EP3763266B1 - Portable vacuum apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a portable suction device according to the preamble of claim 1. In particular, the invention relates to a portable suction device with a suction channel opening into a suction nozzle and with a housing having a handle, a suction material container with an opening and a closure closing the opening and a suction unit to generate a suction flow that provides a suction vacuum applied to the suction nozzle, and with a separation device that is able to split the suction flow sucked in via the suction nozzle into an exhaust air flow flowing out of the suction device and into suction material in the form of particles and / or fluid components, the separated Particles or fluid components are collected in the suction material container. In addition, these devices are usually battery-operated and are held in the hand of a user while the user guides the pull-off lip along the surface to be vacuumed.

Portable devices of this type are among others from the EP 2 845 530 B1 known. The known suction devices are used to suck up a liquid / air mixture. As in the case of the device mentioned, this can be done for sucking up liquid, for example from a flat surface such as a table top, window panes or tiles. To see the residue-free cleaning of the surfaces, a pull-off lip arranged on the suction nozzle is provided in the generic devices. More portable devices of this type that have similar solutions as the EP 2 845 530 B1 for the closure are from the EP 2 837 316 A2 , the GB 2 437 702 A , the CN 203 898196 U and the WO 2015/007327 A1 known. the US 6 687 952 B1 shows a suction nozzle with wet / dry suction function with a comparable closure.

The generic devices often have a closure designed as a small stopper on the suction material container for emptying the suction material and a larger opening or division of the suction material container for better cleaning. The larger opening or division of the suction material container is also provided for reasons of ease of installation, in order to enable internal parts such as the suction material guide to be installed. For example, describes the US 6,216,314 B1 a suction device with a sealing plug with an opening tab that goes over a retaining tab is secured to the suction device. the US 6,347,428 B1 describes, however, a screwed cap.

In the case of the generic devices, emptying the suction material container is complex and tedious and therefore not user-friendly. Often some components of the suction device must first be dismantled and, depending on the suction device, connecting elements also have to be loosened in order to empty and clean the suction material container. When emptying via a closure designed as a stopper, complete emptying is often not possible, since small amounts of suction material often remain in suction material pockets formed by the suction material container geometry.

In order to ensure the tightness of the closure, it is usually necessary to design the closures of the generic suction devices with a round geometry and sealing contour. This results in design restrictions with regard to the position and configuration of the closure and thus the design of the suction device.

the U.S. 6,082,595 A a spray bottle with a pull-off lip integrated into the housing, which is also a tank for fresh water or cleaning medium, is known. Here, in the upper area of the housing, there is an opening that can be closed by a closure and through which the tank can be filled. The closure continues the contour of the upper side of the tank.

It is the object of the invention to provide a portable suction device which enables simple emptying of the suction material container with low manufacturing costs and flexible geometry.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a portable suction device with the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description, each of which can represent an aspect of the invention individually or in combination.

In the suction device, the closure is formed from at least a first closure element and a second closure element, such that the first closure element is set up to seal the opening of the suction material container against the escape of suction material and the second closure element is arranged outside the first closure element.

The design of the closure with two elements enables functional advantages with a high degree of design freedom at the same time. A secure seal is thus realized by a round contour of a sealing surface of the first closure element, but the outer second closure element is set up to continue an outer contour of the housing of the suction device, that is to say the suction device geometry.

Due to the configuration according to the invention, the closure can be designed structurally in such a way that excessive use of material and accumulations of mass are avoided. This in turn has a positive effect on costs. Production-related sink marks can also be avoided.

The closure, that is to say the first and second closure elements, can be designed in one piece. In particular, the second closure element is spaced apart from the first closure element. The second closure element can be arranged around the first closure element in the manner of a bell. One advantage of this is that the forces acting on the outer wall of the second closure element are decoupled from the inner, sealing first closure element, so that undesired leakage, which can lead to suction material escaping from the suction material container, is avoided.

