Patent Description:
A cleaner is a device configured to clean a room by removing rubbish, and a vacuum cleaner is generally used at the home. The vacuum cleaner uses suction power of a fan motor unit to suction air, and then sorts rubbish in the sucked air with a device such as a filter, thereby keeping the room clean.

The vacuum cleaner includes a suction head provided to suction rubbish such as hair on a surface to be cleaned by the suction force of air, a housing connected to the suction head, a main body provided inside the housing, and a neck provided to connect the housing to the suction head.

In general, a user presses a switch provided on the neck to separate the housing and the suction head from each other (e.g. see <CIT>), or rotate the suction head or the housing to separate the housing and the suction head from each other. Alternatively, a switch is provided on the suction head and a user steps the switch to separate the housing and the suction head from each other (e.g. see <CIT>).

However, in order to separate the housing and the suction head from each other, the user had to bend down to use the switch, and when the switch is provided on an upper portion of the suction head, the upper portion of the head protrudes, which may cause inconvenient to clean a space under furniture. Accordingly, there has been a demand for a switch device configured to easily separate the suction head and the housing from each other without bending at the waist, and configured to clean a space under the furniture.

Therefore, it is an aspect of the invention to provide a cleaner capable of easily separating a housing from a suction head.

It is another aspect of the invention to provide a cleaner capable of preventing a housing from easily separating from a suction head during use of the cleaner.

It is another aspect of the invention to provide a cleaner having improved aesthetics.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a cleaner includes a housing to house a fan motor configured to generate a suction force, and a dust collecting chamber configured to collect foreign substances, a suction head having an air flow path, the suction head couplable to the housing and configured to guide the foreign substances along the air flow path, using the suction force generated by the fan motor, from a surface to be cleaned to the dust collecting chamber, a neck arranged between the suction head and the housing and configured to connect the suction head to the housing, the neck rotatable with respect to the suction head and couplable to and decouplable from the housing, a switch device disposed on one side of the neck to allow the neck and the housing to be couplable to and decouplable from each other, and a rotating body rotatably couplable to the neck and configured to lock the switch device while the neck is at a first position with respect to the suction head and unlock the switch device while the neck is at a second position with respect to the suction head.

The neck may include an outer case, an inner case disposed inside of the outer case and configured to receive the rotating body between the inner case and the outer case, a holder coupled to the rotating body and the inner case and configured to receive the rotating body, and a rotating shaft configured to rotatably couple the rotating body to the holder.

The rotating shaft may be coupled to an upper portion of the rotating body. A cross-section area of a lower portion of the rotating body may have a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of the upper portion of the rotating body to allow the center of gravity to be positioned at the lower portion of the rotating body.

At a position in which the neck is inclined with respect to the suction head, a lower surface of the rotating body may be in contact with the switch device.

In response to rotation of the neck with respect to the suction head, the rotating body may be rotated by gravity.

The switch device may include a switch button arranged outside the neck, and a switch member coupled to the housing and the switch button so that the housing and the neck are coupled to each other.

The switch member may be provided in plural, and a plurality of switch members may include a first switch member coupled to the switch button and in contact with the lower surface of the rotating body at a position of the neck in which the switch button is locked, and a second switch member arranged above the first switch member so as to be coupled to the first switch member, and including a coupling protrusion protruding to an inside of the neck to be coupled to the housing.

The housing may include a fastening protrusion provided at a lower end of the housing to be fastened to the coupling protrusion of the second switch member. The neck may include an outer case and an inner case disposed inside of the outer case and configured to receive the plurality of switch members and the rotating body between the inner case and the outer case. The coupling protrusion may protrude to an inside of the inner case and be fastened to the fastening protrusion.

The switch device may be rotatably coupled to the inner case, and in response to the switch button being pressed at a position of the neck in which the switch button is unlocked, the first switch member and the second switch member may be rotated to allow the coupling protrusion and the fastening protrusion to separate from each other.

The position of the neck in which the switch button is unlocked may be a position in which the neck is perpendicular to the suction head.

The position of the neck in which the switch button is locked may be a position in which the neck is inclined with respect to the suction head, and in response to the switch button being pressed at the position in which the neck is inclined with respect to the suction head, the first switch member may press the lower surface of the rotating body.

The neck may further include an elastic member arranged between the outer case and the second switch member and provided to elastically press the second switch member to allow the switch device return to its original position after the switch button is pressed at the position of the neck in which the switch button is unlocked.

The switch button may be coupled to the neck in a rear side of the neck. The first switch member may include a first coupling portion arranged in an upper portion of the first switch member to be coupled to the second switch member, and the second switch member may include a second coupling portion arranged in a lower portion of the second switch member to be coupled to the first coupling portion of the first switch member. The first coupling portion may be arranged in front of the second coupling portion.

The switch device may further include a shaft provided in a lower side of the first coupling portion to allow the first switch member and the second switch member to be rotatable.

The elastic member may be arranged above the shaft.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a cleaner includes a housing provided to house a fan motor configured to generate a suction force, and a dust collecting chamber configured to collect foreign substances, a suction head having an airflow path, the suction head couplable to the housing and configured to guide the foreign substances along the air flow path, using the suction force generated by the fan motor, from a surface to be cleaned to the dust collecting chamber, a neck having a through hole to allow the suction head and the housing to be connected to each other, the neck couplable to and decouplable from the housing at a lower end of the housing, and a switch device coupled to the housing and the neck. The switch device includes a switch button including an insertion protrusion protruding toward the neck so as to be coupled to a rear surface of the neck, and a switch member including a recess provided to receive the insertion protrusion and a coupling protrusion protruding into the neck through the through hole of the neck, the switch member configured to be rotatable according to a pressure of the switch button so as to allow the housing and the neck to be couplable to and decouplable from each other.

