Vacuum cleaner

• US 20070256272A1
• Filed: 03/02/2007
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Jae Kyum
• Granted Patent: US 7,601,188 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/347
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0081 Means for exhaust-air diffusion; Means for sound or vibration damping
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/108 Dust compression means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1625 for series flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1641 for parallel flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1683 Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1691 Mounting or coupling means for cyclonic chamber or dust receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 9/3082 with compression means other than rams performing a rectilinear movement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner includes at least one cyclone dust separation unit. A cover is formed over the cyclone dust separation unit to attenuate noise generated by the cyclone unit. Dimples or recesses may be formed on the interior of the cover to further attenuate noise. In addition, a noise attenuating material may be inserted between the cyclone dust separation unit and the cover.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a main body;

a cyclone dust separation unit mounted on the main body; and

a cover that at least partially surrounds the cyclone dust separation unit, wherein the cover is configured to attenuate noise generated by the cyclone dust separation unit.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cyclone dust separation unit comprises a plurality of cyclones.

3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, wherein the plurality of cyclones of the cyclone dust separation unit are arranged in a fan shape.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the cover has a shape which substantially matches an exterior shape of the cyclone dust separation unit.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured and mounted on the main body such that a separation space is maintained between an exterior surface of the cyclone dust separation unit and an interior surface of the cover.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, further comprising a sound absorbing material mounted in the separation space.

7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein recesses are formed on an interior surface of the cover, and wherein the recesses are configured to attenuate noise produced by the cyclone dust separation unit.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the recesses comprise dimples.

9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the recesses comprise grooves.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a noise reduction member interposed between the cyclone dust separation unit and the cover.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cover has a shape which substantially matches an exterior shape of the cyclone dust separation unit.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cyclone dust separation unit comprises a secondary cyclone dust separation unit, and further comprising a main cyclone dust separation unit, wherein dust laden air sucked into the vacuum cleaner passes first through the main cyclone dust separation unit and then through the secondary cyclone dust separation unit.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, further comprising a dust collection unit that is removably mounted on the main body, and that is configured to collect dust separated in the main and secondary cyclone dust separation units.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the main dust separation unit is mounted on the dust collection unit.

15. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a main body;

a dust collection unit that is removably mounted on the main body;

a main cyclone dust separation unit mounted on the dust collection unit;

a secondary cyclone dust separation unit mounted on the main body, wherein the secondary cyclone dust separation unit receives a flow of air that has already passed through the main cyclone dust separation unit; and

a cover mounted on the main body that at least partially surrounds the secondary cyclone dust separation unit and that is configured to attenuate noise produced by the secondary cyclone dust separation unit.

16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, wherein the cover is configured and mounted on the main body such that a separation space is maintained between an exterior surface of the secondary dust separation unit and an interior surface of the cover.

17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein a sound absorbing material is mounted in the separation space.

18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein noise reduction recesses are formed on the interior surface of the cover.

19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, wherein the recesses comprise dimples.

20. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, wherein the recesses comprise grooves.

21. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, wherein the secondary cyclone dust separation unit comprises a plurality of cyclones.

22. The vacuum cleaner of claim 21, wherein the plurality of cyclones of the secondary cyclone dust separation unit are arranged in a fan shape.

23. The vacuum cleaner of claim 22, wherein the cover has a shape that substantially matches the fan shape of the plurality of cyclones of the secondary dust separation unit.

24. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a main body;

a cyclone dust separation unit mounted on the main body; and

a cover that at least partially surrounds the cyclone dust separation unit, wherein recesses are formed on an interior surface of the cover, and wherein the recesses are configured to attenuate noise generated by the cyclone dust separation unit.