Suction port assembly of vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A suction port assembly for a vacuum cleaner is provided which comprises a lower housing having first and second suction ports, an upper housing connected to the lower housing and thereby forming a connection path with the first and the second suction ports, and a noise reducing unit positioned along the connection path.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-88648, filed Nov. 3, 2004, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. More particularly, the present invention relates to a suction port assembly for a vacuum cleaner, for drawing in impurities of a surface being cleaned.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, vacuum cleaners draw in dust on a surface being cleaned using a suction force generated by driving a vacuum source mounted within a cleaner body. Such vacuum cleaners comprise a cleaner body mounting therein the vacuum source, a suction port assembly for facing the surface being cleaned to draw in the dust, and an extension path for guiding the dust drawn in through the suction port assembly.

Since general suction port assemblies have a suction port being transmitted with the suction force to draw in the dust in the middle thereof, the suction force is focused on the middle portion where the suction port is formed whereas side portions are less subject to the suction force. As a result, suction efficiency is deteriorated at the side portions, compared to the middle portion.

In order to overcome such problems, a method has been introduced in U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,622, the method of providing a pair of the suction ports on both sides of the suction port assembly. However, this also has a problem in that dust-laden air currents drawn in through the pair of suction ports are converged at a narrow discharge port connected to an extension connector, thereby causing noise from the increase in speed of the air currents and an air whirlpool generated as air currents collide with each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a suction port assembly for a vacuum cleaner, in which suction efficiency at both sides of suction ports are equally improved.

In order to achieve the above-described aspects of the present invention, there is provided a suction port assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprising a lower housing having first and second suction ports, an upper housing connected to the lower housing and thereby forming a connection path of the first and the second suction ports, and a noise reducing unit mounted along the connection path. The upper housing comprises a path cover, and an upper cover connected to the lower housing above the path cover.

The noise reducing unit may comprise a first noise reducing rib having a plurality of first slanted holes, and a second noise reducing rib having a plurality of second slanted holes. The first and the second noise reducing ribs can be substantially symmetrical to each other.

The connection path may have an air outlet in the middle of a rear wall thereof, the first noise reducing rib can be mounted along the rear wall of the connection path to the right with respect to the air outlet, and the second noise reducing rib may be mounted along the rear wall of the connection path to the left with respect to the air outlet.

Heights of H2 and H3 of the first and the second noise reducing ribs can be lowered toward the right and the left of the air outlet, respectively, and the first and the second noise reducing ribs may be respectively curved toward the first and the second suction ports.

The first and second slanted holes can be slanted by angles θ1 and θ2 in a direction of dust-laden air being discharged through the air outlet.

The angles θ1 and θ2 may be approximately between 40° and 70°.

The first and the second slanted holes respectively can have widths W1 and W2 of approximately between 0.5 and 1.0 times as large as distances D1 and D2 between the first slanted holes and between the second slanted holes.

The suction port assembly may further comprise first and second noise absorbing members mounted at both sides of the connection path.

The first noise absorbing member can be mounted between the first noise reducing rib and the connection path, and the second noise absorbing member can be mounted between the second noise reducing rib and the connection path.

The first and the second noise absorbing members may have heights H5 and H6 that gradually lower to the right and to the left of the air outlet, and can also be curved toward the first and the second suction ports, respectively.

The first and the second noise absorbing members may be made of porous material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The above aspect and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vacuum cleaner having a suction port assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded and perspective view of the suction port assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the suction port assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the suction port assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the suction port assembly of FIG. 4 showing a first noise reducing rib and a first noise absorbing member;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the suction port assembly of FIG. 4 showing the first noise reducing rib; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the suction port assembly of FIG. 4 showing the first noise absorbing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing figures.

In the following description, same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description such as a detailed construction and elements are nothing but the ones provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention can be carried out without those defined matters. Also, well-known finctions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vacuum cleaner 100 adopting a suction port assembly 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises a cleaner body 110 having therein a vacuum source (not shown), the suction port assembly 200 for drawing in dust on a surface being cleaned by a suction force generated by the vacuum source, and an extension path 120 connected to the suction port assembly 200 to guide the dust drawn in through the suction port assembly 200 into the cleaner body 110. The extension path 120 comprises an extension connector 126 pivotably mounted to the suction port assembly 200, an extension pipe 124 and a suction hose 122 connected to the extension pipe 124 connected to the extension pipe connector 126 by one end and connected to the cleaner body 110 by the other end.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the suction port assembly 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a lower housing 210, an upper housing 250 and a noise reducing unit 300.

