EP3681361A1

EP3681361A1 - Surface cleaning device

Info

Publication number: EP3681361A1
Application number: EP18707364.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Robieu; Filippo Costa; Jürgen ZUGER; Mathias KRIEG; Hannes BELZ; Heiko Schneider
Original assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2017-09-13
Filing date: 2018-02-26
Publication date: 2020-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2038-02-26
Also published as: CN111093449A; CN111093449B; EP4201282A2; EP3681361B1; DE102017121208A1; WO2019052692A1; EP4201282A3; CN114766967B; CN114766967A

Abstract

The invention relates to a surface cleaning device (10; 210) comprising a housing (12; 212) in which a suction assembly (22; 306) for forming a suction flow is arranged, and comprising a suction nozzle (14; 216) fluidically connected to the suction assembly (22; 306) for suctioning a liquid-air mixture, and comprising a separation device (44; 258) for separating liquid out of the suctioned liquid-air mixture, and comprising a liquid tank (42; 218) for receiving the separated liquid, wherein the liquid tank (42; 218) is detachably retained on the housing (12; 212) and can be emptied via a tank-emptying opening (98; 322). In order to further develop the surface cleaning device (10; 210) in such a way that the liquid tank (42; 218) can be easily emptied, without there being the risk that liquid leaks out of the liquid tank (42; 218) with a subsequent operation of the surface cleaning device (10; 210), according to the invention, the tank-emptying opening (98; 322) can be sealingly closed by a closing wall (100; 254) of the housing (12; 212) and is freely accessible by detaching the liquid tank (42; 218) from the housing (12; 212).

Description

SURFACE CLEANER

The invention relates to a surface cleaning device with a housing in which a suction unit is arranged to form a suction flow, and with a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for sucking a liquid-air mixture, and with a separator for separating liquid from the aspirated liquid Air mixture, and with a liquid tank for receiving the separated liquid, wherein the liquid tank is detachably held on the housing and emptied via a tank emptying opening.

With the aid of such a surface cleaning device, a surface, for example a bottom surface, a tiled wall surface, a table surface or for example a glass surface, in particular a window pane, can be cleaned.

The surface cleaning device can be guided along the surface to be cleaned and has a housing in which a suction unit is arranged to form a suction flow. The suction unit is in flow communication with a suction nozzle, so that a mixture of liquid and air can be sucked off, for example, from the surface to be cleaned or from a surface contacting the cleaning element of the surface cleaning device. As a cleaning element, for example, a cleaning roller, a cleaning pad or a cleaning fabric can be used. With the aid of a separating device, liquid can be separated from the aspirated liquid-air mixture. The extracted air can flow to the suction unit and be discharged from this via at least one exhaust port to the environment, whereas the separated liquid can be collected in a liquid tank. The liquid tank can be separated from the housing and emptied through a tank emptying opening. A surface cleaning device of the aforementioned type is known from

WO 2017/108090 AI known. In this surface cleaning device, the liquid tank to a tank housing and a filling device and can be removed from the housing, and for emptying the liquid tank, the filling device must be removed from the tank housing. This complicates the handling of the surface cleaning device when emptying the liquid tank.

From WO 2015/007327 AI a surface cleaning device is known in which the liquid tank has a tank emptying opening on a wall portion facing away from the housing, which can be closed by a plug. To empty the fluid tank, the user must remove the plug from the tank emptying opening, and after emptying the fluid tank, the user must be sure to close the tank emptying opening again with the plug, otherwise there is a risk of fluid leakage while using the surface cleaner escapes the liquid tank.

Object of the present invention is therefore to develop a surface cleaning device of the type mentioned in such a way that it can be emptied easily, without the risk that escapes during the subsequent operation of the surface cleaning device liquid from the liquid tank.

This object is achieved in a surface cleaning device of the generic type according to the invention that the tank emptying opening of a closure wall of the housing is tightly closed and freely accessible by dissolving the liquid tank from the housing.

The idea flows into the invention that the emptying of the liquid tank can be simplified for the user in that the liquid tank can be emptied via a tank emptying opening, which is emptied from the tank a closure wall of the housing is sealed when the liquid tank is connected to the housing. If the liquid tank separated from the housing, the tank emptying opening is no longer closed by the closing wall of the housing, but the tank emptying opening is freely accessible and open, so that the tank can be emptied through the tank emptying opening. After emptying, the user can reconnect the liquid tank to the housing, and this then results in the tank emptying opening being sealed again. The emptying of the liquid tank is thus very easy for the user, without the risk that liquid can escape from the liquid tank in a subsequent operation of the surface cleaning device after the liquid tank has been emptied.

Conveniently, the tank emptying opening with the interposition of a sealing device to the closing wall sealingly applied. The sealing device may be held on the liquid tank or on the closing wall.

Preferably, the sealing device is designed as a molded seal, which is integrally connected to the closing wall or to the liquid tank.

It is advantageous if the liquid tank forms, together with the separating device, a liquid collecting device which can be detachably connected to the housing, wherein the separating device has a cover which covers a tank opening of the liquid tank and which has the tank emptying opening. In such an embodiment of the invention, the liquid tank in combination with the separation device forms a unit which can be detached from the housing in the form of a liquid collection device which is set up to separate and collect liquid from the extracted liquid-air mixture. The separation of the liquid from the extracted liquid-air mixture is carried out using the separator, and the separated liquid is collected in the liquid tank. The liquid tank has a tank opening, which is covered by a cover of the separator. The cover faces the tank emptying opening on. For emptying the liquid tank this can be solved together with the separator from the housing, this then has the consequence that the arranged on the cover tank emptying opening is freely accessible, so that the liquid tank can be emptied through the tank emptying opening without an additional closure element, for example a plug, needs to be removed. After emptying the liquid tank this can be re-connected to the housing together with the separator. This has the consequence that the tank emptying opening is sealed by the closing wall of the housing.

