Patent Publication Number: US-7716784-B2

Title: Suction port assembly and vacuum cleaner having the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0049338, filed on May 21, 2007, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present disclosure relates to a suction port assembly and a vacuum cleaner having the same, and more particularly, to a suction port assembly constructed in order to reduce noise and improve the functioning of a brush sweeping dust off a surface being cleaned, and a vacuum cleaner having the same. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   A conventional vacuum cleaner sucks in dust containing dirt from a surface being cleaned using suction force generated by driving a driving source mounted in a cleaner main body. 
   The vacuum cleaner comprises a cleaner main body with a motor which generates suction force, a suction port assembly which draws in dust from the surface being cleaned, and an extension path which guides the in-drawn dust into the cleaner main body. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate schematically an exemplary embodiment of a suction port assembly in the prior art.  FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating a suction port assembly in the prior art, and  FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view illustrating the suction port assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a suction port opened to the exterior  110  is formed at the front end of a suction port assembly  100 . Dust is introduced from a surface being cleaned into the suction port assembly  100  through the suction port  110 . The dust moves along a dust flow passage (S) through the extension path, and is subsequently piled up in a dust separating chamber in the cleaner main body. 
   The suction port  110  of the suction port assembly  100  comprises a cylindrical drum brush  120  which is disposed so as to be able to rotate. A plurality of bristles are disposed in a radial formation around the circumference of the drum brush  120 , which is not illustrated in  FIG. 2 . When a user pushes and pulls the suction port assembly  100  over the surface being cleaned, the bristles of the drum brush  120  shake dust from the surface being cleaned. Accordingly, the sucking efficiency of the vacuum cleaner is improved. 
   If a vacuum cleaner having the drum brush  120  is used for a long period of time, dust may accumulate on the external surface of the drum brush  120 . At this time, it is difficult for the bristles to detach dust from the surface being cleaned, and suction force may be reduced. 
   Korean Utility Model Laid Open No. 1990-16639 and European Patent No. 563116 disclose a technique to improve the problems designed above. These reports disclose components corresponding to the bristles on the external surface of the drum brush  120  described above, and members disposed in the suction port assembly to detach dust from the bristles. 
   The member to shake dust from the hair is referred to as a cleaner 5 in Korean Utility Model Laid Open No. 1990-16639, and as a comb-shaped plate 12 in Europe Patent No. 563116. The cleaner 5 and comb-shaped plate 12 are both mounted on a side wall of the suction port assembly, and both have a comb-like shape. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , some noise generated from the cleaner main body is transferred to the suction port assembly  100  through an extension pipe, and the noise travels through the suction port assembly  100  along noise path (N), and is emitted externally through the suction port  110 . The suction port  110  may function simultaneously as a dust inlet, and an outlet through which noise is emitted externally. Noise reaches ears of a user such that the user feels noisy. 
   The cleaner 5 and comb-shaped plate 12 are formed in a comb shape, and a space is formed between the member and drum brush for air to passthrough. Accordingly, noise flowing back from a motor to the suction port reaches a user through the suction port despite reaching the “cleaner” 5 or “comb-shaped plate” 12. 
   Korean Utility Model Laid Open No. 1990-16639 discloses a “rotating brush” 3 corresponding to the drum brush  120 , and European Patent No. 563116 discloses “brush roller” corresponding to the drum brush  120 . 
   The rotating brush 3, and brush roller being in contact with a surface being cleaned are provided to rotate in two directions while a user cleans the surface being cleaned. That is, the rotating brush 3, or brush roller moves in contact with the surface being cleaned regardless of whether a user pushes or pulls the suction port assembly having the rotating brush 3, or brush roller. However, if the rotating brush 3, or brush roller corresponding to the drum brush only rolls across the surface, it is difficult to remove dust and hair sticking strongly to a surface being cleaned, such as hair entangled in a carpet. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present disclosure is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may not overcome any of the problems described above. 
   The present disclosure provides a suction port assembly to reduce noise flowing backward from a cleaner main body to the suction port assembly, and to improve the function of bristles separating and sweeping dust from a surface being cleaned, and a vacuum cleaner having the same. 
