Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS
FIELD
The specification relates to surface cleaning apparatu; , and particularly, to
cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus. In a particularly preferre d embodiment,
the
specification relates to cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners having remova )ly
mounted screen.
INTRODUCTION
The following is not an admission that anything discusse d below is prior art
or
part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art.
Cyclonic separators, including those used in vacuum c eaners are known in
the art. Typically, a cyclonic separator has an inlet for fluid (air, liquic c-
r and air and liquid
mix) to be treated and an outlet for treated fluid. Dirt may be collectei I
either in the cyclone
chamber itself (e.g. in the bottom) or in a collection chamber in fluid
communication with the
cyclone separator. Various such constructions are known in the art.
Typically, a screen or shroud is provided in a cyclone chamber surrounding
the air outlet. The purpose of the screen is to retain hair and th like in the
cyclone
chamber. Accordingly, material may build up on a screen or shroud, t:c airing
the screen or
shroud to be cleaned. The shroud may be cleaned while mounted to ; racuum
cleaner. For
example, in US 4,853,111, a vacuum cleaner having s second cyc one nested
within an
outer cyclone is disclosed. The outer cyclone casing was removable. Once the
outer
cyclone casing was removed, then the shroud was exposed, permi ting the shroud
to be
cleaned. US200710209334 disclosed a design wherein a screen is c otifigured so
as to be
removable through or with the fluid outlet of a cyclone.
Cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners have also been deve loped. These vacuum
cleaners have typically used similar operating principles as full iii;e
cyclonic vacuum
cleaners. See for example PCT publication WO 2008/009890; PC,T publication WO
2008/009888; PCT publication WO 20081009883; and United States )a tent
7,370,387.
SUMMARY
(0001] The following introduction is provided to introduce ft e reader to the
more
detailed discussion to follow. The introduction is not intended to limit or
define the claims.
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According to one broad aspect, a surface cleaning a )paratus is provided
wherein a screen of shroud (hereinafter "shroud") is positioned at leas
partially internal of a
cyclone chamber such that the air will pass through the shroud a; is exits the
cyclone
chamber. The cyclone has an associated dirt collection chamber that is
openable to empty
dirt collected therein. When opened, the shroud, which is remov ably mounted
in the
cyclone, may be removed. The dirt collection chamber may be in the )ottom of
the cyclone
chamber. In such a case, a cyclone casing may have an openable b )tlom door.
The door
may be positioned to face the cyclone outlet. When the door is opene, 1, a
user may remove
the screen for cleaning. Alternately, the dirt collection chamber mi y be
external of the
cyclone chamber. For example, the cyclone chamber may have a d rt outlet at an
end of
the cyclone opposed to the air outlet. The dirt collection chamber may have an
openable
bottom door. The door may be positioned to face the cyclone outl ;t. When the
door is
opened, a user may remove the screen for cleaning.
Accordingly, a cyclone unit may have only one openab e portion that is used
to remove accumulated dirt and also to remove a screen for cleaning Ii will be
appreciated
that the reference to "bottom" is a convenience. In use, a cyclone : may be
oriented in
various directions.
In one embodiment, a surface cleaning apparatus has s front end, a rear and
and an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air
outlet. A first cyclone
unit is positioned in the air flow passage. The first cyclone unit comprises
at least one
cyclone and at least one dirt collection chamber. The at least one i .yolone
has a cyclone
air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, and a removably mounted shroud surroinding
the cyclone air
outlet. The at least one dirt collection chamber comprises an open ling and an
openable
door covering the opening. The shroud is removable through the opining when
the door is
open. A suction motor is positioned in the air flow passage.
In some example, the dirt collection chamber is externa to the cyclone,
In some examples, the at least one cyclone further corr prises a dirt outlet,
the
opening is provided in the at least one dirt collection chamber an( the
openable door is
mounted facing the dirt outlet
The surface cleaning apparatus may be a hand vacuun , cleaner.
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In some examples, a vortex finder is provided in the cyc foie, and the shroud
comprises a screen surrounding the vortex finder.
In some examples, the door is removable. The door m; ty be openable when
the first cyclone unit is mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus and/or
when the first
cyclone unit is removed from the surface cleaning apparatus.
