US20050198771A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20050198771A1
Application number: US11/006,785
Authority: US
Inventors: Young Min; Jae Jung
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2004-03-11
Filing date: 2004-12-08
Publication date: 2005-09-15

Abstract

Disclosed is a vacuum cleaner for easily cleaning an inside of a dust collector and for easily cleaning and replacing a filter, the vacuum cleaner including a suction nozzle for drawing in air containing impurities such as dust; a main body coupled with the suction nozzle and having suction means for generating a suction force therein; a dust collector formed in a cylindrical form and detachably provided at the main body, into which the air drawn in by the suction nozzle is introduced; a suction tube provided on an outer surface of the dust collector for guiding the air drawn in by the suction nozzle to an inside of the dust collector; a separation plate for dividing an inside of the dust collector into an upper inner space and a lower inner space; a filter provided in the upper inner space of the dust collector divided by the separation plate, filtering the air drawn into the dust collector, and guiding the filtered air to the lower inner space of the dust collector; and a lower cover for discharging the air downward by selectively opening and closing a lower surface of the dust collector, the air guided by the filter.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. P2004-16485, P2004-16486, P2004-16488, filed on Mar. 11, 2004, which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner for easily removing impurities accumulated in a dust collector.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

In general, as an apparatus for removing impurities such as dust, a vacuum cleaner is used for cleaning a place that is difficult to clean with a broom or other cleaning tools.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view showing a related art vacuum cleaner. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the related art vacuum cleaner includes amain body1 having suction means built therein for drawing in air, and asuction nozzle2 for drawing in air on a floor by a suction force generated at themain body1.

Themain body1 includes alower body5 with suction means mounted therein, and anupper body6 for protecting parts received in thelower body5 and having electric components (Not shown) received therein for controlling the vacuum cleaner.

Wheels

8 are provided at both sides of themain body1 such that the main body freely moves on a floor. Thewheel8 has anoutlet8afor discharging air drawn in by thesuction nozzle2.

Between themain body1 and thesuction nozzle2, asuction hose3b, anoperating member4, and anextension tube3aare mounted in succession so as to transmit the suction force generated at themain body1 to thesuction nozzle2.

Adust collector10 is mounted at themain body1 for filtering air drawn in through thesuction nozzle2. Accordingly, the air drawn into an inside of themain body1 by thesuction nozzle2 is discharged to an outside of themain body1 through theoutlet8aafter impurities in the air such as dust is removed by thedust collector10.

However, the related art vacuum cleaner has problems in cleaning the inside of the dust collector and replacing the filter provided in the dust collector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a vacuum cleaner that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner enabling cleaning an inside of a dust collector with ease.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner enabling cleaning and replacing a filter with ease.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle for drawing in air containing impurities such as dust; a main body coupled with the suction nozzle and having suction means for generating a suction force therein; a dust collector formed in a cylindrical form and detachably provided at the main body, into which the air drawn in by the suction nozzle is introduced; a suction tube provided on an outer surface of the dust collector for guiding the air drawn in by the suction nozzle to an inside of the dust collector; a separation plate for dividing an inside of the dust collector into an upper inner space and a lower inner space; a filter provided in the upper inner space of the dust collector divided by the separation plate, filtering the air drawn into the dust collector, and guiding the filtered air to the lower inner space of the dust collector; and a lower cover for discharging the air downward by selectively opening and closing a lower surface of the dust collector, the air guided by the filter.

A dust collector mounting member is provided at a central portion of a front surface of the main body and having the dust collector inserted and fixed thereto, and separate cleaning tools for cleaning corners are detachably provided on the outer surface of the main body.

An agitator is provided in the suction nozzle for scratching the impurities stuck on a floor.

Meanwhile, the lower cover includes a first end rotatably coupled with the dust collector by a hinge and a second end detachably provided at the dust collector by coupling means having a projection and a hook.

It is desirable that the filter is a pleated-surface filter, and an opening having the filter inserted therein is provided on an upper surface of the dust collector.

The filter is detachably provided at the opening. A coupling rib is provided on an upper surface of the filter, and a coupling lever coupled with the coupling rib is provided at one side of the opening.

A first discharge tube is provided in the filter for guiding the filtered air to the lower inner space of the dust collector, and a second discharge tube is provided at the lower cover, the second discharge tube passing through the separation plate and communicating with the first discharge tube.

