Abstract:
The present invention comprises: a collecting section mounted at one side of the pathway, in which the suction force of a vacuum cleaner for sucking dust is transmitted, and moves at least some of the sucked dust towards one direction; a dust collecting section made of transparent material coupled with the collecting section, in which the receiving status of the inflow of dust through the collecting section is exposed to the outside; a discharge section which guides air and dust, which has passed through the dust collecting section, to be discharged into the pathway that transmits the suction force of a vacuum cleaner; and a foreign material discharge means which guides the flow of air into the inner corner of the dust collecting section by the operation of the user and forcibly discharges the remaining dust in the dust collection section to the outside. According to the present invention, the invention enables the user to check the status of the dust that is sucked and the convenient discharge of the dust collected in the inside of the collecting section.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The prevent disclosure relates to a visualization device for dust collection of a vacuum cleaner checking suction condition of a dust. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In general, the vacuum cleaner suctioning a dust and a foreign material along with air and filtering them at the inside of a body using a suction motor mounted at the inside of the body. 
         [0003]    The vacuum cleaner having the same function as above includes a canister type in which a nozzle, that is, a suction port is communicated with the body through a connection tube, and a upright type in which the nozzle is formed integrally with the body. 
         [0004]    Further, in the vacuum cleaner divided as above, the dust collecting device of a bag filter type or cyclone dust collecting type may be used to filter and store the dust and the foreign material among the air. However, most of the vacuum cleaner launched recently adapts the dust collecting device of cyclone dust collecting type due to reasons such as ease of use and maintenance costs. 
         [0005]    On the other hand, if a user performs cleaning operations using the vacuum cleaner, when it is checked with eyes whether or not the dust is suctioned, the reliability of the performance of vacuum cleaner and the satisfaction for cleaning operations may be improved. 
         [0006]    Thus, in the vacuum cleaner, the visualization device for dust collection showing the suction condition of the dust by the cleaning operation to the outside is required to meet the needs of the user as above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    An object of the closure is to a visualization device for dust collection of a vacuum cleaner to enable a user to directly check a suction condition of the dust by collecting the portion of the dust suctioned during cleaning operations and exposing it to the outside. 
         [0008]    Another object of the closure is to a visualization device for dust collection of a vacuum cleaner effectively discharging the collected dust to visualize the suction condition of the dust. 
         [0009]    A visualization device for dust collection of a vacuum cleaner according to the closure, comprising: a collecting unit mounted in one side of transfer course of suction force suctioning a dust of the vacuum cleaner and moving at least portion of suctioned dust in one direction; a dust collecting unit, made of a transparent material, fastened to the collection unit and exposing the accommodating condition of the dust introduced through the collecting unit to the outside; a discharge unit guiding so that the air and the dust passing through the dust collecting unit are discharged into the transfer course of the suction force for the vacuum cleaner, and a foreign material discharge means forcibly discharging the dust remaining in the inside of the dust collecting unit into the outside by guiding the flowing of the air to the inside of the dust collecting unit by the operation of the user. 
         [0010]    In the closure, when operating the vacuum cleaner, the user may easily check the suction condition of the dust to allow the suction condition of the dust to be exposed to the outside of the dust collecting unit made of the transparent material. 
         [0011]    Further, the dust collecting unit is provided with the foreign material discharge means forcibly discharging the collected dust. When the user performs the pressing operation, the foreign material discharge means may effectively discharge the dust collected to the dust collecting unit by forcibly flowing outer air into the corner of the dust collecting unit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a shape of a vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a condition in which a visualization device for dust collection of a vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure is mounted in one side of a suction nozzle. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show a mounting structure for the visualization device for dust collection of the vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a detailed configuration for the visualization device for dust collection of the vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows the condition in which a push-button is pressed in the  FIG. 5 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows the condition in which the dust of the inside of the visualization device for dust collection of the vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment of the disclosure is removed. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a detailed configuration for the visualization device for dust collection of the vacuum cleaner according to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows the condition in which a push-button is pressed in the  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  shows a detailed configuration for the visualization device for dust collection of the vacuum cleaner according to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  shows the condition in which the dusts are discharged in another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the closure will be described in detail with reference to drawings. However, the ideas of the closure is not limited to the presented embodiment and one skilled in the art understanding the ideas of the closure may easily propose another embodiment within the same range of the ideas. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a shape of a vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure,  FIG. 2  shows a condition in which a visualization device for dust collection of a vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure is mounted in one side of a suction nozzle and  FIGS. 3 and 4  show a mounting structure for the visualization device for dust collection of the vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         [0025]    As shown in these drawings, a vacuum cleaner according to the disclosure includes a body  1  generating a suction force using a suction motor, a connection portion  20  transmitting the suction force generated by the body  1 , and a suction nozzle  100  disposed at one side of the connection portion  20  and a suction nozzle sucking a foreign material scattered at a side to be cleaned, along an air. 
