CN114727734A

CN114727734A - Vacuum cleaner and method of sterilization

Info

Publication number: CN114727734A
Application number: CN202080078500.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 卢西亚诺·西西安; 伊曼纽尔·马佐洛
Original assignee: De Longhi Appliances SRL
Current assignee: De Longhi Appliances SRL
Priority date: 2019-09-13
Filing date: 2020-09-10
Publication date: 2022-07-08
Also published as: EP4027851A1; IT201900016307A1; WO2021048887A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner device comprising a suction collection unit (11) provided with: a suction pipe (17) configured to suck in an air flow (A) and dirt from the outside; a collection container (13) fluidly connected to the suction duct (17) and comprising a collection chamber (14) configured to receive a flow (A) sucked from the outside; and a motorized dispensing unit (16) configured to move and direct the flow (a).

Description

Vacuum cleaner and method of sterilization

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a vacuum cleaner device, preferably of the domestic type, provided with a container for collecting dust or dirt, of the type that can preferably be used in the case of a dust-free bag. The vacuum cleaner device according to the invention is advantageously provided with a uv disinfection mechanism to reduce and/or eliminate the microbial load present in the material sucked into the collection container or retained in the filter unit possibly associated therewith.

The invention also relates to a method of sterilising a vacuum cleaner device.

Background

It is well known that human activity environments need to be kept clean and healthy. Obviously, such environments are laden with allergens and other harmful organic and inorganic substances, such as molds, viruses, bacteria and dust mites, which are very harmful to human health and may even be lethal.

Especially floors, carpets, mattresses and sofa surfaces may contain high concentrations of organic and inorganic substances, such as hair, animal hair, possible food residues, which may create environmental conditions potentially harmful to human health.

In order to clean the above-mentioned surfaces, it is known to use vacuum cleaner devices having a suction head in contact with the surface to be cleaned, a container for collecting the material sucked in, and a vane rotor selectively activated by a motor to generate a suction flow that carries the material sucked in by the suction head into the collection container.

Furthermore, it is increasingly common to provide vacuum cleaner devices that use the collection container directly without the use of a disposable dust bag.

Usually, the collecting container is not emptied after each use of the vacuum cleaner device, even after several days, in order to remove the material contained in the collecting container. This increases the likelihood that the accumulated dust will promote the proliferation of bacteria, mold and spread of unpleasant odours. This may also lead to safety issues for the user himself, for example, if the user comes into contact with the material when removing and emptying the collection container.

It is also known that vacuum cleaner devices comprise ultraviolet lamps positioned in the suction head and configured to emit ultraviolet light towards the surface to be cleaned during a suction operation in order to disinfect the surface or intercept a moving suction flow in order to reduce the microbial load carried therein.

However, such vacuum cleaner devices do not destroy the bacterial load present in the environment to be cleaned, in particular on surfaces, and they therefore do not provide a sufficient disinfecting action.

Furthermore, a drawback of the above-mentioned vacuum cleaner device provided with an ultraviolet lamp is that the time during which the surface to be cleaned or the suction flow to be disinfected is exposed to ultraviolet light is too limited to guarantee an effective reduction or destruction of the existing microbial load.

Furthermore, since the exposure time to uv light is very limited, the material sucked into and fed into the collecting container is also not sterilized, which may cause problems similar to those described above during emptying of the collecting container and during maintenance of the suction device.

Furthermore, these known solutions have the disadvantage that, since the vacuum cleaner device emits ultraviolet rays which are also very harmful during use, the user may be exposed and/or affected by the ultraviolet rays, thereby endangering his own physical health.

Patent document US2007/0067943a1 describes a vacuum cleaner device provided in particular with ultraviolet lamps arranged in correspondence with the filtering elements, to eliminate the bacterial load in the dust accumulated on them, and to return the sucked air flow to the outside again after disinfecting it.

