CN112040826A - Surface cleaning device with capture plate with variable gap - Google Patents

Surface cleaning device with capture plate with variable gap Download PDF

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Publication number
CN112040826A
CN112040826A CN201980028758.7A CN201980028758A CN112040826A CN 112040826 A CN112040826 A CN 112040826A CN 201980028758 A CN201980028758 A CN 201980028758A CN 112040826 A CN112040826 A CN 112040826A
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CN
China
Prior art keywords
plate
cyclone chamber
cyclone
sidewall
dirt
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
CN201980028758.7A
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Chinese (zh)
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CN112040826B (en
Inventor
W·E·康拉德
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Omachron Intellectual Property Inc
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Omachron Intellectual Property Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US15/937,270 external-priority patent/US10791897B2/en
Priority claimed from US15/937,220 external-priority patent/US10791895B2/en
Priority claimed from US16/100,624 external-priority patent/US10667663B2/en
Application filed by Omachron Intellectual Property Inc filed Critical Omachron Intellectual Property Inc
Publication of CN112040826A publication Critical patent/CN112040826A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN112040826B publication Critical patent/CN112040826B/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
    • A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
    • A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
    • A47L5/24—Hand-supported suction cleaners
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
    • A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
    • A47L9/1608—Cyclonic chamber constructions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
    • A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
    • A47L9/1683—Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus has a cyclone chamber with a longitudinal cyclone separator axis of rotation, wherein a dirt outlet is defined by a gap between a sidewall of the cyclone separator and a plate at a dirt outlet end of the cyclone separator, the gap extending around the entirety of the periphery of the plate, wherein the gap is variable.

Description

Surface cleaning device with capture plate with variable gap
Cross Reference to Related Applications
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application No. 16/100,624 filed on day 10, 8, 2018, which is itself a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application No. 15/937,220 filed on day 27, 3, 2018, and is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application No. 15/937,270 filed on day 27, 3, 2018, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to surface cleaning devices. In a preferred embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclonic separator comprising a plate (also referred to as a catch plate) at the dirt outlet end of the cyclone chamber.
Background
The following does not constitute an admission that any of the following discussion is part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art.
Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known. Such surface cleaning devices include vacuum cleaners, including upright vacuum cleaners, hand-held vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners, and Shop-VacTMA vacuum cleaner of the type. Some vacuum cleaners include a cyclonic separator (also known as a cyclone bin assembly) having a cyclone chamber, a dirt collection chamber and a plate at a dirt outlet end. See, e.g., Conrad (US 8,640,304).
Disclosure of Invention
This summary is intended to introduce the reader to the following more detailed description, rather than to limit or define any claimed or non-claimed invention. One or more inventions may reside in any combination or subcombination of elements or process steps disclosed in any portion of this document including the claims and drawings hereof.
During operation of the surface cleaning apparatus using a cyclone chamber (with the dirt collection chamber external to the cyclone chamber), dirt particles entrained in an air flow entering the surface cleaning apparatus and separated as the air passes through the cyclone chamber can exit the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet and enter the dirt collection chamber. Dirt particles (e.g. popcorn) larger than the size of the dirt outlet may tend to accumulate in the cyclone chamber. If a sufficient number of larger dirt particles accumulate in the cyclone chamber, the dirt separation efficiency of the cyclone chamber may be reduced. To allow larger dirt particles to leave the cyclone chamber, the size of the dirt outlet may be increased. However, as the size of the dirt outlet increases, the dirt separation efficiency of the cyclone chamber may decrease. As described in this disclosure, the dirt outlets may have portions that are different in size. Thus, the dirt outlet may comprise a gap or spacing between an end wall of the cyclone chamber and a side wall of the cyclone chamber. The gap or spacing may extend all the way around the perimeter of the end wall (which may be referred to as a plate and may be a movably mounted plate). The gap or spacing may have one or more portions of larger dimension (e.g. in an axial or vertical direction of the rotational axis of the cyclonic separator and/or at an angle to the rotational axis of the cyclonic separator). The gap or spacing may be achieved by having the plates stepped in the axial direction and/or having the plates with a non-circular shape (e.g., oval, D-shaped and different diameters in different directions).
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the present disclosure, a cyclonic separator is provided with a plate stepped in an axial direction at a dirt outlet end of a cyclone chamber. The dirt outlet is at least partially defined by a gap between the plate and a sidewall of the cyclone chamber. Having the plate stepped in the axial direction enables a portion of the plate to define a larger dirt outlet, thereby enabling larger dirt to leave the cyclone chamber.
According to this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
(a) an air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet to the clean air outlet;
(b) a cyclone separator and a suction motor disposed in the air flow path;
(c) the cyclonic separator comprises a cyclone chamber having a central longitudinal axis, the cyclonic separator having a first end with a first end wall, an axially spaced second end, a cyclone chamber side wall between the first and second ends, a cyclonic air inlet provided at the first end, a cyclonic air outlet provided at the first end, and a dirt outlet provided at the second end, wherein a reference plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis extends through the cyclone chamber; and the number of the first and second groups,
(d) a plate at the second end, the plate having,
(i) a plate perimeter, a first portion, a second portion, and a transition portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, each of the first portion, the second portion, and the transition portion of the plate having a cyclone chamber face, wherein the cyclone chamber faces of the first portion and the second portion of the plate face the first end and define different portions of the plate perimeter,
(ii) the second portion is spaced further from the reference plane than the first portion in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis,
(iii) the dirt outlet includes a spacing between the cyclone chamber sidewall and the second portion of the plate,
(iv) the plate further having a dirt chamber face and a stepped volume located axially between the cyclone chamber face and the dirt chamber face of the first and transition portions, whereby the dirt chamber face comprises an enclosed portion below the stepped volume; and the number of the first and second groups,
(e) a dirt collection region in communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet.
In any embodiment, the closed portion may extend at an angle to the central longitudinal axis.
In any embodiment, the first portion of the plate may be thicker than the second portion of the plate.
In any embodiment, the thickness of the first portion of the plate may increase towards the transition portion of the plate.
In any embodiment, a first discontinuity may be disposed between the cyclone chamber face of the first portion of the plate and the cyclone chamber face of the transition portion, and a second discontinuity may be disposed between the cyclone chamber face of the transition portion and the cyclone chamber face of the second portion of the plate.
In any embodiment, the transition portion may extend substantially axially.
In any embodiment, the first portion of the plate and the second portion of the plate may be substantially planar.
In any embodiment, the dirt chamber face of the plate may be substantially continuous.
In any embodiment, the dirt collection region may be axially spaced from and opposite the first end of the cyclonic separator.
In any embodiment, the enclosure portion may be planar.
In any embodiment, the enclosed portion may extend from a first end proximate the dirt chamber face of the second portion toward or across the central longitudinal axis to a second end, and the first end of the enclosed portion may be laterally spaced from the second end of the enclosed portion.
According to this aspect, there is also provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
(a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and including a cyclone chamber and a suction motor;
(b) a dirt collection region external to the cyclone chamber; and the number of the first and second groups,
(c) a plate located between the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection region and defining a dirt outlet from the cyclone chamber to the dirt collection region, the plate having a cyclone chamber face facing the cyclone chamber, an opposite dirt collection face facing the dirt collection region, and first, second and transition portions, wherein the cyclone chamber faces of the first and second portions are connected by the cyclone chamber face of the transition portion and have different axial distances from a transverse plane extending through the cyclone separator and perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the cyclone separator, and the dirt collection face encloses a stepped volume bounded by the first and transition portions.
In any embodiment, the first portion of the plate may be thicker than the second portion of the plate.
In any embodiment, the dirt chamber face of the plate may be substantially continuous.
In any embodiment, the dirt collection region may be axially spaced from and opposite the first end of the cyclonic separator.
In any embodiment, a first discontinuity may be disposed between the cyclone chamber face of the first portion of the plate and the cyclone chamber face of the second portion of the plate.
In any embodiment, the first portion of the plate and the second portion of the plate may be substantially planar.
In any embodiment, the closed portion may extend at an angle to the central longitudinal axis.
In any embodiment, the enclosure portion may be planar.
In any embodiment, the enclosed portion may extend from a first end proximate the dirt chamber face of the second portion toward or across the central longitudinal axis to a second end, and the first end of the enclosed portion may be laterally spaced from the second end of the enclosed portion.
According to another aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
(a) air flow path extending from dirty air inlet to clean air outlet
(b) A cyclonic separator disposed in the air flow path, the cyclonic separator including a cyclone chamber, a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, a dirt outlet, a central longitudinally extending axis, the cyclone chamber having axially opposed first and second ends;
(c) a suction motor located in the air flow path;
(d) a dirt collection region external to the cyclone chamber; and the number of the first and second groups,
(e) a plate at a second end of the cyclone chamber, the plate having a cyclone chamber face facing the cyclone chamber, the cyclone chamber face having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the cyclone chamber face and the second portion of the cyclone chamber face have different axial distances from a transverse reference plane extending through the cyclone chamber and perpendicular to a central longitudinally extending axis of the cyclone separator,
wherein an annular gap between the plate and the cyclonic separator extends around the entirety of the plate and defines the dirt outlet of the cyclone chamber.
In any embodiment, the annular gap may have a radial distance between the plate and the cyclonic separator, and the radial distance may be constant.
In any embodiment, the annular gap may have a radial distance between the plate and the cyclonic separator, and the radial distance may vary at different locations around the plate.
In any embodiment, the plate may have a perimeter, and the perimeter may extend substantially continuously.
In any embodiment, the plate has a perimeter, and the perimeter has two discontinuities.
In any embodiment, the plate may have a section removed. Alternatively, the annular gap may have a radial distance between the plate and the cyclonic separator, which may vary at different locations around the plate, and which may increase at the location from which the plate of the segment has been removed. Alternatively or additionally, the second portion may be at a greater axial distance from the transverse plane than the first portion, and the location of the plate from which the segment has been removed may be the second portion.
In any embodiment, the second portion may be at a greater axial distance from the transverse plane than the first portion, and the second portion has a segment removed. Alternatively, the annular gap may have a radial distance between the plate and the cyclonic separator, and the radial distance may increase at the removal location of the segment.
In any embodiment, the plate may be located between the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection region, and the plate may have a dirt collection surface facing the dirt collection region.
In any embodiment, the cyclonic air inlet and the cyclonic air outlet may be provided at the first end of the cyclone chamber, the cyclonic air outlet may comprise a vortex finder and a porous member located between the cyclone chamber and the inlet of the vortex finder, and the vortex finder and the porous member may be spaced from the cyclone chamber face of the plate.
