Vacuum cleaning apparatuses

Abstract

A vacuum cleaning apparatus configured to mitigate nuisance associated with exhaust air discharge is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an air-moving arrangement, a filter arrangement, a working head, and an airflow arrangement. The working head comprises an inlet port which is a suction port configured for suction collection of dust and / or particulate debris from a target surface, and an outlet port which is an exhaust port configured for discharge of exhaust air towards the target surface and / or the suction port, the exhaust air being dedusted air discharged by the air-moving arrangement.

Description

[0001] VACUUM CLEANING APPARATUSES

[0002]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vacuum cleaning assemblies, apparatuses, accessories, and components.

[0003] Background

[0004]

[0002] Vacuum cleaning apparatuses, also known as (aka) suction cleaning apparatuses or vacuum cleaner, are configured for removal of waste, especially solid waste having a small size such as dust as well as liquid or slurry waste, and are available in many forms, for example, tower form, stick-form, robotic form, and hand-held form which is a portable form. In this specification, waste, dust and dirt are used interchangeably and are considered equivalent.

[0005]

[0003] A typical vacuum cleaning apparatus typically comprises a machine portion including a suction power source, a filter chamber which is a filter arrangement comprising an inlet, an outlet, a filter housing and a filter assembly, and a working head which is suction head. The filter assembly is typically configured to partition the filter housing into a first portion which is a pre-filter portion that is also known as a dust collection chamber, and a second portion which is a post-filter portion. The dust collection chamber, or “dust chamber” in short, is also commonly referred to as a dirt-collection chamber or similar.

[0006]

[0004] The suction power source of the machine portion comprises an air-moving arrangement which is typically connected to the outlet of the filter chamber so that the interior of the filter housing becomes a low-pressure region when the suction power source operates. The suction head has an inlet which is configured to approach a target surface to be suction cleaned and an outlet which is connected to the inlet of the filter chamber.

[0007]

[0005] When the filter housing becomes a low-pressure region due to operation of the suction power source, a dirt- or dust-carrying airstream collected from the target surface will flow into the filter chamber, and the dirt- or dust-carrying airstream will flow out of the filter chamber as an exhaust airstream after passing through the filter assembly and then be discharged into the surrounding environment, typically from the machine portion. The exhaust airstream is a byproduct of vacuum suction which is typically discharged at an elevated speed from the apparatus and is easily felt by people in the vicinity of the vacuum cleaner.

[0008]

[0006] However, the exhaust air coming out of a vacuum cleaner is often perceived as unclean by the general public and is commonly regarded as a nuisance to the environment,especially when the exhaust airstream is warm due to heating of the airstream by the suction power source, as the suction power source will become warm during operations. Summary and Di losure

[0009]

[0007] A vacuum cleaner of the present disclosure may comprise an air exchange assembly and a head assembly.

[0010]

[0008] The air exchange assembly and the head assembly may be permanently or detachably connected.

[0011]

[0009] The air exchange assembly may be configured to receive and process dust-laden air and to release dedusted air after dedusting of the dust-laden air.

[0012]

[0010] The air exchange assembly may be a dedusting assembly, an airflow assembly, and a main housing on which the dedusting assembly and the airflow assembly are mounted.

[0013]

[0011] The dedusting assembly may be a filter arrangement including a filter assembly, a filter assembly housing (filter housing) that contains the filter assembly, and a suction power generator.

[0014]

[0012] The filter assembly may comprise one or more types of filter elements, for example, particulate filter elements such as HEPA filters, cyclonic filters, or their combination.

[0015]

[0013] The dedusting assembly comprises an inflow port which may be an air inlet (inlet) configured for dust-laden air (dusted air) to enter the dedusting assembly and an outflow port which may be an air outlet (outlet) configured for dedusted air to leave the dedusting assembly.

[0016]

[0014] The filter assembly may partition the filter housing into a plurality of regions including a first region and a second region.

[0017]

[0015] The dusted air will be dedusted while in the first region and the dedusted air will pass through the filter assembly and move on to the second region.

[0018]

[0016] As dust is removed from the dusted air while inside this first region, this first region is also referred to as a dedusting region.

[0019]

[0017] As the air inside the second region already has its dust removed, this second region is referred to as a dedusted region.

[0020]

[0018] The air inlet of the dedusting assembly is configured to provide an entry port for dusted air to enter the first region of the filter housing, and the air outlet of the dedusting assembly is configured to provide an exit port for dedusted air to leave the second region of the filter housing.

[0019] The filter housing may have a first end, a second end and a peripheral wall interconnecting these two ends.

[0021]

[0020] The first end may be a front / distal end, the second end may be a rear / base end, and the peripheral wall may be a non-permeable wall interconnecting these two opposite ends.

[0022]

[0021] One of the ends may be a closed end, and the other end may be an open end defining an exit aperture. For example, the rear / base end may be an open end which is an exit end defining an air outlet for dedusted air to leave the filter housing.

[0023]

[0022] Likewise, the filter assembly may have a first end, a second end and a peripheral wall interconnecting these two ends.

[0024]

[0023] The first end may be a front / distal end, the second end may be a rear / base end, and the peripheral wall may be a particulate filter wall interconnecting these two opposite ends.

[0025]

[0024] The rear / base end of the filter assembly may be an open end that is an exit end defining an air outlet of the dedusting assembly for dedusted air to leave the filter assembly.

[0026]

[0025] The open ends of the filter assembly and the filter housing may cooperate to define an outflow port, which is an air outlet for dedusted air to leave the dedusting assembly.

[0027]

[0026] An inlet aperture may be formed on the peripheral wall of the filter housing, for example, near its open end, to form an inflow port, which is an air inlet for dusted air to enter the filter housing, or more specifically the first region of the filter housing.

[0028]

[0027] The main housing may have a filter receptacle and the filter assembly may be mounted on the filter receptacle with its exit end retained by the filter receptacle.

[0029]

[0028] The first ends of the filter assembly and the filter housing may be corresponding ends which are adjacent or proximal and spaced apart.

[0030]

[0029] The second ends of the filter assembly and the filter housing may be corresponding ends which may be conterminous and separated by the filter receptacle.

[0031]

[0030] The filter housing may be configured as a dust container, for example, with its first end cooperating with its peripheral wall to form a dust container surrounding the filter assembly and covering the air outlet of the dedusting assembly and / or the filter receptacle. The peripheral wall of the dust container may also be the outer peripheral wall of the dedusting assembly.

[0032]

[0031] The dust container and the filter assembly may cooperate to define a dust chamber, which is a dust retention chamber.

[0033]

[0032] As the space inside the dust chamber is coextensive with the dedusting region of the dedusting assembly, the dust chamber is also referred to as a dedusting chamber.

[0033] The suction power generator is typically configured to generate air flow across its axial ends. As a result of this axial air flow, a pressure difference is generated across its axial ends.

[0034]

[0034] The suction power generator may be disposed such that its air inlet end is disposed proximal the air outlet of the filter assembly and its air outlet end is distal from the air outlet. Consequently, a low or negative pressure region will be generated in the vicinity of the upstream end of the suction power generator and a high or positive pressure region is generated in the vicinity of its downstream end on operation of the suction power generator.

[0035]

[0035] As a result of this pressure difference, air inside the first region will be moved to the second region, and the air inside the second region will be moved out of the dedusting assembly and moved on to the airflow assembly.

[0036]

[0036] When the suction power generator is in operation, the entire dust container will become a negative upstream pressure region, and air inside this region will be moved to a positive pressure downstream region,

[0037]

[0037] The suction power generator may be an air-moving device such as a suction motor.

[0038]

[0038] The motor may an AC motor, a DC motor, a brushed motor, a brushless motor, or any types of motor suitable for generating suction power or negative pressure.

[0039]

[0039] The dedusting assembly may be mounted on a base portion of the main housing and protruding from the base portion.

[0040]

[0040] The air inlet of the dedusting assembly, which is an inflow port, may be located on the peripheral wall of the dust container, for example near the base / rear end adjacent to the main housing. The air outlet (outflow port) of the dedusting assembly may situate at the base / rear end of the dust container, formed through the cooperation of the dust container and the filter assembly base.

[0041]

[0041] The airflow assembly is configured for relaying dust-laden air from the head assembly to the dedusting assembly and for relaying de-dusted air from the dedusting assembly to the head assembly.

[0042]

[0042] More specifically, the airflow assembly comprises an inflow channel which defines an inflow path for relaying dust-laden air from the head assembly to the dedusting assembly, and an outflow channel which defines an outflow path for relaying de-dusted air from the dedusting assembly to the head assembly.

[0043]

[0043] The inflow and outflow channels may be adjacent or nested, with either one enclosing the other.

