DE102016205006B4 - Filter device with particle lock - Google Patents

Abstract

Filter device (2) for a vacuum cleaner for filtering particles (6) from an air stream, wherein the filter device (2) is arranged in a dust collecting container (1) and comprises a cleaning device (11) and a fine filter device (16), wherein the fine filter device ( 16) of the cleaning device (11) is downstream in the air flow and wherein the cleaning device (11) relative to the fine filter device (16) rotatably via a bearing (17) is arranged and wherein a sealing device without contact between the dust collection container (1) and the fine filter device (16) seals. According to the invention, the filter device (2) has a particle lock (24).

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a filter device for a vacuum cleaner for filtering particles from an air stream, wherein the filter device is arranged in a dust collecting container and comprises a cleaning device and a fine filter device, wherein the fine filter device of the cleaning device is downstream in the air flow and wherein the cleaning device with respect to the fine filter device rotatable over a bearing is arranged and wherein a sealing device seals non-contact between the dust collecting container and the fine filter device.

The invention further relates to a vacuum cleaner with a filter device.

Background of the invention

The German patent application DE 10 2011 088 965 A1 discloses a filter device for filtering particles from an air stream, in particular for vacuum cleaners, which are based on the principle of centrifugal separation. A fine filter device is surrounded by a rotatably mounted cleaning device. The fine filter device is connected downstream of the rotatable cleaning device in the air flow. In one embodiment, the cleaning device and the fine filter device are sealed against each other by a sliding seal. The sliding seal can be designed as a labyrinth seal. The bearing is protected against contamination by dust particles by an opening acting as a sealing seal.

The European patent application EP 2 255 710 A1 discloses a bagless vacuum cleaner having a freely rotating first filter. The filter is set in rotation by the air flow and thus requires no motor drive. The centrifugal force caused by the rotation automatically cleans the filter of dirt, so that contamination of the outer surface of the filter can be reduced. From the US patent publication US 2013 0219 843 A1 For example, a device for separating particles from a gas stream, for example for use in a vacuum cleaner, is known. In this apparatus, a gas stream is introduced into a rotor assembly having a plurality of gates that collect dust and can be opened to convey the dust into an outlet chamber. The rotor assembly is preceded by a working according to the principle of the particle lock separation device.

The problem underlying the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved filter device. In particular, a clogging of the sealing device should be reduced, preferably avoided over a long period of time.

Inventive solution

The solution of the problem is achieved by providing a filter device according to the preamble of claim 1. According to the invention the filter device has a particle lock. The particle lock is directly preceded by the sealing device in the air stream. Thus, it can advantageously be achieved that, in particular, fine particles are deposited in the particle lock before the air laden with particles continues to flow into the sealing device. In this way, the sealing device can be protected from fine particles, so that clogging of the sealing device can be reduced and advantageously avoided over a longer period of time.

A vacuum cleaner in the context of the invention is an electrically operable floor, hand or stick vacuum cleaner. Such a vacuum cleaner comprises a motor with a suitable blower for the intake of air and / or liquids. It can be a dry and / or wet vacuum cleaner accordingly. It can be a domestic or industrial vacuum cleaner. The invention may be intended for use in a bagless vacuum cleaner or baghouse vacuum cleaner. By means of the vacuum cleaner, a user is able to generally free a room and in particular furniture, curtains or floor coverings of soiling, in particular dusts and hairs. The power supply of the vacuum cleaner can be realized via a mains cable and / or by batteries and / or rechargeable batteries.

According to the invention, the filter device is arranged in a dust collecting container and comprises a fine filter device about which a cleaning device is rotatably arranged by means of a bearing. The rotation takes place about an axis of rotation, which is determined by the bearing.

According to the invention seals the sealing device from contact. An achievable advantage of a non-contact sealing device is a low wear and thereby increased life. This advantage is particularly important in sealing rotatable components where otherwise high wear can occur. In addition, the drive energy required for rotation can be reduced by means of a friction-free seal.

According to the invention, the filter device has a particle lock. A particle lock is a chamber with at least one inlet opening, through which air flows, and at least one outlet opening, through which air flows. The incoming air may be dusty. The dimensions of the openings and the chamber itself, as well as the relative arrangement of the openings to each other are designed in a particle lock so that takes place in the particle lock a separation of particles. The separation principle of a particle lock is based on the fact that the gravity acting on the particles is greater than the flow force. The flow force generally depends on the velocity of the air flow through the particle lock and the flow resistance of the particles. The flow resistance of the particles is generally dependent on the shape and size of the particles.

