EP2793673B1 - Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with flow straightener - Google Patents

Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with flow straightener Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2793673B1
EP2793673B1 EP12816779.8A EP12816779A EP2793673B1 EP 2793673 B1 EP2793673 B1 EP 2793673B1 EP 12816779 A EP12816779 A EP 12816779A EP 2793673 B1 EP2793673 B1 EP 2793673B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vacuum cleaner
outlet tube
cleaner according
stage
central outlet
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.)
Active
Application number
EP12816779.8A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2793673A1 (en
Inventor
Fabien David
Patrick Morin
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.)
SEB SA
Original Assignee
SEB SA
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 SEB SA filed Critical SEB SA
Publication of EP2793673A1 publication Critical patent/EP2793673A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2793673B1 publication Critical patent/EP2793673B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
    • A47L9/0081—Means for exhaust-air diffusion; Means for sound or vibration damping
    • 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
    • A47L9/165—Construction of inlets
    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04C—APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES
    • B04C5/00—Apparatus in which the axial direction of the vortex is reversed
    • B04C5/12—Construction of the overflow ducting, e.g. diffusing or spiral exits
    • B04C5/13—Construction of the overflow ducting, e.g. diffusing or spiral exits formed as a vortex finder and extending into the vortex chamber; Discharge from vortex finder otherwise than at the top of the cyclone; Devices for controlling the overflow
    • B04C2005/136—Baffles in the vortex finder

