GB2400020A

GB2400020A - Filter assembly mounting of a bagless vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: GB2400020A
Application number: GB0328434A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hyun-Ju Lee; Dong-Hun Yoo
Original assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-04
Filing date: 2003-12-08
Publication date: 2004-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2023-12-08
Also published as: RU2003135429A; ITTO20040057A1; KR100485714B1; AU2003257527A1; ES2265709A1; ES2265709B1; GB2400020B; GB0328434D0; CN1535642A; DE102004001028A1; US20040194249A1; JP3967707B2; FR2853220A1; CA2450058C; CN1303932C; RU2254799C1; JP2004305702A; CA2450058A1; AU2003257527B2; FR2853220B1

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle unit (187), a drive motor for generating a suction force, a main body (100) including the drive motor and a filter mount (101). A dust suction tube (180, 185) has one end connected to the filter mount (101) and the other end connected to the nozzle unit (187). A filter assembly (150) is mounted within the filter mount (101) to filter out dust from external air drawn into the main body (100) through the dust suction tube (180, 185) and the nozzle unit. A main body cover (120) is coupled to the filter assembly (150) to facilitate the selective insertion and removal of the filter assembly, into and from, said filter mount (101), the main body cover being lockable to the main body (100).

Description

1 2400020 Bagless Vacuum Cleaner This invention relates to a vacuum

cleaner, and more particularly to a bagless vacuum cleaner which can completely filter out dust, dirt and debris, and which enables a user easily to remove collected dust and to clean a filter, without the need to replace the filter.

As shown in Figure 1, a conventional vacuum cleaner comprises a main body 201, a flexible hose 210, an extension tube 212, an operation handle 221 provided with a switch 220, and a nozzle unit 230.

The main body 201 includes a motor (not shown) for generating a suction force, a filter mount 204, a replaceable paper bag 205, a main body cover 203 and wheels 202.

Generally, the motor is mounted in the rear part of the main body 201. The main body cover 203 has an air suction hole 206 for suction of air into the main body. The filter mount 204 is provided in the front part of the main body 201, and receives the paper bag 205. It is typical to provide at least one pair of wheels 202 for easily moving the main body 201 of the vacuum cleaner.

One end of the flexible hose 210 is connected to the air suction hole 206, while the other end is connected to the operation handle 221. The operation handle 221 is provided with the switch 220 for selectively operating or stopping operation of the vacuum cleaner. The extension tube 212 has one end connected to the operation handle 221 and the other connected to the nozzle unit 230. The nozzle unit 230 tightly contacts a dirty floor to be cleaned, and drawn in air containing any dust, dirt and debris by the suction force generated by the vacuum cleaner.

The air is drawn into the main body 201 through the extension tube 212 and the flexible hose 210. When passing through the paper bag 205, the air, including the entrained dust, dirt and debris, is filtered so that only clean air with dust removed is vented out from the main body 201 through the motor.

Since a conventional vacuum cleaner uses a consumable paper bag 205, the user has regularly to replace the paper bag 205 with a new one. Also, the paper bag 205, which filters out dust in a primary filtering stage, cannot sufficiently or completely filter out an excessive amount of dust, dirt and debris.

In addition, when replacing the paper bag 205 with a new one in the conventional vacuum cleaner, it is necessary for the user to open the main body cover 203 and hold it with one hand, while removing the paper bag 205 and inserting a new paper bag with the other hand. Even if the main body cover 203 is detachable from the main body 201, the user must first separate the main body cover in order to remove the paper bag 205.

Also, it is not easy to see whether the air suction hole 206 of the main body cover 203 exactly fits with an inlet 207 of the paper bag 205. If the user does not properly insert the paper bag 205 into the filter mount 204, and the paper bag inlet 207 does not correspond with the air suction hole 206, dust particles will accumulate within the filter mount 204, without being sufficiently filtered out. This may eventually cause mechanical trouble with the vacuum cleaner.

An aim of the invention is to provide a bagless vacuum cleaner which eliminates the need to replace a filter.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a bagless vacuum cleaner which can sufficiently remove dust, dirt and debris by filtering the air containing dust in successive filtering operations.

