Surface cleaning device

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus includes a cyclone chamber. The cyclone chamber has a cyclone axis of rotation, a first end, an axially spaced second end, a cyclone chamber sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, and an openable portion, where the cyclone axis of rotation intersects the first end and the second end. The openable portion is rotatably mounted about an opening axis parallel to the cyclone rotation axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to surface cleaning devices. Background Art

[0002] The following does not constitute an admission that anything discussed below is part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art.

[0003] Various structures are known for surface cleaning devices (e.g., vacuum cleaners). Air can be drawn into the surface cleaning device through a dirty air inlet and can be delivered to an air treatment component, such as a cyclonic air treatment component. Within the air treatment component, some of the particulate matter (i.e., debris) captured in the airflow can be separated from the airflow. The separated debris can then be collected in a dirt collection chamber. When the dirt collection chamber is full of debris, the user of the surface cleaning device can empty the dirt collection chamber, such as into a trash can. Summary of the invention

[0004] This summary is intended to introduce the reader to the more detailed description below, but is not intended to limit or define any claimed or unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may be present in any combination or subcombination of elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document (including claims and drawings).

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more of the other aspects disclosed herein, a cyclone (e.g. a cyclone of a handheld vacuum cleaner) has an openable door, wherein the hinge extends substantially in the direction of the axis of rotation of the cyclone. This aspect has the advantage that part, substantially all or all of the cyclone can be opened along its axial length.

[0006] According to this aspect, there is provided a handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0007] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0008] (b) a cyclone chamber having a cyclone rotation axis, a first end, an axially spaced second end, a cyclone chamber sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, and an openable portion, wherein the cyclone rotation axis intersects the first end and the second end, and wherein the openable portion is rotatably mounted about an opening axis parallel to the cyclone rotation axis; and

[0009] (c) A motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path.

[0010] According to this aspect, there is also provided a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

[0011] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0012] (b) an air handling chamber having a first end, an axially spaced second end, an air handling chamber sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, an air handling chamber air inlet, an air handling chamber air outlet disposed at the second end of the air handling chamber, an air handling chamber axis intersecting the first end of the air handling chamber and the second end of the air handling chamber and defining an axial direction, and an openable portion rotatably mounted about an opening axis parallel to the air handling chamber axis; and

[0013] (c) A motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects disclosed herein, the handheld vacuum cleaner is powered by an onboard energy storage member (e.g., one or more batteries or capacitors), which may be positioned so that the energy storage member is accessible when the front end or front door of the handheld vacuum cleaner is open. The advantage of this aspect is that the energy storage member may be easily accessible. For example, one or more energy storage members may be located radially outward of an air handling member chamber (e.g., a cyclone chamber). Accordingly, the energy storage member chamber may be located on the outer surface of the air handling member chamber, and may be located below the air handling member chamber, and may optionally be located laterally next to the dirt collection chamber of the air handling member chamber.

[0015] According to this aspect, there is provided a handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0016] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0017] (b) a cyclone chamber having a cyclone rotation axis, an openable first end, an axially spaced second end, a cyclone chamber sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, a cyclone air inlet and a cyclone air outlet, wherein the cyclone rotation axis intersects the openable first end and the second end;

[0018] (c) an energy storage member located in an energy storage chamber, wherein the energy storage chamber is located radially outside the cyclone chamber; and

[0019] (d) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path,

[0020] When the openable first end is opened, the energy storage chamber is opened simultaneously.

[0021] According to this aspect, there is also provided a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

[0022] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0023] (b) an air handling chamber having an openable first end, an axially spaced second end, an air handling chamber sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, an air handling chamber air inlet, an air handling chamber air outlet disposed at the second end of the air handling chamber, and an air handling chamber axis intersecting the first end of the air handling chamber and the second end of the air handling chamber and defining an axial direction;

[0024] (c) an energy storage member located in an energy storage chamber, wherein the energy storage chamber is located outside the air handling chamber, whereby a plane transverse to the axis of the air handling chamber intersects the air handling chamber and the energy storage chamber; and,

[0025] (d) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path,

[0026] When the openable first end is opened, the energy storage chamber is opened simultaneously.

[0027] According to this aspect, there is also provided a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

[0028] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0029] (b) an air handling chamber having an openable first end, an axially spaced second end, an air handling chamber sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, an air handling chamber air inlet, an air handling chamber air outlet disposed at the second end of the air handling chamber, and an air handling chamber axis intersecting the first end of the air handling chamber and the second end of the air handling chamber and defining an axial direction;

[0030] (c) an energy storage member located in the energy storage chamber; and

[0031] (d) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path,

[0032] When the openable first end is opened, the energy storage chamber is opened simultaneously.

[0033] According to another aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects disclosed herein, a surface cleaning device (e.g., a handheld vacuum cleaner) has an air handling chamber (e.g., a cyclone chamber) having an associated dirt collection chamber. The air handling chamber has a dirt outlet, whereby the air handling chamber is in flow communication with the dirt collection chamber. When the air handling chamber is opened, a portion of a wall defining the dirt outlet moves, thereby opening the dirt outlet. Accordingly, dirt bridging the dirt outlet can fall off.

[0034] According to this aspect, there is provided a handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0035] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0036] (b) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path;

[0037] (c) a main body, which includes a handle and a suction motor; and

[0038] (d) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber located in an air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, a dirt outlet, a cyclone chamber front end having a cyclone chamber front end wall, a cyclone chamber rear end having a cyclone chamber rear end wall, and a cyclone rotation axis intersecting the cyclone chamber front end wall and the cyclone chamber rear end wall, the dirt collection chamber having a dirt collection chamber front end and an axially spaced dirt collection chamber rear end, the dirt collection chamber front end having a dirt collection chamber front end wall, the dirt collection chamber rear end having a dirt collection chamber rear end wall, a portion of the dirt collection chamber being spaced apart from the cyclone chamber in a direction transverse to the cyclone rotation axis, whereby the portion is separated from the cyclone chamber by a side wall,

[0039] The rear end of the cyclone chamber assembly is rotatably mounted between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, the front end of the cyclone chamber and the front end of the dirt collection chamber are opened.

[0040] Wherein, the dirt outlet comprises an opening having a perimeter, the perimeter having a first portion and a second portion, and when the rear end of the cyclone bin assembly is moved to the open position, only the first portion of the perimeter is moved.

[0041] According to another aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects disclosed herein, a surface cleaning device (e.g., a handheld vacuum cleaner) has an air handling chamber (e.g., a cyclone chamber) that may have an associated dirt collection chamber. The air handling chamber has two portions, such as a front end or front wall and / or an openable rear end or rear wall and an axially extending side wall portion. For example, the front wall of the air handling chamber may be pivotally mounted to the air handling bin assembly, and the bottom of the side wall of the air handling chamber may be pivotally mounted to the air handling bin assembly.

[0042] According to this aspect, there is provided a handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0043] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0044] (b) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path; and

[0045] (c) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber located in an air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, a dirt outlet, a cyclone chamber first end having a cyclone chamber first end wall, a cyclone chamber second end having a cyclone chamber second end wall, a cyclone chamber sidewall extending between the cyclone chamber first end wall and the cyclone chamber second end wall, and a cyclone rotation axis intersecting the cyclone chamber first end wall and the cyclone chamber second end wall, the dirt collection chamber having a dirt collection chamber first end, an axially spaced dirt collection chamber second end, and a dirt collection chamber sidewall, the dirt collection chamber first end having the dirt collection chamber first end wall, the dirt collection chamber second end having the dirt collection chamber second end wall, the dirt collection chamber sidewall extending between the dirt collection chamber first end wall and the dirt collection chamber second end wall, a portion of the dirt collection chamber being spaced apart from the cyclone chamber in a direction transverse to the cyclone rotation axis, whereby the portion is separated from the cyclone chamber by the cyclone chamber sidewall,

[0046] The cyclone bin assembly comprises a first openable portion and a movable portion including a first end wall of a dirt collection chamber, wherein the first openable portion is movably mounted to the handheld vacuum cleaner at a first position, and the movable portion is movably mounted to the handheld vacuum cleaner at a second position, wherein the movable portion comprises a portion of at least one of the cyclone chamber side wall and the dirt collection chamber side wall.

[0047] According to this aspect, there is also provided a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

[0048] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0049] (b) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path; and

[0050] (c) an air handling bin assembly comprising an air handling chamber and a dirt collection chamber located in an air flow path, the air handling chamber having an air handling air inlet, an air handling air outlet, a dirt outlet, an air handling chamber first end having an air handling chamber first end wall, an air handling chamber second end having an air handling chamber second end wall, an air handling chamber side wall extending between the air handling chamber first end wall and the air handling chamber second end wall, and a central air handling axis intersecting the air handling chamber first end wall and the air handling chamber second end wall, the dirt collection chamber having a dirt collection chamber first end, an axially spaced dirt collection chamber second end, and a dirt collection chamber side wall, the dirt collection chamber first end having the dirt collection chamber first end wall, the dirt collection chamber second end having the dirt collection chamber second end wall, the dirt collection chamber side wall extending between the dirt collection chamber first end wall and the dirt collection chamber second end wall, a portion of the dirt collection chamber being spaced apart from the air handling chamber in a direction transverse to the central air handling axis, whereby the portion is separated from the air handling chamber by the air handling chamber side wall,

[0051] The air handling bin assembly comprises a first openable portion and a movable portion comprising a first end wall of a dirt collection chamber, wherein the first openable portion is movably mounted to the vacuum cleaner at a first position, and the movable portion is movably mounted to the vacuum cleaner at a second position, wherein the movable portion comprises a portion of at least one of a side wall of the air handling chamber and a side wall of the dirt collection chamber.

[0052] According to another aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects disclosed herein, a surface cleaning device (e.g., a handheld vacuum cleaner) has an air handling chamber (e.g., a cyclone chamber) which may have an associated dirt collection chamber. The front end of the air handling chamber (e.g., the front end of the handheld vacuum cleaner) or the air inlet end of the air handling chamber is narrow. This aspect has the advantage that the handheld vacuum cleaner can clean closer to corners or edges without the use of accessories such as extension wands.

[0053] According to this aspect, there is provided a handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0054] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet disposed at an upper portion of a front end of the handheld vacuum cleaner to a clean air outlet;

[0055] (b) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path; and

[0056] (c) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber located in the air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, a cyclone chamber front end, a cyclone chamber rear end, a cyclone chamber sidewall extending between the cyclone chamber front end and the rear end, and a cyclone rotation axis extending in a forward / rearward direction,

[0057] Wherein, a front height of the front end of the cyclone chamber in a direction transverse to the rotation axis of the cyclone is smaller than a rear height of the cyclone chamber in a direction transverse to the rotation axis of the cyclone.

[0058] According to another aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects disclosed herein, a surface cleaning device (e.g., a handheld vacuum cleaner) powered by an onboard energy storage member may have an energy storage member that is divided into two or more groups or packages that may be located at different locations. For example, a portable surface cleaning device may have an onboard energy storage member that is disposed along the length of two or more portions of an outer surface of the portable surface cleaning device. An advantage of this aspect is that the energy storage member may be disposed at two or more locations, which may give the handheld vacuum cleaner a better hand-held weight and / or may give the surface cleaning device more onboard energy without increasing or substantially increasing the size of the surface cleaning device.

[0059] According to this aspect, there is provided a handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0060] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet disposed at a front end of the handheld vacuum cleaner to a clean air outlet;

[0061] (b) an air handling chamber assembly including an air handling chamber located in the air flow path,

[0062] (c) a body housing a motor and a fan assembly disposed in the airflow path;

[0063] (d) handle;

[0064] (e) a first energy storage pack disposed at a first location in the handheld vacuum cleaner; and

[0065] (f) a second energy storage pack disposed in the handheld vacuum cleaner at a second location different from the first location.

[0066] According to this aspect, there is also provided a handheld vacuum cleaner, comprising:

[0067] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet disposed at a front end of the handheld vacuum cleaner to a clean air outlet;

[0068] (b) an air handling chamber assembly including an air handling chamber located in the air flow path,

[0069] (c) a body housing a motor and a fan assembly disposed in the airflow path;

[0070] (d) handle;

[0071] (e) a removable first energy storage pack; and

[0072] (f) A detachable second energy storage pack, wherein the detachable first energy storage pack and the detachable second energy storage pack are separately detachable.

[0073] According to another aspect of the invention, which can be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects disclosed herein, a surface cleaning device (e.g., a handheld vacuum cleaner) is powered by an onboard energy storage member that is disposed along at least a portion of an outer surface of the surface cleaning device. The energy storage member may include one or more prismatic or pouch batteries of relatively short height. An advantage of this aspect is that the energy storage member may be disposed on an outer component of the surface cleaning device without increasing or substantially increasing the size of the surface cleaning device.

[0074] According to this aspect, there is provided a handheld vacuum cleaner having a front end, a longitudinally spaced rear end, an upper end extending between the front and rear ends, and a lower end extending between the front and rear ends, the handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0075] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0076] (b) an air handling chamber assembly including an air handling chamber located in the air flow path,

[0077] (c) a body housing a motor and a fan assembly disposed in the airflow path;

[0078] (d) a handle; and

[0079] (e) a plurality of energy storage members, wherein the energy storage members comprise a plurality of prismatic or pouch cells and the plurality of prismatic or pouch cells or a housing for the plurality of prismatic or pouch cells forms part of an outer surface of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0080] According to this aspect, there is also provided a handheld vacuum cleaner having a front end, a longitudinally spaced rear end, a central longitudinal axis, an upper end extending between the front and rear ends, and a lower end extending between the front and rear ends, the handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0081] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0082] (b) an air handling chamber assembly including an air handling chamber located in the air flow path,

[0083] (c) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path; and

[0084] (d) A plurality of energy storage members, wherein the energy storage members comprise prismatic or pouch cells.

[0085] According to another aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more of the other aspects disclosed herein, a handheld vacuum cleaner has a portion of reduced width. The width may be reduced to a diameter that enables the reduced width portion to be used as a handle. An energy storage member may be provided on an outer surface of a component of the handheld vacuum cleaner in front of and / or behind the portion of reduced width, and the energy storage member compartment may form a part of the outer surface of the handheld vacuum cleaner in front of and / or behind the portion of reduced width. An advantage of this aspect is that a part of the body can thus be used as a handle.

[0086] According to this aspect, there is provided a handheld vacuum cleaner having a front end, a longitudinally spaced rear end, a central longitudinal axis, an upper end extending between the front and rear ends, and a lower end extending between the front and rear ends, the handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0087] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0088] (b) an air handling chamber assembly including an air handling chamber located in the air flow path,

[0089] (c) a body housing a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path; and

[0090] (d) A handle, wherein the handle is longitudinally located between the air handling chamber assembly and the body.

[0091] According to another aspect of the present invention, which can be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects disclosed herein, a cyclone that can be used in a surface cleaning device (such as a handheld vacuum cleaner) can have a region connected to the cyclone chamber, which is located in the flow direction of air leaving the cyclone chamber, axially rearward of a screen or other porous air outlet member, and / or radially outside of a non-porous portion of the air outlet duct of the cyclone chamber.

[0092] According to this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning device comprising:

[0093] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0094] (b) an air handling chamber located in the air flow path, the air handling chamber having a first end, an axially spaced second end, a sidewall, an air handling chamber air inlet, and an air handling chamber air outlet, the first end including a first end wall, the second end including a second end wall, the sidewall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the air handling chamber air outlet being disposed at the second end;

[0095] (c) a first dirt collection area connected to the air handling chamber and located axially from the first end wall and the second end wall and closer to the second end wall than the first end wall; and

[0096] (d) A motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path.

[0097] According to this aspect, there is also provided a surface cleaning device, comprising:

[0098] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0099] (b) an air handling chamber located in the air flow path, the air handling chamber having a first end, an axially spaced second end, a sidewall, an air handling chamber air inlet, and an air handling chamber air outlet, the first end including a first end wall, the second end including a second end wall, the sidewall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the air handling chamber air inlet being disposed at the second end, and the air handling chamber air outlet being disposed at the second end;

[0100] (c) a first dirt collection area connected to the air handling chamber and located axially from the first end wall and the second end wall and closer to the first end wall than the second end wall; and

[0101] (d) A motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path.

[0102] According to another aspect of the invention, which can be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects disclosed herein, the axially extending screen or other porous member of the air handling chamber has pits that extend axially along part or all of the axial length of the screen or porous member. The screen can be thin-walled, for example, the wall thickness of the porous section or screen of the porous member can be 0.001 to 0.06 inches, 0.002 to 0.03 inches, or 0.005 to 0.015 inches. This cyclone outlet can be used in cyclones with diameters as small as 0.5-4 inches or 0.5-2.5 inches. The advantage of this aspect is that a self-supporting thin-walled screen or porous member can be provided.

[0103] According to this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning device comprising:

[0104] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0105] (b) an air handling chamber located in the air flow path, the air handling chamber having a first end, an axially spaced second end, a central longitudinal axis, sidewalls, an air handling chamber air inlet, and an air handling chamber air outlet, the first end including a first end wall, the second end including a second end wall, the central longitudinal axis extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the sidewalls extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the air handling chamber air outlet being disposed at the second end and extending inwardly from the second end wall, the air outlet comprising an axially extending porous member, wherein the axially extending porous member has at least one axially extending recess; and

[0106] (c) A motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path.

[0107] According to another aspect of the present invention, which can be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects disclosed herein, the surface cleaning device has a cyclone chamber, wherein the dirt outlet includes an opening in the side wall of the cyclone chamber. The dirt outlet has an upstream side along the direction of rotation of the air in the cyclone chamber and a downstream side along the direction of rotation. The upstream side includes a curved (e.g., tangential) portion. Therefore, the air rotating in the cyclone chamber can travel along the curved portion and pass through the dirt outlet, and denser dirt tends to fall into the dirt collection chamber through the dirt outlet. The advantage of this aspect is that the dirt separation efficiency of the cyclone can be improved.

[0108] According to this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning device comprising:

[0109] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0110] (b) a cyclone chamber located in the air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a cyclone rotation axis, an axially extending sidewall, a cyclone chamber air inlet, a cyclone chamber air outlet, and a dirt outlet, the dirt outlet comprising an axially extending slot in the sidewall;

[0111] (c) a dirt collection chamber located outside the cyclone chamber, the dirt collection chamber having first and second opposing walls, wherein the first opposing wall is an extension of the side wall; and

[0112] (d) A motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path.

[0113] According to this aspect, there is also provided a surface cleaning device, comprising:

[0114] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0115] (b) a cyclone chamber located in the air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a first end, an axially spaced second end, a cyclone rotation axis, a sidewall, a cyclone chamber air inlet, and a cyclone chamber air outlet, the first end including a first end wall, the second end including a second end wall, the cyclone rotation axis extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the sidewall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the cyclone chamber air outlet being disposed at the second end and extending inwardly from the second end wall;

[0116] (c) a dirt collection chamber located outside the cyclone chamber and communicating with the cyclone chamber via a dirt outlet; and

[0117] (d) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path,

[0118] wherein the dirt outlet comprises an opening in the side wall, the dirt outlet having an upstream side along the direction of rotation of the air in the cyclone chamber and a downstream side along the direction of rotation,

[0119] Wherein, the waste collection chamber includes a curved wall extending from a downstream side of the waste outlet.

