Abstract:
The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to a bagless vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner ( 1 ) comprises a dust separating device ( 5 ), provided with a dust outlet ( 29 ), for separating dust from an incoming air flow, and a dust collecting container ( 7 ) being arranged at the dust separating device for receiving dust via the dust outlet from the dust separating device. The dust separating device comprises a first part ( 5   a ) and a second part ( 5   b ) being releasably connectable to each other, wherein the second part ( 5   b ) of the dust separating device is arranged to be movable in the dust collecting container ( 7 ) after being released from the first part ( 5   a ) of the dust separating device for compressing dust received in the dust collecting container.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to a bagless vacuum cleaner. The invention is intended for use particularly but not exclusively in a bagless vacuum cleaner comprising one or more dust separating steps wherein the dust separation takes place in one or more cyclone separation units. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Generally, a vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle for sucking air and dust while the suction nozzle moves along a surface, a main body with a motor and a fan for generating air suctioning force through the suction nozzle and a dust collecting unit. 
         [0003]    Particularly in bagless type vacuum cleaners gravity is used to drop dust and other foreign particles in the dust collecting unit. The space in the dust collecting unit is rather limited and is easily filled up by loosely compacted dust. The dust collecting unit should therefore be emptied frequently which may cause inconvenience to the user. However, if the dust container is not emptied often enough, the build up of dust in the dust collecting unit will disturb the air flow and cause lowered dust separation efficiency. 
         [0004]    In WO2009/011478A1 a vacuum cleaner of a cyclone type is disclosed. A dust collector is detachably attached to the main body of the vacuum cleaner and includes a first cyclone unit and a dust storage chamber receiving dust separated by the first cyclone. A rotating dust compressing arrangement is arranged in the dust storage chamber for compressing dust between a first and a second pressing member. A driving unit positioned in the bottom of the dust storage chamber rotates at least one of the pressing members for compressing dust in the dust storage chamber. 
         [0005]    A drawback with the system described in WO2009/011478A1 is that it requires a further driving unit to compact dust in the dust storage container in addition to the driving unit or motor for generating air suctioning force. Also, the system comprises many constructional parts, which makes it both expensive and sensitive for failure in one of the parts. Furthermore, when the dust storage chamber needs to be emptied it involves several steps for the user as both a top cover as well as the first cyclone has to be removed before the dust can be removed through the top. 
         [0006]    US2006/0123749A1 discloses a dust collecting unit of a bagless vacuum cleaner. The dust collecting unit is separated into a dust separating compartment provided with a separating filter and a dust storing compartment for receiving separated dust. The two compartments are divided by a plate having an opening through which dust or foreign substance may fall into the dust storing compartment. For compressing dust in the storing compartment, the dust collecting unit must be removed from the vacuum cleaner and a handle is then used for moving the plate downwards in the dust collecting unit for compressing the dust. It is a drawback with the described device that the dust cannot be compressed during operation of the vacuum cleaner. 
         [0007]    As may be realized from the above there is a need for improvements in the area of bagless vacuum cleaners with aspect to the dust separating and dust collecting units. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the above mentioned drawbacks. 
         [0009]    A further object is to provide an effective and yet robust solution for dust separation, dust collection and compression of dust in a bagless vacuum cleaner. 
         [0010]    A still further object is to provide an improved solution for emptying of dust from a bagless vacuum cleaner that is quick and at the same time easy and convenient for the user to perform. 
         [0011]    According to an aspect of the invention, at least one of these objects is achieved by a vacuum cleaner comprising a dust separating device, provided with a dust outlet, for separating dust from an incoming air flow, and a dust collecting container being arranged at the dust separating device for receiving dust via the dust outlet from the dust separating device. The dust separating device comprises a first part and a second part being releasably connectable to each other, wherein the second part of the dust separating device is arranged to be movable in the dust collecting container after being released from the first part of the dust separating device for compressing dust received in the dust collecting container. 
         [0012]    Since the first and second part of the dust separating device are releasably connectable to each other, a both space saving and effective construction for dust separation, dust collection and compression of dust in a bagless vacuum cleaner may be obtained. When the first and second part of the dust separating device are disconnected from each other, they are divided in a point where dust separating device is relatively clean, i.e. the dividing point is selected to a place where a minimum of dust can or will be accumulated. Therefore, the risk that dust is present to disturb either the dust compressing in the dust collecting container or the sealing between the dust collecting container and the dust separating device is minimized. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, the second part of the dust separating device is attached to a cover plate providing a top cover in the dust collecting container. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the second part of the dust separating device at least partly constitutes the cover plate. 
