Outlet unit, cyclonic separator and vacuum cleaner

Abstract

Provided is an outlet unit (50) for a cyclonic separator (18) of a vacuum cleaner. The outlet unit includes a hollow body (52), which hollow body has an interior surface (54) delimiting an air outlet conduit (56), and a first exterior surface (58). An air outlet (60) is defined in the hollow body to permit an airflow to enter the air outlet conduit. The first exterior surface is configured to permit the airflow to rotate around a first perimeter of the first exterior surface as the airflow flows along the hollow body towards the air outlet. The outlet unit also includes an extension portion (62) extending from the hollow body. The extension portion has a second exterior surface (64), with at least one helical rib (74) protruding from the second exterior surface. Further provided is a cyclonic separator including the outlet unit, and a vacuum cleaner including the cyclonic separator.

Description

[0001] 2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0002] 1

[0003] OUTLET UNIT, CYCLONIC SEPARATOR AND VACUUM CLEANER

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to an outlet unit for a cyclonic separator of a vacuum cleaner. The invention further relates to a cyclonic separator including such an outlet unit, and a vacuum cleaner comprising the cyclonic separator.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In a vacuum cleaner, dirt collected from a surface being cleaned, e.g. a floor, is transported to a dirt-receiving volume. This is achieved using the airflow generated by an airflow generator, typically in the form of a motor and fan arrangement. A separator, such as a labyrinth, filter(s) and / or a cyclonic separator, may be used to separate the dirt from the airflow.

[0008] In a cyclonic separator, centrifugal forces arise by rotating air inside a housing. Dirt particles dragged along in the rotating airflow may have too much inertia to follow the tight curvature of the airflow path, and may strike the housing, then move along an interior surface of the housing to the dirt-receiving volume provided inside the housing.

[0009] Efforts have been made to make the cyclonic separator as small as possible, for example to facilitate inclusion of the cyclonic separator in a hand-held unit of a vacuum cleaner, such as a stick-type vacuum cleaner. However, reducing the size of the cyclonic separator can risk compromising dirt separation performance.

[0010] It would therefore be desirable to provide ways of balancing compactness with favorable dirt separation performance.

[0011] DE102005013315A1 discloses a cyclone dust-collecting apparatus and a vacuum cleaner having the same are provided. The cyclone dust-collecting apparatus including : a cyclone body having a suction part through which air is drawn in and a discharge part through which the air is discharged; a grill connected to the discharge part, for filtering the air; a dirt receptacle connected to the cyclone body, for collecting dirt separated from the air which is drawn in through the suction part; and a downstream guide part for preventing dirt collected in the dirt receptacle from being scattered, and, of the dirt included in the drawn-in air, downward guiding a dirt having at least one of a predetermined weight and a predetermined size in a spiral direction by a flux of the air to the dirt receptacle.2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0012] 2

[0013] US20190246855A1 discloses a vacuum cleaner including a cleaner body; and a dust collector provided in the cleaner body, wherein the dust collector includes an outer case forming a side appearance of the dust collector; a first cyclone provided within an outer case to filter dust and foreign matter from air introduced into the dust collector; a second cyclone accommodated within the first cyclone to separate fine dust from the air introduced into the first cyclone; and an upper cover mounted on a top of the outer case to cover the first and second cyclones and having an intake guide configured to introduce air into the outer case and an exhaust guide configured to discharge air from which fine dust is separated by the second cyclone.

[0014] US2020405109A1 discloses a dust-collecting device includes a cylindrical casing and an insertion part. The casing includes an introduction port introducing dustcontaining air. The insertion part is positioned inside the casing to allow a swirling flow of the dust-containing air to be formed between the insertion part and the casing. The insertion part includes a cylindrical side surface part spaced away from and facing the casing and a projection part. The projection part includes, in a side of the first dust-collecting part, a projection surface projecting outward from the side surface part. The projection surface includes plural straightening parts and a connection part. The straightening parts are formed spirally toward the side of the first dust-collecting part, from upstream to downstream sides of the swirling flow. The connection part connects a downstream end side of one of the straightening parts and an upstream end side of another one of the straightening parts.

[0015] EP2255709B1 discloses a cyclone dust collection apparatus that can maintain the material targeted for collection in a firmly compressed state even when the compression force is released. Means of Solving the Problem Disclosed is a cyclone separation apparatus that is equipped with a collection container with a roughly cylindrical interior surface, wherein, by causing air drawn in from an air inlet disposed in the circumferential direction in the periphery of the collection container to spiral along the roughly cylindrical interior surface, and then discharging the air from the center of the collection container through a filter means, the relatively large material targeted for collection and contained in the air is collected at the bottom of the collection container and the relatively small material targeted for collection is collected in the filter means, and wherein the cyclone separation apparatus is equipped with a spiral curved surface inside the collection container centered around the vertical central shaft of the collection container, and is equipped with a compression member that can rotate around the vertical central shaft.2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0016] 3

[0017] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0019] According to examples in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outlet unit for a cyclonic separator of a vacuum cleaner, the outlet unit comprising: a hollow body comprising an interior surface that delimits an air outlet conduit, and a first exterior surface; an air outlet defined in the hollow body to permit an airflow to enter the air outlet conduit, the first exterior surface of the hollow body extending towards the air outlet, the first exterior surface being configured to permit the airflow to rotate around a first perimeter of the first exterior surface as the airflow flows along the hollow body towards the air outlet; and an extension portion extending from the hollow body so that a length of the outlet unit comprises a first length of the hollow body and a second length of the extension portion, wherein the extension portion comprises a second exterior surface, the air outlet extending between the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface, and wherein at least one helical rib protrudes from the second exterior surface, the at least one helical rib extending around at least part of a second perimeter of the second exterior surface and along the second length.

[0020] A secondary airflow can cause dirt particles to travel, e.g. creep, up the second exterior surface of the extension portion towards the air outlet. The cyclonic effect of the rotating airflow may not be present or may be only relatively weak close to the second exterior surface. Hence the secondary airflow may cause the dirt particles to move along the second exterior surface towards the air outlet, escaping the cyclonic function of the cyclonic separator.