In any embodiment, the plate may be movably mounted between a closed position in which the plate is positioned for operation of the cyclonic separator and an open position in which the plate is moved to provide access to the cyclone chamber.
In any embodiment, the dirt collection area has an end wall facing the plate, and the end wall may be openable. Optionally, the plate may be supported by the end wall and movable with the end wall.
In any embodiment, the plate has a dirt collection surface facing the dirt collection area, and the surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a support member extending between the end wall and the dirt collection surface. Alternatively, the cyclonic air inlet and the cyclonic air outlet may be provided at the first end of the cyclone chamber, the cyclonic air outlet may comprise the vortex finder and a porous member located between the cyclone chamber and the inlet of the vortex finder, and the vortex finder and the porous member may be spaced from the cyclone chamber face of the plate.
In any embodiment, the plate has a periphery, the cyclonic separator has a generally axially extending sidewall, and the annular gap may be provided between the periphery of the plate and the sidewall.
In any embodiment, the cyclonic separator has an axially extending side wall, and the side wall has an end face, and at least a portion of the end wall may face the plate. Optionally, the plate has a periphery, the dirt collection region has a sidewall, and the annular gap may be disposed between the periphery of the plate and the sidewall.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the present disclosure, a cyclonic separator is provided at a dirt outlet end of the cyclone chamber, wherein the dirt outlet is formed by a variable spacing between a sidewall of the cyclonic separator and a plate, wherein the variable spacing is formed by varying the shape of the plate and/or the distance between the plate and the inlet end of the cyclone chamber.
According to this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
(a) an air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet to the clean air outlet;
(b) a cyclone separator and a suction motor disposed in the air flow path;
(c) the cyclonic separator comprising a cyclone chamber having a central longitudinal axis, the cyclonic separator having a first end with a first end wall, an axially spaced apart second end, a cyclone chamber sidewall between the first end and the second end, a cyclone air inlet disposed at the first end, a cyclone air outlet disposed at the first end, and a dirt outlet disposed at the second end, wherein the first end of the cyclone chamber sidewall is at the first end of the cyclonic separator and the second end of the sidewall is spaced from the first end;
(d) a plate at the second end, the plate having a plate perimeter, a cyclone chamber face facing the first end; and the number of the first and second groups,
(e) a dirt collection region in communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet,
wherein the dirt outlet comprises a space between the cyclone chamber side wall and the plate, the space extending around the entire plate periphery, an
Wherein the space comprises a first portion extending around a first portion of the perimeter and a second portion extending around a second portion of the perimeter, wherein the second portion of the space has a greater length in at least one of the following directions:
(i) a vertical direction in the plane of the side wall; and the number of the first and second groups,
(ii) in a radial direction in the plane of the plate, and
wherein the greater length is produced by at least one of:
(iii) the second section of the plate defining the second portion of the perimeter of the plate has a diameter different from the diameter of the first section of the plate defining the first portion of the perimeter of the plate; and the number of the first and second groups,
(iv) the second section of the plate has a distance between the cyclone chamber face of the plate and the first end of the cyclone chamber that is greater than a distance between the first section of the plate and the first end of the cyclone chamber.
In any embodiment, the protrusion of the sidewall may intersect the plate, and the spacing may comprise a gap between the second end of the sidewall and the cyclone chamber face of the plate.
In any embodiment, the greater length may be created by the second section of the plate having a distance between the cyclone chamber face of the plate and the first end of the cyclone chamber that is greater than the distance between the first section of the plate and the first end of the cyclone chamber.
In any embodiment, the greater length may also be created by a portion of the sidewall at the second portion having a shorter axial length than another portion of the sidewall.
In any embodiment, the plate may have a diameter less than the diameter of the cyclone chamber, whereby the projection of the side wall extends radially outwardly of the plate and the spacing comprises a gap between the periphery of the plate and the side wall.
In any embodiment, the greater length may be created by the second section of the plate having a diameter different from a diameter of the first section of the plate.
In any embodiment, the second portion of the perimeter of the plate may be substantially linear.
In any embodiment, the second portion of the perimeter of the plate may be stepped inwardly from the first portion of the perimeter of the plate in the plane of the plate.
In any embodiment, the perimeter of the plate may face the sidewall.
In any embodiment, the plate may be positioned axially spaced below the second end of the sidewall.
In any embodiment, the projection of the sidewall may intersect only a portion of the plate, and the spacing may comprise a vertically extending gap between the second end of the sidewall and the cyclone chamber face of the plate and a radially extending gap between the periphery of the plate and the sidewall.
In any embodiment, the greater length may be created by the second section of the perimeter of the plate having a distance between the cyclone chamber face of the plate and the first end of the cyclone chamber that is greater than the distance between the first section of the plate and the first end of the cyclone chamber and by the second section of the plate having a diameter that is different than the diameter of the first section of the plate.
In any embodiment, the greater length may also be created by a portion of the sidewall at the second portion having a shorter axial length than another portion of the sidewall.
In any embodiment, the second portion of the perimeter of the plate may be substantially linear.
In any embodiment, the second portion of the perimeter of the plate may be stepped inwardly from the first portion of the perimeter of the plate in the plane of the plate.
In any embodiment, the perimeter of the plate may face the sidewall.
In any embodiment, the plate may be positioned axially spaced below the second end of the sidewall.
In any embodiment, the dirt collection chamber may be located below the plate.
Drawings
The accompanying drawings are included to illustrate various examples of articles, methods, and apparatus of the teachings of this specification, and are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings in any way.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 when removed from the remainder of the surface cleaning apparatus;
FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the capture plate of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the capture plate of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 with the cyclone bin assembly in an open position;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a cyclone bin assembly having a capture plate according to another embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a cyclone bin assembly having a capture plate according to another embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 with a capture plate according to another embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a cyclone bin assembly having a capture plate according to another embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the capture plate of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of a catch plate of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a cyclone bin assembly having a capture plate according to another embodiment;
FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the capture plate of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the catch plate of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 14;
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a cyclone bin assembly having a capture plate according to another embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of a capture plate of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the catch plate of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 17.
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view looking aft of a cyclone bin assembly having a capture plate and cyclone chamber sidewalls defining a cyclone dirt outlet in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 20 looking toward one side of the cyclone bin assembly;
FIG. 22 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 20 from above;
FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 20 as indicated by line 23A-23A in FIG. 21;
FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 20 as indicated by line 23B in FIG. 21;
FIG. 24 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 20 from below;
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a cyclone bin assembly having a capture plate defining a cyclone dirt outlet and a cyclone chamber sidewall in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a cyclone bin assembly having a capture plate defining a cyclone dirt outlet and a cyclone chamber sidewall in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a cyclone bin assembly having a capture plate defining a cyclone dirt outlet and a cyclone chamber sidewall in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of a cyclone bin assembly having a capture plate defining a cyclone dirt outlet and a cyclone chamber sidewall in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of a cyclone bin assembly having a capture plate defining a cyclone dirt outlet and a cyclone chamber sidewall in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a cyclone bin assembly having a capture plate defining a cyclone dirt outlet and a cyclone chamber sidewall in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of a cyclone bin assembly having a capture plate defining a cyclone dirt outlet and a cyclone chamber sidewall in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 32A is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly as seen toward one side of the cyclone bin assembly with a D-shaped capture plate and cyclone chamber sidewall defining a cyclone dirt outlet in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 32B is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 32A looking down at the capture plate along a line similar to that shown at line 23A-23A in FIG. 21;
FIG. 33A is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly as seen toward one side of the cyclone bin assembly with a capture plate and cyclone chamber sidewalls defining a cyclone dirt outlet in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 33B is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 33A looking down at the capture plate along a line similar to that shown by line 23A-23A in FIG. 21;
FIG. 34A is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly as seen toward one side of the cyclone bin assembly with a capture plate and cyclone chamber sidewalls defining a cyclone dirt outlet in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 34B is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 34A looking down at the capture plate along a line similar to that shown by line 23A-23A in FIG. 21;
FIG. 35A is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly as seen toward one side of the cyclone bin assembly with a capture plate and cyclone chamber sidewalls defining a cyclone dirt outlet in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 35B is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 35A looking down at the capture plate along a line similar to that shown by line 23A-23A in FIG. 21;
FIG. 36A is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly as seen toward one side of the cyclone bin assembly with a capture plate and cyclone chamber sidewalls defining a cyclone dirt outlet in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 36B is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 36A looking down at the capture plate along a line similar to that shown at line 23A-23A in FIG. 21;
FIG. 37A is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly as seen toward one side of the cyclone bin assembly with a capture plate and cyclone chamber sidewalls defining a cyclone dirt outlet in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 37B is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 37A looking down at the capture plate along a line similar to that shown by line 23A-23A in FIG. 21;
FIG. 38A is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly as seen toward one side of the cyclone bin assembly with a capture plate and cyclone chamber sidewalls defining a cyclone dirt outlet in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 38B is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 38A looking down at the capture plate along a line similar to that shown at line 23A-23A in FIG. 21;
FIG. 39A is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly as seen toward one side of the cyclone bin assembly with a capture plate and cyclone chamber sidewalls defining a cyclone dirt outlet in accordance with another embodiment; and the number of the first and second groups,
FIG. 39B is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin assembly of FIG. 39A looking down at the capture plate along a line similar to that shown at line 23A-23A in FIG. 21.
Detailed Description
Various apparatuses, methods, and compositions are described below to provide examples of embodiments of each claimed invention. The embodiments described below do not limit any of the claimed invention, and any of the claimed invention may encompass different devices and methods than those described below. The claimed invention is not limited to devices, methods, and compositions having all of the features of any one device, method, or composition described below, nor to features common to many or all of the devices, methods, or compositions described below. The devices, methods, or compositions described below may not be embodiments of any of the claimed inventions. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus, method, or composition described below that is not claimed herein may be the subject of another protective device, e.g., a continuing patent application, and the applicant, inventor, and/or owner does not intend to disclaim, claim, or dedicate any such invention by its disclosure herein.
The terms "an embodiment," "embodiments," "the embodiment," "one or more embodiments," "some embodiments," "one embodiment," and the like mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention" unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms "include," "include," and variations thereof mean "including, but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise. The listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.
