EP1209998B1 - Tank type vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly to tub vacuum cleaners and carpet washers, capable of sucking water from a soil wet or wet.

For example, US Pat. No. 3,343,399 discloses such a vacuum cleaner comprising a holding tank into which moist air and water are sucked, water and dust is retained in the tank while the air reaches the turbine through the upper mouth of a vertical suction duct. This mouth above the maximum expected level of the water level may be obstructed by a plug and a float sliding along the duct. When the water level reaches a limit that would make it possible to exit the water to the motor, the float closes the mouth and the suction thus ensuring safety of the device.

Advantageously the engine is located under the tank, which lowers the center of gravity of the whole, and the tank is removable. However in this patent the tank is mentioned to be removable only for repair operations. Indeed the removed tank leaves free access to the engine. Moreover, parts exceeding under the tank penetrate deeply into the base of the device and force lift a lot before releasing it, which makes this removal a little convenient.

US Patent 5560075 is an improvement of this type of apparatus very stable because having the engine at the bottom. The security device obstructing suction, when the water level in the holding tank exceeds a fixed limit, consists of a float that goes up inside a housing open towards a suction mouth turned down. Air and water sucked then make a half turn in a downward vertical pipe to go to the turbine, which can then advantageously be in the axis of the tube of descent. The holding tank can be removable but its volume is unbalanced by the empty volume corresponding to the place left to the engine block turbine, and the clearance of the tank can not be done conveniently from side where is positioned the engine.

A vacuum cleaner as described in the preamble of claim 1 is known by US 5,063,633.

The object of the invention below is a high-performance vacuum cleaner, economical, very stable, can suck dry or wet and where the manipulations are facilitated.

The object of the invention is achieved by a vacuum cleaner according to claim 1.

Advantageously, the upper face of the base comprises another element of centering of the holding tank consisting of a low turret shape height, centered on the engine-impeller assembly in the axis of which opens the air outlet of the holding tank.

In this construction the water that accidentally arrives on the base does not could penetrate the engine, having to go up the edges of this turret.

Preferably the turret is of a diameter equal to or greater than that of the motor-impeller assembly.

This makes it possible to house the motor in a base of lower height, therefore less space.

The base contains a dust cassette where is carried out an ultimate filtration air before its rejection outside, cassette on which it is planned to connect an air blower pipe.

According to an alternative embodiment, the base comprises a cord winder and a housing for the socket.

It may also include a water pump for equipping vacuuming a function of water spraying or soil washing.

According to one embodiment, the base comprises the control members accessible from above for a foot control on the upper face to near the casters.

The foot control is thus facilitated while preserving the stability.

The tank has a suction chimney with two ducts vertically connected laterally in the upper part. A first conduit encloses a float in a lower part equipped with a suction grille, a mouth of downward air intake likely to be closed by the float separating the lower part of the upper part. The other duct evacuates the air at the bottom of the tank at center of a turret shape corresponding to that of the base. Both ducts are closed upward so that air flows from the first duct to the other leads. In one version this closure is ensured by the lid of tank which fits on the chimney, thus avoiding a closing part specific.

The air enters through the suction grille in the first duct, bypasses the float, crosses the suction mouth, and then goes back down to the impeller by the second conduit. In case the water sucked with air and settling in the tank would reach a maximum level the float would move closer to the intake mouth of air in the form of valve seat and would be sucked which would close the air circuit to prevent the introduction of water into the impeller.

The bottom of the tank is of the same shape as the corresponding footprint in the base which allows easy installation of the tank on the base and centering on the turret is obtained without effort.

• La figure 1 est une vue extérieure de l'appareil
• La figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale de l'appareil.
• La figure 3 est une vue de dessus en perspective de l'appareil, la cuve étant séparée de l'embase.
• La figure 4 est une vue de face de l'appareil, la cuve étant séparée de l'embase.
• La figure 5 est une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale d'une autre version de l'appareil.
• La figure 6 est une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale d'une variante de la version précédente de l'appareil.
• La figure 7 est une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale d'une autre version de l'appareil.

The invention is illustrated by the exemplary embodiments detailed below and the accompanying drawings.

• Figure 1 is an external view of the apparatus
• Figure 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus.
• Figure 3 is a top view in perspective of the apparatus, the vessel being separated from the base.
• Figure 4 is a front view of the apparatus, the vessel being separated from the base.
• Figure 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of another version of the device.
• Figure 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a variant of the previous version of the apparatus.
• Figure 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of another version of the apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment (FIG. 1), the vacuum cleaner comprises a tank 1 closed by a lid 2 and provided with a folding handle 3 whose axis of rotation 4 cuts the vertical passing through the center of gravity of the tank. The construction of the tank 1 substantially parallelepiped with a bottom substantially flat is such that the progressive filling of the tank with water does not significantly change the vertical of the center of gravity, and the handle 3 supports the tank 1 in a very balanced way regardless of this water level.

