US20230023865A1

US20230023865A1 - Device for receiving a suction hose and vacuuming device having a receiving device

Info

Publication number: US20230023865A1
Application number: US17/790,792
Authority: US
Inventors: Lionel BARBIER; Matthias Mazur; Paul Fally; Holger Krogsgaard
Original assignee: Hilti AG
Current assignee: Hilti AG
Priority date: 2020-01-10
Filing date: 2020-12-14
Publication date: 2023-01-26
Also published as: EP3848312A1; WO2021139964A1; EP4087805A1; CN114761343A

Abstract

A device for receiving a suction hose that connects a nozzle of a vacuuming device to a central unit of the vacuuming device. The device is has at least one holding device that can be arranged on the central unit of the vacuuming device, wherein the suction hose is able to be fitted in the at least one holding device such that the hose can be accommodated in a secure and stable manner. This advantageously makes it possible for the user of the vacuuming device to be able to adapt the length of the suction hose as required to the task currently to be performed. Here, the unused part of the suction hose is stored in a particularly secure and stable manner in the device or in cavities of the device that can be formed between the at least one holding device and a rear part. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a vacuuming device having a central unit that is connected to a suction hose having a nozzle.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for receiving a suction hose that connects a nozzle of a vacuuming device to a central unit of the vacuuming device.

