EP3207845A1

EP3207845A1 - Air duct structure and surface cleaning device having same

Info

Publication number: EP3207845A1
Application number: EP15851574.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shenghui LIU
Original assignee: Midea Group Co Ltd; Jiangsu Midea Cleaning Appliances Co Ltd
Current assignee: Midea Group Co Ltd; Jiangsu Midea Cleaning Appliances Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-13
Filing date: 2015-07-28
Publication date: 2017-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-28
Also published as: WO2016058434A1; EP3207845B1; EP3207845A4

Abstract

Disclosed are an air passage structure and a surface cleaning device (300) having same. The air passage structure includes an electric motor accommodating chamber (110) and an inner cover (120). The inner cover (120) is provided in the electric motor accommodating chamber (110) and is provided with an inner cover air inlet part (121) and an inner cover air outlet part (122). An accommodating chamber air inlet part (111) is in communication with the inner cover air inlet part (121) via an air inlet passage (124). The electric motor accommodating chamber (110) is provided with a partition member (140) therein. The partition member (140) is provided between the inner cover (120) and an accommodating chamber air outlet part (112) so as to divide the electric motor accommodating chamber (110) into a first air passage cavity (141) and a second air passage cavity (142). The inner cover (120) is accommodated in the first air passage cavity (141). The first air passage cavity (141) is in communication with the second air passage cavity (142) at an outer wall of the air inlet passage (124).

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a technical field of household appliances, and more particularly to an air passage structure and a surface cleaning device having same.

BACKGROUND

With the continuous development of the vacuum cleaner industry, people are increasingly demanding on the vacuum cleaner, requiring a great suction power, low noise, but also a small and portable size. Especially for a vacuum cleaner with a horizontal dust cup, in order to lower the noise, a noise reducing structure becomes more and more complex, resulting in an increased overall size of the vacuum cleaner, and thus affecting the appearance thereof.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks to solve at least one of the problems existing in the related art to at least some extent. Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide an air passage structure for a surface cleaning device, and the air passage structure has advantages of a simple structure and low noise.
The present disclosure further needs to provide a surface cleaning device having the air passage structure.
A first aspect of the present disclosure provides an air passage structure for a surface cleaning device. The air passage structure includes: an electric motor accommodating chamber provided with an accommodating chamber air inlet part and an accommodating chamber air outlet part; an inner cover provided within the electric motor accommodating chamber and provided with an inner cover air inlet part and an inner cover air outlet part, in which the accommodating chamber air inlet part is in communication with the inner cover air inlet part via an air inlet passage; and an electric motor accommodated in the inner cover. A partition member is provided in the electric motor accommodating chamber; the partition member is provided between the inner cover and the accommodating chamber air outlet part to divide the electric motor accommodating chamber into a first air passage cavity and a second air passage cavity; the inner cover is accommodated in the first air passage cavity; the first air passage cavity is in communication with the second air passage cavity at an outer wall of the air inlet passage.
Regarding the air passage structure for the surface cleaning device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the partition member is utilized to divide the electric motor accommodating chamber into the first air passage cavity and the second air passage cavity, such that the flow path of the airflow in the air passage structure is further extended, and the flow velocity of the airflow in the first air passage cavity is reduced. In addition, in the flowing process, the airflow needs to bypass the outer side wall of the inner cover before entering the second air passage cavity, so as to extend the flow path of the airflow in the air passage structure, reduce the flow velocity, and hence reduce the air outlet noise.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner cover air outlet part is formed by a plurality of silencing holes.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner cover air outlet part is formed at a side face of the inner cover adjacent to the accommodating chamber air outlet part.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the partition member is connected to the outer side wall of the air inlet passage and an inner wall, adjacent to the accommodating chamber air outlet part, of the electric motor accommodating chamber, and is configured to partition the inner cover from the accommodating chamber air outlet part.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the first air passage cavity, the inner cover is configured in such a way that a distance between a bottom surface of the inner cover and an inner wall, opposite the bottom surface, of the first air passage cavity reaches the minimum.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a distance between the inner cover and an inner wall of the first passage cavity is gradually increased in an air flow direction from the bottom surface of the inner cover towards a side, opposite the inner cover air outlet part, of the inner cover.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a distance between the inner cover and the inner wall of the first passage cavity is gradually decreased in the air flow direction from the inner cover air outlet part towards the bottom surface of the inner cover.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a sectional area of the second air passage cavity perpendicular to an air flow direction is gradually increased in a direction towards the accommodating chamber air outlet part.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the air passage structure further includes a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) assembly provided at the accommodating chamber air outlet part and located in the second air passage cavity.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the air passage structure further includes an outer cover provided with the accommodating chamber air inlet part, in which the first air passage cavity is defined by a first portion of the outer cover, the partition member and the surface cleaning device; and the second air passage cavity is defined by a second portion, opposite the first portion, of the outer cover and the partition member.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a lower edge of the first portion of the outer cover is provided in a first accommodating groove defined in a body of the surface cleaning device; a lower edge of the partition member is provided in a second accommodating groove defined in the body; the first accommodating groove and the second accommodating groove are located at opposite sides of the inner cover.
A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a surface cleaning device. The surface cleaning device includes: a dust cup; a cyclone separator accommodated in the dust cup and configured to perform cyclonic dedusting on air entering a bottom of the dust cup; and the air passage structure discussed above, in which an air outlet of the dust cup is in communication with an inner cover air inlet part.
Regarding the surface cleaning device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the partition member is utilized to divide the electric motor accommodating chamber into the first air passage cavity and the second air passage cavity, such that the flow path of the airflow in the air passage structure is further extended, and the flow velocity of the airflow in the first air passage cavity is reduced. In addition, in the flowing process, the airflow needs to bypass the outer side wall of the inner cover before entering the second air passage cavity, so as to extend the flow path of the airflow in the air passage structure, reduce the flow velocity, and hence reduce the air-out noise.
Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of present disclosure will be given in part in the following descriptions, become apparent in part from the following descriptions, or be learned from the practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a surface cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of an air passage structure for the surface cleaning device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of part A in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of part B in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of part C in Fig. 1.

