Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

An upright cleaner removes dust from a drum brush. The upright cleaner includes a case having a suction port, a drum brush rotatably provided in the case to sweep and guide foreign matter to the suction port, a dust removal unit provided in the case so that the dust removal unit is moved between a first position where one side of the dust removal unit contacts the drum brush and a second position where the side of the dust removal unit is separated from the drum brush, and a lever connected to the dust removal unit to actuate the dust removal unit.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a main body having a motor and a dust bin; a suction body having a case; a brush provided in the case to be rotated by the motor to sweep foreign matter toward the dust bin; a dust removal unit including a bar-type body and a dusting part extending from the bar-type body, the dust removal unit configured to be rotatably moved between a first position where the dusting part of the dust removal unit contacts the brush and a second position where the dusting part of the dust removal unit is separated from the brush in the case; a first part extending from the dust removal unit and sharing an axis of rotation with the dusting part; and an actuating unit coupled to the suction body, the actuating unit configured to press and release the first part and to be moved between an actuating position at which the dusting part of the dust removal unit contacts the brush when the actuating unit presses the first part and a releasing position at which the dusting part of the dust removal unit is separated from the brush when the actuating unit releases the first part.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dusting part contacts the brush at the actuating position and is separated from the brush at the releasing position.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second part integrally formed with the first part and extending from an end of the first part.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the actuating unit covers the first part and the second part.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a locking unit hingedly coupled to an upper part of the suction body, wherein the locking unit locks the actuating unit at the actuating position when the actuating unit is located at the actuating position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic part to elastically bias the first part.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing part provided in the actuating unit, the pressing part configured to press the first part when the actuating unit moves to the actuating position.

8. An apparatus comprising: a suction body having a case; a rotatable brush; a dust removal unit including a bar-type body and a dusting part extending from the bar-type body, and configured to perform an actuating operation through which the dusting part of the dust removal unit is rotated in the case to contact the brush to remove dust from the brush and a releasing operation through which the dusting part of the dust removal unit is rotated in the case to be separated from the brush; a first part connected to the dust removal unit and sharing an axis of rotation with the dusting part to control the dust removal unit to perform the actuating operation or the releasing operation; and an actuating unit configured to be moved between an actuating position at which the first part is pressed for the actuating operation and a releasing position at which the first part is released for the releasing operation.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an elastic part to elastically bias the actuating unit.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a pressing part provided under the actuating unit, the pressing part configured to press the first part when the actuating unit moves towards the actuating position.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the dust removal unit comprises a bar-type body and the dusting part extending from the bar-type body so that the dusting part contacts the rotatable brush at the actuating position and is separated from the rotatable brush at the releasing position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the external appearance of an upright cleaner according to an embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a suction body of the upright cleaner according to an embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing components of the suction body of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4A is a view showing an example of a dust removal unit of the upright cleaner according to an embodiment;

(6) FIG. 4B is a view showing another example of the dust removal unit of the upright cleaner according to an embodiment;

(7) FIG. 5A is a view showing a state in which a dust removal unit according to an embodiment is not operated;

(8) FIG. 5B is a view showing a state in which the dust removal unit according to an embodiment is operated;

(9) FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the external appearance of a suction body of an upright cleaner according to another embodiment;

(10) FIG. 7A is a view showing a state in which a dust removal unit according to another embodiment is not operated;

(11) FIG. 7B is a view showing a state in which the dust removal unit according to the embodiment is operated;

(12) FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the external appearance of a suction body of an upright cleaner according to yet another embodiment;

(13) FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing components of the suction body of the upright cleaner according to an embodiment;

(14) FIG. 10A is a view showing a state in which a dust removal unit according to yet another embodiment is operated; and

(15) FIG. 10B is a view showing a state in which a dust removal unit according to yet another embodiment is not operated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

(17) FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the external appearance of an upright cleaner according to an embodiment.

