EP4631409A1

EP4631409A1 - Improved suction device

Info

Publication number: EP4631409A1
Application number: EP25159712.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Danny RICCI; Andrea Galli; Alessia Galli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2024-04-10
Filing date: 2025-02-24
Publication date: 2025-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 2045-02-24
Also published as: EP4631409B1

Abstract

A suction device comprises: a frame (1), a main tank (2), suction means (8) to generate a flow of suction air and convey aspirated material into the main tank (2), an intake duct (3) communicating with the main tank (2), on/off means (9), a metal detector (4) suitable to detect metal objects in the intake duct (3), closing means (5) arranged in the intake duct (3) between the metal detector (4) and an outlet mouth (31) of the intake duct, and a control unit (6) connected to the metal detector (4) and the closing means (5) to move the closing means (5) to a second position if the metal detector (4) detects metallic objects in the intake duct (3).

Description

The present patent application for an industrial invention relates to an improved suction device. In particular, the relevant sector is that of suction devices for both industrial and domestic use, such as vacuum cleaners, handheld vacuums, robotic vacuum cleaners, etc.
Known suction devices comprise:

a frame;
a tank arranged in the frame and suitable for containing aspirated material;
suction means arranged in the frame to generate a flow of suction air and convey the material into the tank;
an intake duct with an inlet mouth intended to be in communication with the outside and an outlet mouth in communication with the tank;
on/off means to activate/deactivate the suction means.

