WO2005067777A1

WO2005067777A1 - A vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: WO2005067777A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/050073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Deniz Seker; Levent Akdag; Can Sar
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2004-01-07
Filing date: 2005-01-06
Publication date: 2005-07-28
Also published as: TR200603488T1

Abstract

This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner (8) that can separate and accumulate dirt with different size and property and includes a cyclone unit (6) placed on it with an inner chamber of which is easily detachable and cleanable.

Description

A VACUUM CLEANER

This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner that can separate and accumulate dirt with different size and property, and includes a cyclone unit with an inner chamber of which is easily detachable and cleanable.

In vacuum cleaners, cyclone separators, which operate with the principle of separating materials with different properties via centrifugal force, are utilized as distinct units placed on the suction path. Although cyclone separators can be utilized uniquely for accumulating materials with different size and nature, they can also be applied with a dust container and/or an additional filter. Considering the embodiment purpose of a cyclone separator, it can be designed in order to separate small or large particles and when small dust particles are separated, obstructions in the dust container in short periods is prevented.

In the current state of art, European Patent embodiment EP489468 describes a vacuum cleaner that includes a cyclone unit, which ejects and cleans the polluted air sucked by means of ducts from a chamber where it is transmitted by means of a drilled pipe.

In the current state of art, European Patent embodiment EP1181886 describes a vacuum cleaner that includes a cyclone unit, which ejects and cleans the polluted air sucked by means of ducts and another attached filter by sucking it with the aid of a filter from a chamber where it is transmitted with a circular flow.

In the current state of art, United States Patent US5779745 describes a vacuum cleaner that includes a cyclone unit, which ejects and cleans the polluted air sucked by means of ducts from a conical chamber where it is transmitted with a circular flow with the aid of another duct.

In the current state of art, United States Patent US5858038 describes a vacuum cleaner that includes a cyclone unit, which ejects and cleans the polluted air sucked by activating with vortex generators and separating dust particles and afterwards altering a normal flow.

In the current state of art, United States Patent US 6440197 describes a vacuum cleaner that includes a cyclone unit which ejects and cleans the polluted air sucked by transferring it from the chamber that it is transmitted as a circular flow to another.

In the current state of art, International Patent embodiment WO00/21428 describes a vacuum cleaner that includes a cyclone unit, which ejects and cleans the polluted air sucked with the aid of diverters and a pipe after being circulated inside the chamber that it is transmitted to.

The aim of the present invention is to realize a vacuum cleaner that contains a cyclone unit, which accomplishes a more efficient cleaning operation by capturing dust particles of different sizes that are activated by the air sucked.

The vacuum cleaner designed to fulfill this aim is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Fig 1 is a schematic, general representation of a vacuum cleaner,

Fig 2 is a perspective view of a cyclone unit, Fig 3 is an exploded view of a cyclone unit,

Fig 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the inner cyclone pipe of a cyclone unit, Fig 5 is a perspective view of the body of a cyclone, Fig 6 is a perspective view of a cyclone pipe, filtering plate and a flow guide as seen from the direction of suction inlet,

Fig 7 is a perspective view of a cyclone pipe, filtering plate and a flow guide as seen from the direction of suction outlet.

Elements shown on figures are numbered as follows:

1- Vacuum cleaner body 2- Hose 3- Handle 4- Pipe 5- Suction nozzle 6- Cyclone unit 7- Cyclone body 8- Vacuum cleaner 9- Separating chamber 10- Collecting chamber 11- Lid

13- Cyclone inlet hole 14- Cyclone outlet hole 15- Cyclone pipe 16- Flow guide 17- Filtering hole 18- Filtering plate 19- Suction hole 20- Cyclone pipe outlet 21- Collecting chamber hole 22- Filter 23- Filter nest 24- Outlet funnel 25- Vortex generator 26- Funnel attachment extension

Home appliances, preferably vacuum cleaners (8), comprise a vacuum cleaner body (1) that has a control unit and a motor unit that performs the suction operation, a flexible hose (2) preferably made of plastic material, a handle (3) preferably made of plastic material, connected to the hose (2) and which facilitates the grasping of the user, a pipe (4) connected to the handle (3) and made of metal or preferably hard plastic material, and a cyclone unit (6) whereby it is achieved to trap the particles in the polluted air sucked in, and a suction nozzle (5) utilized for cleaning dirty floors, preferably attached to the pipe (4) or flexible hose (2) or handle (3).

