BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and, more particularly, to a vacuum
cleaner, which comprises a suction unit optimally structured to reduce noise, and
can maneuver the suction unit with a small maneuvering force.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] Generally, a vacuum cleaner is an apparatus, which cleans a room in such a manner
that foreign matter such as dust is drawn into a suction unit by a strong suction
force generated by a body connected with the suction unit.
[0003] The suction unit can be classified into a floor type and a carpet type according
to its utility. The carpet type suction unit generates a great negative pressure to
remove dust soiled between fibers constituting a carpet. For this purpose, the carpet
type suction unit is adapted to allow a base plate constituting a bottom surface of
the suction unit to be brought into contact with the carpet as close as possible.
[0004] However, in the case where a gap between the carpet and the base plate becomes small
due to very close contact therebetween, an area of air flow path is also reduced all
the more, and thus air drawn into the suction unit through the gap increases in flow
speed, which causes severe noise.
[0005] In addition, since great negative pressure is generated between the suction unit
and the carpet, it is necessary to provide great maneuvering force in order to push
or pull the suction unit. In some cases, when maneuvering the suction unit, the carpet
is stuck to the suction unit, and dragged by the suction unit.
[0006] US 1,654,186 A describes a suction cleaner which comprises a casing supported by floor wheels. In
the casing are formed a fan chamber and a suction nozzle. The suction nozzle comprises
lips which are shaped with a curved surface. As the wheels are arranged behind the
suction nozzle, the suction nozzle might be drawn closely onto the carpet, wherein
air flow into the suction nozzle is interrupted. As a result, noise development of
the suction unit can be increased. Further, when the suction nozzle is drawn onto
the carpet, a huge maneuvering force is required to move the vacuum cleaner.
[0007] US 2006/005 350 A1 relates to a vacuum cleaner, especially to an improved suction brush that adjusts
to different characteristics of a cleaning surface.
[0008] US 2,620,506 A relates to a suction cleaning tool with an adjustable brush. The surface cleaning
brush can be moved into or out of a surface engaging position.
[0009] US 1,560,400 A describes a vacuum cleaner which may be supplemented by a rotary brush serving to
pick up loose particles. The case of the vacuum cleaner defines a vacuum chamber of
which the walls terminate in a lip which is shaped to come into contact with a carpet
or floor.
[0010] EP 1,488,726 A describes a vacuum cleaner nozzle of substantially triangular shape and according
to the preamble of claim 1.
[0011] US 4,238,870 A relates to a vacuum cleaner with a brush beater roller. The casing of the vacuum
cleaner has two pairs of wheels supporting the cleaner when in use.
[0012] In view of the cited prior arts and the above described technical disadvantages,
the invention has the object to provide a vacuum cleaner with reduced noise development,
as well as improved maneuverability on the floor.
[0013] This object can be solved with the technical features of claim 1. Improved embodiments
of the invention are suggested by the technical features of the dependent claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner,
which comprises a suction unit optimally structured to reduce noise.
[0015] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide the vacuum unit, which can
maneuver the suction unit with a small maneuvering force.
[0016] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in
the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description,
or may be learned by practice of the invention.
[0017] The foregoing aspects of the present invention are achieved by providing a vacuum
cleaner according to claim 1.
[0018] The wheels attached to at least one of the front opposite sides and the rear opposite
sides of the suction unit with respect to the suction port are connected with each
other by a connecting rod.
[0019] The connecting rod may be integrally formed with the wheels.
[0020] The connecting rod has a smaller diameter than that of each wheel, and has a reversed
arch-shaped outer periphery gradually decreased in diameter towards a center of the
connecting rod.
[0021] The connecting rod may have a symmetrical shape with respect to an axis of the connecting
rod such that, when the wheels are rotated on the floor, the connecting rod is maintained
a constant distance from the floor supporting the wheels.
[0022] A lowermost portion of the connecting rod where the connecting rod has the smallest
diameter may be separated a distance of 1.5 ∼ 2.2 mm from the floor supporting the
wheels.
