EP3659484B1 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents
Vacuum cleaner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3659484B1 EP3659484B1 EP19219117.9A EP19219117A EP3659484B1 EP 3659484 B1 EP3659484 B1 EP 3659484B1 EP 19219117 A EP19219117 A EP 19219117A EP 3659484 B1 EP3659484 B1 EP 3659484B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- shroud
- airflow
- container
- filter
- vacuum cleaner
- 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.)
- Active
Links
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009408 flooring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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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
- 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
- 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
- A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
-
- 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
- A47L9/12—Dry filters
-
- 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
- A47L9/12—Dry filters
- A47L9/125—Dry filters funnel-shaped
-
- 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
- A47L9/14—Bags or the like; Rigid filtering receptacles; Attachment of, or closures for, bags or receptacles
- A47L9/149—Emptying means; Reusable bags
-
- 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
- A47L9/165—Construction of inlets
-
- 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
- A47L9/1658—Construction of outlets
- A47L9/1666—Construction of outlets with filtering means
-
- 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
Definitions
- the present invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly to cyclonic vacuum cleaners
- the invention provides a vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction inlet; a suction source configured to generate an airflow through the suction inlet to draw debris with the airflow through the suction inlet; and a separator assembly downstream from the suction inlet including a container that defines a cyclonic separator about a separator axis, the container having a dirty air inlet positioned to receive the airflow and debris to rotate around the separator axis in a first direction within the container, a clean air outlet that discharges the airflow from the separator assembly, a shroud located in the container having apertures forming an airflow passageway between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet, the shroud having an upper end and a lower end having a lower opening, a filter at least partially within the shroud extending around the separator axis positioned in an airflow path between the shroud and the clean air outlet, wherein a closed end of the filter contacts the shroud adjacent the lower end closing the lower opening defining a filter dirt collection chamber
- Fig. 1 illustrates a vacuum cleaner 10.
- the vacuum cleaner 10 includes a suction inlet 12, a suction source 14, and a separator assembly 16.
- the suction source 14 is operable to generate an airflow through the suction inlet 12 to draw debris with the airflow through the suction inlet 12.
- the separator assembly 16 is downstream from the suction inlet 12 and separates the debris from the airflow.
- the separator assembly 16 includes a container 18, a clean air outlet 20, and a shroud 22.
- the container 18 includes an upper end 24 and a lower end 26.
- the container 18 defines a cyclonic separator 28 about a separator axis 30.
- the separator axis 30 extends centrally through the container 18 and centrally through the ends 24, 26.
- the container 18 further includes a dirty air inlet 32 that is positioned to receive the airflow and debris.
- the dirty air inlet 32 is configured to rotate the airflow and debris around the separator axis 30 around the shroud 22 within the container 18 in a first direction of arrow 34 in Fig. 4 , viewed from above the separator assembly for convenience.
- the clean air outlet 20 discharges the airflow from the separator assembly 16.
- the illustrated clean air outlet 20 extends through and from the upper end 24 of the container 18.
- the cyclonic separator may be a first stage separator or a second or subsequent stage separator.
- the shroud 22 forms an airflow passageway 44 between the dirty air inlet 32 and the clean air outlet 20.
- the shroud 22 is located within the container 18 between the upper end 24 and the lower end 26 of the container 18.
- the shroud 22 includes an upper end 36 having an upper opening 38 ( Fig. 7 ) and the shroud 22 includes a lower end 40 having a lower opening 42.
- the upper end 36 of the shroud 22 is releasably connected to the upper end 24 of the container 18.
- the shroud 22 includes the airflow passageway 44.
- the airflow passageway 44 is formed by a plurality of vanes 46 defining openings 48 between adjacent vanes 46.
- the openings 48 and the vanes 46 are positioned to direct the airflow (and any debris not yet separated from the airflow) from the outside of the shroud to the inside of the shroud in the direction of arrows 50 in Fig. 4 , viewed from above the separator assembly for convenience.