When activated, the suction means create a flow of suction air that suck in the material through the intake duct and conveys the aspirated material into the tank.
However, known suction devices may accidentally suck in valuable objects, such as gold or silver jewelry. Consider, for example, a case where said suction device is used to suck in dust from the floor of a jewelry store. If a piece of jewelry has fallen onto the floor, it could be unknowingly sucked into the device. Furthermore, even if a user notices that a piece of jewelry has been sucked in, said piece of jewelry would be difficult to recover. In fact, it would be necessary to access the tank and search through the sucked-in dust to find the jewelry. Clearly, such operations are impractical and also lead to dust being spilled on the floor, making the previous cleaning effort useless.
US5271119 discloses a device to protect a vacuum cleaner. The device in US5271119 comprises a permanent magnet suitable to be positioned near the floor, in front of the vacuum cleaner, to attract ferrous objects, preventing damage to the vacuum cleaner.
US9962054 discloses a metal sensor that detects substances including metal. Information about the detection of a substance is stored in a memory of a controller and a cleaner is stopped if a threshold value for the substance detected is reached.
DE7518630U discloses a vacuum cleaner nozzle with a magnet-metal collector.
The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the known art, providing a suction device that can detect the suction of metallic objects and allow for the retrieval of the sucked-in metallic object in a simple, practical, and quick way.
Another purpose is to provide a suction device that is cost-effective, simple to manufacture, easy to use, and efficient.
These purposes are achieved in accordance with the invention having the features listed in the appended independent claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments appear from the dependent claims. The suction device according to the invention is defined by claim 1.
The advantages of the suction device according to the invention are evident, in which, thanks to the metal detector and the closing means, it is possible to detect an aspirated metallic object and prevent that object from reaching the main tank, making the retrieval of the aspirated metallic object simple, practical, and quick.
For greater clarity, the description of the suction device according to the invention continues with reference to the attached drawings, which have a non-limiting illustrative purpose, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an axonometric view of the suction device according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a front view of the inside of a portion of the suction device of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is an axonometric view of a variant of the suction device according to the invention;
Fig. 4 is a front view of the inside of a portion of the suction device of Fig. 3.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a suction device according to the invention is disclosed, generally indicated by reference number 100.
The suction device (100) is designed to suck in material, such as dust, and is for example a broom vacuum cleaner.
The suction device (100) comprises a frame (1). Optionally, the frame (1) comprises a handle (10) at the top, designed to be held by a user, and a tool (11) at the bottom, intended to be in contact with a surface to be cleaned.
The suction device (100) comprises a main tank (2) arranged in the frame (1) and suitable for containing aspirated material. Optionally, the frame (1) comprises an access opening to access to the main tank (2), allowing to empty the main tank. Optionally, the main tank (2) comprises a removable bag (20), so that the bag (20) can be replaced once said bag (20) is full.
The suction device (100) comprises suction means (8) arranged in the frame (1) to generate a flow of suction air and convey the aspirated material into the main tank (2). Advantageously, the suction means (8) comprise an electric turbine motor (80) in fluid communication with the main tank (2). A first filter (21) is arranged between the electric turbine motor (80) and the main tank (2), preventing the aspirated material from reaching the electric turbine motor (80). The frame (1) comprises a plurality of openings arranged near the suction means (8), allowing the flow of suction air to exit.
The suction device (100) comprises an intake duct (3), optionally formed in the frame (1), and comprising an inlet mouth (30) intended to communicate with the outside and an outlet mouth (31) communicating with the main tank (2). Advantageously, the inlet mouth (30) is arranged in the tool (11) of the frame. The suction means (8) are designed to generate a depression in the main tank (2), thereby sucking air and material from the intake duct (3) into the main tank (2). Optionally, a second filter (32) is disposed at the outlet mouth (31) to prevent larger aspirated material from entering the main tank (2).
The suction device (100) comprises on/off means (9) to allow/inhibit a power supply of said suction device (100). The on/off means (9) comprise a button (90) with which a user can interact. It is specified that the suction device (100) may comprise a battery to power the suction device (100), or it may comprise a power cable, designed to be connected to an electric plug of an electric plant.
The suction device (100) comprises a metal detector (4) suitable to detect metallic objects in the intake duct (3). The metal detector (4) advantageously comprises at least one coil with a copper wire wound around a ferrite or plastic core. When a metallic object passes through the coil, a magnetic field generated by the coil induces an electric current in the metallic object, which in turn generates an opposing magnetic field that is detected by the coil. The metal detector (4) can, for example, be a concentric coil detector or a "double D" coil detector.
The metal detector (4) is optionally arranged in the intake duct (3), near the inlet mouth (30). Therefore, the metal detector (4) comprises an opening for the passage of dust and aspirated material.
The suction device (100) comprises closing means (5) arranged in the intake duct (3), between the metal detector (4) and the outlet mouth (31) of the intake duct. The closing means (5) are able to assume a first position, to allow the passage of the aspirated material towards the main tank (2), and a second position, to inhibit the passage of the aspirated material towards the main tank (2). More specifically, the closing means (5) comprise a movable partition (50) arranged in the intake duct (3) and hinged to walls of the intake duct (3), allowing the movable partition to rotate relative to the intake duct (3). When the movable partition (50) of the closing means is in the first position, the movable portion (50) is vertical, allowing the aspirated material to pass into the main tank (2). When the movable partition (50) of the closing means is in the second position, the movable portion (50) is horizontal, closing the intake duct (3) and preventing the aspirated material from reaching the main tank (2).
The suction device (100) comprises a control unit (6) connected to the metal detector (4) and to the closing means (5), so as to receive from the metal detector (4) information on the detection of metallic objects in the intake duct (3) and move the closing means (5) to the second position if the metal detector (4) detects metallic objects in the intake duct (3). More specifically, when the coil of the metal detector detects the opposing magnetic field generated by the metallic object, the metal detector (4) sends information to the control unit (6) about the detection of the metallic object in the intake duct (3). The control unit (6) sends a command to the closing means (5), causing the movable partition (50) of the closing means to move from the first position to the second position, thereby preventing the aspirated material and, therefore, the aspirated metallic object, from reaching the main tank (2). In this way, the metallic object remains in the intake duct (3). Furthermore, by closing the intake duct (3), the intake duct (3) is no longer passed though by the flow of suction air generated by the suction means (8). As a result, the metallic object falls to the ground by gravity, exiting the intake duct (3) through the inlet mouth (30) of the suction duct.
The advantages of the suction device according to the invention are evident, in which, thanks to the metal detector and the closing means, it is possible to detect an aspirated metallic object and prevent that metallic object from reaching the main tank, thereby allowing for easy, practical, and fast recovery of the aspirated metallic object without spreading dust.
Furthermore, the suction device according to the invention is cost-effective, simple to manufacture, easy to use, and efficient.
Optionally, the control unit (6) is connected to the suction means (8) so as to stop the suction means (8), if the metal detector (4) detects metallic objects in the intake duct (3). In this way, the suction means (8) are automatically deactivated as soon as the metal detector (4) detects the metallic object in the intake duct (3). Optionally, the control unit (6) is suitable to move the closing means (5) to the first position when the suction means (8) are deactivated following the detection of metallic objects in the intake duct (3). Therefore, after a predetermined interval of time following the stop of the suction means (8), the control unit (6) sends a command:

to the closing means (5), so that the movable partition (50) of the closing means (5) moves from the second position to the first position, and
to the suction means (8), to activate the suction means (8) again.

Alternatively, the control unit (6) sends only a command to the closing means (5), so that the movable partition (50) of the closing means (5) moves from the second position to the first position. To turn the suction device (100) on again, manual action on the on/off means (9) is required.
Alternatively or additionally, the suction means (8) can be manually deactivated by acting on the on/off means (9). As soon as a user operates the on/off means (9) to deactivate the suction means (8), following the movement of the closing means (5) to the second position, the control unit (6) sends a command to the closing means (5), so that the movable partition (50) of the closing means (5) moves from the second position to the first position. In this way, by subsequently acting on the on/off means (9) to activate the suction means (8), the intake duct (3) is once again passed though by the suction air flow. In this case, optionally, the suction device (100) comprises a backup battery to power the control unit (6) and the closing means (5) after deactivating the power supply to the suction device (100).
Optionally, the suction device (100) comprises at least one indicator (7) connected to the control unit (6) so that the control unit (6) sends an activation command to said at least one indicator (7) if the metal detector (4) detects metallic objects in the intake duct (3).
Optionally, the indicator (7) is an acoustic and/or light emitter.
In this way, the suction device signals to the user the presence of a metallic object in the intake duct (3).
With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, a variant of the suction device according to the invention is disclosed, generally indicated by reference number (100).
Equal or corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numbers and their detailed description is omitted.
The suction device (100) comprises a collection tank (51) communicating with the intake duct (3). The collection tank (51) comprises a first mouth (52) opening into the intake duct (3) and a second mouth (53) opening into the main tank (2). Since the collection tank (51) communicates with the main tank (2), the flow of suction air generated by the suction means (8) is also suitable to pass through the collection tank (51). A third filter (54) is arranged at the second mouth (53) of the collection tank, allowing the passage of the flow of suction air while preventing the aspirated material from passing into the main tank (2).
Optionally, the frame (1) comprises an access opening to access to the collection tank (51), optionally covered by a door, to empty the collection tank (51).
The closing means (5) comprise a movable switch (55) capable of assuming the first position, to allow the passage of the aspirated material towards the main tank (2), and the second position, to inhibit the passage of the aspirated material towards the main tank (2) and allow the passage of the aspirated material towards the collection tank (51). When the switch (55) of the closing means is in the first position, the flow of suction air passes through the intake duct (3). When the switch (55) of the closing means is in the second position, the flow of suction air passes through the collection tank (51).
When the coil of the metal detector (4) detects the opposing magnetic field generated by the metallic object, the metal detector (4) sends information to the control unit (6) regarding the detection of the metallic object in the intake duct (3). The control unit (6) sends a command to the closing means (5), so that the switch (55) of the closing means moves from the first position to the second position, preventing the aspirated material and thus the aspirated metallic object from reaching the main tank (2) and allowing the aspirated metallic object to reach the collection tank (51). Therefore, the metallic object remains in the collection tank (51). Optionally, the collection tank (51) comprises an enlarged portion (56) designed to contain the aspirated metallic object. Advantageously, the collection tank (51) is detachable or openable from the outside, allowing quick and easy access to the collection tank (51).
Thanks to the switch (55), aspirated metallic objects are collected in the collection tank (51), making the recovery of these objects easy, convenient, practical, and fast, without spilling any sucked-in dust.
Although not shown in the figures, the suction device may alternatively comprise manual movement means connected to the closing means (5) for manually moving the closing means (5) from the second position to the first position.
Although not shown in the figures, the metal detector (4) may be disposed outside the frame (1), at the intake duct (3).
Although not shown in the figures, alternatively, the suction device may be a dustbin vacuum cleaner, a handheld vacuum cleaner or a vacuum cleaner robot.
Although not shown in the figures, alternatively, the closing means may be of any type. For example, the closing means may comprise an electro valve.
Modifications or variations of detail within the scope of a person skilled in the art may be made to the present embodiment of the invention, which, however, fall within the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Claims