It is advantageous if the liquid collecting device can be releasably latched to the housing.

It is advantageous if the separation device has a separation unit held on the cover, which dips into the liquid tank, wherein liquid can be separated from the extracted liquid-air mixture by means of the separation unit. In such an embodiment of the invention, the deposition of liquid takes place within the liquid tank. For this purpose, a separator is held on the cover which covers the tank opening, which dips into the liquid tank. The suction flow caused by the suction unit passes through the separation unit and the liquid tank.

The tank emptying opening is conveniently arranged offset to the separation unit.

Preferably, the separation unit has an inlet channel for the extracted liquid-air mixture, at least one Strömungsumlenkelement for deflecting the liquid-air mixture and an air outlet channel for discharging the extracted air to the suction unit, wherein on the cover an opening into the inlet channel inlet opening and one in the air outlet channel opening air outlet opening are arranged, wherein the inlet Opening is connected via a suction line with the suction nozzle in flow communication, and wherein the air outlet opening is connected via an air outlet to the suction unit in flow communication. In such an embodiment of the invention, the cover of the separation device in addition to the tank emptying opening on an inlet opening and an air outlet opening. The inlet opening is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle via a suction line, and the inlet channel, which dips into the liquid tank, adjoins the inlet opening. The air outlet opening is in fluid communication with the suction unit via an air outlet line. Within the liquid tank, the air outlet opening is preceded by the air outlet channel. The aspirated liquid-air mixture can thus be sucked from the suction nozzle via the suction line and the inlet opening in the inlet channel. Based on the suction flow downstream of the inlet channel, the separation unit has at least one flow deflection element with the aid of which the liquid-air mixture is deflected. This has the consequence that liquid separates on Strömungsumlenkelement and collects in the liquid tank. The air can then reach the suction unit via the air outlet duct, the air outlet opening and the air outlet duct and be discharged from the latter via at least one exhaust air opening to the surroundings.

Preferably, the separation unit comprises an inner tube and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube in the circumferential direction to form an annular space, wherein the inlet channel and the air outlet channel are arranged in the inner tube and the annular space is arranged downstream of the at least one Strömungsumlenkelements and forms a vortex chamber. The separation of liquid from the aspirated liquid-air mixture takes place in such an embodiment in several stages. Via the inlet channel, the liquid-air mixture passes to the at least one flow deflection element, on which, as already mentioned above, liquid is deposited. Downstream of the Strömungsumlenkelements possibly entrained by the air liquid droplets can be deposited in an annular space which forms a swirl chamber, so that the air is swirled and thereby liquid droplets are reliably separated from the air. The air can then be sucked out via the air outlet duct. Since the air outlet channel is arranged together with the inlet channel in the inner tube of the separation unit, which is surrounded by the formation of the annular space from the outer tube, the separation unit has a very compact design.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the annular space surrounding the inner tube has an annular space inlet arranged downstream of the at least one flow deflection element and at least one annular space outlet, which opens into the outlet channel.

It is advantageous if the at least one annular space outlet opens in the radial direction into the outlet channel relative to the longitudinal axis of the outlet channel. This supports vortex formation within the annulus.

The annular space preferably has two annular space outlets arranged offset from one another in the circumferential direction.

In particular, it can be provided that two annulus outlets are diametrically opposed to each other.

The annular space inlet opens in an advantageous embodiment of the invention with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outlet channel in the axial direction in the annular space.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a flow deflection element is arranged on the end of the inlet channel facing away from the cover. In such an embodiment of the invention, the aspirated liquid-air mixture meets at the end of the inlet channel facing away from the cover on a Strömungsumlenkelement, at which the liquid-air mixture is deflected, so that liquid is deposited. The flow deflecting element arranged at the end of the inlet channel facing away from the cover is preferably designed as a hollow body which forms a hollow body inlet pipe arranged in alignment with the inlet channel and at least one hollow body outlet pipe aligned at an angle to the hollow body inlet pipe. The suction flow caused by the suction unit flows through the hollow body inlet line and the at least one hollow body outlet line, wherein it undergoes a deflection for the separation of liquid.

Conveniently, the hollow body has two hollow body outlet lines facing away from one another.

It is advantageous if the at least one hollow body outlet line is aligned perpendicular to the hollow body inlet line. In such an embodiment, the suction flow is deflected by 90 ° during the transition from the hollow body inlet line to the hollow body outlet line, so that a particularly effective separation of liquid from the aspirated liquid-air mixture results.

As already mentioned, the separation unit held on the cover preferably has an outer tube and an inner tube. In this case, it is expedient for the outer tube to be longer than the inner tube, wherein the at least one hollow body outlet line extends through the outer tube in an end section projecting beyond the inner tube. The outer tube held on the cover thus extends beyond the at least one hollow body outlet line in the direction away from the cover. At its side facing away from the cover end face, the outer tube may have an opening through which the suction flow can get into the outer tube. In the region between the at least one hollow body outlet line and the frontal opening of the outer tube, the suction flow can undergo a further deflection, which assists the separation of liquid. A further improved separation effect is achieved in an advantageous embodiment of the invention in that the flow cross-section of the outer tube decreases with increasing axial distance from the end of the inner tube.

In order to avoid that during a movement of the surface cleaning device along the surface to be cleaned, in particular in an abrupt change in speed or direction, liquid from the liquid tank on the frontal opening can enter the outer tube, is in an advantageous embodiment of the invention on the the cover facing away from the outer tube, a protective hood arranged. The guard forms a surge protection, which avoids the entry of liquid into the outer tube.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closing wall of the housing, which closes the tank emptying opening of the liquid tank tightly when it is connected to the housing, has a closing member for closing the tank emptying opening. The closing member is suitably adapted to the shape of the tank emptying opening. By adapting the closure member to the shape of the tank emptying opening can be ensured in a structurally simple manner that the closing wall can close the tank emptying opening tight.

