FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to surface cleaning apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a portable surface cleaning apparatus, such as a hand vacuum cleaner.
INTRODUCTION
The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art.
Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known, including upright surface cleaning apparatus, canister surface cleaning apparatus, stick surface cleaning apparatus, central vacuum systems, and hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus such as hand vacuums. Further, various designs for cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners, including battery operated cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners, are known in the art.
SUMMARY
This summary is intended to introduce the reader to the more detailed description that follows and not to limit or define any claimed or as yet unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures.
In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner has a pre-motor filter housing that is positioned rearward of the air treatment member. A pistol grip handle has an upper end that is mounted to the pre-motor filter housing. The suction motor may be rearward of the pre-motor filter housing. Accordingly, the handle may be further forward. This configuration provides enhanced ergonomics.
The hand vacuum cleaner may include one or more energy storage members to supply power to the suction motor. For example, the one or more energy storage members are positioned in the pistol grip handle, at the lower end of the pistol grip handle, radially outward of the suction motor, rearward of the pre-motor filter housing, or a combination thereof.
Alternately, or in addition, the hand vacuum cleaner may include a power supply to convert alternating current (supplied by household mains (electrical outlets)) to direct current for charging the first energy storage member (and/or the one or more second energy storage members) and/or providing power to the motor. For example, the power supply may be positioned in the body portion, in the pistol grip handle, at the lower end of the pistol grip handle, or at the upper end of the pistol grip handle.
In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner has a pre-motor filter housing positioned rearward of an air outlet the air treatment member. A pistol grip handle has a handle axis and an upper end that is positioned below a lower end of the air treatment member. A portion of the air treatment member is positioned between the upper end of the pistol grip handle and the pre-motor filter housing or the pre-motor filter. When the hand vacuum cleaner is horizontal, a vertical projection of the upper end of the pistol grip handle extends through the pre-motor filter housing. The suction motor may be positioned rearward of the pre-motor filter housing. This configuration of the hand vacuum cleaner and the pistol grip handle provides enhanced ergonomics and/or an expanded air treatment member volume.
Alternately, or in addition, the handle axis may extend through the portion of the air treatment member that is positioned between the upper end of the pistol grip handle and the pre-motor filter housing.
In some embodiments, the air treatment member may include an air treatment chamber and a dirt collection chamber that is external to the air treatment chamber. In these embodiments, the portion of the air treatment member positioned between the upper end of the pistol grip handle and the pre-motor filter housing is a portion of the dirt collection chamber. Alternately, the portion of the air treatment member may be a dirt region of an air treatment chamber.
The hand vacuum cleaner may include one or more energy storage members to supply power to the suction motor. For example, the one or more energy storage members may be positioned at the lower end of the pistol grip handle, at the upper end of the pistol grip handle, in the pistol grip handle, in a hand vacuum body portion, or a combination thereof.
In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment member provided at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner. The air treatment member includes an air treatment chamber and a dirt collection region. A pre-motor filter housing is optionally provided rearward of an air outlet of the air treatment chamber. A portion of the dirt collection region optionally underlies the pre-motor filter housing. Accordingly, when the hand vacuum is horizontal, a vertical axis may intersect the portion of the dirt collection region and the pre-motor filter housing. A first energy storage member is positioned rearward of the portion of the dirt collection region whereby a projection of the first energy storage member intersects the dirt collection region. This configuration of the hand vacuum cleaner provides an expanded dirt collection region and enhances ergonomics.
The hand vacuum cleaner may include a handle that underlies the portion of the dirt collection region that underlies the pre-motor filter housing. Accordingly, that portion of the dirt collection region may be positioned between the upper end of the handle and the pre-motor filter housing.
A body portion may house the heavier operating components of the hand vacuum cleaner, such as the first energy storage member and the suction motor. This configuration of the heavier components of the hand vacuum cleaner and the handle provides enhances ergonomics.
In some embodiments, the dirt collection region includes a dirt collection chamber that is external to the air treatment chamber. In these embodiments, the dirt collection chamber includes the portion of the dirt collection region that underlies the pre-motor filter housing.
The hand vacuum cleaner may include one or more secondary energy storage members to enhance cleaning power and/or lengthen time between charges. For example, the one or more energy secondary storage members may be positioned at the lower end of the handle, at the upper end of the handle, in the pistol grip handle, in the body portion, or a combination thereof.
In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner has a main body which houses a suction motor and optionally one or more filters, such as a pre- and/or post-motor filter wherein one or more energy storage members are located in the main body forward and/or rearward of the suction motor. Accordingly, the heavier components of a hand vacuum cleaner, namely the suction motor and the energy storage members, may be located adjacent each other. The energy storage members may be one or more batteries wherein the axis of the long direction of the batteries may extend in a common direction with the motor axis of rotation.
In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner has a front end, a rear end and a hand vacuum cleaner axis that extends between the front end and the rear end. The hand vacuum cleaner has an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet, which is positioned at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner, to a clean air outlet, which is positioned rearward of the dirty air inlet, with a suction motor provided in the air flow path, the suction motor having a motor axis of rotation. An air treatment member provided in the air flow path at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. A body portion housing the suction motor has a front end, a rear end and a sidewall extending between the front end of the body portion and the rear end of the body portion. In use, at least a portion of an energy storage pack is positioned axially from the suction motor. A handle is provided on the sidewall of the body portion and extending outwardly therefrom.
In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner has a main body which houses a suction motor and optionally one or more filters, such as a pre- and/or post-motor filter wherein a handle, e.g., a pistol grip handle, extends downwardly from the main body. For example, the handle may extend away from a portion of the main body that houses the pre-motor filter and/or the suction motor or be mounted to a pre-motor filter housing and/or the suction motor housing (e.g., a projection of the hand grip portion of the handle may extend through the pre-motor filter or the suction motor). Some or all of the energy storage members are located at a lower end of the handle and the energy storage members may be in a housing the is provided at the lower end of the handle and extends rearwardly of the handle (and not forwardly thereof) or forwardly of the handle (and not rearwardly thereof).
In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner has a front end, a rear end and a hand vacuum cleaner axis that extends between the front end and the rear end. The hand vacuum cleaner has an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet, which is positioned at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner, to a clean air outlet, which is positioned rearward of the dirty air inlet, with a suction motor provided in the air flow path, the suction motor having a motor axis of rotation. An air treatment member provided in the air flow path at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. A body portion housing the suction motor has a front end, a rear end and a sidewall extending between the front end of the body portion and the rear end of the body portion. A handle has a hand grip portion positioned between first and second ends of the handle. A handle axis extends through the hand grip portion from the first end of the handle to the second end of the handle. The first handle end is located at the sidewall of the body portion and the handle extends outwardly therefrom. In use, an energy storage pack is provided at the handle second end, the energy storage pack has a front end provided at the second end of the handle and a rear end extends rearwardly of the handle.
In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, there is also provided a hand vacuum cleaner has a front end, a rear end and a hand vacuum cleaner axis that extends between the front end and the rear end. The hand vacuum cleaner has an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet, which is positioned at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner, to a clean air outlet, which is positioned rearward of the dirty air inlet, with a suction motor provided in the air flow path, the suction motor having a motor axis of rotation. An air treatment member provided in the air flow path at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. A body portion housing the suction motor has a front end, a rear end and a sidewall extending between the front end of the body portion and the rear end of the body portion. A handle has a hand grip portion positioned between first and second ends of the handle. A handle axis extends through the hand grip portion from the first end of the handle to the second end of the handle. The first handle end is located at the sidewall of the body portion and the handle extends outwardly therefrom. In use, a first energy storage pack is provided at the handle second end and a second separate energy storage pack is also provided.
In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner has a main body which houses a suction motor and optionally one or more filters, such as a pre- and/or post-motor filter wherein a handle, e.g., a pistol grip handle, extends downwardly from the main body. For example, the handle may extend away from a portion of the main body that houses the pre-motor filter and/or the suction motor or be mounted to a pre-motor filter housing and/or the suction motor housing (e.g., a projection of the handle may extend through the pre-motor filter or the suction motor). Some or all of the energy storage members are located between the handle and the suction motor (e.g., a projection of the hand grip portion of the handle may extend through part or all of the suction motor). Accordingly, some or all of the energy storage members may be located (optionally removable insertable) in the main body underlying the motor and overlying the hand grip portion of the handle and/or some or all of the energy storage members may be provided at an upper end of the hand grip portion of the handle and underlying the suction motor in the main housing. Accordingly, the heavier components of a hand vacuum cleaner, namely the suction motor and the energy storage members, may be located adjacent each other.
In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner has a front end, a rear end and a hand vacuum cleaner axis that extends between the front end and the rear end. The hand vacuum cleaner has an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet, which is positioned at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner, to a clean air outlet, which is positioned rearward of the dirty air inlet, with a suction motor provided in the air flow path, the suction motor having a motor axis of rotation. An air treatment member assembly provided in the air flow path at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. A body portion, which houses the suction motor, has a front end, a rear end and a sidewall extending between the front end of the body portion and the rear end of the body portion. A handle has a hand grip portion positioned between first and second ends of the handle, a handle axis extends through the hand grip portion from the first end of the handle to the second end of the handle, the first handle end is located at the sidewall of the body portion and the handle extends outwardly therefrom. In use, an energy storage pack is provided at the first end of the handle.
In accordance with another aspect, there is also provided a hand vacuum cleaner has a front end, a rear end and a hand vacuum cleaner axis that extends between the front end and the rear end. The hand vacuum cleaner has an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet, which is positioned at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner, to a clean air outlet, which is positioned rearward of the dirty air inlet, with a suction motor provided in the air flow path, the suction motor having a motor axis of rotation. An air treatment member assembly provided in the air flow path at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. A body portion, which houses the suction motor, has a front end, a rear end and a sidewall extending between the front end of the body portion and the rear end of the body portion. A handle has a hand grip portion positioned between first and second ends of the handle. A handle axis extends through the hand grip portion from the first end of the handle to the second end of the handle. The first handle end is located at the sidewall of the body portion and the handle extends outwardly therefrom In use, an energy storage pack is provided in the body portion at a location at which the handle extends outwardly from the sidewall of the body portion.
In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, which may be used alone or in combination with any other aspect, a surface cleaning apparatus, such as a hand vacuum cleaner, is powered, at least part of the time, by on board energy storage members. During operation of the surface cleaning apparatus, an air flow is produced which draws air through at least one air treatment member (e.g., an air treatment chamber such as a cyclone) of the surface cleaning apparatus and out a clean air outlet. This air flow induces ambient air, which has not passed through the at least one air treatment member, to flow over and/or through some or all of the on board energy storage members. Accordingly, the on board energy storage members may be cooled by ambient air using the air flow produced by a motor and fan assembly of the surface cleaning apparatus. For example, a venturi may be used to draw in ambient air.
In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleaner has an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a suction motor provided in the air flow path, an air treatment member assembly provided in the air flow path, which includes an air treatment chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet, and a body portion, which houses the suction motor. In use, an energy storage pack is provided, and air flow produced by the suction motor draws ambient air in through an ambient air inlet, through the energy storage pack and out an energy storage pack air outlet.
These and other aspects and features of various embodiments will be described in greater detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with an energy storage member positioned above the handle;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 of an alternate embodiment wherein a main body and a handle jointly rotating about a pivot;
FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 with the bottom door in an open position;
FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 attached to a wand and a floor surface cleaning head;
FIGS. 6-12 are cross-sectional views of other example hand vacuum cleaners with an energy storage member positioned above the handle and/or the finger gap;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an example hand vacuum cleaner connected to a removable power cord;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with an extendable power cord housed in the handle;
FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 14 with the power cord extended from the lower end of the handle;
FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with a removable handle;
FIG. 17 is a side perspective of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 16 with the handle removed;
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 16;
FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with an energy storage member positioned forward of the suction motor;
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 19;
FIGS. 21-27 are cross-sectional views of other example hand vacuum cleaners with an energy storage member positioned forward of the suction motor;
FIG. 28 is a side perspective view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with a pistol grip handle mounted to a pre-motor filter housing and an energy storage member positioned at the lower end of the handle;
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28;
FIGS. 29A-29B are cross-sectional views of example hand vacuum cleaners with a pistol grip handle mounted to the lower end of an air treatment member, and an energy storage member positioned at the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner;
FIG. 29C is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 of an alternate embodiment wherein a body portion rotating about a pivot;
FIG. 29D is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 of an alternate embodiment wherein a main body and a handle jointly rotating about a pivot;
FIG. 30 is a rear view of the hand vacuum clearer of FIG. 28;
FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 28 with the front door in an open position;
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 28 attached to a wand and a floor surface cleaning head;
FIGS. 33-34 are cross-sectional views of other example hand vacuum cleaners with a pistol grip handle mounted to the main body at a location forward of the suction motor and with an energy storage member positioned at the lower end of the handle;
FIG. 35 is a partially exploded perspective view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with multiple batteries positionable radially outward of the suction motor;
FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with an annular battery surrounding the suction motor;
FIG. 37 is a partially exploded perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 36;
FIG. 38 is a side perspective view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with the handle mounted below the suction motor housing;
FIG. 39 is a partially exploded perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 38 with multiple batteries positionable radially outward of the suction motor;
FIG. 40 is a partially exploded perspective view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with the handle mounted below the air treatment assembly;
FIG. 41 is a side perspective view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with a recess provided at the upper end of the handle for removably receiving an energy storage member;
FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line E-E of FIG. 41;
FIGS. 43-44 are side perspective views of other example hand vacuum cleaners with a recess provided at the upper end of the handle for removably receiving an energy storage member;
FIG. 45 is a side perspective view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with a removable battery pack mounted to the handle;
FIG. 46 is a side perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 45 with the battery pack removed from the handle;
FIG. 47 is a side perspective view of another example hand vacuum cleaner with a removable battery pack mounted to the handle;
FIG. 48 is a side perspective view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with a pistol grip handle mounted to the pre-motor filter housing;
FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. 48;
FIG. 49A is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. 48 of an alternate embodiment wherein a body portion rotating about a pivot;
FIG. 49B is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. 48 of an alternate embodiment wherein a main body and a handle jointly rotating about a pivot;
FIG. 50 is a side perspective view of another example hand vacuum cleaner with a pistol grip handle mounted to the pre-motor filter housing, the suction motor above the pre-motor filter and with an energy storage member positioned at the lower end of the handle;
FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of FIG. 50;
FIG. 51A is a cross-sectional view of example hand vacuum cleaner with a dirt collection chamber having a portion that is located below the lower end of the body portion and spaced forward of the pistol grip handle;
FIG. 51B is a cross-sectional taken along line G-G of FIG. 50 of an alternate embodiment wherein a main body and a handle jointly rotating about a pivot;
FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view of another example hand vacuum cleaner with the pre-motor filter and the suction motor above a pistol grip handle and with an energy storage member positioned at the lower end of the handle;
FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with an energy storage member positioned in the handle;
FIG. 54 is side perspective view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with the handle mounted at the rear end of the suction motor housing;
FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 54;
FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view of another example hand vacuum cleaner with the handle mounted at the rear end of the suction motor housing;
FIG. 56A is a cross-sectional view of another example hand vacuum cleaner with a body portion and a handle jointly rotating about a pivot;
FIG. 56B is a cross-sectional view of another example hand vacuum cleaner with a main body and a handle jointly rotating about a pivot;
FIG. 57 is a cross-sectional view of another example hand vacuum cleaner with the handle mounted at the rear end of the suction motor housing;
FIGS. 58-59 are side perspective views of other example hand vacuum cleaners with the handle mounted at the rear end of the suction motor housing;
FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line H-H of FIG. 59;
FIGS. 61-63 are side perspective views of example hand vacuum cleaners with the handle mounted to the upper end of the pre-motor filter housing;
FIGS. 64-65 are side perspective views of example hand vacuum cleaners with the handle mounted to the upper end of the air treatment assembly;
FIG. 66 is a side perspective view of an example hand vacuum cleaner with the handle mounted to the upper end of the suction motor housing;
FIG. 67 is a side perspective view an example hand vacuum cleaner with a dirt collection chamber located below the lower end of the body portion and spaced forward of the pistol grip handle;
FIG. 68 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 67;
FIG. 68A is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 67 of an alternate embodiment wherein a body portion and a handle jointly rotating about a pivot;
FIG. 68B is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 67 of an alternate embodiment wherein a main body and a handle jointly rotating about a pivot; and
FIG. 69 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 of an alternate example hand vacuum cleaner with an energy storage member forward of the suction motor and the handle mounted to the main body below the pre-motor filter;
FIG. 70 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with an energy storage member rearward of the suction motor and the handle mounted to the main body below the pre-motor filter housing;
FIG. 71 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with an energy storage member rearward of the suction motor and the handle mounted to the main body below the suction motor;
FIG. 72 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with an energy storage member rearward of the suction motor and the handle mounted to the main body below the energy storage member;
FIG. 73 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with the handle mounted to the main body below the pre-motor filter at a handle upper end and having an energy storage member extending forward from a lower handle end;
FIG. 74 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with the handle mounted to the main body below the pre-motor filter at the handle upper end and having an energy storage member extending rearward from the lower handle end;
FIG. 75 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with an upper end of the handle mounted to the main body below the suction motor and having a post-motor filter and an energy storage member at the lower handle end;
FIG. 76 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with the handle mounted to the main body below an energy storage member and the energy storage member below the suction motor;
FIG. 77 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with a finger guard including the energy storage member forward of the handle, and the handle mounted to the main body below a supplementary energy storage member;
FIG. 78 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with the handle mounted to the main body below the pre-motor filter and an energy storage member positioned below the suction motor;
FIG. 79 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with the handle mounted to the main body by a supplementary energy storage member housing at the handle upper end and having an energy storage member provided at the lower handle end;
FIG. 80 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with an energy storage member rearward of the suction motor and cooled by external air;
FIG. 81 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with an energy storage member above of the suction motor and cooled by external air;
FIG. 82A is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with an energy storage member downstream of the suction motor and cooled by external air and having a plurality of cooling fins; and,
FIG. 82B is a top cross-sectional view of FIG. 28 example hand vacuum cleaner with the energy storage member downstream of the suction motor and cooled by external air and having the plurality of cooling fins.