[0021] The helical rib(s) that protrude(s) from the second exterior surface of the extension portion may help to bring dirt particles migrating along the second exterior surface towards the air outlet away from the second exterior surface and back into the rotating airflow. The helical shape of the helical rib(s) can also assist to minimize or avoid “dead zones” that can otherwise be present when, for example, a non-helical rim protrudes from the second exterior surface instead of the helical rib(s). In such dead zones, in other words sheltered / calm areas in which the air speed is relatively low, there may be little or no disruption to the secondary airflow. Hence by the helical rib(s) minimizing or avoiding such dead zones, dirt separation performance can be enhanced.

[0022] In the case of the helical rib(s), the disruption to the secondary airflow may be provided along the (second) length of the extension portion along which the helical rib(s) extend(s), whereas in the case of the non-helical rim, disruption to the secondary flow may be confined to a shorter region along the (second) length of the extension portion (due to the non-2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0023] 4

[0024] helical rim not extending along the length of the extension portion, with only the thickness of the non-helical rim defining the non-helical rim’s extent along the length of the extension portion).

[0025] It is noted that the enhanced dirt separation performance exhibited as a consequence of inclusion of the helical rib(s) in the outlet unit may be seen as counterintuitive because the extension of the helical rib(s) along the (second) length of the extension portion may provide a more guided inflow of the main rotating airflow into a dirt-receiving volume of the cyclonic separator causing a stronger secondary airflow. However, the inventors have found that the greater disruption of the secondary airflow caused by the helical rib(s) means that improved dirt separation performance can be exhibited despite the helical rib(s) providing such a more guided inflow.

[0026] A further benefit of the helical rib(s) may be that dirt particles, drawn up the second exterior surface by the secondary airflow, may be helped by the helical rib(s) to agglomerate to form larger dirt particles. Such larger dirt particles may be more likely to return to the dirt-receiving volume than to pass into the air outlet.

[0027] It is generally noted that the at least one helical rib, albeit not necessarily a single rib of the at least one helical rib, may be provided around the entire second perimeter of the second exterior surface.

[0028] Thus, no position around the second perimeter of the second exterior surface may allow dirt particles straightforward passage to the air outlet when such dirt particles are drawn by the secondary airflow along the second exterior surface.

[0029] In some embodiments, a step is defined along the length of the outlet unit between the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface, with the step causing the second exterior surface to extend discontinuously with respect to the first exterior surface. The step can assist to minimize passing of dirt particles, drawn by the secondary airflow along the second exterior surface, into the air outlet. This may be due to the dirt particles having, due to their greater inertia, less propensity to change direction at the step compared to air. Hence the step can make it more likely for the dirt particles to escape the secondary airflow and move into the main rotating airflow that causes the dirt particles to be re-collected in the dirtreceiving volume.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface are separated from each other at the step, in a direction perpendicular to the length of the outlet unit, by at least 1 mm. Such a minimum separation may assist typical dirt particles having a diameter of, for example, up to 10 pm to escape the secondary airflow and move into the main2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0031] 5

[0032] rotating airflow at the step. This may be due to the dimension of such a step being significantly larger than the diameter of the dirt particles resulting in a relatively pronounced direction change for such dirt particles, which can assist the dirt particles to escape the secondary airflow.

[0033] Alternatively or in addition to this minimum separation of 1 mm, the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface may be separated from each other at the step, in a direction perpendicular to the length of the outlet unit, by at most 10 mm, e.g. at most 5 mm. Such a maximum separation can assist to minimize blocking of dirt particles as they are moved, as a consequence of the main rotating airflow, towards the dirt-receiving volume, and also can help to lessen the risk of disturbing the rotating airflow and creating a dead zone of the type described above.

[0034] The step can be provided in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the hollow body has a first width, e.g. a first diameter, that extends between opposing points on the first perimeter of the first exterior surface, and the extension portion has a second width, e.g. a second diameter, that extends between opposing points on the second perimeter of the second exterior surface, with the second width being different from the first width. The difference between the first width and the second width may provide the step.

[0035] In some embodiments, the difference between the first width and the second width is at least 2 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the difference between the first width and the second width may be at most 20 mm, e.g. at most 10 mm.

[0036] In some embodiments, the second width is larger than the first width. For example, the second width is larger than the first width by at least 2 mm and / or by at most 20 mm.

[0037] In some embodiments, the at least one helical rib protrudes from the second exterior surface by at least 1 mm. Such a minimum distance of protrusion may assist typical dirt particles having a diameter of, for example, up to 10 pm to escape the secondary airflow and move into the main rotating airflow upon reaching the helical rib(s), for similar reasoning as provided above in relation to the minimum separation between the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface at the step.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one helical rib may protrude from the second exterior surface by at most 10 mm. Such a maximum distance of protrusion can assist to minimize blocking of dirt particles as they are moved, as a consequence of the main rotating airflow, towards the dirt-receiving volume, and also can help to lessen the risk of disturbing the rotating airflow and creating a dead zone of the type described above.2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0039] 6

[0040] In some embodiments, a thickness of the at least one helical rib, measured parallel to the second exterior surface is in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm. It is noted that the maximum thickness of 5 mm can help to avoid the helical rib(s) itself / themselves providing a surface along which a secondary airflow of the type described above can move dirt particles towards the air outlet.

[0041] In some embodiments, the at least one helical rib comprises a rib surface that faces away from the hollow body, with the rib surface protruding at an angle relative to the second exterior surface that is in the range of 60° to 100°, for example about 90°. Such an angle can provide a sufficiently sharp change in direction to assist the dirt particles to escape the secondary airflow and may provide significant disturbance to the secondary flow.

