Patent Abstract:
A vacuum cleaner that includes: a suction hose; and a cleaner main body including: a main body portion, a suction motor that is configured to generate suction force, a dust container that includes (i) a storage space to collect dust and (ii) a suction port through which dust is collected from the suction hose into the storage space, and a cover member (i) that is configured to rotate, about an axis that is outside of a plane of the cover member, between a first position and a second position, (ii) that covers, based on the cover member being located at the first position, at least a portion of the dust container, and (iii) that includes a coupling unit that couples the suction hose to the suction port, wherein, based on the cover member being located at the first position, the coupling unit aligns with the suction port is disclosed.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0024022, filed in Korea on Feb. 29, 2016, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0036277, filed in Korea on Mar. 25, 2016, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0184161, filed in Korea on Dec. 30, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This application is related to technologies related to a vacuum cleaner. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Generally, a vacuum cleaner is a device which sucks dust, foreign substances, or the like existing on a surface to be cleaned by using a suction motor provided in an inside portion of a main body thereof, and then filters the dust, the foreign substances, or the like in the inside portion of the main body thereof. 
         [0004]    The vacuum cleaner is divided into an up-right type vacuum cleaner in which a suction nozzle is connected to the main body thereof and moves along with the main body thereof and a canister type vacuum cleaner in which the suction nozzle is connected to the main body thereof by an extension pipe, a handle, a hose, or the like. 
         [0005]    Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2012-0004100 (publication date: Jan. 12, 2012) which is the related art discloses the canister type vacuum cleaner. 
         [0006]    The vacuum cleaner disclosed in the related art includes a suction motor provided in the main body for generating suction force, a dust separating device for separating dust and air sucked by the suction force of the suction motor, and a dust collecting container in which the dust separated from the dust separating device is collected. 
         [0007]    The air contained dust is introduced into an introduction pipe provided in the main body through the suction nozzle and a connecting portion by the suction force of the suction motor. The air is sucked into an inside portion of the dust separating device through the introduction pipe. The air sucked into the dust separating device is separated from the dust in the process of flowing through the inside portion of the dust separating device. The dust separated from the dust separating device is collected in the dust collecting container through a dust discharging portion. 
         [0008]    Meanwhile, the introduction pipe extends upward from the dust separating device and a lower portion of the dust collecting container toward an inlet portion of the dust separating device in the inside portion of the main body (see  FIG. 3  of the related art). With such a structure, in the vacuum cleaner of the related art, the air sucked flows through the introduction pipe, causing a flow loss due to friction. Accordingly, there is a problem that the flowing amount of air introduced into the dust separating device is capable of being reduced, and the suction force of the vacuum cleaner is reduced. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a vacuum cleaner, comprising: a suction hose that is configured to guide dust; and a cleaner main body that is coupled to the suction hose, that is configured to collect dust from the suction hose based on suction force, and that includes: a main body portion that includes an interior area, a suction motor that is configured to generate suction force, a dust container that is located in the interior area of the main body portion and that includes (i) a storage space to collect dust and (ii) a suction port through which dust is collected from the suction hose into the storage space, and a cover member (i) that is configured to rotate, about an axis that is outside of a plane of the cover member, between a first position and a second position, (ii) that covers, based on the cover member being located at the first position, at least a portion of the dust container, and (iii) that includes a coupling unit that couples the suction hose to the suction port, wherein, based on the cover member being located at the first position, the coupling unit aligns with the suction port. 
         [0010]    The foregoing and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features, alone or in combination. In particular, one implementation includes all the following features in combination. The coupling unit includes: an inlet portion through which dust is introduced from the suction hose, and an outlet portion from which dust is discharged into the storage space of the dust container, and wherein, based on the cover member being located at the first position, the outlet portion of the coupling unit is coupled to the suction port. The vacuum cleaner further includes: a sealing member (i) that is configured to couple the outlet portion of the coupling unit to the suction port and (ii) that is configured to block dust from being scattered outside of the coupling unit or the suction port. Based on the cover member being located at the first position, the coupling unit aligns with the suction hose. The suction hose includes: a fitting portion that is located at a first end of the suction hose, and wherein at least a portion of the fitting portion is configured to insert into the coupling unit. The coupling unit includes: a stepped portion on an inside surface of the coupling unit, the stepped portion being configured to (i) hold at least the portion of the fitting portion and (ii) block at least the portion of the fitting portion from being inserted beyond the stepped portion. The dust container includes: a side surface where, in a state in which the cover member covers at least the portion of the dust container, a first portion of the side surface is exposed to an exterior area of the vacuum cleaner, and wherein an interior area of the dust container is viewable from the exterior area of the vacuum cleaner through the first portion of the side surface. The vacuum cleaner further includes: a connecting member that couples the cover member to the main body portion and that is configured to rotate about the axis with the cover member. The cover member includes: a grip portion that is configured to be gripped by a user to move the cover member between the first position and the second position. The main body portion includes: a seat portion that accommodates the dust container. 
