CN116209380A

CN116209380A - Hand-held vacuum cleaner with removable filter

Info

Publication number: CN116209380A
Application number: CN202180056576.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 伯特兰·埃斯卡莱特
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2020-08-11
Filing date: 2021-08-03
Publication date: 2023-06-02
Also published as: ES2952232T3; JP2023537118A; US20230371764A1; EP3954261C0; EP3954261B1; WO2022033916A1; FR3113365B1; EP3954261A1; FR3113365A1; KR20230048629A

Abstract

A hand-held vacuum cleaner (1), comprising: a cleaner housing (2); a grip handle (3) connected to the cleaner housing (2); -a suction inlet (4) through which the hand-held vacuum cleaner (1) can draw in air; at least one air outlet opening (5) through which cleaned air can leave the hand-held cleaner (1); an air circuit (6) extending between the suction inlet (4) and the exhaust aperture (5); -a suction unit (7) arranged on the air circuit, the suction unit (7) comprising a motor (7.1) and a ventilator (7.2) coupled to the motor (7.1) for generating an air flow in the air circuit (6) from the suction inlet (4) to the exhaust aperture (5); a waste separation device (8) arranged on the air circuit (6) upstream of the suction unit (7), through which waste separation device the air flow generated by the suction unit (7) passes when the hand-held cleaner (1) is in operation; a removable bowl (9) for receiving waste separated by the waste separating device (8) and removably attached to the cleaner housing; -a suction unit housing (12) comprising a first wall (12.3) at least partially covering the suction unit (7). The suction unit housing (12) comprises a second wall (12.4) which at least partially covers the first wall (12.3). The second wall (12.4) is formed at a distance from the first wall (12.3) to at least partially define an interior space (15) of the hand-held vacuum cleaner (1), the interior space extending between the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4).

Description

Hand-held vacuum cleaner with removable filter

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners which allow to suck small particle size dust and waste present on a surface to be cleaned, which may be, for example, a tile, parquet floor, laminate, carpet or floor mat.

Background

A vacuum cleaner, in particular a hand-held vacuum cleaner, comprises in a known manner:

the housing of the vacuum cleaner is provided with a suction opening,

a grip handle attached to the cleaner housing,

a suction inlet through which air can be drawn by the hand-held cleaner,

at least one air outlet opening through which cleaned air can leave the hand-held vacuum cleaner,

an air circuit extending between the suction inlet and the exhaust aperture,

a suction unit arranged on the air circuit, said suction unit comprising a motor and a ventilator for generating an air flow in the air circuit from the suction inlet to the exhaust aperture,

waste separating means, which are arranged in the air circuit upstream of the suction unit and through which the air flow generated by the suction unit passes when the hand-held cleaner is in operation,

a suction unit housing at least partially covering the suction unit. The suction unit housing is generally used to position and retain the suction unit in the hand-held cleaner and also to protect the suction unit.

By waste separating device is meant a separating device, such as a filter-type separating device using at least one filter medium or a cyclone-type separating device using at least one cyclone separator, which is capable of separating waste and/or dust from an incoming airflow. The waste and/or dust is hereinafter referred to as waste.

For this type of hand-held cleaner, a compromise between suction efficiency, waste storage capacity in the removable bowl, compactness and portability has been sought for many years, so that the hand-held cleaner can remain conveniently handled.

In order to reduce the weight of hand cleaners and to reduce their external footprint, some manufacturers have attempted to reduce the thickness of the inner and outer walls of the hand cleaners, for example, while others have attempted to reduce the weight of the suction unit. The reduced thickness of the inner or outer walls of the hand-held vacuum cleaner generally compromises its robustness, reducing the life of the hand-held vacuum cleaner as a whole, which is more sensitive to shock, for example. The weight of the suction unit is reduced without changing the motor technology, generally accompanied by a reduction in suction power and a reduction in suction performance.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is, inter alia, to provide a hand-held vacuum cleaner, the portability and compactness of which are improved without additionally changing the robustness of the appliance and the performance of the vacuum cleaner.

