llIIlIlllIlIlIllIlIllIllIllIIlllIIllIIllllIIlIlllIIIllllllIIIIlllllIIllIlIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
`US 20060137309A1
`
`119) United States
`112) Patent Application Publication
`Jeong et al.
`
`110) Pub. No. : US 2006/0137309 A1
`Jun. 29, 2006
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`154) DUST COLLECTION UNIT AND VACUUM
`CLEANER WITH THE SAME
`
`176)
`
`Inventors: Hoi Kil Jeong, Changwon-si 1KR);
`Man Tac Hwang, Changwon-si 1KR);
`Young Ho Kim, Changwon-si 1KR);
`Jung Bae Hwang, Dalseo-gu 1KR);
`Min Park, Haewundae-gu
`1KR)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Song K. Jung
`MCKENNA LONG 4 ALDRIDGE LLP
`1900 K Street, N. W.
`Washington, DC 20006 (US)
`
`121) Appl. No. :
`
`11/233, 004
`
`122) Filed:
`
`Sep. 23, 2005
`
`130)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Dec. 27, 2004
`Dec. 27, 2004
`
`1KR) . . . . .
`1KR) . . . . .
`
`10-2004-0113370
`10-2004-0113378
`
`Publication ClassiTication
`
`151) Int. Cl.
`BO1D
`5OIOO
`152) U. S. Cl.
`
`12006. 01)
`
`. . . . 55/337
`
`ABSTRACT
`157)
`A dust collection unit for a vacuum cleaner includes a first
`foreign objects using a cyclone
`filtering chamber
`filtering
`airflow, a separation plate defining a top surface of the first
`that is reduced
`filtering chamber, a filter having a diameter
`in response to airflow rate variation
`as it goes downward
`in
`the first filtering chamber, and a blocking member provided
`the foreign objects filtered in the
`under the filter to prevent
`first filtering chamber from flying.
`
`409
`
`411
`
`410
`
`412
`
`408
`
`407
`
`422
`
`437
`421
`
`401
`
`406
`
`404
`
`403
`
`0 OOOOO 0
`000
`000
`OOO 000
`0 0 0
`000
`000
`OOO 0
`OOO 0 0
`
`OOO
`
`425
`
`405
`424
`
`423
`418
`419
`420
`417
`
`402
`
`416
`
`415
`
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`Page 1
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 29, 2006 Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 2006/0137309 A1
`
`FIG. 1
`
`100
`
`400
`
`201
`
`200
`301
`
`302
`
`170
`
`150
`
`110
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 29, 2006 Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 2006/0137309 A1
`
`FIG. 2
`
`400
`
`170
`
`100
`
`201
`200
`
`111
`
`150
`
`110
`
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 29, 2006 Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 2006/0137309 A1
`
`FIG. 3
`
`400
`
`401
`
`151
`
`170
`
`l7l
`
`172
`
`200
`150
`
`110
`
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`Page 4
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 29, 2006 Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 2006/0137309 A1
`
`FIG. 4
`
`400
`
`401
`
`170
`
`150
`
`172
`
`200
`
`300
`
`Dyson Ex1012
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 29, 2006 Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 2006/0137309 A1
`
`FIG. 5
`
`412
`
`408
`
`437
`
`406
`
`405
`
`411
`
`410
`
`409
`
`413
`
`407
`
`460
`
`459
`
`414
`
`404
`
`402
`
`415
`
`Dyson Ex1012
`Page 6
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 29, 2006 Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 2006/0137309 A1
`
`FIG. 6
`
`409
`
`425
`
`405
`424
`
`423
`418
`419
`420
`417
`
`402
`
`411
`
`410
`
`412
`
`408
`
`0 00000 0
`Ooo 000
`oao
`aoo 000
`000
`000
`000
`0
`000
`OOO 0 0
`
`407
`
`422
`
`437
`421
`
`401
`
`406
`
`404
`
`403
`
`416
`
`415
`
`Dyson Ex1012
`Page 7
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 29, 2006 Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 2006/0137309 A1
