Patent Application
20230240488
The specification relates to surface cleaning apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a portable surface cleaning apparatus, such as a hand vacuum cleaner or a pod.
The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art.
Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known. Surface cleaning apparatus include vacuum cleaners. Currently, a vacuum cleaner typically uses at least one cyclonic cleaning stage. More recently, cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners have been developed. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,716 and US 2010/0229328. Each of these discloses a hand vacuum cleaner which includes a cyclonic cleaning stage. U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,716 discloses a cyclonic cleaning stage utilizing two cyclonic cleaning stages wherein both cyclonic stages have cyclone axis that extends vertically. US 2010/0229328 discloses a cyclonic hand vacuum cleaner wherein the cyclone axis extends horizontally and is co-axial with the suction motor. In addition, hand carriable (e.g., pod style) cyclonic vacuum cleaners are also known (see U.S. Pat. No. 8,146,201).
This summary is intended to introduce the reader to the more detailed description that follows and not to limit or define any claimed or as yet unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures.
According to one broad aspect, a pod or other hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus, such as a vacuum cleaner, is provided utilizing at least one cyclone stage wherein the cyclone chamber has two dirt outlets which are preferably positioned front and rear. An advantage of this design is that the dirt carrying capacity of the vacuum cleaner may be increased. For example, if the vacuum cleaner is being used and is tilted upwardly, the dirt in the dirt collection chamber will tend to move rearwardly. The amount of dirt in the dirt collection chamber may be below the fill line. However, when the vacuum cleaner is tilted upwardly, movement of the dirt rearwardly may cause the dirt in the dirt collection chamber to extend above the fill line and could potentially block a rearwardly positioned dirt outlet. The provision of a second spaced apart (preferably forwardly positioned) dirt outlet may provide an alternate dirt outlet which may be used in such a situation. Similarly, the hand vacuum cleaner may be tilted forwardly. In such a case, the dirt in the dirt collection chamber may move forwardly blocking a forward dirt outlet. However, the provision of a second spaced apart (preferably rearwardly positioned) dirt outlet may provide an alternate dirt outlet which may be used in such a situation. Accordingly, provision of different dirt outlets may allow the vacuum cleaner to continue to function despite the vacuum cleaner being operated at an angle to the horizontal. It will be appreciated that such a design is usable in hand vacuum cleaners, pod vacuum cleaners or other vacuum cleaners or surface cleaning apparatus which are meant to be carried by a hand or shoulder strap or the like (which may be referred to as hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus).
It will be appreciated that in a preferred embodiment, the dirt outlets are positioned adjacent the forward end and the rearward end of the cyclone chamber or cyclone chambers. However, it will be appreciated that displacing the dirt outlets from being exactly forward or rearward will still increase the dirt capacity of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus when operated at an angle to the horizontal.
The cyclone chamber may be of any particular design. Preferably, the cyclone chamber has the dirt outlet provided at a lower end. For example, the vacuum cleaner may have an upper air inlet and an upper air outlet. The dirt outlets may be provided in the sidewall at or close to the lower end wall of the cyclone chamber. Accordingly, the dirt outlets may be defined by cutouts or slots provided in the sidewall of the cyclone chamber. However, it will be appreciated that the dual dirt outlet design may be utilized with other cyclone constructions such as an inverted cyclone (e.g., the air inlet and air outlet are provided at a lower end and the dirt outlets are provided at an upper end of the cyclone chamber).
Each of the dirt outlets may be the same size. However, in a preferred embodiment, one of the dirt outlets is larger than the other. In addition, the positioning of the dirt outlets with respect to the position of the cyclone air inlet may vary. For example, one or both of the dirt outlets may have a radial extent of 15-135°, preferably 30-105° and, still more preferably, 60-75°. One of the dirt outlets may be positioned at the same radial position on the sidewall of the cyclone chamber as the cyclone air inlet. For example, if the dirt outlet is at the lower end of a cyclone chamber and the air inlet is at the upper end, one of the dirt outlets may be positioned directly below the air inlet such that the radial displacement around the sidewall of the cyclone chamber from the air inlet may be less than 10 degrees. In such an embodiment, it is preferred that the opposed dirt outlet is larger and may be twice as large (e.g., its angular extent may be twice that of the slot which is aligned with the air inlet).
It will also be appreciated that the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may be mountable on a base, such as a wheeled base or an upper portion of an upright surface cleaning apparatus. In such a case, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may function as the air treatment member of an upright surface cleaning apparatus or a canister style surface cleaning apparatus.
In another embodiment, an improved air flow path for a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus and, preferably, a hand vacuum cleaner or hand surface cleaning apparatus, is provided. In accordance with this embodiment, the suction motor inlet is positioned below the upper end of the cyclone chamber and preferably at a position between the upper and lower ends of the cyclone chamber or a cyclone bin assembly (e.g., a cyclone bin assembly which includes a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber, wherein the dirt collection chamber may be positioned below the cyclone chamber). According to such an embodiment, the air may enter the cyclone chamber, either at the upper end or the lower end of the cyclone chamber, and exit the cyclone chamber via an air outlet positioned in the upper end wall of the cyclone chamber. The air may then travel through a pre-motor filter. The pre-motor filter is preferably positioned above the cyclone chamber. The air exiting the cyclone chamber may either travel upwardly through the pre-motor filter and then travel downwardly via a conduit provided through the pre-motor filter or at a position that is laterally spaced (e.g., rearwardly) from the pre-motor filter. Alternately, the air exiting the cyclone chamber may pass via a conduit through the pre-motor filter and then travel downwardly through the pre-motor filter before travelling laterally (e.g., rearwardly). A conduit may then extend downwardly from the downstream side of the pre-motor filter (e.g., adjacent the cyclone chamber and/or an exterior dirt collection chamber of the cyclone chamber) to the suction motor inlet. This down flow conduit may be spaced from the cyclone chamber and dirt collection chamber or it may share a common wall with one or both thereof.
An advantage of this design is that the pre-motor filter may be accessible for cleaning or replacement by opening a panel on the upper portion of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus. Concurrently, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may be emptiable by opening a bottom door. The bottom door may open the cyclone chamber, the dirt collection chamber, and, preferably, both simultaneously. Accordingly, the surface cleaning apparatus is provided in a hand carriable configuration wherein a bottom opening door and an upper opening pre-motor filter chamber is provided.
It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any of the features of the air flow passage discussed herein may not be utilized with the dual dirt outlet design disclosed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
In another embodiment, a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus is provided wherein the suction motor is positioned horizontally (e.g., transverse to the vertical axis of the cyclone) and located between the upper and lower ends of the cyclone chamber or a cyclone bin assembly (preferably at or proximate a midpoint of the cyclone or cyclone bin assembly). A handle is provided which extends upwardly from the suction motor housing and is secured to an upper portion of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus. For example, a lower end of the handle may be provided on an upper surface of the suction motor housing. The upper end of the handle may extend to the pre-motor filter housing or a bridging portion which extends rearwardly from the pre-motor filter housing. The handle is preferably positioned so as to be rearward of the centre of gravity of the hand vacuum cleaner. Preferably, the centre of gravity is also located below the lower end of the handle. The handle may also be angled forwardly such that a vertical line extending upwardly from the center of gravity may pass through an upper portion of the handle (preferably a bridging portion extending between the pre-motor filter housing and the upper portion of the handle). An advantage of this design is that the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus has improved ergonomics. The hand vacuum cleaner may impart a downward force of less than two pounds, preferably less than one pound, and preferably essentially no downward force on the hand of the user when the user holds the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus horizontally disposed.
