Patent Description:
A cleaner is a device that performs cleaning by sucking and wiping dust or foreign substances on a surface to be cleaned.

Cleaners may be classified into a manual cleaner that a user moves in person for cleaning and an automatic cleaner that automatically moves for cleaning.

Manual cleaners may fall into, depending on the types, a canister cleaner, an upright cleaner, a handy cleaner, and a stick cleaner.

A cyclonic separating apparatus is disclosed in <CIT>) that is a prior art document. The cyclonic separating apparatus constitutes a portion of a handheld cleaner.

The cyclonic separating apparatus includes a cyclone having a wall and a base closing one end of the cyclone.

A cover is provided in the cyclone. The cover includes a cylindrical wall having a plurality of through-holes and an inner wall disposed inside the cylindrical wall.

The cyclonic separating apparatus further includes an additional cyclone assembly, and the additional cyclone assembly includes a cone-shaped opening. The cone-shaped opening is disposed to pass through the inner wall of the cover and communicate with a passage defined by the inner wall.

Also, a dust collector is disposed below the passage. The inside of the dust collector is surrounded by the base.

Dust is separated from air by the additional cyclone assembly. Here, the dust separated by the additional cyclone assembly may frequently block the cone-shaped opening. In this case, it is necessary to clean the cone-shaped opening.

However, according to the prior art, even though the base rotates to open the inside of the dust collector, since the cone-shaped opening is disposed inside the cover disposed on an upper portion of the dust collector, it is difficult to allow a user to access to the cone-shaped opening.

<CIT> discloses a cyclone dust collecting apparatus using main and auxiliary cyclone chambers.

Embodiments provide a cleaner in which a dust discharge part of a second cyclone unit is capable of being cleaned in a state in which the second cyclone unit is disposed in a main body.

Embodiments also provide a cleaner in which a dust discharge part of a second cyclone unit is exposed to the outside when a guide unit guiding air to the second cyclone unit is separated from a main body so that the dust discharge part is easily cleaned.

Embodiments also provide a cleaner in which a guide unit and a contact part of a second cyclone unit are maintained in a sealed state therebetween when a guide unit is mounted on a main body.

Embodiments also provides a cleaner in which foreign substances such as hairs, which are contained in a dust container, are capable of being discharged to the outside of the dust container while a guide unit guiding air to a second cyclone unit is separated from a main body.

The present invention is defined by the appended independent claim, and preferred aspects of the present invention are defined by the appended dependent claims. In the following description, there is provided a cleaner which includes: a suction unit guiding air and dust; a main body including a first cyclone unit separating the air and the dust, which are suctioned through the suction unit, from each other and a second cyclone unit separating the dust from the air discharged from the first cyclone unit;
and a guide unit disposed in the main body to partition a first dust storage part, in which the dust separated in the first cyclone unit is stored, and a second dust storage part, in which the dust separated in the second cyclone unit is stored, from each other.

The guide unit may be separably coupled to the main body. When the guide unit is separated from the main body, the guide unit may cover the second cyclone unit.

When the guide unit is separated from the main body, a dust discharge part of the second cyclone unit may be exposed to the outside.

The main body may further include a dust container including the first dust storage part.

The dust container may have a discharge opening, and the guide unit may be withdrawn to the outside of the dust container through the discharge opening.

The guide unit may include: a filter part by which the air separated from the dust in the first cyclone unit is filtered while flowing to the second cyclone unit and surrounding the second cyclone unit; and a storage unit connected to a lower portion of the filter part and defining the second dust storage part in the dust container.

In the state in which the filter part and the storage unit are coupled to each other, the filter part and the storage unit may be withdrawn together to the outside of the main body.

A sealing member may be disposed on the second cyclone unit.

The storage unit may include a contact rib coming into contact with the sealing member. The contact rib may press the sealing member.

The second cyclone unit may include a sealing member coupling part to which the sealing member is coupled.

The sealing member coupling part may be disposed on the second cyclone unit to allow the dust discharge part of the second cyclone unit to pass therethrough. The sealing member coupling part may surround a circumference of the second cyclone unit.

A sealing member fitting groove into which the sealing member is fitted may be defined in a lower portion of the sealing member coupling part. The contact rib may come into contact with a bottom surface of the sealing member.

Each of the sealing member and the contact rib may have a ring shape.

The dust discharge part of the second cyclone unit may be disposed in a region defined by the contact rib in the state in which the contact rib comes into contact with the bottom surface of the sealing member.

A portion of a lower portion of the filter part may be coupled to the storage unit in a state in which the filter part is inserted into an upper portion of the storage unit.

The storage unit may include an inner body coupled to the filter part and an outer body surrounding the inner body.

The second dust storage part may be disposed inside the inner body, and the first dust storage pat may be disposed between an inner circumferential surface of the dust container and an outer surface of the outer body.

The dust discharge part of the second cyclone unit and the sealing member may be disposed inside the inner body.

The coupling rib may protrude from the inner body.

The inner body may include a first portion and a second portion extending upward from the first portion.

The first portion may have a cylindrical shape, and a lower portion of the filter part may be inserted into the first portion. The second portion may have a diameter that gradually decreases downward.

The coupling rib may protrude from the first portion, the second portion, or a boundary between the first portion and the second portion.

The cleaner may further include at least one sealer disposed between the inner body and the outer body.

The filter part may include: a filter body having a plurality of openings; and a mesh covering the plurality of openings. An air inlet of the second cyclone unit may be disposed inside the filter part.

The main body may further include a discharge guide guiding the air discharged from the second cyclone unit. The filter part may be separably coupled to the discharge guide.

The discharge guide may include a first coupling part to be coupled to the filter part, and the filter part may include a second coupling part to be coupled to the first coupling part.

