EP1621126A1 - Verbesserter Haushaltsstaubsauger - Google Patents

Verbesserter Haushaltsstaubsauger Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1621126A1
EP1621126A1 EP04425562A EP04425562A EP1621126A1 EP 1621126 A1 EP1621126 A1 EP 1621126A1 EP 04425562 A EP04425562 A EP 04425562A EP 04425562 A EP04425562 A EP 04425562A EP 1621126 A1 EP1621126 A1 EP 1621126A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fluid
air
vacuum cleaner
flow
tank
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP04425562A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1621126B1 (de
Inventor
Silvano Fumagalli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Candy SpA
Original Assignee
Candy SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Candy SpA filed Critical Candy SpA
Priority to EP20040425562 priority Critical patent/EP1621126B1/de
Priority to DE200460022654 priority patent/DE602004022654D1/de
Publication of EP1621126A1 publication Critical patent/EP1621126A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1621126B1 publication Critical patent/EP1621126B1/de
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
    • A47L9/18—Liquid filters
    • A47L9/182—Separating by passing the air over a liquid bath
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
    • A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
    • A47L9/1658—Construction of outlets
    • A47L9/1666—Construction of outlets with filtering means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
    • A47L9/18—Liquid filters
    • A47L9/183—Spray cleaning

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an improved domestic vacuum cleaner.
  • Vacuum cleaners comprising a box-shaped body associated with a tank containing a fluid are known.
  • the vacuum cleaner comprises, within the box-shaped body, a fan coupled to an electric suction motor connected to an intake duct for air containing dust and dirt.
  • a vacuum cleaner may be used in which the flow of air containing dust, brought about by the motor/suction unit, passes firstly through a filter, for instance a diaphragm filter (normally in the form of a bag) able to retain and separate the solid particles contained in the suctioned flow of air, then flows along a discharge path into a tank containing a fluid, generally water, so that the dust contained in the suctioned flow of air can be extracted.
  • vacuum cleaners of the above-mentioned type are satisfactory from a practical point of view, they have the serious drawback that the air purification fluid may flow into the suction path downstream of the tank and/or be conveyed into this path by the purified air.
  • the purification fluid may disadvantageously clog the filters for the removal of the residual dust to an extent that compromises their operating efficiency.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner having structural and operational features able to obviate the drawbacks described above with reference to vacuum cleaners of the prior art.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner in which the tank for the fluid responsible for extracting the dirt is separate from the motor/suction unit and which is therefore easier and more practical for the user to handle.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner which is economical and functional, which enables efficient filtration of the suctioned air, separating it from dust and dirt particles and from droplets of fluid prior to its discharge, and which uses a smaller quantity of fluid for that purpose.
  • the vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a body 2 with which a tank 3 is associated.
  • the body 2 of the vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a filtration suction unit 2A comprising a container 4 which may be removed by extraction from the body 2, a motor/suction unit 5, a filter-holder 6 disposed downstream of the motor/suction unit 5 and an air discharge path 7 disposed upstream of the motor/suction unit 5.
  • the container 4 takes the form, in a preferred embodiment, such as the embodiment of Fig. 1, of a body with a section of frustoconical type: it is provided laterally with an inlet opening 8 to which dirt and dust collection tools (tubes, brushes, crevice tools, etc.), of known type and not shown in the drawings, are adapted to be connected, comprises a top 9 adapted to divide the container 4 from the motor/suction unit 5 and also comprises, at the bottom, a base 10 adapted to collect the dust residues.
  • dirt and dust collection tools tubes, brushes, crevice tools, etc.
  • a generically cylindrical duct 11 (which is in practice slightly conical to facilitate moulding operations) which is connected in a known manner with the filter- holder 6 extends coaxially to and within the container 4.
  • the motor/suction unit 5 of substantially known type, comprises an electric motor adapted to cause the rotation of a fan adapted to generate the vacuum within the container 4 which gives concrete shape to the operation of the vacuum cleaner 1.
  • the motor/suction unit 5 is supported by a base 12 which acts as a dividing wall between this motor/suction unit 5 and the discharge path 7.
  • the filter-holder 6 internally comprises a filter 6A which, in a preferred embodiment, takes the form of a filtration member of star-shaped type. This filter 6A may be readily removed by extraction from the filter-holder 6 so as to enable periodic cleaning operations.
  • the air suctioned by the motor/suction unit 5 therefore enters the container 4 in a tangential direction (arrow A) via the inlet opening 8 and descends with a swirling movement (arrow B) into the frustoconical body of the container 4.
  • the coarser particles contained in the suctioned air are deposited on the base 10 of the container 4 and the partially purified air rises back towards the centre (arrow C) of the frustoconical body in order to flow into the central duct 11.
  • a volute or cyclone (not shown), which provides the essentially axial flow of air in the duct 11 with a swirling movement, is rigidly housed in the central duct 11 and secured, for instance, by plastic thermowelding, adhesion or simply by pressure.
  • the separation of the peripheral portion of the flow of air from the central portion takes place within the duct 11, more particularly downstream of the cyclone, this central portion thus being able to flow freely through the star-shaped filter 6A.
  • the dust contained in the peripheral portion of the flow of air gradually accumulates on the walls of the cyclone and tends to collect, under the effect of gravity, towards the bottom of the cyclone, and is deposited on the base 10 of the container 4, so that the accumulation of dust in the star-shaped filter 6A is substantially reduced. It will be appreciated that this container 4 has to be emptied periodically by the user.
  • the air output from the motor/suction unit 5 (arrows E) is then deflected by a deflector 13 contained in the air discharge chamber 7.