To this end, the invention relates to a hand-held vacuum cleaner comprising:

the housing of the vacuum cleaner is provided with a suction opening,

a grip handle attached to the cleaner housing,

a suction inlet through which the hand-held vacuum cleaner can draw in air,

an air circuit extending between the suction inlet and the exhaust aperture,

a suction unit arranged on the air circuit, said suction unit comprising an electric motor and a ventilator coupled to the electric motor for generating an air flow in the air circuit from the suction inlet to the exhaust aperture,

waste separating means arranged in the air circuit upstream of the suction unit, through which waste separating means the air flow generated by the suction unit passes when the hand-held cleaner is in operation,

a removable bowl for receiving waste separated by the waste separating device, and removably attached to the cleaner housing,

a suction unit housing comprising a first wall at least partially covering the suction unit.

According to the invention, the suction unit housing comprises a second wall at least partially covering the first wall. The second wall is formed at a distance from the first wall to at least partially define an interior space of the hand-held cleaner, the interior space extending between the first wall and the second wall.

The invention allows for the provision of an interior space of the hand-held cleaner adjacent to the suction unit. The internal space is formed in the suction unit housing. In other words, the wall of the suction unit housing allows both the formation of a protective housing around the suction unit and the formation of an interior space inside the hand-held vacuum cleaner which acts on the vacuum cleaner, i.e. an interior space for forming an air duct or receiving a functional subassembly of the hand-held vacuum cleaner, such as, for example, a noise attenuator or absorber forming part of an air circuit, an electronic control or command circuit board or filter for the hand-held vacuum cleaner, etc.

Forming such an interior space directly in the suction unit housing, which is functional for the hand-held cleaner, allows to reduce the number of walls necessary to create such an interior space that is not integrated into the suction unit housing, and ultimately allows to reduce the weight and make the hand-held cleaner more compact, while maintaining the robustness of the appliance and without altering the performance of the cleaner.

The hand-held cleaner may also have one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

Advantageously, the first wall and the second wall of the suction unit housing are integrally made. For example, the first wall and the second wall are obtained by pressure injection molding.

This feature has the effect of simplifying the manufacture of the suction unit housing.

Advantageously, the motor comprises an output shaft with a rotation axis, said output shaft being coupled to the ventilator.

The first wall and the second wall have a part-annular shape around the rotation axis. The first wall and the second wall then delimit a partially annular inner space around the suction unit. According to this configuration, the inner space does not extend around the suction unit for a full turn. For example, the inner space may have a "C" shape and extend partly around the suction unit. For the needs of certain cleaner arrangements, the "C" -shaped interior space allows for example easier provision of a cable channel or air duct channel that does not pass through the interior space. This configuration thus allows optimizing the interior space in the presence of constraints such as cable channels or air duct channels that cannot pass through the interior space.

Advantageously, the first wall and the second wall have an annular shape, for example a tubular or frustoconical shape, substantially coaxial to the rotation axis. The first wall and the second wall then at least partially delimit an annular inner space extending around the suction unit.

This configuration allows optimizing the internal space extending around the entire revolution of the suction unit. For example, a large-sized functional subassembly, such as a dust filter, may be placed in the annular interior space while limiting the impact on the outer diameter of the hand-held cleaner.

Advantageously, the first wall and the second wall are connected by at least one coupling wall, the first wall, the second wall and the coupling wall being made in one piece, preferably by injection moulding. With this configuration, the suction unit housing is easy to manufacture.

Advantageously, the coupling wall extends radially between the first wall and the second wall with respect to the rotation axis of the motor.

Advantageously, the coupling wall has the shape of an annular disk.

In an embodiment variant, the first wall and the second wall are connected by a coupling arm. In this case, the first wall, the second wall and the coupling arm are advantageously made in one piece, preferably by injection moulding.

Advantageously, the suction unit housing comprises an access opening for accessing the interior space. The coupling wall is preferably formed on the side of the suction unit housing opposite the access opening.

The access opening allows for easy introduction or removal of removable subassemblies of the cleaner, such as, for example, a removable filter. The access opening also allows for easier demolding and thus easier manufacturing of the suction unit housing, in particular when the suction unit housing is integrally manufactured by means of injection molding.