It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any of the features of the ergonomic design of the hand vacuum cleaner discussed herein may not be utilized with the dual dirt outlet design disclosed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
In accordance with another embodiment, a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus is provided wherein the dirt collection chamber is removable with the handle of the surface cleaning apparatus for emptying. An advantage of this design is that a user need not carry the entire hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus to a garbage can or the like for emptying the dirt collection chamber. Instead, the user may be able to manipulate a lighter portion while emptying the dirt collection chamber. In addition, utilizing the handle of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus provides an easy way for a user to transport and hold the dirt collection chamber while it is being emptied. In addition, as the dirt collection chamber has been removed from the suction motor, the dirt collection chamber may be washed or otherwise cleaned once removed from the suction motor. It will be appreciated that the dirt collection chamber may be a lower portion of the cyclone chamber or a separate chamber in communication with a dirt outlet of the cyclone chamber. Preferably, if the dirt collection chamber is exterior to the cyclone chamber, then the cyclone chamber and dirt collection chamber may be removable with the handle as a unit (e.g., a cyclone bin assembly). It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any of the features of the removable dirt collection chamber and handle assembly discussed herein may not be utilized with the dual dirt outlet design disclosed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
In accordance with another embodiment, a bleed valve is provided downstream of the cyclone chamber. For example, the air exiting the cyclone chamber may travel upwardly via a conduit (which may be an extension of the vortex finder) through the pre-motor filters so that the upper side of the pre-motor filter is the upstream or dirty side of the pre-motor filter. In such a construction, the bleed valve may be positioned in the up flow conduit and connect with an air flow passage on the downstream side of the pre-motor filter (e.g., a downstream header of the pre-motor filter). Accordingly, the bleed valve may be positioned so as to draw bleed air in through a port on the upper side of the pre-motor filter housing and convey the bleed air through the up flow conduit from the cyclone chamber to a position downstream of the pre-motor filter. An advantage of this design is that the bleed valve is positioned at a location which will not be blocked during operation of the hand vacuum cleaner and does not require another passage through the pre-motor filter (which would reduce the cross sectional area of the upstream surface area of the pre-motor filter). In an alternate embodiment, it will be appreciated that the bleed valve could be exterior to the up flow conduit and may pass through the pre-motor filter.
In another embodiment, the bleed valve could be provided on a rearward surface of the surface cleaning apparatus. For example, the bleed valve could be position coaxial with, and above, the suction motor housing. Accordingly, bleed air could travel essentially forwardly through the bleed valve into the down flow conduit adjacent to the cyclone chamber/dirt collection chamber and then rearwardly into the suction motor. In an alternate embodiment, the bleed valve could be radially spaced around the hand vacuum cleaner but still communicate with the down flow passage.
It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any of the features of the bleed valve discussed herein may not be used with the dual dirt outlet design disclosed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
In another embodiment, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus has a cyclone chamber with a vertically extending axis and the pre-motor filter is positioned above the cyclone chamber and is preferably positioned so as to extend perpendicular to the axis of the cyclone. Accordingly, the air exiting the cyclone chamber may travel upwardly to the pre-motor filter. In such an embodiment, the lower side of the pre-motor filter may be the upstream side or alternately, the upper side may be the upstream side of the pre-motor filter (if a conduit such as the vortex finder extends through the pre-motor filter). An advantage of this design is that a header may be provided and the air will tend to distribute itself radially outwardly over the entire upstream surface of the pre-motor filter.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any of the features of the positioning of the pre-motor filter discussed herein may not be utilized with the dual dirt outlet design disclosed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
In another embodiment, a pod or other hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may be provided with a porous pre-motor filter media that is positioned above, laterally from or below the cyclone chamber and the vortex finder or an extension thereof may extend through the porous pre-motor filter media to the upstream side of the porous pre-motor filter media. The porous pre-motor filter media may be essentially coaxial with the vortex finder (e.g., the porous pre-motor filter media may overlie the cyclone chamber and be essentially centered above the cyclone chamber). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any of the features of a porous pre-motor filter media with a conduit therethrough disclosed herein may not be utilized with the dual dirt outlet discussed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
In one embodiment there is provided a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus having a front end, a rear end and comprising:
In some embodiments, the porous pre-motor filter media may be positioned above the cyclone chamber and the upstream side is spaced further from the cyclone chamber than the downstream side.
In some embodiments, the cyclone air outlet may comprise a vortex finder and the conduit comprises an extension of the vortex finder.
In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a downstream header on the downstream side of the porous pre-motor filter media. The air flow path may extend downstream from the downstream header.
In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise an upstream header on the upstream side of the porous pre-motor filter media. The upstream header may be openable.
In some embodiments, at least a portion of the upstream header may be transparent.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may have a suction motor inlet that is positioned between the lower and upper ends of the cyclone bin assembly.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may have a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may have a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis.
In some embodiments, the air inlet may be provided at the upper end and the dirt outlet is provided at the lower end and a dirt collection chamber is positioned below the cyclone chamber.
In some embodiments, the air flow path motor may have a portion that is exterior to and extends part way along an exterior wall of the cyclone chamber to a suction motor inlet.
In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a dirt collection chamber positioned exterior to the cyclone chamber. The air flow path may have a portion that extends part way along an exterior wall of the dirt collection chamber to a suction motor inlet.
In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a handle, a suction motor housing and a porous pre-motor filter media housing positioned above the cyclone chamber. The handle may extend between the suction motor housing and the porous pre-motor filter media housing.
In some embodiments, the porous pre-motor filter media housing may be openable.
In some embodiments, the suction motor may have a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis.
In some embodiments, the handle may have a suction motor housing end that is spaced rearward of the cyclone bin assembly and below the porous pre-motor filter media housing and a porous pre-motor filter media end that is spaced above and forward of the suction motor end of the handle.
In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise an opening having a perimeter. The perimeter may comprise portions of the handle, the pre-motor filer housing and the suction motor housing.
In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a handle. A portion of the handle may be placed rearward of a centre of gravity of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus.
In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a bleed valve having an inlet end in the air flow path.
In some embodiments, the bleed valve may have an axis that is generally parallel to an axis of the suction motor.
According to another aspect, a hand surface cleaning apparatus is provided that may be operable for an enhanced period of time without a significant reduction is air flow into the dirty air inlet. In accordance with this aspect, a pre-motor filter with enhanced surface area transverse to the direction of air flow is provided.
Typically, a surface cleaning apparatus such as a hand vacuum cleaner has a pre-motor filter and a post motor filter. The post motor filter may be a HEPA filter. In such a case, the air discharged from the clean air outlet of the unit may be comparable to that discharged from a full size vacuum cleaner. As the HEPA filter is used, the air flow through the unit will decrease and the suction provided by the unit will decrease. This can impact upon the cleaning performance achieved by the vacuum cleaner. To counter this, a larger suction motor may be provided. However, that would increase the hand weight of the unit. A pre-motor filter reduces the level of entrained dirt that will reach the HEPA filter. However, the filter will become clogged with use. Increasing the surface area of the upstream side of the pre-motor filter extends the lifetime of the pre-motor filter and may therefore enhance the life of a post motor filter.
