WO2013023956A1

WO2013023956A1 - Dust separation device, particularly for vacuum cleaners

Info

Publication number: WO2013023956A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/065432
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Back; André Michaelis; Patrick Sell
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2011-08-16
Filing date: 2012-08-07
Publication date: 2013-02-21
Also published as: DE102011081044A1

Abstract

Dust separation device (5) for a vacuum cleaner (1), with a separation space (6) provided for rotation of the dust-laden suction air stream supplied via an air inlet (17), the separation space comprising a circumferential outer wall (7), a circumferential inner wall (8) and an upper separation space covering surface (9); and with a low-flow dust collection space (12) situated underneath the separation space (6) and connected to the separation space (6) via an annular gap (11), wherein the radial extension (S) of the gap (11) is less than 4.5 mm or wherein the ratio between the radial extension (S) of the gap (11) and the inside diameter (D) of the circumferential outer wall (7) is between 0.0045 and 0.02. Vacuum cleaner (1) with a motor-fan unit (2) and a dust separation device (5) of the above type arranged in a dust chamber (4), wherein the motor-fan unit (2) is designed for a suction power between 35 l/s and 45 l/s, particularly, approximately 40 l/s. With a low construction expense, this improves the dust separation performance of the dust separation device (5).

Description

Dust separator, in particular for vacuum cleaners

Description Field of the invention

The invention relates to a Staubabscheideeinrichtung for a vacuum cleaner, with a provided for rotating the dust-laden, supplied via an air inlet Saugluftstroms separation chamber having a circumferential outer wall, a circumferential inner wall and an upper Abscheideraumdeckfläche, and with a flow-calm, located below the separation chamber dust collecting space, which is connected via an annular gap with the separation chamber. The invention further relates to a vacuum cleaner with a motor-blower unit and arranged in a dust chamber Staubabscheideeinrichtung.

Background of the invention

A bagless, designed as a centrifugal dust separator of the type mentioned is known from the published patent application DE 10 2009 035 602 A1. The dust separation unit described there has a separation chamber, a lint filter arranged downstream of the separation chamber, and a cartridge filter arranged downstream of the lint filter. The separation chamber is designed essentially in the form of a hollow cylinder and provided with a circumferential outer and inner wall. The inner wall forms a filter chamber into which the cartridge filter is inserted. The cartridge filter consists of a filter material, which is flowed through by the suction air stream and collects dust particles.

In an upper position in use position of the separation chamber is an opening which serves as an air inlet. The underlying section of the inner wall is perforated and serves as a lint filter. Between the separation chamber and a dust collecting space located underneath, a radially outwardly directed separating rib is arranged on the inner wall, which with the outer wall has an annular gap formed. The dust-laden suction air is set in rotation in the separation chamber. As a result of centrifugal force entrained by the suction dust particles are forced to the outer wall and then fall in the direction of gravity through the annular, otherwise unspecified gap in the dust collection chamber. International patent application WO 02/038 025 A1 describes a stem vacuum cleaner with a cyclone separator in which, in the transition between the separation space and the dust collection space, a separating rib pointing at right angles from the inside wall and pointing radially outwards is also provided. The gap width, that is to say the radial extent of the gap between the outer end of the separation rib and the inner circumference of the outer wall of the dust removal device, has a dimension of between 12 mm and 16 mm.

This embodiment, with a gap that is very wide both absolutely and also with respect to the diameter of the separating chamber, can have the disadvantage that the flow in the dust collecting space is only insufficiently calmed in relation to the rotating suction air in the separating chamber. In addition, the speed at the separating lip is usually relatively low, whereby the deposition rate can be adversely affected, in particular with regard to the separation of fine dust.

British Patent Application GB 2 377 881 A discloses a centrifugal dust separator in which the annular gap between the upper separation space and the lower dust collection space is created by a bell-shaped flared collar molded to the lower end of the inner wall of the separation space. This gap also has a considerable radial extent, both absolutely and in relation to the diameter of the separation space, which is associated with the above-mentioned disadvantages.

