Patent Publication Number: US-2021161345-A1

Title: Vacuum cleaner

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of an earlier filing date of and the right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2019-0157392, filed on Nov. 29, 2019 in the Republic of Korea, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner that is hygienically managed by periodically disinfecting a filter thereof. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A vacuum cleaner is a device that suctions foreign substances such as dust together with surrounding air, and separates and stores the foreign substances from the air. 
     Accordingly, the vacuum cleaner is based on the generation of a suction force, and has a structure in which foreign substances are separated from suctioned air while the suctioned air flows along a predetermined path. Accordingly, the vacuum cleaner has a motor-related component for generating a large suction force, air flow path and filter components for separating the foreign substances from the suctioned air, and a component for exhausting the filtered. 
     As a body of the vacuum cleaner is miniaturized, parts of the vacuum cleaner for suctioning air, separating foreign substances from the suctioned air, and storing the foreign substances are complicatedly arranged in a small space. Accordingly, it is difficult to clean the inside of body of the vacuum cleaner, and disassemble the vacuum cleaner. 
     Only removing dust collected in the vacuum cleaner is insufficient to manage hygiene conditions of the inside of the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner is provided with several filters for filtering dust. In addition to the dust, various bacteria grow in the filters. Even if a sufficient portion of the lifespan of the filter remains, the bacteria could contaminate the inside of the filter. 
     As related art, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2019-0127652 (hereinafter referred to as “related art 1”) discloses a vacuum cleaner. 
     The vacuum cleaner according to related art 1 includes a suction inlet, a first cyclone, a second cyclone, a suction motor, a prefilter, an exhaust filter, and a flow guide. In the vacuum cleaner according to related art 1, a filter mechanism is installed in a passage through which air is discharged from a body of the vacuum cleaner to the outside. The filter mechanism includes an exhaust filter therein, and air discharged to the outside is filtered through the exhaust filter. 
     The vacuum cleaner according to related art 1 filters the exhausted air by using the exhaust filter. The exhaust filter can be replaced after being used for its predetermined lifespan. However, depending on the environment in which the vacuum cleaner is used, various bacteria can grow in the exhaust filter. A user can only check the predetermined lifespan of the filter, and there is no way to detect the degree of bacteria growing in the exhaust filter. The only measure for maintaining hygiene is to frequently separate the exhaust filter from the vacuum cleaner and disinfect the exhaust filter by sunlight. 
     The above-described background technology is technical information that the inventors hold for the derivation of the present disclosure or that the inventors acquired in the process of deriving the present disclosure. Thus, the above-described background technology may not necessarily be regarded as known technology disclosed to the general public prior to the filing of the present application. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present disclosure is to address an issue associated with some related art in which bacteria cannot be prevented from growing in a filter mounted in a vacuum cleaner. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure is to address an issue associated with some related art in which managing the vacuum cleaner is inconvenient due to a complicated process required when separating the filter from the vacuum cleaner so as to disinfect the filter, and it is necessary to periodically separate the filter from the vacuum cleaner and disinfect the filter. 
     Still another aspect of the present disclosure is to address an issue associated with some related art in which the filter is easily contaminated unless a user pays special attention. 
     Still another aspect of the present disclosure is to address an issue associated with some related art in which surplus electrical energy is not utilized in the process of charging the battery. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to what has been described above, and other aspects not mentioned herein will be apparent from the following description to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. 
     A vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a suction inlet, a body, a suction motor, a dust separation module, an exhaust module, and a lighting module. The suction inlet may be an inlet through which air is introduced. The body may form a space in which air introduced through the suction inlet flows. The suction motor may be provided in the body. The dust separation module may be provided in the body and arranged between the suction inlet and the suction motor based on a movement path of air, and may separate foreign substances from flowing air. 
     The exhaust module may discharge air passing through the suction motor to the outside of the body, and may be provided with at least one exhaust filter including a photocatalyst. The lighting module may be provided in the body, and may radiate light toward the exhaust filter. 
     The body may include a motor housing. The motor housing may form a predetermined space therein so as to form a path through which air flows, and may accommodate the suction motor. Air passing through the dust separation module may rise upward along an outer surface of the motor housing and move to the inside of the motor housing toward the suction motor. 
