EP4093254B1

EP4093254B1 - Vacuum cleaner device

Info

Publication number: EP4093254B1
Application number: EP21704024.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luciano Scian; Emanuele Mazzolo
Original assignee: De Longhi Appliances SRL
Current assignee: De Longhi Appliances SRL
Priority date: 2020-01-21
Filing date: 2021-01-14
Publication date: 2023-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2041-01-14
Also published as: IT202000001090A1; EP4093254A1; WO2021149086A9; WO2021149086A1; CN114650755A

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described here concern a vacuum cleaner device, preferably for domestic use, in particular a vacuum cleaner device of the electric sweeper type, that is, without a canister. The vacuum cleaner device according to the invention allows a user to have a wide versatility of use, even for long periods, in complete safety. Embodiments described here also concern a functioning method of the vacuum cleaner device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vacuum cleaner devices are known, which comprise a collection container and a motor unit which generates a suction flow to suck up and draw material, that is, dust and dirt, into the collection container, a handle by which the user can grasp and maneuver the vacuum cleaner device, or at least part of it, and a power supply unit, which supplies electrical energy to the suction unit.
It is also known that these vacuum cleaner devices can also comprise a suction head which, during use, comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned and which can be connected to the collection container by means of a suction pipe.
Known vacuum cleaner devices are mainly divided into two categories, that is, traditional canister-type vacuum cleaner devices and vacuum cleaner devices of the electric sweeper type.
Canister-type vacuum cleaner devices comprise a slider, possibly provided with wheels or other means, to facilitate movement, on which the collection container and the motor unit are disposed, while the handle can possibly be associated with a rigid or flexible suction pipe.
In vacuum cleaner devices of the electric sweeper type, on the other hand, the collection container, the motor unit and the handle define a suction unit that can be used by itself by means of suitable accessories, or connected by means of a suction pipe to the suction head, in such a way as to assume a conformation similar to a traditional sweeper.
To allow the dual mode of use, the motor unit and the collection container are therefore positioned in correspondence with the handle, so that most of the weight of the vacuum cleaner device must be supported by the user's arm.
Canister-type vacuum cleaner devices are normally powered by an electric cable able to be connected to the domestic electrical network.
This type of device can be inconvenient and difficult to maneuver, especially if one wants to reach hard-to-clean surfaces such as, for example, the tops of cupboards, or if the space to be cleaned is rather restricted, or does not have easily accessible electric sockets.
Since they allow even prolonged use, thanks to the power supply through the electric mains cable, these canister-type vacuum cleaner devices require a cooling circuit suitable to prevent overheating of the electronics associated with the power supply of the motor unit.
These known cooling circuits provide to convey the exhausted air, possibly filtered, coming out of the collection container, toward the part to be cooled. One disadvantage of this solution is that, despite filtering, the exhausted air could transport material, such as dust and dirt of all kinds, onto the part to be cooled, risking compromising the overall reliability of the vacuum cleaner device and the safety of the user.
Vacuum cleaner devices of the electric sweeper type, on the other hand, do not normally have cables and the power supply unit consists of a rechargeable battery pack.
One disadvantage of cordless vacuum cleaners is that the autonomy of the battery that powers them may not be fully compatible with the duration requirements desired by the user.
It is in fact known that the autonomy, at maximum power, of this type of vacuum cleaner device is only a few fractions of an hour.
One known solution to this problem is to provide, together with the vacuum cleaner device, an additional and interchangeable battery pack.
In this way, once the first battery pack has been discharged, the user can change it for the second, effectively doubling autonomy.
One disadvantage of this solution is that, despite the additional battery pack, the autonomy is still limited to a defined time and not always sufficient to meet the needs of a user.
Another disadvantage is that, by supplying two battery packs together with the vacuum cleaner device, the production costs, and consequently the sales costs, are considerably higher than for the solution with a single battery pack.
This solution is also not very compatible with the environment, since it requires to double the disposal of battery packs which can be very polluting.
