Patent Grant
11666189
This disclosure relates generally to reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus, and more specifically to surface cleaning apparatus that can be reconfigured to operate in a floor cleaning mode and in an above floor cleaning mode.
Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known, including upright surface cleaning apparatus, canister surface cleaning apparatus, stick surface cleaning apparatus, and hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus. Surface cleaning apparatus include vacuum cleaners.
Surface cleaning apparatus designed to clean floor surfaces often include a surface cleaning head configured to be rolled (or otherwise translated) across the floor surface. Such surface cleaning heads may include one or more mechanical agitators (e.g. brush bars) to assist in dislodging dirt and debris from the floor surface. Such surface cleaning heads are often located at least three feet from a control handle of the surface cleaning apparatus, to allow a user to direct the cleaning head across the floor surface while in an upright standing position.
Surface cleaning apparatus designed for cleaning surfaces other than floor surfaces (e.g. tabletops, furniture, shelves, wall surfaces) include hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus, which may be referred to as “hand vacuum cleaners” or “handvacs”. A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus or handvac is a vacuum cleaner that can be operated generally one-handedly to clean a surface while its weight is supported by the same one hand. Often, the dirty air inlet of a hand vac is located within about a foot or two from the control handle of the hand vac, e.g. to allow a user to direct the dirty air inlet across raised surfaces while in an upright standing position.
The following introduction is provided to introduce the reader to the more detailed discussion to follow. The introduction is not intended 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.
The performance of a surface cleaning apparatus or vacuum cleaner may be characterized in a number of ways. For example, a typical performance measure is the quantity of airflow through the surface cleaning apparatus per unit time, e.g. cubic feet per minute (CFM). A rotating brush may lift dirt and debris above a surface to be cleaner. However, it is the airflow that entrains and transports dirt and other debris from a surface being cleaned to the air treatment member of the surface cleaning apparatus (e.g. one or more cyclonic cleaning stages, a filter bag, a porous filter media, and the like). A vacuum cleaner with a higher airflow rating (e.g. a higher CFM) may have a greater cleaning ability than a vacuum cleaner with a lower airflow rating since the higher air flow enables more dirt and debris to be entrained and transported.
While a high air flow rating enables a lot of dirt and debris to be entrained and transported, the velocity of the air stream will affect the type of dirt and debris that may be entrained and transported. Generally, heavier or denser dirt and debris requires a higher air flow than lighter or less dense dirt and debris.
Another typical performance measure of a surface cleaning apparatus is its ‘lifting power’. A vacuum cleaner with a higher velocity may be able to lift larger and/or heavier debris (such as dimes or other coins) and transport this debris from the surface being cleaned to the air treatment member.
Providing a surface cleaning apparatus with both high airflow (CFM) performance and high lifting power may be considered desirable. However, where the suction motor of a hand vacuum cleaner is powered by an onboard energy storage member (e.g. one or more rechargeable batteries), the weight and/or power output of the suction motor may be limited, e.g. due to the weight, cost, and/or other concerns of, e.g., the on board energy storage members (e.g., a battery pack).
In some cases, a preferred trade-off between airflow performance and lifting power may depend on the intended use of the surface cleaning apparatus. For example, when cleaning a floor surface by translating a surface cleaning head across the floor surface, it may be considered desirable to provide a relatively high lifting power, as this may allow relatively heavy and/or large debris to be transported to the air treatment member. For example, this may increase the number of types of debris that the surface cleaning apparatus can ‘pick-up’ from the floor surface. As another example, when cleaning surfaces other than floor surfaces (e.g. tabletops, furniture, shelves, wall surfaces) it may be considered desirable to provide a relatively high airflow (which may be characterized as a relatively high mass transport rate), as this may allow the surface cleaning apparatus to transport a larger quantity of dust and debris to the air treatment member per unit time.
Without intending to be bound by theory, the ‘lifting power’ of a surface cleaning apparatus may be considered generally proportional to the velocity of air flowing from the dirty air inlet to the inlet of an air treatment member. Accordingly, where a suction motor and/or fan assembly is operated at a constant rate (e.g. at a constant power level), the ‘lifting power’ may be considered proportional to the cross-sectional area of the air flow path between the dirty air inlet and the inlet of the air treatment member. Accordingly, all else being substantially equal, the ‘lifting power’ of a surface cleaning apparatus may be increased by reducing the cross-sectional area of the air flow path to the air treatment member, and the airflow throughput of the surface cleaning apparatus may be increased by increasing the cross-sectional area of the air flow path to the air treatment member (e.g. by reducing the ‘drag’ or other aerodynamic inefficiencies of a narrower air flow path).
The power utilized to produce a particular velocity of air flow will depend, inter alia, on the cross-sectional area of the air flow path. A smaller cross-sectional area (e.g., a smaller pipe diameter) will produce more back pressure. Therefore, more power will be required to produce a higher velocity. When a surface cleaning apparatus is operated in a cordless mode, the on board energy storage members have a finite amount of power. Therefore, the greater the velocity of the air flow, the lower the run time of the surface the cleaning apparatus. Conversely, by increasing the cross-sectional area, a lower velocity is achieved, but a higher air flow (CFM) may be obtained with a lower back pressure. The lower back pressure may result in a lower power utilization rate and therefore a longer run time from the on board energy storage members.
In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus may utilize different sized inlet flow paths for different cleaning operations. For example, a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus includes a floor cleaning unit with a surface cleaning head and an upper section that includes a rigid wand, and a portable or hand vacuum cleaner that can be removably mounted to the floor cleaning unit. In a floor cleaning mode, the hand vacuum cleaner is mounted to the floor cleaning unit, and in operation a suction motor of the hand vacuum induces an air flow through an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet of the surface cleaning head to an air outlet of the floor cleaning unit, through an air treatment member of the hand vacuum cleaner, and to a clean air outlet of the hand vacuum cleaner. In an above floor cleaning mode, the hand vacuum cleaner is disconnected from air flow communication with the rigid wand, and in operation the suction motor of the hand vacuum induces an air flow through an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner, through the air treatment member, and to the clean air outlet of the hand vacuum cleaner.
Preferably, the cross-sectional area of the air flow path through the rigid wand (in a plane transverse to the direction of air flow through the wand) is less than the cross-sectional area of the air flow path between the hand vacuum cleaner dirty air inlet to the air treatment member. An advantage of such a configuration is that the velocity of air travelling through the rigid wand in the floor cleaning mode may be greater than the velocity of air travelling through the upstream portion in the above floor cleaning mode.
Providing a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus in which a velocity of air through the rigid wand (in a floor cleaning mode) is greater than a velocity of air to the air treatment member (in an above floor cleaning mode) may have one or more advantages. For example, the surface cleaning apparatus may have a greater ‘lifting power’ in the floor cleaning mode (when this performance characteristic may be considered particularly desirable), and a greater airflow performance in the above floor cleaning mode (when this performance characteristic may be considered particularly desirable). A further advantage is that by using a lower velocity or a larger cross-sectional flow are in the above floor cleaning mode, a longer run time may be obtained on a single change of the on board energy storage members.
In accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
In some embodiments, the dirty air inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner may be removably mountable to the air outlet of the rigid wand.
In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may further comprise a handle and, in the floor cleaning mode, the handle may be drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head whereby the handle is useable to steer the surface cleaning head.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may be operated at the same power level by the energy storage member in the floor cleaning mode and in the above floor cleaning mode.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may be operated at a first power level by the energy storage member in the floor cleaning mode and at a second, higher power level in the above floor cleaning mode.
In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the upstream portion may be at least 15%, 20%, or 25% greater than the cross-sectional area of the rigid wand.
In some embodiments, the downstream portion may have a cross sectional area in a plane transverse to a direction of flow through the downstream portion that is at least as large as the cross sectional area of the upstream portion.
In accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
In some embodiments, the suction motor may be operated at the same power level in the floor cleaning mode and in the above floor cleaning mode.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may be operated at a first power level in the floor cleaning mode and at a second, higher power level in the above floor cleaning mode.
In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the upstream portion may be at least 15%, 20%, or 25% greater than the cross-sectional area of the upflow portion.
In some embodiments, the downstream portion may have a cross sectional area in a plane transverse to a direction of flow through the downstream portion that is at least as large as the cross sectional area of the upstream portion.
In some embodiments, the portable cleaning unit may further comprise an energy storage member and the hand vacuum cleaner may be operated using the energy storage member in the portable cleaning mode.
In accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
In some embodiments, the second conduit may be a portable cleaning unit air inlet conduit.
In some embodiments, the downstream portion may comprise an up flow duct.
In some embodiments, the downstream portion may extend to an outlet of an air flow path extending through the floor cleaning unit.
In some embodiments, the first and second conduits may comprise first and second configurations of an expandable conduit that is adjustable from the first configuration, which has the first cross-sectional area, to the second configuration, which has the second cross-sectional area.
In some embodiments, the first conduit may be removably receivable in the second conduit.
In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the second conduit may be at least 15%, 20%, or 25% greater than the cross-sectional area of the first conduit.
In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus includes a floor cleaning unit comprising a surface cleaning head, and a portable cleaning unit removably mountable to the floor cleaning unit. A higher velocity of air flow in a floor cleaning mode is achieved by using a narrower upflow duct, which is removably receivable in the inlet conduit of the portable cleaning unit. The inlet conduit of the portable cleaning unit may comprise part or all of the inlet air flow path when the portable cleaning unit is disconnected from air flow with the floor cleaning unit such that the upflow conduit is removed from the inlet conduit. The inlet air flow path of the portable cleaning unit in an above floor cleaning mode has a larger diameter than the upflow duct (e.g., the cross sectional flow area of the air inlet flow path may be 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% or more larger than that of the upflow conduit).
An advantage of this design is that the reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus may have a greater ‘lifting power’ in the floor cleaning mode, and a greater airflow performance in the above floor cleaning mode.
In accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
In some embodiments, the reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a cyclone bin assembly and the cyclone bin assembly may comprise a one piece assembly that includes the cyclone and the inlet conduit.
In some embodiments, the cyclone bin assembly may be removable from the portable cleaning unit.
In some embodiments, the inlet conduit may be integrally formed with the cyclone bin assembly.
In some embodiments, the upflow conduit may be slideably receivable in the inlet conduit whereby the upflow conduit may be seated in the inlet conduit as the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the floor cleaning unit.
In some embodiments, the inlet conduit may have an outlet end and the outlet end may be openable.
In some embodiments, the inlet conduit may be positioned adjacent an exterior of the cyclone.
In some embodiments, the inlet conduit may be positioned interior to the cyclone.
In some embodiments, when the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the floor cleaning unit and the upper section is in the upright storage position, the cyclone may have an air inlet located at an upper end of the cyclone.
In some embodiments, when the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the floor cleaning unit and the upper section is in the upright storage position, the cyclone may have an air inlet located at a lower end of the cyclone.
In accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
In some embodiments, the inlet conduit may comprise a one piece assembly with the air treatment member whereby the inlet conduit may be removable from the portable cleaning unit with the air treatment member.
In some embodiments, the upflow conduit may be slideably receivable in the inlet conduit whereby the upflow conduit may be seated in the inlet conduit as the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the floor cleaning unit.
In some embodiments, the inlet conduit may have an outlet end and the outlet end may be openable.
In accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of a flow area of the hand vacuum cleaner dirty air inlet conduit in a plane transverse to a direction of air flow through the hand vacuum cleaner dirty air inlet conduit may be at least 25% greater than a cross-sectional area of a flow area of the rigid wand in a plane transverse to a direction of air flow through the rigid wand.
In some embodiments, a flow area of the downstream portion may have a cross-sectional area in a plane transverse to a direction of flow through the downstream portion that is at least as large as the cross sectional area of the flow area of the hand vacuum cleaner dirty air inlet conduit.
In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may further comprise a handle and, in the floor cleaning mode, the handle may be drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head whereby the handle is useable to steer the surface cleaning head.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may be operated at the same power level in the floor cleaning mode and in the above floor cleaning mode.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may be operated at a first power level in the floor cleaning mode and at a second, higher power level in the above floor cleaning mode.
In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus includes a floor cleaning unit and a portable cleaning unit removably mountable to the floor cleaning unit. The portable cleaning unit uses an inverted air treatment is located no more than 20, 24, or 30 inches above the floor. The dirt outlet of the air treatment member may be at an upper end of the air treatment member when the floor cleaning unit is in an upright storage mode.
Providing the cyclone air inlet no more than, e.g., 20 inches above the floor may have one or more advantages. For example, this height to which dirt and debris must be lifted to enter, e.g., a cyclone chamber, is reduced. Accordingly, the power needed to lift the dirt and debris for treatment in the air treatment member may be reduced. It will be appreciated that it need not be necessary for the heavier or denser dirt and debris to exit the cyclone chamber and enter a dirt collection chamber. The heavier or denser dirt and debris may remain in the cyclone chamber. In such a case, the cyclone chamber is preferably openable, optionally concurrently with the dirt collection chamber.
In accordance with this broad aspect, there is provided a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
In some embodiments, the portable cleaning unit may further comprise an inlet conduit and the upflow conduit may be slideably receivable in the inlet conduit.
In some embodiments, the inlet conduit may extend generally vertically when the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the floor cleaning unit and the upper section is in the upright storage position, whereby the upflow conduit may be seated in the inlet conduit as the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the floor cleaning unit.
In some embodiments, the portable cleaning unit may further comprise a dirt collection chamber in communication with the cyclone via a cyclone dirt outlet and the inlet conduit may extend through the dirt collection chamber.
In some embodiments, the cyclone air inlet may be provided at the upper end of the cyclone.
In some embodiments, the cyclone air inlet may be provided at the lower end of the cyclone.
In some embodiments, the portable cleaning unit may further comprise a dirt collection chamber in communication with the cyclone via a cyclone dirt outlet and the inlet conduit may extend through the dirt collection chamber.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may be operated at the same power level in the floor cleaning mode and in the above floor cleaning mode.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may be operated at a first power level in the floor cleaning mode and at a second, higher power level in the above floor cleaning mode.
In accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
In some embodiments, the portable cleaning unit may further comprise an inlet conduit and the upflow conduit may be slideably receivable in the inlet conduit.
In some embodiments, the inlet conduit may extend generally vertically when the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the floor cleaning unit and the upper section is in the upright storage position, whereby the upflow conduit may be seated in the inlet conduit as the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the floor cleaning unit.
In some embodiments, the portable cleaning unit may further comprise a dirt collection chamber in communication with the air treatment member via an air treatment member dirt outlet, and the inlet conduit may extend through the dirt collection chamber.
In some embodiments, the air treatment member air inlet may be provided in the upper end of the air treatment member.
In some embodiments, the air treatment member air inlet may be provided in the lower end of the air treatment member.
In some embodiments, the portable cleaning unit may further comprise a dirt collection chamber in communication with the air treatment member via an air treatment member dirt outlet, and the inlet conduit may extend through the dirt collection chamber.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may be operated at the same power level in the floor cleaning mode and in the above floor cleaning mode.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may be operated at a first power level in the floor cleaning mode and at a second, higher power level in the above floor cleaning mode.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may be operated at the same power level provided by the energy storage member in the floor cleaning mode and in the above floor cleaning mode.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may be operated at a first power level provided by the energy storage member in the floor cleaning mode and at a second, higher power level in the above floor cleaning mode.
It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that an apparatus or method disclosed herein may embody any one or more of the features contained herein and that the features may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination.
These and other aspects and features of various embodiments will be described in greater detail below.
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:
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.
Various apparatuses, 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 apparatuses, 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 apparatuses, 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.
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.
General Description of a Reconfigurable Surface Cleaning Apparatus
Referring to
Upper section 2200 may be movably and drivingly connected to surface cleaning head 2100. For example, upper section 2200 may be permanently or removably connected to surface cleaning head 2100 and moveably mounted thereto for movement between a storage position (e.g. as shown in
Hand vacuum cleaner 1000 is removably connected to upper section 2200. When mounted to upper section 2200, a user may grasp the handle 1020 of hand vacuum cleaner 1000 to manipulate upper section 2200 to steer surface cleaning head 2100 across a surface to be cleaned. Accordingly, when hand vacuum cleaner 1000 is mounted to upper section 2200, handle 1020 is the drive handle of reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus 100.
As exemplified, at least one suction motor, and preferably the only suction motor, and at least one air treatment member, which may be the only air treatment member, is provided in the hand vacuum cleaner to permit hand vacuum cleaner 1000 to operate independently when disconnected from the floor cleaning unit 2000. As exemplified, hand vacuum cleaner 1000 may be powered by an onboard energy source, such as a battery pack or other energy storage member such as a capacitor, such as an ultracapacitor.
The air treatment member may be any suitable air treatment member, including, for example, one or more cyclones, filters, and/or bags. Preferably, at least one air treatment member is provided upstream of the suction motor to clean the dirty air before the air passes through the suction motor. In the illustrated embodiment, hand vacuum cleaner 1000 includes a cyclone assembly including a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection region. In some embodiments, the dirt collection region may be a portion (e.g., a lower portion) of the cyclone chamber. In other embodiments, the dirt collection region may be a dirt collection chamber that is separated from the cyclone chamber by a dirt outlet of the cyclone chamber.
Reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus 100 has at least one dirty air inlet, one clean air outlet, and an airflow path extending between the inlet and the outlet. Referring to
It will be appreciated that the floor cleaning unit may alternatively be of any configuration.
General Description of a Hand Vacuum Cleaner
Referring primarily to
As exemplified in
Surface cleaning apparatus 1000 has a front end 1002, a rear end 1004, an upper end or top 1006, and a lower end or bottom 1008. In the embodiment shown, dirty air inlet 1030 is at an upper portion of the front end 1102 and clean air outlet 1040 is at rearward portion of the lower end 1008. It will be appreciated that the dirty air inlet 1030 and the clean air outlet 1040 may be provided in different locations.
A suction motor 1200 (see e.g.
Air treatment member 1100 is configured to remove particles of dirt and other debris from the air flow and/or otherwise treat the air flow. In the illustrated example, air treatment member 1100 includes a cyclone assembly having a single cyclonic cleaning stage with a single cyclone chamber 1110 and a dirt collection region 1122 external to the cyclone chamber. The cyclone chamber 1110 and dirt collection region 1122 may be of any configuration suitable for separating dirt from an air stream and collecting the separated dirt, respectively.
The cyclone chamber 1110 may be oriented in any direction. For example, when surface cleaning apparatus 1000 is oriented with the upper end 1106 above the lower end 1108, e.g. positioned generally parallel to a horizontal surface, a central axis or axis of rotation 1115 of the cyclone chamber 1110 may be oriented horizontally, as exemplified in
In alternative embodiments, the cyclone assembly may include two or more cyclonic cleaning stages arranged in series with each other. Each cyclonic cleaning stage may include one or more cyclone chambers (arranged in parallel or series with each other) and one or more dirt collection chambers, of any suitable configuration. The dirt collection chamber or chambers may be external to the cyclone chambers, or may be internal the cyclone chamber and configured as a dirt collection area or region within the cyclone chamber. Alternatively, the air treatment member need not include a cyclonic cleaning stage, and can incorporate a bag, a porous physical filter media (such as foam or felt), or other air treating means.
As exemplified in
Optionally, the pre-motor filter housing 1310 may be openable, and at least a portion of the sidewall 1316 (e.g. removable or otherwise openable door 1330) and/or one of the end walls 1312 or 1314 may be removable, openable, or otherwise re-configurable to provide access to the interior of the pre-motor filter housing 1310.
As exemplified, hand vacuum cleaner 1000 may also include a post-motor filter 1420 provided in the air flow path downstream of the suction motor 1200 and upstream of the clean air outlet 1040. Post-motor filter 1420 may be formed from any suitable physical, porous filter media and having any suitable shape, including the examples disclosed herein. In alternative embodiments, the post-motor filter 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.
In the illustrated embodiment, the dirty air inlet 1030 of the hand vacuum cleaner 1000 is the inlet end 1032 of an inlet conduit 1036. Optionally, inlet end 1032 of the conduit 1036 can be used as a nozzle to directly clean a surface. The air inlet conduit 1036 is, in this example, a generally linear hollow member that extends along an inlet conduit axis 1035 that is oriented in a longitudinal forward/backward direction and is generally horizontal when hand vacuum cleaner 1000 is oriented with the upper end 1006 above the lower end 1008. Alternatively, or in addition to functioning as a nozzle, inlet conduit 1036 may be connected or directly connected to the downstream end of any suitable accessory tool such as a rigid air flow conduit (e.g., an above floor cleaning wand such as rigid wand 2210), a crevice tool, a mini brush, and the like. As shown, dirty air inlet 1030 is positioned forward of the air treatment member 1100, although this need not be the case. As exemplified, the dirty air inlet 1030 is positioned above the cyclone chamber. Optionally, the dirty air inlet 1030 may be provided at an alternative location, such as in the front end wall 1160.