Advantageously, the internal space formed between the first wall and the second wall forms a chamber or duct located on the air circuit. When the hand-held cleaner is in operation, the air flow generated by the suction unit passes through the chamber or duct. When the interior space forms a duct, the duct is typically an air duct that allows air to be delivered into the hand-held cleaner. When the interior space forms a chamber, it may be used to house a functional sub-assembly of the hand-held cleaner forming part of an air circuit, such as a filter, noise attenuator or absorber. Thus, the defined interior space may perform or receive the basic functions of the hand-held cleaner.

Advantageously, the inner space extending between the first wall and the second wall forms a filter chamber in which a filter, preferably a removable filter, is placed, which filter chamber and filter are arranged on the air circuit and through which the air flow generated by the suction unit passes when the hand-held cleaner is in operation. The filter chamber and the filter are arranged on the air circuit downstream of the suction unit.

Although the inner space is also adapted to receive a filter belonging to the upstream part of the air circuit, i.e. upstream of the suction unit, the fact that the inner space is formed near or around the suction unit enables a further optimization of the air circuit in terms of pressure loss and overall occupation of space when the inner space is used for a filter chamber and a removable filter belonging to the downstream part of the air circuit, i.e. the part of the air circuit located downstream of the suction unit.

Advantageously, the filtering chamber is at least partially delimited by the first wall, the second wall and the coupling wall. Access to the opening allows placement or removal of the filter.

Advantageously, the filter chamber and the filter have an annular shape extending around the suction unit.

Advantageously, the filter chamber comprises at least one air inlet formed in the coupling wall. The air inlet of the filter chamber is in pneumatic communication with the air outlet of the suction unit and the filter chamber comprises at least one air outlet formed in the second wall.

Advantageously, the first wall is free of openings.

Advantageously, at least a portion of the second wall forms at least one wall of the cleaner housing.

This arrangement allows the interior space to be defined between pre-existing walls in a conventional cleaner. Thus, the interior space may be formed by fewer walls than in conventional cleaners, which allows the hand-held cleaner to be more lightweight and compact. This arrangement also allows the interior space between the suction unit guard housing and the cleaner housing to be maximised. Furthermore, since the first wall and the second wall are part of the same integral component, the formation of an interior space between the suction unit protective housing and the cleaner housing does not alter the robustness of the hand-held cleaner in this position.

When the second wall forms a wall of the cleaner housing, the at least one air outlet is an exhaust aperture. This arrangement allows limiting the number of ducts in the hand-held cleaner and simplifying the hand-held cleaner.

Advantageously, the second wall of the suction unit housing is arranged between the removable bowl and the rear of the cleaner housing in a direction parallel to the motor rotation axis.

Advantageously, the access opening providing access to the interior space faces the removable bowl.

According to this arrangement of the invention, when the removable bowl is detached from the cleaner housing, the functional sub-assembly of the cleaner, such as the removable filter, can be easily removed from the interior space through the access opening. When the removable bowl is attached to the cleaner housing, the removable filter becomes inaccessible and cannot be removed from the interior space through the access opening.

Advantageously, the separating apparatus is housed in the removable bowl such that it can be separated from the cleaner housing together with the removable bowl.

This arrangement allows the separating apparatus to be removed with the removable bowl so that the separating apparatus can be removed and cleaned more easily.

Advantageously, the removable bowl is removably attached to the cleaner housing and contacts the cleaner housing via a contact surface formed on the cleaner housing.

Advantageously, the contact surface is substantially annular, the inner space and the access opening being formed radially inside the substantially annular contact surface.

Advantageously, the contact surface is formed by a substantially annular axial end of the second wall of the suction unit housing.

The substantially annular contact surface is simple to manufacture on the second wall of the suction unit housing and allows for evenly distributed contact of the removable bowl on the cleaner housing when the bowl is attached to the cleaner housing. The evenly distributed contact of the removable bowl on the cleaner housing in particular allows an easier sealing to be achieved in this contact area.

The removable bowl may be attached to the cleaner housing in various ways, in particular by clamping, by means of at least one recess and latch, by a bayonet-type fastening member, by a threaded connection or any other means known to a person skilled in the art.

Advantageously, the separating device is a cyclone separator, the main axis of which is coaxial with the rotation axis of the output shaft of the motor.