In some examples, the at least one cyclone is positio ied interior of the at
least one dirt collection chamber. The at least one cyclone may be defined by
a cyclone
casing that is sized to permit a user to insert a hand in an annular I -
o,'tion of the cyclone
chamber positioned between the shroud and the cyclone casing.
In some examples, the surface cleaning apparatus coml iri:aes a hand vacuum
cleaner and the door is positioned at the front end.
In some examples, the surface cleaning apparatus comp )ri;es a hand vacuum
cleaner and the first cyclone unit is positioned forward of the suction n
iol:or.
In some examples, the surface cleaning apparatus corn }rises a hand vacuum
cleaner, the at least one cyclone has a cyclone front end, and a cycl )ne rear
end, and the
cyclone air inlet and the cyclone air outlet are at the same end. Thi ;
cyclone air inlet and
the cyclone air outlet may be at the cyclone rear end.
In some examples, a separation plate is mounted in fat -ing relation to the
dirt
outlet, preferably at an end opposed to the air outlet.
In some examples, the surface cleaning apparatus com Dr sea a hand vacuum
cleaner, the cyclone has a separation plate that is mounted in fac nci
relation to the dirt
outlet, the dirt outlet is positioned at the cyclone front end, and th, .
clone front end is
positioned at the front end of the hand vacuum cleaner. The sel 'aration plate
may be
mounted to the door.
In some examples, the dirt collection chamber is remo cable from the surface
cleaning apparatus as a sealed unit for emptying. The dirt collection chamber
may be
removable from the surface cleaning apparatus with the first cyclone it it.
In some examples, the shroud has a dirt outlet and ar d the dirt outlet end is
positioned proximate the dirt outlet.
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In some examples, the first cyclone unit has a single cy( lone and a single
dirt
collection chamber.
In some examples, the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a
suction motor housing. The suction motor may be positioned in the c uction
motor housing
and the first cyclone unit may be removably mounted to the suction m, )tar
housing.
In some examples, the surface cleaning apparatus fi. rther comprises a
second cyclone unit downstream from the first cyclone unit.
It will be appreciated that a surface cleaning apparatus may incorporate one
or more of the features of each of these examples.
DRAWINGS
In the detailed description, reference will be made to tl e following
drawings,
in which:
Figure 1 is a side plan view of an example of a hand vac utim cleaner;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the hand vacuum cleaner i -f =igure 1;
Figure 3 is a front plan view of the hand vacuum cleaneL of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of the hand vacuum
cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 5A is a front perspective view of the hand vacua Ti cleaner of Figure
1,
showing a door in an open configuration;
Figure 5B is a front perspective view of the hand vacua n cleaner of Figure 1,
showing a door removed from the hand vacuum cleaner;
Figure 6 is a cross section taken along line 6-6 in Figure 2;
Figure 7A is a bottom perspective view of the hand vac uum cleaner of Figure
1; and,
Figure 7B is a rear perspective view of the hand-vacui. m cleaner of Figure 1,
showing the cyclone unit removed from the hand vacuum cleaner.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EXAMPLES
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Various apparatuses or methods will be described he ow to provide an
example of each claimed invention. No example described belo% - limits any
claimed
invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or app., retuses that
are not
described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to appal st lses or
processes
having all of the features of any one apparatus or process describec below or
to features
common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. I is possible
that an
apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any cl: cirned
invention.
In the drawings attached hereto, the surface clf ailing apparatus is
exemplified as used in a hand vacuum cleaner that uses a cyclone. It will be
appreciated
that the vacuum cleaner 100 may be of various types (e.g., an upric ht vacuum
cleaner, a
canister vacuum cleaner, an extractor, etc.) and configurations (e.g ,
different positioning
and orientation of the cyclone unit and the suction motor and differ n(j
cyclone units that
may comprise one or more cyclones and one or more filters).
Referring to Figures 1 to 7B, a first example of a surfa(a cleaning apparatus
100 is shown. The surface cleaning apparatus 100 (also referred to herein as
vacuum
cleaner or cleaner 100) is a hand vacuum cleaner 100, and is mova )le; along a
surface to
be cleaned by gripping and maneuvering handle 102. The vacuum cl. saner 100
includes an
upper portion 104, a lower portion 106, a front end 108, and a r :a r end 110.
In the
example shown, handle 102 is provided at the upper portion 104. I i alternate
examples,
handle 102 may be provided elsewhere on the vacuum cleaner 100,13r example at
the rear
end 110, and may be of any design.