The closure member is conveniently connected to the tank emptying opening positively and / or non-positively connected. In such an embodiment, the closure member with the tank emptying opening forms a positive fit and / or a positive connection when the liquid tank is connected to the housing.

Preferably, the closure member forms a plug which can be inserted into the tank emptying opening when the liquid tank is connected to the housing. The plug thus protrudes into the tank emptying opening and closes it when the liquid tank is connected to the housing. Will the Liquid tank detached from the housing, the plug releases the tank emptying opening, so that the liquid tank can be emptied through the tank emptying opening in a simple manner.

It is advantageous if the closing member has a closing body on which an elastically deformable sealing element is arranged.

It is particularly advantageous if the closing body is integrally connected to the closing wall, so that the closing wall including the

Closing body forms a one-piece plastic molding. On the closing body, the elastically deformable sealing element is arranged.

It is particularly advantageous if the sealing element is integrally connected to the closing body. The sealing element may for example be glued to the closing body.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing element forms an injection molded part with two components together with the closing body. The closing body can in this case form a hard component of the injection-molded part and the sealing element can form a soft component of the injection-molded part. In particular, the sealing element may consist of a rubber-elastic material.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the liquid tank to a tank housing and a filling device, wherein the tank housing has a tank connection and the filling device with the Tankan- circuit is liquid-tight connectable, and wherein the filling device has a filling channel and a vent channel, which dip into the tank housing , and wherein the filling device has the tank emptying opening, via which the liquid tank can be emptied after being detached from the housing. Via the filling channel, liquid which has been separated from the aspirated liquid-air mixture can enter the tank housing of the liquid tank, with air present in the tank housing at the same time can be discharged through the vent channel. After dissolving the liquid tank from the housing, the tank housing can be emptied via the tank emptying opening of the filling device, without it being necessary for this purpose to separate the filling device from the tank housing.

The filling channel and the ventilation channel dive into the tank housing, so that their end regions remote from the tank connection can be spaced from the tank connection. In contrast, the tank emptying opening can be designed in the form of a tank evacuation channel, which extends practically only in the area of the tank connection, without appreciably protruding into the tank housing.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the filling device has a connecting piece which can be plugged into the tank connection and which has the tank emptying opening. The connector is conveniently plugged into the tank port and carries on its outside a sealing ring which is liquid-tight to the inside of the tank connection can be applied.

It is advantageous if the filling device can be connected in a liquid-tight manner to the closing wall of the housing. The liquid-tight connection between the housing and the filling device ensures that liquid separated from the aspirated liquid-air mixture can pass into the tank housing via the filling channel of the filling device without the risk of the liquid inadvertently escaping to the outside.

Preferably, the filling device has a collar and the closing wall has a pipe socket, wherein the pipe socket with the collar with the interposition of a sealing element is pluggable connectable.

It can be provided, for example, that the pipe socket of the closing wall dips into the collar of the filling device when the liquid keitstank is connected to the housing. If the liquid tank is detached from the housing, the collar of the filling device releases the pipe socket of the closing wall.

The positionable between the collar of the filling device and the pipe socket of the closing wall sealing element is conveniently cohesively connected to the pipe socket of the closing wall.

For example, it can be provided that the sealing element is glued to the collar.

It is particularly advantageous if the closing wall, including the pipe socket, together with the sealing element arranged on the pipe socket, forms an injection molded part with two components, the sealing element forming a soft component and the closing wall, including the collar, a hard component of the injection molded part.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing of the surface cleaning device has an inner housing and an outer housing, wherein the inner housing accommodates the separating device and the suction unit and the outer housing surrounds the inner housing, and wherein the inner housing has the closing wall. The provision of an inner housing and an outer housing makes it possible to optimize the outer shape of the surface cleaning device to give the surface cleaning device a high-quality appearance, without affecting the technical function of the surface cleaning device is impaired. In order to achieve an optimum technical function of the surface cleaning device, the inner housing, which accommodates the separator and at least the suction unit, have a shape adapted to the shape of the separator and the suction unit, which meets the technical requirements and functions of the surface cleaning device, and the outer housing can largely be optimized independently of these technical requirements and functions such that the area cleaning device has an attractive design and can be easily moved by the user along a surface to be cleaned. The liquid tank is detachably connected to the housing and can be released from the housing for emptying. For tightly closing the tank emptying opening of the liquid tank, the inner housing has the closing wall already explained above, which closes the tank emptying opening tightly when the liquid tank is connected to the housing.

The inner housing can form together with the deposition device positioned therein and the suction unit positioned therein an assembly that can be inexpensively manufactured and pre-assembled in large quantities. Depending on the requirement, which is placed on the outer shape of the surface cleaning device, then different outer housing can be used, which surround the inner housing.

It is advantageous if the inner housing has a first inner housing part and a second inner housing part, wherein the separation device is arranged in the first inner housing part and the suction unit in the second inner housing part, and wherein the two inner housing parts are connectable to each other, in particular releasably connectable.

It can be provided, for example, that the two inner housing parts are screwed together or latched together.

In addition to the suction unit, an electrical control device and at least one rechargeable battery are arranged in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention in the second inner housing part. In such an embodiment, the inner housing forms together with the separator, the suction unit, the control device and the at least one rechargeable battery from an assembly that meets all the technical requirements and functions of the surface cleaning device and in the assembly of the surface cleaning device on the fulfillment of this Requirements and functions can be tested, for example, for leaks.