[0042] In some embodiments, the second length of the extension portion comprises a rib-comprising length, across which rib-comprising length the at least one helical rib protrudes from the second exterior surface, with the rib-comprising length being at least 15 mm. Ribcomprising lengths below 15 mm may have less favorable dirt separation performance.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, the rib-comprising length and / or the second length of the extension portion may be at most 35 mm. This can help to avoid the outlet unit being excessively long, and thus taking up too much space in the cyclonic separator.

[0044] In some embodiments, the at least one helical rib has an angle of pitch thread in the range of 10° to 20°, with the angle of pitch thread being the angle at which the at least one helical rib extends relative to the extension portion’s width (which width extends along the horizontal when the outlet unit is orientated such that a cyclone axis, defined through a center of the hollow body towards the extension portion, extends vertically). This angle of pitch thread may provide favorable dirt separation performance, in terms of helping to minimize passing of dirt particles, drawn by the secondary airflow along the second exterior surface, into the air outlet.

[0045] In some embodiments, the at least one helical rib comprises a plurality of helical ribs. Such a plurality of helical ribs can help to increase the likelihood of dirt particles moved by the secondary airflow being intercepted by a helical rib in a way that keeps the ribcomprising length relatively small, so as to avoid the outlet unit taking up excessive space in the cyclonic separator.

[0046] The likelihood of dirt particles being intercepted may be improved by the helical ribs being provided around the entire second perimeter of the second exterior surface. In the scenario in which a single helical rib is provided, for instance, around the entire second2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0047] 7

[0048] perimeter, the rib -comprising length may be required to be greater, despite keeping the angle of pitch thread as small as possible.

[0049] By there being more than one helical rib, the helical ribs can be provided around more, e.g. all of, the second perimeter, with each of the helical ribs extending over only a fraction of the rib-comprising length. This is in contrast to the provision of the single helical rib around most / all of the second perimeter having to be achieved by a near-full / full spiral of the single helical rib.

[0050] In embodiments in which there is a plurality of the helical ribs, a closest spacing between adjacent helical ribs of the plurality of helical ribs may be in the range of 5 mm to 20 mm. Such a closest spacing may provide relatively effective dirt separation performance.

[0051] The air outlet can have any suitable design. In some embodiments, the hollow body comprises a grille, with openings of the grille defining, at least in part, the air outlet.

[0052] The grille may be provided around at least some, e.g. the entirety of, the hollow body’s perimeter.

[0053] The grille may extend between the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface, e.g. as well as being provided around some or all of the hollow body’s perimeter.

[0054] It is generally noted that the air outlet and the air outlet conduit may be regarded as defining a vortex finder of the cyclonic separator.

[0055] According to examples in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cyclonic separator for a vacuum cleaner, the cyclonic separator comprising: the outlet unit according to any one of the embodiments described herein; and a housing for receiving the outlet unit such that the airflow is rotatable in a space defined between the outlet unit and an interior surface of the housing, the housing delimiting an air inlet for allowing the airflow to enter the space.

[0056] In some embodiments, the outlet unit is detachable from the housing. This may facilitate cleaning of the outlet unit and / or the housing.

[0057] The above-mentioned dirt-receiving volume may be provided in the housing. In such embodiments, the extension portion may, for example, extend away from the hollow body towards the dirt-receiving volume.

[0058] The housing may comprise a first end portion, a second end portion, and a side portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, with the outlet unit extending away from the first end portion and towards the second end portion, and the dirtreceiving volume being defined between the second end portion and the extension portion.2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0059] 8

[0060] By arranging the dirt-receiving volume between the hollow body and the second end portion, for instance underneath the hollow body when the cyclonic separator is orientated for use, the cyclonic separator can have a relatively slim design, for example in comparison to an arrangement in which the dirt-receiving volume is instead arranged alongside the hollow body, e.g. between the hollow body and the side portion of the housing.

[0061] Such a relatively slim design can be particularly useful in embodiments in which the cyclonic separator is included, together with the airflow generator in a hand-held unit of the vacuum cleaner.

[0062] According to examples in accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner comprising: the cyclonic separator according to any of the embodiments described herein; and an airflow generator for generating the airflow.

[0063] The airflow generator may, for example, include a motor and a fan rotatable by the motor to generate the airflow.

[0064] As briefly mentioned above, the vacuum cleaner may comprise a hand-held unit, with the airflow generator and the cyclonic separator being included in the hand-held unit.

[0065] A cleaner head and / or wand also included in the vacuum cleaner may be detached from the hand-held unit, so as to enable the hand-held unit to be used for cleaning without the cleaner head and / or wand.

[0066] For example, the hand-held unit without the cleaner head and / or wand can be used for cleaning a table-top or couch.

[0067] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

[0068] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0070] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a vacuum cleaner having a cyclonic separator; FIG. 2 schematically depicts the cyclonic separator of the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0071] FIGs. 3 and 4 provide views of a cyclonic separator having features in common with that shown in FIG. 2;

[0072] FIG. 5 schematically depicts a cyclonic separator according to an example;2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0073] 9

[0074] FIG. 6 provides enlarged views of part of an outlet unit of a cyclonic separator according to an example; and

[0075] FIGs. 7 and 8 provide views of a cyclonic separator according to another example.

[0076] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0077] The invention will be described with reference to the Figures.

[0078] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the Figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the Figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0079] Provided is an outlet unit for a cyclonic separator of a vacuum cleaner. The outlet unit includes a hollow body, which hollow body has an interior surface delimiting an air outlet conduit, and a first exterior surface. An air outlet is defined in the hollow body to permit an airflow to enter the air outlet conduit. The first exterior surface is configured to permit the airflow to rotate around a first perimeter of the first exterior surface as the airflow flows along the hollow body towards the air outlet. The outlet unit also includes an extension portion extending from the hollow body. The extension portion has a second exterior surface, with at least one helical rib protruding from the second exterior surface. Further provided is a cyclonic separator including the outlet unit, and a vacuum cleaner including the cyclonic separator.

