US20230135280A1

US20230135280A1 - Shroud for hand vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: US20230135280A1
Application number: US17/514,484
Authority: US
Inventors: Bradley R. York; Julia H. Moylan; Benson E. Truitt
Original assignee: Techtronic Cordless GP
Current assignee: Techtronic Cordless GP
Priority date: 2021-10-29
Filing date: 2021-10-29
Publication date: 2023-05-04
Also published as: MX2021015615A; CA3143653A1

Abstract

A shroud of a vacuum cleaner that includes a housing supporting an impeller configured for creating a working airflow path between a dirty air inlet and an exhaust outlet. The shroud includes a forward wall having a shroud inlet, an annular axial wall, and an opening formed in the annular wall. The shroud inlet is configured to be aligned with an inlet of the impeller inlet along an axial direction, and the annular axial wall extends away from an outer perimeter of the forward wall along the axial direction. The opening is configured to be arranged in line with a portion of the exhaust outlet along the radial direction. The annular axial wall and the opening define an overall circumferential perimeter of the shroud. The annular axial wall occupies more than half of the overall circumferential perimeter, and the opening occupies less than half of the overall circumferential perimeter.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to vacuum cleaners. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to impeller shrouds for wet/dry type hand vacuum cleaners.

BACKGROUND

Vacuum cleaners, such as single hand operated vacuum cleaners, are typically useable for dry cleaning or wet and dry type extraction. Some known hand vacuum cleaners include an impeller shroud positioned in the airflow path. Such shrouds may direct the air flow through and/or out of the vacuum cleaner.

SUMMARY

One example embodiment of the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner including a housing defining a dirty air inlet and an exhaust outlet and a suction motor assembly operable to create a working airflow path from the dirty air inlet to the exhaust outlet. The suction motor assembly includes a motor having a motor shaft rotatable about a motor axis defining an axial direction, an impeller, and a shroud supported within the housing. The impeller includes a base plate coupled to the motor shaft for rotation with the motor shaft, a cover plate spaced from the base plate and including an impeller inlet aligned with the motor axis, and a plurality of vanes extending between the base plate and cover plate. Rotation of the impeller draws in the working airflow in the axial direction through the impeller inlet and expels the working airflow outwardly from the plurality of vanes in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The shroud includes a forward wall covering and facing the cover plate and having a shroud inlet aligned with the impeller inlet, and an annular axial wall extending from the outer perimeter of the forward wall in the direction of the motor axis. The annular axial wall includes an opening aligned with the exhaust outlet and redirects the working airflow exiting radially from the impeller into the axial direction. The opening allows the working airflow exiting radially from the impeller to pass unimpeded by the shroud toward the exhaust outlet.
Another example embodiment of the present invention provides a suction motor assembly operable to create a working airflow path from a dirty air inlet to an exhaust outlet. The suction motor assembly includes a motor having a motor shaft rotatable about a motor axis defining an axial direction, an impeller, and a shroud. The impeller includes a base plate coupled to the motor shaft for rotation with the motor shaft, a cover plate spaced from the base plate and including an impeller inlet aligned with the motor axis, and a plurality of vanes extending between the base plate and cover plate. Rotation of the impeller draws in the working airflow in the axial direction through the impeller inlet and expels the working airflow outwardly from the plurality of vanes in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The shroud includes a forward wall covering and facing the cover plate and having a shroud inlet aligned with the impeller inlet, and an annular axial wall extending from an outer perimeter of the forward wall in a direction of the motor axis. The annular axial wall includes an opening configured to be aligned with the exhaust outlet and redirects the working airflow exiting radially from the impeller into the axial direction. The opening is further configured to allow the working airflow exiting radially from the impeller to pass unimpeded by the shroud toward the exhaust outlet.
Still another example embodiment of the present invention provides a shroud of a vacuum cleaner that includes a housing supporting an impeller configured for creating a working airflow path between a dirty air inlet and an exhaust outlet. The shroud includes a forward wall having a shroud inlet configured to be aligned with an inlet of the impeller inlet along an axial direction, an annular axial wall extending away from an outer perimeter of the forward wall along the axial direction, and an opening formed in the annular wall. The opening is configured to be arranged in line with a portion of the exhaust outlet along the radial direction. The annular axial wall and the opening define an overall circumferential perimeter of the shroud. The annular axial wall occupies more than half of the overall circumferential perimeter, and the opening occupies less than half of the overall circumferential perimeter.
Other features and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, illustrating a portion of a housing shifted to reveal an inside of the housing.

FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectioned perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 , taken through line 2-2 of FIG. 1 , illustrating a shroud and impeller arrangement.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional top view of the hand vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 , taken through line 3-3 of FIG. 1 , including a magnified view of a sealing area.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a shroud shown in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 5A is a side view of a shroud, according to one embodiment of the present invention, useable with the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the shroud of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a shroud, according to another embodiment of the present invention, useable with the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7A is a side view of the shroud of FIG. 5A positioned within the housing of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7A, illustrating an example airflow path through the shroud and housing.

FIG. 7C is a view similar to FIG. 2 , alternately illustrating the shroud of FIG. 5A positioned within the housing and illustrating an example airflow path.

FIG. 8A is a side view of the shroud of FIG. 6 positioned within the housing of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 8A, illustrating an example airflow path through the shroud and the housing.

FIG. 8C is a view similar to FIG. 2 , alternately illustrating the shroud of FIG. 6 positioned within the housing and illustrating an example airflow path.

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a vacuum cleaner 10, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 10 is a hand vacuum cleaner 10 useable for dry of wet and dry type extraction, although other types of vacuums, such as upright, cannister, box, or the like are contemplated.
The vacuum 10 of the illustrated embodiment includes a housing 12, a collector or tank 14 providing a dirty air tank inlet 16, and a battery 20 removably coupled to the housing 12, with the housing 12 extending along an axis A generally in an axial direction AD between a first end 24 and a second end 28. The vacuum 10 further includes a suction motor assembly 30 supported in the housing 12, and the housing 12 includes a handle 32 having a switch 36, a battery receptacle 38, a dirty air inlet 16, and exhaust outlets 40. As described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 3, 7A-B, and 8A-B, the suction motor assembly 30 is operable to generate a working airflow WA and create a working airflow path WAP from the dirty air inlet 16 to the exhaust outlets 40.
As shown in FIG. 1 , the exhaust outlets 40 are defined by a plurality of exhaust vents 42 that are formed in the housing 12 and positioned along the axis A between the first end 24 and the second end 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of exhaust vents 42 includes forward vents 43 and rearward vents 44. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the plurality of exhaust vents 42, including the forward vents 43 and the rearward vents 44, are located symmetrically on opposing sides of the housing 12. In the illustrated arrangement, the plurality of exhaust vents 42 are located on opposite side of the handle 32. In some embodiments, the plurality of exhaust vents 42 may be positioned on opposing upper and lower portions of the housing 12. The handle 32 may be positioned adjacent a top of the housing 12 and may allow a user to grasp and carry the hand vacuum 10 during, for example, a vacuuming or carrying operation. A grip 45 is positioned along the handle 32 to increase a gripping ability of a user.
In the illustrated embodiment, the switch 36 is an ON/OFF switch 36 that is configured to activate (e.g., turn ON) and deactivate (e.g., turn OFF) the motor assembly 30.
The tank 14 is removably coupled/mounted to the housing 12, and, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the housing 12 supports the tank 14 and includes a tank releasing button 68 that may be used to release the tank 14 from the housing 12. In other embodiments, the housing 12 can support multiple tanks. In the illustrated embodiment, the tank releasing button 68 is positioned adjacent a top of the vacuum 10. When the tank 14 is coupled to the housing 12, a body of the tank 14 is positioned between the tank inlet 16 and the housing 12 and is configured to store extracted debris and/or liquid that is separated from the working airflow. Further, when the tank 14 is coupled to the housing 12, the suction motor assembly 30 is operable to generate the working airflow from the dirty air tank inlet 16 to the exhaust outlet 40.
Positioned inside the tank 14 and removably coupled to the housing 12 is a filter assembly 48 that includes a filter housing 52 and a filter member 56 encased in the housing 52. The filter assembly 48 is configured to separate dust and debris from the working airflow WA to then be collected in the tank 14. In the illustrated embodiment, a periphery or outer surface 18 (FIGS. 1 and 3 ) of the of the filter housing 52 may be compressed or sandwiched between the tank 14 and the housing 12 to form a seal. In some embodiments, the outer surface 18 extends radially around the hand vacuum 10 to form a radial seal such that the filter assembly 48 forms the seal between the tank 14 and the housing 12.
With specific reference to the magnified view of FIG. 3 , the filter assembly 48 further supports a sealing member 22, such as a gasket, ring, and/or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing member 22 is a radial gasket 22 that provides a seal between the tank 14 and the filter assembly 48. In some embodiments, the gasket 22 may be integrally formed on the filter assembly 48. As further illustrated in FIG. 3 , a portion (e.g., the outer surface 18) of the filter housing 52 is generally z-shaped and forms a sealing area or contact between multiple surfaces of the tank 14 and housing 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the outer surface 18 of the filter assembly 48 may terminate at an interface between the housing 12 and the filter assembly 48 and/or tank 14. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the outer surface 18 includes a lip 21 that covers an edge 23 at an open end of the tank 14 along the axial direction AD. In some embodiments, the outer surface 18 contours with a shape of the housing 12 and is compressed against the housing 12 so as to not cover the exhaust outlets 40. For example, the lip 21 may be compressed between the housing 12 and the edge 23 along the axial direction AD except for, in some embodiments, in a region of the exhaust outlets 40. In the region of the exhaust outlets 40, the filter assembly 48 may still be radially compressed between the tank 14 and the housing 12 to provide the seal.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the tank inlet 16 is adjacent the first end 24 of the tank 14 and is permanently defined by the tank 14. Extracted debris enters the tank inlet 16 once the hand vacuum 10 is activated (e.g., the suction motor assembly 30 is energized). A dust flap 72 may be coupled to the tank inlet 16 and positioned inside the tank 14 to prevent debris from exiting the tank 14 through the tank inlet 16 (e.g., when the suction motor assembly 30 is not energized). After separated debris is deposited in the tank 14, the tank 14 may be removed, for example, through actuation of the release button 68, and a user may empty the debris from the tank 14.
Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 3 , the suction motor assembly 30 includes a motor 74, an impeller 78, and a shroud 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the impeller 78 may be a fan, airfoil, and/or the like, which includes a base plate 86, a cover plate 90, and a plurality of vanes 94. As shown in FIG. 3 , the base plate 86 can be coupled to an output shaft 98 of the motor 74 such that rotation of the shaft 98 drives actuation (e.g., rotation) of the impeller 78. The cover plate 90 may be at least partially spaced from the base plate 86 and defines an impeller inlet 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor shaft 98 rotates about a motor axis MA, which is aligned with an axis of IA of the impeller 78. Referring briefly to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the plurality of vanes 94 extend principally in the axial direction AD between the base plate 86 and the cover plate 90 such that rotation of the impeller 78 draws the working airflow WA generally in the axial direction AD through the impeller inlet 102 and expels the working airflow WA outwardly in a radial direction RD. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial direction RD and the axial direction AD are substantially perpendicular relative one another.
As introduced above, the removable battery 20 is received by the battery receptacle 38 and is configured to supply power to the motor 74, which may be energized (e.g., by selective operation of the switch 36) to rotate the motor shaft 98 and thus the impeller 78. Once actuated, the impeller 78 rotates to generate the working airflow WA through the vacuum 10.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 , the impeller 78 is positioned generally within/inside the shroud 82 and is at least partially surrounded by the shroud 82 such that the shroud 82 is configured to at least partially redirect the working airflow WA. Positionable in the housing 12 between the suction inlet 16 and the motor 74, the shroud 82 includes a first or forward wall 112 and a second or annular axial wall 116. As shown in FIG. 2 , the shroud 82 further includes one or more support members 118 configured to support the shroud 82 in the housing 12. The support members 118 may be solid or hollow beams, arms, and/or the like.
With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3 , the forward wall 112 faces the cover plate 90 and may cover portions and/or all of the cover plate 90. The forward wall 112 further has a shroud inlet 120 that is generally aligned with the impeller inlet 102 in the axial direction AD.
In some embodiments, the shroud inlet 120 is generally cone-shaped and defines a diameter D measured along the axial direction AD. Stated another way, the shroud inlet 120 may have different diameters D depending on where along the axial direction AD the diameter D is measured. In the illustrated embodiment, the shroud inlet 120 has a frustoconical shape, and the diameter D of the shroud inlet 120 decreases as the inlet 120 approaches the annular axial wall 116 in the axial direction AD. In some embodiments, the portion of the forward wall 112 that includes/forms the shroud inlet 120 may follow an hour glass-shape such that the diameter D decreases and increases as the inlet 120 approaches the annular axial wall 116 in the axial direction AD.
Shown particularly in FIG. 4 , the annular axial wall 116 extends from an outer perimeter OP of the forward wall 112 along the axial direction AD (e.g., in a direction of the motor axis MA). In some embodiments of the shroud 82, such as the embodiment of a shroud 82 a illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 7A-C and the embodiment of a shroud 82 b illustrated in FIGS. 6, and 8A-C, the respective annular axial wall 116 may include an opening (e.g. opening 124 a of shroud 82 a and opening 124 b of shroud 82 b) configured to be aligned with the exhaust outlet 40, particularly with the forward exhaust vents 43. In each embodiment of the shroud 82, 82 a, 82 b, the respective annular axial wall 116 may redirect the working airflow WA that exits the impeller 78 in the radial direction RD into the axial direction AD. In alternate example embodiments of the shroud (e.g., shroud 82 a, shroud 82 b), the opening (e.g. opening 124 a of shroud 82 a and opening 124 b of shroud 82 b) allows the working airflow WA that exits the impeller 78 in the radial direction RD to pass unimpeded toward the exhaust outlet 40 (e.g., the forward exhaust vents 43).
Referring briefly back to FIG. 2 , the illustrated forward vents 43 are shown as partially cross-sectioned, while the shroud 82 remains non-sectioned. The illustrated annular axial wall 116 of the illustrated shroud 82 may include one or more cutouts 128, recesses, or the like formed therein to allow a portion of the working airflow WA exiting radially from the impeller 78 to pass through a portion of the shroud 82. Working airflow WA that does not pass unimpeded by the shroud 82 may then bypass the first exhaust vent 43 such that the annular axial wall 116 does impede the working airflow WA and directs the working airflow WA in the axial direction AD to be exhausted through rearward exhaust outlets 44 (e.g., rearward exhaust vents 44). In some embodiments, the shroud 82 may not include recesses that allow radial working airflow WA to pass through such that all of the working airflow WA is exhausted through the rearward exhaust vents 44. In other words, the annular axial wall 116 may impede working airflow WA from exhausting through the forward vents 43, while the recesses 128 define openings that may allow working airflow WA to exhaust through the forward vents 43.
Referring now to FIGS. 5A-8C, some of the differences between the shroud 82 and the alternate shrouds 82 a, 82 b will now be described in greater detail. One example construction of the vacuum cleaner 10 includes the shroud 82, another example construction of the vacuum cleaner 10 includes the shroud 82 a, and yet another example construction of the vacuum cleaner 10 includes the shroud 82 b. It should therefore be understood that other elements of the vacuum cleaner 10 (e.g., other than the shrouds 82, 82 a, 82 b) are generally and substantially similar across embodiments of the vacuum cleaner 10.