The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
Various apparatus, methods and compositions are described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatus, methods and compositions having all of the features of any one apparatus, method or composition described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatus, methods or compositions described below. It is possible that an apparatus, method or composition described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus, method or composition described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.
The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments,” “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s)”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms “including”, “comprising”, and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a”, “an”, and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, or “fastened” where the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts), so long as a link occurs. As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “directly coupled”, “directly connected”, “directly attached”, or “directly fastened” where the parts are connected in physical contact with each other. None of the terms “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, and “fastened” distinguish the manner in which two or more parts are joined together.
Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described herein.
As used herein, the wording “and/or” is intended to represent an inclusive-or. That is, “X and/or Y” is intended to mean X or Y or both, for example. As a further example, “X, Y, and/or Z” is intended to mean X or Y or Z or any combination thereof.
As used herein and in the claims, two elements are said to be “parallel” where those elements are parallel and spaced apart, or where those elements are collinear.
Some elements herein may be identified by a part number, which is composed of a base number followed by an alphabetical or subscript-numerical suffix (e.g., 300a, or 3001). Multiple elements herein may be identified by part numbers that share a base number in common and that differ by their suffixes (e.g., 3001, 3002, and 3003). All elements with a common base number may be referred to collectively or generically using the base number without a suffix (e.g., 300).
It should be noted that terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about”, and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. These terms of degree may also be construed as including a deviation of the modified term, such as by 1%, 2%, 5% or 10%, for example, if this deviation does not negate the meaning of the term it modifies. For example, the expressions “substantially perpendicular” and “substantially parallel” mean within 10% of perpendicular and parallel, respectively.
General Description of a Hand Vacuum Cleaner
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus is shown generally as 100. The following is a general discussion of surface cleaning apparatus 100, which provides a basis for understanding several of the features that are discussed herein. As discussed subsequently, each of the features may be used individually or in any particular combination or sub-combination in this or in other embodiments disclosed herein.
In the illustrated embodiment, surface cleaning apparatus 100 is a hand vacuum cleaner. As used herein, a hand vacuum cleaner is a vacuum cleaner that can be operated to clean a surface generally one-handedly. That is, the entire weight of the hand vacuum cleaner may be held by the same hand as the one used to direct a dirty air inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner with respect to a surface to be cleaned. For example, the handle and the dirty air inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner may be rigidly coupled to each other (directly or indirectly) so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. This is to be contrasted with canister and upright vacuum cleaners, whose weight is typically supported by a surface (e.g., a floor) during use. When a canister vacuum cleaner is operated or when an upright vacuum cleaner is operated in a ‘lift-away’ configuration, a second hand is typically required to direct the dirty air inlet at the end of a flexible hose.
Surface cleaning apparatus 100 includes a main body 102 having an air treatment assembly 104 (which may be permanently affixed to main body 102 or may be removable in part or in whole therefrom for emptying, and optionally is removable as a sealed air treatment assembly 104 other than the air treatment assembly air inlet and the air treatment assembly air outlet), a dirty air inlet 106, a clean air outlet 108, and an air flow path extending between dirty air inlet 106 and clean air outlet 108. Air treatment assembly 104 may comprise one or more air treatment members.
Surface cleaning apparatus 100 has a front end 110, a rear end 112, an upper end 114, and a lower end 116. In the illustrated embodiment, dirty air inlet 106 is at an upper portion of front end 110 and clean air outlet 108 is at a rearward portion of main body 102. It will be appreciated that dirty air inlet 106 and clean air outlet 108 may be provided in different locations. As exemplified in FIG. 29A, hand vacuum cleaner 100 has a hand vacuum cleaner axis 115 that extends between the front end 110 and the rear end 112. Unless expressly stated otherwise, any description herein that relates to the position of one or more hand vacuum cleaner components relative to the position of one or more other hand vacuum cleaner components is made when the hand vacuum cleaner axis 115 is horizontal and in the orientation of FIG. 29 wherein the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner is above the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.
A suction motor 118 is positioned in the air flow path to generate vacuum suction through the air flow path. Suction motor 118 is positioned within a body portion 120 (which may be part of the main body 102). The suction motor 118 may be provided in body portion 120 of main body 102 and, optionally, a suction motor housing 119 may be provided in body portion 120. Suction motor 118 may be a fan-motor assembly including an electric motor and impeller blade(s). Suction motor 118 defines a motor axis 122 (about which the impeller rotates). In the illustrated embodiment, suction motor 118 is positioned downstream of air treatment assembly 104. In this configuration, suction motor 118 may be referred to as a “clean air motor”. Alternatively, suction motor 118 may be positioned at alternate locations, such as upstream of air treatment assembly 104 in which case it may be referred to as a “dirty air motor”.
Suction motor 118 may be oriented in any direction. For example, when surface cleaning apparatus 100 is oriented with the upper end 114 above the lower end 116, e.g., positioned substantially parallel to a horizontal surface, motor axis 122 may be oriented horizontally (as exemplified in FIG. 2) or vertically (as exemplified in FIG. 6). In alternative embodiments, suction motor 118 may be oriented at any angle between horizontal and vertical. As described below, suction motor 118 may have various positional arrangements, which may improve the ergonomics of the hand vacuum cleaner 100 (e.g., reduced weight, better weight balance, or greater portability).
The air treatment member or members of air treatment assembly 104 are configured to remove particles of dirt and other debris from the air flow. The air treatment member or members of air treatment assembly 104 may comprise one or more cyclonic stages, each of which may comprise a single cyclone or a plurality of cyclones in parallel. Each cyclonic stage may have a single dirt collection chamber or a plurality of dirt collection chambers. The dirt collection chamber(s) may be external to the cyclone chamber or may be internal to the cyclone chamber and configured as a dirt collection area or region within the cyclone chamber. Alternatively, air treatment assembly 104 need not include a cyclonic cleaning stage, and can comprise any air treatment chamber known in the vacuum cleaner arts and/or may optionally incorporate a bag, a porous physical filter media (such as foam or felt), or other air treating means.
As exemplified in FIGS. 1-4, air treatment assembly 104 utilizes an air treatment chamber that is a cyclone chamber 124 and has an external dirt collection chamber 126. Cyclone chamber 124 has first and second cyclone ends 128, 130 and a cyclone sidewall 132 that extends between first and second cyclone ends 128, 130. Cyclone chamber 124 has a cyclone axis 134 that extends between first and second cyclone ends 128, 130.
Cyclone chamber 124 may be oriented in any direction. As exemplified in FIG. 2, when hand vacuum cleaner 100 is oriented with the upper end 114 above the lower end 116, e.g., positioned substantially parallel to a horizontal surface, cyclone axis 134 may be oriented vertically. In these configurations, first and second cyclone ends 128, 130 may be referred to as cyclone upper and lower ends 128, 130, respectively. Alternatively, as exemplified in FIG. 29, when hand vacuum cleaner 100 is oriented with upper end 114 above lower end 116, e.g., positioned substantially parallel to a horizontal surface, cyclone axis 134 may be oriented horizontally. In these configurations, first and second cyclone ends 128, 130 may be referred to as cyclone front and rear ends 128, 130, respectively. In alternative embodiments, cyclone chamber 124 may be oriented at any angle between horizontal and vertical.
Air circulates about cyclone axis 134 when in cyclone chamber 124. Accordingly, cyclone axis 134 is alternatively referred to herein as a “cyclone axis of rotation”. Cyclone chamber 124 includes a cyclone air inlet 136 in fluid communication with an inlet conduit 138, a cyclone air outlet 140, and a dirt outlet 142 that is in communication with the dirt collection chamber 126. As exemplified in FIG. 2, cyclone chamber 124 may have a single dirt outlet 142. Alternatively, cyclone chamber 124 may include two or more dirt outlets that are in communication with the same dirt collection chamber, or optionally with different dirt collection chambers.
Cyclone air inlet 136, cyclone air outlet 140 and dirt outlet 142 may be of any design and positioning that is known in the art. Preferably, cyclone air inlet 136 is generally tangentially oriented relative to cyclone sidewall 132, so that air entering the cyclone chamber 124 will tend to swirl and circulate within cyclone chamber 124, thereby disentraining dirt and debris from the air flow, before leaving cyclone chamber 124 through cyclone air outlet 140.
Cyclone chamber 124 may optionally be a ‘uniflow’ cyclone chamber (i.e., where the cyclone air inlet and cyclone air outlet are at opposite ends of the cyclone chamber). Alternatively, cyclone chamber 124 may provide bidirectional air flow (i.e., where the cyclone air inlet and cyclone air outlet are at the same end of the cyclone chamber). In the illustrated embodiments, cyclone chamber 124 uses bidirectional air flow. As exemplified in FIG. 2, cyclone air inlet 136 and cyclone air outlet 140 may be both provided at cyclone upper end 128. As exemplified in FIG. 29, cyclone air inlet 136 and cyclone air outlet 140 may be both provided at cyclone rear end 130. Optionally, cyclone chamber 124 may be an inverted cyclone chamber with the cyclone air inlet 136 and cyclone air outlet 140 provided at the lower end.
As exemplified in FIG. 2, dirt collection chamber 126 may be external to cyclone chamber 124 (i.e., dirt collection chamber 126 may have a discrete volume from that of cyclone chamber 124 and in communication with cyclone chamber 124 through dirt outlet 142). In such an embodiment, the dirt outlet 142 may be at any location. For example, it may be at the same end as the air treatment chamber air outlet. Alternately, as exemplified in FIG. 2, the dirt outlet 142 is vertically spaced apart cyclone air inlet 136 and cyclone air outlet 140.
As previously discussed, dirt collection chamber(s) may be internal to the cyclone chamber (or a non-cyclonic air treatment chamber) and configured as a dirt collection area or region within the cyclone chamber (or a non-cyclonic air treatment chamber). For example, FIG. 29A shows an example embodiment in which air treatment assembly 104 has a dirt collection region 127 that is internal to cyclone chamber 124. In this embodiment, cyclone chamber 124 and dirt collection region 127 share one contiguous volume. Dirt and debris separated from the air stream within the cyclone chamber 124 can fall to dirt collection region 127 without passing through a dirt outlet.
Cyclone chamber 124 and dirt collection chamber 126 may be of any configuration suitable for separating dirt from an air stream and collecting the separated dirt respectively and cyclone air inlet 136 and cyclone air outlet 140 may be of any design and position known in the art. As exemplified in FIGS. 2 and 29B, dirt collection chamber 126 may be positioned below cyclone chamber 124 when hand vacuum cleaner 100 is oriented with the upper end 114 above the lower end 116. Alternatively, or in addition, dirt collection chamber 126 may surround part of all of cyclone chamber 124 (see, e.g., FIG. 31).
In the illustrated embodiment, cyclone air outlet 140 includes a vortex finder 144. As exemplified in FIG. 2, the vortex finder 144 may consist of or comprise a mesh screen 146 to help filter lint, fluff, and other debris, such as hair, that remains in the exiting air flow. Mesh screen 146 may extend inwardly into the cyclone chamber from a solid outlet conduit.
Preferably, at least a portion of air treatment assembly 104 may be openable for emptying. For example, at least one end (e.g., the bottom end as exemplified in FIG. 3 or the front end as exemplified in FIG. 31) may be openable. Optionally both ends of treatment assembly 104 may also be openable for emptying. The openable end may open the dirt collection chamber and/or the air treatment chamber.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the bottom end wall 148 of cyclone chamber 124 and the bottom end wall 150 of dirt collection chamber 126 and are both provided by portions of an openable door 152. Accordingly, in this arrangement, openable door 152 may be referred to as a “bottom door”. In this arrangement, opening bottom door 152 concurrently opens bottom end walls 148, 150 of cyclone and dirt collection chambers 124, 126. Bottom door 152 may be movably connected (e.g., pivotally openable or removably mounted) to air treatment assembly 104 using any suitable mechanism, including a hinge or other suitable device. Optionally, bottom door 152 may be secured in the closed position using any suitable type of locking mechanism. As exemplified in FIG. 1, bottom door 152 may be held in the closed position by a latch 154 that may be released by a user. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 31, openable door 152 may be referred to as a “front door” and movably connected to air treatment assembly 104 in a similar fashion as the bottom door discussed above. It will be appreciated that the openable end of an air treatment chamber or the air treatment assembly may comprise or consist of an end wall. It will also be appreciated that if an external dirt collection chamber is provided, that the air treatment chamber 124 and the dirt collection chamber 126 may be concurrently openable (see e.g., FIGS. 3 and 31).
As exemplified in FIG. 2, a deflector or arrestor plate 156 may be positioned at cyclone lower end 130, at the interface between cyclone chamber 124 and dirt collection chamber 126. In such an embodiment, the dirt outlet 142 may be provided by one or more gaps between the arrestor plate 156 and the end of the sidewall 132 of the cyclone chamber 124. Alternately, the arrester plate 156 may abut the end of the cyclone sidewall 132 and the sidewall may have a slot which defines the dirt outlet 142. Accordingly, for example, arrester plate 156 may be sized to cover substantially all of cyclone lower end 130, and to abut the lower end of cyclone sidewall 132 to form bottom end wall 148 of cyclone chamber 124. When arrestor plate 156 abuts the lower end of cyclone sidewall 132 it may define part of the gaps or slots that form dirt outlet 142. For example, dirt outlet 142 may be bounded on three sides by cyclone sidewall 132 and on a fourth side by arrestor plate 156. Alternatively, cyclone sidewall 132 may be spaced apart from arrestor plate 156 and the dirt outlet is defined by the gap between the arrester plate 156 and the end of the cyclone sidewall 132.