The pre-motor filter may have an enhanced surface area of its upstream side by configuring the pre-motor filter to have a larger upstream surface area then that of the suction motor inlet end. A pre-motor filter may be positioned in the suction motor casing and may therefore have a diameter that is about the same as the diameter of the fan of the suction motor. By configuring the pre-motor filter to overlie part of one or more additional components of the unit, the surface area of the upstream side is increased.
For example, a suction motor may be positioned beside a cyclone chamber and extend in the same direction of the cyclone chamber. Accordingly, one end of a cyclone chamber may be adjacent the inlet end of the suction motor (e.g., positioned in about the same plane). The pre-motor filter (preferably a foam filter and more preferably a foam filter with a felt filter downstream thereof) may be configured to overlie part or all of the cyclone chamber as well as part or all of the suction motor. Alternately, or in addition, the pre-motor filter may overlie part of the open volume between the suction motor and the cyclone chamber. If the dirt collection chamber is exterior to the cyclone chamber, e.g., it is positioned to occupy some of the open volume, then the pre-motor filter may alternately or in addition overlie part or all of the dirt collection chamber. Accordingly, a pre-motor filter with an enhanced surface area of the upstream side may be provided without substantially increasing the size of the unit. A filter with an enhanced size may be provided by providing a filter that overlies part or all of two or more of the suction motor, the dirt collection chamber and the cyclone chamber.
According to this aspect, a surface cleaning apparatus is provided. The hand surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A suction motor is positioned in the air flow path and has an inlet end and an outlet end. At least one cyclone chamber is positioned in the air flow path and has an associated dirt collection chamber, a cyclone air inlet and a cyclone air outlet. A pre-motor filter is positioned downstream of the cyclone chamber and upstream of the suction motor. The pre-motor filter has an upstream side and a downstream side. The pre-motor filter overlies at least a portion of the suction motor and the cyclone chamber.
The cyclone chamber and the suction motor may be positioned side by side and may have generally parallel longitudinal axes.
The pre-motor filter may overlie at least half of the suction motor and the cyclone chamber. The pre-motor filter may overlie at least 75% of the suction motor and the cyclone chamber.
The pre-motor filter may have a portion that is centered over the suction motor and a portion that overlies at least half of the cyclone chamber.
The upstream side of the pre-motor filter may face the cyclone air outlet and an inlet duct of the suction motor may extend through the pre-motor filter to the downstream side of the pre-motor filter.
The cyclone air outlet may extend through the pre-motor filter to the upstream side of the pre-motor filter, and the inlet end of the suction motor may face the downstream side of the pre-motor filter.
The hand surface cleaning apparatus may further comprising an openable door positioned at a side of the hand vacuum cleaner having the cyclone air outlet and the inlet end of the suction motor. The upstream side of the pre-motor filter may be visible when the door is opened.
The pre-motor filter may be mounted to at least one of the cyclone chamber and the suction motor and the pre-motor filter may remain in position when the door is opened.
The pre-motor filter may be spaced from the door and a chamber may be provided between the pre-motor filter and the door.
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.
In the drawings:
Referring to
The surface cleaning apparatus 900 comprises a main body 901 having a handle 902, a dirty air inlet 903, a clean air outlet 904 (see for example
Referring again to
From the dirty air inlet 903, the air flow path extends through an air treatment member. The air treatment member may be any suitable member that can treat the air in a desired manner, including, for example, removing dirt particles and debris from the air. In the illustrated example, the air treatment member includes a cyclone bin assembly 910. Alternatively, the air treatment member can comprise a bag, a filter or other air treating means. In the illustrated embodiment, the cyclone bin assembly forms part of the main body 901 of the surface cleaning apparatus. A suction motor 911 (see
The following is a description of a cyclone and a cyclone bin assembly that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment the dirt collection chamber 914 is positioned outside or exterior to and substantially below the cyclone chamber 913. Preferably, a least a portion, if not all, of the dirt collection chamber is below the cyclone chamber. The dirt collection chamber 914 comprises a sidewall 915, a first end wall 916 and an opposed second end wall 917. The dirt collection chamber 914 extends along a dirt collection axis 918.
The dirt collection chamber 914 may be emptyable by any means known in the art and is preferably openable concurrently with the cyclone chamber 913. Preferably, the second dirt collection chamber end wall 917 is moveably (e.g., pivotally) connected to e.g., the dirt collection chamber sidewall 915, for example using hinge 919. In this configuration, the second dirt collection chamber end wall 917 functions as an openable door to empty the dirt collection chamber 914 and can be opened as shown in
In the embodiment shown, the cyclone chamber 913 extends along a cyclone axis 920 and is bounded by a sidewall 921. The cyclone chamber 913 includes an air inlet 922 and an air outlet 923 and two dirt outlets 924a and 924b in communication with the dirt collection chamber 914. The air inlet, air outlet and dirt outlets may be of any design known in the art. Preferably, the air inlet 922 is generally tangentially oriented relative to the sidewall 921, so that air entering the cyclone chamber 913 will tend to swirl and circulate within the cyclone chamber 913, thereby dis-entraining dirt and debris from the air flow, before leaving the chamber via the air outlet 923. The air inlet 922 extends along an inlet axis 925 that may be generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis 920, and in the illustrated example is generally parallel to and offset above a suction motor axis 926.
In the illustrated example, the cyclone air outlet 923 comprises a conduit member or vortex finder 927. Optionally, a screen 928 can be positioned over the vortex finder 927 to help filter lint, fluff and other fine debris. Preferably, the screen 928 can be removable. Optionally, the screen 928 can be tapered such that the distal, inner or free end 930 of the screen 928 has a smaller diameter 931 than the diameter 932 at the base 933 of the screen 928 and/or the air inlet 922.
Optionally, the screen 928 can be configured so that the diameter 931 of the free end 930 of the screen is between about 60% and about 100% of the diameter 932 of the base 933 of the screen 928 and/or the air inlet 922, and may be between about 60%-90%, about 70-80% and preferably is between about 63-67% of the base diameter 932 and/or the air inlet 922.
The air inlet 922 has an inlet diameter 934, and a related inlet flow cross-sectional area (measure in a plane 935 perpendicular to the inlet axis 925). Preferably, the air outlet 923 is sized so that the diameter 936 of the air outlet 923, and therefore the corresponding flow area of the air outlet, is the same as the diameter 934 of the air inlet 922. Alternatively, the air outlet diameter 936 may be between about 50% and about 150%, and between about 85-115% of the air inlet diameter 934.
In the example illustrated the cyclone bin assembly 910 and the cyclone chamber 913 are arranged in a generally vertical, inverted cyclone configuration. In this configuration, the air inlet 922 and the air outlet 923 are provided toward the upper end of the cyclone chamber 913. Alternatively, the cyclone bin assembly 910 and cyclone chamber 913 can be provided in another orientation, including, for example, as a horizontal cyclone or in other configurations, e.g., with the dirt collection chamber beside the cyclone chamber and/or with the inlet and outlets at differing positions.
Optionally, some or all of the sidewall 921 can coincide with portions of the external sidewalls of the cyclone bin assembly 910 and the dirt collection chamber sidewall 915 (see
Referring to
Optionally, the juncture 941 between the end wall 937 and the vortex finder 927 may also be curved, and preferably is sized to have a radius 942 that is similar to or is the same as the radius 940 of the juncture between the end wall 937 and the sidewall 921. Providing curved surfaces at one or both of the junctures 938, 941 may help reduce backpressure and may help improve cyclone efficiency. Optionally, the upper end wall 937 of the cyclone chamber 913 can be openable or removable to allow access to the interior of the cyclone chamber 913 from above.
