Debris compactor for a vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner having the same

Abstract

A debris compactor may include an inlet configured to receive debris, an auger chamber having an auger extending therein, and a dust cup disposed at a distal end of the auger chamber. The auger may be configured to urge the debris into the dust cup.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A debris compactor comprising:
 an inlet configured to receive debris;   an auger chamber having an auger extending therein; and   a dust cup disposed at a distal end of the auger chamber, the auger being configured to urge the debris into the dust cup.   
     
     
         2 . The debris compactor of  claim 1  further comprising an outlet configured to be coupled to a suction source to cause air to be drawn across the auger. 
     
     
         3 . The debris compactor of  claim 2  further comprising a filter medium, the filter medium being disposed at the outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The debris compactor of  claim 3 , wherein the auger is configured to engage the filter medium. 
     
     
         5 . The debris compactor of  claim 1  further comprising a motor configured to cause the auger to rotate within the auger chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The debris compactor of  claim 1 , wherein a peripheral edge of the auger includes a peripheral lining. 
     
     
         7 . A collection system for collecting debris comprising:
 a debris compactor, the debris compactor including:
 an inlet configured to receive debris; and 
 an auger chamber having an auger extending therein; 
   a dust cup configured to receive debris from the debris compactor; and   a suction source configured to draw air through the debris compactor.   
     
     
         8 . The collection system of  claim 7 , wherein the debris compactor further comprises a filter medium disposed at an outlet of the auger chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The collection system of  claim 8  further comprising a motor configured to rotate the auger. 
     
     
         10 . The collection system of  claim 9 , wherein the auger is configured to engage the filter medium and rotation of the auger urges debris accumulated on the filter medium in a direction of the dust cup. 
     
     
         11 . The collection system of  claim 7  further comprising a cyclonic separator fluidly coupled to the suction source and the debris compactor. 
     
     
         12 . The collection system of  claim 11 , wherein the dust cup is further configured to receive debris from the cyclonic separator. 
     
     
         13 . The collection system of  claim 12 , wherein the dust cup defines at least a first and a second compartment, the first compartment corresponding to the debris compactor and the second compartment corresponding to the cyclonic separator. 
     
     
         14 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a chassis; and   a collection system for collecting debris coupled to the chassis, the collection system including:
 a debris compactor, the debris compactor including:
 an inlet configured to receive debris; and 
 an auger chamber having an auger extending therein; 
 
 a dust cup configured to receive debris from the debris compactor; and 
 a suction source configured to draw air through the debris compactor. 
   
     
     
         15 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 14 , wherein the debris compactor further comprises a filter medium at an outlet of the auger chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 15  further comprising a motor configured to rotate the auger. 
     
     
         17 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 16 , wherein the auger is configured to engage the filter medium and rotation of the auger urges debris accumulated on the filter medium in a direction of the dust cup. 
     
     
         18 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 14  further comprising a cyclonic separator fluidly coupled to the suction source and the debris compactor. 
     
     
         19 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 18 , wherein the dust cup is further configured to receive debris from the cyclonic separator. 
     
     
         20 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 19 , wherein the dust cup defines at least a first and a second compartment, the first compartment corresponding to the debris compactor and the second compartment corresponding to the cyclonic separator.