Reference numerals:

electric motor accommodating chamber 110, accommodating chamber air inlet part 111, accommodating chamber air outlet part 112;
inner cover 120, inner cover air inlet part 121, inner cover air outlet part 122, bottom surface 123;
air inlet passage 124, tubular body 125;
electric motor 130;
partition member 140;
first air passage cavity 141;
first section 1411, second section 1412, third section 1413, fourth section 1414;
second air passage cavity 142;
HEPA assembly 150, outer cover 160;
connecting component 170, snap groove 171;
surface cleaning device 300;
body 310, first accommodating groove 311, second accommodating groove 312;
dust cup 320, air inlet 321, air outlet 322;
cyclone separator 330, airflow stabilizing room 340.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings. The same or similar elements and the elements having same or similar functions are denoted by like reference numerals throughout the descriptions. The embodiments described herein with reference to drawings are explanatory, and used to illustrate the present disclosure. The embodiments shall not be construed to limit the present disclosure.
In the specification, it is to be understood that terms such as "central," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial" and "circumferential" should be construed to refer to the orientations or positions as described or as shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation or be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Thus, the relative terms shall not be construed to limit the present disclosure.
In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance or to imply the number of indicated technical features. Thus, the feature defined with "first" and "second" may comprise one or more of this feature. In the description of the present disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more than two, unless specified otherwise.
In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that, unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "coupled" are interpreted broadly and may be, for example, fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; may also be mechanical or electrical connections; may also be direct connections or indirect connections via intervening structures; may also be inner communications of two elements, which can be understood by those skilled in the art according to specific situations.
In the following, an air passage structure for a surface cleaning device 300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the air passage structure for the surface cleaning device 300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes an electric motor accommodating chamber 110, an inner cover 120 and an electric motor 130.
Specifically, the electric motor accommodating chamber 110 is provided with an accommodating chamber air inlet part 111 and an accommodating chamber air outlet part 112. The electric motor 130 is accommodated in the inner cover 120. The inner cover 120 is provided within the electric motor accommodating chamber 110 and provided with an inner cover air inlet part 121 and an inner cover air outlet part 122. The accommodating chamber air inlet part 111 is in communication with the inner cover air inlet part 121 via an air inlet passage 124. As shown in Fig. 2, an airflow enters the air inlet passage 124 through the accommodating chamber air inlet part 111 along a direction indicated by arrow "a", then enters the inner cover 120 through the inner cover air inlet part 121 in communication with the air inlet passage 124. The airflow a in the inner cover 120 flows out of the inner cover 120 through the inner cover air outlet part 122 along a direction indicated by arrow "a1" after passing by the electric motor 130. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the air inlet passage 124 may be provided at the top of the inner cover 120, while the inner cover air outlet part 122 may be provided at a position near the bottom of the inner cover 120, so as to prolong a length of an air flow path, stabilize turbulence, and hence reduce air-out noise.
A partition member 140 is provided in the electric motor accommodating chamber 110. The partition member 140 is provided between the inner cover 120 and the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112 to divide the electric motor accommodating chamber 110 into a first air passage cavity 141 and a second air passage cavity 142. The inner cover 120 is accommodated in the first air passage cavity 141. The first air passage cavity 141 is in communication with the second air passage cavity 142 at an outer wall of the air inlet passage 124. In other words, the inner cover air outlet part 122 is in communication with the first air passage cavity 141, the first air passage cavity 141 and the second air passage cavity 142 are communicated with each other at a position adjacent to the outer wall of the air inlet passage 124, and the second air passage cavity 142 is in communication with the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112. Thus, in a flowing process, the airflow needs to bypass an outer side wall of the inner cover 120 before entering the second air passage cavity 142, so as to extend the air flow path, reduce a flow velocity, further stabilize the turbulence, hence reduce the air-out noise of the air passage structure.
For instance, in an example shown in Fig. 2, the airflow enters the first air passage cavity 141 along a direction indicated by arrow "a2" after flowing out of the inner cover 120 along the direction indicated by arrow "a1"; the airflow flows along the first air passage cavity 141, and enters the second air passage cavity 142 along a direction indicated by arrow "a6"; finally, the airflow flows out through the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112 along a direction indicated by arrow "a7".
