CN114727729A

CN114727729A - Floor cleaning machine

Info

Publication number: CN114727729A
Application number: CN202080079960.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: K·保拉; A·什拉维奇
Original assignee: Techtronic Cordless GP
Current assignee: Techtronic Cordless GP
Priority date: 2019-11-20
Filing date: 2020-11-18
Publication date: 2022-07-08
Also published as: AU2020388042A1; EP4061191A1; US20210145230A1; WO2021101963A1

Abstract

A floor cleaner, comprising: a fluid flow path extending from the dirty air inlet to the clean air outlet; a fluid flow motor; a separator housing; and a cylindrical filter chamber containing a cylindrical filter media. The filter chamber includes a filter inlet that enters the filter chamber tangentially. The longitudinal height of the filter inlet is a substantial portion of the height of the filter chamber and filter media.

Description

Floor cleaning machine

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/937,952, filed on 2019, month 11, and day 20, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Background

The invention relates to a floor cleaner.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, a floor cleaner is disclosed, comprising: a fluid flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet; a fluid flow motor positioned in the fluid flow path; a separator housing; and a cylindrical filter chamber housing a cylindrical filter media. The separator housing includes a separator air inlet in communication with the dirty air inlet and a separator air outlet. The cylindrical filter chamber includes a first end, a second end, and a cylindrical sidewall extending in a longitudinal direction between the first end and the second end. The cylindrical filter chamber includes a filter inlet tangential to the cylindrical sidewall and in fluid communication with the separator air outlet. A cylindrical filter media is positioned in the filter chamber. The cylindrical filter media includes an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The upstream portion is spaced from the cylindrical sidewall between the first and second ends. The downstream portion forms a portion of the fluid flow path upstream of the fluid flow motor. The longitudinal height of the filter inlet is at least 60% of the longitudinal height of the upstream portion of the filter media between the first end and the second end.

In another embodiment, a floor cleaner is disclosed that includes a fluid flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet; a fluid flow motor positioned in the fluid flow path; a separator housing in the fluid flow path; and a cylindrical filter chamber. The separator housing includes a separator air inlet and a separator air outlet. The cylindrical filter chamber includes a first end, a second end, and a cylindrical sidewall extending in a longitudinal direction between the first end and the second end. The cylindrical filter chamber further includes a cylindrical filter media in the fluid flow path downstream of the separator housing and upstream of the fluid flow motor. The cylindrical filter is spaced from the cylindrical sidewall by a gap. The length of the gap is less than 30% of the diameter of the cylindrical filter media. The filter chamber includes a filter inlet edge that extends into the filter chamber such that a radial distance between the filter media and the cylindrical sidewall is greater than a radial distance between the filter media and the filter inlet edge.

In another embodiment, a floor cleaner is disclosed that includes a fluid flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet; a fluid flow motor positioned in the fluid flow path; a separator housing; and a cylindrical filter chamber. The separator housing includes a separator air inlet in communication with the dirty air inlet, a separator air outlet, an upper end, and a lower end. The separator housing further includes a debris collection chamber. A door is coupled to the lower end of the separator housing and is movable from a closed position to an open position to empty the debris collection chamber through the lower end of the housing. The cylindrical fish filet chamber includes a first end, a second end, and a cylindrical sidewall extending between the first end and the second end. The cylindrical filter chamber further includes a cylindrical filter media in the fluid flow path downstream of the separator housing and upstream of the fluid flow motor. The cylindrical sidewall includes a filter inlet tangentially into the cylindrical sidewall, the filter inlet communicating with the separator housing and the cylindrical filter chamber. A door on the lower end of the separator housing forms a first end of the filter chamber.