- the openings 48 open toward or face in a direction that is opposed to the flow direction (arrow 34) outside of the shroud in the cyclonic separator 28.
- the flow direction (arrows 50) through the openings 48 between the vanes 46 is in a direction partially opposed to the flow direction (arrow 34) in the cyclonic separator 28.
- the airflow travels from the cyclonic separator 28 and through the shroud 22
- the airflow is redirected in somewhat of an opposite direction to form a rotational flow inside the shroud opposite direction of the flow direction in the cyclonic separator 28.
- This redirection of airflow further helps to separate the debris from the airflow and minimizes the debris that travels through the openings 48 between the vanes 46.
- sidewalls 71 of adjacent vanes 46 converge to define openings between vanes having a decreasing area in the direction of airflow into the shroud. This causes air to increase in speed as the air travels through the vanes 46 to further encourage the rotational flow inside the shroud.
- a mesh screen 54 is positioned on the shroud 22, outside the vanes 46.
- the screen 54 extends around the separator axis 30 and covers the openings 48 between the vanes 46 so that the airflow must travel through the mesh screen 54 before traveling through the openings 48 between the vanes 46.
- the mesh screen 54 further inhibits debris from traveling with the airflow through the shroud 22. Additionally, the mesh screen introduces radial flow from the rotational flow in the cyclonic separator 28 to the entrance to the openings 48 in the shroud.
- the gap is greater than zero (i.e., the mesh screen does not press directly against the vanes 46).
- the mesh screen may be a perforated metal mesh with punched or etched pores. Alternatively, the mesh screen may be a wire or fiber mesh.
- the surface area of the openings in the mesh screen is in a range from 20% to 50% of the total surface area of the mesh screen surface.
- the mesh screen 54 has pores each having a pore size in a range from 450 micrometers to 100 micrometers. In other embodiments, the pore size is in a range from 400 micrometers to 150 micrometers. In another embodiment, the pore size is in a range from 400 micrometers to 220 micrometers. In yet other embodiments, the pore size is in a range from 350 micrometers to 200 micrometers. In one alternative, the pore size is in a range from 300 micrometers to 220 micrometers.
- a filter 58 is located within the shroud 22.
- the filter 58 extends from the lower end 40 of the shroud 22 and through the upper opening 38 of the shroud 22.
- the filter 58 extends around the separator axis 30 and the filter 58 is positioned in the airflow path between the vanes 46 and the cleaner air outlet 20.
- the filter 58 further separates debris from the airflow.
- the filter 58 includes an open upper end 60 and a closed lower end 62.
- the illustrated filter 58 is generally cylindrical and includes an open central portion 63 that is in fluid communication with the clean air outlet 22.
- the closed lower end 62 of the filter 58 contacts the shroud 22 adjacent the lower end 40 of the shroud 22.
- the filter 58 can be made from any suitable filter media, including pleated media, open cell foam media, natural fiber media, synthetic media, or any combination thereof.
- the separator assembly 16 further includes a lid 66 and a debris collection chamber 68 below the shroud 22.
- the debris collection chamber 68 is defined by the container 18 at the lower end 26 of the container 18.
- the filter 58 is removably coupled to the lid 66 and the lid 66 and the filter 58 are together removably coupled to the container 18 adjacent the upper end 24 of the container 18. Therefore, the filter 58 is removable through the upper opening 38 of the shroud 22 when the lid 66 is uncoupled from the container 18 leaving the shroud in the upper end 24 of the container 18.
- the closed lower end of the filter is removed from the lower opening in the shroud enabling dirt and debris to empty from the filter dirt collection chamber 64 into the debris collection chamber 68 below the shroud 22.
- the filter 58 can then be uncoupled from the lid 66 to clean or replace the filter 58.
- the shroud 22 is coupled to the lid 66 so that the shroud 22 is removable with the lid 66 and the filter 58 from the container 18.
- the shroud and filter may remain with the container 18 when the lid 66 is removed from the container 18. In such an embodiment, debris in the chamber 64 falls through the lower opening 42 of the shroud and into the debris collection chamber 68 when the filter is removed from the shroud.
