Cleaner

A cleaner includes a housing provided to receive a fan motor unit configured to generate a suction force and a dust collecting chamber provided to collect foreign substances, a suction head coupled to a lower portion of the housing to suck the foreign substances on a surface to be cleaned, a neck arranged between the suction head and the housing to connect the suction head to the housing, the neck rotatable with respect to the suction head and detachably coupled to the housing, a switch device arranged on one side of the neck to allow the neck and the housing to be coupled to each other or separated from each other, and a rotating body rotatably coupled to the neck and configured to lock or unlock the switch device according to a position of the neck with respect to the suction head.

BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosure relates to a cleaner, and more particularly, to a cleaner including an improved structure to increase user convenience.

Description of Related Art

A cleaner is a device configured to clean a room by removing rubbish, and a vacuum cleaner is generally used at the home. The vacuum cleaner uses suction power of a fan motor unit to suction air, and then sorts rubbish in the sucked air with a device such as a filter, thereby keeping the room clean.

The vacuum cleaner includes a suction head provided to suction rubbish such as hair on a surface to be cleaned by the suction force of air, a housing connected to the suction head, a main body provided inside the housing, and a neck provided to connect the housing to the suction head.

In general, a user presses a switch provided on the neck to separate the housing and the suction head from each other, or rotate the suction head or the housing to separate the housing and the suction head from each other. Alternatively, a switch is provided on the suction head and a user steps the switch to separate the housing and the suction head from each other.

However, in order to separate the housing and the suction head from each other, the user had to bend down to use the switch, and when the switch is provided on an upper portion of the suction head, the upper portion of the head protrudes, which may cause inconvenient to clean a space under furniture. Accordingly, there has been a demand for a switch device configured to easily separate the suction head and the housing from each other without bending at the waist, and configured to clean a space under the furniture.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a cleaner includes a housing to house a fan motor configured to generate a suction force, and a dust collecting chamber configured to collect foreign substances, a suction head having an air flow path, the suction head couplable to the housing and configured to guide the foreign substances along the air flow path, using the suction force generated by the fan motor, from a surface to be cleaned to the dust collecting chamber, a neck arranged between the suction head and the housing and configured to connect the suction head to the housing, the neck rotatable with respect to the suction head and couplable to and decouplable from the housing, a switch device disposed on one side of the neck to allow the neck and the housing to be couplable to and decouplable from each other, and a rotating body rotatably couplable to the neck and configured to lock the switch device while the neck is at a first position with respect to the suction head and unlock the switch device while the neck is at a second position with respect to the suction head.

The neck may include an outer case, an inner case disposed inside of the outer case and configured to receive the rotating body between the inner case and the outer case, a holder coupled to the rotating body and the inner case and configured to receive the rotating body, and a rotating shaft configured to rotatably couple the rotating body to the holder.

The rotating shaft may be coupled to an upper portion of the rotating body. A cross-section area of a lower portion of the rotating body may have a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of the upper portion of the rotating body to allow the center of gravity to be positioned at the lower portion of the rotating body.

At a position in which the neck is inclined with respect to the suction head, a lower surface of the rotating body may be in contact with the switch device.

In response to rotation of the neck with respect to the suction head, the rotating body may be rotated by gravity.

The switch device may include a switch button arranged outside the neck, and a switch member coupled to the housing and the switch button so that the housing and the neck are coupled to each other.

The switch member may be provided in plural, and a plurality of switch members may include a first switch member coupled to the switch button and in contact with the lower surface of the rotating body at a position of the neck in which the switch button is locked, and a second switch member arranged above the first switch member so as to be coupled to the first switch member, and including a coupling protrusion protruding to an inside of the neck to be coupled to the housing.

The housing may include a fastening protrusion provided at a lower end of the housing to be fastened to the coupling protrusion of the second switch member. The neck may include an outer case and an inner case disposed inside of the outer case and configured to receive the plurality of switch members and the rotating body between the inner case and the outer case. The coupling protrusion may protrude to an inside of the inner case and be fastened to the fastening protrusion.

The switch device may be rotatably coupled to the inner case, and in response to the switch button being pressed at a position of the neck in which the switch button is unlocked, the first switch member and the second switch member may be rotated to allow the coupling protrusion and the fastening protrusion to separate from each other.

The position of the neck in which the switch button is unlocked may be a position in which the neck is perpendicular to the suction head.

The position of the neck in which the switch button is locked may be a position in which the neck is inclined with respect to the suction head, and in response to the switch button being pressed at the position in which the neck is inclined with respect to the suction head, the first switch member may press the lower surface of the rotating body.

The neck may further include an elastic member arranged between the outer case and the second switch member and provided to elastically press the second switch member to allow the switch device to return to its original position after the switch button is pressed at the position of the neck in which the switch button is unlocked.

