WO2009154371A2

WO2009154371A2 - Filter assembly and vacuum cleaner having the same

Info

Publication number: WO2009154371A2
Application number: PCT/KR2009/003089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jang-Keun Oh; Jung-Gyun Han; Seung-Yong Cha
Original assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2008-06-19
Filing date: 2009-06-09
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Also published as: WO2009154371A3; KR101476163B1; KR20090131893A

Abstract

A filter assembly and a vacuum cleaner having the same are provided. The filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner, which is detachably mounted in a cleaner body including a vacuum source which generates a suction force and a dust separator which is detachable therefrom, includes a filter which filters dust remaining in air discharged from the dust separator, a filter housing which receives the filter, and includes a supporting portion which contacts and supports one surface of the dust separator when the dust separator is mounted in the cleaner body, and a handle which is formed in the filter housing so as to be disposed inside the supporting portion.

Description

FILTER ASSEMBLY AND VACUUM CLEANER HAVING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a filter assembly and a vacuum cleaner having the same.

Vacuum cleaners draw in and collect dust and contaminants from a surface being cleaned using a suction force generated by a vacuum source mounted in a cleaner body. In the past, vacuum cleaners which separated dust from dust-laden air using a dust bag were generally used, but these days vacuum cleaners using a cyclone system by which dust is separated using a centrifugal force have become widespread.

In such a cyclone vacuum cleaner, a vacuum source which generates a suction force is provided, and a dust separator which separates dust from dust-laden drawn into the vacuum cleaner and collects the dust is detachably mounted. After dust is separated from the air and collected, the air is discharged from the dust separator and is sucked into the vacuum source. A filter assembly may be detachably mounted in the cleaner body to face a surface of the dust separator from which the air is discharged in order to filter remaining fine dust from the air before the air discharged from the dust separator is sucked into the vacuum source.

As the vacuum cleaner is used over a period of time, dust collected in the dust separator and fine dust filtered by the filter assembly build up. Accordingly, a user must periodically clean the collected dust by separating the dust separator from the cleaner body, and beat the dust out of the filter in the filter assembly or replace the filter with a new one.

In order to beat the dust out of the filter or replace the filter, the user must separate the dust separator, which covers one side of the filter assembly, from the cleaner body, and additionally separate the filter assembly from the cleaner body.

However, the filter assembly is generally mounted in the cleaner body so that only the side facing the dust separator is exposed externally. Accordingly, even when the dust separator is separated from the cleaner body, it may be difficult for the user to be aware of the presence of the filter assembly or of the possibility of separating the filter assembly from the cleaner body. In this case, the user may continue to use the vacuum cleaner without cleaning or replacing the filter, so the filter becomes blocked and thus a loss of the suction force occurs.

Furthermore, if the filter assembly is mounted in a depressed space of the cleaner body, it is not easy for the user to pull the filter assembly out of the cleaner body since the filter assembly is difficult to grasp.

The present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a filter assembly, the presence and detachability of which can easily be recognized by a user and which can easily be separated from a cleaner body, and a vacuum cleaner having the same.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the a filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner, which is detachably mounted in a cleaner body including a vacuum source which generates a suction force and a dust separator which is detachable, the filter assembly includes a filter which filters dust remaining in air discharged from the dust separator, a filter housing which receives the filter, and includes a supporting portion which contacts and supports one surface of the dust separator when the dust separator is mounted in the cleaner body, and a handle which is formed in the filter housing so as to be disposed inside the supporting portion.

In an exemplary implementation, the handle may be formed in the filter housing to rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the supporting portion.

In an exemplary implementation, the rotation axis of the handle may be perpendicular to a direction in which the dust separator is moved so as to be mounted in the cleaner body.

In an exemplary implementation, the handle may rotate between a first position, in which the handle is parallel to the supporting portion, and a second position, in which the handle is slanted with respect to the supporting portion.

In an exemplary implementation, the filter assembly may further include an elastic member which provides a force to the handle so that the handle can move from the first position to the second position.

