Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

 The present embodiment relates to a vacuum cleaner (1).
The vacuum cleaner (1) includes a cleaner body (10) provided with a mounting portion (13); a dust container (30) separately mounted to the mounting portion (13), having a compression member (360) to compress dust; and a rotatable cover (15) rotatably disposed at the cleaner body (10), to cover the dust container (30) mounted to the mounting portion (13), wherein the rotatable cover (15) includes a driving device (400) to drive the compression member (360) disposed at the dust container (30).

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] In general, a vacuum cleaner is a device that separates dust from air, stores the dust into a dust container, and discharges the air outside the cleaner after suctioning the air and dust using a suction force generated by a suction motor.

[0003] A prior art, that is, Korea Patent Registration No. 0838887 is disclosed with the vacuum cleaner including a dust collection device formed with a dust storing section storing the dust, and a cleaner body mounted with the dust collection device.

[0004] The dust collection device is disposed with the compression member, that rotatably operates, to compress the dust stored at the dust storing section. Further, a bottom of the mounting portion of the cleaner body is disposed with a motor rotating the compression member, and a driving gear connected to the motor. The bottom of the dust collection device is disposed with a driven gear engaging into the driving gear. Therefore, when the dust collection device mounts into the mounting portion of the cleaner body, the driven gear is engaged into the driving gear.

[0005] However, in this structure, the driven gear is collided into the driving gear in the process that mounts the dust collection device into the mounting portion of the cleaner body, and therefore there is a risk in that causes the damage of the gear. In addition, since the driving gear and driven gear mounted to the cleaner body is positioned at a bottom of the dust collection device, there are problems in that may not check whether on operations or not by a user and is difficult to check whether the compression member is rotated or not, in the case that the inside of the dust collection device is contaminated, although the compression member is rotated in the dust collection device.

SUMMARY

[0006] An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a vacuum cleaner capable of preventing a damage of a power transferring unit on mounting a dust container.

[0007] Another advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a vacuum cleaner that may easily check whether the compression member is operated or not.

[0008] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner including a cleaner body provided with a mounting portion; a dust container separately mounted to the mounting portion, having a compression member to compress dust; and a rotatable cover rotatably disposed at the cleaner body, to cover the dust container mounted to the mounting portion, wherein the rotatable cover includes a driving device to drive the compression member disposed at the dust container.

[0009] The driving device includes a compression motor, and a power transferring unit to transfer power of the compression motor to the compression member.

[0010] The rotatable cover includes cover includes a cover body to cover a part or all of the power transferring unit, wherein the cover body is formed with transparent or translucent material.

[0011] The power transferring unit includes a plurality of transferring units, the dust container includes a connecting unit connected to the compression member to connect one transferring unit of the plurality of transferring units and the compression member, and the connecting unit is connected to the one transferring unit when the rotatable cover covers the dust container.

[0012] The dust container includes a dust collection body rotatably mounted to the compression member, and a dust container cover provided with the connecting unit, to cover the top of the dust collection body, wherein the connecting unit connected to the compression member after passing through the dust container cover.

[0013] The connecting unit is is mounted to the dust container cover so that it may be moved in a direction parallel to an extension direction for a rotational axis of the compression member.

[0014] One transferring unit of the plurality of transferring units includes a connecting guide that linearly moves in the rotatable cover, wherein the connecting guide is supported by an elastic member and is protruded outside the rotatable cover.

[0015] Any one of the one transferring unit and the connecting unit includes a protruding section for forming the same center, and the other one includes a receiving groove to accommodate the protruding section.

[0016] The driving device further includes further includes a sensing unit to sense a rotation of the rotatable cover, wherein the compression motor is turned off when the sensing unit senses the rotation of the rotatable cover in a state which the compression motor is turned on.

[0017] The dust container includes a coupling means to couple the dust container to each of the rotatable cover and the mounting portion.

[0018] The rotatable cover further includes a rotatable maintaining means to maintain a state rotated in one direction, the coupling means couples or decouples the dust container with the rotatable cover, and the rotatable maintaining means is operated on decoupling the dust container with the rotatable cover and therefore maintains the state rotated with the rotatable cover.

[0019] The rotatable cover includes a plurality of cover body, and a hinge disposed at one cover body of the plurality of cover bodies, and the rotation maintaining means is connected to the hinge or includes an elastic member to support at least one cover body of the plurality of cover body.

[0020] The rotatable cover further includes a dust separating device to separate the dust from air introduced into the cleaner body, wherein the rotatable cover covers the dust separating device, and the rotation maintaining means is disposed at the dust separating device.

[0021] The rotation maintaining means includes a lift body for supporting the rotatable cover, an elastic member elastically for supporting the lift body, and a holder movably coupled with the lift body.