Still another aim of the invention is to provide a bagless vacuum cleaner having an easily detachable filter assembly, which can prevent operation of the vacuum cleaner when the filter assembly is incompletely assembled.

The present invention provides a bagless vacuum cleaner comprising: a nozzle unit; a drive motor for generating a suction force, a main body including the drive motor and a filter mount; a dust suction tube having one end connected to the filter mount and the other end connected to the nozzle unit; a filter assembly mounted within the filter mount to filter out dust from external air drawn into the main body through the dust suction tube and the nozzle unit; and a main body cover coupled with the filter assembly to facilitate the insertion of the filter assembly into, and removal of the filter assembly from, the main body cover the filter mount being lockable to the main body.

Preferably, the filter assembly comprises: a filter housing having an opening; a first filter unit mounted within the filter housing; and a second filter unit placed between an end wall of the filter housing and the first filter unit. Advantageously, the filter housing is provided with an engagement loop connected to the main body cover, and with a safety lever for preventing the filter assembly from being mounted into the filter mount when the first filter unit is not fully mounted within the filter housing.

The filter housing may further be provided with a cover for selectively opening and closing the opening in the filter housing. Preferably, the second filter unit comprises a second filter, a second filter holder for supporting the second filter; and a filter net enclosing the second filter within the second filter holder.

The first filter unit preferably comprises a first filter and a first filter holder for supporting the first filter.

The invention also provides a bagless vacuum cleaner comprising: a nozzle unit; a drive motor for generating a suction force; a main body including the drive motor and a filter mount; a dust suction tube having one end connected to said filter mounting and the other end connected to the nozzle unit; a cyclonic dust collector provided in the dust suction tube for separating dust from air drawn into the collector by circulating the air within the cyclonic dust collector; a filter assembly mounted into the filter mount and comprising a filter housing, a first filter unit and a second filter unit to filter out dust and dirt from external air drawn into the main body through the dust suction tube and the nozzle unit; and a main body cover having first, second and third hooks, each of which is shaped and configured to engage the filter assembly, and a handle for facilitating the selective insertion and removal of the filter assembly into, and from, the filter mount.

Preferably, the handle of the main body cover has at least one further hook, the or each further hook being lockable with a corresponding locking groove formed on the main body. Advantageously, the filter assembly is provided with a safety lever for preventing the filter assembly from being mounted into the filter mount when incompletely assembled.

The filter housing of the filter assembly may include an opening and a cover for selectively opening and closing the opening, the opening substantially exactly complementing the dust suction tube. The filter housing of the filter assembly may be provided with an engagement loop shaped and configured to engage with the first hook of the main body cover, and with a plurality of locking jaws which are engageable with the second and third hooks of the main body cover.

The invention may further comprise a bagless vacuum cleaner comprising: a nozzle unit; a drive motor for generating a suction force; a main body including the drive motor and a filter mount having a filter guide; a dust suction tube having one end connected to the filter mount and the other end connected to the nozzle unit; a cyclonic dust collector provided in the dust suction tube to remove dust from air drawn into the cyclonic dust collector by circulating the air within the cyclonic dust collector, a filter assembly mounted within the filter mount and comprising a filter housing and a first filter unit locked into the filter housing; and a main body cover detachable from the filter assembly, the main body being provided with a handle. s

The handle of the main body cover may have a plurality of hooks which are shaped and configured to lock with corresponding locking grooves formed on the main body.

Preferably, the filter assembly is provided with a support projection and at least one holder for holding a filter cleaning tool on one side thereof.

Accordingly, the bagless vacuum cleaner of the present invention produces an enhanced filtering effect due to triple filtering carried out by the first and second filter units and the cyclonic dust collector.

Since the filter assembly is semi-permanent, the user can reduce expenditure by not having to replace filters.

Also, the safety lever provided on the filter housing prevents any incomplete insertion of the filter assembly into the filter mount, and ensures complete filtration.

Since the bagless vacuum cleaner of the present invention connects the main body cover to the filter assembly, and provides a handle on the main body cover, the user can easily insert and separate the filter assembly, without the need to touch the filter assembly. In other words, the user can insert and separate the filter assembly, without dirtying his or her hands.