The second discharge tube may be formed as a single body with the lower cover. A discharge tube cover is detachably provided on an upper surface of the second discharge tube for preventing impurities from being entered thereto.

The filter is provided on an upper surface of the separation plate.

In the mean time, a pass through hole may be formed on a circumference of the separation plate, and an outside diameter of the separation plate is formed to be smaller than an inside diameter of the dust collector.

The separation plate is formed as a single body with the lower cover, and a second discharge tube is provided between the separation plate and the lower cover for discharging the air guided by the filter in a downward direction.

Meanwhile, in another aspect of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle for drawing in air containing impurities such as dust; a main body coupled with the suction nozzle and having suction means generating a suction force therein; a handle provided at an upper part of the main body; a dust collector formed in a cylindrical form and detachably provided at the main body, the dust collector into which the air drawn in by the suction nozzle is entered; a separation plate for dividing an inside of the dust collector into an upper inner space and a lower inner space; a filter provided in the upper inner space of the dust collector for filtering the drawn air; a first discharge tube provided in the filter for guiding the filtered air toward the lower inner space of the dust collector; a lower cover for selectively opening and closing the lower surface of the dust collector; and a second discharge tube provided at an upper part of the lower cover and communicated with the first discharge tube for discharging the filtered air in a downward direction of the dust collector.

Yet, in another aspect of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle including a lower plate provided on a lower surface of an inlet that draws in air containing impurities, and an upper plate covering the lower plate and protecting parts provided therein; a main body coupled with the suction nozzle and having suction means for generating a suction force; a wheel provided at both sides of the lower plate; a dust collector formed in a cylindrical form and detachably provided at the main body, into which the air drawn in by the suction nozzle is entered; a filter provided in the dust collector for filtering the drawn air; and a lower cover for selectively opening and closing the lower surface of the dust collector.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings;

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a related art vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing an upright vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing an inner structure of the suction nozzle illustrated inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing a dust collector assembly in a state of being disassembled from the upright vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a disassembled perspective view showing a dust collector assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view showing a dust collector assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view showing a lower cover of the dust collector assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a disassembled perspective view showing a dust collector assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view showing the dust collector assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view showing an opened state of the lower cover of the dust collector in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view showing an inner structure of the dust collector in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a disassembled perspective view showing a canister type vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing an upright vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention,FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing an inner structure of the suction nozzle illustrated inFIG. 2, andFIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing the dust collector assembly in a state of being disassembled from the upright vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the upright type vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention includes asuction nozzle60 moving along a floor and drawing in air containing impurities such as dust, amain body70 coupled with the suction-nozzle60 and provided with suction means generating a suction force therein, and ahandle80 provided at an upper part of themain body70.

Thesuction nozzle60 includes anupper plate61 and alower plate62 forming an exterior thereof, and parts provided therein.Wheels63 are provided at both sides of thelower plate62, and aninlet62a(refer toFIG. 3) is formed on a lower surface thereof for drawing air therein. Theupper plate61 covers thelower plate62 so as to protect the parts provided therein.

In the mean time, anagitator64 is provided in thesuction nozzle60 for scraping the impurities stuck on the floor as illustrates inFIG. 3.

In more detail, theagitator64aincludes a rotary body formed in a cylindrical form, and a brush formed in a spiral form on an outer surface of therotary body64afor removing impurities being stuck on the floor. Thebrush64bcomes into contact with a floor to be cleaned through theinlet62a.

Theagitator61 is coupled with a rotary axis (Ms) of a motor (Not shown) provided at a lower end of themain body70 by means of a coupling belt (V). Accordingly, the agitator is rotated together with the rotary axis when the rotary axis is rotated in accordance with an operation of the motor.

At this time, thebrush64bscrapes off the impurities on the floor, and the impurities scraped off by thebrush64bare drawn in through theinlet62a.

In this case, it is desirable that the rotary axis (Ms) and theagitator64 are provided to be parallel to each other for a smooth power transmission, and the coupling belt (V) is made of a flexible material such as a rubber.

Meanwhile, a temperature sensor (Not shown) is mounted at a side of the motor. The temperature sensor operates on a bimetal principle and automatically cuts off power supply to the motor when the motor is overheated and a temperature of the motor is raised to a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature.

Themain body70 is includes a motor (Not shown) for generating the suction force, and suction means such as a suction fan (Not shown) therein. Themain body70 is rotatably provided to be able to rotate in a rear direction within a predetermined angle by arotary lever65 provided at a rear of thesuction nozzle60.