[0023] The base plate may have a lowermost surface coplanar with or above the lowermost
portion of the connecting rod where the connecting rod has the smallest diameter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and
more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration of a vacuum cleaner in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a suction unit of the vacuum cleaner
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the suction unit of the vacuum cleaner shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view illustrating the suction unit of the vacuum cleaner
shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 5 is a graph depicting variation in noise according to a distance between a floor
and a lowermost portion of a connecting rod where the connecting rod has the smallest
diameter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are
described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, a vacuum cleaner according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention comprises a suction unit 10 to suck foreign matter such as dust
together with air via suction force, and a body 11 to generate the suction force and
collect dust suctioned by the suction unit 10.
[0027] The body 11 and the suction unit 10 are connected via a connection hose 12 and a
connection pipe 13 such that the suction force generated from the body 11 is transferred
to the suction unit 10 therethrough. The vacuum cleaner is further provided with a
handle 14 between the connection hose 12 and the connection pipe 13 so as to be gripped
by a user when using the vacuum cleaner.
[0028] The connection hose 12 is made of a stretchable corrugated pipe and the like. The
connection hose 12 is connected at one end with the body 11, and at the other end
with the handle 14 such that the suction unit 10 can be freely moved in a predetermined
radius around the body 11. The connection pipe 13 has a predetermined length, and
is connected at one end with the suction unit 10 while being connected at the other
end with the handle 14 to allow the user to clean the floor using the vacuum cleaner
while standing on the floor.
[0029] The suction unit 10 serves to suck air and dust thereto, and, as shown in FIG. 2,
comprises a case 20 defining an outer appearance, a base plate 30 constituting a bottom
surface of the suction unit 10 and being formed with a suction port 31 through which
the dust is sucked into the suction unit 10, and front and rear wheels 40a and 40b
attached to lower portions of front and rear sides of the suction unit 10 to allow
the suction unit 10 to roll on a floor.
[0030] While defining the outer appearance of the suction unit 10, the case 20 of the suction
unit 10 has a guide flow path 21 formed therein to guide the air and dust suctioned
into the suction unit 10 towards the connection pipe 13 connected with the suction
unit 10.
[0031] The base plate 30 is coupled to a lower side of the suction unit 10, and has a lower
surface 30a, which is formed at the center thereof with a suction port 31. The suction
port 31 of the lower surface 30a is depressed a predetermined depth from the lower
surface 30a of the base plate 30, and communicated with the guide flow path 21 formed
in the case 20.
[0032] In order to allow air to be drawn into the suction unit 10 through both sides 30b
of the base plate 30, the lower surface 30a of the base plate 30 is formed with a
trench 32, which extends from both sides 30b of the base plate 30 to the suction port
31, while being gradually depressed from both sides 30b towards the suction port 31
such that the air suctioned through both sides 30b is guided towards the suction port
31 therethrough.
[0033] The lower surface 30a of the base plate 30 has planar surfaces formed at front and
rear sides thereof centered on the trench 32. The planar surfaces are formed with
first and second openings 33a and 33b such that the wheels 40a and 40b, and connecting
rods 41 a and 41 b connecting the wheels 40a and 40b with each other are partially
protruded from the planar surfaces.
[0034] The base plate 30 is formed by machining a material such as stainless steel with
press work and the like, and is fastened to the case 20 via fastening members 35 such
as screws.
[0035] Meanwhile, in order to allow the suction unit 10 to be maneuvered with a small maneuvering
force, the front wheels 40a are mounted to opposite front lower sides of the suction
unit 10. As such, with the front wheels 40a mounted to the opposite front lower sides
of the suction unit 10, the suction unit 10 can be moved by a small maneuvering force.
[0036] In addition, the rear wheels 40b are mounted to opposite rear lower sides of the
suction unit 10, so that the suction unit 10 can be moved by a small maneuvering force.
