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 is based on the generation of a suction force, and has a structure in which foreign substances are separated from suctioned air while the suctioned air flows along a predetermined path. 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.

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

Only removing dust collected in the vacuum cleaner is insufficient to manage hygiene conditions of the inside of the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner is provided with several filters for filtering dust. In addition to the dust, various bacteria grow in the filters. Even if a sufficient portion of the lifespan of the filter remains, the bacteria could contaminate the inside of the filter.

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

The vacuum cleaner according to related art <NUM> includes a suction inlet, a first cyclone, a second cyclone, a suction motor, a prefilter, an exhaust filter, and a flow guide. In the vacuum cleaner according to related art <NUM>, a filter mechanism is installed in a passage through which air is discharged from a body of the vacuum cleaner to the outside. The filter mechanism includes an exhaust filter therein, and air discharged to the outside is filtered through the exhaust filter.

The vacuum cleaner according to related art <NUM> filters the exhausted air by using the exhaust filter. The exhaust filter can be replaced after being used for its predetermined lifespan. However, depending on the environment in which the vacuum cleaner is used, various bacteria can grow in the exhaust filter. A user can only check the predetermined lifespan of the filter, and there is no way to detect the degree of bacteria growing in the exhaust filter. The only measure for maintaining hygiene is to frequently separate the exhaust filter from the vacuum cleaner and disinfect the exhaust filter by sunlight.

The above-described background technology is technical information that the inventors hold for the derivation of the present invention or that the inventors acquired in the process of deriving the present invention. 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 simple portable dust collector. <CIT> relates to a cleaner.

One aspect of the present invention is to address an issue associated with some related art in which bacteria cannot be prevented from growing in a filter mounted in a vacuum cleaner.

Another aspect of the present invention is to address an issue associated with some related art in which managing the vacuum cleaner is inconvenient due to a complicated process required when separating the filter from the vacuum cleaner so as to disinfect the filter, and it is necessary to periodically separate the filter from the vacuum cleaner and disinfect the filter.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to address an issue associated with some related art in which the filter is easily contaminated unless a user pays special attention.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to address an issue associated with some related art in which surplus electrical energy is not utilized in the process of charging the battery.

The present invention 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 invention pertains.

A vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a suction inlet, a body, a suction motor, a dust separation module, an exhaust module, and a lighting module. The suction inlet may be an inlet through which air is introduced. The body may form a space in which air introduced through the suction inlet flows. The suction motor may be provided in the body. The dust separation module may be provided in the body and arranged between the suction inlet and the suction motor based on a movement path of air, and may separate foreign substances from flowing air.

The exhaust module may discharge air passing through the suction motor to the outside of the body, and may be provided with at least one exhaust filter including a photocatalyst. The lighting module may be provided in the body, and may radiate light toward the exhaust filter.

The body may include a motor housing. The motor housing may form a predetermined space therein so as to form a path through which air flows, and may accommodate the suction motor. Air passing through the dust separation module may rise upward along an outer surface of the motor housing and move to the inside of the motor housing toward the suction motor.

The body may include a flow guide. The flow guide may be coupled to the outside of the motor housing, and may form a path through which air can flow between the outer surface of the motor housing and the flow guide.

The flow guide may include a flow path forming wall, a protrusion, and an inlet. The flow path forming wall may form a space therein so as to divide a space between the body and the motor housing. The protrusion may form a part of the flow path forming wall, and protrude outward so as to form at least two air flow paths in the flow path forming wall.

The inlet may form a valley between the protrusion and the protrusion so as to form a flow path of air between the flow guide and the body.

The lighting module may be coupled to the outside of the flow guide, and may radiate light toward an intake port of the exhaust module from a lower portion of the exhaust module.

The lighting module may include a lighting frame, a protruding coupling portion, an inlet coupling portion, and a light irradiator.

The inlet coupling portion may further include a fastening member. The fastening member may be coupled to the inlet of the flow guide.

The exhaust filter may include a visible light photocatalyst.

The exhaust module may include a basic filter and the exhaust filter. The basic filter may be a HEPA filter. The basic filter and the exhaust filter may be stacked on each other.

The exhaust filter may be arranged on a lower portion of the basic filter.

A vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a body, a dust separation module, an exhaust module, an exhaust filter, and a lighting module. The body may be provided with a suction motor, and may suction surrounding air. The dust separation module may be provided in the body, and may separate foreign substances from air suctioned into the body. The exhaust module may discharge air passing through the dust separation module and the suction motor in the body to the outside of the body. The exhaust filter may be provided in the exhaust module, and may remove foreign substances and include a photocatalyst. The lighting module may be provided in the body, and may radiate light toward the exhaust filter.

A vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a body, a dust separation module, an exhaust module, a lighting module, a battery, and a controller. The battery may supply electrical energy to the suction motor, the dust separation module, and the lighting module. The controller may control operations of the suction motor, the dust separation module, the lighting module, and the battery.

The controller may turn on the lighting module at predetermined time intervals while the battery is being charged.

According to the present invention, the exhaust filter may be automatically disinfected through the visible light photocatalyst and lighting module, thereby allowing hygienic management of the filter.

According to the present invention, bacterial growth in the exhaust filter may be prevented without separating the exhaust filter from the vacuum cleaner.

According to the present invention, light may be automatically radiated toward the exhaust filter including the photocatalyst, thereby reducing inconvenience and enabling the filter to be kept clean even without requiring the special attention of the user.

According to the present invention, the exhaust filter may be disinfected by radiating light at predetermined time intervals, thereby allowing continuous hygienic management of the filter.

According to the present invention, the filter may be disinfected by using surplus power while the vacuum cleaner is being charged, thereby saving electrical energy.

The effects of the present invention 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 invention, there is shown in the drawings an exemplary embodiment, it being understood, however, that the present invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 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 invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention 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 at 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 into 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 invention. <FIG> is a plan view of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a bottom perspective view of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention, 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 invention, 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> that faces the suction inlet <NUM> with respect to the body <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 invention 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>, a cyclone base <NUM>, 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> and a main filter <NUM>. 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> and the cyclone base <NUM>. 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 rotated with respect to the center thereof, and the plurality of cyclone cones coupled to the cyclone base <NUM> may each be rotated 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 invention, 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> may be 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 may be able to easily grip the handle <NUM> and operate the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the exhaust module <NUM> separated from the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a bottom perspective view of the exhaust module <NUM> in the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the exhaust module <NUM> in the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the upper surface of the body <NUM> may be formed by the exhaust module <NUM>. A plurality of intake ports <NUM> may be formed in a lower surface of the exhaust module <NUM>, and a plurality of exhaust ports <NUM> (see <FIG>) may be formed in an upper surface of the exhaust module <NUM>. The intake ports <NUM> may introduce air discharged from the inside of the body <NUM> into the exhaust module <NUM>, and the exhaust ports <NUM> may exhaust air to the outside of the main body <NUM>. An exhaust filter <NUM> may be mounted in the exhaust module <NUM>. The exhaust filter <NUM> may be arranged between the intake ports <NUM> and the exhaust ports <NUM>, and air passing through the intake ports <NUM> and the exhaust ports <NUM> may pass through the exhaust filter <NUM>.

More specifically, referring to <FIG>, the exhaust module <NUM> may include a core member <NUM>, an exhaust grill <NUM>, an exhaust filter <NUM>, an intake grill <NUM>, a first frame <NUM>, a second frame <NUM>, and a sealing member <NUM>.

The core member <NUM> may be arranged at the center of the exhaust module <NUM>. The core member <NUM> may serve as a frame, and the exhaust module <NUM> may be assembled with the core member <NUM> as the center.

The exhaust filter <NUM> may be arranged to surround a circumference of the core member <NUM>. The exhaust filter <NUM> may perform a role of filtering dust from air flowing vertically. However, such a configuration is merely exemplary, and the exhaust filter <NUM> may be implemented to have various functions depending on the embodiment.

The first frame <NUM> may be coupled to upper portions of the exhaust filter <NUM> and the core member <NUM>, and the second frame <NUM> may be coupled to lower portions of the exhaust filter <NUM> and the core member <NUM>. Here, the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> may fix not only the exhaust filter <NUM> and the core member <NUM>, but also the exhaust grill <NUM> arranged on an upper surface of the exhaust filter <NUM> and the intake grill <NUM> arranged on a lower surface of the exhaust filter <NUM>. The exhaust grill <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of exhaust ports <NUM>, and the exhaust ports <NUM> may be exposed on the upper surface of the exhaust module <NUM>. The intake grill <NUM> may be also provided with a plurality of intake ports <NUM>. The intake ports <NUM> may be formed to be larger than the exhaust ports <NUM>.