         [0011]    In general, another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction hose that is configured to guide dust; and a cleaner main body that is coupled to the suction hose and that includes: a suction motor that is configured to generate suction force, a dust container that includes a storage space to collect dust, a suction port that couples the suction hose to the dust container and through which dust is collected from the suction hose into the dust container, and a cover member that is coupled to the dust container and that includes: a coupling unit that couples the suction hose to the dust container and that is configured to guide, in a horizontal direction relative to a floor, dust from the suction hose into the storage space of the dust container. 
         [0012]    In general, another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction hose that is configured to guide dust; and a cleaner main body that is coupled to the suction hose and that includes: a suction motor that is configured to generate suction force, a dust container that includes: a suction port through which dust is collected from the suction hose into the dust container and that is located on a top surface of the dust container relative to ground, and a cover member that is coupled to the dust container and that includes: a coupling unit including a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the suction hose and the second end being coupled to the suction port. 
         [0013]    In general, another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction hose that is configured to guide dust; a cleaner main body that is coupled to the suction hose and that includes a suction motor that is configured to generate suction force; a dust container that is located adjacent to the cleaner main body and that includes (i) a side surface, a first portion of the side surface being exposed to an exterior area of the vacuum cleaner, (ii) a storage space to collect dust, and (iii) an opening to the storage space; a cover member (i) that is configured to rotate, about an axis that is outside of a plane of the cover member, between a first position and a second position and (ii) that covers, based on the cover member being located at the first position, at least a portion of the dust container; a suction port (i) that is coupled to the opening of the dust container, (ii) that is covered by the cover member based on the cover member being located at the first position, and (iii) that includes a passage through which dust is collected from the suction hose into the storage space of the dust container; and a coupling unit (i) that couples the suction hose to the suction port and (ii) that, based on the cover member being located at the first position, aligns with the suction port such that dust received from the suction hose moves into the passage of the suction port through the coupling unit. 
         [0014]    The foregoing and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features, alone or in combination. In particular, one implementation includes all the following features in combination. The vacuum cleaner further includes: a first sealing portion that is coupled to a first end of the coupling unit; and a second sealing portion that has a shape corresponding to a shape of the first sealing portion and that is coupled to a first end of the suction port, wherein, based on the cover member being located at the first position, the first sealing portion is coupled to the second sealing portion. The vacuum cleaner further includes: a first sealing portion that is coupled to a first end of the coupling unit and that extends at a first angle relative to ground; and a second sealing portion that is coupled to a first end of the suction port and that extends at the first angle relative to ground, wherein, based on the cover member being located at the first position, the first sealing portion is coupled to the second sealing portion. The first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are inclined toward the suction port downwardly relative to ground. The first sealing portion and the second sealing portion include an elastic material. The coupling unit, a portion of the suction hose that is coupled to the coupling unit, and the suction port align with each other. The cover member is configured to: enclose at least the portion of the dust container, and block dust from being scattered outside of the dust container. The cleaner main body includes: a seat portion that protrudes from a surface of the cleaner main body to accommodate the dust container, and wherein, in a state in which the cover member covers at least the portion of the dust container, a top surface of the dust container is enclosed by the cover member, a bottom surface of the dust container is enclosed by the seat portion, and a side surface of the dust container is exposed to the exterior area of the vacuum cleaner. 
         [0015]    The subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in particular examples so as to realize one or more of the following advantages. The present invention is capable of minimizing the air flow loss by reducing resistance acting on the flowing air since the coupling unit is aligned with the air introducing direction at the suction port of the dust container side by side. As a result, suction efficiency of the vacuum cleaner is capable of being improved due to the reduction of the air flow loss. 
         [0016]    In addition, since the dust container is exposed to the outside by the cover member shielding only a portion of the dust container, a user is capable of easily confirming the amount of dust collected in the dust container. 
         [0017]    In addition, since the first sealing portion forming an end of the coupling unit formed on the cover member and the second sealing portion forming an end of the suction port formed in the dust container are formed to have corresponding inclined surfaces to each other, the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion have an airtight structure which the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion is not interfered with each other and are in close contact with each other when the cover member is rotated. 
         [0018]    In particular, the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are made of an elastic material and are capable of being pressed and fixed to each other. In a state where the cover member is closed, since the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are capable of being pressed and be in close contact with each other, the air which is introduced into the suction port through the coupling unit is not leaked, thereby being capable of improving suction performance of the vacuum cleaner. 
         [0019]    In addition, since the sealing member is provided between the coupling unit and the suction port of the dust container, the airtight between the coupling unit and the dust container is capable of being ensured. 
         [0020]    In addition, since the distance between the suction port of the end dust container and the suction hose is formed to be relatively short, it is advantageous for securing a space of the inside portion of the cleaner main body. 
         [0021]    In addition, since the suction hose, the coupling unit, and the suction port are capable of being aligned on the same extension line with each other, the flow resistance is capable of being minimized in flow of the air discharged from the suction hose and flowing the suction port. 
         [0022]    In addition, since the end of the suction hose is inserted into the inside of the coupling unit and extends to a position adjacent to the suction port, the air discharged from the suction hose is capable of being effectively introduced into the suction port. 