- the vacuum cleaner includes a separator assembly downstream from the suction inlet and a debris collection chamber, where the separator assembly includes a container that defines a cyclonic separator about a separator axis, with a dirty air inlet positioned to receive the airflow and debris so that the airflow and debris rotates around the separator axis in a first direction within the container.
- the separator includes a clean air outlet that discharges the airflow from the separator assembly.
- the separator assembly further includes a shroud located in the container having apertures forming an airflow passageway between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet, the shroud having an upper end and a lower end having a lower opening.
- a filter is positioned at least partially within the shroud extending around the separator axis positioned in an airflow path between the shroud and the clean air outlet, where a closed end of the filter contacts the shroud adjacent the lower end closing the lower opening defining a filter dirt collection chamber within the shroud between the plurality of vanes and the filter.
- the apertures in the shroud in this embodiment may be longitudinal slots, openings between vanes, holes of any shape, or other apertures.
- the vacuum cleaner 10 is used to remove debris from a surface (e.g., carpet, hard flooring, upholstery, etc.).
- the suction source 14 generates an airflow that draws the debris and airflow through the suction inlet 12.
- the airflow and debris travels into the cyclonic separator 28 through the dirty air inlet 32.
- the airflow and debris rotate around the separator axis 30 in the direction of arrow 34 in Fig. 4 .
- Debris is separated from the airflow and the debris falls down into the debris collection chamber 68.
- the airflow travels through the mesh screen 54 that further separates debris from the airflow. After traveling through the mesh screen 54, the airflow travels in the direction of arrows 50 through the openings 48 between the vanes 46.
- the redirection of the airflow by the vanes 46 may further separate debris from the airflow. Separated debris can fall into the filter dirt collection chamber 64. The airflow then passes through the filter 58 to further remove relatively fine debris from the airflow. The debris separated by the filter 58 may collect on the filter or fall into the filter dirt collection chamber 64. The airflow travels through the filter 58 and into the open central portion 63 of the filter 58. From the open central potion 63 of the filter 58, the airflow passes through the clean air outlet 20, which can include an aperture in the lid 66, before being exhausted from the vacuum cleaner 10.
- the user can empty the filter dirt collection chamber 64 by removing the lid 66 from the container 18.
- the shroud 22 and filter dirt collection chamber 64 are removed from the container 18 with the lid 66. Therefore, the user uncouples the shroud 22 from the lid 66 to empty the chamber 64.
- the debris collection chamber 68 can be emptied through the upper end 24 of the container 18.
- the container 18 includes a door or a lid adjacent the lower end 26 of the container 18 to empty the chamber 68.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Filters For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly to cyclonic vacuum cleaners
- Examples are known from
US 7 651 544 B1 ,US 7 770 256 B1 ,WO 2012/127242 ,US 2010/139033 andUS 2012/047682 . - The invention provides a vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction inlet; a suction source configured to generate an airflow through the suction inlet to draw debris with the airflow through the suction inlet; and a separator assembly downstream from the suction inlet including a container that defines a cyclonic separator about a separator axis, the container having a dirty air inlet positioned to receive the airflow and debris to rotate around the separator axis in a first direction within the container, a clean air outlet that discharges the airflow from the separator assembly, a shroud located in the container having apertures forming an airflow passageway between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet, the shroud having an upper end and a lower end having a lower opening, a filter at least partially within the shroud extending around the separator axis positioned in an airflow path between the shroud and the clean air outlet, wherein a closed end of the filter contacts the shroud adjacent the lower end closing the lower opening defining a filter dirt collection chamber within the shroud between the apertures and the filter.
- Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
-
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Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner. -
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a separator assembly of the vacuum cleaner ofFig. 1 . -
Fig. 3 is a side view of the separator assembly ofFig. 2 . -
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the separator assembly ofFig. 3 taken along line 4 - 4 inFig. 3 . -
Fig. 5 is a side view of a portion of the separator assembly ofFig. 2 . -
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the portion of the separator assembly ofFig. 5 . -
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the separator assembly ofFig. 5 . -
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the separator assembly ofFig. 2 . - 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.
