Cleaner

The vacuum cleaner's agitator design with deforming blades addresses the issue of separate air flows by blocking the upper flow, improving dust collection and cleaning efficiency.

US20250339004A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-11-06LG ELECTRONICS INC
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
US18/861644
Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-07-20
Filing Date
2023-04-25
Publication Date
2025-11-06

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing vacuum cleaners suffer from reduced cleaning performance due to air flowing separately above and below the agitator, with the upper flow causing resistance and degrading cleaning efficiency.

Method used

The cleaner incorporates an agitator with a rotating agitator bar featuring bristles and blades that extend outward, where the blades are designed to deform and contact the housing when rotating, blocking the upper air flow and enhancing dust collection efficiency.

Benefits of technology

The design improves cleaning performance by effectively sweeping dust and ensuring it is suctioned into the cleaner, reducing resistance and enhancing overall cleaning effectiveness.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure US20250339004A1-D00000_ABST
    Figure US20250339004A1-D00000_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cleaner having a cleaning module including an agitator and relates to a cleaner, which includes the agitator according to the present disclosure including an agitator bar configured to rotate about a rotational axis, a plurality of bristles disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the agitator bar and extending outward in a radial direction, and a blade disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the agitator bar and disposed in a circumferential direction of the agitator from the bristle, and the blade includes an extension part extending outward from the agitator bar in the radial direction of the agitator, and a blocking part extending from one side of the extension part toward the bristle, and thus the blocking part is deformed outward in the radial direction of the agitator due to a centrifugal force or a suction force generated by a suction motor to fill a gap between the agitator and an inner surface of the housing and remove an upper flow, thereby improving the performance of the cleaner.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

TECHNICAL FIELDTechnical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaner, and more specifically, to a cleaner that can be easily manipulated.Background Art

[0002] In general, a cleaner is a home appliance for suctioning small trash or dust in a manner of suctioning air using electricity and filling the same in a dust bin inside a product and is commonly called a vacuum cleaner.

[0003] The cleaner may be classified into a manual vacuum cleaner for allowing a user to directly perform cleaning while moving the cleaner, and an automatic vacuum cleaner for performing cleaning while traveling by itself. Depending on the type of the vacuum cleaner, the manual vacuum cleaner may be classified into a canister-type vacuum cleaner, an upright vacuum cleaner, a hand vacuum cleaner, a stick-type vacuum cleaner, etc.

[0004] In the past, the canister-type vacuum cleaner was widely used as the household vacuum cleaner, but recently, the hand vacuum cleaner and the stick-type vacuum cleaner, which provide improved convenience of use by providing a dust bin and a cleaner body, are increasingly being used.

[0005] The canister-type vacuum cleaner has a main body and a suction port connected by a rubber hose or a pipe and in some cases, may be used by inserting a brush into the suction port.

[0006] The hand vacuum cleaner is designed to maximize portability and has lightweight and a short length, and thus can have a limited cleaning area. Therefore, the hand vacuum cleaner is used to clean localized sites, such as on a desk, a sofa, or a vehicle interior. A user may use the hand vacuum cleaner while standing to enable cleaning without bending down. Therefore, it is advantageous for cleaning a wide area while moving.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 8,806,710 is presented as the related art document. The related art document relates to a cleaner head.

[0008] The related art document includes an agitator including a sole plate including a suction opening, and an agitator including a first agitating member for sweeping dust from a carpet and a second agitating member for sweeping dust from a hard surface. The second agitating member extends outward from the agitator behind the first agitating member and has a lower surface resistivity than the first agitating member. Various support members are rotatably mounted on the sole plate to support the cleaner head on a cleaning surface. The first agitating member does not protrude downward from a plane extending between lower ends of the support members. The second agitating member protrudes downward from the plane extending between the lower ends of the support members.

