KR20140017576A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a horizontal cleaner body (2) having a front part (5), a rear part (6) and two side parts (7), a dust outlet fluidly connected to the first stage dust collection chamber (1) comprising at least one first-stage cyclone dust separator (8), and at least one second-stage cyclone dust separation unit (12). The first stage dust collection chamber 9 and the at least one second stage cyclone dust separation unit 12 are mounted to the front portion 5 laterally side by side between the side portions 7.

Description

Vacuum cleaner {VACUUM CLEANER}

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

Cyclone vacuum cleaners are well known for their bagless dust collection benefits. A dust bagless or cyclonic vacuum cleaner or a respective cyclone dust separating unit is disclosed, for example, in EP 1 042 981 A1, EP 1 774 887 A1, EP 1 688 078 A2, EP 1 952 745 A2, WO 2011/058365 ≪ / RTI >

In particular, the cyclonic vacuum cleaners mentioned in the above mentioned prior art documents are still relatively large and provide a relatively complex air guidance and dust collection device / unit.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cyclone vacuum cleaner having a relatively compact design. In particular, one object is to provide a multi-stage cyclone vacuum cleaner of relatively dense design. Vacuum cleaners will also have improved usability and operability, particularly with regard to dust separation and dust collection chambers.

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

According to claim 1, there is provided a vacuum cleaner including a horizontal type cleaner body having a front portion, a rear portion, and two side portions.

The term "horizontal swab body" will refer to the orientation of the vacuum cleaner body, in particular during normal or intended use. As already implemented with known devices, such a horizontal type vacuum cleaner body may include wheels, wheels attached to the vacuum cleaner body, and provided for easy movement of the vacuum cleaner on the floor below during vacuum cleaning.

A horizontal type vacuum cleaner in the sense of the present application is disclosed, for example, in EP 1 774 887 A1. Apart from a horizontal type vacuum cleaner, there is also a vertical configuration which is generally mounted on the vacuum cleaner body and typically includes a handle that moves the vacuum cleaner body in conjunction with the vacuum cleaning operation. An example of such a vertical vacuum cleaner is disclosed in WO 2011/058365.

The vacuum cleaner includes at least one first stage cyclone dust separator having a dust outlet fluidly connected to the first stage dust collection chamber.

The vacuum cleaner further includes a second cyclone separation step. More specifically, the vacuum cleaner includes at least one second-stage cyclone dust separation unit. The second stage cyclone dust separation unit is coupled and installed downstream of the first stage cyclone dust separator. The provision of the second stage dust separation stage significantly improves the overall dust separation efficiency.

According to the proposed vacuum cleaner, the first-stage dust collecting chamber and the at least one second-stage cyclone dust separating unit are mounted on the front side in the lateral side by side arrangement between the side surfaces.

The proposed arrangement of the first stage dust collection chamber and the one or more second stage cyclone dust separation units enables a compact overall design of the space saving arrangement, and in particular of the vacuum cleaner body and the vacuum cleaner.

According to the proposed vacuum cleaner configuration, the lateral extension of the first stage dust collection chamber is less than the overall width of the vacuum cleaner body and the vacuum cleaner. The space not occupied by the first stage dust collection chamber in the lateral direction can be used as the installation space of at least one of the one or more second stage cyclone dust separation units.

The provision of the first stage dust collection chamber at the front has the advantage of being easily accessible, among other things. In addition, with a suitable front fill level indicator, particularly a check window, the user can quickly check the level of filling of the first stage dust collection chamber. The term "front fill level indicator" means in particular that the fill level indicator is accessible and visible from the front of the vacuum cleaner and from the front.

The fill level indicator, especially the check window, will be effective in presenting the level of filling of the first stage dust collection chamber to the user, especially when placed directly in front, and will contribute to the appropriate bleed interval. This ensures an optimal cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner thereafter. Note that the check window can be implemented as a translucent or transparent wall area of the first stage dust collection chamber.

As described in further detail below, when one or more second-stage cyclone dust separation units are disposed in the front portion in parallel with the first-stage dust collection chambers, the second-stage dust collection units of the respective second- Space-saving arrangement of the chambers.