Regarding the air passage structure for the surface cleaning device 300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the partition member 140 is utilized to divide the electric motor accommodating chamber 110 into the first air passage cavity 141 and the second air passage cavity 14, such that the flow path of the airflow in the air passage structure is further extended, and the flow velocity of the airflow in the first air passage cavity 141 is reduced. In addition, in the flowing process, the airflow needs to bypass the outer side wall of the inner cover 120 before entering the second air passage cavity 142, so as to extend the flow path of the airflow in the air passage structure, reduce the flow velocity, and hence reduce the air-out noise.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the partition member 140 is connected to the outer side wall of the air inlet passage 124 and an inner wall, adjacent to the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112, of the electric motor accommodating chamber 110, and partitions the inner cover 120 from the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112. For example, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the second air passage cavity 142 is constituted by a side of a partition plate facing upwards, a portion of a top of the electric motor accommodating chamber 110, and a side wall between the partition plate and the top of the electric motor accommodating chamber 110 together. Thus, the first air passage cavity 141 is in communication with the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112 through the second air passage cavity 142. That is, the airflow passes through the second air passage cavity 142 after flowing out of the first air passage cavity 141, and finally is exhausted from the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the inner cover air outlet part 122 is formed at a side face of the inner cover 120 adjacent to the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112. After flowing out of the inner cover air outlet part 122 along the direction of arrow "a1", the airflow enters the first air passage cavity 141 and flows around a lower portion of the inner cover 120 along the direction of arrow "a2", then flows upwards along an inner side, away from the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112, of the electric motor accommodating chamber 110 (i.e. in a direction indicated by arrow "a4" in Fig. 2), enters the second air passage cavity 142 in the direction of arrow "a6", and finally is exhausted from the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112. Therefore, by providing the inner cover air outlet part 122 at the side face of the inner cover 120 adjacent to the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112, it is possible to extend the flow path of the airflow in the first air passage cavity 141, lower the flow velocity and hence reduce the air-out noise of the air passage structure. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric motor 130 is vertically provided in the first air passage cavity 141, which may extend the flow path of the airflow in the first air passage cavity 141.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner cover air outlet part 122 is formed by a plurality of silencing holes. It could be understood that the silencing hole may be a hole of a relatively small diameter, such that the air-out noise of the inner cover air outlet part 122 may be lowered using the principle of small hole for sound absorption. For convenience of description, the inner cover 120 defines a first section 1411 of the first air passage cavity 141 by an outer side wall of the inner cover air outlet part 122 and a corresponding inner wall of the electric motor accommodating chamber 110 opposite to the outer side wall of the inner cover air outlet part 122. A flow direction of the airflow in the first section 1411 is indicated by arrow "a2" in Fig. 2. In the example shown in Fig. 2, compared with the inner cover air outlet part 122, the first section 1411 of the first air passage cavity 141 has a larger space. As a result, when the airflow enters the first air passage cavity 141 from the inner cover air outlet part 122, since the space at the first section 1411 of the first passage cavity 141 is suddenly enlarged, the noise generated by the turbulence may be weakened in the process of entering the first passage cavity 141.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a distance between the inner cover 120 and an inner wall of the first passage cavity 141 is gradually decreased in the flow direction from the inner cover air outlet part 122 towards a bottom surface 123 of the inner cover 120. In the example shown in Fig. 2, in the direction of arrow "a2" in Fig. 2, the first section 1411 of the first air passage cavity 141 gradually becomes narrow. That is, a sectional area perpendicular to the direction of arrow "a2" is gradually decreased along the flow direction of the airflow in the second section 1412. Thus, the air-out noise may be further filtered, thereby improving a muting effect.