Filter assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus of vacuum cleaner

A filter assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus of a vacuum cleaner which filters dust included in the air current discharged from the outlet port of the cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus. The present filter assembly comprises a rotating filter rotatively coupled against the outlet port and an inlet grill; an operation bar; and a handling knob. The dust collected on the outer surface of the rotating filter may be removed by rotating the rotating filter with the handling knob and thus improves dust-collecting efficiency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus, and in particular to a filter assembly installed inside the cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for filtering dust that has gone through centrifugal separation then discharging the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

The filter which is installed inside the cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus of a vacuum cleaner functions to filter the minute dust within air that is discharged into the cleaner main body. Generally, the dust filtered progressively collect on these filters and thus causes the inconvenience of periodic cleaning. Therefore, recently a filter cleaning device which works in connection with the opening and closing of a dust collecting container of a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for removing dust on the outer surface of the filter has been suggested.

FIG. 1is a longitudinal view of a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus installed with a conventional filter cleaning device, andFIG. 2is a perspective view of the filter cleaning device of which was disclosed in the Japanese patent application no. 2002-315701. The cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus1, as depicted inFIG. 1, is provided with a cyclone body110formed with an inlet port111and an outlet port121, a dust collection container103removably coupled to the cyclone body110, and a filter130which is installed on the outlet port121of the cyclone body110and arranged within the dust collection container103.

The cyclone body110is provided with a container coupling125which forms the dust separation chamber115, and a connection pipe113which is extended from the dust separation chamber115in an elbow form. In the dust separation chamber115, an inlet port111opened outward in an oblique direction, and an outlet port121opened upward are provided. The inlet port111is in fluid communication with the interior of the connection pipe113, and an inlet pipe107which has a dust inlet not shown of the vacuum cleaner is connected on the end of the connection pipe113. On the outlet pipe121, a flexible pipe109which is connected to the cleaner main body of the vacuum cleaner is coupled.

The container coupling125of the cyclone body110is opened downward and receives the cylinder-shaped dust collection container103which has an upward opening. A gasket141intervenes the outer surfaces of the openings between the container coupling125of the dust collection chamber115and the dust collection container103to maintain air-tightness. Meanwhile, the dust collection container103is provided with a hook104protruding from the bottom outer surface thereof to the connection pipe113of the cyclone body11. On the outer surface of the connection pipe113which corresponds to the hook104there is formed a hook groove114and thus the hook104is able to be clamp-fastened into the hook groove114in the vertical direction.

As such, within the dust collection container103coupled on to the bottom of the dust collection chamber115, a filter130which is connected to the outlet port121of the dust collection chamber115is accommodated. The filter130is cylindrical-shaped and opened upward, and a plurality of ventilation shafts is formed on the outer circumference. Also, on the outer surface of the ventilation shafts, a net135having numerous micro ventilation pores is installed. This net135functions to filter the minute dust included in the exhausted air.

Meanwhile, the conventional filter cleaning device150mounted on the cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus, as depicted inFIG. 2, is provided with a dust removal ring151which surrounds the outer surface of the filter130, an elastic spring155elastically biasing the dust removal ring151downward, and a slider161and locking lever171which fastens the dust removal ring155on to the top of the filter130. Between the connection pipe113of the cyclone body110and the dust collection container103a guide groove157is formed for the vertical sliding of the slider161.

The slider161is extended bent downward from the outer surface of the dust removal ring151, and is slide-ably received in the guide groove157in the vertical direction. This slider161is provided with a coupling protrusion162which is coupled to a protrusion groove, not shown, of the dust collection container103, and through the activation of the coupling protrusion162and the protrusion groove, the dust collection container103is slide-able as a whole unit with the slider161. Namely, by moving in conjunction with the sliding of the slider161, the dust collection container103is removably coupled to the dust collection chamber115. Also on the slider161, on a longitudinal extension on one side thereof, a couple of locking grooves165,166are engraved at an equal spacing.

Meanwhile, the locking lever171is provided with a locker172which functions with the locking grooves165,166of the slider161, and an operation section174which is operational by the user. This locking lever171rotates about a rotation shaft176installed in the guide groove157and couples the locker172to the locking grooves165,166of the slider161. For this, on the outside of the locking lever171, a locker spring181which elastically biases the locker172to the locking grooves165,166is installed.

