EP1088507A2 - Vacuum cleaner with separation of waste - Google Patents

Abstract

The vacuum cleaner with waste separator has a turbine forming an air flow (44) between a suction nozzle (20) and two collectors for waste. The air flow circuit has a Y-branch divided into an upstream branch (26) and a first downstream (50) branch opening connected to a fine particle collector and a second downstream branch (62) connected to a large waste collector. A screen (40) extends across the mouth of the upstream branch.

Description

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner intended for removing wastes of various kinds and sizes outside of a surface to be cleaned, collected and to confine them in a collection chamber or in a bag, or even against a filter of retention so that you can throw them all together later in a trash can. Waste can be classified into fine particles and other dust, or in rubbish and other coarser debris such as crumbs, small stones or wire.

Generally, a vacuum cleaner includes an electric fan with turbine or propeller to generate a more or less powerful air flow in a circuit air intake consisting of a suction nozzle moved above the surface to clean and connected by one or more successive conduits to a collection chamber comprising a filter separating on the one hand the waste and dust which must remain in the room and on the other hand the purified air returned to the atmosphere to close the loop traffic. The chamber and its filter are usually produced in the form of a cloth bag which is emptied and cleaned regularly or in the form of a paper bag porous air permeable which, once full, is discarded in one piece with the trash. The fan and its motor are preferably arranged in the clean part of the circuit to facilitate their operation and extend their service life, i.e. by downstream behind the filter.

We know small vacuum cleaners carried by hand with or without cord power supply consisting of a body in which the device is arranged suction, storage chamber and cleaning mouth. Such a vacuum cleaner main is described in document FR 1 572 970. Generally not very powerful, they are rather intended for cleaning small areas such as the interior of a vehicle automobile. They are not very suitable for cleaning floors because they must be kept by hand.

We know vacuum cleaners type "broom" in which the body containing the suction device and the storage chamber is mounted on a duct rigid ending at its lower end with the cleaning head which is moves on the ground. The handling of the assembly on an open ground is relatively easy, but the accessibility of the cleaning head under the furniture and in the corners and nooks is more tricky, if not impossible.

We know vacuum cleaners type "canister" in which the head of cleaning, also called "squeegee", extended by its rigid handling tube is connected by means of a flexible hose to a body mounted on casters or sled, containing the suction device and the storage chamber. The flexible hose allows good handling of the cleaning head. On the other hand, the maneuverability of the sled, its ease of movement and storage are limited by its dependent volume in much of that of the storage room.

It is known in some vacuum cleaners to separate light waste from heavy waste and store it in two separate rooms.

For example, in a second variant of a hand-held vacuum cleaner described in document FR 1 572 970, a casing comprises a rotor provided with fins driven by a motor sucking air from a suction nozzle to deliver it to a first upper collection chamber in the form of a porous bag retaining dust. A slightly inclined plane, placed at the rear of the suction nozzle and intended to receive large particles and other heavy waste, begins at ground and opens at its posterior end into a second collection chamber. The front part of the suction nozzle is constituted by a spout so that the air in any case penetrates horizontally into the nozzle and slides the heavy waste directly on the inclined plane into the second chamber.

Behind the spout, parallel and above the inclined plane, is installed a metal grid to protect the rotor blades against heavy waste. For than slightly lighter but bulky waste, such as threads, pads wadding or the like, can be drawn in directly by the rotor, the grid at its upper end, near the periphery of the rotor, an opening passage.

However, in this vacuum cleaner according to document FR 1 572 970, the grid is only intended to prevent heavy and solid waste from hitting and damage the blades of the turbine which is here arranged upstream of the filter bag to optimize the air flow generated. In addition, this grid has an upper opening letting the threads and other cotton swabs pass with the dust towards the first filter bag, which causes rather rapid clogging. In addition, the second bedroom has only a temporary function insofar as it is planned, after stop the vacuum cleaner, raise it so as to open a shutter mounted on hinge at the upper end of the second chamber and thus to pass the large particles in the filter bag for common storage of long duration. In addition, by its arrangement, the volume of the second chamber does not may be only relatively small, and is therefore not useful for cleaning malls.