Drawings

The following description embodies the features and advantages of the present invention. The description is based on the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 illustrates an overall view of a hand-held cleaner in accordance with certain embodiments;

figure 2 shows the hand-held cleaner of figure 1 in longitudinal section;

figure 3 shows the hand-held cleaner of figure 1 according to a front three-quarter perspective view, without the removable bowl and separator;

figure 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the rear of the hand-held cleaner of figure 3;

figure 5 shows the hand-held cleaner of figure 1 according to a front three-quarter perspective view, without the removable bowl and separator, with the removable filter partially removed from the filter chamber;

figure 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the rear of the hand-held cleaner of figure 5;

figure 7 shows the hand-held cleaner of figure 1 according to a front three-quarter perspective view, without the removable bowl and separator, with the removable filter completely removed from the filter chamber;

figure 8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the rear of the hand-held cleaner of figure 7;

figure 9 shows the suction unit housing of the hand-held cleaner of figure 1 in accordance with a front three-quarter perspective view;

fig. 10 shows the suction unit housing of fig. 1 in a longitudinal sectional view.

Detailed Description

In the following description, the hand-held cleaner is referred to as a cleaner.

Figures 1 to 10 show a cleaner 1 comprising a cleaner housing 2, a gripping handle 3 connected to the cleaner housing 2, a suction inlet 4 through which the cleaner 1 can draw air, a plurality of exhaust apertures 5 through which cleaned air can leave the cleaner 1. The cleaner 1 further comprises an air circuit 6 extending between the suction inlet 4 and the exhaust aperture 5. The cleaner 1 comprises a suction unit 7 arranged on the air circuit 6. The suction unit 7 comprises an electric motor 7.1 and a ventilator 7.2 (as shown in fig. 2 and 4) coupled to the electric motor 7.1 for generating an air flow in the air circuit 6 from the suction inlet 4 to the exhaust aperture 5. The gripping handle 3 may be integrally formed with the cleaner housing 2 or may be attached thereto.

The cleaner 1 further comprises a waste separation device 8 arranged on the air circuit 6 upstream 6.1 of the suction unit 7. When the cleaner 1 is in operation, the airflow generated by the suction unit 7 passes through the waste separating apparatus 8. The cleaner 1 comprises a removable bowl 9, also referred to as a waste storage container, for receiving and accumulating waste separated by the waste separating means 8 and is removably attached to the cleaner housing 2. The waste separating device 8 is advantageously arranged in a removable bowl 9. In this case, the removable bowl 9 forms a separation chamber. Preferably, the waste separating apparatus 8 is detachable from the removable bowl 9 so that the contents of the removable bowl 9 are more easily emptied when the removable bowl 9 is detached from the cleaner housing 2. The air suction inlet 4 is connected by means of an air intake duct 4.1 (shown in fig. 2) to a separation chamber, which corresponds to the interior of the removable bowl 9.

The cleaner 1 preferably comprises a battery pack 10 in the lower part of the cleaner. The bottom surface 10.1 of the battery pack 10 allows the cleaner to rest on a horizontal surface when the cleaner 1 is not in use (see figure 2). The gripping handle 3 extends between the battery pack 10 and the cleaner housing 2, advantageously at the rear 13 of the cleaner.

The cleaner 1 comprises a button 11 for turning on the cleaner, in particular for controlling the turning on of the suction unit 7 when the cleaner is activated by a user.

The motor 7.1 comprises an output shaft 7.3 (shown in fig. 2, 4, 6 and 8) having a rotation axis X. The output shaft 7.3 is coupled to the ventilator 7.2.

Advantageously, as shown in fig. 1 to 10, the separating apparatus 8, the ventilator 7.2 and the motor 7.1 are aligned. More precisely, the waste separating device 8, the ventilator 7.2 and the motor 7.1 are aligned and centered on the rotational axis X of the motor 7.1. In this configuration, the rotation axis X is the main axis of the cleaner 1.

The suction unit 7 belongs to the rear 13 of the cleaner 1 and the waste separating apparatus 8 is located in front of the suction unit 7. Figures 4 and 6 show the rear portion 13 of the cleaner 1. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the suction inlet 4 of the cleaner 1 forms the front end of the hand-held cleaner 1. The suction inlet 4 advantageously projects forward with respect to the rest of the hand-held cleaner 1, in particular with respect to the removable bowl 9.