[0080] FIG. 1 shows a vacuum cleaner 10 according to an example. The vacuum cleaner 10 may comprise a dirt inlet 11 through which dirt particles and air are drawn into the vacuum cleaner 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the dirt inlet 11 is provided in a cleaner head 12 of the vacuum cleaner 10.

[0081] It is noted that the cleaner head 12 can be alternatively termed a “nozzle.” A pivot point 13 is, in the example shown in FIG. 1, provided to enable tilting of the vacuum cleaner 10 while the dirt inlet 11 in the cleaner head 12 remains facing the surface to be cleaned. The pivot point 13 enables the vacuum cleaner 10 to be tilted in order to, for instance, facilitate cleaning underneath furniture.2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0082] 10

[0083] The vacuum cleaner 10 comprises an airflow generator 14, 16 for generating an airflow 17 that causes dirt particles to be drawn into the vacuum cleaner 10 via the dirt inlet 11.

[0084] As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, the airflow generator 14, 16 may include a motor 14 and a fan 16 rotatable by the motor 14 to generate the airflow 17.

[0085] Any suitable fan 16, e.g. impeller, may be used to deliver suction to the dirt inlet 11.

[0086] The motor 14, for example, comprises a bypass motor 14. This type of motor 14 can tolerate water content in the airflow 17, because the airflow 17 is not used for motor cooling and is isolated from the motor parts. Instead, ambient air is drawn into the motor 14 for cooling purposes.

[0087] More generally, the vacuum cleaner 10 includes a cyclonic separator 18 for separating the dirt particles from the airflow 17 generated by the airflow generator 14, 16.

[0088] The cyclonic separator 18 may be regarded as being part of a dirt management system, which dirt management system may include one or more additional filters.

[0089] In some embodiments, the cyclonic separator 18 may be included in the vacuum cleaner 10, e.g. in the dirt management system thereof, together with one or more outlet filter(s) 20 provided between the outlet flow of the cyclonic separator 18 and the airflow generator 14, 16.

[0090] The cyclonic separator 18 may have a housing 19, for example in which housing 19 a dirt-receiving volume 19C is defined for collecting the dirt particles separated from the airflow 17.

[0091] A maximum capacity of the dirt-receiving volume 19C may, for example, be at least 100 mL.

[0092] By making the maximum capacity at least 100 mL, the user may be permitted to perform cleaning with minimal interruptions associated with emptying the dirt-receiving volume 19C. For example, the maximum capacity of the housing 19 for the separated dirt may be 100 mL to 1 L, such as 400 mL to 800 mL.

[0093] An air passage may pass the air that has been separated from the dirt particles towards the airflow generator 14, 16, e.g. towards the fan 16. As shown in FIG. 1, an outlet opening 22 delimited by the housing 19 may at least partly define an air passage that fluidly connects the cyclonic separator 18 with the airflow generator 14, 16.

[0094] The outlet opening 22 may, for example, be provided in a first end portion 19D, e.g. a top portion, of the housing 19.2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0095] 11

[0096] It is noted that the terms “top” and “bottom” in the context of the housing 19 refer to the respective ends of the housing 19, and are named with reference to an upright orientation of the vacuum cleaner 10: the top portion being above a bottom portion (see the second end portion 19E) of the housing 19 in the upright orientation.

[0097] The outlet opening 22 may be spatially separated from the second end portion 19E, e.g. bottom portion, of the housing 19. This may assist to minimise the risk of the separated dirt collected in the dirt-receiving volume 19C (that is at least partly delimited by the second end portion 19E of the housing 19) from passing through the outlet opening 22 towards the airflow generator 14, 16.

[0098] As an alternative to providing the outlet opening 22 in the first end portion 19D of the housing 19, the outlet opening 22 may be provided, for example, in a side portion 19F of the housing 19 that extends between the first end portion 19D and the second end portion 19E, preferably in a region of the side portion 19F which is proximal to the first end portion 19D, e.g. top portion, of the housing 19.

[0099] In some embodiments, the outlet opening 22 is provided in part of the housing 19 which is higher than a maximum line 23 denoting the maximum capacity of the dirtreceiving volume 19C.

[0100] The maximum line 23 may, for instance, be indicated by a mark or sticker provided on the housing 19, and / or defined by the maximum dirt level as determined by a dirt level sensor (not visible).

[0101] In some embodiments, the cleaner head 12 has a rotary brush (not visible) for brushing the surface to be cleaned, e.g. floor.

[0102] In at least some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 10 comprises a handle 24 at an opposite end of the vacuum cleaner 10 with respect to the cleaner head 12. The handle 24 can be grasped by a user of the vacuum cleaner 10. The user pushing the handle 24 causes at least the cleaner head 12 and the housing 19 to move forward, and the user pulling the handle 24 causes the cleaner head 12 and the housing 19 to move backwards towards the user.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 1, the pivot point 13 between the cleaner head 12 and the housing 19 may permit tilting of the housing 19 towards the user grasping the handle 24 while the dirt inlet 11 continues to provide suction to the surface to be cleaned.

[0104] It is noted at this point that the vacuum cleaner 10 can be of any suitable type. FIG. 1 shows a vacuum cleaner 10 in the form of a stick-type vacuum cleaner 10 so that in use the cleaner head 12 forms the only contact with the surface to be cleaned. In other2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0105] 12

[0106] embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 10 may be an upright vacuum cleaner 10 or a canister vacuum cleaner 10.

[0107] In some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner 10 comprises a hand-held unit, with the airflow generator 14, 16 and the cyclonic separator 18 being included in the hand-held unit.

[0108] The hand-held unit may, for example, be connected or connectable to the cleaner head 12 via a wand 26. In such embodiments, the wand 26 may delimit an air passage through which the airflow 17 can be directed from the dirt inlet 11 to the hand-held unit.

[0109] If it is desired to use the vacuum cleaner 10 without the cleaner head 12, the cleaner head 12 and / or the wand 26 may be detached from the hand-held unit, so as to enable the hand-held unit to be used for cleaning without the cleaner head 12 and / or wand 26. For example, the hand-held unit without the cleaner head 12 and / or wand 26 can be used for cleaning a table-top or couch.