It is advantageous if the first inner housing part has the closing wall, which seals the tank emptying opening of the liquid tank when it is connected to the housing.

The closing wall preferably forms a bottom wall of the first inner housing part.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first inner housing part on a hood, which is liquid-tightly connected to the bottom wall and together with the bottom wall defines a deposition chamber in which the separation device is arranged.

The separating device may, for example, have a baffle plate. The aspirated liquid-air mixture can impinge on the baffle plate, wherein liquid from the liquid-air mixture is deposited, which can then be supplied to the liquid tank, whereas the air can be discharged by means of the suction unit to the environment.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outer housing has a first outer housing part and a second outer housing part, which together form an outer housing jacket which surrounds the inner housing in the circumferential direction.

It is particularly favorable when the outer housing has a third outer housing part, which covers one side of the inner housing facing away from the suction nozzle. The third outer housing part, for example, form a footprint for the surface cleaning device, so that the surface cleaning device can be placed in an upright position on a footprint. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface cleaning device on a handle that can be taken by the user to guide the surface cleaning device along the surface to be cleaned.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the surface cleaning device forms a portable window cleaning device. The suction nozzle may for this purpose have at least one Abziehlippe and the window cleaning device can be moved in the manner of a manual Fensterabziehers on the surface to be cleaned, in particular on a window pane along.

The following description of two advantageous embodiments of the invention is used in conjunction with the drawings for further explanation. Show it :

Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a surface cleaning device with a suction nozzle and a Flüssigkeitsssammelvor- direction, which are releasably held on a housing;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the surface cleaning device taken along the line 2-2 in Figure 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the surface cleaning device of FIG. 1 with the fluid collection device removed from the housing;

FIG. 4: a side view of the liquid collecting device;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the liquid collecting device in the manner of an exploded view;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a separation device of the liquid collection device; FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the separating device along the line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the separating device along the line 8--8 in FIG

Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a sectional view of the separator along the line 9-9 in

Figure 6;

FIG. 10: a perspective view of a second embodiment

a surface cleaning device having a suction nozzle and a liquid tank, which are detachably held on a housing;

Figure 11: a perspective view of the surface cleaning device

Figure 10, wherein the suction nozzle and the liquid tank are separated from the housing;

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 10, wherein the liquid tank is connected to the housing;

FIG. 13: an enlarged view of detail X from FIG. 12;

Figure 14 is a sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 10, wherein the liquid tank is detached from the housing;

Figure 15 is an enlarged view of detail Y of Figure 15;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the liquid tank of the surface cleaning device of Figure 10;

FIG. 17 shows a first perspective view of a filling device of the liquid tank from FIG. 16; FIG. 18 shows a second perspective illustration of the filling device of the liquid tank from FIG. 16;

Figure 19 is a perspective view in the manner of an exploded view of the housing of the surface cleaning device of Figure 10 with an inner housing and a three-piece outer housing;

Figure 20 is a perspective view in the manner of an exploded view of the inner housing of the surface cleaning device of Figure 10;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a closing wall of the inner housing of the surface cleaning device from FIG. 10.

A first advantageous refinement of a surface cleaning device according to the invention is shown schematically in FIGS. 1 to 9, which is referenced overall by the reference numeral 10. The surface cleaning device 10 is configured in the illustrated embodiment as a hand-held Hartflächenreinigungs- device with the liquid from a hard surface, such as a window or a table surface or, for example, from a tiled wall or a shower stall, can be sucked.

The surface cleaning device 10 has a housing 12, on which a suction nozzle 14 and a liquid drum collecting device 16 are releasably held. The housing 12 forms a handle 18 which can be grasped by the user with one hand to guide the surface cleaning device 10 on a surface to be cleaned. In the drawing, the surface cleaning device 10 is shown in an upright position, in which a longitudinal axis 20 of the surface cleaning device 10 is vertically aligned and the suction nozzle 14 is disposed above the housing 12. The surface cleaning device 10 can be used by the user not only in the upright position but in any orientation, for example, the surface cleaning device 10 can be operated lying, ie with horizontally oriented longitudinal axis 20, or for example in a position overhead. This makes it easier for the user to guide the surface cleaning device 10, for example, along a window pane or a table surface.

Below the handle 18, a suction unit 22 is arranged in the housing 12, which has a suction turbine 24 and an electric motor 26 which drives the suction turbine 24. Adjacent to the electric motor 26, a rechargeable battery 28 and an electronic control unit 30 are arranged in the housing 12. For switching on and off of the electric motor 26, a manually operable switching element 32 is positioned on the suction unit 22 remote from the end of the handle 18.

The suction nozzle 14 is releasably held on the housing 12 and has a first Abziehlippe 34 and a second Abziehlippe 36, which are positioned at a suction opening 38. At the suction opening 38, a suction line 40 connects.

The liquid collection device 16 is also releasably held on the housing 12. It comprises a liquid tank 42 and a separator 44. The liquid tank 42 and the separator 44 together form an assembly which can be separated in its entirety from the housing 12.

The liquid tank 42 has a tank opening 46, which is designed in the manner of a nozzle. The separation device 44 has a cover 48 which covers the tank opening 46 and comprises a molded seal 50 which dips into the tank opening 46 and seals it tightly.

On the cover 48, a separation unit 52 is held, which dips into the liquid tank 42. The separation unit 52 has an inner tube 54 and an outer tube 56 surrounding the inner tube 54 in the circumferential direction. The inner tube 54 is divided by an angled partition 58 into an inlet channel 60 and an air outlet channel 62. The inlet channel 60 and the air outlet channel 62 are parallel to the longitudinal axis 20 of the surface cleaning device 10, that is, the longitudinal axis 67 of the air outlet channel is parallel to the longitudinal axis 20 of the surface cleaning device 10. Via an inlet opening 64 of the cover 48, the inlet channel 60 is in fluid communication with the suction line 40, and via an air outlet 66, the air outlet channel 62 with an air outlet 68 in flow communication, which passes through the handle 18 and extends to the suction unit 22.

