Surface cleaning apparatus base including sound reduction passage

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing that defines an interior. The housing includes an enclosure, a plate body that supports the enclosure and defines an exhaust vent, and a suction source. The suction source is configured to draw a working airflow from a suction inlet through the interior and exhaust the working airflow through the exhaust vent. The plate body includes a ramp downstream of the exhaust vent that defines an exit airflow pathway away from the exhaust vent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a housing defining an interior, the housing comprising:
 an enclosure; 
 a plate body supporting the enclosure and defining an exhaust vent; and 
 a suction source configured to draw a working airflow from a suction inlet through the interior and exhaust the working airflow through the exhaust vent, wherein the plate body comprises a ramp downstream of the exhaust vent that defines an exit airflow pathway away from the exhaust vent, the ramp comprising a sidewall defining a perimeter, and wherein a height of the sidewall varies from a proximal portion adjacent the exhaust vent toward a distal portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exit airflow pathway defines a chute for the working airflow exiting the exhaust vent to travel from the exhaust vent toward an edge of the plate body opposite the exhaust vent. 
     
     
         3 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exit airflow pathway includes a deep portion adjacent the exhaust vent and a shallow portion adjacent the distal portion of the ramp. 
     
     
         4 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a depending edge adjacent the sidewall that forms a rib projecting from an exterior surface of the plate body.   
     
     
         5 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the depending edge defines a slope extending from adjacent the exhaust vent toward an edge of the plate body opposite the exhaust vent. 
     
     
         6 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the depending edge defines grooves therein. 
     
     
         7 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the grooves are spaced about the depending edge, forming projections therebetween. 
     
     
         8 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the projections decrease in height from the exhaust vent toward the distal portion. 
     
     
         9 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exit airflow pathway faces an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
         10 . A surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a suction source in fluid communication with a suction inlet and configured to draw a working airflow through the suction inlet;   a recovery system in fluid communication with the suction source and the suction inlet, wherein the recovery system is configured to separate entrained debris in the working airflow; and   a housing defining an interior, the housing comprising:
 an enclosure; and 
 a base unit configured to support the enclosure, the base unit comprising:
 a support including a first side opposing a second side; 
 an exhaust vent disposed at the first side and in fluid communication with the suction source for exhausting the working airflow drawn through the suction source; and 
 a passage downstream from the exhaust vent and extending from the first side toward the second side, wherein the passage comprises a deep portion adjacent the first side and a shallow portion adjacent the second side. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the passage defines a pathway for the working airflow exiting the exhaust vent to travel away from the exhaust vent. 
     
     
         12 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a ramp defines at least a portion of the passage, and wherein the ramp includes a sidewall. 
     
     
         13 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the ramp includes an upper surface defining a gradient. 
     
     
         14 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the sidewall of the ramp defines a perimeter, and wherein a height of the sidewall varies from the first side to the second side of the support. 
     
     
         15 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the sidewall of the ramp defines a depending edge that forms a rib extending from an exterior surface of the support. 
     
     
         16 . A surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a housing defining an interior, the housing comprising:
 an enclosure; 
 a base unit configured to support the enclosure, the base unit comprising:
 a support defining an exhaust vent; and 
 a passage in fluid communication with the exhaust vent and open to an exterior of the housing; and 
 
 a suction system including a suction source in fluid communication with a suction inlet and configured to draw a working airflow from the suction inlet through the suction source, the suction system in fluid communication with the exhaust vent for exhausting the working airflow from the interior, wherein the passage is disposed downstream of the exhaust vent and receives the working airflow exhausted from the exhaust vent. 
   
     
     
         17 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein a perimeter edge of the passage defines a slope adjacent the exhaust vent, and wherein the slope includes an angle of inclination from approximately 0.5° to approximately 1°. 
     
     
         18 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the passage comprises a first portion adjacent the exhaust vent and a second portion, opposite the first portion, and wherein the first portion has a depth greater than the second portion. 
     
     
         19 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the passage comprises a wall having a sloped lower surface. 
     
     
         20 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the sloped lower surface is planar.