The object is also achieved by providing a vacuum cleaner with a filter device according to the invention.

Preferred embodiments 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.

The inlet and outlet openings of a preferred particle lock are arranged so that an air flow is produced against the direction of gravity. Particularly preferably, the air flow is at least not conducted parallel to the direction of gravity. Particularly preferably, the air flow is conducted over a partial distance perpendicular to gravity. Further particularly preferably, the air flow is passed over a further partial section in the direction opposite to gravity. In particular, a slow flow of air should be provided so that the smallest possible or light particles can be deposited with low gravity. A preferred particle lock has the effect of a particulate filter whose function is based solely on physical forces. Preferably, all particles whose gravity is greater than the flow force are deposited in the particle lock.

The preferred particle lock is designed as a circular ring whose radial annular width is preferably 10 mm or more, particularly preferably 20 mm or more, particularly preferably 50 mm or more, particularly preferably 100 mm or more.

The axis of rotation is preferably aligned so that during normal operation of the vacuum cleaner, an angle between the axis of rotation and the direction of gravity is as small as possible, preferably less than 30 °, more preferably less than 20 °, even more preferably less than 10 °. The achievable advantage of an axis of rotation substantially parallel to gravity is that, on the one hand, centrifugal forces and gravitational force can cooperate particularly effectively in order to promote the collection of particles and, on the other hand, the largest possible area perpendicular to the axis of rotation is available for collecting the particles, so that one area can be maximized to catch the particles at the bottom of the dust collector.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the particle lock has an associated inner dust collecting area for collecting the dust particles deposited in the particle lock. Particularly preferably, the inner dust collecting area is structurally separated from an outer dust collecting area.

The cleaning device preferably has a rotationally symmetrical shape, particularly preferably it is circular cylindrical, wherein the cylinder axis coincides with the axis of rotation. Preferably, the fine filter device is also rotationally symmetrical, particularly preferably cylindrical, wherein the cylinder axis coincides with the axis of rotation. Again particularly preferably, cleaning device and fine filter device are arranged coaxially about the axis of rotation.

In a preferred filter device, the particle lock is opened via an annular gap to the dust collection container. Preferably, the annular gap is the inlet opening of the particle lock. Advantageously, air laden with dust can flow into the particle lock through the annular gap. Preferably, the annular gap has a uniform gap over its entire length. Alternatively, embodiments have an annular gap on which an uneven gap dimension over its course has, for example in that the annular gap is formed by two annular or elliptical walls displaced relative to one another. A preferred annular gap is open throughout without interruptions. In alternative embodiments, the annular gap can be interrupted, for example by webs. The gap is preferably less than 10 mm, more preferably less than 5 mm, even more preferably less than 2 mm, even more preferably less than 1 mm. The preferred gap of the annular gap is one tenth of the annulus width of the particle lock or less, more preferably one twentieth or less. Advantageously, can be achieved by a small gap that only relatively small Penetrate particles into the particle lock. Preferably, the annular gap is coaxial with the axis of rotation. It is further preferred that the particle lock is constructed coaxially to the axis of rotation. Preferably, the particle lock on circular cylindrical walls, which are preferably arranged coaxially to the axis of rotation. This advantageously achieves that the structure is particularly simple to design.

In a preferred filter device, the sealing device has a gap seal. The gap of the gap seal is preferably formed as a small distance between the cleaning device and a preferably fixedly disposed in the dust collecting insert part. Preferably, the gap is formed only in areas between the cleaning device and the insert part. Preferably, at least the areas of the cleaning device and of the insert part which form the gap are each arranged concentrically to the axis of rotation. More preferably, the cleaning device and the insert least in the areas that form the gap of circular cylindrical shape. In an alternative embodiment, the regions forming the gap can also each have a conical shape. The gap preferably has a gap length of more than 1 mm, particularly preferably more than 5 mm, more preferably more than 10 mm. Preferably, the gap length is less than 10 cm. Preferably, the gap width along the gap length is constant. Preferably, the gap width is less than 5 mm, more preferably less than 2 mm. A particularly preferred gap width is about 1 mm. The gap seal preferably has a portion running parallel to the axis of rotation. Particularly preferably, the gap seal on a perpendicular to the axis of rotation portion on. Again, particularly preferably, the gap seal on a perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a parallel to the axis of rotation extending portion. A gap seal has the achievable advantage that an effective non-contact seal can be produced by a structurally very simple construction.