At the downstream, the inlet opening 64 facing away from the end of the inlet channel 60, a T-shaped Strömungsumlenkelement 70 is arranged in the form of a hollow body having an aligned to the inlet channel 60 hollow body inlet line 72 and two opposite and each perpendicular to the hollow body inlet 72 aligned hollow body outlet lines 74, 76 ,

The outer tube 56 is formed in two parts and comprises a first outer tube section 78 and a subsequent thereto second outer tube section 80. The first outer tube section 78 surrounds the inner tube over its entire length to form an annular space 82 which extends to the cover 48. The second outer tube section 80 adjoins the end of the first outer tube section 78 facing away from the cover 48 and protrudes beyond the inner tube 54 with respect to the longitudinal axis 20 of the surface cleaning device 10, so that the outer tube 56 has a greater overall length than the inner tube 54.

As the distance from the first outer tube section 78 increases, the flow cross section of the second outer tube section 80 decreases. The second outer tube section 80 is penetrated by the two hollow body outlet lines 74, 76 of the flow deflection element 70. This becomes clear in particular from FIG.

The free end of the second outer pipe section 80 facing away from the first outer pipe section 78 forms an opening 84, which is partially covered by a protective hood 86. The protective hood 86, this is made in particular FIGS. 6 and 7 clearly show a bottom 88 arranged at a distance from the opening 84 and partially covering the opening 84, and a jacket 90 which is connected in one piece to the bottom 88 and extends in the circumferential direction over an angular range of at least 180 ° extends, wherein it completely surrounds the opening 84 of the second outer pipe section 80 on the housing 12 side facing. The protective hood 86 is held on the second outer pipe section 80.

The annular space 82 surrounding the inner tube 54 in the circumferential direction extends from the cover 48 to the free end of the first outer tube section 78 and forms at its end facing away from the cover 48 an annular space inlet 92 extending over the circumference of the inner tube 54. The air outlet channel 62 is at its the cover 48 facing away from the end face closed, but it is via two opposing annulus outlets 94, 96 in fluid communication with the annular space 82. This becomes clear in particular from FIG.

The cover 48 has, in addition to the inlet opening 64 and the air outlet opening 66, a tank emptying opening 98, which is arranged offset to the separating unit 52 and is covered by a closing wall 100 of the housing 12 in the mounted state of the liquid collecting device 16. On the closing wall 100, a sealing device 102 is arranged. This becomes clear in particular from FIG. In the mounted state, in which the liquid collecting device 16 is held on the housing 12, the inlet opening 64, the air outlet opening 66 and the tank emptying opening 98 are liquid-tight and flow-tight against the sealing device 102.

As already mentioned, the liquid collection device 16 is detachably connected to the housing 12. The liquid tank 42 forms for this purpose a support wall 104, which rests on a stably configured retaining wall 106 of the housing 12. The retaining wall 106 is arranged at the level of the suction unit 22 and extends up to a bottom wall 108 of the housing 12. The cover 48 has a substantially C-shaped in the plan view retaining clip 110 with a first elastically deformable leg 112 and a second elastically deformable leg 114. At the free ends of the legs 112, 114 respectively a latching hook 116 and 118 is held , which in the assembled state of the liquid collecting device 16 engages behind a complementarily configured latching projection 120 or 122 of the housing 12. The latching hooks 116, 118 in combination with the latching projections 120, 122 a latching connection, which can be solved by the user by squeezing the two legs 112, 114 to disengage the liquid collecting device 16 from the housing 12. The tank emptying opening 98 covered in the mounted state by the closing wall 100 is then freely accessible, so that the liquid tank 42 can be emptied.

The surface cleaning device 10 can be set by the user by operating the switching element 32 in motion. Under the action of the suction unit 22, a suction flow is formed, which extends from the suction opening 38 via the suction line 40, the inlet opening 64 and the inlet channel 60 through the Strömungsumlenkelement 70 into the liquid tank 42. From the liquid tank 42, the suction flow runs via the frontal opening 84 through the second outer pipe section 80 into the annular space 82 and extends therefrom via the two annular space outlets 94, 96 into the air outlet channel 62 and from there via the air outlet opening 66 and the air outlet line 68 to the suction unit 22 The air can be released to the environment via an exhaust opening 124 of the housing 12. The exhaust port 124 is covered in the assembled state of the liquid collecting device 16 from the liquid tank 42, wherein, however, an air gap between the housing 12 and the liquid tank 42 is formed, through which the exhaust air can be discharged.

By means of the surface cleaning device 10, liquid can be sucked off a surface to be cleaned, for example from a window pane or a table surface. The surface cleaning device 10 can be guided by the user on the surface to be cleaned, wherein by means of the Abzieh- lips 34, 36 withdrawn liquid and the suction port 38 can be supplied. In the region of the suction opening 38, the liquid is detected by the suction flow of the suction unit 22, so that a mixture of liquid and air is supplied via the suction line 40 to the separating device 44. The aspirated liquid-air mixture flows through the inlet channel 60 and the adjoining the inlet channel 60 hollow body inlet line 72 and is then deflected by 90 ° and delivered via the two hollow body outlet lines 74, 76 in the liquid tank 42. A majority of the liquid impinges on the wall of the liquid tank 42 and separates therefrom, whereas the air passes via the frontal opening 84 into the second outer pipe section 80 and flows from the latter substantially in the axial direction via the annular space inlet 92 into the annular space 82. Within the annular space 82, a vortex of air is formed, since the air only in the radial direction in the air outlet passage 62 via the two annular space outlets 94, 96 and then can flow from this via the air outlet 68 to the suction unit 22. The deflection of the sucked liquid-air mixture by means of Strömungsumlenkelements 70 already leads to a considerable separation of liquid. A further separation takes place during the flow around the second outer tube section 80 and on entering the second outer tube section 80 via the frontal opening 84. Within the annular space 82, which forms a vortex chamber in which the air is swirled, also last liquid droplets are removed from the extracted air ,

