Patent Publication Number: US-8978197-B2

Title: Vacuum cleaner

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/160,035, filed Mar. 13, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     A vacuum cleaner is disclosed herein. 
     2. Background 
     Vacuum cleaners are known. However, they suffer from various disadvantages. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 1  showing a dust separator separated therefrom; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the dust separator according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the dust separator according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a vertical cross-sectional view of a compression device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of  FIG. 5 , in a state in which communication of the compression device and a dust tank is opened and closed by an opening and closing device; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner, from which a dust separator is separated according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a dust storage device of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 10  showing a state in which a dust separator is mounted thereon; 
         FIG. 12  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a dust storage device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a vertical cross-sectional view of a locking device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the locking device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view of the locking device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a vertical cross-sectional view of a dust storage device according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a dust storage device according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX of  FIG. 17 ; and 
         FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating a state in which a dust bag is separated from a dust storage device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description of embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope is defined only by the appended claims. 
     In general, a vacuum cleaner is an apparatus that filters dust in a dust separation device after sucking the air including the dust using suction power generated by a suction motor mounted in a main body. The vacuum cleaner may include a main body with the suction motor disposed therein, the dust separation device that separates dust from the sucked air, and a dust tank that stores dust separated by the dust separation device. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment, and  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 1  showing a dust separator separated therefrom. In  FIG. 1 , as one example of a vacuum cleaner, an upright-type vacuum cleaner is shown; however, the embodiment may be applied to other type vacuums as well, such as a canister-type vacuum cleaner or a robot cleaner. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the vacuum cleaner  1  according to this embodiment may include a main body  10  with a suction motor (not shown) that generates a sucking power, a suction nozzle  20 , which may be rotatably connected at a lower part of the main body  10  and may contact a surface or floor, a dust separator  60 , which may be removably mounted on the main body  10 , a suction tube  30 , which may be removably mounted on the main body  10 , a handle  40  connected to the suction tube  30 , and a connection hose  50 , which may connect the main body  10  with the handle  40 . A wheel  22  that facilitates movement of the suction nozzle  20  may be provided at each side of the suction nozzle  20 . An operation lever  24  may be provided to rotate the suction nozzle  20  with respect to the main body  10  which stands upright. The operation lever  24  may be provided at a backside of the suction nozzle  20 . 
     The dust separator  60  may be removably mounted on a mounting portion  11 , which may be formed in a front part of the main body  10 , and the suction tube  30  may be removably mounted a rear part of the main body  10 . The dust separator  60  may separate dust from air sucked into the main body  10  and store the separated dust. 
     Hereinafter, a structure of the dust separator  60  will be described in more detail herein below. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the dust separator according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the dust separator according to embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the dust separator  60  according to this embodiment may include a dust separation device  100  that separates dust from sucked air, a discharge guide device  300  that guides a flow of air discharged from the dust separation device  100 , and a dust storage device  200  into which dust separated from the dust separation device  100  may be introduced. The dust storage device  200  may include a compression device  210  that compresses dust separated from the dust separation device  100  and a dust tank  250  into which the dust compressed in the compression device  210  may be introduced and the introduced dust stored. 
     The dust separation device  100  may be connected to an upper part of the compression device  210  and a lower part of the discharge guide device  300 . The dust tank  250  may be separately connected to the lower part of the compression device  210 . The dust tank  250  may be connected to the compression device  210  by, for example, a hook mechanism; however, embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     In addition, a deco cover  360  may be coupled to the dust separation device  100 . When the compression device  210  and the dust separation device  100  are coupled to each other, an inner deco  370  and an outer deco  380  may be coupled to the deco cover  360  and the compression device  210 . The deco cover  360 , the inner deco  370 , and the outer deco  380  may improve aesthetics of the dust separator  60 . 
     The dust separation device  100  may include a cyclone device  110  that separates dust in air, a distribution device  120  that guides air, light, and dust to the cyclone device  110 , and a plurality of filter devices  130  rotatably coupled to the cyclone device  110  that filters air through dust separation. More specifically, the dust separation device  100  may include a first dust separation body  101  and a second dust separation body  102 , which may be coupled to each other. The first dust separation body  101  may include a first cyclone body  111  that generates a first cyclone flow and a first distribution body  121 , which may be formed integrally with the first cyclone body  111  and guide air to the first cyclone body  111 . The second dust separation body  102  may include a second cyclone body  112  that generates a second cyclone flow and a second distribution body  122 , which may be formed integrally with the second cyclone body  112  and guide air to the second cyclone body  112 . In addition, the first cyclone body  111  and the second cyclone body  112  may form the cyclone device  110  and the first distribution body  121  and the second distribution body  122  may form the distribution device  120 . 
