Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS
FIELD
[0001] The specification relates to surface cleaning apparatus. In a
preferred embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a portable
surface cleaning apparatus, such as a hand vacuum cleaner.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] The following is not an admission that anything discussed below
is
part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person
skilled in
the art.
[0003] Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known. Surface
cleaning apparatus include vacuum cleaners. Currently, a vacuum cleaner
typically uses at least one cyclonic cleaning stage. More recently, cyclonic
hand
vacuum cleaners have been developed. See for example, US 7,931,716 and US
2010/0229328. Each of these discloses a hand vacuum cleaner which includes a
cyclonic cleaning stage. US 7,931,716 discloses a cyclonic cleaning stage
utilizing two cyclonic cleaning stages wherein both cyclonic stages have
cyclone
axis of rotation that extends vertically. US 2010/0229328 discloses a cyclonic
hand vacuum cleaner wherein the cyclone axis of rotation extends horizontally
and is co-axial with the suction motor. In addition, hand carriable cyclonic
vacuum
cleaners are also known (see US 8,146,201 and US 8,549,703).
SUMMARY
[0004] 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.
[0005] In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, a surface
cleaning
apparatus has a cyclone chamber and a porous member through which air travels
as it exits the cyclone chamber (i.e., the porous member is at the interface
of the
cyclone chamber and the cyclone chamber outlet conduit). The porous member
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
may be a screen or shroud and may be referred to herein as a screen member.
The cyclone chamber has an air inlet at the first end and an air outlet at the
opposed second end. The screen member, which may be tapered, may extend
from the second end (the air outlet end) to the first end (the air inlet end).
If the
cyclone air inlet is provided inside the cyclone chamber, then the screen
member
may extend to a position adjacent (e.g., within 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 or 0.125
inches) of
the end of the tangential inlet closest to the outlet end of the cyclone
chamber. If
the cyclone air inlet is external to the cyclone chamber and terminates at an
inlet
port in the cyclone chamber sidewall located at the first end of the cyclone
chamber, then the screen member may extend to a position adjacent (e.g.,
within
0.01, 0.05, 0.1 or 0.125 inches) of the first end of the cyclone chamber or,
alternately, adjacent (e.g., within 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 or 0.125 inches) the end
of the
inlet port closest to the outlet end of the cyclone chamber. An advantage of
this
design is that the surface area of the screen member may be increased while
providing a cyclone with good separation efficiency. A tapered screen member
may reduce the volume of dirt that is collected on the portion of the screen
member located at the inlet end of the cyclone chamber as there may be a
larger
gap between the screen member and the cyclone chamber sidewall near to the
cyclone chamber inlet. This may encourage larger dirt and debris to be
collected
at the inlet end of the cyclone chamber.
[0006] In
accordance with this embodiment, there is provided a surface
cleaning apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a dirty air
inlet to a
clean air outlet with a cyclone and a suction motor positioned in the air flow
path,
the cyclone comprising:
(a) a cyclone
chamber having a longitudinally extending cyclone axis
of rotation, a first end, an opposed end spaced apart in a longitudinal axial
direction from the first end, a tangential air inlet located at the first end,
a
cyclone air outlet located at the opposed end, a dirt outlet and a tapered
screen member; and,
(b) a dirt
collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet, the dirt
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
collection chamber extending around at least 50% of an outer perimeter of
the cyclone chamber,
wherein the tangential inlet has an inlet width extending in the longitudinal
axial direction from a first side to a second side spaced apart in a
longitudinal axial direction from the first side wherein the second side of
the
tangential inlet is axially inwardly closer (e.g., rearwardly) to the opposed
end than the first side of the tangential inlet is to the opposed end, and
wherein the screen member has an outlet end located at the opposed end
of the cyclone chamber and extends to distal screen end located adjacent
the second side of the tangential inlet, the screen member tapers from the
outlet end of the screen member to the distal screen end.
[0007] In
some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may extend
around at least 75% of the outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber.
[0008] In
some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may extend
around at least 85% of the outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber.
[0009] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may be
annular.
[0010] In
some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may comprise
first and second discrete dirt collection chambers, and the cyclone chamber
dirt
outlet may comprise first and second dirt outlets, each of the first and
second
discrete dirt collection chambers may extend part way around the outer
perimeter
of the cyclone chamber, the first discrete dirt collection chamber is in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the first dirt outlet and the
second
discrete dirt collection chamber is in communication with the cyclone chamber
via
the second dirt outlet.
[0011] In some embodiments, the tangential air inlet may comprise a
conduit located interior the cyclone chamber.
[0012] In
some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member may
terminate 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches axially inwardly from the second side of the
tangential inlet.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[0013] In
some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member may
terminate 0.05 ¨ 0.375 inches axially inwardly from the second side of the
tangential inlet.
[0014] In
some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member
terminates axially outwardly (e.g., forwardly) from the second side of the
tangential inlet and a portion of the screen axially outwardly of the second
side of
the tangential inlet is solid.
[0015] In
some embodiments, the screen member may have a non-porous
portion at the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and the dirt outlet may be
located radially outwardly of the non-porous portion.
[0016] In
some embodiments, the second side of the tangential inlet may
comprise a wall that is generally located in a plane that is transverse to the
longitudinal axis.
[0017] In
some embodiments, the second side of the tangential inlet may
be a wall that is located in a plane that is generally transverse to the
longitudinal
axis.
[0018] In
some embodiments, the cyclone chamber may have a cyclone
chamber sidewall extending from the first end of the cyclone chamber to the
dirt
outlet and the cyclone chamber sidewall may have a radial width and the radial
width narrows at a location between the second side of the tangential inlet
and the
opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
[0019] In
accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a surface
cleaning apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a dirty air
inlet to a
clean air outlet with a cyclone and a suction motor positioned in the air flow
path,
the cyclone comprising:
(a) a
cyclone chamber having a longitudinally extending cyclone axis
of rotation, a first end, an opposed end spaced apart in a longitudinal axial
direction from the first end, a tangential air inlet located at the first end,
a
cyclone air outlet located at the opposed end, a dirt outlet and a tapered
screen member, the tangential air inlet terminating at an inlet port provided
on a longitudinally extending sidewall of the cyclone chamber; and,
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
(b) a
dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet, the dirt
collection chamber extending around at least 50% of an outer perimeter of
the cyclone chamber,
wherein the screen member has an outlet end located at the opposed end
of the cyclone chamber and extends to distal screen end located adjacent
the first end of the cyclone chamber, the screen member tapers from the
outlet end of the screen member to the distal screen end.
[0020] In
some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may extend
around at least 75% of the outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber.
[0021] In
some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may extend
around at least 85% of the outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber.
[0022] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may be
annular.
[0023] In
some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may comprise
first and second discrete dirt collection chambers, and the cyclone chamber
dirt
outlet may comprise first and second dirt outlets, each of the first and
second
discrete dirt collection chambers may extend part way around the outer
perimeter
of the cyclone chamber, the first discrete dirt collection chamber is in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the first dirt outlet and the
second
discrete dirt collection chamber is in communication with the cyclone chamber
via
the second dirt outlet.
[0024] In
some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member may
terminate 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the first end of the cyclone chamber.
[0025] In
some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member may
terminate 0.05 ¨ 0.375 inches from the first end of the cyclone chamber.
[0026] In
some embodiments, the screen member may have a non-porous
portion at the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and the dirt outlet is
located
radially outwardly of the non-porous portion.
[0027] In
another aspect of this disclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus is
provided with a cyclone chamber which has a dirt outlet provided by a port or
opening in the cyclone chamber sidewall at a location between the first and
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
second ends of the cyclone chamber sidewall. The port may extend part way or
all
the way around the cyclone chamber sidewall. This may encourage finer dirt to
in
the dirt collection chamber regardless of the orientation of the surface
cleaning
apparatus, while coarser dirt collects in the cyclone chamber.
[0028] In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning
apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a
clean air
outlet with a cyclone and a suction motor positioned in the air flow path, the
cyclone comprising:
(a) a cyclone chamber having a longitudinally extending cyclone axis
of rotation, a first end, an opposed end spaced apart in a longitudinal axial
direction from the first end, a cyclone chamber sidewall, a cyclone air inlet
located at the first end, a cyclone air outlet located at the opposed end, a
dirt outlet and a screen member; and,
(b) a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet,
wherein the cyclone chamber sidewall has a first end and a second end
spaced apart in a longitudinal axial direction from the first end of the
sidewall, wherein the dirt outlet is provided between the first and second
ends of the sidewall.
[0029] In some embodiments, the second end of the sidewall may be
located at the opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
[0030] In
some embodiments, the screen member may have a porous
portion and the dirt outlet is located radially outwardly of the porous
portion.
[0031] In
some embodiments, the cyclone chamber sidewall may have a
radial width and the radial width may narrow at a location between the first
end
and the opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
[0032] In
some embodiments, the cyclone air inlet may be a tangential inlet
having an inlet width extending in the longitudinal axial direction from a
first side to
a second side spaced apart in the longitudinal axial direction from the first
side
wherein the second side of the tangential inlet maybe closer to the opposed
end
of the cyclone chamber than the first side of the tangential inlet is to the
opposed
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
end, and the radial width may narrow at a location between the second side of
the
tangential inlet and the opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
[0033] In some embodiments, at least one of the first end of the
cyclone
chamber and the opposed end of the cyclone chamber maybe an openable end of
the cyclone chamber that is moveable between a closed position and an open
position and a portion of the sidewall is moveable with the openable end of
the
cyclone chamber.
[0034] In some embodiments, the first end may be the openable end, a
first
portion of the sidewall may extend from the first end to the dirt outlet and
the first
portion may be moveable with the first end of the cyclone chamber.
[0035] In some embodiments, a second portion of the sidewall may
extend
from the opposed end to the dirt outlet and the second portion may be secured
to
a radial outer wall of the dirt collection chamber.
[0036] In some embodiments, the opposed end may be the openable end,
a second portion of the sidewall may extend from the opposed end to the dirt
outlet and the second portion and the screen member may be moveable with the
opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
[0037] In some embodiments, a first portion of the sidewall may
extend
from the first end to the dirt outlet and the first portion may be secured to
a radial
outer wall of the dirt collection chamber.
[0038] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may extend
around at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber and the
cyclone chamber may be eccentrically positioned with respect to the dirt
collection
chamber.
[0039] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may extend
around at least 85% of the outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber.
[0040] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may be
annular.
[0041] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may comprise
first and second discrete dirt collection chambers, and the cyclone chamber
dirt
outlet may comprise first and second dirt outlets, each of the first and
second
discrete dirt collection chambers may extend part way around the outer
perimeter
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
of the cyclone chamber, the first discrete dirt collection chamber is in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the first dirt outlet and the
second
discrete dirt collection chamber is in communication with the cyclone chamber
via
the second dirt outlet.
[0042] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may have a radial
outer wall and the radial outer wall is non-circular.
[0043] In some embodiments, the cyclone air inlet may be a tangential
inlet
having a conduit portion interior the cyclone chamber and the screen member
may have an outlet end located at the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and
the screen member may extend to distal screen end located adjacent an axially
inner side of the inlet conduit.
[0044] In some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member may
terminate 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches axially inwardly from the second side of the
tangential inlet.
[0045] In some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member
terminates axially outwardly (e.g., forwardly) from the second side of the
tangential inlet and a portion of the screen axially outwardly of the second
side of
the tangential inlet is solid.
[0046] In some embodiments, the cyclone air inlet may be a tangential
air
inlet terminating at an inlet port provided on the cyclone chamber sidewall
and the
screen member may have an outlet end located at the opposed end of the
cyclone chamber and the screen member may extend to distal screen end located
adjacent the first end of the cyclone chamber.
[0047] In some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member may
terminate 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the first end of the cyclone chamber.
[0048] In another aspect of this disclosure, a surface cleaning
apparatus is
provided with a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber exterior to the
cyclone chamber. The cyclone chamber has an inlet end and an axially spaced
apart (opposed) outlet end. The dirt collection chamber has a downstream end
spaced axially inward from the outlet end of the cyclone chamber. The cyclone
chamber has a dirt outlet provided by a port or opening in the cyclone chamber
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
sidewall. The port may extend part way or all the way around the cyclone
chamber
sidewall. This may encourage finer dirt to in the dirt collection chamber
regardless
of the orientation of the surface cleaning apparatus, while coarser dirt
collects in
the cyclone chamber.
[0049] In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning
apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a
clean air
outlet with a cyclone and a suction motor positioned in the air flow path, the
cyclone comprising:
(a) a cyclone chamber having a longitudinally extending cyclone axis
of rotation, a first end, an opposed end spaced apart in a longitudinal axial
direction from the first end, a cyclone chamber sidewall, a cyclone air inlet
located at the first end, a cyclone air outlet located at the opposed end, a
dirt outlet and a screen member; and,
(b) a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet,
wherein the dirt collection chamber has first and second axially opposed
ends, the second end of the dirt collection chamber is located closer to the
opposed end of the cyclone chamber than the first end of the dirt collection
chamber is to the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and the second
end of the dirt collection chamber has a second end wall that is spaced
axially inwardly from the opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
[0050] In
some embodiments, the first end of the dirt collection chamber
may be located at the first end of the cyclone chamber.
[0051] In
some embodiments, the screen member may have a porous
portion and the dirt outlet is located radially outwardly of the porous
portion.
[0052] In
some embodiments, the cyclone chamber sidewall may have a
radial width and the radial width widens at the second end of the dirt
collection
chamber.
[0053] In
some embodiments, the cyclone air inlet may be a tangential inlet
having an inlet width extending in the longitudinal axial direction from a
first side to
a second side spaced apart in the longitudinal axial direction from the first
side
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
wherein the second side of the tangential inlet may be closer to the opposed
end
of the cyclone chamber than the first side of the tangential inlet is to the
opposed
end, and the radial width may widen at a location between the second side of
the
tangential inlet and the opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
[0054] In some embodiments, the first end of the cyclone chamber may be
an openable end of the cyclone chamber that is moveable between a closed
position and an open position and a portion of the sidewall may be moveable
with
the openable end of the cyclone chamber.
[0055] In some embodiments, a first portion of the sidewall may
extend
from the first end to the dirt outlet and the first portion may be moveable
with the
first end of the cyclone chamber.
[0056] In some embodiments, the second end wall may be secured to the
cyclone chamber sidewall.
[0057] In some embodiments, the second end wall may extend in a plane
that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis.
[0058] In some embodiments, the second end wall may extend from the
cyclone chamber sidewall inwardly and longitudinally towards the first end of
the
cyclone chamber.
[0059] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may extend
around at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber and the
cyclone chamber may be eccentrically positioned with respect to the dirt
collection
chamber.
[0060] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may extend
around at least 85% of the outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber.
[0061] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may be annular.
[0062] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may comprise
first and second discrete dirt collection chambers, and the cyclone chamber
dirt
outlet may comprise first and second dirt outlets, each of the first and
second
discrete dirt collection chambers may extend part way around the outer
perimeter
of the cyclone chamber, the first discrete dirt collection chamber is in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the first dirt outlet and the
second
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
discrete dirt collection chamber is in communication with the cyclone chamber
via
the second dirt outlet.
[0063] In
some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may have a radial
outer wall and the radial outer wall is non-circular.
[0064] In some embodiments, the cyclone air inlet may be a tangential inlet
having a conduit portion interior the cyclone chamber and the screen member
may have an outlet end located at the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and
the screen member may extend to distal screen end located adjacent an axially
inner side of the inlet conduit.
[0065] In some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member may
terminate 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the second side of the tangential inlet.
[0066] In
some embodiments, the cyclone air inlet may be a tangential air
inlet terminating at an inlet port provided on the cyclone chamber sidewall
and the
screen member may have an outlet end located at the opposed end of the
cyclone chamber and the screen member may extend to distal screen end located
adjacent the first end of the cyclone chamber.
[0067] In
some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member may
terminate 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the first end of the cyclone chamber.
[0068] In an
aspect of this disclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus may be
provided with a cyclone chamber having a screen member and a dirt collection
chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber with a dirt outlet of the cyclone
chamber
positioned in an upstream end wall of the dirt collection chamber. This may
help
prevent separated dirt from becoming re-entrained in the air swirling in the
cyclone
chamber.
[0069] In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning
apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a
clean air
outlet with a cyclone and a suction motor positioned in the air flow path, the
cyclone comprising:
(a) a
cyclone chamber having a longitudinally extending cyclone axis
of rotation, a first end, an opposed end spaced apart in a longitudinal axial
direction from the first end, a cyclone chamber sidewall, a cyclone air inlet
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
located at the first end, a cyclone air outlet located at the opposed end, a
dirt outlet and a screen member; and,
(b) a
dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet,
wherein the dirt collection chamber has first and second axially opposed
ends, the second end of the dirt collection chamber is located closer to the
opposed end of the cyclone chamber than the first end of the dirt collection
chamber is to the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and the first end of
the dirt collection chamber has a first end wall that is spaced axially
inwardly from the opposed end of the cyclone chamber, and the dirt outlet
is provided in the first end wall.
[0070] In
some embodiments, the dirt outlet may be provided between a
radial outer end of the first end wall and the cyclone chamber sidewall.
[0071] In
some embodiments, the screen member may have a non-porous
portion at the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection
chamber may be located radially outwardly of the non-porous portion.
[0072] In
some embodiments, the screen member may have a non-porous
portion at the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and the dirt outlet may be
located radially outwardly of the non-porous portion.
[0073] In some embodiments, the opposed end of the cyclone chamber
may be an openable end of the cyclone chamber that is moveable between a
closed position and an open position and the first end wall may be moveable
with
the openable end of the cyclone chamber.
[0074] In
some embodiments, the screen member may be moveable with
the opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
[0075] In
some embodiments, the screen member may have a porous
portion and the porous portion is secured to the cyclone chamber sidewall.
[0076] In
some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may extend
around at least a portion of the screen member and the dirt outlet may be
provided at an axially inward end of all portions of the dirt collection
chamber.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[0077] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may extend
around at least 85% of the screen member.
[0078] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may extend
around at least a portion of the screen member and the dirt outlet may be
provided at an axially inward end of all portions of the dirt collection
chamber.
[0079] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may be
annular.
[0080] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may comprise
first and second discrete dirt collection chambers, and the cyclone chamber
dirt
outlet may comprise first and second dirt outlets, each of the first and
second
discrete dirt collection chambers may extend part way around the outer
perimeter
of the screen member, the first discrete dirt collection chamber is in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the first dirt outlet and the
second
discrete dirt collection chamber is in communication with the cyclone chamber
via
the second dirt outlet.
[0081] In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may have a radial
outer wall and the radial outer wall is non-circular.
[0082] In some embodiments, the cyclone air inlet may be a tangential
inlet
having a conduit portion interior the cyclone chamber and the screen member
may have an outlet end located at the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and
the screen member may extend to distal screen end located adjacent an axially
inner side of the inlet conduit.
[0083] In some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member may
terminate 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the second side of the tangential inlet.
[0084] In some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member may
terminate 0.05¨ 0.375 inches from the second side of the tangential inlet.
[0085] In some embodiments, the cyclone air inlet may be a tangential
air
inlet terminating at an inlet port provided on the cyclone chamber sidewall
and the
screen member may have an outlet end located at the opposed end of the
cyclone chamber and the screen member may extend to distal screen end located
adjacent the first end of the cyclone chamber.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[0086] In some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member may
terminate 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the first end of the cyclone chamber.
[0087] In some embodiments, the distal end of the screen member may
terminate 0.05¨ 0.375 inches from the second side of the tangential inlet.
[0088] It will be appreciated that the aspects and embodiments may be
used in any combination or sub-combination.
DRAWINGS
[0089] 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.
[0090] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of an example surface
cleaning
apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0091] Figure 2 is a side view of the surface cleaning apparatus of
Figure 1;
[0092] Figure 3 is a front view of the surface cleaning apparatus of
Figure 1
with a front wall of the cyclone unit in an open position;
[0093] Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus
of Figure 1 with the front wall of the cyclone unit in an open position;
[0094] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the surface cleaning apparatus
of
Figure 1 with a front wall of the cyclone unit in an open position and a rear
wall of
the cyclone unit in an open position;
[0095] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the surface cleaning apparatus
of
Figure 1 with a front door and a rear door removed from the cyclone unit;
[0096] Figure 7 is a side view of the cyclone unit of the surface
cleaning
apparatus of Figure 1 with a rear door in an open position;
[0097] Figure 8 is a rear view of the cyclone unit of Figure 7 with the
rear
door in the open position;
[0098] Figure 9 is a bottom rear perspective view of the cyclone unit
of
Figure 7 with the rear door in the open position;
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[0099] Figure 10 is a side view of the cyclone unit of Figure 7 with
the rear
door in the open position and a front door in an open position;
[00100] Figure 11 is a side perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of Figure 1 with the handle in a second use position;
[00101] Figure 12 is a perspective sectional view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of Figure 1 taken along line 13-13 in Figure 1 with the handle in
the
second use position;
[00102] Figure 13 is a sectional view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 1 taken along line 13-13 in Figure 1;
[00103] Figure 13B is a cross-sectional view of an alternate surface
cleaning
apparatus;
[00104] Figure 13C is a perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus
of Figure 13B;
[00105] Figure 14 is a front view of another example surface cleaning
apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment with a front door in an
open position;
[00106] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 14 from the front and side;
[00107] Figure 16 is an exploded view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure 14;
[00108] Figure 17 is a side view of a cyclone unit of the surface
cleaning
apparatus of Figure 14 with a rear door in an open position;
[00109] Figure 18 is a rear view of the cyclone unit of Figure 17 with
the rear
door in the open position;
[00110] Figure 19 is a rear perspective view of the cyclone unit of Figure
17
with the rear door in the open position;
[00111] Figure 20 is a side view of the cyclone unit of Figure 17 with
the rear
door in the open position and a front door in an open position;
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00112] Figure 21 is a side perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of Figure 14;
[00113] Figure 22 is a perspective section view of the surface
cleaning
apparatus of Figure 14 along line 23-23 in Figure 21;
[00114] Figure 23 is a sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus of
Figure 14 along line 23-23 in Figure 21;
[00115] Figure 23B is a cross-sectional view of an alternate surface
cleaning
apparatus with the cyclone unit in a closed position;
[00116] Figure 23C is a cross-sectional view of the alternate surface
cleaning apparatus of Figure 23B with the cyclone unit in an open position;
[00117] Figure 23D is a cross-sectional view of an alternate surface
cleaning
apparatus with the cyclone unit in a closed position;
[00118] Figure 23E is a cross-sectional view of the alternate surface
cleaning apparatus of Figure 23D with the cyclone unit in an open position;
[00119] Figure 23F is a cross-sectional view of an alternate surface
cleaning
apparatus with the cyclone unit in a closed position;
[00120] Figure 23G is a cross-sectional view of the alternate surface
cleaning apparatus of Figure 23F with the cyclone unit in an open position;
[00121] Figure 23H is a cross-sectional view of an alternate surface
cleaning
apparatus with the cyclone unit in a closed position;
[00122] Figure 231 is a cross-sectional view of the alternate surface
cleaning
apparatus of Figure 23H with the cyclone unit in an open position;
[00123] FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of another example
surface
cleaning apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00124] Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 25-25 in
Figure
24;
[00125] Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view of an example cyclone unit
in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00126] Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view of another example cyclone
unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00127] Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view of another example cyclone
unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00128] Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view of another example cyclone unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00129] Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view of another example cyclone
unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00130] Figure 31 is a cross-sectional view of another example cyclone
unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00131] Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view of another example cyclone
unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00132] Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view of another example cyclone
unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00133] Figure 34 is a cross-sectional view of another example cyclone unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00134] Figure 35A is a sectional front view of another example
cyclone unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00135] Figure 35B is a sectional front view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 35A
including a portion of the cyclone air inlet in accordance with an embodiment;
[00136] Figure 35C is a side sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 35A;
[00137] Figures 36A is a sectional front view of another example
cyclone unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00138] Figure 36B is a sectional front view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 36A
including a portion of the cyclone air inlet in accordance with an embodiment;
[00139] Figure 36C is a side sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 36A;
[00140] Figures 37A is a sectional front view of another example
cyclone unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00141] Figure 37B is a sectional front view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 37A
including a portion of the cyclone air inlet in accordance with an embodiment;
[00142] Figure 37C is a side sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 37A;
[00143] Figures 38A is a sectional front view of another example
cyclone unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00144] Figure 38B is a sectional front view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 38A
including a portion of the cyclone air inlet in accordance with an embodiment;
[00145] Figure 38C is a side sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 38A;
[00146] Figures 39A is a sectional front view of another example
cyclone unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00147] Figure 39B is a sectional front view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 39A
including a portion of the cyclone air inlet in accordance with an embodiment;
[00148] Figure 39C is a side sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 39A;
[00149] Figures 40A is a sectional front view of another example
cyclone unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00150] Figure 40B is a sectional front view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 40A
including a portion of the cyclone air inlet in accordance with an embodiment;
[00151] Figure 40C is a side sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 40A;
[00152] Figures 41A is a sectional front view of another example
cyclone unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00153] Figure 41B is a sectional front view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 41A
including a portion of the cyclone air inlet in accordance with an embodiment;
[00154] Figure 41C is a side sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 41A;
[00155] Figures 42A is a sectional front view of another example
cyclone unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00156] Figure 42B is a sectional front view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 42A
including a portion of the cyclone air inlet in accordance with an embodiment;
[00157] Figure 42C is a side sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 42A;
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00158] Figures 43A is a sectional front view of another example
cyclone unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00159] Figure 43B is a sectional front view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 43A
including a portion of the cyclone air inlet in accordance with an embodiment;
[00160] Figure 43C is a side sectional view of the cyclone unit of Figure
43A;
[00161] Figures 44A is a sectional front view of another example
cyclone unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00162] Figure 44B is a sectional front view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 44A
including a portion of the cyclone air inlet in accordance with an embodiment;
[00163] Figure 44C is a side sectional view of the cyclone unit of Figure
44A;
[00164] Figures 45A is a sectional front view of another example
cyclone unit
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00165] Figure 45B is a sectional front view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 45A
including a portion of the cyclone air inlet in accordance with an embodiment;
[00166] Figure 45C is a side sectional view of the cyclone unit of Figure
45A;
[00167] Figures 46A-46L illustrate various examples of cyclone unit
inlets in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00168] Figures 47A-47D illustrate various examples of cyclone unit
inlets in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00169] Figures 48A-48E illustrate an example of a cyclone unit inlet in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00170] Figures 49A-49D illustrate another example of a cyclone unit
inlet in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00171] Figures 50A-50D illustrate another example of a cyclone unit
inlet in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00172] Figure 51 is a perspective view of an example surface cleaning
apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00173] Figure 52 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of Figure 51, with a front cyclone unit wall in an open position;
19
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00174] Figure 53 is a front perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of Figure 51, with a cyclone unit partially cutaway;
[00175] Figure 54 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 54-54 in
Figure
51, showing an air flow path;
[00176] Figure 55 is a perspective view of an example cyclone unit in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00177] Figure 56 is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 55
taken along line 56-56 in Figure 55;
[00178] Figure 57 is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 55
taken along line 56-56 in Figure 55 with a front wall of the cyclone unit in
an open
position;
[00179] Figure 58 is a front view of the cyclone unit of Figure 55
with the
front wall of the cyclone unit in an open position;
[00180] Figure 59 is a perspective view of the cyclone unit of Figure
55 with
a cyclone inlet removed from the cyclone chamber;
[00181] Figure 60 is a cross-sectional view of an example cyclone
chamber
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00182] Figure 61 is a cross-sectional view of another example cyclone
chamber in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00183] Figure 62 is a cross-sectional view of an example cyclone chamber
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00184] Figure 63 is a perspective view of an example cyclone unit in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00185] Figure 64 is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 63
along line 64-64 in Figure 63;
[00186] Figure 65 is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 63
along line 65-65 in Figure 63;
[00187] Figure 66 is a perspective view of another example cyclone
unit in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00188] Figure 67 is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 66
along line 67-67 in Figure 66;
[00189] Figure 68 is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 69
along line 68-68 in Figure 69;
[00190] Figure 69 is a perspective view of another example cyclone unit in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00191] Figure 70 is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 69
along line 70-70 in Figure 69;
[00192] Figure 71 is a perspective view of another example cyclone
unit in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00193] Figure 72 is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 71
along line 72-72 in Figure 71;
[00194] Figure 73 is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 74
along line 73-73 in Figure 74;
[00195] Figure 74 is a perspective view of another example cyclone unit in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00196] Figure 75 is a cross-sectional view of the cyclone unit of
Figure 74
along line 75-75 in Figure 74;
[00197] Figure 76 is a cross-sectional view of another example surface
cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment;
[00198] Figure 77 is a perspective view of another example surface
cleaning
apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00199] Figure 78 is a perspective view of another example surface
cleaning
apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[00200] Figure 79 is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning
apparatus
of Figure 78;
[00201] Figure 80 is a side sectional view of another example surface
cleaning apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment; and
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00202] Figure 81 is a side sectional view of the surface cleaning
apparatus
of Figure 80 with the handle in a second use position in accordance with at
least
one embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[00203] Numerous embodiments are described in this application, and are
presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not
intended to be limiting in any sense. The invention is widely applicable to
numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure herein. Those
skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced
with
modification and alteration without departing from the teachings disclosed
herein.
