Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: HAND VACUUM CLEANER
FIELD
The specification relates to vacuum cleaners, and particularly, to
cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners. More specifically, the specification relates to
hand vacuum cleaners having a removable dirt chamber.
INTRODUCTION
The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is
prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the
art.
PCT publication WO 2008/009890 (Dyson Technology Limited)
discloses a handheld cleaning appliance comprising a main body, a dirty air
inlet,
a clean air outlet and a cyclonic separator for separating dirt and dust from
an
airflow. The cyclone separator is located in an airflow path leading from the
air
inlet to the air outlet. The cyclonic separator is arranged in a generally
upright
orientation (i.e., the air rotates about a generally vertical axis in use). A
base
surface of the main body and a base surface of the cyclonic separator together
form a base surface of the appliance for supporting the appliance on a
surface.
See also PCT publication WO 2008/009888 (Dyson Technology Limited) and
PCT publication WO 2008/009883 (Dyson Technology Limited).
United States patent 7,370,387 (Black & Decker Inc.) discloses a
hand-holdable vacuum cleaner that uses one or more filters and/or cyclonic
separation device, and means for adjusting an angle of air inlet relative to a
main
axis of said vacuum cleaner. In particular, the vacuum cleaner further
comprises
a rigid, elongate nose having the air inlet at one end thereof, the nose being
pivotal relative to a main axis of the vacuum cleaner through an angle of at
least
135 degrees. An openable door is provided to empty the dirt collection
chamber.
SUMMARY
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The following introduction is provided to introduce the reader to the
more detailed discussion to follow. The introduction is not intended to limit
or
define the claims.
According to one broad aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner is disclosed
that is easier to clean and has a simplified structure. In accordance with
this
aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a dirt collection chamber and a
nozzle. The nozzle and the dirt collection chamber may be integrally molded
together or separately manufactured and then assembled together as a one -
piece assembly. In either embodiment, the nozzle and the dirt collection
chamber
may then be removed concurrently (e.g., in a single operation) from the hand
vacuum cleaner. Once removed, the dirt collection chamber may be emptied.
During operation, dirt may build up in the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner and/or
the dirt collection chamber. These components once separated from the hand
vacuum cleaner may be cleaned by, for example, washing them in water.
In a preferred embodiment, the dirt collection chamber is removable
in a sealed configuration. For example, a cyclone unit may comprise a cyclone
and a dirt collection chamber assembly, The assembly may be removably
mounted to the hand vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, the dirt collection chamber
may be closed (e.g., have a closed lid) when removed from the hand vacuum
cleaner.
A further advantage of this design is that the hand vacuum cleaner
may have a simplified structure. By providing the nozzle as part of the dirt
collection chamber, and preferably as part of a cyclone unit, such an assembly
may be removably mounted to a motor housing. Accordingly, a skeleton or
backbone to which individual components are mounted is not required and is
preferably not used. Such a design may be lighter, permitting a user to use
the
hand vacuum cleaner for a longer continuous period of time.
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Accordingly, for example, the hand vacuum cleaner may comprise
an air flow passage extending from a nozzle having a dirty air inlet to a
clean air
outlet, with a first cyclone unit is positioned in the air flow passage. The
first
cyclone unit may comprise at least one cyclone having a cyclone inlet and at
least one dirt collection chamber. A suction motor may be positioned in the
air
flow passage. The dirt collection chamber and the nozzle are removable from
the surface cleaning apparatus, preferably concurrently (i.e., by the same
operation step).
In some examples, the dirt collection chamber and the nozzle are
removable as a unit.
In some examples, the dirt collection chamber and the nozzle
comprise a one-piece assembly.
In some examples, the dirt collection chamber and the nozzle are
integrally formed, such as being produced from a single mold.
In some examples, the dirt collection chamber is removable from
the hand vacuum cleaner with the first cyclone unit.