(18) As shown in FIG. 1, the upright cleaner may include an upright main body 2, a suction body 1 mounted at the lower part of the front of the main body 2 to suction foreign matter from the floor in a room, and a handle 3 provided at the upper part of the main body 2 to allow a user to easily move the cleaner in a cleaning direction. Although not shown, a blowing device to generate suction force to suction foreign matter and a dust collection device to store the suctioned foreign matter may be mounted in the main body 2.

(19) FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a suction body of the upright cleaner according to an embodiment.

(20) FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing components of the suction body of FIG. 2.

(21) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the suction body 1a may include a case 10a forming the external appearance thereof, a suction port 60 provided at the lower part of the front of the case 10a to suction foreign matter from the floor in a room, a drum brush 50 rotatably provided at the lower end of the front of the case 10a in the case 10a to sweep and guide foreign matter to the suction port 60, a motor 501 to rotate the drum brush 50, a belt 502 to transmit drive force from the motor 501 to the drum brush 50, a dust removal unit 20 provided in the case 10a to remove hair or dust from the drum brush 50, and a lever 30a to rotate the dust removal unit 20.

(22) The drum brush 50 may be formed in the shape of a long cylinder. The drum brush 50 may be provided at the outer circumference thereof with a spiral brush extending outward.

(23) During cleaning, the brush may sweep foreign matter from the floor to introduce the foreign matter into the suction port 60. At this time, hair or dust may be tangled on the brush.

(24) The case 10a may include a case body 112a, an upper case 111a to cover the upper end of the case body 112a, and a lower case 113a, at which the suction port 60 is provided, to support the drum brush 50.

(25) The dust removal unit 20 may include a bar-type body 201, by which the dust removal unit 20 is supported at the case 10a, and a dusting part 202 extending from the body 201 to contact the drum brush 50.

(26) One side of the lever 30a may include an extension part 301a protruding above the upper case 111a and a bent part 302a extending from the end of the extension part 301a so that the bent part 302a is bent toward the front of the case 10a. The other side of the lever 30a may be connected to the body 201 of the dust removal unit 20.

(27) The upright cleaner may further include an elastic part 40a provided between the upper case 111a and the bent part 302a of the lever 30a to elastically bias the bent part 302a upward.

(28) The elastic part 40a may include a spring.

(29) The elastic part 40a may include an elastic member to elastically bias the bent part 302a upward in addition to the spring.

(30) At the lower end of the lever 30a may be provided a downward protrusion 303a to hold the upper end of the elastic part 40a.

(31) The lower end of the elastic part 40a may be supported at the upper case 111a.

(32) FIG. 4A is a view showing an example of the dust removal unit of the upright cleaner according to an embodiment.

(33) FIG. 4B is a view showing another example of the dust removal unit of the upright cleaner according to an embodiment.

(34) The dust removal unit 20 may include a bar-type body 201 and a dusting part 202 extending from the body 201.

(35) As shown in FIG. 4A, a dusting part 202a may include a brush formed over a body 201a.

(36) On the other hand, the dust removal unit 20b of FIG. 4B may include a bar-type body 201b and a dusting part 202b extending from the body 201b, the dusting part 202b possibly including one or more brush bundles arranged at intervals.

(37) In all embodiments which will be described below, the dust removal unit 20b may be configured so that the dusting part 202b includes one or more brush bundles arranged at intervals.

(38) The dusting parts 202a and 202b of FIGS. 4A and 4B may be made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer. The dusting parts 202a and 202b exhibit strength sufficient to sweep dust from the drum brush 50.

(39) Hereinafter, the operation of a dust removal unit according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

(40) FIGS. 5A and 5B are sectional views of the suction body 1a with the brush provided at the drum brush 50 being omitted.

(41) FIG. 5A is a view showing a state in which a dust removal unit according to an embodiment is not operated.