[0120] According to another aspect of the present invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects disclosed herein, the air outlet of the cyclone chamber includes a porous section extending in an axial direction. An airtight wall is located inside the air outlet and faces at least a portion of the porous section. The airtight wall prevents dirt from entering the air outlet via the porous section. This aspect has the advantage that the dirt separation efficiency of the cyclone can be improved.

[0121] According to this aspect, there is provided a surface cleaning device comprising:

[0122] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0123] (b) a cyclone chamber located in the air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a first end, an axially spaced second end, a cyclone rotation axis, a sidewall, a cyclone chamber air inlet, and a cyclone chamber air outlet, the first end including a first end wall, the second end including a second end wall, the cyclone rotation axis extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the sidewall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the cyclone chamber air outlet being disposed at the second end and extending inwardly from the second end wall;

[0124] (c) a dirt collection chamber located outside the cyclone chamber and communicating with the cyclone chamber via a dirt outlet; and

[0125] (d) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path,

[0126] wherein the dirt outlet comprises an opening located radially outwardly and facing a portion of the cyclone chamber air outlet,

[0127] wherein said portion of said cyclone chamber air outlet comprises a porous section,

[0128] The air-impermeable member is located inside the air outlet of the cyclone air chamber and faces the porous section, whereby a plane transverse to the cyclone rotation axis intersects the dirt outlet, the porous section and the air-impermeable member.

[0129] According to this aspect, there is also provided a surface cleaning device, comprising:

[0130] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0131] (b) a cyclone chamber located in the air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a cyclone rotation axis, a cyclone chamber air inlet, a cyclone chamber air outlet and a dirt outlet;

[0132] (c) a waste collection chamber; and

[0133] (d) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path,

[0134] A plane transverse to the cyclone rotation axis intersects the dirt collection chamber, the dirt outlet, the porous section of the cyclone chamber air outlet facing the dirt outlet, and the airtight member located inside the cyclone air chamber air outlet.

[0135] Those skilled in the art will understand that a device or method disclosed herein may embody any one or more of the features contained herein, and that these features may be used in any specific combination or sub-combination.

[0136] These and other aspects and features of various embodiments are described in further detail below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0137] For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to more clearly show how they may be implemented, reference will now be made by way of example to the following drawings, in which:

[0138] Figure 1A is a front perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0139] Figure 1B for Figure 1A A rear perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0140] Figure 1C for Figure 1A A bottom perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of , in which the openable portion is in an open position;

[0141] Figure 1D for Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 1D-1D;

[0142] Figure 1E for Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 1E-1E, wherein the openable portion is in a closed position;

[0143] Figure 1F for Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 1E-1E, wherein the openable portion is in an open position;

[0144] Figure 1G for Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 1G-1G, wherein the openable portion is in a closed position;

[0145] Figure 1H for Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 1G-1G, wherein the openable portion is in an open position;

[0146] Figure 2A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0147] Figure 2B for Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 2B-2B, wherein the openable portion is in a closed position;

[0148] Figure 2C for Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 2B-2B, wherein the openable portion is in an open position;

[0149] Figure 3A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner, with the openable portion in a closed position;

[0150] Figure 3B for Figure 3A A top perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of , in which the openable portion is in an open position;

[0151] Figure 3C for Figure 3B A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 3C-3C;

[0152] Figure 4 A perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner; the openable portion is in an open position;

[0153] Figure 5A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0154] Figure 5B for Figure 5A A rear perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0155] Figure 5C for Figure 5A A perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of the type shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the openable portion is in an open position;

[0156] Figure 5D for Figure 5A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 5D-5D, wherein the openable portion is in a closed position;

[0157] Figure 5E for Figure 5A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 5D-5D, wherein the openable portion is in an open position;

[0158] Fig. 6A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0159] Figure 6B for Fig. 6A A front perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of , in which the openable portion is in an open position;

[0160] Figure 6C for Fig. 6A A front bottom perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of the type shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the openable portion is in an open position;

[0161] Fig. 7A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0162] Figure 7B for Fig. 7A A rear perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of , in which the openable portion is in an open position;

[0163] Figure 7C for Figure 7B A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 7C-7C;

[0164] Fig. 8A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0165] Figure 8B for Fig. 8AA perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of the type shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the openable portion is in an open position;

[0166] Figure 8C for Figure 8B A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 8C-8C;

[0167] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner, in which the openable portion is in an open position;

[0168] Fig. 10A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0169] Fig. 10B for Fig. 10A A perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of the type shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the openable portion is in an open position;

[0170] Fig.11 is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner, with the openable portion in an open position;

[0171] Fig. 12A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0172] Fig. 12B for Fig. 12A A rear perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0173] Fig. 12C for Fig. 12A A front perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of , in which the openable portion is in an open position;

[0174] Fig.12D for Fig. 12A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 12D-12D;

[0175] Fig.12E for Fig. 12A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 12E-12E;

[0176] Fig.13 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0177] Fig.14A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0178] Fig. 14B for Fig.14A A rear perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0179] Fig. 14C for Fig.14A A perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of the type shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the openable portion is in an open position;

[0180] Fig.14D for Fig.14A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 14D-14D;

[0181] Fig.15A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0182] Fig. 15B for Fig.15A A perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of the type shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the openable portion is in an open position;

[0183] Fig.16A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0184] Fig. 16B for Fig.16A A perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of the type shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the openable portion is in an open position;

[0185] Fig.17 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner, wherein the openable portion is in an open position;

[0186] Fig.18A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0187] Fig.18B for Fig.18A A rear perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of , wherein the first openable portion is in a closed position and the second openable portion is in a closed position;

[0188] Fig. 18C for Fig.18A A front view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of the type shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the first openable portion is in an open position and the second openable portion is in a closed position;

[0189] Fig.18D for Fig. 18C A front perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0190] Fig.18E for Fig.18A A rear perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of , wherein the first openable portion is in an open position and the second openable portion is in an open position;

[0191] Fig.18F for Fig.18E A front view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0192] Figure 18G for Fig.18E A front perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0193] Fig.19 is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0194] Fig. 20 is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0195] Fig.21A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0196] Fig.21B for Fig.21A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 21B-21B;

[0197] Fig.22A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0198] Fig. 22B for Fig.22A A rear perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0199] Fig. 22C for Fig.22A A side view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0200] Fig.22D for Fig.22A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 22D-22D;

[0201] Fig.23 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0202] Fig.24 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0203] Fig.25 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0204] Fig.26A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0205] Fig.26B for Fig.26A A rear perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0206] Fig.26C for Fig.26A A side view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0207] Fig.26D for Fig.26A A top view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0208] Fig.26E for Fig.26A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 26E-26E;

[0209] Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0210] Fig.28 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0211] Fig.29A is a cross-sectional view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0212] Fig.29B for Fig.29A A front view of a handheld vacuum cleaner of the type shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the openable portion is in an open position;

[0213] Fig. 30A is a cross-sectional view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0214] Fig. 30B for Fig. 30A A cross-sectional view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0215] Fig.31A is a cross-sectional view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0216] Fig.31B for Fig.31A A cross-sectional view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0217] Fig.32A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0218] Fig.32B for Fig.32A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 32B-32B;

[0219] Fig.33 is a three-dimensional diagram of a porous component;

[0220] Fig.34 A perspective view of another example of a porous member;

[0221] Fig.35A is a cross-sectional view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0222] Fig.35B for Fig.35A A cross-sectional view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0223] Fig.35C for Fig.35A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 35C-35C;

[0224] Fig.36A is a front perspective view of another example of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0225] Fig.36B for Fig.36A A rear perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0226] Fig.36C for Fig.36A A side view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0227] Fig.36D for Fig.36A A top view of a handheld vacuum cleaner; and

[0228] Fig.36E for Fig.36A A cross-sectional view of the handheld vacuum cleaner taken along line 36E-36E.

[0229] The drawings included herein are for the purpose of illustrating various examples of the articles, methods, and apparatuses taught in this specification and are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0230] Various devices will be described below to provide examples of embodiments of each claimed invention. Any embodiment described below does not limit any claimed invention, and any claimed invention may cover devices that are different from the devices described below. The claimed invention is not limited to devices having all the features of any one device described below, nor is it limited to the common features of multiple or all devices described below. The device described below may not be an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in the device described below, if not claimed in this document, may be the subject of another protective instrument (such as a continuing patent application), and the applicant, inventor and / or owner have no intention of abandoning, relinquishing rights or dedicating any such invention to the public by disclosing in this document.

[0231] Unless expressly stated otherwise, the terms "one embodiment", "embodiment", "multiple embodiments", "the embodiment", "the multiple embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments" and "an embodiment" all refer to "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention".

[0232] Unless expressly stated otherwise, the terms "include," "comprising," and variations thereof all mean "including but not limited to." Unless expressly stated otherwise, a listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive. Unless expressly stated otherwise, "a," "an," and "the" all mean "one or more."

[0233] As used herein and in the claims, when two or more components are joined together or operate together directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate components), as long as there is a relationship, these components are said to be "coupled", "connected", "attached" or "fastened". As used herein and in the claims, when two or more components are in physical contact with each other, these components are said to be "directly coupled", "directly connected", "directly attached" or "directly fastened". As used herein, when two or more components are coupled to move as a whole while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other, these components are said to be "rigidly coupled", "rigidly connected", "rigidly attached" or "rigidly fastened". The terms "coupled", "connected", "attached" and "fastened" do not distinguish the manner in which two or more components are joined together.

[0234] Some elements herein may be identified by a part number consisting of a base number and an alphabetic or subscript numeric suffix (e.g., 112a or 1121). Multiple elements herein may be identified by part numbers that share a common base number but have different suffixes (e.g., 1121, 1122, and 1123). All elements having a common base number may be collectively or generically referred to using the base number without a suffix (e.g., 112).

[0235] It should be noted that the degree terms such as "substantially", "approximately" and "approximately" used herein refer to a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term so that the end result will not be significantly changed. These degree terms can also be interpreted as including deviations of the modified term, such as 1%, 2%, 5% or 10%, as long as such deviations do not negate the meaning of the modified term.

[0236] In addition, the description of numerical ranges by endpoints herein includes all numbers and decimals contained in the range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.90, 4, and 5). It should also be understood that all numbers and decimals thereof are assumed to be modified by the term "about", which means that the variation of the mentioned number is at most a certain amount, such as 1%, 2%, 5%, or 10%, as long as the end result is not significantly changed.

[0237] Overview of surface cleaning equipment

[0238] With reference to the accompanying drawings, exemplary embodiments of surface cleaning devices are shown. The following is an overall discussion of surface cleaning devices that provides a basis for understanding several features discussed herein. As discussed subsequently, in this or other embodiments disclosed herein, each feature may be used alone or in any specific combination or sub-combination.

[0239] In the illustrated embodiment, the surface cleaning device is a handheld vacuum cleaner 1000, which may also be referred to as a "handheld vacuum cleaner" or a "hand-held vacuum cleaner". As used herein, a handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 is a surface cleaning device that can typically be operated with one hand to clean a surface. That is, the entire weight of the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 can be borne by the same hand that is used to align the dirty air inlet 1002 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 with the surface to be cleaned. For example, the handle 1004 and the dirty air inlet 1002 can be rigidly coupled to each other (directly or indirectly) to move as a unit while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. This is in contrast to, for example, canister and upright vacuum cleaners, which are typically supported by a surface (e.g., a floor) during use.

[0240] Although the illustrated embodiment describes an example of a handheld vacuum cleaner 1000, it should be understood that many of the features described herein can be associated with and used with non-handheld vacuum cleaners, such as canister vacuum cleaners, upright vacuum cleaners, stick vacuum cleaners, full-head vacuum cleaners, carpet extraction cleaners, wet / dry vacuum cleaners, and the like.

[0241] like Figures 1A-1H As shown, the surface cleaning device may include a body 1006, a handle 1004, an air treatment member 1008, a dirty air inlet 1002, a clean air outlet 1010, and an air flow path extending between the dirty air inlet 1002 and the clean air outlet 1010. The air treatment member 1008 is located in the air flow path between the dirty air inlet 1002 and the clean air outlet 1010.

[0242] As shown, the body 1006 of the surface cleaning device has a front end 1014, a rear end 1016, an upper end 1018 (i.e., a top end), and a lower end 1020 (i.e., a bottom end). Figure 1A In the illustrated embodiment, the dirty air inlet 1002 can be located at an upper end 1018 of the front end 1014 of the body 1006, while the clean air outlet 1010 can be located between the front end 1014 and the rear end 1016, or alternatively located at the rear end. It should be understood that the dirty air inlet 1002 and the clean air outlet 1010 can be disposed at different locations.

[0243] Suction motor 1022 (i.e., motor and fan assembly) (e.g., see Figure 1D ) is disposed within the body 1006 to generate vacuum suction through the airflow path, and may be located within the motor housing 1024. In the example shown, the suction motor 1022 is located downstream of the air treatment component 1008, but in an alternative embodiment, it may be located upstream of the air treatment component 1008 (e.g., a dirty air motor). As an example, the motor housing 1024 may form part of the outer surface of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0244] The air treatment component 1008 is configured to remove dirt particles and other debris from the air flow and / or otherwise treat the air flow. Any air treatment component 1008 known in the art can be used. As an example, the air treatment component 1008 can include an air treatment chamber 1044 and a dirt collection chamber 1032 located outside the air treatment chamber 1044. Dirty air can enter the air treatment chamber 1044 via the air treatment chamber air inlet 1046 and leave the air treatment chamber 1044 as relatively clean air via the air treatment chamber air outlet 1048.

[0245] exist Figure 1D In the example shown, the air treatment component 1008 is a cyclone assembly 1026 having a single cyclone chamber 1032 and a dirt collection chamber 1032 located outside the cyclone chamber 1030 (i.e., a single cyclonic cleaning stage). The cyclone chamber 1030 and the dirt collection chamber 1032 may be of any configuration suitable for separating debris from an airflow and collecting the separated debris, respectively. Figure 1D In the example shown, the cyclone chamber 1030 is a unidirectional flow cyclone (i.e., a cyclone in which air flows in one direction). As shown, the unidirectional flow cyclone may have a cyclone air inlet 1034 at a first end (front end 1036 in the example shown) of the cyclone chamber 1030, and a cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 at the other end (rear end 1040 in the example shown) of the cyclone chamber 1030. In other examples, the cyclone chamber 1030 may not be unidirectional flow, and the cyclone air inlet 1034 and the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 may be arranged at the same end of the cyclone chamber 1030. It should also be understood that the separated dirt may be collected in a dirt collection area connected to the cyclone chamber.

[0246] The cyclone chamber 1030 can be oriented in any direction. For example, when the upper end 1018 of the surface cleaning device is located above the lower end 1020, such as positioned generally parallel to a horizontal plane, the central axis 1050 or axis of rotation of the cyclone chamber 1030 can be oriented horizontally, such as Figure 1D In alternative embodiments, the cyclone chamber 1030 can be oriented vertically, or at any angle between horizontal and vertical.

[0247] In an alternative embodiment, the cyclone assembly 1026 may include two or more cyclone cleaning stages arranged in series with each other. Each cyclone cleaning stage may include one or more cyclone chambers 1030 (arranged in parallel or in series with each other) and one or more dirt collection chambers 1032 of any suitable configuration. The dirt collection chamber 1032 may be located outside the cyclone chamber 1030, or may be inside the cyclone chamber 1030 (i.e., configured as a dirt collection area or region 1032 within the cyclone chamber). It should be understood that the air treatment assembly may have two or more stages, and one or more air treatment chambers may be used per stage.

[0248] Optionally, the external dirt collection chamber 1042 may be positioned radially outward from the air handling chamber 1044 of the air handling member 1008. The dirt outlet may connect the air handling chamber 1044 to the dirt collection chamber 1032. Figure 1D In the example shown, the external dirt collection chamber 1042 is located radially outward from the cyclone chamber 1030. As shown, when the dirt collection chamber 1032 is located outside of the cyclone chamber 1042, the dirt outlet 1052 or multiple dirt outlets can fluidly connect the cyclone chamber 1030 with the external dirt collection chamber 1042.

[0249] Alternatively, the air handling chamber 1044 of the air handling component 1008 may not be a cyclonic cleaning stage. Such a non-cyclonic stage may be a non-cyclonic air handling chamber, or it may contain a bag, a porous physical filter medium (e.g., foam or felt), or other air handling device. A combination of non-cyclonic and cyclonic handling components may be used.

[0250] The air treatment member 1008 may include an openable portion 1060 that is movable between an open position and a closed position. When in the open position, the openable portion 1060 may facilitate the discharge of debris separated from the airflow by the air treatment member from the air treatment member; and / or when moved from the closed position to the open position, the debris compacted in the air treatment member 1008 may be caused to fall off from the air treatment member 1008. The openable portion 1060 may include a portion of the outer surface 1062 of the body 1006 of the surface cleaning device, so that opening the openable portion 1060 may facilitate the discharge of debris from the surface cleaning device. Various configurations of the openable portion 1060 are described in more detail later.

[0251] like Figure 1DAs shown, the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 may include a pre-motor filter 1066. The pre-motor filter may be disposed in a pre-motor filter housing 1064, which is disposed in an airflow path downstream of the air handling member 1008 and upstream of the suction motor 1022. The pre-motor filter housing 1064 may be any suitable structure known in the art. The pre-motor filter 1066 may be located in the pre-motor filter housing 1064. The pre-motor filter 1066 may have a front end 1054 and a rear end 1058. The pre-motor filter 1066 may be formed by any suitable physical porous filter medium and have any suitable shape. For example, the pre-motor filter 1066 may be one or more of a foam filter, a felt filter, a HEPA filter, other physical filter media, an electrostatic filter, and the like.

[0252] Optionally, the pre-motor filter housing 1064 may be opened to provide access to the interior of the pre-motor filter housing 1064 .

[0253] The handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 may also include a post-motor filter (not shown) disposed in the airflow path downstream of the suction motor 1022 and upstream of the clean air outlet 1010. The post-motor filter may be formed of any suitable physical porous filter medium and have any suitable shape. The post-motor filter may be any suitable type of filter, such as one or more of a foam filter, a felt filter, a HEPA filter, other physical filter media, an electrostatic filter, and the like.

[0254] Still refer to Figure 1D In the example shown, the dirty air inlet 1002 of the surface cleaning device is the inlet end 1068 of the inlet duct 1070 disposed at the front end 1014 of the surface cleaning device. Optionally, the inlet end 1068 of the inlet duct 1070 can be used as a nozzle to directly clean the surface. In this example, the inlet duct 1070 is a generally linear hollow duct extending along an inlet duct axis 1072, which is oriented in a longitudinal forward / rearward direction and is generally horizontal when the upper end 1018 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 is located above the lower end 1020. Alternatively, or in addition to being used as a nozzle, the inlet duct 1070 can also be connected or directly connected to the downstream end of any suitable accessory tool, such as a hard airflow duct (e.g., a floor cleaning stick), a crevice tool, a mini brush, etc. As shown, the dirty air inlet 1002 is located in front of the air treatment member 1008, but this is not necessarily the case.