Although particular features of the present invention may be described with
reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures, it should be
understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more
particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described.
[00204] The terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments," "the
embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "some
embodiments," and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all)
embodiments of the present invention(s)," unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[00205] The terms "including," "comprising" and variations thereof
mean
"including but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise. A
listing of
items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive,
unless
expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a," "an" and "the" mean "one or
more,"
unless expressly specified otherwise.
[00206] As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said
to be
"coupled", "connected", "attached", or "fastened" where the parts are joined
or
operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more
intermediate
parts), so long as a link occurs. As used herein and in the claims, two or
more
parts are said to be "directly coupled", "directly connected", "directly
attached", or
"directly fastened" where the parts are connected in physical contact with
each
other. As used herein, two or more parts are said to be "rigidly coupled",
"rigidly
connected", "rigidly attached", or "rigidly fastened" where the parts are
coupled so
as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each
other.
22
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
None of the terms "coupled", "connected", "attached", and "fastened"
distinguish
the manner in which two or more parts are joined together.
[00207] Referring to Figures 1-13, 26 and 35A-35C, an example
embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 100 is shown. The following is a
general discussion of this embodiment which provides a basis for understanding
each of the features which is discussed herein. As discussed in detail
subsequently, each of the features may be used in other embodiments.
[00208] In Figures 14 and following, similar components of the surface
cleaning apparatus have been indicated using reference characters with
additional digits in front of the three digit reference characters used in
Figures 1-
13. Accordingly, for example, in Figure 14, the reference characters are
increased
by 1000 with respect to surface cleaning apparatus 100.
[00209] In the embodiment illustrated, the surface cleaning apparatus
100 is
a hand-held vacuum cleaner, which is commonly referred to as a "hand vacuum
cleaner" or a "handvac". As used herein and in the claims, a hand-held vacuum
cleaner or hand vacuum cleaner or handvac is a vacuum cleaner that can be
operated one-handedly to clean a surface while its weight is held by the same
one
hand. This is contrasted with upright and canister vacuum cleaners, the weight
of
which is supported by a surface (e.g. floor below) during use. Optionally,
surface
cleaning apparatus 100 could be removably mountable on a base so as to form,
for example, an upright vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner, a stick
vac, a
wet-dry vacuum cleaner and the like. Alternately, the cyclone design could be
used in any other surface cleaning apparatus such as an upright vacuum cleaner
wherein the cyclone is provided in the upright section or wherein the cyclone
could be the upright section that is pivotally mounted to a surface cleaning
head
(see for example Figures 80 and 81).
[00210] Power can be supplied to the surface cleaning apparatus 100 by
an
electrical cord (not shown) that can be connected to a standard wall
electrical
outlet. Alternatively, or in addition, the power source for the surface
cleaning
apparatus can be an onboard energy storage device 302, including, for example,
one or more batteries 304 (see Figure 13).
23
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00211] As exemplified in Figures 1-13, the surface cleaning apparatus
100
may comprise a main body 104 having a handle 108, an air treatment member
112 connected to the main body 104, a dirty air inlet 116, a clean air outlet
120,
and an air flow path extending between the inlet 116 and outlet 120. Surface
cleaning apparatus 100 includes a front end 121, a rear end 122, an upper end
123, and a bottom 125. In the embodiment shown, the dirty air inlet 116 is at
the
front end 121. As exemplified, dirty air inlet 116 is the inlet end 124 of an
inlet
passage 128. Dirty air inlet 116 may be positioned forward of air treatment
member 112 as shown. Optionally, the inlet end 124 can be used as a nozzle to
directly clean a surface. Alternatively, the inlet end 124 can be connected or
directly connected to the downstream end of any suitable accessory tool such
as
a rigid air flow conduit (e.g. wand, crevice tool, mini brush or the like) for
example
or to a wand that forms part of a stick vac as exemplified in Figure 79).
[00212] From the dirty air inlet 116, the air flow path may extend
through an
air treatment member 112. The air treatment member 112 may be any suitable
member that can treat the air in a desired manner, including, for example,
removing dirt particles and debris from the air. In the illustrated example,
the air
treatment member is a cyclone unit 112.
[00213] Cyclone unit 112 may include one or a plurality of cyclones for
separating dirt from the air flow, and one or a plurality of dirt collection
regions for
receiving dirt separated in the cyclone(s). As exemplified in Figures 3, 4, 12
and
13, cyclone unit 112 includes a cyclone or cyclone chamber 160 and an external
dirt collection chamber 164. The cyclone 160 and dirt collection chamber 164
may
be of any configuration suitable for separating dirt from an air stream and
collecting the separated dirt, respectively. For example, it will be
appreciated that
in some embodiments the dirt collection area may share an outer wall with the
cyclone chamber, e.g., a dirt collection area may be provided at a
longitudinal end
of the cyclone chamber (see e.g. FIGS. 40-42 and 60-62). Alternatively or in
addition, in some embodiments the cyclone unit 112 may include a dirt
collection
area 164 exterior to the cyclone chamber 160 as shown in Figure 3 for example.
[00214] Cyclone 160 may be oriented in any direction. For example, when
surface cleaning apparatus 100 is positioned with bottom 125 on a horizontal
24
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
surface, cyclone axis of rotation 484 may be oriented horizontally as
exemplified,
vertically, or at any angle between horizontal and vertical.
[00215] As also exemplified in Figures 12 and 13, a suction motor and
fan
assembly 152 may be mounted within a motor housing portion 156 of the main
body 104. In this configuration, the suction motor and fan assembly 152 is
downstream from the cyclone unit 112, and the clean air outlet 120 is
downstream
from the suction motor and fan assembly 152.
[00216] The suction motor and fan assembly 152 may be oriented in any
direction. For example, when surface cleaning apparatus 100 is positioned with
bottom 125 on a horizontal surface, suction motor axis of rotation 540 may be
oriented horizontally as exemplified, vertically, or at any angle between
horizontal
and vertical.
[00217] As exemplified in Figure 13, in some embodiments the axis of
rotation 540 of the suction motor may be generally parallel to the cyclone
axis of
rotation 484 and/or the inlet conduit axis 364 (see also Figure 25 for
example). An
advantage of this design is that the air may travel generally rearwardly from
the
cyclone air outlet 184 to the suction motor air inlet, thereby reducing the
backpressure through this portion of the vacuum cleaner 100 due to a reduction
in
the number of bends in the air flow path.
[00218] In the example illustrated, the axis of rotation of the suction
motor
540 and the cyclone axis of rotation 484 can be aligned (co-axial). This may
further reduce the number of bends in the airflow path.
[00219] Alternately, as shown for example in Figure 25 the suction
motor
axis of rotation 2540 may be positioned below cyclone axis of rotation 2484.
This
may provide surface cleaning apparatus 2100 with a relatively lower center of
gravity for greater stability when surface cleaning apparatus 2100 is
positioned
with bottom 2125 below upper end 2123.
[00220] As exemplified in FIG. 25, handvac inlet 2180 is shown
positioned at
a front end 2172 of cyclone chamber 2160, and outlet 2184 is shown positioned
at
a rear end 2176 of cyclone chamber 2160. Inlet 2180 may have an inlet axis
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
2185 that is parallel to the outlet axis 2189 of air outlet 2184. In the
illustrated
embodiment, inlet axis 2185 is co-axial with outlet axis 2189.
[00221] Optionally, the suction motor axis 2540 may be parallel to or
co-axial
with axis 2185, 2189. Accordingly, air may travel in a generally uniform
direction
through the components of the handvac.
[00222] As exemplified in FIG. 25, handvac inlet nozzle 2128 may
extend in
length from an upstream nozzle end 2124 rearwardly along a nozzle axis 2364,
handvac cyclone chamber 2160 may extend from an air inlet 2180 along a
cyclone axis 2484 to an air outlet 2184, and handvac suction motor 2152 may
extend from a motor inlet 2153 along a motor axis 2540 to a motor outlet 2154.
[00223] In some embodiments, two or more of nozzle axis 2364, cyclone
axis 2484, and motor axis 2540 may be parallel and optionally co-axial. For
example, in the illustrated embodiment, nozzle axis 2364, cyclone axis 2484,
and
motor axis 2540 are parallel. In some embodiments, two or more of nozzle axis
2364, cyclone axis 2484, and motor axis 2540 may be co-axial. For example, in
the illustrated embodiment, nozzle axis 2364 and cyclone axis 2484 are co-
axial.
In other embodiments, nozzle axis 2364, cyclone axis 2484, and motor axis 2540
may all be co-axial.
[00224] Optionally, one or more pre-motor filters may be placed in the
air
flow path between the air treatment member and the suction motor and fan
assembly. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more post-motor filters may be
provided downstream from the suction motor and fan assembly.
[00225] As exemplified in Figures 12 and 13, main body 104 is shown
including a pre-motor filter housing portion 208 that is positioned in the air
flow
path downstream of cyclone unit 112. Pre-motor filter housing 208 may be of
any
construction known in the vacuum cleaner art. As exemplified, filter housing
208
may be bounded by one or more walls, which may be integral with or discrete
from the main body exterior walls 212. In the example shown, the walls of
filter
housing portion 208 are integral with the walls of the motor housing portion
156.
Alternatively, the filter housing portion 208 may be formed separately from
the
motor housing portion 156.
26
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00226] Turning to Figure 13, pre-motor filter housing 208 is shown
including
a filter housing first wall 216 axially opposite a filter housing second wall
220, and
a filter housing sidewall 224 that extends in the direction of the cyclone
axis of
rotation between the optional first and second walls 216 and 220. It will be
appreciated one of first wall 216 and second wall 220 may be in the form of
ribs to
hold the filter in place. In some embodiments, the filter housing sidewall 224
may
be defined in whole or in part by main body exterior walls 212. In the
illustrated
example, filter housing sidewall 224 is defined by the main body exterior
walls
212, which may provide a more compact design for surface cleaning apparatus
100. Alternatively, filter housing sidewall 224 may be discrete from main body
exterior walls 212, which may provide enhanced sound insulation for air
passing
through the pre-motor filter housing 208.
[00227] Referring to Figures 12 and 13, one or more filters made of or
comprising a porous filter media may be positioned within the pre-motor filter
housing 208 to filter particles remaining in the air flow exiting the cyclone
air outlet
184, before the air flow passes through the suction motor and fan assembly
152.
In the illustrated embodiments, pre-motor filter housing 208 contains a pre-
motor
filter 228. The pre-motor filter 228 may be of any suitable configuration and
formed from any suitable materials. For example, the pre-motor filter 228 can
be
made of porous media such as foam, felt, or filter paper. In some embodiments,
the pre-motor filter housing 208 may contain multiple filters, such as an
upstream
filter and a downstream filter. For example, a foam pre-motor filter may be
provided upstream of a felt pre-motor filter.
[00228] Pre-motor filter housing 208 may include a filter housing air
inlet and
a filter housing air outlet of any suitable design and arrangement within the
housing 208. In the illustrated embodiment, pre-motor filter housing 208
includes
a filter housing air inlet 236 formed in filter housing first wall 216, and a
filter
housing air outlet 240 formed in filter housing second wall 220.
[00229] Still referring to Figure 13, pre-motor filter housing 208 may
promote
the air flow to broadly distribute across the pre-motor filter 228 inside.
This allows
the collected dust particles to be more evenly distributed throughout pre-
motor
filter 228 instead of concentrating in a narrow air flow path. An advantage of
this
27
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
design is that the pre-motor filter 228 will have a greater effective dirt
capacity,
which allows the pre-motor filter to be cleaned or replaced less frequently.
To this
end, pre-motor filter housing 208 may have any structure suitable for broadly
distributing the air flow across pre-motor filter 228. For example, pre-motor
filter
housing 208 may provide an upstream header 256 (as shown), a downstream
header, or both. Header 256 may be provided by spacing the pre-motor filter(s)
from the filter housing end walls 216 and 220 respectively.
[00230] In the example illustrated in Figure 13, the pre-motor filter
air inlet
236 and air outlet 240 are generally aligned. This may promote a generally
linear
airflow through the pre-motor filter housing 208. As shown, the pre-motor
filter air
inlet 236 and air outlet 240 are generally aligned with the cyclone axis of
rotation
484 and the suction motor axis of rotation 540. This may further reduce the
number of bends in the air flow passage through the surface cleaning apparatus
100 and thereby reduce backpressure.
[00231] Alternately, the pre-motor filter air inlet 236 and/or air outlet
240 may
not be aligned with either or both of the cyclone axis of rotation 484 and
suction
motor axis of rotation 540. In some cases, the pre-motor filter air inlet 236
and air
outlet 240 may be offset relative to one another.
[00232] For example, in an embodiment in which the suction motor axis
of
rotation 2540 is positioned below the cyclone axis of rotation 2484, the pre-
motor
filter air inlet 2236 may be axially offset from the pre-motor filter air
outlet 2240 as
shown in Figure 25. In the illustrated example, the filter housing air inlet
2236 is
located above and spaced apart from filter housing air outlet 2240. An
advantage
of this design is that one or both of the filter housing headers may be used
to
change to elevation at which the air travels rearwardly with without using a
conduit
with bends. For example, air may travel generally rearwardly (linearly) into
the
pre-motor filter housing and air may travel generally rearwardly (linearly)
out of the
pre-motor filter housing, but at a lower elevation.
[00233] As shown in FIG. 25, handvac 2100 has a pre-motor filter
chamber
2208 containing pre-motor filters 2228 and 2229, and a suction motor housing
2156 containing suction motor 2152. The airflow path from inlet nozzle 2128 to
clean air outlet 2120 may extend downstream from cyclone bin assembly 2112 to
28
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
pre-motor filter chamber 2208 to suction motor housing 2156. That is, cyclone
bin
assembly 2120, pre-motor filter chamber 2208, and suction motor housing 2156
may be positioned in the airflow path with pre-motor filter chamber 2208
downstream of cyclone bin assembly 2160 and suction motor housing 2156
downstream of pre-motor filter chamber 2208.
[00234] In the illustrated example, pre-motor filter chamber 2208 has
a
height 2211 between an upper end 2213 to a lower end 2214 in the direction of
pre-motor filter axis 560, and has a depth 1216 between front wall 2216 and
rear
wall 2220. As exemplified in Figure 25, in some embodiments, cyclone axis 2484
and motor axis 2540 may be parallel and vertically offset as shown. For
example,
each of cyclone axis 2484 and motor axis 2540 may intersect pre-motor filter
chamber 2208 as shown. As exemplified in Figure 25, in some embodiments,
outlet axis 2189 of cyclone chamber outlet 2184 and, motor inlet axis of motor
inlet 2153 may be parallel and vertically offset. For example, each of outlet
axis
2189 and motor inlet axis 2540 may intersect pre-motor filter chamber 2208 as
shown.
[00235] In some embodiments, cyclone chamber outlet 2184 discharges
air
from cyclone chamber 2160 into pre-motor filter chamber 2208, and pre-motor
filter chamber 2208 discharges air into motor inlet 2153. For example, cyclone
chamber outlet 2184 may be positioned at the threshold between cyclone
chamber 2160 and pre-motor filter chamber 2208, and motor inlet 2153 may be
positioned at the threshold between pre-motor filter chamber 2208 and suction
motor housing 2156. In alternative embodiments, one or more conduits (not
shown) may separate pre-motor filter chamber 2208 from cyclone chamber outlet
2184 and/or motor inlet 2153.
[00236] As exemplified in Figure 25, pre-motor filter chamber 2208 has
a
length between a front end 2216 and a rear end 2220. As shown, pre-motor
filter
chamber 2208 may hold pre-motor filters 2229 and 2229 in the airflow path
between cyclone chamber outlet 2184 and motor inlet 2153 for filtering
residual
dirt particles remaining in the airflow. In some embodiments, pre-motor filter
chamber 2208 may hold pre-motor filters 2228 and 2229 in spaced apart relation
to front and rear ends 2216 and 2220. An upstream plenum or header 2256 may
29
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
be provided in the space between upstream pre-motor filter 2228 and front end
2216. A downstream plenum or header 2258 may be provided in the space
between downstream pre-motor filter 2229 and rear end 2220. Air entering
upstream plenum 2256 from cyclone bin assembly 2160 may distribute across the
surface area of pre-motor filter 2228 for traversing filters 2228 and 2229 to
downstream plenum 2258.
[00237] As exemplified in Figure 25, cyclone chamber outlet 2184 may
direct
air into an upper portion of upstream plenum 2256. For example, cyclone
chamber outlet 2184 may be connected to pre-motor filter chamber 2208
proximate upper end 2213. In the illustrated embodiment, motor inlet 2153 may
receive air from a lower portion of downstream plenum 2258. For example, motor
inlet 2153 may be connected to pre-motor filter chamber 2208 proximate lower
end 2214. Accordingly, pre-motor filter chamber 2208 may be used to redirect
the
air from transversely to the cyclone and motor axis without requiring conduits
having bends therein.
[00238] In some embodiments, pre-motor filter housing 208 may include
spacing members positioned to hold the pre-motor filter(s) away from the
filter
housing end walls 216 and 220. For example, referring to Figures 12 and 13,
filter
housing second wall 220 may include upstanding ribs that hold the downstream
side 268 of pre-motor filter 228 spaced apart from filter housing second wall
220
to allow air exiting pre-motor filter 228 to flow laterally between pre-motor
filter 228
and filter housing second wall 220, to filter housing air outlet 240. Filter
housing
first wall 216 may also include upstanding ribs that hold the upstream side
276 of
pre-motor filter 228 spaced apart from filter housing first wall 216 to allow
air to
flow laterally between pre-motor filter 228 and filter housing first wall 216
before
penetrating pre-motor filter 228.
CYCLONE WITH A UNIDIRECTIONAL FLOW OF AIR
[00239] The following is a description of a cyclone with a
unidirectional flow
of air 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
including the cyclone chamber inlet, the cyclone chamber screen member, the
dirt
collection chamber, the cyclone chamber dirt outlet, the cyclone chamber
sidewall,
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
the openable cyclone unit, the second stage cyclone, the mountable surface
cleaning apparatus, and the driving handle.
[00240] In accordance with this aspect a cyclone comprises a cyclone
with a
unidirectional flow of air or a "uniflow" cyclone, wherein the air travels in
a single
direction from a location at which air enters the cyclone chamber to the
location at
which the air exits the cyclone chamber as the air cyclones within the cyclone
chamber. As discussed in more detail, the uniflow cyclone may be horizontally
disposed as opposed to being vertically disposed which is typical in the art.
In
other words, when held by hand and used to clean a surface, the axis of the
cyclone chamber may be closer to horizontal than vertical.
[00241] In accordance with this aspect, the cyclone air inlet may be
at the
front end and the cyclone air outlet may be at the rear end. An advantage of
this
design is that the cyclone inlet may be used to redirect the air from the
inlet
passage 124 to the cyclone chamber and the air may exit the cyclone and travel
linearly to the pre-motor filter. Accordingly, dirty air may travel from the
dirty air
inlet to the pre-motor filter without passing through any bends, thereby
reducing
the backpressure created by flow through the vacuum cleaner.
[00242] Figures 12 and 13 exemplify a cyclone unit including these
aspects.
In this embodiment, at least a portion of the tangential air inlet is provided
inside
the cyclone chamber. Accordingly, the axis of the air inlet conduit (passage
axis
364) may be co-axial with the cyclone axis. As exemplified, cyclone 160
comprises a cyclone sidewall 168 extending axially from a cyclone first end
172
(e.g. front end comprising first end wall 192) to a cyclone second end 176
(e.g.
rear end comprising second end wall 196), a cyclone air inlet 180 which enters
cyclone 160 at a front portion of sidewall 168, a cyclone air outlet 184
provided in
cyclone second end wall 196, and a cyclone dirt outlet 188. Cyclone sidewall
168
includes an upper wall portion 169 and a lower wall portion 171. As
exemplified in
Figure 13, dirty air may enter cyclone 160 tangentially at cyclone air inlet
180, and
swirl (e.g. move cyclonically) through cyclone 160 to separate dirt from the
air
flow, and then exit cyclone 160 through cyclone air outlet 184. The separated
dirt
may be collected within an internal dirt collection area and/or a dirt
collection
chamber exterior to the cyclone 160.
31
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00243] As exemplified, a screen member or vortex finder 204 may extend
axially between cyclone first and second ends 172 and 176. Vortex finder 204
may have any configuration known in the art. For example, vortex finder 204
may
be connected to cyclone second end wall 196 and extend axially towards cyclone
first end 172. Vortex finder 204 may surround cyclone air outlet 184, so that
air
exiting cyclone 160 travels downstream through vortex finder 204 to cyclone
air
outlet 184. Vortex finder 204 may include filter media 206 (e.g. a mesh
screen) to
capture large dirt particles (e.g. hair and coarse dust) that remains in the
air flow
exiting cyclone 160, and may be referred to herein as a screen member.
[00244] Figure 54 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 24112
having
a cyclone chamber 24160 with a unidirectional flow of air. In this embodiment,
the
tangential air inlet is exterior to the cyclone chamber and the cyclone
chamber
sidewall has an inlet port that is at the downstream end of the tangential air
inlet.
As exemplified in Figure 54, cyclone 24160 comprises a cyclone sidewall 24168
extending axially from a cyclone first end 24172 (e.g. front end comprising
first
end wall 24192) to a cyclone second end 24176 (e.g. rear end comprising second
end wall 24196), a cyclone air inlet 24180 which enters cyclone 24160 at a
front
portion of sidewall 24168, a cyclone air outlet 24184 provided in cyclone
second
end wall 24196, and a cyclone dirt outlet 24188. Cyclone sidewall 24168
includes
an upper wall portion 24169 and a lower wall portion 24171. As exemplified in
Figure 54, dirty air may enter cyclone 24160 tangentially at cyclone air inlet
24180
(which is an opening or port in the sidewall 24168), and swirl (e.g. move
cyclonically) through cyclone 24160 to separate dirt from the airflow, and
then exit
cyclone 24160 through cyclone air outlet.
[00245] In the example shown in Figure 54, the separated dirt may be
collected within dirt collection chamber 24164 exterior to the cyclone 24160.
A
cyclone dirt outlet 24188 is provided in the lower wall portion 24171 of the
cyclone
sidewall 24168 at the cyclone second end 24176. The cyclone dirt outlet 24188
can thus be positioned at the downstream end of the cyclone chamber 24160,
which may reduce or prevent dirt from the dirt collection chamber 24164
becoming
re-entrained in the air swirling within cyclone chamber 24160.
32
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
CYCLONE CHAMBER INLET
[00246] The following is a description of a cyclone chamber 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 including the uniflow
cyclone, the cyclone chamber screen member, the dirt collection chamber, the
cyclone chamber dirt outlet, the cyclone chamber sidewall, the openable
cyclone
unit, the second stage cyclone, the mountable surface cleaning apparatus, and
the driving handle.
