Cyclone dust collector and vacuum cleaning device having the same

In a cyclone dust collector and a vacuum cleaning device having the same, foreign substances can be prevented from being attached on an outer circumferential surface of a grill located at an outlet part, so that an inhalation force of the vacuum cleaning device can be prevented from being lowered. Also, foreign substances collected in the cyclone dust collector can be easily removed. The vacuum cleaning device includes: a cyclone dust collector, wherein the cyclone dust collector includes: a cyclone chamber in which air introduced through an inlet part is whirled and dust is separated from the air; an outlet part disposed so that the air from which the dust is separated is discharged from the cyclone chamber; and a grill that is rotatably disposed in the outlet part.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-043290, filed on Mar. 27, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a cyclone dust collector having improved usability and a vacuum cleaning device having the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Vacuum cleaning devices are devices that inhale (or intake) air by an inhalation (or intake) force generated by a fan and a motor, and filter foreign substances included in the inhaled air, thereby performing a cleaning operation.

Vacuum cleaning devices include a dust collecting unit disposed therein in which foreign substances are filtered using a predetermined filtering device to filter foreign substances from inhaled air. A filtering mechanism in which the foreign substances are filtered in the dust collecting unit includes a porous filter unit in which the foreign substances are forcibly filtered while air passes through a porous filter, and a cyclone type dust collecting unit in which foreign substances are filtered during a cyclone flow of air.

Cyclone dust collecting devices can be widely used in a canister type cleaning device, an up-right type cleaning device, and a handy type cleaning device.

Cyclone dust collecting devices may include an inlet part through which air is introduced and an outlet part through which air is discharged to the outside of the cyclone dust collecting device. The air introduced through the inlet part may be discharged to the outside through the outlet part after foreign substances included in the air are filtered from the air.

A grill part may be disposed in the outlet part. Air through holes may be formed in the grill part so that dust having more than a predetermined size cannot escape from the outlet part. Large dust or hair may be collected on an outer circumferential surface of the grill part due to whirling (or circulating) air of the cyclone dust collecting device. When the air through holes are clogged by dust attached to the outer circumferential surface of the grill part, an inhalation force of a vacuum cleaning device may be lowered. Also, there are inconveniences in that a user should directly remove the dust attached to the outer circumferential surface of the grill part using his/her hand.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a cyclone dust collector that is capable of preventing an inhalation force from being lowered, and a vacuum cleaning device having the same.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a cyclone dust collector that is capable of easily removing foreign substances in the cyclone dust collector, and a vacuum cleaning device having the same.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaning device including a cyclone dust collector, wherein the cyclone dust collector may include: an inlet part to intake air; a cyclone chamber, coupled to the inlet part, to circulate the air and to separate dust from the air; an outlet part, coupled to the cyclone chamber, to discharge from the cyclone chamber the air from which the dust is separated; a grill, rotatably disposed in the outlet part, to rotate and to filter the dust from the air; and a fan disposed in the outlet part to be rotatable about a rotational axis, wherein the grill is mounted on the fan, and the grill has a grill surface intersecting the rotational axis of the fan.

The cyclone dust collector may further include a fan disposed to be rotatable about a rotation shaft, and the grill is mounted on the fan.

The grill may be rotated by an inhalation force.

The fan may include: a first fan in which the fan is disposed to rotate in one direction by an inhalation force; and a second fan that generates an air current that disturbs an air current caused by the inhalation force.

The second fan may be disposed at an outer circumference of the first fan.

The fan may include: a rotation shaft mounting part on which the rotation shaft is mounted; a fan case spaced a predetermined distance outward from the rotation shaft mounting part; a first fan disposed to connect the rotation shaft mounting part and the fan case; and a second fan disposed at an outside of the fan case.

The cyclone dust collector may further include a grill case in which the fan is rotatably accommodated.

The grill case may be mounted on the outlet part.

The rotation shaft may be disposed at the grill case.

The rotation shaft may be disposed in the grill case and may be supported by a plurality of ribs that extend from an inner side surface of the grill case.

Bearings may be disposed between the rotation shaft and the rotation shaft mounting part so that the fan is rotatable.

When the fan rotates, the second fan may extend so that air is introduced into the cyclone chamber through the outlet part and the air is prevented from being introduced into a space between the fan case and the grill case.

The fan case, the first fan, and the second fan may be integrally injection-molded.