`
`@8 eh98&
`h9hhh@ 0
`0 hhhge
`6QO 9+hhh 0
`
`FIG. 7
`
`433
`
`432
`
`473
`
`430
`
`boo boo ooo ooo boo
`'h o bo bo bo
`
`bbo
`bbo
`
`o
`
`426
`
`405
`
`43i
`474
`
`-429
`
`426
`
`405
`
`427
`
`404
`
`403
`
`ooo 0
`oo
`Ooo
`ooo
`ooo oo
`
`oohh o& oo oo oo o
`
`h,
`
`l
`I
`I
`
`hl
`Ih
`hh
`
`lh. ~
`~hll 4
`Bl 4
`ll
`
`II
`
`428
`
`404 427
`
`(~
`
`403
`
`FIG. 8
`
`8QQg
`0 gghhh Qgs 0
`Gee eel oo
`se Gs
`boo boo boo
`bbo bbo oo bo bo bo 0
`
`ooo
`ooo
`ooo oo oo&
`ooo
`oohh oo oo od oo 0
`
`bOo
`'boo
`
`Dyson Ex1012
`Page 8
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 29, 2006 Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 2006/0137309 A1
`
`FIG. 9
`
`433
`
`6 Q
`0 @g8 G~+ 0
`~em we~ a'
`g8 Sty
`
`a
`~~0
`yO
`oO+ o 4' o&
`~O
`e& 0
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`th~~ +oo
`Ch ~ &o
`&o
`O
`
`435
`
`37
`
`436
`
`426
`
`405
`
`427
`
`404
`
`403
`
`Dyson Ex1012
`Page 9
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 29, 2006 Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 2006/0137309 A1
`
`FIG. 10
`
`201
`
`200
`
`302
`
`0
`OO 0
`0
`OO
`0
`OO
`
`172
`
`411 410
`
`412
`
`408
`
`OO 0
`o
`OO 0
`OO
`0 0 0
`D
`OO
`OO 0
`CRÃl a
`
`OOO
`
`171
`
`401
`
`405
`404
`400
`
`300
`
`402 416 403
`
`150
`
`110
`
`111
`
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`

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`US 2006/0137309 A1
`
`Jun. 29, 2006
`
`DUST COLLECTION UNIT AND VACUUM
`CLEANER WITH THE SAME
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
`[0002] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner,
`to a dust collection unit for a vacuum
`and particularly,
`the dust collection efficiency.
`cleaner, which can improve
`More particularly,
`to a dust
`relates
`the present
`invention
`collection unit for a vacuum cleaner, which can improve the
`foreign object filtering efficiency by providing a filter assem-
`is
`bly in a filtering chamber
`in which a cyclone airflow
`generated and can make it easy to clean the filter assembly
`to be separated
`into a
`the filter assembly
`by designing
`plurality of parts.
`[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
`[0004] A vacuum cleaner is used to clean a room or other
`spaces by sucking air containing foreign objects and filtering
`the foreign object using vacuum pressure generated
`therein.
`In order to filter the foreign objects contained
`in the sucked
`air, a dust collection unit with a filtering unit is provided
`in
`the vacuum cleaner.
`
`[0005] The filtering unit is classified
`into a porous filter
`formed of porous material and a cyclone type filter. The
`porous filter formed of porous material
`to filter
`is designed
`the foreign objects contained
`in air while
`the air passes
`the filter. The cyclone type filter is designed to filter
`through
`the foreign objects using cyclone airflow. In order to reuse
`the porous filter, a user cleans the filter to remove the foreign
`to clean
`objects clogged in the filter. It is very inconvenient
`the filter. Furthermore, when a large amount of the foreign
`objects are clogged, the porous filter cannot be reused. Since
`to remove
`the cyclone type filter is designed
`the foreign
`objects from the air by a rotational air current generated by
`the clogging of the foreign objects in the
`cyclone airflow,
`in recent years,
`filter is not incurred. Due to this reason,
`cyclone type filter has been widely used.
