EP2201878A2 - Vacuum cleaner with a centrifugal separator - Google Patents

Abstract

The cleaner has a centrifugal separator with an air inlet channel (3), which is connected with a suction air guide for dust-loaded suction air. An air outlet (6) is connected with a separating chamber via an immersion pipe (7). The separator includes an air guiding unit (8) with a surface (9), which is produced by a continuous twist (10) of a spatial curve e.g. convex curve, around an axis of the separator. The air guiding unit includes a continuous, progressive or declining inclination in a direction of the twist.

Description

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having a centrifugal separator having an air inlet passage connected to a suction air guide for dust-laden suction air, a separation space and an air outlet communicating with the separation space via a dip tube and discharging the purified air to the environment. wherein the air inlet duct opens into the centrifugal separator.

State of the art

Such vacuum cleaners are known from the prior art. Components of such a vacuum cleaner are essentially one or more nozzles for receiving the dust, a suction pipe, which is designed depending on the structure of the vacuum cleaner as a floor, hand or upright vacuum cleaner shorter or longer or rigid or telescopic, a connector which connecting the suction tube with a flexible suction hose, one or more dust container, which may be part of or the centrifugal or is designed as a separate dust collector, a vacuum chamber through which the air is sucked by a motor-blower unit, and given if a fine dust filter for final cleaning of the escaping air.

From the prior art, for example, the DE 10 2005 056 922 A1 known, which describes a centrifugal separator with an axial air inlet and the air inlet has a helical Luftumlenkeinheit. A disadvantage of such an arrangement may be that by the axial air inlet of the air flow must first be deflected by about 90 degrees and thus undergoes a strong braking.

Next is on the WO 00/74547 A1 which shows a Cyclonabscheider with a tangential air inlet. A disadvantage of such an arrangement may be such. B. off Fig. 2 This document shows that the incoming air with the through the Cylinder shape collapsed in rotation collided air after one revolution. This results in a strong turbulence and deceleration of the air flow.

The problem underlying the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a vacuum cleaner with an improved centrifugal separator, which avoids turbulence in the inlet region, as well as an increased volume flow provides while reducing the noise.

Inventive solution

The solution of the object is achieved by a floor care device having the features of claim 1.

The vacuum cleaner according to the invention with a centrifugal separator is achieved by a centrifugal separator comprising an air guide means, wherein the air guide means is an area which is generated by continuous screwing of a space curve about the axis of the centrifugal separator. Both cyclone and cyclone separators are to be regarded as centrifugal separators, centrifugal forces acting on the particles in the centrifugal force separator and accelerating them radially outward. In other words, in a centrifugal separator, the rotationally displaced air separates the dust into the dust collecting area of the separation space by means of centrifugal forces, or the dust is ejected through a dust outlet into a separate dust collecting tank arranged separately from the separation space. An air outlet, which communicates via a dip tube with the separation chamber leads the cleaned air to another downstream filter unit or to the environment. Centrifugal separators can be both an integral part of the vacuum cleaner, or be used as a separate unit in a plenum. At least the dust collector can be removed from the vacuum cleaner. Such centrifugal separators are used in particular in so-called bagless vacuum cleaners. As air guidance means those devices are to be considered, which divert the incoming air from its original flow direction in another flow direction. With a steady screwing of a space curve around a fixed direction becomes The air inlet is advantageously tangential to an air flow in the centrifugal separator and the air guide means deflect the incoming air into a perpendicular to the air inlet protruding helical line. The air is thereby converted with largely avoiding turbulence at the entry point and with the lowest possible resistance in a preferably spiral-shaped rotational movement. This ensures that the incoming air and the rotating air are located at the entry point in spaced-apart planes and flow largely unaffected by each other, or almost without mutual collision.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims. The reference numerals in the claims have no limiting effect but are merely intended to improve their readability.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air guide means extends by a maximum of one revolution about the axis of the centrifugal separator. Advantageously, the air guiding means can guide the air for a maximum of one revolution about the radial axis and thereby unfold the air flow with the dust particles without a limiting channel formation. A limiting channel may be disadvantageous in that as large, heavy particles only half a revolution, small, light particles, however, require around three revolutions to reach the ejection into the dust collector. With an air guide means, which extends a maximum of one revolution, it can be achieved that act on the different particles their own radial and axial accelerations after a maximum of one revolution and are not decelerated at radially ersteckenden air guide means.

