JPH0654778A - Shoulder-held cyclone type vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve an ergonomics in a back-pack cyclic vacuum cleaner by making an operation of the vacuum cleaner easy and making it lightened. CONSTITUTION: An upper casing 14 is set up to a back-pack instrument 12, and a lower easing 16 is set up rotatably to the upper casing 14. Then, a cyclone type cleaning assembly is set up in the upper casing 14 in a way that at least a part of the cleaning assembly positions in the lower easing 16. A motor is arranged at the upper part of the cyclone type cleaning assembly in the inside of the upper casing 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner equipped with a backpack so that an operator can carry it as a backpack. In particular, the present invention relates to a cyclone type vacuum cleaner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are various types of vacuum cleaners such as vertical type and canister type. The vertical vacuum cleaner is composed of two main parts, namely, a floor engaging portion mounted on wheels and a dust collecting portion pivotally mounted on the floor engaging portion. The floor engaging portion has a cleaning head and a motor. The dust collecting portion has a filtering means for separating entrained dirt from the intake air and a means for storing the separated dirt.

A canister vacuum cleaner is generally cylindrical and consists of a rigid outer container and hose assembly. The rigid outer container is mounted on wheels that facilitate movement. The outer container is generally cylindrical and has a side with a generally circular cross section. Wheels are mounted on the sides of the container such that the canister axis extends horizontally or at one end of the canister such that the canister axis extends vertically. If the unit is placed horizontally, the hose assembly is attached to one end of the outer container. The dirt filter and the dust collector such as a bag are arranged near the one end of the container, and the motor is arranged behind the dirt filter and the dust collector. In use, dirty air enters the dirt filter and dust collector through the hose, and filtered air exits the vacuum cleaner by the side of the motor. Alternatively, if the vacuum cleaner is placed vertically, a motor is mounted on top of the outer container such that the motor or / and filter means extend into the outer container. The outer container has an air inlet to which the hose assembly is attached. In use, dirty air enters the outer container through the hose and then exits the filtered vacuum cleaner.

In the canister type vacuum cleaner, the cleaning head is located farther from the air inlet of the outer container,
Mounted at the end of the hose assembly. With this design, the cleaning head can be made small and have good maneuverability. However, the canister type vacuum cleaner
It has some drawbacks. If the unit is placed vertically, dirt should collect at the bottom of the outer container and the air inlet should be placed near the top of the outer container. Otherwise, the air inlet will be clogged with dirt and the vacuum cleaner will be less efficient. The motor and filter mechanism are mounted near the top of the canister vacuum cleaner, so the center of gravity of the machine is relatively high. In use, an operator typically moves these machines by pulling a hose attached to the outer container. Since the center of gravity of the machine is high, the machine has a heavy top and is prone to tipping. Also, because a friction fit is used as a means of removably attaching the hose assembly to the air inlet, workers often interrupt work and re-install the hose to maintain a loose hermetic seal when the hose assembly is pulled. Need to insert.

Therefore, canister type machines, especially vertically oriented canister type vacuum cleaners, are most conveniently used within a circle of radius somewhat smaller than the length of the hose assembly. Outside this circle, the machine must be moved carefully to avoid tipping. These machines are generally inconvenient to move and require attention to prevent collision and damage to walls and furniture.

The vertical vacuum cleaner has an advantage that the motor is mounted in the engaging portion on the floor, and therefore the center of gravity of the machine is close to the floor and the risk of tipping of the machine is small. Conventionally, these machines generally consist of a filter mechanism such as a cloth or paper bag. Recently, a double cyclone type vertical vacuum cleaner has been developed.
These vertical machines use cyclone action or centrifugal force to separate entrained dirt from the intake air. Canadian Patent No.
As shown in 1,182,613, 1,238,869 and 1,241,158, the cyclone vacuum cleaner can utilize first and second cyclones connected in series. The first or outer cyclone is designed to remove relatively large and heavy dirt particles entrained in the intake air, and the second or inner cyclone is in the exhaust air from the first cyclone. Used to remove entrained relatively fine and light particles.

Vertical vacuum cleaners have the disadvantage that, in use, the operator must continuously move the entire machine. Therefore, the operator's fatigue increases. Also, the relatively large on-floor engagement requires caution when moving around furniture and other obstacles, and cannot be used to clean a limited space. Therefore, the hose assembly may be designed to be mounted so that the vertical vacuum cleaner can be used like a canister type vacuum cleaner.
However, this complicates the design and also requires the operator to carry the hose assembly. These problems are especially acute in a market environment where workers use the machine for hours at a time to clean a large area.