[0110] Turning in more detail to the design of the cyclonic separator 18, and referring now to FIGs. 1 and 2, the cyclonic separator 18 comprises an outlet unit 50 that includes a hollow body 52. The hollow body 52 comprises an interior surface 54 that delimits an air outlet conduit 56. The air outlet conduit 56 may be fluidly connected to the airflow generator 14, 16, e.g. via the outlet opening 22 delimited by the housing 19.

[0111] The hollow body 52 further comprises a first exterior surface 58 configured to permit the airflow 17 to rotate (see the arrows AR in FIG. 1) around a first perimeter of the first exterior surface 58 as the airflow 17 flows along the hollow body 52 towards an air outlet 60 defined in the hollow body 52 to permit the airflow 17 to enter the air outlet conduit 56.

[0112] This rotation of the airflow 17 can be regarded as being about a cyclone axis C A that extends through a center of the hollow body 52. The rotation can cause the dirt particles entrained in the airflow 17 to separate from the air.

[0113] The thus separated dirt particles can be received in the dirt-receiving volume 19C while the air from which the dirt particles have been separated passes into the air outlet conduit 56 via the air outlet 60.

[0114] The hollow body 52 can have any suitable shape provided that the airflow 17 is permitted to rotate around the first perimeter of the hollow body’s 52 first exterior surface 58. In some embodiments, the hollow body 52 comprises a cylindrical shape.

[0115] The air outlet 60 can have any suitable design. In some embodiments, the hollow body 52 comprises a grille 61, with openings of the grille 61 defining, at least in part, the air outlet 60.2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0116] 13

[0117] It is generally noted that the air outlet 60 and the air outlet conduit 56 may be regarded as a vortex finder of the cyclonic separator 18.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 2, the outlet unit 50 may be arranged in the housing 19 such that the airflow 17 is rotatable in a space defined between the outlet unit 50 and an interior surface 19B of the housing 19. The dirt particles dragged along in the rotating airflow 17 may have too much inertia to follow the curve of the airflow’s 17 path, and may strike the interior surface 19B of the housing 19, for example prior to moving along the side portion 19F towards the second end wall portion 19E, e.g. bottom portion, of the housing 19.

[0119] It is noted that the housing 19 may delimit an air inlet 19A for allowing the airflow 17 to enter the space, for example to pass into the space from the air passage defined in the wand 26.

[0120] As best shown in FIG. 2, the air outlet 60 and the air inlet 19A may be spaced apart from each other along the cyclone axis CA, with the first exterior surface 58 of the hollow body 52 extending along the cyclone axis CA away from the air inlet 19A and towards the air outlet 60.

[0121] The outlet unit 50 may extend away from the first end portion 19D of the housing 19 and towards the second end portion 19E, with the dirt-receiving volume 19C being defined between the second end portion 19E and the hollow body 52.

[0122] By arranging the dirt-receiving volume 19C between the hollow body 52 and the second end portion 19E, for instance underneath the hollow body 52 when the cyclonic separator 18 is orientated for use, the cyclonic separator 18 can have a relatively slim design, for example in comparison to an arrangement in which the dirt-receiving volume 19C is instead arranged alongside the hollow body 52, e.g. between the hollow body 52 and the side portion 19F.

[0123] Such a relatively slim design can be particularly useful in embodiments in which the cyclonic separator 18 is included, together with the airflow generator 14, 16, in the handheld unit.

[0124] Making the cyclonic separator 18, including the housing 19, shorter can enhance its usability. However, the cyclonic separator 18 may be lengthened when the dirt-receiving volume 19C is arranged between the hollow body 52 and the second end portion 19E, compared to the scenario in which the dirt-receiving volume 19C is arranged alongside the hollow body 52.

[0125] This means that realizing a design in which the dirt-receiving volume 19C is arranged between the hollow body 52 and the second end portion 19E may desirably involve2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0126] 14

[0127] keeping the length of the housing 19 as short as possible. To keep the dirt stored in a relatively stable manner in the dirt-receiving volume 19C and to minimize or prevent a backflow of dirt, and compromised separation performance, a critical volume of air, also termed a “volume requirement,” may be needed to dissipate energy that is transmitted from the rotating airflow 17 in the cyclonic separator 18 to the housing 19. In this way, secondary airflow in the dirtreceiving volume 19C may not be strong enough to cause collected dirt to move into the air outlet 60 and worsen the separation performance.

[0128] Various features can assist this volume requirement to be met. As shown in FIG.

[0129] 2, the outlet unit 50 comprises an extension portion 62 that extends from the hollow body 52 so that a length L of the outlet unit 50 comprises a first length LI of the hollow body 52 and a second length L2 of the extension portion 62. Moreover, the air outlet 60 extends between the first exterior surface 58 of the hollow body 52 and a second exterior surface 64 of the extension portion 62. The extension portion 62 has been found to assist fulfilment of the volume requirement.

[0130] It is noted that the first exterior surface 58 (i), the air outlet 60 (ii), the extension portion 62 (iii), and the dirt-receiving volume 19C (iv) may be arranged in sequence (i, ii, iii, iv) along the cyclone axis CA.

[0131] The extension portion 62 can have any suitable shape, for example a cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the hollow body 52 has a cylindrical shape and the extension portion 62 has a cylindrical shape (albeit with a first width / diameter of the hollow body 52 not necessarily being the same as a second width / diameter of the extension portion 62, as described in more detail herein below).

[0132] In embodiments in which the air outlet 60 is defined by openings of the grille 61, the grille 61 may extend between the first exterior surface 58 and the second exterior surface 64.

