A bagless vacuum cleaner (10) includes a nozzle assembly (16) having a suction nozzle for picking up dirt and debris from a surface to be cleaned and a canister assembly (18) including a cavity (32). A dust collection assembly (12) is received and held in that cavity (32). The dust collection assembly (12) includes a filtering subassembly (100) and a dust container (102). The dust container (102) has an open top (104), a bottom wall (106), a first cylindrical sidewall (108), an inlet (110), and a downwardly directed outlet (112) extending through the bottom wall. An airstream conduit is provided for conveying a vacuum airstream between the suction nozzle and the inlet. A filter (124, 138) is carried on the filtering subassembly (100). A sweeper (200) rotates relative to the filtering subassembly (100) to clean dirt and debris from at least a portion of the filter (138). A suction fan (34) and suction fan drive motor (35) carried on either the nozzle assembly (16) or the canister assembly (18) generates the vacuum airstream for drawing dirt and debris through the suction nozzle, the airstream conduit and the dust container (102).
This is a U.S. National Stage Application of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US01/47401 filed Nov. 13, 2001 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/248,085 filed Nov. 13, 2000.
A compact vacuum container includes a tangential air inlet at the upper portion, a closed top and a central outlet at the bottom having an improved air separation and dirt collection container is provided. A hollow central column with a skirt formed with a downwardly extending flange having an outer diameter is less than the inner diameter of the container, extends from the closed to the bottom outlet opening the upper position above the skirt is open and the lower portion of the column is solid. Dirt particles that separate from the air flow above the skirt drop to the lower portion below the skirt. Clean air then exits an open upper portion of the column to the suction source below the container. The air exiting the bottom of the column may pass through an radially pleated filter before being drawn into the vacuum source.
A filter cartridge for a compact vacuum container includes a cylindrical side wall with an inwardly facing flange and a least one cross-beam extending along a diameter of the opening at the bottom and a radially pleated filer element is provided. The filer cartridge may be used with a dirt container having a tangential air inlet at the upper portion, a closed top and a central outlet at the bottom having an improved air separation and dirt collection container. Dirt particles that separate from the air flow in the container. Clean air then exits an open upper portion of the column to the suction source below the container. The air exiting the bottom of the column may pass through an radially pleated filter before being drawn into the vacuum source.
A brush configured to move repeatedly over a vacuum filter. The brush will remove dust particles to prevent them from clogging the filter. In the preferred embodiment, the brush is mounted on a revolving shaft. As the shaft turns it moves the bristles of the brush over the surface of the filter, whereby dust particles may be dislodged. In one embodiment, the shaft is attached to the vacuum motor and is turned directly by the motor. In this embodiment a speed reducer may be employed to slow the rate of rotation of the brush. In another embodiment, a turbine is attached to the shaft. The turbine is placed in the path of the air stream moving through the vacuum. The air passing through the turbine cause it and the shaft to rotate, thereby reducing the load on the motor.
