Abstract:
A vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes suction means that provides suction force, a suction nozzle that uses the suction force provided by the suction means to draw in particle laden air, a dust collecting box that receives the particle laden air drawn in through the suction nozzle, an upper cover having an opening at a central portion thereof that provides for selective opening/closing of an upper portion of the dust collecting box, and a filter assembly that is selectively fastened to an edge of the opening, for filtering dust from the particle laden air and discharging the air upward. This structure simplifies cleaning and replacement of the dust collector assembly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of Korean Application Nos. P2004-16477, P2004-16478, P2004-16481, and P2004-24411, four of which were filed on Mar. 11, 2004, and are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners, and more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner having an improved dust collector assembly. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   In general, the vacuum cleaner draws dust-laden air from a floor of a room, removes the dust from the air, and discharges only the air again. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a related art vacuum cleaner. As shown, the vacuum cleaner is provided with a body  1 , and a suction nozzle  2 . The body  1  has a suction means mounted therein for drawing room air. Air is drawn from the floor to the body  1  through the suction nozzle  2  by a suction force generated at the body  1 . 
   The body  1  has a lower body  5  and an upper body  6 . The lower body  5  has the suction means mounted therein, and the upper body  6  has electric components mounted therein for controlling the vacuum cleaner. The body  1  has wheels  8  secured to opposite sides of a lower portion thereof, and the wheel  8  has an outlet  8   a  for discharging air having foreign matters removed from the air drawn through the suction nozzle  2 . 
   Between the body  1  and the suction nozzle  2 , there are a suction hose  3   b , an operation part  4 , and an extension tube  3   a . The suction hose  3   b  is formed of a flexible material, and the operation part  4  is at an end of the suction hose  3   b . The extension tube  3   a  makes the suction hose  3   b  and the suction nozzle  2  in communication. 
   Upon application of power through a power line  9 , the vacuum cleaner is at a standby condition. If a user operates the operation part  4 , an appropriate suction force is generated at the suction means in the body  1 . The suction force is transmitted to the suction nozzle  2  through the suction hose  3   b , the operation part  4 , and the extension tube  3   a  in succession. 
   According to this, dust-laden air is drawn through the suction nozzle  2 . The dust is separated from the air at a dust collecting box  10 , to discharge only the air through the outlet  8   a . By repeating this process, cleaning of the floor is performed. 
   However, the related art vacuum cleaner has the following problems. 
   First, the related art vacuum cleaner has a structure of the dust collecting box difficult to clean, to require much time, or to have inconvenience in cleaning the dust collecting box after finish of the operation. 
   Second, dismounting of the filter from an inside of the vacuum cleaner is not easy, to cause difficulty in replacement and cleaning of the filter. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a vacuum cleaner that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner having a dust collector assembly which is easy to replace and clean. 
   Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
   To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a vacuum cleaner includes suction means for providing suction force, a suction nozzle for drawing room air by the suction force provided from the suction means, a dust collecting box for receiving the room air drawn through the suction nozzle, an upper cover having an opening at a central portion thereof for selective opening/closing of an upper portion of the dust collecting box, and a filter assembly selectively fastened to an edge of the opening, for filtering dust from the drawn air, and discharging the air to upward. 
   The filter assembly includes an upper holding part loaded on an upper surface of an edge of the opening, the upper holding part having an air discharge hole at a central portion thereof, a lower holding part spaced a distance downward from the upper holding part, and a filter between the upper holding part and the lower holding part, the filter having a discharge passage therein. The edge of the opening includes a step for loading the upper holding part. 
   The vacuum cleaner further includes a projection piece projected from one side of the upper holding part in a radial direction, and a lever at one side of an upper surface of the upper cover for fastening the projection piece selectively as the lever rotates around a hinge. 
   The upper cover includes a loading portion at one side recessed downwardly, for accommodating the projection piece and the lever. The upper holding part includes hand grips projected upward from the upper surface thereof. 
   The upper holding part has a diameter greater than a diameter of the lower holding part. The dust collecting box includes a separation plate for dividing an inside space of the dust collecting box into an upper space and a lower space. The separation plate includes a hole at one side for separating dusts with relatively large masses downward. The separation plate has an outside diameter smaller than an inside diameter of the dust collecting box. 
   The separation plate is fixed to a top of a supporting member projected upward from a bottom of the dust collecting box. The separation plate includes semicircular first, and second plates, each fastened to the top of the supporting member so as to be rotatable around a hinge shaft. The dust collecting box includes a partition plate between the separation plate and the bottom of the dust collecting box for prevention of circulation of the drawn air. 