     Each of the first and second cyclone bodies  111  and  112  may include an air suction portion  113 . Therefore, a plurality of air suction portions  113  may be formed in the cyclone device  110 . Further, a first dust discharge portion  114  may be integrally formed in the first cyclone body  111  and a second dust discharge portion  115  may be integrally formed in the second cyclone body  112 . When the first cyclone body  111  and the second cyclone body  112  are coupled to each other, the first dust discharge portion  114  and the second dust discharge portion  115  may be coupled to each other to form a single dust discharge portion. 
     Each of the filter devices  130  may include a filter member  140  inserted into an inside of the cyclone device  110  from outside of the cyclone device  110 , a cover member  150  coupled with the filter member  140 , a cover coupler  160  coupled with the cover member  150  to rotatably support the cover member  150 , a coupling member  170  operated to rotate the cover member  150  by being coupled with the cover member  150 , an elastic member  190  that elastically supports the coupling member  170 , and a shaft  180  adapted to rotatably connect the cover member  150  to the cover coupler  160 . 
     The cover coupler  160  may be coupled to the distribution device  120 . Moreover, the cover coupler  160  may be integrally coupled to the distribution device  120 . The filter member  140  may include a filter body  141  and an opening cover  143  that extends from an outer peripheral surface of the filter body  141 . The filter body  141  may selectively penetrate an exhaust opening  116  formed in the cyclone device  110  and the opening cover  143  may selectively open/close the exhaust opening  116 . 
     The discharge guide device  300  may include an exhaust member  330  coupled to an upper part of the dust separation device  100 , an exhaust filter  340  seated on the exhaust member  330  to filter exhausted air, a filter housing  350  that protects the exhaust filter  340 , a filter seating guide  320  coupled to the exhaust member  330  that guides seating of the filter housing  350  coupled with the exhaust filter  340 , and an upper cover  310  rotatably coupled to an upper part of the exhaust member  330 . An air discharge hole  311  that discharges air may be formed in the upper cover  310 . The air passing through the air discharge hole  311  may move to the main body  10 . 
     A handle portion  312  that facilitates a user gripping the dust separator  60  may be coupled to the upper cover  310 . The handle portion  312  may include a first coupling button  313  that fixes a position of the upper cover  310  and a second coupling button  314  that couples the dust separator  60  to the main body  10 . The first coupling button  313  may be selectively coupled with the inner deco  370 . In addition, an exhaust passage  332 , through which the air discharged from the dust separation device  100  may flow, may be formed in the exhaust member  330 . The air discharged to the exhaust passage  332  may pass through the exhaust filter  340 , and then, may be discharged through the air discharge hole  311 . 
     The dust separated by the dust separation device  100  may be introduced into the compression device  200 . The introduced dust may be compressed in the inside of the compression device  200  and selectively discharged to the dust tank  250 . 
     A dust storage portion  252  that stores the compressed dust may be formed in the dust tank  250 . That is, in this embodiment, only the dust storage portion  252  that stores the compressed dust may be formed in the dust tank  250 , such that the structure of the dust tank  250  may be simplified. Further, since a user may discharge dust by separating only the dust tank  250  from the compression device  210 , the structure of the dust tank  250  may be light-weight and the dust tank  250  easy to handle. 
     Hereinafter, the structure of the compression device will be described in more detail. 
       FIG. 5  is a vertical cross-sectional view of a compression device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along VI-VI of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of  FIG. 5 , in a state in which communication of a compression device and a dust tank is opened and closed by an opening and closing device. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 7 , the compression device  210  according to this embodiment may include a compression body  211  that forms a compression space, a compression member  220  that compresses the dust introduced into the compression body  211 , a drive device  226  that drives the compression member  220  and an opening/closing device  230  that selectively communicates the compression body  211  and the dust tank  250  with each other. More specifically, a dust introduction portion  212 , into which the dust discharged from the dust discharge portions  114  and  115  may be introduced, may be formed on an upper part of the compression body  211 . A lower part of the compression body  211  may be open. A lower opening of the compression body  211  may be covered by a lower wall  213 . The lower wall  213  may form a bottom surface of the compression body  211 . In addition, one or more discharge holes  214  that discharges the compressed dust may be formed in the lower wall  213 . 