As used herein and in the claims, two or more components are said to be "coupled," "connected," "attached," "engaged," "secured," or "fastened" where the components are joined or operate together, either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate components), so long as the joining occurs. As used herein and in the claims, two or more components are said to be "directly coupled," "directly connected," "directly attached," "directly engaged," "directly secured," or "directly fastened" where the components are connected in physical contact with each other. As used herein, two or more components are referred to as "rigidly coupled," "rigidly connected," "rigidly attached," "rigidly engaged," "rigidly fixed," or "rigidly fastened" where the components are coupled so as to move as a unit while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. The terms "coupled," "connected," "attached," "engaged," "secured," and "fastened" do not distinguish the manner in which two or more components are joined together.
Further, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the exemplary embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. Additionally, this description is not to be taken as limiting the scope of the exemplary embodiments described herein.
Overview of vacuum Cleaner
Referring to fig. 1-2, an exemplary embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus is shown generally at 100. The following is a general discussion of the apparatus 100 that provides a basis for understanding several features discussed herein. As discussed subsequently, each feature may be used alone or in any particular combination or sub-combination in this or other embodiments disclosed herein.
The embodiments described herein include an improved cyclone assembly 116 and a surface cleaning apparatus 100 including the same. Surface cleaning apparatus 100 may be any type of cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus including, for example, hand-held vacuum cleaners, wand vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners and upright vacuum cleaners.
In fig. 1-2, surface cleaning apparatus 100 is shown as a hand-held vacuum cleaner, which may also be referred to as a "hand vac" or "hand vacuum cleaner". As used herein, a hand-held vacuum cleaner is a vacuum cleaner that can be operated to clean a surface, typically with one hand. That is, the entire weight of the vacuum cleaner can be held by the same hand used to guide the dirty air inlet of the vacuum cleaner relative to the surface to be cleaned. For example, the handle 104 and the dirty air inlet 108 may be rigidly (directly or indirectly) coupled to one another, e.g., integrally formed or separately molded, and then non-removably secured together, such as by adhesive or welding, to move as a unit while maintaining a constant orientation relative to one another. This is in contrast to canister and upright vacuum cleaners, which are typically supported by a surface (e.g. the floor) during use, and which typically require a second hand to guide the dirty air inlet at the end of the flexible hose when operating the canister vacuum cleaner or when operating the upright vacuum cleaner in a 'lift' configuration.
Still referring to fig. 1-2, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 includes a main body 112 having an air treatment member 116 (which may be permanently fixed to the main body or may be removable from the main body for evacuation), a dirty air inlet 108, a clean air outlet 120, and an air flow path 124 extending between the dirty air inlet 108 and the clean air outlet 120.
Surface cleaning apparatus 100 has a front end 128, a rear end 132, an upper end (also referred to as a top) 136 and a lower end (also referred to as a bottom) 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the dirty air inlet 108 is located at an upper portion of the device front end 128, while the clean air outlet 120 is located at a rear portion of the device 100 at the device rear end 132. It should be understood that the dirty air inlet 108 and the clean air outlet 120 may be located at different locations of the apparatus 100.
The suction motor 144 is configured to generate vacuum suction through the air flow path 124 and is positioned within the motor housing 148. The suction motor 144 may be a fan-motor assembly including an electric motor and impeller blades. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction motor 144 is located in the air flow path 124 downstream of the air treatment component 116. In this configuration, the suction motor 144 may be referred to as a "clean air motor". Alternatively, the suction motor 144 may be located upstream of the air treatment member 116 and referred to as a "dirty air motor".
The air treatment member 116 is configured to remove particles of dirt and other debris from the airflow. In the example shown, the air handling member 116 includes a cyclonic assembly (also referred to as a "cyclone bin assembly") having a single cyclonic cleaning stage with a single cyclonic separator 152 and a dirt collection chamber 156 (also referred to as a "dirt collection area", "dirt collection bin", "dirt bin" or "dirt chamber"). The cyclonic separator 152 has a cyclone chamber 154 and the dirt collection chamber 156 may be external to the cyclone chamber 154 (i.e. the dirt collection chamber 156 may have a volume that is discontinuous with the volume of the cyclone chamber 154). The cyclonic separator 152 and the dirt collection chamber 156 may have any configuration suitable for separating dirt from an air flow and collecting the separated dirt, respectively, and may communicate through a dirt outlet of the cyclonic chamber.
In an alternative embodiment, the air treatment component 116 may comprise a cyclonic assembly having two or more cyclonic cleaning stages arranged in series with one another. Each cyclonic cleaning stage may comprise one or more cyclonic separators arranged in parallel with one another and one or more dirt collection chambers of any suitable configuration. The dirt collection chamber may be external to the cyclone chamber of the cyclonic separator. Alternatively, one or more (or all) of the dirt collection chambers may be internal to one or more (or all) of the cyclone chambers. For example, the internal dirt collection chamber may be configured as a dirt collection area within the cyclone chamber.
Referring to fig. 2, the handheld vacuum cleaner 100 may include a pre-motor filter 160 disposed in the air flow path 124 downstream of the air treatment member 116 and upstream of the suction motor 144. The pre-motor filter 160 may be formed of any suitable physical, porous filter media. For example, the pre-motor filter 160 may be one or more of a foam filter, felt filter, HEPA filter, or other physical filtration media. In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter 160 may include an electrostatic filter or the like. As shown, the pre-motor filter 160 may be located in a pre-motor filter housing 164 external to the air treatment member 116.
In the illustrated embodiment, the dirty air inlet 108 is the inlet end 168 of the air inlet conduit 172. Alternatively, the inlet end 168 of the air inlet conduit 172 may be used as a nozzle to directly clean a surface. Alternatively, or in addition to serving as a nozzle, the air inlet conduit 172 may be connected (e.g., directly connected) to the downstream end of any suitable auxiliary tool, such as a rigid air flow conduit (e.g., above-the-floor cleaning wand), crevice tool, mini-brush, or the like. As shown, the dirty air inlet 108 may be located in front of the air treatment member 116, although this is not required.
In the embodiment of fig. 2, the air treatment member 116 includes a cyclonic separator 152, the air treatment air inlet is a cyclonic air inlet 184, and the air treatment member air outlet is a cyclonic air outlet 188. Thus, in operation, after the suction motor 144 is activated, dirty air enters the apparatus 100 through the dirty air inlet 108 and is directed along the air inlet duct 172 to the cyclonic air inlet 184. As shown, the cyclonic air inlet 184 may direct the dirty airflow into the cyclone chamber 154 in a tangential direction to promote a cyclonic action. As the dirty airflow travels from the cyclonic air inlet 184 to the cyclonic air outlet 188, dirt particles and other debris may be separated (i.e., separated) from the dirty airflow. The separated dirt particles and debris may be discharged from the cyclone chamber 154 through the dirt outlet 190 into the dirt collection chamber 156 outside the cyclone chamber 154 where they may be collected until the dirt collection chamber 156 is emptied.
Air exiting the cyclone chamber 154 may pass through an outlet passage 192 located upstream of the cyclonic air outlet 188. The cyclone chamber outlet passage 192 may also act as a vortex finder to facilitate cyclonic flow within the cyclone chamber 154. In some embodiments, the cyclone outlet passage 192 may include a porous member, such as a screen or shroud 196 (e.g., a fine mesh screen), in the air flow path 124 (e.g., between the cyclone chamber and the inlet of the vortex finder) to remove large dirt particles and debris (e.g., hair) remaining in the exiting air flow. The vortex finder and porous member may be spaced from the cyclone chamber face of the plate 216. It should be understood that in some embodiments, only a screen may be provided. Alternatively, a vortex finder may be provided without a screen or the like.
From the cyclonic air outlet 188, the airflow may be directed into the pre-motor filter housing 164 at the upstream side 204 of the pre-motor filter 160. The air flow may pass through the pre-motor filter 160 to the pre-motor filter downstream side 208 and then exit through the pre-motor filter chamber air outlet 212 into the motor housing 148. At the motor housing 148, a flow of clean air may be drawn into the suction motor 144 and then exhausted from the apparatus 100 through the clean air outlet 120.
The following is a description of various dirt outlets defined by a gap or spacing between a dirt capture plate (also referred to as a "dirt trap," "capture plate," or simply "plate") and the sidewall of the cyclone chamber that may be used in any cyclone design. The plate separates the cyclone chamber from the dirt collection chamber. According to this feature, the dirt collection chamber is external to the cyclone chamber. The spacing may extend around the entire perimeter of the plate or only a portion of the plate (e.g. a portion of the perimeter of the plate may abut a portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall).
Various configurations of the spacing are described herein. In some embodiments, the shape of the perimeter of the plate may vary and provide a variable spacing in the radial direction between the perimeter of the plate and the cyclone chamber sidewall to form a gap extending radially between the perimeter of the plate and the cyclone chamber sidewall. In any such embodiment, it will be appreciated that some or all of the plates may be located radially inwardly from the inner surface of the cyclone chamber side wall and/or some or all of the plates may be located axially spaced from the end wall of the cyclone chamber side wall. In other embodiments, the distance between the inlet end of the cyclone chamber and the plate may vary at different positions around the periphery of the plate. In any embodiment, the length of the cyclone chamber side wall may vary around the circumference of the plate.
Axial step trap
According to this feature, the dirt collection chamber is external to the cyclone chamber and the dirt outlet of the cyclone chamber comprises or consists of an axially extending gap between the capture plate and the cyclone chamber side wall. According to this feature, the capture plate has an 'axial step', wherein a portion of the capture plate is axially recessed to create an axially recessed step. The axial step may create a relatively large dirt outlet gap or spacing between the cyclone chamber sidewall and the stepped portion of the capture plate periphery, which may allow larger debris to pass through the dirt outlet.
Without being limited by theory, the axially stepped trap design may provide greater separation efficiency (i.e., the percentage of dirt particles of the dirty airflow that are separated from the airflow and retained in the dirt collection chamber) by allowing larger dirt particles to exit the cyclone chamber, thereby reducing the likelihood that larger dirt particles in the cyclone chamber may swirl or otherwise interfere with the flow pattern in the cyclone chamber, as compared to a fully planar capture plate having a dirt outlet gap of substantially uniform size. Thus, the axially stepped trap design may allow the dirt collection chamber to tolerate large dirt particles (e.g., stones, dry food, etc.) while providing high separation efficiency.
According to this design, at least a portion of the capture plate is axially recessed to create a spaced first portion and a spaced second portion, wherein the spaced second portion has a distance between the cyclone chamber face of the plate and the first or inlet end of the cyclone chamber that is greater than the distance of the first portion of the plate from the first end of the cyclone chamber.
