DE102011007213A1 - Staubabscheideeinheit with an intermediate coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

A dust separator unit (5) for a vacuum cleaner, the dust separator unit (5) having a wall which at least partially surrounds the dust separator unit (5). The wall of the dust separation unit (5) has an intermediate coupling (12) with a drive counter coupling (15) accessible from the outside of the dust separation unit (5) and an output counter coupling (16) accessible from the inside of the dust separation unit (5). The present invention makes it possible, with structurally simple and inexpensive means, to design a dust separator unit (5) such that a drive arranged outside the dust separator unit (5), for example a cleaning motor, a device located in the dust separator unit (5), for example a cleaner, can drive. A necessary opening in the wall of the dust separation unit (5) can be covered aesthetically satisfactorily by the invention.

Description

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a Staubabscheideeinheit for a vacuum cleaner. It also relates to a system of a Staubabscheideeinheit and a filter. Finally, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with a Staubabscheideeinheit.

Background of the invention

The publication DE 10 2009 035 602 A1 discloses a vacuum cleaner with a Staubabscheideeinheit into which a cylindrical cartridge filter is housed to separate dust from entering the Staubabscheideeinheit air. Inside the filter, a cleaner is arranged, which can be driven by an electric motor rotating. When the cleaner is rotated, scrapers will contact the filter to remove any adhering dust.

Next is from the international disclosure WO 2007/141712 a dust filter for filtering dust from an air stream, said dust filter having a filter membrane and a scraper. The scraper is arranged inside the cylindrically shaped filter and can be rotated by a motor in rotation. The filter membrane of the filter is shaped as a folded circumferential cylinder wall. The scraper is driven by a motor located outside the filter by means of a shaft which pierces a cap of the filter.

The international publication WO 2007/065992 A1 discloses a dust collection unit having a cylindrical cartridge filter, wherein inside the filter are provided by a shaft driven loading elements which, when rotated by the shaft, can set the filter in motion for cleaning. The shaft is mounted on a lid of the filter, which also has a gear which can be driven through an opening in the Staubabscheideeinheit from a motor located outside the Staubabscheideeinheit gear, to make the lid and thus the shaft with the loading elements in rotation.

The patent US 2007/0017064 A1 discloses a vacuum cleaner with a Staubabscheideeinheit in which a rotatable filter is mounted. By means of a coupling and counter-coupling, the filter can be set in rotation by a stepping motor mounted in a part above the dust-collecting unit. Due to the coupling, the stepping motor can be separated from the dust collecting unit.

From the publication DE 103 03 678 A1 For example, there is known a dust collector for a vacuum cleaner which includes a grid cleaner for automatically removing fine dusts. The grid cleaner includes a grid rotator for rotating the grid when the vacuum cleaner is in operation. For this purpose, the grid cleaning device is equipped with a toothed wheel, which can be driven by a further gear from a arranged outside the grid-cleaning device worm gear.

The problem underlying the invention

The invention has for its object to provide an improved Staubabscheideeinheit for a vacuum cleaner. Next is an improved combination. of a dust collecting unit and a filter and an improved vacuum cleaner with such Staubabscheideeinheit be provided. In particular, the Staubabscheideeinheit to be equipped with a means for driving a arranged in the Staubabscheideeinheit device, for example, a cleaner for a filter, driven by a arranged outside the Staubabscheideeinheit drive. The Staubabscheideeinheit should be simple and inexpensive to manufacture and easy to clean.

Inventive solution

The reference numbers in all claims have no limiting effect, but are only intended to improve their readability.

The solution of the object is achieved by a Staubabscheideeinheit with the features of claim 1. It also succeeds with a system of a Staubabscheideeinheit and a filter with the features of claim 12. Finally, it succeeds with a vacuum cleaner with the features of claim 14. By the According to the invention intermediate clutch with its drive counter coupling and its driven counter coupling, a drive arranged outside the Staubabscheideeinheit, for example a motor, a device located in the Staubabscheideeinheit device, for example, a filter cleaner, drive. Due to the fact that the drive counter-coupling and the driven counter-coupling form a firmly connected unit, the same component acts both as an input and as an output counter-coupling. This allows a particularly simple and inexpensive construction of Staubabscheideeinheit.

