WO2012126613A1 - Vacuuming device comprising a vacuum cleaner and a bag filter - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuuming device which comprises a vacuum cleaner and a bag filter and in which the vacuum cleaner has a rated input power of less than 1200 W, preferably less than 1100 W, especially preferably less than 900 W, the vacuum cleaner has a motor-fan unit and a regulation device that regulates the vacuum cleaner in such a way that the air flow is kept essentially constant at a minimum value of 34 l/s, preferably essentially constant at a minimum value of 37 l/s, especially preferably essentially constant at a minimum value of 40 l/s when the bag filter is loaded with DMT8 test dust according to EN 60312, and the bag filter is a disposable filter that is made of nonwoven fabric and has a drop in air flow of less than 15 percent, preferably less than 10 percent, especially preferably less than 5 percent when testing the reduction in maximum air flow with a partly filled dust receptacle according to EN 60312.

Description

 Vacuum cleaner with vacuum cleaner and filter bag FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner and a filter bag made of nonwoven fabric.

DEFINITIONS

The following standards, definitions and measurement methods are used to describe the state of the art and the invention:

EN 60312: EN 60312 refers to the standard in the version EN 60312: 1998 + A1: 2000 + A2: 2004.

EN 60335: EN 60335 refers to the standard in the version EN 60335-2-2: 2010.

Determination of the air data: The air data of a vacuum cleaner are determined in accordance with EN 60312 Section 2.8. The measuring device B is used in accordance with section 5.2.8. If motor-blower units are measured solo, ie without a vacuum cleaner housing, the measuring device B is also used.

The measurement of the reduction of the maximum air flow with partially filled dust container according to section 2.9 takes place at aperture 8 (40mm).

Nominal electrical power consumption of a vacuum cleaner: The power consumption of a vacuum cleaner is determined in accordance with EN 60335. According to EN 60335 and EN 60312 the recording _power is designated Ρ _Ί . Nominal power consumption is the arithmetic mean of the maximum recording power and the minimum recording power according to EN 60335. The maximum power consumption at the highest air flow (open airflow) and the minimum power consumption at an air flow of 0 l / s (sealed suction) are measured. Electromotive driven attachments, such as brushes and the like, are not taken into account in the determination of the recording power. Air flow: The air flow is determined according to EN 60312 with the measuring chamber according to version B. In the prior art, this air flow is often referred to as volume flow or suction air flow.

Air flow waste, constant air flow: The air flow waste is determined in the scope of suitability for use of vacuum cleaners in accordance with EN 60312 (section 2.9 of this standard) with the measuring chamber version B. Deviating from the standard, the decrease in air flow is checked by sucking up 400 g of DMT8 test dust in 50 g portions, provided that the maximum usable volume of the filter bag (see Section 2.7 of this standard) is greater than 2 l. The three conditions that should lead to the termination of the test in accordance with section 2.9.1.3 of the standard are not taken into account. For volumes below 2 l, proceed as described in section 2.9.1.3. This method of measuring the airflow drop modified in this way in comparison with standard EN 60312 is referred to in the present specification and the patent claims as "analogous to EN 60312".

A constant air flow q is given if the air flow q _c after sucking up the DMT8 test dust is not lower than the air flow q _max with empty dust container (cyclone vacuum cleaner) or with empty filter bag (bag vacuum cleaner). Typically, 400 g of DMT8 test dust are absorbed in 50 g portions. The test is performed at aperture 8 (40 mm). Please refer to EN 60312, section 5.2.8.2 for the definition of the term diaphragm. This panel corresponds to a relatively open floor nozzle. The airflow drop is calculated according to:

Airflow drop [%] = ((q _max q _c ) / qmax) 100

Qmax = maximum air flow with empty dust container

q _c = maximum air flow with partially filled dust container

With a substantially constant air flow is in the present description of the prior art and the invention, however, not meant that the air flow in different work situations, such as. As the sucking of carpet or hard floor or sucking with accessory nozzles, remains constant. Due to the different opening area of these nozzles and the different degrees of reduction of this opening area on different floor coverings, different air flows result depending on the work situation. In terms of EN 60312, this would correspond to a test with different apertures. In this case, Blen- de 0 the condition with clogged nozzle. Aperture 9 (50 mm) corresponds to an almost unhindered inflow. Common floor jets usually have an operating point in the range of aperture 7 (30 mm) to 8 (40 mm).