As exemplified, power may be supplied to the suction motor and other electrical components of the hand vacuum cleaner from an onboard energy storage member which may include, for example, one or more batteries or other energy storage device. In the illustrated embodiment, the hand vacuum cleaner 1000 includes a removable battery pack 1500 provided between the handle 1020 and the air treatment member 1100. Battery pack 1500 may include any suitable number of cells 1510, and may include, for example, lithium ion battery cells. Any number of cells may be used to create a power source having a desired voltage and current, and any type of battery may be used, including NiMH, alkaline, and the like. Battery pack 1500 may be of any known design and may be electrically connected to the hand vacuum cleaner by any means known in the art. Optionally, the batteries and battery packs may be rechargeable or may be replaceable, non-rechargeable batteries. The on board energy storage member may alternatively not be removable and may be rechargeable in situ.
As exemplified, a power switch 1060 may be 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 the batteries and the suction motor. The power switch may be provided in any suitable configuration and location, including a button, rotary switch, sliding switch, trigger-type actuator and the like. As illustrated in
The power switch or an alternative controller may also be configured to control other aspects of the hand vacuum (brush motor on/off, etc.). Optionally, instead of being provided at an upper end of the handle, the power switch may be provided on the main body (such as on the motor housing or other suitable location).
Air Flow Path Through a Hand Vacuum Cleaner
As exemplified, the air treatment member 1100 of the hand vacuum cleaner 1000 may optionally be a single cyclonic cleaning stage with unidirectional air flow or a ‘uniflow’ cyclone chamber 1110 (i.e. where the cyclone air inlet and cyclone air outlet are at opposite ends of the cyclone chamber). Referring primarily to
Optionally, the cyclone chamber 1110 may be generally horizontally oriented so that the cyclone air inlet 1120 is located toward the front end 1002 of the hand vacuum cleaner 1000, and the cyclone air outlet 1130 is spaced rearwardly behind the cyclone air inlet 1120, at a rear end 1114 of the cyclone chamber 1110. From the cyclone air outlet 1130, an upflow duct or conduit 1230 directs the airflow upwards to a pre-motor filter chamber 1318 that is vertically spaced from the cyclone chamber 1110. After passing through the pre-motor filter 1320, air may travel generally rearwardly from the pre-motor filter 1320 to an inlet end 1202 of the suction motor 1200. An advantage of this arrangement is that, by promoting air to travel in this manner, the need for air flow direction changes between an air outlet of the pre-motor filter and the suction motor may be reduced or eliminated, thereby reducing backpressure and/or air flow losses through this portion of the hand vacuum cleaner.
In the illustrated example, dirt collection chamber 1122 is positioned exterior to the cyclone chamber 1110 and is in communication with the dirt outlet 1140 to receive dirt and debris dis-entrained from a dirty air flow by the cyclone chamber 1110. In the illustrated example, the cyclone air inlet 1120 and dirt outlet 1140 are positioned toward opposing ends of the cyclone chamber 1110, and the cyclone air outlet 1130 is provided toward the same end as the dirt outlet 1140 (the rear end as illustrated). In this configuration, dirty air can enter at the front end of the cyclone chamber, while cleaner air and the separated dirt particles both exit the cyclone chamber at the opposing rear end.
In this embodiment, the cyclone chamber 1110 has a front end wall 1160 and an opposing rear end wall 1170 that is spaced apart from the front end wall along the cyclone axis 1115 about which air circulates within the cyclone chamber 1110 during operation of the hand vacuum cleaner. A cyclone chamber sidewall 1180 extends between the front and rear end walls 1160, 1170.
In this embodiment, the cyclone air inlet 1120 is a tangential air inlet that, as exemplified, terminates at an aperture or port that is formed in cyclone sidewall 1180, optionally an upper portion 1182 of the cyclone sidewall 1180, adjacent the front end wall 1160. Optionally, the cyclone air inlet 1120 may be provided at an alternative location, such as in the front end wall 1160.
The cyclone air inlet 1120 is fluidly connected with the outlet end of the conduit 1036 via a corresponding air outlet aperture or port 1038 that may be provided in a lower portion of the air inlet conduit 1036. The cyclone air inlet 1120 may have any suitable arrangement and/or configuration, and in the illustrated example is configured as a tangential air inlet that is directly connected to the air outlet aperture 1038. Connecting the air inlet 1120 to the air outlet aperture 1038 in this manner may help reduce the need for additional conduits to fluidly connect the dirty air inlet 1030 to the cyclone chamber 1110, and may reduce or eliminate the need for additional bends or air flow direction changes between the dirty air inlet 1030 and the cyclone chamber 1110. Reducing the conduit length and number of bends may help reduce the backpressure and air flow losses within the air flow path.
In the illustrated example, cyclone air inlet 1120 is directly adjacent the front wall 1160. Alternatively, cyclone air inlet 1120 may be axially spaced from the front end wall 1160, and may be located at another location along the length of the cyclone chamber 1110. Preferably, cyclone air inlet 1120 is provided in the front half of the cyclone chamber 1110 (i.e. forward of the axial mid-point of the cyclone chamber sidewall 1080) in order to help reduce the distance between the dirty air inlet 1030 and the cyclone air inlet 1120.
As shown in
Positioning the air outlet 1130 in the rear end wall 1170 of the cyclone chamber 1110 may also help facilitate the air flow connection between the cyclone chamber 1110 and other downstream components in the hand vacuum, such as the pre-motor filter housing 1310 and suction motor housing 1210 described herein. In the illustrated embodiment the air outlet 1130 is provided in the rear end wall 1170 and is connected to the pre-motor filter housing 1310 through an upflow duct or conduit 1230. This may help simplify the air flow path and construction of the hand vacuum. Alternatively, the air flow path may include one or more additional conduits connected downstream from the cyclone air outlet. Alternatively, the pre-motor filter may be located rearward of the air outlet 1130, and axially aligned with the cyclone axis.
The cyclone dirt outlet 1140 may be of any suitable configuration, and in the illustrated embodiment is a slot 1140 that is provided in the cyclone chamber side wall 1180, toward the rear end wall 1170. The slot 1140 may extend around at least a portion of the perimeter of the cyclone side wall 1180, and may have any suitable length 1186 in the axial direction (see e.g.
Preferably, at least a portion of the air treatment member may be openable for emptying. For example, at least one end, and optionally both ends of the dirt collection chamber 1122 may be openable for emptying. Optionally, at least one end, and optionally both ends of the cyclone chamber 1110 may also be openable for emptying.
Referring primarily to
The front door 1190 may be openably connected (e.g., pivotally openable or removably mounted) to the rest of the cyclone assembly using any suitable mechanism, including a hinge or other suitable device. Optionally, the front door 1190 may be secured in the closed position using any suitable type of locking mechanism, including a latch mechanism that may be released by a user.
