Patent Description:
A vacuum cleaner is a device that suctions foreign substances such as dust together with surrounding air, and separates and stores the foreign substances from the air.

Accordingly, the vacuum cleaner suctions air, and the suctioned air flows along a predetermined path. In the process of the air flowing along the predetermined path, foreign substances mixed with the air are separated therefrom. Accordingly, the vacuum cleaner has a motor-related component for generating a large suction force, air flow path and filter components for separating the foreign substances from the suctioned air, and a component for exhausting the filtered air.

As a body of the vacuum cleaner is miniaturized, parts of the vacuum cleaner for suctioning air, separating foreign substances in the suctioned air, and storing the foreign substances are complicatedly arranged in a small space. Accordingly, it is difficult to clean the inside of the body of the vacuum cleaner, and disassemble the vacuum cleaner.

As related art, <CIT> (hereinafter referred to as "related art <NUM>") discloses a vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner disclosed in related art <NUM> includes a first cyclone and a second cyclone using a centrifugation method. The first cyclone and the second cyclone are accommodated in a body of the vacuum cleaner, and the body is provided with a suction motor and a dust container in addition to the first cyclone and the second cyclone. In related art <NUM>, a part of the body of the vacuum cleaner is formed to be separable, thus allowing foreign substances stored in the body to be removed or the inside of the body to be cleaned. However, there are structures that are difficult to expose to the outside due to complicated arrangement in the body of components to filter the foreign substances from the air. Accordingly, there is a limitation in that the foreign substances that accumulate in the body cannot be thoroughly cleaned by simply removing a part of the body.

In addition, <CIT> (hereinafter referred to as "related art <NUM>") also discloses a vacuum cleaner.

In the vacuum cleaner disclosed in related art <NUM>, a part of a body as well as a dust separation module for separating foreign substances from air are separable from the body. Accordingly, the vacuum cleaner of related art <NUM> is an improvement in comparison to the vacuum cleaner disclosed in related art <NUM> in that the inside of the body can be cleaned more efficiently. However, there is a shortcoming in that it is not easy for a user to clean a zone that requires cleaning, due to foreign substances present in the dust separation module.

The above-described background technology is technical information that the inventors hold for the derivation of the present disclosure or that the inventors acquired in the process of deriving the present disclosure. Thus, the above-described background technology may not necessarily be regarded as known technology disclosed to the general public prior to the filing of the present application. <CIT> relates to a cleaner. <CIT> relates to a motor, fan and cyclonic separation apparatus arrangement.

One aspect of the present disclosure is to address an issue associated with some related art in which although foreign substances continuously accumulate in a vacuum cleaner, there is a space in the vacuum cleaner that is difficult to clean.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to address an issue associated with some related art in which it is difficult to disassemble parts that are complicatedly arranged in a vacuum cleaner.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure is to address an issue associated with some related art in which it is not easy to perform disassembly and assembly in a predetermined order when disassembling a body of a vacuum cleaner in which various parts are densely arranged.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure is to address an issue associated with some related art in which a long period of time is required to remove foreign substances collected in a vacuum cleaner.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure is to address an issue associated with some related art in which it is difficult to cleanly remove foreign substances collected in a vacuum cleaner.

The present disclosure is not limited to what has been described above, and other aspects not mentioned herein will be apparent from the following description to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

A vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a suction inlet, a body, a first cyclone, and a dust separation module. The dust separation module may include a filter unit and a second cyclone. The filter unit may be formed to be separable from the second cyclone, thereby allowing the inside of the body to be easily cleaned.

Processes of separating the dust separation module from the body, separating the filter unit of the dust separation module, and separating a storage unit from a cyclone base may be sequentially performed, thereby reducing trial and error in separating the components and enabling quick disassembly and coupling.

The body and the dust separation module may be separated from each other. In the dust separation module, the filter unit and the second cyclone may be separated from each other. In the second cyclone, the cyclone base and the storage unit may be separated from each other. Accordingly, the inside of the body can be conveniently and easily cleaned and kept clean.