The grill may be inserted and injection-molded when the fan is injection-molded.

A fine filter may be disposed at an upper portion of the outlet part and may filter dust in the air that passes through the grill.

The grill may be disposed on a bottom surface of the fan.

The vacuum cleaning device may further include a grill frame on which the grill is mounted, wherein the grill frame may be disposed to be rotated integrally with the fan.

The grill may be disposed to surround sides of the grill frame.

A side fan that generates an air current that disturbs an air current caused by an inhalation force may be disposed on an outer side surface of the grill frame.

The grill may be disposed in a conical shape.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cyclone dust collector including: a cyclone chamber to circulate inhaled air and to separate dust from the air; an outlet part to discharge the air from which the dust is separated in the cyclone chamber to an outside of the cyclone chamber; and a grill, rotatably disposed in the outlet part, to rotate and to filter dust from the air introduced through the outlet part.

The grill may be mounted on a fan that is rotatably disposed due to an inhalation force.

The fan may include: a first fan that extends outward from a center of the fan so that the fan is rotated in one direction by an inhalation force; and a second fan that is disposed at an outside of the first fan and forms an air current in an opposite direction to that of an air current caused by the inhalation force.

The fan may include a fan case, and the first fan may be located inside the fan case, and the second fan may be located outside the fan case.

The cyclone dust collector may further include a grill case mounted on the outlet part, wherein the fan may be rotatably accommodated in the grill case.

When the fan rotates due to an inhalation force, an air current that disturbs an air current caused by an inhalation force may be generated by the second fan and thus air is prevented from being discharged through a gap between an outer side surface of the fan case and an inner side surface of the grill case.

The cyclone dust collector may further include a fine filter through which air discharged through the outlet part passes.

The cyclone dust collector may further include a cover that covers an upper portion of the cyclone chamber and is capable of being opened/closed.

A discharge pipe that is in communication with the outlet part may be disposed in a bottom surface of the cover, and the grill may be mounted in the discharge pipe.

The grill may be mounted in the discharge pipe through a grill case.

A gasket including an elastic material may be disposed between the grill case and the discharge pipe.

The cyclone dust collector may further include a dust collection chamber that is in communication with the cyclone chamber so that dust separated in the cyclone chamber is collected.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cyclone dust collector including: a cyclone chamber to circulate inhaled air and to separate dust from the air; an outlet part to discharge the air from which the dust is separated is to an outside; a fan, included in the outlet part, to rotate; and a grill, connected to the fan, to rotate integrally with the fan.

The fan may be disposed to rotate due to an inhalation force that allows the air to be introduced into the cyclone chamber.

The cyclone dust collector may further include a grill case in which the fan is accommodated, wherein the grill case may be mounted in the outlet part.

A side fan may be disposed on an outer side surface of the fan to generate an air current that disturbs an air current caused by an inhalation force introduced into the cyclone chamber.

The cyclone dust collector may further include a grill frame on which the grill is mounted, wherein the grill frame may be connected to the fan and is rotatable integrally with the fan.

The cyclone dust collector may further include a grill case on which the grill frame is mounted, wherein the grill case may be mounted in the outlet part.

A side fan for generating an air current that disturbs an air current caused by an inhalation force introduced into the cyclone chamber may be disposed on an outer side surface of the grill frame.

A cover that is capable of being opened/closed is further disposed at an upper portion of the cyclone chamber, and wherein a fine filter through which the air discharged through the outlet part passes, may be disposed in the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a cyclone dust collector and a vacuum cleaning device having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a view of a vacuum cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 2is a view illustrating a state in which a cyclone dust collector and a main body are separated from each other according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a vacuum cleaning device1according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a canister type vacuum cleaning device. The vacuum cleaning device1may include a main body10, a cyclone dust collector40mounted on the main body10, and a suction unit21that contacts a surface to be cleaned and inhales air. The cyclone dust collector40circulates air by generating a whirling air current and separates dust from the air using a centrifugal force.

The main body10includes a fan motor (not shown) that generates an inhalation (or intake) force. The suction unit21may inhale (or intake) air on the surface to be cleaned and dust included in the air due to the inhalation force generated in the main body10. The suction unit21may be disposed in a slightly wide and flat shape to be close contact with the surface to be cleaned.

An extension pipe20formed of a resin or metal material, a handle pipe30for a user's manipulation, and a flexible hose23having a flexible material so that the handle pipe30may be freely moved may be disposed between the main body10and the suction unit21. A manipulation part32that can manipulate a function of the vacuum cleaning device1may be disposed in the handle pipe30.

