EP1182958B1 - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner is provided having a housing, a suction unit arranged therein and a suction pipe which enters the housing and is connected to the suction side of the suction unit via a dirt collecting container and a separating device. The closed dirt collecting container is adapted to be inserted into the housing and, when in the inserted position, be connected to the suction pipe in sealed manner via an intake opening and connected to the suction side of the suction unit in sealed manner via an extraction opening. The dirt collecting container is partially filled with fluid into which there enters a feed pipe that extends from the intake opening into the fluid. Deflector surfaces are arranged above the fluid-filling, said surfaces forming a multiply-deflected flow path between the upper surface of the fluid and the extraction opening for the suction current being passed through the fluid.

Description

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with a housing, a suction unit arranged therein and one entering the housing and via a dirt collecting container and a separator with the suction side the suction unit in connection with the suction line, the closed dirt collector can be inserted into the housing and used in the Position sealed via a suction opening with the Suction line and sealed with a suction opening the suction side of the suction unit is connected, the dirt collecting container partially with a Liquid is filled into one of the suction opening inlet line reaching into the liquid flows out, and being above the liquid filling Baffles are arranged for the by the Liquid-guided suction flow between the liquid surface and the suction opening one more time form redirected flow path.

In the case of vacuum cleaners, the suction current is used Dirt usually through a filter from the Separated suction stream and then in a dirt collector retained. Such vacuum cleaner, which as Separators using a filter are available in many Cases very effective, especially in the deposition of fine dust, however, has in some cases found that a deposition by a Liquid bath through which the suction flow passes will be an advantage. However known devices of this type, in which the deposition takes place in a liquid bath, under construction extremely complicated and usually allow not the use of such devices in private Household.

Such a vacuum cleaner is for example in the US 2,539,867 described, opens in this vacuum cleaner an entry line into a liquid filling Dirt collecting container, this junction takes place just below the surface of the liquid, so that the suction flow introduced into the liquid only for a short time comes into contact with the liquid, the deposition of dirt particles from the suction stream is not can be done completely in any case.

The invention is based on this prior art the task is based on a generic Vacuum cleaner to achieve an optimal separation result and to get a device with a simple structure.

This task is the beginning of a vacuum cleaner described type according to the invention solved in that the junction of the entry line into the liquid is covered by a hood, through which the Entry line leads that one-sided into the Immerses liquid and its opposite end is arranged outside the liquid, and that itself the hood on its immersed in the liquid Extends to the bottom of the dirt container, so that in this area the in the liquid incoming suction stream cannot pass through.

By providing a hood, an impact surface in the Gas space are formed and at the same time a turbulence area in the area where the entry pipe ends, in which the sucked air forms a vortex which the air repeatedly enters the liquid and exits again. This is the degree of separation the dirt particles improved considerably. By the special design of the hood, which is based on one side on the immersed in the liquid Extends to the bottom of the dirt container, this turbulence is also localized, the Suction flow must then in the turbulence space formed by the hood leak out of the liquid and can Turbulence space only in the area of the free edge of the Leave the hood.

After use, such a vacuum cleaner can be used in the simplest Be regenerated in such a way that the closed dirt collector from the housing removed, especially pulled out, and emptied is, for example through a special emptying opening, and that fresh liquid is poured in preferably water. A complicated change filter bags etc. is no longer necessary, and through the all-round training of the Dirt collecting container is this with its liquid filling easy to use, because the dirt collector as a separate unit in the housing inserted and easily out of this is removable.

The dirt collecting container can, for example, essentially be cuboid and forms a bucket-like vessel. This can be used to handle it Be provided with a handle, for example a swivel handle like a bucket.

It is particularly advantageous if the dirt collecting container has a lower part open at the top, which is closed with a removable lid is. This facilitates the filling and emptying of the Dirt collecting container and its cleaning.

It is advantageous if the cover to the lower part is sealed by a seal.

The suction opening is a preferred one Embodiment in the lid.

Although already excellent due to the liquid filling Separation of the dirt particles reached it is favorable if a in the suction opening Filter is arranged to be entrained with the suction flow Remove dirt particles reliably completely can.

This filter can be designed as a removable insert his.

In a preferred embodiment, that the filter is connected to a seal Connects suction line leading suction line of the suction unit. The sealing function of the dirt collecting container relative to the suction line the filter applied.

