DE602004009782T2 - household vacuum cleaners - Google Patents

Description

The The present invention relates to an improved household vacuum cleaner.

generally known Vacuum cleaners essentially comprise a box-shaped housing and a blower coupled to a naturally aspirated, with an inlet duct for dust and / or dirt-containing air is connected. For the domestic Cleaning is therefore a vacuum cleaner used in which the dusty Air flow, which is caused by the engine / suction unit, through a filter happens, for. B. a membrane filter (usually in the Shape of a bag), which contained in the sucked air flow withhold solid particles and can separate. The contained in the intake air flow Dust is therefore separated by the filter to clean air from the vacuum cleaner over suitable for the vacuum cleaner housing remove provided slots to be able to.

however creates the switched between inlet port and engine / suction unit Membrane filter a considerable Loss of load in the intake circuit and thus reduces the suction power of the vacuum cleaner with the same engine power. In practice, the Disadvantage of this vacuum cleaner in the fact that consumption the bigger, The higher the required degree of filtration because the membrane filter is an obstacle in the air flow and considerable load losses causes, which are the bigger the more dust accumulates in the filter.

One Another disadvantage of this vacuum cleaner lies in the fact that the membrane filter replaced regularly must be, as it is due to the accumulating during use Dust tends to oppose the flow of air with increasing resistance. as with the generation of a smaller negative pressure at the suction port and so that a deterioration of the performance of the vacuum cleaner is accompanied.

Around to solve these problems have been developed in recent years fluid bath vacuum cleaner, comprising a box-shaped casing with a collection tank adapted to receive a fluid Suction channel for Cleaning operations and a motor / suction unit within the housing in fluid communication with the tank.

Of the Tank contains a fluid, generally water, into which the dusty airflow is bubbled under pressure, so as to extract the water Obtained in the sucked air stream dust.

in the Compared with conventional vacuum cleaners, the suction power remains above the Time constant, since there are no filters or filter bags, with the Result that efficiency and running costs are more limited are. However, the manufacturing costs are high, as a high performance engine / suction unit is required and the presence of water means that seals, Protection devices and the like are needed.

Although Vacuum cleaner of the type mentioned above are satisfying in practical terms, they are with the serious disadvantage that the air cleaning fluid back, can flow into the suction path downstream of the tank and / or through the cleaned air can be transported along this path.

It have to Therefore, sealed electric motors are used whose Cost, however, a considerable Affect the final price of the vacuum cleaner.

A vacuum cleaner according to the preamble of claim 1 is in the document JP 2001 286422 disclosed.

in view of The prior art described above is an article The present invention provides a vacuum cleaner with design and functional elements that are able the disadvantages described above with respect to vacuum cleaners to avoid the prior art.

One Another object of the present invention is the provision a vacuum cleaner, where the tank for the fluid used for extraction the dust is separated from the engine / suction unit is, and therefore for the user is easier and more practical to handle.

One Another object of the present invention is the provision a vacuum cleaner that is economical and functional, the one efficient filtration of the sucked air allows them and before they exit separates from dust and dirt particles as well as fluid droplets.

This Subject is achieved in accordance with the present invention by a vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1.

When a consequence of the present invention, it is therefore possible, a high-efficiency household vacuum cleaner with a minimum power consumption, provide compact dimensions and a high particle collection capacity.

The characteristic features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following the detailed description of a practical embodiment thereof, which is shown as a non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings; show it:

1 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention;

2 a representation in cross section along the line II-II of the vacuum cleaner of 1 associated tanks;

3 a plan view of the vacuum cleaner of 1 associated tank;

4 a schematic side view of the tank of the vacuum cleaner of 1 ;

5 a sectional view of a detail of the vacuum cleaner;

6 a sectional view of another detail of the vacuum cleaner of 1 ,

In the accompanying drawings is a household appliance for cleaning by sucking dust or a vacuum cleaner with a total of 1 designated.

The vacuum cleaner 1 includes a housing 2 a tank 3 assigned.

The housing 2 of the vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a filtration suction unit 2A comprising a container 4 by extraction from the housing 2 can be removed, a motor / suction unit 5 , a filter holder 6 which is upstream of the engine / suction unit 5 is arranged, and an air outlet path 7 , which downstream of the engine / suction unit 5 is arranged.

In the following description, in order to ensure improved and constant dust catching efficiency and capability even for very fine dust, which is very often the cause of allergies, the embodiment provided with an axial swirl chamber or spiral is considered the best embodiment of the filtration suction unit 2A proposed.

alternative Is it possible, any other known type of filtration suction unit to use, which is cheaper to produce than the axial vortex chamber or spiral.