[0044] The airflow assembly may have an inner channel and an outer channel surrounding the inner channel. The inner channel may partition the outer channel to form inflow and outflow paths.

[0044]

[0045] The outer channel and the inner channel may respectively be the outflow channel and the inflow channel, or vice versa.

[0045]

[0046] The airflow assembly may comprise a first end which is a forward end that is configured for making air-tight fluid coupling with the head assembly and a second end which is a rear end that terminates on the main housing. This forward end may be configured as a coupling head for making airtight engagement with a corresponding coupling head of the head assembly.

[0046]

[0047] The forward end of the airflow assembly may comprise air outlet that is an outflow port and an air inlet that is an inflow port. The inflow and outflow ports may be adjacent or nested, with either one enclosing the other.

[0047]

[0048] The rear end of the airflow assembly may be formed as an inflow port for dedusted air coming from the dedusting assembly to enter the airflow assembly.

[0048]

[0049] This rear end may terminate on a base portion of the main housing. The main housing may comprise an air channel to interconnect the dedusting assembly and the airflow assembly, and more specifically to connect the outflow port of the dedusting assembly and the inflow port of the airflow assembly.

[0049]

[0050] This air channel, being a dedusted air channel, may extend transversely inside the base portion and between the airflow assembly and the dedusting assembly.

[0050]

[0051] The airflow assembly may have a dusted air outlet which is an outflow port for delivering dust-laden air to the dedusting assembly.

[0051]

[0052] This outflow port of the airflow assembly may extend sideways or transversely from the inflow channel to connect with the inflow port of the dedusting assembly.

[0052]

[0053] The sideway extension of this outflow port may cross the outflow channel, but without air mixing.

[0053]

[0054] The airflow assembly may be adjacent and outside the dedusting assembly.

[0054]

[0055] The airflow assembly may extend alongside the dedusting assembly, for example, along the outer surface of the outer periphery of the dedusting assembly, or more specifically, alongside the outer surface of the peripheral wall of the filter housing.

[0055]

[0056] The airflow assembly may be mounted on the base portion of the main housing and protruding from the base portion.

[0057] The forward end of the airflow assembly may protrude forward of the dedusting assembly to facilitate convenient coupling with the head assembly.

[0056]

[0058] The dedusting assembly may be configured as a portable unit.

[0057]

[0059] The portable unit may comprise a handle portion including a handgrip portion.

[0058]

[0060] The handle portion may be configured to facilitate ergonomical use of the air exchange assembly at an angle to the surface to be cleaned. For example, the handle portion may comprise a head grip portion which is at an acute angle to the centre axis of the air exchange assembly. The centre axis of the air exchange assembly may be the centre axis of the filter assembly, the dedusting assembly, or the air flow assembly without loss of generality.

[0059]

[0061] The angle may be between 40 and 60 degrees.

[0060]

[0062] The handle portion and the dedusting assembly may be on opposite sides of the base portion of the main housing.

[0061]

[0063] The main housing may be made of hard plastics, for example, thermoplastics.

[0062]

[0064] A vacuum cleaner is formed by when the air exchange assembly and a head assembly are connected.

[0063]

[0065] The head assembly comprises an airflow section and a head section comprising a working head.

[0064]

[0066] The airflow section and a head section may be movably joined so that inclination of the airflow section with respect to the working head can be varied.

[0065]

[0067] The airflow section comprises an airflow assembly including an inflow channel and an outflow channel similar to those of the air exchange assembly and described above.

[0066]

[0068] The airflow section comprises has an interfacing end including an inflow port which is an air inlet for receiving dedusted air from the dedusting assembly and an outflow port which is an air outlet for passing collected dusted air to the dedusting assembly.

[0067]

[0069] The working head comprises an air outlet which is an outflow port from which dedusted air coming from the air exchange assembly is discharged, and an air inlet which is an inflow port through which dust-laden air is collected from the surface to be cleaned which is a working surface.

[0068]

[0070] The airflow section interconnects the working head with the dedusting assembly by connecting with the corresponding flow channels of the airflow assembly.

[0071] The vacuum cleaner is configured such that a closed-loop air path is generated during its operation. The closed path comprises a first part which is inside the vacuum cleaner and a second part which is outside the vacuum cleaner.

[0069]

[0072] This second part is an air path formed by cooperation between the working head and the surface to be cleaned when dedusted air is discharged from the working head.

[0070]

[0073] The discharge of the dedusted air from the working head towards the surface to be cleaned will generate an upward or uplifting thrust by forming an air cushion between the working head and the working surface, and this air cushion reduces friction between the working head and the surface to be cleaned.

[0071]

[0074] The reduction in frictional force means the working head can operate smoothly without wheels.

[0072]

[0075] A working head without wheels also means the agitation by the dedusted air will be more effective, as the air outlet(s) is / are closer to the working surface.

[0073]

[0076] The working head is configured to discharge dedusted air at an angle to the surface to be cleaned, so that the discharged dedusted air on encountering the surface will move towards the air inlet of the working head and be recollected at the air inlet.

[0074]

[0077] This discharge of dedusted air at an angle to the working surface also provides supplementary driving force to assist movement of the working head along the working surface.

[0075]

[0078] As the efforts required by a user to move the vacuum cleaner on the working surface is partly taken up by the working head due to contribution by the air cushion, the variable inclination between the airflow section and the working head makes selection of a comfortable balance between uplifting by the air cushion and supplementary driving force possible.

[0076]

[0079] An apparatus of the present disclosure comprises a filter arrangement, an air-moving arrangement, a working head, and an airflow arrangement.

[0077]

[0080] The filter arrangement comprises an inlet which is a dusted air inlet, an outlet which is a dedusted air outlet, a filter housing and a filter assembly. The filter assembly is configured for blocking passage of solid waste and partitions the filter housing into a first region which is a pre-filter region that is in communication with the inlet and a second region which is a post-filter portion that is in communication with the outlet. The prefilter region is a waste collection region and waste which is blocked by the filter assembly will remain in this region. The post-filter region is a de-wasted region and de-wasted air inside the de-wasted region is to be removed from the filter housing to generate a low-pressioncondition inside the post-filter region of the filter housing so that dusted air can continue to move into the filter assembly for de-wasting.

[0078]

[0081] The air-moving arrangement is a primary source of mechanical power of the apparatus which is configured to drive air to move through the filter assembly and around the apparatus so that designated tasks of the apparatus, including suction cleaning, can be performed.

[0079]

[0082] A working head of the present disclosure is for waste collection, and more particularly for waste collection from a target surface such as floor.

[0080]

[0083] The working head comprises an inlet which is an inlet port (aka waste inlet port) configured for waste collection, a first outlet which is an outlet port (aka waste outlet port) for collected waste to exit or leave the working head for further treatment by the filter arrangement, and a second outlet which is an air outlet port or more specifically a dedusted air outlet port configured for release of dedusted air coming in from the filter arrangement.

[0081]

[0084] The waste to be collected is typically solid waste such as dust and / or other particulate debris, although the working head may be configured to collect non-solid waste such as liquid or slurry waste without loss of generality. The dedusted air outlet may be configured to release dedusted air as an airstream having a definite discharge angle or an air jet, and the dedusted air outlet is a blower outlet or a blower port when dedusted air is so released.

[0082]

[0085] The airflow arrangement is configured to provide air-passageways so that wastecarrying air (aka dust-laden air or dusted air) can move from the working head to the filter assembly for de-wasting (aka dedusting), and de-wasted air (aka dedusted air) can then move from the filter arrangement to the working head for discharge.

[0083]

[0086] The air-moving arrangement is configured to provide suction power so that dewasted air can be removed from the filter housing by suction. As a result of removal of dewasted air from the post-filter region of the filter housing, the post-filter region becomes a partial vacuum having an air pressure which is substantially lower than the ambient atmospheric pressure. By continuously removing de-wasted air form the filter housing whereby a partial vacuum condition is created inside the filter housing, waste-carrying air will continue to flow into the filter assembly and treated, that is de-wasted, by the filter assembly. The skilled persons will appreciate that while a filter assembly is configured for de-wasting, not all the waste can be removed and some residual waste may leak through the filter assembly and remain in the de-wasted air.

[0084]

[0087] To move the de-wasted air from the filter arrangement to the working head for discharge at the working head, so that de-wasted air is not released in the vicinity of theair-moving arrangement, the air-moving arrangement is configured to provide air-moving power to drive the de-wasted air to move towards the working head for discharge.

[0085]

[0088] This air moving power will appear as blowing power and the air-moving arrangement would have a high-pressure region in order to produce the blowing power.

[0086]

[0089] The air-moving arrangement may comprise an air-moving device which is configured to produce a low-pressure region inside the filter housing region and a high-pressure region to facilitate moving of de-wasted air to the working head.