Patent document EP1695648a2 describes a vacuum cleaner device provided with a vacuum cleaner body inside which a dust collecting container is arranged, comprising a window for transmitting ultraviolet radiation, which window is formed by

The cover element is closed and the window has a UV disinfection lamp on the outside.

Patent document GB2389036A describes a vacuum cleaner device comprising a container for collecting dust and an ultraviolet lamp located outside the container, which ultraviolet lamp corresponds to a recess provided in correspondence with the bottom wall.

Patent documents KR100899785B1, JP3822511B2 and KR200410131Y1 also describe vacuum cleaner devices with a UV light source located outside the collecting container.

Patent document CN207084771U describes a collecting container for a vacuum cleaner provided with an ultraviolet cathode ray tube having a sterilizing function.

Other known solutions of vacuum cleaner devices are described in patent documents WO2018/146710a2, CN209236008U, JP5417220B 2.

These known solutions provide in particular for disinfecting the air flow sucked in transit; however, the flow velocity does not effectively remove the bacterial load present in the dust entrained with the flow, and therefore bacteria can proliferate inside the collecting container, which can again spread into the surrounding environment when the vacuum cleaner device is turned on.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved vacuum cleaner apparatus and method of sanitizing the vacuum cleaner apparatus that overcomes at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner device that eliminates the microbial load present in the intake material, thereby keeping the steps of emptying, cleaning or maintaining the collecting container safe.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device that allows a simple automatic sterilization of the material that is sucked each time.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a vacuum cleaner apparatus that allows for an optimized energy consumption.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved method of sterilising a vacuum cleaner device which allows to destroy the bacterial load in the inhaled material, preventing the spread of bacteria into the surroundings when the vacuum cleaner device is turned on again.

The applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain the above-mentioned and other purposes and advantages.

Disclosure of Invention

The subject matter and features of the invention are disclosed in the independent claims. Further features of the invention or variants of the main inventive idea are referred to in the dependent claims.

In view of the above object, a vacuum cleaner apparatus includes a suction collection unit configured to suck in an air flow and dirt from the outside through a suction circuit to retain the sucked dirt and return the air flow to the outside.

The suction collection unit comprises a suction duct from which the air flow and the dirt are drawn off, and a collection container which is fluidly connected to the suction duct and is provided with a collection chamber configured to receive the dirt drawn in from the outside.

The vacuum cleaner apparatus includes a filter unit disposed inside the suction collection unit and configured to filter the sucked air flow and dirt and then return them to the outside.

The aspiration collection unit further comprises a motorized dispensing unit disposed in fluid communication with the collection chamber and configured to move and direct the flow from the aspiration tube into the collection container and back to the exterior.

According to an aspect of the invention, the suction collection unit is provided with an ultraviolet disinfection mechanism configured to emit ultraviolet radiation directed to the affected collection chamber to destroy microbial load propagated or present in dirt retained therein.

According to some embodiments, the ultraviolet disinfection mechanism comprises a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) positioned inside the collection chamber.

The LEDs are positioned inside the collection chamber with their respective faces emitting ultraviolet rays facing the bottom face of the collection chamber so as to direct the ultraviolet rays inside the chamber and to the filtering unit. This arrangement also prevents electromagnetic radiation from being emitted upwards, which could be harmful to the user if not adequately shielded.

In particular, the LED device is of the ultraviolet type, configured to emit electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of about 10nm to about 400 nm.

According to some possible solutions, the LED device is configured to emit UV-C radiation with a wavelength in the range of 200nm to 250nm, particularly suitable to act on the DNA of pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, germs, mites, etc., so as to destroy their reproductive capacity.

According to some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device is preferably of the cordless type, provided with a battery or a rechargeable charge accumulating unit.

According to some embodiments, the LED device may be selectively activated automatically upon connecting the battery or accumulating unit to the power source and recharging circuitry.

According to some possible variants, a battery or a dedicated accumulating unit may be provided to activate/switch on the LEDs, which may be selectively activated when the vacuum cleaner device is not in use.