In the example shown, the vacuum cleaner 100 compr se:s a nozzle 112 and
a first cyclone unit 114, which together preferably form a surface cle aping
head 116 of the
vacuum cleaner 100. In the example shown, the surface cleaning I egad 116 is
preferably
provided at the front end 108 of the vacuum cleaner 100.
Nozzle 112 engages a surface to be cleaned, and con prises a dirty air inlet
118, through which dirty air is drawn into the vacuum cleaner 100 An airflow
passage
extends from the dirty air inlet 118 to a clean air outlet 120 of thi :
cleaner 100. In the
example shown, clean air outlet 120 is at the rear end 110 of the clef near
100.
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Cyclone unit 114 is provided in the airflow passage, dc Nnstream of the dirty
air inlet 118. The cyclone unit 114 comprises at least one cyclone aid at
least one dirt
collection chamber. In the example shown, the cyclone unit 114 cc mprises one
cyclone
122, and one dirt collection chamber 124, which are integrally Or ned. In
alternate
examples, the cyclone unit 114 may include more than one cyclonic stage,
wherein each
cyclonic stage comprises one or more cyclones and one or nc-re dirt chambers.
Accordingly, the cyclones may be arranged in parallel and/or in soq fence.
Further, in
alternate examples, the cyclone 122 and dirt collection chamber 1'A4 may be
separately
formed.
In the example shown, the nozzle 112 is positioned at th q lower portion 106
of
the vacuum cleaner 100. Preferably, as exemplified, nozzle 11'Z i:3 positioned
at the
bottom of the vacuum cleaner 100, and, preferably, beneath ti a cyclone unit
114.
However, it will be appreciated that nozzle 112 may be connected to he:
cyclone unit or dirt
collection chamber at alternate locations.
Preferably, as exemplified, nozzle 112 may be on I wirer surface 157 of
cyclone unit 114 and may share a wall with the cyclone unit 114. For example
in a
particularly preferred design, the upper wall of the nozzle may bf a lower
wall of the
cyclone unit 114. As shown in Figure 6, dirt chamber 124 surround; >:he lower
portion of
cyclone 122. Accordingly, the upper wall of nozzle 112 may be part c f the
lower wall of the
dirt chamber. It will be appreciated that if dirt chamber 124 does r of extend
around the
lower portion of cyclone 122, then the upper wall of nozzle 112 may )e part of
a lower wall
of cyclone 122.
Preferably, in the example shown, the nozzle 112 is fig eclly positioned at
the
lower portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100. That is, the nozzle 11 is not
movable (e.g.,
rotatable) with respect to the remainder of the vacuum cleaner 1C ), and is
fixed at the
lower portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100.
As shown in Figures 3 and 5, nozzle 112 has a width VAIN, and cyclone unit
114 has a width W0. In the example shown, WN, and We are ]bout the same. An
advantage of this design is that the nozzle 112 may have a cleaning a~ th that
is essentially
as wide as the hand vacuum itself.
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Preferably, nozzle 112 comprises an airflow chamber 136 wherein at least a
portion, and preferably a majority, of the lower surface of the chamb ar 136
is open. In an
alternate design, nozzle 112 may be an enclosed passage and accordingly may
have a
lower wall that the closes lower end. Accordingly, nozzle 112 may he of
various designs
and may be an open sided passage or a closed passage. In either (=rrbodiment,
it will be
appreciated that nozzle 112 may be mounted or provided on cycl me unit 114 and
as
exemplified on a lower portion of the dirt collection chamber so as to he
removable with the
dirt collection chamber.
An open sided nozzle design is exemplified in Figure 7. \ wherein nozzle 112
comprises an upper nozzle wall 126. In the example shown, the t peer nozzle
wall 126
comprises a portion 119 of a wall 115 of the cyclone unit. Accoi tingly,
nozzle 112 is
integral with cyclone unit 114.
Preferably, one or more depending walls 128 extend downwardly from the
upper nozzle wall 126. The depending wall 128 is preferably genet 311V U-
shaped. In one
embodiment, depending wall is provided rearward of opening 138. 11 other
embodiments,
depending walls may alternately or in addition be provided on the Ia :eial
sides of opening
138. It is preferred that depending walls are provided on each later.- I ,;ide
of opening 138
and rearward thereof. Further, depending walls 128 may extend a ; ubstantial
distance to
the front end 108 and, preferably, essentially all the way to front enc 108.