[0037] The front wheels 40a or the rear wheels 40b comprises two wheels mounted to the lower
side of the suction unit 10 in which the two wheels constituting the front wheels
40a are connected with each other by a first connecting rod 41 a, and the two wheels
constituting the rear wheels 40b are connected with each other by a second connecting
rod 41 b.
[0038] Preferably, the first connecting rod 41 a is integrally formed with the front wheels
40a, and the second connecting rod 41 b is integrally formed with the rear wheels
40b. This structure is devised for the purpose of preventing tolerance from being
created when assembling the connecting rods 41 a and 41 b to the wheels 40a and 40b
after separately manufacturing the connecting rods 41a and 41b with respect to the
wheels 40a and 40b.
[0039] Each of the front wheels 40a connected by the first connecting rod 41 a has a first
shaft 42a such that the front wheels 40a are secured to both sides 30b from the front
side of the base plate 30, and each of the rear wheels 40b connected by the second
connecting rod 41 b has a second shaft 42b such that the rear wheels 40b are secured
to both sides 30b from the rear side of the base plate 30. The base plate 30 has first
and second receipt holes 34a and 34b formed at both sides 30b thereof to receive the
first and second shafts 42a and 42b, respectively.
[0040] The first receipt holes 34a are formed at the front side with respect to the trench
32, and the second receipt holes 34b are formed at the rear side with respect to the
trench 32, so that the first connecting rod 41 a is disposed at the front side with
respect to the trench 32 and connects the front wheels 40a with each other, and the
second connecting rod 41 b is disposed at the rear side with respect to the trench
32 and connects the rear wheels 40b with each other.
[0041] With the first and second shafts 42a and 42b of the front and rear wheels 40a and
40b fitted into the respective receipt holes 34a and 34b, the front and rear wheels
40a and 40b are rotated about the respective shafts 42a and 42b. At this time, the
front wheels 40a and the first connecting rod 41a are positioned in the first opening
33a to be partially exposed from the first opening 33a, and the rear wheels 40b and
the second connecting rod 41 b are positioned in the second opening 33b to be partially
exposed from the second opening 33b.
[0042] With the front and rear wheels 40a and 40b partially exposed from the first and second
openings 33a and 33b, respectively, the front and rear wheels 40a and 40b are rotated
on the floor. At this time, since the two wheels constituting the front wheels 40a
are integrally formed with the first connecting rod 41 a, and the two wheels constituting
the rear wheels 40b are integrally formed with the second connecting rod 41 b, the
front wheels 40a rotate together with the first connecting rod 41 a, and the rear
wheels 40b rotate together with the second connecting rod 41 b.
[0043] The first connecting rod 41 a connecting the front wheels 40a with each other has
a smaller diameter than that of the front wheels 40a, and the second connecting rod
41 b connecting the rear wheels 40b with each other has a smaller diameter than that
of the rear wheels 40b. Each of the connecting rods 41 a and 42b has a reversed arch-shaped
outer periphery with a diameter of the connecting rod gradually decreased towards
the center of the connecting rod.
[0044] In addition, each of the connecting rods 41 a and 41 b has a symmetrical shape with
respect to an axis of the connecting rod 41 a or 41 b such that, when the front and
rear wheels 40a and 40b are rotated on the floor 50, the connecting rods 41 a and
41 b are maintained at a constant distance from the floor 50 supporting the wheels
40a and 40b.
[0045] FIGS. 3 and 4 are a front view and a side sectional view illustrating the suction
unit 10 after the base plate 30, the wheels 40a and 40b, and the case 20 shown in
FIG. 2 are assembled thereto, respectively.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, since the first connecting rod 41 a positioned at the
front lower sides of the suction unit 10 to connect the rear wheels 40b with each
other has the reversed arch-shaped outer periphery gradually decreased in diameter
towards the center of the connecting rod, an arch-shaped suction space 51 is defined
in the front of the lower side of the suction unit 10 when the suction unit 10 is
supported on the floor 50, and gradually enlarges towards the center of the suction
unit 10.