The switch button may be coupled to the neck in a rear side of the neck. The first switch member may include a first coupling portion arranged in an upper portion of the first switch member to be coupled to the second switch member, and the second switch member may include a second coupling portion arranged in a lower portion of the second switch member to be coupled to the first coupling portion of the first switch member. The first coupling portion may be arranged in a front side than the second coupling portion.

The switch device may further include a shaft provided in a lower side of the first coupling portion to allow the first switch member and the second switch member to be rotatable.

The elastic member may be arranged above the shaft.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a cleaner includes a housing provided to house a fan motor configured to generate a suction force, and a dust collecting chamber configured to collect foreign substances, a suction head having an airflow path, the suction head couplable to the housing and configured to guide the foreign substances along the air flow path, using the suction force generated by the fan motor, from a surface to be cleaned to the dust collecting chamber, a neck having a through hole to allow the suction head and the housing to be connected to each other, the neck couplable to and decouplable from the housing at a lower end of the housing, and a switch device coupled to the housing and the neck. The switch device includes a switch button including an insertion protrusion protruding toward the neck so as to be coupled to a rear surface of the neck, and a switch member including a recess provided to receive the insertion protrusion and a coupling protrusion protruding into the neck through the through hole of the neck, the switch member configured to be rotatable according to a pressure of the switch button so as to allow the housing and the neck to be couplable to and decouplable from each other.

The neck may include an outer case, and an inner case disposed inside of the outer case and configured to receive the switch member between the inner case and the outer case. The housing may include a fastening protrusion provided at the lower end of the housing to fasten to the coupling protrusion. The switch member includes a first switch member coupled to the switch button, and a second switch member arranged above the first switch member so as to be coupled to the first switch member, and including a coupling protrusion protruding to an inside of the neck to be coupled to the housing. In response to the switch button being pressed, the first switch member and the second switch member may be rotated to allow the coupling protrusion and the fastening protrusion to separate from each other.

The cleaner may further include a rotating body rotatably coupled to the neck, and configured to lock the switch device at a position in which the neck is inclined with respect to the suction head, and to unlock the switch device at a position in which the neck is perpendicular to the suction head.

In response to the switch button being pressed at the position in which the neck is inclined with respect to the suction head, the first switch member may press the lower surface of the rotating body.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a cleaner includes a housing to house a dust collecting chamber configured to collect foreign substances and a head assembly coupled to the housing to and configured to suction the foreign substances on a surface to be cleaned. The head assembly includes a suction head configured to guide the suctioned foreign substances on the surface to be cleaned to the dust collecting chamber, a neck arranged between the suction head and the housing to connect the suction head to the housing, a switch device configured to be pressed to separate the neck from the housing, f the switch device being arranged at a rear side of the neck, and a locking member configured to lock the switch device by being in contact with the switch device, so as to prevent the neck and the housing from being separated from each other at a position in which the neck is inclined with respect to the suction head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described in the disclosure and configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely examples of the embodiments of the disclosure, and may be modified in various different ways at the time of filing of the present application to replace the embodiments and drawings of the disclosure.

In addition, the same reference numerals or signs illustrated in the drawings of the disclosure indicate elements or components performing substantially the same function.

Also, the terms used herein are used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit and/or restrict the disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this disclosure, the terms “including”, “having”, and the like are used to specify features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, elements, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, but elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, a first element may be termed as a second element, and a second element may be termed as a first element. The term of “and/or” includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items.

In the following detailed description, the terms of “front side”, “rear side”, “left side”, “right side” and the like may be defined by the drawings, but the shape and the location of the component is not limited by the term.

Therefore, it is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a cleaner capable of easily separating a housing from a suction head.

It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a cleaner capable of preventing a housing from easily separating from a suction head during use of the cleaner.

It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a cleaner having improved aesthetics.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. Hereinafter an embodiment according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. InFIG.1, a portion in which a head assembly10is arranged may be defined as a front side, and a portion in which a handle90is arranged may be defined as a rear side. That is, it may be defined that air is introduced from the front side of a cleaner1and discharged to the rear side. However, the shape and position of each component is not limited by the terms defined in this way.

FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating a cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.2is an exploded-perspective view illustrating the cleaner illustrated inFIG.1.FIG.3is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cleaner illustrated inFIG.1.

Referring toFIGS.1to3, the cleaner1may include a head assembly10, a housing20coupled to the head assembly10, and a main body30movably provided inside the housing20.

The head assembly10may include a suction head11provided to suck rubbish, such as hair on a surface to be cleaned, by a suction force of air. The suction head11is provided to suck rubbish such as dust placed on a surface to be cleaned while moving on the surface to be cleaned. The head assembly10may include the suction head11, a neck100, and a switch device200.

An air flow path11amay be formed inside the suction head11. The air flow path11aformed inside the suction head11may communicate with the housing20through the neck100. Outside air and rubbish introduced through the suction head11may be moved into the housing20through the neck100.