Documents US 2017/265696 A1 , US 2018/199782 and US 2019/008340 describe examples of known vacuum cleaner devices.
The closest prior art is seen in US 2017/265696 .
One purpose of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device which combines the advantages of both types of known vacuum cleaner devices, also overcoming their respective limits.
In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device which is manageable and easy to use and which guarantees an autonomy of use not restricted to a limited period of time.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device which allows a longer time of use, even when it is functioning at maximum power, compared with known devices.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device which guarantees the safety of the user who uses it, even in the event of prolonged use.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device with improved reliability and cooling capacity when necessary.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device which allows to increase its useful life, requiring fewer maintenance interventions.
The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.
In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention concerns a vacuum cleaner device, in particular of the domestic type, comprising a suction unit provided with a collection container and a motor unit configured to draw a flow of air and dirt from the outside and convey it toward the collection container, and a handle unit connected to the suction unit and configured to allow gripping by a user.
According to some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device comprises at least one power supply unit suitable to supply electrical energy to the suction unit.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner device comprises a housing seating provided with holding means able to house and hold, by means of a selective and reversible coupling, the at least one power supply unit.
In one embodiment, the housing seating is comprised in the handle unit of the vacuum cleaner device.
According to some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device comprises two power supply units, in particular a battery power unit and an electric cable power unit, which are interchangeable one with each other and able to be alternatively inserted in the housing seating.
According to some embodiments, both power supply units comprise coupling means able to cooperate with the coupling means provided in the compartment, or housing seating, of the vacuum cleaner device so as to guarantee a stable reciprocal coupling between the power supply unit and the suction unit.
The coupling means can also comprise, in addition to mechanical holding and attachment means, mating electrical connectors suitable to transfer the electrical energy from the respective power supply unit to the electronics of the suction unit.
The coupling as above, in some embodiments, is of the mechanical type, for example interlocking, and is reversible and repeatable, that is, the power supply unit and the vacuum cleaner device can be decoupled and coupled repeatedly.
Advantageously, in this way the user can use the battery power unit when having to operate in environments without electrical sockets, or in conditions in which the electric cable is a hindrance, while the user can use the electric cable power unit when requiring a greater autonomy of use than that provided by the battery power unit, or when this is not charged.
This solution advantageously allows to quickly and easily replace the cable power unit in place of the battery power unit when the latter is not charged, and continue with the cleaning operations without having to wait for the battery to recharge, or provide a spare one.
This embodiment also allows to adapt the cable power unit even to already existing vacuum cleaner devices of the electric sweeper type, coupling it to the already existing coupling means.
According to some embodiments, the suction unit comprises a containing shell which defines a suction chamber, inside which the motor unit is positioned, which is put in fluidic communication with the collection container.
The containing shell is provided with outlet means, for example a plurality of holes, or through slits, through which the air drawn by the suction unit and filtered in the collection container is returned to the outside.
According to some embodiments, the containing body is provided with a through hole suitable to put the inside of the suction chamber in communication with the outside in the proximity of the housing seating of the handle unit.
According to some embodiments, each power supply unit comprises an external container defining a housing compartment in which the electrical and/or electronic components are contained and housed.
In one embodiment of the invention, at least the cable power unit, and possibly also the battery one, comprises at least one inlet aperture and an outlet aperture made in the shell and configured to allow the passage of air from the external environment toward the inside, so as to cool the electrical and/or electronic components contained therein.
In fact, in the event the vacuum cleaner device is powered by cable, since the amount of time it is used can essentially be unlimited, it is necessary to provide to cool the electrical circuits and components in order to prevent them from possibly overheating, which could lead to failures and malfunctions and, in the worst case, safety problems for users who could come into contact with parts with excessively high temperatures, and burn themselves.
The outlet aperture of the cable power unit, when it is positioned in the housing seating, is disposed in a mating position and cooperates with the through hole provided in the suction unit.
The internal volume of the power supply unit is therefore fluidly connected to the suction chamber of the suction unit.
