VACUUM CLEANER

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner including a multipurpose suction accessory which includes a cylindrical main body coupled to the handle pipe and including an introduction port formed on a lateral surface of the main body and a discharge port formed at one of both longitudinal end portions of the main body to communicate with the handle pipe, a cylindrical rotating body rotatably coupled to an outside of the main body and including a plurality of suction parts formed on a lateral surface of the rotating body and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a circumferential direction, the suction ports being sequentially positioned to correspond to the introduction port of the main body by rotating the rotating body with respect to the main body, and a locker to restrict rotation of the rotating body with respect to the main body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0066966, filed on Jun. 12, 2013 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vacuum cleaner having a multipurpose suction accessory.

2. Description of the Related Art

A vacuum cleaner is a home appliance to perform cleaning operation. The vacuum cleaner generally includes a body to generate suction force, a suction head to contact a surface to be cleaned so as to suction air and dirt, a handle pipe manipulated by a user, an extension pipe to connect the suction head to the handle pipe, and a flexible hose to connect the handle pipe to the body.

The vacuum cleaner may be provided with various kinds of suction accessories to perform cleaning in place of the suction head depending upon the type, shape and condition of the surface to be cleaned. The suction accessories are generally separately provided. They are individually coupled to the handle pipe when in use.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a vacuum cleaner having a multipurpose suction accessory that may be provided with various kinds of suction parts and perform cleaning using one of the suction parts.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a vacuum cleaner includes a body to generate suction force, a suction head to contact a surface to be cleaned so as to suction air and dirt, a handle pipe manipulated by a user, a flexible hose to connect the handle pipe to the body, an extension pipe to connect the suction head to the handle pipe, and a multipurpose suction accessory coupled to the handle pipe to replace the suction head to perform cleaning, wherein the multipurpose suction accessory includes a cylindrical main body coupled to the handle pipe, the main body including at least one introduction port formed on a lateral surface of the main body and a discharge port formed at one of both longitudinal end portions of the main body to communicate with the handle pipe, a cylindrical rotating body rotatably coupled to an outside of the main body and including a plurality of suction parts formed on a lateral surface of the rotating body and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a circumferential direction, the suction parts being sequentially positioned to correspond to the introduction port of the main body by rotating the rotating body with respect to the main body, and a locker to restrict rotation of the rotating body with respect to the main body.

Herein, the suction parts may include a suction port to suction air and dirt on the surface to be cleaned and a brush to guide suction of the air and dirt.

The brushes of the suction parts may have a different shape and a different purpose of use.

In addition, the plurality of suction parts may include four suction parts.

Herein, the suction parts may be disposed on the lateral surface of the rotating body and spaced 90 degrees from each other in a circumferential direction.

In addition, the suction port may be provided to both sides of the brush facing in a circumferential direction, or the brush may be provided to both sides of the suction port facing in the circumferential direction.

The vacuum cleaner may further include a sealing member provided between the main body and the rotating body to seal a gap between the main body and the rotating body.

Herein, an outer surface of the sealing member may be coated with a film formed of a smooth material to allow the rotating body to smoothly rotate.

In addition, the locker may include a plurality of accommodation grooves formed on an outer surface of the main body and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in the circumferential direction, a plate spring arranged at the rotating body and provided with a protrusion adapted to be accommodated in the accommodation grooves.

Alternatively, the locker may include a plurality of locking grooves formed at one longitudinal end of the rotating body and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in the circumferential direction, an insertion protrusion slidably arranged on an outer surface of the main body so as to be inserted into the locking grooves, and a compression spring to elastically support the insertion protrusion in a direction of insertion of the insertion protrusion into the locking grooves.

An opening may be formed at one of the longitudinal end portions of the main body, and a crevice member for cleaning of crevices may be coupled to the opening.

In addition, the main body may be telescopically formed to extend and contract in a longitudinal direction thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a vacuum cleaner includes a body to generate suction force, a suction head to contact a surface to be cleaned so as to suction air and dirt, a handle pipe manipulated by a user, and a multipurpose suction accessory coupled to the handle pipe to replace the suction head to perform cleaning, wherein the multipurpose suction accessory includes a cylindrical main body including at least one introduction port formed on a lateral surface of the main body, a cylindrical rotating body including a plurality of suction parts formed on a lateral surface of the rotating body and spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction, the rotating body being rotatably coupled to an outside of the main body, and a sealing member provided between the main body and the rotating body to seal a gap between the main body and the rotating body.