In other words, when a user holds thehandle80 with a hand and pulls the main body rearward in a state of steeping on the rotary lever, themain body70 is inclined rearward. Accordingly, the user can adjust the angle of themain body70 to be suitable for the height of the user by manipulating therotary lever65 when the user cleans the floor.

Anelectric wire reel71 is provided at a rear surface of themain body70 for winding the electric wire thereon. It is desirable that a couple of theelectric wire reels71 are provided respectively at an upper rear part and a lower rear part of themain body70 to be symmetric to each other.

In the mean time, a lamp (L) is provided at a front end of themain body70 for lightening the front of the vacuum cleaner, and anexhaust cover70ais provided at an upper part of the lamp (L) through which the air being discharged to an outside thereof is passed finally.

An exhaust filter (Not shown) is provided in theexhaust cover70a. The exhaust filter filters the air to be discharged to the outside (Interior space) and discharges refreshed air. A motor (Not shown) is located at a rear of the exhaust filter for providing a driving force for drawing air.

Meanwhile, adust collector assembly100 is provided in a front center of themain body70 for filtering the impurities contained in the air drawn in through thesuction nozzle60.

Thedust collector assembly100 filters impurities by using a cyclone using centrifugal force, or a separate filter. The dust collector assembly can of course filter impurities by using both the cyclone and the filter at the same time.

Thedust collector assembly100 includes adust collector110 formed in a cylindrical form for drawing air therein, the air drawn in by thesuction nozzle60, afilter152, and alower cover180 as illustrated inFIG. 4.

Thedust collector110 is detachably provided at themain body70. In more detail, thedust collector110 is detachably provided at the dustcollector mounting member72. Acoupling loop79 is formed at themain body70, and a coupling groove the coupling loop is coupled thereto is formed at thedust collector110. A dust collector handle130 is provided at an outer surface of thedust collector110.

Accordingly, thedust collector110 is easily separated from thedust collector110 when the user separates thecoupling loop78 from thecoupling groove79 and pulls thedust collector handle130.

The abovementioned process is of course inversely performed when thedust collector110 is coupled to the dustcollector mounting member72.

Meanwhile, aninflow tube74 is formed at the dustcollector mounting member72. A first end of theinflow tube74 is coupled with thedust collector110, and a second end thereof is coupled with theinlet62aof thesuction nozzle60. Therefore, the air drawn in by thesuction nozzle60 is guided into thedust collector110 along theinflow tube74.

Anoutflow tube76 is formed at a lower surface of the dustcollector mounting member72. Theoutflow tube76 guides the air being discharged form thedust collector110 to an outside (Room). In this case, the air flowed along theoutflow tube76 is discharged to the outside thorough the exhaust filter and theexhaust cover70a.

Hereinafter, each component of the dust collector assembly is described in more detail referring to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 5 illustrates a disassembled perspective view showing the dust collector assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view showing the dust collector in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view showing a lower cover of the dust collector assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS.5 to7, asuction pipe112 is provided on an outer surface ofthee dust collector110 for guiding the air drawn in by thesuction nozzle60 into thedust collector110.

Thesuction pipe112 is provided in a tangential direction such that the air drawn into thedust collector110 spirally flows along an inner wall of thedust collector110.

Aseparation plate120 is provided at thedust collector110 for dividing an inner space into an upper inner space and a lower inner space. Theseparation plate120 plays a role of dividing the impurities contained in the air drawn into thedust collector110 according to masses.

In more detail, the impurities with relatively large masses drawn into thedust collector110 drop down toward the lower inner space of thedust collector110 by gravity. In this case, a pass throughhole120ais formed on a circumference of theseparate plate120 for communicating with both the upper inner space and the lower inner space of thedust collector110 such that impurities with large masses pass therethrough.

Accordingly, impurities with large masses drop down toward the lower inner space of thedust collector110, pass through the pass throughhole120a, and accumulate in the lower inner space of thedust collector110. In the end, small mass of impurities accumulates in the upper inner space of thedust collector110 that is divided by theseparation plate120, and impurities with large masses accumulate in the lower inner space thereof.

Meanwhile, thefilter152 is provided in the upper inner space of thedust collector110 that is divided by the separation plate so as to filter the air drawn into thedust collector110. It is desirable that thefilter152 includes a pleated-surface filter that enlarges an area in contact with air to the utmost.