BACKGROUND

The dust which arises on a construction site is often damaging to health and should not be inhaled by people. A distinction is usually drawn between primary and secondary dust. Primary dust is formed during various uses, such as drilling, chiseling or grinding of surfaces. This dust spreads out in the air and can easily be inhaled by people in the vicinity. The dust can also collect on the floor or on other surfaces and thereby becomes secondary dust. In respect of this secondary dust, there is the risk that it will be stirred up again during further work steps and will thus be able to get into the airways of workers or passersby.
In order to avoid the spreading of primary dust, use is usually made of a dust collector, which is capable of collecting and/or extracting the dust directly at the point of formation thereof by means of suitable systems or attachments. This prevents dust from getting into the surrounding air and being inhaled by workers or passersby. To remove the secondary dust, use is usually made of a dust collector or a vacuum cleaner in order to selectively suck up the dust from the ground and dispose of it.
The conditions on a construction site do not always make it possible to work with a “floor-based” cleaner, as it is known. For example, there are a large number of objects, construction materials or power tools lying around on the ground, and these cannot be passed over by a cleaner equipped with casters. In addition, stairs are often present or work is carried out on scaffolding. For this reason, it is advantageous both for transportation and for use when the cleaner can be carried on the user's back. This makes it possible to work in a mobile manner and improves the possible applications of the cleaner. In a portable configuration, the cleaner is referred to, in the context of the invention, as a backpack cleaner, backpack vacuum cleaner or backpack vacuuming device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Modern vacuuming devices can be used to some extent in a flexible manner in different fields of application, for example both as a portable backpack cleaner, which is transported on a user's back, and as a floor-based cleaner, which can move over the floor for example by way of casters or wheels. In particular when the cleaner is intended to be operated both from the floor and from the user's back, different optimal hose lengths arise depending on the application. If the cleaner is intended to be operated for example from the floor, the optimal hose length for this application can be for example 3 m or more, in order for it to be possible, for example, to also directly vacuum drilled holes in the vicinity of the ceiling or at locations that are difficult to access. However, if the cleaner is located on the user's back, an optimal hose length of much less than 2 m may be advantageous, since otherwise the excess hose length drags on the floor and/or may represent a trip hazard.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a cost-effective robust system for accommodating the suction hose, which allows the user to be able to store the excess hose length in a flexible manner. It would be particularly desirable from the point of view of experts for the user to still be able to vary the hose length even when the cleaner is already on the user's back.
Hoses that can retract automatically are known from the prior art. However, these hoses are not suitable for cleaners that are equipped with automatic filter dedusting. Devices for carrying out automatic filter dedusting frequently have a secondary-air valve. During filter dedusting, a pressure shock is usually generated, which, in conjunction with the secondary-air valve, could have the result that an above-described suction hose may abruptly retract and extend again. This movement would potentially continue as far as the central unit of the cleaner, such that this abrupt movement may be transmitted to a user currently working with the cleaner. This can have a negative effect on the operability of the cleaner, since jolting forces can arise at the cleaner, and these may have the effect for example that the user can no longer guide the cleaner in a targeted manner. Furthermore, the cleaner is often attached to a power tool such as a power drill or a sander. The retraction of the hose can also have a negative effect on the operability of the power tool.
A further object underlying the present invention therefore consists in providing an accommodation possibility for a suction hose of a vacuuming device, which is configured in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner. Furthermore, the device to be provided should be robust enough, in particular with respect to external influences such as moisture or dust, that it can be used without problems even in very dusty locations such as construction sites. In particular, the device should be able to be used in conjunction with vacuum cleaners that can be used both as floor-based cleaners and as backpack cleaners, wherein the solution to be provided should in particular be capable of being used in conjunction with filter dedusting at the cleaner.
The present invention provides a device for receiving a suction hose that connects a nozzle of a vacuuming device to a central unit of the vacuuming device. The device is characterized in that it has at least one holding device that is able to be fastened to the central unit of the vacuuming device, wherein the suction hose is able to be fitted in the at least one holding device such that the hose can be accommodated in a secure and stable manner. In the context of the invention, it is preferred that the suction hose is fitted in the at least one holding device in loops such that a length of the suction hose can be defined by a number of the loops. For example, a greater hose length for working with the vacuuming device is available when the hose is wrapped around the holding device with a small number of loops, while a shorter hose length for working with the vacuuming device is available when the hose is wrapped around the holding device with a large number of loops.
According to the invention, the vacuuming device has a central unit, which preferably has a motor, a turbine and a dust collecting tank. By way of the turbine, a negative pressure can be generated, with which dust can be sucked into the interior of the cleaner. In the interior of the cleaner, or in the interior of the central unit, there may be arranged a dust collecting tank, in which the sucked-in dust can be collected. A dust (collecting) bag that can be replaced when the bag is full can be fitted in the dust collecting tank. The turbine for generating the negative pressure can be driven by a motor, which is preferably an electric motor. The central unit can also have a control device, operating elements or communication means. The control device is preferably set up to control the vacuuming device. The operating elements can be used by a user to perform settings on the cleaner, to set a suction power or to switch the cleaner on or off. Any communication means can be used so that the cleaner can communicate with other devices such as a power tool, an accessory part or other mobile devices, for example a smartphone. In particular, the central unit can be connected via a suction hose to a nozzle for sucking in the dust. The nozzle can preferably be a floor nozzle with which dust lying in particular on the floor can be sucked up. However, the nozzle can also be configured in any other conceivable manner in order to pick up dust. The central unit of the vacuuming device can furthermore comprise a filter, which protects the turbine from dirt and dust. By picking up these contaminants, the filter can become clogged, with a solid filter cake frequently forming on the filter. By way of a filter dedusting process, the filter can be dedusted preferably mechanically, such that the filter is subsequently available again with its full filtering capacity. Advantageously, the proposed invention makes it possible to use, as the suction hose, a commercially available suction hose which has no special features that allow it in particular to retract automatically. Such retracting hoses, as are known from the prior art, frequently cannot be used in conjunction with cleaners that are configured to carry out automatic filter dedusting. Since a commercially available suction hose can be used in conjunction with the invention, the proposed receiving device can advantageously also be used in connection with a vacuuming device having filter dedusting.
