GB2406067A

GB2406067A - Cyclonic separating apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2406067A
Application number: GB0413603A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jang-Keun Oh; Jung-Gyun Han
Original assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-09-08
Filing date: 2004-06-17
Publication date: 2005-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2024-06-17
Also published as: GB2406067B; GB0413603D0

Abstract

Cyclonic dust-collecting apparatus for use in (and used in) a vacuum cleaner comprises a first cyclone (111, fig. 1). Disposed around the outside of the first cyclone is a plurality of second cyclones (113, fig. 1) in parallel. A dust-collecting unit (165) is detachably connected to the first and second cyclones and collects dust form the first cyclone separately to dust separated by the second cyclones. An inlet-outlet cover (190) is installed on the upper portions of the first and second cyclones such that air flowing from the first cyclone's outlet (123) is guided towards the second cyclones' inlets (141). The dust-collecting apparatus has transparent wall sections such that a user may view the interior of each dust-collector. The first cyclone outlet may further be provided with a grille (131) and a shielding member (135) to enhance separation in the first stage.

Description

Cyclonic Dust-Separating Apparatus This application is related to

copending applications entitled "Cyclone Separating Apparatus and Vacuum Cleaner having the same" (Korean Application No. 2003-63211, filed September 9, 2003), "Cyclone Separating Apparatus and Vacuum Cleaner Equipped with the same" (Korean Application No. 2003-63213, filed September 9, 2003), and "Cyclone Separating Apparatus and a Vacuum Cleaner having the same" (Korean Application No 2003-62520, filed September 8, 2003), whose disclosures are commonly owned by the same applicant as the present application and are entirely incorporated herein by reference.

This invention relates to a cyclonic dust-separating apparatus and a vacuum cleaner having the same, and in particular to a cyclonic dustseparating apparatus comprising a first cyclone and a plurality of second cyclones.

Generally, a cyclonic dust-separating apparatus causes an air stream to whirl inside a cyclone chamber thereof, and uses the centrifugal force generated from the whirling air to separate dust from drawn-in air. A vacuum cleaner having a cyclonic dust-separating apparatus of this type is disclosed in U.S. patent specifications 3,425,192 and 4,373,228. These specifications each disclose a cyclonic dust-collecting apparatus that separates and collects dust from drawn-in air through the use of a plurality of cyclones.

In the disclosed system, relatively large particles of dust are separated from air drawn into a first (main) cyclone. The once-filtered air-stream flows into second (auxiliary) cyclones, where small particles of dust are separated from the air. In particular, U.S. 3,425,192 discloses a cyclone system in which an auxiliary cyclone is arranged at the upper portion of the first cyclone, such that relatively large particles of dust are separated in the first cyclone, while partially cleaned air flows into the auxiliary cyclone and is further cleaned. U.S. Patent 4,373,228 discloses a cyclone system with a plurality of auxiliary cyclones inside the first cyclone. These conventional cyclonic dust-separating apparatuses, however, have numerous problems.

Firstly, due to a rather complicated structure for connecting the first cyclone with the auxiliary cyclone(s), a suction force generated in the main body of the vacuum cleaner may not be smoothly delivered; and, as a result, cleaning efficiency deteriorates.

Secondly, since the first cyclone and the auxiliary cyclone(s) are not compactly arranged, the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus must be large enough to maintain a good quality dust-collecting performance. As the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus becomes bulky, the vacuum cleaner incorporating such an apparatus also becomes bulky; and, as a result, it is quite cumbersome to use. Thirdly, because the linking passage between the first cyclone and the auxiliary cyclone(s) is complex, a large number of parts is required, so that the unit price increases.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

An aim of the invention is to provide a cyclonic dust-separating apparatus which is capable of increasing dust collecting efficiency using a plurality of cyclonic dust-collecting units, and to prevent deterioration of a suction force using a compact structure, and a vacuum cleaner having the same.

The present invention provides a cyclonic dust-separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, the apparatus comprising: a first cyclone for separating dust from drawn-in air; a plurality of second cyclones for centrifugally separating dust particles from the air after dust separation in the first cyclone; and a cover disposed on upper portions of the first and second cyclones, the cover including a guide for guiding air discharged from the first cyclone into the second cyclones.

In a preferred embodiment, the guide is provided at the centre of the base of the cover.

Preferably, the guide has a frustoconical shape.

Advantageously, the cover comprises: air passages connecting the first cyclone with the second cyclones such that air discharged from the first cyclone is guided radially into smaller air-streams and flows into the second cyclones; and a respective air guide forming an outer part of each air passage.

Preferably, each air passage extends radially from the guide to connect to the respective second cyclone. Conveniently, each air guide connects the respective second cyclone to the first cyclone, each air guide including a linear part at a connection with the first cyclone, and a rounded part at a connection with the respective second cyclone to cause air to spin upon entering that second cyclone.