In an exemplary implementation, a rotation restriction protrusion may be formed on one end of the handle, and a rotation restriction wall may be formed in the housing to block the rotation restriction protrusion when the handle is in the second position.

In an exemplary implementation, the filter housing may include an opening which has a shape corresponding to the shape of the filter and faces the dust separator.

In an exemplary implementation, a notice advising a user to check the state of the filter may be written on one surface of the handle, or a label with such a notice may be attached to the one surface of the handle.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner which includes a cleaner body including a vacuum source which generates a suction force, a dust separator which is detachable, and a filter assembly which is detachable, and a suction nozzle which draws in dust-laden air from a surface being cleaned using the suction force, wherein the filter assembly includes a filter which filters dust remaining in air discharged from the dust separator, a filter housing which receives the filter, and includes a supporting portion which contacts and supports one surface of the dust separator when the dust separator is mounted in the cleaner body, and a handle which is formed in the filter housing so as to be disposed inside the supporting portion.

In an exemplary implementation, the filter assembly may be disposed under the dust separator.

In an exemplary implementation, the vacuum cleaner may further include an elastic member which provides a force to the handle so that the handle can move from the first position to the second position.

In an exemplary implementation, the filter housing may include an opening which has a shape corresponding to the shape of the filter and face the dust separator.

In an exemplary implementation, a notice advising a user to check the state of the filter may be written on one surface of the handle or a label with such a notice may be attached to the one surface of the handle.

In an exemplary implementation, the dust separator may separate dust from the dust-laden air using a centrifugal force.

A user can easily realize the presence and detachability of the filter assembly based on the handle of the filter assembly, the notice written on the handle, and the upper surface of the exposed filter.

In addition, since the filter assembly does not have a cover, the user can estimate the quantity of the dust filtered by the filter without separating the filter assembly from the cleaner body.

Moreover, when the user desires to repair or replace the filter in the filter assembly, the user can easily separate the filter assembly from the cleaner body using the handle installed in the filter housing.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a filter assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the filter assembly which is cut along line III-III shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a dust separator and a filter assembly when the dust separator is mounted in a cleaner body;

FIG. 5 illustrates a dust separator and a filter assembly when the dust separator is being separated from a cleaner body;

FIG. 6 illustrates a dust separator and a filter assembly when the dust separator is completely separated from a cleaner body; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views illustrating filter assemblies according to other exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features and structures.

The matters defined in the description such as a detailed construction and elements are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner 1 includes a cleaner body 2, a connection unit 3, and a suction nozzle 4.

The cleaner body 2 includes a vacuum source (not shown) such as a suction motor, which generates a suction force. The suction nozzle 4 draws in dust-laden air from a surface being cleaned, moving in contact with the surface. The connection unit 3 connects the cleaner body 2 to the suction nozzle 4, and guides the dust-laden air drawn in by the suction nozzle 4 to the cleaner body 2. The connection unit 3 includes a handle part 5 which is gripped by a user, a suction hose 6 which connects the handle part 5 to the cleaner body 2 and which is elastically formed, and an extension pipe part 7 which connects the handle part 5 to the suction nozzle 4.

Vacuum cleaners having the above structure in which the cleaner body 2 and the suction nozzle 4 are connected using the connection unit 3 are generally referred to as canister vacuum cleaners. However, the present invention can also be applied to upright vacuum cleaners, in which a cleaner body is integrally formed with a suction nozzle.

The cleaner body 2 includes a mounting space S, which has a shape corresponding to the dust separator 8, so that the dust separator 8 can be fitted into the mounting space S. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mounting space S is formed in a roughly cylindrical shape corresponding to the cylindrical shape of the dust separator 8.

The dust separator 8 is detachably formed in such a mounting space S. The user can attach the dust separator 8 to or detach the dust separator from the cleaner body 2 using a handle 8a formed on a side of the dust separator 8. During a cleaning operation, the dust separator 8 is mounted in the mounting space S of the cleaner body 2, and if it is necessary to repair the dust separator 8, the dust separator 8 is separated from the cleaner body 2.

