EP3254592B1 - Vacuum cleaner, in particular cyclonic vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, in particular a cyclone separator vacuum cleaner, with a vacuum cleaner base body and a dust collection device which is removably arranged in a receptacle provided by the vacuum cleaner base body and which has a latching element that engages behind an abutment provided by the vacuum cleaner base body when the dust collection device is properly inserted into the receptacle of the vacuum cleaner base body, so that the dust collecting device is secured in position in the removal direction, and with a handle part arranged on the dust collecting device such that it can be moved in the removal direction of the dust collecting device.

Vacuum cleaners in general and in cyclone separator vacuum cleaners in particular are known per se from the prior art, which is why a separate documentary proof is not required at this point.

A cyclone separator vacuum cleaner is a so-called bagless vacuum cleaner. This has a centrifugal separator, i.e. a so-called cyclone separator, in which, during operation, the dirt particles carried along by the suction air flow are separated under the effect of centrifugal force.

A generic vacuum cleaner has a vacuum cleaner body. This vacuum cleaner main body provides a receptacle in which a dust collecting device is arranged such that it can be removed by the user of the vacuum cleaner.

The dust collecting device has a locking element for the purpose of securing the position in the receptacle of the vacuum cleaner base body. In the case of a dust collecting device inserted as intended in the receptacle of the vacuum cleaner main body, the latching element engages behind an abutment provided by the vacuum cleaner main body. This ensures that the dust collecting device is secured in position in the removal direction.

The receptacle provided by the vacuum cleaner body for arranging the In vacuum cleaners known from the prior art, the dust collecting device is designed in such a way that, when the vacuum cleaner is operating as intended, the dust collecting device is held positively in the five directions of movement that deviate from the removal direction and non-positively in the removal direction by the locking element. The latching element and the counter-bearing interacting with it are coordinated with one another in such a way that the retaining force existing due to the engagement of the latching element on the abutment is less than the weight acting on the vacuum cleaner, so that proper removal of the dust-collecting device from the receptacle provided by the vacuum cleaner main body does not lead to this can cause the vacuum cleaner to lift off the ground.

For the purpose of simplified handling, the dust collecting device has a handle part that can be grasped by the user if necessary. The handle part is arranged on the dust collecting device so as to be linearly displaceable, specifically in the removal direction of the dust collecting device or in the opposite direction.

Although previously known vacuum cleaners have proven themselves in everyday practical use, there is a need for improvement, in particular with regard to the handling of a dust collecting device to be removed by the user from the receptacle of the vacuum cleaner main body. It has been shown that the solely frictional fixing of the dust collecting device in the removal direction can lead to the dust collecting device moving out of the receptacle of the vacuum cleaner base body in an undesired manner in the event of particularly improper handling of the vacuum cleaner. In order to counter this problem, it is known from the prior art to provide a positive locking of the dust collecting device also in the removal direction of the same. Such a lock, however, disadvantageously requires two-hand operation in the case of removal. On the one hand, unlocking is to be carried out and, on the other hand, the handle part of the dust collecting device must be grasped in order to guide the dust collecting device out of the receptacle of the vacuum cleaner base body. Such a two-hand operation is perceived by the user as cumbersome and complicates the removal of the dust collecting device in an unnecessary manner. In addition, additional components are required to form such a lock, which makes the production of the vacuum cleaner more expensive.

The pamphlet DE 10 2007 008 915 B3 discloses a vacuum cleaner with a removably disposed dust collector. For this purpose, a movable locking element is arranged on the dust collecting device, which fixes the dust collecting device in its locking position in the vacuum cleaner. To remove the dust collecting device from the vacuum cleaner, the user actuates a control button on the dust collecting device, whereby the spring-loaded locking element is moved out of the locking position. Only then can the dust collection device be removed from the vacuum cleaner using a handle. The disadvantage here is the additionally required actuation of an operating button in order to release the locking element. An intuitive and as simple as possible removal of the dust collection device is not guaranteed as a result. Based on the above, the object of the invention is to further develop a vacuum cleaner of the generic type in such a way that the user can easily remove the dust collection device, while at the same time ensuring that the dust collection device is secured in position in the receptacle provided by the vacuum cleaner main body.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a vacuum cleaner of the type mentioned, which is characterized in that the latching element can be transferred from a release position to a blocking position and vice versa, the latching element cooperating with a blocking element provided by the handle part, which in the removal direction the dust collecting device moved handle part releases a transfer of the locking element from the locking position into the release position.

