Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7744667?dq=2040248
Timestamp: 2016-07-01 16:20:03
Document Index: 546031315

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n13', 'Application No. 2007', 'arts 31', 'arts 33', 'arts 33', 'art 19', 'art 19', 'art 19', 'art 19', 'art 19', 'art 53', 'art 19', 'art 53', 'art 53', 'art 53', 'art 19', 'art 31', 'art 33', 'arts 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 33', 'art 33', 'art 33', 'art 17', 'art 19', 'art 19', 'art 19', 'art 53', 'arts 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 31', 'art 33', 'arts 33', 'arts 31', 'arts 33', 'arts 31', 'art 31', 'art 33', 'art 33', 'arts 31', 'arts 33', 'arts 31', 'arts 31', 'arts 31', 'art 33', 'art 63']

Patent US7744667 - Cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner includes a first cyclone having an inclined part and adapted for separating dust and air; a first dust chamber adapted to be disposed substantially around the first cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the first cyclone; at least one second...http://www.google.com/patents/US7744667?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7744667 - Cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleanerAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7744667 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/892,971Publication dateJun 29, 2010Filing dateAug 29, 2007Priority dateFeb 5, 2007Fee statusLapsedAlso published asCN101238964A, CN101238964B, EP1952744A1, EP1952744B1, US20080184681Publication number11892971, 892971, US 7744667 B2, US 7744667B2, US-B2-7744667, US7744667 B2, US7744667B2InventorsJang-Keun Oh, Min-Ha KimOriginal AssigneeSamsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (128), Referenced by (11), Classifications (16), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetCyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner
US 7744667 B2Abstract
A cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner includes a first cyclone having an inclined part and adapted for separating dust and air; a first dust chamber adapted to be disposed substantially around the first cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the first cyclone; at least one second cyclone for separating dust and air adapted to be disposed above the first cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the first cyclone; and a second dust chamber adapted to be in disposed within the first cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the second cyclone.
a first cyclone having an inclined part and adapted for separating dust and air;
a first dust chamber adapted to be disposed substantially around the first cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the first cyclone;
at least one second cyclone for separating dust and air adapted to be disposed above the first cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the first cyclone; and
a second dust chamber adapted to be in disposed within the first cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the second cyclone.
2. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 1, wherein a lower portion of the at least one second cyclone is adapted to be spaced apart from an upper portion of the first cyclone.
3. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one second cyclone is adapted to be disposed to partly extend into the first cyclone.
4. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a housing adapted to substantially enclose the at least one second cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the first cyclone and the at least one second cyclone.
5. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one second cyclone includes an air entering part formed in a substantially helical shape.
6. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one second cyclone includes an air entering part formed in a direction tangential to an upper portion of the second cyclone.
7. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a dust guide member adapted to be disposed between the at least one second cyclone and the second dust chamber.
8. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 7, wherein the dust guide member is formed in a substantially conical shape.
9. A cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner comprising:
a first cyclone having an air entering part disposed at a lower portion of the first cyclone and an air discharging part disposed at an upper portion of the first cyclone,
a first dust chamber adapted to wrap around the first cyclone with a space formed therein to collect the dust discharged from the first cyclone, and
a second dust chamber adapted to be disposed in the first cyclone;
a second cyclone unit disposed above the first cyclone unit, and including,
at least one second cyclone adapted to be disposed above the first cyclone unit,
a dust guide member adapted to be disposed at a bottom end of the at least one second cyclone in fluid communication with the second dust chamber, and
a housing adapted to substantially enclose the at least one second cyclone; and
an upper cover adapted to be disposed on the second cyclone unit.
10. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second cyclone unit is formed so that the bottom end of the at least one second cyclone is spaced apart from the first cyclone.
11. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second cyclone unit is adapted so that some part of the at least one second cyclone locates inside the first cyclone.
12. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a connection part formed at a bottom surface of the housing to be connected with the air discharging part.
13. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the housing further comprises a dust guide path adapted to be disposed at a bottom surface of the housing and to provide fluid communication between the first cyclone and the first dust chamber.
14. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second air entering part and a second air discharging part adapted to be disposed at an upper portion of the at least one second cyclone.
15. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second air entering part is formed in substantially helical shape.
16. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second air entering part is adapted to be disposed in a tangential direction to the upper portion of the at least one second cyclone.
17. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second air entering part and the second air discharging part are adapted to be disposed on an upper plate.
18. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second cyclone unit is adapted to be detachably coupled to the first cyclone unit.
19. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one second cyclone is a plurality of second cyclones arranged substantially in a circle.
20. The cyclone separating apparatus of claim 19, wherein the plurality of second cyclones comprise chambers at least one second cyclone disposed within the circle formed the plurality of second cyclones. Description
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. �119(a) from Korean Patent Application No. 2007-11662 filed Feb. 5, 2007 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Generally, vacuum cleaners generate a suction force to draw-in dirt from a surface to be cleaned. The vacuum cleaners are provided with a dust collecting apparatus that separates and collects dust, dirt, particulates, debris, contaminants, and other similar matter from the air drawn into the vacuum cleaner. The term “dust” will be used herein to refer collectively to dust, dirt, particulates, debris, contaminants, and other similar matter that can be entrained with the air suctioned by the vacuum cleaner.