         [0015]    Further, the cover plate has an outer periphery provided with a sealing member for sealing against an inner wall of the dust collecting container. A rim is provided on the inner wall of the dust collecting container that cooperates with the sealing member during operation of the vacuum cleaner. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, the sealing member comprises a first sealing portion sealing against the rim providing a vacuum seal for a vacuum produced in the dust collecting container during operation of the vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, the sealing member comprises a second sealing portion providing scraping against the inner wall of the dust collecting container when the cover plate together with the second part of the dust separating device moves in the dust collecting container in a direction away from the rim. 
         [0017]    By providing scraping of the inner wall of the dust collecting container it is provided an efficient removal of dust from the container walls. All dust collected in the dust collecting container together with dust scraped from the walls is therefore readily compressed. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment, an actuator is being arranged at the dust collecting container and is arranged for actuating the second part of the dust separating device to be moved in the dust collecting container for compressing dust received therein. Also, the actuator is arranged to be movable between a locked position and an actuating position by pivoting about a pivoting axis. The actuator comprises a handle comprising a handle bar and at least one arm being slidably arranged relatively a longitudinal side of the dust collecting container. The actuator comprises a locking arrangement for locking the dust collecting container and dust separating device to the vacuum cleaner in the locked position. 
         [0019]    The handle bar of the actuator is designed to be actuated by a user of the vacuum cleaner. Unlocking of the actuator and compression of dust in the dust collecting container may be done during operation of the vacuum cleaner. This is an advantage as the dust compression operation is booth easy and quickly performed. After the dust has been compressed in the dust collecting container, the actuator is brought back to the locked position and the user may continue the cleaning business. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, the dust collecting container together with the second part of the dust separating device is removable from the vacuum cleaner. Preferably, the compression of dust can also be made when the dust collecting container together with the second part of the dust separating device has been removed from the vacuum cleaner. It would then be advantageous if holding the dust collecting container together with the second part of the dust separating device and the compression of the dust were arranged to be performable with only one hand. In this way the dust collecting container may comfortably be emptied in a dust bin or the like without causing any spillage or swirling of dust to the surrounding. The compression movement as such would also facilitate the emptying of the dust collecting container (whether or not compression has been performed prior to the emptying procedure). 
         [0021]    The dust collecting container comprises an openable bottom plate arranged to be hingedly connected to the dust collecting container. The bottom plate comprises an opening and closing arrangement attached to the outside wall of the dust collecting container at a distance from the bottom plate in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the dust collecting container. Further, the opening and closing arrangement comprises at least one arm hingedly connected to the bottom plate and slidable arranged at the outside wall of the dust collecting container such that a controlled opening of the bottom plate is obtained. 
         [0022]    By using the actuator to move the second part of the dust separating device in the dust collecting container, the dust may be pushed out through the opening provided by the openable bottom plate. At the same time, the opening and closing of the bottom plate is controlled by the opening and closing arrangement. Accordingly, the user may empty the dust collecting container smoothly. The user does not need to touch the bottom plate or the dust itself during the procedure of emptying the dust collecting container and reclosing it again. It is therefore possible for a user to control how fast the dust is leaving the container by controlling the speed on the actuator that is pushing out the dust and controlling the opening angle on the bottom plate. Furthermore, the flying up of dust and/or dust spillage is prevented or at least minimized with the described features of the vacuum cleaner. 
         [0023]    Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective front view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0026]      FIG. 1   b  is a perspective front view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0027]      FIG. 2   a  shows a side view of a dust separating device and a dust collecting container according to an embodiment, 
           [0028]      FIG. 2   b  shows a perspective cross sectional view of the dust separating device and the dust collecting container of  FIG. 2   a,    
           [0029]      FIG. 3   a - 3   b  show cross sectional views of the dust separating device and the dust collecting container when a second part of the dust separating device has been released from a first part of the dust separating device, 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the dust collecting container and a second part of the dust separating device according an embodiment when the dust collecting container is removed from the vacuum cleaner, 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the dust collecting container and a second part of the dust separating device according an embodiment when removed from the vacuum cleaner for ejecting dust, 
           [0032]      FIG. 6   a  illustrates a dust separating device and a dust collecting container according to another embodiment, and 
           [0033]      FIGS. 6   b - 6   c  show cross sectional views of the dust collecting container according to  FIG. 6   a  removed from the vacuum cleaner. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. However, this invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Disclosed features of example embodiments may be combined as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Throughout the following description similar reference numerals have been used to denote similar elements, parts, items or features, when applicable. 
