US20100229326A1

US20100229326A1 - Hand vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: US20100229326A1
Application number: US12/720,901
Authority: US
Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad
Original assignee: GBD Corp
Current assignee: GBD Corp
Priority date: 2009-03-11
Filing date: 2010-03-10
Publication date: 2010-09-16
Also published as: CA2658048A1

Abstract

A hand vacuum cleaner comprises an airflow passage extending from a nozzle having a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A first cyclone unit is positioned in the airflow passage. The first cyclone unit comprises at least one cyclone having a cyclone inlet and at least one dirt collection chamber. A suction motor is positioned in the airflow passage. The dirt collection chamber and the nozzle are removable from the surface cleaning apparatus.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Canadian Patent Application. No. 2658048, filed Mar. 11, 2009, entitled HAND VACUUM CLEANER.

FIELD

The specification relates to vacuum cleaners, and particularly, to cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners. More specifically, the specification relates to hand vacuum cleaners having a removable dirt chamber.

INTRODUCTION

The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art.
PCT publication WO 2008/009890 (Dyson Technology Limited) discloses a handheld cleaning appliance comprising a main body, a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and a cyclonic separator for separating dirt and dust from an airflow. The cyclone separator is located in an airflow path leading from the air inlet to the air outlet. The cyclonic separator is arranged in a generally upright orientation (i.e., the air rotates about a generally vertical axis in use). A base surface of the main body and a base surface of the cyclonic separator together form a base surface of the appliance for supporting the appliance on a surface. See also PCT publication WO 2008/009888 (Dyson Technology Limited) and PCT publication WO 2008/009883 (Dyson Technology Limited).
U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,387 (Black & Decker Inc.) discloses a hand-holdable vacuum cleaner that uses one or more filters and/or cyclonic separation device, and means for adjusting an angle of air inlet relative to a main axis of said vacuum cleaner. In particular, the vacuum cleaner further comprises a rigid, elongate nose having the air inlet at one end thereof, the nose being pivotal relative to a main axis of the vacuum cleaner through an angle of at least 135 degrees. An openable door is provided to empty the dirt collection chamber.

SUMMARY

The following introduction is provided to introduce the reader to the more detailed discussion to follow. The introduction is not intended to limit or define the claims.
According to one broad aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner is disclosed that is easier to clean and has a simplified structure. In accordance with this aspect, a hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a dirt collection chamber and a nozzle. The nozzle and the dirt collection chamber may be integrally molded together or separately manufactured and then assembled together as a one-piece assembly. In either embodiment, the nozzle and the dirt collection chamber may then be removed concurrently (e.g., in a single operation) from the hand vacuum cleaner. Once removed, the dirt collection chamber may be emptied. During operation, dirt may build up in the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner and/or the dirt collection chamber. These components once separated from the hand vacuum cleaner may be cleaned by, for example, washing them in water.
In a preferred embodiment, the dirt collection chamber is removable in a sealed configuration. For example, a cyclone unit may comprise a cyclone and a dirt collection chamber assembly, The assembly may be removably mounted to the hand vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, the dirt collection chamber may be closed (e.g., have a closed lid) when removed from the hand vacuum cleaner.
A further advantage of this design is that the hand vacuum cleaner may have a simplified structure. By providing the nozzle as part of the dirt collection chamber, and preferably as part of a cyclone unit, such an assembly may be removably mounted to a motor housing. Accordingly, a skeleton or backbone to which individual components are mounted is not required and is preferably not used. Such a design may be lighter, permitting a user to use the hand vacuum cleaner for a longer continuous period of time.
Accordingly, for example, the hand vacuum cleaner may comprise an air flow passage extending from a nozzle having a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet, with a first cyclone unit is positioned in the air flow passage. The first cyclone unit may comprise at least one cyclone having a cyclone inlet and at least one dirt collection chamber. A suction motor may be positioned in the air flow passage. The dirt collection chamber and the nozzle are removable from the surface cleaning apparatus, preferably concurrently (i.e., by the same operation step).
In some examples, the dirt collection chamber and the nozzle are removable as a unit.
In some examples, the dirt collection chamber and the nozzle comprise a one-piece assembly.
In some examples, the dirt collection chamber and the nozzle are integrally formed, such as being produced from a single mold.
In some examples, the dirt collection chamber is removable from the hand vacuum cleaner with the first cyclone unit.
In some examples, the nozzle is connected in airflow communication with the cyclone at a lower portion of the hand vacuum cleaner.
In some examples, the nozzle is positioned at a bottom of the hand vacuum.
In some examples, the nozzle is positioned beneath at least a portion of the cyclone unit.
In some examples, the hand vacuum cleaner further comprises a plurality of wheels, and the nozzle has a nozzle axis that extends generally horizontally when the wheels are in contact with a surface to be cleaned.
In some examples, the nozzle comprises an enclosed airflow chamber.
In some examples, the nozzle comprises an open sided airflow chamber.
In some examples, the open sided airflow chamber has an open lower end.
In some examples, the open sided airflow chamber has an upper nozzle wall that comprises at least a portion of the lower wall of the cyclone unit.
In some examples, the cyclone inlet is in communication with an enclosed passage extending from an opening in the upper nozzle wall.
In some examples, the open sided airflow chamber further comprises a depending wall extending downwardly from the upper nozzle wall.
In some examples, the depending wall is generally U-shaped.
In some examples, the hand vacuum cleaner has a front and the open sided airflow chamber extends to the front of the hand vacuum cleaner and the dirty air inlet is at the front of the hand vacuum cleaner.
In some examples, the cyclone inlet faces a surface to be cleaned.
In some examples, the open sided airflow chamber comprises an upper wall. A depending wall may extend downwardly from the upper wall. The depending wall may have a lower end that is positioned above the lower end of the wheels. The upper wall and the depending wall may define an airflow chamber having an open lower end. The opening may be provided in a rear half of the upper wall of the air flow chamber forwardly of a rear portion of the depending wall and inwardly of side portions of the depending wall.
It will be appreciated that a hand vacuum cleaner may incorporate one or more of the features of each of these examples.