Another type of vacuum cleaner is a backpack-type vacuum cleaner. Examples of such machines are quarterbacks, megabacks, pocket backs, Optimus 1, line backers. These machines have an upper portion containing a filter bag or other filter media. The motor is located near the bottom of the vacuum cleaner below the filter means. The hose assembly is connected to the top of the machine and the intake air passes from the top of the machine through the filter means,
The motor is crossed and then ejected from the machine.

Carrying vacuum cleaners have been used in the market environment and therefore need to be carried by the operator for several hours at a time, and in some cases for one full turn. Due to the nature of conventional designs, these machines are heavy and uncomfortable and are therefore undesirable for extended use.

[0010]

The problem to be solved is that the vacuum cleaner has poor ergonomic characteristics.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cyclone-type backpack vacuum cleaner which is easy to operate and lightweight and has improved ergonomic characteristics.

[0012]

A cyclone type vacuum cleaner according to the present invention comprises a backpack, an upper casing attached to the backpack, a lower casing detachably attached to the upper casing, and at least a lower portion in the lower casing. At least one cyclone mounted in a state of being positioned, a motor disposed inside the upper casing at a position above the at least one cyclone, and an air flow path from the outside of the vacuum cleaner to the at least one cyclone. Air inflow means for providing an air flow path from the at least one cyclone to the outside of the vacuum cleaner, the motor entering and passing through the at least one cyclone and the at least one cyclone. Passing through the motor, over the motor, and out of the air outflow means. And wherein the generating the flow.

The vacuum cleaner of the present invention preferably has a continuous first cyclone and a second cyclone. Incoming air enters the first cyclone and passes from the outlet of the first cyclone to the inlet of the second cyclone. The air then exits the second cyclone and is preferably utilized to cool the motor located above the outlet of the second cyclone. The air inflow means may comprise an air inlet adapted to tangentially supply the dirt-containing air to the first cyclone to generate cyclone-like rotation of the dirt-containing air in the first cyclone. This air inlet may be located near the top of the first cyclone.

The lower casing may be constituted by the outer wall of the first cyclone, and the air inlet may be arranged above it. The lower casing may be of a shape having a substantially circular cross section, the lower casing may be rotatable relative to the upper casing and the air inlet may be located on either the right or left side of the vacuum cleaner. Thus, both right-handed workers and left-handed workers can easily use it.

The air outflow means may consist of an air outlet at the top of the casing. The air outlet may be arranged to direct the air flow away from the operator. Also,
The air outlet may be adapted to receive a hose and the vacuum cleaner can also be used as a blower. Alternatively, or in addition, the air outlet may be adapted to receive a filter such that 99% or more of the 0.3 micron sized particles are removed from the dirt-laden incoming air after passing through the filter. it can.

In contrast to conventional vacuum cleaners, the design of the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner with good ergonomic properties. The vacuum cleaner of the present invention is easy to operate and lightweight, so that the operator can carry it on his back for a long time. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, while maintaining a lightweight design,
It has an improved filtration mechanism.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention in a state in which a worker is carried on his back. 2 is a front perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 with a lower casing removed.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 3, taken along line 4-4. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the after filter shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a part of the cyclone filter means of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. FIG. 7 shows 7 of FIG.
It is sectional drawing which followed the -7 line.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 10 includes a backpack 12, an upper casing 14 and a lower casing 16, and is adapted to receive a hose assembly 18. The hose assembly 18 can be of any desired length, but is preferably designed to provide various replaceable cleaning heads as needed.

The backpack 12 may be of known design, and in this embodiment the backboard 20, two shoulder straps 22,
It has a waistband 24. A male buckle member 26 and a female buckle member 28 are fixed to both ends of the waist band 24. The back plate 20 is
It extends from near the top of the upper casing 14 to a position near the center of the lower casing 16. The back plate 20 has such a size and shape that it can be easily placed on the back of an operator. Shoulder belt
Each 22 is adjusted by known means so that the vacuum cleaner can be mounted at the appropriate height for each operator. Similarly, the waistband 24 is adjustable to fit around the waist of each worker.

In use, the operator can easily carry the vacuum cleaner on his back and adjust it to fit his body. At this time, the worker may fix the waist belt 24 by passing the arm through the shoulder strap 22 and inserting the male buckle member 26 into the female buckle member 28. The shoulder girdle and waist girdle are then adjusted to suit the operator.