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the first air passage cavity 141, the inner cover 120 is configured in such a way that a distance between the bottom surface 123 of the inner cover 120 and an inner wall, opposite the bottom surface 123, of the first air passage cavity 141 reaches the minimum, and the airflow in a second section 1412 of the first air passage cavity 141 flows along a direction indicated by arrow "a3". In other words, the second section 1412 of the first air passage cavity 141 is defined by the bottom surface 123 of the inner cover 120 and the inner wall, opposite the bottom surface 123, of the first air passage cavity 141; the second section 1412 is in communication with the first section 1411; in the first air passage cavity 141, the second section 1412 has the smallest sectional area among all the sectional areas perpendicular to the flow directions. For instance, in the example shown in Fig. 2, among all the sectional areas perpendicular to the flow directions, the sectional area of the first section 1411 is larger than that of the second section 1412, and the flow path is narrowed when the airflow enters the second section 1412 from the first section 1411, such that the noise generated by the turbulence may be further reduced.
Further, the distance between the inner cover 120 and the inner wall of the first passage cavity 141 is gradually increased in an airflow direction from the bottom surface 123 of the inner cover 120 towards a side, opposite the inner cover air outlet part 122, of the inner cover 120. That is, a third section 1413 of the first air passage cavity 141 is defined by the side, opposite the inner cover air outlet part 122, of the inner cover 120 and the inner wall of the first passage cavity 141; the third section 1413 is in communication with the second section 1412; the airflow in the third section 1413 flows along the direction of arrow "a4" in Fig. 2; a sectional area perpendicular to the direction of arrow "a4" is gradually increased along the direction of arrow "a4". Thus, after passing through the relatively narrow second section 1412, the airflow enters the third section 1413 gradually widened, which slows down the airflow velocity effectively, further stabilizes the airflow and reduces the noise generated by the turbulence.
In the example shown in Fig. 2, a fourth section 1414 is defined by a side of the inner cover 120 opposite the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112 at a position adjacent to a top wall of the inner cover 120 and the inner wall of the first passage cavity 141. The fourth section 1414 is in communication with the third section 1413. The airflow flows along a direction indicated by arrow "a5" in the fourth section 1414. The fourth section 1414 becomes narrow along the direction of arrow "a5". That is, a sectional area perpendicular to the direction of arrow "a5" is gradually decreased along the direction of arrow "a5". Thus, it is possible to perform noise reduction on the airflow again, thereby further reducing the air-out noise of the air passage structure.
Further, a sectional area of the second air passage cavity 142 perpendicular to the airflow direction is gradually increased in a direction towards the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112. Therefore, in the flowing process, the gradual expansion of the flowing space of the airflow can effectively reduce the flow velocity of the airflow, and hence reduce the air-out noise of the air passage structure.
As shown in Fig. 1, the air passage structure includes a HEPA assembly 150. The HEPA assembly 150 is provided at the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112 and located in the second air passage cavity 142. It could be understood that the HEPA assembly 150 has a function of dust filtration and noise absorption. By providing the HEPA assembly 150 at the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112, it is possible to further eliminate the noise of the air passage structure and improve the muting effect and dedusting effect of products.
As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the air passage structure further includes an outer cover 160. The outer cover 160 is provided with the accommodating chamber air inlet part 111. The first air passage cavity 141 is defined by a first portion of the outer cover 160, the partition member 140 and the surface cleaning device 300; the second air passage cavity 142 is defined by a second portion, opposite the first portion, of the outer cover 160 and the partition member 140. Thus, the air passage structure may be further simplified and become more compact and reasonable.
For instance, in an example shown in Fig. 3, a tubular body 125 is provided at the top of the inner cover 120 and faces upwards. A lower end of the tubular body 125 is in communication with the inner cover 120 and forms the inner cover air inlet part 121. The air inlet passage 124 is defined within the tubular body 125. To facilitate connection between the tubular body 125 and the outer cover 160, a connecting component 170 is fitted over an outer circumferential wall of the tubular body 125. A lower end of the connecting component 170 is connected with an outer side wall of the top of the inner cover 120, and an upper end of the connecting component 170 is in communication with the air inlet passage 124 and forms the accommodating chamber air inlet part 111. A side wall of the connecting component 170 adjacent to its upper end is provided with a snap groove 171 extending along a circumferential direction of the connecting component. The outer cover 160 is snapped into the snap groove 171.