According to some embodiments, the filtering unit is arranged in a central position and extends vertically inside the container to define an annular crown-shaped collection chamber, and the LED devices may be distributed circumferentially with a size correlated to the amplitude of the collection chamber, so as to direct at least a major part of the light radiation directly towards the dust and dirt present in the collection chamber.

Embodiments of the present invention also relate to a method of sterilising a vacuum cleaner device comprising a suction collection unit which sucks in an air flow and dirt from the outside through a suction circuit and feeds it into a collection chamber, in which the heaviest fraction is deposited by gravity and the lightest fraction is returned to the outside after being filtered by a filtering unit.

The air flow is returned to the outside by the distribution unit after passing through the filtering unit positioned in the collection chamber.

According to an aspect of the invention, the method provides for activating the uv disinfection mechanism so as to emit uv light inside the collection chamber to destroy the microbial load propagated or present in the dirt remaining in the collection chamber. Activation of the sterilizing mechanism requires in particular the switching on of the LED sources arranged inside the chamber in order to emit ultraviolet rays towards the bottom surface of the chamber and to sterilize the collection chamber and the filtering unit.

According to some embodiments, the method provides that the sterilizing mechanism is activated when the vacuum cleaner device is not in use.

In this way, the LED device is configured to pass from an inactive state (corresponding to the condition in which the suction device is being used) in which it does not emit ultraviolet rays in the collection chamber, to an active state (corresponding to the condition in which the suction device is not being used) in which it emits ultraviolet rays in the collection chamber.

In this way, ultraviolet light is emitted when the vacuum cleaner device is not in use, thereby avoiding the risk that a user may be exposed to.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned solution is distinguished from the known solutions for disinfecting an air flow, in particular during cleaning operations.

According to some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device is of the cordless type, the method providing for selective activation of the LED when the vacuum cleaner device is connected to a power source and recharging circuit or to an electrical grid.

Turning on the LED arrangement when the vacuum cleaner device is being charged allows optimizing the overall energy consumption while ensuring adequate hygiene of the collection chamber. In practice, the amount of time required to charge the battery or accumulator unit is generally of the order of 1-6 hours, whereas the time required to completely clean the collection chamber is approximately 1 hour.

According to some possible variants, the vacuum cleaner device comprises a battery or a dedicated accumulating unit to activate the sanitizing means, e.g. automatically, when the vacuum cleaner device is switched off, and to keep the sanitizing means on for a defined period of time.

Drawings

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vacuum cleaner apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a partially exploded detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 with parts interrelated;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the components shown in FIG. 2;

fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of fig. 4.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals may be used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is to be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the figures. The examples are merely illustrative of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on or in conjunction with other embodiments to yield a still further embodiment. It is to be understood that the invention may include all such modifications and alterations.

The embodiment described with reference to the drawings relates to a vacuum cleaner apparatus generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The vacuum cleaner device 10 according to the present invention may be selected from a conventional canister vacuum cleaner, a modern vacuum cleaner in which a motor is arranged in correspondence with a handle, or an electric broom.

According to some preferred embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device 10 is of the cordless type, such as the vacuum cleaner device 10 shown in fig. 1.

According to some variants, the vacuum cleaner device 10 may be of a type that requires a continuous connection to the electrical grid when in use.

The vacuum cleaner device 10 according to the present invention is preferably of the bagless type, i.e. without a replaceable dust bag.

According to some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device 10 comprises a suction collection unit 11, the suction collection unit 11 being configured to suck in the air flow a and the dirt from the outside through a suction circuit 12, to retain the sucked-in dirt and to return the air flow a to the outside.

The suction collection unit 11 comprises a suction duct 17 from which the air flow a and the dirt are extracted, and a collection container 13, the collection container 13 being fluidly connected to the suction duct 17 and being provided with a collection chamber 14, the collection chamber 14 being configured to receive the air flow a and the dirt sucked from the outside.