With specific reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 7A-7C, some differences between the shroud 82 and the shroud 82 a are described using reference numerals followed by the letter “a”. Similarly, with specific reference to FIGS. 6 and 8A-8C, some differences between the shroud 82 and the shroud 82 b are described using reference numerals followed by the letter “b”.
Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 8A, similar to the shroud 82, the impeller 78 is positioned generally within/inside the shroud 82 a, 82 b and is at least partially surrounded by the shroud 82 a, 82 b such that the shroud 82 a, 82 b is configured to at least partially redirect the working airflow WA. Also positionable in the housing 12 between the suction inlet 16 and the motor 74, the shroud 82 a includes the first or forward wall 112 and a second or annular axial wall 116 a, 116 b. The forward wall 112 faces the cover plate 90 of the impeller 78 and may cover portions and/or all of the cover plate 90. The forward wall 112 of the shroud 82 a, 82 b further has the shroud inlet 120 that is generally aligned with the impeller inlet 102 in the axial direction AD.
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 6 , the annular axial wall 116 a, 116 b extends from the outer perimeter OP of the forward wall 112 along the axial direction AD (e.g., in a direction of the motor axis MA). The annular axial wall 116 a, 116 b further includes the opening 124 a, 124 b (introduced above), which is configured to be aligned with the forward exhaust vents 43. In the illustrated embodiment, the annular axial wall 116 a, 116 b includes a first portion 132 and second portion 136. In some embodiments, the first portion 132 is a lower portion and the second portion 136 is an upper portion, although different relative positions/arrangements are considered. As best illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 6 , the opening 124 a, 124 b is defined by at least a portion or part of the second portion 136.
As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the annular axial wall 116 a of the shroud 82 a, including the opening 124 a, defines an overall circumferential perimeter CP of the shroud 82 a. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 124 a occupies less than half of the overall circumferential perimeter CP, while the annular axial wall 116 a, not including the opening 124 a, occupies more than half of the overall circumferential perimeter CP. In some embodiments, the opening 124 a occupies more than half of the overall circumferential perimeter CP and the annular axial wall 116 a, not including the opening 124 a, occupies less than half of the overall circumferential perimeter CP. It should be understood that FIG. 5B could also be representative of the shroud 82 b such the opening 124 b occupies less than half of the overall circumferential perimeter CP, while the annular axial wall 116 b, not including the opening 124 b, occupies more than half of the overall circumferential perimeter CP. For the annular axial wall 116 a of the shroud 82 a and the annular axial wall 116 b of the shroud 82 b, the opening 124 a, 124 b may be substantially continuous along the occupied portion of the overall circumferential perimeter CP.
As further shown in FIG. 5A, the annular axial wall 116 a of the shroud 82 a includes a lip 140 that extends into the opening 124 a. In the illustrated embodiment, the lip 140 extends from the forward wall 112. In other embodiments, the lip 140 extends into the opening 124 a from the first portion 132 of the annular axial wall 116 a. The lip 140, which may be a curved lip 140, extends at least partially in the radial direction RD and at least partially in the axial direction AD. As shown in FIG. 5B, the lip 140 may be positioned on the shroud 82 a adjacent the opening 124 a and between two of the cutouts 128 in the forward wall 112. It can be seen in FIG. 6 that the annular axial wall 116 b of the shroud 82 b does not include the lip, the significance of which will be described in greater detail below.
As illustrated in FIGS. 7A-C and 8A-C, the first portion 132 of the annular axial wall 116 a, 116 b overlaps the impeller 78 in the radial direction RD and the second portion 136 does not overlap the annular axial wall 116 a, 116 b in the radial direction such that, in some embodiments, the second portion 136 is recessed relative the first portion 132 relative the axial direction AD. In the illustrated embodiment, a line LL extending along the radial direction RD intersects at least one forward vent 43 of the exhaust outlets 40, the opening 124 a, 124 b, and the impeller 78. In other words, at least a portion of the forward vents 43 and at least a portion of the opening 124 a, 124 b are substantially planer (e.g., positioned in a common plane).
As best shown in FIGS. 7A-B and 8A-B, working airflow WA that enters through the shroud inlet 120 flows into the impeller 78, principally in the axial direction AD, and exits the impeller 78 principally in the radial direction RD. The annular axial wall 116 a, 116 b, where present (e.g., not present in the opening 124 a, 124 b), redirects the working airflow WA in the axial direction AD. The opening 124 a, 124 b, however, allows the working airflow WA exiting the impeller 78 to flow unimpeded by the annular axial wall 116 a, 116 b toward the forward vents 43 and out of the housing 12. The presence of the opening 124 a, 124 b allows for greater air exhaustion, which may lead to decreased backpressure and/or increased airflow through the vacuum cleaner 10. In some instances, the opening 124 a, 124 b may provide an outlet for liquid separated from the working airflow WA such that the separated liquid does not pass through or contact components (e.g., motor 34, circuitry, or the like) of the vacuum 10.
The working airflow WA that does not pass radially outwardly past the annular axial wall 116 a, 116 b may then bypass the forward vents 43 and exit the housing 12 via one or more rearward vents 44. The lip 140, as illustrated particularly in FIGS. 7A-7C, may smooth the transition of the working airflow WA passing through the opening 124 a and out of the housing 12. In some embodiments, the lip 140 may include perforations. In some embodiments, such as for the shroud 82 b of FIGS. 6 and 8A-8C, the lip 140 may be omitted.
Although not specifically discussed herein with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the embodiments as described.
Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a housing defining a dirty air inlet and an exhaust outlet; and