In another embodiment, a floor cleaner is disclosed, comprising: a fluid flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet; a fluid flow motor positioned in the fluid flow path; a separator housing; and a cylindrical filter chamber housing an annular filter media. The separator housing includes a separator air inlet in communication with the dirty air inlet and a separator air outlet. The cylindrical filter chamber includes an openable first end, a second end, and a cylindrical sidewall extending between the first end and the second end. The second end has a filter chamber air outlet upstream of the fluid flow motor. The filter chamber has a filter inlet tangential to the cylindrical sidewall and in fluid communication with the separator air outlet. An annular filter media is positioned in the filter chamber. The filter media has an upstream portion spaced from the cylindrical sidewall between the first and second ends and a downstream portion forming a portion of the fluid flow path in communication with the chamber air outlet. The first end of the filter chamber is formed by a portion of the separator housing, and the separator housing is separable from the filter chamber to open the first end of the filter chamber.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floor cleaner according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the separator and dirt collection chamber of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a filter chamber with filter media of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the filter chamber of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1 without the filter media.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view through the floor cleaner showing the filter chamber of FIG. 4.

Fig. 5B is a detail view of the filter chamber inlet of fig. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a view of the filter frame and filter media removed from the floor cleaner.

FIG. 6B is an exploded view of FIG. 6A, showing the filter media removed from the filter frame.

Fig. 6C is an alternative embodiment of the filter frame and filter media of fig. 6A, including a top portion covering the filter media.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate a floor cleaner 10. The floor cleaner 10 includes a fluid flow path from the dirty air inlet 42 to the clean air outlet 11, a fluid flow motor 12, a separator housing 14, and a cylindrical filter chamber 20 containing a filter frame 21 and filter media 22. The separator housing 14 is positioned in the fluid flow path and includes an air handling member 15 configured to separate debris from the airflow introduced from the dirty air inlet 42, and in the illustrated embodiment a dirt collection chamber 16 within the separator housing 14. The separated debris is collected in the dirt collection chamber 16 and air exits the separator housing 14 along a fluid flow path via the clean air outlet 40. The clean air outlet 40 is fluidly connected to the filter inlet 30 of the filter chamber 20 to further filter the air flow in the fluid flow path. The improved filtration efficiency improves the floor cleaning performance and service life of the floor cleaner.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in fig. 5, the filter chamber 20 includes a first end 26, a second end 28, and a cylindrical sidewall 24 extending in a longitudinal direction between the first end 26 and the second end 28. In one embodiment, the filter frame 21 is removably positioned inside the filter chamber 20. In the position of use, the filter frame 21 is arranged such that the top portion 31 of the filter frame is adjacent the first end 26 of the filter chamber and the bottom portion 33 of the filter frame is adjacent the second end 28 of the filter chamber. The filter frame 21 is configured to operably support the filter media 22 in the filter chamber 20 and includes an air passage 55 downstream of the filter media 22 that communicates with the filter chamber outlet 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter is cylindrical and is disposed on the filter frame 21, surrounding or forming a hollow center portion that forms at least a portion of the air passage 55. The annular filter media 22 forms a filter axis 80 along the air passage 55. The filter frame 21 may include longitudinal ribs 23 extending between the top portion 31 and the bottom portion 33 to provide structure and support around the air channel. Air enters the filter chamber 20 through a filter inlet 30 that directs the air generally tangentially to the cylindrical sidewall 24. The air passes through the filter media 22, which filters debris from the air flow before passing through the air passages 55 and out the filter house outlet 54. The fluid flow path extends through the filter media 22 in the normal flow orientation (i.e., the fluid flow path moves radially inward) toward the air passage 55 at the center of the cylindrical filter.

To limit the amount of airflow that bypasses the filter media 22 and directly enters the air passage 55 or filter chamber outlet 54 without flowing through the filter media 22, the upper and

lower sides

29a, 29b of the filter media 22 or filter frame 21 are positioned in sealing engagement with the filter chamber 20 and/or the separator housing 14 configured to direct air from the filter inlet 30 through the filter media 22. In other words, the filter media 22 is positioned in the filter chamber 20, which is configured to prevent air from bypassing the filter media during use.

