Filter Cleaning System for a Vacuum Cleaner
A vacuum cleaner dust separation unit having a cyclone chamber (113) and a dust collection chamber (115). The cyclone chamber (113) extends along a longitudinal axis (398), and has an air inlet (183), an air outlet (408), an inlet wall (396) between the air inlet (183) and the air outlet (408), and one or more air passages (404) through the inlet wall (396). The dust collection chamber (115) is adapted to receive dirt from the cyclone chamber (113). In one aspect, the inlet wall (396) comprises an elliptical wall that is located adjacent the air inlet (182) and angled relative to the longitudinal axis (398). In another aspect, the cyclone chamber (113) has an end wall (432) located opposite the inlet wall (396), and a dirt outlet (114) to the dust collection chamber (115) located adjacent the end wall (432), and the end wall (432) has a recessed portion (438) surrounding an extended portion (436) that protrudes into the cyclone chamber (113).
This application is a national stage entry of PCT application no. PCT/US2007/014263 (filed Jun. 15, 2007), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/567,463 (filed under 35 U.S.C. §371(c) on Feb. 7, 2006), which application is a national stage entry of PCT application no. PCT/SE04/01756 (filed Nov. 26, 2004), which PCT application claims priority to Swedish application nos. 0303277-8 (filed Dec. 4, 2003) and 0401183-9 (filed May 6, 2004). This application claims priority to all of the preceding applications, and incorporates them herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to apparatus and methods for cleaning filters used in a vacuum cleaner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTraditional vacuum cleaners usually belong to two different categories called canister cleaners and upright cleaners. The canister vacuum cleaner comprises a housing enclosing an electric fan unit that creates an airflow from a vacuum cleaner nozzle through a tube shaft and a hose and further through a separating system comprising a porous bag collecting the dust before the air reaches the fan and leaves the housing to the ambient air. The upright vacuum cleaner differs from the canister cleaner in that the tube shaft and the hose are eliminated and that the nozzle, which often is provided with a rotating brush, is pivotally connected to the vacuum cleaner housing. The housing encloses the fan unit and the air pervious dust bag and is provided with a handle to move the complete vacuum cleaner on the floor.
In order to further clean the air before the air leaves the vacuum cleaners mentioned above, additional filters are arranged after the dust bag as seen in the air flow direction. These filters are usually placed such that they can easily be removed and be replaced by a new filter. As an alternative certain filters might be taken away in order to be cleaned by manual operations or by washing or rinsing the filter in water and/or cleaning agents.
There are also so-called cyclone vacuum cleaners on the market, see for instance EP 00850060.1, that are provided with a different type of dust separation system.
Instead of using an air pervious collecting bag the dust is separated by means of a vortex created in a circular cyclone chamber. The particles are by means of centrifugal action directed outwards from the center of the vortex and are collected in a collecting container, whereas the cleaned air is taken out from the center of the vortex. The clean air is then sucked to the vacuum source and flows out from the vacuum cleaner to the ambient air. Even if the main part of the dust particles that are present in the dust laden air are separated by the cyclone a minor part of the particles follow the clean airflow out of the cyclone. Consequently, for this type of vacuum cleaners there is also a need for filters in the air passages after the cyclone chamber in order to get an efficient cleaning of the air flowing out from the vacuum cleaner.
It is a disadvantage that the operator of all of the vacuum cleaners mentioned above has to remove the filter and replace it or clean it since replacement means that the consumer always has to keep an eye on the consumption of the filter and to buy new filters when necessary whereas cleaning means that the vacuum cleaner can not be used during the washing period and moreover demands for certain cumbersome activities from the operator.
It has also been proposed, see WO 85/02528, to provide a vacuum cleaner with two electrical motors (
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
In the drawings:
The following description is intended to convey a thorough understanding of the invention by providing a number of specific embodiments and details involving a vacuum cleaner. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments and details, which are exemplary only. For example, while embodiments of the invention described herein comprise a canister vacuum. However, the invention is not limited to a canister vacuum, but rather, a person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the invention can also be applied to upright vacuums, central vacuums, and or other apparatus requiring particle separation from an airflow. It is further understood that one possessing ordinary skill in the art, in light of known systems and methods, would appreciate the use of the invention for its intended purposes and benefits in any number of alternative embodiments.
