FR2583825A1 - Manually operable appliance for the localised production of a fluid current - Google Patents

Abstract

Hand-held appliance for the pinpoint production of a gaseous flow with the facility for alternate directions, of the type having a housing 1 containing an independent electrical supply source 2, 2', an electric motor 3 fed by the said source and the output shaft 4 of which drives the rotor of a blower 5 supplying a nozzle 13 capable of being positioned in proximity to a point or an area which is to receive the gaseous flow. According to the invention this appliance is characterised in that the said nozzle 13 is connected to the blower by a pipe switching device capable of alternately connecting the said nozzle to the peripheral outlet (at excess pressure) or to the central inlet (at low pressure) of the said blower 5, thereby enabling the nozzle to function as a blower or as an extractor as required.

Description

The present invention relates to a miniaturized device which can be manipulated by hand allowing the punctual production and in a localized direction of a stream of fluid, further allowing the reversal of the direction of circulation of said stream.

The invention will in particular be usable for the production of a small device for easy handling and acting alternately as a vacuum cleaner and a blower.

The invention relates more particularly to a hand-held device powered by an autonomous electric current source such as a battery and making it possible, from a suitably oriented nozzle to direct a current of air on an object, a point or a determined area with the possibility of reversing the direction of the current so that successively can be produced on the determined point a gaseous current, in particular of air, positive, that is to say a current of air ejected by the nozzle of the device and flowing in a centripetal direction, and subsequently by the same device, after reversing the direction of current flow, the zone or point previously swept by a centripetal current may be traversed by a centrifugal current bringing the fluid present in this area towards the device.

The applications of the device according to the invention are multiple, in particular in the case of delicate parts work, at home, in DIY but also in precision industries.

There are undoubtedly miniaturized suction devices and comprising a housing associated with an electric battery and a small motor serving a blower or rotary fan; the communication of the central part (in depression) of the blower with a nozzle allows the latter to play the role of vacuum cleaner.

However, there are many cases where successive insufflation operations must be carried out, followed or preceded by aspiration; and to carry out these two operations, it is therefore necessary to have two devices operating successively, one playing the role of vacuum cleaner and the other of blower.

There are no doubt known in particular for household appliances many devices in which the suction nozzle is itself supplied with pressurized air, the combination of the pressurized air supply and the suction being favorable for formation of vortices suitable for ensuring the separation of the particles to be removed.

The invention however applies to the particular case in which the two operations are not simultaneous but successive.

We know in this regard from French patent n 75 05379 a suction nozzle which internally compresses an inlet of pressurized air which would make it possible to possibly carry out the two # operations in successive phases3.

However, the supply of pressurized air originates in this device from a source of air under static pressure and which is therefore dependent on a general compressed air network, an installation which can therefore be used only in industrial establishments and for heavy cleaning.

The invention aims, on the contrary, to carry out delicate work when it is necessary to move, handle, remove or recover fine materials dispersed in the pulverulent state, which cannot be handled by hand.

The invention will in particular be applicable, in addition to carrying out delicate work in the field of DIY or home maintenance, in the context of precision industries, for example precision mechanical or electronic industries when necessary. ensure the rigorous cleaning of parts or the preparation of surfaces to receive treatment.

The device according to the invention successively allowing the effects of pressure and depression, resulting from the blowing and then suction movement, makes it possible to ensure, under good conditions, the movement and recovery of products in powder form, for example parasitic dust.

However, the invention will also allow the movement and manipulation, in particular with a view to their recovery, of valuable products, for example gold powder or powder of precious metals in goldsmithery.

The invention also makes it possible to recover or dislodge in inaccessible places small parasitic elements (welding beads or small parts).

The invention may also be usable for the transport and movement of fluids, in particular gaseous fluids whenever it is desired to evacuate, transfer or move a fluid in the gaseous phase, in particular in the chemical industry.