Increasing the power of the blower motor: The increase in power of the blower motor is understood to mean an increase in the power consumption [W]. In the case of a universal motor, the power setting takes place via a phase control. The SR motor (see above) regulates the control voltage of the motor.

SR motor: An SR motor is a switched reluctance motor characterized by a simple and robust design and high possible speeds (> 100,000 rpm). The torque is generated via the reluctance force.

Flat bags: Under a flat bag in the sense of the present invention filter bags are understood, the filter bag wall of two individual layers of filter material with the same surface is formed such that the two individual layers are interconnected only at their peripheral edges (the term same area does not exclude of course that the two individual layers differ from one another in that one of the layers has an inlet opening).

The connection of the individual layers can be realized by a weld or adhesive seam along the entire circumference of the two individual layers; but it can also be formed by a single layer of filter material is folded around one of its symmetry axes and the remaining open peripheral edges of the resulting two partial layers are welded or glued (so-called tubular bag). With such a production three welding or gluing seams are therefore necessary. Two of these seams then form the filter bag edge, the third seam can also form a filter bag edge or lie on the filter bag surface.

Flat bags in the sense of the present invention may also have so-called gussets. These gussets can be completely unfoldable. A flat bag with such gussets is shown, for example, in DE 20 2005 000 917 U1 (see FIG. 1 there with folded side folds and FIG. 3 with folded side folds). Alternatively, the gussets may be welded to portions of the peripheral edge. Such a flat bag is shown in DE 10 2008 006 769 A1 (see there in particular Fig. 1). Surface folds: A filter bag whose filter bag wall has surface folds is known per se from the prior art, for example from European Patent Application 10163463.2 (see there in particular FIGS. 10a and 10b or FIGS. 11a and 11b). If the filter bag wall comprises several surface folds, then this material is also referred to as a pleated filter material. Such pleated filter bag walls are shown in European patent application 10002964.4.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a filter bag in cross section with a wall, each having two surface folds. By such surface wrinkles, the filter surface of the filter bag is increased, resulting in a higher dust holding capacity of the filter bag with higher separation efficiency and longer life results (each opposite a filter bag with the same outer dimensions and no surface wrinkles).

In Fig. 1, a filter bag 1 with a filter bag wall 10, which has two surface folds 11 in the form of so-called dovetail folds shown. The filter bag is shown here in cross section through the filter bag center. The longitudinal axes of the surface wrinkles thus run in a plane which in turn is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, and the surface wrinkles go at their longitudinal ends in the plane parallel to the drawing plane and lying before and behind the plane of the weld seams of the filter bag. Thus, the surface wrinkles can develop most in their midst. The filter bag is shown here in a state in which the surface wrinkles are already unfolded somewhat.

FIG. 2 shows a filter bag 2 with a filter bag wall 20, which has two surface folds 21 in the form of so-called triangular folds. The filter bag is shown here in cross section through the filter bag center. The longitudinal axes of the surface wrinkles thus run in a plane which in turn is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, and the surface wrinkles go at their longitudinal ends in the plane parallel to the drawing plane and lying before and behind the plane of the weld seams of the filter bag. Thus, the surface wrinkles can develop most in their midst. The filter bag is also shown here in a state in which the surface wrinkles are already unfolded.

In addition to the surface wrinkles shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, surface folds with other shapes are also possible. The fact that the surface folds in the embodiments according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 extend the surface folds perpendicular to a bag edge is not to be restricted understand. Of course, the surface wrinkles may also be at an angle to the edges of the bag.