Specifically, the vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the suction inlet, the body, the first cyclone, and the dust separation module. The dust separation module may include the filter unit and the second cyclone, and the filter unit may be separated from the second cyclone.

The body may include a suction motor and an exhaust module. The suction motor may allow air to flow in one direction. The exhaust module may be a passage through which air that is introduced into the suction inlet and passes through the suction motor is discharged to the outside of the body.

The dust separation module may be arranged before the suction motor on a flow path of the air that is introduced into the suction inlet, passes through the suction motor, and is discharged through the exhaust module.

In the second cyclone, the cyclone base and the storage unit may be rotatably coupled to each other. When the storage unit is rotated in one direction with respect to the cyclone base, the cyclone base and the storage unit may be separated from each other. When the filter unit is coupled to the second cyclone, the cyclone base and the storage unit may not be separated from each other.

In the dust separation module, the filter unit may include at least one rotation restraining protrusion. When the filter unit, the second cyclone, and the storage unit are coupled to one another, the rotation restraining protrusion may be accommodated in a rotation restraining groove formed in the storage unit.

The rotation restraining protrusion may include an inclined portion inclined in one direction, and a movement blocker formed perpendicular to a direction in which the cyclone base and the storage unit are mutually rotated for coupling to or separation from each other. The rotation restraining groove may include an inclined contact portion and a fastener. The inclined contact portion may contact the inclined portion when the cyclone base and the storage unit are rotated in a direction in which the cyclone base and the storage unit are separated from each other, and the fastener may contact the movement blocker when the cyclone base and the storage unit are rotated in a direction in which the cyclone base and the storage unit are coupled to each other.

When the cyclone base and the storage unit are rotated in a direction in which the cyclone base and the storage unit are separated from each other and when the inclined portion is in contact with the inclined contact portion, the filter unit may be separated from the second cyclone.

The second cyclone may include a grip portion protruding upward on an upper surface thereof.

The body may include a first storage and a body cover. The first storage may be provided in the body to accommodate foreign substances collected by the first cyclone. The body cover may be formed on a lower portion of the first storage to open and close the first storage.

A second storage may be formed in the storage unit to collect foreign substances, and the body cover may open and close the first storage and second storage together.

In the dust separation module, the second cyclone and the storage unit is rotatably coupled to each other via a hinge coupling portion, and the rotation restraining protrusion formed in the filter unit is accommodated in the rotation restraining groove formed in the storage unit to couple the second cyclone and the storage unit to each other.

The filter unit may include a main filter and a filter frame. At least one rotation restraining protrusion may be formed on the filter frame.

The second cyclone and the storage unit may be separated from each other by being mutually rotated with respect to the hinge coupling portion in a state in which the rotation restraining protrusion of the filter unit is separated from the rotation restraining groove.

A vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a suction inlet, a body, a first cyclone, and a dust separation module. The dust separation module may include a filter unit, a second cyclone, and a storage unit. The separation module may be formed to be separable from the body. The filter unit, the second cyclone, and the storage unit may be separated from one another in a state in which the dust separation module is separated from the body.

According to the present disclosure, not only can the dust separation module be separated from the body, but the filter unit and the storage unit forming the dust separation module can also be separated from each other to expose the inside of the body to the outside, thereby making it easy to clean the inside.

According to the present disclosure, the body and the dust separation module are provided to be separated from and coupled to each other through only a simple operation, and thus there is an effect of enabling quick and easy separation or coupling.

According to the present disclosure, based on an order of separating the body and the dust separation module from each other, when separation at a previous step is not performed, separation at a subsequent step cannot be performed, and thus there is an effect of reducing a user's trial and error when separating and coupling the body and dust separation module from and to each other.

According to the present disclosure, there is an advantage in that separation and coupling of the filter unit, the second cyclone, and the storage unit of the dust separation module can be quickly performed.

According to the present disclosure, the filter unit, the second cyclone, and the storage unit of the dust separation module can be separated from one another, thus enabling the user to clean the inside of the dust separation module.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention, as well as the following detailed description of the embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, there is shown in the drawings an exemplary embodiment, it being understood, however, that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein. The use of the same reference numerals or symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed for the purpose of description will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same components throughout the detailed description.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a body <NUM>, a handle portion <NUM>, a suction inlet <NUM>, and an exhaust module <NUM>.