Referring also to
In the illustrated embodiment, the arrestor plate 943 forms the bottom of the cyclone chamber and may be of any suitable configuration. Optionally the arrestor plate 943 may be fixed in its position adjacent the sidewall 921, or may be moveable or openable. Providing an openable arrestor plate 943 may help facilitate emptying of the cyclone chamber 913. Optionally, the arrestor plate 943 may be openable concurrently with another portion of the surface cleaning apparatus, including, for example, the dirt collection chamber 917.
In the illustrated embodiment, the arrestor plate 943 is mounted to and supported spaced from the openable wall 917 by a support member 944. The support member 944 may be of any suitable configuration and may be formed from any suitable material that is capable of supporting the arrestor plate 943 and resisting stresses exerted on the arrestor plate 943 by the air flow in the cyclone chamber or dirt particles exiting the cyclone chamber 913. In this configuration, the arrestor plate 943 is openable concurrently with the end wall 917, so that opening the end wall 917 simultaneously opens the dirt collection chamber 914 and the cyclone chamber 913. Alternatively, the arrestor plate 943 may be mounted to the sidewall 921 (or other portion of the surface cleaning apparatus) and need not open in unison with the end wall 917.
Referring to
Referring to
In the illustrated configuration, each slot subtends an angle 2950a, 2950b that is about 45°, the leading edge (in the direction of air circulation) of dirt slot 2924a is aligned with the leading edge of dirt slot 2924b, and the trailing edge (in the direction of air circulation) of dirt slot 2924a is aligned with the trailing edge of dirt slot 2924b.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring again to
Optionally, one or more pre-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between the cyclone bin assembly and the suction motor. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more post-motor filters may be provided downstream from the suction motor. The following is a description of a pre-motor filter housing construction that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
Reference is now made to
One or more filters may be positioned within the pre-motor filter chamber 956 to filter fine particles from the air stream exiting the air outlet, before it flows into inlet of the suction motor. The filters may be of any suitable configuration and formed from any suitable materials. In the illustrated embodiment, a foam filter 960 and a downstream felt filter 961 are positioned within the pre-motor filter chamber 956.
In the illustrated example of
To help reduce the overall size of the surface cleaning apparatus, in the illustrated embodiment the pre-motor filter chamber 956, and the filters therein 960, 961, is positioned above the cyclone chamber 913 and covers the upper end of the cyclone chamber 913. In this configuration, a plane 966 containing the foam filter 960 is generally parallel and spaced above a plane 967 containing the air outlet 923 of the cyclone chamber 913, and both planes 966, 967 are generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis 920. Arranging the filters in this configuration results in the upstream side of the pre-motor filter (in this example the upper side 968 of the foam filter 960) being spaced further apart from the cyclone chamber 913 than the downstream side of the pre-motor filter (in this example the lower surface 965 of the felt filter 961). Alternatively, in other embodiments, the pre-motor filter chamber may cover only a portion of the upper end of the cyclone chamber and/or may be laterally spaced apart from the cyclone chamber and/or may be inclined with respect to plane 967. Similar configurations may be used when the filter is positioned laterally from the cyclone chamber as exemplified in
In the illustrated embodiment, the pre-motor filter chamber or downstream header 956 is configured so that the upstream side 968 of the foam filter 960 is provided toward the top of the chamber, and air flows generally downwardly through the filters. In this configuration, the upper cover 959 is shaped so that when it is closed (
When the surface cleaning apparatus is in use, air exiting the cyclone chamber 913 may flow into the upstream head space 956 via the vortex finder 927. See also air outlet 264 of
In this configuration, the upper side 988 of the foam filter 960 is exposed to the dirty air exiting the cyclone air outlet 923, and may become dirty or soiled during use. Optionally, the upper cover 959 may include at least one transparent region overlying the upper side 968 of the filter 960. For example, some or all of the upper cover may be formed from a transparent material (such as plastic) or one or more windows may be provided within the upper cover member. Providing a transparent region allows a user to visually inspect the condition of the upstream side 698 of the filter 960 without having to open the upper cover 959. Alternatively, the upper cover 959 need not include any type of transparent portion or inspection region, and a user may inspect the upstream side 968 of the filter 960 when the upper cover 959 is opened or removed.
Alternatively, the pre-motor filter may be provided laterally from the vortex finder. For example, referring to
A more detailed discussion of the embodiments of
Optionally, the inlet of the suction motor is positioned along the length of one side (preferably the rear side) of the cyclone bin assembly. The following is a description of a flow path that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
The suction motor preferably has an axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis and has an air inlet between the upper end and lower end of the cyclone bin assembly and preferably, between the upper end and the lower end of the cyclone chamber. Accordingly, from the downstream head space 964, the air may flow to the inlet 973 of the suction motor 911 via an internal air conduit 974 formed within the body 901. Air may be drawn through the suction motor 911 and then be exhausted from a motor outlet 975, and expelled via the clear air outlet 904 (see also
In the illustrated embodiment, the internal air conduit 974 is formed within the main body 901 and is external the cyclone chamber 913 and the dirt collection chamber 914 and is partially bounded by an exterior surface of the cyclone chamber sidewall 921 and an exterior surface of the dirt collection chamber sidewall 915. The air conduit 974 extends generally vertically between the pre-motor filter chamber 956 and the suction motor 911, and is positioned laterally intermediate the suction motor 911 and the cyclone chamber 913. The suction motor 911 is positioned at an elevation where its air inlet 973 is vertically between the upper and lower ends of the cyclone chamber 913, and the motor axis 926 passes through the cyclone chamber 913 (above the dirt collection chamber—see
The internal air conduit 974 may extend downwardly at an angle to the vertical. It may or may not be bounded on one side by the sidewall of the cyclone chamber and/or the dirt collection chamber.
Optionally, a bleed valve 976 may be provided to supply bleed air to the suction motor inlet 973 in case of a clog in the air flow path upstream from the suction motor 911. When the surface cleaning apparatus is in use, the air flow path may become clogged or otherwise blocked in a number of different ways, including, for example if a cleaning wand and/or suction hose becomes blocked with debris, if the cyclone chamber becomes fouled with debris and/or if the pre-motor filters are soiled to an extent that it significantly impedes airflow through the filters. Preferably the bleed valve 976 can be positioned and configured to supply bleed air into the airflow path at a location that is upstream from the suction motor inlet 973 and downstream from the likely clog or blockage locations.
The following is a description of the positioning and orientation of a bleed valve that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
For example, the bleed valve 976 may be positioned to supply bleed air to the air flow path 974 between the pre-motor filter chamber 956 and the suction motor inlet 973. The bleed valve 976 may be any suitable valve, including a pressure sensitive valve that is opened automatically when there is a blockage in the air flow path upstream from the suction motor 911.
In the illustrated embodiment, the bleed valve 976 extends along a valve axis 977 that is generally parallel to the suction motor axis 926, and is generally orthogonal to the cyclone axis 920. To provide outside air, a port 978 is provided in the main body 901, in air flow communication with the inlet end of the bleed valve 976. The outlet end of the bleed valve is in communication with the air conduit 974.