Reference is now made to fig. 3-5. As shown, the cyclone bin assembly 116 includes a capture plate 216 that separates the cyclone chamber 154 from the dirt collection chamber 156. The capture plate 216 also cooperates with the cyclonic separator 152 to define the dirt outlet 190 from the cyclone chamber 154 into the dirt collection chamber 156.
The capture plate 216 may define at least a portion of an end wall of one or both of the cyclonic separator 152 and the dirt collection chamber 156. As shown, the capture plate 216 may have a cyclone chamber face 220 defining the cyclone chamber 154 and an opposite dirt chamber face 224 defining the dirt collection chamber 156. The cyclone chamber face 220 may face the interior volume of the cyclone chamber 154. Similarly, the dirt chamber face 224 may face the interior volume of the dirt collection chamber 156.
The cyclonic separator 152 has a first end 228 with a first end wall 232, a second end 236 axially spaced from the first end 228, and a cyclone chamber sidewall 240 located between the first and second ends 228 and 236. The cyclonic separator 152 also has a central longitudinal axis 242 (also referred to as a "cyclone axis") that extends from the first end 228 to the second end 236. In the example shown, the cyclone second end 236 can be at least partially defined by the cyclone chamber face 220 of the capture plate 216. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cyclone chamber face 220 faces (i.e., has a surface directed perpendicularly thereto) the cyclone separator first end 228. It should be understood that if plate 216 is spaced from sidewall 240, sidewall 240 will not extend to plate 216. In some embodiments, a portion of the plate 216 may abut a portion of the sidewall 240, while another portion (e.g., a stepped down portion) may be spaced from the sidewall 240 to define part or all of the dirt outlet.
Still referring to FIGS. 3-5, the cyclone outlet passage 192 may define a vortex finder that facilitates cyclonic flow within the cyclone chamber 154. As shown, the cyclonic outlet passage 192 may extend from the first end 244 at the cyclone first end 228 to a second end 248 within the cyclone chamber 154. The cyclonic outlet passage 192 has one or more inlet openings 252 which allow air to exit the cyclone chamber 154 to enter the cyclonic outlet passage 192 towards the cyclonic air outlet 188. The cyclone outlet passage opening 252 may be covered with a porous member 254 (e.g., a fine mesh screen) that may remove large dirt and debris from the airflow entering the cyclone outlet passage 192. As shown, the cyclone outlet passage 192 and the porous member 254 may be spaced (e.g., axially) from the cyclone chamber face 220 of the capture plate 216. The cyclone outlet passage 192 may intersect the cyclone axis 242. As shown, the cyclone outlet passage 192 may have a central longitudinal axis 256 that is parallel to the cyclone axis 242 (e.g., collinear with the cyclone axis 242, or spaced from the cyclone axis 242).
It should be understood that any cyclonic air outlet may be used, and that the cyclonic air outlet may be in various locations known in the art. Similarly, it should be understood that any cyclonic air inlet 184 may be used, and that the cyclonic air inlet may be in various locations known in the art.
The dirt collection chamber 154 has a first end 260, a second end 264 axially spaced from the first end 260, and a sidewall 268 extending between the first and second ends 260 and 264. The dirt collection chamber 154 has a longitudinal axis 272 (also referred to as the "dirt chamber axis"). The dirt chamber axis 272 may be parallel to the cyclone axis 242 (e.g., collinear with the cyclone axis 242, or laterally spaced from the cyclone axis 242). The dirt chamber first end 260 can be at least partially defined by the dirt chamber face 224 of the capture plate 216. The dirt chamber second end 264 may include a second end wall 276. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the dirt chamber face 224 faces (i.e., has a surface directed perpendicularly thereto) the dirt chamber second end 264.
As used herein, the terms "axial" and "axially" refer to "in a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal axis," such as the cyclone axis 242 or the dirt chamber axis 272. For example, the dirt chamber face 224 may be described as being axially spaced from the cyclone chamber face 220 because the dirt chamber face 224 is spaced from the cyclone chamber face 220 in a direction parallel to or along the cyclone axis 242.
Referring to fig. 8-9, the cyclone dirt outlet 190 can extend around all of the capture plate perimeter 288. As shown, each point on the capture plate perimeter 288 can have a (non-zero) dirt exit gap length 292 to the cyclone chamber sidewall 240. In this manner, the dirt outlets 190 may form a continuous annular gap. This helps to mitigate the formation of blockages caused by the accumulation of debris at locations where there is no dirt outlet 190 (e.g., because the dirt outlet 190 is blocked). In other embodiments, the capture plate 216 may surround a portion of the sidewall 240.
Referring to fig. 3 and 6, the capture plate 216 may be movable between a closed position (fig. 3) and an open position (fig. 6). In the closed position, the catch plate 216 may be used to separate the cyclone chamber 154 from the dirt collection chamber 156. If the plate 216 contacts a portion of the sidewall 240, the catch plate 216 may at least partially close the cyclone second end 236 when in the closed position. Alternatively, as illustrated in fig. 3 and 8-10, the panel 216 may be spaced from all of the sidewalls 240 when in the closed position. In the open position, the capture plate 216 may be positioned to provide a user with access to the cyclone chamber 154 (e.g., for cleaning). For example, the catch plate 216 may close less or not close the cyclone second end 236 when in the open position than when in the closed position.
As shown, the catch plate 216 may be connected to an openable end wall 276 of the dirt collection chamber 156. The catch plate 216 may move with the end wall 276 such that when the end wall 276 is open, the catch plate 216 is displaced from (i.e., moves away from) the cyclone second end 236. This allows the cyclone chamber 154 and the dirt collection chamber 156 to be opened and emptied simultaneously by moving the end wall 276 from its closed position (FIG. 3) to its open position (FIG. 6). Alternatively, the plate 216 may be pivotally mounted to the side wall 240, the side wall of the dirt chamber,
in some embodiments, the plate 216 may not be openable, or it may be openable separately from the dirt chamber. For example, the plate 216 may be pivotally mounted to the side wall 240 or a side wall of the dirt chamber and may have its own releasable lock. Thus, when the end wall 276 is open, the panel 216 may remain in place and may be opened alone.
The dirt chamber end wall 276 may be opened in any manner that allows access to the empty dirt collection chamber 156. For example, the dirt chamber end wall 276 may be pivotally opened as shown, or may be removable from the dirt collection chamber 156. In the example shown, the dirt chamber end wall 276 is rotatably connected to the dirt collection chamber side wall 268 by a hinge 280 and releasably retained in the closed position by a latch 284 (FIG. 3).
The catch plate 216 may be attached to the dirt chamber end wall 276 in any manner that allows the catch plate 216 to be opened at the same time when the dirt chamber end wall 276 is opened. In the example shown, the capture plate 216 is connected to the dirt chamber end wall 276 by a rigidly mounted support member 286. Thus, the support member 286 may be a strut that rigidly connects the capture plate 216 to the dirt chamber end wall 276, whereby the capture plate 216 and the dirt chamber end wall 276 move as a unit. In some embodiments, support member 286 may be movably (pivotally) mounted relative to end wall 276 and/or plate 216 may be movably (pivotally) mounted relative to support 268. As shown, the support member 286 may extend from the dirt chamber face 224 of the capture plate 216 to the dirt chamber end wall 276. In this example, at least a portion of the dirt chamber end wall 276 faces (i.e., has a surface directed perpendicularly thereto) the catch plate 216 (e.g., toward the dirt chamber face 224).
Returning to FIGS. 3-5, the cyclone dirt outlet 190 can be formed by a gap between the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 and the capture plate 216. Dirt separated (i.e., separated) from the airflow circulating through the cyclone chamber 154 (e.g., by cyclonic action within the cyclone chamber 154) may exit the cyclone chamber 154 through the dirt outlet 190 into the dirt collection chamber 156. The maximum size of the dirt particles that can exit through the dirt outlet 190 is defined by the gap length 292. The gap length 292 is the shortest distance between a given point on the capture plate 216 and the cyclone chamber sidewall 240. There may be a uniform gap length 292 at each point on the capture plate perimeter 288, or the gap length 292 may vary along the capture plate perimeter 288.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the plate 216 may have a diameter similar to the diameter of the cyclone chamber 154, and the cyclone axis may intersect the center of the capture plate 216. Thus, the capture plate perimeter 288 (also referred to as "capture plate perimeter") may be located below the sidewall 240 (i.e., the projection of the sidewall 240 may intersect the capture plate perimeter 288) such that the capture plate perimeter 288 is below the free end 296 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240. Thus, as illustrated in fig. 3, the dirt outlet 190 is defined by a gap length 292 that is only axial. That is, the shortest distance between each point on the capture plate perimeter 288 and the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 is in a direction parallel to the cyclone separator axis 242.
It will be appreciated that the cross-sectional area of the plate 216 and the outlet end of the cyclone chamber 154 may vary (e.g., the plate 216 may have a diameter that is smaller or larger than the diameter of the cyclone chamber 154). The catch plate may be coplanar with the free end 296 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 (see, e.g., FIG. 7), or may be axially spaced therefrom (see, e.g., FIG. 8).
FIG. 7 shows an example in which the capture plate 216 has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the cyclone chamber 154 such that at least a portion of the dirt outlet 190 is defined by a gap length 292 that is only radial. That is, the shortest distance between at least a portion 304 of the capture plate perimeter 288 and the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 is in a direction transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the cyclone separator axis 242. As shown, at least a portion 304 of the capture plate perimeter 288 has the same axial position as a portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240.
Fig. 8 shows an example in which all of the dirt outlets 190 are defined by a gap length 292 that includes both radial and axial components. That is, the shortest distance between at least a portion 304 of the capture plate perimeter 288 and the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 is in a direction that is at a non-zero and non-perpendicular angle (i.e., non-parallel and non-orthogonal) to the cyclone separator axis 242.
Different points on the capture plate perimeter 288 can have different dirt outlet gap lengths 292. FIG. 9 illustrates an example in which the capture plate 216 is eccentric with respect to the cyclone axis 242, whereby the radial gap length 292 is greater at some points along the capture plate perimeter 288 than at other points (e.g., the gap length 292 is sized1And gap length 2922For comparison). Alternatively, or additionally, where the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 is closest to the capture plate perimeter 288 (e.g. triangular capture plate perimeter 288 and circular cyclone chamber sidewall 240), the capture plate perimeter 288 may have an axial shape (i.e. the shape of the projection of the capture plate perimeter 288 in a direction parallel to the cyclone separator axis 242) that is different from the axial shape of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240. This may also result in a variable gap length 292 around the capture plate perimeter 288.