`[0006]
`type dust collec-
`In recent years, a multi-cyclone
`tion unit, in which the cyclone unit is provided
`in plurality
`to generate a plurality of cyclone airflows so that the foreign
`in the air can be filtered by only
`objects contained
`the
`cyclone airflows, has been developed. The multi-cyclone
`the foreign object removal efliciency. In
`airflows
`improve
`addition, since there is no need to additionally provide
`the
`porous filter in the dust collection unit, the clogging problem
`is not incurred.
`
`[0007] However,
`type dust collection
`the multi-cyclone
`unit is designed to remove the foreign objects using only the
`the foreign object removable efficiency is
`cyclone airflows,
`to
`insufficient. Therefore,
`is a pressing need
`there
`still
`the foreign objects removal efficiency in the multi-
`improve
`cyclone type dust collection unit.
`[000S] In addition, when the foreign objects such as hairs
`in an inner chamber of the multi-cyclone
`are accumulated
`dust collection unit, the user must remove the foreign objects
`for the user.
`using his/her hands. This is troublesome
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0009] Accordingly,
`is directed to a
`the present
`invention
`dust collection unit for a vacuum cleaner that substantially
`
`due
`
`to limitations
`
`and
`
`obviates one or more problems
`disadvantages of the related art.
`[0010] An object of the present
`is to provide a
`invention
`dust collection unit and a vacuum cleaner with the same,
`which can
`efficiency using
`the dust
`removal
`improve
`cyclone airflow.
`[0011] Another object of the present
`is to pro-
`invention
`vide a dust collection unit and a vacuum cleaner with the
`same, which can keep a filtering chamber,
`in which cyclone
`airflow is generated, clean by providing a filter designed
`in
`to RPM of rotational
`current generated by the
`response
`cyclone airflow.
`[0012] Still another object of the present
`is to
`invention
`provide a dust collection unit and a vacuum cleaner with the
`same, which can be conveniently
`cleaned by a user.
`[0013] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
`invention will be set forth in part in the description which
`follows and in part will become apparent
`to those having
`skill in the art upon examination of the following
`ordinary
`from practice of the
`or may be learned
`invention. The
`objectives and other advantages of the invention may be
`realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out
`in the written description and claims hereof as well as the
`appended drawings.
`[0014] To achieve these objects and other advantages and
`in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embod-
`ied and broadly described herein,
`there is provided a dust
`for a vacuum
`collection unit
`a first
`cleaner,
`including:
`foreign objects using a cyclone
`filtering chamber
`filtering
`airflow; a separation plate defining a top surface of the first
`that is reduced
`filtering chamber; a filter having a diameter
`in response to airflow rate variation
`as it goes downward
`in
`the first filtering chamber; and a blocking member provided
`the foreign objects filtered in the
`under the filter to prevent
`first filtering chamber from flying.
`[0015] In another aspect of the present
`there is
`invention,
`provided a vacuum cleaner including: a base; a dust collec-
`tion unit disposed on a front portion of the base; a motor
`disposed on a rear portion of the base; and a cover disposed
`the dust collection unit includes: a
`above the base, wherein
`first filtering chamber having a relatively
`large diameter; a
`plurality of second filtering chambers
`formed on an outer
`circumference of the first filtering chamber; storing cham-
`bers formed under the first and second filtering chambers; a
`filter detachably mounted on a center portion of the first
`the filter being formed of a rigid plastic
`filtering chamber,
`material; a blocking member detachably mounted on the
`filter, the blocking member having a diameter that is reduced
`and a plurality of airflow preventing
`as it goes downward;
`in a radial direction and integrally
`formed
`plates disposed
`with a bottom surface of the blocking member.
`[0016] In still another aspect of the present
`invention,
`there is provided a vacuum cleaner including: a base; a dust
`collection unit disposed on a front portion of the base; a
`motor disposed on a rear portion of the base; a cover
`disposed above the base; and a front support fixing the base
`and the cover at a front portion, wherein
`the dust collection
`formed on a center
`unit includes: a first filtering chamber
`portion of the dust collection unit and having a relatively
`a plurality of second
`large diameter;
`chambers
`filtering
`formed on an outer circumference of the first
`filtering
`
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`US 2006/0137309 A1
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`Jun. 29, 2006
`
`chamber; a filter detachably mounted on a center portion of
`the filter being formed of a rigid
`the first filtering chamber,
`plastic material; a blocking member detachably mounted on
`that is
`the filter, the blocking member having a diameter
`and a plurality of airflow
`reduced as it goes downward;
`in a radial direction and inte-
`plates disposed
`preventing
`grally formed with a bottom surface of the blocking member.
