EP2845530B1 - Portable suction device for liquids or liquid/air mixtures - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a portable suction device according to the preamble of claim 1, for liquids or liquid / air mixtures. The suction devices according to the invention have a suction mouth, a suction port in fluid communication with the intake port, which opens into a suction container, and a suction channel connecting the suction container with a vacuum source. Means for separating the air flow from the other portions of the sucked flow are provided in the suction material container, wherein the suction channel projects into the suction material container with a pipe socket, which is arranged between a first wall section and a second wall section of the suction material container opposite the first wall section.

Portable suction devices for liquids or liquid / air mixtures of this type are known from US 4993106 A known. The known suction devices are used to absorb a liquid / air mixture. This can be done as in the case of said device for absorbing liquid, for example from a table top. Another application of the portable suction devices is the removal of windows and the suction of the liquid, which was collected via a Abziehlippe during removal.

In particular, when the device is to be used in different orientations, it must be prevented if possible that liquid enters the exhaust air flow of the suction channel. This would cause liquid to escape from the exhaust port in the device housing, which, of course, could contaminate the environment and, secondly, confuse the user, as he does not expect any liquid to leak from the electrical part of the device.

The known devices initially have a separation chamber, in which the moist fractions are separated from the air stream from the aspirated liquid / air mixture. Furthermore, any solid, such as dust or sucked foreign bodies, is separated from the air flow here.

The vacuum source necessary for suction is connected to a suction channel, which projects into the device with a pipe socket. In many devices, the separation of air flow, which is to be sucked out of the device via the suction channel, and the liquid or solids in a Suction container. This means that this suction container is both deposition chamber and reservoir for deposited substances or liquids.

Regardless of whether a conventional suction port or a Abbehlippe is used to suck the liquid / air mixture, so liquid or solids are collected in the suction container. In the case of liquids, in particular, when the device is designed as a so-called window suction, so as a device, are deducted with the window surfaces and so collected water is absorbed, due to the dynamic movements, the risk that the water after it was separated from the air flow , gets back into the area of the suction flow by splashing effects. The danger is especially present when the device is operated overhead, for example for cleaning conservatories. But even the frequently used back and forth in the horizontal direction generated by the associated cornering by 180 ° at the edge of the window, a similar problem.

From the WO2009 / 086891 A1 there is known a window squeegee called a hard surface suction device which attempts to eliminate the above problem by draining the water into a tank. Although through this drain opening once in the tank located water can not get into the exhaust air flow, this also does not lead to a sufficiently satisfactory result, since still water from the deposition chamber can get into the air stream.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a suction device in which the entry of liquid into the suction channel is minimized.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a suction device according to claim 1.

As a result of the embodiment of the suction device according to the invention, significantly less liquid can now enter the suction channel. This is based on the knowledge that it is helpful to provide the largest possible volume in the separation chamber. It is therefore helpful not to subdivide the space available for the portable and hand-held devices into a separate separation chamber and a liquid tank, but to leave the separated liquid in the suction material container contrary to the original expectation.

In addition, it has surprisingly been found that the Schwappschutz especially when working overhead or while driving along a vertical window surface with the associated cornering ensures that the liquid in the suction container does not come so dynamic in motion that already deposited liquid in the Suction channel can slosh inside.

Surprisingly, it is a very good result to achieve when the slosh is designed as a wall, divided only the upper half of the suction container in a front and rear area, while the lower half remains consistent.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Schwappschutz is formed as a flat disc, which is plugged onto the projecting into the suction container suction. For this purpose, the Schwappschutz on a central region with a through hole, which may be reinforced by a tubular sleeve. Through the passage opening the suction channel is then inserted. The Schwappschutz can be arranged for example in a horizontal device above the horizontal plane through which the axis of the suction channel and, if this is concentric with the suction, the intake passage. In this case, only the central area, which is necessary for attaching the Schwappschutzes to the cylindrical suction channel, partially disposed below this center plane.

Preferably form-locking elements are provided on the suction and on the Schwappschutz, which prevent false uncovering, especially with downwardly directed wall of the slosh guard. This is particularly useful if the user can disassemble the individual parts for cleaning, so there is a risk that he could build them together again in the wrong way. Indeed, most users will fall into error that the anti-slosh wall should be directed downwards from the mid-plane, but that will not lead to a satisfactory result. It is not the task of the Schwappschutzes to divide the suction container into two separate chambers, but he should only prevent excessive, dynamic water movements when the device is tilted or even operated overhead.

The Schwappschutz itself is preferably made of an elastic material, since this additionally acts by absorbing damping by its spring action. In the region in which it is not at a distance from the wall of the suction-material container, it can reach as far as the wall and touch it. Alternatively, it can also leave a gap between itself and the wall, since it essentially depends on the fact that a wave motion is prevented in this area. A small gap between the Schwappschutz and the wall of the suction container is not a hindrance.