In the context of the invention, it is in particular preferred that the device does not comprise any moving parts. As a result of the avoidance of moving parts, the device is particularly robust with respect to external influences such as dust and/or moisture. In particular, a vacuuming device having a proposed receiving device does not have any gaps that may arise for example as a result of the movement of components. Such gaps frequently serve as gateways for dust and/or moisture. In this regard, the proposed vacuuming device having the proposed receiving device, which preferably manages without moving parts, is protected particularly effectively from these external influences and is therefore particularly suitable for use in construction and in particular outdoors. The wording that “the device does not comprise any moving parts” preferably means, in the context of the invention, that the device in particular does not comprise any components that are displaceable, rotatable or movable in translation.
The wording does not preclude individual constituents of the device from being able to be formed for example in a resilient manner. In particular, it is preferred in the context of the present invention that the holding devices at least partially comprise resilient material in that they can be configured for example as a clip. The suction hose can for example be fitted and/or clipped in place in such a clip, such that it can be fastened in a stable and secure manner. This in particular prevents the hose from being freely movable and disrupting, impeding or even endangering the user when using the vacuuming device. In the context of the invention, it is for example preferred that the at least one holding device comprises metal and/or plastic. For example, the holding devices can be manufactured from bent sheet-metal parts or plastics parts, which entail optimal resilience for use as a resilient holding device. In particular, the resilience can be set via a suitable choice of thickness and/or material of the bent sheet-metal or plastics parts.
In the context of the invention, it is preferred that the at least one holding device has a wavy profile. This is in particular advantageous in order to avoid squeezing of the suction hose. The wording “wavy profile” preferably means, in the context of the invention, that the holding device can comprise for example a resilient piece of plastic or metal that has peaks and troughs or elevations and recesses (cf. for example FIG. 1 ). The terms “recess” and “elevation” do not represent unclear terms for a person skilled in the art because a person skilled in the art defines the terms, in the context of the present invention, via a respective distance from a rear part of the receiving device. A recess in the holding device, or in the wavy profile, is characterized, in the context of the invention, in particular in that the recess exhibits a greater distance from a rear part of the carrying system than an elevation of the holding device, or of the wavy profile. This applies in particular to a deepest point of the recess and a highest point of the elevation. The recesses can be configured for example to each receive a loop of the suction hose, wherein a distance between the recess of the holding device and a rear part of the device can correspond to a diameter of the suction hose. In this case, the term “correspond” preferably means, in the context of the invention, that the distance between the recess of the holding device and the rear part of the device can be matched to the suction hose used, or to the diameter thereof. In particular, the distance can be chosen such that the suction hose can be received in a secure and stable manner in the cavity formed between the recess of the holding device and the rear part of the device, and lightly clamped therein, such that it does not fall out of the cavity under normal vibrations and loads. On the other hand, the distance between the recess of the holding device and the rear part of the device also should not be chosen to be too small, in order not to pinch the hose. In the context of the invention, it is preferred that a distance between a peak, i.e. an elevation, of the holding device and the rear part of the device is smaller than the diameter of the hose, in order to hold the hose in the cavity formed by the recess and rear part.
In the context of the invention, it is preferred that a holding device has one to three recesses, wherein each recess, together with the rear part of the receiving device, preferably forms a cavity for receiving a loop of the suction hose. In a very particularly preferred embodiment, the wavy profile of the holding device has two recesses, such that the receiving device comprises two cavities for receiving two loops of the suction hose. A number of two cavities for receiving two loops has been found, in practical tests, to be a good compromise for the hose lengths normally used in construction site cleaners. In the context of the invention, the wavy profile forms the front side of the receiving device, while the rear part forms the rear side of the receiving device. However, in the context of the invention, it may also be preferred for the front side to be formed by a profile or a two-dimensional device, such as a plate, which does not constitute a wavy profile. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention that has a holding device, wherein the holding device has, on its front side, a metal plate for clamping the suction hose in place. Preferably, the metal plate is configured, for example by way of a sufficiently small thickness, such that it has resilient properties. As a result, the plate can be pushed away from the rear part of the receiving device in order to fit the suction hose in the cavity between the plate and rear part. As a result of a movement back in the direction of the rear part, the suction hose is clamped in place in the cavity and the suction hose can, as a result, be fixed or fastened to the vacuuming device in the receiving device. Preferably, the suction hose is clamped in place in the holding device only lightly enough for it to be able to be displaced in a lateral direction. As a result, the hose can be moved within the receiving device by pushing and/or pulling movements and the length thereof that is available to the user of the cleaner for working with the cleaner can be set. The plate that forms the front side of the holding or receiving device can for example also comprise plastic or be in the form of a plastics plate.