In a preferred filter device, the sealing device has a labyrinth seal. A preferred labyrinth seal has more than two, more preferably more than three, more than four, more than five, more than six or more than ten lamellae. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing device also has a gap seal in addition to the labyrinth seal. Preferably, the gap seal is arranged in the direction of the air flow after the labyrinth seal. Preferably, the particle lock is connected upstream in the direction of the air flow of the labyrinth seal. The labyrinth seal can also be arranged in the direction of the air flow after the gap seal. A labyrinth seal can advantageously achieve an efficient sealing effect in a small space. The labyrinth seal advantageously increases the flow resistance, so that the flow velocity in the particle lock can be set to an advantageous value. A low flow velocity in the particle lock is advantageous, since thus particles with low gravity can be deposited.

In a preferred filter device, the sealing device during operation with a vacuum cleaner leaves a volume flow of preferably less than 1%, more preferably less than 0.5%, even more preferably less than 0.2% of the total volume flow. In other embodiments, a partial volume flow of more than 1% through the sealing device, for example, 1.5%, 2%, 3% or 5% may be advantageous. The proportion of the total volume flow flowing through the sealing device is advantageously adjusted so that an efficient separation of particles in the particle lock is achieved. Preferably, based on the mass of particles in the air stream, at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 99% are deposited.

Preferably, the filter device is designed so that during operation of the vacuum cleaner, the volume flow through the sealing device is less than 0.5 liters per second (l / s), more preferably less than 0.4 l / s, even more preferably less than 0, 3 l / s, less than 0.2 l / s, less than 0.1 l / s or less than 0.05 l / s. During operation of the vacuum cleaner at maximum power, the total volume flow is preferably at least 30 l / s, more preferably at least 40 l / s, even more preferably at least 50 l / s or more than 60 l / s.

In a preferred filter device, the cleaning device has a coarse filter. A preferred coarse filter filters coarse dirt particles having a size of at least 0.01 mm, more preferably at least 0.1 mm, more preferably at least 0.5 mm, even more preferably at least 1 mm. A coarse filter can advantageously prevent clogging of the fine filter device with coarse dirt. In a further preferred embodiment, the cleaning device is a lint filter. The lint filter can advantageously prevent the fine filter device from becoming clogged with lint. Thus, the cleaning device can advantageously extend a time interval between the replacement or cleaning of the fine filter device.

Preferably, the cleaning device rotates in the operation of the vacuum cleaner to the Fine filter device. Advantageously, the rotation of the cleaning device reduces the settling of larger dirt particles and clogging of the fine filter device.

This can increase the life of the fine filter device. In a further exemplary embodiment, the cleaning device itself may be a rotatable fine filter and / or coarse filter. A preferred fine filter device is a cartridge filter, which can preferably be replaced. Preferably, the cleaning device rotates at more than 1000 revolutions per minute (rpm), more preferably more than 2000 rpm, more than 3000 rpm, more than 4000 rpm or more than 5000 rpm.

In a preferred filter device, the cleaning device is rotationally driven by the air flow. This advantageously achieves that no separate electromotive drive for the rotation of the cleaning device is necessary. In alternative embodiments, however, the cleaning device can also be driven by an electric motor.

Preferably, the filter device comprises an auxiliary device which mechanically cleans the cleaning device. Mechanical cleaning of the cleaning device may advantageously be more efficient than cleaning based solely on centrifugal forces. A preferred mechanical cleaning can be done by vibration, shaking, wiping and / or knocking.

A preferred vacuum cleaner is a bagless vacuum cleaner which preferably has a centrifugal separator. Preferably, the dust collecting container is designed as a centrifugal separator, wherein preferably a filter device according to the invention is arranged in the dust collecting container. In an alternative embodiment, a bag vacuum cleaner can be equipped with a filter device according to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantageous embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings, to which the invention is not limited.