The container 4 takes, in a preferred embodiment such. B. the embodiment of 1 , the practical shape of a truncated-section type body: it is laterally with an inlet opening 8th provided, to which dirt and dust collecting tools (pipes, brushes, crevices, etc.) of known type and not shown in the drawings, can be connected, it comprises an upper part 9 , which is suitable to the container 4 from the engine / suction unit 5 and also includes a base in the lower part 10 , which is suitable to collect the dust residues.

A substantially cylindrical channel 11 (which in practice is slightly conical to facilitate molding operations), which in a known manner with the filter holder 6 is connected, extends coaxially with the container 4 and within it.

The engine / suction unit 5 of a substantially known type comprises an electric motor adapted to cause the rotation of a fan which is capable of reducing the negative pressure within the container 4 to generate the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 gives concrete shape. The motor / suction unit 5 is from a base 12 held, which as a partition between this engine / suction unit 5 and the exit path 7 acts.

The filter holder 6 includes in its interior a filter 6A which, in a preferred embodiment, takes the form of a star-type filtration element. This filter 6A Can be easily removed by extraction from the filter holder 6 to enable periodic cleaning operations.

It is obvious that a person skilled in the field of this star-shaped filter 6A by other, design and / or functionally equivalent filter can replace.

Accordingly, the means of the engine / suction unit occurs 5 sucked in air tangentially (arrow A) via the inlet opening 8th in the container 4 and flows with a swirling motion (arrow B) down into the frusto-conical body of the container 4 , In this way, the coarser particles contained in the sucked air are deposited on the base 10 of the container 4 and the partially purified air rises back up to the center (arrow C) of the frusto-conical body to enter the central channel 11 to flow.

A scroll or vortex chamber (not shown) which communicates the substantially axial air flow in the channel 11 with a swirling motion is in the central channel 11 firmly housed and z. B. by plastic thermal welding, adhesion or simply secured by pressure.

As a result of this swirling motion, the residual dust in the engine / suction unit becomes 5 Suctioned airflow is contained in one flung out peripheral ring to the outside.

The separation of the peripheral part of the air flow from the central part takes place within the channel 11 instead, in particular downstream of the vortex chamber, so that this central part is free through the star-shaped filter 6A can flow. The dust contained in the peripheral part of the air stream gradually accumulates on the walls of the swirling chamber and tends to collect under the influence of gravity toward the bottom of the swirling chamber and is deposited on the base 10 of the container 4 from.

The accumulation of dust in the star-shaped filter 6A is therefore significantly reduced. It will be apparent that this container 4 is to be emptied by the user at certain times.

The airflow coming from the apex of the vortex chamber 11 is discharged and through the filter 6A goes through, is thus in the direction of the engine / suction unit 5 transported (arrows D).

The engine / suction unit 5 discharged air (arrows E) is then by means of a deflection device 13 , which are in the air outlet chamber 7 is included, distracted. The purpose of the deflector 13 It consists of that of the engine / suction unit 5 deflected air downwards. In essence, the deflector conveys 13 that of the engine / suction unit 5 discharged air towards the base 12 ,

In the in 1 the embodiment shown is the deflection device 13 symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis XX of the engine / suction unit 5 , and in particular comprises the deflection device 13 a first area 14 that is outside the engine / vacuum unit 5 extends, and a second area 15 parallel to the vertical axis XX of the engine / vacuum unit 5 extends.

The housing 2 of the vacuum cleaner 1 further comprises an outlet opening 16 , which is suitable, the engine / suction unit 5 with the tank 3 over the exit path 7 to bring in fluid communication. The Tank 3 contains a container inside 3A that by extraction from the tank 3 can be removed. The container 3A is suitable, the residual dust, which in that of the engine / suction unit 5 discharged airflow is to collect.

The container 3A is suitable to a predetermined level L with a fluid 17 to be filled, z. As water, possibly mixed with a deodorant, disinfectant or the like products.

A seal 18 , z. As a rubber, is advantageous at the peripheral edge of the outlet opening 15 of the housing 2 arranged and is suitable to prevent the fluid access to the engine / suction unit 5 wins and / or out of the container 3A escapes.

The container 3A partially filled with the fluid 17 as described above, is therefore in direct fluid communication with the engine / vacuum unit 5 via means for reducing the speed of the engine / suction unit 5 discharged air. In practice, these means take the form of a widening or divergent channel 19 at, whose free end area 19A above the free surface L of the fluid 17 is arranged.