As is clearly visible in the figures, the apparatus is essentially composed two parts: a tank 1 and a base 5. The tank 1 is placed on the face upper part of the closed base 5 having an impression 6 (FIG. hollow form is that of the bottom of the tank 1. Side fixing systems 7 fast (Figure 1) to secure the tank 1 on the base 5.

The base 5 comprises wheels 8 at the front and wheels 9 at the rear for its displacement. The foot controls 10 of the device are located on the edge before the base 5 in the upper part. Low height, they do not interfere the clearance of the tank 1. The foot control effort is directed naturally substantially vertically. According to the example embodiment presented and as it is best seen figure 4, the orders 10 are three pushers 10a, 10b 10c exerting an action on a winder of cord, on starting and stopping the motor of the appliance, and on the control electric of a washing pump. These commands can be located at as a variant, on the flanks of the base in order to completely release the surface top of the base.

These commands can be modified or supplemented according to the models, but are centralized and grouped at the level of the base 5. Are thus represented, FIGS. 3 and 4, an electronic variator 41 for shifting the motor, and a valve 40 for connecting the shampoo supply pipe when the appliance is equipped with the "wash" function.

The base 5 also comprises supports 11 and 42 allowing among other things storage of suction hoses and cleaning accessories such as, for example, different form suckers and empoilage.

The tank 1 is provided with a suction chimney which comprises two ducts vertically connected laterally in the upper part. A first conduit 12 encloses a float 13 in a lower part 14 equipped with a suction grille 15, a suction mouth 16 turned downwards which can be closed by the float 13 separating the lower part 14 of the upper part. A second conduit 17 evacuates the air down the tank 1 at the center of a turret-shaped 18 corresponding to the turret shape of the top of the base 5. A rib circular 19 located below the tank 1 and centered on the turret 18 form relies on a seal 20 housed in a groove of the turret shape of the base 5. The lid 2 of the tank 1 fits with its ribs 31 on the chimney thus closing the ducts 12,17 in the upper part without a specific part additional. In another version (Figure 5) partially closed upper ducts 12,17 is provided by a cup 32 of shape adapted, which reduces the precision of the molded parts and facilitates sealing.

The engine-impeller unit 21 centered on the turret 18 is equipped with a volute 22 whose air outlet is directed into a removable cassette 23 where a filter 24 provides ultimate filtration. The cassette has an air exhaust port 25 which can be provided to receive the tip of an air blowing hose.

The electrical supply cord 26 of the apparatus is wound in the base 5 on a reel 27 and the socket is housed in a compartment 28.

In a more complete version (FIGS. 3 to 5) the base 5 can also be receive a water pump 29 for pumping in a known manner the clean water a compartment 33 of the tank 1 and propel it towards the suction tip for washing the floor or spraying it for any other purpose. A conduit leads therefore clean water or detergent, from compartment 33 to pump 29, via a conduit internal along the tank, a tight fitting 43, slightly deep in the base, ensuring the removability of the tank, while keeping the base relatively flat, with only weakly protruding part, the fixings fast 7 and supports 11.

Advantageously the compartment 33 placed at the top of the tank serves as a cover as shown in Figure 6, which allows a saving of material and easy access without crankcase opening for both filling of the compartment through the orifice 34 and the tank 1 itself.

The sucked-up moist air arrives in the tank 1 via the suction hose 30, connected to the opening 39 formed in the tank. The water is deposited in the tank 1 with the dust and the float 13 accompanies the level. Air enters through the grid 15 in the lower part 14 of the conduit 12 bypassing the float 13. It then passes into the mouth 16 and joins the conduit 17 through which he enters the impeller motor unit 21. The seal between the tank 1 and the base 5 is made by the seal 20. The air spring in the volute 22 and enters the cassette removable 23 where a filter 24 exerts a final filtration before the escape to the outside through the orifice 25. This orifice is intended to optionally receive a blow pipe.

When the level of the water in the tank 1 is sufficiently high, the float approaches the mouth 16 where it is sucked. The float then closes the air circuit in the manner of a valve by providing protection of the engine against water.

To empty the tank the user picks up the suction tube 30, the fasteners 7 and using the handle slightly raises the tank to remove it from the impression 6 and the casing on the turret 18. The tank is then completely free from its base 5 and easily transportable so balanced. It remains to lift the lid 2 and empty the contents of the tank, or, without removing the lid 2, empty the tank through the opening 39 of the tank left by removing the suction tube.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, supplemented by FIGS. 3 and 4, the vessel, relatively symmetrical, hence its balance, can be placed on the ground, from small feet 51 to ensure its stability while protecting the end of the clean water duct, when present. These feet also facilitate the replacement of the tank on the base having depressions provided for this purpose. The base therefore remains substantially flat, without significant prominence.

For periodic cleaning, the cassette 23 is removable and can easily be emptied of its dust by simple shaking.