They show schematically:

1 : 1 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a dust collection container with a filter device according to the invention, wherein the section extends through the axis of rotation.

2 : 2 is a detailed view of the particle lock.

Detailed description of the invention with reference to an embodiment

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

1 shows a sectional view of a cylindrical dust collection container 1 with a filter device arranged therein 2 according to the invention. The inner diameter D _{SAB of} the dust collector 1 is 250 mm. The height H _{SAB of} the dust collector 1 measured from the ground 3 to the lid 4 is 250 mm. Through an air inlet opening 5 Dust-laden air gets into the dust collector 1 guided and rotated. The dust collector 1 This exemplary embodiment thus operates on the principle of centrifugal separation. Dirt and dust particles 6 are due to the centrifugal force to the outside against the outer wall 7 of the dust collector 1 carry and accumulate in the ground due to gravity acting on them 3 under a separation edge 8th arranged outer dust collection area 9 , The outer dust collection area 9 is formed as a cylindrical ring. The separation edge 8th from the inner wall 10 the outer dust collecting area outwards to the outer wall 7 of the dust collector 1 projecting out, the task has the collected dirt 6 in the outer dust collecting area 9 withhold. In further developments of the invention, the soil 3 of the dust collector 1 be detachable, so that the collected dirt 6 without opening the lid 4 can be removed. For example, the floor can 3 be designed as a flap, so that by pressing a lever or switch, the flap can be opened so that the dirt 6 falling out by gravity alone. In 1 is this function of the soil 3 but not shown.

In the dust collector 1 Centric is a rotatably mounted cleaning device 11 arranged by means of a drive shaft 12 around a rotation axis 13 can be rotated. The cleaning device 11 includes a filter screen carrier 14 into a filter screen 15 is used. Surrounded by the cleaning device 11 is concentric to the axis of rotation 13 a fine filter device 16 arranged, which is designed as a cartridge filter. The storage of the cleaning device 11 takes place via two bearings 17 on the fine filter device 16 are arranged. The filter screen 15 the cleaning device 11 protects the fine filter device 16 from coarse dirt 6 and fluff. By the rotation of the cleaning device 11 will prevent dirt from getting 6 on the filter screen 15 settles and this clogged. The filter screen has a diameter of 150 mm in this embodiment. The sealing of the drive shaft 12 and the camp 17 via sealing air seals 18 in the lid 4 of the dust collector 1 ,

In the ground 3 of the dust collector 1 is concentric to the axis of rotation 13 an insert 19 arranged, which is the fixed part of a non-contact sealing device 28 forms. A lower area of the filter screen carrier 14 rotates in low order around the insert 19 , A straight circular cylindrical portion of the filter screen carrier 14 forms with the inner wall 21 of the insert part 19 a vertical gap formed as part of a gap seal 22 is trained. The gap is about 1 mm wide and has a length of about 50 mm. At the top of the insert 19 grips the filter screen carrier 14 around the edge of the insert 19 around and forms a horizontal section of the gap seal 22 , Also, on the outside of the insert 19 arranged four Lammellenartige projections, with four corresponding inwardly pointing projections on the filter screen 14 correspond and thus a labyrinth seal 23 form. The labyrinth seal 23 and the gap seal 22 together form the sealing device 28 between the dust collector 1 and the fine filter device 16 seals without contact. When operating with a vacuum cleaner, a large part of the total volume flow flows through the filter screen 15 for fine filter device 16 through, through the fine filter device 16 through and will continue down through an air outlet 27 aspirated. A small fraction Q _D of typically about 1% or less of the total volumetric flow flows through the sealing device 28 , The remaining part Q _{FS of} the total volume flow of 99% or more flows through the filter screen 15 , With a total volume flow of, for example, 40 l / s, a partial volume flow Q _D of 0.4 l / s or less flows through the sealing device 28 and a partial volume flow QFS of 39.6 l / s or more through the filter screen 15 ,