The invention generally allows the blowing and aspiration phases to be carried out in immediate succession and without a continuity solution, using a single device, thereby ensuring the best conditions of efficiency by the synergy obtained. , a movement making it possible to ensure the initial displacement and consequently the detachment of the body, sometimes microscopic, df its location and the subsequent suction phase making it possible to obtain the recovery of this body possibly recovered in an envelope, for example textile of known type .

But the device can also be used for example for gripping and depositing small parts which can, thanks to the installation of a nozzle of appropriate diameter, be sucked by suction at the orifice of the nozzle and then deposited or possibly even injected under pressure into a deep housing.

To this end, the invention relates firstly to a device with manual gripping for the punctual production of a gas flow with the possibility of alternating directions, of the type comprising a housing containing an autonomous electrical power source, an electric motor powered by said source and whose output shaft drives the rotor of a blower serving a nozzle capable of being positioned near a point or an area to receive the gas flow, and the apparatus is characterized in that said nozzle is connected to the blower by a channeling switch device capable of alternately connecting said nozzle to the peripheral outlet (overpressure) or to the central inlet (under depression) of said blower, thus allowing at will the operation of the blower or vacuum nozzle.

According to one embodiment, the routing device consists of a three-way rotary valve serving a first channel formed by the tube leading to the nozzle and a second and a third channel leading respectively to the inlet and the outlet. of the wind tunnel, the rotating plug being provided, in a known manner, with a channel capable of alternately connecting the first channel to the second or to the third channel and the valve comprising a recess allowing it to be vented, among the second or third way, which is not connected to the tubing serving the nozzle.

Under these conditions, it is understood that the rotation of the three-way valve makes it possible to bring the nozzle in communication either with the low pressure zone of the blower, the nozzle then playing the role of vacuum cleaner, or with the peripheral zone in overpressure the nozzle then playing the role of blower.

 According to a variant, the switching device consists of a linear displacement register.

For example, the register has a first position in which the tubing leading to the nozzle is placed in communication with the overpressure outlet of the blower, while the register in this first position puts the central vacuum zone of the blower in communication with one another with the open air, and the damper has a second position in which the nozzle is connected to the central vacuum zone of the blower (the nozzle being in the suction position) while the blower outlet is placed in communication with a air permeable envelope to receive the powdered elements sucked.

According to the development of the invention, the register cooperates with an auxiliary pipe itself connected to a source of an active product in fluid form, this auxiliary pipe being able, in a position of the register, to be connected to the central zone. blower low pressure, the gaseous active product being thus led to supply the blower which causes the displacement of this product towards the outlet nozzle thus supplying the active product, the opposite position of the damper bypassing said auxiliary pipe and bringing the tubing serving the nozzle in the suction position, while the outlet of the turbine is brought into the position of communication with the airtight bag or envelope for the reception of the products collected in the recovery phase.

However, according to a more complex embodiment, the auxiliary pipe can itself be placed in communication, via a multi-way tap with a plurality of active products, thus allowing injection into the area to be served successively. several products active in the gas or powder phase.

And in this case the device allows at will to ensure the projection in the area to be served of an active product corresponding to particular needs; the suction phase then allowing the recovery of excess product.

Each source of active product can consist, for example, of a device for spraying a product in the liquid or pulverulent state.

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of an embodiment in which the switching of tracks is done by a rotary device.

Figure 3 and Figure 4 show two principle views of the operation of the rotary switch device of the three-way valve type.

FIG. 5 represents a perspective view of the device according to the invention equipped with a switching device formed by a linear register.

Figures 6 and 7 show diagrams of operation of the linear register in two successive positions.

According to Figure 1 we see that the device consists of an outer shell or shell 1 internally containing the batteries 2 and 2 'supplying the electric motor 3; the output shaft 4 of this motor drives the rotor 5 of a blower 6 formed by this rotor disposed in the chamber 7.

The central vacuum zone of the blower is served by the pipe 8 while the outlet 9 of the pressure pipe allows the evacuation at high speed of the air displaced and sucked in from the inlet 8.