A vacuum cleaner is understood to mean an electrical energy powered device for receiving dust, including both mains operated and battery powered devices. A vacuum cleaner may include, for example, a motor-blower unit for generating a suction air flow, a nozzle for collecting dust, a suction air guide for guiding the suction air flow, a dust collecting unit, and a filter. A Staubabscheideeinheit is a device that removes dust-laden suction air from the dust. A dust collection unit may include a filter to retain the dust from the dust-laden air. The filter can be designed, for example, as an exchangeable cartridge filter.

A clutch according to the present invention, in contrast to a transmission, a device which transmits a torque unchanged. For the purposes of the present invention, a counter drive coupling is a coupling which, when coupled to a drive coupling, for example the drive coupling of a motor, can be set in motion by movement of the drive coupling itself. Correspondingly, an output counter-coupling is a coupling which, by virtue of its movement, can set an output coupling coupled to it in motion.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate coupling covers an opening in the wall of the Staubabscheideeinheit. This advantageously achievable that the intermediate coupling in addition to the passage of the action of the drive from the outside through the wall in the Staubabscheideeinheit simultaneously acts as an optical aperture, which may otherwise concealed as visually distracting opening. The covered opening is preferably an opening through which the drive arranged within the dust-separating unit drives the device arranged by means of the intermediate coupling of the drive arranged outside the dust-separating unit. In other words, the intermediate coupling also serves to drive through the wall and the cover of the required opening in the wall.

The drive counter-coupling and the driven counter-coupling preferably form a firmly connected unit. The preferred drive counter-coupling is rotated by the rotational movement of a coupled to them drive clutch itself in rotation. The preferred output counter coupling offset by their rotational movement coupled to them output clutch in rotary motion. Preferably, the axis of rotation of the drive counter-coupling and the axis of rotation of the output counter-coupling of the intermediate coupling coincide.

The wall preferably comprises a jacket and a bottom, so that the preferred Staubabscheideeinrichtung is generally cup-shaped. The opening is located advantageously in the bottom of the Staubabscheideeinheit. The intermediate coupling preferably completely covers the opening in the wall of the dust collecting unit. However, embodiments of the invention are conceivable in which it covers the opening only partially. In addition, the intermediate coupling may itself have windows, as will be explained in more detail below.

The preferred intermediate coupling has a peripheral edge. Preferably, the edge surrounds the input and output counter coupling of the intermediate coupling in the radial direction, that is, when looking at the intermediate coupling along the coupling axis are drive counter coupling and driven counter coupling within the circumference of the edge. The preferred edge is disc-shaped, its circumference preferably circular.

The edge is preferably mounted in an annular groove of the wall of Staubabscheideeinheit. The groove, in which the edge is guided, preferably surrounds the opening in the wall of the Staubabscheideeinheit. Preferably, the groove is open to the opening. The preferred groove is circular. It may be formed, for example, by the gap between the wall and a guide ring attached thereto. The guide ring is preferably welded or glued. Preferably, the entire circumference of the edge runs in the groove. Thus, advantageously, the intermediate coupling can be safely and yet freely rotatably arranged on the Staubabscheideeinheit. However, embodiments of the invention are conceivable in which only parts of the circumference of the edge run in the groove. The latter will be the case in particular if the circumference of the edge or the groove is not circular.

In a preferred embodiment of the intermediate coupling of the Staubabscheideeinheit the peripheral edge is disc-shaped. The preferred edge has at least one window. Particularly preferably, a plurality of windows are provided. The window (s) are preferably located in the radial direction between the periphery of the rim and the input and output counter-coupling. In other words, looking at the intermediate clutch along the clutch axle, the window or windows are located in a region between the circumference of the edge of the intermediate clutch and an inner region in which the input and output counter-clutches are arranged. By or the window is advantageously accessible that, for example, when cleaning the Staubabscheideeinheit with Water this water can easily drain. So can be advantageously prevented after cleaning. Water in the Staubabscheideeinheit stops and affects the function of Staubabscheideeinheit.

