WO2012006997A1

WO2012006997A1 - A discharge valve for vacuum cleaners

Info

Publication number: WO2012006997A1
Application number: PCT/DK2011/000078
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Lauritsen; Hans Ulrik Lykke
Original assignee: Nilfisk Advance AS
Current assignee: Nilfisk AS
Priority date: 2010-07-12
Filing date: 2011-07-07
Publication date: 2012-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2013-01-12
Also published as: EP2592986A4; CN103037745B; EP2592986A1; CN103037745A; EP2592986B1; WO2012006997A8

Abstract

A discharge valve for vacuum cleaners, comprising an outer valve element (1) which is connected with at least one discharge channel in the vacuum cleaner, and a movable inner valve element (5) disposed in the outer valve element. The outer valve element (1) comprises a valve opening (3) configured such that a coupling element (2) connected with an external hose may be secured or attached to the discharge valve. When the discharge valve is closed, the outgoing flow of air is conveyed through at least one opening (4) in the outer valve element and further on to at least one discharge hole. When the discharge valve is opened, the inner valve element (5) is moved into the discharge channel, whereby the outgoing flow of air is conveyed into the discharge valve via the opening (4) and at least one opening (7) in the inner valve element and further out through the valve opening (3).

Description

A DISCHARGE VALVE FOR VACUUM CLEANERS The technical field The present invention relates to a discharge valve for vacuum cleaners and comprising at least one discharge channel which is connected with a discharge hole intended to convey an outgoing flow of air away from the vacuum cleaner. The invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising at least one discharge channel which is connected with a discharge hole intended to convey an outgoing flow of air away from the vacuum cleaner.

The invention moreover relates to a method of conveying an outgoing flow of air away from a vacuum cleaner, which comprises at least one discharge channel connected with a first discharge hole and a second opening, and wherein the outgoing flow of air is conveyed to the first discharge hole when the second opening is not used. The prior art

A vacuum cleaner is designed to suck dust or dirt up from a floor. This is done by creating a flow of air from the mouthpiece near the floor through a hose and a pipe to the cleaning unit itself. After the flow of air has passed the filters and the vacuum cleaner bag, the flow of air is conveyed out of the vacuum cleaner through a discharge hole. Normally, the discharge hole has a large cross-sectional area, so that the flow of air has a low discharge velocity, which is preferred so that the dust or dirt on the floor is not stirred up. If the vacuum cleaner is to be used for other purposes than vacuum cleaning, such as a blowing function, a flow of air having a high discharge veloc- ity and discharge pressure is preferred. Through the years, the applicant has presented various solutions to the problem.

The Nilfisk Sprint model describes such a solution, where the vacuum cleaner comprises a second smaller discharge hole which is covered by a lid, and to which a second hose may be secured. The Nilfisk Action model describes another solution, where the vacuum cleaner comprises a large discharge hole which comprises two grating halves, and a small discharge hole covered by a lid. The lid is connected with the one grating half, which is pushed in front of the other grating half when the lid is opened.

KR2004 0107083 A and US 7213297 B2 both describe a hand-operated valve which has two different positions. The valve is constructed such that it allows the vacuum cleaner either to suck or to blow through the same hose. The drawback of this structure is that the valve does not close the large discharge hole, but only conveys part of the outgoing flow of air in the discharge pipe to the valve and out through the hose. This means that the flow of air in the hose does not have a sufficiently high discharge velocity and discharge pressure.

The object of the invention

The present invention remedies the problems of the most immediate prior art by providing a discharge valve, characterized by comprising an outer valve element connected with the discharge channel and having an inner valve element, which is disposed inside the outer valve element, and which comprises at least one opening intended to convey the outgoing flow of air into the discharge valve, and at least the one valve element is movable relative to the other valve element. The inner valve element is movable relative to the outer valve element, or the outer valve element is movable relative to the inner valve element, or both valve elements are movable relative to each other, according to claim 2. Hereby, it is possible to block the discharge channel, so that the total flow of air is conveyed into the discharge valve via at least one opening on the discharge valve when the discharge valve is open. This results in an unprecedented ly strong effect of the outgoing flow of air.