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the technical field of vacuum cleaners used for cleaning by suction of an air flow entraining dust and other waste located near a suction head.
  • the invention relates more particularly to the field of bagless vacuum cleaners in which the separation between the expelled air and the particles sucked in is essentially carried out by means of a system of cyclones as opposed to vacuum cleaners with a bag in which the separation is carried out by filtration. .
  • a bagless vacuum cleaner generally includes, as described by the document EP 1361815 , a primary cyclonic separation stage followed by a secondary cyclonic separation stage.
  • the recovery of waste separated at the level of the primary stage is carried out at the level of the separation chamber of said primary stage, the outer body of which acts as a recovery tank.
  • the primary stage comprises a cyclone separator while the secondary stage comprises several cyclone separators.
  • Each cyclone separator includes a separation chamber with at least one lateral tangential air inlet and a central longitudinal axis outlet tube which extends inside the separation chamber.
  • EP1066115 discloses a cyclone separation apparatus comprising a cyclone body, the fluid outlet being concentric with the longitudinal axis of the cyclone body.
  • the cyclone body includes an outlet tube extending from an end surface of the cyclone body into the interior thereof.
  • a central body is arranged partially in the outlet tube and projects beyond the end of the outlet tube.
  • WO00/64321 discloses a device for reducing pressure losses in a cyclone dust collector.
  • the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a waste separation assembly which comprises at least one cyclonic separation stage comprising at least one cyclone separator which comprises a separation chamber with at least one air inlet lateral tangential and a central outlet tube with a longitudinal axis ⁇ ' which extends inside the separation chamber.
  • the implementation of the straightening means makes it possible to reduce the turbulence of the air in the central outlet tube and in the ducts which follow it.
  • the straightening means therefore make it possible to reduce the noise of the vacuum cleaner insofar as the latter is partly generated by the turbulent flow of the air within the vacuum cleaner.
  • each main fin can extend radially from the core or, on the contrary, extend in a curve from the core according to, for example, a spiral shape with a variable radius of curvature.
  • the straightening means comprise at least one secondary fin which is linked to a main fin by a portion substantially of a cylinder coaxial with the core and with the central outlet tube and which extends from the cylinder portion to the wall of the central outlet tube.
  • the implementation of such a secondary fin makes it possible to increase the surfaces contributing to calm the flow of the air and to make it as laminar as possible while not reducing the passage section of the air too much and therefore by not coating too many pressure drops which would be detrimental to the performance of the vacuum cleaner.
  • each main fin is associated with a secondary fin.
  • each secondary fin can extend radially from the corresponding cylinder portion or, on the contrary, extend in a curve from said cylinder portion according to, for example, a spiral shape with a variable radius of curvature.
  • each secondary fin comprises, on the one hand, a leading edge which converges from the peripheral wall of the tube towards the core and the interior of the separation chamber and, on the other hand , a trailing edge located inside the central exit tube.
  • the leading edge of the secondary fin is set back, in the direction of air circulation, with respect to the leading edge of the main fin which carries it.
  • This alternative embodiment makes it possible to prevent the leading edge of the secondary fin from forming, relative to the leading edge of the main fin, a protrusion liable to retain filaments or threads conveyed by the sucked air. .
  • the leading edge of each fin extends outside the central outlet tube. This characteristic in combination with the converging character of the leading edge makes it possible to avoid the risks of accumulation of fibrous waste on the straightening means.
  • each fin comprises, starting from the leading edge, a proximal portion inclined with respect to the axis ⁇ followed by a radial distal portion parallel to the axis ⁇ .
  • the proximal portion forms with the distal portion an angle of between 90° and 180°. Such a value of the angle makes it possible to ensure the progressiveness of the action of the fin.
  • the value of the angle between the intrados of the distal portion and the intrados of the proximal portion is different from the value of the angle between the extrados of the distal portion and the extrados of the proximal portion.
  • the proximal portion is substantially planar. This configuration of the proximal portion facilitates the manufacture of the molded plastic straightening means insofar as flat shapes are easier to obtain and avoid the implementation of an overly complicated mold.
  • the proximal portion is inclined so as to place the leading edge upstream of the distal portion with respect to the direction of rotation of the air.
  • the proximal portion is inclined in the direction of rotation of the air so as to direct the air progressively towards the distal portion.
  • each leading edge is part of a cone of axis ⁇ .
  • the part of the straightening means which is located outside the central outlet tube is frustoconical so that it does not offer any roughness likely to retain the fibrous waste.
  • the frustoconical character of the inlet section of the straightening means makes it possible to increase the air passage surface and therefore to reduce pressure drops.
  • the straightening means comprise between three and six main fins. Such a number of main fins makes it possible to obtain a good compromise between the straightening efficiency and the pressure drops generated by the fins.
  • the distance between two consecutive fins is between 1 and 5 mm.
  • the second stage comprises at least two separators and the vacuum cleaner comprises between the first separation stage and the second separation stage a flow distributor which comprises as many channels as the second stage has separators and a flow divider which extends inside the exit tube of the first stage separator to define ⁇ pipes each connected to a channel of the flow divider.
  • a vacuum cleaner according to the invention as illustrated in figure 1 and 2 , comprises a frame 1 supported by wheels 2 facilitating the movements of the vacuum cleaner during its use.
  • the frame comprises a motor-driven fan unit 3 intended to generate a vacuum, an electric cable reel and control electronics as well as manual control devices making it possible to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner.
  • the vacuum cleaner comprises a duct 4 ensuring an air connection between the motor-driven fan 3 and a separation assembly 5 so that the motor-driven fan ⁇ establishes a depression during its operation.
  • the duct 4 may include, upstream of the fan motor, a filtering medium 6, such as a foam, intended to trap the finest particles which would not have been separated from the air sucked in by the separation assembly 5.
  • the separation assembly 5 comprises a mouth 7 for connecting a chain of suction accessories, not shown, generally comprising a suction head fitted to the end of a rigid telescopic tube connected to the mouth 7 by a flexible tube so that the suction head is in aeraulic connection with the fan motor 3 via the separation assembly 5 and the duct 4.
  • the separation assembly 5 implements a principle of cyclonic separation of the waste and the sucked air.
  • the separation assembly 5 comprises downstream of the mouth 7, according to the example shown, two stages 8 and 9 of cyclonic separation.
  • the first stage 8 comprises one primary separator 10 per cyclone while the second stage 9 comprises four secondary separators 11 located downstream of the primary separator 10 and outside the latter. Only three of the four secondary separators 11 are visible at the figure 1 .
  • the second stage of cyclonic separation 9 could comprise more than four secondary separators or on the contrary less than four secondary cyclonic separators.
  • the secondary separator(s) 11 could also be located inside the primary separator and not outside the latter as illustrated. According to the example illustrated, the longitudinal axes ⁇ ' of the secondary separators 11 are parallel to the longitudinal axis ⁇ of the primary separator 10.
  • the primary separator 10 comprises a tubular body 15 which delimits a separation chamber 16 of generally frustoconical shape of revolution of axis ⁇ , the outer wall of which diverges downwards.
  • the brush connection mouth 7 is then connected to the body 15 by a duct 17 which opens tangentially into the primary separator 10.
  • the first stage 8 also comprises in the center of the tubular body 15 an outlet tube 18 of axis ⁇ .
  • the outlet tube 18 has a bottom part with rotational symmetry of axis ⁇ , the lower end of which is substantially frustoconical and converges downwards.
  • Each secondary separator 11 comprises, as shown in the picture 3 , a tubular body 20 which delimits a separation chamber 21 of generally cylindrical shape of revolution of axis ⁇ ' in the upper part and, in the lower part, frustoconical of revolution of axis ⁇ ' converging downwards.
  • the separation chamber 21 comprises in the upper part a tangential air inlet 22.
  • Each secondary separator 11 also comprises a central outlet tube 23 of longitudinal axis ⁇ ' which is connected by the duct 4 to the motorized fan 3.
  • the air and the sucked waste arrive through the duct 17 tangentially inside the primary separator 10 as shown by the arrow F1.
  • a descending vortex is then created around the outlet tube 18 as shown by the arrow F2.
  • the waste contained in the air, and in particular the heaviest then tends to accumulate towards the outside in the lower part of the body 15 under the combined effect of centrifugal forces, the direction of air circulation and the gravity.
  • the air sucked in through the lower opening of the outlet tube 18 is then freed from a large part of the waste that it contained until now.
  • the air leaving the separation chamber 16 through the outlet tube 18 is then routed through a flow distributor 25, illustrated figure 4 , to the four secondary separators 11.
  • the flow distributor 25 comprises as many channels 26 as the second stage of separation 9 comprises secondary separators 11, i.e. in the present case four channels 26.
  • the flow divider 25 comprises a flow divider 27 which extends inside the outlet tube 18.
  • the flow divider 27 is in the form of a spider comprising four cross walls 28 which divide into four pipelines 29 equal inside the outlet tube 18.
  • the flow divider 27 helps to block the rotation of the air inside the outlet tube 18 and reduces the vortex character of the flow.
  • the flow divider 27, in addition to ensuring a balancing of the air supply to the secondary separators 11, makes it possible to reduce the airflow noise at the outlet of the primary separator 10.
  • each channel 26 enters the corresponding secondary separator via the tangential air inlet 22 to form a vortex in the chamber 21 allowing the air to be separated from the small particles of dust which it still contains.
  • the air is then evacuated from the separation chamber 21 through the central outlet tube 23 to be collected by the duct 4 and routed to the motorized fan 3.
  • each central outlet tube 23 At the inlet of each central outlet tube 23, the air has a swirling flow which is the source of a fairly significant aeraulic noise.
  • the invention proposes to equip at least one of the central outlet tubes 23 and, according to the example illustrated, each of the outlet tubes 23 of the secondary separators 11 with means 30 for rectifying the flow of air which obstruct the vortex movement of the air to make it laminar.
  • the straightening means 30 comprise a central core 31 of generally cylindrical shape of revolution whose axis coincides with the longitudinal axis ⁇ ' of the corresponding outlet tube.
  • the straightening means 30 further comprise at least one, and preferably between 3 and 7 main fins 32 which extend radially from the core 31.
  • the straightening means 30 comprise six main fins 32 which extend radially from the core 31 to a peripheral wall 33 of the central outlet tube 23 being regularly distributed around the latter.
  • the number of fins depends on the diameter of the central outlet tube, the larger this is, the more the number of fins increases.
  • the maximum number of fins is determined by leaving the distance between each fin included, preferably; between 1mm and 5mm.
  • Each main fin 32 comprises, as shown in the figure 7 , a leading edge 34 located outside the central outlet tube 23 and inside the separation chamber 21. Opposite the leading edge 34, each fin 32 comprises a trailing edge 35 which is located towards the inside of the central outlet tube 23. In order to avoid pressure drops and to promote laminar air flow, the thickness of the main fin decreases by inside the main fin to the end of the leading edge 34 or the trailing edge 35. Furthermore, the leading edge 34 converges from the peripheral wall 33 to the core 31 and towards the interior of the separation chamber 21.
  • This configuration of the leading edges of the main fins 32 gives the part of the straightening means 30 located in the separation chamber 21 a frustoconical shape with an axis ⁇ ' and converging towards the interior of the separation chamber 21. This shape makes it possible to avoid snagging of the fibers conveyed by the air and therefore to limit the risks of obstruction of the straightening means.
  • trailing edges 35 are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ⁇ ' so that they together define a flat surface normal to the axis ⁇ '.
  • each main fin is curved against the direction F3 of airflow as shown in the figures 6 and 7 .
  • Each main fin 32 then comprises, starting from the leading edge, a proximal part 36 inclined with respect to the axis ⁇ ' and followed by a radial distal part 37 parallel to the axis ⁇ '.
  • the proximal part 36 is substantially flat and forms an angle of between 90° and 180° with the distal part 37.
  • the distal part 37 is also substantially flat.
  • the straightening means 30 comprise, according to the example illustrated, in association with each main fin 32 a fin secondary 40.
  • Each secondary fin 40 is linked to the corresponding main fin 32 by a cylinder portion 41 coaxial with the core 31.
  • the secondary fin 40 then extends radially from this cylinder portion 41 to the wall 33 of the tube central outlet 23.
  • the edge of each secondary fin 40 oriented towards the separation chamber 21 forms a leading edge 42 which converges from the peripheral wall 33 of the central outlet tube towards the core and the interior of the separation chamber 21.
  • the leading edge 42 as well as the edge of the cylinder portion 41 located towards the separation chamber 21 are placed slightly behind the leading edge 34 of the main fin 32 so as not to form any obstacle likely to retain fibers.
  • Each secondary fin 40 comprises, opposite the leading edge 42, a trailing edge 43 which is substantially perpendicular to the axis ⁇ ' of the core 31.
  • each secondary fin 40 is also curved like the main fin 32 which carries it.
  • each secondary fin 40 then comprises, starting from the leading edge 42, a proximal part 45 inclined with respect to the axis ⁇ ' and followed by a radial distal part 46 parallel to the axis ⁇ '.
  • the proximal part 45 is substantially flat and forms an angle of between 90° and 180° with the distal part 46.
  • the distal part 46 is also substantially flat.
  • the air from the separation chamber 21 will be gradually guided by the proximal parts 36 and 45 of the fins 32 and 40 to be directed towards the distal parts 37 and 46 which extend parallel to the 'axis ⁇ ', so that at the outlet of the straightening means 30 the air flow is substantially laminar.
  • the implementation of the rectifying means 30 thus makes it possible to obtain a reduction in the airborne noise of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention of the order of several decibels compared to an operation of this same vacuum cleaner without the rectifying means 30.
  • the straightening means 30 are held in place by means of a bracket 50 extending inside the corresponding central outlet tube.
  • a bracket 50 extending inside the corresponding central outlet tube.
  • the fixing of the straightening means 30 could be ensured by elastic fitting or gluing at the level of the end of the central outlet tube 23 in the separation chamber 21.
  • the main and secondary fins extend radially from their support towards the wall peripheral of the central exit tube.
  • the main and secondary fins can be shaped so that the projection of their leading edge, on a plane normal to the axis of the central outlet tube, is curved and, for example, has the shape of a spiral portion with a variable radius of curvature.
  • the proximal and distal parts of each fin are straight and are connected by forming a marked angle or a break.
  • the connection zone between the proximal and distal parts of each fin can be radiated or curved so as to reduce the "break" to promote laminar air flow.
  • the proximal and distal portions of each fin can be curved and shaped so that the radii of curvature of the lower surface and the upper surface vary progressively and continuously between the leading edge and the trailing edge.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filters For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne le domaine technique des aspirateurs utilisés pour le nettoyage par aspiration d'un flux d'air entraînant les poussières et autres déchets se trouvant à proximité d'une tête d'aspiration. L'invention concerne plus particulièrement le domaine des aspirateurs sans sac dans lesquels la séparation entre l'air rejeté et les particules aspirées est essentiellement réalisée au moyen d'un système de cyclones par opposition aux aspirateurs avec sac dans lesquels la séparation est effectuée par filtration.The present invention relates to the technical field of vacuum cleaners used for cleaning by suction of an air flow entraining dust and other waste located near a suction head. The invention relates more particularly to the field of bagless vacuum cleaners in which the separation between the expelled air and the particles sucked in is essentially carried out by means of a system of cyclones as opposed to vacuum cleaners with a bag in which the separation is carried out by filtration. .