         [0023]    In the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, since the center of gravity of the battery is located forward and rotates forward in a state where the battery is separated from the main body portion, the battery is capable of being easily coupled from the cleaner main body. 
         [0024]    In addition, since the cleaner main body is supported at two points by a pair of moving wheels, the cleaner main body is capable of easily moving over obstacles such as thick carpets and a blanket. 
         [0025]    In addition, since the mounting position of the battery is located on the lower side of the cleaner main body, the center of gravity of the cleaner main body moves downward, thereby being capable of improving the running stability of the cleaner main body. 
         [0026]    In addition, since the support portion is provided at the rear side of the main body portion, it is possible to prevent the main body portion from being turned over rearward. 
         [0027]    The details of one or more examples of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other potential features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claim. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a view illustrating a state where a cleaner main body and a suction device of  FIG. 1  are separated from each other. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a view illustrating a state where a dust container of  FIG. 2  is separated from a main body portion. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the cleaner main body when the cover member is opened. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a longitudinal sectional view of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the cleaner main body when the cover member is closed; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a longitudinal sectional view of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a state where the suction device is coupled to the cleaner main body. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  is a longitudinal sectional view of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a state where a main body portion of a cleaner main body is inclined forward according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 11  is a view illustrating a state where the main body portion is inclined rearward. 
           [0040]      FIG. 12  is a view illustrating a configuration of a support portion according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 13  is a view sequentially illustrating a state where the battery is coupled to the cleaner main body. 
           [0042]      FIG. 14  is a view sequentially illustrating a state where the battery is separated from the cleaner main body. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]    Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of the respective drawings, it should be noted that the same components are denoted by the same reference symbols as possible even if they are illustrated in different drawings. 
         [0044]    In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are intended to distinguish the components from other components, and the terms do not limit the nature, the order or the sequence of the components. In a case where a component is described as being “attached”, “coupled”, or “connected” to another component, although the component may be directly attached or connected to the other component, it is to be understood that another component may be “attached”, “coupled”, or “connected” between components, respectively. 
         [0045]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a vacuum cleaner  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cleaner main body  10  and a suction device  20 . 
         [0047]    The cleaner main body  10  has a suction motor for generating a suction force. When the suction motor is driven to generate the suction force, the suction device  20  is capable of guiding dust-containing air to the cleaner main body  10 . 
         [0048]    The suction device  20  may include a suction portion  21  for sucking dust on a surface to be cleaned, for example, a floor surface and connecting portions  22 ,  23 , and  24  for connecting the suction portion  21  to the cleaner main body  10 . The connecting portions  22 ,  23  and  24  may include an extension pipe  24  connected to the suction portion  21 , a handle  22  connected to the extension pipe  24 , and a suction hose  23  connecting a handle  22  to the cleaner main body  10 . 
         [0049]    The cleaner main body  10  includes a main body portion  110  which forms an overall outer appearance. 
         [0050]    The cleaner main body  10  may further include a moving wheel  102  rotatably coupled to the main body portion  110 . A pair of moving wheels  102  may be provided and may be coupled to both sides of the main body portion  110 , respectively. 
         [0051]    The main body portion  110  may include a grip portion  104  for gripping by a user. The user is capable of grasping the grip portion  104  when lifting or inclining the main body portion  110 . 
         [0052]    The cleaner main body  10  may further include a battery  106  for supplying power. 
         [0053]    The battery  106  may be detachably coupled to the main body portion  110 . In a case where the battery  106  is coupled to the main body portion  110 , the battery  106  is capable of being integrated with the main body portion  110 . Accordingly, the battery  106  moves along with the main body portion  110 . 
         [0054]    The battery  106  may supply power necessary for all the operations of the vacuum cleaner  1 . The battery  106  may be a secondary battery which is capable of being charged and discharged. A power cord (not illustrated) for supplying commercial power may be separately connected to the battery  106 . 
         [0055]    The cleaner main body  10  further includes a dust container  120  in which the dust sucked through the suction device  20  is stored. Although the dust container  120  may have a cylindrical shape as illustrated in the drawings, the shape of the dust container  120  is not limited thereto. 
         [0056]    The dust container  120  may have a suction port  124  through which dust is sucked. The suction port  124  may be disposed on an upper surface portion of the dust container  120  as illustrated in the drawings. Accordingly, the air introduced into the suction port  124  is guided downward and moves to a storage space. 
         [0057]    The dust container  120  may be detachably mounted on the main body portion  110 . A storage space for collecting dust introduced into the suction port  124  may be formed in an inside portion of the dust container  120 . 
         [0058]    The dust container  120  may be provided in the front side of the main body portion  110  and a side surface portion of the dust container  120  may be at least partially made of a transparent material so that the user confirms the dust collected in the storage space. 