The depending
wall 128 may be continuous to define a single wall as shown, or may )e
discontinuous. The
depending wall 128 is preferably rigid (e.g., integrally molded wi :h cyclone
unit 114).
However, they may be flexible (e.g., bristles or rubber) or moveabl / mounted
to cyclone
unit 114 (e.g., hingedly mounted).
Preferably, the lower end 132 of depending wall 128 i, spaced above the
surface being cleaned when the hand vacuum cleaner is placec on a surface to
be
cleaned. As exemplified in Figure 6, when vacuum cleaner 100 is pla ed on a
floor F, lower
end 132 of depending wall 128 may be spaced a distance H abov : the floor.
Preferably
distance H is from 0.01 to 0.175 inches, more preferably from 0.04 to 0.08
inches.
The height of the depending wall (between upper noz :le wall 126 and lower
end 132) may vary. In some examples, the depending wall may ha' le a height of
between
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about 0.05 and about 0.875 inches, preferably between about 0,125, nil about
0.6 inches,
and more preferably between about 0.2 and about 0.4 inches. The hei ]ht of
depending wall
may vary but is preferably constant.
As exemplified, the open end of the U-shape defines an open side 130 of the
nozzle 114, and forms the dirty air inlet 118 of the cleaner 100. In the
example shown, the
open side 130 is provided at the front of the nozzle 114. In use, whet,
optional wheels 135
are in contact with a surface, the open side 130 sits above and is adj scent a
surface to be
cleaned (e.g. floor F). As mentioned hereinabove, preferably, lower a nd 132
of depending
walls 128 is spaced above floor F. Accordingly, some air may enter r :)zzle
114 by passing
underneath depending wall 132. In such a case, the primary air entr I to
nozzle 114 is via
open side 130 so that dirty air inlet 118 is the primary air inlet, with a
secondary air inlet
being under depending wall 128.
In the example shown, the lower end 132 of the depen ling wall 128 defines
an open lower end 134 of the nozzle 114. The open lower end 134 preferably
extends to
the front 108 of the cleaner 100, and merges with the open sic a 130. In use,
the
exemplified nozzle has an open lower end 134 that faces a surface to be)
cleaned,
in the example shown, a plurality of wheels 135 ara mounted to the
depending wall 128, and extend lower than the lower end 132 of the cepending
wall 128.
Accordingly, in use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a surface, the lower
end 132 of
the depending wall 128 is spaced from the surface to be cleaned, at d the
space between
the lower end of the depending wall 128 and the surface to be cleans d form
the secondary
dirty air inlet to the vacuum cleaner 100. It will be appreciated that wt eels
135 are optional.
Preferably, wheels 135 are positioned exterior to the airflow path thri iu!lh
nozzle 112, e.g.,
laterally outwardly from depending wall 128. Preferably a pair of 'rc,nt
wheels 135 are
provided. Preferably, the wheels are located adjacent front 108. Optionally,
one or more
rear wheels 108 may be provided. In an alternate embodiment no wheels may be
provided.
The upper nozzle wall 126, depending wall 128, and c pon lower end 134 of
the nozzle 112 define the open sided airflow chamber 136 of the nozzle. In
use, when
wheels 135 are in contact with a horizontal surface, the nozzle 112 a, id the
airflow chamber
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136 extend generally horizontally, and preferably linearly along a r o;:zle
axis 113 (see
Figure 7A).
An opening 138 may be provided in the upper nozzle wall 126, and is in
communication with the airflow chamber 136. Opening 138 may b,: of any size
and
configuration and at various locations in upper nozzle wall 126. In u: se when
wheels 135
are in contact with a surface, the opening 138 faces a surface to be c vaned,
air enters the
dirty air inlet 118, passes horizontally through the airflow chamber 13(, and
passes into the
opening 138. Opening 138 is in communication with a cyclone inlet r as-sage
139, which is
in communication with a cyclone air inlet 140 of cyclone 122.