We also know a vacuum cleaner marketed under the name "Dyson", and described in document EP 42 723, in which the aspirated air charged with waste goes through a vertical cyclone from top to bottom where heavy waste comes hit the side cylindrical wall to fall into an underlying first collection bin. The partially purified air rises in a central duct to pass into a plurality of active collection filters or in another cyclone where the fine dust. The bin includes a recovery bin for disposing of solid waste after each cleaning.

This vacuum cleaner therefore eliminates the traditional filter bag, being of course it is advisable to regularly change the retention filters of fine dust. However, the cyclone cannot ensure effective separation of the waste, we see that the filters clog relatively quickly requiring frequent changes.

In fact, the separation between light waste and heavy waste as well that their storage in two separate chambers can have more advantages important since this separation is carried out more efficiently and more complete, and that storage in two rooms is permanent.

In particular, it is generally observed that when the porous bag filter contains waste of all kinds, it tends to clog up long before it is full, creating a pressure drop such that the flow becomes practically negligible even at maximum fan power, thus requiring changes premature, therefore too frequent, from the sac.

In addition, a more efficient separation can on the one hand allow confine fine and volatile dust preferably in a filter paper bag containment to be discarded in one piece only once full, and on the other hand collect garbage, litter and other coarser debris such as crumbs, small pebbles, threads or cotton balls in another room easily accessible to allow their rejection immediately after each operation of cleaning.

In addition, storage in two rooms can help rebalance the vacuum cleaner for easier handling.

The object of the present invention is a vacuum cleaner at two collection places separated, such as collection chamber, filter bag or retention filter, comprising a more efficient waste separation device for better use of these collection points for a longer operating period of the vacuum cleaner without requiring increased air circulation power, and for a more hygienic use of this vacuum cleaner. Preferably, this device separator must introduce a loss of air pressure in the suction circuit as low as possible in order to maintain the necessary engine power at a reasonable value. The structure and arrangement of the separation device and rooms should be as simple as possible to facilitate maintenance and reduce implementation costs.

le circuit aéraulique comprend un embranchement en Y subdivisant un conduit amont terminant un circuit amont en communication avec la buse d'aspiration en un premier conduit aval débutant un premier circuit aval en communication avec un lieu de rétention de particules fines et en un second conduit aval débutant un second circuit aval en communication avec un lieu de collecte des déchets grossiers, et que

le dispositif de séparation comprend un tamis agencé au travers de l'embouchure du premier conduit aval au niveau de l'embranchement,

la turbine ou le dispositif générant un flux d'air étant agencé de telle sorte que le flux d'air passe principalement du conduit amont dans le premier conduit aval.

These aims are achieved in a vacuum cleaner comprising a turbine or other device generating an air flow in an aeraulic circuit between a suction nozzle and at least two places for collecting waste, this circuit comprising a device for separating coarse waste and fine particles, because

the aeraulic circuit includes a Y branching subdividing an upstream duct terminating an upstream circuit in communication with the suction nozzle into a first downstream duct starting a first downstream circuit in communication with a fine particle retention site and into a second downstream duct starting a second downstream circuit in communication with a coarse waste collection site, and that

the separation device comprises a sieve arranged through the mouth of the first downstream conduit at the branch,

the turbine or the device generating an air flow being arranged so that the air flow mainly passes from the upstream duct into the first downstream duct.

The sieve can be conventionally in the form of a filter in woven metal threads and / or plastic forming a network or mesh more or less tight, but can also be a mesh filter, molded plastic or a perforated metal or plastic plate. The size of the plate holes constituting the sieve is between 0.1 and 2 mm. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the sieve is a metallic mesh of fine mesh, for example of the order of 0.5 mm, supported by a wide mesh screen, for example 10 mm. Advantageously, the sieve is a smooth plate perforated with holes, for example of the order of 0.5 mm. The holes can be circular or oblong oriented in a direction perpendicular to the flow general air.

By "mouth" in a Y-branch, we mean the surface connecting on the one hand the central edge separating the two secondary downstream conduits and on the other from the opposite end edge of the upstream inlet duct.

