US20220257071A1 - Wet-dry vacuum cleaner device - Google Patents
Wet-dry vacuum cleaner device Download PDFInfo
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- US20220257071A1 US20220257071A1 US17/735,160 US202217735160A US2022257071A1 US 20220257071 A1 US20220257071 A1 US 20220257071A1 US 202217735160 A US202217735160 A US 202217735160A US 2022257071 A1 US2022257071 A1 US 2022257071A1
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- vacuum cleaner
- dry vacuum
- cleaner device
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Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L7/00—Suction cleaners adapted for additional purposes; Tables with suction openings for cleaning purposes; Containers for cleaning articles by suction; Suction cleaners adapted to cleaning of brushes; Suction cleaners adapted to taking-up liquids
- A47L7/0004—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners
- A47L7/0023—Recovery tanks
- A47L7/0038—Recovery tanks with means for emptying the tanks
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/24—Hand-supported suction cleaners
- A47L5/26—Hand-supported suction cleaners with driven dust-loosening tools
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4002—Installations of electric equipment
- A47L11/4005—Arrangements of batteries or cells; Electric power supply arrangements
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4013—Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
- A47L11/4016—Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like specially adapted for collecting fluids
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
- A47L11/4041—Roll shaped surface treating tools
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/408—Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents
- A47L11/4088—Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/24—Hand-supported suction cleaners
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L7/00—Suction cleaners adapted for additional purposes; Tables with suction openings for cleaning purposes; Containers for cleaning articles by suction; Suction cleaners adapted to cleaning of brushes; Suction cleaners adapted to taking-up liquids
- A47L7/0004—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a wet-dry vacuum cleaner device.
- the present invention relates to a handheld wet-dry vacuum cleaner device.
- Vacuum cleaners are used to clean debris and dirt off surfaces. However, if the surface to be cleaned is also wet, many vacuum cleaners are not suitable. This is because the dirt and debris combines with the liquid on the surface and the resulting dirty paste can clog the vacuum cleaner.
- a vacuum cleaner device which is specifically designed for removing liquid and solid matter.
- these types of vacuum cleaner are known as “wet-dry” vacuum cleaners.
- a wet-dry vacuum cleaner comprises a container for removing and holding liquid entrained in the dirty air flow.
- Examples of the present invention aim to address the aforementioned problems.
- a wet-dry vacuum cleaner device comprising: a housing; a motor-fan assembly mounted in the housing and arranged to generate an air flow between a dirty air inlet and a clean air outlet; a tank arranged to capture liquid entrained in the dirty air flow, the tank comprising a tank inlet in fluid communication with the dirty air inlet and a tank outlet in fluid communication with the motor fan assembly; wherein the tank outlet is in fluid communication with a liquid trap mounted inside the tank arranged to capture liquid entrained in the air flow exiting the tank.
- the liquid trap may comprise at least one liquid trap inlet in fluid communication with the tank and the tank outlet.
- the at least one liquid trap inlet may be located above the tank inlet.
- the liquid trap may comprise at least one inlet conduit in fluid communication between the at last one liquid trap inlet and the tank outlet.
- the at least one inlet conduit may comprise multiple inlet conduits.
- the at least one inlet conduit may comprise a first inlet conduit and a second inlet conduit.
- the first and second inlet conduits may project into the tank.
- the first inlet conduit and the second inlet conduit may project away from the tank inlet.
- the first and second inlet conduits may be laterally offset from the tank inlet.
- the first and the second inlet conduits may be offset from the tank inlet in a first, second and third orthogonal directions.
- the at least one inlet conduit may project into at least one ridge in the upper surface of the tank.
- the tank may be removably mountable on the housing.
- the tank may comprise a releasable lid which is only releasable once the tank is removed from the housing.
- the tank may comprise a latch mechanism for releasing the releasable lid from the tank.
- At least one baffle may be mounted on the tank adjacent to the first and/or second inlet conduits.
- the liquid trap may comprise a chamber for retaining liquid.
- the liquid trap may comprise a filter.
- the filter may be mounted in the chamber.
- the liquid trap may be removably mountable on the tank.
- a finger guard may be mounted at an outlet conduit in fluid communication with the tank outlet and the motor fan housing and the finger guard may be arranged to engage the tank outlet when the tank is mounted on the housing.
- the airflow path may follow a serpentine path through the liquid trap.
- the liquid trap may be mounted to the tank outlet.
- the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device may be a handheld wet-dry vacuum cleaner.
- FIG. 1 shows a side view of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device
- FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device
- FIG. 3 shows another a cross-sectional side view of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device
- FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional front view of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device
- FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the tank of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device.
- FIG. 1 shows a side view of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 .
- the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 as shown in FIG. 1 is a handheld wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 (also known as a “handvac”), but the in other examples the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 may be an upright vacuum cleaner, a stickvac, a canister vacuum cleaner or any other type of wet-dry vacuum cleaner. References to wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 hereinafter will be in reference to the handheld wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 as shown in the Figures.
- the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 comprises a housing 102 .
- the housing 102 comprises a clam shell type construction comprises two halves which are fastened together.
- the halves of the housing 102 are fastened together with screws but in alternative examples any suitable means for fastening the housing 102 together may be used such as glue, clips, bolts and so on.
- any suitable means for fastening the housing 102 together may be used such as glue, clips, bolts and so on.
- the fastenings in the housing 102 are not shown.
- the housing 102 comprises a handle 104 .
- the handle 104 is integral with the housing 102 and the user grips the handle 104 when operating the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 .
- FIG. 1 shows a gripping portion 106 which is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis A-A of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 .
- the gripping portion 106 can extend in different directions such as extending along an axis approximately 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis A-A or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 e.g. a “pistol grip”.
- the handle 104 comprises an ON/OFF switch 110 for operating the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 .
- the switch 110 as shown in FIG. 1 is a sliding switch mechanism mechanically coupled to a microswitch (not shown).
- the trigger switch 110 is positioned on the top side of the handle 104 .
- the ON/OFF switch 110 can be located on the underside surface of the handle 104 .
- the switch 110 can be located on any exterior surface of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 .
- the handle 104 comprises indicators (not shown) for providing information about the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 to the user.
- a battery indicator (not shown) is mounted on the handle 104 for indicating to the user the charge level status of a battery 200 (which is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ).
- the battery 200 is housed in a battery housing 202 .