         [0026]    The connection portion  20 , in which the suction nozzle  100  is mounted at its one end, includes a length-adjustable extension tube  22 , and a connection tube  24  made of a flexible material and connecting the extension tube  22  and the body  1  to each other. 
         [0027]    The shape of the suction nozzle  100  is formed by a case  120  and the case  120  includes an upper case  124  and a lower case  122  to be coupled to each other. 
         [0028]    Further, a connection portion  140  having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the extension tube  22  so as to be infilled-mounted in the extension tube  22  is disposed at a lateral end of the upper case  124  and the lower case  122 . 
         [0029]    On the other hand, a visualization device for dust collection  200  visualizing a collecting condition of the foreign material in one side of a transmitting course of the suction force generated by the body  1  into the outside is disposed at one side of the case  120 . 
         [0030]    The visualization device for dust collection  200  according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure displays a accommodating condition of the dust to the outside by accommodating a portion of the air and the dust contained in the air collected through the suction nozzle  100  and shields the portion of the flowing course of the air moving into the body  1 , disposed at a front of the connection portion  140 . 
         [0031]    Therefore, the portion of the air moving into the body  1  may be introduced into the inside of the visualization device for dust collection  200 . 
         [0032]    On the other hand, the suction nozzle  100  to be showed is infilled-mounted in the extension tube  22  to clean a bed linen such as a covers or a mattress or knitted goods with a number of fine hairs or fluffs such as a blanket or a carpet and includes a turbine  160  generating a vibration to the inside of the case  120 , and a vibration frame  180  generating the vibration by a rotation of the turbine  160 . 
         [0033]    Further, an air inlet hole  123  introducing the outer air into a position corresponding to a mounting position of the turbine  160  is disposed at the upper case  124  so as to smoothly rotate the turbine  160 . 
         [0034]    Therefore, the turbine  160  rotates by using the air introduced into the air inlet hole  123  along the air introduced from the inlet(not shown) formed in a bottom of the suction nozzle  100 . 
         [0035]    Further, the turbine  160  is connected to the vibration frame  180  by using an eccentric cam and the vibration frame  180  connected to the turbine  160  vibrates when the turbine  160  rotates. 
         [0036]    In addition, the mounting position of the turbine  160  is positioned at a front of the visualization device for dust collection  200 , and the air forcibly flowed by the turbine  160  and the dust contained in the air may be easily introduced into the inside of the visualization device for dust collection  200 . 
         [0037]    Hereinafter, the visualization device for dust collection  200  having the mounting position mentioned above will be described with reference to drawings. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  shows a detailed configuration for the visualization device for dust collection of the vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 6  shows the condition in which a push-button is pressed in the  FIG. 5 . 
         [0039]    As shown in these drawings, the visualization device for dust collection  200  of the vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure includes a collecting unit  220  guiding the introduction into the inside of the air and the dust, a dust collecting unit  240  extrinsically exposing the dust introduced through the collecting unit  220 , a foreign material discharge means  300  removing the dust remaining in the dust collecting unit  240 , and a discharge unit  260  communicated with the dust collecting unit  240  and guiding the discharge of the dust and the air. 
         [0040]    In detail, the collecting unit  220  is formed by a cylindrical shape having an upper opening and is provided with a mounting projection  221  formed to be projected from the outside so that the air and the dust suctioned into the inside of the case  120  are not leaked into the mounting portion whiling maintaining a fixed position mounted in the case  120  at the top edge. 
         [0041]    Further, the portion of the outside of the collecting unit  220  is formed to be projected toward the mounting position of the turbine  160 , and the inlet  222  is disposed at the projection portion formed above so that the air and the dust are introduced into the inside of the collecting unit  220 . 
         [0042]    The inlet  222  is formed to guide the flowing of the air in the direction of the tangent line for the inside of the collecting unit  220 , and the air introduced into the inside of the collecting unit  220  moves while rotating along with its inside. 
         [0043]    One hand, the dust collecting unit  240  accommodating the air transferred while rotating through the inlet  222  and the dust contained in the transferred air is mounted in the top of the collecting unit  220 . 
         [0044]    The dust collecting unit  240  is made of a transparent material so that the accommodating condition of the dust may be exposed into the outside, and includes a second housing  244  directly fastened to the top of the collecting unit  220  and a first housing  242  sliding-movably provided to the outside of the second housing  244 . 