`[0017] In still yet another aspect of the present
`invention,
`a motor
`cleaner
`is provided
`a vacuum
`there
`including:
`force; a dust collection unit
`filtering
`sucking
`generating
`foreign objects contained
`in air introduced by the sucking
`force generated by the motor; and a suction assembly
`guiding outer air to the dust collection unit, wherein the dust
`collection unit includes: a first filtering chamber formed on
`a center portion of the dust collection unit and having a
`a plurality of second
`large diameter;
`relatively
`filtering
`formed on an outer circumference of the first
`chambers
`filter mounted on a center
`filtering chamber; a cone-shaped
`portion of the first filtering chamber; a blocking member
`detachably mounted on the cone-shaped
`filter to prevent the
`foreign objects from flying; and an airflow preventing plate
`to stop the
`formed with
`the blocking member
`integrally
`cyclone airflow.
`[001S] According
`to the present
`the inventive
`invention,
`dust collection unit can improve
`the foreign object removal
`the inventive dust collection unit is
`efficiency. In addition,
`to easily remove the foreign objects accumulated
`designed
`in use to a user
`the convenience
`therein,
`thereby providing
`the service lift thereof.
`and increasing
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`a mount-
`
`[0019] The accompanying
`drawings, which are included
`to provide a further understanding of the invention and are
`in and constitute a part of this application,
`incorporated
`illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with
`serve to explain the principle of the inven-
`the description
`tion. In the drawings:
`[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner
`to an embodiment of the present
`according
`invention;
`[0021] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a vacuum
`in FIG. 1;
`cleaner depicted
`[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating
`ing process of a collection unit;
`[0023] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a main
`body of a vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of
`the present
`invention;
`[0024] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a dust
`collection unit according to one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`[0025] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines I-I' of
`FIG. 3;
`[0026] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective
`view of a
`cone-shaped
`filter and a blocking member that are separated
`from each other;
`[0027] FIG. S is a view illustrating an assembling process
`of a cone-shaped
`filter and a blocking member;
`[002S] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an assembled state of
`a cone-shaped
`filter and a blocking member; and
`
`[0029] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal
`sectional view of a
`vacuum cleaner where a dust collection unit of the present
`invention
`is applied.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to the pre-
`ferred embodiments of the present
`examples of
`invention,
`in the accompanying drawings. Wher-
`which are illustrated
`the same reference numbers will be used
`ever possible,
`to refer to the same or like parts.
`the drawings
`throughout
`[0031] FIG. 1 shows a vacuum cleaner to which a dust
`invention can be
`to the present
`collection unit according
`applied.
`
`to FIG. 1, a vacuum cleaner includes a
`[0032] Referring
`main body 100 and a suction assembly
`connected
`to a
`through which outer air is sucked into the
`suction portion
`main body 100. Disposed in the main body 100 are a motor
`(not shown), a suction fan (not shown), and a dust collection
`unit (not shown) Therefore,
`the sucked air is exhausted out
`of the main body 100 after foreign objects contained
`in the
`sucked air are filtered.
`
`[0033] The suction assembly
`to suck the air
`is provided
`the foreign objects when sucking force is gener-
`containing
`ated in the main body 100. That is, the suction assembly
`includes a sucking nozzle body 1 for sucking
`the air con-
`the foreign objects using a powerful
`airflow, an
`taining
`tube 2 extending
`from the sucking nozzle body
`expandable
`1 and expandable and contractible by a user, an operation
`handle 3 provided on a distal end of the expandable
`tube 2,
`unit 4 provided on a front portion of the
`a manipulation
`tube 5 extending
`operation handle 3, a flexible
`from the
`operation handle 2, a connector 6 connecting a distal end of
`the flexible tube 5 to the main body 100, a pipe rest 7 on
`the expandable pipe 2 can be supported
`and sus-
`which
`pended when the vacuum cleaner is not used.
