Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02915198 2015-12-14
ALL IN THE HEAD SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS
FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter of the teachings described herein
relates
generally to an all in the head type surface cleaning apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known. These
include upright
surface cleaning apparatus, canister surface cleaning apparatus, stick surface
cleaning
apparatus and central vacuum systems. Typically, a surface cleaning apparatus
has a
surface cleaning head with an inlet. For example, an upright surface cleaning
apparatus
typically comprises an upright section containing at least an air treatment
member that is
pivotally mounted to a surface cleaning head. A canister surface cleaning
apparatus
typically comprises a canister body containing at least an air treatment
member and a
suction motor that is connected to a surface cleaning head by a flexible hose
and a handle.
Such designs are advantageous as they permit some of the operating components,
and
optionally all of the operating components (i.e., the suction motor and the
air treatment
members) to be placed at a location other than the surface cleaning head. This
enables the
surface cleaning head to be lighter and smaller. Reducing the weight of the
surface
cleaning head may increase its maneuverability. Also, reducing the height of
the surface
cleaning head enables the surface cleaning head to clean under furniture
having a lower
ground clearance.
[0003] Another type of surface cleaning apparatus is the all in the
head surface
cleaning apparatus. An all in the head surface cleaning apparatus typically
has the suction
motor and the air treatment members (e.g., one or more cyclones) to be
positioned in the
surface cleaning head. However, for various reasons, the all in the head
vacuum cleaner
has not been widely accepted by consumers.
[0004] US 5,699,586; US 6,012,200; US 6,442,792; US 7,013,528; US
2004/0134026; US 2006/0156509; and, US 2009/0056060 disclose an all in the
head
vacuum cleaner wherein the surface cleaning head is wedge shaped (i.e., the
height of the
surface cleaning head increases from the front end to the rear end).
Accordingly, the height
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at the rear end limits the extent to which the surface cleaning head may
travel under
furniture. If the height is too tall, then only the front portion of the
surface cleaning head
may be able to be placed under furniture, thereby limiting the ability of the
surface cleaning
apparatus to clean under furniture.
[0005] US 5,909,755 discloses an all in the head vacuum cleaner. However,
this
design has limited filtration ability. As set out in the abstract, the design
uses a suction
motor to draw in air having entrained particulate matter through a filter to
thereby treat the
air. Accordingly, while the design is not wedge shaped, it relies upon a
filter to treat the air.
SUMMARY
[0006] This summary is intended to introduce the reader to the more
detailed
description that follows and not to limit or define any claimed or as yet
unclaimed invention.
One or more inventions may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the
elements
or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims
and figures.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of this disclosure, an all
in the head
surface cleaning apparatus is provided which incorporates cyclonic air
treatment in a
compact format. The surface cleaning head may have a height which permits the
entire
surface cleaning head to extend under furniture. For example, the maximum
height of the
surface cleaning head may be less than 8 inches, less than 6 inches, less than
5 inches or
less than 4.5 inches. At the same time, the surface cleaning head may employ
cyclonic air
treatment technology and achieve a degree of air treatment comparable to that
of leading
upright cyclonic vacuum cleaners. Further, the surface cleaning head may have
a dirt
storage capacity that enables the surface cleaning apparatus to be used to
clean an entire
residence without a dirt collection chamber having to be emptied. For example,
the dirt
collection chamber may have a dirt storage capacity of 20, 40, 60 or 80 in2.
[0008] The all in the head surface cleaning apparatus may also have an
above floor
cleaning mode. Accordingly, the all in the head surface cleaning apparatus may
be useable
in the same modes as an upright vacuum cleaner and may replace an upright
vacuum
cleaner.
[0009] The all in the head surface cleaning apparatus may have a
drive handle that
comprises an above floor cleaning wand and a flexible hose. Therefore, the
entire upper
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section may be the above floor cleaning conduit. Optionally, a suction motor
and/or a filter
may be provided on the drive handle.
[0010]
In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning
apparatus
comprising:
(a) a surface cleaning head comprising:
(i) a front end, a rear end, first and second laterally opposed sidewalls and
a
lower surface having a primary dirty air inlet;
(ii) a brush drive member drivingly connected to a moveable brushing
member; and,
(iii) a cyclone comprising a cyclone chamber, the cyclone chamber having a
longitudinal cyclone axis;
(b) a suction motor;
(c) a drive handle drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head; and,
(d) an above floor cleaning wand, a flexible hose and an auxiliary dirty air
inlet,
wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is useable in a floor cleaning mode in
which
the drive handle is drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and air
enters
the surface cleaning apparatus via the primary dirty air inlet of the surface
cleaning
head and an above floor cleaning mode wherein the above floor cleaning wand is
connected in air flow communication with the suction motor and air enters the
surface cleaning apparatus via the auxiliary dirty air inlet.
[0011]
In some embodiments, the above floor cleaning wand may have an upper end
and a lower end and in the stored position, the lower end may be moveably
mounted to the
surface cleaning head whereby the drive handle is moveable between a storage
position
and an inclined floor cleaning position.
[0012] In some embodiments, the upper end of the drive handle may have a
hand
grip.
[0013]
In some embodiments, the upper end of the drive handle may have the
auxiliary dirty air inlet.
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[0014] In some embodiments, the above floor cleaning wand may be
slidably
receivable in the flexible hose.
[0015] In some embodiments, the suction motor may be provided in the
surface
cleaning head.
[0016] In some embodiments, the brush drive member may comprise a brush
motor.
Alternately, an air turbine may be used.
[0017] In some embodiments, the suction motor may be located
downstream of the
cyclone and the apparatus further may comprise at least one valve operable to
alternately
connect the dirty air inlet of the surface cleaning head and the auxiliary
dirty air inlet in air
flow communication with the suction motor.
[0018] In some embodiments, the cyclone may have a first air inlet
connectable in air
flow communication with the dirty air inlet of the surface cleaning head and a
second air
inlet connectable in air flow communication with the auxiliary dirty air
inlet.
[0019] In some embodiments, the suction motor may be located
downstream of the
cyclone and the apparatus may further comprise at least one valve operable to
alternately
connect the primary dirty air inlet and the auxiliary dirty air inlet in air
flow communication
with the cyclone.
[0020] In some embodiments, the at least one valve may comprise a
drive handle
valve provided on the drive handle and a surface cleaning head valve provided
between
the primary dirty air inlet and as cyclone inlet.
[0021] In some embodiments, the drive handle may be positioned
proximate the
auxiliary dirty air inlet.
[0022] In some embodiments, the cyclone may be positionable in a
first position in
which the cyclone is in flow communication with the dirty air inlet of the
surface cleaning
head and a second position in which the cyclone is in flow communication with
the auxiliary
dirty air inlet.
[0023] In some embodiments, the cyclone may be rotatable between the
first and
second positions.
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[0024] In some embodiments, the cyclone bin assembly may be rotatable
between
the first and second positions.
[0025] In some embodiments, the cyclone bin assembly comprises a
cyclone inlet
manifold and the cyclone inlet manifold is rotatable between the first and
second positions.
[0026] In some embodiments, the cyclone may be translatable between the
first and
second positions.
[0027] In some embodiments, the cyclone bin assembly may be
translatable
between the first and second positions.
[0028] In some embodiments, the cyclone bin assembly may further
comprise a
manifold having a first manifold inlet connectable in flow communication with
the primary
dirty air inlet and a second manifold inlet connectable in flow communication
with the
auxiliary dirt inlet.
[0029] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a
single valve
positioned in the manifold.
DRAWINGS
[0030] The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various
examples of
articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present
specification and are not
intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.
[0031] In the drawings:
[0032] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an example of an all in the
head type
surface cleaning apparatus;
[0033] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 1;
[0034] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 1 with an upper portion in a use position;
[0035] Figure 4 is left side view of the surface cleaning apparatus
of Figure 1;
[0036] Figure 5 is right side view of the surface cleaning apparatus
of Figure 1;
[0037] Figure 6 is a rear view of the surface cleaning apparatus of
Figure 1;
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[0038] Figure 7 is a top view of the surface cleaning apparatus of
Figure 1;
[0039] Figure 8 is bottom view of the surface cleaning apparatus of
Figure 1;
[0040] Figure 9 is bottom view of the surface cleaning apparatus of
Figure 1 with a
rotating brush removed;
[0041] Figure 10 is cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus
of Figure
1, taken along line 10-10;
[0042] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 10;
[0043] Figure 12 is cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of Figure
1, taken along line 12-12, which is shown in Figure 4;
[0044] Figure 13 is cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus
of Figure
1, taken along line 13-13, which is shown in Figure 4;
[0045] Figure 14 is cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of Figure
1, taken along line 14-14, which is shown in Figure 4;
[0046] Figure 15 is cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of Figure
1, taken along line 15-15, which is shown in Figure 4;
[0047] Figure 16 is cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of Figure
1, taken along line 16-16, which is shown in Figure 7;
[0048] Figure 17 is cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of Figure
1, taken along line 17-17, which is shown in Figure 7;
[0049] Figure 18 is cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus
of Figure
1, taken along line 18-18, which is shown in Figure 7;
[0050] Figure 19 is a partially exploded view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 1;
[0051] Figure 20 is a perspective view of an example of a cyclone bin
assembly
useable with the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 1;
[0052] Figure 21 is another perspective view of the cyclone bin
assembly of Figure
20 oriented with the filter chamber at the upper end;
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[0053] Figure 22 is a perspective view of the cyclone bin assembly of
Figure 21 with
a cyclone chamber door open;
[0054] Figure 23 is a perspective view of the cyclone bin assembly of
Figure 21
oriented with the filter chamber at the upper end, with a cyclone chamber door
and a filter
chamber open;
[0055] Figure 24 is a partially exploded view of the cyclone bin
assembly of Figure
23;
[0056] Figure 25 is another perspective view of the cyclone bin
assembly of Figure
20 oriented with the cyclone chamber at the upper end, with the cyclone
chamber door
open;
[0057] Figure 26 is an end view of the cyclone bin assembly of Figure
20 in the
configuration of Figure 25;
[0058] Figure 27 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 1 with the cyclone bin assembly detached;
[0059] Figure 28 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 1 with the cyclone bin assembly in a removal position;
[0060] Figure 29 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 1 with the cyclone bin assembly in a removal position;
[0061] Figure 30 is to top view of the surface cleaning apparatus of
Figure 1 with the
cyclone bin assembly in a removal position and with the brush chamber open;
[0062] Figure 31 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning
head of Figure 1
with the cyclone bin assembly in a removal position;
[0063] Figure 32 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning
head of Figure 1
with the cyclone bin assembly in a removal position;
[0064] Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the surface
cleaning
apparatus of Figure 1 with a lock in locked configuration, taken along line 33-
33, which is
shown in Figure 7;
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[0065] Figure 34 is the cross-sectional view of Figure 33 with the
lock in an unlocked
configuration;
[0066] Figure 35 is the cross-sectional view of Figure 34, with the
cyclone bin
assembly pivoted to a different position;
[0067] Figure 36 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 1 with the cyclone bin assembly removed;
[0068] Figure 37 is a top view of the portion of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 36;
[0069] Figure 38 is a partially exploded a front perspective view of
the surface
cleaning head of Figure 1 with the cyclone bin assembly removed;
[0070] Figure 39 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning
head of Figure 1
with the cyclone bin assembly in a removal position and a cover removed to
reveal a bleed
valve;
[0071] Figure 40 is a top perspective view of the surface cleaning
head as shown in
Figure 39;
[0072] Figure 41 is a partially exploded front perspective view of
the surface cleaning
apparatus of Figure 1;
[0073] Figure 42A is perspective view of the drive handle of Figure
1;
[0074] Figure 42B is an enlarged view of a portion of the drive
handle shown in
Figure 42A;
[0075] Figure 43 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 1 with a brush chamber open and the cyclone bin in a removal position;
[0076] Figure 44 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 1 with a drive handle in a retracted position;
[0077] Figure 45 is an enlarged rear perspective view the upper portion of
the drive
handle of Figure 1;
[0078] Figure 46 is a front perspective view of another example of an
all in the head
type surface cleaning apparatus;
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[0079] Figure 47 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 46, with the cyclone bin assembly in a removal position;
[0080] Figure 48 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 46, with the cyclone bin assembly removed;
[0081] Figure 49 is a top perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 46, with the cyclone bin assembly removed;
[0082] Figure 50 is a front perspective view of an example of a
cyclone bin assembly
with a filter chamber opened;
[0083] Figure 51 is a side perspective view of the cyclone bin
assembly of Figure 50
showing the cyclone chamber in an open position;
[0084] Figure 52 is a perspective view of the filter chamber end of
the cyclone bin
assembly of Figure 50;
[0085] Figure 53 is a side perspective view of the surface cleaning
head of Figure
46;
[0086] Figure 54A is a bottom perspective view of the surface cleaning head
of
Figure 46 with a blocker in a deployed position;
[0087] Figure 54B the a bottom perspective view of the surface
cleaning head of
Figure 54A with the blocker in a retracted position
[0088] Figure 55 is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
head of Figure 46,
taken along line 55-55, which is shown in Figure 53;
[0089] Figure 56 is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
head of Figure 46,
taken along line 56-56, which is shown in Figure 53;
[0090] Figure 57 is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
head of Figure 46,
taken along line 57-57, which is shown in Figure 46;
[0091] Figure 58 is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 46, taken along line 58-58, which is shown in Figure 46;
[0092] Figure 59 is the cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 58, with a wand extended and a pre-motor filter removed;
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[0093] Figure 60 is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 46, taken along line 60-60, which is shown in Figure 46;
[0094] Figure 61 is a front perspective view of another example of an
all in the head
type surface cleaning apparatus;
[0095] Figure 62 is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning head of
Figure 61,
taken along line 62-62, which is shown in Figure 61, with a cyclone chamber in
a first
orientation relative to the surface cleaning head;
[0096] Figure 63 is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
head of Figure 61,
taken along line 63-63, which is shown in Figure 61, with the cyclone chamber
in the
orientation shown in Figure 62;
[0097] Figure 64 is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
head of Figure 61,
taken along line 62-62, which is shown in Figure 61, with a cyclone chamber in
a second
orientation relative to the surface cleaning head;
[0098] Figure 65 is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
head of Figure 61,
taken along line 62-62, which is shown in Figure 61, with a cyclone chamber in
a third
orientation relative to the surface cleaning head;
[0099] Figure 66 is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
head of Figure 61,
taken along line 63-63, which is shown in Figure 61, with the cyclone chamber
in the
orientation shown in Figure 65;
[00100] Figure 67 is a front perspective view of an example of a cyclone
bin assembly
usable with the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 61;
[00101] Figure 68 is a rear perspective view of the cyclone bin
assembly of Figure 67;
[00102] Figure 69 is a top perspective view of the cyclone bin
assembly of Figure 67,
with a filter chamber opened and with the cyclone chamber in an open position;
[00103] Figure 70 is a front perspective view of the all in the head type
surface
cleaning apparatus of Figure 61, with a cleaning wand partially extended;
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[00104] Figure 71A is a front perspective view of another example of
an all in the
head type surface cleaning apparatus, with a cyclone bin assembly positioned
for
installation in a first orientation;
[00105] Figure 71B is a front perspective view of the all in the head
type surface
cleaning apparatus of Figure 71A, with the cyclone bin assembly positioned for
installation
in a second orientation;
[00106] Figure 710 is a front perspective view of the all in the head
type surface
cleaning apparatus of Figure 71A, with a cleaning wand partially extended;
[00107] Figure 72A is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
head of Figures
71A-C, taken along line 72-72, which is shown in Figure 710, with the cyclone
bin
assembly installed in the orientation shown in Figure 71A;
[00108] Figure 72B is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
head of Figures
71A-C, taken along line 72-72, which is shown in Figure 710, with the cyclone
bin
assembly installed in the orientation shown in Figure 71B;
[00109] Figure 73A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example
surface
cleaning head, with the cyclone bin assembly mounted in a first position;
[00110] Figure 73B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the example
surface
cleaning head of Figure 73A, with the cyclone bin assembly mounted in a second
position;
[00111] Figure 74 is a front perspective view of another example of
an all in the head
type surface cleaning apparatus, with a cleaning wand partially extended;
[00112] Figure 75A is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
head of Figure
74, taken along line 75-75, which is shown in Figure 74, with a first airflow
valve in an open
configuration, and a second airflow valve in a closed configuration;
[00113] Figure 75B is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
head of Figure
74, taken along line 75-75, which is shown in Figure 74, with a first airflow
valve in a closed
configuration, and a second airflow valve in an open configuration;
[00114] Figure 76A is a cross-sectional view of another example
surface cleaning
head, with a pair of linked airflow valves in a first position;
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[00115] Figure 76B is a cross-sectional view of the example surface
cleaning head of
Figure 76A, with the linked airflow valves in a second position;
[00116] Figure 77A is a cross-sectional view of another example
surface cleaning
head, with a rotary airflow valve in a first orientation;
[00117] Figure 77B is a cross-sectional view of the example surface
cleaning head of
Figure 77A, with the rotary airflow valve in a second orientation;
[00118] Figure 78A is a cross-sectional view of another example
surface cleaning
head, with a first airflow valve in an open configuration, and a second
airflow valve in a
closed configuration;
[00119] Figure 78B is a cross-sectional view of the example surface
cleaning head of
Figure 78A, with a first airflow valve in a closed configuration, and a second
airflow valve in
an open configuration;
[00120] Figure 79A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example
surface
cleaning head, with a first airflow valve in an open configuration, and with a
surface
cleaning wand unseated to allow airflow therethrough;
[00121] Figure 79B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the example
surface
cleaning head of Figure 79A, with a first airflow valve in a closed
configuration, and with the
surface cleaning wand seated to prevent airflow therethrough;
[00122] Figure 80 is a side view of another example of an all in the
head type surface
cleaning apparatus with a portable cleaning unit attached to the drive handle;
[00123] Figure 81 is the side view of Figure 80 with the portable
cleaning unit
detached from the drive handle;
[00124] Figure 82 is a front perspective view of the cleaning
apparatus of Figure 80
with the portable cleaning unit detached from the drive handle;
[00125] Figure 83 is a front perspective view of another example of an all
in the head
type surface cleaning apparatus with a flexible hose and cleaning wand in a
stored position;
[00126] Figure 84 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 83 with the flexible hose and cleaning wand in the stored position;
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[00127] Figure 85 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 83 with the flexible hose and cleaning wand in a deployed position;
[00128] Figure 86 is a front perspective view of another example of
an all in the head
type surface cleaning apparatus with a flexible hose and cleaning wand in a
stored position;
[00129] Figure 87 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 86 with the flexible hose and cleaning wand in the stored position;
[00130] Figure 88 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 86 with the flexible hose and cleaning wand in a deployed position
[00131] Figure 89 is an end view of a schematic representation of
another example of
a cyclone bin assembly, with a rotatable portion in a first position;
[00132] Figure 90 is an end view of a schematic representation of the
cyclone bin
assembly of Figure 89 with a rotatable portion in a second position; and,
[00133] Figure 91 is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone bin
assembly of Figure 89,
taken along line 91-91.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00134] Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to
provide an
example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described
below
limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or
apparatuses that differ from those 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. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or process
described below
that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another
protective
instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants,
inventors or
owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such
invention by
its disclosure in this document.
[00135] As exemplified herein, the surface cleaning apparatus is an
all in the head
vacuum cleaner. It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, aspects
disclosed
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herein may be used in other surface cleaning apparatus such as extractors or
in surface
cleaning heads of other vacuum cleaners, such as an upright vacuum cleaner or
a canister
vacuum cleaner.
General Description of an All in the Head Vacuum Cleaner
[00136] Referring to Figures 1-8, an embodiment of a surface cleaning
apparatus is
shown. The surface cleaning apparatus includes a surface cleaning head 102 and
an upper
portion 104 that is movably and drivingly connected to the surface cleaning
head 102. The
surface cleaning head 102 may be supported by any suitable support members,
such as,
for example wheels and/or rollers, to allow the surface cleaning head to be
moved across
the floor or other surface being cleaned. The support members (e.g., wheels)
may be of
any suitable configuration, and may be attached to any suitable part of the
surface cleaning
apparatus, including, for example, the surface cleaning head and upper
portion.
[00137] The surface cleaning apparatus 100 preferably includes a dirty
air inlet 110
(see Figure 8), a clean air outlet 112 (see Figure 7) and an air flow path or
passage
extending therebetween. Preferably, at least one suction motor and at least
one air
treatment member are provided in the air flow path. The air treatment member
may be any
suitable air treatment member, including, for example, one or more cyclones
(arranged in
series or in parallel with each other), filters, bags and other dirt
separation devices.
Preferably, the at least one air treatment member is provided upstream from
the suction
motor, but alternatively may be provided downstream from the suction motor or
both
upstream and downstream from the suction motor. In addition to the at least
one air
treatment member, the surface cleaning apparatus may also include one or more
pre-motor
filters (preferably positioned in the air flow path between the air treatment
member and the
suction motor) and/or one or more post-motor filters (positioned in the air
flow path between
the suction motor and the clean air outlet).
[00138] Upper portion 104 may be of any design known in the art that
is drivingly
connected to surface cleaning head 102 so as to permit a user to move surface
cleaning
head 102 across a surface to be cleaned (such as a floor). Upper portion 104
may be
moveably (e.g., pivotally) connected to surface cleaning head for movement
between an
upright storage position as exemplified in Figure 1 and an inclined in use
position as
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exemplified in Figure 3. If upper portion 104 is moveably connected to surface
cleaning
head 102 abut only one axis or rotation (e.g., a horizontal axis), then upper
portion 104 may
be used to move surface cleaning head 102 in a generally forward/backward
direction of
travel, indicated by arrow 106. A direction generally orthogonal to the
direction of travel,
indicated by arrow 108 defines a lateral or transverse direction. In some
embodiments,
upper portion 104 may be rotatable connected to surface cleaning head 102,
such as by a
swivel connection, so as to enable a user to steer the surface cleaning head
using the
upper section.
[00139] Upper section may comprise a hand grip portion 444 and a
handle or drive
shaft 442. Drive shaft 442 may be telescopic and/or it may be useable as an
above floor
cleaning wand and/or it may provide electrical cord storage and/or auxiliary
cleaning tool
storage and/or it may be used to hang the surface cleaning apparatus on a wall
when not in
use
[00140] In the embodiment illustrated, the surface cleaning apparatus
100 is an all in
the head type vacuum cleaner in which the functional or operational components
for the
transport and treatment of fluid (e.g., air) entering the dirty air inlet of
the vacuum cleaner
(such as, for example, the suction motor, air treatment member, filters,
motors, etc.) are all
contained within the surface cleaning head 102 portion of surface cleaning
apparatus 100.
Providing the functional air flow components within the surface cleaning head
may help
reduce the size and/or weight of the upper portion. Providing the functional
components
within the surface cleaning head may also help lower the centre of gravity of
the surface
cleaning apparatus. Accordingly, the hand weight experienced by a user
operating surface
cleaning apparatus 100 is reduced.
[00141] In some embodiments, the surface cleaning head may also be
configured to
accommodate functional components that do not form part of the air flow path,
such as, for
example, brush motors, brushes, on board energy storage systems, controllers
and other
components.
[00142] Alternatively, while being free from air flow components, the
upper section
may include some components, such as, for example, height adjustment
mechanisms,
electrical cord connections, electrical cord storage members, handle,
actuators, steering
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components and other functional, on board energy storage systems, but non-
airflow related
components of the surface cleaning apparatus.
[00143]
Referring to Figure 13, in the illustrated example, the surface cleaning
head
includes a front end 114 having a front face 116, a rear end 118 spaced
rearwardly from
the front end and having a rear face 120 and a pair of side faces 124 that are
laterally
spaced apart from each other and extend from the front face 116 to the rear
face 120.
Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the surface cleaning head 102 also has a bottom
face 126
that is extends between the front end 114, rear end 118 and side faces 124.
The bottom
face 126 is positioned to face the surface being cleaned when the surface
cleaning
apparatus 100 is in use.
[00144]
Referring to Figure 7, a top face 128 generally is spaced apart from and
overlies the bottom face 126 (Figure 8). Together, the front face 116, rear
face 120, side
faces 124, bottom face 126 and top face 128 co-operate to bound an interior of
the surface
cleaning head 102, which, in the illustrated example, is configured to house
the functional
components of the air flow path of the surface cleaning apparatus. Preferably,
in an all in
the head type vacuum cleaner, the surface cleaning head includes the dirty air
inlet 110
and the clean air outlet 112. The surface cleaning apparatus 100 has an
overall depth 341,
measured in the forward/backward direction. The overall depth 341 may be any
suitable
depth that is sufficient to accommodate the components of the surface cleaning
apparatus,
and may be less than about 20 inches, less than about 15 inches, less than
about 10
inches, less than about 9 inches, less than about 8.5 inches, and optionally
less than about
8 inches.
[00145]
In the exemplified embodiment, surface cleaning head 102 has a generally
rectangular footprint when viewed from above. It will be appreciated that
front, rear and
sides faces need not extend linearly and that surface cleaning head may be of
various
shapes.
[00146]
As exemplified in Figures 8 and 9, the surface cleaning head 102 may
include
a brush chamber 130 that is configured to house a rotatable agitator brush
132. The brush
132 is shown within the brush chamber 130 in Figure 8, and the brush chamber
130 is
illustrated with the brush 132 removed in Figure 9. The rotatable brush 132
may be
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
rotatable about a brush axis 134 that may be generally orthogonal to the
direction of travel
106 of the surface cleaning head 102. Alternately, or in addition, it will be
appreciated that
any other agitation or cleaning member known in the art may be used in place
of, or in
addition to, rotatable brush 132. Further, rotatable brush 132 may be any
rotatable brush
known in the art and may be driven by any drive means known in the art, such
as a fan
belt, direct drive, providing the brush motor internal of rotatable brush 132,
an air driven
turbine or the like.
[00147] As exemplified in the cross-sectional view of Figure 17, the
brush chamber
130 may include a front wall 136, a rear wall 138, two sidewalls 140 (Figure
9) and a top
wall 142. The brush chamber 130 may be located at the front 114 of the surface
cleaning
head 102, and, as in the illustrated embodiment, an outer surface of the front
wall 136 of
the brush chamber 130 may form at least a portion of the front face 116 of the
surface
cleaning head 102.