DRAWINGS

In the detailed description, reference will be made to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of an example of a hand vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7A is a bottom perspective view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view of the hand-vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1, showing the cyclone unit removed from the hand vacuum cleaner; and,

FIG. 8 is a cross section showing an alternate example of a hand vacuum cleaner.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EXAMPLES

Various apparatuses or methods will be described below to provide an example of each claimed invention. No example described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that are not described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention.
The vacuum cleaner 100 may be of various configurations (e.g., different positioning and orientation of the cyclone unit and the suction motor and differing cyclone units that may comprise one or more cyclones and one or more filters).
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7B, a first example of a vacuum cleaner 100 is shown. The vacuum cleaner 100 is a hand vacuum cleaner, and is movable along a surface to be cleaned by gripping and maneuvering handle 102. The vacuum cleaner includes an upper portion 104, a lower portion 106, a front 108, and a rear 110. In the example shown, handle 102 is provided at the upper portion 104. In alternate examples, handle 102 may be provided elsewhere on the vacuum cleaner 100, for example at the rear 110 and may be of any design.
In the example shown, the vacuum cleaner 100 comprises a nozzle 112 and a cyclone unit 114, which together form a surface cleaning head 116 of the vacuum cleaner 100. In the example shown, the surface cleaning head 116 is preferably provided at the front 108 of the vacuum cleaner 100.
Nozzle 112 engages a surface to be cleaned, and comprises a dirty air inlet 118, through which dirty air is drawn into the vacuum cleaner 100. An airflow passage extends from the dirty air inlet 118 to a clean air outlet 120 of the cleaner 100. In the example shown, clean air outlet 120 is at the rear 110 of the cleaner 100.
Cyclone unit 114 is provided in the airflow passage, downstream of the dirty air inlet 118. In the example shown, the cyclone unit 114 is a one piece assembly comprising one cyclone 122, and one dirt collection chamber 124, which are integrally formed. In alternate examples, the cyclone unit 110 may include more than one cyclonic stage, wherein each cyclonic stage comprising one or more cyclones and one or more dirt chambers. Accordingly, the cyclones may be arranged in parallel and/or in sequence. Further, in alternate examples, the cyclone 122 and dirt collection chamber 124 may be separately formed.
In the example shown, the nozzle 112 is positioned at the lower portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100. More particularly, in the example shown, nozzle 112 is positioned at the bottom of the vacuum cleaner 100, is beneath the cyclone unit 114. Further, in the example shown, the nozzle 112 is integral with cyclone unit 114, and is preferably positioned at the lower portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100. However, it will be appreciated that nozzle 112 may be connected to the cyclone unit or dirt collection chamber at alternate locations.
Preferably, as exemplified, nozzle 112 may be on lower surface 157 of cyclone unit 114 and may share a wall with the cyclone unit 114. For example, in a particularly preferred design, the upper wall of the nozzle may be a lower wall of the cyclone unit 114. As shown in FIG. 6, dirt chamber 124 surrounds the lower portion of cyclone 122. Accordingly, the upper wall of nozzle 112 may be part of the lower wall of the dirt chamber. It will be appreciated that if dirt chamber 124 does not extend around the lower portion of cyclone 122, then the upper wall of nozzle 112 may be part of a lower wall of cyclone 122.
Preferably, in the example shown, the nozzle 112 is fixedly positioned at the lower portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100. That is, the nozzle 112 is not movable (e.g., rotatable) with respect to the remainder of the vacuum cleaner 100, and is fixed at the lower portion 106 of the vacuum cleaner 100.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, nozzle 112 has a width W_N, and cyclone unit 114 has a width W_C. In the example shown, W_N, and W_Care about the same. An advantage of this design is that the hand vacuum may have a cleaning path that is essentially as wide as the hand vacuum itself.
Preferably, nozzle 112 comprises an airflow chamber wherein at least a portion, and preferably a majority, of the lower surface of the chamber is open. In an alternate design as exemplified by FIG. 8, nozzle 812 comprises a lower wall 837, which closes lower end 834. Accordingly, nozzle 112 may be of various designs and may be an open sided passage or a closed passage. In either embodiment, it will be appreciated that nozzle 112 is mounted or provided on cyclone unit 114 and as exemplified on a lower portion of the dirt collection chamber so as to be removable with the dirt collection chamber.
