EP2459044B1 - Suction cleaner with locking unit - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with a Staubabscheideeinheit having at least one locking unit for releasably fixing the Staubabscheideeinheit to the vacuum cleaner, a control element for operating the locking unit and at least one transmission element for transmitting a movement of the operating element to the locking unit.

Background of the invention

From the EP 1179312 A2 , which corresponds to the preamble of independent claim 1, a vacuum cleaner with a releasably fixed Staubabscheideeinheit is known, comprising a handle. To operate the handle, it must be pressed down against a spring bias to release its locking mechanism, thereby allowing the handle to move upward due to the spring bias. In its upper position can be solved by a 90 ° rotation of the handle, the locking of Staubabscheideeinheit from the housing of the vacuum cleaner.

The EP 1495710 A2 discloses a vacuum cleaner with a dust removal unit detachably attached thereto. The Staubabscheideeinheit is fixed via a catch element on the vacuum cleaner housing. The catching element comprises a grip area, which is inserted in the handle of the Staubabscheideeinheit. The grip area is naturally pressed by the user's fingertips when the user grasps the handle. When the handle portion is pressed, the catch member moves relatively upwards. The user can then remove the dust removal unit from the vacuum cleaner main body.

For example, from the German patent application DE 102004019317 a dust container for a vacuum cleaner with a handle that resets itself, thereby to draw the dust container in a pleasant manner from a cleaning body.

Next is out US 2003/0226228 a collecting container with a lid and a carrying handle of a carpet treatment device known. The U-shaped handle is rotatably mounted on the receptacle, and can fix the lid.

From the European patent application EP 1728460 For example, a device for fixing and separating a receptacle with a cyclone unit is known. The device has a bow handle and a lock / unlock part.

Next is out US 2007/0186372 a vacuum cleaner with a dust collection chamber known. In order to remove the dust collecting chamber from the body of the vacuum cleaner for emptying dust and dirt, the user must operate to unlock two spring-biased lever. As a result, the ends of the lever of two protruding projections are released, so that the dust collection chamber can be removed from the housing of the vacuum cleaner.

From the US 2004/0205928 a vacuum cleaner with a removable container is known, which is detachably connected to the upper part of the housing. Further, the container comprises a handle which is rotatably mounted on the container and can be moved between a first and a second position. A latch is disposed on the vacuum cleaner to fix the container to the upper portion of the housing when the handle is in the first position and to release the container from the upper portion of the housing when the handle is in the second position.

Next is from the German patent application DE 102004001028 a vacuum cleaner having a main body cover is known. A handle is provided on the main body cover, and hooks are formed on both sides of the handle, with corresponding grooves formed at corresponding positions on the main body of the vacuum cleaner. If the filter assembly inserted into the filter holder and the handle pressed down, the hooks will lock in the grooves.

Next is from the German patent DE 102007008915 a vacuum cleaner with a removable dust collector and a centrifugal separator known. To remove the dust collector, the centrifugal separator is movable. The centrifugal separator is held firmly by a projection which abuts an undercut of a locking element on the handle of the dust collection container, the dust collecting container in its operating position. To remove the dust collection container, a user can move the locking element against the spring force of a spring out of the region of the projection of the fly-type separator by actuating an operating button to release the fly-force separator. The flywheel separator can now be tilted into the open position.

From the German patent application DE 10336829 is a vacuum cleaner with a housing and a carrying handle known. The carrying handle, which has at least one rotary bearing, which has a first rotary bearing part and a second rotary bearing part that can rotate about a common axis of rotation relative to the first rotary bearing part, is pivotably mounted between two end positions of an operating pivot angle with respect to the housing. The rotary bearing is designed for joining or separating the first pivot bearing part of the second pivot bearing part in a lying outside the operating pivot angle mounting angle position.

The problem underlying the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved vacuum cleaner. In particular, a vacuum cleaner to be provided, the lockable Staubabscheideeinheit can be removed by simple operation of the vacuum cleaner. In particular, the Staubabscheideeinheit should be easy to handle. Next, a vacuum cleaner with a Staubabscheideeinheit be provided in which a malfunction when inserting the Staubabscheideeinheit is avoided in the vacuum cleaner.

Inventive solution

The reference numbers in all claims have no limiting effect, but are only intended to improve their readability.

The solution of the problem is achieved by a vacuum cleaner with the features of claim 1.

