| 摘要 |
<p>A vacuum cleaner comprises a pair of low efficiency cyclones 14a,14b connected upstream of respective groups of high efficiency cyclones 25a,26a,27a & 25b,26b,27b by respective elongate ducts 24a,24b. The high efficiency cyclones of each group are arranged in a line or a cluster extending away from their respective low efficiency cyclone, such that at least a portion of one side of the low efficiency cyclone is exposed. Accordingly, the fill level of the low efficiency cyclone is not obscured and can easily be determined. The arrangement permits a wide range of cyclone configurations to be adopted and also enables a plurality of smaller high efficiency cyclones to be used as the first stage, thereby reducing the dirt loading of the second stage cyclones and improving overall separation efficiency. The high efficiency cyclones 25a,26a,27a & 25b,26b,27b are connected to their respective elongate ducts 24a,24b at respective positions along the length thereof, with each cyclone comprising an inlet connecting to the duct. The inlets of each high efficiency cyclone are stepped along the axis of the duct with respect to the inlet of each other cyclone of the group, in a direction which extends across the width of the duct. The stepped configuration of the inlets across the ducts 24a,24b avoids having to route the ducts over or around the upstream cyclone(s).</p> |