   The vacuum cleaner further includes a filter holding part including a base having a loading recess at a central portion thereof for seating an under side of the lower holding part, and a plurality of extensions each extended from a side of the base in a radial direction to fix the base to an inside surface of the dust collecting box. 
   The dust collecting box includes a suction guide mounted on an outside surface thereof obliquely for guiding drawn air in a tangential direction. The dust collecting box includes a hand grip on an outside surface thereof. The vacuum cleaner further includes a liquid sprayer provided to an inside of the dust collecting box, having a spray button on a top of the liquid spray connected to a press button provided through the upper cover. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner includes suction means in a body of the vacuum cleaner for providing suction force, a suction nozzle for drawing room air by the suction force provided from the suction means, a dust collecting box for receiving the room air drawn through the suction nozzle, an upper cover having an opening at a central portion thereof for selective opening/closing of an upper portion of the dust collecting box, a filter assembly selectively fastened to an edge of the opening, for filtering dust from the drawn air, and discharging the air to upward, and a lower cover for opening/closing a bottom of the dust collecting box. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner includes suction means in a body of the vacuum cleaner for providing suction force, a hand grip on an upper portion of the body, a suction nozzle for drawing room air by the suction force provided from the suction means, a dust collecting box for receiving the room air drawn through the suction nozzle, an upper cover having an opening in an upper surface thereof for selective opening/closing of an upper portion of the dust collecting box, a filter assembly selectively fastened to an edge of the opening, for filtering dust from the drawn air, and discharging the air to upward, a supporting member extended from a bottom of the dust collecting box to upward, the supporting member having a hinge shaft, a separation plate including one pair of semicircular plates provided so as to be rotatable around the hinge shaft for dividing an inside space of the dust collecting box into an upper space and a lower space selectively, and a partition plate between the separation plate and the bottom of the dust collecting box for prevention of circulation of the drawn air. 
   In further aspect of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner includes suction means in a body of the vacuum cleaner for providing suction force, a hand grip on an upper portion of the body, a suction nozzle for drawing room air by the suction force provided from the suction means, a dust collecting box for receiving the room air drawn through the suction nozzle, an upper cover having an opening at a central portion thereof for selective opening/closing of an upper portion of the dust collecting box, a filter assembly selectively fastened to an edge of the opening, for filtering dust from the drawn air, and discharging the air to upward, a lower cover for selective opening/closing of a bottom of the dust collecting box, a separation plate having a diameter smaller than an inside diameter of the dust collecting box, for dividing an inside space of the dust collecting box into an upper space and a lower space, and a partition plate between the separation plate and the bottom of the dust collecting box for prevention of circulation of the drawn air. 
   It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings; 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a related art vacuum cleaner; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a disassembled perspective view of a dust collector assembly in a vacuum cleaner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a section of a dust collector assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a section of a dust collector assembly having a filter holding part mounted thereon in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a filter holding part in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a section of a dust collector assembly in a vacuum cleaner in accordance with other preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  or  8  illustrates a perspective view of a separation plate in accordance with other preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  or  10  illustrates a section of a dust collector assembly in a vacuum cleaner in accordance with other preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a disassembled perspective view of a dust collector assembly in a vacuum cleaner in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a section of a dust collector assembly in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of an upper cover of a duct collector assembly in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a section showing a separation plate mounted on the dust collector assembly. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
   A vacuum cleaner in accordance with each of the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2˜15 . 
   In the vacuum cleaners, there are canister type and upright type of vacuum cleaners. The canister type of vacuum cleaner has a suction nozzle and a body provided separately and connected with a connection tube. Opposite to this, the upright type of vacuum cleaner has the suction nozzle and the body provided as one unit. 
   The following embodiments are applicable all types of vacuum cleaners including the canister type and the upright type of vacuum cleaners. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a disassembled perspective view of a dust collector assembly in a vacuum cleaner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 3 and 4  are sections of the dust collector assembly. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the dust collector assembly  100  includes a dust collecting box  110 , an upper cover  140 , and a filter assembly  150 . 
   The body of the vacuum cleaner has suction means mounted therein for providing a suction force, and room air is drawn into the dust collector assembly  100  through the suction nozzle by the suction force. 
   The dust collecting box  110  is cylindrical substantially, and has a suction guide  112  at a side thereof for guiding the air drawn thereto. The suction guide  112  has one end projected obliquely from an outside surface of the dust collecting box  110 , for drawing air through the suction guide  112  in a tangential direction along an inside surface of the dust collecting box  110 . 