In addition, at least one sealing member <NUM> may be coupled to a coupling portion where the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> are coupled to each other. The sealing member <NUM> may prevent air from flowing, aside from in a predetermined path between the inside and the outside of the body <NUM>.

The exhaust filter <NUM> may be subjected to a photocatalytic treatment. In an embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust filter <NUM> may be subjected to a visible light photocatalyst treatment. This enables the same effect as sunlight disinfection to be obtained when light is radiated to the exhaust filter <NUM>. Accordingly, when light is radiated to the exhaust filter <NUM> through a lighting module <NUM> to be described below, the exhaust filter <NUM> may be disinfected.

In addition, the exhaust filter <NUM> may be stacked with the basic filter. The basic filter may be a HEPA filter, and together with the exhaust filter <NUM> may filter dust from exhausted air. The exhaust filter <NUM> may be arranged on a lower portion of the basic filter. The exhaust filter <NUM> may be exposed downward through the intake ports <NUM> formed in the intake grill <NUM>, and the lighting module <NUM> may radiate light toward the intake ports <NUM>, thereby disinfecting the exhaust filter <NUM>.

<FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the inside of the body <NUM> in the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the exhaust module <NUM> and the lighting module <NUM> separated from the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the body <NUM>, the lighting module <NUM> may be arranged between a wall surface of the body <NUM> and a flow path forming wall <NUM> of the flow guide <NUM>. The lighting module <NUM> may include a plurality of light irradiators <NUM> (see <FIG>) that radiate light upward. The light irradiators <NUM> may radiate light toward the intake ports <NUM> respectively positioned above. When light is radiated from the light radiators <NUM> to the exhaust filter <NUM> through the intake ports <NUM>, the visible light photocatalyst included in the exhaust filter <NUM> may react to disinfect the exhaust filter <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the flow guide <NUM> and the lighting module <NUM> in the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of <FIG>. <FIG> is a plan view illustrating the lighting module <NUM> in the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the lighting module <NUM> may be mounted on the outside of the flow guide <NUM>. The flow guide <NUM> may be formed by a flow path forming wall <NUM>, and may form a flow path through which air can flow into an inner space and outer space thereof.

Specifically, the flow guide <NUM> may form a flow path through which air flows through a space of which an outer surface is spaced apart from an inner surface of the body <NUM>. In addition, the flow guide <NUM> may form a flow path through which air flows through a space of which an inner surface is spaced apart from the motor housing <NUM>.

For smoother air flow, at least two portions of the flow path forming wall <NUM> forming a boundary of the flow guide <NUM> may protrude laterally, as illustrated in <FIG>. Such a protruding portion is referred to as protrusion <NUM>, and a portion between two protrusions <NUM> is referred to as an inlet <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a space between an inner space of the protrusion <NUM> and the motor housing <NUM> is referred to as a first air flow path <NUM>. The first air flow path <NUM> may be a path through which air may flow from the second cyclone <NUM> toward the suction motor <NUM>. In addition, a second air flow path 132may be formed in a space between the flow path forming wall <NUM> provided with the inlet <NUM> and the first body <NUM>. The second air flow path <NUM> may be a path through which air passing through the suction motor <NUM> moves toward the exhaust module <NUM>.

In the flow guide <NUM>, a plurality of protrusions <NUM> protruding laterally and the inlet <NUM>, which is a recessed portion between the protrusions <NUM>, may be repeatedly arranged.

The lighting module <NUM> may be formed to have a structural shape corresponding to those of the protrusion <NUM> and the inlet <NUM> formed in the flow guide <NUM>. Accordingly, the lighting module <NUM> may be mounted on the protrusion <NUM> and the inlet <NUM> of the flow guide <NUM>.

Specifically, the lighting module <NUM> may include a lighting frame <NUM>, a protruding coupling portion <NUM>, an inlet coupling portion <NUM>, a light irradiator <NUM>, and a fastening member <NUM>.