The sucked material, which has a large specific gravity and size and thus cannot be conveyed by the air flow a for a long time, may be deposited in the collection chamber 14.

According to some embodiments, the suction collection unit 11 further comprises a filtering unit 15, the filtering unit 15 being configured to filter the sucked air flow a and the dirt and to obtain a substantially clean air flow to return to the outside.

The aspiration collection unit 11 further comprises a motorized dispensing unit 16, the dispensing unit 16 being placed in fluid communication with the collection chamber 14 and configured to move and direct the flow a from the aspiration tube 17 into the collection container 13 and back to the outside.

According to an aspect of the invention, the suction collection unit 11 comprises a sterilizing mechanism 18, the sterilizing mechanism 18 being configured to emit ultraviolet rays directed to affect the collection chamber 14 to destroy the microbial load propagated or present in the dirt remaining in the collection chamber 14.

According to some embodiments, the ultraviolet disinfection mechanism 18 comprises a plurality of LEDs 18a arranged inside the collection chamber 14.

In particular, the LEDs 18a are positioned with their respective faces that emit ultraviolet light directed toward the bottom surface 28 of the collection chamber 14.

Since the ultraviolet radiation generated by the LEDs 18a will directly affect the collection chamber 14, they are capable of inactivating the DNA of bacteria, viruses, germs, mites and other pathogenic microorganisms present in the inhaled dirt. It is the dirt that is deposited and retained in the collection chamber 14 for a longer period of time that the LED18a is positioned such that the sterilising action of the vacuum cleaner device 10 is particularly effective.

In fact, this may lead to the risk of bacteria, mould propagation and diffusion of bad smells, since the user does not remove the accumulated dirt in the collection chamber 14 and/or the filtering unit 15 every time. The presence of the above-mentioned LED18a allows to completely eliminate this risk, allowing the user to operate safely.

According to some embodiments, the LED18a is powered by a dedicated power circuit that is normally in an off state when the vacuum cleaner apparatus 10 is in use, but can be activated when the vacuum cleaner apparatus 10 is not in use.

According to a preferred embodiment of the wireless type vacuum cleaner device 10, the LED18a can be powered when the vacuum cleaner device 10 is charged, i.e. connected to the mains.

According to some possible alternatives, for example in the case of a conventional vacuum cleaner device 10 with a cable, the sanitizing means 18 (i.e. the power circuit of the LED18 a) can be provided with a battery or a dedicated charge accumulating unit, which can be activated when the vacuum cleaner device 10 is not in use. For example, the battery or accumulator unit may be provided with activation means which are selectively activated only when the dispensing unit 16 of the vacuum cleaner device 10 is switched off.

According to some embodiments not shown in the figures, the collection container 13 may comprise a shield configured to limit or prevent the passage of ultraviolet rays from the collection chamber 14 to the outside.

The shield may be associated with or integrated with the side wall 38 on its inner or outer surface.

According to some possible solutions, the collection chamber 14 may comprise a shield made of a metallic material (for example an aluminium plate) which, besides excluding the passage of the ultraviolet rays to the outside, also amplifies the reflection of the ultraviolet rays inside the collection chamber 14, thus increasing the possibility of the ultraviolet rays affecting the microorganisms present therein.

According to some possible variants, the protective screen can be made as a coating of material impermeable to ultraviolet radiation, applied to the walls of the collection container 13.

According to some embodiments, the ultraviolet light emitted by the LED18a is of the UV-C type, with a wavelength in the range of about 200nm to about 280 nm. In particular, at a wavelength of about 254nm, ultraviolet light destroys molecular bonds of the microorganism's DNA, rendering the microorganism harmless or preventing the microorganism from growing or multiplying.

According to some possible embodiments, the sterilizing means 18 (i.e. the LEDs 18a) are positioned inside the collection chamber 14 so as to minimize the distance and possible obstacles between them and the material to be sterilized collected in the collection chamber 14.