A preferred drive counter coupling is a gear coupling. A preferred output counter coupling is a gear coupling. In a preferred intermediate clutch, the drive counter-coupling and / or the driven counter-coupling are formed at least in sections generally cylindrical. Particularly preferably, both the drive counter-coupling and the output counter-coupling are formed at least in sections generally cylindrical. In this case, the profile of the general cylinder, that is, the cross section through the lateral surface perpendicular to the axis of rotation, is formed so that a secure, rotationally fixed connection between the counter-coupling and a corresponding coupling is possible. A preferred profile is star-shaped. The preferred star-shaped profile has three, four, six, eight, ten or more tips. The tips are preferably evenly spaced. In this case, the rotation of the profile by the angular distance of two peaks, the profile preferably on itself. Suitable profiles are for example in US 3,584,667 and DE 42 062 22 C2 disclosed. The profile of the interlocking body concerning disclosure of these two documents is incorporated herein by reference. Preferably, the outer regions (peaks) and the inner region, where two legs of the star meet, are rounded. Preferably, the profile is a multi-round shape. Suitable profiles are, for example, the inner or outer Torx ^® profiles of the meshing Torx ^® screws and keys of the company Camcar, Rockford, Illinois.

Of course, other versions of the counter-couplings are conceivable. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, the drive counter-coupling and / or the output counter-coupling as a dog clutch, z. Example, as a slotted or cross-slotted clutch, be executed, which can each engage in a trained as a corresponding dog clutch drive and / or output clutch. Preferably, the drive counter-coupling is designed so that it creates a torsionally rigid connection together with the drive coupling. Preferably, the output counter-coupling is designed so that it creates a torsionally rigid connection together with the output coupling.

In a cylindrical coupling design, the cylinder of the input or output counter coupling can be designed both as an inner and as an outer cylinder. In an inner cylinder this is formed as a generally cylindrical cavity, wherein the profile of the cross section through the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the coupling. Conversely, in the case of an outer cylinder, the cylinder is designed as a generally cylindrical body and the profile of the cross section through the outer surface of this body is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the counter-coupling.

In a preferred embodiment of the intermediate clutch of Staubabscheideeinheit an element of the elements drive counter-coupling and driven counter-coupling is designed as a general inner cylinder and the other as a general outer cylinder. Particularly preferably, the drive and the driven counter-coupling of the intermediate coupling are formed together as a general hollow cylinder, wherein the interior of the hollow cylinder forms the one and the exterior of the hollow cylinder, the other element from the group of elements drive and driven counter coupling. This allows a particularly simple construction of the intermediate coupling, which can also be particularly material-saving beyond. In a preferred embodiment, this hollow cylinder protrudes from the center of the intermediate clutch, which is otherwise essentially formed as a flat disc, in a direction perpendicular to this disc. Preferably, the hollow cylinder is closed on one side, particularly preferably on the side remote from the edge of the intermediate coupling.

A preferred intermediate coupling is formed in one piece, particularly preferably of a uniform material. It can be produced for example by deep drawing from a plastic disc or by injection molding. A preferred intermediate coupling is made of plastic, for example POM. The preferred intermediate coupling has a substantially continuous uniform wall thickness of between 0.5 and 2 mm, for example about 1 mm.

The preferred Staubabscheideeinheit is designed as a dust collector. That is, dust deposited in operation in the dust collecting unit collects in the dust collecting unit. For this purpose, a part of the Staubabscheideeinheit be designed as a dust container.

In the preferred Staubabscheideeinheit a filter is used to retain dust from the dust-laden, entering the Staubabscheideeinheit air. The preferred is filter is cylindrical, wherein the filter material forms the cylinder jacket. Particularly preferably, the filter material is folded accordion-like along the longitudinal axis of the filter.