   According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a suction port assembly comprising a casing comprising a suction port which draws in dust from a surface being cleaned; a drum brush which is disposed rotatably in the case, on an external surface of which a plurality of bristles are arranged to shake off dust from the surface being cleaned; and a rib which is disposed at a position close to the drum brush, is mounted in the casing so that its one end is in contact with the bristles, and detaches the dust from the bristles when the drum brush rotates; and wherein the bristles are contacted on a slant relative to the rib to prevent the drum brush from rotating when the casing is pulled towards a user. 
   The bristles may be arranged on the drum brush at an angle of inclination relative to the radial direction. 
   The rib may be disposed to fill a space between the casing and the drum brush in order that the noise flowing back from a cleaner main body to the rib is not emitted to the exterior of the suction port assembly. 
   The rib may be formed as a rectangular plate, and be arranged lengthwise parallel to the drum brush. 
   The suction port assembly may further comprise at least one rib supporting member which is disposed in the casing to support the rib. 
   According to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising: a cleaner main body which provides suction force; a suction port assembly which receives the suction force from the cleaner main body, and draws in air containing dirt from a surface being cleaned; and an extension path which guides the suction force from the cleaner main body into the cleaner suction port assembly, wherein the suction port assembly comprises, a casing comprising a suction port which draws in dust from a surface being cleaned; a drum brush which is disposed rotatably in the case, on an external surface of which a plurality of bristles are arranged to shake off dust from the surface being cleaned; and a rib which is disposed at a position close to the drum brush, is mounted in the casing so that its one end is in contact with the bristles, and detaches the dust from the bristles when the drum brush rotates, and wherein the bristles are contacted on a slant relative to the rib to prevent the drum brush from rotating when the casing is pulled towards a user. 
   The rib may be disposed to fill a space between the casing and the drum brush in order that the noise flowing back from a cleaner main body to the rib is not emitted to the exterior of the suction port assembly. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and/or other aspects of the present disclosure will be more apparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating a suction port assembly of the prior art; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view illustrating the suction port assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating a vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a suction port assembly of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged side view illustrating a drum brush of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view illustrating the suction port assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view explaining the noise absorbing structure of a suction port assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 8A  is a schematic view explaining the rotation prevention of a drum brush according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
       FIG. 8B  is a schematic view explaining the rotation of a drum brush according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
   Certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
   In the following description, same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the disclosure. Thus, it is apparent that the present disclosure can be carried out without those specifically defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the disclosure with unnecessary detail. 
     FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating a vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,  FIG. 4  is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a suction port assembly of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 5  is an enlarged side view illustrating the drum brush of  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 6  is a bottom view illustrating the suction port assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a main cleaner body  10 , an extension path  20 , and a suction port assembly  30 . 
   The main cleaner body  10  may comprise a motor (not illustrated) to generate suction force in order to suck in dust from a surface being cleaned, and a separating portion (not illustrated) to separate dust sucked in from the surface being cleaned. 
   The extension path  20  connects the main cleaner body  10  and the suction port assembly  30 , and guides dust which the suction port assembly  30  sucks in to the main cleaner body  10 . The extension path  20  comprises a handle  21  which is formed so that the user can grip the handle  21  to manipulate the suction port assembly  30 , a flexible hose  23  which connects the handle  21  to the main cleaner body  10 , and an extension pipe  25  which connects the handle  21  to the suction port assembly  30 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , the suction port assembly  30  forms an outward form of the suction port assembly  30 , and comprises a casing  31  in which the various constituent parts are disposed. 
   A suction port  32  which opens externally is disposed below the casing  31 . If the motor in the main cleaner body  10  is in operation, suction force is generated, and the suction force is transferred to the suction port  32  of the suction port assembly  30 . If the suction port  32  is in contact with a surface being cleaned, dust on the surface being cleaned is sucked into the suction port  32  by the suction force transferred to the suction port  32 . 
   Some dust firmly sticks to a surface being cleaned such that it may not be detached from the surface being cleaned by suction force. A more powerful suction force can be generated and provided to the surface being cleaned by substituting a motor in the main cleaner body  10  with a motor having a high driving power. Accordingly, the dust sticking to the surface being cleaned may be sucked in, but power consumption increases, and noise is generated and produced by the motor. 