According to some embodiments, the LED18a is positioned higher inside the collection chamber 14 with respect to the bottom surface 28, on which the dirt is sucked in and falls due to gravity deposition.

In fact, the sterilization efficiency also depends on the arrangement of the LEDs 18a, if the LEDs 18a are covered by dirt, it is not possible to radiate ultraviolet rays to the whole collection chamber 14.

Thus, the higher position of the LED18a relative to the bottom surface 28 prevents dust or dirt from depositing on the LED18a, so that the LED18a always maintains excellent efficiency.

According to some embodiments, the LEDs 18a are arranged in correspondence of the upper end of the collection chamber 14, their emission face being at least partially directed towards the bottom face 28.

According to some embodiments shown in fig. 2 to 3, the collection container 13 is laterally delimited by a side wall 38 and is closed at the bottom by a lower closing wall 20 delimiting the bottom surface 28.

According to some embodiments shown in fig. 2, the lower closing wall 20 can be selectively opened and closed, for example to allow emptying the collection chamber 14 or maintenance of the components contained therein.

According to some embodiments, the lower closing wall 20 may comprise a hinge or pivot 36 associated with the lower edge of the side wall of the collection container 13, which allows the lower closing wall 20 to rotate when opened or closed, and the lower closing wall 20 may further comprise a gripping mechanism 37, for example positioned opposite the pivot 36 and adapted to grip the lower closing wall 20 in the closed position.

During use, i.e. in the assembled state of the suction device 10, the collection container 13 is closed at the upper part by an upper closing wall 29 opposite the lower closing wall 20.

The lower closure wall 20 and the upper closure wall 29 are configured to define and seal the collection chamber 14 at least during use.

According to some embodiments, the upper closing wall 29 is equipped with LEDs 18 a.

According to some possible embodiments, the upper closing wall 29 can be of the fixed type or of the selectively removable type, to allow access from above to the collection chamber 14 for emptying it or for maintenance of the components therein.

According to some embodiments, the collection chamber 14 has an upper orifice 19, which upper orifice 19 is accessible or not accessible in each case by an upper closing wall 29, as shown in fig. 2 to 3.

According to some embodiments, the collection container 13 may be of the removable type, possibly associated with or even without the upper closing wall 29. According to these embodiments, in the assembled condition the collection chamber 14 is closed by the upper closing wall 29, whereas in the unassembled condition the collection chamber 14 may be substantially open.

According to some embodiments, the upper closing wall 29 has a support surface 26, which support surface 26 faces the collection chamber 14 during use, and the LEDs 18a are positioned on this support surface 26.

Thus, the LED18a is directed towards the collection chamber 14 to irradiate the dirt contained therein and effectively act on the DNA of the dirt-borne bacteria, viruses, germs, mites and other pathogenic microorganisms, effectively preventing their proliferation (see fig. 4).

According to some embodiments, the LEDs 18a are arranged uniformly on the support surface 26, as shown in fig. 5.

According to some embodiments, such as those shown in fig. 1 to 6, the suction collection unit 11 is connected at the lower part to a motorized distribution unit 16.

According to these solutions, the motorized dispensing unit 16 is positioned to selectively close the collection container 13 and comprises an upper closing wall 29.

According to some embodiments, the upper closing wall 29 may be integral with the dispensing unit 16. In the example described herein, the upper closing wall 29 is part of the motorized dispensing unit 16, but other embodiments are not excluded in which the motorized dispensing unit 16 is arranged in another position with respect to the collection chamber 14, but in any case the upper closing wall 29 may be fluidly connected to the motorized dispensing unit 16, and the upper closing wall 29 is a distinct and separate component from the motorized dispensing unit 16.

According to some embodiments, the upper orifice 19 is shaped to receive, in a coupled manner, a dispensing unit 16, which dispensing unit 16 is operatively coupled, at least during use, to the collection container 13, so as to seal the collection chamber 14 with respect to the outside, as shown in fig. 3 to 4.