   For easy mounting/dismounting to/from the body, the dust collecting box  110  has a hand grip  130  at an outside surface of the dust collecting box  110 . 
   The dust collecting box  110  has an upper cover  140  provided to an upper part thereof for covering the upper part of the dust collecting box  110 . The upper cover  140  has an opening  142  at a central portion thereof, for securing the filter assembly  150  therein, selectively. 
   The filter assembly  150  has an upper holding part  156 , a lower holding part  154 , and a filter  152 . The upper holding part  156  is a circular plate with an air discharge hole  156   a  at a central portion thereof, fitted to an upper surface of an edge of the opening  142 . For this, the edge of the opening  142  has a step for fitting to the upper holding part  156 . 
   The lower holding part  154  is spaced a distance from the upper holding part  156  downwardly. The cylindrical filter  152  is provided between the upper holding part  156  and the lower holding part  154 . The filter  152  has an air discharge passage  152   a  therein. 
   The upper holding part  156  has a diameter relatively greater than the lower holding part  154 . Accordingly, the lower holding part  154  and the filter  152  can be inserted through the opening  142 , more easily. 
   The air discharge hole  156   a  at a central portion of the upper holding part  156  discharges the air guided through the air discharge passage  152   a . The air discharge hole  156   a  has a discharge guide  156   b  projected upward from a circumference thereof, so that the discharge hole  156   a  can be connected to the outlet in the body of the vacuum cleaner, easily. 
   The upper holding part  156  has a hand grip  158  on an upper surface for easy drawing of the filter assembly  150  from the dust collecting box  110 . As shown, one pair of hand grips  158  are formed on opposite sides of the discharge hole  156   a.    
   In the meantime, the upper cover  140  has a loading portion  146  at one side recessed downwardly. The loading part  146  has fastening means for fastening the filter assembly  150  to the upper cover  140 , selectively. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the fastening means includes a projection piece  156 ′ and a lever  148 . The projection piece  156 ′ is projected from one side of the upper holding part  156  in a radial direction. The lever  148  fastens the projection piece  156 ′ selectively as the lever  148  rotates around the hinge  148 ′ mounted on an upper surface of the upper cover  140 . Accordingly, as the projection piece  156 ′ is fastened by the lever  148 , separation of the filter assembly  150  is prevented. 
   The operation of the lever  148  will be described in detail. 
   After rotating the lever  148  to release the projection piece  156 ′, if the hand grip  158  is pulled upward, the filter assembly  150  is separated from the opening  142  of the upper cover  140 . 
   Opposite to this, at the time of securing the filter assembly  150 , the filter assembly  150  is inserted in the opening  142 , and the lever  148  is rotated, when the projection piece  156 ′ is fastened by the lever  148 . 
   In the meantime, for filtering dust from air, the filter  152  is provided between the holding parts  154 , and  156 . The filter  152  is formed of an endurable and washable fibrous plastic. It is preferable that the filter  152  is formed of polyester. Moreover, by forming a plurality of folds in a length direction of the filter  152 , a contact area with air is increased to improve a dust collecting capability. 
   A mesh filter may further be provided to an outside of the filter  152 , or a plurality of filters may be provided in multiple layers. 
   The discharge passage  152   a  is inside of the filter  152 , such that the air passed through the filter  152  flows upward along the discharge passage  152   a  until the air is discharged through the discharge hole  156   a.    
   For maintaining the cylindrical filter  152  between the holding parts  154  and  156 , it is preferable that means for connecting the upper and lower holding parts  154 , and  156 , and supporting the filter  152  is required. The supporting means may be a plurality of ribs connected between the holding parts or a cylindrical member having a plurality of holes. 
   For dividing an inside space of the dust collecting box  110  in an upper and a lower spaces, a separation plate  120  is provided to an inside of the dust collecting box  110 , and a hole  120   a  is formed in one side of the separation plate  120 . Dust particles with relatively large masses in the air drop down below the separation plate  120  through the hole  120   a.    
   The lower holding part  154  is in contact with an upper surface of the separation plate  120 . Therefore, since the lower holding part  154  is supported on the separation plate  120 , the lower holding part  154  is held, more securely. 
     FIG. 4  or  5  illustrate a diagram of a filter holding part applied to the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the filter holding part provided under the filter assembly includes a base and a plurality of extensions. 