In the embodiments described herein, the surface cleaning apparatus includes a pre-motor filter housing 1310 positioned in the air flow path between the cyclone chamber and the suction motor. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may be of any configuration and the direction of air flow through the pre-motor filter 1320 may be any particular direction.
Referring primarily to
As exemplified herein, the pre-motor filter 1320 may be configured as a generally cylindrical foam filter with a hollow, open interior, and is optionally part of a removable pre-motor filter assembly. The pre-motor filter 1320, which may be a foam filter, extends longitudinally along a filter axis 1325, which may be generally parallel with the suction motor axis of rotation and accordingly is exemplified as being generally horizontal in the illustrated embodiment. The interior, downstream surface of filter 1320 is in communication with the air outlet 1242 via an outlet conduit 1340 of the pre-motor filter assembly. An advantage of a cylindrical filter is that a relatively large upstream surface area may be provided in a small space.
Referring to
In the illustrated example, the suction motor 1200 is generally horizontally oriented, such that the suction motor axis of rotation 1205 is generally horizontal (e.g., ±20°, ±15°, ±10°, or ±5° from horizontal) when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned with the upper end above the lower end (as illustrated in
Positioning the suction motor at an upper end of a handle of the vacuum cleaner with the suction motor axis vertically displaced from the cyclone axis of rotation may help provide a compact overall design of the hand vacuum cleaner without adversely affecting the hand feel and/or perceived balance of the hand vacuum.
It will be appreciated that the air may exit the hand vacuum cleaner via a grill located in an upper portion of the main body (e.g., via an air outlet provided in the rear end of the main body or a sidewall adjacent the rear end). Alternatively, air may exit through a lower portion of the main body. This may be achieved by conveying the air downwardly through the handle of the hand vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, as exemplified, at least a portion of the air flow path between the dirty air inlet 1030 and the clean air outlet 1040 may flow through the handle 1020. This may help facilitate a variety of different air flow path configurations and clean air outlet 1040 locations. In the illustrated embodiment, a handle air flow passage 1250 has an inlet end 1252 that is located toward the top 1022 of the handle downstream from the suction motor 1200, and an outlet end 1254 that is located toward the bottom 1024 of the handle. This may help channel the air through substantially the entire length of the hand grip portion 1026 of the handle 1020.
As exemplified, the air exhausted from the suction motor 1200 is routed through the handle, and the clean air outlet 1040 is provided in the form of a plurality of slots 1430 that are formed in the lower end 1024 of the handle. Air entering the inlet end 1252 is directed through the handle 1020 and exits via the slots 1430. In this example, the slots or grill 1430 are oriented such that air exiting the clear air outlet 1040 travels generally downwardly and rearwardly from the lower end 1024 of the handle 1020. It will be appreciated that the clean air outlet may be of any design and may be located anywhere in the lower portion of the hand vacuum cleaner.
Optionally, one or more post-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between the suction motor 1200 and the clean air outlet 1040. The post-motor filter may be provided at the clean air outlet 1040. The post motor filter may be in an openable housing. The illustrated post-motor filter 1420 is a physical foam media filter, but optionally the post-motor filters may be any suitable type of filter and may include one or more of foam filters, felt filters, HEPA filters, other physical filter media, electrostatic filters, and the like.
Air Flow Paths Through a Reconfigurable Surface Cleaning Apparatus
In accordance with an aspect of this disclosure, a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus has an air flow path upstream of the air treatment member that is reconfigurable to provide a higher velocity of air flow in a floor cleaning mode as compared to an above floor cleaning mode, in the absence of changing the suction power provided by the suction motor. The air flow path may be reconfigured by inserting an upstream conduit into a downstream conduit to provide a narrower air flow path in the floor cleaning mode. Alternatively, the upstream air flow path may be expandable to have different size cross-sectional flow areas. Alternatively, different air flow paths may be provided for the different cleaning modes. It will be appreciated that, optionally, a surface cleaning apparatus may use a different power mode for a surface cleaning apparatus in the above floor cleaning mode as compared to the floor cleaning mode.
Stick Vac with an Upflow Duct Receivable in the Handvac Air Inlet
In accordance with this embodiment, a hand vacuum cleaner 1000 has an inlet which removably receives therein the outlet end of rigid wand 2210. As discussed subsequently, the outlet or downstream end 2214 of rigid wand 2210 has a smaller diameter than the inlet passage of hand vacuum cleaner 1000 and may extend to the inlet of the air treatment member (e.g., a cyclone inlet) of hand vacuum cleaner 1000, thereby providing a narrower inlet conduit when hand vacuum cleaner 1000 is mounted to floor cleaning unit 2000.
As exemplified in
As exemplified in
Referring to
As exemplified in
In this configuration, as illustrated in
It will be appreciated that the flow area through wand 2120 may have any suitable shape, e.g. oval, quadrilateral, etc.
Referring to
As exemplified in
In this configuration, as illustrated in
It will be appreciated that the flow area through inlet conduit 1036 may have any suitable shape, e.g. oval, quadrilateral, etc.
Accordingly, as exemplified, the entire air flow path of the hand vacuum cleaner upstream of the air inlet to the air treatment member chamber may be adjusted depending upon the mode of operation. In the floor cleaning mode, the downstream end 2214 of wand 2210 is inserted into the dirty air inlet 1030 of hand vacuum cleaner 1000, and the cross-sectional area of the air flow path along the length of the inlet conduit 1036 is the cross-sectional area of the interior path 2216 of rigid wand 2210, which is less than the cross-sectional area of an upstream portion of the air flow path through the hand vacuum cleaner 1000 (e.g. the area of inlet conduit 1036). For example, the cross-sectional area of this upstream portion may be at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25% or more than the cross-sectional area of the flow area of the interior path 2216 of the rigid wand 2210.
An advantage of such a configuration is that, without adjusting the operation of suction motor 1200, the velocity of air travelling through the rigid wand in the floor cleaning mode may be greater than the velocity of air travelling through the inlet conduit 1036 in the above floor cleaning mode. This may provide greater ‘lifting power’ in the floor cleaning mode automatically as a consequence of reconfiguring the surface cleaning apparatus 100 from the above floor cleaning mode to the floor cleaning mode, without e.g. changing the power level at which the suction motor is operated.
In some embodiments, the suction motor 1200 of hand vacuum cleaner 1000 may be operated by the energy storage member at different power levels in the floor cleaning and above floor cleaning modes. For example, the suction motor may be operated at a first power level in the floor cleaning mode and at a second, higher power level in the above floor cleaning mode. Operating the suction motor at different power levels may have one or more advantages. For example, operating the suction motor at a higher power level may improve the ‘lifting power’ of the hand vacuum cleaner 1000 in the above floor cleaning mode—as the ‘lifting power’ may otherwise be lower due to the larger cross-sectional area of the flow area through inlet conduit 1036 (i.e. Areainlet) and the lower velocity of air through this flow area which may result. Accordingly, the hand vacuum cleaner 1000 may have a switch that may be set to a high power mode when additional lifting power is required in an above floor cleaning mode.