According to some embodiments, the dispensing unit 16 has a housing compartment 21 in which a motor unit 22 is housed, the motor unit 22 comprising a motor 23 adapted to move a vane rotor 24, the vane rotor 24 being configured to generate a pressure difference to generate, move and direct the suction flow a in correspondence to the suction duct 17, as shown in fig. 3 to 4. The dispensing unit 16 is delimited by an outer wall 25 having a plurality of holes 27, these holes 27 being distributed on the outer wall 25 or possibly arranged concentrated in one or more external zones, which put the containing compartment 21 in communication with the outside, as shown in figures 4 to 5.

According to these embodiments, the upper closing wall 29 can delimit the housing compartment 21 at the bottom.

When the dispensing unit 16 is operatively connected to the collection container 13, the suction duct 17, the collection chamber 14 and the containment compartment 21 define a suction circuit 12, the suction circuit 12 having an inlet corresponding to the suction duct 17 and an outlet corresponding to the aperture 27.

According to some embodiments, upper closing wall 29 has, in a central position, an aperture 30 defining a fluid passage, which places collection chamber 14 of collection container 13 in fluid communication with containment compartment 21 of dispensing unit 16, allowing flow a to pass to aperture 27.

According to some embodiments, illustrated in figures 3 to 4, the filtering unit 15 is arranged in a central position of the collection chamber 14.

In particular, the filtering unit 15 is arranged axially with respect to the hole 30.

According to some embodiments, the filtering unit 15 comprises a perforated annular support nut 31 and a filter 32 positioned inside the perforated annular support nut 31.

A perforated annular support nut 31 can be associated, i.e. placed in contact, with the bottom face 28 of the lower closing wall 20 at the lower part to delimit the collection chamber 14.

Advantageously, the filter 32 may be of the removable type or removable with respect to the perforated annular support nut 31.

The total volume of the filtering unit 15 defines a substantially annular space of the collection chamber 14 in which the aspirated materials of greater specific gravity and size can settle until they are deposited by gravity in the respective lower portion of the bottom surface 28.

According to some embodiments, the LEDs 18a are arranged on the support surface 26 around the fluid channel 30 according to a ring-type arrangement (see fig. 5).

According to these embodiments, the support surface 26 may also have an annular crown shape, and the LEDs 18a may be positioned equidistant from each other along such annular crown.

The LED18a may be directed towards the substantially annular space so as to sufficiently irradiate the material deposited on the periphery of the bottom surface 28 and possibly on the inner wall of the collection chamber 14.

According to some embodiments, the LEDs 18a on the support surface 26 are arranged with their emission facing downwards, i.e. towards the bottom wall 28, to prevent electromagnetic radiation from being emitted upwards, which may be harmful to the user, if not sufficiently shielded.

According to some embodiments, the LEDs 18a may be arranged circumferentially in an intermediate position between the filter unit 15 and the side wall of the container 13.

In this position, the LED18a is configured to also illuminate the filter unit 15, thus also disinfecting the filter unit 15.

According to some embodiments shown in fig. 5, the LEDs 18a are angularly equally spaced on the support surface 26 by the positioning angle α.

For example, the orientation angle α may vary between about 20 to about 180 depending on the number of LEDs 18 a.

For example, according to some embodiments, the number of LEDs 18a may vary between 2 and 18, and preferably ranges from 6 to 12, such that the positioning angle α ranges from 60 ° to 30 °.

It is clear that the greater the number of LEDs 18a positioned on the support surface 26, i.e. the smaller the positioning angle α, the greater the surface irradiated by the emitted ultraviolet rays.

According to some embodiments, the number and/or size of the LEDs 18a and thus the positioning angle α may be chosen according to the size of the collection chamber or also according to the type of dirt that has to be collected with the vacuum cleaner device, in a manner adapted to ensure complete sterilization of the collection chamber 14 and the dirt deposited therein.