Cyclone unit (6) includes a cyclone body (7) on which other components are gathered, a cyclone inlet hole (13) located on the cyclone body (7) providing inlet for the polluted air sucked, a cyclone outlet hole (14) located on the cyclone body (7) providing outlet for the polluted air sucked after being cleaned, a separating chamber (9) which is located inside the cyclone body (7) attached to the cyclone inlet hole (13) and where the initial separation of the polluted air flow takes place and in which dirt acquired from the separated polluted air is accumulated, a collecting chamber (10) that provides accumulation after separation of dust particles that can not be removed from the air expelled from the separating chamber (9), a flow guide (16) that has a curvilinear base that provides movement along a radial direction of flow air that contains dust particles and dirt which enters from the cyclone inlet hole (13) and has side surfaces that can guide the flow, a filtering plate (18), which preferably are located inside the separating chamber (9), and provides suppression of dust particles and dirt which enters from the cyclone inlet hole (13), especially the ones having large dimensions, a cyclone pipe (15) that provides helical activation of dirt, particles and dust that can pass through the filtering plate (18) with the air sucked while providing suppression of separated dust particles inside the collecting chamber (10) and further providing transmission of flow separated from dust particles to the cyclone outlet hole (14), a filter (22) that provides suppression of other dust, particles and dirt that remain in the suction air which is separated from the cyclone pipe (15), before the cyclone outlet hole (14), an outlet funnel (24) that provides connection between the cyclone pipe (15) and filter (22) and provides reception by spreading the air activated inside owing to the increasing cross-sectional area from the cyclone pipe (15) towards the filter (22), a filter nest (23) that is located inside the cyclone body (7) and that provides attachment of a filter (22) that is situated by pushing and pulling preferably by means of a handle and preferably by sliding along the duct contained, a lid (11) that provides easy discharge of dust particles inside the cyclone body (7) after the cleaning operation is completed, a grip (12) that provides the lid (11) to open and close, a lid lock that locks the lid (11).

Filtering plate (18) includes one or more than one filtering hole (17) that has the same and/or different dimensions and/or forms determined according to the dimensions of dust particles intended to be separated.

Cyclone pipe (15) includes one or more than one suction hole (19) that provides suction of polluted air from the separating chamber (9) and that has the same and/or different dimension and forms determined according to the dimensions of dust particles intended to be separated, a vortex generator (25) that provides helical movement of air sucked from the suction hole (19), a collecting chamber hole (21) that opens to the collecting chamber (10) and that provides ejection of dirt and dust particles inside the air activated by the vortex generator (25), a cyclone pipe outlet (20) by being connected to the outlet funnel (24) that provides diversion of suction air towards the filter (22), and one or more than one funnel attachment extension (26) that provides connection to the outlet funnel (24) around the cyclone pipe outlet (20).

Filthy and polluted air that is sucked from the cyclone inlet hole (13) and directed to the separating chamber by a flow guide (16), is forced to create a helical movement towards the separating chamber (9) by means of a curvilinear form located on the top part of flow guide (16). In the meantime, long particles such as hair, bits of paper that can not move with the flow, accumulate at the top part of the flow guide (16) and above them, particles that can move along the flow try to continue their movement on a helical movement path and around the cyclone pipe (15) that they move over. However, since the particles that can sustain their movements by passing over the flow guide (16) encounter the filtering plates (18), only particles having smaller dimensions than the dimension of filtering holes (17) can pass through the filtering plate (18) and particles with larger dimensions than the dimension of filtering holes (17) collide filtering plates (18) and drop inside the separating chamber (9). If, among these particles, the ones that can reach suction holes (19) designed on the cyclone pipe (15) without being caught by the filtering plate (18), have .smaller dimensions than the dimension of the suction holes (19), they go into the cyclone pipe (15), if they have larger dimensions, they can not go through and drop inside the separating chamber (9).

Together with the air sucked, particles that can pass through the cyclone pipe (15) are forced again for a helical movement by means of a vortex generator (25). Among the particles that are removed from the vortex generator (25) and that are in a circular flow, the ones that can not comply with the flow regime drop inside the collecting chamber (10) through the collecting chamber hole (21). For the particles that can also pass through this cyclonic structure to be cleaned, polluted air is diverted to the filter (22) by means of an outlet funnel (24). Polluted air that is transmitted preferably through the sponge or hepa filter (22) is released out from the cyclone unit (6) through the cyclone outlet hole (14) by suppressing all dust particles contained.

In one embodiment of the invention, a cyclone pipe (15) where by additionally using the side surfaces of the cyclone body (7) inside which that it is located, provides a radial movement of the polluted air flow, around the outer surface of its body having a cylindrical form, by means of a flow guide (16) which also uses the outer surface form of its body; that provides suppression of especially the large dimensions by the impact caused on its surface and reception of only the dirt and dust particles that are allowed by the suction holes (19), close to the suction holes (19) where suction is realized, by means of an attached filtering plate (18), before the dust particles and dirt inside the flow directed by the flow guide (16) reaches the suction holes (19); together with the air sucked that transmits dirt and dust particles that can pass through the filtering plate (18) into a circular screw movement with the aid of a vortex generator (25) which is located inside while transferring dust particles separated to the collecting chamber (10) with the aid of a collecting chamber hole (21) attached; that is manufactured preferably forming a single piece with the flow guide (16) and the filtering plate (18); although having a multi-functional structure that occupies less space; and that preferably has a cylindrical form, is utilized. ,

In another embodiment of the invention, a flow guide (16) attached on the cyclone pipe (15) and filtering plate (18) that is not attached to the cyclone pipe (15) are utilized. In this embodiment, cyclone pipe (15) and/or filtering plate (18) are attached parallel or inclined to the base of the cyclone body (7).