The neck100may be coupled to a lower end of the housing20. The neck100may be coupled to the housing20through the switch device200. For example, in the neck100, a coupling protrusion231provided in the switch device200may be fastened to a fastening protrusion21aprovided in a lower end of the housing (refer toFIG.4).

The neck100may be rotatably coupled to the suction head11. As the neck100is rotated about the suction head11, the suction head11may be rotated about the housing20connected to the neck100. Accordingly, a degree of freedom of the driving the cleaner1may be improved.

The switch device200is configured to fix or release a coupling state between the head assembly10and the housing20. For example, the switch device200may couple the head assembly10to the housing20or separate the housing20from the head assembly10. A user may operate the switch device200to separate the housing20from the head assembly10. The switch device200may be arranged on one side of the neck100. For example, the switch device200may be arranged in a rear side of the neck100. As the switch device200is arranged on the head assembly10, the user can separate the housing20from the head assembly10(for example, the suction head11) by operating the switch device200using the foot without bending at the waist.

The housing20may form a portion of an exterior of the cleaner1. One end21of the housing20may be mounted to the head assembly10. Particularly, the one end21of the housing20may be mounted to the neck100. The main body30may be movably fixed to other end22of the housing20. The housing20may include a hollow22formed to allow the main body30to be movably inserted therein, and a fixing portion27formed on the other end22of the housing20. The main body30may be received in the housing20. For example, the main body30may be inserted into the hollow23. The fixing portion27may couple the main body30to the housing20so as to fix the main body30and the housing20.

The main body30may be slidably coupled to the housing20. It is possible to separate the main body30from the housing20to discharge rubbish, which is filtered out in dust collecting chambers81and82arranged in the main body30, to the outside. With respect to the housing20, the main body30may be movable between a first position for closing the dust collecting chambers81and82and a second position for opening the dust collecting chambers81and82.

The main body30may include an extended portion31forming a part of an exterior of the cleaner1. A space31aprovided to receive an electric wire extending toward an operation switch91may be formed inside the extended portion31. In the space31a, a wire W provided to connect a fixing release button (not shown) to a fixing device (not shown) may be received.

The main body30may include the handle90. The handle90may be arranged at the rear of the extended portion31. The handle90may be arranged at the other end opposite to one end at which an opening and closing device60of the main body30is arranged. For example, the opening and closing device60may be arranged on the lower end of the main body30, and the handle90may be arranged on an upper end of the main body30. When a user uses the cleaner1, the user may push or pull the head assembly10by gripping the handle90.

The handle90may be provided with the operation switch91for controlling an operation of the cleaner1. The operation switch91is provided to receive a command for operating the cleaner1from the user. The operation switch91may be arranged adjacent to the handle90to allow the user to operate the cleaner1while the user moves the cleaner1. For example, the operation switch91may be arranged in the front side of the handle90.

The main body30may include a battery mounting portion32. A battery33may be mounted in the battery mounting portion32. One or two or more batteries33may be provided. The battery mounting portion32may be located inside the housing20.

The main body30may be provided with the fan motor unit40configured to generate a suction force necessary to suck rubbish on a surface to be cleaned. The fan motor unit40may be configured to introduce outside air through the head assembly10and discharge the suctioned air through a discharge port (not shown) arranged on a rear surface of the housing20. The fan motor unit40in a state of being mounted on the main body30may be arranged inside the housing20. The fan motor unit40may include a fan motor42.

A motor filter46may be provided in the main body30. The motor filter46may be provided to once again filter out the rubbish in the air before being introduced into the fan motor unit40. The motor filter46may be arranged in front of the fan motor unit40along a direction in which the air passing through a rubbish separation device51is discharged. The motor filter46may be arranged between the fan motor unit40and the rubbish separation device51. The motor filter46may filter out rubbish from the air passing through the rubbish separation device51. The motor filter46may be provided as a mesh member.

The motor filter46may be detachably mounted to a filter case47. The motor filter46in a state of being mounted on the filter case47of the main body30may be arranged inside the housing20. The motor filter46of the cleaner1according to an embodiment of the disclosure may prevent the fan motor unit40from being damaged by rubbish or the like, and allow relatively clean air to be discharged.

The dust collecting chambers81and82may be formed inside the housing20. The dust collecting chambers81and82may be provided in plural. The plurality of dust collecting chambers81and82may include a first dust collecting chamber81and a second dust collecting chamber82. In addition, a filtering device83may be provided inside the housing20. The first dust collecting chamber81may collect rubbish that is filtered out when air, which is introduced through the head assembly10, passes through the filtering device83through the neck100.

Air passing through the filtering device83may be secondarily filtered by the rubbish separation device51. The rubbish filtered out by the rubbish separation device51may be collected in the second dust collecting chamber82. The air filtered in the rubbish separation device51may be moved toward the motor filter46.