         [0035]    In  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  a vacuum cleaner  1  according to embodiments are shown. The vacuum cleaner comprises a main body  3 , a dust separating device  5  and a dust collecting container  7 . A suction motor (not shown) is disposed in the main body for generating a suction force at an air inlet  9 . A hose system and nozzle can be connected to the air inlet  9  for performing the cleaning. Basically, any known hose system and nozzle is feasible. 
         [0036]    From the air inlet  9  a first air passage  11  leads incoming air to the dust separating device  5 . In the dust separating device  5 , separation of dust from the incoming air takes place. A second air passage  13  then leads the incoming air out from the dust separating device  5  after dust has been removed from the air. After the incoming air has passed through the second air passage  13 , the incoming air leaves the vacuum cleaner through the main body via the suction motor, at least one filter and out to the surrounding air. 
         [0037]    It is for the description and performance of the invention not relevant whether the vacuum cleaner  1  comprises one or several stages of dust separation, whether each stage comprises one or multiple separation devices, and whether one or more dust collecting containers is utilised. The invention can thus be implemented in any type of combination of the above. 
         [0038]    In accordance with  FIG. 1   a , the vacuum cleaner  1  further comprises a grip  17  such that the vacuum cleaner may be lifted and/or carried by a user. The grip  17  is arranged on an extension member  18  of the dust collecting container  7 . Alternatively, the grip may be formed as a separate member attached to the dust collecting container. The grip  17  may further be used for removing the dust collecting container  7  from the vacuum cleaner for emptying the dust collecting container. An actuator  19  is provided at an outer side of the dust collecting container. The dust separating device  5  and the dust collecting container  7  are in use locked to the main body of the vacuum cleaner  1  by the actuator  19 . The actuator  19  will be described in more detail further below. 
         [0039]    In an embodiment showed in  FIG. 1   b , the grip  17  is positioned below the dust collecting container and above the air inlet  9  and above the first air passage  11 . The grip  17  extends on both sides of the dust collecting container and is attached at the sides of the vacuum cleaner body  3 . The tube of the first air passage  11  has been removed as to view the connection of the grip  17  to the body  3 . However, the first air passage  11  is in this embodiment arranged similar to the arrangement in  FIG. 1   a . The actuator  19  is attached onto the dust collecting container  7  as described herein below. 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 2   a  the dust separating device  5  is shown being engaged to the dust collecting container  7  in a locked position. The actuator  19  is locked to the main body of the vacuum cleaner when a locking groove  21  on the actuator is engaged to a corresponding locking member (not shown) on the main body of the vacuum cleaner. In this state the vacuum cleaner is operable and dust is separated from the air coming in through the first air passage. The actuator  19  has the form of a handle, having two side arms  19   a ,  19   b  and a handle bar  20 . The side arms  19   a ,  19   b  are arranged to the extension member  18  of the dust collecting container at two points arranged opposite each other. The two side arms each have a longitudinal opening  23 . The longitudinal openings are each coupled to a pin member  25  or protrusion on the extension member of the dust collecting container. The actuator is further arranged to the extension member of the dust collecting container via two substantially parallel slots  27  arranged in the two points respectively on the extension member of the dust collecting container. The provision of the longitudinal opening  23  in each side arm  19   a ,  19   b  of the actuator together with each arm&#39;s connection to the extension member via the two substantially parallel slots  27  makes it possible for the actuator to move from the locked position to an actuating position. From the actuating position the actuator is moveable to compress dust in the dust collecting container. The compression sequence or performance is shown in  FIGS. 3   a - b.    
         [0041]    In addition to the locked position and the actuating position, the actuator may also be devised to be placed in an additional third position (not shown in the figures). The third position could be located next to the locked position (a small angular distance about the same pivot) and can carry the functionality of freeing the dust collecting container and second part of the dust separating device. Thus, in the first position the dust container structure is locked to the vacuum cleaner body (normal use), in the third position the dust container structure is un-locked (and can be removed from the vacuum cleaner body if the user wishes to do so) and in the second position, compression of dust inside the dust collection container and/or emptying of the container is possible (emptying is only possible if the dust container structure has been removed from the vacuum cleaner body, whereas compression can be made irrespective of this). 
