RU2323679C2 - Cyclon dust extracting device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: engines and pumps.

SUBSTANCE: cyclone device for extracting dust out of sucked in outer air and outlet of a cleaned air is designed for vacuum cleaner. The device consists of at least one the first cyclone case of a cylinder shape creating the first cyclone camera wherein outer air circulates, and at least one the second cyclone case creating the second cyclone camera wherein air discharged out of the first cyclone camera is forced to circulate for dust extraction. Outer air is sucked through a lower end of the first cyclone camera and discharged through an upper end of the first cyclone camera, while air discharged out of the first cyclone camera is sucked through an upper end of the second cyclone camera and is discharged through an upper end of the second cyclone camera. An inlet aperture for air suction into the first cyclone camera of the first cyclone runs through the lower end of the first cyclone case. The device comprises discharge pipe extending from the upper end of the first cyclone camera to the lower end of the first cyclone camera and partially installed inside the first cyclone camera, and pipe having the first outlet aperture for discharge of air cleaned in the first cyclone camera. The first aperture for the dust discharge, separated by the first cyclone camera, is located in the upper portion of the first cyclone camera on its upper periphery. Dust having passed through the first aperture for the dust discharge, is collected in the first dust collector. The first outlet aperture is situated lower than the first aperture for dust discharge.

EFFECT: reduces losses of suction force; eliminates collision of flows; reduces noise and increases efficiency of air cleaning.

22 cl, 7 dwg

Description

The priority of this application is claimed by provisional application for US patent No. 60/666143, filed March 29, 2005, and by provisional application for US patent No. 60/698387, filed June 12, 2005 with the US Patent and Trademark Office, as well as Korean Patent Application No. 2005-37406, filed May 4, 2005, and Korean Patent Application No. 2005-71976, filed August 5, 2005, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. In particular, the present invention relates to a cyclone dust separator installed in a vacuum cleaner and designed to separate dust from air drawn from a surface to be cleaned.

Description of the prior art

In conventional cyclone dust separators, impurities (hereinafter referred to as “dust”) are separated from the external air drawn in by using centrifugal force, and the separated dust is collected in a dust collector. Due to the advantages in service life and being more hygienic compared to the traditionally used dust bag, the cyclone dust separator has been widely used in vacuum cleaners recently.

A conventional cyclone dust separating device comprises a cylindrical cyclone chamber such that the drawn air rotates inside, as well as an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet is connected tangentially to the upper side wall of the cyclone chamber, so that air falling in rotation and rising back into the cyclone chamber is directed outward of the cyclone dust separator. However, in a conventional cyclone dust collecting device having the above-described structure, the air falling and rotating air inevitably collide with each other in the cyclone chamber, because both the air inlet and the air outlet are located in the upper part of the cyclone chamber, thus , degrading the dust separation efficiency of the cyclone dust collecting device.

In order to eliminate such a deterioration in dust separation efficiency, a multi-cyclone dust separating device has been developed which has been used in a vacuum cleaner. The multi-cyclone dust separating device has a first cyclone chamber for separating relatively coarser dust and a second cyclone chamber for separating relatively finer dust. In a conventional multi-cyclone dust separator, the first cyclone chamber is located in the center, while the second cyclone chambers are arranged in a circle around the first cyclone chamber.

However, since the air inlet and the air outlet of the first cyclone chamber in a traditional multi-cyclone dust separating device are both located in its upper part, there are restrictions on the location of the second chambers, since the second cyclone chambers must not obstruct the air inlet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to solve at least the above problems and / or disadvantages and provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cyclone dust separating apparatus capable of improving the cleaning efficiency by reducing the loss of suction power.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a cyclone dust separation device capable of improving design flexibility.

The above objectives are achieved by performing a cyclone dust separating device for separating dust from the external air drawn into it and releasing the separated dust. The cyclone dust separating device comprises at least one first cyclone body having a cylindrical shape and forming a first cyclone chamber in which external air rotates; and at least one second cyclone body forming a second cyclone chamber in which air discharged from the first cyclone chamber is rotated again to separate dust, the external air being drawn in through the lower end of the first cyclone chamber and discharged through the upper end of the first cyclone chamber, and air discharged from the first cyclone chamber is drawn in through the upper end of the second cyclone chamber and discharged through the upper end of the second cyclone chamber.

Preferably, the second cyclone bodies are arranged in a circle around the first cyclone chamber.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cyclone dust separating device may also comprise a first inlet extending through the lower end of the first cyclone body and for drawing air into the first cyclone chamber.