[0133] Referring to FIGs. 2 and 3, the cyclonic separator 18 may include a rim member 66 that protrudes from the side portion 19F towards the extension portion 62. In such embodiments, the rim member 66 may be arranged around only a portion of a second perimeter of the extension portion’s 62 second exterior surface 64, to enable dirt to be collected in the dirt-receiving volume 19C via a path lying adjacent to the remainder of the second perimeter of the second exterior surface 64 where the rim member 66 is not present.

[0134] The rim member 66 has been found to assist the volume requirement to be met. It is noted that arrangement of the rim member 66 around only the portion of the second perimeter, along with a curving, e.g. cylindrical, side portion 19F or interior surface 19B of the2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0135] 15

[0136] housing 19 from which the rim member 66 protrudes, may cause the rim member 66 to have a half-moon shape (when the housing 19 is viewed from in front of the first end portion 19D or from in front of the second end portion 19E).

[0137] As an alternative or in addition to the rim member 66, and referring to FIG. 3, the cyclonic separator 18 may include a bottom rib 68 that protrudes from the second end portion 19E towards the hollow body 52. The bottom rib 68 may act as a flow breaker to minimize or prevent air rotating proximal to the second end portion 19E, e.g. in the dirtreceiving space 19C.

[0138] By rotation of air proximal to the second end portion 19E being restricted or prevented via inclusion of the bottom rib 68, there may be a reduced risk of agitation and reentrainment of the dirt collected proximal to the second end portion 19E in the airflow 17 passing into the air outlet 60.

[0139] Whilst features, such as the rim member 66 and the bottom rib 68, can enable the cyclonic separator 18 to achieve more effective dirt separation in a relatively compact manner, such features can themselves take up significant volume within the cyclonic separator 18, thus reducing space available for dirt to be collected. Hence it would be desirable to formulate a design that can, for example, avoid having to include the rim member 66 and / or the bottom rib 68 in the cyclonic separator 18.

[0140] A further issue relates to a secondary airflow that can cause dirt particles that are collected proximal to the second end portion 19E of the housing 19 to travel, e.g. creep, up the second exterior surface 64 of the extension portion 62 towards the air outlet 60. This secondary airflow may result from there being a higher pressure proximal to the second end portion 19E than further up the cyclonic separator 18 towards the first end portion 19D. Moreover, the cyclonic effect may not be present or may be only relatively weak close to the second exterior surface 64. Hence the secondary airflow may cause the dirt particles to move along the second exterior surface 64 towards the air outlet 60, escaping the cyclonic function of the cyclonic separator 18.

[0141] FIGs. 2 to 4 show a cyclonic separator 18 having a rim element 70 that protrudes from the second exterior surface 64 and extends around the second perimeter of the second exterior surface 64. The rim element 70 may act as a physical barrier that inhibits the passage of dirt particles, drawn by the secondary airflow along the second exterior surface 64, towards the air outlet 60. The rim element 70 can help to bring such dirt particles away from the second exterior surface 64 and back into the rotating airflow 17, thereby assisting the dirt particles to pass back towards the second end portion 19E.2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0142] 16

[0143] Whilst the rim element 70 can accordingly enhance dirt separation performance, FIG. 4 is provided to illustrate that the rim element 70 can nonetheless cause “dead zones” DZ to be present in the cyclonic separator 18 where dirt can escape the dirt-receiving volume 19C. The rotating airflow 17 is represented in FIG. 4 by a helix, with such a dead zone DZ corresponding to a sheltered / calm area, in which the air speed is relatively low, being provided behind the rim element 70.

[0144] Referring now to FIGs. 5 to 8, the outlet unit 50 according to the present invention comprises at least one helical rib 74 that protrudes from the second exterior surface 64 of the extension portion 62, with the at least one helical rib 74 extending around at least part of the second perimeter of the second exterior surface 64 and along the second length L2 of the extension portion 62. The helical rib(s) 74 may help to bring dirt particles migrating along the second exterior surface 64 towards the air outlet 60 away from the second exterior surface 64 and back into the rotating airflow 17, whilst also assisting to minimize or avoid the dead zones DZ encountered in the case of the rim element 70 shown in FIGs. 2 to 4.

[0145] In the case of the helical rib(s) 74, the disruption to the secondary airflow may be provided along the second length L2 of the extension portion 62 along which the helical rib(s) 74 extend(s), whereas in the case of the non-helical rim element 70, disruption to the secondary flow may be confined to a shorter region along the second length L2 of the extension portion 62 (due to the non-helical rim element 70 not extending along the second length L2 of the extension portion 62, with only the thickness of the rim element 70 defining the rim element’s 70 extent along the second length L2 of the extension portion 62).

[0146] It is noted that the enhanced dirt separation performance exhibited as a consequence of inclusion of the helical rib(s) 74 in the outlet unit 50 may be seen as counterintuitive because the extension of the helical rib(s) 74 along the second length L2 of the extension portion 62 may provide a more guided inflow of the main rotating airflow 17 into the dirt-receiving volume 19C. However, the inventors have found that the greater disruption of the secondary airflow caused by the helical rib(s) 74 means that improved dirt separation performance can be exhibited despite the helical rib(s) 74 providing such a more guided inflow.

[0147] A further benefit of the helical rib(s) 74 may be that dirt particles, drawn up the second exterior surface 64 by the secondary airflow, may be helped by the helical rib(s) 74 to agglomerate to form larger dirt particles. Such larger dirt particles may be more likely to return to the dirt-receiving volume 19C than to pass into the air outlet 60.

[0148] Inclusion of the helical rib(s) 74 protruding from the second exterior surface 64 of the extension portion 62 can also mean that the rim member 66 and / or the bottom rib 682024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0149] 17

[0150] may be omitted, although it is noted that both of these features are included, in addition to the helical rib(s) 74, in the cyclonic separator 18 shown in FIGs. 7 and 8.

[0151] It is generally noted that the at least one helical rib 74, albeit not necessarily a single rib 74 of the at least one helical rib 74, may be provided around the entire second perimeter of the second exterior surface 64. Thus, no position around the second perimeter of the second exterior surface 64 may allow dirt particles straightforward passage to the air outlet 60 when such dirt particles are drawn by the secondary airflow along the second exterior surface 64.