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Fig. 1 illustrates avacuum cleaner 10. Although the illustratedvacuum cleaner 10 is an upright style vacuum cleaner, in other embodiments, other types of vacuum cleaners can be used (e.g., handheld, canister, etc.). Thevacuum cleaner 10 includes asuction inlet 12, asuction source 14, and aseparator assembly 16. Thesuction source 14 is operable to generate an airflow through thesuction inlet 12 to draw debris with the airflow through thesuction inlet 12. Theseparator assembly 16 is downstream from thesuction inlet 12 and separates the debris from the airflow. - Referring to
Figs. 2-4 , theseparator assembly 16 includes acontainer 18, aclean air outlet 20, and ashroud 22. Thecontainer 18 includes anupper end 24 and alower end 26. Thecontainer 18 defines acyclonic separator 28 about aseparator axis 30. Theseparator axis 30 extends centrally through thecontainer 18 and centrally through theends container 18 further includes adirty air inlet 32 that is positioned to receive the airflow and debris. Thedirty air inlet 32 is configured to rotate the airflow and debris around theseparator axis 30 around theshroud 22 within thecontainer 18 in a first direction ofarrow 34 inFig. 4 , viewed from above the separator assembly for convenience. Theclean air outlet 20 discharges the airflow from theseparator assembly 16. The illustratedclean air outlet 20 extends through and from theupper end 24 of thecontainer 18. In various embodiments, the cyclonic separator may be a first stage separator or a second or subsequent stage separator. - The
shroud 22 forms anairflow passageway 44 between thedirty air inlet 32 and theclean air outlet 20. Theshroud 22 is located within thecontainer 18 between theupper end 24 and thelower end 26 of thecontainer 18. Theshroud 22 includes anupper end 36 having an upper opening 38 (Fig. 7 ) and theshroud 22 includes alower end 40 having alower opening 42. Theupper end 36 of theshroud 22 is releasably connected to theupper end 24 of thecontainer 18. - The
shroud 22 includes theairflow passageway 44. Theairflow passageway 44 is formed by a plurality ofvanes 46 definingopenings 48 betweenadjacent vanes 46. Theopenings 48 and thevanes 46 are positioned to direct the airflow (and any debris not yet separated from the airflow) from the outside of the shroud to the inside of the shroud in the direction ofarrows 50 inFig. 4 , viewed from above the separator assembly for convenience. Generally, theopenings 48 open toward or face in a direction that is opposed to the flow direction (arrow 34) outside of the shroud in thecyclonic separator 28. The flow direction (arrows 50) through theopenings 48 between thevanes 46 is in a direction partially opposed to the flow direction (arrow 34) in thecyclonic separator 28. When the airflow travels from thecyclonic separator 28 and through theshroud 22, the airflow is redirected in somewhat of an opposite direction to form a rotational flow inside the shroud opposite direction of the flow direction in thecyclonic separator 28. This redirection of airflow further helps to separate the debris from the airflow and minimizes the debris that travels through theopenings 48 between thevanes 46. Referring toFig. 4 ,sidewalls 71 ofadjacent vanes 46 converge to define openings between vanes having a decreasing area in the direction of airflow into the shroud. This causes air to increase in speed as the air travels through thevanes 46 to further encourage the rotational flow inside the shroud. - A shown in
Fig. 7 , amesh screen 54 is positioned on theshroud 22, outside thevanes 46. Thescreen 54 extends around theseparator axis 30 and covers theopenings 48 between thevanes 46 so that the airflow must travel through themesh screen 54 before traveling through theopenings 48 between thevanes 46. Themesh screen 54 further inhibits debris from traveling with the airflow through theshroud 22. Additionally, the mesh screen introduces radial flow from the rotational flow in thecyclonic separator 28 to the entrance to theopenings 48 in the shroud. There is agap 70 between themesh screen 54 andvanes 46. In one embodiment, thegap 70 is 5 millimeters (mm). In other embodiments, the gap is between 2 and 7 mm. In other embodiments the gap is greater than zero (i.e., the mesh screen does not press directly against the vanes 46). The