Patent Publication Number: US-2021177220-A1

Title: Cleaner

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/475,460, filed on Mar. 31, 2017, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0039814, filed in Korea on Mar. 31, 2016, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0059472, filed in Korea on May 16, 2016. The disclosures of the prior applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a cleaner. 
     Cleaners may be classified into a manual cleaner that a user moves in person for cleaning and an automatic cleaner that automatically moves for cleaning. 
     Manual cleaners may fall into, depending on the types, a canister cleaner, an upright cleaner, a handy cleaner, and a stick cleaner. 
     Meanwhile, in the related art, a handheld vacuum cleaner has been disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-1127088 (registered on 8 Mar. 2012). 
     The handheld vacuum cleaner includes a suction pipe, an airflow generator, a cyclone, a power supply, and a handle. 
     The cyclone is disposed between the handle and the suction pipe, the airflow generator is disposed right over the handle, and the power supply is disposed right under the handle. Accordingly, the airflow generator and the power supply are disposed behind the cyclone. 
     The airflow generator and the power supply are relatively heavy parts of the components. 
     According to this document, since the relatively heavy airflow generator and power supply are disposed right over and under the handle, respectively, the center of gravity concentrates on the handle in the entire handheld vacuum cleaner, so it is inconvenient for a user to use the handheld vacuum cleaner and the user&#39;s wrist may be injured. 
     Further, according to the document, since the airflow generator is disposed behind the cyclone, the channel for guiding air from the cyclone to the airflow generator is necessarily long and the air discharged from the cyclone is sent to the airflow generator with the flow direction changed, which causes a large flow loss. 
     Further, according to the document, since the airflow generator is disposed right over the handle, the air discharged from the airflow generator directly touches the hand holding the handle. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a cleaner that users can more conveniently use by distributing the overall weight. 
     The present disclosure provides a cleaner in which the length of a channel from a dust separation unit to a suction motor is minimized. 
     A cleaner includes: a suction motor that generates suction force; a dust separation unit disposed under the suction motor and separates dust from air; a handle disposed behind the suction motor; and a battery disposed under the handle and behind the dust separation unit to supply power to the suction motor. 
     A cleaner includes: a suction unit that has a longitudinal axis; a suction motor that generates suction force for sucking air through the suction unit; a dust separation unit that separates dust from air sucked through the suction unit using cyclonic flow; a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit; a battery that supplies power to the suction motor; and a handle disposed opposite to the suction unit with respect to the dust separation unit, wherein at least a portion of the suction motor and the battery are positioned at opposite sides from a vertical line passing an intersection of the longitudinal axis of the suction unit and the axis of the cyclonic flow in a state in which the suction unit is positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the suction unit makes an angle of 45 degrees from a floor. 
     A cleaner includes: a suction unit that has a longitudinal axis; a suction motor that generates suction force for sucking air through the suction unit; a dust separation unit that separates dust from air sucked through the suction unit; a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit; a battery that supplies power to the suction motor; and a handle disposed opposite to the suction unit with respect to the dust separation unit, wherein a height of at least a point on the suction motor from a floor is the same as the height of a point on the battery from the floor in a state in which the suction unit is positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the suction unit makes an angle of 45 degrees from the floor. 
     A cleaner includes: a suction unit that has a longitudinal axis; a suction motor that generates suction force for sucking air through the suction unit; a dust separation unit that separates dust from air sucked through the suction unit; a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit; a battery that supplies power to the suction motor; and a handle through which the longitudinal axis of the suction unit passes. 
     The handle has a grip that a user can hold, the grip has a handle axis crossing the longitudinal axis of the suction unit, the handle axis meets the battery, but does not meet the bottom of the battery, and the suction motor is positioned not to meet an extension line from the handle axis. 