         [0045]    The second housing  244  is formed of shape of a Cup having a diameter slightly greater than the opened top of the collecting unit  220  and is configured to be fastened to top of the collecting unit  220  while rotating. 
         [0046]    To this end, the fastening projection(not given reference numerals) projected from the outside of the collecting unit  220  is disposed at the top of the collecting unit  220 . When the fastening projection is accommodated into the second housing  244  to rotate the second housing  244  or the collecting unit  220 , a fastener  245  is further formed so that the fastening projection is inserted while moving toward one direction. 
         [0047]    That is, the fastener  245  is projected from the outside of the second housing  244  to form a space to enable the fastening projection to insert and mount, and the collecting unit  220  may be coupled with the second housing  244  by inserting and mounting the fastening projection into the space. 
         [0048]    Further, the rod  249  to be projected upward is disposed at the top side of the second housing  244 . The description relating to the  249  will be described in more detail below. 
         [0049]    The first housing  242  is formed of shape of a Cup surrounding the second housing  244 , and is connected to the push-button  310  to be described below to allow the sliding to move toward a pressurization direction together with the push-button  310  when pressing the push-button. 
         [0050]    To this end, a guide rib  246  is longitudinally formed on the inside of the first housing  242  in a sliding moving direction, a guide groove (not shown) at a position corresponding to the guide rib  246  is formed on the outside of the second housing  244 . Meanwhile, the guide rib  246  is formed on the outside of the second housing  244 , and it is possible to form the guide groove on the inside of the first housing  242 . 
         [0051]    Further, the center of the first housing  242  and the push-button  310  are punched to enable the rod( 249 ) to pass. Therefore, the first housing  242  and the push-button  310  is able to slide downward without interference along with the rod  249  when pressurizing the push-button  310 . 
         [0052]    On the other hand, the dust transferred through the collecting unit  220  when operating the vacuum cleaner is stacked while rotating in the dust collecting unit  240  formed above. 
         [0053]    Further, when the dust is stacked in the dust collecting unit  240 , a user operates the foreign material discharge means  300  so as to discharge the dust. 
         [0054]    The foreign material discharge means  300  forces the air to flow into the portion in which the dust is not easily discharged in the dust collecting unit  240 , that is, the corner such as a contact portion between the second housing  244  and the collecting unit  220 , thereby easily discharging the dust in the dust collecting unit  240 . 
         [0055]    To this end, first, the dust collecting unit  240  is formed with a second vent  243  punched near the top of the collecting unit  220  in the bottom of the second housing  244 , and the second vent  243  is disposed so that the outer air is introduced into the inside of the second housing  244 . Further, a first vent  241  punched at the position higher than the position of the second vent  243  is formed in the first housing  242 , and the push-button  310  is disposed at the top of the first housing  242  so that first vent  241  and the second vent  243  may be selectively communicated to enable the external pressure to be transferred into the first housing  242 . 
         [0056]    Further, when an external pressure applied to the push-button  310  is released for the foreign material discharge means  300 , the push-button  310  and the first housing  242  returns to its initial position. An elastic member  320  is inserted into the rod  249  to elastically support a space between the first housing  242  and the second housing  244  so that the outer air is not introduced into the inside of the second housing  244  through the first vent  241  and the second vent  243 . 
         [0057]    Therefore, when discharging the dust from the inside of the dust collecting unit  240 , that is, the inside of the second housing  244 , after the operation of the vacuum cleaner is stopped, the user presses the push-button  310 . Then, when the first housing  242  is sliding-moving downward, the second vent  243  formed in the second housing  244  and the first vent  241  of the first housing  242  are communicated with each other, and the air is introduced into the inside of the second housing  244 . 
         [0058]    That is, when stopping the vacuum cleaner, there is some degree of vacuum pressure on the inside of the suction nozzle  100 . when the first vent  241  and the second vent  243  are communicated with each other by pressing the push-button  310 , the outer air is rapidly introduced into the inside of the second housing  244 . 
         [0059]    Further, the introduced air is introduced into the top of the collecting unit  220 , that is, the inside of the second housing  244  and therefore, the dust remaining in the corner is removed by the introduced air. The removed air falls through opened top of the collecting unit  220 . 
