EP2701569A1

EP2701569A1 - Vacuum cleaner comprising a water filter and a cyclone unit

Info

Publication number: EP2701569A1
Application number: EP12716446.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gokmen Fedai; Yekta Ural; Huseyin Turk; Ramazan GUNDUZ; Murat Kani TIBET
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2011-04-25
Filing date: 2012-04-25
Publication date: 2014-03-05
Also published as: TR201104001A1; WO2012146616A1

Abstract

Vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a body (2); a motor (3) disposed inside the body (2); a cleaning head (4) that is in contact with a surface to be cleaned; a transfer conduit (5) that is connected to the body (2) from one end and to the cleaning head (4) from the other end, sucking the dust particles on the surface to be cleaned into the body (2) by transferring the suction force created by the motor (3) to the cleaning head (4); a reservoir (6) disposed inside the body (2), into which liquid is filled; an inlet port (7) delivering the dirty air received in the body (2) via the transfer conduit (5) into the reservoir (6); and a cyclone unit (8) in a frustoconical form, disposed inside the reservoir (6) and extending along the reservoir (6) so as to be spaced apart from the reservoir (6), wherein the water entering into the cyclone unit (8) is prevented from being collected in the cyclone unit (8).

Description

[Title established by the ISA under Rule 37.2] VACUUM CLEANER COMPRISING A WATER FILTER AND A CYCLONE UNIT

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner wherein filtering is performed by means of liquid and cyclone.
Vacuum cleaners provide to suck and collect the dirt like dust and particles in living spaces. As well as vacuum cleaner implementations wherein the sucked dirt particles are collected in filters, cubicles or bags, nowadays, mostly dust separating methods by passing through water filled reservoirs and cyclonic motion are used. When dirty air is passed through the water filled reservoir, the bigger particles in the air are trapped by water. In the cyclone method, a cyclone movement is formed inside the reservoir by means of a motor and the dusts in the air are separated by the gravity effect and collected at the base of the reservoir.
Nowadays, passing through water and cyclonic methods are used together for a more effective separation of dust. The dirty air, after passing through water and separated from the bigger particles, enters the cyclone unit and the smaller particles are separated. With this method, as the vacuum cleaner is moved by the user, the liquid inside the reservoir seeps into the motor, shortens the life of the motor and lowers its performance.
In the state of the art United States Patent Application No. US5030257A, a vacuum cleaner is described wherein passing through a liquid and creating cyclone methods are used together. In this embodiment, holes are provided around the cyclone unit that provide the dirty air and water coming from the water source to enter inside.
In the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO2007017821A, a vacuum cleaner is described comprising cyclone units that are partially filled with water. In this embodiment, homogeneously distributed holes are situated on the cyclone unit and entry/exit of water and air are provided from the same holes.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a vacuum cleaner wherein water leakage out of the reservoir, where the filtering process is performed, is prevented.
The vacuum cleaner realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention and explicated in the attached claims, comprises a reservoir wherein liquid is filled, a funnel-shaped cyclone unit disposed inside the reservoir so that a gap remains therebetween and at least one discharge unit situated on the cyclone unit that provides the liquid entering the cyclone unit to return to the reservoir.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the discharge unit comprises a discharge hole situated on the side wall of the cyclone unit and a discharge pipe, one end connected to the discharge hole so as to entirely close the discharge hole and the other end facing the base of the reservoir. The discharge pipe provides the liquid accumulated in the cyclone unit to be discharged between the reservoir and the cyclone unit.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the discharge unit comprises a barrier at the free end of the discharge pipe facing the base of the reservoir, that prevents liquid from passing from the reservoir towards the cyclone unit. In this embodiment, the barrier does not entirely close the end of the discharge pipe. A preferably circular cavity exists at the portion of the barrier that almost coincides with its center. Thus, one way liquid passage is provided between the cyclone unit and the reservoir.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the discharge unit is situated at a region near the end of the inclined portion of the frustoconical cyclone unit