According to some embodiments, it is also possible to provide a vacuum cleaner device 10 that is specifically directed to a pet-keeping group, which may comprise a larger number of LEDs 18a than, for example, a vacuum cleaner device 10 for cleaning an absolutely pet-free office.

According to a possible embodiment shown in fig. 1, the vacuum cleaner device 10 further comprises a cleaning head 34, which is arranged close to and possibly in contact with the surface to be cleaned. The vacuum cleaner device 10 may comprise a suction duct 35, which suction duct 35 is connected to the suction head 34 with respect to a first end and to the suction duct 17 with respect to a second end opposite the first end.

The vacuum cleaner device 10 further comprises a handle unit 33 associated with the suction collection unit 11, which handle unit 33 allows a user to appropriately guide the suction head 34.

According to a possible embodiment not shown in the figures, the suction collection unit 11 can be arranged in a lower position, so that the suction head 34 is directly connected to the suction duct 17.

According to some embodiments, a sterilization method is provided for a vacuum cleaner device 10, the vacuum cleaner device 10 comprising a suction collection unit 11, the suction collection unit 11 sucking in an air flow a and dirt from the outside through a suction circuit 12 and sending them into a collection chamber 14, in which collection chamber 14 the heaviest fraction is deposited by gravity and the lightest fraction is filtered via a filtering unit 15. The air flow a and the dirt are moved and guided by the motorised head 16 and then returned to the outside.

According to one aspect of the invention, the method provides for activating the ultraviolet disinfection means 18 to emit ultraviolet light inside the collection chamber 14 and to destroy the microbial load propagated or present in the dirt remaining in the collection chamber 14.

In particular, the plurality of LEDs 18a is activated when the vacuum cleaner device is not in operation, i.e. it is not being used to suck away dirt from the outside.

According to some embodiments, the method provides for activating the LEDs 18a in the case of non-use of the vacuum cleaner device 10, so that they emit ultraviolet rays in the collection chamber 14, and deactivating the LEDs 18a or keeping the LEDs 18a inactive in the case of use of the vacuum cleaner device 10, so that they do not emit ultraviolet rays in the collection chamber 14.

Activating the LED18a when the vacuum cleaner device 10 is not in operation, i.e. when the user should not be in the vicinity thereof, allows reducing the risk of the user being exposed to ultraviolet light emitted by the LED18 a.

According to some embodiments, in case the vacuum cleaner device 10 is of the cordless type, the method provides that the sanitizing means 18, i.e. the LED18a, is activated when the vacuum cleaner device 10 is connected to a power source.

Activating the LED18a in correspondence with a recharging condition of the vacuum cleaner device 10 allows to ensure a suitable exposure time of the dirt accumulated in the collection chamber 14.

In fact, in the case of UV-C low-wavelength radiation, the amount of time required to emit ultraviolet light to disinfect the collection chamber 14 is about 1 hour, and is therefore less than or at most equal to the recharge time of the vacuum cleaner device 10 (typically 1-6 hours).

This advantageously allows recharging of the vacuum cleaner device 10, also disinfecting the collection chamber 14 in an equal or preferably shorter amount of time, thereby optimizing energy consumption.

According to some embodiments, in the case where the vacuum cleaner device 10 is of the cordless type, the method proposes to keep the LED18a active for the entire period of time required to recharge the battery or accumulator unit.

According to some variants, the method proposes that the LED18a is kept active for a predetermined period of time (for example in the range of 30 to 120 minutes), suitable for reducing the bacterial load in the collection chamber 14, and then the LED18a is switched off, even if the recharging of the vacuum cleaner device 10 is not yet completed.

According to other variants, if the vacuum cleaner device 10 is of a conventional type, connected to the electric network during use, the invention proposes that, when the vacuum cleaner apparatus 10 is switched off, a battery or a dedicated charge accumulation unit can be activated in order to power the ultraviolet emitter 18 and switch on the ultraviolet emitter 18.