The second coupling part may include a first groove into which the first coupling part is accommodated and a second groove extending from the first groove in a direction crossing that in which the first coupling part is accommodated into the first groove so that coupling of the first coupling part and the second coupling part is completed by an rotational operation of the filter part.

A direction in which the first coupling part is accommodated into the first groove may be a vertical direction, and the second groove may extend from the first groove in a horizontal direction.

An air inlet of the second cyclone unit may be disposed lower than an axis in a longitudinal direction of the suction unit.

The guide unit may further include a cleaning part extending to an inner circumferential surface of the dust container.

The filter part may extend outward from an upper end of the filter part.

The cleaner part may inclinedly extend horizontally or upward from the filter part.

The cleaning part may have an end coming into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the first dust storage part or disposed adjacent to the inner circumferential surface of the first dust storage unit.

In the following description, there is further provided a cleaner which includes: a suction unit guiding air and dust; a main body including a first cyclone unit separating the air and the dust, which are suctioned through the suction unit, from each other and a second cyclone unit separating the dust from the air discharged from the first cyclone unit; a sealing member installed on the second cyclone unit; and a guide unit separably
coupled to the main body,.

The guide unit may cover at least a portion of the second cyclone unit in the state in which the guide unit is coupled to the main body.

The guide unit may include a contact rib coming into contact with the sealing member in the state in which the guide unit is coupled to the main body.

When the guide unit is separated from the main body, the dust discharge part of the second cyclone unit may be exposed to the outside.

The guide unit may include an opening through which the air primarily separated from the dust in the first cyclone unit passes.

The guide unit may include a dust storage part in which the dust discharged from the second cyclone unit is stored.

In the following description, there is further provided a cleaner which includes: a suction unit guiding air and dust; a main body including a first cyclone unit separating the air and the dust, which are suctioned through the suction unit, from each other and a second cyclone unit separating the dust from the air discharged from the first cyclone unit; and a guide unit disposed in the main body to partition a first dust storage part, in which the dust separated in the first cyclone unit is stored, and a second dust storage part, in which the dust separated in the second cyclone unit is stored, from each other, wherein the guide unit is separably coupled to the main body, and the guide unit includes a cleaning part extending to an inner circumferential surface of the first dust storage part.

According to this embodiment, since a dust discharge part of a second cyclone unit is exposed to the outside when a guide unit guiding air to the second cyclone unit is separated from a main body, the dust discharge part is easily cleaned.

Also, since the guide unit includes a filter part to filter air flowing to the second cyclone unit, the second cyclone unit and the filter part are capable of being cleaned.

According to this embodiment, since there is no component at a near of the first cyclone unit when the guide unit is separated from the main body, the user can easily clean the second cyclone unit.

According to this embodiment, since an air inlet of the second cyclone unit us disposed lower than an axial in a longitudinal direction of the suction part such that the dust discharge part of the second cyclone unit is disposed close to the discharge opening of the dust container, the user can easily clean the second cyclone unit.

According to this embodiment, since a contact rib disposed inside the guide unit comes into contact with a sealing member disposed outside the second cyclone unit in the state in which the guide unit is mounted on the main body, the sealing of a contact portion between the guide unit and the second cyclone unit may be maintained.

According to this embodiment, since the foreign substances are discharged from the dust container while the guide unit is separated from the main body without directly taking out the foreign substances such as the hairs within the dust container or directly cleaning the inner circumferential surface of the dust container, the user's convenience may be improved.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a side view of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a plan view of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a perspective view of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention when seen from under the cleaner, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body <NUM>.

The cleaner <NUM> may further include a suction unit <NUM> coupled to the front of the main body <NUM>. The suction unit <NUM> guides air containing dust into the main body <NUM>.

The cleaner <NUM> may further include a handle unit <NUM> coupled to the main body <NUM>. The handle unit <NUM> may be positioned opposite to the suction unit <NUM> on the main body <NUM>.

That is, the main body <NUM> may be disposed between the suction unit <NUM> and the handle unit <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may include a first body <NUM> and a second body <NUM> on the first body <NUM>. The first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> may be directly combined or may be indirectly combined through an intermediate member.

The first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> may be, though not limited thereto, formed in a cylindrical shape.

The first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM> are open at the top and the bottom, respectively. That is, the bodies <NUM> and <NUM> may have a top opening and a bottom opening, respectively.

The suction unit <NUM> may be coupled to the main body <NUM> such that the center of the suction unit <NUM> is positioned approximately at the boundary between the first body <NUM> and the second body <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may further include a dust separation unit that separates dust from air sucked through the suction unit <NUM>.

The dust separation unit includes a first cyclone unit <NUM> that separates dust, for example, using cyclonic flow. The first body <NUM> includes the first cyclone unit <NUM> in this configuration.

The air and dust sucked through the suction unit <NUM> helically flow along the inner side of the first cyclone unit <NUM>.

The axis of the cyclonic flow in the first cyclone unit <NUM> may vertically extend.

The dust separation unit further includes a second cyclone unit <NUM> that secondarily separates dust from the air discharged out of the first cyclone unit <NUM>. The second cyclone unit <NUM> is disposed inside the first cyclone unit <NUM> to minimize the size of the dust separation unit.

The first body <NUM> may further include a dust container <NUM> that stores dust separated from each of the cyclone units <NUM> and <NUM>. That is, an upper portion of the first body <NUM> corresponds to a first cyclone unit <NUM>, and a lower portion of the first body <NUM> corresponds to the dust container <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may further include a body cover <NUM> for opening/closing the bottom of the first body <NUM>. The body cover <NUM> may open/close the first body <NUM> by being rotated. A button <NUM> for rotating the body cover <NUM> may be disposed on the first body <NUM>. A hinge 162a of the body cover <NUM> may be coupled to hinge coupling portions <NUM> of the battery housing <NUM>.