mesh screen may be a perforated metal mesh with punched or etched pores. Alternatively, the mesh screen may be a wire or fiber mesh. The surface area of the openings in the mesh screen is in a range from 20% to 50% of the total surface area of the mesh screen surface. In one embodiment, themesh screen 54 has pores each having a pore size in a range from 450 micrometers to 100 micrometers. In other embodiments, the pore size is in a range from 400 micrometers to 150 micrometers. In another embodiment, the pore size is in a range from 400 micrometers to 220 micrometers. In yet other embodiments, the pore size is in a range from 350 micrometers to 200 micrometers. In one alternative, the pore size is in a range from 300 micrometers to 220 micrometers. - A
filter 58 is located within theshroud 22. Thefilter 58 extends from thelower end 40 of theshroud 22 and through theupper opening 38 of theshroud 22. Thefilter 58 extends around theseparator axis 30 and thefilter 58 is positioned in the airflow path between thevanes 46 and thecleaner air outlet 20. Thefilter 58 further separates debris from the airflow. Thefilter 58 includes an openupper end 60 and a closedlower end 62. The illustratedfilter 58 is generally cylindrical and includes an opencentral portion 63 that is in fluid communication with theclean air outlet 22. The closedlower end 62 of thefilter 58 contacts theshroud 22 adjacent thelower end 40 of theshroud 22. The contact between thefilter 58 and theshroud 22 closes thelower opening 42 of theshroud 22 to define a filterdirt collection chamber 64 within theshroud 22 between thevanes 46 and thefilter 58. Thefilter 58 can be made from any suitable filter media, including pleated media, open cell foam media, natural fiber media, synthetic media, or any combination thereof. - The
separator assembly 16 further includes alid 66 and a debris collection chamber 68 below theshroud 22. The debris collection chamber 68 is defined by thecontainer 18 at thelower end 26 of thecontainer 18. Thefilter 58 is removably coupled to thelid 66 and thelid 66 and thefilter 58 are together removably coupled to thecontainer 18 adjacent theupper end 24 of thecontainer 18. Therefore, thefilter 58 is removable through theupper opening 38 of theshroud 22 when thelid 66 is uncoupled from thecontainer 18 leaving the shroud in theupper end 24 of thecontainer 18. When the filter is removed from theshroud 22, the closed lower end of the filter is removed from the lower opening in the shroud enabling dirt and debris to empty from the filterdirt collection chamber 64 into the debris collection chamber 68 below theshroud 22. Thefilter 58 can then be uncoupled from thelid 66 to clean or replace thefilter 58. In an alternative embodiment, theshroud 22 is coupled to thelid 66 so that theshroud 22 is removable with thelid 66 and thefilter 58 from thecontainer 18. In yet another embodiment, the shroud and filter may remain with thecontainer 18 when thelid 66 is removed from thecontainer 18. In such an embodiment, debris in thechamber 64 falls through thelower opening 42 of the shroud and into the debris collection chamber 68 when the filter is removed from the shroud. - In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum cleaner includes a separator assembly downstream from the suction inlet and a debris collection chamber, where the separator assembly includes a container that defines a cyclonic separator about a separator axis, with a dirty air inlet positioned to receive the airflow and debris so that the airflow and debris rotates around the separator axis in a first direction within the container. The separator includes a clean air outlet that discharges the airflow from the separator assembly. The separator assembly further includes a shroud located in the container having apertures forming an airflow passageway between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet, the shroud having an upper end and a lower end having a lower opening. A filter is positioned at least partially within the shroud extending around the separator axis positioned in an airflow path between the shroud and the clean air outlet, where a closed end of the filter contacts the shroud adjacent the lower end closing the lower opening defining a filter dirt collection chamber within the shroud between the plurality of vanes and the filter.