     A cleaner includes: a suction unit that has a longitudinal axis; a suction motor that generates suction force for sucking air through the suction unit; a dust separation unit that separates dust from air sucked through the suction unit; a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit; a battery that supplies power to the suction motor; and a handle disposed above the battery and behind the dust separation unit, wherein the longitudinal axis of the suction unit passes through the handle and at least a portion of the suction motor is positioned between the suction unit and the handle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a view when a discharge cover and filters have been separated in the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a view showing a structure for receiving a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter in the discharge cover. 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing airflow in the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a view showing a lower structure of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a body cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a view showing the body cover that has been rotated from the state in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a view when a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention has been separated from a battery housing. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a view showing a coupling groove of a battery housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a view when the cleaner equipped with a suction nozzle is used to sweep a floor. 
         FIG. 16  is a view showing a cleaner according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that when components in the drawings are designated by reference numerals, the same components have the same reference numerals as far as possible even though the components are illustrated in different drawings. Further, in description of embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of well-known configurations or functions disturb understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the detailed descriptions will be omitted. 
     Also, in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms such as first, second, A, B, (a) and (b) may be used. Each of the terms is merely used to distinguish the corresponding component from other components, and does not delimit an essence, an order or a sequence of the corresponding component. It should be understood that when one component is “connected”, “coupled” or “joined” to another component, the former may be directly connected or jointed to the latter or may be “connected”, coupled” or “joined” to the latter with a third component interposed therebetween. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a side view of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 3  is a plan view of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 5  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , a cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a main body  2 . 
     The main body  2  may include a suction unit  5  that sucks air containing dust. 
     The main body  2  may further include a dust separation unit  10  for separating dust sucked inside through the suction unit  5  and a dust container  50  for storing dust separated by the dust separation unit  10 . 
     The dust separation unit  10  may include a first cyclone unit  110  that can separate dust, for example, using cyclonic flow. 
     The first cyclonic unit section  110  may communicate with the suction unit  5 . 
     The air and dust sucked through the suction unit  5  helically flow along the inner side of the first cyclone unit  110 . 
     The axis A 2  of the cyclonic flow in the first cyclone unit  110  may vertically extend. 
     The dust separation unit  10  may further include a second cyclone unit  130  that secondarily separates dust from the air discharged out of the first cyclone unit  110 . The second cyclone unit  130  may be disposed inside the first cyclone unit  110  to minimize the size of the dust separation unit  10 . The second cyclone unit  130  may include a plurality of cyclone bodies arranged in a raw. 
     As another example, the dust separation unit may include one cyclone unit, in which the axis A 2  of the cyclonic flow may also vertically extend. 
     The dust container  50  may include a cylindrical dust collection body  510  and a body cover  502  rotatably coupled to the bottom of the dust collection body  510 . 
     The longitudinal axis A 3  of the suction unit  5  may be horizontally positioned over the body cover  520 . 
     In this embodiment, the upper portion of the dust collection body  510  may function as the first cyclone unit  110  without a separate first cyclone unit  110 . 
     At least a portion of the second cyclone unit  130  may be positioned inside the dust container  50 . 
     A dust storage guide  504  that guides the dust separated by the second cyclone unit  130  to be stored may be disposed in the dust collecting body  510 . The dust storage guide  504  may be coupled to the bottom of the second cyclone unit  130  in contact with the top of the body cover  520 . 
     The dust storage guide  504  may divide the internal space of the dust collecting body  10  into a first dust storage part  502  where the dust separated by the first cyclone unit  110  is stored and a second dust storage part  506  where the dust separated by the second cyclone unit  130  is stored. 
     The internal space of the dust storage guide  504  is the second dust storage part  506  and the space between the dust storage guide  504  and the dust collecting body  10  is the first dust storage part  502 . 
     The body cover  520  can open/close both of the first dust storage part  502  and the second dust storage part  506 . 
     The main body  2  may further include a suction force generation unit  20  for generating suction force. The suction force generation unit  20  may include a motor housing  210  and a suction motor  230  disposed in the motor housing  210 . 
     At least a portion of the suction motor  230  may be disposed over the dust separation unit  10 . Accordingly, the suction motor  230  is disposed over the dust container  50 . 
     For example, a portion of the suction motor  230  may be positioned in the first cyclone unit  110 . 