[0255] As an example, the suction motor 1022 and other electrical components of the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 can be powered from an onboard energy storage member 1074, for example, the onboard energy storage member 1074 can include one or more batteries, capacitors or other energy storage devices. Optionally, the location and type of the battery will be described in more detail later in this article. In an alternative embodiment, in addition to or in place of the energy storage member 1074, the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 can also be powered by an electrical wire (not shown) that is connected to the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 and can be connected to a standard wall outlet.

[0256] By establishing an electrical connection between the energy storage member 1074 and the motor and fan assembly 1022, for example, a power switch (not shown) may be provided to selectively control the operation of the motor and fan assembly 1022 (e.g., on / off or variable power levels or both). The power switch may be provided in any suitable configuration and location, including a button, a rotary switch, a slide switch, a trigger actuator, etc. The power switch or backup controller may also be configured to control other aspects of the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 (brush motor on / off, etc.).

[0257] Openable part

[0258] In accordance with this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, the air treatment member 1008 of the surface cleaning apparatus may include an openable portion 1060 .

[0259] The openable portion 1060 is movable between a first position (i.e., an open position) and a second position (i.e., a closed or operating or cleaning position). In some examples, when the openable portion 1060 is in the open position, debris separated from the airflow by the air treatment member 1008 can be discharged from the air treatment member 1008 through the openable portion 1060. In the closed position, the openable portion 1060 can close the air treatment member 1008 for effective operation of the air treatment member 1008. Optionally, the openable portion 1060 includes a portion of the outer surface 1062 of the body 1006, so that opening the openable portion 1060 can facilitate the discharge of debris from the surface cleaning device and into, for example, a trash can.

[0260] Movement of the openable portion 1060 from the closed position to the open position may facilitate the dislodging of debris (which may have accumulated in the air handling member 1008 and may have been compacted in the corners and small openings) by moving one of the walls forming the corner relative to another wall forming the corner and / or moving a portion of the perimeter of the opening (e.g., the dirt outlet) relative to another portion of the opening. By separating the walls forming the corner and / or moving a portion of the wall defining the dirt outlet, compacted dirt (e.g., dirt that partially or completely bridges the dirt outlet) may be loosened and thus may fall under gravity when the openable portion is opened. In contrast, in known devices, an operator may often need to repeatedly tap the surface cleaning device, particularly the dirt collection chamber, to loosen and discharge the compacted, accumulated debris.

[0261] An advantage of this aspect is that compacted debris may be more easily removed which may impede airflow through the air handling member 1008 and thus may result in reduced cleaning efficiency (i.e., the ability to separate debris from the airflow and / or the energy required to operate the surface cleaning apparatus).

[0262] For example, over time, the dirt outlet 1052 or the air handling chamber may become clogged with compacted debris. Movement of the openable portion 1060 from the closed position to the open position may cause a wall forming a portion (but not all) of the perimeter of the dirt outlet 1052 to move relative to the remainder of the perimeter of the dirt outlet, thereby opening the dirt outlet 1052, which may cause compacted debris that may partially bridge the dirt outlet 1052 to fall out of the dirt outlet 1052.

[0263] It will be appreciated that a cleaning member may be provided, for example, movable axially or toward the opening when the openable portion 1060 is open, to assist in removing debris from the air treatment member 1008 .

[0264] Operations that can be opened

[0265] According to this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, if an openable portion is provided, the openable portion 1060 may be moved between a closed position and an open position by any means known in the art.

[0266] For example, to open the waste outlet 1052 , the size of the perimeter 1078 of the waste outlet 1052 may be increased; and / or a wall defining a portion of the perimeter 1078 may be moved, thereby opening the perimeter 1078 .

[0267] Figure 5D and Figure 8CA first example is illustrated in which the dirt outlet 1052 can have a perimeter 1078 defined by a portion of the cyclone sidewall 1084 and a portion of the cyclone chamber rear end wall 1086 (it should be understood that since this is a cross-sectional view, a portion of the perimeter 1078 of the dirt outlet 1052 is not shown). As an example, the cyclone chamber rear end wall 1086 is the rear end wall of the air treatment component. As an example, the dirt outlet 1052 can be an opening in the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084, the dirt outlet 1052 can have a perimeter 1078, and the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 can include only a portion of the perimeter 1078 of the dirt outlet 1052. Figure 1C and Figure 1H As shown, when the openable portion 1060 is moved to the open position, the dirt outlet 1052 is opened. More specifically, a portion of the cyclone chamber side wall 1084 (i.e., the side wall 1084 of the air handling chamber 1044) containing the dirt outlet 1052 is rotated away from the rear end wall 1086, which defines a portion of the periphery 1078 of the dirt outlet 1052 when the openable portion 1060 is closed. Therefore, as shown, when the openable portion 1060 is moved to the open position, the dirt outlet 1052 can be opened.

[0268] As a second example, now refer to Figure 5A-5E The rear end 1088 of a portion of the air handling member 1008 (specifically, the rear end 1090 of the lower portion of the cyclone assembly 1026) is rotatably mounted between a closed position and an open position, thereby defining an openable portion 1060. Figure 5C As shown, when in the open position, the front end 1092 of the air treatment member 1008 (specifically, the front end 1094 of the cyclone assembly 1026) can be opened. In the example shown, opening the front end 1094 of the cyclone assembly 1026 can open the front end 1096 (and the lower end) of the cyclone chamber 1030 and the front end 1098 of the dirt collection chamber 1032. Still referring to Figure 5C , the waste outlet 1052 is shown as an opening having a perimeter 1078 having a first portion 1100 and a second portion 1102. In the example shown, the first portion 1100 of the perimeter 1078 is defined by a movable portion (i.e., a generally U-shaped portion 1104) of the air handling chamber side wall 1084, while the second portion 1102 is partially defined by a fixed portion of the air handling chamber rear end wall 1086. Figure 5C As shown, when the cyclone assembly 1026 is moved to the open position, thereby opening the dirt outlet 1052, only the first portion 1100 of the perimeter 1078 may move.

[0269] It should be understood that any portion of the perimeter 1078 can be movable, and this portion can be any portion of the air treatment member 1008. Accordingly, as shown in the example, a portion of the perimeter 1078 can be movable, while a portion is fixed. Accordingly, for example, the waste outlet 1052 can be defined only by the side wall 1084 of the air treatment chamber, and the openable portion can include only a portion of the side wall 1084. This portion of the side wall can have a first portion 1100 of the perimeter 1078, while a second, non-movable portion of the side wall 1084 has a second portion 1102 of the perimeter 1078. Thus, moving the openable portion can open the waste outlet 1052.

[0270] It should also be understood that two or more portions of perimeter 1078 may be movable, and the movable portions may define part or all of perimeter 1078. Accordingly, for example, two portions of perimeter 1078 may be movable, and these portions may be any portion of air handling member 1008.

[0271] Alternatively, if Figure 1C , Figure 1H and Figure 5C In the example shown, the openable portion 1060 can be rotatable. More specifically, in the example shown, the openable portion 1060 is pivotable about the hinge 1110. When the openable portion 1060 is rotatable, it can be rotated in any direction relative to the body 1006 of the surface cleaning device. For example, the hinge 1110 can extend transversely to the axis 1050, and the hinge 1110 can be located at the rear end of the openable portion 1060, and the openable portion can be rotated downward (see, for example, Figure 5C ), the hinge 1110 may extend transversely to the axis 1050, and the hinge 1110 may be located at the front end of the openable portion 1060, and the openable portion 1060 may be rotated downward (see, for example Figure 7B ), and / or the hinge 1110 may extend parallel to the axis 1050, and the hinge 1110 may be located on a lateral side of the openable portion 1060, and the openable portion 1060 may be rotatable laterally (see, e.g. Figure 1H As a specific example, in Figure 1H In the example shown, the openable portion 1060 is rotatably mounted about an opening axis 1112, which is parallel to the rotation axis 1050 of the cyclone chamber 1030. More specifically, in Figure 1H In the example shown, the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 has a front end 1014 having a dirty air inlet 1002 , a rear end 1016 , and first and second laterally opposite sides 1114 , 1116 extending in a forward / rearward direction, the front end 1014 having a dirty air inlet 1002 , and an opening axis 1112 located on one of the laterally opposite sides 1114 , 1116 .

[0272] Alternatively, if Fig. 10A As shown, the openable portion 1060 can be translatably mounted to the body 1006. Specifically, in the example shown, the openable portion 1060 slides along the track 1128 coupled to the body 1006 of the surface cleaning device. When the openable portion 1060 is translatably mounted to the body 1006, the openable portion 1060 can be translated in any direction known in the art. For example, the openable portion 1060 can be moved upward, downward (see Fig. 10B ), forward (see Fig.11 A), backward and / or lateral translation.

[0273] It should be understood that the openable portion 1060 may be rotated, translated, or moved in any other direction.

[0274] The movement of the openable portion 1060 from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa, can be controlled by any means known in the art. For example, there can be a handle (not shown) on the outer surface 1118 of the openable portion 1060 for the user to grasp. Alternatively, the openable portion 1060 can be opened when the actuator 1120 is actuated. The actuator 1120 can be mechanical or electromechanical.

[0275] Optionally, the openable portion 1060 may include a stopper to limit the movement of the openable portion. For example, a portion of the openable portion 1060 may engage a portion of the body 1006 of the surface cleaning device to limit the rotation of the openable portion 1060.

[0276] The openable portion 1060 can be maintained in the closed position by any means known in the art. For example, the openable portion 1060 can be maintained in the closed position by a convex engagement member (not shown) and a concave engagement member (not shown) that engage with each other. More specifically, the openable portion 1060 can include a lug that engages with a recessed portion located on the body in a friction fit, thereby maintaining the openable portion 1060 in the closed position. In some examples, a mechanical lock or an electromechanical lock can be used to maintain the openable portion 1060 in the closed position. Optionally, the openable portion 1060 can be biased to the closed position. Any locking device known in the art can be used.

[0277] Position of the openable part

[0278] According to this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, if an openable portion is provided, the openable portion 1060 may be located anywhere along the air treatment member 1008 .

[0279] For example, the openable portion 1060 may be a portion or all of the side wall 1084 of the air handling component 1008, such as Figure 1H Alternatively, the openable portion 1060 may be a portion or the entirety of the front end wall 1076 of the air handling member 1008, such as Fig. 12C It should be understood that the openable portion 1060 can be a portion or the entirety of the rear end wall 1086 of the air treatment member 1008. In any such case, the openable portion 1060 can be at least partially located at the upper end 1018, the lower end 1020, and / or the middle of the upper end 1018 and the lower end 1020 of the surface cleaning device.

[0280] It should be understood that if the openable portion 1060 is part or all of the front end wall 1076 and / or the rear end wall 1086, the openable portion may also include a portion of the side wall 1124 and / or 1184. Accordingly, the openable portion 1060 may open the front end and / or the rear end of the air handling chamber and / or the dirt collection chamber.

[0281] Not only can openable portion 1060 be located anywhere along air treatment member 1008, but openable portion 1060 can also include any portion of air treatment member 1008. That is, openable portion 1060 can include only a portion of air treatment chamber 1044, only a portion of dirt collection chamber 1032, or can include a portion of air treatment chamber 1044 and a portion of dirt collection chamber 1032. Openable portion 1060 can also include a portion of exterior surface 1062 of the surface cleaning apparatus.

[0282] The openable portion 1060 can open both the air handling chamber 1044 and the dirt collection chamber 1032. For example, in Figure 1H In the example shown, the dirt collection chamber 1032 is an outer dirt collection chamber 1042, and the openable portion 1060 includes a portion of the side wall 1084 of the air handling chamber 1044 and a portion of the side wall 1124 of the dirt collection chamber 1032. Accordingly, when the openable portion 1060 is moved to the open position, the openable portion 1060 opens both the air handling chamber 1044 and the dirt collection chamber 1032. More specifically, in Figure 1H In the example shown, the dirt collection chamber 1032 has a dirt collection chamber sidewall 1124 that is spaced apart from the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084. As shown, a portion of the dirt collection chamber 1032 can be located between the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 and the dirt collection chamber sidewall 1124, and the openable portion 1060 includes at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber sidewall 1124 and a portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084.

[0283] Optionally, as discussed in more detail subsequently, and as Fig.11As shown, the openable portion 1060 may also open the energy storage chamber 1140 of the surface cleaning apparatus when moved from the closed position to the open position.

[0284] Multiple openable sections

[0285] In accordance with this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, the air treatment member 1008 or air treatment chamber 1044 of the surface cleaning apparatus may include a plurality of openable portions 1060 .

[0286] The two or more openable portions 1060 may be opened simultaneously, sequentially (the second openable portion automatically opens after the first openable portion has been partially or fully opened), or the user may choose whether to open one or both of the first and second openable portions.

[0287] It should be understood that each openable portion 1060 can have its own handle or actuator. Alternatively, a single handle or actuator can be operated to open each openable portion 1060. That is, operation of a single actuator 1120 can open multiple openable portions 1060. For example, a first openable portion 1060a can be drivingly connected to a second openable portion 1060b, so that opening the first openable portion 1060a can drive the second openable portion 1060b toward or to an open position.

[0288] In some examples, when the first openable portion 1060a is in the closed position, the first openable portion 1060a can maintain the second openable portion 1060b in the closed position. That is, the actuator 1120 can be operatively connected to the first openable portion 1060a, and the first openable portion 1060a can be operatively connected to the second openable portion 1060b, so that when the actuator 1120 moves to the open position, the first openable portion 1060a is opened, and opening the first openable portion 1060a opens the second openable portion 1060b.

[0289] For example, Figure 4 As shown, the surface cleaning device shown has a first openable portion 1060a and a second openable portion 1060b. The first openable portion 1060a and the second openable portion 1060b move like bomb bay doors (i.e., they rotate away from each other when moving from a closed position to an open position). Figure 4In the example shown, each of the first and second movable parts 1060a and 1060b can be opened simultaneously. It should be understood that the first part (e.g., the male part) of the locking member can be disposed on the first movable part 1060a, and the second part (e.g., the female part) of the locking member can be disposed on the second movable part 10606. Therefore, unlocking the locking member will cause both the openable parts 1060a and 1060b to be opened simultaneously. One or both of the openable parts 1060a and 1060b can be biased to the open position by a biasing member (e.g., a spring).

[0290] As discussed above, the openable portion 1060 can be moved to an open position to facilitate the discharge of debris from the air handling component 1008 (i.e., from the air handling chamber 1044 and / or the dirt collection chamber 1032); and / or (b) the openable portion 1060 can be moved to an open position to facilitate the dislodging of compacted debris within the air handling component 1008.

[0291] Accordingly, the surface cleaning device can have a first openable portion 1060a and a second openable portion 1060b, and when moving from a closed position to an open position, the first openable portion 1060a can promote the discharge of debris from the air treatment component 1008 and / or the external dirt collection chamber, and the second openable portion 1060b can promote or cause compacted debris (for example, compacted debris in a corner or compacted debris blocking the dirt outlet 1052) to fall off.

[0292] Fig.15A and Fig. 15B An example of a surface cleaning device is shown having a first openable portion 1060a and a second openable portion 1060b, wherein when moved from a closed position to an open position, the first openable portion 1060a facilitates discharge of debris from the air handling member 1008, and the second openable portion 1060b including a portion of the periphery 1078 opens the dirt outlet 1052, thereby promoting the dislodging of compacted debris.

[0293] exist Fig.15A and Fig. 15B In the example shown, each of the first openable portion 1060a and the second openable portion 1060b is independently operable. That is, the first openable portion 1060a can be opened while the second openable portion 1060b can remain in the closed position. Figure 4 implementation plan or subsequent Figures 18A-18GAs discussed in the embodiments of the present invention, the first openable portion 1060a and the second openable portion 1060b can be opened simultaneously, or alternatively they can be opened sequentially (for example, once one of the openable portions is opened, the other of the openable portions can be unlocked so that it can be opened, or one of the openable portions can be drivingly connected to the other of the openable portions so that opening one of the openable portions can drive the other of the openable portions to an open position). More specifically, the cyclone assembly 1026 has a first openable portion 1060a, which includes the dirt collection chamber 1032 and the front end wall 1076 of the air handling chamber 1044. The cyclone assembly 1026 shown has a second openable portion 1060b, which includes the side wall 1124 of the dirt collection chamber 1032 and a portion of the side wall 1084 of the air handling chamber 1044 (such as the lower end of the example). As shown, the first openable portion 1060a is movably mounted to the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 in a first position, and the second openable portion 1060b is movably mounted to the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 in a second position. Optionally, as shown, the first position can be spaced apart from the second position in a direction transverse to the cyclone rotation axis 1050. Optionally, as shown, the first position can be axially spaced apart from the second position. Optionally, as shown Fig. 14C In the example shown, the first and second openable portions 1060a, 1060b may be located at the same portion of the air treatment member 1008 (eg, the same end).

[0294] exist Fig. 15B In the example shown, the first openable portion 1060a is movably mounted to the main body 1006 at the front end 1014 of the main body 1006. Specifically, the first openable portion 1060a is movably mounted to the main body 1006 at the front end 1014 of the main body 1006 such that the first openable portion 1060a includes only the front end wall 1076 of the air handling chamber 1044 and the dirt collection chamber 1032. Alternatively, the first openable portion 1060a may be movably mounted along at least one of the first and second lateral opposite sides 1114, 1116 of the main body 1006 or the upper end of the main body 1006, such as Fig. 16B Accordingly, the first openable portion 1060a may include a portion of the side wall 1084 of the air handling chamber 1044 and a rear end wall 1086 of the air handling chamber 1044 and the dirt collection chamber 1032 .

[0295] Another example is Figures 14A-14D As shown. Fig. 14CAs shown, when the first openable portion 1060a is in the open position, debris can be discharged from the dirt collection chamber 1032. When the second openable portion 1060b is in the open position, the dirt outlet 1052 of the air treatment member 1008 is opened and debris can be discharged from the air treatment chamber 1044.

[0296] It has been found that the rate at which debris accumulates in the dirt collection chamber 1032 may be greater than the rate at which debris compacts and accumulates within the air handling chamber 1044 and / or the dirt outlet 1052. Accordingly, it may not be necessary to open the air handling chamber 1044 and / or the dirt outlet 1052 every time the dirt collection chamber 1032 is opened to discharge debris from the dirt collection chamber 1032. It may be desirable not to open the air handling chamber 1044 and / or the dirt outlet 1052 every time the dirt collection chamber 1032 is opened to reduce wear on the components used when opening the air handling chamber 1044 and / or the dirt outlet 1052. Accordingly, instead of a single actuator that opens both of the openable portions 106a, 106b, two actuators may be provided, one for opening a respective one of the openable portions 1060a, 1060b. Alternatively, a single actuator with two positions may be provided. When moved to the first position, one openable portion 1060a opens, and when further moved to the second position, the other openable portion 1060a, 1060b opens.

[0297] The openable part is flexible

[0298] According to this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, the openable portion 1060 may be made of any material known in the art. In some examples, one or more openable portions 1060 may be made of the same material as the body 1006 and / or the air handling member 1008. In other examples, the openable portion 1060 may be, for example, a flexible membrane 1130.