The inlet 14 is via a channel 18 connected to an opening 19 in the vacuum cleaner body that in a conventional way can be connected to a vacuum cleaner nozzle 20 via a hose 21 and a tube shaft 22. The central cyclone outlet 15 is connected to a channel 23 via a valve 24 such that the airflow can be directed to a first or a second section 23a, 23b of the channel 23. The sections 23a and 23b are via valves 25 and 26 connected to a common channel 27 that by means of a further valve 28 is branched off from the channel 18.
Channel section 23a ends in a central part of a first tube-shaped filter cartridge 29 that is provided with a grip 30 that is accessible from the outside of the vacuum cleaner. The cartridge 29 is inserted in a first filter space 31, shaped as a filter holder and provided at the vacuum cleaner body, and can easily be removed from the space 31. The filter cartridge 29 is preferably made from a material that can be cleaned manually or by a washing operation.
Channel section 23b in a corresponding way ends in the central part of a second tube-shaped filter cartridge 32 provided with a grip 33 accessible from the outside of the vacuum cleaner. This cartridge is inserted in a second filter space 34 and has the same design and filter material as the first mentioned cartridge 29.
The first as well as the second filter space 31, 34 offers a free space around each filter cartridge which are connected to a common channel 35 communicating with the fan unit 11. The channel comprises a first section 35a and a second section 35b, each being provided with a valve 36 and 37 that can connect the respective section 35a , 35b with the ambient air.
The arrangement operates in the following manner. During an ordinary cleaning operation, shown in
Assuming that the second filter cartridge 32 gets clogged the operator has the possibility to continue the vacuum cleaning operation, as shown in
The operator also has the possibility to clean each filter cartridge in a simple manner by switching the airflow direction in the arrangement.
Thus, the arrangement described above makes it possible to continue a cleaning operation even if the efficiency decreases due to clogging in the filter by simply directing the airflow from the cyclone to another filter. The arrangement also makes it possible to clean the filters without taking them out of the vacuum cleaner simply by activating or deactivating the different valves such that the airflow is shifted in a suitable way. Since the filter cartridges are easy to remove from the vacuum cleaner body it is also easy for the operator to take away the cartridge and clean it more thoroughly in a washing operation if the cartridges are not fully cleaned in the suction operation described above. While the forgoing embodiment shows the filter cartridges 29, 32 as being cylindrical or tube-shaped filters, it will be appreciated that other shapes, such as frustoconical or flat, may be used instead for this and other embodiments of the invention.
The valve assembly 55 may be moved between a first position, as illustrated by
The partially cleaned air then passes through a first filter assembly 72. Filter assembly 72 may comprise a first filter space 51 for a first tube-shaped filter cartridge 52 that is removably inserted into said space 51. A central passage 53 of the cartridge 52 communicates via a channel 54 with vacuum source 41 such that air is sucked from the central passage 53 of cartridge 52 to vacuum source 41 and then is directed to the ambient air. The vacuum source 41 may comprise a fan in combination with an electric motor. In a further embodiment, the air passes through a final filter assembly 74 before entering the ambient air.
Referring now to
Embodiments according to
When the first cartridge 52 becomes clogged, the operator switches off the vacuum cleaner and exchanges the positions of the two cartridges such that it is possible to continue the work but this time with the clean cartridge 58 in the space 51 and the dirty cartridge 52 in the space 57.
In order to clean the cartridge 52, which is now in the filter space 57, the operator activates the valve 55 such that the connection between the channel 56 and the inlet opening 44 is opened at the same time as the connection to the nozzle 49 is closed (see
In this manner, air flows across the filter material of cartridge 52 in an opposite direction to that of normal cleaning. Dust particles on the filter surfaces become free and are transported via the channel 48 to the chamber 43 together with the airflow. The major part of the dust particles are, as mentioned before, separated in the chamber 43 and collected in the container 46 whereas the clean air leaving through the outlet 45 enters the filter space 51, where the air is filtered through the filter material of cartridge 58 before leaving the vacuum cleaner through the channel 54 and the fan unit 41.