Cyclone separating apparatuses are well known as dust collecting apparatuses for a vacuum cleaner. The conventional cyclone separating apparatus can effectively remove relatively large dust from the drawn-in air but often cannot effectively remove fine dust.
To remove fine dust more effectively, a multi-cyclone separating apparatus has been developed. The multi-cyclone separating apparatus has a first cyclone to remove relatively large dust and a plurality of second cyclones to remove fine dust from the air discharged from the first cyclone. An example of the conventional multi-cyclone separating apparatus is presented in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2005-25711.
However, in the conventional multi-cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, air enters and is discharged through an upper portion of the first cyclone. Because the air whirls downward and then has move upward to exit, the air path prevents high dust separating efficiency. Also, the dust separated from the first cyclone is collected in a space in fluid communication with where the air is whirling. Thus, the collected dust impedes the whirling of the air.
Therefore, there is a need for a vacuum cleaner having a cyclone separating apparatus that can more effectively separate dust from drawn-in air and that can collect dust without affecting the whirling air.
The present invention has been developed in order to overcome the above drawbacks and problems associated with the conventional arrangement. An aspect of the present invention is to provide a cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner that can effectively separate dust and does not cause the dust collected therein to affect whirling air.
One embodiment of the present invention provides a cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner. The cyclone separating apparatus includes a first cyclone having an inclined part and adapted for separating dust and air; a first dust chamber adapted to be disposed substantially around the first cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the first cyclone; at least one second cyclone for separating dust and air adapted to be disposed above the first cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the first cyclone; and a second dust chamber adapted to be in disposed within the first cyclone and to be in fluid communication with the second cyclone.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner. The cyclone separating apparatus includes a first cyclone unit, a second cyclone unit disposed above the first cyclone unit, and an upper cover adapted to be disposed on the second cyclone unit. The first cyclone unit includes a first cyclone having air entering part disposed at a lower portion of the first cyclone and an air discharging part disposed at an upper portion of the first cyclone, a first dust chamber adapted to wrap around the first cyclone with a space formed therein to collect the dust discharged from the first cyclone, and a second dust chamber adapted to be disposed in the first cyclone. The second cyclone unit includes at least one second cyclone adapted to be disposed above the first cyclone unit, a dust guide member adapted to be disposed at a bottom end of the at least one second cyclone in fluid communication with the second dust chamber, and a housing adapted to substantially enclose the at least one second cyclone.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an upper plate of the cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the upper plate of the cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a first cyclone unit and a second cyclone unit of the cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 with the first and second cyclone units exploded from each other;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view illustrating an upper plate of the cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner of FIG. 7; and
FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view illustrating a cyclone separating apparatus 100 for a vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The cyclone separating apparatus 100 for a vacuum cleaner may include a first cyclone unit 3, a second cyclone unit 5, an upper cover 7, a discharging pipe 8, and a first air entering pipe 16. The discharging pipe 8 may be disposed at the upper cover 7 and may be in fluid communication with a vacuum generator (not illustrated) of the vacuum cleaner. The first air entering pipe 16 may be in fluid communication with a suction nozzle (not illustrated) of the vacuum cleaner.
Referring to FIG. 2, an exploded perspective view of the cyclone separating apparatus 100 is shown. The upper cover 7 may cover an upper plate 30. The upper plate 30 may cover top ends 22 a of a plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 (shown in FIG. 3). The upper plate 30 may include a plurality of second air entering parts 31 and a plurality of second air discharging parts 33. The air discharged from the plurality of second air discharging parts 33 may be exhausted outside through the discharging pipe 8.
The second cyclone unit 5 may be disposed above the first cyclone unit 3 and may have a housing 50. The housing 50 may have a plurality of air openings 57 formed at a top surface 56 of the housing 50. The housing 50 may be disposed to enclose the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 (shown in FIG. 3) and may be formed in a shape corresponding to an outer wall 13 of the first cyclone unit 3. In embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the housing 50 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.
The first cyclone unit 3 may include a first cyclone chamber 10, a first dust chamber 12, and a second dust chamber 20. The first cyclone chamber 10 may be provided with an inner wall 11. The inner wall 11 may be disposed substantially around the first cyclone chamber 10 to form a substantially hollow cylindrical shape. A bottom end of the first cyclone chamber 10 may be closed with a base plate 15 (shown in FIG. 3). A top end of the first cyclone chamber 10 may be open. Near the bottom of the first cyclone chamber 10 may be formed the first air entering pipe 16 through which air enters from outside. The first air entering pipe 16 may be received through the outer wall 13 and may project through the first dust chamber 12. The first air entering pipe 16 may be disposed in a substantially tangential direction relative to the inner wall 11.
The first dust chamber 12 may be disposed around the first cyclone chamber 10 and may collect dust discharged from the first cyclone chamber 10. The first dust chamber 12 may be formed within the inner wall 11 of the first cyclone chamber 10 and the outer wall 13. The first dust chamber 12 may have a bottom end closed by the base plate 15 (shown in FIG. 3) and an open top end. Dust discharged from the first cyclone chamber 10 may enter an upper portion of the first dust chamber 12 and may be collected in the first dust chamber 12. As a result, air whirling in the first cyclone chamber 10 is not substantially affected by the collected dust in the first dust chamber 12.