[0299] Now refer to Figures 18A-18G , an example of a handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 is shown in the figure, wherein the openable portion 1060b is or includes a flexible membrane 1130 (eg, an elastic material). Fig.18D and Figure 18GAs shown, when the openable portion 1060b is in the open position, a portion of the air handling chamber side wall 1084 (which portion optionally includes the dirt outlet 1052) and a portion of the dirt collection chamber side wall 1124 are translated outward from their operating positions, thereby forming an opening 1126 in the outer surface 1062 of the surface cleaning device. Therefore, in the example shown, when the openable portion 1060b is in the open position, debris within the air handling chamber 1044 and / or the dirt collection chamber 1032 can be removed through the opening 1146 ( Figure 18G ) is discharged from the surface cleaning device. In the illustrated example, moving the openable portion 1060b from the closed position to the open position can also loosen debris that may have been compacted within the air handling chamber 1044, the dirt collection chamber 1032, and / or the dirt outlet 1052 connecting the air handling chamber 1044 to the dirt collection chamber 1032.

[0300] Alternatively, when the openable portion 1060b is in the open position, a portion of the air handling chamber side wall 1084 (which portion optionally includes the waste outlet 1052) translates outwardly from its operative position, thereby enlarging the waste outlet.

[0301] If part or all of the openable portion is flexible, the openable portion may deform when the actuator acts upon it.The actuator may move, for example, axially as discussed subsequently, or angularly around a portion of the circumference of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0302] Reference Fig.18B and Fig.18E In the example shown, the openable portion 1060b includes a cam surface 1132 and a user activation button 1134, which is drivingly connected to the actuator 1120 (e.g., a wedge, see Fig.18E 8E ). As shown, the actuator 1120 can abut the cam surface 1132 so that when the user of the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 axially translates the button 1134 forward, the axial movement of the actuator 1120 together with the button 1134 can cause the cam surface 1132 to travel angularly along the actuator 1120 (i.e., upward in FIG. 8E ), thereby moving the second openable portion 1060b from the closed position ( Fig.18B ) is driven to the open position ( Fig.18E). Optionally, the button 1134 (and therefore the actuator 1120) can be biased to the closed position. In the example shown, a spring (not shown) is used to bias the user-activated button 1134 to the closed position of the openable portion 1060b. It should be understood that if the openable portion 1060b is flexible, the openable portion 1060b can provide part or all of the biasing force. Alternatively, there can be a handle on the outer surface 1118 of the openable portion 1060 for the user to grasp and pull the openable portion 1060 from the closed position to the open position.

[0303] As shown, the button 1134 can be drivingly connected to the locking member 1152 of the first openable portion 1060a by, for example, an associated member 1150. As illustrated, the locking member 1152 can be in the form of a rocker switch and is pivotally mounted about a pivot 1154. When the button 1134 is moved axially forward, the associated member 1150 can drive the rear end 1152a of the locking member 1152 inwardly, while the front end 1152b of the locking member 1152 can be rotated outwardly, thereby disengaging the lip 1156 and unlocking the first openable portion 1060A, and for example, by a biasing spring provided as part of the pivot 1110 when the user of the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 axially translates the button 1134 forwardly, causing the first openable portion 1060a to move from a closed position ( Fig.18A ) to the open position ( Fig.18D ).

[0304] Energy storage components

[0305] According to this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, power may be supplied to the surface cleaning device via an energy storage component 1074, which may be any suitable device (e.g., including one or more batteries, capacitors), which may be provided as part of a pack.

[0306] Optionally, the energy storage member may be rechargeable (optionally, when installed in a handheld vacuum cleaner), or may be a replaceable non-rechargeable battery. Alternatively, or in addition to being powered by the energy storage member 1074, the surface cleaning device may be powered by an electrical cord connected to the surface cleaning device (the electrical cord may be connected to a standard wall outlet).

[0307] Types of energy storage components

[0308] The energy storage member 1074 may include any suitable number of batteries, and may include, for example, lithium-ion battery cells, lithium polymer batteries, and / or prismatic or pouch batteries. Optionally, the energy storage member 1074 may include a plurality of prismatic or pouch batteries, which may be arranged in one or more longitudinally extending rows. A row of prismatic or pouch batteries may include multiple layers of prismatic or pouch batteries.

[0309] Any number of batteries may be used to create a power source having the desired voltage and current, and any type of energy storage member 1074 may be used, including NiMH batteries, alkaline batteries, etc. The energy storage member 1074 may be of any known design and may be electrically connected to the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 by any means known in the art.

[0310] Location of energy storage components

[0311] The energy storage member 1074 may be located anywhere within the surface cleaning apparatus.

[0312] Energy storage member 1074 may be housed within energy storage chamber 1140. Accordingly, energy storage chamber 1140 may be located anywhere within the surface cleaning apparatus.

[0313] More than one energy storage member 1074 may be housed within a single energy storage chamber 1140. It may be desirable to house the energy storage member 1074 within the energy storage chamber 1140 to separate the energy storage member 1074 from any debris that may pass through the surface cleaning device. The energy storage chamber 1140 may also protect the energy storage member 1074 from accidental damage, such as punctures.

[0314] like Figure 1F As shown, energy storage member 1074 may be positioned radially outward from air handling chamber 1044. That is, a plane transverse to central axis 1050 of air handling chamber 1044 may intersect air handling chamber 1044 and energy storage member 1074.

[0315] The energy storage member 1074 may be located in front of, behind, and / or laterally to the dirt collection chamber 1032. Figure 1D and Figure 1E In the example shown, the energy storage member 1074 is located forward of the first portion 1032a of the dirt collection chamber 1032 and laterally to the side of the second portion 1032b of the dirt collection chamber 1032 .

[0316] Therefore, if Figure 1EIn the example shown, the energy storage member 1074 can be located next to the dirt collection chamber 1032 and extend axially with the dirt collection chamber 1032. Further, as discussed later, when the dirt collection chamber 1032 can be close to the energy storage member 1074. It should be understood that two or more energy storage members 1074a, 1074b can be provided and they are located in separate compartments 1040a, 1040b (see Figure 1E ) or located in a single compartment.

[0317] As a second example, Figure 8C As shown, energy storage component 1074 can be located behind air handling component 1008. Figure 8C As shown, the energy storage member 1074 can be located above the pre-motor filter 1066 and / or the motor and fan assembly 1022. That is, the motor and fan assembly 1022 can have an axis of rotation 1138, and a plane transverse to the axis of rotation 1138 can intersect the energy storage member 1074 and the motor and fan assembly 1022.

[0318] exist Figure 22A-22D In the example shown, the energy storage member 1074 is located rearwardly of the handle 1004 .

[0319] As a third example, the energy storage member 1074 can be located in the handle 1004, such as Fig.13 shown.

[0320] As a fourth example, the energy storage member 1074 may form a portion of the outer surface 1062 of the surface cleaning device, such as Fig.19 and 20 When forming part of the outer surface 1062 of the surface cleaning device, the energy storage member 1074 can be located on the upper end 1018, the lower end 1020 and / or the lateral sides 1114, 1116 of the surface cleaning device (this includes the upper side, the lower side and / or the lateral sides of the handle 1004). Fig.19 and Fig. 20 The example shown in FIG. 1 shows the energy storage chamber 1140 protruding from the outer surface 1062 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000, but in some embodiments (e.g., see Fig.22A ), a portion of the outer surface 1062 not defined by the energy storage chamber 1140 may smoothly transition to a portion of the outer surface 1062 defined by the energy storage chamber 1140. Fig.22A In the example shown, a row of energy storage components 1074a can be arranged along the top of the air handling component, and a row of energy storage components 1074b can be arranged along the top of the body 1006, which can accommodate the suction motor and one or more filters, and can optionally accommodate additional energy storage components, such as Fig.22D In such an embodiment, the energy storage member extending along the top of the air treatment member 1008 and the body 1006 can be a bag or prismatic battery that is thin and can be arranged to increase the height of the handheld vacuum cleaner by, for example, 10-20 mm. The energy storage member may not extend along the top of the handle 1004, and thus can help define the handle 1004, because the top of the handle 1004 can be recessed inwardly due to the absence of the energy storage member extending along the top of the handle 1004.

[0321] Alternatively, for example, the energy storage member 1074 may extend from the front end 1014 of the surface cleaning device to the rear end 1016 of the surface cleaning device, including along Fig.22A The top of the middle handle 1004.

[0322] It should be understood that the locations of the energy storage components 1074 described herein are not mutually exclusive. Fig.22D In the example shown, energy storage member 1074c may be positioned radially outward from both air handling chamber 1044 and motor and fan assembly 1022, while additional energy storage members 1074a and 1074b extend along part or all of the entire length of the surface cleaning apparatus (including within / along handle 1004).

[0323] Alternatively, energy storage chamber 1140 may comprise part of other components of a surface cleaning apparatus. Figure 1E As shown, a portion of the dirt collection chamber sidewall 1124 and a portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 each define a sidewall 1142 of the energy storage chamber 1140 .

[0324] Multiple energy storage components

[0325] In accordance with this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, the energy storage member 1074 may be separable between two locations within the surface cleaning apparatus.

[0326] Each of the first and second energy storage members 1074a, 1074b may be used to simultaneously power a surface cleaning apparatus. Alternatively, the first and second energy storage members 1074a, 1074b may independently power a surface cleaning apparatus.

[0327] Each of the first and second energy storage members 1074a, 1074b may be housed within a separate energy storage chamber 1140. Figure 1E In the example shown, first and second energy storage members 1074a, 1074b are positioned within first and second energy storage chambers 1040a, 1040b.

[0328] It should be understood that the first and second energy storage chambers 1040a, 1040b may be located on the same portion of the handheld vacuum cleaner and that they may be spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction (eg, they may extend simultaneously). Figure 1E As shown, the first and second energy storage chambers 1040a and 1040b extend simultaneously with the dirt collection chamber 1032, but are located on opposite lateral sides of the dirt collection chamber 1032. Alternatively, the first and second energy storage members 1074a, 1074b can be located at different locations within the surface cleaning device. For example, the first location can be spaced apart from the second location in the forward / rearward (axial) direction. Alternatively, the first location is spaced apart from the second location in both the forward / rearward and lateral directions.

[0329] For example, refer to Fig.22A , can have a first energy storage member extending on the outer surface 1062 of the surface cleaning device in front of the handle 1004 and extending on the outer surface 1062 of the surface cleaning device behind the handle 1004. Thus, the handle 1004 can be free of an energy storage member.

[0330] Fig.21B A second example of a surface cleaning apparatus having a separate energy storage member 1074 is shown. Fig.21B In the example shown, the first energy storage member 1074a is located in the body 1006, and the second energy storage member 1074b is located in the handle 1004. In the example shown, the first energy storage member 1074a is located axially from the dirt collection chamber 1032, wherein the projection of the energy storage member 1074a intersects the dirt collection chamber 1032.

[0331] Proximity to energy storage components

[0332] According to this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, the energy storage member 1074 may be accessed by any means known in the art. For example, the energy storage member 1074 may be accessed when charging or replacing the energy storage member 1074. The energy storage member 1074 may be charged within the surface cleaning device, or the energy storage member 1074 may be removed from the surface cleaning device for charging.

[0333] The surface cleaning device may include an energy storage chamber door 1144 that may be opened to allow access to the energy storage member 1074. Optionally, the energy storage chamber door 1144 may include a portion of the exterior surface 1062 of the surface cleaning device. Figure 1FAs shown, in the example shown, the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 includes a first energy storage chamber door 1144a for opening the first energy storage chamber 1140a, and a second energy storage chamber door 1144b for opening the second energy storage chamber 1140b. Alternatively, when the dirt collection chamber door is opened (for example, if Figure 1A The front end 1014 is as follows Fig. 12C The front door can be opened as shown, or when Fig.11 When the openable portion 1060 in the embodiment moves from a closed position to an open position), the first and second energy storage chambers 1040a, 1040b can be opened.

[0334] like Fig. 12C As shown, opening the openable portion 1060 can alternatively access the power connector 1148 to power (e.g., charge) the energy storage member 1074. Any suitable power connector 1148 can be used, for example, a female connector configured to receive a male connector that can be connected to an AC or DC power source (e.g., a household power outlet).

[0335] Cyclone unit

[0336] In accordance with this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, the air treatment component 1008 of the surface cleaning apparatus may be a cyclone assembly 1026 .

[0337] like Figure 1A-Figure 1H In the example shown, the cyclone assembly 1026 can include a cyclone chamber 1030 (shown as a unidirectional flow cyclone chamber 1030) and a dirt collection chamber 1032 located outside the cyclone chamber 1030. The dirt collection chamber 1032 can be in communication with a dirt outlet 1052 to receive debris separated from the airflow through the cyclone chamber 1030. In the example shown, the cyclone air inlet 1034 and the dirt outlet 1052 are positioned toward opposite ends 1036, 1040 of the cyclone chamber 1030, and the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 is arranged toward the same end as the dirt outlet 1052 (the rear end 1040 in the figure). In this configuration, dirty air can enter at the front end 1036 of the cyclone chamber 1030, while both the cleaner air and the separated dirt particles leave the cyclone chamber 1030 at the opposite rear end 1040.

[0338] In this embodiment, the cyclone chamber 1030 has a front end wall 1076 and an opposing rear end wall 1086, which is spaced apart from the front end wall 1076 along the cyclone axis 1050, and during operation of the surface cleaning device, air circulates within the cyclone chamber 1030 about the cyclone axis 1050. The cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 extends between the front end wall 1076 and the rear end wall 1086. In the illustrated example, when the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 is oriented with the upper end 1018 located above the lower end 1020, the cyclone axis 1050 is generally horizontal, and is closer to horizontal than vertical, such as ±20°, ±15°, ±10°, or ±5° from the horizontal plane. As illustrated, the cyclone axis 1050 can be substantially parallel to the inlet duct axis 1072 of the inlet duct 1070, for example within ±20°, ±15°, ±10° or ±5°, and vertically offset to below the inlet duct axis 1072 of the inlet duct 1070, and the cyclone chamber 1030 and the dirt collection chamber 1032 are both located below the inlet duct axis 1072.

[0339] exist Figure 1D In the illustrated embodiment, the height 1056 and width (i.e., diameter in the illustrated example) of the cyclone chamber 1030 are substantially constant along its length 1158. That is, the height 1056 and width at the front end 1036 of the cyclone chamber 1030 in a direction transverse to the cyclone rotation axis 1050 are substantially equal to the height 1056 and width at the rear end 1040 of the cyclone chamber 1030 in a direction transverse to the cyclone rotation axis 1050.

[0340] Alternatively, if Figure 23-Figure 25 As shown, the height 1056 and / or width of the cyclone chamber 1030 may increase along its length 1158 (i.e., the cyclone chamber 1030 may have a stepped cyclone chamber sidewall 1084). That is, the height 1056 and / or width at the front end 1036 of the cyclone chamber 1030 in a direction transverse to the cyclone rotation axis 1050 may be less than the height 1056 and / or width at the rear end 1040 of the cyclone chamber 1030 in a direction transverse to the cyclone rotation axis 1050. Cyclone chambers having stepped cyclone chamber sidewalls 1084 will be discussed further below.

[0341] Return to reference Figure 1A-Figure 1H In this embodiment, the cyclone air inlet 1034 is a tangential air inlet 1160, which, as illustrated, terminates in an outlet end 1162 or port formed in the cyclone sidewall 1084 adjacent the front end wall 1076, optionally in an upper portion of the cyclone sidewall 1084 (e.g., see Figure 1FAlternatively, the cyclone air inlet 1034 may be provided in an alternative location, such as in the front end wall 1076 (see Figure 8C ).

[0342] The cyclone air inlet 1034 is fluidly connected to the dirty air inlet 1002 via an inlet duct 1070. The cyclone air inlet 1034 may have any suitable arrangement and / or configuration. Figure 1D In the example shown, it is configured as a tangential air inlet. Figure 1D As shown, connecting the cyclone air inlet 1034 to the dirty air inlet 1002 can reduce or eliminate the need for additional bends or changes in airflow direction between the dirty air inlet 1002 and the cyclone chamber 1030. Reducing the duct length and number of bends can help reduce back pressure and airflow losses within the airflow path.

[0343] Positioning the cyclone air inlet 1034 toward the front end 1036 of the cyclone chamber 1030 can help facilitate a desired airflow configuration within the cyclone chamber 1030. For example, in such a configuration, the cyclone chamber 1030 itself serves as part of the airflow path for conveying air rearwardly from the front end 1014 of the surface cleaning apparatus without the need for a separate fluid conduit.

[0344] In the example shown, the cyclone air inlet 1034 is directly adjacent to the leading end wall 1076. Alternatively, the cyclone air inlet 1034 may be axially spaced from the leading end wall 1076 and may be located at another position along the length of the cyclone chamber 1030.

[0345] like Figure 1D As shown, the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 can be disposed in the rear end wall 1086 of the cyclone chamber 1030. The cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 can include an axially extending vortex finder 1170 that can extend from the rear end wall 1086 and can be aligned with the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038.

[0346] The vortex guide 1170 may have any shape and configuration known in the art. Figure 1D In the example shown, the vortex finder 1170 is tapered toward the cyclone air inlet 1034 of the cyclone chamber 1030 and has a circular cross-section.

[0347] like Figure 1D As shown, vortex guide 1170 may include duct portion 1172. Duct portion 1172 may be of any shape and configuration known in the art and may extend inwardly within cyclone chamber 1030. For example, Figure 1DThe duct portion 1172 shown in FIG. 1 is frustoconical, while in other examples, the duct portion 1172 can be cylindrical. In some examples, the duct portion 1172 can be tapered at an angle of up to 25°, optionally, 2° to 15°, 3° to 9°, or 4° to 7°. As illustrated, the entirety of the duct portion 1172 can be non-voided (i.e., airtight or non-porous).

[0348] As shown, the duct portion 1172 may have an inlet end 1174 and an outlet end 1176. The outlet end 1176 of the duct portion 1172 may be bonded (e.g., bonded, welded, etc.) to the rear end wall 1086 of the outlet end of the cyclone chamber 1030. Alternatively, the duct portion 1172 may be an integral component of the rear end wall 1086 of the outlet end of the cyclone chamber 1030 (i.e., in some examples, the rear end wall 1086 of the outlet end and the duct portion 1172 may be formed from the same workpiece).

[0349] exist Figure 1D In the example shown, vortex finder 1170 also includes a porous portion 1180 (i.e., a screen portion) at its front end. In some examples, as discussed in more detail below, vortex finder 1170 can consist of or consist essentially of porous portion 1180 (i.e., it can exclude conduit portion 1172). Porous portion 1180 can have any shape and configuration known in the art. For example, porous portion 1180 can be conical, such as Figure 1D As a second example, the porous portion 1180 may be cylindrical (ie, linear).