     The body may include a flow guide. The flow guide may be coupled to the outside of the motor housing, and may form a path through which air can flow between the outer surface of the motor housing and the flow guide. 
     The flow guide may include a flow path forming wall, a protrusion, and an inlet. The flow path forming wall may form a space therein so as to divide a space between the body and the motor housing. The protrusion may form a part of the flow path forming wall, and protrude outward so as to form at least two air flow paths in the flow path forming wall. 
     The inlet may form a valley between the protrusion and the protrusion so as to form a flow path of air between the flow guide and the body. 
     The lighting module may be coupled to the outside of the flow guide, and may radiate light toward an intake port of the exhaust module from a lower portion of the exhaust module. 
     The lighting module may include a lighting frame, a protruding coupling portion, an inlet coupling portion, and a light irradiator. 
     The inlet coupling portion may further include a fastening member. The fastening member may be coupled to the inlet of the flow guide. 
     The exhaust filter may include a visible light photocatalyst. 
     The exhaust module may include a basic filter and the exhaust filter. The basic filter may be a HEPA filter. The basic filter and the exhaust filter may be stacked on each other. 
     The exhaust filter may be arranged on a lower portion of the basic filter. 
     A vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a body, a dust separation module, an exhaust module, an exhaust filter, and a lighting module. The body may be provided with a suction motor, and may suction surrounding air. The dust separation module may be provided in the body, and may separate foreign substances from air suctioned into the body. The exhaust module may discharge air passing through the dust separation module and the suction motor in the body to the outside of the body. The exhaust filter may be provided in the exhaust module, and may remove foreign substances and include a photocatalyst. The lighting module may be provided in the body, and may radiate light toward the exhaust filter. 
     A vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a body, a dust separation module, an exhaust module, a lighting module, a battery, and a controller. The battery may supply electrical energy to the suction motor, the dust separation module, and the lighting module. The controller may control operations of the suction motor, the dust separation module, the lighting module, and the battery. 
     The controller may turn on the lighting module at predetermined time intervals while the battery is being charged. 
     According to the present disclosure, the exhaust filter may be automatically disinfected through the visible light photocatalyst and lighting module, thereby allowing hygienic management of the filter. 
     According to the present disclosure, bacterial growth in the exhaust filter may be prevented without separating the exhaust filter from the vacuum cleaner. 
     According to the present disclosure, light may be automatically radiated toward the exhaust filter including the photocatalyst, thereby reducing inconvenience and enabling the filter to be kept clean even without requiring the special attention of the user. 
     According to the present disclosure, the exhaust filter may be disinfected by radiating light at predetermined time intervals, thereby allowing continuous hygienic management of the filter. 
     According to the present disclosure, the filter may be disinfected by using surplus power while the vacuum cleaner is being charged, thereby saving electrical energy. 
     The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention, as well as the following detailed description of the embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, there is shown in the drawings an exemplary embodiment, it being understood, however, that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. The use of the same reference numerals or symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an exhaust module is separated from a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of an exhaust module in a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of an exhaust module in a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the inside of a body in a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an exhaust module and a lighting module are separated from a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating a flow guide and a lighting module in a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view illustrating a lighting module in a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic view illustrating a flow of air flowing into a body in a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed for the purpose of description will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same components throughout the detailed description. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a body  3 , a handle portion  5 , a suction inlet  7 , and an exhaust module  9 . 
     A series of paths through which air flows may be formed in the inside of the body  3 . A suction inlet  7  through which air is introduced into the body  3  may be formed at one side of the body  3 . Further, the handle portion  5  may be provided on an opposite side of the suction inlet  7 . In addition, the exhaust module  9  may include an exhaust port  522  coupled to an upper portion of the body  3  to discharge air introduced into the suction inlet  7  to the outside of the body  3  through the body  3 . 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the vacuum cleaner I according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3  is a plan view of the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , in the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the body  3  may include a first body  10  and a second body  20 . In the body  3  composed of the first body  10  and the second body  20 , a predetermined space may also be formed. The body  3  may include a first space that is an inner space of the first body  10  and a second space that is an inner space of the second body  20 . Such dividing of the inner space of the body  3  into the first space and the second space is for the purpose of describing an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the inner space of the body  3  is not divided in a functional manner. However, the first space is positioned above the second space, and the second space is positioned below the first space. Accordingly, air introduced through the suction inlet  7  may move to the first space through the second space. 