[0087]

[0090] The air-moving device may comprise a motor which is configured to perform dual functions of being both a suction pump or a vacuum pump and a blowing pump.

[0088]

[0091] The suction pump or the vacuum pump as a suction power source is configured to create a low-pressure condition in the filter arrangement, notably inside the filter housing, and the low-pressure condition inside the filter arrangement will lead to a low-pressure condition, and therefore suction power, at the suction inlet of the working head due to an airtight fluid interconnection between the filter arrangement and the suction inlet of the working head.

[0089]

[0092] The blowing pump as an air compressor is configured to produce a high-pressure condition at its outlet so that air at the outlet will move towards the working head due to pressure difference, since the outlet port of the working head is typically at atmospheric pressure.

[0090]

[0093] The air-moving arrangement has an inlet which is an air inlet that is in air-tight fluid communication with the filter arrangement and an outlet which is an air outlet through which the filtered airstream is to exit.

[0091]

[0094] The air-moving arrangement is partitioned into a low-pressure region and a high-pressure region, with the inlet in air-tight fluid communication with the low-pressure region and the outlet in air-tight fluid communication with the high-pressure region.

[0092]

[0095] To facilitate meaningful or effective suction cleaning, the low-pressure region of the air-moving arrangement may be configured to generate a partial vacuum condition inside the filter housing and the partial vacuum condition may have a pressure of around 70-80% or below of the ambient atmospheric pressure.

[0093]

[0096] To facilitate meaningful or effective blowing at the working head, the high-pressure region of the air-moving arrangement may be configured to generate a high-pressure region having a pressure of 30-40% higher than the atmospheric pressure.

[0097] However, it should be appreciated that high-pressure and low-pressure may be adjusted or selected according to specific application requirements without loss of generality.

[0094]

[0098] Due to suction operation of the air-moving arrangement, waste on the target surface will be sucked into the working head and then moved to the filter assembly for de-wasting, and de-wasted air will then be moved to the working head for discharge by air-pushing operation of the air-moving arrangement.

[0095]

[0099] The apparatus is configured such that the exhaust air which leaves the filter arrangement as a result of suction and blowing operations of the air-moving arrangement is not discharged or dispersed into the surrounding environment, but is collected and delivered to the working head, for example, for discharge by the working head and / or for use or reuse by the apparatus.

[0096]

[0100] For example, the working head may be configured to discharge the exhaust air towards a target surface to be vacuum cleaned, for example, to be discharged at a direction which will push loose particles towards the suction inlet of the working head, and / or downwards to provide air-cushioning to the working head.

[0097]

[0101] For example, the exhaust air may be discharged by the working head and then collected and / or recollected by the working head, for example, for re-use and / or recirculation by the apparatus, thereby mitigating the commonly perceived environmental nuisance.

[0098]

[0102] To facilitate re-use and / or recirculation of the exhaust air, the exhaust air which is removed from the filter arrangement by the air-moving arrangement is collected and delivered to the working head, and to re-enter the apparatus at the suction inlet of the working head.

[0099]

[0103] To facilitate delivery of exhaust air to the working head, the blowing outlet of the airmoving arrangement and the working head are interconnected by an air delivery arrangement or more specifically a blowing air delivery arrangement. The air delivery arrangement may include an air duct which interconnects the blowing outlet and the working head.

[0100]

[0104] The collection of exhaust air from the air moving arrangement for delivery to the working head, plus the subsequent re-entry of the exhausted air into the apparatus at the working head means the apparatus has a closed loop air flow system which operates with a closed-loop air flow path, thereby mitigating the unwanted side product of having uncontrolled or strayed air discharge in the vicinity of the apparatus.

[0105] A head assembly of a vacuum-cleaning apparatus comprising a working head for performing vacuum cleaning on a target surface is disclosed.

[0101]

[0106] The working head comprises a first port which is a suction port configured as a wastecarrying air inlet; a second port which is an exhaust port comprising an exhaust outlet and / or a blower outlet that is configured for release or discharge of dedusted air as exhaust air; an optional third port which is configured as a waste-carrying air outlet and a suction power inlet; and a fourth port which is a dedusted air inlet configured for receiving the dedusted air.

[0102]

[0107] The working head may have a working surface that is configured to face or to be in abutment with the target surface when performing vacuum cleaning, and wherein the first port and the second port are disposed on the working surface.

[0103]

[0108] The working head may be configured so that the dedusted air exiting from the second port is directed towards the first port.

[0104]

[0109] The working head may be configured so that the dedusted air exiting from the second port is directed towards the first port after encountering the target surface and becoming waste-carrying air.

[0105]

[0110] The working head may be configured such that the dedusted air which is released or discharged by the working head is to be taken in again by the working head for reuse by and / or recirculation by the apparatus.

[0106]

[0111] The working head may be configured as a blower port which is to discharge a dedusted airstream towards the target surface and the suction port is configured to collect the dedusted airstream after encountering the target surface and becoming waste-carrying air.

[0107]

[0112] The blower outlet may be configured to discharge an airstream at an acute angle to the target surface and in a direction towards the waste-carrying air inlet.

[0108]

[0113] The acute angle may be between 10 degrees and 75 degrees, including 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 degrees or a range or ranges selected from a combination of any of the aforesaid values.

[0109]

[0114] The blower outlet may be configured to discharge an airstream having an angular width, the angular width being between 20 and 60 degrees, including 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 degrees or a range or ranges selected from a combination of any of the aforesaid values.

[0115] The blower outlet may be configured to discharge an airstream towards the target surface whereby friction between the working head and the target surface is reduced, thereby producing an air-cushioning effect.

[0110]

[0116] The working head may be configured to receive dedusted air and suction power from a machine portion of a vacuum cleaning apparatus, the machine portion comprising an airmoving arrangement and a filter arrangement.

[0111]

[0117] The third port may be configured to receive the suction power and the fourth port is configured to receive the dedusted air from the machine portion.

[0112]

[0118] The first port and the third port are in air-tight fluid communication by a first aircoupling section, and wherein the second port and the fourth port are in air-tight fluid communication by a second air-coupling section.

[0113]

[0119] The working head may comprise a coupling head for making air-tight coupling with the machine portion, and wherein the coupling head includes the first port and the second port.

[0114]

[0120] The coupling head may comprise a conversion portion which converts the first port and the second port from a side-by-side configuration into a surrounding configuration such that the first port surrounds the second port or vice versa.

[0115]

[0121] The working head may comprise a main housing defining a compartment and a working surface in which the first port and the second port are disposed, wherein the coupling head is movably connected to the main housing.

[0116]

[0122] The first port and the third port are in air-tight fluid communication by a first aircoupling section, wherein the second port and the fourth port are in air-tight fluid communication by a second air-coupling section.

[0117]

[0123] At least a portion of the first air-coupling section may be a flexible hose portion surrounded by another flexible hose portion that is part of the second air-coupling section.

[0118]

[0124] The first air-coupling section may include a first flexible hose portion extending between the first port and the main housing, wherein the second air-coupling section includes a second flexible hose portion extending between the second port and the main housing, and wherein the first flexible hose portion surrounds the second flexible hose portion, or the second flexible hose portion surrounds the first flexible hose portion.

[0119]

[0125] The coupling head may be pivotally movable relative to the working head.

[0120]

[0126] The first port may be configured for suction collection of dust and / or particulate debris from a target surface, and wherein the second port is an exhaust port configured fordischarge of exhaust air towards the target surface and / or the suction port, the exhaust air being dedusted air discharged by the apparatus.

[0121]

[0127] The working head may comprise a plurality of blower ports and the suction port is intermediate two blower ports.

[0122]

[0128] The suction port and the two blower ports may be elongate and parallel.

[0123]

[0129] A machine portion of a vacuum cleaning apparatus, comprising an air-moving arrangement, a filter arrangement and an air-passaging arrangement, wherein the airpassaging arrangement may comprise a first air passageway which may be configured for delivery of suction power to and for inflow of waste-carrying air from a working head to facilitate vacuum cleaning by the working head, and a second passageway which may be configured for delivery of exhaust air which may be dedusted air as well as blowing power to the working head for discharge thereby.

[0124]

[0130] The air-moving arrangement may comprise an air inlet which may be a suction inlet and an air outlet which may be a blower outlet;

[0125]

[0131] The filter arrangement may comprise an air inlet which may be a filter inlet or a dust inlet, an air outlet which may be a filter outlet, and at least a filter assembly interconnecting the filter inlet and the filter outlet;

[0126]

[0132] The first air-passageway begins from the filter inlet, the second air-passageway begins from the air outlet of the air-moving arrangement, and the first air-passageway and the second air-passageway meet.

[0127]

[0133] The first air-passageway and the second air-passageway extend alongside each other after meeting,

[0128]

[0134] The first air-passageway may be surrounded by the second air-passageway after meeting, or

[0129]

[0135] The second air-passageway may be surrounded by the first air-passageway after meeting.