In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the flow area through inlet conduit 1036 (i.e. Areainlet) may be approximately equal to a cross-sectional area of all or a portion of the air flow path through hand vacuum cleaner 1000 that is downstream of the air treatment member(s), e.g. downstream of one or more cyclonic cleaning stages, and/or downstream of one or more pre-motor filters. For example, the cross-sectional area of air outlet 1242 of the pre-motor filter housing 1310 (e.g. immediately upstream of the inlet end 1202 of suction motor 1200) may be approximately equal to Areainlet. Such a configuration may have one or more advantages. For example, this may reduce backpressure and/or otherwise improve the efficiency of airflow through the reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus in the floor cleaning mode.
In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the flow area through the upstream portion of the air flow path through the hand vacuum cleaner 1000 (i.e. Areainlet) may be approximately equal to a cross-sectional area of a portion of the air flow path through hand vacuum cleaner 1000 that is the portion of the air flow path downstream of the air treatment member(s), e.g. downstream of one or more cyclonic cleaning stages, or the portion of the air flow path downstream of one or more pre-motor filters. For example, the cross-sectional area of air outlet 1242 of the pre-motor filter housing 1310 may be approximately equal to Areainlet. Such a configuration may have one or more advantages. For example, this may reduce the back pressure and/or otherwise improve the efficiency of airflow through the reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus in the above floor cleaning mode. By reducing the back pressure through the hand vacuum cleaner downstream of the air treatment member(s), the power required to operate the hand vacuum cleaner 1000 may be reduced thereby enabling the hand vacuum cleaner 1000 to have a longer run time between recharges and/or reducing the number of onboard energy storage members, which may reduce the weight and size of the hand vacuum cleaner 1000.
Stick Vac with a Handvac Having Alternative Air Inlets
It will be appreciated that each of the auxiliary air inlet 1730 and the inlet conduit 1036 may be selective connected in flow communication with the air treatment member, such as by a valve which rotates or moves between a first position in which the inlet conduit 1036 is in air flow communication with inlet 1120 and a second position in which the auxiliary air inlet 1730 is in air flow communication with inlet 1120. Alternately, as exemplified in
Similar to the reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus illustrated in
As exemplified, the outlet end of the rigid wand is inserted into the inlet conduit 1036 in the same manner as exemplified in
Referring to
In this configuration, the downstream end 1604 of hose 1600 interrupts (and preferably seals off) airflow from air inlet conduit 1036 to air outlet aperture 1038 and the cyclone air inlet 1120. Thus, a dirty air inlet 1630 located at the upstream end 1602 of hose 1600 forms a dirty air inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner 1000.
As exemplified in
In this configuration, an upstream portion of the air flow path through the hand vacuum cleaner 1000 includes the interior 1616 of hose 1600, which may be referred to as the flow area of this upstream portion. This flow area may have a cross-sectional area in a plane transverse to a direction of air flowing through the hose. For example, the interior 1616 of hose 1600 may have a generally cylindrical shape with a diameter dhose. Thus, the cross-sectional area may be calculated as
It will be appreciated that the flow area through hose 1600 may have any suitable shape, e.g. oval, quadrilateral, etc.
Preferably, the cross-sectional area of the air flow path through the rigid wand 2210 is less than the cross-sectional area of an upstream portion of the air flow path through the hand vacuum cleaner 1000 (e.g. the area of the interior 1616 of hose 1600). For example, the cross-sectional area of this upstream portion may be at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25% or more than the cross-sectional area of the flow area of the wand 2210. For example, the cross-sectional area of the flow area of the wand may be between about 0.4 in2 and 0.55 in2, and the cross-sectional area of the flow area of the hose may be about 1.227 in2.
An advantage of such a configuration is that, without adjusting the operation of suction motor 1200, the velocity of air travelling through the rigid wand in the floor cleaning mode may be greater than the velocity of air travelling through the upstream portion (e.g. hose 1600) in the above floor cleaning mode. This may provide greater ‘lifting power’ in the floor cleaning mode by simply reconfiguring surface cleaning apparatus 100, without e.g. changing the power level at which the suction motor is operated.
Reconfigurable Surface Cleaning Apparatus with Removable Air Treatment Member
The following is a description of different features of a removable air treatment member of a hand vacuum cleaner. These features may be used by themselves in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features described herein.
Optionally, the air treatment member of hand vacuum 1000 may be removable. For example, as exemplified in
Optionally, a downstream end of the conduit 1036 may be openable. For example, when the air treatment member of hand vacuum 1000 is removed, a downstream end of the conduit 1036 may be accessible other than via air inlet 1030 and aperture 1038. Facilitating access to the interior of conduit 1136 may have one or more advantages. For example, opening the downstream end of conduit 1036 may facilitate the location and/or removal of debris that has become clogged in this portion of the air flow path of hand vacuum cleaner 1000.
For example, as exemplified in
It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may not use any of the features of the removable air treatment member disclosed herein and that, in those embodiments, an air treatment member of any kind known in the art may be used.
Reconfigurable Surface Cleaning Apparatus with Variable Air Treatment Member Air Inlet Port Area
The following is a description of different features of a variable air inlet of an air treatment member of a hand vacuum cleaner or portable cleaning unit. These features may be used by themselves in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features described herein.
Alternatively, or in addition to adjusting the cross sectional flow area of the inlet conduit 1036 of hand vacuum cleaner, the cross-sectional flow area of the inlet port of the air treatment member air inlet (e.g., the inlet port of tangential cyclone inlet 1120) may be adjustable.
Accordingly, when the reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus is in a floor cleaning mode, the cross-sectional area of the air inlet to an air treatment member (in a plane transverse to the direction of air flow through the air inlet) may be less than the cross-sectional area of the air inlet to the air treatment member when the reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus is in an above floor cleaning mode. An advantage of such a configuration is that the cross-sectional flow area of the inlet port of the air treatment member air inlet may be automatically adjusted to be the same as the cross-sectional area of the upstream air flow path of the hand vacuum cleaner in the floor cleaning mode.
As exemplified in
In this configuration, as illustrated in
Referring to
It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may not use any of the features of the variable air treatment member air inlet disclosed herein and that, in those embodiments, an air inlet of any kind known in the art may be used.
Reconfigurable Surface Cleaning Apparatus with a Cyclone Air Inlet Proximate the Surface Cleaning Head
The following is a description of different features of a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus with a cyclone air inlet located proximate the surface cleaning head. These features may be used by themselves in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features described herein.
As discussed previously, a higher velocity of air flow produces more lifting power. However, a higher velocity requires additional power, which reduces the run time of a surface cleaning apparatus on a single charge of the on board energy storage members. According to this aspect, reducing the height through which the dirt is raised to enter the air treatment member reduces the work which must be performed by the air flow upstream of the air treatment member. This in turn reduces the power requirement for a surface cleaning apparatus. Accordingly reducing the height of, e.g., a cyclone air inlet may enable a surface cleaning apparatus to have a longer run time on a single charge of the on board energy storage members. The height of an inlet may be lowered by using an inverted cyclone (i.e., a cyclone with an air inlet at the lower end) and/or lowering the height of the cyclone (e.g., by placing the cyclone as the lowest element in the upper section of an upright vacuum cleaner).