[0047] Such a suction space 51 is also defined by the second connecting rod 41 b connecting
the rear wheels 40b positioned in the rear of the lower side of the suction unit 10.
[0048] As such, according to the present invention, the suction unit 10 has the arch-shaped
suction space 51 gradually enlarged towards the center of the suction unit 10 when
the suction unit 10 is supported on the floor 50, and this structure is devised to
secure a large area of an air flow path at the center of the suction unit 10 in consideration
of the fact that suction force becomes the maximum value at the center of the suction
unit 10 where the suction port 31 is formed, and suctioning speed of air becomes the
highest value thereat.
[0049] At this time, in order to form the suction space 51 between the respective connecting
rods 41 a and 41 b and the floor 50, the lowermost surface of the base plate 30 is
coplanar with or above a lowermost portion 45 of each of the connecting rods 41 a
and 41 b where each of the connecting rods 41 a and 41 b has the smallest diameter.
[0050] With the arch-shaped suction space 51 formed in the front and rear of the suction
unit 10 to define the flow path through which air is drawn into the suction unit 10,
it is possible to reduce noise from the suction unit 10.
[0051] FIG. 5 is a graph depicting variation in noise reduction effect according to a distance
"h" (which will hereinafter referred to as a "gap h") between the floor 50 supporting
the wheels 40a and 40b and the lowermost portion 45 of each of the connecting rods
41 a and 41 b where each of the connecting rods 41 a and 41 b has the smallest diameter.
[0052] From FIG. 5, it can be appreciated that, when a gap h is 1.8 mm, the noise reduction
effect is high, and when the gap h is increased to 3 mm or more, the noise reduction
effect is not so high. Accordingly, the gap h is preferably in the range of 1.5~2
mm.
[0053] In this regard, since the base plate 30 constituting the lower surface of the suction
unit 10 has a complicated structure, it is difficult to form the base plate 30 such
that the gap h of about 1.8 mm is defined between the floor 50 and the lowermost portion
45 of each connecting rod. However, this gap can be secured by the structure wherein
the connecting rods 41 a and 41 b are formed to have the reversed arch-shaped outer
periphery gradually decreased in diameter to define the suction space 51 between the
connecting rods 41 a and 41 b and the floor 50.
[0054] Meanwhile, even though the gap can be formed using a thin base plate 30, the base
plate 30 is likely to deform when the thin base plate 30 is fastened to the case 20
by the fastening members 35, and thus it is difficult to maintain the gap of about
1.8 mm with respect to the floor. In this regard, the reversed arch-shaped outer periphery
of the connecting rods can overcome such a difficulty.
[0055] On the other hand, the first and second connecting rods 41 a and 41 b are integrally
formed with the front and rear wheels 40a and 40b, respectively, and have the symmetrical
shape with respect to the axis thereof, so that, when the suction unit 10 is moved,
and the respective wheels 40a and 40b are rotated with respect to the shafts 42a and
42b, the respective connecting rods 41 a and 41 b can maintain a constant gap h from
the floor 50.
[0056] According to the embodiment described above, the front wheels 40a and the first connecting
rod 41a connecting the front wheels 40a with each other are disposed at the front
side of the suction unit 10, and the rear wheels 40b and the second connecting rod
41 b connecting the rear wheels 40b with each other are disposed at the rear side
of the suction unit 10. However, it should be noted that the present invention is
not limited to this structure, and that the connecting rods and wheels are not necessarily
disposed at both front and rear sides of the suction unit. Alternatively, a pair of
wheels and a connecting rod to connect the wheels may be disposed at one side of the
front side and the rear side of the suction unit.
[0057] As apparent from the above description, the vacuum cleaner according to the present
invention has a suction space formed between the floor and the connecting rod to connect
the wheels of the suction unit to define an air flow path through which air is suctioned
into the suction unit, so that noise generated from the suction unit is significantly
reduced.