- the battery housing 202 is mounted to the housing 102 .
- the battery housing 202 is integral with the housing 102 .
- the battery housing 202 and the battery 200 are releasably mountable to the housing 102 . In this way, the battery 200 can be switched with another battery.
- the battery 200 comprises one or more sockets (not shown) for charging the battery 200 .
- the battery 200 is charged via socket mounted elsewhere on the housing 102 .
- Further indicators such as filter status indicators (filter blocked/filter cleared) can be mounted on the handle 104 or elsewhere on the housing 102 .
- the indicator is a symbol indicating to the user when to charge the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 .
- the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 comprises a generally elongate shape which extends along the longitudinal axis A-A.
- the housing 102 comprises a dirty air inlet 108 and a clean air outlet 112 .
- An air flow path extends between the dirty air inlet 108 and the clean air outlet 112 . The air flow path will be discussed in further detail below.
- the clean air outlet 112 can comprises a plurality of openings 114 which are mounted in the housing 102 .
- the openings 114 can be directed in one or more directions for dissipating the clean air exhaust into the environment.
- the openings 114 can be orientated to direct the clean air away from the surface to be cleaned. This means that the dirt and debris on the surface to be cleaned is not dislodged by the exhaust clean air and blown away from the dirty air inlet 108 .
- only one opening 114 has been labelled in FIG. 1 .
- the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 comprises a motor fan assembly 204 which is best shown in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 .
- the motor fan assembly 204 comprises a motor 206 and a fan 208 for generating a negative pressure for sucking up dirt and debris via the dirty air inlet 108 .
- the fan 208 is mounted in the housing 102 such that it is aligned with the openings 114 for outputting exhaust air from the fan 208 .
- the fan 208 is an impeller although in other examples the fan 208 may be an axial fan or a centrifugal fan.
- the motor 206 is a brushed d.c. motor with its drive shaft directly coupled to the centrifugal fan 208 .
- the motor's 206 drive shaft has a rotational speed within a range of 15,000 and 40,000 revolutions per minute (rpm).
- the no-load speed of the motor may be 24,000 to 28,000 rpm.
- the motor 206 can be a d.c. motor, an a.c. motor, or an asynchronous multiphase motor controlled by an electronic circuit (not shown).
- a permanent magnet brushless motor, a switched reluctance motor, a flux switching motor, or other brushless motor type may have a high rotational speed within a range of 80,000 to 120,000 rpm.
- the motor fan assembly 204 is mounted within the housing 102 and electrically connected to a power source.
- the power source is a battery 200 comprising a plurality of battery cells 210 .
- the battery 200 is a lithium ion battery.
- the battery 200 can be any suitable type of battery for use in a wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 .
- the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 additionally or alternatively comprises a mains electricity supply (not shown).
- the housing 102 and the battery 200 can comprise one or more seals for preventing water ingress.
- the rotation axis of the motor fan assembly 204 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the housing 102 . In some examples, rotation axis of the motor fan assembly 204 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis A-A of the housing 102 . However, in other examples as shown in FIG. 2 , rotation axis of the motor fan assembly 204 can be offset from the longitudinal axis of the housing 102 .
- the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 optionally comprises a cleaning liquid tank 126 which is in fluid connection with a nozzle 128 .
- the cleaning liquid can be sprayed on to the surface to be cleaned via the nozzle 128 .
- the trigger 130 is coupled to a pump (not shown) in fluid connection with the cleaning liquid tank 126 . Accordingly when a trigger 130 is actuated, the cleaning liquid is pumped to the nozzle 128 .
- the trigger 130 is mounted on the handle 104 for actuation by the user's finger.
- FIG. 1 shows the cleaning liquid being sprayed in an area in front of the dirty air inlet 108 .
- the pump coupled to the trigger 130 by a linkage (not shown) and the pump is manually actuated by the action of the user depressing the trigger 130 .
- the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 optionally comprises a rotatable brush bar 132 comprising a plurality of agitators, such as bristles 212 , for agitating the surface to be cleaned.
- agitators such as bristles 212
- Other types of agitators could be used such as rubber tangs or blades.
- the brush bar 132 may comprise a mix of different types of agitators, for example rubber tangs and bristles.
- the brush bar 132 is activated when the ON/OFF switch 110 is activated.
- the brush bar 132 can be selectively activated with another button (not shown).
- the brush bar 132 is coupled to a motor-gear box assembly (not shown) for driving the brush bar 132 .
- the motor-gear box assembly and the brush bar 132 are housed in a brush bar housing 134 .
- the brush bar housing 134 is integral with the housing 102 .
- the brush bar housing 134 is separable from the housing 102 .
- the operation of the brush bar 132 is known and will not be described in any further detail.
- FIG. 1 also shows a tank 116 that is mounted to the housing 102 .
- the tank 116 is a container 116 which is arranged to receive liquid, dirt and/or debris which are separated from the dirty air flow received from the dirty air inlet 112 during operation.
- the tank 116 will be referred to as a dirty liquid tank 116 .
- the dirty liquid tank 116 as shown in FIG. 1 is removably mountable to the housing 102 .
- the dirty liquid tank 116 is releasable from the housing 102 with a button 118 which actuates a release mechanism 400 (as shown in FIG. 4 ).
- the release mechanism 400 comprises sprung biased latch 402 for engaging with a reciprocal recess 404 in the surface of the dirty liquid tank 116 .
- the latch 402 is shown in a dotted outline since it is mounted in the housing 102 and not part of the dirty liquid tank 116 .
- the housing 102 of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 is not shown in FIG. 4 .
- the sprung biased latch 402 is mounted on the dirty liquid tank 116 and engages with a reciprocal recess 404 in the surface of the housing 102 .
- the release mechanism 400 can be any suitable fastening mechanism such as a clip, a friction fit, a clamp, hook to mount the dirty liquid tank 116 on the housing 102 .
- the dirty liquid tank 116 is mounted on the underside of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 and at least a portion of the dirty liquid tank 116 optionally extends around the housing 102 .
- the dirty liquid tank 116 is detached in a downwards direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1 .
- the dirty liquid tank 116 is removeable from the housing 102 and this means that the dirty liquid tank 116 can be washed separately from the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 .
- the dirty liquid tank 116 can be washed under the tap or in the dishwasher.