The neck may include an outer case, and an inner case disposed inside of the outer case and configured to receive the switch member between the inner case and the outer case. The housing may include a fastening protrusion provided at the lower end of the housing to fasten to the coupling protrusion. The switch member includes a first switch member coupled to the switch button, and a second switch member arranged above the first switch member so as to be coupled to the first switch member, and including a coupling protrusion protruding to an inside of the neck to be coupled to the housing. In response to the switch button being pressed, the first switch member and the second switch member may be rotated to allow the coupling protrusion and the fastening protrusion to separate from each other.

The cleaner may further include a rotating body rotatably coupled to the neck, and configured to lock the switch device at a position in which the neck is inclined with respect to the suction head, and to unlock the switch device at a position in which the neck is perpendicular to the suction head.

In response to the switch button being pressed at the position in which the neck is inclined with respect to the suction head, the first switch member may press the lower surface of the rotating body.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a cleaner includes a housing to house a dust collecting chamber configured to collect foreign substances and a head assembly coupled to the housing to and configured to suction the foreign substances on a surface to be cleaned. The head assembly includes a suction head configured to guide the suctioned foreign substances on the surface to be cleaned to the dust collecting chamber, a neck arranged between the suction head and the housing to connect the suction head to the housing, a switch device configured to be pressed to separate the neck from the housing , f the switch device being arranged at a rear side of the neck, and a locking member configured to lock the switch device by being in contact with the switch device, so as to prevent the neck and the housing from being separated from each other at a position in which the neck is inclined with respect to the suction head.

A cleaner may easily separate a housing from a suction head by using a switch device arranged on one side of a neck.

A cleaner may prevent a housing from separating from a suction head because a switch device is locked during use of the cleaner.

Embodiments described in the invention and configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely examples of the embodiments of the invention, and may be modified in various different ways at the time of filing of the present application to replace the embodiments and drawings of the invention.

In addition, the same reference numerals or signs illustrated in the drawings of the invention indicate elements or components performing substantially the same function.

Also, the terms used herein are used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit and / or restrict the invention. The singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this invention, the terms "including", "having", and the like are used to specify features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, elements, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, but elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the invention, a first element may be termed as a second element, and a second element may be termed as a first element. The term of "and / or" includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items.

In the following detailed description, the terms of "front side", "rear side", "left side", "right side" and the like may be defined by the drawings, but the shape and the location of the component is not limited by the term.

Hereinafter an embodiment according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In <FIG>, a portion in which a head assembly <NUM> is arranged may be defined as a front side, and a portion in which a handle <NUM> is arranged may be defined as a rear side. That is, it may be defined that air is introduced from the front side of a cleaner <NUM> and discharged to the rear side. However, the shape and position of each component is not limited by the terms defined in this way.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention. <FIG> is an exploded-perspective view illustrating the cleaner illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cleaner illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the cleaner <NUM> may include a head assembly <NUM>, a housing <NUM> coupled to the head assembly <NUM>, and a main body <NUM> movably provided inside the housing <NUM>.

The head assembly <NUM> may include a suction head <NUM> provided to suck rubbish, which is such as hair on a surface to be cleaned, by a suction force of air. The suction head <NUM> is provided to suck rubbish such as dust placed on a surface to be cleaned while moving on the surface to be cleaned. The head assembly <NUM> may include the suction head <NUM>, a neck <NUM>, and a switch device <NUM>.

An air flow path 11a may be formed inside the suction head <NUM>. The air flow path 11a formed inside the suction head <NUM> may communicate with the housing <NUM> through the neck <NUM>. Outside air and rubbish introduced through the suction head <NUM> may be moved into the housing <NUM> through the neck <NUM>.

The neck <NUM> may be coupled to a lower end of the housing <NUM>. The neck <NUM> may be coupled to the housing <NUM> through the switch device <NUM>. For example, in the neck <NUM>, a coupling protrusion <NUM> provided in the switch device <NUM> may be fastened to a fastening protrusion 21a provided in a lower end of the housing (refer to <FIG>).

The neck <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the suction head <NUM>. As the neck <NUM> is rotated about the suction head <NUM>, the suction head <NUM> may be rotated about the housing <NUM> connected to the neck <NUM>. Accordingly, a degree of freedom of the driving the cleaner <NUM> may be improved.

The switch device <NUM> is configured to fix or release a coupling state between the head assembly <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. For example, the switch device <NUM> may couple the head assembly <NUM> to the housing <NUM> or separate the housing <NUM> from the head assembly <NUM>. A user may operate the switch device <NUM> to separate the housing <NUM> from the head assembly <NUM>. The switch device <NUM> may be arranged on one side of the neck <NUM>. For example, the switch device <NUM> may be arranged in a rear side of the neck <NUM>. As the switch device <NUM> is arranged on the head assembly <NUM>, the user can separate the housing <NUM> from the head assembly <NUM> (for example, the suction head <NUM>) by operating the switch device <NUM> using the foot without bending at the waist.