Herein, the vacuum cleaner may further include a locker to restrict rotation of the rotating body with respect to the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the overall configuration of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment, which is taken along line I-I of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment, which is taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a first usage mode of the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a second usage mode of the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a third usage mode of the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a fourth usage mode of the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view showing the external appearance of a multipurpose suction accessory of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment, which is taken along line III-Ill of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment, which is taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a multipurpose suction accessory of a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a multipurpose suction accessory of a vacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components throughout.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the overall configuration of a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vacuum cleaner 1 includes a body 10 to generate suction force, a suction head 21 to contact a surface to be cleaned so as to suction air and dirt, a handle pipe 30 manipulated by a user, an extension pipe 20 to connect the suction head 21 to the handle pipe 30, a flexible hose 23 to connect the handle pipe 30 to the body 10, and a multipurpose suction accessory 40 separately provided to be coupled to the handle pipe 30 in place of the suction head 21.

The body 10 includes a fan motor unit (not shown) to generate suction force and a dust collector (not shown) to remove dirt from the suctioned air.

The suction head 21 is caused to suction air and dirt by the suction force generated in the body 10. The suction head 21 may clean a typical surface and be formed in a relatively wide and flat shape.

The air and dirt suctioned through the suction head 21 may be guided to the extension pipe 20. The extension pipe 20 may be a pipe formed of resin or metal, for example.

The handle pipe 30 may be detachably coupled to an end portion of the extension pipe 20. A user may easily manipulate orientations of the suction head 21 and the extension pipe 20, holding the handle pipe 30. Various operational interfaces 32 such as buttons allowing selection of functions of the vacuum cleaner 1 may be provided to the handle pipe 30.

The flexible hose 23 is provided between the handle pipe 30 and the body 10. The flexible hose 23 may be formed of a flexible resin material, for example, allowing the handle pipe 30 to be freely moved.

In this configuration, air and dirt on a surface to be cleaned are suctioned through the suction head 21 by the suction force generated in the body 10. The suctioned air and dirt sequentially pass through the extension pipe 20, the handle pipe 30, and the flexible hose 23 and are then guided to the body 10. In the body 10, dirt in the suctioned air may be filtered out and purified air may be discharged from the body 10.

The multipurpose suction accessory 40 is a part that replaces the suction head 21 formed in a relatively wide and flat shape when surfaces such as corners, window frames, pet hair, and fabrics are cleaned.

The multipurpose suction accessory 40 may be coupled to the handle pipe 30 in place of the extension pipe 20. When the multipurpose suction accessory 40 is to be used, the extension pipe 20 may be detached from the handle pipe 30, and then the multipurpose suction accessory 40 may be coupled to the handle pipe 30. In the case that normal cleaning is to be performed again using the suction head 21, the multipurpose suction accessory 40 may be detached from the handle pipe 30 and then the extension pipe 20 may be coupled to the handle pipe 30.

As a non-limiting example, the multipurpose suction accessory 40 of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 (FIG. 2) each of which serves a different purpose. After coupling the multipurpose suction accessory 40 to the handle pipe 30, the user may select one of the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 to perform cleaning. Accordingly, the multipurpose suction accessory 40 may be a four-in-one structure. However, the number of suction parts is not limited thereto. One or more suction parts may be provided for the multipurpose suction accessory 40. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the multipurpose suction accessory 40 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment, which is taken along line I-I of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment, which is taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a first usage mode of the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment, FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a second usage mode of the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment, FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a third usage mode of the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a fourth usage mode of the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, the multipurpose suction accessory 40 includes a cylindrical main body 50 coupled to the handle pipe 30 and a cylindrical rotating body 80 rotatably coupled to an outside of the main body 50.

One or more introduction ports 52 through which air and dirt on a surface to be cleaned are introduced is formed on the lateral surface 51 of the main body 50, and a discharge port 56 through which the air and dirt introduced through the introduction port 52 is discharged to the handle pipe 30 is formed at one longitudinal end portion of the main body 50. A passage 54 (FIG. 3) connecting the introduction port 52 to the discharge port 56 is formed in the main body 50.