It is advantageous if the filter has a gap between the suction line on the one hand and the suction opening of the dirt collection container sealed bridged. This gives you a control for the functional Insert the filter. If the filter is accidentally missing, there is a leak in the area of the gap, and the vacuum cleaner doesn't work in the desired way. The user is thus at the lack of the filter.

In an advantageous embodiment, that the dirt collector at least in the area of Suction opening opposite the insertion direction of the Dirt collecting container inclined slightly sloping is so that a seal surrounding the suction opening only towards one another at the end of the insertion movement Sealing leading suction line of the suction unit of the suction unit invests. Such an arrangement facilitates once pushing in the dirt collecting container, there Friction caused by the seal only at the very end of the Insertion movement occurs, on the other hand the seals spared only just before bringing about the final seal in contact with other parts to step.

In a preferred embodiment, that the arranged on the top of the dirt collector Suction opening upstream of a suction shaft is that completely covers the suction opening and laterally offset from this to form an inlet opening is open on one side. Such an intake duct redirects the suction flow inside the container and forms an impact surface with its underside, at which the suction flow of entrained liquid particles is separated.

It is advantageous if the intake shaft extends over the entire width of the container.

The intake duct can be on the side on its open side protruding sealing strips wear that on the inner wall of the dirt collector. So that is ensured that the suction flow through the inlet openings the intake duct must pass through and does not flow past these on the side.

The underside of the intake shaft can preferably be flat and substantially parallel to the top of the dirt collection container.

It is particularly favorable if the free edge of the underside of the intake shaft a protruding downward, ledge-shaped projection that carries the flow cross-section suddenly narrowed and that as a dividing surface for entrained liquid particles.

The suction duct can be connected to a removable one Sealed dirt collection container the lid.

It can be provided that the inlet opening of the intake shaft through a vertical partition in two Halves is divided, this results in a smoothing the turbulent flow inside the dirt collector.

It has surprisingly been found that the This increases the separation efficiency of the liquid filling can be that the entry line two in forms essentially right-angled deflections.

It is also advantageous if the entry line perpendicular to the liquid level in the liquid opens.

The entry line is preferably on one side of the Dirt collecting container near the rear wall arranged and opens approximately in the middle of the container into the liquid.

The hood is preferably arcuate in cross section trained and with its concave side of the junction facing.

It is particularly favorable if the hood on your free, arranged above the liquid level Edge is curved downwards and approximately perpendicular to the liquid level ends. This free Edge then forms a separation edge for the suction flow, where the separation of the water droplets is special is effective.

The hood can differ from the junction in particular so far into the inside of the dirt container extend that it covers the suction opening. Thereby forms it together with the underside of the intake duct a multiple angled flow path out.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the hood over extends the entire width of the dirt collecting container.

It is beneficial if the hood with its side edge sealed on the inner wall of the dirt collecting container is present, so that in this area too The suction stream cannot flow past to the side.

In a preferred embodiment, that the interior covered by the hood at least then the one immersed in the liquid Area of the hood by two vertical partitions in a central chamber and divided into two lateral chambers becomes. In the central chamber comes out of the Intake line exiting suction flow into the liquid one, and this central chamber forms the actual one Turbulence space for the suction flow, its width through the vertical partitions in the desired Way can be chosen.

It is advantageous if the side chambers are narrow compared to the central chamber. For example the side chambers can only Cover 10% of the total width of the hood.

It is particularly advantageous if the hood is in the area the lateral chambers below the liquid level has at least one passage each. This Passage serves to balance the liquid level on both sides of the hood so that in the area behind the hood, i.e. in the turbulence space facing away from the hood Part of the hood no accumulation of liquid occurs, but the fluid level as a whole Dirt collector is always the same.

The vertical partitions can cover the entire Extend hood interior, at a preferred Embodiment is provided, however, that the vertical partitions only about half of the Extend hood length.

It is particularly advantageous if the hood is removable is inserted in the dirt collector. This enables careful cleaning of all parts the dirt collector.

For this purpose the hood can carry a handle.

For positioning the hood in the dirt collector can be provided that the side walls of the dirt collector Have contact areas for the hood.