The cyclone dust separating device also includes an exhaust pipe extending from the upper end of the first cyclone chamber to the lower end of the first cyclone chamber for partial installation inside the first cyclone chamber and having a first outlet for discharging air cleaned by the first cyclone chamber; a first dust exhaust opening located in an upper part of the first cyclone chamber at its outer periphery and intended to discharge dust separated by a first cyclone chamber; and a first dust collector collecting dust discharged through the first dust discharge opening.

The cyclone dust separating device also includes a first connecting passage directing air discharged through the first outlet through branches to second inlets made at the upper ends of the respective second cyclone chambers; a second dust outlet formed at the lower ends of the respective second cyclone chambers; a second dust collector collecting dust discharged through the respective second dust exhaust openings; and a second connecting passage having a second outlet at its end, for directing air discharged from the respective second cyclone chambers.

The cyclone dust separating device also includes a third outlet connected to the other end of the second connecting passage, with the joint release of air discharged through the second outlet.

The cyclone dust separating device also comprises a main cyclone body having a cylindrical shape and incorporating a first cyclone body and a second cyclone body, the main cyclone body comprising a cylindrical inner wall surrounding the first cyclone body at a predetermined distance from it, and a cylindrical external wall surrounding the inner the wall at a predetermined distance from it, while the first dust collector is located between the first cyclone chamber and the inner wall, and the second dust collector is located n between the inner wall and the outer wall.

The corresponding second cyclone chambers are made in the form of an inverted cone with a diameter decreasing from the upper end to the lower end, and inclined so that a part of the side wall of each second cyclone body facing the outer wall of the main cyclone body is parallel to it.

The cyclone dust separating device may also include a cover element mounted at the upper end and having holes for attaching the second cyclone corresponding to the upper ends of the second cyclone bodies and designed to install the second cyclone bodies in the main cyclone body.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the cyclone dust separating device also comprises a bottom surface representing the bottom of the first cyclone body; and a first inlet, made through on the bottom surface, for directing air drawn externally into the first cyclone chamber.

The cyclone dust separating device also includes an upper overlap having a first outlet opening directing air discharged from the first cyclone chamber and installed in an upper part of the first cyclone body; a guide element made in the first cyclone chamber to cover part of the first inlet and partially made in the form of a spiral, so that the external air drawn through the first inlet rotates and is directed upward to the first outlet; a first dust exhaust opening formed in the upper portion of the outer periphery of the first cyclone chamber, located near the upper ceiling; and a first dust collector collecting dust discharged through the first dust discharge opening.

The upper floor includes an exhaust pipe protruding from it to the lower surface of the first cyclone chamber and having a first outlet at its lower end and a first outlet located lower than the first dust outlet.

The exhaust pipe is shaped like a skirt, expanding as it moves away from the first cyclone chamber, so that the radius of rotation of the air rising and rotating in the first cyclone chamber increases as it approaches the upper end of the first cyclone chamber.

The lower surface has a suction pipe protruding downward and corresponding in shape to the first inlet, and the suction pipe is inserted into the installation hole, which is made at the bottom of the dust collector in the vacuum cleaner and corresponds in shape to the suction pipe for installation with the possibility of removing the first cyclone body.

In the first outlet with a removable installed lattice element.

The cyclone dust separating device may also include a first connecting passage directing air discharged from the first outlet, with branching into second inlets made at the upper ends of the respective second cyclone chambers; a second dust exhaust opening formed in the lower ends of the respective second cyclone chambers; a second dust collector collecting dust discharged through the respective second dust exhaust openings; and a second connecting passage having a second outlet at its end for directing air discharged from the respective second cyclone chambers.

The cyclone dust separating device may also include a main cyclone body, comprising the first and second cyclone bodies and attached to the open upper ends of the first cyclone chamber and the second cyclone chambers; an intermediate cover containing a first connecting passage, the inlet of which is connected to the first outlet, and the outlet is connected to the second inlet, and a second connecting passage made in the form of a pipe and covering the open upper end of the main cyclone body; and a top cover having a third outlet, collectively discharging air discharged from the second outlet to the outside, and covering the upper part of the intermediate cover.

The main cyclone housing comprises a tubular inner wall surrounding the first cyclone housing at a predetermined distance from it, and a tubular outer wall surrounding the inner wall at a predetermined distance from it and connected to the intermediate cover with its upper end, wherein the first dust collector is located between the first cyclone chamber and the inner wall, and the second dust collector is located between the inner wall and the outer wall.

The corresponding second cyclone chambers are made in the form of an inverted cone with a diameter decreasing from the upper end to the lower end, and inclined so that a part of the side wall of each cyclone body facing the outer wall of the main cyclone body is parallel to it.