An open sided nozzle design is exemplified in FIG. 7A wherein nozzle 112 comprises an upper nozzle wall 126. In the example shown, the upper nozzle wall 126 comprises a portion 119 of a wall 115 of the cyclone unit.
Preferably, one or more depending walls 128 extend downwardly from the upper nozzle wall 126. The depending wall is preferably generally U-shaped. In one embodiment, depending wall is provided rearward of opening 138. In other embodiments, depending walls may alternately or in addition be provided on the lateral sides of opening 138. It is preferred that depending walls are provided on each lateral side of opening 138 and rearward thereof. Further, depending walls 128 may extend a substantial distance to the front end 108 and, preferably, essentially all the way to front end 108. The depending walls may be continuous to define a single wall as shown, or may be discontinuous. The depending walls are preferably rigid (e.g., integrally molded with cyclone unit 114). However, they may be flexible (e.g., bristles or rubber) or moveably mounted to cyclone unit 114 (e.g., hingedly mounted).
Preferably, the lower end 132 of depending wall 128 is spaced above the surface being cleaned when the hand vacuum cleaner is placed on a surface to be cleaned. As exemplified in FIG. 6, when vacuum cleaner 100 is placed on floor F, lower end 132 of depending wall 128 is spaced a distance H above the floor. Preferably distance H is from 0.01 to 0.175 inches, more preferably from 0.04 to 0.08 inches.
The height of the depending wall (between upper nozzle wall 126 and lower end 132) may vary. In some examples, the depending wall may have a height of between about 0.05 and about 0.875 inches preferably between about 0.125 and about 0.6 inches and more preferably between about 0.2 and about 0.4 inches. The height of depending wall may vary but is preferably constant.
The open end of the U-shape defines an open side 130 of the nozzle 114, and forms the dirty air inlet 118 of the cleaner 100. In the example shown, the open side 130 is provided at the front of the nozzle 114. In use, when optional wheels 135 are in contact with a surface, the open side 130 sits above and is adjacent a surface to be cleaned.
In the example shown, the lower end 132 of the depending wall 128 defines an open lower end 134 of the nozzle 114. The open lower end 134 extends to the front 108 of the cleaner 108, and merges with the open side 130. In use, the open lower end 134 faces a surface to be cleaned.
In the example shown, a plurality of wheels 135 are mounted to the depending wall 128. It will be appreciated that wheels 135 are optional. Preferably, wheels 135 are positioned exterior to the airflow path through nozzle 112, e.g., laterally outwardly from depending wall 128. Preferably a pair of front wheels 135 is provided. Preferably, the wheels are located adjacent front 108. Optionally, one or more rear wheels 180 may be provided. In an alternate embodiment, no wheels may be provided If wheels are provided, then preferably, the lower end 194 of the wheels 135 extend lower than the lower end 132 of the depending wall 128. That is, the lower end 132 of the depending wall 128 is positioned above the lower end 194 of the wheels 135. Accordingly, in use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a surface, the lower end 132 of the depending wall 128 is spaced from a surface to be cleaned, and the space between the lower end of the depending wall 128 and the surface to be cleaned form a secondary dirty air inlet to the cleaner 100.
The upper nozzle wall 126, depending wall 128, and open lower end 134 of the nozzle 112 define an open sided airflow chamber 136 of the nozzle. In the example shown, the open sided airflow chamber 136 extends to the front 108 of the cleaner 100. In use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a horizontal surface, the nozzle 112 and the airflow chamber 136 extend generally horizontally, along a nozzle axis 113.
If an open sided nozzle 112 is used, then on opening 138 may be provided in the upper nozzle wall 126. Opening 138 may be of any size and configuration and at various locations in upper nozzle wall 126. Preferably, opening 138 is positioned in the rear half of upper nozzle wall 126, forwardly of a rear portion 129 of depending wall 128, and inwardly of side portions 131 of depending wall 128. In use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a surface, the opening 138 faces a surface to be cleaned, air enters the dirty air inlet 118, passes horizontally through the airflow chamber 136, and passes into the opening 138. Opening 138 is in communication with a cyclone inlet passage 139, which is enclosed, and which is in communication with a cyclone air inlet 140 of cyclone 122. In use, when wheels 135 are in contact with a surface, cyclone air inlet 140 faces a surface to be cleaned. Accordingly, the nozzle 112 is connected in airflow communication with the cyclone 112 at the lower portion 106 of the cleaner 100.
