WO2007017821A1

WO2007017821A1 - A vacuum cleaner comprising a combination of a cyclone separator and a liquid filter

Info

Publication number: WO2007017821A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/052701
Authority: WO
Inventors: Levent Akdag; Deniz Seker
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2005-08-05
Filing date: 2006-08-04
Publication date: 2007-02-15
Also published as: EP1909629A1; PT1909629E; EP1909629B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner (1) having a cyclone unit (15) comprising an outer reservoir (2) and an inner reservoir (3), both partially filled with water.

Description

A VACUUM CLEANER COMPRISING A COMBINATION OF A CYCLONE SEPARATOR AND A LIQUID FILTER

[1] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with water filtration comprising a multi-level cyclonic separator.

[2] Vacuum cleaners provide the sucking and collecting of the dirt such as dust and particles in the living areas. There are implementations wherein the sucked dust particles are accumulated in filters, chambers or dust bags, or collected by being passed through a tank filled with water. The vacuum cleaners comprising cyclonic separators provide the extraction of even the small particulates of dust in different levels by means of their multi-level features and do not have clogging problems since they don't use dust bags.

[3] In the state of the art United States Patent no. US 4251241, a vacuum cleaner wherein cyclonic dust separation is accomplished by passing the dust through a water bath is described.

[4] In the state of the art United States Patent no. US 4117714, a reservoir is described which provides the cyclonic extracting of impurities from air by introducing them into water in the reservoir.

[5] In the state of the art United States Patent no. US 3810349, a diffuser which provides the separation of gas and liquid is described.

[6] In the state of the art United States Patent no. US 4939809, a tank type liquid vacuum cleaner, which tangentially directs the dirty suction air over inclined side surfaces of a cleaning liquid activated by the centrifugal forces is described.

[7] The aim of the present invention is to design a vacuum cleaner with improved dust extraction performance, wherein the dirty suction air is introduced into water before the dust particles of different sizes are trapped by a cyclone unit gradually in different phases.

[8] The vacuum cleaner designed to fulfill the objectives of the present invention is explicated in the first claim, the other features are explicated in the respective claims.

[9] In the embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a cyclone unit that provides dust extraction in levels wherein the dust particles of different size are wetted by water for an easier extraction of the dust particles from the suction air without using a dust bag.

[10] In the embodiment of the present invention, by means of a cyclone unit comprising an outer reservoir and an inner reservoir filled with water and a funnel not in contact with water, air aspirated through the inlet situated on the outer reservoir, providing its tangential entrance, is rotated around the inner reservoir providing the dispersion and separation of the bigger dirt and dust particles from the flow, the air passing through the holes continue rotation within the inner reservoir wherein the smaller dirt and dust particles are entrapped with the funnel and the water in the inner and outer reservoirs.

[11] In another embodiment of the present invention, the dirt and dust particles that cannot be collected by the outer reservoir, inner reservoir and the funnel are collected by a blade providing the helical rotation of the aspirated air by way of its helical shape and pushed outwards by means of the centrifugal force effect.

[12] In another embodiment of the present invention, a blade supporter preferably inside which a blade is situated provides the sucking in of the suction air escaping from the funnel that functions as a chimney, and the entrapment of the dirt and dust particles that cannot be extracted by the outer reservoir, inner reservoir and the funnel.

[13] In the embodiment of the present invention, the dust particles that escape from the cyclone unit, the blade and the blade supporter are entrapped by means of one or more filters.

[14] The vacuum cleaner designed to fulfill the objectives of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[15] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a vacuum cleaner.

[16] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a cyclone unit and a deflector assembled together.

[17] Figure 3 - is the schematic view of a cyclone unit having an inlet above the water level.

[18] Figure 4 - is the schematic view of a cyclone unit having an inlet below the water level.

[19] Figure 5 - is the schematic view of a cyclone unit having an inlet above the water level, a blade supporter and a blade.

[20] Figure 6 - is the schematic view of a cyclone unit having an inlet below the water level, a blade supporter and a blade.

[21] Figure 7 - is the exploded perspective view of a cyclone unit having a blade supporter and a blade, a deflector, a first filter and a second filter.

[22] Elements shown in figures are numbered as follows:

[23] 1. Vacuum cleaner

[24] 2. Outer reservoir

[25] 3. Inner reservoir

[26] 4. Funnel

[27] 5. Blade

[28] 6. Blade supporter

[29] 7. First filter

[30] 8. Second filter

[31] 9. Deflector [32] 10. Hose

[33] 11. Tube

[34] 12. Handle

[35] 13. Casing

[36] 14. Suction nozzle

[37] 15. Cyclone unit

[38] 16. Inlet

[39] 17. Motor

[40] The vacuum cleaner (1) comprises a motor (17) providing the suction of the dust particles, a casing (13) inside which the motor (17) is situated, a hose (10) fixed to the casing (13) that can move in different directions by way of its flexible structure, a handle (12) connected to the hose (10) helping the user in holding, a tube (11) connected to the handle (12), a suction nozzle (14) connected to the tube (11) providing the collection of the dirt particles by contacting the surfaces desired to be cleaned, and a cyclone unit (15) inside which water is filled, providing to rotate the aspirated air to extract the dust particles of different size in different levels.

