RU2330598C2 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: items of personal use and for household.

SUBSTANCE: vaccum cleaner is meant for cleaning surfaces and contains a body with the installation area and dust catching centre for separation of dust from the outer air set on the installation area and incorparating a handle and a locking device for fixation with possibility to disconnect the dust catching centre set on the installation area relative to the vacuum cleaner body. The locking device contains a locking element arranged with the possibility to switch between the position of connection and the position of release. In the position of connection, the locking element is interlocked with the connective channel arranged on the vacuum cleaner body, and in the position of release, the locking element is disconnected from the connective channel. At the outside of the dust catching centre there is a button cell to be pressed. A user can hold the handle only when the button cell is pressed. When a user holds the handle of the dust catching centre the button cell is pressed out from the primary position so that the locking element moves from the position of connection to the position of release, thus disconnecting the dust catching centre from the vaccum cleaner body.

EFFECT: increase usability of the vaccum cleaner due to the possibility of disconnection of the dust catching unit from the vacuum cleaner body and placing on the installation area of the body with one hand as a result of pressing the button cell and holding the handle in one hand movement.

9 cl, 5 dwg

Description

Cross reference to related applications

In accordance with §119 (a) of Section 35 of the US Code, the priority of this application is claimed on Korean Patent Application No. 2005-102617, filed October 28, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical field

This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface to be cleaned. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a locking assembly and configured to selectively install and detach a dust collecting assembly relative to a cleaner body.

Description of the prior art

Typically, a vacuum cleaner draws in contaminated air through a vacuum created by an engine mounted in a vacuum cleaner body, with the separation and collection of dust from the air in the vacuum cleaner body for the final discharge of collected dust. The vacuum cleaner uses the principle of cyclone to separate and collect dust. In such a vacuum cleaner, the dust collecting unit is detachably connected to the body of the vacuum cleaner. Korean Patent Document No. 2005-13693 (filed by LG Electronics Co., Ltd.) describes a vacuum cleaner in which a handle is pulled out to an upper part of the dust collecting unit, wherein a locking / unlocking device is provided to create a connection between the dust collecting unit and the cleaner body. In this vacuum cleaner, the user can disconnect the dust collecting unit from the vacuum cleaner body by introducing fingers of one hand into the grip area made at the handle attached to the upper part of the dust collecting unit and pressing the button on the vacuum cleaner body with the other hand to release and remove the dust collecting unit from vacuum cleaner housings.

However, in traditional vacuum cleaners, the user has to use both hands, as described above, to hold the dust collecting unit and the vacuum cleaner body, respectively. In other words, disconnecting such a dust collecting unit from the cleaner body is inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, it is proposed at least to solve the above problems and / or to eliminate the disadvantages, as well as obtaining at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner, improved in terms of user convenience, that allows the user to install and disconnect the dust collecting unit relative to the cleaner body with one hand.

To achieve the above-described aspects of the present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising a housing having a mounting portion; a dust collecting unit for separating dust from the outside air installed at the installation portion and comprising a handle and a locking assembly for fixing the dust collecting assembly installed at the installation portion relative to the cleaner body with a possibility of detachment; moreover, the locking unit contains a locking element configured to move between the connection position and the release position, and when in the connection position, the locking element is engaged with a connecting groove made on the vacuum cleaner body, and when in the release position, the locking element is disconnected from the connecting groove ; and a button element made on the outer surface of the dust collecting unit and intended for pressing operation, and when the user grips the handle of the dust collecting unit, the button element is squeezed out of its initial position, so that the locking element is moved from the connection position to the release position, thereby disconnecting the dust collecting unit from the vacuum cleaner body .

The locking unit further comprises a releasing element configured to move in association with the locking element, and a transmission element acting on the releasing element and the push-button element in relationship.

The transmission element converts the rotational movement of the button element into translational motion with its transmission to the releasing element. The transmission element, the locking element and the releasing element are made in one piece.

The button element comprises a partition extending from its one side with the possibility of pressing the transmission element during the rotational movement of the button element.

The vacuum cleaner further comprises a closing part mounted on an upper part of the dust collecting part for closing this upper part. The button element and the handle are located on the closing part opposite each other, and the button element is pivotally mounted on the closing part.

The locking assembly further comprises a spring for returning the button element to its original position when the user releases the handle.

The dust collecting unit comprises a dust collecting part for drawing in outside air, from which dust is separated therein by centrifugal method, and also for collecting the separated dust; and a closing part mounted on the upper part of the dust collecting unit for closing it, wherein the closing part on its upper side contains the indicated button element, and inside the specified releasing element, while the locking element is made integrally with each side of the releasing element.