The main body30may include the rubbish separation device51. The rubbish separation device51may include a cyclone. The rubbish separation device51may separate rubbish, which is not filtered out in the first dust collecting chamber81, from the air by using a centrifugal force. Because the rubbish separation device51separates the rubbish from the air passing through the filtering device83in a different way from the filtering device83, the cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure may increase the cleaning efficiency.

The cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be provided such that a portion of the main body30, in which the fan motor unit40is arranged, is partitioned from the battery mounting portion32. That is, air flowing by the fan motor unit40may not be moved to the battery mounting portion32and the handle90, but directly discharged through a motor discharge port41and a discharge port (not shown) of the housing20. Accordingly, the cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure may minimize the discharge of the air toward the user.

The main body30may include the opening and closing device60configured to open and close the first dust collecting chamber81. The opening and closing device60may be arranged at an end portion of the main body30facing the head assembly10. For example, the opening and closing device60may be arranged on the lower end portion of the main body30.

The main body30may include a first rubbish removing member70provided to discharge the rubbish from the first dust collecting chamber81. The first rubbish removing member70may be provided to slide on the first dust collecting chamber81. A first rubbish removing portion72may be composed of a material having elasticity. The first rubbish removing portion72may be formed to be in close contact with an inner wall of the filtering device83. The first rubbish removing portion72may be provided to be in close contact with one surface, on which rubbish is filtered out, of the filtering device83. In response to the main body30sliding with respect to the housing20, the first rubbish removing portion72may slide while being in close contact with the inner surface of the filtering device83. In response to the main body30being moved to the inside of the housing20, the first dust removing portion72may scrape the inner surface of the filtering device83and remove the rubbish, such as hair, tangled on the inner surface of the filtering device83.

The first rubbish removing member70may be moved from a first position between the filtering device83and the rubbish separation device51to a second position protruding to the outside of the housing20. Accordingly, the first rubbish removing member70may discharge the rubbish collected in the first dust collecting chamber81to the outside. In addition, because the first rubbish removing member70protrudes to the outside of the housing20, dust collected in the second dust collecting chamber82may also be discharged to the outside.

The main body30may include a first connection portion69provided to connect the first rubbish removing member70to the opening and closing device60. The first connection portion69may be arranged in the first dust collecting chamber81. The first rubbish removing member70may be interlocked with the opening and closing device60by the first connection portion69.

A discharge opening68may be formed between the plurality of first connection portions69. The discharge opening68may be formed between the first rubbish removing member70and the opening and closing device60. In response to the opening and closing device60opening the first dust collecting chamber81and in response to the first rubbish removing member70discharging the rubbish from the first dust collecting chamber81, the rubbish may be discharged to the outside through the discharge opening68.

The main body30may include a second rubbish removing member75provided to discharge the rubbish from the second dust collecting chamber82. The second rubbish removing member75may be provided to slide on the second dust collecting chamber82and the first dust collecting chamber81. The second dust collecting chamber82may be formed between the first rubbish removing member70and the second rubbish removing member75.

The main body30may include a second connection portion79provided to connect the first rubbish removing member70to the second rubbish removing member75. The second connection portion79may be arranged in the second dust collecting chamber82. The second rubbish removing member75may be interlocked with the first rubbish removing member70by the second connection portion79.

FIG.4is a perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of the housing20and the neck100in the cleaner illustrated inFIG.1.

Referring toFIG.4, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the housing20may be connected to the head assembly10. The neck100may be respectively coupled to the housing20and the suction head11so as to connect the housing20to the suction head11. For example, the one end21of the housing20may be coupled to the neck100.

The housing20may include the fastening protrusion21a. The fastening protrusion21amay be formed on the one end21of the housing20. The fastening protrusion21amay protrude from one end of the housing20in an −X direction. For example, the fastening protrusion21amay protrude rearward from one end of the housing20. The fastening protrusion21amay be fastened to the coupling protrusion231provided on the switch device200. In response to the fastening protrusion21abeing coupled to the coupling protrusion231, the fastening protrusion21amay be arranged under the coupling protrusion231. Accordingly, the housing20may be coupled to the switch device200. Because the switch device200is coupled to the neck100, the neck100may be coupled to the housing20.

FIG.5is an exploded-perspective view illustrating the neck100of the cleaner illustrated inFIG.1.FIG.6is an exploded-perspective view illustrating the neck100of the cleaner illustrated inFIG.5when viewed from another angle.

Referring toFIGS.5and6, the neck100according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an outer case110and an inner case120provided inside the outer case110. The outer case110and the inner case120may be provided in a substantially cylindrical shape.