In order to avoid the formation of drops, which in turn may cause solvent droplets to be sucked in, the antiframing protection is preferably made of a hydrophilic material. Furthermore, the lower edge of the Schwappschutzes, so the edge, which has a maximum distance from the opposite wall of the suction container, curved outwards and downwards, so that liquid adhering to the squeeze protection, is derived at this run down to the outside. Finally, the anti-slosh may also have at this lower edge to the front and / or rear-jumping heels, which may also be unwound outwards and downwards and prevent drops from forming on the lower edge.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the subclaims and from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes Sauggerät,

Fig. 2

das in Figur 1 dargestellte Sauggerät in einer anderen Perspektive,

Fig. 3

ein Sauggerät, dass den in den Figuren 1 und 2 dargestellten Sauggerät ähnlich ist, schematisch in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 4

eine erste Ausgestaltung eines Schwappschutzes zur Verwendung in Verbindung mit dem in den Figuren 1 bis 3 dargestellten Sauggerät,

Fig. 5

die Rückansicht des in Figur 4 dargestellten Schwappschutzes,

Fig. 6

eine weitere Ausgestaltung eines Schwappschutzes zur Verwendung in Verbindung mit dem in den Figuren 1 bis 3 dargestellten Sauggerät,

Fig. 7

den in Figur 5 dargestellten Schwappschutz in einer anderen Ansicht und

Fig. 8

eine dritte Ausgestaltung eines Schwappschutzes zur Verwendung in Verbindung mit dem in den Figuren 1 bis 3 dargestellten Sauggerät.

In the drawings shows:

Fig. 1

an inventive suction device,

Fig. 2

this in FIG. 1 illustrated suction device in a different perspective,

Fig. 3

a suction device that in the Figures 1 and 2 is similar to the illustrated suction device, schematically in a side view,

Fig. 4

a first embodiment of a Schwappschutzes for use in conjunction with in the FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrated suction device,

Fig. 5

the back view of the in FIG. 4 illustrated Schwappschutzes,

Fig. 6

a further embodiment of a Schwappschutzes for use in conjunction with in the FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrated suction device,

Fig. 7

the in FIG. 5 illustrated Schwappschutz in another view and

Fig. 8

a third embodiment of a Schwappschutzes for use in conjunction with in the FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrated suction device.

In the Figures 1 and 2 an inventive suction device is shown. It is in this embodiment, a suction device having a suction mouth 1 in the front region, which is formed wide and a Abziehlippe for withdrawing liquid from a hard surface, for example a window has.

The device has a housing which has a handle 5 in the upper area. Such devices are usually held in the hand and used for cleaning windows. In the rear area, the device has a handle receptacle into which an extension handle can be inserted. In this way, even large windows can be cleaned.

In FIG. 3 are the essential functional parts of the in the Figures 1 and 2 shown suction device shown schematically in a side view. The suction device has the suction mouth 1 in the front region. From this suction mouth 1 extends here only visible with its rear part intake 3 into the suction container 2. The suction container 2 is used to separate the air flow from the other absorbed parts via a separator and for receiving the deposited parts. The device can be used to absorb a liquid / air mixture or to absorb solids. In both cases, the air is separated from the liquid or solid material flow and passed through a suction channel 4 through the vacuum source arranged behind it to the outside.

In particular, if there is liquid in the suction container 2, there is a risk that in an unfavorable orientation of the device during processing, the liquid gets into the suction channel 4. This is usually done in that by short-term changes in position, the liquid located in itself below the suction channel 4 or laterally adjacent to the suction channel 4 or 4 above the suction channel 4 in motion and so can slosh into the suction channel 4 or that dissolve drops, the then could be sucked.

According to the invention, as few edges and separate components as possible are now provided in the suction material container 2. This is based on the finding that each edge and each component in the suction container 2 brings with it the danger that there accumulate liquid residue that can be solved in a movement of the device in the form of drops or the like and then run the risk in to reach the suction channel 4.

According to the invention therefore now a Schwappschutz 6 is provided between the rear third of the suction container 2 and the area present before. This Schwappschutz 6 consists in the illustrated embodiment of a flat disc, which is placed on the suction channel 4 and extending from the central plane upwards. The suction material container 2 shown here has essentially a quadrangular cross-section, with the anti-slosh 6 extending from the upper halves of the side walls into the middle or from the suction channel 4 to the ceiling. The Schwappschutz 6 thus covers the upper half of the cross-sectional area, while the lower half remains continuous.

During normal operation of the suction device, liquid will therefore be able to collect in the lower region of the suction-material container 2, so that there is a large reservoir for separated liquid available. If the user turns the device or operates it upside down, this liquid can also be taken up in the suction container 2, without the risk of the liquid level coming close to the inlet opening of the suction channel 4. The greater danger is that the liquid gets into motion and in this way separated again by waves or splashing parts of the liquid and could be sucked in from the suction channel 4.

This now prevents the Schwappschutz invention 6 preferred the Schwappschutz 6 is preferably made of an elastic material, so that it can take over an additional damping functions by its mobility. Furthermore, the Schwappschutz 6 is preferably designed so that along its edges liquid can flow even when standing upside down device forward, the Schwappschutz 6 should therefore not be a definitive flow brake.

In the Figures 4-8 are detail drawings of inventive components that can be used as Schwappschutz 6, shown.