[0009] In the case of the related art document, the first agitating member is disposed to be spaced apart from an inner surface of a housing to form a gap, and the second agitating member reaches the inner surface of the housing. When an end portion of the second agitating member is worn or deformed into a spiral shape due to rotational inertia, a gap may be formed between the end portion of the second agitating member and the inner surface of the housing. In this case, a suction air flows separately below and above the agitator, and the air flowing above the agitator serves as resistance and becomes a factor that degrades cleaning performance.DISCLOSURE[Related Art Documents][Patent Documents]

[0010] (Patent Document 1) U.S. Pat. No. 8,806,710Technical Problem

[0011] The present disclosure is directed to solving the problems of the related art. Specifically, the related art document has a problem that air flows separately above (upper flow) and below (lower flow) an agitator, and the upper flow among them degrades cleaning performance, and the present disclosure is directed to providing a cleaner for removing an upper flow to improve cleaning performance.

[0012] The present disclosure is also directed to providing a cleaner capable of effectively sweeping dust by sweeping dust adsorbed on a cleaning area at least one time.

[0013] The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described objects, and other objects that are not described will be able to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.Technical Solution

[0014] To achieve the objects, a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cleaning module including an agitator configured to suction external air and sweep a cleaning area, and a main body configured to provide a suction force to the cleaning module. The agitator includes an agitator bar configured to rotate about a rotational axis, a plurality of bristles disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the agitator bar and extending outward in a radial direction, and a blade disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the agitator bar and disposed in a circumferential direction of the agitator from the bristle. The blade includes an extension part extending outward from the agitator bar in the radial direction of the agitator, and a blocking part extending from one side of the extension part toward the bristle.

[0015] The blade may be spaced apart from a housing of the cleaning module when the agitator does not rotate, and may be in close contact with the housing of the cleaning module when the agitator rotates.

[0016] The bristle and the blade may be alternately disposed in the circumferential direction of the agitator.

[0017] The blocking part may extend in the circumferential direction of the agitator.

[0018] The blocking part may extend in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of the agitator.

[0019] The blade may be connected by curving a connection part between the extension part and the blocking part. Alternatively, the blade may be connected by bending a connection part between the extension part and the blocking part.

[0020] The blocking part may extend from an end portion of the extension part. Alternatively, the blocking part may extend from an inside more than an end portion of the extension part.

[0021] To achieve the objects, a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cleaning module including an agitator configured to suction external air and sweep a cleaning area, and a main body configured to provide a suction force to the cleaning module. The agitator includes an agitator bar configured to rotate about a rotational axis, a plurality of bristles disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the agitator bar and disposed in a circumferential direction of the agitator, and a blocking member disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the agitator and isolating one bristle from the other bristle.

[0022] The blocking member may have a hollow formed therein.

[0023] The blocking member may include a first extension part extending outward from the agitator bar in the radial direction of the agitator, a second extension part extending outward from the agitator bar in the radial direction of the agitator and extending from a location spaced apart from the first extension part, and a blocking part configured to connect the first extension part with the second extension part and extending in the circumferential direction of the agitator.

[0024] Detailed matters of other embodiments are included in a detailed description and accompanying drawings.Advantageous Effects

[0025] According to the cleaner of the present disclosure, there are one or more following effects.

[0026] First, according to the first embodiment, since the blocking part is deformed outward in the radial direction of the agitator due to a centrifugal force or a suction force generated by a suction motor, the blade may be more firmly in close contact with the inner surface of the housing to fill the gap between the agitator and the inner surface of the housing and remove the upper flow, thereby improving the performance of the cleaner.

[0027] Second, since the block part of the deformed blade may sweep the dust adsorbed on the cleaning area, the dust separated from the cleaning area can be more easily suctioned into the suction part.

