Vacuum cleaner and dust collection unit thereof

• US 20060037172A1
• Filed: 04/06/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Choi, Jong Seong
• Granted Patent: US 7,555,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/353
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1666 with filtering means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1683 Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles

Abstract

Provided is a dust collection unit of a vacuum cleaner, including a dust collection container and a coupling portion formed at a concaved inside of the dust collection container, for allowing a lower cover to be selectively coupled to the dust collection container. The dust collection unit is firmly supported against an external impact, thereby enhancing the reliability of the vacuum cleaner and preventing the vacuum cleaner from being damaged.

Claims

1. A dust collection unit of a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a dust collection container separating foreign particles contained in air including introduced dust using a rotational stream of the air to collect the separated foreign particles;

a lower cover for selectively opening a lower portion of the dust collection container;

a hinge portion connecting the dust collection container and the lower cover such that the lower cover is opened or closed;

a coupling portion for selectively latching the lower cover to the dust collection container; and

an exhaust part concaved inward from an outer circumferential surface of the dust collection container and having the coupling portion in the concaved inside.

2. The dust collection unit according to claim 1, wherein the hinge portion and the coupling portion are disposed facing each other.

3. The dust collection unit according to claim 1, wherein the coupling portion comprises:

a latch protrusion extending toward an upper direction of the lower cover; and

a latch groove rotating with respect to the dust collection container such that the latch protrusion is latched.

4. The dust collection unit according to claim 1, further comprising a handle formed at a portion of the dust collection container facing the coupling portion.

5. The dust collection unit according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge hole formed at an inner surface of the exhaust hole, through which the foreign particles-filtered air is discharged.

6. The dust collection unit according to claim 1, wherein a filter assembly is coupled to a lower surface of the upper cover.

7. The dust collection unit according to claim 1, wherein the coupling portion comprises:

a latch protrusion protruded from the push portion;

a rotatable latch hook on which the latch protrusion is latched;

a spring applying a restoring force to the latch hook; and

a protruded portion protruded from an inner surface of the exhaust part such that a rotation of the latch is limited.

8. The dust collection unit according to claim 7, wherein the latch hook comprises a plurality of branches, a rotational axis being disposed on one of the branches, the spring being disposed on another one of the branches, the latch hook being latched on another one of the branches, and the protruded portion being latched on another one of the branches.

9. The dust collection unit according to claim 8, wherein the branches are formed integrally with one another.

10. The dust collection unit according to claim 1, wherein a suction hole protruded from a main body of the vacuum cleaner is inserted into an inside of the exhaust part.

11. The dust collection unit according to claim 1, wherein the upper cover is larger than the lower cover.

12. A dust collection unit of a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a dust collection container collecting foreign particles introduced by a rotational operation of air;

an upper cover shielding an upper side of the dust collection container;

a lower cover shielding a lower side of the dust collection container such that the foreign particles are collected thereon;

a hinge portion connecting the dust collection container and the lower cover such that the lower cover is opened or closed;

a discharge hole through which the air that the foreign particles are filtered by the dust collection container is discharged;

an exhaust part concaved inward from an outer circumferential surface of the dust collection container and formed at an inner portion of the concaved portion; and

a coupling portion for selectively latching the lower cover to the dust collection container.

13. The dust collection unit according to claim 12, wherein the coupling portion is formed at a lower side of the discharge hole.

14. The dust collection unit according to claim 12, wherein the coupling portion comprises:

a latch protrusion protruded toward an upper direction of the lower cover; and

a latch hook rotating with respect to the dust collection container such that the latch hook is latched on a portion of the latch protrusion to fix the lower cover.

15. The dust collection unit according to claim 14, wherein the latch hook comprises a push portion for releasing a latch between the latch protrusion and the latch hook when a user pushes the push portion downward.

16. The dust collection unit according to claim 14, wherein the dust collection container comprises a protruded portion supporting the latch hook when an external force does not exist.

17. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a suction nozzle unit through which outer air is sucked;

a body receiving at least a motor and a suction fan;

a manipulation handle formed at an upper portion of the body, for manipulating the vacuum cleaner;

a dust collection unit selectively received in the body and through which air that sucked from the body and filtered is discharged;

a dust collection unit seat concaved at a front of the body such that the dust collection unit is mounted;

a protruded suction unit protruded from an inner surface of the dust collection unit seat, for introducing air discharged from the dust collection unit into the body; and

an exhaust part concaved at an outer circumferential surface of the dust collection unit, for receiving the protruded suction unit.

18. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 17, further comprising a coupling portion formed at a lower portion of the exhaust part, for selectively fixing a lower cover of the dust collection unit to a dust collection container.

19. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 17, wherein the dust collection unit comprises a suction guide formed at an upper side portion thereof, for sucking outer air.

20. A dust collection unit of a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a dust collection container separating and collecting foreign particles using a rotational stream of air containing introduced dust;

a lower cover for selectively opening or closing a lower portion of the dust collection container;

a hinge portion connecting the dust collection container and the lower cover such that the lower cover is opened or closed; and

a coupling portion for selectively latching the lower cover to the dust collection container,

wherein the hinge portion and/or the coupling portion are disposed at an inwardly concaved portion of the dust collection container.