JP2014506516A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention relates to a horizontal vacuum cleaner body (2) having a bottom side portion (3), a top side portion (4), a front side portion (5), and a rear side portion (6), and a vacuum cleaner body (2). The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner (1) including a housed suction blower unit and at least one first-stage cyclone dust separator (7) having an air suction opening fluidly connected to the suction blower unit. In the direction from the bottom to the top, the first stage cyclone dust separator (7) is positioned above the suction blower unit, and the air suction opening and dust of the first stage cyclone dust separator (7) The discharge openings are arranged toward the rear side (6) and the front side (5), respectively.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cyclonic vacuum cleaner.

  Cyclone vacuum cleaners are widely known due to the advantages of paper packless dust collection. Paper packless or cyclonic vacuum cleaners or respective cyclone dust separation units are known from, for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, and Patent Document 5.

  In particular, the cyclonic vacuum cleaner described in the above-mentioned patent document is still relatively large and has a relatively complex air guide and dust collection device and unit.

European Patent Application No. 1042981 European Patent Application No. 1774887 European Patent Application Publication No. 1688078 European Patent Application Publication No. 1952745 International Publication No. 2011/058365 Pamphlet

  Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a cyclonic vacuum cleaner with a relatively compact design. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner shall be improved in ease of use and operability, particularly with respect to dust separation and dust collection chambers.

  These and other objects are solved by the features of claim 1 of the claims. Embodiments and variations are obtained from the dependent claims.

  According to claim 1, there is provided a vacuum cleaner including a horizontal vacuum cleaner body having a bottom side, a top side, a front side, and a rear side. The term “horizontal vacuum cleaner body” is intended to mean in particular the orientation of the vacuum cleaner body in normal or desired applications. Such a horizontal vacuum cleaner body is a wheel attached thereto, as already implemented in known devices, which moves the vacuum cleaner on the floor below it during cleaning by the vacuum cleaner. It may include wheels installed to facilitate.

  A horizontal type vacuum cleaner in the meaning of the present application is disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example. In addition to the horizontal type vacuum cleaner, there is also a vertical type configuration. Generally, the vertical type configuration is provided with a vacuum cleaner body, and a handle used to move the vacuum cleaner body together with the cleaning operation by the vacuum cleaner. Including. An example of such a vertical vacuum cleaner is shown in Patent Document 5.

  The cleaner according to claim 1 further includes a suction blower unit housed in the cleaner body or inside thereof.

  In addition, at least one first-stage cyclone dust separator is provided. The first-stage cyclone dust separator has a suction blower unit, more specifically, an air suction opening fluidly connected to an exhaust opening of the suction blower unit.

  In operation, the suction blower unit generally produces a suction effect at the suction opening to which the suction hose can be connected. The air containing the sucked dust is blown into the dust separator toward the subsequent dust separator fluidly connected to the suction blower unit. In this example, the dust separator includes at least a first stage cyclone dust separator.

  Where applicable, one or more second dust separation stages may be installed, preferably located downstream of the first stage cyclone dust separator and fluidly connected thereto. The second dust separation stage may also be cyclonic. In a cyclone type dust separator, dust is separated from air by the cyclone effect generally known in the art.

  The first stage cyclone dust separator may be installed and formed to separate coarse dust, debris, and other particulate matter from the air. The second stage cyclone dust separator may be configured to separate fine dust from the air, particularly dust that is not separable in the first stage or too small to separate in the first stage. Therefore, the overall cleaning efficiency is improved by combining a plurality of dust separation stages formed to separate dust particles of different sizes.

  It should be noted that more than two dust separation stages may be combined in series to improve dust separation efficiency. For example, one of the higher order dust separation steps, for example, the third dust separation step, may be separation by a filter formed to collect residual dust particles. Accordingly, relatively clean air is delivered into the environment.