Such contact surfaces for the hood can also the entry line may be arranged, in this case the contact surfaces are preferably as upwards open grooves formed into the edge of the hood intervenes.

It is also advantageous if on the side wall of the dirt collector guide surfaces arranged when inserting the hood into its final position to lead. For example, the guide surfaces through inward projecting steps on the Sidewall of the dirt container are formed. The user can then simply put the hood in the Insert the dirt container, but it does not have to be precise position because the exact positioning by the guide surfaces take place. So the hood falls off release into the correct position.

It is also possible that the free edge of the hood facing front part of the hood can be pivoted at the rear Part of the hood is held, preferably over a film hinge. This configuration is special cheap if the hood is permanently in the dirt collector is fixed because the swinging up of the front part of the hood gives access to that under the Part of the dirt collecting container lying open and is therefore a good cleaning option.

The flow cross-section preferably takes between neighboring baffles in the direction of flow, so that the flow rate increases, and this leads to an optimal separation of entrained ones Liquid particles.

It is favorable if the one arranged above the hood Baffle ends above the rear part of the hood. Drip on the edge of the upper baffle Liquid particles then drip into the room behind the hood and no longer get into the suction flow, so that a renewed charging of the suction flow with water droplets is avoided.

It is particularly favorable if the side walls of the container elastic inward at least in some areas are deformable. This will put the side walls down when operating the vacuum cleaner, when inside the Dirt collection container through the suction unit Negative pressure is generated, sealing against the inserts, in particular on the intake shaft and the hood, and seal these inserts against the side wall reliably from, so that the suction flow the predetermined Cannot leave the flow path.

In areas of the side wall where such a seal is not necessary, the side wall can be partially be stiffened, for example by stiffening ribs or by greater wall thickness, so that despite the deformable side walls, a stable overall structure of the dirt collector is.

Figur 1:

eine Längsschnittansicht eines Staubsaugers mit eingesetztem Schmutzsammelbehälter;

Figur 2:

eine vergrößerte Detailansicht des Staubsaugers der Figur 1 im Bereich der Absaugöffnung des Schmutzsammelbehälters bei fehlendem Filtereinsatz;

Figur 3:

eine vergroßerte Detailansicht gemäß Figur 1 im Bereich der Oberseite des Schmutzsammelbehalters beim Herausziehen desselben aus dem Gehäuse;

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Schmutzsammelbehalters und seiner Teile;

Figur 5:

eine Schnittansicht des Schmutzsammelbehälters langs Linie 5-5 in Figur 6;

Figur 6:

eine Draufsicht des Schmutzsammelbehälters;

Figur 7:

eine Seitenansicht des teilweise aufgebrochen dargestellten Schmutzsammelbehälters und

Figur 8:

eine Detaillängsschnittansicht durch ein bevorzugtes Ausfuhrungsbeispiel einer in den Schmutzsammelbehälter eingesetzten Haube.

The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention serves in conjunction with the drawing for a more detailed explanation. Show it:

Figure 1:

a longitudinal sectional view of a vacuum cleaner with inserted dirt collector;

Figure 2:

an enlarged detail view of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 in the region of the suction opening of the dirt collecting container in the absence of a filter insert;

Figure 3:

a enlarged detail view of Figure 1 in the area of the top of the dirt collector when pulling the same out of the housing;

Figure 4:

a perspective view of the dirt collector and its parts;

Figure 5:

a sectional view of the dirt collecting container slow line 5-5 in Figure 6;

Figure 6:

a plan view of the dirt collector;

Figure 7:

a side view of the dirt container and partially shown broken

Figure 8:

a detailed longitudinal sectional view through a preferred embodiment of a hood used in the dirt collector.

The vacuum cleaner 1 shown in the drawing has a housing 2, which is only dash-dotted in Figure 1 is indicated. This housing is mobile and takes up a suction unit 3 in its upper part, which at its lower end is one of an intake manifold 4 surrounding suction opening 5 and which discharges air through an outlet 6 to the environment. The intake manifold 4 is very short and ends in a plane that is horizontal is slightly inclined (Figures 2 and 3).

Below the suction unit 3 is in the housing 2 Receiving space 7 arranged for a dirt collecting container 8, into the side of the dirt collector 8 can be inserted.