[0028] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, and other effects that are not described will be able to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning module of a cleaner according to the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a front view of the cleaning module according to the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a right view of the cleaning module according to the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cleaning module according to the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of portion A in FIG. 4.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an agitator according to a first embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a right view of the agitator according to the first embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a state diagram schematically showing a state of the agitator while cleaning in FIG. 7.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a right view of an agitator according to a second embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a right view of an agitator according to a third embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an agitator according to a fourth embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 12 is a right view of the agitator according to the fourth embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 13 is a state diagram schematically showing a state of the agitator while cleaning in FIG. 12.MODE FOR INVENTION

[0042] Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods for achieving them will become clear with reference to embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms, the embodiments are merely provided to make the disclosure of the present disclosure complete and fully inform those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains of the scope of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is only defined by the scope of the appended claims. The same reference number denotes the same components throughout the specification.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning module of a cleaner according to the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a front view of the cleaning module according to the present disclosure, FIG. 3 is a right view of the cleaning module according to the present disclosure, FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cleaning module according to the present disclosure, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of portion A in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an agitator according to a first embodiment, FIG. 7 is a right view of the agitator according to the first embodiment, FIG. 8 is a state diagram schematically showing a state of the agitator while cleaning in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a right view of an agitator according to a second embodiment, FIG. 10 is a right view of an agitator according to a third embodiment, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an agitator according to a fourth embodiment, FIG. 12 is a right view of the agitator according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a state diagram schematically showing a state of the agitator while cleaning in FIG. 12.

[0044] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to describe a cleaner according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning module 100 according to the present disclosure.

[0046] The cleaner includes a main body (not shown), the cleaning module 100, and an extension pipe (not shown).

[0047] The main body (not shown) includes key components for operating the cleaner.

[0048] The main body provides a suction force to the cleaning module 100.

[0049] The main body includes a suction part (not shown) through which air containing dust may be suctioned. The suction part is connected to the cleaning module 100 or an extension pipe to form a flow path.

[0050] The main body includes a suction motor (not shown). The suction motor is a component for driving an air flow so that air containing dust may be introduced into the suction part.

[0051] The main body includes a handle (not shown). The handle is a component for allowing a user to hold the handle and move the cleaner.

[0052] The main body includes a manipulation part (not shown). The manipulation part is a component for allowing the user to input commands to the cleaner 100.

[0053] The main body includes a dust bin (not shown). The dust bin is a component for storing dust separated from the air.

[0054] The main body includes a battery (not shown). The battery is a component for supplying power to the main body or the cleaning module 100.

[0055] The cleaning module 100 is a component for suctioning external air. The cleaning module 100 may be indirectly coupled to the main body through an extension pipe or directly coupled to the main body.

[0056] A detailed configuration of the cleaning module 100 will be described below.

[0057] The extension pipe (not shown) is a component for connecting the cleaning module 100 with the main body. A front end of the extension pipe is coupled to the cleaning module 100 and connected to the cleaning module 100. A rear end of the extension pipe is connected to the suction part of the main body.

[0058] A direction is defined with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, a downward direction is a forward direction of the cleaning module 100. In FIG. 3, an upward direction is a rearward direction of the cleaning module 100. In FIG. 3, a left direction is an upward direction of the cleaning module 100. In FIG. 3, a right direction is a downward direction of the cleaning module 100. In FIG. 4, a left direction is a left direction of the cleaning module 100. In FIG. 4, a right direction is a right direction of the cleaning module 100.

[0059] A configuration of the cleaning module 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0060] The cleaning module 100 includes a housing 110. The housing 110 is a component for forming the appearance of the cleaning module 100.

[0061] The housing 110 forms the appearance of the cleaning module 100 and forms a space in which other components may be disposed therein.

[0062] The housing 110 is coupled to the main body and includes an opening for allowing an external space to communicate with an internal space in one side surface thereof.

[0063] The housing 110 is coupled to the main body (not shown). Referring to FIG. 1, a rear end of the housing 110 is directly coupled to the main body or indirectly coupled to the main body through the extension pipe.

[0064] The housing 110 includes the opening for allowing the external space to communicate with the internal space in the one side surface thereof. Referring to FIG. 1, the opening is formed in a left surface of the housing 110. Unlike shown in FIG. 1, the opening may be formed in a right surface of the housing 110.

[0065] The cleaning module 100 includes a suction port 111. The suction port 111 is a hole for suctioning dust together with air.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 4, the suction port 111 is formed on a lower surface of the housing 110. The suction port 111 may be formed behind agitators 120 and 130.