The second dust chamber 20 may be disposed within the first cyclone chamber 10. The second dust chamber 20 may be formed with a dust receptacle 21 which has a substantially hollow cylindrical shape. The second dust chamber 20 may have a bottom end closed by the base plate 15 (shown in FIG. 3) and an open top end. Near an upper portion of the second dust chamber 20 may be formed a first air discharging part 19 through which air of the first cyclone chamber 10 is discharged to the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 (shown in FIG. 3). The first air discharging part 19 may be disposed to wrap around an upper portion of the dust receptacle 21 but may be spaced apart from the upper portion of the dust receptacle 21. A space between the first air discharging part 19 and the dust receptacle 21 may form a first air flow path through which air discharged from the first cyclone chamber 10 may pass.
Referring to FIG. 3, a sectional view illustrating the cyclone separating apparatus 100 is shown. The first air discharging part 19 may be formed with a plurality of slits 19 a through which air enters. Alternatively, although not illustrated, the first air discharging part 19 may be formed with a plurality of small circular holes through which air enters.
An inclined part or ramp surface 17 may be disposed at the bottom end of the first cyclone chamber 10 to force air entering through the first air entering pipe 16 to whirl and rise up. Outside air may enter a lower portion of the first cyclone chamber 10 and may whirl upwardly. Thus, air entering the first cyclone chamber 10 would whirl and flow in a direction against gravity. The first cyclone chamber 10 mainly separates relatively large dust from the whirling air by a centrifugal force. The dust may move upward with the whirling air along the inner wall 11 and may then be discharged over the top end of the inner wall 11 as illustrated by arrow K.
A dust guide path 55 may be formed at a bottom surface 51 of the housing 50. The dust guide path 55 may connect the upper portion of the first cyclone chamber 10 and the upper portion of the first dust chamber 12. Therefore, dust discharged from the first cyclone chamber 10 may be collected into the first dust chamber 12 through the dust guide path 55. The dust guide path 55 may have a curved section so that dust can move smoothly from the first cyclone chamber 10 to the first dust chamber 12.
The second cyclone unit 5 may separate fine dust from the air discharged from the first cyclone chamber 10. The second cyclone unit 5 may include a plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 and a dust guide member 40.
The plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 may be disposed above the first cyclone chamber 10. Each of the second cyclone chambers 22 may be formed as a substantially hollow truncated cone with opposite open ends 22 a and 22 b. Each of the second cyclone chambers 22 may have a longitudinal center axis 22 c, which extends vertically downward. Alternatively, each of the second cyclone chambers 22 may be formed as a substantially hollow truncated cone with the longitudinal center axis 22 c extending down and radially inward so that a side of the second cyclone chambers 22 aligns substantially vertically with the fust cyclone unit 3 as illustrated in FIG. 3.
In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 may be disposed so that the bottom ends 22 b of the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 are a predetermined distance apart from the upper part of the first cyclone chamber 10. The bottom ends 22 b of the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 may be disposed to be a predetermined distance apart from a dust guide path 55 that may be formed at the bottom surface 51 of the housing 50. The dust discharged from the top end of the inner wall 11 may pass along the dust guide path 55.
The dust guide member 40 may be disposed below the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 and may be adapted to provide fluid communication between the bottom ends 22 b of the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 and the top end of the second dust chamber 20. The dust guide member 40 may be formed substantially as a hollow inverted cone with a closed top end 41 and an open bottom end 42. The top end 41 may be sized to accept a lower portion of the second cyclone chambers 22. At the top end 41 of the dust guide member 40, a plurality of cyclone holes 41 a corresponding to the number of second cyclone chambers 22 may be formed. Each of the cyclone holes 41 a may provide an airtight coupling to a lower portion of the second cyclone chamber 22. The bottom end 42 of the dust guide member 40 may be formed to couple with the top end of the dust receptacle 21 of the second dust chamber 20. Thus, dust discharged from the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 may be guided by the dust guide member 40 to fall into the second dust chamber 20.
A connection part 53 may be formed at approximately the center of the bottom surface 51 of the housing 50 and may couple with the first air discharging part 19 of the first cyclone unit 3. The dust guide member 40 may be inserted into a center of the connection part 53. The connection part 53 may be formed in a substantially conical shape corresponding to the side surface 43 of the dust guide member 40.
A gap 54 may be formed between the connection part 53 of the housing 50 and a side surface 43 of the dust guide member 40. The gap 54 may provide a second air flow path 52 in fluid communication with the first air flow path 18 formed at the first air discharging part 19. The second air flow path 52 may allow air discharged from the first cyclone chamber 10 to pass through to the inside of housing 50.
Furthermore, at the bottom end of the housing 50 may be formed an insert groove 59 into which the top end of the outer wall 13 of the first cyclone unit 3 can be inserted. The insert groove 59 and the top end of the outer wall 13 may be adapted to provide a separable coupling between the first cyclone unit 3 and the second cyclone unit 5.
The above-described plurality of second cyclone chambers 22, dust guide member 40, and housing 50 may be formed in a single body through an injection molding process.