In the context of the invention, it is preferred that the device is able to be integrated into a carrying system of the vacuuming device. The carrying system can serve for example for the vacuuming device to be able to be used as a backpack cleaner and to be carried on a user's back. The carrying system can be configured in a similar manner to the carrying system of a relatively large travel backpack or of a frame backpack. The carrying system can comprise various belts, straps and clasps that allow the central unit of the vacuuming device to be fastened to a user. Preferably, the carrying system comprises a side facing the user's back and a side facing away from the user's back, on which the proposed device can be arranged. In the context of the invention, it is preferred that the side of the carrying system that faces away from the user's back forms the rear part of the device, said rear part, together with the at least one holding device, forming a cavity for receiving the suction hose. However, in the context of the invention, it may also be preferred for the device to be arranged at a different position on the vacuuming device. Preferably, the proposed vacuuming device can be used both as a backpack cleaner and as a floor-based cleaner. In this regard, besides the carrying system, the vacuuming device preferably also comprises means that allow the cleaner to be moved around on a floor or a substrate.
In the context of the invention, it is preferred that the device comprises one to five holding devices, preferably one to three holding devices and most preferably two holding devices. A number of two holding devices, as illustrated for example in FIG. 1 , has proven to be particularly stable under vibrations. The preferably two holding devices can be configured in a substantially symmetric manner to one another and be arranged next to one another. In particular, the wavy profiles of the preferably two holding devices can be configured in a symmetric manner to one another, such that recesses or elevations are provided at in each case the same height of the device. The recesses preferably form cavities, which are bounded by the rear part of the device. In the context of the invention, it is preferred that the cavities are likewise arranged at the same height of the device, such that, when two holding devices are provided, the suction hose can be clamped in place for example in the two cavities of the device that are arranged next to one another. As a result of the provision of the preferably two holding devices, the hose can be fixed at two contact points, such that it is optimally secured not only with respect to slipping to the side but also with respect to a vertical upward or downward movement. The terms “top” and “bottom” or “up” and “down” are not unclear terms for a person skilled in the art in the context of the present invention, because a person skilled in the art knows that the term “bottom” or the spatial direction “downward” refers to the side of the device or of the vacuum cleaner that faces the ground. The term “top” or the spatial direction “upward” means, in the context of the invention, preferably the side of the device or of the vacuum cleaner that faces away from the ground or a substrate.
In a second aspect, the invention relates to a vacuuming device having a central unit that is connected to a suction hose having a nozzle. The vacuuming device is characterized in that the vacuuming device has a proposed receiving device, i.e. the receiving device has at least one holding device that can be arranged on the central unit of the vacuuming device, wherein the suction hose is able to be fitted in the at least one holding device. In the context of the invention, it is in particular preferred that the suction hose is configured in a pressure-stable manner. As a result, it is possible for the hose to be able to be introduced into or pulled out of the device by way of a pushing or pulling movement. As a result, the hose can be tidied away or its length increased as required—advantageously in particular with only one hand. This advantageously means that the user can use their second hand for other activities. The terms, definitions and technical advantages introduced for the receiving device apply preferably in an analogous manner to the proposed vacuuming device.
According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device is accommodated in a carrying system for a vacuuming device. The device serves in particular for holding and/or receiving the suction hose, and so, in the context of the invention, the proposed device can be referred to preferably as a receiving device. In particular, with the proposed receiving device, a variable length of the suction hose can be accommodated. This is achieved preferably in that the suction hose can be wound with different numbers of loops that are received by the receiving device. Depending on the number of hose loops that are received by the receiving device, a length of the hose with which the user of the vacuuming device can work can be set.
The receiving device can preferably have a wavy profile in order that the hose is not squeezed in spite of being held. One or more loops of the hose can be placed selectively into this wave profile. The user advantageously has the possibility of pulling on the hose when the system is located on their back. As a result of the pull, a larger amount of the hose can be released when a longer hose section is required for working with the cleaner. In the context of the invention, it is in particular preferred that the hose is configured in a pressure-stable manner. As a result, the hose can be pushed back into the receiving device again by way of a pushing movement by the user.
The proposed solution is distinguished by a particularly simple, robust construction, since, in particular, it does not comprise any moving parts, which often tend, under construction site conditions and the possibly dusty environment, to jam or to become worn. In particular, a cost-effective possibility for accommodating excess hose material can be provided with the invention. In addition, with the proposed invention, working safety is increased since the invention for example particularly effectively prevents a user from tripping over a hose lying around on the floor. At the same time, in spite of the stable storage or holding of the hose, a length of the suction hose can be set such that the same cleaner with the same hose is suitable both for floor applications and backpack applications. In other words, the proposed vacuuming device, or the central unit thereof, can be used both as a backpack cleaner and as a floor-based cleaner. In addition, the proposed receiving device can also be used to stow the hose substantially fully for purely transportation activities.
The receiving device can optionally comprise one or more clips as holding devices, wherein the holding devices make it possible to accommodate, i.e. receive, one or more loops of the suction hose. The number of loops that can be received by a holding device depends preferably on the number of cavities that are formed between the recesses of the wavy profile of the holding device and the rear part of the receiving device. The clip devices can comprise both bent sheet-metal parts and plastics parts for holding. These can form in particular the preferably resiliently configured wavy profile of the at least one holding device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. The figures, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them to form useful further combinations.