Suction power: The suction power is the product of negative pressure [kPa] and air flow [l / s]. According to EN 60312, the suction power is referred to as P ₂ .

Efficiency: The efficiency of a vacuum cleaner or a motor-blower unit is determined according to EN 60312 section 2.8.3.

STATE OF THE ART

The demands placed on devices for vacuuming have undergone a significant change in recent years.

An important point expected by users of vacuuming devices is that the vacuuming device produces a constant airflow even with increasing dust loading, or in other words, that the vacuuming device does not show any airflow drop with increasing dust loading.

The study by the "AEA Energy & Environment Group" commissioned by the "European Commission Energy" for the definition of the requirements for an eco-design for vacuum cleaners shows that it would be desirable in the future from an energy policy point of view, to limit the input power below 1100 W. should. However, vacuum cleaners users will expect the cleaning performance of vacuum cleaners, as available today with significantly higher pick-up power, to be substantially inferior.

The customer requirements for the hygiene of a device for vacuuming refer not only to the lowest possible dust emissions of the devices but also to the hygienic disposal of sucked dust.

With regard to the separation concept, vacuum cleaners without filter bags and vacuum cleaners with filter bags can be distinguished. These devices each have typical advantages and disadvantages. Vacuum cleaners with filter bags are characterized by a high airflow. As the loading of the filter bag increases, however, the airflow decreases more or less. Until about the year 2000 filter bags made of paper were used in the first place. Such paper filter bags show an airflow drop of about 80% (or 60% when using an Innentissues) when testing the reduction of the maximum air flow at partially filled dust container analogous to EN 60312. Thereafter, filter bags began to slowly enforce with nonwoven layers. First, filter bags with fleece layers of low dust storage capacity were used (SMS filter bag). The introduction of filter bags made of nonwovens with a capacity position, this decrease in air flow could be significantly reduced (see EP 0 960 645). Such filter bags show when checking the reduction of the maximum air flow with partially filled dust container analogous to EN 60312 an airflow drop of about 30%. Further improvements were achieved by prefiltration through loose fibers in the bag (DE 10 2007 060 747, DE 20

2007 010 692 and WO 2005/060807) or a pre-separation through a bag in the bag (WO 2010/000453, DE 20 2009 002 970 U1 and DE 20 2006 016 303 U1). Flow deflections or flow distributions in the filter bag are described in EP 1 915 938, DE 20

DE 20 2006 019 108 U1, DE 20 2006 016 304 U1, EP 1 787 560 and EP 1 804 635. With such filter bags can be achieved by testing the reduction of the maximum air flow at partially filled dust container analogous to EN 60312 an air flow drop of about 15%. As a result, a further improvement in the Saugleistungskonstanz is achieved. European Patent Applications 10002964.4, 10163463.2, and 10163462.2 disclose improved dust holding capability by pleating the filter material or by providing so-called surface wrinkles. The European patent application 10009351.7 shows how the Saugleistungskonstanz can be improved by an optimized positioning of the bag in the vacuum cleaner. For example, such filter bags show an airflow drop of approximately 5% when testing the reduction of the maximum air flow in the case of partially filled dust containers in analogy to EN 60312.

With regard to the hygienic disposal of the absorbed dust, retaining plates have been developed with which the filter bag is sealed manually, semi-automatically or automatically before being removed from the vacuum cleaner (eg EP 2 012 640).

Bagless vacuum cleaners - in particular cyclone vacuum cleaners - are distinguished by the fact that the air flow remains substantially constant when the dust collecting container is loaded with dust. The constant air flow of a cyclone vacuum cleaner is at first glance an advantage compared to vacuum cleaners with filter bags, which with increasing loading of the fil- Block more or less clogging bag, whereby the air flow is reduced accordingly. However, this is paid for by a very high nominal electrical power consumption of the cyclonic vacuum cleaner. This high energy input is required because of the high losses that the separation principle entails, namely the loss of maintaining the high velocity of rotation of the dust-laden air in the cyclone separator.