[41] The cyclone unit (15) comprises a cylindrical outer reservoir (2) that carries all the components, at least one inlet (16) preferably in pipe form, tangentially positioned on the outer reservoir (2) so that the suction air enters the outer reservoir tangentially, an inner reservoir (3) situated inside the outer reservoir (2), filled with water together with the outer reservoir (2) up to level "S", having a number of holes on the surfaces above and below the water level preventing the noise pollution and a possible reduction in the suction pressure, providing to entrap the particles that cannot pass through these holes in the outer reservoir (2), and a funnel (4) positioned inside the inner reservoir (3) after the holes, at a height (K) where it is preferably not in contact with water, having a diameter that increases in the flow direction so that the noise power level and the acceleration of the dust particles are prevented, while allowing the aspirated air to ascend from its inner surface, compressing the aspirated air between its outer surfaces and the inner reservoir (3) (Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4).

[42] In the embodiment of the present invention, the dirty suction air aspirated by the suction nozzle (14) passes through the tube (11), the handle (12) and the hose (10) respectively and reaches the cyclone unit (15) within the casing (13). The air passing through the cyclone unit (15) reaches the motor (17) cleaned of the dirt and dust particles and is discharged through the motor (17) outside of the vacuum cleaner (1) to the environment. The suction air arriving at the cyclone unit (15) through the inlet (16) on the cylindrical outer reservoir (2) is aspirated tangentially to the inner surface of the outer reservoir (2), and is forced to rotate between the inner and outer reservoirs (2,3) with the effect of the centrifugal forces and pushed up to the level where the funnel is situated. The dust particles bigger than the holes provided on the surface of the inner reservoir (3) from the bottom to the level where the funnel (4) is positioned, cannot pass into the inner reservoir (3) and are left between the inner reservoir (3) and the outer reservoir (2). Dirt and dust particles having a diameter smaller than the holes, pass from the outer reservoir (2) into the inner reservoir (3) by means of the flowing suction air and the holes. Meanwhile, the particles that get heavier by contacting water and not being able to be conveyed by the flowing suction air remain in water, those that are light enough to be conveyed pass through the opening in the middle of the funnel (4) and continue their flow. The heavier particles in the aspirated air that continue rotating after being conveyed into the inner reservoir (3) due to the centrifugal forces that form while being circulated between the inner and outer reservoirs (2, 3) are dispersed towards the inner walls of the inner reservoir (3) and are entrapped between the inner walls of the inner reservoir (3) and the outer walls of the funnel (4).

[43] In another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner (1) comprises a first filter (7), that is preferably situated after the cyclone unit (15), providing the entrapment of the dirt and dust particles that can pass the cyclone unit (15).

[44] In another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner (1) comprises a second filter (8), that is situated after the first filter (7), having hole sizes smaller than the first filter (7), providing the entrapment of the dirt and dust particles that can pass through the first filter (7).

[45] In another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner (1) comprises a deflector (9) that guides the suction air exiting the cyclone unit (15) towards the motor (17).

[46] In another embodiment of the present invention, dirt and dust particles of different size are entrapped by a first filter (7) positioned after the cyclone unit (15) and at the inlet of the deflector (9) and a second filter (8) positioned at the outlet of he deflector (9) and cleaned suction air is delivered to the motor (17) (Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4).

[47] In the embodiment of the present invention, the particles that pass through the funnel (4) and reach the first filter (7) having a smaller diameter than the holes on the first filter (7) continue to be conveyed, those that are bigger are collected inside the inner reservoir (3). The particles that continue to be conveyed flow towards the motor (17) suction and reach the second filter (8). The rest of the particles conveyed in the suction air are entrapped by the second filter (8) and suction air that is extracted from dirt and dust particles is delivered to the motor (17). Consequently, the decrease in motor (17) life and the reduction of the motor (17) performance are prevented.

[48] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cyclone unit (15) comprises a blade (5) that rotates the suction air with its helical shape and disperse the dirt-dust particles that stay in the wetted suction air with the effect of the centrifugal forces.