[0058] In addition, since the suction unit is provided at a lower side with the wheels,
it is possible to maneuver the suction unit with a small maneuvering force.
[0059] Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described,
it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications, additions
and substitutions may be made in these embodiments without departing from the scope
of the invention, as defined in the claims.
1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising
a body (11) to generate suction force,
a suction unit (10) connected with the body (11) to suck dust,
wherein, when being supported on a floor (50), the suction unit (10) has an arch-shaped
suction space (51) defined in at least one of a front side and a rear side of the
suction unit (10), the suction space (51) being gradually enlarged towards a central
region of the suction unit (10), and wherein the suction unit (10) comprises a case
(20) defining an outer appearance, a base plate (30) constituting a bottom surface
of the suction unit (10) and being formed with a suction port (31) through which the
dust is sucked into the suction unit (10), and a plurality of wheels (40a, 40b) attached
to at least one of front opposite sides and rear opposite sides of the suction unit
(10) to allow the suction unit (10) to roll on a floor,
wherein the wheels (40a, 40b) with respect to the suction port (31) are connected
with each other by a connecting rod (41a, 41b), which has a smaller diameter than
that of each wheel (40a, 40b), and characterized in that
the connecting rod (41 a, 41 b) comprises a reversed arch-shaped outer periphery gradually
decreased in diameter towards a center of the connecting rod (41 a, 41 b).
2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting rod (41a, 41 b) is
integrally formed with the wheels (40a, 40b).
3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting rod (41 a, 41
b) has a symmetrical shape with respect to an axis of the connecting rod (41 a, 41
b) such that, when the wheels (40a, 40b) are rotated on the floor (50), the connecting
rod (41a, 41b) is maintained a constant distance from the floor (50) supporting the
wheels (40a, 40b).
4. The vacuum cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein a lowermost portion
(45) of the connecting rod (41a, 41b) where the connecting rod (41a, 41b) has the
smallest diameter is separated a distance of 1.5 ∼ 2.2 mm from the floor (50) supporting
the wheels (40a, 40b).
5. The vacuum cleaner according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the base plate (30)
has a lowermost surface (30a, 30b) coplanar with or above the lowermost portion (45)
of the connecting rod (41a, 41b) where the connecting rod (41a, 41b) has the smallest
diameter.
1. Staubsauger, umfassend
einen Körper (11) zum Erzeugen einer Saugkraft,
eine Saugeinheit (10), die mit dem Körper (11) verbunden ist, um Staub aufzusaugen,
wobei die Saugeinheit (10), wenn sie auf einem Fußboden (50) steht, eine bogenförmige
Saugaussparung (51) hat, die an der Vorderseite und/oder an der Rückseite der Saugeinheit
(10) ausgebildet ist, wobei die Saugaussparung (51) sukzessive innerwärts zu einer
zentralen Region der Saugeinheit (10) größer wird, und wobei die Saugeinheit (10)
ein Gehäuse (20), das ein äußeres Erscheinungsbild definiert, eine Basisplatte (30),
die eine Bodenoberfläche der Saugeinheit (10) darstellt und mit einer Saugöffnung
(31) ausgebildet ist, durch welche der Staub in die Saugeinheit (10) gesaugt werden
kann, sowie eine Vielzahl von Rädern (40a, 40b), die an vorderen gegenüberliegenden
Seiten und/oder an hinteren gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Saugeinheit (10) befestigt
sind, um der Saugeinheit (10) zu gestatten, auf dem Fußboden zu rollen, umfasst,
wobei die Räder (40a, 40b) bezüglich der Saugöffnung (31) durch eine Verbindungsstange
(41 a, 41 b) verbunden sind, die einen kleineren Durchmesser als jedes der Räder (40a,
40b) hat,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Verbindungsstange (41 a, 41 b) eine bogenförmige Umfangsfläche umfasst und sukzessive
innerwärts Richtung Zentrum der Verbindungsstange (41 a, 41 b) im Durchmesser abnimmt.
2. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Verbindungsstange (41 a, 41 b) integral mit
den Rädern (40a, 40b) ausgebildet ist.
3. Staubsauger nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Verbindungsstange (41a, 41b) eine symmetrische
Form bezüglich einer Achse der Verbindungsstange (41 a, 41 b) aufweist, sodass die
Verbindungsstange (41 a, 41 b) in gleichbleibendem Abstand vom Fußboden (50), der
die Räder (40a, 40b) unterstützt, gehalten werden kann, wenn die Räder (40a, 40b)
auf dem Fußboden (50) rollen.
4. Staubsauger nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei ein tiefster Bereich (45) der
Verbindungsstange (41 a, 41 b), wo die Verbindungsstange (41 a, 41 b) den kleinsten
Durchmesser hat, eine Entfernung von 1.5 bis 2.2 mm vom Fußboden (50), der die Räder
(40a, 40b) unterstützt, entfernt ist.
5. Staubsauger nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei die Basisplatte 30 eine unterste
Oberfläche (30a, 30b) hat, die in der gleichen Ebene des unteren Bereichs (45) der
Verbindungsstange (41a, 41 b), wo die Verbindungsstange (41 a, 41 b) den kleinsten
Durchmesser hat, oder darüber liegt.
1. Aspirateur comprenant
un corps (11) pour générer une force d'aspiration,
une unité d'aspiration (10) connectée au corps (11) pour aspirer de la poussière,
dans lequel, quand elle est supportée sur un sol (50), l'unité d'aspiration (10) présente
un espace d'aspiration en forme de voûte (51) défini dans au moins un côté avant et
un côté arrière de l'unité d'aspiration (10), l'espace d'aspiration (51) étant graduellement
plus grand vers une zone centrale de l'unité d'aspiration (10), et dans lequel l'unité
d'aspiration (10) comprend un boîtier (20) définissant une apparence externe, une
plaque de base (30) constituant une surface de fond de l'unité d'aspiration (10) et
conformée avec un orifice d'aspiration (31) à travers lequel la poussière est aspirée
dans l'unité d'aspiration (10), et une pluralité de roues (40a, 40b) attachées à au
moins un côté parmi des côtés opposés avant et des côtés opposés arrière de l'unité
d'aspiration (10) pour permettre à l'unité d'aspiration (10) de rouler sur un sol,
dans lequel les roues (40a, 40b), par rapport à l'orifice d'aspiration (31), sont
connectées entre elles par une barre de connexion (41a, 41b) qui présente un diamètre
inférieur à celui de chaque roue (40a, 40b), et
caractérisé en ce que
la barre de connexion (41a, 41b) comprend une périphérie externe en forme de voûte
inversée dont le diamètre décroît graduellement vers un centre de la barre de connexion
(41a, 41b).
2. Aspirateur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la barre de connexion (41a, 41b)
est conformée intégralement avec les roues (40a, 40b).
3. Aspirateur selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel la barre de connexion (41a,
41b) présente une forme symétrique par rapport à un axe de la barre de connexion (41a,
41b), de telle sorte que quand les roues (40a, 40b) tournent sur le sol (50), la barre
de connexion (41a, 41b) est maintenue à une distance constante du sol (50) qui supporte
les roues (40a, 40b).
4. Aspirateur selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel une partie la plus basse
(45) de la barre de connexion (41a, 41b) où la barre de connexion (41a, 41b) présente
son plus faible diamètre est séparée par une distance de 1,5 mm à 2,2 mm du sol (50)
qui supporte les roues (40a, 40b).
5. Aspirateur selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel la plaque de base (30)
comporte une surface la plus basse (30a, 30b) qui est coplanaire avec la partie la
plus basse (45) de la barre de connexion (41a, 41b) ou qui se trouve au-dessus de
celle-ci, où la barre de connexion (41a, 41b) présente son diamètre le plus faible.