     The suction inlet  7  may be provided on one side of the body  3 , and may be open in a direction away from the body  3 . The suction inlet  7  may be coupled to an accessory for suctioning and cleaning. The suction inlet  7  may suction air from an open end thereof or the accessory for suctioning and cleaning coupled to the suction inlet  7 , and an extension part coupled to the suction inlet  7  may be provided with components for assisting cleaning at an end thereof. The suction inlet  7  may guide the suctioned air into the body  3 . The handle portion  5  may be formed on an opposite side of the body  3  that faces the suction inlet  7  with respect to the body  3 . The handle portion  5  may include a handle  30 , a movement limiter  32 , an operation interface  34 , and a display  36 . The handle  30  may have a grip shape such that a user can grip the handle  30 . The movement limiter  32  may be provided in the handle  30  to restrain the user&#39;s finger or body part so that the user&#39;s hand gripping the handle  30  does not slip. The operation interface  34  may be provided in the handle  30 , and may be formed to allow the user to enter a predetermined command while holding the handle  30 . The display  36  may be provided on an upper portion of the handle  30 , and may display information related to an operating state of the vacuum cleaner  1  for the user. 
     The exhaust module  9  may be coupled to the upper portion of the body  3 . The exhaust module  9  may form an upper surface of the body  3 , and may be a passage through which air introduced into the body  3  through the suction inlet  7  is discharged to the outside of the body  3 . The exhaust module  9  may include a plurality of exhaust ports  522  through which air is discharged to the outside of the body  3 . The exhaust ports  522  may be open toward an upper direction of the body  3  with respect to the body  3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the body  3  of the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a suction motor  11 , a motor housing  15 , a flow guide  100 , and a dust separation module  26 . 
     Air suctioned through the suction inlet  7  may be guided to the second space. The second space may include a first cyclone  22  that filters foreign substances from the air introduced through the suction inlet  7 , and a first storage  24  in which the foreign substances filtered by the first cyclone  22  fall and are collected. The dust separation module  26  may be arranged in the second space, and the dust separation module  26  may suction air from the first cyclone  22 , and may filter foreign substances through the filter unit  200 . 
     Accordingly, the air introduced into the suction inlet  7  may move to the first cyclone  22 . In the first cyclone  22 , the foreign substances may be first filtered by the filter unit  200 , and then may fall to the first storage  24 . Air passing through the filter unit  200  and introduced into the dust separation module  26  may be introduced into the second cyclone  300 . 
     The second cyclone  300  may include a cyclone array  320 , a cyclone base  330 , and a storage unit  400 . 
     The filter unit  200  may surround an outer circumference of the second cyclone  300 . The filter unit  200  may include a filter frame  210  and a main filter  220 . The main filter  220  may be coupled to the filter frame  210 , and thus an outer shape thereof may be formed. Further, the main filter  220  may be formed of a surface provided with a plurality of holes of a predetermined size. Alternatively, the main filter  220  may be in the form of a mesh. The filter unit  200  may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and may be fitted to the second cyclone  300  by sliding in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shape. 
     The second cyclone  300  may include the cyclone array  320  and the cyclone base  330 . The cyclone array  320  may be composed of a plurality of cyclone cones. The cyclone cones may each be rotatably coupled to the cyclone base  330 . The cyclone cones each may have a diameter that becomes gradually smaller downward. The cyclone base  330  may be rotated with respect to the center thereof, and the plurality of cyclone cones coupled to the cyclone base  330  may each be rotated with respect to the cyclone base  330 . Accordingly, through the rotation of the cyclone base  330  and the cyclone cones, foreign substances contained in air may fall and be pushed to the edge of the dust separation module  26  by centrifugal force. 
     Each cyclone cone may have a wide upper portion and a narrow lower portion, and a lowermost end of each cyclone cone may have a narrow passage. Such shapes of the cyclone cones of the second cyclone  300  may prevent the foreign substances pushed out by centrifugal force after falling from being introduced back into the cyclone array  320 . 