     The bottom of the suction motor  230  may be connected to the top of the second cyclone unit  130 . Accordingly, the axis A 2  of the cyclonic flow in the dust separation unit  10  may pass through the suction motor  230 . The suction motor  230  is positioned higher than the longitudinal axis A 3  of the suction unit  5 . 
     When the suction motor  230  is disposed over the second cyclone unit  130 , the air discharged from the second cyclone unit  130  can flow directly to the suction motor  230 , so the channel between the dust separation unit  10  and the suction motor  230  can be minimized. 
     The suction motor  230  may include a rotary impeller  232 . The impeller  232  may be fitted on a shaft  233 . The shaft  233  is vertically disposed and may be at least partially positioned in the dust separation unit  10 . In this case, when the dust container  50  and the suction motor  230  are vertically arranged, the height of the cleaner  1  can be reduced. An extension line from a rotational axis A 1  of the impeller  232  (which may be the axis of the suction motor) may pass the dust separation unit  10  and the dust container  50 . 
     The rotational axis A 1  of the impeller  232  and the axis A 2  of the cyclonic flow in the first cyclone unit  110  may be on the same line. 
     According to the present invention, there is the advantage that the path through which the air discharged from the dust separation unit, that is, the air discharged upward from the second cyclone unit  130  flows to the suction motor  230  can be reduced and a change in direction of air can be decreased, so a loss of airflow can be reduced. 
     As the loss of airflow is reduced, suction force can be increased and the lifetime of the battery  40  for supplying power to the suction motor  230  can be increased. 
     A PCB  250  for controlling the suction motor  230  may be disposed between the suction motor  230  and the second cyclone unit  130 . 
     The cleaner  1  may further include a handle  30  for a user to hold and a battery  40  for supplying power to the suction motor  230 . 
     The handle  30  may be disposed behind the suction motor  20 . Accordingly, the axis of the suction motor  230  may be positioned between the suction unit  5  and the handle  30 . 
     As for directions, with respect to the suction motor  230  in the cleaner  1 , the direction in which the suction unit  5  is positioned is the front direction and the direction in which the handle  30  is positioned is the rear direction. 
     The battery  40  may be disposed under the handle  30 . The battery  40  may be disposed behind the dust container  50 . 
     Accordingly, the suction motor  230  and the battery  40  may be arranged not to vertically overlap each other and may be disposed at different heights. 
     According to the present invention, since the suction motor  230  that is heavy is disposed ahead of the handle  30  and the battery  40  that is heavy is disposed behind the handle  30 , so weight can be uniformly distributed throughout the cleaner  1 . It is possible to prevent injuries to the user&#39;s wrist when a user cleans with the handle  30  in his/her hand. That is, since the heavy components are distributed at the front and rear portions and at different heights in the cleaner  1 , it is possible to prevent the center of gravity of the cleaner  1  from concentrating on any one side. 
     Since the battery  40  is disposed under the handle  30  and the suction motor  230  is disposed in front of the handle  30 , there is no component over the handle  30 . That is, the top of the handle  30  forms a portion of the external appearance of the top of the cleaner  1 . 
     Accordingly, it is possible to prevent any component of the cleaner  1  from coming in contact with the user&#39;s arm while the user cleans with the handle  30  in his/her hand. 
     The handle  30  may include a first extension  310  extending vertically to be held by a user and a second extension  314  extending toward the suction motor  230  over the first extension  310 . The second extension  314  may at least partially horizontally extend. The first extension  310  may be referred to as a grip in the present invention. 
     A stopper  312  for preventing a user&#39;s hand holding the first extension  310  from moving in the longitudinal direction of the first extension  310  (vertically in  FIG. 2 ) may be formed on the first extension  310 . The stopper  312  may extend toward the suction unit  5  from the first extension  310 . 
     The stopper  312  is spaced apart from the second extension  314 . Accordingly, a user is supposed to hold the first extension  310 , with some of the fingers over the stopper  312  and the other fingers under the stopper  312 . 
     For example, the stopper  312  may be positioned between the index finger and the middle finger. 
     In the present invention, the longitudinal axis A 3  of the suction unit  5  passes through the first extension  310 . The stopper  312  is positioned higher than the longitudinal axis A 3  of the suction unit  5 . 