In some examples, the nozzle is connected in airflow
communication with the cyclone at a lower portion of the hand vacuum cleaner.
In some examples, the nozzle is positioned at a bottom of the hand
vacuum.
In some examples, the nozzle is positioned beneath at least a
portion of the cyclone unit.
In some examples, the hand vacuum cleaner further comprises a
plurality of wheels, and the nozzle has a nozzle axis that extends generally
horizontally when the wheels are in contact with a surface to be cleaned.
In some examples, the nozzle comprises an enclosed airflow
chamber.
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In some examples, the nozzle comprises an open sided airflow
chamber.
In some examples, the open sided airflow chamber has an open
lower end.
In some examples, the open sided airflow chamber has an upper
nozzle wall that comprises at least a portion of the lower wall of the cyclone
unit.
In some examples, the cyclone inlet is in communication with an
enclosed passage extending from an opening in the upper nozzle wall.
In some examples, the open sided airflow chamber further
comprises a depending wall extending downwardly from the upper nozzle wall.
In some examples, the depending wall is generally U-shaped.
In some examples, the hand vacuum cleaner has a front and the
open sided airflow chamber extends to the front of the hand vacuum cleaner and
the dirty air inlet is at the front of the hand vacuum cleaner.
In some examples, the cyclone inlet faces a surface to be cleaned.
In some examples, the open sided airflow chamber comprises an
upper wall. A depending wall may extend downwardly from the upper wall. The
depending wall may have a lower end that is positioned above the lower end of
the wheels. The upper wall and the depending wall may define an airflow
chamber having an open lower end. The opening may be provided in a rear half
of the upper wall of the air flow chamber forwardly of a rear portion of the
depending wall and inwardly of side portions of the depending wall.
It will be appreciated that a hand vacuum cleaner may incorporate
one or more of the features of each of these examples.
DRAWINGS
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In the detailed description, reference will be made to the following
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side plan view of an example of a hand vacuum
cleaner;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the hand vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front plan view of the hand vacuum cleaner of Figure
1;
Figure 4 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of the hand
vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the hand
vacuum cleaner of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a cross section taken along line 6-6 in Figure 2;
Figure 7A is a bottom perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner
of Figure 1;
Figure 7B is a rear perspective view of the hand-vacuum cleaner of
Figure 1, showing the cyclone unit removed from the hand vacuum cleaner; and,
Figure 8 is a cross section showing an alternate example of a hand
vacuum cleaner.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EXAMPLES
Various apparatuses or methods will be described below to provide
an example of each claimed invention. No example described below limits any
claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or
apparatuses that are not described below. The claimed inventions are not
limited
to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or
process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the
apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process
described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention.
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The vacuum cleaner 100 may be of various configurations (e.g.,
different positioning and orientation of the cyclone unit and the suction
motor and
differing 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 vacuum cleaner
100 is shown. The vacuum cleaner 100 is a hand vacuum cleaner, and is
movable along a surface to be cleaned by gripping and maneuvering handle 102.
The vacuum cleaner includes an upper portion 104, a lower portion 106, a front
108, and a rear 110. In the example shown, handle 102 is provided at the upper
portion 104. In alternate examples, handle 102 may be provided elsewhere on
the vacuum cleaner 100, for example at the rear 110 and may be of any design.
In the example shown, the vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a nozzle
112 and a cyclone unit 114, which together form a surface cleaning head 116 of
the vacuum cleaner 100. In the example shown, the surface cleaning head 116
is preferably provided at the front 108 of the vacuum cleaner 100.
Nozzle 112 engages a surface to be cleaned, and comprises 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 the
cleaner 100. In the example shown, clean air outlet 120 is at the rear 110 of
the
cleaner 100.