The electric motor 3 is started by the contactor 10 interposed on the motor supply circuit 11 from the batteries 2 and 2 'and controlled by the pusher 12 so that by simple pressure the motor is supplied and the blower 6 is put into action.

The device comprises a tube 13 leading to a nozzle 14 corresponding successively to the air inlet and outlet depending on whether the device operates as a vacuum cleaner or a blower.

The reversal of the direction of air circulation is effected by a switching device 14 shown diagrammatically in FIG. I and whose production forces are illustrated in Figures 3.4 and 6.7 respectively.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the register is simply schematized and it is shown in the position in which the internal channels connect the peripheral area or the output under pressure.

turbine turbine 6 with an envelope 15 of known type and breathable to collect # artic # 1 #, debris or microscopic or very small elements collected during the aspiratian phase; and in the position shown in FIG. 1, the low pressure central zone 8 of the turbine is placed in communication with the pipe 13; the device thus operating as a mini-vacuum cleaner.

According to the invention, the tubing 13 and therefore the nozzle 14 can successively and at will, by operating the switching device, be placed in communication with the central low pressure zone (fon ~ tion- ing in suction) or with the peripheral zone overpressure 9 (wind tunnel operation).

According to a first embodiment shown in Figures 2,3,4, the switching device is of the rotary type and it is interposed between the shell or casing 1 and the pipe 13.

As seen in Figure 2, this device can be easily manipulated by digital rotation.

To this end, the device being held with the right hand, the index finger comes into natural position on the push button 12 to allow the engine start control; and the thumb can rest on the external notched sleeve 17 which drives the rotation of the internal three-way valve.

The schematic operation of this device is shown in Figures 3 and 4 and we see that the plug 18 of the rotary valve 15 has an inner channel 19 adapted to put in communication, in the position shown in Figure 3, the pipe 13 leading to the external nozzle with the low pressure central zone 8 of the turbine 6.

The plug 18 has a notch 21 forming a bridging to allow the peripheral outlet zone 9 of the turbine to be placed in communication with the tube 20 serving the envelope 16.

 In the position shown in FIG. 4, the rotary plug having made a rotation of 1200, the inner channel 19 this time brings the tubing 13 in communication with the outlet 9 of the turbine while the casing, 6 and the inlet 20 are out of circuit; and the notch or bridging 21 is then placed in communication with the central low pressure zone 8 of the turbine with an auxiliary input 22; under these conditions, the tubing 13 acts in a wind tunnel and the nozzle ejects air taken from the inlet 22, while in the reverse position the sucked air passes through the envelope 19 where it is filtered by depositing the sampled particles .

FIG. 5 represents a variant in which the switching device is constituted by a register 25 with linear displacement according to arrow F2.

In this embodiment, provision has been made for a development in which the supply of the turbine 6, when it operates in a wind tunnel, that is to say by ejecting air through the nozzle 13, can be supplied with an active product. taken from an external source (not shown).

It is indeed useful in certain cases to breathe into the area to be served not air or a simple stream of air but an active product, for example a mist or air loaded with pulverulent products; in this case, a sprayer (not shown) can be connected by the auxiliary line 23 to the low pressure central part 8 of the turbine 6 and this turbine will send through the pipe 13, after passage via the channel 24 of the register 25 brought into the blower position.

In this position, the internal channel or bridging 26 of the register brings the auxiliary pipe 23 (allowing the supply of active products) into communication with the central zone 8 of the turbine.

In the current reversal position shown in FIG. 7, the channel 24 is in the inactive position, as is the channel 26 which formed an anterior bridge between the auxiliary pipe 23 and the supply to the turbine.

The oblique channel 27 brings the tubing 13 in this position in communication with the central part 8 of the turbine corresponding to the low pressure area so that the tubing then operates as a vacuum cleaner.