[49] In this embodiment of the present invention, the suction air that passes through the funnel (4) and starts losing speed due to the shape of the funnel (4) is forced to rotate by means of the blade (5). Centrifugal forces are formed on the suction air rotatingly moving on the blade (5). The dirt and dust particles that are freed from the blade (5) but not able to pass through the first filter (7) positioned after the blade (5), are collected within the inner reservoir (3).

[50] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cyclone unit (15) comprises a blade supporter (6) positioned after the funnel (4), providing the aspiration of the suction air by creating a chimney effect, through which the suction air that escapes the funnel (4) flows, on which the particles which cannot be conveyed and are dispersed by centrifugal forces formed within the cyclone unit (15)slip.

[51] In this embodiment of the present invention, the suction air that passes through the funnel (4) and starts losing speed due to the shape of the funnel (4) is forced to be sucked by means of the blade supporter (6). The dirt and dust particles that are not able to pass through the blade supporter (6) and through the first filter (7) positioned after the blade supporter (6), either fall inside the inner reservoir (3) or are entrapped on the first filter (7).

[52] In another embodiment of the present invention, a blade (5) positioned inside a blade supporter (6) is utilized (Figure 5, Figure 6).

[53] In this embodiment of the present invention, the suction air that passes through the funnel (4) and starts losing speed due to the shape of the funnel (4) is sucked in by the blade supporter (6) and forced to rotate within the blade (5) and the blade supporter (6). Centrifugal forces are formed again on the suction air rotatingly moving on the blade (5). The dirt and dust particles freed from the blade (5) and the blade supporter (6) but not able to pass through the first filter (7), are collected within the inner reservoir (3). As the cleaning process is completed, the first filter (7), the deflector (9), the second filter (8) and the cyclone unit (15) i.e. the parts constituting the cleaning unit are detached and cleaned separately. In a similar manner, the cyclone unit (15) is disassembled and after pouring out the dirty water, the dirt and dust within is cleaned by washing. All the cleaned parts are reassembled for reuse (Figure 7).

[54] In another embodiment of the present invention, a cyclone unit (15) having an inlet

(16) above the water level (S) is utilized (Figure 3, Figure 5). In this embodiment, the inner reservoir (3) and the outer reservoir (2) are filled with water so that the water doesn't contact the funnel (4) and is below the inlet (16) level. In this embodiment, the air sucked from the inlet (16) flows through the holes on the inner reservoir (3) into the inner reservoir (3) and tries to continue its rotational motion. The heavy dust particles in the air compressed between the funnel (4) and the inner reservoir (3) due to the shape of the funnel (4) cannot continue to move with the aspirated air and fall into water. When the dirt and dust particles have contact with water during their motion they cannot continue to move with the aspirated air and fall into water. The aspirated air containing lighter particles that trie to escape from the narrowing orifice of the funnel (4), sweep past the water surface and pass into the funnel (4).

[55] In another embodiment of the present invention, a cyclone unit (15) having an inlet

(16) below the water level (S) is utilized (Figure 4, Figure 6). In this embodiment, the inner reservoir (3) and the outer reservoir (2) are filled with water so that water doesn't contact the funnel (4) and is above the inlet (16) level. Since the dirt and dust particles contained in the aspirated air directly enter the cyclone unit (15) by passing through the water, the dirt and dust particles that are wetted with water cannot move together with aspirated air, and they either fall into the water or remain in water. The aspirated air delivered from the inlet (16) and freed from the bigger particles by passing through the water, rotatingly passes into the inner reservoir (3) through the holes on the inner reservoir (3). The heavier particles in the suction air trying to continue their rotational motion in spite of a decreased flow rate due to water, are compressed between the funnel (4) and the inner reservoir (3) due to the outer shape of the funnel (4) and fall into water. The suction air containing lighter particles, and trying to escape from the narrowing orifice of the funnel (4), sweep past the water surface and pass into the funnel (4).

[56] In another embodiment of the present invention, an inner reservoir (3) is utilized wherein the suction air sucked through the inlet (16) is rotated on its outer surface by the effect of the centrifugal force, some parts having a frusta-conic shape, other parts having a cylindrical shape, and having holes from the bottom to the level where the frusta-conic and cylindrical shapes coincide, filled with water together with the outer reservoir (2), and allow only those particles having smaller dimensions than that of its holes to pass from the outer reservoir (2) into it by means of the holes, and provide to keep the bigger particles that cannot pass through the holes in the outer reservoir (2).

[57] In another embodiment of the present invention, a funnel (4) is utilized having a hollow frusta-conic shape that widens in the flow direction, the wide side being seated on the line where the frusta-conic and cylindrical parts of the frusta-conic and cylindrical shaped inner reservoir (3) coincide.

[58] In another embodiment of the present invention, a concentric outer reservoir (2), an inner reservoir (3) and a funnel (4) are utilized.