To clog the sealing device 28 by dirt particles 6 to reduce or largely avoid, is the sealing device 28 a particle lock 24 directly upstream. The particle lock 24 is a chamber that acts as a circular cylinder ring around the cylindrical insert 19 is formed around. The annular width of the particle lock in this embodiment is 10 mm. A detailed view of the particle lock 24 is in 2 shown. The particle lock 24 is over an annular gap 25 to the dust collector 1 opened. The annular gap 25 has a gap width H _RS of about 1 mm. Through the annular gap 25 the partial volume flow Q _{D flows} into the particle lock 24 in and further through an air inlet 20 in the sealing device 28 , In the particle lock 24 The air flow is one edge up in the sealing device 28 diverted. In the area where the air flows horizontally and / or vertically upward, a separation of particles takes place, in which the weight force F _weight acting on it is greater than the flow force F is _flow experienced by the particles by the air stream , The so deposited dirt particles 6 fall to the ground 3 and accumulate in an inner dust collection area 26 at. In the particle lock 24 Thus particles are deposited, which otherwise clogging the sealing device 28 could contribute.

The rotation of the cleaning device 11 can either through the air flow, for example, over at the cleaning device 11 arranged wings, or via an electric motor drive over the top through the lid 4 outstanding drive shaft 12 are driven. This in 1 illustrated embodiment is adapted to be driven by a motor. When operated with a vacuum cleaner, the cleaning device rotates 11 at a speed of several thousand revolutions per minute (RPM), for example at least 3000 RPM.

In a (not shown) further development of the filter device 2 includes the filter device 2 Aids that mechanically clean the rotating cleaning device. The auxiliary device can, for example, as the lid 4 of the dust collector 1 applied arms are formed on the filter screen 15 aligned so that the filter screen 15 during rotation moves along the arms and thus mechanically cleaned.

The dust collector 1 of the embodiment with the filter device 2 is suitable for use in a bagless vacuum cleaner.

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

dust collection

2

filter means

3

ground

4

cover

5

Air inlet opening

6

Dirt and dust particles

7

Exterior wall of the dust collector

8th

Abscheidekante

9

Outer dust collection area

10

Inner wall of the dust collecting area

11

cleaning device

12

drive

13

axis of rotation

14

Filtersiebträger

15

filter screen

16

Fine filter device

17

Bearing (Ball Bearing)

18

Sealing air seal

19

insert

20

Air inlet of the sealing device

21

Inner wall of the insert

22

gap seals

23

labyrinth seal

24

particles lock

25

annular gap

26

Inner dust collection area

27

air outlet

28

seal means

B _PS

Circular ring width of the particle lock 24

D _FS

Diameter of the filter screen 15

D _SAB

Inner diameter of the dust collector

F _weight

Weight force acting on a particle 6 acts

F _flow

Flow force acting on a particle 6 acts

H _RS

Gap width of annular gap 25

H _SAB

Height of the dust collector 1

Q _D

Partial volume flow through the gasket 28 flows

Q _FS

Partial volume flow through the filter screen 15 flows

Claims (10)

Filter device ( 2 ) for a vacuum cleaner for filtering particles ( 6 ) from an air stream, wherein the filter device ( 2 ) in a dust collecting container ( 1 ) and a cleaning device ( 11 ) and a fine filter device ( 16 ), wherein the fine filter device ( 16 ) of the cleaning device ( 11 ) is downstream in the air stream, the cleaning device ( 11 ) relative to the fine filter device ( 16 ) rotatable about a bearing ( 17 ) is arranged and a sealing device ( 28 ) contactlessly between the dust collecting container ( 1 ) and the fine filter device ( 16 ), characterized in that the filter device ( 2 ) a particle lock ( 24 ), the sealing device ( 28 ) is directly preceded in the air stream. Filter device ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the particle lock ( 24 ) via an annular gap ( 25 ) to the dust collector ( 1 ) is open. Filter device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the particle lock ( 24 ) an inner dust collecting area ( 26 ) for collecting in the particle lock ( 24 ) separated dust. Filter device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing device ( 28 ) a gap seal ( 22 ) having. Filter device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing device ( 28 ) a labyrinth seal ( 23 ) having. Filter device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing device ( 28 ) when operating with a vacuum cleaner allows a volume flow of less than 1% of the total volume flow. Filter device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device ( 11 ) has a coarse filter. Filter device according to ( 2 ) one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device ( 11 ) is rotationally driven by the air flow. Filter device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter device ( 2 ) comprises an auxiliary device which controls the cleaning device ( 11 ) mechanically cleans. Vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner is a filter device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims.

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