- the dirty liquid tank 116 in some examples comprises a plurality of parts and these will be discussed in further detail below.
- the dirty liquid tank 116 is integral with the housing 102 .
- the dirty liquid 220 held in the dirty liquid tank 116 is drained via a dirty liquid port (not shown).
- the dirty liquid tank 116 comprises a releasable lid 120 mounted to the tank base 122 .
- the releasable lid 120 is pivots about the tank base 122 via a hinge.
- the releasable lid 120 is clipped to tank base 122 via a spring biased catch 124 .
- the catch 124 is actuated, the releasable lid 120 is pivotable from the tank base 122 .
- the releasable lid 120 is removeable from the tank base 122 .
- a cross-sectional view of the tank base 122 mounted to the releasable lid 120 is shown in FIG. 4 .
- a plan view of the releasable lid 120 is shown in FIG. 5 .
- the releasable lid 120 comprises a seal 500 (as shown in FIG. 5 ) for preventing the dirty liquid 220 escaping from the dirty liquid tank 116 when the dirty liquid tank 116 is mounted to the housing 102 .
- the releasable lid 120 may secured to the tank base 122 with other suitable mechanisms.
- the catch 124 is a living hinge with a hook portion which is integral with the releasable lid 120 and arranged to couple with a reciprocal recess on the tank base 122 .
- any other suitable mechanism can be used for selectively releasing the releasable lid 120 from the tank base 122 .
- any arrangement of clips, clamps, hooks, latches, catches etc can be used.
- the housing 102 when the dirty liquid tank 116 is mounted to the housing 102 , the housing 102 is adjacent to the spring biased catch 124 . Indeed, the brush bar housing 134 part of the housing 102 is adjacent to the spring biased catch 124 . This means that there is not sufficient room for the catch 124 to move free from the releasable lid 120 . This means that the releasable lid 120 cannot be accidentally released from the tank base 122 when the dirty liquid tank 116 is mounted to the housing 102 . In this way, the dirty liquid tank 116 is not openable when mounted on the housing 102 . This prevents the user spilling the contents of the dirty liquid tank 116 over themselves or a clean surface.
- the dirty liquid tank 116 is translucent or transparent so that the user can see the status of the dirty liquid tank 116 . This makes it easier for the user to know when to empty the dirty liquid tank 116 .
- the entire dirty liquid tank 116 is translucent or transparent.
- the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 inherently has a directionality in normal use. In this way, the “front” 136 of the hand wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 is at the end corresponding to the dirty air inlet 108 . Likewise, the “back” 138 of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 is the end of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 corresponding to the end where the motor-fan assembly 204 is mounted. Accordingly, the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 also has a top side 140 , and a bottom side 142 .
- the dirty air inlet 108 at the front 136 of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 is in fluid connection to an inlet conduit 214 .
- the inlet conduit 214 connects the dirty air inlet 108 with the dirty liquid tank 116 mounted on the bottom side 142 of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 .
- the inlet conduit 214 is connected to the dirty liquid tank 116 via a tank inlet 216 .
- the tank inlet 216 comprises a deflector 218 for diverting the direction of the dirty air.
- the deflector 218 redirects the airflow on entry to the dirty liquid tank 116 .
- the deflector 218 redirects the airflow 180 degrees in the Y axis (as shown in FIG. 3 ).
- the X, Y and Z axes of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 are shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 . This means that large droplets of liquid entrained in the air flow are flung out of the air flow as the direction of the air flow path changes and hit the deflector 218 .
- the droplets of water or any other liquid then drip down into the dirty liquid tank 116 .
- the dirty liquid 220 then collects at the bottom of the dirty liquid tank 116 .
- the dirty liquid tank 116 comprises a tank outlet 222 which is in fluid communication with an outlet conduit 224 .
- the outlet conduit 224 is in fluid communication with the motor fan assembly 204 at the back 138 of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 . In this way, clean air is output from the dirty liquid tank 116 and drawn along the outlet conduit 224 towards the motor fan assembly 204 . The exhaust air from the motor fan assembly 204 is then output via the openings 114 .
- the user can empty and clean the dirty liquid tank 116 via the tank outlet 222 once the dirty liquid tank 116 has been removed from the housing 102 .
- the tank outlet 222 is fluid communication with a liquid trap 230 for capturing liquid entrained the air flow exiting the tank outlet 222 . This means that if dirty liquid is still entrained in the air flow after passing through the dirty liquid tank 116 , the dirty liquid 220 can be captured before contaminating the motor fan assembly 204 .
- dirty liquid 220 in the dirty liquid tank 116 can be picked up by the air flow.
- the liquid trap 230 captures any dirty liquid which may re-entrained into the air flow as it passes through the dirty liquid tank 116 .
- the liquid trap 230 is mounted to and sealed against the tank outlet 222 inside the dirty liquid tank 116 . By placing the liquid trap 230 within the volume of the dirty liquid tank 116 , this means that the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 can be more compact.
- the liquid trap 230 is mounted outside the dirty liquid tank 116 .
- the liquid trap 230 can be mounted inside the outlet conduit 224 or any other position in the air flow path between the tank outlet 222 and the motor fan assembly 204 .
- the liquid trap 230 is mounted within the housing 102 and in fluid communication with the tank outlet 222 and the motor fan assembly 204 .
- FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 .
- FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross sectional views of the dirty liquid tank 116 along axes B-B and C-C respectively.
- FIG. 3 shows the position of the releasable lid 120 of the dirty liquid tank 116 with respect to the cross section of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 . Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows the position of a first liquid trap inlet 300 of the liquid trap 230 with respect to the side view of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 .
- the first liquid trap inlet 300 is represented as a dashed line because first liquid trap inlet 300 is laterally offset from the tank inlet 216 positioned on the centreline D-D of the dirty liquid tank 116 .
- the liquid trap 230 comprises at least one liquid trap inlet 300 and at least one inlet conduit 406 in fluid communication between the at least one inlet conduit 406 and the tank outlet 222 .
- the liquid trap 230 comprises a first inlet conduit 406 comprising the first liquid trap inlet 300 and a second inlet conduit 408 comprising a second liquid trap inlet 410 .
- the first and second inlet conduits 406 , 408 project into the dirty liquid tank 116 . Once the air has passed through the dirty liquid tank 116 , the air flows through the liquid trap 230 and out of the dirty liquid tank 116 via the tank outlet 222 .