         [0059]    The vacuum cleaner  1  may include a dust separating portion (not illustrated) for separating dust and air sucked in the suction device  20  from each other. The dust separating portion may be manufactured as a separate article from the dust container  120  or may form one module with the dust container  120 . For example, the dust separating portion may be provided in the inside portion of the dust container  120  and the dust separated from the dust separating portion may be collected in a lower side of the dust container  120 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 2  is a view illustrating a state where the cleaner main body and the suction device of  FIG. 1  are separated from each other and  FIG. 3  is a view illustrating a state where the dust container of  FIG. 2  is separated from the main body portion. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the cleaner main body  10  may include a coupling unit  134  connected to the suction device  20 . The coupling unit  134  is directly connected to the suction hose  23  so that dust-containing air is capable of being introduced therein. In other words, a side of the coupling unit  134  is coupled to the suction hose  23  and the other side thereof is coupled to the suction port  124 . Accordingly, the coupling unit  134  connects the suction hose  23  and the suction port  124  with each other. 
         [0062]    The coupling unit  134  may communicate with the dust container  120 . Accordingly, the air introduced into the suction hose  23  is capable of being introduced into the dust container  120  through the coupling unit  134 . 
         [0063]    A suction port  124  through which the dust is introduced may be provided on a side of the dust container  120 . The suction port  124  may be provided on the upper portion (or the upper surface portion) of the dust container  120 , as illustrated in the drawings. 
         [0064]    In addition, the suction port  124  may be formed to face the front side. Here, the front side refers to a portion where the suction hose  23  is located with respect to the cleaner main body  10 . 
         [0065]    In addition, as illustrated in the drawings, the coupling unit  134  may be disposed on the upper portion of the dust container  120 . Since both the suction port  124  and the coupling unit  134  are disposed on the upper portion of the dust container  120 , the length of a flow path of air introduced from the suction hose  23  is capable of being minimized. 
         [0066]    The suction hose  23  may include fitting portions  231 ,  232 , and  233  for improving the airtight when being coupled with the coupling unit  134 . 
         [0067]    The fitting portions  231 ,  232 , and  233  are capable of attaching and detaching the suction hose  23  to and from the coupling unit  134 . The fitting portions  231 ,  232 , and  233  may be formed to be multi-stepped, as illustrated in the drawings. 
         [0068]    The fitting portions  231 ,  232 , and  233  may include a first fitting portion  231 , a second fitting portion  232 , and a third fitting portion  233 . The first fitting portion  231  and the second fitting portion  232  are inserted into the inside portion of the coupling unit  134 . Therefore, the first fitting portion  231  and the second fitting portion  232  are collectively referred to as insertion portions, which may be referred to as a first insertion portion and a second insertion portion, respectively. The third fitting portion  233  is provided outside the coupling unit  134 . The third fitting portion  233  may be in contact with the end of the coupling unit  134  to limit the insertion depth of the insertion portion. 
         [0069]    The cleaner main body  10  further includes a cover member  130  movably provided in the main body portion  110 . 
         [0070]    The cleaner main body  10  may further include the connecting member  13  connecting the cover member  130  and the main body portion  110  with each other. For example, the cover member  130  may be rotatably connected to the main body portion  110  by the connecting member  13 . 
         [0071]    The cover member  130  may include the coupling unit  134 . Accordingly, the coupling unit  134  is capable of moving along with the cover member  130 . 
         [0072]    The cover member  130  may shield at least one side of the dust container  120 . The cover member  130  may shield at least one side of the dust container  120  and may couple with the dust container  120 . The cover member  130  is capable of being coupled with the dust container  120  when the cover member  130  is closed and separated from the dust container  120  when the cover member  130  is opened. 
         [0073]    For example, the cover member  130  may be coupled to the upper portion of the dust container  120 . 
         [0074]    The dust container  120  may be separated from the main body portion  110  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0075]    The main body portion  110  may include a seat portion  108  on which the dust container  120  is seated. The seat portion  108  may be disposed on a lower portion of the dust container  120  as illustrated in the drawings. The seat portion  108  may be formed with a coupling portion (not illustrated) for coupling with a lower surface portion of the dust container  120 . 
         [0076]    Meanwhile, the lower surface portion of the dust container  120  may be referred to as a side of the dust container  120  and the upper surface portion of the dust container  120  may be referred to as the other side of the dust container  120 . Since the cover member  130  is coupled to the dust container  120  from the upper side of the dust container  120 , the cover member  130  is capable of being seen to be provided on a side opposite to the seat portion  108 . 
         [0077]    Hereinafter, a state where the cover member  130  is opened and a state where the cover member  130  is closed will be described specifically. 
         [0078]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the cleaner main body when the cover member is opened,  FIG. 5  is a longitudinal sectional view of  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the cleaner main body when the cover member is closed, and  FIG. 7  is a longitudinal sectional view of  FIG. 6 . 
         [0079]    Referring to  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7 , when the cover member  130  is opened, a user grasps the grip portion  104  and lifts the cover member  130  upward or rotates the cover member  130  rearward. On the other hand, when the cover member  140  is closed, the user is capable of lowering the cover member  130  downward or rotating the cover member  130  forward. 
         [0080]    In a case where the cover member  130  is opened, the user is capable of taking out the dust container  120  to the outside of the vacuum cleaner. At this time, the suction port  124  of the dust container  120  is exposed to the outside of the vacuum cleaner. 