Appropriately, the air guide means has a steady, progressive or degressive slope in the direction of the screw. With a steady slope, the helix has a constant pitch, with a progressive pitch, the pitch of the helix increases, with a degressive pitch, the pitch of the helix decreases. Advantageously, a steady pitch of the helix accelerates the dust particles evenly, with contact of the particles with the air-guiding means is largely avoided. A progressive slope, in particular, ejects the particles into the separation space at the end of the slope and advantageously avoids a collision with the inflowing particles. A degressive pitch can be used advantageously in small centrifugal separators to achieve small heights.

Conveniently, the space curve is a straight line, a convex or a concave curve. Under a convex curve is an outwardly, ie curved into the separation chamber, under a concave curve is to be understood inwardly, ie curved away from the discharge side shape. The term curve includes symmetric as well as subsections of symmetric and asymmetric geometries. Advantageously, a straight line can be converted into a tool shape with simple means. Curves may have the advantage that at the radial transitions from the air guide means to the inner boundary walls of the centrifugal separator radii are present, which advantageously avoid areas with turbulence and dust deposits. Particularly advantageous is a concave curve in the form of a groove or trough, since on the one hand at the edges of a soft transition to the inner walls of the centrifugal separator takes place avoids the vortex formation. On the other hand, non-separated particles are collected in the gutter when switching off the vacuum cleaner and carried on renewed activation of the vacuum cleaner by the high air flow in the middle again.

Advantageously, the space curve is inclined at an angle between 45 and 135 degrees to the axis of the screwing and, in a particular embodiment, is oriented perpendicular to the axis of the screwing. The angle is between the axis of the centrifugal separator, which extends from the air inlet to the dust discharge, and the space curve. At an angle of 45 degrees, the surface of the air guiding means points towards the air inlet, at an angle of 135 degrees it shows the surface of the air guiding means in the direction of the dust ejection. At an angle of 90 degrees, the surface is perpendicular to the centrifugal separator. An inclined into the center of the centrifugal separator air guide surface, that is at an angle greater than 90 degrees, can advantageously support the centrifugal force acting on the particle to the effect that during the radial movement to the outside an additional axial movement component is generated in the direction of the dust ejection out. An inclined away from the center of the centrifugal separator air ducting means, so under standing at an angle less than 90 degrees, advantageously particles that have come to rest on the air guide means, due to Hangabtriebskräften again easily reach the outside and occupy a position which are maximally removed from the center of the centrifugal separator. At this outer position prevails the greatest flow velocity and the particles can be entrained again and transported into the separation chamber. A space axis projecting perpendicularly from the axis of the centrifugal separator can advantageously combine the properties of a tilted or rising air guiding means and achieves the best measuring results for an average dust.

Preferably, the air guide means has an axial extent with a length between about two thirds of the maximum height of the air inlet channel and the maximum height of the air inlet channel. An axial extension is directed in the direction of the axis of the centrifugal separator. The term height is the extent defined in the axial direction. By such an arrangement can be achieved in an advantageous manner that the air flowing into the centrifugal separator air can occur almost collision-free, since the rotating air in the centrifugal separator already hinschraubt above the air inlet duct. As a result, unnecessary deceleration and turbulence in the different air streams are advantageously avoided. The unrestrained air flows are advantageously suitable for accelerating the dust particles effectively in the separation chamber and for discharging them safely to the dust discharge.

The invention further development is preferably provided that the air guide means formed integrally with the centrifugal separator or constitutes a separate component of the centrifugal separator. Advantageously, a one-piece design of the air guide means together with the inner wall of the centrifugal separator allow a simple tool design and easy assembly assembly. With a separate component design of the air guiding means advantageously more complex geometries can be displayed. Next z. B. wear-resistant or differently colored materials are used.