[0022] The coupling means couples the dust container with each of the rotatable cover and the mounting portion.

[0023] The coupling means includes a lever disposed at a handle of the dust container, a first coupling section, operated by the manipulation of the lever, to selectively couple with the rotatable cover, and a second coupling section, operated by the manipulation of the lever, to selectively couple with the mounting portion.

[0024] The handle is disposed with a plurality of elastic members elastically supporting the each coupling section.

[0025] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] 

FIG.1 shows a state separating a dust container from a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.2 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaner body according to the embodiment.

FIG.3 is a cross-sectional view for a cover of the dust container according to the embodiment.

FIG.4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state aligned with a second transferring unit, a connecting unit and a compression member according to the embodiment.

FIG.5 and FIG.6 are a view showing a process for connecting a driving device and the compression member.

FIG.7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the dust container mounted to the cleaner body.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an opening maintaining means in the dust container coupled with a rotatable cover.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view allowing the rotatable cover to be upwardly rotated by the opening maintaining means.

FIG. 10 is a block view for controlling the vacuum cleaner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0028] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0029] FIG.1 shows a state separating a dust container from a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.2 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaner body according to the embodiment.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.2, the vacuum cleaner 1 according to the embodiment includes a cleaner body 10 provided with a suction motor for generating a suction force inside thereof, a dust separating device 20 mounted to the cleaner body 10 to separate the dust from the suctioned air, and a dust container 30 to store the dust separated from the dust separating device 20.

[0031] The vacuum cleaner 1, not shown in the drawing, may further include a connecting hose, a suction tube and a suction nozzle.

[0032] The cleaner body 10 may include a plurality of main wheels 11 and auxiliary wheels 12 for a movement.

[0033] The cleaner body 10 may include a body inlet 14 to introduce air suctioned through the suction nozzle. The air introduced into the cleaner body 10 through the body inlet 14 may be introduced into the dust separating device 20. For an example, the air introduced into the cleaner body 10 may be introduced into the dust separating device 20 from a bottom of the dust separating device 20.

[0034] The cleaner body 10 may include a mounting portion 13 to mount the dust separating device 20 and dust container 30. The mounting portion 13, for example, is formed in front of the cleaner body 10, but is not limited thereto.

[0035] The dust separating device 20 is firstly mounted to the mounting portion 13 and then the dust container 30 may be mounted to it. When the dust container 30 is mounted to the mounting portion 13, it may be communicated with the dust separating device 20.

[0036] The cleaner body 10 may further include a rotatable cover 15 to cover the dust separating device 20 and dust container 30 when the dust separating device 20 and dust container 30 are mounted to the mounting portion 13. As one example, the rotatable cover 15 may be rotatably connected to a top side of the cleaner body 10. Therefore, the rotatable cover 15 may cover the top sides of the dust separating device 20 and dust container 30, respectively.

[0037] When the dust container 30 is mounted to the mounting portion 13, it may envelope a part of a circumference of the dust separating device 20. Therefore, when the dust separating device 20 is mounted to the mounting portion 13, the dust container 30 is mounted to the mounting portion 13, and then the rotatable cover 15 may cover the dust separating device 20 and dust container 30, the dust separating device 20 may not be exposed outside the cleaner body 10.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the dust separating device 20 is covered by the dust container 30 and rotatable cover 15 and therefore the position of it may be fixed without a fixing means to fix the dust separating device 20 to the cleaner body 10. That is, the dust container 30 and rotatable cover 15 may prevent the movement for the dust separating device 20.

[0039] The rotatable cover 15 may be coupled with the dust container 30 in the state which the rotatable cover 15 covers the dust container 30. On the other hand, it is possible that the rotatable cover 15 is also coupled with the cleaner body 10 in the state which the rotatable cover 15 covers the dust container 30.

[0040] When the rotatable cover 15 is coupled with the dust container 30, the dust container 30 may be coupled with the cleaner body 10 in order to fix the dust container 30.

[0041] The dust separating device 20 may separate air and dust by cyclone flowing for air, but is not limited thereto.

[0042] The dust separating device 20 may include a dust separating body 210, and a cover 220 to cover one side of the dust separating body 210.

[0043] In FIG. 2, the bottom of the dust separating body 210 may be provided with an air inlet 212 for sucking air and an air outlet 213 for discharging air. The bottom of the dust separating body 210 may be coupled with a filter 214 for passing air and preventing discharging of dust over constant size. Therefore, the air suctioned through the air inlet 212 is passed through the filter 214, and then may be discharged from the dust separating body 210 through the air outlet 213.

