CN216417028U

CN216417028U - Vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: CN216417028U
Application number: CN202122861651.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 裘苗松; 赵爱民; 翁洁知
Original assignee: Bosch Power Tools China Co Ltd
Current assignee: Bosch Power Tools China Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-11-19
Filing date: 2021-11-19
Publication date: 2022-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2031-11-19

Abstract

The present application provides a vacuum cleaner. This dust catcher includes: a housing defining an air channel located inside; a filter positioned in the air duct and extending across a cross-section of the air duct; a cleaning device, comprising: at least a first opening and a second opening, which are provided in the housing and communicate the air duct with ambient air; a valve arrangement having at least a first position in which the valve arrangement simultaneously closes the respective openings and a second position in which the valve arrangement simultaneously opens the respective openings; a resilient member associated with and applying a resilient force to the valve device such that the valve device tends to move toward the first position; and an actuator coupled with the valve device and selectively actuating the valve device to move between the first and second positions. The dust collector has the advantages of simplicity, reliability, easiness in implementation, convenience in use and the like, and can provide an improved filter cleaning solution.

Description

Vacuum cleaner

Technical Field

The application relates to the field of operation and maintenance of dust collectors. More particularly, the present application relates to a vacuum cleaner which aims to provide improved self-cleaning capability.

Background

Vacuum cleaners are often provided with a filter and the filter may be used to filter dirt, dust, particulate matter etc. entrained in the air. For example, the filter may comprise HEPA material, and thus is also referred to as HEPA. During operation, dirt, dust, and particulate matter may be trapped by the filter and become lodged in the filter.

As the vacuum cleaner operates, more and more dust and particulate matter may accumulate within the filter, resulting in clogging of the filter. There are already some solutions in the prior art for cleaning filters. For example, the filter may be cleaned using an external air flow, or vibrated for cleaning.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

It is an object of an aspect of the present application to provide a vacuum cleaner that provides a simple and reliable filter cleaning solution.

The purpose of the application is realized by the following technical scheme:

a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a housing defining an air duct located inside;

a filter positioned in the air duct and extending across a cross-section of the air duct;

a cleaning device, comprising:

at least a first opening and a second opening, which are provided in the housing and communicate the air duct with ambient air;

a valve device having at least a first position in which the valve device simultaneously closes the respective openings and a second position in which the valve device simultaneously opens the respective openings;

a resilient member associated with and applying a resilient force to the valve device such that the valve device tends to move toward the first position; and

an actuator coupled with the valve arrangement and selectively actuating the valve arrangement to move between the first and second positions.

Drawings

The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are designed solely for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and that, accordingly, should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present application. Furthermore, unless specifically stated otherwise, the drawings are intended to be conceptual in nature or configuration of the depicted objects and may contain exaggerated displays. The figures are also not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the vacuum cleaner of the present application.

Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of fig. 1 in a first position.

Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of fig. 1 in a second position.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the descriptions are illustrative only, exemplary, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the application.

First, it should be noted that the terms top, bottom, upward, downward, and the like as used herein are defined with respect to the orientation in the drawings. These orientations are relative concepts and will therefore vary depending on the position and state in which they are located. These and other directional terms are not to be construed in a limiting sense.

Furthermore, it should also be noted that for any single technical feature described or implicit in the embodiments herein or shown or implicit in the drawings, these technical features (or their equivalents) can be continuously combined to obtain other embodiments not directly mentioned herein.

It should be noted that in different drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or substantially the same components.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a vacuum cleaner of the present application. As shown, the cleaner 10 has the structure of a conventional cleaner, including a housing, a motor, a suction port, wheels, a cleaning device according to the present application, and the like. The housing 110, the protrusion 110a, the valve device 133, the elastic body 134, and the driver 135 are shown in fig. 1, and their specific structures and functions will be described in detail below.

Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in fig. 1 in a first position, and fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in fig. 1 in a second position. Fig. 2 and 3 show cross-sectional configurations in the vicinity of the filter and the cleaning device. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the arrangement shown in figures 2 and 3 can be used in conjunction with existing vacuum cleaners to form a complete vacuum cleaner solution.

The housing 110 defines an enclosure for the cleaner and encloses an internally located air duct 111. In one embodiment, the air duct 111 forms a flow passage or chamber for air. A motor, not shown, is operable to generate a vacuum and, thus, create a flow of air from the air inlet into the air chute 111. The air flow will travel along the flow path formed by the air duct 111 and be discharged through the air outlet not shown.

A filter, not shown, may be provided in the air duct 111, for example, substantially below the protrusion 110 a. In one embodiment, the filter may be configured to extend across the entire cross-section of the air chute 111. In one embodiment, the filter is arranged substantially horizontally and the air flow through the filter may be oriented substantially vertically. A horizontally placed filter on the one hand improves the collecting capacity of the contaminants and on the other hand, when the collected dust or impurities are blown off the filter by the cleaning air flow, the dust or impurities can leave the filter under the influence of gravity, thus improving the cleaning capacity. In one embodiment, the filter may comprise HEPA or HEPA material.