The problem underlying the invention

The invention has for its object to improve the dust separation from the suction air flow over the prior art with simple means. Inventive solution

The reference numbers in all claims have no limiting effect, but are only intended to improve their readability. The solution of the problem is achieved by a Staubabscheideeinrichtung with the features of claims 1 and 4, as well as by a vacuum cleaner with the features of claim 1 1st The radial extent of the gap can also be referred to as "gap width".

For carrying out the invention, therefore, a Staubabscheideeinrichtung is suitable, which is provided with a provided for rotating the dust-laden, supplied via an air inlet Saugluftstroms separation chamber having a circumferential outer wall, a circumferential inner wall and an upper Abscheideraumdeckfläche, and with a flow-calm, below the separation chamber located dust collection space, which is connected via an annular gap with the separation chamber, wherein the radial extent of the gap according to the invention is less than 4.5 mm. To solve the problem, a generic Staubabscheideeinrichtung is further suitable, in which the ratio between the radial extent of the gap and the inner diameter of the circumferential outer wall is between 0.0045 and 0.02. Such, also referred to as Vorbelsenkabscheider Staubabscheideeinrichtung is basically both for improved deposition of coarse dirt and for the improved separation of fine dirt suitable and can be derived from the prior art, surprisingly by a few geometric adjustments without significant structural or manufacturing changes. A radial extent of the gap, which corresponds approximately to the specified upper limit value and is thus made relatively wide, is favorable with regard to the amount of dust deposited in the separation chamber by centrifugal force and discharged into the dust collecting space and leads to a particularly advantageous separation behavior with respect to coarse dust. On the other hand, a narrow gap which is well below the specified limit value increases the rotational speed in the region of the gap and thus increases the deposition rate with respect to fine dust. Usually, the radial extent of the gap will be uniform over the entire circumference. However, it is generally not excluded that the gap size varies over the circumference within the specified value range.

A suitable vacuum cleaner comprises a motor-blower unit and such arranged in a dust chamber Staubabscheideeinrichtung, the motor-blower unit for a suction power between 35 l / s (liters per second) and 45 l / s, in particular of approximately 40 l / s, is provided. This suction is preferred for normal household tasks and also provided in the examination of Staubabscheideverhaltens the vacuum cleaner. Of course, the practice of the invention does not exclude that the motor-blower unit can also be operated with a different suction, for example, with a significantly lower suction performance in the cleaning of delicate textiles, such as curtains or the like. It is only required that a suction air volume flow can be set in the stated value range. As a vacuum cleaner in the context of this invention is a preferably powered by electrical energy device for receiving dust to understand, which is supplied with power, for example, via a power cord, a battery or a rechargeable battery. The dust removal device is a device in which the dirt laden with suction air is substantially freed of dust.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

Advantageously, the radial extent of the gap in a Staubabscheideeinrichtung invention is between 1 mm and 3 mm. Also preferred is a ratio between the radial extent of the gap and the inner diameter of the circumferential outer wall, which is between 0.006 and 0.0075.

In this area, a significant improvement of the separation behavior with respect to fine dust can be effected by downstream deposition agents, For example, a lint filter is not collected. Furthermore, it can be avoided in this area that the gap is formed too narrow and coarser particles blocks the transition to the dust collection chamber, so that they deposit above the gap and must be deposited in downstream, maintenance-intensive filters.

In this regard, a radial extent of the gap of approximately 1.3 mm, or a ratio between the radial extent of the gap and the inner diameter of the circumferential outer wall of approximately 0.0068, is particularly favorable. Such a narrow gap can cause a particularly good flow calming in the dust collecting space and can lead to a good filling of the dust collecting area and a higher speed at the separating lip, whereby the separation of fine dust is positively influenced. When examining suitably equipped vacuum cleaners with a suction air volume flow of 40 l / s using test dust DMT8, a gap width of 1.3 mm has also proven to be particularly favorable with an inner diameter of the outer wall of 192 mm.