a suction motor assembly operable to create a working airflow path from the dirty air inlet to the exhaust outlet, the suction motor assembly including

a motor having a motor shaft rotatable about a motor axis defining an axial direction,

an impeller including

a base plate coupled to the motor shaft for rotation with the motor shaft,

a cover plate spaced from the base plate and including an impeller inlet aligned with the motor axis, and

a plurality of vanes extending between the base plate and cover plate, wherein rotation of the impeller draws in the working airflow in the axial direction through the impeller inlet and expels the working airflow outwardly from the plurality of vanes in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and

a shroud supported within the housing and including

a forward wall covering and facing the cover plate and having a shroud inlet aligned with the impeller inlet, and

an annular axial wall extending from an outer perimeter of the forward wall in a direction of the motor axis, wherein the annular axial wall includes an opening aligned with the exhaust outlet;

wherein the annular axial wall redirects the working airflow exiting radially from the impeller into the axial direction and the opening allows the working airflow exiting radially from the impeller to pass unimpeded by the shroud toward the exhaust outlet.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the exhaust outlet is a first exhaust outlet and the housing further defines a second exhaust outlet offset relative the first exhaust outlet relative the axial direction, wherein the annular axial wall directs the working airflow passed the first exhaust outlet and toward the second exhaust outlet.