In this way, the motor unit can generate a cooling flow that conveys a flow of clean air taken from the external environment, inside the power supply unit and from this toward the suction chamber, from which it will be evacuated back into the external environment through the outlet means.
Advantageously, in this way the vacuum cleaner device according to the present invention directly utilizes the clean air of the external environment to cool the cable power unit, or possibly also the battery one, thus avoiding the use, for cooling, of the air exiting from the collection container.
This prevents any material drawn and not perfectly held by the filtering unit of the collection container from depositing on the electrical and/or electronic components disposed inside the internal volume of the respective cable or battery power unit.
Furthermore, another advantage consists in the fact that this vacuum cleaner device does not require additional mechanical filters in the cooling circuit of the cable power unit, or possibly even the battery one, thus lowering production costs.
This solution also allows to produce the vacuum cleaner device in a simple way, using the same motor unit both to draw the air and dirt to be conveyed into the collection container, and to draw the cooling air.
According to other embodiments, there can be provided a shutter member, for example a valve, associated with the through hole and able to selectively allow or not allow the passage of the cooling air through it between the power supply unit and the suction chamber.
According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the shutter member is of the normally closed type, that is, it keeps the hole closed if not subjected to external stress. In this case, the cable power unit can be provided with a drive member suitable to stimulate the shutter member, taking it to the open condition and thus allowing the opening of the through hole and the passage of air.
This solution allows to advantageously keep the through hole closed when the battery power unit is used, so as to prevent possible load losses due to the drawing of the cooling air, while ensuring its functioning when the cable power unit is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a vacuum cleaner device according to some embodiments of the invention in a first configuration of use;
fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view of a vacuum cleaner device according to the invention in a second configuration of use;
fig. 3 is a vertical section view of the vacuum cleaner device of fig. 2 along its median plane;
fig. 4 is a vertical section view of the vacuum cleaner device of fig. 1 along its median plane;
fig. 5 is a three-dimensional and semi-exploded view of the vacuum cleaner device of fig. 2;
fig. 6 is another three-dimensional and semi-exploded view of the vacuum cleaner device of fig. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the possible embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof.
Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.
The attached drawings are used to describe embodiments of a vacuum cleaner device 10, in particular of the domestic type, of the type also called "electric sweeper", that is, without a canister.
The vacuum cleaner device 10 comprises a suction unit 11 configured to draw a flow of air and dirt from the outside.
The suction unit 11 comprises a collection container 12 connected to an inlet duct 23 and a motor unit 15 configured to draw a flow A of air and dirt from the outside and convey it through an inlet duct 23 into the collection container 12.
The vacuum cleaner device 10 also comprises a handle unit 13, connected to the suction unit 11, by means of which the user can grip and maneuver the vacuum cleaner device 10.
According to some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device 10 also comprises a first power supply unit, that is a power supply unit of the battery type 14a, of the rechargeable type, configured to autonomously supply electrical energy to the motor unit 15.
The vacuum cleaner device 10 also comprises a second power supply unit, in particular a power supply unit of the electric cable type 14b configured to be connected to an electricity grid in order to power the motor unit 15 with the electrical energy supplied by the grid.
The vacuum cleaner device 10 can also comprise a suction head 37 configured to be positioned in contact with, or in the proximity of, a surface to be cleaned, and able to be fluidically connected to the inlet duct 23 of the collection container 12, and a suction pipe 38, able to be connected between the suction head 37 and the collection container 12.
According to some embodiments, the suction unit 11 comprises a suction chamber 22, inside which at least part of the motor unit 15 can be disposed and housed.
According to one possible embodiment, the suction unit 11 comprises a containing shell 39 which defines the suction chamber 22, and is provided with outlet means 20 for the air.
In some embodiments, for example shown in fig. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the outlet means 20 for the exhausted air can comprise a plurality of holes 20a or through slits.
In some embodiments, the motor unit 15 comprises a motor member 16 and a suction mean 17, such as for example a turbine, or an impeller provided with blades.