The suction unit21, the extension pipe20, the handle pipe30, and the flexible hose23may be all provided in communication with one another. Thus, the air inhaled through the suction unit21may sequentially pass through these elements and flow to the main body10.

A suction port12that guides the inhaled air to the cyclone dust collector40, and a discharge port13through which the air purified in the cyclone dust collector40(that is, air having dust removed by the cyclone dust collector40) is discharged may be disposed in the main body10. The discharge port13may be in communication with a fan motor chamber (not shown) in which a fan motor (not shown) is disposed.

A mounting part11which can mount the cyclone dust collector40may be disposed in the main body10, and the cyclone dust collector40may be separably mounted on the mounting part11. The cyclone dust collector40may separate dust from the air inhaled through the suction unit21, collect the dust, and cause the thus purified air to be discharged through the discharge port13.

The cyclone dust collector40has an inlet91through which the air including dust is introduced, and an outlet72through which the purified air is discharged. When the cyclone dust collector40is mounted on the main body10, the inlet91of the cyclone dust collector40may be in communication with the suction port12of the main body10, and the outlet72of the cyclone dust collector40may be in communication with the discharge port13of the main body10.

FIG. 3is an exploded perspective view illustrating a cyclone dust collector according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 4is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cyclone dust collector according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the cyclone dust collector40according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a case50having an approximately cylindrical shape, a top surface and a bottom surface of which are opened, an upper cover70disposed on an upper portion of the case50, an intermediate cover80disposed between the upper cover70and the case50to cover the top surface of the case50, and a lower cover90that is coupled to a lower portion of the case50and covers the opened bottom surface of the case50.

The intermediate cover80may be separably coupled to the top surface of the case50and cover the top surface of the case50. The upper cover70may be disposed on an upper side of the intermediate cover80and be hinge-coupled to the intermediate cover80to be rotatably disposed. To this end, a hinge shaft73may be disposed on one side of the upper cover70, and a hinge shaft accommodation part82that accommodates the hinge shaft73may be disposed on one side of the intermediate cover80.

However, the cyclone dust collector40may be integrally formed. Also, a shape of the case50may not be a cylindrical shape.

The case50may be made of a transparent material so that the amount of foreign substances collected in the case50may be checked from the outside. The upper cover70, the intermediate cover80, and the lower cover90may be made of a transparent material or an opaque material.

A cyclone chamber53that separates dust from the air using a centrifugal force by forming a whirling air current, and a dust collection chamber54that collects the dust may be disposed in the case50. The cyclone chamber53and the cyclone chamber53and the dust collection chamber54may be partitioned off by an inner wall52. The cyclone chamber53may be disposed in an internal space of the inner wall52, and the dust collection chamber54may be disposed between the inner wall52and an outer wall51. The outer wall51may form an exterior of the case50.

An opening (55ofFIG. 4) through which the cyclone chamber53and the dust collection chamber54are in communication with each other may be disposed in a one side upper portion of the inner wall52so that the dust separated from the air in the cyclone chamber53may flow into the dust collection chamber54. Since the dust heavier than the air is scattered to the outside due to the centrifugal force, the opening55may be formed in the side of an outer circumference of the cyclone chamber53.

The cyclone chamber53has an approximately cylindrical shape to form a whirling air current, and a guide part58having an approximately cylindrical shape may be disposed in the middle of the cyclone chamber53to guide the whirling air current. A spiral part57that is formed to be inclined in a spiral shape may be disposed near the guide part58. The air whirls (or circulates) around the guide part58along the spiral part57.

An inlet part56through which the air is introduced into the cyclone chamber53, and an outlet part85through which the air is discharged from the cyclone chamber53, may be disposed in the cyclone dust collector40. The air introduced through a dust collector inlet91of the lower cover90may enter the cyclone chamber53through the inlet part56. The air from which dust is removed in the cyclone dust collector40may be discharged to the outside through the outlet part85disposed in the middle of the cyclone chamber53.

The outlet part85may have an approximately cylindrical shape with an internal space. A grill assembly60that secondarily filters dust from the purified air from which the dust is primarily removed using the centrifugal force may be disposed at the outlet part85. For example, the grill assembly60may be mounted in a discharge pipe81of the intermediate cover80.