[0067] The suction port 111 communicates with the extension pipe (not shown), and dust flows into the main body (not shown).

[0068] Referring to FIG. 1, the cleaning module 100 includes the agitators 120 and 130. The agitators 120 and 130 are components for separating dust from the floor by scrubbing the dust adsorbed on the floor. The agitator sweeps and cleans a cleaning area.

[0069] The agitators 120 and 130 are inserted into the opening of the housing 110 and rotatably coupled to the housing 110.

[0070] The agitators 120 and 130 are formed in a cylindrical shape about a rotational axis. The rotational axes of the agitators 120 and 130 are disposed in a left-right direction.

[0071] The agitators 120 and 130 are disposed in front of the suction port 111. The agitators 120 and 130 sweep the dust adsorbed on the floor in front of the suction port 111. The dust adsorbed on the floor may be separated from the floor by the agitators 120 and 130 and more easily suctioned into the suction port 111.

[0072] The agitators 120 and 130 are rotatably coupled to the housing 110. Referring to FIG. 5, the agitators 120 and 130 rotate counterclockwise.

[0073] The cleaning module 100 may further include a motor (not shown) for rotating the agitators 120 and 130.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 4, a plurality of agitators 120 and 130 may be disposed in the cleaning module 100. Specifically, the agitators 120 and 130 may be classified into the front agitator 120 disposed relatively ahead and the rear agitator 130 disposed relatively behind. Hereinafter, unless otherwise limited, the agitator is defined as indicating only the front agitator 120.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 10, according to first to third embodiments, the agitator 120 may be composed of an agitator bar 121, a bristle 122, and a blade 123.

[0076] The agitator 120 includes the agitator bar 121. The agitator bar 121 is a component for forming the appearance of the agitator 120 and supporting the bristle 122 or the blade 123.

[0077] The agitator bar 121 forms a space therein and extends along the rotational axis.

[0078] The agitator bar 121 is formed in a cylindrical shape. Referring to FIG. 6, the agitator bar 121 may be formed in a cylindrical shape in which the rotational axis is disposed in the left-right direction and left and right side surfaces are open.

[0079] The agitator bar 121 may be made of a hard material. For example, the agitator bar 121 may be made of a resin material.

[0080] The bristle 122 is a component for scrubbing and cleaning the cleaning area or separating the adsorbed dust from the floor.

[0081] The bristle 122 is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the agitator bar 121, and a plurality of bristles extend outward in the radial direction.

[0082] The bristle 122 is a collection of a plurality of brushes.

[0083] The bristle 122 may be disposed from a left end to right end of the agitator bar 121 in an axial direction of the agitator 120.

[0084] The bristle 122 is disposed on a portion of the agitator bar 121 in a circumferential direction of the agitator 120. The plurality of bristles 122 are disposed to be spaced a regular distance from each other in the circumferential direction of the agitator 120.

[0085] The blade 123 is a component for scrubbing and cleaning the cleaning area or separating the adsorbed dust from the floor.

[0086] The blade 123 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the agitator bar 121 and disposed in the circumferential direction of the agitator 120 from the bristle 122.

[0087] The blade 123 is a protrusion extending in the axial direction. Specifically, the blade 123 protrudes from the agitator bar 121 outward in the radial direction of the agitator 120 and extends in the axial direction of the agitator 120.

[0088] The blade 123 may be made of a flexible material. For example, the blade 123 may be made of a rubber or resin material.

[0089] The blade 123 may be composed of an extension part 1231, a blocking part 1232, and a connection part 1233.

[0090] The extension part 1231 extends from the agitator bar 121 outward in the radial direction of the agitator 120.

[0091] The blocking part 1232 extends from one side of the extension part 1231 toward the bristle 122.

[0092] The connection part 1233 connects the extension part 1231 with the blocking part 1232.

[0093] The blade 123 is spaced apart from the housing 110 of the cleaning module when the agitator 120 does not rotate and is in close contact with the housing 110 of the cleaning module when the agitator 120 rotates.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 7, when the agitator 120 does not rotate, the blade 123 is spaced apart from the housing 110 of the cleaning module. Referring to FIG. 8, when the agitator 120 rotates, the blade 123 is in close contact with the housing 110 of the cleaning module.