Un aspirateur sans sac comprend généralement, comme cela est décrit par le document EP 1361815 , un étage primaire de séparation cyclonique suivi d'un étage secondaire de séparation cyclonique. La récupération des déchets séparés au niveau de l'étage primaire s'effectue au niveau de la chambre de séparation dudit étage primaire dont le corps externe fait office de bac de récupération. L'étage primaire comprend un séparateur cyclonique tandis que l'étage secondaire comprend plusieurs séparateurs cycloniques. Chaque séparateur cyclonique comprend une chambre de séparation avec au moins une entrée d'air tangentielle latérale et un tube central de sortie d'axe longitudinal qui s'étend à l'intérieur de la chambre de séparation. Un tel aspirateur donne plutôt satisfaction en ce qui concerne sa fonction première d'aspiration mais présente toutefois l'inconvénient d'être bruyant.A bagless vacuum cleaner generally includes, as described by the document EP 1361815 , a primary cyclonic separation stage followed by a secondary cyclonic separation stage. The recovery of waste separated at the level of the primary stage is carried out at the level of the separation chamber of said primary stage, the outer body of which acts as a recovery tank. The primary stage comprises a cyclone separator while the secondary stage comprises several cyclone separators. Each cyclone separator includes a separation chamber with at least one lateral tangential air inlet and a central longitudinal axis outlet tube which extends inside the separation chamber. Such a vacuum cleaner is rather satisfactory as regards its primary function of suction, but nevertheless has the drawback of being noisy.

Il est donc apparu le besoin d'un aspirateur sans sac qui soit moins bruyant à efficacité équivalente que les aspirateurs sans sac selon l'art antérieur.The need therefore appeared for a bagless vacuum cleaner which is less noisy at equivalent efficiency than the bagless vacuum cleaners according to the prior art.

EP1066115 divulgue un appareil de séparation cyclonique comprenant un corps de cyclone, la sortie de fluide étant concentrique à l'axe longitudinal du corps du cyclone. Le corps de cyclone comprend un tube de sortie débordant d'une surface d'extrémité du corps du cyclone dans l'intérieur de celui-ci. Un corps central est agencé partiellement dans le tube de sortie et déborde au-delà de l'extrémité du tube de sortie. WO00/64321 divulgue un dispositif destiné à réduire les pertes de pression dans un collecteur de poussière à cyclone. EP1066115 discloses a cyclone separation apparatus comprising a cyclone body, the fluid outlet being concentric with the longitudinal axis of the cyclone body. The cyclone body includes an outlet tube extending from an end surface of the cyclone body into the interior thereof. A central body is arranged partially in the outlet tube and projects beyond the end of the outlet tube. WO00/64321 discloses a device for reducing pressure losses in a cyclone dust collector.

Afin d'atteindre cet objectif, l'invention concerne un aspirateur comprenant un ensemble de séparation des déchets qui comprend au moins un étage de séparation cyclonique comportant au moins un séparateur par cyclone qui comprend une chambre de séparation avec au moins une entrée d'air tangentielle latérale et un tube central de sortie d'axe longitudinal Δ' qui s'étend à l'intérieur de la chambre de séparation.In order to achieve this objective, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a waste separation assembly which comprises at least one cyclonic separation stage comprising at least one cyclone separator which comprises a separation chamber with at least one air inlet lateral tangential and a central outlet tube with a longitudinal axis Δ' which extends inside the separation chamber.

Selon l'invention, au moins un séparateur comprend, au niveau de l'extrémité du tube central de sortie située à l'intérieur de la chambre, des moyens de redressement du flux d'air qui comprennent :

  • un noyau sensiblement coaxial au tube central d'axe longitudinal Δ',
  • au moins une ailette principale qui s'étend depuis le noyau vers la paroi périphérique du tube central de sortie et qui comprend, d'une part, un bord d'attaque qui converge depuis la paroi périphérique du tube vers le noyau et l'intérieur de la chambre de séparation et d'autre part, un bord, de fuite situé à l'intérieur du tube central de sortie.
According to the invention, at least one separator comprises, at the end of the central outlet tube located inside the chamber, means for straightening the air flow which comprise:
  • a core substantially coaxial with the central tube of longitudinal axis Δ',
  • at least one main fin which extends from the core towards the peripheral wall of the central exit tube and which comprises, on the one hand, a leading edge which converges from the peripheral wall of the tube towards the core and the interior of the separation chamber and on the other hand, a trailing edge located inside the central outlet tube.

La mise en œuvre des moyens de redressement permet de réduire les turbulences de l'air dans le tube central de sortie et dans les conduits qui lui font suite. Les moyens de redressement permettent donc de réduire le bruit de l'aspirateur dans la mesure où ce dernier est en partie généré par l'écoulement turbulent de l'air au sein de l'aspirateur.The implementation of the straightening means makes it possible to reduce the turbulence of the air in the central outlet tube and in the ducts which follow it. The straightening means therefore make it possible to reduce the noise of the vacuum cleaner insofar as the latter is partly generated by the turbulent flow of the air within the vacuum cleaner.

Selon l'invention chaque ailette principale peut s'étendre radialement à partir du noyau ou au contraire s'étendre en courbe à partir du noyau selon, par exemple une forme de spirale avec un rayon de courbure variable.According to the invention, each main fin can extend radially from the core or, on the contrary, extend in a curve from the core according to, for example, a spiral shape with a variable radius of curvature.

Selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention, les moyens de redressement comprennent au moins une ailette secondaire qui est liée à une ailette principale par une portion sensiblement de cylindre coaxiale au noyau et au tube central de sortie et qui s'étend à partir de la portion de cylindre jusqu'à la paroi du tube central de sortie. La mise en œuvre d'une telle ailette secondaire permet d'augmenter les surfaces contribuant à calmer l'écoulement de l'air et à le rendre aussi laminaire que possible tout en ne réduisant pas trop la section de passage de l'air et donc en n'enduisant pas trop de pertes de charge qui seraient préjudiciables aux performances de l'aspirateur.According to one embodiment of the invention, the straightening means comprise at least one secondary fin which is linked to a main fin by a portion substantially of a cylinder coaxial with the core and with the central outlet tube and which extends from the cylinder portion to the wall of the central outlet tube. The implementation of such a secondary fin makes it possible to increase the surfaces contributing to calm the flow of the air and to make it as laminar as possible while not reducing the passage section of the air too much and therefore by not coating too many pressure drops which would be detrimental to the performance of the vacuum cleaner.

Selon une caractéristique de cette forme de réalisation, chaque ailette principale est associée à une ailette secondaire.According to a characteristic of this embodiment, each main fin is associated with a secondary fin.

Selon l'invention chaque ailette secondaire peut s'étendre radialement à partir de la portion de cylindre correspondante ou au contraire s'étendre en courbe à partir de ladite portion de cylindre selon, par exemple une forme de spirale avec un rayon de courbure variable.According to the invention, each secondary fin can extend radially from the corresponding cylinder portion or, on the contrary, extend in a curve from said cylinder portion according to, for example, a spiral shape with a variable radius of curvature.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, chaque ailette secondaire comprend, d'une part, un bord d'attaque qui converge depuis la paroi périphérique du tube vers le noyau et l'intérieur de la chambre de séparation et, d'autre part, un bord de fuite situé à l'intérieur du tube central de sortie.According to another characteristic of the invention, each secondary fin comprises, on the one hand, a leading edge which converges from the peripheral wall of the tube towards the core and the interior of the separation chamber and, on the other hand , a trailing edge located inside the central exit tube.