The grill assembly60may include a grill63and a grill case61in which the grill63is rotatably mounted. The air from which foreign substances are filtered by the grill63may be discharged from the cyclone dust collector40through the outlet part85. A detailed configuration of the grill assembly60will be described later.

The intermediate cover80includes the discharge pipe81that guides the air discharged through the outlet part85, a fine filter84that secondarily filters fine dust from the air discharged through the outlet part85, and a filter mounting part83on which the fine filter84may be mounted.

The intermediate cover80may be separably mounted on the case50. A user may detach the intermediate cover80from the case50and then may discard the dust collected in the dust collection chamber54.

The fine filter84may be a sponge. The fine filter84may be separably mounted in the filter mounting part83. An upper portion of the filter mounting part83may be covered by the upper cover70. The filter mounting part83may be disposed to be opened/closed by the upper cover70. For example, the upper cover70may be rotatably mounted on the intermediate cover80. When cleaning or replacement of the fine filter84is required, the user may detach the fine filter84from the filter mounting part83by opening the upper cover70.

A handle71by which the upper cover70may be easily opened may be disposed on the upper cover70. An outlet72through which the air re-purified through the fine filter84is discharged to an outside of the cyclone dust collector40may be disposed in the upper cover70.

Hereinafter, an operation of the vacuum cleaning device1according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

When a fan motor (not shown) of the main body10is driven, the air on the surface to be cleaned may be inhaled through the suction unit21due to an inhalation force of the fan motor (not shown). The inhaled air may sequentially pass through the extension pipe20, the handle pipe30, and the flexible hose23and be introduced into the cyclone dust collector40mounted in the main body10.

The air introduced into the cyclone dust collector40is guided into the cyclone chamber53through the inlet part56. The air guided into the cyclone chamber53whirls about the guide part58through the spiral part57inside the cyclone chamber53and rises.

The heavier dust than the air may be scattered outward in a radial direction due to the centrifugal force and may be introduced into the dust collection chamber54through the opening55located at the upper portion of the cyclone chamber53. The dust introduced into the dust collection chamber54may be dropped due to gravity and be collected in the dust collection chamber54.

While the air from which the dust is primarily removed by the centrifugal force in the cyclone chamber53may pass through the grill assembly60, dust having a predetermined size or more may be secondarily filtered. The air that passes through the grill assembly60may be guided upwardly through the discharge pipe81and the outlet part85. Fine particles included in the air guided toward the intermediate cover80through the outlet part85may be tertiarily filtered using the fine filter84disposed in the intermediate cover80.

The finally-purified air may be discharged from the cyclone dust collector40through the outlet72of the upper cover70and be discharged to the outside of the main body10through a fan motor chamber (not shown). A filter (not shown) through which dust in the art discharged through the outlet72can be filtered may be further disposed in the side of the outlet72of the upper cover70.

FIG. 5is a view illustrating an outlet part according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIGS. 6 and 7are perspective views illustrating a grill assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 8is an exploded perspective view illustrating a grill assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 5 through 8, the grill assembly60may be located at the outlet part85according to an embodiment of the present invention. The grill assembly60may be disposed in the discharge pipe81disposed in a bottom surface of the intermediate cover80to filter dust having a predetermined size or more in the air. The air from which the dust is filtered using the grill assembly60is guided to an upper side in which the intermediate cover80and the upper cover70are located, through the discharge pipe81and the outlet part85.

The grill assembly60includes a fan62that is rotatably disposed using the inhalation force of the fan motor, and a grill63mounted in the fan62. The fan62may be rotatably mounted in the grill case61. The grill63may be mounted in the fan62and be rotated together with the fan62.

The grill case61may be mounted in the discharge pipe81. The grill case61may be disposed to correspond to a shape of the discharge pipe81. When the discharge pipe81is disposed in a cylindrical shape, the grill case61may be provided in an approximately cylindrical shape. The grill case61may be separably mounted in the discharge pipe81so that cleaning or replacement of the grill assembly60can be performed.

The grill case61may be coupled to the discharge pipe81using a fastening member, be directly screw-coupled to the discharge pipe81using screw threads that are formed on an outer circumferential surface of the grill case61and an inner circumferential surface of the discharge pipe81, respectively, without a separate fastening member, or may be snap-fit coupled to the discharge pipe81. The grill case61may be tight-fitted into the discharge pipe81. A method of coupling the grill case61to the discharge pipe81is not limited to the foregoing description.