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cyclone unit comprises at least one cyclone inlet, situated at a part near its upper end, that provides the air rising by coming out of water to be received into the cyclone unit. The cyclone unit furthermore comprises a support member that extends from the cyclone unit towards the inner wall of the reservoir. In this embodiment, at least one passage hole is situated on the support member, extending along the support member, providing the flow of air rising in the reservoir and proceeding towards the cyclone unit.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a guidance member that provides the dirty air received from the inlet port to enter into the reservoir from a lower level. One end of the guidance member overlaps with the inlet port and the other end opens into the liquid in the reservoir.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a protrusion is situated on the base of the reservoir whereon the cyclone unit is disposed. In this embodiment, the protrusion, that is preferably in truncated cone shape, is situated right at the center of the reservoir and extends upwards from the base of the reservoir.
In another embodiment of the present invention, an extension is disposed on the protrusion, extending from the base towards the interior of the reservoir and that provides the dust particles falling towards the base resulting from the cyclone motion to be first directed onto the protrusion then to the base of the reservoir from there gradually. In this embodiment, the extension is preferably shaped conically.
In another embodiment of the present invention, in the vacuum cleaner a first cover is provided that covers over the reservoir and the cyclone unit. In this embodiment, the first cover comprises a propeller that provides the air in the cyclone unit to be expelled out.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a protecting means is disposed at the lower portion of the propeller. The protecting means both protects the connection elements of the propeller and also prevents exit of liquid from the reservoir.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a second cover placed on the first cover so that the portion where air discharged from the cyclone unit leaves is entirely closed. At least one filtering element is arranged on the side peripheries of the lower surface of the second cover which is preferably circular. The air discharged from the cyclone unit, after passing from the opening on the first cover, impacts the ceiling of the second cover and is directed to the sides of the second cover and passes through the filtering element situated here. In this stage, the air, cleansed from the small dust particles contained therein, is delivered to the outside in a cleaner state.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a handle is situated at the upper side of the second cover, providing the interconnected reservoir, cyclone unit, first cover and the second cover to be mounted/dismounted to/from the body.
By means of the present invention, the liquid accumulated in the cyclone unit is discharged out of the cyclone unit and prevented from seeping into the motor. Thus, operational life of the motor is prolonged and its performance is increased.
The vacuum cleaner realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 – is the schematic view of a vacuum cleaner.
[Rectified under Rule 91 29.05.2012]
Figure 2 – is the sideways view of the reservoir, the cyclone unit and the first cover.
Figure 3 – is the partial view of the reservoir, the cyclone unit and the first cover.
Figure 4 – is the exploded view of the reservoir, the cyclone unit, the first cover and the second cover.
Figure 5 – is the sideways view of the second cover.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Vacuum cleaner
Body
Motor
Cleaning head
Transfer conduit
Reservoir
Inlet port
Cyclone unit
Handle
Propeller
First cover
Discharge unit
Discharge hole
Discharge pipe
Barrier
Cyclone inlet
Support member
Passage hole
Protecting means
Guidance member
Protrusion
Extension
Filtering member
Second cover