Preferably, the distance between the inner wall and the outer wall is substantially equal to the diameter of the second dust exhaust opening.

The main cyclone body also includes a lower cover that is removably mounted at the lower end of the outer wall and is designed to close the open lower ends of the first cyclone chamber, the inner wall and the outer wall.

Additionally, between the top cover and the intermediate cover, a filter element is installed with the possibility of removal, designed to further filter the air moving to the third outlet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other features of the invention will be more apparent and more likely appreciated from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

figure 1 schematically depicts a perspective view of a cyclone dust separation device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

figure 2 depicts in a perspective view of the cyclone dust separator device shown in figure 1, in disassembled form;

figure 3 depicts a sectional view of the device depicted in figure 1, along the line III-III;

figure 4 schematically depicts a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner that uses a cyclone dust separation device in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, in disassembled form;

5 is a schematic perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in which an exploded view of a cyclone dust separating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is used;

Fig.6 depicts in a perspective view of the cyclone dust separator device shown in Fig.5, in disassembled form; and

Fig.7 depicts a sectional view of the device depicted in Fig.5, to illustrate the operation of the cyclone dust separation device.

Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiments

Below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, some embodiments of the present invention are described.

In the following description, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, even in different drawings. The objects defined in the description, such as a detailed design and elements, are presented only to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is obvious that the present invention can be completed without defining these objects. Also, detailed descriptions of known functions and constructions are omitted, since they make it difficult to understand the invention by introducing non-essential details.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, it is seen that the cyclone dust separator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a first cyclone housing 120 defining a first cyclone chamber 121 for primary separation of relatively coarser dust from dusty air drawn in through the first inlet 122 , a covering element 130 and a second cyclone body 140 defining a second cyclone chamber 142 for secondary separation of relatively finer dust from air initially cleaned by the first cyclone measure 121. The device 100 comprises a main cyclone body 110 enclosing the first and second cyclone bodies 120 and 140.

The first cyclone body 120 is in the form of a cylinder, so that the first cyclone chamber 121 can effectively cause the air drawn in through the first inlet 122. The first inlet 122 is located at the lower end of the first cyclone chamber 121 and is in fluid communication with the suction port 103 (FIG. 4 ) on the lower surface of the brush 101 (figure 4). Since the first inlet 122 is tangentially directed with respect to the first cyclone chamber 121, air drawn in through the first inlet 122 is rotated in the first cyclone chamber 121. At the upper end of the first cyclone chamber 121, a first dust discharge port 123 is formed rings. Dust rises along the first wall 126 of the first cyclone chamber 121 and then is discharged through the first outlet 123 into the first dust collector 124.

An exhaust pipe 128 is located at the upper end of the first cyclone chamber 121. The lower end of the pipe 128 is partially inserted into the first cyclone chamber 121. The first outlet 125 is formed at the lower end of the exhaust pipe 128 and is designed to discharge air that is initially cleaned by the first cyclone chamber 121. The exhaust pipe 128 is long enough so that the first outlet 125 is lower than the first outlet 123. Since the first inlet 122 is located at the lower end of the first cyclone chamber 121, and the first e outlet 125 — at the upper end of the first cyclone chamber 121, air drawn in through the first inlet 122 rises and exits through the first outlet 125. Thus, a collision of the retracted air flow and the air flow discharged into the first cyclone chamber 121 can be prevented, thereby increasing the cleaning efficiency.

The first dust collector 124 is made between the first wall 126 and the second wall 112 of the first cyclone body 120 and is designed to collect dust discharged through the first exhaust port 123. The second dust collector 145 is in the form of a ring, surrounds the first dust collector 124 and is designed to collect relatively finer dust, separated in the second cyclone chamber 142. The main cyclone body 110 comprises a second wall 112 made in the form of a cylinder and surrounding the first cyclone body 120 at a predetermined distance from the first wall 126 of the first cyclone orpusa 120 and third wall 113 formed into a cylindrical shape and a surrounding second wall 112 at a predetermined distance therefrom. Here, the first dust collector 124 is located between the first wall 126 of the first cyclone body 120 and the second wall 112, and the second dust collector 145 is located between the second wall 112 and the third wall 113.