Vacuum cleaners are electrical energy powered devices for receiving dust, including both mains powered and battery or cordless tools. A vacuum cleaner may e.g. a motor-blower unit for generating a suction air flow, a nozzle for collecting dust, a suction air guide for guiding the suction air flow and a Staubabscheideeinheit. Under a Staubabscheideeinheit is a device to understand in which the dirt-laden suction air can be removed from the dirt. For example, a Staubabscheideeinheit have a filter with or without basket, a dust collector and / or a fly-force separator.

A Staubabscheideeinheit invention can be removed from the vacuum cleaner, for example, for emptying the accumulated dust and placed back on the vacuum cleaner. By the locking unit, a fixation of Staubabscheideeinheit is accessible to the Staubsaguer during the vacuum cleaner operation. The locking unit is advantageously brought into a locking position in which the Staubabscheideinheit by the locking unit on the Vacuum cleaner can be fixed. In order to remove the Staubabscheideeinheit the vacuum cleaner, the locking unit is advantageously brought into an unlocked position in which the fixation of Staubabscheideeinheit is solved on the vacuum cleaner.

The locking unit according to the invention is advantageously operated by the operating element, which can be brought into a storage position and in a removal position. Advantageously, the locking unit is in the operating element in the removal position in the unlocked position, so that the fixation of Staubabscheideeinheit on the vacuum cleaner is solvable, and the Staubabscheideeinheit the vacuum cleaner can be removed. If the operating element is in the storage position, the locking unit is advantageously in the locked position, so that the dust removal unit is e.g. can be fixed to the vacuum cleaner during the vacuum cleaner operation. Advantageously, the locking unit has a mechanism for locking and unlocking, which can be actuated by the operating element. The operating element is pivotally mounted. In this way, it can be achieved that the control element configured as a handle for removing the dust removal unit is swiveled out by the user, thereby releasing the fixing of the dust removal unit to the vacuum cleaner via the transfer element and the locking unit. The operating element is pivotable between the storage position, and the removal position.

By the transmission element, the operation of the vacuum cleaner can be improved, since the locking unit can be actuated independently of the operating element. The locking element can be brought in a position of the operating element, such as the storage position in locking and / or unlocking position. Advantageously, the locking unit in the control element in the storage position in locking and / or unlocking position can be brought. Advantageously, this can be achieved regardless of the position of the operating element to insert the Staubabscheideeinheit in the vacuum cleaner to achieve easy handling can. Thus, it can be avoided, for example, that the locking unit when inserting the Staubabscheideeinheit in the locked position, and blocks the insertion. As a result, an incorrect operation of the Staubabscheideeinheit by the user, which can lead to damage to the vacuum cleaner or Staubabscheideeinheit, avoidable.

It is an achievable advantage of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention, that by the transmission element, a movement of the actuating element on the locking unit for fixing or for releasing the fixation of

Staubabscheideeinheit is transferable to the vacuum cleaner. The movements of control element and locking unit may have different directions or even be different types. Thus, e.g. a rotational or translational motion are converted into a rotational or translational motion. This can prove to be an advantage since the control element can be designed independently of the locking unit.

Another achievable advantage may be the operability of the locking unit by the handle, since the handle can be used both for unlocking the locking unit and thus for releasing the fixation of Staubabscheideeinheit on the vacuum cleaner and for removing or carrying the Staubabscheideeinheit. Advantageously, a carrying function and / or a release / locking function of the Staubabscheideeinheit on the vacuum cleaner can be reached by the handle. As a result, an easy operation of the vacuum cleaner can be achieved because the user can unlock and remove the Staubabscheideeinheit when gripping the handle. This may prove to be a particular advantage, since the user would intuitively operate the handle anyway to remove the Staubabscheideeinheit. Advantageously, therefore, the user does not have to worry about unlocking the Staubabscheideeinheit.

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.

Advantageously, the user can remove the Staubabscheideeinheit on the operating element, which is in the removal position of the vacuum cleaner.

In a further preferred embodiment, the Staubabscheideeinheit has a recess for receiving the operating element. Particularly preferably, the operating element is arranged in the storage position in the receptacle. This makes it achievable that the operating element is arranged in the recess during operation of the vacuum cleaner, that is, when the dust separation unit is inserted, and does not protrude from the vacuum cleaner. Advantageously, this can prevent damage to the operating element during operation of the vacuum cleaner. Next, a shapely design of the vacuum cleaner can be achieved.