The cleaning device 130 is configured to provide a flow of clean air to the filter. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning device 130 may include a series of components, such as a plurality of openings, a valve device 133, a resilient member 134, and a driver 135.

The cleaning device 130 may include a plurality of openings, such as at least two openings. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion 110a protrudes from the outline of the housing 110, and the first opening 131 and the second opening 132 are provided at the protrusion 110 a. The first and

second openings

131, 132 may be configured to be generally circular and may be oriented to have a common axis of symmetry. In one embodiment, the first and

second openings

131, 132 may also have different axes of symmetry, for example having parallel spaced axes of symmetry. In another embodiment, each opening may be configured to have one of the following shapes, respectively: circular, elliptical, oval, triangular, rectangular, diamond, pentagonal, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the shape of each opening may be configured to be the same. In another embodiment, the shape of the different openings may be configured differently. For example, the first and

second openings

131 and 132 may be oriented to face in a horizontal direction. A bearing portion and a ring may be disposed in each opening. For example, in one embodiment, a ring is provided centrally in the second opening 132, and the ring may be connected to the housing 110 by a plurality of supports. Thus, the ring may be supported by the support and positioned in the first and

second openings

131, 132. When the first opening 131 and the second opening 132 are open, the air duct 111 and the ambient air are communicated. When the first opening 131 and the second opening 132 are closed, the air duct 111 and the ambient air are isolated from each other. The first opening 131 and the second opening 132 may be configured to be approximately equal in size.

The valve means 133 may be supported by each ring. For example, the valve device 133 may include a first valve 133a, a second valve 133b, and a stem 133 c. A first valve 133a is associated with the first opening 131 and a second valve 133b is associated with the second opening 132. In one embodiment, the rod 133c is connected between the first valve 133a and the second valve 133b, and may be supported by a support portion including a ring and the ring. In one embodiment, the stem 133c and the first and

second valves

133a and 133b may be constructed as one body. In another embodiment, the lever 133c, the first valve 133a, and the second valve 133b may be constructed as separate components and may be coupled as one body. The first and

second valves

133a and 133b may be coupled to the driver 135 by a rod 133 c. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, both ends of the rod 133c may protrude from the housing 110, and one end thereof is connected to the driver 135. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 3, one end of the rod 133c is coupled to the output end of the driver 135, and the other end is movably placed in the second opening 132. Fig. 1 schematically shows the other end of the valve device 133.

The valve arrangement 133 may have at least a first position and a second position. In the first position shown in fig. 2, the valve arrangement 133 simultaneously closes the respective openings, i.e. the first opening 131 and the second opening 132. In the second position shown in fig. 3, the valve means 133 causes the respective openings to be opened simultaneously. The elastic member 134 may be configured to be associated with the valve device 133 and apply an elastic force to the valve device 133. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic member 134 may be sleeved outside the rod 133c and disposed between the housing 110 and the driver 135. Alternatively, the elastic member 134 may be disposed between the first opening 131 and the driver 135. In one embodiment, the elastic member 134 may be always in a compressed state to provide the valve device 133 with an elastic force to the left. In one embodiment, the resilient member 134 is disposed outside of the housing 110, that is, in the ambient air.

In operation, the pressure differential across the first valve 133a will generate a first pressure F1 towards the interior of the housing 110, while the pressure differential across the second valve 133b will also generate a second pressure F2 towards the interior of the housing 110. The first pressure force F1 and the second pressure force F2 will act on the lever 133c, and thus be associated with the elastic force generated by the elastic member 134. The first pressure force F1 and the second pressure force F2 are in opposite directions and therefore at least partially cancel. With the first and

second openings

131, 132 being approximately equal in size, the first and second pressures F1, F2 are approximately equal and therefore approximately completely cancel. Even if there is a certain pressure difference between the first pressure F1 and the second pressure F2, the elastic force of the elastic member 134 overcomes the pressure difference, thereby ensuring that the valve device 133 is at a desired position.

A driver 135 is associated with the valve means 133 and, in the illustrated embodiment, the driver 135 is also associated with the resilient member 134. The actuator 135 may be configured to selectively apply a linear actuation force such that the valve arrangement 133 moves between the first and second positions. The drive 135 may be a linear drive or may be a combination of a motor and a mechanical device.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 135 applies a pulling force to the valve device 133 and overcomes the elastic force of the elastic body 134. At this time, the elastic body 134 may be disposed at the illustrated position, that is, between the valve device 133 and the driver 135. However, the valve device 133, the elastic body 134, and the driver 135 may have other arrangements. For example, the elastic body 134 and the driver 135 may be disposed at opposite sides of the valve device 133. One end of the elastic body 134 may be fixed with respect to the housing 110 and the other end is attached to the valve device 133. The elastomer 134 is in a pressurized state and applies a force to the valve arrangement 133 such that the valve arrangement 133 tends to close the first and

second openings

131, 132. The driver 135 may selectively apply a pushing force such that the valve device 133 moves against the elastic force of the elastic body 134, thereby selectively opening the first and

second openings

131 and 132. In such an embodiment, the structure of the valve device 133 may be changed relative to the illustrated embodiment to achieve a similar effect.