- The apertures in the shroud in this embodiment may be longitudinal slots, openings between vanes, holes of any shape, or other apertures.
- In operation, the
vacuum cleaner 10 is used to remove debris from a surface (e.g., carpet, hard flooring, upholstery, etc.). Thesuction source 14 generates an airflow that draws the debris and airflow through thesuction inlet 12. The airflow and debris travels into thecyclonic separator 28 through thedirty air inlet 32. The airflow and debris rotate around theseparator axis 30 in the direction ofarrow 34 inFig. 4 . Debris is separated from the airflow and the debris falls down into the debris collection chamber 68. The airflow travels through themesh screen 54 that further separates debris from the airflow. After traveling through themesh screen 54, the airflow travels in the direction ofarrows 50 through theopenings 48 between thevanes 46. The redirection of the airflow by the vanes 46 (discussed above) may further separate debris from the airflow. Separated debris can fall into the filterdirt collection chamber 64. The airflow then passes through thefilter 58 to further remove relatively fine debris from the airflow. The debris separated by thefilter 58 may collect on the filter or fall into the filterdirt collection chamber 64. The airflow travels through thefilter 58 and into the opencentral portion 63 of thefilter 58. From the opencentral potion 63 of thefilter 58, the airflow passes through theclean air outlet 20, which can include an aperture in thelid 66, before being exhausted from thevacuum cleaner 10. - The user can empty the filter
dirt collection chamber 64 by removing thelid 66 from thecontainer 18. In the illustrated embodiment, theshroud 22 and filterdirt collection chamber 64 are removed from thecontainer 18 with thelid 66. Therefore, the user uncouples theshroud 22 from thelid 66 to empty thechamber 64. The debris collection chamber 68 can be emptied through theupper end 24 of thecontainer 18. In other embodiments, thecontainer 18 includes a door or a lid adjacent thelower end 26 of thecontainer 18 to empty the chamber 68. - Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the claims appended hereto.
Claims (10)
- A vacuum cleaner (10) comprising:a suction inlet (12);a suction source (14) configured to generate an airflow through the suction inlet (12) to draw debris with the airflow through the suction inlet (12); anda separator assembly (16) downstream from the suction inlet (12) includinga container (18) that defines a cyclonic separator (28) about a separator axis (30), the container (18) having a dirty air inlet (32) positioned to receive the airflow and debris to rotate around the separator axis (30) in a first direction within the container (18),a clean air outlet (20) that discharges the airflow from the separator assembly (16),a shroud (22) located in the container (18) having apertures forming an airflow passageway (44) between the dirty air inlet (32) and the clean air outlet (20), the shroud (22) having an upper end (24) and a lower end (26) having a lower opening (42), characterized in that it further comprisesa filter (58) at least partially within the shroud (22) extending around the separator axis (30) positioned in an airflow path between the shroud (22) and the clean air outlet (20),wherein a closed end of the filter (58) contacts the shroud (22) adjacent the lower end (26)closing the lower opening defining a filter dirt collection chamber within the shroud between the apertures and the filter.
- The vacuum cleaner (10) of claim 1, where the filter (58) is removable from the shroud (22) through the shroud (22) upper end (24).
- The vacuum cleaner (10) of claim 1, where the shroud (22) airflow passageway (44) is formed by a plurality of vanes (46) defining openings (48) between adjacent vanes (46) positioned to direct the airflow and debris in a second direction at least partially opposed to the first direction redirecting airflow into the shroud (22).
- The vacuum cleaner (10) of claim 3, wherein sidewalls (71) of adjacent vanes (46) converge defining the openings (48) between adjacent vanes (46) having a decreasing area in the direction of airflow into the shroud (22).
- The vacuum cleaner (10) of claim 3, wherein the plurality of vanes (46) defining openings (48) between adjacent vanes (46) are positioned to direct the airflow and debris to rotate between the shroud (22) and filter (58) in the second direction being opposite of the first direction.