Selon une variante de cette caractéristique, le bord d'attaque de l'ailette secondaire est en retrait, dans le sens de circulation de l'air, par rapport au bord d'attaque de l'ailette principale qui la porte. Cette variante de réalisation permet d'éviter que le bord d'attaque de l'ailette secondaire ne forme, par rapport au bord d'attaque de l'ailette principale, une protubérance susceptible de retenir des filaments ou fils véhiculés par l'air aspiré.According to a variant of this characteristic, the leading edge of the secondary fin is set back, in the direction of air circulation, with respect to the leading edge of the main fin which carries it. This alternative embodiment makes it possible to prevent the leading edge of the secondary fin from forming, relative to the leading edge of the main fin, a protrusion liable to retain filaments or threads conveyed by the sucked air. .

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, le bord d'attaque de chaque ailette s'étend à l'extérieur du tube central de sortie. Cette caractéristique en combinaison avec le caractère convergeant du bord d'attaque permet d'éviter les risques d'accumulation de déchets fibreux sur les moyens de redressement.According to one characteristic of the invention, the leading edge of each fin extends outside the central outlet tube. This characteristic in combination with the converging character of the leading edge makes it possible to avoid the risks of accumulation of fibrous waste on the straightening means.

Selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention, chaque ailette comprend à partir du bord d'attaque une portion proximale inclinée par rapport à l'axe Δ suivie d'une portion distale radiale parallèle à l'axe Δ. Une telle configuration de l'ailette permet d'agir sur le caractère tourbillonnant du flux d'air à l'entrée du tube central de sortie en le redressant progressivement de manière à le rendre sensiblement laminaire en sortie des moyens de redressement et à l'intérieur du tube central de sortie. Le caractère progressif de l'action de l'ailette limite les pertes de charge et les bruits aériens.According to one embodiment of the invention, each fin comprises, starting from the leading edge, a proximal portion inclined with respect to the axis Δ followed by a radial distal portion parallel to the axis Δ. Such a configuration of the fin makes it possible to act on the swirling character of the air flow at the inlet of the central outlet tube by gradually straightening it so as to make it substantially laminar at the outlet of the straightening means and at the inside the central outlet tube. The progressive nature of the fin action limits head losses and airborne noise.

Selon une variante de cette forme de réalisation, la portion proximale forme avec la portion distale un angle compris entre 90° et 180°. De telle valeur de l'angle permet d'assurer la progressivité de l'action de l'ailette.According to a variant of this embodiment, the proximal portion forms with the distal portion an angle of between 90° and 180°. Such a value of the angle makes it possible to ensure the progressiveness of the action of the fin.

Selon une caractéristique de cette variante, la valeur de l'angle entre l'intrados de la portion distale et l'intrados de la portion proximale est différente de la valeur de l'angle entre l'extrados de la portion distale et l'extrados de la portion proximale.According to a characteristic of this variant, the value of the angle between the intrados of the distal portion and the intrados of the proximal portion is different from the value of the angle between the extrados of the distal portion and the extrados of the proximal portion.

Selon une autre variante de cette forme de réalisation, la portion proximale est sensiblement plane. Cette configuration de la portion proximale permet de faciliter la fabrication des moyens de redressement en matière plastique moulée dans la mesure où des formes plates sont plus faciles à obtenir et évitent la mise en œuvre d'un moule trop compliqué.According to another variant of this embodiment, the proximal portion is substantially planar. This configuration of the proximal portion facilitates the manufacture of the molded plastic straightening means insofar as flat shapes are easier to obtain and avoid the implementation of an overly complicated mold.

Selon encore une autre variante de cette forme de réalisation, la portion proximale est inclinée de manière à placer le bord d'attaque en amont de la portion distale par rapport au sens de rotation de l'air. Ainsi, la portion proximale est inclinée dans le sens de rotation de l'air de manière à diriger l'air progressivement vers la portion distale.According to yet another variant of this embodiment, the proximal portion is inclined so as to place the leading edge upstream of the distal portion with respect to the direction of rotation of the air. Thus, the proximal portion is inclined in the direction of rotation of the air so as to direct the air progressively towards the distal portion.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, chaque bord d'attaque s'inscrit dans un cône d'axe Δ. Ainsi, la partie des moyens de redressement qui se trouve à l'extérieur du tube central de sortie est tronconique de sorte qu'elle n'offre aucune aspérité susceptible de retenir les déchets fibreux. De plus, le caractère tronconique de la section d'entrée des moyens de redressement permet d'augmenter la surface de passage de l'air et donc de réduire les pertes de charge.According to a characteristic of the invention, each leading edge is part of a cone of axis Δ. Thus, the part of the straightening means which is located outside the central outlet tube is frustoconical so that it does not offer any roughness likely to retain the fibrous waste. In addition, the frustoconical character of the inlet section of the straightening means makes it possible to increase the air passage surface and therefore to reduce pressure drops.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, les moyens de redressement comprennent entre trois et six ailettes principales. Un tel nombre d'ailettes principales permet d'obtenir un bon compromis entre l'efficacité de redressement et les pertes de charge engendrées par les ailettes.According to another characteristic of the invention, the straightening means comprise between three and six main fins. Such a number of main fins makes it possible to obtain a good compromise between the straightening efficiency and the pressure drops generated by the fins.

Selon encore une autre caractéristique de l'invention, la distance entre deux ailettes consécutives est comprise entre 1 et 5 mm.According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the distance between two consecutive fins is between 1 and 5 mm.

Selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention, l'aspirateur comprend :

  • un premier étage de séparation cyclonique comportant un séparateur par cyclone,
  • et un deuxième étage de séparation cyclonique comportant au moins un séparateur par cyclone, chaque séparateur du deuxième étage comprenant des moyens de redressement du flux d'air.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises:
  • a first cyclonic separation stage comprising a cyclone separator,
  • and a second stage of cyclonic separation comprising at least one separator per cyclone, each separator of the second stage comprising means for straightening the air flow.

La mise en œuvre de deux étages de séparation permet de réduire au maximum la quantité de particules solides présentes dans l'air en sortie du deuxième étage.The implementation of two separation stages makes it possible to reduce as much as possible the quantity of solid particles present in the air leaving the second stage.

Selon une variante de cette forme de réalisation, le deuxième étage comprend au moins deux séparateurs et l'aspirateur comprend entre le premier étage de séparation et le deuxième étage de séparation un répartiteur de flux qui comprend autant de canaux que le deuxième étage compte de séparateurs et un diviseur de flux qui s'étend à l'intérieur du tube de sortie du séparateur du premier étage pour γ définir des canalisations chacune raccordée à un canal du répartiteur de flux.According to a variant of this embodiment, the second stage comprises at least two separators and the vacuum cleaner comprises between the first separation stage and the second separation stage a flow distributor which comprises as many channels as the second stage has separators and a flow divider which extends inside the exit tube of the first stage separator to define γ pipes each connected to a channel of the flow divider.

Bien entendu, les différentes variantes et formes de réalisation de l'invention peuvent être associées les unes avec les autres selon diverses combinaisons dans la mesure où elles ne sont pas incompatibles ou exclusives les unes des autres.Of course, the different variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

Par ailleurs, diverses autres caractéristiques de l'invention ressortent de la description annexée, effectuée en référence aux dessins qui illustrent une forme non limitative de réalisation d'un aspirateur à système de séparation cyclonique conforme à l'invention.

  • La figure 1 est une perspective schématique d'un aspirateur sans sac selon l'invention.
  • La figure 2 est une élévation partiellement coupée de l'aspirateur sans sac illustré à la figure 1.
  • La figure 3 est une coupe axiale schématique de deux séparateurs cycloniques du deuxième étage de séparation.
  • La figure 4 est une perspective en vue de dessus partiellement arrachée montrant un répartiteur de flux entre les premier et deuxième étages de séparation cyclonique de l'aspirateur illustré aux figures 1 et 2.
  • La figure 5 est une vue de dessous des moyens de redressement du flux d'air selon l'invention.
  • La figure 6 est une perspective en vue de dessous des moyens de redressement du flux d'air selon l'invention.
  • La figure 7 est une vue schématique de la section selon la ligne VII-VII de la figure 5.
Furthermore, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description, made with reference to the drawings which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment of a vacuum cleaner with a cyclonic separation system in accordance with the invention.
  • The figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a bagless vacuum cleaner according to the invention.
  • The figure 2 is a partially cutaway elevation of the bagless vacuum cleaner shown in figure 1 .
  • The picture 3 is a schematic axial section of two cyclone separators of the second separation stage.
  • The figure 4 is a partially cutaway top view perspective showing a flow divider between the first and second cyclonic separation stages of the vacuum cleaner illustrated in figure 1 and 2 .
  • The figure 5 is a view from below of the airflow straightening means according to the invention.
  • The figure 6 is a perspective view from below of the airflow straightening means according to the invention.
  • The figure 7 is a schematic view of the section along line VII-VII of the figure 5 .