The suction mean 17 can be associated with the motor member 16 by means of suitable transmission means, and is configured to be rotated by the motor member 16 and generate a flow of air.
In particular, if suitably moved, it is configured to generate a pressure difference between the external environment and the suction chamber 22, and consequently a flow of air directed from the external environment to the suction chamber 22.
The suction chamber 22 is fluidically connected to the collection container 12, so that the flow of drawn air A entering the inlet duct 23 passes through the collection container 12 and reaches the suction chamber 22, from which it is evacuated through the output means 20.
Generally, the collection container 12 can comprise a collection chamber 30, put in fluidic communication with the suction chamber 22.
A filtering unit 32 can be disposed in the collection chamber 30, configured to intercept the drawn flow of air A carrying material or dust, and dirt in general, and hold this material inside the collection chamber 30, while the cleaned air can continue the path toward the suction chamber 22.
The collection chamber 30 is configured to define and limit inside it a collection volume in which dirt and material transported by the flow of air are deposited.
According to further embodiments, the collection container 12 comprises a door 31 able to be opened, for example in correspondence with a lower end thereof, configured to allow access to the collection chamber 30 and allow a user to empty and possibly clean it and/or the filtering unit 32.
According to some embodiments, the motor unit 15 is positioned in the suction chamber 22 above the collection container 12, so as to reduce load losses and increase the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner device 10.
According to some embodiments, the handle unit 13 is connected to the motor unit 15, which, therefore, during use is positioned lower than the hand of a user, allowing a better weight distribution and therefore less hand fatigue.
The handle unit 13 is configured to allow a user to generally hold the entire vacuum cleaner device 10 with one hand during its use.
According to some embodiments, the handle unit 13 can be connected to one or more of the components of the suction unit 11 in a fixed manner or by means of mechanisms that allow a reciprocal movement between them.
Furthermore, the handle 13 can comprise a plurality of keys and/or buttons and/or regulators able to control and modify the usage parameters of the vacuum cleaner device 10, such as for example, but not limited to, the power delivered by the motor unit 15.
According to some embodiments, the handle 13 is configured to alternatively house and support each one of the battery power unit 14a or cable power unit 14b.
According to some embodiments, the handle unit 13 comprises a housing seating 21 able to selectively and alternately house and hold one of either the battery power unit 14a or the cable power unit 14b.
In some embodiments, this housing 21 comprises holding means 34, for example configured as recesses/holes and/or protuberances able to cooperate with respective attachment means 33a, 33b provided respectively on the battery power unit 14a and on the cable power unit 14b.
In this way, a stable, reversible and repeatable mechanical coupling between the handle unit 13 and each power supply unit 14a, 14b selectively occurs.
According to some embodiments, each power supply unit 14a, 14b can comprise a respective external container 24a, 24b, which defines an internal volume 25a, 25b in which respective electrical and/or electronic components are disposed.
According to some embodiments, the two external containers 24a, 24b can have substantially the same shape and the same geometric sizes.
According to possible variants, the external containers 24a, 24b can be at least partly different in shape and/or geometric sizes.
According to some embodiments, the battery power unit 14a can comprise in its internal volume 25a: a cell battery pack and the electronic components configured to manage, as a non-limiting example, the charged/discharged state of the battery pack, user safety and/or performance.
According to some embodiments, the cable power unit 14b comprises an electric cable 35 provided with a mains plug 36 for connection to an electricity grid, in particular domestic, either directly or by means of a suitable extension.
According to some embodiments, in the internal volume 25b there can be housed the electronic components for managing, as a non-limiting example, the adaptation and conversion of the mains voltage to the supply voltage for powering the motor unit 15, user safety and/or performance and/or the temperature of the components in order to prevent them from overheating.
In one variant, the cable power unit 14b can comprise in the internal volume 25b only the electronic components able to manage performance, while the electronic components able to convert the mains voltage to the supply voltage for powering the motor unit 15 can be contained in another container, for example an adapter, or transformer, which can comprise, in a single body, the electric plug able to be connected to the domestic grid.