The introduction port 52 may be formed at one side portion of the lateral surface 51 and provided with a reinforcing rib 53.

An opening 55 may be formed at the other longitudinal end portion of the main body 50, and a cap 66 may be coupled to the opening 55 to close the opening 55. The cap 66 may be provided with a hook 67 to fix the same. By coupling the hook 67 to a restriction groove 58 provided to the main body 50, the cap 66 may be fixed to the main body 50.

The rotating body 80 is rotatably arranged at the outside of the main body 50 to surround the outer surface of the main body 50. The lateral surface of the rotating body 80 is provided with a plurality of suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a circumferential direction.

Accordingly, when the rotating body 80 rotates, the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 may sequentially match the introduction port 52 of the main body 50.

In this embodiment, the plurality of suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 includes four suction parts. The suction parts are respectively provided with suction ports 81b, 82b, 83b and 84b to suction air and dirt on the surface to be cleaned and brushes 81a, 82a, 83a and 84a to guide suction of the air and dirt.

When the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 of the rotating body 80 are positioned to correspond to the introduction port 52 of the main body 50, the suction ports 81b, 82b, 83b and 84b of the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 are allowed to communicate with the introduction port 52.

The spirit of the present disclosure is not restricted by the number of suction parts. Nor is it restricted by the shapes of the suction parts and kinds of the brushes. Accordingly, the present disclosure should be viewed as covering a certain degree of variation in the number of suction parts, the shape of suction parts, and the kind of brushes.

The suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 may include a first suction part 81, a second suction part 82, a third suction part 83, and a fourth suction part 84. The first suction part 81, the second suction part 82, the third suction part 83, and the fourth suction part 84 may be disposed, for example, about 90 degrees from each other in a clockwise direction.

The first suction part 81 may include a first brush 81a and a first suction port 81b, and the second suction part 82 may include a second brush 82a and a second suction port 82b. The third suction part 83 may include a third brush 83a and a third suction port 83b, and the fourth suction part 84 may include a fourth brush 84a and a fourth suction port 84b.

The first brush 81a may be a spacer 81a, and the second brush 82a may be a pet hair remover 82a. The third brush 83a may be an upholstery 83a for cleaning of fabrics, and the fourth brush 84a may be a dusting brush 84a.

The spacer 81a may include relatively short hair, and the pet hair remover 82a may include multiple protrusions. The upholstery 83a may include a continuous bumpy part, and the dusting brush 84a may include relatively long hairs.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the suction ports 81b, 82b and 84b may be provided to both sides of each of the spacer 81a, the pet hair remover 82a, and the dusting brush 84a in a circumferential direction to suction air and dirt in two directions. On the other hand, in the case of the upholstery 83a, the suction port 83b may be arranged at the center portion of the suction port 83a and the upholstery 83a may be provided to both side portions of the suction port 83b in the circumferential direction such that air and dirt are suctioned through the center.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the spacer 81a, the pet hair remover 82a, and the dusting brush 84a may be mounted, through an adhesive member, to a brush mounting part 89 provided to the lateral surface of the rotating body 80. The upholstery 83, on the other hand, may be integrated with the rotating body 80.

The multipurpose suction accessory 40 may further include a sealing member 70 to seal the gap between the main body 50 and the rotating body 80 such that the air and dirt suctioned through the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 of the rotating body 80 do not leak but are discharged through the discharge port 56 of the main body 50.

The sealing member 70 may be disposed between the main body 50 and the rotating body 80 to closely contact the main body 50 and the rotating body 80. The sealing member 70 may be provided with an opening 71 corresponding to the introduction port 52 to allow the air and dirt suctioned through the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 of the rotating body 80 to be introduced into the introduction port 52 of the main body 50.

The sealing member 70 may have rubber such as Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM). To prevent the sealing member 70 from rotating when the rotating body 80 rotates, the outer surface 72 of the sealing member 70 which the rotating body 80 contacts may be coated with a film formed of a relatively smooth material. Thereby, when the rotating body 80 rotates, the sealing member 70 may be prevented from rotating by friction between the sealing member 70 and the main body 50 when the rotating body 80 rotates.