Cyclone 122 may of any configuration and orientation. Preferably, cyclone 122 comprises a chamber wall 142, which in the example shown, is cylindrical. The cyclone chamber is located inside chamber wall 142. The cyclone 122 extends along an axis 123, which, in the example shown, is preferably parallel to the nozzle axis, and preferably extends generally horizontally when cleaner 100 is in use and wheels 135 are seated on a surface. The cyclone 122 has an air inlet 140 and an air outlet 145, which, preferably are at the same end of cyclone 122. Preferably the air inlet and the air outlet are distal to front end 108. The cyclone air inlet and cyclone air outlet may be of any configuration known in the art and the cyclone air outlet may be covered by a screen or shroud or filter as is known in the art.
As exemplified, the cyclone air inlet 140 is defined by an aperture in the chamber wall 142. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the inlet passage 139 is at configured such that air enters the cyclone 122 in a tangential flow path, e.g., passage 139 may be arcuate. The air travels in a cyclonic path in the cyclone, and dirt in the air is separated from the air. The air exits the cyclone via an outlet passage 144, through outlet 145. Outlet 145 is defined in a rear wall 179 of the cyclone unit 114.
As exemplified in FIG. 6, a plate 174 may be provided adjacent outlet passage 144, spaced from and facing the inlet 176 to outlet passage 144. Plate 174 may be mounted to cyclone 122 via legs 178. In the example shown, plate 174, and legs 178 form an assembly 182 that is removably mounted in cyclone 122. In some examples, a screen may be mounted around legs 178.
The dirt that is separated from the air exits the cyclone via dirt outlet 146, and enters dirt collection chamber 124. The dirt collection chamber may be internal or external to the cyclone chamber. Preferably, as exemplified, the dirt collection chamber is external. The dirt collection chamber may be in communication with the cyclone chamber by any means known in the art. Accordingly, one or more dirt outlets may be provided. Preferably, the dirt outlet is at the end opposed to the air inlet and, preferably, the dirt outlet is at the front end 108.
In the example shown, dirt collection chamber 124 comprises two portions. A first portion 148 is provided immediately adjacent the dirt outlet 146, and is at the front 108 of the cleaner 100. A second portion 150 is concentric with the cyclone 122. A lower portion 152 of the second portion 150 is below the cyclone. As exemplified, nozzle 112 is positioned below first portion 148, and lower portion 152. Accordingly, dirt chamber 124 may comprise an annular chamber surrounding the cyclone 122.
A separation plate 154 may be provided in the dirt collection chamber 124, adjacent the dirt outlet 146. The separation plate 154 aids in preventing dirt in dirt collection chamber 124 from re-entering cyclone 122. Preferably, plate 154 is spaced from dirt outlet 146 and faces dirt outlet 146. Plate 154 may be mounted by any means to any component in cyclone unit 114. As exemplified, the separation plate is mounted on an arm 156, which extends from a front wall 158 at the front 108 of the cleaner 100.
Cyclone unit 114 may be emptied by any means known in the art. For example, one of the ends of the cyclone unit 114 may be openable. As exemplified in FIGS. 4 and 5, front wall 158 is pivotally mounted to the cyclone unit wall 115 and serves as an openable door of the dirt chamber 124, such dirt collection chamber 124 is openable, and dirt collection chamber 124 may be emptied. The dirt collection chamber is preferably openable both when the dirt collection chamber is mounted to the hand vacuum cleaner, or when it is removed, as will be described hereinbelow. When front wall 158 is pivoted away from the remainder of the cyclone unit 114, separation plate 154 and arm 156 also pivot away from the remainder of the cyclone unit. For example, a latch 159 may be provided, which secures front wall 158 to wall 115. In alternate examples, front wall 158 may be removable from cyclone unit wall 115, or the rear wall 179 of the cyclone unit 114 may be openable.
The rear portion of the dirt collection chamber 124 is closed by wall 179.
The clean air exiting cyclone 122 passes through outlet 145 of outlet passage 144, exits surface cleaning head 116, and passes into the cleaner body 160. In the example shown, the cleaner body 160 is positioned rearward of the surface cleaning head 116. The cleaner body comprises a suction motor housing 168, which houses a suction motor 164 and may also house an optional pre-motor filter 162 and/or an optional post-motor filter 166.