[0130]

[0136] The filter arrangement may comprise a filter housing and the filter inlet may be formed on the filter housing.

[0131]

[0137] The machine portion may comprise a main housing defining a filter receptacle 12A, a motor receptacle 12B, a handle portion 12C, a battery receptacle 12D, and an air passage section which is a portion of the air-passaging arrangement.

[0132]

[0138] The first air-passageway and the second air-passageway may extend alongside each other after meeting,

[0139] The first air-passageway may be surrounded by the second air-passageway after meeting, or

[0133]

[0140] The second air-passageway may be surrounded by the first air-passageway after meeting.

[0134] Figures

[0135]

[0141] The present disclosure including examples is described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which,

[0136]

[0142] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example vacuum cleaning apparatus 1 of the present disclosure,

[0137]

[0143] Figure 1B is a perspective view of a variant 1A of the example vacuum cleaning apparatus of Figure 1,

[0138]

[0144] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the machine portion of the vacuum cleaning apparatus,

[0139]

[0145] Figures 2B and 2C together shows the machine portion in detached form, of which Figure 2B is a perspective view of the filter assembly and Figure 2B is a perspective view of the machine portion without the filter assembly,

[0140]

[0146] Figure 3A is an exploded view showing major parts and components of the machine portion,

[0141]

[0147] Figure 3B is an exploded view of the airflow assembly,

[0142]

[0148] Figure 4A is a perspective view showing a longitudinal cross-section of the machine portion,

[0143]

[0149] Figure 4B is a schematic airflow diagram indicating flow of air when the machine portion is operating in vacuum cleaning mode,

[0144]

[0150] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a longitudinal cross-section of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1, plus a schematic airflow diagram indicating flow of air when the apparatus is operating in vacuum cleaning mode,

[0145]

[0151] Figure 6A is a perspective view of an example head assembly,

[0146]

[0152] Figures 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F are respectively, top plan, bottom, rear, side and bottom perspective views of the head assembly, and

[0147]

[0153] Figure 7A is a longitudinal cross-section of the head assembly indicating example air flow paths,

[0148]

[0154] Figure 7B is a partially exposed perspective view the head assembly, and

[0155] Figure 7C is an airflow diagram substantially based on Figure 7B.

[0149]

[0150]

[0156] Example apparatuses of the present disclosure comprise a filter arrangement, an airmoving arrangement, an airflow arrangement, and a working head.

[0151]

[0157] The filter arrangement comprises a filter housing, a filter assembly which partitions the filter housing into a first region which is a prefilter region also known as a wastecollection chamber and a second region which is a post filter region also known as a dewasted chamber, a first port which is an inlet or an inlet port or dust inlet port configured for waste-carrying air to enter the prefilter region of the filter housing, for example, to enter as a waste-carrying airstream, and a second port which is an outlet or an outlet port configured for de-wasted air to leave the post-filter region of the filter housing, for example, to exit as a de-wasted airstream.

[0152]

[0158] The air-moving arrangement may comprise an air-moving device, an air-moving device receptacle, an inlet side comprising an air inlet, aka an inlet port or an air inlet port, and an outlet side comprising an air outlet or an outlet port. The air-moving device and the air-moving device receptacle may cooperate to divide the air-moving arrangement into a low-pressure region which is in air-tight fluid communication with the air inlet of the airmoving arrangement and a high-pressure region which is in air tight fluid communication with the air outlet of the air-moving arrangement.

[0153]

[0159] The filter arrangement and the air-moving arrangement are arranged such that the air inlet of the air-moving arrangement and the air outlet of the air-filer arrangement are in air-tight coupling.

[0154]

[0160] An example air-moving device may be formed by a motor and a centrifugal fan having angled blades, and the centrifugal fan may in cooperation with the motor receptacle divide the air-moving arrangement into a low-pressure region and a high-pressure region when operating to perform vacuum suction cleaning at the working head.

[0155]

[0161] In example embodiments, the air-moving device is configured so that air is drawn into the device from one side of the centrifugal fan, say first side, which is proximate to the filter outlet, and moved out from another side, say second side, which is distal to the filter outlet when the apparatus is in a vacuum cleaning operation mode, thereby generating a low-pressure region in the first side and a high-pressure region in the second side. When in this vacuum cleaning operation mode, which is the normal operation mode of the vacuum cleaning apparatus, the centrifugal fan divides the air-moving device into a low-pressure region comprising the first side and a high-pressure region comprising the second side.

[0156]

[0162] To facilitate removal of de-wasted air from the filter housing, the air inlet of the airmoving arrangement is configured to be in air-tight fluid communication with the post filter region of the filter housing, for example, by air-tight fluid coupling between the post filter region of the filter housing and the air inlet of the air-moving arrangement.

[0157]

[0163] As the air inlet of the air-moving arrangement and the outlet of the air-filer arrangement are in air-tight coupling, dedusted air will be drawn out of the filter assembly, and moved out of the air-moving arrangement to exit from the air outlet of the air-moving arrangement.

[0158]

[0164] The air inlet port of the filter arrangement and the dust inlet port of the working head are in airtight coupling via the airflow arrangement.

[0159]

[0165] When the air-moving arrangement is in vacuum cleaning operation mode, suction power generated by the air-moving arrangement will be transferred to the dust inlet port of the working head and waste suction can be performed, for example, on a target surface by the working head.

[0160]

[0166] The suction power generated will result in a partial vacuum inside the filter housing, and waste-carrying air will be drawn into the prefilter region of the filter housing via the inlet port of the filter assembly, will be drawn past the filter assembly, and then exit into the post-filter region as dedusted air. When waste-carrying air is being drawn into the postfilter region after passing through filter assembly, solid waste exceeding predetermined size will be blocked and residual waste will be trapped or retained in the pre-filter region, which is a waste collection chamber.

[0161]

[0167] The dedusted air in the post-filter region will then be moved across the air-moving device and enter the outlet side of the air-moving arrangement, which is a high-pressure region. The apparatus is configured such that the dedusted air is not discharged or released from the vicinity of the air-moving arrangement, but is further delivered to the working head for discharge.

[0162]

[0168] To facilitate delivery of dedusted air to the working head, the working head and the outlet port of the air-moving arrangement are in air-tight coupling, for example, by means of the airflow arrangement so that operation of the air-moving arrangement will drive the dedusted air to move from the output side or output port of the air-moving arrangement to the second outlet port, aka dedusted air outlet, of the working head and discharged thereat.

[0169] So that suction power can be delivered to the working head to facilitate waste collection thereby, the dust inlet port of the working head and the inlet port of the airmoving arrangement are in air-tight coupling, albeit via the filter assembly. In another perspective, the dust inlet port of the working head and the inlet port of the filter arrangement are in air-tight coupling. The air-tight coupling is also my means of the airflow arrangement.

[0163]

[0170] To facilitate delivery of waste-carrying air to the filter assembly and delivery of dedusted air to the working head without mixing or fluid interference, the airflow arrangement comprises a first section which may be a first air-passageway for delivery of waste-carrying air and a second section which may be a second air-passageway for delivery of dedusted air.

[0164]

[0171] To facilitate delivery of waste-carrying air to the filter assembly and reception of dedusted air for onward delivery without mixing or fluid interference to the second outlet, that is dedusted air outlet of the working head for discharge, the working head comprises a coupling port. The coupling port may have a first section which is in airtight coupling with the waste inlet and a second section which is in airtight coupling with the dedusted air outlet.

[0165]

[0172] The filter assembly is configured for removing, inter alia, dust or other solid particles from a dusted airstream which is an incoming airstream that is dirt- or dust-carrying when the airstream is moved through the filter assembly, and the dusted airstream will become a dedusted air stream on passing through the filter assembly.

[0166]

[0173] Many forms of filter assemblies are known, for example, pleaded filters, water filters, cyclonic filters. A filter assembly may comprise one or a plurality of filter elements, and a filter element may be a coarse filter, a fine filter, or an intermediate filter.

[0167]

[0174] The filter housing typically includes a filter receptable, an air inlet which is a filter inlet and an air outlet which is a filter outlet. The filter assembly is seated on the filter receptable and has a filtering portion which is well inside the filter housing and configured to perform filtering, for example, solid particle filtering.

[0168]

[0175] The filter inlet is configured to facilitate entry of a dirt- or dust-carrying airstream into the filter housing, and the filter outlet is configured to facilitate exit of the air stream after passing through the filtering portion of the filter assembly.

[0169]

[0176] The filter outlet is typically connected to a suction source so that the interior of the filter housing becomes a low-pressure region when the suction source is in operation. A low-pressure region herein means a region having a pressure which is substantially lowerthan the ambient atmospheric pressure of the surrounding, and a low-pressure region herein is also referred to as a region of partial vacuum.