(42) As shown in FIG. 5A, the bent part 302a of the lever may be pushed upward by elastic force of the elastic part 40a provided at the upper part of the case 10a, and the entirety of the lever 30a, including the extension part 301a integrally formed at the bent part 302a, may be rotated upward.

(43) Upon rotation of the lever 30a, the body 201b of the dust removal unit 20b connected to the other side of the lever 30a may be rotated with the result that the dusting part 202b extending from the body 201b may also be rotated and may thus be separated from the drum brush 50.

(44) When the motor 501 is driven, rotational force from the motor 501 may be transmitted to the drum brush 50 via the belt 502 to rotate the drum brush 50.

(45) Consequently, the drum brush 50 may be operated without interference with the dusting part 202b.

(46) Although not shown, suction force may be generated by the blowing device provided in the main body 2.

(47) The drum brush 50 may be rotated, while contacting the floor in a room, to separate foreign matter from the floor. The separated foreign matter may be suctioned into the suction port 60 provided at the lower part of the front of the case 10a of the suction body 1a together with air by the suction force generated by the blowing device.

(48) The suctioned air and the foreign matter contained in the air may be introduced into the dust collection device (not shown) through a discharge port 70.

(49) The foreign matter may be collected in the dust collection device, and the air may be discharged from the suction body 1a.

(50) FIG. 5B is a view showing a state in which the dust removal unit according to an embodiment is operated.

(51) As shown in FIG. 5B, when a user pushes the bent part 302a of the lever 30a of the upright cleaner with his/her foot or hand, the entirety of the lever 30a, including the extension part 301a integrally formed at the bent part 302a, may be rotated downward.

(52) Upon rotation of the lever 30a, the body 201b of the dust removal unit 20b and the dusting part 202b extending from the body 201b may be rotated with the result that the dusting part 202b may contact the drum brush 50.

(53) The motor 501 and the drum brush 50 may be rotated in the same manner as previously described.

(54) Upon rotation of the drum brush 50, hair or dust may be separated from the drum brush 50 by the dusting part 202b contacting the drum brush 50.

(55) Air may be suctioned into the suction port 60 by suction force generated by the blowing device, and the separated hair and dust may be introduced into the dust collection device together with the air through the discharge port 70.

(56) The hair and dust may be collected in the dust collection device, and the air may be discharged from the suction body 1a, in the same manner as previously described.

(57) When the user releases the bent part 302a of the lever 30a, the bent part 302a of the lever may be pushed upward by elastic force of the elastic part 40a, as shown in FIG. 5A, and the entirety of the lever 30a, including the extension part 301a integrally formed at the bent part 302a, may be rotated upward.

(58) Upon rotation of the lever 30a, the body 201b of the dust removal unit 20b may be rotated with the result that the dusting part 202b may be separated from the drum brush 50 in the same manner as previously described.

(59) FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the external appearance of a suction body of an upright cleaner according to another embodiment.

(60) As shown in FIG. 6, a suction body 1b may be identical in construction to the previous embodiment in that the suction body 1b may include a case 10b, a suction port 60, a discharge port 70, a drum brush 50, a motor (not shown), a belt (not shown), a dust removal unit 20b and a lever 30b.

(61) The case 10b may include an upper case 111b constituting the upper end of the case and a lower case 113b, at which the suction port 60 is provided, to support the drum brush 50.

(62) The dust removal unit 20b may include a bar-type body 201b and a dusting part 202b including one or more brush bundles arranged at intervals, as previously described.

(63) One side of the lever 30b may form an extension part 301b protruding forward from the upper case 111b, and the other side of the lever 30b may be connected to a body 201b of the dust removal unit 20b.

(64) At the lower end of the extension part 301b may be provided a support part 41b protruding forward from the upper case 111b.

(65) An elastic part 40b may be provided between the extension part 301b of the lever 30b and the support part 41b of the upper case 111b to elastically bias the extension part 301b upward.