Returning to fig. 3-5, the illustrated capture plate 216 is shown to include an upper platform and a perimeter step on one side. The peripheral step may provide an enlarged dirt outlet gap length only on the stepped portion of the dirt trap periphery. The advantage of this design is that the enlarged dirt outlet gap provides clearance for large dirt particles to enter the dirt collection chamber through the dirt outlet, while optionally maintaining a smaller gap for the remainder of the periphery of the capture plate (if the remainder of the capture plate is spaced from the side wall 240). The axially stepped design shown can reduce re-entry of dirt from the dirt collection chamber into the cyclone chamber through the dirt outlet, as compared to a dirt trap having a substantial gap length around the entire capture plate periphery, since many dirt outlets maintain a relatively small gap length. In laboratory testing, the axial stepped design has a higher dirt separation efficiency than a uniform planar capture plate, all other conditions being equal.
As shown, the capture plate 216 includes a first portion 308 and a second portion 312. The first and second portions 308 and 312 are axially spaced apart and joined together by a transition portion 316 located between the first and second portions 308 and 312. In the example shown, the transition portion 316 extends from the first portion 308 to the second portion 312. The first, second and transition portions 308, 312 and 316 may be integrally formed as shown, or discretely formed and rigidly connected together. At least the first and second portions 308 and 312 each comprise a portion of the capture plate perimeter 288. In the example shown, each of the first, second and transition portions 308, 312 and 316 includes a portion of the capture plate perimeter 288.
Each of the first, second and transition portions 308, 312 and 316, respectively, includes a cyclone chamber face 3201、3202And 3203. The cyclone chamber face 320 defines an interior volume of the cyclone chamber 154. As shown, the second partial cyclone chamber face 3202May contact the first partial cyclone chamber face 320 in a direction away from the cyclone first end 2281Axially spaced apart (i.e., in a direction parallel to the cyclone axis 242). Thus, capture plate second portion 312 forms an axial step from capture plate first portion 308. As shown, the axial separation between the capture plate first and second portions 308 and 312 may provide a greater dirt outlet gap length 292 for the capture plate perimeter 288 at the capture plate second portion 312 than at the capture plate first portion 308. This allows larger particles to pass through the dirt outlet 190 at the capture plate second portion 312 while maintaining a smaller gap at the capture plate first portion 308 to mitigate re-entry of dirt particles from the dirt collection chamber 156 to the cyclone chamber 154.
As shown, the cyclone chamber face 320 of the capture plate first and second portions 308 and 3121And 3202May face the cyclone first end 228 (e.g., toward the cyclone first end wall 232). In the illustrated example, the cyclone chamber face 3201And 3202Is substantially planar and perpendicular to the cyclone axis 242. In other embodimentsIn this example, the cyclone chamber face 3201And 3202One or both of which may be non-planar. Alternatively or additionally, the cyclone chamber face 3201And 3202One or both of which may not be perpendicular to the cyclone axis 242.
Cyclone chamber face 3201And 3202The axial separation therebetween may be described by their distance from a reference plane 324 (also referred to as a "transverse plane") that is perpendicular to the cyclone axis 242 and intersects the cyclone, such as at the cyclone first end 228. As shown, from the second partial cyclone chamber face 3202Axial distance 322 to reference plane 3242Larger than the first part cyclone chamber face 3201Axial distance 322 to reference plane 3241。
Transitional cyclone chamber face 3203May be connected with the first and second partial cyclone chamber surfaces 3201And 3202Extending at a non-zero angle. As shown, the transitional cyclone chamber face 3203May extend generally axially (e.g., generally parallel to the cyclone axis 242). In the example shown, the transitional cyclone chamber face 3203Perpendicular to the first and second partial cyclone chamber faces 3201And 3202And (4) extending. As shown, the transitional cyclone chamber face 3203May be substantially planar.
In some embodiments, the transitional cyclone chamber face 3203May not be perpendicular to the cyclone axis 242. For example, it may be in contact with the first and second partial cyclone chamber faces 3201And 3202Each extending at an acute angle. Alternatively or additionally, the transitional cyclone chamber face 3203May be non-planar; for example, it may be from the first and second partial cyclone chamber faces 3201Curved to the second partial cyclone chamber face 3202. For example, the transitional cyclone chamber face 3203May be concave or convex.
Capture plate second portion 312 may be smaller in size (e.g., cross-sectional area in a plane parallel to reference plane 324) than capture plate first portion 308. An advantage of this design is that it provides the capture plate with an enlarged dirt outlet gap length 292 that spans less than half of the dirt outlet 190. For example, the area of the axial projection of capture plate second portion 312 may be smaller (e.g., less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, or less than 10%) than the area of the axial projection of capture plate first portion 308. In the example shown, the area of the axial projection of capture plate second portion 312 is less than half the area of the axial projection of capture plate first portion 308. Further, the capture plate second portion 312 may include fewer capture plate perimeters 288 (e.g., less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, or less than 10%) than the capture plate first portion 308. In the example shown, the capture plate second portion 312 includes less than one-quarter of the capture plate perimeter 288.
The capture plate second portion 312 may be laterally offset from the cyclone axis 242 (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the cyclone axis 242). As shown, the capture plate second portion 312 is axially spaced from the capture plate first portion 308 along an axis 326 that is parallel to and laterally spaced from the cyclone axis 242.
Transitional cyclone chamber face 3203May be at first and second discontinuities 328, respectively1And 3282At the first and second partial cyclone chamber surfaces 3201And 3202Meet. As shown, the transitional cyclone chamber face 3203At the first and second discontinuities 3281And 3282Extending therebetween. First discontinuity 3281May be located on the first partial cyclone chamber face 3201And transition portion cyclone chamber face 3203And a second discontinuity may be located at the second partial cyclone chamber face 3202And transition portion cyclone chamber face 3203In the meantime.
As used herein, a "discontinuity" is a large-scale deviation or discontinuity in a surface pattern or shape pattern. For example, first discontinuity 3281Shown as a 90 degree bend, from the cyclone chamber face 3201And the second discontinuity is shown as a 90 degree bend, which is the cyclone chamber face 3202The deviation of the planar surface of the second portion of (a). Minor deviations (e.g. between otherwise consecutive parts)Seams and gaps) and minor deviations (e.g., elements of surface texture) are not considered herein as discontinuities. It should be understood that instead of a 90 degree bend, the discontinuity may be circular.
It should be appreciated that the capture plate 216 may have a perimeter without any angles or other discontinuities. The capture plate perimeter 288 may thus have a smooth continuous axial shape (i.e., the shape of the projection of the capture plate perimeter 288 in a direction parallel to the cyclone axis 242). Thus, as shown in plan view in fig. 9, the capture plate 216 is circular.
It should be understood that the capture plate may be any other shape, such as an oval or polygonal shape (e.g., hexagonal, square, triangular, etc.). For example, as illustrated in fig. 10, the capture plate perimeter 288 may have a discontinuous axial shape. In the example shown, the capture plate perimeter 288 has first and second portions 332 and 336 connected by two discontinuities 340. The discontinuity 340 provides a deviation from the regular (e.g., circular) shape of the perimeter first portion 332 and the regular (e.g., linear) shape of the perimeter second portion 336. In this example, discontinuity 340 is a corner (also referred to as a joint) between first and second portions 332 and 336.
It should be understood that the capture plate 216 may have an irregular perimeter. For example, the catch plate may have a shape in which a portion of the plate has been truncated to increase the size of the dirt outlet gap. The intercepting part may be any part of the plate and may be provided on the second part. This feature may be used with any panel having a smooth perimeter or having a perimeter with discontinuities.
For example, as illustrated in fig. 10, first and second discontinuities 3401And 3402May be provided on capture plate second portion 312. For example, the second portion 336 of the capture plate perimeter 288 may define at least a portion of the capture plate second portion 312. In contrast to the axial shape (e.g., fully circular) of the capture plate 216, which is a peripheral first portion 332 that is continuous around the entire capture plate perimeter 288, the plate segment 344 has been removed, with the peripheral second portion 336 truncating the axial shape of the peripheral first portion 332. As shown in the figure, weekThe edge second portion 336 may be formed as a line (e.g., a linear cut) to the circular axial shape of the peripheral first portion 332. Removal of the plate segment 344 may further expand the dirt outlet gap length 292 at the capture plate second portion 312. This allows larger particles to pass through the portion of the dirt outlet 190 between the peripheral second portion 336 and the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 than an identical capture plate 216 with the plate segments 344 intact.
It will be appreciated that a capture plate 216 having an axial step may create a concave (also referred to as 'hollow') step volume behind the axial face of the step. Depending on the manner in which the associated cyclone and dirt collection chamber are emptied, fibrous debris (e.g., hair) may become caught or lodged in the step space when the surface cleaning apparatus is emptied. Alternatively, the hollow shape of the plate 216 on the side facing the dirt chamber can create a vortex or otherwise interfere with the settling of the dirt in the dirt collection chamber. Thus, in some embodiments, the stepped volume is enclosed by the dirt chamber face of the capture plate. The closed hollow stepped volume may be used with any of the axial stepped traps described herein.
It will be appreciated that the enclosed portion may be only below or transverse to the transition portion (e.g., if the transition portion extends at an angle to the reference plane 324). Alternatively, the enclosed portion may underlie the transition portion and one or both of the first and second portions. As illustrated in fig. 11-19, the enclosed portion is below both the transition portion and the first portion. The advantage of this design is that the axial thickness of the second portion is not increased. It will be appreciated that the more first the enclosing section is located below, the more gradual the angle of the enclosing section may be.
Referring to fig. 4-5, an exemplary capture plate 216 is shown that includes an open stepped volume 348. The stepped volume 348 is defined by the dirt chamber surface 364 at the transition portion3The rear hollow volume. As shown, the stepped volume 348 is bounded on one side by the transition portion 316 and above by the first portion 308.
Fig. 11-13 illustrate an embodiment of the capture plate 216 in which the stepped volume 348 is enclosed by an enclosed portion 352 of the dirt chamber face 224. Such asAs shown, the closed portion 352 may be aligned with the transition portion cyclone chamber face 3203And cyclone chamber face 3201At least a portion of the first portion of (a) is opposed. By enclosing the stepped volume 348, a smoother dirt chamber face of the plate 216 is provided, which may reduce turbulence in the dirt collection chamber and facilitate dirt settling in the dirt collection chamber without re-entering the cyclone chamber.
The enclosed portion 352 may have any configuration suitable for enclosing the stepped volume 348. In some embodiments, the closed portion 352 may not have a concave surface (e.g., be completely planar as shown, be completely convex, or include both planar and convex portions). In the example shown, the enclosure portion 352 extends from a dirt chamber face 364 adjacent the second portion 3122Extends towards or across the cyclone axis 242 to a dirt chamber face 364 of the first portion 3081And a second end 360.