The housing <NUM> may form a portion of an exterior of the cleaner <NUM>. One end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may be mounted to the head assembly <NUM>. Particularly, the one end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may be mounted to the neck <NUM>. The main body <NUM> may be movably fixed to other end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may include a hollow <NUM> formed to allow the main body <NUM> to be movably inserted therein, and a fixing portion <NUM> formed on the other end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The main body <NUM> may be received in the housing <NUM>. For example, the main body <NUM> may be inserted into the hollow <NUM>. The fixing portion <NUM> may couple the main body <NUM> to the housing <NUM> so as to fix the main body <NUM> and the housing <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may be slidably coupled to the housing <NUM>. It is possible to separate the main body <NUM> from the housing <NUM> to discharge rubbish, which is filtered out in dust collecting chambers <NUM> and <NUM> arranged in the main body <NUM>, to the outside. With respect to the housing <NUM>, the main body <NUM> may be movable between a first position for closing the dust collecting chambers <NUM> and <NUM> and a second position for opening the dust collecting chambers <NUM> and <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may include an extended portion <NUM> forming a part of an exterior of the cleaner <NUM>. A space 31a provided to receive an electric wire extending toward an operation switch <NUM> may be formed inside the extended portion <NUM>. In the space 31a, a wire W provided to connect a fixing release button (not shown) to a fixing device (not shown) may be received.

The main body <NUM> may include the handle <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may be arranged at the rear of the extended portion <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may be arranged at the other end opposite to one end at which an opening and closing device <NUM> of the main body <NUM> is arranged. For example, the opening and closing device <NUM> may be arranged on the lower end of the main body <NUM>, and the handle <NUM> may be arranged on an upper end of the main body <NUM>. When a user uses the cleaner <NUM>, the user may push or pull the head assembly <NUM> by gripping the handle <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> may be provided with the operation switch <NUM> for controlling an operation of the cleaner <NUM>. The operation switch <NUM> is provided to receive a command for operating the cleaner <NUM> from the user. The operation switch <NUM> may be arranged adjacent to the handle <NUM> to allow the user to operate the cleaner <NUM> while the user moves the cleaner <NUM>. For example, the operation switch <NUM> may be arranged in the front side of the handle <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may include a battery mounting portion <NUM>. A battery <NUM> may be mounted in the battery mounting portion <NUM>. One or two or more batteries <NUM> may be provided. The battery mounting portion <NUM> may be located inside the housing <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may be provided with the fan motor unit <NUM> configured to generate a suction force necessary to suck rubbish on a surface to be cleaned. The fan motor unit <NUM> may be configured to introduce outside air through the head assembly <NUM> and discharge the suctioned air through a discharge port (not shown) arranged on a rear surface of the housing <NUM>. The fan motor unit <NUM> in a state of being mounted on the main body <NUM> may be arranged inside the housing <NUM>. The fan motor unit <NUM> may include a fan motor <NUM>.

A motor filter <NUM> may be provided in the main body <NUM>. The motor filter <NUM> may be provided to once again filter out the rubbish in the air before being introduced into the fan motor unit <NUM>. The motor filter <NUM> may be arranged in front of the fan motor unit <NUM> along a direction in which the air passing through a rubbish separation device <NUM> is discharged. The motor filter <NUM> may be arranged between the fan motor unit <NUM> and the rubbish separation device <NUM>. The motor filter <NUM> may filter out rubbish from the air passing through the rubbish separation device <NUM>. The motor filter <NUM> may be provided as a mesh member.

The motor filter <NUM> may be detachably mounted to a filter case <NUM>. The motor filter <NUM> in a state of being mounted on the filter case <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may be arranged inside the housing <NUM>. The motor filter <NUM> of the cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention may prevent the fan motor unit <NUM> from being damaged by rubbish or the like, and allow relatively clean air to be discharged.

The dust collecting chambers <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed inside the housing <NUM>. The dust collecting chambers <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided in plural. The plurality of dust collecting chambers <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first dust collecting chamber <NUM> and a second dust collecting chamber <NUM>. In addition, a filtering device <NUM> may be provided inside the housing <NUM>. The first dust collecting chamber <NUM> may collect rubbish that is filtered out when air, which is introduced through the head assembly <NUM>, passes through the filtering device <NUM> through the neck <NUM>.

Air passing through the filtering device <NUM> may be secondarily filtered by the rubbish separation device <NUM>. The rubbish filtered out by the rubbish separation device <NUM> may be collected in the second dust collecting chamber <NUM>. The air filtered in the rubbish separation device <NUM> may be moved toward the motor filter <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may include the rubbish separation device <NUM>. The rubbish separation device <NUM> may include a cyclone. The rubbish separation device <NUM> may separate rubbish, which is not filtered out in the first dust collecting chamber <NUM>, from the air by using a centrifugal force. Because the rubbish separation device <NUM> separates the rubbish from the air passing through the filtering device <NUM> in a different way from the filtering device <NUM>, the cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention may increase the cleaning efficiency.

The cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention may be provided such that a portion of the main body <NUM>, in which the fan motor unit <NUM> is arranged, is partitioned from the battery mounting portion <NUM>. That is, air flowing by the fan motor unit <NUM> may not be moved to the battery mounting portion <NUM> and the handle <NUM>, but directly discharged through a motor discharge port <NUM> and a discharge port (not shown) of the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, the cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention may minimize the discharge of the air toward the user.

The main body <NUM> may include the opening and closing device <NUM> configured to open and close the first dust collecting chamber <NUM>. The opening and closing device <NUM> may be arranged at an end portion of the main body <NUM> facing the head assembly <NUM>. For example, the opening and closing device <NUM> may be arranged on the lower end portion of the main body <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may include a first rubbish removing member <NUM> provided to discharge the rubbish from the first dust collecting chamber <NUM>. The first rubbish removing member <NUM> may be provided to slide on the first dust collecting chamber <NUM>. A first rubbish removing portion <NUM> may be composed of a material having elasticity. The first rubbish removing portion <NUM> may be formed to be in close contact with an inner wall of the filtering device <NUM>. The first rubbish removing portion <NUM> may be provided to be in close contact with one surface, on which rubbish is filtered out, of the filtering device <NUM>. In response to the main body <NUM> sliding with respect to the housing <NUM>, the first rubbish removing portion <NUM> may slide while being in close contact with the inner surface of the filtering device <NUM>. In response to the main body <NUM> being moved to the inside of the housing <NUM>, the first dust removing portion <NUM> may scrape the inner surface of the filtering device <NUM> and remove the rubbish, such as hair, tangled on the inner surface of the filtering device <NUM>.