[00247] In some embodiments described herein, the cyclone unit may be
provided with a cyclone air inlet that is positioned and constructed in any
manner
suitable for directing air tangentially into cyclone 160.In some embodiments,
as
exemplified in Figure 13, the cyclone air inlet may be located inside the
cyclone
chamber. In some embodiments, the cyclone air inlet may be at the outer
periphery of the cyclone chamber (e.g., it may be located off center at the
cyclone
chamber sidewall as exemplified in Figures 13 and 23) or it may be located
centrally (e.g., co-axial with the cyclone chamber as exemplified in Figures
60 and
61). In other embodiments, as exemplified in Figure 54, a tangential cyclone
air
inlet may be located external to the cyclone chamber and terminate at a port
or
opening in the cyclone chamber sidewall
[00248] In the example shown in Figure 13, the cyclone chamber 160 has an
internal tangential air inlet 180. The air inlet 180 has an inlet width that
extends
between a first inlet side 181 and a second inlet side 182. In the example
illustrated, the first inlet side 181 and second inlet side 182 are spaced
apart in a
longitudinal axial direction generally parallel to the cyclone axis of
rotation 484.
The second inlet side 182, or downstream inlet side, is positioned closer to
the
cyclone second end 176 than the first inlet side 182.
[00249] The air inlet passage 128 can extend between the dirty air
inlet 116
and the second inlet side 182. The air inlet passage 128 may have an upstream
portion 131 that extends from dirty air inlet 116 along passage axis 364. As
shown
in Figure 13, the air inlet axis 364 may be generally parallel to the cyclone
axis of
rotation 464. Alternately, the air inlet axis and cyclone axis of rotation may
be
provided with an alternate orientation.
33
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00250] As shown in FIG. 25, handvac cyclone chamber 2160 includes an
air
inlet 2180 and an air outlet 2184. As shown, air inlet 2180 may include an
inlet
axis 2185 which is parallel to cyclone axis 2484. Air inlet 2180 may have a
circular section transverse to axis 2185 with an inlet diameter 2186, and may
terminate at a rectangular port in the cyclone chamber sidewall that has a
side
dimension or height 2186. Preferably, the cross-sectional area of air inlet
2180 is
approximately equal to the cross-sectional area of inlet nozzle 2128.
Preferably,
the cross-sectional area of air inlet 2180 is between 80%-125% of the cross-
sectional area of the inlet nozzle 2128, more preferably 90%-120%, and most
preferably 100%-115%.
[00251] Preferably, inlet 2180 is in fluid communication with an
upstream
end 2532 of an inlet passage 2187. Inlet passage 2187 may redirect the axial
flow through inlet 2128 to a tangential flow so that when the air enters the
cyclone
chamber 2160, the air will travel in a cyclonic motion. Inlet passage 2187 may
extend from upstream passage end 2532 to downstream passage end 2536
across an arcuate angular extent (see also Figures 51 and 55). Preferably the
angular extent is between 45 and 300 , more preferably between 60 and 250 ,
and most preferably between 90 and 200 .
[00252] Returning to FIG. 25, inlet passage 2187 is shown having a
width
2533, and a height 2534. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of
inlet
passage 2187 may be approximately equal to the cross-sectional area of air
inlet
2180. Preferably, the cross-sectional area of inlet passage 2187 is between
80%-
125% of the cross-sectional area of the inlet 2180, more preferably 90%-120%,
and most preferably 100%-115%.
[00253] Returning to Figure 13, the inlet passage 128 can also include a
downstream portion 132 that extends to the cyclone air inlet 180 in a
direction
generally transverse to the cyclone axis 364. Air entering the surface
cleaning
apparatus 100 can pass through the air inlet passage 128 and to the cyclone
air
inlet 180. In some embodiments, the sidewall of the air inlet passage 128 can
include a transition region or elbow 133 (see for example Figure 48B) between
the
upstream portion 131 and the downstream portion 132. The transition region 133
34
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
can redirect air that is travelling along the air inlet axis 364 to travel
through the
tangential air inlet 180 in a plane transverse to the air inlet axis 364.
[00254] In some embodiments, the upstream portion 131 of the air inlet
passage 128 can extend substantially linearly from the dirty air inlet to the
downstream portion 132. The transition region 133 can then provide an elbow
that
turns the air about 90 degrees to the inlet of the tangential air inlet 180.
This may
promote an improved flow pattern and separation efficiency through the cyclone
unit 112.
[00255] As shown, the transition region 133 may include a rounded
elbow.
As illustrated in Figures 48B-48E, the transition region 133 nonetheless
defines a
90 degree turn while the inner surface of the transition region 133a is
rounded
(e.g., it may be concave). This may reduce backpressure in the air flow
passage.
[00256] Alternately, the transition region 133b may have a
substantially
straight inner elbow that forms a 90 degree turn in the air inlet passage 128b
as
shown in Figures 49A-49D. This may encourage dirt or debris to separate from
the air as it enters the cyclone chamber 160.
[00257] As exemplified, air may exit cyclone air outlet 184 in a flow
direction
that is generally parallel to the suction motor axis of rotation 540. This may
reduce
the number of bends in the air flow passage in this section of the surface
cleaning
apparatus 100.
[00258] In the example illustrated in Figure 13, the air inlet axis
384, cyclone
axis 383 and suction motor axis of rotation 540 are all parallel. This may
encourage linear air flow through the surface cleaning apparatus and provide
improved air flow efficiency.
[00259] It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, only some of
these
axes may be parallel. For example, only the air inlet axis 364 and the cyclone
axis
of rotation 484 may be parallel.
[00260] Alternately, the air inlet axis 364, cyclone axis of rotation
484 and
suction motor axis of rotation 540 may have any suitable alignment relative to
one
another.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00261] Alternately, in some embodiments the air inlet passage axis 364
may be oriented transverse to the cyclone axis 484 (e.g. with the cyclone
vertically
oriented). In some such embodiments, the transition region may be omitted. For
instance, the air inlet passage 128 may then be axially aligned with, and
parallel
to, the cyclone air inlet 180. This may assist in reducing backpressure
through the
surface cleaning apparatus 100, by reducing the number of bends in the airflow
passage.
[00262] Returning to the example shown in Figure 13, dirty air may
enter
cyclone 160 tangentially at cyclone air inlet 180 (which extends into the
cyclone
chamber 160 from the upper portion 169 of the cyclone sidewall 168), and swirl
(e.g. move cyclonically) through cyclone 160 to separate dirt from the air
flow, and
then exit cyclone 160 through cyclone air outlet 184.
[00263] If a tangential inlet is used, then air may enter the cyclone
chamber
as a band that substantially maintains its form as it swirls around the
cyclone
chamber. To ensure that dirt and debris is sufficiently separated from the
swirling
air, each band of air entering the cyclone chamber optionally completes a
minimum number of revolutions around the cyclone chamber, e.g. 3 or 4
revolutions. Depending on the density of dirt entrained in the air entering
the dirty
air inlet, the number of revolutions around the cyclone chamber 160 needed to
separate dirt from the air in the cyclone chamber 160 may vary. The tangential
cyclone air inlet 180 enables the air entering the cyclone chamber 160 to
define
the bands circulating within the cyclone chamber 160, which allows the surface
cleaning apparatus to clean air with differing dirt densities.
[00264] As shown in the example of Figures 12 and 13, the cyclone air
inlet
180 includes a conduit 129 that extends into, and is located interior to, the
cyclone
chamber 160. The conduit 129 can define the downstream portion 132 of the air
inlet passage 128 that directs air to flow tangentially into the cyclone
chamber
160. This may allow the air inlet passage 128 to be axially aligned with a
portion
of the cyclone chamber 160 (e.g. the air inlet axis 364 may extend through
cyclone chamber 160). This may promote a more compact design for the surface
cleaning apparatus, for instance with the width of the surface cleaning
apparatus
may be limited only by the width of the cyclone unit 112 and/or suction motor
and
36
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
fan assembly 152. In the example shown, a projection of the air inlet passage
128
is contained entirely within the perimeter of the cyclone unit 112 (i.e.
within the
outer wall 552 of the cyclone unit 112).
[00265] The second side 182 of the air inlet 180 can include a wall 183
positioned in the cyclone chamber 160. The wall 183 can be positioned in a
plane
that extends transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal cyclone axis 484
(see
for example Figure 60) or at an angle thereto (see for example Figures 61 and
62). The wall 183 may define the axially inner end of the tangential inlet.
[00266] Figure 60 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 26112
having
a cyclone air inlet 26180 that includes a conduit 26129 that extends into, and
is
located interior to, the cyclone chamber 26160. In this example, the dirt
collection
chamber 26164 is formed internally within the cyclone chamber 26160. The dirt
collection chamber 26164 is formed at the second end of the cyclone chamber
26160. This may promote a more compact design for the surface cleaning
apparatus, for instance with the width of the cyclone unit limited only by the
width
of the cyclone chamber 26160.
[00267] In the example shown in Figure 60, the second or axially inner
side
26182 of the air inlet 26180 is defined by a wall 26183 that extends into the
cyclone chamber 26160 along a plane that extends transverse or perpendicular
to
the longitudinal cyclone axis 26484.
[00268] Figure 61 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 27112
having
a cyclone air inlet 27180 that includes a conduit 27129 that extends into, and
is
located interior to, the cyclone chamber 27160. Similar to cyclone unit 26112,
the
dirt collection chamber 27164 is formed internally at the second end 27176 the
cyclone chamber 27160. The dirt collection chamber 27164 is formed at the
second end of the cyclone chamber 27160.
[00269] In the example shown in Figure 61, the second side 27182 of the
air
inlet 27180 is defined by a wall 27183 that extends into the cyclone chamber
27160. Unlike cyclone unit 26122, the wall 27183 extends into cyclone chamber
27160 at a non-perpendicular angle to the longitudinal cyclone axis 27484.
This
may reduce the angle of the bend in the air flow passage, which may reduce
backpressure through this section of the surface cleaning apparatus.
37
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00270] Figure 62 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 28112
having
a cyclone air inlet 28180 that includes a conduit 28129 that extends into, and
is
located interior to, the cyclone chamber 28160. Similar to cyclone units 26112
and
27112, the dirt collection chamber 28164 is formed internally at the second
end
28176 the cyclone chamber 28160. The dirt collection chamber 28164 is formed
at the second end of the cyclone chamber 28160.
[00271] In the example shown in Figure 62, the second side 28182 of
the air
inlet 28180 is defined by a wall 28183 that extends into the cyclone chamber
28160. Similar to cyclone unit 27122, the wall 28183 extends into cyclone
chamber 28160 at a non-perpendicular angle to the longitudinal cyclone axis
28484. In cyclone unit 28112, the wall 28183 extends in a direction closer to
the
longitudinal axis 2848. As a result, a portion of the wall 28183 may extend
beyond
the first end 28205 of the vortex finder 28204.
[00272] Alternately, the cyclone air inlet may terminate at an inlet
port in the
sidewall of the cyclone chamber. This may provide additional volume for air to
circulate within the cyclone chamber. This may allow the vortex finder to
extend
through a greater portion of the cyclone chamber, and in some cases the vortex
finder may even to the first or inlet end of the cyclone chamber.
[00273] Referring to Figures 51-54, shown therein is an example of a
surface
cleaning apparatus 24100 in which the cyclone air inlet 24180 terminates at a
cyclone inlet port 24134 formed in the sidewall 24168 of the cyclone chamber
24160. In the example illustrated, the cyclone chamber 24160 extends
longitudinally between a cyclone first end 24172 and a cyclone second end
24176. The cyclone chamber 24160 has a longitudinally extending sidewall
24168. The cyclone inlet port 24134 is a the terminal end of a tangential
inlet and
is an opening formed in the longitudinally extending sidewall 24168. The
cyclone
air inlet 24180 extends from a cyclone air inlet upstream end 24532 to a
cyclone
air inlet downstream end 24536. The cyclone air inlet downstream end 24536 may
be oriented to direct air substantially tangentially to the inner surface of
sidewall
24168.
[00274] In the illustrated example of Figure 51, cyclone air inlet
24180 is
formed as a curved passage 24187 extending from a cyclone air inlet upstream
38
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
end 24532 to a cyclone air inlet downstream end 24536 (see also the cyclone
air
inlet 25180 shown in Figure 58). The curved passage may provide a gradual
change of direction for the air passing through the cyclone air inlet 24180,
which
may reduce backpressure through the cyclone air inlet 24180 ends at a port
formed in cyclone sidewall 24168 at cyclone first end 24172. Cyclone air
outlet
24184 is formed in cyclone second end wall 24196 at the cyclone second end
24176. The cyclone air inlet 24180 has an inlet width that extends between a
first
inlet side 24181 and a second inlet side 24182. In the example illustrated,
the first
inlet side 24181 and second inlet side 24182 are spaced apart in a
longitudinal
axial direction generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation 24484. The
second
inlet side 24182, or downstream inlet side, is positioned closer to the
cyclone
second end 24176 than the first inlet side 24182.
[00275] As exemplified, an dirt collection chamber 24164 external to
the
cyclone chamber 24160 is provided. As air circulates through the cyclone
chamber 24160, dirt may be collected in the dirt collection chamber 24164. The
cyclone chamber 24160 can be fluidly coupled to the dirt collection chamber
24164 by a dirt outlet 24188. As shown in Figures 53 and 54, the dirt outlet
24188
is formed as an outlet port in the cyclone chamber sidewall 24168.
[00276] In the example shown in Figures 51-54, the dirt collection
chamber
24164 is a semi-annular dirt collection chamber that extends around a lower
half
of the cyclone chamber 24160. Alternately or in addition, the dirt collection
chamber may extend around a greater proportion of the cyclone chamber and the
dirt collection chamber may be an annular chamber surrounding the cyclone
chamber.
[00277] Figures 55-59 illustrate another example of a cyclone unit 25112 in
which the cyclone air inlet 25180 terminates at a cyclone inlet port 25134
formed
in the sidewall 25168 of the cyclone chamber 25160. The cyclone unit 25112 has
a longitudinally extending cyclone sidewall 25168 that extends generally
parallel
to the cyclone axis of rotation 25484. The cyclone inlet port 25134 may be
oriented to direct air substantially tangentially to the inner surface of
sidewall
25168.
39
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00278] The cyclone air inlet 25180 has an inlet width that extends
between
a first inlet side 25181 and a second inlet side 25182. In the example
illustrated,
the first inlet side 25181 and second inlet side 25182 are spaced apart in a
longitudinal axial direction generally parallel to the cyclone axis of
rotation 25484.
The second inlet side 25182, or downstream inlet side, is positioned closer to
the
cyclone second end 25176 than the first inlet side 25182.
[00279] As shown in Figure 58, the cyclone unit 25112 includes an
annular
dirt collection chamber 25164. The dirt collection chamber 25164 extends
around
the entirety of the cyclone chamber 25160. In this example, the dirt outlet
25188
may be provided as an annular outlet formed in the cyclone chamber sidewall
24168. It will be appreciated that the dirt outlet may extend around the same
portion of the perimeter of the sidewall as the dirt collection chamber or a
smaller
amount of the perimeter (e.g., the dirt collection chamber may have the same
or a
larger angular extent than the dirt outlet).
[00280] Returning to Figure 13, in the example shown, the cyclone air inlet
180 may be positioned at, or in, an upper portion of the sidewall 168 of the
cyclone 160. An advantage of this design is that is that it inhibits dirt that
may
remain in cyclone chamber 160 from exiting or blocking the air inlet when the
apparatus is moved to various operating angles.
[00281] As also shown in Figure 54, cyclone air inlet 24180 may be
positioned above cyclone axis of rotation 24484 and suction motor axis of
rotation
24540. For example, cyclone air inlet 24180 may be positioned at an upper end
24544 of cyclone 24160. This allows gravity to assist with inhibiting dirt
inside
cyclone 24160 from blocking or exiting cyclone air inlet 24180. This is
because at
least a portion of the cyclone 24160 will be positioned below the cyclone air
inlet
24180 when apparatus 24100 is held at various operating angles, so that the
dirt
inside will tend to fall away from cyclone air inlet 24180.
[00282] It will be appreciated that if cyclone air inlet is located in
the cyclone
chamber and at an upper end of the cyclone chamber, then inlet passage may be
located above the central longitudinal axis of cyclone. For example, as
exemplified in Figures 1 and 13, cyclone air inlet 180 may be a tangential air
inlet
so that air entering the cyclone 160 will tend to rotate as the air travels
axially
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
through the cyclone 160, thereby dis-entraining dirt and debris from the air
flow,
before leaving the cyclone via the air outlet 184. Further, inlet passage 128
extends longitudinally between passage inlet end 124 (i.e., the dirty air
inlet 116)
and passage outlet end 130 along a longitudinal passage axis 364, and passage
outlet end 130 communicates (e.g. is positioned upstream) of cyclone air inlet
180. Passage axis 364 may be linear, and all of the longitudinal passage axis
364
may be positioned above cyclone axis of rotation 484 when surface cleaning
apparatus 100 is positioned with bottom 125 on a horizontal surface.
[00283] Alternately or in addition, cyclone inlet passage 128 may be
located
above (exterior to) cyclone 160. For example, Figures 51 and 56 illustrate
examples of cyclone unit 24112 and 25112 respectively in which the cyclone
inlet
passage 24128/25128 is located above the cyclone chamber 24160/25160.
[00284] Alternately, the cyclone air inlet 180 may be positioned at any
suitable location for directing air into the cyclone chamber 160.
[00285] Various configurations of cyclone inlets and cyclone inlet passages
may be used by itself or with any aspect or any embodiment described herein.
Figures 46-50 exemplify different cyclone inlets and inlet passages.
[00286] The example inlets shown in Figures 46A-46L are configured to
use
inlet passages with a circular cross-section, although inlet passages having
an
alternate shape in a direction transverse to the passage axis may also be
used. In
various examples, each of the inlet passages shown in Figures 46A-46L may be
used with rounded transition regions, straight angle transition regions, or
other
types of transition elbows.
[00287] Figure 46A illustrates an example of a cyclone air inlet 21180a
that
may be used with a cyclone chamber 21160a in some embodiments. The cyclone
air inlet 21180a has a downstream end 21536a that extends into the cyclone
chamber 21160a. The upstream end 21532a of the cyclone air inlet 21180a can
be fluidly coupled to a dirty air inlet, such as dirty air inlet 116 shown in
Figures 1-
13.
[00288] As shown in Figure 46A, the upstream end 21532a of the cyclone air
inlet 21180a is substantially centrally aligned with the cyclone chamber
21160a.
41
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
The downstream end 21536a of the cyclone inlet 21180a is radially outward of
the
upstream end 21532a.
[00289] Figure 46B illustrates another example of a cyclone air inlet
21180b
that may be used with a cyclone chamber 21160b in some embodiments. In the
example shown in Figure 46B, the cyclone air inlet 21180b includes a pair of
separate cyclone inlets 21180b1 and 21180b2 coupled to the same upstream end
21532b. The downstream end 21536b of each cyclone inlet 21180b extends into
the cyclone chamber 21160b. By providing multiple cyclone inlets 21180b1 and
21180b2, the cross-sectional area of each cyclone inlet 21180b may be reduced
while still providing the same volume of air to cyclone chamber 21160b. The
downstream end 21536b of each cyclone inlet 21180b may be circumferentially
spaced apart around the perimeter of the cyclone chamber 21160b. This may
provide separation between the bands of dirty air entering the cyclone chamber
21160b.
[00290] The upstream end 21532b of the cyclone air inlet 21180b can be
fluidly coupled to a dirty air inlet, such as dirty air inlet 116 shown in
Figures 1-13.
As shown in Figure 46B, the upstream end 21532b of the cyclone air inlet
21180b
is substantially centrally aligned with the cyclone chamber 21160b. The
downstream end 21536b of each cyclone inlet 21180b is radially outward of the
upstream end 21532b.
[00291] Figure 46C illustrates an example of a cyclone air inlet
21180c that
may be used with a cyclone chamber 21160c in some embodiments. The cyclone
air inlet 21180c has a downstream end 21536c that is located in the cyclone
chamber 21160c. The upstream end 21532c of the cyclone air inlet 21180c can
be fluidly coupled to a dirty air inlet, such as dirty air inlet 116 shown in
Figures 1-
13.
[00292] As shown in Figure 46C, the upstream end 21532c and downstream
end 21536c of the cyclone inlet 21180c are radially aligned relative to the
cyclone
chamber sidewall 21168c. This may reduce change in direction between the
upstream end 21532c and downstream end 21536c, which may reduce
backpressure through the cyclone inlet 21180c. The upstream end 21532c and
42
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
downstream end 21536c of the cyclone inlet 21180c are radially outward of the
center of the cyclone chamber 21160c.
[00293] Figure 46D illustrates another example of cyclone air inlets
21180d1
and 21180d2 that may be used with a cyclone chamber 21160d in some
embodiments. In the example shown in Figure 46D, a pair of separate cyclone
inlets 21180d1 and 21180d2 can be used to direct air into the cyclone chamber
21160d. Each cyclone inlet 21180d1 and 21180d1 has a separate upstream end
21532d that can be fluidly coupled to one or more dirty air inlets, such as
dirty air
inlet 116 shown in Figures 1-13.
[00294] The downstream end 21536d of each cyclone inlet 21180d1 and
21180d2 is located in the cyclone chamber 21160d. By providing multiple
cyclone
inlets 21180d1 and 21180d2, the cross-sectional area of each cyclone inlet
21180d may be reduced while still providing the same volume of air to cyclone
chamber 21160d. The downstream end 21536d of each cyclone inlet 21180d may
be circumferentially spaced apart from each other around the perimeter of the
cyclone chamber 21160d. This may provide separation between the bands of dirty
air entering the cyclone chamber 21160d.
[00295] As shown in Figure 46D, the upstream end 21532d and downstream
end 21536d of each cyclone inlet 21180d1 and 21180d2 are radially aligned
relative to the cyclone chamber sidewall 21168d (e.g., a radial outer wall of
each
cyclone inlet 21180d1 and 21180d2 is defined by the cyclone chamber sidewall).
This may reduce the change in direction between the upstream end 21532d and
downstream end 21536d, which may reduce backpressure through each cyclone
inlet 21180d. The upstream end 21532d and downstream end 21536d of each
cyclone inlet 21180d are radially outward of the center of the cyclone chamber
21160d.
[00296] Figure 46E illustrates another example of a cyclone air inlet
21180e
that may be used with a cyclone chamber 21160e in some embodiments. The
cyclone air inlet 21180e has a downstream end 21536e that extends into the
cyclone chamber 21160e. The upstream end 21532e of the cyclone air inlet
21180e can be fluidly coupled to a dirty air inlet, such as dirty air inlet
116 shown
in Figures 1-13.
43
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00297] As shown in Figure 46E, the upstream end 21532e of the cyclone
air
inlet 21180e is substantially centrally aligned with the cyclone chamber
21160e.
The downstream end 21536e of the cyclone inlet 21180e is radially outward of
the
upstream end 21532e. The cyclone air inlet 21180e is substantially similar to
the
cyclone air inlet 21180a except that the cyclone air inlet 21180e has a
greater
change of direction, and the downstream end 21536e is optionally aligned
perpendicular to the radius of the cyclone chamber.
[00298] The cyclone air inlet 21180e is substantially similar to the
cyclone air
inlet 21180a except that the cyclone air inlet 21180e has a greater change of
direction, and the downstream end 21536e of each cyclone air inlet 21180e is
optionally aligned perpendicular to the radius of the cyclone chamber.
[00299] Figure 46F illustrates another example of a cyclone air inlet
21180f
that may be used with a cyclone chamber 21160f in some embodiments. In the
example shown in Figure 46F, the cyclone air inlet 21180f includes a pair of
separate cyclone inlets 2118f1 and 21180f2 coupled to the same upstream end
21532f. The downstream end 21536f of each cyclone inlet 21180f is located in
the
cyclone chamber 21160f. By providing multiple cyclone inlets 21180f1 and
21180f2, the cross-sectional area of each cyclone inlet 21180f may be reduced
while still providing the same volume of air to cyclone chamber 21160f. The
downstream end 21536f of each cyclone inlet 21180f may be circumferentially
spaced apart around the perimeter of the cyclone chamber 21160f from each
other. This may provide separation between the bands of dirty air entering the
cyclone chamber 21160f.
[00300] The upstream end 21532f of the cyclone air inlet 21180f can be
fluidly coupled to a dirty air inlet, such as dirty air inlet 116 shown in
Figures 1-13.
As shown in Figure 46F, the upstream end 21532f of the cyclone air inlet
21180f
is substantially centrally aligned with the cyclone chamber 21160f. The
downstream end 21536f of each cyclone inlet 21180f is radially outward of the
upstream end 21532f.
[00301] The cyclone air inlet 21180f is substantially similar to the
cyclone air
inlet 21180b except that each cyclone air inlet 21180f has a greater change of
44
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
direction, and the downstream end 21536f of each cyclone air inlet 21180f is
optionally aligned perpendicular to the radius of the cyclone chamber.
[00302] Figure 46G illustrates an example of a cyclone air inlet
21180g that
may be used with a cyclone chamber 21160g in some embodiments. The cyclone
air inlet 21180g has a downstream end 21536g that extends into the cyclone
chamber 21160g. The upstream end 21532g of the cyclone air inlet 21180g can
be fluidly coupled to a dirty air inlet, such as dirty air inlet 116 shown in
Figures 1-
13.
[00303] As shown in Figure 46G, the upstream end 21532g and downstream
end 21536g of the cyclone inlet 21180g are radially aligned relative to the
cyclone
chamber sidewall 21168g. This may reduce change in direction between the
upstream end 21532g and downstream end 21536g, which may reduce
backpressure through the cyclone inlet 21180g. The upstream end 21532g and
downstream end 21536g of the cyclone inlet 21180g are radially outward of the
center of the cyclone chamber 21160g.
[00304] The cyclone air inlet 21180g is substantially similar to the
cyclone air
inlet 21180c except that each cyclone air inlet 21180g has a greater radial
extent,
and the downstream end 21536g of each cyclone air inlet 21180g is aligned
perpendicular to the radius of the cyclone chamber.
[00305] Figure 46H illustrates another example of cyclone air inlets
21180h1
and 21180h2 that may be used with a cyclone chamber 21160h in some
embodiments. In the example shown in Figure 46H, a pair of separate cyclone
inlets 21180h1 and 21180h2 can be used to direct air into the cyclone chamber
21160h. Each cyclone inlet 21180h1 and 21180h2 has a separate upstream end
21532h that can be fluidly coupled to one or more dirty air inlets, such as
dirty air
inlet 116 shown in Figures 1-13.