Advantageously, the cover further comprises a plurality of discharge passages which penetrate through the cover to allow air from the second cyclones to be discharged therethrough. Preferably, the cover is connected to the second cyclones such that a part of each discharge passage is inserted into the respective second cyclone, and air from the second cyclones is discharged through the discharge passages. One end of each of the discharge passages is connected to an outlet formed at the side of the respective second cyclone, and the other end of each of the discharge passages is open towards the upper portion of the cover.

In a preferred embodiment, the first cyclone comprises: a first chamber in which dust is centrifugally separated from drawn-in air; a first inlet formed in the first chamber through which dust-carrying air flows in; and a first outlet formed in the first chamber, through which air is discharged.

Preferably, each second cyclone comprises: a second chamber for centrifugally separating dust from air after dust separation in the first cyclone; a second inlet formed in the second chamber, through which second inlet air flows in from the first cyclone; and a second outlet formed in the second chamber, through which second outlet air is discharged.

Advantageously, the first chamber is substantially cylindrical, and each second chamber includes a frustoconical part.

Conveniently, the apparatus further comprises a cyclone cover disposed on the upper portion of the cover; and a dust-collecting unit detachably connected to the first and second cyclones.

Advantageously, the cyclone cover is substantially frustoconical with open upper and lower ends.

Preferably, the second cyclones are disposed around the first cyclone to enclose the first cyclone, the first and second cyclones being integrally formed with each other. The apparatus may further comprise a partition defining and separating the second cyclones.

The invention also provides a vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner main body for generating a suction force and drawing-in dust-carrying air; a nozzle unit for drawing in dust from a surface to be cleaned using the suction force, the nozzle unit being in fluid-communication with the vacuum cleaner main body; and a cyclonic dust-separating apparatus in the vacuum cleaner main body, wherein the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus comprises: a first cyclone for separating dust from drawn-in air; a plurality of second cyclones for centrifugally separating dust particles from the air after dust separation in the first cyclone; and a cover disposed on upper portions of the first and second cyclones, the cover including a guide formed for guiding air discharged from the first cyclone into the second cyclones.

Preferably, the guide is substantially frustoconical, and is provided at the centre of the base of the cover.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure l is an exploded perspective view of the main part of a cyclonic dust-separating apparatus constructed according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an underneath view of a cover of the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an underneath view of first and second cyclones of the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of a cannister vacuum cleaner incorporating the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner incorporating the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100 having a first cyclone 111, a plurality of second cyclones 1 13, an inlet-outlet cover 190 mounted on the upper parts of the first and second cyclones to allow entrance and exit of the cyclones, a cyclone cover 191, and a dust-collecting unit 165. The second cyclones 113 are disposed around the outer circumference of the first cyclone 111 to enclose the first cyclone.

The first and the second cyclones 111 and 113 are formed integrally with each other, and a partition 250 defines and separates the second cyclones 113 (see Figure 3), thereby reinforcing the overall structure of the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100.

A cylindrical chamber wall 147 is formed around the second cyclones 113. The chamber wall 147 may take a variety of shapes depending upon the shape of the recess into which it is received in a vacuum cleaner main body 10 (see Figures 5 and 6).

S The first cyclone ill includes a first chamber 115, a first inlet 121, a first outlet 123 and a grille 130 (see Figure 2). The first chamber 115 is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical, and separates dust from incoming dust-carrying air using the centrifugal force generated by a rotational air current. The grille 130 is disposed upstream of the first outlet 123, to prevent dust separated from the air from flowing back through the first outlet 123. The grille 130 includes a grille body 131 having a plurality of fluid passages, a grille opening 133 and a shield 135. The grille opening 133 is formed at one end of the grille body 131 to discharge partially-clean air through to the first outlet 123. The shield 135 is formed at the other end of the grille body 131 to prevent separated dust from flowing backwards.

Each second cyclone 113 includes a respective second chamber 145, a respective second inlet 141 and a respective second outlet 143. Each second chamber 145 includes a frustoconical end. Dust is separated from the air by a centrifugal effect in the second chambers 145. Air discharged from the first cyclone 111 flows into the second cyclones 113 through the second inlets 141, and air which has been cleaned by the centrifugal effect in the second chambers 145 is discharged through the second outlets 143.

The inlet-outlet cover 190 is disposed on the upper parts of the first and second cyclones 111 and 1] 3, and includes radial air passages 197 which connect the outlet 123 of the first cyclone with the second inlets 141 of the second cyclones. The cover also includes air guides 181 which form discharge passages 199 at the outer edge portions of the air passages 197. A conical guide 183 is formed at the lower centre of the cover 190 to guide air discharged from the first cyclone 111 into the second cyclones 113. It should be noted that the shape of the conical guide 183 can be changed. In other words, the conical guide 183 may take other shapes, such as frustoconical, so long as it ensures that the suction force deterioration of air discharged from the first cyclone 111 is prevented, and an air stream is efficiently guided into the second cyclones 1 l 3.

