Airflow diverter for upright-type vacuum cleaner and upright-type vacuum cleaner having the same

Abstract

An airflow diverter for an upright-type vacuum cleaner and an upright-type vacuum cleaner equipped with the same, are disclosed. The airflow diverter includes an inlet port formed on a cleaner body within which the vacuum generation device is received, air being drawn into the inlet port by the suction force generated by the vacuum generation, and a housing installed in the inlet port. The housing includes a first opening in communication with the vacuum generation device, a second opening in communication with the floor suction brush, and a third opening in communication with the auxiliary suction brush. A rotary knob is installed within the housing wherein if the rotary knob is turned to one direction by a predetermined angle, the rotary knob closes the third opening so that the vacuum generation device communicates with the floor suction brush, and if the rotary knob is turned to the other direction by a predetermined angle, the rotary knob closes the second opening so that the vacuum generation device communicates with the auxiliary suction brush.

1 . An airflow diverter for an upright-type vacuum cleaner that is provided with a vacuum generation device, a floor suction brush for drawing in dust on a floor with a suction force generated by the vacuum generation device, and an auxiliary suction brush for drawing in dust on a place other than the floor with the suction force generated by the vacuum generation device, in which the airflow diverter allows the vacuum generation device to selectively communicate with one of the floor suction brush and the auxiliary suction brush, wherein the airflow diverter comprises: 
 an inlet port formed on a cleaner body, within which the vacuum generation device is located, so that air is drawn into the inlet port by the suction force generated by the vacuum generation device;    a housing installed in the inlet port, wherein the housing includes a first opening in communication with the vacuum generation device, a second opening in communication with the floor suction brush, and a third opening in communication with the auxiliary suction brush; and    a rotary knob installed within the housing, wherein if the rotary knob is turned to one direction by a predetermined angle, the rotary knob closes the third opening so that the vacuum generation device communicates with the floor suction brush, and if the rotary knob is turned to the other direction by a predetermined angle, the rotary knob closes the second opening so that the vacuum generation device communicates with the auxiliary suction brush.    
   
   
       2 . The airflow diverter according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed in a hollow cylinder, one end of which is connected to the inlet port, and the second and third openings are formed on the outer periphery of the cylinder.  
   
   
       3 . The airflow diverter according to  claim 2 , wherein the rotary knob comprises: 
 a knob body installed to be rotatable contact with the inner surface of the housing, wherein the knob body is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, one end of which is opened toward the first opening and the other end of which is closed; and    a communication hole formed on the outer periphery of the knob body, wherein if the knob body is turned in one direction, the communication hole communicates with the second opening, and if the knob body is turned in the other direction, the communication hole is communicates with the third opening.    
   
   
       4  The airflow diverter according to  claim 3 , wherein the rotary knob further includes a handle for turning the knob body.  
   
   
       5 . The airflow diverter according to  claim 2 , wherein the second opening is extended to the floor suction brush.  
   
   
       6 . The airflow diverter according to  claim 2 , wherein the second and third openings are respectively provided with hose connectors for connecting a communication hose from the floor suction brush and a hose from the auxiliary suction brush.  
   
   
       7 . An upright-type vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum cleaner body, within which a vacuum generation device and a dust collection chamber are located; 
 a floor suction brush moving on a floor and drawing in air along with a dust on the floor with suction force generated by the vacuum generation device;    an auxiliary suction brush provided with a flexible hose and drawing in air along with dust on an area other than the floor with the suction force generated by the vacuum generation device;    an inlet port formed on the vacuum cleaner body, wherein air entraining dust is drawn into the inlet port; and    an airflow diverter installed in the inlet port and allowing the vacuum generation device to selectively communicate with one of the floor suction brush and the auxiliary suction brush.    
   
   
       8 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 7 , wherein the airflow diverter comprises: 
 a housing installed in the inlet port, wherein the housing includes a first opening in communication with the vacuum generation device, a second opening in communication with the floor suction brush, and a third opening in communication with the auxiliary suction brush; and    a rotary knob installed within the housing, wherein if the rotary knob is turned to one direction by a predetermined angle, the rotary knob closes the third opening so that the vacuum generation device is in communication with the floor suction brush, and if the rotary knob is turned to the other direction by a predetermined angle, the rotary knob closes the second opening so that the vacuum generation device communicates with the auxiliary suction brush.    
   
   
       9  The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 8 , wherein the housing is formed in a hollow cylinder, one end of which is connected to the inlet port, and the second and third openings are formed on the outer periphery of the cylinder.  
   
   
       10 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 9 , wherein the rotary knob comprises: 
 a knob body installed to rotatably contact the inner surface of the housing, wherein the knob body is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, one end of which is opened toward the first opening and the other end of which is closed; and    a communication hole formed on the outer periphery of the knob body, wherein if the knob body is turned in one direction, the communication hole communicates with the second opening, and if the knob body is turned in the other direction, the communication hole communicates with the third opening.    
   
   
       11 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 10 , wherein the rotary knob further includes a handle for turning the knob body.  
   
   
       12 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 9 , wherein the second and third openings are provided with hose connectors for connecting a communication hose from the floor suction brush and a hose from the auxiliary suction brush, respectively.  
   
   
       13 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 8 , wherein the inlet port is formed on the middle portion of the cleaner body.  
   
   
       14 . The vacuum cleaner according to  claim 13 , wherein the second opening extends to the floor suction brush.