At least a portion of the second cyclone unit <NUM> may be positioned inside the first body <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may further include a guide unit disposed in the first body <NUM>.

The guide unit <NUM> may guide air separated from the dust in the first cyclone unit <NUM> to the second cyclone unit <NUM>.

Also, the guide unit <NUM> may filter the air flowing from the first cyclone unit <NUM> to the second cyclone unit <NUM>.

Also, the guide unit <NUM> may store the dust separated from the second cyclone unit <NUM>.

The guide unit <NUM> may surround the second cyclone unit <NUM> and come into contact with a top surface of the body cover <NUM>. That is, one portion of the guide unit <NUM> may be disposed between the second cyclone unit <NUM> and the first cyclone unit <NUM>, and the other portion of the guide unit <NUM> may be disposed between a lower portion of the second cyclone unit <NUM> and the body cover <NUM>.

The guide unit <NUM> may partition an inner space of the first body <NUM> into a first dust storage part <NUM> in which the dust separated from the first cyclone unit <NUM> is stored and a second dust storage part <NUM> in which the dust separated from the second cyclone unit <NUM> is stored.

A space defined by the guide unit <NUM> corresponds to the second dust storage part <NUM>, and a space between the guide unit <NUM> and the first body <NUM> corresponds to the first dust storage part <NUM>.

The body cover <NUM> may open/close both of the first dust storage part <NUM> and the second dust storage part <NUM>.

The cleaner <NUM> may further include a suction motor <NUM> for generating suction force and a battery <NUM> for supplying power to the suction motor <NUM>.

The suction motor <NUM> may be disposed in the second body <NUM>. At least a portion of the suction motor <NUM> may be disposed over the dust separation unit. Accordingly, the suction motor <NUM> is disposed over the first body <NUM>.

The suction motor <NUM> may communicate with an outlet of the second cyclone unit <NUM>.

To this end, the main body <NUM> may further include a discharge guide <NUM> connected to the second cyclone unit <NUM> and a flow guide <NUM> that communicates with the discharge guide <NUM>.

For example, the discharge guide <NUM> is disposed on the second cyclone unit <NUM> and the flow guide <NUM> is disposed over the discharge guide <NUM>.

Further, at least a portion of the suction motor <NUM> is positioned inside the flow guide <NUM>.

Accordingly, the axis of the cyclonic flow in the first cyclone unit <NUM> may pass through the suction motor <NUM>.

When the suction motor <NUM> is disposed over the second cyclone unit <NUM>, the air discharged from the second cyclone unit <NUM> may flow directly to the suction motor <NUM>, so the channel between the dust separation unit and the suction motor <NUM> may be minimized.

The suction motor <NUM> may include a rotary impeller <NUM>. The impeller <NUM> may be fitted on a shaft <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> is vertically disposed.

An extension line from the shaft <NUM> (which may be considered as the rotational axis of the impeller <NUM>) may pass through the first body <NUM>. The rotational axis of the impeller <NUM> and the axis of the cyclonic flow in the first cyclone unit <NUM> may be on the same line.

According to the present invention, there is the advantage that the path through which the air discharged from the dust separation unit, that is, the air discharged upward from the second cyclone unit <NUM> flows to the suction motor <NUM> may be reduced and a change in direction of air may be decreased, so a loss of airflow may be reduced.

As the loss of airflow is reduced, suction force may be increased and the lifetime of the battery <NUM> for supplying power to the suction motor <NUM> may be increased.

The cleaner <NUM> may further include an upper motor housing <NUM> covering a portion of the top of the suction motor <NUM> and a lower motor housing <NUM> covering a portion of the bottom of the suction motor <NUM>.

The suction motor <NUM> may be disposed inside the motor housings <NUM> and <NUM> and the flow guide <NUM> may be disposed to cover the upper motor housing <NUM>.

At least a portion of the flow guide <NUM> may be spaced apart from the upper motor housing <NUM>. Further, at least a portion of the flow guide <NUM> may be spaced apart from the second body <NUM>.

Accordingly, a first air passage <NUM> is defined by the inner side of the flow guide <NUM> and the outer side of the upper motor housing <NUM> and a second air passage <NUM> is defined by the outer side of the flow guide <NUM> and the inner side of the second body <NUM>.

The air discharged from the second cyclone unit <NUM> flows to the suction motor <NUM> through the first air passage <NUM> and the air discharged from the suction motor <NUM> flows through the second air passage <NUM> and is then discharged outside. Accordingly, the second air passage <NUM> functions as an exhaust channel.

The handle unit <NUM> may include a handle <NUM> for a user to hold and a battery housing <NUM> under the handle <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> may be disposed behind the suction motor <NUM>.

As for directions, with respect to the suction motor <NUM> in the cleaner <NUM>, the direction in which the suction unit <NUM> is positioned is the front direction and the direction in which the handle <NUM> is positioned is the rear direction.

The battery <NUM> may be disposed behind the first body <NUM>. Accordingly, the suction motor <NUM> and the battery <NUM> may be arranged not to vertically overlap each other and may be disposed at different heights.

According to the present invention, since the suction motor <NUM> that is heavy is disposed ahead of the handle <NUM> and the battery <NUM> that is heavy is disposed behind the handle <NUM>, so weight may be uniformly distributed throughout the cleaner <NUM>. It is possible to prevent injuries to the user's wrist when a user cleans with the handle <NUM> in his/her hand. That is, since the heavy components are distributed at the front and rear portions and at different heights in the cleaner <NUM>, it is possible to prevent the center of gravity of the cleaner <NUM> from concentrating on any one side.