According to claim 3, the outer valve element comprises a valve opening, which faces away from the discharge channel, and which is configured such that a coupling element may be secured or attached to the discharge valve. According to claim 4, the outer valve element comprises at least one opening at the opposite of the valve opening, said at least one opening being intended either to convey the outgoing flow of air through the outer valve element and further on to the discharge hole or to convey the outgoing flow of air into the discharge valve via the opening. According to claim 5, the inner valve element comprises a bottom at the one end, and at the other end an opening which faces away from the discharge channel, and an opening which is disposed on the side of the inner valve element. Hereby, it is possible to ensure that the discharge velocity and the discharge pressure of the flow of air are sufficiently high, so that the flow of air may be used for other purposes.

The bottom of the inner valve element comprises a cup-shaped part, and a spring is disposed in the cup part, or another spring is disposed between the outer valve element and the inner valve element, according to claim 6. Hereby, it is possible to close the discharge valve automatically when the coupling element is disconnected.

The coupling element moves the inner valve element into the discharge channel, so that the inner valve is caused to contact an opposed face in the discharge channel, according to claim 7. Hereby, it is possible to block the discharge channel, so that the outgoing flow of air is conveyed in through the discharge valve.

According to claim 8, the inner valve element or the outer valve element is rotated, e.g. 90°, relative to the outer valve element or the inner valve ele- ment. An alternative way of opening and closing the discharge valve is achieved hereby. Moreover, it is possible to achieve a more effective blocking of the discharge channel.

The invention also provides a vacuum cleaner characterized by comprising at least one discharge valve as described in any one of claims 1 - 8, which comprises an outer valve element with an inner valve element, which conveys the outgoing flow of air through the discharge valve via at least one opening, when the discharge valve is open. The invention moreover provides a method of conveying an outgoing flow of air away from a vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the second opening comprises a discharge valve as described in any one of claims 1 - 8, which comprises an outer valve element with an inner valve element, and wherein the outgoing flow of air is conveyed through at least one opening of the valve elements when the discharge valve is open. According to claim 11 , the outgoing flow of air is conveyed through at least one opening of the outer valve element and further on to the first discharge hole when the discharge valve is closed. Hereby, it is possible to block the discharge channel, so that the flow of air is conveyed into the discharge valve via at least one opening of the discharge valve when the discharge valve is open.

The drawing

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained more fully below with reference to the drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of the discharge valve in a closed position, and fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the discharge valve in an open posi- tion.

Description of the exemplary embodiments

Figure 1 shows a cross-section of the discharge valve in a closed position, in which the discharge valve is mounted in a vacuum cleaner. The discharge valve is connected with at least one discharge channel (indicated by the arrows) in the vacuum cleaner, which is intended to convey the flow of air from the cleaning unit (not shown) of the vacuum cleaner to at least one discharge hole (not shown). Alternatively, the discharge channel may be configured as a pipe. Alternatively, the flow of air may be sucked into the vacuum cleaner via another inlet hole on the side (not shown) of the vacuum cleaner, which is not connected with a vacuum cleaner hose. The discharge hole may have a large cross-sectional area and may have a configuration which causes the discharge velocity and the discharge pressure of the flow of air to be so low that the flow of air does not stir up dust or dirt from the floor. Alternatively, one or more gratings or grating structures may be arranged in front of the discharge hole, whereby the flow of air is made diffuse. The discharge valve comprises an outer valve element 1 , which is disposed in or connected with the discharge channel. The outer valve element 1 may essentially be configured as a cylinder or a pipe with a circular, elliptic, triangular, quadrangular, pentagonal, hexagonal or another polygonal cross- section. At one end, the outer valve element 1 comprises a valve opening 3 which faces away from the discharge valve. The valve opening 3 may be configured such that an external coupling element 2 connected with an ex- ternal hose (not shown), such as a vacuum cleaner hose, a compressed air hose or another type of hose, may be secured or fastened to the discharge valve, e.g. by means of friction or fastening devices. Alternatively, the valve opening 3 may comprise one or more devices for securing or fastening the external hose to the discharge valve. The edge of the valve opening 3 may be bent, L-shaped, J-shaped or have another configuration. The valve opening 3 may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the discharge hole, so that the discharge velocity and the discharge pressure of the flow of air are sufficiently high. Hereby, it is possible to use the outgoing flow of air from the vacuum cleaner for other purposes, e.g. for purposes which require compressed air.