The lighting frame <NUM> may form a frame of the lighting module <NUM>. The lighting frame <NUM> may be formed in a protruding or recessed shape so as to correspond to the protrusion <NUM> and the inlet <NUM> of the flow guide <NUM>, and a portion of the lighting frame <NUM> that protrudes outward so as to correspond to the protrusion <NUM> may be the protruding coupling portion <NUM>. In addition, a portion of the lighting frame <NUM> corresponding to the inlet <NUM> of the flow guide <NUM> in terms of shape and position may be the inlet coupling portion <NUM>. The protruding coupling portion <NUM> and the inlet coupling portion <NUM> of the lighting frame <NUM> may be formed to correspond to the protrusion <NUM> and the inlet <NUM> of the flow guide <NUM> in terms of shape, and accordingly the lighting frame <NUM> may be mounted on the outer circumference of the flow guide <NUM> so as to be stably coupled thereto.

At least one fastening member <NUM> may be provided in the inlet coupling portion <NUM>. The fastening member <NUM> may be coupled to the outside of the flow path forming wall <NUM> of the flow guide <NUM>, and accordingly the lighting module <NUM> may be firmly fixed to the flow guide <NUM>.

In addition, the light irradiator <NUM> may be provided on an upper surface of the protruding coupling portion <NUM>. A plurality of light irradiators <NUM> may be provided. The light irradiators <NUM> may radiate light upward. Light irradiator <NUM> may be implemented as an LED module or a UV-LED module having a disinfection function.

The battery <NUM> accommodated in the battery housing <NUM> may supply electrical energy to the suction motor <NUM>, the dust separation module <NUM>, and the lighting module <NUM>. In addition, a controller may control all operations of the suction motor <NUM>, the dust separation module <NUM>, the lighting module <NUM>, and the battery <NUM> included in the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The controller may radiate light to the exhaust filter <NUM> through the lighting module <NUM> at predetermined time intervals. Alternatively, when a voltage value of the battery <NUM> is greater than a predetermined voltage value, the controller may set the lighting module <NUM> to radiate light at all times.

Alternatively, when the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention is being charged, the lighting module <NUM> may radiate light at a predetermined time interval to disinfect the exhaust filter <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view illustrating flow of air flowing into the body <NUM> of the vacuum cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention 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. In the first cyclone <NUM>, the air suctioned into the suction inlet <NUM> may be separated from the foreign substances by the filter unit <NUM>. Here, the foreign substances separated from the air may be collected in the first storage <NUM>. The air passing through by the filter unit <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>.

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 suction motor (<NUM>) provided in the body (<NUM>);
a dust separation module (<NUM>) provided in the body (<NUM>) and arranged between the suction inlet (<NUM>) and the suction motor (<NUM>), the dust separation module (<NUM>) configured to separate foreign substances from the air;
an exhaust module (<NUM>) configured to discharge the air passing through the suction motor (<NUM>) from the body (<NUM>), the exhaust module (<NUM>) including at least one exhaust filter (<NUM>) comprising a photocatalyst; and
a lighting module (<NUM>) provided in the body (<NUM>) and configured to radiate light toward the exhaust filter (<NUM>),
wherein the body (<NUM>) comprises a motor housing (<NUM>) including a predetermined space configured to form an air flow path, the motor housing (<NUM>) configured to accommodate the suction motor (<NUM>),
wherein the air passing through the dust separation module (<NUM>) rises upward along an outer surface of the motor housing (<NUM>) and flows through the motor housing (<NUM>) toward the suction motor (<NUM>,
wherein the body (<NUM>) comprises a flow guide (<NUM>) coupled to an outer surface of the motor housing (<NUM>), the flow guide (<NUM>) configured to form the air flow path between the outer surface of the motor housing (<NUM>) and the flow guide (<NUM>),
wherein the lighting module (<NUM>) comprises:
a lighting frame (<NUM>), including:
a plurality of protruding coupling portions (<NUM>), a number of the protruding coupling portions (<NUM>) corresponding to the number and shape of the protrusions in the flow guide (<NUM>); and
an inlet coupling portion (<NUM>) arranged between adjacent protruding coupling portions (<NUM>), the inlet coupling portion (<NUM>) corresponding to the inlet (<NUM>) in the flow guide (<NUM>); and
a light irradiator (<NUM>) provided on an upper surface of at least one of the protruding coupling portions (<NUM>) and configured to radiate light upward.