[0044] The side of the dust separating body 210 is provided with a dust outlet 216 for discharging dust separated from air. The dust outlet 216 is disposed at a position higher than the air inlet 212 and air outlet 213.

[0045] FIG.3 is a cross-sectional view of a cover of the dust container according to the embodiment, and FIG.4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state aligned with a second transferring unit, a connecting unit and a compression member according to the embodiment.

[0046] Referring to FIG.2 to FIG.4, the dust container 30 may include a dust collection body 310, and a dust container cover 320 to cover the dust collection body 310.

[0047] The top side of the dust collection body 310 is opened, and the dust container cover 320 may cover the top side of the dust collection body 310.

[0048] To cover the dust separating device 20 by the dust container 30, a part of the dust collection body 310 may be formed as the same shape as a part of the dust separating device 20. As an example, the dust collection body 310 may have a depressed section 311 to which the dust separating device 20 is positioned.

[0049] The dust collection body 310 includes a dust inlet (not shown) to introduce the dust discharged from the dust outlet 216 of the dust separating device 20.

[0050] The inside of the dust collection body 310 is provided with the compression member 360 to compress the stored dust. The compression member 360 may be rotatably mounted to the dust collection body 310. The compression member 360 may include a rotational axis 364, and a compression plate 362 extended in a side direction from the rotational axis 364.

[0051] The dust collection body 310 may be provided with a fixing axis 372 to connect the rotational axis 364. The fixing axis 372, as one example, is disposed at the bottom of the dust collection body 310, but is not limited thereto. The fixing axis 372 may be inserted in the bottom of the rotational axis 364. On the other hand, the rotational axis 364 may be inserted in the top of the fixing axis 372.

[0052] A horizontal cross-section for the dust collection body 310 is formed in a non-circular shape. In addition, the compression member 360 may be contacted inside the dust collection body 310 on rotating the compression member 360. In the present embodiment, the compression member 360 may be contacted with at least two parts (called contacting sections) in the dust collection body 310. Therefore, the compression member 360 may be rotated in an angle range formed by two contacting sections on the basis of the rotational axis 364.

[0053] The rotatable cover 15 may include a driving device 400 for generating power to rotate the compression member 360. Thus, the driving device 400 may be rotated together with the rotatable cover 15, and the rotatable cover 15 may be connected to the compression member 360 in the dust container 30 in the state which the rotatable cover 15 covers the dust container 30.

[0054] The driving device 400 may include a compression motor 410 that may be rotated in both directions, and a power transferring unit to transfer the power of the compression motor 410. The power transferring unit may include a first transferring unit 420 connected to the axis of the compression motor 410, and a second transferring unit 430 connected to the first transferring unit 420.

[0055] The dust container cover 320 may include a connecting unit 450 to transfer the power of the driving device 400 to the compression member 360. The connecting unit 450 may be selectively connected to the second transferring unit 430 and the compression member 360. That is, the connecting unit 450 performs a role of a third transferring unit.

[0056] That is, the connecting unit 450 is connected to the compression member 360(for example, the rotational axis) when the dust container cover 320 is coupled to the dust collection body 310, and the connection between the connecting unit 450 and the compression member 360 may be released when the dust container cover 320 is separated from the dust collection body 310.

[0057] Further, the second transferring unit 430 may be connected to the connecting unit 450 when the rotatable cover 15 covers the dust container 30, and the connection between the second transferring unit 430 and the connecting unit 450 may be released when the rotatable cover 15 is spaced apart from the dust container 30.

[0058] In order to connect the driving device 400(for example, the second transferring unit) to the connecting unit 450, a part (for example, the second transferring unit) of the driving device 400 is protruded outside the rotatable cover 15, and the connecting unit 450 may be exposed outside the dust container 30(for example, the dust container cover).

[0059] The first transferring unit 420 may become, for example, a gear. The second transferring unit 430 may include a body 432, and a plurality of gears formed at the circumference of the body 432. That is, the second transferring unit 430 may perform the role of the gear.

[0060] The body 432 may be formed in a cylindrical shape having an opening at one side thereof, and the body 432 is formed with an accommodating portion 436 for accommodating a connecting guide 440. The body 432 may be provided with an elastic member 438 for providing an elastic force to the connecting guide 440. The elastic member 438 elastically supports the connecting guide 440 so that the connecting guide 440 accommodated in the body 432 is protruded from the body 432. The connecting guide 440 may be provided with a groove 442 for accommodating the elastic member 438. The connecting guide 440 may perform linear movement from the body 432 by the elastic member 438, and a protrusion length for the outside of the second transferring unit 430 may be varied.