In the suction devices according to the invention, the opening of the suction material container advantageously has a round cross section. The first closure element then forms a corresponding round cross section that seals the opening. The second closure element is set up to continue the outer contour of the housing of the suction device. In particular, the second closure element of the closure can form a three-dimensional section which defines part of the outer contour, for example a cap-shaped element.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the shape of the suction device is designed such that the suction device extends into a handle of the suction device on the end section opposite the suction nozzle.

At least part of the suction material container is arranged in the handle and the closure is arranged in the handle. Since the second closure element can be designed independently of the first closure element, the closure advantageously forms part of the handle. Because the suction material container extends to the distal end of the handle, a particularly compact design of the suction device is achieved. In this way, the installation space is fully utilized. The closure is arranged at the distal end of the handle and advantageously forms the distal end of the handle. Thus, not only can a larger opening be provided in the suction material container that can be closed by the closure, which in turn facilitates emptying of the suction material container, but it is also made possible by the arrangement of the closure at the distal end of the handle or when the suction material container is formed up to the distal end of the handle enables the suction material container to be completely emptied.

The second closure element is preferably formed from a soft material. This can be a soft plastic or a rubber-elastic material, for example. In this way, good haptics are achieved, so that the user can easily grasp the closure and open it. In addition, the lock also provides protection against impacts and scratches if the device accidentally hits an object or object while in use, or if the surface to be cleaned is touched during the cleaning process or the suction device even falls down.

Furthermore, the closure can have one or more functional elements which interact with corresponding counterparts in the area of the opening of the suction material container. The functional elements can preferably be arranged between the first closure element and the second closure element.

For example, some of the functional elements can be designed as ribs. These are set up to support the second closure element with respect to the first closure element.

Alternatively or in addition, at least some of the functional elements can also be designed as connecting elements, in particular in connection with corresponding counterparts in the area of the opening of the suction material container. For example, these can be screw or bayonet connection elements.

The first closure element is preferably made of a soft material and is configured to close the opening of the suction material container in a sealing manner with respect to the surroundings. Alternatively or additionally, a separate sealing element can also be arranged on the first closure element in order to seal the opening. The sealing element can be designed as a separate part or it can also be injection-molded onto the first closure element.

Another advantage is that the forces acting on the outer wall are decoupled from the inner, denser wall, so that undesired leakage can be avoided.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Sauggeräts in einer ersten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Sauggeräts aus Fig. 1 mit abgezogenem Verschluss,

Fig. 3

eine Ausführungsform eines Stopfens für das Sauggerät aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

eine Vorderansicht des Stopfens aus Fig. 3.,

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Verschlusses aus Fig. 3 im Schnitt und in

Fig. 6

den hinteren Teil einer unteren Griffschale des Sauggeräts in perspektivischer Ansicht und des zugehörigen Verschlusses.

In the drawings shows in:

Fig. 1

a side view of the suction device according to the invention in a first embodiment,

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the suction device according to the invention Fig. 1 with the cap removed,

Fig. 3

an embodiment of a plug for the suction device Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 4

a front view of the plug Fig. 3 .,

Fig. 5

a perspective view of the closure from Fig. 3 in section and in

Fig. 6

the rear part of a lower grip of the suction device in a perspective view and the associated lock.

In Figure 1 the suction device 2 is shown in a side view. The suction device 2 is designed as a hand-operated window vacuum. The suction device 2 comprises in the front area a suction nozzle 4 designed as a flat nozzle with pulling lips 5 arranged above and below the flat nozzle opening, which is detachably arranged via a clamp connection on a beak-shaped receptacle 62 formed from two parallel planes. Pointing in the direction of flow, the suction device 2 has a suction and separation area adjoining the suction nozzle 4, a suction unit 10, a suction material container 8 and a closure 42. The aforementioned components are accommodated in a housing 6 of the suction device 2.