     Further, the first extension  310  has a handle axis crossing the longitudinal axis A 3  of the suction unit  5 . The handle axis, which is an axis extending up and down from the first extension  310 , passes through the first extension  310  (it may be inclined at a predetermined angle to the left from a vertical line in  FIG. 4 ). Further, the handle axis meets the battery  40 , but does not meet the bottom of the battery  40 . The suction motor  230  is positioned not to meet an extension line from the handle axis. 
     According to this arrangement, when a user holds the first extension  310 , the longitudinal axis A 3  of the suction unit  5  may pass through the user&#39;s wrist. 
     When the longitudinal axis A 3  of the suction unit  5  passes through the user&#39;s wrist and the user&#39;s arm is stretched, the longitudinal axis A 3  of the suction unit  5  may be substantially aligned with the user&#39;s stretched arm. Accordingly, there is the advantage in this state that the user uses minimum force when pushing or pulling the cleaner  1  with the handle  30  in his/her hand. 
     The handle  310  may include an inclined surface  315  where an operation unit  316  is disposed. It is possible to input instructions to turn on/off the cleaner through the operation unit  316 . The inclined surface  315  may be formed to face a user. For example, the operation unit  380  may be formed at the rear side of the second extension  314 . The operation unit  316  may be disposed opposite to the stopper  312  with the handle  30  therebetween. The operation unit  316  on the inclined surface  315  is positioned higher than the stopper  312 . 
     Accordingly, a user can easily operate the operation unit  390  with his/her thumb with the first extension  310  in his/her hand. 
     Further, since the operation unit  316  is positioned outside the first extension  310 , it is possible to prevent the operation unit  316  from being unexpectedly operated when a user cleans with the first extension  310  in his/her hand. 
     A display unit  318  for showing operational states may be disposed on the second extension  314 . The display unit  318  may be, for example, disposed on the top of the second extension  314 . Accordingly, a user can easily check the display unit  314  on the top of the second extension  318  while cleaning. 
     The display unit  318 , though not limited, may include a plurality of light emitting devices. The light emitting devices may be spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the second extension  314 . 
     A battery housing  410  is disposed under the handle  30  and the battery  40  is received in the battery housing  410 . That is, the battery housing  410  is disposed under the first extension  310 . 
     The battery  40  may be detachably combined with the battery housing  60 . For example, the battery  40  may be inserted into the battery housing  60  from under the battery housing  60 . 
     A heat discharge hole  413  for discharging heat from the battery  40  to the outside may be formed through the battery housing  410 . 
     The rear side of the battery housing  60  and the rear side of the first extension  310  may form a continuous surface. Accordingly, the battery housing  60  and the first extension  310  can be shown like a single unit. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the cleaner  1  may further include a discharge cover  211  having air exits  212  for discharging the air that has passed through the suction motor  230 . 
     A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter  246  for filtering air may be disposed in the discharge cover  211 . The axis of the cyclonic flow may pass through the discharge cover  211 . 
     The air exits  212 , for example, may be arranged around the rotary shaft A 1  of the impeller  232 . The discharge cover  210  has a flow guide  213  so that the air to be discharged through the air exits  212  is discharged at an angle from the rotary shaft A 1  of the impeller  232 . The direction in which air is sucked through the suction unit  5  crosses the direction in which air is discharged through the air exits  212 . 
     An air exit may not be formed at least in some area between the rotary shaft A 1  of the impeller  232  and the handle  30  in  FIG. 3  to prevent the air discharged from the air exits  212  from flowing to a user. That is, assuming that the cleaner is divided to the front and rear from the axis A 1  of the cyclonic flow, some of the air exits  212  is positioned ahead of the axis A 2  of the cyclonic flow. 
     As another example, referring to  FIG. 3 , a barrier for stopping air discharged from the air exits  212  may be disposed at least in some area between the rotary axis A 1  of the impeller  232  and the handle  30 . 
       FIG. 6  is a view when a discharge cover and filters have been separated in the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention is combined with the flow guide and  FIG. 7  is a view showing a structure for receiving a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter in the discharge cover. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the cleaner  1  may further include a pre-filter  242  for filtering air flowing into the suction motor  230 . 