Through the above configuration, in the cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus100provided with the conventional filter cleaning device150, the dust collection container103may be separated by depressing the operation section174. Then, the filter cleaning device150operates in conjunction with the separated dust collection container103. Namely, when the locker lever171is rotated about the rotation shaft176by pressing the operation section174of the locking lever171, the locker172is outwardly separated from the locker grooves165,166of the slider161. Here, the compressed elastic spring155possessing elastic force expands and separates the dust collection container103and at the same time, the dust removal ring151and the slider161slide downward.

Here, the downwardly moving dust removal ring151slides while sweeping the collected dust on the outer surface of the filter130and thereby the swept dust falls into the dust collection container103and is recollected. Then, the user releases the interlocking of the protrusion groove of the dust collection container103and the coupling protrusion162of the slider161, and then may remove the waste and dust collected within the dust collection container103. Meanwhile, the dust collection container103with the waste and dust removed, may be coupled to the container coupling125of the cyclone body110by biasing upwardly in the inverse order of the above description.

However, in the filter cleaning device150of the conventional cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus100, in case the amount of filtered dust on the outside of the filter130is excessive, there is the problem of the movement of the dust removal ring151being interrupted and thus the function thereof being depreciated. In this case, there is the inconvenience of the user having to remove the filtered dust on the outside of the filter130by hand and then cleaning the filter for the dust removal ring151to move smoothly.

Also in the filter cleaning device150of the conventional cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus100there is the complicated composition for elevating the dust removal ring151to the outer surface of the filter130, namely the slider161, locking lever171and the locker spring181must necessarily be provided and thus there is the problem of increase in manufacturing costs and causing difficulty in assembling and disassembling. In the filter cleaning device150of the conventional cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus100, the guiding groove157for the vertical sliding of the slider161must be formed between the connection pipe113of the cyclone body110and the dust collection container103and thus causes more increase in cost from having to manufacture an expensive mold with complex geometries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been set forth in consideration of the above mentioned problems, where the object thereof is to provide a filter assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus of a vacuum cleaner in which the filter may be rotated to simply remove the dust collected thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a filter assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus having a dust collection container of a vacuum cleaner which not only saves manufacturing cost through by providing a simple composition but also of which is easily assembled and disassembled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a filter assembly which does not require a guide groove between the dust collection container and the connection pipe of the cyclone body and thereby enable the manufacturing of the cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus of a vacuum cleaner with a simple mold.

To achieve the above objects, according to the present invention, in a filter assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus having a dust collection container of a vacuum cleaner which filters the dust included in the air current discharged on the outlet port of the cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus comprising a rotating filter rotatively coupled against said outlet port and provided with an inlet grill formed on the outer surface and an outlet in communication with said outlet port; an operation bar arranged in an axial direction within said dust collection container and provided with one end coupled to said rotating filter and with another end passing through said dust collection container and exposed to the outside; and a handle knob coupled to said another end of said operation bar enabling said operation bar to be rotated wholly with said rotating filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is described in detail hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 3is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus of a vacuum cleaner provided with a filter assembly. As depicted inFIG. 3, the cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus1mounted with the present filter assembly50is provided with a cyclone body10with an inlet port13and an outlet port23formed thereon, a dust collection container31removably coupled to the cyclone body10, and a filter assembly50installed on the outlet port23of the cyclone body10and arranged within the dust collection container31.

The cyclone body10is formed of an upper body21where the outlet port23is formed and a lower body11where the inlet port13is formed, and these upper and lower bodies21,11are coupled by a plurality of screws. On the outlet port23opened upwardly from the upper body21there is extended upwardly an outlet side coupling pipe25. This outlet side coupling pipe25is coupled to a flexible connection pipe47which is connected to the cleaner main body not shown of the vacuum cleaner.

The lower body11is provided with a downwardly opening inlet port13, and a container coupling17opening downwardly parallel with the inlet port13. On the inlet port13and inlet side coupling pipe15extends in the downward direction. This inlet side coupling pipe15is coupled with an inlet pipe49having a dust induction portion not shown of the vacuum cleaner. In addition, on the outer surface of the container coupling17there is formed a coupling rib43which receives the coupling extension of the dust collection container31. On the coup ling rib43there is provided a coupling slit45cut in the horizontal direction.

Between the upper body21and the lower body11of the cyclone body10, there intervenes a waste backflow prevention plate91. The waste backflow prevention plate91is a plate having a conical shape and divides the interior space formed by the upper body21and the lower body11. On the upper and lower bodies21,11of the cyclone body10there are protruding waste backflow prevention fastening ribs18,28, respectively. On the waste backflow prevention plate91there is formed an outlet hole not shown which allows air current to flow from the lower body11to the upper body21. Also, on the opening of the outlet hole, there is an extended container-shaped coupling flange93protruding downward. On the coupling flange93, as will be described in detail hereinafter, the filter assembly50is removably coupled.