         [0060]    On the other hand, the discharge unit  260  guiding the discharge of the air circulating the dust collecting unit  240  and a filth is also disposed at the bottom of the collecting unit  220 . 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the discharge unit  260  is formed of shape of a fence projecting with a predetermined height from the bottom of the collecting unit  220  and includes the discharge port  262 , in which one side of the discharge unit  260  is opened, discharging the air introduced into the discharge unit  260  into the outside of the collecting unit  220   
         [0062]    On the other hand, the discharge unit  260  has a side with slant to be connected with the collecting unit  220  at the opened one side, is projected exteriorly with fixed length from the one surface of the slanted discharge unit  260  and includes the discharge port  262  opened from the projected portion to the slanted side(refer to  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0063]    Therefore, the air and the dust passing through the dust collecting unit  240  may be smoothly guided and discharged by the discharge unit  260  and the discharge port  262  formed at the same. 
         [0064]    That is, when operating the vacuum cleaner, the portion of the air and the dust introduced through the suction nozzle  100  is introduced into the inside of the dust collecting unit  240  through the collecting unit  220 , and the rotating condition of the dust introduced into the inside of the dust collecting unit  240  is exposed into the outside of the dust collecting unit  240 . 
         [0065]    The user checks the amount of dust exposed into the outside of the dust collecting unit  240 , determines time empting the dust of the dust collecting unit  240 , and presses the push-button  310  when empting the dust. 
         [0066]    When the user presses the push-button  310 , the push-button  310  and the first hosing  242  connected to the same move downward to allow the first vent  241  and the second vent  243  to position on the same line. Then, the second vent  243  is opened and the dust stacked at its inside is removed by introducing the outer air into the inside of the second hosing  244 . 
         [0067]    Further, when the user presses the push-button  310 , the elastic member  320  is compressed. When the pressure applied to the push-button  310  is released, the push-button  310  and the first housing  242  move upward by the elastic member  320 . Then, the second vent  243  that has been communicated is shielded. 
         [0068]    On the other hand, a cone  270 (refer to  FIG. 7 ) forming a cyclone flowing of the introduced air is also disposed at the inside of the visualization device for dust collecting  200  according to the closure. 
         [0069]      FIG. 7  shows the condition in which the dust of the inside of the visualization device for dust collection of the vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment of the disclosure is removed. 
         [0070]    As shown, a cone  270  forming the cyclone flowing is also disposed at the top of the collecting unit  220  according to above-described embodiment of another embodiment of the disclosure. 
         [0071]    In addition, the position of the second vent  243  formed in the second housing  244  is disposed at the bottom side of the cone  270  according to above-described embodiment and the first vent  241  of the first housing  242  is formed to be positioned at the position higher than the position of the second vent  243 . 
         [0072]    Since other remaining configuration is the same as the above-described embodiment, the detailed description will be omitted. When operating the vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment configured above, the rotation of the dust and the air introduced through the collecting unit  220  is more smoothly performed by the cone  270  to separate the dust among the air, thereby collecting the separated dust into the dust collecting unit, that is, the inside of the second housing  244 . 
         [0073]    If the user press the push-button  310  under the same condition as above, the first vent  241  moving downward by the pressure applied to the second vent  243  disposed at the bottom of the cone  270 , and the push-button  310  is communicated to introduce the air. The introduced outer air transfers the dust along with the top of the cone  270  from the bottom of the cone  270  so as to discharge into the center of the cone  270 , such that the dust of the inside of the dust collecting unit  240  is removed more efficiently. 
         [0074]    On the other hand, the visualization device for dust collection  200  according to the disclosure may be configured as another type. 
         [0075]      FIG. 8  shows a detailed configuration for the visualization device for dust collection of the vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 9  shows the condition that a push-button is pressed in the  FIG. 8 . 
         [0076]    As shown in these drawings, the dust collecting unit  240  is configured as type different from above-described embodiment according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
         [0077]    In the dust collecting unit  240  according to another embodiment of the disclosure, the first housing  242  forming the shape is fastened to the collecting unit  220 . Further, the second housing  244  is sliding-movably disposed vertically at the inside of the first housing  242  by the foreign material discharge means  300  to be described below and the outer air is introduced into the inside of the second housing  244  to discharge the collected dust. 
         [0078]    In detail, the foreign material discharge means  300  includes the first vent  241  and the second vent  243  formed in the first housing  242  and the second housing  244 , respectively, and the push-button  310  and the elastic member  320  sliding-moving the second housing  244  so that the first vent  241  and the second vent  243  are communicated with each other. 
         [0079]    The first vent  241 , formed in the first housing  242 , is formed in the top of the collecting unit  220  and the portion in which the first housing  242  is fastened. In addition, the second vent  243 , formed in the second housing  244 , is formed in the position higher than the position of the first vent  241 . 
         [0080]    Further, the push-button  310  penetrates the top of the first housing  242  to contact the second housing  244 . Therefore, when the user presses the push-button  310 , the second housing  244  is pressurized by the push-button  310 , thereby sliding-moving. 