[0170]

[0177] The air-moving arrangement comprises an air inlet which is a suction inlet, an air outlet which is an exhaust outlet, and a powered air-moving device interconnecting the suction inlet and the exhaust outlet in an airtight manner. As the air-moving arrangement is also a blowing source of the apparatus, the exhaust outlet is also a blowing outlet the blowing source.

[0171]

[0178] The powered air-moving device may be a single device configured as a dual-function device to perform both as a suction source and a blower, although separate devices may be provided to perform suction and blowing.

[0172]

[0179] The powered air-moving device may be a motor, such as an AC motor, a DC motor, a brushed motor, a brushless motor, or other types of motor known from time to time.

[0173]

[0180] The air-moving arrangement comprises an air inlet which is a suction inlet and an air outlet which is a blowing outlet. The suction inlet of the air-moving arrangement is connected to the filter outlet, and the blowing outlet is connected to a blower outlet of the working head, for example, via a blower duct.

[0174]

[0181] The working head includes an inlet which is a suction inlet and an outlet which is a blower outlet.

[0175]

[0182] The suction inlet is configured to collect loose solid particles from a target surface and is connected to the filter inlet of the filter arrangement, for example, in an airtight manner. The blower outlet is configured to blow an airstream towards the target surface and is connected to the blowing outlet of the air-moving arrangement, for example, in an airtight manner.

[0176]

[0183] The blower outlet is further configured so that an airstream after encountering the target surface will be collected by the suction inlet of the working head, thereby forming a closed-loop airflow path.

[0177]

[0184] The suction inlet and the blower outlet may be configured so that an airstream leaving the blower outlet is directed toward the suction inlet or is directed toward the suction inlet after encountering a target surface.

[0178]

[0185] The airflow arrangement comprises a first section which is a suction section and a second section which is a blowing section that is isolated from the first section. The first section is configured to interconnect the filter inlet of the filter arrangement and the suction inlet of the working head in an airtight manner, and the second section is configured tointerconnect the air outlet of the air-moving arrangement and the blower outlet of the working head in an airtight manner.

[0179]

[0186] Each of the first section and the second section of the airflow arrangement is a guided section which is configured to define a guided path for air to flow from source to destination , for example along an enclosure. The source and destination of the first section are respectively the suction inlet of the working head and the filter inlet. The source and destination of the second section are respectively the air outlet of the air-moving arrangement and the blower outlet of the working head.

[0180]

[0187] The first section and the second section are configured to extend alongside each other on extending to reach the working head.

[0181]

[0188] The first section and the second section may be coaxially disposed on extending to reach the working head so that one section is within the other section.

[0182]

[0189] The apparatus may be organised into a first portion which is a machine portion or a backend portion, a second portion which is a frontend portion, and optionally a third portion which is an intermediate portion. The first portion may comprise a filter arrangement, an air-moving arrangement and an air-passage arrangement, the second portion may comprise the working head, and the third portion may comprise a detachable coupling portion for interconnection of the first portion and the second portion. The detachable coupling portion comprises an airflow section.

[0183]

[0190] An example apparatus 1 and its variant 1A of the present disclosure comprise a first portion which is an air exchange assembly 10, a second portion which is a head assembly 20 including a working head 160, and a third portion 30 including an airflow arrangement 180 interconnecting the first and second portions, as shown for example in Figures 1 and 2.

[0184]

[0191] Referring to Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B and 5, the air exchange assembly 10 is a machine portion comprising a dedusting assembly, an airflow assembly, and a main housing 12. The dedusting assembly comprises a filter arrangement 120 including a filter assembly, a filter housing and a suction power generator including an air-moving arrangement 140, The main housing 12 is for example a plastic housing configured as a hard clam shell. The main housing defines a structure which provides mechanical support to various functional parts and components of the machine portion, including the filter arrangement 120, the air-moving arrangement 140, and the airflow assembly 180.

[0185]

[0192] The example main housing includes a filter receptacle 12A, a motor receptacle 12B, a handle portion 12C, a battery receptacle 12D, an airflow assembly receptacle 12E andan airflow channel 12F. The filter receptacle 12A is configured for retaining the filter arrangement 120 on the main housing and the motor receptacle 12B is configured for retaining a motor 140A of the air-moving arrangement 140 on the main housing.

[0186]

[0193] The airflow assembly comprises a first portion which is a dusted-air portion for guiding dust-laden air to move towards the dedusting assembly and a second portion which is a dedusted portion for guiding dedusted air received from the dedusting assembly to move on to the head assembly.

[0187]

[0194] The dusted-air portion comprises a first end which is an inflow end (dusted-air inflow end) defining an inflow port (dusted-air inflow port) and a second end which is an outflow end (dusted-air outflow end) defining an outflow port (dusted-air outflow port).

[0188]

[0195] The dedusted-air portion comprises a first end which is an inflow end (dusted-air inflow end) defining an inflow port (dedusted-air inflow port) and a second end which is an outflow end (dedusted-air outflow end) defining an outflow port (dedusted-air outflow port).

[0189]

[0196] The airflow assembly may be elongate and extends between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end which are opposite ends.

[0190]

[0197] The dedusted-air inflow port may be formed on one end, the dusted-air inflow port and the dedusted-air outflow port may be formed on the other, opposite, end, and the dusted-air outflow port may be located intermediate the first and second longitudinal ends.

[0191]

[0198] The dusted-air outflow port may extend sideways / transversely to connect with the dedusting assembly. For example, the dusted-air outflow port may extend transversely to pass through the dedusted-air portion.

[0192]

[0199] The first portion and the second portion may extend alongside each other, and / or with one surrounding the other.

[0193]

[0200] The airflow assembly may be formed as an airflow assembly module for modular attachment to the main housing and / or to the dedusting assembly.

[0194]

[0201] The dedusted-air inflow end of the airflow assembly may be mounted on the main housing, for example, on an airflow-assembly receptacle on the main housing.

[0195]

[0202] The airflow assembly may comprise a first conduit which forms the first (dusted-air) portion and a second conduit which forms the second (dedusted-air) portion.

[0196]

[0203] The first conduit and the second conduit may extend alongside each other, or one may surround the other.

[0197]

[0204] The airflow assembly may be attached on a side of the dedusting assembly, for example to the outer periphery of the dedusting assembly or its filter housing.

[0205] The dusted-air outflow port of the airflow assembly may be connected to the dedusting assembly, or more specifically the dusted-air inlet of the dedusting assembly by an airflow coupler. This airflow coupler may be located inside the main housing, for example, as a modular component or integrally formed inside the main housing.

[0198]

[0206] Referring to Figure 3, the airflow assembly 180 extends between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, and comprises a first portion which is a dusted-air portion defining a dusted-air inflow channel (inflow channel) 180A and a second portion which is dedusted-air portion defining a dedusted-air outflow channel (outflow channel) 180B.

[0199]

[0207] The first longitudinal end 180AA is the dedusted-air inflow end of the airflow assembly 180 for receiving dedusted air from the dedusting assembly, and the second longitudinal end 180BB is both the dedusted-air outflow end and the dusted-air inflow end of the airflow assembly 180.

[0200]

[0208] The inflow channel 180A is for guiding dust-laden air to move from the dusted-air inflow end to the dusted-air outflow end of the airflow assembly 180. This dusted-air outflow end comprises a dusted air outlet 180BA, which is also referred to as a first interfacing port or a dusted air outflow port.

[0201]

[0209] The outflow channel 180B is for guiding dedusted air to move from the dedusted-air inflow end to the dedusted-air outflow end of the airflow assembly 180.

[0202]

[0210] The airflow assembly 180 is mounted on the main housing 12, with its dedusted-air inflow end mounted on the airflow assembly receptacle 12E, and with its inner side attached to the outer periphery of the filter housing 122.

[0203]

[0211] The airflow assembly receptacle 12E is formed on a lateral side of the filter receptacle 12A and is configured so that when the airflow assembly 180 is mounted on this receptacle 12A, the airflow assembly 180 extends forwardly and alongside the filter housing.

[0204]

[0212] The inflow channel 180A comprises an inner conduit which begins from the airflow assembly’s second end 180BB and branches out transversely towards a lateral side of the dedusting assembly at a location near the airflow assembly’s first end 180AA to connect with the dedusting chamber of the dedusting assembly.

[0205]

[0213] The outflow channel 180B comprises an outer conduit which extends from the airflow assembly’s second end to its first end and surrounds the inner conduit.

[0214] The second end 180BB is a coupling end which is configured for making airtight coupling with a compatible airflow section, for example, the airflow section of a head assembly.