(66) In this embodiment, the elastic part 40b may include a spring, as previously described. Also, the elastic part 40b may include an elastic member to elastically bias the extension part 301b upward in addition to the spring.

(67) In this embodiment, the lever 30b and the dust removal unit 20b may be disposed at the front of the upper case 111b, and therefore, the upper end of the upper case 111b may be formed in the shape of a semicircle.

(68) In a case in which the upper case 111b surrounding the drum brush 50 is formed in the semicircular shape, foreign matter may be easily suctioned and discharged.

(69) Hereinafter, the operation of a dust removal unit according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

(70) FIGS. 7A and 7B are sectional views of the suction body 1b with the brush provided at the drum brush 50 being omitted.

(71) FIG. 7A is a view showing a state in which a dust removal unit according to another embodiment is not operated.

(72) The extension part 301b may be pushed upward by elastic force of the elastic part 40b, and the entirety of the lever 30b may be rotated upward.

(73) Upon rotation of the lever 30b, the body 201b of the dust removal unit 20b connected to the other side of the lever 30b may be rotated with the result that the dusting part 202b may be separated from the drum brush 50.

(74) In this state, the upright cleaner may be operated in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 5A.

(75) FIG. 7B is a view showing a state in which the dust removal unit according to the embodiment is operated.

(76) As shown in FIG. 7B, when a user pushes the extension part 301b of the upright cleaner with his/her foot or hand, the lever 30b may be rotated downward.

(77) Upon rotation of the lever 30b, the body 201b of the dust removal unit 20b may also be rotated with the result that and the dusting part 202b extending from the body 201b may contact the drum brush 50.

(78) Upon rotation of the drum brush 50, hair or dust may be separated from the drum brush 50 by the dusting part 202b contacting the drum brush 50.

(79) Air may be suctioned into the suction port 60, and the separated hair and dust may be introduced into the dust collection device together with the air through the discharge port 70 by suction force.

(80) The hair and dust may be collected in the dust collection device, and the air may be discharged from the suction body 1b.

(81) When the user releases the extension part 301b, the extension part 301b may be pushed upward by elastic force of the elastic part 40b, as shown in FIG. 7A, and the entirety of the lever 30b may be rotated upward.

(82) Upon rotation of the lever 30b, the dusting part 202b may be separated from the drum brush 50 in the same manner as previously described.

(83) FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the external appearance of a suction body of an upright cleaner according to yet another embodiment.

(84) FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing components of the suction body of the upright cleaner according to the embodiment.

(85) As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a suction body 1c may be identical in construction to the previous embodiment in that the suction body 1c may include a case 10c, a suction port 60, a drum brush 50, a dust removal unit 20b and a lever 30c.

(86) Hair or dust may be tangled on a brush provided at the outer circumference of the drum brush 50, as previously described.

(87) The case 10c may include an upper case 111c constituting the upper end of the case and a lower case 113c, coupled to the lower end of the upper case 111c to support the drum brush 50, at which the suction port 60 is provided.

(88) The dust removal unit 20b may include a bar-type body 201b and a dusting part 202b possibly including one or more brush bundles extending from the body 201b while being arranged at intervals, as previously described.

(89) One side of the lever 30c may form an extension part 301c protruding forward from the upper case 111c, and the other side of the lever 30c may be connected to a body 201b of the dust removal unit 20b.

(90) At the lower end of the extension part 301c may be formed a support part 41c protruding forward from the upper case 111c.

(91) An elastic part 40c may be provided between the extension part 301c and the support part 41c of the upper case 111c to elastically bias the extension part 301c upward.

(92) At the front of the extension part 301c may be provided an actuating unit 800 configured to cover the extension part 301c.

(93) The actuating unit 800 may include a front plate 800a, an upper plate 800b and side plates 800c.