The air passages 197 extend radially from the conical guide 183 to the second cyclones 113, such that air from the first cyclone 111 is radially guided to the second cyclones in smaller streams. The air guides 181 connect the first cyclone 111 to the second cyclones 113. The air guides 181 each include a linear shape at the connection with the first cyclone 111, and a rounded shape at the connection with the respective second cyclone 113. Each discharge passage 199 is in fluid communication with the second outlet 143 of the respective second cyclone 113, and is insertable into that second outlet.

Accordingly, when the cover 190 is connected to the second cyclones 113, a part of each discharge passage 199 is inserted into the respective second outlet 143 to permit clean air to pass through that discharge passage. One end of each discharge passage 199 is connected to the second outlet 143 of the respective second cyclone 113, the other end being open towards the upper portion of the cover 190. The cyclone cover 191 is frustoconical and is upwardly and downwardly open. The cyclone cover 191 is detachably disposed on the upper portion of the cover 190. The air discharged from the second cyclones 1 l 3 through the second outlets 143 accumulates in the cyclone cover 191, and is discharged out of the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100 through an upper opening 193 formed at the upper end of the cyclone cover.

The dust-collecting unit 165 includes a first dust receptacle 161 and a second dust receptacle 163. The first and the second dust receptacles 161, 163 are integrally formed with each other. The second dust receptacle 163 is formed as a hollow cylinder and is detachably connected to the chamber wall 147 formed on the outer side of the second cyclones 113. The first dust receptacle 161 is formed as a hollow cylinder, and is disposed inside the second dust receptacle 163, and is detachably connected to the first chamber 115 of the first cyclone I 11.

As shown in Figure 6, a dust-collecting chamber 12 is defined by a partition 17 formed in the main body 10 of a canister vacuum cleaner. The dust-collecting chamber 12 accommodates the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100, whose first inlet 121 is formed on the outer surface and at an upper side thereof. When a suction force is generated by the operation of a motor (not shown), air and dust from the surface to be cleaned is drawn into the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100 through the first inlet 121. The upper opening 193 is formed in the upper centre of the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100, so that air cleaned by the centrifugal force of the spinning air, is discharged upwardly through the upper opening.

The cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100 is applicable not only to a canister vacuum cleaner, but also to an upright vacuum cleaner. Figure 7 shows an example where the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100 is associated with an upright vacuum cleaner, and is described in detail below.

A vacuum generating apparatus such as a motor (not shown) is provided inside the vacuum cleaner body 10. A nozzle unit 60 is movably connected to the lower side of the cleaner body 10, and a cyclone-receiving chamber 65 is provided in the middle portion of the front side of the main body 10. An air suction passage 70 connected to the nozzle unit 60, and an air discharge passage 75 connected to the motor, are provided, these passages terminating to the cyclone-receiving chamber 65.

The first inlet 121 of the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100 communicates with the air suction passage 70, and the upper opening 193 communicates with the air discharge passage 75. Accordingly, dustcarrying air is drawn in through the nozzle unit 60; and, after the removal of dust by the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100, the "cleaned" air is discharged through the upper opening 193 and the air discharge passage 75.

As the suction force is generated, dust-carrying air is drawn into the vacuum cleaner body lO through the nozzle unit 60. The drawn-in dustcarrying air flows tangentially into the first chamber 115 through the first inlet 121 of the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100. Dust is separated from the drawn-in air in the first cyclone 111, and separated dust is collected in the first dust receptacle 161. Dust-carrying air is drawn into the first cyclone 111 by the suction force generated in the vacuum cleaner body 10, and dust is separated in the first cyclone 111. More specifically air flows into the first chamber 115 of the first cyclone 111 through the first inlet 121, and is swirled tangentially along the inner wall of the first chamber.

Because lighter particles are influenced more by the centrifugal force, the smaller and lighter dust particles gather toward the centre of the first chamber 115, and are discharged in a stream which leads towards the first outlet 123. Relatively heavier dust particles are discharged through the first outlet 123 of the first chamber 115, pass through the air passages 197, and flow into the second chambers 145 through the second inlets 141 of the second cyclones 113.

Because the air passages 197 extend radially from the centre of the cover 190, a single air-stream is divided into a plurality of smaller air streams, which enables a more efficient air separating operation in the second cyclones 113. More specifically, air from the first cyclone ill is branched into smaller air streams which partially spin when passing the conical guide 183 at the lower centre of the cover 190, and the smaller air streams are drawn into the second cyclones 113 via the air passages 197.