[0350] The length 1182 of the porous portion 1180 in the axial direction may be equal to the length 1184 of the cyclone air inlet 1034 in the axial direction (see, for example, Figure 5D ). Alternatively, the length 1182 of the porous portion 1180 in the axial direction may be 1 to 10 times, 1.25 to 8 times, 1.5 to 6 times, 1.5 to 4 times, 2 to 6 times, or 2 to 4 times the length 1184 of the cyclone air inlet 1034 in the axial direction.

[0351] When tapered, the porous portion 1180 can be tapered at an angle of up to 25°, optionally, an angle of 2° to 15°, 3° to 9°, or 4° to 7°. As shown, the porous portion 1180 can extend inwardly in the cyclone chamber 1030 from the inlet end 1174 of the duct portion 1172.

[0352] Positioning the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 toward the rear end 1040 (optionally in the rear end wall 1086) can help promote the desired airflow through the cyclone chamber 1030, such that the air travels generally axially through the cyclone chamber 1030 from the front end wall 1176 toward the rear end wall 1086 while swirling.

[0353] Positioning the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 in the rear end wall 1086 of the cyclone chamber 1030 can also help facilitate airflow connections between the cyclone chamber 1030 and other downstream components in the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000, such as the pre-motor filter housing 1064 and the suction motor housing 1024. In the illustrated embodiment, the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 is disposed in the rear end wall 1086 and is connected to the pre-motor filter housing 1064 by a duct. This can help simplify the airflow path and the structure of the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000. Alternatively, the airflow path can include one or more additional ducts connected from the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 to the downstream.

[0354] In this configuration, air traveling through the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 will travel generally rearward along the inlet duct 1070 (i.e., parallel to the inlet duct axis 1072) and then enter the tangential air inlet 1160, which substantially changes the direction of the air to travel generally downward through the cyclone air inlet 1034 (i.e., generally orthogonal to the cyclone axis 1050). The air can then circulate within the cyclone chamber 1030 and travel generally rearward toward the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038, and after traveling through the vortex guide 1170 in a rearward direction (i.e., generally parallel to the cyclone axis 1050), ultimately exit the cyclone chamber 1030 through the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038. In this configuration, the airflow changes direction only once between entering the dirty air inlet 1002 and exiting the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 (and only by approximately 90°, which can be achieved by the tangential air inlet 1160).

[0355] The cyclone dirt outlet 1052 may be of any suitable configuration and in the illustrated embodiment is an opening disposed on the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 toward the rear end wall 1086. The dirt outlet 1052 may extend around at least a portion of the periphery of the cyclone sidewall 1084 and may have any suitable length 1188 in the axial direction (e.g., see Fig.17 ). As illustrated, the dirt outlet 1052 may be provided only in the lower portion of the cyclone side wall 1084 .

[0356] Although the dirt outlet 1052 is shown directly adjacent to the rear end wall 1086, such that the dirt outlet 1052 is partially defined by the cyclone sidewall 1084 and the rear end wall 1086, the dirt outlet 1052 can be located at other locations along the length of the cyclone sidewall 1084, and need not be directly adjacent to the rear end wall 1086. Alternatively, the dirt outlet 1052 can be disposed toward the midpoint of the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084, or can be disposed toward the front end wall 1076. Although shown with a single dirt outlet 1052, the cyclone chamber 1030 can include two or more dirt outlets 1052 that communicate with the same dirt collection chamber 1032, or alternatively, communicate with different dirt collection chambers 1032.

[0357] Cyclone chamber with angled and / or stepped cyclone chamber side walls

[0358] In accordance with this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, the cyclone chamber 1030 may have angled and / or stepped cyclone chamber sidewalls 1084 .

[0359] As illustrated herein, the cyclone chamber sidewall can be a sidewall 1084 that defines a first height 1056 and / or width (e.g., diameter) of the cyclone chamber 1030 at the front end 1036 of the cyclone chamber 1030 and a second height 1056 and / or width (e.g., diameter) of the cyclone chamber 1030 at the rear end 1040 of the cyclone chamber 1030, wherein the second height 1056 and / or width is greater than the first height 1056 and / or width.

[0360] The cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 may have any shape to provide the cyclone chamber 1030 , wherein the height 1056 and / or width of the cyclone chamber 1030 at the front end 1036 may be less than the height 1056 and / or width of the cyclone chamber 1030 at the rear end 1040 .

[0361] like Fig.23 As shown, when the upper end 1018 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 is located above its lower end 1020, at least a portion of the lower portion 1190 of the cyclone chamber side wall 1084 can extend downwardly and rearwardly to provide a cyclone chamber 1030, wherein the height 1056 and / or width at the front end 1036 of the cyclone chamber 1030 is less than the height 1056 and / or width at the rear end 1040 of the cyclone chamber 1030. Alternatively or additionally, the side wall can be stepped, such as Fig.24 and 25 As shown,

[0362] In other examples, alternatively or in addition to the lower portion 1190 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 extending downwardly and rearwardly, the upper portion 1192 of the sidewall 1084 may extend upwardly and rearwardly and / or the lateral portion may extend outwardly and rearwardly.

[0363] The non-axially extending portion of the cyclone sidewall 1084 may extend along any path known in the art (i.e., linearly, arcuately, exponentially, steppedly, etc.). In some examples, the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 may extend from the front end wall 1076 of the cyclone chamber 1030 at an acute angle. Fig.23 In the example shown, the lower portion 1190 of the cyclone chamber side wall 1084 extends linearly. Fig.24 In the example shown, the lower portion 1190 of the cyclone chamber side wall 1084 extends in 90° steps. Fig.25 In the example shown, the lower portion 1190 of the cyclone chamber side wall 1084 is stepped in an exponentially curved step.

[0364] exist Fig.23 In the example shown, the lower portion 1190 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 extends downwardly and rearwardly at a certain angle along the entire length of the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084. In other examples, the lower portion 1190 of the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 may extend downwardly and rearwardly at a certain angle along only a portion of the length of the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084.

[0365] Optionally, the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 may form part of the lower surface 1200 of the surface cleaning device. This configuration may minimize the height of the front end 1014 of the surface cleaning device, thereby allowing the surface cleaning device to fit into narrow spaces. Figure 23-Figure 25 In the example shown, the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 comprises a portion of the lower surface 1200 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000 .

[0366] In some examples, such as Fig.23 As shown, the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 can comprise a portion of the lower surface 1200 of the surface cleaning apparatus, and the external dirt collection chamber 1042 can be located below the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. Fig.25 As shown, cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 may comprise a portion of the lower surface 1200 of the surface cleaning apparatus, and the external dirt collection chamber 1042 may be located only at the rear of the cyclone chamber 1030 .

[0367] The height 1056 of the front end 1036 of the cyclone chamber 1030 can be sized relative to the diameter 1202 of the dirty air inlet 1002. In examples where the dirty air inlet 1002 is not circular, the height 1056 of the front end 1036 of the cyclone chamber 1030 can be sized relative to the height 1204 of the dirty air inlet 1002, where the height 1204 of the dirty air inlet 1002 is measured along the same axis as the height 1056 of the cyclone chamber 1030. In some examples, the height 1056 of the front end 1036 of the cyclone chamber 1030 is 1-1.5 times the diameter 1202 of the dirty air inlet 1002, 1-1.25 times the diameter 1202 of the dirty air inlet 1002, or 1-1.1 times the diameter 1202 of the dirty air inlet 1002.

[0368] Dirt collection chamber connected to the air handling chamber

[0369] According to this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, the dirt collection chamber 1032 may be connected to the air handling chamber 1044. That is, the dirt collection chamber 1032 may be axially located from the front end wall 1076 and the rear end (e.g., the rear end wall 1106) of the air handling chamber 1044 (e.g., the cyclone chamber).

[0370] exist Fig.26E In the example shown, there is a dirt collection chamber 1032 connected to the air handling chamber 1044, the dirt collection chamber 1032 is located axially (rearwardly) from the rear end wall 1106 of the air handling chamber 1044, and is located closer to the rear end wall 1106 than the front end wall 1076. Accordingly, such a dirt collection chamber can be located behind the cyclone chamber (behind the rear wall 1106) and in front of the rear end of the air handling member 1008 (for example, in front of the rear wall 1086).

[0371] It should be appreciated that an air handling component 1008 having a dirt collection chamber or area 1032 coupled to an air handling chamber 1044 may also include an outer, radially outwardly positioned dirt collection chamber 1032 .

[0372] A surface cleaning device having a dirt collection chamber 1032 connected to an air handling chamber 1044 can provide a longer but slimmer body 1006 than a surface cleaning device having a dirt collection chamber 1032 positioned radially outward from the air handling chamber 1044. The slimmer body 1006 can fit into narrow spaces that a wider body surface cleaning device cannot access.

[0373] The dirt collection chamber 1032 connected to the air handling chamber 1044 can extend around the entire perimeter of the air handling chamber 1044, or can extend around only a portion of the perimeter of the air handling chamber 1044 (e.g., around the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 in the illustrated example). For example, the dirt collection chamber 1032 can extend around the perimeter of the air handling chamber 1044 at an angle between 15°-360°, 30°-180°, or 45°-120°. Optionally, there can be one or more dirt collection chambers 1032, each connected to the air handling chamber 1044 and each positioned around the perimeter of the air handling chamber 1044. Multiple dirt collection chambers 1032 together can extend around the perimeter of the air handling chamber 1044 at an angle between 15°-360°, 30°-180°, or 45°-120°. That is, for example, there may be a first dirt collection chamber 1032 that extends at an angle partially around the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 and at least a second dirt collection chamber 1032 that extends at an angle partially around the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038, and each of the first and second dirt collection chambers 1032 may be connected to the air handling chamber 1044. Accordingly, the dirt collection chamber 1032 connected to the air handling chamber 1044 may surround part or all of the airflow path extending downstream from the air handling chamber. Optionally, as Fig. 27 In the example shown, if the pre-motor filter 1066 is partially or fully nested forward, the dirt collection chamber 1032 connected to the air handling chamber 1044 can surround part or all of the pre-motor filter 1066.

[0374] like Fig.26E In the example shown, the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 extends axially from the rear end wall 1106 into the air handling chamber 1044. In the example shown, the rear end wall 1106 of the cyclone chamber 1030 (i.e., the end wall opposite the cyclone air inlet 1034) has a radially outer end 1220, which is located radially inward of the side wall 1084 of the cyclone chamber 1030. Therefore, in the example shown, the dirt outlet 1052 connecting the cyclone chamber 1030 to the dirt collection chamber 1032 is defined by the radial space or gap between the radially outer end 1220 of the rear end wall 1106 and the side wall 1084 of the cyclone chamber 1030.

[0375] Optionally, as shown, the rear end wall 1106 can extend radially outward from the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 (i.e., the shelf can extend between the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 and the dirt outlet 1052). The rear end wall 1086 can extend radially outward from the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038, for example, between 1 mm and 25 mm, between 3 mm and 20 mm, or between 4 mm and 12 mm.

[0376] In other examples, such as Fig.28 As shown in the example, the rear end wall 1106 may not be provided, and the radial inner wall of the connected dirt collection chamber 1032 may extend backward from the vortex guide. Therefore, a smooth transition may be achieved between the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 and the dirt collection chamber 1032 (eg, Fig.22D shown).

[0377] In some examples, the dirt collection chamber 1032 connected to the air handling chamber 1044 can extend around the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 and can therefore define a radially inward cavity 1224 located downstream of the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038. Fig.26E As shown, the pre-motor filter 1066 can be located in the cavity 1224 defined by the dirt collection chamber 1032. That is, in some examples, part or all of the pre-motor filter 1066 can be located radially inward of the dirt collection chamber 1032, and the radial inner walls of the connected dirt collection chambers can form a manifold for the pre-motor filter 1066. Accordingly, a plane transverse to the air handling chamber axis 1050 extends through the first dirt collection area and the pre-motor filter. In other examples, other components (e.g., the motor and fan assembly 1022 and / or the energy storage component 1074) can be located radially inward of the dirt collection chamber 1032. Optionally, the second stage air treatment component 1008 can be located radially inward of the dirt collection chamber 1032.

[0378] The dirt collection chamber 1032 connected to the air handling chamber 1044 can be of any shape known in the art. More specifically, the cross-sectional profile of the dirt collection chamber 1032 can be of any shape known in the art. Fig.26E In the illustrated example, the dirt collection chamber 1032 has an open first end 1226 located at the dirt outlet 1052 and an axially spaced second end 1228, and the dirt collection chamber 1032 is axially tapered from the first end 1226 to the second end 1228. As a second example, Fig.13 As shown, the cross-section of the dirt collection chamber 1032 is constant along its length.

[0379] The dirt collection chamber 1032 can have any depth 1232. For example, Fig.13 and Fig.31B In the example shown, the depth 1232 of the dirt collection chamber 1032 extends to the rear end 1058 of the pre-motor filter 1066. Fig. 30B In the example shown, the dirt collection chamber 1032 terminates prior to the rear end 1058 of the pre-motor filter 1066 .

[0380] The radial width 1230 of the dirt collection chamber 1032 at the dirt outlet 1052 of the air handling chamber 1044 may be between 3 mm and 50 mm, between 5 mm and 30 mm, or between 6 mm and 15 mm. The depth 1232 of the dirt collection chamber 1032 in the axial direction may be between 2 mm and 100 mm, between 5 mm and 75 mm, or between 10 mm and 44 mm.

[0381] Optionally, as discussed in more detail subsequently, the dirt collection chamber 1032 may include a baffle 1240 as described herein.

[0382] Bezel

[0383] In accordance with this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, the dirt collection chamber 1032 may include one or more baffles 1240 .

[0384] Baffles 1240 can be located in the dirt collection chamber 1032, particularly the dirt collection chamber 1032 connected to the air handling chamber 1044, to promote debris retention within the dirt collection chamber 1032. The baffles can help reduce air movement in the dirt collection chamber 1032.

[0385] Optionally, the baffle 1240 may be located within the dirt collection chamber 1032, at an end of the dirt collection chamber 1032 opposite to the dirt outlet 1052 (e.g., Fig. 27 and Fig.35A ). Fig. 27 In the illustrated example, the dirt collection chamber 1032 has an open first end 1226 located at the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 and an axially spaced second end 1228, the second end 1228 including a second end wall 1242 (which may also be the rear end wall 1086 of the air treatment component 1008). As shown, the baffle 1240 can be disposed on the second end wall 1242 and can extend forwardly for part or all of the axial length of the associated dirt collection chamber 1032. In this case, the baffle 1240 can be spaced apart from the radially inner wall 1244 of the dirt collection chamber 1032 and / or from the radially outer wall 1246 of the dirt collection chamber 1032.

[0386] Alternatively or additionally, one or more baffles 1240 may be (a) disposed on the radially inner wall 1244 and may extend radially outward; and / or (b) disposed on the radially outer wall 1246 and may extend radially inward. If baffles are disposed on the radially inner wall or the radially outer wall, the baffles 1240 may be spaced apart from the second end 1228 and / or the open end 1226 of the dirt collection chamber 1032.

[0387] The baffle 1240 may be of any shape known in the art. Further, there may be any number of baffles 1240 positioned with the dirt collection chamber 1032. Fig. 27 In the example shown, each baffle 1240 extends axially toward the open front end 1226 of the dirt collection chamber 1032, and the baffles 1240 are generally transverse to the angular direction. In the example shown, the baffles 1240 have a generally rectangular cross-sectional profile in a direction transverse to the air handling chamber axis 1050. In other examples, the baffles 1240 may have a circular, triangular, square, etc. cross-sectional profile in a direction transverse to the air handling chamber axis 1050.

[0388] In the example shown, the baffle 1240 has a constant profile along its height 1248. In other examples, the baffle 1240 can taper with the dirt collection chamber 1032 toward the dirt outlet 1052. The taper of the baffle 1240 can be between 1°-45°, between 3°-20°, or between 5°-12°.

[0389] The height 1248 of the baffle 1240 may be between 5%-150%, between 10%-125%, or between 25%-100% of the axial depth 1250 of the dirt collection chamber 1032 .

[0390] The width 1252 of the baffle 1240 may be between 5%-100%, between 10%-60%, or between 25%-50% of the radial width 1254 of the dirt collection chamber 1032 .

[0391] Cyclone chamber with slotted dirt outlet

[0392] According to this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, the cyclone chamber 1030 may have a slot-shaped dirt outlet 1052 (ie, a slot-shaped dirt outlet 1260).

[0393] The slotted dirt outlet 1260 can connect the cyclone chamber 1030 to the external dirt collection chamber 1042 so that debris separated from the airflow within the cyclone chamber 1030 can be conveyed to and stored in the dirt collection chamber 1032. As described below, the slotted dirt outlet 1260 is partially defined by a side wall 1262 shared by each of the cyclone chamber 1030 and the dirt collection chamber 1032.

[0394] Fig.32B 1080. As shown in the illustrated example, the slot-shaped dirt outlet 1260 is located in the side wall 1084 of the cyclone chamber 1030. Accordingly, the slot-shaped dirt outlet 1260 has an upstream side 1264 along the direction of rotation of the air in the cyclone chamber 1030 and a downstream side 1266 along the direction of rotation of the air in the cyclone chamber 1030.

[0395] Outside the cyclone chamber 1030 is a dirt collection chamber 1032. As shown, the dirt collection chamber 1032 can be partially defined by at least first and second opposing walls 1268, 1270. In the example shown, the dirt collection chamber 1032 extends only partially around the cyclone chamber, and thus exemplarily has a third wall 1272 opposite the slot-shaped dirt outlet 1260, and the third wall 1272 extends between the first and second opposing walls 1268, 1270. It should be understood that the dirt collection chamber can extend around the entire cyclone chamber.

[0396] As shown, the first opposing wall 1268 is an extension of the side wall 1084 of the cyclone chamber 1030. Specifically, the inner surface 1274 of the first opposing wall 1268 is an extension of the inner surface 1276 of the side wall 1084 of the cyclone chamber 1030. In other words, the first opposing wall 1268 extends continuously from the downstream side 1266 of the slot-shaped dirt outlet 1260. Therefore, the first opposing wall 1268 and the side wall 1084 of the cyclone chamber 1030 may include a continuous, uninterrupted surface.

[0397] The slotted dirt outlet 1260 may have any angular length 1278 (ie, length in the direction of airflow) and axial length 1280. Optionally, the slotted dirt outlet 1260 extends at least 50%, 75% or 90% of the axial length of the cyclone chamber 1030.

[0398] As the air swirls within the cyclone chamber 1030, the airflow passes over the slotted dirt outlet 1260. In addition to the dirt outlet 1260, the cyclone chamber may be circular, and the angular projection of the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 in the direction of the angular length of the dirt outlet 1260 may define a circle together with the cyclone chamber sidewall 1084 in a plane transverse to the cyclone axis.

[0399] Still refer to Fig.32B , when the airflow passes over the slotted dirt outlet 1260, the airflow continues to swirl around the cyclone chamber 1030. However, the entrained debris is heavier and may not pass over the dirt outlet, and therefore may travel through the dirt outlet 1260 into the dirt collection chamber. In addition, after passing over the dirt outlet 1260, some of the debris may hit the sidewall 1262, and the debris entrained in the airflow may be separated from the airflow and may pass through the slotted dirt outlet 1260 and be collected in the dirt collection chamber 1032.