The vacuum cleaner (1) comprises a body (2), a motor (3) disposed inside the body (2), a cleaning head (4) that is in contact with the surface to be cleaned, a transfer conduit (5) that is connected to the body (2) from one end, to the cleaning head (4) from the other end, providing the dust particles on the surface to be cleaned to be sucked into the body (2) by transferring the suction force created with the motor (3) to the cleaning head (4), a reservoir (6) disposed inside the body (2) and wherein liquid is filled, an inlet port (7) providing the dirty air received into the body (2) with the transfer conduit (5) to be delivered into the reservoir (6) and a cyclone unit (8) in a frustoconical form, disposed inside the reservoir (6), extending along the reservoir (6) so as to be spaced apart from the reservoir (6) (Figure 1).
The dirty air entering into the reservoir (6) from the inlet port (7) leaves the bigger dust particles contained therein into the water in the reservoir (6) and enters into the cyclone unit (8) by rising. Cyclonic motion is created in the cyclone unit (8) when the motor (3) starts operating and the dust particles in the dirty air are separated and cling to the liquid at the inner surface of the cyclone unit (8). Thus, the dust particles in the dirty air are separated in two stages and discharged out of the cyclone unit (8).
The vacuum cleaner (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises at least one discharge unit (12) situated on the cyclone unit (8), providing the water entering into the cyclone unit (8) to be discharged into the reservoir (6) thus preventing water from being collected in the cyclone unit (8). Thus, when the liquid being activated with the operation of the motor (3) and entering the cyclone unit (8) reaches dangerous levels, the discharge unit (12) is activated and provides the water to be delivered into the reservoir (6) (Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the discharge unit (12) comprises a discharge hole (13) situated on the surface of the cyclone unit (8) and a discharge pipe (14) that provides water leaving the discharge hole (13) to be directed into the liquid inside the reservoir (6). In this embodiment, when the liquid reaches the level of the discharge hole (13), it goes outside through the discharge hole (13) and enters the discharge pipe (14) then returns back to the reservoir (6) from the end of the preferably elbow-shaped discharge pipe (14) facing the base of the reservoir (6). By means of this embodiment, the liquid in the cyclone unit (8) is provided to mix with the liquid in the reservoir (6) controllably.
In a version of this embodiment, the discharge unit (12) comprises a barrier (15), situated at the end of the discharge pipe (14) facing the reservoir (6), which partially closes the opening at the end of the discharge pipe (14) and prevents passage of liquid from the reservoir (6) into the cyclone unit (8). Consequently, when the vacuum cleaner (1) is moved by the user, the liquid between the cyclone unit (8) and the reservoir (6) is prevented from seeping from the open end of the discharge pipe (14) into the cyclone unit (8). Furthermore, passage of liquid from the cyclone unit (8) into the reservoir (6) is not prevented since the barrier (15) does not entirely close the end of the discharge pipe (14).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the discharge unit (12) is situated at a region near the end of the inclined portion of the cyclone unit (8). Thus, the level of liquid inside the cyclone unit (8) is lowered before reaching a level dangerous for the motor (3).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cyclone unit (8) comprises at least one cyclone inlet (16) situated at its end corresponding to the upper part of the reservoir (6) when placed into the reservoir (6), a support member (17) situated under the cyclone inlet (16) and extending from the cyclone unit (8) towards the inner wall of the reservoir (6) and at least one passage hole (18) situated on the support member (17), allowing passage of air from under the support member (17) to the upper part thereof where the cyclone inlets (16) are situated. The support member (17) functions like a curtain between the reservoir (6) and the cyclone unit (8) and prevents the water in the reservoir (6) from getting out. By means of the passage holes (18) on the support member (17), the dirty air entering the reservoir (6), upon rising after leaving the bigger dust particles contained therein into the liquid, is provided to be delivered into the cyclone unit (8) from the cyclone inlet (16) (Figure 3, Figure 4).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner (1) comprises a guidance member (20) that provides the dirty air received from the inlet port (7) to be delivered directly into the liquid inside the reservoir (6). Thus, the bigger dust particles contact directly with water without being dispersed inside the reservoir (6) and the air entering the cyclone unit (8) is provided to be cleaner (Figure 4).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner (1) comprises a protrusion (21) situated at the base of the reservoir (6) and whereon the cyclone unit (8) is disposed. Thus, the cyclone unit (8) disposed inside the reservoir (6) without using any connection elements is prevented from sliding on the base of the reservoir (6).