- The vacuum cleaner (10) of claim 3, further comprising a mesh screen (54) positioned on the shroud (22) covering the airflow passageway (44), wherein the mesh screen (54) includes a plurality of pores each having a pore size in a range from 450 micrometers to 100 micrometers.
- The vacuum cleaner (10) of claim 1, wherein the container (18) includes an upper end (24) and a lower end (26), the shroud (22) upper end (24) being releasably connected to the container (18) upper end (24).
- The vacuum cleaner (10) of claim 1, wherein the separator assembly (16) further includes a lid (66) removably coupled to the container (18), the filter (58) is coupled to the lid (66) and removable with the lid (66) from the container (18).
- The vacuum cleaner (10) of claim 8, wherein the shroud (22) is coupled to the lid (66) and removable with the lid (66) from the container (18).
- The vacuum cleaner (10) of claim 8, where the filter (58) is removable from the shroud (22) through the shroud (22) upper end (24) to empty the filter dirt collection chamber when the lid is uncoupled from the container.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201662419231P | 2016-11-08 | 2016-11-08 | |
PCT/US2017/060643 WO2018089496A2 (en) | 2016-11-08 | 2017-11-08 | Vacuum cleaner |
EP17801267.0A EP3537943B1 (en) | 2016-11-08 | 2017-11-08 | Vacuum cleaner |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17801267.0A Division EP3537943B1 (en) | 2016-11-08 | 2017-11-08 | Vacuum cleaner |
EP17801267.0A Division-Into EP3537943B1 (en) | 2016-11-08 | 2017-11-08 | Vacuum cleaner |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3659484A1 EP3659484A1 (en) | 2020-06-03 |
EP3659484B1 true EP3659484B1 (en) | 2021-10-13 |
Family
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Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17801267.0A Active EP3537943B1 (en) | 2016-11-08 | 2017-11-08 | Vacuum cleaner |
EP19219117.9A Active EP3659484B1 (en) | 2016-11-08 | 2017-11-08 | Vacuum cleaner |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17801267.0A Active EP3537943B1 (en) | 2016-11-08 | 2017-11-08 | Vacuum cleaner |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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US (2) | US20180140148A1 (en) |
EP (2) | EP3537943B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN109952051B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018089496A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
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US11285495B2 (en) | 2016-12-27 | 2022-03-29 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Multistage cyclone and surface cleaning apparatus having same |
US10271704B2 (en) * | 2016-12-27 | 2019-04-30 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Multistage cyclone and surface cleaning apparatus having same |
GB2598505B (en) * | 2017-06-19 | 2022-06-08 | Techtronic Floor Care Tech Ltd | A dirt separation device |
JP7339814B2 (en) * | 2019-08-30 | 2023-09-06 | 東芝ライフスタイル株式会社 | vacuum cleaner |
USD959075S1 (en) * | 2021-03-23 | 2022-07-26 | Bissell Inc. | Body for a floor cleaner |
USD1017156S1 (en) | 2022-05-09 | 2024-03-05 | Dupray Ventures Inc. | Cleaner |
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-
2017
- 2017-11-08 US US15/807,268 patent/US20180140148A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2017-11-08 EP EP17801267.0A patent/EP3537943B1/en active Active
- 2017-11-08 WO PCT/US2017/060643 patent/WO2018089496A2/en unknown
- 2017-11-08 EP EP19219117.9A patent/EP3659484B1/en active Active
- 2017-11-08 CN CN201780068504.9A patent/CN109952051B/en active Active
-
2021
- 2021-08-12 US US17/400,801 patent/US20210369067A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3659484A1 (en) | 2020-06-03 |
CN109952051B (en) | 2021-11-23 |
US20210369067A1 (en) | 2021-12-02 |
WO2018089496A3 (en) | 2018-09-20 |
US20180140148A1 (en) | 2018-05-24 |
WO2018089496A2 (en) | 2018-05-17 |
EP3537943A2 (en) | 2019-09-18 |
EP3537943B1 (en) | 2023-09-20 |
CN109952051A (en) | 2019-06-28 |
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