The cover element 130 has a central opening 131 into which the exhaust pipe 128 is inserted. The second cyclone mounting holes 132 are arranged in a circle around the cover element 130 and are designed to support the upper part of the second cyclone bodies 140 at their upper ends. The cover element 130 merely helps to connect the second cyclone bodies 140 within the cyclone main body 110. Thus, the cover element 130 can be neglected in accordance with the design.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second cyclone bodies 140 are arranged in a circle around the first cyclone body 120. The first connecting passage 141 directs the air, which is first cleaned by the first cyclone chamber 121, to the second cyclone chamber 142. The first connecting passage 141 is connected to the first output end the outlet 125 of the exhaust pipe 128, and the other end with a second inlet 143 made at the upper end of each second cyclone chamber 142. Since the second inlet 143 is connected to about the second cyclone chamber 142 tangentially, the air drawn in through the second inlet 143 can form a rotating air flow in the second cyclone chamber 142. For a flow connection between the first cyclone chamber 121 and the second cyclone chambers 142, the first connecting passage 141 is made in an amount corresponding to the number of second cyclone chambers 142. Thus, the first connecting passages 141 are made with branching from the first outlet 125. The corresponding first passages 141 are partially made in yoke helix as to generate a rotating air flow into the second cyclone chambers 142.

A second dust exhaust port 144 is located at the lower end of the second cyclone body 140 having an inverted cone shape. The dust separated in the second cyclone chamber 142 is discharged through the second dust exhaust port 144 into the second dust collector 145. The second connecting passage 161 directs the air being cleaned in the respective second cyclone chambers 142 and discharged to the outside. The corresponding second connecting passages 161 at one end have a second outlet 146, and at the other end are connected to a third outlet 162. The second connecting passage 161 is made in an amount corresponding to the number of second outlet openings 146 and converges to the third outlet 162. Third output the hole 162 is a passage for the final release from the device 100 of the air discharged through the second connecting passages 161. To this end, the third outlet 162 is flow-connected to the drive m 102 (4), which generates suction force.

The second cyclone bodies 140 are in the form of an inverted cone with a diameter decreasing from the upper end to the lower end. In addition, the second cyclone bodies 140 are arranged in a circle around the first cyclone body 120 at regular intervals. The second cyclone bodies 140 are inserted into the second dust collector 145 so that they are parallel to the first cyclone body 120. By such a parallel arrangement of the first and second cyclone bodies 120 and 140, the height of the device 100 can be reduced. Further, due to the arrangement of the first inlet 122 at the lower end of the first cyclone chamber 121, there are no restrictions on the number and arrangement of the second cyclone bodies 140. Thus, the dust separation efficiency can be increased by increasing the number of the second cyclone bodies 140.

The corresponding second cyclone bodies 140 are so limited that a portion 147 of the side wall of each second cyclone body 140 facing the outer wall 113 of the main cyclone body 110 is parallel to it. Additionally, the respective second cyclone bodies 140 are so limited that a portion 148 of the side wall of each second cyclone body 140 facing the second wall 112 is angled thereto. Since typically the first cyclone chamber 121 separates most of the dust and relatively coarser dust, preferably the first dust collector 124 has as much volume as possible. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the volume of the second dust collector 145 is reduced, while the volume of the first dust collector 124 is increased.

Below is described in more detail, with reference to figure 3, the operation of the cyclone dust separation device 100.

When the suction force is generated by the actuator 102 (FIG. 4), dusty air is drawn in through the suction hole 103 (FIG. 4) located on the lower surface of the brush 101. The dusty air is drawn into the first cyclone chamber 121 through the first inlet 122 and rises with rotation. In it, the dust rotates and rises along the first wall 126 of the first cyclone body 120 under the action of the centrifugal force of the rotating air flow. The dust raised by the rising air stream is discharged through the first dust exhaust port 123 and collected in the first dust collector 124. The cleaned air is discharged through the first exhaust port 125. As described above, the air drawn in through the first inlet 122 reaches the first outlet 146 by creating air flow in one direction, thereby preventing a collision between air flows moving in opposite directions. As a result, the loss of suction force is reduced, and the cleaning efficiency is improved.

Air discharged through the first outlet 125 is drawn into the second cyclone chambers 142 through the first connecting passage 141 and the second inlet 143. The drawn air is lowered as it rotates in the second cyclone chamber 142. At the same time, the dust is lowered along parts 147, 148 of the side wall of the second cyclone body 140, being involved in the falling air flow. Then, the dust is discharged through the second dust outlet 144 and collected in the second dust collector 145. The air cleaned by the second cyclone chamber 142 rises back to exit through the second outlet 146 and the second connecting passage 161.

Figure 4 schematically depicts an exploded perspective view of a vacuum cleaner using a cyclone dust separating device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, it is seen that a vacuum cleaner in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises a brush 101 having a suction passage 103 on the bottom surface, a housing 104 having a drive 102, a suction passage 105 and an exhaust passage 106 and a cyclone dust separator 100, installed with the possibility of removal on the mounting part 107 of the housing 104 of the vacuum cleaner.