  • the purpose of the deflector 13 is to deflect the air discharged from the motor/suction unit 5 downwards. In substance, the deflector 13 conveys the air discharged from the motor/suction unit 5 towards the base 12.
  • the deflector 13 is symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis X-X of the motor/suction unit 5 and, in particular, the deflector 13 comprises a first portion 14 which extends externally of the motor/suction unit 5 and a second portion 15 which extends parallel to the vertical axis X-X of the motor/suction unit 5.
  • the body 2 of the vacuum cleaner 1 further comprises an outlet opening 16 adapted to bring the motor/suction unit 5 into fluid communication with the tank 3 via the discharge path 7.
  • the tank 3 internally contains a container 3A which may be removed by extraction from the tank 3.
  • the container 3A is adapted to collect the residual dust contained in the flow of air discharged by the motor/suction unit 5.
  • the container 3A is adapted to be filled to a predetermined level L with a fluid 17, for instance water, possibly mixed with deodorant, sanitising or like products.
  • a sealing gasket 18, for instance of rubber, is advantageously mounted on the peripheral edge of the outlet opening 15 of the body 2 and is adapted to prevent the fluid from gaining access to the motor/suction unit 5 and/or escaping from the container 3A.
  • the container 3A which is partially filled with the fluid 17 as described above, is in direct fluid communication with the motor/suction unit 5 via the discharge path 7 by means of atomising and mixing means 19 and 20.
  • the atomising and mixing means 19 and 20 are disposed before the flow of air suctioned by the motor/suction unit 5 impacts on the free surface L of the fluid 17.
  • the atomising and mixing means take the form, in a preferred embodiment, of a diffusing or diverging duct 19, i.e. a duct which has a smaller air inlet portion and an outlet portion diverging in the direction of travel of the flow of air, within which an ejector 20 is disposed.
  • a diffusing or diverging duct 19 i.e. a duct which has a smaller air inlet portion and an outlet portion diverging in the direction of travel of the flow of air, within which an ejector 20 is disposed.
  • the duct 19 in particular comprises an end portion 19A disposed above the free surface of the fluid 17 while the portion in fluid communication with the motor/suction unit 5 has a portion 19B folded as an elbow.
  • the ejector 20, as described above, is disposed within the duct 19 and comprises a conveyor 21 in fluid connection with a Venturi tube 22.
  • the conveyor 21 and the Venturi tube 22 are in particular mutually connected one after the other.
  • the conveyor 21 comprises a body having a converging inlet section for the air discharged by the motor/suction unit 5 and an outlet portion of constant section.
  • the outlet section of the conveyor 21 is in fluid communication with the converging inlet section of the Venturi tube 22 and the latter in turn has its diverging outlet disposed above the free surface L of the fluid 17.
  • the mixing and atomisation chamber 23 is supplied by a supply duct 23A adapted to bring the fluid 17 contained in the container 3A into this chamber, i.e. it is possible to obtain an environment saturated with atomised fluid in this chamber 23.
  • the duct 23A has its free end portion disposed below the free surface L of the fluid 17 in the tank 3.
  • a section of the outlet portion of constant section of the conveyor 21 is inserted in this chamber, while for the fluid communication between the mixing chamber 23 and the Venturi tube 22 a section of the converging inlet section is inserted in the chamber 23.
  • the particular configuration of the diverging duct 19 means that the air suctioned by the motor/suction unit 5 is subject to a reduction of its speed.
  • a minority portion of the flow of air flowing in the duct 19 flows out laterally to the ejector 20 (arrows H) while the remaining portion, i.e. a majority portion of the flow of air flowing in the duct 19, enters the converging inlet section of the conveyor 21 (arrow I).
  • the flow of air within the conveyor 21 acquires a speed which remains substantially stable up to the outlet section of the conveyor.
  • the Venturi tube 22 accelerates the flow of air output from the conveyor 21, causing an air vacuum within the mixing and atomisation chamber 23. This vacuum makes it possible to suction a certain quantity of fluid 17 from the container 3A via the supply duct 23A.
  • the vacuum created by the Venturi tube 22 in the chamber 23 therefore causes the fluid 17 suctioned from the container 3A to enter this chamber.
  • the chamber 23 becomes the location in which the fluid 17 and the flow of air output from the outlet section of the conveyor 21 are mixed.
  • the dust residues contained in the air are thus extracted in a more efficient way than in traditional filter systems, advantageously using a smaller quantity of fluid. This consequently increases the efficiency of extraction of the dust and at the same time reduces the quantity of fluid in the container 3A.
  • the vacuum cleaner 1 in accordance with the present invention, does not require such "HEPA" filters as the residual solid particles discharged by the motor/suction unit 5 are retained by the fluid 17.
  • the air discharge path 7 comprises valve means adapted to enable the one-way passage of the air discharged by the motor/suction unit 5.
  • valve means cited above is set out in European Patent Application No. 04425538.8 filed on 20 July 2004 in the name of the Applicants. The description of these valve means is understood to be included here for reference.
  • a sensor of the level of fluid present is provided within the container 3A, which sensor may be connected to a stop device, so as to discontinue the operation of the motor/suction unit 5 when the level L of fluid 17 in the container 3A exceeds or drops below a predetermined threshold.
  • the particular configuration of the diverging duct 19 in combination with the ejector 20 enables a substantial purification of dust residues from the air. This therefore provides a filtration of the solid particles using a post-motor filtering design.
  • the vacuum cleaner of the present invention is therefore particularly efficient since it does not require the use of filters entailing substantial losses of load in the suction circuit and thereby reducing the suction vacuum in the take-up section of the external duct.
EP20040425562 2004-07-26 2004-07-26 Verbesserter Haushaltsstaubsauger Expired - Fee Related EP1621126B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20040425562 EP1621126B1 (de) 2004-07-26 2004-07-26 Verbesserter Haushaltsstaubsauger
DE200460022654 DE602004022654D1 (de) 2004-07-26 2004-07-26 Verbesserter Haushaltsstaubsauger