[0061] The outside of the connecting guide 440 is provided with a rotational preventing section 443 for preventing relative rotation of the connecting guide 440 and body 432 in the state which the connecting guide 440 is received in the accommodating portion 436. The body 432 may be provided with a groove or hole for preventing interference with the rotational preventing section 443 in the process that accommodates the connecting guide 440 into the accommodating portion 436. Therefore, the connecting guide 440 may be rotated together with the body 432.

[0062] The connecting guide 440 may include a first protruding section 446 to form the same center as the connecting unit 450, and at least one second protruding section 447, spaced apart from the first protruding section 446, to rotate the connecting unit 450.

[0063] The connecting unit 450 includes an receiving groove 455 to receive the first protruding section 446, and a plurality of contacting protrusions 456 formed at the receiving groove 455. The receiving groove 455 may be formed at the top of the connecting unit 450. The plurality of contacting protrusions 456 are protruded toward a center of the receiving groove 455 inside the receiving groove 455. Intervals between the plurality of contacting protrusions 456 are larger than a thickness of the second protruding section 447. In addition, the second protruding section 447 of the connecting guide 440 is accommodated in a space between two adjacent contacting protrusions of a plurality of contacting protrusions 456. When the second protruding section 447 is accommodated in the space between two adjacent contacting protrusions 456, the connecting unit 450 is rotated together with the second transferring unit 430.

[0064] As another example, the connecting unit 450 includes a first receiving groove to accommodate the first protruding section 446, and a plurality of second receiving grooves to accommodate the second protruding section 447. In this case, the plurality of second receiving grooves may be uniformly spaced and disposed. A disposing shape for the plurality of second receiving grooves may be the same disposing shape as it for a plurality of contacting protrusions 456 shown in FIG.3.

[0065] As further another example, the connecting guide 440 includes a receiving groove and a plurality of contacting protrusions, and the connecting unit 450 may include a first protruding section accommodated in the receiving groove and a second protruding section accommodated between two contacting protrusions.

[0066] The connecting unit 450 may include a first protruding section 451 to form the same center as the rotation axis 364 of the compression member 360, and at least one second protruding section 452, spaced apart from the first protruding section 451, to rotate the compression member 360.

[0067] The rotation axis 364 of the compression member 360 includes a receiving groove 365 to receive the first protruding section 451 of the connecting unit 450, and a plurality of contacting protrusions 366 formed at the receiving groove 365. The receiving groove 365 may be formed at the top of the rotation axis 364. The plurality of contacting protrusions 366 are protruded toward the center of the receiving groove 365 inside the receiving groove 365 and are spaced apart from each other. Intervals between the plurality of contacting protrusions 366 are larger than the thickness of the second protruding section 452 of the connecting unit 450. In addition, the second protruding section 452 of the connecting unit 450 is accommodated in a space between two adjacent contacting protrusions of a plurality of contacting protrusions 366. When the second protruding section 452 of the connecting unit 450 is accommodated in the space between two adjacent contacting protrusions, the rotation axis 364 is rotated together with the connecting unit 450.

[0068] As another example, the rotation axis 364 includes a first receiving groove to receive the first protruding section 451 of the connecting unit 450, and a plurality of second receiving grooves to receive the second protruding section 447 of the connecting unit 450. In this case, the plurality of second receiving grooves may be uniformly spaced and disposed. A disposing shape for the plurality of second receiving grooves may be the same disposing shape as it for a plurality of contacting protrusions 456 shown in FIG.3.

[0069] On the other hand, the dust container cover 320 may include a first body 321, and a second body 330 coupled to the top of the fist body 321. Any one of the first body 321 and the second body 330 may be coupled at the top of the dust collection body 310. Further, the connecting unit 450 may be linearly movably and rotatably disposed at the dust container cover 320.

[0070] The first body 321 may include a first opening 321A to allow the connecting unit 450 to penetrate, and a first guide 322 to guide the linear movement of the connecting unit 450 penetrating the first opening 321A. The first guide 322 is extended downwardly from the first opening 321A.

[0071] The connecting unit 450 is provided with a limiting rib 453 to limit downward movement of the connecting unit 450 penetrating the first opening 321A. The limiting rib 453 is protruded along with the circumstance of the connecting unit 450. The limiting rib 453 may be provided with a contacting section 454. The contacting section 454 may be protruded downwardly from the bottom of the limiting rib 453.

[0072] The first body 321 may include an elastic ring 324 being in contact with the contacting section 450 on downwardly moving the connecting unit 450, and an accommodating portion 325 for accommodating the elastic ring 324. The contacting section 454 is in contact with the elastic ring 324 on downwardly moving the connecting unit 450, thereby to decrease noise due to the collision and damage for the contacting section 454 due to the collision. Since the downward movement of the connecting unit 450 is limited by the elastic ring 324, the elastic ring 324 functions as a stopper. When the limiting rib 453 contacts the accommodation section 325, the accommodation section 325 may functions as a stopper.