Alternatively, the air guide means is arranged on a removable or movable housing part of the centrifugal separator. Advantageously, for this purpose, the air guide means on a removable or movable housing part of Centrifugal separator be arranged. As a result, sources of interference in the centrifugal separator, z. B. by clamping crown cork, made easily accessible and eliminated. Further developing the invention, the housing part is at the same time an opening for emptying the dust.

According to the invention, the air guidance means preferably extends in the radial direction away from the axis of the centrifugal separator to the inner wall of the centrifugal separator. Advantageously, it can be achieved that the particles over the full available width, ie in the radial direction, are detected by the air guide means, accelerated to the outside and experienced a spiral or screw movement.

Alternatively, the air guide means extends in the radial direction away from the axis of the centrifugal separator and has a distance to the inner wall. Small light particles take more turns to reach the ejection window than large, heavy particles. By virtue of the fact that the air-guiding means are advantageously at a distance from the inner wall, the accelerations caused by the screwing movement of the air, in particular, can act on their own radial centrifugal forces, as well as on their axial forces. This effect results from the short residence time of the particles in the area of the air duct. Particularly small particles can thereby experience a safe acceleration. Furthermore, advantageously no particles can settle between the air guide means and the inner wall of the centrifugal separator as a result of the full-surface air flow on the inner wall, so that a hygienic impression persists especially in transparent versions after prolonged operation.

Preferably, the pitch of the air guiding means begins in the air intake passage. As a result, particularly flat slopes can be achieved, which produce a particularly advantageous low air resistance. In addition, can be achieved with such a configuration particularly advantageous low and compact centrifugal force.

The air guiding means preferably starts at a boundary surface of the centrifugal separator lying opposite an ejection. Advantageously, the inflowing air flow can be immediately offset in a spiral or screw movement.

In addition, this can advantageously realize small compact centrifugal separator.

Preferably, the air guide means ends at the end of a slope with a flat plateau. Preferably, air flowing in from the air inlet channel can thereby be prevented from the rotating spiral or screw movement.

The air guide means is arranged in an advantageous manner with respect to an oblique ejection surface. Advantageously, turbulences in the region of the air outlet can thereby be avoided. By an oblique ejection surface is meant a plane which is not oriented orthogonally to the axis of the centrifugal separator.

Expediently, at least the air inlet channel preferably opens tangentially into the separation chamber. Advantageously, the air inlet is tangential to an air flow in the centrifugal separator and the air guide means deflect the incoming air into a helix perpendicular to the air inlet. The air is thereby converted with largely avoiding turbulence at the entry point and with the lowest possible resistance in a preferably helical or spiral rotational movement.

The present invention facilitates with simple and constructive means the realization of a centrifugal separator in which especially a noise reduction and an increased volume flow can be achieved. Furthermore, a higher overall efficiency and an increase in efficiency is achieved.

Brief description of the drawings

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

Fig. 1

einen Staubsauger mit seinen Komponenten;

Fig. 2

einen Fliehkraftabscheider mit einem Abscheideraum;

Fig. 3

einen Fliehkraftabscheider im Schnitt gem. Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

ein Luftführungsmittel in einem Fliehkraftabscheider in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;

Fig. 5

einen Vollschnitt durch einen Fliehkraftabscheider gem. Fig. 2;

Fig. 6

einen Fliehkraftabscheider mit einem Luftführungsmittel;

Fig. 7

eine Frequenzanalyse eines Fliehkraftabscheiders ohne einem Luftführungsmittel; und

Fig. 8

eine Frequenzanalyse eines Fliehkraftabscheiders mit einem Luftführungsmittel.

They show schematically:

Fig. 1

a vacuum cleaner with its components;

Fig. 2

a centrifugal separator with a separation chamber;

Fig. 3

a centrifugal separator in section gem. Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

an air guide means in a centrifugal separator in a perspective view;

Fig. 5

a full section through a centrifugal separator gem. Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 6

a centrifugal separator with an air guide means;

Fig. 7

a frequency analysis of a centrifugal separator without an air guide means; and

Fig. 8

a frequency analysis of a centrifugal separator with an air guide means.