The preferred filter has a cleaner for performing a mechanical cleaning of the filter. Through the cleaner, the filter before be freed from adhering dirt particles. For this purpose, the cleaner is preferably rotatably mounted on a shaft. Furthermore, the preferred cleaner has one or more paddles.

When turning the shaft and thus the paddle (s), the paddles of the cleaner on the inside of the filter to the filter material and can thus solve dirt particles. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, when the filter is inserted into the dust removal unit, the cleaner is coupled to the output counter coupling of the intermediate clutch for driving via an output coupling of the cleaner. Thereby, the cleaner can be driven via the intermediate coupling, when the filter is inserted into the Staubabscheideeinheit, preferably rotating. Preferably, the output and the output counter-coupling for this purpose are rotary and counter-rotary couplings.

In a preferred vacuum cleaner, the Staubabscheideeinheit is insertable into a dust chamber of the vacuum cleaner. For emptying, the Staubabscheideeinheit preferably be removed from the dust chamber. The preferred vacuum cleaner has a cleaning motor, which is equipped with a drive coupling. Preferably, the drive coupling is arranged so that it is coupled with inserted into the dust chamber Staubabscheideeinheit to the drive counter-coupling of the intermediate coupling. In this way, the cleaning motor can drive the intermediate clutch and this in turn with the filter inserted, the cleaner of the filter.

The present invention makes it possible with simple constructive and inexpensive means to form a Staubabscheideeinheit so that a arranged outside the Staubabscheideeinheit drive, for example, a cleaning motor, a device located in the Staubabscheideeinheit, for example, a cleaner can drive. A required opening in the wall of Staubabscheideeinheit can be covered by the invention aesthetically satisfactory.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantageous embodiments are given below. Hand of an embodiment shown in the drawings, to which the invention is not limited, described in more detail.

They show schematically:

1 a vacuum cleaner with a dust chamber for receiving a dust collecting unit;

2 a perspective cross-sectional view of the Staubabscheideeinheit with inserted filter;

3 an exploded perspective view of a detail of Staubabscheideeinheit with intermediate storage and corresponding drive and drive clutch and a cleaning motor; and

4 a perspective view of the intermediate coupling according to the invention with corresponding input and output clutch.

Detailed description based on an embodiment

In the following description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, like reference characters designate like or similar components.

In 1 is a vacuum cleaner 1 with a motor-blower unit 2 for generating a suction air flow 3 shown. The vacuum cleaner 1 has a dust chamber 4 into which a Staubabscheideeinheit 5 (in 1 not shown) can be recorded. Next points the vacuum cleaner 1 a nozzle, not shown, for receiving dust and a suction air also not shown for guiding the suction air flow from the nozzle to the Staubabscheideeinheit 5 on. The dust separator unit 5 is the motor-blower unit 2 of the vacuum cleaner 1 with respect to the direction of the suction air flow 3 upstream. It serves to separate the dust from the dust-laden suction air of the suction air flow. For this purpose, the Staubabscheideeinheit 5 , as in 2 shown, including a filter 6 on, the dust particles from the dust-laden suction air can hold back.

The filter 6 is from the Staubabscheideeinheit 5 removable, in particular to be able to replace it. The dust separator unit 5 also collects the dust separated from the suction air. Dust coming from the filter 6 is stored mainly in the filter dust collection chamber 7 the Staubabscheideeinheit 5 from. Next is the Staubabscheideeinheit 5 also designed as eddy current separator. The separated dust collects mainly in the cyclone collecting chamber 8th , The dust separator unit 5 can be removed for emptying from the dust chamber of the vacuum cleaner and used again after emptying.

The dust separator unit 5 has a wall enclosing it, in particular a jacket part 9 and a bottom part 10 includes. By doing the bottom part 10 there is an opening in which the intermediate coupling 12 sitting.

The intermediate coupling 12 points as in 3 best seen, a flat, disc-shaped edge 13 which is guided in a, surrounding the opening groove of the Staubabscheideeinheit. The groove is to the opening and thus to the intermediate coupling 12 towards open and is through a gap between the bottom part 10 the wall of the Staubabscheideeinheit 5 and a guide ring welded thereto 14 educated.