Note that the first stage cyclonic dust separator may be configured and configured to separate coarse dust, debris, and other particulate matter from the air. The second stage cyclone dust separation units may be configured to separate fine dust from air, particularly dust that could not be separated from the first stage, or dust that is too fine or too small to be separated from the first stage. If several dust separation stages are connected in series, the overall cleaning efficiency is remarkably improved.

In one preferred embodiment, the vacuum cleaner comprises two second stage cyclone dust separation units. The two second-stage cyclone dust separation units are mounted on opposite sides of the first-stage dust collection chamber side by side. The first stage dust collection chamber is in this case centered between the two second stage cyclone dust separation units and the side portions. In other words, the second stage cyclone dust separation units are each positioned laterally to the first stage dust collection chamber, which is centrally located relative to the cleaner body.

In another embodiment, each second stage cyclone dust separation unit comprises several conical cyclones arranged side by side parallel to each side portion.

Preferably, the diameter of the conical cyclones is less than the diameter of the first stage cyclone dust separator. Note that the first stage cyclone dust separator preferably has a constant overall circular cross-section (i.e., an essentially non-conical cross-section). The smaller conical cyclones preferably have a uniform dimension. The provision of smaller conical cyclones in the second stage cyclonic dust separation units is effective in separating fine dust and dust particles that are too small to be effectively removed at the first separation stage.

It should be noted that more dust separation stages than the above two dust separation stages can be connected in series. This will increase the efficiency of dust separation, and will enable again to blow relatively clean air into the surrounding environment. In one example, one of the higher order dust separation steps, e. G., The third dust separation step, may be a separation of the filter system configured to specifically retain residual dust particles. However, third stage cyclone dust separators are also contemplated.

In another embodiment, the conical cyclones of the at least one second-stage cyclonic dust separation unit are mounted and configured such that their central axes are inclined or tilted from the front upper portion to the rear lower portion. This inclined arrangement is particularly advantageous when the main air flow through the cyclones is also directed from the upper front to the lower rear. In this case, a second stage dust collection chamber fluidly connected to the dust outlets of the cyclones is provided in front of and behind the respective second stage cyclone dust separation unit and / or in a space-saving manner As shown in FIG.

In a preferred variant, the central axes of the conical cyclones are inclined by an angle of 10 [deg.] To 50 [deg.], Preferably 30 [deg.], With respect to the horizontal direction in normal use, This inclination angle is suitable for a dense design, but enables a sufficient separation efficiency.

In yet another embodiment and as already further described above, each second stage cyclone dust separation unit includes a second stage dust collection chamber in fluid communication with them downstream of the dust outlets of each second stage cyclone .

The second stage dust collection chambers may be oriented and mounted, particularly as previously described further above. In particular, the second stage dust collection chambers may be located and disposed at respective side portions. For the front-to-back direction, the second stage dust collection chambers are preferably arranged at the same height behind (i.e., downstream of) each second stage cone cyclone. The proposed arrangement of the second stage dust collection chamber can result in optimal space utilization and therefore a compact design.

In yet another embodiment, for planes that run essentially parallel to each side portion, the second stage dust collection chamber has a triangular cross-section. In particular, triangular shaped cross sections can provide optimal space utilization, since triangular shaped spaces may be available downstream and below the dust outlet surface of the conical cyclones of the second stage cyclone dust separation unit. It should be understood that the dust outlet surface is defined by the respective dust outlets of the conical cyclones.

In yet another embodiment, a third stage dust separator, which may be a precision filter and / or a main filter, is provided. The third stage dust separator is mounted adjacent to the first stage dust collection chamber and laterally to the at least one second stage dust collection chamber with respect to the forward-backward direction. When the second stage dust collection chambers are provided on the opposite side portions, the third stage dust separator can be positioned laterally in the middle between the second stage dust collection chambers.

In yet another embodiment, the vacuum cleaner includes air channels connecting the air outlet of the first stage cyclone dust separator to the air inlet of one or more second stage cyclone dust separation units, particularly one or more second stage cyclone dust separation units do. In addition, the air channels are guided at the top of the cleaner body. This is advantageous in terms of space utilization.