         [0081]    In a case where the cover member  130  is closed, at least one side of the dust container  120  is shielded by the cover member  130 . When a side of the dust container  120  is shielded by the cover member  130 , the suction port  124  is also shielded by the cover member  130 . 
         [0082]    However, since the cover member  130  does not shield a side surface portion of the dust container  120 , the side surface portion of the dust container  120  is exposed to the outside. Accordingly, since the side surface portion of the dust container  120  is at least partially made of transparent material, the user is capable of visually confirming the amount of dust collected in the storage space of the inside portion of the dust container  120 . 
         [0083]    When the suction port  124  is shielded by the cover member  130 , the suction port  124  is in contact with an outlet portion of the coupling unit  134 . Accordingly, the coupling unit  134  communicates with the suction port  124 . At this time, the coupling unit  134  may be aligned with the air introducing direction at the suction port  124  side by side. 
         [0084]    A first space portion  135  is formed in the inside of the coupling unit  134  and a second space portion  125  is formed in the inside of the suction port  124 . When the cover member  130  is closed, the first space portion  135  and the second space portion  125  are directly connected to each other. 
         [0085]    Meanwhile, when the cover member  130  is closed, a rear end of the coupling unit  134  and a front end of the suction port  124  are in close contact with each other to be in an airtight state and the air passing through the coupling unit  134  is not leaked to the outside and all the air is capable of being introduced into the inside portion of the dust container  120 . 
         [0086]    Hereinafter, this will be described in more detail. For convenience of description, a direction in which the suction hose  23  is connected (left side in  FIG. 5 ) is referred to as a front direction and a direction which is in contact with the dust container  120  (the right side in  FIG. 5 ) is referred to as a rear direction. 
         [0087]    An opened rear end of the coupling unit  134  is capable of extending into the inside of the cover member  130  and extending to a position corresponding to an opened front end of the suction port  124  when the cover member  130  is closed. 
         [0088]    A first sealing portion  136  may be formed at a rear end of the coupling unit  134  and a second sealing portion  126  may be formed at a front end of the suction port  124 . The first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  may be formed in corresponding shapes at positions facing each other and may be configured to be in close contact and be coupled with each other when the cover member  130  is closed. 
         [0089]    More specifically, the first sealing portion  136  may be formed to be inclined, and may be inclined forward in the downward direction. The second sealing portion  126  may be inclined in the same direction as that of the first sealing portion  136 , and may be also inclined forward in the downward direction. 
         [0090]    Meanwhile, a direction of the inclined surfaces of the first sealing portion  136  and second sealing portion  126  may be formed to correspond to the rotation direction in which the cover member  130  is opened and closed. A direction of the inclined surfaces of the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  may be formed so as to correspond to a tangent of the rotating radius of the cover member  130 . 
         [0091]    In other words, the rotation center of the cover member  130  is positioned at the rear end of the cover member  130 , and when the cover member  130  rotates, slopes of the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  may be formed to have the same slope as the tangent of the rotation radius of the cover member  130  in order for the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portions  126  which are in positions spaced apart from the rotation center of the cover member  130  when rotating the cover member  130  to be close contact with each other while naturally sliding to each other. 
         [0092]    The cover member  130  is capable of being effectively airtight without the coupling unit  134  and the suction port  124  being interfered with each other when the cover member  130  is rotatably operated to be closed by the slope structure of the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126 . 
         [0093]    The inside portion of the coupling unit  134  and the inside portion of the suction port  124  may form a first space portion  135  and a second space portion  125 , respectively. At this time, the rear end of the first space portion  135  and the front end of the space portion  125  may have a size corresponding to each other. The first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  may be formed to have the same inclined surface. Accordingly, the first space portion  135  and the second space portion  125  are capable of having a completely communicated structure in a state where the cover member  130  is closed. 
         [0094]    The first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  may be formed together when the coupling unit  134  and the suction port  124  are shaped. In other words, the first sealing portion  136  and second sealing portion  126  may be made of a plastic material, respectively and may be integrally shaped with the coupling unit  134  and the suction port  124 . 
         [0095]    If necessary, a sealing member for airtight may be mounted on the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126 . The sealing member may be formed around the opened end portions of the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  and may be mounted on at least one of the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126 . The sealing member may be made of a material having elasticity such as rubber, silicone, and sponge. Therefore, when the cover member  130  is closed, the complete airtight is capable of being provided between the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  by the compression of the sealing member. In addition, the elasticity is provided when the cover member  130  is closed or opened, thereby the impact is alleviated when the cover member  130  is closed, and the initial rotation is performed easier when the cover member  130  is opened. 
         [0096]    Of course, the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  may be made of a separate material having elasticity, if necessary. In other words, the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  are separately made of a material having elasticity such as rubber, silicone, and sponge, and then fixedly mounted on the rear end of the coupling unit  134  and the front end of the suction port  24 . 
         [0097]    At this time, the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  may be mounted to be inclined or the surfaces thereof which are in contact with each other may be formed to be inclined. The first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  having elasticity may be formed to have a predetermined thickness in order to be compressed with each other in a state where the cover member  130  is closed. The first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  are capable of being completely airtight by the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  made of an elastic material and the impact upon opening and closing of the cover member  130  is capable of being alleviated and opened easily. 
