Separator configuration

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner operable to separate debris from an airflow including a separator defining a cyclonic chamber having a longitudinal axis, a dirty air inlet, a dirt outlet, and an air outlet. The vacuum cleaner further includes a dirt collection chamber in fluid communication with the dirt outlet of the cyclonic chamber. The longitudinal axis of the cyclonic chamber is oriented generally horizontally when the separator is received within the dirt collection chamber.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners, and more particularly to debris separators for vacuum cleaners.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a vacuum cleaner operable to separate debris from an airflow including a separator defining a cyclonic chamber having a dirty air inlet, a dirt outlet, and an air outlet. The vacuum cleaner further includes a dirt collection chamber in fluid communication with the dirt outlet of the cyclonic chamber. The dirt collection chamber further includes a sidewall having an opening. The separator is slidably received within the dirt collection chamber by inserting the separator into the opening.

In another embodiment the invention provides a vacuum cleaner operable to separate debris from an airflow including a separator defining a cyclonic chamber having a longitudinal axis, a dirty air inlet, a dirt outlet, and an air outlet. The vacuum cleaner further includes a dirt collection chamber in fluid communication with the dirt outlet of the cyclonic chamber. The separator is removably received within the dirt collection chamber along a generally horizontal direction, and the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic chamber is oriented generally horizontally when the separator is received within the dirt collection chamber.

In another embodiment the invention provides a vacuum cleaner operable to separate debris from an airflow including a separator defining a cyclonic chamber having a dirty air inlet, a dirt outlet, and an air outlet. The vacuum cleaner further includes a dirt collection chamber in fluid communication with the dirt outlet of the cyclonic chamber. The dirt collection chamber further includes a sidewall having an opening, and the separator is pivotably coupled to the dirt collection chamber. The separator is received within the dirt collection chamber by pivoting the separator into the opening.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a canister assembly of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1, with a dirt collection chamber shown transparently.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the canister assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a separator of the canister assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dirt collection chamber of FIG. 3, shown non-transparently.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the canister assembly of FIG. 3, with the dirt collection chamber shown transparently.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a canister assembly according to another embodiment of the invention with a dirt collection chamber shown transparently.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the canister assembly of FIG. 8 with a separator in a first, closed configuration.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial rear perspective view of the canister assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the canister assembly of FIG. 8 with the separator in a second, open configuration.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the canister assembly of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the canister assembly of FIG. 11.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a vacuum cleaner 10. The illustrated vacuum cleaner 10 includes a base 14 and an upper section 18 that is pivotally coupled to the base 14 and configured to move the base 14 along a surface to be cleaned. In the illustrated embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 10 is an upright vacuum cleaner. In other embodiments, the vacuum cleaner can be other types of vacuum cleaners, such as a canister vacuum, a hand held vacuum, etc. The base 14 includes a nozzle 22 that defines an inlet 26 of the vacuum cleaner. The upper section 18 of the vacuum cleaner includes a handle 34 and a canister assembly 30 is removably coupled to the upper section 18. The canister assembly 30 defines a dirt collection chamber 38 and a separator 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the separator 42 is a cylindrical cyclonic separator with a cutout in the sidewall for the discharge of debris wherein the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic chamber is oriented generally horizontally when the separator is received within the dirt collection chamber. In other embodiments, other types of cyclonic separators can be used. The separator in various embodiments discussed below is removably received within the dirt collection chamber along a generally horizontal direction. Alternatively or additionally, the separator is slidably or pivotably received within the dirt collection chamber by inserting or pivoting the separator into an opening in the dirt collection chamber.

With reference to FIG. 2, the vacuum cleaner 10 further includes a motor-fan assembly 46. The motor-fan assembly 46 is operable to generate an airflow from the inlet 26, through the separator 42, and to a clean air exhaust 48. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor-fan assembly 46 is positioned within a motor-fan assembly housing 50 below the canister assembly 30.