An end of the partition plate is fitted over an outer circumferential wall of the connecting component 170 and connected with the outer side wall of the top of the inner cover 120. The second air passage cavity 142 is defined by a side, facing the outer cover 160, of the partition plate and a portion, opposite the partition plate, of the outer cover 160. In order to improve the muting effect of the air passage structure, the sectional area, perpendicular to the airflow direction, of the second air passage cavity 142 defined by the partition plate and the above portion of the outer cover 160 is gradually enlarged in the direction towards the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Fig. 5, a lower edge of the first portion of the outer cover 160 is provided in a first accommodating groove 311 defined in a body 310 of the surface cleaning device 300; a lower edge of the partition member 140 is provided in a second accommodating groove 312 defined in the body 310; the first accommodating groove 311 and the second accommodating groove 312 are located at opposite sides of the inner cover 120. Thus, it is possible to simplify a process of assembling the outer cover 160 and the body 310 of the surface cleaning device 300, and improve the production efficiency.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the surface cleaning device 300 may be configured as a horizontal vacuum cleaner or an upright vacuum cleaner.
A flowing process of air in the air passage structure for the surface cleaning device 300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 2 in detail.
As shown in Fig. 2, the air enters the air inlet passage 124 from the accommodating chamber air inlet part 111 along the direction of arrow "a", and enters the inner cover 120 from the inner cover air inlet part 121.
The airflow in the inner cover 120 flows out from the inner cover air outlet part 122 along the direction of arrow "a1", and then enters the first section 1411 of the first air passage cavity 141. Since the inner cover air outlet part 122 is formed by the plurality of silencing holes of relatively small diameter, and the first section 1411 of the first air passage cavity 141 has a relatively large space, when the airflow enters the first section 1411 of the first air passage cavity 141 from the inner cover air outlet part 122, the noise generated by the turbulence may be weakened in the process of entering the first passage cavity 141, due to the sudden enlargement of the flowing space for the airflow.
The airflow in the first section 1411 enters the second section 1412 along the direction of arrow "a3". Compared with the flowing space in the first section 1411, the flowing space in the second section 1412 is narrowed. When the airflow enters the second section 1412 from the first section 1411, the airflow undergoes a process in which the flowing space is narrowed, and hence the air-out noise of the air passage structure may be further reduced.
The airflow in the second section 1412 enters the third section 1413 along the direction of arrow "a4". Compared with the flowing space in the second section 1412, the flowing space in the third section 1413 is widened. When the airflow enters the third section 1413 from the second section 1412, the airflow undergoes a process in which the flowing space is widened, and the flowing space of airflow is enlarged hence the noise generated by the turbulence may be further weakened in the process of entering the third section 1413.
The airflow in the third section 1413 enters the fourth section 1414 along the direction of arrow "a5". Compared with the flowing space in the third section 1413, the flowing space in the fourth section 1414 is narrowed. When the airflow enters the fourth section 1414 from the third section 1413, the airflow undergoes the process in which the flowing space is narrowed again, and hence the air-out noise of the air passage structure may be further reduced.
The airflow in the fourth section 1414 enters the second air passage cavity 142 along the direction of arrow "a6", and flows along the direction of arrow "a7". In the flow direction indicated by arrow "a7", the sectional area of the second air passage cavity 142 perpendicular to the air flow direction is gradually increased in the direction towards the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112. Thus, the flow velocity of the airflow may be lowered effectively, and hence the air-out noise of the air passage structure may be reduced.
So far, the air in the air passage structure finishes a complete flowing process. The inner cover, the partition plate and the outer cover define air flow passages of different widths in the air passage structure. Due to the width change of the air passage structure, in the flowing process, the noise generated by the turbulence is gradually filtered and weakened, thereby achieving the muting effect of the air passage structure and improving the muting effect of the whole machine.
As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the surface cleaning device 300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes a dust cup 320, a cyclone separator 330 and the above air passage structure.
Specifically, the cyclone separator 330 is housed in the dust cup 320 and performs cyclonic dedusting on the air entering from the bottom of the dust cup 320. An air outlet 322 of the dust cup 320 is in communication with the inner cover air inlet part 121. As shown in Fig. 1, the dust cup 320 is provided with an air inlet 321 therein; the air enters the dust cup 320 through the air inlet and is dedusted by the cyclone separator 330; the dedusted air flows out through the air outlet 322 of the dust cup 320, and enters the air passage structure from the inner cover air inlet part 121.