In a version of this embodiment, the vacuum cleaner (1) furthermore comprises an extension (22) situated on the protrusion (21) that regulates the flow of air entering the cyclone unit (8). In this embodiment, the extension (22) is preferably conic. The dust particles separated with the cyclonic motion created by the motor (3) fall towards the base of the reservoir (6) and are directed towards the sides of the protrusion (21) by means of the extension (22).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner (1) comprises a first cover (11) that covers over the reservoir (6) and the cyclone unit (8), having a propeller (10) that provides the air in the cyclone unit (8) to be discharged outside. Thus, while the water inside the reservoir (6) is prevented from leaking outside, the cleaned air is discharged outside.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the first cover (11) comprises a protecting means (19) that surrounds the transmission elements connected to the propeller (10) and protects these elements from the water splashing thereon. In this embodiment, liquid is prevented from leaking out of the cyclone unit (8) since the protecting means (19) is aligned with the propeller (10) on the first cover (11) that provides air to flow outside.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner (1) comprises a second cover (24) placed on the first cover (11), having a filtering member (23) which provides the air discharged by the propeller (10) to be filtered again before being delivered to the surroundings. In this embodiment, the second cover (24) is placed on the first cover (11) so as to entirely close the air exit opening on the first cover (11). Thus, the air discharged outside is filtered once more and is cleaned completely.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the second cover (24) comprises a handle (9) providing the interconnected reservoir (6), cyclone unit (8), the first cover (11) and the second cover (24) to be taken out from inside the body (2) and to be placed therein again. Consequently, the reservoir (6), cyclone unit (8), the first cover (11) and the second cover (24) are periodically taken of the body (2) to be cleaned and then placed therein again (Figure 4, Figure 5).
By means of the present invention, the liquid accumulated in the cyclone unit (8) is discharged out of the cyclone unit (8) and prevented from seeping into the motor (3). Consequently, operational life of the motor (3) is prolonged and its performance is increased.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a body (2), a motor (3) disposed inside the body (2), a cleaning head (4) that is in contact with the surface to be cleaned, a transfer conduit (5) that is connected to the body (2) from one end, to the cleaning head (4) from the other end, providing the dust particles on the surface to be cleaned to be sucked into the body (2) by transferring the suction force created by the motor (3) to the cleaning head (4), a reservoir (6) disposed inside the body (2) and wherein liquid is filled, an inlet port (7) providing the dirty air received into the body (2) by the transfer conduit (5) to be delivered into the reservoir (6) and a cyclone unit (8) in a frustoconical form, disposed inside the reservoir (6), extending along the reservoir (6) so as to be spaced apart from the reservoir (6), characterized by at least one discharge unit (12) situated on the cyclone unit (8), providing the water entering into the cyclone unit (8) to be discharged into the reservoir (6) thus preventing water from being collected in the cyclone unit (8).
A vacuum cleaner (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the discharge unit (12) comprising a discharge hole (13) situated on the surface of the cyclone unit (8) and a discharge pipe (14) that provides water leaving the discharge hole (13) to be directed into the liquid inside the reservoir (6).
A vacuum cleaner (1) as in Claim 2, characterized in that the discharge unit (12) comprising a barrier (15) situated at the end of the discharge pipe (14) facing the reservoir (6), which partially closes the opening at the end of the discharge pipe (14) and prevents passage of liquid from the reservoir (6) into the cyclone unit (8).
A vacuum cleaner (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized in that the discharge unit (12) is situated at a region near the end of the inclined portion of the cyclone unit (8).
A vacuum cleaner (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized in that the cyclone unit (8) comprising at least one cyclone inlet (16) situated at its end corresponding to the upper part of the reservoir (6) when placed into the reservoir (6), a support member (17) situated under the cyclone inlet (16) and extending from the cyclone unit (8) towards the inner wall of the reservoir (6) and at least one passage hole (18) situated on the support member (17), allowing passage of air from under the support member (17) to the upper part thereof where the cyclone inlets (16) are situated.
A vacuum cleaner (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a guidance member (20) that provides the dirty air received from the inlet port (7) to be directly delivered into the liquid inside the reservoir (6).
A vacuum cleaner (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a protrusion (21) situated at the base of the reservoir (6) and whereon the cyclone unit (8) is disposed.
A vacuum cleaner (1) as in Claim 7, characterized by an extension (22) situated on the protrusion (21) and regulates the flow of the air entering the cyclone unit (8).
A vacuum cleaner (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a first cover (11) that covers over the reservoir (6) and the cyclone unit (8), comprising a propeller (10) that provides the air in the cyclone unit (8) to be discharged outside.
A vacuum cleaner (1) as in Claim 9, characterized in that the first cover (11) comprising a protecting means (19) that surrounds the transmission elements connected to the propeller (10) and protects these elements from splashing of water thereon.
A vacuum cleaner (1) as in any one the Claims 9 or 10, characterized by a second cover (24) placed on the first cover (11), comprising a filtering member (23) providing the air discharged by the propeller (10) to be filtered again before being delivered to the surroundings.
A vacuum cleaner (1) as in Claim 11, characterized by the second cover (24) comprising a handle (9) providing the interconnected reservoir (6), cyclone unit (8), the first cover (11) and the second cover (24) to be taken out from inside the body (2) and to be placed therein again.