In the figures, identical and similar components are denoted by the same reference signs. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a view of a preferred configuration of the receiving device

FIG. 2 shows a further view of a preferred configuration of the receiving device with a suction hose

FIG. 3 shows a view of a preferred configuration of the vacuuming device with the receiving device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a preferred configuration of a receiving device (1) of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a receiving device (1) that is arranged on a carrying system (11) of a vacuuming device (4, illustrated in FIG. 3 ) configured inter alia as a backpack cleaner. The vacuuming device (4) can comprise a suction hose (2, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) and a nozzle (not illustrated in FIG. 1 but indicated as nozzle 12 in FIG. 3 ), wherein the dust sucked in by the nozzle can be transported through the suction hose (2) into a dust collecting tank within a central unit (3, illustrated in FIG. 3 ) of the cleaner (4). The receiving device (1) has at least one holding device (5), wherein the receiving device (1) illustrated in FIG. 1 has for example two substantially symmetric holding devices (5) that are arranged parallel to one another. The holding devices (5) illustrated in FIG. 1 comprise a wavy profile (6), which, in the context of the invention, is preferably also referred to as a wave profile (6). The holding device (5) and the wavy profile (6) have recesses (7) and elevations (8), which are respectively characterized by different distances from a rear part (9) of the carrying system (11) of the vacuuming device (4).
Preferably, the carrying system (11) of the cleaner (4) has a rear part (9), which at the same time also forms the rear part (9) of the receiving device (1). Formed between the rear part (9) and the wavy profile (6) are cavities (10), which are suitable in particular for receiving the suction hose (2) of the vacuuming device (4). In particular, the cavities (10) are formed between the recesses (7) of the wavy profile (6) and of the holding device (5). In the context of the invention, it is preferred that the recesses (7) exhibit a greater distance from the rear part (9) than the elevations (8) of the wavy profile (6) and of the holding device (5). The distance between a recess (7) and the rear part (9) is in particular large enough that the suction hose (2) can be fitted or clamped in place in a cavity (10) thus formed. In the context of the invention, it is preferred that the suction hose can be shifted to the right or left with a horizontal movement within the holding device(s) (5) of the receiving device (1). As a result, the hose length available to the user of the cleaner (4) can be set. In particular, the invention makes it possible for the hose length with which the user of the vacuuming device (4) can work to be able to be set by a pulling and/or pushing movement on the part of the user.
FIG. 2 shows a further view of a preferred configuration of the receiving device (1). FIG. 2 illustrates in particular the suction hose (2), which can connect the nozzle of a vacuuming device (4) to the central unit (3) thereof. The suction hose (2) can be wound in one loop or in a plurality of loops around the receiving device (1). In this case, the loops can be fitted in cavities (10) of the receiving device (1), wherein the cavities (10) are formed between a rear part (9) of the receiving device (1) and a front side of the receiving device (1). The front side of the receiving device (1) can be formed in particular by a wavy profile (6), which forms preferably a holding device (5) within the receiving device (1). The holding device (5) can, however, also be formed by a metal or plastics plate configured for example in a two-dimensional manner. Preferably, the holding device (5) is configured in a resilient manner, such that it can be bent forward or to the rear in order to increase or reduce the size of the cavity (10) for receiving the suction hose (2). When the size of the cavity (10) is increased, the suction hose (2) can be fitted particularly easily in the holding device (5) or the receiving device (1). When the size of the cavity (10) is reduced, the suction hose (2) can be clamped within the holding device (5) or within the receiving device (1) and as a result be fixed within the device (1 or 5).
When the holding device (5) is formed by a wavy profile (6) or comprises a wavy profile (6) it is preferred, in the context of the invention, that the wavy profile (6) has recesses (7) and elevations (8). In the context of the invention, it is in particular preferred that the wavy profile (6) has as many recesses (7) as there are loops of the suction hose (2) that are intended to be received. If for example two loops of the suction hose (2) are intended to be received, it is preferred, in the context of the invention, that the wavy profile (6) has two recesses (7) for receiving the suction hose (2). The recesses (7) are preferably designed to form, together with the rear part (9) of the receiving device (1), cavities (10) for receiving the suction hose (2).
FIG. 3 shows a preferred configuration of the vacuuming device (4) with the receiving device (1). In particular, FIG. 3 schematically shows a central unit (3) of a vacuuming device (4), wherein a suction hose (2) is fastened to the central unit (3). The vacuuming device (4) illustrated in FIG. 3 can preferably both be carried as a backpack cleaner on a user's back and be used as a floor-based cleaner (4). In order to be used as a backpack cleaner, the vacuuming device (4) has a carrying system (11), which is similar to the carrying system of a backpack or of a frame backpack. The receiving device (1) can be fastened to the carrying system (11). The exemplary embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3 , of the receiving device (1) has a metal plate as holding device (5). This metal plate (5) is substantially parallel to the rear part (9) of the receiving device (1), wherein a distance between the metal plate (5) and rear part (9) can be increased or reduced by bending the preferably resilient metal plate (5) forward or toward the rear. The suction hose (2) can be fitted in the resultant cavity (10). In the exemplary embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3 , of the invention, three loops of the suction hose (2) have been fitted in the receiving device (1). In this state, the suction hose (2) is located substantially fully in the receiving device (1) and the vacuuming device (4) can be transported particularly easily as a whole, including the suction hose (2).