The outer case110may include a first case portion110aand a second case portion110b. The first case portion110amay be arranged in an X direction, and the second case portion110bmay be arranged in the −X direction. For example, the first case portion110amay be provided on the front side, and the second case portion110bmay be provided on the rear side. The second case portion110bmay include an elastic member receiving portion111provided to receive an elastic member150between the second case portion110band the inner case120. For example, the elastic member receiving portion111may be provided in a rear portion of the outer case110. In addition, the elastic member receiving portion111may protrude from the rear portion of the outer case110toward the front side to receive the elastic member150. The second case portion110bmay include a penetrating portion112.

The penetrating portion112may be provided as an opening to allow an insertion protrusion212of a switch button210to be inserted into an insertion groove223of a first switch member220.

The inner case120may be arranged inside the outer case110. The inner case120may include a recessed portion120aand a through hole120b. The recessed portion120amay be formed by being recessed from the inner surface of the inner case120. The recessed portion120amay be provided in a shape corresponding to the lower end21of the housing20. The through hole120bmay be formed to penetrate the recessed portion120a. In response to the housing20being coupled to the neck100, the coupling protrusion231of the second switch member230may pass through the through hole120band then be fastened to the coupling protrusion21aof the housing20. The recessed portion120aand the through hole120bmay be provided on the −X direction side of the inner case120. For example, the recessed portion120aand the through hole120bmay be provided in a rear portion of the inner case120. The recessed portion120aand the through hole120bmay be provided in plural. For example, two recessed portions120aand two through holes120bmay be provided. However, the number of the recessed portion120aand the through-holes120bis not limited thereto.

The inner case120may include a shaft mounting portion121and a screw groove122. The shaft mounting portion121may be formed to correspond to a shaft221to be coupled to the shaft221of the first switch member220. For example, the shaft mounting portion121may be provided in the rear portion of the inner case120. The shaft mounting portion121may be provided to support the shaft221. For example, the shaft mounting portion121may include two mounting portions protruding rearward and in which a middle portion of the shaft mounting portion121is recessed. However, the shape and/or the number of the shaft mounting portion121is not limited to the above example. The screw groove122may be coupled to a screw135to couple a holder130to the inner case120.

The neck100according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include the holder130, a rotating shaft140, and the elastic member150.

The holder130may be provided outside a rotating member300. The holder130may allow the rotating member300to be rotated smoothly within the inner case120. The holder130may prevent the rotating member300from being separated from the inner case120. The holder130may be mounted on the cases110and120. For example, the holder130may be mounted on the inner case120to couple the rotating member300to the inner case120. The holder130may include a holder body130a, a receiving portion131, a case coupling portion132, a mounting hole133, a shaft coupling portion134, and the screw135.

The receiving portion131may be formed inside the holder body130a. For example, the receiving portion131may be formed in a middle portion of the holder body130a. The receiving portion131may be hollow in the holder body130a. The receiving portion131may receive the rotating member300to allow the rotating member300to be naturally rotated according to gravity during use of the cleaner. A portion of the rotating shaft140may be received in an upper portion of the receiving portion131.

The case coupling portion132may be provided on opposite sides of the holder body130a. That is, the case coupling portion132may be provided in plural. The case coupling portion132may protrude from the holder body130ato opposite sides to allow the holder130to be mounted on the inner case120. For example, the case coupling portion132may protrude from the holder body130ain a Y direction and/or a −Y direction. A holder coupling portion (not shown) corresponding to the case coupling portion132may be provided in the inner case120. The holder coupling portion may be provided under the shaft mounting portion121.

The mounting hole133may be provided at an upper portion of the holder body130a. The mounting hole133may allow the screw135to pass therethrough. The screw135may pass through the mounting hole133so as to be coupled to the screw groove122provided in the inner case120. The screw135may be inserted into the screw groove122in the X direction. For example, the screw135may be inserted into the screw groove122toward the front. Accordingly, the screw135may allow the holder130to be coupled to the inner case120.

The shaft coupling portion134may be provided to allow the rotating shaft140to be coupled to the holder body130a. The shaft coupling portion134may penetrate the holder body130a.

The rotating shaft140may be coupled to the rotating member300and the holder130. The rotating shaft140may be coupled to the shaft coupling portion303of the rotating member300and the shaft coupling portion134of the holder130, respectively. The rotating shaft140may allow the rotating member300to be rotatably coupled to the holder130. The rotating shaft140may be received in the inner case120.

The elastic member150may be arranged between the inner case120and the outer case110. Further, the elastic member150may be arranged between the second switch member230and the second case portion110b. The elastic member150may be arranged above the shaft221. Accordingly, the elastic member150may elastically press the switch member220and230to allow the plurality of switch members220and230to return to a process that is before the process in which the neck100and the housing20are separated from each other. Details will be described later.