In one embodiment, the underside 29b of the filter media 22 is in sealing engagement with the bottom portion 33 of the filter frame 21, and the bottom portion 33 of the filter frame 21 is in sealing engagement with the second end 28 of the filter chamber 20. In another embodiment, the underside 29b of the filter frame 21 is in sealing engagement with the second end 28 of the filter chamber 20 via a filter frame seal 35. The upper side 29a of the filter and the top of the air passage 55 are also closed or sealed to prevent air from bypassing the filter media 22 and entering directly into the air passage 55.

The upper side 29a of the filter and the top of the air channel 55 may be sealed by the same closure or by separate closures. In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion 31 of the filter frame closes the top of the air passage 55 and the bottom side of the separator housing 14 seals against the upper side 29a of the filter media 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the separator housing 14 includes an openable door 18 on a bottom side of the separator housing 14, and an upper side 29a of the filter media 22 is sealed by the openable door 18. When the separator housing 14 is removed, the filter media 22 is accessible for cleaning and maintenance. In one embodiment shown in fig. 6C, the filter frame includes a removable top portion 31' extending over the filter media such that the filter frame seals the upper side 29a of the filter media and closes the top of the air passage 55 when in the use position, the removable top portion being configured such that the filter media 22 is accessible for cleaning when the top portion 31 is in the removed position. In another embodiment, the bottom side of the separator housing 14 provides a sealing surface for the upper side 29a of the filter media and closes the air passage 55. When the separator housing 14 is removed, the filter media 22 is accessible to a user and the air passage 55 is opened.

A cylindrical filter chamber 20 and filter 22 are located in the fluid flow path downstream of the separator housing 14 and upstream of the fluid flow motor 12. The cylindrical sidewall 24 of the filter chamber 20 extends between a first end 26 and a second end 28. Positioned in filter chamber 20 is filter media 22 having an upstream portion 19a and a downstream portion 19 b. The upstream portion 19a is spaced from the cylindrical sidewall 24 between the first and second ends 26, 28, and the downstream portion 19b forms a portion of the fluid flow path upstream of the filter chamber outlet 54 and the fluid flow motor 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the cylindrical filter media 22 is annular, wherein the upstream portion 19a of the cylindrical filter comprises an outer cylindrical surface 19a of the filter media and the downstream portion 19b comprises an inner annular surface 19b of the filter media 22.