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20040425562 EP1621126B1 (de) 2004-07-26 2004-07-26 Verbesserter Haushaltsstaubsauger

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1621126A1 true EP1621126A1 (de) 2006-02-01
EP1621126B1 EP1621126B1 (de) 2009-08-19

Family

ID=34932663

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20040425562 Expired - Fee Related EP1621126B1 (de) 2004-07-26 2004-07-26 Verbesserter Haushaltsstaubsauger

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1621126B1 (de)
DE (1) DE602004022654D1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108113571A (zh) * 2017-12-20 2018-06-05 天佑电器（苏州）有限公司 吸尘器
DE102017208968B4 (de) * 2017-05-29 2020-04-16 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Staubsauger mit abluftbetriebener Strahlpumpe

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9105213U1 (de) * 1990-05-02 1991-08-01 Alfred Kaercher Gmbh & Co, 7057 Winnenden, De
DE10060858A1 (de) * 2000-02-01 2001-08-02 Thomas Robert Metall Elektro Staubsauger mit einem Flüssigkeitsfilter
EP1256306A2 (de) * 2001-05-08 2002-11-13 Esse 85 S.R.L. Staubsauger mit Flüssigkeitsfilter
DE10237622B3 (de) * 2002-08-16 2004-02-05 Dominik Kammerer Staubsauger

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9105213U1 (de) * 1990-05-02 1991-08-01 Alfred Kaercher Gmbh & Co, 7057 Winnenden, De
DE10060858A1 (de) * 2000-02-01 2001-08-02 Thomas Robert Metall Elektro Staubsauger mit einem Flüssigkeitsfilter
EP1256306A2 (de) * 2001-05-08 2002-11-13 Esse 85 S.R.L. Staubsauger mit Flüssigkeitsfilter
DE10237622B3 (de) * 2002-08-16 2004-02-05 Dominik Kammerer Staubsauger

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102017208968B4 (de) * 2017-05-29 2020-04-16 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Staubsauger mit abluftbetriebener Strahlpumpe
CN108113571A (zh) * 2017-12-20 2018-06-05 天佑电器（苏州）有限公司 吸尘器
CN108113571B (zh) * 2017-12-20 2023-11-21 天佑电器（苏州）有限公司 吸尘器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE602004022654D1 (de) 2009-10-01
EP1621126B1 (de) 2009-08-19

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