With reference to FIGS. 3-7, the canister assembly 30 includes the dirt collection chamber 38 and the separator 42 removably coupled to the dirt collection chamber 38. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the dirt collection chamber 38 includes a front wall 54 having a front ridge 58 that provides a gripping surface for the user to grasp the canister assembly. In the illustrated embodiment and for ease of explanation, the “front” of the dirt collection chamber 38 is the forward facing surface relative to the direction of travel of the vacuum cleaner 10; however, it is contemplated that the front of the dirt collection chamber may be oriented in other directions relative to the forward direction of travel of the vacuum cleaner. The dirt collection chamber 38 also includes a rear opening 62 and a top opening 64 formed in the sidewalls of the dirt collection chamber 38, into which the separator 42 is received via a rail and groove arrangement 66, as described in further detail below. In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber 38 may include a pivotably openable door 70. The pivotably openable door 70 in the illustrated embodiment is on the bottom of the dirt collection chamber 38 and extends at an angle as viewed from the side (FIG. 7). Also, in some embodiments, the canister assembly 30 may include a latch (not shown) to secure the canister assembly 30 to the upright section 18.

Regarding FIGS. 3-5, in the illustrated embodiment, the separator 42 includes a cylindrical side wall 74 that defines a cyclonic chamber 78. In the illustrated embodiment, the cyclonic chamber 78 defines a longitudinal axis 80 with the cylindrical side wall 74 extending along the longitudinal axis 80. When the separator 42 is installed into the dirt collection chamber 38, the longitudinal axis 80 is oriented generally horizontal with the side wall 74 extending substantially horizontal with respect to the dirt collection chamber 38. In other words, when the upright section 18 is in the upright, stored position (FIG. 1), the cyclonic chamber 78 and longitudinal axis 80 extends generally horizontally. The cyclonic chamber 78 includes a tangential, dirty air inlet 82 in a first end 86 that receives dirt-laden air from the vacuum inlet 26. The dirty air enters the cyclonic chamber 78 and is spiraled against the cylindrical side wall 74 toward a second end 90 of the cyclonic chamber 78. A dirt outlet 94 is formed in the cylindrical side wall 74 and places the cyclonic chamber 78 in fluid communication with the dirt collection chamber 38. The dirt outlet 94 is cut out from the cylindrical side wall 74 and is oriented toward the dirt collection chamber 38 (i.e., in the illustrated embodiment, downwardly). Dirt entrained in the airflow is cyclonically separated from the airflow and flung out the dirt outlet 94. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end 90 of the cyclonic chamber 78 abuts the front wall 54 of the dirt collection chamber 38 closing the second end 90.

The clean air then flows through an air outlet 98 formed in the first end 86 of the cyclonic chamber 78. A baffle tube 102 positions the entry of the air outlet 98 adjacent the first end 86 to facilitate airflow out of the cyclonic chamber 78 into the air outlet 98 and to inhibit debris from entering the air outlet 98. The air may travel through one or more filters and then the motor-fan assembly 46 before being exhausted to atmosphere through the clean air exhaust 48.