Further, the opening formed in the filter housing is automatically opened and closed by the opening cover. Since the filter assembly is inserted or separated according to the guide of a guide member, the opening of the filter housing can exactly complement and fit with the air suction hole. When the filter assembly is separated, no dust or dirt from the filter assembly will be permitted to dirty the surroundings.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with the reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner constructed according to the present invention; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a filter assembly of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective detail view of the filter housing shown in Figure 3, and shows the configuration of a safety lever of the filter housing; Figure 5 is a perspective view in partial cross- section, taken approximately on the line V-V of Figure 3, and shows the engagement of the filter housing with a first filter unit; Figure 6 is a plan view showing the filter assembly being inserted into a filter mount of the main body of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 2, without being completely assembled; Figures 7 to 9 illustrate the process of inserting a filter assembly into a filter mounting of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 2, wherein Figure 7 is a perspective view of the filter assembly before being inserted into the filter mount; Figure 8 is a partial perspective view showing the inside structure of the filter mount; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the filter assembly after insertion into the filter mount; Figures 10 to 12 illustrate the connection of the filter assembly and the main body cover and a process for providing the connection, wherein Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the main body cover, including the filter housing of the filter assembly; and Figures 11 and 12 are representative views showing the stages of the process of connecting the filter housing of the filter assembly with the main body cover and the process of separating the two elements; and Figure 13 is a perspective view of the main body with the main body cover closed, and shows the connection of a handle provided on the main body cover to the main body.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 2 shows a bagless vacuum cleaner having a main body 100, a main body cover 120, a filter assembly ISO connected to the main body cover, a flexible hose 180, a cyclonic dust collector 190, an extension tube 185, a nozzle unit 187 and a handle 182 including a switch 183. The flexible hose 180 and the extension tube 185 constitute a dust suction tube.

The main body l DO also includes at least one wheel 106 and a drive motor (not shown).

The main body 100 further includes a filter mount 101. The main body cover 120 is provided with a cover handle 121 which is useful in inserting or removing the filter assembly 150, the handle being fixed to the main body cover into or from the filter mount 101. The filter assembly 150 is shaped and configured for insertion into the filter mount 101. Since the extension tube 185, the nozzle unit 187, the handle 182 and the flexible hose 180 are conventional elements similar to those included in a conventional vacuum cleaner, as shown in Figure 1, no further explanation will be made with respect to these elements.

As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the filter assembly 150 (see Figures 2 and 6) includes a filter housing 152 (see Figures 3 to 5), a first filter unit 170 and a second filter unit 160.

The filter housing 152 includes a safety lever 153 and an engagement loop 154, respectively disposed at a lower part and an upper part thereof. The filter housing 152 has an opening 155 formed at a side wall through which external air is drawn in, and a plurality of engagement recesses 152a formed in opposite side walls of the filter housing contacting the first filter unit 170.

The first filter unit 170 includes a first filter 171 and a first filter holder 172. The first filter 171, being a pleated filter, is nested within, and supported by, the first filter holder 172. The first filter holder 172 includes a plurality of laterally- extending engagement projections 172a which are shaped and configured to lock into the engagement recesses 152a of the filter housing 152.

The second filter unit 160 includes a second filter 161 and a second filter holder 162.

The second filter 161 is generally made of a porous material, such as a sponge. The second filter holder 162 defining a plurality of windows 163 which are covered by a filter net 164.

Assembly of the filter assembly 150 is completed by locking the engagement projections 172a of the first filter unit 170 into the engagement recesses 152a of the filter housing l 52, with the second filter unit 160 being disposed between an end wall of the filter housing and the first filter unit. The filter assembly 150 is mounted into the filter mount 101 (see Figures 2 and 6) of the main body 100. However, when the filter assembly 150 is not completely assembled, or when the first filter unit 170 is not fully engaged with the filter housing 152, the safety lever 153 protrudes towards one side of the filter assembly and prevents the insertion of the filter assembly into filter mount 101 on one side wall as shown in Figure 6. In other words, the safety lever 153 ensures that the device is operational only upon complete assembly of the filter assembly 150.