[00148] As exemplified, the bottom side of the brush chamber 130 is at
least partially
open and forms the dirty air inlet 110 of the surface cleaning apparatus 102.
The open,
bottom side of the brush chamber 130 is, in the example illustrated, bounded
by a front
edge 144, a rear edge 146 spaced behind the front edge 144, and a pair of side
edges 148
extending therebetween. In the illustrated example the open bottom side of the
brush
chamber 130 is generally rectangular in shape, but alternatively could be
configured in
other shapes.
[00149] As exemplified, the brush chamber 130 may extend from the
bottom face 126
to the top face 128 of the surface cleaning head 102, so that an outer surface
of the top
wall 142 of the brush chamber 130 forms part of the top face 128 of the
surface cleaning
head 102, and the open, bottom side of the brush chamber 130 forms part of the
bottom
face 126 of the surface cleaning head 102.
[00150] As exemplified in Figure 7, the clean air outlet 112 may be
provided on the
upward facing, top face 128 of the surface cleaning head 102 and may be
covered by a grill
150. Preferably, the grill 150 is removable (as shown in Figure 19) to allow
access to the
clean air outlet 112. An advantage of this design is that treated air is
directed away from the
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
surface to be cleaned and away from a user (who is standing behind upper
portion 104).
Alternately clean air outlet 112 may direct treated air rearwardly.
[00151]
Optionally a post-motor filter 152 may be provided upstream of the
suction
motor, such as at the clear air outlet 112, to filter air that has passed
through the air
treatment member and suction motor. As exemplified in Figure 19, the filter
152 may be
provided as a generally planar post-motor filter 152 made from foam and/or
felt that is
positioned beneath the grill 150. Removing the grill 150 provides access to
the post-motor
filter 152 for inspection and/or replacement. Optionally, instead of, or in
addition to the felt
filter152, the post-motor filter may include one or more other filters or
filtering media,
including, for example, a HEPA filter, an electrostatic filter, a cyclonic
post-motor filter or
other suitable filter.
[00152]
It will be appreciated that the forgoing is a general description of an
all in the
head vacuum cleaner. It will be appreciated that the actual size and shape of
the surface
cleaning head may depend upon which of the following aspects are included in
the product
design.
Removable Dirt Collection Chamber
[00153]
The following is a description of a removable dirt collection chamber
that may
be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or
sub-
combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein. Optionally,
the dirt
collection chamber is removable as a sealed unit for emptying. An advantage of
this design
is that collected dirt will be contained within the dirt collection chamber as
the dirt collection
chamber is transported to a location, such as a garbage can, for emptying.
Optionally, the
dirt collection chamber may be part of a cyclone bin assembly and the cyclone
bin
assembly may be removable, preferably as a sealed unit.
[00154] Referring to Figures 12 and 13, which are cross-sectional views of
the surface
cleaning head 102, the surface cleaning head 102 includes an air treatment
member in the
form of a cyclone bin assembly 160 (see also Figures 1 and 20) positioned in
the air flow
path downstream from the dirty air inlet 110 and the brush chamber 130, and a
suction
motor 162 positioned downstream from the cyclone bin assembly 160. Preferably,
the
cyclone bin assembly 160 is detachable from the surface cleaning head 102.
Referring to
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
Figure 20, the cyclone bin assembly 160 is illustrated in isolation, removed
from the surface
cleaning head 102. Referring to Figure 27, the surface cleaning apparatus 100
is illustrated
with the cyclone bin assembly 160 detached from the surface cleaning head 102.
Providing
a detachable cyclone bin assembly 160 may allow a user to carry the cyclone
bin assembly
160 to a garbage can for emptying, without needing to carry or move the rest
of the surface
cleaning apparatus 100.
[00155] In the illustrated example, the surface cleaning head 102
includes a cavity
161 for releasably receiving the cyclone bin assembly 160. The cavity 161 is
sized to
receive at least a portion of the cyclone bin assembly 160 and, in the example
illustrated,
has a generally open top. This can allow portions of the cyclone bin assembly
160 to
remain visible when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is mounted in the cavity 161.
This can
also allow a user to access the cyclone bin assembly 160 without having to
open or remove
a separate cover panel or lid. The absence of a cover panel may help reduce
the overall
weight of the surface cleaning apparatus 100, and may simplify the cyclone bin
assembly
160 removal process. Optional cavity 161 designs and cyclone bin assembly
removal
processes are described in greater detail separately herein.
[00156] As exemplified in Figure 7, when the cyclone bin assembly 160
is mounted to
the surface cleaning head 102 a portion of the cyclone sidewall may form an
upper surface
of the cyclone bin assembly. Accordingly, the upper surface of the cyclone bin
assembly
remains exposed when attached to the surface cleaning head (there is no
separate cover
member, etc.) and the profile and curvature of the cyclone bin assembly
defines the profile
of a portion of the top face of the surface cleaning head. This profile may be
selected so
that it generally conforms to the shape of the suction motor housing,
sidewalls and/or other
portions of the surface cleaning head.
[00157] The handle or handles that are used to carry the dirt collection
chamber (e.g.,
the cyclone bin assembly handle) preferably does not extend beyond an outer
wall of the
surface cleaning head. Accordingly, the top surface of the surface cleaning
head defines a
maximum height of the surface cleaning head. If the handle were to extend
upwardly, it
could limit the extent to which the surface cleaning head could extend under
furniture. As
exemplified in Figures 1 and 46, the handle or handles for the cyclone bin
assembly are
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
received in a recess in the upper surface of the surface cleaning head such
that the
handles are mounted flush with the upper surface. It will be appreciated that
the handles
could be recessed inwardly when the cyclone bin assembly is in an in use
position.
Accordingly, the handle or handles may be useable once the cyclone bin
assembly has
been moved to a cyclone assembly removal position as exemplified in Figures 29
and 47.
[00158] It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed
herein may not
use any of the features of the dirt collection chamber disclosed herein and
that, in those
embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may be of various constructions and
that in those
embodiments any dirt collection chamber known in the art may be used.
Cyclone Bin Assembly
[00159] The following is a description of a cyclone bin assembly
having various
features, any or all of which may be used (individually or in any combination
or sub-
combination) in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-
combination
with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
[00160] Referring also to Figure 25, in the illustrated example, the
cyclone bin
assembly 160 includes a cyclone chamber 164 and a dirt collection chamber 166.
In the
illustrated example, the dirt collection chamber 166 is external the cyclone
chamber 164. In
accordance with one feature of the cyclone bin assembly, dirt collection
chamber 166 may
be positioned forward and/or rearward of the cyclone chamber 164 and not on
top of or
below cyclone chamber 164. An advantage of this design is that by not
positioning the dirt
collection chamber above or below the cyclone chamber (or by reducing the
height of the
portion of the dirt collection chamber above or below the cyclone chamber) the
height of the
surface cleaning head 102 may be reduced without reducing the diameter of
cyclone
chamber 164 and/or the diameter of the cyclone chamber may be increased
(thereby
increasing the air flow rate through the vacuum cleaner) without increasing
the height of the
surface cleaning head.
[00161] In the illustrated example, the cyclone chamber 164 has a
first cyclone end
168, with a first end wall 169, and a second cyclone end 170, with a second
end wall 171.
A generally cylindrical cyclone sidewall 173 extends between the first end
wall 169 and the
second end wall 171, spaced apart from each other by cyclone length 172
(Figure 12)
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
along a cyclone axis 174, about which air circulates. Referring also to Figure
14, the
cyclone chamber 164 also includes a cyclone air inlet 184, a cyclone air
outlet 186 and a
dirt outlet 188.
[00162] In accordance with another feature of the cyclone bin
assembly, the air flow
path from the brush chamber to the cyclone chamber may be constructed without
any 90
degree bends. Reducing the number and degree of bends reduces the back
pressure
through the vacuum cleaner and thereby reduces the size of the suction motor
(all other
factors remaining the same) or increases the air flow rate through the vacuum
cleaner if the
size of the suction motor remains constant (all other factors remaining the
same). For
example, as exemplified in Figure 16, the cyclone air inlet 184 may include an
upstream or
inlet end 190 that is connectable to a brush chamber air outlet 192 that may
be provided in
the rear wall 138 of the brush chamber 130. The cyclone air inlet 184 may also
include a
downstream end 194 that includes an opening formed in the cyclone sidewall
173, and a
connecting portion 196 extending through the dirt collection chamber 166
between the
upstream and downstream ends 190 and 194. The air flow connection between the
brush
chamber outlet 192 and the cyclone chamber 164 may form a first air flow path,
which is a
portion of the overall air flow path connecting the dirty air inlet 110 to the
clean air outlet
112. Optionally, as exemplified, the first air flow path may be configured so
that it is free
from sharp corners and bends, so that the largest change of direction in the
flow direction
of the air flowing through the first air flow path is less than 90 degrees,
and optionally may
be less than about 70 degrees, less than about 60 degrees, less than about 45
degrees,
less than 30 degrees and may be less than 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the
largest
change of direction in the flow direction of the air flowing through the first
air flow path may
be less than 5 degrees, and optionally, the first air flow path may be
essentially linear.
[00163] Referring to Figure 16, in the illustrated example, the connecting
portion 196
extends along an inlet axis 198 which, in the example illustrated, is
generally linear and
extends generally in the forward/backward direction. In the illustrated
example the first flow
path is generally free from bends/corners and is essentially linear along its
entire length
(with the exception of minor variations in the wall diameter), from the
opening 192 in the
brush chamber rear wall 138 to the tangentially oriented opening 194 in the
cyclone
chamber sidewall 173. Providing a linear first air flow path may help reduce
air flow losses
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
as air flows through the first flow path. In addition, the first flow path is
relatively short and
provides a generally direct air flow path from the brush chamber 130 to the
cyclone
chamber 164. Providing a relatively short, direct air flow path may help
reduce the
likelihood of the air flow path becoming clogged by debris or otherwise
blocked.
[00164] The cyclone air inlet 184 may be provided at any desired location
on the
cyclone chamber 164, and in the illustrated example is provided toward a
bottom side of
the cyclone chamber 164, below a horizontal plane 200 containing the cyclone
axis 174. In
this configuration, the inlet axis 198 intersects the cyclone chamber 164, the
brush
chamber 130 and the rotating brush 132.
[00165] In the illustrated example, the inlet end 190 of the cyclone air
inlet 184 is
integrally formed with the cyclone bin assembly 160. In this configuration,
the inlet end 190
of the cyclone air inlet can be disconnected from the air outlet 192 of the
brush chamber
130 and removed from the surface cleaning head with the cyclone bin assembly
160.
[00166] In accordance with another feature of the cyclone bin
assembly, the inlet end
190 of the cyclone air inlet 184 and the air outlet 192 of the brush chamber
130 may be
configured to meet each other in sealing plane 202 that is at an angle to the
vertical. It will
be appreciated that the surface cleaning apparatus 100 can be configured so
that the
sealing plane is vertical, horizontal or is at an angle relative to a vertical
plane. In the
illustrated example, the sealing plane 202 between the inlet end 190 of the
cyclone air inlet
184 and the air outlet 192 of the brush chamber 130 is inclined forwardly and
is aligned at
an angle 204 relative to the vertical direction. This may help facilitate
alignment and mating
of the inlet end 190 of the cyclone air inlet 184 and the air outlet 192 of
the brush chamber
130 when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is placed onto the surface cleaning head
102. It
will be appreciated that one or both of the inlet end 190 and the air outlet
192 may be
provided with a gasket, 0-ring or the like.
[00167] A cross-sectional area of the air inlet 184 taken in a plane
orthogonal to the
inlet axis 198 can be referred to as the cross-sectional area or flow area of
the air inlet 184.
The cross-sectional shape of the air inlet 184 can be any suitable shape. In
the illustrated
example the air inlet 184 has a generally round or circular cross-sectional
shape with a
diameter 206. Optionally, the diameter 206 may be between about 0.25 inches
and about 5
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
inches or more, preferably between about 1 inch and about 5 inches, more
preferably is
between about 0.75 and 2 inches or between about 1.5 inches and about 3
inches, and
most preferably is about 2 to 2.5 inches or between about 1 to 1.5 inches.
Alternatively,
instead of being circular, the cross-sectional shape of the air inlet may be
another shape,
including, for example, oval, square and rectangle.
[00168] Referring to Figures 13 and 14, in the illustrated example,
the cyclone air
outlet 186 includes a vortex finder portion 208 in communication with an
aperture 210 (see
also Figure 23) that is generally centrally located on the second end wall 172
of the cyclone
chamber 164. A cross-sectional area of the aperture 210 taken in a plane
orthogonal to the
cyclone axis 174 can be referred to as a cross-sectional area or flow area of
the cyclone air
outlet 186. The perimeter of vortex finder portion 208 defines a cross-
sectional shape of the
air outlet. The cross-sectional shape of the air outlet can be any suitable
shape. In the
illustrated example the air outlet has a generally round or circular cross-
sectional shape
with a diameter 212. Optionally, the diameter 212 may be between about 0.25
inches and
about 5 inches or more, preferably between about 1 inch and about 5 inches,
more
preferably is between about 0.75 and 2 inches or between about 1.5 inches and
about 3
inches, and most preferably is about 2 to 2.5 inches or between about 1 to 1.5
inches.
Alternatively, instead of being circular, the cross-sectional shape of the air
inlet may be
another shape, including, for example, oval, square and rectangle.
[00169] In accordance with another feature of the cyclone bin assembly, the
cross
sectional area of the cyclone air inlet 184 and the cyclone air outlet 186 may
be selected to
reduce back pressure through the vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, the cross-
sectional or flow
area of the cyclone air outlet 186 may be between about 50% and about 150% and
between about 60%-120% and about 90%-110% of the cross-sectional area of the
cyclone
air inlet 184, and preferably is generally equal to the area of cyclone air
inlet 184. In this
configuration, the air outlet diameter 212 may be about the same as the air
inlet diameter
206 (Figure 16).
[00170] The dirt collection chamber may be of any suitable
configuration. Preferably,
as exemplified in Figure 12, the dirt collection chamber 166 is exterior to
cyclone chamber
164, and preferably includes a first end wall 240, a second end wall 242 and
the sidewall
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
244 extending therebetween. Referring also to Figure 25, in the illustrated
example, the
sidewall 244 partially laterally surrounds the cyclone chamber 164. At least
partially
positioning the dirt collection chamber 166 forward or rearward of the cyclone
chamber 164
may help reduce the overall height of the surface cleaning head. As
illustrated in the
present example, the cyclone chamber sidewall 173 may be coincident with the
sidewall
244 at one or more locations around its perimeter. Optionally, portions of the
dirt chamber
sidewall 244 can form portions of the outer or exposed surface of the surface
cleaning
apparatus 100 when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is mounted in the cavity 161.
[00171]
In the illustrated example, a majority of the dirt collection chamber 166
is
located in front of (i.e. forward of) the cyclone chamber 164 in the direction
of travel of the
surface cleaning head 102, between the cyclone chamber 164 and the brush
chamber 130.
In some configurations, the rear portions of the cyclone sidewall 173 and dirt
collection
chamber sidewall 244 may be coincident, and the front portion of the cyclone
sidewall 173
may be spaced apart from the front portion of the dirt collection chamber
sidewall 244.
Locating the cyclone chamber 164 toward the back of the cyclone bin assembly
160 may
help align the cyclone air outlet 186 with the air inlet 246 (Figure 13 and
30) of the suction
motor 162. Locating the dirt collection chamber 166 forward of the cyclone
chamber 164
may help make the dirt collection chamber 166 more easily viewable by a user
(particularly
if some or all of the dirt collection chamber sidewall 244 is transparent and
there is no lid or
the lid is transparent), which may allow a user to inspect the condition of
the dirt collection
chamber 166 without having to remove the cyclone bin assembly 160 from the
cavity 161.
[00172]
In the illustrated example, the dirt collection chamber 166 is located
solely in
front of the cyclone chamber 164 and does not extend above or below the
cyclone chamber
(as viewed when the cyclone bin assembly is mounted to the surface cleaning
head in
Figure 16). It will be appreciated that small portions of the dirt collection
chamber may be
positioned above or below the cyclone chamber without significantly deviating
from the
advantage of this feature. In this configuration, the overall height 248 of
the cyclone bin
assembly 160 (measured in a vertical direction when the cyclone bin assembly
is mounted
to the surface cleaning head) is generally equal to the outer diameter of the
cyclone
chamber 164 (i.e. including the wall thicknesses), while the overall width 250
(Figure 12) of
the cyclone bin assembly 160 (measured in the front/ back direction when the
cyclone bin
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
assembly is mounted to the surface cleaning head) is greater than the cyclone
diameter.
Providing the dirt collection chamber 166 only in front of the cyclone chamber
164 may help
reduce the overall height 248 of the cyclone bin assembly 160 while still
providing a dirt
collection chamber 166 with a practical internal storage volume. Reducing the
overall
height 248 of the cyclone bin assembly 160 may help reduce the overall height
339 (Figure
6) of the surface cleaning head 102 when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is in
the cavity
161. Preferably, the overall height 339 of the surface cleaning head 102 is
less than about
inches, and may be less than about 10 inches, less than about 8 inches, less
than about
6 inches, less than about 5 inches, less than about 4.5 inches and optionally
less than 4
10 inches. In the illustrated example, the overall height 339 is about 4.5
inches.
[00173] Alternatively, the cyclone bin assembly may be configured so
that the dirt
collection chamber is located entirely behind the cyclone chamber (i.e.
between the cyclone
chamber and the rear face of the surface cleaning head), or is located
partially in front of
and partially behind the cyclone chamber and so that the dirt collection
chamber extends
15 partially or entirely above and/or below the cyclone chamber.
[00174] Cyclone chamber 164 may be in communication with a dirt
collection
chamber 166 by any suitable cyclone dirt outlet known in the art. Preferably
the cyclone
chamber includes at least one dirt outlet in communication with the dirt
chamber that is
external the cyclone chamber. Referring to Figures 14 and 25, in accordance
with another
feature of the cyclone bin assembly, the cyclone dirt outlet 188 may be in the
form of a slot
252 bounded by the cyclone side wall 173 and the cyclone end wall 169, and is
located
toward the first end 168 of the cyclone chamber 164. Alternatively, in other
embodiments,
the dirt outlet may be of any other suitable configuration, and may be
provided at another
location in the cyclone chamber, including, for example as an annular gap
between the
sidewall and an end wall of the cyclone chamber or an arrestor plate or other
suitable
member.
[00175] Referring to Figure 25, the slot 252 may be of any suitable
height 254
(measured in the direction of the cyclone axis) and may have any suitable
angular extent
256 (Figure 26). In the illustrated example, the height 254 may remain
generally constant
along the extent of the slot 252, and may be between about 0.25cm and about
15cm, and
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
preferably is between about 0.75cm and about 5cm, and more preferably is about
1cm. The
cyclone chamber height 174 may be any suitable height, including between about
5cm and
about 20cm, preferably between about 7cm and about 15cm and in the illustrated
example
is about 9cm. Optionally, the height of the slot 252 may be selected so that
it is between
about 5% and about 20% of the cyclone height 174, and preferably is between
about 7%
and about 12% of the cyclone height.
[00176] Referring to Figure 26, in the illustrated example, the slot
252 subtends an
angle 256 of approximately 60 degrees, which is about 20% of the perimeter of
the cyclone
chamber sidewall 173. Alternatively, in other embodiments the slot may extend
between
about 10 degrees and about 350 degrees, and may occupy between about 2.75% and
about 97.5% of the perimeter of the cyclone chamber.
[00177] The slot 252 may be provided at any desired location around
the perimeter of
the cyclone chamber 164. Referring to Figure 26, in the illustrated example
the slot 252 is
provided toward the front of the cyclone chamber 164 (i.e. forward of a
vertical plane 258
containing a centrally located cyclone axis 174) in a location that is in
communication with
the forward-located dirt chamber 166. The slot 252 is also positioned so that
it is in the
upper half of the cyclone chamber 164 (i.e. above a horizontal plane 260 that
contains the
centrally located cyclone axis 174 ¨ when the cyclone bin assembly is mounted
to the
surface cleaning head). In this configuration, the lower end 262 of the slot
252 is at least
partially upward facing and is spaced apart from the underlying portion of the
dirt chamber
sidewall by an outlet height 264. In the illustrated example, the slot height
is about 60% of
the dirt collection chamber height 265 taken at the same location, and in
other
embodiments may be between about 35% and about 80% of the dirt collection
chamber
height 265. Spacing the lower end 262 of the slot 252 a suitable distance
above the bottom
of the dirt collection chamber 166 (when the cyclone bin assembly is in use)
may help
prevent the slot 252 from becoming blocked as debris accumulates within the
dirt collection
chamber 166.
[00178] Optionally, in accordance with another feature of the cyclone
bin assembly, to
help facilitate emptying the dirt collection chamber, at least one of or both
of the end walls
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
may be openable. Similarly, one or both of the cyclone chamber end walls and
may be
openable to allow a user to empty debris from the cyclone chamber.
[00179] Referring to Figure 22, in the illustrated example, the dirt
chamber end wall
240 is openable to empty the dirt collection chamber 166. The first cyclone
end wall 169 is
mounted to, and openable with, the cyclone chamber end wall 240 and together
both form
part of the openable door 266 of the cyclone bin assembly 160. The door 266 is
moveable
between a closed position (Figure 21) and an open position (Figure 22). When
the door 266
is open, both the cyclone chamber 164 and the dirt collection chamber 166 can
be emptied
concurrently. Alternatively, the end walls of the dirt collection chamber and
the cyclone
chamber need not be connected with each other, and the dirt collection chamber
may be
openable independently of the cyclone chamber.
[00180] Preferably, the openable door 266 can be can be secured in its
closed
position until opened by a user. The door 266 may be held closed using any
suitable latch
or fastening mechanism, such as latch 268. Optionally, the latch can be
provided in a
location that is inaccessible when the cyclone bin assembly is mounted to the
surface
cleaning head. This may help prevent the door from being opened inadvertently.
In the
illustrated example, when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is mounted in the
cavity 161 the
latch 268 is disposed between the dirt chamber sidewall 244 and the brush
chamber 230
(see Figure 12) and is inaccessible to the user.
[00181] In the illustrated example, portions of the cyclone chamber
sidewall 173
coincide with portions of the dirt chamber sidewall 244 and form portions of
the outer,
exposed surface of the cyclone bin assembly 160. Further, when the cyclone bin
assembly
160 is attached to the surface cleaning head 102, portions of the outer
surface of the
cyclone bin assembly160 provides portions of the top face 128 of the surface
cleaning head
102.
[00182] It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed
herein may not
use any of the features of the cyclone bin assembly disclosed herein and that,
in those
embodiments, the cyclone bin assembly may be of various constructions and that
in those
embodiments any cyclone bin assembly known in the art may be used.
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Accessing the Pre-Motor Filter Chamber
[00183] The following is a description of methods of accessing a pre-
motor filter
chamber that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any
combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed
herein.
[00184] In accordance with one method, the cyclone bin assembly 160 may
also
include a pre-motor filter chamber 280 that houses a pre-motor filter 282 (See
Figures 14,
21 and 24). An advantage of this design is that the pre-motor filter chamber
is removable
with the cyclone bin assembly. Accordingly, when a user removes the cyclone
bin
assembly to empty the dirt collection chamber, the user may also check the
condition of the
pre-motor filter (e.g., by looking at the pre-motor filter if part or all of
the pre-motor filter
chamber is transparent) or by opening the pre-motor filter chamber and
inspecting the pre-
motor filter.
[00185] In an alternate constriction, the pre-motor filter chamber
need not be part of
the cyclone bin assembly. In such a case, the pre-motor filter chamber may be
positioned
so as to be visible when the cyclone bin assembly is removed. Accordingly,
when a user
removes the cyclone bin assembly to empty the dirt collection chamber, the
user may also
check the condition of the pre-motor filter (e.g., by looking at the pre-motor
filter if part or all
of the pre-motor filter chamber is transparent) or by opening the pre-motor
filter chamber
and inspecting the pre-motor filter.
[00186] In a further alternate embodiment, the pre-motor filter chamber may
be
opened when the cyclone bin assembly is removed. For example, the cyclone bin
assembly
may form part of the pre-motor filter chamber (e.g., an upstream wall of the
pre-motor filter
chamber).
[00187] It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed
herein may not
use any of the methods of accessing the pre-motor filter chamber disclosed
herein and
that, in those embodiments, the method of accessing the pre-motor filter
chamber may be
any of those known in the art.
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
Pre-Motor Filter Chamber
[00188] The following is a description of a pre-motor filter chamber,
and a pre-motor
filter suitable for positioning within the chamber, having various features,
any or all of which
may be used (individually or in any combination or sub-combination), that may
be used by
itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-
combination with any
other feature or features disclosed herein.
[00189] In accordance with one feature, the pre-motor filter chamber
280 may be
positioned between the cyclone chamber air outlet and the suction motor air
inlet. For
example, the suction motor air inlet end may face the cyclone chamber air
outlet end. In
such an embodiment, the air exiting the cyclone chamber may travel in a
generally linear
direction to the suction motor while still passing through the pre-motor
filter.
[00190] In accordance with a further feature, the pre-motor filter
chamber may
comprise the air flow part between the cyclone chamber and the suction motor.
Accordingly, no additional air flow conduit may be required or, alternately,
the length of any
such additional air flow conduit may be reduced.
[00191] For example, as exemplified in Figure 14, the pre-motor filter
chamber 280
may be positioned adjacent the air outlet 186 of the cyclone chamber 164, such
that when
the cyclone bin assembly 160 is mounted on the surface cleaning head 102, the
pre-motor
filter chamber 280 is positioned, preferably transversely, between the cyclone
chamber 164
and the suction motor 162.
[00192] The air flow path connecting the cyclone air outlet 186 to the
suction motor air
inlet 246 may define a second air flow path that forms a portion of the
overall air flow path
between the dirty air inlet 110 and the clean air outlet 112. The second air
flow path may be
separate from the first air flow path that connects the brush chamber 130 to
the cyclone
chamber 164. The second air flow path may include the cyclone air outlet 186
and the
suction motor air inlet 246, as well as intervening structures, such as, for
example, a pre-
motor filter chamber 230.