The first rubbish removing member <NUM> may be moved from a first position between the filtering device <NUM> and the rubbish separation device <NUM> to a second position protruding to the outside of the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, the first rubbish removing member <NUM> may discharge the rubbish collected in the first dust collecting chamber <NUM> to the outside. In addition, because the first rubbish removing member <NUM> protrudes to the outside of the housing <NUM>, dust collected in the second dust collecting chamber <NUM> may also be discharged to the outside.

The main body <NUM> may include a first connection portion <NUM> provided to connect the first rubbish removing member <NUM> to the opening and closing device <NUM>. The first connection portion <NUM> may be arranged in the first dust collecting chamber <NUM>. The first rubbish removing member <NUM> may be interlocked with the opening and closing device <NUM> by the first connection portion <NUM>.

A discharge opening <NUM> may be formed between the plurality of first connection portions <NUM>. The discharge opening <NUM> may be formed between the first rubbish removing member <NUM> and the opening and closing device <NUM>. In response to the opening and closing device <NUM> opening the first dust collecting chamber <NUM> and in response to the first rubbish removing member <NUM> discharging the rubbish from the first dust collecting chamber <NUM>, the rubbish may be discharged to the outside through the discharge opening <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may include a second rubbish removing member <NUM> provided to discharge the rubbish from the second dust collecting chamber <NUM>. The second rubbish removing member <NUM> may be provided to slide on the second dust collecting chamber <NUM> and the first dust collecting chamber <NUM>. The second dust collecting chamber <NUM> may be formed between the first rubbish removing member <NUM> and the second rubbish removing member <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may include a second connection portion <NUM> provided to connect the first rubbish removing member <NUM> to the second rubbish removing member <NUM>. The second connection portion <NUM> may be arranged in the second dust collecting chamber <NUM>. The second rubbish removing member <NUM> may be interlocked with the first rubbish removing member <NUM> by the second connection portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of the housing <NUM> and the neck <NUM> in the cleaner illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment of the invention, the housing <NUM> may be connected to the head assembly <NUM>. The neck <NUM> may be respectively coupled to the housing <NUM> and the suction head <NUM> so as to connect the housing <NUM> to the suction head <NUM>. For example, the one end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may be coupled to the neck <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may include the fastening protrusion 21a. The fastening protrusion 21a may be formed on the one end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The fastening protrusion 21a may protrude from one end of the housing <NUM> in an -X direction. For example, the fastening protrusion 21a may protrude rearward from one end of the housing <NUM>. The fastening protrusion 21a may be fastened to the coupling protrusion <NUM> provided on the switch device <NUM>. In response to the fastening protrusion 21a being coupled to the coupling protrusion <NUM>, the fastening protrusion 21a may be arranged under the coupling protrusion <NUM>. Accordingly, the housing <NUM> may be coupled to the switch device <NUM>. Because the switch device <NUM> is coupled to the neck <NUM>, the neck <NUM> may be coupled to the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded-perspective view illustrating the neck <NUM> of the cleaner illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded-perspective view illustrating the neck <NUM> of the cleaner illustrated in <FIG> when viewed from another angle.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the neck <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention may include an outer case <NUM> and an inner case <NUM> provided inside the outer case <NUM>. The outer case <NUM> and the inner case <NUM> may be provided in a substantially cylindrical shape.

The outer case <NUM> may include a first case portion 110a and a second case portion 110b. The first case portion 110a may be arranged in an X direction, and the second case portion 110b may be arranged in the -X direction. For example, the first case portion 110a may be provided on the front side, and the second case portion 110b may be provided on the rear side. The second case portion 110b may include an elastic member receiving portion <NUM> provided to receive an elastic member <NUM> between the second case portion 110b and the inner case <NUM>. For example, the elastic member receiving portion <NUM> may be provided in a rear portion of the outer case <NUM>. In addition, the elastic member receiving portion <NUM> may protrude from the rear portion of the outer case <NUM> toward the front side to receive the elastic member <NUM>. The second case portion 110b may include a penetrating portion <NUM>. The penetrating portion <NUM> may be provided as an opening to allow an insertion protrusion <NUM> of a switch button <NUM> to be inserted into an insertion groove <NUM> of a first switch member <NUM>.

The inner case <NUM> may be arranged inside the outer case <NUM>. The inner case <NUM> may include a recessed portion 120a and a through hole 120b. The recessed portion 120a may be formed by being recessed from the inner surface of the inner case <NUM>. The recessed portion 120a may be provided in a shape corresponding to the lower end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The through hole 120b may be formed to penetrate the recessed portion 120a. In response to the housing <NUM> being coupled to the neck <NUM>, the coupling protrusion <NUM> of the second switch member <NUM> may pass through the through hole 120b and then be fastened to the coupling protrusion 21a of the housing <NUM>. The recessed portion 120a and the through hole 120b may be provided on the -X direction side of the inner case <NUM>. For example, the recessed portion 120a and the through hole 120b may be provided in a rear portion of the inner case <NUM>. The recessed portion 120a and the through hole 120b may be provided in plural. For example, two recessed portions 120a and two through holes 120b may be provided. However, the number of the recessed portion 120a and the through-holes 120b is not limited thereto.