As the air stream enters the tangential inlet 30 of the filter chamber 20, the air flows along the side wall 24 and debris can settle out of the air stream. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, the bottom portion 33 of the filter frame has a flange 27 extending radially beyond the filter media 22 and optionally has an upwardly directed circumferential wall 37 that forms a debris collection area to receive debris that has settled out of the airflow or that has fallen off the surface of the filter media 22. The flange 27 and/or circumferential wall 37 are provided adjacent the side wall 24 to collect settled debris. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, the filter frame 21 includes a wiper or gasket 60 surrounding the bottom portion 33, the wiper or gasket extending from the flange 27 or the circumferential wall 37, closing the gap between the filter frame 21 and the filter chamber 20. In one embodiment, the wiper 60 extends radially in contact with the sidewall 24 configured such that when the filter frame 21 is removed from the filter chamber 20, the wiper 60 wipes the cylindrical sidewall 24 to remove excess dust and debris from the filter chamber 20 and to inhibit dirt and debris from entering the fluid flow motor 12. The wiper 60 may be molded from a flexible natural, thermoplastic or thermoset elastomeric material such as, but not limited to, polymers of polypropylene, rubber, silicone or polyurethane.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the filter media 22 is sealed in the filter chamber 20 at the upper side 29a and the lower side 29b of the filter media. As discussed above, the bottom side of the separator housing 14 seals against the upper side 29a of the filter media. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom side of the separator housing includes a downwardly extending protrusion 39 that surrounds the upper side 29a of the filter media in sealing engagement. The protrusions 39 also prevent the filter media 22 from flexing or bowing and do not allow air to bypass the media 22. In one embodiment, the protrusion 39 engages the top surface of the upper side 29a of the filter media in sealing engagement. The top portion 31 of the filter frame 21 is configured to enclose the central air passage 55. The underside 29b of the filter media is pressed against the filter frame 21 and the media 22 is compressed against the filter frame 21 to provide a seal between the media and the frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower wall of the filter chamber 20 includes an upwardly extending projection 41 that surrounds the underside 29b of the filter media in sealing engagement. The protrusions 41 also prevent the filter media 22 from flexing or bowing and do not allow air to bypass the media 22. In one embodiment, the protrusion 41 engages the bottom surface of the underside 29b of the filter media in sealing engagement. The filter frame 21 comprises a seal 35 on the filter frame bottom portion 33, which seal engages the second end 28 of the filter chamber. In one embodiment, the top portion 31 includes a handle or handle portion 25 configured for grasping by a user to remove the filter frame 21 from the filter chamber 20, such as for cleaning or servicing of the assembly.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 26 of the filter chamber 20 is located below the separator housing 14 and dirt collection chamber 16. In one embodiment, dirt collection chamber 16 is separate from separator housing 14 and first end 26 of filter chamber 20 is located below dirt collection chamber 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter chamber second end 28 is located above the fluid flow motor 12 and includes a filter chamber outlet 54 that fluidly communicates the downstream portion 19b of the filter with the motor 12. The fluid flow motor 12 extends along a motor axis 82. As shown in fig. 2, the fluid flow motor 12 is positioned such that the motor axis 82 is parallel to the filter axis 80. In one embodiment, the motor axis 82 extends along the filter axis 80. In one embodiment, the motor axis 82 and the filter axis 80 are coaxial. In one embodiment, the motor is positioned such that the motor axis is transverse to the filter axis.

The inlet 30 directs the airflow into the filter chamber 20 generally tangentially to the cylindrical sidewall 24. The tangential inlet 30 fluidly communicates the separator housing 14 and the filter chamber 20. In particular, the air flow channel 61 extends between the clean air outlet 40 of the separator housing 14 and a filter inlet duct 62 forming the tangential inlet 30 of the filter chamber 20. The tangential inlet 30 is formed by an outlet aperture of the filter inlet conduit 62 that extends through the sidewall 24. The filter inlet conduit 62 includes an inner wall 64 forming the inlet edge 66 of the filter inlet 30, an outer wall 68, a top wall 70 extending to and forming the top edge 50 of the filter inlet, and a bottom wall 72 forming the bottom 52 of the filter inlet. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner wall 64 extends into the filter chamber such that the radial dimension between the filter media 22 and the sidewall 24 is greater than the radial dimension between the filter media 22 and the inlet edge 66 of the filter inlet. The filter frame 21 and the filter chamber 20 include mating notch and tab arrangements such that when the filter frame 21 is placed into the filter chamber 20, the alignment of the notches and tabs properly orients the filter frame 21 within the filter chamber 20, thereby aligning the opening 74 (fig. 6A) in the circumferential wall 37 of the filter frame 21 with the inlet conduit 30 (fig. 5A) of the filter chamber 20. As shown in fig. 3, the filter inlet edge 66 extends generally parallel to the filter media, or within a parallel range of about 10 °.