The lower housing 210 comprises a first suction port 211 and a second suction port 212 for drawing in the dust from the surface being cleaned, which are distanced from each other.

The first second suction port 211 is formed on a bottom of the lower housing 210 at a predetermined distance to the right from a partition 213, and the second suction port 212 is formed on the bottom of the lower housing 210 at a predetermined distance to the left from the partition 213.

By existence of the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212, the suction force is preferably evenly transmitted to a middle portion M and side portions S of the suction port assembly 200. That is, dust-laden air drawn in toward the middle portion M in an arrowed direction Q1 and dust-laden air drawn in toward the side portions S in arrowed directions Q2 and Q3 can all smoothly flow into the suction port assembly 200.

Therefore, suction efficiency at the side portions S can be guaranteed as well, compared to a conventional suction port assembly having one suction port only in the middle portion M. Also, since suction efficiency at the middle portion M is improved, the surface for cleaning can be widen. Although the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212 have a semicircular shape in the present embodiment, the shape thereof is not limited to that. The suction ports 211 and 212 can be formed in various shapes, such as, for example, an oval and a triangle.

In order to enhance cleaning efficiency, first and second lower openings 216 and 217 and first and second dust channels 214 and 215 are formed in the lower housing 210. An upper cover 230 may have first and second upper openings 231 and 232.

The first and the second lower openings 216 and 217 are formed on the bottom of the lower housing 210 in a manner that the first lower opening 216 inclines to the right and the second lower opening 217 inclines to the left with respect to the partition 213.

The first and the second lower openings 216 and 217 are rectangularly formed in this embodiment, however, they may formed in other various shapes, such as, for example, an oval and a triangle. Also, locations thereof may vary in consideration of locations of the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212.

The first dust channel 214 is formed on the bottom of the lower housing 210 through the first lower opening 216 and the first suction port 211 to the right from the partition 213 up to a right sidewall 210b of the lower housing 210. The second dust channel 215 is formed on the bottom of the lower housing 210 through the second lower opening 217 and the second suction port 212 to the left from the partition 213 up to a left sidewall 210c of the lower housing 210.

By the above structure, external air drawn in through the first and the second upper openings 231 and 232 respectively in arrowed directions F1 and F2 passes through an inside of the hermetical suction port assembly 200 (FIG. 1) in arrowed directions F3 and F4, and is guided toward the bottom of the lower housing 210 through the first and the second lower openings 216 and 217.

The guided external air scatters dust stacked between the first and the second dust channels 214 and 215, and the dust-laden air including the scattered dust is drawn into the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212 along the first and the second dust channels 214 and 215 in the arrowed directions F3 and F4. Accordingly, the dust between the first and the second dust channels 214 and 215 can be cleaned with ease, thereby improving a cleaning efficiency.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the upper housing 250 comprises a path cover 220 and the upper cover 230. The path cover 220 and the upper cover 230, which are separately provided in this exemplary embodiment, may be integrally formed.

The path cover 220 is connected to the lower housing 210, thereby forming a connection path 221 for connecting the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212.

More specifically, an upper wall of the connection path 221 is formed by the path cover 220, and a bottom and a rear wall 210d of the connection path 221 are formed by the lower housing 210.

The path cover 220 has a substantially arched or arcuate section, which is vertical with respect to the direction of movement of the drawn-in air, and is curved in the direction of its length into a U-shape, as seen from an arrowed direction XI. The path cover 220 has a maximum height Hi substantially in the middle thereof, and is gradually lowered toward both sides.

The path cover 220 is preferably made of a transparent material for a user to be able to observe movement of the drawn-in dust.

Referring to FIG. 2, the upper cover 230 is connected to the lower housing 210 above the path cover 220, thereby forming a sealed space inside the suction port assembly 200. The upper cover 230 has first and second upper openings 231 and 232 for communication of the external air as described above. The external air passing through the sealed space and drawn in through the first and the second upper openings 231 and 232, can be discharged out to the first and the second lower openings 216 and 217 (FIG. 3).

The upper cover 230 has a cutaway portion 233 having a corresponding shape to the path cover 220 to expose the path cover 220 with respect to the suction port assembly 200. In other words, the path cover 220 is exposed out of the upper cover 230 through the cutaway portion 233.

Although the first and the second upper openings 231 and 232 are formed as slits according to this exemplary embodiment, alternative numbers, shapes and sizes can also be used, such as, for example, a plurality of through-holes. Alternatively, a shielding member or valve may be provided to the first and the second upper openings 231 and 232 so as to open the first and the second upper openings 231 and 232 only for inflow of the air.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, an air outlet 210e is formed in the middle of the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221, and the air outlet 210e has an extension pipe connector 126 (FIG. 1) which is pivotably and/or rotatably mounted thereon.