  In the vacuum cleaner proposed in claim 1, in the direction from the bottom to the top, the first stage cyclone dust separator is positioned or attached above the suction blower unit, in particular above it. Note that the term top specifically relates to the direction from the bottom to the top of the cleaner body. With such an arrangement, the vacuum cleaner, in particular the vacuum cleaner body, can be of a relatively compact design, especially with respect to the dimensions from the front to the rear.

  In the cleaner proposed in the present application, the air suction opening and the air discharge opening of the first-stage cyclone dust separator are formed so as to be positioned toward the rear side and the front side, respectively. This is because the air intake opening of the first-stage cyclone dust separator is positioned toward the rear side, and the dust discharge opening of the first-stage cyclone dust separator is positioned toward the front side. Means in particular directed towards the front side. Such a configuration and implementation of the first stage cyclone dust separator has been found to enable a compact yet efficient design.

  In the configuration proposed in the present application, it is possible to generate a main airflow that flows oppositely in the suction blower unit and the first-stage cyclone dust separator. The main air flow in the suction blower unit may be directed from the front to the rear, and the main air flow between the air intake opening and the dust discharge opening of the first stage cyclone separator May be oriented from rear to front. In particular, the arrangement of this type of air guide and suction blower unit and first stage cyclone dust separator has been found to be optimal for a relatively compact design.

  According to an embodiment of the vacuum cleaner, the suction blower unit includes a fan connected to a fan drive motor, which is installed behind the fan in the direction from the front to the rear. . This means in particular that the fan is positioned towards the front side while the drive motor is located towards the rear side. The proposed position of the air inlet of the first stage cyclone dust separator is close to the rear side or a position toward the rear side, so it is between the air intake opening and the fan. Interference is almost prevented. By the way, this also helps to make each component more compact in both the direction from the rear to the front and the direction from the bottom to the top. As a whole, the structure of the suction blower unit and the first-stage cyclone dust separator can be made compact.

  In another embodiment of the vacuum cleaner, in the direction or orientation from the front to the rear, the air intake opening of the first stage cyclone dust separator is offset and positioned behind the fan. It has become. In this configuration, a relatively compact configuration can be achieved particularly with respect to the range from the bottom to the top and from the front to the rear. Further, it is possible to prevent interference between the air discharge port of the fan and the air intake opening of the first-stage cyclone dust separator. The air inlet of the first stage cyclone dust separator may be freely arranged and oriented. Advantageously, the air inlet opening of the first stage cyclone dust separator is arranged and oriented tangentially with respect to the longitudinal extent of the first stage cyclone dust separator. This is particularly useful for building a proper air flow in a cyclonic manner within the first stage cyclone dust separator.

  In another configuration, the fan air outlet and the air inlet opening are fluidly connected to the intermediate air chamber. Preferably, the air chamber at least partially surrounds or houses the fan drive motor or takes in and houses it. The installation of an intermediate air chamber allows dust-containing air to be fluidly connected to the first stage cyclone dust separator, especially from the fan to the dust separator, regardless of its relative arrangement. It is a relatively easy way to pass through. In addition, space is optimally utilized, particularly with regard to the arrangement of the suction blower and the first stage cyclone dust separator, resulting in a compact and space-saving design.

  In another embodiment, the dust outlet of the first stage cyclone dust separator is fluidly connected to the dust collection chamber. It is advantageous if the dust collection chamber is located and arranged directly on the front side, in particular on the front side of the vacuum cleaner. In particular, with respect to emptying the dust collection chamber, according to another embodiment, the dust collection chamber is detachably connected to at least one of the first stage cyclone dust separator and the vacuum cleaner body, or It is preferable to attach. It may be advantageous if the dust outlet of the first stage cyclone dust separator is oriented towards the front side.

  When the dust collection chamber is located at the front side of the vacuum cleaner, it is particularly advantageous if at least one translucent observation window is installed in the front part of the dust collection chamber.

  In a more general sense, according to another embodiment, the dust collection chamber located at the front side may include a front side dust collection amount display means, and the front side dust collection amount display means, A semi-transparent or transparent dust collection amount observation window is preferable. In this regard, the term "front side dust collection amount display means" means that the dust collection amount display means is accessible and visible at the front side of the vacuum cleaner and is accessible and visible from the front side. Shall mean.