In the illustrated embodiment, the separator 42 further includes a back cover 106 and a top cover 110. Optionally, a rib 114 may extend between the top cover 110 and the cylindrical side wall 74 of the cyclonic chamber 78 for structural support of the top cover 110. When the separator 42 is assembled in the dirt collection chamber 38, the top cover 110 closes the top opening 64 defining a portion of the dirt collection chamber 38 outer periphery. In other words, the top cover 110 forms part of the dirt collection chamber 38 boundary when the separator is installed. In the illustrated embodiment, the dirty air inlet 82 extends through the top cover 110. Similarly, the back cover 106 closes the rear opening 62 defining a portion of the dirt collection chamber 38 outer periphery when the separator 42 is assembled in the dirt collection chamber 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the air outlet 98 extends through the back cover 106. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the top cover 110 is integrally formed with the dirt collection chamber 38 omitting the top opening 64 shown in the illustrated embodiment such that the dirt collection chamber only includes the rear opening 62. In such an alternative, the separator includes the back cover configured to close the rear opening when the separator is assembled into the dirt collection chamber.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the rail and groove arrangement 66 of the illustrated embodiment includes two rails 118 in the dirt collection chamber 38 and two grooves 122 on the separator 42. Alternatively, any number of groove and rails may be used. For example, the rail and groove arrangement may include only one rail and corresponding groove, or may include three or more rails and corresponding grooves. In further alternative embodiments, the arrangement of the grooves and rails may be reversed so that the separator includes the grooves and the dirt collection chamber includes the rails. In the illustrated embodiment, the grooves 122 extend along the longitudinal length of the cyclonic chamber 78. More specifically, the grooves 122 are formed along the cylindrical side wall 74, and the grooves 122 are spaced approximately 180 degrees apart. In other words, the two grooves 122 of the illustrated embodiment are formed on opposite sides of the cyclonic chamber 78. In other embodiments, the grooves 122 may be spaced more or less than 180 degrees apart. The rail and groove arrangement 66 aligns the separator 42 for generally horizontal insertion into the dirt collection chamber 38. The separator 42 is received within the rear opening 62 of the dirt collection chamber 38 with the grooves 122 receiving the corresponding rails 118. In alternative embodiments, the opening may be formed in a front portion of the dirt collection chamber with the separator sliding into the dirt collection chamber from the front, or the opening may be formed in any one of the dirt collection chamber sidewalls. In further alternative embodiments, an end of the cyclonic chamber may abut a rear wall of the dirt collection chamber. The separator 42 being slidably received within the dirt collection chamber 38 may be referred to as a “drawer design.”

In operation, the separator 42 is installed into the dirt collection chamber 38 by aligning the grooves 122 on the separator 42 with the rails 118 of the dirt collection chamber 38. With the separator 42 installed in the dirt collection chamber 38, the canister assembly 30 is coupled to the upper section 18. With the canister assembly 30 positioned and locked on the upright section 18, the vacuum cleaner 10 is ready for cleaning surfaces.

In order to remove the collected dirt from the vacuum cleaner 10, the canister assembly 30 is removed from the upright section 18 and the door 70 is opened to allow the dirt collection chamber 38 to be emptied. In addition, the separator 42 can be removed from the dirt collection chamber 38 by sliding the separator 42 out of the opening 62 in order to more easily clean out and service the cyclonic chamber 78.

With reference to FIGS. 8-13, a canister assembly 230 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The canister assembly 230 includes a dirt collection chamber 238 and a separator 242 pivotably coupled to the dirt collection chamber 238. With reference to FIGS. 8, 9, and 11 the dirt collection chamber 238 includes a front wall 254 having a front ridge 258 that provides a gripping surface for the user to grasp the canister assembly 230. As before, it is contemplated that the “front” of the dirt collection chamber 238 may be oriented in other directions relative to the forward direction of travel of the vacuum cleaner. The dirt collection chamber 238 also includes a rear opening 262 and a top opening 264 formed in the sidewalls of the dirt collection chamber 238 (FIG. 11), into which the separator 242 is received via a pivoting hinge 268, as described in further detail below. The dirt collection chamber 238 also includes a pivotably openable door 270. The pivotably openable door 270 in the illustrated embodiment is on the bottom of the dirt collection chamber 238 and extends at an angle as viewed from the side (FIG. 12). Also, the canister assembly 230 includes a latch 272 to secure the canister assembly 230 to the upright section 18.