   The base has a loading recess for seating an underside of the lower holding part. The extensions, extended in a radial direction from a side of the base, are fixed to an inside surface of the dust collecting box. 
   In the meantime, referring to  FIGS. 2˜4 , the dust collecting box  110  has a liquid sprayer  160  at one side of an inside thereof. The liquid sprayer  160  includes a body  162 , a spray button  164 , and a spray nozzle  166 . 
   Liquid is stored in the cylindrical body  162 . The spray nozzle  166  is on an upper portion of the body  162 , and a spray button  164  is provided to a top of the body  162 . Upon pushing the spray button  164 , the liquid is sprayed through the spray nozzle  166 . The sprayed liquid increases humidity of an inside of the dust collecting box, to prevent static electricity. The liquid has insecticide, germicide, aromatic agent, or the like added thereto. 
   The upper cover  140  of the dust collecting box has a press button  144  in the vicinity of an edge thereof in contact with the spray button  164 . Therefore, upon pressing the press button  144 , the spray button is pressed simultaneously, and the liquid is sprayed through the spray nozzle  166 . 
   The liquid sprayer  160  is mounted on a mounting part  170  on an inside of the dust collecting box  110 . The mounting part  170  includes an attachment portion  172 , a supporting plate  174 , and elastic arms  176 . 
   The attachment portion  172  is attached to the inside surface of the dust collecting box  110 , and the supporting plate  174  is on an underside of the attachment portion  172  for supporting an underside of the liquid sprayer  160 . The elastic arms  176  are respectively extended forward from opposite sides of a substantially middle portion of the attachment part  172 , and have elasticity. The elastic arms  176  are curved to surround the body  162 , for receiving and holding the body  162  by an elastic deformation. 
   That is, upon pushing in the liquid sprayer  160 , the elastic arms  176  move away from each other, to receive and hold the liquid sprayer  160  on an inside thereof. 
   The operation of the dust collector assembly in the vacuum cleaner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
   The dust-laden air drawn through the suction nozzle is introduced into an inside of the dust collecting box  110  through the suction guide  112 . 
   In this instance, dust particles with relatively large masses drop down below the separation plate  120 , and dust particles with relatively small masses are separated by the filter during the dust particles flow together with air, and accumulated on an inside of the dust collecting box  110 . The air passed through the filter  152  is discharged through the discharge hole  156   a  via the discharge passage  152   a.    
   In this instance, upon pressing the press button  144  on the upper cover  140  of the dust collecting box, the spray button  164  on the liquid sprayer  160  is pressed, to spray the liquid toward an inner portion of the dust collecting box  110  through the spray nozzle  166 . 
     FIGS. 6˜8  illustrate a dust collector assembly in accordance with other preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an upper portion of the dust collecting box  110  is opened, and the upper portion is opened/closed with an upper cover  140 . The upper cover  140  has an opening in a central portion thereof, for selective securing of the filter assembly  150 . 
   There is a separation plate  220  fixed to an upper portion of a lower portion of the dust collecting box for dividing an inside space of the dust collecting box  110  into an upper space, and a lower space. That is, there is a supporting member  122  projected upward from a bottom of the dust collecting box  110 , and the separation plate  220  is provided to a top of the supporting member  122 . It is preferable that the separation plate  220  and the bottom of the dust collecting box  110  are formed as one unit. 
   The separation plate  220  has an outside diameter smaller than an inside diameter of the dust collecting box  110 , to form a gap  220   a  between the separation plate  220  and an inside surface of the dust collecting box  110 . Dust particles with comparatively large masses drop down below the separation plate  220  through the gap  220   a.    
   In the meantime, referring to  FIG. 8 , the separation plate  220  includes a first plate  220 ′ and a second plate  220 ″, and the supporting member  122  has a hinge shaft  220   h  at a top thereof. The first plate  220 ′ and the second plate  220 ″ are semicircular, and rotatable around the high shaft  220   h.    
   If the plates  220 ′ and  220 ″ are rotated upward, most of the upper and lower spaces of the separation plate  220  are in communication with each other. Once the plates  220 ′ and  220 ″ are rotated upward, the user can clean the dust under the separation plate  220 , easily. 
     FIG. 9  or  10  illustrates a diagram of a dust collector assembly in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , the dust collecting box  110  has opened upper, and lower portions, and the opened lower portion is opened/closed with a lower cover  180 , selectively. The lower cover  180  rotates around a cover hinge  182  provided to a lower portion of the dust collecting box  110 . There is a locking assembly  190  opposite to cover hinge  182  for selective fastening of the lower cover  180 . 