According to further embodiments, the internal volume 25b of the cable power unit 14b can be configured to contain inside it at least the electric cable 35 when it is not in use, for example wound on a suitable reel.
According to possible embodiments, each external container 24a, 24b can comprise respective attachment means 33a, 33b able to be coupled with holding means 34 present in the housing seating 21.
In some embodiments, these attachment means 33a, 33b can comprise mating protuberances and/or recesses/holes able to be associated with at least part of the holding means 34.
According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the holding means 34 are all shared by the attachment means 33a, 33b of the power supply units 14a, 14b.
According to further embodiments, it can be provided that the holding means 34 are only partly shared by the attachment means 33a, 33b of the two power supply units 14a, 14b.
According to other embodiments, it can be provided that the housing seating 21 is provided with groups of separate and distinct holding means 34 for one and the other of the power supply units 14a, 14b.
According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the vacuum cleaner device 10 comprises a control and command unit, not shown, configured to recognize, possibly also as a function of the holding means 34, which of the two power supply units 14a, 14b is in use, and possibly allow different functioning modes for one or the other. For example, it can be provided that when the cable power unit 14b is present, more power can be supplied to the motor unit 15 so as to increase the suction action.
In this way, power supply units 14a, 14b comprising identical external containers 24a, 24b, or generally of a similar shape, and/or having the same or similar attachment means 33a, 33b, can be coupled to the vacuum cleaner device 10, guaranteeing perfect interchangeability of the battery power unit 14a and cable power unit 14b.
Furthermore, according to some embodiments, each power supply unit 14a, 14b has one or more electrical connectors able to be connected to mating electrical connection elements provided in the housing seating 21, and able to transmit electric power to the motor unit 15 and/or information/signals to other components of the vacuum cleaner device 10.
According to possible embodiments, at least some of the attachment means 33a, 33b of the power supply units 14a, 14b and/or some of the holding means 34 of the housing 21 can be movable, thus allowing to easily uncouple the respective power supply unit 14a, 14b from the suction unit 11.
For example, in one embodiment, one or each power supply unit 14a, 14b can comprise a first attachment tooth 26, possibly mobile, able to be inserted and interlocked in a slit 27 comprised in the housing seating 21.
According to further embodiments, one or each of the power supply units 14a, 14b can comprise a second attachment tooth 29, able to be inserted and interlocked in a cavity 40 provided in the housing seating 21.
According to some embodiments, at least the external container 24b of the cable power unit 14b can comprise at least one inlet aperture 18 and an outlet aperture 19 which are configured to put the internal compartment 25a in communication with the external environment and allow the circulation therein of a flow of cooling air B.
In some embodiments, for example shown in figs. 2 and 5, a plurality of inlet apertures 18 can be provided, for example configured as a plurality of slits.
According to some embodiments, the inlet aperture(s) 18 is/are disposed in correspondence with a bottom portion of the external container 24b, while the outlet aperture 19 is disposed in correspondence with an upper portion, opposite the inlet aperture(s) 18.
In this way, the flow of cooling air B can substantially travel for the entire longitudinal development of the internal compartment 25b between the respective inlet 18 and outlet 19 apertures, providing an effective cooling action to the electrical and/or electronic components disposed therein.
According to some embodiments, the outlet aperture 19 is configured to put the internal volume 25b of the cable power unit 14b in communication with the suction chamber 22 of the suction unit 11.
In particular, the outlet aperture 19 is configured to be positioned in a position mating with that of the through hole 28, at least when the cable power unit 14b is positioned in the housing seating 21 and constrained with its own attachment means 33b to the holding means 34.
According to some embodiments, the suction unit 11 can comprise a connection duct 41 which puts the through hole 28 and the suction chamber 22 in fluidic communication.