The dust separator 8 receives dust-laden air drawn in through the suction nozzle 4 using the suction hose 6, and separates dust from the air using a centrifugal force. The dust separator 8 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention separates dust from the air using such a cyclone system. Such a dust separator 8 includes a dust collecting chamber (not shown) which collects the dust separated from the dust-laden air.

The cleaner body 2 includes a filter assembly 9 under the dust separator 8. In order to receive the filter assembly 9, the cleaner body 2 includes a receiving groove (not shown) having a shape corresponding to the filter assembly 9 under the mounting space S of the dust separator 8. Accordingly, when the dust separator 8 is mounted in the cleaner body 2, a lower surface 8b of the dust separator 8 is placed on an upper surface of the filter assembly 9.

The filter assembly 9 filters remaining dust in the air discharged from the dust separator 8 after most of the dust is separated, and is also detachably mounted in the cleaner body 2.

The structure of the filter assembly 9 is described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the filter assembly shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly cut along line III-III shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the filter assembly 9 includes a filter housing 10, a filter 20, and a handle 30.

The filter housing 10 is detachably mounted in the receiving groove (not shown) formed in the cleaner body 2. A supporting portion 11 is formed on an upper end of the filter housing 10 to contact and support the lower surface 8b (See FIG. 1) of the dust separator 8 when the dust separator 8 is mounted in the cleaner body 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, an opening 13 is formed on the upper part of the filter housing 10 to correspond to the shape of the filter 20. There is no need to cover the inside of the filter housing 10. Accordingly, since there is no cover on the upper part of the filter housing 10, the user can easily attach the filter 20 to or detach the filter 20 from the filter housing 10 through the opening 13. When the dust separator 8 is separated from the cleaner body 2, the user can observe the state of the filter 20 through the opening 13 without separating the filter assembly 9 from the cleaner body 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the rotation restriction wall 12 is formed in the filter housing 10 to restrict the rotation angle of the handle 30. When the handle 30 rotates counterclockwise (with reference to FIG. 3) and reaches a predetermined angle with respect to the filter housing 10, the rotation restriction wall 12 blocks a rotation restriction protrusion 33 formed on one end of the handle 30 so that the rotation of the handle 30 can be restricted.

A plurality of air discharge holes 14 are formed on a lower surface of the filter housing 10 so that the filter assembly 9 may be in fluid communication with the vacuum source in the cleaner body 2. Air in which the remaining dust is filtered by the filter 20 is discharged from the filter assembly 9 through the air discharge holes 14 and sucked into the vacuum source in the cleaner body 2.

The filter 20 is mounted in the filter housing 10 to filter dust remaining in the air discharged from the dust separator 8. The filter 20 may be a sponge filter or a microfilter, or be made of two or more different types of filters which are disposed in layers.

Using the handle 30, the user can easily lift and pull out the filter assembly 9 mounted in the receiving groove of the cleaner body 2. The handle 30 is installed in the filter housing 10 rotatably with respect to the rotation axis X-X' (See FIG. 2). The filter includes an shaft member 32 which is fixed in the filter housing 10. The axis of the shaft member 32 is the same as the rotation axis X-X', and the rotation axis X-X' is disposed parallel to the supporting portion 11 of the filter housing 10, and is disposed perpendicular to the direction in which the dust separator 8 is attached to or detached from the cleaner body 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, an elastic member 40 is formed on the shaft member 32 of the handle 30 to provide the handle 30 with a counterclockwise rotation force. Accordingly, if the cleaner body 8 which is mounted on the supporting portion 11 of the filter assembly 9 so that the rotation of the handle 30 is restricted is separated from the cleaner body 2, the handle 30 automatically rotates counterclockwise using the force provided by the elastic member 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the rotation restriction protrusion 33 is formed on one end of the handle 30. If the handle 30 reaches a predetermined angle with respect to the supporting portion 11, the rotation restriction protrusion 33 is blocked by the rotation restriction wall 12 so that the handle 30 cannot rotate and instead maintains the predetermined angle with respect to the supporting portion 11.