The construction according to the invention provides a locking element. This locking element interacts with the locking element, the locking element blocking or releasing a movement of the locking element depending on the position. In this way it is achieved that the locking element can be held in its locking position by means of the locking element with the result that in the removal direction of the dust collecting device, not only a non-positive but also a positive fixing of the dust collecting device relative to the receptacle provided by the vacuum cleaner main body is guaranteed. This has the advantage that the dust collecting device is securely fixed in its position even in the event of improper handling of the vacuum cleaner and that the dust collecting device can undesirably slide out of the receptacle of the vacuum cleaner main body is avoided.

As soon as the latching element has been moved from its locking position into its release position, the user can remove the dust collecting device from the receptacle provided by the vacuum cleaner main body as intended. However, such removal is not possible when the latching element is in its blocking position. In this position, the latching element engages behind the abutment provided by the vacuum cleaner base body, thus providing a corresponding form fit that blocks removal of the dust collecting device. An unwanted movement of the locking element from its locking position into its release position is realized by the locking element according to the invention. This is because the blocking element can either be in a blocking position or in a release position, the blocking element blocking the latching element in the case of its blocking position, so that the latching element cannot release the dust collecting device. Only when the blocking element is in turn moved into the release position can the latching element also be moved from its blocking position into its release position, which then allows the dust collecting device to be removed in the removal direction.

According to the invention, the locking element is arranged on the handle part. As soon as the handle part is gripped for the purpose of removing the dust collecting device and is moved in the removal direction, the locking element is also transferred from the locking position to the release position. The result is that the locking element is released, that is, the form fit is released. The dust-collecting device is then only held in a force-locking manner, which force-locking connection is overcome when the user pulls on the handle part of the dust-collecting device, which results in the dust-collecting device being removed.

The special design feature according to the invention has the advantage that one-handed operation is permitted, and this while at the same time securing the dust collecting device in normal operation by means of a form fit. Because as long as the handle part is in the non-moved position, the locking element arranged on the handle part interacts with the latching element, whereby the latching element in its blocking position positively engages behind the abutment provided by the vacuum cleaner base body. Unintentional moving of the dust collecting device out of the receptacle of the vacuum cleaner main body is thus reliably prevented. Should the dust collection device of the Recording of the vacuum cleaner base body are now removed, for example for the purpose of emptying the same, the handle part of the dust collecting device is to be gripped by the user and moved in the direction of removal. As a result of this method, the operative connection between the locking element provided by the handle part on the one hand and the latching element on the other hand is canceled. This enables the locking element to be checked from the locked position into the release position. There is therefore only a non-positive, but no longer a positive, connection between the latching element and the abutment. If the user pulls on the handle part while applying appropriate force, the dust collecting device is released from the receptacle of the vacuum cleaner body by overcoming the positive connection between the locking element and the abutment, whereby the dust collecting device is removed as intended in the removal direction.

The result of the construction according to the invention is that simple and, above all, one-handed operation is permitted, so in contrast to the prior art, unlocking buttons that cannot be operated separately are provided, and that when the vacuum cleaner is operating as intended, the dust collecting device is also positively locked in the receiving direction in the removal direction Vacuum cleaner main body is held, so that even in the event of improper handling of the vacuum cleaner, an undesired movement of the dust collecting device out of the receptacle is reliably blocked.