Un aspirateur conforme à l'invention, tel qu'illustré aux figures 1 et 2, comprend un bâti 1 supporté par des roues 2 facilitant les déplacements de l'aspirateur lors de son utilisation. De façon connue, le bâti comprend un bloc moto-ventilateur 3 destiné à générer une dépression, un enrouleur de câble électrique et une électronique de commande ainsi que des organes de commande manuelle permettant de piloter le fonctionnement l'aspirateur. Ces différents éléments, qui ne constituent pas l'objet de l'invention en elle-même, n'ont pas tous été représentés afin d'alléger la figure 1.A vacuum cleaner according to the invention, as illustrated in figure 1 and 2 , comprises a frame 1 supported by wheels 2 facilitating the movements of the vacuum cleaner during its use. In a known manner, the frame comprises a motor-driven fan unit 3 intended to generate a vacuum, an electric cable reel and control electronics as well as manual control devices making it possible to control the operation of the vacuum cleaner. These various elements, which do not constitute the object of the invention in itself, have not all been represented in order to lighten the figure 1 .

L'aspirateur comprend un conduit 4 assurant une liaison aéraulique entre le moto-ventilateur 3 et un ensemble de séparation 5 de sorte que le moto-ventilateur γ établit une dépression pendant son fonctionnement. Le conduit 4 peut comprendre en amont du moto-ventilateur un média filtrant 6, tel qu'une mousse, destiné à piéger les particules les plus fines qui n'auraient pas été séparées de l'air aspiré par l'ensemble de séparation 5.The vacuum cleaner comprises a duct 4 ensuring an air connection between the motor-driven fan 3 and a separation assembly 5 so that the motor-driven fan γ establishes a depression during its operation. The duct 4 may include, upstream of the fan motor, a filtering medium 6, such as a foam, intended to trap the finest particles which would not have been separated from the air sucked in by the separation assembly 5.

L'ensemble de séparation 5 comprend une bouche de raccordement 7 d'une chaîne d'accessoires d'aspiration, non représentée, comprenant généralement une tête d'aspiration adaptée à l'extrémité d'un tube télescopique rigide raccordé à la bouche 7 par un tube flexible de sorte que la tête d'aspiration se trouve en liaison aéraulique avec le moto ventilateur 3 via l'ensemble de séparation 5 et le conduit 4.The separation assembly 5 comprises a mouth 7 for connecting a chain of suction accessories, not shown, generally comprising a suction head fitted to the end of a rigid telescopic tube connected to the mouth 7 by a flexible tube so that the suction head is in aeraulic connection with the fan motor 3 via the separation assembly 5 and the duct 4.

Conformément à une caractéristique essentielle de l'invention, l'ensemble de séparation 5 met en œuvre un principe de séparation cyclonique des déchets et de l'air aspiré. Ainsi, l'ensemble de séparation 5 comprend en aval de la bouche 7, selon l'exemple illustré, deux étages 8 et 9 de séparation cyclonique. Le premier étage 8 comporte un séparateur primaire 10 par cyclone tandis que le deuxième étage 9 comprend quatre séparateurs secondaires 11 situés en aval du séparateur primaire 10 et à l'extérieur de ce dernier. Seuls trois des quatre séparateurs secondaires 11 sont visibles à la figure 1. Il est à noter que le deuxième étage de séparation cyclonique 9 pourrait comprendre plus de quatre séparateurs secondaires ou au contraire moins de quatre séparateurs secondaires cycloniques. Par ailleurs, le ou les séparateurs secondaires 11 pourraient également être situés à l'intérieur du séparateur primaire et non pas à l'extérieur de ce dernier comme cela est illustré. Selon l'exemple illustré, les axes longitudinaux Δ' des séparateurs secondaires 11 sont parallèles à l'axe longitudinal Δ du séparateur primaire 10.In accordance with an essential characteristic of the invention, the separation assembly 5 implements a principle of cyclonic separation of the waste and the sucked air. Thus, the separation assembly 5 comprises downstream of the mouth 7, according to the example shown, two stages 8 and 9 of cyclonic separation. The first stage 8 comprises one primary separator 10 per cyclone while the second stage 9 comprises four secondary separators 11 located downstream of the primary separator 10 and outside the latter. Only three of the four secondary separators 11 are visible at the figure 1 . It should be noted that the second stage of cyclonic separation 9 could comprise more than four secondary separators or on the contrary less than four secondary cyclonic separators. Furthermore, the secondary separator(s) 11 could also be located inside the primary separator and not outside the latter as illustrated. According to the example illustrated, the longitudinal axes Δ' of the secondary separators 11 are parallel to the longitudinal axis Δ of the primary separator 10.

Le séparateur primaire 10 comprend un corps tubulaire 15 qui délimite une chambre de séparation 16 de forme générale tronconique de révolution d'axe Δ dont la paroi externe diverge vers le bas. La bouche 7 de raccordement du balai est alors reliée au corps 15 par un conduit 17 qui débouche de manière tangentielle dans le séparateur primaire 10. Le premier étage 8 comprend également au centre du corps tubulaire 15 un tube de sortie 18 d'axe Δ. Le tube de sortie 18 présente une partie basse à symétrie de révolution d'axe Δ dont l'extrémité inférieure est sensiblement tronconique et converge vers le bas.The primary separator 10 comprises a tubular body 15 which delimits a separation chamber 16 of generally frustoconical shape of revolution of axis Δ, the outer wall of which diverges downwards. The brush connection mouth 7 is then connected to the body 15 by a duct 17 which opens tangentially into the primary separator 10. The first stage 8 also comprises in the center of the tubular body 15 an outlet tube 18 of axis Δ. The outlet tube 18 has a bottom part with rotational symmetry of axis Δ, the lower end of which is substantially frustoconical and converges downwards.

Chaque séparateur secondaire 11 comprend, comme le montre la figure 3, un corps tubulaire 20 qui délimite une chambre de séparation 21 de forme générale cylindrique de révolution d'axe Δ' en partie haute et, en partie basse, tronconique de révolution d'axe Δ' convergeant vers le bas. La chambre de séparation 21 comprend en partie haute une entrée d'air 22 tangentielle. Chaque séparateur secondaire 11 comprend également un tube central de sortie 23 d'axe longitudinal Δ' qui est relié par le conduit 4 au moto-ventilateur 3.Each secondary separator 11 comprises, as shown in the picture 3 , a tubular body 20 which delimits a separation chamber 21 of generally cylindrical shape of revolution of axis Δ' in the upper part and, in the lower part, frustoconical of revolution of axis Δ' converging downwards. The separation chamber 21 comprises in the upper part a tangential air inlet 22. Each secondary separator 11 also comprises a central outlet tube 23 of longitudinal axis Δ' which is connected by the duct 4 to the motorized fan 3.

Lors du fonctionnement de l'aspirateur, l'air et les déchets aspirés arrivent par le conduit 17 tangentiellement à l'intérieur du séparateur primaire 10 comme le montre la flèche F1. Il se crée alors un vortex descendant autour du tube de sortie 18 comme le montre la flèche F2. Les déchets contenus dans l'air, et notamment les plus lourds, ont alors tendance à s'accumuler vers l'extérieur en partie basse du corps 15 sous l'effet combiné des forces centrifuges, du sens de circulation de l'air et de la pesanteur. L'air aspiré par l'ouverture basse du tube de sortie 18 se trouve alors débarrassé d'une grande partie des déchets qu'il contenait jusqu'à présent.During the operation of the vacuum cleaner, the air and the sucked waste arrive through the duct 17 tangentially inside the primary separator 10 as shown by the arrow F1. A descending vortex is then created around the outlet tube 18 as shown by the arrow F2. The waste contained in the air, and in particular the heaviest, then tends to accumulate towards the outside in the lower part of the body 15 under the combined effect of centrifugal forces, the direction of air circulation and the gravity. The air sucked in through the lower opening of the outlet tube 18 is then freed from a large part of the waste that it contained until now.