Detailed description based on an embodiment

In the FIG. 1 an inventive vacuum cleaner 1 is shown, is sucked in the dust-laden air via a floor nozzle and a Saugluftführung 4, consisting of a length-adjustable suction pipe, a connector to a flexible suction hose into the interior of a housing of the vacuum cleaner 1. To separate the dust from the dust-laden air of the vacuum cleaner 1 is equipped with a centrifugal separator 2, in the FIGS. 2 to 6 is shown in detail.

The centrifugal separator 2 has a tubular air inlet duct 3, which adjoins the suction air duct 4 of the vacuum cleaner 1 in such a way that the air from the suction air duct 4 flows through it tangentially into the centrifugal separator 2. From there, the air passes into a substantially cylindrical separation chamber 5, in which, similar to a centrifuge according to the principle of centrifugal force, the dust from the air is deposited. An air outlet 6 of the centrifugal separator 2 is connected via a dip tube 7 with the separation chamber 5.

As in particular in the FIGS. 3 to 6 clearly recognizable, an air guide means 8 in the form of a surface 9 is provided starting from the lower boundary surface 23 of the separation chamber 5, which results from continuous screwing 10 of a radius 14 of a longitudinal axis 11 of the separation chamber 4 about this longitudinal axis 11. The air guiding means 8 is formed in one piece with a designed as a pivotable lid housing part 19 of the centrifugal separator 2. The lid can be opened to clean the separation chamber 4. At the same time, the lid also covers a collecting chamber, not shown, of the centrifugal separator 2, which can be emptied when the lid is opened. By the air guide means 8 incoming air is directed to a helical, about the longitudinal axis 11 of the separation chamber 5 extending and along the longitudinal axis 11 directed away from the air inlet duct 3 path.

Specifically, the threaded surface 9 of the air guide means begins from the mouth of the air inlet duct 3 in the direction of the screw 10 after about 2/3 of a full turn 12 about the longitudinal axis 11 of the centrifugal separator 2. The threaded surface 9 of the air duct 8 ends 24 after about 1 / 3 of a full turn 12 at the screw 10 facing edge of the mouth of the air inlet channel 3 and there has an axial extent 17 which corresponds approximately to the height of the mouth of the inlet channel 3. This can ensure that the deflected air does not collide with newly air flowing through the air inlet duct 3 and thereby undesirable turbulence. From the straight edge formed by the end 24 of the surface 9 of the air guiding means 8 extends radially, i. parallel to a radius of the longitudinal axis 11 of the separation chamber 5, from the dip tube 7 to a cylinder wall 20 of the separation chamber 5 a vertical, i. This flat cover 15 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 11 to the lower boundary surface 23. This prevents that incoming dust-laden air can get below the surface 9 of the air guide means 8 and there accumulates dust. Also, unwanted turbulence can be avoided in this area.

The surface 9 of the air guiding means 8 has a linear slope. The surface 9 extends in the radial direction of the separation chamber 5 from the central dip tube 7 up to the wall 20 of the cylindrical separation chamber 5. Thus, the entire air flow and all dust particles contained therein can be detected by the air guide means 8 and directed to a helical path.

The centrifugal separator 2 operates as follows: Air flowing in through the air inlet duct 3 is directed onto the helical path by the air guiding means 8 and flows on this path in the direction of an obliquely arranged ejection surface 16 and an ejection 22 of the separating chamber 5 of the centrifugal separator 2 Centrifugal forces collects while the dust on the wall 20 of the separation chamber and moves there on a spiral path in the direction of ejection 22, through which he leaves the separation chamber 4 and enters the collection chamber. The air, however, undergoes a deflection at the level of the ejection 22 of the separation chamber 4 and leaves the separation chamber 4 through the dip tube 7 and the outlet 6 in the direction of the blower of the vacuum cleaner. 1

The air guiding means 8 according to this invention not only improves the dust separation but also reduces the noise generated by the centrifugal separator 2. This may be the comparison of FIGS. 7 and 8 are taken, in each of which the sound power of a centrifugal separator 2 is indicated as a function of frequency. It shows FIG. 7 the sound power of a centrifugal separator 2 without air guide means 8 and FIG. 8 However, it shows that a significant improvement can be achieved, especially in the case of the particularly unpleasant middle frequencies.