Cyclone 122 may of any configuration and orientation . Preferably, cyclone
122 comprises a cyclone casing 142, which in the example shown, is
cylindrical. The
cyclone chamber is located inside cyclone casing 142. The cyclone 2:2 extends
along an
axis 123, which, in the example shown, is preferably parallel to ht: nozzle
axis, and
preferably extends generally horizontally when cleaner 100 is in use and
wheels 135 are
seated on a surface. Cyclone 122 has a first end 196, which in the ,xample
shown is the
front of the cyclone, and a second end 198, which in the example si ioNn is a
rear 198 of
the cyclone. The cyclone air inlet and air outlet may be at v ar ous locations
and
configurations.
As exemplified, the cyclone air inlet 140 may be defined bf an aperture in the
cyclone casing 142, and may be at the rear 198 of the cyclone 12!. As can be
seen in
Figure 5, the inlet passage 139 is configured such that air enters. th-s
cyclone 122 in a
tangential flow path, e.g., passage 139 may be arcuate. The air trave s in a
cyclonic path in
the cyclone, and dirt In the air is separated from the air. The air ex its the
cyclone via air
outlet 145. Outlet 145 may be in rear wall 179 of the cyclone u it 114.
Accordingly,
cyclone inlet 140 and outlet 145 may be at the same end of the cy, :Ic ne 122.
Preferably,
the cyclone air inlet and the cyclone air outlet are at the same end c f the
cyclone 122 and
the dirt outlet is at an opposed end.
In the exemplified embodiment, a vortex finder 144 is pi ovided in the
cyclone,
upstream from and in communication with the dirt outlet 145. As E xe:mplified,
the vortex
finder is a cylindrical conduit, having an inlet 176 facing the outlet 141.
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Preferably, a shroud 182 surrounds the cyclone air out el. The shroud 182
serves to prevent elongate material and larger, lighter dirt from passe nci
through dirt outlet
145. As exemplified, the shroud 182 surrounds the vortex finder 144.
Preferably, as
shown, the shroud 182 comprises a plate 174 at a first end 189 then of. The
plate 174 is
spaced from and facing the inlet 176 to vortex finder 144. Legs 178 E Kt4?nd
from plate 174,
along vortex finder 144. A ring 185 is at a second end 191 of the shroud 182,
which is
positioned proximate the dirt outlet 145. The second end 191 ma f also be
referred to
herein as the air outlet and 191. The ring 185 is integral with leg ; 178 and
surrounds
vortex finder 144. The ring and legs provide a mount for plate 174. , k
;screen 183 extends
from plate 174, around legs 178, to ring 185. Accordingly, the scree 1 -183 is
positioned in
the air flow path of air exiting the cyclone chamber and entering the vortex
finder 144. It
will be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the shroud may )e any other
suitable
configuration. For example, a plate 174 need not be provided. End 119 may be
covered by
screen 183. Screen 183 may be made of a wire mesh. Alternately, ';h'oud 182
may be a
molded plastic covering vortex finder 144 and may have a plurality of :
rpsrtures therein.
The dirt collection chamber may be internal or ext ;real to the cyclone
chamber. Preferably, as exemplified, the dirt collection chamber 124 is ;
External. That is, the
cyclone 122 may be positioned interior of or adjacent the dirt collection
chamber 124. The
dirt collection chamber may be in communication with the cyclone ct arnber by
any means
known in the art. Accordingly, one or more dirt outlets may be provide 1.
In the exemplified embodiment, the cyclone chamber ic, positioned internal of
the dirt collection chamber 124. Accordingly, the cyclone chamber s provided
with a dirt
outlet 146. Dirt outlet 146 may be of various designs provided access is
provided to access
shroud 182. Preferably as exemplified, dirt outlet 146 faces the air c it et
and according in
the exemplified design, is at the front 196 of the cyclone 122, and furl nor,
is at the front end
108 of the cleaner 100.
Preferably, as in the example shown, dirt collection cli ariber 124 comprises
two portions. A first portion 148 is provided immediately adjacent the dirt
outlet 146, and is
at the front end 108 of the cleaner 100. A second portion 150 is cone ar,tric
with the cyclone
122. A lower portion 152 of the second portion 150 is below the cy,;lcne. As
exemplified,
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nozzle 112 may be positioned below first portion 148, and lower porti sn 152.
Accordingly,
dirt chamber 124 may comprise an annular chamber surrounding the ( yc lone
122.
A separation plate 154 may be provided in the dirt col action chamber 124,
adjacent the dirt outlet 146, and in facing relation to the dirt outlet. The
separation plate
154 aids in preventing dirt in dirt collection chamber 124 from re-( ntering
cyclone 122.