The combination of several cyclone separators to multi-stage cyclones has been tried to increase the efficiency and the separation efficiency (EP 0 042 723). With such devices for vacuuming, an air flow of 33 l / s can be achieved. However, this is offset by a nominal electrical power of more than 2000W. With cyclone vacuum cleaner with an electrical power of approx. 1400 W an air flow of approx. 25 l / s can be realized.

With conventional devices for vacuuming with filter bags, an air flow of about 40 l / s can be realized today with newly inserted and unfilled filter bags. Such vacuum cleaners have a nominal input power of about 1300 W.

However, the air flow decreases greatly when filled with dust, as can be seen in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows the reduction of the air flow as a function of the sucked amount of DMT 8 dust analogous to EN 60312 in known devices with filter bags (for example Miele S5210 with a nominal electrical power of 2200 W and various filter bags made of nonwoven fabric) and without filter bag (Dyson DC23 alergy with a nominal electrical power of 1400 W).

In addition to the improvements on the filter bags, there are some approaches in vacuum cleaners with filter bags by an electronic control to realize a constant air flow.

Thus, the US 4,021, 879 shows a device for vacuuming, the vacuum cleaner device has a control device by which the vacuum cleaner is controlled so that a substantially constant air flow is realized. In this device, however, filter bags made of paper are used. However, due to the high tendency of filter paper bags to clog (approximately 80% airflow drop at 400 g DMT8; internal tissues were not used at the time of publication of US 4,021,879), a very large control range must be provided for the nominal electrical input power. Although theoretically a constant air flow can be realized, this is very low. For this Because of this reason, this concept was no longer pursued and thus could not be translated into a successful product in the market.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art, the invention has the object to provide a device for vacuuming, in spite of low nominal electrical power consumption, a constant high air flow is achieved.

This object is achieved by a device for vacuuming with the features of claim 1, ie by a device for vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner and a filter bag made of nonwoven fabric in which the vacuum cleaner a nominal electrical power of less than 1200 W, preferably less than 1100 W. , more preferably less than 900 W, the vacuum cleaner device comprises a motor-blower unit and a control device that controls the vacuum cleaner device so that the air flow at a loading of the filter bag with DMT8 test dust analogous to EN 60312 substantially constant to a value of at least 34 l / s, preferably substantially constant to a value of at least 37 l / s, more preferably substantially constant to a value of at least 40 l / s, and the filter bag is a nonwoven disposable filter bag which, when tested, reduces the maximum Air flow at partially filled dust container on alog to EN 60312 has an air flow drop of less than 15%, preferably less than 10%, particularly preferably less than 5%.

The present invention is based on the concept that a device for vacuuming with filter bag is operated with an empty filter bag with a recording power that is set lower than the maximum power of the engine, so that the power consumption of the motor can be increased corresponding to the increasing loading of the filter bag. It has surprisingly been found that only with filter bags, which have a tendency to clog less than 15%, preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%, a relatively small increase in the power consumption of the engine is required to the air flow on a for efficient vacuuming, ie at least 34 l / s, to be kept constant. Only then could a device for vacuuming be realized, which can provide a substantially constant volume flow with continuous loading of the filter bag and at the same time the maximum electrical absorption tion of the vacuum cleaner under a predetermined - from the point of view of power consumption acceptable - value of 1200 W remains.

According to a development of the invention described above, the device for vacuuming comprises an electronic control device, which is designed such that it regulates the electrical power consumption of the motor-blower unit.

The device is then preferably designed such that the increase in power consumption of the motor-blower unit necessary for maintaining the substantially constant air flow when loading the filter bag with DMT8 dust in analogy with EN 60312 does not exceed 35%, preferably not more than 20%. and more preferably not more than 15%, based on the power consumption of the motor-blower unit with empty filter bag is. According to this embodiment, devices for vacuuming can be realized with a constant air flow with a suction behavior, as it is known from today's non-adjustable devices, the future energy policy requirements can be easily met.