The separation of liquid is independent of the orientation of the surface cleaning device 10. In particular, the deposition of liquid is also when the surface cleaning device 10 assumes a horizontal position or a position overhead. Residual liquid that deposits overhead within the annulus 82 during operation of the surface cleaner 10 may be cached, in overhead operation, in the region of the annulus 82 that extends between the annulus outlets 94, 96 and the cover 48. It is therefore also at Operation over head virtually no risk that liquid can get into the air outlet duct 62 and through this to the suction unit 22.

During the operation of the surface cleaning device 10, the separated liquid collects in the liquid tank 42. If this is to be emptied, it must for this purpose only the locking connection between the Flüssigkeitsssammelvor- device 10 and the housing 12 by squeezing the two legs 112, 114 dissolved and the liquid collection device 16 of Housing 12 are removed. The liquid tank 42 may then be readily emptied through the tank emptying opening 98 without the need to detach a separate tank closure element, such as a plug, from the liquid tank 42.

The surface cleaning device 10 according to the invention is thus characterized by a reliable, position-independent deposition, without the risk that liquid is discharged via the exhaust port 124 to the environment. In addition, the surface cleaning device 10 according to the invention is characterized by easy handling, wherein the liquid tank 42 can be emptied in a simple manner.

A second advantageous refinement of a surface cleaning device according to the invention is shown schematically in FIGS. 10 to 21, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 210. The surface cleaning device 210 is also designed in this embodiment as hand-held hard surface cleaning device, with the liquid from a hard surface, such as a window or a table surface or for example by a tiled wall or a shower cubicle, can be sucked.

The surface cleaning device 210 can be moved along the hard surface by the user in the manner of a manual window puller. The surface cleaning device 210 forms in particular a portable window cleaning device. The surface cleaning device 210 has a housing 212, which forms a bottom surface 214, so that the surface cleaning device 210 in an upright position, as shown in particular in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 14, can be placed on a footprint.

In addition to the housing 212, the surface cleaning device 210 has a suction nozzle 216 and a liquid tank 218, which are detachably connectable to the housing 212.

The suction nozzle 216 has at its free end remote from the housing 212, a first flexible Abziehlippe 220 and a second flexible Abziehlippe 221, which are held on a suction port 222. Adjoining the suction opening 222 is a suction line 224, which passes through a suction nozzle housing 226 and projects out of the suction nozzle housing 226 with its end section 228 facing away from the removal lips 220, 221.

As becomes clear in particular from FIGS. 12, 14 and 19, the housing 212 has an outer housing 230 and an inner housing 232. The outer housing 230 is formed by a first outer housing part 234, a second outer housing part 236 and a third outer housing part 238. The first outer housing part 234, in combination with the second outer housing part 236, forms an outer housing shell 240 which completely surrounds the inner housing 232 in the circumferential direction. The third outer housing part 238 forms an outer housing bottom 242, which forms the base 214 and covers the underside of the inner housing 232.

The first outer housing part 234 forms a gripping opening 244, and together with the second outer housing part 236, the first outer housing part 234 forms a handle 246, which can be gripped by the user with one hand, with his fingers being able to reach through the gripping opening 244. The inner housing 232 has a first inner housing part 248 and a second inner housing part 250, which are detachably connected to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the first inner housing part 248 is bolted to the second inner housing part 250.

The first inner housing part 248 is formed by a hood 252 and a closing wall 254. This becomes clear in particular from FIG. The hood 252 and the closing wall 254 surround a deposition chamber 256, in which a separation device 258 is arranged. The separating device 258 is formed by a baffle plate 260 in the illustrated embodiment.

The closing wall 254 forms a bottom wall 262 of the first inner housing part 248, which is designed substantially plate-shaped. In addition to the bottom wall 262, the closing wall 254 forms an air outlet channel 264 projecting into the separating chamber 256, which carries the baffle plate 260 at its end projecting into the separating chamber 256, which can be latched to the air outlet channel 264 in the illustrated embodiment. Between the baffle plate 260 and the air outlet channel 264, an air inlet opening 270 covered by the baffle plate 260 is arranged, via which suction air from the separation chamber 256 can flow into the air outlet channel 264.

The closing wall 254 also forms a liquid outlet channel 272 in the form of a pipe socket 273, which projects into a tank receptacle 274, which is delimited by the first outer housing part 234 and the third outer housing part 238. On the pipe socket 273, a first sealing element 276 is formed, which surrounds the pipe socket 273 in the circumferential direction.

In addition to the pipe socket 273, the closing wall 254 has a closing member 278 which forms a plug 280 and has a closing body 282 connected in one piece with the pipe socket 273, which is completely surrounded by a second sealing element 284. The second sealing element 284 is integrally connected to the first sealing element 276 and forms together with the closing body 282, the pipe socket 273 and the rest Area of the closing wall 274 an injection molded part of two components, wherein the closing wall 254 including the pipe socket 273 and the closing body 282 form a hard component of the injection molded part and wherein the two sealing elements 276, 284 together form a soft component of the injection molded part.