- At least one liquid trap inlet 300 is positioned above the tank inlet 216 .
- the first and second inlet conduits 406 , 408 are positioned such that the first liquid trap inlet 300 and the second liquid trap inlet 410 are positioned above the tank inlet 216 . This means that the air flow has to change direction in the Z axis before entering the first and second liquid trap inlets 300 , 410 .
- the first and second inlet conduits 406 , 408 project away from the tank inlet 216 so that the distance that the air has to travel in the in the dirty liquid tank 116 is increased.
- the first and second liquid trap inlets 300 , 410 are laterally offset from a centre line D-D of the dirty liquid tank 116 in the X axis. This means that the first and second liquid trap inlets 300 , 410 are laterally offset from the tank inlet 216 . In this way, the air flow has to change direction in the X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis from exiting the tank inlet 216 and entering the first and second liquid trap inlets 300 , 410 . As the number of turns in the air flow path increases, so does the chance of any liquid entrained in the air flow falling out of the air flow.
- the releasable lid 120 of the dirty liquid tank 116 comprises a plurality of longitudinal ridges 412 , 414 .
- the longitudinal ridges 412 , 414 extend along the length of the dirty liquid tank 116 in a direction parallel to the axis A-A when mounted to the housing 102 .
- Each of the first and second liquid trap inlets 300 , 410 project into each of the longitudinal ridges 412 , 414 . This means that the distance between the dirty water 220 at the bottom of the dirty liquid tank 116 and the first and second liquid trap inlets 300 , 410 is maximised in the Z axis direction.
- the dirty liquid tank 116 comprises the longitudinal ridges 412 , 414 as part of the releasable lid 120 , the dirty liquid tank 116 extends around the housing 102 when mounted to the housing 102 . This means that the volume of the dirty liquid tank 116 can be increased whilst maintaining a compact form for the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 .
- the first and second inlet conduits 406 , 408 of the liquid trap 230 are curved to make the air flow path more circuitous and tortuous.
- the path of the air flow is shown in FIG. 4 with arrows.
- the air flow path is serpentine through the liquid trap 230 .
- the changes of direction of the air flow path are in orthogonal directions. This slows the air flow down and increases turbulence in the air flow. This means that the air flow cannot carry the liquid as easily and the increased swirling of the air flow means that the liquid droplets in the air flow are more likely to collide with the sides of the dirty liquid tank 116 or the sides of the liquid trap 230 .
- the first and second inlet conduits 406 , 408 of the liquid trap 230 are in fluid communication with a chamber 416 for holding trapped liquid 420 .
- the chamber 416 comprises a generally cylindrical shape which is in fluid communication with the first and second inlet conduits 406 , 408 and the tank outlet 222 .
- the chamber 416 comprises a sump portion 418 for receiving the dirty liquid from the first and second inlet conduits 406 , 408 .
- the first and second inlet conduits 406 , 408 are arranged to drain into the sump portion 418 of the chamber 416 .
- the trapped liquid 420 in the sump portion 418 may evaporate or the user may actively empty the liquid trap 230 as required.
- the chamber 416 comprises a filter 422 for further removing liquid and debris from the air flow.
- liquid absorbed by the filter 422 can drip down into the sump portion 418 .
- the filter 422 is a foam filter, a pleated filter, an air permeable membrane or any other suitable filter.
- the filter 422 is mounted adjacent to the liquid trap 230 .
- the filter 422 can be mounted downstream of the tank outlet 222 in the outlet conduit 224 .
- FIG. 5 shows an underneath plan view of the releasable lid 120 .
- the first and second liquid trap inlets 300 , 410 are positioned between one or more baffles 502 , 504 , 506 , 508 .
- the baffles 502 , 504 , 506 , 508 increase the amount of swirl in the dirty liquid tank 116 and the amount of dirty liquid 220 dropping out of the air flow within the dirty liquid tank 116 .
- the liquid trap 230 is removably mountable in the dirty liquid tank 116 .
- the liquid trap 230 comprises lugs 510 , 512 for engaging with resilient clips 514 , 516 mounted in the releasable lid 120 .
- the liquid trap 230 is separable from the dirty liquid tank 230 and can be cleaned separately from the dirty liquid tank 116 .
- the filter 422 can be replaced or cleaned when the liquid trap 230 is removed from the releasable lid 120 .
- the liquid trap 230 can be releasably mountable on the tank base 122 .
- any other suitable mechanism can be used for selectively releasing liquid trap 230 from the dirty liquid tank 116 .
- any arrangement of clips, clamps, hooks, latches, catches etc can be used.
- the outlet conduit 224 comprises a finger guard 302 for preventing a user's fingers or thumbs from entering the outlet conduit 224 . This prevents the user from putting their fingers close to the motor fan assembly even when the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 is not operational.
- the finger guard 302 is mounted at the end of the outlet conduit 224 .
- the finger guard 302 comprises a rigid lattice with a plurality of holes for allowing the air to flow freely exiting the tank outlet 222 .
- the plurality of holes of the rigid lattice are small enough to prevent a user's fingers from protruding therethrough.
- the finger guard 302 abuts the tank outlet 222 when the dirt liquid tank 116 is mounted on the housing 102 .
- the liquid trap 230 comprises at least one inlet conduit 406 comprising at least one liquid trap inlet 300 .
- the number of turns in the air flow path within the liquid trap 230 can be increased.
- the liquid trap 230 can be made more compact.
- the liquid trap 230 comprises three or more inlet conduits. It may preferable to increase the number of inlet conduits so that the air flow is not restricted when exiting the dirty liquid tank 116 .
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Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of international application PCT/CN2019/115343, filed Nov. 4, 2019, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- The present invention relates to a wet-dry vacuum cleaner device. The present invention relates to a handheld wet-dry vacuum cleaner device.
- Vacuum cleaners are used to clean debris and dirt off surfaces. However, if the surface to be cleaned is also wet, many vacuum cleaners are not suitable. This is because the dirt and debris combines with the liquid on the surface and the resulting dirty paste can clog the vacuum cleaner.
- It is known to clean wet surfaces with a vacuum cleaner device which is specifically designed for removing liquid and solid matter. Often these types of vacuum cleaner are known as “wet-dry” vacuum cleaners. Specifically, a wet-dry vacuum cleaner comprises a container for removing and holding liquid entrained in the dirty air flow.