The invention further development is preferably provided that the transmission element is designed as a transmission. Through a transmission a movement, e.g. a rotational movement or a translation movement, be converted into another movement. Usually this movable parts are connected together. However, besides mechanical devices, transmissions may also be based on hydraulic, pneumatic or electromagnetic principles. Advantageously, a movement of the operating element can be transmitted to the locking unit by the transmission. Thus, e.g. the pivoting of the operating element, which corresponds to a rotation, be converted into a translation for fixing the Staubabscheideeinheit to the vacuum cleaner.

In one embodiment of the invention, the transmission element is designed as a wedge gear. Advantageously, a simple and / or easy to manufacture transmission element can be achieved by a wedge gear. Advantageously, the wedge gear is mechanically robust executable, whereby a long service life of the transmission element can be achieved.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the operating element has a driving element which engages in the wedge gear. Particularly preferably, the driving element is located on a driving surface of the wedge gear. As a result, a transmission of the movement of the operating element via the wedge gear on the locking unit can be achieved. Advantageously, the entrainment is so on a surface of the wedge gear, that the locking unit, even when operating in storage position, eg when folded handle, regardless of the control element in the locking and / or unlocking position is movable. Advantageously, this achieves that the user can use the Staubabscheideeinheit regardless of the position of the control element in the vacuum cleaner.

According to the invention, it is preferably provided that the locking unit has an elastically deformable element. The elastically deformable element may e.g. be designed as a spring. This makes it possible to achieve that the locking unit can be brought into a specific position by the elastically deformable element. Advantageously, the locking element can be brought by the elastically deformable element in the locking position in which it fixes the Staubabscheideeinheit to the vacuum cleaner. Advantageously, the locking unit when inserting the Staubabscheideeinheit are brought into the vacuum cleaner against the force exerted by the elastically deformable element force from the locking position to the unlocked position to be brought back into the assembled position of Staubabscheideeinheit by the elastically deformable element in the locked position can. Advantageously, the deflection of the locking unit takes place during insertion through a component of the vacuum cleaner.

The invention further development is preferably provided that the Staubabscheideeinheit has two locking units, which are arranged on opposite sides of the Staubabscheideeinheit. Advantageously, at least two locking units are thereby symmetrically arranged on the Staubabscheideeinheit. As a result, a uniform fixation of Staubabscheideeinheit to the vacuum cleaner and thus a mechanically stable storage of Staubabscheideeinheit in the vacuum cleaner.

In a further preferred embodiment, the locking unit has at least one fixing element for fixing the Staubabscheideeinheit on the vacuum cleaner. Particularly preferably, the fixing element is designed as a bolt. According to the invention, however, other embodiments of the fixing are conceivable. Particularly preferably, at least a part of the fixing element projects into a corresponding part on the vacuum cleaner. Particularly preferably, the fixing element for fixing the Staubabscheideeinheit protrudes on the vacuum cleaner in a corresponding opening on the vacuum cleaner. Advantageously, a mechanically stable fixation of Staubabscheideeinheit to the vacuum cleaner can be achieved by the fixing.

A preferred fixing element is movably mounted. Particularly preferably, the Staubabscheideeinheit can be fixed to the vacuum cleaner by a translational movement of the fixing. Advantageously, a translationally mounted fixing element is particularly easy to implement. However, embodiments of the invention are also conceivable in which the fixing element, e.g. rotatably mounted, which can be carried out mechanically very stable.

In a further preferred embodiment, the fixing element has a sliding surface on one side. The sliding surface may e.g. be realized as a bevel. By the sliding surface is reached that insertion of Staubabscheideeinheit without actuation of the control element is possible. Advantageously, by the sliding surface when inserting the Staubabscheideeinheit in the vacuum cleaner, a displacement of the fixing element, e.g. a pushing back, reachable. The sliding surface is arranged on the fixing element, that counteracts the elastically deformable element of the displacement of the fixing element when inserting the Staubabscheideeinheit in the vacuum cleaner, and thereby a snapping when inserting the Staubabscheideeinheit can be made possible.

The invention further development is preferably provided that the fixing element has the sliding surface on the vacuum cleaner during an insertion process facing side. In this way, it can be achieved that the fixing element is pushed back when inserting the Staubabscheideeinheit to finally lock after the insertion process and to fix the Staubabscheideeinheit. Advantageously, the sliding surface comes into contact with the vacuum cleaner during insertion, whereby the fixing element can be pushed back.