Optionally, arrestor plate 156 may be fixed in its position with respect to cyclone sidewall 132 or may be moveable or openable. Providing an openable arrestor plate 156 may help facilitate emptying of cyclone chamber 124. Optionally, arrestor plate 156 may be openable concurrently with another portion of the surface cleaning apparatus, including, for example, dirt collection chamber 126.
In the illustrated embodiment, arrestor plate 156 is mounted to and supported spaced from bottom end wall 150 of dirt collection chamber 126 by a support member 158. Support member 158 may be of any suitable configuration and may be formed from any suitable material that is capable of supporting arrestor plate 156 and resisting stresses exerted on arrestor plate 156 by the air flow in cyclone chamber 124 or dirt particles exiting cyclone chamber 124. In this configuration, arrestor plate 156 is movable concurrently with bottom end wall 150 of dirt collection chamber 126, so that opening bottom end wall 150 simultaneously opens cyclone chamber 124 and dirt collection chamber 126. Alternatively, arrestor plate 156 may be mounted to cyclone sidewall 132 (or other portion of the surface cleaning apparatus) and need not open in unison with bottom end wall 150 of dirt collection chamber 126.
Optionally, one or more pre-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between air treatment assembly 104 and suction motor 118. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, hand vacuum cleaner 100 includes a pre-motor filter housing 160 provided in the air flow path downstream of air treatment assembly 104 and upstream of suction motor 118. As exemplified, pre-motor filter housing 160 may be provided as a portion of main body 102, above air treatment assembly 104. Alternatively, pre-motor filter housing 160 may be provided elsewhere between air treatment assembly 104 and suction motor 118 (e.g., pre-motor filter housing 160 may be rearward of air treatment assembly 104 as exemplified in FIG. 29).
In some embodiments, a portion of the air treatment member 104 underlies the pre-motor filter housing 160. In these embodiments, the pre-motor filter housing 160 may be provided rearward of an air outlet of the air treatment member 104. As exemplified in FIG. 29A, the pre-motor filter housing 160 is rearward of the cyclone air outlet 140 and a portion 125 of dirt collection region 127 underlies the pre-motor filter housing 160. This configuration may expand the volume of the air treatment member 104 without increasing overall vacuum cleaner size.
As exemplified in FIG. 29B, the pre-motor filter housing 160 is rearward of the cyclone air outlet 140 and a portion 125 of dirt collection chamber 126 underlies the pre-motor filter housing 160. In this embodiment, the dirt collection chamber 126 is external to air treatment chamber 124. This configuration may expand the capacity of the dirt collection chamber 126 without increasing overall vacuum cleaner size.
Pre-motor filter housing 160 may be of any suitable construction, including any of those exemplified herein. One or more pre-motor filters 162 may be positioned within pre-motor filter housing 160. Pre-motor filter(s) 162 may be formed from any suitable physical, porous filter media and having any suitable shape, including the examples disclosed herein with respect to a removable pre-motor filter assembly. For example, pre-motor filter 162 may be one or more of a foam filter, felt filter, HEPA filter, other physical filter media, electrostatic filter, and the like.
In some embodiments, at least a portion of pre-motor filter 162 may be positioned overlying at least a portion of air treatment assembly 104. In some embodiments, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or more) of pre-motor filter 162 may be positioned overlying air treatment assembly 104. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 shows 100% of pre-motor filter 162 overlying air treatment assembly 104.
The diameter or length of the pre-motor filter 162 in a plane transverse to the cyclone axis of rotation 134 may be least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% or more) of the diameter or length of the air treatment assembly 104 in the same plane.
As exemplified in FIG. 2, pre-motor filter housing 160 may be bounded by a bottom wall 164, a sidewall 166 and an upper wall 168. In the illustrated embodiment, upper wall 168 is provided by an upper cover 170. Preferably, at least one of bottom wall 164, sidewall 166 and upper cover 170 are openable to allow access to the interior of pre-motor filter housing 160. In the illustrated embodiment, upper cover 170 is removable (see FIG. 4) to provide access to the interior of pre-motor filter housing 160. Alternatively, instead of being removable, upper cover 170 may be pivotally openable or otherwise moveably coupled to main body 102.
Alternately, if the air treatment assembly is removable, then the pre-motor filter 162 may be accessible when the air treatment assembly is removed. For example, pre-motor filter housing 160 may be removable from main body 102 with the air treatment assembly 104. For example, pre-motor filter housing 160 and air treatment assembly 104 may be detachably mounted to main body 102. Alternately, pre-motor filter housing 160 may remain in place with main body 102 when air treatment assembly 104 is removed. For example, air treatment assembly 104 may be detachably mounted by itself to main body 102 and optionally to pre-motor filter housing 160.
Optionally, one or more post-motor filters may be positioned in the air flow path between suction motor 118 and clean air outlet 108 to help further treat the air passing through the hand vacuum cleaner 100. As exemplified in FIG. 2, hand vacuum cleaner 100 may include an optional post-motor filter 172 provided in the air flow path downstream of suction motor 118 and upstream of clean air outlet 108. In the illustrated embodiment, post-motor filter 172 is provided in body portion 120, rearward of suction motor 118. As described herein below, various alternative positions of post-motor filter 172 are possible. Post-motor filter 172 may be formed from any suitable physical, porous filter media for filtering air in the airflow path downstream of suction motor 118 and may be of any suitable shape. Post-motor filter 172 may be any suitable type of filter such as one or more of a foam filter, felt filter, HEPA filter, other physical filter media, electrostatic filter, and the like. Clean air outlet 108 may form part of an optional post-motor filter housing.
As exemplified in FIGS. 2A and 29C-29D, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may include a first movable portion and a second movable portion. The first and second movable portions may be movably connected by an access pivot 117, such as a hinge or other suitable device. The movable portions may be held together by a latch or any other suitable coupling means that may be released by a user. Rotating one or both movable portions about the access pivot 117 may provide access to one or more components internal to the surface cleaning apparatus 100, such as one or more of suction motor 118, pre-motor filter 162, post-motor filter 172, cyclone chamber 124, and dirt collection chamber 126, such as for cleaning, emptying, replacement, other maintenance purposes, or any other reason. Accordingly, the movable portions may be any two portions of the surface cleaning apparatus. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 29D, the first movable portion is the air treatment assembly 104 and the second movable portion is the main body 102. As another example, as shown in FIG. 29C, the first movable portion is the pre-motor filter housing 160 and the second movable portion is the suction motor housing 119. It will be appreciated that more than one access pivot and more than two movable portions may be used for access to a greater number of components and/or for additional directions of access thereto.
Inlet conduit 138 extends from dirty air inlet 106 to cyclone air inlet 136. In the illustrated embodiment, dirty air inlet 106 of hand vacuum cleaner 100 is an inlet end 174 of inlet conduit 138. Optionally, inlet end 174 of inlet conduit 138 can be used as a nozzle to directly clean a surface. Inlet conduit 138 is, in this example, a generally linear hollow member that extends along an inlet conduit axis 176 that is oriented in a longitudinal forward/rearward direction and is generally horizontal when hand vacuum cleaner 100 is oriented with the upper end 114 above the lower end 116. Alternatively, or in addition to functioning as a nozzle, inlet conduit 138 may be connectable or directly connectable to the downstream end of any suitable accessory tool such as a rigid air flow conduit (e.g., an above floor cleaning wand), a crevice tool, a mini brush, and the like.
FIGS. 1-4 exemplify an inlet conduit 138 positioned forward of air treatment assembly 104 and at an upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner. In this configuration, inlet conduit axis 176 intersects body portion 120 (see FIG. 2). Alternatively, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 29, 29B and 30, inlet conduit 138 may be positioned above air treatment assembly 104 when hand vacuum cleaner 100 is oriented with the upper end 114 above the lower end 116. In the embodiment of FIG. 29, inlet conduit axis 176 intersects pre-motor filter housing 160. Alternately or in addition, as exemplified in the embodiment of FIG. 29B, inlet conduit axis 176 may intersect an energy storage member such as supplementary energy storage pack 302. Alternatively, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 48 and 49, inlet conduit 138 may be positioned below air treatment assembly 104 when hand vacuum cleaner 100 is oriented with the upper end 114 above the lower end 116. In this configuration, inlet conduit axis 176 intersects pre-motor filter housing 160. In some embodiments, inlet conduit axis 176 may intersect both suction motor 118 and first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIG. 11).
In some embodiments, the inlet conduit 138 can be provided on the openable door 152 (see e.g., FIGS. 29, 29A, 31 and 33). In these embodiments, the inlet conduit 138 moves with the door 152 (see e.g., FIG. 31). As exemplified in the alternate positions shown in dotted outlines in FIG. 29A, the inlet conduit 138 (shown in broken lines) can be positioned proximate the upper or lower end of the openable door 152. Alternatively, the inlet conduit 138 can be provided at any suitable location between the upper and lower ends of the door 152. This positioning of the inlet conduit 138 may be used with any one or more other configurations of an element of a hand vacuum cleaner as discussed herein.
In other embodiments, the inlet conduit 138 may not be provided on the openable door 152 (see e.g., FIGS. 29B, 48, and 49). As an example, the embodiment of FIG. 29B shows the inlet conduit 138 positioned above the openable door 152. As another example, the embodiment of FIGS. 48 and 49 shows the inlet conduit 138 positioned below the openable door 152. In these embodiments, the inlet conduit 138 does not move when the door 152 is moved. Accordingly, when the door 152 is opened (e.g., pivoted) to empty collected dirt and debris, the inlet conduit 138 maintains its position. This positioning of the inlet conduit 138 may be used with any one or more other configurations of an element of a hand vacuum cleaner as discussed herein.
Optionally, hand vacuum cleaner 100 may be removably mountable on a base (e.g., a surface or floor cleaning head and an upright housing or wand that is pivotally mounted to the surface cleaning head) so as to form, for example, an upright vacuum cleaner or a stick vacuum cleaner, or, if the base is a canister body, then it may be part of a canister vacuum cleaner. The base and the hand vacuum cleaner may provide a surface cleaning apparatus that is a vacuum cleaner, a wet-dry vacuum cleaner and the like. As exemplified in FIGS. 5 and 32, the base of surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head 178 and an elongate wand 180 that can be connected to hand vacuum cleaner 100 so as to provide a stick vacuum cleaner. In this configuration, the surface cleaning apparatus may be used to clean a floor or other surface in a manner analogous to a conventional upright-style vacuum cleaner.
Inlet end 174 of inlet conduit 138 may include any suitable connector that is operable to connect to, and preferably detachably connect to, a hose, cleaning tool, the upright section (e.g., rigid wand) of a base of an upright or stick vacuum cleaner) or other accessory. Optionally, in addition to providing an air flow connection, inlet conduit 138 may also include an electrical connection. Providing an electrical connection may allow cleaning tools, accessories and the like that are coupled to inlet conduit 138 to be powered by hand vacuum cleaner 100. For example, hand vacuum cleaner 100 can be used to provide both power and suction to surface cleaning head 178 (see FIGS. 5 and 32). As exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 28, inlet conduit 138 may include an electrical coupling in the form of a female socket member 182, and a corresponding male prong member may be provided on the wand, hose, cleaning tool and/or accessory that is connected to inlet conduit 138.
Clean air outlet 108 may be provided in any manner that allows the air flow to exit hand vacuum cleaner 100. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, clean air outlet 108 is provided as part of the main body 102 and configured as a grill. A clean air outlet 108 may be provided on each lateral side of main body 102. In this embodiment, the grill is oriented so that air exiting clean air outlet 108 travels laterally outward from main body 102. This may ensure that the exhausted air is directed away from a user's hand when they are holding handle 200 rearward of the clean air outlet 108. Alternatively, as exemplified in FIG. 33, clean air outlet 108 may be a grill provided on upper end 114 of hand vacuum cleaner 100 so that the exhausted air travels generally upwardly from upper end 114. Alternatively, as exemplified in FIG. 38, clean air outlet 108 may be a plurality of openings provided at rear end 112 of hand vacuum cleaner 100 so that the exhausted air travels generally rearwardly from rear end 112.
In operation, after activating suction motor 118, dirty air enters hand vacuum cleaner 100 through dirty air inlet 106 and is directed through inlet conduit 138 to cyclone air inlet 136. As exemplified, cyclone air inlet 136 directs the dirty air flow into cyclone chamber 124 in a tangential direction to promote cyclonic motion in cyclone chamber 124. After entering cyclone chamber 124, the air rotates and exits cyclone chamber 124 through cyclone air outlet 140. Dirt particles and other debris is disentrained (i.e., separated) from the dirty air flow as the dirty air flow rotates in cyclone chamber 124 while travelling from cyclone air inlet 136 to cyclone air outlet 140. Some (e.g., the heavier) dirt may be separated from the inflow air stream by gravity due to the air flow rate decreasing as the air enters cyclone chamber 124 and/or a change in the direction of the air flow as it enters or travels through cyclone chamber 124. Additional dirt and debris may be separated by mesh screen 146 of vortex finder 144 due to filtration. At least some of the disentrained dirt particles and debris may be discharged from cyclone chamber 124 through dirt outlet 142 into dirt collection chamber 126 external to cyclone chamber 124, where the dirt particles and debris may be collected and stored until dirt collection chamber 126 is emptied.
From cyclone air outlet 140, the air flow may be directed into pre-motor filter housing 160 where it is drawn through pre-motor filter 162. From the downstream end of pre-motor filter housing 160, the air flow may be directed into suction motor housing 119, drawn through the suction motor 118 and then discharged from hand vacuum cleaner 100 through clean air outlet 108. Prior to exiting clean air outlet 108, the treated air may pass through post-motor filter 172, which may be one or more layers of filter media.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, motor axis 122 is substantially perpendicular to cyclone axis 134. As exemplified, suction motor 118 may be positioned so that motor axis 122 intersects pre-motor filter housing 160. Alternatively, or in addition, motor axis 122 may extend through a central portion of the pre-motor filter housing 160 and/or the cyclone chamber 124 (see e.g., FIG. 29B). Alternatively, as exemplified in FIG. 6, motor axis 122 may be substantially parallel to cyclone axis 134. As described subsequently herein, various alternative positions and orientations of suction motor 118 are possible.
Suction motor housing 119 and pre-motor filter housing 160 may have various positional arrangements. As exemplified in FIG. 2, main body 102 may be configured such that suction motor housing 119 is located rearward of the pre-motor filter housing 160 and, preferably, axially aligned with the pre-motor filter housing 160 such that air exiting pre-motor filter housing 160 may travel generally linearly to suction motor 118. Optionally, as exemplified in FIG. 33, motor axis 122 may be generally coaxial with cyclone axis 134. This may help provide a desirable hand feel to a user. Alternatively, as exemplified in FIG. 7, suction motor 118 may be positioned below pre-motor filter housing 160 when hand vacuum cleaner 100 is oriented with the upper end 114 above the lower end 116. In this configuration, air exiting pre-motor filter housing 160 may be drawn downwardly to suction motor 118.
Handle
Hand vacuum cleaner 100 can include a handle 200. Various options for a handle configuration and positioning are discussed. Any such handle could be used by itself or in combination with one or more of the other aspects set out herein including one or more of the enlarged dirt collection chamber or region, the power source, the position of the handle, the position of the first energy storage pack, the position of the second energy storage pack, the first and second energy storage packs on opposed lateral sides of the handle, the position of the power supply, the position of the suction motor, the position of the post-motor filter and an access pivot and the separate ambient airflow path.
Handle 200 may have various positional arrangements and configurations, which may improve the ergonomics of hand vacuum cleaner 100. As an example, handle 200 may be located at rear end 112 of hand vacuum cleaner 100 (see, e.g., FIGS. 54, 58 and 59). As another example, handle 200 may be located at upper end 114 of hand vacuum cleaner 100 (see, e.g., FIGS. 61 and 63). As yet another example, handle 200 may be located at lower end 116 of hand vacuum cleaner 100 (see, e.g., FIGS. 43, 44 and 48).