L'air sortant de la chambre de séparation 16 par le tube de sortie 18 est ensuite acheminé par un répartiteur de flux 25, illustré figure 4, vers les quatre séparateurs secondaires 11. Ainsi le répartiteur de flux 25 comprend autant de canaux 26 que le deuxième étage de séparation 9 comprend de séparateurs secondaire 11 soit dans le cas présent quatre canaux 26. Afin de répartir le flux d'air de manière équilibrée entre les quatre canaux 26, le répartiteur de flux 25 comprend un diviseur de flux 27 qui s'étend à l'intérieur du tube de sortie 18. Le diviseur de flux 27 présente la forme d'un croisillon comprenant quatre parois 28 en croix qui divisent en quatre canalisations 29 égales l'intérieur du tube de sortie 18. Le diviseur de flux 27 contribue à bloquer la rotation de l'air à l'intérieur du tube de sortie 18 et atténue le caractère tourbillonnaire de l'écoulement. Ainsi, le diviseur de flux 27, en plus d'assurer un équilibrage de l'alimentation en air des séparateurs secondaires 11, permet de réduire les bruits aérauliques en sortie du séparateur primaire 10.The air leaving the separation chamber 16 through the outlet tube 18 is then routed through a flow distributor 25, illustrated figure 4 , to the four secondary separators 11. Thus the flow distributor 25 comprises as many channels 26 as the second stage of separation 9 comprises secondary separators 11, i.e. in the present case four channels 26. In order to distribute the air flow in such a way balanced between the four channels 26, the flow divider 25 comprises a flow divider 27 which extends inside the outlet tube 18. The flow divider 27 is in the form of a spider comprising four cross walls 28 which divide into four pipelines 29 equal inside the outlet tube 18. The flow divider 27 helps to block the rotation of the air inside the outlet tube 18 and reduces the vortex character of the flow. Thus, the flow divider 27, in addition to ensuring a balancing of the air supply to the secondary separators 11, makes it possible to reduce the airflow noise at the outlet of the primary separator 10.

Le flux d'air de chaque canal 26 pénètre dans le séparateur secondaire correspondant par l'entrée d'air 22 tangentielle pour former dans la chambre 21 un vortex permettant de séparer l'air des petites particules de poussière qu'il contient encore. L'air est ensuite évacué de la chambre de séparation 21 par le tube central de sortie 23 pour être collecté par le conduit 4 et acheminé vers le moto-ventilateur 3.The airflow from each channel 26 enters the corresponding secondary separator via the tangential air inlet 22 to form a vortex in the chamber 21 allowing the air to be separated from the small particles of dust which it still contains. The air is then evacuated from the separation chamber 21 through the central outlet tube 23 to be collected by the duct 4 and routed to the motorized fan 3.

En entrée de chaque tube central de sortie 23, l'air possède un écoulement tourbillonnaire qui est à l'origine d'un bruit aéraulique assez important. Afin de réduire ce bruit, l'invention propose d'équiper l'un au moins des tubes centraux de sortie 23 et, selon l'exemple illustré, chacun des tubes de sortie 23 des séparateurs secondaires 11 de moyens de redressement 30 du flux d'air qui font obstacle au mouvement tourbillonnaire de l'air pour le rendre laminaire.At the inlet of each central outlet tube 23, the air has a swirling flow which is the source of a fairly significant aeraulic noise. In order to reduce this noise, the invention proposes to equip at least one of the central outlet tubes 23 and, according to the example illustrated, each of the outlet tubes 23 of the secondary separators 11 with means 30 for rectifying the flow of air which obstruct the vortex movement of the air to make it laminar.

Comme le montre les figures 5 et 6, les moyens de redressement 30 comprennent un noyau central 31 de forme générale cylindrique de révolution d'axe confondu avec l'axe longitudinal Δ' du tube de sortie correspondant.As shown by figures 5 and 6 , the straightening means 30 comprise a central core 31 of generally cylindrical shape of revolution whose axis coincides with the longitudinal axis Δ' of the corresponding outlet tube.

Les moyens de redressement 30 comprennent en outre au moins une, et de manière préférée, entre 3 et 7 ailettes principales 32 qui s'étendent radialement à partir du noyau 31. Selon l'exemple illustré, les moyens de redressement 30 comprennent six ailettes principales 32 qui s'étendent radialement à partir du noyau 31 jusqu'à une paroi périphérique 33 du tube central de sortie 23 en étant réparties régulièrement autour de ce dernier. Le nombre d'ailettes dépend du diamètre du tube central de sortie, plus celui-ci est grand plus le nombre d'ailettes augmente. Le nombre maximum d'ailettes est déterminé en laissant la distance entre chaque ailette comprise, de préférence ; entre 1 mm et 5 mm.The straightening means 30 further comprise at least one, and preferably between 3 and 7 main fins 32 which extend radially from the core 31. According to the example illustrated, the straightening means 30 comprise six main fins 32 which extend radially from the core 31 to a peripheral wall 33 of the central outlet tube 23 being regularly distributed around the latter. The number of fins depends on the diameter of the central outlet tube, the larger this is, the more the number of fins increases. The maximum number of fins is determined by leaving the distance between each fin included, preferably; between 1mm and 5mm.

Chaque ailette principale 32 comprend, comme le montre la figure 7, un bord d'attaque 34 situé à l'extérieur du tube central de sortie 23 et à l'intérieur de la chambre de séparation 21. A l'opposé du bord d'attaque 34, chaque ailette 32 comprend un bord de fuite 35 qui est situé à vers l'intérieur du tube central de sortie 23. Afin d'éviter les pertes de charge et de favoriser un écoulement laminaire de l'air, l'épaisseur de l'ailette principale décroit de l'intérieur de l'ailette principale jusqu'à l'extrémité du bord d'attaque 34 ou du bord de fuite 35. Par ailleurs, le bord d'attaque 34 converge depuis la paroi périphérique 33 jusqu'au noyau 31 et vers l'intérieur de la chambre de séparation 21.Each main fin 32 comprises, as shown in the figure 7 , a leading edge 34 located outside the central outlet tube 23 and inside the separation chamber 21. Opposite the leading edge 34, each fin 32 comprises a trailing edge 35 which is located towards the inside of the central outlet tube 23. In order to avoid pressure drops and to promote laminar air flow, the thickness of the main fin decreases by inside the main fin to the end of the leading edge 34 or the trailing edge 35. Furthermore, the leading edge 34 converges from the peripheral wall 33 to the core 31 and towards the interior of the separation chamber 21.

Cette configuration des bords d'attaques des ailettes principales 32 confère, à la partie des moyens de redressement 30 située dans la chambre de séparation 21, une forme tronconique d'axe Δ' et convergeant vers l'intérieur de la chambre de séparation 21. Cette forme permet d'éviter un accrochage des fibres véhiculées par l'air et donc de limiter les risques d'obstruction des moyens de redressement.This configuration of the leading edges of the main fins 32 gives the part of the straightening means 30 located in the separation chamber 21 a frustoconical shape with an axis Δ' and converging towards the interior of the separation chamber 21. This shape makes it possible to avoid snagging of the fibers conveyed by the air and therefore to limit the risks of obstruction of the straightening means.

Par ailleurs, les bords de fuite 35 sont perpendiculaires à l'axe longitudinal Δ' de sorte qu'ils définissent ensemble une surface plane normale à l'axe Δ'.Furthermore, the trailing edges 35 are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Δ' so that they together define a flat surface normal to the axis Δ'.

Afin de redresser progressivement le flux d'air, chaque ailette principale est courbée à l'encontre du sens F3 de circulation de l'air comme le montre les figures 6 et 7. Chaque ailette principale 32 comprend alors à partir du bord d'attaque une partie proximale 36 inclinée par rapport à l'axe Δ' et suivie par une partie distale 37 radiale parallèle à l'axe Δ'. Selon l'exemple illustré, la partie proximale 36 est sensiblement plane et forme un angle compris entre 90° et 180° avec la partie distale 37. La partie distale 37 est également sensiblement plane.In order to gradually straighten the airflow, each main fin is curved against the direction F3 of airflow as shown in the figures 6 and 7 . Each main fin 32 then comprises, starting from the leading edge, a proximal part 36 inclined with respect to the axis Δ' and followed by a radial distal part 37 parallel to the axis Δ'. According to the example illustrated, the proximal part 36 is substantially flat and forms an angle of between 90° and 180° with the distal part 37. The distal part 37 is also substantially flat.