The inner case <NUM> may include a shaft mounting portion <NUM> and a screw groove <NUM>. The shaft mounting portion <NUM> may be formed to correspond to a shaft <NUM> to be coupled to the shaft <NUM> of the first switch member <NUM>. For example, the shaft mounting portion <NUM> may be provided in the rear portion of the inner case <NUM>. The shaft mounting portion <NUM> may be provided to support the shaft <NUM>. For example, the shaft mounting portion <NUM> may include two mounting portions protruding rearward and in which a middle portion of the shaft mounting portion <NUM> is recessed. However, the shape and/or the number of the shaft mounting portion <NUM> is not limited to the above example. The screw groove <NUM> may be coupled to a screw <NUM> to couple a holder <NUM> to the inner case <NUM>.

The neck <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention may further include the holder <NUM>, a rotating shaft <NUM>, and the elastic member <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> may be provided outside a rotating member <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may allow the rotating member <NUM> to be rotated smoothly within the inner case <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may prevent the rotating member <NUM> from being separated from the inner case <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may be mounted on the cases <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the holder <NUM> may be mounted on the inner case <NUM> to couple the rotating member <NUM> to the inner case <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may include a holder body 130a, a receiving portion <NUM>, a case coupling portion <NUM>, a mounting hole <NUM>, a shaft coupling portion <NUM>, and the screw <NUM>.

The receiving portion <NUM> may be formed inside the holder body 130a. For example, the receiving portion <NUM> may be formed in a middle portion of the holder body 130a. The receiving portion <NUM> may be hollow in the holder body 130a. The receiving portion <NUM> may receive the rotating member <NUM> to allow the rotating member <NUM> to be naturally rotated according to gravity during use of the cleaner. A portion of the rotating shaft <NUM> may be received in an upper portion of the receiving portion <NUM>.

The case coupling portion <NUM> may be provided on opposite sides of the holder body 130a. That is, the case coupling portion <NUM> may be provided in plural. The case coupling portion <NUM> may protrude from the holder body 130a to opposite sides to allow the holder <NUM> to be mounted on the inner case <NUM>. For example, the case coupling portion <NUM> may protrude from the holder body 130a in a Y direction and/or a - Y direction. A holder coupling portion (not shown) corresponding to the case coupling portion <NUM> may be provided in the inner case <NUM>. The holder coupling portion may be provided under the shaft mounting portion <NUM>.

The mounting hole <NUM> may be provided at an upper portion of the holder body 130a. The mounting hole <NUM> may allow the screw <NUM> to pass therethrough. The screw <NUM> may pass through the mounting hole <NUM> so as to be coupled to the screw groove <NUM> provided in the inner case <NUM>. The screw <NUM> may be inserted into the screw groove <NUM> in the X direction. For example, the screw <NUM> may be inserted into the screw groove <NUM> toward the front. Accordingly, the screw <NUM> may allow the holder <NUM> to be coupled to the inner case <NUM>.

The shaft coupling portion <NUM> may be provided to allow the rotating shaft <NUM> to be coupled to the holder body 130a. The shaft coupling portion <NUM> may penetrate the holder body 130a.

The rotating shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the rotating member <NUM> and the holder <NUM>. The rotating shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the shaft coupling portion <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM> and the shaft coupling portion <NUM> of the holder <NUM>, respectively. The rotating shaft <NUM> may allow the rotating member <NUM> to be rotatably coupled to the holder <NUM>. The rotating shaft <NUM> may be received in the inner case <NUM>.

The elastic member <NUM> may be arranged between the inner case <NUM> and the outer case <NUM>. Further, the elastic member <NUM> may be arranged between the second switch member <NUM> and the second case portion 110b. The elastic member <NUM> may be arranged above the shaft <NUM>. Accordingly, the elastic member <NUM> may elastically press the switch member <NUM> and <NUM> to allow the plurality of switch members <NUM> and <NUM> to return to a process that is before the process in which the neck <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are separated from each other. Details will be described later.

The cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention may include the switch device <NUM>. The switch device <NUM> is configured to couple the housing <NUM> to the head assembly <NUM> or to separate the housing <NUM> from the head assembly <NUM>. For example, the switch device <NUM> may couple the housing <NUM> to the neck <NUM> or separate the housing <NUM> from the neck <NUM>. A user may separate the housing <NUM> from the neck <NUM> by stepping on the switch device <NUM> with a foot. The switch device <NUM> may be arranged at the rear of the neck <NUM>. Accordingly, the user may separate the housing <NUM> from the head assembly <NUM> (e.g., the neck <NUM>) by operating the switch device <NUM> using the foot without bending at the waist.

The switch device <NUM> may include the switch button <NUM> and switch members <NUM> and <NUM>. The switch button <NUM> may be provided at the rear of the neck <NUM> to be pressed by the user. Because the switch button <NUM> is provided on the outside of the neck <NUM> (e.g., the rear of the neck <NUM>), the user can easily separate the neck <NUM> and the housing <NUM> by stepping on the switch button <NUM> with the feet. The switch button <NUM> may include a pushing portion <NUM>, the insertion protrusion <NUM>, a cover member <NUM>, and a connection shaft <NUM>.

The pushing portion <NUM> may be pushed by a user. The pushing portion <NUM> may extend in the Y direction and/or the -Y direction to be pressed by the user. For example, the user may press the pushing portion <NUM> in a -Z direction (e.g., downward direction). The shape of the pushing portion <NUM> is not limited to the illustrated example.

The insertion protrusion <NUM> may protrude in the X direction to be inserted into the first switch member <NUM>. For example, the insertion protrusion <NUM> may protrude toward the front side. The insertion protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into the insertion groove <NUM> of the first switch member <NUM>. The insertion protrusion <NUM> may include a plurality of protrusion shapes. However, the shape of the insertion protrusion <NUM> is not limited to that illustrated in the drawings.