As in 3 and 4 recognizes particularly well from the plane of the edge 13 of the intermediate piece 12 a hollow cylinder 22 from, at the same time the drive counter coupling 15 and the output counter coupling 16 forms. Specifically represents the interior of the hollow cylinder 22 the drive counter coupling 15 and the exterior the output counter coupling 16 dar. The hollow cylinder 22 itself has a star-shaped profile, similar to a Torx ^® profile. The hollow cylinder 22 is on the edge 13 the intermediate clutch 12 opposite side 23 closed. On the also in 4 show drive coupling 17 facing side of the inside of the hollow cylinder 22 and on the output clutch 19 facing outside of the hollow cylinder 22 are inlet slopes 24 . 25 provided to couple the drive 17 or output coupling 19 to facilitate. For this purpose, drive 17 and output coupling 19 at her the intermediate clutch 12 facing sides with such inlet slopes 26 . 27 fitted.

The drive coupling 17 has the profile of a star-shaped outer cylinder in the coupling area 18 has and into the interior of the hollow cylinder of the intermediate coupling 12 can engage to make a non-rotatable connection. The output clutch 19 is an inner cylinder 20 , which also has a star-shaped profile and in the output counter coupling 16 the intermediate clutch can engage to make a rotationally fixed connection. The disk-shaped edge 13 the intermediate clutch 12 has numerous regularly spaced windows (one of them by way of example 21 designated), which are particularly useful to clean the Staubabscheideeinheit 5 Water or dirt drain or fall out.

The filter 6 the Staubabscheideeinheit is, as now back in 2 to see a cylindrical cartridge filter, where the filter material 28 forms the cylinder jacket. To increase the filter surface, the filter material is accordion-like folded over the entire circumference of the shell. The filter 6 is with a cleanser 29 equipped, which is a shaft running along the cylinder axis 30 has, at the radially projecting paddle 31 . 32 are arranged. The paddles 31 . 32 can on the inside of the filter 6 to the filter material 28 attack when the cleaner 29 by turning the shaft 30 is set in rotation. As a result, on the outer shell of the filter 6 adhering dust and be cleaned in the filter dust collection chamber 7 fall.

Like also out 2 recognizable, becomes the cleaner 29 by means of the intermediate coupling 12 from a cleaning motor 33 outside the dust collector unit 5 attached, powered. This is, as again better in the exploded view of 3 to see the wave 34 of the motor 33 with the drive coupling 17 fitted in the on the inside of the hollow cylinder 22 of the intermediate piece 12 formed drive counter coupling 15 intervenes. On the output side, the output counter coupling engages 25 of the intermediate piece 12 in the output clutch 19 one. The output clutch 19 is, as now back in 2 to see, on the wave 30 of the cleaner 29 appropriate. In this way, the rotation of the shaft 34 of the cleaning motor 33 the wave 30 of the cleaner 29 in a rotation around the cylinder axis of the filter 6 offset. These include the axis of the filter, the axes of the couplings and the motor axis together.

When the dust removal unit 5 from the dust chamber 4 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is removed, the drive coupling 17 from the drive counter coupling 15 separated. In the same way, the output clutch 19 from the output counter coupling 16 disconnected when the filter 6 from the Staubabscheideeinheit 5 is removed.

The present invention makes it possible with simple constructive and inexpensive means a Staubabscheideeinheit 5 such that one outside the Staubabscheideeinheit 5 arranged cleaning motor 30 one in the dust separation unit 5 located cleaner 29 can drive. A required opening in the wall of Staubabscheideeinheit 5 can be covered aesthetically satisfying by the invention.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings may be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vacuum cleaner