   A drum brush  33  is provided in the suction port assembly  30  to detach the dust from the surface being cleaned while maintaining a sufficient proper suction force as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
   The drum brush  33  is disposed in the casing  31  of the suction port assembly  30  to occupy space in the suction port  32 . The drum brush  33  has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a plurality of bristles  33   a  are arranged closely on the external surface of the drum brush  33  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . If a user pushes and pulls the suction port assembly  30  when cleaning a surface, the drum brush  33  may rotate while remaining in contact with the surface being cleaned. The plurality of bristles  33   a  arranged on the external surface of the drum brush  33  detach dust from the surface being cleaned. Accordingly, using the drum brush  33  is more effective than using only the suction force. 
   If the drum brush  33  is used for a long period of time, dust may stick to the bristles  33   a  on the external surface of the drum brush  33 . In this case, it is difficult for the bristles  33   a  to perform their function of detaching dust from the surface being cleaned such that the suction force is reduced. 
   In  FIGS. 4 to 6 , a rib  34  is disposed on the internal wall of the casing  31  of the suction port assembly  30  to remove dust from the bristles  33   a  while the drum brush  33  rotates. The rib  34  is disposed at a position close to the drum brush  33  so that its lower end is in contact with the bristles  33   a  on the external surface of the drum brush  33 . Accordingly, if a user moves the suction port assembly  30  along the surface being cleaned, the rib  34  may remove dust from the bristles  33   a  on the drum brush  33  while the drum brush is rotating. 
   The rib  34  is formed as a rectangular plate, and is disposed lengthwise along the drum brush  33  in a row as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 . The rib  34  may take a form other than the rectangular plate, and there is no limit to the number of ribs, provided they detach dust. 
   If the rib  34  has a rectangular plate form, and occupies the space between the internal wall of the casing  31  and the drum brush  33 , noise flowing back from the main cleaner body  10  to the suction port  32  may be prevented from leaving the suction port assembly  30 . The space between the internal wall of the casing  31  and the drum brush  33  is occupied by the rib  34 , so that the rib  34  detaches dust from the bristles  33   a  of the drum brush  33 , and noise emitted from the vacuum cleaner is also reduced. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the bristles  33   a  contact the rib  34  at an angle of inclination α to each other. As the bristles  33   a  are on a slant relative to the rib  34 , the drum brush  33  may rotate in one direction, but not in the opposite direction when a user pushes or pulls the suction port assembly  30 . If there is a predetermined angel of inclination a between the bristles  33   a  and the rib  34  as in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the drum brush  33  rotates only when a user pushes the suction port assembly  30 , and is prevented from rotating when the user pulls the suction port assembly  30 . 
   Specifically, if the rib  34  and the bristles  33   a  are arranged parallel to each other and not at the angle of inclination α, the drum brush  33  may rotate freely in both directions, because, although the bristles  33   a  are in contact with the rib  34  when the drum brush  33  rotates, the bristles  33   a  and the rib  34  do not interfere with each other. When the bristles  33   a  do not interfere with the rib  34 , the bristles  33   a  pass through a space between the lower end of the rib  34  and the external surface of the drum brush  33 . On the other hand, when the bristles  33   a  interfere with the rib  34 , the bristles  33   a  do not pass through a space between the lower end of the rib  34  and the external surface of the drum brush  33 . 
   On the other hand, if the angle of inclination α is formed between the bristles  33   a  and the rib  34  as in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the drum brush  33  rotates when a user pushes the suction port assembly  30 , but the drum brush  33  is prevented from rotating when the user pulls the suction port assembly  30 . 
   When the user pushes the suction port assembly  30 , rotational force is provided to the drum brush  33  in direction +θ as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . At this time, the bristles  33   a  with an acute angle of inclination α to the rib  34  enter pass between the lower end of the rib  34  and the drum brush  33  without interfering with the rib  34 . Accordingly, rotation of the drum brush  33  is possible. 