3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the forward wall that includes the should inlet has a frustoconical shape.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein a diameter of the shroud inlet decreases as the portion of the forward wall that includes the should inlet nears the cover plate.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the annular axial wall overlaps the impeller in the radial direction, and wherein a second portion of the annular axial wall does not overlap the impeller in the radial direction, the second portion being recessed relative the first portion in the axial direction.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein the opening is defined by at least a part of the second portion.

7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the annular axial wall, including the opening, defines an overall circumferential perimeter of the shroud, wherein the annular axial wall, not including the opening, occupies more than half of the overall circumferential perimeter, and wherein the opening occupies less than half of the overall circumferential perimeter.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the opening is continuous along less than half of the overall circumferential perimeter.

9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein a line extending along the radial direction intersects the exhaust outlet, the opening, and the impeller.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a battery receptacle configured to receive one or more batteries, a collector mount configured to receive one or more collectors, and a handle positioned between the battery receptacle and the collector mount relative the axial direction.

11. A suction motor assembly operable to create a working airflow path from a dirty air inlet of a vacuum cleaner to an exhaust outlet, the suction motor assembly comprising:

a motor having a motor shaft rotatably about a motor axis defining an axial direction;

an impeller including

a base plate coupled to the motor shaft for rotation with the motor shaft,

a plurality of vanes extending between the base plate and cover plate, wherein rotation of the impeller draws in the working airflow in the axial direction through the impeller inlet and expels the working airflow outwardly from the plurality of vanes in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction; and

a shroud including

an annular axial wall extending from an outer perimeter of the forward wall in a direction of the motor axis, wherein the annular axial wall includes an opening configured to be aligned with the exhaust outlet;

wherein the annular axial wall redirects the working airflow exiting radially from the impeller into the axial direction and the opening is configured to allow the working airflow exiting radially from the impeller to pass unimpeded by the shroud toward the exhaust outlet.

12. The suction motor assembly of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the forward wall that includes the should inlet has a frustoconical shape.

13. The suction motor assembly of claim 12, wherein a diameter of the shroud inlet decreases as the portion of the forward wall that includes the should inlet nears the cover plate.

14. The suction motor assembly of claim 11, wherein the annular axial wall, including the opening, defines an overall circumferential perimeter of the shroud, wherein the annular axial wall, not including the opening, occupies more than half of the overall circumferential perimeter, and wherein the opening occupies less than half of the overall circumferential perimeter.

15. The suction motor assembly of claim 14, wherein the opening is continuous along less than half of the overall circumferential perimeter.

16. The suction motor assembly of claim 11, wherein a line extending along the radial direction intersects the exhaust outlet, the opening, and the impeller.

17. The suction motor assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one of the forward wall and the annular axial wall includes a lip, the lip extending into the opening from the at least one of the forward wall and the annular axial wall.

18. A shroud of a vacuum cleaner that includes a housing supporting an impeller configured for creating a working airflow path between a dirty air inlet and an exhaust outlet, the shroud comprising:

a forward wall having a shroud inlet configured to be aligned with an inlet of the impeller inlet along an axial direction;

an annular axial wall extending away from an outer perimeter of the forward wall along the axial direction; and

an opening formed in the annular wall, the opening configured to be arranged in line with a portion of the exhaust outlet along the radial direction;

wherein the annular axial wall and the opening define an overall circumferential perimeter of the shroud;

wherein the annular axial wall occupies more than half of the overall circumferential perimeter; and

wherein the opening occupies less than half of the overall circumferential perimeter.

19. The shroud of claim 18, wherein the opening is continuous along less than half of the overall circumferential perimeter.

20. The shroud of claim 18, wherein at least one of the forward wall and the annular axial wall includes a lip that extends into the opening from the at least one of the forward wall and the annular axial wall.