The channel 19 is thus in fluid communication with the engine / suction unit 5 over the air outlet path 7 by means of a elbow curved elbow 19B ,

A second expanding or diverging channel 22 is partially in the canal 19 used. Both channels 19 and 22 have a smaller air inlet area and a diverging air outlet area.

In a preferred embodiment, as in 1 shown is the channel 22 coaxial in the channel 19 arranged. In particular, the channel 22 with its smaller inlet area over a section Δ within the channel 19 used and has a free area 22A outside the canal 19 on. This free area 22A stands from the channel 19 over a section having a linear dimension smaller than the total length of the channel 22 ,

Both the outlet portion of the diverging portion of the channel 19 as well as the divergent outlet section of the channel 22 are therefore in fluid communication with the container 3A ,

The channels 19 and 22 are substantially perpendicular to the free surface L of the fluid 17 to cause that from the engine / suction unit 5 discharged air acts on the surface of this fluid.

Advantageously, the particular divergent configuration of the channel means 19 in that the air is subjected to a first reduction in its speed, with a subsequent speed reduction at the outlet section of the second channel 22 is obtained. In practice, a smaller part of the flows in the channel 19 flowing air flow laterally with respect to the channel 22 (Arrows H), while the remaining part, ie a larger part of the in the channel 19 flowing airflow, into the smaller inlet section of the channel 22 entry (arrow I).

In a further embodiment (not shown), the channel 19 the inlet portion of the smaller area in fluid communication with the engine / suction unit 5 and the outlet portion of the diverging portion in fluid communication with the smaller inlet portion of the channel 22 ,

The latter in turn has its own divergent air outlet area in fluid communication with the container 3A on. In other words, the channels 19 and 22 are connected in a row.

The air outlet path 7 includes valve means 20 which are suitable, the one-way passage of the engine / suction unit 5 allow exhausted air, as detailed in 5 shown.

Advantageously, the valve means 20 inside the manifold 19B arranged and in practice take the form of a flap, articulated by means of a joint 21 on the canal 19 upstream of the bend 19B ,

The function of these valve means is the fluid connection between the engine / suction unit 5 and the container 3A to release and / or prevent, depending on the pressure conditions within this channel 19 ,

In particular, the closure flap is suitable for a first operating configuration (in 5 shown open position) in the presence of the motor / suction unit 5 taken air flow and a second operating configuration (closed position) to take in the absence of this stream or in case of improper maneuver of the user. In practice, it is z. B. after improper movements of the vacuum cleaner 1 , z. B. after a tip over of the vacuum cleaner, necessary to prevent the fluid 17 in the container 3A along the canal 19 to the engine / suction unit 5 streams - with the obvious and imaginable consequences. In this case, the shutter would - under the pressure of the fluid 17 - From the first operating position (open position) in the second operating position (closed position) go over and thus the outlet 16 of the housing 2 lock.

The flap can also intervene on occasions when the user has an excessive amount of fluid 17 in the container 3A introduced.

Alternatively, in practice, the valve means may take the form of a pneumatic type system provided with instantaneously expanding hydrosensitive means the purpose of which is the air outlet path 7 instantaneously to ensure the safety of the user and the engine / suction unit 5 to protect against an unavoidable short circuit.

It is obvious that one skilled in the art will appreciate the valve means described 20 could replace with other, design and / or functionally equivalent.

A filter holder 24 through which the channel 19 extends from end to end is in the container 3A in the neighborhood of an outlet slot 23 used.

A filter 25 and a stop device 26 are inside the filter holder 24 arranged.

The filter 25 is suitable solid impurities which are transported in the fluid mixed with air (arrows N), z. As hair, threads, etc., withhold. It is made of an impermeable material, which may be a metal, and provided with holes whose diameter is not too small. The fact that the holes of the filter 25 have a diameter that is not too small, means that load losses due to this filter are particularly limited.

Advantageously, this filter 25 slightly out of the filter holder 24 be removed so that impurities contained in it can be removed by washing.

The stop device 26 is suitable to supply the engine / suction unit 5 to prevent, if conditions occur, which could endanger the safety of the user.

A sensor 27 for the fluid level is in the tank 3 provided and can with the stop device 26 be connected to the operation of the engine / suction unit 5 to stop when the level L of the fluid 17 in the container 3A exceeds or falls below a predetermined threshold.

So if that's from the fluid 17 in the container 3A reached level L becomes excessive or below a predetermined, for the correct operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 essential minimum threshold falls, the operation of the engine / suction unit 5 stopped to allow the user to the tank 3 to empty or fill as needed.