Thefilter152 is made of a material having stiffness more than predetermined stiffness with due regard to strong airflow so as to maintain the form during washing.

Anopening142 is provided on an upper surface of thedust collector110. Theopening142 has a same form as a section of thefilter152 so as to insert the filter therein. In other words, when the filter has a round section, the opening is also formed in a round form.

In this case, thefilter152 is detachably provided at theopening152. For this, acoupling rib156 is provided on an upper surface of thefilter152, and acoupling lever148 coupled with thecoupling rib156 is rotatably provided at one side of theopening142.

In more detail, an upperend fixing member157 is formed on the upper surface of thefilter152, and thecoupling rib156 is formed at one side of the upperend fixing member157. A downwardly recessedloading portion146 is formed at one side of theopening142 and thecoupling lever146 is rotatably provided at the downwardly recessedloading portion146.

The upperend fixing member156 is fastened to the circumference of theopening142, and thecoupling lever148 is rotated on alever hinge149 at one side thereof and coupled with thecoupling rib156 so as to fix the filter to theopening142.

Afilter handle158 is provided at the upperend fixing member156 for the user to easily hold thefilter150. It is desirable that a couple of the filter handles158 are formed on the upper surface of the upperend fixing member156.

In the mean time, thelower cover180 selectively opens/closes a lower surface of thedust collector110. For this, as illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, a first end of thelower cover180 is rotatably coupled with thedust collector110 by thecover hinge182, and a second end thereof is detachably coupled with thedust collector110.

In this case, the coupling means190 includes aprojection192 formed at thelower cover180, ahook194 coupled with theprojection192, and asupport196 formed on an outer surface of thedust collector110.

Thehook192 includes afirst coupling member194aand asecond coupling member194b, and coupled with thesupport196 by thehinge axis198. Accordingly, when the user presses thefirst coupling member194a, the first and

second coupling members

194a,194brotate on thehinge axis198.

A compression spring (S) is provided between thefirst coupling member194aand thedust collector110. The compression spring (S) returns the first and

second coupling members

194aand194bto original places when an external force applied to thefirst coupling member194ais removed. It is obvious that theprojection192 is formed at thedust collector110, and thesupport196 and thehook194 are formed at thelower cover180.

Thelower cover180 includes ananti-rotation plate185 as illustrated inFIG. 7. Theanti-rotation plate185 supports a lower surface of theseparation plate120. Theanti-rotation plate185 blocks a convection current and prevents the impurities accumulated in the lower inner space of thedust collector110 from scattering.

In the mean time, as illustratedFIG. 6, thefilter152 filters the air drawn into thedust collector110 and guides the air to the lower inner space of thedust collector110, and thelower cover180 discharges the air guided by thefilter152 toward the lower portion of thedust collector110.

For this, afirst discharge tube152ais provided in thefilter152 for guiding the filtered air toward the lower inner space of thedust collector110, and asecond discharge tube178 passing thorough theseparation plate120 and communicating with thefirst discharge tube152ais provided at thelower cover180.

In this case, it is desirable that an inside diameter of thesecond discharge tube178 is same as that of thefirst discharge tube152a, and thesecond discharge tube178 and thelower cover180 are formed as a single body.

Adischarge tube cover178ais detachably provided on an upper surface of thesecond discharge tube178. Thedischarge tube cover178ais made of a flexible material such as rubber, and is radially incised a plurality of times.

Theoutflow cover178aprevents the impurities stuck on thefilter152 and the impurities accumulated up in the upper inner space of thedust collector110 from being flowed into thesecond discharge tube178 when thefilter152 is separated from theopening142 of thedust collector110. Thesecond discharge tube178 communicates with an outflow tube76 (Refer toFIG. 4) formed at the dustcollector mounting member72.

In the mean time, aliquid sprayer160 is provided on an inner surface of thedust collector110 for preventing static electricity. Theliquid sprayer160 includes abody162 formed in a cylindrical form and having liquid therein, aspray button164 provided at an upper end of thebody162, and aninjection pipe166 extended from thebody162 toward thefilter152. In this case, thespray button164 is passed though the upper surface of thedust collector110 and is projected to the outside thereof.

Accordingly, when the user presses thespray button164, the liquid stored in thebody162 is raised along a passage (Not shown) therein and sprayed through theinjection pipe166.

In this case, water is normally used for the liquid, and the liquid has an insecticide or germicide aromatic agent, or the like added thereto.