In the illustrated embodiment, the bleed valve 976 is located at an elevation between the pre-motor filter chamber 956 and the suction motor 911, partially laterally underlies the pre-motor filter chamber 956 (and the filters 960, 961 therein) and partially laterally overlies the suction motor 911 and its housing 912. Alternatively, the bleed valve 976 may be located at a different elevation (for example below the suction motor and/or in line with or above the pre-motor filter chamber) and need not laterally overlap the suction motor, pre-motor filter chambers or the filters therein.
Alternatively, instead of extending laterally through the main body of the surface cleaning apparatus, the bleed valve may be provided in a different location. Referring to
Optionally, the surface cleaning apparatus may be provided with one or more handles to allow a user to grasp and manipulate the surface cleaning apparatus. Each handle may have one or more grip portions and may be configured to allow the user to grasp the handle in one or more configurations and/or orientations. Providing a generally upright or pistol-grip style handle may allow a user to grasp the surface cleaning apparatus while keeping his/her wrist in a comfortable, ergonomic position.
The following is a description of the positioning and orientation of a handle that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
Referring to
The hand grip portion 980 may extend along a handle axis 983. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle axis 983 is inclined slightly forwardly, and forms and angle 983a, relative to a vertical axis. The angle 983a can be any suitable angle, and preferably is between about 0-45°, and may be between about 20-35°. The handle axis 983 intersects the cyclone axis, the suction motor axis 926 and suction motor housing 912 and a bridge portion 901a of the main body that is an extension of the pre-motor filter housing 956.
When grasping the hand grip portion 980, a user's fingers may pass through an opening 984 in front of the hand grip portion 980. In the illustrated embodiment, the perimeter of the opening 984 is formed by an upper portion 912a (
Preferably, the primary on/off power switch for the surface cleaning apparatus is positioned proximate the handle 902, so that a user may turn the vacuum cleaner on or off while holding it by the handle 902. Referring to
Optionally, the handle 902 can be positioned so that the hand weight of the surface cleaning apparatus when held in a horizontally disposed position (e.g., axis 988 is horizontal) is less than 2 lbs, preferably less than 1 lbs and more preferably about 0 lbs, thereby reducing the stress on a user's wrist. Accordingly, the user may experience only a slight down force even though the motor is below the handle. The handle 902 may accordingly be positioned so that it is behind the centre of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus. Preferably, the handle may also be configured so that all or a portion of it (e.g., the portion gripped by a user) is located at a higher elevation than the centre of gravity.
Positioning the handle behind and optionally above the centre of gravity may result in the surface cleaning apparatus tending to tip forwardly when being held horizontally by a user. This may tend to rotate the front of the surface cleaning apparatus downwardly when the surface cleaning apparatus is in use and may allow at least a portion of the weight of the surface cleaning apparatus to be carried by a surface cleaning head (or other tool) that rollingly contacts the floor.
For example, referring to
The following is a description of detachable motor housing may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
Optionally, the suction motor and at least a portion of its surrounding motor housing may be detachable from the main body of the surface cleaning apparatus. Referring to
The detachable suction motor housing module 7912 may removably coupled to the main body 7901 using any suitable attachment mechanisms. In the illustrated embodiment the attachment mechanism is a latch 7990 that can be triggered by a user. In this embodiment, the suction motor module 7912 includes an air inlet port 7991 that is configured to be coupled to a reciprocal air outlet port 7992 on the main body 7901. The ports 7991, 7992 may be of any compatible configurations, and one or more seals or gasket members may be provided at their interface to help provide an air-tight connection.
If the primary on/off switch 7985 is provided on the main body portion (as described above) in addition to the air flow connection, the suction motor module 7912 also includes at least one control/electrical connection that is configured to mate with a corresponding control port on the main body 7901. In the illustrated example, the on/off switch 7985 on the main body 7901 is an electrical switch, and the control connection between the suction motor module 7912 and the main body includes mating electrical connectors (e.g., male prongs 7993 and a female electrical socket 7994) to supply electricity to the switch 7985. Alternatively, primary on/off switch 7985 may be a mechanical switch that is connected to the suction motor module via a mechanical linkage. In such a configuration, the control connection can include a mechanical linkage to translate movements of the on/off switch to open and close an electrical circuit in the suction motor housing. Alternatively, control signals may be transmitted wireless (e.g. via radio signal) or in any other suitable manner between the on/off switch and the suction motor housing. In such configurations, the suction motor module and the main body need not include a physical control connection.
Optionally, the surface cleaning apparatus 7900 can be configured so that most or all of the electrical components are located within the suction motor housing 7912. In such a configuration, when the motor housing 7912 is separated from the main body 7901, substantially all of the components remaining in the main body 7901 may be washed without exposing the suction motor and other electrical components to water or other cleaning materials. This may help prevent inadvertent damage to the electrical components when washing the surface cleaning apparatus 7900.
Optionally, instead of a hand-held or carriable surface cleaning apparatus, the surface cleaning apparatus may be an upright-style surface cleaning apparatus or a canister-style cleaning apparatus that includes a cyclone bin assembly having some or all of the features described herein. Referring to
Referring to
The following description exemplifies a number of the features disclosed herein in an alternate construction for a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus. Referring to
The surface cleaning apparatus 900 includes a main body 10901 having a handle 10902, a dirty air inlet 10903, a clean air outlet 10904 (see for example
The connector 10906 may be any suitable connector that is operable to connect to, and preferably detachably connect to, a cleaning tool or other accessory. Optionally, in addition to provide an air flow connection, the connector may also include an electrical connection 10909 (
Referring to
From the dirty air inlet 10903, the air flow path extends through the cyclone bin assembly 10910 which forms part of the main body of the surface cleaning apparatus. A suction motor 10911 (see
Referring to
In the embodiment shown, the cyclone chamber 10913 extends along a cyclone axis 10920 and is bounded by a sidewall 10921. The cyclone chamber 10913 includes an air inlet 10922 and an air outlet 10923 that is in fluid connection downstream from the air inlet 10922 and one dirt outlet 10924 in communication with the dirt collection chamber 10914. In this embodiment, the dirt collection chamber 10914 is positioned adjacent the cyclone chamber 10913 and at least partially surrounds the cyclone chamber 10913 in a side-by-side configuration.
Preferably, the air inlet 10922 is generally tangentially oriented relative to the sidewall 10921, so that air entering the cyclone chamber will tend to swirl and circulate within the cyclone chamber 10913, thereby dis-entraining dirt and debris from the air flow, before leaving the chamber via the air outlet 10923. The air inlet 10922 extends along an inlet axis 10925 that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis 10920, and in the illustrated example is generally parallel to and offset above the suction motor axis 10926.
In the illustrated example, the cyclone air outlet 10923 includes a vortex finder 10927. Optionally, a screen 10928 can be positioned over the vortex finder 10927 to help filter lint, fluff and other fine debris. Preferably, the screen 10928 can be removable.
The air inlet 10922 has an inlet diameter 10934, and a related inlet flow cross-sectional area (measure in a plane perpendicular to the inlet axis). Preferably, the air outlet 10923 is sized so that the diameter 10932 of the air outlet 10923, and therefore the corresponding flow area of the air outlet 10923, is the same as the diameter of the air inlet. Alternatively, the air outlet diameter 10932 may be between about 50% and about 150%, and between about 85-115% of the air inlet diameter 10925.