[0073] The second body 321 may include a second opening 331 to allow the connecting unit 450 to penetrate, and a second guide 332 to guide the linear movement of the connecting unit 450. The second guide 332 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a part of the connecting unit 450 is positioned in the second guide 332.

[0074] The second guide 332 may be provided with the stopper 333 for limiting upward movement of the connecting unit 450. The limiting rib 453 is in contact with the stopper 333 and therefore does not move any more on upwardly moving the connecting unit 450.

[0075] The stopper 333(refer to "a first stopper") and the elastic ring 324(or accommodating portion) (refer to "a second stopper") are spaced apart from each other in the state which the first body 321 is coupled to the second body 330. Therefore, the limiting rib 453 may be moved between the stopper 333 and elastic ring 324. At this time, it may be maintained that the connecting unit 450 is in contact with the elastic ring 324 by self-weight unless an external force is applied to the connecting unit 450.

[0076] FIG.5 and FIG.6 are a view showing a process for connecting a driving device and a compression member.

[0077] The second transferring unit is connected to the connecting unit and the connecting unit is not connected to the rotational axis of the compression member as shown in FIG. 5, and the second transferring unit is connected to the connecting unit and the connecting unit is connected to the rotational axis of the compression member as shown in FIG. 6. Further, the second transferring unit is not connected to the connecting unit and the connecting unit is not connected to the rotational axis of the compression member as shown in FIG. 4.

[0078] In the present embodiment, the connecting between the second transferring unit and the connecting unit means that the rotational force of the second transferring unit is transferred into the connecting unit, and the connecting between the connecting unit and the rotational axes of the compression member means that the rotational force of the connecting unit is transferred into the rotational axis of the compression member.

[0079] Referring to FIG.4, when the rotatable cover 15 covers the top of the dust container 30 in a state which the dust container 15 is mounted on the cleaner body 10, the second transferring unit 430, the connecting unit 450 and the rotational axis 364 of the compression member 360 are disposed in a line. As one example, the rotational axis of the second transferring unit 430, the connecting unit 450 and the rotational axis 364 of the compression member 360 are vertically aligned.

[0080] At this time, when the second protruding section 447 of the connecting guide 440 is aligned with the contacting protrusion 456 of the connecting unit 450, the second protruding section 447 of the connecting guide 440 is compressed by the contacting protrusion 456 of the connecting unit 450 and therefore is moved into the upper part of the connecting guide 440, and the elastic member 438 is contracted. In this state, the rotational force of the second transferring unit 430 may not be transferred into the connecting unit 450.

[0081] In this case, when the motor 410 is turned on in a state which the connecting unit 450 is stopped and the second transferring unit 430 is rotated in a constant angle, the second protruding section 447 of the connecting guide 440 is aligned with the space between two contacting protrusions 456 of the connecting unit 450. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the second protruding section 447 of the connecting guide 440 is inserted in the space between two contacting protrusions 456 of the connecting unit 450 and therefore the rotational force of the second transferring unit 340 may be transferred to the connecting unit 450.

[0082] In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, when the second protruding section 452 of the connecting unit 450 is aligned with the contacting protrusion 366 of the rotational axis 364, the second protruding section 452 of the connecting unit 450 is compressed by the contacting protrusions 456 of the connecting unit 450 and therefore is moved into the upper part of the connecting guide 440, and the elastic member 438 is contracted. In this state, the rotational force of the connecting unit 450 may not be transferred into the compression member 360. However, when the connecting unit 450 is rotated in a constant angle on stopping the compression member 360, the second protruding section 452 of the connecting unit 450 is aligned with the space between two contacting protrusions 366 of the rotational axis 364. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the second protruding section 452 of the connecting unit 450 is inserted in the space between two contacting protrusions 366 of the rotational axis 364 and therefore the rotational force of the connecting unit 450 may be transferred into the compression member 360.

[0083] In the present embodiment, the connecting guide 440 is rotatably disposed on the rotatable cover 15, and the connecting unit 459 is rotatably disposed on the dust container cover 320. Therefore, although the second transferring unit 430 is not connected to the connecting unit 450 or the connecting unit 450 is not connected to the rotational axis 364 of the compression member 360, in a state which the rotatable cover 15 covers the dust container 30, when the compression motor 410 is turned on, there is a advantage in that the second transferring unit 430 is connected to the connecting unit 450 on rotating the second transferring unit 430 and the connecting unit 450 is connected to the rotational axis 364 of the compression member 360 on rotating the connecting unit 450.