   The locking assembly  190  includes a projection  192 , a hinge shaft  198 , a rotatable hook  194 , and a spring ‘S’. The projection  192  is projected from the lower cover  180 , and the hinge shaft  198  is projected from a holding part  196  provided to an outside surface of the dust collecting box  110 . The rotatable hook  194  makes seesaw movement around the hinge shaft  198 . 
   The rotatable hook  194  includes a hook portion  194 ″ for hooking the projection  192  selectively, and a button portion  194 ′. The spring ‘S’ is between the button portion  194 ′ and the outside surface of the dust collecting box  110 . When the button portion  194 ′ is pressed, the hook portion  194 ″ rotates in a counter clockwise direction, and the projection  192  is released from an engaged state. Opposite to this, if no force is applied to the button portion  194 ′, the button portion  194 ′ rotates in a clockwise direction by the spring ‘S’. 
   In the meantime, the projection may be formed on the outside surface of the dust collecting box  110 , while the rotatable hook  192  is formed on the lower cover  180 . 
   In the meantime, a partition wall  185  is provided between the lower cover  180  and the separation plate  120 , for prevention of circulation of air. The partition wall  185 , not only supports the separation plate  120 , but also prevents the air introduced to side below the separation plate  120  from circulating, to prevent the dust from flying. 
     FIG. 10  illustrates a section showing an opened state of the lower cover. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , upon pressing a button portion  194 ′ of the locking assembly, the projection  192  is disengaged from the hook portion  194 . Then, the lower cover  180  rotates around the cover hinge  182 . Therefore, the user can clean an inside of the dust collecting box  110  after opening, not only the upper portion, but also the lower portion. 
   Opposite to this, when it is intended to close the lower portion of the dust collecting box  110 , what is required is pressing the lower cover  180  stronger than compression force of the spring ‘S’. For this, one side of the hook portion  194 ″ to be brought into contact with the projection  192  is sloped, for the projection  192  to slide along the sloped surface until the projection  192  is hooked at the hook portion  194 ″. 
     FIGS. 11˜15  illustrate sections each showing a dust collector assembly in a vacuum cleaner in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates a diagram showing a dust collector assembly of the present invention mounted on an upright type vacuum cleaner. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , the vacuum cleaner  50  includes a suction nozzle  60 , a body  70 , and a dust collector assembly  100 . 
   The body  70  is on the suction nozzle  60 , and has suction means therein for generating suction force. There is a hand grip  80  for the user to hold the upright type vacuum cleaner. 
   The suction nozzle  60  includes an upper nozzle cover  60 ″, and a lower nozzle cover  60 ′. The lower nozzle cover  60 ′ has a suction passage in an underside surface thereof for drawing dust-laden air from a floor of the room, and there are wheels  62  to a rear of the suction nozzle  60 . 
   The body  70  is rotatably mounted on the suction nozzle  60 , and there is a rotating lever  64  in rear of the suction nozzle  60  for controlling the rotation. The body  70  may be slanted by stepping on the rotating lever and pulling the body  70  backward. 
   The body  70  has a wire holder  71  on a rear surface thereof, and a cavity portion  72  in a front thereof for receiving the dust collector assembly  100 . 
     FIG. 12  illustrates a disassembled perspective view of a dust collector assembly in a vacuum cleaner in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 12 , the dust collector assembly  100  includes a dust collecting box  110 , an upper cover  140 , and a filter assembly  150 . There is a hand grip  130  on an outside surface of the dust collecting box  110 , and the upper cover  140  has an opening  142  at a central portion thereof. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the dust collector assembly  100  has an inlet  112  formed in line with a suction passage in the cavity portion  72 . There is a knob  78  over the cavity portion  72 , and as one end of the knob  78  is inserted into a knob slot  78 ′, the dust collecting assembly  100  is fastened to the cavity portion  72 . 
     FIG. 13  illustrates a section of a filter assembly fixed to an under side of the upper over, and  FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective underside view of the upper cover. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12˜14 , the filter assembly  150  is fixed to an under side of the upper cover  140 , selectively. The filter assembly includes an upper holding part  156 , a lower holding part  154 , and a filter  152 . 
   The upper holding part  156  has an air discharge hole  152   a  at a central portion thereof, and recesses  156 ′ at regular intervals in a circumferential direction. There is a lip  258  under one of the recesses  156 ′. 
   In the meantime, the upper cover  140  has a filter mounting assembly on an underside of an inner edge of the opening  142 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , the filter mounting assembly includes a mounting portion  260 , a moving member  270 , align means  276 , and a spring ‘S’. 