Optionally, handle 200 may be removable from main body 102. For example, FIGS. 16-17 exemplify a removable handle 200 mounted below body portion 120. Handle 200 can be removably mounted to main body 102 in any suitable fashion (e.g., dove-tail locking members, clips, etc.). Removing handle 200 may facilitate charging or replacement of energy storage members 300, 302 that are removed with handle 200 (see, e.g., FIG. 17).
The handle 200 may have various configurations. For example, in the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1-55, handle 200 is configured as a pistol grip type handle that extends upwardly and forwardly along a handle axis 202 (e.g., FIGS. 2 and 55) between upper and lower handle ends 204, 206, when hand vacuum cleaner 100 is oriented so that upper end 114 is above the lower end 116. It will be appreciated that handle 200 may consist of a pistol grip handle (see for example FIGS. 2, 29 and 54) or it may comprise a pistol grip section (e.g., a pistol grip hand grip portion) (see for example FIG. 62).
As exemplified in FIGS. 59-61, handle 200 may be configured as a stick or linearly extending handle. A linearly extending handle may be mounted to the main body 102 or the air treatment assembly 104. As exemplified in FIG. 59, handle 200 includes a grip portion 214 that extends rearwardly from rear end 112. As exemplified in FIG. 61, grip portion 214 extends rearwardly from the upper end of a mounting portion 216. FIG. 61 shows mounting portion 216 connected to the upper end of pre-motor filter housing 160. FIG. 63 shows the handle 200 mounted to the upper end of the main body 102. FIG. 64 show mounting portion 216 connected to the upper surface of air treatment assembly 104.
As exemplified in FIGS. 62, 65 and 66, a handle 200 that is mounted to an upper portion of the hand vacuum cleaner may include a pistol grip portion 218 extending downwardly from an upper handle portion 220. As exemplified, pistol grip portion 218 is positioned rearward of main body 102. FIG. 62 shows upper handle portion 220 mounted to the upper end of pre-motor filter housing 160. In this embodiment, a continuous finger grip area 210 is formed (i) between pistol grip portion 218 and the rear end of main body 102 and (ii) between upper handle portion 220 and the upper end of main body 102. FIG. 65 exemplifies upper handle portion 220 mounted to the upper surface of air treatment assembly 104. FIG. 66 exemplifies upper handle portion 220 connected to the upper end of suction motor housing 119. As exemplified in FIGS. 65 and 66, a finger grip area 210 may be formed between pistol grip portion 218 and the rear end of suction motor housing 119.
Although the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 62, 65 and 66 exemplify a pistol grip portion 218 that extends straight down from upper handle portion 220, pistol grip portion 218 may extend downwardly and rearwardly from upper handle portion 220 (e.g., at an angle between 0 and 40°).
One or more portions of the handle 200 may be attached to the hand vacuum cleaner. The handle may be attached to the hand vacuum cleaner directly or by one or more bridge portions. For example, the upper or lower end, or both the upper and lower ends, of the handle 200 may be attached to the hand vacuum cleaner.
In addition, the handle may be mounted, directly or by one or more bridge portions, to the lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner, the rear end of the hand vacuum cleaner and/or an upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner.
As exemplified in FIG. 2, upper handle end 204 is mounted to the lower side of body portion 120 and a rearwardly extending bridge portion 208 extends from the rear side of air treatment assembly 104 to lower handle end 206. As exemplified in FIG. 29, only the upper handle end 204 is mounted to a lower end of the main body 102. As exemplified in FIG. 55, upper bridge portion 212 and lower bridge portion 208 connect the upper and lower ends of the handle 200 to the rear end wall of the main body 102. As exemplified in FIG. 63, the handle 200 is secured at each end of the hand grip portion 222. As exemplified in FIG. 60, the handle 200 is attached directly to the rear end wall of the hand vacuum cleaner 100. As exemplified in FIG. 61, the handle 200 is attached to the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner 100. As exemplified in FIG. 63, handle 200 is configured as a C-shape handle (similar to the handles commonly found at the top of briefcases or toolboxes) and is secured to the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner by two bridge portions.
In any configuration, the handle, which may be a pistol grip handle 200, may be mounted at various locations to the lower end 116 of hand vacuum cleaner 100. For example, upper handle end 204 may be mounted to the lower side of pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIGS. 29, 33, 34, 69, 70, 74, and 78) or to the lower side of the main body 102 below and in which the pre-motor filter housing 160 (see e.g., FIG. 73). Accordingly, handle axis 202 may extend through the pre-motor filter housing 160 and optionally the pre-motor filter 162 (see e.g., FIGS. 29A-29B, 69, 70, 73, 74, and 78). Alternatively, upper handle end 204 may be mounted to the lower surface of suction motor housing 119 (see, e.g., FIGS. 39, 42, 52, 71, and 75) or to the lower side of the main body 102 below and in which the suction motor housing 119 (see e.g., FIGS. 76 and 77). Accordingly, handle axis 202 may extend through the suction housing 119 and optionally the suction motor 118 (see e.g., FIGS. 76 and 77). Alternatively, or in addition, upper handle end 204 may be mounted to the lower side of air treatment assembly 104, such as a lower surface of the portion of the dirt collection region or chamber underlying the pre-motor filter (see, e.g., FIGS. 29A, 29B, and/or a lower portion of an air treatment chamber (see, e.g., FIGS. 40, 44 and 47).
As exemplified in FIGS. 29A and 29B, the upper handle end 204 is positioned below a portion 125 of the air treatment member 104 that underlies the pre-motor filter housing 160. As exemplified, the portion 125 of the air treatment member 104 is positioned between the upper handle end 204 and the pre-motor filter housing 160. As exemplified in FIGS. 29A and 29B, a vertical projection 133 of the upper handle end of the pistol grip handle 200 extends through the pre-motor filter housing 160. Accordingly, handle axis 202 may extend through the portion 125 of the air treatment member 104 that is positioned between the upper handle end 204 and the pre-motor filter housing 160 (see e.g., FIGS. 29A-29B). These configurations of the hand vacuum cleaner 100 and the pistol grip handle 200 may improve ergonomics and/or expand the volume of the air treatment member 104 without increasing overall vacuum cleaner size.
In embodiments wherein upper handle end 204 is mounted to the lower side of pre-motor filter housing 160 or the portion 125 of the air treatment member 104 is positioned between the upper handle end 204 and the pre-motor filter housing 160, the lower side of the suction motor housing may be generally aligned with the lower side of the cyclone assembly as exemplified in FIGS. 29, 29A, 29B.
In the embodiment of FIG. 29A, the portion 125 of the air treatment member 104 that is positioned between the upper handle end 204 and the pre-motor filter housing 160 is a portion of dirt collection region 127. As previously discussed, in this embodiment, dirt collection region 127 is internal to (i.e., within) the air treatment chamber (e.g., cyclone chamber 124). In the embodiment of FIG. 29B, the portion 125 of the air treatment member 104 that is positioned between the upper handle end 204 and the pre-motor filter housing 160 is a portion of dirt collection chamber 126. As previously discussed, in this embodiment, the dirt collection chamber 126 is external to the air treatment chamber (e.g., cyclone chamber 124).
In some embodiments, handle 200 may be mounted at a location that is radially outward of suction motor housing 119 (e.g., see FIGS. 39, 42 and 66). Alternatively, handle 200 may be mounted at rear end 112 of hand vacuum cleaner 100. As exemplified in FIGS. 59 and 60, handle 200 may be configured as a stick-type handle that extends rearwardly and downwardly from the rear surface of body portion 120. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), stick type handle 200 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the rear surface of body portion 120.
The handle may be mounted at various locations to upper end 114 of hand vacuum cleaner 100. For example, handle 200 may be mounted to the upper end of pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIGS. 61-63). Alternatively, handle 200 may be mounted to the upper side of air treatment assembly 104 (see, e.g., FIGS. 64-65). Alternatively, handle 200 may be mounted to the upper end of suction motor housing 119 (see, e.g., FIG. 66).
A finger grip area may be provided between the handle (the hand grip portion) and the hand vacuum cleaner (the main body and/or the air treatment assembly). As exemplified in FIG. 2, an enclosed finger grip area 210 for receiving the fingers of a user is formed between handle 200 and the rear side of air treatment assembly 104. It will be appreciated that bridge portion 208 need not be provided and therefore the finger grip area 210 may be open.
As exemplified in FIG. 55, spaced apart and rearwardly extending bridge portions 208, 212 extend from the rear side of body portion 120 to lower handle end 206 and upper handle end 204, respectively. In this configuration, finger grip area 210 for receiving the fingers of a user is formed between handle 200 and the rear side of body portion 120. As exemplified in FIG. 55, body portion 120 may be positioned forward of finger grip area 210.
As exemplified in FIGS. 61 and 64, a finger grip area 210 may be formed between grip portion 214 and the hand vacuum cleaner, e.g., between the upper ends of suction motor housing 119 and pre-motor filter housing 160. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 63, a finger grip area 210 is formed between a grip portion 222 of handle 200 and the upper ends of suction motor housing 119 and pre-motor filter housing 160.
As exemplified in FIGS. 72 and 77, the handle 200 may include a finger guard 201 spaced apart from a forward side of the handle 200. In the examples shown, an upper guard end 203 of the finger guard 201 is connected to the lower side of the suction motor housing 119 (see FIG. 72) and the pre-motor filter housing 160 (see FIG. 77). In each example, the optional rearwardly extending bridge portion 208 extends from a lower guard end 205 of the finger guard 201 to lower handle end 206 of the handle 200. In the illustrated embodiments, a finger grip area 210 is formed between the handle 200, the finger guard 201, the lower end 116 of the surface cleaning apparatus 100, and the bridge portion 208.
In embodiments wherein the handle 200 includes the finger guard 201, the finger guard 201 may be positioned forward of the handle 200 and extend downwardly (and optionally rearwardly) from the surface cleaning apparatus 100. For example, the finger guard 201 may extend downwardly and rearwardly from the surface cleaning apparatus 100 at about the same angle as the handle 200 such that the handle axis 202 and a longitudinal axis of the finger guard 201 are parallel. In alternate embodiments wherein the handle 200 extends from the upper end of the main body 102, the finger guard 201 may extend from the upper end in a similar manner as described with respect to the lower end of the main body 102. Enlarged Dirt Collection Chamber or Region
As exemplified in FIGS. 51A, 67 and 68, some or all of a dirt collection region or an external dirt collection chamber may occupy a volume that is below an air treatment chamber and is forward of a handle that is situated below the main body. Accordingly, the dirt storage capacity of a hand vacuum cleaner may be increased without increasing a volume defined by the length (forward to back) and the height of the hand vacuum cleaner.
This aspect could be used by itself or in combination with one or more of the other aspects set out herein including one or more of the handle, the power source, the position of the handle, the position of the first energy storage pack, the position of the second energy storage pack, the first and second energy storage packs on opposed lateral sides of the handle, the position of the power supply, the position of the suction motor, the position of the post-motor filter and an access pivot and the separate ambient airflow path.
As exemplified, a portion 129 of dirt collection chamber 126 may extend downwardly from air treatment chamber 124. The portion 129 is shown spaced forward of handle 200 such that there is an open volume or finger gap 210 between the pistol grip portion 250 of the handle 200 and the rear end of the portion 129 of dirt collection chamber 126. Pistol grip portion 250 refers to the region of handle 200 which may engage the user's fingers.
Optionally, at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber 126 is located at an elevation that is below a lower end 121 of the body portion 120. In some embodiments, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more, e.g., all) of the dirt collection chamber 126 is located at an elevation that is below the lower end 121 of the body portion 120. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 51A shows about 80% of the dirt collection chamber 126 located at an elevation that is below the lower end 121 of body portion 120. As another example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 68 shows all (i.e., 100%) of the dirt collection chamber 126 located at an elevation that is below the lower end 121 of body portion 120.
In some embodiment, the portion of the dirt collection region located at an elevation below the lower end 121 of body portion 120 has a length that is at least half (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70, 80%, 90%, or more) the length of the pistol grip portion 250 As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 68 shows the length of the portion 129 being about the same as the length of pistol grip portion 250.
In some embodiments, the lower end of portion 129 and lower handle end 206 may be at the same elevation. In these embodiments, the portion 129 of the dirt collection chamber 226 and the handle 200 may cooperate to support the hand vacuum cleaner 100 in a horizontal orientation when it is placed on a resting surface (i.e., the handle 100 and portion 129 may act together as a stand). Alternatively, or in addition, the lower handle end 206 may be located proximate to the lower end of the portion 129 of the dirt collection chamber 126 (e.g., see FIGS. 51A and 67).
The dirt collection chamber 126 has a centrally positioned dirt collection chamber axis 131 (see FIGS. 51A and 68). The dirt collection chamber axis 131 extends from an upper end of the dirt collection chamber 126, through the dirt collection chamber 126, to a lower end of the dirt collection region 126. In the embodiment of FIG. 68, the dirt collection chamber axis 131 is generally parallel to the handle axis 202. This configuration of the hand vacuum cleaner 100 and the pistol grip handle 200 may improve ergonomics. In other embodiments, the dirt collection chamber axis 131 may extend at an angle relative to the handle axis 202 (e.g., FIG. 51A).
In some embodiments, the lower handle end 206 may be a stand for hand vacuum cleaner 100. As exemplified in FIG. 29B, the lower end handle end 206 engages a support surface 252 (e.g., a table, bench, desk, countertop, floor, etc.) to maintain the hand vacuum cleaner in a horizontal orientation. For example, the components of the hand vacuum cleaner 100 may be positioned to balance the weight on opposite sides of the handle 200. In the embodiment of FIG. 29B, the footprint of energy storage pack 302 (provided at the lower handle end 206) improves stability. Similarly, the first energy storage pack 300 or supplementary energy storage pack 302 provided at the lower handle end 206 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 72-75 and 79 may be a stand for hand vacuum cleaner 100, whereby the footprint of energy storage pack 300, 302 at the lower handle end 206 improves stability.
The portion 129 of the dirt collection chamber 126 that extends downwardly of the body portion 120 can have any suitable configuration, such as ellipsoid, cylindrical, frustoconical, for example. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 67, the dirt collection chamber 126 is generally cuboid. A cuboid configuration may provide maximal dirt collection volume for a given footprint.
The lower end of the dirt collection chamber 126 may be openable (e.g., to release collected dirt and debris held therein). As exemplified in FIGS. 51A and 68, the lower end of dirt collection chamber 126 includes an openable door 152. The openable door 152 may be movably connected (e.g., pivotally openable or removably mounted) to dirt collection chamber 126 using any suitable mechanism, including a hinge or other suitable device. Optionally, openable door 152 may be secured in the closed position using any suitable type of locking mechanism. As exemplified in FIG. 67, the door 152 may be held in the closed position by a latch 154 that may be released by a user.
As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 51A and 68, the dirt collection chamber 126 is external to cyclone chamber 124. Cyclone chamber 124 and dirt collection chamber 16 are fluid connected via dirt outlet 142. That is, dirt separated from the air stream can pass from the cyclone chamber 124, through the dirt outlet 142, to the dirt collection chamber 126. As previously discussed, in alternative embodiments, dirt collection chamber(s) may be internal to the cyclone chamber and configured as a dirt collection area or region within the cyclone chamber.
As discussed previously, it will be appreciated that the air treatment chamber 124 and the dirt collection chamber 126 may be concurrently openable.
Power Source
Hand vacuum cleaner 100 can include one or more energy storage packs 300, 302. This aspect could be used by itself or in combination with one or more of the other aspects set out herein including one or more of the handle, the enlarged dirt collection chamber or region, the position of the handle, the position of the first energy storage pack, the position of the second energy storage pack, the first and second energy storage packs on opposed lateral sides of the handle, the position of the power supply, the position of the suction motor, the position of the post-motor filter and an access pivot and the separate ambient airflow path.