Regarding the surface cleaning device 300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the partition member 140 is utilized to divide the electric motor accommodating chamber 110 into the first air passage cavity 141 and the second air passage cavity 14, such that the flow path of the airflow in the air passage structure is further extended, and the flow velocity of the airflow in the first air passage cavity 141 is reduced. In addition, in the flowing process, the airflow needs to bypass the outer side wall of the inner cover 120 before entering the second air passage cavity 142, so as to extend the flow path of the airflow in the air passage structure, reduce the flow velocity, and hence reduce the air-out noise.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an airflow stabilizing room 340 is defined between the air outlet 322 of the dust cup 320 and the inner cover air inlet part 121. As a result, the air flowing out of the dust cup 320 may be stabilized, so as to lower the flow velocity of the airflow entering the air passage structure and hence further reduce the air-out noise of the air passage structure. Further, as shown in Fig. 1, a sectional area of the airflow stabilizing room 340 perpendicular to the air flow direction is gradually increased from the air outlet 322 of the dust cup 320 towards the inner cover air inlet part 121. Therefore, it may be advantageous to reduce the noise in the air passage structure.
A flowing process of air in the air passage structure for the surface cleaning device 300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 in detail.
As shown in Fig. 1, the air enters the dust cup 320 through the air inlet and is dedusted by the cyclone separator 330; the dedusted air flows out through the air outlet 322 of the dust cup 320, and enters the airflow stabilizing room 340 from the inner cover air inlet part 121.
As shown in Fig. 2, the air enters the air inlet passage 124 from the accommodating chamber air inlet part 111 along the direction of arrow "a", and enters the inner cover 120 from the inner cover air inlet part 121.
The airflow in the inner cover 120 flows out from the inner cover air outlet part 122 along the direction of arrow "a1", and then enters the first section 1411 of the first air passage cavity 141. Since the inner cover air outlet part 122 is formed by the plurality of silencing holes of relatively small diameter, and the first section 1411 of the first air passage cavity 141 has a relatively large space, when the airflow enters the first section 1411 of the first air passage cavity 141 from the inner cover air outlet part 122, the noise generated by the turbulence may be weakened in the process of entering the first passage cavity 141, due to the sudden enlargement of the flowing space for the airflow.
The airflow in the first section 1411 enters the second section 1412 along the direction of arrow "a3". Compared with the flowing space in the first section 1411, the flowing space in the second section 1412 is narrowed. When the airflow enters the second section 1412 from the first section 1411, the airflow undergoes a process in which the flowing space is narrowed, and hence the air-out noise of the air passage structure may be further reduced.
The airflow in the second section 1412 enters the third section 1413 along the direction of arrow "a4". Compared with the flowing space in the second section 1412, the flowing space in the third section 1413 is widened. When the airflow enters the third section 1413 from the second section 1412, the airflow undergoes a process in which the flowing space is widened, and hence the noise generated by the turbulence may be further weakened in the process of entering the third section 1413.
The airflow in the third section 1413 enters the fourth section 1414 along the direction of arrow "a5". Compared with the flowing space in the third section 1413, the flowing space in the fourth section 1414 is narrowed. When the airflow enters the fourth section 1414 from the third section 1413, the airflow undergoes the process in which the flowing space is narrowed again, and hence the air-out noise of the air passage structure may be further reduced.
The airflow in the fourth section 1414 enters the second air passage cavity 142 along the direction of arrow "a6", and flows along the direction of arrow "a7". In the flow direction indicated by arrow "a7", the sectional area of the second air passage cavity 142 perpendicular to the air flow direction is gradually increased in the direction towards the accommodating chamber air outlet part 112. Thus, the flow velocity of the airflow may be lowered effectively, and hence the air-out noise of the air passage structure may be reduced.
So far, the air in the air passage structure finishes a complete flowing process. The inner cover, the partition plate and the outer cover define air flow passages of different widths in the air passage structure. Due to the width change of the air passage structure, in the flowing process, the noise generated by the turbulence is gradually filtered and weakened, thereby achieving the muting effect of the air passage structure and improving the muting effect of the whole machine.
Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "an example," "a specific example" or "some examples" means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the above phrases throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and illustrated, it shall be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be constructed to limit the present disclosure, and various changes, modifications, alternatives and variants without departing from the scope of the present disclosure are acceptable.