So, in this Y-branch, the air loaded with waste arrives at the oblique on the sieve. This sieve allows on the one hand to pass in the first downstream circuit the fine particles and other dust of dimensions smaller than its mesh carried away with the main flow of air passing through, but on the other hand separates litter and the like wastes which are forced to engage by their kinetic energy and entrained by air of the third recirculation duct.

In particular, the oblique orientation of the screen with respect to the air flow means that heavy particles strike and bounce against this sieve to move away from it practically like a light beam striking an oblique mirror, and escape into the second downstream conduit. With such an incidence, these particles heavy therefore practically can not stick or become embedded in this sieve, which therefore remains open at all times. In addition, the kinetic energy of heavy particles induces vibrations in this sieve, which favors the passage of fine particles and practically eliminates any risk of clogging. In addition, the impact of particles heavy promotes the entrainment of any waste retained on the sieve.

In addition, the first downstream filter bag collects only particles fines of relatively homogeneous dimensions, making the cluster more porous, allowing longer the passage of an air flow. In addition, like trash and other coarse wastes do not reach this first filter bag, the latter may have reduced dimensions. Its volume intended to store only dust fines may be significantly less than the bag volume that would be required to contain all waste.

However, although the volume of this first filter bag may be small, it is desirable to maintain or even increase its surface, in the sense of deployed surface. This surface is in fact the filtering element which retains the dust fine. It acts as a filter and may become clogged quickly if the load of fine dust per surface element became too high. This first place of filtration can therefore advantageously be constituted by a filter in pleated porous media, which considerably increases the effective surface of filtration. This configuration makes it possible to extend the life of this filter before clogging.

Thanks to this effective separation of litter into two categories: one of detritus of large sections and the other of dust of small sections, one notes a significant increase in the duration of operation and use of the vacuum cleaner. It is indeed easy to empty the tank containing the dust of large sections, because this waste is easy to handle and does not generate no cloud of flying dust. This operation can be carried out easily from the tank is full. It does not entail any cost, nor any additional discomfort for the user. The latter in particular does not need to replace a bag.

Preferably, the ratio between the section of the downstream conduits and that of the upstream conduit on the one hand and the angle formed between the two downstream conduits on the other hand is such that the screen is oriented at an angle between 0 ° and 60 ° relative to the direction of the upstream incoming air flow.

Thanks to this orientation, filtering is mainly done in a way tangential, so with an important component of displacement of waste the along the sieve due to their kinetic energy, which prevents their catching and retention on this sieve whatever their size. So that sort of sieve is continuously cleaned, and there is no need to consider maintenance or regular replacement, which facilitates the use of such a vacuum cleaner.

This sieve can then have a relatively fine separation mesh effective of fine and volatile particles to be confined in a filter bag, compared to coarse particles, which it is best to get rid of immediately. The food waste, animal hair and other organic or wet waste on which are likely to develop microbes, can be discarded immediately after their collection, thus avoiding any risk linked to a storage of such waste.

Usefully, the angle formed between the two downstream conduits is less than 180 °, then corresponding to a T-branch with the sieve arranged between the middle of the transverse wall of the T and the opposite border of the entry of the first conduit. Of preferably, this angle between the two downstream conduits is less than 90 °, or even zero, the downstream conduits then leaving parallel to each other which allows arrange them very compactly.

Usefully the section of the first downstream conduit, through which passes the major part of the flow, is at least equal to, or even greater than, that of the upstream duct, such so as to attenuate or even compensate for the pressure losses due to the angle of deflection and the presence of the sieve. The cross section of the second duct can be substantially equal to that of the first conduit.

Advantageously, the plane containing the two downstream conduits is arranged in a substantially horizontal plane.

The separation performance is then mainly dependent on the dimension of the meshes and the speed of the air flow, therefore of its flow, which are easily controllable parameters during the manufacture of the vacuum cleaner, but this performance is practically not dependent on gravitation.

For simplicity reasons, the screen is preferably flat, but we can also consider that it is slightly curved to remain parallel to the opposite wall connecting the upstream pipe to the second downstream pipe directing the waste rude to their place of collection.

Advantageously, the second downstream circuit arrives in a collection by a descending step. This sort of entrance baffle promotes retention of coarse waste in the collection chamber. A walk descending, constituting a level transition between the mouth and the chamber also favors the retention of dust in the collection chamber.