The cover member <NUM> may be coupled to opposite ends of the pushing portion <NUM> to cover the opposite ends of the pushing portion <NUM>. The connection shaft <NUM> may protrude toward an inside of the switch button <NUM> to allow a wheel <NUM>, which is mounted on the switch button <NUM>, to be coupled thereto. The connection shaft <NUM> may protrude in the -Y direction and/or the Y direction.

The switch members <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled to the switch button <NUM> to allow the housing <NUM> and the neck <NUM> to be coupled to each other and/or separated from each other. The switch members <NUM> and <NUM> may be arranged between the inner case <NUM> and the outer case <NUM>. That is, the switch members <NUM> and <NUM> may be received in the cases <NUM> and <NUM>. The switch members <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided in plural. The plurality of switch members <NUM> and <NUM> may include the first switch member <NUM> and a second switch member <NUM>.

The first switch member <NUM> may be coupled to the switch button <NUM>. The first switch member <NUM> may be arranged under the second switch member <NUM>. The first switch member <NUM> may include a body 220a, the shaft <NUM>, an insertion portion <NUM>, the insertion groove <NUM>, a first coupling portion <NUM>, and a contact portion <NUM>.

The shaft <NUM> may be provided in a middle portion of the body 220a. The shaft <NUM> may allow the plurality of switch members <NUM> and <NUM> to be rotated according to whether the switch button <NUM> is pressed. The shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the shaft coupling portion <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> may be supported by the shaft coupling portion <NUM>. The switch members <NUM> and <NUM> may be rotated by the shaft <NUM>, and thus the housing <NUM> and the neck <NUM> may be coupled to each other or separated from each other. Details will be described later.

The insertion portion <NUM> may be provided in an upper portion of the body 220a. The insertion portion <NUM> may extend in a Z direction (e.g., upward direction) and be inserted into an insertion hole <NUM> of the second switch member <NUM>. The insertion portion <NUM> may be placed in the insertion hole <NUM>. The insertion portion <NUM> may be inserted into the second switch member <NUM>.

The insertion groove <NUM> may correspond to the insertion protrusion <NUM> of the switch button <NUM>. The insertion groove <NUM> may be a recess <NUM> to receive the insertion protrusion <NUM>. Because the insertion groove <NUM> is coupled to the insertion protrusion <NUM>, the switch button <NUM> may be systematically coupled to the first switch member <NUM>, and the switch device <NUM> may be simultaneously rotated according to whether the user presses the pushing portion <NUM>.

The first coupling portion <NUM> may be coupled to the second coupling portion <NUM> of the second switch member <NUM>. In addition, the first coupling portion <NUM> may be arranged under the second coupling portion <NUM> to be coupled to the second coupling portion <NUM>. In addition, the first coupling portion <NUM> may be arranged in front of the second coupling portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the first switch member <NUM> and the second switch member <NUM> may be systematically rotated and/or moved. In response to the first switch member <NUM> being coupled to the second switch member <NUM>, the first coupling portion <NUM> may be placed in front of the second coupling portion <NUM>. Details will be described later.

The contact portion <NUM> may be provided in a lower portion of the first switch member <NUM>. The contact portion <NUM> may be in contact with the rotating member <NUM> in response to the neck <NUM> being separated from the housing <NUM>, or in response to the neck <NUM> being in a second position P2. The second position P2 may be a position in which the neck <NUM> is inclined with respect to the suction head <NUM>. The contact portion <NUM> may protrude from the lower portion of the body 220a of the first switch member <NUM> in the X-axis direction (e.g., forward).

The second switch member <NUM> may be coupled to the first switch member <NUM>. Because the first switch member <NUM> is coupled to the switch button <NUM>, the second switch member <NUM> may be rotated and/or moved according to whether the switch button <NUM> is pressed. The second switch member <NUM> may be provided above the first switch member <NUM> and the switch button <NUM>. The second switch member <NUM> includes a body 230a, an extended portion 230b, the coupling protrusion <NUM> and the second coupling portion <NUM>, an elastic member receiving portion <NUM>, and the insertion hole <NUM>.

The extended portion 230b may extend from a middle portion of the body 230a to opposite sides. The extended portion 230b may extend in the Y direction and/or the - Y direction. For example, the extended portion 230b may extend in a left and/or right direction.

The coupling protrusion <NUM> may allow the neck <NUM> and the housing <NUM> to be coupled to each other. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may be coupled to the fastening protrusion 21a of the housing <NUM>. For example, in response to the coupling protrusion <NUM> being coupled to the fastening protrusion 21a, the coupling protrusion <NUM> may be arranged above the coupling protrusion 21a and the coupling protrusion 21a may be arranged below the coupling protrusion <NUM>. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may protrude from the extended portion 230b in the X direction. For example, the coupling protrusion <NUM> may protrude forward from the extended portion 230b. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may protrude forward and be arranged inside the inner case <NUM>. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may be provided in plural to allow the switch device <NUM> to be stably coupled to the housing <NUM>. However, the number and/or shape of the coupling protrusion <NUM> is not limited to the example illustrated in the drawings or the example described above.

The second coupling portion <NUM> may be coupled to the first coupling portion <NUM> of the first switch member <NUM>. Accordingly, the first switch member <NUM> and the second switch member <NUM> may be systematically rotated and/or moved. In response to the first switch member <NUM> being coupled to the second switch member <NUM>, the first coupling portion <NUM> may be placed in front of the second coupling portion <NUM>. Accordingly, in response to the first coupling portion <NUM> being rotated rearward (clockwise in the drawing) according to the rotation of the shaft <NUM>, the second coupling portion <NUM> arranged at the rear of the first coupling portion <NUM> may be rotated accordingly. Therefore, the first switch member <NUM> and the second switch member <NUM> may be systematically rotated.