Since the battery <NUM> is disposed under the handle <NUM> and the suction motor <NUM> is disposed in front of the handle <NUM>, there is no component over the handle <NUM>. That is, the top of the handle <NUM> forms a portion of the external appearance of the top of the cleaner <NUM>.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent any component of the cleaner <NUM> from coming in contact with the user's arm while the user cleans with the handle <NUM> in his/her hand.

The handle <NUM> may include a first extension <NUM> extending vertically to be held by a user and a second extension <NUM> extending toward the suction motor <NUM> over the first extension <NUM>. The second extension <NUM> may at least partially horizontally extend. In the present invention, the first extension <NUM>, which is a portion that a user may hold (a portion that a user's palm may come in contact with), may be referred to as a grip part.

A stopper <NUM> for preventing a user's hand holding the first extension <NUM> from moving in the longitudinal direction of the first extension <NUM> (vertically in <FIG>) may be formed on the first extension <NUM>. The stopper <NUM> may extend toward the suction unit <NUM> from the first extension <NUM>.

The stopper <NUM> is spaced apart from the second extension <NUM>. Accordingly, a user is supposed to hold the first extension <NUM>, with some of the fingers over the stopper <NUM> and the other fingers under the stopper <NUM>.

For example, the stopper <NUM> may be positioned between the index finger and the middle finger.

According to this arrangement, when a user holds the first extension <NUM>, the longitudinal axis A1 of the suction unit <NUM> may pass through the user's wrist.

When the longitudinal axis A1 of the suction unit <NUM> passes through the user's wrist and the user's arm is stretched, the longitudinal axis A1 of the suction unit <NUM> may be substantially aligned with the user's stretched arm. Accordingly, there is the advantage in this state that the user uses minimum force when pushing or pulling the cleaner <NUM> with the handle <NUM> in his/her hand.

The handle <NUM> may include an operation unit <NUM>. For example, the operation unit <NUM> may be disposed on an inclined surface of the second extension <NUM>. It is possible to input instructions to turn on/off the cleaner (suction motor) through the operation unit <NUM>. For example, it is possible to input instructions to turn on/off the suction motor through the operation unit <NUM>. Further, it is possible to control the intensity of the suction force of the suction motor <NUM> that has been turned on through the operation unit <NUM>.

The operation unit <NUM> may be disposed to face a user. The operation unit <NUM> may be disposed opposite to the stopper <NUM> with the handle <NUM> therebetween.

The operation unit <NUM> is positioned higher than the stopper <NUM>. Accordingly, a user may easily operate the operation unit <NUM> with his/her thumb with the first extension <NUM> in his/her hand.

Further, since the operation unit <NUM> is positioned outside the first extension <NUM>, it is possible to prevent the operation unit <NUM> from being unexpectedly operated when a user cleans with the first extension <NUM> in his/her hand.

The battery housing <NUM> may be disposed under the first extension <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> may be detachably combined with the battery housing <NUM>.

For example, the battery <NUM> may be inserted into the battery housing <NUM> from under the battery housing <NUM>.

The rear side of the battery housing <NUM> and the rear side of the first extension <NUM> may form a continuous surface. Accordingly, the battery housing <NUM> and the first extension <NUM> may be shown like a single unit.

When the battery <NUM> is inserted in the battery housing <NUM>, the bottom of the battery <NUM> may be exposed to the outside. Accordingly, when the cleaner <NUM> is placed on the floor, the battery <NUM> may be in contact with the floor.

According to this structure, there is the advantage that the battery <NUM> may be directly separated from the battery housing <NUM>.

Further, since the bottom of the battery <NUM> is exposed to the outside, the bottom of the battery <NUM> may come in direct contact with the air outside the cleaner <NUM>, so the battery <NUM> may be more efficiently cooled.

Referring to <FIG>, the cleaner <NUM> may further include a filter unit <NUM> having air exits <NUM> for discharging the air that has passed through the suction motor <NUM>. For example, the air exits <NUM> may include a plurality of openings and the openings may be circumferentially arranged. Accordingly, the air exit <NUM> may be arranged in a ring shape.

The filter unit <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the top of the main body <NUM>.

When the filter unit <NUM> is combined with the main body <NUM>, a portion of the filter unit <NUM> is positioned outside the second body <NUM>. Accordingly, a portion of the filter unit <NUM> is inserted in the main body <NUM> through the open top of the main body <NUM> and the other portion protrudes outside from the main body <NUM>.

The height of the main body <NUM> may be substantially the same as the height of the handle <NUM>. Accordingly, the filter unit <NUM> protrudes upward from the main body <NUM>, so a user may easily hold and separate the filter unit <NUM>.

When the filter unit <NUM> is combined with the main body <NUM>, the air exits <NUM> are positioned at the upper portion of the filter unit <NUM>. Accordingly, the air discharged from the suction motor <NUM> is discharged upward from the main body <NUM>.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the air discharged from the air exits <NUM> from flowing to a user while the user cleans using the cleaner <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may further include a pre-filter <NUM> for filtering the air flowing into the suction motor <NUM>. The pre-filter <NUM> may be disposed inside the flow guide <NUM>. Further, the pre-filter <NUM> is seated over the upper motor housing <NUM> and may surround a portion of the upper motor housing <NUM>. That is, the upper motor housing <NUM> may include a filter support for supporting the pre-filter <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the body cover rotates according to an embodiment, <FIG> is a view illustrating a process of separating the guide unit from the main body according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the guide unit is separated from the main body.

Referring to <FIG>, when the button <NUM> is manipulated to rotate the body cover <NUM>, the body cover <NUM> rotates about a hinge 16a to open a lower side of the dust container <NUM>.

When the body cover <NUM> opens the lower side of the dust container <NUM>, the guide unit <NUM> surrounding the second cyclone unit <NUM> is exposed to the outside.