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

- 1 Receiving device
- 2 Suction hose
- 3 Central unit
- 4 Vacuuming device
- 5 Holding device
- 6 Wavy profile
- 7 Recesses
- 8 Elevations
- 9 Rear part
- 10 Cavities
- 11 Carrying system
- 12 Nozzle

Claims

What is claimed is:

1-9. (canceled)

10. A device for receiving a suction hose connecting a nozzle of a vacuuming device to a central unit of the vacuuming device, the device comprising:

at least one holding device fastenable to the central unit of the vacuuming device, the suction hose being fittable in the at least one holding device.

11. The device as recited in claim 10 wherein the device does not comprise any moving parts.

12. The device as recited in claim 10 wherein the at least one holding device has a wavy profile.

13. The device as recited in claim 12 wherein the wavy profile has recesses and elevations, wherein the recesses of the wavy profile form, with a rear part of the device, cavities for receiving the suction hose.

14. The device as recited in claim 10 wherein the device is integratable into a carrying system of the vacuuming device.

15. The device as recited in claim 10 wherein the at least one holding device numbers one to five holding devices.

16. The device as recited in claim 10 wherein the at least one holding device numbers one to three holding devices.

17. The device as recited in claim 10 wherein the at least one holding device numbers two holding devices.

18. The device as recited in claim 10 the at least one holding device (5) comprises metal and/or plastic.

19. A vacuuming device comprising:

a central unit connected to a suction hose having a nozzle; and

at least one holding device fastenable to the central unit, the suction hose being fittable in the at least one holding device.

20. The vacuuming device as recited in claim 19 wherein the suction hose is configured in a pressure-stable manner.