The present invention facilitates with simple and constructive means the realization of a centrifugal separator 2 in which particularly a noise reduction and an increased volume flow are achieved. Furthermore, a higher overall efficiency and an increase in efficiency is achieved.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings may be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vacuum cleaner

2

cyclone

3

Air inlet duct

4

suction air

5

separating chamber

6

air outlet

7

dip tube

8th

Air guide means

9

area

10

schraubung

11

axis

12

revolution

13

pitch

14

radius

15

cover

16

ejector blade

17

extension

19

housing part

20

wall

21

distance

22

ejection

23

boundary surface

24

The End

Claims (15)

A vacuum cleaner (1) having a centrifugal separator (2) having an air inlet duct (3) connected to a suction air guide (4) for dust-laden suction air, a separation chamber (5) and an air outlet (6) connected via a dip tube (7 ) is in communication with the separation chamber (5), wherein the air inlet duct (3) opens into the centrifugal separator (2) characterized in that the centrifugal separator (2) comprises an air guiding means (8), wherein the air guiding means (8) has a surface (9 ), which is generated by continuous screwing (10) of a space curve about the axis (11) of the centrifugal separator (2). Vacuum cleaner (1) with a centrifugal separator (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air guiding means (8) extends around a maximum of one revolution (12) about the axis (11) of the centrifugal separator (2). Vacuum cleaner (1) with a centrifugal separator (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the air guide means (8) has a continuous, progressive or degressive pitch (13) in the direction of the screw (10). Vacuum cleaner (1) with a centrifugal separator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the space curve is a straight line or a convex or a concave curve. Vacuum cleaner (1) with a centrifugal separator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the space curve is inclined at an angle between 45 and 135 degrees to the axis (11) of the screw (10) and in a particular embodiment perpendicular to the axis (11) of the screw (10) is aligned. Vacuum cleaner (1) with a centrifugal separator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guiding means (8) has an axial extension (17) with a length between about two-thirds of the maximum height of the air inlet duct (3) and the maximum height the air inlet duct (3) identifies. Vacuum cleaner (1) with a centrifugal separator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guiding means (8) is formed integrally with the centrifugal separator (2) or constitutes a separate component of the centrifugal separator (2). Vacuum cleaner (1) with a centrifugal separator (2) according to claim 1 to 6, characterized in that the air guiding means (8) on a removable or movable housing part (19) of the centrifugal separator (2) is arranged. Vacuum cleaner (1) having a centrifugal separator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guiding means (8) extend in the radial direction from the axis (11) of the centrifugal separator (2) to the inner wall (20) of the centrifugal separator Centrifugal separator (2) extends. Vacuum cleaner (1) with a centrifugal separator (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the air guiding means (8) extends in the radial direction away from the axis (11) of the centrifugal separator (2) and towards the inner wall (2). 20) has a distance (21). Vacuum cleaner (1) with a centrifugal separator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a slope (13) of the air guide means (8) in the air inlet duct (3) begins. Vacuum cleaner (1) with a centrifugal separator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guiding means (3) begins at a boundary surface (23) of the centrifugal separator (2) lying opposite an ejection (22). Vacuum cleaner (1) with a centrifugal separator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guide means (8) at the end (24) of a slope (13) ends with a flat plateau. Vacuum cleaner (1) with a centrifugal separator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guide means (3) opposite an oblique ejection surface (16) is arranged. Vacuum cleaner (1) with a centrifugal separator (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air inlet channel (3) preferably opens tangentially into the separation chamber (5).

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