According to a further feature of the invention, when the handle part is not moved, a transfer of the latching element from the blocking position into the release position is blocked by means of the blocking element. When the handle part is not moved, the positive connection between the latching element on the one hand and the abutment on the vacuum cleaner base body on the other hand is fixed. The locking element cannot move in order to break this positive connection, because it is blocked in its movement by the locking element. Only when the handle part is gripped by the user and moved in the removal direction of the vacuum cleaner device is the locking element disengaged from the locking element, which then enables the locking element to be moved into the release position, whereby the positive connection between locking element and abutment is canceled by force-induced backward movement of the locking element can be.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the locking element and the latching element are not directly operatively connected, but indirectly with the interposition of a thrust element. This push element can be, for example, a push rod that interacts directly with the locking element at one end and with the latching element at the other end. If the locking element is in its locking position, it blocks the pushing element in its movement. The locking element is thus also blocked in its movement. As soon as the locking element is moved into its release position, the pushing element can also move, that is to say it is no longer blocked by the locking element. If there is now a force-induced transfer of the locking element from its locking position to its release position, this takes place with simultaneous sliding movement of the thrust element, which movement is possible because the locking element is in its release position and the thrust element is no longer blocked. In this respect, the thrust element acts as a force transmission member between the locking element on the one hand and the latching element on the other hand.

According to a further feature of the invention it is provided that the locking element is held in the locking position under spring tension. This embodiment has the advantage that the locking element is automatically transferred from its locking position into its release position, as soon as the locking element releases the locking element, i.e. the locking element is no longer blocked due to the locking element transferred into its release position and can therefore be transferred to its release position.

In principle, two alternative designs are conceivable in this context. According to a first alternative, the latching element is held in the release position under spring tension. According to this variant, the form fit between the latching element and the abutment remains in place even after a locking element has been moved into its release position. This is because the latching element still engages in the undercut provided by the abutment, induced by spring force. If the dust collecting device is now removed as intended from the receptacle of the vacuum cleaner base body, this is done by the force applied by the user. The force to be applied by the user is at least so great that the spring force holding the latching element in the closed position is overcome. When the dust collecting device is removed, the latching element springs into the release position against the spring force acting on the latching element, which is then a Makes removal of the dust collection device possible. According to this alternative, the dust collecting device has to be removed with a certain expenditure of force, which results as a function of the spring force to be overcome and acting on the locking element.

According to a second alternative, the latching element is not held in the release position but in the blocking position under spring tension in the manner already described. According to this embodiment, the locking element then automatically springs back from its locking position into the release position due to the spring force acting on the locking element when the locking element comes out of the operative connection with the locking element, be it that the locking element is directly connected to the locking element or with the interposition of a thrust element cooperates with the locking element. According to this alternative, the transfer of the locking element into the release position already causes the locking element to move from its locking position into the release position, so that in the removal direction of the dust collecting device there is neither a force-fitting nor a form-fitting connection to the abutment of the vacuum cleaner base body.

According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided in this context that the locking element is moved into its release position when released by the locking element, induced by spring force. In the manner already described, the locking element is automatically transferred from the locking position to the release position when the locking element is moved into its release position, namely induced by spring force, i.e. due to the spring preload acting on the locking element in the locking position.

The dust collecting device is preferably that of a cyclone separator vacuum cleaner. In this case, the dust collecting device has on the one hand a dust collecting container and on the other hand a cyclone separator.

The handle part provided by the dust collection device is arranged to be linearly displaceable in the removal direction of the dust collection device, which is structurally realized in that the handle part has a handle on the one hand and two legs arranged on it, the handle part is therefore designed in the manner of a U-shaped bracket. The linear displaceability of the handle part results from the fact that it is in the longitudinal direction the leg can be moved relative to the dust collecting device. For this purpose, it is structurally provided that the dust collecting device has corresponding guide channels in which the legs of the handle part are arranged such that they can be moved linearly.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description with reference to the figures.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Seitenansicht einen erfindungsgemäßen Staubsauger;

Fig. 2

in schematischer Draufsicht von oben den Staubsauger nach Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

in seitlicher Schnittdarstellung ausschnittsweise die Staubsammeleinrichtung in Verschlussstellung;

Fig. 4

in einer schematischen Detailansicht das Rastelement nach Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

in einer schematischen Perspektivdarstellung die Staubsammeleinrichtung nach Fig. 3;

Fig. 6

in seitlicher Schnittdarstellung ausschnittsweise die Staubsammeleinrichtung in entriegelter Stellung;

Fig. 7

in einer schematischen Detailansicht das Rastelement nach Fig. 3 und

Fig. 8

in einer schematischen Perspektivdarstellung die Staubsammeleinrichtung nach Fig. 6.