An actuator 102 is located at the bottom of the cleaner body 104 and may include a suction motor to create a suction force. The suction brush 101 includes a suction port 103 for drawing dust from a surface to be cleaned by using the suction force generated by the drive 102. The suction passage 105 is located in the vacuum cleaner body 104, is fluidly connected to the suction port 103, and is connected at one end to the first inlet 122 of the cyclone dust separator device 100. The exhaust passage 106 is made in the housing 104 of the vacuum cleaner. One end of the exhaust passage 106 is connected to the actuator 102, while the other end extends to the mounting part 107 and is connected to the third outlet 162 of the cyclone dust separator 100, as shown in FIG.

The suction force created by the drive 102 installed in the above construction is transmitted sequentially through the exhaust passage 106, the cyclone dust separator 100 and the suction passage 105, and finally transmitted to the suction hole 103. The dust from the surface being cleaned is drawn in through the suction hole 103 due to the suction efforts. The retracted dust is transmitted through the suction passage 105, the dust separator 100, the exhaust passage 106 and the actuator 102 in the reverse order, and then is released to the outside. Although a vertical type vacuum cleaner has been illustrated as an example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the cyclone dust separator device of the present invention can be used in other types of vacuum cleaners, such as a balloon and handle type vacuum cleaner.

Figures 5-7 show a cyclone dust separating device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention and a vacuum cleaner comprising such a device. Described in detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a cyclone dust collecting device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that a vacuum cleaner 300 having a cyclone dust separating device 200 in accordance with the present embodiment includes a suction unit 350 for drawing dust from a surface to be cleaned and a housing 310 including a suction motor 360 for generating a suction force for drawing dust. The vacuum cleaner body 310 includes a suction passage 311 connected to the suction assembly 350, an exhaust passage 315 connected to the outside of the vacuum cleaner body 320, and a dust collector 320 located between the suction passage 111 and the exhaust passage 315, and to which the cyclone dust separator 200 is installed.

With reference to FIGS. 5-7, it can be seen that the cyclone dust separating device 200 according to the present embodiment comprises cyclone chambers. To this end, the cyclone dust separator 200 comprises a main cyclone body 210, an intermediate cover 270 connected to the upper end of the main cyclone body 210, and a top cover 250 connected to the upper end of the intermediate cover 270. The main cyclone body 210, the intermediate cover 270 and the upper cover 250 are interconnected by fastening screws (not shown) that are in cooperation with the fastening holes 211, 271 and 251, which are respectively provided therein.

The main cyclone body 210 comprises a first cyclone body 221, which is a first cyclone chamber 220, and second cyclone bodies 231, which is a second cyclone chamber 230.

The first cyclone chamber 220 separates the dust from the external air drawn in through the suction passage 311. For this, the first cyclone chamber 220 is formed inside the main cyclone body 210, and its shape is determined by the first cyclone body 221 having a tubular shape and installed inside the outer wall 212 of the main cyclone body 210, the upper overlap 224 and the lower surface 223. The upper end of the first cyclone chamber 220 is open through the first outlet 222. The first inlet 280 is made on the bottom surface 223 and pr Designed to direct air into the first cyclone chamber 220. In accordance with this design, air is drawn into the first cyclone chamber 220, sequentially passing through the suction unit 350 (FIG. 5), the suction passage 311 (FIG. 5), the dust collector 320 (FIG. 5 ) and the first inlet 280, and rises with rotation to the first outlet 222. As noted above, for the smooth rotation of air on the lower surface 223 made guide element 285 partially spiral shape surrounding the upper part of the first inlet 28 0, with an inclination upward, towards the outlet 286.

The first cyclone chamber 220 is connected to a first dust exhaust passage 225 formed in the upper part of its outer periphery. The first dust exhaust passage 225 in this embodiment is located between the upper end of the first cyclone body 221 and the upper floor 224 so that the first cyclone body 221 is separated from the upper floor 224 by a predetermined distance d1. In addition, the first passage 225 is connected to the first dust collector 228 surrounding the outer periphery of the first cyclone body 221. Here, the first dust collector 228 is bounded by the inner surface of the inner wall 229 of the main cyclone body 210 and the outer surface of the first cyclone body 221. The inner wall 229 has a cylindrical shape and located inside the outer wall 212 of the main cyclone body 210, surrounding the outer surface of the first cyclone body 221 at a predetermined distance. A first outlet 222 is formed at the end of the exhaust pipe 226 protruding downward at a predetermined distance d2 from the ceiling 224. The exhaust pipe 226 is long enough so that the first outlet 222 is lower than the first dust outlet 225. Using the exhaust pipe 226, the construction of which is described above, the rising rotating air flow in the first cyclone chamber 220 can be prevented from direct exhaust through the first outlet 222 upon reaching the upper end of the first cyclone chamber 220. Therefore, the amount of dust contained in the air discharged from the first cyclone chamber 220 may be reduced. The open upper end of the exhaust pipe 226 is flow-connected to a second inlet 233 of each of these second cyclone chambers 230 through a first connecting passage 232 of the intermediate cover 270 located at the upper end of the main cyclone body 210.