Since the guide unit <NUM> is seated on the body cover <NUM> in a state in which the body cover <NUM> closes the dust container <NUM>, when the body cover <NUM> opens the dust container <NUM>, the lower portion of the guide unit <NUM> is disposed close to a discharge opening 120a of the dust container <NUM>. Here, the discharge opening 120a may be a portion through which dust is discharged to empty the dust in the dust container <NUM>.

Thus, the user may separate the guide unit <NUM> from the main body <NUM> in a state in which the user grasps the guide unit <NUM> through the discharge opening 120a.

The guide unit <NUM> may be separated to the outside of the main body <NUM> through the discharge opening 120a. When the guide unit <NUM> is separated from the main body <NUM>, the dust discharge part <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM> may be exposed to the outside.

When the guide unit <NUM> is separated from the main body <NUM>, there is no component between the second cyclone unit <NUM> and the first body <NUM>.

Thus, the user may easily clean the dust discharge part <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM> in the state in which the second cyclone unit <NUM> is disposed in the main body <NUM>.

According to this embodiment, since the dust discharge part <NUM> is cleaned, the dust discharge part <NUM> may be prevented from being blocked or maintained in the blocked state to prevent dust separation performance from being deteriorated.

The second cyclone unit <NUM> is disposed to stand up on the main body <NUM>.

In this embodiment, an air inlet <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM> may be disposed lower than an axial in a longitudinal direction of the suction part. In this case, the dust discharge part <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM> may be disposed close to the discharge opening 120a of the dust container <NUM>.

Thus, the user may easily clean the dust discharge part <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM>, which is disposed close to the discharge opening 120a.

A sealing member <NUM> for sealing may be disposed at a position that is adjacent to the dust discharge part <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view of the guide unit according to an embodiment, <FIG> is an exploded cross-sectional perspective view of the guide unit of <FIG>, <FIG> is a view illustrating a state in which the guide unit comes into contact with the sealing member, <FIG> is a view of the second cyclone unit and the discharge guide, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the discharge guide according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the guide unit <NUM> may include a filter part <NUM> for filtering air and a storage unit <NUM> for storing dust.

The filter part <NUM> may include a plurality of openings <NUM> of which at least a portion has a cylindrical shape and through which air passes in a circumferential direction.

Also, the filter part <NUM> may include a mesh <NUM> surrounding the plurality of openings <NUM>. Thus, air primarily separated from dust in the first cyclone unit <NUM> may be filtered while the air passes through the mesh <NUM>.

The filter part <NUM> may include a first coupling part <NUM> to be coupled to the discharge guide <NUM>.

The first coupling part <NUM> may be disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the filter part <NUM>. The first coupling part <NUM> may include a first groove <NUM> extending downward from an upper end of the filter part <NUM> and a second groove <NUM> extending from the first groove <NUM> in a horizontal direction. That is, the first coupling part <NUM> may have an "L" shape.

The filter part <NUM> may further include a coupling hook <NUM> to be coupled to the storage unit <NUM>. The coupling hook <NUM> may be disposed on a power portion of the filter part <NUM>.

The filter part <NUM> may further include a cleaning part <NUM> for discharging foreign substances such as hairs within the dust container <NUM> from the dust container <NUM> when the guide unit <NUM> is separated from the dust container <NUM>.

For example, the cleaning part <NUM> may be disposed on an upper end of the filter part <NUM>.

The cleaning part <NUM> may extend from the upper end of the filter part <NUM> in the horizontal direction or inclinedly extend upward.

The cleaning part <NUM> may be continuously formed on the filter part <NUM> in a circumferential direction, or a plurality of cleaning parts <NUM> may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential surface of the filter part <NUM>.

An end of the cleaning part <NUM> may come into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the dust container <NUM> (or an inner circumferential surface of the second dust storage part) or be disposed adjacent to the inner circumferential surface of the dust container <NUM>. The cleaning part <NUM> may be integrated with the filter part <NUM> or be coupled to the filter part <NUM>.

For another example, a contact part (not shown) made of a rubber material to come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the dust container <NUM> may be disposed on the end of the cleaning part <NUM>. The contact part may clean the inner circumferential surface of the dust container <NUM> while the guide unit <NUM> is separated from the main body <NUM>.

Although not shown, a cutout groove or slot for preventing the manipulation button <NUM> from interfering with a portion of the dust container <NUM>, on which the manipulation button <NUM> is installed, while the guide unit <NUM> is separated may be defined in the cleaning part <NUM>.

A portion or the whole of the dust container may be made of a transparent or translucent material. When the contact part cleans the inner circumferential surface of the dust container <NUM> while the user separates the guide unit <NUM> from the main body <NUM>, the inner circumferential surface of the dust container <NUM> may be cleaned so that the user easily confirm the inside of the dust container <NUM> by using his/her naked eyes.

The storage unit <NUM> may support a lower portion of the filter part <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> may include an inner body <NUM> and an outer body <NUM> surrounding the inner body <NUM>.

The inner body <NUM> may include a first portion 171a defining the second dust storage part <NUM>. The first portion 171a of the inner body <NUM> may have a diameter that gradually decreases downward.

When the first portion 171a of the inner body <NUM> has the diameter that gradually decreases downward, the first dust storage part <NUM> may increase in capacity within the dust container <NUM>.

A relatively large volume of dust may be stored in the first dust storage part <NUM>. If the first dust storage part <NUM> increases in capacity, a time taken to fully fill dust in the first dust storage part <NUM> may increase to reduce the number of operations for emptying dust.

The inner body <NUM> may further include a second portion <NUM> disposed on an upper portion of the first portion 171a.

For example, the second portion <NUM> of the inner body <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. A portion of a lower portion of the filter part <NUM> may be inserted into the second portion <NUM> of the inner body <NUM>.

The inner body <NUM> may further include a hook coupling part <NUM> to be coupled to the coupling hook <NUM>. For example, the hook coupling part <NUM> may be disposed on the second portion <NUM>.