- One such wet-dry vacuum cleaner device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,593. A problem with this wet-dry vacuum cleaner device is that when the interior chamber for holding the dirty liquid becomes full or the user tilts or rotates the wet-dry vacuum cleaner during use, the liquid can enter the air inlet conduit connected to the motor fan assembly. This means that the dirty liquid can contaminate and damage the motor fan assembly.
- Examples of the present invention aim to address the aforementioned problems.
- According to an aspect there is a provided a wet-dry vacuum cleaner device comprising: a housing; a motor-fan assembly mounted in the housing and arranged to generate an air flow between a dirty air inlet and a clean air outlet; a tank arranged to capture liquid entrained in the dirty air flow, the tank comprising a tank inlet in fluid communication with the dirty air inlet and a tank outlet in fluid communication with the motor fan assembly; wherein the tank outlet is in fluid communication with a liquid trap mounted inside the tank arranged to capture liquid entrained in the air flow exiting the tank.
- The liquid trap may comprise at least one liquid trap inlet in fluid communication with the tank and the tank outlet. The at least one liquid trap inlet may be located above the tank inlet. The liquid trap may comprise at least one inlet conduit in fluid communication between the at last one liquid trap inlet and the tank outlet. The at least one inlet conduit may comprise multiple inlet conduits.
- The at least one inlet conduit may comprise a first inlet conduit and a second inlet conduit. The first and second inlet conduits may project into the tank. The first inlet conduit and the second inlet conduit may project away from the tank inlet. The first and second inlet conduits may be laterally offset from the tank inlet. The first and the second inlet conduits may be offset from the tank inlet in a first, second and third orthogonal directions.
- The at least one inlet conduit may project into at least one ridge in the upper surface of the tank.
- The tank may be removably mountable on the housing. The tank may comprise a releasable lid which is only releasable once the tank is removed from the housing. The tank may comprise a latch mechanism for releasing the releasable lid from the tank.
- At least one baffle may be mounted on the tank adjacent to the first and/or second inlet conduits.
- The liquid trap may comprise a chamber for retaining liquid.
- The liquid trap may comprise a filter. The filter may be mounted in the chamber.
- The liquid trap may be removably mountable on the tank.
- A finger guard may be mounted at an outlet conduit in fluid communication with the tank outlet and the motor fan housing and the finger guard may be arranged to engage the tank outlet when the tank is mounted on the housing.
- The airflow path may follow a serpentine path through the liquid trap.
- The liquid trap may be mounted to the tank outlet.
- The wet-dry vacuum cleaner device may be a handheld wet-dry vacuum cleaner.
- Various other aspects and further examples are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows a side view of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device; -
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device -
FIG. 3 shows another a cross-sectional side view of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device; -
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional front view of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device; and -
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the tank of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner device. -
FIG. 1 shows a side view of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100. The wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 as shown inFIG. 1 is a handheld wet-dry vacuum cleaner device 100 (also known as a “handvac”), but the in other examples the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 may be an upright vacuum cleaner, a stickvac, a canister vacuum cleaner or any other type of wet-dry vacuum cleaner. References to wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 hereinafter will be in reference to the handheld wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 as shown in the Figures. - The wet-dry
vacuum cleaner device 100 comprises ahousing 102. Thehousing 102 comprises a clam shell type construction comprises two halves which are fastened together. The halves of thehousing 102 are fastened together with screws but in alternative examples any suitable means for fastening thehousing 102 together may be used such as glue, clips, bolts and so on. For the purposes of clarity, the fastenings in thehousing 102 are not shown. - The
housing 102 comprises ahandle 104. Thehandle 104 is integral with thehousing 102 and the user grips thehandle 104 when operating the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100.FIG. 1 shows agripping portion 106 which is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis A-A of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100. In other examples, thegripping portion 106 can extend in different directions such as extending along an axis approximately 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis A-A or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 e.g. a “pistol grip”. - In some examples, the
handle 104 comprises an ON/OFF switch 110 for operating the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100. Theswitch 110 as shown inFIG. 1 is a sliding switch mechanism mechanically coupled to a microswitch (not shown). Thetrigger switch 110 is positioned on the top side of thehandle 104. In other examples, the ON/OFF switch 110 can be located on the underside surface of thehandle 104. In other examples, theswitch 110 can be located on any exterior surface of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100. - In some examples, the
handle 104 comprises indicators (not shown) for providing information about the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 to the user. For example, optionally a battery indicator (not shown) is mounted on thehandle 104 for indicating to the user the charge level status of a battery 200 (which is best shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 ). Thebattery 200 is housed in abattery housing 202. Thebattery housing 202 is mounted to thehousing 102. In some examples, thebattery housing 202 is integral with thehousing 102. In other examples, thebattery housing 202 and thebattery 200 are releasably mountable to thehousing 102. In this way, thebattery 200 can be switched with another battery. - The
battery 200 comprises one or more sockets (not shown) for charging thebattery 200. In other examples, thebattery 200 is charged via socket mounted elsewhere on thehousing 102. Further indicators (not shown) such as filter status indicators (filter blocked/filter cleared) can be mounted on thehandle 104 or elsewhere on thehousing 102. In other examples, the indicator is a symbol indicating to the user when to charge the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100. - The wet-dry
vacuum cleaner device 100 comprises a generally elongate shape which extends along the longitudinal axis A-A. Thehousing 102 comprises adirty air inlet 108 and aclean air outlet 112. An air flow path extends between thedirty air inlet 108 and theclean air outlet 112. The air flow path will be discussed in further detail below. - The