  The dust collection amount display means, especially the observation window, is effective in displaying the dust collection amount in the dust collection chamber to the user, especially when it is placed in contact with the front side, and is emptied at appropriate intervals. As a result, the optimum cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner is ensured. Note that the observation window may be implemented as a translucent or transparent wall of the dust collection chamber.

  By installing the dust collection chamber and the dust collection amount observation window on the front side, it becomes easier and more efficient to handle and operate the vacuum cleaner in particular.

  In another embodiment, the first stage cyclone dust separator is a front-to-rear or rear main airflow through the first-stage cyclone dust separator in a desired or normal use operation of the vacuum cleaner. It is mounted and installed so as to be oriented essentially parallel to the direction from the front to the front, in particular horizontally when operated on the corresponding floor surface. By mounting the first stage cyclone dust separator in this way, the design is relatively compact, particularly in the direction from the bottom to the top.

  In the embodiment described above, the first stage cyclone dust separator is designed such that the direction of the cyclone dust separation air stream, ie the main air stream, is directed from the rear to the front. In this way, dust particles, dust, and other particulate matter removed in the first stage can be best transported to the dust discharge opening located at the front side towards the front side. . In addition, the first-stage cyclone dust separator preferably has a dust-free air backflow that occurs in the central region of the first-stage cyclone dust separator and is directed from the front to the rear. To be implemented.

  The dust-free air exiting the first stage dust separator may be supplied to one or more additional separation steps, for example, at least one of the second stage cyclone dust separator and the filter unit. . At least one of the second-stage cyclone dust separator and the filter may be formed to remove relatively fine dust, dust, and particulate matter that were not discharged in the first stage.

  In another preferred embodiment, the dust collection space of the dust collection chamber is located and positioned below the outlet of the first stage cyclone dust separator, from top to bottom. Preferably, the main dust collection space of the dust collection chamber is below the first stage cyclone dust separator, more preferably at the same or essentially the same height as the suction blower unit, in particular the fan and fan drive motor. Is positioned at the same or essentially the same height.

  The dust collection chamber may be positioned on the front side of the vacuum cleaner, and may be positioned on the front of the suction blower unit with respect to the direction from the rear to the front. With such a configuration, a relatively compact design from the bottom to the top is achieved, and efficient dust collection is also possible.

  In an improved embodiment of the vacuum cleaner, between the mainstream direction of the first-stage cyclone dust separator in the normal operating mode essentially corresponding to the vertical direction and the central axis or main axis of the dust collection chamber The inclination angle, i.e., the gradient angle, is set to be within a range of 40 to 80 degrees, and preferably 60 degrees. Arranging or positioning the dust collection chamber according to the proposed angle or angle range, with respect to the direction from top to bottom, the angle of the dust collection chamber main axis is between 10 and 50 degrees, preferably only 30 degrees It means that it is inclined from the vertical direction toward the rear side. In the configuration provided by the proposed tilt angle, the top of the dust collection chamber is more in the first stage cyclone dust separator, especially in the direction from the front to the rear, especially in the horizontal direction, than the bottom of the dust collection chamber. Located near the dust outlet.

  The proposed arrangement results in a particularly compact design, efficient dust collection and an optimal two-way airflow in the first stage cyclone dust separator. Further, the inclined configuration of the dust collection chamber is advantageous in that the dust collection amount observation window and the like arranged on the front side face upward so that it can be easily observed by a user standing in front of the vacuum cleaner. It is.

  In another embodiment, the first-stage cyclone dust separator, and the dust collection chamber in the applicable case, are installed around a vertical center plane from the rear to the front of the cleaner body. The term vertical plane from the rear to the front is parallel to the vertical direction, more specifically, parallel to each of the direction from the bottom to the top and the direction from the top to the bottom, and the rear A central plane parallel to each of the direction from the front to the front and the direction from the front to the rear is meant. Such a configuration allows for a relatively compact design with respect to lateral dimensions, i.e., dimensions perpendicular to the direction from the rear to the front and from the front to the rear.