Regarding FIGS. 8 and 11, in the illustrated embodiment, the separator 242 includes a cylindrical side wall 274 that defines a cyclonic chamber 278. In the illustrated embodiment, the cyclonic chamber 278 defines a longitudinal axis 280 with the cylindrical side wall 274 extending along the longitudinal axis 280. When the separator 242 is installed into the dirt collection chamber 238, the longitudinal axis 280 is oriented generally horizontal with the side wall 274 extending substantially horizontal with respect to the dirt collection chamber 238. In other words, when the upright section 18 is in the upright, stored position (FIG. 1), the cyclonic chamber 278 and longitudinal axis 280 extends generally horizontally. The cyclonic chamber 278 includes a tangential, dirty air inlet 282 in a first end 286 that receives dirt-laden air from the vacuum inlet 26. The dirty air enters the cyclonic chamber 278 and is spiraled against the cylindrical side wall 274 toward a second end 290 of the cyclonic chamber 278. A dirt outlet 294 is formed in the cylindrical side wall 274 and places the cyclonic chamber 278 in fluid communication with the dirt collection chamber 238. The dirt outlet 294 is formed in the cylindrical side wall 274 and is oriented toward the dirt collection chamber 238 (i.e., in the illustrated embodiment, downwardly). Dirt entrained in the airflow is cyclonically separated from the airflow and flung out the dirt outlet 294. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end 290 of the cyclonic chamber 278 abuts the front wall 254 of the dirt collection chamber 238 closing the second end 290. The second end 290 can include a seal that compresses between the second end 290 and the front wall 254 when the separator 242 is installed into the dirt collection chamber 238.

The clean air then flows through an air outlet 298 formed in the first end 286 of the cyclonic chamber 278. A baffle tube 302 positions the entry of the air outlet 298 adjacent the first end 286 to facilitate airflow out of the cyclonic chamber 278 into the air outlet 298 and to inhibit debris from entering the air outlet 298. The air may travel through one or more filters and then the motor-fan assembly 46 before being exhausted to atmosphere through the clean air exhaust 48.

In the illustrated embodiment, the separator 242 further includes a back cover 306 and a top cover 310. When the separator 242 is assembled in the dirt collection chamber 238, the top cover 310 may close the top opening 264 defining a portion of the dirt collection chamber 238 outer periphery. In other words, the top cover 310 may form part of the dirt collection chamber 238 boundary when the separator 242 is installed. In alternative embodiments, additional walls or baffles may be provided along the separator 242 such that a dirt collection chamber boundary is adjacent to and/or formed in part by the separator when the separator is installed. In the illustrated embodiment, the dirty air inlet 282 extends through the top cover 310. Similarly, the back cover 3106 closes the rear opening 262 defining a portion of the dirt collection chamber 238 outer periphery when the separator 242 is assembled in the dirt collection chamber 238. In the illustrated embodiment, the air outlet 298 includes two air exit ducts 300 positioned downstream of the baffle tube 302. The air outlet ducts 300 extend outwardly from the back cover 306.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the illustrated embodiment includes two hinges 268. Alternatively, any number of hinges may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinges 268 are provided on the top cover 310. Alternatively, hinges may be provided on any portion of the separator 242. The hinges 268 allow the separator 242 to pivot about an axis 292 between a first, closed position (FIG. 9) and a second, opened position (FIG. 11). In the first position, the longitudinal axis 280 of the separator 242 is oriented generally horizontally. In the second, opened position, the cyclonic chamber 278 is removed from the dirt collection chamber 238. In addition, when in the second position, the longitudinal axis 280 of the cyclonic chamber 278 is generally vertical (FIG. 12). When the separator 242 is in the second position, any dirt or debris that may be in the cyclonic chamber 278 may be removed through the open second end 290 of the cyclonic chamber 278. With reference to FIGS. 11-13, the dirt collection chamber 238 includes a back wall 256 having locking projections 320 formed thereon. The separator 242 includes corresponding locking members 324 on the back cover 306 that engage the locking projections 320 to secure the separator 242 in the first position.

In operation, the separator 242 is installed into the dirt collection chamber 238 by pivoting the separator 242 into the dirt collection chamber 238. With the separator 242 installed in the dirt collection chamber 238, the canister assembly 230 is coupled to the upper section 18. With the canister assembly 230 positioned and locked on the upright section 18, the vacuum cleaner 10 is ready for cleaning surfaces.