Show it

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention;

Fig. 2

in a schematic plan view from above the vacuum cleaner after Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

in a side sectional view, a detail of the dust collecting device in the closed position;

Fig. 4

in a schematic detailed view of the locking element according to Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

in a schematic perspective illustration of the dust collecting device according to Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 6

in a side sectional view, extracts of the dust collecting device in the unlocked position;

Fig. 7

in a schematic detailed view of the locking element according to Fig. 3 and

Fig. 8

in a schematic perspective illustration of the dust collecting device according to Fig. 6 .

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vacuum cleaner 1 according to the invention, specifically in the form of a cyclone separator vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner 1 has a vacuum cleaner main body 2 which, in a manner known per se, has a handle 3 and a suction hose connection 4. The vacuum cleaner main body 2 also provides a receptacle 5, into which a dust collecting device 6 is inserted in normal operation. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the dust collecting device 6 has a dust collecting container 7 and a cyclone separator 8, which is not shown in detail in the figures.

The user can see the dust collecting device 6 from the receptacle 5 from time to time, in particular for emptying the dust collecting container 7, in which the dust picked up by the vacuum cleaner 1 collects in normal operation.

For the purpose of removing and handling the dust collecting device 6, it has a handle part that can be grasped by the user if necessary. This handle part provides on the one hand a handle 10 and on the other hand two legs 11 arranged thereon, which are linearly guided in corresponding guide channels of the dust collecting device, so that the handle part 9 as a whole can be moved linearly in the removal direction 12 of the dust collecting device 6.

the Figures 1 and 2 allow the vacuum cleaner 1 to be seen in the operating position, i.e. the dust collecting device 6 is accommodated as intended by the receptacle 5 of the vacuum cleaner main body 2 and the handle part 9 is in its retracted position, in which the handle 10 is flush with the upper part of the dust collecting device 10. In this position of the dust collecting device 6, the dust collecting device 6 is positively received by the receptacle 5, specifically in all six spatial directions, that is to say with reference to the plane of the drawing Fig. 1 up and down as well as left and right and with reference to the plane of the drawing Fig. 2 up and down.

In the operating position, there is therefore also a form-fitting fixing of the dust collecting device 6 in the removal direction 12, as can be seen in detail from the further figures.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 3 and 4, the dust collecting device 6 has a latching element 13. This latching element provides a latching cam 14 which, in the closed position, has a web 16 of an abutment 15 engages behind which abutment 15 is provided by the vacuum cleaner base body 2. As a result of this reaching behind, a positive fixation of the dust collecting device 6 relative to the vacuum cleaner base body 2 is achieved, and moving the dust collecting device 6 out of the exception 5 in the removal direction 12 is not readily possible, that is to say unintentionally.

In the operating position of the vacuum cleaner 1, the locking element 13 is fixed in position in the blocking position. This is achieved by means of a locking element 17 arranged on the handle part 9, which acts on the latching element 13 with the interposition of a thrust element 18, as can be seen in particular from the schematic perspective illustration Fig. 5 results.

The thrust element 18 is linearly guided by a bearing block 19, and can be adjusted with respect to the plane of the drawing Fig. 5 move linearly in the longitudinal direction 20 of the thrust element 18. It interacts on one end with the locking element 17 on the handle side and on the other end with the latching unit 13 of the dust collecting device 6.

In the operating position of the vacuum cleaner in accordance with Figures 1 and 2 the handle part is in the lowered position, as can be seen in particular from the illustrations Fig. 3 and 5 results. In this position of the handle part 9, the locking element 17 provided by the handle part 9 interacts at one end with the thrust element 18, with the result that the thrust element 18 retards its linear freedom of movement with respect to the plane of the drawing Fig. 5 blocked to the left. This leads to the fact that the locking element 13 is not with respect to the plane of the drawing according to the Figures 4 and 5 cannot move to the left and be moved into its release position, so that the locking cam 14 provided by the locking element 13 remains in the undercut with the abutment 15. As a result, a form-fitting connection is implemented between the dust collecting device 6 and the vacuum cleaner base body 2 in the removal direction 12, so that the dust collecting device 6 cannot inadvertently be moved out of the receptacle 5 in the removal direction 12.