The dust-laden air currents drawn in from the first suction port 211 in an arrowed direction Q5 and from the second suction port 212 in an arrowed direction Q6 are converged to the air outlet 210e.

As the dust-laden air currents drawn in through the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212 and then converged to the air outlet 210e, are discharged all together through the extension pipe connector 126, noise can be caused by the increased speed of the air currents and a air whirlpool generated as the air currents collide with each other. Also, pressure and direct collision of the air currents with the rear wall 210d may make noise.

Referring to FIG. 2, the connection path 221 has a noise reducing unit 300 in order to prevent such noise, which comprises first and second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320 and first and second noise absorbing members 330 and 340.

The first and the second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320 are preferably symmetrical to each other with respect to the connection path 221 and may be made of a plastic material, such as, for example, acryl. Other materials, such as, for example, glass and metal, can also be used for the noise reducing ribs 310 and 320.

Since the first and the second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320 are configured in the same way, only the first noise reducing rib 310 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be explained hereinbelow for detailed description of the first and the second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320.

The first noise reducing rib 310 is mounted along the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221 in an arrowed direction R, that is, to the right of the air outlet 210e.

This is to enable the dust-laden air to contact the rear wall 210d as much as possible because the dust-laden air is likely to incline to the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221 while flowing from the first suction port 211 to the connection path 221 due to the curved form of the connection path 221. Therefore, by mounting the first noise reducing rib 310 along the rear wall 210d, the noise can be more effectively prevented.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first noise absorbing member 330 is inserted between the first noise reducing rib 310 and the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first noise reducing rib 310 is arranged in a manner that the heights H2 thereof are gradually decreased in an arrowed direction R, that is, toward the right, and the arrangement is curved toward the first suction port 211.

The first noise reducing rib 310 is configured as described above in consideration of the height of the path cover 220 and the form of the rear wall 210d of connection path 221, thereby facilitating installation thereof on the connection path 221. In addition, the dust-laden air can pass through the connection path 221, being less subject to resistance by the first noise reducing rib 310.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the first noise reducing rib 310 includes a plurality of first slant holes 310a which are slanted by an angle θ1 with respect to a vertical line, in the arrowed direction Q5, that is, the moving direction of the dust-laden air from the first suction port 211 to the air outlet 210e. Here, the slant angle θ1 is approximately between 40° and 70°.

The slant prevents the dust-laden air passing through the connection path 221 from directly flowing into the first slanted holes 310a. More specifically, the dust-laden air, while passing through the connection path 221 in the arrowed direction Q5, indirectly flows into the first slanted holes 310a in an arrowed direction Q8. To this end, the angle θ1 can restrict dispersion and deviation of the dust-laden air flowing in the arrowed direction Q5.

The first slanted holes 310a have a width W1 of approximately between 0.5 and 1.0 times as large as a distance D1 between the first slanted holes 310a. Through the width W1 of the first slanted holes 310a, the dust-laden air may be partly received.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the first noise absorbing member 330 has a height H5 gradually lowered in the arrowed direction R, that is, to the right of the air outlet 210e and is curved toward the first suction port 211, so as to be mounted or otherwise positioned between the first noise reducing rib 310 and the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221.

The first noise absorbing member 330 secondarily decreases the noise that is first decreased by the first noise reducing rib 310, and for this, porous materials, such as, for example, sponge, general filters and foam, can be used for the first noise absorbing member 330.

Hereinbelow, a relation between the first noise absorbing member 330 and the first noise reducing rib 310 will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 5 and 7, a rear side 330b of the first noise absorbing member 330 is preferably connected to the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221 using an adhesive. Next, the first noise reducing rib 310 is connected to a front side 330a of the first noise absorbing member 330 by an adhesive, thereby mounting the first noise reducing rib 310 and the first noise absorbing member 330 along the connection path 221.

However, the first noise absorbing member 330 is not indispensable to the present invention. When the first noise absorbing member 330 is omitted, the first noise reducing rib 310 can be directly attached to the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221. Also, other methods such as screw and welding instead of the adhesive may be applied to attach the first noise reducing rib 310 and the first noise absorbing member 330.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the second noise reducing rib 320 is mounted along the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221 in an arrowed direction L, that is, to the left of the air outlet 210e. The second noise absorbing member 340 is inserted between the second noise reducing rib 320 and the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221.