         [0081]    Further, the elastic member  320  is disposed at the bottom of the second housing  244  so that the second housing  244  moves downward by the push-button  310  and then may return to its initial position. 
         [0082]    The elastic member  320  may be configured in a type of a pocket spring and a number of the elastic member  320  may be disposed to support at least two spots of the second housing  244 . 
         [0083]    On the other hand, although not shown, in another embodiment of the disclosure, the cone  270  shown in  FIG. 7  is disposed at the top of the collecting unit  220 , and the first vent  241  and the second vent  243  may be disposed at the bottom side of the cone  270 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 10  shows a detailed configuration for the visualization device for dust collection of the vacuum cleaner according to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure and  FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 10 . 
         [0085]    As shown in these drawings, in another embodiment of the disclosure, the dust collecting unit  240  to be fastened to the collecting unit  220  is formed of a housing. 
         [0086]    A number of a suction hole  290  are formed in the top of the dust collecting unit  240  so that the outer air may be introduced into the inside of the dust collecting unit  240 . 
         [0087]    The top of the dust collecting unit  240  has a diameter narrower than that of the bottom thereof, the top of the dust collecting unit  240  is selectively shielded by the foreign material discharge means  300  to be described below, and therefore, the introduction of the outer air discharging the dust into the inside of the dust collecting unit  240  may be performed if necessary. 
         [0088]    The foreign material discharge means  300  includes the suction hole  290 , a shield member  340  sliding-moving in the inside of the dust collecting unit  240  and shielding the top having narrow diameter of the dust collecting unit  240 , the push-button  310  and the elastic member  320  sliding—moving the shield member  340 , and a discharge guide  360  disposed at the bottom of the shield member  340  and guiding the flowing of the introduced air. 
         [0089]    In detail, in the push-button  310 , the top thereof is exposed to the outside of the dust collecting unit  240  and the portion of the bottom thereof is mounted to penetrate the center of the dust collecting unit  240  Further, the shield member  340  is mounted in the bottom of the push-button  310  positioned at the inside of the dust collecting unit  240  to be sled together with the push-button  310 . 
         [0090]    In addition, the elastic member  320  is disposed between the push-button  310  and the dust collecting unit  240  and elastically compressed when pressurizing the push-button. Then, the elastic member  320  is elastically restored when pressure-releasing to enable the push-button  310  to return to its initial position. 
         [0091]    As shown, the diameter of the shield member  340  is smaller as it goes from the bottom thereof to the top thereof. The bottom thereof contacts the inside wall of the top of the dust collecting unit  240  to shield the suction hole  290   
         [0092]    On the other hand, the discharge guide  360  is extended toward the bottom, that is, combination portion of the top of the collecting unit  220  and the dust collecting unit  240  to be lined up with the inside wall of the dust collecting unit  240  at the position slightly spaced inward from a edge of the shield member  340   
         [0093]    Accordingly, when the push-button  310  is pressurized and the suction hole  290  is opened while sliding—moving the shield member  340 , the outer air introduced through the suction hole  290  is guided to the space of the discharge guide  360  and the inside wall of the dust collecting unit  240  to be supplied toward the combination portion of the top of the collecting unit  220  and the dust collecting unit  240 , thereby easily removing the dust positioned at the corner of the inside of the dust collecting unit  240 . 
         [0094]    On the other hand, a cone  270 (refer to  FIG. 12 ) forming a cyclone flowing is also disposed at the inside of the dust collecting unit  240  as above-described embodiment according to another embodiment of the disclosure configured as above. 
         [0095]      FIG. 12  shows the condition in which the dusts are discharged in another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         [0096]    The configuration of  FIG. 12  is the same configuration as the configuration of embodiment shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  according to another embodiment of the disclosure but the cone  270  is further disposed at the inside of the dust collecting unit  240 . 
         [0097]    The dust and the air introduced through the collecting unit  220  is separated while being subjected to the cyclone flowing by the cone  270 . the separated dust is collected into the inside of the dust collecting unit  240  and the collected dust is exposed to the outside through transparent dust collecting unit  240 , such that the user may check the suction condition of the dust. 
         [0098]    Further, when a great deal of dust is collected into the inside of the dust collecting unit  240 , the user presses the push-button  310 . At this time, the discharge guide  360  extended toward the bottom of the cone  270  from the one side of the shield member  340  guides the air introduced into the inside of the dust collecting unit  240  to the bottom of the cone  270 , such that the air moves along with the outside from the bottom of the cone  270  to remove and discharge the dust (refer to drawing on the right of  FIG. 12 ).