The vacuum cleaner further comprises a gripping zone for introducing the user's fingers, made in the closing part, so that when the user enters the fingers into the gripping zone, the button element is pressed, thereby disconnecting the connection between the dust collecting unit and the cleaner body.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising a dust collecting unit with a handle, a housing and a vacuum source mounted in a vacuum cleaner body and generating a suction force, wherein when the handle is gripped, the dust collecting unit is separated from the vacuum cleaner body, and when the handle is released, the dust collecting unit is attached to vacuum cleaner body.

The dust collecting unit comprises a locking unit comprising a button element configured to rotate, and at least one locking element configured to translate during rotation of the button element.

The locking unit further comprises a transmission element that converts the rotational movement of the button element into translational motion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above aspect and other features of the present invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

figure 2 is a bottom view of the cover of the dust collecting unit shown in figure 1, with the button element not yet pressed, in a state in which the handle is not gripped by the user;

figure 3 is a section along the line III-III of the node shown in figure 2;

figure 4 illustrates a bottom view of the cover of the dust collecting unit shown in figure 1, with the pressed button element, in a state in which the handle is gripped by the user;

figure 5 is a section along the line V-V of the node shown in figure 4.

Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiments

The following is a detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the description below, the objects described in the description, for example, the detailed design and elements, are provided only to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is obvious that the present invention can be performed without these objects. In addition, a detailed description of known functions or constructions is not given, since the presence of excessive detail would make the invention unclear.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner, illustrating separately the dust collecting unit and the housing of the vacuum cleaner. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a cover portion disconnected from the dust collecting unit shown in FIG. Figure 3 is a section along the line III-III of the node shown in figure 2.

In accordance with figures 1-3, the vacuum cleaner comprises a housing 10, a dust collecting unit 40 and a locking unit 60.

A source (not shown) providing suction for drawing in outside air is installed in the rear of the vacuum cleaner body 10, and wheels 14 are mounted on both sides of the rear part to facilitate movement of the vacuum cleaner body 10. The front and upper parts of the housing 10 are open, thereby creating an installation portion 15 for accommodating the dust collecting unit 40, which is discussed below. Node 40 is detachably mounted in section 15 and for this purpose, a connecting groove 11 is made on each side of the upper part of section 15 for connecting and disconnecting relative to the locking element 21 made on the dust collecting unit 40. Additionally, a guide groove is made in the lower part of the front of the vacuum cleaner body 10 13, having a substantially square shape, to engage with the protrusion 25 of the node 40. The groove 13 helps to install the node 40 in the proper position in the housing 10 of the vacuum cleaner and firmly fixes the node 40 when it installation on the installation area 15 with the possibility of preventing shaking or disconnecting the node 40 from the housing 10 of the vacuum cleaner during carrying or operation of the vacuum cleaner.

In the case where the node 40 is attached to the body 10 of the vacuum cleaner, it draws in air from the outside, while separating and collecting dust from the outside air by centrifugal force. For this, the assembly 40 comprises a dust collecting part 30 and a closing part 20.

The dust collecting part 30 inside has a cyclone (not shown) for centrifugal separation of dust from the outside air and a dust collector (not shown) for accumulating dust separated by the cyclone. Despite the fact that in this embodiment, the cyclone type dust collector is shown as an example, the present invention can be used for other types of dust collector assemblies. In the lower part of the dust collecting part 30, a protrusion 25 is made, designed to interact with the guide groove 13 of the cleaner body 10.

The closing part 20 is mounted on the upper part of the dust collecting part 30 and is intended to close this upper part. A handle 20a and a button element 22 of the locking assembly 60 are formed on the upper side of the closing part 20. The handle 20a is attached to the closing part 20, and the button element 22 is located opposite the handle 20a, as shown in FIG. 5, so that the user can only grip the handle 20a when the pressed button element 22. In addition, the element 22 is rotatably mounted on a hinge 29. The locking unit 60 is mounted on the part 20.

1-3, the locking assembly 60 comprises a button element 22, a releasing element 26, a baffle 23, a locking element 21, a transmission element 24 and a spring 28. The button element 22 is located on the upper side of the closing part 20, while the other elements - 26, 23, 21, 24 and 28 are placed on the lower side 20-2 of the cover portion 20.

The button element 22 on each side includes a hinge 29 for rotation at a given angle. The button element 22 together with the handle 20a closes the grip zone 27 formed between the cover portion 20 and the dust collection part 30. In order to insert your fingers into the grip zone 27 a of the handle 20a, the user needs to press one side of the button element 22 with the rotation of the button element 22 and the opening of the capture zone 27 (see figure 5).