Preferably, plate 154 is spaced from dirt outlet 146. Plate 154 may be mounted
by any
means to any component in cyclone unit 114. As exemplified, thu : ;eparation
plate is
preferably mounted to a front wall 158, which is at the front 108 of the
cleaner 100 and
preferably faces the dirt outlet 146. The separation plate 154 is mou itod to
front wall 158
by an arm 156, which preferably extends from front wall 158.
Cyclone unit 114 may be emptied through an opening ' 87, which is covered
by a removable door. The door may be removable while the cyclone snit is
mounted to the
vacuum cleaner. Alternately, or in addition, the door may be remove )le when
the cyclone
unit has been removed from the vacuum cleaner. The door may be =einovably
secured to
the cyclone unit or another portion of vacuum cleaner 100 by any me,, n:,. For
example, one
or more latches 159 may secure the door in position. Alternately, the door may
be opened,
e.g., pivoted open, and then be removable. For example,.as exemplif sad in
Figures 4 to 5B,
front wall 158 covers opening 187, and is pivotally mounted to the q clone
unit wall 115 at
pivots 177. Front wall 158 serves as an openable door 158 of the d rt chamber
124, such
that dirt collection chamber 124 is openable, and dirt collection c lmmber 124
may be
emptied through opening 187. As shown in Figure 6, pivots 177 a ,e separable
into two
portions. As exemplified, pivots 177 have an upper recess 199 tt at is semi
circular in
transverse section and define an axis in which an axle 197 provided on front
wall 158 may
rotate. When front wall 158 is pivoted to the open position, the axle. 197 may
be lifted off
the pivots 177 thereby permitting front wall 158 to be lifted off the vac ium
cleaner.
The removable door is preferably provided at the front c f t he vacuum
cleaner,
or on a surface that does not face another component of the vacuun, cleaner.
Accordingly,
the dirt collection chamber is openable both when the dirt collection c hamber
is mounted to
the hand vacuum cleaner, or when it is removed. When door V ;B is pivoted away
or
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removed from the remainder of the cyclone unit 114, separation pl. ità 154 and
arm 156
also pivot away from the remainder of the cyclone unit.
The rear portion of the dirt collection chamber 124 may t e closed by wall 179
Preferably, as shown in Figures 4 to 58, the shroi d 182 is removably
mounted to the cyclone 122, and is removable through opening 187 avhen the
door 158 is
open. The shroud 182 may be removably mounted in any manner, tco any portion
of the
cleaner 100. For example, the ring 185 of the shroud 182 may fri(:tionally
mount to the
vortex finder 144. Alternately, the ring 185 of the shroud may be me astable
to wall 179 or
vortex finder 144 by a bayonet mount- Alternately, the ring 185 c f the shroud
may be
provided with screw threads that screw into screw threads on wall 119 :)r
vortex finder 144
or magnets may be used to secure the shroud in position.
In an alternate embodiment, dirt collection chamber m; iy be a portion of the
cyclone (i.e. internal of the casing defining the cyclone chamber). Ir ,c,uch
a case a plate
154 may be provided inside the cyclone chamber to define the dirt cc Iiection
chamber 124.
In any event, a door may be provided so as to empty the cyclone at id the
shroud may be
removable through the door.
Preferably, the cyclone casing 142 is sized to permit a i se;r to insert a
hand in
the annular portion of cyclone chamber 122 positioned between the , shroud
1.82 and the
cyclone casing 142. Accordingly, the user may grip the shroud 182 to remove
the shroud
182 from the cyclone 122. Preferably, a portion of shroud 182 is loca ed
adjacent dirt outlet
146 such that a user may grasp the shroud without having to insert r iuch of
their hand into
the cyclone casing.
The clean air exiting cyclone 122 passes through outlo:t 145 of vortex finder
144, exits surface cleaning head 116, and passes into the clean :r body 160.
As the
example shown, a cleaner body 160 may be positioned rearward c f I he surface
cleaning
head 116. The cleaner body may comprise a suction motor housing 1438, which
houses an
optional pre-motor filter 162, a suction motor 164 and may house in optional
post motor
filter 166.