[00193] Like the first air flow path, the second air flow path can
optionally be
configured so that it is free from sharp corners and bends, so that the
largest change of
direction in the flow direction of the air flowing through the first air flow
path is less than 90
- 29 -
CA 02915198 2015-12-14
degrees, and optionally may be less than about 70 degrees, less than about 60
degrees,
less than about 45 degrees, less than 30 degrees and may be less than 15
degrees. In
some embodiments, the largest change of direction in the flow direction of the
air flowing
through the first air flow path may be less than 5 degrees, and optionally,
the first air flow
path may be essentially linear.
[00194] Referring to Figures 13 and 14, in the illustrated example the
second air flow
path is generally free from bends/corners and, while the pre-motor filter 282
has a relatively
larger cross-sectional area than the cyclone air outlet 186 or motor air inlet
246, the second
flow path is essentially linear along its entire length, from the cyclone air
outlet 186 to the
motor air inlet 246. In this configuration, the second air flow path extends
in the transverse
direction, and the direction of air flowing through the second air flow path
is generally
orthogonally to the direction of air flowing through the first air flow path.
Providing a linear
second air flow path may help reduce air flow losses as air flows through the
second flow
path.
[00195] Referring also to Figure 24, in the illustrated example, the pre-
motor filter
chamber 280 includes a first end wall 288, a second end wall 290 axially
spaced apart from
the first end wall 288, and a sidewall 292 extending between the end walls 288
and 290,
defines an interior that is configured to hold the pre-motor filter 282. In
the illustrated
example, the filter chamber end wall 288 is integrally formed with, and
substantially
coincident with, the cyclone chamber second end wall 171 and the dirt
collection chamber
end wall 242 (e.g., end walls 171 and 242 may be integrally formed with each
other). This
may help reduce the amount of plastic required to form the cyclone bin
assembly 160,
which may help reduce the overall volume and/or weight of the cyclone bin
assembly.
Alternatively, the pre-motor filter chamber, cyclone chamber and dirt
collection chamber
can be provided as separate members.
[00196] In accordance with a further feature, the pre-motor filter
chamber 280 may be
oriented such that the upstream face of the pre-motor filter is positioned
generally
orthogonal to the direction of air exiting the cyclone chamber and/or the
cyclone bin
assembly. Accordingly, for example, the pre-motor filter may overlie part or
all of the
cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber and may extend generally
rearwardly from
- 30 -
CA 02915198 2015-12-14
the brush chamber to the rear end of the surface cleaning head. An advantage
of this
design is that the upstream surface area of the pre-motor filter may be
increased thereby
extending the operating time of the surface cleaning apparatus prior to the
pre-motor filter
requiring cleaning. For example, having a large cross-sectional area in a
direction
orthogonal to the flow direction may help increase the interval of time that
the surface
cleaning apparatus 100 can be operated without having to clean the pre-motor
filter and/or
reduce air flow back pressure.
[00197] In the illustrated example, the pre-motor filter chamber 280
is sized so that
the first and second end walls 288 and 290 cover substantially the entire
cross-sectional
area of the cyclone bin assembly 160. The pre-motor filter 282 is sized to
fill substantially
the entire cross-sectional area of the pre-motor filter chamber 280 (i.e. is a
press
fit/interference fit within the chamber sidewall 292) and, in the example
illustrated, also
covers substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the cyclone bin
assembly 160. In this
configuration, the pre-motor filter 282, and pre-motor filter chamber 280,
each extend in the
forward/backward direction and may extend from a front portion adjacent the
brush
chamber 130 and rotating brush 132, to a rear portion adjacent the rear end
118 of the
surface cleaning head 102 (see Figure 13). While the pre-motor filter need not
extend all
the way between the front and rear portions, the longer to upstream side of
the filter, the
longer the time may be between cleaning/replacing the filter.
[00198] In the illustrated example, the pre-motor filter 282 is generally
planar and is
arranged perpendicular to the cyclone axis 174. When the pre-motor filter 282
is positioned
within the pre-motor filter chamber 280, an upstream face 294 of the filter
282 faces, and
overlies, the end walls 171 and 242 of the cyclone chamber 164 the dirt
collection chamber
166 respectively (Figure 12). In this configuration, an opposed, downstream
face 296 of the
pre-motor filter 282 faces and overlies the suction motor 162. In this
configuration, the
cyclone axis 174 and the suction motor axis 182 each intersect the pre-motor
filter chamber
280, and the pre-motor filter 282, when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is
mounted to the
surface cleaning head 102.
[00199] Referring to Figure 13, in the illustrated example, a pre-
motor filter axis 298
extends generally parallel to the upstream face 294, and it the example
illustrated is parallel
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
to the downstream face 296 as well. The pre-motor filter axis 298 is, in the
example
illustrated, parallel with forward direction of travel of the surface cleaning
apparatus 102.
[00200] In the illustrated example, the pre-motor filter chamber
sidewall 292 and end
wall 290 are configured such that they form part of the outer surface of the
cyclone bin
assembly 160, and when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is mounted to the surface
cleaning
head 102 the sidewall 292 forms part of the exposed outer surface of the
surface cleaning
head 102.
[00201] In accordance with a further feature, the pre-motor filter
chamber may be
openable while attached to the cyclone bin assembly to allow a user to access
the pre-
motor filter 282. Further, the cyclone and dirt collection chambers may be
openable, and
preferably concurrently openable, while the pre-motor filter chamber is
attached to the
cyclone bin assembly. As exemplified, the pre-motor filter chamber is provided
at one end
of the cyclone bin assembly and the opposed end of the cyclone bin assembly
may have a
door which concurrently opens the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection
chamber.
Alternately or in addition, the pre-motor chamber end of the cyclone bin
assembly may be
openable ¨ e.g., by removing the pre-motor filter chamber and/or by having the
wall
defining the upstream end of the pre-motor filter chamber open.
[00202] As exemplified in Figures 22 and 23, the sidewall 292 may be
pivotally
connected to the pre-motor filter chamber inner end wall 288 so that the end
wall 290 and
sidewall 292 can pivot together to open the pre-motor filter chamber 280. In
this
configuration, the sidewall 292 and end wall 290 may be sized to receive and
retain the
pre-motor filter 282 so that the pre-motor filter 282 is carried with the
sidewall 292 and end
wall 290 when the pre-motor filter chamber 280 is opened. Pivoting the pre-
motor filter 282
in this manner can expose the upstream side 294 of the pre-motor filter to the
user when
the chamber 280 is opened. This may allow a user to inspect the upstream side
294 of the
pre-motor filter 282 without having to touch or remove the pre-motor filter
282 from its
housing 280. Alternatively, at least a portion of the sidewall 292 may fixedly
connected to
the end wall 288, and the end wall 290 may be movably connected to the
sidewall 292. In
this configuration, the end wall 290 can be opened to access the interior of
the pre-motor
filter chamber 280 while the sidewall 292 and pre-motor filter 282 can remain
stationary.
- 32 -
CA 02915198 2015-12-14
The pre-motor filter chamber 280 is retained in the closed position by a
releasable latch
291 as is known in the art (Figure 23), which, like latch 268 is positioned so
that it is
inaccessible when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is mounted in the cavity 161.
[00203] In accordance with another feature, some or all of the pre-
motor filter
chamber sidewall 292, the pre-motor filter chamber outer end wall 290 and
handle 408 may
be a one piece assembly, such as by being manufactured separately and secured
together
or by being integrally formed together. An advantage of this feature is that
the handle may
be structurally connected to the cyclone bin assembly.
[00204] Optionally, the inner surfaces of the first and second end
walls 288 and 290 of
the pre-motor filter chamber 280 may be provided with support members,
provided as a
plurality ribs 300 in the example illustrated (Figure 24) to help support the
pre-motor filter
282 in a position where it is spaced apart from the inner surfaces of the end
walls 288 and
290. Referring to Figure 14, in this configuration, the pre-motor filter
chamber 280 includes
an upstream header 302 between the upstream side 294 of the pre-motor filter
282 and the
end wall 288, and a downstream header 304 between the opposing downstream side
296
of the pre-motor filter 282 and the end wall 290. Air can travel from the
upstream header
302 to the downstream header 304 by flowing through the pre-motor filter 282.
[00205] In accordance with another feature, the pre-motor filter
chamber air outlet 308
and the suction motor air inlet 246 may be configured to meet each other in
sealing plane
309 that is at an angle to the vertical. It will be appreciated that the
surface cleaning
apparatus 100 can be configured so that the sealing plane is vertical,
horizontal or is at an
angle relative to a vertical plane. In the illustrated example, the sealing
plane 309 inclined
relative to the vertical direction. This may help facilitate automatic re-
connection of the air
outlet 308 and the suction motor air inlet 246 when the cyclone bin assembly
160 is
inserted generally vertically downwardly into the cavity 161. It will be
appreciated that one
or both of the inlet 246 and the air outlet 308 may be provided with a gasket,
0-ring or the
like.
[00206] In accordance with another feature, the pre-motor filter
chamber may be
configured to redirect the air from the cyclone chamber outlet to the suction
motor inlet
without the use of any conduit extending at an angle to the cyclone chamber
and suction
- 33 -
CA 02915198 2015-12-14
motor axis. Referring to Figure 24, the pre-motor filter chamber 280 has a
chamber air inlet
306 in communication with and aligned with the cyclone air outlet 186, and a
chamber air
outlet 308 (Figure 20) that is connectable, and aligned with the air inlet 246
of the suction
motor 162 (see also Figure 14). Optionally, the chamber air inlet 306 and
chamber air outlet
308 may be generally aligned with each other or alternatively, as exemplified,
they may be
offset from each other. Referring to Figure 14, in the illustrated example,
the centerline 310
of the pre-motor filter chamber air inlet 306 is aligned with the cyclone axis
174 and is offset
from the centerline 312 of the pre-motor filter chamber air outlet 308, which
is aligned with
the suction motor axis 182. If the pre-motor filter chamber has an upstream
and a
downstream header, the air entering the upstream header may be spread out over
the
upstream surface of the pre-motor filter and travel through the pre-motor
filter. The air will
enter the downstream header and exit through the outlet 308. In this way, the
air is aligned
with the suction motor inlet without any curved or angled flow conduits.
[00207] The pre-motor filter may be any suitable type of filter.
Referring also to Figure
24, in the illustrated example the pre-motor filer 282 includes a foam filter
284 and a
downstream felt layer 286 that are both positionable within the pre-motor
filter chamber
280. In this configuration the foam filter 284 comprises the upstream side 294
of the pre-
motor filter and the felt layer 286 provides the downstream side 296 of the
pre-motor filter
282. Preferably, the foam filter 284 and felt layer 286 are removable to allow
a user to clean
and/or replace them when they are dirty. In alternate embodiments, any pre-
motor filter or
filters known in the art may be used.
[002081 In accordance with another feature, the cyclone bin assembly
160 may be
removable from the surface cleaning head 102 as a closed module, where the
only portions
the cyclone bin assembly 160 that are open when the cyclone bin assembly 160
is
removed from the cavity 161 are the inlet end 190 of cyclone air inlet 184 and
pre-motor
filter chamber air outlet 308 (see for example Figure 20).
[00209] Alternately, or in addition, the cyclone bin assembly may be
configured to
inhibit dirt collected in the cyclone chamber and/or the dirt collection
chamber from exiting
the cyclone bin assembly as the cyclone bin assembly is conveyed to an
emptying location.
As exemplified in Figure 12, the outlet end 194 of the cyclone air inlet 184
may be axially
- 34 -
CA 02915198 2015-12-14
spaced from the dirt inlet to the dirt collection chamber 166 to help reduce
the likelihood
that debris from the dirt collection chamber 166 will escape via the cyclone
air inlet 184
when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is detached. When the surface cleaning
apparatus is in
use, dust and fine debris flowing into the pre-motor filter chamber 280 may
tend to be
collected on the upstream side 294 of the pre-motor filter 282, which leaves
the
downstream side 296 of the pre-motor filter 282 as the relatively clean side.
In the
illustrated example, the pre-motor filter chamber air outlet 308 is in
communication with the
downstream side 296 of the pre-motor filter 282. As the downstream side 296
tends to be
the cleaner side of the pre-motor filter 282, this configuration may help
reduce the likelihood
that dust and debris can escape the cyclone bin assembly 160 via the pre-motor
filter
chamber air outlet 308. Configuring the cyclone bin assembly 160 in this
manner may help
prevent dirt and debris from spilling out of the cyclone bin assembly 160 when
it is
transported to the garbage for emptying.
[00210] Referring to Figure 30, in the illustrated example, removing
the cyclone bin
assembly 160 from the cavity 161 reveals the air inlet 246 of the suction
motor 162 and the
air outlet 192 of the brush chamber 130. Replacing the cyclone bin assembly
160
automatically re-establishes the respective connections between the pre-motor
filter
chamber air outlet 308 and the suction motor air inlet 246, and between the
upstream end
190 of the cyclone air inlet 184 and the brush chamber air outlet 192.
[00211] Optionally, part or all of the sidewalls 292 of the pre-motor
filter chamber can
be at least partially transparent so that a user can visually inspect the
condition of the pre-
motor filter 282 without having to remove open the pre-motor filter chamber
280 or remove
the cyclone bin assembly 160 from the cavity 161.
[00212] It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed
herein may not
use any of the features of the pre-motor filter chamber disclosed herein and
that, in those
embodiments, the pre-motor filter chamber may be of various constructions and
that in
those embodiments any pre-motor filter chamber known in the art may be used.
Suction Motor & Brush Motor
[00213] The following is a description of a configuration of a suction
motor and a
configuration of a brush motor in a surface cleaning head, wither or both of
which may be
- 35 -
CA 02915198 2015-12-14
used by themselves in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or
sub-
combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
[00214] Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the suction motor 162 has a
first end 176 and
a second end 178 that are axially spaced apart from each other by a suction
motor length
180, along a suction motor axis 182, about which the rotor of the suction
motor 162 rotates.
In accordance with one configuration, as exemplified in Figures 12 and 13, the
cyclone axis
174 and suction motor axis 182 are parallel to each other and extend in the
transverse
direction, generally orthogonally to the forward direction of travel of the
surface cleaning
head. An advantage of this configuration is that are may travel generally
linearly between
the cyclone chamber and the suction motor.
[00215] In the illustrated example, the suction motor air inlet 246 is
located at the first
end 176 of the suction motor 162 and is in air flow communication with the
cyclone air
outlet 186. The suction motor also includes an air outlet 270 that is provided
in a motor
housing sidewall 272 and is in air flow communication with the clean air
outlet 112 via an
internal air flow conduit.
[00216] Referring to Figure 13, in the illustrated example, the
suction motor air inlet
246 is positioned so that air flowing into the air inlet 246 travels in the
transverse direction.
The suction motor air inlet 246 is also positioned so that when the cyclone
bin assembly
160 is mounted on the surface cleaning head 102 the second end 170 of the
cyclone
chamber 164 is generally opposed to and faces the first end 176 of the suction
motor 162,
with the pre-motor filter chamber 280 positioned laterally therebetween.
Further, in the
illustrated example, the cyclone air outlet 186 faces and partially overlaps
the air inlet 246
of the suction motor 162. However, the cyclone air outlet 186 may be slightly
offset from the
suction motor air inlet 246, and in the example illustrated the centerline of
the cyclone air
outlet 186 (which in the example illustrated coincides with the cyclone axis
174) is offset
from the centerline of the suction motor air inlet 246 (which in the example
illustrated
coincides with the suction motor axis 182).
[00217] Referring also to Figure 12, the surface cleaning head 102
also includes a
brush motor 214 that is drivingly connected to the rotatable brush 132 by a
drive linkage
216, which in the illustrated example includes a drive belt. The brush motor
214 has a first
- 36 -
CA 02915198 2015-12-14
end 218 and a second end 220 that are spaced apart from each by a brush motor
length
222 other, along a brush motor axis 224, about which the rotor of the brush
motor 214
rotates. It will be appreciated that brush motor 214 may be of any design and
may be
drivingly connected to the brush 132 by any means known in the art such as a
direct gear
drive. In some embodiments, the brush motor may be incorporated into the brush
132 (e.g.,
it may be positioned internally or along the length of brush 132.
[00218] In accordance with another configuration, as exemplified in
Figures 12 and
13, brush motor 214 may be positioned adjacent to and forward of the suction
motor 162 in
the direct of travel of the surface cleaning head 102. Alternatively, the
brush motor may be
located behind the suction motor. An advantage of this design is that the
brush motor may
overlie part or all of the dirt collection chamber. Further, part or all of
the pre-motor filter
chamber may be positioned between the brush motor and the dirt collection
chamber
enabling large upstream cross-sectional area of the pre-motor filter.
[00219] Optionally, at least a portion of the brush motor may be
located transversely
between the first and second ends of the suction motor. The amount of the
brush motor
that transversely overlaps (e.g., extends parallel to) the suction motor, in
the direction
parallel to suction motor axis, may be between about 10% and 100% of the
length of the
brush motor, and preferably between about 50% and 100% and more preferably
between
about 70% and about 100%. At least partially overlapping the brush motor and
suction
motor in this manner may help reduce the overall size of the surface cleaning
head.
Referring to Figure 12, in the illustrated example the first end 218 of the
brush motor 214 is
generally aligned with the first end 176 of the suction motor 162 in the
transverse direction,
and the second end 220 of the brush motor 214 is disposed between the first
and second
ends 176, 178 of the suction motor 162 in the transverse direction. In this
configuration,
substantially the entire brush motor 214 is located between the first and
second ends 176,
178 of the suction motor 162. This enables the dirt collection chamber to
extend forwardly
from the cyclone chamber and occupy a space transversely opposed to the brush
motor.
[00220] In accordance with another configuration, as exemplified in
Figure 18, the
brush motor may be vertically positioned with respect to the suction motor so
as to not
extend above or below the suction motor. An advantage of this configuration is
that the
- 37 -
CA 02915198 2015-12-14
brush motor does not affect the height of the surface cleaning head. As
exemplified in
Figure 18, the suction motor 162 has an upper end 226, and an opposed lower
end 228
located adjacent the bottom face 126 of the surface cleaning head 102. In the
illustrated
example, the brush motor 214 is positioned vertically within the surface
cleaning head 102
so that the brush motor axis 224 is located vertically between the upper and
lower ends
226 and 228 of the suction motor 162 such that a horizontal plane 230
containing the brush
motor axis 224 intersects the suction motor 162.
[00221] Alternately, or in addition, as exemplified in Figure 14, the
brush motor is also
located vertically between an upper end 232 and an opposed lower end 234 of
the cyclone
chamber 164 such that the horizontal plane 230 also intersects the cyclone
chamber 164
and the dirt collection chamber 166. In the illustrated example, the upper end
232 and
lower end 234 are portions of the cyclone chamber sidewall 173, and also form
portions of
the exposed, outer surface of the cyclone bin assembly 160.
[00222] In accordance with another configuration, as exemplified in
Figures 12 and
13, the brush motor 214 may at least partially overlap the cyclone bin
assembly 160 in the
forward/ backward direction. This may help reduce the overall size of the
surface cleaning
head. In this configuration, the laterally inner end 218 of the brush motor
214 may face, and
at least partially overlap the laterally inner end of the cyclone bin assembly
160. Optionally,
the inner end of the brush motor may face and overlap at least a portion of an
end face of
the cyclone chamber and/or at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber.
Referring to
Figure 12, in the illustrated example, the laterally inner, first end 218 of
the brush motor 214
opposes and faces towards the laterally inner, end of the cyclone bin assembly
160.
Specifically, the first end of the brush motor opposes and faces towards the
second end
wall 242 of the dirt collection chamber 166 and the end wall 290 of the pre-
motor filter
chamber 280. It will be appreciated that if the pre-motor filter chamber did
not overlap the
dirt collection chamber, then the brush motor 214 may directly face the dirt
collection
chamber and may extend closer thereto.
[00223] In accordance with this configuration, the brush motor may
overlap all or a
significant portion of the dirt collection chamber (e.g., 50% or more, 75% or
more, 80% or
more or 90% or more). Further, the brush motor may not overlap any or only a
small portion
- 38 -
CA 02915198 2015-12-14
of the cyclone chamber (e.g., it may overlap 25% or less, 15% or less, 10% or
less). As
exemplified in Figure 12, the brush motor 214 is offset forwardly from the
cyclone chamber
164 in the direction of travel of the surface cleaning head 102 (downward as
illustrated in
Figure 12) such that the brush motor 214 does not impinge on the projection of
the cross-
sectional area of the cyclone chamber 164 in the transverse direction. The
brush motor 214
does however, in the example illustrated, overlap with a portion of the dirt
collection
chamber 166 and the pre-motor filter chamber 280. An advantage of this design,
as is
discussed subsequently, is that the suction motor and the cyclone chamber may
have
comparable diameters and the cyclone air outlet and the suction motor inlet
may have
comparable diameters. Accordingly, each of the suction motor and the cyclone
chamber
may be sized for a similar air flow therethrough and, accordingly, flow of air
through the
suction motor and the cyclone chamber may produce less back pressure. Further,
the
brush motor is oriented and sized to fit in a space opposed to the dirt
collection chamber
and between the suction motor and the brush chamber.
[00224] In accordance with another configuration, the suction motor may at
least
partially overlap or overlie the cyclone bin assembly in the forward/ backward
direction. In
this configuration, the laterally inner end of the suction motor may face, and
at least
partially overlap the laterally inner end of the cyclone bin assembly.
Optionally, the inner
end of the suction motor may face and overlap at least a portion of an end
face of the
cyclone chamber and/or at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber. This
may help
reduce the overall size of the surface cleaning head. For example, the suction
motor may
overlap all or a significant portion of the cyclone chamber (e.g., 50% or
more, 75% or more,
80% or more or 90% or more) and it may not overlap any or only a small portion
of the dirt
collection chamber (e.g., it may overlap 25% or less, 15% or less, 10% or
less). Referring
to Figure 12, in the illustrated example, the laterally inner, first end 176
of the suction motor
162 opposes and faces the laterally inner, end of the cyclone bin assembly.
Specifically,
the first end 176 of the suction motor 162 opposes and directly faces the end
wall 290 of
the pre-motor filter chamber 280, overlies the second end wall 171 of the
cyclone chamber
164, and is spaced rearwardly from the second end wall 242 of the dirt
collection chamber
166. In this configuration, the inner end of the cyclone bin assembly
(provided by the end
- 39 -
CA 02915198 2015-12-14
wall 290) faces/overlies both the first end 176 of the suction motor 162 and
the first end 218
of the brush motor 214.
[00225]
In accordance with another configuration, the suction motor and the brush
motor may both be provided in the same lateral side, and preferably in the
same lateral half
(in a lateral direction) of the surface cleaning head. This may help provide
space in the
other lateral side of the surface cleaning to accommodate the cyclone chamber,
dirt
collection chamber and/or pre-motor filter chamber. In the illustrated
example, the suction
motor 162 and brush motor 214 are both entirely provided on the same lateral
side of
transverse centerline 314 of the surface cleaning head 102, and are therefore
in the same
half of the surface cleaning head 102 (the right half as shown in Figure 12).
The cyclone
chamber 164 and dirt collection chamber 166 are each located on the opposite
side of the
lateral centerline 314. The pre-motor filter chamber 280, and the pre-motor
filter itself 282,
are, in the example illustrated, intersected by the lateral centerline 314.
[00226]
In accordance with another configuration, both the brush axis 134 and
brush
motor axis 224 are parallel to, and offset from, the cyclone axis 174 and the
suction motor
axis 182. In the illustrated configuration, the brush motor axis 224
intersects the pre-motor
filter chamber 280, the pre-motor filter 282 and the dirt collection chamber
end wall 242.
Aligning the cyclone chamber 164, suction motor 162 and brush motor 214 in
this manner
may help reduce the overall size of the surface cleaning head 102.
[00227] In accordance with another configuration, as exemplified in Figures
12-14, the
cyclone axis 174 may be located forward and at a higher elevation than the
motor axis 182,
and behind and at a higher elevation than the brush motor axis 224. The
suction motor axis
182 may also be located behind and at a higher elevation than the brush motor
axis 224.
Offsetting the axes of the cyclone, suction motor and brush motor may help
nest the
components together, which may help reduce the overall size of the surface
cleaning
apparatus.
[00228]
It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may
not
use any of the features of the suction motor and brush motor disclosed herein
and that, in
those embodiments, the suction motor and brush motor may be of various
constructions
and arranged in any configuration.
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
Mounting Hub
[00229] The following is a description of a mounting hub having
various features, any
or all of which may be used (individually or in any combination or sub-
combination), by itself
in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination
with any other
feature or features disclosed herein. Rear wheels and/or the drive handle may
be
connected to the mounting hub. The mounting hub is positioned at the rear end
of the
surface cleaning head and exterior to the interior space of the surface
cleaning head.
Accordingly the pivot mount and/or the rear wheel mount need not be within the
enclosed
volume of the surface cleaning head and may thereby reduce the foot print
and/or height of
the surface cleaning head.
[00230] As exemplified in Figure 2, the surface cleaning apparatus 100
may include a
mounting hub 316 positioned at the rear end 118 of the surface cleaning head
102,
rearward of the rear face 120 (rear face 120 defining the rear end of the
interior volume
provided by the surface cleaning head). Mounting hub 316 may be provided as
part of the
surface cleaning head and may be a one piece assembly and may be integrally
molded
with one of the components of the surface cleaning head.
[00231] As exemplified in Figures 8 and 15, the surface cleaning head
102 is
supported by a pair of rear wheels 318, which are rotatable about a rear wheel
axis 320,
and a pair of smaller front wheels 322 rotatable about a front wheel axis 324.
Rear wheels
318 are rotatably mounted to the mounting hub 316 using axles 326 (See Figure
15). in this
example, the rear wheels 318 are positioned rearward of the suction motor 162
and
cyclone bin assembly 160.
[00232] In the illustrated example, the mounting hub 316 includes a
top wall 328
(Figure 3), a bottom wall 330 (Figured 8), a rear wall 332 and two sidewalls
334 (Figure 8).