Particularly suitable for such a device is a motor-blower unit which has a reluctance motor, preferably a switched reluctance motor. Such motors are characterized in particular by the fact that they are robust and durable.

Alternatively, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a device may be provided, in which the control device has a throttle valve, which regulates the air flow so that it is substantially constant.

As controlled variables, the negative pressure downstream of the filter bag, the negative pressure upstream of the filter bag or the flow velocity measured at any desired point in the flow path can be used as a controlled variable in the two alternative refinements of the control device. Also possible are any combinations of these three sizes.

According to a preferred development of all inventions described above, the filter bag can be provided in the form of a flat bag. The flat bag form is the most common form for nonwoven bags since bags of this shape are very easy to manufacture. In contrast to the paper filter material used for filter bags made of paper, nonwoven filter material is very difficult to permanently break because of the high resilience to elasticity. so that the production of more complex bag shapes, such as block bottom bags or other bottom bag forms, is very cumbersome and expensive.

Particularly suitable for use in the device according to the invention are vacuum cleaner bags with pleated filter material or with surface wrinkles. Such vacuum cleaner bags are characterized by a particularly low air flow waste.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the otor blower unit is designed such that the vacuum cleaner with inserted filter bag at aperture 0 a negative pressure between 30 kPa and 6 kPa, preferably a negative pressure between 20 kPa and 8 kPa and more preferably a negative pressure between 15 kPa and 8 kPa generated, and at the aperture 40 an air flow of more than 50 l / s, preferably greater than 60 l / s and particularly preferably greater than 70 l / s produced. This particular characteristic of the motor-blower unit differs from that conventionally found in apparatuses for vacuuming motor-blower units used in that the latter produce a much higher vacuum and a much lower maximum airflow. Surprisingly, it has been found that such motor-blower units are particularly energy-efficient in use and still meet the requirements for a constant air flow with sufficient strength.

According to a particularly preferred development of all the inventions described above, the vacuum cleaner device at aperture 8 (40 mm) can have an air output of more than 250 W, preferably of more than 300 W, particularly preferably of more than 350 W. If the invention is based on this, a fully satisfactory suction operation can be ensured via the complete filling of the filter bag.

Preferably, the motor-blower unit at aperture 8 (40 mm) has an efficiency according to EN 60335 of at least 20%, preferably of at least 25% and particularly preferably of at least 30%. This development of the invention leads to particularly energy-saving devices for vacuuming.

According to another embodiment of all the inventions described above, the vacuum cleaner device may have a filter bag change indication, which indicates when during the suction operation, the air flow for a predetermined time falls below the substantially constant value. In particular, the sensors which are provided for measuring the controlled variables can be used for this purpose. According to another preferred development of the inventions described above, the filter bag has a volume measured in accordance with EN 60312 in a range from 1, 5 I to 8 I. Such filter bags are used primarily in vacuum cleaners, as a vacuum cleaner, as hand vacuum cleaner, as Kesselsauger or are designed as upright for home use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The figures serve to explain the state of the art and the invention. FIG. 1 and FIG

 Fig. 2: Filter bag according to the prior art with surface wrinkles;

Fig. 3: the reduction of the air flow for devices for vacuuming with vacuum cleaners and filter bags according to the prior art and for a device for vacuuming without filter bag according to the prior art;

4 shows the air characteristics for a motor-blower unit, which is used in accordance with the prior art in devices for vacuuming;

Fig. 5: the air characteristics for a motor-blower unit which according to the prior art is not used in devices for vacuuming and is particularly suitable for implementing the present invention; and

Fig. 6: air flow and electrical power of a first and a second embodiment of the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In Fig. 5, the characteristic of the motor-blower unit according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. This is characterized by comparatively low maximum negative pressure at aperture 0 and a high volume flow at aperture 9 (50 mm). In particular, at aperture 0 reaches a negative pressure of 14.3 kPa. Aperture 9 (50 mm) results in an air flow of 86.5 dm ³ / s. The characteristic is therefore very flat. At maximum air flow, the engine consumes 1240 W of power. The air output (product of negative pressure and air flow) is a maximum of 498 W at aperture 7 (30 mm).