Power may be supplied to suction motor 118 and other electrical components of hand vacuum cleaner 100 from one or more energy storage members. Energy storage member may include, for example, batteries, supercapacitors or the like. The energy storage member may be provided in one or more energy storage packs 300, 302, which comprise one or more batteries, supercapacitors or the like. As used herein, “energy storage pack” 300, 302 may refer to a single energy storage member or a plurality of energy storage members that are secured together, such as by an energy storage member housing. Any such energy storage member housing known in the art may be used.
The energy storage members may be permanently mounted in hand vacuum cleaner 100 and rechargeable in-situ, and/or removable from hand vacuum cleaner 100 (e.g., one or more of the energy storage packs may be removable mounted to the hand vacuum cleaner). Alternatively, or in addition, power may be supplied to suction motor 118 by an electrical cord (e.g., see electrical cord 306 of FIG. 13) connected to hand vacuum cleaner 100. The electrical cord can be connected to mains power at a standard wall electrical outlet.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, power is supplied to suction motor 118 by a first energy storage pack 300. As exemplified in FIG. 2, an optional second or supplemental energy storage pack 302 may be provided. In some embodiments, multiple supplemental energy storage packs 302 may be provided (e.g., see the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 20, 29A and 29B in which two supplemental energy storage packs 302 are provided). One or more supplemental energy storage packs 302 may be provided to, for example, increase the power supplied to suction motor 118 and/or lengthen the duration hand vacuum cleaner 100 can operate with without recharging.
Removing first and/or second energy storage packs 300, 302 may facilitate the replacement of discharged batteries within first and second energy storage packs 300, 302. Energy storage packs may be removable connected to hand vacuum cleaner 100 in any suitable fashion. As an example, FIG. 2 shows recesses 188, 190 provided in body portion 120 for receiving corresponding first and second energy storage packs 300, 302. As indicated by the arrows, first energy storage pack 300 is removable upwardly from recess 188, and second energy storage pack 302 is removable rearwardly from recess 190. As another example, FIGS. 19 and 20 show a recess 192 provided forward of pre-motor filter housing 160 for receiving first energy storage pack 300. As indicated by the arrow, first energy storage pack 300 is removable upwardly from recess 192.
Alternatively, as exemplified in FIG. 6, first energy storage pack 300 may connect directly to the exterior of body portion 120 (i.e., not received within a body recess). In the illustrated embodiment, top and rear surfaces of first energy storage pack 300 form part of the exterior of hand vacuum clearer 100 when first energy packs 300 is connected. In alternative embodiments, as exemplified in FIG. 9, first and second energy packs 300, 302 may be permanently connected to hand vacuum cleaner 100.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, hand vacuum cleaner 100 includes an optional onboard power supply 304. Power supply 304 is electrically connected to first and second energy storage packs 300, 302. Power supply 304 converts direct current (received from mains power) into alternating current and then supplies that alternating current to first and second energy storage members 300, 302. Preferably, power supply 304 is permanently connected to hand vacuum cleaner 100. For example, FIG. 2 shows power supply 304 fully housed in body portion 120. In some embodiments, power supply 304 may be removable from hand vacuum cleaner 100.
First and second energy storage packs 300, 302 may be recharged in-situ by connecting one end of an electrical cord to cord port 184 (FIG. 1) while the other end of the electrical cord is connected to mains power at a standard wall electrical outlet. Cord port 184 may be provided in any suitable location, although it may be convenient to locate cord port 184 proximate the energy storage member(s). As an example, FIG. 1 shows cord port 184 provided on body portion 120 proximate rear end 112 of hand vacuum cleaner 100. As another example, FIG. 30 shows cord port 184 provided on the rear side of handle 200. As exemplified in FIG. 13, cord port 184 is located at lower handle end 206.
As exemplified in FIG. 13, cord port 184 may be connected to a removable electrical cord 306 (e.g., female socket member of cord port 184 mates with male socket member of electrical cord 306). Electrical cord 306 can be connected to recharge one or more of the on-board energy storage members. Alternatively, electrical cord 306 can be connected to supply power to suction motor 118 and other electrical components of hand vacuum cleaner 100 (e.g., for corded use).
Optionally, as exemplified in FIGS. 14-15, electrical cord 306 may be housed in handle 200. As shown in FIG. 15, electrical cord 306 can be extended from lower handle end 206 so that it can be connected to mains power at a wall electrical outlet. Preferably, it is its “non-extended” state, electrical cord 306 is fully housed in handle 200 (i.e., no part of electrical cord 306 sticks out from lower handle end 206). In the illustrated embodiment, electrical cord 306 is a resilient coiled wire that returns to its natural state when a supplied tension is removed. Optionally, electrical cord may be a low voltage cord (e.g., 9V). In such a case, a power supply may be provided remotely (such as in a wall plug) so as to provide low voltage power to electrical cord 306. It will be appreciated that, in such an embodiment, the hand vacuum cleaner may not include a power supply 304.
In alternative embodiments, a cord reel (not shown) may be provided to facilitate retraction of electrical cord 306 back into handle 200.
Electrical cord 306 may be electrically connected (either directly or indirectly) to any (or all) of energy storage packs 300, 302 and/or power supply 304. As exemplified in FIG. 14, electrical cord 306 is directly connected to first energy storage pack 300. As exemplified in FIGS. 21-23, electrical cord 306 is directly connected to power supply 304.
Hand vacuum cleaner 100 may include a power switch 308 that is provided to selectively control the operation of the suction motor (e.g., either on/off or variable power levels or both), for example by establishing a power connection between energy storage pack 300, 302 and suction motor 118. Power switch 308 may be provided in any suitable configuration and location, including a button, rotary switch, sliding switch, trigger-type actuator, and the like. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 shows power switch 308 provided as a trigger-type actuator. As another example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 30 shows power switch 308 provided as a button located on rear end of suction motor housing 119.
As described subsequently, first and second energy storage packs 300, 302 and power supply 304 may have various positional arrangements, which may improve the ergonomics of the hand vacuum cleaner 100 (e.g., reduced weight, better weight balance, or greater portability).
Position of Handle 200
Hand vacuum cleaner 100 may have a handle 200 positioned on a lower end of the main body 102 such that main body 102 may overlie part or all of finger grip area 210 and/or handle (e.g., upper handle end 204). This aspect could be used by itself or in combination with one or more of the other aspects set out herein including one or more of the handle, the enlarged dirt collection chamber or region, power source, the position of the first energy storage pack, the position of the second energy storage pack, the first and second energy storage packs on opposed lateral sides of the handle, the position of the power supply, the position of the suction motor, the position of the post-motor filter and an access pivot and the separate ambient airflow path. Accordingly, a hand vacuum cleaner using any aspect discussed herein may have a main body 102 that overlies part or all of finger grip area 210 and/or the handle 200. For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of main body 102 may overlie upper handle end 204.
As used herein, Element A is said to “overlie” Element B if, when viewed from, e.g., a top plan view with hand vacuum cleaner 100 oriented upper end 114 above lower end 116, at least a portion of the length of element A (in the forward/rearward direction) overlaps the length of Element B (in the forward/rearward direction). For example, if it is said that 50% of element A overlies Element B, it means that 50% of Element A's length overlaps Element B when viewed from the top plan. “Overlie” does not necessarily mean directly overlie. For example, Element A still overlies element B even when an Element C is positioned between Elements A and B. Accordingly, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, body portion 120 overlies all of the upper end of the handle 200 and all of the finger grip area 210. The term “underlie” is intended to have the same meaning discussed above for “overlie”, but in reverse.
Position of First Energy Storage Pack 300
A hand vacuum cleaner using any one or more aspects discussed herein, including one or more of the other aspects set out herein including one or more of the handle, the enlarged dirt collection chamber or region, the power source, the position of the handle, the position of the second energy storage pack, the first and second energy storage packs on opposed lateral sides of the handle, the position of the power supply, the position of the suction motor, the position of the post-motor filter and an access pivot and the separate ambient airflow path, may have a first energy storage pack 300 positioned at any location discussed herein.
First energy storage pack 300 may be provided in various positions. For example, first energy storage pack 300 may be positioned in body portion 120 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 7, 9, and 49) or positioned at the upper or lower handle ends 204, 206 of handle 200. The first energy storage pack 300 may have a first pack axis 301 extending between positive and negative ends of the first energy storage pack 300 and/or in the longitudinal dimension of the first energy storage pack 300, and the first energy storage pack 300 may be oriented such that a first pack axis 301 extends parallel to, and optionally coaxial with, one or more of a central axis of the hand vacuum cleaner 100, the cyclone axis 134, the inlet conduit axis 176, and the motor axis 122. The following discussion sets out various possible positions of first energy storage pack 300 with respect to other components of the hand vacuum cleaner. While the position of first energy storage pack 300 with respect to other components is discussed separately with respect to each other component, it will be appreciated that any embodiment of a hand vacuum cleaner may utilize the positioning of the first energy storage pack 300 with respect one or more of the other components discussed herein.
First energy storage pack 300 may be a battery pack housing a plurality of batteries which have a longest direction that extends transverse to first pack axis 301. For example, FIG. 75 exemplifies a first energy storage pack 300 having a plurality of batteries that are arranged in a single row in the direction of first pack axis 301 (i.e., forward to rearward in the orientation and configuration of FIG. 75). The lang axis of the batteries extend transverse to first pack axis 301. FIG. 77 exemplifies a similar transverse arrangement wherein a plurality of batteries extend in a single row in the finger guard 300. First energy storage pack 300 may be removably mounted to the hand vacuum cleaner. Removing first energy storage pack 300 may facilitate replacement of an expired battery with a charged one. Alternately, first energy storage pack 300 may be permanently connected to the hand vacuum cleaner.
First energy storage pack 300 may be positioned rearward of the air treatment assembly, e.g., in main body 102, or forward of cyclone chamber 124 (see, e.g., FIGS. 20-26) and in such a position, it may be mounted to the air treatment assembly 104 or a portion of the main body 102.
First energy storage pack 300 may be positioned rearward of the portion 125 of the air treatment assembly 104 that underlies the pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIG. 29B). As exemplified, the first energy storage pack 300 is aligned with the portion 125 such that a projection of some or all of the vertical height of the first energy storage pack 300 may intersect the portion 125. In such a position, the first energy storage pack 300 may be mounted to the air treatment assembly 104 and/or a portion of the main body 102. As previously discussed, the portion 125 of the air treatment assembly 104 underlying the pre-motor filter housing 160 may be one of (i) a portion 125 of a dirt collection region 127 that is internal to the air treatment chamber 124 (e.g., FIG. 29A), or (ii) a portion 125 of a dirt collection chamber 126 that is external to the air treatment chamber 124 (e.g., FIG. 29B).
Alternately, first energy storage pack 300 may be located at the upper end 114 of the hand vacuum cleaner (see e.g., FIG. 29A). The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 29A shows the first energy storage pack 300 mounted to the upper end of pre-motor filter housing 160. In alternative embodiments, depending on its position, the first energy storage pack 300 may be mounted to the upper end of the air treatment assembly 104, the upper end of suction motor housing 119 and/or another portion of the main body 102.
As exemplified by the broken lines in FIG. 29A, first energy storage pack 300 can have various lengths. In some embodiments, the first energy storage pack 300 extends along at least 50% (50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of the forward/rearward length of hand vacuum cleaner 100. As an example, the embodiment of FIG. 29A shows the first energy storage pack 300 (in solid lines) extending along about 50% of the forward/rearward length of hand vacuum cleaner 100. With respect to pre-motor filter housing 160, first energy storage pack 300 may be positioned directly or indirectly rearward of pre-motor filter housing 160 (a horizontal plane may extend through the pre-motor filter 162 and the first energy storage pack 300 as exemplified in FIGS. 6, 49, 55, 56 and 60) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly forward of pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIGS. 20-26) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly above pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIGS. 27 and 29A), directly or indirectly below pre-motor filter housing 160. For example, first energy storage pack 300 may be located rearward and vertically spaced from pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIG. 42).
Optionally, first energy storage pack 300 may be positioned partially or fully in handle 200 (see, e.g., FIG. 13), and may be removably positionable therein.
Optionally, first energy storage pack 300 may be positioned at lower handle end 206 (e.g., see FIGS. 28, 33, 34, 50, 52, and 72-75). First energy storage pack 300 may be mounted to lower handle end 206 in any suitable manner. As exemplified in FIGS. 28 and 73-74, first energy storage pack 300 may be removably mounted to lower handle end 206 via a locking member 224. As exemplified in FIG. 72, first energy storage pack 300 may be removably mounted to lower handle end 206 and lower guard end 205 via the locking member 224. For example, first energy storage pack 300 may be removably mounted to lower handle end 206 (and lower guard end 205 in embodiments where the finger guard 201 is present) using, e.g., dove-tail mounting members, mechanical fasteners such as screws, etc.
Optionally, the post-motor filter 172 may be provided at the lower handle end 206, within the handle 200 or, as exemplified in FIG. 75, below the lower handle end 206. In such embodiments, the first energy storage pack 300 may be positioned below the post-motor filter 172 and removably mounted to lower handle end 206 and/or a housing of the post-motor filter via the locking member 224. In this way, the post-motor filter 172 may be exposed for inspection, removal, cleaning, and/or replacement while the first energy storage pack 300 is removed (e.g., for recharging).
Optionally, the first energy storage pack 300 may be mounted to lower handle end 206 in any suitable positioning. For example, the first energy storage pack 300 may extend forwardly from the lower handle end 206 without extending rearwardly thereof (see e.g., FIG. 73), rearwardly from the lower handle end 206 without extending forwardly thereof (see e.g., FIG. 74), or partly forwardly and partly rearwardly from the lower handle end 206 (see e.g., FIG. 75). Any ratio of forwardly extending length to rearwardly extending length of the first energy storage pack 300 from the lower handle end 206 may be possible, such as 50:50, 60:40, 70:30, 80:20, 90:10, 100:0 or the inverse of any such ratio. The ratio may be chosen depending on the positioning of the handle 200 (e.g., to avoid the first energy storage pack 300 from protruding beyond the front end 110 or rear end 112 of the hand vacuum cleaner 100). Additionally, or alternatively, the ratio may be chosen depending on the positioning of the various other components of the hand vacuum cleaner 100, such as to balance the weight forward and rearward of the handle 200 (e.g., to move the center of gravity of the hand vacuum cleaner 100 closer to the handle 200). This balance may reduce the torque experienced by the user while operating the hand vacuum cleaner 100 and gripping the handle 200. This balance may also prevent the hand vacuum cleaner 100 from tipping over while the hand vacuum cleaner 100 is supported on the energy storage pack 300, 302 when energy storage pack 300, 302 is functioning as a stand for the hand vacuum cleaner 100. For example, as exemplified in FIG. 73, the energy storage pack may extend only forwardly from the lower end of the handle is the suction motor is located rearward of the handle.
Optionally, first energy storage pack 300 may be positioned forward of the handle 200 in the finger guard 201. In such embodiments, the first energy storage pack 300 may be removable from the finger guard 201 for recharging or replacement and/or rechargeable in situ. Alternately, the first energy storage pack 300 may be positioned forward of the handle 200 and may form the finger guard 201 (see e.g., FIG. 77). In such embodiments, the first energy storage pack 300, and therefore the finger guard 201, may be removably mounted between the lower end of the main body 102 and the bridge portion 208.
Optionally, first energy storage pack 300 may be positioned above handle 200. For example, it may be provided in main body 102 at a lower end thereof and may directly overlie port or all of the upper handle end 206 (e.g., see FIGS. 2, 72, and 76), in main body 102 at an upper end thereof and may overlie part or all of the upper handle end 206 and/or the finger grip area 210 (e.g., see FIGS. 6-12, 14), rearward of the handle (e.g., see FIGS. 36, 49, and 69-71), or underlying part or all of the handle 200 (e.g., see FIGS. 57, 73-75, and 79).