In the example shown, suction motor housing 168 further houses an optional pre-motor filter 162. In the exemplified embodiments, the vacuum cleaner has a linear configuration. Accordingly, pre-motor filter 162 is provided in the airflow path adjacent and downstream of the outlet passage 144, and facing the outlet 145. Pre-motor filter 162 serves to remove remaining particulate matter from air exiting the cyclone 122, and may be any type of filter, such as a foam filter. One or more filters may be used. If the vacuum cleaner is of a non-linear configuration, then pre-motor filter 162 need not be located adjacent outlet passage 144.
Suction motor 164 is provided in the airflow path adjacent and downstream of the pre-motor filter 162. The suction motor 164 may be any type of suction motor. The suction motor draws air into the dirty air inlet 118 of the cleaner 100, through the airflow path past the suction motor 164, and out of the clean air outlet 120. The suction motor 164 has a motor axis 165. In the example shown, the motor axis 165 and the cyclone axis 123 extend in the same direction and are generally parallel. In the exemplified embodiments, the vacuum cleaner has a linear configuration If the vacuum cleaner is of a non-linear configuration, then motor 164 need not be located adjacent pre-motor filter 162.
The cleaner body 160 further comprises an optional post-motor filter housing 170. A post motor filter 166 is provided in the post-motor filter housing 170. The post motor filter 166 is provided in the airflow path downstream of, and preferably adjacent, the suction motor 164. Post motor filter 166 serves to remove remaining particulate mater from air exiting the cleaner 100. Post-motor filter 166 may be any type of filter, such as a HEPA filter.
Clean air outlet 120 is provided downstream of post-motor filter 166. Clean air outlet 120 comprises a plurality of apertures formed in housing 170.
Referring to FIG. 7B, the dirt collection chamber 124 is preferably removable from the hand vacuum cleaner 100 as a sealed unit for emptying. In the example shown, the dirt collection chamber 124 is integrally formed with cyclone wall 142, and with nozzle 112. In other embodiments, one or more of these components may be separately manufactured and then assembled together (e.g., by an adhesive, mechanical means such as screws or welding, to form a one-piece assembly. In any such embodiment, when cyclone unit 114 is removed from the cleaner 100, nozzle 112 is also removed from the cleaner 100. It will be appreciated that if dirt chamber 124 is removably mounted to cyclone unit 114, then nozzle 112 is removable together with dirt chamber 124 from vacuum cleaner 100.
As can be seen in FIG. 7B, when the cyclone unit 114 is removed from the hand vacuum cleaner, and particularly from motor housing 168, it is sealed, except for the fluid flow passages leading to and from the first cyclone unit (i.e. opening 138 and outlet 145). That is, wall 179 seals the air outlet end of cyclone unit 114 and front wall 158 seals the front end of the cyclone unit 114. In order to empty the dirt collection chamber 124, the front wall 158 may be opened, and the dirt may be emptied from dirt chamber 124.
As exemplified, in order to remove cyclone unit 114 from the surface cleaning apparatus, the cyclone unit comprises a first mounting member 173, and the suction motor housing 168 has a second mounting member 175. The first 173 and second 175 mounting members are releasably engageable with each other. In the example shown, the first 173 and second 175 mounting members comprise a bayonet mount. In alternate examples, the first and second mounting members may be another type of mounting member, such as mating screw threads, magnets, mechanical fasteners such as screws or any other type of mounting members. It will be appreciated that if dirt collection chamber 124 is removably mounted to cyclone unit 114, then any such removable securing mechanism may be used.
One or more additional wheels 180 may be mounted to housing 161, preferably at lower portion 106, and may be used in conjunction with wheels 135. Preferably, a single rear wheel 180 is provided. Preferably, rear wheel 180 is located on a centre line of the vacuum cleaner and rearward of the depending wall 128.
Referring now to FIG. 8, in which like numerals refer to like features, with the first digit incremented to 8 to refer to the figure number, an alternate example of a hand vacuum cleaner 800 is shown. As discussed previously, nozzle 812 comprises a lower wall 837, which closes lower end 834. Accordingly, in contrast to cleaner 100, nozzle 812 comprises an enclosed airflow passage 836. Further, in this example, front wall 858 is not pivotally mounted to wall 815. Rather, wall surface cleaning head 816 is pivotally mounted to body 860.
Cleaner 800 further comprises a second optional cyclone unit 851 downstream of the first cyclone unit 814, between first cyclone unit 814 and pre-motor filter 862. In the example shown, the second cyclone unit 851 comprises a plurality of cyclones in parallel. Each of the plurality of cyclones is parallel to the first cyclone axis 823.