The cleaner 1 further comprises a suction unit housing 12 at least partially covering the suction unit 7. More specifically, the suction unit housing 12 comprises a first wall 12.3 at least partially covering the suction unit 7.

The suction unit housing 12 is visible in fig. 2 to 10, more particularly in fig. 9 and 10. The suction unit housing 12 serves in particular for positioning and holding the suction unit 7 in the cleaner 1 and also for protecting the suction unit 1.

As shown, the suction unit 7 may comprise an intermediate housing 7.4, which intermediate housing 7.4 is arranged radially inside the suction unit housing 12 with respect to the rotational axis X of the motor 7.1.

The suction unit housing 12 comprises an air inlet opening 12.1 and an air outlet opening 12.2, the air inlet opening 12.1 and the air outlet opening 12.2 being in pneumatic communication with the suction unit 7 and being arranged on both sides of the suction unit 7 in the direction of the rotation axis X. The air inlet opening 12.1 communicates with an upstream portion 6.1 of the air circuit 6 and the air outlet 12.2 communicates with a downstream portion of the air circuit 6. In other words, the upstream portion 6.1 of the air circuit 6 is located upstream of the suction unit 7 and extends between the suction inlet 4 and the suction unit 7. The downstream portion 6.2 of the air circuit 6 is located downstream of the suction unit 7 and extends between the suction unit 7 and the exhaust aperture 5.

A separation device 8 is arranged in the upstream portion 6.1 of the air circuit 6.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 10, the separating device 8 is advantageously a cyclone separator, the main axis of which is coaxial with the rotation axis X of the output shaft of the motor. In a variant of embodiment, not shown, but not exceeding the scope of the invention, the separation device may be made of a filter comprising a porous filter medium, to allow the passage of air and prevent the passage of waste.

In order to limit the dust being sucked into the suction unit 7, the cleaner may comprise, in addition to the waste separation device 8, an upstream filter 13, which is arranged in the air circuit between the waste separation device 8 and the suction unit 7. The upstream filter 13 is preferably of the removable type, is of frustoconical shape and is housed in the central portion of the cyclone.

In order to limit or prevent dust from escaping from the exhaust aperture 5, the cleaner 1 preferably comprises, in addition to the waste separation device 8, a downstream filter 14, which is arranged in the downstream portion 6.2 of the air circuit 6.

As shown more particularly in fig. 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10, the suction unit housing 12 comprises a second wall 12.4 at least partially covering the first wall 12.3. The second wall 12.4 is formed at a distance from the first wall 12.3 to at least partially define an interior space 15 of the hand-held cleaner 1, which extends between the first wall 12.3 and the second wall 12.4.

The first wall 12.3 and the second wall 12.4 advantageously have an annular shape, coaxial with the rotation axis X of the output shaft 7.3 of the motor 7.1. The first wall 12.3 and the second wall 12.4 at least partially delimit an annular-shaped inner space 15 extending around the suction unit 7. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the first wall 12.3 and the second wall 12.4 have more particularly a tubular shape. In a variant of embodiment not shown, the first wall and the second wall may also have a substantially frustoconical shape.

In a further embodiment variant, not shown, the first wall and the second wall have a partially annular shape around the axis of rotation of the motor, such that the first wall and the second wall delimit an inner space around the partially annular shape of the suction unit. According to this variant, the inner space may have, for example, a ring-shaped cross-sectional shape or a cross-sectional shape with a "C" shape (non-closed ring).

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first wall 12.3 and the second wall 12.4 are connected by a coupling wall 12.5. As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the first wall 12.3, the second wall 12.4 and the coupling wall 12.5 are advantageously made in one piece, preferably by injection moulding.

Advantageously, the coupling wall 12.5 extends radially with respect to the rotation axis X of the motor 7.1, and the coupling wall 12.5 extends between the first wall 12.3 and the second wall 12.4. As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the coupling wall 12.5 has the shape of an annular disc. In the variant described above, in which the first wall and the second wall have a partially annular shape around the axis of rotation of the motor, the coupling wall does not necessarily have an annular shape, it may for example have the shape of a circular disk section or a substantially rectangular or trapezoidal shape or a "C" shape.