Dans la mesure où les ailettes principales 32 s'étendent radialement à partir du noyau 31, la distance qui sépare deux ailettes principales 32 adjacentes est plus importante à proximité de la paroi 33 du tube central de sortie 23 qu'à proximité du noyau de sorte que le guidage de l'air est moins efficace à proximité de la paroi 33. Afin de remédier à ce déficit de guidage en périphérie, les moyens de redressement 30 comprennent, selon l'exemple illustré, en association avec chaque ailette principale 32 une ailette secondaire 40.Insofar as the main fins 32 extend radially from the core 31, the distance which separates two adjacent main fins 32 is greater near the wall 33 of the central outlet tube 23 than near the core so that the guiding of the air is less effective near the wall 33. In order to remedy this guiding deficit at the periphery, the straightening means 30 comprise, according to the example illustrated, in association with each main fin 32 a fin secondary 40.

Chaque ailette secondaire 40 est liée à l'ailette principale 32 correspondante par une portion de cylindre 41 coaxiale au noyau 31. L'ailette secondaire 40 s'étend alors radialement à partir de cette portion de cylindre 41 jusqu'à la paroi 33 du tube central de sortie 23. Comme les ailettes principales 32, le bord de chaque ailette secondaire 40 orienté vers la chambre de séparation 21 forme un bord d'attaque 42 qui converge depuis la paroi périphérique 33 du tube central de sortie vers le noyau et l'intérieur de la chambre de séparation 21. Le bord d'attaque 42 ainsi que le bord de la portion de cylindre 41 situé vers la chambre de séparation 21 sont placés légèrement en retrait du bord d'attaque 34 de l'ailette principale 32 de manière à ne former aucun obstacle susceptible de retenir des fibres. Chaque ailette secondaire 40 comprend à l'opposé du bord d'attaque 42 un bord de fuite 43 qui est sensiblement perpendiculaire à l'axe Δ' du noyau 31. Le bord de fuite 43 est situé à l'intérieur du tube central de sortie 23. Chaque ailette secondaire 40 est également recourbée comme l'ailette principale 32 qui la porte. Ainsi, chaque ailette secondaire 40 comprend alors à partir du bord d'attaque 42 une partie proximale 45 inclinée par rapport à l'axe Δ' et suivie par une partie distale 46 radiale parallèle à l'axe Δ'. Selon l'exemple illustré la parte proximale 45 est sensiblement plane et forme un angle compris entre 90° et 180° avec la partie distale 46. La partie distale 46 est également sensiblement plane.Each secondary fin 40 is linked to the corresponding main fin 32 by a cylinder portion 41 coaxial with the core 31. The secondary fin 40 then extends radially from this cylinder portion 41 to the wall 33 of the tube central outlet 23. Like the main fins 32, the edge of each secondary fin 40 oriented towards the separation chamber 21 forms a leading edge 42 which converges from the peripheral wall 33 of the central outlet tube towards the core and the interior of the separation chamber 21. The leading edge 42 as well as the edge of the cylinder portion 41 located towards the separation chamber 21 are placed slightly behind the leading edge 34 of the main fin 32 so as not to form any obstacle likely to retain fibers. Each secondary fin 40 comprises, opposite the leading edge 42, a trailing edge 43 which is substantially perpendicular to the axis Δ' of the core 31. The trailing edge 43 is located inside the central outlet tube 23. Each secondary fin 40 is also curved like the main fin 32 which carries it. Thus, each secondary fin 40 then comprises, starting from the leading edge 42, a proximal part 45 inclined with respect to the axis Δ' and followed by a radial distal part 46 parallel to the axis Δ'. According to the example illustrated, the proximal part 45 is substantially flat and forms an angle of between 90° and 180° with the distal part 46. The distal part 46 is also substantially flat.

Lors du fonctionnement de l'aspirateur, l'air de la chambre de séparation 21 va être guidé progressivement par les parties proximales 36 et 45 des ailettes 32 et 40 pour être dirigé vers les parties distales 37 et 46 qui s'étendent parallèlement à l'axe Δ', de sorte qu'en sortie des moyens de redressement 30 le flux d'air est sensiblement laminaire. La mise en œuvre des moyens de redressement 30 permet ainsi d'obtenir une réduction des bruits aériens de l'aspirateur selon l'invention de l'ordre de plusieurs décibels par rapport à un fonctionnement de ce même aspirateur sans les moyens de redressement 30.During operation of the vacuum cleaner, the air from the separation chamber 21 will be gradually guided by the proximal parts 36 and 45 of the fins 32 and 40 to be directed towards the distal parts 37 and 46 which extend parallel to the 'axis Δ', so that at the outlet of the straightening means 30 the air flow is substantially laminar. The implementation of the rectifying means 30 thus makes it possible to obtain a reduction in the airborne noise of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention of the order of several decibels compared to an operation of this same vacuum cleaner without the rectifying means 30.

Selon l'exemple illustré aux figures et décrit précédemment, les moyens de redressement 30 sont maintenus en place par l'intermédiaire d'une potence 50 s'étendant à l'intérieur du tube central de sortie correspondant. Toutefois, un tel mode de fixation des moyens de redressement 30 n'est pas strictement nécessaire à la réalisation de l'invention. Ainsi, la fixation des moyens de redressement 30 pourrait être assurée par emmanchement élastique ou collage au niveau de l'extrémité du tube central de sortie 23 dans la chambre de séparation 21.According to the example illustrated in the figures and described above, the straightening means 30 are held in place by means of a bracket 50 extending inside the corresponding central outlet tube. However, such a method of fixing the straightening means 30 is not strictly necessary for carrying out the invention. Thus, the fixing of the straightening means 30 could be ensured by elastic fitting or gluing at the level of the end of the central outlet tube 23 in the separation chamber 21.

Selon l'exemple illustré aux figures et décrit précédemment, les ailettes principales et secondaires s'étendent radialement à partir de leur support vers la paroi périphérique du tube central de sortie. Toutefois, une telle conformation « rectiligne » n'est pas strictement nécessaire à la réalisation de l'invention. Ainsi, les ailettes principales et secondaires peuvent être conformées de manière que la projection de leur bord d'attaque, sur un plan normal à l'axe du tube central de sortie, soit courbe et, par exemple, possède une forme de portion de spirale avec un rayon de courbure variable.According to the example illustrated in the figures and described above, the main and secondary fins extend radially from their support towards the wall peripheral of the central exit tube. However, such a “straight” conformation is not strictly necessary for carrying out the invention. Thus, the main and secondary fins can be shaped so that the projection of their leading edge, on a plane normal to the axis of the central outlet tube, is curved and, for example, has the shape of a spiral portion with a variable radius of curvature.

Par ailleurs, selon l'exemple illustré aux figures et décrit précédemment, les parties proximale et distale de chaque ailette sont droites et se raccordent en formant un angle marqué ou une cassure. Toutefois, selon l'invention la zone de raccordement entre les parties proximale et distale de chaque ailette peut être rayonnée ou courbe de manière à réduire la « cassure » pour favoriser un écoulement laminaire de l'air. De même, les portions proximale et distale de chaque ailette peuvent être courbes et conformées de manière que les rayons de courbure de l'intrados et de l'extrados varient de manière progressive et continue entre le bord d'attaque et le bord de fuite.Furthermore, according to the example illustrated in the figures and described previously, the proximal and distal parts of each fin are straight and are connected by forming a marked angle or a break. However, according to the invention, the connection zone between the proximal and distal parts of each fin can be radiated or curved so as to reduce the "break" to promote laminar air flow. Similarly, the proximal and distal portions of each fin can be curved and shaped so that the radii of curvature of the lower surface and the upper surface vary progressively and continuously between the leading edge and the trailing edge.