Theliquid sprayer160 is fixed to thedust collector110 by asprayer fixing member170. Thesprayer fixing member170 includes afist supporting plate172 for supporting thebody162 of theliquid sprayer160, a second supportingplate174 for supporting a lower surface of theliquid sprayer160, and aholder176 extended from a central portion on both sides of the first supportingplate172 for covering thebody162 of theliquid sprayer160.

In this case, the first supportingplate172 is formed in an up and down direction with a long length and adhered on an inner surface of thedust collector110, and the second supportingplate174 is formed in a round plate so as to support the lower surface of theliquid sprayer160.

Theholder176 is formed to be a little smaller than thebody162 of thesprayer160 so as to tightly cover the central portion of thebody162 of theliquid sprayer160. It is desirable that the fist and second supporting

plates

172 and174 are formed as a single body with theholder176.

FIG. 8 illustrates a disassembled perspective view showing a dust collector assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the second embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view showing the dust collector assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view showing an opened state of the lower cover of the dust collector in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view showing an inner structure of the dust collector in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS.8 to10, the dust collector assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention includes adust collector110, a filter52, and alower cover180.

In this case, an outside diameter of theseparation plate220 is formed to be smaller that the inside diameter of thedust collector110. Accordingly, agap220ais formed between theseparation plate220 and thedust collector110. Thegap220aplays the same role as the pass throughhole120a. In other words, impurities with large masses among the impurities drawn into thedust collector110 are accumulated in the lower inner space of thedust collector110.

It is desirable that theseparation plate220 and thelower cover180 are formed as a single body. In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 10, theseparation plate220 rotates together with the lower cover1880 and escapes to the outside of thedust collector110 when the lower surface of thedust collector110 is opened. At this time, for preventing theseparation plate220 from being in contact with the inner surface of thedust collector110, the outside diameter of theseparation plate220 is formed to be smaller enough than the inside diameter of thedust collector110. Theseparation plate220 may of course be detachably coupled with thelower cover180.

Asecond discharge tube178 for discharging the air guided by thefilter152 toward a bottom of thedust collector110 is provided between theseparation plate220 and thelower cover180. In this instance, theseparation plate220 is formed as a single body with thesecond discharge tube178, or detachably coupled with an upper surface of thesecond discharge tube178.

As illustrate inFIG. 11, adischarge tube cover178ais provided on the upper surface of thesecond discharge tube178. Thedischarge tube cover178ahas a same structure as that in the aforementioned first embodiment.

Hereinafter, the operation of the vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention will be described as follows.

First, when the vacuum cleaner is operated, a suction force is transmitted to asuction nozzle60 by the operation of a motor (Not shown) built in thebody70. Accordingly, air with impurities is drawn in through aninlet62aof thesuction nozzle60.

The air is flowed into thedust collector110 through aninflow tube74 coupled with theinlet62aand asuction pipe112 formed on an outer surface of the dust collector.

In this case, impurities with large masses among the impurities contained in the air are accumulated in the lower inner space of thedust collector120 through the pass throughhole120aor thegap220a, and the impurities with relatively small masses are filtered while being entered into thefilter152, and accumulated in the upper inner space of thedust collector110. Therefore, the impurities with large masses are accumulated on the upper surface of alower cover180 and the impurities with a small mass on an upper surface of the

separation plate

120 and220.

The air passed through thefilter150 is discharged toward a bottom of thedust collector100 along thefirst discharge tube152aand thesecond discharge tube178. The air is then discharged to the outside through the exhaust filter and theexhaust cover70aafter being passed through a motor (Not shown) along theoutflow tube76 formed at themain body70.

In the mean time, when the vacuum cleaner is operated for a predetermined time and the large amount of impurities are accumulated in thedust collector110, a user opens a lower surface of thedust collector110 for cleaning the inside of thedust collector110.

Hereinafter, a process of opening the lower surface of thedust collector110 is as follows. First, as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 10, when the user presses thefirst coupling member194aof thehook194, thesecond coupling member194bis rotated around thehinge198 and separated from theprojection192. Accordingly, thelower cover180 is rotated around thecover hinge182 so as to open the lower surface of thedust collector110.

When thelower cover180 is opened, the user can easily remove the impurities accumulated in the lower inner space, i.e., on the upper surface of thelower cover180.