According to the present embodiment, a specially designed grating element 294 is also provided in the first outlet 222 for greater dust separation efficiency. The exhaust pipe 226, in accordance with the present invention, also has a skirt-like shape extending toward the upper end. Therefore, air rotating at the upper end of the first cyclone chamber 220 is directed to the first dust discharge passage 225, thereby increasing the dust separation efficiency.

The second cyclone chamber 230 separates the relatively finer dust D2, which is not yet separated by the first cyclone chamber 220. In other words, the second cyclone chamber 230 separates the dust D2, which is relatively less than dust D1, separated by the first cyclone chamber 220. To separate the dust in the manner described above , in the main cyclone body 210, second cyclone chambers are provided surrounding the first cyclone chamber 220 in a circle. Since the first inlet 280 connected to the first cyclone chamber 220 extends through the lower surface 223 of the first cyclone chamber 220, the second cyclone chambers 230 are made in an amount sufficient to completely surround the first cyclone chamber 220. Accordingly, the dust separation efficiency can be increased.

The second cyclone chambers 230 are made in the main cyclone body 210, respectively separated by the second cyclone bodies 231. The second cyclone bodies 231 are open at the upper end for connection, respectively, with the second inlet openings 233 and second outlet openings 235 made in the intermediate cover 270. In addition to of this, the second cyclone bodies 231 are in the form of an inverted cone having a second dust outlet 237 at the lower end, so that relatively finer dust D2 can be separated by lowering by rotating the air drawn in through the second inlet openings 233. A second dust discharge passage 237 is located at the top of the second dust collector 207 located between the inner surface of the outer wall 212 and the outer surface of the inner wall 229 of the main cyclone body 210. In this case, the size of the first dust collector 228 corresponds to the size of the second cyclone body 231. More specifically, as the diameter of the second cyclone body 231 increases, the second dust collector 207 expands, thereby reducing the size the first dust collector 228. In this way, reducing the capacity of the first dust collector 228 is inconvenient because the first dust collector 228 collecting more dust than the second collecting unit 207 needs to be emptied more often.

In order to solve the problem described above, the respective second cyclone bodies 231 are inclined so that a portion of the side wall of each of the second cyclone bodies 231 turned to the outer wall of the main cyclone body 210 is parallel to the outer wall 212 of the main cyclone body 210. In addition, the second input the hole 233 and the second outlet 235 formed in the intermediate cover 270 are respectively inclined. Therefore, the distance d3 between the outer wall 212 and the inner wall 229, which determines the size of the second dust collector 207, can be reduced to a value substantially equal to the inner diameter of the second outlet 235.

In the main cyclone body 210 in accordance with the present embodiment, the lower ends of the first and second dust collectors 228 and 207 can be selectively opened and closed by the bottom cover 240. For air tightness of the main cyclone body 210, the bottom cover 240 has connecting grooves 245, 244 and 243 having essentially the shape of the ring and made to ensure the placement of the lower ends, respectively, of the first cyclone body 221, the inner wall 229 and the outer wall 212. The bottom cover 240 is made in the form of an integral part with a suction t slaughter 241 surrounding the first inlet 280. The suction pipe 241 is inserted into a mounting hole 325 formed in the bottom surface 321 of the dust collector 320. Therefore, the cyclone dust separator 200 can be installed correctly when the suction passage 111 and the first inlet 280 are connected to each other by attaching a cyclone dust separator 200. Also, at the same time, the suction passage 111 and the first inlet 280 can be connected without causing air leakage.