     The pre-filter  242  may be disposed to surround a portion of the suction motor  230 . The rotary shaft A 1  of the impeller  232  may pass through the pre-filter  242 . 
     The air that has passed through the pre-filter  242  flows to the impeller  232  inside the suction motor  230  and then passes through the suction motor  230 . Further, the air passes through the HEPA filter  246  and then finally can be discharged outside through the air exits  212 . 
     It should be noted that although the cleaner  1  includes the pre-filter  242  and the HEPA filter  246  in the present invention, the type and number of the filters are not limited. In this specification, the pre-filter  242  may be called a first filter and the HEPA filter  246  may be called a second filter. 
     The discharge cover  211  may include a receiving portion  214  for receiving the HEPA filter  246 . The filter receiving portion  214  is open downward, so the HEPA filter  246  can be inserted into the receiving portion  214  from under the discharge cover  211 . 
     Further, the air exits  212  of the discharge cover  211  face the HEPA filter  246 . 
     When being inserted in the receiving portion  214 , the HEPA filter  246  is covered by the filter cover  244 . The filter cover  244  has one or more holes  244   a  for passing air. The filter cover  244  may be detachably coupled to the discharge cover  211 . 
     The discharge cover  211  may be separably combined with the motor housing  210 . Accordingly, it is possible to separate the discharge cover  211  from the motor housing  210  to clean the HEPA filter  246 . It is possible to take the HEPA filter  246  out of the receiving portion  214  by separating the filter cover  244  from the discharge cover  211  separated from the motor housing  210 . 
     In a state in which the discharge cover  211  is separated from the motor housing  210 , the pre-filter  242  can be exposed to the outside. Accordingly, a user can clean the pre-filter  242  after separating the pre-filter  242  exposed to the outside from the motor housing  210 . 
     According to the present invention, a user can reach the HEPA filter  246  and the pre-filter  242  by separating the discharge cover  211  from the motor housing  210 , he/she can easily separate and clean the filters  242  and  246 . 
       FIG. 8  is a view showing airflow in the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The airflow in the cleaner  1  is described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     Air and dust sucked through the suction unit  5  by the suction motor  230  are separated from each other while flowing along the inner side of the first cyclone unit  110 . 
     The dust separated from the air drops into the first dust storage part  502 . The air separated from the dust flows into the second cyclone unit  130 . The air flowing in the second cyclone unit  130  is separated again from dust. 
     The dust separated from the air in the second cyclone unit  130  drops into the second dust storage part  506 . On the other hand, the air separated from the dust in the second cyclone unit  130  is discharged upward to the suction motor  230  from the second cyclone unit  130 . 
     An air guide  215  for guiding the air discharged from the second cyclone unit  130  to the pre-filter  242  may be disposed outside the suction motor  230 . The air guide  215  surrounds the outer side of the suction motor  230  and may be at least partially spaced apart from the suction motor  230 . 
     Accordingly, air flows upward along the air guide  215  outside the suction motor  230  and then passes through the pre-filter  242 . The air that has passed through the pre-filter  242  passes through the suction motor  230 . The air is discharged to an exhaust channel  216  between the air guide  215  and the motor housing  210  after flowing in the suction motor  230  by the impeller  232 . 
     The air discharged into the exhaust channel  216  passes through the HEPA filter  246  and is then discharged to the outside through the air exits  212  of the discharge cover  211 . 
       FIG. 9  is a view showing a lower structure of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a body cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 11  is a view showing the body cover that has been rotated from the state in  FIG. 9 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the body cover  520  can open/close the bottom of the dust collection body  510  by rotating. 
     The body cover  520  may include a hinge  522  for rotating. The hinge  522  may be coupled to the dust collection body  510  or to a separate hinge coupling portion  420  on the dust collection body  510 . When the hinge coupling portion  420  is formed separately from the dust collection body  510 , the hinge coupling portion  420  may be coupled to the dust collection body  510 . 