The upper plate 30 may cover the top ends 22 a of the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22. Referring to FIG. 4, each of the plurality of second cyclone chamber 22 may include at least one second air entering part 31 and at least one second air discharging part 33. Each of the second air entering parts 31 may be formed in a substantially helical shape.
Referring to FIG. 5, the second air entering part 31 may include an entrance 35 and an exit 36. The entrance 35 may be connected with the air opening 57 (shown in FIG. 2) which may be formed at the top surface 56 of the housing 50. The exit 36 may be connected with the top end 22 a of the second cyclone chamber 22. The exit 36 may be formed in a substantially circular shape corresponding to the top end 22 a of the second cyclone chamber 22, and the entrance 35 may be formed in a substantially long slot shape. Air discharged from the first cyclone chamber 10 may flow through the air opening 57 to the entrance 35 of the air entering part 31. The air may then leave the air entering part 31 through exit 35 and may flow into the top end 22 a of the second cyclone chamber 22. From the top end 22 a, the air may flow into an upper portion of the second cyclone chamber 22.
The second air discharging part 33 may be formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape. It may be disposed in the upper plate 30 at approximately the center of the top end 22 a of each second cyclone chamber 22. Air rising up in the second cyclone chamber 22 may be discharged through the second air discharging part 33 to an upper side of the upper plate 30. A plurality of projections 33 a may be disposed near a bottom end of the second air discharging part 33 to block dust from being discharged with the air.
The plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 may force air discharged from the first cyclone chamber 10 to enter an upper portion of each of the second cyclone chambers 22 and whirl in each second cyclone chamber 22 to separate fine dust. The fine dust may be separated from the air is discharged through the bottom end 22 b of the second cyclone chamber 22, and the air may be discharged through the upper portion of the second cyclone chamber 22.
In FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the second cyclone unit 5 is provided with 10 second cyclone chambers 22 so that 8 second cyclone chambers 22 is disposed to form substantially a circle with 2 second cyclone chambers 22 disposed inside the circle formed by the 8 second cyclone chambers 22. The arrangement of the 10 second cyclone chambers 22 as described above is only exemplary and not intended to be limiting. The number of second cyclone chambers 22 may be greater than or less than the ten second cyclone chambers 22 depicted.
Hereinafter, an operation of the cyclone separating apparatus 100 for a vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention with the above-described structure will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.
When the vacuum generator (not illustrated) operates, suction draws in dust and air through the first air entering pipe 16 (as indicated by arrow A in FIG. 1) and into the lower portion of the first cyclone chamber 10. The dust and air entering the lower portion of the first cyclone chamber 10 may whirl and rise along the inclined part 17 (as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 3). When the dust and air whirl and rise, a centrifugal force separates the dust from the air. The first cyclone chamber 10 may separate relatively large dust from the air. The separated dust may rise up along the inner wall 11 of the first cyclone chamber 10, may travel through the dust guide member 55, and then may fall into the first dust chamber 12 where it is collected (as indicated by arrow K in FIG. 3).
After the relatively large dust is removed, the air may be discharged through the first air discharging part 19, as indicated by arrow C in FIG. 3. After passing through the first air discharging part 19, the air may flow along the first air flow path 18 between the first air discharging part 19 and the dust receptacle 21. The air may then enter inside the housing 50 through the second air flow path 52 between the dust guide member 40 and the connection part 53, as indicated by arrow D in FIG. 3.
The air inside the housing 50 may flow through the plurality of air openings 57 formed at the top surface 56 of the housing 50 and may enter the entrances 35 of the plurality of second air entering parts 31, as indicated by arrow E in FIG. 3. Because the second air entering part 31 may be formed in a substantially helical shape, the second air entering part 31 may force the air to whirl downwardly as it enters the second cyclone chamber 22. The air may leave each second air entering part 31 through the exit 36 of each second air entering part 31 and may enter the second cyclone chamber 22 through the top end 22 a of the second cyclone chamber 22 as indicated by arrow F in FIG. 3.
When air is whirling in the second cyclone chamber 22 as indicated by arrow G in FIG. 3, fine dust may be separated from the air by a centrifugal force. The separated dust may move downwardly along the second cyclone chamber 22 and may fall into the dust guide member 40 as indicated by arrow L in FIG. 3. The fine dust may be gathered by the dust guide member 40 and may fall into the second dust chamber 20 where it may be collected.
The air whirling inside each of the second cyclone chambers 22 may be discharged to the upper side of the upper plate 30 through the second air discharging part 33 as indicated by arrow H in FIG. 3. The second air discharging parts 33 may be disposed at the top end 22 a of each second cyclone 20. The air discharged from the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 may be gathered inside the upper cover 7 and may be discharged through the discharging pipe 8, as indicated by arrow I in FIG. 3. The air discharged from the discharging pipe 8 may be exhausted outside through the vacuum generator (not illustrated).
When at least one of the first and second dust chambers 12 and 20 of the first cyclone unit 3 is full, the first and second dust chambers 12 and 20 can be emptied. Referring to FIG. 6, to empty the relatively large dust 61 collected in the first dust chamber 12 and the fine dust 62 collected in the second dust chamber 20, the first cyclone unit 3 may be separated from the second cyclone unit 5. Thereafter, a user may turn the first cyclone unit 3 upside down so that dust 61 and 62 collected in each of the first and second dust chambers 12 and 20 can be easily emptied.