[00306] The downstream end 21536h of each cyclone inlet 21180h1 and
21180h2 is in the cyclone chamber 21160h. By providing multiple cyclone inlets
21180h1 and 21180h2, the cross-sectional area of each cyclone inlet 21180h may
be reduced while still providing the same volume of air to cyclone chamber
21160h. The downstream end 21536h of each cyclone inlet 21180h may be
circumferentially spaced from each other apart around the perimeter of the
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
cyclone chamber 21160h. This may provide separation between the bands of dirty
air entering the cyclone chamber 21160h.
[00307] As shown in Figure 46H, the upstream end 21532h and downstream
end 21536h of each cyclone inlet 21180h1 and 21180h2 are radially aligned
relative to the cyclone chamber sidewall 21168h. This may reduce change in
direction between the upstream end 21532h and downstream end 21536h, which
may reduce backpressure through each cyclone inlet 21180h. The upstream end
21532h and downstream end 21536h of each cyclone inlet 21180h are radially
outward of the center of the cyclone chamber 21160h.
[00308] The cyclone air inlet 21180h is substantially similar to the
cyclone air
inlet 21180d except that each cyclone air inlet 21180h has a greater radial
extent,
and the downstream end 21536h of each cyclone air inlet 21180h is aligned
perpendicular to the radius of the cyclone chamber.
[00309] Figure 461 illustrates another example of a cyclone air inlet
21180i
that may be used with a cyclone chamber 21160i in some embodiments. The
cyclone air inlet 21180i has a downstream end 21536i that is in the cyclone
chamber 21160i. The upstream end 21532i of the cyclone air inlet 21180i can be
fluidly coupled to a dirty air inlet, such as dirty air inlet 116 shown in
Figures 1-13.
[00310] The downstream end 21536i of the cyclone inlet 21180i is
radially
inward of the upstream end 21532i. The cyclone air inlet 21180i is
substantially
similar to the cyclone air inlet 21180a except that a projection of the
upstream end
21532i of the cyclone air inlet 21180i intersects the sidewall 21168i of the
cyclone
chamber 21160i.
[00311] Figure 46J illustrates another example of cyclone air inlets
21180j1
and 21180j2 that may be used with a cyclone chamber 21160j in some
embodiments. In the example shown in Figure 46J, a pair of separate cyclone
inlets 21180j1 and 21180j2 can be used to direct air into the cyclone chamber
21160j. Each cyclone inlet 21180j1 and 21180j2 has a separate upstream end
21532j that can be fluidly coupled to one or more dirty air inlets, such as
dirty air
inlet 116 shown in Figures 1-13.
46
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00312] The downstream end 21536j of each cyclone inlet 21180j1 and
21180j2 is in the cyclone chamber 21160j. By providing multiple cyclone inlets
21180j1 and 21180j2, the cross-sectional area of each cyclone inlet 21180j may
be reduced while still providing the same volume of air to cyclone chamber
21160j. The downstream end 21536h of each cyclone inlet 21180j may be
circumferentially spaced apart from each other around the perimeter of the
cyclone chamber 21160j. This may provide separation between the bands of dirty
air entering the cyclone chamber 21160j.
[00313] The downstream end 21536j of each cyclone inlet 21180j is
radially
inward of the upstream end 21532j. The cyclone air inlet 21180j is
substantially
similar to the cyclone air inlet 21180d except that a projection of the
upstream end
21532j of each cyclone air inlet 21180j intersects the sidewall 21168j of the
cyclone chamber 21160j.
[00314] Figure 46K illustrates an example of a cyclone air inlet 21180k
that
may be used with a cyclone chamber 21160k in some embodiments. The cyclone
air inlet 21180k has a downstream end 21536k that is in the cyclone chamber
21160k. The upstream end 21532k of the cyclone air inlet 21180k can be fluidly
coupled to a dirty air inlet, such as dirty air inlet 116 shown in Figures 1-
13.
[00315] The downstream end 21536k of the cyclone inlet 21180k is
radially
inward of the upstream end 21532k. The cyclone air inlet 21180k is
substantially
similar to the cyclone air inlet 21180i except that a projection of the
upstream end
21532k of the cyclone air inlet 21180k is radially outward from the sidewall
21168k of the cyclone chamber 21160k.
[00316] Figure 46L illustrates another example of cyclone air inlets
2118011
and 2118012 that may be used with a cyclone chamber 211601 in some
embodiments. In the example shown in Figure 46L, a pair of separate cyclone
inlets 2118011 and 2118012 can be used to direct air into the cyclone chamber
211601. Each cyclone inlet 2118011 and 2118012 has a separate upstream end
215321 that can be fluidly coupled to one or more dirty air inlets, such as
dirty air
inlet 116 shown in Figures 1-13.
[00317] The downstream end 215361 of each cyclone inlet 2118011 and
2118012 is in the cyclone chamber 211601. By providing multiple cyclone inlets
47
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
2118011 and 2118012, the cross-sectional area of each cyclone inlet 211801 may
be reduced while still providing the same volume of air to cyclone chamber
211601. The downstream end 215361 of each cyclone inlet 211801 may be
circumferentially spaced apart from each other around the perimeter of the
.. cyclone chamber 211601. This may provide separation between the bands of
dirty
air entering the cyclone chamber 211601.
[00318] The downstream end 215361 of each cyclone inlet 211801 is
radially
inward of the upstream end 215321. The cyclone air inlet 211801 is
substantially
similar to the cyclone air inlet 21180j except that a projection of the
upstream end
215321 of each cyclone air inlet 211801 is radially outward of the sidewall
211681 of
the cyclone chamber 211601.
[00319] Figures 47A-47D illustrate examples of cyclone air inlets 22180
that
may be used with a cyclone chamber 22160 in accordance with various
embodiment. Each of the cyclone air inlets 22180a-22180d are generally similar
to the cyclone air inlet 21180a, except that the cross-section shape of the
airflow
passage in a direction transverse to the direction of air flow through the
cyclone
air inlets 22180a-22180d is non-circular. The non-circular air inlets and air
inlet
passages may be used interchangeably in place of the circular air inlet
passages
illustrated in other embodiments herein.
[00320] As shown in Figure 47A, the cyclone air inlet 22180a may have an
elliptical cross-section in some embodiments. Figure 47B illustrates an
example of
a cyclone air inlet 22180b with an irregularly shaped cross-section. Figure
47C
illustrates an example of a cyclone air inlet 22180c with another irregularly
shaped
cross-section. Figure 47D illustrates an example of a cyclone air inlet 22180d
with
a rectangular cross-section. It will be appreciated that various other shapes
may
also be used with cyclone air inlets in embodiments described herein.
[00321] Figures 48A-48E illustrate the configuration of an example
cyclone
air inlet 180b that may be used with surface cleaning apparatus 100. The
cyclone
air inlet 180b has a profile that generally corresponds to the cyclone air
inlet
22180g, with a rounded elbow or transition region 133. The rounded transition
region may reduce backpressure in the air flow passage. As exemplified in
Figure
48
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
48E, the rearward wall 183 of the inlet is also rounded inwardly (e.g., it may
be
concave).
[00322] Figures 50A-50D illustrate the configuration of another
example
cyclone air inlet 23180 that may be used with surface cleaning apparatus 100.
The cyclone air inlet 23180 is generally similar to cyclone air inlet 180
except that
cyclone air inlet 23180 and air flow passage 23128 have a rectangular cross-
section as exemplified in Figure 47D. In the example shown, cyclone air inlet
23180 has a straight edged elbow or transition region 23133.
[00323] Alternately or in addition, the cyclone air inlet may be an
axial inlet.
In such a case, a plurality of vane members may be provided to induce cyclonic
flow in the cyclone chamber 160 as the air that exits the inlet passage 128.
[00324] Figures 63-65 illustrate an example of a cyclone unit 27112 in
which
vane members 27600 are used to direct air flow into the cyclone chamber 27160.
The vane members may be curved so that the air entering the cyclone chamber
27160 may be gradually directed towards a tangential air flow path when
passing
through the vanes 27160.
[00325] As shown in Figure 64, the inlet passage is an annular
passage,
which optionally as exemplified, has a diameter larger than the diameter of
the
cyclone chamber. Accordingly, the vanes 27600 may be circumferentially spaced
around the outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber first end 27172 and direct
the
air radially inwardly as well as inducing a cyclonic flow.
[00326] The vanes 27600 can be positioned around the entire periphery
of
the cyclone chamber first end 27172. This may allow air to enter the cyclone
chamber 27160 around the perimeter of the cyclone chamber first end 27172.
This may maximize the volume within cyclone chamber 27160 that is used to
separate dirt that is entrained in the swirling air.
[00327] Air entering the dirty air inlet 27116 can travel along the
air inlet
passage 27128 towards the cyclone chamber 27160. A diversion member 27610
can be positioned in a downstream portion 27132 of the air inlet passage
27128.
The diversion member 27610 can be configured to distribute air towards the
49
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
annular portion of the air inlet passage 27128 and then to vanes 27600 that
are
spaced around the cyclone chamber 27160.
[00328] As shown, the diversion member 27610 has a curved or tapered
profile. The diversion member 27610 may be narrower at its upstream end 27611
and then increase in width towards its downstream end 27612. This may reduce
the backpressure through the air inlet passage 27128. Optionally, as
exemplified,
the diversion member 27160 may be curved (e.g., bullet shaped).
[00329] Alternately, the diversion member 27610 may be any suitable
configuration to divert air towards all of the vanes 27600 spaced around the
cyclone chamber 27160. For example, the diversion member 27610 may be flat.
This may allow a more compact design of the air inlet passage 27128.
[00330] Alternately or in addition, the vanes may have a three-
dimensional
curvature. For example, the vanes 27160 may be curved radially as well as
longitudinally. Alternately, straight or flat vanes may be used.
[00331] Figures 66-67 illustrate another example of a cyclone unit 28112 in
which straight vane members 28600 are used to direct air flow into the cyclone
chamber 28160. As with the embodiment shown in Figures 63-35, the vanes
28600 are circumferentially spaced around the first end 28172 of the cyclone
chamber 28160. In this example, the outer diameter of the vanes is the same as
the diameter of the cyclone chamber sidewall. Therefore, a projection of the
vanes
would be located in the cyclone chamber.
[00332] Air entering the dirty air inlet 28116 can travel along the air
inlet
passage 28128 towards the cyclone chamber 28160. A diversion member 28610
can be positioned in a downstream portion 28132 of the air inlet passage
28128.
The diversion member 28610 can be configured to distribute air towards the
vanes 28600 that are spaced around the cyclone chamber 28160. The air may
then be directed to have a cyclonic flow in cyclone chamber 28160 by vanes
28600. As a projection of the vanes would be located in the cyclone chamber,
the
vanes need not direct the air inwardly.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00333] Figures 68-70 illustrate another example of a cyclone unit
29112 in
which vane members 29600 are used to direct air flow into the cyclone chamber
29160.
[00334] As shown in Figure 70, the vanes 29600 may be
circumferentially
spaced inwardly from the cyclone chamber sidewall and internal the cyclone
chamber first end 27172. Accordingly, unlike the cyclone units shown in
Figures
63-67, the vanes 29600 may be positioned to direct air radially outward into
the
cyclone chamber 29160. This may direct air away from the vortex finder 29204
which may reduce the volume of dirt and debris that collections on the vortex
finder 29204.
[00335] The vanes 29600 can be positioned around the entire periphery
of
the downstream portion 29132 of the air inlet passage 29128. The vanes 29600
may direct to enter the cyclone chamber 29160 around the perimeter of the
cyclone chamber first end 29172. This may maximize the volume within cyclone
chamber 29160 that is used to separate dirt that is entrained in the swirling
air.
[00336] Air entering the dirty air inlet 29116 can travel along the
air inlet
passage 29128 towards the cyclone chamber 29160. The air can then enter the
cyclone chamber 29160 via the vanes 29600. A diversion member 29610 can be
positioned in a downstream portion 29132 of the air inlet passage 29128. The
diversion member 29610 can be configured to distribute air outwardly towards
the
vanes 30600 that are spaced around the diversion member 30610. The air can
then be directed outwardly into the cyclone chamber 30160 by vanes 30600.
[00337] Figures 71-72 illustrate another example of a cyclone unit
30112 in
which straight vane members 30600 are used to direct air flow into the cyclone
chamber 30160. As with the embodiment shown in Figures 68-70, the vanes
30600 are circumferentially spaced inwardly from the cyclone chamber sidewall
and internal the cyclone chamber first end 30172 of the cyclone chamber 30160.
However, instead of inwardly curved vanes 29600, the vanes 30600 used with
cyclone unit 30112 are straight.
[00338] Air entering the dirty air inlet 30116 can travel along the air
inlet
passage 30128 towards the cyclone chamber 30160. The air can then enter the
cyclone chamber 30160 via the vanes 30600. A diversion member 30610 can be
51
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
positioned in a downstream portion 30132 of the air inlet passage 30128. The
diversion member 30610 can be configured to distribute air outwardly towards
the
vanes 30600 that are spaced around the diversion member 30610. The air can
then be directed outwardly into the cyclone chamber 30160 by vanes 30600.
[00339] Figures 73-75 illustrate another example of a cyclone unit 31112 in
which vane members 31600 are used to direct air flow into the cyclone chamber
31160. As with the embodiment shown in Figures 63-35, the vanes 31600 are
circumferentially spaced around the first end 31172 of the cyclone chamber
31160. However, in addition to being inwardly curved, the vanes 31600 are also
angled relative to the longitudinally extending cyclone axis. In addition, the
diversion member 31610 is flattened rather than tapered or curved.
[00340] Air entering the dirty air inlet 31116 can travel along the
air inlet
passage 31128 towards the cyclone chamber 31160. Diversion member 31610 is
positioned in a downstream portion 31132 of the air inlet passage 31128. The
diversion member 31610 can be configured to distribute air towards the vanes
31600 that are spaced around the cyclone chamber 31160. The air can then be
directed inwardly towards the cyclone chamber 31160 by vanes 31600.
CYCLONE CHAMBER SCREEN MEMBER
[00341] The following is a description of a cyclone chamber screen
member
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 including the
uniflow cyclone, the cyclone chamber inlet, the dirt collection chamber, the
cyclone chamber dirt outlet, the cyclone chamber sidewall, the openable
cyclone
unit, the second stage cyclone, the mountable surface cleaning apparatus, and
the driving handle.
[00342] In accordance with this aspect of the disclosure, a surface
cleaning
apparatus may be provided with a cyclone chamber which has a screen member
that extends to the front end of the cyclone chamber.
[00343] If the cyclone air inlet is provided internal of the cyclone
chamber
then, as exemplified in Figure 13, the screen member may extend to a position
proximate the downstream end 182 of the cyclone inlet. Optionally the screen
52
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
terminates prior to the downstream end 182 of the cyclone inlet (i.e., axially
inwardly of the front end of the cyclone chamber). For example, the screen may
terminate 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.125 or 0.15 inches axially inwardly from the
downstream end 182 of the cyclone inlet and optionally at least 0.1 inches
axially
inwardly from the downstream end 182 of the cyclone inlet. Alternately, as
exemplified in figures 13B, 13C and 23B ¨ I, the screen member may extend to a
position forward of the rear (axially inward) end of the air inlet if the
portion of the
screen member forward of the rear end of the inlet is non-permeable (e.g.,
solid).
[00344] If the cyclone air inlet is provided external to the cyclone
chamber
and terminates in a port in the cyclone chamber sidewall, then, as exemplified
in
Figure 54, the screen member may extend to a position proximate the front end
of
the cyclone inlet. Optionally the screen may terminate axially inwardly of the
front
end of the cyclone chamber. For example, the screen may terminate 0.01, 0.05,
0.1, 0.125 or 0.15 inches axially inwardly from the front end of the cyclone
chamber. In either case, the forward portion of the screen member may be
porous
(e.g., it may be covered with or consist of a wire screen or the like).
[00345] The gap or radial distance between the inner wall of the
cyclone
chamber sidewall and the outer surface of the screen member may be as small as
0.1, 0.06, 0.09, 0.125 or 0.250 inches and may be as large as 0.25, 0.375,
0.75,
1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 3 0r6 inches.
[00346] The screen member may be tapered. Tapering the screen member
may provide a larger gap between the screen member and the cyclone chamber
wall near to the cyclone chamber inlet. This may encourage larger dirt and
debris
to be collected away from the screen member and reduce the volume of hair and
other dirt that wraps around or collects on the screen member. For example, at
the front tapered end, the gap may be 0.01-6, 0.06-2, 0.125-0.75 or 0.125-
0.250
inches and at the rear end (outlet end) of the screen, the gap may be 0.06-3,
0.125 ¨ 1.25 or 0.25-0.75 inches.
[00347] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the air outlet 184 of the
cyclone
chamber 160 may comprise a vortex finder or conduit 204. The vortex finder 204
is optionally by a screen or filter 206 supported by a frame (e.g., a
plurality of
longitudinally extending ribs) or it may consist of a screen or filter. All of
the vortex
53
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
finder may be porous or a rear end may be non-porous. The screen 206 may trap
and prevent elongate particles such as hair and other debris from exiting the
cyclone chamber 160 via the air outlet 184.
[00348] As shown in Figure 12, the vortex finder 204 extends between a
.. vortex finder first end 205 and a vortex finder second end 207. The vortex
finder
second end 207 can be positioned at the second end 176 of the cyclone unit
112.
The first end 205 of the vortex finder 204 is longitudinally spaced apart from
the
vortex finder second end 207, and the vortex finder first end 205 is closer
than the
vortex finder second end 207 to the cyclone first end 172.
[00349] The second end 207 of the vortex finder 204 may include an airflow
outlet. As shown, the second end 207 of the vortex finder 204 defines the non-
porous conduit terminating at cyclone air outlet 184.
[00350] The vortex finder 204 may include a first section 201 and a
second
section 203. The first section 201 may be positioned closer to the first end
205 of
the vortex finder than the second section 203. The second section 203 may be
positioned at the second end 207 of the vortex finder 204.
[00351] The first section 201 may be a porous section that allows
airflow
therethrough. As shown in Figure 12, a screen or filter 206 can be positioned
on
the porous section 201 to prevent dirt and debris from passing therethrough.
The
second section 203 of the vortex finder 204 may be non-porous. Air may be
prevented from passing through the non-porous section 203 of the vortex
finder.
[00352] As shown in the example of Figures 12 and 13, the vortex finder
204
can be tapered. The first end 205 of the vortex finder 204 may be narrower
than
the second end 207. This may provide a larger cross-sectional area for air to
swirl
near the cyclone first end 172. The vortex finder 204 may gradually increase
in
width moving from the first end 205 to the second end 207. Providing greater
width for the second end 207 of the vortex finder 204 provides a wider airflow
conduit leading to the cyclone air outlet 184, which may improve airflow
efficiency
through the surface cleaning apparatus 100.
[00353] As shown in Figure 12, the cyclone air inlet 180 can be positioned
near the cyclone first end 172 and proximate to the first end 205 of the
vortex
54
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
finder 204. Providing the vortex finder with a reduced width near the cyclone
first
end 172 may provide a larger gap between the cyclone sidewall 168 and the
vortex finder near the cyclone air inlet 180. This may reduce or prevent hair
from
wrapping around the vortex finder 204, which can simplify emptying and
cleaning
the cyclone chamber 160.
[00354] As air swirls through the cyclone chamber 160 towards the
cyclone
second end 176, dirt may be pushed radially outward away from the vortex
finder
204 towards the cyclone chamber sidewall 168. Dirt and debris are then less
likely
to collect on, or wrap around, the vortex finder 204 even as its width
increases.
[00355] Alternately, the vortex finder may not be tapered. For example,
Figure 25 illustrates an example of a cyclone unit 2112 in which the vortex
finder
2204 is not tapered.
[00356] In the example shown in Figure 12, the cyclone air inlet 180
includes
a conduit 129 that extends into, and is located interior to the cyclone
chamber
160. The first end 205 of the vortex finder 204 is spaced apart from the
second
side 182 of the air inlet 180 (see also for example Figure 57). Accordingly,
the first
end 205 of the vortex finder 204 may be positioned adjacent to the second side
182 air inlet 180. For example, the first end 205 of the vortex finder 204 may
terminate at about 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the second side 182 of the
tangential
air inlet 180 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the first end 205 of
the
vortex finder 204 may terminate at about 0.05 ¨ 0.375 inches from the second
side 182 of the tangential air inlet 180. Alternately, in some embodiments,
the first
end 205 of the vortex finder 204 may abut the downstream wall 183 of the air
inlet
conduit 129.
[00357] Alternatively, for example if the cyclone air inlet terminates at a
port
in the cyclone chamber sidewall, the first end 205 of the vortex finder 204
may
extend axially beyond the second side of the tangential air inlet 180. Figure
54
illustrates an example of a surface cleaning apparatus 24100 in which the
first end
24205 of the vortex finder 24204 extends beyond the second side 24182 of the
tangential air inlet 24180.
[00358] As shown in Figure 54, the cyclone chamber 24160 includes a
vortex finder 24204. Vortex finder 24204 extends between a first vortex finder
end
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
24205 and a second vortex finder end 24207. The second vortex finder end
24207 is positioned at the cyclone second end 24176. As exemplified in Figure
54, the first vortex finder end 24205 may abut the first end wall 24192 of the
cyclone chamber 24160. Alternately, the first vortex finder end 24205 can
extend
to a position proximate the first end 24172 of cyclone chamber 24160. For
example, the first vortex finder end 24205 may be longitudinally spaced apart
from
the cyclone first end 24172. For example, the first end 24205 of the vortex
finder
24204 may terminate at about 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the cyclone first end
24172. In some embodiments, the first end 24205 of the vortex finder 24204 may
terminate at about 0.05 ¨ 0.375 inches from the cyclone first end 24172.
[00359] Alternately, if the cyclone air inlet is positioned in the
cyclone
chamber as exemplified in Figure 12, then as exemplified in Figures 13B, 13C
and
23B ¨ I, the first end 205 of the vortex finder 204 may extend axially beyond
the
second side of the tangential air inlet 180 if the forward portion 2045a is
solid. In
such a case, the porous portion of the screen member (e.g., the screen
material
itself) the may terminate 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.125 or 0.15 inches axially
inwardly from
the downstream end 182 of the cyclone inlet and optionally at least 0.1 inches
axially inwardly from the downstream end 182 of the cyclone inlet
[00360] The vortex finder 204 may be secured to one or more walls of
the
cyclone chamber 160.
[00361] For example, as shown in Figures 9, the vortex finder 204 can
be
mounted to the second end wall 176 of the cyclone chamber (see also vortex
finder 1204 in Figure 20). This may allow the screen member 204 to be removed
from the cyclone chamber 160 along with the second end wall 176 in
embodiments where the second end wall 176 is openable.
[00362] In some embodiments, the vortex finder 204 may be secured to or
abut a portion of the front end of the cyclone chamber 160. For example, as
exemplified in figures 13B and 13C, the front end 205 of the vortex finder 204
abuts an axially inward end 175a of insert 175. Insert 175 may be an axially
inwardly extending member which has an axially inward wall 175a that abuts the
front end 205 of the vortex finder when the cyclone chamber 160 is closed. It
may
be a solid or a hollow member which is optionally closed such that air or dirt
does
56
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
not enter into the insert 175. It may be positioned adjacent the cyclone air
inlet as
exemplified or spaced radially therefrom. Alternately, or in addition, the
insert may
have a recess into which the front end (e.g., front portion 205a) is
receivable. As
exemplified in figure 13C, the insert may be mounted to the front openable
door
(end wall 192) and moveable therewith.
[00363] In some embodiments, the vortex finder may be secured to the
sidewall of the cyclone chamber. This may ensure that the vortex finder
remains
with the cyclone chamber, for instance when the dirt collection chamber is
being
emptied or when the cyclone chamber is opened.
[00364] Figures 41A-41C illustrate an example of a cyclone unit 16112 in
which the vortex finder 16204 is mounted to the sidewall 16168 of the cyclone
chamber 16160. As shown, one or more support member 16209 can be used to
mount the vortex finder 16204 to the sidewall 16168.
[00365] In some embodiments, the support members 16209 can be secured
to the porous section 16201 of the vortex finder 16204. Alternately, the
support
members may be secured to the non-porous section 16203 of the vortex finder
16204. This may ensure that the support members 16209 do not interfere with
the
airflow through the cyclone chamber 16160.
[00366] Alternately, the vortex finder may be attached to the cyclone
chamber at the first end of the cyclone chamber. For example, as shown in
Figure
42C, the first end 17205 of the vortex finder 17204 can be attached to the
wall
17183 of the air inlet conduit 17128. If the first end is openable, then the
vortex
finder may be removed with the first end.
DIRT COLLECTION CHAMBER
[00367] The following is a description of a dirt collection chamber that
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 including the
uniflow
cyclone, the cyclone chamber inlet, the cyclone chamber screen member, the
cyclone chamber dirt outlet, the cyclone chamber sidewall, the openable
cyclone
unit, the second stage cyclone, the mountable surface cleaning apparatus, and
the driving handle.
57
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00368] In accordance with this aspect of the disclosure, a dirt
collection
chamber for a cyclone chamber may be provided which is external to, and at
least
partially surrounds, the cyclone chamber. An advantage of this design is that
it
may provide increased dirt collection capacity for a surface cleaning
apparatus
while promoting a more compact design.
[00369] In some embodiments, as exemplified in Figures 13 and 26, the
dirt
outlet 188 may be provided at the rear end or outlet end of the cyclone
chamber
160 and the dirt outlet may be located radially outwardly of the non-porous
section
203 of the vortex finder. In such a case, the dirt outlet 188 may be provided
by the
cyclone chamber sidewall terminating at a location spaced from the end wall
196
of the cyclone chamber. Accordingly, the dirt collection chamber 164 may
extend
essentially along the entire axial length of the cyclone chamber 160 other
than the
axial length of the dirt outlet 188.