     The hinge  522  of the body cover  520  may be positioned between the axis A 2  of the cyclonic flow and the battery  40 . 
     Accordingly, when the body cover  520  is rotated about the hinge  522 , the body cover  520  is rotated toward a user, as in  FIG. 11 . 
     After the body cover  520  is rotated toward a user, the body cover  520  prevents dust from flying to the user when the dust in the dust collection body  510  drops. 
     The body cover  520  may include a coupling lever  550  that can be moved by a user and is coupled to the dust collection body  510 . The coupling lever  550  may be coupled in parallel with the longitudinal axis A 3  of the suction unit  5 . 
     The body cover  520  may include a first guide  524  that can guide the coupling lever  550  and prevents the coupling lever  550  from separating downward. The first guide  524  extends downward from the body cover  520  and at least a portion of the first guide  524  is positioned under the coupling lever  550 . 
     The body cover  520  may further include a second guide  526  that can guide the coupling lever  550  and prevents the coupling lever  550  from separating downward. The second guide  526  protrudes from a side of the body cover  520  and may pass through the coupling lever  550 . 
     The second guide  526  may pass through the coupling lever  550  in parallel with the longitudinal axis A 3  of the suction unit  5 . A hole  556  for the second guide  554  may be formed in the coupling lever  550 . 
     The coupling lever  552  may have a ring-shaped portion  552  for a user to easily operate the coupling lever  550  by putting a finger in it. The ring-shaped portion  552  may be positioned between the hinge  522  of the body cover  520  and the axis A 2  of the cyclonic flow so that a user can easily reach the ring-shaped portion  552 . 
     The coupling lever  550  includes a coupling hook  556  and the dust collection body  510  may include a hook slot  514  for locking the coupling hook  556 . 
     The coupling hook  556  may be locked to the hook slot  514  inside the dust collection body  510 . Though not shown in the figures, an elastic member that applies elasticity to the coupling lever  550  to maintain the coupling hook  556  locked in the hook slot  514  may be disposed between the body cover  520  and the coupling lever  550 . 
     When a user pulls the ring-shaped portion  552  of the coupling lever  500  toward himself/herself, the coupling hook  556  is pulled out of the hook slot  514 , so the body cover  520  can be rotated. 
     On the other hand, the hinge coupling portion  420  may include main body terminals  600  for charging the battery  40  in the battery housing  410 . It is possible to bring charging stand terminals in contact with the main body terminals  600  by placing the cleaner  1  on a charging stand (not shown). 
     The main body terminals  600  are disposed on the bottom of the hinge coupling portion  420 , but can be spaced apart from the floor when the cleaner  1  is placed on the floor. Accordingly, damage to the main body terminal  600  can be prevented. 
       FIG. 12  is a view when a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention has been separated from a battery housing,  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 14  is a view showing a coupling groove of a battery housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9, and 12 to 14 , the battery may include battery cells (not shown) and a frame  450  protecting the battery cells. 
     A protrusion  460  is formed on the top of the frame  450  and terminals  462  may be disposed in the protrusion  460 . 
     The battery  40  may include a plurality of coupling portions  470  and  480 . The coupling portions  470  and  480  may include a first coupling portion  470  disposed on a first side of the frame  450  and a second coupling portion  480  disposed on a second side of the frame  450 . The first coupling portion  470  and the second coupling portion  480 , for example, may be positioned opposite to each other. 
     The first coupling portion  470  may be a hook rotatably coupled to the frame  450 . 
     The first coupling portion  470 , for example, may be coupled to the hinge coupling portion  420  when the battery  40  is inserted in the battery housing  410 . Accordingly, the hinge coupling portions  420  may be called as battery coupling portions. 
     A locking rib  422  for locking a portion of the hinge coupling portion  470  may be formed on the hinge coupling portion  420 . 
     As another example, the hinge coupling portion  420  may be integrally formed with the battery housing  410  or the locking rib  422  may be formed on the battery housing  410 . 
     The second coupling portion  480  may be a hook that is integrally formed with the frame  450  and can be deformed by external force. 