In the example illustrated the cyclone bin assembly 10910, and the cyclone chamber 10913 are arranged in a generally vertical, uniflow cyclone configuration. In a uniflow cyclone, the air inlet is located toward one end of the cyclone chamber and the air outlet is provided toward the other end of the cyclone chamber. In this configuration, air enters one end of the cyclone chamber and generally exits via the other end of the cyclone chamber, as opposed to the cyclone chamber illustrated in the embodiment of
Optionally, instead of a vertical configuration, the cyclone bin assembly 10910 and cyclone chamber 10913 can be provided in another orientation, including, for example, as a horizontal cyclone.
Optionally, some or all of the cyclone sidewall 10921 can coincide with portions of the external sidewalls of the cyclone bin assembly 10910 and the dirt collection chamber sidewall 10915. Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the cyclone chamber 10913 includes a first or upper end wall 10937 (
The curved juncture surface can be provided as a portion of the sidewall or as a portion of the endwall. In the illustrated embodiment, the curved juncture surface 11006 is provided as part of an insert member 11008 that is provided on the bottom end wall and extends upward into the interior of the cyclone chamber 10913. The insert member also includes an upwardly extending projection member 11009 that extends into the interior of the cyclone chamber and engages the distal end 10930 of the screen (
Optionally, the juncture 11010 between the end wall 10943 and the projection member 11009 may include a curved surface 11011 (see
In the illustrated embodiment, the second end wall 10943 of the cyclone chamber 10913, and the insert member 11008 provided thereon, is integral with the openable bottom door 10917 that provides the bottom wall of the dirt collection chamber 10914. In this configuration, opening the door simultaneously opens the cyclone chamber 10913 and the dirt collection chamber 10914 (see for example
In the illustrated embodiment, the dirt outlet 10924 is in the form of a slot having bottom and side edges provided by the cyclone chamber sidewall 10921, and a top edge provided by the upper end wall 10937. Alternatively, all four edges of the slot 10924 may be provided by the cyclone chamber sidewall 10921. The dirt slot 10924 is positioned at the back of the cyclone chamber 10921 and is generally opposite the air inlet 10922. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper wall 10937 of the cyclone chamber is integral with the upper wall 10916 (
Optionally, one or more pre-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between the cyclone bin assembly 10910 and the suction motor 10911. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more post-motor filters may be provided downstream from the suction motor.
Referring to
Referring to
In this embodiment, the upstream headspace 10970 (
The lower rim 11017 of the filter cartridge 11015 housing is configured to seal against the bottom wall 10957 (for example via snap fit or by using any type of suitable gasket or sealing member) to provide a generally air tight pre-motor filter chamber 10956. The sealed chamber 10956 is then covered by openable chamber cover 10959. As the filter cartridge housing 11015 provides a sufficiently air tight connection to the bottom wall, the chamber cover 10959 need not be air tight. Preferably, at least a portion of both the chamber cover 10959 and the filter cartridge 11015 housing is transparent so that a user can inspect the upstream side 10968 of the pre-motor filter 10960 without having to remove it from the chamber 10956. Optionally, both the chamber cover 10959 and filter cartridge housing 11015 may be formed from transparent plastic.
When a user wishes to remove, clean, change or otherwise access the pre-motor filter 10960, 10961 he/she may open the chamber cover 10959 (
To assist a user, the upper side 1958a of the filter cartridge housing 11015 may be provided with a grip member, for example the flange 11018 in the illustrated embodiment (
When the surface cleaning apparatus is in use, air exiting the cyclone chamber 10913 can flow into the upstream head space 10970 via the vortex finder 10927. Within the upstream headspace 10970 the air can flow laterally across the upstream surface 10968 of the foam filter 10960, and down through the filters into the downstream head space 10964. From the downstream head space 10964, the air can flow to the inlet 10973 of the suction motor via an internal air conduit 10974 (
Optionally, the cartridge member 11015 can be provided with a bottom cover 11030 to encase the filters 10960 and 10961 and to provide a self-contained pre-motor filter chamber 10956. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring now to
A suction motor 226 is also provided in the main housing 220, downstream of the filtration member 224, for drawing air through the airflow passage. The suction motor 226 may be any suitable type of suction motor. In the embodiment shown, the suction motor 226 includes a fan 223, and a motor 225.
In the embodiment shown, the filtration member 224 and suction motor 226 are positioned side-by-side. Further, the filtration member 224 extends along an axis 246, and the suction motor extends along an axis 290, and the axes 246, 290 are generally parallel. Further, the filtration member 224 and suction motor 226 are each positioned transverse to the forward direction of motion (indicated by arrow A in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The cyclone 244 may be of any suitable configuration. The cyclone 244 includes a cyclone wall 248 (also referred to as an outer wall 248), which is integral with the central wall 230, and together with the central wall 230 defines a cyclone chamber 250. That is, a portion of the cyclone wall 248 forms part of the housing 220. A first end 251 of the cyclone wall 148, which is positioned towards the second sidewall 234, defines an opening 252, and an opposed second end 254 of the cyclone wall includes a second end wall 256. The cyclone wall 248 is positioned in the main housing 220 such that it is spaced from the second sidewall 234.
The open first end 252 of the cyclone serves as a dirt outlet for the cyclone 244. Material that is separated form air in the cyclone travels from the dirt outlet to an associated dirt collection chamber 260. Together, the cyclone 244 and dirt collection chamber 260 may be referred to as a cyclone bin assembly 262.
Referring to
Referring to
The dirt collection chamber 260 further preferably surrounds at least a portion of the cyclone. For example, in the embodiment shown, dirt collection chamber 260 extends around approximately one quarter of the cyclone 244. In alternate embodiments, the dirt collection chamber 260 may fully surround the cyclone 244.
In an alternate embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 400 shown in
Referring to
The cyclone 244 further includes a cyclone air inlet (not shown), and a cyclone air outlet 264. The cyclone air inlet extends from a first end that is in communication with the hose 217 through the central wall 230 of the filtration member main housing 220, to a second end that is in communication with the cyclone chamber 250. The cyclone air outlet 264 extends along the axis 246, from a first end 270 that is positioned within the cyclone chamber 250, through the lower wall 256, and to a second end 272 (also referred to herein as an outlet 272 of the cyclone air outlet 264) that is in communication with a chamber 241 adjacent the first sidewall 232 of the suction and filtration unit 210. A screen 274 is preferably mounted over the first end 270 of the cyclone air outlet.
In use, air flows from the hose 217 into the cyclone chamber 250 through the cyclone air inlet. In the cyclone chamber 250, the air flows within the cyclone wall 248 in a cyclonic pattern, and particulate matter is separated from the air. The particulate matter exits the cyclone chamber 250 through the open first end 252, and settles in the dirt collection chamber 260. The air exits the cyclone chamber 250 through the cyclone air outlet 264, and enters the chamber 241.
The dirt collection chamber 260 may be emptied in any suitable manner. Referring to
Referring still to
The pre-motor filter has an upstream side 280 that faces the first sidewall 232 of the main housing 220, and an opposed downstream side 282 that faces the second sidewall 234 of the main housing 220. The pre-motor filter 276 may be any suitable type of filter. Preferably, the pre-motor filter includes a foam layer 286 and a felt layer 288.
Referring still to
The air then passes through the pre-motor filter 276, towards a suction motor inlet end 239 that faces the downstream side 282 of the pre-motor filter 276. From the suction motor inlet 239, the air passes towards a suction motor outlet end 243, and out of the clean air outlet 204.