clean air outlet 112 can comprises a plurality ofopenings 114 which are mounted in thehousing 102. Theopenings 114 can be directed in one or more directions for dissipating the clean air exhaust into the environment. For example, theopenings 114 can be orientated to direct the clean air away from the surface to be cleaned. This means that the dirt and debris on the surface to be cleaned is not dislodged by the exhaust clean air and blown away from thedirty air inlet 108. For the purposes of clarity, only oneopening 114 has been labelled inFIG. 1 . - The wet-dry
vacuum cleaner device 100 comprises amotor fan assembly 204 which is best shown inFIG. 2 .FIG. 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100. - The
motor fan assembly 204 comprises amotor 206 and afan 208 for generating a negative pressure for sucking up dirt and debris via thedirty air inlet 108. Thefan 208 is mounted in thehousing 102 such that it is aligned with theopenings 114 for outputting exhaust air from thefan 208. In some examples thefan 208 is an impeller although in other examples thefan 208 may be an axial fan or a centrifugal fan. - In some examples, the
motor 206 is a brushed d.c. motor with its drive shaft directly coupled to thecentrifugal fan 208. The motor's 206 drive shaft has a rotational speed within a range of 15,000 and 40,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). For example, the no-load speed of the motor may be 24,000 to 28,000 rpm. In other examples, themotor 206 can be a d.c. motor, an a.c. motor, or an asynchronous multiphase motor controlled by an electronic circuit (not shown). A permanent magnet brushless motor, a switched reluctance motor, a flux switching motor, or other brushless motor type, may have a high rotational speed within a range of 80,000 to 120,000 rpm. - The
motor fan assembly 204 is mounted within thehousing 102 and electrically connected to a power source. As mentioned above, the power source is abattery 200 comprising a plurality ofbattery cells 210. In some examples, thebattery 200 is a lithium ion battery. In other examples, thebattery 200 can be any suitable type of battery for use in a wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100. In other examples the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 additionally or alternatively comprises a mains electricity supply (not shown). Thehousing 102 and thebattery 200 can comprise one or more seals for preventing water ingress. - The rotation axis of the
motor fan assembly 204 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of thehousing 102. In some examples, rotation axis of themotor fan assembly 204 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis A-A of thehousing 102. However, in other examples as shown inFIG. 2 , rotation axis of themotor fan assembly 204 can be offset from the longitudinal axis of thehousing 102. - Turning back to
FIG. 1 , the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 will be described in further detail. - The wet-dry
vacuum cleaner device 100 optionally comprises a cleaningliquid tank 126 which is in fluid connection with anozzle 128. In this way, the cleaning liquid can be sprayed on to the surface to be cleaned via thenozzle 128. In some examples, thetrigger 130 is coupled to a pump (not shown) in fluid connection with the cleaningliquid tank 126. Accordingly when atrigger 130 is actuated, the cleaning liquid is pumped to thenozzle 128. In some examples, thetrigger 130 is mounted on thehandle 104 for actuation by the user's finger.FIG. 1 shows the cleaning liquid being sprayed in an area in front of thedirty air inlet 108. In some examples, the pump coupled to thetrigger 130 by a linkage (not shown) and the pump is manually actuated by the action of the user depressing thetrigger 130. - The wet-dry
vacuum cleaner device 100 optionally comprises arotatable brush bar 132 comprising a plurality of agitators, such asbristles 212, for agitating the surface to be cleaned. Other types of agitators could be used such as rubber tangs or blades. Thebrush bar 132 may comprise a mix of different types of agitators, for example rubber tangs and bristles. In some examples, thebrush bar 132 is activated when the ON/OFF switch 110 is activated. Alternatively, in some examples, thebrush bar 132 can be selectively activated with another button (not shown). Thebrush bar 132 is coupled to a motor-gear box assembly (not shown) for driving thebrush bar 132. The motor-gear box assembly and thebrush bar 132 are housed in abrush bar housing 134. Thebrush bar housing 134 is integral with thehousing 102. In some examples, thebrush bar housing 134 is separable from thehousing 102. The operation of thebrush bar 132 is known and will not be described in any further detail. -
FIG. 1 also shows atank 116 that is mounted to thehousing 102. Thetank 116 is acontainer 116 which is arranged to receive liquid, dirt and/or debris which are separated from the dirty air flow received from thedirty air inlet 112 during operation. Hereinafter thetank 116 will be referred to as adirty liquid tank 116. - The
dirty liquid tank 116 as shown inFIG. 1 is removably mountable to thehousing 102. Thedirty liquid tank 116 is releasable from thehousing 102 with abutton 118 which actuates a release mechanism 400 (as shown inFIG. 4 ). Therelease mechanism 400 comprises sprungbiased latch 402 for engaging with areciprocal recess 404 in the surface of thedirty liquid tank 116. Thelatch 402 is shown in a dotted outline since it is mounted in thehousing 102 and not part of thedirty liquid tank 116. For the purposes of clarity, thehousing 102 of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 is not shown inFIG. 4 . In some alternative examples (not shown), the sprungbiased latch 402 is mounted on thedirty liquid tank 116 and engages with areciprocal recess 404 in the surface of thehousing 102. In some examples, therelease mechanism 400 can be any suitable fastening mechanism such as a clip, a friction fit, a clamp, hook to mount thedirty liquid tank 116 on thehousing 102. - The
dirty liquid tank 116 is mounted on the underside of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 and at least a portion of thedirty liquid tank 116 optionally extends around thehousing 102. When thedirty liquid tank 116 is removed from thehousing 102, thedirty liquid tank 116 is detached in a downwards direction as shown by the arrow inFIG. 1 . Thedirty liquid tank 116 is removeable from thehousing 102 and this means that thedirty liquid tank 116 can be washed separately from the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100. In some examples, thedirty liquid tank 116 can be washed under the tap or in the dishwasher. Thedirty liquid tank 116 in some examples comprises a plurality of parts and these will be discussed in further detail below. - In some examples, which are not shown in the Figures, the
dirty liquid tank 116 is integral with thehousing 102. In this case, thedirty liquid 220 held in thedirty liquid tank 116 is drained via a dirty liquid port (not shown). - Turning back to
FIG. 1 , thedirty liquid tank 116 comprises areleasable lid 120 mounted to thetank base 122. In some examples, thereleasable lid 120 is pivots about thetank base 122 via a hinge. Thereleasable lid 120 is clipped totank base 122 via a springbiased catch 124. When thecatch 124 is actuated, thereleasable lid 120 is pivotable from thetank base 122. In some examples, thereleasable lid 120 is removeable from thetank base 122. A cross-sectional view of thetank base 122 mounted to thereleasable lid 120 is shown inFIG. 4 . A plan view of thereleasable lid 120 is shown inFIG. 5 . - In some examples, the