In this way, during use, when the motor unit 15 is functioning, a flow of cooling air B is generated, which is drawn through the inlet aperture(s) 18, passes through the internal volume 25b of the cable power unit 14b and reaches the suction chamber 22 passing through the outlet aperture 19 and the through hole 28.
Once it has reached the suction chamber 22, the flow of cooling air B as above is expelled through the outlet means 20 together with the flow of air A coming from the collection container 12.
In this way, the components of the power supply unit 14b are cooled using air taken directly from the external environment, without using the exhausted air, which, even if it has passed through the filtering unit 32, could still contain dust or traces of dirt.
According to the variants described above, during use, the vacuum cleaner device 10 actually generates two distinct flows of air A and B that pass through two at least partly separate suction circuits.
The first flow of air A is conveyed inside the collection container 12 through the inlet duct 23, then passes through the filtering unit 17 until it reaches the suction chamber 22.
The second flow of cooling air B is instead conveyed at least into the internal volume 25b of the cable power unit 14b through the inlet aperture 18, passing then through the outlet aperture 19 and the through hole 28, and then the connection duct 41, until it reaches the suction chamber 22.
At this point, the mixture of exhausted air A+B that is inside the suction chamber 22 is expelled by the suction unit 11 through the outlet means 20 thanks to the action of the suction mean 17.
In one possible variant, the vacuum cleaner device 10 comprises a shutter member 42 which can selectively allow, or not allow, the passage of air from the internal volume 25b of the power unit 14b to the suction chamber 22.
According to some embodiments, the shutter member 42 can be associated with the through hole 28 and be able to be selectively activated in order to allow a selective obstruction of the latter and/or of the outlet aperture 19 and allow, or prevent, the passage of the flow of cooling air B.
According to some embodiments, the shutter member 42 can comprise a valve which is normally in the closed condition and at least the cable power unit 14b can be provided with a drive member suitable to stimulate the shutter member 42, taking it into an open condition in order to put the through hole 28 and the outlet aperture 19 in communication with each other, allowing the passage of the flow of cooling air B.
According to one possible variant, the shutter member 42 can comprise a division able to obstruct at least one of either the outlet aperture 19, the through hole 28 and/or the connection duct 41.
According to further embodiments, the cable power unit 14b and/or the handle unit 13 can comprise a drive member, able to be driven automatically or by a user, able to displace or activate the shutter member when the cable power unit 14b is attached to the housing seating 21.
In one variant embodiment, the device 10 can comprise an automatic mechanism able to move the shutter member 42 which obstructs the through hole 28 and/or the connection duct 41.
In particular, the shutter member 42 can be moved and/or driven on the basis of temperature signals detected by temperature sensors comprised at least in the cable power unit 14b.
In another variant, the shutter member 42 can be moved and/or driven manually by the user of the vacuum cleaner device 10.
In this way, it is possible to cool the power supply unit 14b, 14a only when necessary without subtracting suction power when not necessary.
It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the vacuum cleaner device 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
For example, according to possible solutions, it can be provided that the battery power unit 14a can also be provided with respective inlet 18 and outlet 19 apertures for the air, suitable to form a passage circuit for a flow of cooling air B through the internal volume 25b and the suction chamber 22.
According to possible solutions, it can be provided that the respective outlet aperture 19 can cooperate directly with the through hole 28 when the battery power unit 14a is coupled to the housing seating 21.
According to possible variants, it can also be provided that the shutter member 42 can be activated/deactivated as a function of the power requirements and/or cooling needs.