The multipurpose suction accessory 40 may include a locker 73 to restrict rotation of the rotating body 80 with respect to the main body 50. The locker 73 may include accommodation grooves 59 formed on the outer surface of the main body 50 and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a circumferential direction, and a plate spring 96 arranged at the rotating body 80 and provided with a protrusion 99 (FIG. 4) adapted to be accommodated in the accommodation grooves 59.

The accommodation grooves 59 are provided equal in number to the number of the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction to approximately correspond to the spacing between the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rotating body 80 may include a manipulation part 86 protruding in a radial direction, and the manipulation part 86 may include an accommodation space 87 to accommodate the plate spring 96 and a support 88 to support a base 97 of the plate spring 96.

The plate spring 96 may include the base 97 and a movable part 98. The plate spring 96 may be elastically deformed such that the angle between the base 97 and the movable part 98 increases and decreases. The protrusion 99 may be formed at the movable part 98 so as to be accommodated in the accommodation grooves 59 of the main body 50.

When the protrusion 99 of the plate spring 96 is accommodated in one of the accommodation grooves 59 of the main body 50, rotations of the rotating body 80 with respect to the main body 50 may be restricted.

When the rotating body 80 remaining in the aforementioned position is rotated with respect to the main body 50 by applying a force greater than the elastic force of the plate spring 96, the plate spring 96 may be compressed, causing the protrusion 99 of the plate spring 96 to be released from the accommodation groove 59.

In this manner, the protrusion 99 of the plate spring 96 may be sequentially accommodated in the accommodation grooves 59 of the main body 50 according to rotation of the rotating body 80. Rotation of the rotating body 80 may be restricted every time the rotating body 80 rotates about 90 degrees.

Next, operation of multipurpose suction accessory 40 of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

In FIG. 5 showing the first usage mode in which the first suction part 81 is used among the plurality of suction parts, the first suction part 81 of the rotating body 80 is positioned to correspond to the introduction port 52 of the main body 50 (FIG. 2). In this position, the protrusion 99 of the plate spring 96 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 59 of the main body 50. Thereby, the rotating body 80 is fixed to the main body 50.

The user may clean a surface to be cleaned through the spacer 81a. Through the suction ports 81b formed on both sides of the spacer 81a facing in the circumferential direction, air and dirt on the surface to be cleaned may be suctioned (A), and the suctioned air and dirt may be guided to the handle pipe 30 by sequentially passing through the introduction port 52 of the main body 50, the internal passage 54, and the discharge port 56 (B).

In FIG. 6 showing the second usage mode in which the second suction part 82 is used among the plurality of suction parts, the rotating body 80 has rotated about 90 degrees counterclockwise (C) from the position of the first usage mode of FIG. 5 such that the second suction part 82 of the rotating body 80 corresponds to the introduction port 52 of the main body 50 (FIG. 2). At this time, the protrusion 99 of the plate spring 96 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 59 of the main body 50. Thereby, the rotating body 80 is fixed to the main body 50.

The user may conduct cleaning by sweeping out hairs of pets with the pet hair remover 82a. Air and dirt may be suctioned through the suction ports 82b formed on both sides of the pet hair remover 82a facing in the circumferential direction (A), and the suctioned air and dirt may be guided to the handle pipe 30 by sequentially passing through the introduction port 52 of the main body 50, the internal passage 54, and the discharge port 56 (B).

In FIG. 7 showing the third usage mode in which the third suction part 83 is used among the plurality of suction parts, the rotating body 80 has further rotated about 90 degrees counterclockwise (C) from the position of the second usage mode of FIG. 6 such that the third suction part 83 of the rotating body 80 corresponds to the introduction port 52 of the main body 50 (FIG. 2). At this time, the protrusion 99 of the plate spring 96 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 59 of the main body 50. Thereby, the rotating body 80 is fixed to the main body 50.

The user may clean fabrics such as sofas, bedding, and clothing with the upholstery 83a. Air and dirt may be suctioned through the suction port 83b formed at the center of the upholstery 83a (A), and the suctioned air and dirt may be guided to the handle pipe 30 by sequentially passing through the introduction port 52 of the main body 50, the internal passage 54, and the discharge port 56 (B).