The sidewalls 334 are spaced apart by a mounting hub width 336 in the
transverse
direction. In the illustrated example, the mounting hub width 336 is less than
the width 338
of the surface cleaning head 102, and is selected so that the rear wheels 318
are recessed
laterally inwardly from the side walls 124 of the surface cleaning head 102 by
respective
recessed distances 340. The width 338 of the surface cleaning head 102 may be
any
suitable width to accommodate the components within the cleaning head, and
optionally
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
may be less than about 20 inches, less than about 15 inches, less than about
13 inches,
less than about 12.5 inches, and optionally less than about 12 inches. The
recessed
distances can be any suitable distance, and optionally can be between about 5%
and about
80% or more of the distance 344 between the central axis and the respective
sidewall 124
of the surface cleaning head 102. Preferably, the recessed distances 340 are
at least about
10%, and more preferably may be at least about 20% of the distance 344. While
illustrated
as generally symmetrical, in other embodiments the recessed distances 340 may
be
different from each other. An advantage of this feature is that the rear
wheels are spaced
apart sufficiently to provide stability to the surface cleaning head but are
spaced
transversely inwardly so as to places the wheels away from objects (e.g.,
furniture) which
they might otherwise contact as the surface cleaning head is used.
[00233] Referring also to Figure 12, in this configuration, a
laterally outer surface 342
of the rear wheel 318 illustrated on the right side of Figure 12 is disposed
laterally between
the first and second ends 176 and 178 of the suction motor 162, and a
laterally outer
surface 342 of the rear wheel 318 illustrated on the left side of Figure 12 is
disposed
laterally between the first and second ends 168 and 170 of the cyclone chamber
164. The
lateral spacing between the rear wheels (which is generally equal to the
mounting hub
width 336) can be selected so that the pre-motor filter chamber 280 may be
located
laterally between one of the rear wheels 318 and a side wall 124 of the
surface cleaning
head 102 (e.g., on the rear face of the surface cleaning head).
[00234] Referring also to Figure 8, in this configuration, the rear
wheels 318 are
generally, laterally aligned with the front wheels 322 so that a plane
containing the laterally
outer face of each rear wheel 318 intersects a respective front wheel 322.
[00235] Providing a mounting hub to support the rear wheels, and
optionally other
components (such as the upper portion and release actuators described herein)
may help
preserve the space within the interior of the surface cleaning head to
accommodate air flow
components. This configuration may also help facilitate a desired arrangement
for the rear
wheels as the axles and other connectors within the mounting hub do not
interact with or
interfere with the air flow components provided within the interior of the
surface cleaning
head.
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
[00236]
In this illustrated example, the rear wheels 318 have a rear diameter 346
(Figured 8) that is larger than the diameter of the front wheels 322, and the
rear wheel axis
320 is located rearward of the front wheel axis 324 in the direction of
travel, and at a higher
elevation than the front wheel axis 324. In the illustrated example, the rear
wheel axis 320
extends in the transverse direction and, in the example illustrated, is
parallel to the cyclone
axis 174, the suction motor axis 182, the brush motor axis 224 and the brush
axis 134.
[00237]
Referring to Figure 8, in the illustrated example the front wheels 322
are
positioned along the back edge 146 of the dirty air inlet 110 and extend at
least partially
into the brush chamber 130.
[00238] Optionally, in addition to the front wheels 322, the surface
cleaning apparatus
may include one or more rolling support members. In the illustrated example
the surface
cleaning apparatus includes rolling support members in the form of rollers 348
that are
positioned adjacent the front wheels 322. The rollers 348 may be co-axial with
the wheels
322 so that they rotate about the front wheel axis 324. The rollers have a
roller diameter
350 that is slightly less than the front wheel diameter 352, and a roller
width 354 that is
greater than the front wheel width 356. In the example illustrated, the roller
width 354 is
also greater than the rear wheel width 358. Providing relatively wide rollers
348 may help
distribute the weight of the surface cleaning apparatus 100 over a larger
surface area of the
surface being cleaned. Distributing the weight of the apparatus over a larger
area may help
support the apparatus when it is being rolled across relatively soft surfaces,
such as
carpets and other floor coverings. Distributing the weight may help prevent
the surface
cleaning apparatus 100 from sinking into soft floor coverings, which may help
reduce the
amount of force required from a user to move the surface cleaning apparatus
across the
floor coverings. When the surface cleaning apparatus 100 is moved across
relatively hard
surfaces (such as wood and/or tile flooring) it may be desirable to support
the surface
cleaning head 102 using the front wheels 322 and rear wheels 318, without
engaging the
rollers 348. Sizing the rollers 348 to have a smaller diameter than the front
wheels 322 may
allow the rollers 348 to remain spaced apart from hard surfaces that are
engaged by the
front wheels 322.
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
[00239] Providing the front wheels 322 and/or optional rollers 348
adjacent the rear
edge 146 of the dirty air inlet 110 may help keep the rear edge 146 spaced
apart from
surface being cleaned. It may also help lift the rear edge 146 of the dirty
air inlet 110 over
obstacles and/or transitions between flooring types and reduce the likelihood
of the dirty air
inlet 110 becoming hung-up or otherwise inhibiting forward movement of the
surface
cleaning head 102.
[00240] It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed
herein may not
use any of the features of the mounting hub disclosed herein and that, in
those
embodiments, the mounting hub may be of various constructions or a mounting
hub may
not be used. For example, the mounting hub may be configured so that the rear
wheels are
positioned laterally outboard of the surface cleaning head, or the rear wheels
may be
mounted to the sidewalls of the surface cleaning head and the surface cleaning
apparatus
need not include a mounting hub.
Cyclone Bin Assembly Removal and Latching/ Release Mechanism
[00241] The following is a description of a cyclone bin assembly latching
and release
mechanism having various features, any or all of which may be used
(individually or in any
combination or sub-combination), by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus
or in any
combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed
herein.
[00242] As mentioned herein, preferably the cyclone bin assembly 160
is removable
from the cavity 161 on the surface cleaning head. Preferably, to help
facilitate removal of
the cyclone bin assembly 160, the cyclone bin assembly 160 can be movable from
a use or
cleaning position (for example Figures 1-10 and 46) to a removal position (for
example
Figures 28-32 and 47). In the cleaning position, the cyclone bin assembly 160
may provide
the air flow connection between the dirty air inlet 110 and the suction motor
162, and
ultimately the clean air outlet 112. In the removal position, the cyclone bin
assembly 160 is
positioned so that air flow communication between the dirty air inlet 110 and
the suction
motor 162 is interrupted and the cyclone bin assembly is positioned to enable
a user to
remove the cyclone bin assembly from the surface cleaning head.
[00243] For example, when the in the cleaning position, the upstream
end 190 of the
cyclone air inlet 184 may be in air flow communication with the air outlet 192
of the brush
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
chamber 130, and the air outlet of the cyclone bin assembly 160 (i.e. the pre-
motor filter
chamber air outlet 308 in the example illustrated) may be in air flow
communication with the
air flow path leading to the suction motor (e.g. suction motor air inlet 246).
In this
configuration, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 is useable to clean the
floor.
[00244] In contrast, when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is moved to the
removal
position, air flow communication between the cyclone bin assembly 160 and the
rest of the
air flow path is interrupted. However, when in the removal position, the
cyclone bin
assembly may continue to be at least partially, and preferably entirely,
supported by the
surface cleaning apparatus (e.g., the surface cleaning head). This may allow a
user to
move the cyclone bin assembly into the removal position without having to lift
or remove
the cyclone bin assembly or support its weight.
[00245] In accordance with one feature, the cyclone bin assembly 160
may be moved
relative to the surface cleaning apparatus when transitioning from the
cleaning position to
the removal position. For example, the cyclone bin assembly 160 may translate,
pivot,
rotate or otherwise move relative to other portions of the surface cleaning
apparatus (such
as the surface cleaning head 102) when transitioning from the cleaning
position to the
removal position. Moving the cyclone bin assembly 160 and/or changing its
orientation
when transitioning from the cleaning position to the removal position may help
position the
cyclone bin assembly in a position that is relatively easier to access for a
user. For
example, when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is in the cleaning position it may
be
substantially or fully nested within the cavity 161 on the surface cleaning
head 102 and may
be disposed relatively close to the ground.
[00246] In accordance with another feature, the surface cleaning
apparatus 100 may
be configured so that when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is transitioned to the
removal
position it is arranged in a position that is more convenient for a user to
reach it, including,
for example, by moving portions of the cyclone bin assembly 160 to higher
elevations
and/or by exposing features (such as handles) that are exposed for access by a
user in the
removal position and are less exposed, or inaccessible, when in the cleaning
position.
[00247] In accordance with another feature, the cyclone bin assembly
160 may be
biased toward or into one, or both of the cleaning position and the removal
position.
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
Preferably, the cyclone bin is at least biased toward the removal position.
Accordingly,
when a lock that secures the cyclone bin assembly 160 in the use position is
released, the
cyclone bin assembly 160 may be moved sufficiently out of the cavity 161
(e.g., by moving
a handle away from the surface cleaning head) to assist a user to pick up and
remove the
cyclone bin assembly 160 from the surface cleaning head. Alternately, or in
addition, the
lock release actuator (e.g., foot pedal 388) may drive a mechanical member
that moves the
cyclone bin assembly to the removal position.
[00248] In accordance with another feature, the cyclone bin assembly
160 may be
securable in one or both of the cleaning and removal positions using a lock.
The lock may
be any suitable apparatus, and optionally can be configured to lock the
cyclone bin
assembly in the cleaning position until the lock is released. Preferably, the
lock may be
automatically re-engaged when the cyclone bin assembly is moved into the
cleaning
position so that the cyclone bin assembly will be held in place without
requiring a user to
manually re-latch or reengage the lock. The lock may be configured to engage
one or both
of the cradle and the cyclone bin assembly, or any other suitable component of
the surface
cleaning apparatus.
[00249] As exemplified, cyclone bin assembly 160 is positionable
between a cleaning
position (Figure 1) and a removal position (Figure 28). To help facilitate
access and
removal of the cyclone bin assembly 160, the cyclone bin assembly 160 is
pivotal, relative
to the surface cleaning head 102, into in a removal position (Figure 28), in
which the
cyclone bin assembly 160 is supported on the surface cleaning head 102, but
the air flow
communication between the cyclone air inlet 184 and the brush chamber air
outlet 192, and
between the pre-motor filter chamber air outlet 308 and the suction motor air
inlet 246 is
interrupted. As exemplified, the laterally inward end of the cyclone bin
assembly,
comprising the pre-motor filter chamber 280, moves upwardly and pivots toward
the lateral
side wall 124 of the surface cleaning head 102.
[00250] In accordance with another feature, the surface cleaning
apparatus may
include a moveable support or platform member that at least partially
supports, and may
fully support, the cyclone bin assembly in the removal position. Preferably,
the cyclone bin
assembly may be mounted to and supported by (e.g., locked to) the movable
platform
- 46 -
CA 02915198 2015-12-14
member, such that movement of the moveable platform results in a corresponding
movement of the cyclone bin assembly.
[00251] Referring to Figures 27 and 28, in the illustrated example the
surface cleaning
head includes a movable platform in the form of a cradle 360 that is
configured to receive
and support the laterally outer end of the cyclone bin assembly 160, and is
rotatable
relative to the surface cleaning head about a cradle axis 362 (Figures 37 and
38). In the
illustrated example, the cradle axis 362 is parallel to the forward direction
of travel of the
surface cleaning apparatus 100 and is generally orthogonal to the cyclone axis
174,
suction motor axis 182 and brush motor axis 224.
[00252] Referring to Figures 32 and 36, in the illustrated example, the
cradle 360 is
generally L-shaped and includes an end wall 364 and a sidewall 366 extending
from the
end wall 364. The end wall 364 is configured to receive the laterally outer
end of the
cyclone bin assembly 160 in a relatively snug engagement. In the example
illustrated, the
end of the cyclone bin assembly 160 engaged by the cradle 360 includes the
openable
door 266. The end wall 364 includes an upstanding rim 368 that surrounds the
openable
door 266 of the cyclone bin assembly160 and helps retain the cyclone bin
assembly 160 on
the cradle when in the removal position.
[00253] The cradle end wall 364 is configured to abut a portion of the
sidewall of the
cyclone bin assembly 160 (and may form a portion of the sidewall of the
surface cleaning
head), and has a length 370 (Figure 38) that is optionally less than or equal
to the length
372 (Figure 21) between the openable door 266 and the end wall 290 of the pre-
motor filter
chamber 280, and preferably is less than the length 372. When the cyclone bin
assembly
160 is in the cleaning position, the cradle 360 is rotated so that the end
wall 364 is
generally horizontal and is disposed vertically between the cyclone bin
assembly 160 and
the bottom surface 374 of the cavity 161. In the illustrated example, the
bottom surface 374
of the cavity 161 includes a recessed region 376 sized to receive the end wall
364. In this
configuration the end wall 364 of the cradle 360 is generally vertical, such
that the cyclone
bin assembly 160 is positioned laterally between the cradle end wall 364 and
the suction
motor 162. When the cyclone bin assembly 160 is in the cleaning position, an
upper portion
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
378 (Figure 38) of the rim 368 helps inhibit vertical movement of the cyclone
bin assembly
160 relative to the cradle 360, and the rest of the surface cleaning head 102.
[00254] In the illustrated example, rotation of the cradle 360 about
its axis causes a
corresponding rotation of the cyclone bin assembly 160 from the generally
horizontal
cleaning position to a generally vertical removal position. When the cyclone
bin assembly
arrives in the removal position the cyclone axis 174 may be generally
perpendicular to the
previous orientation of the cyclone axis 174 when the cyclone bin assembly 160
is in the
cleaning position. Referring to Figure 27, from the removal position, the
cyclone bin
assembly 160 can be lifted vertically out of the cradle 360 (i.e. the openable
door 266 end
can be lifted vertically out of the rim 368) and carried to the garbage for
emptying, etc.
[00255] Optionally, the cradle may be freely moveable between the
cleaning and
removal positions, or alternatively it may be biased. Referring to Figure 38,
in the illustrated
example, a torsion spring 380 and an optional dampener assembly 382 is
connected to the
cradle 360 to bias the cradle 360 toward the removal position. The torsion
spring resistance
is selected so that it is sufficient to pivot the cradle 360 and a cyclone bin
assembly 160,
including the weight of the debris within the dirt collection chamber 166, to
the vertical
removal position. The damper assembly 382 can be provided to help slow the
rotation of
the cradle 360 as the cyclone bin assembly approaches the removal position.
[00256] In the illustrated example, the cradle 360 is only biased
toward the removal
position. To return the cyclone bin assembly 160 to the cleaning position a
user may reseat
the laterally outer end of the cyclone bin assembly 160 onto the end wall of
the cradle, and
then pivot the cyclone bin assembly 160 into the cavity 161, toward the
cleaning position.
[00257] As exemplified in Figures 33-36, the surface cleaning
apparatus may include
a lock that is configured to secure the cyclone bin assembly 160 in the
cleaning position.
The lock includes a latch member 384 that is configured to releasably engage a
corresponding locking portion, in the form of a shoulder 386 (see also Figures
29 and 30)
that is provided on an outer surface of the cyclone bin assembly 160. In the
illustrated
example, the latch member 384 protrudes through an opening in the bottom
surface 374 of
the cavity 161, and the shoulder 386 is provided on the sidewall of the
cyclone bin
assembly 160 that is downward facing and opposes the bottom 374 of the cavity
161 when
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
the cyclone bin assembly 160 is positioned within the cavity. Specifically, in
the example
illustrated the shoulder 386 is provided on an outer surface of the pre-motor
filter chamber
sidewall 292. In the illustrated example, when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is
in the
cleaning position, the latch member 384 is located beneath the pre-motor
filter chamber
280, and the pre-motor filter therein 382.
[00258] Alternatively, the latch member and shoulder may be provided
at a different
location. For example, the latch member may be provided adjacent the suction
motor and
the shoulder may be provided on an end wall of the cyclone bin assembly.
[00259] In the illustrated example, the lock also includes an
actuator, in the form of a
foot pedal 388 that is provided on upper portion 104, and a linkage that
connects the foot
pedal 388 to the latch member 384. In the illustrated example, the foot pedal
388 translates
vertically when stepped on by a user. It will be appreciated that other
actuators may be
used, such as a button. Further, the actuator may engage a drive motor that
moves the
cyclone bin assembly to the removal and/or use positions.
[00260] The following is a description of the exemplified foot pedal 388.
Referring to
Figure 33, movement of the foot pedal 388 causes a corresponding vertical
translation of a
first linkage member 390 extending within the upper portion 104. The first
linkage 390 abuts
an upper end 392 of a vertically translatable second linkage 394 disposed
within the
mounting hub 316. A lower end 396 of the second linkage 394 is configured to
engage a
camming surface 398 of a movable locking arm in the form of a third linkage
member 400.
The lock is configured so that downward vertical movement of the first linkage
member 390
causes downward movement of the second linkage 394 and a generally horizontal,
rearward translation of the third linkage member 400 (from right to left as
illustrated in
Figures 33-35). The rearward, horizontal movement of the third linkage member
400 is
sufficient to move the latch member 384 from a position in which it engages
the shoulder
386 (Figure 33) to a position where the latch member 384 is disengaged from
the shoulder
386 (Figure 34), thereby unlocking the cyclone bin assembly 160 and allowing
it to be
pivoted out of the cavity 161 (shown partially pivoted in Figure 35).
[00261] In the illustrated example, the first linkage member 390 is
movable with the
upper portion 104 relative to the second linkage portion 394, and pivots away
from the
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
second linkage portion 394 when the upper portion of the surface cleaning
apparatus is
pivoted into the floor cleaning position (Figure 3). In this configuration,
the presence of the
lock does not interfere with the pivoting and/or rotating of the upper portion
104 when the
surface cleaning apparatus is in use. This configuration also effectively
deactivates the
actuator so that the cyclone bin assembly 160 is unlocked while the surface
cleaning
apparatus 100 is in use. Specifically, when the upper portion 104 is pivoted
into the
cleaning position (Figure 3), the first linkage 390 is spaced apart from the
upper end 392 of
the second linkage 394, such that movement of the foot pedal 388 is not
translated to the
second linkage 394. When the upper portion 104 is returned to the storage
position
(Figures 1 and 33), the first linkage 390 is automatically repositioned
adjacent the upper
end 392 of the second linkage 394, thereby reconnecting the lock and allowing
vertical
movement of the first linkage 390 to cause vertical movement of the second
linkage 394
(and the resulting movement of the third linkage 400).
[00262]
Both the foot pedal 388 and third linkage 400 are biased, using springs
402
and 404 respectively, such that the latch member 384 is biased toward its
engaged
position, in the absence of a user stepping on the foot pedal 388. In the
illustrated example,
the third linkage 400 is biased forwardly.
[00263]
In accordance with another feature, a supplemental biasing member may be
provided to help initially move the cyclone bin assembly out of the cleaning
position when
the lock is released. A supplemental biasing member may be used to help reduce
the load
on the torsion spring, or alternatively may be used to replace the torsion
spring entirely.
Using the supplemental biasing member to help lift the cyclone bin assembly
out of its
horizontal position may help reduce the magnitude of the moment force that
needs to be
overcome by the biasing spring (i.e. by pivoting the cyclone bin assembly
slightly such that
the centre of gravity of the cyclone bin assembly is moved somewhat closed to
the cradle
axis about which the moment forces act).
[00264]
Referring to Figures 31 and 37, in the illustrated example, the surface
cleaning apparatus 100 includes a supplemental biasing member in the form of a
leaf
spring 406. The leaf spring 406 is disposed within the cavity 161 (mounted to
the bottom
surface 374 in the illustrated example) at a location where it engages, and is
compressed
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
by the outer surface of the cyclone bin assembly 160 when the cyclone bin
assembly 160 is
in the cleaning position. While the latch member 384 is engaged with the
shoulder 386, the
cyclone bin assembly 160 is retained in the cleaning position, overcoming the
combined
biasing forces of the leaf spring 406 and torsion spring 380.
[00265] When the latch member 384 is disengaged from the shoulder 386
(Figure 34),
the leaf spring 406 urges the cyclone bin assembly 160 upwards, away from the
bottom
surface 374 of the cavity 161. Because movement of the cyclone bin assembly
160 is
restrained by its engagement with the cradle 360, this upward motion imparted
by the leaf
spring 406 is converted into rotation of the cyclone bin assembly 160, and
cradle 360
coupled thereto, about the cradle axis 362. The movement imparted by the leaf
spring 406
may be a relatively small amount, and may result in rotation of the cyclone
bin assembly
160 about the cradle axis 362 of between about 0.5 degrees and about 20
degrees, and
preferably between about 2 degrees and 10 degrees, and more preferably of
about 5
degrees.
[00266] Alternatively, instead of the latch member 384 engaging the cyclone
bin
assembly 160 directly, the lock may be configured such that the latch member
384
engages a portion of the cradle 360, such as, for example, the sidewall 366.
[00267] It will be appreciated that the surface cleaning apparatus may
utilize only the
supplemental biasing member so that the a cyclone bin assembly handle or the
like is
revealed to enable a user to grasp and remove the cyclone bin assembly from
the surface
cleaning head or to move the cyclone bin assembly to a removal position. For
example, the
supplemental biasing member may lift the cyclone bin assembly sufficiently to
enable a
user to then manually rotate the support platform to the removal position of
Figure 29.
[00268] In the alternate embodiment of Figures 46-49, instead of
pivoting with a
cradle, when the cyclone bin assembly 1160 is unlocked it translates laterally
upwardly out
of the cavity 1161 under the upward biasing force of the leaf spring 1406
(Figure 49) to a
removal position in which the cyclone bin assembly 1160 is slightly higher in
the vertical
direction, but remains partially nested within the cavity 1161.
[00269] Referring to Figure 49, in this example the cyclone bin
assembly 1160 is
inserted into the cavity by inserting rear tabs 1600 (Figure 52) into the
corresponding rear
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
slots 1602 that are provided in the rear wall 1120 of the cavity 1161. With
the rear tabs
1600 inserted, the cyclone bin assembly 1160 can be pivoted forwardly until
the pair of
front tabs 1604 are received in corresponding recesses 1608. When the front
tabs 1604 are
inserted into the recesses 1608, the latch member 1384 may engage the
corresponding
shoulder 1386 (Figure 50) on the sidewall of the cyclone bin assembly 1160.
[00270] To unlock the cyclone bin assembly 1160, a user may depress
the latch 1384,
thereby disengaging it from the shoulder 1386 and allowing the leaf spring to
urge the
cyclone bin assembly 1160 upward into the removal position (Figured 47). In
the removal
position, the front tabs 1604 can function as the cyclone bin assembly handle
1408, as the
tabs 1606 are positioned proud of the recesses 1608 and serve as finger grips
allowing a
user to grasp the cyclone bin assembly 1160.
[00271] In the illustrated example, when moving from the cleaning
position to the
removal position the cyclone bin assembly 1160 rotates about a generally
transverse axis,
that is parallel to the cyclone axis 1174, the suction motor axis 1182, brush
motor axis 1224
and the brush axis 1134.
[00272] Optionally, the cyclone bin assembly can moved from the
cleaning position to
the removal position by pivoting laterally (as shown herein), by pivoting
forwardly, or by
pivoting rearwardly. Alternatively, or in addition to pivoting, the cyclone
bin assembly may
also be moved in the removal position by sliding or translating laterally,
sliding forwardly,
and/or by sliding upwardly. In some embodiments, the cyclone bin assembly may
be
moved to the removal position using a combination of different movements. For
example,
the cyclone bin assembly may translate laterally and then pivot upwardly, or
the cyclone bin
assembly may pivot to a vertical orientation, and then slide upwardly,
laterally, forwardly
and/or rearwardly.
[00273] It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed
herein may not
use any of the features of the cyclone bin assembly removal and latch
mechanism
disclosed herein and that, in those embodiments, the removal and latch
mechanism may
be of various constructions or a removal and latch mechanism may not be used.
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Cyclone Bin Assembly Handle
[00274] The following is a description of a cyclone bin assembly
handle having
various features, any or all of which may be used (individually or in any
combination or sub-
combination), by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any
combination or sub-
combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
[00275] In accordance with one feature, the cyclone bin assembly may
include a carry
handle portion that is exposed and/or made more readily available when the
cyclone bin
assembly is in the removal position. The handle portion may help increase the
overall
height of the cyclone bin assembly in the removal position, and preferably may
form an
uppermost portion of the cyclone bin assembly while it is in the removal
position. Providing
a handle at a relatively high, and optionally uppermost position on the
cyclone bin assembly
may help position the handle at an elevation that is relatively comfortable,
or is more
comfortable, for a user to reach (e.g. to help minimize the amount of bending
required by
the user).
[00276] In accordance with another feature, as exemplified in Figures 20
and 21, the
cyclone bin assembly 160 may include a handle 408 that extends transversely
(e.g.,
longitudinally from the laterally inward end of the cyclone bin assembly 160).
In this
configuration, the handle 408 extends longitudinally away from the end wall
290 of the pre-
motor filter chamber 280.
[00277] In the illustrated example, the handle 408 extends beyond the end
wall 290 of
the pre-motor filter chamber 280 by a handle length 410, measured in the
direction of the
cyclone axis 174. The handle length 410 may be any suitable length, and may be
between
about 25% and about 200%, and optionally between about 50% and about 150%, and
optionally between about 55% and about 75% of the length 372 between the end
wall 290
and the openable door 266.
[00278] Optionally, the cyclone bin assembly 160 can be configured so
that the
cyclone bin assembly 160, including the handle 408, extends across almost the
most or all
of the entire width 338 of the surface cleaning apparatus. Configuring the
cyclone bin
assembly to extend the width 338 of the surface cleaning apparatus may help
increase the
height of the cyclone bin assembly 160, in particular the handle portion 408,
when the
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cyclone bin assembly 160 is in the removal position, while remaining within
the width 338 of
the surface cleaning head 102 when in the cleaning position. Optionally, the
width of the
cyclone bin assembly, including the handle portion (i.e. the sum of lengths
372 and 410),
can be between about 25% and about 100% of the width 338 of the surface
cleaning head
102, and preferably can be between about 50% and about 100% and more
preferably can
be between about 80% and about 100% of the width338. In the illustrated
example, the
combined width of the dirt collection chamber, pre-motor filter chamber and
handle length
(the sum of lengths 372 and 410) is generally equal to the width 338 of the
surface cleaning
head 102.