  In another embodiment, the vacuum cleaner includes at least one second stage cyclone dust separator located downstream of the first stage cyclone dust separator. The at least one second-stage cyclone dust separator may be positioned or installed in the lateral direction in the vicinity of at least one of the first-stage cyclone dust separator and the dust collection chamber. The second cyclone dust separation stage provides higher separation efficiency.

The perspective view of a vacuum cleaner is shown. The front perspective view of a vacuum cleaner is shown. Sectional drawing of a vacuum cleaner is shown. Sectional drawing of a vacuum cleaner is shown.

  Exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner 1. The vacuum cleaner 1 includes a horizontal vacuum cleaner body 2 having a bottom side portion 3, a top side portion 4, a front side portion 5, and a rear side portion 6. The term horizontal means that the vacuum cleaner body 2 is positioned essentially horizontally in the normal and desired use position in the corresponding basement, or in a more general sense essentially with respect to the lower floor surface. It shall mean that they are positioned in parallel. Note that in the figure, the vacuum cleaner is shown in its normal horizontal use position.

  The vacuum cleaner 1 includes a first-stage cyclone dust separator 7. The first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 is connected to the dust collection chamber 8. The dust collection chamber 8 may be designed as a dust collection container, and is positioned and arranged on the front side portion 5 of the cleaner body 2. In the front portion, the dust collection chamber 8 has dust collection amount display means, and the dust collection amount display means in this example is mounted as a transparent wall portion that can be seen from the front while being arranged in the front. . In one embodiment, essentially the entire dust collection container, at least the front side wall, is made of a transparent material. Here, the user can easily observe the dust collection amount of the dust collection container 8 and notice that the dust collection amount has reached an inappropriately high amount. As a result, the dust container can be emptied in a timely manner.

  The vacuum cleaner 1 includes wheels 9 arranged on the lateral side wall and the bottom side of the vacuum cleaner body 2 or on the surface of the lateral side wall and the bottom side of the vacuum cleaner body 2, respectively. The wheels 9 are arranged and formed so that the vacuum cleaner 1 can be easily moved on the lower surface during normal normal operation. The vacuum cleaner 1 may include other elements, such as a handle, which will not be described in detail.

  The front side portion 5 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is provided with a joint portion 10 formed and configured to connect a suction hose (not shown) having flexibility.

  Other details of the vacuum cleaner will become apparent in connection with FIGS.

  As can be seen from the cross-sectional view in the vertical plane of FIG. 3, the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 supplies air, particularly air containing dust, into the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7. It has an air intake opening 11 formed.

  The vacuum cleaner 1 further includes a suction blower unit 12, which includes an electric drive motor 13 coupled to a fan 14. The suction blower 12, more specifically, the fan 14 generates a suction force at the joint 10 when driven by the drive motor 13. If the suction hose is connected to the joint 10, the suction force is transmitted through the hose and finally becomes effective at the nozzle end of the hose.

  During operation, the fan 14 draws air and sends this air toward the first stage cyclone dust separator 7. That is, this air is blown into the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7. In this example, an intermediate air chamber 16 is provided between the fan outlet (not explicitly shown) and the air intake opening 11 of the first-stage dust cyclone dust separator 7. The fan 14 and the first stage cyclone dust separator 7 are fluidly connected to the intermediate air chamber 16, thereby allowing airflow between the fan 14 and the first stage cyclone dust separator 7.

  It should be noted that the fluid connection between the fan 14 and the first stage cyclone dust separator 7 may be implemented in any other manner without providing the intermediate air chamber 16. In particular, the air discharge port of the fan 14 may be fluidly connected to the air intake opening 11 of the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 using any type of piping. If appropriate, it is also conceivable to connect the air outlet 14 directly to the air inlet opening 11.