[0095] When the agitator 120 rotates, the blade 123 is deformed by a centrifugal force, and the blocking part 1232 extends outward in the radial direction of the agitator 120. Therefore, the blocking part 1232 may be in close contact with the housing 110 of the cleaning module to block the upper flow between the agitator 120 and the housing 110 of the cleaning module. In addition, since the blocking part 1232 is in close contact with the cleaning area, dust present in the cleaning area may be more effectively swept.

[0096] Meanwhile, a suction force generated by the suction motor may act on the blade 123 near the suction port. Specifically, when the agitator 120 shown in FIG. 8 is divided into upper and lower parts, the suction force is applied to the blade 123 disposed at the lower part. Therefore, the blade 123 disposed at the lower part is deformed more because the suction force and the centrifugal force are simultaneously applied thereto.

[0097] For example, when an angle formed by the extension part 1231 and the blocking part 1232 of the blade 123 disposed at the upper part is α, an angle formed by the extension part 1231 and the blocking part 1232 of the blade 123 disposed at the lower part is β. In this case, α<β.

[0098] Since the suction force and the centrifugal force are simultaneously applied at the lower part and thus the blade 123 is much more deformed, the blocking part 1232 may be more strongly in close contact with the cleaning area, thereby more effectively sweeping the dust present in the cleaning area.

[0099] The bristle 122 and the blade 123 are alternately disposed in the circumferential direction of the agitator 120. Referring to FIG. 7, the bristle 122 and the blade 123 are alternately disposed one by one in the circumferential direction of the agitator 120.

[0100] The blocking part 1232 extends in the circumferential direction of the agitator 120. Referring to FIG. 7, the blocking part 1232 and an end portion of the bristle 122 may be disposed along a virtual circle. The virtual circle is not in contact with the cleaning area. However, referring to FIG. 8, as the blade 123 is deformed when the agitator 120 rotates, the blocking part 1232 protrudes outward from the virtual circle and is in contact with the housing 110 of the cleaning module or the cleaning area.

[0101] The blocking part 1232 extends in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of the agitator 120. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the agitator 120 rotates counterclockwise, and the blocking part 1232 extends clockwise from the extension part 1231. The blocking part 1232 may extend in the same direction as the rotational direction of the agitator 120 or extend in an opposite direction. However, when the blocking part 1232 extends in the same direction as the rotational direction of the agitator 120, there is a risk that the blade 123 is bent when the blocking part 1232 is in contact with the housing 110 of the cleaning module or the cleaning area. Therefore, the blade 123 may be damaged, and scratches may be applied to the housing 110 of the cleaning module or the cleaning area. Therefore, it is preferable that the blocking part 1232 extends in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the agitator 120.

[0102] According to the first embodiment, the blade 123 may be connected by bending the connection part 1233 between the extension part 1231 and the blocking part 1232. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the extension part 1231 is formed to be curved with a predetermined radius of curvature.

[0103] Unlike the blade 123 according to the second embodiment to be described below, the blade 123 according to the first embodiment does not have stress concentrated on an inner end of the connection part 1233, and thus there is an advantage in that the lifetime of the connection part 1233 is relatively long.

[0104] However, since the blade 123 according to the first embodiment may be more deformed than the blade 123 according to the second embodiment, there is a disadvantage in that the blocking part 1232 may be easily worn by friction between the blocking part 1232 and the housing 110 of the cleaning module or the cleaning area.

[0105] According to the second embodiment, the blade 123 may be connected by bending the connection part 1233 between the extension part 1231 and the blocking part 1232. Referring to FIG. 9, since the extension part 1231 has a bending point, the extension part 1231 and the blocking part 1232 are connected by being bent.

[0106] Since the blade 123 according to the second embodiment may be less deformed than the blade 123 according to the first embodiment, the blocking part 1232 does not protrude to the outside more than necessary, and thus there is an advantage in that the block part 1232 is less worn.