At the other end, the outer valve element 1 may comprise at least one lateral opening 4 intended to convey the outgoing flow of air through the outer valve element 1 and further out through the discharge channel. In a preferred embodiment, the outer valve element 1 comprises two lateral openings 4 disposed opposite each other, whereby the outgoing flow of air is conveyed directly through the outer valve element. A movable inner valve element 5 is disposed in the outer valve element 1 and has essentially the same configuration as the outer valve element 1 , so that an approximately air-tight connection is created between the outer valve element 1 and the inner valve element 5. At the one end, the inner valve element 5 comprises an opening which faces away from the dis- charge channel, and a bottom 6 at the other end. At the side, the inner valve element 5 comprises at least one lateral opening 7 intended to convey the flow of air into the discharge valve and further through the discharge valve, as shown in figure 2. The bottom 6 may comprise a cup-shaped part 8, whose bottom faces away from the discharge channel. A spring 9 may be arranged in the cup part 8, and, at the opposite end, may be disposed on a face 10 which is disposed opposite the valve elements 1 , 5 in the discharge channel. The spring 9 presses the inner valve element 5 away from the face 10 and toward the valve opening 3, so that the discharge valve is closed automati- cally when the inner valve element 5 is not affected.

In an alternative embodiment, the cup-shaped part 8 may be omitted, and the spring 9 may be replaced by another spring (not shown), which may be disposed between the outer valve element 1 and the inner valve element 5. The spring presses the inner valve element 5 away from the face 10 and toward the valve opening 3, so that the discharge valve is closed automatically when the valve element 5 is not affected. The spring may be disposed in two opposed depressions (not shown) disposed above the lateral opening 7 and on their respective valve elements 1 , 5, so that the approximately air-tight connection between the outer valve element 1 and the inner valve element 5 is maintained.

When a hose is connected with the discharge valve, the coupling element 2, which is connected with a hose, is moved into the valve opening 3 and is caused to contact the inner valve element 5. Hereby, the coupling element 2 presses the inner valve element 5 back into the discharge channel, so that the bottom 6 is caused to contact the face 10, as shown in figure 2. Hereby, at least the one lateral opening 7 of the inner valve element 5 is moved in front of at least the one lateral opening 4 of the outer valve ele- ment 1 , whereby the discharge valve is opened. Figure 2 shows the discharge valve disposed in an open position, where the inner valve element 5 blocks the entire or most of the discharge channel, so that the outgoing flow of air (indicated by the arrows) is conveyed in through the lateral openings 4, 7 further out through the valve opening and out into the hose.

When the hose and its coupling element 2 are disconnected from the dis- charge valve, the coupling element 2 is moved out of the valve opening 3, whereby the spring 9 presses the inner valve element 5 and its bottom 6 away from the face 10, as shown in figure 1. Hereby, at least the one lateral opening 7 of the inner valve element 5 is moved axially away from at least the one lateral opening 4 of the outer valve element 1 , so that the bottom 6 is moved past the lateral opening 4, whereby the discharge valve is closed automatically. Figure 1 shows the discharge valve disposed in a closed position, where the outgoing flow of air (indicated by the arrows) is conveyed through the lateral openings 4 and further on to the discharge hole.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the outer valve element 1 may rotate about the inner valve element 5, so that at least one leg 4a disposed between the lateral openings 4 of the outer valve element 1 is moved into the discharge channel. In a special, alternative embodiment, the outer valve element 1 may comprise two lateral openings 4 disposed opposite each and on each side of the leg 4a, respectively, while a third lateral opening 4 may be disposed opposite the leg 4a. When the discharge valve is opened, the outer valve element 1 is rotated optionally after the coupling element 2 has pressed the inner valve element 5 into the discharge channel, e.g. by a 90° rotation to one of the sides, so that the leg 4a is moved into the discharge channel opposite the lateral opening 7, whereby the leg 4a blocks the discharge channel in full or in part. Hereby, the outgoing flow of air is conveyed in through the discharge valve via the third lateral opening 4 and the lateral opening 7 in the inner valve element 5. Alternatively, the inner valve element 5 may comprise an additional lateral opening 7 disposed opposite the first lateral opening 7, so that the discharge channel is blocked in full or in part only when the leg 4a on the outer valve element 1 is moved into the discharge channel. Hereby, it is possible to achieve a more effective blocking of the discharge channel, while the total outgoing flow of air is conveyed out through the discharge valve. When the discharge valve is closed, the outer valve element 1 is rotated back to its starting position, whereby the leg 4a is moved out of the discharge channel, and the coupling element 2 is disconnected from the discharge valve, whereby the spring 9 presses the inner valve element 5 out of the discharge channel. Hereby, the flow of air is conveyed through the lateral openings 4 and further on to the discharge hole.