Because the air guides 181 which form the outer edges of the air passages are rounded at the connecting parts between the air passages and the second cyclones 113, incoming air spirals as it enters the second cyclones 113. As a result, a larger centrifugal force is obtained, and deterioration of the suction force is prevented.

Air is further cleaned in the second chambers 145 by the centrifugal force. Smaller dust particles are collected in the second dust receptacle 163. Minute dust particles are separated in the second cyclones 113 and collected in the second dust receptacle 163.

The partition 250 formed between the second cyclones 113 prevents dust from flowing back, and also facilitates the collecting of dust when separated dust is dropped into the second dust receptacle 163. After dust is separated, clean air accumulates within the cyclone cover 191 after passing through the second outlets 143 of the second cyclones l 13 and the discharge passages 199 of the cover 190, and is discharged through the upper opening 193 formed in the upper portion of the cyclone cover 191 (see Figure 2).

In other words, air which is first cleaned in the first cyclone l l l, is again cleaned in the second cyclones 113, and relatively small particles are removed in the second cyclones.

Because drawn-in air is cleaned in the first cyclone 111 by removing large dust particles, and again cleaned in a plurality of second cyclones 113 by removing smaller dust particles, the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100 provides an effective cleaning operation.

In the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100, the distance between the first and the second cyclones l 1 1 and 1 13 is short. Furthermore, the cover 190 prevents deterioration of the suction force and facilitates air flow. It also increases dust-collecting efficiency because incoming air to the second cyclones 113 forms a spinning air current. When air is discharged from the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus 100, air flows through the vacuum cleaner body l 0 and is discharged outside.

The conventional cyclonic dust-separating apparatuses used to have limited dust collecting efficiency, or, even worse, deterioration in dustcollecting operation.

However, with the dust-separating apparatus described above, the cover enables a compact connection structure between the first and the second cyclones, and prevents deterioration of the suction force. As a result, dust-collecting efficiency increases.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatus. Also, the description of the embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims 1. A cyclonic dust-separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, the

apparatus comprlsmg: a first cyclone for separating dust from drawn-in air; a plurality of second cyclones for centrifugally separating dust particles from the air after dust separation in the first cyclone; and a cover disposed on upper portions of the first and second cyclones, the cover including a guide for guiding air discharged from the first cyclone into the second 1 0 cyclones.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide has a frustoconical shape.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cover comprises: air passages connecting the first cyclone with the second cyclones such that air discharged from the first cyclone is guided radially into smaller airstreams and flows into the second cyclones; and a respective air guide forming an outer part of each air passage.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each air passage extends radially from the guide to connect to the respective second cyclone.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein each air guide connects the respective second cyclone to the first cyclone, each air guide including a linear part at a connection with the first cyclone, and a rounded part at a connection with the respective second cyclone to cause air to spin upon entering that second cyclone.
6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of discharge passages which penetrate through the cover to allow air from the second cyclones to be discharged therethrough.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cover is connected to the second cyclones such that a part of each discharge passage is inserted into the respective second cyclone, and air from the second cyclones is discharged through the discharge passages.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein one end of each of the discharge passages is connected to an outlet formed at the side of the respective second cyclone, and the other end of each of the discharge passages is open towards the upper portion of the cover.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first cyclone comprises: a first chamber in which dust is centrifugally separated from drawn-in air; a first inlet formed in the first chamber through which dust-carrying air flows in; and a first outlet formed in the first chamber, through which air is discharged.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein each second cyclone comprises: a second chamber for centrifugally separating dust from air after dust separation in the first cyclone; a second inlet formed in the second chamber, through which second inlet air flows in from the first cyclone; and a second outlet formed in the second chamber, through which second outlet air is discharged.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first chamber is substantially cylindrical, and each second chamber includes a frustoconical part.
12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising: a cyclone cover disposed on the upper portion of the cover; and a dust-collecting unit detachably connected to the first and second cyclones.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cyclone cover is substantially frustoconical with open upper and lower ends.
14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the second cyclones are disposed around the first cyclone to enclose the first cyclone, the first and second cyclones being integrally formed with each other.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a partition defining and separating the second cyclones.
16. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum cleaner main body for generating a suction force and drawing-in dust-carrying air; a nozzle unit for drawing-in dust from a surface to be cleaned using the suction i force, the nozzle unit being in fluid-communication with the vacuum cleaner main body; and a cyclonic dust-separating apparatus in the vacuum cleaner main body, wherein the cyclonic dust-separating apparatus comprises: a first cyclone for separating dust from drawn-in air; a plurality of second cyclones for centrifugally separating dust particles from the air after dust separation in the first cyclone; and a cover disposed on upper portions of the first and second cyclones, the cover including a guide formed for guiding air discharged from the first cyclone into the second cyclones.
17. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 16, wherein the guide is substantially frustoconical.