Preferably, as shown in
Referring still to
Referring to
In the surface cleaning apparatus 800, the cyclone air outlet 864 does not extend through the pre-motor filter 876. The upstream side 880 of the pre-motor filter 876 faces towards the second sidewall 834 of the housing 820 and faces the cyclone air outlet 864, and the downstream side 882 of the pre-motor filter 876 faces the first sidewall 834. Air passes out of the second end 872 of the cyclone air outlet 864, through the pre-motor filter, and into the chamber 841.
The suction motor 826 has a suction motor inlet duct 853 that extends through the pre-motor filter 876 to the downstream side 882 of the pre-motor filter 876.
In this embodiment, the bleed valve 801 is provided in the openable door, and has an air outlet 805 that is within the chamber 841, so that it is in communication with the suction motor air inlet end 839.
When the openable door is open, the suction motor inlet 839 is visible, and the downstream side 882 of the pre-motor filter 876 is visible.
Referring to
In the surface cleaning apparatus 1000, the pre motor filter 1076 overlies only the motor (not shown) and the motor housing 1027, and does not overlie the cyclone 1044. The cyclone outlet 1064 is in communication with the upstream side 1080 of the pre motor filter 1076, which faces towards the first side 1032 of the housing 1020. The downstream side of the pre motor filter 1076 faces the motor inlet end (not shown) and the second side 1034 of the housing 1020. A bleed valve 1001 extends through the pre motor filter 1076.
Referring to
Referring to
The clean air outlet 1104, which is in fluid communication with an outlet of the suction motor 1114, is provided in the body 1112. In the illustrated example, the dirty air inlet 1102 is located toward the front of the surface cleaning apparatus 1100, and the clear air outlet 1104 is located toward the rear.
In the illustrated example, cyclone bin assembly 1110 includes a cyclone chamber 1118 and a dirt collection chamber 1120. The cyclone chamber 1118 is bounded by a sidewall 1122, a first end wall 1124 and a second end wall 1126 that are configured to provide an inverted cyclone configuration. A tangential air inlet 1128 is provided in the sidewall of the cyclone chamber 1118 and is in fluid communication with the air outlet of the hose connector 1108. Air flowing into the cyclone chamber 1118 via the tangential air inlet 1128 can circulate around the interior of the cyclone chamber 1118 and dirt particles and other debris can become disentrained from the circulating air.
A slot 1132 formed between the sidewall 1122 and the second end wall 1126 serves as a cyclone dirt outlet 1132. Debris separated from the air flow in the cyclone chamber 1118 can travel from the cyclone chamber 1118, through the dirt outlet 1132 to the dirt collection chamber 1120.
Air can exit the cyclone chamber 1118 via an air outlet. In the illustrated example, the cyclone air outlet includes a vortex finder 1134. Optionally, a removable screen 1136 can be positioned over the vortex finder 1134. The cyclone chamber 1118 extends along a longitudinal cyclone axis 1138. In the example illustrated, the longitudinal cyclone axis 1138 is aligned with the orientation of the vortex finder 1134.
The dirt collection chamber 1120 comprises a sidewall 1140, a first end wall 1142 and an opposing second end wall 1144. In the illustrated example, at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber sidewall 1140 is integral with a portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 1122, and at least a portion of the first cyclone end wall 1124 is integral with a portion of the first dirt collection chamber end wall 1142.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Air exiting the cyclone chamber 1118 flows to a suction motor 1114 inlet via a filter chamber 1186. The filter chamber 1186 is provided downstream from the cyclone air outlet. In the illustrated example, the filter chamber 1186 extends over substantially the entire lower portion of the body 1112 and overlies substantially all of the cyclone chamber 1118, dirt collection chamber 1120 and suction motor 1114.
A pre-motor filter 1218 is provided in the filter chamber 1186 to filter the air before it enters the suction motor inlet 1220. The pre-motor filter 1218 is sized to cover the entire area of the filter chamber 1186, and overlies substantially all of the cyclone chamber 1118, dirt collection chamber 1120 and suction motor 1114. Preferably, the cross sectional area (in the direction of air flow) of the pre-motor filter 1218 is greater than the cross sectional area of the cyclone chamber 1118 and the suction motor 1114. In the illustrated example, the pre-motor filter 1218 comprises first and second pre-motor filters 1218a, 1218b. The filter chamber 1186 comprises an air inlet chamber 1222 on the upstream side 1224 of the pre-motor filter 1218, and an air outlet chamber 1226 on the downstream side 1228 of the pre-motor filter 1218. Air can travel from the air inlet chamber 1222 to the air outlet chamber 1226 by flowing through the air-permeable pre-motor filter 1218. It will be appreciated that the larger the cross sectional area of the upstream face of the filter, the greater the capacity of the filter to filter particulates without the filter becoming clogged. Accordingly, it is preferred to make pre-motor filter 1218 as large as possible. Accordingly, it is preferred that filter chamber 1186 is as large as possible (i.e. it overlies all of an end face of the cyclone chamber, dirt collection chamber and suction motor) and that the pre-motor filter 1218 extends over the full transverse extent of filter chamber 1186. It will be appreciated that the filter chamber 1186 may overlie only a portion of the end face of the cyclone chamber, dirt collection chamber and suction motor but may still provide a larger upstream surface area then is the filter only overlied the cyclone chamber.
The lower side of the air filtration chamber comprises a filtration chamber end wall 1244. Optionally, the first end wall 1244 of the filter chamber 1186 can be openable to allow a user to access the pre-motor filter 1218. In the illustrated example, the filter chamber end wall 1244 is pivotally connected to the body 1112 by a hinge 1246 and can pivot to an open position. The releasable latch 1150 can be used to secure in a closed position. The latch 1150 can connect the filter chamber end wall 1244 to the cyclone bin assembly 1110. As exemplified and discussed hereafter, the upstream side of pre-motor filter 1218 is visible when filter chamber end wall 1244 is in the open position and accordingly, a user may readily detect if the pre-motor filter 1218 requires cleaning or changing.
The air inlet chamber 1222 is fluidly connected to the cyclone chamber air outlet by an inlet conduit 1230 that extends through the pre-motor filter 1218. In the illustrated example the inlet conduit 1230 comprises an extension of a vortex finder insert. The air outlet chamber 1226 is in fluid communication with the inlet 1220 of the suction motor 1114. The pre-motor filter 1218 may be supported by a plurality of support ribs 1232 extending through the air outlet chamber 1226. Gaps or cutouts can be provided in the ribs 1232 to allow air to circulate within the air outlet chamber 1226 and flow toward the suction motor inlet 1220. From the suction motor inlet 1220, the air is drawn through the suction motor 1114 and ejected via a suction motor outlet 1116. Optionally, a post-motor filter 1236 (for example a HEPA filter) can be provided downstream from the suction motor outlet 1116, between the suction motor outlet 1116 and the clean air outlet 1104. A detachable grill 1238 can be used to retain the post-motor filter 1236 in position, and allow a user to access the post-motor filter 1236 for inspection or replacement.
Referring to
The clean air outlet 2104, which is in fluid communication with an outlet of the suction motor 2111, is provided in the body 2112. In the illustrated example, the dirty air inlet 2102 is located toward the front 2122 of the surface cleaning apparatus 2100, and the clear air outlet is located toward the rear 2124.