     The compression member  220  may be rotatably provided within the compression body  211 . The compression member  220  may include a rotating shaft  221  and a blade  222 , which may be formed at an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft  221  and which may be formed in a spiral shape. 
     The rotating shaft  221  may be disposed inside of the compression body  211  and may extend in a horizontal direction. The blade  222  may be designed to move dust inside the compression body  211  from one side to the other side when the rotating shaft  221  rotates in one direction. 
     Therefore, as the compression member  220  is rotatably operated, dust may be moved from one side to the other side of the compression body  211  by the rotation of the compression member  220 , that is, in a horizontal direction. The dust may be collected against a compression surface  211   a  of the compression body  211  by the rotation of the compression member  220 , such that the dust is compressed. The dust introduction portion  212  may be disposed at a position adjacent to an opposite surface to the compression surface  211   a , so that the dust flowing into the compression body  211  may be moved by the compression member  220  to or toward the compression surface  211   a.    
     A drive device  226  may be provided outside of the compression body  211  and may be connected to the compression member  220  by a transfer device  223 . A portion of the transfer device  223  may be inserted into the rotating shaft  221  of the compression member  220  by penetrating through the compression body  211 . The drive device  226  may be rotatably connected to the transfer device  223 . Therefore, when not in use, the drive device  226  may be rotated to an upper part or position. On the other hand, when the drive device  226  is in use, the drive device  226  may be rotated to a lower part or position, such that the drive device  226  and the rotating shaft  221  extend in a straight line. 
     The opening/closing device  230  may include an operation portion  231  for a user&#39;s operation and an opening/closing member  232  that opens/closes the discharge hole  214  by operation of the operation portion  231 . In more detail, the lower wall  213  may be provided with a pair of guide ribs  213   a  that guides dust moved by the compression member  220 . The pair of guide ribs  213   a  may be arranged in parallel and the compression member  220  may be positioned between the pair of guide ribs  213   a.    
     The lower wall  213  may be further provided with a plurality of the discharge holes  214 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  show, by way of example, a case in which two discharge holes  214  are provided. The lower wall  213  may be provided with a discharge guide  228  that divides dust toward two discharge holes  214  and guides the dust thereto. That is, the discharge guide  228  may be positioned between two discharge holes  214 . Therefore, dust compressed at both sides of the discharge guide  228  may be discharged to the outside through the two discharge holes  214 . The discharge guide  228  may be positioned adjacent to the compression surface  211   a . Further, the discharge guide  228  may be integrally formed with the compression surface  211   a.    
     The opening/closing member  232  may be rotatably provided below the lower wall  213 . The opening/closing member  232  may be provided with two communication holes  234  that selectively communicate with the two discharge holes  214 . The two communication holes  234  may define a discharge channel for dust. A gap between the two communication holes  234  may be the same size as a gap between the two discharge holes  214 . 
     In addition, the opening/closing unit  230  may be covered by a lower cover  218 . Two opening portions  219  may be formed at positions corresponding to the two discharge holes  214  in the lower cover  240 . 
     Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 6 , in a state in which the communication holes  234  of the opening/closing member  232  are not aligned with the discharge holes  214  of the lower wall  213 , the opening/closing member  232  may close the discharge holes  214 . In this state, the compressed dust may be accumulated on an upper surface of the lower wall  213  and an upper surface of the opening/closing member  232  at both sides of the discharge guide  228 . 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the opening/closing member  232  is rotated in a clockwise direction (arrow A in  FIG. 7 ) by using the operation portion  231 , the discharge holes  214 , the communication holes  234  and the opening portions  219  may be aligned. Then, the dust accumulated on both sides of the discharge guide  228  may pass through the discharge holes  214 , the communication holes  234 , and the opening portions  219  in sequence to be discharged outside of the compression device  200 . 