         [0042]    With reference to  FIG. 2   b , the dust separating device  5  comprises a first part  5   a  and a second part  5   b . In  FIG. 2   b  the air flow in the first part  5   a  and the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device  5  is illustrated with block arrows. Via the first air passage  11 , the incoming air flow enters the first part  5   a  of the dust separating device  5 . The first part  5   a  and second part  5   b  of the dust separating device  5  constitute a cyclone unit. In the cyclone unit the incoming air flow flows along the inner surfaces of the first and second part of the dust separating device. Due to the cyclone effect, the main portion of the dust and other foreign particles that are present in the air flow are separated and transferred into the dust collecting container  7  through a dust outlet  29 . The dust outlet  29  is provided in the side wall of the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device  5 . The bottom of the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device  5  is provided with a cone shape. At the bottom of the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device the air flow turns around and flows back towards the first part  5   a  of the dust separating device  5  and into the second air passage  13 . This is illustrated by the arrow in the middle of the cyclone unit with a direction away from the cone shaped bottom. 
         [0043]    The first and second parts  5   a,b  of the dust separating device  5  are releasable connected to each other and are sealed against each other in the locked position by a sealed connection  31  between the first and second part  5   a,b  of the dust separating device  5 . The second part  5   b  of the dust separating device is attached to a cover plate  33 . The cover plate  33  acts as a cover in the dust collecting container  7 . The dust outlet  29  extends through the cover plate  33  providing communication between the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device and the dust collecting container  7 . In the actuating position, the sealed connection  31  is disconnected and the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device  5  and the cover plate  33  can together be moved in the dust collecting container  7  to compress dust therein against a bottom plate  32  of the dust collecting container  7 . The grey dotted arrow illustrates dust and other foreign particles that have been separated from the air being ejected through the dust outlet  29  into the dust collecting container  7 . 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 3   a  the actuator  19  has been unlocked from the main body of the vacuum cleaner. Unlocking the actuator  19  from the main body also releases the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device from the first part  5   a  of the dust separating device. By moving the actuator  19  away from the main body  3  about a pivot axis around the pin member  25  or protrusion, the actuator  19  reaches an actuating position shown in  FIG. 3   b . As the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device has been released from the first part  5   a  of the dust separating device it is now possible to move the second part  5   b  into the dust collecting container  7 . A joining member  35  connects the second part  5   b  and the actuator  19  such that when the actuator  19  is moved downwards with respect to the dust collecting container the second part  5   b  and the cover plate  33  are moved downwards in the dust collecting container  7 , see  FIG. 4   b.    
         [0045]    This process can be performed with the dust collecting container still in place on the vacuum cleaner and even with the vacuum cleaner switched on. The air flow generated by the motor will then mainly result in air flowing into the first part  5   a  at the separation point with the second part  5   b . Thereby, any dust that may swirl upwards in the dust collecting container  7  will be sucked into the first part  5   a  instead of the surrounding. 
         [0046]    The cover plate  33  defines a cover for the dust collecting container. The second part  5   b  of the dust separating device is connected to the cover plate  33 . The cover plate  33  has an outer periphery provided with a sealing member  37 . The sealing member  37  seals against the inner walls of the dust collecting container  7 . The sealing member  37  comprises a first sealing portion  37   a  and second sealing portion  37   b . The first sealing portion  37   a  provides a vacuum seal against a rim  39  arranged around the inner wall of the dust collecting container  7  when the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device is in the locked position connected to the first part  5   a  of the dust separating device. As soon as the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device has been released from the first part  5   a  of the dust separating device, the first sealing portion  37   a  is also released from sealing against the rim  39 . The second sealing portion  37   b  provides scraping of the inner walls of the dust collecting container  7  as the cover plate  33  is moved in the dust collecting container  7 . The second sealing portion  37   b  is always in contact with the inner walls of the dust collecting container  7 . The provision of the second sealing portion  37   b  prevents dust from disturbing the first sealing portion  37   a.    