Behind the beak-shaped receptacle 62, the shape of the suction device 2 is initially bulbous in the area of the separation area 12 and the suction unit 10 and then extends into a rear area which forms a handle as a handle 48. The handle 48 closes with the lock 42 at the distal end. The suction material container 8 is largely located in the handle 48 and extends to the end of the handle 48. At the distal end of the handle 48, an opening 40 is provided in the suction material container 8, which is sealed by the closure 42 against the escape of suction material, in particular water is.

The housing 6 of the suction device 2 is constructed in several parts. It comprises an upper housing shell 64 which has ventilation slots 66 for the flow of exhaust air and a recess for an actuation button 68 for switching the device 2 on and off. The upper housing shell 64 of the housing 6 is placed on a lower part of the housing 6. The lower part of the housing 6, as a handle shell 70, forms part of the handle 48, which is made in several parts. The grip shell 70 in turn simultaneously forms a lower boundary of the suction material container 8. The suction and separation areas are each received by a front part of the housing 6, which also forms the receptacle for the suction nozzle 4.

The shape of the suction device 2 is designed in such a way that the suction device 2 is accommodated by two parking areas when it is placed on a flat parking surface 72. The first storage area is formed by the lower part of the handle shell 70, on which two feet are provided as storage elements 74. The two storage elements 74 are arranged at a distance from a longitudinal axis of the suction device 2 on both sides. The second storage area forms part of the lock 42. The two storage elements 74 allow the suction device 2 to be placed on the flat storage surface 72 in a stable manner.

The parking areas are arranged on the suction device 2 in such a way that the suction nozzle 4 and in particular the pull-off lip 5 are spaced apart from the flat parking surface 72. Both the outer area of the closure 42 and the storage elements 74 designed as feet are made from a soft material, in particular from a rubber-like material. In this way, in addition to a stable and surface-friendly position of the suction device 2 when the suction device 2 is switched off, damage when using the suction device 2, if the suction device 2 does not come into contact with the surface to be cleaned or the surfaces around it, is avoided.

Figure 2 FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the suction device 2 from FIG Figure 1 . The upper part of the receptacle for the suction nozzle 4 can be seen, in which the suction nozzle 4, which is designed as a flat nozzle, is detachably inserted via the clamping connection. As a result of the releasable connection, other suction nozzles 4 can also be inserted into the receptacle of the suction nozzle 4, depending on the area of application. The closure 42 continuing the outer contour of the device 2 is shown spaced apart from the suction device 2 in the dismantled state. The closure 42 has at the end a gripping area which is formed by a raised edge in the rear area.

A larger representation of an embodiment of the closure 42 according to the invention is shown Figure 3 . The closure 42 is composed of a first closure element 44 and a second closure element 46. The first closure element 44 has the shape of a cylinder open on one side. The cylinder is chamfered at the open end. Furthermore, two sealing elements 58 designed as sealing rings are provided on the outside of the cylinder behind the chamfer, which sealing elements 58 are formed in one piece in the first closure element 44.

The first closure element 44 is pushed into the opening of the suction material container 8 and seals the suction material container 8 against the escape of suction material. In the Embodiment, the first closure element 44 is formed from a rubber-like soft material. The closure element 44 can, however, also be formed from a plastic onto which the sealing elements 58 are injection-molded or placed as separate sealing rings.

Since it is the task of the first closure element 44 to seal the opening 40 of the suction material container 8 against the exit of the suction material, the first closure element 44 is correspondingly geometrically adapted to the opening 40 of the suction material container 8. In contrast, any shape can be selected for the second closure element 46.

The second closure element 46 is arranged like a bell around the first closure element 44 and has a shape different from the first closure element 44.

In the present case, the geometry of the second closure element 46 is such that the outer contour of the suction device 2 is continued and the closure 42 forms the distal end of the suction device 2.

The second closure element 46 is arranged at a distance from the first closure element 44 so that the first closure element 44 can be inserted into the opening 40 of the suction material container 8. A wall 41 forming the opening 40 of the suction material container 8 is then received between the first and second closure parts 44, 46 when the closure 42 is installed. Furthermore, the spacing also provides shock protection for the suction device 2 and protection for the seal produced by the first closure element 44.