Cyclone unit 114 is provided in the airflow passage, downstream of
the dirty air inlet 118. In the example shown, the cyclone unit 114 is a one
piece
assembly comprising one cyclone 122, and one dirt collection chamber 124,
which are integrally formed. In alternate examples, the cyclone unit 110 may
include more than one cyclonic stage, wherein each cyclonic stage comprising
one or more cyclones and one or more dirt chambers. Accordingly, the cyclones
may be arranged in parallel and/or in sequence. Further, in alternate
examples,
the cyclone 122 and dirt collection chamber 124 may be separately formed.
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In the example shown, the nozzle 112 is positioned at the lower
portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100. More particularly, in the example
shown, nozzle 112 is positioned at the bottom of the vacuum cleaner 100, is
beneath the cyclone unit 114. Further, in the example shown, the nozzle 112 is
integral with cyclone unit 114, and is preferably positioned at the lower
portion
106 of the vacuum cleaner 100. However, it will be appreciated that nozzle 112
may be connected to the cyclone unit or dirt collection chamber at alternate
locations.
Preferably, as exemplified, nozzle 112 may be on lower 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
be a
lower wall of the cyclone unit 114. As shown in Figure 6, dirt chamber 124
surrounds the lower portion of cyclone 122. Accordingly, the upper wall of
nozzle
112 may be part of the lower wall of the dirt chamber. It will be appreciated
that if
dirt chamber 124 does not extend around the lower portion of cyclone 122, then
the upper wall of nozzle 112 may be part of a lower wall of cyclone 122.
Preferably, in the example shown, the nozzle 112 is fixedly
positioned at the lower portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100. That is, the
nozzle 112 is not movable (e.g., rotatable) with respect to the remainder of
the
vacuum cleaner 100, 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 WN, and
cyclone unit 114 has a width Wc. In the example shown, WN, and Wc are about
the same. An advantage of this design is that the hand vacuum may have a
cleaning path that is essentially as wide as the hand vacuum itself.
Preferably, nozzle 112 comprises an airflow chamber wherein at
least a portion, and preferably a majority, of the lower surface of the
chamber is
open. . In an alternate design as exemplified by Figure 8, nozzle 812
comprises a
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lower wall 837, which closes lower end 834. Accordingly, nozzle 112 may be of
various designs and may be an open sided passage or a closed passage. In
either embodiment, it will be appreciated that nozzle 112 is mounted or
provided
on cyclone unit 114 and as exemplified on a lower portion of the dirt
collection
chamber so as to be removable with the dirt collection chamber.
An open sided nozzle design is exemplified in Figure 7A wherein
nozzle 112 comprises an upper nozzle wall 126. In the example shown, the
upper nozzle wall 126 comprises a portion 119 of a wall 115 of the cyclone
unit.
Preferably, one or more depending walls 128 extend downwardly
from the upper nozzle wall 126. The depending wall is preferably generally U-
shaped. In one embodiment, depending wall is provided rearward of opening
138. In other embodiments, depending walls may alternately or in addition be
provided on the lateral sides of opening 138. It is preferred that depending
walls
are provided on each lateral side of opening 138 and rearward thereof.
Further,
depending walls 128 may extend a substantial distance to the front end 108
and,
preferably, essentially all the way to front end 108. The depending walls may
be
continuous to define a single wall as shown, or may be discontinuous. The
depending walls are preferably rigid (e.g., integrally molded with cyclone
unit
114). However, they may be flexible (e.g., bristles or rubber) or moveably
mounted to cyclone unit 114 (e.g., hingedly mounted).
Preferably, the lower end 132 of depending wall 128 is spaced
above the surface being cleaned when the hand vacuum cleaner is placed on a
surface to be cleaned. As exemplified in Figure 6, when vacuum cleaner 100 is
placed on floor F, lower end 132 of depending wall 128 is spaced a distance H
above 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 nozzle wall 126
and lower end 132) may vary. In some examples, the depending wall may have
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a height of between about 0.05 and about 0.875 inches preferably between about
0.125 and about 0.6 inchesand more preferably between about 0.2 and about 0.4
inches. The height of depending wall may vary but is preferably constant.