[00370] Alternately, or in addition, in some embodiments, the dirt
collection
chamber 164 may extend along only a portion of the length of the cyclone
chamber 160. Accordingly, the first or front end wall 162 of the dirt
collection
chamber 164 may be spaced inwardly (rearwardly) from the first or front end
172
of the cyclone chamber 160 (see for example Figures 33 and 34) and/or the
second or rear wall 163 of the dirt collection chamber 164 may be spaced
inwardly
(forwardly) from the second or rear end 176 of the cyclone chamber 160 (see
for
example Figures 30, 31 and 32). Accordingly, for example, in the embodiment of
Figure 13, the first or front end wall 162 of the dirt collection chamber 164
may be
spaced inwardly (rearwardly) from the first or front end 172 of the cyclone
chamber 160.
[00371] In other embodiments, as exemplified in Figure 40, the dirt
collection
chamber 164 may be located at the rear or second end 163 of the cyclone
chamber 160 and the first or front end of the dirt collection chamber may be
formed by first or front end wall 162 that extends outwardly (e.g., radially)
from the
non-porous section 203 of the vortex finder. In such a case, the dirt outlet
188
may be defined by a gap in the first or front end wall 162. For example, the
dirt
outlet 188 may be defined by a gap between the radial outer end 15167 of the
first
end wall 15162 and the cyclone chamber sidewall 15168.
58
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00372] It will be appreciated that, in any embodiment, the dirt
outlet 188
need not be annular but may extend only part way around the cyclone chamber
(e.g., it may have an angular extent of 300, 250, 180, 120 or 90 degrees). In
any
such embodiment, the cyclone chamber sidewall may be secured to one or more
of the first end wall 192 (if the dirt collection chamber extends to the front
end of
the cyclone chamber as exemplified in Figures 13 and 31), the second end wall
196 (if the dirt collection chamber extends to the rear end of the cyclone
chamber)
and a plurality of ribs may extend between cyclone unit exterior wall 552 and
the
cyclone sidewall 168.
[00373] It will be appreciated that, as exemplified in Figures 14, 25, 36A-
C,
37A-C, 39A-C and 52, in any embodiment, the dirt collection chamber 164 need
not be annular but may extend only part way around the cyclone chamber (e.g.,
it
may have an angular extent of 300, 250, 180, 120 or 90 degrees). Alternately,
or
in addition, the dirt collection chamber may comprise two or more discrete
chambers, each of which extends only part way around the cyclone chamber (see
for example Figures 38A-C, 44A-C).
[00374] Alternately, or in addition, the cyclone chamber need not be
circular
in transverse section and/or the dirt collection chamber need not be annular
or
have a consistent width at different locations around the perimeter of the
cyclone
chamber (See for example Figures 36A-C, 37A-C, 38A-C, 39A-C, 43A-C, 44A-C
and 45A-C).
[00375] It will be appreciated that, in any embodiment, the dirt
outlet 188
need not be at an axial end of the dirt collection chamber 164 but, as
exemplified
in Figure 34, may be located at an intermediate location between the first
(front)
end of the dirt collection chamber and a second (rear) end of the dirt
collection
chamber.
[00376] It will be appreciated that if an end wall of the cyclone
chamber is
openable, then opening the end wall of the cyclone chamber may concurrently
open the same end of the dirt collection chamber. For example, the wall of the
dirt
collection chamber closest to the openable end wall of the cyclone chamber may
be part of the openable end wall of the cyclone chamber or may be attached to
the openable end wall of the cyclone chamber (see for example Figure 19).
59
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
Alternately, or in addition, the screen member (vortex finder) may be attached
to
the openable end wall of the cyclone chamber and moveable therewith (see for
example Figure 19) or the air inlet conduit. In such a case, the air inlet
conduit
may be mounted to or attached to the openable end wall and therefore, the air
inlet conduit and the screen member may be moveable with the openable end
wall. Alternately, the air inlet conduit and the screen member may each be
attached to a different openable end wall (see for example Figure 20).
[00377] Each of these embodiments are described in the following
description of Figures 13, 14, 25, 30 ¨ 34, 36A-C, 37A-C, 38A-C, 39A-C, 40A-C,
41A-C, 42A¨C, 43A-C, 44A-c, 45A-C, 52 and 53.
[00378] As exemplified in Figure 13, the dirt collection chamber 164
may be
external to the cyclone chamber 160 and the dirt outlet 188 of the cyclone
chamber 160 may be at a rear end of the cyclone chamber 160. An advantage of
placing the dirt outlet 188 at the rear end of the cyclone chamber 160 is that
large
dirt or debris may collect within an internal dirt collection chamber of the
cyclone
chamber 160, while the smaller or fine debris passes to the external dirt
collection
chamber via the rear dirt outlet. This may increase the dirt collection
capacity of
the surface cleaning apparatus while providing a compact design.
[00379] As exemplified in Figure 13, dirty air may enter cyclone 160
tangentially at cyclone air inlet 180, and swirl (e.g. move cyclonically)
through
cyclone 160 to separate dirt from the air flow, and then exit cyclone 160
through
cyclone air outlet 184. The separated dirt may exit cyclone 160 through
cyclone
dirt outlet 188 and be deposited into a dirt collection chamber 164 external
to the
cyclone chamber 160.
[00380] The cyclone chamber 160 communicates with the dirt collection
chamber 164 via dirt outlet 188. In the example illustrated, the dirt
collection
chamber 164 is an annular dirt collection chamber. The dirt collection chamber
164 surrounds the entirety of the cyclone chamber 160 (see e.g. Figures 3, 8
and
9). This may provide a large dirt collection area for the surface cleaning
apparatus
100 while promoting a compact design.
[00381] In the example illustrated, the dirt outlet 188 is also
provided as an
annular dirt outlet that extends entirely around the cyclone chamber 160. This
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
may encourage dirt to spread throughout the dirt collection chamber 164 and
avoid clumping of dirt in particular portions of the dirt collection chamber
164. It
will be appreciated that the dirt outlet 188 need not be annular but may
extend
only part way around the cyclone chamber (e.g., it may have an angular extend
of
300, 250, 180, 120 0r90 degrees).
[00382] In the example shown, the dirt collection chamber 164 extends
in an
axial direction between a first collection chamber end 165 and a second
collection
chamber end 166. The dirt collection chamber 164 extends axially in the same
direction as the cyclone chamber 160, i.e. parallel to the cyclone axis 484.
As
shown, the dirt collection chamber 164 is coaxially and concentrically
arranged
relative to the cyclone chamber 160. This may promote a compact design of the
surface cleaning apparatus while still providing a reasonable dirt collection
capacity.
[00383] In the example shown, the dirt collection chamber 164 and
cyclone
chamber 160 share a sidewall 168 (the outer surface of the cyclone chamber
sidewall may be the inner surface of the dirt collection chamber). This may
promote a compact design of the surface cleaning apparatus. Alternately, the
dirt
collection chamber 164 and cyclone chamber 160 may have separate sidewalls.
Alternately, the dirt collection chamber 164 and cyclone chamber 160 may share
only a portion of the sidewall 168.
[00384] In some embodiments, as exemplified in Figure 13, the dirt
collection
chamber 164 may extend substantially the entire longitudinal length of the
cyclone
chamber 160. The dirt collection chamber first end 165 extends to the first
end
172 of the cyclone chamber 160 and the second end 166 of the dirt collection
chamber 164 extends to the second end 176 of the cyclone chamber 160. This
may provide increased dirt collection capacity for the surface cleaning
apparatus
110, reducing the frequency with which the dirt collection chamber 164 needs
to
be emptied or cleaned.
[00385] Alternately, the dirt collection chamber may extend for only a
portion
of the longitudinal length of the cyclone chamber 160. Accordingly, the dirt
collection chamber may extend along only a portion of the length of the
cyclone
61
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
chamber and may have a dirt inlet located at any location along the cyclone
chamber sidewall.
[00386] Figure 30 illustrates an example of a cyclone unit 6112 that
has a
dirt collection chamber 6164 external to the cyclone chamber 6160 in which the
dirt collection chamber 6164 does not extend the entire length of the cyclone
chamber 6160. As exemplified, the dirt collection chamber 6164 extends axially
from a first end 6165 to an opposed second end 6166 wherein the second end
6166 of the dirt collection chamber 6164 is located closer to the second end
6176
of the cyclone chamber 6160 than the first end 6165 of the dirt collection
chamber
6164 is to the second end 6176 of the cyclone chamber 6160.
[00387] As exemplified in Figure 30, the first end 6165 of the dirt
collection
chamber 6164 may be located at the first end 6172 of the cyclone chamber 6160
or it may be located axially inwardly therefrom. If the first end 6165 of the
dirt
collection chamber 6164 is located at the first end 6172 of the cyclone
chamber
6160, then the first end wall 6162 of the dirt collection chamber 6164 may be
part
of the first end wall 6192 of the cyclone chamber 6160.
[00388] In the embodiment of Figure 30, the second end 6166 of the
dirt
collection chamber 6164 is located axially inward from (forwardly of) the
second
end 6176 of the cyclone chamber 6164. As shown, the second end 6166 of the
dirt collection chamber 6164 is defined by a second end wall 6163. The second
end wall 6163 is spaced apart in the axial direction from the second end wall
6196
of the cyclone chamber 6160. This may facilitate cleaning and removal of the
vortex finder 6204 and/or filter 6206 separate from emptying of the dirt
collection
chamber 6164.
[00389] As shown in Figure 30, the second end wall 6163 of the dirt
collection chamber 6164 is angled towards the first end 6165 of the dirt
collection
chamber 6164.
[00390] Figure 31 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 7112
that has
a dirt collection chamber 7164 external to the cyclone chamber 7160. The
cyclone
unit 7112 is generally similar to cyclone unit 6112 except that the second end
wall
7163 of dirt collection chamber 7164 extends radially inward from the sidewall
of
the cyclone unit 7112 and is not angled.
62
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00391] The dirt collection chamber 7164 extends axially from a first
end
7165 to an opposed second end 7166. The second end 7166 of the dirt collection
chamber 7164 is located closer to the second end 7176 of the cyclone chamber
7160 than the first end 7165 of the dirt collection chamber 7164 is to the
second
end 7176 of the cyclone chamber 7160.
[00392] In the example shown in Figure 31, the first end 7165 of the
dirt
collection chamber 7164 is located at the first end 7172 of the cyclone
chamber
7160. In this example, the first end wall 7162 of the dirt collection chamber
7164 is
integrally formed with the first end wall 7192 of the cyclone chamber 7160
(e.g., it
may be the inner surface of the first end wall 7192).
[00393] The second end 7166 of the dirt collection chamber 7164 is
located
axially inward (forward) from the second end 7176 of the cyclone chamber 7164.
As shown, the second end 7166 of the dirt collection chamber 7164 is defined
by
a second end wall 7163. The second end wall 7163 is spaced apart in the axial
direction from the second end wall 7196 of the cyclone chamber 7160. This may
facilitate cleaning and removal of the vortex finder 7204 and/or filter 7206
separate from emptying of the dirt collection chamber 7164.
[00394] Figure 32 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 8112
that has
a dirt collection chamber 8164 external to the cyclone chamber 8160. The
cyclone
unit 8112 is generally similar to cyclone unit 7112 except that the dirt
collection
chamber 8164 (e.g., the sidewall and optionally the rear end wall) is fixed to
the
first end wall 8192 of the cyclone unit 8112.
[00395] In some embodiments the first end wall 8192 may be openable.
Attaching the dirt collection chamber 8164 to an openable first end wall 8192
may
facilitate emptying of the dirt collection chamber 8164.
[00396] The dirt collection chamber 8164 extends axially from a first
end
8165 to an opposed second end 8166. The second end 8166 of the dirt collection
chamber 8164 is located closer to the second end 8176 of the cyclone chamber
8160 than the first end 8165 of the dirt collection chamber 8164 is to the
second
end 8176 of the cyclone chamber 8160.
63
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00397] In the example shown in Figure 32, the first end 8165 of the
dirt
collection chamber 8164 is located at the first end 8172 of the cyclone
chamber
8160. In this example, the dirt collection chamber 8164 and cyclone chamber
8160 share the first end wall 8192.
[00398] The second end 8166 of the dirt collection chamber 8164 is located
axially inward (forwardly) from the second end 8176 of the cyclone chamber
7164.
As shown, the second end 8166 of the dirt collection chamber 8164 is defined
by
a second end wall 8163. The second end wall 8163 is spaced apart in the axial
direction from the second end wall 8196 of the cyclone chamber 8160. This may
facilitate cleaning and removal of the vortex finder 8204 and/or filter 8206
separate from emptying of the dirt collection chamber 8164.
[00399] In the examples shown in Figures 30-32, the second end of the
dirt
collection chamber is spaced axially inward from the second end of the cyclone
chamber. Alternately or in addition, the first end of the dirt collection
chamber may
be axially spaced from the first end of the cyclone chamber.
[00400] Figure 33 illustrates an example of a cyclone unit 9112 that
has a
dirt collection chamber 9164 external to the cyclone chamber 9160. In the
example shown in Figure 33, the first end 9162 of the dirt collection chamber
9164
is axially spaced from the first end 9172 of the cyclone chamber 9160.
[00401] As exemplified, the dirt collection chamber 9164 extends axially
from
a first end 9165 to an opposed second end 9166. The second end 9166 of the
dirt
collection chamber 9164 is located closer to the second end 9176 of the
cyclone
chamber 9160 than the first end 9165 of the dirt collection chamber 9164 is to
the
second end 9176 of the cyclone chamber 9160.
[00402] In the example shown in Figure 33, the second end 9166 of the dirt
collection chamber 9164 is located at the second end 9176 of the cyclone
chamber 9160. In this example, the second end wall 9163 of the dirt collection
chamber 9164 is provided by the second end wall 9196 of the cyclone chamber
9160. The cyclone chamber dirt outlet 9188 is located at the second end 9176
of
the cyclone chamber 9160.
64
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00403] The first end 9165 of the dirt collection chamber 9164 is
located
axially inward from the first end 9172 of the cyclone chamber 9164. As shown,
the
first end 9165 of the dirt collection chamber 9164 is defined by a first end
wall
9162. The first end wall 9162 is spaced apart in the axial direction from the
first
end wall 9192 of the cyclone chamber 9160. This may help prevent dirt from
exiting the dirt collection chamber 9164 and becoming re-entrained in the air
swirling through the cyclone chamber 9160.
[00404] Figure 34 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 10112
that
has a dirt collection chamber 10164 external to the cyclone chamber 10160. The
cyclone unit 10112 is generally similar to cyclone unit 9112 except that the
dirt
outlet 10188 is located at an intermediate location along the cyclone chamber
sidewall 10168.
[00405] The dirt collection chamber 10164 extends axially from a first
end
10165 to an opposed second end 10166. The second end 10166 of the dirt
collection chamber 10164 is located closer to the second end 10176 of the
cyclone chamber 10160 than the first end 10165 of the dirt collection chamber
10164 is to the second end 10176 of the cyclone chamber 10160.
[00406] In the example shown in Figure 34, the second end 10166 of the
dirt
collection chamber 10164 is located at the second end 10176 of the cyclone
chamber 10160. In this example, the second end wall 10163 of the dirt
collection
chamber 10164 is provided by the second end wall 10196 of the cyclone chamber
10160. The cyclone chamber dirt outlet 10188 is located midway between the
first
end 10172 and the second end 10176 of the cyclone chamber 10160.
[00407] The first end 10165 of the dirt collection chamber 10164 is
located
axially inward from the first end 10172 of the cyclone chamber 10164. As
shown,
the first end 10165 of the dirt collection chamber 10164 is defined by a first
end
wall 10162. The first end wall 10162 is spaced apart in the axial direction
from the
first end wall 10192 of the cyclone chamber 10160. This may provide a greater
radial distance between the cyclone chamber sidewall and the screen member at
the air inlet end of the cyclone chamber thereby inhibiting dirt from
contacting the
screen as it enters the cyclone chamber.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00408] In some embodiments, such as the examples shown in Figures 30-
33, the cyclone dirt outlet can be formed as an opening or gap in the sidewall
of
the dirt collection chamber. Alternately or in addition, as exemplified in
Figure
40C, the cyclone dirt outlet may be provided in one of the end walls of the
dirt
collection chamber.
[00409] Figure 40C illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 15112
that
has a dirt collection chamber 15164 external to the cyclone chamber 15160 and
at
the air outlet end of the cyclone chamber. In the example of cyclone unit
15112,
the cyclone dirt outlet 15188 is provided in the first end wall 15165 of the
dirt
collection chamber 15164.
[00410] In the cyclone unit 15112 shown in Figure 40C, the dirt
collection
chamber 15164 extends axially from a first end 15165 to an opposed second end
15166. The second end 15166 of the dirt collection chamber 15164 is located
closer to the second end 15176 of the cyclone chamber 15160 than the first end
15165 of the dirt collection chamber 15164 is to the second end 15176 of the
cyclone chamber 15160.
[00411] In the example shown in Figure 40C, the second end 15166 of
the
dirt collection chamber 15164 is located at the second end 15176 of the
cyclone
chamber 15160. In this example, the second end wall 15163 of the dirt
collection
chamber 15164 is provided by the second end wall 15196 of the cyclone chamber
15160. However, it will be appreciated that the second end wall 15163 of the
dirt
collection chamber 15164 may be positioned forwardly of the second end wall
15196 of the cyclone chamber 15160.
[00412] The first end 15165 of the dirt collection chamber 15164 is
located
axially inward from the first end 15172 of the cyclone chamber 10164. As
shown,
the first end 15165 of the dirt collection chamber 15164 is defined by a first
end
wall 15162. The first end wall 15162 is spaced apart in the axial direction
from the
first end wall 15192 of the cyclone chamber 15160.
[00413] In the example shown in Figure 40C, the first end wall 15162
is
inwardly spaced from the second end wall 15196 of the cyclone chamber 15160.
The cyclone chamber dirt outlet 15188 is provided in the first end wall 15126
of
the dirt collection chamber 15160. The dirt outlet 15188 is provided at the
axially
66
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
inward first end 15165 of all portions of the dirt collection chamber. As
shown, the
dirt outlet 15188 is upstream of the dirt collection chamber 15160 in the
direction
of airflow through the cyclone chamber 15160. This may prevent dirt from
exiting
the dirt collection chamber 15164 and re-entering the air in the cyclone
chamber
15160.
[00414] The first end wall 15162 extends from the non-porous section of
the
vortex finder 15204 radially outwards towards the cyclone chamber sidewall
15168. The first end wall 15162 has a radial outer end 15167 spaced apart from
the vortex finder 15204. In the example illustrated, the dirt outlet 15188 is
provided between the radial outer end 15167 of the first end wall 15162 and
the
cyclone chamber sidewall 15168. This may facilitate emptying of the dirt
collection
chamber 15164, for instance by allowing the first end wall 15162 of the dirt
collection chamber to be removed from the cyclone chamber 15160, e.g., with
the
screen member.
[00415] Alternately, the first end wall 15162 may project form the cyclone
chamber sidewall 15168 radially inward towards the vortex finder 15204. The
dirt
outlet 15188 may then be provided between a radial inward end of the first end
wall 15162 and the vortex finder 15204.
[00416] It will be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the dirt
outlet
may be provided midway between the cyclone chamber sidewall and the vortex
finder, i.e., the dirt outlet may be located in the first end wall 15162 at a
location
between the cyclone chamber sidewall and the vortex finder.
[00417] It will also be appreciated that the first end wall 15162 need
not
extend radially by may extend outwardly at an angle to a plane transverse to
the
longitudinal cyclone axis (e.g. similar to wall 6178 in Figure 30).
[00418] As shown in Figure 40C, the vortex finder or screen member
15204
may include a first section 15201 and a second section 15203. The first
section
15201 may be positioned closer to the first end 15205 of the vortex finder
than the
second section 15203. The second section 15203 may be positioned at the
second end 15207 of the vortex finder 15204.
67
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00419] The first section 15201 may be a porous section that allows
airflow
therethrough. A screen or filter 15206 can be positioned on the porous section
15201 to prevent dirt and debris from passing therethrough. The second section
15203 of the vortex finder 15204 may be non-porous and air is prevented from
passing through the non-porous section 15203 of the vortex finder.
[00420] As exemplified, the non-porous section 15203 of the vortex
finder
204 can be positioned at the second end 15176 of the cyclone chamber 15160
and the dirt collection chamber 15164 can be positioned radially outward of
the
non-porous section 15203 and extend along part or all of the axial length of
the
non-porous section 15203. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the entire dirt
collection chamber 15164 may be positioned axially rearward from the porous
section 15201 of the vortex finder 15204. In such an embodiment, as shown in
Figure 40C, the dirt outlet 15188 is positioned axially rearward of the porous
section 15203.
[00421] Alternately, a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be
positioned axially rearward of the porous section and a portion may be
positioned
axially forward of the non-porous portion (i.e., a portion may be located
radially
outward of the porous portion). In such a case, the dirt outlet may be
positioned
radially rearward of the porous section 15201.
[00422] In the example illustrated in Figure 40C, the vortex finder 15204
is
mounted to the second end wall 15196 of the cyclone chamber 15160. Optionally,
the second end wall 15196 may be openable. In such embodiments, the vortex
finder 15204 is moveable along with the second end wall 15196 when the second
end wall 15196 is opened.
[00423] Alternately, the vortex finder may be mounted to the sidewall of
the
cyclone chamber. Figure 41C illustrates another example of a cyclone unit
16112
that has a dirt collection chamber 16164 external to the cyclone chamber
16160.
The cyclone unit 16112 is generally similar to cyclone unit 15112 except that
the
vortex finder 16204 is mounted to the sidewall 16168 of the cyclone chamber
16160 rather than the second end wall 16163. For example, as shown in Figure
41C, the vortex finder 16204 may be attached to the cyclone chamber sidewall
16168 by one or more support members 16209.
68
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00424] Mounting the vortex finder 16204 to the sidewall 16168 may
ensure
that the vortex finder 16204 remains within the cyclone chamber 16160 while
the
cyclone chamber 16160 is being cleaned, or while dirt collection chamber 16164
is being emptied. This may also provide a simplified manner of emptying the
dirt
collection chamber 16160 as the second end wall 16163 can be opened and dirt
emptied through the open second end 16166 of the dirt collection chamber
16160.
[00425] In cyclone unit 16112, the dirt collection chamber 16164
extends
axially from a first end 16165 to an opposed second end 16166. The second end
16166 of the dirt collection chamber 16164 is located closer to the second end
16176 of the cyclone chamber 16160 than the first end 16165 of the dirt
collection
chamber 16164 is to the second end 16176 of the cyclone chamber 16160.
[00426] In the example shown in Figure 40C, the second end 16166 of
the
dirt collection chamber 16164 is located at the second end 16176 of the
cyclone
chamber 16160. In the example shown in Figure 41C, the second end wall 16163
of the dirt collection chamber 16164 is provided by the second end wall 16196
of
the cyclone chamber 16160.
[00427] The first end 16165 of the dirt collection chamber 16164 is
located
axially inward from the first end 16172 of the cyclone chamber 16164. As
shown,
the first end 16165 of the dirt collection chamber 16164 is defined by a first
end
wall 16162. The first end wall 16162 is spaced apart in the axial direction
from the
first end wall 16192 of the cyclone chamber 16160.
[00428] In the example shown in Figure 41C, the first end wall 16162
is
inwardly spaced from the second end wall 16196 of the cyclone chamber 16160.
The cyclone chamber dirt outlet 16188 is provided in the first end wall 16126
of
the dirt collection chamber 16160. The first end wall 16162 extends from the
vortex finder 16204 radially outwards towards the cyclone chamber sidewall
16168. The first end wall 16162 has a radial outer end 16167 spaced apart from
the vortex finder 16204. In the example illustrated, the dirt outlet 16188 is
provided between the radial outer end 16167 of the first end wall 16162 and
the
cyclone chamber sidewall 16168.
[00429] As shown in Figure 41C, the vortex finder or screen member
16204
may include a porous section 16201 and a non-porous section 16203. As shown,
69
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
the non-porous section 16203 of the vortex finder 16204 can be positioned at
the
second end 16176 of the cyclone chamber 16160. The dirt collection chamber
16164 can be positioned axially rearward of the non-porous section 16203.
[00430] Alternately, the vortex finder may be mounted to the air inlet
conduit
that provides the cyclone air inlet. Figure 42C illustrates another example of
a
cyclone unit 17112 that has a dirt collection chamber 17164 external to the
cyclone chamber 17160. The cyclone unit 17112 is generally similar to cyclone
units 15112 and 16112 except that the vortex finder 17204 is mounted to the
air
inlet conduit 17129 that defines the cyclone air inlet 17180.
[00431] As shown in Figure 42C, the first end 17205 of the vortex finder
17204 extends to the second side 17182 of the air inlet conduit 17129. The
first
end 17205 of the vortex finder 17204 is attached to, and may even be integral
with the air inlet conduit wall 17183. In some embodiments, this may allow the
vortex finder 17204 to be removed from the cyclone chamber 17160 when the
front wall 17192 is opened. This may facilitate cleaning the vortex finder
17204
and/or replacing the filter 17206.
[00432] Alternately or in addition, in accordance with this aspect of
the
disclosure, a dirt collection chamber for a cyclone chamber may be provided
partially surrounding the cyclone chamber. For example, in some embodiments,
the dirt collection may extend radially around about 50% of an outer perimeter
of
the cyclone chamber. In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber extends
around at least 75% of the outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber. In some
embodiments, the dirt collection chamber extends around at least 85% of the
outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber.
[00433] Figures 14-23 illustrate an example embodiment of a surface
cleaning apparatus 1100. Similar components of surface cleaning apparatus 1100
have been indicated using reference characters incremented by 1000 with
respect
to surface cleaning apparatus 100.
[00434] Surface cleaning apparatus 1100 of Figure 14 is generally
similar to
surface cleaning apparatus 100 of Figure 13, except that the dirt collection
chamber 1164 in surface cleaning apparatus 1100 only partially surrounds the
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
cyclone chamber 1160. This may promote a more compact design for the surface
cleaning apparatus 1100.
[00435] In the example shown in Figure 14, the dirt collection chamber
1164
is positioned below the cyclone chamber 1160. This may allow gravity to assist
in
pulling dirt from cyclone chamber 1160 to the dirt collection chamber 1164
when
the surface cleaning apparatus 1100 is in use.