The second noise reducing rib 320 has a height H3 gradually lowered in the arrowed direction L, that is, to the left of the air outlet 210e and is curved toward the second suction port 212.

The reason for configuring and positioning the second noise reducing rib 320 as the above is the same as in the first noise reducing rib 310.

The second noise reducing rib 320 includes a plurality of second slant holes 320a which are slanted by an angle θ2 with respect to a vertical line, in the arrowed direction Q6, that is, the moving direction of the dust-laden air from second suction port 212 to the air outlet 210e. Here, the slant angle θ2 is approximately between 40° and 70°.

The slant prevents the dust-laden air passing through the connection path 221 from directly flowing into the second slanted holes 320a. More specifically, the dust-laden air, while passing through the connection path 221 in the arrowed direction Q6, may indirectly flow into the second slanted holes 320a in an arrowed direction Q9. To this end, the angle θ2 can restrict dispersion and deviation of the dust-laden air flowing in the arrowed direction Q6.

The second slanted holes 320a have a width W2 of approximately between 0.5 and 1.0 times as large as a distance D2 between the second slanted holes 320a. Through the width W2 of the second slanted holes 320a, the dust-laden air may be partly received.

Referring to FIG. 2, the second noise absorbing member 340 has a height H6 that is gradually lowered in the arrowed direction L, that is, to the left of the air outlet 210e and is curved toward the second suction port 212, so as to be mounted or otherwise positioned between the second noise reducing rib 320 and the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221.

The second noise absorbing member 340 secondarily decreases the noise that is first decreased by the second noise reducing rib 320, and for this, porous materials, such as, for example, sponge, general filters and foam, can be used for the second noise absorbing member 340.

Since relations among the rear wall 210d, the second noise absorbing member 340 and the second noise reducing rib 320 are the same as those among the rear wall 210d, the first noise absorbing member 330 and the first noise reducing rib 310, description thereof will not be repeated.

Hereinbelow, the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 adopting the suction port assembly 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Referring to FIG. 1, the suction force generated by the vacuum source (not shown) mounted in the cleaner body 110 is transmitted to the suction port assembly 200, passing through the suction hose 122, the extension pipe 124 and the extension pipe connector 126.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the suction force transmitted to the suction port assembly 200 is then transmitted to the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212 respectively in reverse directions to the arrowed directions Q5 and Q6.

By the transmitted suction force, the dust-laden air current drawn in the arrowed direction Q1 to the middle portion M of the suction port assembly 200 and the dust-laden air currents drawn in the arrowed directions Q2 and Q3 to the side portions S of the suction port assembly 200, are drawn into the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212, respectively.

In addition, referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the suction force transmitted to the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212 is then transmitted to the first and the second lower openings 216 and 217, respectively, through the first and the second dust channels 214 and 215.

The suction force transmitted to the first and the second lower openings 216 and 217 is transmitted to the first and the second upper openings 231 and 232 through the sealed space formed by the connection of the upper cover 230 and the lower housing 210. By the suction force, the external air is drawn in through the first and the second upper openings 231 and 232 in the arrowed directions F1 and F2.

While passing through the sealed space formed by the connection of the upper cover 230 and the lower housing 210, and the first and the second lower openings 216 and 217, the air drawn in through the first and the second upper openings 231 and 232 collides with the surface being cleaned and therefore scatters the dust stacked in the first and the second dust channels 214 and 215.

The air including the scattered dust passes through the first and the second dust channels 214 and 215 in the arrowed directions F3 and F4 and flows into the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212.

Referring to FIG. 4, the dust-laden air drawn into the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212 in the directions Q1, Q2, Q3, F3 and F4 moves along the arrowed directions Q5 and Q6 to pass through the connection path 221 where the noise reducing unit 300 is mounted, which comprises the first and the second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320 and the first and the second noise absorbing members 330 and 340.

At this time, the dust-laden air may flow into the first and the second slanted holes 310a and 320a formed on the first and the second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320 in the arrowed directions Q8 and Q9, and accordingly, the dust-laden air can be partly received in the first and the second slanted holes 310a and 320a.

Also, when the dust-laden air collides with the first and the second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320 due to the first and the second slanted holes 310a and 320a, impact and pressure can be dispersed.

As a result, the noise occurring in the conventional vacuum cleaner, which is caused by the dust-laden air currents converged to the air outlet 210e and the collision of the dust-laden air with the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221 can be reduced. Such an effect of reducing the noise can be enhanced by the first and the second noise absorbing members 216 and 217.