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,
when
optional wheels 135 are in contact with a surface, the open side 130 sits
above
and is adjacent a surface to be cleaned.
In the example shown, the lower end 132 of the depending wall
128 defines an open lower end 134 of the nozzle 114. The open lower end 134
extends to the front 108 of the cleaner 108, and merges with the open side
130.
In use, the open lower end 134 faces a surface to be cleaned.
In the example shown, a plurality of wheels 135 are mounted to the
depending wall 128. It will be appreciated that wheels 135 are optional.
Preferably, wheels 135 are positioned exterior to the airflow path through
nozzle
112, e.g., laterally outwardly from depending wall 128. Preferably a pair of
front
wheels 135 is provided. Preferably, the wheels are located adjacent front 108.
Optionally, one or more rear wheels 180 may be provided. In an alternate
embodiment, no wheels may be provided If wheels are provided, then preferably,
the lower end 194 of the wheels 135 extend lower than the lower end 132 of the
depending wall 128. That is, the lower end 132 of the depending wall 128 is
positioned above the lower end 194 of the wheels 135. Accordingly, in use,
when wheels 135 are in contact with a surface, the lower end 132 of the
depending wall 128 is spaced from a surface to be cleaned, and the space
between the lower end of the depending wall 128 and the surface to be cleaned
form a secondary dirty air inlet to the cleaner 100.
The upper nozzle wall 126, depending wall 128, and open lower
end 134 of the nozzle 112 define an open sided airflow chamber 136 of the
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nozzle. In the example shown, the open sided airflow chamber 136 extends to
the front 108 of the cleaner 100. In use, when wheels 135 are in contact with
a
horizontal surface, the nozzle 112 and the airflow chamber 136 extend
generally
horizontally, along a nozzle axis 113.
If an open sided nozzle 112 is used, then on opening 138 may be
provided in the upper nozzle wall 126. Opening 138 may be of any size and
configuration and at various locations in upper nozzle wall 126. Preferably,
opening 138 is positioned in the rear half of upper nozzle wall 126, forwardly
of a
rear portion 129 of depending wall 128, and inwardly of side portions 131 of
depending wall 128. In use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a surface, the
opening 138 faces a surface to be cleaned, air enters the dirty air inlet 118,
passes horizontally through the airflow chamber 136, and passes into the
opening 138. Opening 138 is in communication with a cyclone inlet passage
139, which is enclosed, and which is in communication with a cyclone air inlet
140 of cyclone 122. In use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a surface,
cyclone air inlet 140 faces a surface to be cleaned. Accordingly, the nozzle
112
is connected in airflow communication with the cyclone 112 at the lower
portion
106 of the cleaner 100.
Cyclone 122 may of any configuration and orientation. Preferably,
cyclone 122 comprises a chamber wall 142, which in the example shown, is
cylindrical. The cyclone chamber is located inside chamber wall 142. The
cyclone
122 extends along an axis 123, which, in the example shown, is preferably
parallel to the nozzle axis, and preferably extends generally horizontally
when
cleaner 100 is in use and wheels 135 are seated on a surface. The cyclone 122
has an air inlet 140 and an air outlet 145, which, preferably are at the same
end
of cyclone 122. Preferably the air inlet and the air outlet are distal to
front end
108. The cyclone air inlet and cyclone air outlet may be of any configuration
known in the art and the cyclone air outlet may be covered by a screen or
shroud
or filter as is known in the art.
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As exemplified, the cyclone air inlet 140 is defined by an aperture in
the chamber wall 142. As can be seen in Figure 5, the inlet passage 139 is at
configured such that air enters the cyclone 122 in a tangential flow path,
e.g.,
passage 139 may be arcuate. The air travels in a cyclonic path in the cyclone,
and dirt in the air is separated from the air. The air exits the cyclone via
an outlet
passage 144, through outlet 145. Outlet 145 is defined in a rear wall 179 of
the
cyclone unit 114.