releasable lid 120 comprises a seal 500 (as shown inFIG. 5 ) for preventing thedirty liquid 220 escaping from thedirty liquid tank 116 when thedirty liquid tank 116 is mounted to thehousing 102. - In some examples, the
releasable lid 120 may secured to thetank base 122 with other suitable mechanisms. In some examples (not shown), thecatch 124 is a living hinge with a hook portion which is integral with thereleasable lid 120 and arranged to couple with a reciprocal recess on thetank base 122. In other examples, any other suitable mechanism can be used for selectively releasing thereleasable lid 120 from thetank base 122. For example, any arrangement of clips, clamps, hooks, latches, catches etc can be used. - As can be seen from
FIG. 1 , when thedirty liquid tank 116 is mounted to thehousing 102, thehousing 102 is adjacent to the springbiased catch 124. Indeed, thebrush bar housing 134 part of thehousing 102 is adjacent to the springbiased catch 124. This means that there is not sufficient room for thecatch 124 to move free from thereleasable lid 120. This means that thereleasable lid 120 cannot be accidentally released from thetank base 122 when thedirty liquid tank 116 is mounted to thehousing 102. In this way, thedirty liquid tank 116 is not openable when mounted on thehousing 102. This prevents the user spilling the contents of thedirty liquid tank 116 over themselves or a clean surface. - In some examples, optionally at least a portion of the
dirty liquid tank 116 is translucent or transparent so that the user can see the status of thedirty liquid tank 116. This makes it easier for the user to know when to empty thedirty liquid tank 116. In some examples, the entiredirty liquid tank 116 is translucent or transparent. - The wet-dry
vacuum cleaner device 100 inherently has a directionality in normal use. In this way, the “front” 136 of the hand wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 is at the end corresponding to thedirty air inlet 108. Likewise, the “back” 138 of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 is the end of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 corresponding to the end where the motor-fan assembly 204 is mounted. Accordingly, the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 also has atop side 140, and abottom side 142. - The air flow path through the wet-dry
vacuum cleaner device 100 will now be described in reference toFIG. 2 . Thedirty air inlet 108 at thefront 136 of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 is in fluid connection to aninlet conduit 214. Theinlet conduit 214 connects thedirty air inlet 108 with thedirty liquid tank 116 mounted on thebottom side 142 of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100. Theinlet conduit 214 is connected to thedirty liquid tank 116 via atank inlet 216. - The
tank inlet 216 comprises adeflector 218 for diverting the direction of the dirty air. Thedeflector 218 redirects the airflow on entry to thedirty liquid tank 116. In some examples, thedeflector 218 redirects the airflow 180 degrees in the Y axis (as shown inFIG. 3 ). For reference, the X, Y and Z axes of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 are shown inFIGS. 3, 4 and 5 . This means that large droplets of liquid entrained in the air flow are flung out of the air flow as the direction of the air flow path changes and hit thedeflector 218. The droplets of water or any other liquid then drip down into thedirty liquid tank 116. Thedirty liquid 220 then collects at the bottom of thedirty liquid tank 116. - The
dirty liquid tank 116 comprises atank outlet 222 which is in fluid communication with anoutlet conduit 224. Theoutlet conduit 224 is in fluid communication with themotor fan assembly 204 at the back 138 of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100. In this way, clean air is output from thedirty liquid tank 116 and drawn along theoutlet conduit 224 towards themotor fan assembly 204. The exhaust air from themotor fan assembly 204 is then output via theopenings 114. - When the
dirty liquid tank 116 is full, the user can empty and clean thedirty liquid tank 116 via thetank outlet 222 once thedirty liquid tank 116 has been removed from thehousing 102. - The
tank outlet 222 is fluid communication with aliquid trap 230 for capturing liquid entrained the air flow exiting thetank outlet 222. This means that if dirty liquid is still entrained in the air flow after passing through thedirty liquid tank 116, thedirty liquid 220 can be captured before contaminating themotor fan assembly 204. - Furthermore, if user is vigorously moving the wet-dry
vacuum cleaner device 100, thendirty liquid 220 in thedirty liquid tank 116 can be picked up by the air flow. Theliquid trap 230 captures any dirty liquid which may re-entrained into the air flow as it passes through thedirty liquid tank 116. - In some examples, the
liquid trap 230 is mounted to and sealed against thetank outlet 222 inside thedirty liquid tank 116. By placing theliquid trap 230 within the volume of thedirty liquid tank 116, this means that the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 can be more compact. However, in alternative examples, theliquid trap 230 is mounted outside thedirty liquid tank 116. For example, theliquid trap 230 can be mounted inside theoutlet conduit 224 or any other position in the air flow path between thetank outlet 222 and themotor fan assembly 204. In some examples, theliquid trap 230 is mounted within thehousing 102 and in fluid communication with thetank outlet 222 and themotor fan assembly 204. - The
liquid trap 230 will now be discussed in more detail with reference toFIGS. 3, 4 and 5 .FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100.FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross sectional views of thedirty liquid tank 116 along axes B-B and C-C respectively. -
FIG. 3 shows the position of thereleasable lid 120 of thedirty liquid tank 116 with respect to the cross section of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100. Furthermore,FIG. 3 shows the position of a firstliquid trap inlet 300 of theliquid trap 230 with respect to the side view of the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100. The firstliquid trap inlet 300 is represented as a dashed line because firstliquid trap inlet 300 is laterally offset from thetank inlet 216 positioned on the centreline D-D of thedirty liquid tank 116. - Turning to
FIG. 4 , a front cross-sectional view of theliquid trap 230 is shown. Theliquid trap 230 comprises at least oneliquid trap inlet 300 and at least oneinlet conduit 406 in fluid communication between the at least oneinlet conduit 406 and thetank outlet 222. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , in some examples, theliquid trap 230 comprises afirst inlet conduit 406 comprising the firstliquid trap inlet 300 and asecond inlet conduit 408 comprising a secondliquid trap inlet 410. The first andsecond inlet conduits dirty liquid tank 116. Once the air has passed through thedirty liquid tank 116, the air flows through theliquid trap 230 and out of thedirty liquid tank 116 via thetank outlet 222. - In some examples, at least one