Referring to FIG. 7, a sectional view illustrating a cyclone separating apparatus 200 for a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The same reference numerals are used for those elements that are the same as the first embodiment. The cyclone separating apparatus 200 for a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment may include a first cyclone unit 3, a second cyclone unit 5, and an upper cover 7. The second cyclone unit 5 may include a plurality of second cyclone chambers 22, a dust guide member 40, and a housing 50.
The plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 may be disposed above the first cyclone chamber 10. Each of the second cyclone chambers 22 may be formed as a substantially hollow truncated cone with opposite open ends. Each of the second cyclone chambers 22 may have a longitudinal center axis 22 c, which may be inclined downwardly in a vertical direction so that the bottom ends 22 b of the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 are close to one another.
An upper plate 30′ may cover the top ends of the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22. Referring to FIG. 8, at a bottom surface of the upper plate 30′ may be formed a plurality of second air entering parts 31′ and a plurality of second air discharging parts 33′ corresponding to the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22.
Each of the second air entering parts 31′ may be formed in the upper portion 22 a of the second cyclone chamber 22 in a direction tangential to the second cyclone chamber 22. Therefore, air discharged from the first cyclone chamber 10 may enter the upper portion 22 a of the second cyclone chamber 22 in the tangential direction through the second air entering part 31′.
The second air discharging part 33′ may be formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, and may be disposed approximately in the center of the upper portion 22 a of the second cyclone chamber 22 in the upper plate 30′. Therefore, air rising up in the second cyclone chamber 22 may be discharged to an upper side of the upper plate 30′ through the second air discharging part 33′.
Each of the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 may force air discharged from the first cyclone chamber 10 to enter an upper portion 22 a of the second cyclone chamber 22 and whirl inside the second cyclone chamber 22 so that fine dust may be separated from the air. After the dust is separated from the air, the air may be discharged through the upper portion of the second cyclone chamber 22. The dust separated from the air may be discharged through a bottom end 22 b of the second cyclone 20.
In above description, the upper plate 30′ may be formed separately from the housing 50. Alternatively, the housing 50 may have the plurality of second air entering parts 31′ and the plurality of air discharging parts 33′ integrally formed on a top surface of the housing 50 without the separate upper plate 30′.
The cyclone separating apparatus 200 for a vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment of the present invention with the above-described structure may be substantially the same as the cyclone separating apparatus 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention, except for the second air entering parts 31′ through which air discharged from the first cyclone chamber 10 enters the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22.
Air discharged from the first cyclone chamber 10 may pass inside the housing 50. Then the air may pass the plurality of air entering parts 31′ and enter each of the second cyclone chambers 22. The plurality of second air entering parts 31′ may be formed at the bottom surface of the upper plate 30′ and may be formed in the direction tangential to the upper portion 22 a of each second cyclone chamber 22. The dust may be separated from the air entering the second cyclone chamber 22 by centrifugal force and then the air may be discharged outside through the second air discharging part 33′.
Referring to FIG. 9, a sectional view illustrating a cyclone separating apparatus 300 for a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The cyclone separating apparatus 300 for a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment may include a plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 partially disposed within the first cyclone chamber 10. The plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 may be disposed so that the bottom ends 22 b are below a top end 55 a of the first cyclone unit 3′.
The plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 may be disposed so that a bottom end 22 b thereof locates below a top end 55 a of the dust guide path 55 that forms an upper portion of the first cyclone chamber 10. A coupling part 63 of the first and second cyclone units 3′ and 5′ may be formed at substantially the same level as that of the top end 55 a of the dust guide path 55. The top end 55 a of the dust guide path 55 may form the top end of the first cyclone unit 3′.
If a part of the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22, such as the lower parts of the second cyclone chambers 22, is disposed within the first cyclone chamber 10, the height of the second cyclone unit 5′ may be reduced. Therefore, it can provide a more compact cyclone separating apparatus than the embodiments described above.
The structure and operation of the cyclone separating apparatus 300 for a vacuum cleaner according to the third embodiment of the present invention may be similar to those of the cyclone separating apparatus 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention, except that the lower part of the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 is disposed inside the first cyclone chamber 10; and therefore, detail descriptions thereof will be omitted.
The cyclone separating apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment may be used with the cyclone separating apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. It may be formed so that the lower part of the plurality of second cyclone chambers 22 of the cyclone separating apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is inserted inside the first cyclone chamber 10. Alternatively, the cyclone separating apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment can be used for the same structure.
With a cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, air may enter a lower portion of a first cyclone unit and then may be discharged through an upper portion thereof so that dust can be separated effectively and collected.
As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner. The dust separated from air in the first cyclone unit may be collected in a space separate from where the air is whirling so that the collected dust does not affect the whirling air.
Furthermore, a cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a structure in that a first cyclone unit can be separated from a second cyclone unit to empty dust collected in first and second dust chambers of the first cyclone unit.
Also, with a cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of second cyclones can be located above a first cyclone so that the plurality of second cyclones can be arranged freely.