The second inner shell 250 includes an inner shell 288 and an inner shell 290 which receive two rechargeable batteries 292, 294 and an electrical controller 296 and an electric motor 298 between them. The electric motor 298 can in this case be inserted into an opening 300 of the inner housing tub 288, which is aligned with the air outlet channel 264 of the first inner housing part 248. In the direction of the air outlet channel 264, a turbine chamber 302 connects to the opening 300 and receives a suction turbine 304. The suction turbine 304 can be rotated by the electric motor 298 and forms, in combination with the electric motor 298, a suction unit 306 of the surface cleaning device 210. With the aid of the suction unit 306, starting from the suction opening 222, a suction flow can be achieved under the action of which a mixture of liquid and air can be sucked off a hard surface to be cleaned. The extracted mixture passes via the suction line 224 in the deposition chamber 256 and strikes the baffle plate 260, wherein liquid is separated from the extracted liquid-air mixture. The extracted air can then pass through the air outlet 264 to the suction turbine 304 and discharged from the latter via exhaust ports not shown in the drawing to the environment.

The separated liquid can pass from the separation chamber 256 via the liquid outlet channel 272 to the liquid tank 218.

As is clear in particular from FIGS. 12, 14, 16, 17 and 18, the liquid tank 218 has a tank housing 310 which forms a hollow body for receiving the separated liquid and which has a tank connection 312 which forms a filler neck 314. In addition to Tank housing 310, the liquid tank 218 has a filling device 316, which projects into the tank housing 310 and a filling channel 318, a vent channel 320 and a tank emptying opening 322 has. The filling channel 318 and the venting channel 320 extend to approximately the middle of the tank housing 310 and have opposite end sections 324, 326, via which the filling channel 318 and the venting channel 320 open into the tank housing 310.

The tank emptying opening 322 is arranged at the level of the filler neck 314 offset from the filling channel 318 and the venting channel 320 and designed as a tank emptying channel 328, which, like the filling channel 318 and the venting channel 320, passes through a connecting piece 330 of the filling device 318. The connecting piece 330 closes the filler neck 314 and is surrounded by a sealing ring 332 which rests on the inside of the filler neck 314 liquid-tight.

Outside the tank housing 310, a collar 334 of the filling device 316 connects in the direction of the pipe socket 273 of the closing wall 254.

The liquid tank 218 may be inserted into the tank receptacle 274. Here, the pipe socket 273 immersed with the interposition of the first sealing element 276 in the collar 234 of the filling device 216, wherein the inside of the collar 334 liquid-tight against the first sealing element 276. At the same time, when inserting the liquid tank 218 into the tank receptacle 274, the closing member 278 of the closing wall 254 enters the tank discharge opening 322, so that the tank discharge opening 322 is closed in a liquid-tight manner. This becomes clear in particular from FIGS. 12 and 13.

During operation of the surface cleaner 210, a mixture of liquid and air may be drawn into the deposition chamber 256 via the suction line 224. This has already been pointed out. The means of impact Plate 216 separated liquid can then pass through the liquid outlet 272 in the form of the pipe socket 273 to the filling channel 318 and discharged from this to the tank housing 310. At the same time, air can escape from the tank housing 310 via the ventilation channel 320, which can then be sucked out of the separation chamber 256 under the action of the suction unit 306.

If the liquid tank 218 is to be emptied, the user can remove it from the tank receptacle 274. In this case, the closing member 278 releases the tank emptying opening 322. This becomes clear in particular from FIGS. 14 and 15. The liquid tank 218 separated from the housing 212 can then be emptied via the tank emptying opening 322, without it being necessary for this purpose to separate the filling device 316 from the tank housing 310. The emptied liquid tank 218 can then be used again in the tank receptacle 274, wherein the tank emptying opening 322 again closed liquid-tight by the closing member 278 and the pipe socket 273 liquid-tight with the collar 334 of the filling device 316 is connected.

The surface cleaning device 210 according to the invention is thus also characterized, inter alia, by simple handling, wherein the liquid tank 218 can be emptied in a simple manner.

Claims

P A T E N T A N S P R E C H E

A surface cleaning device comprising a housing (12; 212) in which a suction unit (22; 306) is arranged to form a suction flow, and a suction nozzle (14; 216) in fluid communication with the suction unit (22; 306) for drawing off a liquid Air mixture, and with a separator (44; 258) for separating liquid from the extracted liquid-air mixture, and with a liquid tank (42; 218) for receiving the separated liquid, wherein the liquid tank (42; 218) on the housing (12; 212) releasably held and emptied via a tank emptying opening (98; 322), characterized in that the tank emptying opening (98; 322) by a closing wall (100; 254) of the housing (12; 212) tightly closed and by loosening of the liquid tank (42; 218) is freely accessible from the housing (12; 212).

Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tank emptying opening (98; 322) with the interposition of a sealing device (102; 284) to the closing wall (100; 254) is sealingly applied.

Surface cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the liquid tank (42) in combination with the separation device (44) forms a liquid collection device (16) which is detachably connectable to the housing (12), wherein the separation device (44) has a cover (48) covering a tank opening (46) of the liquid tank (42) and having the tank emptying opening (98).

4. surface cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized in that the liquid collecting device (16) with the housing (12) is releasably latched.

5. surface cleaning device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the deposition device (44) on the cover (48) held Abscheideeinheit (52) which dips into the liquid tank (42), wherein by means of the separation unit (52) liquid the sucked liquid-air mixture is separable.

6. surface cleaning device according to claim 5, characterized in that the tank emptying opening (98) is arranged offset to the separation unit (52).