         [0047]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show the dust collecting container  7  when it has been removed from the vacuum cleaner. The dust collecting container  7  is removed from the vacuum cleaner together with the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device and the actuator  19 . For emptying the dust collected in the dust collecting container  7 , the bottom plate  32  has to be opened to let the dust out. The bottom plate  32  is connected to the dust collecting container via at least one hinge  41 . The bottom plate  32  is opened by operating an opening and closing arrangement  43 ,  45  positioned on the outside of the dust collecting container  7 . The opening and closing arrangement  43 , 45  comprises a handle  43  and a connecting bar  45 , see  FIG. 4 . The connecting bar  45  connects the handle  43  with the bottom plate  32 . The connecting bar  45  is hingedly connected to the bottom plate  32 . The handle  43  is connected to the connecting bar and the handle is slidably arranged along a flange  47  on the outside of the dust collecting container. 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 5  the dust collecting container is shown with the bottom plate  32  in an open position. The actuator  19  has been pushed downwards such that the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device together with the cover plate  33  has removed all dust through the open bottom of the dust collecting container. As already indicated earlier, it is not necessary to compress the dust before opening the bottom plate  32  for removal of dust. The function of the cover plate  33  and the second sealing portion  37   b  ensures that a complete emptying will take place anyway. The actuator  19  and extension member  18  ( FIG. 4 ) are preferably configured to allow a user to hold the dust collecting container in one hand and with the same hand push the actuator towards the bottom opening while controlling the opening of the bottom plate  32  with the other hand. This provides the user with complete control over the emptying process in applying any suitable compression/emptying pressure on the actuator  19  and at the same time control the degree of opening/closing of the bottom plate  32 . In this way, a controlled opening and closing of the bottom plate  32  may be obtained and utilised. 
         [0049]    By moving the handle  43  of the opening and closing arrangement  43 , 45  back again along the flange  47 , the bottom plate  32  is closed and the dust collecting container is ready to be reinstalled in the vacuum cleaner. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 6   a - c  show another embodiment of the dust separating device  7 , dust collecting container and actuator adapted to be arranged in a vacuum cleaner of the type described in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b . Also in this embodiment, a second part  5   b  of a dust separating device  5  constitutes at least partly a cover plate. The dust outlet  29  is provided in the bottom of the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device  5 . The actuator  19  is arranged on the inside wall of the dust collecting container. In  FIG. 6   a  the actuator is locked to the main body of the vacuum cleaner. The actuator may be unlocked and the second part of the dust separating device is released from the first part of the dust separating device according to the same principles as for the embodiment according to  FIGS. 3   a - b . In  FIG. 6   b  the actuator is positioned in the actuating position. The actuator comprises at least one side arm connected to the first part of the dust separating device and being arranged within the inner walls of the dust collecting container. By pressing the handle bar  20  on the actuator  19  downwards, the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device is moved into the dust collecting container  7  for compressing dust therein, see  FIG. 6   c . The cover plate  33 , which in this embodiment partly consists of the bottom of the second part of the dust separating device, has an outer periphery provided with a sealing member for sealing against the inner walls of the dust collecting container. The first and second sealing portion in this embodiment works in the same way as described in relation to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3   a - b . The dust collecting container together with the second part of the dust separating device is removed from the vacuum cleaner by lifting in the handle bar of the actuator. For facilitating the emptying of dust from the dust collecting container a side handle  49  is provided on the outer wall of the dust collecting container. 
         [0051]    An exemplary operation of the vacuum cleaner  1  will herein below be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . During operation of the vacuum cleaner the suction motor operates to generate a suction force. Due to the generated suction force, air and dust is sucked through a suction nozzle (not shown) and into the main body  3  through the air inlet  9 . The air inlet  9  is connected to the dust separating device  5  via the first air passage  11 . In the dust separating device, separation of dust from the incoming air flow takes place. The first air passage  11  leads air and dust into the dust separating device  5  and dust separated here falls into the dust collection container  7 . The air continues into a second air passage  13  which leads the air via the suction motor and at least one filter out of the vacuum cleaner to the surrounding air. In another embodiment, the second air passage  13  leads into a further dust separating step. In this further dust separating step, at least a second cyclone unit performs the further dust separation step before the air enters the suction motor and at least one filter on its way out of the vacuum cleaner. 
         [0052]    At some point, dust collected in the dust collecting container may come close to the dust outlet  29 . If collected dust comes too close to the dust outlet, the separating efficiency of the dust separating device in the vacuum cleaner declines. By compressing the dust in the dust collecting container  7 , the density of the collected dust is increased and free space is provided in the dust collecting container. During operation of the vacuum cleaner, the actuator  19  may be unlocked from the main body and the second part  5   b  of the dust separating device is moved into the dust collecting container  7  for compressing dust received therein. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner may be turned off and the dust collecting container removed from the vacuum cleaner for performing the dust compression and thereafter emptying of the dust collecting container.