Cyclone dust collecting apparatus and cleaner having the same

Abstract

A cyclone dust collecting apparatus and a cleaner having the same include a grille unit including an introduction pipe communicating with the suction port and adapted to guide the air into the main cyclone chamber, and a grille body detachably provided to the introduction pipe and allowing the air to be discharged from the main cyclone chamber after dust particles in the air having a size greater than or equal to a certain size is filtered out. With this configuration, the spatial utilization of the cyclone structure may be facilitated, and visualization of the dust collection chamber may allow a user to gain satisfaction from cleaning operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cyclone dust collecting apparatus comprising:
 a dust collecting case comprising a suction port and discharge port to allow introduction and discharge of air; and   a cyclone unit to generate rotating airflow in the dust collecting case, the cyclone unit comprising:   a main cyclone chamber to rotate the air introduced through the suction port to separate dust from the air through centrifugation; and   a grille unit to guide flow of air introduced into and discharged from the main cyclone chamber, the grille unit comprising:   an introduction pipe communicating with the suction port and adapted to guide the air into the main cyclone chamber; and   a grille body detachably coupled to the introduction pipe and to allow the air to be discharged from the main cyclone chamber after dust particles in the air having a size greater than or equal to a predetermined size are filtered out.   
     
     
         2 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the cyclone unit further comprises an airflow creation part adapted to rotate the air guided from the introduction pipe to the main cyclone chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the airflow creation part is formed along a circumference of the grille unit to allow the air to form rotating airflow. 
     
     
         4 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the airflow creation part comprises:
 a first airflow guide surface including a surface contacting the air discharged from the introduction pipe, at least one portion of the surface being concavely formed to allow the air guided to the main cyclone chamber to rotate around the grille unit in a circumferential direction; and   a second airflow guide surface inclined toward the main cyclone chamber in the circumferential direction to allow the air rotated by the first airflow guide surface to move toward the main cyclone chamber.   
     
     
         5 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the first airflow guide surface is formed in a shape of a curved surface to divert the air. 
     
     
         6 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the introduction pipe comprises:
 an introduction pipe body having one end communicating with the suction port; and   a guide part provided to the other end of the introduction pipe body to guide the air to the main cyclone chamber.   
     
     
         7 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the guide part comprises a discharge guide surface having a shape of a curved surface, the discharge guide surface being formed in a direction of rotation of the air in the main cyclone chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the grille unit comprises an airflow creation rib extending from the guide part in a direction of discharge of the air to space the air discharged from the guide part apart from the grille body and introduce the air into the main cyclone chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the cyclone unit further comprises a cyclone body concavely formed to allow the grille unit to be inserted and coupled thereto, the cyclone body forming at least one portion of the main cyclone chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the introduction pipe body and the grille body are disposed such that centerlines thereof with respect to longitudinal directions of the introduction pipe body and the grille body coincide with each other. 
     
     
         11 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the guide part extends from the introduction pipe body such that the guide part is bent in a radial direction with respect to a longitudinal direction of the introduction pipe body. 
     
     
         12 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the grille unit comprises:
 a first flow passage formed in the introduction pipe to guide the air introduced through the introduction inlet;   a second flow passage formed between the introduction pipe and the grille body to guide, to an outside of the grille unit, the air introduced into the grille body from the main cyclone chamber.   
     
     
         13 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the first flow passage and the second flow passage are formed in the same direction. 
     
     
         14 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the grille body is arranged to surround the introduction pipe while being spaced a certain distance from the introduction pipe. 
     
     
         15 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the dust collecting case further comprises:
 a dust collection chamber to collect dust separated from the air in the main cyclone chamber,   wherein the grille unit further comprises a flange grille extending from an outer surface of the introduction pipe in a radial direction, the flange grille being disposed between the main cyclone chamber and the dust collection chamber to prevent backflow of dust collected in the dust collection chamber.   
     
     
         16 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the flange grille is inclined toward the dust collection chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the flange grille is formed in a shape of a grille to filter out dust flowing back from the dust collection chamber to the main cyclone chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the dust collecting case comprises a dust collection container provided therein with a dust collection chamber allowing the dust separated from the air in the main cyclone chamber to be collected therein,
 wherein the suction port is formed in the dust collection container and adapted to communicate with the introduction pipe.   
     
     
         19 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary cyclone chamber disposed in a radial direction of the main cyclone chamber to cause the air primarily separated from dust in the main cyclone chamber to be secondarily separated from dust in the air through centrifugation. 
     