The hook coupling part <NUM> may be a groove defined in the inner circumferential surface of the second portion of the inner body <NUM> or a hole passing through the second portion <NUM>.

The inner body <NUM> may further include a contact rib <NUM> for coming into contact with the sealing member <NUM> disposed on the second cyclone unit <NUM>. The contact rib <NUM> may have a ring shape.

The contact rib <NUM> may be disposed on the first portion 171a or the second portion <NUM> of the inner body <NUM> or disposed on a boundary between the first portion 171a and the second portion <NUM> of the inner body <NUM>.

At least one sealer <NUM> for the sealing between the inner body <NUM> and the outer body <NUM> may be coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the second portion <NUM> of the inner body <NUM>. The sealer <NUM> may have a ring shape. A sealer seating groove <NUM> in which the sealer <NUM> is seated may be defined in the outer circumferential surface of the second portion <NUM> of the inner body <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which the plurality of sealers <NUM> are coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the inner body <NUM>. In this case, the plurality of sealers <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction.

At least one fixing protrusion for fixing the outer body <NUM> may be disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the second portion <NUM> of the inner body <NUM>.

A portion of the outer body <NUM> may have the same shape as the first portion 171a of the inner body <NUM> to surround the outside of the first portion 171a of the inner body <NUM>.

A support rib <NUM> supporting a lower end of the first portion 171a of the inner body <NUM> may be disposed on a lower portion of the outer body <NUM>.

The outer body <NUM> may further include a cover part <NUM> disposed outside the inner body <NUM> to surround the second portion <NUM> of the inner body <NUM>. The cover part <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape.

A protrusion coupling part <NUM> to which the at least one fixing protrusion <NUM> is fixed may be disposed on the cover part <NUM>.

The at least one sealer <NUM> is disposed between the cover part <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the inner body <NUM>. Thus, dust and/or air within the second dust storage part <NUM> may be prevented from being introduced between the inner body <NUM> and the outer body <NUM> by the at least one sealer <NUM>.

Also, dust and/or air within the first dust storage part <NUM> may be prevented from being introduced between the inner body <NUM> and the outer body <NUM> by the at least one sealer <NUM>.

The outer body <NUM> may further include a scattering prevention rib <NUM> extending from the outer body <NUM> in an opposite direction to the cover part <NUM>.

For example, the scattering prevention rib <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape and extend downward from one point of the outer body <NUM>.

Since a portion of the outer body <NUM> decreases in diameter downward, a space may be defined between the outer circumferential surface of the outer body <NUM> and the scattering prevention rib <NUM>.

A cyclone flow in the first cyclone unit <NUM> may descend while flowing along the inner circumferential surface of the first body <NUM>. When the cyclone flow collides with the body cover <NUM> while the cyclone flow descends, a rotational flow may be changed into an ascending flow.

If the ascending flow exists in the first dust storage part <NUM>, the dust stored in the first dust storage part <NUM> may be scattered to cause a backflow toward the first cyclone unit <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the ascending flow in the first dust storage part <NUM> is changed again into the descending flow by the scattering prevention rib <NUM> in the space between the scattering prevention rib <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the outer body <NUM>. Thus, the dust stored in the first dust storage part <NUM> may be prevented from being scattered, and thus, the dust may be prevented from flowing backward to the first cyclone unit <NUM>.

Since the scattering prevention rib <NUM> extends downward from the one point of the outer body <NUM>, the dust separated in the first cyclone unit <NUM> together with the cyclone flow may smoothly move to the first dust storage part <NUM> by the scattering prevention rib <NUM>.

The second cyclone unit may further include a cyclone module <NUM> and a guide module <NUM> connected to the cyclone module <NUM>.

The cyclone module <NUM> may include a plurality of cyclone bodies <NUM>. The plurality of cyclone bodies <NUM> may be integrated with each other.

Although not limited, in the plurality of cyclone bodies <NUM>, one cyclone body may be disposed at a central portion, and other cyclone bodies may be disposed to surround the cyclone body that is disposed at the central portion.

For example, although eight cyclone bodies surround the cyclone body that is disposed at the central portion, the present disclosure is not limited to the number of cyclone bodies.

In this specification, the central cyclone body may be called an inner cyclone body, and the cyclone bodies disposed to surround the inner cyclone body are called outer cyclone bodies.

Each of the cyclone bodies <NUM> may include a first cyclone body <NUM> and a second cyclone body <NUM> extending downward from the first cyclone body <NUM>.

For example, the first cyclone body <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape, and the second cyclone body <NUM> may have a cone or truncated cone shape.

The second cyclone body <NUM> may include the dust discharge part <NUM> through which dust is discharged.

The cyclone module <NUM> may further include a guide coupling part <NUM> to be coupled to the discharge guide <NUM>.

The guide coupling part <NUM> may be disposed between a portion of the plurality of outer cyclone bodies and the inner cyclone body.

The guide coupling part <NUM> may include an accommodation part 137a accommodating a coupling body <NUM> provided on the discharge guide <NUM> and a body seating part 137b on which the coupling body <NUM> accommodated in the accommodation part 137a is seated.

In the state in which the coupling body <NUM> is seated on the body seating part 137b, a coupling member such as a screw may couple the body seating part 137b to the coupling body <NUM> at a lower portion of the body seating part 137b.

The guide module <NUM> may be seated on an upper portion of the cyclone module <NUM> to guide air to each of the cyclone bodies <NUM>, and the air separated from the dust in each of the cyclone bodies <NUM> may be guided to the discharge guide <NUM>.

The guide module <NUM> may include a guide body <NUM> having an air inlet <NUM>. The guide body <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape with the same diameter as that of the first cyclone body <NUM>.