In another embodiment variant (not shown), the first wall and the second wall may be connected by a coupling arm extending radially between the first wall and the second wall. According to this variant, the first wall 12.3, the second wall 12.4 and the coupling arm are advantageously made in one piece, preferably by injection moulding.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the suction unit housing 12 comprises an access opening 12.6 for accessing the interior space 15. The coupling wall 12.5 is preferably formed on the side of the suction unit housing 12 opposite the access opening 12.6. The interior space 15 is thus defined by the walls 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5 of the suction unit housing 12, which walls form a substantially "U" shape in half cross-section, for example in half cross-section in fig. 10. This U-shape is shown in fig. 10 by a dashed line and is denoted by reference numeral 15.1. The access opening 12.6 faces the removable bowl 9.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the inner space 15 forms a filter chamber in which the filter is placed. The filter chamber and the filter are arranged on the air circuit 6 and through which the air flow generated by the suction unit 7 passes when the cleaner 1 is in operation.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the filter chamber 15 is provided on the downstream portion 6.2 of the air circuit 6, and the filter is a downstream filter 14 as described above.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the filter chamber 15 and the downstream filter 14 have an annular shape extending around the suction unit 7.

The downstream filter 14 is preferably removable and the access opening 12.6 allows the filter 14 to be placed into or removed from the filter chamber when the removable bowl 9 is detached from the cleaner housing 2.

Figures 1 and 2 show the cleaner 1 in an operational state, i.e. the removable filter 14 is placed in the filter chamber and the removable bowl 9 is attached to the cleaner housing 2. Fig. 3-8 show 3 successive disassembly steps of the downstream filter 14 until the downstream filter 14 is completely removed.

In fact, figures 3 and 4 show the cleaner 1 in a first disassembly step, in which the removable bowl 9 is disassembled and the downstream filter 14 is still placed in the filter chamber. Figures 5 and 6 show the cleaner in a second disassembly step, in which the downstream filter 14 is partially removed from the filter chamber, with translational movement of the removable filter along the main axis X. Figures 7 and 8 show the cleaner in a third removal step, in which the downstream filter 14 is completely removed from the filter chamber.

In a variant of embodiment not shown, instead of a downstream filter, the inner space may receive an upstream filter (belonging to the upstream portion 6.1 of the air circuit 6) or another functional subassembly of the hand-held vacuum cleaner, such as for example a noise attenuator or absorber, an electronic control or command circuit board of the hand-held vacuum cleaner, etc. The interior space may also be used to define an air duct.

The filter chamber formed by the inner space 15 comprises at least one air inlet 12.7 formed in the coupling wall 12.5. As shown in fig. 9, a plurality of air inlets 12.7 are advantageously formed on the coupling wall 12.5. The air inlet 12.7 is in pneumatic communication with the air outlet 12.2 and the suction unit 7. The filter chamber comprises at least one air outlet formed in the second wall 12.4. Advantageously, the filtering chamber comprises a plurality of air outlets formed in the second wall 12.4.

The first wall 12.3 is advantageously free of openings.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the two parts of the second wall 12.4 form the two walls 2.1 and 2.2 of the cleaner housing 2, and the air outlet formed in the second wall 12.6 forms the air outlet aperture 5, in this embodiment the air outlet aperture 5 is formed in the walls 2.1 and 2.2. The walls 2.1 and 2.2 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the cleaner 1.

The second wall 12.4 forming the walls 2.1 and 2.2 of the cleaner housing 2 is arranged between the removable bowl 9 and the rear part 2.3 of the cleaner housing 2 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation a of the motor 7.1.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the removable bowl 9 is removably attached to the cleaner housing 2 by a contact surface 12.8 formed by a generally annular axial end of the second wall 12.4 of the suction unit housing 12.

The removable bowl 9 is reversibly attachable to the cleaner housing 2. The removable bowl 9 may be attached to the cleaner housing 2 in various ways, in particular by clamping, by bayonet fastening means, by screwing, or by means of at least one recess 19 and latch 20, as shown for example in fig. 1.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown, which are provided as examples only. Modifications may be made, especially in matters of construction of the various elements or substitution by equivalent techniques, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A hand-held vacuum cleaner (1), comprising:

a dust collector shell (2),

a grip handle (3) connected to the cleaner housing (2),

a suction inlet (4) through which the hand-held vacuum cleaner (1) can suck in air,

