Vacuum cleaner and cyclone module therefor

• US 8,062,398 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bissell Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Inventors: Luo, Ming, Cho, Wing-Hei
• Primary Examiner(s): Greene; Jason M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bui; Dung
• Application Number:
  US12/339,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20100154367A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 553/37, 554/56, 554/24, 554/28, 554/29, 55D/IG.3, 153/52, 153/53, 153/47
• US Class Current: 55/337
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/362 of the horizontal type, e.g. canister or sledge type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/02 Nozzles suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0653 with mechanical actuation, e.g. using a lever
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/122 flat
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1436 Connecting plates, e.g. collars, end closures
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1608 Cyclonic chamber constructions
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/165 Construction of inlets
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1666 with filtering means
• 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: B01D 45/16 generated by the winding course of the gas stream , the centrifugal forces being generated solely or partly by mechanical means, e.g. fixed swirl vanes
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 2009/002 with external filters
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/04 Tangential inlets
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/103 Bodies or members, e.g. bulkheads, guides, in the vortex chamber cores B04C5/107
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/13 formed as a vortex finder and extending into the vortex chamber exits with bulkheads preventing reverse flow vortex B04C3/00; Discharge from vortex finder otherwise than at the top of the cyclone; Devices for controlling the overflow
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/14 Construction of the underflow ducting; Apex constructions; Discharge arrangements ; discharge through sidewall provided with a few slits or perforations provided with a great number of slits or perforations B04C5/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner with a cyclone module assembly comprising a separation chamber for separating dust and debris from air, a dirt collection chamber for collecting dust and debris that is separated from the air in the cyclone separation chamber, wherein the separation chamber further includes an exhaust grill that is removable for cleaning.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a cleaner body having a suction cavity with an inlet port and an outlet port;

a cyclone module removably mounted in the suction cavity and having;

a separation chamber having an inlet opening at a lower portion thereof and adapted to communicate with the inlet port and an outlet opening at the lower portion and adapted to communicate with the outlet port;

an exhaust grill mounted in the separation chamber and in fluid communication with the outlet opening;

a ramp positioned adjacent the inlet opening and adapted to direct dirty air entering the inlet opening in an upward helical path along the separation chamber for separating dust or debris from air;

a debris outlet comprising a guide member that extends horizontally from an upper portion of the separation chamber; and

a dust collection chamber adjacent the separation chamber and in communication with the debris outlet for collecting debris and dust separated from air in the separation chamber; and

a vacuum fan/motor mounted in the cleaner body downstream of the outlet opening and having a suction inlet in communication with the outlet opening and adapted to maintain a flow of dirty air from the inlet port through the separation chamber between the inlet opening and the outlet opening.

2. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the cyclone module includes a filter assembly fluidly connected to the outlet opening.

3. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the exhaust grill is removably mounted in the separation chamber above the outlet opening.

4. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 wherein a filter assembly is fluidly connected to the outlet opening.

5. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust grill comprises a closed upper end and an open lower end in fluid communication with the outlet opening.

6. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the cyclone module further comprises a lid positioned over at least the dust collection chamber and which mates with the guide member to form a debris guide channel that extends from the separation chamber into the dust collection chamber.

7. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 wherein the exhaust grill is removably mounted to the separation chamber above the outlet opening.

8. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 7 wherein a filter assembly is fluidly connected to the outlet opening.

9. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 7 wherein the cyclone module includes a filter assembly fluidly connected to the outlet opening.

10. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 9 wherein the filter assembly is removably mounted to the separation chamber.

11. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 10 wherein the cleaner body is a canister with an inlet port configured to sealingly receive a hose assembly.

12. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 9 wherein the filter assembly is removably mounted to the separation chamber.

13. A cyclone module for use in a vacuum cleaner having an inlet port and an outlet port, the cyclone module comprising:

a separation chamber having an inlet opening at a lower portion thereof and adapted to communicate with the inlet port and an outlet opening formed at the lower portion and adapted to communicate with the outlet port;

an exhaust grill mounted in the separation chamber and in fluid communication with the outlet opening;

a ramp positioned adjacent the inlet opening and adapted to direct dirty air entering the inlet opening in an upward helical path along the separation chamber for separating dust or debris from air;

a debris outlet comprising a guide member that extends horizontally from an upper portion of the separation chamber; and

a dust collection chamber adjacent the separation chamber and in communication with the debris outlet for collecting debris and dust separated from air in the separation chamber.

14. A cyclone module according to claim 13, wherein the exhaust grill comprises a closed upper end and an open lower end in fluid communication with the outlet opening.

15. A cyclone module according to claim 13, further comprising a lid positioned over at least the dust collection chamber and which mates with the guide member to form a debris guide channel that extends from the separation chamber into the dust collection chamber.