[0107] However, according to the second embodiment, since stress may be concentrated at the inner end of the connection part 1233, which is the bending point, there is a risk that the connection part 1233 may be damaged when the blade 123 is greatly deformed.

[0108] According to the first embodiment, the blocking part 1232 may extend from an end portion of the extension part 1231. Referring to FIG. 7, the blocking part 1232 extends from the end portion of the extension part 1231 toward the bristle 122.

[0109] According to the third embodiment, the blocking part 1232 may extend from the inside more than the end portion of the extension part 1231. Referring to FIG. 10, the blocking part 1232 extends from the inside toward the bristle 122 more than the end portion of the extension part 1231. In this case, before the agitator 120 operates, the blade 123 is formed in a r-shape, and when the agitator 120 operates, the blade 123 is deformed into a Y-shape.

[0110] Hereinafter, an agitator according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

[0111] Unlike the agitators 120 according to the first to third embodiments, the agitator 120 according to the fourth embodiment includes a blocking member 124 rather than the blade 123.

[0112] The agitator 120 according to the fourth embodiment may use the descriptions of the agitators 120 according to the first to third embodiments to the extent that the description does not conflict.

[0113] Hereinafter, the agitator 120 according to the fourth embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first to third embodiments.

[0114] The blocking member 124 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the agitator bar 121 and isolates one bristle 122 from the other bristle 122.

[0115] The blocking member 124 forms a hollow 1244 therein. Referring to FIG. 12, the hollow 1244 is formed inside the blocking member 124. The hollow 1244 extends in the axial direction of the agitator 120. Since the hollow 1244 is disposed inside the blocking member 124, the blocking member 124 may be deformed to be recessed inward in the radial direction of the agitator 120 or deformed to protrude outward in the radial direction of the agitator 120.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 12, the blocking member 124 may be composed of a first extension part 1241, a second extension part 1242, and a blocking part 1243.

[0117] The first extension part 1241 extends outward from the agitator bar 121 in the radial direction of the agitator 120.

[0118] The second extension part 1242 extends outward from the agitator bar 121 in the radial direction of the agitator 120.

[0119] The blocking part 1243 connects the first extension part 1241 with the second extension part 1242 and extends in the circumferential direction of the agitator 120.

[0120] The blocking part 1243 is spaced apart from the housing 110 of the cleaning module when the agitator 120 does not rotate and is deformed convexly in the radial direction of the agitator when the agitator 120 rotates to be in close contact with the housing 110 of the cleaning module.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 12, when the agitator 120 does not rotate, the blocking member 124 is spaced apart from the housing 110 of the cleaning module. Referring to FIG. 13, when the agitator 120 rotates, the blocking member 124 is in close contact with the housing 110 of the cleaning module.

[0122] When the agitator 120 rotates, the blocking member 124 is deformed by a centrifugal force, and the blocking part 1243 is deformed convexly outward in the radial direction of the agitator 120. Therefore, the blocking part 1243 may be in close contact with the housing 110 of the cleaning module to block the upper flow between the agitator 120 and the housing 110 of the cleaning module. In addition, since the blocking part 1243 is in close contact with the cleaning area, dust present in the cleaning area may be more effectively swept.

[0123] Meanwhile, a suction force generated by the suction motor may act on the blocking member 124 near the suction port. Specifically, when the agitator 120 shown in FIG. 13 is divided into upper and lower parts, the suction force is applied to the blocking member 124 disposed at the lower part. Therefore, the blocking member 124 disposed at the lower part is deformed more convexly because the suction force and the centrifugal force are simultaneously applied thereto.

[0124] For example, when the radius of curvature of the blocking part 1243 of the blocking member 124 disposed at the upper part is R1, the radius of curvature of the blocking part 1243 of the blocking member 124 disposed at the lower part is R2. In this case, R1>R2.

[0125] Since the suction force and the centrifugal force are simultaneously applied at the lower part and thus the blocking member 124 is much more deformed, the blocking part 1243 may be more strongly in close contact with the cleaning area, thereby more effectively sweeping the dust present in the cleaning area.

