Vacuum cleaner with air bleed

摘要

A vacuum cleaner comprises a cyclonic separator ( 116 ) for separating dirt and dust from an incoming airflow. A tool ( 300 ) and a suction conduit ( 114 ) connect the tool ( 300 ) to the separator ( 116 ). The tool ( 300 ) comprises a main air inlet aperture for engaging with a surface to be cleaned and a bleed air inlet ( 310 ) for allowing air to bleed into the suction path. The bleed air inlet ( 310 ) is located such that it is separate from the main inlet. The cross-sectional area of the bleed air inlet ( 310 ) is sufficiently large that, in use, the bleed air inlet ( 310 ) admits a sufficient quantity of air to maintain adequate separation efficiency in the separator of the cleaner even when the main air inlet is fully blocked.