Hereinafter, the case where the grill case61is tight-fitted to the discharge pipe81will be described.

One side of the grill case61may be coupled to the discharge pipe81. The fan62may be mounted on the other side of the grill case61. A portion of the grill case61coupled to the discharge pipe81may be referred to as a first grill case611, and a portion of the grill case61in which the fan62is mounted, may be referred to as a second grill case612. The second grill case612may be disposed to be stepped with respect to the first grill case611. A diameter D2of the second grill case612may be disposed to be larger than a diameter D1of the first grill case611.

The first grill case611may be inserted into an inside of the discharge pipe81. Thus, an outer diameter D1of the first grill case611may be formed to be equal to or slightly smaller than an internal diameter D3of the discharge pipe81.

A gasket64may be disposed between the outer circumferential surface of the first grill case611and the inner circumferential surface of the discharge pipe81. The gasket64may be provided in a ring shape and may be inserted into the outer circumferential surface of the first grill case611. In order to couple the grill case61to the discharge pipe81, the first grill case611may be pushed into the discharge pipe81in a state in which the gasket64is inserted into the outer circumferential surface of the first grill case611.

The gasket64may serve to allow a gap not to be formed between the discharge pipe81and the first grill case611and fix the first grill case611inserted into the discharge pipe81not to easily escape from the discharge pipe81. The gasket64may be formed of an elastic material, such as rubber or silicone for example, so that the first grill case611is inserted into the discharge pipe81and densely (or tightly) coupled thereto.

Ribs640that are formed convexly may be disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the gasket64so that the first grill case611into which the gasket64is inserted may be easily inserted into the discharge pipe81and the first grill case611may be densely (or tightly) coupled to the discharge pipe81. A plurality of ribs640may be disposed along the outer circumferential surface of the gasket64.

The gasket64may further include ribs641that may be located between a stepped surface612alocated at an upper portion of the second grill case612and an end surface81aof the discharge pipe81. The ribs641may be located between the stepped surface612aand the end surface81aof the discharge pipe81, thereby preventing a gap from being formed between the stepped surface612aand the end surface81aof the discharge pipe81. Thus, air from which dust is not filtered by the grill63may be prevented from being introduced into the discharge pipe81through a space between the stepped surface612aand the end surface81aof the discharge pipe81.

The diameter D2of the second grill case612may be disposed to be equal to or slightly smaller than a diameter D4of an outer circumferential surface of the discharge pipe81. A fan accommodation part610that is a space in which the fan62can be accommodated may be disposed in the second grill case612. A rotation shaft613may be disposed in a center of the fan accommodation part610. The fan62may be rotatably mounted on the rotation shaft613.

The rotation shaft613may be supported by a plurality of support ribs615that extend from an inner side surface to the center of the second grill case612. The rotation shaft613may be located in the center of the second grill case612, and the plurality of support ribs615may extend toward the center of the second grill case612and support the rotation shaft613.

The fan62may be rotatably mounted on the rotation shaft613. In order to prevent a frictional force between the fan62and the rotation shaft613from interfering with smooth rotation of the fan, bearings65may be disposed between the rotation shaft613and the fan62. A fan mounting part614for mounting the fan62may be disposed on an end of the rotation shaft613. A diameter of the fan mounting part614may be formed to be smaller than a diameter of the rotation shaft613so that the bearings65can be mounted in the fan mounting part614.

The fan62may be disposed to rotate about the rotation shaft613using an inhalation force generated by the fan motor. A rotation shaft mounting part621that may be mounted on the rotation shaft613may be disposed in a center of the fan62. For example, grooves (not shown) into which the rotation shaft613may be inserted may be disposed in the rotation shaft mounting part621. The rotation shaft613on which the bearings65are mounted is inserted into the groove so that the fan62may be mounted in the grill case61to rotate about the rotation shaft613.

The fan62may include a fan case622centered on the rotation shaft mounting part621. The fan case622may be disposed to have a ring shape centered on the rotation shaft mounting part621. The fan62may include a plurality of first fans620that connect the rotation shaft mounting part621and the fan case622. When an inhalation force is generated by the fan motor, the fan62may rotate in one direction by the first fan620. A flow direction of air caused by rotation of the first fan620may be provided not to disturb a flow of the air using the inhalation force generated by the fan motor.