[00279] In
accordance with another feature, the handle may be configured to be
positioned at an upper portion of the cyclone bin assembly when the cyclone
bin assembly
is in the removal position and (as exemplified in Figure 28) may extend
upwardly when the
cyclone bin assembly is in the removal position.
[00280]
Referring to Figures 20 and 21, in the illustrated example the handle 408
includes an open frame include a pair of generally longitudinally extending
struts 412
extending parallel to the cyclone axis 174, and a generally perpendicular
cross-member
414 which, in the example illustrated forms a hand grip portion of the handle
408. In the
illustrated example, the handle includes two struts 412 that are joined by the
cross-member
414 such that the handle 408 defines an internal opening 416.
[00281] In
accordance with another feature, the handle opening 416 may be
configured to at least partially receive another portion of the surface
cleaning apparatus
when the cyclone bin assembly is in the cleaning position. For example, the
opening 416
may be configured to seat around a portion of the surface cleaning head 102
when the
cyclone bin assembly 160 is in the cleaning position. This may help facilitate
the positioning
of the handle so that it is flush with, or recessed into, the top surface of
the surface cleaning
head when the cyclone bin assembly is in the cleaning position.
[00282] As
exemplified in Figures 3 and 7, the handle opening 416 may surround the
clean air outlet 112, and specifically optional removable grill 150 and post-
motor filter 152,
when the cyclone bin assembly 160 is in the cleaning position. In this
configuration, an
upper surface of the handle 408 is generally flush with the upper surface of
the grill 150,
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and both the grill 150 and the upper surface of the handle 408 are recessed
into, and form
part of, the exposed top face 128 of the surface cleaning head 102.
Alternatively, instead of
being an enclosed opening, the handle 408 may include only a single strut and
the opening
may have one or more open sides.
[00283] In accordance with another feature, the handle 408 may be moveable
relative
to the cyclone chamber 164, dirt collection chamber 166 and/or pre-motor
filter chamber
280. For example, the handle 408 may be provided on a movable and/or openable
portion
of the cyclone bin assembly, such as an openable door or chamber wall. This
may help
facilitate positioning the handle in a desired location on the cyclone bin
assembly while still
providing the desired access to the openable portions of the cyclone bin
assembly.
[00284] In accordance with another feature, as exemplified in Figure
23, the handle
408 may be integrally formed with the end wall 290 of the pre-motor filter
chamber 280 or
formed as a one piece assembly therewith (e.g. separately formed and then
secured
together such as by an adhesive, welding, a mechanical fastener or the like).
As the end
wall 290 is pivotal relative to the cyclone chamber 164 and dirt collection
chamber 166 to
provide access to the pre-motor filter 282, the handle 408 is also pivotal
with the pre-motor
filter end wall 290.
[00285] It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed
herein may not
use any of the features of the cyclone bin assembly handle disclosed herein
and that, in
those embodiments, the cyclone bin assembly handle may be of various
constructions or a
cyclone bin assembly handle may not be used.
Bleed Valve
[00286] The following is a description of a bleed air valve that may
be used by itself in
any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with
any other
feature or features disclosed herein.
[00287] It is possible that in some instances, the airflow path may
become fully or
partially clogged. For example, a large object, such as a ball of hair or
popcorn, may
become lodged anywhere in the airflow path in the surface cleaning head. For
further
example, the pre-motor filter may become clogged with particulate matter. If
this occurs,
airflow to the suction motor may be restricted and the suction motor may
overheat and burn
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out. Referring to Figures 39 and 40, in the illustrated example the surface
cleaning
apparatus includes a bleed valve 420 that is provided in the surface cleaning
head 102. If a
clog occurs in the airflow path, the pressure in the suction motor housing
will decrease. The
bleed valve is preferably configured to open when the pressure decreases, and
allow bleed
air to flow through to the suction motor so that it does.
[00288] The bleed air valve has an outlet that provides bleed air as
required to the
suction motor, and optionally between the suction motor and the downstream
side of a pre-
motor filter. An advantage of this configuration is that the bleed air is
delivered directly to
the suction motor. If the pre-motor filter is dirty or clogged, which may be
the reason the
bleed valve opens, then the flow of bleed air to the suction motor will not be
impeded by the
pre-motor filter.
[00289] In accordance with one feature, the bleed air preferably
travels through the
bleed valve mechanism in a direction that is generally parallel to and
optionally parallel to
and in the same direction, as the direction of air flow exiting a cyclone.
Alternately, or in
addition, the bleed air preferably travels through the bleed valve mechanism
in a direction
that is generally parallel to and optionally parallel to and in the same
direction, as the
direction of air entering the suction motor.
[00290] Alternatively, the bleed valve may extend in a transverse
direction with
respect to as the direction of air flow exiting a cyclone and/or the direction
of air entering
the suction motor and the bleed air can exit the bleed valve in a direction
that is generally
orthogonal to either the direction of air flow exiting the cyclone, the
direction of air flow
entering the suction motor, or both.
[00291] Introducing bleed air into the air flow path upstream from
the suction motor
may also affect the air flow in the air flow path through the surface cleaning
head upstream
from the bleed air valve, which may in turn affect the suction available at
the dirty air inlet.
Optionally, the bleed air valve may be manually and/or selectively openable so
that a user
can purposefully introduce a desired quantity of bleed air into the air flow
path. For
example, a user may choose to open the bleed air valve, thereby reducing the
suction at
the dirty air inlet, when the surface cleaning apparatus is used to clean hard
flooring
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surfaces, and may wish to close the bleed air valve, thereby increasing
suction at the dirty
air inlet, when cleaning carpets or other rough surfaces.
[00292] As exemplified in Figure 13, the bleed valve 420 may include a
primary air
inlet 422, a secondary air inlet 424 and an air outlet 426. A longitudinally
extending primary
airflow passageway 428 extends between the primary air inlet 422 and the air
outlet 426,
and a secondary airflow passageway 430 extends between the secondary air inlet
424 and
the primary airflow passageway 428. The air outlet 426 is in air flow
communication with
the downstream header 304 and the downstream face 296 of the pre-motor filter
282.
[00293] In the illustrated example, the primary airflow passageway 428
is defined by a
sidewall 432 extending along a bleed valve axis 434 (Figure 39). The sidewall
432 is
disposed in the mounting hub 316 and, in the example illustrated, is oriented
so that the
bleed valve axis 434 is generally transverse to the forward direction of
travel, and is parallel
to the cyclone axis 174, suction motor axis 182, brush motor axis 224 and
brush axis 134.
Orienting the bleed valve 420 in this manner may help nest the bleed valve 420
between
the wheel axis 320 and the cyclone bin assembly 160. This may help reduce the
overall
size of the surface cleaning apparatus. In this configuration, the direction
of the flowing
through the primary airflow passageway 428 is generally parallel to the
direction of the air
flow entering the suction motor air inlet 246, and is generally parallel to
the direction of air
flowing out of the cyclone air outlet 186 and the direction of air flowing
through the pre-
motor filter 282.
[00294] The air outlet 426 is provided as an opening in the sidewall
432, which is in
communication with the downstream header 304. In this configuration, the
direction of air
exiting the bleed valve 420 via the air outlet 426 is generally orthogonal to
the direction of
the air flow entering the suction motor 162. Preferably, gaps are provided in
the ribs
supporting the downstream side 296 of the pre-motor filter 282 to receive air
exiting the
bleed valve 420 and to distribute the incoming air within the downstream
header 304.
[00295] The primary air inlet 422 is covered by a pressure-actuated
valve member
that is configured to automatically open (thereby supplying bleed air) when
the pressure in
the downstream header falls below a pre-set threshold. When the valve member
opens, air
from open spaces within the surface cleaning head 102 is drawn into the bleed
valve 420.
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[00296] Referring to Figures 39 and 40, the secondary air inlet 424 is
covered using a
manually movable cover member 436. The cover member 436 includes a sealing
portion
438 to selectively cover, and seal, the secondary air inlet 424, an engagement
portion, in
the form a slider 440, that can be actuated by a user.
[00297] In accordance with another feature, a user may move the slider
between one
or more open positions, in which second air inlet 424 is uncovered by
different amounts to
allow varying air flow rates into the bleed valve 420 (to the right as
illustrated in Figures 39
and 40), and a closed position in which the secondary air inlet 424 is sealed
to block air
flow into the bleed valve 420. This may allow a user to manually choose to
introduce bleed
air into the system by opening the secondary air inlet, even if pressure in
the downstream
header 304 has not fallen below the pre-set threshold.
[00298] In the alternate embodiment of Figure 56, the bleed valve 1420
includes a
primary air inlet 1422 and an air outlet 1426, which in the example
illustrated includes an
aperture that is formed on the end wall 1290 of the pre-motor filter chamber
1280. A
longitudinally extending primary airflow passageway 1428 extends between the
primary air
inlet 1422 and the air outlet 1426. The air outlet 1426 is in air flow
communication with the
downstream header 1304 and the downstream face 1296 of the pre-motor filter
1282.
[00299] In the illustrated example, the primary airflow passageway
1428 is defined by
a sidewall 1432 extending along a bleed valve axis 1434. In the example
illustrated, the
bleed valve axis 1434 is generally transverse to the forward direction of
travel, and is
parallel to the cyclone axis 1174, suction motor axis 1182, brush motor axis
1224 and
brush axis 1134. In this configuration, the direction of the flowing through
the primary
airflow passage 1428 is generally parallel to the direction of the air flow
entering the suction
motor air inlet 1246, and is generally parallel to the direction of air
flowing out of the cyclone
air outlet 1186 and the direction of air flowing through the pre-motor filter
1282.
[00300] Referring also to Figure 57, in the illustrated example, the
bleed valve 1420 is
disposed directly above the brush motor 1214, and the axes 1422 and 1224 are
co-planar.
[00301] It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed
herein may not
use any of the features of the bleed valve disclosed herein and that, in those
embodiments,
the bleed valve may be of various constructions or a bleed valve may not be
used.
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Handle Swivel Steer Connection
[00302] Optionally, the upper portion 104 may be steeringly connected
to the surface
cleaning head 102. For example, the upper portion 104 may be movably connected
to the
surface cleaning head in a manner so as allow the surface cleaning head 102 to
be steered
by rotating or twisting the upper portion 104.
[00303] In one embodiment, the pivot may be provided on the mounting
hub 316. For
example, as exemplified, the upper portion 104 may include a drive handle 442,
having a
hand grip portion 444, which extends upwardly from the cleaning head. The
drive handle
442 is pivotally connected to the surface cleaning head 102 using a yolk
member 448
(Figures 11 and 15) and may be pivoted between a storage position (Figure 1)
and an
inclined floor cleaning position (Figure 3). The yolk 448 may be pivotally
coupled to the
mounting hub 316 and is pivotal about a pivot axis 446 (Figure 15) that is
generally
orthogonal to the direction of travel of the surface cleaning apparatus 100.
Preferably, the
driving handle 442, yolk 448, mounting hub 316 and other related components
are
configured so that the driving handle 442 is generally stable in the storage
position, and will
remain self-standing when in the storage position. For example, the upper
portion 104 may
be configured so that when in the storage position, the centre of gravity of
the upper portion
104 is disposed generally above, or forward of the rear wheel pivot axis 320
and/or the yolk
pivot axis 446. Alternatively, an external stand or storage device may be used
in
combination with the surface cleaning apparatus. Alternately, or in addition,
a lock may be
provided to secure the handle in the storage position. The lock may be a
friction lock, a
moveable locking member or the like.
[00304] In the illustrated example, the pivot axis 446 is parallel to
the cyclone axis
174, suction motor axis 182, brush motor axis 224 and brush axis 134, and is
offset
rearwardly from each of these axes. The pivot axis 446 is at a higher
elevation than the
rear wheel axis 320, and in the example lies in the same vertical plane as the
rear wheel
axis 320.
[00305] Optionally, the drive handle 442 can also be rotatably coupled
to the yolk 448.
This may help facilitate steering of the surface cleaning head. In the
illustrated example, the
yolk 448 includes generally cylindrical journal member 450 (Figure 41) that is
rotatably
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received within a corresponding housing 452 in the drive handle 442 (see
Figures 42A, 42B
and Figure 11). In this configuration, the drive handle 442 is rotatable
relative to the yolk
448 about a rotation axis 454. In the illustrated example, the rotation axis
454 is not parallel
to the longitudinal axis 456 of the drive handle 442. Instead, the rotation
axis 454 is at an
angle 458 (Figure 17) to the longitudinal axis 456. The angle 458 may be any
suitable
angle, and may be between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees, and preferably
between about 10 degrees and about 60 degrees, and more preferably between
about 20
degrees about 50 degrees, and in the illustrated example is between about 40
degrees and
about 45 degrees. Arranging the rotation axis 454 at an angle 458 relative to
the handle
axis 456 may help facilitate steering of the surface cleaning head 102 when
the drive
handle 442 is pivoted rearwardly.
[00306] It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed
herein may not
use any of the features of the swivel steering mechanism disclosed herein and
that, in
those embodiments, the swivel steering mechanism may be of various
constructions or a
swivel steering mechanism may not be used.
Brush Motor Air Inlet
[00307] The following is a description of a brush motor air inlet
that may be used by
itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-
combination with any
other feature or features disclosed herein. An advantage of this feature is
that cooling air is
provided to help cool the brush motor while the surface cleaning apparatus is
in use. The
cooling air inlet may be configured to draw air from the air flow path
upstream or
downstream from the air treatment member, or optionally to draw air in from
the
surrounding environment.
[00308] In accordance with one feature, one or more cooling air
inlets may be
provided in a wall of the brush chamber 130. In accordance with another
feature, a plurality
of ling air inlets may be provided. The advantages of each of these features
is discussed
with reference to Figure 9.
[00309] As exemplified in Figure 9, the surface cleaning head 102
includes a cooling
air inlet 460 that is positioned to draw air from within the brush chamber
130. In this
example, the cooling air inlet 460 includes four apertures 462 provided in the
rear wall 138
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of the brush chamber 130. The apertures 462 are in air flow communication with
the brush
motor 214 via an internal conduit provided in the surface cleaning head 102
(see also
Figure 13). The apertures 462 may be sized so that the area of each individual
is relatively
small and the combined area of all the apertures 462 is sufficient to provide
a desired flow
of air to the brush motor 214. Providing multiple relatively small apertures
may help provide
sufficient air flow while each individual aperture is small enough prevent
relatively large
debris particles from being drawn into the brush motor. Providing multiple
apertures in
parallel with each other can provide redundant air flow options, which may
also allow some
cooling air to reach the brush motor 214 even if one or more of the apertures
become
blocked with debris. Positioning the cooling air inlet within the brush
chamber 130, and in
proximity to the rotating brush 130, may also allow the brush 132 to dislodge
debris from
the cooling air inlet 460 while the surface cleaning apparatus is in use.
[00310] It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed
herein may not
use any of the features of the brush motor air inlet disclosed herein and
that, in those
embodiments, the brush motor air inlet may be of various constructions or a
brush motor air
inlet may not be used.
Cutting Groove
[00311] The following is a description of a cutting groove that may be
used by itself in
any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with
any other
feature or features disclosed herein.
[00312] Referring to Figure 16, in the illustrated example the brush
132 includes
cutting groove 468 that extends axially along the length of the brush 132. The
cutting
groove 468 is recessed below the surface of the brush 132 and is sized to
accommodate a
pair of scissors or other cutting tool. This can allow a portion of the
scissors to be inserted
beneath strands of hair, string or other types of debris that can get wound
around the brush
132 during use. The scissors can then be translated along the length of the
cutting groove
468 to cut the hair and strings entangled around the brush. Preferably, the
brush 132 can
be rotated so that the cutting groove 468 can be positioned toward the bottom
of the brush
132 to allow a user to access the cutting groove 468 through the dirty air
inlet 110 (for
example, if a user turns the surface cleaning head 102 over for service).
Optionally, the
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brush chamber 130 may also include one or more transparent regions to allow a
user to
visually inspect the interior of the brush chamber, including, for example,
the brush. In the
illustrated example, the brush chamber 130 includes a transparent region in
the form of a
window 470 (Figures 30 and 31) that is provided in the top wall 142.
Height Adjustable Drive Handle
[00313]
The following is a description of an adjustable drive handle that may be
used
by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-
combination with
any other feature or features disclosed herein.
[00314]
In accordance with one aspect of the teaching described herein, the upper
portion may be adjustable so that its height (i.e. the distance between the
surface cleaning
head and the hand grip) may be modified by a user. Providing an adjustable
upper portion
may allow a user to vary the height of the upper portion, such as, for example
to
accommodate users of different heights. Adjusting the height of the upper
portion may also
help reduce the overall size of the surface cleaning apparatus. Reducing the
overall size of
the surface cleaning apparatus may reduce the amount of space required for
storage
and/or shipping of the surface cleaning apparatus. The upper portion may be
configured to
be adjustable using any suitable adjustment mechanism.
[00315]
As exemplified in Figures 5 and 44, drive handle 442 includes a lower
section
474 and an upper section 476. The lower section 474 has a first end 478
movably coupled
to the surface cleaning head (e.g., mounting hub 316), and an upper end 480
spaced apart
from the lower end 478. The upper section includes a lower end 488 that is
coupled to the
lower section 474, and an upper end 490 that includes the hand grip 444 and an
optional
attachment point 492 for the electrical cord. In the illustrated example, the
upper section
476 is sized to fit within the lower section 474, and is slidable relative to
the lower section
between an extended position (Figure 5) and one or more retracted positions
(Figure 44).
[00316]
In the extended position, the upper portion has an extended height 472
that
can be any suitable height, and in the example illustrated is between about
50cm and about
150cm or more. In extended position the hand grip 444 and optional electrical
cord
attachment location 492 are spaced apart from the lower section 474. When in
the
retracted position, the upper section 474 may be at least partially nested
within the lower
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section 474 and the upper portion height 472 is less than when in the extended
position. In
the illustrated example, the hand grip 444 and electrical cord attachment
location 492 are
both positioned closer to the surface cleaning head 102, and may be generally
adjacent the
upper end 480 of the lower section 474, when the upper portion 476 is in the
retracted
configuration.
[00317]
The upper section 476 may be secured in each of the one or more retracted
positions using any suitable mechanism, including, for example, pins, latches,
detents,
clips, fasteners, friction/ interference fit and other mechanisms. Referring
to Figure 43, in
the illustrated example the upper section 476 includes a pair of detents 494
and the lower
section 474 includes a latch 496 that is configured to selectively engage the
detents 494.
The latch 496 is releasable so that a user may release the latch 496 and
translate the
upper section 476 relative to the lower section 474 to alter the height the
upper portion 104.
When a desired detent 494 is aligned with the latch 496, the latch 496 may be
re-engaged
(and preferably is biased toward the engaged position) thereby securing the
upper section
476 and inhibiting further translation of the upper section 476 relative to
the lower section
474.
[00318]
It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may
not
use any of the features of the drive handle disclosed herein and that, in
those
embodiments, the drive handle may be of various constructions or a height
adjustable drive
handle may not be used. For example, the drive handle need not be provided
with electrical
cord attachment location 492. Instead the electrical cord may be connected to
the surface
cleaning head 102 (e.g., see the alternate embodiment of Figure 53 wherein the
electrical
cord attachment point 492 is provided on the mounting hub 1318, and wherein,
optionally,
the electrical cord 502 is not detachable).
Detachable Electrical Cord
[00319]
The following is a description of an electrical cord that may be used by
itself in
any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with
any other
feature or features disclosed herein.
[00320]
In accordance with one aspect of the teaching described herein, power
(preferably AC power) may be supplied to the surface cleaning apparatus using
the
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electrical cord. In the illustrated examples, AC power is supplied to the
surface cleaning
apparatus using an electrical cord that may be connected to a wall socket. The
cord may
be connected to the apparatus at any suitable location, including, for example
on the
surface cleaning head itself, or on the upper section. If connected to the
upper section, the
cord attachment point may be toward an upper end of the upper section (e.g.,
generally
adjacent the hand grip portion), and one or more electrical conductors may
extend from the
cord attachment point to the surface cleaning head. The electrical conductors
may be
internal the upper section, or external. Optionally, the electrical conductors
may be
adjustable, and preferably may be extensible and/or resilient (i.e. such as a
coiled electrical
cord) so that the electrical conductors can accommodate changes in length of
the upper
portion without requiring decoupling or reconfiguration, and without
interrupting electrical
supply to the surface cleaning head.
[00321] In accordance with one feature, the electrical cord may be
connected to an
upper portion of the drive handle, such as the upper end of the upper section,
adjacent and
slightly beneath the hand grip. Connecting the electrical cord on an upper
portion of the
drive handle, such as adjacent the hand grip may help reduce the likelihood
that the cord
will interfere with the movement of the surface cleaning head. This
positioning may also
help make it convenient for a user to hold a portion of the cord with his/her
free hand (i.e.
the hand that is not holding the hand grip) and to manipulate the cord to help
prevent
entanglement or other impedances to the vacuuming process. Spacing the
electrical cord
attachment point away from the surface cleaning head may also help reduce the
need to
move the electrical cord in close proximity and/or beneath furniture and other
objects when
the surface cleaning head is moved proximate or under such objects. This may
help reduce
the chances of the electrical cord becoming tangled or snagged while the
surface cleaning
apparatus is in use.
[00322] In accordance with another feature, the electrical cord may be
detachably
connected to the surface cleaning apparatus. This may allow the cord to be
detached for
storage, or for an alternative or replacement cord to be connected to the
apparatus. This
may also allow the cord to be detached when not needed, such as if the surface
cleaning
apparatus is being powered by an alternative power source.
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[00323] Referring to Figure 45, in the illustrated example, the
electrical cord 502 is
connected to the upper portion 442 using a detachable connector that provides
mechanical
and electrical connection between the electrical cord and the surface cleaning
apparatus.
The connector may be any suitable type of electrical connector, and in the
illustrated
example includes a first connector portion in the form of a socket 498 on the
upper portion
442 that includes pins, and a second connector portion, in the form of a
connector 500 that
is configured to fit within the socket 498 and receive the pins.
[00324] It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed
herein may not
use any of the features of the electrical cord disclosed herein and that, in
those
embodiments, the electrical cord may be of various constructions or a
detachable electrical
cord may not be used.
Cordless Mode
[00325] The following is a description of a cordless operating mode
that may be used
by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-
combination with
any other feature or features disclosed herein.
[00326] Optionally, the surface cleaning apparatus may include one or
more portable
energy storage devices, such as one or more batteries. The onboard battery may
be a DC
power source. Providing an onboard portable energy storage device may allow
the surface
cleaning apparatus to be operated in a cordless mode, in which the surface
cleaning
apparatus can be powered by the onboard energy storage device and need not be
plugged
into a wall socket. Configuring the surface cleaning apparatus as a cordless
apparatus may
be used in combination with any one or more of the other features described
herein.
[00327] Preferably, the on-board energy storage member is one or more
batteries that
may be sized to fit within the surface cleaning head and is powerful enough to
drive the
suction motor and optionally the rotating brush motor. Optionally, when
operated on DC
battery power, as opposed to external AC power, the rotating brush motor
and/or the
suction motor may operate at a reduced rate or may be otherwise configured to
reduce
power consumption (e.g., the motor may have dual windings to be operable on
both AC
and DC power). If required, a converter module can be provided to convert the
external
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power supply into a format (e.g., DC) that is compatible with motor,
configured to re-charge
the batteries or is otherwise preferred over the native incoming format.
[00328] The battery may be any suitable type of battery, including a
rechargeable
battery. Optionally, when the surface cleaning apparatus is electrically
connected to an AC
power source (e.g., a wall socket), power from the AC source may be used to re-
charge the
battery, to directly power/drive the suction motor, and/or rotating brush
motor or to
simultaneously run the suction motor and brush motor and re-charge the
battery. In this
configuration, when the vacuum is operated the battery in the cleaning head
may be
charged and the suction motor and brush motor may be driven by AC power and/or
a
combination of AC and battery power. Then, when the surface cleaning apparatus
is
electrically decoupled from the AC power source the surface cleaning apparatus
can be
operated on battery power alone.
[00329] Alternatively, or in addition to positioning a battery in the
surface cleaning
head, one or more batteries may be provided within the upper portion and
electrically
connected to the suction motor and/or other components in the surface cleaning
head.
Providing at least some batteries in the upper portion may provide extra space
to
accommodate the batteries, as compared to the space limitations within the
surface
cleaning head. Positioning batteries in the upper portion may also alter the
weight
distribution of the surface cleaning apparatus, which may alter the "feel" of
the apparatus in
a user's hand. In embodiments where the electrical cord is connected to the
upper portion,
providing batteries within the upper portion may help facilitate the use of a
convenient
electrical connection between the incoming power from the electrical cord and
the batteries
and/or charging equipment. This may help reduce the need to run multiple
electrical
conductors between the upper portion and the surface cleaning head.
[00330] Providing batteries in the upper portion may help facilitate access
to the
batteries for maintenance and/or replacement.
[00331] It will be appreciated that some of the embodiments disclosed
herein may not
use any of the features of the cordless mode disclosed herein and that, in
those
embodiments, the cordless mode may be of other designs or a cordless mode may
not be
used.
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Alternate Embodiments with Above Floor Cleaning
[00332] The following is a description of all in the head type surface
cleaning
apparatuses that are operable in at least one above floor cleaning mode, that
may be used
by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-
combination with
any other feature or features disclosed herein.
[00333] Optionally, an all in the head type surface cleaning apparatus
may be
configured to operate in at least one above floor cleaning mode. For example,
the surface
cleaning apparatus may include an auxiliary dirty air inlet that is provided
at the end of a
hose, wand, auxiliary cleaning tool or other type of conduit that may be
connected in air
flow communication with the air treatment member and suction motor for above
floor
cleaning. The auxiliary dirty air inlet may be used to clean furniture,
drapes, walls and other
surfaces that are above the floor upon which the surface cleaning head rests.
[00334] The auxiliary dirty air inlet may be automatically in air flow
communication
with the air treatment member and suction motor when the auxiliary dirty air
inlet is
positioned for use (e.g., a wand having a dirty air inlet is removed from a
storage position).