Optionally, first energy storage pack 300 may be positioned exterior to the main body 102, e.g., between upper handle end 204 and suction motor housing 119 (e.g., see FIGS. 41 and 43) and/or between upper handle end 204 and pre-motor filter housing 160 and/or between upper handle end 204 and the air treatment assembly.
Regardless of whether first energy storage pack 300 is internal or external the main body, at least a portion of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie upper handle end 204 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 6-8, 11, 12, 14, 18, 41-44, 72, and 76). For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie upper handle end 204. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6 shows about 50% of first energy storage pack 300 overlying upper handle end 204. As another example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 11 shows 100% of first energy storage pack 300 overlying upper handle end 204.
Alternately, or in addition, at least a portion of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie finger grip area 210 (see, e.g., FIGS. 10, 12 and 18). For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie finger grip area 210. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 18 shows about 50% of first energy storage pack 300 overlying finger grip area 210.
Hand vacuum cleaner 100 may include an energy storage member recess 228. A recess 228 may be provided if the first energy storage pack 300 is removably mountable to the hand vacuum cleaner. The recess may be provided in the main body 102, the air treatment assembly or as part of the handle. As exemplified in FIGS. 41-47, recess 228 is provided at upper handle end 204. As shown in FIGS. 41-44, energy storage member recess 228 removable receives first energy storage pack 300. As shown in FIGS. 45-47, energy storage member recess 228 removable receives second energy storage pack 302. As exemplified, upper handle end 204 may have first and second spaced apart struts 230, 232 which are mounted to body portion 120. In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 41 and 43, energy storage member recess 228 is provided between first and second spaced apart struts 230, 232, a lower surface 234 of body portion 120, and an upper surface 236 of handle 200. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 44, energy storage member recess 228 is provided between first and second spaced apart struts 230, 232, a lower surface 238 of air treatment assembly 104, and an upper surface 236 of handle 200.
With respect to suction motor 118, first energy storage pack 300 may be positioned directly or indirectly rearward of suction motor 118 such that a horizontal axis (e.g., suction motor axis 122) extends through suction motor 118 and first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 6, 11, 14, 70-72, and 82A-82B), or first energy storage pack 300 may be located partially or fully above or below suction motor axis 122 (when positioned rearward of the suction motor), or directly or indirectly forward of suction motor 118 such that a horizontal axis (e.g., suction motor axis 122) extends through suction motor 118 and first energy storage pack 300 (see e.g., FIG. 69) and optionally directly or indirectly forward of at least a portion of the air treatment member (see, e.g., FIGS. 20-27), or first energy storage pack may be located partially or fully above or below suction motor axis 122 (when positioned forward of the suction motor), or indirectly below suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 18, 33, 49, 57, 74, 75, and 79), or directly below suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 42, 55, 56, 76, and 78), or indirectly above suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIG. 7) or directly above suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8 and 81). For example, first energy storage pack 300 may be located exterior to the main body 102 and below the suction motor 118 (e.g., see FIGS. 12, 13, 18, 74, 75, and 79), in the main body below and, optionally, directly below the suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 76 and 78), in the main body rearward of the air treatment member and directly rearward of suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 14, 70-72, and 82A-82B), in the main body directly or indirectly rearward of the air treatment member and indirectly rearward of suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIG. 11), rearward of and vertically spaced from suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6, 12, 13, 53, and 80), forward of and vertically spaced from suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 73 and 77), in the main body rearward of the air treatment member and indirectly forward of suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIG. 9), or in the main body rearward of the air treatment member and directly forward of suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 10 and 69). In any such example, the first pack axis 301 may extend parallel to the suction motor axis 122 and/or a central longitudinal axis of the hand vacuum cleaner 100 (see e.g., FIGS. 69-71, 73-76, and 78-81), and optionally coaxial with the suction motor axis 122 and/or a central longitudinal axis of the hand vacuum cleaner 100 (see e.g., FIGS. 72 and 82A-82B).
It will be appreciated that at least a portion of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie or underlie suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 7, 829A, 76, 78, and 81). In some embodiments, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie or underlie suction motor 118. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7 shows about 75% of first energy storage pack 300 overlying suction motor 118. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 81 shows about 100% of first energy storage pack 300 overlying suction motor 118. As another example, the illustrated embodiments in FIGS. 76 and 78 show about 75% of first energy storage pack 300 underlying suction motor 118.
Optionally, part or all of first energy storage pack 300 is positioned radially outwardly of suction motor 118. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 35, 39 and 40, four first energy storage members 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004 (e.g., “AA” batteries) are positionable radially outwardly of suction motor housing 119. As exemplified, an annular battery housing 310 is positioned surrounding suction motor housing 119. Annular battery housing 310 as illustrated has four evenly distributed battery recesses 3121, 3122, 3123, 3124. Each battery recess 3121, 3122, 3123, 3124 of annular battery housing 310 receives a corresponding battery 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004. Accordingly, when batteries 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004 are received within corresponding battery recesses 3121, 3122, 3123, 3124, battery 3001 is positioned above suction motor housing 119, battery 3003 is positioned below suction motor housing 119, and batteries 3002, 3004 are positioned on opposed lateral sides of suction motor housing 119. It will be appreciated that many other configurations are possible, including a greater or fewer number of batteries 300 and/or battery recesses 312.
If part or all of first energy storage pack 300 is positioned radially outwardly of suction motor 118, then first energy storage pack 300 may surround part or all of suction motor 118. For example, as exemplified in FIGS. 36-37, first energy member 300 has an annular configuration that is sized to fit around suction motor housing 119. As exemplified in FIG. 37, annular first energy storage pack 300 may be removed (e.g., for charging, replacement, etc.) by removing rear housing lid 194. In alternative embodiments, annular first energy storage pack 300 may not be removable (i.e., it permanently surrounds suction motor housing 119).
Referring still to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 37, suction motor housing 119 has an upper end 196, a lower end 197, a first lateral side 198 extending between upper and lower ends 196, 197, and a second lateral side 199 that is opposed to first lateral side 198 and that extends between upper and lower ends 196, 197. When positioned surrounding suction motor housing 119, annular first energy storage pack 300 is positioned radially outwardly of each of upper end 196, lower end 197, first lateral side 198 and second lateral side 199 of suction motor housing 119.
As indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 37, first energy storage pack 300 may alternatively be provided in a semi-annular configuration. When positioned surrounding suction motor housing 119, semi-annular first energy storage pack 300 is positioned radially outwardly of at least two of upper end 196, lower end 197, first lateral side 198 and second lateral side 199 of suction motor housing 119.
It will be appreciated that first energy storage pack 300 may be made of any number of segments which, collectively, are partially or fully annular. Accordingly, first energy storage pack 300 may be comprised of 2, 3, 4 or more arcuate sections. These arcuate sections may surround or partially surround suction motor 118 and they may be continuous (e.g., the two semi-circular arcuate portions of FIG. 37 that abut) or they may be angularly spaced apart around suction motor 118.
If a second energy storage pack is provided, as discussed subsequently, first energy storage pack 300 may be positioned directly or indirectly forward of second energy storage member 302 (see, e.g., FIGS. 20-27, and 77) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly rearward of second energy storage member 302 (see, e.g., FIG. 20 if reference number 300 denotes the second energy storage member and reference number 302 denotes the first energy storage member) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly above second energy storage pack 302 (see, e.g., FIG. 2) or indirectly above second energy storage pack 302 (see, e.g., FIGS. 9, 10, 12, 18, 21 and 22) and may optionally be located partially or fully forward or rearward thereof. Alternatively, first energy storage pack 300 may be positioned directly or indirectly below second energy storage pack 302 (e.g., FIG. 2 if reference number 300 denotes the second energy storage member and reference number 302 denotes the first energy storage member, 72, 73, and 79) and may be located partially or fully forward or rearward thereof.
At least a portion of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie second energy storage pack 302 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 12, and 18). In some embodiments, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie second energy storage pack 302. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 12 shows about 75% of first energy storage pack 300 overlying second energy storage pack 302.
With respect to power supply 304, first energy storage pack 300 may be positioned directly or indirectly forward of power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIGS. 20-26) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly rearward of power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIG. 8) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIGS. 9-13, 18) or directly or indirectly above power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 6-8, and 20-24).
At least a portion of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 6, and 7). For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie power supply 304. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7 shows about 100% of first energy storage pack 300 overlying power supply 304.
At least a portion of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie cyclone chamber 124 (see, e.g., FIG. 27). For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie cyclone chamber 124. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 27 shows about 75% of first energy storage pack 300 overlying cyclone chamber 124.
At least a portion of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie air treatment assembly 104 (see, e.g., FIGS. 20-27). For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie air treatment assembly 104. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 20 shows about 100% of first energy storage pack 300 overlying air treatment assembly 104 (as noted above, air treatment assembly 104 includes dirt collection chamber 126).
At least a portion of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIGS. 27 and 29A). For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of first energy storage pack 300 may overlie pre-motor filter housing 160. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 29A shows about 60% of first energy storage pack 300 overlying the pre-motor filter housing 160.
Position of Second Energy Storage Pack 302
A hand vacuum cleaner using any one or more aspects discussed herein including one or more of the other aspects set out herein including one or more of the handle, the enlarged dirt collection chamber or region, the power source, the position of the handle, the position of the first energy storage pack, the first and second energy storage packs on opposed lateral sides of the handle, the position of the power supply, the position of the suction motor, the position of the post-motor filter and an access pivot and the separate ambient airflow path, may have one or more second energy storage packs 302 positioned at any location discussed herein. While the position of second energy storage pack 302 with respect to other components is discussed separately with respect to each other component, it will be appreciated that any embodiment of a hand vacuum cleaner may utilize the positioning of second energy storage pack 302 with respect to one or more of the other components discussed herein.
For example, second energy storage pack 302 may be positioned in body portion 120 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 20-27, and 77), below pre-motor filter housing 160 (e.g., see FIGS. 61 and 73), or second energy storage pack 302 may be mounted to the lower surface of suction pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIG. 61).
As with first energy storage pack 300, second energy storage pack 302 may be removably mounted to the hand vacuum cleaner. Removing second energy storage pack 302 may facilitate replacement of an expired battery with a charged one. Alternately, second energy storage pack 302 may be permanently connected to the hand vacuum cleaner.
A second energy storage pack 302 may be provided and, if so, may be positioned directly or indirectly forward of air treatment assembly 104 (e.g., FIG. 20 if reference number 300 denotes the second energy storage member and reference number 302 denotes the first energy storage member) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof and, optionally directly or indirectly forward of cyclone chamber 124 (e.g., FIG. 20 if reference number 300 denotes the second energy storage member and reference number 302 denotes the first energy storage member) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof.
Alternately, second energy storage pack 302 may be positioned rearward of the portion 125 of the air treatment assembly 104 that underlies the pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIGS. 29A) and may be aligned therewith as previously discussed with respect to first energy storage pack 300. In such a position, the second energy storage pack 302 may be mounted to the air treatment assembly 104 and/or a portion of the main body 102. As previously discussed, the portion 125 of the air treatment assembly 104 underlying the pre-motor filter housing 160 may be one of (i) a portion 125 of a dirt collection region 127 that is internal to the air treatment chamber 124 (e.g., FIG. 29A), or (ii) a portion 125 of a dirt collection chamber 126 that is external to the air treatment chamber 124 (e.g., FIG. 29B).
Alternately, second energy storage pack 302 may be located at the upper end 114 of the hand vacuum cleaner (see e.g., FIG. 29B). The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 29B shows the second energy storage pack 302 mounted to the upper end of main body 102. As exemplified, the inlet conduit axis 176 intersects the second energy storage pack 302.
The second energy storage pack 302 can have various lengths. In some embodiments, the second energy storage pack 302 extends along at least 50% (50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of the forward/rearward length of hand vacuum cleaner 100. As an example, the embodiment of FIG. 29B shows the second energy storage pack 302 extending along about 95% of the forward/rearward length of hand vacuum cleaner 100.
A second energy storage pack 302 may be positioned in handle 200 (see, e.g., FIGS. 9, 10, 18, 42, 44, 49, 51, 52, 53, 55, 60 and 61). As exemplified in FIG. 18, handle 200 may have an energy storage member cavity 226 sized to receive removable a second energy storage pack 302. As indicated by the arrow, a second energy storage pack 302 is removable downwardly from energy storage member cavity 226.
A second energy storage pack 302 may be positioned at lower handle end 206 (e.g., see FIGS. 12, 43 and 55) and/or below, if present, the lower guard end 205 of the finger guard 201 (see e.g., FIG. 72). Second energy storage pack 302 may be mounted to lower handle end 206 in any suitable manner. As exemplified in FIG. 12, second energy storage pack 302 may be removably received within a recess 228 provided at the lower handle end 206. As indicated by the arrow, second energy storage pack 302 is removable rearwardly from recess 228. As exemplified in FIG. 72, second energy storage pack 302 may be removably mounted to lower handle end 206 and/or lower guard end 205, if present, via one or more a locking members 224.
It will be appreciated that if first energy storage pack 300 is located elsewhere, then a second energy storage pack may be provided at the lower end of the handle as exemplified with first energy storage pack in FIG. 29.
If two second energy storage packs 302 are provided, they may be located adjacent each other. For example, as exemplified in FIG. 55, one second energy storage pack 302 is positioned at lower handle end 206 in bridge 208 and the other second energy storage pack 302 is positioned in handle 200. They may be positioned in different parts of the hand vacuum cleaner (e.g., see FIG. 20 wherein one second energy storage pack 302 is provided in handle 200 and another is provided in main body 102). Alternately, two second energy storage packs 302 may be provided in the same part of the hand vacuum cleaner, e.g., both may be in main body 102.
As with first energy storage pack 300, a second energy storage pack 302 may be positioned above handle 200 (e.g., see FIGS. 2, 20-26, 40, 46, 73, and 77), between upper handle end 204 and air treatment member (e.g., see FIG. 40), or between upper handle end 204 and suction motor housing 119 (e.g., see FIG. 46) and/or pre-motor filter housing 160 (see e.g., FIG. 79). For example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 79 shows second energy storage pack 302 forming the upper handle end 204 and the main body 102, with about 50% of second energy storage pack 302 mounted to a lower end of suction motor housing 119 and about 50% of second energy storage pack 302 mounted to a lower end of pre-motor filter housing 160.
At least a portion of a second energy storage pack 302 may overlie upper handle end 204 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 20-25). In some embodiments, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of a second energy storage pack 302 may overlie upper handle end 204. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 20 shows 100% of a second energy storage pack 302 overlying upper handle end 204.
Alternately, or in addition, at least a portion of a second energy storage pack 302 may overlie finger grip area 210 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 21-26). In some embodiments, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of a second energy storage pack 302 may overlie finger grip area 210. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 21 shows about 50% of a second energy storage pack 302 overlying finger grip area 210.
With respect to suction motor 118, a second energy storage pack 302 may be positioned directly or indirectly rearward of suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 18 and 20) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly forward of suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 26 and 73) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 9, 10, 12, 18, 21, 22, and 77) or directly or indirectly above suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 23-25).
At least a portion of a second energy storage pack 302 may overlie suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 23-25, and 29B) or underlie suction motor 118 (see e.g., FIG. 77). In some embodiments, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of second energy storage pack 302 may overlie or underlie suction motor 118. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 23 shows about 50% of second energy storage pack 302 overlying suction motor 118. As another example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 77 shows about 100% of second energy storage pack 302 underlying suction motor 118.
A second energy storage pack 302 may be positioned directly or indirectly rearward of first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 20-27) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly forward of first energy storage pack 300 (e.g., FIG. 20 if reference number 300 denotes the second energy storage member and reference number 302 denotes the first energy storage member) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 9, 10, 12, 18, 21 and 22) or directly or indirectly above first energy storage pack 300 (e.g., FIG. 2 if reference number 300 denotes the second energy storage member and reference number 302 denotes the first energy storage member).