As exemplified in Figure 6, a plate 174 may be provided adjacent
outlet passage 144, spaced from and facing the inlet 176 to outlet passage
144.
Plate 174 may be mounted to cyclone 122 via legs 178. In the example shown,
plate 174, and legs 178 form an assembly 182 that is removably mounted in
cyclone 122. In some examples, a screen may be mounted around legs 178.
The dirt that is separated from the air exits the cyclone via dirt
outlet 146, and enters dirt collection chamber 124. The dirt collection
chamber
may be internal or external to the cyclone chamber. Preferably, as
exemplified,
the dirt collection chamber is external. The dirt collection chamber may be in
communication with the cyclone chamber by any means known in the art.
Accordingly, one or more dirt outlets may be provided. Preferably, the dirt
outlet
is at the end opposed to the air inlet and, preferably, the dirt outlet is at
the front
end 108.
In the example shown, dirt collection chamber 124 comprises two
portions. A first portion 148 is provided immediately adjacent the dirt outlet
146,
and is at the front 108 of the cleaner 100. A second portion 150 is concentric
with the cyclone 122. A lower portion 152 of the second portion 150 is below
the
cyclone. As exemplified, nozzle 112 is positioned below first portion 148, and
lower portion 152. Accordingly, dirt chamber 124 may comprise an annular
chamber surrounding the cyclone 122.
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A separation plate 154 may be provided in the dirt collection
chamber 124, adjacent the dirt outlet 146. The separation plate 154 aids in
preventing dirt in dirt collection chamber 124 from re-entering cyclone 122.
Preferably, plate 154 is spaced from dirt outlet 146 and faces dirt outlet
146.
Plate 154 may be mounted by any means to any component in cyclone unit 114.
As exemplified, the separation plate is mounted on an arm 156, which extends
from a front wall 158 at the front 108 of the cleaner 100.
Cyclone unit 114 may be emptied by any means known in the art.
For example, one of the ends of the cyclone unit 114 may be openable. As
exemplified in Figures 4 and 5, front wall 158 is pivotally mounted to the
cyclone
unit wall 115 and serves as an openable door of the dirt chamber 124, such
dirt
collection chamber 124 is openable, and dirt collection chamber 124 may be
emptied. The dirt collection chamber is preferably openable both when the dirt
collection chamber is mounted to the hand vacuum cleaner, or when it is
removed, as will be described hereinbelow. When front wall 158 is pivoted away
from the remainder of the cyclone unit 114, separation plate 154 and arm 156
also pivot away from the remainder of the cyclone unit. For example, a latch
159
may be provided, which secures front wall 158 to wall 115. In alternate
examples, front wall 158 may be removable from cyclone unit wall 115, or the
rear wall 179 of the cyclone unit 114 may be openable.
The rear portion of the dirt collection chamber 124 is closed by wall
179.
The clean air exiting cyclone 122 passes through outlet 145 of
outlet passage 144, exits surface cleaning head 116, and passes into the
cleaner
body 160. In the example shown, the cleaner body 160 is positioned rearward of
the surface cleaning head 116. The cleaner body comprises a suction motor
housing 168, which houses a suction motor 164 and may also house an optional
pre-motor filter 162 and/or an optional post-motor filter 166.
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In the example shown, suction motor housing 168 further houses
an optional pre-motor filter 162. In the exemplified embodiments, the vacuum
cleaner has a linear configuration. Accordingly, pre-motor filter 162 is
provided in
the airflow path adjacent and downstream of the outlet passage 144, and facing
the outlet 145. Pre-motor filter 162 serves to remove remaining particulate
matter
from air exiting the cyclone 122, and may be any type of filter, such as a
foam
filter. One or more filters may be used. If the vacuum cleaner is of a non-
linear
configuration, then pre-motor filter 162 need not be located adjacent outlet
passage 144.