According to test data, by existence of the noise reducing unit 300, total noise can be reduced by approximately 1.5 dB(A), that is, from 74.5 dB(A) to 73.0 dB(A).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dust-laden air currents are converged to the air outlet 210e and moved to the cleaner body 110, passing through the extension pipe connector 126, the extension pipe 124 and the suction hose 122. During this, the dust is collected, and dust-separated air is discharged to the outside.

Some of the advantages of the suction port assembly 200 for a vacuum cleaner, as described above, are as follows.

First, the suction force can be evenly transmitted to the middle portion and the side portions by providing the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212 distanced from each other, thereby improving the suction efficiency.

Second, since increase in speed of the air currents and air whirlpool generated by collision of the air currents can be prevented by the noise reducing unit 300, the noise is reduced, enabling a more quiet cleaning environment.

Third, the noise caused by the impact and pressure generated as the dust-laden air directly collides with the rear wall 210d of the connection path 221 can be decreased by the noise reducing unit 300, thereby enabling a more quiet cleaning environment.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain 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

1. A suction port assembly for a vacuum cleaner having a vacuum source, comprising:

a lower housing having first and second suction ports;

an upper housing connected to the lower housing and thereby forming a connection path with the first and the second suction ports; and

a noise reducing unit positioned along the connection path, wherein the connection path is in fluid communication with the vacuum source.

2. The suction port assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper housing comprises:

a path cover; and

an upper cover connected to the lower housing above the path cover.

3. The suction port assembly of claim 2, wherein the noise reducing unit comprises:

a first noise reducing rib having a plurality of first slanted holes; and

a second noise reducing rib having a plurality of second slanted holes.

4. The suction port assembly of claim 3, wherein the first and the second noise reducing ribs are substantially symmetrical to each other.

5. The suction port assembly of claim 3, wherein the connection path has an air outlet in a middle portion of a rear wall thereof, the first noise reducing rib is positioned along the rear wall of the connection path to the right with respect to the air outlet, and the second noise reducing rib is positioned along the rear wall of the connection path to the left with respect to the air outlet.

6. The suction port assembly of claim 5, wherein heights of the first and the second noise reducing ribs are lowered in a direction away from the air outlet, respectively, and the first and the second noise reducing ribs are respectively curved towards the first and the second suction ports.

7. The suction port assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of first and second slanted holes are slanted by angles θ1 and θ2 in a direction of dust-laden air being discharged through the air outlet, and wherein the angles θ1 and θ2 are approximately between 40° and 70°.

8. The suction port assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of first and second slanted holes have widths W1 and W2 of approximately between 0.5 and 1.0 times as large as distances D1 and D2 between each of the plurality of the first slanted holes and between each of the plurality of the second slanted holes, respectively.

9. The suction port assembly of claim 3, further comprising first and second noise absorbing members along the connection path.

10. The suction port assembly of claim 9, wherein the first noise absorbing member is positioned between the first noise reducing rib and the connection path, and

the second noise absorbing member is positioned between the second noise reducing rib and the connection path.

11. The suction port assembly of claim 9, wherein the first and the second noise absorbing members have heights H5 and H6 that are lowered in a direction away from the air outlet, and wherein the first and the second noise absorbing members are curved towards the first and the second suction ports, respectively.

12. The suction port assembly of claim 11, wherein the first and the second noise absorbing members are at least partially made of porous material.

13. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a vacuum source; and

a suction port assembly in fluid communication with the vacuum source and having upper and lower housings and a noise reducing unit, wherein the lower housing h as first and second suction ports, wherein the upper housing is connected to the lower housing and at least partially defines a connection path with the first and the second suction ports, wherein the connection path has an air outlet in a middle portion thereof for air flow to the vacuum source, and wherein the noise reducing unit is positioned along the connection path.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the noise reducing unit comprises:

a first noise reducing rib having a plurality of first slanted holes; and

a second noise reducing rib having a plurality of second slanted holes.

15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein the first and the second noise reducing ribs are substantially symmetrical to each other and disposed on opposite sides of the air outlet.

16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein the air outlet is positioned along a rear wall of the connection path, and wherein the first and second noise reducing ribs are positioned on opposite sides of the air outlet.

17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein the first and the second noise reducing ribs have heights that are lowered in a direction away from the air outlet, respectively, and the first and the second noise reducing ribs are respectively curved towards the first and second suction ports.

18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein the connection path has first and second noise absorbing members.

19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, wherein the first noise absorbing member is positioned between the first noise reducing rib and the connection path, and wherein the second noise absorbing member is positioned between the second noise reducing rib and the connection path.

20. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, wherein the first and the second noise absorbing members are at least partially made of porous material.