A series of paths through which air flows may be formed in the inside of the body <NUM>. A suction inlet <NUM> through which air is introduced into the body <NUM> may be formed on one side of the body <NUM>. Further, the handle portion <NUM> may be provided on an opposite side of the suction inlet <NUM>. In addition, the exhaust module <NUM> may include an exhaust port <NUM> coupled to an upper portion of the body <NUM> to discharge air introduced from the suction inlet <NUM> to the outside of the body <NUM> through the body <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a plan view of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a bottom perspective view of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the body <NUM> may include a first body <NUM> and a second body <NUM>. In the body <NUM> composed of the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM>, a predetermined space may also be formed. The body <NUM> may include a first space that is an inner space of the first body <NUM> and a second space that is an inner space of the second body <NUM>. Such dividing of the inner space of the body <NUM> into the first space and the second space is for the purpose of describing an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the inner space of the body <NUM> is not divided in a functional manner. However, the first space is positioned above the second space, and the second space is positioned below the first space. Accordingly, air introduced through the suction inlet <NUM> may move to the first space through the second space.

The suction inlet <NUM> may be provided on one side of the body <NUM>, and may be open in a direction away from the body <NUM>. The suction inlet <NUM> may be coupled to an accessory for suctioning and cleaning. The suction inlet <NUM> may suction air from an open end thereof or the accessory for suctioning and cleaning coupled to the suction inlet <NUM>, and an extension part coupled to the suction inlet <NUM> may be provided with components for assisting cleaning at an end thereof. The suction inlet <NUM> may guide the suctioned air into the body <NUM>. The handle portion <NUM> may be formed on an opposite side of the body <NUM> relative to suction inlet <NUM>. The handle portion <NUM> may include a handle <NUM>, a movement limiter <NUM>, an operation interface <NUM>, and a display <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may have a grip shape such that a user can grip the handle <NUM>. The movement limiter <NUM> may be provided in the handle <NUM> to restrain the user's finger or body part so that the user's hand gripping the handle <NUM> does not slip. The operation interface <NUM> may be provided in the handle <NUM>, and may be formed to allow the user to enter a predetermined command while holding the handle <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be provided on an upper portion of the handle <NUM>, and may display information related to an operating state of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> for the user.

The exhaust module <NUM> may be coupled to the upper portion of the body <NUM>. The exhaust module <NUM> may form an upper surface of the body <NUM>, and may be a passage through which air introduced into the body <NUM> through the suction inlet <NUM> is discharged to the outside of the body <NUM>. The exhaust module <NUM> may include a plurality of exhaust ports <NUM> through which air is discharged to the outside of the body <NUM>. The exhaust ports <NUM> may be open toward an upper direction of the body <NUM> with respect to the body <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the body <NUM> of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a suction motor <NUM>, a motor housing <NUM>, a flow guide <NUM>, and a dust separation module <NUM>.

Air suctioned through the suction inlet <NUM> may be guided to the second space. The second space may include a first cyclone <NUM> that filters foreign substances from the air introduced through the suction inlet <NUM>, and a first storage <NUM> in which the foreign substances filtered by the first cyclone <NUM> fall and are collected. The dust separation module <NUM> may be arranged in the second space, and the dust separation module <NUM> may suction air from the first cyclone <NUM>, and may filter foreign substances through the filter unit <NUM>.

Accordingly, the air introduced into the suction inlet <NUM> may move to the first cyclone <NUM>. In the first cyclone <NUM>, the foreign substances may be first filtered by the filter unit <NUM>, and then may fall to the first storage <NUM>. Air passing through the filter unit <NUM> and introduced into the dust separation module <NUM> may be introduced into the second cyclone <NUM>.

The second cyclone <NUM> may include a cyclone array <NUM> (see <FIG>), a cyclone base <NUM> (see <FIG>), and a storage unit <NUM>.

