Upright vacuum cleaner with cyclonic air path

• US 6,910,245 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2001
• Issued: 06/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Midea America, Corp. (Midea Group Co., Ltd)
• Original Assignee: White Consolidated Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Hampton, Len, Eisenmenger, Rich, Kontio, Christer, Hawkins, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Till, Terrence R.
• Application Number:
  US09/759,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20020029436A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,628 Days
• Field of Search: 153/47, 153/50, 153/51, 153/52, 153/53, 153/39, 553/21, 553/37, 55D/IG.3
• US Class Current: 15/339
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1625 for series flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1666 with filtering means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1691 Mounting or coupling means for cyclonic chamber or dust receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/19 Means for monitoring filtering operation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2821 Pressure, vacuum level or airflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

An upright vacuum cleaner with a cyclonic airflow path includes a floor-engaging base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted to the base unit and a motor/fan assembly mounted on one of the base unit or body units. A dirt collecting enclosure is also mounted on the body unit and includes a first large chamber and a second smaller chamber. A filter unit is disposed in the first large chamber. Dirt laden air is introduced into the first large chamber in a tangential manner so as to impart a cyclonic action to the airflow. The filter in the first large chamber is effective for removing larger particles of debris from the airflow. The remaining airflow is communicated to the second chamber where smaller particles of debris are removed. Airflow from the second smaller chamber is then communicated through a cyclonic chamber disposed above and transverse to the dirt collecting enclosure, to a third chamber where a second filter is disposed. The smallest particles of debris are removed from the airflow by the second filter disposed in this third chamber. The upright vacuum cleaner can include an arrangement for sensing pressure differences across one or more of the filters thereby providing an indication that the filter is dirty or clogged. The upright vacuum cleaner can also include an elevator mechanism for raising and lowering the dirt collecting enclosure thereby facilitating the task of emptying and then reinstalling the dirt collecting enclosure.

Claims

1. An upright suction cleaner comprising:

a floor engaging base unit;

a body unit pivotally mounted on the base unit;

a suction generating device disposed on one of said base unit and body unit;

a dirt collecting enclosure disposed on said body unit, said dirt collecting enclosure having a first and a second chamber formed therein;

an inlet port cooperatively engaging a portion of said first chamber, said inlet port allowing communication of airflow into said first chamber;

a first filter member disposed in said first chamber and operating in conjunction with said inlet port for imparting to such airflow communicated thereto, a vortex action;

wherein said first filter member is effective so as to remove from such airflow, particles of debris of a larger size and deposit such larger sized debris into said first chamber, said first filter member is further effective for communicating therethrough into said second chamber, the remaining airflow from said first chamber;

wherein such remaining airflow from said first chamber, while still having associated therewith, a cyclonic action, deposits into said second chamber, debris of a size smaller than that which was deposited in said first chamber;

a cyclone chamber disposed above said dirt collecting enclosure, said cyclone chamber effective for communicating airflow remaining from said second chamber, into a third chamber, said cyclone chamber further effective for imparting additional cyclonic action to said remaining airflow; and

,

a second filter member disposed in said third chamber, said second filter member being effective for removing from said remaining airflow, debris of a size smaller than that removed by said second chamber;

wherein said second chamber is a tube disposed at one side of said first chamber and further wherein said second chamber is of a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of said first chamber so that, when gripped, said second chamber acts as a handle for transport of said dirt collecting enclosure.

2. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first, second and third chambers are constructed of clear plastic material.

3. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first filter member further includes a handle portion disposed on the inside thereof.

4. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed at a downward inclination along a lateral extent of the cyclone chamber.

5. An upright suction cleaner comprising:

a floor engaging base unit;

a body unit pivotally mounted on the base unit;

a suction generating device disposed on one of said base unit and body unit;

a dirt collecting enclosure disposed on said body unit, said dirt collecting enclosure having a first and a second chamber formed therein;

an inlet port cooperatively engaging a portion of said first chamber, said inlet port allowing communication of airflow into said first chamber;

a first filter member disposed in said first chamber and operating in conjunction with said inlet port for imparting to such airflow communicated thereto, a vortex action;

wherein said first filter member is effective so as to remove from such airflow, particles of debris of a larger size and deposit such larger sized debris into said first chamber, said first filter member is further effective for communicating therethrough into said second chamber, the remaining airflow from said first chamber;

wherein such remaining airflow from said first chamber, while still having associated therewith, a cyclonic action, deposits into said second chamber, debris of a size smaller than that which was deposited in said first chamber;

a cyclone chamber disposed above said dirt collecting enclosure, said cyclone chamber effective for communicating airflow remaining from said second chamber, into a third chamber, said cyclone chamber further effective for imparting additional cyclonic action to said remaining airflow; and

,

a second filter member disposed in said third chamber, said second filter member being effective for removing from said remaining airflow, debris of a size smaller than that removed by said second chamber;

wherein said first filter member has an upper ridge portion that, when seated over an upper opening associated with said first chamber, substantially encloses said upper opening of said first chamber.

6. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first filter member has a center portion which is perforated and is frusto-conical in shape, said first filter member further having a lower ledge portion connected to the bottom of said center portion of said first filter member.

7. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first filter member further includes a handle portion disposed on the inside thereof.

8. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first filter member further includes a handle portion disposed on the inside thereof.

9. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first, second and third chambers are constructed of clear plastic material.

10. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 5 wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed at a downward inclination along a lateral extent of the cyclone chamber.

11. An upright suction cleaner comprising:

a floor engaging base unit;

a body unit pivotally mounted on the base unit;

a suction generating device disposed on one of said base unit and body unit;

a dirt collecting enclosure disposed on said body unit, said dirt collecting enclosure having a first and a second chamber formed therein;

an inlet port cooperatively engaging a portion of said first chamber, said inlet port allowing communication of airflow into said first chamber;

a first filter member disposed in said first chamber and operating in conjunction with said inlet port for imparting to such airflow communicated thereto, a vortex action;

wherein said first filter member is effective so as to remove from such airflow, particles of debris of a larger size and deposit such larger sized debris into said first chamber, said first filter member is further effective for communicating therethrough into said second chamber, the remaining airflow from said first chamber;

wherein such remaining airflow from said first chamber, while still having associated therewith, a cyclonic action, deposits into said second chamber, debris of a size smaller than that which was deposited in said first chamber;

a cyclone chamber disposed above said dirt collecting enclosure, said cyclone chamber effective for communicating airflow remaining from said second chamber, into a third chamber, said cyclone chamber further effective for imparting additional cyclonic action to said remaining airflow; and

,

a second filter member disposed in said third chamber, said second filter member being effective for removing from said remaining airflow, debris of a size smaller than that removed by said second chamber;

wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed transversely and above said dirt collecting chamber and extends from said second chamber to said third chamber.

12. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 11 wherein said cyclone chamber includes a main body portion and an end cap portion having formed at one end thereof, an outlet tube effective for allowing communication of said remaining airflow from said second chamber into said third chamber.

13. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 12 wherein said cyclone is disposed at a downward inclination along a lateral extent of the cyclone chamber.

14. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 11 wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed at a downward inclination along a lateral extent of the cyclone chamber.

15. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 11 wherein said first filter member further includes a handle portion disposed on the inside thereof.

16. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 11 wherein said first, second and third chambers are constructed of clear plastic material.

17. An upright suction cleaner comprising:

a floor engaging base unit;

a body unit pivotally mounted on the base unit;

a suction generating device disposed on one of said base unit and body unit;

a dirt collecting enclosure disposed on said body unit, said dirt collecting enclosure having a first and a second chamber formed therein;

an inlet port cooperatively engaging a portion of said first chamber, said inlet port allowing communication of airflow into said first chamber;

a first filter member disposed in said first chamber and operating in conjunction with said inlet port for imparting to such airflow communicated thereto, a vortex action;

wherein said first filter member is effective so as to remove from such airflow, particles of debris of a larger size and deposit such larger sized debris into said first chamber, said first filter member is further effective for communicating therethrough into said second chamber, the remaining airflow from said first chamber;

wherein such remaining airflow from said first chamber, while still having associated therewith, a cyclonic action, deposits into said second chamber, debris of a size smaller than that which was deposited in said first chamber;

a cyclone chamber disposed above said dirt collecting enclosure, said cyclone chamber effective for communicating airflow remaining from said second chamber, into a third chamber, said cyclone chamber further effective for imparting additional cyclonic action to said remaining airflow; and

,

a second filter member disposed in said third chamber, said second filter member being effective for removing from said remaining airflow, debris of a size smaller than that removed by said second chamber;

wherein said suction generating device is a motor/fan assembly disposed within a plenum chamber formed at the bottom portion of said body unit by a bottom housing portion of said body unit, a motor cover seal and an air duct member.

18. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 17 wherein said first filter member further includes a handle portion disposed on the inside thereof.

19. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 17 wherein said first, second and third chambers are constructed of clear plastic material.

20. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 17 wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed at a downward inclination along a lateral extent of the cyclone chamber.

21. An upright suction cleaner comprising:

a floor engaging base unit;

a body unit pivotally mounted on said base unit;

a suction generating device disposed on one of said base unit and said body unit;

a dirt collecting enclosure portion disposed on said body unit, said dirt collecting enclosure portion having first and second laterally-disposed chambers;

an inlet port cooperating with said first chamber to direct a debris-laden airflow into said first chamber and operating in conjunction with said first chamber to cause an airflow vortex within said first chamber;

a first filter member disposed in said first chamber, said first filter member permitting passage of airflow out from said first chamber and retaining at least some debris particles within said first chamber;

a cyclone chamber disposed above said dirt collecting enclosure portion and operatively connected to receive airflow passing upward, out of said first chamber, said cyclone chamber having one end operatively connected to an upper end of said second chamber, said cyclone chamber cooperating with said second chamber to cause at least some debris to be deposited within said second chamber;

a third chamber disposed below said cyclone chamber and operatively connected to said cyclone chamber to receive an air flow downward, out of said cyclone chamber;

a second filter member disposed within said third chamber, said second filter member retaining at least some debris particles within said third chamber; and

wherein said second chamber is disposed at one side of and is of a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of said first chamber so that, when gripped, said second chamber acts as a handle for transport of said dirt collecting enclosure portion.

22. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 21 wherein said first, second and third chambers are constructed of clear plastic material.

23. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 21 wherein said first filter member further includes a handle portion disposed on the inside thereof.

24. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 21 wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed at a downward inclination along a lateral extent of the cyclone chamber.

25. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 21 wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed transversely relative to said dirt collecting enclosure portion and extends from said second chamber to said third chamber.

26. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 25 wherein said first filter member has an upper ring-shaped portion that, when seated over an upper opening associated with said first chamber, substantially encloses said upper opening of said first chamber.

27. An upright suction cleaner comprising:

a floor engaging base unit;

a body unit pivotally mounted on said base unit;

a suction generating device disposed on one of said base unit and said body unit;

a dirt collecting enclosure portion disposed on said body unit, said dirt collecting enclosure portion having first and second laterally-disposed chambers;

an inlet port cooperating with said first chamber to direct a debris-laden airflow into said first chamber and operating in conjunction with said first chamber to cause an airflow vortex within said first chamber;

a first filter member disposed in said first chamber, said first filter member permitting passage of airflow out from said first chamber and retaining at least some debris particles within said first chamber;

a cyclone chamber disposed above said dirt collecting enclosure portion and operatively connected to receive airflow passing upward, out of said first chamber, said cyclone chamber having one end operatively connected to an upper end of said second chamber, said cyclone chamber cooperating with said second chamber to cause at least some debris to be deposited within said second chamber;

a third chamber disposed below said cyclone chamber and operatively connected to said cyclone chamber to receive an air flow downward, out of said cyclone chamber

a second filter member disposed within said third chamber, said second filter member retaining at least some debris particles within said third chamber; and

wherein said first filter member has an upper ring shaped portion that, when seated over an upper opening associated with said first chamber, substantially encloses said upper opening of said first chamber.

28. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 27 wherein said first filter member has a center portion which is perforated and is frusto-conical in shape, said first filter member further having a lower ledge portion connected to the bottom of said center portion of said first filter member.

29. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 28 wherein said first filter member further includes a handle portion disposed on the inside thereof.

30. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 27 wherein said first filter member further includes a handle portion disposed on the inside thereof.

31. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 27 wherein said first, second and third chambers are constructed of clear plastic material.

32. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 27 wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed at a downward inclination along a lateral extent of the cyclone chamber.

33. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 27 wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed transversely relative to said dirt collecting enclosure portion and extends from said second chamber to said third chamber.