     Specifically, the foreign substances separated by the first cyclone  22  may be collected in the first storage  24 , and the foreign substances separated from the second cyclone  300  may be stored in a second storage  410  that is an inner space of the storage unit  400 . 
     The air that is introduced into the suction inlet  7  and passes through the first cyclone  22  and the second cyclone  300  may move to the suction motor  11  along a space formed between the flow guide  100  and the motor housing  15 . The suction motor  11  may be mounted in the motor housing  15 . The suction motor  11  may allow surrounding air to flow in at least one direction. 
     The suction motor  11  may be a brushless DC (BLDC) electric motor, which generates relatively little noise and has a long lifespan. Alternatively, the suction motor  11  may be an inverter motor capable of variably changing the speed of a motor. The suction motor  11  may be mounted in the motor housing  15  to allow air to flow in at least one direction along an air flow path formed by the motor housing  15 . In the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a suction force may be generated through the suction motor  11 . 
     The motor housing  15  may include an upper motor housing  16  and a lower motor housing  17 . The upper motor housing  16  and the lower motor housing  17  may be coupled to each other to form the motor housing  15 . The suction motor  11  may be coupled to the inside of the motor housing  15 , and the motor housing  15  may guide air flowing through the suction motor  11  to move along a series of paths. 
     The flow guide  100  may be coupled to the outside of the motor housing  15 . The flow guide  100  may form a predetermined space between an outer surface of the motor housing  15  and the flow guide  100 . The space formed between the flow guide  100  and the motor housing  15  may be used as a passage through which air flows. 
     The motor housing  15  and the flow guide  100  may be arranged in the first space, and the dust separation module  26  may be arranged in the second space. 
     That is, the suction force generated through the suction motor  11  may introduce air into the suction inlet  7 , and the introduced air may pass through the first cyclone  22 , the second cyclone  300 , the flow guide  100 , the inner space of the motor housing  15 , and the suction motor  11 . The air passing through the suction motor  11  may move to the exhaust module  9  through a space formed between an outer surface of the flow guide  100  and an inner surface of the first body  10 . The air moved to the exhaust module  9  may be discharged to the outside of the body  3  through the exhaust ports  522 . 
     Here, a body cover  28  may be provided on a lower surface of the second body. One side of the body cover  28  may be rotatably coupled to the body  3 , and the body cover  28  that forms the lower surface of the second body  20  may be opened or closed by the operation of an opening and closing button  29 . When the body cover  28  is closed, the first storage  24  and the second storage  410  may be isolated from the outside. Accordingly, foreign substances stored in the first storage  24  and the second storage  410  may continuously accumulate. When the body cover  28  is opened, the first storage  24  and the second storage  410  may be opened toward a lower direction of the body  3 . Accordingly, when the body cover  28  is opened, the foreign substances stored in the first storage  24  and the second storage  410  may be drawn out of the body  3 . 
     In addition, the handle portion  5  may include the handle  30 , the movement limiter  32 , the operation interface  34 , the display  36 , and a battery housing  40 . The battery housing  40  may be formed on a lower portion of the handle  30 , and a battery  42  may be mounted in an inner space of thereof. The battery  42  may be coupled to the inside of the battery housing  40 , and may be provided to be replaceable. The battery  42  may be relatively heavy in weight. Thus, when the battery  42  is positioned at the lower portion of the handle  30 , the user may be able to easily grip the handle  30  and operate the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the exhaust module  9  separated from the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the exhaust module  9  in the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the exhaust module  9  in the vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 to 7 , the upper surface of the body  3  may be formed by the exhaust module  9 . A plurality of intake ports  542  may be formed in a lower surface of the exhaust module  9 , and a plurality of exhaust ports  522  (see  FIG. 3 ) may be formed in an upper surface of the exhaust module  9 . The intake ports  542  may introduce air discharged from the inside of the body  3  into the exhaust module  9 , and the exhaust ports  522  may exhaust air to the outside of the main body  3 . An exhaust filter  530  may be mounted in the exhaust module  9 . The exhaust filter  530  may be arranged between the intake ports  542  and the exhaust ports  522 , and air passing through the intake ports  542  and the exhaust ports  522  may pass through the exhaust filter  530 . 