         [0098]    In a case where the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  are made of an elastic material, when the cover member  130  is closed, the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  are in close contact with each other while being pressed against each other. Accordingly, the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  may be in contact with each other in a compressed state in a state where the cover member  130  is closed and the airtight performance is capable of being further improved between the coupling unit  134  and the suction port  124 . 
         [0099]    Hereinafter, a case where the suction hose  23  is mounted on the coupling unit  134  will be described. 
         [0100]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a state where the suction device is coupled to the cleaner main body, and  FIG. 9  is a longitudinal sectional view of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0101]    Referring to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , the suction hose  23  is connected to the coupling unit  134 . A front end (left side in  FIG. 9 ) to which the suction hose  23  is connected in the coupling unit  134  is capable of being defined as an inlet portion and a rear end (right side in  FIG. 9 ) in which air is discharged is capable of being defined as an outlet portion. The outlet portion of the coupling unit  134  faces the suction port  124  each other and is capable of being in contact with each other. 
         [0102]    At this time, the outlet portion of the coupling unit  134  is capable of communicating with the suction port  124 . The first sealing portion  136  of the coupling unit  134  and the second sealing portion  126  of the suction port  124  are in contact with each other and the coupling unit  134  and the suction port may completely communicate with each other. 
         [0103]    Specifically, the air discharged from the suction hose  23  may introduces into the inside portion of the dust container  120  through the first space part  135  and the second space part  125  in this order. The flow path from the first space portion  135  and the second space portion  125  to the dust container  12  may be defined as a suction flow path F. 
         [0104]    As illustrated in the drawings, the suction flow path F is introduced from the coupling unit  134  into the suction port  124  and then guided downward to the storage space. 
         [0105]    The suction flow path F may be divided into a first flow path defined in the first space portion  135  and a second flow path defined in the second space portion  125 . 
         [0106]    The first space portion  135  and the second space portion  125  are connected with each other when the coupling unit  134  and the suction port  124  are connected with each other, thereby forming a flow path which is connected the first flow path and the second flow path with each other. 
         [0107]    In this state, the flow path is linearly connected by the close contact of the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126 , and the suction hose  23  is also linearly connected to the coupling unit  134  so that the air introduced through the suction hose  23  is capable of linearly flowing with the shortest distance toward the dust container  20 . 
         [0108]    As described above, the airtight between the suction hose  23  and the coupling unit  134  is capable of being maintained by the fitting portions  231 ,  232 , and  233 . 
         [0109]    The first fitting portion  231 , the second fitting portion  232 , and the third fitting portion  233  may have a diameter which is gradually increased in this order, respectively. Accordingly, a step may be formed between the first fitting portion  231  and the second fitting portion  232  and a step may be formed between the second fitting portion  232  and the third fitting portion  233 . 
         [0110]    The first fitting portion  231  and the second fitting portion  232  are inserted into an inside portion of the first space portion  135 . 
         [0111]    The coupling unit  134  may have stepped portions  134   a  and  134   b . At least a portion of the fitting portions  231 ,  232 , and  233  may be caught by the stepped portions  134   a  and  134   b  to limit the insertion range. In addition, the stepped portions  134   a  and  134   b  are in surface contact with the fitting portions  231 ,  232  and  233  to improve airtight between the fitting portions  231 ,  232  and  233  and the first space portion  135 . 
         [0112]    The stepped portions  134   a  and  134   b  may include a first stepped portion  134   a  and a second stepped portion  134   b.    
         [0113]    The first stepped portion  134   a  may be provided in the first space portion  135 . The end of the second fitting portion  232  may be in contact with the first stepped portion  134   a.    
         [0114]    The second stepped portion  134   b  may be provided on an outside of the coupling unit  134 . The end portion of the third fitting portion  233  may be in contact with the second stepped portion  134   b.    
         [0115]    The suction hose  23  may be aligned in line with the air flow direction in the first space portion  135 . Accordingly, the resistance of the air which is discharged from the suction hose  23  and flows to the first space portion  135  is reduced. 
         [0116]    As described above, in the vacuum cleaner  1  of the present invention, since the suction hose  23 , the coupling unit  134 , and the suction port  124  are arranged in a line, the resistance of the air discharged from the suction hose  23  is minimized. The stepped portion  134   a  of the suction hose  23  is capable of extending to a position adjacent to the suction port  124  in a state of being inserted into the inside portion of the coupling unit  134 . Accordingly, the suction hose  23  may be in a state of being aligned with the suction port  124  in the inside portion of the coupling unit  134 . Therefore, the air discharged from the suction hose  23  is capable of flowing directly toward the suction port  124 . 
         [0117]    In addition, the first sealing portion  136  and the second sealing portion  126  formed on the coupling unit  134  and the suction port  124  are capable of being in close contact with each other in a state of being inclined state to effectively maintain the airtight state. Accordingly, the leakage of the liquid is capable of being prevented. 