A second fan623may be disposed on an outer side surface of the fan case622. The second fan623may be provided to disturb the flow of the air caused by the first fan620. When an inhalation force is generated by the fan motor, the second fan623may flow air from the discharge pipe81toward the cyclone chamber53. That is, the second fan623may generate an air current in an opposite direction to a direction of an air current generated by the inhalation force of the fan motor. A plurality of second fans623may be provided on the outer side surface of the fan case622at regular intervals. The second fan623is disposed on a side of the fan62and thus may be referred to as a side fan.

A grill mounting part624on which the grill63may be mounted may be disposed on one end of the fan case622. The grill63mounted on the grill mounting part624may form a flat surface perpendicular to the fan case622. The grill63mounted on the fan case622may be rotated together with the fan62.

The first fan620, the second fan623, the rotation shaft mounting part621, the fan case622, and the grill mounting part624may be integrally injection-molded. The grill63may be inserted when the first fan620, the second fan623, the rotation shaft mounting part621, the fan case622and the grill mounting part624are injection-molded, and the grill63, the first fan620, the second fan623, the rotation shaft mounting part621, the fan case622, and the grill mounting part624may be integrally injection-molded. The grill63may be attached to the grill mounting part624by adhesion after the first fan620, the second fan623, the rotation shaft mounting part621, the fan case622and the grill mounting part624are injection-molded. A method of mounting the grill63on the fan62is not limited to the foregoing description.

FIG. 9is a front view illustrating a grill of the grill assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 9, the grill63according to an embodiment of the present invention may be disposed to be rotated together with the fan62, and a gap G having a predetermined interval may be formed between the inner side surface of the grill case61and the outer circumferential surface of the grill63so that the fan62may rotate and the grill63may be rotated.

When an inhalation force is generated by the fan motor, air that does not pass through the grill63may be introduced into the discharge pipe81through the gap G between the inner side surface of the grill case61and the outer circumferential surface of the grill63. Air from which dust is not filtered by the grill63may be introduced into the discharge pipe81through the gap G and may pass through the fine filter84disposed in the intermediate cover80.

In this case, dust in the air that passes through the gap G is not filtered by the grill63so that a larger amount of dust may be included in the air that passes through the grill63. Since a larger amount of dust is filtered by the fine filter84, a cleaning or replacement period of the fine filter84is reduced. When the fine filter84is not properly replaced or cleaned, air does not flow smoothly so that the inhalation force generated by the fan motor may be lowered. When the gap G is clogged by dust included in the air or by hair, the grill63may not be rotated.

Thus, in order to prevent the air from being discharged through the gap G, the second fan623disposed on an outer side surface of the fan case622is provided to disturb the flow of air caused by the fan motor. Since the flow of air occurs in a direction from the discharge pipe81to the cyclone chamber53in the gap G between the grill63and an inner side surface of the grill case61by the second fan623, the air may be prevented from being discharged to the discharge pipe81through the gap G.

Thus, air that is not filtered by the grill63may be prevented from being introduced into the fine filter84. Also, the gap G may be prevented from being clogged by the dust or hair, and the grill63may be prevented from not rotating.

FIG. 10is a view illustrating an operation of the grill assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 10, in the grill assembly60according to an embodiment of the present invention, the grill63may be rotatably provided, and dust on the surface of the grill63may be removed by the centrifugal force. When an inhalation force is generated by the fan motor, the fan62may rotate and the grill63may be rotated integrally. The air from which dust is filtered by a whirling air current of the cyclone chamber53may pass through the grill63and may flow into the discharge pipe81.

In this case, since an air current is generated in an opposite direction to a direction of an air current caused by the inhalation force of the fan motor to disturb the flow of air caused by the inhalation force of the fan motor in the gap G between the grill63and the grill case61, the air may not be introduced into the discharge pipe81through the gap G. The air in the cyclone chamber53may not be discharged toward the discharge pipe81through the gap G but may pass through the grill63and may be discharged toward the discharge pipe81.

The dust that does not pass through air through holes630formed in the grill63may be rotated by the whirling air current of the cyclone chamber53and then may be collected in the dust collection chamber54. In a cyclone dust collector according to the related art, when the air that flows by the inhalation force of the fan motor passes through the grill63, a part of dust or hair that does not pass through the air through holes630of the grill63may be attached on the surface of the grill63. When the air through holes630of the grill63are clogged by the dust or hair attached on the surface of the grill63, air does not flow smoothly, and the inhalation force may be lowered so that cleaning efficiency may be lowered.