According to a further embodiment of the invention it is also possible to use the invention in a conventional cyclone vacuum cleaner that is provided with solely one active filter that is easily removable and that is placed in a filter space connected to the air cyclone and the fan unit. Such a vacuum cleaner can be provided with at least one additional non active filter space serving as a storage place for a passive filter which is easily accessible from the outside of the vacuum cleaner. When the active filter has been clogged during a vacuum cleaner operation the operator can easily remove the active filter from the active filter space and replace it with a cleaned filter that is taken out from the additional filter space. The operator can then finish the cleaning operation and also use the vacuum cleaner for additional cleaning operations before removing the clogged filter and wash or clean it manually. When the filter has been cleaned it is again inserted into the additional non active filter space in order to be used when the active filter has been clogged.
In the shown embodiment, the filter assembly 150, filter cleaning assembly 152, and valve assembly 132 are positioned generally adjacent each other to form a compact filter module 157. Filter module 157 may comprise a filter module cover 156 extending over an upper end of the filter chamber 150 and filter cleaning chamber 152. The cover may be pivotally attached to the vacuum cleaner body 140.
Inlet channel 112 extends from inlet opening 110 to an inlet 183 of a dust separation unit 154. The dust separation unit 154 is positioned on an upper surface of the vacuum cleaner body 140 rearward of filter module 157. Embodiments of the dust separation unit comprise a handle 444 extending from the separation unit. The handle may be used to manipulate the entire vacuum cleaner body 140 when the dust separation unit is attached to the body. Dust separation unit 154 comprises an outlet 116 communicating with an air passage 117. Air passage 117 fluidly connects dust separation outlet 116 with an inlet 466 of filter assembly 150. The filter assembly comprises a filter chamber 118 in which a first filter cartridge 119A is inserted. Filter assembly 150 may form a portion of filter module 157 and is contained at least partially within vacuum cleaner body 140. Filter assembly 150 is positioned forward of dust collection unit 154 and vacuum source 124. An air passage 123 connects a filter assembly outlet with the air inlet of a vacuum source 124 such as a motor/fan unit. Embodiments of the vacuum source 124 are contained within the vacuum cleaner body 140 and positioned below the dust separation unit 154. The vacuum source exhausts air through a final filter assembly 160 and into the ambient air.
The vacuum cleaner is also provided with a filter cleaning assembly 152 comprising a chamber 125 in which a second filter cartridge 119B, preferably of the same type as the first filter cartridge 119A, is inserted. Filter cleaning assembly 152 comprises an air inlet 129 in communication with the ambient air and an outlet 130, which connects with the inlet channel 112 via an air passage 131 and valve 132. As shown schematically in
In accordance with embodiments of a vacuum cleaner as illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
Alternatively, other nozzle attachments, such as turbo tools, dusters, and the like, may be used in place of power nozzle 300 and/or wand 301. For example,
Referring now to
The filters 119 may attached to one another to aid in switching the filters 119 between filter chamber 118 and cleaning chamber 125. For example, as shown in
Embodiments of filter cartridge 119 may comprise filters of cylindrical, conical, flat, box or another shape. The filters 119 may also be flat, pleated, multilayer, or have other features known in the art and may have any performance grade, such as HEPA, ULPA, and so on. In preferred embodiments, filter cartridges are cylindrical filters comprising a central channel 120 (
Each filter cartridge 119 comprises an end cap 155 at an upper end thereof. End cap 155 has a locking extension 170 extending upwardly along a central axis of the filter 119. Locking extension 170 extends through a hole 172 formed in support structure 121 and removably engages a rotatable knob 122, such that each filter 119 is removably connected with support structure 121. Rotating knob 122 rotates filter 119 with respect to support structure 121 and filter chamber 118 or cleaning chamber 125. End cap 155 may also comprise a gasket 177, or other seal, for sealing engagement with filter chamber 118 and/or cleaning chamber 125. For example, the gasket 177 may be disposed around the circumference of the end cap 155 such that it seals the filter chamber 118 or cleaning chamber 125 from communication with the ambient air when filter cartridge 119 is positioned in chamber 118.