The following describes the operation of the cyclone dust separator 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the air drawn in through the suction unit 350 passes through the suction passage 311, the mounting hole 325 and the first inlet 280, and then is drawn into the first cyclone chamber 220 through its lower end. The air drawn into the chamber 220 rises along the inner surface of the first cyclone body 221 to rotate toward the first outlet 222. When the air drawn in reaches the upper end of the first cyclone chamber 220 adjacent to the first dust outlet 225, the relatively larger dust D1 is separated from drawn in air by centrifugal force. When lowering back and passing through the grating element 294, the dust is further separated from the air, from which the larger dust D1 is already separated. The air then branches out and is drawn into the respective second cyclone chambers 230 after passing through the first outlet 222, the first connecting passage 232 and the second inlet 233 sequentially. The air drawn into the corresponding second cyclone chambers 230 is rotationally lowered along the inner surface of the second cyclone bodies 231. During this, dust D2, relatively finer than dust D1 separated in the first cyclone chamber 220, is separated and collected in the second dust collector 207 through the second hole 237 to release dust. The air, from which finer dust D2 is separated, rises back and is discharged from the second cyclone chambers 230 through the second outlet 235. The exhaust air passes through the space formed between the top cover 250 and the intermediate cover 270, and is discharged into the exhaust passage 315 through the exhaust pipe 290 for air, which is the third outlet made at one side of the top cover 250.

According to the present embodiment, the cyclone dust separator 200 also includes a filter element 295 located between the top cover 250 and the intermediate cover 270, for finally filtering the air discharged through the air exhaust pipe 290. The filter element 295 is held by a support rib 252 formed in the upper cover 250 and the upper surface of the intermediate cover 270. According to this design, as the air is drawn into the cyclone dust separator 200, it passes through the first cyclone chamber 220, the grating element 294, the second cyclone chamber 230 and the filter element 295, the dust can be separated in stages.

In accordance with the above description, the inlet opening directing air into the first cyclone chamber and the outlet opening directing air discharged from the first cyclone chamber are located at a certain distance from each other, i.e., respectively, at the upper and lower end of the first cyclone chamber . Therefore, a collision between rising air and falling air can be minimized, thereby limiting the loss of suction force of the cyclone dust separator.

In addition, since air is drawn into the first cyclone chamber through the lower end of the lower surface, the design of other cyclone chambers, such as the second cyclone chambers, becomes flexible, thereby contributing to a reduction in the size of the cyclone dust separator.

In addition, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, dust separation efficiency can be further enhanced by multi-stage dust separation by cyclone chambers, a specially designed grid element and a filter element.

Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to some variants of its implementation, the specialist in this field will be clear that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the essence and scope of the invention, as defined in the attached claims.

Claims (26)