[59] In another embodiment of the present invention, a concentric outer reservoir (2), an inner reservoir (3), a funnel (4), a blade supporter (6) and a blade (5) are utilized.

[60] In another embodiment of the present invention, the funnel (4) is attached to the inner reservoir (3) by snap-fitting. [61] In another embodiment of the present invention, the blade (5) is snap-fitted on the narrowing section of the curvilinear shaped blade supporter (6) having sides that correspond to the inlet and outlet of the blade (5) being wider than the middle portion.

[62] In another embodiment of the present invention, the inlet orifice of the curvilinear shaped blade supporter (6) is snap-fitted on the narrowing section of the frusta -conic shaped funnel (4).

[63] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first filter (7) is fitted by snap- fitting inside the inner reservoir (3), at the outlet of the cyclone unit (15) and the inlet of the deflector (9), and the second filter (8) is fitted by snap-fitting into the deflector (9), at the outlet of the deflector (9).

[64] In another embodiment of the present invention, a first filter (7) having holes disposed in a circular arrangement, corresponding to the shape of the inner reservoir (3) and the blade supporter (6) is utilized.

[65] By way of the present invention, extraction of a large amount of dust particles from the water- wetted suction air is provided by means of the filter structure having a low porosity. Consequently, the dust particles of different sizes can be extracted without having to utilize additional features such as a dust bag, a trap, three or four level cyclone etc. Furthermore, the entrapped or extracted dust particles can be visually monitored by the user.

Claims

[1] A vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a motor (17) providing the aspiration of the dust particles, and characterized by a cyclone unit (15) comprising a cylindrical outer reservoir (2) that holds all the components, at least one inlet (16) positioned tangentially on the outer reservoir (2) so that the suction air enters the outer reservoir (2) tangentially, an inner reservoir (3) situated inside the outer reservoir (2), filled with water together with the outer reservoir (2), having a number of holes on the surfaces above and below the water level preventing the noise pollution and losses in the suction pressure, providing to entrap the particles that cannot pass through these holes inside the outer reservoir (2), and a funnel (4) positioned inside the inner reservoir (3), having a diameter that increases in the flow direction preventing the noise power level and the acceleration of the dust particles from increasing, while allowing the suction air to ascend upwards on its inner surface, compressing the suction air between its outer surfaces and the inner reservoir (3), providing to rotate the suction air to extract the different sized particles in different levels.

[2] A vacuum cleaner (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a cyclone unit (15) comprising a blade supporter (6) positioned after the funnel (4), providing the aspiration of the suction air by making a chimney effect, on which the particles that cannot be conveyed and are dispersed by the effect of the centrifugal forces formed inside the cyclone unit (15)slip.

[3] A vacuum cleaner (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a cyclone unit (15) comprising a blade (5) that provides to rotate the suction air by way of its helical shape, dispersing the dirt-dust particles left in the wet suction air by the effect of centrifugal forces.

[4] A vacuum cleaner (1) as in Claim 2 or 3, characterized by a cyclone unit (15) comprising a blade (5) positioned inside a blade supporter (6).

[5] A vacuum cleaner (1) as in any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized by a cyclone unit (15) having an inlet (16) positioned above the water level (S).

[6] A vacuum cleaner (1) as in any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized by a cyclone unit (15) having an inlet (16) positioned below the water level (S).

[7] A vacuum cleaner (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a funnel (4) situated inside an inner reservoir (3), above the holes, at a level (K) so that it does not contact with water.

[8] A vacuum cleaner (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a deflector (9) that guides the air exiting the cyclone unit (15) towards the motor (17), a first filter (7), providing the entrapment of the dirt and dust particles that can pass the cyclone unit (15) and a second filter (8), that is situated after the first filter (7), having hole sizes smaller then the first filter (7), providing the entrapment of the dirt and dust particles that can pass through the first filter (7).

[9] A vacuum cleaner (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by an inner reservoir (3), wherein the suction air aspirated through the inlet (16) is rotated helically on its outer surface by the effect of the centrifugal force, some parts having a frusta-conic shape, the other parts having a cylindrical shape, and having holes from its bottom up to the level where the frusta-conic and cylindrical shapes coincide, a funnel (4) being positioned on the line where the frusta-conic and cylindrical shapes coincide, filled with water together with the outer reservoir (2), that allow only those particles having smaller dimensions than that of its holes to pass from the outer reservoir (2) into it by means of the holes, and provide to keep the bigger particles that cannot pass through the holes in the outer reservoir (2).

[10] A vacuum cleaner (1) as in any one of the claims 2 to 9, characterized by a concentric outer reservoir (2), an inner reservoir (3), a funnel (4), a blade supporter (6) and a blade (5).