In another alterative embodiment (not shown), the inner valve element 5 may be rotated instead of the outer valve element 1. The lateral opening 7 of the inner valve element 5 may be disposed approximately perpendicularly to the flow of air. When the discharge valve is opened, the inner valve element 5 is rotated, e.g. by a 90° rotation to one of the sides, so that the lateral opening 7 is moved into the discharge channel and in front of the lateral opening 4, so that the flow of air may be conveyed in through the dis- charge valve. The inner valve element 5 may comprise one or more devices (not shown) intended to rotate the valve element 5, when the coupling element 2 is fastened or secured to the outer valve element 1. The devices may be configured such that they are capable of engaging one or more corresponding devices on the coupling element 2. The discharge valve is opened by rotating the coupling element 2 and thereby also the inner valve element 5 either before, during or after the coupling element 2 presses the inner valve element 5 into the discharge channel. Alternatively, the devices on the inner valve element 5 may be configured such that they are capable of engaging one or more corresponding devices on the outer valve element 1. The discharge valve is opened in that the inner valve element 5 rotates (in a screw-shaped movement), at the same time as the coupling element 2 presses the valve element 5 into the discharge channel. The spring 9 may be configured as a conventional spring, as shown in figure 1 , or be configured as a torsional spring. Hereby, an alternative way of opening and clos- ing the discharge valve is achieved. The discharge valve is closed by rotating the inner valve element 5 back to its starting position and/or disconnecting the coupling element 2 from the discharge valve. Hereby, the flow of air is conveyed through the lateral openings 4 disposed opposite each other and further on to the discharge hole.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A discharge valve for vacuum cleaners, comprising at least one discharge channel which is connected with a discharge hole intended to con- vey an outgoing flow of air away from the vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the discharge valve comprises an outer valve element (1) connected with the discharge channel and having an inner valve element (5), which is disposed inside the outer valve element, and which comprises at least one opening (7) intended to convey the outgoing flow of air into the discharge valve, and that at least the one valve element (1 , 5) is movable relative to the other valve element (1 , 5).

2. A discharge valve according to claim 1 , characterized in that the inner valve element (1) is movable relative to the outer valve element (5), or the outer valve element (5) is movable relative to the inner valve element (1 ), or both valve elements (1 , 5) are movable relative to each other.

3. A discharge valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer valve element (1) comprises a valve opening (3), which faces away from the discharge channel, and which is configured such that a coupling element (2) may be secured or fastened to the discharge valve.

4. A discharge valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, at the opposite end of the valve opening (3), the outer valve element (1) com- prises at least one opening (4) intended either to convey the outgoing flow of air through the outer valve element (1) and further on to the discharge hole, or to convey the outgoing flow of air into the discharge valve via the opening (7).

5. A discharge valve according to any one of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the inner valve element (5) comprises a bottom (6) at the one end and at the other end an opening which faces away from the discharge channel, and that the opening (7) is disposed on the side of the inner valve element (5).

6. A discharge valve according to claim 5, characterized in that the bottom (6) of the inner valve element comprises a cup-shaped part (8), and a spring (9) is disposed in the cup part (8), or that another spring is disposed between the outer valve element (1) and the inner valve element (5).

7. A discharge valve according to any one of claims 3 - 6, characterized in that the coupling element (2) moves the inner valve element (5) into the discharge channel, so that the inner valve (5) is caused to contact an opposite face (10) in the discharge channel.

8. A discharge valve according to any one of claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the inner valve element (5) or the outer valve element (1) is rotated, e.g. 90°, relative to the outer valve element (1) or the inner valve element (5).

9. A vacuum cleaner, comprising at least one discharge channel which is connected with a discharge hole intended to convey an outgoing flow of air away from the vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner comprises at least one discharge valve as described in any one of claims 1 - 8, which comprises an outer valve element (1) with an inner valve ele- ment (5), which conveys the outgoing flow of air through the discharge valve via at least one opening (7) when the discharge valve is open.

10. A method of conveying an outgoing flow of air away from a vacuum cleaner, which comprises at least one discharge channel connected with a first discharge hole and a second opening, and wherein the outgoing flow of air is conveyed to the first discharge hole when the second opening is not used, characterized in that the second opening (3) comprises a discharge valve as described in any one of claims 1 - 8, which comprises an outer valve element (1) with an inner valve element (5), and wherein the outgoing flow of air is conveyed through at least one opening (7) of the valve ele- ments (1 , 5) when the discharge valve is open.

11. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the outgoing flow of air is conveyed through at least one opening (4) of the outer valve element (1) and further on to the first discharge hole when the discharge valve is closed.