This dirt collecting container 8 essentially comprises a cuboid, tub-like lower part 9 with a flat floor 10 with a vertical front wall 11 and a vertical rear wall 12 and with two parallel, vertical, the front wall 11 and the rear wall 12 connecting side walls 13, 14. On these Side walls 13, 14 is a carrying handle 15 articulated so that the lower part 9 of the dirt collecting container 8 to be carried like a bucket.

On the lower part 9 is a substantially flat cover 16 attachable by means of one in the drawing Seal not shown separately at the top of the lower part 9 is tight and thus the lower part 9 closes tightly. The upper edge of the lower part 9 and thus the cover 16 are opposite the horizontal Floor 10 slightly inclined, in the direction of insertion of the dirt collecting container 8 dropping so that it essentially parallel to the lower edge of the intake manifold 4 run (Figures 2 and 3).

In the lid 16 there is one above it Rectangular suction opening that extends across the entire width 17, into which a filter insert 18 is sealed can be used. The edge of the filter insert 18 is also designed as a seal, which is in the Housing 2 inserted dirt collector 8 to the bottom edge of the intake manifold 4 sealingly and thus a tight connection between the interior of the Dirt collecting container 8 and the intake manifold 4 forms. This sealing takes place when the Dirt collecting container 8 inevitably, due to the Inclination of the lower edge of the intake manifold 4 and Inclination of the cover 16 and thus the suction opening 17th and the filter insert 18 reaches the sealing edge the filter insert 18 with the lower edge of the intake manifold 4 only in contact when the dirt collector 8 reaches its fully inserted position, the sealing edge of the filter insert is located beforehand 18 with no other part, so that the dirt collecting container 8 can be moved slightly can and the filter insert 18 is not claimed (Figure 3).

Between the cover 16 and the lower edge of the intake manifold 4, a narrow gap 19 is formed (Figure 2), which is normally through the filter insert 18th sealed bridged (Figure 1) so that a tight connection between the inside of the dirt collecting container 8 and the suction unit 3 arises.

If the filter insert 18 is not used accidentally, However, this gap 19 remains open, as shown in Figure 2 is shown, and then there is none tight connection between the inside of the dirt collecting container 8 and the suction unit 3, so that no negative pressure inside the dirt collecting container 8 can build up, the suction effect of the vacuum cleaner 1 occurs does not indicate and thus indicates to the user that the filter insert 18 must be used.

At the bottom of the lid 16 is the suction opening 17 upstream a suction shaft 20 arranged in is essentially cuboid in shape the entire width of the dirt collecting container 8 extends and by a parallel to the cover 16, flat bottom surface 21, one on the suction opening 17 adjoining rear wall 22 and two side walls 23, 24 is formed. This intake duct 20 is on the side opposite the rear wall 22 open, this suction opening 25 is through a vertical Partition 26 inside the suction shaft 20 in two Halves divided (Figure 7).

The suction duct 20 completely covers the suction opening 17 and extends over the suction opening 17 addition, so that the total length of the suction shaft 20th is about one and a half times the length of the suction opening 17th

The bottom surface 21 supports below the suction opening 25 a ledge pointing downwards 27, which forms a tear-off edge there.

The side of the suction opening 25 are from the side walls 23 and 24 flange-like edges 28 from which to the side walls 13 and 14 of the dirt collecting container 8 create sealing (Figure 7) so that the entire from the Dirt collecting container 8 extracted gas flow through the Suction opening 25 is directed through.

In the housing 2 opens next to the suction unit 3 Suction nozzle 29, which is not apparent from the drawing Be connected with a suction hose can and that ends in a plane that is parallel to the Lid 16 of the inserted dirt collecting container 8 and runs approximately at its height. This suction port 29 closes when the dirt collector is fully inserted 8 sealed to an entry line 30 arranged in the rear wall 12 of the lower part 9 is and ends at the top edge (Figure 4). When inserting the dirt collecting container 8 becomes this entry line 30 aligned with the suction port 29 and forms a density by an inserted ring seal 31 Connection for sucked in air.

The entry line 30 immediately afterwards the suction port 29 first a vertical section 32 on, which is about halfway up the lower part 9 in one horizontal section 33 passes to the one another vertical section 34 connects. This vertical section 34 ends at a short distance the bottom 10, it is about in relation to the rear wall 12 offset a diameter of the entry line 30 and is in the middle of the lower part 9 (Figure 6).