The filter unit <NUM> may surround an outer circumference of the second cyclone <NUM>. The filter unit <NUM> may include a filter frame <NUM> (see <FIG>) and a main filter <NUM> (see <FIG>). The main filter <NUM> may be coupled to the filter frame <NUM>, and thus an outer shape thereof may be formed. Further, the main filter <NUM> may be formed of a surface provided with a plurality of holes of a predetermined size. Alternatively, the main filter <NUM> may be in the form of a mesh. The filter unit <NUM> may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and may be fitted to the second cyclone <NUM> by sliding in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shape.

The second cyclone <NUM> may include the cyclone array <NUM> (see <FIG>) and the cyclone base <NUM> (see <FIG>). The cyclone array <NUM> may be composed of a plurality of cyclone cones. The cyclone cones may each be rotatably coupled to the cyclone base <NUM>. The cyclone cones each may have a diameter that becomes gradually smaller downward. The cyclone base <NUM> may be rotatable with respect to the center thereof, and the plurality of cyclone cones coupled to the cyclone base <NUM> may each be rotatable with respect to the cyclone base <NUM>. Accordingly, through the rotation of the cyclone base <NUM> and the cyclone cones, foreign substances contained in air may fall and be pushed to the edge of the dust separation module <NUM> by centrifugal force.

Each cyclone cone may have a wide upper portion and a narrow lower portion, and a lowermost end of each cyclone cone may have a narrow passage. Such shapes of the cyclone cones of the second cyclone <NUM> may prevent the foreign substances pushed out by centrifugal force after falling from being introduced back into the cyclone array <NUM>.

Specifically, the foreign substances separated by the first cyclone <NUM> may be collected in the first storage <NUM>, and the foreign substances separated from the second cyclone <NUM> may be stored in a second storage <NUM> that is an inner space of the storage unit <NUM>.

The air that is introduced into the suction inlet <NUM> and passes through the first cyclone <NUM> and the second cyclone <NUM> may move to the suction motor <NUM> along a space formed between the flow guide <NUM> and the motor housing <NUM>. The suction motor <NUM> may be mounted in the motor housing <NUM>. The suction motor <NUM> may allow surrounding air to flow in at least one direction.

The suction motor <NUM> may be a brushless DC (BLDC) electric motor, which generates relatively little noise and has a long lifespan. Alternatively, the suction motor <NUM> may be an inverter motor capable of variably changing the speed of a motor. The suction motor <NUM> may be mounted in the motor housing <NUM> to allow air to flow in at least one direction along an air flow path formed by the motor housing <NUM>. In the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a suction force may be generated through the suction motor <NUM>.

The motor housing <NUM> may include an upper motor housing <NUM> and a lower motor housing <NUM>. The upper motor housing <NUM> and the lower motor housing <NUM> may be coupled to each other to form the motor housing <NUM>. The suction motor <NUM> may be coupled to the inside of the motor housing <NUM>, and the motor housing <NUM> may guide air flowing through the suction motor <NUM> to move along a series of paths.

The flow guide <NUM> may be coupled to the outside of the motor housing <NUM>. The flow guide <NUM> may form a predetermined space between an outer surface of the motor housing <NUM> and the flow guide <NUM>. The space formed between the flow guide <NUM> and the motor housing <NUM> may be used as a passage through which air flows.

The motor housing <NUM> and the flow guide <NUM> may be arranged in the first space, and the dust separation module <NUM> may be arranged in the second space.

That is, the suction force generated through the suction motor <NUM> may introduce air into the suction inlet <NUM>, and the introduced air may pass through the first cyclone <NUM>, the second cyclone <NUM>, the flow guide <NUM>, the inner space of the motor housing <NUM>, and the suction motor <NUM>. The air passing through the suction motor <NUM> may move to the exhaust module <NUM> through a space formed between an outer surface of the flow guide <NUM> and an inner surface of the first body <NUM>. The air moved to the exhaust module <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the body <NUM> through the exhaust ports <NUM>.