In order to remove the dust collecting device 6, a user has to grasp the handle part 9 and move in the removal direction 12, as shown in FIG Figures 6 and 8th is shown by way of example. In the moved position of the handle part 9, the locking element 17 provided by the handle part 9 is also in the vertical direction, that is to say in FIG Move removal direction 12 upwards. As a result, the thrust element 18 is no longer blocked and can migrate to the left with reference to the plane of the drawing according to FIGS. 6 and 8, for example.

The locking element 13 is under spring tension in its locking position in accordance with, for example, the Fig. 5 held. As soon as the thrust element 18 is no longer blocked by the blocking element 17, the latching element 13 can move in a spring-force-induced manner with reference to the plane of the drawing Fig. 7 move to the left, because an evasion of the thrust element 18 is possible. When the thrust element 18 is no longer blocked, the latching element 13 is therefore moved into its in Fig. 7 Released position shown transferred, in which the positive connection between locking element 13 and abutment 15 is canceled. The dust collecting device 6 can now be moved by the user in the removal direction 12 from the exception 5.

The dust collecting device 6 is inserted into the receptacle 5 in the reverse order. Against the removal direction 12, the dust collecting device 6 is inserted into the receptacle 5 and the handle part 9 is moved downwards against the removal direction 12. The ramp provided by the locking element 17 presses against the pushing element 9 at one end, causing it to move with respect to the plane of the drawing Fig. 8 is moved to the right so that it presses against the locking element 13. Against the spring force acting on the latching element 13, the latching element 13 is moved until the latching cam 14 provided by the latching element 13 engages behind the abutment 15 provided by the vacuum cleaner main body 2 in the manner already described. There is now again a form-fitting contact between the latching element 13 and the abutment 15, which prevents the dust collecting device 6 from being inadvertently moved out of the receptacle 5.

The particular advantage of the construction described above is that one-handed operation for removing the dust collecting device 6 is made possible, and this while at the same time positively fixing the dust collecting device 6 in the receptacle 5 in the operating position of the vacuum cleaner 1.

the Figures 3 to 8 show the design of locking element 17, pushing element 18 and locking element 13 with respect to one longitudinal side of the vacuum cleaner 1. The other longitudinal side of the vacuum cleaner 1 is designed in a corresponding manner, so that a 2-point-shaped Determination of the dust collection device 6 is ensured in the event of operation.

Reference number

1

vacuum cleaner

2

Vacuum cleaner body

3

Handle

4th

Suction hose connection

5

recording

6th

Dust collection device

7th

Dust collector

8th

Cyclone separator

9

Handle part

10

Handle

11

leg

12th

Direction of removal

13th

Locking element

14th

Locking cams

15th

Abutment

16

web

17th

Locking element

18th

Thrust element

19th

Bearing block

20th

Longitudinal direction

Claims (7)

1. Vacuum cleaner, in particular a cyclone separator vacuum cleaner, comprising a vacuum cleaner main body (2) and a dust collection means (6) removably arranged in a receptacle (5) provided by the vacuum cleaner main body (2), which dust collection means comprises a latching element (13) which, when the dust collection means (6) is inserted as intended into the receptacle (5) of the vacuum cleaner main body (2), engages behind an abutment (15) provided by the vacuum cleaner main body (2) such that the dust collection means (6) is secured in position in the removal direction (12), and comprising a grip part (9) arranged on the dust collection means (6) so as to be movable in the removal direction (12) of the dust collection means (6),
   characterised in that
   the latching element (13) can be transferred from a release position into a blocking position and vice versa, the latching element (13) interacting with a blocking element (17) provided by the grip part (9), which blocking element releases a transfer of the latching element from the blocking position into the release position with the grip part (9) is moved in the removal direction (12) of the dust collection means (6).
2. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterised in that, when the grip part (9) is not moved, a transfer of the latching element (13) from the blocking position into the release position is blocked by means of the blocking element (17).
3. Vacuum cleaner according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the blocking element (17) acts on the latching element (13) with a push element (18) arranged therebetween.
4. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the latching element (13) is held in the blocking position under spring tension.
5. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, characterised in that the latching element (13) is moved into its release position, induced by spring force, when released by the blocking element (17).
6. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dust collection means (6) comprises a cyclone separator (8) and a dust collection container (7).
7. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the grip part (9) has a handle (10) and two legs (11) arranged thereon.

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