The elastic member receiving portion <NUM> of the second switch member <NUM> may receive the elastic member <NUM> between the elastic member receiving portion <NUM> and the elastic member receiving portion <NUM> of the outer case <NUM>. The elastic member receiving portion <NUM> may be formed on a rear surface of the body 230a. The insertion portion <NUM> of the first switch member <NUM> may be inserted into the insertion hole <NUM>. Accordingly, the second switch member <NUM> and the first switch member <NUM> may be coupled to each other.

The switch device <NUM> may further include the wheel <NUM> and a fastener <NUM>. The wheel <NUM> may be coupled to the switch button <NUM>. The wheel <NUM> may assist the movement of the cleaner <NUM> during use of the cleaner <NUM>. The fastener <NUM> may allow the first switch member <NUM> and the switch button <NUM> to be coupled to each other. The fastener <NUM> may be inserted into the insertion protrusion <NUM> and the insertion groove <NUM> in the X-direction (e.g., forward).

The cleaner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention may include the rotating member <NUM>. The rotating member <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the inner case <NUM>. The rotating member <NUM> may be arranged between the inner case <NUM> and the outer case <NUM>. Particularly, the rotating member <NUM> may be received in the holder <NUM>. The rotating member <NUM> may be coupled to the holder <NUM> by the rotating shaft <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may be coupled to the inner case <NUM> by the case coupling portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the rotating member <NUM> may be rotated in the inner case <NUM> through the rotating shaft <NUM> according to the movement of the cleaner <NUM> and/or the neck <NUM>. The rotating member <NUM> may include a first point <NUM> and a second point <NUM>. For example, the first point <NUM> may be provided above the second point <NUM>. A center of gravity may be arranged in a lower portion of the rotating member <NUM>. For example, the rotating member <NUM> may be a mass body. The rotating member <NUM> may be referred to as a rotating body <NUM>. The first point <NUM> may be an upper portion of the rotating body <NUM>. The second point <NUM> may be a lower portion of the rotating body <NUM>. A cross-sectional area of the rotating body <NUM> at the second point <NUM> may be greater than a cross-sectional area of the rotating body <NUM> at the first point <NUM>. The rotating body <NUM> may prevent the housing <NUM> and the neck <NUM> from being separated, which is caused by the pressure of the switch device <NUM>, during use of the cleaner <NUM>. For example, in response to the neck <NUM> being in the second position P2, the rotating body <NUM> may lock the switching device <NUM> to prevent the neck <NUM> and the housing <NUM> from being separated from each other. The second position P2 may be a position in which the neck <NUM> is inclined with respect to the suction head <NUM>. The rotating member <NUM> may be a locking member <NUM>. Details will be described later.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the neck <NUM> of the cleaner illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of separating the housing <NUM> from the neck in the cleaner <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, according to an embodiment of the invention, the neck <NUM> may include the first position P1 and the second position P2. For example, the neck <NUM> may be located in the first position P1 in which the neck <NUM> is separable from the housing <NUM> or the second position P2 in which the neck <NUM> is fixed to the housing <NUM>. The first position P1 of the neck <NUM> may be a position in which the neck <NUM> is substantially perpendicular to the suction head <NUM>. That is, an angle between the neck <NUM> and the suction head <NUM> may be approximately <NUM> degrees. In general, the angle between the neck <NUM> and the suction head <NUM> being approximately <NUM> degrees may indicate that the user stops using the cleaner. Therefore, in order that that the neck <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are separated from each in response to the operation of the cleaner being stopped, the neck <NUM> and the housing <NUM> may be separatable from each other in response to the neck <NUM> being in the first position P1. However, the cleaner <NUM> may be operated even when the neck <NUM> is in the first position P1. Accordingly, the air sucked into the cleaner <NUM>, which is the air containing rubbish, may pass through the air flow path 11a and the first dust collecting chamber <NUM> sequentially.

According to an embodiment of the invention, in response to the neck <NUM> being in the first position P1, the rotating member <NUM> may not be in contact with the switch device <NUM>. For example, in response to the neck <NUM> being in the first position P1, since the rotating member <NUM> may be not in contact with the first switch member <NUM>, so the neck <NUM> may not be locked.

In response to the neck <NUM> being in the first position P1, the housing <NUM> and the neck <NUM> may be coupled to each other. For example, the fastening protrusion 21a and the coupling protrusion <NUM> may be fastened to each other. Although not illustrated in <FIG>, the fastening protrusion 21a may be coupled to the coupling protrusion <NUM> under the coupling protrusion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the user may press the pushing portion <NUM>. For example, the pushing portion <NUM> may be pressed downward by the user. At this time, the switch button <NUM> may be rotated (clockwise in the drawing) while being moved downward. That is, because the shaft <NUM> of the first switch member <NUM> is mounted on the shaft mounting portion <NUM>, the switch button <NUM> may also be rotated in response to rotation of the shaft <NUM>. In other words, the switch button <NUM> and the first switch member <NUM> may be rotated in association with each other by the user's pressure. In this case, the first switch member <NUM> may be in contact with a side surface of the rotating body <NUM>. The first switch member <NUM> may push the rotating body <NUM> so as to rotate the rotating body <NUM> at a predetermined angle. Because the second switch member <NUM> and the first switch member <NUM> are coupled to each other by the coupling portions <NUM> and <NUM>, the insertion portion <NUM> and the insertion hole <NUM>, the second switch member <NUM> and the first switch member <NUM> may be rotated in association with each other. Accordingly, the coupling protrusion <NUM> may be separated from the through hole 120b in the -X direction (e.g., rearward). In this case, the fastening protrusion 21a and the coupling protrusion <NUM> may be separated from each other. In a state in which the coupling protrusion <NUM> is separated from the fastening protrusion 21a and separated from the through hole 120b, the housing <NUM> and the neck <NUM> may be separated from each other in response to the housing <NUM> being moved in the Z direction (e.g., upward) by the user. Accordingly, the user can easily separate the housing <NUM> from the neck <NUM> without bending at the waist and pressing the button. In addition, after separating the housing <NUM> from the neck <NUM>, the user may easily treat the rubbish collected in the dust collecting chamber.