The present invention makes it possible with simple constructive and cost-effective means to provide a vacuum cleaner whose Staubabscheideeinheit is securely fixed to the vacuum cleaner during the vacuum cleaner operation and can be removed by simple operation of the vacuum cleaner. In particular, the actuating element for releasing the fixation can also be used as a handle for transporting the Staubabscheideeinheit, whereby easy handling can be achieved. Next, the Staubabscheideeinheit be used regardless of the position of the handle in the vacuum cleaner, which errors can be avoided.

Brief description of the drawings

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

Fig. 1

einen Staubsauger mit Staubkammer zur Aufnahme einer Staubsammeleinheit;

Fig. 2

eine Staubabscheideeinheit eines Staubsaugers gemäß Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Schnittansicht;

Fig.3

ein Detail der Staubabscheideeinheit gemäß Detail A aus Fig. 2 in einer perspektivischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 4

eine Staubabscheideeinheit gemäß Fig. 2 und 3 in einer Aufsicht;

Fig. 5

eine Staubabscheideeinheit eines Staubsaugers gemäß Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Schnittansicht;

Fig. 6

ein Detail der Staubabscheideeinheit gemäß Detail B aus Fig. 5 in einer perspektivischen Schnittansicht; und schließlich

Fig. 7

eine Staubabscheideeinheit gemäß Fig. 5 und 6 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung.

They show schematically:

Fig. 1

a vacuum cleaner with a dust chamber for receiving a dust collecting unit;

Fig. 2

a Staubabscheideeinheit a vacuum cleaner according to Fig. 1 in a perspective sectional view;

Figure 3

a detail of Staubabscheideeinheit according to detail A from Fig. 2 in a perspective sectional view;

Fig. 4

a Staubabscheideeinheit according to Fig. 2 and 3 in a supervision;

Fig. 5

a Staubabscheideeinheit a vacuum cleaner according to Fig. 1 in a perspective sectional view;

Fig. 6

a detail of Staubabscheideeinheit according to detail B from Fig. 5 in a perspective sectional view; and finally

Fig. 7

a Staubabscheideeinheit according to Fig. 5 and 6 in a perspective view.

Detailed description based on an embodiment

In the following description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, like reference characters designate like or similar components.

The embodiment will be described below with reference to the Fig. 1 to 7 explained. In Fig. 1 illustrated is a vacuum cleaner 10 with a motor-blower unit 11 for generating a suction air flow. The vacuum cleaner 10 has an in Fig. 1 for reasons of illustration not shown Staubabscheideeinheit 20 and a dust chamber 12 for receiving the Staubabscheideeinheit 20 on. Fig. 2 shows the Staubabscheideeinheit 20 of the vacuum cleaner 10 according to Fig. 1 in a perspective sectional view. In Fig. 3 shown is a detail of Staubabscheideeinheit 20 after detail A from Fig. 2 in a perspective sectional view. Fig. 4 shows the Staubabscheideeinheit after Fig. 2 and 3 in a supervision. In Fig. 5 the Staubabscheideeinheit 20 of the vacuum cleaner 10 is shown in a perspective sectional view. Fig. 6 shows a detail of Staubabscheideeinheit 20 after detail B from Fig. 5 in a perspective sectional view. Fig. 7 shows the Staubabscheideeinheit 20 according to Fig. 5 and 6 in a perspective view.

The Staubabscheideeinheit 20 has two locking units 40 which are arranged on opposite sides of the Staubabscheideeinheit 20. The locking units 40 are used for releasably fixing the Staubabscheideeinheit 20 to the vacuum cleaner 10. To operate the locking units 40, the Staubabscheideeinheit 20 on a control element 21, which is designed as a handle for removing the Staubabscheideeinheit 20. By the operating element 21, the user can remove the Staubabscheideeinheit 20 from the vacuum cleaner 10. The control element 21 is pivotally mounted and can be pivoted between a storage position and a removal position. The storage position of the operating element 21 is in this case in the Fig. 2 to 4 shown. The removal position of the operating element 21 is in the Fig. 5 to 7 shown. The Staubabscheideeinheit 20 has a recess 22 for receiving the operating element 21 in the storage position. In the folded state of the operating element 21, that is in the storage position, the operating element 21 is located in the recess 22, whereby no disturbing parts protrude to the vacuum cleaner and thus a shapely design of the vacuum cleaner is achieved.