[0152] In some embodiments, and referring to FIG. 6, a step 76 is defined along the length L of the outlet unit 50 between the first exterior surface 58 and the second exterior surface 64, with the step 76 causing the second exterior surface 58 to extend discontinuously with respect to the first exterior surface 58. The step 76 can assist to minimize passing of dirt particles, drawn by the secondary airflow along the second exterior surface 64, into the air outlet 60. This may be due to the dirt particles having, due to their greater inertia, less propensity to change direction at the step 76 compared to air. Hence the step 76 can make it more likely for the dirt particles to escape the secondary airflow and move into the main rotating airflow 17 that causes the dirt particles to be re-collected proximal to the second end portion 19E.

[0153] In some embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 6, the first exterior surface 58 and the second exterior surface 64 are separated from each other at the step 76, in a direction perpendicular to the length L of the outlet unit 50, by at least 1 mm. Such a minimum separation may assist typical dirt particles having a diameter of, for example, up to 10 pm to escape the secondary airflow and move into the main rotating airflow 17 at the step 76. This may be due to the dimension of such a step 76 being significantly larger than the diameter of the dirt particles resulting in a relatively pronounced direction change for such dirt particles, which can assist the dirt particles to escape the secondary airflow.

[0154] Alternatively or in addition to this minimum separation of 1 mm, the first exterior surface 58 and the second exterior surface 64 may be separated from each other at the step 76, in a direction perpendicular to the length L of the outlet unit 50, by at most 10 mm, e.g. at most 5 mm. Such a maximum separation can assist to minimize blocking of dirt particles as they move towards the dirt-receiving volume 19C, and also can help to lessen the risk of disturbing the rotating airflow 17 and creating a dead zone DZ of the type described above in relation to the rim element 70.2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0155] 18

[0156] The step 76 can be provided in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, and referring again to FIG. 5, the hollow body 52 has a first width Wl, e.g. a first diameter, that extends between opposing points on the first perimeter of the first exterior surface 58, and the extension portion 62 has a second width W2, e.g. a second diameter, that extends between opposing points on the second perimeter of the second exterior surface 64, with the second width W2 being different from the first width W 1. The difference between the first width W 1 and the second width W2 may provide the step 76.

[0157] In some embodiments, the difference between the first width W 1 and the second width W2 is at least 2 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the difference between the first width Wl and the second width W2 may be at most 20 mm, e.g. at most 10 mm.

[0158] In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 5, the second width W2 is larger than the first width Wl. For example, the second width W2 is larger than the first width Wl by at least 2 mm and / or by at most 20 mm.

[0159] In some embodiments, and referring again to FIG. 6, the at least one helical rib 74 protrudes from the second exterior surface 64 by a distance h of at least 1 mm. Such a minimum distance h may assist typical dirt particles having a diameter of, for example, up to 10 pm to escape the secondary airflow and move into the main rotating airflow 17 upon reaching the helical rib(s) 74, for similar reasoning as provided above in relation to the minimum separation between the first exterior surface 58 and the second exterior surface 64 at the step 76.

[0160] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one helical rib 74 may protrude from the second exterior surface 64 by a distance h of at most 10 mm. Such a maximum distance h can assist to minimize blocking of dirt particles as they move towards the dirt-receiving volume 19C, and also can help to lessen the risk of disturbing the rotating airflow 17 and creating a dead zone DZ of the type described above in relation to the rim element 70.

[0161] Alternatively or additionally, a thickness t of the at least one helical rib 74, measured parallel to the second exterior surface 64 is in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm. It is noted that the maximum thickness t of 5 mm can help to avoid the helical rib(s) 74 itself / themselves providing a surface along which a secondary airflow of the type described above can move dirt particles towards the air outlet 60.

[0162] In some embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 6, the at least one helical rib 74 comprises a rib surface 78 that faces away from the hollow body 52, with the rib surface protruding at an angle 0 relative to the second exterior surface 64 that is in the range of 60° to 100°, for example about 90°. Such an angle 0 can provide a sufficiently sharp change in2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0163] 19

[0164] direction to assist the dirt particles to escape the secondary airflow and may provide significant disturbance to the secondary flow.

[0165] In some embodiments, the second length L2 of the extension portion 62 comprises a rib -comprising length H, across which rib -comprising length H the at least one helical rib 74 protrudes from the second exterior surface 64, with the rib-comprising length H being at least 15 mm. Rib-comprising lengths H below 15 mm may have less favorable dirt separation performance.

[0166] Alternatively or additionally, the rib -comprising length H and / or the second length L2 may be at most 35 mm. This can help to avoid the outlet unit 50 being excessively long, and thus taking up too much space in the cyclonic separator 18.

[0167] In some embodiments, the at least one helical rib 74 has an angle of pitch thread a in the range of 10° to 20°, with the angle of pitch thread a being the angle at which the at least one helical rib 74 extends relative to the extension portion’s 62 width W2 (which width W2 extends along the horizontal when the outlet unit 50 is orientated such that the cyclone axis CA extends vertically). This angle of pitch thread a may provide favorable dirt separation performance, in terms of helping to minimize passing of dirt particles, drawn by the secondary airflow along the second exterior surface 64, into the air outlet 60.

[0168] In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 6 to 8, the at least one helical rib 74 comprises a plurality of helical ribs. Such a plurality of helical ribs 74 can help to increase the likelihood of dirt particles moved by the secondary airflow being intercepted by a helical rib 74 in a way that keeps the rib-comprising length H relatively small, so as to avoid the outlet unit 50 taking up excessive space in the cyclonic separator’s 18 housing 19.

[0169] The likelihood of dirt particles being intercepted may be improved by the helical ribs 74 being provided around the entire second perimeter of the second exterior surface 64. In the scenario in which a single helical rib 74 is provided, for instance, around the entire second perimeter, the rib-comprising length H may be required to be greater, despite keeping the angle of pitch thread a as small as possible.