The exit area of the entry line 30 is covered by a hood 35 which at the bottom of the Rear wall 12 close to the floor 10 with a rear wall section 36 pointing obliquely upwards begins and which is arched in cross section trained front wall portion 37 passes over essentially below the intake duct 20 extends and in a downward curved, approximately perpendicular extending free edge 38 ends. The hood 35 extends over the entire width of the lower part 9. It has a in the rear wall section 36 slot-shaped opening 39 through which the vertical section 34 of the entry line 30 protrudes.

On both sides of this slot-shaped opening 39 is one on the inside of the hood 35 vertical partition 40, 41 arranged by the rear wall section 36 starting from about half cross section of the hood 35 and thus extend the hood adjacent to the rear wall section 36 Divide 35 in three directions in the transverse direction, namely a central chamber 42 and two connecting on the outside Side chambers 43 and 44.

The vertical section opens into the central chamber 42 34 of the entry line 30, this central chamber 42 forms a swirl chamber for the through the entry line 30 entering suction flow. This central Chamber 42 is in the area of the rear wall section 36 completely sealed, in that this rear Wall section extends to the bottom 10 of the lower part 9 and in that the rear wall section 36 in the area the slot-shaped opening 39 close to the vertical section 34 of the entry line 30 is present. The vertical section 34 of the entry line 30 faces plus a top that runs along its circumference open receiving groove 45 on the course of the Course of the rear wall section 36 of the hood 35 is adapted and the the edge of the rear wall section 36 in the area of the slot-shaped opening 39 records (Figure 1).

In the area of the two side chambers 43 and 44 is sufficient the rear wall section 36 does not reach the bottom 10 of the Lower part 9 down, but ends slightly above of the bottom 10, so that in this area passages 46th are formed, the overlaid by the hood 35 Part of the lower part 9 with that between the rear wall 12 and the rear wall section 36 lying part of the Connect lower part 9.

The front wall section 37 of the hood 35 is below the bottom surface 21 of the intake duct 20 is arranged in such a way that is between the top of the front Wall sections 37 and the bottom surface 21 a flow channel trains that towards the strip-shaped Projection 27 has a decreasing cross section (Figure 1).

The hood 35 is shown in FIGS Embodiment as an independent component trained using one at the top of the Hood 35 arranged handle 47 from the lower part 9 of the dirt collector 8 can be removed. in the inserted state, the side edges 48 of the hood rest 35 on side steps 49 on the side walls 13 and 14 of the lower part 9, also the edges engage the slot-shaped opening 39 in the described Way into the receiving groove 45. This is the Hood 35 positioned in the lower part 9 in the desired manner.

To make insertion easier, the side edges sit down 48 in oblique guide edges 50 on which the hood 35 during fleeting insertion in the lower part 9 are guided so that they take their final position under the effect of gravity. It is therefore not necessary for the user to position the hood exactly, the exact positioning is taken over by the guide edges 50.

The hood 35 is sealingly on the side walls 13 and 14, these side walls 13 and 14 can be in the Investment area can be flexibly and flexibly designed be so that in operation when a Negative pressure in the closed dirt collector 8 the side walls are deformed inwards and out seal against the side edges of hood 35.

In other areas of the side walls 13 and 14, in which such a flexible system is not desired, are the side walls 13 and 14 by stiffening ribs 51 reinforced.

In the embodiment of Figure 8 is the front Wall section 37 of the hood 35 with the rear wall section 36 connected via a film hinge 52, so that the front wall section 37 folded up can be and access to the bottom of the lower part 9 enables, for example, for cleaning purposes. On such pivoting is preferably provided if the hood 35 is fixed in the lower part 9 and therefore not removable in the manner described is. Basically, it would also be possible to a removable hood 35 such an embodiment make.

In operation, the dirt collecting container 8 becomes partially filled with a liquid 53, preferably with water. The liquid level 54 is chosen so that that the vertical section 34 of the entry line 30 ends below the liquid level 54 and that the Passages 46 are completely within the liquid 53 are located. On the other hand, the amount of liquid 53 but so limited that the liquid level 54 clearly below the front wall section 37 of the hood 35 ends, so that the front wall section 37 arranged in any case outside the liquid and forms a baffle there.