The embodiment of
The filter assembly 150 may also comprise an electric circuit connected to a pressure sensor 133 (
With regard to filter cleaning assembly 152, when the vacuum cleaner is in a filter cleaning mode, dust laden air does not enter vacuum body 140 through hose 111 and inlet opening 110. Rather, ambient air enters filter cleaning assembly 152 through inlet 129, passing into central channel 120 of filter cartridge 119B. The air then passes across filter element 153 from inside to outside. As air passes across filter element 153, dust previously deposited on an outer surface of element 153 is removed and carried with the air as the air exits cleaning chamber 125 through an outlet 130. Dust laden air is directed through channel 131 and into valve 132. From valve 132, dust laden air passes through a passage 112 and into dust separation unit 154.
Outlet 130 may be shaped as an elongated narrow opening extending mainly parallel to an axis of filter cartridge 119 and positioned proximate an outer periphery of the cartridge. A narrow opening creates an increased air velocity at outlet 130 improving the filter cleaning efficiency. The filter cartridge 119 may be rotated by knob 122 so that portions of the filter 119 are successively cleaned until the entire filter is clean.
Embodiments of the filter cleaning assembly 152 may also comprise a system for controlling the duration of a filter cleaning cycle. A sensor 134 is arranged proximate cleaning chamber 125, and a permanent magnet 135 is positioned at a periphery of knob 122. When knob 122 begins to turn, sensor 134 detects that passing of magnet 135 and sends a signal to an electric circuit (not shown). The electric circuit turns on vacuum source 124. As the knob 122 and filter cartridge 119 are turned, sensor 134 detects magnet 135 each time the magnet passes the sensor. After a predetermined number of turns have been completed, the electric circuit turns off the vacuum source. Alternatively, a mechanically activated switch may be positioned proximate cleaning chamber 125 to be actuated by a mechanism extending from the filter 119, support structure 121, or knob 122.
For example,
In order to clean a filter 119, the operator places a soiled filter in cleaning chamber 125 and starts to turn the cover 213. Fins 215 of cover 213 actuate slider 216 in a reciprocating motion. Slider 216 acts on switch 219, which generates electrical pulses that can be counted by the electric equipment within the vacuum cleaner. After a predetermined number of pulses, vacuum source 124 is activated. As cover 213 is rotated, the periphery of filter element 153 passes elongated outlet opening 130 in cleaning chamber 125. After a predetermined number of pulses, corresponding to a number of complete turns of filter 119, the electric system deactivates vacuum source 124. Alternatively, or in addition, a timer may be used to turn off the vacuum source 124 after a predetermined time has elapsed.
Knob 122 may be turned manually by the operator or may be driven automatically by another electrical or mechanical means such as an electric motor. Additionally, filter cleaning assembly 152 may be arranged such that the vacuum source 124 and the filter 119 rotation start automatically when a dirty filter has been inserted into the filter cleaning chamber 125 and stop after the filter completes a predetermined number of rotations.
Additionally, in order to make the dust removal more efficient, further embodiments of filter cleaning assembly 152 may comprise ridges, brushes, or similar elements extending inwardly from the peripheral wall of cleaning chamber 125, such that dust is wiped from filter element 153 as the element passes the ridges during the rotation of the filter.
As described herein, embodiments of a vacuum cleaner may switch between a normal surface cleaning mode and a filter cleaning mode. In switching between such modes, embodiments of such a vacuum cleaner utilize a valve assembly 132.
Referring to
Referring specifically to
A spring 381 preferably biases the valve mechanism 132 in the second position. A post 379 extends from a lower surface of filter module cover 156. The post 379 contacts actuating lever 378 when cover 156 is closed, moving the valve mechanism 183 from the second position to the first position. In this manner, when cover 156 is open, spring 381 biases valve mechanism 183 into the second/filter cleaning position. When cover 156 is closed, post 379 actuates lever 378 moving valve mechanism 183 into the first/normal surface cleaning position. Accordingly, the operator may switch the vacuum between the surface cleaning mode to the filter cleaning mode by opening and closing filter module cover 156, and the when the operator opens cover 156 to move filters 119, the valve assembly 132 automatically changes to the appropriate mode.