The cleaner1according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the switch device200. The switch device200is configured to couple the housing20to the head assembly10or to separate the housing20from the head assembly10. For example, the switch device200may couple the housing20to the neck100or separate the housing20from the neck100. A user may separate the housing20from the neck100by stepping on the switch device200with a foot. The switch device200may be arranged at the rear of the neck100. Accordingly, the user may separate the housing20from the head assembly10(e.g., the neck100) by operating the switch device200using the foot without bending at the waist.

The switch device200may include the switch button210and switch members220and230. The switch button210may be provided at the rear of the neck100to be pressed by the user. Because the switch button210is provided on the outside of the neck100(e.g., the rear of the neck100), the user can easily separate the neck100and the housing20by stepping on the switch button210with the feet. The switch button210may include a pushing portion211, the insertion protrusion212, a cover member213, and a connection shaft214.

The pushing portion211may be pushed by a user. The pushing portion211may extend in the Y direction and/or the −Y direction to be pressed by the user. For example, the user may press the pushing portion211in a −Z direction (e.g., downward direction). The shape of the pushing portion211is not limited to the illustrated example.

The insertion protrusion212may protrude in the X direction to be inserted into the first switch member220. For example, the insertion protrusion212may protrude toward the front side. The insertion protrusion212may be inserted into the insertion groove223of the first switch member220. The insertion protrusion212may include a plurality of protrusion shapes. However, the shape of the insertion protrusion212is not limited to that illustrated in the drawings.

The cover member213may be coupled to opposite ends of the pushing portion211to cover the opposite ends of the pushing portion211. The connection shaft214may protrude toward an inside of the switch button210to allow a wheel240, which is mounted on the switch button210, to be coupled thereto. The connection shaft214may protrude in the −Y direction and/or the Y direction.

The switch members220and230may be coupled to the switch button210to allow the housing20and the neck100to be coupled to each other and/or separated from each other. The switch members220and230may be arranged between the inner case120and the outer case110. That is, the switch members220and230may be received in the cases110and120. The switch members220and230may be provided in plural. The plurality of switch members220and230may include the first switch member220and a second switch member230.

The first switch member220may be coupled to the switch button210. The first switch member220may be arranged under the second switch member230. The first switch member220may include a body220a, the shaft221, an insertion portion222, the insertion groove223, a first coupling portion224, and a contact portion225.

The shaft221may be provided in a middle portion of the body220a. The shaft221may allow the plurality of switch members220and230to be rotated according to whether the switch button210is pressed. The shaft221may be coupled to the shaft coupling portion134. The shaft221may be supported by the shaft coupling portion134. The switch members220and230may be rotated by the shaft221, and thus the housing20and the neck100may be coupled to each other or separated from each other. Details will be described later.

The insertion portion222may be provided in an upper portion of the body220a. The insertion portion222may extend in a Z direction (e.g., upward direction) and be inserted into an insertion hole234of the second switch member230. The insertion portion222may be placed in the insertion hole234. The insertion portion222may be inserted into the second switch member230.

The insertion groove223may correspond to the insertion protrusion212of the switch button210. The insertion groove223may be a recess223to receive the insertion protrusion212. Because the insertion groove223is coupled to the insertion protrusion212, the switch button210may be systematically coupled to the first switch member220, and the switch device200may be simultaneously rotated according to whether the user presses the pushing portion211.

The first coupling portion224may be coupled to the second coupling portion232of the second switch member230. In addition, the first coupling portion224may be arranged under the second coupling portion232to be coupled to the second coupling portion232. In addition, the first coupling portion224may be arranged in the front side than the second coupling portion232. Accordingly, the first switch member220and the second switch member230may be systematically rotated and/or moved. In response to the first switch member220being coupled to the second switch member230, the first coupling portion224may be placed in front of the second coupling portion232. Details will be described later.

The contact portion225may be provided in a lower portion of the first switch member220. The contact portion225may be in contact with the rotating member300in response to the neck100being separated from the housing20, or in response to the neck100being in a second position P2. The second position P2may be a position in which the neck100is inclined with respect to the suction head11. The contact portion225may protrude from the lower portion of the body220aof the first switch member220in the X-axis direction (e.g., forward).

The second switch member230may be coupled to the first switch member220. Because the first switch member220is coupled to the switch button210, the second switch member230may be rotated and/or moved according to whether the switch button210is pressed. The second switch member230may be provided above the first switch member220and the switch button210. The second switch member230includes a body230a, an extended portion230b, the coupling protrusion231and the second coupling portion232, an elastic member receiving portion233, and the insertion hole234.

The extended portion230bmay extend from a middle portion of the body230ato opposite sides. The extended portion230bmay extend in the Y direction and/or the −Y direction. For example, the extended portion230bmay extend in a left and/or right direction.