In
In the illustrated above floor cleaning mode, air enters portable cleaning unit 1000 via an auxiliary air inlet 1730 and is disconnected from air flow with the floor cleaning unit 2000 (see
In this configuration, the downstream end 1604 of hose 1600 interrupts (and preferably seals off) airflow from air inlet conduit 1136 to air outlet aperture 1038 and the cyclone air inlet 1120. Thus, a dirty air inlet 1630 located at the upstream end 1802 of wand 1810 forms a dirty air inlet of the portable cleaning unit 1000.
As exemplified in
As illustrated in
In this configuration, an upstream portion of the air flow path through the portable cleaning unit 1000 includes the interior 1616 of hose 1600, and the interior 1816 of wand 1810. The flow area of this upstream portion may have a cross-sectional area in a plane transverse to a direction of air flowing through the hose. For example, the interior 1616 of hose 1600 may have a generally cylindrical shape with a diameter dhose. Thus, the cross-sectional area may be calculated as
Also, the interior 1816 of wand 1810 may have a generally cylindrical shape with a diameter dwand. Thus, the cross-sectional area may be calculated as
Optionally, the flow area of the wand 1810 and of the hose 1600 may be approximately equal (i.e. Areahose=Areawand) and may be larger than the flow area of rigid wand 2210 as discussed subsequently.
As exemplified in
Referring to
In this configuration, as illustrated in
Preferably, the cross-sectional area of the air flow path through the upflow duct 2210 is less than the cross-sectional area of an upstream portion of the air flow path through the portable cleaning unit 1000 (e.g. the area of the interior 1616 of hose 1600 and/or the area of the interior 1816 of wand 1810). For example, the cross-sectional area of this upstream portion may be at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25% or more than the cross-sectional area of the flow area of the upflow duct 2210.
An advantage of such a configuration is that, without adjusting the operation of suction motor 1200, the velocity of air travelling through the upflow duct in the floor cleaning mode may be greater than the velocity of air travelling through the upstream portion (e.g. hose 1600 and/or wand 1810) in the above floor cleaning mode. This may provide greater ‘lifting power’ in the floor cleaning mode by simply reconfiguring surface cleaning apparatus 100, without e.g. changing the power level at which the suction motor is operated.
Also, in this configuration, as illustrated in
Providing the cyclone air inlet no more than, e.g., 20 inches above the floor may have one or more advantages. For example, this may allow the use of a higher velocity of air flow in the floor cleaning mode without substantially reducing the run time of the surface cleaning apparatus on a single charge of the on board energy storage members. As exemplified, the air flow path of upflow duct 2210 may have a relatively smaller cross-sectional area that the inlet air flow path in the above floor cleaning mode, which promotes an increased velocity of air travelling through this air flow path (thereby increasing the ‘lifting power’ of the air flowing through this air flow path) when the suction motor is operated at a given power level, as the ‘drag’ (or other aerodynamic inefficiencies) of a narrower air flow path are reduced due to its reduced length. It will be appreciated that the enhanced lifting power and run time enabled without increasing the power storage capacity of a surface cleaning apparatus in a cordless mode may be obtained even if the flow area of the air inlet path in the above floor cleaning mode is not adjusted.
Referring to
Referring to
It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may not use any of the features of the relatively low air treatment member air inlet disclosed herein and that, in those embodiments, an air inlet of any kind known in the art may be used.
Reconfigurable Surface Cleaning Apparatus with Portable Assembly Having a Conduit Receiving the Upflow Duct
The following is a description of different features of a reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus with a relatively high cyclone air inlet. These features may be used by themselves in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features described herein.
As in the embodiment of
In
As exemplified in
In the embodiment of
Reconfigurable Surface Cleaning Apparatus with Air Flow Conduit with Adjustable Flow Area
The following is a description of different features of an air flow conduit with an adjustable flow area. These features may be used by themselves in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features described herein.
In accordance with this aspect, an air flow conduit may be reconfigurable to have a different, e.g., diameter, to thereby change the cross-sectional area of at least a portion of the air flow path to an air treatment member (in a plane transverse to the direction of air flow through the air flow path). For example, when the reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus is in a floor cleaning mode, at least a portion of an air flow conduit (e.g. an upflow duct) may be adjusted to provide a first cross-sectional area, and when the reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus is in an above floor cleaning mode, that portion of the air flow conduit (e.g. which may be downstream of another portion of the air flow path in the above floor cleaning mode) may be adjusted to provide a second, larger cross-sectional area.
An advantage of such a configuration is that the flow area of a portion of the air flow path upstream of the air treatment member may be adjusted to be approximately equal to the flow area of another portion of the air flow path upstream of the air treatment member. For example, if in an above floor cleaning mode, the air flow path includes a flexible hose, the adjustable portion of the air flow conduit may be adjusted to provide a flow area that is approximately equal to the flow area of the hose.
In some embodiments, the ability to adjust a flow area of the air flow path may allow a user to affect the velocity of air flowing through the conduit, and thereby adjust the ‘lifting power’ and/or airflow performance (e.g. a relatively high mass transport rate) of the surface cleaning apparatus depending on the intended use of the surface cleaning apparatus, without adjusting the operating power of the suction motor.
In
In
In this way, without adjusting the power level at which a suction motor of the surface cleaning apparatus is operated, the cross-sectional flow area of the reconfigurable airflow conduit may be adjusted to promote a relatively high velocity of air flowing through the conduit, and thereby promote a relatively high ‘lifting power’ (e.g. in a floor cleaning mode, when this performance characteristic may be considered desirable). The cross-sectional flow area may also adjusted to promote a lower velocity of air through the conduit, and thereby promote improved airflow performance (e.g. mass transport rate and/or efficiency), e.g. in an above floor cleaning mode (when this performance characteristic may be considered desirable).
A conduit having an adjustable cross-sectional flow area may be of various constructions. For example, some or all of the sidewall of the conduit may be made or a resilient material (see for example the embodiment of
As illustrated in
The longitudinal ends of the frame members 2281 are slidingly coupled to the conduit blocks 2282, 2284, such that the frame members may be displaced laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the elastomeric conduit 2285. For example, as illustrated in
The relative position of frame members 2281 may be adjusted using any suitable mechanism. In the illustrated example, electrically powered linear actuators 2290 that can selectively traverse actuator rails 2292 are coupled to outwardly protruding flanges 2287 of frame members 2281. Accordingly, actuators 2290 may be advanced along their respective rails 2292 in a first direction to urge the frame members 2281 towards each other, and may alternatively be advanced in a second, opposite direction to urge frame members 2281 away from each other.