Suction device (100) comprising:
- a frame (1);

- a main tank (2) arranged in the frame (1) and suitable for containing aspirated material;

- suction means (8) arranged in the frame (1) to generate a flow of suction air and convey the aspirated material into the main tank (2);

- an intake duct (3) comprising an inlet mouth (30) intended to communicate with the outside and an outlet mouth (31) communicating with the main tank (2);

- on/off means (9) to allow/inhibit a power supply of said suction device (100);
characterized by the fact that said suction device (100) comprises:
- a metal detector (4) suitable to detect metallic objects in the intake duct (3);

- closing means (5) arranged in the intake duct (3), between the metal detector (4) and the outlet mouth (31); said closing means (5) being able to assume a first position, to allow the passage of the aspirated material towards the main tank (2), and a second position, to inhibit the passage of the aspirated material towards the main tank (2);

- a control unit (6) connected to the metal detector (4) and to the closing means (5) so as to receive from the metal detector (4) information on the detection of metallic objects in the intake duct (3) and move the closing means (5) to the second position if the metal detector (4) detects metallic objects in the intake duct (3).
Suction device (100) according to claim 1, comprising at least one indicator (7) connected to the control unit (6) so that said control unit (6) sends an activation command to said at least one indicator (7) if the metal detector (4) detects metallic objects in the intake duct (3).
Suction device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (6) is connected to the suction means (8) so as to stop the suction means, if the metal detector (4) detects metallic objects in the intake duct (3).
Suction device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said closing means (5) comprise a moveable partition (50) arranged in the intake duct (3).
Suction device (100) according to any one of claims from 1 to 3, comprising a collection tank (51) communicating with the intake duct (3); said closing means (5) comprising a switch (55) capable of assuming the first position, to allow the passage of the aspirated material towards the main tank (2), and the second position, to inhibit the passage of the aspirated material towards the main tank (2) and allow the passage of the aspirated material towards the collection tank (51).
Suction device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the collection tank (51) comprises an enlarged portion (56) designed to contain the aspirated metallic object.
Suction device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said metal detector (4) is arranged in the intake duct (3).
Suction device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising manual movement means connected to the closing means (5) for manually moving the closing means (5) from the second position to the first position.
Suction device (100) according to any one of claims from 1 to 7, wherein the control unit (6) is suitable to move the closing means (5) to the first position, when the suction means are deactivated following the detection of metallic objects in the intake duct (3).
Suction device (100) according to any one of claims from 2 to 9, wherein said at least one indicator (7) is an acoustic and/or light emitter.
Suction device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said suction device (100) is a broom vacuum cleaner, a dustbin vacuum cleaner, a handheld vacuum cleaner or a vacuum cleaner robot.