     A guide rib  215  that guides movement of the opening/closing member  232  may be formed in or on the lower cover  218 . Further, the lower cover  218  may include a first stopper  216   a  that provides a stop position when the opening/closing member  232  rotates in a direction to close the discharge hole(s)  214 , and a second stopper  216   b  that provides a stop position when the opening/closing member  232  rotates in a direction to open the discharge hole(s)  214 . 
     According to this embodiment, the dust separated by the dust separation device  100  may be stored in the compression device  210 . The dust stored in the compression device  210  may be compressed by the compression member  220 . Thus, the dust may be stored in a compressed state in the compression device  210 . 
     The dust stored in the compression device  210  may be compressed when the dust separator  60  is mounted on or separated from the main body  10 . In addition, in a state in which the dust separator  60  is separated from the main body  10 , the compressed dust stored in the compression device  210  may be dropped into the dust tank  250  by operating the opening/closing device  230 . 
     As the compressed dust may be dropped and stored in the dust tank  250 , a size of the dust tank  250  may be reduced. Further, as the compressed dust may be discharged outside of the dust tank  250 , scattering of the dust may be reduced when the compressed dust stored in the dust tank  250  is discharged. As the compressed dust may be stored in the compression device  210 , the compression device  210  may be referred to as a first storage device and the dust tank  250  may be referred to as a second storage device. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner from which a dust separator is separated according to another embodiment.  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a dust storage device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . This embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment except for a driving scheme of the structure of the dust storage device and the compression member. Therefore, repetitive disclosure has been omitted. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a dust storage device  400  according to this embodiment may include a dust tank  410  that stores dust separated by a dust separation device, a lower cover  430  that opens/closes a lower part of the dust tank  410 , and a compression member  440  that compresses dust flowing to the dust tank  410 . 
     In more detail, an upper surface of the dust tank  410  may be provided with a dust introduction portion  412  into which dust may flow. The dust introduction portion  412  may be disposed at a position spaced apart from a vertical central line of the dust tank  410 . 
     The compression member  440  may be rotatably provided inside of the dust tank  410 . The compression member  440  may include a rotating shaft  442  and a blade  444 . The blade  444  may be formed at an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft  442  and may be formed in a spiral shape. 
     The rotating shaft  442  may extend in a substantially up and down or vertical direction inside of the dust tank  410 . The blade  444  may be designed to move dust flowing to the dust tank  410  from an upper part to a lower part when the rotating shaft  442  rotates in one direction. 
     An inside of the dust tank  410  may be provided with a dust guide  413  that guides dust flowing through the dust introduction portion  412  to the compression member  440  side toward a lower portion of the dust storage device  400 . In more detail, the dust guide  413  may include an inclined portion  414  that extends at an incline from the dust introduction portion  412  toward a lower portion and a vertical portion  415  that extends substantially vertically from the inclined portion  414  to the lower portion, as shown in  FIG. 9 . An inner space of the dust tank  410  may be partitioned into a compression space  421 , in which dust may be compressed, and a storage space  422 , in which the compressed dust may be stored. A lower end portion of the vertical portion  415  may be positioned or spaced a predetermined distance from the lower cover  430  forming a space  431 . The dust compressed in the compression space  421  may be moved to the storage space  422  through the space  431  between the vertical portion  415  and the lower cover  430 . 
     The compression member  440  may be automatically rotated by a drive device. The drive device may include a compression motor (not shown) provided in the main body  10  and a power transmission portion that transmits power of the compression motor to the compression member  440 . 
     The power transmission portion may include a first transmission portion  510  connected to the compression motor, a second transmission portion  520 , which may be selectively connected with the first transmission portion  510 , and a third transmission portion  530 , which may be connected with the second transmission portion  520  and coupled to the rotation shaft  442  of the compression member  440 . A bidirectonally rotatable motor may be used as the compression motor, as an example. For example, a synchronous motor may be used as the compression motor. 
     The first transmission portion  510  may be exposed outside of the mounting portion  11 , while connected to the compression motor. For example, the first transmission portion  510  may be a gear. For example, a bevel gear may be utilized as the second transmission portion  520  and the third transmission portion  530 . 
     The second transmission portion  520  may include an external gear  521 , which may be selectively connected with the first transmission portion  510  and positioned outside of the dust tank  410 , and an internal gear  522 , which may be connected with the third transmission portion  530 . In addition, the external gear  521  and the internal gear  522  may be connected by a connection shaft  523 . In addition, the connection shaft  523  may be supported by a supporter  524 . When the dust separator device  60  is mounted on the main body  10 , the second transmission portion  520  may be connected with the first transmission portion  510 , such that the compression member  440  may be rotatable by the compression motor. 