         [0118]    Accordingly, the air flow loss in the inside portion of the cleaner main body  10  is capable of being minimized, and as a result, the suction efficiency of the vacuum cleaner  1  is capable of being improved. 
         [0119]    Various other embodiments of the present invention will be possible in addition to the embodiment described above. 
         [0120]    Configurations of another embodiment of the present invention will be the same as those of the embodiment described above except for some configurations, and the same names are used for the same configurations, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0121]      FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a state where a main body portion of a cleaner main body is inclined forward according to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11  is a view illustrating a state where the main body portion is inclined rearward.  FIG. 12  is a view illustrating a configuration of a support portion according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0122]    Referring to  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 12 , a cleaner main body  1000  includes a main body portion  1110 , a moving wheel  1120 , and a battery  1130 . 
         [0123]    The main body portion  1110  may include a dust container  1105  for storing dust sucked through a suction device  1160 . A pair of moving wheels  1120  may be coupled to both sides of the main body portion  1110 , respectively. The battery  1130  may be detachably coupled to the main body portion  1110 . 
         [0124]    A portion where the coupling unit  1103  is disposed may be defined as a front side and a portion where the battery  1130  is disposed may be defined as a rear side, with respect to a vertical line V passing through the rotation center of the moving wheel  1120  in the cleaner main body  1000 . In addition, a case where the main body portion  1110  rotates in the front side means that the main body portion  1110  rotates in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing (see  FIG. 10 ) and a case where the main body portion  1110  rotates in the rear side means that the main body portion  1110  rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing (see  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0125]    The cleaner main body  1000  may further include a driving portion for driving the moving wheels  1120 . The cleaner main body  1000  may control the driving of the mobile wheel  1120  by the control portion according to sensing information of a sensing portion which senses the movement of the cleaner main body  1000 . 
         [0126]    In a case where the sensing portion is in an OFF state, the moving wheel  1120  may not be driven. In this case, the main body portion  1110  is inclined according to a position of the center of gravity. For example, when the center of gravity of the main body portion  1110  is positioned in the front side of the vertical line V passing the rotation center of the moving wheel  1120 , the main body portion  1110  is inclined forward as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , and when the center of gravity of the main body portion  1110  is positioned at the rear side the vertical line V, the main body portion  1110  is inclined rearward as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0127]    When the sensing portion is turned on, the control portion may control the driving of the moving wheel  1120  such that the center of gravity of the main body portion  1110  is positioned on the vertical line V passing the rotation center of the moving wheel  1120 . In this case, a lower surface B of the main body portion  1110  may be spaced apart from a bottom surface G as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0128]    The cleaner main body  1000  may further include a rear wheel unit  1140 . The rear wheel unit  1140  is disposed on the rear side of the lower surface of the main body portion  1110  and may function to restrict an angle at which the main body portion  1110  inclined rearward. 
         [0129]    The rear wheel unit  1140  may further include an extending portion  1144 . An auxiliary wheel  1142  may be rotatably connected to a side of the extending portion  1144 . The other side of the extending portion  1144  may be rotatably connected to the main body portion  1110  by the rotation shaft  1146 . The extending portion  1144  is capable of rotating upward or downward within the range of a-a′. 
         [0130]    The rear wheel unit  1140  may further include an elastic member  1150 . For example, the elastic member  1150  may be a torsion spring. An end  1152  of the elastic member  1150  is capable of being supported by the main body portion  1110  and the other end  1153  of the elastic member  1150  is capable of being supported by the extending portion  1144 . The elastic member  1150  may apply an elastic force such that the extending portion  1144  rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing. 
         [0131]    The front side portion of the lower surface B of the main body portion  1110  is capable of being in contact with the bottom surface G when the main body portion  1110  is inclined forward as much as possible. Accordingly, the maximum rotation angle of the main body portion  1110  is capable of being limited in the forward direction. 
         [0132]    Conversely, when the main body portion  1110  is inclined rearward, the rear wheel unit  1140  is capable of being in contact with the bottom surface G. Accordingly, the maximum rotation angle of the main body portion  1110  to the rear side is capable of being limited. Accordingly, the main body portion  1110  is capable of being prevented from being turned over forward or rearward. 
         [0133]    The lower surface B of the main body portion  1110  may form a predetermined angle □ with the bottom surface G when the main body portion  1110  rotates rearward as much as possible. At this time, an angle □ between the lower surface B of the main body portion  1110  and the bottom surface G may be approximately 17° to 20°. 
         [0134]    The battery  1130  may include a cover  1131 . The cover  1131  may be exposed to the outside in a state where the battery  1130  is mounted on the main body portion  1110 . Accordingly, the cover  1131  is capable of forming at least a portion of an outer appearance of the main body portion  1110 . In addition, the user is capable of separating the battery  1130  from the main body portion  1110  or couple the battery  1130  to the main body portion  1110  without disassembling the main body portion  1110 . 
         [0135]    Hereinafter, the process of attachment and detachment of the battery  1130  to and from the main body portion  1110  will be described in detail. However, the following description is limited only that in a case where the battery  1130  is removed from the main body portion  1110 , the center of gravity of the main body portion  1110  is positioned forward and in a case where the battery  1130  is coupled to the main body portion  1110 , the center of gravity of the main body portion  1110  is located at the rear side. 