2

Motor-fan unit

3

suction air

4

dust chamber

5

Staubabscheideeinheit

6

filter

7

Filter dust collection chamber

8th

Cyclone dust collection chamber

9

Manel part of the wall

10

Bottom part of the wall

12

between clutch

13

Edge of the intermediate coupling

14

guide ring

15

Drive counter coupling

16

Driven counter-coupling

17

drive coupling

18

Outer cylinder of the drive coupling

19

output coupling

20

Inner cylinder of the output coupling

21

Window of the intermediate coupling

22

hollow cylinder

23

Closed side of the hollow cylinder

24

Inlet slopes of the drive counter coupling

25

Inlet slopes of the output counter coupling

26

Inlet slopes of the drive coupling

27

Inlet slopes of the output coupling

28

filter material

29

Abreiniger

30

Wave of the cleaner

31

Paddle of the cleaner

32

Paddle of the cleaner

33

cleaning motor

34

Shaft of the cleaning motor

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102009035602 A1 [0002]
• WO 2007/141712 [0003]
• WO 2007/065992 A1 [0004]
• US 2007/0017064 A1 [0005]
• DE 10303678 A1 [0006]
• US 3584667 [0019]
• DE 4206222 C2 [0019]

Claims (15)

Dust separation unit ( 5 ) for a vacuum cleaner ( 1 ), wherein the Staubabscheideeinheit ( 5 ) has a wall containing the Staubabscheideeinheit ( 5 ) at least partially enclosing, characterized in that the wall of the Staubabscheideeinheit ( 5 ) an intermediate coupling ( 12 ) with an exterior of the dust separation unit ( 5 ) accessible drive counter coupling ( 15 ) and one from inside the dust collecting unit ( 5 ) accessible output counter coupling ( 16 ) having. Dust separation unit ( 5 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate coupling ( 12 ) an opening in the wall of the Staubabscheideeinheit ( 5 ) covers. Dust separation unit ( 5 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate coupling ( 12 ) a peripheral edge ( 13 ) in an annular groove of the wall of the Staubabscheideeinheit ( 5 ) is stored. Dust separation unit ( 5 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the peripheral edge ( 13 ) is disc-shaped and at least one window ( 21 ) having. Dust separation unit ( 5 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive counter-coupling ( 15 ) and / or the output counter coupling ( 16 ) is designed as a toothed coupling. Dust separation unit ( 5 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive counter-coupling ( 15 ) and / or the output counter coupling ( 16 ) is generally cylindrical. Dust separation unit ( 5 ) according to any one of claim 6, characterized in that one of the two elements of the group drive counter coupling ( 15 ) or the output counter coupling ( 16 ) is designed as a general inner cylinder and the other as a general outer cylinder. Dust separation unit ( 5 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that drive ( 15 ) and output counter coupling ( 16 ) of the intermediate coupling ( 12 ) together as a general hollow cylinder ( 22 ) are formed, wherein the interior of the hollow cylinder ( 22 ) the one and the outside of the hollow cylinder ( 22 ) the other element from the group drive ( 15 ) and output counter coupling ( 16 ). Dust separation unit ( 5 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the hollow cylinder is closed on one side. Dust separation unit ( 5 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate coupling ( 12 ) is integrally formed. Dust separation unit ( 5 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is designed as a bar collection container. System from a dust separation unit ( 5 ) according to one of the preceding claims and a filter ( 6 ) which enters the dust removal unit ( 5 ) can be used. System according to claim 12, characterized in that the filter ( 6 ) has a cleaning agent, which in when in Staubabscheideeinheit ( 5 ) inserted filter for driving via an output coupling ( 19 ) to the output counter coupling ( 16 ) of the intermediate coupling ( 12 ) is coupled. Vacuum cleaner ( 1 ) with a Stababscheideeinheit according to one of claims 1 to 11 or a system of a Staubabscheideeinheit ( 5 ) and a filter ( 6 ) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner ( 1 ) has a dust chamber into which the Staubabscheideeinheit ( 5 ) can be used. Vacuum cleaner ( 1 ) according to claim 14, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner ( 1 ) a cleaning motor ( 33 ) and the cleaning motor ( 30 ) with inserted Staubabscheideeinheit ( 5 ) via a drive coupling ( 17 ) to the drive counter coupling ( 15 ) is coupled.

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