`
`[0034] The connector 6 functions as a connection terminal
`inputted by the user
`a manipulation
`transmitting
`signal
`through the manipulation unit 4 to the main body 100 as well
`as a passage through which the sucked air is introduced
`into
`the main body 100. That is, a plurality of electric connection
`terminals are provided on a proximal end of the connector 6.
`However, the electric connection terminals are required only
`unit 4 is provided on the suction
`the manipulation
`when
`assembly. That is, when the manipulation unit 4 is provided
`on the main body 100, the electric connection
`terminals are
`not provided on the connector 6. In this case, the connector
`6 may simply function as an air introducing passage.
`
`into the main body 100 through
`[0035] The air introduced
`is exhausted out of the main body 100
`the suction assembly
`after the foreign objects contained
`in the introduced air are
`filtered. The main body 100 of the vacuum cleaner will be
`described in more detail hereinafter with reference to FIGS.
`1 and 2.
`[0036] FIG. 2 shows
`cleaner.
`
`the main body of the vacuum
`
`to FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body 100
`[0037] Referring
`includes a first base 110 defining a lower portion of the main
`body 100, a second base 150 disposed on the first base 110,
`a cover 200 disposed on the second base 150, wheels 111
`
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`
`provided on both rear-side portions of the cover 200 to make
`it easy to move the main body 100, and a front support 70
`fixing the cover 200 and the first and second
`for supportably
`bases 110 and 150.
`
`[003S] The connector 6 is connected to the front support
`170 to allow the outer air to be introduced
`into the main body
`100. The support 170 is designed
`the cover 200
`to support
`and the first and second bases 110 and 150, thereby securely
`the front portion of the main body 100.
`supporting
`
`[0039] The second base 150 is provided
`right above the
`first base 110 to improve the ornament of the main body and
`the rigidity of the lower portion of the main body.
`enhance
`
`[0040] An exhaust cover 301 provided with a plurality of
`exhaust holes 302 is provided on a rear portion of the cover
`200 to exhaust clean air. A carrying handle 201 is pivotally
`provided on a top surface of the cover 200. When a user
`the main body 100, the user pivots
`to carry
`the
`intends
`carrying handle 201 in a vertical position and conveniently
`carries the main body 100 with his/her hand grasping
`the
`carrying handle 201.
`
`[0041] A dust collection unit 400 is disposed
`in the main
`body in rear of the front support 170 and a cyclone member
`(not shown) is received in the dust collection unit to generate
`cyclone airflows and filter the foreign object contained in the
`air.
`
`[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the dust collection unit 400 is
`in and separated from a receiving cham-
`vertically
`installed
`in the main body 100. That is, the dust
`ber 151 defined
`collection unit 400 may be installed
`in the receiving cham-
`ber 151 by being pushed downward and separated from the
`receiving chamber 151 by being pulled upward.
`
`[0043] The front support 170 is provided with a first air
`intake hole 171 and the dust collection unit 400 is provided
`with a second air intake hole 401 corresponding
`to the first
`air intake hole 171. The dust collection nit 400 is further
`provided with an exhaust hole (not shown) opposite to the
`second air intake hole 401. The exhaust hole is aligned with
`a third air intake hole 172 formed toward the motor so that
`the collection unit 400 is
`the air cleaned by passing through
`the motor side.
`exhausted
`toward
`
`the third air intake hole 172 is formed
`[0044] Particularly,
`in a horizontal direction so
`in a rectangular shape lengthwise
`as to reduce the size of the main body 100 and allow the air
`to efl'ectively
`flow.
`
`[0045] FIG. 4 shows
`cleaner.
`
`the main body of the vacuum
`
`to FIG. 4, the second base 150 is dis-
`[0046] Referring
`posed on a rear-top portion of the first base 110. A motor
`housing 300 is disposed on a rear portion of the first base
`110. Then, the cover 200 is coupled to the first and second
`bases 110 and 150 to define the main body 100.