     The inside of the dust tank  410  may be provided with a cover portion  425  that covers at least a portion of the power transmission portion. For example, the cover portion  425  may form a space configured to receive the third transmission portion  530 . The third transmission portion  530  may be inserted into or onto the rotating shaft  442  of the compression member by penetrating through the cover portion  425 . 
     According to this embodiment, as the first compression member  440  may be automatically rotated, problems associated with rotation of the compression member  440  may be reduced or eliminated. In addition, the lower part of the dust tank  410  may be provided with the lower cover  430  that opens/closes the dust tank  410 , such that dust may be easily removed when the lower cover  430  is rotated open. 
       FIG. 10  is a partial exploded perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment.  FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of  FIG. 10  showing a state in which a dust separator is mounted thereon.  FIG. 12  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a dust storage device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 to 12 , the vacuum cleaner according to this embodiment may include a main body  600  with a suction motor (not shown), a suction nozzle  820  rotatably connected to the main body  600 , and a dust separator  700  that separate sucked dust and stores separated dust. 
     A mounting portion  630  configured to receive the dust separator  700  may be formed in the main body  600 . The dust separator  700  may include a dust separation device  705  that separates dust and a dust storage device  800  that stores dust separated and discharged from the dust separation device  705 . 
     The dust separation device  705  may separate dust from air by a cyclone flow, for example. The dust storage device  800  may be removably mounted on the main body  600 . In a state in which the dust storage device  800  is mounted on the main body  600 , an upper part of the dust storage device  800  may be coupled with a lower part of the dust separation device  705  by, for example, a locking device  900 . 
     An air introduction portion  710 , which may be in communication with the suction nozzle  620 , may be formed on an upper part of the dust separation device  705 . An air discharge portion  720 , which may be in communication with the suction motor, may be formed at an upper portion of the dust separation device  705 . A dust discharge portion  740 , to which separated dust may be discharged, may be formed on the lower part of the dust separation device  705 . 
     A first connection tube  640 , which may be in communication with the suction nozzle  620 , and a second connection tube  650 , which may be in communication with the suction motor, may be provided in the main body  600 . Ends of the connection tubes  640  and  650  may be disposed to face a front of the vacuum cleaner. In correspondence therewith, the introduction portion  710  and the air discharge portion  720  of the dust separation device  705  may be arranged and extend substantially in parallel toward at a rear side thereof. Therefore, the air introduction portion  710  and the air discharge portion  720  may be easily connected to the connection pipes  640  and  650  by a horizontal movement of the dust separation device  705 . 
     An outside of the dust separation device  705  may be provided with a locking device  730 . The locking device  730  may be rotatably connected to the dust separation device  705 . The main body  630  may be provided with a connection device  660 . When the locking device  730  rotates in a state in which the locking device  730  passes through or into the connection device  660 , the dust separation device  705  may be fixed to the main body  600 . 
     The dust storage device  800  may include a dust tank  810  that stores dust separated by the dust separation device  705 , a compression member  820  that compresses dust flowing into the dust tank  810 , and a drive device  825  that drives the compression member  820 . 
     In more detail, an inside of the dust tank  810  may be provided with a partitioning device  811  that partitions an inner space of the dust tank  810  into a compression space  814 , in which the compression member  820  may be positioned, and a storage space  815 , in which the compressed dust may be stored. The compression space  814  may be defined between an inner surface of the partitioning device  811  and an inner peripheral surface of the dust tank  810 . The storage space  815  may be defined between an outer surface of the partitioning device  811  and the inner peripheral surface of the dust tank  810 . The partitioning device  811  may be provided with a communication hole  812  that communicates the compression space  814  with the storage space  815 . 
     The compression member  820  may be rotatably disposed in the compression space  814 . The compression member  820  may include a rotating shaft  821  and a blade  822 . The blade  822  may be formed at an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft  442  and may be formed in a spiral shape. The rotating shaft  821  may be disposed inside the compression space  814  and may extend in a horizontal direction. The blade  822  may be designed to move dust inside the compression space  821  from one side to the other side when the rotating shaft  821  rotates in one direction. 