And the air inspired from the outside is ejected by the outlet 9 which is then brought into communication by the bridge 26 '(symmetrical and opposite to the bridge 26) with the pipe 20 serving the permeable envelope 16 from which the air can escape while depositing the particles sucked outside and transported by the tubing 13.

According to a possible development of the invention, it can also be provided that the injection of an active product (before or after the aspiration phase) can affect several products.

The device can then be used in a complex operation in which several phases of active products are injected into the area to be treated, each product corresponding to a determined action.

And these products can be brought to the turbine by the lines 23 "and 23 'which terminate the auxiliary line 23 with the interposition of a multi-way valve 28.

It is thus possible by rotation of the tap 28 to supply the turbine successively for 8 years. Two (or more possibly) active products in the form of a mist or a gaseous phase loaded with powder, this product being injected on site by the pipe 13.

 And during the movement of the damper 25 the tubing 23 is then closed and put in the inactive position preventing any leakage of products while the device then operates as a vacuum cleaner allowing recovery of the products previously injected and which must not remain on site or from which the excess can be thus removed.

We see that the device according to the invention allows many applications in the case of localized treatments.

It allows, for example, to ensure successively the cleaning phases and after having sent a mist of a detergent product then recovered, degreasing and possibly the application of a coating product or a lubricant, the excess products or the dust or body resulting from the different phases being collected and disposed of during the aspiration phase.

Claims (7)

1 - Manual gripping device for the punctual production of a gas flow with the possibility of alternating directions, of the type comprising a housing (1) containing an autonomous electrical power source (2.2 ′), an electric motor (3) powered by said source and whose output shaft (4) drives the rotor of a blower (5) serving a nozzle (13) able to be positioned near a point or an area to receive the gas flow , characterized in that said nozzle (13) is connected to the blower by a pipe switching device (17,25) capable of alternately connecting said nozzle to the peripheral outlet (overpressure) or to the central inlet (in depression) of said blower (5), thus allowing at will the operation of the nozzle as a blower or vacuum cleaner. 2 - Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching device consists of a tap (17) rotating three-way serving a first channel formed by the pipe leading to the nozzle and a second and a third way leading respectively at the inlet and at the outlet of the blower (5), the rotary plug (18) being provided, in known manner, with a channel (19) capable of alternately connecting the first channel (13) to the second ( 9) or to the third way (8) and the plug having a recess or notch (21) allowing the venting of that, among the second (9) or the third way (8), which is not not connected to the tubing serving the nozzle. 3 - Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching device consists of a register (25) with linear movement. 4 - Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the register (25) has a first position in which the tube (13) leading to the nozzle is placed in communication with the overpressure outlet (9) of the blower, while the register in this first position connects the central low pressure zone (8) of the blower in communication with the open air, and the register comprises a second part - in which the nozzle (13) is connected to the zone central vacuum (8) of the blower (the nozzle being in the suction position) while the outlet of the blower # ie (9) is put in comr8unication with a * envelope (16) permeable to air to receive the sprayed elements sucked. 5 - Apparatus according to one of claims3 3 or 4, characterized in that the register cooperates with an auxiliary pipe (23) itself connected to a source of an active product in fluid form, this auxiliary pipe being; able, in a position of the damper, to be connected to the central vacuum zone (8) of the blower, the gaseous active product being thus led to supply the blower which causes the displacement of this product towards the outlet nozzle (13) thus supplying the active product, the inverted position of the damper switching off said auxiliary pipe (23) and bringing the tubing serving the nozzle (13) in the suction position, while the outlet of the turbine (9) is brought into the communication with the breathable bag or envelope (? 6) for the reception of the products collected in the recovery phase. 6 - Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the auxiliary line (23) is placed in communication, via a multi-way valve (28) with a plurality of active products, thus allowing injection into the area to be served successively with several active products in the gaseous or pulverulent phase. 7 - Apparatus according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that each source of active product consists of a device for spraying a product in the liquid or pulverulent state.