A valve or other air flow control member may be provided in the air flow path
to interrupt the
air flow communication between the auxiliary dirty air inlet and the suction
motor. The valve
may be manually operable or may operate automatically by insertion and/or
removal of an
above floor cleaning wand or by placing the apparatus in the upright storage
position or
releasing the apparatus from the upright storage position or by sensors and
electrical-
driven movement.
[00335] Alternately, or in addition, the cyclone bin assembly may be
configured so
that it can be connected to the rest of the surface cleaning apparatus in at
least two
different positions and/or orientations. Preferably, the surface cleaning
apparatus may be
configured so that arranging the cyclone bin assembly in a first configuration
establishes air
flow communication between cyclone bin assembly and the primary dirty air
inlet (the dirty
air inlet of the surface cleaning head), and arranging the cyclone bin
assembly in a second
configuration interrupts the air flow communication with the primary dirty air
inlet and
establishes air flow communication with the auxiliary dirty air inlet. In
accordance with this
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aspect, repositioning the cyclone bin assembly reconfigures the air flow
path(s) through the
surface cleaning apparatus.
[00336] In one example, which is in accordance with this aspect, the
cyclone bin
assembly, and the cyclone chamber therein, may have a single air inlet that
can be
selectively connected to two or more different airflow paths. In such a case,
the cyclone bin
assembly may be moveable or repositionable (e.g., rotatable, pivotal,
translatable,
insertable into the surface cleaning head in at least two different
orientations, etc.) to
selectively connect the cyclone bin assembly air inlet in air flow
communication with
different air flow paths, including, for example the above floor cleaning
wand, the brush
chamber and/or other auxiliary air flow paths. Moving the cyclone bin assembly
to modify
the air flow path through the surface cleaning apparatus may help simplify the
configuration
of the surface cleaning apparatus and may, for example, eliminate the need to
provide
additional valves or other such flow control devices.
[00337] Referring to Figure 46, another example of an all in the head
type surface
cleaning apparatus 1100, having an above floor cleaning mode, is illustrated.
The surface
cleaning apparatus 1100 is generally similar to the surface cleaning apparatus
100, and
analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by
1000. Some or
all of the features described in association with the surface cleaning
apparatus 100 can be
used alone, or in combination with each other in the surface cleaning
apparatus 1100.
Similarly, the above floor cleaning aspects of cleaning apparatus 1100 may
optionally be
incorporated into surface cleaning apparatus 100.
Dual Air Inlets
[00338] In accordance with this embodiment a cyclone may be provided
with dual air
inlets, one connectable in air flow communication with the primary dirty air
inlet and one
connectable in air flow communication with the auxiliary dirty air inlet. One
or more valves
may be used to selectively connect he cyclone with the primary and auxiliary
dirty air inlets.
[00339] As exemplified in Figures 55 and 56, the cyclone chamber 1164
may include
an air inlet 1184 with an upstream or inlet end 1190 that is connectable to an
air outlet 1192
(Figure 49) in the rear wall 1138 of the brush chamber 1130. The cyclone air
inlet 1184 also
includes a downstream end 1194 that includes an opening formed in the cyclone
sidewall
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1173, and a connecting portion 1196 extending through the dirt collection
chamber 1166
between the upstream and downstream ends 1190 and 1194. The air flow
connection
between the brush chamber outlet 1192 and the cyclone chamber 1164 can form a
first air
flow path, which is a portion of the overall air flow path connecting the
dirty air inlet 1110 to
the clean air outlet 1112. In addition to the air inlet 1184, the cyclone
chamber 1164 may
also include an auxiliary air inlet 1184b with an upstream or inlet end 1190b
that is
connectable to a downstream end 1628 of a duct 1626 that is provided in the
mounting hub
1316. The cyclone air inlet 1184b also includes a downstream end 1194b that
includes an
opening formed in the cyclone sidewall 1173b, and a connecting portion 1196b
extending
through the mounting hub 1314, between the upstream and downstream ends 1190b
and
1194b.
[00340] Referring to Figures 46 and 58, in the illustrated embodiment
the upper
portion 1104 includes a rigid wand 1620 that is slidably received within a
flexible hose
1622. The wand 1620 has a lower, downstream end 1624 that can be coupled to
the duct
1626 that extends through the mounting hub 1316, whereby the upper portion
1104 and the
connection of the upper portion to the surface cleaning head is sufficiently
rigid to function
as the driving handle 1442, including the hand grip 1444, to maneuver the
surface cleaning
apparatus (Figure 58).
[00341] Referring also to Figure 56, the wand 1620 has an upstream end
1630 that is
spaced apart from the downstream end 1624. A drive handle valve, such as cap
1632 is
provided on the upper portion 1104, e.g., positioned on the hand grip 1444, so
that the cap
1632 may be adjacent the upstream end 1630 when the wand 1620 is coupled to
the duct
1626. When the cap 1632 is closed (as shown, for example, in Figures 49 and
58) it seals
the upper end of the wand 1620. When the cap 1632 is open, air flow through
the wand
1620 is permitted. In accordance with such an embodiment, wand 1620 may always
be in
air flow communication with the suction motor and a valve is not required.
Instead, cap may
seal the upstream end of wand 1620.
[00342] As shown in Figure 59, when the cap 1632 is opened the wand
1620 can be
pulled out of the surrounding hose 1622. In this configuration, the lower end
1624 of the
wand 1620 is decoupled from the duct 1626, but the surrounding hose 1622
remains
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connected and provides the air flow connection between the lower end 1624 of
the wand
1620 and the duct 1626 (and ultimately to the air inlet 1184b). With the wand
1620
detached, the upper portion 1104 can become flexible, and the wand 1620 may be
moved
away from the surface cleaning head 1102 while air flow communication is
preserved by
the hose 1622. Optionally, the hose 1622 may be extensible. This may help
facilitate
moving the hose 1622 and wand 1620 to a variety of above floor cleaning
locations.
[00343] To operate the surface cleaning apparatus 1100 in a floor
cleaning mode, the
wand 1620 may be inserted within the hose 1622 so that the lower end 1624 of
the wand
1620 engages the duct 1626. The cap 1632 may then be closed to seal the upper
end of
the wand 1620, thereby eliminating or substantially eliminating air flow
through the upper
portion and fluidly isolating the auxiliary air inlet 1184b from the
surrounding environment.
Restricting the air flow through the wand 1620 in the floor cleaning mode may
help direct all
or a majority of the air flow/ suction generated by the suction motor 1162
through the
primary dirty air inlet 1110.
[00344] To operate the surface cleaning apparatus 1100 in an above floor
cleaning
mode, the cap 1632 may be opened and the wand 1620 may be at least partially
extracted
from the hose 1622. In this configuration, the upstream end 1630 of the wand
1620
functions as an auxiliary dirty air inlet 1110b, that is in air flow
communication with the
auxiliary cyclone air inlet 1184b.
[00345] Optionally, when in the above floor cleaning mode, both dirty air
inlets 1110
and 1110b may remain in air flow communication with the suction motor 1162. In
such an
arrangement, the suction generated by the suction motor 1162 may be divided
between the
dirty air inlets 1110 and 1110b. Alternatively, a valve or other blocking
member may be
used to interrupt the air flow communication between the dirty air inlet 1110
and the suction
motor 1162 when operating in the above floor cleaning mode.
[00346] As exemplified in Figures 54A and 54B, a surface cleaning head
valve to
close the air flow path from the brush chamber may include a flow restricting
member that
includes a blocker 1634 connected to a slider 1636. The flow restricting
member may be
configured so that a user may translate the slider 1636, e.g., in the
transverse direction, to
move the blocker 1634 between a deployed position (Figure 54A) and a retracted
position
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(Figure 54B). In the deployed position the blocker 1634 seals the opening 1192
in the back
wall 1138 of the brush chamber 1130, thereby interrupting the air flow
communication
between the upstream end 1190 of the cyclone air inlet 1184 and the dirty air
inlet 1110. In
the retracted position, the blocker 1634 is retracted within the back wall
1138 of the brush
chamber 1130 and the upstream end 1190 of the cyclone air inlet 1184 is in air
flow
communication with the dirty air inlet 1110.
[00347] Referring to Figures 83-85, another example of an all in the
head type surface
cleaning apparatus 5100, having an above floor cleaning mode, is illustrated.
The surface
cleaning apparatus 5100 is generally similar to the surface cleaning apparatus
100, and
analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by
5000. Any one
or more or all of the features described in association with the surface
cleaning apparatus
100 and 1100 can be used alone, or in combination with each other in the
surface cleaning
apparatus 5100. Similarly, the above floor cleaning aspects of cleaning
apparatus 5100
may optionally be incorporated into surface cleaning apparatuses 100, 1100 or
other
apparatuses disclosed herein.
[00348] Like surface cleaning apparatus 1100, in this embodiment the
upper portion
1104 includes a driving handle 5442, having a hand grip portion 5444, which
can be used
to maneuver the surface cleaning head 5102 across the floor. The upper portion
5104
also includes a rigid wand 5620 (Figure 85) that is slidably received within a
flexible hose
5622. The wand 5620 has a lower, downstream end 5624, but unlike the surface
cleaning
apparatus 1100, in the surface cleaning apparatus 5100 the wand 5620 is
provided in
addition to the rigid driving handle 5442. In this configuration, when the
wand 5620 is
deployed for above floor cleaning, the handle 5442 remains structurally intact
and
connected to the surface cleaning head 5102, such that the handle 5442, and
hand grip
thereon 5444, can be used to drive and maneuver the surface cleaning head 5102
while
the wand 5620 is deployed. This may allow a user to hold the wand 5620 with
one hand
and maneuver the surface cleaning head 5102, via the handle 5442, with the
other. The
wand 5620 and the flexible hose 5622 are moveable between a retracted position
(Figures
83 and 84) and a fully extended position (Figure 85).
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[00349] Referring also to Figures 83 and 84, the wand 5620 has an
upstream end
5630 that is spaced apart from the downstream end 5624. When the apparatus
5100 is
used in a floor cleaning mode, the wand 5620 may be retracted within the hose
5622 and
stored on the apparatus 5100. The wand 5620 may be stored in any suitable
location,
including the surface cleaning head 5102, upper portion 5104 and hand grip
5444. In the
illustrated embodiment, both the wand 5620 and hose 5622 are stored within a
corresponding recess 5850 that is formed in the rear surface of the handle
5442. In this
configuration, the recess 5850 is sized to receive most of the hose 5622 and
wand 5620
but remains open toward the rear of the apparatus 5100 to help facilitate
access to the
hose 5622 and wand 5620 (e.g., it may be generally U-shaped). In this
embodiment, the
hose 5622 forms part of the exposed, outer surface of the upper portion 5104
when the
apparatus 5100 is operated in the floor cleaning mode, while the wand 5620 is
nested
within the hose 5622.
[00350] In the illustrated embodiment, a collar 5852 is provided at
the upstream end
of the hose 5622 and may be configured to slidingly receive the wand 5620. The
collar
5852 may function as a hand grip member to maneuver the wand 5620 in the above
floor
cleaning mode, and may include one or more locking member to engage the wand
5620
and hold the wand 5620 in the retracted position (Figures 83 and 84).
[00351] The collar 5852 may also be configured to engage with the
handle 5442 to
help secure the hose 5622 and wand 5620 in the storage or retracted position
(Figures 83
and 84). For example, in the illustrated example, the collar 5852 is
detachably secured to
the handle 5442, toward the upper end 5854 of the recess 5850. In this
configuration, the
collar 5852 functions as both a handle for the wand 5620 when it is deployed,
but also as
the securing mechanism used to retain the wand 5620 in its storage position.
Any securing
mechanism known in the art may be used. For example, the collar may be secured
in
position by a friction fit, an engagement member that inter-engages with a
mating
engagement member provided on upper portion 5104 or the like.
[00352] The collar 5852 may also include additional features, such as
an electrical
cord wrap 5856 that is used in combination with the cord wrap 5858 adjacent
the grip 5444
to hold the electrical cord when it is not in use.
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[00353] Preferably, the upstream end of the 5630 of the wand 5620 may
be provided
with any suitable type of drive handle valve to selectively open and close the
upstream end
5630. For example, optionally a drive handle valve in the form of a cap (such
as cap 1632
described herein) may be used to cover the upstream end 5630 of the wand 5620
such that
when the cap is closed it seals the upstream end 5630 of the wand 5620, and
that when
the cap is open, air flow through the wand 5620 is permitted. In accordance
with such an
embodiment, wand 5620 may always be in air flow communication with the suction
motor
and a valve may not be required in the surface cleaning head to isolate the
cyclone from
the wand. Instead, the cap may seal the upstream end of wand 5620. This may
allow the
upstream end 5630 of the wand 5620 to remain sealed when the wand is moved
from the
storage position to the above floor cleaning position. Alternate options
include a ball valve
and the like.
[00354] Alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 84 and 85, the
upstream end 5630 of
the wand 5620 may not include a cap or other blocking member and instead the
upstream
end 5630 may be sealed by a sealing surface 5860 at the upper end of the
recess 5850. In
the illustrated embodiment, the sealing surface 5860 is configured to cover
and seal the
upper end of the wand 5620 when the wand 5620 is positioned within the recess
5850.
Optionally, the wand 5620 may be biased upwardly within the recess 5850, for
example
using a spring, so that the upstream end 5630 is pressed against the sealing
surface 5860
when in the storage position. In this configuration, the upstream end 5630 of
the wand is
automatically sealed when the wand 5620 is inserted into the recess 5850, and
is
automatically unsealed when the wand 5620 is removed from the recess 5850.
This may
help establish air flow through the wand 5620 for above floor cleaning without
requiring the
user to manually open a separate valve on the wand 5620.
[00355] As shown in Figure 85, the wand 5620 may be pulled out of the
surrounding
hose 5622. In this configuration, the hose 5622 is connected and provides the
air flow
connection between the lower end 5624 of the wand 5620 and the cyclone bin
assembly
5160. With the wand 5620 detached, the wand 5620 may be moved away from the
surface
cleaning head 5102 while air flow communication is preserved by the hose 5622.
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[00356] To operate the surface cleaning apparatus 5100 in a floor
cleaning mode, the
wand 5620 may be inserted within the hose 5622, and both the wand 5602 and
hose 5622
may be inserted within the recess 5850. The upstream end 5630 of the wand 5620
may
then be sealed against the sealing surface 5854 thereby eliminating or
substantially
eliminating air flow through the upper portion. Restricting the air flow
through the wand
5620 in the floor cleaning mode may help direct all or a majority of the air
flow/ suction
generated by the suction motor 5162 through the primary dirty air inlet 5110.
[00357] It will be appreciated that for any of the described
embodiments any valve
member know in the art may be used to close the air flow path instead of or in
addition to
cap 1632 and/or blocker 1634 and/or sealing surface 5854. The valve may be
operated
manually or automatically upon reconfiguration of the surface cleaning
apparatus to an
above floor cleaning mode.
[00358] Referring to Figures 86-88, another example of an all in the
head type surface
cleaning apparatus 7100, having an above floor cleaning mode, is illustrated.
The surface
cleaning apparatus 7100 is generally similar to the surface cleaning apparatus
100, and
analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by
7000. Any one
or more or all of the features described in association with the surface
cleaning apparatus
100 and 1100 can be used alone, or in combination with each other in the
surface cleaning
apparatus 7100. Similarly, the above floor cleaning aspects of cleaning
apparatus 7100
may optionally be incorporated into surface cleaning apparatuses 100, 1100,
5100, 6100 or
other apparatuses disclosed herein.
[00359] Like surface cleaning apparatuses 1100 and 5100, in this
embodiment the
upper portion 7104 includes a driving handle 7442, having a hand grip portion
7444, which
can be used to maneuver the surface cleaning head 7102 across the floor. The
upper
portion 7104 also includes a rigid wand 7620 (Figure 88) that is slidably
received within a
flexible hose 7622. The wand 7620 has a lower, downstream end 7624, and like
surface
cleaning apparatus 5100, the wand 7620 is provided in addition to the rigid
driving handle
7442. In this configuration, when the wand 7620 is deployed for above floor
cleaning, the
handle 7442 remains structurally intact and connected to the surface cleaning
head 7102,
such that the handle 7442, and hand grip thereon 7444, can be used to drive
and
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maneuver the surface cleaning head 7102 while the wand 7620 is deployed. The
wand
7620 and the flexible hose 7622 are moveable between a retracted position
(Figures 86
and 87) and a fully extended or deployed position (Figure 88).
[00360] When the apparatus 7100 is used in a floor cleaning mode, the
wand 7620
may be retracted within the hose 7622 and stored on the apparatus 7100. The
wand 7620
may be stored in any suitable location, including the surface cleaning head
7102, upper
portion 7104 and hand grip 7444. In the illustrated embodiment, both the wand
7620 and
hose 7622 are stored within a corresponding recess 7850 that is formed in the
rear surface
of the handle 7442. In this configuration, the recess 7850 is sized to receive
most of the
hose 7622 and wand 7620 but remains open toward the rear of the apparatus 7100
to help
facilitate access to the hose 7622 and wand 7620 (e.g., it may be generally U-
shaped).
[00361] In the illustrated embodiment, a collar 7852 is provided at
the upstream end
of the hose 7622 and may be configured to slidingly receive the wand 7620. The
collar
7852 may function as a hand grip member to maneuver the wand 7620 in the above
floor
cleaning mode, and may include one or more locking member to engage the wand
7620
and hold the wand 7620 in the retracted position (Figures 86 and 87).
[00362] As explained in relation to surface cleaning apparatus 5100,
the collar 7852
may also be configured to engage with the handle 7442 to help secure the hose
7622 and
wand 7620 in the storage or retracted position (Figures 86 and 87), and may
also include
additional features, such as an electrical cord wrap 7856.
[00363] In the illustrated embodiment, the wand 7602 and hose 7622 are
not in air
flow communication with the surface cleaning head 7102, or the cyclone bin
assembly 7160
provided thereon, when the wand 7602 and hose 7622 are disposed within the
recess
7850. Instead of remaining constantly connected to the air flow path when not
in use, the
wand 7602 and hose 7622 are stored isolated from the air flow path, and are
only
connected into air flow communication with the cyclone bin assembly 7160 and
suction
motor when required for above floor cleaning. This configuration may help
maintain a
desired suction level in the primary dirty air inlet 7110 when the apparatus
7100 is operated
in a floor cleaning mode. It may also help reduce the amount of dead-ended or
stagnant
sections in the air flow path when operating in the floor cleaning mode.
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[00364] When required for above floor cleaning, the wand 7602 and hose
7622 may
be connected to the air flow path using any suitable valve at any suitable
location. For
example, the wand 7602 and hose 7622 may optionally be connected in air flow
communication to the primary dirty air inlet 7110 (for example by connecting
to the opening
on the bottom side of the surface cleaning head 7102) or may be connected to
another,
auxiliary air inlet that is provided on the surface cleaning head 7102, the
upper portion 7104
or any other suitable location on the apparatus 7100.
[00365] Referring to Figures 86 and 88, in the illustrated embodiment
the surface
cleaning head 7102 includes an auxiliary air inlet in the form of an auxiliary
suction port
7862. Auxiliary suction port 7862 may removably receive the wand and/or hose
for use in
an above floor cleaning mode. The wand may be automatically connected in air
flow
communication with the suction motor when inserted into auxiliary suction port
7862 (e.g.,
insertion of the wand may open a valve (a flap valve, ball valve, etc.) upon
insertion.
Alternately, a valve may be manually operable.
[00366] As exemplified in Figures 86 to 88, auxiliary suction port 7862 is
opened and
closed by an associated cap 7864. When the cap 7864 is closed (Figures 86 and
87) the
auxiliary suction port may sealed, or at least substantially sealed, to
inhibit air from flowing
into the cyclone bin assembly 7160 via the auxiliary suction port 7862. When
the cap 7864
is open (Figure 88) the auxiliary suction port 7862 is unsealed and can be
connected to the
downstream end 7623 of the hose 7622. With the downstream end 7623 coupled to
the
auxiliary suction port 7862, the wand 7602 and hose 7622 form part of the air
flow path
between the upstream end 7630 of the wand 7620 (which may receive an auxiliary
cleaning
tool) and the cyclone bin assembly 7160. The cap 7864 may be configured to be
grasped
by a user and moved (e.g., pivoted) into the open position (Figure 88) or
removed, and may
be biased toward its closed position (Figures 86 and 87) using a biasing
member, such as
a spring (not illustrated) and may also be urged into the closed position by
the suction
generated by the surface cleaning head 7102.
[00367] Optionally, one or more additional valving members, such as a
wand cap,
may be provide in the wand 7620 to allow a user to control the air flow
through the wand
7620 without having to block or constrict the auxiliary suction port 7862.
This may allow the
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upstream end 7630 of the wand 7620 to remain sealed when the wand is moved
from the
storage position to the above floor cleaning position. Alternate options
include a ball valve
and the like.
[00368] In the illustrated embodiment, the auxiliary suction port 7862
is provided on
the upper surface of the surface cleaning head 7102. This may be a convenient
location
for a user to access, and may allow for connecting and disconnecting the hose
7620 from
the auxiliary suction port 7862 in a generally vertical direction. Connecting
the hose 7620
to the upper surface, and optionally toward the centre of the surface cleaning
head 7102
may help keep the apparatus 7100 stable when the wand 7602 and hose 7622 are
in use.
Alternatively, in other embodiments the auxiliary suction port 7862 may be
provided on
other portions of the surface cleaning head 7102 (including, for example the
side, front,
back and/or bottom surfaces) or on the upright portion 7104.
[00369] As shown in Figure 88, the wand 7620 may be pulled out of the
surrounding
hose 7622. In this configuration, the lower, upstream end of hose 7622 is
connected to the
surface cleaning head 7102, via the auxiliary suction port 7862 and provides
the air flow
connection between the lower end 7624 of the wand 7620 and the cyclone bin
assembly
7160. With the hose 7622 connected to the auxiliary suction port 7862 the wand
7620 may
be moved away from the surface cleaning head 7102 while air flow communication
is
preserved by the hose 7622.
[00370] To operate the surface cleaning apparatus 7100 in a floor cleaning
mode, the
hose 7622 may be detached from the auxiliary suction port 7862, the cap 7864
may be
closed to seal the auxiliary suction port 7862, the wand 7620 may be inserted
within the
hose 7622, and both the wand 7602 and hose 7622 may be inserted within the
recess
7850. When detached from the auxiliary suction port 7862, the wand 7602 and
hose 7622
are isolated from the air flow path thereby eliminating, or at least
substantially eliminating,
air flow through the upper portion. Removing the wand 7602 and hose 7622 from
the air
flow path in the floor cleaning mode may help direct all or a majority of the
air flow/ suction
generated by the suction motor 5162 through the primary dirty air inlet 7110.
It will be
appreciated that the wand and hose may be stored at any location on the
apparatus or may
be stored separately by a user.
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[00371] Optionally, the apparatus 7100 may also include a removable,
portable
cleaning unit, such as a hand held vacuum cleaner, that can be detached from
the
apparatus and can be used to clean furniture and other above floor surfaces.
One example
of a portable cleaning unit is a hand vacuum 6970 described herein (Figures 80-
82). In
such configurations, the portable cleaning unit may provide the auxiliary air
inlet, and the
surface cleaning head 7102 need not be provided with a separate air inlet
port. The hose
7622 and wand 7620 may be used in combination with the portable cleaning unit
when the
apparatus 7100 operates in the above floor cleaning mode (for example to help
extend the
cleaning reach of a user) and may be stored within the recess 7850 when
operating in the
floor cleaning mode. In such an embodiment, the wand 7620, hose 7620 and
portable
cleaning unit may all be isolated from the air flow path and mounted to/
stored on either the
surface cleaning head 7102 and/or upper portion 7104 when not in use, and can
then be
detached and assembled together to provide an above floor cleaning mode that
has its own
air flow path, and that is not connected in airflow communication with the
cyclone bin
assembly 7160.
[00372] Referring to Figures 74-76B, another example of an all in the
head type
surface cleaning apparatus 4100, having an above floor cleaning mode, is
illustrated. The
surface cleaning apparatus 4100 is generally similar to the surface cleaning
apparatus 100,
and analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed
by 4000.
Some or all of the features described in association with the surface cleaning
apparatus
4100 can be used alone, or in combination with any of the features of any of
the other
surface cleaning apparatuses described herein.
[00373] Referring to Figure 75A, in the illustrated example, the
cyclone bin assembly
4160 includes a cyclone chamber 4164 and a dirt collection chamber 4166. The
cyclone
chamber 4164 has a first end wall 4169, a second end wall 4171 and a sidewall
4173
extending therebetween. The dirt collection chamber may be of any suitable
configuration.
Preferably, as exemplified, the dirt collection chamber 4166 is exterior to
cyclone chamber
4164, and preferably includes an openable first end wall 4240 to provide
access to the dirt
collection chamber 4166.
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[00374] The cyclone bin assembly 4160 includes a first air inlet 4184
that has an
upstream or inlet end 4190 and downstream end 4194 which, in the example
illustrated, is
provided in the form of an aperture 4700 in the cyclone chamber sidewall 4173.
The air
inlet 4184 is aligned with and can be connected in air flow communication with
air outlet
4192 of the brush chamber 4130, thereby establishing a first air flow path
between the
cyclone chamber 4164 and the brush chamber 4130. A first valve, represented
schematically as 4801, is positioned in the first airflow path, and can be
used to selectively
restrict or permit airflow through the first airflow path, thereby selectively
interrupting or
allowing air flow between the cyclone chamber 4164 and the brush chamber 4130.
The
valve may be of any suitable configuration, and in the illustrated example is
a manually
actuated slider-type valve that is analogous to the valve described above in
relation to the
surface cleaning apparatus 1100.
[00375] In the illustrated example, the cyclone bin assembly 4160 also
includes a
second air inlet 4184b with an upstream or inlet end 4190b and a downstream
end 4194b
which, in the example illustrated, is provided in the form of an aperture in
the cyclone
chamber sidewall 4173. Air inlet 4184b is aligned with and can be connected in
air flow
communication downstream end 4628 of a duct 4626 that is provided in the
mounting hub
4316, thereby establishing a second air flow path between the cyclone chamber
4164 and
the mounting hub 4316. A second valve, represented schematically as 4802, is
positioned
in the second airflow path, and can be used to selectively restrict or permit
airflow through
the second airflow path (e.g. by sliding valve member 4804 from the position
shown in
Figure 75A to the position shown in Figure 75B), thereby selectively
interrupting or allowing
air flow between the cyclone chamber 4164 and the mounting hub 4316.