In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 10, when theseparation plate220 having an outside diameter smaller than an inside diameter of thedust collector110 is formed as a single body with alower cover180, or fixed to thesecond discharge tube178, theseparation plate220 rotates together with thelower cover180 and escapes to an outside of thedust collector110. Accordingly, the user can remove not only the impurities accumulated on the upper surface of thelower cover180 but also the impurities accumulated on the upper surface of theseparation plate220.

When the user releases pressure on thefirst coupling member194a, thefirst coupling member194aand thesecond coupling member194bare returned to original places by the compression spring (S).

A process of coupling thelower cover180 with thedust collector110 is described as follows. First, when thelower cover180 is lifted upward, thelower cover180 rotates around the axis of thecover hinge182 and closely adhered to thedust collector110. In this instance, the user needs to continuously presses thelower cover180 upwardly with a stronger power than elasticity of the compression spring (S) such that theprojection192 is coupled with thesecond coupling member194bof thehook194.

As aforementioned, when theprojection192 is coupled with thesecond coupling member194bof thehook194, the lower cover186 closes the lower surface of thedust collector110.

In the mean time, thefilter152 has been supposed as a pleated-surface filter. However, thefilter152 may include a net filter, or a filter in a form of a combination net filter and the pleated-surface filter.

Instead of the pleated-surface filter, thefilter152 may be formed not only in a form wherein the net filter is coupled with a sponge, but also in a form wherein a plurality of the pleated-surface filers or the net filters are overlapped.

Although thefilter152 is mounted at anopening142 formed on the upper surface of thedust collector110 in the abovementioned embodiment, thefilter152 may be mounted on the upper surface of theseparation plate120. A separate structure for fixing the filter may be installed in thedust collector110.

FIG. 12 illustrates a disassembled perspective view showing a canister type vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 12, the canister type vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention includes asuction nozzle310, amain body300 coupled with thesuction nozzle310 and having suction means for generating a suction force therein, and adust collector assembly100.

Themain body300 includes alower body300ahaving suction means, and anupper body300bfor protecting the suction means built in thelower body300aand collecting electric parts (Not shown) controlling the vacuum cleaner.

A dustcollector mounting member302 having thedust collector110 inserted and fixed thereto is formed between the lowermain body300aand the uppermain body300b. The dustcollector mounting member302 is formed in a size corresponding to thedust collector110, and anoutflow tube302ais formed on a lower surface thereof for guiding air discharged from the lower surface of thedust collector110.

A coupling button304 is provided at theupper body300bfor coupling the dust collector with themain body300. The coupling button304 is coupled with acoupling groove79 formed on an upper surface of thedust collector110 and secures thedust collector110 to the main body. The coupling button304 performs the same role as thecoupling rib78 formed at themain body70 of the aforementioned upright type vacuum cleaner.

Meanwhile, wheels (W) are provided on both rear sides of thelower body300aso as to smoothly move themain body300 on a floor. Anoutlet306 is formed on the wheels (W) for discharging the air filtered by passing through the filter of thedust collector assembly100. Theoutlet306 is communicated with theoutflow tube302a. Asuction hose320, an operatingmember330, andn extension tube340 are provided between themain body300 and thesuction nozzle310.

In this case, thesuction nozzle320 is coupled with acoupling tube360. Thecoupling tube360 is communicated with thesuction pipe112 formed on the outer surface of thedust collector110.

On a rear surface of themain body300, apower cord350 is provided for supplying power source to the suction means received in themain body300.

The operation of the canister type vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention is described as follows. First, when the power source is supplied to the suction means received in themain body300 through thepower cord350 provided on a rear surface of themain body300, the vacuum cleaner is in a standby mode, and when the user operates a button of the operatingmember330, a suction force is generated by the suction means built in themain body300.

In this instance, the suction force is transmitted to thesuction nozzle310 through thesuction hose320 and theextension tube340 coupled with thecoupling tube360 of theman body300. Accordingly, the impurities such as dust or shag are drawn into the main body together with air through thesuction nozzle310 and accumulated at thedust collector assembly100. The air from which the impurities are removed is discharged to an outside thereof through theoutflow tube302aand a dischargingmember306 formed at thelower body300a.

When the process is repeated, impurities are accumulated at thedust collector assembly100. Accordingly, after a predetermined period of time of using the vacuum cleaner, thedust collector assembly100 is separated from the dustcollector mounting member302 and the impurities therein are removed.

The process of removing the impurities accumulated at the dust collector assembly is described in the embodiment of the upright type vacuum cleaner and will be omitted hereinafter.

The vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention has following effect. First, since the vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention has a filter detachably provided at the dust collector, it is easy to clean and replace the filter.