Claims

An air passage structure for a surface cleaning device, comprising:
an electric motor accommodating chamber provided with an accommodating chamber air inlet part and an accommodating chamber air outlet part;

an inner cover provided within the electric motor accommodating chamber and provided with an inner cover air inlet part and an inner cover air outlet part, wherein the accommodating chamber air inlet part is in communication with the inner cover air inlet part via an air inlet passage; and

an electric motor accommodated in the inner cover,

wherein a partition member is provided in the electric motor accommodating chamber; the partition member is provided between the inner cover and the accommodating chamber air outlet part to divide the electric motor accommodating chamber into a first air passage cavity and a second air passage cavity; the inner cover is accommodated in the first air passage cavity; the first air passage cavity is in communication with the second air passage cavity at an outer wall of the air inlet passage.
The air passage structure according to claim 1, wherein the inner cover air outlet part is formed by a plurality of silencing holes.
The air passage structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner cover air outlet part is formed at a side face of the inner cover adjacent to the accommodating chamber air outlet part.
The air passage structure according to claim 3, wherein the partition member is connected to the outer side wall of the air inlet passage and an inner wall, adjacent to the accommodating chamber air outlet part, of the electric motor accommodating chamber, and is configured to partition the inner cover from the accommodating chamber air outlet part.
The air passage structure according to claim 3, wherein in the first air passage cavity, the inner cover is configured in such a way that a distance between a bottom surface of the inner cover and an inner wall, opposite the bottom surface, of the first air passage cavity reaches the minimum.
The air passage structure according to claim 5, wherein a distance between the inner cover and an inner wall of the first passage cavity is gradually increased in a flow direction from the bottom surface of the inner cover towards a side, opposite the inner cover air outlet part, of the inner cover.
The air passage structure according to claim 5, wherein a distance between the inner cover and the inner wall of the first passage cavity is gradually decreased in the flow direction from the inner cover air outlet part towards the bottom surface of the inner cover.
The air passage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a sectional area of the second air passage cavity perpendicular to a flow direction is gradually increased in a direction towards the accommodating chamber air outlet part.
The air passage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) assembly provided at the accommodating chamber air outlet part and located in the second air passage cavity.
The air passage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an outer cover provided with the accommodating chamber air inlet part, wherein the first air passage cavity is defined by a first portion of the outer cover, the partition member and the surface cleaning device; and the second air passage cavity is defined by a second portion, opposite the first portion, of the outer cover and the partition member.
The air passage structure according to claim 10, wherein a lower edge of the first portion of the outer cover is provided in a first accommodating groove defined in a body of the surface cleaning device; a lower edge of the partition member is provided in a second accommodating groove defined in the body; the first accommodating groove and the second accommodating groove are located at opposite sides of the inner cover.
A surface cleaning device, comprising:
a dust cup;

a cyclone separator accommodated in the dust cup and configured to perform cyclonic dedusting on air entering a bottom of the dust cup; and

an air passage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein an air outlet of the dust cup is in communication with an inner cover air inlet part.