To improve the efficiency and performance of the filtration system, the height of the tangential inlet aperture 30 is increased to a substantial portion of the height of the filter media 22. This allows a steady flow of air from the inlet 30 into the filter media 22. By increasing the inlet height H₁So that the inlet height becomes the filter media height H₂A substantial portion of the air velocity entering the filter chamber 20 and filter media 22 is reduced. Due to the increased inlet height H₁Less restricted air passages are provided so the air velocity is reduced. The reduced air velocity entering the filter causes less air to bypass the filter media 22 into the air passage 55 and more air to flow through the filter media 22. The increased air flow through the filter media 22 improves filtration performance. It has been found that when the inlet height is short relative to the filter media 22, the velocity of air entering the filter chamber 20 is greater because the inlet is more restrictive, tending to increase the suction (reduce the pressure) and thereby increase the pressure differential between the interior of the system and the atmosphere, which can cause air to bypass the filter media 22 and be drawn in through a weaker sealed connection, resulting in a reduction in filtration capacity. When the air velocity is greater, in some configurations, air can leak between the filter media and a sealing surface (such as the top portion 31 of the filter frame or the openable door 18 of the separator housing) to directly enter the air passage 55 and bypass the filter media 22. In addition, it has been found that when the height H of the inlet is such that₁Height H of filter medium exposed to air flow in use₂50% or less, the filtration performance is significantly reduced because the air velocity is greater and the filter surface area exposed to the inlet for filtration is smaller. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 30 has a longitudinal height H from the top edge 50 to the bottom 52₁Is the longitudinal height H of the cylindrical filter media 22 exposed to the air flow in use₂A substantial part of. In one embodiment, the longitudinal heightH₁Is a longitudinal height H₂At least 60% of the total weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the longitudinal height H₁Is a longitudinal height H₂At least 75%. In addition to the reduced air velocity entering the filter chamber 20, the increased surface area of the filter media 22 exposed to the inlet 30 air flow also improves filtration. This greater surface area allows more air to flow through the filter media 22.

In addition, the height H of the tangential inlet₁Is the filter chamber height H₃A substantial part of (fig. 4). Similar to the height ratio of the inlet 30 relative to the filter media 22, the height ratio of the inlet 30 relative to the filter chamber 20 improves the performance of the filtration system. In one embodiment, the height H of the filter chamber₃And the height H of the filter media exposed to the air flow during use₂The same is true. In another embodiment, the height H of the filter media that is exposed to the air flow in use₂Less than the height H of the filter chamber₃. In one embodiment, the height H of the tangential inlet₁Is the filter chamber height H₃At least 60% of the total weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the height H of the tangential inlet₁Is the filter chamber height H₃At least 75%. In one embodiment, the height H of the filter media that is exposed to the air flow in use₂Equal to the height H of the filter chamber₃。

In one embodiment, the filter chamber 20 is configured to provide a gap 56 between the filter 22 and the cylindrical sidewall 24 of the filter chamber to provide a desired air flow around the filter 22. The desired filtration has been achieved with a gap 56 in the range of 5 mm to 20 mm. In one alternative, the gap 56 between the filter 22 and the adjacent sidewall 24 is between 5 millimeters and 10 millimeters. In another alternative, the gap 56 between the filter 22 and the adjacent sidewall 24 is greater than 5 millimeters to provide the desired airflow around the filter 22.

In one embodiment, the gap 56 between the filter 22 and the cylindrical sidewall 24 of the filter chamber may be measured as the cross-sectional diameter D of the filter₁Percentage of (c). In one embodiment, the gap 56 is smaller than the cross-section of the filterDiameter D ₁30% of the total. In an alternative embodiment, the gap 56 between the filter 22 and the cylindrical sidewall 24 is less than the cross-sectional diameter D of the filter ₁15% of the total. In another embodiment, the gap 56 has a cross-sectional diameter D of the filter₁Between 1% and 25%. The gap 56 allows air flow around the cylindrical filter 22. When the gap 56 occupies the filter diameter D₁Too small a percentage, air may tend to cross the sealing surface and bypass the filter 22. This results in air exiting through the filter chamber outlet 54 without being adequately filtered by the filter media 22. When the gap 56 is taken as the filter diameter D₁Too large a percentage, the air velocity in the filter chamber 20 is more variable than desired. The air velocity is lower near the sidewall 24 and higher near the filter 22, resulting in poor overall filtration. It has been found that when the gap 56 is at the diameter D of the filter₁In the range of 5% to 30%, the desired filtration has been achieved.