The invention also provides that the battery or accumulator unit can be recharged while the cleaning operation is being performed and automatically activated when the vacuum cleaner device 10 is switched off.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the vacuum cleaner device 10 as described heretofore, as well as to the method of sterilising such a vacuum cleaner device, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of vacuum cleaner device 10 and method of sanitizing, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1. Vacuum cleaner apparatus comprising a suction collection unit (11) provided with:

a suction pipe (17);

a collection container (13) fluidly connected to the suction duct (17) and defining a collection chamber (14), said collection chamber (14) being configured to receive a flow (A) sucked in from the outside;

a motorized dispensing unit (16) configured to move and direct the flow (A); and

a filtering unit (15) arranged in the container (13) and configured to filter an inhalation flow (A),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the suction collection unit (11) is provided with a disinfection mechanism (18), the disinfection mechanism (18) being arranged inside the collection chamber (14) and comprising a plurality of LEDs (18a), the plurality of LEDs (18a) being directed with their respective faces emitting ultraviolet rays towards a bottom face (28) of the collection chamber (14) and being configured to emit ultraviolet rays directed to influence the inside of the collection chamber (14) and disinfect the inside of the collection chamber (14) and the filtration unit (15).

2. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (13) is closed at the upper part by an upper closing wall (29) and that the LED (18a) is arranged on a support surface (26) of the closing wall (29).

3. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said upper closing wall (29) is integral with said dispensing unit (16).

4. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said upper closing wall (29) has, in a central position, an aperture (30) defining a fluid passage between said collection chamber (14) and said dispensing unit (16), and in that said LED (18a) is arranged around said aperture (30).

5. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the LEDs (18a) are positioned equidistant from each other.

6. Vacuum cleaner device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collection chamber (14) is of annular crown shape and the LEDs (18a) are distributed according to an annular arrangement in an intermediate position between the filter unit (15) and the side wall (38) of the receptacle (13).

7. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the uv disinfection mechanism (18) can be selectively activated only in the condition that the vacuum cleaner apparatus (10) is not in use.

8. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter unit (15) comprises a perforated ring-shaped support nut (31) and a filter (32) positioned inside the ring-shaped support nut (31).

9. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting container (13) comprises a shielding configured to limit or prevent passage of ultraviolet light from the collecting chamber (14) to the outside.

10. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the number of LEDs (18a) comprises 6 to 12.

11. A method of operating and sanitizing a vacuum cleaner apparatus (10), comprising:

drawing in an air flow (a) and dirt from the outside;

-conveying the air flow (a) and the dirt to a collection container (13) by means of a distribution unit (16), and collecting the dirt in a collection chamber (14) of the container (13), the heaviest fraction being deposited in the collection chamber (14) by gravity; and

returning the air flow to the outside through the distribution unit (16) after passing the air flow through a filtering unit (15) arranged in the collection chamber (14),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

when the vacuum cleaner device (10) is not used for performing a cleaning operation and sucking dust from the outside, an ultraviolet ray sterilizing mechanism (18) is activated by turning on a plurality of LEDs (18a) so as to emit ultraviolet rays to be guided to the inside of the collecting chamber (14), and a sterilizing action is performed on the collecting chamber (14) and the filter unit (15) to eliminate microbial load propagated or present in the dust and dirt collected therein.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the vacuum cleaner device (10) is of the cordless type, characterized in that the ultraviolet disinfection mechanism (18) is activated during a recharging operation of the battery or accumulator unit of the vacuum cleaner device (10) when the vacuum cleaner device (10) is connected to the mains.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the LED (18a) is kept active for the entire time required to recharge the battery or the accumulating unit.

14. Method according to claim 11, wherein the vacuum cleaner device (10) is of the type connected to the electricity network during use, characterized by activating a battery or an auxiliary charge accumulating unit dedicated to power the uv disinfection mechanism (18) when the vacuum cleaner device (10) is switched off.

15. Method according to any of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the LED (18a) is kept active for a predetermined period of time of 30 to 120 minutes, after which the LED (18a) is switched off.