On one surface 31 of the handle 30, a notice informing the user that the filter 20 in the filter assembly 9 can be cleaned or replaced may be written, or a label with such a notice may be attached.

The operation of the filter assembly 9 is described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

FIG. 4 illustrates the dust separator 8 and the filter assembly 9 when the dust separator 8 is mounted in the cleaner body 2, FIG. 5 illustrates the dust separator 8 and the filter assembly 9 when the dust separator 8 is being separated from the cleaner body 2, and FIG. 6 illustrates the dust separator 8 and the filter assembly 9 after the dust separator 8 is completely separated from the cleaner body 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, while the vacuum cleaner 1 is cleaning a surface, the lower surface 8b of the dust separator 8 is placed on the supporting portion 11 of the filter assembly 9 so that the handle 30 is prevented from rotation by the lower surface 8b of the dust separator 8 and thus is substantially parallel to the supporting portion 11 (a first position).

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in order to separate the dust separator 8 from the cleaner body 2, the user pulls the handle 8a of the dust separator 8 in direction A, which is substantially parallel to the supporting portion 11 of the filter assembly 10. Consequently, the dust separator 8 is separated from the cleaner body 2, and thereby the handle 30 of the filter assembly 30 rotates in direction B, that is, counterclockwise using the force of the elastic member 40 as shown in FIG. 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, if the handle 30 rotates to reach an angle of θ(a second position) with respect to the supporting portion 11, the rotation restriction protrusion 33 on the one end of the handle 30 is blocked by the rotation restriction wall 12. Accordingly, if the dust separator 8 is separated from the cleaner body 2, the handle 30 maintains the predetermined angle θ with respect to the supporting portion 11, that is, the handle 30 remains in the slanted or stand-up state.

The stand-up handle 30 as in FIG. 6 may easily draw the attention of the user. Although the user may not be aware that the filter assembly 9 is mounted in the cleaner body 2, the stand-up handle 30 indicates this. In addition, since a notice informing the user that the filter 20 in the filter assembly 9 can be cleaned or replaced may be written on the one surface 31 of the handle 30 or a label with such a notice may be attached to the one surface 31 of the handle 30, the user can more easily realize that the handle 30 is for cleaning or replacing the filter 20.

Furthermore, if the dust separator 8 is separated from the cleaner body 2, the user can watch the entire upper surface of the filter 20 through the opening 13 (See FIG. 3) on the filter housing 10 without separating the filter assembly 9 from the cleaner body 2. Therefore, the user can easily be aware of the presence of the filter 20 and observe the state of the filter 20 even when the filter assembly 9 is mounted in the filter housing 10.

When the filter 20 needs to be repaired or replaced, the user holds the handle 30 and easily separates the filter assembly 9 from the cleaner body 2. Subsequently, the user easily separates the filter 20 from the filter housing 10 through the opening 13 on the upper part of the filter housing 10.

Hereinbelow, filter assemblies according to other exemplary embodiments are described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

The respective filter assembly 9' and 9'' includes a filter housing 10' and 10'', a filter 20' and 20'', and a supporting portion 11' and 11'' as the filter assembly 9 does. However, these filter assembly 9' and 9'' are distinct from the filter assembly 9 in that an shaft member of the handle 30' and 30'' is formed at the center of the filter housing 10' and 10'', the handle 30' of FIG. 7 forms a loop, and the handle 30'' of FIG. 8 is flat.

The position of the shaft member and the shape of the handle may vary in more diverse forms according to diverse exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

As can be appreciated from the above description of the filter assembly 9, 9', and 9'' and the vacuum cleaner 1 having the same, a user who is not aware of the presence of the filter assembly can easily realize the presence of the filter assembly based on the stand-up handle 30, the notice written on the one surface 31 of the handle 30, and the upper surface of the exposed filter 20 when the dust separator 8 is separated from the cleaner body 2.