The closure 42 has a plurality of functional elements designed as ribs 50 and guide or centering elements 52 between the two closure elements 44, 46. The functional elements are each arranged on the second closure element 46 and connected to it in one piece. On the upper wall of the second closure element 46, two ribs 50 are provided, symmetrically spaced from the longitudinal axis of the suction device 2, which are each shaped in such a way that when the closure 42 is mounted, they are provided Support the upper part of the second closure element 46 against the wall 41 of the opening 40 of the suction material container 8, in particular rest against the wall 41 of the opening 40 of the suction material container 8.

Furthermore, functional elements designed as guide or centering elements 52 are provided which are symmetrically spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the suction device 2. On the outer wall 41 of the opening 40 of the suction material container 8, guide means 56 corresponding to the guide or centering elements 52 are provided.

This enables the closure 42 to be placed on the opening 40 of the suction material container 8 only in the intended orientation, so that in particular the outer contour of the suction device 2 can be continued. Furthermore, the corresponding guide or centering elements 52 and guide means 56 are preferably set up in such a way that the closure 42 is prevented from rotating relative to the housing 6 of the suction device 2. At the same time, the guide or centering elements 52 can also serve as ribs for supporting the second closure element 46 against the wall 41 of the opening 40 of the suction material container 8. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the functional means 56 are supported on the side of the wall 41 of the opening 40 of the suction material container 8 against the second closure element 46. For reasons of stability, the functional elements preferably extend as far as the rear wall of the second closure element 46.

Figure 4 shows the shutter 42 from Figure 3 in a front view. The substantially different shape of the sealing first closure element 44 from the second closure element 46 and the spacing of the closure elements 44, 46 from one another such that the wall of the opening of the suction material container 41 can be accommodated between them can be clearly seen. For reasons of the aforementioned supporting or guiding functions, the ribs 50, which are arranged in pairs, and the guiding or centering elements 52 are adapted inwards in accordance with the round cross section of the wall 41 of the opening 40 of the suction material container 8. The guide or centering elements 52 are designed to be geometrically wider than the ribs 50. The width is such in particular designed so that the guide or centering elements 52 have sufficient rigidity and the closure 42 is secured against rotation.

The guide or centering elements 52, corresponding to the guide means 56 on the wall 41 of the opening 40 of the suction material container 8, can also be designed in such a way that a type of bayonet lock or screw lock is implemented.

A sectional view of the previously described embodiment of the closure 42 is shown in FIG Figure 5 . The closure 42 is formed in one piece. The first and second closure elements 44, 46 have a common wall on the side facing away from the opening 40. The common wall has a convex shape, which forms a harmonious finish that matches the design line of the suction device 2. The above-described parking area of the closure 42 is also achieved via the convex geometry.

The upper area of the rear wall of the second closure element 46 is thickened in the shape of a bead in such a way that the gripping area of the closure 42 is not deformed when it is released from the suction device 2 and the closure 42 can be easily removed from the suction device 2.

In the case of the first closure element 44, the sealing elements 58, which are integrally connected to it and are designed as sealing rings, as well as the chamfer in the part of the cylinder facing the opening 40 can be seen. Depending on the material, the sealing elements 58 can alternatively also be placed or injection-molded onto the inner closure element 44. Furthermore, one of the ribs 50 can be seen, which extends continuously up to the rear wall of the second closure element 46.

The detail of the rear area of the suction device 2 with the closure 42 removed is illustrated Figure 6 . The upper housing shell 64 is placed on the lower handle shell 70 and screwed to it. The wall 41 of the opening 40 of the suction material container 8 forms a cylindrical jacket and provides the functional means 56 which have already been described and which correspond to the guide or centering elements 52. On the side facing away from the opening 40 there is a flange 54, which follows the outer contour of the suction device 2 from its outer geometry. Breakthroughs for screwing the upper housing shell 64 are provided in the flange 54. The arrangement of the first closure element 44 in relation to the second closure element 46 is designed such that the wall 41 of the opening 40 of the suction material container 8 is received by the closure 42 when the closure 42 is installed and the end face of the second closure element 46 abuts the flange 54.