Preferably, the face of the chamber opposite to that of the mouth of the first downstream circuit has an outlet for a third duct in communication with the upstream suction circuit. More preferably, the section of this third duct is less than a quarter of that of the suction circuit upstream so that the proportion of recirculated air is established at approximately 10% to 15% of the total intake air flow. In addition, it has proven advantageous to connect this third leads in an area of the upstream circuit in depression, for example at a venturi.

This third conduit makes it possible to establish a slight flow of air circulating through the first downstream circuit, the coarse waste collection chamber, then back in the upstream circuit to support coarse waste in its advance towards the room, and to keep them there. This flow makes it possible in particular to avoid a reflux of the coarse waste to the sieve when the upstream suction circuit comes momentarily depressurize because the suction nozzle is temporarily blocked, for example when passing over certain tablecloths or dense carpets.

It can be provided, in place of this third conduit, in a variant of embodiment of the invention, a valve downstream of the screen, in the air circuit, of preferably when the storage volume is low. This is the case when the separation device is housed in a vacuum nozzle, where it is necessary to reduce storage volumes to maintain maneuverability and a compact form nozzle. In such cases, the storage volumes are less than 3 liters and preferably around 0.5 liters.

In the case of a canister type vacuum cleaner, the separation device, the second downstream circuit and the coarse waste collection chamber are advantageously arranged in the nozzle moved on the floor to be cleaned.

For this type of vacuum cleaner, the separation of the storage chamber into two sub-bedrooms makes it easier to distribute the overall dimensions for better handling of the sled.

In addition, it has been found that coarse waste and other yarn stored in the squeegee collide and bang against the walls by the back and forth movements of this squeegee to the point of releasing aggregates of dust initially stuck against them, this dust being transported towards the sieve through the third recirculation duct. After each cleaning, the user does not then handles relatively "clean" waste, that is to say free of volatile dust.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un aspirateur de type traíneau équipé d'un suceur selon l'invention,
• la figure 2a est une vue en perspective du dessus du premier exemple de suceur à l'état assemblé,
• la figure 2b est une vue en perspective de dessous du couvercle du suceur de la figure 2a,
• la figure 2c est une vue de dessus du boítier du suceur de la figure 2a sans le couvercle,
• la figure 3a est une vue en perspective du dessus du deuxième exemple de réalisation de suceur à l'état assemblé,
• la figure 3b est une vue en perspective de dessous du couvercle du suceur de la figure 3a,
• la figure 3c est une vue de dessus du boítier du suceur de la figure 3a avec le couvercle retiré, et
• la figure 3d est une vue en perspective du dessus du suceur de la figure 3a avec le couvercle retiré.

The invention will be better understood from the study of two exemplary embodiments applied in a nozzle of a canister vacuum cleaner, it being understood that these examples are taken by no means limiting in so far as the invention can easily be adapted to other types of vacuum cleaners, including a broom type vacuum cleaner or a handheld vacuum cleaner. A first simplified embodiment example of a nozzle is illustrated in FIGS. 2 while a second, more elaborate embodiment example is illustrated in FIGS. 3. In these figures:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a canister type vacuum cleaner equipped with a nozzle according to the invention,
• FIG. 2a is a perspective view from above of the first example of a nozzle in the assembled state,
• FIG. 2b is a perspective view from below of the cover of the nozzle of FIG. 2a,
• FIG. 2c is a top view of the nozzle housing of FIG. 2a without the cover,
• FIG. 3a is a perspective view from above of the second example of a nozzle in the assembled state,
• FIG. 3b is a perspective view from below of the cover of the nozzle of FIG. 3a,
• FIG. 3c is a top view of the nozzle housing of FIG. 3a with the cover removed, and
• Figure 3d is a perspective view from above of the nozzle of Figure 3a with the cover removed.