On the other hand, Fig. 4 shows the characteristic data for a motor-blower unit used in the prior art vacuum-cleaning apparatus. At aperture 0, the motor-blower unit reaches a negative pressure of 35.8 kPa, at aperture 9 (50 mm) results in an air flow of 53.5 dm ³ / s. The fan characteristic is therefore very steep. At maximum air flow, the engine consumes 1900 W of power. The air output reaches 614 W. For highly clogging filter bags made of paper, such a design was also necessary and useful.

In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, surface-folded filter bags are used as described in the DEFINITIONS section above.

With the motor-blower unit shown in Fig. 5 can be realized in combination with a filter bag with surface wrinkles and adapted to the filter bag space with a corresponding automatic control of the air flow, a vacuum cleaner, which achieves a high constant air flow at a power of less than 1000 W. , Fig. 6 shows the results for two embodiments according to the present invention. Both have in common that a very high constant air flow is achieved with low electrical input power.

Claims

A device for vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner and a filter bag made of nonwoven fabric, in which the vacuum cleaner a nominal electrical power of less than 1200 W, preferably less than 1100 W, more preferably less than 900 W, the vacuum cleaner device, a motor-fan unit and a control device that controls the vacuum cleaner device so that the air flow at a loading of the filter bag with DMT8 test dust analogous to EN 60312 substantially constant at a value of at least 34 l / s, preferably substantially constant at a value of at least 37 l / s, is particularly preferably kept substantially constant to a value of at least 40 l / s, and the filter bag is a disposable filter bag made of nonwoven fabric, the reduction of the maximum air flow with partially filled dust container analogous to EN 60312 an airflow drop of less than 15%, preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%. 2. Device according to claim 1, in which the control device is an electronic control device which is designed such that it controls the electrical power consumption of the motor-blower unit. 3. Device according to claim 2, in which the necessary to maintain the substantially constant air flow increase the power consumption of the motor-blower unit when loading the filter bag with DMT8 dust analogous to EN 60312 not more than 35%, preferably not more than 20% and particularly preferably not more than 15%, based on the power consumption of the motor-blower unit with empty filter bag is. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the motor-blower unit comprises a reluctance motor, preferably a switched reluctance motor. 5. Device according to claim 1, in which the control device comprises a throttle valve which is provided such that it regulates the air flow, so that it is substantially constant. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control device is designed such that the negative pressure is used after the filter bag as a controlled variable. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control device is designed such that the negative pressure is used in front of the filter bag as a controlled variable. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control device is provided such that the measured at any point in the flow path flow rate is used as a controlled variable. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the filter bag is a flat bag. 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the filter bag has at least one surface fold. 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the motor-blower unit is designed such that the vacuum cleaner with inserted filter bag at aperture 0 a negative pressure between 30 kPa and 6 kPa, preferably a negative pressure between 20 kPa and 8 kPa and more preferably one Produced negative pressure between 15 kPa and 8 kPa, and at the aperture 8 (40 mm) generates an air flow of more than 50 l / s, preferably greater than 60 l / s and more preferably greater than 70 l / s, 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the vacuum cleaner device at aperture 8 (40 mm) has an air output of more than 250 W, preferably of more than 300 W, more preferably of more than 350 W. 13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the motor-blower unit at aperture 8 (40 mm) has an efficiency according to EN 60312 of at least 20%, preferably of at least 25% and more preferably of at least 30%. 14. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the vacuum cleaner has a filter bag change indication which indicates when, during the suction operation, the air flow falls below the substantially constant value for a predetermined time. 15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the filter bag has a measured according to EN 60312 volume in a range of 1, 5 I to 8 I.