Cyclone dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A cyclone dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner for easy removal of contaminants from a grill assembly. The apparatus having a cyclone body connected to a suction port of the vacuum cleaner with an air inflow port and an air outflow port for forming a vortex of a contaminant-laden air drawn in through the air inflow port. A removable dust receptacle attached to the cyclone body. In the receptacle a grill assembly having a plurality of longitudinal slots is disposed at the air outflow port of the cyclone body. The grill assembly prevents a reverse flow of contaminants, and includes a contaminant removing member or sweeper movably mounted along the circumference of the grill body to remove contaminants collected on the grill. The movement of the sweeper is controlled by an external knob by a rack and pinion connection.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cyclone dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: 
 a cyclone body comprising: 
 a first connection pipe connected to an extension pipe adjacent to a suction port of the vacuum cleaner,  
 a second connection pipe connected to the extension pipe adjacent to a body of the vacuum cleaner,  
 an air inflow port interconnected with the first connection pipe, and  
 an air outflow port interconnected with the second connection pipe,  
   the cyclone body for forming a vortex with a contaminant-laden air that is drawn in through the air inflow port;    a dust receptacle removably connected to the cyclone body, for receiving contaminants separated from the air by the vortex;    a grill assembly disposed at the air outflow port of the cyclone body, and having a plurality of longitudinal slots formed in an outer circumference of the grill body at a constant interval from each other to form a passage toward the air outflow port, the grill assembly for preventing a reverse of the contaminants collected in the dust receptacle through the air outflow port of the cyclone body;    a contaminant removing member movable along the outer circumference of the grill body to be moved upward and downward to remove contaminants that are attached to and around the respective longitudinal slots of the grill assembly;    a rack connected with the contaminant removing member with an end thereof, and extending upward from the connected end;    a pinion disposed in the cyclone body, and having a gear portion meshed with a gear portion of the rack; and    a knob connected with the pinion by a shaft, and positioned outside of the cyclone body.    
     
     
         2 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of longitudinal slots comprise at least two opposing slots serving a function of a guide for the contaminant removing member when the contaminant removing member is moved upward and downward, and the contaminant removing member comprises a cylindrical body with a rib that is inserted into the at least two opposing slots and a brush that is attached to an inner circumference of the cylindrical body.  
     
     
         3 . The cyclone dust collecting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the grill assembly comprises a conical contaminant reversal preventing plate, which is integrally formed with a lower end of the grill body.  
     
     
         4 . A dust receptacle for a cyclone dust collecting apparatus of a vacuum cleaner comprising: 
 a grill assembly adapted to be disposed adjacent an air outflow area of said receptacle, said grill assembly including a grill body with a filtering portion for filtering contaminant laden air; and    a grill sweeper in movable engagement and in contact with said grill body for removing contaminants collected on said grill body.    
     
     
         5 . The dust receptacle of  claim 4 , wherein said grill body is cylindrical.  
     
     
         6 . The dust receptacle of  claim 5 , wherein said grill body comprises longitudinal slots to form said filtering portion.  
     
     
         7 . The dust receptacle of  claim 4 , wherein said grill sweeper is circular and extends annularly around said grill body.  
     
     
         8 . The dust receptacle of  claim 7 , wherein said grill sweeper comprises bristles to contact said grill body and remove contaminants therefrom.  
     
     
         9 . The dust receptacle of  claim 5 , wherein said grill body comprises longitudinal slots to form said filtering portion, and said grill sweeper is circular and extend annularly around said grill body.  
     
     
         10 . The dust receptacle of  claim 9 , wherein said grill sweeper comprises a radial rib to engage with one of said longitudinal slots of said grill body for providing movable engagement thereto.  
     
     
         11 . The dust receptacle of  claim 10 , wherein said grill sweeper further comprises a rack and pinion assembly, and a control knob for movement of said pinion to effect movement of said grill sweeper along said grill body.  
     
     
         12 . The dust receptacle of  claim 11 , wherein said grill sweeper comprises bristles to contact said grill body and remove contaminants therefrom.  
     
     
         13 . A grill and sweeper assembly for a one-way flow apparatus for filtering contaminant laden fluid, said assembly comprising: 
 a grill with a filtering area through which the fluid flows; and    a sweeper in movable engagement and contact with said grill for removing contaminants collected on said filtering area of said grill.    
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said grill is substantially cylindrical and said sweeper is substantially circular.  
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said sweeper is disposed along the outer periphery of said grill.  
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said sweeper comprises bristles in contact with said grill for removing contaminants therefrom.  
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said filtering area of said grill comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots formed therein.  
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said sweeper comprises a radial rib configured to engage one of said slots of said grill to provide movable engagement thereto.  
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein said sweeper is mounted on a rack in meshed with a pinion gear controlled by a knob, whereby movement of said knob results in longitudinal movement of said sweeper along said grill body.