Here, a body cover <NUM> may be provided on a lower surface of the second body. One side of the body cover <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the body <NUM>, and the body cover <NUM> that forms the lower surface of the second body <NUM> may be opened or closed by the operation of an opening and closing button <NUM>. When the body cover <NUM> is closed, the first storage <NUM> and the second storage <NUM> may be isolated from the outside. Accordingly, foreign substances stored in the first storage <NUM> and the second storage <NUM> may continuously accumulate. When the body cover <NUM> is opened, the first storage <NUM> and the second storage <NUM> may be opened toward a lower direction of the body <NUM>. Accordingly, when the body cover <NUM> is opened, the foreign substances stored in the first storage <NUM> and the second storage <NUM> may be drawn out of the body <NUM>.

In addition, the handle portion <NUM> may include the handle <NUM>, the movement limiter <NUM>, the operation interface <NUM>, the display <NUM>, and a battery housing <NUM>. The battery housing <NUM> is formed on a lower portion of the handle <NUM>, and a battery <NUM> may be mounted in an inner space of thereof. The battery <NUM> may be coupled to the inside of the battery housing <NUM>, and may be provided to be replaceable. The battery <NUM> may be relatively heavy in weight. Thus, when the battery <NUM> is positioned at the lower portion of the handle <NUM>, the user can easily grip the handle <NUM> and operate the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a partial perspective view illustrating the body cover <NUM> of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the body cover <NUM> may form the lower surface of the second body <NUM>, and may be opened or closed through the operation of the opening and closing button <NUM>.

Accordingly, the lower surface of the second body <NUM> may be opened downward when the body cover <NUM> is opened. As described above, when the body cover <NUM> is opened, the first storage <NUM>, which is a space between an inner surface of the second body <NUM> and an outer surface of the storage unit <NUM>, may be opened downward. The second storage <NUM>, which is an inner space of the storage unit <NUM>, may be also opened downward. As a result, foreign substances collected in the first storage <NUM> and the second storage <NUM> may be drawn out in a downward direction of the second body <NUM> when the body cover <NUM> is opened.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the dust separation module <NUM> is separated from the first body <NUM> of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the dust separation module <NUM> of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the filter unit <NUM> is separated from the dust separation module <NUM> of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the second cyclone <NUM> and the storage unit <NUM> are separated from each other in the dust separation module <NUM> of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, in the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second body <NUM> may be separated from the first body <NUM>. When the second body <NUM> is separated from the first body <NUM>, the dust separation module <NUM> may be exposed to the outside while an upper end thereof is coupled to the first body <NUM>.

The upper end of the dust separation module <NUM> may be coupled to a lower portion of the flow guide <NUM> or a lower end of the motor housing <NUM>, forming a path through which air moving to an upper portion of the dust separation module <NUM> through the dust separation module <NUM> can flow into a space formed by the flow guide <NUM> and the motor housing <NUM>.

The dust separation module <NUM> may be separated from the first body <NUM> by a user rotating the dust separation module <NUM> in one direction. Here, when the user grips and rotates the storage unit <NUM>, the storage unit <NUM> may be rotated and become separated from the cyclone base <NUM>. In order to prevent such separation, the dust separation module <NUM> may include a rotation restraining protrusion <NUM> and a rotation restraining groove <NUM>. The rotation restraining protrusion <NUM> may be formed in the filter frame <NUM>. The rotation restraining protrusion <NUM> may be formed to protrude downward from the filter frame <NUM>. In addition, the rotation restraining groove <NUM> may be formed on an outer circumference of the storage unit <NUM>, and may have a shape, size, and position corresponding to those of the rotation restraining protrusion <NUM> so as to accommodate the rotation restraining protrusion <NUM> therein. The filter unit <NUM> may be separated from the second cyclone <NUM> when the dust separation module <NUM> is separated from the first body <NUM>. The filter unit <NUM> may be separated by sliding an upper portion of the second cyclone <NUM> along the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shape. Here, the rotation restraining protrusion <NUM> may be separated from the rotation restraining groove <NUM> as the filter unit <NUM> is removed.

When the rotation restraining protrusion <NUM> is accommodated in the rotation restraining groove <NUM>, that is, a state in which the filter unit <NUM> is coupled to the second cyclone <NUM>, the cyclone base <NUM> and the storage unit <NUM> of the second cyclone <NUM> cannot be mutually rotated. Accordingly, the storage unit <NUM> does not become separated from the cyclone base <NUM>.