Referring now to
As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 20-25, the dust separation unit 154 comprises a generally cylindrical cyclone chamber 113. An inlet channel 183 directs dust laden air through a side wall of the cyclone chamber in a direction tangential to a wall of the cyclone chamber 113. The inlet channel 183 fluidly connects with the conduit 112 extending from the valve assembly 132.
Referring to
The end cap assembly 384 comprises a lower surface 396. The lower surface 396 is elliptically shaped and of a size appropriate to correspond to the inside diameter of the cyclone chamber 113. Therefore, as shown in
Embodiments of the upper end cap assembly 384 further comprise a tubular passageway 404 extending downwardly from the lower surface 396 of the outlet chamber 388. The passageway 404 forms a central outlet for the cyclone chamber 113. A conical grill or perforated shroud 406 may optionally be provided to extend downwardly from a lower end of the tubular passageway 404 and into the cyclone chamber 113. The grill 406 may alternatively comprise a filter such as a cylindrical, radial, or frustoconical pleated filter.
The outlet chamber 388 also comprises a opening 411 formed in a side wall of the outlet chamber. The opening 411 aligns with an outlet channel 408 of the dust separation unit 42. The outlet channel 408 fluidly connects with a passageway corresponding with channel 117 extending from the outlet 116 of the dust separation unit 154 to the filter assembly 150.
The dust separation unit 154 further comprises a dust collecting chamber 115. While the cyclone chamber 113 itself may form or serve as a dust collecting chamber, more preferably, the dust collecting chamber 115 extends along a side wall of the cyclone chamber 113. The dust collecting chamber 115 may be integrally formed with the cyclone chamber, as shown, in which a portion 418 of the cyclone chamber side wall also forms a portion 418 of the dust collecting chamber side wall, or the two chambers may be separately formed. The dust collecting chamber may be of any convenient shape. In a preferred embodiment, the dust collecting chamber has a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis 406 of the cyclone chamber 113. As illustrated in
As noted above, the dust separation unit comprises a lower lid assembly 412, which forms a cover for both the lower end of the cyclone chamber 113 and the dust collecting chamber 115. The lid may be generally dish shaped, creating a space 430 between an interior surface 432 of the lid and a lower edge of the cyclone 113 and dust collecting 115 chambers (see
As shown in
A projection 436 may extend upwardly from the interior surface 432 of the lid 412 along the longitudinal axis 398 of the cyclone chamber 113. A recessed portion 438 of the lid interior surface 432 surrounding the extension 436 may extend some distance 440 below the remaining portion of the interior surface 412. The extension 436 and recessed surface portion 438 aid in creating and maintaining an efficient cyclonic flow within the cyclone chamber 113 and in efficiently expelling dust through opening 428 into the dust collecting chamber 115.
The lid is operable to empty the contents of the collecting chamber 115 and/or cyclone chamber 113. Preferably, the lid 412 is pivotally attached to cyclone chamber 113 or the dust collecting chamber 115. Alternatively, the lid 412 may be pivotally attached to a handle 444 (
In accordance with embodiments of the dust separation unit 154 discussed herein, dust laden air enters the cyclone chamber 113 through inlet 183. The dust laden air is forced in a downwardly helical direction along the interior surface 442 of the cyclone chamber 113 by the tangential shape of the inlet 183 and by the elliptical shape of end cap assembly lower surface 396. At least a portion of the dust contained in the air is expelled from the cyclone chamber 113 through the opening 428 in the lower lid 412 of the dust separation unit. The partially cleaned air returns in a helical flow up through the center of the cyclone chamber. The air passes through the conical grill 406, through the tubular extension 404 and into the outlet passage 390 formed by the outlet chamber 388 and the cover 386. The air then passes through opening 406 formed in a side wall of the outlet chamber 388 and exits the dust separation unit through the exit channel 408.
Referring to
Referring back to
Air exiting vacuum source 124 passes through an optional final filter assembly 160 comprising a filter element 175 and a cover 173. The filter element 175 may comprise a HEPA filter, or any other filter grade material, and may be formed as a pleated filter, a slab filter, a concave filter, or with any other shape. The final filter assembly 160 may also comprise additional filter elements that stack together to form a multi-layered filter as will be apparent to one of skill in the art. The filter cover 173 itself includes a perforated surface having a number of holes 174, slots, or other openings that allow airflow, but preferably also protect the filter 175 from damage.