     Therefore, the compression member  820  may be rotatably operated, so that dust may be moved from one side to the other side by the rotation of the compression member  820 , that is, in a horizontal direction. When the dust flowing into the compression space  814  is moved from one side to the other side, the dust may be compressed in a state in which it is collected onto a surface facing the communication hole  812  of the dust tank  810 . The drive device  825  may be provided outside of the dust tank  810  and may be connected to the compression member  820  by a transfer device  826 . 
     A part of the transfer device  826  may be inserted into the rotating shaft  821  of the compression member  820  by penetrating through the dust tank  810 . The drive device  825  may be rotatably connected to the transfer device  826 . 
       FIG. 13  is a vertical cross-sectional view of a locking device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the locking device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view of the locking device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 13  to  15 , the locking device  900  may be provided below the mounting portion  630 . The dust storage device  800  may vertically move while being housed in the mounting portion  630  by the locking device  900 . In addition, in a state in which the dust storage device  800  moves upwards, the dust storage device  800  may be coupled to a lower part of the dust separation device  705 . The locking device  900  may include an operation lever  910  and a locking disk  920 . A hinge shaft  632  may be formed on the mounting portion  630 . The operation lever  910  may be rotatably coupled to the hinge shaft  632  by, for example, a screw  930 . A hollow hinge shaft  940  that protrudes upwards may be formed at a rotational center of the operation lever  910 . The locking disk  920  may be coupled to the hinge shaft  940  to be vertically movable. In addition, a hook  950 , which may be coupled with the locking disk  920 , may be formed in or on the operation lever  910 . A first cam portion  960  may be formed on an upper part of the operation lever  910  and a second cam portion  970  corresponding to the first cam portion  960  may be formed on a lower part of the locking disk  920 . The locking disk  920  may move vertically on the hinge shaft  940  by interaction of the pair of cam portions  960  and  970 . A protrusion  980  may be formed at one side of an outer peripheral surface of the locking disk  920  and a guide portion  670  that prevents rotation of the locking disk  920  by engaging with the protrusion  980  may be formed on the mounting portion  630 . In addition, a stopper  680  that stops rotation of the operation lever  910  in one direction may be formed in or on the mounting portion  630 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , when the operation lever  910  rotates in a clockwise direction, the locking disk  920  may fall, such that the dust storage device  800  may be separated from the dust separation device  705 . On the other hand, when the operation lever  910  rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, the locking disk  920  may rise, such that the dust storage device  800  may be coupled with the lower part of the dust separation device  705 . In  FIG. 14 , reference numeral  690  represents a supporter that prevents the lower part of the dust storage device  800  from contacting with the locking device  900  by supporting the dust storage device  800  when the locking device  900  is unlocked (the dust tank is separated from the dust separation device). 
     According to this embodiment, when the dust separation device  705  is fixed to the main body  60 , dust may be removed by separating the dust tank from the main body. Accordingly, a user may discharge dust from the dust storage device with little effort. 
       FIG. 16  is a vertical cross-sectional view of a dust storage device according to another embodiment. This embodiment is the same as the embodiment of  FIG. 1  except that an additional dust bag that stores dust may be provided in the dust storage device. Therefore, repetitive description has been omitted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , the dust storage device  1100  according to this embodiment may include a dust tank  1110  having a space formed therein, a dust bag  1120  housed in the dust tank  1110  that stores dust discharged from the compression device, and a fixation device  1130  that fixes the dust bag  1120  to the dust tank  1110 . More specifically, the dust bag  1130  may be, for example, paper or vinyl; however, embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     An upper portion of the dust tank  1110  may be open upwards. A coupling portion  1102  configured to be coupled with the fixation device  1130  may be formed on an inner peripheral surface of the dust tank  1110 . The coupling portion  1102  may be continuously formed on the inner peripheral surface of the dust tank  1110  and may extend toward a center portion of the dust tank  1110  on the inner peripheral surface. The coupling portion  1102  may have a substantially “L”-shaped cross section in order to seat the fixation device  1130 . Therefore, a seating portion  1103 , on which the fixation device  1130  may be seated, may be formed in the coupling portion  1102 . 
     The fixation device  1130  may be made of a material having an elastic force. For example, the fixation device  1130  may be made of a rubber material and may have a ring shape. 