     
         20 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the dust collecting case comprises a dust collection container provided therein with a dust collection chamber allowing the dust separated from the air in the main cyclone chamber to be collected therein,
 wherein the dust collection chamber comprises:   a first dust collection chamber disposed under the main cyclone chamber; and   a second dust collection chamber disposed under the auxiliary cyclone chamber, the second dust collection chamber being formed to have a depth greater than a depth of the second dust collection chamber adjacent thereto such that the dust collected in the second dust collection chamber is collected in the second dust collection chamber.   
     
     
         21 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the dust collecting case comprises a dust collection container provided therein with a dust collection chamber allowing the dust separated from the air in the main cyclone chamber to be collected therein,
 wherein the dust collection chamber comprises:   a first dust collection chamber disposed under the main cyclone chamber; and   a second dust collection chamber disposed in an annular shape under the auxiliary cyclone chamber, the second dust collection chamber being arranged along a circumference of the first dust collection chamber over the first dust collection chamber,   wherein the dust collection container is formed of a transparent material to allow interiors of the first dust collection chamber and the second dust collection chamber to be visible.   
     
     
         22 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the introduction pipe comprises an introduction inlet communicating with the suction port; and   the grille body comprises a discharge outlet communicating with the discharge port.   
     
     
         23 . A cyclone dust collecting apparatus comprising:
 a dust collecting case comprising a suction port and discharge port to allow introduction and discharge of air; and   a cyclone unit to generate rotating airflow in the dust collecting case, the cyclone unit comprising:   a cyclone chamber to rotate the air introduced through the suction port to separate dust from the air through centrifugation;   a grille unit to guide, in the cyclone chamber, flow of air introduced into and discharged from the cyclone chamber; and   an airflow creation part formed along a circumference of the grille unit to allow the air discharged from the grille unit to form rotating airflow in the cyclone chamber.   
     
     
         24 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the grille unit comprises:
 an introduction pipe communicating with the suction port and adapted to guide the air into the main cyclone chamber; and   a grille body detachably provided to the introduction pipe and allowing the air to be discharged from the cyclone chamber after dust particles in the air having a size greater than or equal to a certain size is filtered out.   
     
     
         25 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the introduction pipe comprises:
 an introduction pipe body having one end communicating with the suction port; and   a guide part provided to the other end of the introduction pipe body to discharge the air to the cyclone chamber,   wherein the introduction pipe body and the grille body are disposed such that centerlines thereof with respect to longitudinal directions of the introduction pipe body and the grille body coincide with each other.   
     
     
         26 . A dust collecting apparatus comprising:
 a dust collecting case comprising a dust separation part to separate dust from air suctioned thereinto;   a dust collection container comprising a dust collection chamber to collect the dust separated from the air, an opening to open the dust collection chamber, and a fixed protrusion formed on a surface of the dust collection container adjacent to the opening, the dust collection container being arranged at one side of the dust collecting case;   a discharge cover comprising a cover body to open and close the opening, and a catch member adapted to be restricted by the fixed protrusion at the one side of the cover body, the discharge cover being pivotably hinged to the dust collecting case;   an opening and closing member formed on one side surface of the dust collection container to release the catch member from restriction by the fixed protrusion; and   a cover spacing member between the dust collection container and the discharge cover to space the dust collection container and the discharge cover apart from each other.   
     
     
         27 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein a direction of movement of the opening and closing member is perpendicular to a direction of the discharge cover being spaced from the dust collection container. 
     
     
         28 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the opening and closing member comprises:
 an opening and closing member body adapted to slide along the one side surface of the dust collection container; and   a catch release part provided to the opening and closing member body to space the catch member from the fixed protrusion.   
     
     
         29 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the catch release part comprises a catch release surface inclined in a direction opposite to a direction of movement of the opening and closing member body to space the catch member apart from the fixed protrusion. 
     
     
         30 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the catch member comprises:
 a catch member body extending from the discharge cover toward an outside of the dust collection container; and   a catch protrusion provided to an end of the catch member body and adapted to be caught by the fixed protrusion.   
     
     
         31 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the opening and closing member comprises:
 a restorable elastic part to press the opening and closing member body toward an original position of the opening and closing member body when the opening and closing member body slides; and   an elastic pressing part allowing the restorable elastic part to be elastically supported by the opening and closing member body.   
     
     
         32 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the cover spacing member is formed of a material having elasticity. 
     