The structure and function of the safety lever 153 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

As shown in Figure 4, the safety lever 153 has a locking projection 153a which can be inserted into a hole 156 formed in a side wall of the filter housing 152. When the first filter unit 170 is engaged with the filter housing 152 in the direction of arrow "C" (see Figure 5), the safety lever 153 is received within the filter housing 152 as a result of the locking projection 153a being pushed by the first filter holder 172.

When the filter assembly 150 is completely assembled as described above, the safety lever 153 is placed within the filter housing 152 so that the filter assembly can be fitted into the filter mount lot. If the filter assembly 150 is not completely or properly assembled, it cannot be fitted into the filter mount 101, thereby preventing incomplete filtering caused by incomplete assembly of the filter assembly.

In order to insert the filter assembly 150 into the filter mount 101, the user should hold the handle 121 provided on the main body cover 120, and slidably insert a guide member 152b formed on the filter assembly (see Figure 7) down along the inside of a guide member 103 formed in the filter mount 101 (see Figure 8). Before the filter housing 150 is inserted into the filter mount 101, an cover 158 covers the opening 155 formed in the filter housing 152 due to the force of a spring 159, as shown in Figure 7.

As the filter assembly 150 is inserted into the filter mount 101, the lower part of the cover 158 engages the top of a sealing member 102 (see Figure 8) formed at one side of the filter mount. The protruding top of the sealing member 102 causes the corner 158 to lift up in the direction of arrow "D" (see Figure 9), overcoming the recovery force of the spring 159 holding the cover closed, to open the opening 155 of the filter housing 152. Thus, when the filter assembly 150 is completely inserted into the filter mount 101, the opening 155 of the filter housing 152 exactly fits with the air suction hole 104 (see Figure 8) to ensure accurate connection to the flexible hose 180 (see Figure 2).

The user can remove the filter assembly 150 from the filter mount 101, using the handle 121 on the main body cover 120, for the purpose of cleaning the filter assembly 150.

During the removal process, the cover 158 is released from contact with the sealing member 102, and returns to cover the opening 155 of the filter housing 152 by the return force of the spring 159 (see Figure 7).

Therefore, as the user inserts the filter assembly 150, using the guide member 152b to engage the inside of the guide member 103, the opening 155 of the filter assembly will automatically fit with the air suction hole 104 of the main body 100. When separating the filter assembly 150 from the filter mount 101 to clean the filter assembly, the user needs only to lift up the main body cover 120, using the handle 121. Then, the cover 158 will again cover the opening 155 to prevent dust particles from leaking out of the filter assembly 150 during the time that the filter assembly remains outside of the filter mount 101.

As shown in Figure 10, the main body cover 120 has first to third hooks 122, 123, 124 respectively, disposed at the bottom (or end) wall thereof. The first hook 122 is formed at the centre of one side of the bottom wall. The second hook 123 and the third hook 124 are formed at the other side of the bottom wall, and are spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other. The first hook 122 is biased in the direction of arrow X in Figure 10 by a spring (not shown). The engagement loop 154 at the top of the filter housing 152 has a plurality of locking jaws 157 formed on one surface at either upper side thereof.

The filter housing 152 forms a support projection 302 and a plurality of latches 301 for holding a tool (such as a brush - see Figure 10) for cleaning the filter on one side thereof.

Figure 11 shows, in detail and partial cross-section, the connected state of the main body cover 120 and the filter housing 152. When the main body cover 120 is pressed towards the filter housing 152 in the direction of arrow F. with the second and third hooks 123, 124 being placed for engagement with the locking jaws 157 (see Figure 10), the first hook 122 can be engaged with the engagement loop 154 as shown in Figure 11.

The user can easily separate the filter housing 152 from the main body cover 120 by lifting up the first hook 122 in the direction of arrow G (see Figure 12), thereby releasing the first hook 122 from the engagement loop 154.