  The structure and design of the suction blower unit 12 is such that the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 is positioned above the suction blower unit 12 in the direction from the bottom to the top, that is, from the bottom side 3 to the top side 4. It is said that. This is best seen in FIG. 3, where the portion of the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 facing the rear side 6 of the cleaner 1 is positioned above the suction blower unit 12, more specifically at the top. . Such an arrangement enables a space-saving design in particular.

  The first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 is arranged and mounted so that the air suction opening 11 is installed at the back end of the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7. Here, the air intake opening 11 is arranged above the drive motor 13 with some separation.

  With respect to the direction from the front to the rear, the air intake opening 11 is disposed and installed behind the fan 14 in an offset state. The holes in the air intake opening 11 of the first stage cyclone dust separator 7 in the example of the present application are oriented laterally, i.e., sideways, which is directed to the first stage cyclone dust separator. 7 greatly contributes to the generation of a cyclone dust separation airflow.

  A dust discharge opening 17 is provided at the front end of the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7, particularly near or below the reference surface of the front side portion 5 of the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7. Installed. The dust discharge opening 17 is configured such that dust, dust, and other particulate matter separated in the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 are sent toward the dust discharge opening 17 and the dust discharge opening. It is installed and formed so as to be discharged at or near the portion 17.

  The dust discharge opening 17 is connected to a dust collection chamber 8 in which dust and the like are collected. That is, the dust discharge opening 17 opens toward the dust collection chamber 8 where dust is collected. The dust discharge opening 17 may be connected to a corresponding dust suction opening (not shown) of the dust collection chamber 8. In order to prevent the leakage of dust at the transition between the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 and the dust collection chamber 8, an intermediate sealing material to be positioned between the openings may be installed.

  The dust-free air exits from the first stage cyclone dust separator 7 through the air exhaust 18. Note that the airflow in the cleaner is indicated by dashed arrows in FIG.

  In general, as can be seen from FIG. 3, the first stage cyclone dust separator 7 is the main airflow through the first stage cyclone dust separator 7 in the desired use operation as shown in FIGS. Is mounted and installed so that it is oriented essentially horizontally, here corresponding to the direction from the front to the rear and the direction from the rear to the front.

  The air exiting from the first stage cyclone dust separator 7 may be released into the environment. However, it may be desirable to provide one or more additional dust removal stages, in particular a second dust removal stage, downstream of the first stage cyclone dust separator 7 for more efficient dust removal. . The second stage may be at least one of a cyclonic type and a filter type.

  In the vacuum cleaner 1 shown and described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the dust collection chamber 8 can be detachably connected to the vacuum cleaner body 2 together with the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7. Both parts can be removed from the cleaner body 2 as a whole. However, at least one of the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 and the dust collection chamber 8 may be handled as a separate part. That is, they can be attached and detached independently of each other.

  In the embodiment shown in the drawings, it can be seen that the first stage cyclone dust separator 7 operates with horizontal airflow, which is advantageous for a space-saving design. Furthermore, it can be seen that at least a main part of the dust collection chamber 8 is disposed below at least one of the dust discharge opening 17 and the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 in the direction from the top to the bottom. In such a configuration, the balance between the space-saving and compact design and the high dust separation efficiency in the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 is relatively good.

  It has been found that it is advantageous to incline the dust collection chamber 8 with respect to the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7, especially with regard to dust separation efficiency and with respect to comfortable operation of the vacuum cleaner 1.

  Referring particularly to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the central axis 19 of the dust collection chamber 8 is inclined downward by an angle α of about 60 degrees with respect to the direction from the rear to the front. In other words, the angle between the rear side of the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7, the front side of the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 and the bottom of the dust collection chamber 8 is about 180 ° -α, That is, 120 degrees. Note that the tilt angle α may be in the range of 40-80 degrees. Therefore, the adjacent angle 180 ° −α may be within a range of 100 to 140 degrees. Such an inclination angle is efficient in accumulating dust in the dust collection chamber 8, and it is known that the amount of dust collected in the dust collection chamber 8 can be seen from the front position of the vacuum cleaner 1.