at least one air outlet opening (5) through which cleaned air can leave the hand-held vacuum cleaner (1),

an air circuit (6) extending between the suction inlet (4) and the exhaust orifice (5),

a suction unit (7) arranged on the air circuit, the suction unit (7) comprising a motor (7.1) and a ventilator (7.2) coupled to the motor (7.1) for generating an air flow in the air circuit (6) from the suction inlet (4) to the exhaust aperture (5),

a waste separating device (8) arranged on the air circuit (6) upstream of the suction unit (7), through which waste separating device the air flow generated by the suction unit (7) passes when the hand-held vacuum cleaner (1) is in operation,

a removable bowl (9) for receiving waste separated by the waste separating means (8) and removably attached to the cleaner housing,

a suction unit housing (12) comprising a first wall (12.3) at least partially covering the suction unit (7),

wherein the method comprises the steps of

The suction unit housing (12) comprises a second wall (12.4) which at least partially covers the first wall (12.3) and

the second wall (12.4) being formed at a distance from the first wall (12.3) to at least partially define an interior space (15) of the hand-held vacuum cleaner (1), the interior space extending between the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4),

it is characterized in that

The motor (7.1) comprises an output shaft (7.3) having a rotation axis (X), the output shaft (7.3) being coupled to the ventilator (7.2), and wherein the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) have a partially annular shape around the rotation axis (X), the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) defining an inner space (15) around the partially annular shape of the suction unit (7).

2. A hand-held cleaner (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) are integrally formed.

3. A hand-held vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the motor (7.1) comprises an output shaft (7.3) having an axis of rotation (X), the output shaft (7.3) being coupled to the ventilator (7.2), wherein the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) are annular in shape, e.g. tubular or frustoconical in shape, substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation (X), and wherein the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) at least partially delimit an annular-shaped interior space (15) extending around the suction unit (7).

4. A hand-held vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) being connected by at least one coupling wall (12.5), the first wall (12.3), the second wall (12.4) and the coupling wall (12.5) being integrally formed, preferably by injection moulding.

5. A hand-held cleaner (1) according to claim 4, wherein the coupling wall (12.5) extends radially between the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) with respect to the rotational axis of the motor.

6. A hand-held cleaner (1) according to claim 4, wherein the coupling wall (12.5) has the shape of an annular disc.

7. A hand-held vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) are connected by a coupling arm, the first wall (12.3), the second wall (12.4) and the coupling arm being integrally formed, preferably by injection moulding.

8. A hand-held vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the suction unit housing (12) comprises an access opening (12.6) for accessing the interior space (15), the coupling wall (12.5) preferably being formed on the side of the suction unit housing (12) opposite the access opening (12.6).

9. A hand-held vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the interior space (15) forms a chamber or duct located on the air circuit (6) and wherein an air flow generated by the suction unit (7) passes through the chamber or duct when the hand-held vacuum cleaner (1) is in operation.

10. A hand-held vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the interior space (15) forms a filter chamber, a filter (14) being placed in the filter chamber, the filter chamber and the filter (14) being arranged on the air circuit (6), and wherein an air flow generated by the suction unit (7) passes through the filter chamber and the filter (14) when the hand-held vacuum cleaner (1) is in operation.

11. A hand-held cleaner (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the filter chamber and the filter (14) are arranged on the air circuit (6) downstream of the suction unit (7).

12. A hand-held vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 4, 8 and one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the filter chamber is at least partially delimited by the first wall (12.3), the second wall (12.4) and the coupling wall (12.5), the access opening (12.6) allowing the filter (14) to be placed or removed.

13. A hand-held cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the filter chamber and the filter (14) have an annular shape extending around the suction unit (7).

14. A hand-held cleaner (1) according to claim 12, wherein the filter chamber comprises at least one air inlet (12.7) formed in the coupling wall, the air inlet of the filter chamber being in pneumatic communication with the air outlet of the suction unit (7), and the filter chamber comprising at least one air outlet formed on the second wall (12.4).

15. A hand-held cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least a portion of the second wall (12.4) forms at least one wall (2.1, 2.2) of the cleaner housing (2).

16. A hand-held cleaner (1) according to claims 14 and 15, wherein the at least one air outlet of the filter chamber is the at least one exhaust aperture (5).