The upper casing 14 has a substantially cylindrical side wall. Various means can be used to attach the upper casing to the backpack. As shown, two protrusions 30 extend outward from the vicinity of the front of the cylindrical casing 14. The back plate 20 may be fixed to these protrusions 30 by known means. As shown in FIG.
Are secured to these protrusions by a plurality of screws 32.

At any desired location on the upper casing 14,
The electrical cord 34 may be attached, but it has proven advantageous to attach the electrical cord 34 to one of the protrusions 30. Then, the electric cord can be arranged at a position where it does not hinder the movement of the hose assembly 18 and can be easily grasped by the operator. On-off switch 36 with operation code 38
Is attached to the upper casing 14. By using the operation code, the operator can easily turn on and off the vacuum cleaner while carrying the vacuum cleaner on his back. Also, like the electrical cord, the operating cord may be attached to any location on the vacuum cleaner, but it has been found advantageous to place the operating cord 38 on one side of the protrusion 30. Protrusion, if desired
30 may be equipped with an electrical outlet (not shown). Then, it is convenient when an exhaust head having an electric motor is attached to this vacuum cleaner.

An air outlet is provided near the top of the upper casing 14.
I have 40. As shown in FIG. 1, this air outlet 40
Are arranged and formed so that the air flow is directed away from the operator. The upper portion of the upper casing 14 comprises a slope 42 and a top surface 44. In the example shown, the air outlet is on the slope 42.
Although 40 is located, the air outlet may be located at another location on the ramp 42 or the top surface 44 by appropriate adaptation of the air outlet configuration.

The air outlet 40 is preferably connectable to a hose. Then, the vacuum cleaner can be turned into a blower, and the application of this vacuum cleaner is expanded.

By using a double cyclone in one vacuum cleaner, most particles can be removed from the entrained air containing relatively small particles. However, when used in a toxic environment or in a clean room, particle emissions from vacuum cleaners should be extremely low, eg, 99.99% for 0.3 micron particles. To meet this requirement, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be provided with an after filter.
The installation may be performed so that a filter can be arranged at the air outlet 40. This filter is preferably arranged outside the upper casing. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the after filter includes a conical bottom portion 100, a top portion 102, and a filter.
Consist of 104. The bottom 100 has a base 106 secured to the air outlet 40. Since pressure builds up in the filter, it is necessary to securely fix the filter to the air outlet 40. To removably secure the filter to the air outlet 40,
It is appropriate to use a plug mount 108. Filter 10
The size and shape of 4 vary depending on the particle emission standards set for various applications, but with an afterfilter, particles of 0.3 micron size can be removed from dirty intake air to 99.99
% Or more can be removed. As shown, the filter 104 is annular. The top 102 has a plurality of circumferentially-separated ventilation holes.
Has 110. In use, air enters through the base 106, reaches the center of the filter 104, passes through the filter 104, and exits the vent 110.

According to this aspect, an after filter can be easily added as needed. A high efficiency filter is used as the after filter, preferably a high air flow filter. Suitable filter materials include HEPA or ULPA brand filter media. This material is an expensive synthetic material. If a filter is placed behind the double cyclone, the exhaust air will be almost clean before it reaches the filter, and therefore the filter life will be considerably longer. The filter also acts to some extent as a silencer that reduces motor noise.

The lower casing 16 is removably attached to the upper casing 14 by known airtight sealing means. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of latches 46 are provided near the bottom of the upper casing 14. One latch may be provided on either side of the upper casing 14. Each latch 46
Each arm 48 has an arm 48 pivotally attached to the upper casing 14.
The end of is equipped with a hook 50. This hook engages the rim 52 of the lower casing 14. When the lower casing 16 is attached to the upper casing 14, it is hermetically sealed by the latch 46 and the rim 52, so that no pressure drop occurs in the cyclone chamber.

A receiving chamber is provided near the lower portion 66 of the lower casing 16.
Place 54. Furthermore, near the upper part of the lower casing 16,
Arrange the air inlet 56. This air inlet 56 is the lower casing
It is formed to supply dirt-containing air tangentially to the inner surface of 16. The air inlet 56 is also shaped to receive the hose assembly 18.