It will be appreciated that any other suitable adjustment mechanism(s) may be provided to control the relative positioning of frame members 2281. For example, a mechanical member may interact with the conduit as the surface cleaning apparatus is reconfigured between the floor cleaning mode and an above floor cleaning mode. If the conduit is biased to the contracted (narrower flow area) configuration, then insertion of a hose into the inlet of the conduit may drive the conduit to an expanded (larger flow area) configuration. If the conduit is biased to the expanded configuration, then mounting the portable unit on the surface cleaning head may drive the conduit to the contracted configuration. For example, the surface cleaning head (e.g., the upflow duct) may have a member (e.g., a lever or a cam member) that engages a part of the conduit (e.g., a cam surface or apart of the exterior of the conduit) to drive the conduit to the contracted configuration. Alternatively, the duct may be manually adjustable by a user.
In the example illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Notably, the configuration illustrated schematically in
Valve block 1650 is operable to selectively fluidly connect dirty air inlet 2130 or dirty air inlet 1630 of hose 1600 with the air outlet 2213 of upflow conduit or duct 2210. For example, as illustrated in
Also, in this configuration of a floor cleaning mode, duct 2120 has been adjusted so that interior 2216 has a relatively small cross-sectional area, which may promote a relatively high velocity of air, and thereby promote improved ‘lifting power’, through the duct 2120.
As illustrated in
Also, in this configuration of an above floor cleaning mode, duct 2120 has been adjusted so that interior 2216 has a relatively large cross-sectional area, which may promote a relatively lower velocity of air, and thereby promote improved airflow efficiency through the duct 2120.
It will be appreciated that the valve, or the valve actuator, may be drivingly connected to duct 2210 such that the flow area of duct 2210 is adjusted as the valve is actuated between the floor and above floor cleaning modes.
An advantage of this configuration of a floor cleaning unit is that the expected velocity of air in the air flow path through the floor cleaning unit (e.g. upstream of the air treatment member) may be adjusted without adjusting the power level at which a suction motor of the surface cleaning apparatus is operated.
Another advantage of this configuration is that the flow area of airflow conduit 2210 may be adjusted based on the mode of operation of the surface cleaning apparatus. For example, in an above floor cleaning mode, the internal flow area of upflow duct 2210 may be adjusted to be approximately equal to an internal flow area of hose 1600. Such a configuration may have one or more advantages. For example, this may reduce backpressure and/or otherwise improve the efficiency of airflow through the reconfigurable surface cleaning apparatus in the above floor cleaning mode.
It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may not use any of the features of the adjustable area air conduit disclosed herein and that, in those embodiments, an air inlet of any kind known in the art may be used.
Surface Cleaning Head with a Reconfigurable Air Inlet Passage
The following is a description of different features of a surface cleaning head that include a reconfigurable dirty air inlet. These features may be used by themselves in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features described herein.
Alternatively, or in addition to changing the flow area of the air flow path between the surface cleaning head and the air treatment member, the flow area through part or all of the surface cleaning head may be adjustable. Accordingly, at least the upstream portion of the dirty air inlet passage may be reconfigurable to vary its cross-sectional flow area (i.e. a cross-sectional area in a plane transverse to a direction of air flowing through the inlet). By changing the cross-sectional flow area, the expected velocity of air flowing through the dirty air inlet may be adjusted without adjusting the power level at which a suction motor of the surface cleaning apparatus is operated. For example, in the floor cleaning mode, if it is required to pick up heavier or denser dirt or debris, a user may actuate a control or switch to narrow the inlet flow passage in the surface cleaning head.
In the illustrated example, main body 2140 and repositionable cover plate 2150 also cooperatively define a dirty air inlet 2130 of surface cleaning head 2100. Specifically, a lower edge 2152 of cover plate 2150 and a forward edge 2142 of main body 2140 cooperatively define a dirty air inlet 2130. Inlet 2130 is shown schematically as having a length g and may extend across most or substantially all of the width of surface cleaning head 2100. Accordingly, the cross-sectional flow area of dirty air inlet 2130 may be approximated by multiplying the distance g by the width of the dirty air inlet 2130.
Cover plate 2150 may be repositioned relative to main body 2140, thereby altering the cross-sectional flow area of dirty air inlet 2130. For example, in
Cover plate 2150 may be repositioned in any suitable manner. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, rack and pinion mechanism 2160 is used, with a pinion 2164 being pivotable using a lever arm 2166, and a rack 2162 secured to an underside of cover plate 2150. It will be appreciated that other mechanisms may be used in one or more alternative embodiments.
Preferably, one or more sealing members are provided to inhibit or prevent airflow losses between dirty air inlet 2130 and the upstream end 2212 of duct 2210. In the embodiment illustrated in
Optionally, surface cleaning head 2100 may be reconfigurable to selectively permit airflow through one of a plurality of dirty air inlets. By changing between dirty air inlets with different cross-sectional flow areas, the expected velocity of air flowing into the surface cleaning head may be adjusted without adjusting the power level at which a suction motor of the surface cleaning apparatus is operated.
In the configuration illustrated in
In the illustrated example, surface cleaning head 2100 includes a brush roll 2180 positioned between a lower end of the surface cleaning head and the dirty air inlet 2130A. Accordingly, dirty air inlet 2130A may have a cross-sectional flow area selected to promote improved airflow efficiency when collecting relatively fine dust and debris agitated from the floor surface by the brush roll.
Main body 2140 and internal blocking member 2151 also cooperatively define at least a portion of an air flow path extending from dirty air inlet 2130A to an upstream end 2212 of an upflow conduit or duct 2210.
Cover plate 2150 and internal blocking member 2151 may be concurrently repositioned relative to main body 2140, thereby closing off dirty air inlet 2130A and opening an alternative dirty air inlet 2130B. For example, in
Also, in the configuration illustrated in
In the illustrated example, dirty air inlet 2130B may have a cross-sectional flow area selected to promote increased air velocity (and thereby promote improved ‘lifting power’) to assist in lifting heavier debris, and/or liquids from the floor surface S.
In the example embodiment illustrated in
Preferably, one or more sealing members are provided to inhibit or prevent airflow losses between dirty air inlets 2130A, 2130B and the upstream end 2212 of duct 2210. In the embodiment illustrated in
It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may not use any of the features of the reconfigurable dirty air inlet disclosed herein and that, in those embodiments, an air inlet of any kind known in the art may be used.
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.
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 application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/106,229 filed on Aug. 21, 2018, which itself is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/046,895, filed on Feb. 18, 2016, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,076,217 on Sep. 18, 2018, which itself is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/036,818, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,301,662 on Apr. 5, 2016, which itself is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/396,918 filed on Feb. 15, 2012, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,006 on Oct. 29, 2013, which is itself a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/954,310 filed on Dec. 12, 2007, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,166,607 on May 1, 2012, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/869,586, filed on Dec. 12, 2006, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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| 20190254492 A1 | Aug 2019 | US |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15046895 | Feb 2016 | US |
| Child | 16106229 | US | |
| Parent | 14036818 | Sep 2013 | US |
| Child | 15046895 | US | |
| Parent | 13396918 | Feb 2012 | US |
| Child | 14036818 | US | |
| Parent | 11954310 | Dec 2007 | US |
| Child | 13396918 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16106229 | Aug 2018 | US |
| Child | 16283283 | US |