   On the other hand, when a user pulls the suction port assembly  30 , a rotational force is driven to the drum brush  33  in direction −θ as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . At this time, the bristles  33   a  with an obtuse angle of inclination 180-α enter the rib  34  so as to receive friction power from the rib  34 , and interfere with the rib  34 . That is, the bristles  33   a  are not capable of passing between the lower end of the rib  34  and the drum brush  33 . Accordingly, the drum brush  33  is prevented from rotating. 
   The bristles  33   a  are arranged on the external surface of the drum brush  33  at an angle β (referring to  FIG. 5 ) relative to the radial direction such that an angle of inclination between the rib  34  and the bristles  33   a  is formed. 
   The drum brush  33  rotates only when a user pushes the suction port assembly  30 . If a user pulls the suction port assembly  30  which is in contact with a surface being cleaned, the rib  34  prevents the drum brush  33  from rotating such that the bristles  33   a  provided on the drum brush  33  detach and sweep dust effectively from the surface being cleaned. On the other hand, if a user pushes the suction port assembly  30  which is in contact with the surface being cleaned, the rib  34  does not prevent the drum brush  33  from rotating such that the rib  34  detaches dust sticking to the bristles  33   a  of the brush  33 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , a rib supporting member  35  engaged with a side surface of the rib  34  is mounted on the internal wall of the casing  31 . 
   An operation of a vacuum cleaner having the above structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     FIG. 7  is a sectional view explaining the noise absorbing structure of a suction port assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,  FIG. 8A  is a schematic view explaining rotation prevention in a drum brush according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 8B  is a schematic view explaining the rotation of a drum brush according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
   A user supplies power to the main cleaner body  10  to drive the motor in the main cleaner body  10  by manipulating an on/off button, and thereby cleans a surface being cleaned using a vacuum cleaner. The main cleaner body  10  causes the motor housed therein to generate suction force, and the suction force is transferred to the suction port assembly  30  through the extension path  20 . 
   Noise is generated by the operation of the motor, and the noise travels back to the suction port assembly  30  via a passage through which suction force is transferred. The noise flowing back to the suction port assembly  30  moves to the suction port  32  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The noise traveling towards the rib  34  is absorbed by the bristles  33   a  instead of being emitted externally after colliding with the rib  34 , because the rib  34  on the plate occupies the space between the internal wall of the casing  31  and the drum brush  33 . Accordingly, noise emitted from the cleaner main body  10  may be reduced. 
   A user cleans a surface being cleaned by pushing or pulling the suction port assembly  30  along the surface being cleaned while the motor is operated. If the suction port assembly  30  is pulled towards a user, for example, in a first direction A to rotate in a direction X, the bristles  33   a  interfere with the lower end of the rib  34  because of the slope between the bristles  33   a  and the rib  34 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8A . Therefore, the drum brush  33  prevents the rib  34  from rotating. At this time, the bristles  33   a  on the drum brush  33  which are in contact with the surface being cleaned detach, and sweep dust effectively from the surface being cleaned by sliding along the surface being cleaned. As a result, suction force of the vacuum cleaner is improved. 
   If the suction port assembly is pushed away from a user, for example, in a second direction B to rotate in a direction O, as described in  FIG. 8B , the bristles  33   a  arranged on the external surface of the drum brush  33  do not interfere with the rib  34  despite being in contact with the lower end of the rib  34 . Accordingly, the drum brush  33  rotates continuously in contact with the surface being cleaned. The bristles  33   a  arranged on the external surface of the drum brush  33  collide and repeatedly pass by the lower end of the rib  34  such that dust is detached from the bristles  33   a  due to colliding with the rib  34 . Therefore, the bristles  33   a  may remain free of dust although a user removes dust from the bristles  33   a  of the drum brush  33  by hand. 
   As described above, a rib is disposed on the internal wall of a casing in a suction port assembly, so noise which travels back from a vacuum cleaner to the suction port assembly and then to a user is reduced. 
   As a rib is on a slant relative to the bristles of a drum brush, the drum brush does not rotate when a user pulls a suction port assembly. Accordingly, the function of the bristles which detach, and sweep dust from a surface being cleaned can be improved. 
   The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.