In the example shown, suction motor housing 168 furtt er houses a pre-motor
filter 162. Pre-motor filter 162 is provided in the airflow path adjac4 .ni
and downstream of
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the vortex finder 144, and facing the outlet 145. Pre-motor filter 102 serves
to remove
remaining particulate matter from air exiting the cyclone 122, and mad " be
any type of filter,
such as a foam filter. One or more filters may be used. In the exen plified
embodiments,
the vacuum cleaner has a linear configuration. If the vacuum clear or- is of a
non-linear
configuration, then pre-motor filter 162 need not be located adjacent v )rlex
finder 144.
Suction motor 164 is provided in the airflow path adjace it and downstream of
the pre-motor filter 162. The suction motor 164 may be any type o suction
motor. The
suction motor draws air into the dirty air inlet 118 of the cleaner 15),
through the airflow
path past the suction motor 164, and out of the clean air outlet 120. 1 ho
suction motor 164
has a motor axis 165. In the example shown, the motor axis 165 anc the cyclone
axis 123
preferably extend in the same direction and are preferably genf rally
parallel. In the
exemplified embodiments, the vacuum cleaner has a linear configu =a-:ion. If
the vacuum
cleaner is of a non-linear configuration, then motor 164 need not be lo,,ated
adjacent pre-
motor filter 162.
The cleaner body 160 further comprises a post-motor I Itur housing 170. A
post motor filter 166 is provided in the post-motor filter housing 170. The
post-motor filter
166 is provided in the airflow path downstream of, and preferably adjacent,
the suction
motor 164. Post motor filter 166 serves to remove remaining partir elate
matter from air
exiting the cleaner 100. Post-motor filter 166 may be any type of fi ter, such
as a HEPA
filter. If the vacuum cleaner is of a non-linear configuration, then post
rriotor filter 166 need
not be located adjacent suction motor 164.
Clean air outlet 120 is provided downstream of post-m Dtur filter 166. Clean
air outlet 120 may comprise a plurality of apertures formed in housing 170.
Referring to Figure 7B, the dirt collection chambr r 124 is preferably
removable from the hand vacuum cleaner 100 and, more preferabl ' as a sealed
unit for
emptying. In the example shown, the cyclone unit 114 compris s the dirt
collection
chamber 124. Accordingly, the cyclone unit 114 is removable fn,rr the hand
vacuum
cleaner, and the dirt collection chamber 124 is removably from the i nd vacuum
cleaner
100 with the cyclone unit 114. As the cyclone unit 114 is integra with nozzle
112 and
airflow chamber 136, nozzle 112 and airflow chamber 136 are remo' Kahle from
the cleaner
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CA 02658046 2009-03-11
100 with cyclone unit 114. In the exemplified embodiment, the cyclone unit 114
is
removably mounted to the suction motor housing 168.
As can be seen in Figure 713, when the cyclone unit 11, i;; removed from the
hand vacuum cleaner, and particularly from motor housing 168, it is t ;e.aled,
except for the
fluid flow passages leading to and from the first cyclone unit (i.e. of erring
138 and outlet
145). That is, wall 179 and front wall 158 seal the cyclone unit 114. In order
to empty the
dirt collection chamber 124, the front wall 158 may be removed, arid the dirt
may be
emptied from dirt chamber 124.
As exemplified, in order to remove cyclone unit 114 frog i the surface
cleaning
apparatus, the cyclone unit comprises a first mounting member 173, and the
suction motor
housing 168 has a second mounting member 175. The first 173 and 5e cond 175
mounting
members are releasably engageable with each other. In the exampl : ;shown, the
first 173
and second 175 mounting members comprise a bayonet mount. In a, to =nate
examples, the
first and second mounting members may be another type of mount ng member, such
as
mating screw threads, magnets, mechanical members such as scree s or any other
type of
mounting members.
One or more rear wheels 180 may be mounted to how ing 161, preferably at
lower portion 106, and may be used in conjunction with wheels 13!i.
Preferably, a single
rear wheel 180 is provided. Preferably, rear wheel 180 is located c n a centre
line of the
vacuum cleaner and rearward of the depending wall 128.
In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the surface cl -aning apparatus may
further comprise a second cyclone unit. The second cyclone unit may comprise
one or
more cyclones. The cyclones may be arranged in series or in paralle. The
second cyclone
unit may be mounted in motor housing 168, or in a separate housinc. The second
cyclone
unit may be removably mounted to the first cyclone unit 114, or to the motor
housing 168.
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