`
`[0047] Here,
`the cover 200 is coupled
`to the first and
`second bases 110 and 150 in a state where the front support
`170 is coupled to the cover 200. A flowing direction of the
`into the motor housing 300 through
`air introduced
`the third
`air intake hole 172 is changed by 90' in a vertical direction
`in a horizontal direction so that the air
`and is then changed
`can be exhausted
`rearward.
`
`[004S] FIG. 5 shows the dust collection unit according to
`an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`to FIG. 5, the inventive dust collection
`[0049] Referring
`unit 400 does not use a porous filter such as a sponge. That
`is, the inventive dust collection unit 400 is designed to filter
`the foreign objects using cyclone airflows. The cyclone
`from
`is generated at least two chambers
`separated
`airflow
`each other so that even the micro-scale dusts contained in the
`air can be filtered. This will be described
`in more detail
`hereinafter.
`
`[0050] The dust collection unit 400 includes a collection
`body 406 provided with a plurality of filtering chambers
`(refer to the reference numerals 423 and 424 of FIG. 6) for
`the foreign objects and a plurality of storing cham-
`filtering
`bers (refer to the reference numerals 417 and 416 of FIG. 6)
`the filtered foreign objects, chamber seal mem-
`for storing
`bers 402 and 415 provided to seal a bottom of the collection
`body 406 and prevent
`the foreign objects stored
`in the
`storing chambers 416 and 417 from leaking, an air exhaust
`member 407 disposed on the collection body 406 to guide
`the flow of the air exhausted
`from the collection body 406,
`a gap forming member 40S providing a predetermined
`gap
`above the exhaust member 407 to allow the air exhausted
`from the exhaust member 407 to flow in a direction, and a
`cover assembly disposed on the gap forming member 40S.
`[0051] The cover assembly
`includes a first cover 410
`as a main body of the cover assembly, second
`functioning
`and third covers 409 and 412 respectively disposed
`in rear
`and front of the first cover 410, a cover fixing member 411
`fixing the first and second covers 410 and 409. The cover
`fixing member 411 is designed to cover a portion of the first
`cover 410 to improve
`the outer appearance while simulta-
`neously fixing the first and second covers 410 and 409.
`
`[0052] Disposed
`in the dust collection body 406 are a
`filter 405 and a blocking member 404 and
`cone-shaped
`airflow preventing plates 403. The cone-shaped
`filter 405 is
`to efl'ectively
`filter the foreign objects when the
`provided
`cyclone airflows are generated. The blocking member 404 is
`filter 405 to prevent
`the cone-shaped
`the
`disposed under
`collected foreign objects from flying. The airflow preventing
`the blocking member 404 to
`plates 403 are formed under
`lower
`to thereby allow
`rate and
`the airflow
`the foreign
`objects to sink to the bottoms of the foreign object storing
`chambers.
`
`[0053] The airflow preventing plates 403 and the blocking
`member 404 may be integrally formed with each other while
`filter 405 may be provided as a separated
`the cone-shaped
`filter 405.
`that may be fitted on the cone-shaped
`part
`Therefore, when he foreign objects are clogged
`in the
`filter 405, after the blocking member 404 is
`cone-shaped
`filter 405, the
`the cone-shaped
`from
`separated
`foreign
`filter 405 are conve-
`in the cone-shaped
`objects clogged
`filter 405.
`niently removed from the cone-shaped
`
`[0054] That is, when the foreign objects such as hairs or
`to an outer wall of the
`papers are sucked and adhered
`filter 405, the sucking
`force is remarkably
`cone-shaped
`In this case, the user must remove
`weakened.
`the foreign
`filter 405. At this point, the
`objects from the cone-shaped
`the cone-
`blocking member 404 is first separated
`from
`shaped filter 405 so that the user can conveniently
`remove
`the foreign objects from the cone-shaped filter 405. Since the
`
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`
`filter 405 has a diameter
`reduced as it goes
`cone-shaped
`the foreign objects such as the hairs can be easily
`downward,
`removed by being simply pulled downward.