Fig. 11-13 illustrate an example of the closed portion second end 360 being proximate the cyclone axis 242. 14-16 illustrate an example of the capture plate 216 with the cyclone axis 288 between the closure portion first and second ends 356 and 360. Fig. 17-19 illustrate another example of a capture plate 216 in which a cyclone axis 288 is located between the closure portion first and second ends 356 and 360.
The closed portion 352 may extend laterally (i.e., not parallel) to the cyclone axis 242. For example, fig. 11-13 and 14-16 illustrate examples of capture plates 216 in which the enclosed portion 352 is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the cyclone axis 242. As shown, the closure portion first end 356 may be axially and laterally spaced from the closure portion second end 360. In the example shown, the closed portion first end 356 is axially spaced from the closed portion second end 360 away from the cyclone chamber first end 228. Fig. 17-19 illustrate an example of a capture plate 216 in which a closure portion first end 356 is axially aligned and laterally spaced from a closure portion second end 360.
Referring again to FIGS. 11-13, the closed portion 352 may be oriented such that it meets the cyclone chamber face 320 of the transition portion 316 in a direction away from the capture plate second portion 3123And (4) separating. As shown, the second end of the closure portion360 may be farther from the cyclone chamber face 320 of the transition portion 316 than the closing portion first end 3563And (4) spacing.
The dirt chamber face 224 may have one or more discontinuities. For example, FIGS. 11-13 and 14-16 illustrate a capture plate 216 having a dirt chamber face 224 with a dirt chamber face 364 at the enclosure portion 352 and the second portion 3122At the joint 368. The discontinuities are preferably rounded in order to avoid sharp angles. In other embodiments, the dirt chamber face 224 may be completely continuous. For example, FIGS. 17-19 illustrate a capture plate 216 having a completely planar dirt chamber face 224. In the example shown, the dirt chamber face 224 is perpendicular to the cyclone axis 242. In other embodiments, the dirt chamber face 224 may be oriented non-perpendicular and non-parallel to the cyclone axis 242.
The plate first portion 308 has an axial thickness 3721May be greater than the axial thickness 372 of the plate second portion 3122. 17-19 illustrate an exemplary capture plate 216 wherein the plate first portion 308 has a uniform thickness 3721Greater than the thickness 372 of the second portion 312 of the plate2. 11-13 and 14-16 illustrate an exemplary capture plate 216 wherein the plate first portion 308 has a thickness 3721Increasing toward the transition portion 316. As shown, plate thickness 3721May increase between the closure portion first and second ends 356 and 360 toward the first end 356.
Radially extending gap
According to this feature, the dirt collection chamber is external to the cyclone chamber and the dirt outlet of the cyclone chamber comprises or is constituted by a radially extending gap between the capture plate and the cyclone chamber side wall. According to this feature, at least a portion of the capture plate is recessed inwardly such that a greater radial distance is provided between the cyclone chamber sidewall and the periphery of the plate for a portion of the periphery of the plate. Providing a larger radial distance may result in a relatively larger dirt outlet gap between the cyclone chamber sidewall and the recessed portion of the capture plate perimeter, which may allow larger debris to pass through the dirt outlet.
Without being limited by theory, varying the radial gap may provide greater separation efficiency (i.e. the percentage of dirt particles of the dirty airflow that are separated from the airflow and retained in the dirt collection chamber) compared to a fully circular capture plate that provides a dirt outlet gap of substantially uniform size, by allowing larger dirt particles to exit the cyclone chamber, thereby reducing the likelihood that larger dirt particles in the cyclone chamber may swirl or otherwise interfere with the flow pattern in the cyclone chamber. Thus, the radially variable trap design may allow the dirt collection chamber to tolerate large dirt particles (e.g., stones, dry food, etc.) while providing high separation efficiency.
According to this design, the spacing may generally comprise a first portion extending around a first portion of the perimeter of the plate and a second portion extending around a second portion of the perimeter of the plate, wherein the second portion of the spacing has a greater length in a radial direction in the plane of the plate than the first portion of the spacing. The greater length may be created by the second section of the plate having the second portion of the perimeter having a different diameter or shape than the first section of the plate having the first portion of the perimeter.
It will be appreciated that, in addition, the second section of the plate may have a distance between the cyclone chamber face of the plate and the first or inlet end of the cyclone chamber which is greater than the distance of the first section of the plate from the first end of the cyclone chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the axial length of the cyclone chamber sidewall may vary around the circumference of the cyclone chamber sidewall.
Fig. 20 to 24 show an example of a cyclone bin assembly having both a capture plate 216 and a cyclone chamber sidewall 240 shaped to define a cyclone dirt outlet 190 formed by both a radially extending gap and a vertically extending gap between the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 and the capture plate 216. Thus, the size of the gap varies around the perimeter of the capture plate 216, and it also varies in different directions.
As illustrated in fig. 20 and 23A, the first section 380 of the capture plate 216 has a diameter D1Smaller than the diameter D of the cyclone chamber 1543And the second section 381 of the capture plate 216 has a diameter D2Is larger than the diameter D of the first section 3801And may be aligned with the diameter D of the cyclone chamber 1543The same or larger. Referring to FIG. 21, it can be seen that the projection of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 does not intersect the first section 380 of the capture plate 216 (the first section of the plate is radially inward of the cyclone chamber sidewall), but does intersect the second section 381 of the capture plate 216 (the perimeter of the second section of the plate is below the free end 296 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240, e.g. the extension of the sidewall would intersect the outermost end of the second section of the plate). Further, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the cyclone chamber face 220 may be at a length L2In the plane defined by the free ends 296 of the portions of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240. Thus, along the perimeter of the first section 380, the first portion of the dirt outlet 190 is defined only by the radially extending gap having the radial gap length 292 a. However, along the perimeter of the second section 381, the first length L of the cyclone chamber sidewall 2401A second length L of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 at a first section of the perimeter of the capture plate 2162Short. As illustrated, the shorter length L1Provided by the vertically or axially extending edges 383 of the side walls 240, thereby providing vertical recesses 384. Thus, along the perimeter of the second portion 381, the second portion of the dirt outlet 190 is defined only by the vertically extending gap between the cyclone chamber surface 220 and the free end 296 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240, which has a vertical gap length 292 b. Thus, the spacing between the cyclone chamber side wall and the plate of the first section around the circumference is larger than the spacing between the cyclone chamber side wall and the plate of the second section around the circumference and, therefore, the spacing has a larger length in the radial direction. At the same time, the spacing around the second portion of the plate in the vertical direction of the plane of the sidewall (the direction of the cyclone axis) has a longer length than the first portion of the plate due to the vertical recess 384.
As further shown in FIG. 22, the free end 296 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 may also have a shorter length along a portion of the perimeter of the first segment 380. Thus, along this section of the perimeter, a third portion of the dirt outlet 190 is formed by a radially extending gap having a radial gap length 292a and a vertically extending gap having a vertical gap length 292 b. Thus, for this third portion of the dirt outlet 190, the gap length 292 is therefore equal to the shortest distance between the perimeter of the capture plate 216 and the cyclone chamber sidewall 240, and is generally non-perpendicular to the chamber-facing surface of the capture plate 216 and non-coplanar with the cyclone chamber sidewall 240.
It will be appreciated that by providing a radially recessed first section 380 of the plate 216, a smaller dirt outlet gap length 292 is provided for one section of the periphery of the plate, whereas varying the length of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 may provide, alone or in combination with the recessed first section 380 of the plate, a larger dirt outlet gap length 292 for another section of the periphery of the plate.
As illustrated in FIG. 23A, the first section 380 of the capture plate 216, which is smaller in diameter than the cyclone chamber 154, is substantially linear. It should be understood that the section need not be linear, but may be curved (e.g., concave shape) or may be stepped inward to define the recess 382. It should also be understood that only a portion of the segment may be substantially linear or curved. Also as illustrated, the second section (the front and rear sections shown) of the plate 216 is curved. The anterior and posterior segments may have the same curvature or radius, or, as illustrated, they may be different. However, the perimeter of a portion or all of the second section need not be curved. As illustrated in fig. 32A and 32B, a portion of the perimeter of the second section (the front of the plate 216) is linear, defining a generally D-shaped plate 216.
It should also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, all of the cyclone chamber faces 220 may have a length L in a direction away from the first end 2282The planes defined by the free ends 296 of the portions of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 are axially spaced.
As illustrated in fig. 25, some of the plates 216 may have a length L in a direction toward the first end 2282The planes defined by the free ends 296 of the portions of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 are axially spaced. In this example, a portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 extends below the top surface of the capture plate 216 such that a radial projection of the top surface of the capture plate 216 intersects the cyclone chamber sidewall 240. In this example, at the section of the capture plate 216 where part of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 extends below the top surface is at a rear section of the capture plate 216, but it will be appreciated that the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 is at the rear section of the capture plate 216Any portion of the sidewall 240 may extend below the top surface of the capture plate 216. A radially extending gap having a radial gap length 292a is shown at the rear section of the capture plate 216. It will be appreciated that a vertically extending gap having a gap length 292b is provided at the portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall that extends below the top surface of the capture plate 216. In this manner, a piece of debris reaching the dirt collection chamber 156 from the cyclone chamber 154 passes over the periphery of the capture plate 216 and down through the radially extending portion of the gap to the dirt collection chamber.
It will be appreciated that the first length L of the cyclone chamber sidewall 2401And a second length L of the cyclone chamber sidewall 2402The transition between may be anywhere along the perimeter of the capture plate 216.
As also illustrated in fig. 25 and 26, in addition to having axially extending edges 383, a variable length of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 may be provided. For example, as illustrated in fig. 25 and 26, the free end 296 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 may extend at an angle to the cyclone separator axis (the free end 196 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 may have a continuously, e.g., linearly, increasing length between the first section of the capture plate 216 and the second section of the capture plate 216). Alternatively, only a portion of the free edge 296 may be angled, as illustrated in fig. 29, or it may be curved to provide a curved transition, as illustrated in fig. 31.
In the embodiment of FIG. 25, the plate 216 has a length such that a front section of the capture plate 216 extends to the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 such that a projection of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 intersects the capture plate 216. Along the perimeter of the second section 381, only vertical gaps may be provided if the plate 216 has the same shape as shown in fig. 23B. An annular and vertical gap may be provided along the perimeter of the first section 380. It should be noted that the vertically extending gap having the vertical gap length 292b at the front section of the capture plate 216 and the vertically extending gap having the vertical gap length 292b at the rear section of the capture plate 216 may have the same or different vertical gap lengths.