     More specifically, referring to  FIG. 8 , the exhaust module  9  may include a core member  510 , an exhaust grill  520 , an exhaust filter  530 , an intake grill  540 , a first frame  550 , a second frame  560 , and a sealing member  570 . 
     The core member  510  may be arranged at the center of the exhaust module  9 . The core member  510  may serve as a frame, and the exhaust module  9  may be assembled with the core member  510  as the center. 
     The exhaust filter  530  may be arranged to surround a circumference of the core member  510 . The exhaust filter  530  may perform a role of filtering dust from air flowing vertically. However, such a configuration is merely exemplary, and the exhaust filter  530  may be implemented to have various functions depending on the embodiment. 
     The first frame  550  may be coupled to upper portions of the exhaust filter  530  and the core member  510 , and the second frame  560  may be coupled to lower portions of the exhaust filter  530  and the core member  510 . Here, the first frame  550  and the second frame  560  may fix not only the exhaust filter  530  and the core member  510 , but also the exhaust grill  520  arranged on an upper surface of the exhaust filter  530  and the intake grill  540  arranged on a lower surface of the exhaust filter  530 . The exhaust grill  520  may be provided with a plurality of exhaust ports  522 , and the exhaust ports  522  may be exposed on the upper surface of the exhaust module  9 . The intake grill  540  may be also provided with a plurality of intake ports  542 . The intake ports  542  may be formed to be larger than the exhaust ports  522 . 
     In addition, at least one sealing member  570  may be coupled to a coupling portion where the first frame  550  and the second frame  560  are coupled to each other. The sealing member  570  may prevent air from flowing, aside from in a predetermined path between the inside and the outside of the body  3 . 
     The exhaust filter  530  may be subjected to a photocatalytic treatment. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the exhaust filter  530  may be subjected to a visible light photocatalyst treatment. This enables the same effect as sunlight disinfection to be obtained when light is radiated to the exhaust filter  530 . Accordingly, when light is radiated to the exhaust filter  530  through a lighting module  600  to be described below, the exhaust filter  530  may be disinfected. 
     In addition, the exhaust filter  530  may be stacked with the basic filter. The basic filter may be a HEPA filter, and together with the exhaust filter  530  may filter dust from exhausted air. The exhaust filter  530  may be arranged on a lower portion of the basic filter. The exhaust filter  530  may be exposed downward through the intake ports  542  formed in the intake grill  540 , and the lighting module  600  may radiate light toward the intake ports  542 , thereby disinfecting the exhaust filter  530 . 
       FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the inside of the body  3  in the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating the exhaust module  9  and the lighting module  600  separated from the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , in the body  3 , the lighting module  600  may be arranged between a wall surface of the body  3  and a flow path forming wall  110  of the flow guide  100 . The lighting module  600  may include a plurality of light irradiators  620  (see  FIG. 11 ) that radiate light upward. The light irradiators  620  may radiate light toward the intake ports  542  respectively positioned above. When light is radiated from the light radiators  620  to the exhaust filter  530  through the intake ports  542 , the visible light photocatalyst included in the exhaust filter  530  may react to disinfect the exhaust filter  530 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating the flow guide  100  and the lighting module  600  in the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 13  is a plan view illustrating the lighting module  600  in the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 to 13 , the lighting module  600  may be mounted on the outside of the flow guide  100 . The flow guide  100  may be formed by a flow path forming wall  110 , and may form a flow path through which air can flow into an inner space and outer space thereof. 
     Specifically, the flow guide  100  may form a flow path through which air flows through a space of which an outer surface is spaced apart from an inner surface of the body  3 . In addition, the flow guide  100  may form a flow path through which air flows through a space of which an inner surface is spaced apart from the motor housing  15 . 