If the dirt collector 8 in this way with a liquid 53 filled and inserted into the housing 2 is, when operating the suction unit 3rd via the suction port 29 and the entry line 30 Suction flow led into the liquid 53, and forms there a vortex develops in the central chamber 52. This formation of the vertebra is also supported by that the suction flow through the two right-angled Angles between the vertical section 32 and the horizontal section 33 on the one hand and the horizontal Section 33 and the vertical section 34 on the other hand is swirled. In the central chamber 42 this mixes the suction flow and the liquid intense so that entrained with the suction flow Dirt particles are retained in the liquid. The swirled air occurs at the free edge 38 the hood 35 over, and this steers due to their strong curvature downward entrained liquid particles downwards and separates them from the suction flow, the past the free edge 38 into the gas space of the Dirt collecting container 8 enters and there in the direction is diverted to the passage that the front Wall section 37 of the hood 35 with the bottom surface 21 of the manhole 20 forms. This redirection too of the air flow around 180 ° leads to separation of entrained liquid particles.

The same is the case in the passage described, the cross section of which narrows so that the flow velocity the liquid is increased. In particular in the area of the strip-shaped projection 27 a further separation of entrained liquid particles and then another 180 ° deflection through the suction opening 25 of the suction shaft 20.

Its cross section is chosen so that it is larger than the cross section of the passage between the front Wall section 37 and the bottom surface 21, so that a slowdown in the current occurs also for the separation of residual droplets, so that the suction flow after these multiple deposits in essentially liquid-free thanks to the filter insert 18 can get to the suction unit 3. In the filter insert 18 residual impurities are retained.

After operation, the dirt collecting container 8 is off pulled out the housing 2, the cover 16 is removed, and the liquid is retained along with those Debris emptied or replaced. With a new liquid filling is the The vacuum cleaner is then ready for use again.

The dirt collecting container 8 is preferably completely made of plastic and is therefore easy to manufacture, it is also a very robust component, so that handling even in private areas without Problems is.

Claims (42)