[0084] Further, the centers for the connecting guide 440, the connecting unit 450 and the rotational axis 364 of the compression member 360 are coincided by the first protruding section 446 of the connecting guide 440 and the first protruding section 451 of the connecting unit 450. Thus, the power of the compression motor 410 may be stably transferred to the rotational axis 364 of the compression member 360.

[0085] In the present embodiment, the connecting unit 450 may be moved into the direction parallel to the extension direction at the rotational axis 364 of the compression member 360 in the dust container cover 320 in a state which the dust container cover 320 is coupled to the dust collection body 310.

[0086] FIG.7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the dust container mounted to the cleaner body, FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an opening maintaining means in the dust container coupled with the rotatable cover, and FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view allowing the rotatable cover to be upwardly rotated by the opening maintaining means.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 7, the dust container 30 may further include a handle 340 for user's holding.

[0088] The handle 340 may include a handle body 341 extended from the dust collection body 310, and a handle cover 342 coupled to the handle body 341.

[0089] The handle 340 may further include a coupling means so that the dust container 30 is coupled to the cleaner body 10. At this time, the dust container 30 is coupled to the mounting portion 13 and the rotatable cover 15 of the cleaner body 10 by the coupling means.

[0090] The coupling means may include a lever 346 positioned at the handle body 341 and handle cover 342 and first and second coupling sections 350 and 355 operated by the lever 346.

[0091] The lever 346 may include a lever body 347, and a pressing section 348, extended from the top of the lever body 347, to be pressed by the user. The pressing section 348 may be protruded outside the handle 340 through the opening 344 formed at the handle cover 342.

[0092] The first coupling section 350 may be disposed so that the pressing section 348 contacts the first coupling section 350. In addition, the first coupling section 350 is supported by the elastic member 354. The first coupling section 350 includes a first body 353 supported by the elastic member 354, and a first locking section 352 extended from the first body 353. The first locking section 352 may be locked into the rotatable cover 15 by a first locking hole 168 formed at the rotatable cover 15.

[0093] The first locking section 352 may be protruded outside the handle 340 through the opening 344 formed with the handle cover 342. As another example, the handle body 341 may be provided with an opening 345 for the protruding of the first locking section 352.

[0094] Although not shown in the drawing, the second coupling section 355 may be elastically supported by the elastic member. The second coupling section 355 may include a second locking section 356. The second locking section 356 may be locked into the mounting portion 13 by a second locking hole 132 formed at the mounting portion 13.

[0095] When the pressing section 348 of the lever 346 is pressed on locking the first locking section 352 into the rotatable cover 15 and the second locking section 356 into the mounting portion 13, the first coupling section 350 and second coupling section 355 are rotated by the lever 346, the first locking section 352 is unlocked from the first locking hole 168, and the second locking section 356 is unlocked from the second locking hole 132.

[0096] Unlike the above-described embodiment, the first coupling section 350 is not included in the handle 340, and it is possible to include the first coupling section 350 in the rotatable cover 15. As another example, when the rotatable cover 15 is decoupled with the dust container 30 and is coupled with the part of the cleaner body 10, any one of the first coupling section and second coupling section may be omitted.

[0097] In the present embodiment, the coupling between the second coupling section 355 and mounting portion 13 is released as well as the coupling between the first coupling section 350 and rotatable cover 15 is released by a single lever manipulation, thereby to enhance the user's convenience.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 8, the rotatable cover 15 may include a first cover body 150, a second cover body 160 coupled to the first cover body 150, and a third cover body 170 coupled to the first cover body 150 or the second cover body 160.

[0099] The compression motor 410 is seated on the first cover body 150. The first cover body 150 may include a fist accommodating portion 152 to accommodate the compression motor 410, and a second accommodating portion 153 to accommodate a portion of the second transferring unit 430.

[0100] The first cover body 150 may be provided with an opening 154 through which the connecting guide 440 of the second transferring unit 430 is passed. The opening 154 may be formed at the second accommodating portion 153. At this time, the connecting guide 440 may include a locking end 444 limiting downward movement in a state which the connecting guide 440 passes through the hole 154. The locking end 444 may be in contact with the top surface of the first cover body 150.

[0101] The second cover body 160 covers the top of the compression motor 410. That is, the compression motor 410 is positioned between the first cover body 150 and second cover body 160.

[0102] The first transferring unit 420 and second transferring unit 430 may be placed on the top side of the second cover body 160. The second cover body 160 is provided with a fist hole 162 through which the axis of the compression motor 410 passes, and a second hole 164 through which the second transferring unit 430 passes. Therefore, the second transferring unit 430 passes through the second hole 164 and opening 154 and therefore may be protruded outside the rotatable cover 15(for an example, the bottom of the rotatable cover).