[00376] Valves 4801 and 4802 may be any suitable type of valve, for
example, gate
valves, rotary valves or other suitable mechanism for selectively obstructing
the airflow
path. Valves 4801 and 4802 may be the same type or different type of valve.
The valves
can be actuated mechanically (optionally automatically based on movement of
the upper
portion, etc. or manually actuated by a user), electrically (e.g. solenoid
valves), or by any
other suitable actuation means. For example, in some embodiments, one or more
of the
valves may be configured to selectively restrict or permit airflow based on a
position of the
drive handle and/or based on user input via, e.g. a pedal, a lever, or the
like.
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[00377]
In the illustrated example, the valves 4801 and 4802 are manually
actuated
by a user and can be actuated independently of each other. This may allow a
user to have
both valves 4801 and 4802 open or closed at the same time, as well as having
one valve
closed while the other is open. Alternatively, the valves 4801 and 4802 may be
linked such
that using one valve to open (i.e. allow airflow through) one airflow path
causes the other
valve to close (i.e. restrict or prevent airflow through) the other airflow
path.
[00378]
For example, as illustrated in Figures 76A-76B, the surface cleaning
apparatus 4100 may be provided with an optional mechanical linkage arm 4806
that is
connected to valves 4802 and 4801, and pivots about a rotational member 4807
(such as a
pin joint or other pivotal connection). In this arrangement, closing valve
4802 by sliding
valve member 4804 from the position shown in Figure 76A to the position shown
in Figure
76B causes linkage arm 4806 to rotate about the rotational member 4807 which
causes the
valve 4801 to open, and vice versa. Linking the operation of the valves 4801
and 4802
may help simplify operation of the surface cleaning apparatus and may help
prevent a user
from unintentionally having both valves 4801 and 4802 open at the same time
(which may
reduce the suction available at either dirty air inlet) or closed at the same
time (which may
render the surface cleaning apparatus effectively inoperable).
[00379]
While the illustrated example employs a single mechanical linkage arm and
pivot point, it will be appreciated that other types of mechanical and/or
electro-mechanical
linkages could be provided between valves 4801 and 4802. Alternatively, valves
may be
electrically linked or coupled so that opening one valve closed the other. For
example, one
valve may be a normally open solenoid valve, and the other may be normally
closed
solenoid valve.
[00380]
Optionally, in another example, a portion of the surface cleaning
apparatus,
such as the above floor cleaning wand itself, may act as a valve to allow or
restrict airflow
communication between the upstream end of the cleaning wand and the cyclone
chamber.
This may allow air flow between the cyclone bin assembly and the above floor
cleaning
wand to be automatically established when the wand is deployed, and preferably
automatically interrupted when the wand is re-seated.
For example, as shown
schematically in Figures 79A and 79B, a surface cleaning apparatus can be
include a
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cyclone bin assembly 4160 that includes two air inlets 4184 and 4184b. The
cyclone bin
assembly may include any of the features and aspects of the cyclone bin
assemblies
described herein.
[00381] In the illustrated example, a first valve 4801 is positioned
in the airflow path
between the brush chamber 4130 and the cyclone bin air inlet 4184, and can be
used to
selectively restrict or permit airflow into the cyclone chamber via air inlet
4184, as
discussed above. Opening the valve 4801 can allow the surface cleaning
apparatus to be
operated in a floor cleaning mode.
[00382] To selectively permit or restrict airflow via the airflow path
between the
mounting hub 4316 and the cyclone bin air inlet 4184b, the lower, downstream
end 4624 of
wand 4620 may be configured such that it acts as a valving member that can
selectively
block the above floor cleaning mode airflow path. For example, in the
illustrated example,
the surface cleaning apparatus includes a seat 4640 that is configured to
receive the open,
downstream end 6424 of the wand 4620 in a generally air-tight manner. That is,
the
downstream end 4624 is configured so that it can be releasably coupled (e.g.
inserted) into
the seat 4640 and the seat 4640 is configured to provide an airtight (or
substantially
airtight) seal about the downstream end 4624 of wand 4620, thereby preventing
airflow
through the wand 4620 and into the cyclone bin air inlet 4184b (and ultimately
to the
cyclone chamber 4164) when the downstream end 4624 is inserted into the seat
4620.
When the wand is seated, the air flow connection between the wand 4620 and the
cyclone
bin assembly 4160 is interrupted.
[00383] Referring to Figure 79A, in the illustrated example when the
valve is opened
to allow airflow through cyclone bin air inlet 4184, and the downstream end
4624 of wand
4620 is coupled to seat 4640, preventing airflow through the wand 4620 and
into the
cyclone bin air inlet 4184b, the surface cleaning apparatus is in a floor
cleaning mode. To
convert the surface cleaning apparatus to an above floor cleaning mode, a user
may
manually close the valve 4801 and deployed the wand 4620, thereby unseating
the
downstream end 4624. As illustrated in Figure 79B, when valve 4801 is actuated
to
prevent airflow through cyclone bin air inlet 4184 and the downstream end 4624
of wand
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4620 is decoupled to seat 4640, an airflow path through the wand 4620 and into
the
cyclone bin air inlet 4184b is established.
[00384] In the illustrated configuration, the annular region between
the outer surface
of wand 4620 and the inner surface of hose 4622 remains in airflow
communication with
cyclone bin air inlet 4184b (and thus with the cyclone chamber 4164) whether
the
downstream end 4624 of wand 4620 is inserted into the seat 4640 or removed
from the
seat 4640. Preferably, the upper end of the hose 4622 is sealed against the
outer surface
of the wand 4620, or the annular region is otherwise sealed in a generally air-
tight manner.
This can help minimize suction losses while operating in a floor cleaning
mode, despite the
fact that annular region remains in air flow communication with the cyclone
bin assembly
4160. There may be one or more advantages of using the end of the wand itself
as a valve
member (e.g. user convenience, reduced complexity and/or fewer moving parts,
etc.) that
may outweigh one or more possible disadvantages (e.g. reduced suction
performance) of
the annular region remaining in airflow communication with the cyclone bin air
inlet 4184b
when the wand 4620 is seated in seat 4640.
Rotatable Cyclone and/or Cyclone Bin Assembly
[00385] In accordance with this embodiment, the cyclone bin assembly,
and the
cyclone chamber therein, may be provided with two air inlets, one connectable
in air flow
communication with the brush chamber and one connectable in air flow
communication
with an auxiliary dirty air inlet (e.g. the removable above floor cleaning
wand). The cyclone
bin assembly and/or at least a portion of the cyclone, cyclone bin assembly or
associated
structure may be rotated between two different positions so as to selectively
connect the
cyclone with the dirty air inlet of the surface cleaning head and the
auxiliary dirty air inlet.
[00386] For example, the cyclone may rotate relative to other portions
of the cyclone
bin assembly, such as the dirt collection chamber and pre-motor filter
chamber.
Accordingly, the cyclone may be movable mounted within the cyclone bin
assembly (e.g.,
the cyclone bin assembly may be non-movably mounted on the surface cleaning
head).and/or the cyclone bin assembly may be moveably mounted with respect to
the
surface cleaning head (e.g., the cyclone is fixed in position in the cyclone
bin assembly).
Providing a movable cyclone chamber or cyclone bin assembly may allow the
orientation of
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the cyclone chamber, and its inlet(s) and outlet(s) to be changed while the
surface cleaning
apparatus is in use. Alternatively, instead of rotating the entire cyclone
chamber, at least a
portion of the cyclone chamber may be fixed and only a portion of the chamber
may be
rotatable. This may allow portions of the cyclone chamber, such as the dirt
outlet and/or air
outlet, to remain fixed in position (which may help simplify construction by
reducing the
number of rotatable seals that may be required) while other portions, such as
a portion
containing the air inlet, may be rotated to alternately connect the cyclone
chamber with the
brush chamber and the auxiliary dirty air inlet. Optionally, the rotating part
of the cyclone
chamber may be provided in the form of a collar or manifold-type member having
one end
that is in communication with the air inlet of the cyclone chamber and an
upstream end that
is movable to change the cleaning mode.
[00387] Accordingly, at least a portion of the cyclone chamber may
function as a valve
that is selectively connectable to a plurality of different air inlets. This
may eliminate the
need to provide additional valves or other mechanisms to modify the air flow
connections.
This may help reduce the complexity of the apparatus. Reducing the need for
additional
valves, external the cyclone bin assembly, may also help reduce the number of
components that need to be positioned within the surface cleaning head. This
may help
reduce the overall size of the apparatus, and/or may allow other components
(such as the
dirt chamber, filters, etc.) to be relatively larger. Configuring the cyclone
bin assembly to
function as a flow control valve may also help simplify changing cleaning
modes. For
example, rotating the cyclone bin assembly in order to change cleaning modes
may reduce
the number of steps required to change cleaning modes, and may help prevent
instances
where a user wishes to transition to above floor cleaning but inadvertently
moves a valve
(or valves) into an incorrect position, or for example, opens an above floor
cleaning valve
but forgets to close the floor cleaning valve (thereby reducing the suction
available in both
modes).
[00388] Figures 61-70 exemplify a rotatable cyclone. The surface
cleaning apparatus
2100 is generally similar to the surface cleaning apparatus 100, and analogous
features are
identified using like reference characters indexed by 2000. Some or all of the
features
described in association with the surface cleaning apparatus 100 or 1100 can
be used
alone, or in combination with each other in the surface cleaning apparatus
2100. Similarly,
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the above floor cleaning aspects of cleaning apparatus 2100 may optionally be
incorporated into surface cleaning apparatus 100 or 1100.
[00389] Referring to Figures 67 to 69, in the illustrated example, the
cyclone bin
assembly 2160 includes a cyclone chamber 2164 and a dirt collection chamber
2166. In the
illustrated example, the cyclone chamber 2164 has a first end wall 2169 (see
also Figure
63), a second end wall 2171 (see also Figure 62) and a sidewall 2173 extending
therebetween.
[00390] The dirt collection chamber may be of any suitable
configuration. Preferably,
as exemplified in Figure 69, the dirt collection chamber 2166 is exterior to
cyclone chamber
2164, and preferably includes a first end wall 2240, a second end wall 2242
and the
sidewall 2244 extending therebetween. The first end wall 2240 may be openable
to provide
access to the dirt collection chamber 2166. In the illustrated example, the
sidewall 2244
laterally surrounds the cyclone chamber 2164 and includes an internal portion
2245 that
surrounds the cyclone chamber sidewall 2173 and helps define a cavity 2175
that is sized
to receive the cyclone chamber 2164. The internal portion 2245 is fixedly
connected to,
and is preferably integrally formed with, the rest of the sidewall 2244. The
dirt collection
chamber sidewall 2244 also forms part of the exposed surface of the surface
cleaning
apparatus 2100 when the cyclone bin assembly 2160 is mounted to the surface
cleaning
head 2102.
[00391] In the illustrated example, the cyclone chamber 2164 is rotatably
received
within the cavity 2175 defined by dirt collection chamber sidewall 2244 and
2245.
Specifically, the second end wall 2171 and the sidewall 2173 are sized to fit
within the
cavity and can rotate relative to the dirt collection chamber 2166. In the
illustrated example,
the cyclone chamber 2164 can rotate about its longitudinal axis 2174 (Figure
63) relative to
the rest of the cyclone bin assembly 2160.
[00392] Referring also to Figures 63 and 64, the cyclone chamber 2164
includes a
cyclone air outlet 2186, a dirt outlet 2188, and a first air inlet 2184 that
is connectable to the
air outlet 2192 of the brush chamber 2130 (see also Figure 62). The air inlet
2184 has an
upstream or inlet end 2190 that is formed in the side wall of the cyclone bin
assembly 2160
and is connectable to the air outlet 2192. The cyclone air inlet 2184 also
includes a
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downstream end 2194 which, in the example illustrated, includes an aperture
2700 in the
cyclone chamber sidewall 2173. When the cyclone chamber 2164 is rotated
relative to the
rest of cyclone bin assembly 2160, the aperture 2700 can be moved into and out
of
alignment with the air outlet 2192, which can establish and interrupt,
respectively, air flow
between the cyclone chamber 2164 and the brush chamber 2130.
[00393] Referring also to Figures 66 and 68, in the illustrated
example, the cyclone
bin assembly 2160 includes a second air inlet 2184b with an upstream or inlet
end 2190b
that is connectable to a downstream end 2628 of a duct 2626 that is provided
in the
mounting hub 2316. The upstream or inlet end 2190b of air inlet 2184b is
formed in the side
wall of the cyclone bin assembly 2160. The cyclone air inlet 2184b also
includes a
downstream end 2194b which, in the example illustrated, is provided in the
form of an
aperture 2700b in the cyclone chamber sidewall 2173. When the cyclone chamber
2164 is
rotated relative to the rest of cyclone bin assembly 2160, the aperture 2700b
can be moved
into and out of alignment with the downstream end 2628 of duct 2626, which can
establish
and interrupt, respectively, air flow between the cyclone chamber 2164 and the
mounting
hub 2316 (and ultimately to the upstream end 2630 of the wand 2620 ¨ Figure
70).
[00394] In the illustrated example, the first end wall 2169 of the
cyclone chamber
2164 is not directly connected to the sidewall 2173 and is non-rotatably
connected to the
inner surface of the openable dirt collection chamber end wall 2240.
Alternatively, in other
embodiments, the end wall 2169 may be rotatable with the sidewall 2173.
[00395] The cyclone chamber 2164 can be rotated using any suitable
mechanism or
actuator, including electric motors and actuators, mechanical linkages, manual
operation by
a user and other suitable means. Optionally, rotation of the cyclone chamber
2164 can be
associated with the movement of other portions of the surface cleaning
apparatus 2100,
such as the movement of the upper portion 2104 between upright and inclined
positions.
Alternatively, the orientation of the cyclone chamber 2164 may be selected
independently
of the configuration or operation of the rest of the surface cleaning
apparatus.
[00396] Referring to Figures 62, 64 and 65, in the illustrated example
the surface
cleaning apparatus has a cyclone chamber rotation mechanism that includes a
sprocket
2704 in the surface cleaning head 2102 that engages a plurality of teeth 2706
that are
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provided on an outer surface of the cyclone chamber sidewall 2173. Figure 62
shows the
cyclone chamber 2164 in an above floor cleaning position in which aperture
2700b is in air
flow communication with the wand 2620 (see also Figure 66). Figure 68 shows
the cyclone
chamber 2164 in a floor cleaning position in which the aperture 2700 is in air
flow
communication with the brush chamber 2130 (see also Figure 63). In this
configuration,
rotation of the sprocket 2704 causes a corresponding rotation of the cyclone
chamber 2164
relative to the rest of the cyclone bin assembly 2160. In the illustrated
example, the teeth
2706 extend around approximately one quarter of the perimeter of the cyclone
chamber
2164, but in other examples may have a different extent.
[00397] The sprocket 2704 can be rotated using any suitable mechanism,
including
manual engagement by a user and automatic rotation based on the position of
the upper
portion 2104. In the illustrated example, the sprocket 2704 is driven by the
pivoting of the
upper portion 2104, via a linkage (not shown), so that the cyclone chamber
2164
automatically rotates into the above floor cleaning position (Figure 65) when
the upper
portion 2104 is in the upright, storage position, and automatically rotates to
the floor
cleaning position (Figure 68) when the upper portion 2104 is in the inclined,
use position.
[00398]
Referring also to Figure 68, to help facilitate engagement between the
sprocket 2704 and the teeth 2706, the sidewall of the cyclone bin assembly is
provided with
an opening, in the form of a slot 2708. When the cyclone bin assembly 2160 is
mounted in
the surface cleaning head 2102, the sprocket 2704 extends through slot 2708
and meshes
with the teeth 2706 on the outer surface of the cyclone chamber 2164.
In this
configuration, removing the cyclone bin assembly 2160 from the surface
cleaning head
2102 decouples the sprocket 2704 from the teeth 2706, and mounting the cyclone
bin
assembly 2160 on the surface cleaning head 2102 automatically re-engages the
sprocket
2704 with the teeth 2706. Alternatively, engaging and disengaging the cyclone
chamber
rotation mechanism may require a separate action, in addition to mounting
and/or removing
the cyclone bin assembly.
[00399]
In the illustrated example, the sprocket 2704 remains in place within the
surface cleaning head 2102 when the cyclone bin assembly 2160 is removed. That
is, part
of the cyclone chamber rotation mechanism is removable with the cyclone bin
assembly
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2160 and part of the cyclone bin rotation mechanism remains behind in the
surface
cleaning head 2102. Alternatively, all of the mechanism used to rotate the
cyclone chamber
may be provided within the cyclone bin assembly 2160. In such a configuration,
the entire
cyclone chamber rotation mechanism may be removable from the surface cleaning
head
2102, with the cyclone bin assembly 2160.
[00400] In the illustrated example, the cyclone chamber 2164 includes
two openings
2700 and 2700b that can be selectively connected in air flow communication
with the inlets
2184 and 2184b. Alternatively, instead of having two openings, the cyclone
chamber 2164
(i.e. the sidewall 2173) may include only a single opening that can be
positioned so that it is
in communication with either one of air inlets 2184 and 2184b (for example by
rotating the
cyclone chamber through a greater range of motion than illustrated in the
current example).
In such a configuration, the number of openings/ inlets in the cyclone chamber
sidewall
2173 may be different than the number of air inlets in the cyclone bin
assembly. Providing
more than one opening may help limit the amount of rotation of the cyclone
chamber 2164
that is required to change the modes. For example, when using the two openings
2700
and 2700b in the illustrated example, the cyclone chamber 2164 only needs to
rotate about
45 degrees to change between the floor cleaning mode (Figure 63) and the above
floor
cleaning mode (Figure 66). Alternatively, if the cyclone chamber included only
a single
aperture 2700, the cyclone chamber may need to rotate about 90 degrees in
order to
change between the floor cleaning mode and the above floor cleaning mode.
[00401] In the illustrated example, a portion of the cyclone chamber
air outlet 2192
rotates with the rest of the cyclone chamber 2164, as does the screen 2710
(Figure 63) that
covers the air outlet 2192. Alternatively, the air outlet portion of the
cyclone chamber 2164
may be non-rotatable.
[00402] Referring to Figure 66, in the illustrated example the cyclone axis
2174, about
which the cyclone chamber 2164 rotates, is parallel to the suction motor axis
2182, and
extends in a generally lateral, side-to-side direction that is orthogonal to
the direction of
travel of the surface cleaning head 2102. Alternatively, the cyclone chamber
2164 may be
oriented in a different orientation, such that the cyclone axis 2174 is not
parallel to the
suction motor axis 2182, and/or does not extend in the lateral direction. For
example, the
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cyclone chamber 2164 may be arranged so that the cyclone axis 2174 is
generally vertical,
inclined at an angle relative to the vertical or horizontal directions and/or
extends in a
generally front-to-back direction relative to the surface cleaning head 2102.
[00403]
Referring to Figures 89-91, another example of a cyclone bin assembly
that
may be used in combination with the surface cleaning apparatus 2100 is
schematically
illustrated. The cyclone bin assembly 8160 may be generally analogous to the
cyclone
chamber 2100 and like features are identified using like reference characters.
The cyclone
bin assembly 8160 may also include suitable features from other cyclone bin
assemblies
described herein, and vice versa.
[00404] Referring to Figure 89, a schematic representation of an end view
of the
cyclone bin assembly 8160 is illustrated, with the near end wall omitted to
reveal the
internal components of the cyclone bin assembly 8160. The dirt collection
chamber and
the cyclone chamber may be of any suitable configuration. Preferably, as
exemplified in
Figure 89, the dirt collection chamber 8166 is exterior to cyclone chamber
8164, and,
referring also to Figure 91, preferably includes a first end wall 8240, a
second end wall
8242 and the sidewall 8244 extending therebetween. The first end wall 8240 may
be
openable to provide access to the dirt collection chamber 8166. In the
illustrated example,
the sidewall 8244 laterally surrounds the sidewall 8173 of cyclone chamber
8164.
[00405]
In the illustrated example, the cyclone bin assembly has a floor cleaning
air
inlet 8184 that is in, or is connectable in fluid communication with, the air
outlet of a brush
chamber, such as brush camber 2130 (see also Figure 62) and an above floor
cleaning air
inlet 8184b that is in, or is connectable in fluid communication with, the
downstream end of
an above floor cleaning tool, such as the downstream end 2628 of the duct 2626
(Figure
62).
[00406] Referring to Figures 89 and 91, the cyclone chamber 8164 includes a
cyclone
air outlet 8186, a dirt outlet 8188, and cyclone chamber air inlet 8700, which
may be a
tangential air inlet, that is selectively connectable in air flow
communication with each of the
cyclone bin assembly air inlets 8184 and 8184b.
[00407]
The cyclone chamber air inlet 8700 may be fluidly connectable to the
inlets
8184 and 8184b using any suitable mechanisms (including the valves and other
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mechanisms described herein). In addition, a rotatable cyclone inlet manifold
as
exemplified in Figures 89-91 may be used. The rotatable manifold may have the
cyclone
inlet (e.g., a tangential inlet) that is rotatable relative to the rest of the
cyclone body so as to
alternately connect the inlet 8700 with the primary and auxiliary dirty air
inlets.
[00408] As exemplified in Figures 89-91, the sidewall 8173 includes a fixed
portion
8177 and a rotatable portion 8179 that can rotate about the longitudinal axis
8174 relative
to the dirt collection chamber sidewall 8244 and the fixed portion 8177 of the
cyclone
chamber sidewall 8173. In the illustrated embodiment the fixed portion 8177
includes the
dirt outlet 8188, and the rotatable portion 8179 includes the air inlet 8700
and the air outlet
8186. A manifold conduit 8179 extends from the air inlet 8700 to an upstream
end 8181.
The manifold conduit 8179 may be integrally formed with the rotatable portion
8179, and
may rotate with the rotatable portion 8179.
[00409] Referring to Figure 89, to configure the cyclone bin assembly
8160 in a floor
cleaning mode the rotatable portion 8179 may be rotated to a floor cleaning
position in
which the upstream end 8181 of the manifold conduit 8179 is in air flow
communication
with the floor cleaning air inlet 8186.
[00410] To help seal the air flow path between the inlet 8184 and the
air inlet 8700,
the conduit 8179 may extend to, and preferably seal against the sidewall 8244
of the dirt
collection chamber 8116 (or any other suitable portion of the cyclone bin
assembly 8160). A
gasket or the like may be provided between the sidewall 8244 and the outer
wall of inlet
8700 which abuts against sidewall 8244. In addition to the seal between the
conduit 8179
and the sidewall 8244, and additional sealing rib 8183 may be positioned
between the
rotatable potion 8179 and the sidewall 8244 (or other structure). The sealing
rib 8183 may
extend radially outwardly from the outer surface of the rotational portion
8179 and may be
configured to engage and seal against the inner surface of the dirt collection
chamber
sidewall 8244. The region bounded by the outer surface of rotatable portion
8179, the
manifold conduit 8179, the rib 8183 and the sidewall 8244 may define a
manifold chamber
8185 or plenum, that forms part of the air flow path between the floor
cleaning inlet 8184
and the cyclone chamber inlet 8700.
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[00411] To convert the cyclone bin assembly 8160 to an above floor
cleaning mode,
the rotatable portion 8179 may be rotated about the longitudinal axis 8174 to
a different
position, in which air flow communication between the inlet 8184 and cyclone
air inlet 8700
is interrupted and air flow communication between the inlet 8184b and cyclone
air inlet
8700 is established.
[00412] For example, referring to Figure 90, in the illustrated
example the rotatable
portion 8179 can be rotated about 90 degrees (counter-clockwise as
illustrated) so that the
manifold 8179 and rib 8183 are moved to different sealing positions. When
arranged as
illustrated in Figure 90, the manifold 8179 seals against the sidewall 8244 so
that air flow
communication between the upstream end 8181 and the inlet 8184 is interrupted.
In this
configuration, the sealing rib 8183 is positioned so that it seals against the
sidewall 8244 at
a location that provides air flow communication between the above floor air
inlet 8184b and
the manifold chamber 8185. When the rotatable portion 8179 is rotated in this
manner, the
above floor air inlet 8184b is in air flow communication with the cyclone air
inlet 8700, and
the cyclone bin assembly 8160 is in an above floor cleaning mode.
[00413] Preferably, the distal ends of the manifold 8179 and the
sealing rib 8183 are
provided with a sealing member to help create a generally air tight seal
between the
rotatable potion 8179 and the rest of the cyclone bin assembly 8160. To help
facilitate
rotation of the rotatable portion 8179, the sealing members may be selected so
that they
can slide along the inner surface of the sidewall 8244 when the rotatable
portion 8179 is
rotated.
[00414] Preferably, the rotatable portion 8179 is also connected to
the fixed portion
8177 in a generally air tight manner to help maintain the integrity of the air
flow path within
the cyclone bin assembly 8160. The connection may include any suitable
connector or
seal, and in the example illustrated is provided with a sliding seal 8187 to
help seal the
interface while still allowing the desired rotation of the rotatable portion
8179.
[00415] The rotatable portion 8179 can be rotated using any suitable
mechanism or
actuator, including the mechanism used to rotate the cyclone chamber 2164,
electric
motors and actuators, mechanical linkages, manual operation by a user and
other suitable
means. Optionally, rotation of the rotatable portion 8179 can be associated
with the
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movement of other portions of the surface cleaning apparatus, such as the
movement of
the upper portion between upright and inclined positions and/or release of an
above floor
cleaning wand.
[00416] In the illustrated embodiment, the cyclone air outlet 8186
includes an air
conduit that is mounted to and rotates with the rotatable portion 8179.
Alternatively, at
least a portion of the conduit may be non-movably connected to the fixed
portion 8177. If
only a portion of the conduit is mounted to the fixed portion 8177, the air
conduit may also
include respective fixed and rotatable portions, and may include any type of
suitable
sealing mechanism.