In Figure 1 is illustrated a cleaning head 10, in particular called "nozzle", the rear rigid outlet duct 52 of which is usually fixed at the end bottom of a rigid tube 54 forming a manipulation handle that the user holds by an upper end, normally bent, this upper end being connected by a second flexible tube 56, for example of corrugated plastic, to a sled 2, that is to say a body mounted on casters so that it can easily be dragged, this body containing a filter bag 3 for retaining waste in communication with the flexible tube 56 and a device, such as a turbine 5, for creating a strong air flow from the suction nozzle to the filter bag. This flow of suction air created in the body mobile is shown diagrammatically by arrows 44 leaving the outlet duct 52 of the nozzle 10.

In a variant of the invention, the bag 3 is replaced by a filter preferably composed of a pleated porous media which makes it possible to stop the fine dust while remaining small.

In the example illustrated in Figures 2, the nozzle 10 is composed of a lower case 16 closed by a cover 12, in particular by fitting the peripheral edge 15 of the cover 12 over the side walls 19 of the housing.

More particularly according to the invention, this nozzle 10 does not constitute a simple connection mouth between the wide transverse suction nozzle 20 and the cylindrical outlet duct 52 as commonly practiced, but this nozzle contains a waste separation device 40 in a branching area of conduits 30 for separating on the one hand large waste 6 in order to store them in a collecting chamber 64 internal to the squeegee 10 and on the other hand dust fines 4 which alone are allowed to pass through the outlet duct 52 and the tubes rigid connector 54 and flexible connector 56 to reach the containment bag 3 installed in the sled 2.

More specifically, the nozzle 10 comprises a first suction circuit located upstream of junction 30 and composed, as best seen in the figure 2a, of a transverse suction nozzle 20 having, seen in vertical section, a substantially conical flattened shape, the outlet of which at the upper end is communication with a venturi elbow 22 directing the air flow in a duct substantially horizontal 24 arranged on the front face of the nozzle 10, this conduit horizontal arriving in a deflection bend 26 at an angle of approximately 120 ° in a horizontal plane directing the flow of suction air towards the internal side of the nozzle 10 where the Y branch 30 is arranged.

In this branch 30, and as best seen in Figures 2a and 2c, the upstream circuit ending at the outlet of the elbow 26 is subdivided into two circuits downstream: on the one hand, a first main circuit starting with a shaped conduit 50 of S in direct communication with the rigid outlet conduit 52 and on the other hand a second secondary circuit starting with a bent conduit 60 opening into 62 in an internal chamber 64 of the nozzle 10. This branching in Y is in particular defined by the central separation edge 34 of the two downstream circuits, by a wall 38 starting from the left edge of the outlet of the elbow 26 and arriving in connection with the wall left of the conduit 60 and through a wall 36 starting from the right edge 32 of the elbow outlet 26 and arriving in connection with the right wall of the conduit 50, these last two walls also forming part of the side wall 19 of the housing 16 while being completed by the corresponding part of the side edge 15 of the cover 12.

The internal chamber 64 is, in turn, defined by the bottom 18 of the housing 16, by the upper face 14 of the cover 12, and by the remaining wall parts side 19 of the housing and the side edge 15 of the cover. It should be noted that the mouth 62 of the second downstream conduit 60 is arranged perpendicularly by relative to the wall in correspondence of this chamber 64.

So the device for separating waste into two categories is consisting of a screen 40 arranged in the mouth of the second downstream conduit 50 at within the Y-branch, i.e. this sieve is arranged between the edge right lateral 32 of the elbow outlet mouth 26 and the central edge 34 of separation of the two downstream conduits 50 and 60.

Preferably, this sieve 40 is in the form of a plate in metallic or plastic wires, pierced with holes of diameter less than 2mm, advantageously of the order of 0.5 mm or less.

In an alternative embodiment, the diameter of the holes is preferably less than 0.04 mm, and the screen is made of wire to limit the pressure losses, this small size makes it possible to suck only very dust fines, most of the waste being collected in the chamber which can be easily emptied.

The axis of the holes is directed perpendicular to the plate. In particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the axis of the holes is directed towards rear, opposite to the direction of flow of the main air flow 44, which promotes the separation of dust and reduces the risk of clogging, as it is well known to art experts.

Advantageously, the profiles of the holes are of conical shape in order to avoid particles are trapped inside, as is known in the art filtration. For cost reasons, the sieve can also be simply formed in the form of a woven filter 40 with a fine mesh of the order of 0.5 mm per side, possibly supported by a rear support 42.