     An opening  411  for inserting the battery  40  is formed at the bottom of the battery housing  410 . An exposing opening  415  for exposing the second coupling portion  480  to the outside may be formed so that the second coupling portion  480  can be operated with the battery  40  in the battery housing  410 . 
     A coupling groove  416  for coupling the second coupling portion  480  may be formed over the exposing opening  415  in the battery housing  410 . 
     A space  530  for operating the first coupling portion  470  is defined between the dust container  50  and the first coupling portion  470  when the battery  40  is inserted in the battery housing  410 . 
     Accordingly, a user can put a finger into the space  530  and unlock the locking rib  422  from the first coupling portion  470 . Further, the user can unlock the second coupling portion  480  from the battery housing  410  by operating the second coupling portion  480  exposed to the outside of the battery housing  410 . 
     According to the present invention, since the battery  40  can be separated from the battery housing  410 , it is possible to place only the battery  40  on the charging stand to charge it. 
     Further, since the cleaner  1  includes the main body terminal  600 , it is possible to charge the battery  4  by placing the cleaner  1  on the charging stand with the battery  40  in the battery housing  410 . 
       FIG. 15  is a view when the cleaner equipped with a suction nozzle is used to sweep a floor. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , an extension pipe  700  having a nozzle  710  extending from the lower end may be connected to the suction unit  5  of the cleaner  1  of the present invention. 
     In this state, a user can clean by moving the suction nozzle  710  on the floor. 
     When a user cleans using the suction nozzle  710  in the present invention, he/she can clean while changing the angle between the extension pipe  70  and the floor changing from about 45 degrees. 
     The suction motor  230  and the battery  40  may be positioned at opposite sides of a vertical line VL. For example, based on the longitudinal axis of the suction unit  5  being oriented 45 degrees relative to ground, the vertical line VL can be defined such that an entire portion of the suction motor  230  may be positioned forward of the vertical line VL that extends perpendicularly from ground and passes through the cleaner body, and an entire portion of the battery  40  may be positioned rearward of the vertical line VL. The vertical line VL may pass through the handle  30 . The heights of the suction motor  230  and the battery  40  from the floor may be almost the same in the example shown in  FIG. 15 . In some cases, the center of gravity of the suction motor  230  may be positioned on one side of the vertical line VL while the center of gravity of the battery  40  may be positioned on the opposite side of the vertical line VL. 
     Accordingly, when a user holds the handle  30  and sweeps a floor, the weight of the cleaner is balanced throughout the front and rear sides from the user&#39;s hand holding the handle, thereby maintaining weight balance. In this case, the user can clean using the cleaner  1  with small force and injuries that may be applied to the user&#39;s wrist can be prevented. 
     Further, in the process of sweeping the floor, as in  FIG. 15 , the discharge cover  211  is positioned ahead of the vertical line VL and the user&#39;s hand holding the handle is positioned behind the vertical line VL. Accordingly, the air discharged through the discharge cover  211  flows away from the handle  30 , so it is possible to prevent the air discharged through the discharge cover  211  from flowing to the user&#39;s hand. 
     Obviously, only a portion of the suction motor  30  may be positioned opposite to the battery  40  with the vertical line VL therebetween, depending on the angle between the extension pipe  700  and the floor. This case corresponds to cases when sweeping specific spaces such as window frames or couches. 
       FIG. 16  is a view showing a cleaner according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     This embodiment is the same as the previous embodiment except for the shape of the discharge cover. Accordingly, only characteristic parts of this embodiment are described hereafter. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , a discharge cover  211   a  in this embodiment may have flow guides  213   a  for guiding air to be discharged. 
     In detail, a plurality of flow guides  213   a  is arranged with gaps in the circumferential direction of the discharge cover  211   a . The spaces between the flow guides  213   a  function as air exits  212   a.    
     The flow guides  213   a  may be inclined from a vertical line. 
     According to this embodiment, similarly, it is possible to prevent the air discharged from the air exits  212   a  from flowing to a user while the user cleans using a suction nozzle. 
     Further, the discharge cover  211   a  is disposed at the top of the cleaner, so it is possible to prevent dust around the cleaner from flying due to the air discharged from the air exits  212   a.