[0400] Optionally, the first opposing wall 1268 may be tangentially joined to the side wall 1262 (eg, the first opposing wall 1268 may be a curved wall) (eg, Fig.32B1268 of the dirt collection chamber 1032), so that (a) the airflow is enabled to continue to swirl within the cyclone chamber 1030; and (b) the debris separated from the airflow can slide along the side wall 1262 when transitioning to the first relative wall 1268 of the dirt collection chamber 1032 without any obstacles hindering its movement.

[0401] There may be a screen (not shown) extending across the slotted dirt outlet 1260. The screen may prevent larger debris from collecting in the dirt collection chamber 1032 connected to the slotted dirt outlet 1260.

[0402] It should be understood that the surface cleaning apparatus may have a slotted dirt outlet 1260 connected to the first dirt collection chamber 1032 and any other dirt outlets discussed herein.

[0403] A porous member having axially extending recesses

[0404] According to this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, the air handling chamber outlet 1048 may include an axially extending porous member 1180 having at least one axially extending recess 1286 .

[0405] The axially extending porous member 1180 can act as a screen that allows air to pass through and can prevent debris, such as hair, from entering the pre-motor filter 1066 and / or the motor and fan assembly 1022.

[0406] The axially extending porous member 1180 may include at least one axially extending dimple 1286, and the axially extending dimple 1286 may provide rigidity for the axially extending porous member 1180 so that it does not collapse during conventional use of the surface cleaning device. Known screens may have a plurality of axially extending support ribs to prevent the screen from collapsing during use. These support ribs reduce the total surface area of ​​the screen through which air can pass. Reducing the surface area of ​​the screen through which air can pass may increase the back pressure of the surface cleaning device.

[0407] The axially extending porous member 1180 having at least one axially extending dimple 1286 may be free of axially extending support ribs to maximize the surface area through which air may pass through the axially extending porous member 1180. Thus, the axially extending porous member 1180 may extend 360° uninterruptedly about the central longitudinal axis 1288 of the axially extending porous member 1180.

[0408] Now refer to Fig.33, an example of an axially extending porous member 1180 having four axially extending dimples 1286a, 1286b, 1286c, 1286d is shown. The axially extending porous member 1180 can be any shape known in the art. For example, the axially extending porous member 1180 can be conical, cylindrical, dome-shaped, etc. In the example shown, the shape of the axially extending porous member 1180 is a truncated cone.

[0409] like Fig.33 As shown, each axially extending dimple 1286 can have a first axially extending side 1290 and a second axially extending side 1292, and the first axially extending side 1290 and the second axially extending side 1292 can be tapered radially inward toward each other. That is, the axially extending dimple 1286 can have a generally U-shaped profile or a V-shaped profile in a plane transverse to the central longitudinal axis 1288 of the axially extending porous member 1180. The first axially extending side 1290 can be spaced apart from the second radially extending side 1292 by between 0.25 mm and 2 mm at a radially outer side 1294 of the axially extending dimple 1286. Alternatively, as Fig.34 As shown, the axially extending pocket 1286 can have a first axially extending side 1290 and a second axially extending side 1292 that are adjacent.

[0410] Alternatively, the air handling chamber 1044 may be the cyclone chamber 1030 and the axially extending porous member may include a vortex finder duct portion 1172 .

[0411] Vortex guide with increased air permeable surface area

[0412] According to this aspect of the invention, which can be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, by perforating at least a portion of the pipe portion 1172 of the vortex guide 1170, the surface area of ​​the porous portion 1180 (i.e., the screen portion) of the vortex guide 1170 can be increased without increasing the surface area of ​​the vortex guide 1170 itself.

[0413] The surface area of ​​the porous portion 1180 relative to the outlet area of ​​the cyclone air inlet 1034 may have an impact on the performance characteristics of the surface cleaning device. For example, if the surface area of ​​the porous portion 1180 is less than the outlet area of ​​the cyclone air inlet 1034, the cyclone chamber 1030 may generate an undesirable amount of back pressure when in use. Therefore, the surface area of ​​the porous portion 1180 is preferably equal to or greater than the outlet area (outlet port) of the cyclone air inlet 1034. Optionally, the ratio of the surface area of ​​the porous portion 1180 to the outlet area of ​​the cyclone air inlet 1034 can be between 1:1 and 20:1, or between 2:1 and 15:1, or between 3:1 and 8:1, or between 3.5:1 and 5:1.

[0414] It should be understood that if the cyclone air inlet 1034 includes multiple ports (i.e., ports leading to the cyclone chamber 1030), the outlet area of ​​the cyclone air inlet 1036 is the total outlet area of ​​each port. Therefore, the surface area of ​​the porous portion 1180 is preferably equal to or greater than the total outlet area of ​​the multiple outlet ports.

[0415] It may be desirable to increase the surface area of ​​the porous portion 1180 without increasing the surface area of ​​the vortex finder 1170 itself, because a larger vortex finder 1170 may require a larger cyclone chamber 1030; this may not be desirable. In addition, it may not be desirable to reduce the outlet area of ​​the cyclone air inlet 1034 so that the surface area of ​​the porous portion 1180 is less than or equal to the outlet area of ​​the cyclone air inlet 1034, because reducing the outlet area of ​​the cyclone air inlet 1034 will reduce the air flow in the cyclone chamber 1030 without increasing the power input of the suction motor.

[0416] Therefore, it may be desirable to increase the surface area of ​​the porous portion 1180 without increasing the surface area of ​​the vortex finder 1170, as this may reduce the size of the cyclone chamber 1030 without sacrificing performance.

[0417] To increase the surface area of ​​porous portion 1180 without increasing the surface area of ​​vortex finder 1170, porous section 1296 may be used to replace at least a portion of the surface area of ​​typically void-free conduit portion 1172 in vortex finders 1170 known in the art.

[0418] The porous section 1296 (e.g., duct portion 1172) at the first or rear end 1298 of the vortex finder 1170 can be less porous than, greater than, or equal to the porous section 1180 at the second or front end 1300. In some embodiments, the porous section 1180 at the second end 1300 can be a screen (e.g., a metal mesh screen) that is more porous than the porous section 1296 at the first end 1298, which can be perforations in the molded plastic conical wall of the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038.

[0419] In some examples, the porous section 1296 at the first end 1298 of the vortex finder 1170 and the porous portion 1180 at the second end 1300 of the vortex finder 1170 may be formed from a single unitary piece.

[0420] The porosity of the porous section 1296 at the first end 1298 of the vortex finder 1170 can vary around the circumference of the first end 1298 of the vortex finder 1170. Thus, a first section of the duct portion 1172 can be porous, while a second section of the duct portion 1172 can be airtight, the second section of the duct portion 1172 being angularly spaced from the first section of the duct portion 1172 around the duct portion 1172. Alternatively, the duct portion 172 can include two or more porous sections angularly spaced from each other around the duct portion 1172.

[0421] For example, a first section of the duct portion 1172 that is diametrically opposed to and facing the sewage outlet 1052 (a first portion of the duct portion 1172) can be porous. Alternatively or additionally, a second section of the duct portion 1172 can also be porous, the second section of the duct portion 1172 being located on a side of the duct portion 1172 that is diametrically opposed to the sewage outlet 1052. The section of the duct portion 1172 between the porous first section and the second section of the duct portion 1172 can be airtight. In some examples, the opposing second section can be more porous than the porous section 1296 that faces the sewage outlet 1052.

[0422] Optionally, the porous section 1296 of the vortex finder 1170 facing the dirt outlet 1052 of the cyclone chamber 1030 is less porous than other portions, making it less likely for air to pass through than the rest of the vortex finder 1170. When the porous section 1296 of the vortex finder 1170 facing the dirt outlet 1052 is less likely to allow air to pass through than the rest of the vortex finder 1170, debris separated from the airflow may more easily pass through the dirt outlet 1052 of the cyclone chamber 1030.

[0423] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, an air-impermeable member 1310 may be disposed inside the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038, the air-impermeable member 1310 facing the porous section 1296 of the vortex finder 1170, and the porous section 1296 of the vortex finder 1170 facing the dirt outlet 1052. Thus, in some examples, a plane transverse to the cyclone rotation axis 1050 may intersect the dirt outlet 1052, the porous section 1296, and the air-impermeable member 1310.

[0424] The air-impermeable member 1310 may be any shape known in the art. Fig.35A In the example shown, the air-impermeable member 1310 is arcuate. The air-impermeable member 1310 may be spaced apart from the porous section 1296 in a radial direction. Alternatively, at least a portion of the air-impermeable member 1310 may abut the porous section 1296. Fig.35C In the example shown, the air-impermeable member 1310 is radially spaced apart from the porous section 1296. Fig.35C As shown, the air-impermeable member 1310 may be located radially between the cyclone rotation axis 1050 and the porous section 1296 .

[0425] Now refer to Fig.35C In the example shown, the dirt outlet 1052 extends around the cyclone sidewall from a first end 1312 to a second end 1314 at an angle. Thus, as shown, the dirt outlet 1052 has an arc length 1316 defining a segment of the cyclone chamber 1030 and a dirt outlet fan angle 1318. In some examples, the dirt outlet fan angle 1318 can be from 30° to 90°, or from 45° to 75°.

[0426] Optionally, the porous section sector angle of the porous section 1296 can be equal to or greater than the sewage outlet sector angle 1318 (in the example shown, the porous section sector angle is 360°). For example, the porous section sector angle of the porous section 1296 can be 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, or 60° greater than the sewage outlet sector angle 1318. Accordingly, for example, the porous section 1296 can extend angularly 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, or 30° from one angular end of the sewage outlet in one direction around the duct portion 172, and can extend angularly 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, or 30° from the other angular end of the sewage outlet in another direction around the duct portion 172.

[0427] Likewise, the air-impermeable member 1310 can have an air-impermeable sector angle 1322 that is equal to or greater than the dirt outlet sector angle 1318 and / or the porous section sector angle. Accordingly, the sector angle of the air-impermeable member 1310 can be 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, or 60° greater than the sector angle of the porous section 1296. Accordingly, for example, the air-impermeable member 1310 can extend 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, or 30° around the duct portion 172 in one direction from one angled end of the porous section 1296, and can extend 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, or 30° around the duct portion 172 in another direction from another angled end of the porous section 1296.

[0428] Similarly, the section of the conduit portion 1172 located on the side of the conduit portion 1172 diametrically opposite to the dirt outlet 152 (i.e. Fig.35C The upper portion of ) can be porous and can have a fan angle that is the same or similar to fan angle 1318.

[0429] The cyclone chamber 1030 may have more than one dirt outlet 1052. If the cyclone chamber 1030 includes more than one dirt outlet 1052, the porous section 1296 with the aligned air-impermeable member 1310 positioned inside the cyclone chamber air outlet 1038 may face each dirt outlet 1052.

[0430] handle

[0431] According to this aspect of the invention, which may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects of the invention, the surface cleaning apparatus may include a handle 1004 .

[0432] The handle 1004 is designed to be gripped by the user so that the user can comfortably hold the surface cleaning device in an operating position. The user can also grip the handle 1004 when emptying debris from the dirt collection chamber 1032. In theory, although any part of the surface cleaning device can be gripped, the handle 1004 is generally a unique area of ​​the surface cleaning device. The handle 1004 can have any shape known in the art and can be located at any position on the surface cleaning device. Alternatively, the handle 1004 can be a pistol grip.

[0433] like Figure 1A As shown, the handle 1004 can be axially (or as shown in FIG. Fig. 8A As shown in the figure, the Figure 1DIn the embodiment, the handle 1004 may extend generally parallel to the cyclone rotation axis 1050. Alternatively, the handle 1004 may extend at an angle to the cyclone rotation axis 1050, such as Fig. 8A shown.

[0434] Now refer to Fig.22A , the handle 1004 can be located between the distal ends 1320, 1322 of the surface cleaning device. When the handle 1004 is located between the distal ends 1320, 1322 of the surface cleaning device, either side of the handle 1004 can have components of the surface cleaning device. For ergonomic purposes, it may be desirable to balance the weight of components on one side of the handle 1004 with components on the other side of the handle 1004.

[0435] like Fig.22D As shown, the handle 1004 can be longitudinally located between the air handling chamber assembly (i.e., the air handling member 1008) including the air handling chamber 1044 and the body 1006 including the motor and fan assembly 1022. More specifically, in the example shown, the rear end 1324 of the air handling chamber assembly 1008 has an air handling chamber air outlet 1048, the front end 1014 of the body 1006 has an air inlet 1326, and the handle 1004 extends between the rear end 1324 of the air handling chamber assembly 1008 and the front end 1014 of the body 1006.

[0436] Accordingly, the handle 1004 may include a portion of an airflow path therein to fluidly connect the air handling chamber air outlet 1048 of the air handling pod assembly 1008 to the air inlet 1326 of the body 1006. Optionally, a portion of the airflow path within the handle 1004 may include a pre-motor filter 1066.

[0437] Still refer to Figures 22A-22D In the example shown, the air handling compartment assembly 1008 and the body 1006 each have a height 1330, 1332 in a direction transverse to the central longitudinal axis 1052 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 1000. As shown, the handle 1004 also has a height 1334 that is less than the heights 1330, 1332 of the air handling compartment assembly 1008 and the body 1006 in the transverse direction.

[0438] As previously discussed, there may be an energy storage member 1074 that is optionally housed in an energy storage chamber 1140 that is located along the Figure 22A-22D1062 of the surface cleaning device. In such an example, the height 1330 of the air handling compartment assembly 1008, the height 1334 of the handle 1004, and / or the height 1332 of the body 1006 can include the height 1336 of the energy storage member 1074 (and optionally the energy storage chamber 1140).

[0439] As shown, the height 1334 of the handle 1004 can be less than the height 1330, 1332 of the air handling pod assembly 1008 and / or the body 1006 (whether or not there is an energy storage member 1074, which is optionally housed in the energy storage chamber 1140). The handle 1004 can be located in any vertical position relative to the air handling pod assembly 1008 and the body 1006. That is, in some examples, (a) the upper longitudinally extending side 1340 of the handle 1004 can be flush with at least one of the upper longitudinally extending side 1342 of the air handling pod assembly 1008 and the upper longitudinally extending side 1344 of the body 1006 (e.g., Fig.22A (b) the lower longitudinally extending side 1348 of the handle 1004 may be flush with at least one of the lower longitudinally extending side 1350 of the air handling chamber assembly 1008 and the lower longitudinally extending side 1352 of the body 1006; or (c) the upper longitudinally extending side 1340 and the lower longitudinally extending side 1348 of the handle 1004 may be recessed inwardly (as shown) compared to the corresponding sides 1342, 1344, 1350, 1352 of the air handling chamber assembly 1008 and the body 1006. Fig.26C shown).

[0440] Similarly, first and second laterally opposed longitudinally extending sides 1354, 1356 of handle 1004 may be flush or positioned radially inwardly compared to corresponding sides 1358, 1360, 1362, 1364 of air handling pod assembly 1008 and body 1006. Fig.22A In the illustrated example, first and second laterally opposed longitudinally extending sides 1354 , 1356 of the handle 1004 are positioned radially inwardly compared to corresponding sides 1358 , 1360 , 1362 , 1364 of the air handling pod assembly 1008 and the body 1006 .

[0441] Optionally, energy storage components 1074a, 1074b may be provided along surfaces of air handling component 1008 and body 1006 (e.g., Figure 22A-22D oriented in the upper surface of the handle 1004), but not along the handle 1004, so that the upper longitudinally extending side 1340 is recessed inwardly. Optionally, the lower longitudinally extending side 1348 of the handle 1004 can be recessed inwardly.

[0442] Therefore, the above is intended to illustrate the concept of protection claimed, rather than to limit it. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the entire description.

[0443] This specification also includes the subject matter of the following groups of clauses:

[0444] Clause Group 1

[0445] 1. A surface cleaning device comprising:

[0446] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0447] (b) an air handling chamber located in the air flow path, the air handling chamber having a first end, an axially spaced second end, a sidewall, an air handling chamber air inlet, and an air handling chamber air outlet, the first end including a first end wall, the second end including a second end wall, the sidewall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the air handling chamber air outlet being disposed at the second end;

[0448] (c) a first dirt collection area connected to the air handling chamber and located axially from the first end wall and the second end wall and closer to the second end wall than the first end wall; and

[0449] (d) A motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path.

[0450] 2. A surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the air handling chamber outlet extends axially from a second end wall into the air handling chamber, the second end wall has a radially outer end located radially inside the side wall, the second end wall extends radially outward from the air handling chamber outlet, and the first dirt collection area is located at the radially outer end of the second end wall.

[0451] 3. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in clause 2 wherein the first dirt collection region is axially recessed from a radially outer end of the second end wall.

[0452] 4. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the air handling chamber inlet is disposed at the first end.

[0453] 5. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the first dirt collection area extends 5°-360°, 30°-180° or 45°-120° around the air handling chamber outlet.

[0454] 6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 , wherein a plane transverse to an axis extending between the first end wall and the second end wall extends through the first dirt collection region and the pre-motor filter.

[0455] 7. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the pre-motor filter is located radially inwardly of the first dirt collection area.

[0456] 8. A surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first dirt collection area extends partially at an angle around the air outlet of the air handling chamber, and the surface cleaning device further includes a second dirt collection area, which extends partially at an angle around the air outlet of the air handling chamber and is connected to the air handling chamber.

[0457] 9. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the first dirt collection area has an open first end at the air handling chamber outlet and an axially spaced second end, and wherein the dirt collection area tapers axially from the open first end to the second end.

[0458] 10. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 , wherein the first dirt collection area comprises a baffle.

[0459] 11. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 10 wherein the first dirt collection region has an open first end located at the air handling chamber outlet and an axially spaced second end including a second end wall and the baffle is disposed on the second end wall.

[0460] 12. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 11 wherein the first dirt collection region extends angularly 5°-360° around the air handling chamber outlet, the baffle extending axially towards the open front end and the baffle being generally transverse to the angular direction.

[0461] 13. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 12, wherein the baffle is spaced apart from a radially inner wall of the dirt collection area and a radially outer wall of the dirt collection area.

[0462] 14. A surface cleaning device according to claim 10, wherein the first dirt collection area has an open first end located at the air outlet of the air handling chamber, an axially spaced second end, a radial inner wall and a radial outer wall, and the baffle is arranged on the radial inner wall and extends radially outward, or is arranged on the radial outer wall and extends radially inward.

[0463] 15. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 , wherein the air handling chamber comprises a cyclone chamber.

[0464] 16. A surface cleaning device comprising:

[0465] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0466] (b) an air handling chamber located in the air flow path, the air handling chamber having a first end, an axially spaced second end, a sidewall, an air handling chamber air inlet, and an air handling chamber air outlet, the first end including a first end wall, the second end including a second end wall, the sidewall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the air handling chamber air inlet being disposed at the second end, and the air handling chamber air outlet being disposed at the second end;

[0467] (c) a first dirt collection area connected to the air handling chamber and located axially from the first end wall and the second end wall and closer to the first end wall than the second end wall; and

[0468] (d) A motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path.

[0469] 17. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 16 wherein the first end wall has a radially outer end located radially inwardly of the side wall, and the first dirt collection area is located at the radially outer end of the first end wall.