[0206]

[0215] The airflow assembly 180 is formed as an airflow module which, when attached to the main housing 12 and the dedusting assembly, extends alongside the filter housing 122.

[0207]

[0216] The handle portion is configured for portable handling of the apparatus by a user and the battery receptacle 12D is configured for receiving a battery pack to supply operation power to the apparatus, and more particularly, to the air-moving arrangement 140. The handle portion 12C protrudes rearwards from a base portion 12C1 of the main housing. The base portion 12C1 is a hollow housing portion defining a receptacle cavity. The filter receptacle 12A and the airflow assembly receptacle 12E are mounted on this base portion 12C1, with a substantial portion of the receptacles 12A, 12E received inside the cavity. The filter receptacle 12A and the airflow assembly receptacle 12E may be formed as a single piece module. The filter receptacle 12A comprises a forward protrusion having a cylindrical base and a dome-shaped perforated head (cage portion) on its front end. This perforated head defines the air outlet of the filter assembly as well as the air outlet of the dedusting assembly. Dedusted air inside the filter housing is to leave the filter housing 122 as well as the dedusting assembly via this perforated head. The cylindrical base of this forward protrusion extends forwardly from the floor of the filter receptacle 12A and defines a cavity inside which the motor 140A is received. Therefore, the motor receptacle 12B is on the back side of the filter receptacle 12A. The airflow channel 12F is inside a base portion of the main housing and extends transversely to fluidly connect the air outlet 126B of the filter assembly with the dedusted air inlet 180AA of the airflow assembly 180 to form a closed dedusted air channel connecting the airflow assembly 180 and the dedusting assembly. The airflow channel 12F is formed as a module having a first protruding end which is an inlet end and a second protruding end. The first protruding end is firmly received inside the cylindrical base and forms airtight coupling with the dedusted air outlet of the dedusting assembly. The second protruding end is firmly received inside a rear end of the airflow assembly receptacle 12E and forms airtight coupling with the dedusted air inlet of the airflow assembly 180.

[0208]

[0217]

[0209]

[0218] The filter arrangement 120 comprises a filter housing 122, a filter assembly 124 which partitions the filter housing 122 into a first region which is a prefilter region 122A or dust chamber and a second region which is a post filter region 122B, a first port 126A which is an inlet port configured for dusted air to enter the prefilter region of the filterhousing as a dusted airstream, and a second port 126B which is an outlet port configured for dedusted air to leave the post-filter region 122B of the filter housing.

[0210]

[0219] The filter assembly 124 is configured as a cyclonic filter having an outer element 124A which is a coarse filter and an inner element 124B which is a fine filter. The outer element 124A comprises a perforated cylindrical outer body which is a particulate filter configured to block larger particles, and the fine filter has a cylindrical filter element which is particulate filter configured to block finer particles. The inner element 124B has an empty interior which forms a centre cylindrical aperture that defines a post-filter region. The cylindrical outer body is perforated and cooperates with the filter housing 122 to define a pre-filter portion 122A.

[0211]

[0220] The filter housing 122 has a peripheral wall 122C and an end wall 122D which cooperate to define a filter compartment. The peripheral wall is substantially cylindrical and cooperates with the end wall at its cylindrical end to define a substantially cylindrical filter compartment. The filter housing 122 is open-ended and the end that is distal from the end wall is an open end that is not closed. The open end may be referred to as top end and the closed end may be referred to as bottom wall. The filtering portions of the filter assembly, including the perforated outer housing and the filter elements are well inside the filter compartment.

[0212]

[0221] The peripheral wall 122C, the bottom end wall 122D, and the filter assembly cooperate to define a dust chamber of the filter arrangement. More specifically, the peripheral wall of the filter housing surrounds the filtering portion and cooperates with the filtering portion to define the dust chamber. The dust chamber, or at least the peripheral wall, is preferably transparent so that the dust level inside the dust chamber can be visible from outside of the apparatus.

[0213]

[0222] The air inlet port 126A is defined on a portion of the filter housing that is distal from the end wall of the filter housing 122, so that waste-carrying air can enter the pre-filter region prior to passing through the filtering portions of the filter elements. The inlet port 126A is coupled to the airflow arrangement 180, and more particularly to the dusted air outlet 180BA of the airflow arrangement 180 so that suction power can be delivered to the working head 160 via the airflow arrangement 180.

[0214]

[0223] The filter housing 122 is detachable from the motor receptacle 12B to facilitate cleaning, maintenance or replacement of the filter assembly, as is evident from Figures 2B and 2C. Likewise, the second airflow section 180B is detachable from the filter housing 122 and the motor receptacle 12B. When the airflow arrangement 180 is duly and firmly attached to the filter housing 122, the first interfacing port 180BA and the air inlet port126A of the filter arrangement 120 will be in air-tight coupling and the pre-filter region 122A of the filter arrangement 120 and the dusted-air inflow channel 180A of the airflow arrangement 180 will be in air-tight fluid communication.

[0215]

[0224] Referring to Figures 2A to 4B, the air-moving arrangement 140 comprises an airmoving device, an air-moving device receptacle, an air inlet and an air outlet.

[0216]

[0225] The air-moving arrangement 140 is formed by a motor 140A having a centrifugal fan, the air-moving device receptacle is configured as a motor receptacle 12B having a first portion 142A which is a backplate sealing portion and a second portion 142B which is configured as a cage portion defining an air inlet of the air-moving arrangement 140.

[0217]

[0226] The filter assembly 124 has a circumferential flange and the filter elements which protrude away from the circumferential flange. The filter assembly is configured for detachable mounting on the filter housing, with the filter elements being well inside the filter housing but not touching its bottom end when so mounted. With the cooperation of the circumferential flange and the filter elements with the top end of the filter housing, the top end of the centre aperture of the filter assembly becomes a dusted air outlet of the filter arrangement.

[0218]

[0227] When the motor receptacle 12B and the filter housing 122 are mechanically coupled together, the cage portion is inside the filter housing and is aligned with the central aperture of the filter assembly to define an air inlet of the air-moving arrangement. The coupling between the motor receptacle 12B and the filter housing 122 are air-tight coupling so that the only path that air can move out of the open end of the filter housing via the central aperture of the filter assembly and via the cage portion of the motor receptacle 12B.

[0219]

[0228] When the air-moving arrangement is in operation, operation of the motor will generate a low-pressure region inside the filter housing and a high-pressure region outside the motor. As a result, dusted air will be drawn into the prefilter region of the filter housing from inlet 126A, and dedusted air moved out though the air outlet of the air-moving arrangement, as shown in Figures 4A, 4B and 5.

[0220]

[0229] Referring to Figures 4A, 4B and 5, when the air-moving arrangement 140 is working in the vacuum cleaning mode, suction power will appear at the inlet port 126A of the filter arrangement 120. As a result of air-tight coupling between the inlet port 126A of the filter arrangement 120 and the first interfacing port 180BA of the airflow arrangement 180, waste-carrying air will enter the filter arrangement via the inlet port 126A after travelling through the dusted-air inflow channel 180A of the airflow arrangement 180. After the dusted air has entered the filter arrangement 120, the dusted air will pass through the filter elements and exit from the air outlet of the air-moving arrangement as de-dusted air. Thededusted air will then be released and moved into the airflow arrangement 180, via the airflow channel 12F.

[0221]

[0230] To facilitate moving of waste-carrying air from the airflow arrangement 180 into the filter arrangement 120, the airflow arrangement 180 comprises an airflow section 180A that defines a suction section that is in air-tight communication or interconnection with the inlet 126A of the filter arrangement 120.

[0222]

[0231] To facilitate moving of exhaust air into the airflow arrangement 180, the airflow arrangement 180 comprises an airflow section 180B which defines an exhaust section that is in air-tight communication or interconnection with the air outlet of the air-moving arrangement 140.

[0223]

[0232] When the machine portion 10 and the working head 160 of the head assembly 20 are in working configuration, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, waste-carrying air will be sucked into working head via its inlet port and transferred, that is, pulled, into to the filter arrangement 120 due to the low-pressure condition inside the filter housing and exit as dewasted air. The de-wasted air will then be transferred, that is, pushed back, to the working head and exit at the outlet port of the working head due to the high-pressure generated by the air-moving arrangement.

[0224]

[0233] The suction section is part of a suction path which begins at the filter inlet and ends at the working head, and more specifically at the inlet port of the working head. The exhaust section is part of an exhaust path which begins at the air outlet of the air-moving arrangement and ends at the working head, and more specifically at the exhaust port of the working head.

[0225]

[0234] The suction section or the suction path as a whole is configured to meet the exhaust path on extending away from the filter inlet. Likewise, the exhaust section or the exhaust path as a whole is configured to meet the suction section or the suction path on extending away from the air-moving arrangement.