The described embodiments provide for the opening 40 of the suction material container 8 to be internally sealed by the first closure element 44. Alternative designs can also be implemented according to the invention, for example that the first closure element 44 is slipped over the opening 40 of the suction material container 8. In this case, the spacing then offers the corresponding impact protection to avoid leaks.

List of reference symbols:

2

Suction device

4th

Suction nozzle

5

Pull-off lips

6th

casing

8th

Suction material container

10

Suction unit

12th

Separator

40

Opening of the suction material container

41

Wall of the opening of the suction material container

42

Clasp

44

first closure element

46

second closure element

48

handle

50

Ribs

52

Guide or centering elements

54

flange

56

Guide means

58

Sealing elements

60

Pull lip

62

Holder for suction nozzle

64

upper housing shell

66

Ventilation slots

68

Operating button

70

Handle shell

72

Storage space

74

Storage elements

76

Retaining bead of the closure

78

common wall

Claims (12)

1. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) with a suction channel opening into a suction nozzle (4) and with a housing (6), a handle (48), a reservoir (8) for the suction material with an opening (40) and a closure (42) closing the opening (40), and a suction unit (10) for generating a suction flow which provides a suction vacuum applied to the suction nozzle (4), with a separating unit (12), which is capable of separating the suction flow drawn in via the suction nozzle (4) into an exhaust air flow flowing out of the suction cleaner (2) and into suction material in the form of particles and/or fluid particles, wherein the separated particles or fluid particles being collected in the reservoir for the suction material (8) and being capable of being emptied by opening the closure (42) of the reservoir for the suction material (8), characterized in that the closure (42) is consists at least of a first closure element (44) and a second closure element (46), in such a way that the first closure element (44) is arranged to seal the opening (40) of the reservoir for the suction material (8) against the escape of suction material and the second closure element (46) is arranged outside the first closure element (44), and the second closure element (46) has an outer contour which continues the contour of the housing (6) of the suction cleaner (2), wherein at least a part of the reservoir for the suction material (8) is arranged in the handle (48), wherein the reservoir for the suction material (8) extends to the distal end of the handle (48) and the closure (42) forms the distal end of the handle (48).
2. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure (42) is embodied in one piece.
3. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second closure element (46) is arranged in a bell-shaped manner around the first closure element (44).
4. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second closure element (46) is spaced from the first closure element (44).
5. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening of the reservoir for the suction material (8) has a round cross-section and the first closure element (44) has a round cross-section corresponding to the opening (40).
6. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second closure element (46) of the closure (42) forms a three-dimensional portion defining part of the outer contour, in particular a cap-shaped element.
7. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure (42) comprises one or more functional elements cooperating with counterparts corresponding in the region of the opening of the reservoir for the suction material (8), the functional elements being arranged in particular between the first closure element (44) and the second closure element (46).
8. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least some of the functional elements are embodied as ribs (50), the ribs (50) being arranged to support the second closure element (46) relative to the first closure element (44) and/or a wall (41) of the opening of the reservoir for the suction material (8).
9. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that at least some of the functional elements are embodied as connecting elements, in particular in connection with the corresponding counterparts in the region of the opening as screw or bayonet connecting elements.
10. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a sealing element (58) is arranged on the first closure element (44) in order to seal the opening (40) of the reservoir for the suction material (8) against the escape of suction material, the sealing element (58) being in particular injection-molded onto the first closure element (44).
11. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the second closure element (46) is formed from a soft material, in particular from a rubber-elastic material.
12. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure (42) has a retaining bead (76) in the rear region.

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