`[0055] Since the second air exhaust hole 401 is formed
`to an upper portion of the cone-shaped
`filter
`corresponding
`405, a relatively high RPM cyclone airflow
`is generated at
`the upper portion of the cone-shaped
`filter 405 and a
`low RPM cyclone airflow
`is generated at a lower
`relatively
`portion of the cone-shaped filter 405. Therefore, at the lower
`portion of the first filtering chamber 423, the foreign objects
`to the central portion and passes
`may move
`the
`through
`apertures 426 of the filter 405. To prevent this, the filter 405
`is formed in the cone-shape. In this case, the foreign objects
`do not pass through the apertures 426 but are collected in the
`first filtering chamber 423.
`
`button 413 is pro-
`[0056]
`In addition, an opening/closing
`vided on the first cover 410 and an opening/closing
`lever 414
`button 413
`having a first end contacting
`the opening/closing
`button 413 is pushed. The
`to pivot when the opening/closing
`lever 414 has a second end contacting
`the
`opening/closing
`first chamber seal member 415. Therefore, when the open-
`lever 414 is pushed,
`lever
`the opening/closing
`ing/closing
`414 pivots around a predetermined
`hinge point. When the
`second end of the opening/closing
`lever 414 moves away
`from the first chamber seal member 415, the first chamber
`seal member 415 rotates around a hinge point by its self-
`the foreign objects collected
`in the storing
`and
`gravity
`chambers 416 and 417 settled by their self-gravities.
`In addition, the chamber seal members 415 and 402
`[0057]
`seal the bottoms of the foreign
`to respectively
`are designed
`object storing chambers 415 and 416. The first chamber seal
`member 415 is hinge-coupled
`to the collection body 406 so
`that it can be opened by a pivotal motion when it is intended
`to throw away the foreign objects stored in the first chamber
`seal member 415.
`
`[005S] A separation plate 437 for separating
`the first and
`second filtering chambers 423 and 424 from each other and
`is provided on a top surface of the
`defining an air passage
`collection body 406.
`[0059] A plurality of guide ribs 459 is formed on an outer
`circumference of the collection body 406 to guide
`the
`insertion of the exhaust member 407 around
`the collection
`body 406. Each of the guide ribs 459 is gently rounded at an
`upper corner to eflectively guide the insertion.
`[0060] Since outer ends of the guide ribs 459 are designed
`to contact an inner circumference of the exhaust member
`407, even when outer impact is applied to the exhaust body
`407, the outer impact can be absorbed by the guide ribs 459,
`the exhaust member 407 from being
`thereby preventing
`damaged or broken by the outer impact.
`structure and operation of the dust
`[0061] The internal
`collection unit 400 will be described
`in more detail with
`reference to FIG. 6.
`
`to FIG. 5, the dust
`[0062] As described with reference
`collection unit 400 includes
`the collection body 406, the
`chamber sealing members 402 and 415 provided
`to selec-
`the bottom of the collection body 406, the
`seal
`tively
`cone-shape filter 405 received in the collection body 406 to
`enhance the dust collection efliciency, the blocking member
`404 preventing
`the foreign objects stored in the collection
`
`body 406 from flying, the airflow preventing plates 403 for
`rate and for thereby
`the
`the airflow
`lowering
`allowing
`foreign objects to sink to the bottoms of the foreign object
`the air exhaust member 407 disposed on
`storing chambers,
`the collection body 406 to guide the flow of the air exhausted
`from the collection body 406, the gap forming member 40S
`gap above the exhaust member
`providing a predetermined
`407 to allow the air exhausted from the exhaust member 407
`to flow in a direction, and covers 409, 410, 411, and 412
`disposed on the gap forming member 40S.
`[0063] The collection body 406 includes
`the outer wall
`41S, the intermediate wall 419 and the inner wall 420. The
`outer wall 41S and the intermediate wall 419 are not formed
`the second air intake hole 401 is
`on the portion where
`formed, thereby allowing the air to be efl'ectively
`introduced.