Differing from the conventional dust collection container103,FIG. 1, the dust collection container31is cylinder-shaped opening upward which has a simple structure without the slider guiding groove157,FIG. 1and protrusion groove. The dust collection container31opening extension forms the coupling extension33which is received into the coupling rib43, and on this coupling extension33a locking protrusion35which interlocks with the coupling slit45is protruded. With the dust collection container31coupling extension33received in the container coupling17coupling rib43, when rotated to one direction, the locking protrusion35is received into the coupling slit45. Through this, the dust collection container31is removably coupled to the cyclone body10.

In addition, on the dust collection container31, a bar passing hole38,FIG. 4for passing through the bottom end of the operation bar71is formed on the bottom surface. On the bottom surface of the dust collection container31, there is formed a rotation support rib39protruding upward from the opening rim of the bar passing hole38. This rotation support rib39functions to rotatively support the operation bar71. Also, on the bottom outer surface of the dust collection container31there are formed three outwardly protruding guide protrusions37along the circumferential direction. These guide protrusions37guide the smooth rotation of the handling knob81.

Meanwhile,FIG. 4is an exploded view of the major portions ofFIG. 3, where the composition of the present filter assembly is shown in more detail. As depicted inFIG. 4, the filter assembly50is provided with a rotating filter52rotational against the outlet port23formed on the upper body21of the cyclone body10, a handling knob81arranged on the lower portion of the dust collection container31, and an operation bar71intervening between the handling knob81and the rotating filter53. Here, it is preferable that the rotating filter53is rotatively supported within the rotation support body51. Also, on the outer surface of the rotating filter53brushes97for removing filtered dust may be further included.

The rotation support body51, as shown in more detail inFIG. 5, is comprised of a support frame61which receives the rotating filter52, and a support base66which rotatively supports the rotating filter52which is coupled to the bottom of the support frame61and received therein. The support frame61is provided with numerous inlet windows62on the outer surface, and a coupling is provided on the top portion. On the bottom portion of the support frame61a plurality of hooks64which protrude downwardly are formed at equal spacing along the circumferential direction.

The support base66has a cylindrical shape opened downward, and on the upper surface there is formed a reception hole68which partially receives the flange56of the rotating filter52. Also, on the extension of the reception hole68, a plurality of hook holes69are formed to couple the hooks64of the support frame61. On the upper surface67of the support base66where the hook holes69are formed, the rotating filter52is placed and rotatively supported.

On the rotation support body51, the coupling61of the support frame61is removably coupled to the coupling flange93of the waste backflow prevention plate91. Here, it is obvious that the rotation support body51may be embodied as a modified structure that is coupled to the outlet holes of the waste backflow prevention plate without coupling flange93, and also as a structure directly coupled to the outlet port23of the upper body21.

Meanwhile, the rotating filter52has an upwardly opening cylindrical shape, and an inlet grill53is formed on the circumferential surface. Here, the inlet grill53may be formed including numerous rotating filters which are able to filter minute dust within air itself. However, for a more effective filtering, it is preferred that the inlet grill53is simply formed of a plurality of inlet openings, and installing a net-shaped filtering member55on the outer surface. The upwardly opening of the rotating filter52forms the outlet opening in communication with the outlet port23and thus discharges the filtered air through the inlet grill53.

On the bottom portion of the rotating filter52there is formed a downwardly extending flange56. This flange56has a diameter smaller than that of the rotating filter52, and is received and coupled into the reception hole68formed on the support base66of the rotation support body51. Here, bottom portion of the rotating filter52rotationally abuts the upper surface67where the reception hole68of the support base66is formed. For smooth rotational coupling of the rotating filter52, on the outer surface thereof outwardly protruding rotation protrusions54are formed.

In addition, within the flange56of the rotating filter52, as depicted more in detail inFIG. 6, a plurality of passive coupling protrusions57are formed in a radial direction protruding downward. These passive coupling protrusions57are formed such that the respective protruding height progressively increases along the outer direction. This structure guides upward movement toward the coupling direction of the other end of the operation bar71to the center and thus enables precise locking of the active coupling protrusions74of the operation bar71and the passive coupling protrusions57, as described in detail hereinafter.