Claims

1. A hand vacuum cleaner comprising:

a) an air flow passage extending from a nozzle having a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet;

b) a first cyclone unit positioned in the air flow passage, the first cyclone unit comprising at least one cyclone having a cyclone inlet and at least one dirt collection chamber;

c) a suction motor positioned in the air flow passage; and,

d) the dirt collection chamber and the nozzle are removable from the surface cleaning apparatus.

2. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the dirt collection chamber and the nozzle are removable as a unit.

3. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the dirt collection chamber and the nozzle comprise a one-piece assembly.

4. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 3 wherein the dirt collection chamber and the nozzle are integrally formed.

5. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the dirt collection chamber is removable from the hand vacuum cleaner with the first cyclone unit.

6. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the nozzle is connected in airflow communication with the cyclone at a lower portion of the hand vacuum cleaner.

7. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the nozzle is positioned at a bottom of the hand vacuum.

8. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the nozzle is positioned beneath at least a portion of the cyclone unit.

9. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of wheels, the nozzle has a nozzle axis that extends generally horizontally when the wheels are in contact with a surface to be cleaned.

10. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the nozzle comprises an enclosed airflow passage.

11. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the nozzle comprises an open sided airflow chamber.

12. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the open sided airflow chamber has an open lower end.

13. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the open sided airflow chamber has an upper nozzle wall that comprises at least a portion of the lower wall of the cyclone unit.

14. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein the cyclone inlet is in communication with an enclosed passage extending from an opening in the upper nozzle wall.

15. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the open sided airflow chamber further comprises a depending wall extending downwardly from the upper nozzle wall.

16. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 15 wherein the depending wall is generally U-shaped.

17. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the hand vacuum cleaner has a front and the open sided airflow chamber extends to the front of the hand vacuum cleaner and the dirty air inlet is at the front of the hand vacuum cleaner.

18. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the cyclone inlet faces a surface to be cleaned.

19. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the, open sided airflow chamber comprises:

a) an upper wall;

b) a depending wall extending downwardly from the upper wall, the depending wall having a lower end that is positioned above the lower end of the wheels; and,

c) the upper wall and the depending wall defining an air flow chamber having an open lower end and the opening is provided in a rear half of the upper wall of the air flow chamber forwardly of a rear portion of the depending wall and inwardly of side portions of the depending wall.