Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus has a cyclone including first and second opposed ends, a cyclone axis of rotation that intersects the first and second ends, an air inlet, an air outlet provided at the second end, and a cyclone sidewall extending between the first and second ends. The air outlet includes an outlet air permeable portion extending axially inwardly into the cyclone from the second end. The porous member has an axially inner end and an axial outer end located at the second end and the axial outer end is positioned at the cyclone sidewall.

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a cyclone, the cyclone comprising first and second opposed ends, a cyclone axis of rotation that intersects the first and second ends, an air inlet, an air outlet provided at the second end and a cyclone sidewall extending between the first and second ends, wherein the air outlet comprises an outlet air permeable portion extending axially inwardly into the cyclone from the second end, the outlet air permeable portion has an axially inner end and an axial outer end located at the second end and the axial outer end is positioned at the cyclone sidewall. 
     
     
         2 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a dirt collection chamber external to the cyclone and the cyclone has a dirt outlet that communicates with the dirt collection chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the dirt outlet comprises an opening in the sidewall at the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2  wherein a plane that is transverse to the cyclone axis of rotation extends through the dirt outlet, the dirt collection chamber and the axial outer end of the outlet air permeable portion. 
     
     
         5 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the outlet air permeable portion comprises a screen. 
     
     
         6 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the screen is conical or frusto-conical. 
     
     
         7 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a pre-motor filter that is downstream of the outlet air permeable portion, the outlet air permeable portion having an interior volume and extends at least part way into the interior volume. 
     
     
         8 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the air outlet has an axial length from the axial inner end of the air outlet to the axial outer end of the air outlet and the pre-motor filter extends into the air outlet at least 50% of the axial length of the air outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the pre-motor filter is conical or frusto-conical. 
     
     
         10 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the air inlet is provided at the first end of the cyclone. 
     
     
         11 . A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a cyclone, the cyclone comprising first and second opposed ends, a cyclone axis of rotation that intersects the first and second ends, a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet provided at the second end and a cyclone sidewall extending between the first and second ends, wherein the second end of the cyclone has a width in a plane transverse to the cyclone axis of rotation, the cyclone air outlet comprises an outlet air permeable portion extending axially inwardly into the cyclone from the second end, the cyclone outlet air permeable portion has an axially inner end and an axial outer end and the axial outer end has a width in the plane transverse to the cyclone axis of rotation that is at least 90% of the width of the cyclone. 
     
     
         12 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a dirt collection chamber external to the cyclone and the cyclone has a dirt outlet that communicates with the dirt collection chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the dirt outlet comprises an opening in the sidewall at the second end. 
     
     
         14 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the plane extends through the dirt outlet, the dirt collection chamber and the axial outer end of the outlet air permeable portion. 
     
     
         15 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the outlet air permeable portion comprises a screen. 
     
     
         16 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the screen is conical or frusto-conical. 
     
     
         17 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a pre-motor filter that is downstream of the outlet air permeable portion, the outlet air permeable portion having an interior volume and extends at least part way into the interior volume. 
     
     
         18 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the cyclone air outlet has an axial length from the axial inner end of the cyclone air outlet to the axial outer end of the cyclone air outlet and the pre-motor filter extends into the cyclone air outlet at least 50% of the axial length of the cyclone air outlet. 
     
     
         19 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the cyclone air inlet is provided at the first end of the cyclone. 
     
     
         20 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 11  wherein a rib, which is positioned between the cyclone air outlet and the cyclone sidewall, extends in a generally axial direction.