As described above, the main body cover 120 and the filter housing 152 are easily connected and separated. Thus, the user can easily insert the filter assembly 150 into, and remove it from, the filter mount 101 using the handle 121, without dirtying his or her hands. Figure 13 shows how the handle 121 provided on the main body cover 120 is connected to the main body 100. As shown in Figure 13, a fourth hook 105 and a fifth hook 106 are formed at opposite sides of the handle 121, and two corresponding grooves 107 are formed at corresponding positions on the main body 100. If the filter assembly 150 is inserted into the filter mount 101 and the handle 121 provided on the main body cover 120 is pushed down, the fourth and fifth hooks 105, 106 will be locked into the grooves 107, thereby connecting the handle to the main body 100 in an out-of-the-way position.

Since the handle 121 is connected to the main body 100, the main body cover 120 will not be separated from the main body 100, even if the main body 100 is suddenly rotated during operation.

Claims

Claims 1. A bagless vacuum cleaner comprising: a nozzle unit; a drive

motor for generating a suction force; a main body including the drive motor and a filter mount; a dust suction tube having one end connected to the filter mount and the other end connected to the nozzle unit; a filter assembly mounted within the filter mount to filter out dust from external air drawn into the main body through the dust suction tube and the nozzle unit; and a main body cover coupled with the filter assembly to facilitate the insertion of the filter assembly into, and removal of the filter assembly from, the main body cover, the filter mount being lockable to the main body.
2. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter assembly comprises: a filter housing having an opening; a first filter unit mounted within the filter housing; and a second filter unit placed between an end wall of the filter housing and the first filter unit.
3. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2, wherein the filter housing is provided with an engagement loop connected to the main body cover, and with a safety lever for preventing the filter assembly from being mounted into the filter mount when the first filter unit is not fully mounted within the filter housing.
4. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the filter housing is provided with a cover for selectively opening and closing the opening in the filter housing.
5. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second filter unit comprises a second filter, a second filter holder for supporting the second filter, and a filter net enclosing the second filter within said second filter holder.
6. A bagless vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first filter unit comprises a first filter and a first filter holder for supporting the first filter.
7. A bagless vacuum cleaner comprising: a nozzle unit; a drive motor for generating a suction force; a main body including the drive motor and a filter mount; a dust suction tube having one end connected to said filter mounting and the other end connected to the nozzle unit; a cyclonic dust collector provided in the dust suction tube for separating dust from air drawn into the collector by circulating the air within the cyclonic dust collector; a filter assembly mounted into the filter mount and comprising a filter housing, a first filter unit and a second filter unit to filter out dust and dirt from external air drawn into the main body through the dust suction tube and the nozzle unit; and a main body cover having first, second and third hooks, each of which is shaped and configured to engage the filter assembly, and a handle for facilitating the selective insertion and removal of the filter assembly into, and from, the filter mount.
8. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 7, wherein the handle of the main body cover has at least one further hook, the or each further hook being lockable with a corresponding locking groove formed on the main body.
9. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the filter assembly is provided with a safety lever.
10. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the filter housing of the filter assembly includes an opening and a cover for selectively opening and closing the opening, the opening substantially exactly complementing the dust suction tube.
11. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the filter housing of the filter assembly is provided with an engagement loop shaped and configured to engage with the first hook of the main body cover, and with a plurality of locking jaws which are engageable with the second and third hooks of the main body cover.
12. A bagless vacuum cleaner comprising: a nozzle unit; a drive motor for generating a suction force; a main body including the drive motor and a filter mount having a filter guide; a dust suction tube having one end connected to the filter mount and the other end connected to the nozzle unit; a cyclonic dust collector provided in the dust suction tube to remove dust from air drawn into the cyclonic dust collector by circulating the air within the cyclonic dust collector; a filter assembly mounted within the filter mount and comprising a filter housing and a first filter unit locked into the filter housing; and a main body cover detachable from the filter assembly, the main body being provided with a handle.
13. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 12, wherein the handle of the main body cover has a plurality of hooks which are lockable with corresponding locking grooves formed on the main body.
14. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the filter assembly is provided with a support projection and at least one holding a filter cleaning tool on one side thereof.
15. A bagless vacuum cleaner substantially as hereinbefor described with reference to, and as illustrated by Figures 2 to 13 of the drawings.