Gap 56 may also be measured as diameter D of the filter₁Diameter D relative to the filter chamber₂The ratio of (a) to (b). In one embodiment, the diameter D of the filter₁Diameter D of the filter chamber₂The ratio of (a) is between 60% and 90%. In an alternative embodiment, the filter diameter D₁And the diameter D of the filter chamber₂The ratio of (a) is between 75% and 90%. This ratio ensures a substantially constant velocity in the filter chamber and a low pressure drop when air passes through, which provides a high filtration efficiency.

In one embodiment, the cylindrical filter 22 includes a first cylindrical filter 22a and a second cylindrical filter 22 b. The second cylindrical filter 22b is nested within the first cylindrical filter 22 a. In one embodiment, the height of the first cylindrical filter 22a is greater than the height of the second cylindrical filter 22 b. In the use position, the upper sides 29a of the first and second

cylindrical filters

22a, 22b are compressed and sealed as discussed above, such as by the top portion 31 of the filter frame or by the bottom door 18 of the dirt collection chamber. The filter 22 may be any desired filter media, including pleated or non-pleated nonwoven fibers, foam, High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) or other media. The first cylindrical filter 22a and the second cylindrical filter 22b may be made of the same material or different materials.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tangential inlet 30 of the filter chamber 20 has a longitudinal height H from the top edge 50 to the bottom edge 52₁The longitudinal height is greater than the width from the inlet duct inner wall 64 to the outer wall 68 at the tangential inlet 30. In one embodiment, the height H from the top edge 50 to the bottom edge 52₁At least twice the width of the inlet conduit from the inner wall 64 to the outer wall 68. Because of this ratio, the airflow path from the separator housing 14 into the filter media 22 exits the separator housing 14 with a lower pressure drop than an arrangement in which the width of the inlet is nearly equal to the height. This lower pressure drop creates sufficient airflow to achieve more efficient efficiency.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A floor cleaner comprising:

a fluid flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

a fluid flow motor positioned in the fluid flow path;

a separator housing having a separator air inlet and a separator air outlet, the separator air inlet in communication with the dirty air inlet;

a cylindrical filter chamber having a first end, a second end, and a cylindrical sidewall extending in a longitudinal direction between the first end and the second end, the filter chamber having a filter inlet tangential to the cylindrical sidewall, the filter inlet in fluid communication with the separator air outlet; and

a cylindrical filter media positioned in the filter chamber, the filter media having an upstream portion and a downstream portion, the upstream portion being spaced from the cylindrical sidewall and the downstream portion forming a portion of the fluid flow path upstream of the fluid flow motor;

wherein the longitudinal height of the filter inlet is at least 50% of the longitudinal height of the upstream portion of the filter media.

2. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal height of the filter inlet is at least 60% of a longitudinal height of the filter media.

3. The floor cleaner of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter of the cylindrical filter media is at least 60% of the filter chamber diameter.

4. The floor cleaner of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter inlet includes a filter inlet edge that extends into the filter chamber such that a radial distance between the filter media and the sidewall is greater than a radial distance between the filter media and the filter inlet edge.

5. The floor cleaner of claim 4, wherein the filter inlet edge extends generally parallel to the filter media.

6. The floor cleaner of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylindrical filter chamber is positioned below the separator housing.

7. The floor cleaner of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a filter frame is positioned within the filter chamber, wherein the filter frame is removable from the filter chamber.

8. The floor cleaner of claim 7, wherein the cylindrical filter media is positioned on the filter frame, wherein the cylindrical filter media is removable from the filter frame.

9. The floor cleaner of claim 7 or 8, wherein the filter frame includes a debris collection area adjacent the second end of the filter chamber.

10. The floor cleaner of any one of claims 7-9 wherein the filter frame includes a wiper extending radially around the filter frame adjacent the second end of the filter chamber.

11. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical strainer includes a first cylindrical strainer and a second cylindrical strainer nested within the first cylindrical strainer.