The orientation of the screen 40 relative to the main air flow 44 depends on the configuration of the Y-branch, in particular its length and the width of the primary downstream conduit 50 relative to that of the upstream conduit 26. In the example illustrated, the screen 40 has an angle α of about 30 ° relative to the main air flow 44.

Furthermore, the upper front edge of the chamber 64, therefore at the level of the front edge of the cover 12 as illustrated in FIG. 2b, has an orifice transverse 70 giving into a collection vein 71 in communication with a recirculation duct 72, the outlet mouth 74 of which is connected to an orifice venturi elbow 22 when this cover 12 is mounted on the housing 16 as illustrated in Figure 2a.

The vacuum cleaner equipped with the nozzle 10 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 described previously works as follows.

The suction device 5 housed in the sled 2 generates a vacuum inducing a main air flow 44 appearing at the level of the suction nozzle 20. This flow of suction air carries with it the different waste present on the ground there where the nozzle 10 is brought in. This waste-laden air passes through the upstream duct 22, 24 and makes a turn at the elbow 26 to appear at the entrance to the branch at Y 30.

At this branch 30, most of the suction flow 44 crosses the screen 40 to pass into the first downstream conduit 50 and the outlet 52. Fine dust 4 of dimensions smaller than the mesh of the sieve 40 pass through it being driven by the main flow. Conversely, all the others waste 6 of larger dimensions and arriving with high speed strike and ricochet against this 40 sieve which they cannot cross, which directs them, already by their own kinetic energy, directly in the second conduit 60 for reach storage room 64.

In addition, through the outlet orifice 70 of the chamber 64, and of the conduit 72, opening into the venturi bend 22 in slight depression, an air flow is formed secondary 46 (Figure 2c) flowing from the screen 40 in the second downstream conduit 60 through the collecting chamber 64 and finally through the re-circulation duct 72. The importance of this secondary flow 46, of the order of 10% to 15% of the flow primary 44, is established by the section of the recirculation duct 72 in relation to the dimensions of the venturi elbow 22.

This secondary flow first accompanies the waste 6 in its path the along the second downstream conduit 60 into the chamber 64. Above all, when the nozzle suction 20 becomes temporarily blocked, for example when it passes on a tablecloth, quickly creating a depression at the branch 30, this secondary flow prevents solid waste 6 from being forced back through the mouth 62 back to the sieve 40 which they risk clogging. Furthermore, this secondary flow makes it possible to bring back to the sieve 40 powder particles which either could not pass through this sieve during their first pass, or initially stuck against a waste 6, are released and can thus go back into the conduit primary downstream towards the filtering containment bag within the sled.

It should be noted that large-scale waste can be as light as threads, cotton wool or crumbs, but can also be relatively dense like small pebbles or other debris from cement. This heavy waste 6 then comes, by its kinetic energy, to strike the sieve 40 then inducing vibrations favoring the passage of fine dust 4 thus increasing the separation efficiency of this device.

In Figures 3 is illustrated a second example different from the first by the arrangement of a second branch 30 'fitted with a screen 40' on the other lateral side of the nozzle 11. In these figures, the parts identical to those of the figures 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, the corresponding parts symmetrical being designated by a similar reference supplemented by the sign "prime".

In other words, in the squeegee 11 of Figure 3, we recognize a box 17 in the center of which is arranged a central collection chamber 64 bordered on both sides by branches 30 and 30 'each containing a sieve filter 40, 40 '.

In Figure 3d, we recognize the mouth 70 exit from the chamber 64 forming a hook with the collection vein 71 of the cover 13 (Figure 3b), vein of which the outlet mouth 75, in the form of a bevel, is designed to engage with a central opening 77 (FIG. 3c) between the two venturi bends 22, 22 '.

Thanks to this duplication, the pressure drop is halved ventilation generated at the separation screens 40, 40 ', which allows keep all the desired suction power at the suction nozzle 20.