[00436] Alternately or in addition, in accordance with this aspect of
the
disclosure, a dirt collection chamber for a cyclone chamber may be provided
external to and below the cyclone chamber. An advantage of this design is that
a
cyclone dirt outlet may be provided in a lower portion of the cyclone chamber
(e.g., cyclone dirt outlet 24188 is provided in lower wall 24171 of the
cyclone
chamber 24160 as shown in Figure 53) such that dirt which remains in the
cyclone
chamber after termination of operation of the vacuum cleaner may fall into the
dirt
collection chamber when the vacuum cleaner is held with the cyclone extending
horizontally and slightly upwardly. A further advantage is that the width of
the
vacuum cleaner may be narrower as the dirt collection chamber is not located
on
the lateral sides of the cyclone chamber. Accordingly, the maximum width of a
handvac may be determined by the width of the suction motor housing or the
width of the cyclone 24160.
[00437] As exemplified in Figure 52, dirt collection chamber 24164 extends
around approximately one-half of cyclone 24160. As exemplified, partition wall
24556 may circumscribe approximately one-half of cyclone 24160. In other
embodiments, dirt collection chamber 24164 may extend around less than or
greater than one-half of cyclone 24160, and partition wall 24556 may similarly
circumscribe less than or greater than one-half of cyclone 24160. In
alternative
embodiments, dirt collection chamber 24164 may not surround cyclone 24160.
[00438] It will be appreciated that cyclone sidewall 24168 and dirt
collection
chamber sidewall 24548 may have any construction suitable for separating the
cyclone 24160 from dirt collection chamber 24164 and allowing the passage of
dis-entrained dirt therebetween. For example, cyclone sidewall 24168 and dirt
collection chamber sidewall 24548 may be discrete walls that are spaced apart
and connected by a dirt outlet passage. As exemplified in Figure 53, dirt
collection
71
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
chamber sidewall 24548 is formed at least in part by portions of cyclone
sidewall
24168 and portions of cyclone unit exterior wall 24552. Similarly, cyclone
sidewall
24168 as shown is formed at least in part by portions of dirt collection
chamber
sidewall 24548 and cyclone unit exterior wall 24552. Accordingly, the wall
portion
24556 in common between cyclone 24160 and dirt collection chamber 24164 may
operate as a dividing wall. Sharing a common dividing wall may help reduce the
overall size of the cyclone unit 24112, fora more compact design.
[00439]
Referring to Figure 52, dirt collection chamber 24164 may have any
size and shape suitable to accommodate dirt separated by cyclone 24160 during
one or more uses. A larger dirt collection chamber 24164 can store more dirt
to
allow apparatus 24100 to run longer before emptying dirt collection chamber
24164, but will add bulk and weight to the apparatus 24100. A smaller dirt
collection chamber 24164 is smaller and lighter, but must be emptied more
frequently.
[00440] Figure
25 illustrates another example of a surface cleaning
apparatus 2100 in which the dirt collection chamber 2164 only partially
surrounds
the cyclone chamber 2160. As shown in Figure 25, the dirt collection chamber
2164 is positioned below cyclone chamber 2160. A dirt outlet 2188 is provided
in
the lower wall portion 2171 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 2168. This may
help
which remains in the cyclone chamber 2160 after termination of operation of
the
vacuum cleaner 2100 to fall into the dirt collection chamber 2164 when the
vacuum cleaner 2100 is held with the cyclone 2160 extending horizontally (and
possibly slightly upwardly).
[00441] As
exemplified in FIG. 25, dirt may enter dirt collection chamber
2164 from cyclone chamber 2180 through dirt outlet 2188 of cyclone chamber
2180. In the illustrated embodiment, dirt outlet 2188 is at a rear end 2176 of
cyclone chamber 2160. In use, handvac 2100 may be normally oriented with the
nozzle 2128 at the front end oriented downwardly for cleaning a surface below.
Accordingly, dirt entering dirt collection chamber 2164 from dirt outlet 2188
may
fall by gravity toward front end 2165 of dirt collection chamber 2164 away
from dirt
outlet 2188. This may help to keep dirt outlet 2188 clear for subsequent dirt
to
move through dirt outlet 2188 during use.
72
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00442] In the illustrated embodiment, handvac 2100 may be supportable
on
a horizontal surface 876 by contact between dirt collection chamber 2164 and
the
horizontal surface 876. For example, dirt collection chamber 2164 may include
a
bottom wall 2157 for supporting handvac 2100 on horizontal surface 876.
Preferably, as discussed previously, handvac 2100 is inclined with nozzle 2128
facing downwardly when handvac 2100 is supported on horizontal surface 876 by
bottom wall 2157. In the illustrated embodiment, bottom wall 2157 is angled
downwardly between front end 2165 and rear end 2166 for orienting nozzle axis
2364 downwardly to horizontal when handvac 2100 is supported on horizontal
surface 876. As shown, this may provide dirt collection chamber 2164 with a
wedge-like shape having a height 2179 measured between upper and lower dirt
collection chamber walls 2158 and 2157 which increases from the front end 2165
to the rear end 2166.
[00443] Figure 36 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 11112
having
a dirt collection chamber 11164 external to the cyclone chamber 11160. In
cyclone unit 11112, the dirt collection chamber 11164 extends around a portion
of
the outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber 11160. As shown, the dirt
collection
chamber 11164 surrounds greater than 50% of the cyclone chamber 11160.
[00444] In the example illustrated in Figure 36 the dirt collection
chamber
11164 and cyclone chamber 11600 are not coaxial. Rather, the cyclone chamber
11160 is eccentrically positioned with respect to the dirt collection chamber
11164.
[00445] As shown, the dirt collection chamber 11164 is positioned
below the
cyclone chamber 11160 with a dirt outlet 11188 formed at the second end 11176
of the cyclone chamber 11160. This may allow gravity to assist in pulling dirt
from
cyclone chamber 11600 to the dirt collection chamber 11164 when the cyclone
unit 11112 is in use.
[00446] As mentioned above, the dirt collection chamber may be annular
(see e.g. dirt collection chamber 164), semi-annular (see e.g. dirt collection
chambers 1164, 2164, and 24164), or any shape suitable to accommodate dirt
separated by cyclone during one or more uses. The dirt collection chamber may
have a radial width of 0.01-0.75, 0.06-0.375, 0.09-0.250 inches.
73
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00447] It will be appreciated that, in any embodiment, the cyclone
chamber
need not be circular and/or the dirt collection chamber need not have a
uniform
radial width. For example, Figure 37 illustrates another example of a cyclone
unit
12112 having a dirt collection chamber 12164 external to the cyclone chamber
12160. Cyclone unit 12112 is generally similar to cyclone unit 11112, except
that
the dirt collection chamber 12164 has a non-circular outer wall 12191. In the
example shown in Figure 37, the radial outer wall 12191 of the dirt collection
chamber 12164 is elliptical. As with cyclone unit 11112, the cyclone chamber
12160 is eccentrically positioned relative to the dirt collection chamber
12164.
[00448] Figure 38 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 13112
having
a dirt collection chamber 13164 external to the cyclone chamber 13160. The
cyclone unit 13112 is generally similar to cyclone unit 112 except that the
dirt
collection chamber 13164 does not extend around the lateral sides of the
cyclone
chamber 13160. Additionally, the dirt collection chamber 13164 has multiple
discrete dirt collection chambers.
[00449] In cyclone unit 13112, the dirt collection chamber 13164 has
two
discrete dirt collection chambers 13161a and 13161b. Each of the discrete dirt
collection chambers 13161 may define a separate dirt collection volume.
[00450] The cyclone chamber 13160 may have separate dirt outlets
13188a
and 13188b. The first dirt collection chamber 13161a may be in fluid
communication with the cyclone chamber 13160 via the first dirt outlet 13188a.
The second dirt collection chamber 13161b may be in fluid communication with
the cyclone chamber 13160 via the second dirt outlet 13188b. The discrete dirt
collection chambers 13161 may be fluidically isolated apart from communication
via the cyclone chamber 13160.
[00451] Each discrete dirt collection chamber 13161a and 13161b
extends
around a portion of the perimeter of the cyclone chamber 13160. A first dirt
collection chamber 13161a is positioned above the cyclone chamber 13160. A
second dirt collection chamber 13161b is positioned below the cyclone chamber
13160. This configuration may provide increased dirt collection capacity
without
increasing the width of the cyclone unit 13112 beyond the width of the cyclone
chamber 13160 itself. This may promote a more compact design for the surface
74
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
cleaning apparatus. In other embodiments, the dirt collection chambers may be
located at different positions and they may abut (i.e., the need not be spaced
apart).
[00452] In some embodiments, the discrete dirt collection chambers may
be
concurrently openable. For example, one or both of the first end wall 13192
and
the second end wall 13196 of the cyclone chamber 13160 may be openable to
provide access to both dirt collection chambers 13161a and 13161b
simultaneously. Alternately, the dirt collection chambers 13161 may be
separately
openable.
[00453] As shown in Figure 38C, each of the discrete dirt collection
chambers 13161a and 13161b can be opened concurrently by opening either of
the first end wall 13192 and the second end wall 13196. This may facilitate
emptying of the discrete dirt collection chambers 13161.
[00454] Figure 39 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 14112
having
a dirt collection chamber 14164 external to the cyclone chamber 14160. The
cyclone unit 14112 is generally analogous to the cyclone unit 1112 shown in
Figures 14-23. As shown in Figures 39A-39C, the dirt collection chamber 14164
extends around a lower portion of the perimeter of the cyclone chamber 14160.
[00455] Figure 43 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 18112
having
a cyclone chamber 18160 and external dirt collection chamber 18164. Cyclone
unit 18112 is generally similar to cyclone unit 112, except that dirt
collection
chamber 18164 has a non-circular radial outer wall 18191 that extends around
the
perimeter of the dirt collection chamber 18164. As shown in figure 43, the
radial
outer wall 18191 is generally square (or rectangular) as opposed to the
generally
circular outer wall of dirt collection chamber 164.
[00456] Figure 44 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 19112
having
a cyclone chamber 19160 and external dirt collection chamber 19164. In cyclone
unit 19112, dirt collection chamber 19164 has a non-circular radial outer wall
19191 that extends around the perimeter of the dirt collection chamber 19164.
Additionally, the dirt collection chamber 19164 has multiple discrete dirt
collection
chambers.
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00457] In cyclone unit 19112, the dirt collection chamber 19164 has
three
discrete dirt collection chambers 19161a, 19161b and 19161c. Each of the
discrete dirt collection chambers 19161 defines a separate dirt collection
volume.
[00458] The cyclone chamber 19160 may have multiple separate dirt
outlets
19188. The first dirt collection chamber 19161a may be in fluid communication
with the cyclone chamber 19160 via a first dirt outlet 19188a. The second dirt
collection chamber 19161b may be in fluid communication with the cyclone
chamber 19160 via a second dirt outlet (not shown). The third dirt collection
chamber 19161c may be in fluid communication with the cyclone chamber 19160
via a third dirt outlet (not shown). The discrete dirt collection chambers
19161 may
be fluidically isolated apart from communication via the cyclone chamber
19160.
[00459] Each discrete dirt collection chamber 19161a, 19161b and
19161c
extends around a portion of the perimeter of the cyclone chamber 19160. A
first
dirt collection chamber 19161a is positioned above the cyclone chamber 19160.
A
second dirt collection chamber 19161b is positioned below the cyclone chamber
19160. This configuration may provide increased dirt collection capacity
without
increasing the width of the cyclone unit 19112 beyond the width of the cyclone
chamber 19160 itself. This may promote a more compact design for the surface
cleaning apparatus.
[00460] Figure 45 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 20112
having
a cyclone chamber 20160 and external dirt collection chamber 20164. In cyclone
unit 20112, dirt collection chamber 20164 has a non-circular radial outer wall
20191 that extends around the perimeter of the dirt collection chamber 20164.
As
shown in figure 45, the radial outer wall 20191 is generally triangular. The
cyclone
unit 20112 is generally similar to cyclone unit 19112, except that the dirt
collection
chamber 20164 is a continuous volume that extends around the cyclone chamber
20160, rather than multiple discrete dirt collection chambers 19161.
DIRT OUTLET FORMED AS A GAP IN CYCLONE CHAMBER SIDEWALL
[00461] The following is a description of a cyclone chamber dirt
outlet 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 including the
uniflow
cyclone, the cyclone chamber inlet, the cyclone chamber screen member, the
dirt
76
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
collection chamber, the cyclone chamber sidewall, the openable cyclone unit,
the
second stage cyclone, the mountable surface cleaning apparatus, and the
driving
handle.
[00462] As discussed previously, if the cyclone is a uniflow cyclone,
then the
dirt outlet may be located at the air outlet end of the cyclone chamber (see
for
example Figures 51-54). Alternately, or in addition, the dirt collection
chamber
may be positioned below (see for example Figure 18), or if the dirt collection
chamber is not annular, at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may
be
positioned below the cyclone chamber (see for example Figures 51-54).
[00463] It will also be appreciated that the dirt outlet 188 need not be at
an
axial end of the dirt collection chamber 164 but, as exemplified in Figures
27, 28,
29 and 34, may be located at an intermediate location between the first
(front) end
of the dirt collection chamber and a second (rear) end of the dirt collection
chamber. In such a case, the radial inner side of the dirt collection chamber
may
be defined by first and second wall sections 3177, 3178 that are spaced apart
by
a gap defining the dirt outlet 188. It will be appreciated that, in any
embodiment,
the dirt outlet 188 need not be annular but may extend only part way around
the
cyclone chamber (e.g., it may have an angular extent of 300, 250, 180, 120 or
90
degrees). Each of the first and second wall sections may be attached to the
outer
wall of the dirt collection chamber or the end wall of the cyclone chamber,
which
end wall may be openable.
[00464] Referring to Figures 53 and 54, cyclone 24160 may include any
dirt
outlet 24188 suitable for directing dis-entrained dirt from cyclone 24160 to
dirt
collection chamber 24164. For example, dirt outlet 24188 may be formed in or
connected to one or more (or all) of cyclone sidewall 24168 and cyclone end
walls
24192 and 24196. In the illustrated embodiment, dirt outlet 24188 is formed in
cyclone sidewall 24168. Dirt outlet 24188 may have any shape and size suitable
for allowing dirt particles to pass into dirt collection chamber 24164. In the
illustrated embodiment, dirt outlet 24188 is formed as a rectangular aperture
in
wall portion 24171. In alternative embodiments, dirt outlet 24188 may be
circular,
triangular, or another regular or irregularly shaped aperture. As exemplified,
77
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
cyclone dirt outlet 24188 may be bounded in part by cyclone second end wall
24196.
[00465] In the illustrated embodiment, cyclone 24160 is a uniflow
cyclone
and accordingly cyclone dirt outlet 12488 is positioned at cyclone second end
24176 proximate cyclone air outlet 24184. This allows the dirt and air to
travel
towards the same end of the cyclone 24160 before parting ways ¨ the air
exiting
through air outlet 24184 and the dirt exiting through dirt outlet 24188.
[00466] In use, the air stream inside cyclone 24160 swirls towards
cyclone
air outlet 24184 at cyclone second end 24176, which dis-entrains dirt
particles
against cyclone sidewall 24168. Under the influence of the rearward air
stream,
the dirt particles travel towards cyclone second end 24176 and exit through
cyclone dirt outlet 24188 to dirt collection chamber 24164.
[00467] Alternately or in addition, in accordance with this aspect,
the dirt
outlet 24188 may be formed in a lower portion of the cyclone chamber, such as
in
.. a lower part of sidewall 24168 of the cyclone chamber. An advantage of
placing
the dirt outlet 24188 in a lower portion of the rear end of the cyclone
chamber
24160 is that, when the handvac is in use with inlet 24116 pointed downwardly,
dirt will enter the dirt collection chamber 24164 and fall forwardly due to
gravity
thereby preventing outlet 24188 from becoming blocked until the dirt
collection
.. chamber 24164 is full.
[00468] The cyclone chamber 24160 includes a vortex finder 24204. The
vortex finder 24204 has a porous section 24201 and a non-porous section 24203.
The porous section 24201 permits air to flow therethrough and out the cyclone
air
outlet 24184 located at the second end 24207 of the vortex finder 24204. The
non-porous section 24203 is positioned at the second end 24176 of the cyclone
chamber 24160. In the example shown here, the cyclone dirt outlet 24188 is
radially outward of the non-porous section 24203.
[00469] It will be appreciated that in the embodiment of Figures 51-54
cyclone dirt outlet 24188 may be positioned anywhere at or between dirt
collection
chamber first end and dirt collection chamber second end and, in addition,
dirt
collection chamber first and second ends may be located at any position
between
cyclone first and second ends 24172 and 24176.
78
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00470] Figure 27 illustrates an example of a cyclone unit 3112 having
a
cyclone chamber 3160 and external dirt collection chamber 3164. The cyclone
chamber 3160 has an axially extending sidewall 3168.
[00471] The cyclone chamber side wall 3168 has a first end 3173
located at
the first end 3172 of the cyclone chamber 3160. The side wall 3168 has a
second
end 3174 that is spaced apart from the first end 3173 in a longitudinal
direction of
the cyclone chamber 3160. In the example shown, the second end 3174 of the
cyclone chamber sidewall 3168 located at the second end 3176 of the cyclone
chamber 3160.
[00472] As shown in Figure 27, the cyclone dirt outlet 3188 is provided
between the first end 3173 and the second end 3174 of the cyclone chamber
sidewall 3168. In this example, the cyclone dirt outlet 3188 is formed as an
annular gap extending all the way around the perimeter of the sidewall 3168.
[00473] The sidewall has a first section 3177 that extends axially
rearwardly
from the first end 3172 of the cyclone chamber 3160 towards the second end
3176 of the cyclone chamber 3160. As exemplified, the first section 3177 may
terminate at the dirt outlet 3188.
[00474] The sidewall has a second section 3178 that extends axially
forwardly from the second end 3176 of the cyclone chamber 3160 towards the
first end 3172 of the cyclone chamber 3160. As exemplified, the second section
3178 may terminate at the opposite side of the dirt outlet 3188.
[00475] In the example shown in Figure 27, the second wall section
3178 is
attached to the second end wall 3196. In embodiments where the second end wall
3196 is openable, the second wall section 3178 can move with the second end
wall 3196 when the second end wall 3196 is opened. This may allow the second
wall section 3178 to be removed from the cyclone chamber when the second end
wall 3196 is opened.
[00476] In some embodiments, the vortex finder 3204 may also be
secured
to the second end wall 3196. In such embodiments, the second wall section 3178
and vortex finder 3204 may both be moveable with the second end wall 3196.
79
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00477] In the example of Figure 27, the first wall section 3177 is
attached to
the radial outer wall 3191 of the dirt collection chamber 3164. In the example
illustrated, the radial outer wall 3191 can be provided by the exterior wall
3552 of
the cyclone unit 3112. The first wall section 3177 can remain in place if one
or
both of the first end wall 3192 and second end wall 3196 is openable.
[00478] Figure 28 illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 4112
having
a cyclone chamber 4160 and external dirt collection chamber 4164. Cyclone unit
4112 is generally similar to cyclone unit 3112 except that the first wall
section
4177 is attached to the first end wall 4192 while the second wall section 4178
is
attached to the exterior wall 4552 of the cyclone unit 4112.
[00479] As shown in Figure 28, the cyclone chamber 4160 has an axially
extending sidewall 4168. The cyclone chamber side wall 4168 has a first end
4173 located at the first end 4172 of the cyclone chamber 4160. The side wall
4168 has a second end 4174 that is spaced apart from the first end 4173 in a
longitudinal direction of the cyclone chamber 4160. In the example shown, the
second end 4174 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 4168 is located at the second
end 4176 of the cyclone chamber 4160.
[00480] As shown in Figure 28, the cyclone dirt outlet 4188 is
provided
between the first end 4173 and the second end 4174 of the cyclone chamber
sidewall 4168. In this example, the cyclone dirt outlet 4188 is formed as a
gap in
the sidewall 4168.
[00481] The sidewall has a first section 4177 that extends axially
rearwardly
from the first end 4172 of the cyclone chamber 4160 towards the second end
4176 of the cyclone chamber 4160. As exemplified, the first section 4177 may
terminate at the dirt outlet 4188.
[00482] The sidewall has a second section 4178 that extends axially
forwardly from the second end 4176 of the cyclone chamber 4160 towards the
first end 4172 of the cyclone chamber 4160. As exemplified, the second section
4178 may terminate at the opposite side of the dirt outlet 4188.
[00483] In the example shown in Figure 28, the first wall section 4177 is
attached to the first end wall 4192. In embodiments where the first end wall
4192
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
is openable, the first wall section 4177 can move with the first end wall 4192
when
the first end wall 4192 is opened. This may allow the first wall section 4177
to be
removed from the cyclone chamber when the first end wall 4192 is opened.
[00484] Optionally, as exemplified, the second wall section 4178 may
be
.. attached to the radial outer wall 4191 of the dirt collection chamber 4164
such as
by radially extending ribs. The radial outer wall 4191 may be provided by the
exterior wall 4552 of the cyclone unit 4112. In such an embodiment, the second
wall section 4178 can remain in place if one or both of the first end wall
4192 and
second end wall 4196 is openable.
[00485] Alternately, the second wall section 4178 may be attached to the
second end wall 4196 and may be removed from the cyclone chamber when the
second end wall 4196 is opened. Such an embodiment is exemplified in Figure
29, which illustrates another example of a cyclone unit 5112 having a cyclone
chamber 5160 and external dirt collection chamber 5164. Cyclone unit 5112 is
generally similar to cyclone units 3112 and 4112 except that the first wall
section
5177 is attached to the front end wall 5192 and the second wall section 5178
is
attached to the second end wall 5196.
[00486] As shown in Figure 29, the cyclone chamber 5160 has an axially
extending sidewall 5168. The cyclone chamber side wall 5168 has a first end
.. 5173 located at the first end 5172 of the cyclone chamber 5160. The side
wall
5168 has a second end 5174 that is spaced apart from the first end 5173 in a
longitudinal direction of the cyclone chamber 5160. In the example shown, the
second end 5174 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 5168 located at the second end
5176 of the cyclone chamber 5160.
[00487] As shown in Figure 29, the cyclone dirt outlet 5188 is provided
between the first end 5173 and the second end 5174 of the cyclone chamber
sidewall 5168. In this example, the cyclone dirt outlet 5188 is formed as a
gap in
the sidewall 5168.
[00488] The sidewall has a first section 5177 that extends axially
rearwardly
from the first end 5172 of the cyclone chamber 5160 towards the second end
5176 of the cyclone chamber 5160. The first section 5177 terminates at the
dirt
outlet 5188.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00489] The sidewall has a second section 5178 that extends axially
forwardly from the second end 5176 of the cyclone chamber 5160 towards the
first end 5172 of the cyclone chamber 5160. The second section 5178 terminates
at the opposite side of the dirt outlet 5188.
__ CONFIGURATION OF THE CYCLONE CHAMBER SIDEWALL
[00490] The following is a description of a configuration of the
cyclone
chamber sidewall 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 including the uniflow cyclone, the cyclone chamber inlet, the
cyclone
chamber screen member, the dirt collection chamber, the cyclone chamber dirt
outlet, the openable cyclone unit, the second stage cyclone, the mountable
surface cleaning apparatus, and the driving handle.
[00491] In some embodiments, the dirt collection area may be internal
of the
cyclone chamber, e.g., a dirt collection area may be provided at a
longitudinal end
__ of the cyclone chamber as exemplified in Figures 40-42. In such an
embodiment,
the dirt collection chamber may be defined in part by an end wall 15163 that
would otherwise be an end wall of the cyclone chamber 15160 and, optionally,
an
extension of a sidewall 15168 of the cyclone chamber 15160.
[00492] In other embodiments, as exemplified in Figure 3, the dirt
collection
__ chamber 164 may be positioned radially outwardly of the cyclone chamber 160
and may be annular. As exemplified in Figure 3, cyclone sidewall 168 is
discrete
from the exterior wall 552 of the cyclone unit 112. As shown, the cyclone
sidewall
168 is radially spaced apart from the exterior wall 552 with the dirt
collection
chamber 164 positioned radially between the cyclone sidewall 168 and the
exterior wall 552. The cyclone sidewall 168 may be secured in place by being
secured to the first or second ends of the cyclone chamber and/or by ribs
extending between the cyclone chamber sidewall 168 and the exterior wall 552.
[00493] In other embodiments, as exemplified in Figures 33 and 40, the
cyclone sidewall 168 may be formed at least in part by portions of the
exterior wall
__ 552. For example, as shown in Figure 40, the cyclone chamber sidewall 15158
is
provided by, and integral with, the cyclone unit exterior wall 15552.
Alternately, as
shown in Figure 33, a first section 9177 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 9168
82
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
may be formed by a portion of the cyclone unit exterior wall 9552. The cyclone
chamber sidewall 9168 also includes another portion (in this case, second
section
9178 and third section 9179) that are separate from the exterior wall 9552.
[00494] It will be appreciated that the dirt collection chamber 164
may have a
uniform radial width at all locations along the length of the dirt collection
chamber
164. Alternately, as exemplified in Figures 30 and 33, the width may vary,
e.g., it
may continuously increase or decrease towards one of the end walls of cyclone
unit.
[00495] Returning to the example of Figure 3, the dirt collection
chamber 164
has a dirt collection chamber sidewall 548 that is formed in part by portions
of the
cyclone sidewall 168. As shown in Figure 3, the dirt collection chamber 164
extends between a radial inner wall 190 and a radial outer wall 191. The
radial
inner wall 190 is formed by an outer portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall
168.
Accordingly, the wall portion 556 in common between cyclone 160 and dirt
collection chamber 164 may operate as a dividing wall. Sharing a common
dividing wall may help reduce the overall size of the cyclone unit 112, for a
more
compact design.
[00496] Alternately, the cyclone sidewall 168 and dirt collection
chamber
sidewall 548 may be discrete walls that are spaced apart and connected by a
dirt
outlet passage.
[00497] As shown in Figure 3, the radial outer wall 191 of the dirt
collection
chamber 164 may be formed as a separate wall from the exterior wall 552 of the
cyclone unit 112. This may allow the dirt collection chamber 164 to be removed
from the cyclone unit 112, e.g. for emptying and/or cleaning.