The coupling protrusion231may allow the neck100and the housing20to be coupled to each other. The coupling protrusion231may be coupled to the fastening protrusion21aof the housing20. For example, in response to the coupling protrusion231being coupled to the fastening protrusion21a, the coupling protrusion231may be arranged above the coupling protrusion21aand the coupling protrusion21amay be arranged below the coupling protrusion231. The coupling protrusion231may protrude from the extended portion230bin the X direction. For example, the coupling protrusion231may protrude forward from the extended portion230b. The coupling protrusion231may protrude forward and be arranged inside the inner case120. The coupling protrusion231may be provided in plural to allow the switch device200to be stably coupled to the housing20. However, the number and/or shape of the coupling protrusion231is not limited to the example illustrated in the drawings or the example described above.

The second coupling portion232may be coupled to the first coupling portion224of the first switch member220. Accordingly, the first switch member220and the second switch member230may be systematically rotated and/or moved. In response to the first switch member220being coupled to the second switch member230, the first coupling portion224may be placed in front of the second coupling portion232. Accordingly, in response to the first coupling portion224being rotated rearward (clockwise in the drawing) according to the rotation of the shaft221, the second coupling portion232arranged at the rear of the first coupling portion224may be rotated accordingly. Therefore, the first switch member220and the second switch member230may be systematically rotated.

The elastic member receiving portion233of the second switch member230may receive the elastic member150between the elastic member receiving portion233and the elastic member receiving portion111of the outer case110. The elastic member receiving portion233may be formed on a rear surface of the body230a. The insertion portion222of the first switch member220may be inserted into the insertion hole234. Accordingly, the second switch member230and the first switch member220may be coupled to each other.

The switch device200may further include the wheel240and a fastener250. The wheel240may be coupled to the switch button210. The wheel240may assist the movement of the cleaner1during use of the cleaner1. The fastener250may allow the first switch member220and the switch button210to be coupled to each other. The fastener250may be inserted into the insertion protrusion212and the insertion groove223in the X-direction (e.g., forward).

The cleaner1according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the rotating member300. The rotating member300may be rotatably coupled to the inner case120. The rotating member300may be arranged between the inner case120and the outer case110. Particularly, the rotating member300may be received in the holder130. The rotating member300may be coupled to the holder130by the rotating shaft140. The holder130may be coupled to the inner case120by the case coupling portion132. Accordingly, the rotating member300may be rotated in the inner case120through the rotating shaft140according to the movement of the cleaner1and/or the neck100. The rotating member300may include a first point301and a second point302. For example, the first point301may be provided above the second point302. A center of gravity may be arranged in a lower portion of the rotating member300. For example, the rotating member300may be a mass body. The rotating member300may be referred to as a rotating body300. The first point301may be an upper portion of the rotating body300. The second point302may be a lower portion of the rotating body300. A cross-sectional area of the rotating body300at the second point302may be greater than a cross-sectional area of the rotating body300at the first point301. The rotating body300may prevent the housing20and the neck100from being separated, which is caused by the pressure of the switch device200, during use of the cleaner1. For example, in response to the neck100being in the second position P2, the rotating body300may lock the switching device200to prevent the neck100and the housing20from being separated from each other. The second position P2may be a position in which the neck100is inclined with respect to the suction head11. The rotating member300may be a locking member300. Details will be described later.

FIG.7is a cross-sectional view illustrating the neck100of the cleaner illustrated inFIG.3.FIG.8is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of separating the housing20from the neck in the cleaner100illustrated inFIG.7.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the neck100may include the first position P1and the second position P2. For example, the neck100may be located in the first position P1in which the neck100is separable from the housing20or the second position P2in which the neck100is fixed to the housing20. The first position P1of the neck100may be a position in which the neck100is substantially perpendicular to the suction head11. That is, an angle between the neck100and the suction head11may be approximately 90 degrees. In general, the angle between the neck100and the suction head11being approximately 90 degrees may indicate that the user stops using the cleaner. Therefore, in order that that the neck100and the housing20are separated from each in response to the operation of the cleaner being stopped, the neck100and the housing20may be separatable from each other in response to the neck100being in the first position P1. However, the cleaner1may be operated even when the neck100is in the first position P1. Accordingly, the air sucked into the cleaner1, which is the air containing rubbish, may pass through the air flow path11aand the first dust collecting chamber81sequentially.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in response to the neck100being in the first position P1, the rotating member300may not be in contact with the switch device200. For example, in response to the neck100being in the first position P1, since the rotating member300may be not in contact with the first switch member220, so the neck100may not be locked.

In response to the neck100being in the first position P1, the housing20and the neck100may be coupled to each other. For example, the fastening protrusion21aand the coupling protrusion231may be fastened to each other. Although not illustrated inFIG.7, the fastening protrusion21amay be coupled to the coupling protrusion231under the coupling protrusion231.