     A peripheral length of the fixation device  1130  may be smaller than a peripheral length of the seating portion  1103  in order to increase a coupling force between the fixation device  1130  and the coupling portion  1102 . As the fixation device  1130  is coupled with the coupling portion  1102 , the coupling force between the fixation device  1130  and the coupling portion  1102  may increase. 
     An end portion of the dust bag  1130  may closely contact the coupling portion  1120  in order to fix the dust bag  1120  to the dust tank  1110 . Thereafter, the fixation device  1130  may be coupled to the coupling portion  1102 . Then, the dust bag  1120  may be fixed in the state in which an end portion of the dust bag  1120  may be positioned between the fixation device  1130  and the coupling portion  1102  by the elastic force of the fixation device  1130 . 
     According to this embodiment, as compressed dust may be stored in the dust bag  1120  that is housed in the dust tank  1110 , the dust bag  1120  may be removed and disposed of by separating only the dust bag  1120  from the dust tank  1110 , thereby improving user convenience and preventing a user from getting dust on his or her hands. Further, as the dust tank  1110  may be prevented from being attached with dust, need for cleaning the dust tank  1110  may be reduced or removed. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a dust storage device according to another embodiment.  FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII of  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX of  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 20  is a diagram showing a state in which the dust bag is separated from the dust storage device according to the embodiment of  FIG. 17 . This embodiment is the same as the embodiment of  FIG. 1  except that an additional dust bag that stores dust may be provided in the dust tank. Therefore, repetitive disclosure has been omitted. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 20 to 23 , the dust storage device  1200  according to this embodiment may include a dust tank  1210  having a space formed therein and a dust bag  1230  that is housed in the dust tank  1210  to store dust compressed by the compression device. 
     More specifically, a dust introduction hole  1212 , into which the compressed dust may be introduced, may be formed on an upper part of the dust tank  1210 . In addition, an opening portion  1211  through which the dust bag  1230  may be drawn in and out, may be formed on a side wall of the dust wall  1210 . Further, the opening portion  1211  may be opened and closed by a cover member  1220 . One side of the cover member  1220  may be rotatably coupled to the dust tank  1210  by, for example, a hinge  1222 . In addition, the other side the cover member  1220  may be selectively coupled to the dust tank by, for example, a hook  1226 . 
     A hinge coupling portion  1213 , to which the hinge  1222  may be coupled, may be formed on an outer peripheral surface of the dust tank  1210 , and a hook engagement portion  1214 , to which the hook  1226  may be engaged, may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the dust tank  1210 . In addition, a handle  1224  for a user&#39;s easy operation may be formed in the cover member  1220 . 
     The dust bag  1230  may be, for example, paper or vinyl; however, embodiments are not limited thereto. An end portion of the dust bag  1230  may be coupled to a support portion  1232  that supports the dust bag while fixing the dust bag  1230  to the dust tank  1210 . 
     A through-hole  1233 , through which dust may pass, may be formed in the support portion  1232 . The support portion  1232  may be drawn into the dust tank  1210  through the opening portion  1211  in a state in which the cover member  1220  may open the opening portion  1211 . In addition, the support portion  1232  may be slidingly-coupled to the dust tank  1210 , for example. For this, a coupling portion  1215  for being coupled with the support portion  1232  may be formed on the upper part of the dust tank  1210 . The coupling portion  1215  may have, for example, an “L” shape. In addition, when the support portion  1232  is slidingly-coupled to the coupling portion  1215 , the through-hole  1233  and the dust introduction hole  1212  may be aligned. 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , the cover member  1220  may rotate in one direction with the handle  1224  of the cover member  1220  in order to replace the dust bag  1230 . Then, the opening portion  1211  of the dust tank  1210  may be opened. Thereafter, when the support portion  1232  is pulled out of the dust tank  1210  by a user gripping the support portion  1232 , the support portion  1232  may be slidingly-drawn out from the dust tank  1210  through the opening portion  1211 . 
     The dust bag  1230  may be replaced even in a state in which the dust tank  1210  is mounted on the main body. Therefore, as the user may draw out the dust bag  1230  from the dust tank  1210  by opening the opening portion  1211  without removing the dust tank  1210  from the main body in order to replace the dust bag  1230 , user convenience may be improved. 
     Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments. 
     Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.