In response to the first switch member <NUM> and the second switch member <NUM> being rotated by pressing the pushing portion <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM> provided in the upper portion of the second switch member <NUM> between the second switch member <NUM> and the outer case <NUM> may be compressed. That is, a compressive force may be generated in the elastic member <NUM>. Accordingly, a force to return to an original state is generated in the elastic member <NUM>, and thus the elastic member <NUM> may elastically press the second switch member <NUM>. For example, the elastic member <NUM> may press the second switch member <NUM> in the X direction (e.g., forward) to allow the second switch member <NUM> to return to the state before the second switch member <NUM> presses the pushing portion <NUM>. As a result, in response to the pressing of the pushing portion <NUM> being stopped by the user, the switch device <NUM> may return to the state, which is illustrated in <FIG>, by the elastic member <NUM>.

The cleaner may include a cover member <NUM> provided to cover an upper end of the cases <NUM> and <NUM> in a region in which the housing <NUM> and the neck <NUM> are coupled or separated between the housing <NUM> and the neck <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cleaner illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the neck <NUM> of the cleaner illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, according to an embodiment of the invention, the second position P2 of the neck <NUM> may be a position in which the neck <NUM> is inclined with respect to the suction head <NUM>. The second position P2 may be a position in which the neck <NUM> is not substantially perpendicular to the suction head <NUM>. For example, the angle between the neck <NUM> and the suction head <NUM> may be less than about <NUM> degrees. In response to the neck <NUM> being in the second position P2, the cleaner <NUM> may be operated. Accordingly, the air sucked into the cleaner <NUM>, which is air containing rubbish, may pass through the air flow path 11a and the first dust collecting chamber <NUM> sequentially.

The rotating member <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the holder <NUM> of the neck <NUM>. The rotating member <NUM> may be rotated by gravity. Accordingly, the rotating member <NUM> may be rotated as the cleaner moves and the angle between the neck <NUM> and the suction head <NUM> is changed. In response to the neck <NUM> being in the second position P2, the rotating member <NUM> may be in contact with the switch device <NUM> to lock the switch device <NUM>. For example, a lower surface <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM> may be in contact with the contact portion <NUM>. The second point <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM> may correspond to the lower surface <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM>. In response to the switch button <NUM> being pressed in a state in which the neck <NUM> is in an inclined position with the suction head <NUM>, the first switch member <NUM> may press the lower surface <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM>. For example, the contact portion <NUM> may be in contact with the lower surface <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM> to press the lower surface <NUM>. However, in response to pressing the lower surface <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM>, unlike pressing the side surface of the rotating member <NUM>, the rotating member <NUM> may not be rotated and thus the switch button <NUM> and/or the switch member <NUM> and <NUM> may not be rotated. Accordingly, the switch device <NUM> may be locked.

The rotating member <NUM> may correspond to a locking member <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> may lock the switch device <NUM> to prevent the housing <NUM> and the neck <NUM> from being separated. Therefore, in general, the switch button <NUM> may be pressed due to surrounding objects during the user uses the cleaner. Even in this case, the locking member <NUM> may lock the switch device <NUM>, and thus the neck <NUM> and the housing <NUM> may not be separated, as illustrated in the drawings.

For example, the first switch member <NUM> may be in contact with the second point <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM>. The second point <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM> may be provided to be inclined downward so as to have a larger cross-sectional area than the first point <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM>. Because the cross-sectional area at the second point <NUM> of the rotating member <NUM> is larger than the cross-sectional area at the first point <NUM>, the rotating member <NUM> may be easily rotated by gravity.

Because the switch device <NUM> is locked as the rotating member <NUM> is in contact with the first switch member <NUM>, even if the user steps on the switch button <NUM> or the switch button <NUM> is pressed due to an object, the first switch member <NUM> and the second switch member <NUM> may not be rotated. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an accident in which the housing <NUM> and the neck <NUM> are separated from each other unexpectedly. As a result, the user can easily perform cleaning without having to worry that the housing <NUM> and the neck <NUM> are unexpectedly separated.

Claim 1:
A cleaner (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) to house
a fan motor (<NUM>) configured to generate a suction force, and
a dust collecting chamber (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to collect foreign substances;
a suction head (<NUM>) having an air flow path (11a), the suction head (<NUM>) couplable to the housing (<NUM>) to and configured to guide the foreign substances along the air flow path (11a), using the suction force generated by the fan motor (<NUM>), from a surface to be cleaned to the dust collecting chamber (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a neck (<NUM>) disposed between the suction head (<NUM>) and the housing (<NUM>) and configured to connect the suction head (<NUM>) to the housing (<NUM>), the neck (<NUM>) rotatable with respect to the suction head (<NUM>) and couplable to and decouplable from the housing (<NUM>);
a switch device (<NUM>) disposed on one side of the neck (<NUM>) to allow the neck (<NUM>) and the housing (<NUM>) to be couplable to and decouplable from each other; and
a rotating body (<NUM>) rotatably couplable to the neck (<NUM>) and configured to lock the switch device (<NUM>) while the neck (<NUM>) is at a first position with respect to the suction head (<NUM>) and unlock the switch device (<NUM>) while the neck (<NUM>) is at a second position with respect to the suction head (<NUM>).