7. surface cleaning device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the separation unit (52) has an inlet channel (60) for the extracted liquid-air mixture, at least one Strömungsumlenkelement (70) and an air outlet channel (62) for discharging the extracted air to the suction unit (22), wherein the cover (48) has an inlet opening (64) opening into the inlet channel (60) and an air outlet opening (66) opening into the air outlet channel (62), the inlet opening (60) being connected via a suction line (40). is in flow communication with the suction nozzle (14), and wherein the air outlet opening (66) is in fluid communication with the suction unit (22) via an air outlet conduit (68).

8. surface cleaning device according to claim 7, characterized in that the separation unit (52) has an inner tube (54) and an inner tube (54) forming an annular space (82) in the circumferential direction outer tube (56), wherein the inlet channel (60) and the air lauslasskanal (62) in the inner tube (54) are arranged and the annular space (82) based on the suction flow of the suction unit downstream the at least one Strömungsumlenkelements (70) is arranged and forms a vortex chamber.

9. surface cleaning device according to claim 8, characterized in that the annular space (82) downstream of the at least one Strömungsumlenkelements (70) arranged annular space inlet (92) and at least one annular space outlet (94, 96), wherein the at least one annular space outlet (94, 96 ) opens into the air outlet channel.

10. surface cleaning device according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one annulus outlet (94, 96) opens relative to the longitudinal axis (67) of the air outlet channel (62) in the radial direction in the air outlet channel (62).

11. surface cleaning device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the annular space (82) has two mutually circumferentially offset from each other annulus outlets (94, 96).

12. surface cleaning device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the annular space inlet (92) opens relative to the longitudinal axis (67) of the air outlet channel (62) in the axial direction in the annular space (82).

13. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that on the said cover (48) facing away from the end of the inlet channel (60), a Strömungsumlenkelement (70) is arranged.

14. surface cleaning device according to claim 13, characterized in that the Strömungsumlenkelement (70) is designed as a hollow body having a hollow to the inlet channel (60) arranged Hohlkörperein- Lassleitung (72) and at least one at an angle to the hollow body inlet line (72) aligned hollow body outlet line (74, 76) is formed.

15. surface cleaning device according to claim 14, characterized in that the hollow body two mutually averted Hohlkörperauslassleitungen (74, 76) forms.

16. surface cleaning device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the at least one hollow body outlet (74, 76) is aligned perpendicular to the hollow body inlet line (72).

17. Surface cleaning device according to claim 14, 15 or 16, characterized in that the outer tube (56) is longer than the inner tube (54), wherein the at least one Hohlkörperauslassleitung (74, 76), the outer tube (56) in an inner tube (54 ) protruding end portion (80) passes through.

18. Surface cleaning device according to claim 17, characterized in that the flow cross-section of the outer tube (56) decreases with increasing axial distance from the end of the inner tube (54).

19. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 8 to 18, characterized in that on the said cover (48) facing away from the end of the outer tube (56) a protective hood (86) is arranged.

20. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closing wall (254) has a closing member (278) for closing the tank emptying opening (322).

21. Surface cleaning device according to claim 20, characterized in that the closing member (278) with the tank emptying opening (322) is positively and / or non-positively connectable.

22. Surface cleaning device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the closing member (278) forms a plug (280) which can be inserted into the tank emptying opening (322) when the liquid tank (218) is connected to the housing (212).

23. Surface cleaning device according to claim 20, 21 or 22, characterized in that the closing member (278) has a closing body (282) on which an elastically deformable sealing element (284) is arranged.

24. surface cleaning device according to claim 23, characterized in that the sealing element (284) with the closing body (282) is integrally connected.

25. surface cleaning device according to one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the liquid tank (218) has a tank housing (310) and a filling device (316), wherein the tank housing (310) has a tank connection (312) and the filling device (316 ) is liquid-tightly connectable to the tank connection (312), and wherein the filling device (316) has a filling channel (318) and a ventilation channel (320) which dip into the tank housing (310), and wherein the filling device (316) forms the tank discharge opening (31). 322).

26. surface cleaning device according to claim 25, characterized in that the filling device (316) has a connecting piece (330), which is pluggable connectable to the tank connection (312) and having the tank emptying opening (322).

27. surface cleaning device according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the filling device (316) with the closing wall (278) of the housing (212) is liquid-tight connectable.

28. surface cleaning device according to claim 27, characterized in that the filling device (316) has a collar (334) and the closing wall (278) has a pipe socket (273) which can be plugged with the collar (334) with the interposition of a sealing element (276) is connectable.

29. surface cleaning device according to claim 28, characterized in that the sealing element (276) with the pipe socket (273) is integrally connected.

30. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 20 to 29, characterized in that the housing (212) has an inner housing (232) and an outer housing (230), wherein the inner housing (232) the separating device (258) and the suction unit (303) and the outer housing (230) surrounds the inner housing (232), and wherein the inner housing (232) has the closure wall (254).

31. Surface cleaning device according to claim 30, characterized in that the inner housing (232) has a first inner housing part (248), in which the separation device (258) is arranged, and a second inner housing part (250), in which the suction unit (306) arranged and that is connectable to the first inner housing part (248).

32. Surface cleaning device according to claim 31, characterized in that in the second inner housing part (250), an electrical control device (296) and at least one rechargeable battery (292, 294) are arranged.

33. Surface cleaning device according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the first inner housing part (248) has the closing wall (254).

34. Surface cleaning device according to claim 33, characterized in that the closing wall (254) forms a bottom wall (262) of the first inner housing part (248).

35. surface cleaning device according to claim 34, characterized in that the first inner housing part (248) has a hood (252) which is liquid-tightly connected to the bottom wall (262) and together with the bottom wall (262) defines a deposition chamber (256) the separating device (258) is arranged.

36. Surface cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the surface cleaning device (10; 210) comprises a handle (18; 246) that can be gripped by the user.

37. Surface cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the surface cleaning device (10; 210) is designed as a portable window cleaning device.