Furthermore, with a cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of second cyclones may be disposed so that some part of the plurality of second cyclones is inside a first cyclone. Thus, the height of the cyclone separating apparatus may be reduced. Therefore, the cyclone separating apparatus can be more compact than the conventional cyclone separating apparatus.
While embodiments of the present invention have been described, additional variations and modifications of the embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art once they learn of the basic inventive concepts. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims shall be construed to include both the above embodiments and all such variations and modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS1207034May 11, 1916Dec 5, 1916Maybelle J HarsantFinger-guard for sewing-machines.US1416885Apr 16, 1920May 23, 1922Schreiner Andrew JReserve-supply-controlling device for liquid receptaclesUS1416995Jun 16, 1919May 23, 1922Stroud Edmund HDust collectorUS2511387Apr 4, 1945Jun 13, 1950Aerotec CorpApparatus for centrifugally separating suspended particles from gaseous mediaUS2539195May 2, 1950Jan 23, 1951Gen ElectricInlet dirt deflector and filter arrangement for suction cleanersUS2539257Feb 24, 1948Jan 23, 1951Limberg WayneVacuum cleaner for cattleUS2553175Feb 1, 1949May 15, 1951Beaumont Birch CompanyApparatus for collecting ash and dustUS3046718Apr 8, 1959Jul 31, 1962Kent Company IncSuction cleanerUS3078650Mar 20, 1961Feb 26, 1963Donaldson Co IncAir cleanerUS3425192Dec 12, 1966Feb 4, 1969Mitchell Co John EVacuum cleaning systemUS3769781Oct 12, 1971Nov 6, 1973Siemens AgApparatus for drying steam in nuclear power steam generators plantsUS3898068May 31, 1974Aug 5, 1975Mcneil John ACyclonic separatorUS4373228Apr 15, 1980Feb 15, 1983James DysonVacuum cleaning appliancesUS4826515Mar 3, 1988May 2, 1989Prototypes, Ltd.Vacuum cleaning apparatusUS4853008Jul 27, 1988Aug 1, 1989Notetry LimitedCombined disc and shroud for dual cyclonic cleaning apparatusUS5078761Dec 3, 1990Jan 7, 1992Notetry LimitedShroudUS5145499Feb 21, 1992Sep 8, 1992Notetry LimitedDisposable bin for cyclonic vacuumUS5160356May 15, 1991Nov 3, 1992Notetry LimitedVacuum cleaning apparatusUS5163786Jul 6, 1991Nov 17, 1992Christianson Systems, Inc.Cyclone separator with filter assembly for pneumatic conveyorUS5254147Nov 18, 1992Oct 19, 1993Nutone, Inc.Draw-down cyclonic vaccum cleanerUS5307538May 28, 1993May 3, 1994Racine Industries, Inc.Carpet cleaning machine for particulate removalUS6171356Apr 28, 1998Jan 9, 2001Frank TwerdunCyclonic vacuum generator apparatus and methodUS6238451Jan 8, 1999May 29, 2001Fantom Technologies Inc.Vacuum cleanerUS6264712Jan 25, 2000Jul 24, 2001American Farm Implement & Specialty, Inc.Low intake restriction air precleanerUS6269518Dec 8, 1999Aug 7, 2001Shell Electric Mfg. (Holdings) Co. Ltd.Bagless vacuum cleanerUS6334234Jan 29, 1999Jan 1, 2002Fantom Technologies Inc.Cleaner head for a vacuum cleanerUS6368373Jun 2, 2000Apr 9, 2002The Hoover CompanyAir and liquid separator for a carpet extractorUS6428589Sep 29, 2000Aug 6, 2002Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Two-stage particle separator for vacuum cleanersUS6431404Aug 21, 2000Aug 13, 2002International Plastics & Equipment CorporationTamper evident plastic closureUS6436160Jan 11, 2001Aug 20, 2002Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.Dirt cup assembly for vacuum cleanerUS6485536Nov 8, 2000Nov 26, 2002Proteam, Inc.Vortex particle separatorUS6582489Dec 20, 2001Jun 24, 2003Polar Light LimitedMethod and apparatus of particle transfer in multi-stage particle separatorsUS6607572Nov 7, 2001Aug 19, 2003Dyson LimitedCyclonic separating apparatusUS6625845Mar 23, 2001Sep 30, 2003Sharp Kabushiki KaishaCyclonic vacuum cleanerUS6740144Jan 14, 2002May 25, 2004Fantom Technologies Inc.Vacuum cleaner utilizing electrostatic filtration and electrostatic precipitator for use thereinUS6746500Mar 15, 2000Jun 8, 2004Lg Electronics Inc.Cyclone dust collectorUS6766558Jul 17, 2000Jul 27, 2004Sharp Kabushiki KaishaVacuum cleanerUS6829804Mar 26, 2002Dec 14, 2004White Consolidated, Ltd.Filtration arrangement of a vacuum cleanerUS7097680May 7, 2004Aug 29, 2006Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Cyclone separating apparatus and vacuum cleaner equipped with the sameUS7140068Feb 7, 2003Nov 28, 2006Bissell Homecare, Inc.Vacuum cleaner with cyclonic separationUS7169201May 7, 2004Jan 30, 2007Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Cyclone separating apparatus and a vacuum cleaner having the sameUS7410517 *Jul 15, 2005Aug 12, 2008Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Dust-separating