At least a portion of a second energy storage pack 302 may overlie first energy storage pack 300 (e.g., FIGS. 12, 73, and 79 if reference number 300 denotes the second energy storage member and reference number 302 denotes the first energy storage member, and FIG. 72). In some embodiments, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of second energy storage pack 302 may overlie first energy storage pack 300.
With respect to power supply 304, a second energy storage pack 302 may be positioned directly or indirectly rearward of power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIG. 24) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly forward of power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIG. 26) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIGS. 9, 10, 12, 18, 25 and 49) or directly or indirectly above power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 20-24).
At least a portion of second energy storage pack 302 may overlie power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 20-23). In some embodiments, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of second energy storage pack 302 may overlie power supply 304. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 21 shows 50% of second energy storage pack 302 overlying power supply 304.
At least a portion of second energy storage pack 302 may overlie pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIG. 29B). As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 29B shows about 30% of the second energy storage pack 302 overlying the pre-motor filter housing 160.
First and Second Energy Storage Packs 300, 302 on Opposed Lateral Sides of Handle 200.
A hand vacuum cleaner using any one or more of the aspects discussed herein, including one or more of the handle, the enlarged dirt collection chamber or region, the power source, the position of the handle, the position of first energy storage pack, the position of second energy storage pack, the position of the power supply, the position of the suction motor, the position of the post-motor filter and an access pivot and the separate ambient airflow path, may have first and second energy storage members 300, 302 provided on opposed lateral sides of handle 200.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 45-46, pistol grip handle 200 has a front side 240 that receives the fingers of a user, a rear side 242 that receives the palm of a user, and first and second lateral sides 244, 246 which each extends between front side and rear sides 240, 242. First energy storage pack 300 is provided on first lateral side 244 of handle 200 and a second energy storage pack 302 is provided on second lateral side 246 of handle 200.
As exemplified in FIG. 46, first energy storage pack 300 and second energy member 302 are provided in a single removable battery pack 314. Pistol grip handle 200 is provided with a correspond battery pack recess 248 that can receive and mate with removable battery pack 314. Removable battery pack 314 is also shown connected to handle 200 in FIGS. 47 and 58. In alternative embodiments, first and second energy storage members 300, 302 may be distinct elements that are attached and detached from handle 206 independently.
Separate Ambient Airflow Path
A hand vacuum cleaner using any one or more of the aspects discussed herein including one or more of the handle, the enlarged dirt collection chamber or region, the power source, the position of the handle, the position of the first energy storage pack, the position of the second energy storage pack, the first and second energy storage packs on opposed lateral sides of the handle, the position of the suction motor, the position of the post-motor filter and an access pivot may have an ambient airflow path and, if so, the ambient airflow path may be positioned at any location discussed herein to provide ambient air cooling of any on board energy storage member such as the first energy storage pack 300.
The ambient air flow path introduces air from exterior to the surface cleaning apparatus to cool or assist in cooling one or more on board energy storage members. The air that is drawn in has not passed by a motor and fan assembly, Accordingly, the air which enters the ambient air flow path has not been heated by the motor and fan assembly prior to being used to cool on board energy storage members. Therefore, the temperature difference between the temperature of the ambient air and the on board energy storage members may be greater, thereby increase the ability of the ambient air to cool the on board energy storage members.
The ambient air inlet 109 may be provided at any location in the sidewall of the main body 102, such as in one or more of the lower end, the upper end (see e.g., FIGS. 80, 81, and 82A), or a lateral sidewall of the main body 102.
The air flow produced by the suction motor 118 is used to draw air into the ambient air inlet 109. Accordingly, the ambient air flow path has an ambient air outlet 113 that is in flow communication with the main air flow path through the surface cleaning apparatus from the dirt air inlet 106 to the clean air outlet 108. Accordingly, the ambient airflow path merges with the air flow path of the hand vacuum cleaner 100 at the ambient air outlet 113. The flow of air in the main air flow path past the ambient air outlet 113 draws air out of the ambient air outlet thereby causing ambient air to travel through the ambient air flow path and cool the on board energy storage members (See FIGS. 80-82B).
Optionally, the ambient airflow path may include a venturi 111 in the main air flow path, optionally at a location downstream of the suction motor 118 (see e.g., FIGS. 80, 81). In use, air flow produced by the suction motor 118 travelling to the clean air outlet 108 may draw ambient air in through the ambient air inlet 109 and along the ambient airflow path to the ambient air outlet 113. Positioning the venturi 111 downstream of the suction motor 118 may cause an increase in speed of the air flow produced by the suction motor 118, decreasing pressure, and thereby increasing the suction effect drawing ambient air into the ambient air inlet 109.
The first energy storage pack 300 may be at any position relative to the suction motor 118 as described previously herein, such as below the suction motor 118, above the suction motor 118 (see e.g., FIG. 81), or rearward of the suction motor 118 (see e.g., FIGS. 80 and 82A-82B), and may be positioned in the ambient airflow path downstream from the ambient air inlet 109 and upstream of the ambient air outlet 113 (see e.g., FIGS. 80-82B). Accordingly, in use, air flow produced by the suction motor 118, optionally passing through the venturi 111, and travelling to the clean air outlet 108 may draw ambient air in through the ambient air inlet 109 and over/through the first energy storage pack 300. In this way, the suction motor 118 may generate a flow of ambient air to cool the first energy storage pack 300.
Optionally, the first energy storage pack 300 may include a plurality of cooling fins 307 provided on an outer surface thereof. The plurality of fins 307 may improve the transfer of heat generated by the first energy storage pack 300 to the ambient airflow as the cool ambient air passes over/through the first energy storage pack 300 to the clean air outlet 108 of the hand vacuum cleaner 100.
Optionally, the ambient air flow path may include a plurality of air outlets 113. For example, as exemplified in FIGS. 82A and 82B, the first energy storage pack 300 includes a plurality of cooling fins 307 which define a passage through which ambient air flows during operation of the suction motor to cool the energy storage members. The distal end of the fins from the energy storage pack 300 define the ambient air outlets 113. It will be appreciated that increasing the number of cooling fins 307 increases the number of passages for the first energy storage pack 300 thereby improving the transfer of heat generated by the first energy storage pack 300 to the ambient airflow as the cool ambient air passes over/through the first energy storage pack 300.
Position of Power Supply 304
A hand vacuum cleaner using any one or more of the aspects discussed herein including one or more of the handle, the enlarged dirt collection chamber or region, the power source, the position of the handle, the position of the first energy storage pack, the position of the second energy storage pack, the first and second energy storage packs on opposed lateral sides of the handle, the position of the suction motor, the position of the post-motor filter and an access pivot and the separate ambient airflow path, may have a power supply 304 and, if so, power supply 304 may be positioned at any location discussed herein. While the position of power supply 304 with respect to other components is discussed separately with respect to each other component, it will be appreciated that any embodiment of a hand vacuum cleaner may utilize the positioning of power supply 304 with respect to one or more of the other components discussed herein.
For example, power supply 304 may be provided in body portion 120 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 11, and 20), and optionally below suction motor housing 119 (e.g., FIG. 61 if, instead of a second energy storage member, reference numeral 302 denotes a power supply).
With respect to handle 200, power supply 304 may be positioned directly or indirectly below handle 200 (e.g., FIG. 61 if, instead of a second energy storage member, reference numeral 302 denotes a power supply), directly or indirectly above handle 200 (e.g., see FIGS. 2, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 18, 20, 21, and 22) or in handle 200 (e.g., if in FIG. 9 second energy storage pack 302 was instead a power supply). For example, power supply 304 may be positioned directly at upper handle end 204 (see, e.g., FIGS. 13 and 22).
At least a portion of power supply 304 may directly or indirectly overlie upper handle end 204 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6, 7, and 9-13, and 22). For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of power supply 304 may overlie upper handle end 204. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 12 shows about 50% of power supply 304 overlying upper handle end 204. As another example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 22 shows about 75% of power supply 304 overlying upper handle end 204.
Alternately, or in addition, at least a portion of power supply 304 may overlie finger grip area 210 (see, e.g., FIGS. 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 20, 21, 23, and 25). For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of power supply 304 may overlie finger grip area 210. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 18 shows about 50% of power supply 304 overlying finger grip area 210. As another example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 21 shows about 75% of power supply 304 overlying finger grip area 210.
It will be appreciated that the power supply may be provided at the upper end of handle 200, regardless of the portion of the hand vacuum cleaner at which the upper end of handle 200 is located. For example, power supply 304 may be positioned between upper handle end 204 and air treatment member (e.g., FIG. 40, if instead of a second energy storage member, reference numeral 302 denotes a power supply).
With respect to first energy storage pack 300, power supply 304 may be positioned directly or indirectly forward of first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIG. 8) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly rearward of first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 20-26) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 6, 7, 20, and 21) or directly or indirectly above first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 9-13, 18, and 49).
At least a portion of power supply 304 may overlie first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 9-13 and 49). In some embodiments, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of power supply may overlie first energy storage pack 300. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 12 shows 100% of power supply 304 overlying first energy storage pack 300.
With respect to second energy storage pack 302, power supply 304 may be positioned directly or indirectly forward of second energy storage pack 302 (see, e.g., FIG. 24) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly rearward of second energy storage pack 302 (see, e.g., FIG. 26) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below second energy storage pack 302 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 20-23) or directly or indirectly above second energy storage pack 302 (see, e.g., FIGS. 12 and 18).
At least a portion of power supply 304 may overlie second energy storage pack 302 (see, e.g., FIGS. 12 and 18). In some embodiments, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of power supply 304 may overlie second energy storage pack 302. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 12 shows about 50% of power supply 304 overlying second energy storage pack 302.
With respect to suction motor 118, power supply 304 may be positioned directly or indirectly forward of suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8 and 24) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly rearward of suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 6) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 12, 21 and 49) or directly or indirectly above suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 7, 9-11 and 25).
At least a portion of power supply 304 may overlie suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 7, 9-11 and 25). In some embodiments, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of power supply 304 may overlie suction motor 118. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7 shows about 75% of power supply 304 overlying suction motor 118. As another example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 9 shows about 50% of power supply 304 overlying suction motor 118.
With respect to post-motor filter 172, power supply 304 may be positioned directly or indirectly forward of post-motor filter 172 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8 and 24) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly rearward of post-motor filter 172 (see, e.g., FIG. 6) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below post-motor filter 172 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 12, 13, 18, 20-24 and 49) or directly or indirectly above post-motor filter 172 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 12, 13, 18, 20-24 and 49).
At least a portion of power supply 304 may overlie post-motor filter (see, e.g., FIGS. 7, 9-11, 25 and 26). In some embodiments, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of power supply 304 may overlie suction motor 118. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 10 shows about 75% of power supply 304 overlying post-motor filter 172. As another example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 26 shows 100% of power supply 304 overlying post-motor filter 172.
Position of Suction Motor 118
A hand vacuum cleaner using any one or more of the aspects discussed herein including one or more of the handle, the enlarged dirt collection chamber or region, the power source, the position of the handle, the position of the first energy storage pack, the position of the second energy storage pack, the first and second energy storage packs on opposed lateral sides of the handle, the position of the power supply, the position of the post-motor filter and an access pivot and the separate ambient airflow path, may have a suction motor 118 positioned at any location discussed herein. While the position of suction motor 118 with respect to other components is discussed separately with respect to each other component, it will be appreciated that any embodiment of a hand vacuum cleaner may utilize the positioning of suction motor 118 with respect to one or more of the other components discussed herein.
With respect to handle 200, suction motor 118 may be positioned above handle 200 (e.g., see FIGS. 2, 18, 22, 25, 34, and 36). For example, at least a portion of suction motor 118 may overlie upper handle end 204 (see, e.g., FIGS. 7-10, 24, 25 and 52) and at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of suction motor 118 may overlie upper handle end 204. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 24 show about 75% of suction motor 118 overlying upper handle end 204.
Alternately or in addition, at least a portion of suction motor 118 may overlie finger grip area 210 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 6-14, 18 and 20-27). For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of suction motor 118 may overlie finger grip area 210. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6 shows about 50% of suction motor 118 overlying finger grip area 210 and FIG. 25 shows about 75% of suction motor 118 overlying finger grip area 210.
In some embodiments, suction motor 118 may be positioned forward of handle 200 (e.g., see FIGS. 55-57) and optionally forward of an enclosed finger grip area 210 (e.g., see FIGS. 55-57).
In some embodiments, suction motor 118 may be positioned below handle 200 (e.g., see FIGS. 61, 63, and 64) and optionally positioned below an enclosed finger grip area 210 (e.g., see FIG. 63). Suction motor 118 is not visible in FIGS. 61, 63 and 64; however, it is housed within suction motor housing 119.
With respect to first energy storage pack 300, suction motor 118 may be positioned directly or indirectly forward of first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 6, 11, 13 and 14) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly rearward of first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 9 and 10) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 7 and 8) or directly or indirectly above first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 12 and 18).
At least a portion of suction motor 118 may overlie first energy storage pack 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 12 and 18). For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of suction motor 118 may overlie first energy storage pack 300. As an example, the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 18 show about 75% of suction motor 118 overlying first energy storage pack 300.
In some embodiments, suction motor 118 may be partially or fully surrounded by first energy storage pack 300 (e.g., see FIGS. 37, 55 and 60). In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 37, 55 and 60, suction motor 118 is surrounded by first energy member 300 that has an annular configuration (e.g., ring-shaped). First energy storage pack 300 may be arcuate in shape so as to extend around, e.g., at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of suction motor 118.
With respect to second energy storage pack 302, suction motor 118 may be positioned directly or indirectly forward of second energy storage pack 302 (see, e.g., FIG. 20) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly rearward of second energy storage pack 302 (see, e.g., FIG. 26) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below second energy storage pack 302 (see, e.g., FIGS. 23, 24, and 25) or directly or indirectly above second energy storage pack 302 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 9, 10, 12, 18, 21, and 22).
At least a portion of suction motor 118 may overlie second energy storage pack 302 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 9, 10, 12, 21 and 22). For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of suction motor 118 may overlie second energy storage pack 302. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 shows 100% of suction motor 118 overlying second energy storage pack 302 and FIG. 9 shows about 50% of suction motor 118 overlying second energy storage pack 302.
With respect to pre-motor filter housing 160, suction motor 118 may be positioned directly or indirectly forward of pre-motor filter housing 160 and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly rearward of pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 25, 29, 33 and 34) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIG. 52) or directly or indirectly above pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIGS. 51 and 53).
At least a portion of suction motor 118 may overlie pre-motor filter housing 160 (see, e.g., FIGS. 51 and 53). For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of suction motor 118 may overlie pre-motor filter housing 160. As an example, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 51 shows 100% of suction motor 118 overlying pre-motor filter housing 160.
With respect to power supply 304, suction motor 118 may be positioned directly or indirectly forward of power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 6) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly rearward of power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8 and 24) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIGS. 7, 9-11 and 25) or directly or indirectly above power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 12, 21 and 49).
At least a portion of suction motor 118 may overlie power supply 304 (see, e.g., FIGS. 12, 21 and 49). For example, at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of suction motor 118 may overlie power supply 304. As an example, the illustrated embodiments of FIG. 12 and show about 75% of suction motor 118 overlying first energy storage pack 300.
With respect to post-motor filter 172, suction motor 118 may be positioned directly or indirectly forward of post-motor filter 172 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 6, 11, 18, 20, 36, and 42) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly rearward of post-motor filter 172 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8 and 9) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below post-motor filter 172 (see, e.g., FIGS. 10, 24, 56, and 57) or directly or indirectly above post-motor filter 172 (see, e.g., FIGS. 26 and 57).
As exemplified, an optional perforated motor collar 186 may be positioned around suction motor 118 to permit the air flow to travel in a radially outward direction from suction motor 118 toward annular post-motor filter 172 (which provides clean air outlet 108).