[0470] 18. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 17 wherein the first dirt collection region is axially recessed from a radially outer end of the first end wall.

[0471] 19. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 16 wherein the first dirt collection region extends 5°-360°, 30°-180° or 45°-120° around the radially outer end of the first end wall.

[0472] 20. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 16, wherein the air handling chamber comprises a cyclone chamber.

[0473] Clause Group 2

[0474] 1. A handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0475] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0476] (b) a cyclone chamber having a cyclone rotation axis, an openable first end, an axially spaced second end, a cyclone chamber sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, a cyclone air inlet and a cyclone air outlet, wherein the cyclone rotation axis intersects the openable first end and the second end;

[0477] (c) an energy storage member located in an energy storage chamber, wherein the energy storage chamber is located radially outside the cyclone chamber; and

[0478] (d) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path,

[0479] When the openable first end is opened, the energy storage chamber is opened simultaneously.

[0480] 2. The handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, further comprising a dirt collection chamber located radially outward of the cyclone chamber, wherein the dirt collection chamber is simultaneously opened when the openable first end is opened.

[0481] 3. A hand-held vacuum cleaner according to clause 2, wherein the cyclone chamber has first and second axially extending laterally opposite sides, and the energy storage chamber is located laterally to the side of the dirt collection chamber.

[0482] 4. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein a horizontal plane intersects the first and second laterally opposite sides, the cyclone rotation axis is located in the horizontal plane, and each of the energy storage chamber and the dirt collection chamber is spaced apart from the cyclone rotation axis in a direction transverse to the horizontal plane.

[0483] 5. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the openable first end is pivotally mounted to the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0484] 6. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 1, wherein the openable first end is translationally mounted to the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0485] 7. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the cyclone chamber side wall defines a portion of an energy storage member chamber.

[0486] 8. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 2, wherein the cyclone chamber side wall defines a portion of a dirt collection chamber and an energy storage member chamber.

[0487] 9. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0488] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0489] (b) an air handling chamber having an openable first end, an axially spaced second end, an air handling chamber sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, an air handling chamber air inlet, an air handling chamber air outlet disposed at the second end of the air handling chamber, and an air handling chamber axis intersecting the first end of the air handling chamber and the second end of the air handling chamber and defining an axial direction;

[0490] (c) an energy storage member located in an energy storage chamber, wherein the energy storage chamber is located outside the air handling chamber, whereby a plane transverse to the axis of the air handling chamber intersects the air handling chamber and the energy storage chamber; and,

[0491] (d) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path,

[0492] When the openable first end is opened, the energy storage chamber is opened simultaneously.

[0493] 10. The vacuum cleaner of clause 9, further comprising a dirt collection chamber located outside the air handling chamber, whereby the plane intersects the dirt collection chamber, wherein the dirt collection chamber is simultaneously opened when the openable first end is opened.

[0494] 11. The vacuum cleaner of clause 10, wherein the air handling chamber has first and second axially extending laterally opposing sides, the plane intersecting the laterally opposing sides, and the energy storage chamber is laterally located to the side of the dirt collection chamber.

[0495] 12. The vacuum cleaner of clause 9, wherein the openable first end is pivotally mounted to the vacuum cleaner.

[0496] 13. The vacuum cleaner of clause 9, wherein the openable first end is translatably mounted to the vacuum cleaner.

[0497] 14. The vacuum cleaner of clause 9, wherein the air handling chamber side wall defines a portion of an energy storage member chamber.

[0498] 15. The vacuum cleaner of clause 10, wherein the air handling chamber side wall defines a dirt collection chamber and a portion of an energy storage member chamber.

[0499] 16. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0500] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0501] (b) an air handling chamber having an openable first end, an axially spaced second end, an air handling chamber sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, an air handling chamber air inlet, an air handling chamber air outlet disposed at the second end of the air handling chamber, and an air handling chamber axis intersecting the first end of the air handling chamber and the second end of the air handling chamber and defining an axial direction;

[0502] (c) an energy storage member located in the energy storage chamber; and

[0503] (d) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path,

[0504] When the openable first end is opened, the energy storage chamber is opened simultaneously.

[0505] 17. The vacuum cleaner according to clause 16, further comprising a dirt collection chamber, the dirt collection chamber being located outside the air handling chamber, whereby a plane transverse to the axis of the air handling chamber intersects the dirt collection chamber, wherein when the openable first end is opened, the dirt collection chamber is simultaneously opened.

[0506] 18. The vacuum cleaner of clause 17, wherein the air handling chamber has first and second axially extending laterally opposing sides, the plane intersecting the laterally opposing sides, and the energy storage chamber is laterally located to the side of the dirt collection chamber.

[0507] Clause Group 3

[0508] 1. A handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0509] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0510] (b) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path;

[0511] (c) a main body, which includes a handle and a suction motor; and

[0512] (d) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber located in an air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, a dirt outlet, a cyclone chamber front end having a cyclone chamber front end wall, a cyclone chamber rear end having a cyclone chamber rear end wall, and a cyclone rotation axis intersecting the cyclone chamber front end wall and the cyclone chamber rear end wall, the dirt collection chamber having a dirt collection chamber front end and an axially spaced dirt collection chamber rear end, the dirt collection chamber front end having a dirt collection chamber front end wall, the dirt collection chamber rear end having a dirt collection chamber rear end wall, a portion of the dirt collection chamber being spaced apart from the cyclone chamber in a direction transverse to the cyclone rotation axis, whereby the portion is separated from the cyclone chamber by a side wall,

[0513] The rear end of the cyclone chamber assembly is rotatably mounted between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, the front end of the cyclone chamber and the front end of the dirt collection chamber are opened.

[0514] Wherein, the dirt outlet comprises an opening having a perimeter, the perimeter having a first portion and a second portion, and when the rear end of the cyclone bin assembly is moved to the open position, only the first portion of the perimeter is moved.

[0515] 2. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the dirt outlet is provided in a side wall.

[0516] 3. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 2, wherein the opening extends axially inwardly into the cyclone chamber from a rear end wall of the cyclone chamber, whereby the second portion of the periphery comprises a portion of the rear end wall.

[0517] 4. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 3, wherein the first portion of the periphery is located in a side wall.

[0518] 5. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the first portion of the periphery is substantially U-shaped, and when the rear end of the cyclone chamber assembly is in a closed position, the rear end of the first portion of the periphery is adjacent to the rear end wall of the cyclone chamber, and the rear end wall of the cyclone chamber includes the second portion.

[0519] 6. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the cyclone air inlet is arranged at a front end of the cyclone chamber, and the cyclone air outlet is arranged at a rear end of the cyclone chamber.

[0520] 7. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 6, wherein the dirt outlet is provided in a side wall.

[0521] 8. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 7, wherein the opening extends axially inwardly into the cyclone chamber from a rear end wall of the cyclone chamber, whereby the second portion of the periphery comprises a portion of the rear end wall.

[0522] 9. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 8, wherein the first portion of the periphery is located in a side wall.

[0523] 10. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the first portion of the periphery is substantially U-shaped, and when the rear end of the cyclone chamber assembly is in a closed position, the rear end of the first portion of the periphery is adjacent to the rear end wall of the cyclone chamber, and the rear end wall of the cyclone chamber includes the second portion.

[0524] 11. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 1, wherein a rear end of the cyclone bin assembly is rotatably mounted to the main body.

[0525] 12. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 1, further comprising an inlet duct extending from the dirty air inlet to the cyclone air inlet, the inlet duct being located at an upper end of the handheld vacuum cleaner, and at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber being located below the cyclone chamber.

[0526] 53. A hand held vacuum cleaner according to clause 12, wherein a rearward end of the dirt collection chamber is rotatably mounted to the main body.

[0527] Clause Group 4

[0528] 1. A handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0529] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0530] (b) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path; and

[0531] (d) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber located in an air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, a dirt outlet, a cyclone chamber first end having a cyclone chamber first end wall, a cyclone chamber second end having a cyclone chamber second end wall, a cyclone chamber sidewall extending between the cyclone chamber first end wall and the cyclone chamber second end wall, and a cyclone rotation axis intersecting the cyclone chamber first end wall and the cyclone chamber second end wall, the dirt collection chamber having a dirt collection chamber first end, an axially spaced dirt collection chamber second end, and a dirt collection chamber sidewall, the dirt collection chamber first end having the dirt collection chamber first end wall, the dirt collection chamber second end having the dirt collection chamber second end wall, the dirt collection chamber sidewall extending between the dirt collection chamber first end wall and the dirt collection chamber second end wall, a portion of the dirt collection chamber being spaced from the cyclone chamber in a direction transverse to the cyclone rotation axis, whereby the portion is separated from the cyclone chamber by the cyclone chamber sidewall,

[0532] The cyclone bin assembly comprises a first openable portion and a movable portion including a first end wall of a dirt collection chamber, wherein the first openable portion is movably mounted to the handheld vacuum cleaner at a first position, and the movable portion is movably mounted to the handheld vacuum cleaner at a second position, wherein the movable portion comprises a portion of at least one of the cyclone chamber side wall and the dirt collection chamber side wall.

[0533] 2. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the movable part comprises a portion of a side wall of the cyclone chamber, the dirt outlet comprises an opening having a periphery, the periphery having a first portion and a second portion, and when the movable part is opened, the first portion of the periphery moves relative to the second portion of the periphery.

[0534] 3. A hand-held vacuum cleaner according to clause 2, wherein the portion of the dirt collection chamber side wall remains in place when the second openable portion is opened.

[0535] 4. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 3, wherein when the first openable portion is opened, the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber are each opened.

[0536] 5. The handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 further comprises an actuator, wherein the actuator is operably connected to the movable part, and the movable part is operably connected to the first openable part, wherein when the actuator is moved to the open position, the movable part is opened, and opening the movable part opens the first openable part.

[0537] 6. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 4, further comprising an actuator operatively connected to the first openable portion and the movable portion, wherein when the actuator is moved to the open position, the first openable portion is opened and the movable portion is opened.

[0538] 7. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the movable part comprises a portion of a side wall of the dirt collection chamber, whereby the movable part comprises a second openable part, and when the movable part is moved to the open position, the dirt collection chamber is opened.

[0539] 8. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the movable part includes a part of the side wall of the cyclone chamber and a part of the side wall of the dirt collection chamber, whereby the movable part includes a second openable part, and when the movable part is moved to the open position, the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber are opened.

[0540] 9. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein a dirty air inlet is arranged at the upper end of the front end of the handheld vacuum cleaner, a portion of the dirt collection chamber is located at the lower end of the handheld vacuum cleaner, the first end of the cyclone chamber is located at the front end of the cyclone chamber, when the first openable part is opened, the front end of the cyclone chamber is opened, and when the movable part is opened, the lower end of the cyclone assembly is opened, thereby opening the dirt collection chamber.

[0541] 10. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 9, wherein the first position is above the second position and the second position is rearward of the first position when the upper end of the handheld vacuum cleaner is above the lower end of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0542] 11. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 7, wherein when the first openable portion is opened, the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber are opened simultaneously.

[0543] 12. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 7, wherein when the movable part is opened, the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber are opened simultaneously.

[0544] 13. A hand held vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the first position is spaced from the second position in a direction transverse to the cyclone rotation axis.

[0545] 14. A hand held vacuum cleaner according to clause 13, wherein the first position is axially spaced from the second position.

[0546] 15. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein the first position is located at the front end of the cyclone bin assembly, the second position is located at the rear end of the cyclone bin assembly, the first openable part is pivotally mounted to the handheld vacuum cleaner via a first pivot, and the movable part is pivotally mounted to the handheld vacuum cleaner via a second pivot.

[0547] 16. The handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein when the first openable portion is opened, the first openable portion moves in a first direction and the movable openable portion is opened.

[0548] 17. The handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 7, wherein the front openable portion opens upward, the movable portion is a lower portion of the cyclone bin assembly, and the movable portion opens downward.

[0549] 18. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 1, further comprising an actuator operatively connected to the movable part, and the movable part operatively connected to the first openable part, wherein when the actuator is moved to the open position, the movable part is opened, and opening the movable part opens the first openable part.

[0550] 19. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 1, further comprising an actuator operatively connected to the first openable portion and the movable portion, wherein when the actuator is moved to the open position, the first openable portion is opened and the movable portion is opened.

[0551] 20. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0552] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0553] (b) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path; and

[0554] (c) an air handling bin assembly comprising an air handling chamber and a dirt collection chamber located in an air flow path, the air handling chamber having an air handling air inlet, an air handling air outlet, a dirt outlet, an air handling chamber first end having an air handling chamber first end wall, an air handling chamber second end having an air handling chamber second end wall, an air handling chamber side wall extending between the air handling chamber first end wall and the air handling chamber second end wall, and a central air handling axis intersecting the air handling chamber first end wall and the air handling chamber second end wall, the dirt collection chamber having a dirt collection chamber first end, an axially spaced dirt collection chamber second end, and a dirt collection chamber side wall, the dirt collection chamber first end having the dirt collection chamber first end wall, the dirt collection chamber second end having the dirt collection chamber second end wall, the dirt collection chamber side wall extending between the dirt collection chamber first end wall and the dirt collection chamber second end wall, a portion of the dirt collection chamber being spaced apart from the air handling chamber in a direction transverse to the central air handling axis, whereby the portion is separated from the air handling chamber by the air handling chamber side wall,

[0555] The air handling bin assembly comprises a first openable portion and a movable portion comprising a first end wall of a dirt collection chamber, wherein the first openable portion is movably mounted to the vacuum cleaner at a first position, and the movable portion is movably mounted to the vacuum cleaner at a second position, wherein the movable portion comprises a portion of at least one of a side wall of the air handling chamber and a side wall of the dirt collection chamber.

[0556] Clause Group 5

[0557] 1. A handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0558] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet disposed at an upper portion of a front end of the handheld vacuum cleaner to a clean air outlet;

[0559] (b) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path; and

[0560] (c) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber located in the air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, a cyclone chamber front end, a cyclone chamber rear end, a cyclone chamber sidewall extending between the cyclone chamber front end and the rear end, and a cyclone rotation axis extending in a forward / rearward direction,

[0561] Wherein, a front height of the front end of the cyclone chamber in a direction transverse to the rotation axis of the cyclone is smaller than a rear height of the cyclone chamber in a direction transverse to the rotation axis of the cyclone.

[0562] 2. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the cyclone chamber side wall has a lower portion, the lower portion comprising a portion of a lower surface of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0563] 3. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 2, wherein at least some of the lower portion of the cyclone chamber side wall extends downwardly and rearwardly at an angle when the handheld vacuum cleaner is positioned with the upper end of the handheld vacuum cleaner above the lower surface of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0564] 4. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 3, wherein the lower portion of the cyclone chamber side wall extends at an acute angle from the front end of the cyclone chamber to the rear end of the cyclone chamber.

[0565] 5. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 3, wherein the lower portion of the cyclone chamber side wall extends linearly from a front end of the cyclone chamber to a rear end of the cyclone chamber.

[0566] 6. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 2, wherein a lower portion of the cyclone chamber side wall is stepped downward.

[0567] 7. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 6, wherein the lower portion of the cyclone chamber side wall is stepped downward at an angle of 90°.

[0568] 8. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 2, wherein a lower portion of the cyclone chamber side wall is arcuate.

[0569] 9. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 1, wherein the cyclone bin assembly further comprises a dirt collection chamber located outside the cyclone chamber, and the dirt collection chamber is located only at the rear of the cyclone chamber.

[0570] 10. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 9, wherein the dirt collection chamber is located below the cyclone chamber when the cyclone rotation axis of the handheld vacuum cleaner extends horizontally and the dirty air inlet is provided at an upper portion of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0571] 11. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the cyclone chamber assembly further includes a dirt collection chamber located outside the cyclone chamber, wherein when the handheld vacuum cleaner is positioned so that the upper end of the handheld vacuum cleaner is above the lower surface of the handheld vacuum cleaner, the dirt collection chamber is located below the cyclone chamber.

[0572] 12. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 1, wherein the cyclone bin assembly has an openable lower portion.

[0573] 13. The handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, further comprising an inlet nozzle, wherein the inlet nozzle is disposed at an upper end of the front end of the cyclone chamber.

[0574] 14. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 13, wherein the front height is 1-1.5 times the inlet nozzle diameter.

[0575] 15. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 13, wherein the front height is 1-1.25 times the inlet nozzle diameter.

[0576] 16. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 13, wherein the front height is 1-1.1 times the inlet nozzle diameter.

[0577] Clause Group 6

[0578] 1. A handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0579] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet disposed at a front end of the handheld vacuum cleaner to a clean air outlet;

[0580] (b) an air handling chamber assembly including an air handling chamber located in the air flow path,

[0581] (c) a body housing a motor and a fan assembly disposed in the airflow path;

[0582] (d) handle;

[0583] (e) a first energy storage pack disposed at a first location in the handheld vacuum cleaner; and

[0584] (f) a second energy storage pack disposed in the handheld vacuum cleaner at a second location different from the first location.

[0585] 2. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the first energy storage pack is detachably mounted.

[0586] 3. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 2, wherein the second energy storage pack is detachably mounted.

[0587] 4. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein both the first energy storage pack and the second energy storage pack are used to power the motor and fan assembly simultaneously.

[0588] 5. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the first location is in the body and the second location is in the handle.

[0589] 6. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 3, wherein the first energy storage pack is detachably mounted.

[0590] 7. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 3, wherein the second energy storage pack is detachably mounted.

[0591] 8. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the second position is spaced apart from the first position in a forward / rearward direction.

[0592] 9. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 1, wherein the motor and fan assembly has an axis of rotation, and a plane transverse to the axis of rotation intersects the first energy storage pack and the motor and fan assembly.

[0593] 10. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 9, wherein the second position is located in the handle.

[0594] 11. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 10, wherein the handle is located behind the motor and fan assembly.

[0595] 12. A handheld vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0596] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet disposed at a front end of the handheld vacuum cleaner to a clean air outlet;

[0597] (b) an air handling chamber assembly including an air handling chamber located in the air flow path,

[0598] (c) a body housing a motor and a fan assembly disposed in the airflow path;

[0599] (d) handle;

[0600] (e) a removable first energy storage pack; and

[0601] (f) A detachable second energy storage pack, wherein the detachable first energy storage pack and the detachable second energy storage pack are separately detachable.

[0602] 13. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 12, wherein both the first energy storage pack and the second energy storage pack are used to power the motor and fan assembly simultaneously.

[0603] 14. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 12, wherein the detachable first energy storage pack is located in the body and the detachable second energy storage pack is located in the handle.

[0604] 15. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 12, wherein the detachable second energy storage pack is spaced apart from the detachable first energy storage pack in a forward / rearward direction.

[0605] 16. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 12, wherein the motor and fan assembly has an axis of rotation, and a plane transverse to the axis of rotation intersects the first energy storage pack and the motor and fan assembly.

[0606] 17. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 16, wherein the removable second energy storage pack is located in the handle.

[0607] 18. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 17, wherein the handle is located behind the motor and fan assembly.