At another embodiment of the invention, flow guide (16), filtering plate (18) and cyclone pipe (15) are situated separately from one another.

With the embodiment of the object of the invention, dust particles with different dimensions and properties are suppressed; thus, enhancement in the dirt removal performance is achieved and additional dust collector or filtering components such as dust containers are not required. Since the cyclone unit (6) is easily detachable, easily emptying and cleaning the dust particles accumulated and avoiding accessories that would create additional costs continuously such as dust containers, is granted for the user.

Claims

CLAIMS - A vacuum cleaner (8) that includes; a cyclone body (7) on which other components are attached; a cyclone inlet hole (13) located on the cyclone body (7) providing inlet for the polluted air sucked; a cyclone outlet hole (14) located on the cyclone body (7) providing outlet for the polluted air sucked after being cleaned, and characterized by; a cyclone unit (6) that comprises; a flow guide (16) that has a curvilinear base that provides movement along a radial direction of flow air that contains dust particles and dirt which enters from the cyclone inlet hole (13) and has side surfaces that can guide the flow; a filtering plate (18) that provides suppression of dust particles and dirt especially the ones having large dimensions that enter from the cyclone inlet hole (13); a cyclone pipe (15) that provides helical activation of dirt, particles and dust that can pass through the filtering plate (18) with the air sucked while providing suppression of separated dust particles and further providing transmission of flow separated from dust particles to the cyclone outlet hole (14).

A vacuum cleaner (8) as described in Claim 1, characterized by the cyclone unit (6) that comprises; a filter (22) that provides suppression of other dust, particles and dirt that remain in the suction air which is separated from the cyclone pipe (15) before the cyclone outlet hole (14). - A vacuum cleaner (8) as described in Claim 2, characterized by the cyclone unit (6) that comprises; an outlet funnel (24) which provides connection between the cyclone pipe (15) and filter (22), and provides reception by spreading the air activated inside owing to the increasing cross-sectional area from the cyclone pipe (15) towards the filter (22). - A vacuum cleaner (8) as described in any of the above mentioned Claims, characterized by; the cyclone unit (6) that comprises; a separating chamber (9) which is located inside the cyclone body (7) attached to the cyclone inlet hole (13) and where the initial separation of the polluted air flow takes place and in which dirt acquired from the separated polluted air is accumulated; a collecting chamber (10) that provides accumulation after separation of dust particles that can not be removed from the air expelled from the separating chamber (9); a lid (11) that provides easy discharge of dust particles inside the cyclone body (7) after the cleaning operation is completed. - A vacuum cleaner (8) as described in any of the above mentioned Claims, characterized by; the cyclone unit (6) that comprises; a filtering plate (18) having; one or more than one filtering hole (17) that has the same and/or different dimensions and/or forms determined according to the dimensions of dust particles intended to be separated. - A vacuum cleaner (8) as described in any of the above mentioned Claims, characterized by; the cyclone unit (6) that comprises; a cyclone pipe (15) that includes one or more than one suction hole (19) that provides suction of polluted air from the separating chamber (9) and that has the same and/or different dimension and forms determined according to the dimensions of dust particles intended to be separated. - A vacuum cleaner (8) as described in Claim 6, characterized by; the cyclone unit (6) that comprises; a cyclone pipe (15) that includes a vortex generator (25) which provides helical movement of air sucked from the suction hole (19). - A vacuum cleaner (8) as described in Claim 7, characterized by; the cyclone unit (6) that comprises; a cyclone pipe (15) that includes a collecting chamber hole (21) that opens to the collecting chamber (10) and that provides ejection of dirt and dust particles inside the air activated by the vortex generator (25). - A vacuum cleaner (8) as described in Claim 8, characterized by; the cyclone unit (6) that comprises; a cyclone pipe (15) where by additionally using the side surfaces of the cyclone body (7) inside which it is located, provides a radial movement of the polluted air flow, around the outer surface of its body having a cylindrical form, by means of a flow guide (16) which also uses the outer surface form of its body; that provides suppression of especially the large dimensions by the impact caused on its surface and reception of only the dirt and dust particles that are allowed by the suction holes (19), close to the suction holes (19) where suction is realized, by means of an attached filtering plate (18), before the dust particles and dirt inside the flow directed by the flow guide (16) reaches the suction holes (19); together with the air sucked that transmits dirt and dust particles that can pass through the filtering plate (18) into a circular screw movement with the aid of a vortex generator (25) which is located inside while transferring dust particles separated to the collecting chamber (10) with the aid of a collecting chamber hole (21) attached; that is manufactured preferably forming a single piece with the flow guide (16) and the filtering plate (18); although having a multi-functional structure that occupies less space; and that preferably has a cylindrical form. 0- A vacuum cleaner (8) as described in Claims 1 to 8, characterized by; the cyclone unit (6) that comprises; a flow guide (16) attached on the cyclone pipe (15) and the filtering plate (18) that is not attached to the cyclone pipe (15). 1- A vacuum cleaner (8) as described in Claims 1 to 8, characterized by; the cyclone unit (6) that comprises; the flow guide (16), the filtering plate (18) and the cyclone pipe (15) that are situated separately from each other.