Position of Post-Motor Filter 172
A hand vacuum cleaner using any one or more of the aspects discussed herein including one or more of the handle, the enlarged dirt collection chamber or region, the power source, the position of the handle, the position of the first energy storage pack, the position of the second energy storage pack, the first and second energy storage packs on opposed lateral sides of the handle, the position of the power supply, the position of the suction motor and an access pivot and the separate ambient airflow path, may have one or more post-motor filters 172 and, if so, the one or more post-motor filters 172 may be positioned at any location discussed herein. While the position of the one or more post-motor filters 172 with respect to other components is discussed separately with respect to each other component, it will be appreciated that any embodiment of a hand vacuum cleaner may utilize the positioning of the one or more post-motor filters 172 with respect to one or more of the other components discussed herein.
With respect to suction motor 118, post-motor filter 172 may be positioned directly or indirectly forward of suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8 and 9) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly rearward of suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 6, 11, 18, 20, 36, and 42) and may be located partially or fully above or below thereof, directly or indirectly below suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 10, 26, 56 and 57) or directly or indirectly above suction motor 118 (see, e.g., FIGS. 24 and 57).
If two pre-motor filters 172 are provided, then each may be in the same location or optionally each may be at any location discussed previously. For example, as exemplified in FIG. 57, two post-motor filters 172 are provided wherein one post-motor filter 172 is positioned above suction motor 118 and the other post-motor filter 172 is positioned below suction motor 118.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 34, an elongate post-motor filter 172 is provided below suction motor 118 and pre-motor filter housing 160. Elongate post-motor filter 172 may extend longitudinally (in a forward/rearward direction) so that at least a portion of pre-motor filter housing 160 and suction motor 118 overlie elongate post-motor filter 172. As exemplified in FIG. 34, nearly 100% of pre-motor filter housing 160 and 100% suction motor 118 overlie elongate post-motor filter 172.
As exemplified in FIGS. 28 and 29, suction motor 118 may be surrounded by an annular post-motor filter 172. As with the energy storage pack, it will be appreciated that post-motor filter 172 may be arcuate in shape and may surround, e.g., at least 50% (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more) of suction motor 118. Post-motor filter 172 may be a single contiguous arcuate member or a plurality of discrete arcuate members that may abut (e.g., two semi-circular post-motor filters 172) or which may be spaced apart.
Position of Access Pivot 117
A hand vacuum cleaner using any one or more of the aspects discussed herein including one or more of the handle, the enlarged dirt collection chamber or region, the power source, the position of the handle, the position of the first energy storage pack, the position of the second energy storage pack, the first and second energy storage packs on opposed lateral sides of the handle, the position of the power supply, the position of the suction motor, and the position of the post-motor filter and the separate ambient airflow path, may have one or more pivots 117 and, if so, the one or more pivots 117 may be positioned at any location discussed herein. It will be appreciated that any embodiment of a hand vacuum cleaner may utilize the positioning of the one or more pivots 117, such as so provide access to any one or more of the other components discussed herein.
In accordance with this aspect, the hand vacuum cleaner has two portions which are rotatably mounted, e.g., pivotally mounted, to each other. It will also be appreciated that, in addition, the two portions may also be removably connected to each other. Typically, the dirty air inlet or nozzle of a hand vacuum cleaner is provided at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner. Therefore, the two portions may be referred to as a forward portion and a rearward portion.
A hand vacuum cleaner has a plurality of operating components. The operating components comprise one or more air treatment members and one or more suction motors. The air treatment members may be one or more air treatment chambers, one or more a pre-motor filters and one or more post-motor filters. For example, a single air treatment chamber may be provided, which may be a cyclone chamber or a non-cyclonic momentum separator. Alternately, two air treatment stages may be provided, each of which may comprise one or more air treatment chambers, each of which may be a cyclone chamber or a non-cyclonic momentum separator. Accordingly, the hand vacuum cleaner may comprise a first air treatment stage comprising, e.g., one air treatment chamber (e.g., cyclone) and a second downstream air treatment stage comprising a plurality of air treatment chambers (e.g., cyclones), in parallel.
In addition, the hand vacuum cleaner has a handle.
The forward portion may comprise any one or more of the operating components and the handle and the rearward portion may comprise the handle and any operating component which is not provided in the forward portion.
The access pivot 117 may be positioned at any location along the air treatment assembly 104 and the main body 102 of the surface cleaning apparatus 100 to provide access to one or more components internal to the surface cleaning apparatus 100. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 29C, 49A, 56A, and 68A, the access pivot 117 may be located along the main body 102 between the pre-motor filter housing 160 and the body portion 120, including suction motor housing 119. As shown, the user may rotate the body portion 120 about the access pivot 117 to access the pre-motor filter 162 and/or post-motor filter 172 such as, for example, for removal and replacement or cleaning. The user may similarly access the suction motor 118, energy storage pack 300, and/or onboard power supply 304 such as, for example, for recharging, repair, replacement, or cleaning. In the examples shown in FIGS. 29C and 49A, the access pivot 117 is positioned rearward of the handle 200.
It will be appreciated that the handle 200 may be provided on either side of the pivot axis. For example, in the examples shown in FIGS. 2A, 56A, and 68A, the access pivot 117 is positioned forward of the handle 200, such that the handle 200 rotates with the body portion 120 about the access pivot 117. However, it will be appreciated that handle 200 may be positioned rearward of the pivot axis. For example, as shown in FIGS. 29D, 49B, 51B, 56B, and 68B, the access pivot 117 may be located between the air treatment assembly 104 and the main body 102. In the examples shown, the access pivot 117 is forward of the handle 200 and the main body 102 and rearward of the air treatment assembly 104. In the illustrated examples, the access pivot 117 is positioned between a forward end of the pre-motor filter housing 160 and the rear end 130 of the cyclone chamber 124. As shown, the user may rotate the main body 102 and handle 200 about the access pivot 117 to access the pre-motor filter 162 such as for reasons described previously.
The access pivot 117 may therefore be used instead of, or in addition to, an openable portion (e.g., bottom wall 164, sidewall 166, upper cover 170 or any other door) of pre-motor filter housing 160 or an air treatment chamber as described previously for accessing, e.g., the pre-motor filter 162 or an air treatment chamber. As shown, the user may similarly rotate the air treatment assembly 104 about the access pivot 117 to access the cyclone chamber 124, vortex finder 144, and/or the dirt collection chamber 126 such as, for example, for emptying or cleaning. For example, the user may rotate the air treatment assembly 104 about the access pivot 117 such that the cyclone axis 134 is moved toward a vertical orientation, and dirt/debris may be emptied from the cyclone chamber 124 from the rear end 130 and/or from the dirt collection chamber 126 from a rearward end thereof. The access pivot 117 may therefore be used instead of, or in addition to, the door 152 as described previously for emptying the cyclone chamber 124 and/or dirt collection chamber 126.
While the above description describes features of example embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. For example, the various characteristics which are described by means of the represented embodiments or examples may be selectively combined with each other. Accordingly, what has been described above is intended to be illustrative of the claimed concept and non-limiting. It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
This specification also includes the subject matter of the following clause sets:
Clause Set A
- 1. A hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end and a hand vacuum cleaner axis that extends between the front end and the rear end, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet, which is positioned at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner, to a clean air outlet, which is positioned rearward of the dirty air inlet, with a suction motor provided in the air flow path, the suction motor having a motor axis of rotation;
- (b) an air treatment member provided in the air flow path at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner, the air treatment member comprising an air treatment chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet;
- (c) a body portion housing the suction motor, the body portion having a front end, a rear end and a sidewall extending between the front end of the body portion and the rear end of the body portion; and,
- (d) a handle comprising a hand grip portion positioned between first and second ends of the handle, a handle axis extends through the hand grip portion from the first end of the handle to the second end of the handle, the first handle end is located at the sidewall of the body portion and the handle extends outwardly therefrom,
- wherein, in use, an energy storage pack is provided at the handle second end, the energy storage pack has a front end provided at the second end of the handle and a rear end extends rearwardly of the handle.
- 2. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein, in use, the energy storage pack is a stand for the hand vacuum cleaner.
- 3. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein, in use, a second energy storage pack is provided.
- 4. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 4 wherein, in use, the second energy storage pack is provided at the first end of the handle.
- 5. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 4 wherein, in use, the second energy storage pack is provided in the body portion.
- 6. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 5 wherein, in use, the second energy storage pack is provided at an elevation between the handle and the suction motor.
- 7. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 further comprising a pre-motor filter and a projection of the handle in a direction of the handle axis intersects the pre-motor filter and not the suction motor.
- 8. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 further comprising a pre-motor filter and the handle axis intersects the pre-motor filter and not the suction motor.
- 9. A hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end and a hand vacuum cleaner axis that extends between the front end and the rear end, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet, which is positioned at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner, to a clean air outlet, which is positioned rearward of the dirty air inlet, with a suction motor provided in the air flow path, the suction motor having a motor axis of rotation;
- (b) an air treatment member provided in the air flow path at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner, the air treatment member comprising an air treatment chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet;
- (c) a body portion housing the suction motor, the body portion having a front end, a rear end and a sidewall extending between the front end of the body portion and the rear end of the body portion; and,
- (d) a handle comprising a hand grip portion positioned between first and second ends of the handle, a handle axis extends through the hand grip portion from the first end of the handle to the second end of the handle, the first handle end is located at the sidewall of the body portion and the handle extends outwardly therefrom,
- wherein, in use, a first energy storage pack is provided at the handle second end and a second separate energy storage pack is also provided.
- 10. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 9 wherein, in use, the first energy storage pack is a stand for the hand vacuum cleaner.
- 11. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 9 wherein, in use, the second energy storage pack is provided at the first end of the handle.
- 12. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 9 wherein, in use, the second energy storage pack is provided in the body portion.
- 13. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 12 wherein, in use, the second energy storage pack is provided at an elevation between the handle and the suction motor.
- 14. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 9 wherein, in use, the energy storage pack has a front end provided at the second end of the handle and a rear end extends rearwardly of the handle.
- 15. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 9 wherein, in use, the energy storage pack has a rear end provided at the second end of the handle and a front end extends forwardly of the handle.
- 16. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 9 further comprising a pre-motor filter and a projection of the handle in a direction of the handle axis intersects the pre-motor filter and not the suction motor.
- 17. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 9 further comprising a pre-motor filter and the handle axis intersects the pre-motor filter and not the suction motor.
Clause Set B
- 1. A hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end and a hand vacuum cleaner axis that extends between the front end and the rear end, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet, which is positioned at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner, to a clean air outlet, which is positioned rearward of the dirty air inlet, with a suction motor provided in the air flow path, the suction motor having a motor axis of rotation;
- (b) an air treatment member assembly provided in the air flow path at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner, the air treatment member comprising an air treatment chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet;
- (c) a body portion, which houses the suction motor, the body portion having a front end, a rear end and a sidewall extending between the front end of the body portion and the rear end of the body portion; and,
- (d) a handle comprising a hand grip portion positioned between first and second ends of the handle, a handle axis extends through the hand grip portion from the first end of the handle to the second end of the handle, the first handle end is located at the sidewall of the body portion and the handle extends outwardly therefrom,
- wherein, in use, an energy storage pack is provided at the first end of the handle.
- 2. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein the handle is a pistol grip handle.
- 3. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein the energy storage pack is removably receivable in the hand vacuum cleaner.
- 4. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein, in use, the energy storage pack is provided at an elevation between the handle and the suction motor.
- 5. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 further comprising a pre-motor filter and a projection of the handle in a direction of the handle axis intersects the pre-motor filter and not the suction motor.
- 6. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 further comprising a pre-motor filter and the handle axis intersects the pre-motor filter and not the suction motor.
- 7. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein the energy storage pack comprises a plurality of energy storage members and, in use, at least some of the plurality of energy storage members are provided rearward of the suction motor.
- 8. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein the energy storage pack comprises a plurality of energy storage members and, in use, at least some of the plurality of energy storage members are provided forward of the suction motor.
- 9. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein the energy storage pack comprises a plurality of energy storage members, the energy storage members have a positive end and a negative end, a battery axis extends between the positive and negative ends and, in use, the battery axis extends in a common direction as the motor axis of rotation.
- 10. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein the energy storage pack comprises a plurality of energy storage members, the energy storage members have a longest dimension, a battery axis extends in a direction of the longest dimension and, in use, the battery axis extends in a common direction as the hand vacuum cleaner axis.
- 11. A hand vacuum cleaner having a front end, a rear end and a hand vacuum cleaner axis that extends between the front end and the rear end, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising:
- (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet, which is positioned at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner, to a clean air outlet, which is positioned rearward of the dirty air inlet, with a suction motor provided in the air flow path, the suction motor having a motor axis of rotation;
- (b) an air treatment member assembly provided in the air flow path at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner, the air treatment member comprising an air treatment chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet;
- (c) a body portion, which houses the suction motor, the body portion having a front end, a rear end and a sidewall extending between the front end of the body portion and the rear end of the body portion; and,
- (d) a handle comprising a hand grip portion positioned between first and second ends of the handle, a handle axis extends through the hand grip portion from the first end of the handle to the second end of the handle, the first handle end is located at the sidewall of the body portion and the handle extends outwardly therefrom,
- wherein, in use, an energy storage pack is provided in the body portion at a location at which the handle extends outwardly from the sidewall of the body portion.
- 12. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 11 wherein the handle is a pistol grip handle.
- 13. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 11 wherein the energy storage pack is removably receivable in the hand vacuum cleaner.
- 14. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 11 wherein, in use, the energy storage pack is provided at an elevation between the handle and the suction motor.
- 15. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 11 further comprising a pre-motor filter and a projection of the handle in a direction of the handle axis intersects the pre-motor filter and not the suction motor.
- 16. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 11 further comprising a pre-motor filter and the handle axis intersects the pre-motor filter and not the suction motor.
- 17. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 11 wherein the energy storage pack comprises a plurality of energy storage members and, in use, at least some of the plurality of energy storage members are provided rearward of the suction motor.
- 18. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 11 wherein the energy storage pack comprises a plurality of energy storage members and, in use, at least some of the plurality of energy storage members are provided forward of the suction motor.
- 19. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 11 wherein the energy storage pack comprises a plurality of energy storage members, the energy storage members have a positive end and a negative end, a battery axis extends between the positive and negative ends and, in use, the battery axis extends in a common direction as the motor axis of rotation.
- 20. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 11 wherein the energy storage pack comprises a plurality of energy storage members, the energy storage members have a longest dimension, a battery axis extends in a direction of the longest dimension and, in use, the battery axis extends in a common direction as the hand vacuum cleaner axis.
Clause Set C
- 1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
- (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a suction motor provided in the air flow path;
- (b) an air treatment member assembly provided in the air flow path, the air treatment member comprising an air treatment chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet;
- (c) a body portion, which houses the suction motor,
- wherein, in use, an energy storage pack is provided, and air flow produced by the suction motor draws ambient air in through an ambient air inlet, through the energy storage pack and out an energy storage pack air outlet.
- 2. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein an ambient air flow path comprises the ambient air inlet, the energy storage pack and the energy storage pack air outlet and the ambient air flow path includes a venturi.
- 3. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 2 wherein the venturi is downstream of the battery pack.
- 4. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 2 wherein the venturi is at or downstream of the energy storage pack air outlet.
- 5. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein an ambient air flow path comprises the ambient air inlet, the energy storage pack and the energy storage pack air outlet and the air flow exiting the ambient air flow path merges with the airflow produced by the suction motor at or downstream of the energy storage pack air outlet.
- 6. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein the energy storage pack includes an energy storage member having cooling fins.
- 7. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein an air flow path internal of the energy storage pack includes cooling fins.
- 8. The hand vacuum cleaner of clause 1 wherein the energy storage pack has a plurality of energy storage pack air outlets.
Patent Application
20240245271