The FIGS. 4 and 5 show a first embodiment of the Schwappschutzes 6, wherein the FIG. 5 the back of the in FIG. 4 shown Schwappschutzes 6 reproduces. On the back of a centering aid 7 is provided, which is designed as a protruding block and with a corresponding recess in the suction channel 4 together. Alternatively, yes, a Nutfederverbindung or any other form fit can be used.

It can be seen that the slosh guard 6 essentially only covers the upper region of the suction material container 2. In the lower region, only an annular region is provided, which leaves the majority of the cross section open and only serves for fastening the squeeze protection 6 to the tubular suction channel 4. The illustrated Schwappschutz 6 has at its upper corners respectively recesses, which are due to the fact that the suction container 2 is shaped accordingly in this area, so that the edge of the Schwappschutzes 6 is adapted to the inner contour of the suction container 2. In addition, however, these corners are formed slightly larger, so that sufficient space between the inner wall of the suction container 2 and the edge regions of the Schwappschutzes 6 remains, so that liquid can flow even with upside down device from back to front or from front to back.

In FIG. 6 a further embodiment of the Schwappschutzes 6 is shown, which is substantially the embodiment of the FIGS. 4 and 5 equivalent. In addition, this embodiment has a reinforcement in the form of a sleeve 9 in the middle region. The lower edge region, which is located substantially in the region of the center plane of the suction container 2, is here provided with protruding forward and rear heels, such as a free drooping of drops, which could then fall arbitrarily and be sucked prevent.

In the FIGS. 7 and 8 Embodiments of the Schwappschutzes 6 are shown again. In the FIG. 7 variant shown corresponds to that of the FIGS. 4 and 5 , In the FIG. 8 variant shown additionally has a lower edge, which curves outwards is, so that there is a downward sloping edge line, which has the particular advantage that this drops, which could result from running liquid, run to the outside, so that they are deflected by the suction channel 4 and then on the outer wall of the suction container 2 can expire.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

saugmund

2

Sauggutbehälter

3

intake port

4

suction

5

Handle

6

slosh

7

centering

8th

drip

9

cuff

Claims (13)

1. Portable suction unit for liquids or liquid/air mixtures, with a suction mouth (1), an intake channel (3) in streaming connection with the suction mouth (1), opening into a suction material container (2), and with an extraction channel (4) connecting the suction material container (2) with an underpressure source, whereby means for separating the air stream from the other components of the aspirated stream are envisaged and the extraction channel (4) projects into the suction material container (2) with a pipe socket, located between a first wall section and a second wall section of the suction material container (2) lying opposite the first wall section, characterised in that
   a surge baffle (6) in the form of a disc is positioned in the suction material container (2), extending from the axis of the pipe socket up to at least one wall of the suction material container (2), whereby the surge baffle (6) covers no more than 70%, preferably no more than 60% of the cross-section area of the suction material container (2).
2. Portable suction unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the surge baffle (6) extends from a central plane of the suction material container (2) passing through the axis of the pipe socket to the ceiling of the suction material container (2), whereby a gap with a width of less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm, is envisaged between the surge baffle and the adjacent wall of the suction material container (2).
3. Portable suction unit according to one of the two preceding claims, characterised in that the suction material container (2) comprises a floor and a ceiling, whereby the surge baffle (6) extends from a plane of the suction material container (2) that passes through the axis of the pipe socket parallel with the floor to the ceiling of the suction material container (2).
4. Portable suction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a gap between the surge baffle (6) and the wall of at least 10 mm, preferably 20 mm or more, is envisaged in at least one wall area of the suction material container (2).
5. Portable suction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the surge baffle (6) is formed by a rubbery-elastic disc, convexly arced or level when seen in the direction of the intake channel (3).
6. Portable suction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the surge baffle (6) comprises a central area with an opening, whereby the surge baffle (6) is pinned to the pipe socket with the opening, and the central area surrounds the pipe socket in an annular fashion.
7. Portable suction unit according to the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one second surge baffle is envisaged, located in an offset manner from the first surge baffle (6), which in particular extends from the central plane of the suction material container (2) downwards.
8. Portable suction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pipe socket comprises a centring shoulder projecting outwards, whereby the surge baffle (6) comprises a recess as a centring aid (7), with which the centring shoulder engages, whereby the centring aid (7) in particular prevents an incorrect installation of the surge baffle (6).
9. Portable suction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the surge baffle (6) comprises a drip protection shoulder, projecting transverse to the surface of the surge baffle (6) at least in sections at its edges.
10. Portable suction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the edges of the surge baffle (6) bordering onto a wall of the suction material container (2) are bevelled at least on one side.
11. Portable suction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lower edge of the surge baffle (6) is arced in a downward direction.
12. Portable suction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the surge baffle (6) is located on a level, the position of which is characterised in that at least 25% of the volume of the suction material container (2) is located behind the level, and at least 50% of the volume of the suction material container (2) is located in front of the level.
13. Portable suction unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the position of the level is characterised in that at least 30% of the volume of the suction material container (2) is located behind the level, and at least 60% of the volume of the suction material container (2) is located in front of the level.

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