As illustrated inFIG.8, the user may press the pushing portion211. For example, the pushing portion211may be pressed downward by the user. At this time, the switch button210may be rotated (clockwise in the drawing) while being moved downward. That is, because the shaft221of the first switch member220is mounted on the shaft mounting portion121, the switch button210may also be rotated in response to rotation of the shaft221. In other words, the switch button210and the first switch member220may be rotated in association with each other by the user's pressure. In this case, the first switch member220may be in contact with a side surface of the rotating body300. The first switch member220may push the rotating body300so as to rotate the rotating body300at a predetermined angle. Because the second switch member230and the first switch member220are coupled to each other by the coupling portions224and232, the insertion portion222and the insertion hole234, the second switch member230and the first switch member220may be rotated in association with each other. Accordingly, the coupling protrusion231may be separated from the through hole120bin the −X direction (e.g., rearward). In this case, the fastening protrusion21aand the coupling protrusion231may be separated from each other. In a state in which the coupling protrusion231is separated from the fastening protrusion21aand separated from the through hole120b, the housing20and the neck100may be separated from each other in response to the housing20being moved in the Z direction (e.g., upward) by the user. Accordingly, the user can easily separate the housing20from the neck100without bending at the waist and pressing the button. In addition, after separating the housing20from the neck100, the user may easily treat the rubbish collected in the dust collecting chamber.

In response to the first switch member220and the second switch member230being rotated by pressing the pushing portion211, the elastic member150provided in the upper portion of the second switch member230between the second switch member230and the outer case110may be compressed. That is, a compressive force may be generated in the elastic member150. Accordingly, a force to return to an original state is generated in the elastic member150, and thus the elastic member150may elastically press the second switch member230. For example, the elastic member150may press the second switch member230in the X direction (e.g., forward) to allow the second switch member230to return to the state before the second switch member230presses the pushing portion211. As a result, in response to the pressing of the pushing portion211being stopped by the user, the switch device200may return to the state, which is illustrated inFIG.7, by the elastic member150.

The cleaner may include a cover member170provided to cover an upper end of the cases110and120in a region in which the housing20and the neck100are coupled or separated between the housing20and the neck100.

FIG.9is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cleaner illustrated inFIG.1.FIG.10is a cross-sectional view illustrating the neck100of the cleaner illustrated inFIG.9.

Referring toFIGS.9and10, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second position P2of the neck100may be a position in which the neck100is inclined with respect to the suction head11.FIG.9illustrates the main body30inclined with respect to the head assembly10, as illustrated with an arrow “A”. The second position P2may be a position in which the neck100is not substantially perpendicular to the suction head11. For example, the angle between the neck100and the suction head11may be less than about 90 degrees. In response to the neck100being in the second position P2, the cleaner1may be operated. Accordingly, the air sucked into the cleaner1, which is air containing rubbish, may pass through the air flow path11aand the first dust collecting chamber81sequentially.

The rotating member300may be rotatably coupled to the holder130of the neck100. The rotating member300may be rotated by gravity. Accordingly, the rotating member300may be rotated as the cleaner moves and the angle between the neck100and the suction head11is changed. In response to the neck100being in the second position P2, the rotating member300may be in contact with the switch device200to lock the switch device200. For example, a lower surface302of the rotating member300may be in contact with the contact portion225. The second point302of the rotating member300may correspond to the lower surface302of the rotating member300. In response to the switch button210being pressed in a state in which the neck100is in an inclined position with the suction head11, the first switch member220may press the lower surface302of the rotating member300. For example, the contact portion225may be in contact with the lower surface302of the rotating member300to press the lower surface302. However, in response to pressing the lower surface302of the rotating member300, unlike pressing the side surface of the rotating member300, the rotating member300may not be rotated and thus the switch button210and/or the switch member220and230may not be rotated. Accordingly, the switch device200may be locked.

The rotating member300may correspond to a locking member300. The locking member300may lock the switch device200to prevent the housing20and the neck100from being separated. Therefore, in general, the switch button210may be pressed due to surrounding objects during the user uses the cleaner. Even in this case, the locking member300may lock the switch device200, and thus the neck100and the housing20may not be separated, as illustrated in the drawings.

For example, the first switch member220may be in contact with the second point302of the rotating member300. The second point302of the rotating member300may be provided to be inclined downward so as to have a larger cross-sectional area than the first point301of the rotating member300. Because the cross-sectional area at the second point302of the rotating member300is larger than the cross-sectional area at the first point301, the rotating member300may be easily rotated by gravity.

Because the switch device200is locked as the rotating member300is in contact with the first switch member220, even if the user steps on the switch button210or the switch button210is pressed due to an object, the first switch member220and the second switch member230may not be rotated. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an accident in which the housing20and the neck100are separated from each other unexpectedly. As a result, the user can easily perform cleaning without having to worry that the housing20and the neck100are unexpectedly separated.

As is apparent from the above description, a cleaner may easily separate a housing from a suction head by using a switch device arranged on one side of a neck.

Further, a cleaner may prevent a housing from separating from a suction head because a switch device is locked during use of the cleaner.