     
         33 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the cover spacing member comprises:
 a seating part adapted to be seated on an inner side surface of the discharge cover; and   a pressing part arranged along a circumference of the seating part and adapted to push the dust collection container through elasticity thereof when the discharge cover is opened.   
     
     
         34 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the discharge cover comprises a concave part formed on an inner side surface of the cover body such that the concave part is more concave than a neighboring portion of the cover body to allow the seating part to be seated thereon. 
     
     
         35 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the cover spacing member applies elastic force toward the dust collection container to space the discharge cover apart from the dust collection container. 
     
     
         36 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the dust collection container is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the cover spacing member is formed in an arc shape at an inner side of the discharge cover. 
     
     
         37 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the discharge cover comprises a cover hinge adapted be hinged to the dust collection container,
 wherein the cover hinge, the cover spacing member, and the catch member are disposed in the same line.   
     
     
         38 . A dust collecting apparatus comprising:
 a dust collecting case comprising a dust separation part to separate dust from air suctioned thereinto;   a dust collection container including an opening having one open surface and disposed at one side of the dust collecting case;   a discharge cover including a catch member extending from one side thereof toward the dust collection container in a first direction to be detachably connected to the dust collection container, the other side of the discharge cover being pivotably hinged to the dust collection container to open and close the opening;   an opening and closing member to move in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to allow the catch member to escape from the dust collection container; and   a cover spacing member provided between the dust collection container and the discharge cover to space the discharge cover apart from the dust collection container in a third direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         39 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 38 , wherein the opening and closing member and the cover spacing member operate independently. 
     
     
         40 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 38 , wherein the discharge cover comprises a unit seating portion allowing the cover spacing member to be seated thereon,
 wherein the unit seating portion is disposed closer to the one side of the discharge cover than to the other side of the discharge cover.   
     
     
         41 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 38 , wherein the cover spacing member is disposed at the other side of the discharge cover with respect to the one side of the discharge cover pivotably hinged to the dust collection container. 
     
     
         42 . The dust collecting apparatus according to  claim 38 , wherein the discharge cover comprises a hinge adapted to be hinged to the dust collection container,
 wherein the hinge, the cover spacing member, and the catch member are disposed in the same line.   
     
     
         43 . A cleaner comprising:
 a cleaner body; and   a dust collecting apparatus detachably coupled to the cleaner body to collect dirt in air,   the dust collecting apparatus comprising:   a dust collection chamber having an opening and allowing dust to be collected therein;   a discharge cover pivotably provided to the dust collection container to open and close the opening, one side of the discharge cover being restrictable by the dust collection container;   an opening and closing member adapted to release the discharge cover from restriction by the dust collection container; and   a cover spacing member to space the discharge cover apart from the dust collection container when the discharge cover is released from the restriction.   
     
     
         44 . A cleaner comprising:
 a cleaner body;   a dust collecting apparatus detachably coupled to the cleaner body to collect dirt in air,   the dust collecting apparatus comprising:   a dust collecting case having an opening, a discharge cover to open and close the opening, and a suction port provided to the discharge cover to allow suctioned air to be introduced therethrough; and   a cyclone unit to generate rotating airflow in the dust collecting case,   the cyclone unit comprising:   a main cyclone chamber to rotate the air introduced through the suction port to separate dust from the air through centrifugation; and   a grille unit to guide flow of air introduced into and discharged from the main cyclone chamber,   the grille unit comprising:   an introduction pipe connected to the suction port to guide the suctioned air to the main cyclone chamber;   a grille body coupled to the introduction pipe to discharge the air having passed through the main cyclone chamber.   
     
     
         45 . The cleaner according to  claim 44 , wherein the dust collecting case comprises a dust collection container to collect the dust separated in the cyclone unit, the dust collection container allowing the discharge cover to be pivotably mounted thereto,
 the cleaner further comprising a cover spacing member provided between the dust collection container and the discharge cover and adapted to space the dust collection container and the discharge cover apart from each other.   
     
     
         46 . The cleaner according to  claim 45 , wherein the discharge cover comprises:
 a cover body to open and close the opening; and   a catch member provided to one side of the cover body to be restrictable by the dust collection container,   the cleaner further comprising an opening and closing member provided to one side of the dust collection container to release the catch member from restriction by the dust collection container.   
     
     
         47 . The cleaner according to  claim 46 , wherein the opening and closing member comprises:
 an opening and closing member body adapted to be slidable along one side surface of the dust collection container;   a catch release part provided to the opening and closing member body to space the catch member from the dust collection container.