These air channels are particularly advantageous when the longitudinal axis of the first stage cyclone dust separator is oriented essentially parallel to the anteroposterior direction and the air outlet of the first stage cyclone dust separator is located at the rear or toward the rear, Do.

Each air channel directs at least partially purified air from the first stage cyclone dust separator to the air inlet, particularly the air inlet chamber, of each second stage cyclone dust separation unit. The inlet chamber communicates with the air inlets of all the conical cyclones of each second stage cyclone dust separation unit. The inlet chamber is designed and constructed such that air is guided optimally, preferably uniformly, into and into all the conical cyclones of the second stage cyclonic dust separation unit.

In yet another embodiment, the first stage cyclone dust separator is mounted behind the dust collection chamber with respect to the pre-back direction. In this case, it is advantageous that the first stage cyclone dust separator is a horizontal dust separator. In this regard, the horizontal dust separator should be understood in particular as further indicated above (i.e., the longitudinal axis of the first stage cyclone dust collector is parallel to the anteroposterior direction). This in particular means that the main air stream passing through the first stage cyclone dust separator is parallel and / or antiparallel to the anteroposterior direction. Placing and orienting the first stage cyclone dust separator as previously proposed is effective in obtaining relatively small bottom to top dimensions.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 shows a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner.
Fig. 2 shows a side view of the vacuum cleaner.
Fig. 3 shows a vertical sectional view of the vacuum cleaner.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner 1. Fig. The vacuum cleaner 1 includes a horizontal type cleaner body 2 having a lower portion 3, an upper portion 4, a front portion 5, a rear portion 6 and two side portions 7.

The term horizontally means that the cleaner body 2 is positioned essentially horizontally at the intended intended use position. In the context of the present invention, and in more general terms, this means that, in particular, the cleaner body 2 is positioned essentially parallel to the underlying ground during normal operation and in the anteroposterior direction. Note that in the figures, the vacuum cleaner is shown in a normal horizontal use position.

The vacuum cleaner (1) includes a first stage cyclone dust separator (8). The first stage cyclone dust separator (8) is coupled to the first stage dust collection chamber (9). The dust outlet 10 (FIG. 3) of the first stage cyclone dust separator 8 is fluidly connected to the first stage dust collection chamber 9.

The first stage dust collection chamber 8, which may also be referred to as a dust collection container, is located and disposed in the front portion 5 of the cleaner body 2. [

In the front region, the first stage dust collection chamber 9 is provided with a fill level indicator, in which case the fill level indicator is implemented as a transparent wall region arranged to be viewed from the front. In one embodiment, essentially the entire first stage dust collection container, at least the walls of the front portion, is made of a transparent material. Here, the user can easily observe the filling level of the first stage dust collecting chamber 9 and recognize the improperly high filling level, so that the first stage dust collecting chamber 9 will be emptied in a timely manner.

The vacuum cleaner 1 includes the side portions 7 of the vacuum cleaner body 2 and the wheels 10 disposed on (or on or in) the lower portion 3, respectively. The wheels 10 are arranged and constructed such that the vacuum cleaner 1 can be easily moved on the underlying surface during normal normal operation. The vacuum cleaner 1 may include other functional elements such as a handle or the like, but will not be described in further detail below.

An interface (11) constructed and arranged to connect a flexible suction hose (not shown) is provided in the front part (5) of the vacuum cleaner (1).

The vacuum cleaner (1) further includes two second-stage cyclone dust separation units (12). The second stage cyclone dust separation units 12 are positioned and mounted on the front portion 5.

1, the first stage dust collecting chamber 9 and the second stage cyclone dust separating units 12 are mounted between the side portions 7. As shown in Fig.

In addition, it can be seen in FIG. 1 that the first stage dust collection chamber 9 and the second stage cyclone dust separation units 12 are arranged side by side with respect to the lateral extension, wherein the first stage dust collection chamber 9, (In particular, in the middle thereof) between the second stage cyclone dust separation units 12. In other words, one second-stage cyclone dust separation unit 12 is provided at each side portion of the first-stage dust collection chamber 9.