This rotating filter52is rotatively received within the rotation support body51coupled to the coupling flange93of the waste backflow prevention plate91. Here, the rotating filter52may be modified into a structure in which it is directly rotatively coupled to the waste backflow prevention plate91without the rotation support body51. Also, it is obvious that the rotating filter52may be modified into a structure where it is rotatively coupled to the outlet port23of the upper body21not only without the rotation support body51but also the waste backflow prevention plate91.

On the rotating filter52as such, it is preferable to install brushes97which remove dust collected during filtering by the filtering member55. The brushes97are preferably installed between the inlet windows63within the support frame61of the rotation support body51, and may be provided as one pair or two pairs facing each other paralleled and in the vertical direction. These brushes67are able to cleanly remove filtered dust within the rotation support body61during the rotation of the rotating filter52.

Meanwhile, the operation bar71, as depicted in more detail inFIG. 7, is provided with a plurality of active coupling protrusions74which lock with the passive coupling protrusions57formed on the flange56of the rotating filter52. In addition, on the bottom portion, there is formed a rotational hooking portion77which protrudes outward and then downward to surround the circumference to the bottom end75. This rotational hooking portion77is hooked with the rotation support rib39formed on the bottom surface of the dust collection container31, and here the bottom end of the rotational hooking portion77and the upper end of the rotation support rib39abuts on each surface in a rotational manner. On the bottom end75of the operation bar71an assembly hole76is formed on the axis thereof.

The handling knob81is a semi-sphere shape, and is coupled to the bottom of the dust collection container31. On the bottom surface of the handling knob81an upwardly protruding reception rib83is formed to receive the other end75of the operation bar71. In the center of this reception rib83, a passing hole is formed, and from the lower side, a screw95is passed through and is assembled to the assembly hole76of the operation bar71received in the reception rib83. Through this, the handling knob81and the operation bar71may be rotated as a whole unit. On the inner circumferential area of the handling knob81there are formed three locking protrusion85which interlock with the guide protrusions37formed in the outer surface of the dust collection container31.

In the cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus1provided with the present filter assembly50as the above composition, the air having waste and dust inlet into the inlet pipe49is inhaled through the inlet port13in an oblique direction. The air inhaled as such forms a swirling current by rotating about the rotating filter52, and here the waste and dust of large particles rotating with the air is separated by centrifugal force. However, in the air with the waste and dust of large particles removed, there still exists minute dust. These minute dusts are filtered by being passed through the rotating filter52and then only clean air is discharged through the outlet port23.

As time passes, the outer surface of the rotating filter52, namely, on the filtering member55, filtered dust is progressively collected thereon. The collected dust depreciates the speed of the air passing through the rotating filter52to be discharged, and thus needs to be periodically removed. Therefore, when the amount of collected dust becomes excessive, the user rotates the handling knob81which is coupled to the bottom portion of the dust collection container31to one direction. Then, the operation bar71coupled to the handling knob81rotates and turns the rotating filter52. Here, the dust collected on the outer surface of the rotating filter52is separated and falls in the dust collection container31. This dust separation is effectively carried out by the brushes97installed on the rotation support body52. Here, it is preferred that the removal of the dust collected on the rotating filter52by rotating the handling knob81is occasionally carried out while conducting housework.

Meanwhile, when the waste and dust centrifugally separated and collected in the dust collection container31becomes excessive, the user may separate the dust collection container31from the cyclone body10and simply remove them. The dust collection container31, as described above, is rotated to one direction and the locking protrusion35coupled to the coupling slit45is disengaged, and then may be separated by depressing downward.

Then, the dust collected in the dust collection container31is thrown out, and in case the dust collection container31is coupled back to the cyclone body10, the upper end73of the operation bar75is guided by the passive coupling protrusions57formed on the flange56of the rotating filter52and moves to the center area. The passive coupling protrusions57of the rotating filter52and the active coupling protrusions73of the operation bar71are arranged such that they precisely locked. Then, the dust collection container13is rotated and by accommodating the locking protrusion35into the coupling slit45of the cyclone body10, the present filter assembly50may be simply coupled.

As described above, according to the present invention, a filter assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus of a vacuum cleaner in which the collected dust on the outer surface thereof may be simply removed is provided by manipulating the handling knob exposed on the bottom portion of the dust collection container and rotating the filter.

The present filter assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus of a vacuum cleaner not only reduces manufacturing cost through a simple composition but also the assembly and disassembly thereof is facilitated, and also may be easily manufactured since the guiding groove is not required between the dust collection container and the connection pipe of the cyclone body.