   The mounting portion  260  is circular along an inner edge of the opening  142 , and extended downwardly. There are holding pieces  262  each projected in a radial direction inwardly from each end of the extensions. It is preferable that the mounting portion  260  is formed as one unit with the upper cover  140 . 
   Upon inserting the holding pieces  262  between the recesses in the upper holding part  156 , and rotating the filter assembly  150 , the holding pieces  262  engage with an outside circumferential surface of the upper holding part  156 . According to this, the filter assembly  150  is fastened to the underside of the upper cover  140 . 
   In the meantime, the moving member  270  is provided to an outside of the mounting portion  260 , and is brought into contact with the lip  258 , selectively. The mounting portion has one opened side through which the lip  258  is brought into contact with the moving member  270 . 
   The align means  276  is projected from a side of the moving member  270  to an outside of the upper cover  140 . The upper cover  140  has a U-cut  140 ′ in one side surface thereof for pass of the align means  276 , and there is a spring ‘S’ between the align means  276  and an outside circumferential surface of the mounting portion  260 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 14 , the moving member  270  has an operation recess  272  for receiving the lip  258  therein. The operation recess  272  has a stopper  274  at one side thereof for stopping rotation of the lip  258 . When the upper holding part  156  of the filter assembly  150  is inserted in, and fastened to the mounting portion  260 , the lip  258  is inserted in the operation recess  272 . In this instance, the align means  276  is projected outward by a restoring force of the spring ‘S’. 
   Then, as the filter assembly  150  rotates in a clockwise direction, the lip  258  moves to a right side of the stopper  274  until the lip  258  is brought into contact with the moving member  270 , when the lip  258  pushes the moving member  270  backward. 
   The align means  276  is provided to a part opposite to a part the moving member  270  and the lip  258  are brought into contact. Therefore, if the moving member  270  is pushed backward, the align means moves back to an inside of the U-cut  140 ′. The moving back of the align means  276  indicates that the filter assembly  150  is fastened to the upper cover, accurately. 
   Opposite to this, when it is intended to separate the filter assembly  150  from the upper cover  140 , in a state the moved back align means is pushed backward further, the filter assembly  150  is rotated in a counter clockwise direction. 
   In this instance, the lip  258  moves toward the operation recess  272 , and the align means  276  is projected to the outside of the upper cover  140 , again. Also, the holding pieces  262  disengage through the recesses  156 ′. 
   As described before, the user can determine if the filter assembly  150  is fastened accurately depending on an extent of projection of the align means  276 . If the filter assembly  150  is not fastened to the cover  140  accurately, the align means  276  interferes with a top of the dust collecting box  110 , to fail the accurate fastening of the upper cover  140  with the top of the dust collecting box  110 . 
   In the meantime, after the upper cover is mounted on the dust collecting box, as one end of the knob  78  is inserted in the slot  78 ′, the dust collector assembly  150  is fastened to the cavity portion  72  of the vacuum cleaner. 
     FIG. 15  illustrates a section showing a separation plate mounted on the dust collector assembly, for dividing an inside of the dust collecting box into an upper portion and a lower portion. 
   Referring to  FIG. 15 , the separation plate  180  is in contact with an under side of the filter assembly  150 , and the separation plate  180  has a hole  180 ′ in one side thereof for falling down of dust particles with comparatively large masses. 
   As has been described, the dust collector assembly in a vacuum cleaner of the present invention has the following advantages. 
   First, the detachable provision of the filter assembly to an upper surface of the dust collecting box permits separation of only the filter assembly in an upper direction as required. Therefore, the user can clean the dust collector assembly more easily, and replacement of the filter assembly is easy. 
   Second, by pressing a press button, to spray liquid from a liquid sprayer as required, humidity of the vicinity of the filter assembly can be increased, and generation of static electricity at an inside of the duct collecting container can be prevented. 
   Third, the upper surface of the dust collecting box can be opened/closed with the upper cover, selectively. Dust can be cleaned from an inside of the dust collecting box easily after the upper cover is opened. 
   Fourth, as the air discharge hole of the dust collecting box is formed in an upper portion thereof, so that the dust drops down by gravity, and the cleaned air is discharged upward, more effective cleaning can be made. 
   Fifth, in a case the filter assembly is not fastened to the upper cover, the dust collector assembly is not received at the cavity portion of the vacuum cleaner. Therefore, defective assembly of the filter assembly can be prevented in advance. 
   It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.