In order to remove the collected dirt from the vacuum cleaner 10, the canister assembly 230 is removed from the upright section 18 and the door 270 is opened to allow the dirt collection chamber 238 to be emptied. In addition, the separator 242 can be removed from the dirt collection chamber 238 by pivoting the separator 242 out of the opening 262 in order to more easily clean out and service the cyclonic chamber 278.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner operable to separate debris from an airflow, the vacuum cleaner comprising: a first stage separator having a cylindrical outer sidewall defining a cyclonic chamber, the cyclonic chamber having a dirty air inlet, a dirt outlet, and an air outlet; anda dirt collection chamber in fluid communication with the dirt outlet of the cyclonic chamber, the dirt collection chamber further including a bottom wall and a sidewall that extends upwardly from the bottom wall, the sidewall having an opening,wherein the first stage separator, including the cylindrical outer sidewall, is removably and slidably received within the dirt collection chamber by inserting the separator into the opening of the sidewall, wherein the first stage separator, including the cylindrical outer wall, is removable from within the dirt collection chamber.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the separator further includes one of either a groove and a rail, and the dirt collection chamber further includes the other of either the groove and the rail.

3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein the separator includes two grooves and the dirt collection chamber includes two rails.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the two grooves extend along a length of the cyclonic chamber.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein the two grooves are spaced approximately 180 degrees apart.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the separator is configured for generally horizontal insertion into the dirt collection chamber.

7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the dirty air inlet is formed in a first end of the cyclonic chamber and the dirt outlet is formed in a second end of the cyclonic chamber.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the air outlet is formed in the first end of the cyclonic chamber.

9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the second end of the cyclonic chamber abuts a front wall of the dirt collection chamber.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the separator further includes a top cover that, when assembled in the dirt collection chamber, defines an outer periphery of the dirt collection chamber.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein a rib extends between the top cover and the cyclonic chamber.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein the dirty air inlet extends through the top cover.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the separator further includes a back cover that, when assembled in the dirt collection chamber, defines an outer periphery of the dirt collection chamber.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the air outlet extends through the back cover.

15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein a baffle tube is coupled to the air outlet.

16. A vacuum cleaner operable to separate debris from an airflow, the vacuum cleaner comprising: a first stage separator having a cylindrical outer sidewall defining a cyclonic chamber, the cyclonic chamber having a longitudinal axis, a dirty air inlet, a dirt outlet, and an air outlet; anda dirt collection chamber in fluid communication with the dirt outlet of the cyclonic chamber,wherein the first stage separator, including the cylindrical outer sidewall, is removably received within the dirt collection chamber along a generally horizontal direction, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic chamber is oriented generally horizontally when the separator is received within the dirt collection chamber.

17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein the dirt outlet is oriented such that dirt exiting the cyclonic chamber travels vertically into the dirt collection chamber.

18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein the dirty air inlet is formed in a first end of the cyclonic chamber and a front wall of the dirt collection chamber abuts a second end of the cyclonic chamber.

19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, wherein the dirt outlet is formed in the second end of the cyclonic chamber.

20. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein the separator is removably received within the dirt collection chamber with a groove and a rail arrangement.

21. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein the separator further includes a top cover that, when assembled in the dirt collection chamber, defines an outer periphery of the dirt collection chamber.

22. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein the separator further includes a back cover that, when assembled in the dirt collection chamber, defines an outer periphery of the dirt collection chamber.

23. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein the dirt collection chamber includes a pivotably openable door.

24. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a top wall opposite the bottom wall, wherein the sidewall extends between the top wall and the bottom wall.

25. The vacuum cleaner of claim 24, wherein the top wall is removable from the dirt collection chamber with the first stage separator.

26. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the dirt collection chamber includes a door that is opened to allow the dirt collection chamber to be emptied, wherein the door defines at least a portion of the bottom wall.

27. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, further comprising a top wall opposite the bottom wall, wherein the sidewall extends between the top wall and the bottom wall.

28. The vacuum cleaner of claim 27, wherein the top wall is removable from the dirt collection chamber with the first stage separator.

29. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein the dirt collection chamber includes a door that is opened to allow the dirt collection chamber to be emptied, wherein the door defines at least a portion of the bottom wall.