The guide module <NUM> may further include an air outlet <NUM> disposed inside the guide body <NUM>.

The air outlet <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. Also, the air outlet <NUM> may have a vertical length greater than that of the guide body <NUM>.

Thus, when the guide module <NUM> is seated on the upper portion of the cyclone module <NUM>, a portion of the air outlets <NUM> of the guide module <NUM> may be inserted into each of the cyclone bodies <NUM>.

Also, the air may be introduced into the guide body <NUM> in an axial direction. A spiral flow guide rib <NUM> for guiding a flow of air may be disposed between an inner circumferential surface of the guide body <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM> so that the air introduced into the guide body <NUM> in the axial direction helically flows along the inner circumferential surface of the cyclone body <NUM>.

According to this embodiment, since the air flows to the guide body <NUM> in the axial direction, the guide module <NUM> may be prevented from increasing in width.

Also, since the air outlet <NUM> of the guide module <NUM> is inserted into the cyclone body <NUM>, a phenomenon in which the air introduced into the cyclone body <NUM> is directly discharged without being separated from the dust may be reduced.

The discharge guide <NUM> may include a first discharge guide <NUM> seated on the upper portion of the guide module <NUM> and a second discharge guide <NUM> extending upward from the first discharge guide <NUM>.

For example, the first discharge guide <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. The second discharge guide <NUM> may have a truncated cone shape that increases in diameter upward.

The first discharge guide <NUM> may include the coupling body <NUM> to be coupled to the cyclone module <NUM>. The coupling body <NUM> may protrude downward from a bottom surface <NUM> of the first discharge guide <NUM>. The coupling body <NUM> may have a vertical length greater than that of the guide module <NUM> so that the coupling body <NUM> is coupled to the cyclone module <NUM>.

Thus, the coupling body <NUM> may pass through the guide module <NUM> from an upper side of the guide module <NUM> and then be accommodated into the accommodation part 137a of the cyclone module <NUM>.

The first discharge guide <NUM> may include an outlet guide <NUM> inserted into the air outlet <NUM> of the guide module <NUM>. The outlet guide <NUM> may come into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the air outlet <NUM> to guide the discharge of the air and also prevent the air from leaking between the outer circumferential surface of the outlet guide <NUM> and the inner circumferential surface of the air outlet <NUM>.

The filter part <NUM> may be coupled to the first discharge guide <NUM>. The first discharge guide <NUM> may include a second coupling part <NUM> to be coupled to the filter part <NUM>.

The second coupling part <NUM> may be a protrusion that protrudes from an outer circumferential surface of the first discharge guide <NUM> and extend by a predetermined length in a horizontal direction.

However, the second coupling part <NUM> may have a horizontal length less than that of the first groove <NUM>.

Since the first discharge guide <NUM> has a cylindrical shape, the guide unit <NUM> may be coupled to the discharge guide <NUM>, or the coupling between the guide unit <NUM> and the discharge guide <NUM> may be released through a rotational operation of the guide unit <NUM> by the first coupling part <NUM> of the filter part <NUM> and the second coupling part <NUM> of the discharge guide <NUM>.

Particularly, in order to separate the guide unit <NUM> from the discharge guide <NUM>, the second coupling part <NUM> is aligned with the first groove <NUM> of the first coupling part <NUM>.

In this state, the second coupling part <NUM> is inserted into the first groove <NUM>. Thus, the second coupling part <NUM> and the second groove <NUM> are aligned with each other in the first groove <NUM>. In this state, when the guide unit <NUM> rotates in one direction, the second coupling part <NUM> is inserted into the second groove <NUM> to complete the coupling between the filter part <NUM> of the guide unit <NUM> and the discharge guide <NUM>.

Here, the first groove <NUM> may have a recessed depth greater than that of the second groove <NUM> so that coupling force between the filter part <NUM> and the discharge guide <NUM> increases.

Also, the first groove <NUM> may have a recessed depth equal to or less than a protruding thickness of the second coupling part <NUM>.

In this case, while the second coupling part <NUM> disposed in the first groove <NUM> moves to the second groove <NUM>, contact frictional force between the second coupling part <NUM> and the second groove <NUM> may increase to increase the coupling force between the filter part <NUM> and the discharge guide <NUM>.

The cyclone module <NUM> may further include a sealing member coupling part <NUM> to be coupled to the sealing member <NUM>. The sealing member coupling part <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the dust discharge part <NUM> on the cyclone body <NUM>.

For example, the sealing member coupling part <NUM> may be integrated with the second cyclone body <NUM>.

Also, the sealing member coupling part <NUM> may be disposed above the dust discharge part <NUM>. That is, the sealing member coupling part <NUM> may be disposed in a shape in which the dust discharge part <NUM> passes through the sealing member coupling part <NUM>.

A sealing member fitting groove <NUM> into which the sealing member <NUM> is fitted may be defined in a lower portion of the sealing member coupling part <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> may have a ring shape. In the state in which the sealing member <NUM> is fitted into the sealing member fitting groove <NUM>, the sealing member <NUM> surrounds a circumference of the cyclone module <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the filter part <NUM> of the guide unit <NUM> is coupled to the discharge guide <NUM>, the contact rib <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> may come into contact with a bottom surface of the sealing member <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM>. Here, in the state in which the contact rib <NUM> comes into contact with the bottom surface of the sealing member <NUM>, the dust discharge part <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM> may be disposed in a region defined by the contact rib <NUM>.

When the filter part <NUM> of the guide unit <NUM> is coupled to the discharge guide <NUM> to increase the contact force between the sealing member <NUM> and the contact rib <NUM>, the contact rib <NUM> of the storage unit <NUM> may press the sealing member <NUM>.

When the contact rib <NUM> comes into contact with the sealing member <NUM>, an inner space of the guide unit <NUM> may be partitioned into an upper space and a lower space of the sealing member <NUM>.