For transmitting the pivoting movement of the operating element 21 to the two locking units 40, the Staubabscheideeinheit 20 has two transmission elements 30. By the transfer elements 30, the locking units are actuated during pivoting of the operating element 21 from the storage position to the removal position, so that the fixation of Staubabscheideeinheit 20 are released to the vacuum cleaner 10 by the locking units 40, and the Staubabscheideeinheit 20 taken on the control element 21 from the vacuum cleaner 10 can be.

The transmission element 30 is designed as a wedge gear, so as a transmission. The wedge gear is easy to manufacture and is characterized by a special robustness. The operating element 21 has at both ends a driving element 31, which engages in the wedge gear, and abuts a driving surface 32 of the transmission element 30.

The locking unit 40 has a fixing element 42 for fixing the Staubabscheideeinheit 20 on the vacuum cleaner 10. For this purpose, the fixing element 42 engages in the locked position of the locking unit 40 in a corresponding opening 43 of the vacuum cleaner 10. The fixing element 42 is movably mounted, whereby it is in the positions as in Fig. 3 and 5 , which correspond to the locking or unlocking position of the locking unit, can be shown. The locking unit 40 has an elastically deformable element 41, through which the fixing element 42 in the locking position as in Fig. 3 is brought. The fixing element 42 is automatically brought into the locking position by the elastically deformable element 41. The fixing member 42 has a sliding surface 44 on the vacuum cleaner 10 during an insertion facing side. When folded control element 21, which is thus in the storage position, the fixing element 42 of the locking unit 40 is pressed by placing the sliding surface 44 to the edge of an opening 43 of the vacuum cleaner 10 in the locking unit 40 when inserting the Staubabscheideeinheit 20 in the vacuum cleaner 10. Once the Staubabscheideeinheit 20 is fully inserted into the vacuum cleaner, snaps the locking unit 40 by the fixing element 42 is brought by the elastically deformable element 41 in the opening 43 of the vacuum cleaner 10, and thus in the locking position.

The present invention makes it possible with simple constructive and cost-effective means to provide a vacuum cleaner whose Staubabscheideeinheit is securely fixed to the vacuum cleaner during the vacuum cleaner operation and can be removed by simple operation of the vacuum cleaner. In particular, the actuating element for releasing the fixation can also be used as a handle for transporting the Staubabscheideeinheit, whereby easy handling can be achieved. Further, the Staubabscheideeinheit be used regardless of the position of the handle in the vacuum cleaner, which incorrect operation can be avoided.

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

10 vacuum cleaner 11 Motor-fan unit 12 dust chamber 20 Staubabscheideeinheit 21 operating element 22 recess 30 transmission element 31 driving element 32 drive surface 40 locking unit 41 elastically deformable element 42 fixing 43 opening 44 sliding surface

Claims (11)

1. Vacuum cleaner (10) with a dust separating unit (20), which comprises at least one locking unit (40) for releasable fixing of the dust separating unit (20) at the vacuum cleaner (10), an operating element (21) for operating the locking unit (40) and at least one transmission element (30) for transmission of a movement of the operating element (21) to the locking unit (40), wherein the operating element (21) is constructed as a handle for removal of the dust separating unit (20), characterised in that the operating element (21) is mounted to be pivotable between a storage setting and its removal setting.
2. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the dust separating unit (20) comprises a cut-out (22) for receiving the operating element (21).
3. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the transmission element (30) is constructed as gear means.
4. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmission element (30) is constructed as wedge gear means.
5. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to claim 3, characterised in that the operating element (21) comprises an entraining element (31), which engages in the wedge gear means.
6. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking unit (40) comprises a resiliently deformable element (41).
7. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dust separating unit (20) comprises two locking units (40) arranged on opposite sides of the dust separating unit (20).
8. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking unit (40) comprises a fixing element (42) for fixing the dust separating unit (20) at the vacuum cleaner (10).
9. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to claim 8, characterised in that the fixing element (42) is mounted to be movable.
10. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to claim 9, characterised in that the fixing element (42) has a slide surface (44) on one side.
11. Vacuum cleaner (10) according to claim 10, characterised in that the fixing element (42) has the slide surface (44) on the side facing the vacuum cleaner (10) during a use process.

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