It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of vacuum cleaner device 10 and corresponding functioning method, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

Vacuum cleaner device comprising a suction unit (11) provided with a collection container (12) and a motor unit (15), housed at least in part in a suction chamber (22) put in communication with said collection container (12), and configured to draw a flow (A) of air and dirt from the outside, convey it through an inlet duct (23) into said collection container (12) and said suction chamber (22), and return said drawn flow (A) to the outside, and a handle unit (13), connected to said suction unit (11) and configured to allow gripping by a user, wherein said handle unit (13) comprises at least one housing seating (21), provided with holding means (34) able to house and hold, by means of a selective and reversible coupling, at least one power supply unit (14a, 14b) configured to supply electrical energy to said motor unit (15), characterized in that it comprises two power supply units (14a, 14b), of which a battery power unit (14a) and an electric cable power unit (14b), which are interchangeable one with each other and able to be alternatively inserted in said compartment, or housing seating (21), said power supply units (14a, 14b) being provided with respective attachment means (33a, 33b) able to cooperate with said holding means (34) in order to guarantee a stable and reciprocal mechanical coupling between the respective power supply unit (14a, 14b) and said handle unit (13).
Vacuum cleaner device as in claim 1, characterized in that said suction unit (11) comprises a containing shell (39) which encloses said suction chamber (22), provided with a through hole (28) located in the proximity of said housing seating (21) of said handle unit (13).
Vacuum cleaner device as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said battery power unit (14a) and said cable power unit (14b) each comprise an external container (24a, 24b) defining an internal compartment (25a, 25b) suitable to house respective electrical and/or electronic components, which is respectively provided with said attachment means (33a, 33b).
Vacuum cleaner device as in claim 3, characterized in that at least said cable power unit (14b) is provided with at least one inlet aperture (18) and one outlet aperture (19) made in said external container (24b) and configured to put said internal compartment (25b) in fluid communication with the external environment, allowing the circulation therein of a flow of cooling air (B) suitable to cool the electrical and/or electronic components.
Vacuum cleaner device as in claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said outlet aperture (19) is configured to be positioned in a position mating with said through hole (28) of said suction chamber (22) when said cable power unit (14b) is inserted in said housing seating (21) and coupled to said holding means (34), and said motor unit (15) is configured to generate, in addition to said flow of air (A), also said flow of cooling air (B).
Vacuum cleaner device as in any claim from 3 to 5, characterized in that said battery power unit (14a) is provided with at least one inlet aperture (18) and one outlet aperture (19) made in said external container (24a) and configured to put said internal compartment (25a) in fluidic communication with the external environment, allowing the circulation therein of a flow of cooling air (B) suitable to cool the electrical and/or electronic components.
Vacuum cleaner device as in one of the claims from 3 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one shutter member (42) associated with said through hole (28) and able to be selectively activated in order to allow a selective obstruction of said through hole (28) and/or of said outlet aperture (19) and allow, or prevent the passage of said flow of cooling air (B).
Vacuum cleaner device as in claim 7, characterized in that said shutter member (42) comprises a valve which is normally in the closed condition and at least said cable power unit (14b) is provided with a drive member suitable to stimulate said shutter member (42), taking it into an open condition in order to put the through hole (28) and the outlet aperture (19) in communication and allow the passage of the flow of cooling air (B).
Functioning method of a vacuum cleaner device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it provides to selectively and alternatively insert one of the two between the battery power unit (14a) or the cable power unit (14b) into said housing seating (21), defining a stable reciprocal coupling between respective attachment means (33a, 33b) and the holding means (34) of said housing seating (21) and supply electrical energy to the motor unit (15) in order to draw a flow (A) of air and dirt from the outside and convey it through said inlet duct (23) into said collection container (12) and said suction chamber (22), and return said drawn flow (A) to the outside, wherein when said battery power unit (14a) is inserted in the housing seating (21), said electrical energy is supplied autonomously by the former, and when said cable power unit (14b) is inserted in the housing seating (21), said electrical energy is taken from an electricity grid connected to said cable power unit (14b).
Functioning method as in claim 9, characterized in that at least in the case where said cable power unit (14b) is used, it provides to cool the electrical and/or electronic components thereof, housed in an internal compartment (25b) of an external containing body (24b), by means of a flow of clean cooling air (B), which is drawn from the external environment through an inlet aperture (18) of said external container (24b) by the action of said motor unit (15), and is conveyed through said internal compartment (25b) into said suction chamber (22) from which it is returned to the outside together with said flow of air (A).