[0226]

[0235] The suction section (or the suction path as a whole) and the exhaust section (or the exhaust path as a whole) are to extend alongside each other on extending towards the working head, as shown in the Figures.

[0227]

[0236] In example embodiments, the suction section or the suction path may be inside the exhaust section or the exhaust path, or alternatively, the exhaust section or the exhaust path may be inside the suction section or the suction path.

[0237] Referring to Figure 6A, the head assembly 20 comprises a first portion which is a head portion 160A including a working head 160 and a second portion which is an arm portion 160B including an airflow section 180’ and a coupling head 166.

[0228]

[0238] The coupling head 166 comprises a first coupling port which is a dusted air outflow port 166A and a second coupling port which is a dedusted air inflow port 166B.

[0229]

[0239] The airflow section 180’ includes a first channel which is an outflow channel 180A’ that defines a dusted air outflow path for relaying dust-laden air coming in from the working head to the outflow port 166A, and a second channel which is an inflow channel 180B’ that defines an air inflow path for relaying dedusted air coming in from the dedusted air inflow port 166B to the working head 160.

[0230]

[0240] The working head 160 has a working surface on which there are disposed a first air inlet 161 which is a waste inlet (dusted air inflow port), a first air outlet 162 which is a dedusted air outlet (dedusted air outflow port) or a blower outlet, and a second air outlet 163 which is also a dedusted air outlet.

[0231]

[0241] The outflow channel 180A’ interconnects the first air inlet 161 and the outflow port 166A.

[0232]

[0242] The inflow channel 180B’ interconnects the air outlets 162,163 and the air inflow port 166B.

[0233]

[0243] Each of the air inlet 161 and air outlets 162,163 on the working surface is elongate and extends transversely to the designed movement direction (forward and backward) of the working head.

[0234]

[0244] An air outlet on the working surface may be configured as an air blowing nozzle so that the outlets is tapered.

[0235]

[0245] The air blowing nozzle may be configured to discharge an air stream towards a surface to be cleaned (target surface) and then to move towards the air inlet after encountering with the target surface.

[0236]

[0246] The working head 160 is configured to cooperate with an air exchange apparatus having a dual-air-channel coupling head such as the air exchange apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0237]

[0247] To cooperate with an air exchange apparatus, the head assembly 20 is to couple to the air exchange apparatus by connecting the coupling head 166 with the dual-air-channel coupling head of the air exchange apparatus.

[0248] The coupling head 166 is configured as an interfacing head for making air-tight coupling to the machine portion (air exchange apparatus) of a vacuum cleaning apparatus having a dual-air-channel coupling head.

[0238]

[0249] When the machine portion and the head assembly 20 are in coupled engagement, the outflow channel 180A’ of the head assembly 20 is in airtight fluid communication with the inflow channel of the machine portion, for example, with the inflow channel 180A of the air exchange assembly 10, and the inflow channel 180B’ of the head assembly 20 is in airtight fluid communication with the outflow channel of the machine portion, for example, with the outflow channel 180A of the air exchange assembly 10.

[0239]

[0250] In operation of a vacuum cleaner thus formed, suction power generated by the machine portion will appear at the inlet nozzle 161 and dust-laden air collected by the inlet nozzle 161 will be moved along the dusted air channels 180A, 180A’ to the dedusting assembly of the machine portion. At the same time, blowing power generated by the machine portion will move along the dedusted air channels 180B, 180B’ and appear at the outlet nozzles 162, 163 and this blowing power will agitate the target surface as well as moving loosen debris towards and collected by the inlet nozzle 161. At the same time, this blowing power also generates an uplifting effect by creating an air cushion between the targe surface and the working surface, thereby reducing friction between the head assembly and the target surface and makes vacuum cleaning a less tedious task.

[0240]

[0251] So that a user can select an agronomical and balanced operation orientation, the first portion and the second portion of the head assembly 20 are relatively movable to change their relative inclination.

[0241]

[0252] To facilitate adjustment of relative inclinations, the first portion 160A and second portion 160B are connected by a hinge joint so that they are relatively movable about the hinge joint so that their relative inclinations can be selected by relative rotation between the first and second portions.

[0242]

[0253] The facilitate unhampered fluid communication between the first and second portions of the head assembly 20, the two portions are fluidly connected by a flexible airflow section which provides a flexible fluid connection to facilitate flexible fluid transition between the first and second portions.

[0243]

[0254] A through passageway may be formed on or around the hinge joint so that the flexible airflow section can pass through the passageway unobstructed or unhampered by the relative hinged movements between the first 160A and second 160B portions.

[0255] For example, the corresponding airflow sections of the head portion 160A and the arm portion 160B at or near the pivotal joint may be connected a flexible airflow section.

[0244]

[0256] Referring to Figure 7C, the corresponding airflow sections are joined by a flexible airflow section on transition from the arm portion to the head portion.

[0245]

[0257] The flexible airflow section comprises an inner flexible tube 188 and an outer flexible tube 186 that surrounds the inner flexible tube 188, and the flexible airflow section is bent as the arm portion and the head portion are in relative rotation about the pivot joint.

[0246]

[0258] As shown in Figure 7C, the inner flexible tube 188 interconnects the outflow channel 180A’ of the arm portion and the outflow channel 180A” of the head portion, while the outer flexible tube 186 interconnects the inflow channel 180B’ of the arm portion and the inflow channels 180B” on the head portion.

[0247]

[0259] Referring to Figures 6A to 6F, the coupling head 166 comprises a first coupling port 166A and a second coupling port 166B. The first coupling port 166A is configured for coupling with the machine portion to receive suction power from the machine portion whereby collected waste is output to the machine portion for processing. The second coupling port 166B is for coupling with the machine portion to receive dedusted air from the machine portion. More specifically, the first coupling port 166A is configured for making air-tight coupling with the dusted-air inflow channel 180A of the airflow arrangement 180 while the second coupling port 166B is configured for making air-tight coupling with the dedusted-air outflow channel 180B of the airflow arrangement 180. To facilitate the aforesaid air-tight coupling, the first coupling port 166A and the second coupling port 166B of the coupling head 166 are mechanically compatible and complementary to mechanical layout of the dusted-air inflow channel 180A and the dedusted-air outflow channel 180B of the airflow arrangement 180 at the second longitudinal end 180BB or its extended equivalent.

[0248]

[0260] The first coupling port 166A and the waste inlet 161 are interconnected by a first airpassageway so that suction power received by the first coupling head is communicated and transferred to the waste inlet 161 and delivered out of the working head via the first coupling port 166A.

[0249]

[0261] The second coupling port 166B and the dedusted air outlet 162 are interconnected by a second air-passageway so that exhaust air received by the coupling head 166 is communicated and transferred to the blower outlet 162.

[0250]

[0262] The suction inlet is disposed on a working surface of the working head and is typically configured as an elongate inlet defining an elongate aperture for waste to enter the firstair-passageway and then proceed to the filter arrangement of the machine portion for waste filtering.

[0251]

[0263] The working surface of the working head is configured for working on a target surface and is to face and optionally in abutment with the working surface during working for maximal suction efficiency.

[0252]

[0264] The dedusted air outlet is configured to release exhaust air towards the target surface. Releasing exhaust air to the target surface will produce a positive side effect of reducing friction between the working head and the target surface, as the working head is somehow afloat by the released dedusted air.

[0253]

[0265] Another positive side effect of such a configuration is the released exhaust air work to loosen up debris from the target surface, for example, when the target surface is a carpeted surface or alike.

[0254]

[0266] The dedusted air outlet may be configured to release exhaust air as an airstream or an air jet. An airstream or an air jet has a definite direction and an elevated speed and is more powerful than diffused air.

[0255]

[0267] In order to facilitate release of exhaust air as an airstream or an air jet, the exhaust air outlet of the working head may be configured as a blower port, so that exhaust air is concentrated or focused prior to exiting the working head.

[0256]

[0268] To enhance debris collection efficiency, the exhaust air outlet may be configured so that the exhaust air is directed towards the waste inlet of the working head.

[0257]

[0269] An example working head comprises a first portion including a main housing and a second portion including a coupling portion which is movably connected to the main housing. The main housing defines a compartment and a first surface which is the working surface. The coupling portion is configured for coupling to the machine portion and includes a coupling port. The coupling port comprises a plurality of coupling heads including a first coupling head for air-tight coupling with the first air-passageway and a second coupling head for air-tight coupling with the second air-passageway.

[0258]

[0270] The working head comprises a plurality of air-coupling sections including a first aircoupling section which provides air-tight interconnection between the first coupling head and the suction inlet and a second air-coupling section which provides air-tight interconnection between the second coupling head and the air outlet.

[0259]

[0271] The suction inlet is typically elongate and has width which is configured for effective waste collection.