34. An upright suction cleaner comprising:

a floor engaging base unit;

a body unit pivotally mounted on said base unit;

a suction generating device disposed on one of said base unit and said body unit;

a dirt collecting enclosure portion disposed on said body unit, said dirt collecting enclosure portion having first and second laterally-disposed chambers;

an inlet port cooperating with said first chamber to direct a debris-laden airflow into said first chamber and operating in conjunction with said first chamber to cause an airflow vortex within said first chamber;

a first filter member disposed in said first chamber, said first filter member permitting passage of airflow out from said first chamber and retaining at least some debris particles within said first chamber;

a cyclone chamber disposed above said dirt collecting enclosure portion and operatively connected to receive airflow passing upward, out of said first chamber, said cyclone chamber having one end operatively connected to an upper end of said second chamber, said cyclone chamber cooperating with said second chamber to cause at least some debris to be deposited within said second chamber;

a third chamber disposed below said cyclone chamber and operatively connected to said cyclone chamber to receive an air flow downward, out of said cyclone chamber;

a second filter member disposed within said third chamber, said second filter member retaining at least some debris particles within said third chamber; and

wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed transversely relative to said dirt collecting enclosure portion and extends from said second chamber to said third chamber.

35. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 34 wherein said cyclone chamber includes a main body portion and an end cap portion having formed at one end thereof, an outlet tube effective for allowing communication of said remaining airflow from said second chamber into said third chamber.

36. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 35 wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed at a downward inclination along a lateral extent of the cyclone chamber.

37. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 34 wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed at a downward inclination along a lateral extent of the cyclone chamber.

38. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 34 wherein said first filter member further includes a handle portion disposed on the inside thereof.

39. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 34 wherein said first, second and third chambers are constructed of clear plastic material.

40. An upright suction cleaner comprising:

a floor engaging base unit;

a body unit pivotally mounted on said base unit;

a suction generating device disposed on one of said base unit and said body unit;

a dirt collecting enclosure portion disposed on said body unit, said dirt collecting enclosure portion having first and second laterally-disposed chambers;

an inlet port cooperating with said first chamber to direct a debris-laden airflow into said first chamber and operating in conjunction with said first chamber to cause an airflow vortex within said first chamber;

a first filter member disposed in said first chamber, said first filter member permitting passage of airflow out from said first chamber and retaining at least some debris particles within said first chamber;

a cyclone chamber disposed above said dirt collecting enclosure portion and operatively connected to receive airflow passing upward, out of said first chamber, said cyclone chamber having one end operatively connected to an upper end of said second chamber, said cyclone chamber cooperating with said second chamber to cause at least some debris to be deposited within said second chamber;

a third chamber disposed below said cyclone chamber and operatively connected to said cyclone chamber to receive an air flow downward, out of said cyclone chamber;

a second filter member disposed within said third chamber, said second filter member retaining at least some debris particles within said third chamber; and

wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed transversely relative to said dirt collecting enclosure portion and extends from said second chamber to said third chamber.

41. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 40 wherein said first filter member further includes a handle portion disposed on the inside thereof.

42. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 40 wherein said first, second and third chambers are constructed of clear plastic material.

43. An upright suction cleaner as set forth in claim 40 wherein said cyclone chamber is disposed at a downward inclination along a lateral extent of the cyclone chamber.

44. An upright suction cleaner comprising:

a floor engaging base unit;

a body unit pivotally mounted on said base unit;

a suction generating device disposed on one of said base unit and said body unit;

a dirt collecting enclosure portion disposed on said body unit, said dirt collecting enclosure portion having first and second laterally-disposed chambers;

an inlet port cooperating with said first chamber to direct a debris-laden airflow into said first chamber and operating in conjunction with said first chamber to cause an airflow vortex within said first chamber;

a first filter member disposed in said first chamber, said first filter member permitting passage of airflow out from said first chamber and retaining at least some debris particles within said first chamber;

a cyclone chamber disposed above said dirt collecting enclosure portion and operatively connected to receive airflow passing upward, out of said first chamber, said cyclone chamber having one end operatively connected to an upper end of said second chamber, said cyclone chamber cooperating with said second chamber to cause at least some debris to be deposited within said second chamber;

a third chamber disposed below said cyclone chamber and operatively connected to said cyclone chamber to receive an air flow downward, out of said cyclone chamber;

a second filter member disposed within said third chamber, said second filter member retaining at least some debris particles within said third chamber; and

wherein said suction generating device has a motor/fan assembly disposed within a plenum chamber at a bottom portion of said body unit, the plenum chamber being formed by a bottom housing portion of said body unit, a motor cover seal, and an air duct member.