[0170] By there being more than one helical rib 74, the helical ribs 74 can be provided around more, e.g. all of, the second perimeter, with each of the helical ribs 74 extending over only a fraction of the rib -comprising length H. This is in contrast to the provision of the single helical rib 74 around most / all of the second perimeter having to be achieved by a near-full / full spiral of the single helical rib 74.

[0171] In embodiments in which there is a plurality of the helical ribs 74, a closest spacing 1 between adjacent helical ribs 74 of the plurality of helical ribs 74 may be in the range2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0172] 20

[0173] of 5 mm to 20 mm. Such a closest spacing may provide relatively effective dirt separation performance.

[0174] The following table is provided as a non-limiting illustrative example of dimensions and geometry of the outlet unit 50:

[0175]

[0176] It is noted at this point that the outlet unit 50 can be formed from any suitable material. In some embodiments, the outlet unit 50, e.g. at least the hollow body 52 and the extension portion 62 thereof, comprises a plastic material, such as an engineering thermoplastic.

[0177] In some embodiments, the outlet unit 50 is detachable from the housing 19. This may facilitate cleaning of the outlet unit 50 and / or the housing 19. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet unit 50 according to the present invention may be retrofittable into the housing 19 of a cyclonic separator 18, as a replacement for an original outlet unit that has been removed from the housing 19.

[0178] It is generally noted that the present invention provides, in part, the outlet unit 50 as such, since the outlet unit 50 can in principle be supplied to a user who already has the housing 19 of the cyclonic separator 18 (e.g. as part of the vacuum cleaner 10) in their possession or who has sourced the housing 19 from elsewhere.

[0179] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the invention and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0180] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.2024PF00076 08.01.2025

[0181] 21

[0182] If the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to".

[0183] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

2024PF00076 08.01.202522CLAIMS1. An outlet unit (50) for a cyclonic separator (18) of a vacuum cleaner (10), characterized by: the outlet unit comprising:a hollow body (52) comprising an interior surface (54) that delimits an air outlet conduit (56), and a first exterior surface (58);an air outlet (60) defined in the hollow body to permit an airflow (17) to enter the air outlet conduit, the first exterior surface of the hollow body extending towards the air outlet, the first exterior surface being configured to permit the airflow to rotate around a first perimeter of the first exterior surface as the airflow flows along the hollow body towards the air outlet; andan extension portion (62) extending from the hollow body so that a length (L) of the outlet unit comprises a first length (LI) of the hollow body and a second length (L2) of the extension portion, wherein the extension portion comprises a second exterior surface (64), the air outlet extending between the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface, and wherein at least one helical rib (74) protrudes from the second exterior surface, the at least one helical rib extending around at least part of a second perimeter of the second exterior surface and along the second length.

2. The outlet unit (50) according to claim 1, wherein a step (76) is defined along the length (L) of the outlet unit between the first exterior surface (58) and the second exterior surface (64), the step causing the second exterior surface to extend discontinuously with respect to the first exterior surface.

3. The outlet unit (50) according to claim 2, wherein at the step (76) the first exterior surface (58) and the second exterior surface (64) are separated from each other, in a direction perpendicular to the length (L) of the outlet unit, by at least 1 mm.

4. The outlet unit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hollow body (52) has a first width (Wl) that extends between opposing points on the first perimeter of the first exterior surface (58), and the extension portion (62) has a second width (W2) that extends between opposing points on the second perimeter of the second exterior surface (64), the second width being different from the first width; optionally wherein a difference between the first width and the second width is at least 2 mm.2024PF00076 08.01.2025235. The outlet unit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one helical rib (74) protrudes from the second exterior surface (64) by at least 1 mm.

6. The outlet unit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second length (L2) of the extension portion (62) comprises a rib-comprising length (H), across which rib-comprising length the at least one helical rib (74) protrudes from the second exterior surface (64), the rib-comprising length being at least 15 mm.

7. The outlet unit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one helical rib (74) has an angle of pitch thread (a) in the range of 10° to 20°, the angle of pitch thread being the angle at which the at least one helical rib extends relative to the extension portion’s (62) width.

8. The outlet unit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one helical rib (74) comprises a rib surface (78) that faces away from the hollow body (52), the rib surface protruding at an angle (0) relative to the second exterior surface (64) that is in the range of 60° to 100°.

9. The outlet unit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one helical rib (74) comprises a plurality of helical ribs.

10. The outlet unit (50) according to claim 9, wherein a closest spacing (1) between adjacent helical ribs (74) of the plurality of helical ribs is in the range of 5 mm to 20 mm.

11. The outlet unit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the air outlet (60) is defined by openings of a grille (61) that extends between the first exterior surface (58) and the second exterior surface (64).

12. A cyclonic separator (18) for a vacuum cleaner (10), the cyclonic separator comprising:the outlet unit (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 11; and a housing (19) for receiving the outlet unit such that the airflow (17) is rotatable in a space defined between the outlet unit and an interior surface (19B) of the housing, the housing delimiting an air inlet (19A) for allowing the airflow to enter the space.2024PF00076 08.01.20252413. The cyclonic separator (18) according to claim 12, wherein a dirt-receiving volume (19C) is provided in the housing (19), the extension portion (62) extending away from the hollow body (52) towards the dirt-receiving volume.

14. The cyclonic separator (18) according to claim 13, wherein the housing comprises a first end portion (19D), a second end portion (19E), and a side portion (19F) extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, the outlet unit (50) extending away from the first end portion and towards the second end portion, with the dirt-receiving volume (19C) being defined between the second end portion and the extension portion (62).

15. A vacuum cleaner (10) comprising:the cyclonic separator (18) according to any one of claims 12 to 14; and an airflow generator (14, 16) for generating the airflow (17); optionally wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a hand-held unit, the airflow generator (14, 16) and the cyclonic separator (18) being included in the hand-held unit.

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