1. A cyclone dust separating device for separating dust from the external air drawn into it and discharging purified air, comprising at least one first cyclone body having a cylindrical shape and forming a first cyclone chamber in which external air rotates; and at least one second cyclone body forming a second cyclone chamber in which air discharged from the first cyclone chamber is rotated again to separate dust, the external air being drawn in through the lower end of the first cyclone chamber and discharged through the upper end of the first cyclone chamber, and air discharged from the first cyclone chamber is drawn in through the upper end of the second cyclone chamber and discharged through the upper end of the second cyclone chamber. 2. The cyclone dust separating device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one second cyclone body comprises second cyclone bodies arranged in a circle around the first cyclone chamber. 3. The cyclone dust separator according to claim 2, further comprising a first inlet extending through the lower end of the first cyclone body and for drawing air into the first cyclone chamber. 4. The cyclone dust separating device according to claim 3, further comprising an exhaust pipe extending from the upper end of the first cyclone chamber to the lower end of the first cyclone chamber with partial installation inside the first cyclone chamber and having a first outlet for discharging air cleaned by the first cyclone chamber; a first dust exhaust opening located in an upper part of the first cyclone chamber at its outer periphery and intended to discharge dust separated by a first cyclone chamber; a first dust collector collecting dust discharged through the first dust exhaust opening, said first exhaust opening being lower than the first dust exhaust opening. 5. The cyclone dust separating device according to claim 4, further comprising a first connecting passage directing air discharged through the first outlet, branching into second inlets made at the upper ends of the respective second cyclone chambers; a second dust outlet formed at the lower ends of the respective second cyclone chambers; a second dust collector collecting dust discharged through the respective second dust exhaust openings; a second connecting passage having a second outlet at its end, for directing air discharged from the respective second cyclone chambers. 6. The cyclone dust separating device according to claim 5, further comprising a third outlet connected to the other end of the second connecting passage for jointly discharging air discharged through the second outlet. 7. The cyclone dust separating device according to claim 5, further comprising a main cyclone body having a cylindrical shape comprising a first cyclone body and a second cyclone body, the main cyclone body comprising a cylindrical inner wall surrounding the first cyclone body at a predetermined distance from it, and a cylindrical outer wall surrounding the inner wall at a predetermined distance from it, while the first dust collector is located between the first cyclone chamber and the inner wall, and the second dust the collector is located between the inner wall and the outer wall. 8. The cyclone dust separating device according to claim 7, in which each of the second cyclone chambers is made in the form of an inverted cone with a diameter decreasing from the upper end to the lower end, and inclined so that a part of the side wall of each second cyclone body facing the outer the wall of the main cyclone body, is parallel to the outer wall of the main cyclone body. 9. The cyclone dust separating device according to claim 8, further comprising a cover element mounted at the upper end and having holes for attaching a second cyclone corresponding to the upper ends of the second cyclone bodies and designed to install the second cyclone bodies in the main cyclone body. 10. The cyclone dust separating device according to claim 2, further comprising a lower surface forming the bottom of the first cyclone body, and a first inlet made through-through on the lower surface, for directing air drawn externally into the first cyclone chamber. 11. The cyclone dust separating device according to claim 10, further comprising an upper ceiling having a first exhaust outlet directing air discharged from the first cyclone chamber and mounted on top of the first cyclone body; a guide element made in the first cyclone chamber to provide a coating on the upper part of the first inlet and partially made in the form of a spiral, so that the external air drawn through the first inlet rotates and is directed upward to the first outlet; a first dust exhaust opening formed in the upper portion of the outer periphery of the first cyclone chamber, located near the upper ceiling; a first dust collector collecting dust discharged through the first dust discharge opening. 12. The cyclone dust separating device according to claim 11, in which the upper ceiling contains an exhaust pipe protruding from it to the lower surface of the first cyclone chamber and having a first outlet at its lower end, the first outlet being lower than the first dust outlet . 13. The cyclone dust collecting device according to claim 12, wherein the exhaust pipe has a shape similar to a skirt, expanding as it moves away from the first cyclone chamber, so that the radius of rotation of the air rising and rotating in the first cyclone chamber increases as it approaches the upper end first cyclone chamber. 14. The cyclone dust separating device according to item 12, in which the lower surface has a suction pipe protruding downward and corresponding in shape to the first inlet, and the suction pipe is inserted into the installation hole, which is made at the bottom of the dust collector in the vacuum cleaner and corresponds in shape to the suction pipe for installation with the ability to remove the first cyclone body. 15. The cyclone dust separating device according to item 12, further containing a lattice element mounted with the possibility of removal in the first outlet. 16. The cyclone dust separator according to claim 12, further comprising a first connecting passage directing air discharged through the first bypass hole, branching into second inlet openings formed at the upper ends of the respective second cyclone chambers; a second dust exhaust opening formed at the lower ends of the respective second cyclone chambers; a second dust collector collecting dust discharged through the respective second dust exhaust openings; a second connecting passage having a second outlet at its end, for directing air discharged from the respective second cyclone chambers. 17. The cyclone dust separating device according to clause 16, further comprising a main cyclone body comprising first and second cyclone bodies and having a first cyclone chamber and second cyclone chambers, respectively, having open upper ends; an intermediate cover containing a first connecting passage, the inlet of which is connected to the first outlet, and the outlet is connected to the second inlet, and a second connecting passage made in the form of a pipe and covering the open upper end of the main cyclone body; a top cover having a third outlet, jointly releasing air discharged from the second outlet to the outside and covering the upper part of the intermediate cover. 18. The cyclone dust separating device according to 17, in which the main cyclone body comprises a tubular inner wall surrounding the first cyclone body at a given distance from it, and a tubular outer wall surrounding the inner wall at a given distance from it and connected to the intermediate cover by its upper the end, while the first dust collector is located between the first cyclone chamber and the inner wall, and the second dust collector is located between the inner wall and the outer wall. 19. The cyclone dust separator according to claim 18, in which each of the second cyclone chambers is made in the form of an inverted cone with a diameter decreasing from the upper end to the lower end, and inclined so that a part of the side wall of each second cyclone body facing the outer wall the main cyclone body, located parallel to the outer wall of the main cyclone body. 20. The cyclone dust separating device according to claim 18, wherein the distance between the inner wall and the outer wall is substantially equal to the diameter of the second dust exhaust opening. 21. The cyclone dust separating device according to claim 18, wherein the main cyclone body further comprises a lower cover that is removably mounted on the lower end of the outer wall and designed to close the open lower ends of the first cyclone chamber, the inner wall and the outer wall. 22. The cyclone dust separator according to claim 17, further comprising a filter element mounted with a possibility of removal between the upper cover and the intermediate cover for further filtering the air moving to the third outlet. Priority on points: 03/29/2005 - claims 1, 2, 3, 16; 05/04/2005 - pp.6, 9; 07/12/2005 - pp.15, 22; 08/05/2005 - pp. 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.

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