Embodiments of a vacuum cleaner as described herein are used in the following manner. When the operator starts the vacuum cleaner dust laden air is sucked in through the hose 111 and the inlet channel 112 to the cyclone chamber 113. Since the inlet flow is arranged to be tangential to the mainly cylindrical cyclone chamber 113 a vortex is created and the particles are, due to centrifugal forces, thrown towards the periphery of the cyclone chamber 113 and out through the opening 114 into the dust container 115 where they are collected. The partially-cleaned air flows through the outlet 116 of the cyclone chamber 113 into the air passage 117 and continues into the filter chamber 118 where the air reaches the first filter cartridge 119A. Smaller particles that have passed the cyclone chamber are now separated in the filter material of the first filter cartridge 119A and the air then flows via the central channel 120, to the motor/fan unit 124, which forces the air through filter element 175 and into the ambient air.
After a period of use, the first filter 119A may become clogged. Pressure sensor 133 will detect a drop in pressure across filter 119A, and a visual and/or acoustic signal will indicate to the operator that the filter is clogged. The operator can now switch off the vacuum cleaner and open the cover 156 of the filter module 157. The filter module cover 156 is connected to the valve 132 such that the valve closes the outer part of the inlet channel 112 and opens up the connection between the inner part of this channel and the air passage 131. The operator then lifts the support structure 121 to which the first and second cartridge 119A, 119B are secured and turns it 180 degrees about a mainly vertical axis before putting the first filter cartridge 119A into the filter cleaning chamber 125 at the same time as the second filter cartridge 119B is inserted in the filter chamber 118.
The operator then manually turns the knob 122 thereby starting to rotate the filter cartridge 119A such that the permanent magnet 135 influences the sensor 134, or the reciprocating slider actuates switch 219, creating a signal starting the motor/fan unit 124. Fresh air is now sucked in from the ambient air through the air inlet 129 and into the central channel 120 of the cartridge 119A. The air then flows through the portion of the filter element facing the narrow outlet 130 with great velocity thereby releasing the dust particles that have been taken up previously and carrying them via the passage 131 and the inner part of the inlet channel 112 to the cyclone chamber 113. The major part of the particles are separated and collected in the dust container 115 whereas the cleaned air leaves through the outlet 116 and flows to the filter chamber 118 via the air passage 117.
The air is then sucked through the filter element 153 and remaining particles are taken up by the second filter cartridge 126 before the air leaves to atmosphere via the air channel 123 and the motor/fan unit 124. When the operator has finished a predetermined number of complete turns of the knob 122 the motor/fan unit is stopped indicating that the filter has been cleaned. The operator now closes the cover which means that the valve 132 is moved back to its original position and the operator can again start the vacuum cleaner and continue his work. When the second filter cartridge 126 has been clogged the procedure described above will be repeated thereby switching the two filter cartridges 119,126 back to their original positions.
Claims
1. A vacuum cleaner dust separation unit comprising:
- a cyclone chamber (113) extending along a longitudinal axis (398) and having an air inlet (183), an air outlet (408), an inlet wall (396) between the air inlet (183) and the air outlet (408), and one or more air passages (404) through the inlet wall (396); and
- a dust collection chamber (115) adapted to receive dirt from the cyclone chamber (113);
- characterized in that the inlet wall (396) comprises an elliptical wall that is located adjacent the air inlet (182) and angled relative to the longitudinal axis (398).
2. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 1, wherein the cyclone chamber (113) comprises an elongated chamber having an end wall (432) located opposite the inlet wall (396), the end wall (432) comprising a recessed portion (438) surrounding an extended portion (436) that protrudes into the cyclone chamber (113).
3. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cyclone chamber (113) comprises a dirt outlet (114) located at an end of the cyclone chamber (113) opposite the air inlet (183), and the dust collection chamber (115) is fluidly connected to the dirt outlet (114).
4. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 2, wherein the dirt outlet (114) is located on an opposite side of the cyclone chamber longitudinal axis (398) as the air inlet (183).
5. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 2 or 3, wherein the end wall (432) comprises a removable lid (412).
6. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 5, wherein the lid (412) comprises a cavity that forms the dirt outlet (114).
7. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 5, wherein the removable lid (412) is pivotally attached to the cyclone chamber (113) and dust collection chamber (115).
8. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 3, wherein the dust collection chamber (115) is located adjacent the cyclone chamber (113) in a horizontal plane when the vacuum cleaner dust separation unit is mounted on a vacuum cleaner for use, such that dirt moves in a horizontal direction to pass from the cyclone chamber (113) to the dust collection chamber (115).
9. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more air passages (404) comprises a tubular member that extends from the inlet wall (396) into the cyclone chamber (113) and has one or more openings (406) passing therethrough.
10. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 9, wherein the tubular member terminates at a conical shroud and the one or more openings (406) pass through the conical shroud.
11. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 1, wherein the cyclone chamber (113) comprises a sidewall that extends along the longitudinal axis (398) and an end cap (384) removably attached at one end of the sidewall and adjacent the air inlet (183).
12. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 10, wherein the inlet wall (396) is removable from the cyclone chamber (113) with the end cap (384).
13. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 11 or 12, wherein the air outlet (408) passes through the sidewall, and the end cap (384) comprises an opening (411) that is positioned in fluid communication with the air outlet (408) when the end cap (384) is attached to the sidewall.
14. A vacuum cleaner dust separation unit comprising:
- a cyclone chamber (113) extending along a longitudinal axis (398) and having an air inlet (183), an air outlet (408), an inlet wall (396) between the air inlet (183) and the air outlet (408), an end wall (432) located opposite the inlet wall (396), one or more air passages (404) through the inlet wall (396), and a dirt outlet (114) adjacent the end wall (432); and
- a dust collection chamber (115) fluidly connected to the dirt outlet (114) and adapted to receive dirt from the cyclone chamber (113);
- characterized in that the end wall (432) comprises a recessed portion (438) surrounding an extended portion (436) that protrudes into the cyclone chamber (113).
15. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 14, wherein the inlet wall (396) comprises an elliptical wall that is located adjacent the air inlet (182) and angled relative to the longitudinal axis (398).
16. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 14, wherein the dirt outlet (114) is located on an opposite side of the cyclone chamber longitudinal axis (398) as the air inlet (183).
17. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 14, wherein the end wall (432) comprises a removable lid (412).
18. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 17, wherein the lid (412) comprises a cavity that forms the dirt outlet (114).
19. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 17, wherein the removable lid (412) is pivotally attached to the cyclone chamber (113) and dust collection chamber (115).
20. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 14, wherein the dust collection chamber (115) is located adjacent the cyclone chamber (113) in a horizontal plane when the vacuum cleaner dust separation unit is mounted on a vacuum cleaner for use, such that dirt moves in a horizontal direction to pass from the cyclone chamber (113) to the dust collection chamber (115).
21. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 14, wherein the one or more air passages (404) comprises a tubular member that extends from the inlet wall (396) into the cyclone chamber (113) and has one or more openings (406) passing therethrough.
22. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 21, wherein the tubular member terminates at a conical shroud and the one or more openings (406) pass through the conical shroud.
23. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 14, wherein the cyclone chamber (113) comprises a sidewall that extends along the longitudinal axis (398) and an end cap (384) removably attached at one end of the sidewall and adjacent the air inlet (183).
24. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 23, wherein the inlet wall (396) is removable from the cyclone chamber (113) with the end cap (384).
25. The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of claim 23 or 24, wherein the air outlet (408) passes through the sidewall, and the end cap (384) comprises an opening (411) that is positioned in fluid communication with the air outlet (408) when the end cap (384) is attached to the sidewall.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 15, 2007
Publication Date: Dec 9, 2010
Inventors: Linda Menrik (Hagersten), Anna-Karin Gray (Stockholm), Finn Lofnes (Coye la Foret), Håkan Miefalk (Jarfalla), Mattias Jansson (Nurnberg), Anna-Karin Trydegård (Stockholm), Mathias Belin (Saltsjo-Boo), Henrik Holm (Stockholm), Lars Mennborg (Boxholm)
Application Number: 12/304,858
International Classification: A47L 9/10 (20060101);