[0608] Clause Group 7

[0609] 1. A hand-held vacuum cleaner having a front end, a longitudinally spaced rear end, an upper end extending between the front and rear ends, and a lower end extending between the front and rear ends, the hand-held vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0610] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0611] (b) an air handling chamber assembly including an air handling chamber located in the air flow path,

[0612] (c) a body housing a motor and a fan assembly disposed in the airflow path;

[0613] (d) a handle; and

[0614] (e) a plurality of energy storage members, wherein the energy storage members comprise a plurality of prismatic or pouch cells and the plurality of prismatic or pouch cells or a housing for the plurality of prismatic or pouch cells forms part of an outer surface of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0615] 2. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein a plurality of prismatic or pouch-type batteries are arranged in longitudinally extending rows.

[0616] 3. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the row of prismatic or pouch batteries comprises multiple layers of prismatic or pouch batteries, whereby a radial line extending outward from a central longitudinal axis of the handheld vacuum cleaner intersects with a plurality of prismatic or pouch batteries, the row of prismatic or pouch batteries having a first and a second laterally opposite longitudinally extending side, and the electronic unit is positioned adjacent to the first and second laterally opposite longitudinally extending sides.

[0617] 4. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the plurality of prismatic or pouch-type batteries are arranged in a longitudinally extending row, the longitudinally extending row being provided along a portion of at least one of an upper end or a lower end of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0618] 5. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the plurality of prismatic or pouch-type batteries are arranged in a single layer, whereby radial lines extending outwardly from the central longitudinal axis intersect only a single prismatic or pouch-type battery.

[0619] 6. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 1, wherein a plurality of prismatic or pouch-type batteries are disposed on at least one of an upper end or a lower end of the air handling chamber assembly.

[0620] 7. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein a plurality of prismatic or pouch-type batteries are disposed on at least one of the upper end or the lower end of the main body.

[0621] 8. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein a plurality of prismatic or pouch-type batteries are disposed on at least one of the upper end or the lower end of the handle.

[0622] 9. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of prismatic or bag-type batteries are arranged on at least one of the upper end or lower end of the air handling chamber assembly and the upper end or lower end of the main body, the air handling chamber assembly and the main body each have a height in a direction transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the handheld vacuum cleaner, and the height of the handle in the transverse direction is less than the height of the air handling chamber assembly and the main body.

[0623] 10. A hand-held vacuum cleaner according to clause 9, wherein the handle is free of prismatic or pouch-type batteries disposed on an upper or lower surface thereof.

[0624] 11. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 10, wherein the handle is located between the air handling chamber assembly and the body.

[0625] 12. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 1, wherein the main body is located behind the air handling compartment assembly, the handle is located behind the main body, and a filter is disposed in the handle.

[0626] 13. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 12, wherein the filter is located downstream of the motor and fan assembly.

[0627] 14. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the energy storage member comprises a lithium polymer battery.

[0628] 15. A hand-held vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the prismatic or pouch battery, or the housing of the prismatic or pouch battery, comprises a portion of an outer surface of the hand-held vacuum cleaner.

[0629] 16. A hand-held vacuum cleaner having a front end, a longitudinally spaced rear end, a central longitudinal axis, an upper end extending between the front and rear ends, and a lower end extending between the front and rear ends, the hand-held vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0630] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0631] (b) an air handling chamber assembly including an air handling chamber located in the air flow path,

[0632] (c) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path; and

[0633] (d) A plurality of energy storage members, wherein the energy storage members comprise prismatic or pouch cells.

[0634] 17. The hand-held vacuum cleaner of clause 16, wherein the prismatic or pouch-type battery is located radially outward from at least one of the air handling compartment assembly and the motor and fan assembly.

[0635] 18. A hand-held vacuum cleaner according to clause 17, wherein the prismatic or pouch-type battery is located radially outward from the air handling chamber assembly and the motor and fan assembly.

[0636] 19. A hand-held vacuum cleaner according to clause 16, wherein the prismatic or pouch battery, or the housing of the prismatic or pouch battery, comprises a portion of an outer surface of the hand-held vacuum cleaner.

[0637] Clause Group 8

[0638] 1. A hand-held vacuum cleaner having a front end, a longitudinally spaced rear end, a central longitudinal axis, an upper end extending between the front and rear ends, and a lower end extending between the front and rear ends, the hand-held vacuum cleaner comprising:

[0639] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0640] (b) an air handling chamber assembly including an air handling chamber located in the air flow path,

[0641] (c) a body housing a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path; and

[0642] (d) A handle, wherein the handle is longitudinally located between the air handling chamber assembly and the body.

[0643] 2. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the rear end of the air handling chamber assembly has an air outlet of the air handling chamber assembly, the front end of the main body has an air inlet, and the handle extends between the rear end of the air handling chamber assembly and the front end of the main body.

[0644] 3. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 2, wherein the handle has an air flow path therein, the air flow path fluidly connecting the air outlet of the air handling chamber assembly and the air inlet of the main body.

[0645] 4. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 3, further comprising a pre-motor filter arranged in the air flow path in the handle.

[0646] 5. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the air handling chamber assembly and the main body each have a height in a direction transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the handheld vacuum cleaner, and the height of the handle in the transverse direction is less than the height of the air handling chamber assembly and the main body.

[0647] 6. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 5, further comprising a plurality of energy storage members, and wherein the energy storage members or housings of the energy storage members comprise a portion of an outer surface of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0648] 7. A hand-held vacuum cleaner according to clause 6, wherein the energy storage member or the housing of the energy storage member comprises a portion of an outer surface of at least one of the air handling chamber assembly and the main body.

[0649] 8. A hand-held vacuum cleaner according to clause 7, wherein the energy storage member or the housing of the energy storage member comprises a portion of the outer surface of the air handling chamber assembly and the main body.

[0650] 9. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 6, wherein the plurality of energy storage members comprises a plurality of prismatic or pouch cells.

[0651] 10. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the handle has an upper longitudinally extending side, a lower longitudinally extending side, and first and second laterally opposite longitudinally extending sides, one of the sides being radially recessed inwardly compared to the corresponding sides of the air handling chamber assembly and the body.

[0652] 11. A handheld vacuum cleaner according to clause 1, wherein the dirty air inlet is provided at an upper end of the handheld vacuum cleaner, and a lower surface of the handle is recessed radially inwardly compared to a lower surface of the air handling bin assembly and a lower surface of the body.

[0653] 12. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 1, further comprising a plurality of energy storage members, and wherein the energy storage members or housings of the energy storage members comprise a portion of an outer surface of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0654] 13. A hand-held vacuum cleaner according to clause 12, wherein the energy storage member or the housing of the energy storage member comprises a portion of an outer surface of at least one of the air handling chamber assembly and the main body.

[0655] 14. A hand-held vacuum cleaner according to clause 13, wherein the energy storage member or the housing of the energy storage member comprises a portion of the outer surface of the air handling chamber assembly and the main body.

[0656] 15. The handheld vacuum cleaner of clause 12, wherein the plurality of energy storage members comprises a plurality of prismatic or pouch cells.

[0657] Clause Group 9

[0658] 1. A surface cleaning device comprising:

[0659] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0660] (b) an air handling chamber located in the air flow path, the air handling chamber having a first end, an axially spaced second end, a central longitudinal axis, sidewalls, an air handling chamber air inlet, and an air handling chamber air outlet, the first end including a first end wall, the second end including a second end wall, the central longitudinal axis extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the sidewalls extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the air handling chamber air outlet being disposed at the second end and extending inwardly from the second end wall, the air outlet comprising an axially extending porous member, wherein the axially extending porous member has at least one axially extending recess; and

[0661] (c) A motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path.

[0662] 2. A surface cleaning apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the axially extending porous member has a plurality of axially extending recesses.

[0663] 3. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the air handling chamber comprises a cyclone chamber and the axially extending porous member comprises a vortex finder.

[0664] 4. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the axially extending porous member is conical.

[0665] 5. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the axially extending porous member is frusto-conical.

[0666] 6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the axially extending recess has first and second axially extending sides, and the axially extending sides are contiguous.

[0667] 7. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the axially extending recess has first and second axially extending sides that taper radially inwardly toward each other.

[0668] 8. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 7, wherein the axially extending recess is generally V-shaped in a plane transverse to the central longitudinal axis.

[0669] 9. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1, wherein the axially extending recess has first and second axially extending sides, the axially extending sides having radially outer sides, and the radially outer sides are spaced 0.25 mm - 2 mm apart.

[0670] 10. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the axially extending foraminous member is free of axially extending support ribs.

[0671] 11. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 , wherein the axially extending foraminous member extends uninterruptedly 360° around the central longitudinal axis.

[0672] Clause Group 10

[0673] 1. A surface cleaning device comprising:

[0674] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0675] (b) a cyclone chamber located in the air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a cyclone rotation axis, an axially extending sidewall, a cyclone chamber air inlet, a cyclone chamber air outlet, and a dirt outlet, the dirt outlet comprising an axially extending slot in the sidewall;

[0676] (c) a dirt collection chamber located outside the cyclone chamber, the dirt collection chamber having first and second opposing walls, wherein the first opposing wall is an extension of the side wall; and

[0677] (d) A motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path.

[0678] 2. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 , wherein the first opposing wall and the side wall comprise continuous, uninterrupted surfaces.

[0679] 3. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 2, wherein the first opposing wall tangentially joins the side wall.

[0680] 4. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt chamber is located radially outwardly of the side wall.

[0681] 5. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the axially extending slot in the sidewall extends axially along at least 50% of the axial length of the cyclone chamber.

[0682] 6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 further comprising a screen extending across the axially extending slot.

[0683] 7. A surface cleaning device comprising:

[0684] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0685] (b) a cyclone chamber located in the air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a first end, an axially spaced second end, a cyclone rotation axis, a sidewall, a cyclone chamber air inlet, and a cyclone chamber air outlet, the first end including a first end wall, the second end including a second end wall, the cyclone rotation axis extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the sidewall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the cyclone chamber air outlet being disposed at the second end and extending inwardly from the second end wall;

[0686] (c) a dirt collection chamber located outside the cyclone chamber and communicating with the cyclone chamber via a dirt outlet; and

[0687] (d) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path,

[0688] wherein the dirt outlet comprises an opening in the side wall, the dirt outlet having an upstream side along the direction of rotation of the air in the cyclone chamber and a downstream side along the direction of rotation,

[0689] Wherein, the waste collection chamber includes a curved wall extending from a downstream side of the waste outlet.

[0690] 8. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 7, wherein the curved wall comprises an extension of a side wall.

[0691] 9. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 7, wherein the curved wall and the side walls comprise continuous, uninterrupted surfaces.

[0692] 10. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 8 wherein the curved wall joins the side wall tangentially.

[0693] 11. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 7 wherein the dirt chamber is located radially outwardly of the side wall.

[0694] 12. A hand held vacuum cleaner according to clause 7, wherein the cyclone air inlet is located at a first end and the dirt outlet is provided at a second end.

[0695] 13. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 7 wherein the opening in the side wall extends axially along at least 50% of the axial length of the cyclone chamber.

[0696] 14. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 13 wherein the opening in the side wall extends axially along at least 75% of the axial length of the cyclone chamber.

[0697] 15. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 7 wherein the opening in the side wall extends axially along at least 90% of the axial length of the cyclone chamber.

[0698] 16. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 7 wherein one of the first end and the second end is openable whereby the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber are simultaneously openable.

[0699] 17. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 7, wherein the dirt outlet further comprises a screen extending across the opening.

[0700] Clause Group 11

[0701] 1. A surface cleaning device comprising:

[0702] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0703] (b) a cyclone chamber located in the air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a first end, an axially spaced second end, a cyclone rotation axis, a sidewall, a cyclone chamber air inlet, and a cyclone chamber air outlet, the first end including a first end wall, the second end including a second end wall, the cyclone rotation axis extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the sidewall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the cyclone chamber air outlet being disposed at the second end and extending inwardly from the second end wall;

[0704] (c) a dirt collection chamber located outside the cyclone chamber and communicating with the cyclone chamber via a dirt outlet; and

[0705] (d) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path,

[0706] wherein the dirt outlet comprises an opening located radially outwardly and facing a portion of the cyclone chamber air outlet,

[0707] wherein a portion of the cyclone chamber air outlet comprises a porous section,

[0708] The air-impermeable member is located inside the air outlet of the cyclone air chamber and faces the porous section, whereby a plane transverse to the cyclone rotation axis intersects the dirt outlet, the porous section and the air-impermeable member.

[0709] 2. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt outlet comprises an opening in a side wall.

[0710] 3. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the cyclone chamber air outlet comprises a screen and the porous section is less porous than the screen.

[0711] 4. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in clause 1 wherein the porous section is provided in a conical wall of a cyclone chamber air outlet.

[0712] 5. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in clause 4 wherein the cyclone chamber air outlet is conical or frusto-conical.

[0713] 6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 , wherein the air impermeable member is arcuate.

[0714] 7. Surface cleaning apparatus according to clause 6 wherein the air impermeable member is located radially between the cyclone rotation axis and the porous section.

[0715] 8. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the air impermeable member is positioned radially between the cyclone rotation axis and the porous section.

[0716] 9. Surface cleaning apparatus according to clause 1 wherein an opposing section of the cyclone chamber air outlet diametrically opposite and facing the porous section is also porous.

[0717] 10. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 9 wherein the porous section is less porous than an opposing section.

[0718] 11. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the cyclone chamber air inlet is disposed at the first end.

[0719] 12. A surface cleaning device comprising:

[0720] (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

[0721] (b) a cyclone chamber located in the air flow path, the cyclone chamber having a cyclone rotation axis, a cyclone chamber air inlet, a cyclone chamber air outlet and a dirt outlet;

[0722] (c) a waste collection chamber; and

[0723] (d) a motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path,

[0724] A plane transverse to the cyclone rotation axis intersects the dirt collection chamber, the dirt outlet, the porous section of the cyclone chamber air outlet facing the dirt outlet, and the airtight member located inside the cyclone air chamber air outlet.

[0725] 13. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 12 wherein the cyclone chamber air outlet comprises a screen and the porous section is less porous than the screen.

[0726] 14. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in clause 12 wherein the porous section is provided in a tapered wall of a cyclone chamber air outlet.

[0727] 15. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 12, wherein the air impermeable member is arcuate.

[0728] 16. Surface cleaning apparatus according to clause 15 wherein the air impermeable member is located radially between the cyclone rotation axis and the porous section.

[0729] 17. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 12 wherein the air impermeable member is positioned radially between the cyclone rotation axis and the porous section.

[0730] 18. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 12 wherein the plane also intersects an opposing section of the cyclone chamber air outlet diametrically opposite the porous section, and the opposing section is also porous.

[0731] 19. Surface cleaning apparatus according to clause 18, wherein the porous section is less porous than an opposing section.

Claims

1. A handheld vacuum cleaner comprising: (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet; (b) a cyclone chamber having a cyclone rotation axis, a first end, an axially spaced second end, a cyclone chamber sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet, and an openable portion, wherein the cyclone rotation axis intersects the first end and the second end, and wherein the openable portion is rotatably mounted about an opening axis parallel to the cyclone rotation axis; and (c) A motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path.

2. The handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a dirt collection chamber located outside the cyclone chamber and a dirt outlet connecting the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber, wherein: The dirt collection chamber and the cyclone chamber are opened simultaneously.

3. The handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein: The dirt collection chamber has a dirt collection chamber sidewall spaced apart from the cyclone chamber sidewall, whereby at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber is located between the cyclone chamber sidewall and the dirt collection chamber sidewall, and the openable portion includes at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber sidewall and a portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall.

4. The handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein: The dirt outlet comprises an opening in the portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall, the dirt outlet has a periphery, and the portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall comprises only a portion of the periphery of the dirt outlet.

5. The handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein: The openable portion comprises a portion of an exterior surface of the handheld vacuum cleaner.

6. The handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein: The dirty air inlet is provided at an upper end of the handheld vacuum cleaner, and the lower end of the handheld vacuum cleaner includes at least a portion of the openable portion.

7. The handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein: The dirty air inlet is arranged at the front end of the handheld vacuum cleaner, the first end is the front end of the cyclone chamber, the second end is the rear end of the cyclone chamber, the cyclone air inlet is arranged at the front end of the cyclone chamber, and the cyclone air outlet is arranged at the rear end.

8. The handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein: The handheld vacuum cleaner has a front end with a dirty air inlet, a rear end, and first and second laterally opposite sides extending in a forward / rearward direction, with the opening axis located on one of the laterally opposite sides.

9. The handheld vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein: The handheld vacuum cleaner has a front end with a dirty air inlet, a rear end, first and second laterally opposite sides extending in a forward / rearward direction, and a center plane extending in the forward / rearward direction and located between the laterally opposite sides, and the opening axis extends in the center plane.

10. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising an energy storage member, and the energy storage member is located radially outward of the cyclone chamber.

11. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 10, further comprising a dirt collection chamber located outside the cyclone chamber, wherein: The dirty air inlet is provided at a front end of the handheld vacuum cleaner, and wherein the energy storage member is located forwardly of the dirt collection chamber.

12. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 10, further comprising a dirt collection chamber located outside the cyclone chamber, wherein: The handheld vacuum cleaner has a front end with a dirty air inlet, a rear end, first and second laterally opposing sides extending in a forward / rearward direction, and wherein the energy storage member is laterally located to the side of the dirt collection chamber.

13. A vacuum cleaner comprising: (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet; (b) an air handling chamber having a first end, an axially spaced second end, an air handling chamber sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, an air handling chamber air inlet, an air handling chamber air outlet disposed at the second end of the air handling chamber, an air handling chamber axis, and an openable portion, the air handling chamber axis intersecting the first end of the air handling chamber and the second end of the air handling chamber and defining an axial direction, the openable portion being rotatably mounted about an opening axis parallel to the air handling chamber axis; as well as (c) A motor and fan assembly disposed in the airflow path.

14. The handheld vacuum cleaner of claim 13, further comprising a dirt collection chamber located outside the air handling chamber and a dirt outlet connecting the air handling chamber with the dirt collection chamber, wherein The dirt collection chamber and the air treatment chamber are opened simultaneously.

15. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 14, wherein The dirt collection chamber has a dirt collection chamber side wall spaced apart from the air handling chamber side wall, whereby at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber is located between the air handling chamber side wall and the dirt collection chamber side wall, and the openable portion includes at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber side wall and a portion of the air handling chamber side wall.

16. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 15, wherein The dirt outlet comprises an opening in the portion of the air handling chamber side wall, the dirt outlet has a perimeter, and the portion of the air handling chamber side wall comprises only a portion of the perimeter of the dirt outlet.

17. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein: The openable portion comprises a portion of an outer surface of the vacuum cleaner.

18. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein: The vacuum cleaner has first and second laterally opposite sides extending in an axial direction, and the opening axis is located on one of the laterally opposite sides.

19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, further comprising an energy storage member, and wherein the energy storage member is located radially outward of the air handling chamber.

20. The vacuum cleaner of claim 19, further comprising a dirt collection chamber located outside the air handling chamber, wherein The energy storage member is positioned axially from the dirt collection chamber such that a projection of the energy storage member intersects the dirt collection chamber.

Images