Inflow Manifold
[00417] Other motions besides rotation may be used to selectively
connect alternate
cyclone or cyclone bin assembly inlets with the primary and auxiliary dirty
air inlets. For
example, the cyclone and/or the cyclone bin assembly may be translatable,
e.g., laterally.
[00418] For example, as shown schematically in Figures 73A and 73B,
another
example of a cyclone bin assembly 3160 includes a cyclone chamber 3164 having
an
opening 3700 that is in air flow communication with an outlet 3920 of an
inflow duct or
manifold 3900. The cyclone chamber 3164 includes as air outlet 3194 that is
upstream
from the suction motor 3162. A pre-motor filter chamber 3280, housing pre-
motor filter
3282, is disposed between the cyclone chamber air outlet 3194 and the suction
motor
3162.
[00419] In this example, the inflow duct 3900 extends between cyclone
bin assembly
air inlets 3184 and 3184b, and provides airflow communication between cyclone
bin
assembly air inlets 3184 and 3184b and a manifold outlet 3920 (and ultimately
to the
cyclone chamber 3164 via opening 3700). In this example, the cyclone chamber
3164 can
be selectively connected in air flow communication with either the brush
chamber 3130 or
the duct 3626 by laterally sliding the cyclone bin assembly 3160 in a
direction that is
parallel to the cyclone chamber axis 3174 and, in the illustrated example, is
also parallel to
the suction motor axis 3182. Alternatively, the cyclone bin assembly 3160 can
be movable
in other directions, including generally forward/backward and/or up and down.
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[00420] Referring to Figure 73A, when the cyclone bin assembly 3160 is
mounted to
surface cleaning head 3102 in the position shown in this figure, the air inlet
3184b is
aligned with and is in air flow communication with the downstream end 3628 of
duct 3626,
thereby establishing an air flow path between the cyclone chamber 3164 and the
mounting
hub 3316 (and ultimately to the upstream end 3630 of the wand 3620). In the
illustrated
example, when the air inlet 3184b is in air flow communication with the duct
3626, the
opposing air inlet 3184 is not aligned with air outlet 3192 of the brush
chamber 3130,
thereby at least restricting, and optionally preventing, air flow
communication between the
cyclone chamber 3164 and the brush chamber 3130. With the cyclone bin assembly
3160
in this position, the surface cleaning apparatus 3100 can be in an above floor
cleaning
mode.
[00421] Alternatively, when the cyclone bin assembly 3160 is mounted
to surface
cleaning head 3102 in the position shown in Figure 73B, the air inlet 3184 is
aligned with
and is in airflow communication with the air outlet 3192 of the brush chamber
3130,
establishing an air flow path between the cyclone chamber 3164 and the brush
chamber
3130. When the air inlet 3184 is in air flow communication with the brush
chamber the
opposing air inlet 3184b is not aligned with the downstream end 3628 of duct
3626, thereby
at least restricting, and optionally preventing, air flow between the cyclone
chamber 3164
and the mounting hub 3316 (and ultimately to the upstream end 3630 of the wand
3620).
When the cyclone bin assembly 3160 is in this configuration, the surface
cleaning
apparatus 3100 can be in a floor cleaning mode.
[00422] To help maintain air flow communication between the cyclone
chamber air
outlet 3194 and the pre-motor filter chamber 3280, the surface cleaning
apparatus may be
provided with any suitable adjustable coupling mechanism. For example, the
cyclone
chamber air outlet 3194 may be connected to a reconfigurable air flow duct,
such as a
flexible hose, telescoping conduit, etc. that can maintain air flow
communication between
the cyclone chamber air outlet 3194 and a downstream component (such as the
pre-motor
filter chamber and/or suction motor) while the cyclone chamber 3164 is moved
relative to
the downstream component. Alternatively, the cyclone chamber air outlet 3194
may be in
air flow communication with an outlet plenum that helps establish and maintain
air flow
communication between the cyclone chamber air outlet 3194 and the downstream
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component. The plenum may be fixed or alternatively may be adjustable to help
accommodate the different positions of the cyclone bin assembly 3160 and
cyclone
chamber 3164.
[00423] Referring to Figure 73A, in the illustrated example, the
cyclone chamber air
outlet 3194 is in air flow communication with an outlet plenum 3950, which is
in air flow
communication with the pre-motor filter chamber 3280, and ultimately the
suction motor
3162. In this example, the outlet plenum 3950 is adjustable includes a
compressible
bellows 3952 that bounds the plenum 3952. The bellows 3952 is preferably
generally air
impermeable and seals against the surface cleaning head 3102 and the cyclone
bin
assembly 3160. When the cyclone bin assembly 3160 is in the above floor
cleaning
position (Figure 73A) it is shifted to the right, as illustrated, and the
bellows 3952 is
compressed. When the cyclone bin assembly 3160 is in the floor cleaning
position (i.e.
shifted to the left relative to the surface cleaning head as illustrated) the
bellows 3952 is
expanded to help accommodate for the movement between the cyclone chamber air
outlet
3194 and the pre-motor filter chamber 3280. Alternatively, other suitable
configurations
could be used.
[00424] Optionally, the surface cleaning apparatus 3100 may include
one or more
biasing members to bias the cyclone bin assembly 3160 toward the above floor
cleaning
position (Figure 73A), the floor cleaning position (Figure 73B) or both.
Biasing the cyclone
bin assembly 3160 toward at least one of the operating positions may help
ensure that the
surface cleaning apparatus 3100 will generally be in an operable state, and
may help
prevent the cyclone bin assembly 3160 from being positioned in an intermediate
location in
which the apparatus is in neither the floor cleaning or above floor cleaning
mode. The
biasing mechanism may include any suitable biasing members, including, for
example,
springs, elastics and other such mechanisms. In the illustrated example, the
bellows 3952
is formed from a resilient material such that the bellows 3952 biases the
cyclone bin
assembly 3160 toward the floor cleaning position (Figure 73B).
[00425] Optionally, the internal inflow duct or manifold may be used
with one or more
valves to selectively establish a first airflow path between the cyclone
chamber and one of
the two cyclone bin air inlets, and a second airflow path between the cyclone
chamber and
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the other of the two cyclone bin air inlets. In such a configuration, the
number of openings/
inlets in the cyclone chamber sidewall 4173 may be different than the number
of air inlets in
the cyclone bin assembly. In such a configuration, a single valve may be
sufficient to select
between the first and second air flow paths. This may help simplify operation
of the surface
cleaning apparatus, and may eliminate the need to provide two or more valves.
This may
help reduce the cost of the surface cleaning apparatus and may help reduce the
weight
and/or overall size of the surface cleaning apparatus.
[00426] For example, as shown in Figures 77A and 77B, a cyclone bin
assembly 4160
can be configured to include a cyclone chamber 4164 having an opening 4700
that is in air
flow communication with an outlet 4920 of an inflow duct or manifold 4900. As
illustrated,
the inflow duct 4900 extends generally linearly between cyclone bin assembly
air inlets
4184 and 4184b, but alternatively may be curved, non-linear or be of any other
suitable
configuration. A valve, represented schematically as 4810 is operable to
selectively allow
or prevent airflow between air inlets 4184 and 4184b and outlet 4920 (and
ultimately to the
cyclone chamber 4164 via opening 4700).
[00427] In the illustrated example, valve 4810 is a rotary selector
valve having an inlet
4812 positioned in inflow duct 4900, and an outlet 4814 in communication with
outlet 4920.
Valve 4810 is rotatable about axis 4813 to selectively position valve inlet
4812 in airflow
communication with either cyclone bin assembly air inlet 4184 or 4184b. In the
position
shown in Figure 77A, valve inlet 4812 is aligned with air inlet 4814 (which is
itself aligned
with or otherwise connected to air outlet 4192 of the brush chamber 4130),
thereby
establishing an air flow path between the cyclone chamber 4164 and the brush
chamber
4130. With the valve 4810 in this position, the surface cleaning apparatus is
in a floor
cleaning mode. When the valve 4810 In the position shown in Figure 77B, valve
inlet 4812
has been rotated (or otherwise adjusted) into alignment with air inlet 4814b
(which is itself
aligned with or otherwise connected to a downstream end 4628 of a duct 4626
that is
provided in the mounting hub 4316), thereby establishing an air flow path
between the
cyclone chamber 4164 and the brush chamber 4130. When the valve 4810 is in
this
position, the surface cleaning apparatus is in an above floor cleaning mode.
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[00428] Aside from valve inlet 4812, the valve 4810 preferably
obstructs the inflow
duct 4900, thereby preventing airflow between cyclone bin assembly air inlets
4184 and
4184b. Accordingly, valve 4810 is operable to provide an airflow path into
cyclone chamber
4164 from one of cyclone bin assembly air inlet 4184 and 4184b, while
concurrently
preventing airflow between cyclone chamber 4164 and the other cyclone bin
assembly air
inlet. That is, when valve inlet 4812 is aligned with air inlet 4814 (as shown
in Figure 77A),
the body of the valve 4810 prevents airflow between the cyclone chamber 4164
and air
inlet 4814b. Similarly, when valve inlet 4812 is aligned with air inlet 4814b
(as shown in
Figure 77B), the body of the valve 4810 prevents airflow between the cyclone
chamber
4164 and air inlet 4814.
[00429] Instead of the rotary valve illustrated, the valve may be any
other suitable
mechanism, including for example, a three way ball valve, or other suitable
mechanism for
selectively directing the airflow path. The valve can be actuated mechanically
(e.g.
manually actuated by a user), electrically (e.g. solenoid valves), or by any
other suitable
actuation means. In some embodiments, the valve may be configured to
selectively restrict
or permit airflow based on a position of the upright section and/or based on
user input via,
e.g. a pedal, a lever, or the like.
[00430] Alternatively, instead of providing a single valve in the
manifold 4900, in
another example, airflow through a cyclone bin assembly 4160 having an inflow
duct or
manifold 4900 may be directed using two or more valves. For example, as shown
in
Figures 78A and 78B, the inflow duct 4900 provides airflow communication
between
cyclone bin assembly air inlets 4184 and 4184b and outlet 4920 and includes
two valves,
4801 and 4802 can selectively permit access to the duct 4900.
[00431] In the illustrated example, a first valve, represented
schematically as 4801, is
positioned in the airflow path between the brush chamber 4130 and the cyclone
bin air inlet
4184, and can be used to selectively allow or interrupt airflow into the
manifold 4900 (and
ultimately to the cyclone chamber 4164 via openings 4920 and 4700) via air
inlet 4184. A
second valve, represented schematically as 4802, is positioned in the airflow
path between
the mounting hub 4316 and the cyclone bin air inlet 4184b, and can be used to
selectively
permit or restrict airflow (e.g. by sliding valve member 4804 from the
position shown in
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
Figure 78A to the position shown in Figure 78B), thereby selectively allowing
or interrupting
air flow into the manifold 4900 (and ultimately to the cyclone chamber 4164
via openings
4920 and 4700) via air inlet 4184b.
Single Air Inlet
[00432] In accordance with this aspect, the cyclone bin assembly, and the
cyclone
chamber therein, may be provided with a single air inlet that can be
selectively connectable
in air flow communication with either the primary dirty air inlet (e.g. the
brush chamber) or
an auxiliary dirty air inlet (e.g. the removable above floor cleaning wand).
Accordingly, the
cyclone bin assembly may be positioned on the surface cleaning head in a first
orientation
when the surface cleaning apparatus is operated in a floor cleaning mode, and
may be
positioned on the surface cleaning head in a second orientation to enable the
surface
cleaning apparatus to be used in one or more above floor cleaning modes. For
example,
mounting the cyclone bin assembly in one orientation may bring the cyclone
chamber into
air flow communication with the primary dirty air inlet, while mounting the
cyclone bin
assembly in another orientation may bring the cyclone chamber into air flow
communication
with the auxiliary dirty air inlet. An advantage of this design is that no
valves may be used
since aligning the cyclone air inlet with one of the dirty air inlets
automatically connects the
suction motor to the selected dirty air inlet. It will be appreciated that
this means to change
the air flow source may be used with a cyclone having dual air inlets.
[00433] Figures 71A-73 exemplify another all in the head type surface
cleaning
apparatus 3100 having an above floor cleaning mode. The surface cleaning
apparatus
3100 is generally similar to the surface cleaning apparatus 100, and analogous
features are
identified using like reference characters indexed by 3000. Some or all of the
features
described in association with this embodiment of the surface cleaning
apparatus may
optionally be incorporated into, or used in combination with aspects of any
other
embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus described herein.
[00434] Referring to Figure 710, in the illustrated example, the
surface cleaning
apparatus 3100 includes a surface cleaning head 3102 and a cyclone bin
assembly 3160
that is removably mounted on the surface cleaning head 3102. Referring also to
Figure
72A, the cyclone bin assembly 3160 includes a cyclone chamber 3164 and a dirt
collection
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
chamber 3166. The cyclone chamber 3164 has a first end wall 3169, a second end
wall
3171 and a sidewall 3173 extending therebetween. The dirt collection chamber
3166 may
be of any suitable configuration. Preferably, as exemplified, the dirt
collection chamber
3166 is exterior to cyclone chamber 3164, and preferably includes an openable
first end
wall 3240 to provide access to the dirt collection chamber 3166.
[00435] Referring to Figure 71B, in the illustrated example the
cyclone bin assembly
3160 includes an air outlet 3308, and an air inlet 3184 that is formed in the
side wall of the
cyclone bin assembly 3160 and has an upstream or inlet end 3190, and a
downstream end
3194 which, in the example illustrated, is provided in the form of an aperture
in the cyclone
chamber sidewall 3173 (see also Figures 72A and 72B.
[00436] As shown in Figures 71A and 71B, cyclone bin assembly 3160 may
be
mounted to surface cleaning head 3102 by inserting the cyclone bin assembly
3160
generally vertically downwardly into the cavity 3161 in one of at least two
possible
orientations. In this configuration, the operating mode of the surface
cleaning apparatus
3100 is determined by the orientation in which the cyclone bin assembly 3160
is mounted
on the surface cleaning head 3102.
[00437] To operate the surface cleaning apparatus 3100 in the floor
cleaning mode,
the cyclone bin assembly 3160 is mounted to the surface cleaning had 3102 in a
first
orientation. Referring to Figures 71B and 72B, in the illustrated example the
surface
cleaning apparatus 3100 is in the floor cleaning mode when the cyclone bin
assembly 3160
is mounted to surface cleaning head 3102 in the illustrated orientation so
that the air inlet
3184 is aligned with or otherwise fluidly connected to air outlet 3192 of the
brush chamber
3130 (either directly or by an intervening conduit), thereby establishing an
air flow path
between the cyclone chamber 3164 and the brush chamber 3130. As exemplified,
the
cyclone air inlet 3184 faces forwards and is referred to as a floor cleaning
orientation.
[00438] Alternatively, when the cyclone bin assembly 3160 is mounted
to surface
cleaning head 3102 in the orientation shown in Figures 71A and 72A, the air
inlet 3184 is
fluidly connected to with the downstream end 3628 of duct 3626, establishing
an air flow
path between the cyclone chamber 3164 and the mounting hub 3316 (and
ultimately to the
upstream end 3630 of the wand 3620). When the cyclone bin assembly 3160 is in
this
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orientation (and optionally if the cleaning wand 3620 is deployed) the surface
cleaning
apparatus 3100 is in an above floor cleaning mode. As exemplified, the cyclone
air inlet
3184 faces rearwards and is referred to as an above floor cleaning
orientation.
[00439] It will be appreciated that the cyclone air inlet may be at an
alternate location
on the cyclone bin assembly and may not face forwards in the floor cleaning
orientation and
may not face rearwards in the above floor cleaning orientation.
[00440] Instead of being removed from the surface cleaning head, the
cyclone bin
assembly may be movable to align the single air inlet with one of the air flow
paths that
extend from the primary or auxiliary air inlets. For example, the cyclone bin
assembly may
be moveable relative to the rest of the surface cleaning apparatus in any
suitable manner,
including translatable, rotatable, and pivotal and/or the cyclone may be
moveable relative to
the rest of the cyclone bin assembly in any such manner,. For example, the
cyclone bin
assembly may be translatable (e.g., laterally) relative to the surface
cleaning head while the
cyclone bin assembly is mounted on the surface cleaning head. Providing a
translatable
cyclone bin assembly may allow the relative position the cyclone chamber, and
its inlet(s)
and outlet(s) to be changed without requiring the cyclone bin assembly to be
lifted off of the
surface cleaning head, and optionally to be repositioned while the surface
cleaning
apparatus is in use (i.e. without turning off the suction motor). This may
help simplify the
steps required to change cleaning modes of the surface cleaning apparatus, and
may help
eliminate the need for a use to lift the cyclone bin assembly to change
operating modes.
[00441] It will also be appreciated that this mechanism may be used
with a cyclone
bin assembly that has two or more air inlets. In such a case, one inlet may be
used for the
floor cleaning orientation and another inlet may be used for the above floor
cleaning
orientation. The abutment of the cyclone bin assembly and the surface cleaning
head may
result in the inlet that is not in use being sealed (e.g., each cyclone inlet
may be provided
with a gasket that seats against a wall of the cavity into which the cyclone
bin assembly is
inserted.
[00442] In any such design, the cyclone bin assembly may include a
single air outlet
that remains in air flow communication with the suction motor in each of the
possible
positions/ orientations of the cyclone bin assembly, or optionally, may
include two or more
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air outlets that are interchangeably connectable in air flow communication
with suction
motor.
Detachable Portable Cleaning Unit
[00443]
Optionally, instead of, or in addition to, an above floor cleaning wand
and
flexible hose, an all in the head surface cleaning apparatus may include a
removable
cleaning unit, such as a hand held vacuum cleaner, that can be detached from
the
apparatus and can be used to clean furniture and other above floor surfaces.
The
removable portable cleaning unit is a self-contained unit and may comprise a
suction
motor, cyclone bin assembly, pre and post-motor filters, hand grip and
possibly an onboard
power source (such one or more batteries). In this configuration, the portable
cleaning unit
may be operable simultaneously with the primary floor cleaning apparatus.
Preferably, the
cleaning unit can be detachably mounted to the main surface cleaning apparatus
in a
convenient location, such as, for example, on the surface cleaning head and/
or the upper
portion.
Providing a detachable portable cleaning unit with its own suction motor
and
cyclone bin assembly may eliminate the need for the surface cleaning head to
be
convertible or to have a reconfigurable air flow path way in order to provide
above floor
cleaning. Instead, the primary surface cleaning head may have a fixed
configuration that is
directed to cleaning the floor, and the portable cleaning unit may have a
single, fixed air
flow path that is separate from the air flow path in the surface cleaning
head.
[00444] This configuration may also allow the suction motor in the primary
surface
cleaning head to be different than the suction motor in the removable cleaning
unit. For
example, the suction motor in the surface cleaning head may be relatively
large and high-
powered, and may operate on AC power provided by an electrical cord that is
plugged into
a wall outlet, while the suction motor in the cleaning unit may be relatively
smaller and less
powerful and may be configured to operate on AC power and/or DC power (for
example as
provided by onboard batteries). For example, the portable cleaning unit may
have its own
electrical cord and be AC powered, it may have on board batteries and be DC
powered or it
may employ both. If the portable cleaning unit includes an on board power
source, then the
on board power source may be electrically connected to the surface cleaning
head's power
source when mounted on the all in the head cleaning apparatus. For example,
when the
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surface cleaning head is powered by an AC cord and the portable cleaning unit
is in the
mounted position (e.g., Figure 80), an on board power supply provided in the
portable
cleaning unit may be recharged.
[00445] Figures 80-82 exemplify another all in the head type surface
cleaning
apparatus 6100 having an above floor cleaning mode. The surface cleaning
apparatus
6100 is generally similar to the surface cleaning apparatus 100, and analogous
features are
identified using like reference characters indexed by 6000. Any one or more or
all of the
features described in association with this embodiment of the surface cleaning
apparatus
may optionally be incorporated into, or used in combination with aspects of
any other
embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus described herein.
[00446] In the illustrated embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus
6100 includes a
surface cleaning head 6102 and an upper portion 6104 connected to the surface
cleaning
head 6102, and including a handle 6442 and hand grip portion 6444. Referring
to Figure
82, in the illustrated embodiment the surface cleaning head 6102 has a front
end 6114
having a front face 6116, a rear end 6118 spaced rearwardly from the front end
and having
and a pair of side faces 6124 that are laterally spaced apart from each other
and extend
from the front end 6114 to the rear end 6118. The surface cleaning head 6102
also
includes a dirty air inlet 6110 and may include the cyclone bin assembly,
suction motor,
brush, brush motor and other suitable features, including, for example, those
described
previously. The drive handle 6442 is connected to the surface cleaning head
6102 to
maneuver the surface cleaning head 6102 across the floor.
[00447] In addition to the components in the surface cleaning head
6102, the surface
cleaning apparatus 6100 also includes a removable cleaning unit in the form of
a hand
vacuum 6970 that is detachably connected to the apparatus at any desired
location. In the
illustrated embodiment, the hand vacuum 6970 is mounted to the elongate, shaft
portion of
the drive handle 6442 and is spaced between the hand grip 6444 and the surface
cleaning
head 6102.
[00448] The portable cleaning unit (e.g., hand vacuum cleaner) 6970
may be of any
suitable configuration, and in the illustrated embodiment includes a dirty air
inlet 6972 (see
Figure 82), a clean air outlet 6974) and an air flow path or passage extending
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
therebetween. As exemplified, a suction motor (not shown) is provided within a
suction
motor housing 6976 and a cyclone bin assembly 6978 (including a cyclone
chamber and a
dirt collection chamber surrounding at least a portion of the dirt collection
chamber) is
provided on a lower portion of the body. The cyclone bin assembly 6978
includes an
openable bottom door 6980 that can be opened to empty the cyclone chamber
and/or the
dirt collection chamber. Optionally, the cyclone bin assembly 6978 can be
removable from
the suction motor housing 6976 and preferably the door 6980 can be opened both
when
the cyclone bin assembly 6978 is detached from the suction motor housing 6976
and when
it Is mounted to the suction motor housing 6980. The hand vacuum 6970 may also
include
any suitable pre and/or post motor filters and optionally may include one or
more on board
power sources. The hand vacuum 6970 also includes a hand grip 6912 to maneuver
the
hand vacuum 6970.
[00449] The hand vacuum 6970 may be mounted to the upper portion 6104
using any
suitable latch or mounting members. Optionally, the hand vacuum 6970 may be
locked to
the upper portion 6104 when not in use, which may help prevent accidental or
unintentional
detachment of the hand vacuum 6970. Alternatively, the hand vacuum 6970 need
not be
locked in place, and instead may remain in place due to the force of gravity
or other non-
locking type engagement members. Not locking the hand vacuum 6970 in place may
allow
the hand vacuum 6970 to be removed without having to first unlock a locking
mechanism.
[00450] As exemplified in Figures 81 and 82, the surface cleaning apparatus
6100
includes a hand vacuum mount that is provided in the form of an upward facing
hook 6914
on the front surface of the drive handle 6442. The hook 6914 can be inserted
into a
corresponding slot (not shown) provided on the hand vacuum cleaner 6970, such
that the
hand vacuum cleaner 6970 can hang on the front surface of the handle 6442. A
lock or
friction fit may be used, but in the illustrated embodiment no lock is
present, and the hand
vacuum cleaner 6970 remains on the hook 6914 under the force of gravity.
[00451] The slot may be provided on any portion of the hand vacuum
cleaner 6970,
and in the illustrated embodiment is provided on the bottom or outer surface
of the
openable wall 6980 on the cyclone bin assembly 6978.
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[00452] While illustrated as being mounted to the handle 6442, in
other embodiments
the hand vacuum cleaner 6970 may be mounted to the handle 6442, the surface
cleaning
head 6102, integrated within the surface cleaning head 6102 or adjacent the
hand grip
6444 on the upper portion 6104. Optionally, in some embodiments the hand
vacuum
cleaner 6970 may be mounted toward the upper end of the handle 6442 and the
hand grip
6444 may be omitted such that the hand grip 6912 on the hand vacuum 6970 is
used to
manipulate the surface cleaning head 6102 when the hand vacuum 6970 is
attached.
[00453] The surface cleaning apparatus 6100 is useable in a floor
cleaning mode in
which the drive handle 6442 is drivingly connected to the surface cleaning
head 6102 and
air enters the surface cleaning apparatus 6100 via the dirty air inlet 6110 of
the surface
cleaning head 6102, and in at least one above floor cleaning mode wherein the
hand held
vacuum cleaner 6970 is removed from the drive handle 6442.
[00454] Optionally, the hand vacuum mount, i.e. hook 6914, may include
electrical
connectors so that the hand vacuum cleaner 6970 can be electrically connected
to the
surface cleaning head 6102 (or other portions of the apparatus 6100) when
attached. If the
hand vacuum cleaner 6970 includes an onboard power source (i.e. battery),
providing an
electrical connection with power source used to power the suction motor in the
surface
cleaning head 6102 when the hand held vacuum cleaner 6970 is mounted to the
drive
handle 6442 may help facilitate charging of the on board power source. This
may help
facilitate charging of the hand vacuum cleaner 6970 while it is not in use so
that it is ready
for use when detached from the handle 6442.
[00455] Providing a hand vacuum cleaner 6970 with a separate cyclone
bin assembly
6978 may also help increase the dirt storage capacity of the surface cleaning
apparatus
6100, in addition to the storage capacity of the cyclone bin assembly 6160.
This may allow
the surface cleaning apparatus 6100 to be operated for longer periods of time
between
emptying the dirt collection chambers.
[00456] Some of the embodiments disclosed herein may not use any of
the features
of the cyclone bin assembly disclosed herein and that, in those embodiments,
the cyclone
bin assembly may be of various constructions and that in those embodiments any
cyclone
bin assembly known in the art may be used.
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CA 02915198 2015-12-14
[00457] Some of the embodiments disclosed herein may not use any of
the features
of the above floor cleaning mode disclosed herein and that, in those
embodiments, the
above floor cleaning mode may be of other designs or an above floor cleaning
mode may
not be used.
[00458] What has been described above has been intended to be illustrative
of the
invention and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons skilled in the
art that other
variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention
as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not
be limited by
the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest
interpretation
consistent with the description as a whole.
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