[0103] The second cover body 160 may be provided with a first locking hole 169 in which the first locking section 352 is inserted.

[0104] The second cover body 160 may be provided with a hinge 166 to rotate the rotatable cover 15. A wire (not shown) connected to the compression motor 410 may be connected to a power supply unit of the inside of the cleaner body 10 through the hinge 166.

[0105] As another example, it is also possible to form the hinge 166 at the first cover body 150 or the third cover body 170.

[0106] The third cover body 170 covers the first transferring unit 420 and second transferring unit 430. The third cover body 170 may be formed with transparent or translucent material so that the user may see the first transferring unit 420 and second transferring unit 430 from the outside.

[0107] That is, in the present embodiment, the rotatable cover 15 includes a cover body for covering a portion or all of the power transferring unit, and the cover body is formed with transparent or translucent material. Therefore, in the present embodiment, since the user may see the power transferring unit disposed at the first cover body 150 from the outside, there is an advantage in that whether on operations or not for the power transferring unit may be easily checked.

[0108] Unlike the above description, the second cover body 160 may be omitted in the rotatable cover 15. In this case, the third cover body may be formed with transparent or translucent material.

[0109] On the other hand, the dust separating device 20 may be provided with a rotatable maintaining means 240 for maintaining a rotating state of the rotatable cover 15 in one direction(for example, upward).

[0110] The rotatable maintaining means 240 may be disposed at the cover 220 of the dust separating device 20. The cover 22 is disposed with an accommodating portion 221 to accommodate the rotatable maintaining means 240.

[0111] The rotatable maintaining means 240 may include a lift body 250, a holder 241 to support the lift body 250, and an elastic member 254 to elastically support the lift body 250.

[0112] The accommodating portion 221 is provided with a fastening section 222 to fasten the holder 241. The holder 241 may include at least one hook 242 to couple with the lift body 250. The hook 242 also functions as a stopper for preventing further movement in a state which the lift body 250 moves by a certain distance.

[0113] The lift body 250 is provided with a receiving groove 251 to accommodate the elastic member 254. The elastic member 254 elastically supports the lift body 250 upwardly in the state placed on the holder 241. The lift body 250 may be formed with a fastening hole 252 to couple at least one hook 242.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 8, the rotatable cover 15 compresses the lift body 250 and the elastic member 254 is contracted in a state which the rotatable cover 15 is coupled to the dust container 30.

[0115] As shown in FIG.9 in this state, when the coupling between the first coupling section 350 and rotatable cover 15 is released and the coupling between the second coupling section 355 and mounting portion 13 is released, the lift body 250 is moved upward by the elastic force of the elastic member 254 and therefore the rotatable cover 15 is lifted. Thus, the rotatable cover 15 is upwardly rotated (counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 9) at the center of the hinge 166, and is supported by the lift body 250 in the state that upwardly rotates by a certain angle and therefore maintains a stationary state. That is, in the present embodiment, the state, that rotates the rotatable cover 15, may be maintained by the rotatable maintaining means.

[0116] As another example, the rotatable maintaining means may be a torsion spring connected to the hinge 166 of the rotatable cover 160. The torsion spring may provide the elastic force, that upwardly rotates the rotatable cover 160, into the hinge 166.

[0117] As further another example, the rotatable maintaining means is not provided to the dust separating device, and it is possible to provide the rotatable maintaining means to the cleaner body 10. In addition, the rotatable maintaining means may be a coil spring disposed at the cleaner body 10. Further, the coil spring may support the bottom of the rotatable cover.

[0118] The rotatable cover maintains the state rotated by the rotatable maintaining means in the present embodiment, and therefore there is a advantage in that may easily mount the dust container at the mounting portion without the interference of the rotatable cover.

[0119] In addition, since the rotatable cover disposed with the power transferring unit maintains the state that rotates by the rotatable maintaining means, the intervene between the dust container and power transferring unit is prevented in the process that mounts the dust container into the mounting portion, and therefore there is a advantage in that the damage for the power transferring unit may be prevented.

[0120] FIG. 10 is a block view for controlling the cleaner according to the present embodiment.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 10, the vacuum cleaner 1 may include a sensing unit 51 to sense the state of the rotatable cover 15, a suction motor 52 to generate a suction force, and a controller 50 to control the suction motor 52 and compression motor 410 based on information sensed from the sensing unit 51.

[0122] The sensing unit 51 may sense the position of the rotatable cover 15 in a state which the rotatable cover 15 is coupled to the dust container 30. Further, the sensing unit 51 may sense the rotation of the rotatable cover 15, when the rotatable cover 15 upwardly rotates, in a state which the rotatable cover 15 is coupled to the dust container 30.