In the present invention, the grill63may be rotatably provided so that dust or hair that reaches the surface of the grill63may be removed due to the centrifugal force caused by rotation of the grill63. The dust removed due to the centrifugal force caused by rotation of the grill63may be rotated by the whirling air current of the cyclone chamber53and then may be collected in the dust collection chamber54.

In this way, the grill63is rotatably provided so that the inhalation force of the vacuum cleaning device1may be prevented from being lowered and cleaning efficiency may be improved. Since dust is not attached on the surface of the grill63, the user does not need to remove dust attached on the surface of the grill63by his/her hand to remove dust in the cyclone dust collector40. Since the user detaches the cyclone dust collector40from the main body10and needs to discard the dust collected in the dust collection chamber54, the cyclone dust collector40may be easily cleaned. Also, dust is not introduced through the gap G between the grill63and the grill case61so that air from which dust is not filtered by the grill63may be prevented from being introduced into the fine filter84. Thus, a replacement or cleaning period of the fine filter84may be increased compared to the related art.

FIG. 11is a perspective view illustrating a grill assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 12is an exploded perspective view of the grill assembly according to the other embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 11 and 12, the grill assembly66according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a grill frame661, a grill662disposed on a side of the grill frame661, and a fan663that is rotatable by an inhalation force of the fan motor. The fan663is mounted in the grill frame661, and when an inhalation force is generated by the fan motor, the grill frame661connected to the fan663may be rotated together with the fan663. The fan663includes first fan6631.

The air that whirls in the cyclone chamber53and rises may pass through air through holes6620of the grill662disposed at the side of the grill frame661and may be upward guided through the discharge pipe81and the outlet part85illustrated inFIG. 4. InFIGS. 11 and 12, an embodiment in which the grill662is disposed on the side of the grill frame661has been described. However, the grill662may be disposed in a bottom surface6610of the grill frame661.

The grill assembly66may include a grill case660in which the grill frame661and a fan663are mounted. A rotation shaft mounting part6600having rotation shaft insertion holes6601formed therein may be disposed in a center of the grill case660. A rotation shaft6630connected to the fan663may be inserted into the rotation shaft insertion holes6601. In order to prevent a frictional force between the rotation shaft6630and an inner side surface of the rotation shaft mounting part6600from interfering with rotation of the fan663, bearings664may be disposed between the rotation shaft6630and the rotation shaft mounting part6600.

The rotation shaft mounting part6600may be supported by a plurality of ribs6602that extend from the inner side surface of the grill case660toward the center of the grill case660.

The fan663may be disposed to rotate about the rotation shaft6630using the inhalation force of the fan motor. The grill frame661may be connected to an end of the rotation shaft6630connected to the fan663. When the fan663rotates about the rotation shaft6630, the grill frame661may be rotated together with the fan663.

The grill frame661may include side frames6611and6612. The side frames6611and6612may include a plurality of first side frames6611that extend vertically from an edge of the bottom surface6610, and a second side frame6612that connects the plurality of first side frames6611and extends to be parallel to the bottom surface6610.

The grill662may be fixed to the side frames6611and6612. The grill662may be provided separately from the grill frame661and fixed using an adhesive or inserted and integrally injection-molded when the grill frame661is injection-molded.

A side fan6613that generates an air current that disturbs an air current generated due to the inhalation force of the fan motor may be disposed on upper portions of the side frames6611and6612. For example, an extension part6614that forms a part of sides of the grill frame661and extends to an upper portion of the second side frame6612may be provided, and the side fan6613may protrude from an outer side surface of the extension part6614.

When the grill frame661is mounted in the grill case660, the extension part6614having the side fan6613formed therein may be accommodated in the grill case660, and at least a part of the side frames6611and6612on which the grill662is mounted may be exposed to an outside of the grill case660.

The grill frame661and the grill662may be rotated together with the fan663due to the inhalation force of the fan motor. Dust of the air that whirls in the cyclone chamber53and rises may be filtered by the grill662and then, the air may flow upward through the air through holes6620. The air that passes through the air through holes6620of the grill662may pass through the outlet part85and may be filtered once more by the fine filter84disposed in the intermediate cover80.