It can be readily seen in FIG. 1 that the proposed arrangement, particularly the arrangement of the first stage dust collection chamber 9 and the second stage cyclone dust separation units 12, allows for a compact, space-saving design. In addition, it is possible to achieve good operability and combined functional layout of the components of the vacuum cleaner 1.

Further details of the vacuum cleaner will be apparent in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG.

As can be seen in more detail in FIG. 2, which shows a partial cutaway side view of the vacuum cleaner 1, each second stage cyclone dust separation unit 12 includes several conical cyclones 13. The conical cyclones 13 have the same size (i.e., dimension) and are arranged side by side parallel to the respective side portions 7.

The air channels 14 traveling in the upper portion 4 of the cleaner body 2 are connected to the air outlets of the first and second cyclonic dust separators 8, Lt; / RTI > According to the design of the present invention, the air outlet of the first stage cyclone dust separator 8 is located toward the rear portion 6 and is centrally located with respect to the side portions 7. The air channels 14 are guided from the rear central position in the curved region toward the respective side portions 7 and then along the side portions 7 of the cleaner body 2 to the second stage cyclone dust separation units (12). As such, the air channels 14 can be integrated without increasing the overall lateral and downward extension of the cleaner body 2. [

The air channels 14 are opened into the second stage cyclone dust separation units 12. The air guided into the second stage cyclone dust separation units 12 is preferably uniformly distributed to the conical cyclones 13. [ Here, an air distribution chamber, which is fluidly connected to the air inlets of the conical cyclones 13 and is configured to evenly distribute the incoming air, may be used. If necessary, air guiding elements may be provided in the air distribution chamber.

In relation to the airflow in the vacuum cleaner 1, the second stage cyclone dust separating units 12 are provided downstream of the first stage cyclone dust separator 8. This means that the first stage cyclone dust separator 8 and the second stage cyclone dust separation units 12 are connected in series. 2, it can be seen that the conical cyclones 13 of each second cyclone dust separation unit 12 are connected in parallel.

2, the conical cyclones 13 are mounted and aligned so that their central axes are inclined from the front upper to the rear lower, as indicated by the dashed arrow v2 for one of the conical cyclones. In a direction perpendicular to the central axes, the conical cyclones 13 are aligned in a line without axial displacement. This means that the air inlets and the dust outlets of the conical cyclones of the second stage cyclone dust separating unit 12 are in particular in common. As the conical cyclones 13 are of the same design, the air inlet surfaces and the dust outlet surfaces are essentially parallel to each other.

It has proven advantageous if the inclination angle a is in the range of 10 to 50 degrees when the inclination or inclination of the central axes of the conical cyclones 13 is returned again. The preferred inclination angle is 30 [deg.]. It should be understood that the inclination angle is defined between a vector v1 parallel to the forward-backward direction and a vector v2 parallel to the central axis of each conical cyclone 13, going from the upper front to the lower backward direction . The direction from the front upper portion to the rear lower portion corresponds to the main airflow direction in each of the conical cyclones 13. [

2, each second stage cyclone dust separation unit 12 includes a second stage dust collection chamber (not shown) in fluid communication with and downstream of the dust outlets 16 of each conical cyclone 13 15). In FIG. 2, only one of the second stage dust collecting chambers 15 can be seen.

Each second stage dust collection chamber 15 has corresponding dust inlets on one side opposite the dust outlets 16 of the conical cyclones 13. The dust inlets and dust outlets 16 are configured to achieve a hermetic connection between the second stage dust collection chamber 15 and each conical cyclone 13, particularly a fluid and dust tight connection.

The second stage dust collecting chamber 15 can be detachably coupled to one region of the second stage cyclone dust separating unit 12 so that the second stage dust collecting chamber 15 can collect dust Can be easily separated for venting, and the conical cyclones 13 can be easily cleaned. It should be noted, however, that the second stage dust collection chamber 15 may alternatively be an integral non-removable part of the second stage cyclone dust separation unit 12. [ In this case, the entirety of the second stage cyclone dust separation unit 12 may be detachably mounted to the cleaner body 2. [

It can be additionally confirmed in FIG. 2 that, for the front-to-rear direction, each second stage dust collection chamber 15 is positioned and mounted behind each second stage cyclone 13. It can be seen in Fig. 1 that for the front-to-back direction, the second stage dust collection chambers 15 are arranged at the same height as the respective second stage cyclones 13 and the respective cyclone units. When the second stage dust collection chambers 15 have triangular cross-sections in the planes proceeding parallel to the side portions 7 as shown in Fig. 2, it is possible to achieve particularly advantageous space utilization .