apparatus for vacuum cleanerUS20010005983Dec 19, 2000Jul 5, 2001Berfield Robert C.Fitting for vacuum bagsUS20010005986Dec 26, 2000Jul 5, 2001Kazuki MatsubaraCyclone type gas-liquid separatorUS20010025395Mar 23, 2001Oct 4, 2001Yukimichi MatsumotoElectric vacuum cleanerUS20010054213Mar 20, 2001Dec 27, 2001Jang-Keun OhUpright type vacuum cleaner having a cyclone type dust collectorUS20020011053Jan 10, 2001Jan 31, 2002Jang-Keun OhCyclone type dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleanerUS20020020154Jan 25, 2001Feb 21, 2002Byung-Sun YangCyclone dust collector and vacuum cleaner using such dust collectorUS20020043055Dec 20, 2001Apr 18, 2002Conrad Wayne ErnestMethod and apparatus of particle transfer in multi-stage particle separatorsUS20020066366Jan 14, 2002Jun 6, 2002Conrad Wayne ErnestVacuum cleaner utilizing electrostatic filtration and electrostatic precipitator for use thereinUS20030067765Oct 5, 2001Apr 10, 2003Li Wanda YingOutdoor umbrella with power supply arrangement for electrical applianceUS20040010885Jul 9, 2003Jan 22, 2004Hitzelberger J. ErikDirt container for cyclonic vacuum cleanerUS20040025285Nov 13, 2001Feb 12, 2004Mccormick Michael J.Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with filter and filter sweeperUS20040074041Oct 10, 2003Apr 22, 2004Overvaag Chad D.Bagless dust box for vacuum cleanerUS20040098958Nov 19, 2003May 27, 2004Proair Gmbh GeratebauSeparatorUS20040103785Jul 5, 2001Jun 3, 2004North John HerbertAir/particle separatorUS20050050678May 7, 2004Mar 10, 2005Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Cyclone dust separating apparatus and vacuum cleaner having the sameUS20050252180Dec 20, 2004Nov 17, 2005Jang-Keun OhCyclone vessel dust collector and vacuum cleaner having the sameUS20060123590Dec 28, 2005Jun 15, 2006Bissell Homecare, Inc.Vacuum Cleaner with Multiple Cyclonic Dirt Separators and Bottom Discharge Dirt CupUS20060230726Mar 22, 2006Oct 19, 2006Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Cyclone dust separating apparatusUS20070144116 *Jul 11, 2006Jun 28, 2007Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Cyclonic cleanerCN1067295AMar 14, 1992Dec 23, 1992陈忠元Sleeve pumpCN1296801ADec 27, 2000May 30, 2001倪祖根Split-type cyclone dust filter for suction cleanerCN1361673AJul 17, 2000Jul 31, 2002夏普公司真空吸尘器CN1389175ADec 6, 2001Jan 8, 2003三星光州电子株式会社Grid assembly for rotary dust-collecting device of vacuum dust collectorCN1422187AMar 19, 2001Jun 4, 2003戴森有限公司Apparatus for separating particles from a fluid flowCN1426745ADec 18, 2001Jul 2, 2003乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司Rotating separation dust collector device of vacuum cleanerCN1434688AMar 16, 2000Aug 6, 2003Lg电子株式会社Multi cyclone vacuum cleanerCN2087999UNov 8, 1990Nov 6, 1991北京市农业机械研究所Impurity-removing cyclone separating device for powderCN2518598YDec 21, 2001Oct 30, 2002深圳索雷克家用电器有限公司Vortex separatorCN2530580YJan 18, 2002Jan 15, 2003泰怡凯电器(苏州)有限公司Dust-separating mechanism for cyclone suction cleanerCN22550815Y Title not availableCN87205753UApr 3, 1987Oct 14, 1987哈尔滨建筑工程学院Externally spiralling type cyclone collectorDE1282872BApr 29, 1965Nov 14, 1968Siemens Elektrogeraete GmbhStaubabscheider fuer StaubsaugerDE2811536A1Mar 16, 1978Nov 9, 1978Bauer Bros CoZentrifugal-reinigungsvorrichtung in kanisteranordnungDE10110581C2Mar 6, 2001Nov 13, 2003Samsung Kwangju Electronics CoStaubsauger im Hochformat mit einer Staubauffangvorrichtung vom ZyklontypDE10132690A1Jul 2, 2001Jul 18, 2002Ni Zu Gen JiangsuSplit-type cyclone dust filter for suction cleanerDE20102723U1Feb 15, 2001May 3, 2001Schoettle Kg ElectrostarStaubsaugerDE20306405U1Apr 24, 2003Aug 28, 2003Bsh Bosch Siemens HausgeraeteEntnehmbarer Staubsammelbeh�lterDE29908567U1May 14, 1999Dec 9, 1999Haberl JohannAnordnung f�r das Auffangen von aus einem Gasstrom abgetrenntem MaterialDE102004028675A1Jun 14, 2004Apr 7, 2005Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co. Ltd.Cyclone separating apparatus for separating dust from dust-laden air, comprises first cyclone for separating large dust particles, second cyclones for separating fine dust particles, and dust-collecting unitDE102004028676A1Jun 14, 2004Apr 7, 2005Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co. Ltd.Cyclone dust separating apparatus for vacuum cleaner, has cover which is arranged on upper portion of first and second cyclones, and having guide formed at lower center to guide air discharged from first cyclone into second cyclonesDE102004028677A1Jun 14, 2004Mar 31, 2005Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co. Ltd.Cyclone separating apparatus for use in vacuum cleaner, comprises first cyclone for separating large dust from dust-laden