[0272] The working head, also known as a floor nozzle in some embodiments, is configured for working and moving along a working direction, and the suction inlet typically extends in a transverse direction which is orthogonal to the working direction to maximize width for waste collection.

[0260]

[0273] To enhance blowing effectiveness, the exhaust port is also elongate and extends in the transverse direction and has a length which is comparable to the length of the suction inlet, the length being measured in the transverse direction.

[0261]

[0274] To form a blowing port, an air guide may be devised at the exhaust outlet. The air guide may be configured to provide a narrowed air exit so that the speed on exit is increase. The air guide may also be configured to direct the exhaust air stream to move towards the suction inlet, so that loosened particulate debris are moved towards the suction inlet by the exhaust airstream to enhance debris collection.

[0262]

[0275] The air guide may be configured so that exhaust air is to exit at an acute angle to enhance waste collection as well as providing air cushioning to the working head. The acute angle may be at 45 degrees or less, for example, at 40, 30, 20, 15 degrees, etc.

[0263]

[0276] By configuring the working head so that exhaust air is recollected by the working head during vacuum cleaning operations, a closed-loop air-path system is formed and the problem of apparent environment pollution by the exhaust air is mitigated.

[0264]

[0277] The closed-loop air-path system comprises a first section which extends between the suction inlet of the working head and the filter arrangement, a second section which extends between the exhaust outlet of the air-moving arrangement and the outlet port of the working head, and a third section which is between the suction inlet and the exhaust outlet of the working head.

[0265]

[0278] The working head may optionally comprise a plurality of exhaust outlet ports to enhance operational effectiveness.

[0266]

[0279] The example working head comprises a plurality of exhaust outlet ports including a first exhaust outlet and a second exhaust outlet which are disposed on opposite sides of the suction inlet.

[0267]

[0280] The exhaust outlet ports may be configured so that exhaust air coming out of the working head will be moved towards the suction inlet irrespective of the movement direction of the working head.

[0268]

[0281] The working head may be configured so that there is an exhaust port forward of the suction port and / or an exhaust port rearward of the suction port.

[0282] For example, the working head may be configured so that there is an exhaust port forward of the suction inlet and another exhaust port rearward of the suction inlet.

[0269]

[0283] To facilitate multiple exhaust port operation, the exhaust section may be split into a plurality of exhaust sub-sections at the source, that is, at the interface with the air-moving arrangement without loss of generality.

[0270]

[0284] In example embodiments, the exhaust port may be configured so that the exhaust air will move towards the suction inlet after encountering the target surface. With such a configuration, the exhaust air will approach the target surface at a higher angle of incidence, say between 30 and 45 degrees, and penetrates deeper into the target surface to further enhance debris loosening so that debris hidden deeper in the target surface can be loosened.

[0271]

[0285] The exhaust port may be configured so that the exhaust airstream has a stream width of say between 30 to 60 degrees.

[0272]

[0286] T o enhance operational flexibility of the working head 160, the first portion 160A and the second portion 160B of the working head 160 may be configured to be relatively movable, for example, about a joint or a junction. Such relative movability may be hinged or pivotal movement which may be realised by means of a hinge joint such as a pivotal joint or a universal joint. To enhance resilience and durability of a working head comprising such a joint or like arrangement, the working head may comprise a flexible airflow section extending between the first portion 160A and the second portion 160B. The flexible airflow section may be formed by a first flexible duct portion in combination with a second flexible duct portion. The first flexible duct portion may form an integral part of the suction path inside the working head and the second flexible duct portion may form an integral part of the blower path inside the working head. Each flexible duct portion may be a hose portion which is flexible, resilient and extendible. For example, the hose portion may be a spiral PVC hose having an embedded spring for enhanced resilience, elasticity and durability. The first flexible duct portion may be inside the second flexible duct portion or vice versa. Wherein the coupling head 166 has a side-by-side air-passageway, the second portion 160B of the working head 160 may comprise a conversion arrangement which is to convert the side-by-side arrangement into a surrounded arrangement akin to a coaxial arrangement. When in the coaxial arrangement, the first flexible duct portion is inside the second duct portion or vice versa without loss of generality.

[0273]

[0287] While the figures and example embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, the skilled persons would appreciate that the figures and example embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or restrictive.

Claims

1. An air exchange assembly of a vacuum cleaner, comprising a main housing including a base portion, a dedusting assembly and an airflow assembly in fluid communication with the dedusting assembly;- wherein the dedusting assembly comprises a filter assembly, a filter housing containing the filter assembly and defining a dedusting chamber, and a suction power generator for generation suction power inside the dedusting chamber, - wherein the airflow assembly comprises an inflow channel and an outflow channel, and an interfacing terminal for making air-tight coupling with a corresponding interfacing coupling head of a suction head,- wherein the interfacing terminal of the airflow assembly comprises an inflow port for receiving dust-laden air and an outflow port for dedusted air to leave, - wherein the inflow channel is for forwarding dust-laden air from the inflow port to the dedusting assembly and the outflow channel is for forwarding dedusted air from the dedusting assembly to the outflow port.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the airflow assembly has a base end that is on the main housing and a distal end that is distant from the main housing, and where the inflow port and the outflow port are on the distal end of the airflow assembly.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the interfacing terminal of the airflow assembly protrudes forward of the dedusting assembly.

4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the airflow assembly including the inflow channel and the outflow channel extends alongside the dedusting assembly.

5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the airflow assembly comprises a first tubular member which forms the inflow channel and a second tubular member which forms the outflow channel, and wherein the first tubular member is inside the second tubular member or the second tubular member is inside the first tubular member.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the inflow port and the outflow port of the interfacing terminal are in abutment or nested so that one is inside another.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the airflow assembly has an air outlet near its base end for dust-laden air inside the inflow channel to leave for the dedusting assembly, and wherein the air outlet extends transversely to connect with the dedusting chamber.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the airflow assembly has an air inlet at its base end for receiving dedusted air from the dedusting assembly, and wherein the main housing comprises a dedusted air channel for forwarding dedusted air from the dedusting assembly to the air inlet of the airflow assembly.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the dedusted air channel and the air inlet of the airflow assembly are inside the base portion.

10. The assembly of claim 8,- wherein the airflow assembly and the dedusting assembly protrude away from the base portion of the main housing and extend alongside each other in an axial direction orthogonal to the base portion, and- wherein the dedusted air channel extends transversely to the axial direction to interconnect the airflow assembly and the dedusting assembly.

11. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the dedusting assembly is mounted on a filter receptacle which is inside the base portion, and wherein the dedusting assembly has an outflow port inside the base portion to feed dedusted air to the dedusting assembly.

12. The assembly of claim 1 ,- wherein the dedusting chamber has an outer peripheral wall that surrounds the filter assembly, and- wherein an inflow port is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the dedusting chamber to receive dust-laden air coming in from the airflow assembly.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter assembly comprises a cyclonic filter arrangement, the cyclonic filter arrangement having a cyclonic axis which is parallel to the airflow assembly.

14. The assembly of claims 1 , further comprising a hand-grip portion,- wherein the hand-grip portion protrudes from the base portion of the main housing, and- wherein base portion is intermediate the dedusting assembly and the hand-grip portion so that the dedusting chamber and the hand-grip portion are on opposite sides of the base portion.

15. A vacuum cleaner comprising an air exchange assembly and a head assembly comprising a working head,- wherein the air exchange assembly comprises a main housing including a base portion, a dedusting assembly and an airflow assembly in fluid communication with the dedusting assembly and the working head;- wherein the airflow assembly comprises an inflow channel for guiding dust-laden air to move from the working head to the dedusting assembly, and an outflow channel for guiding dedusted air to move from the dedusting assembly to the working head;- wherein the head assembly comprises a working head including an inflow port which is configured to collect dust laden air from the surface, and an outflow port which is configured to discharge the dedusted air towards a surface to be vacuum cleaned and towards the inflow port after encountering the surface; and - wherein the dedusting assembly and the working head is configured so that the dedusted air discharged from the outflow port of the working head generates an upward thrust forming an air cushion to uplift the working head from the surface.

16. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 15, wherein the head assembly comprises an airflow section and the working head which are movably joined so that relative inclination between the airflow section and the working head is variable,17. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 15, wherein the dedusting assembly is according to any preceding claims.

18. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 15, wherein the airflow assembly is according to any preceding claims.

19. A head assembly of a vacuum cleaner, comprising an interfacing port, a working head, and an airflow assembly interconnecting the interfacing port and the working head,- wherein the airflow assembly comprises a first airflow section and a second airflow section which is movable relative to the first airflow section to change relative inclination angle between the first section and the second section,- wherein each airflow section comprises an inflow channel and an outflow channel, and- wherein the first section and the second section meet at a hinge joint and are relative movable about the hinge joint to change the relative inclination angle.

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