In addition, in order to repair or replace the filter 20, 20', and 20'', the user can easily separate the filter assembly 9, 9', and 9'' from the cleaner body 2 using the handle 30, 30', and 30''.

Moreover, when the dust separator 8 is separated from the cleaner body 2, the upper surface of the filter 20, 20', and 20'' is exposed externally, so the user can estimate the quantity of the dust filtered by the filter 20, 20', and 20'' without separating the filter assembly 9, 9', and 9'' from the cleaner body 2. Therefore, the user need not separate the filter assembly 9, 9', and 9'' from the cleaner body 2 in order to check the amount of filtered dust when the filter 20, 20', and 20'' does not need to be repaired or replaced.

In the above exemplary embodiments, the filter assembly is disposed against the lower surface of the dust separator, but the technical idea of the present invention may be applied when the filter assembly is disposed against a side surface or the upper surface of the dust separator.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner, which is detachably mounted in a cleaner body comprising a vacuum source which generates a suction force and a dust separator which is detachable, the filter assembly comprising:

a filter which filters dust remaining in air discharged from the dust separator;

a filter housing which receives the filter, and comprises a supporting portion which contacts and supports one surface of the dust separator when the dust separator is mounted in the cleaner body; and

a handle which is formed in the filter housing so as to be disposed inside the supporting portion.
The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle is formed in the filter housing to rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the supporting portion.
The filter assembly of claim 2, wherein the rotation axis of the handle is perpendicular to a direction in which the dust separator is moved so as to be mounted in the cleaner body.
The filter assembly of claim 3, wherein the handle rotates between a first position, in which the handle is parallel to the supporting portion, and a second position, in which the handle is slanted with respect to the supporting portion.
The filter assembly of claim 4, further comprising an elastic member which provides a force to the handle so that the handle can move from the first position to the second position.
The filter assembly of claim 4, wherein a rotation restriction protrusion is formed on one end of the handle, and a rotation restriction wall is formed in the housing to block the rotation restriction protrusion when the handle is in the second position.
The filter assembly of one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the filter housing comprises an opening which has a shape corresponding to the shape of the filter and faces the dust separator.
The filter assembly of one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a notice advising a user to check the state of the filter is written on one surface of the handle, or a label with such a notice may be attached to the one surface of the handle.
A vacuum cleaner which comprises a cleaner body comprising a vacuum source which generates a suction force, a dust separator which is detachable, and a filter assembly which is detachable, and a suction nozzle which draws in dust-laden air from a surface being cleaned using the suction force, wherein the filter assembly comprises:

a filter which filters dust remaining in air discharged from the dust separator;

a filter housing which receives the filter, and comprises a supporting portion which contacts and supports one surface of the dust separator when the dust separator is mounted in the cleaner body; and

a handle which is formed in the filter housing so as to be disposed inside the supporting portion.
The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein the filter assembly is disposed under the dust separator.
The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the handle is formed in the filter housing to rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the supporting portion.
The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, wherein the rotation axis of the handle is perpendicular to a direction in which the dust separator is moved so as to be mounted in the cleaner body.
The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein the handle rotates between a first position, in which the handle is parallel to the supporting portion, and a second position, in which the handle is slanted with respect to the supporting portion.
The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, further comprising an elastic member which provides a force to the handle so that the handle can move from the first position to the second position.
The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein a rotation restriction protrusion is formed on one end of the handle, and a rotation restriction wall is formed in the housing to block the rotation restriction protrusion when the handle is in the second position.
The vacuum cleaner of one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the filter housing comprises an opening which has a shape corresponding to the shape of the filter and faces the dust separator.
The vacuum cleaner of one of claims 9 to 15, wherein a notice advising a user to check the state of the filter is written on one surface of the handle or a label with such a notice may be attached to the one surface of the handle.
The vacuum cleaner of one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the dust separator separates dust from the dust-laden air using a centrifugal force.