In FIG. 8 showing the fourth usage mode in which the fourth suction part 84 is used among the plurality of suction parts, the rotating body 80 has further rotated about 90 degrees counterclockwise (C) from the position of the third usage mode of FIG. 7 such that the fourth suction part 84 of the rotating body 80 corresponds to the introduction port 52 of the main body 50 (FIG. 2). At this time, the protrusion 99 of the plate spring 96 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 59 of the main body 50. Thereby, the rotating body 80 is fixed to the main body 50.

The user may conduct cleaning by sweeping out window frames and corners with the dusting brush 84a. Air and dirt may be suctioned through the suction ports 84b formed on both sides of the dusting brush 84a facing in the circumferential direction (A), and the suctioned air and dirt may be guided to the handle pipe 30 by sequentially passing through the introduction port 52 of the main body 50, the internal passage 54, and the discharge port 56 (B).

FIG. 9 is a view showing the external appearance of a multipurpose suction accessory of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment, which is taken along line III-Ill of FIG. 9, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment, which is taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 9.

Hereinafter, a multipurpose suction accessory of a vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. Components disclosed in the previous embodiment will be assigned with the same reference numerals as above and a description thereof may be omitted.

Most of the components of the vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment. A different type of a locker to restrict relative rotation of the rotating body with respect to the main body is shown in the second embodiment component.

A multipurpose suction accessory 240 includes a cylindrical main body 250 coupled to the handle pipe 30, and a cylindrical rotating body 280 rotatably coupled to an outside of the main body 250.

An introduction port 252 through which air and dirt on a surface to be cleaned are introduced is formed on the lateral surface 251 of the main body 250, and a discharge port 256 through which the air and dirt introduced through the introduction port 252 is discharged to the handle pipe 30 is formed at one longitudinal end portion of the main body 250.

An opening 255 may be formed at the other longitudinal end portion of the main body 250, and a cap 266 may be coupled to the opening 255 to close the opening 255. The cap 256 may be provided with a hook 267 to fix the same. By coupling the hook 267 to a restriction groove 258 provided to the main body 250, the cap 266 may be fixed to the main body 250.

The rotating body 280 is rotatably arranged at the outside of the main body 250 to surround the outer surface of the main body 250. The lateral surface of the rotating body 280 is provided with a plurality of suction parts 281, 282, 283 and 284 spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a circumferential direction.

The suction parts 281, 282, 283 and 284 may include a first suction part 281, a second suction part 282, a third suction part 283, and a fourth suction part 284.

The first suction part 281 may include a first brush 281a and a first suction port 281b, and the second suction part 282 may include a second brush 282a and a second suction port 282b. The third suction part 283 may include a third brush 283a and a third suction port 283b, and the fourth suction part 284 may include a fourth brush 284a and a fourth suction port 284b.

The multipurpose suction accessory 240 may further include a sealing member 270 to seal the gap between the main body 250 and the rotating body 280 such that the air and dirt suctioned through the suction parts 281, 282, 283 and 284 of the rotating body 280 do not leak but are discharged through the discharge port 256 of the main body 250.

The sealing member 270 may be provided with an opening 271 corresponding to the introduction port 252 to allow the air and dirt suctioned through the suction parts 281, 282, 283 and 284 of the rotating body 280 to be introduced into the introduction port 252 of the main body 250. The outer surface 272 of the sealing member 270 may be coated with a film formed of a relatively smooth material.

The multipurpose suction accessory 240 may include a locker 273 to restrict rotation of the rotating body 280 with respect to the main body 250.

As shown in FIG. 10, the locker 273 may include locking grooves 291 formed at one longitudinal end portion of the rotating body 280 and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a circumferential direction, an insertion protrusion 287 slidably provided to the outer surface of the main body 250 to be inserted into the locking grooves 291, and an elastic member 299, for example, a compression spring to elastically support the insertion protrusion 287 in the direction in which the insertion protrusion 287 is inserted into the locking grooves 291.

The number of the locking grooves 291 corresponds to that of the number of the suction parts 281, 282, 283 and 284. The locking grooves 291 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction to approximately correspond to the spacing between the suction parts 281, 282, 283 and 284.