air, second cyclones for separating minute dust particles from dust-laden air, and inlet-outlet coverDE102004028678A1Jun 14, 2004Apr 7, 2005Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co. Ltd.Cyclone separating apparatus for use in vacuum cleaner, comprises first cyclone for separating drawn-in air, and second cyclones installed on outer periphery of first cycloneDE102004030600A1Jun 24, 2004Sep 1, 2005Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co. Ltd.Cyclone dust collector for use with vacuum cleaner, has cyclone unit including primary cyclone and secondary cyclones that are disposed outside primary cyclone, for separating dust and dirt from intake air by centrifugationEP0095354A1May 20, 1983Nov 30, 1983Rotoclean Industrial CorporationA dust and fume collectorEP0728435A1Feb 20, 1996Aug 28, 1996Black &amp; Decker Inc.Cyclone dust extractorEP0923992A2Dec 17, 1998Jun 23, 1999Notetry LimitedCyclonic separating apparatusEP1199023A1Jul 17, 2000Apr 24, 2002Sharp Kabushiki KaishaVacuum cleanerEP1362543A1May 12, 2003Nov 19, 2003S.I.EL S.r.l.Cleaning apparatus comprising a liquid filtering elementEP1676516A1Oct 4, 2005Jul 5, 2006LG Electronics Inc.Dust collection assembly and vacuum cleaner with the sameEP1707273A1Mar 22, 2006Oct 4, 2006Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Cyclone dust separating apparatusEP1774889A2Jun 26, 2006Apr 18, 2007Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Multi-cyclone dust collector for vacuum cleanerEP1776910A2Jun 27, 2006Apr 25, 2007Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Multi-cyclone dust collector for vacuum cleanerES2105467T3 Title not availableES2196837T3 Title not availableFR2619498A1 Title not availableFR2859370A1 Title not availableGB835884A Title not availableGB1107045A Title not availableGB1207034A Title not availableGB1336829A Title not availableGB2317122A Title not availableGB2326360A Title not availableGB2360719B Title not availableGB2362341B Title not availableGB2374305A Title not availableGB2375980B Title not availableGB2376176B Title not availableGB2377656B Title not availableGB2381484B Title not availableGB2406065B Title not availableJP5214775B2 Title not availableJP50101012U Title not availableJP2002051951A Title not availableJP2002143052A Title not availableJP2002172077A Title not availableJP2002326041A Title not availableJP2003024826A Title not availableJP2003116752A Title not availableJP2004357767A Title not availableKR100645951B1 Title not availableKR1019930000527B1 Title not availableKR1020030032497A Title not availableKR1020040017195A Title not availableRU2137530C1 Title not availableRU2174452C1 Title not availableRU2206029C1 Title not available* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8097057Mar 21, 2007Jan 17, 2012Euro-Pro Operating LlcParticle separatorUS8110025Sep 20, 2010Feb 7, 2012Walter Meier (Manufacturing) Inc.Dust collector chip separation baffleUS8152877 *Mar 12, 2010Apr 10, 2012Euro-Pro Operating LlcShroud for a cleaning service apparatusUS8152883 *Dec 12, 2008Apr 10, 2012Prime Sourcing LimitedCyclone chamber with vortex shieldUS20090158932 *Mar 21, 2007Jun 25, 2009Adrian Christopher ArnoldParticle separatorUS20100005617 *Feb 23, 2007Jan 14, 2010Hyun Kie-TakVacuum cleanerUS20100263341 *Dec 12, 2008Oct 21, 2010Yiu-Ming LeeCyclone Chamber with Vortex ShieldUS20110219733 *Sep 15, 2011Euro-Pro Operating, LlcShroud for a cleaning service apparatusUS20110225766 *Sep 22, 2011Jian XueVacuum CleanerUS20140223871 *Feb 10, 2014Aug 14, 2014Techtronic Floor Care Technology LimitedCyclonic separator assembly for a vacuum cleanerUS20140366495 *Dec 5, 2012Dec 18, 2014Dyson Technology LimitedCyclonic separating apparatus* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification55/343, 55/457, 55/349, 55/429, 55/DIG.3, 55/459.1International ClassificationB01D45/12Cooperative ClassificationA47L9/1625, A47L9/1641, A47L9/1683, Y10S55/03, A47L9/165European ClassificationA47L9/16F, A47L9/16C4, A47L9/16C2, A47L9/16DLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionAug 29, 2007ASAssignmentOwner name: SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:OH, JANG-KEUN;KIM, MIN-HA;REEL/FRAME:019809/0433Effective date: 20070825Owner name: SAMSUNG GWANGJU ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.,KOREA, REPUBFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:OH, JANG-KEUN;KIM, MIN-HA;REEL/FRAME:019809/0433Effective date: 20070825Feb 7, 2014REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedJun 29, 2014LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesAug 19, 2014FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 20140629RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services