[00498] Alternately, the radial outer wall 191 of the dirt collection
chamber
164 may be provided by the exterior wall 552 of the cyclone unit 112. This may
promote a more compact design for the cyclone unit 112.
[00499] Alternately or in addition, in some embodiments the radial
outer wall
191 of the dirt collection chamber 164 may be provided by the cyclone chamber
sidewall 168. For example, as shown in Figure 40 the radial outer wall 15191
of
the dirt collection chamber 15164 can be formed by the cyclone chamber
sidewall
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
15168. In the example shown in Figure 40, the radial inner wall 15190 of the
dirt
collection chamber 15164 can be defined by the non-porous section 15203 of the
vortex finder 15204.
[00500] In accordance with this aspect of the disclosure, in some
embodiments the cyclone chamber sidewall may have a radial width that narrows
at an intermediate location within the cyclone chamber.
[00501] Referring to Figure 33, as shown therein the cyclone chamber
9160
extends in a longitudinal axial direction from a first end 9172 to a second
end
9176. A tangential air inlet 9180 is provided at the first end 9172 and a
cyclone air
outlet 9184 is provided at the second end 9176. The tangential air inlet 9180
has
a second or downstream side 9182, which in this example is defined by air
inlet
conduit wall 9183
[00502] As shown in Figure 33, the radial width of the cyclone chamber
9160
narrows at a location between the second side 9182 of the air inlet 9180 and
the
second end 9176 of the cyclone chamber 9160. This may promote a more
compact design for the cyclone unit 9112 while providing a wider cyclone
chamber 9160 near the tangential air inlet 9180 to reduce the volume of dirt
and
debris that becomes tangled with the vortex finder 9204 when near the first
end
9172 of the cyclone chamber 9160. For instance, this may allow the dirt
collection
chamber 9164 to surround a portion of the cyclone chamber 9160 without
increasing the overall width of the cyclone unit 9112.
[00503] The cyclone chamber 9160 has a cyclone chamber sidewall 9168
that extends from the first end 9172 towards the second end 9176. The cyclone
chamber sidewall 9168 may include multiple wall sections, in this case a first
wall
section 9177, a second wall section 9178, and a third wall section 9179. The
first
wall section 9177 has a first radial width, the second wall section 9178 has a
second radial width, and the third wall section has a third radial width.
[00504] In the example illustrated, the first radial width and the
third radial
width are generally constant and do not change along the length of the first
wall
section 9177 and third wall section 9179 respectively. The first radial width
is
greater than the third radial width. The second radial width changes,
optionally at
a continuous rate, along the longitudinal length of the second wall section
9178.
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The second wall section 9178 transitions gradually from the first radial width
to the
third radial width, thereby narrowing the width of the cyclone chamber 9160 in
the
process.
[00505] In the example shown in Figure 33, the first wall section
9177,
second wall section 9178 and third wall section 9179 define a continuous
cyclone
chamber sidewall 9168. Alternately, a gap may be provided between two or more
of the sidewall sections. For example, as shown in Figure 34 a gap (dirt
outlet
188) may be provided between the second wall section 10178 and the third wall
section 10179. In this example, the first wall section 10177 and second wall
section 10178 define a continuous sidewall section.
[00506] Alternately, one of the sidewall sections may be omitted. For
example, the third wall section may be omitted in some embodiments.
[00507] In the example illustrated in Figures 33 and 34, the radial
width of
the cyclone chamber narrows gradually. Alternately, the radial width of the
cyclone
chamber may narrow more abruptly at a location between the first end and the
second end of the cyclone chamber. For example, the second wall section may
extend radially inward along a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction
of the
cyclone chamber.
[00508] Alternately, the radial width of the cyclone chamber may widen
between the first end and the second end of the cyclone chamber. For example,
where the second end of the dirt collection chamber is spaced axially inward
from
the second end of the cyclone chamber, the radial width of the cyclone chamber
may increase at the second end of the dirt collection chamber.
[00509] Figure 30 illustrates an example of a cyclone chamber 6160 in
which
the radial width of the cyclone chamber 6160 widens at the second end 6166 of
the dirt collection chamber.
[00510] The cyclone chamber 6160 has a cyclone chamber sidewall 6168
that extends from the first end 6172 towards the second end 6176. The cyclone
chamber sidewall 6168 includes multiple wall sections, in this case a first
wall
section 6177, a second wall section 6178, and a third wall section 6179. The
first
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
wall section 6177 has a first radial width, the second wall section 6178 has a
second radial width, and the third wall section has a third radial width.
[00511] In the example illustrated, the first radial width and the
third radial
width are generally constant and do not change along the length of the first
wall
section 6177 and third wall section 6179 respectively. The first radial width
is
narrower than the third radial width. The second radial width changes along
the
longitudinal length of the second wall section 6178. The second wall section
6178
transitions gradually from the first radial width to the third radial width,
thereby
widening the width of the cyclone chamber 6160 in the process.
[00512] In the example shown in Figure 30, the second wall section 6178 of
the cyclone chamber sidewall 6168 also forms the second end wall 6163 of the
dirt collection chamber 6164. Thus, the width of the cyclone chamber 6160
gradually increases at the second end 6166 of the dirt collection chamber
6164.
[00513] Alternatively, the width of the cyclone chamber may increase
more
abruptly. For example, Figure 31 illustrates an example of a cyclone chamber
7160 having a first wall section 7177 and a second wall section 7178 (see also
Figure 32). . The first wall section 7177 has a narrower radial width than the
second wall section 7178. Unlike cyclone chamber 6160, however, the cyclone
chamber 7160 does not include an intermediate wall section that provides a
gradual increase in cyclone chamber width. Rather, the width of the cyclone
chamber 7160 increases abruptly at the second end 7166 of the dirt collection
chamber.
[00514] In accordance with an aspect of this disclosure, the cyclone
chamber sidewall may be mounted to any suitable portion of the cyclone unit.
[00515] For example, as shown in Figures 1-13, the cyclone chamber
sidewall 168 may be mounted to the exterior wall 552 of the cyclone unit 112.
This
may ensure that the cyclone chamber 160 remains within the cyclone unit 112
even if one or both ends 172 and 176 of the cyclone chamber 160 are opened.
[00516] Alternately, the cyclone chamber sidewall may be mounted to an
end wall of the cyclone chamber. In some embodiments, this may allow the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
cyclone chamber to be removed from the cyclone unit if the corresponding end
wall is opened.
[00517] For example, Figure 31 illustrates an example of a cyclone
chamber
7160 in which a portion 7177 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 7168 is mounted
to
the first end wall 7192 of the cyclone unit 7112. The portion 7177 of the
sidewall
7168 can extend from the first end 7172 of the cyclone chamber to the dirt
outlet
7188. This may allow the portion 7177 to move with the first end wall 7192 in
embodiments when the first end wall 7192 is openable.
[00518] In some embodiments, the portion 7177 of the sidewall 7168
attached to the first end wall 7192 may define at least a portion of the
sidewall of
the dirt collection chamber 7164. This may allow the dirt collection chamber
7164
to be emptied when the first portion 7177 moves with the first end wall 7192.
[00519] Alternately or in addition, a portion of the cyclone chamber
sidewall
may be mounted to the second end wall of the cyclone unit. For example, Figure
34 illustrates an example of a cyclone unit 10112 in which a section 10179 of
the
cyclone chamber sidewall 10168 is mounted to the second end wall 10196. This
may allow the portion 10179 to move with the second end wall 10196 in
embodiments when the second end wall 10196 is openable.
[00520] In some embodiments, the portion 10179 of the sidewall 10168
attached to the second end wall 10196 may define at least a portion of the
sidewall of the dirt collection chamber 10164. This may allow the dirt
collection
chamber 10164 to be emptied when the portion 10179 moves with the second
end wall 10196.
[00521] As explained above with reference to Figures 27-29, in various
embodiments in which the cyclone chamber sidewall is formed with multiple
sections that are separated by a gap at a location intermediate the first and
second ends of the cyclone chamber sidewall, the cyclone chamber sidewall
sections may be mounted to the first end, second end, and cyclone unit
exterior
wall in any suitable configuration.
87
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
OPENABLE CYCLONE UNIT
[00522] The following is a description of an openable cyclone unit 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 including the uniflow
cyclone, the cyclone chamber inlet, the cyclone chamber screen member, the
dirt
collection chamber, the cyclone chamber dirt outlet, the cyclone chamber
sidewall,
the second stage cyclone, the mountable surface cleaning apparatus, and the
driving handle.
[00523] In accordance with this aspect of the disclosure, the air
treatment
member may include one or more openable doors that provides access to empty
or clean the air treatment member (e.g. to empty or clean a dirt collection
region of
the air treatment member).
[00524] It will be appreciated that part or all of one or more of the
inlet
conduit 128, the dirt collection chamber and/or the screen member may be
concurrently removable with the openable door (e.g., it may be attached to the
openable door, or it may be removable once the openable door is opened). See
for example Figures 5-10, 15, 17,20 and 48A-D
[00525] Reference is now made to Figures 1 and 4. In some embodiments,
air treatment member 112 includes an openable wall (e.g., a door) to provide
access to clean or empty the air treatment member (e.g., cyclone 160 and dirt
collection chamber 164). Any portion of air treatment member 112 suitable for
emptying air treatment member 112 may be openable.
[00526] As exemplified, air treatment member 112 includes an openable
front end 172 wherein all of the front end is openable. As exemplified, the
air
treatment member may be a cyclone unit comprising a cyclone and a dirt
collection chamber external to the cyclone and may have a front end 172 that
includes cyclone first end wall 192, and dirt collection chamber first end
wall 162.
It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, only a portion of the front
end
172 may be openable.
[00527] The openable door 472 may be openable in any manner suitable for
providing access to clean or empty air treatment member 112, e.g., cyclone 160
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
and dirt collection chamber 164. For example, the door 472 may be pivotally
attached to the air treatment member 112 which is exemplified in Figures 1,
slideably attached to the air treatment member 112, and/or removable
altogether
from the air treatment member 112.
[00528] As exemplified, cyclone unit front door 472 is rotatable about a
cyclone unit wall pivot axis 480 (see Figure 3) between a closed position
(Figure
1), and an open position (Figure 4). It will be appreciated that cyclone unit
front
door 472 may be rotatable in any manner and direction suitable for moving
cyclone unit front door 472 generally away from the cyclone unit 112 to
provide
access to the cyclone 160 and dirt collection chamber 164 inside. In the
illustrated embodiment, cyclone unit front door 472 is downwardly rotatable
about
a transversely extending (e.g. horizontal) cyclone unit wall pivot axis 480
located
below a lower portion 352 of the cyclone unit 112. As exemplified, the cyclone
unit wall pivot axis 480 is transverse to (e.g. substantially perpendicular
to) the
inlet connector axis 364 and the cyclone axis of rotation 484.
[00529] In alternative embodiments, cyclone unit front door 472 may
rotate in
a different direction about a different axis. For example, cyclone unit front
door
472 may move laterally or transversely outwardly by rotation about a
substantially
vertical axis positioned proximate a left or right side of the cyclone unit
112. In
other embodiments, cyclone unit front door 472 may move upwardly by rotation
about a substantially horizontal axis positioned proximate cyclone unit upper
portion 354.
[00530] Still referring to Figures 1 and 4, the cyclone unit front door
472 may
have any construction suitable for allowing the cyclone unit front door 472 to
rotate about the cyclone unit wall pivot axis 480. For example, cyclone unit
front
door 472 may be connected to cyclone unit 112 by a hinge 486 of any type known
in the art. In some embodiments, cyclone unit front door 472 may be
resiliently
bendable to connect with cyclone unit 112 by a living hinge.
[00531] The pivot axis may be located at the front end of the cyclone
chamber. Alternately, as exemplified, the pivot axis may be located rearwardly
and the hinge may include an axially extending arm. An advantage of this
design
is that it may facilitate mounting a member (e.g., the inlet conduit 128) to
the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
openable door and enabling the inlet conduit 128 to be removed from the
cyclone
chamber 160 when the door is opened. See also Figures 13B and C and 23B-E
wherein the inlet conduit 128 and the insert 175 are both moveable with the
openable door (e.g., the may each be mounted to the openable door).
Alternately,
insert 175 may remain in position when the front wall 192 is opened. The
[00532] If an end wall is openable, then a lock is provided to secure
the
openable end wall in a closed position. The lock may be manually releasable by
a
user. This allows the openable cyclone unit wall to remain closed while the
apparatus 100 is operating, and allows the user to selectively open the
openable
cyclone unit wall to empty the cyclone 160 and dirt collection chamber 164
inside
when the apparatus 100 is turned off. For example, as exemplified in Figures 1
and 3, cyclone unit 112 includes a door lock 492, which inhibits opening of
cyclone unit front door 472 when engaged. Door lock 492 is user operable to
disengage door lock 492 to thereby permit cyclone unit front door 472 to move
to
its open position.
[00533] Door lock 492 may be any type of lock suitable for retaining
cyclone
unit front door 472 in its closed position, and which may be user releasable
to
permit cyclone unit 112 to open. In some embodiments, door lock 492 may have
a manually operable actuator for moving the lock between its engaged and
disengaged positions. In the illustrated embodiment, door lock 492 includes an
engaging member 496 and an actuator 504.
[00534] Optionally, the door release actuator 504 is manually user
operable
(i.e. by hand) to move the engaging member 496 between its engaged position
(Figure 1) and a disengaged position. As exemplified, in the engaged position
(Figure 1), door release actuator 504 may engage cyclone unit front door 472
to
inhibit movement of front door 472 to its open position. This prevents front
door
472 from rotating about its cyclone unit wall pivot axis 480 to its open
position. In
the disengaged position, door release actuator 504 releases cyclone unit front
door 472 to permit front door 472 to move to its open position (for example,
engaging member 496 may be raised to disengage the front door 472) .
[00535] Lock engaging member 496 may be of any construction having an
engaged position for retaining the openable cyclone unit wall in its closed
position,
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
and a disengaged position for releasing the openable cyclone unit to move to
its
open position. In
the illustrated example, lock engaging member 496 is
connected to an exterior of air treatment member 112.
[00536] As
exemplified, lock engaging member 496 has a front end 508
which is sized and positioned to releasably hook onto an outer portion of the
cyclone unit front door 472 to retain the front door 472 in its closed
position.
[00537] Lock
engaging member 496 may be movable in any suitable manner
between its engaged and disengaged positions. For example, lock engaging
member 496 may be rotatable as shown, translatable, or combinations thereof.
In
the illustrated embodiment, lock engaging member 496 is pivotally connected to
air treatment member 112 for rotation between its engaged and disengaged
positions. As exemplified, in the engaged position, lock engaging member 496
may hook onto front door 472. Lock engaging member 496 may then be rotated
about its axis away from cyclone unit front door 472 to unhook from the front
door.
Optionally, lock engaging member 496 may be biased to the locked position. For
example, a biasing member (e.g. torsional spring, not shown) may bias lock
engaging member 496 to rotate toward the closed position.
[00538] Door
lock 492 may have any door release actuator 504 suitable for
moving the lock engaging member 496 between its engaged and disengaged
positions. In the illustrated example, door release actuator 504 is formed as
a
button which is operable to rotate lock engaging member 496 to its unlocked
position. As exemplified, door release actuator 504 and lock engaging member
496 may be provided as an integrated member configured to move lock engaging
member 496 when door release actuator 504 is depressed. In this example,
when door release actuator 504 is depressed, lock engaging member 496 is
teetered to rotate about its lock engaging member axis to its disengaged
position.
It will be appreciated that door release actuator 504 may be movable in any
suitable manner. For example, door release actuator 504 may be rotatable (e.g.
pivotal) as shown, or translatable (e.g. slidable). In the illustrated
example, door
release actuator 504 is rotatably connected to cyclone unit 112 about the same
rotational axis as lock engagement member 496.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00539] As shown in Figures 5 and 19-21, optionally both the first end
wall
192 and second end wall 196 of the cyclone unit 112 may be openable. For
example, second end wall 196 may define a rear door 476 of the cyclone unit
112.
The rear door 476 may operate in generally the same manner as front door 192.
Accordingly, each end of the cyclone unit may have a door lock 492,
[00540] Similar to cyclone unit front door 472, the cyclone unit rear
door 473
may have any construction suitable for allowing the cyclone unit rear door 473
to
open. For example, cyclone unit rear door 473 may be rotatably connected to
cyclone unit 112 by a rear hinge 487 of any type known in the art.
[00541] The rear door 473 may also include a door lock 493 analogous to
door lock 492. Door lock 493 may be any type of lock suitable for retaining
cyclone unit rear door 473 in its closed position, and which is user
releasable to
permit cyclone unit 112 to open. In some embodiments, door lock 493 may have
a manually operable actuator for moving the lock between its engaged and
disengaged positions. In the illustrated embodiment, door lock 493 includes an
engaging member 497 and an actuator 505.
[00542] Optionally as exemplified in figures 23F and G, a front pivot
480a
and a rear pivot 480b may be provided. The front wall 192 may be pivotally
mounted by pivot 480a. As exemplified, inlet 128 may remain in position and
insert 175 may mounted to front wall 192. A portion of the cyclone chamber
sidewall 191 may be pivotally mounted to second (rear) wall 196 by rear pivot
480b. In such a case, the vortex finder 204 may be secured to the moveable
portion of the sidewall 191. For example, the rearward end of the vortex
finder 204
may be secured on position by a plurality of support members 209 (e.g., ribs)
that
may extend radially. Some of the support members 209 may be secured to the
openable portion of sidewall 191 and the remainder (if any) may abut the inner
surface of the sidewall when the cyclone chamber is closed. The lock engaging
member 496 may be on a lower end of the front wall 192.
[00543] Figures 23H and I exemplify an embodiment that is similar to
the
embodiment of Figures 23F and G except that the rear wall 196 is also
pivotally
mounted to rear pivot 480b.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS WITH A SECOND STAGE CYCLONE
[00544] The following is a description of a surface cleaning apparatus
with a
second stage cyclone 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 including the uniflow cyclone, the cyclone chamber inlet,
the
cyclone chamber screen member, the dirt collection chamber, the cyclone
chamber dirt outlet, the cyclone chamber sidewall, the openable cyclone unit,
the
mountable surface cleaning apparatus, and the driving handle.
[00545] In accordance with this aspect, any second stage cyclone unit
may
be used.
[00546] Figure 76 illustrates an example of a surface cleaning
apparatus
32100 in accordance with an embodiment. Surface cleaning apparatus 32100 is
an example of a hand vacuum cleaner having a first stage cyclone unit 32112
that
may comprise a single first cyclone chamber 32160 and a second stage cyclone
unit 32700.
[00547] As shown in Figure 76, the first cyclone unit 32112 is fluidly
coupled
to a dirty air inlet 32116 by an air inlet passage 32128. The first cyclone
unit
32112, air inlet passage 32128, and dirty air inlet 32116 generally correspond
to
the cyclone unit 1112, air inlet passage 1128 and dirty air inlet 1116 of
surface
cleaning apparatus 1100. As shown, the first cyclone unit 32112 includes a
cyclone chamber 32160 and an external dirt collection chamber 32164. However,
unlike surface cleaning apparatus 1100, in surface cleaning apparatus 32100
the
cyclone air outlet 32184 of the first cyclonic unit 32112 is in fluid flow
communication with an air inlet 32701 of the second cyclone unit 32700.
[00548] Optionally, as exemplified in Figure 76, the second cyclone unit
32700 may be a multi-inlet cyclone assembly. The cyclone air inlet 32701
includes
a plurality of air inlet ports 32702a and 32702b, which may share a common
airflow passage leading upstream to the first stage cyclone air outlet 32184.
[00549] Air entering the second stage cyclone air inlet 32701 passes
through
the common airflow passage, then to the air inlet ports 32702 before entering
the
cyclone chamber 32760.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00550] The cyclone chamber 32760 that has multiple cyclone air inlets
in
fluid communication with (downstream of) the inlet conduit 32701, a cyclone
air
outlet 32704, and a dirt outlet (not shown) that is in communication with a
dirt
collection chamber 32764.
[00551] The second stage cyclone 32760 may optionally be a `uniflow'
cyclone chamber (i.e. where the cyclone air inlet 32701 and cyclone air outlet
32704 are at opposite ends of the cyclone chamber). Alternatively, as
exemplified,
a single cyclonic cleaning stage with bidirectional air flow (i.e. where the
cyclone
air inlet and cyclone air outlet are at the same end of the cyclone chamber)
may
be used as the air treatment member 32700. Optionally, the cyclone may be an
inverted cyclone.
[00552] Air passing through the second stage cyclone 32760 can exit via
the
cyclone air outlet 32704 and impinge upon a pre-motor filter 32228.
SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS MOUNTABLE ON A BASE
[00553] The following is a description of a mountable surface cleaning
apparatus 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
including the uniflow cyclone, the cyclone chamber inlet, the cyclone chamber
screen member, the dirt collection chamber, the cyclone chamber dirt outlet,
the
cyclone chamber sidewall, the openable cyclone unit, the second stage cyclone,
and the driving handle.
[00554] In some embodiments, surface cleaning apparatus 100 could be
removably mountable on a base so as to form, for example, an upright vacuum
cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner, a stick vac, a wet-dry vacuum cleaner and
the
like. Power can be supplied to the surface cleaning apparatus 100 by an
electrical cord (not shown) that can be connected to a standard wall
electrical
outlet. Alternatively, or in addition, the power source for the surface
cleaning
apparatus can be an onboard energy storage device, including, for example, one
or more batteries.
[00555] As noted above, the inlet end 124 of the surface cleaning apparatus
can be connected or directly connected to the downstream end of any suitable
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
accessory tool such as a rigid air flow conduit (e.g. wand, crevice tool, mini
brush
or the like) for example. For example, Figures 78 and 79 show an exemplary
surface cleaning apparatus 34101 (e.g. a stickvac) including surface cleaning
apparatus 24100 with connector inlet end 24124 directly connected to a wand
34136 (e.g., wand outlet end 34612 may be removably connectable in air flow
communication with inlet connector 24128) that is pivotally connected to a
surface
cleaning head 34140. Wand may be securable to connector 24128 by any means
known in the art such as a locking member or a friction fit. In the
illustrated
configuration of Figure 78, the surface cleaning apparatus 34100 can be used
to
clean a floor or other surface in a manner analogous to conventional upright-
style
vacuum cleaners.
[00556] As exemplified in Figure 79, when inlet connector 24128 is
mounted
to a wand 34136 (i.e. a rigid air flow conduit), the wand axis 34559, the
inlet
connector axis 24364, and the cyclone axis of rotation 24484 may be parallel.
An
advantage of this embodiment is that this reduces bends in the air flow for
improved air efficiency. It will be appreciated that only some of these axes
may
be parallel. For example, only the inlet connector axis 24364 and the cyclone
axis
of rotation 24484 may be parallel.
[00557] Alternately, a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may be
mountable to a base in a non-operative configuration. This may facilitate
storage
of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus. For example, Figure 79
illustrates an example of a surface cleaning apparatus 33101 in which a hand
carriable surface cleaning apparatus 100 is mountable within an upright
section
33136. This may provide a compact storage configuration for the surface
cleaning
apparatus 100. Additionally, this may allow a user to easily switch between
use of
the upright surface cleaning apparatus 33101 and hand vacuum 100.
[00558] Figures 80 and 81 show another exemplary surface cleaning
apparatus 35101 including a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus 35100
that is removably mountable to a base 35102 that includes a surface cleaning
head 35140 and a wand 35136. When the wand is mounted to the surface
cleaning head and in the upright storage position, the wand has a lower end
and
an axially spaced apart upper end and a wand axis 35559 extends between the
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
lower end and the upper end. The connector inlet end 35124 of the surface
cleaning apparatus 35100 may be directly connected to a wand 35136 (e.g., wand
outlet end 35612 may be removably connectable in air flow communication with
inlet connector 35128) that is pivotally connected to a surface cleaning head
35140. Wand may be securable to connector 35128 by any means known in the
art such as a locking member or a friction fit. In the illustrated
configuration of
Figure 78, the surface cleaning apparatus 35100 can be used to clean a floor
or
other surface in a manner analogous to conventional upright-style vacuum
cleaners.
[00559] As exemplified in Figures 80 and 81, when inlet connector 35128 is
mounted to a wand 35136 (i.e. a rigid air flow conduit), the wand axis 35559,
the
inlet connector axis 35364, and the cyclone axis of rotation 35484 may be
parallel.
As shown in Figures 80 and 81 and as discussed subsequently, the handle 35108
may be adjusted between multiple in-use positions. For example, Figure 80
shows
handle 35108 in a first use position in which the handle extends aligned with
the
wand cyclone axis 35994 and secondary cyclone axis 35484. Figure 81
illustrates
handle 35108 in a second use position in which the handle is pivoted at an
angle
to the wand cyclone axis 35994 and cyclone axis 35484. This may facilitate a
driving operation of the surface cleaning apparatus 35101, allowing a user to
more easily direct the surface cleaning head in forward/rearward direction.
[00560] The hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus 35100 shown in
Figures 80 and 81 is generally similar to the surface cleaning apparatus 1100,
except that the portion of the main body 35104 rearward of the cyclone unit
35112
is narrowed and may omit a pre-motor filter. In particular, the cyclone air
inlet
35128, cyclone chamber 35160, and dirt collection chamber 35164 may be
configured in a manner analogous to air inlet 1128, cyclone chamber 1160, and
dirt collection chamber 1164.
[00561] Figures 80 and 81 exemplify a stick surface cleaning apparatus
comprising a surface cleaning head and an upper portion 35137. As with an
upright vacuum cleaner, the upper portion 35137 is moveable between an upright
storage position (see for example Figure 79) and a rearwardly reclined in use
position. Upper portion 35137 includes an additional cyclone chamber 35860.
96
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
When surface cleaning apparatus 35100 is mounted on the base 35102, the
cyclone 35160 can define a secondary cyclonic stage for the surface cleaning
apparatus 35101. This may provide increased dirt separation for the surface
cleaning apparatus 35101.
[00562] The first cyclone 35860 has a cyclone axis 35994. When the surface
cleaning apparatus 35100 is mounted on the base 35102, the cyclone axis 35994
can be parallel with the air inlet passage axis 35364 and cyclone axis 35484
of
the hand vacuum cleaner 35100. Additionally, the cyclone air outlet 35884 can
be
parallel to, and even aligned with the air inlet passage 35128. This may
reduce
the number of bends in the airflow passage and provide for more efficient
airflow
through the surface cleaning apparatus 35101.