The term pulling force as used herein refers to the force exerted by the actuator 135 such that the valve arrangement 133 tends to move toward the actuator 135. Thrust, as referred to herein, refers to the force exerted by the actuator 135 such that the valve arrangement 133 tends to move away from the actuator 135.

Fig. 2 shows the state of the valve device 133 in the first position. At this time, the driver 135 may apply no driving force or only a limited driving force. The elastic member 134 is in a compressed state and applies a pushing force to the valve device 133 so that the valve device 133 tends to move toward the first position. That is, the first valve 133a tends to close the first opening 131, and the second valve 133b tends to close the second opening 132, so that the air chute 111 is isolated from the ambient air. At this time, the air flow in the air duct 111 will pass through the filter from bottom to top, and the filter may perform the relevant filtering operation.

Fig. 3 shows the state of the valve device 133 in the second position. At this time, the driver 135 may exert a driving force such that the valve device 133 overcomes the elastic force of the elastic member 134 and the valve device 133 tends to move toward the second position. That is, the first valve 133a tends to be separated from the first opening 131, and the second valve 133b tends to be separated from the second opening 132. Since the air pressure within the air duct is typically less than atmospheric pressure, i.e. less than the pressure of the ambient air, the pressure difference will generate an air flow from the ambient air via the first and

second openings

131, 132. These air flows are shown in fig. 3 by dashed arrows a1 and a 2. The air flow from the first opening 131 and the air flow from the second opening 132 may join at the middle of the protrusion 110a and together form a downward air flow. Such air flow may impinge toward the filter, forcing the trash, dust, and contaminants trapped in the filter out of the filter, and downwardly away from the filter under the force of gravity and the force of the air flow. It will be readily appreciated that although the dashed arrows a1 and a2 in fig. 3 pass through several solid components, these arrows are only intended to schematically represent the general direction of flow of air and are not intended to represent that air will pass through these components. In practice, air generally travels in the air duct 111.

The first and

second openings

131, 132 contribute to a symmetrical cleaning air flow and their positions can be chosen such that the cleaning air flow is located substantially at the middle of the filter, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency.

In one embodiment, the driver 130 may be driven at intervals to provide a periodic flow of clean air. In another embodiment, the drive 130 may be selectively braked depending on the pressure difference between the air chute 111 and the ambient air. The driver 130 may be connected to and operated by a controller, not shown.

The vacuum cleaner of the present application has advantages of being simple and reliable, easy to implement, convenient to use, etc., and can provide an improved filter cleaning solution.

This written description discloses the application with reference to the drawings, and also enables one skilled in the art to practice the application, including making and using any devices or systems, selecting appropriate materials, and using any incorporated methods. The scope of the present application is defined by the claims and encompasses other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are to be considered within the scope of protection defined by the claims of this application, provided that they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or that they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a housing (110) defining an air duct (111) located inside;

a filter positioned in the air duct (111) and extending across a cross-section of the air duct (111);

cleaning device (130) comprising:

at least a first opening (131) and a second opening (132), the first opening (131) and the second opening (132) being provided in the housing (110) and communicating the air duct (111) and ambient air;

a valve device (133) having at least a first position in which the valve device (133) closes the respective openings simultaneously and a second position in which the valve device (133) opens the respective openings simultaneously;

a resilient member (134) associated with said valve means (133) and applying a resilient force to said valve means (133) such that said valve means (133) tends to move towards said first position; and

a driver (135) coupled with the valve arrangement (133) and selectively driving the valve arrangement (133) to move between the first and second positions.

2. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that the first opening (131) and the second opening (132) are positioned towards each other and at the top of the filter in order to provide a symmetrical flow of cleaned air towards the filter.

3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the first opening (131) and the second opening (132) are each configured to have one of the following shapes: circular, elliptical, oval, triangular, rectangular, diamond, pentagonal, or a combination thereof.

4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, characterized in that the valve arrangement (133) comprises a first valve (133a) and a second valve (133b), the first valve (133a) being associated with the first opening (131) and the second valve (133b) being associated with the second opening (132), the first valve (133a) and the second valve (133b) being coupled to the driver (135) by a rod (133 c).

5. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, characterized in that the first opening (131) and the second opening (132) are provided with a plurality of bearings and a ring, respectively, wherein the ring is positioned in the first opening (131) and the second opening (132) by the bearings and the ring is configured to support the rod (133 c).

6. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuator (135) is configured to actuate the valve means (133) in such a way that a pulling force is exerted, and that the resilient member (134) is arranged between the first opening (131) and the actuator (135); or the driver (135) is configured to drive the valve device (133) in such a manner as to exert a pushing force, and one end of the elastic member (134) is fixed with respect to the housing (110) and the other end is attached to the valve device (133).

7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, characterized in that the resilient member (134) and the driver (135) are arranged outside the housing (110).

8. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, characterized in that the first opening (131) and the second opening (132) are oriented towards the horizontal direction.

9. A vacuum cleaner according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that the filter is arranged horizontally in the air duct (111).

10. The vacuum cleaner according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the housing (110) comprises a protrusion (110a), and the first opening (131) and the second opening (132) are symmetrically positioned at both sides of the protrusion (110 a).