The signal generated by the sensor to indicate an excess or deficiency of fluid in the container 3A may also drive suitable visual and / or audible warning means (not shown), e.g. B. warning lights, which indicate the condition of the vacuum cleaner 1 Show, so the Be user quickly and accurately determine the cause of the suppression of the operation of the vacuum cleaner.

Finally, if the fluid 17 in the container 3A exceeds a predetermined level, and the engine / suction unit 5 as a consequence of the sensor 27 supplied signal stops, the user can open the container 3A simply peel off, empty and reinsert to use the vacuum cleaner 1 continue.

In the in 6 In the embodiment shown, the level sensor takes 27 the shape of a sensor that is capable of the level L of the fluid 17 in the container 3A and to detect the turbidity level of this fluid, in accordance with techniques well known to those skilled in the art.

It will be up again 1 Referring to which it can be seen that a float 28 , guided by means of guidance 29 in the container 3A is arranged.

The swimmer 28 is essentially by means of the guide means 29 so restricted that it is in the neighborhood of the diverging outlet of the canal 22A remains. In particular, take the leadership means 29 the shape of a plurality of walls or bars, which are arranged in the form of a cage extending vertically from the base of the container 3A at the location of the diverging outlet of the channel 22 extends.

The swimmer 28 takes z. B. the shape of a ball, formed of a plastic material or of a material having similar properties. In particular, this float has 28 a diameter such that it is capable of the channel 22 shut off.

This is useful if the user improper maneuvers with the vacuum cleaner 1 exercises. When the vacuum cleaner 1 z. B. is tilted, especially when the engine / suction unit 5 is still being supplied, the float is 28 by means of the guide means 29 guided so that it enters the divergent outlet section of the canal 22 enters to shut it off completely.

In practice, the float slides 28 , once in the channel 22 until it reaches a stop position, as a result of which the channel 22 is locked. The only way through which the fluid 17 can escape, is the space between the channel 19 and the channel 22 but as soon as the fluid 17 in the neighborhood of the opening 16 of the housing 2 comes, the fluid itself exerts a pressure on the valve means 20 off, which move from the open to the closed position, thus preventing the fluid from the engine / suction unit 5 to reach. In this way, the safety of the user is ensured and the engine / suction unit 5 protected against an unavoidable short circuit.

It should be noted that in order to complete the necessary process of filling and / or refilling the container 3A to facilitate a scaled window 30 is provided so as to immediately from the fluid within the container 3A to be able to determine the level reached.

In use, the user fills the container 3A with fluid 17 to a desired level, by means of the appropriate graduated window 30 can be tested. The container 3A will in turn be in the tank 3 used, and - if the sensor 27 it allows - can the engine / suction unit 5 to be started. This unit 5 sucks over the inlet opening 8th Air to the container 4 out. The sucked air stream, which contains dust and / or solid particles, first enters the axial vortex chamber 11 , where a first cleaning step takes place, and then flows through the star-shaped filter 6A where it is subjected to a second filtration action, then from the deflection device 13 to be distracted and finally through the channel 19 (Arrow G) into the container 3A to flow. As described above, the particular divergent configuration of the channel means 19 in that the air is subjected to a first reduction in its speed, a subsequent reduction in speed being obtained at the outlet section of the possible second channel.

The out of the diverging area of the channels 19 and 22 escaping air flow (arrows M) acts at a speed lower than its speed when dispensed from the engine / vacuum unit 5 , on the free surface of the fluid 17 such that generation of turbulence and turbulence motions of moderate magnitude but sufficient to cause coalescence of the dust and dirt particles and even the partially atomized fluid contained in the airflow is promoted.

This results in the container 3A a fluid-saturated environment that involves mixing the solid particles in the drawn dusty stream with the fluid particles in suspension in the tank 3 facilitated.

Thus, a filtration of the solid particles is provided by means of a post-motor filtration design, ie the extraction of the dust residues takes place by means of the fluid 17 instead, which is upstream of the engine / suction unit 5 located.

It will be apparent that these are solid Particles are the particles which are unchanged by the star-shaped filter 6A gone through or were not caught in it.

In Vacuum cleaners according to the prior art is usually expensive Filtering from the commonly known as "HEPA" filter Type used to filter these residues. These filters are located at the outlet of the vacuum cleaner.

Advantageously, the vacuum cleaner requires 1 according to the present invention, no such "HEPA" filter, since the remaining solid particles, which from the engine / suction unit 5 be discharged from the fluid 17 be withheld.