Second, since the vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention has a sprayer provided on an inner surface of the dust collector, humidity in the dust collector is constantly maintained. Therefore, static electricity generated when the filter is separated from the dust collector is prevented from generating.

Third, the vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention enables to maximize work efficiency because an appropriate filter such as pleated-surface filter and a net filter is selectively used according to the kind of impurities.

Fourth, the vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention enables selectively opening and closing a lower surface of the dust collector by a lower cover, and therefore it is easy to remove impurities accumulated in the dust collector.

When a separation plate is formed as a single body with the lower cover, the separation plate is separated from the dust collector together with the lower cover. In this case, the impurities accumulated on the upper surface of the lower cover as well as the impurities accumulated on the upper surface of the separation plate are removed together.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a suction nozzle for drawing in air containing impurities such as dust;

a main body coupled with the suction nozzle and having suction means for generating a suction force therein;

a dust collector formed in a cylindrical form and detachably provided at the main body, the dust collector into which the air drawn in by the suction nozzle is entered;

a suction tube provided on an outer surface of the dust collector for guiding the air drawn in by the suction nozzle to an inside of the dust collector;

a separation plate for dividing the inside of the dust collector into an upper inner space and a lower inner space;

a filter provided in the upper inner space of the dust collector divided by the separation plate for filtering the air drawn into the dust collector and guiding the filtered air to the lower inner space of the dust collector; and

a lower cover for discharging the air downward by selectively opening and closing a lower surface of the dust collector, the air guided by the filter.

2. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein a dust collector mounting member is provided at a central portion of a front surface of the main body and having the dust collector inserted and fixed thereto.

3. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein separate cleaning tools for cleaning corners are detachably provided on the outer surface of the main body.

4. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein an agitator is provided in the suction nozzle for scratching the impurities stuck on a floor.

5. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein the lower cover includes a first end rotatably coupled with the dust collector by a hinge and a second end detachably provided at the dust collector by coupling means having a projection and a hook.

6. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein the filter is a pleated-surface filter.

7. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein an opening having the filter inserted therein is provided on an upper surface of the dust collector.

8. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 7, wherein the filter is detachably provided at the opening.

9. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 7, wherein a coupling rib is provided on an upper surface of the filter, and a coupling lever coupled with the coupling rib is provided at one side of the opening.

10. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein a first discharge tube is provided in the filter for guiding the filtered air to the lower inner space of the dust collector.

11. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 10, wherein a second discharge tube is provided at the lower cover, the second discharge tube passing through the separation plate and communicating with the first discharge tube.

12. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 11, wherein the second discharge tube is formed as a single body with the lower cover.

13. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 11, wherein a discharge tube cover is detachably provided on an upper surface of the second discharge tube for preventing impurities from being entered thereto.

14. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein the filter is provided on an upper surface of the separation plate.

15. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein a pass through hole is formed on a circumference of the separation plate.

16. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein an outside diameter of the separation plate is formed to be smaller than an inside diameter of the dust collector.

17. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1, wherein the separation plate is formed as a single body with the lower cover.

18. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 17, wherein a second discharge tube is provided between the separation plate and the lower cover for discharging the air guided by the filter in a downward direction.

19. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a suction nozzle for drawing in air containing impurities such as dust;

a main body coupled with the suction nozzle and having suction means generating a suction force therein;

a handle provided at an upper part of the main body;

a dust collector formed in a cylindrical form and detachably provided at the main body, into which the air drawn in by the suction nozzle is entered;

a separation plate for dividing an inside of the dust collector into an upper inner space and a lower inner space;

a filter provided in the upper inner space of the dust collector for filtering the drawn air;

a first discharge tube provided in the filter for guiding the filtered air toward the lower inner space of the dust collector;

a lower cover for selectively opening and closing the lower surface of the dust collector; and

a second discharge tube provided at an upper part of the lower cover and communicated with the first discharge tube for discharging the filtered air in a downward direction of the dust collector.

20. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a suction nozzle including a lower plate provided on a lower surface of an inlet that draws in air containing impurities, and an upper plate covering the lower plate and protecting parts provided therein;

a main body coupled with the suction nozzle and having suction means for genratin a suction force;

a wheel provided at both sides of the lower plate;

a filter provided in the dust collector for filtering the drawn air; and

a lower cover for selectively opening and closing the lower surface of the dust collector.