Vacuum cleaner filter cleaning mechanisms

摘要

In one aspect, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner comprising an inlet (26) for dirty air; an outlet (24) for clean air; a filter (44) located in fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet; a motor; a fan driven by the motor for moving air from the inlet through the filter to the outlet; an electrical power supply for supplying power to the motor; an on/off switch (30) for placing the motor in powered electrical connection with the fan and having a first state wherein the motor drives the fan and a second state wherein the motor does not drive the fan; and a filter cleaning mechanism for removing dirt from the filter; wherein activation of the filter cleaning mechanism is operatively associated with the on/off switch, whereby operation of the on/off switch results in operation of the filter cleaning mechanism. In a second aspect, the present invention also provides a vacuum cleaner comprising an inlet (26) for dirty air; an outlet (24) for clean air; a filter (44) located in fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet; a motor; a fan driven by the motor for moving air from the inlet through the filter to the outlet; an electrical power supply for supplying power to the motor; and a filter cleaning mechanism for removing dirt from the filter; wherein the filter cleaning mechanism is electrically powered; and the vacuum cleaner further comprises a user-operated switch (30) for activating the filter cleaning mechanism, whereby operation of the switch results in operation of the filter cleaning mechanism.