The arrangement as described above is advantageous for achieving a dense overall design. In addition, the proposed arrangement enables the advantageous utilization and manipulation of the entire vacuum cleaner 1 or parts of the vacuum cleaner 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the vacuum cleaner may include a third stage dust separator 17. Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > a < / RTI > higher order of dust separation steps. The third stage dust separator 17 is mounted behind the first stage dust collection chamber 9 in the forward-backward direction and mounted under the first stage cyclone dust separator 8 in the down-up direction. 2, it is clear that the third stage dust separator 17 is centrally located between the second stage dust collection chambers 15. As a result, optimal space utilization and compact design can be achieved.

The third stage dust separator 17 may be a precision filter of a vacuum cleaner, in particular a primary filter, and may be disposed immediately upstream of the exhaust of the vacuum cleaner.

In all of these, it can be seen that the proposed vacuum cleaner provides a compact design, improved usability, and satisfactory cleaning efficiency.

1 Vibration cleaner
2 Cleaner Body
3 Lower
4 Top
5 front part
6 rear part
7 side portions
8 First-stage cyclone dust separator
9 First stage dust collection chamber
10 Wheels
11 interface
12 Second-stage cyclone dust separation unit
13 conical cyclone
14 air channel
15 Second stage dust collection chamber
16 Dust outlet
17 Third stage dust separator
a inclination angle
v1, v2 vector

Claims (11)

A horizontal type cleaner body (2) having a front part (5), a rear part (6) and two side parts (7);
At least one first stage cyclone dust separator (8) having a dust outlet fluidly connected to the first stage dust collection chamber (9); And
A vacuum cleaner (1) comprising at least one second cyclone dust separation unit (12)
The first stage dust collection chamber 9 and the at least one second stage cyclone dust separation unit 12 are connected to a vacuum cleaner 1 ). 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising two second-stage cyclone dust separation units (12) mounted on opposite side portions (7) side by side with said first-stage dust collection chamber (9)
The first stage dust collection chamber (9) is centrally located between the two second stage cyclone dust separation units (12) and the side portions (7). A vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each second stage cyclone dust separation unit (12) comprises a plurality of conical cyclones (13) arranged side by side parallel to respective side sections (7) . A method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the conical cyclones (13) of the at least one second cyclonic dust separation unit (12) are mounted and configured such that their central axes are inclined from the front upper to the rear lower Vacuum cleaner (1). 5. Vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 4, wherein the central axes of the conical cyclones (13) are inclined with respect to the anteroposterior direction by an angle (?) Of 10 to 50, preferably 30. 6. A method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that each said second stage cyclone dust separating unit (12) is located downstream of the dust outlets (16) of the respective second stage cone cyclones (13) A vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a second stage dust collection chamber (15). 7. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein, for the front-to-back direction, each second stage dust collection chamber (15) is located and mounted at the same height behind each second stage conical cyclone (13) (One). A vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, for planes proceeding essentially parallel to the respective side portions (7), said second stage dust collection chamber (15) comprises a triangular- . 9. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it is arranged so as to be adjacent to the first stage dust collection chamber (9) and laterally to the at least one second stage dust collection chamber (15) And a third stage dust separator (17) mounted thereon. 10. The air conditioning system according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising air channels (14) connecting the air outlet of said first stage cyclone dust separator (8) to said at least one second stage cyclone dust separation unit (12) Further comprising:
Wherein the air channels (14) are guided in the upper part (4) of the vacuum cleaner body (2). 11. A device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein said first stage cyclone dust separator (8) is mounted behind said first stage dust collection chamber (9) in a forward-backward direction, said first stage cyclone dust The separator (8) is preferably a horizontal dust separator (1).

Images