The replacement of the tank 1 on the base 5 is just as easy. Thanks to the footprint 6 and the turret 18, it focuses on itself and just press slightly to solicit the quick fastening system at closing. The hollows 52 are an aid to the installation of the tank, by the anchors they generate.

The chimney being integrated into the tank does not interfere with the maneuverability during phases of emptying and refitting. Moreover this construction allows to fix on the same base tanks of different heights and to derive simply a range of devices.

Thanks to this construction one can also simply derive a range of dry suction apparatus by replacing, as shown in FIG. by a waste receptacle, having either a dust suction bag 38, as presented, and contained in a two-piece envelope 36 and 37 so as to allow the replacement of this bag, ie a separation device inertial or cyclonic waste. The term tank, used in this document is therefore to be taken in the broad sense and includes the water tanks, but also the waste receptacles as described above.

As an alternative embodiment, the apparatus does not have an integrated retractor, the compartment 28 being then used for the provision of the user of a electrical outlet allowing him to connect another device such as a drill, an electric saw, ... The power supply lead of the unit then goes through an orifice 48 in the base 5. It can be wound around the tank for its storage.

• un enrouleur de cordon,
• les éléments de centrage de la cuve, représenté essentiellement par l'empreinte en cuvette 6 complétée par la forme en tourelle de faible hauteur autour du moteur,
• une pompe à eau et ses raccords à la cuve d'eau propre et au flexible d'injection,
• le variateur de vitesse,
• la prise électrique de bricolage,
• la sortie d'air de soufflage,
• les supports de tuyau et d'accessoires,
• les commandes de ces différentes fonctions lorsqu'elles existent et lorsqu'elles nécessitent une commande.

Thus, the present invention is particularly remarkable for the centralization of the technical functions of the vacuum type tank in a relatively compact base and whose face for receiving the tank is substantially flat. This base is a true technical block grouping around the engine and its impeller, various functions, which can be combined, among which:

• a cord winder,
• the centering elements of the tank, essentially represented by the bowl cavity 6 completed by the turret shape of low height around the engine,
• a water pump and its connections to the tank of clean water and to the injection hose,
• the drive controller,
• the DIY electrical outlet,
• the blowing air outlet,
• pipe supports and accessories,
• the commands of these different functions when they exist and when they require a command.

Motorized moving functions and devices, as well as their electronics command also come into the devices that can be integrated in the base according to the invention. These bodies can include motors, sensors, electronic control cards, batteries, as well as different moving or moving devices.

This versatile technical block allows, through the many functions that can be installed, without affecting the storage tank, to achieve different ranges of products at lower cost, by the combination of different functions present on the base, these different product ranges can be widened by tanks of height, and therefore of different volume.

Claims (8)

1. A vacuum cleaner having a removable tank (1) and made up of a tank provided with a suction tube (30), and of a closed base (5) containing the motor and its bladed wheel (21), and the electrical and control members, which control members are disposed on the base, the top face of the base having a connection between the bladed wheel and a vertical duct provided in the tank, said vacuum cleaner being characterized in that the top face of said base (5) is a substantially horizontal wall in the form of:

   an indentation (6) corresponding to the periphery of the retention tank (1); and

   edges, including a front edge that is low and that presents the control members (10).
2. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that the top face of the base (5) is provided with another element for centering the retention tank, which element is constituted by a low turret (18) centered on the motor and bladed wheel assembly (21) and forming the connection for connecting to the vertical duct of the retention tank (1).
3. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, characterized in that the turret (18) is of diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of the motor and bladed wheel assembly (21).
4. A vacuum cleaner according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the base also has one or more of the following characteristics:

   a cord reel and means for controlling it;

   a water pump, connections for it and means for controlling it;

   an air outlet for connecting to an air blowing pipe;

   a variable speed controller;

   supports for accessories and for pipes;

   motor-driven movement members and electronics and control means for them; and

   batteries.
5. A vacuum cleaner according to any preceding claim, whose tank (1) is provided with a suction well made up of two vertical ducts (12, 17) interconnected laterally at their tops, a first one of the ducts (12) enclosing a float (13) in a bottom portion (14) equipped with a suction grating (15), an air intake opening (16) facing downwards and suitable for being closed off by the float (13) separating the bottom portion from the top portion, the other vertical duct (17) removing the air to beneath the tank (1) towards the connection, said vacuum cleaner being characterized in that said other vertical duct is disposed at the center of a turret shape (18) in the tank that corresponds to the turret shape in the base (5).
6. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, characterized in that the two ducts (12, 17) are closed facing upwards by the lid of the tank (2) and by ribs (31) on said lid that engage onto the well.
7. A vacuum cleaner according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the base (5) contains a removable dust cassette (23) in which final filtering is performed on the air before it is discharged to the outside, provision being made to connect an air blowing pipe to said cassette.
8. A vacuum cleaner according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the control members are situated on the top face of the base, in the vicinity of the wheels, in a place such that the control force is directed substantially vertically.

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