Dust that does not pass through the air through holes6620of the grill662and is filtered may be removed from the surface of the grill662due to the centrifugal force generated due to rotation of the grill662. Since dust is not attached on the surface of the grill662, the user does not need to remove the dust attached on the surface of the grill662by his/her hand when removing dust in the cyclone dust collector40and thus, this is usage convenient and hygienic.

When the grill frame661is rotated in one direction due to the fan663, an air current may be generated by the side fan6613in an opposite direction to a direction of an air current caused by the fan motor. Using the air current generated by the side fan6613, air may be prevented from flowing toward the outlet part85through a gap between an outer side surface of the extension part6614and an inner side surface of the grill case660. Thus, dust in the air in the cyclone chamber53may be filtered by the grill662and then, the air flows toward the outlet part85so that the amount of dust filtered by the fine filter84may be reduced and a cleaning or replacement period of the fine filter84may be increased. Also, the grill662may be prevented from being not rotated by the gap between the gap between the outer side surface of the extension part6614and the inner side surface of the grill case660clogged by dust.

The grill case660may be mounted on the discharge pipe81. A gasket665may be disposed between the grill case660and the discharge pipe81. A description of a structure of the gasket665may be similar to the description of a gasket (see64ofFIG. 8) according to an embodiment of the present invention and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13is a perspective view illustrating a grill assembly according to still another embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 14is an exploded perspective view of a grill assembly according to yet still another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 13 and 14, a grill672of the grill assembly67according to still another embodiment of the present invention may be disposed in a conical shape. The grill672is provided in the conical shape so that the area of the grill672through which air passes may be increased. The area of the grill672through which air in the cyclone chamber53passes is increased so that an inhalation force caused by the fan motor may be prevented from being lowered.

The grill assembly67includes the grill case670having a rotation shaft6701disposed therein, the rotation shaft6701being supported by a plurality of ribs6703, a fan671disposed to be rotatable in one direction due to the inhalation force of the fan motor, and a grill672mounted at one side of the fan671. The grill assembly also includes gasket674.

The fan671may include a first fan6711that extends from a center of the fan671to a fan case6713so that the fan671may rotate in one direction due to the inhalation force of the fan motor, and a second fan6712that is disposed on an outer side surface of the fan case6713and generates an air current that disturbs an air current caused due to the inhalation force of the fan motor. Air may be prevented from being discharged toward the outlet part85through a gap between the fan case6713and the inner side surface of the grill case670by the second fan6712.

A rotation shaft mounting part6710on which the rotation shaft6701is mounted may be disposed in a center of the fan671. A fan mounting part6702having a smaller diameter than a diameter of the rotation shaft6701may be disposed on an end of the rotation shaft6701. The fan mounting part6702is mounted on one side of the rotation shaft mounting part6710so that the fan671may be mounted in the grill case670. A bearing673may be disposed between the fan mounting part6702and the rotation shaft mounting part6710so that the fan671may be rotatable due to the inhalation force of the fan motor.

A support shaft6714for stably supporting the grill672having the conical shape may extend from the other side of the rotation shaft mounting part6710of the fan671. A support protrusion6715having a shape corresponding to the inner side surface of the grill672may be disposed on an end of the support shaft6714to contact the inner side surface of the grill672and to support the grill672. For example, the support protrusion6715may be disposed to support the inner side surface of the grill672adjacent to vertexes of the grill672having the conical shape. The support shaft6714and the support protrusion6715are disposed to support the grill672so that the grill672may be stably supported against shaking due to the inhalation force of the fan motor.

A shape of a grill assembly is not limited to the above description. A grill may be disposed to be rotated due to the inhalation force of the fan motor, and a separate driving force may be transferred to the grill so that the grill may be rotated. Although the first fan and the second fan are integrally formed in the above description, the first fan and the second fan may be separately disposed and mounted.

The grill is rotatably disposed so that dust may not be attached on the surface of the grill due to the centrifugal force. Thus, the inhalation force may be prevented from being lowered, and cleaning efficiency may be prevented from being lowered. Also, the user does not need to directly remove dust attached on the surface of the grill by his/her hand and thus, this usage convenient and hygienic.

As described above, according to a cyclone dust collector and a vacuum cleaning device having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention, foreign substance may be prevented from being attached on the outer circumferential surface of the grill located in the outlet part.

In addition, an inhalation force of the vacuum cleaning device can be prevented from being lowered.

Furthermore, since the foreign substances are not attached on the outer circumferential surface of the grill, the foreign substances collected in the cyclone dust collector can be easily removed.