Bien entendu, diverses autres modifications peuvent être apportées à l'invention dans le cadre des revendications annexées.Of course, various other modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (13)

  1. Vacuum cleaner comprising a waste separation assembly which comprises at least one cyclone separation stage (8, 9) comprising at least one cyclone separator (11) which comprises a separation chamber (21) with a least one lateral tangential air inlet and a central outlet tube (23) of longitudinal axis Δ' extending inside the separation chamber (21),
    characterised in that at least one separator (11) comprises, in the region of the end of the central outlet tube (23) that is situated inside the chamber, airflow straightening means (30) which comprise:
    - a core (31) substantially coaxial with the central outlet tube of longitudinal axis Δ',
    - at least one main vane (32) which extends from the core (31) toward the peripheral wall (33) of the central outlet tube (23) and which comprises, on the one hand, a leading edge (34) located on the outside of the central outlet tube (23) and which converges from the peripheral wall (33) of the tube towards the core (31) and the inside of the separation chamber (21) and, on the other hand, a trailing edge situated on the inside of the central outlet tube (23).
  2. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterised in that the straightening means comprise at least one secondary vane (40) which is connected to a main vane (32) by a substantially cylindrical portion (41) coaxial to the core (31) and to the central outlet tube (23) and which extends from the cylinder portion (41) to the wall (33) of the central outlet tube (23).
  3. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, characterised in that each main vane (32) is associated with a secondary vane (40).
  4. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that each secondary vane (40) comprises, on the one hand, a leading edge (42) which converges from the peripheral wall (33) of the tube towards the core (31) and the inside of the separation chamber and, on the other hand, a trailing edge (43) situated on the inside of the central outlet tube (23).
  5. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, characterised in that the leading edge of the secondary vane (40) recessed, in the air circulation direction, with respect to the leading edge (34) of the main vane (32) which carries it.
  6. Vacuum cleaner according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the leading edge (34, 42) of each vane (32, 40) extends outside of the central outlet tube (23).
  7. Vacuum cleaner according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that each vane (32, 40) comprises from the leading edge (34, 42), a proximal portion (36, 45) inclined with respect to the axis Δ' followed by a radial, distal portion (37, 46), parallel to the axis Δ'.
  8. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, characterised in that the proximal portion (36, 45) forms with the distal portion (37, 46), an angle comprised between 90° and 180°.
  9. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the proximal portion (36, 45) is substantially flat.
  10. Vacuum cleaner according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the proximal portion is inclined so as to place the leading edge (34, 42) upstream from the distal portion with respect to the rotational air direction.
  11. Vacuum cleaner according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that each leading edge (34, 42) is part of a cone of axis Δ'.
  12. Vacuum cleaner according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that it comprises:
    - a first cyclone separation stage (8) comprising a cyclone separator (10),
    - and a second cyclone separation stage (9) comprising at least one cyclone separator (11), each separator (11) of the second stage comprising airflow straightening means (30).
  13. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, characterised in that the second stage (9) comprises at least two separators (11) and in that it comprises, between the first stage (8) and the second stage (9), a flow distributor (25) which comprises as many channels (26) as the second stage (9) has separators (11) and a flow divider (27) which extends to the inside of the outlet tube (18) of the separator of the first stage (8) to define pipes (29) there, each connected to a channel (26) of the flow distributor (25).
EP12816779.8A 2011-12-23 2012-12-21 Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with flow straightener Active EP2793673B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1162427A FR2984714B1 (en) 2011-12-23 2011-12-23 CYCLONE VACUUM CLEANER
PCT/FR2012/053062 WO2013093377A1 (en) 2011-12-23 2012-12-21 Cyclone-type vacuum cleaner

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2793673A1 EP2793673A1 (en) 2014-10-29
EP2793673B1 true EP2793673B1 (en) 2022-02-16

Family

ID=47599122

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12816779.8A Active EP2793673B1 (en) 2011-12-23 2012-12-21 Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with flow straightener

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2793673B1 (en)
CN (1) CN103997941B (en)
CA (1) CA2857278A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2908878T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2984714B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2013093377A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITMO20130201A1 (en) * 2013-07-11 2015-01-12 Ivision S R L Con Socio Unico SUCTION DEVICE
US10016768B2 (en) 2014-04-04 2018-07-10 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Vortex finder for a cyclonic separator
CN112773257B (en) * 2019-11-08 2022-10-21 宁波方太厨具有限公司 Mechanical agglomeration dust separator for dust collector

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9806683D0 (en) * 1998-03-27 1998-05-27 Notetry Ltd Cyclonic separation apparatus
KR20010014570A (en) * 1999-04-23 2001-02-26 구자홍 reduction device for the pressure of loss in cyclone dust collector
WO2002067757A1 (en) 2001-02-24 2002-09-06 Dyson Ltd Vacuum cleaner
US7048783B2 (en) * 2004-04-13 2006-05-23 Oreck Holdings, Llc Vacuum cleaner air/liquid separator
KR100594589B1 (en) * 2005-01-31 2006-06-30 삼성광주전자 주식회사 Multi cyclone dust-separating apparatus
US7556662B2 (en) * 2005-01-31 2009-07-07 Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. Multi-cyclone dust separating apparatus
KR100630952B1 (en) * 2005-10-11 2006-10-04 삼성광주전자 주식회사 Multi-cyclone dust collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner having the same
KR100837360B1 (en) * 2007-03-23 2008-06-12 삼성광주전자 주식회사 Upright vaccum cleaner using return current of discharging air
CN201260651Y (en) * 2008-09-11 2009-06-24 胡海荣 Cyclone type dust-collecting device with water filtration

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2013093377A1 (en) 2013-06-27
CN103997941A (en) 2014-08-20
EP2793673A1 (en) 2014-10-29
FR2984714A1 (en) 2013-06-28
ES2908878T3 (en) 2022-05-04
FR2984714B1 (en) 2014-09-26
CN103997941B (en) 2017-04-12
CA2857278A1 (en) 2013-06-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR101159555B1 (en) Cyclonic separating apparatus
JP6181289B2 (en) Cyclone separator
FR2855389A1 (en) CYCLONE DUST COLLECTOR AND HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR A VACUUM
JP5077370B2 (en) Cyclone separation device and vacuum cleaner
FR2874314A1 (en) CYCLONE DUST COLLECTION DEVICE AND VACUUM EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE
FR2859372A1 (en) DEVICE FOR SEPARATING CYCLONE DUST AND VACUUM COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE
FR2874315A1 (en) Cyclonic separating device for use in vacuum cleaner, has noise reduction ribs which are mounted in air exhaust tube in whirlpool chamber and that project on lower wall of exhaust tube
EP2793673B1 (en) Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with flow straightener
TW201544184A (en) Axial flow type dust collector and pre-collecting device therefor
FR2645184A1 (en) APPARATUS FOR FLUIDIZING, DEGASSING AND PUMPING A SUSPENSION OF A FIBROUS CELLULOSIC MATERIAL
EP2452585B1 (en) Hair dryer having a particular air duct
KR102638412B1 (en) Separation system for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner including separation system
EP2452584B1 (en) Hair dryer with a centrifugal fan
EP3626145B1 (en) Cyclonic separation device for home vacuum cleaner
FR2575677A1 (en) Centrifuge separator apparatus for the treatment of a mixture comprising at least one gaseous phase, with forced collection of the heavy phase
EP2641067B1 (en) Method of measuring the noise of a hairdryer
JP5472359B2 (en) Cyclone separation device and vacuum cleaner
FR3001897A1 (en) Respiratory assistance apparatus, has diffuser having shape of bent pipe is arranged with set of sections, and set of centers of various sections of diffuser is aligned on three-dimensional helicoid curve
CH422491A (en) Centrifugal pneumatic separator
FR2795345A1 (en) Cyclone separator comprises concentric guide piece to increase air speed
BE482235A (en)

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20140704

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: SEB S.A.

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20200714

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20211006

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602012077691

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1468364

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20220315

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2908878

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20220504

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20220216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1468364

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20220216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220616

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220516

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220516

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220517

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220616

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602012077691

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20221117

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20221219

Year of fee payment: 11

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20230105

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20221213

Year of fee payment: 11

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20221231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20221221

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20221231

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20221221

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20221231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20221231

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20231220

Year of fee payment: 12

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20231208

Year of fee payment: 12

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20121221

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220216