liquid trap inlet 300 is positioned above thetank inlet 216. In some further examples, the first andsecond inlet conduits liquid trap inlet 300 and the secondliquid trap inlet 410 are positioned above thetank inlet 216. This means that the air flow has to change direction in the Z axis before entering the first and secondliquid trap inlets second inlet conduits tank inlet 216 so that the distance that the air has to travel in the in thedirty liquid tank 116 is increased. - As mentioned, the first and second
liquid trap inlets dirty liquid tank 116 in the X axis. This means that the first and secondliquid trap inlets tank inlet 216. In this way, the air flow has to change direction in the X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis from exiting thetank inlet 216 and entering the first and secondliquid trap inlets - The
releasable lid 120 of thedirty liquid tank 116 comprises a plurality oflongitudinal ridges longitudinal ridges dirty liquid tank 116 in a direction parallel to the axis A-A when mounted to thehousing 102. Each of the first and secondliquid trap inlets longitudinal ridges dirty water 220 at the bottom of thedirty liquid tank 116 and the first and secondliquid trap inlets - Since the
dirty liquid tank 116 comprises thelongitudinal ridges releasable lid 120, thedirty liquid tank 116 extends around thehousing 102 when mounted to thehousing 102. This means that the volume of thedirty liquid tank 116 can be increased whilst maintaining a compact form for the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100. - In some examples, the first and
second inlet conduits liquid trap 230 are curved to make the air flow path more circuitous and tortuous. The path of the air flow is shown inFIG. 4 with arrows. In some examples, the air flow path is serpentine through theliquid trap 230. In some examples there are a plurality of changes of direction of the air flow path. In some examples, the changes of direction of the air flow path are in orthogonal directions. This slows the air flow down and increases turbulence in the air flow. This means that the air flow cannot carry the liquid as easily and the increased swirling of the air flow means that the liquid droplets in the air flow are more likely to collide with the sides of thedirty liquid tank 116 or the sides of theliquid trap 230. - The first and
second inlet conduits liquid trap 230 are in fluid communication with achamber 416 for holding trappedliquid 420. Thechamber 416 comprises a generally cylindrical shape which is in fluid communication with the first andsecond inlet conduits tank outlet 222. Thechamber 416 comprises asump portion 418 for receiving the dirty liquid from the first andsecond inlet conduits second inlet conduits sump portion 418 of thechamber 416. In this way, as the air exits thetank outlet 222, the remaining liquid is captured by theliquid trap 230 as the air flow exits theliquid trap 230 and the trapped liquid 420 drains down into thesump portion 418. The trapped liquid 420 in thesump portion 418 may evaporate or the user may actively empty theliquid trap 230 as required. - Optionally, the
chamber 416 comprises afilter 422 for further removing liquid and debris from the air flow. In this way, liquid absorbed by thefilter 422 can drip down into thesump portion 418. Optionally, thefilter 422 is a foam filter, a pleated filter, an air permeable membrane or any other suitable filter. In some examples, thefilter 422 is mounted adjacent to theliquid trap 230. For example, thefilter 422 can be mounted downstream of thetank outlet 222 in theoutlet conduit 224. -
FIG. 5 shows an underneath plan view of thereleasable lid 120. In some examples, optionally the first and secondliquid trap inlets more baffles baffles dirty liquid tank 116 and the amount ofdirty liquid 220 dropping out of the air flow within thedirty liquid tank 116. - Optionally, the
liquid trap 230 is removably mountable in thedirty liquid tank 116. Theliquid trap 230 compriseslugs resilient clips 514, 516 mounted in thereleasable lid 120. This means that theliquid trap 230 is separable from thedirty liquid tank 230 and can be cleaned separately from thedirty liquid tank 116. In addition, thefilter 422 can be replaced or cleaned when theliquid trap 230 is removed from thereleasable lid 120. In other examples, theliquid trap 230 can be releasably mountable on thetank base 122. In other examples, any other suitable mechanism can be used for selectively releasingliquid trap 230 from thedirty liquid tank 116. For example, any arrangement of clips, clamps, hooks, latches, catches etc can be used. - Optionally the
outlet conduit 224 comprises afinger guard 302 for preventing a user's fingers or thumbs from entering theoutlet conduit 224. This prevents the user from putting their fingers close to the motor fan assembly even when the wet-dryvacuum cleaner device 100 is not operational. In some examples, thefinger guard 302 is mounted at the end of theoutlet conduit 224. Thefinger guard 302 comprises a rigid lattice with a plurality of holes for allowing the air to flow freely exiting thetank outlet 222. The plurality of holes of the rigid lattice are small enough to prevent a user's fingers from protruding therethrough. In some examples, thefinger guard 302 abuts thetank outlet 222 when thedirt liquid tank 116 is mounted on thehousing 102. - In another example (not shown), there is an arrangement which is the same as shown in
FIG. 4 except that there is only thefirst inlet conduit 406 comprising the firstliquid trap inlet 300. In this way, theliquid trap 230 comprises at least oneinlet conduit 406 comprising at least oneliquid trap inlet 300. By having only one inlet conduit on theliquid trap 230, the number of turns in the air flow path within theliquid trap 230 can be increased. Alternatively, theliquid trap 230 can be made more compact. - In some other examples the
liquid trap 230 comprises three or more inlet conduits. It may preferable to increase the number of inlet conduits so that the air flow is not restricted when exiting thedirty liquid tank 116. - In another example two or more examples are combined. Features of one example can be combined with features of other examples.
- Examples of the present invention have been discussed with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the examples described within the scope of the invention.
Claims (20)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PCT/CN2019/115343 WO2021087668A1 (en) | 2019-11-04 | 2019-11-04 | Wet-dry vacuum cleaner device |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/CN2019/115343 Continuation WO2021087668A1 (en) | 2019-11-04 | 2019-11-04 | Wet-dry vacuum cleaner device |
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US20220257071A1 true US20220257071A1 (en) | 2022-08-18 |
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US17/735,160 Pending US20220257071A1 (en) | 2019-11-04 | 2022-05-03 | Wet-dry vacuum cleaner device |
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US (1) | US20220257071A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4054390B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2021087668A1 (en) |
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USD984072S1 (en) * | 2021-06-22 | 2023-04-18 | Bissell Inc. | Portable carpet cleaner |
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WO2023288087A1 (en) * | 2021-07-16 | 2023-01-19 | Techtronic Cordless Gp | Surface cleaner |
US11793378B2 (en) | 2021-11-17 | 2023-10-24 | Bissell Inc. | Handheld extraction cleaner |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP4054390A1 (en) | 2022-09-14 |
EP4054390B1 (en) | 2024-07-24 |
EP4054390A4 (en) | 2023-07-26 |
WO2021087668A1 (en) | 2021-05-14 |
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