With both of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be provided a valve, downstream of the screen (s), in place of the third circuit, to overcome clogging problems

With both of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, once the cleaning of the floor or the carpet carried out, it is enough for the user to detach the conduit 52 of the rigid tube 54 to take the squeegee 10 (11) over a bin, detach the cover 12 (13) from the housing 16 (17) and immediately pour in the waste contained in room 64 and, if necessary, quickly clean the interior of this nozzle, for example at the level of easily accessible sieves. This simple handling is also hygienic since waste contained in room 64 turn out to be relatively "clean", since they have been got rid of most of their volatile dust, having been brewed within the secondary recirculation current.

This separation of waste very early on avoids loading the filter bag 3 for confining dust within the mobile sled 2, which significantly extends the life of this bag. A replacement for this bag much longer intervals also presents a reduction in the requirements for user maintenance.

In addition, thanks to this separation device capable of being arranged in a crevice tool, we can then consider arranging a containment bag of smaller dust in the sled, the dimensions of which can then be reduced to significantly increase its maneuverability and ease of storage.

If the figures illustrate an order of magnitude for the dimensions of the parts, relative to each other, the fact remains that many improvements can be made to this device within a nozzle as part of claims, both in dimensions and in the arrangements of the parts.

In addition, a separation device at a Y-branch can be easily adapted within a different type of vacuum cleaner. Indeed, if the Y-branch arranged within this nozzle is presented with a conduit bent upstream and two parallel downstream conduits (corresponding to an angle between the zero downstream conduits), we can conceive of other arrangements in the space of this Y-branch according to the space available in another type of vacuum cleaner: either that the Y branch is contained in the same horizontal plane, or that two conduits are arranged in a horizontal plane and the third starting at the vertical either up or down.

In particular, if in the example illustrated the screen 40 is oriented substantially at 30 ° with respect to the passage of the main stream 44, this separation device also works properly when this sieve is oriented within a range between 0 ° and an angle of around 60 °.

The two examples proposed therefore do not limit only the present invention of vacuum cleaner nozzles, waste separation, as described, can be located throughout the aeraulic suction circuit.

Claims (12)

Vacuum cleaner comprising a turbine (5) or other device generating an air flow (44) in an aeraulic circuit between a suction nozzle (20) and at least two places (3, 64) for collecting waste, this circuit comprising a device for separating coarse waste and fine particles, characterized in that the aeraulic circuit comprises a Y branch (30) subdividing an upstream duct (26) terminating an upstream circuit (22, 24) in communication with the suction nozzle (20) into a first downstream duct (50) beginning a first circuit downstream (52) in communication with a place of retention (3) of fine particles and in a second downstream conduit (60) starting a second downstream circuit (62) in communication with a place of collection (64) of coarse waste, and in that the separation device comprises a screen (40) arranged through the mouth (32, 34) of the first downstream conduit (50) at the branch (30), the turbine (5) or the device generating an air flow being arranged such that the air flow (44) mainly passes from the upstream duct (26) into the first downstream duct (50). Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 characterized in that the screen (40) is a plate with holes. Vacuum cleaner according to the preceding claim characterized in that the size of the holes in the plate constituting the screen (40) is between 0.1 and 2 mm. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 characterized in that the screen (40) is a fine mesh metal grid. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screen (40) is arranged in the air flow so that coarse waste come and hit him obliquely. This promotes cleaning by entrainment of waste retained on the wall, and thanks to the vibrations of the sieve induced by impacts. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle formed between the two downstream conduits (50, 60) is less than 90 ° or even zero. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the section of the first downstream conduit (50) is at least equal to, or even greater than, that of upstream duct (26). Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plane containing the two downstream conduits (50, 60) is substantially horizontal. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second downstream circuit (60, 62) arrives in a collection chamber (64) by a step descending. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the face of the collection chamber (64) opposite that of the inlet mouth (62) of the first downstream circuit (60, 62) has an outlet mouth (70) for a third conduit (72) in communication with the upstream suction circuit (22). Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retention place (3) of fine particles consists of a pleated porous media. Canister type vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle (10) connected by a conduit flexible (56) to a sled (2) containing a first collection point (3) and a device suction (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separation device (30, 40) the second downstream circuit (60, 62) and the collection (64) of coarse waste (6) is arranged in the squeegee (10,11) moved on the floor to be cleaned.

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