[0126] An operation of the cleaner according to the present disclosure configured as above will be described as follows.

[0127] Referring to FIG. 7, when the agitator 120 does not rotate, the blade 123 is spaced apart from the housing 110 of the cleaning module. Referring to FIG. 8, when the agitator 120 rotates, the blade 123 is in close contact with the housing 110 of the cleaning module.

[0128] When the agitator 120 rotates, the blade 123 is deformed by a centrifugal force and the blocking part 1232 may be in close contact with the housing 110 of the cleaning module to block the upper flow between the agitator 120 and the housing 110 of the cleaning module. In addition, since the blocking part 1232 is in close contact with the cleaning area, dust present in the cleaning area may be more effectively swept.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 12, when the agitator 120 does not rotate, the blocking member 124 is spaced apart from the housing 110 of the cleaning module. Referring to FIG. 13, when the agitator 120 rotates, the blocking member 124 is in close contact with the housing 110 of the cleaning module.

[0130] When the agitator 120 rotates, the blocking member 124 is deformed by a centrifugal force, and the blocking part 1243 is deformed convexly outward in the radial direction of the agitator 120. Therefore, the blocking part 1243 may be in close contact with the housing 110 of the cleaning module to block the upper flow between the agitator 120 and the housing 110 of the cleaning module. In addition, since the blocking part 1243 is in close contact with the cleaning area, dust present in the cleaning area may be more effectively swept.

[0131] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described specific embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present disclosure can be modified in various ways by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure claimed by the appended claims, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present disclosure.DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS100: cleaning module110: housing111: suction port120: front agitator121: agitator bar122: bristle123: blade1231: extension part1232: blocking part1233: connection part124: blocking member1241: first extension part1242: second extension part1243: blocking part1244: hollow130: rear agitator

Claims

1. A cleaner comprising: a cleaning module including an agitator configured to suction external air and sweep a cleaning area; and a main body configured to provide a suction force to the cleaning module,wherein the agitator includes:an agitator bar configured to rotate about a rotational axis;a plurality of bristles disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the agitator bar and extending outward in a radial direction; anda blade disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the agitator bar and disposed in a circumferential direction of the agitator from the bristle, andthe blade includes:an extension part extending outward from the agitator bar in the radial direction of the agitator; anda blocking part extending from one side of the extension part toward the bristle.

2. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the blade is spaced apart from a housing of the cleaning module when the agitator does not rotate, andis in close contact with the housing of the cleaning module when the agitator rotates.

3. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the bristle and the blade are alternately disposed in the circumferential direction of the agitator.

4. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the blocking part extends in the circumferential direction of the agitator.

5. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the blocking part extends in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of the agitator.

6. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the blade is connected by curving a connection part between the extension part and the blocking part.

7. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the blade is connected by bending a connection part between the extension part and the blocking part.

8. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the blocking part extends from an end portion of the extension part.

9. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the blocking part extends from an inside more than an end portion of the extension part.

10. A cleaner comprising: a cleaning module including an agitator configured to suction external air and sweep a cleaning area; and a main body configured to provide a suction force to the cleaning module,wherein the agitator includes:an agitator bar configured to rotate about a rotational axis;a plurality of bristles disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the agitator bar and disposed in a circumferential direction of the agitator; anda blocking member disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the agitator and isolating one bristle from the other bristle.

11. The cleaner of claim 10, wherein the blocking member has a hollow formed therein.

12. The cleaner of claim 10, wherein the blocking member includes:a first extension part extending outward from the agitator bar in the radial direction of the agitator;a second extension part extending outward from the agitator bar in the radial direction of the agitator and extending from a location spaced apart from the first extension part; anda blocking part configured to connect the first extension part with the second extension part and extending in the circumferential direction of the agitator.

13. The cleaner of claim 12, wherein the blocking part is spaced apart from a housing of the cleaning module when the agitator does not rotate, andwhen the agitator rotates, is deformed convexly in the radial direction of the agitator to be in close contact with a housing of the cleaning module.