[0123] As one example, the sensing unit 51 may be a switch compressed by the rotatable cover 15 in a state which the rotatable cover 15 is coupled to the dust container 3, but is not limited thereto.

[0124] The controller 50 may turn off the compression motor 410, when the sensing unit 51 senses the rotation of the rotatable cover 15, in the state that turns on the compression motor 410. The reason is that, in the case that the rotatable cover 15 is rotated, the power of the compression motor 410 may not be transferred into the compression member 360, thereby to prevent unnecessary rotation of the compression motor 410.

[0125] In addition, the controller 50 may turn off the suction motor 52, when the sensing unit 51 senses the rotation of the rotatable cover 15, in the state that turns on the suction motor 52.

[0126] In the present embodiment, some configuration of the rotatable cover is formed with transparent or translucent material, the rotatable cover is disposed with the power transferring unit, and therefore the user may see the power transferring unit from the outside. Therefore, there is a advantage in that whether on normal operations or not for the power transferring unit may be easily checked.

[0127] In addition, since the power transferring unit is disposed at the rotatable cover, the intervene between the dust container and power transferring unit is prevented in the process that mounts the dust container into the mounting portion, and therefore there is a advantage in that the damage for the power transferring unit may be prevented.

[0128] Particularly, the power transferring unit maintains the state rotated by the rotatable maintaining means, and therefore there is a advantage in that may easily mount the dust container into the mounting portion without the interference of the rotatable cover.

[0129] In addition, although the power transferring unit, the connecting unit, and the rotational axis of the compression member are not connected in the state that covers the dust container by the rotatable cover, the power transferring unit, the connecting unit, and the rotational axis of the compression member are automatically connected in the process that operates the power transferring unit.

[0130] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a cleaner body provided with a mounting portion;

a dust container separately mounted to the mounting portion, having a compression member to compress dust; and

a rotatable cover rotatably disposed at the cleaner body, to cover the dust container mounted to the mounting portion,

wherein the rotatable cover includes a driving device to drive the compression member disposed at the dust container.

2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the driving device includes a compression motor, and a power transferring unit to transfer power of the compression motor to the compression member.

3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the rotatable cover includes a cover body to cover a part or all of the power transferring unit,
wherein the cover body is formed with transparent or translucent material.

4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the power transferring unit includes a plurality of transferring units,
the dust container includes a connecting unit connected to the compression member to connect one transferring unit of the plurality of transferring units and the compression member, and
the connecting unit is connected to the one transferring unit when the rotatable cover covers the dust container.

5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the dust container includes a dust collection body rotatably mounted to the compression member, and
a dust container cover provided with the connecting unit, to cover the top of the dust collection body,
wherein the connecting unit connected to the compression member after passing through the dust container cover.

6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the connecting unit is mounted to the dust container cover so that it may be moved in a direction parallel to an extension direction for a rotational axis of the compression member.

7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein one transferring unit of the plurality of transferring units includes a connecting guide that linearly moves in the rotatable cover,
wherein the connecting guide is supported by an elastic member and is protruded outside the rotatable cover.

8. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein any one of the one transferring unit and the connecting unit includes a protruding section for forming the same center, and the other one includes a receiving groove to accommodate the protruding section.

9. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the driving device further includes a sensing unit to sense a rotation of the rotatable cover,
wherein the compression motor is turned off when the sensing unit senses the rotation of the rotatable cover in a state which the compression motor is turned on.

10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the dust container includes a coupling means to couple the dust container to each of the rotatable cover and the mounting portion.

11. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the rotatable cover further includes a rotatable maintaining means to maintain a state rotated in one direction, the coupling means couples or decouples the dust container with the rotatable cover, and the rotatable maintaining means is operated on decoupling the dust container with the rotatable cover and therefore maintains the state rotated with the rotatable cover.

12. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, wherein the rotatable cover includes a plurality of cover body, and a hinge disposed at one cover body of the plurality of cover bodies, and the rotation maintaining means is connected to the hinge or includes an elastic member to support at least one cover body of the plurality of cover body.

13. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 11, wherein the rotatable cover further includes a dust separating device to separate the dust from air introduced into the cleaner body, wherein the rotatable cover covers the dust separating device, and the rotation maintaining means is disposed at the dust separating device.

14. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein the rotation maintaining means includes a lift body for supporting the rotatable cover, an elastic member elastically for supporting the lift body, and a holder movably coupled with the lift body.

15. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the coupling means includes a lever disposed at a handle of the dust container,
a first coupling section operated by the manipulation of the lever, selectively to couple with the rotatable cover, and
a second coupling section operated by the manipulation of the lever, to selectively couple with the mounting portion.

Drawing