1. A vacuum cleaner (1) having a housing (2), a suction assembly (3) arranged therein, and a suction pipe (29) inserted into the housing (2) and connected to the suction side of the suction assembly (3) via a dirt-collecting box (8) and a precipitating device, wherein the closed dirt-collecting box (8) is insertable into the housing (2) and, in the inserted position, is connected to the suction pipe (29) via an intake opening (30) so as to form a seal and is connected to the suction side of the suction assembly (3) via an exhaust opening (17) so as to form a seal, the dirt-collecting box (8) being partially filled with a fluid into which a feed pipe (30) discharges, which feed pipe extends from the intake opening into the fluid, and wherein baffles (35; 21) arranged above the contained fluid form a multiply deviated flow pathway between the surface (54) of the fluid and the exhaust opening (17) for the suction flow guided through the fluid, characterised in that the point of discharge of the feed pipe (30) into the fluid (53) is encased by a hood (35) through which the feed pipe (30) passes, one end of which feed pipe is immersed in the fluid (53) and the opposite end (38) of which is positioned outside the fluid (53), and in that the hood (35), on its side (36) immersed in the fluid (53) extends as far as the base (10) of the dirt-collecting box (8) with the result that the suction flow entering the fluid cannot pass through in this region.
2. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 1, characterised in that the dirt-collecting box (8) is substantially cuboid in shape.
3. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the dirt-collecting box (8) has a lower part (9) open on the upper side, which lower part is closed by means of a removable cover (16).
4. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 3, characterised in that the cover (16) is sealed with respect to to the lower part (9) via a seal.
5. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the exhaust opening (17) is located in the cover (16).
6. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a filter (18) is arranged in the exhaust opening (17).
7. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 6, characterised in that the filter (18) is in the form of a removable insert.
8. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the filter (18) is joined to an exhaust pipe (4) leading to the suction side of the suction assembly (3).
9. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 8, characterised in that the filter (18) bridges a gap (17) between the exhaust pipe (4) on the one hand and the exhaust opening (17) of the dirt-collecting box (8) on the other hand in such a way as to form a seal.
10. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dirt-collecting box (8) is slightly downwardly inclined relative to the insertion direction of the dirt-collecting box (8), with the result that a seal surrounding the exhaust opening (17) only comes to rest against a suction pipe (4) leading to the suction side of the suction assembly (3) at the end of the insertion movement.
11. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an intake shaft (20) is positioned upstream of the exhaust opening (17) arranged on the upper surface of the dirt-collecting box (8), which intake shaft completely covers the exhaust opening (17) and, laterally offset relative thereto, is open on one side forming an inlet opening (25).
12. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 11, characterised in that the intake shaft (20) extends over the whole width of the dirt-collecting box (8).
13. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 12, characterised in that the intake shaft (20) bears, on its open side, laterally projecting sealing strips (28) which are in contact with the interior wall of the dirt-collecting box (8) so as to form a seal.
14. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of Claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the under-surface (21) of the intake shaft (20) is level and extends substantially parallel to the upper surface of the dirt-collecting box (8).
15. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of Claims 11 to 14, characterised in that the free edge of the under surface (21) of the intake shaft (20) bears a downwardly projecting, ledge-like projection (27).
16. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of Claims 11 to 15, characterised in that the intake shaft (20) is held on a cover (16) closing the dirt-collecting box (8).
17. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of Claims 11 to 16, characterised in that the inlet opening (25) of the intake shaft (20) is divided up into two halves by a perpendicular separating wall (26).
18. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intake opening (30) forms two substantially rectangular deviations.
19. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intake opening (30) discharges into the fluid (53) perpendicularly to the fluid level (24).
20. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intake pipe (30) discharges, on one side of the dirt-collecting box (8), close to its rear wall (12) and, in the middle of the dirt-collecting box (8), into the fluid (53).
21. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hood (35) is arcuate in cross-section and, with its concave side, faces the discharging point.
22. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hood (35) is downwardly curved at its free edge (38) positioned above the fluid level (54) and extends approximately perpendicularly to the fluid level (54).
23. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hood (35) extends into the interior of the dirt-collecting box (8) sufficiently far as to cover the exhaust opening (17).
24. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hood (35) extends over the whole width of the dirt-collecting box (8).
25. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 24, characterised in that the hood (35) is, with its lateral edges (48), in contact with the interior wall of the dirt-collecting box (8) so as to form a seal.
26. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, at least adjoining the region (36) of the hood (35) immersed in the fluid (53), the interior space enclosed by the hood (35) is divided up by two vertical separating walls into a central chamber (42) and two lateral chambers (43, 44).
27. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of Claims 26 or 27, characterised in that the lateral chambers (43, 44) are narrow by comparison with the central chamber (42).
28. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of Claims 26 or 27, characterised in that the hood (35) has at least one passage (46) in the region of each of the lateral chambers (33, 34) beneath the fluid level (54).
29. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of Claims 26 to 28, characterised in that the vertical separating walls (40, 41) extends over only about half the length of the hood.
30. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hood (35) is removably inserted into the dirt-collecting box (8).
31. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 30, characterised in that the hood (35) has a handle (47).
32. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 30 or 31, characterised in that the side walls (13, 14) of the dirt-collecting box (8) have supporting surfaces (49) for the hood (35).
33. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of Claims 30 to 32, characterised in that the intake pipe (30) has a supporting surface (45) for the hood (35).
34. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 33, characterised in that the supporting surface (45) is in the form of a groove which is open at the top.
35. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of Claims 30 to 34, characterised in that guiding surfaces are arranged on the side wall (13, 14) of the dirt-collecting box (8) which, when the hood (35) is inserted, guide it into its end position.
36. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 35, characterised in that the guiding surfaces (50) are formed by inwardly projecting steps on the side wall (13, 14) of the dirt-collecting box (8).
37. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the anterior part (37) of the hood (35) turned towards the free edge (38) of the hood (35) is swivellably held on the posterior part (36) of the hood (35).
38. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 37, characterised in that the anterior part (37) and the posterior part (36) of the hood (35) are connected to one another via a film hinge.
39. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flow cross-section decreases between adjacent baffles (35; 21) in the direction of flow.
40. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the baffle positioned above the hood (35) ends above the posterior part (36) of the hood (35).
41. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the side walls (13, 14) of the dirt-collecting box (8) are, at least regionally, elastically inwardly deformable.
42. A vacuum cleaner according to Claim 41, characterised in that the elastically deformable side walls (13, 14) are regionally stiffened.

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