`
`[0064] A space defined between the outer wall 41S and the
`intermediate wall 419 becomes the first storing chamber 416
`and a space defined between the intermediate wall 419 and
`the inner wall 420 becomes the second storing chamber 417.
`An inner space defined by the inner wall 420 becomes the
`the functions of the
`first filtering chamber 423. However,
`spaces vary according to the shape of the dust correction unit
`400.
`[0065] The operation of the above-described dust collec-
`tion unit will be described hereinafter with reference to the
`airflow.
`
`[0066] The air is first introduced
`into the dust collection
`the second air intake hole 401. Here, an
`unit 400 through
`outer end of the second air intake hole 401 communicates
`with the front support 170 and an inner end of the second air
`intake hole 401 communicates with the first filtering cham-
`ber 423. A first air introduction
`guide 421 is projected
`inward from a portion of the inner wall 420, which defines
`the inner end of the second air intake hole 401, to guide the
`air in an inner circumferential direction of the first filtering
`chamber 423.
`[0067] When the cyclone airflow
`is generated
`in the first
`filtering chamber 423, the foreign objects contained
`in the
`air are settled and
`the cleaned air is exhausted upward
`the apertures of the cone-shaped
`filter 405. The
`through
`second air exhaust hole 401 is formed corresponding
`to an
`upper portion of the cone-shaped
`filter 405, a relatively high
`RPM cyclone airflow is generated at the upper portion of the
`filter 405 and a relatively
`low RPM cyclone
`cone-shaped
`is generated at a lower portion of the cone-shaped
`airflow
`filter 405. This is the reason for forming the filter 405 in the
`cone-shape. That is, since a large amount of the foreign
`high RPM
`objects are forced outward
`in the relatively
`cyclone airflow and a large amount of the foreign objects are
`low RPM cyclone airflow,
`forced
`it is
`in the relatively
`that the filter 405 is formed in the cone-shape.
`preferable
`
`[006S] The cone-shaped
`filter 405 may be detachably
`seated on a center of the separation plate 437 defining a top
`wall of the first filtering chamber 423. The cone-shaped filter
`405 is typically provided with a plurality of pores through
`which the air passes.
`
`[0069] The blocking member 404 is disposed under
`the
`filter 405 to prevent
`the settled foreign objects
`cone-shaped
`from flying. The blocking member 404 has a diameter
`that
`to prevent
`is increased as it goes downward
`the foreign
`in a reverse direction. The airflow
`objects
`from
`flying
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`US 2006/0137309 A1
`
`Jun. 29, 2006
`
`preventing plates are disposed under the blocking member
`404 at a predetermined
`gap to prevent
`the cyclone airflow
`the settled foreign objects, thereby basically
`from reaching
`the settled foreign objects from flying.
`preventing
`the cone-
`[0070] Next, a coupling
`between
`relationship
`shaped filter 405, the blocking member 404, and the airflow
`preventing plate 403 will be described hereinafter
`in detail.
`[0071] FIG. 7 shows the cone-shaped filter and the block-
`that are separated from each other.
`ing member
`[0072] As shown in FIG. 7, the cone-shaped filter 405 and
`the blocking member 404 are individual parts. The airflow
`preventing plate 403 is integrally
`formed under the blocking
`member 404.
`[0073] As described above, since the blocking member
`404 and the cone-shaped
`filter 405 are formed in individual
`parts, when it is intended to clean the cone-shaped filter 405,
`from the cone-
`the blocking member 404 is first separated
`shaped filter 405. Then, the foreign objects such as hairs can
`filter 405 by being
`be easily removed from the cone-shaped
`simply pulled downward.
`[0074]
`In order to easily perform
`the coupling and sepa-
`rating operation, the filter is formed in the cone shape having
`that is reduced as it goes downward.
`a diameter
`[0075] That is, the cone-shaped
`filter 405 is provided with
`a plurality of apertures 426 through which the cleaned air
`filter 405 is not provided at a lower
`passes. The cone-shaped
`portion with the apertures 426. The lower portion not having
`the apertures defines an insertion portion 430, which can be
`inserted into the blocking member 404. The insertion portion
`430 is provided with at least one fi