a flow hole 146 through which the air passing through the filter body 141 passes is defined in the flow guide 145.

[00125] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a state in which a filter unit is rotated according to the first embodiment.

[00126] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 14, when the dust separation process is performed in the cyclone unit 110, a case in which hairs are wound on the filter body 141 or dusts block the holes 142 of the filter bodies 141 may occur. In this case, since the air does not smoothly pass through the filter body 141, the dust separation performance may be reduced. As a result, the clean of the filter body 141 is required.

[00127] In the current embodiment, since the plurality of filter bodies 141 are disposed within the cyclone unit 110, even through the dusts block any one of the filter bodies, the air may pass through the other one of the filter bodies. Thus, according to the current embodiment, it may prevent the dust separation performance from being significantly reduced when compared that one filter body is provided.

[00128] Also, when dusts having large volumes are held in the insides or at inlets of the dust discharge parts 114 and 115, since the dusts are not discharged, the clean of the dust discharge parts 114 and 115 may be required.

[00129] Thus, to clean the inside of the cyclone unit 110 or the filter body 141, the user firstly operates the coupling member 170. As a result, the coupling hook 172 of the coupling member 170 is separated from the coupling part 119 of the cyclone unit 110. Also, the cover member 150 coupled to the filter member 140 may be rotatable. Then, when the cover member 150 is rotated, the filter body 141 disposed inside the cyclone unit 110 is withdrawn to the outside of the cyclone unit 110.

[00130] In a state where the filter body 141 is withdrawn to the outside of the cyclone unit 110, the user may clean the filter body 141 or the inside of the cyclone unit 110.

[00131] According the current embodiment, when the filter member 140 is rotated, the filter body 141 is withdrawn to the outside of the cyclone unit 110, and simultaneously, the exhaust opening 116 is opened. Thus, the filter body 141 or the inside of the cyclone unit 110 may be cleaned without breaking up the cyclone unit 110.

[00132] FIG. 15 .is a perspective view of a cover member according to a second embodiment.

[00133] The current embodiment is equal to the first embodiment except a structure of a rotation guide for guiding rotation of a cover member. Thus, only characterized part according to the current embodiment will now be described herein.

[00134] Referring to FIG. 15, a cover member 650 according to the current embodiment includes a plurality of rotation guides 651 and 652. The plurality of rotation guides 651 and 652 include a first guide 651 and a second guide 652, which are vertically spaced from each other. A portion of each of the guides 651 and 652 connected to the cover member 650 has a thickness less than those of the other portions thereof. Thus, the guides 651 and 652 may be elastically moved with respect to the cover member 650.

[00135]_ Hinge shafts 653 protrude from the guides 651 and 652 in direction away from each other, respectively. That is, the hinge shaft 653 of the first guide 651 protrudes upwardly, and the hinge shaft 653 of the second guide 652 protrudes downwardly.
At this time, a shaft insertion hole (not shown) in which the respective hinge shafts 653 are inserted is defined in the cover coupling part (see reference numeral 160 of FIG. 4) for supporting the cover member 650.

[00136] According to the current embodiment, since the hinge shafts 653 are integrated with the cover member 650, a separate hinge shaft may not be required to simplify a structure of the cover member 650.

[00137] According to the proposed embodiments, since the plurality of air suction parts are defined in the dust separation unit, the plurality of cyclone flows may occur within the dust separation unit to increase an airflow passage area. Thus, the airflow losses may be reduced to improve the separation performance.

[00138] Also, since the plurality of dust separation bodies are coupled to each other in an axis direction of the cyclone flow, the number of molds may be reduced. Also, the mold may have a simple structure to reduce manufacturing costs. Therefore, the dust separation unit may be simply manufactured.

[00139] Also, since each of the dust separation bodies includes the cyclone body and the distribution body, a separate distribution body may not be required. Thus, the number of parts may. be reduced.

[00140] Also, since the plurality of dust separation bodies are coupled to each other in the axis direction of the cyclone flow, the sealing area of the contact portions of the plurality of dust separation bodies may be reduced and also a length of the sealer may be reduced.

[00141] Also, since the air and dusts are introduced into the cyclone chamber in the state where a centrifugal force is applied to the air and dusts, the cyclone flow may smoothly occur within the cyclone chamber.

[00142] Also, since the filter body for filtering the air discharged from the cyclone unit is inserted into the cyclone unit from the outside of the cyclone unit and easily withdrawn to the outside of the cyclone unit, the inside of the filter body or the cyclone unit may be easily cleaned without separating the cyclone unit.

[00143] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (16)

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a cleaner body comprising a suction motor;

a dust separation unit communicated with the cleaner body, the dust separation unit comprising a suction opening for sucking air and dusts and an exhaust opening for exhausting the air separated from the dusts; and a dust container in which the dusts separated through the dust separation unit are stored, wherein the dust separation unit is constituted by a plurality of dust separation bodies coupled to each other, and the plurality of dust separation bodies are coupled to each other in a direction parallel to that in which the air is discharged through the exhaust opening.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the dust container is disposed outside the dust separation unit.

3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the dust separation unit comprises a dust discharge part for guiding a movement of the dusts into the dust container.

4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of dust separation bodies comprise a first dust separation body for generating a first cyclone flow and a second dust separation body coupled to the first dust separation body to generate a second cyclone flow.

5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the first cyclone flow and the second cyclone flow are moved in a direction close to each other.

6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein each of the dust separation bodies comprises a suction opening for sucking the air and dusts.

7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a seat part for seating a sealer is disposed on one of the dust separation bodies.

8. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust opening is defined in each of the dust separation bodies.

9. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, further comprising a plurality of filter members respectively passing through the exhaust openings to filter the air.

10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein the dust separation bodies have coupling surfaces facing each other, respectively, and each of the exhaust openings is defined in a surface opposite to each of the coupling surfaces of the dust separation bodies.

11. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a cleaner body;

a dust separation unit communicating with the cleaner body, the dust separation unit comprising a suction opening for sucking air and dusts and an exhaust opening for exhausting the air;

a suction passage for guiding the air and dusts into the suction opening;

a suction guide disposed in the dust separation unit to define a portion of the suction passage; and an exhaust member disposed outside the dust separation unit to guide the air exhausted through the exhaust opening, the exhaust member defining the other portion of the suction passage.

12. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, wherein the exhaust member comprises a passage formation part for defining the other portion of the suction passage, and a portion of a surface or the entire surface, which defines the suction passage of the passage formation part is rounded.

13. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, wherein the dust separation unit comprises a cyclone chamber, the exhaust member comprises a passage formation part for defining the other portion of the suction passage, and a portion of a surface or the entire surface, which defines the suction passage of the passage formation part has a curved surface continuing with an inner circumference surface of the cyclone chamber.

14. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, further comprising a flow guide integrated with the dust separation unit, the flow guide guiding the air and dusts into the suction passage.

15. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a cleaner body;

a dust separation unit communicating with the cleaner body, the dust separation unit comprising an exhaust opening for discharging air; and a filter unit movably connected to the dust separation unit, wherein the filter unit comprises:

a filter member in which at least portion thereof selectively passes through the exhaust opening by a movement of the filter unit to take in or out of the dust separation unit;
and a coupling member for fixing the filter unit to the dust separation unit in a state where the filter member takes in the dust separation unit.

16. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 15, wherein the filter unit further comprises:

a filter cover coupled to the filter member; and a cover coupling part movably supporting the filter cover.