  As can be seen from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in particular, the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 and the dust collection chamber 8 are installed around a vertical center plane from the rear to the front of the cleaner body 2. In other words, the first-stage cyclone dust separator 7 and the dust collection chamber 8 are centered with respect to the lateral dimensions of the cleaner body 2. Such an arrangement provides a relatively compact overall design and efficient airflow. The remaining space not occupied by the aforementioned elements can be advantageously used to position other elements such as grips and handles or accessory storage chambers.

  Overall, it can be seen that the proposed vacuum cleaner provides a compact design, improved ease of use, and sufficient cleaning efficiency.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vacuum cleaner 2 Vacuum cleaner main body 3 Bottom side part 4 Top side part 5 Front side part 6 Rear side part 7 First stage cyclone dust separator 8 Dust collection chamber 9 Wheel 10 Joint part 11 Air intake opening part 12 Suction fan unit 13 Drive motor 14 Fan 16 Intermediate air chamber 17 Dust discharge opening 18 Air exhaust 19 Central axis

Claims (13)

A horizontal cleaner body (2) having a bottom side portion (3), a top side portion (4), a front side portion (5), and a rear side portion (6), and the cleaner body (2) A housed suction blower unit (12) and at least one first-stage cyclone dust separator (7) having an air suction opening (11) fluidly connected to the suction blower unit (12). A vacuum cleaner (1) comprising:
In the direction from the bottom to the top, the first-stage cyclone dust separator (7) is positioned above the suction blower unit (12),
The air suction opening (11) and the dust discharge opening (17) of the first-stage cyclone dust separator (7) face the rear side part (6) and the front side part (5), respectively. A vacuum cleaner (1) installed. The suction blower unit (12) includes a fan (14) connected to a fan drive motor (13),
The vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fan drive motor (13) is installed behind the fan (14) in an offset direction from a front part to a rear part.   The air suction opening (11) of the first-stage cyclone dust separator (7) is offset and installed behind the fan (14) in a direction from the front to the rear. The vacuum cleaner (1) according to 2.   The air outlet of the fan (14) and the air intake opening (11) are fluidly connected to the intermediate air chamber (16) and preferably at least partially surround the fan drive motor (13). The vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 3, wherein:   The dust discharge port (17) of the first-stage cyclone dust separator (7) is fluidly connected to a dust collection chamber (8) disposed in the front side (5). A vacuum cleaner (1) according to item 1.   The vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 5, wherein the dust collection chamber (8) is detachably connected to the first-stage cyclone dust separator (7) and / or the vacuum cleaner body (2). The dust collection chamber (8) has a dust collection amount display means on the front side (5),
The vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the dust collection amount display means is preferably a translucent dust collection amount observation window, particularly a transparent dust collection amount observation window.   The first-stage cyclone dust separator (7) is configured so that, in a desired use operation, the main airflow passing through the first-stage cyclone dust separator (7) is directed from the front to the rear or from the rear to the front. 8. A vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, mounted and installed to be oriented essentially parallel to the direction towards   With respect to the direction from the top to the bottom, the dust collection space of the dust collection chamber (8) is at least partially below the dust discharge opening (17) of the first stage cyclone dust separator (7). The vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, arranged in   The inclination angle between the direction of the main airflow passing through the first-stage cyclone dust separator (7) and the central axis of the dust recovery chamber (8) is in the range of 40-80 degrees. Item 10. The vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of items 5 to 9.   The vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 9, wherein the inclination angle is about 60 degrees.   The first-stage cyclone dust separator (7) and the dust collection chamber (8) in the corresponding case are installed around a vertical center plane from the rear to the front of the cleaner body (2). The vacuum cleaner (1) of any one of claim | item 1 -11.   The vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one second-stage cyclone dust separator installed downstream of the first-stage cyclone dust separator (7). ).

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