After mixing with this fluid 17 The remaining particles tend to gravitate toward the base of the container under the influence of gravity 3A to fall into this fluid while the particles having a mass smaller than that of the above mixed with water with the air flow (arrows N) toward the outlet 23 (Arrows P) of the tank 3 to get promoted.

This ensures the discharge of slightly humid air to the vacuum cleaner 1 surrounding environment, wherein this discharged air is more tolerable than a stream of dry air, as it is produced by known vacuum cleaners.

Of the Vacuum cleaner according to the present Invention is therefore particularly efficient because it is not the use of filters with extremely small diameter pores requires which with considerable load losses go along with the suction circuit and thereby the Saugunterdruck in the inlet section the outer channel Reduce.

It is obvious that a specialist in the field - to eventual and to meet specific requirements - modifications and variations the embodiments described above could make without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims is to leave.

Claims (15)

Domestic cleaning vacuum cleaner of the type comprising: - a housing ( 2 ), which is suitable for sucking ( 5 ) in fluid communication with an air inlet port ( 8th ) to include; Filter media ( 6A . 11 ) for filtering the particles contained in the intake air, these filter means ( 6A . 11 ) between the inlet ( 8th ) and the suction means ( 5 ) are inserted; An air outlet path for conveying one through the suction means ( 5 ) sucked air flow to an outlet opening ( 23 ); - a tank ( 3 . 3A ) for a fluid ( 17 ), which the housing ( 2 ) is in fluid communication between the suction means and the outlet ( 23 ) to be inserted; where by the suction means ( 5 ) sucked air flow into the tank ( 3 . 3A ) is guided to access the free surface (L) of the fluid ( 17 ) in the tank ( 3 . 3A ) to interact; characterized in that the container means ( 19 . 22 ) for reducing the speed of the fluid through the suction means ( 5 ) sucked in air stream, before this stream on the free surface (L) of the fluid ( 17 ) so as to be in this tank ( 3 . 3A ) a saturated environment of fluid in suspension over the free surface (L) of the fluid ( 17 ) to create. Domestic cleaning vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the means ( 19 . 22 ) for reducing the speed of the suction means ( 5 ) discharged air stream at least a first channel ( 19 ) which diverges in the flow direction of the air flow, this first diverging channel ( 19 ) over the free surface (L) of the fluid ( 17 ) in the tank ( 3 . 3A ) is arranged. Domestic cleaning vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the means ( 19 . 22 ) for reducing the speed of the suction means ( 5 ) discharged air stream a second channel ( 22 ), which, in fluid communication with the first channel ( 19 ), diverges in the flow direction of the air stream, the second channel ( 22 ) the first channel ( 19 ) is subordinate directly. A domestic vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the second channel ( 22 ) over at least a portion (Δ) in the first channel ( 19 ) is used. A domestic vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the second channel ( 22 ) coaxially into the first channel ( 19 ) is used. Domestic cleaning vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the second channel ( 22 ) a part ( 22A ), which of the first channel ( 19 ), this above part ( 22A ) has a linear size which is smaller than the portion (Δ). Domestic vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank ( 3 . 3A ) a container ( 3A ), which by extraction from the tank ( 3 ) can be removed. Domestic cleaning vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the tank ( 3A ) Medium ( 27 ) for detecting the level of the free surface (L) of the fluid ( 17 ) in the tank ( 3A ), which means ( 27 ) with a stop device ( 26 ) for deactivating the suction means ( 5 ) can be connected. Domestic vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filtering means ( 6A . 11 ) for filtering the particles, a star-shaped filter element ( 6A ) and an axial vortex chamber ( 11 ). Domestic cleaning vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises valve means ( 20 ) for shutting off the fluid ( 17 ), these valve means ( 20 ) in the air outlet path ( 7 ) are arranged. Domestic cleaning vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the valve means ( 20 ) the first channel ( 19 ) are arranged upstream and comprise a closure flap, which can move between a first and a second operating position, in which it releases or prevents fluid communication. Domestic cleaning vacuum cleaner as claimed in claims 8 and 11, characterized in that the stop device ( 26 ), the supply of the suction means in dependence on the first and second operating position of the valve means ( 20 ) to prevent. A domestic vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the first channel ( 19 ) its divergent outlet section substantially perpendicular to the free surface (L) of the fluid ( 17 ) having. A domestic vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the second channel ( 22 ) its divergent outlet portion substantially perpendicular to the free surface (L) of the fluid ( 17 ) having. Domestic vacuum cleaner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank ( 3 . 3A ) an impermeable filter element ( 25 ) near the outlet opening ( 23 ).