Suction motor 164 is provided in the airflow path adjacent and
downstream of the pre-motor filter 162. The suction motor 164 may be any type
of suction motor. The suction motor draws air into the dirty air inlet 118 of
the
cleaner 100, through the airflow path past the suction motor 164, and out of
the
clean air outlet 120. The suction motor 164 has a motor axis 165. In the
example shown, the motor axis 165 and the cyclone axis 123 extend in the same
direction and are generally parallel. In the exemplified embodiments, the
vacuum
cleaner has a linear configuration If the vacuum cleaner is of a non-linear
configuration, then motor 164 need not be located adjacent pre-motor filter
162.
The cleaner body 160 further comprises an optional post-motor
filter 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 particulate mater from air exiting the cleaner
100. Post-motor filter 166 may be any type of filter, such as a HEPA filter.
Clean air outlet 120 is provided downstream of post-motor filter
166. Clean air outlet 120 comprises a plurality of apertures formed in housing
170.
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Referring to Figure 7B, the dirt collection chamber 124 is preferably
removable from the hand vacuum cleaner 100 as a sealed unit for emptying. In
the example shown, the dirt collection chamber 124 is integrally formed with
cyclone wall 142 , and with nozzle 112. In other embodiments, one or more of
these components may be separately manufactured and then assembled
together (e.g., by an adhesive, mechanical means such as screws or welding, to
form a one-piece assembly. In any such embodiment, when cyclone unit 114 is
removed from the cleaner 100, nozzle 112 is also removed from the cleaner 100.
It will be appreciated that if dirt chamber 124 is removably mounted to
cyclone
unit 114, then nozzle 112 is removable together with dirt chamber 124 from
vacuum cleaner 100.
As can be seen in Figure 7B, when the cyclone unit 114 is removed
from the hand vacuum cleaner, and particularly from motor housing 168, it is
sealed, except for the fluid flow passages leading to and from the first
cyclone
unit (i.e. opening 138 and outlet 145). That is, wall 179 seals the air outlet
end of
cyclone unit 114 and front wall 158 seals the front end of the cyclone unit
114. In
order to empty the dirt collection chamber 124, the front wall 158 may be
opened,
and the dirt may be emptied from dirt chamber 124.
As exemplified, in order to remove cyclone unit 114 from 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 second 175 mounting members are releasably engageable with
each other. In the example shown, the first 173 and second 175 mounting
members comprise a bayonet mount. In alternate examples, the first and second
mounting members may be another type of mounting member, such as mating
screw threads, magnets, mechanical fasteners such as screws or any other type
of mounting members. It will be appreciated that if dirt collection chamber
124 is
removably mounted to cyclone unit 114, then any such removable securing
mechanism may be used.
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One or more additional wheels 180 may be mounted to housing
161, preferably at lower portion 106, and may be used in conjunction with
wheels
135. Preferably, a single rear wheel 180 is provided. Preferably, rear wheel
180
is located on a centre line of the vacuum cleaner and rearward of the
depending
wall 128.
Referring now to Figure 8, in which like numerals refer to like
features, with the first digit incremented to 8 to refer to the figure number,
an
alternate example of a hand vacuum cleaner 800 is shown. As discussed
previously, nozzle 812 comprises a lower wall 837, which closes lower end 834.
Accordingly, in contrast to cleaner 100, nozzle 812 comprises an enclosed
airflow passage 836. Further, in this example, front wall 858 is not pivotally
mounted to wall 815. Rather, wall surface cleaning head 816 is pivotally
mounted to body 860.
Cleaner 800 further comprises a second optional cyclone unit 851
downstream of the first cyclone unit 814, between first cyclone unit 814 and
pre-
motor filter 862. In the example shown, the second cyclone unit 851 comprises
a
plurality of cyclones in parallel. Each of the plurality of cyclones is
parallel to the
first cyclone axis 823.
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