The release member 26 is mounted on the underside of the cover portion 20 to move in the directions shown by arrows F1 and F2 in FIG. 4. The release element 26 is spaced a certain distance from the button element 22. In this embodiment, the locking element 21 is integral with each side of the release element 26. However, the locking element 21 can be detachably mounted on the release element 26. As the releasing member 26 moves in the directions F1 and F2 (FIG. 4), the locking member 21 accordingly moves in the same directions. Since the release member 26 is mounted on the lower side 20-2 of the cover portion 20, it is not visible from the outside. A slot 51 is made on each side of the release member 26, into which a screw 50 is formed on the release member 26, and is capable of fixing the release member 26 and the cover portion 20 in a partially limited state.

The partition 23 extends downward from each side of the lower side 20-2 of the cover portion 20. Thus, the partition 23 is rotated when the button element 22 is rotated on the hinge 29 with the possibility of pressing the transmission element 24. In addition, to increase the strength, the partition 23 has an inverted T-shape to withstand the action of an external force that occurs during the rotation of the button element 22, while it can be made in one piece with the button element 22.

The locking element 21 extending from each side of the releasing element 26 in its lower part comprises a hook-shaped part 21a. The locking element 21, made in one piece with the releasing element 26, moves together with him. To install the dust collection unit 40, the locking element 21 is inserted into the connecting groove 11 made in the vacuum cleaner body 10, while the hook-shaped part 21a made in the lower part of the locking element 21 is fixed in the connecting groove 11 having a straightened U-shape. When separating the dust collecting unit 40 from the vacuum cleaner body 10, the locking element 21 is driven in the direction F1 (FIG. 3) to release the connection between the node 40 and the body 10.

In accordance with FIGS. 2 and 3, the transmission element 24 is located between the baffle 23 and the releasing element 26 inside the cover portion 20. According to this embodiment, the transmission element 24 is integrally formed with the releasing element 26. When the button element 22 is rotated, the baffle 23 is in rotation by pressing one side of the transmission element 24. As a result of this, the transmission element 24 moves the releasing element 26 in the direction F1.

In accordance with FIG. 2, the spring 28 biases the release member 26 at its lower end against the lower side of the cover portion 20. The other end of the spring 28 is attached to one side of the lower side 20-2 of the cover portion 20. By applying force to the button element 22 in the direction shown arrow F4, the releasing element 26 is driven in the direction F1 (figure 3), while the spring 28 is compressed. When the force exerted in the direction F4 is released, the releasing element 26 returns to its former position by the returning force of the spring 28, and accordingly, the button element 22 returns to its original position.

When the user grips the handle 20a to hold the dust collecting unit 40 and presses on one side of the button element 22, the latter is rotated by a predetermined angle in the direction F4. As a result of this, the baffle 23 protruding from the button element 22 moves the transmission element 24 to the back by a predetermined distance W. When the transmission element 24 is moved, the locking element 21 associated with the releasing element 26 is moved to the release position P2, since it is located in engagement with the connecting groove 11 of the housing 10 of the vacuum cleaner. In this case, the hook-shaped part 21a formed on the locking element 21 has a length, preferably equal to or greater than a predetermined distance W, to ensure engagement with the connecting groove 11 of the cleaner body 10. Thus, the dust collecting unit 40 can be separated from the cleaner body 10 by the action of the locking unit 60. In this case, the rotation of the button 22 causes the translational element 24 to move forward, because the latter is fixed in a partially restricted state by means of the closing part 20, while the screw 50 moves along the slot 51 made in the releasing element 24.

Meanwhile, when the button element 22 is pressed to disconnect the dust collecting unit 40 from the cleaner body 10, a grip area 27 open to the outside is formed between the cover portion 20 and the button element 22, so that the user is able to hold and raise the dust collecting unit 40 by inserting his fingers into zone 27. In a preferred case, for ease of use, zone 27 is made by the user.

When the pressure exerted on the button element 22 is released to release the connection between the dust collecting unit 40 and the vacuum cleaner body 10, a spring 28 mounted on one side of the releasing element 26 and the rear side of the lid 20 returns the button element 22 to its original position. In other words, when the button element 22 is pressed, the releasing element 26 is driven towards the back by compressing the spring 28. When the external force is removed from the button element 22, the latter, on the contrary, returns to its original position by the returning force of the compressed spring 28. In addition, the locking element 21 is set in motion in the connection position P1, thereby engaging the dust collecting unit 40 and the cleaner body 10.

The following is a description of the operation of installing and disconnecting the dust collecting unit 40 with respect to the cleaner body 10 with reference to FIGS. 1-5.