[00563] As exemplified in Figures 80 and 81, wand 35136 may comprise or
consist of a cyclone chamber 35860 and a dirt collection chamber 35864.
Accordingly the wand may be an air treatment member and, if a suction motor
and
fan assembly is provided (e.g., at an upper end of the cyclone chamber 35160),
and a handle is provided at the upper end of the upright assembly, then the
wand
may be the sole cyclonic air treatment member of the surface cleaning
apparatus.
In such a case, a hand vac need not be provided downstream of the cyclone
35860.Accordingly, a stick vacuum cleaner may be defined by a surface cleaning
head, a pivotally mounted upflow duct 35138 and wand 35136 that consists of a
cyclone unit. In such a case, the wand may be the upper portion 35137 and may
have a driving handle, such as the type of handle exemplified in the portable
surface cleaning units shown in Figures 79-81, connected thereto. It will be
appreciated that while a uniflow cyclone is exemplified in Figure 81 (i.e.,
the air
inlet of the cyclone is at the lower end of the wand and the vortex finder
35904
that is the air outlet of the cyclone is at the upper end of the wand), any
cyclone
may be used (such as a cyclone wherein the air inlet and the air outlet are at
the
upper end of the wand).
[00564] Cyclone chamber 35860 may be of any design disclosed herein. As
exemplified, the longitudinally extending sidewalls of the cyclone chamber
35860
and the dirt collection chamber 35864 may define the rigid structure that
drivingly
connects the handle 35108 to the surface cleaning head 35190. Accordingly the
97
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
longitudinally extending sidewalls of the cyclone chamber 35860 and the dirt
collection chamber 35864 may define the outer walls of the upright section. As
such, the cyclone chamber 35860 and the dirt collection chamber 35864 are the
wand 35137.
[00565] Wand 35136 may be formed integrally with the upflow duct 35138 or
removably mounted thereto.
[00566] A dirt collection chamber 35864 is fluidly connected to the
cyclone
chamber 35860 by dirt outlet 35888. As exemplified, the dirt collection
chamber
35864 may be provided within the wand 35136. The dirt collection chamber 35864
can extend to the base of the wand 35136. This provides a substantial dirt
collection volume while providing a thin wand 35136 (e.g., the wand may have a
diameter of 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 inches).
[00567] The cyclone chamber 35160 and the dirt collection chamber 35164
may be integrally formed or assembled together as a one piece assembly.
Accordingly, the cyclone chamber 35160 and the dirt collection chamber 35164
may be removed as a unit from the surface cleaning head. The inlet end of the
wand the is removably mounted to the upflow conduit 35138 may be removably
connectable to an auxiliary cleaning tool, such as a crevice tool or a
flexible hose.
MAIN BODY HANDLE
[00568] The following is a description of a 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 including the uniflow cyclone, the
cyclone
chamber inlet, the cyclone chamber screen member, the dirt collection chamber,
the cyclone chamber dirt outlet, the cyclone chamber sidewall, the openable
cyclone unit, the second stage cyclone, and the mountable surface cleaning
apparatus.
[00569] In accordance with this aspect, the handle for a surface
cleaning
apparatus may be pivotably connected to the main body of the surface cleaning
apparatus. This may allow the handle to be adjusted to different use positions
to
provide flexibility for cleaning and/or storage.
98
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00570] Alternatively, or in addition, the power source for the surface
cleaning apparatus can include an onboard energy storage device, including,
for
example, one or more batteries. The onboard energy storage device can be
housed within the handle of the surface cleaning apparatus. The handle may be
attached to a main body housing the suction motor of the surface cleaning
apparatus. This may provide a balanced weight distribution for the surface
cleaning apparatus with the weight of the onboard energy storage device
balancing with the weight of the suction motor.
[00571] Figures 1 and 11-13 illustrate an example of the configuration
of a
surface cleaning apparatus handle 108. As shown in Figures 1 and 11, the
handle
108 can be adjusted between a first use position (shown in Figures 1 and 13)
and
a second use position (shown in Figures 11 and 12). In the first use position,
the
handle axis 376 may be parallel to the air inlet axis 364. This may provide
the
surface cleaning apparatus 100 with greater overall length from front 121 to
back
122, allowing a user to more easily clean hard to reach areas.
[00572] In the second use position, the handle axis 376 can be
positioned at
an angle to the air inlet axis 364. For example, in the second use position
the
handle axis 376 may be at an angle to air inlet axis 364 of between about 10-
90
degrees, 15 ¨ 80 degrees, 25-65 degrees, or about 45 degrees. A user may grasp
the handle 108 in a generally horizontal position with the inlet end 124 of
the air
inlet passage 128 aiming towards a horizontal surface. The handle may be
moveable between different locking positions or it may be locked at any
desired
angular position.
[00573] Alternately or in addition, the handle may be adjustable to a
third use
position with the handle axis 376 at an angle of about 80-100 degrees, or 90
degrees to air inlet axis 364.
[00574] Returning to the example shown in Figures 1-13, the handle 108
may be movably mounted to the main body 104 in any suitable configuration to
allow the handle to be adjusted between the various use positions. For
example,
the handle 108 can be pivotally attached to the main body 104, and/or
removable
altogether from the main body 104.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00575] As exemplified, handle 108 is rotatable about a handle pivot
axis
388 (see Figure 1) between a first user position (Figure 1), and a second user
position (Figure 1). It will be appreciated that handle 108 may be rotatable
in any
manner and direction suitable for moving handle 108 between the various use
positions. In the illustrated embodiment, handle 108 is downwardly rotatable
about a laterally extending (e.g. horizontal) handle pivot axis 388 located in
an
upper portion of the main body 104. As exemplified, the handle pivot axis 388
is
transverse to (e.g. substantially perpendicular to), the handle axis 376, the
inlet
connector axis 364, and the cyclone axis of rotation 484.
[00576] Handle 108 may have any construction suitable for allowing the
handle 108 to rotate about the handle pivot axis 388. For example, handle 108
may be connected to main body 104 by a hinge 386 of any type known in the art.
[00577] Still referring to Figures 1 and 11-13, the handle 108 is
secured in
each use position, and manually user adjustable (e.g. by hand). This allows
the
handle 108 to remain in a desired use position while the apparatus 100 is
operating, and allows the user to selectively adjust the user position of the
handle
108 to the desired position when the apparatus 100 is turned off (or even
while
the apparatus 100 is still operating). In the illustrated example, handle 108
includes a handle position adjustment member 387 that is user operable to
release the handle 108 from being secured in a user position to thereby permit
handle 108 to move to an alternate use position.
[00578] Handle position adjustment member 387 may be any type of lock
and release actuator suitable for retaining handle 108 in each use position,
and
which is user releasable to permit handle 108 to move between use positions.
In
some embodiments, Handle position adjustment member 387 may have a
manually operable actuator for moving the lock between its secured and
unsecured positions.
[00579] Alternately, the handle 108 may be fixed to the main body 104.
This
may provide a simpler construction that may reduce the potential for failure.
[00580] In the example embodiment shown in Figures 1-13, the handle 108
optionally houses the electronic control circuitry 300 for the surface
cleaning
apparatus 100. Additionally or alternatively, the handle 108 may also house an
100
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
energy storage module 302 for the surface cleaning apparatus. This may ensure
that the electronic control circuitry 300 and/or energy storage module 302 are
maintained apart from the air flow pathway, which may prevent dirt from
clogging
the control circuitry and/or energy storage module 302.
[00581] As exemplified in Figures 12 and 13, an energy storage module 302
containing, e.g., one or more batteries or capacitors 304 can be housed within
the
handle 108. The handle 108 may be provided as a separate compartment from
the main body 104 of the hand vacuum cleaner 100 in which the suction motor
152 is housed. By providing the energy storage module 302 in the handle 108,
the
weight of the batteries 304 may provide a counter-weight to the weight of the
suction motor 152 and provide a more balanced weight distribution for a user
manipulating the surface cleaning apparatus 100 using handle 108.
[00582] Alternately, the energy storage module may be stored external
to the
handle. For example, the energy storage module may be stored below the suction
motor in a surface cleaning apparatus such as surface cleaning apparatus 24100
shown in Figure 54.
[00583] Alternately, the surface cleaning apparatus may omit an energy
storage module. For instance, the surface cleaning apparatus may be powered
using an electrical cord that is connectable to an electrical power outlet or
a
dwelling.
[00584] Returning to Figure 13, the handle 108 may include a removable
base 303. The base 303 may be detachable from the handle 108 to provide
access to the energy storage module 302. This may allow the batteries 304 to
be
removed for charging and/or replacement. In some cases, the energy storage
module 302 may be removed as an enclosed container (e.g., a battery pack).
Alternately, the batteries 302 may be separately removable.
[00585] Alternately or in addition, the batteries 302 may be
rechargeable
while contained within handle 108. For example, the surface cleaning apparatus
100 may have an electrical port that can be connected to an electrical power
cord
or a battery charger. The surface cleaning apparatus 100 may be connected to a
power outlet in order to charge batteries 302.
101
Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
[00586] The handle 108 can also include a power button 380 (see Figure
11). The power button 380 may be used to activate and deactivate operation of
the suction motor and fan assembly 152.
[00587] In some embodiments, the power button 380 may be used to
activate and deactivate an output display on the surface cleaning apparatus.
[00588] The power button 380 can be manually operated by a user. The
power button 380 can be positioned at a location on the handle 108 so that a
user
can activate the power button 380 while supporting the handle 108 with the
same
hand. For example, the power button 380 may be positioned on the bottom side
125 of the handle so that a user can operate the power button 380 with their
index
finger while supporting the handle 108 with the remaining three fingers on the
same hand.
[00589] As shown in Figures 15 and 21, the handle 1108 can be
configured
with a power button 1380 on the bottom side 1125. This may encourage a user to
operate the surface cleaning apparatus 1100 with the dirt collection chamber
1164
positioned below the cyclone chamber 1160, in particular in embodiments in
which a majority of the dirt collection chamber 1164 is positioned below the
cyclone chamber 1160.
[00590] Alternately or in addition, the driving handle may extend
upwardly
and forwardly (e.g., a pistol grip handle). As shown in Figures 52 and 54,
driving
handle 24108 may extend upwardly from the suction motor housing (e.g., an
upper surface of the main body that houses the suction motor). Driving handle
24108 may terminate at or above an upper end of the handvac 24100.
Accordingly, the inlet conduit axis 24364 may intersect the driving handle
24108.
An advantage of this design is that the weight of the motor is below the hand
grip.
Further, the driving axis of the handvac when connected to a wand (the wand
axis) is at an opposite end of the handle to the suction motor. This provides
improved hand weight for a user.
[00591] As exemplified in Figure 54, handle 24108 may extend from its
lower
end 24368 to its upper end 24372 along a handle axis 24376. When surface
cleaning apparatus 24100 is positioned with bottom 24125 on a horizontal
surface
and the bottom 24125 extends horizontally, handle axis 24376 may extend
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
generally upwardly and forwardly (e.g. at an angle of less than 45 degrees to
vertical) to provide a comfortable natural grip during use.
[00592] In
the illustrated embodiment, handle 24108 includes a portion
24377 spaced from main body 24104 whereby a finger receiving area 24379 is
provided between the driving handle 24108 and the main body 24104. As
exemplified, handle 24108 may be positioned at the rear end of main body
24104.
[00593] While
the above description provides examples of the embodiments,
it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described
embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit
and
principles of operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, 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.
[00594] This
specification also includes the subject matter of the following
clause sets:
Clause Set A:
1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a
dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a cyclone and a suction motor
positioned
in the air flow path, the cyclone comprising:
(a) a cyclone chamber having a longitudinally extending cyclone axis of
rotation, a first end, an opposed end spaced apart in a longitudinal axial
direction from the first end, a tangential air inlet located at the first end,
a
cyclone air outlet located at the opposed end, a dirt outlet and a tapered
screen member; and,
(b) a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet, the dirt
collection chamber extending around at least 50% of an outer perimeter of
the cyclone chamber,
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
wherein the tangential inlet has an inlet width extending in the longitudinal
axial direction from a first side to a second side spaced apart in a
longitudinal
axial direction from the first side wherein the second side of the tangential
inlet
is axially inwardly closer to the opposed end than the first side of the
tangential
inlet is to the opposed end, and
wherein the screen member has an outlet end located at the opposed end of
the cyclone chamber and extends to distal screen end located adjacent the
second side of the tangential inlet, the screen member tapers from the outlet
end of the screen member to the distal screen end.
2. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
extends around at least 75% of the outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber.
3. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
is annular.
4. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 2 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
comprises first and second discrete dirt collection chambers, and the cyclone
chamber dirt outlet comprises first and second dirt outlets, each of the first
and
second discrete dirt collection chambers extends part way around the outer
perimeter of the cyclone chamber, the first discrete dirt collection chamber
is in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the first dirt outlet and the
second
discrete dirt collection chamber is in communication with the cyclone chamber
via the second dirt outlet.
5. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the tangential air inlet
comprises a conduit located interior the cyclone chamber.
6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 6 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches axially inwardly from the second
side of the tangential inlet.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
7. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 6 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates 0.05 ¨ 0.375 inches axially inwardly from the
second side of the tangential inlet.
8. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 6 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates axially outwardly from the second side of the
tangential inlet and a portion of the screen axially outwardly of the second
side
of the tangential inlet is solid.
9. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the screen member has a
non-porous portion at the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and the dirt
outlet is located radially outwardly of the non-porous portion.
10. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the second side of the
tangential inlet comprises a wall that is generally located in a plane that is
transverse to the longitudinal axis.
11. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the second side of the
tangential inlet is a wall that is located in a plane that is generally
transverse to
the longitudinal axis.
12. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the cyclone chamber has
a cyclone chamber sidewall extending from the first end of the cyclone
chamber to the dirt outlet and the cyclone chamber sidewall has a radial width
and the radial width narrows at a location between the second side of the
tangential inlet and the opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
13.A surface cleaning apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a
dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a cyclone and a suction motor
positioned
in the air flow path, the cyclone comprising:
(a) a cyclone chamber having a longitudinally extending cyclone axis of
rotation, a first end, an opposed end spaced apart in a longitudinal axial
direction from the first end, a tangential air inlet located at the first end,
a
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
cyclone air outlet located at the opposed end, a dirt outlet and a tapered
screen member, the tangential air inlet terminating at an inlet port provided
on a longitudinally extending sidewall of the cyclone chamber; and,
(b) a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet, the dirt
collection chamber extending around at least 50% of an outer perimeter of
the cyclone chamber,
wherein the screen member has an outlet end located at the opposed end of
the cyclone chamber and extends to distal screen end located adjacent the
first end of the cyclone chamber, the screen member tapers from the outlet
end of the screen member to the distal screen end.
14.The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 13 wherein the dirt collection
chamber extends around at least 75% of the outer perimeter of the cyclone
chamber.
15.The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 13 wherein the dirt collection
chamber is annular.
16.The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 14 wherein the dirt collection
chamber comprises first and second discrete dirt collection chambers, and the
cyclone chamber dirt outlet comprises first and second dirt outlets, each of
the
first and second discrete dirt collection chambers extends part way around the
outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber, the first discrete dirt collection
chamber is in communication with the cyclone chamber via the first dirt outlet
and the second discrete dirt collection chamber is in communication with the
cyclone chamber via the second dirt outlet.
17. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 13 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches axially inwardly from the first
end of the cyclone chamber.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
18. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 13 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates 0.05 ¨ 0.375 inches axially inwardly from the first
end of the cyclone chamber.
19. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 13 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates axially outwardly from the second side of the
tangential inlet and a portion of the screen axially outwardly of the second
side
of the tangential inlet is solid.
20. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 13 wherein the screen member has
a non-porous portion at the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and the dirt
outlet is located radially outwardly of the non-porous portion.
Clause Set B:
1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a
dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a cyclone and a suction motor
positioned
in the air flow path, the cyclone comprising:
(a) a cyclone chamber having a longitudinally extending cyclone axis of
rotation, a first end, an opposed end spaced apart in a longitudinal axial
direction from the first end, a cyclone chamber sidewall, a cyclone air inlet
located at the first end, a cyclone air outlet located at the opposed end, a
dirt outlet and a screen member; and,
(b) a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet,
wherein the cyclone chamber sidewall has a first end and a second end
spaced apart in a longitudinal axial direction from the first end of the
sidewall,
wherein the dirt outlet is provided between the first and second ends of the
sidewall.
2. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the second end of the
sidewall is located at the opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
3. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the screen member has a
porous portion and the dirt outlet is located radially outwardly of the porous
portion.
4. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the cyclone chamber
sidewall has a radial width and the radial width narrows at a location between
the first end and the opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
5. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 4 wherein the cyclone air inlet is
a
tangential inlet having an inlet width extending in the longitudinal axial
direction
from a first side to a second side spaced apart in the longitudinal axial
direction from the first side wherein the second side of the tangential inlet
is
closer to the opposed end of the cyclone chamber than the first side of the
tangential inlet is to the opposed end, and the radial width narrows at a
location between the second side of the tangential inlet and the opposed end
of the cyclone chamber.
6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein at least one of the
first
end of the cyclone chamber and the opposed end of the cyclone chamber is
an openable end of the cyclone chamber that is moveable between a closed
position and an open position and a portion of the sidewall is moveable with
the openable end of the cyclone chamber.
7. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 6 wherein the first end is the
openable end, a first portion of the sidewall extends from the first end to
the
dirt outlet and the first portion is moveable with the first end of the
cyclone
chamber.
8. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 7 wherein a second portion of the
sidewall extends from the opposed end to the dirt outlet and the second
portion is secured to a radial outer wall of the dirt collection chamber.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2024-01-02
9. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 6 wherein the opposed end is the
openable end, a second portion of the sidewall extends from the opposed end
to the dirt outlet and the second portion and the screen member are moveable
with the opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
10.The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 9 wherein a first portion of the
sidewall extends from the first end to the dirt outlet and the first portion
is
secured to a radial outer wall of the dirt collection chamber.
11.The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
extends around at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber
and the cyclone chamber is eccentrically positioned with respect to the dirt
collection chamber.
12.The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 11 wherein the dirt collection
chamber extends around at least 85% of the outer perimeter of the cyclone
chamber.
13.The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 11 wherein the dirt collection
chamber is annular.
14. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
comprises first and second discrete dirt collection chambers, and the cyclone
chamber dirt outlet comprises first and second dirt outlets, each of the first
and
second discrete dirt collection chambers extends part way around the outer
perimeter of the cyclone chamber, the first discrete dirt collection chamber
is in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the first dirt outlet and the
second
discrete dirt collection chamber is in communication with the cyclone chamber
via the second dirt outlet.
15. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
has a radial outer wall and the radial outer wall is non-circular.
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16. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the cyclone air inlet
is a
tangential inlet having a conduit portion interior the cyclone chamber and the
screen member has an outlet end located at the opposed end of the cyclone
chamber and the screen member extends to distal screen end located
adjacent an axially inner side of the inlet conduit.
17. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 16 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the second side of the
tangential inlet.
18. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the cyclone air inlet
is a
tangential air inlet terminating at an inlet port provided on the cyclone
chamber
sidewall and the screen member has an outlet end located at the opposed end
of the cyclone chamber and the screen member extends to distal screen end
located adjacent the first end of the cyclone chamber.
19. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 18 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the first end of the cyclone
chamber.
Clause Set C:
1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a
dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a cyclone and a suction motor
positioned
in the air flow path, the cyclone comprising:
(a) a cyclone chamber having a longitudinally extending cyclone axis of
rotation, a first end, an opposed end spaced apart in a longitudinal axial
direction from the first end, a cyclone chamber sidewall, a cyclone air inlet
located at the first end, a cyclone air outlet located at the opposed end, a
dirt outlet and a screen member; and,
(b) a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet,
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wherein the dirt collection chamber has first and second axially opposed ends,
the second end of the dirt collection chamber is located closer to the opposed
end of the cyclone chamber than the first end of the dirt collection chamber
is
to the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and the second end of the dirt
collection chamber has a second end wall that is spaced axially inwardly from
the opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
2. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the first end of the
dirt
collection chamber is located at the first end of the cyclone chamber.
3. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the screen member has a
porous portion and the dirt outlet is located radially outwardly of the porous
portion.
4. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the cyclone chamber
sidewall has a radial width and the radial width widens at the second end of
the dirt collection chamber.
5. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 4 wherein the cyclone air inlet is
a
tangential inlet having an inlet width extending in the longitudinal axial
direction
from a first side to a second side spaced apart in the longitudinal axial
direction from the first side wherein the second side of the tangential inlet
is
closer to the opposed end of the cyclone chamber than the first side of the
tangential inlet is to the opposed end, and the radial width widens at a
location
between the second side of the tangential inlet and the opposed end of the
cyclone chamber.
6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the first end of the
cyclone
chamber is an openable end of the cyclone chamber that is moveable between
a closed position and an open position and a portion of the sidewall is
moveable with the openable end of the cyclone chamber.
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7. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 6 wherein a first portion of the
sidewall extends from the first end to the dirt outlet and the first portion
is
moveable with the first end of the cyclone chamber.
8. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 7 wherein the second end wall is
secured to the cyclone chamber sidewall.
9. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 8 wherein the second end wall
extends in a plane that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis.
10.The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 8 wherein the second end wall
extends from the cyclone chamber sidewall inwardly and longitudinally towards
the first end of the cyclone chamber.
11.The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
extends around at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the cyclone chamber
and the cyclone chamber is eccentrically positioned with respect to the dirt
collection chamber.
12.The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 11 wherein the dirt collection
chamber extends around at least 85% of the outer perimeter of the cyclone
chamber.
13.The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 11 wherein the dirt collection
chamber is annular.
14. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
comprises first and second discrete dirt collection chambers, and the cyclone
chamber dirt outlet comprises first and second dirt outlets, each of the first
and
second discrete dirt collection chambers extends part way around the outer
perimeter of the cyclone chamber, the first discrete dirt collection chamber
is in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the first dirt outlet and the
second
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discrete dirt collection chamber is in communication with the cyclone chamber
via the second dirt outlet.
15. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
has a radial outer wall and the radial outer wall is non-circular.
16. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the cyclone air inlet
is a
tangential inlet having a conduit portion interior the cyclone chamber and the
screen member has an outlet end located at the opposed end of the cyclone
chamber and the screen member extends to distal screen end located
adjacent an axially inner side of the inlet conduit.
17. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 16 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the second side of the
tangential inlet.
18. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the cyclone air inlet
is a
tangential air inlet terminating at an inlet port provided on the cyclone
chamber
sidewall and the screen member has an outlet end located at the opposed end
of the cyclone chamber and the screen member extends to distal screen end
located adjacent the first end of the cyclone chamber.
19. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 18 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the first end of the cyclone
chamber.
Clause Set D:
1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising an air flow path extending from a
dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a cyclone and a suction motor
positioned
in the air flow path, the cyclone comprising:
(a) a cyclone chamber having a longitudinally extending cyclone axis of
rotation, a first end, an opposed end spaced apart in a longitudinal axial
direction from the first end, a cyclone chamber sidewall, a cyclone air inlet
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located at the first end, a cyclone air outlet located at the opposed end, a
dirt outlet and a screen member; and,
(b) a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet,
wherein the dirt collection chamber has first and second axially opposed ends,
the second end of the dirt collection chamber is located closer to the opposed
end of the cyclone chamber than the first end of the dirt collection chamber
is
to the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and the first end of the dirt
collection chamber has a first end wall that is spaced axially inwardly from
the
opposed end of the cyclone chamber, and the dirt outlet is provided in the
first
end wall.
2. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt outlet is
provided
between a radial outer end of the first end wall and the cyclone chamber
sidewall.
3. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the screen member has a
non-porous portion at the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and the dirt
collection chamber is located radially outwardly of the non-porous portion.
4. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the screen member has a
non-porous portion at the opposed end of the cyclone chamber and the dirt
outlet is located radially outwardly of the non-porous portion.
5. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the opposed end of the
cyclone chamber is an openable end of the cyclone chamber that is moveable
between a closed position and an open position and the first end wall is
moveable with the openable end of the cyclone chamber.
6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 5 wherein the screen member is
moveable with the opposed end of the cyclone chamber.
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7. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 5 wherein the screen member has a
porous portion and the porous portion is secured to the cyclone chamber
sidewall.
8. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
extends around at least a portion of the screen member and the dirt outlet is
provided at an axially inward end of all portions of the dirt collection
chamber.
9. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 8 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
extends around at least 85% of the screen member.
10. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 9 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
extends around at least a portion of the screen member and the dirt outlet is
provided at an axially inward end of all portions of the dirt collection
chamber.
11. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 8 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
is annular.
12. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 8 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
comprises first and second discrete dirt collection chambers, and the cyclone
chamber dirt outlet comprises first and second dirt outlets, each of the first
and
second discrete dirt collection chambers extends part way around the outer
perimeter of the screen member, the first discrete dirt collection chamber is
in
communication with the cyclone chamber via the first dirt outlet and the
second
discrete dirt collection chamber is in communication with the cyclone chamber
via the second dirt outlet.
13. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt collection
chamber
has a radial outer wall and the radial outer wall is non-circular.
14. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the cyclone air inlet
is a
tangential inlet having a conduit portion interior the cyclone chamber and the
screen member has an outlet end located at the opposed end of the cyclone
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chamber and the screen member extends to distal screen end located
adjacent an axially inner side of the inlet conduit.
15. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 14 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the second side of the
tangential inlet.
16. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 14 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates 0.05 ¨ 0.375 inches from the second side of the
tangential inlet.
17. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the cyclone air inlet
is a
tangential air inlet terminating at an inlet port provided on the cyclone
chamber
sidewall and the screen member has an outlet end located at the opposed end
of the cyclone chamber and the screen member extends to distal screen end
located adjacent the first end of the cyclone chamber.
18. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 17 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates 0.01 ¨ 0.75 inches from the first end of the cyclone
chamber.
19. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 17 wherein the distal end of the
screen member terminates 0.05 ¨ 0.375 inches from the second side of the
tangential inlet.
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