Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner comprises a suction generator to generate an airflow, a dirt separator comprising an opening to permit the airflow to pass into the dirt separator, a filter assembly to separate dirt from the airflow, and a dirt collection chamber to collect dirt separated from the airflow, and an attachment attached to the dirt separator. The attachment comprises a housing comprising a duct to deliver the airflow to the opening of the dirt separator, and a compaction member movable between a first position in which all of the compaction member is upstream of the opening, and a second position in which the compaction member extends through the opening of the dirt separator and into the dirt collection chamber to compact dirt collected in the dirt collection chamber.

1 . A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a suction generator to generate an airflow;   a dirt separator comprising an opening to permit the airflow to pass into the dirt separator, a filter assembly to separate dirt from the airflow, and a dirt collection chamber to collect dirt separated from the airflow; and   an attachment attached to the dirt separator, the attachment comprising:   a housing comprising a duct to deliver the airflow to the opening of the dirt separator; and   a compaction member movable between a first position in which all of the compaction member is upstream of the opening, and a second position in which the compaction member extends through the opening of the dirt separator and into the dirt collection chamber to compact dirt collected in the dirt collection chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the compaction member is movable between the first and second positions in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the attachment. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 2 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the dirt separator is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the attachment. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein an end of the compaction member is disposed at an acute angle relative to a direction of travel of the compaction member between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the compaction member comprises a wiper configured to wipe a surface of the dirt separator as the compaction member is moved between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 5 , wherein the wiper wipes a surface of the filter assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment comprises a recess defined in the housing and arranged to accommodate the compaction member. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 7 , wherein the attachment comprises a sealing element disposed at an opening of the recess through which the compaction member extends in the second position, the sealing element arranged to provide a seal between the housing and the compaction member when the compaction member is in the first position. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the compaction member comprises a user actuator configured to cause the compaction member to move between the first and second positions upon application of a force to the user actuator by a user. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 9 , wherein the user actuator protrudes through a slot in the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment comprises a biasing assembly configured to bias the compaction member towards the first position. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter assembly extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dirt separator. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the dirt separator comprises a valve disposed at the opening;   the valve is movable between a closed position in which airflow is prevented from entering the dirt separator via the opening, and an open position in which airflow is permitted to enter the dirt separator via the opening; and   movement of the compaction member from the first position to the second position causes the valve to move to the open position to permit entry of the compaction member into the dirt separator.   
     
     
         14 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment is removably attached to the dirt separator.