         [0136]      FIG. 13  is a view sequentially illustrating a state where the battery is coupled to the cleaner main body. 
         [0137]      FIG. 13A  is a view illustrating a state where the battery  1130  is separated from the main body portion  1110 , and  FIG. 13B  is a view illustrating a state where the battery  1130  is coupled to the main body portion  1110  and  FIG. 13C  is a view illustrating a state where the main body portion  1110  is inclined rearward. 
         [0138]    The main body portion  1110  is formed with a battery coupling portion  1107  to which the battery  1130  is coupled. The battery coupling portion  1107  may be formed by a portion of the main body portion  1110  being depressed. 
         [0139]    The battery coupling portion  1107  is formed on the lower side of the main body portion  1110  so that the battery  1130  is coupled to the lower side of the main body portion  1110 . For example, the center of gravity of the battery  1130  may be positioned at the lower side of the rotation center of the moving wheel  1120  in a state where the battery  1130  is mounted on the main body portion  1110 . 
         [0140]    Therefore, when the battery  1130  is coupled to the main body portion  1110 , since the center of gravity of the main body portion  1110  is capable of being moved downward, running stability of the cleaner main body  1000  is capable of being improved. 
         [0141]    Although the running stability is improved when the battery  1130  is coupled to the lower side of the main body portion  1110 , since the battery  1130  must be coupled to the lower side of the main body portion  1110 , the user may result in discomfort for coupling the battery  1130 . 
         [0142]    However, the center of gravity of the main body portion  1110  may be positioned in the front side of the vertical line passing through the center of the moving wheel  1120  in a state where the battery  1130  is separated from the main body portion  1110 . Accordingly, when the battery  1130  is separated from the main body portion  1110 , the main body portion  1110  is capable of being inclined forward about the mobile wheel  1120 . 
         [0143]    As the main body portion  1110  is inclined forward, the front portion of the lower surface of the main body portion  1110  is in contact with the bottom surface, and at this time, the battery coupling portion  1107  is oriented obliquely upward. Accordingly, the user is capable of easily assembling the battery  1130 . 
         [0144]    The battery  1130  may be coupled to the body portion  1110  in an oblique direction by a coupling guide portion provided in the battery coupling portion  1107 . Specifically, an inserting direction S of the battery  1130  may be an acute angle with the vertical line V and the bottom surface, respectively. Therefore, in a case where the front portion of the lower surface of the main body portion  1110  is in contact with the bottom surface, the insertion direction S of the battery  1130  forms an acute angle with the bottom surface. 
         [0145]    When the battery  1130  is coupled to the main body portion  1110 , the center of gravity of the main body portion  1110  is capable of moving rearward. In other words, the center of gravity of the main body portion  1110  may be positioned behind the vertical line passing through the center of the moving wheel  1120  in a state where the battery  1130  is coupled to the main body portion  1110 . 
         [0146]    In other words, when the battery  1130  is coupled to the main body portion  1110 , the main body portion  1110  is capable of being inclined rearward about the movement wheel  1120 . At this time, the rear wheel unit  1140  is selectively in contact with the bottom surface. At this time, the lower surface B of the main body portion  1110  forms a predetermined angle □ with the bottom surface G. 
         [0147]      FIG. 14  is a view sequentially illustrating a state where the battery is separated from the cleaner main body. 
         [0148]    Specifically,  FIG. 14A  is a view illustrating a state before the battery  1130  is separated from the main body portion  1110  and  FIG. 14B  is a view illustrating a state where the battery  1130  is separated from the main body portion  1110 . 
         [0149]    In order to separate the battery  1130  from the main body portion  1110 , the user is capable of inclining the main body portion  1110  by directly applying a force to the main body portion  1110 . Next, the user is capable of separating the battery  1130  in a direction opposite to the insertion direction S. 
         [0150]    When the battery  1130  is separated from the main body portion  1110 , the center of gravity of the main body portion  1110  moves forward again. Accordingly, the main body portion  1110  is capable of maintaining a forward inclined state. 
         [0151]    As described above, in the vacuum cleaner of the present invention, in a state where the battery  1130  is mounted on the main body portion  1110 , the main body portion  1110  rotates rearward so that the lower surface portion of the main body portion  1110  is separated from the bottom surface. In other words, the main body portion  1110  is capable of being supported at two points by the moving wheel  1120  when running. In this case, the cleaner main body  1000  is capable of further easily moving over obstacles and since the running friction acting on the movement wheel  1120  is reduced, the user is capable of reducing labor force required for moving the cleaner main body  1000 . 
         [0152]    Even in a case where the battery  1130  is separated from the main body portion  1110 , since the center of gravity of the main body portion  1110  moves forward and the main body portion  1110  rotates forward, the battery coupling portion  1107  provided on the rear lower side of the main body portion  110  rises. Accordingly, the user is capable of easily coupling the battery  1130  to the battery coupling portion  1107 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 0