The insertion protrusion 287 may protrude from a manipulation part 286 slidably arranged on the outer surface of the main body 250.

An installation groove 259 may be provided to the outer surface of the main body 250, and an installation plate 292 may be mounted to the installation groove 259.

The installation plate 292, which serves to slidably support the manipulation part 286, includes an installation protrusion 293, a spring support 294, and a second restriction protrusion 295 (FIG. 11).

The installation protrusion 293 serves to fix the installation plate 292 to the installation groove 259. The installation protrusion 293 is inserted into an insertion groove 260 formed around the installation groove 259. The spring support 294 supports one end portion of the compression spring 299. The second restriction protrusion 295 guides movement of the manipulation part 286 and at the same time prevents separation of the manipulation part 286.

The manipulation part 286 includes an insertion protrusion 287 to lock the rotating body 280 by being inserted into the locking grooves 291, a spring pressing portion 289 (FIG. 12) pressed by elastic force of the compression spring 299, and a first restriction protrusion 288 (FIG. 11) interfering with the second restriction protrusion 295 of the installation plate 292.

Due to this configuration, rotation of the rotating body 280 with respect to the main body 250 may be restricted when the insertion protrusion 287 of the manipulation part 286 is inserted into one of the locking grooves 291 of the rotating body 280.

When the manipulation part 286 is pressed downward by a force stronger than the elastic force of the compression spring 299 with the insertion protrusion 287 in the inserted position, the insertion protrusion 287 may be released from the locking groove 291, and the rotating body 280 may be rotated with respect to the main body 250.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a multipurpose suction accessory of a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, a multipurpose suction accessory of a vacuum cleaner according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13. Constituents disclosed in the previous embodiments will be assigned with the same reference numerals as above and a description thereof may be omitted.

A multipurpose suction accessory 340 includes a cylindrical main body 50 coupled to the handle pipe 30 and a cylindrical rotating body 80 rotatably coupled to the outside of the main body 50.

A discharge port 56 is formed at one longitudinal end of the main body 50 and an opening 55 is formed at the other end portion of the main body 50. A crevice member 310 to clean crevices may be coupled to the opening 55.

The crevice member 310 may be formed in a long and slim shape to clean crevices and coupled to the opening 55 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 50. The crevice member 310 may be provided with a hook 311. By coupling the hook 311 to the restriction groove 58 of the main body 50, the crevice member 310 may be fixed to the main body 50.

When the crevice member 310 is used to perform cleaning, the introduction port 52 (FIG. 2) of the main body 50 and the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 of the rotating body 80 (FIG. 2) may be disposed at positions where the introduction port does not correspond to the suction parts. That is, the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 of the rotating body 80 may be closed, and air and dirt may be suctioned only through the crevice member 310, so as not to cause loss of suction force. Here, as a non-limiting example, the crevice member 310 is shown to describe a part that may be coupled to the opening 55, however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any form or shape of the part that has an opening to suck the air in may be coupled to the opening 55.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a multipurpose suction accessory of a vacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, a multipurpose suction accessory of a vacuum cleaner according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14. Constituents disclosed in the previous embodiments will be assigned with the same reference numerals as above and a description thereof may be omitted.

A multipurpose suction accessory 440 includes a cylindrical main body 450 coupled to the handle pipe 30 and a cylindrical rotating body 80 rotatably coupled to the outside of the main body 450.

Herein, the main body 450 may be formed to be telescopic such that the length thereof may increase and decrease.

As shown in FIG. 14, the main body 450 may include, for example, a first body 451, a second body 452 slidably coupled to the first body 451, and a third body 453 slidably coupled to the second body 452.

Herein, the sliding structure may employ various commonly known structures and may not be specifically limited. This configuration may enhance cleaning efficiency and usability of the multipurpose suction accessory 440.

As is apparent from the above description, a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with a multipurpose suction accessory having a plurality of suction parts. Accordingly, various types of surfaces to be cleaned may be efficiently cleaned using simply one multipurpose suction accessory.

In addition, a multipurpose suction accessory according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with a plurality of suction parts arranged on a lateral surface of a rotating body in a circumferential direction. Accordingly, the multipurpose suction accessory may come in a compact and simple form even though it has multiple suction parts.

Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a body to generate suction force;

a suction head to contact a surface to be cleaned so as to suction air and dirt;

a handle pipe manipulated by a user;

a flexible hose to connect the handle pipe to the body;

an extension pipe to connect the suction head to the handle pipe; and

a multipurpose suction accessory coupled to the handle pipe to replace the suction head to perform cleaning,

wherein the multipurpose suction accessory comprises:

a cylindrical main body coupled to the handle pipe, the main body comprising at least one introduction port formed on a lateral surface of the main body and a discharge port formed at one of both longitudinal end portions of the main body to communicate with the handle pipe;

a cylindrical rotating body rotatably coupled to an outside of the main body and comprising a plurality of suction parts formed on a lateral surface of the rotating body and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a circumferential direction, the suction parts being positioned to correspond to the introduction port of the main body by rotating the rotating body with respect to the main body; and

a locker to restrict rotation of the rotating body with respect to the main body.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the suction parts include at least one suction port to suction air and dirt on the surface to be cleaned and a brush to guide suction of the air and dirt.

3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the brushes of the suction parts include a different shape and a different purpose of use.

4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of suction parts comprises four suction parts.

5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the suction parts are disposed on the lateral surface of the rotating body and spaced about 90 degrees from each other in a circumferential direction.

6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the suction port is provided to both side portions of the brush facing in a circumferential direction.

7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the brush is provided to both side portions of the suction port facing in the circumferential direction.

8. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing member provided between the main body and the rotating body to seal a gap between the main body and the rotating body.

9. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein an outer surface of the sealing member is coated with a film formed of a smooth material to allow the rotating body to smoothly rotate.

10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the locker comprises a plurality of accommodation grooves formed on an outer surface of the main body and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in the circumferential direction, and an elastic member arranged at the rotating body and provided with a protrusion adapted to be accommodated in the accommodation grooves.

11. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the elastic member is a plate spring.

12. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the locker comprises a plurality of locking grooves formed at one longitudinal end portion of the rotating body and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in the circumferential direction, an insertion protrusion slidably arranged on an outer surface of the main body so as to be inserted into the locking grooves, and an elastic member to elastically support the insertion protrusion in a direction of insertion of the insertion protrusion into the locking grooves.

13. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, wherein the elastic member is a compression spring.

14. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein an opening is formed at one of the longitudinal end portions of the main body, and a crevice member for cleaning of crevices is coupled to the opening.

15. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the main body is telescopically formed to extend and contract in a longitudinal direction thereof.

16. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a body to generate suction force;

a suction head to contact a surface to be cleaned so as to suction air and dirt;

a handle pipe manipulated by a user; and

a multipurpose suction accessory coupled to the handle pipe to replace the suction head to perform cleaning,

wherein the multipurpose suction accessory comprises:

a cylindrical main body comprising at least one introduction port formed on a lateral surface of the main body;

a cylindrical rotating body comprising a plurality of suction parts formed on a lateral surface of the rotating body and spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction, the rotating body being rotatably coupled to an outside of the main body; and

a sealing member provided between the main body and the rotating body to seal a gap between the main body and the rotating body.

17. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, further comprising a locker to restrict rotation of the rotating body with respect to the main body.

18. A multipurpose accessory for a vacuum cleaner comprising:

a main body including at least one introduction port formed on a lateral surface of the main body;

a rotating body including a plurality of suction parts formed on a lateral surface of the rotating body in a circumferential direction, the rotating body being rotatably coupled to an outer portion of the main body, the suction parts being positioned to correspond to the introduction port of the main body by rotating the rotating body with respect to the main body.

19. The multipurpose accessory according to claim 18, further comprising a locker to restrict rotation of the rotating body with respect to the main body,

20. The multipurpose accessory according to claim 19, wherein the locker includes a plurality of accommodation grooves formed on an outer portion of the main body, and an elastic member provided at the rotating body to be accommodated in the accommodation grooves.

21. The multipurpose accessory according to claim 19, wherein the locker includes a plurality of locking grooves formed at one end portion of the rotating body, an insertion protrusion provided at an outer portion of the main body so as to be inserted into the locking grooves, and an elastic member to elastically support the insertion protrusion.