12. The floor cleaner of claim 11, wherein the separator housing includes a use position coupled to the floor cleaner and a removal position separated from the floor cleaner, wherein a longitudinal height of the first cylindrical filter is greater than a longitudinal height of the second cylindrical filter, and the first cylindrical filter is compressed by the separator housing in the use position.

13. The floor cleaner of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a longitudinal height of the filter inlet is at least twice a length of a width of the filter inlet in a lateral direction.

14. The floor cleaner of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a gap between the cylindrical filter media and an adjacent cylindrical sidewall is in a range of 5 millimeters to 10 millimeters.

15. A floor cleaner comprising:

a fluid flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

a fluid flow motor positioned in the fluid flow path;

a separator housing in the fluid flow path, the separator housing having a separator air inlet and a separator air outlet; and

a cylindrical filter chamber having a first end, a second end, and a cylindrical sidewall extending in a longitudinal direction between the first end and the second end, the filter chamber having

A cylindrical filter media in the fluid flow path downstream of the separator housing and upstream of the fluid flow motor,

wherein the cylindrical filter media is spaced from the cylindrical sidewall by a gap having a length that is less than 30% of a diameter of the cylindrical filter media; and is

Wherein the filter inlet edge extends into the filter chamber such that a radial distance between the filter media and the cylindrical sidewall is greater than a radial distance between the filter media and the filter inlet edge.

16. The floor cleaner of claim 15, wherein the length of the gap is less than 15% of the diameter of the cylindrical filter media.

17. The floor cleaner of claim 15, wherein the gap is between 1% and 25% of the diameter of the cylindrical filter chamber.

18. The floor cleaner of any one of claims 15-17, wherein the diameter of the cylindrical filter media is at least 70% of the diameter of the cylindrical filter chamber.

19. The floor cleaner of claim 18, wherein the filter inlet edge extends generally parallel to the filter media.

20. A floor cleaner comprising:

a fluid flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

a fluid flow motor positioned in the fluid flow path;

a separator housing having a separator air inlet in communication with the dirty air inlet, a separator air outlet, an upper end, and a lower end;

a debris collection chamber located within the separator housing;

a door coupled to the lower end of the separator housing and movable from a closed position to an open position to empty the debris collection chamber through the lower end of the separator housing; and

a cylindrical filter chamber having a first end, a second end, and a cylindrical sidewall extending between the first end and the second end,

the cylindrical filter chamber includes a cylindrical filter media in the fluid flow path downstream of the separator housing and upstream of the fluid flow motor,

wherein the cylindrical sidewall includes a filter inlet entering tangentially into the cylindrical sidewall, the filter inlet communicating with the separator housing and the cylindrical filter chamber, an

Wherein the door forms a first end of the filter chamber.

21. The floor cleaner of claim 20, wherein the filter chamber is positioned below a lower end of the housing.

22. The floor cleaner of claim 21, wherein the cylindrical sidewall extends in a longitudinal direction between the first end and the second end, and wherein a longitudinal height of the filter inlet is at least 60% of a longitudinal height from the first end to the second end of the cylindrical filter chamber.

23. A floor cleaner comprising:

a fluid flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

a fluid flow motor positioned in the fluid flow path;

a cylindrical filter chamber having an openable first end, a second end, and a cylindrical sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, the second end having a chamber air outlet upstream of the fluid flow motor, the filter chamber having a filter inlet tangential to the cylindrical sidewall, the filter inlet in fluid communication with the separator air outlet; and

an annular filter media positioned in the filter chamber, the filter media having an upstream portion spaced from the cylindrical sidewall and a radially inner downstream portion forming a portion of the fluid flow path communicating with the chamber air outlet;

wherein the filter chamber first end is formed by a portion of the separator housing, and the separator housing is separable from the filter chamber to open the first end.

24. The floor cleaner of claim 23, wherein the separator housing includes an upper end, a lower end, a debris collection chamber within the separator housing, and a door coupled to the lower end of the separator housing and movable from a closed position to an open position to empty the debris collection chamber through the lower end of the housing, wherein the filter chamber first end is formed by the door.