In the embodiment of FIG. 26, the plate 216 may extend forward the same amount as in FIG. 25, such that a front section of the capture plate 216 extends to the cyclone chamber sidewall 240, such that a projection of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 intersects the capture plate 216. However, in this embodiment, unlike in FIG. 25, the rear section of the plate abuts the rear section of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240. In this example, the increasing length of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 begins at the front section of the capture plate 216, where the gap forming the cyclone dirt outlet 190 comprises a vertically extending gap having a vertical gap length 292 b. Vertical gap length 292b then decreases in length along capture plate 216 toward the rear segment of capture plate 216, terminating at the rear segment of capture plate 216 where vertical gap length 292b is zero. Along the perimeter of the second section 381, only vertical gaps may be provided if the plate 216 has the same shape as shown in fig. 23B. In addition to the section adjoining the cyclone chamber sidewall 240, an annular and vertical gap may be provided along the circumference of the first section 380. It will be appreciated that the plate 216 may be axially spaced from the free end 196 of the cyclone chamber side wall 240, thereby defining a smaller vertical gap 292b at the rear end of the plate 216.
Fig. 27 illustrates an embodiment similar to fig. 21. However, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 21, the plate 26 has the same diameter as the cyclone chamber. Since the cyclone chamber face 220 is formed to have a length L2In the plane defined by the free end 296 of the portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240, in the embodiment of FIG. 27 the rear end of the plate 216 abuts the free end of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 in a similar manner to that shown in FIG. 26. It will be appreciated that the plate 216 may be axially spaced from the free end 196 of the cyclone chamber side wall 240, thereby defining a smaller vertical gap 292b at the rear end of the plate 216.
It should be understood that two or more larger portions of the dirt outlet 190 may be provided. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 22, two recesses 384 may be provided in the cyclone chamber sidewall in place of or in addition to the larger dirt outlet provided by the vertical recess 384. Alternatively, two or more vertical recesses 384 may be provided. Examples of such embodiments are provided in fig. 28 and 30.
As illustrated in FIG. 28, the cyclone soil outlet 190 includes a first cyclone soil outlet portion 190a and a second cyclone soil outlet portion 190b. As illustrated, the first cyclone soil outlet portion 190a is formed at a front section of the trap plate 216, and the second cyclone soil outlet portion 190b is formed at a rear section of the trap plate 216. The first cyclone dirt outlet portion 190a is formed by a vertically extending gap having a vertical gap length 292b, and the second cyclone dirt outlet portion 190b is formed by a vertically extending gap also having a vertical gap length 292 b. It should be noted that the first and second cyclone soil outlet portions 190a and 190b may be the same as illustrated, or they may have different vertical gap lengths. The first and second cyclone dirt outlet portions 190a and 190b are separated by a second portion 386 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 having a length L2Is longer than the length L of the first portion 385 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 defining the cyclone dirt outlet portions 190a, 190b1. As illustrated, the length L of the second portion 386 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 2402To a second section of the catch plate 216 where the vertical gap length 292b is zero (i.e. the free end 296 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 abuts the catch plate 216). It will be appreciated that the plate 216 may be axially spaced from the free end 296 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 so as to define a smaller vertical gap 292b at this location.
In the example shown in FIG. 28, the transition between the first length of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 and the second length of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 is substantially vertical and may be anywhere along the perimeter of the capture plate 216. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 29, the transition between the first length of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 and the second length of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 need not be vertical, but may be gradual. For example, as illustrated, the free end 296 may extend linearly at an angle to the cyclone separator axis such that the length of the first portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 gradually increases in a linear manner as the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 extends toward the rear section of the capture plate 216. Alternatively, the free end 296 may be curved as shown in fig. 31.
It will also be appreciated that a portion of the plate 216 may extend radially outwardly of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240. As also illustrated in fig. 29 and 31, the front section of the capture plate 216 extends beyond the projection of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 such that the projection of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 intersects the capture plate 216. If the plate 216 has the same shape as shown in FIG. 23B, at the front of the cyclone chamber, the cyclone dirt outlet 190 is formed by a vertically extending gap having a vertical gap length 292B, and a radially extending gap having a radial gap length 292a is provided along the lateral side of the plate 216.
It will be appreciated that in any of the preceding embodiments, the second section of the perimeter of the plate 216 may have a distance between the cyclone chamber face of the plate 216 and the first end of the cyclone chamber 154 that is greater than the distance between the first section of the plate 216 and the first end of the cyclone chamber 154. For example, FIGS. 33A to 39B show further examples of cyclone bin assemblies in which an axially stepped plate 216 and a cyclone chamber sidewall 240 of variable length are used to provide a dirt outlet of variable size. Alternatively, as shown in these examples, the plate 216 may have different diameters in different directions (radially inward as illustrated in FIG. 23B and/or as illustrated in FIG. 22. thus, in FIGS. 33A to 39B, the cyclone dirt outlet 190 is at least partially formed by a vertically extending gap and a radially extending gap between the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 and the capture plate 216. in these examples, the shape of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 and the shape of the capture plate 216 both vary to define the gap that forms the cyclone dirt outlet 190.
In the example shown in fig. 33A and 33B, the front section of the catch plate 216 is stepped vertically downward (as previously described), and the front portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 has a shorter length than the rear portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall, thereby creating a vertical gap length 292B at the front section of the catch plate 2162And a vertical gap length 292b at a side section of capture plate 216 behind the vertical step of capture plate 2161The vertically extending gap. In addition, since the plate is shaped similarly to the plate illustrated in fig. 23B, the radially extending gap of the radial gap length 292a is also provided on the lateral side of the plate 216. Thus, the spacing between the cyclone chamber side wall and the plate of the first section around the circumference is larger than the spacing between the cyclone chamber side wall and the plate of the second section around the circumference and, therefore, the spacing has a larger length in the radial direction.At the same time, due to the stepped trap design, the spacing around the second portion of the plate in the vertical direction of the plane of the sidewall (direction of the cyclone axis) has a longer length than the first section of the plate.
In the example shown in fig. 34A and 34B, a portion of the front section of the capture plate 216, which is stepped vertically downward (as described above), extends beyond the projection of the front portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240 (radially outward). Thus, the dirt outlet includes a radially extending gap of radial gap length 292a disposed on a lateral side of the plate 216, a vertical gap length 292b at a side of the front section of the plate 2161And a vertical gap length 292b at the front of the front section of the plate 2162A large vertically extending gap. It should be appreciated that gap length 292b1May be greater than the gap length 292b2。
The example shown in FIGS. 35A and 35B is similar to that of FIGS. 34A and 34B, except that the entire front section of the capture plate 216, which is stepped vertically downward (as before), extends beyond the projection of the front portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240. The dirt outlet thus comprises a radially extending gap of radial gap length 292a provided on the lateral side of the plate 216, a vertical gap length 292b at the side of the front section of the plate 2161And a vertical gap length 292b at the front of the front section of the plate 2162A shorter vertically extending gap.
The example shown in fig. 36A and 36B is similar to the example of fig. 34A and 34B, except that only the stepped down portion is below the free edge 296 of the cyclone chamber sidewall such that a vertical gap is defined between the stepped down portion and the free edge 296.
The example shown in FIGS. 37A and 37B is similar to that of FIGS. 34A and 34B, except that the transition portion 316 is below the free edge 296 of the cyclone chamber sidewall.
The example shown in FIGS. 38A and 38B is similar to that of FIGS. 34A and 34B, except that all of the stepped down portion is located radially outward of the cyclone chamber sidewall 240.
In the example shown in fig. 39A and 39B, the front section of the capture plate 216 is vertically downwardAnd is inclined toward the front of the cyclone chamber assembly to form a vertical gap length 292b at the front section of the capture plate 2162Of the vertically extending gap.
Although the above description provides examples of embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments may be susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above is intended to be illustrative of the invention and not restrictive, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
The present specification also includes the subject matter of the following clause sets:
clause set a:
1. a surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:
(a) an air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet to the clean air outlet;
(b) a cyclone separator and a suction motor disposed in the air flow path;
(c) the cyclonic separator comprises a cyclone chamber having a central longitudinal axis, the cyclonic separator having a first end with a first end wall, an axially spaced second end, a cyclone chamber side wall between the first and second ends, a cyclonic air inlet provided at the first end, a cyclonic air outlet provided at the first end, and a dirt outlet provided at the second end, wherein a reference plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis extends through the cyclone chamber; and the number of the first and second groups,
(d) a plate at the second end, the plate having a plate perimeter, a first portion,
(i) a second portion, and a transition portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, each of the first portion, the second portion, and the transition portion of the plate having a cyclone chamber face, wherein the cyclone chamber faces of the first portion and the second portion of the plate face the first end and define different portions of the plate perimeter,
(ii) the second portion is spaced further from the reference plane than the first portion in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis,
(iii) the dirt outlet includes a spacing between the cyclone chamber sidewall and the second portion of the plate,
(iv) the plate further having a dirt chamber face and a stepped volume located axially between the cyclone chamber face and the dirt chamber face of the first and transition portions, whereby the dirt chamber face comprises an enclosed portion below the stepped volume; and the number of the first and second groups,
(e) a dirt collection region in communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet.
2. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the enclosed portion extends at an angle to the central longitudinal axis.
3. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the first portion of the plate is thicker than the second portion of the plate.
4. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the thickness of the first portion of the plate increases toward the transition portion of the plate.
5. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein a first discontinuity is disposed between the cyclone chamber face of the first portion of the plate and the cyclone chamber face of the transition portion, and a second discontinuity is disposed between the cyclone chamber face of the transition portion and the cyclone chamber face of the second portion of the plate.
6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 5, wherein the transition portion extends generally axially.
7. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 6, wherein the first portion of the plate and the second portion of the plate are substantially planar.
8. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the dirt chamber face of the plate is substantially continuous.
9. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the dirt collection region is axially spaced from and opposite the first end of the cyclonic separator.
10. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the enclosed portion is planar.
11. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein:
(a) the enclosure portion extending from a first end proximate the dirt chamber face of the second portion toward or across the central longitudinal axis to a second end; and the number of the first and second electrodes,
(b) the first end of the enclosure portion is laterally spaced from the second end of the enclosure portion.