Since the air inlet 56 is located in the lower casing 16, by rotating the lower casing 16 relative to the upper casing 14 before engaging the latch 46, the air inlet 56 is
56 can easily be placed on the right or left side of the unit.
This adjustment allows both right-handed and left-handed workers to use this vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner comprises a cyclonic cleaning assembly. The cyclone assembly 60 is attached to the upper casing 16 such that at least its lower portion is located inside the lower casing 16. As shown in FIG. 3, substantially the entire cyclone assembly 60 is preferably located inside the lower casing 16. Cyclone assembly 60,
It may be of any cyclone design known in the art and comprises at least one cyclone. The cyclone assembly preferably comprises a series of first and second cyclone chambers, with two cyclones mounted coaxially as shown in FIG. 4 for compactness. In FIG. 4, 62 is a first cyclone chamber and 74 is a second cyclone chamber having an outer wall 65. Air enters the vacuum cleaner through air inlet 56. The dirt-containing air receives centrifugal force and rotates in the first cyclone chamber 62. Large and heavy dirt accumulates in the lower portion 66 of the lower casing 16. This air exits the first cyclone chamber via the first cyclone air outlet 68 and enters the passage 70. As shown in FIG. 3, the first cyclone air outlet 68 has a plurality of holes 69 through which the partially cleaned air passes. The passage 70 is an annular passage defined by the first cyclone air outlet 68 and the outer wall 65. The air passes through the passage 70 to the second air inlet 72. The second air inlet 72 imparts a tangential flow to the air and circulates the air in the cyclone pattern in the second cyclone chamber 74. The dirt particles are accumulated in the receiving chamber 54, and the cleaned air is exhausted from the second cyclone chamber through the second cyclone air outlet 76.

A motor 80 having an impeller or the like for generating an air flow is arranged inside the upper casing 14 above these cyclone chambers. Motor 80 in upper casing 14
Any known means of damping vibrations from the motor may be used to mount the mounting. As shown in FIG. 4, a plate 82 forming a part of the upper casing is arranged at the top of the cyclone chamber. This plate seals the cyclone chamber and prevents pressure drop. The second cyclone air outlet 76 is located in the center of this plate 82. A rubber gasket 84 is arranged above the plate 82, and the motor 80 is arranged on the rubber gasket 84. This gasket prevents air leakage between the motor and the cyclone air outlet 76 and acts as a buffer to dampen vibrations from the motor. A cap 86 is placed on top of the motor and a Z-shaped clamp 88 secures the entire assembly in place. The clamp 88 is fixed to the upper casing 14 by the lower screw post 90 and the upper screw post 92.

In use, an air flow is generated by the motor 80 and air is introduced from a cleaning head or hose attached to the air inlet 56 and passes through the air inlet 56. Then, the air passes through the first cyclone chamber 62, passes through the second cyclone air outlet 68 through the hole 69, reaches the second air inlet 72 through the passage 70, passes through the second cyclone chamber 74, It exits from the two cyclone air outlet 76, over the motor 80 and out of the air outlet 40.

[0034]

According to the above construction, several advantages can be obtained. First, by placing the motor on top of the vacuum cleaner, ergonomics is significantly improved. Surprisingly, it has been found that with this arrangement a very lightweight and comfortable vacuum cleaner is obtained for the operator. One of the reasons why this advantage is obtained is that the motor is provided on the top contrary to the conventional design. Due to the mass of the vacuum cleaner (motor) at the top, this unit is held more securely on the operator's back than if the motor was at the bottom,
Less shaking and less free movement. With this design, the motor is closer to the ears of the operator than in conventional designs. However, nevertheless, it has been surprisingly found that this design is relatively quiet and can be used for long periods without the use of expensive sound absorbing and sound insulating materials. As mentioned above,
By using a filter at the air outlet 40, the noise level can be further reduced. Further, by arranging the motor 80 directly above the second cyclone air outlet 76, clean air can be used to cool the motor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention with an operator carried on his back.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 with a lower casing removed.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the after filter shown in FIGS.

6 is an exploded view of a portion of the cyclone filter means of the vacuum cleaner of FIG.

7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Shoulder strap 14 Upper casing 16 Lower casing 40 Air outlet 56 Air inlet 60 Cyclone assembly 62 First cyclone chamber 68 First cyclone air outlet 70 Passage 72 Second air inlet 74 Second cyclone chamber 74 Second cyclone air outlet 80 Motor 104 filter

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Touch AI Tsui Canada L3M7 Earl3 Ontario St. Catharines Chancery Circle 12 (72) Inventor Donald Labute Canada L3C3C8ONTario Welland South Pelham Road 702