(94) The front plate 800a, formed in the shape of a rectangle longer from side to side, may be provided at the front of the extension part 301c, the upper plate 800b may be connected to the upper end of the front plate 800a and may be bent rearward, and the side plates 800c may be coupled to the sides of the front plate 800a and the upper plate 800b.

(95) In the actuating unit 800, a pressing part 801 may be coupled to the inside of the front plate 800a at a position corresponding to the extension part 301c.

(96) A connection part may be provided at one side of each side plate 800c of the actuating unit 800. The connection parts may be hingedly coupled to the sides of the upper case 111c so that the actuating unit 800 may be hingedly rotated upward and downward.

(97) A locking unit 900 may be hingedly coupled to the upper case 111c above the upper plate 800b.

(98) A footstool part 903 may extend frontward from a hinge shaft of the locking unit 900, and an elastic support part 902 extending downward from the hinge shaft may be connected to the footstool part 903.

(99) The rear of the elastic support part 902 may contact the upper case 111c to elastically bias the locking unit 900 in the forward direction.

(100) A pair of catching parts 901 may extend downward from the hinge shaft so that the end of each catching part 901 may protrude more forward than the end of the elastic support part 902.

(101) Hereinafter, the operation of a dust removal unit according to yet another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B.

(102) FIGS. 10A and 10B are sectional views of the suction body 1b with the brush provided at the drum brush 50 being omitted.

(103) FIG. 10A is a view showing a state in which a dust removal unit according to yet another embodiment is operated.

(104) When a user pushes the actuating unit 800 with his/her foot or hand so that the actuating unit 800 is located at an actuating position, the pressing part 801 may press the extension part 301c so that the extension part 301c is rotated downward.

(105) Upon downward rotation of the extension part 301c, the dust removal unit 20b may be rotated with the result that the dusting part 202b is located at a first position where the dusting part 202b contacts the drum brush 50.

(106) Upon rotation of the drum brush 50, hair or dust may be separated from the drum brush 50 by the dusting part 202b contacting the drum brush 50.

(107) The separated hair and dust may be introduced into the dust collection device together with air suctioned into the suction port 60 through the discharge port 70 by suction force.

(108) The hair and dust may be collected in the dust collection device, and the air is discharged from the suction body 1c.

(109) The entirety of the locking unit 900 may be rotated clockwise by elasticity of the elastic support part 902 (see FIG. 9).

(110) The catching parts 901 may protrude forward, and the lower ends of the catching parts 901 may push the top of the upper plate 800b downward so that the actuating unit 800 may be held at the actuating position.

(111) Even when the user releases the actuating unit 800, therefore, the actuating unit 800 may remain at the actuating position, and the dust removal unit 20b also may remain at the first position. Consequently, the operation of the dust removal unit 20b may not stopped.

(112) FIG. 10B is a view showing a state in which a dust removal unit according to yet another embodiment is not operated.

(113) When a user pushes the footstool part 903 of the locking unit 900, the locking unit 900 may be rotated counterclockwise against the elasticity of the elastic support part 902 (see FIG. 9).

(114) The protrusion degree of the catching parts 901 may be reduced with the result that the ends of the catching parts 901 may approach the upper case 111c, and one end of each of the catching parts 901 may be received into a corresponding insertion groove 804.

(115) As one end of each of the catching parts 901 is inserted into the corresponding insertion groove 804, force pressing the upper plate 800b downward may be removed.

(116) The extension part 301c may be pushed upward by elasticity of the elastic part 40c, and the entirety of the lever 30c may be rotated upward.

(117) The extension part 301c may push the pressing part 801 upward, and the entirety of the actuating unit 800 may be rotated upward.

(118) Upon rotation of the lever 30c, the dust removal unit 20b may be moved to a second position where the dusting part 202b is separated from the drum brush, as previously described.

(119) As is apparent from the above description, hair or dust may be removed from the drum brush without separation of the drum brush.

(120) A normal cleaning operation may be performed without removal of dust from the drum brush.

(121) Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.