12. A surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:
(a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and including a cyclone chamber and a suction motor;
(b) a dirt collection region external to the cyclone chamber; and the number of the first and second groups,
(c) a plate located between the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection region and defining a dirt outlet from the cyclone chamber to the dirt collection region, the plate having a cyclone chamber face facing the cyclone chamber, an opposite dirt collection face facing the dirt collection region, and first, second and transition portions, wherein the cyclone chamber faces of the first and second portions are connected by the cyclone chamber face of the transition portion and have different axial distances from a transverse plane extending through the cyclone separator and perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the cyclone separator, and the dirt collection face encloses a stepped volume bounded by the first and transition portions.
13. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 12, wherein the first portion of the plate is thicker than the second portion of the plate.
14. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 12, wherein the dirt chamber face of the plate is substantially continuous.
15. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 12, wherein the dirt collection region is axially spaced from and opposite the first end of the cyclonic separator.
16. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 12, wherein a first discontinuity is disposed between the cyclone chamber face of the first portion of the plate and the cyclone chamber face of the second portion of the plate.
17. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 12, wherein the first portion of the plate and the second portion of the plate are substantially planar.
18. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 12, wherein the enclosed portion extends at an angle to the central longitudinal axis.
19. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 12, wherein the enclosed portion is planar.
20. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 12, wherein:
(a) the closed portion extends from a first end proximate the dirt chamber face of the second portion toward or across the central longitudinal axis to a second end, and,
the first end of the enclosure portion is laterally spaced from the second end of the enclosure portion.
Clause set B:
1. a surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:
(a) air flow path extending from dirty air inlet to clean air outlet
(b) A cyclonic separator disposed in the air flow path, the cyclonic separator including a cyclone chamber, a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, a dirt outlet, a central longitudinally extending axis, the cyclone chamber having axially opposed first and second ends;
(c) a suction motor located in the air flow path;
(d) a dirt collection region external to the cyclone chamber; and the number of the first and second groups,
(e) a plate at a second end of the cyclone chamber, the plate having a cyclone chamber face facing the cyclone chamber, the cyclone chamber face having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the cyclone chamber face and the second portion of the cyclone chamber face have different axial distances from a transverse plane extending through the cyclone chamber and perpendicular to a central longitudinally extending axis of the cyclone separator,
wherein an annular gap between the plate and the cyclonic separator extends around the entirety of the plate and defines the dirt outlet of the cyclone chamber.
2. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the annular gap has a radial distance between the plate and the cyclonic separator, and the radial distance is constant.
3. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the annular gap has a radial distance between the plate and the cyclonic separator, and the radial distance varies at different locations around the plate.
4. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the plate has a perimeter, and the perimeter extends substantially continuously.
5. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the plate has a perimeter, and the perimeter has two discontinuities.
6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the plate has a section removed.
7. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 6, wherein the annular gap has a radial distance between the plate and the cyclonic separator that varies at different locations around the plate and that increases at the location of the plate from which the segment has been removed.
8. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 7, wherein the second portion is at a greater axial distance from the transverse plane than the first portion, and the location from which the plate of the segment has been removed is the second portion.
9. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the second portion is at a greater axial distance from the transverse plane than the first portion, and the second portion has a segment removed.
10. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 9, wherein the annular gap has a radial distance between the plate and the cyclonic separator, and the radial distance increases at the removal location of the segment.
11. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the plate is located between the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection region, the plate having a dirt collection surface facing the dirt collection region.
12. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the cyclonic air inlet and the cyclonic air outlet are disposed at the first end of the cyclone chamber, the cyclonic air outlet comprises a vortex finder and a porous member located between the cyclone chamber and the inlet of the vortex finder, and the vortex finder and the porous member are spaced from the cyclone chamber face of the plate.
13. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the plate is movably mounted between a closed position in which the plate is positioned for operation of the cyclonic separator and an open position in which the plate is moved to provide access to the cyclone chamber.
14. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 13, wherein the dirt collection area has an end wall facing the plate, and the end wall is openable.
15. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 14, wherein the plate is supported by and movable with the end wall.
16. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 15, wherein the plate has a dirt collection surface facing the dirt collection area, and the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a support member extending between the end wall and the dirt collection surface.
17. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 16, wherein the cyclonic air inlet and the cyclonic air outlet are disposed at the first end of the cyclone chamber, the cyclonic air outlet comprises a vortex finder and a porous member located between the cyclone chamber and the inlet of the vortex finder, and the vortex finder and the porous member are spaced from the cyclone chamber face of the plate.
18. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the plate has a periphery, the cyclonic separator has a generally axially extending sidewall, and the annular gap is disposed between the periphery of the plate and the sidewall.
19. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the cyclonic separator has an axially extending sidewall, and the sidewall has an end face, and at least a portion of the end wall faces the plate.
20. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 19, wherein the plate has a periphery, the dirt collection area has a sidewall, and the annular gap is disposed between the periphery of the plate and the sidewall.

Claims (18)

1. A surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:
(a) an air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet to the clean air outlet;
(b) a cyclone separator and a suction motor disposed in the air flow path;
(c) the cyclonic separator comprising a cyclone chamber having a central longitudinal axis, the cyclonic separator having a first end with a first end wall, an axially spaced apart second end, a cyclone chamber sidewall between the first end and the second end, a cyclone air inlet disposed at the first end, a cyclone air outlet disposed at the first end, and a dirt outlet disposed at the second end, wherein the first end of the cyclone chamber sidewall is at the first end of the cyclonic separator and the second end of the sidewall is spaced from the first end;
(d) a plate at the second end, the plate having a plate perimeter, a cyclone chamber face facing the first end; and the number of the first and second groups,
(e) a dirt collection region in communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet,
wherein the dirt outlet comprises a space between the cyclone chamber side wall and the plate, the space extending around the entire plate periphery, an
Wherein the space comprises a first portion extending around a first portion of the perimeter and a second portion extending around a second portion of the perimeter, wherein the second portion of the space has a greater length in at least one of the following directions:
(i) a vertical direction in the plane of the side wall; and the number of the first and second groups,
(ii) in a radial direction in the plane of the plate, and
wherein the greater length is produced by at least one of:
(iii) the second section of the plate defining the second portion of the perimeter of the plate has a diameter different from the diameter of the first section of the plate defining the first portion of the perimeter of the plate; and the number of the first and second groups,
(iv) the second section of the plate has a distance between the cyclone chamber face of the plate and the first end of the cyclone chamber that is greater than a distance between the first section of the plate and the first end of the cyclone chamber.
2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the protrusion of the sidewall intersects the plate and the spacing comprises a gap between the second end of the sidewall and the cyclone chamber face of the plate.
3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2 wherein the greater length is created by the second section of the plate having a distance between the cyclone chamber face of the plate and the first end of the cyclone chamber that is greater than a distance between the first section of the plate and the first end of the cyclone chamber.
4. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2 wherein the greater length is also created by a portion of the sidewall at the second portion having a shorter axial length than another portion of the sidewall.
5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plate has a diameter less than a diameter of the cyclone chamber, whereby the projection of the sidewall extends radially outward of the plate, and the spacing comprises a gap between a periphery of the plate and the sidewall.
6. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5 wherein the greater length is created by the second section of the plate having a different diameter than the first section of the plate.
7. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the second portion of the perimeter of the plate is substantially linear.
8. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the second portion of the perimeter of the plate is stepped inwardly from the first portion of the perimeter of the plate in the plane of the plate.
9. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5 wherein the perimeter of the plate faces the sidewall.
10. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5 wherein the plate is positioned axially spaced below the second end of the sidewall.
11. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the protrusion of the sidewall intersects only a portion of the plate, and the spacing comprises a vertically extending gap between the second end of the sidewall and the cyclone chamber face of the plate and a radially extending gap between the periphery of the plate and the sidewall.
12. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein the greater length is created by the second section of the plate having a distance between the cyclone chamber face of the plate and the first end of the cyclone chamber that is greater than the distance between the first section of the plate and the first end of the cyclone chamber and by the second section of the plate having a diameter that is different than the diameter of the first section of the plate.
13. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the greater length is also created by a portion of the sidewall at the second portion having a shorter axial length than another portion of the sidewall.
14. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the second portion of the perimeter of the plate is substantially linear.
15. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the second portion of the perimeter of the plate is stepped inwardly from the first portion of the perimeter of the plate in the plane of the plate.
16. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the perimeter of the plate faces the sidewall.
17. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the plate is positioned axially spaced below the second end of the sidewall.
18. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dirt collection chamber is located below the plate.
CN201980028758.7A 2018-03-27 2019-03-26 Surface cleaning device with capture plate with variable gap Active CN112040826B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/937,220 2018-03-27
US15/937,270 US10791897B2 (en) 2018-03-27 2018-03-27 Surface cleaning apparatus with dirt arrester having an axial step
US15/937,220 US10791895B2 (en) 2018-03-27 2018-03-27 Surface cleaning apparatus with dirt arrester having an axial step
US15/937,270 2018-03-27
US16/100,624 US10667663B2 (en) 2018-03-27 2018-08-10 Surface cleaning apparatus with an arrester plate having a variable gap
US16/100,624 2018-08-10
PCT/CA2019/050368 WO2019183722A1 (en) 2018-03-27 2019-03-26 Surface cleaning apparatus with an arrester plate having a variable gap

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CN112040826B CN112040826B (en) 2022-11-08

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CN101437624A (en) * 2006-03-10 2009-05-20 Gbd公司 Vacuum cleaner with a divider
CN101662975A (en) * 2006-12-15 2010-03-03 Gbd公司 Vacuum cleaner with openable lid
US20110314631A1 (en) * 2009-03-13 2011-12-29 G. B. D. Corp. Surface cleaning apparatus
CN104523203A (en) * 2010-03-12 2015-04-22 G·B·D·有限公司 Cyclone construction for a surface cleaning apparatus
CN104607326A (en) * 2007-12-19 2015-05-13 Gbd公司 Configuration of a cyclone assembly and surface cleaning apparatus having same

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101437624A (en) * 2006-03-10 2009-05-20 Gbd公司 Vacuum cleaner with a divider
CN101662975A (en) * 2006-12-15 2010-03-03 Gbd公司 Vacuum cleaner with openable lid
CN104607326A (en) * 2007-12-19 2015-05-13 Gbd公司 Configuration of a cyclone assembly and surface cleaning apparatus having same
US20110314631A1 (en) * 2009-03-13 2011-12-29 G. B. D. Corp. Surface cleaning apparatus
CN104523203A (en) * 2010-03-12 2015-04-22 G·B·D·有限公司 Cyclone construction for a surface cleaning apparatus

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