When the user installs the dust collecting unit 40 of the vacuum cleaner body 10, he presses the button element 22. At the same time, the user grabs the node 40 by inserting his fingers into the gripping zone 27 and inserts it into the installation portion 15 made on the vacuum cleaner body 10 in the direction of the arrow F. For direction node 40 in a proper position on the housing 10 of the vacuum cleaner on the node 40 is made protrusion 25 for the direction of the groove 13 made on the housing 10.

More specifically, when the user presses the button element 22, a partition made integrally with the button element 22 rotates on the hinge 29 by a predetermined angle in the direction F4. Therefore, the releasing member 26 coming into contact with the baffle 23 is driven in the direction F1. As a result, the releasing member 26 connected to the cleaner body 10 by a screw 50 inserted in the slot 51 is driven in the forward direction in the F1 direction along the slot 51.

Accordingly, the locking element 21 attached to both ends of the releasing element 26 is driven in the direction F1. As a result, when the user presses the button element 22, the locking element 21 is moved to the release position P2. When the user inserts the dust collecting unit 40 into the cleaner body 10 with the button element 22 pressed and releases the pressing force of the button element 22, the release element 26 is moved to the connecting position P1 by the return force of the spring 28 and accordingly the locking element 21 mounted on the release element 26, also moves to position P1 of the connection. At the same time, the transmission element 24 protruding from the releasing element 26 is moved in the direction F1, thereby pushing the partition 23 in the direction 23 so that the button element 22 returns to its original position.

The disconnection of the node 40 from the housing 10 of the vacuum cleaner is carried out by performing the above process in the reverse order.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the user can take the assembly 40 and install and disconnect it relative to the cleaner body 10 at the same time with one hand. Thus, the installation and disconnection of the node 40 can be facilitated in comparison with traditional devices for installing / disconnecting the dust collecting unit.

As follows from the above description of the vacuum cleaner in accordance with the indicated embodiment of the present invention, the capture zone 27 is formed by pressing the button element 22 made on the closing part 20, so that the dust collecting unit 40 can be lifted up and disconnected from the body 10 of the vacuum cleaner. The consequence of this is the ability to disconnect the node 40 with one hand.

In addition, since the capture zone 27 is formed only when the user intends to install or disconnect the node 40, it is possible to improve the appearance of the vacuum cleaner.

Although the invention is illustrated and described with reference to some variants of its implementation, specialists in the art will understand that it is possible to make various changes to the form and details, without going beyond the essence and scope of the invention defined in the attached claims.

Claims (9)

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising a housing having an installation portion; a dust collecting unit for separating dust from outside air, installed at the installation site and comprising a handle and a locking unit for fixing with the possibility of disconnecting the dust collecting unit installed at the installation site, relative to the cleaner body; moreover, the locking unit contains a locking element configured to move between the connection position and the release position, and when in the connection position, the locking element is engaged with a connecting groove made on the vacuum cleaner body, and when in the release position, the locking element is disconnected from the connecting groove ; and a button element formed on the outer surface of the dust collecting unit and intended for the pressing operation, wherein the user can only grip the handle when the button is pressed, while when the user grabs the handle of the dust collecting unit, the button element is depressed from its initial position, so that the locking element moves from the connection position in the release position with the disconnection, thereby, of the dust collecting unit from the cleaner body. 2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, in which the locking unit further comprises a releasing element configured to move in conjunction with the locking element, and a transmission element acting on the releasing element and the push-button element in relationship. 3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, in which the transmission element converts the rotational movement of the button element into translational motion with its transmission to the releasing element. 4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, in which the transmission element, the locking element and the releasing element are made in one piece. 5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, in which the button element contains a partition extending from its one side with the possibility of pressing the transmission element during the rotational movement of the button element. 6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, additionally containing a closing part mounted on the upper part of the dust collecting part to close this upper part, the button element and the handle located opposite each other on the closing part, and the button element pivotally mounted on the closing part. 7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, in which the locking unit further comprises a spring for returning the button element to its original position when the handle is released by the user. 8. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, in which the dust collecting unit comprises a dust collecting part for drawing in outside air, from which dust is separated therein by a centrifugal method, and also for collecting the separated dust; and a closing part mounted on the upper part of the dust collecting unit for closing it, wherein the closing part on its upper side contains the indicated button element, and inside the releasing element, the locking element being made integrally with each side of the releasing element. 9. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, further comprising a gripping zone for introducing the user's fingers, made in the closing part, so that when the user inserts the fingers into the gripping zone, the button element is pressed to disconnect, thereby connecting the dust collection unit and the cleaner body.

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