In the illustrated example, the body sidewalls 2116a, b are generally circular and cover substantially the entire side faces of the surface cleaning apparatus 2100. One main side wheel 2120a, 2120b is coupled to the outer face of each body sidewall 2116a and 2116b, respectively. Optionally, the side wheels 2120a, 2120b may have a larger diameter 2126 than the body sidewalls 2116a, b and can completely cover the outer faces of the sidewalls 2116a, b. Referring to
Optionally, at least one of the side wheels 120a, b can be detachable from the body 2112. Referring to
In the illustrated example, the cyclone chamber 2162 is bounded by a sidewall 2166, a first end wall 2168 and a second end wall 2170. A tangential air inlet 2172 is provided in the sidewall of the cyclone chamber 2162 and is in fluid communication with the dirty air inlet 2102. Air flowing into the cyclone chamber 2162 via the air inlet can circulate around the interior of the cyclone chamber 2162 and dirt particles and other debris can become disentrained from the circulating air.
A slot 2180 formed between the sidewall 2166 and the second end wall 2170 serves as a cyclone dirt outlet 2180. Debris separated from the air flow in the cyclone chamber 2162 can travel from the cyclone chamber 2162, through the dirt outlet 2180 to the dirt collection chamber 2164.
Air can exit the cyclone chamber 2162 via an air outlet. In the illustrated example, the cyclone air outlet includes a vortex finder 2182. Optionally, a removable screen 2183 can be positioned over the vortex finder 2182. The cyclone chamber 2162 extends along a longitudinal cyclone axis 2184. In the example illustrated, the longitudinal cyclone axis is aligned with the orientation of the vortex finder 2182 and is generally transverse to the direction of movement of the surface cleaning apparatus 2100. The cyclone chamber 2162 has a generally circular cross sectional shape (taken in a plane perpendicular to the cyclone axis) and has a cyclone diameter 2186.
The dirt collection chamber 2164 comprises a sidewall 2174, a first end wall 2176 and an opposing second end wall 2178. In the illustrated example, at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber sidewall 2174 is integral with a portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 2166, and at least a portion of the first cyclone end wall 2168 is integral with a portion of the first dirt collection chamber end wall 2176.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Preferably, at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber 2164 surrounds at least a portion of the suction motor 2111 and the suction motor housing 2210. In this example, at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber 2164 is positioned between the cyclone chamber 2162 and the suction motor housing 2210 (and the suction motor 2111 therein). Configuring the dirt collection chamber 2164 to at least partially surround the suction motor housing 2210 may help reduce the overall size of the surface cleaning apparatus 2100, and/or may help increase the capacity of the dirt collection chamber 2164. The dirt collection chamber 2164 also surrounds at least a portion of the cyclone chamber 2162.
Referring to
A pre-motor filter 2256 is provided in the filter chamber 2248 to filter the air before it enters the suction motor inlet. The pre-motor filter 2256 is sized to cover substantially the entire area of the filter chamber 2248, and overlies substantially all of the transverse cross sectional area of the cyclone chamber 2162, dirt collection chamber 2164 and suction motor 2111. In the illustrated example, the pre-motor filter 2256 comprises first and second pre-motor filters 2256a, 2256b. The filter chamber 2248 comprises an air inlet chamber 2258 on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter 256, and an air outlet chamber 2260 on the downstream side of the pre-motor filter 2256. Air can travel from the air inlet chamber 2258 to the air outlet chamber 2260 by flowing through the pre-motor filter 2256.
The air inlet chamber 2258 is fluidly connected to the vortex finder 2182 by an inlet conduit 2262 that extends through a first aperture 2264 in the pre-motor filter 2256. The air outlet chamber 2260 is in fluid communication with the inlet 2246 of the suction motor 2111. The pre-motor filter 2256 can be supported by a plurality of support ribs 2266 extending from the sidewall 2116a into the air outlet chamber 2260. Cutouts can be provided in the ribs to allow air to circulate within the air outlet chamber 2266 and flow toward the suction motor inlet 2246.
In the illustrated example, the axle 2128a for supporting the side wheel extends through the air filter chamber 2248, a second aperture 2268 in the pre-motor filter 2256 and through an axel aperture 2270 in the seal plate 2250. The axle aperture 2270 in the seal plate 2250 is configured to provide an air-tight seal against the axel 2128a. Optionally, a sealing gasket can be provided at the interface between the seal plate 2250 and the axel 2128a. In this configuration the pre-motor filter 2256 surrounds the axel 2128a.
In the illustrated example, the seal plate 2250 is removable, when the side wheel 2120a is detached, to allow a user to access the pre-motor filter 2256. Alternatively, instead of being removable, the seal plate 2250 can be movably attached to the body 2112, for example pivotally connected to the sidewall 2116a, such that the seal plate 2250 can be opened without being completely detached from the body 2112.
Preferably, the seal plate 2250 is transparent, or at least partially transparent. Providing a transparent seal plate 2250 may help facilitate visual inspection of the upstream side 2272 of the pre-motor filter 2256 while the seal plate 2250 is in place. When the seal plate 2250 is removed, the pre-motor filter 2256 may be removed, for example for cleaning or replacement.
A bleed valve is provided to supply clean air to the suction motor inlet. In the illustrated example a bleed valve air outlet 2278 is in fluid communication with the air outlet chamber 2260 and can introduce clean air into the air outlet chamber 2260 downstream from the pre-motor filter 2256. Air introduced by the bleed valve can flow through the cutouts in the supporting ribs 2266, as described above. The bleed valve may be a pressure sensitive valve that is opened when there is a blockage in the air flow path upstream from the suction motor 2111. In the illustrated example, the bleed valve is parallel with the suction motor 2111. A bleed valve inlet 2280 (see also
It will be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the enhanced dirt collection chamber construction may be used by itself without the enhanced filter chamber design. Alternately, both the enhanced dirt collection chamber construction and the enhanced filter chamber design may be used concurrently as exemplified herein. It will also be appreciated that the cyclone chamber may be of any design and configuration. When either of the enhanced dirt collection chamber construction and/or the enhanced filter chamber design are used, the vacuum cleaner may be of any design and the dirt collection chamber may or may not be removably mounted from the vacuum cleaner.
What has been described above has been intended to be illustrative of the invention and non-limiting and 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 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/450,304, filed on Jun. 24, 2019, which itself is a continuation of Ser. No. 15/184,954, filed on Jun. 16, 2016, now Issued U.S. Pat. No. 10,376,112, which itself is: (i) a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/779,405, filed on Feb. 27, 2013; now U.S. Pat. No. 9,433,332:(ii) a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/994,495, filed on Jan. 13, 2016, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/039,376, filed on Mar. 3, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,265,395, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/722,705, filed Mar. 12, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,578,555; and(iii) a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/932,816 filed on Nov. 4, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,693,666, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/040,676, filed on Mar. 4, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,211,044,the entirety of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16450304 | Jun 2019 | US |
| Child | 18108238 | US | |
| Parent | 15184954 | Jun 2016 | US |
| Child | 16450304 | US | |
| Parent | 13779405 | Feb 2013 | US |
| Child | 15184954 | US | |
| Parent | 13039376 | Mar 2011 | US |
| Child | 14994495 | US | |
| Parent | 14932816 | Nov 2015 | US |
| Child | 15184954 | US | |
| Parent | 13040676 | Mar 2011 | US |
| Child | 14932816 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14994495 | Jan 2016 | US |
| Child | 13779405 | US | |
| Parent | 12722705 | Mar 2010 | US |
| Child | 13039376 | US |