Here, the upper space of the sealing member <NUM> may be a space through which the air separated from the dust in the first cyclone unit <NUM> is guided to the air inlet <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM>, and the lower space of the sealing member <NUM> may be a space within the second dust storage part <NUM>.

According to this embodiment, when the guide unit <NUM> includes the filter part <NUM> and is separated from the main body <NUM>, since the dust discharge part <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM> is exposed to the outside, the dust discharge part <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM> may be easily cleaned, and also, the filter part <NUM> may be easily cleaned.

Also, in the state in which the guide unit <NUM> is mounted on the main body <NUM>, the contact rib <NUM> disposed inside the guide unit <NUM> comes into contact with the sealing member <NUM> disposed outside the second cyclone unit <NUM>. Thus, the sealing between the inner space of the first dust storage part <NUM>, the inner space of the first cyclone unit <NUM>, or the space through which the air is guided from the guide unit <NUM> to the second cyclone unit <NUM> and the inner space of the second dust storage part may be maintained.

Thus, the dust stored in the second dust storage part <NUM> may be prevented from being scattered through the maintenance of the sealing, and the air introduced into the guide unit <NUM> may be prevented from being directly discharged to the air outlet without undergoing the dust separation process by the cyclone body <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a transverse cross-sectional view of the cleaner to show an air flow in the cleaner according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cleaner to show an air flow in the cleaner according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, air and dust suctioned through the suction unit <NUM> by an operation of the suction motor <NUM> are separated from each other while flowing along the inner circumferential surface of the first cyclone unit <NUM>.

The dust separated from the air may flow downward and then be stored in the first dust storage part <NUM>. The air separated from the dust may pass through the filter part <NUM> of the guide unit <NUM> and then flow to the air inlet <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM>. Here, an upper end of the mesh <NUM> of the filter part <NUM> may be disposed higher than the air inlet <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM>. That is, the air inlet <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM> may be disposed inside the filter part <NUM>.

Thus, since the air passing through the mesh <NUM> directly flows to the air inlet <NUM> of the second cyclone unit <NUM>, a passage of the air may be shortened to reduce a flow loss.

For example, the air separated from the dust in the first cyclone unit <NUM> may be filtered while passing through the mesh <NUM> of the filter part <NUM> and then introduced into the filter part <NUM> through the openings <NUM> of the filter part <NUM>. The air introduced into the filter part <NUM> is guided to the cyclone module <NUM> by the guide module <NUM> to perform the dust separation process again.

The dust separated from the air in the cyclone module <NUM> is discharged through the dust discharge part <NUM> to flow downward and then stored in the second dust storage part <NUM>. On the other hand, the air separated from the dust in the cyclone module <NUM> is discharged to the discharge guide <NUM> through the air outlet <NUM>.

The air discharged to the discharge guide <NUM> flows along the discharge guide <NUM> to pass through the lower motor housing <NUM> and then ascends along the first air passage <NUM> within the flow guide <NUM>. Also, the air of the first air passage <NUM> passes through the pre-filter <NUM>.

The air passing through the pre-filter <NUM> passes through the suction motor <NUM> within the upper motor housing <NUM>. The air flows into the suction motor <NUM> by the impeller <NUM> and then is discharged to the lower motor housing <NUM>. Also, the air discharged to the lower motor housing <NUM> flows to the second air passage <NUM>.

Also, the air flowing to the second air passage <NUM> passes through the filter unit <NUM> and then is discharged to the outside through the air exit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a process of separating the guide unit from the main body of the cleaner according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, when raising a pet, the pet's hair may be present on the bottom. The foreign substances such as the pet's hair or the human hairs may be removed from the bottom through the cleaner <NUM>.

Thus, the foreign substances such as the pet's hair or the human hairs may be wound around the guide unit <NUM> within the dust container <NUM> or attached to the inner circumferential surface of the dust container <NUM> and thus be present in a bound state in the dust container.

In this state, when the body cover <NUM> of the dust container <NUM> rotates, the dust within the dust container <NUM> may be discharged from the dust container <NUM>. However, although the body cover <NUM> rotates, the foreign substances such as the pet's hair or the human hairs may remain in the dust container <NUM>.

The remaining foreign substances may be removed while the guide unit <NUM> is separated from the main body <NUM>.

Particularly, as illustrated in <FIG>, the cleaning part <NUM> may come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the dust container <NUM> or be disposed adjacent to the inner circumferential surface of the dust container <NUM> at the uppermost portion of the guide unit <NUM>.

Thus, while the guide unit <NUM> is separated downward from the main body <NUM>, the foreign substances within the dust container <NUM> may be hung by the cleaning part <NUM>. The foreign substances hung by the cleaning part <NUM> are withdrawn to the outside from the main body <NUM> together with the guide unit <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A cleaner comprising:
a suction unit (<NUM>) guiding air and dust;
a main body (<NUM>) comprising a first cyclone unit (<NUM>) separating the air and the dust, which are suctioned through the suction unit (<NUM>), from each other and a second cyclone unit (<NUM>) separating the dust from the air discharged from the first cyclone unit (<NUM>);
a sealing member (<NUM>) installed on the second cyclone unit (<NUM>); and
a guide unit (<NUM>) separably coupled to the main body (<NUM>),
wherein the guide unit (<NUM>) covers at least a portion of the second cyclone unit (<NUM>) in the state in which the guide unit (<NUM>) is coupled to the main body (<NUM>), and
the guide unit (<NUM>) comprises a contact rib (<NUM>) coming into contact with the sealing member (<NUM>) in the state in which the guide unit (<NUM>) is coupled to the main body (<NUM>), characterized in that the second cyclone unit (<NUM>) is disposed inside the first cyclone unit (<NUM>).