     For smoother air flow, at least two portions of the flow path forming wall  110  forming a boundary of the flow guide  100  may protrude laterally, as illustrated in FIG,  11 , Such a protruding portion is referred to as protrusion  120 , and a portion between two protrusions  120  is referred to as an inlet  130 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , a space between an inner space of the protrusion  120  and the motor housing  15  is referred to as a first flow path  122 . The first flow path  122  may be a path through which air may flow from the second cyclone  300  toward the suction motor  11 . In addition, a second flow path  132  may be formed in a space between the flow path forming wall  110  provided with the inlet  130  and the first body  10 . The second flow path  132  may be a path through which air passing through the suction motor  11  moves toward the exhaust module  9 . 
     In the flow guide  100 , a plurality of protrusions  120  protruding laterally and the inlet  130 , which is a recessed portion between the protrusions  120 , may be repeatedly arranged. 
     The lighting module  600  may be formed to have a structural shape corresponding to those of the protrusion  120  and the inlet  130  formed in the flow guide  100 . Accordingly, the lighting module  600  may be mounted on the protrusion  120  and the inlet  130  of the flow guide  100 . 
     Specifically, the lighting module  600  may include a lighting frame  610 , a protruding coupling portion  612 , an inlet coupling portion  614 , a light irradiator  620 , and a fastening member  630 . 
     The lighting frame  610  may form a frame of the lighting module  600 . The lighting frame  61  may be formed in a protruding or recessed shape so as to correspond to the protrusion  120  and the inlet  130  of the flow guide  100 , and a portion of the lighting frame  61  that protrudes outward so as to correspond to the protrusion  120  may be the protruding coupling portion  612 . In addition, a portion of the lighting frame  610  corresponding to the inlet  130  of the flow guide  100  in terms of shape and position may be the inlet coupling portion  614 . The protruding coupling portion  612  and the inlet coupling portion  614  of the lighting frame  610  may be formed to correspond to the protrusion  120  and the inlet  130  of the flow guide  100  in terms of shape, and accordingly the lighting frame  610  may be mounted on the outer circumference of the flow guide  100  so as to be stably coupled thereto. 
     At least one fastening member  630  may be provided in the inlet coupling portion  614 . The fastening member  630  may be coupled to the outside of the flow path forming wall  110  of the flow guide  100 , and accordingly the lighting module  600  may be firmly fixed to the flow guide  100 . 
     In addition, the light irradiator  620  may be provided on an upper surface of the protruding coupling portion  612 . A plurality of light irradiators  620  may be provided. The light irradiators  620  may radiate light upward. Light irradiator  620  may be implemented as an LED module or a UV-LED module having a disinfection function. 
     The battery  42  accommodated in the battery housing  40  may supply electrical energy to the suction motor  11 , the dust separation module  26 , and the lighting module  600 . In addition, a controller may control all operations of the suction motor  11 , the dust separation module  26 , the lighting module  600 , and the battery  42  included in the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The controller may radiate light to the exhaust filter  530  through the lighting module  600  at predetermined time intervals. Alternatively, when a voltage value of the battery  42  is greater than a predetermined voltage value, the controller may set the lighting module  600  to radiate light at all times. 
     Alternatively, when the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the disclosure is being charged, the lighting module  600  may radiate light at a predetermined time interval to disinfect the exhaust filter  530 . 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic view illustrating flow of air flowing into the body  3  of the vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated in FIG,  14 , when the suction motor  11  operates, external air may be introduced through the suction inlet  7  provided on one side of the body  3 . Here, an air suctioning force may suction not only air but also foreign substances such as surrounding dust. In the first cyclone  22 , the air suctioned into the suction inlet  7  may be separated from the foreign substances by a main filter  220 . Here, the foreign substances separated from the air may be collected in the first storage  24 . The air passing through the main filter  220  may move to the second cyclone  300 , and the second cyclone  300  may separate foreign substances from the air again. The foreign substances separated by the second cyclone  300  may be collected in the second storage  410  that is an inner space of the storage unit  400 . 
     The air passing through the second cyclone  300  may pass through the suction motor  11  through a flow path formed by the flow guide  100  and the motor housing  15 , and the air passing through the suction motor may be discharged to the outside of the body  3  through the exhaust module  9 . 
     The present disclosure has been described with reference to the illustrated drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and the drawings. It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, even though operational effects according to a configuration of the present disclosure have not been explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be appreciated that effects predictable from the configuration can also obtained.