Filter Cleaning System for a Vacuum Cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner dust separation unit having a cyclone chamber ( 113 ) and a dust collection chamber ( 115 ). The cyclone chamber ( 113 ) extends along a longitudinal axis ( 398 ), and has an air inlet ( 183 ), an air outlet ( 408 ), an inlet wall ( 396 ) between the air inlet ( 183 ) and the air outlet ( 408 ), and one or more air passages ( 404 ) through the inlet wall ( 396 ). The dust collection chamber ( 115 ) is adapted to receive dirt from the cyclone chamber ( 113 ). In one aspect, the inlet wall ( 396 ) comprises an elliptical wall that is located adjacent the air inlet ( 182 ) and angled relative to the longitudinal axis ( 398 ). In another aspect, the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) has an end wall ( 432 ) located opposite the inlet wall ( 396 ), and a dirt outlet ( 114 ) to the dust collection chamber ( 115 ) located adjacent the end wall ( 432 ), and the end wall ( 432 ) has a recessed portion ( 438 ) surrounding an extended portion ( 436 ) that protrudes into the cyclone chamber ( 113 ).

1 . A vacuum cleaner dust separation unit comprising:
 a cyclone chamber ( 113 ) extending along a longitudinal axis ( 398 ) and having an air inlet ( 183 ), an air outlet ( 408 ), an inlet wall ( 396 ) between the air inlet ( 183 ) and the air outlet ( 408 ), and one or more air passages ( 404 ) through the inlet wall ( 396 ); and   a dust collection chamber ( 115 ) adapted to receive dirt from the cyclone chamber ( 113 );   characterized in that the inlet wall ( 396 ) comprises an elliptical wall that is located adjacent the air inlet ( 182 ) and angled relative to the longitudinal axis ( 398 ).   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) comprises an elongated chamber having an end wall ( 432 ) located opposite the inlet wall ( 396 ), the end wall ( 432 ) comprising a recessed portion ( 438 ) surrounding an extended portion ( 436 ) that protrudes into the cyclone chamber ( 113 ). 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) comprises a dirt outlet ( 114 ) located at an end of the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) opposite the air inlet ( 183 ), and the dust collection chamber ( 115 ) is fluidly connected to the dirt outlet ( 114 ). 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 2 , wherein the dirt outlet ( 114 ) is located on an opposite side of the cyclone chamber longitudinal axis ( 398 ) as the air inlet ( 183 ). 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 2  or  3 , wherein the end wall ( 432 ) comprises a removable lid ( 412 ). 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 5 , wherein the lid ( 412 ) comprises a cavity that forms the dirt outlet ( 114 ). 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 5 , wherein the removable lid ( 412 ) is pivotally attached to the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) and dust collection chamber ( 115 ). 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 3 , wherein the dust collection chamber ( 115 ) is located adjacent the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) in a horizontal plane when the vacuum cleaner dust separation unit is mounted on a vacuum cleaner for use, such that dirt moves in a horizontal direction to pass from the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) to the dust collection chamber ( 115 ). 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more air passages ( 404 ) comprises a tubular member that extends from the inlet wall ( 396 ) into the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) and has one or more openings ( 406 ) passing therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 9 , wherein the tubular member terminates at a conical shroud and the one or more openings ( 406 ) pass through the conical shroud. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) comprises a sidewall that extends along the longitudinal axis ( 398 ) and an end cap ( 384 ) removably attached at one end of the sidewall and adjacent the air inlet ( 183 ). 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 10 , wherein the inlet wall ( 396 ) is removable from the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) with the end cap ( 384 ). 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 11  or  12 , wherein the air outlet ( 408 ) passes through the sidewall, and the end cap ( 384 ) comprises an opening ( 411 ) that is positioned in fluid communication with the air outlet ( 408 ) when the end cap ( 384 ) is attached to the sidewall. 
     
     
         14 . A vacuum cleaner dust separation unit comprising:
 a cyclone chamber ( 113 ) extending along a longitudinal axis ( 398 ) and having an air inlet ( 183 ), an air outlet ( 408 ), an inlet wall ( 396 ) between the air inlet ( 183 ) and the air outlet ( 408 ), an end wall ( 432 ) located opposite the inlet wall ( 396 ), one or more air passages ( 404 ) through the inlet wall ( 396 ), and a dirt outlet ( 114 ) adjacent the end wall ( 432 ); and   a dust collection chamber ( 115 ) fluidly connected to the dirt outlet ( 114 ) and adapted to receive dirt from the cyclone chamber ( 113 );   characterized in that the end wall ( 432 ) comprises a recessed portion ( 438 ) surrounding an extended portion ( 436 ) that protrudes into the cyclone chamber ( 113 ).   
     
     
         15 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 14 , wherein the inlet wall ( 396 ) comprises an elliptical wall that is located adjacent the air inlet ( 182 ) and angled relative to the longitudinal axis ( 398 ). 
     
     
         16 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 14 , wherein the dirt outlet ( 114 ) is located on an opposite side of the cyclone chamber longitudinal axis ( 398 ) as the air inlet ( 183 ). 
     
     
         17 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 14 , wherein the end wall ( 432 ) comprises a removable lid ( 412 ). 
     
     
         18 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 17 , wherein the lid ( 412 ) comprises a cavity that forms the dirt outlet ( 114 ). 
     
     
         19 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 17 , wherein the removable lid ( 412 ) is pivotally attached to the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) and dust collection chamber ( 115 ). 
     
     
         20 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 14 , wherein the dust collection chamber ( 115 ) is located adjacent the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) in a horizontal plane when the vacuum cleaner dust separation unit is mounted on a vacuum cleaner for use, such that dirt moves in a horizontal direction to pass from the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) to the dust collection chamber ( 115 ). 
     
     
         21 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more air passages ( 404 ) comprises a tubular member that extends from the inlet wall ( 396 ) into the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) and has one or more openings ( 406 ) passing therethrough. 
     
     
         22 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 21 , wherein the tubular member terminates at a conical shroud and the one or more openings ( 406 ) pass through the conical shroud. 
     
     
         23 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 14 , wherein the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) comprises a sidewall that extends along the longitudinal axis ( 398 ) and an end cap ( 384 ) removably attached at one end of the sidewall and adjacent the air inlet ( 183 ). 
     
     
         24 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 23 , wherein the inlet wall ( 396 ) is removable from the cyclone chamber ( 113 ) with the end cap ( 384 ). 
     
     
         25 . The vacuum cleaner dust separation unit of  claim 23  or  24 , wherein the air outlet ( 408 ) passes through the sidewall, and the end cap ( 384 ) comprises an opening ( 411 ) that is positioned in fluid communication with the air outlet ( 408 ) when the end cap ( 384 ) is attached to the sidewall.