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A cyclone vacuum cleaner comprising: (a) a backpack, (b) an upper casing attached to the backpack, (c) a lower casing detachably attached to the upper casing, and (d) a lower portion. An at least one cyclone having an air outlet and at least the lower part being located inside the lower casing; (e) being located inside the upper casing at a position above the at least one cyclone. A motor for generating an air flow, (f) air inflow means for providing an air flow path from the outside of the vacuum cleaner to the at least one cyclone, and (g) the vacuum cleaner from the at least one cyclone. A cyclone type vacuum cleaner provided with air outflow means for providing an air flow path toward the outside of the vacuum cleaner. 2. The air inflow means comprises the at least one
An air inlet adapted to tangentially supply dirt-laden air to the one cyclone to generate a cyclonic rotation of the air within the at least one cyclone, the air inlet comprising the at least one The cyclone vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the cyclone vacuum cleaner is located near the top of one cyclone and is adapted to receive a hose assembly. 3. The cyclone vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the top of the lower casing is arranged near the top of the at least one cyclone, and the air inlet is provided in the lower casing. . 4. The lower casing has a shape with a substantially circular cross section, is constituted by an outer wall of the at least one cyclone, and the air inlet is provided for use by a right-handed or left-handed user. The cyclone type vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the lower casing can be attached to the upper casing in a state of being positioned on the right side or the left side of the backpack. 5. The cyclone type vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the motor is arranged in an air flow path extending from the at least one cyclone to the outside of the vacuum cleaner. 6. The cyclone type according to claim 5, wherein the motor is arranged above an air outlet from the at least one cyclone, and the air outflow means has an outlet at an upper portion of the upper casing. Vacuum cleaner. 7. The cyclone vacuum according to claim 6, wherein the air flowing out from the air outlet from the at least one cyclone cools the motor before passing through the outlet in the upper portion of the upper casing. Vacuum cleaner. 8. The cyclone vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein the outlet of the upper casing is arranged and formed so as to direct an air flow in a direction away from an operator. 9. The cyclone vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the outlet of the upper casing is adapted to receive a hose, and the vacuum cleaner can also be used as a blower. 10. The cyclone vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the outlet of the upper casing is adapted to receive a filter. 11. The cyclone type vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein a filter is arranged outside the upper casing above the outlet of the upper casing. 12. The at least one cyclone comprises:
The cyclone type vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, comprising a first cyclone and a second cyclone which are continuous with each other. 13. The cyclone type vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, wherein the first cyclone and the second cyclone are coaxially mounted in the vacuum cleaner. 14. The air outlet is an outlet from the second cyclone, and the motor is arranged in an air flow path extending from the outlet of the second cyclone to the outside of the vacuum cleaner. Item 13. A cyclone vacuum cleaner according to Item 13. 15. The backpack comprises a backboard having a lower portion, two shoulder straps each having first and second ends, and a waistband attached to the lower portion of the backboard, The cyclone vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the first end of each of the shoulder straps is attached to the back plate, and the second end of each of the shoulder straps is attached to the waist strap. . 16. A cyclone type vacuum cleaner comprising: (a) a backpack, (b) an upper casing attached to the backpack, (c) a lower casing detachably attached to the upper casing, and (d) a lower part. Coaxially arranged first and second cyclones having the second cyclone attached to the inside of the first cyclone, the second cyclone having a cyclone outlet, and at least the lower part of the lower cyclone. The two cyclones mounted in a state of being located at, the dirt-laden air entering the first outer cyclone, then the second inner cyclone, and then mounted to exit from the cyclone outlet. First and second cyclones, (e) a motor disposed inside the upper casing at a position above the two cyclones to generate an air flow, (f) front An air inlet arranged in the casing below, for supplying dirt-containing air tangentially to the outer cyclone to generate a cyclonic rotation of the air inside the outer cyclone, A cyclone vacuum cleaner, characterized in that it comprises an air inlet located near the top of the outer cyclone and adapted to receive a hose assembly, and (g) an air outlet provided in the upper casing. 17. The lower casing has a shape with a substantially circular cross section, is constituted by an outer wall of the first cyclone, and is provided with the air inlet so that the air inlet can be used by a right-handed or a left-handed user. 16. The lower casing can be attached to the upper casing in a state of being positioned on the right side or the left side of the tool.
Cyclone type vacuum cleaner described. 18. The motor is arranged between the cyclone outlet and the air outlet, and air flowing out from the outlet from the second cyclone cools the motor before passing through the air outlet. The cyclone type vacuum cleaner according to claim 17, which is characterized in that. 19. The cyclone vacuum cleaner according to claim 18, wherein a filter is arranged outside the upper casing above the outlet of the upper casing. 20. The backpack comprises a backboard having a lower portion, two shoulder straps each having first and second ends, and a waistband attached to the lower portion of the backboard, 19. The cyclone vacuum cleaner according to claim 18, wherein the first end of each of the shoulder straps is attached to the back plate, and the second end of each of the shoulder straps is attached to the waist strap. .