On the cyclone base <NUM>, a coupling protrusion <NUM> protruding outward on an outer circumference thereof may be formed. In addition, a coupling groove <NUM> in which the coupling protrusion <NUM> is accommodated may be formed on an inner surface of the storage unit <NUM> in contact with the cyclone base <NUM>. The coupling protrusion <NUM> and the coupling groove <NUM> may be coupled to or separated from each other as the coupling protrusion <NUM> and the coupling groove <NUM> move laterally. Accordingly, when the storage unit <NUM> is rotated along the outer circumference of the cyclone base <NUM>, the storage unit <NUM> may be coupled to or separated from the cyclone base <NUM> according to a rotation direction of the storage unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the cyclone base <NUM> and the storage unit <NUM> are coupled via a hinge coupling portion <NUM> in the dust separation module <NUM> of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the dust separation module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a rotation restraining protrusion 212a and a rotation restraining groove 414a may interfere to prevent the filter unit <NUM> from being separated from the second cyclone <NUM>. Here, the rotation restraining protrusion 212a may be formed in the filter frame <NUM>, and the rotation restraining groove 414a may be formed in the storage unit <NUM>. The rotation restraining protrusion 212a may protrude toward a lower portion of the filter frame <NUM>, and an end of the rotation restraining protrusion 212a may extend sideward by a predetermined length. The rotation restraining groove 414a may be elongated sideward so as to accommodate the end of the rotation restraining protrusion 212a therein. Accordingly, in order to separate the rotation restraining protrusion 212a from the rotation restraining groove 414a, it is required to rotate the filter unit <NUM> by a predetermined length in a circumferential direction thereof. Such a configuration functions to fasten the storage unit <NUM> to the rotation restraining protrusion 212a when the filter unit <NUM> is coupled to the second cyclone <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the cyclone base <NUM> via the hinge coupling portion <NUM>. When the filter unit <NUM> is removed from the cyclone base <NUM>, the rotation restraining protrusion 212a and the rotation restraining groove 414a are separated from each other, so that the storage unit <NUM> that has been coupled to the lower end of the cyclone base <NUM> can be opened.

Accordingly, when the filter unit <NUM> is removed from the second cyclone <NUM>, at least a part of the storage unit <NUM> may be separated from the cyclone base <NUM>. Through such a configuration, the inner surface of the storage unit <NUM> also may be exposed to the outside, thereby allowing the user to clean the inner surface of the storage unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the rotation restraining protrusion 212b and the rotation restraining groove 414b in the dust separation module <NUM> of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the rotation restraining protrusion 212b and the rotation restraining groove 414b may be formed at an incline on one side of the dust separation module <NUM>. On one side of the rotation restraining protrusion 212b, a movement blocker <NUM> that is perpendicular to a direction in which the storage unit <NUM> is rotated with respect to the cyclone base <NUM> may be formed. On the other side of the rotation restraining protrusion 212b opposite to the movement blocker <NUM>, an inclined portion <NUM> that is inclined in one direction may be formed.

The rotation restraining groove 414b may have a shape corresponding to that of rotation restraining protrusion 212b, and a fastener <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to that of the movement blocker <NUM>, and an inclined contact portion <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to that of the inclined portion <NUM>. In addition, an upper surface of the second cyclone <NUM> may be provided with a grip portion <NUM> protruding upward. The grip portion <NUM>, which is a member formed to protrude so as to be gripped by a hand of the user, may be provided such that the filter unit <NUM> can easily be rotated in one direction.

Accordingly, when the filter unit <NUM> is rotated with respect to the second cyclone <NUM> to bring the movement blocker <NUM> and the fastener <NUM> into contact with each other, the filter unit <NUM> and the second cyclone <NUM> are no longer rotated. However, when the filter unit <NUM> is rotated in an opposite direction, the inclined portion <NUM> and the inclined contact portion <NUM> may be in contact with each other. The inclined portion <NUM> and the inclined contact portion <NUM> each may have a surface inclined in one direction, and thus a force may be applied in a direction in which the filter unit <NUM> and the second cyclone <NUM> are away from each other. Here, an end of the rotation restraining protrusion 212b may be opened in a direction away from the second cyclone <NUM>, and the filter unit <NUM> and the second cyclone <NUM> can be easily separated from each other.

<FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a cross-section of the rotation restraining protrusion <NUM> in the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the end of the rotation restraining protrusion 212b may be formed to partially protrude inward. The end of the rotation restraining protrusion 212b may be brought into engagement with the second cyclone <NUM>, so that the filter unit <NUM> and the second cyclone may be coupled to each other. Here, when an inclined surface of the rotation restraining protrusion 212b and an inclined surface of the rotation restraining groove 414b are in contact with each other and accordingly a force is applied in a direction in which the rotation restraining protrusion 212b and the rotation restraining groove 414b are away from each other, the filter unit <NUM> and the second cyclone <NUM> may be automatically disassembled.

The operation of the cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described.

<FIG> is a schematic view illustrating a flow of air flowing into the body <NUM> in the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the suction motor <NUM> operates, external air may be introduced through the suction inlet <NUM> provided on one side of the body <NUM>. Here, an air suctioning force may suction not only air but also foreign substances such as surrounding dust and trash. In the first cyclone <NUM>, the air suctioned into the suction inlet <NUM> may be separated from the foreign substances by a main filter <NUM>. Here, the foreign substances separated from the air may be collected in the first storage <NUM>. The air passing through the main filter <NUM> may move to the second cyclone <NUM>, and the second cyclone <NUM> may separate foreign substances from the air again. The foreign substances separated by the second cyclone <NUM> may be collected in the second storage <NUM> that is an inner space of the storage unit <NUM>.

The air passing through the second cyclone <NUM> may pass through the suction motor <NUM> through a flow path formed by the flow guide <NUM> and the motor housing <NUM>, and the air passing through the suction motor may be discharged to the outside of the body <NUM> through the exhaust module <NUM>.

The user can open the body cover <NUM> formed on the lower surface of the second body <NUM> to clean the foreign substances collected in the first storage <NUM> and the second storage <NUM>. In addition, only the dust separation module <NUM> may be separated from the body <NUM> when the second body <NUM> is separated from the first body <NUM>.

The filter unit <NUM> may be sequentially removed from the separated dust separation module <NUM>, and the cyclone base <NUM> and the storage unit <NUM> each may be separated from the second cyclone <NUM>. The separated storage unit <NUM> may be reassembled after the inner surface thereof is cleaned.

Claim 1:
A vacuum cleaner (<NUM>) comprising:
a body (<NUM>) including a space configured to allow air to flow therethrough;
a suction inlet (<NUM>) configured to introduce the air into the body (<NUM>);
a first cyclone (<NUM>) provided in the body (<NUM>) and configured to separate foreign substances from the air introduced through the suction inlet (<NUM>);
a dust separation module (<NUM>), comprising
a filter unit (<NUM>) configured to separate foreign substances from the air received from the first cyclone (<NUM>); and
a second cyclone (<NUM>) arranged within and separated from the filter unit (<NUM>), the second cyclone (<NUM>) comprising:
a cyclone base (<NUM>);
a storage unit (<NUM>) arranged adjacent to a lower portion of the second cyclone (<NUM>); and
a cyclone array (<NUM>) coupled to the cyclone base (<NUM>) and configured to allow the air to pass through an upper portion of the second cyclone (<NUM>) and discharge the foreign substances collected by the second cyclone (<NUM>) to the storage unit (<NUM>)
and characterized in that the cyclone base (<NUM>) and the storage unit (<NUM>) are rotatably coupled to each other via a hinge coupling portion (<NUM>); and
a rotation restraining protrusion (<NUM>) is formed in the filter unit (<NUM>) and is configured to be accommodated in a rotation restraining groove (<NUM>) formed in the storage unit (<NUM>) to couple the cyclone base (<NUM>) and the storage unit (<NUM>).