With regard to the production of the dust removal device by injection molding of plastic as well as with respect to a favorable deposition behavior is preferred that the gap between the outer wall and arranged on the inner wall, facing in the direction of the outer wall Abscheiderippe is formed. Furthermore, it is preferred that the separating lip projects at right angles and horizontally from the inner wall in the direction of the outer wall. Such a trained Staubabscheideeinrichtung is particularly favorable in terms of cleaning and material use and can produce a favorable for dust separation gap with low space requirement, so that the separator can build very compact.

In order to enable an optimal adaptation of the dust removal device to predictably different suction tasks, it is further considered with advantage that the radial extent of the gap is provided variable. Thus, the gap can be adjusted in advance to a slightly larger radial extent, if an increased proportion of coarse dust is to be included. On the other hand, if the suction task essentially concerns the suction of fine dust, a rather small gap is preferred. The change of the radial extent of the gap can be effected in a particularly simple manner by placing a ring element on the separation lip after removal of the dust removal device or removing it from the latter. Such a ring element preferably has on its inner circumference a lower collar to the lower abutment on the Abscheiderippe and / or arranged above it, circumferential radial groove which receives the radial end of the Abscheiderippe positively and thus produces a releasable latching connection between Abscheiderippe and ring element. In principle, however, other adjustment means are conceivable, for example, a mechanism for radially expanding the rib contour or for radially narrowing the inner diameter of the outer wall.

In summary, the invention in its various embodiments enables improved dust separation in the dust removal device, wherein depending on the embodiment, a particularly good coarse dirt or a particularly good particulate matter separation can be achieved. The invention can advantageously be implemented with only minor structural changes in a conventional dust collecting device.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantageous embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to three embodiments shown in the drawings, to which the invention is not limited.

They show schematically:

1 shows a vacuum cleaner with a dust chamber for receiving a Staubabscheideinrichtung not shown.

FIG. 2 shows a lateral cross section through a first dust removal device designed according to the invention; FIG. 3 shows a lateral cross section through a dust removal device according to another embodiment of the invention, and finally FIG. 4 shows an enlarged detail of the lateral cross section through a further dust removal device according to the invention.

Detailed description based on three embodiments

In the following description of three preferred embodiments of the present invention, like reference characters designate like or similar components. Fig. 1 shows a bagless vacuum cleaner 1, which has a motor-blower unit 2 for generating a suction air stream 3 and a dust chamber 4, which is provided for receiving a Staubabscheideeinrichtung 5 shown only in the following figures. To the vacuum cleaner 1, a suction nozzle, not shown, for dust pickup and also not shown Saugluftführung from the suction nozzle to the dust separator 5 are connected, which may for example consist of a telescopically extendable, connectable to the suction nozzle and a leading to Staubabscheideeinrichtung 5 suction hose. The Staubabscheideeinrichtung 5 is disposed upstream of the motor-fan unit 2 and separates the dust from the dust-laden suction air, so that the motor-blower unit 2 is flowed through by an already purified air flow.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 using the example of substantially identical devices, the dust removal device 5 has an annular separation chamber 6, which is formed between a cylindrical outer wall 7 and a likewise cylindrical inner wall 8. On the upper side in use position the separation chamber 6 is closed by a Abscheideraumdeckfläche 9, while it is bounded on the lower side by an annular, tapering outward Abscheiderippe 10. The separating lip 10 projects at right angles and horizontally from the inner wall 8 in the direction of the outer wall 7 and is opposite to this by an annular circumferential gap 1 1 with a radial extent (gap width S) spaced. Beyond the separating lip 10, a hollow-cylinder-like dust collecting chamber 12 is formed, which is formed by the downwardly extending cylindrical outer wall 7 and a likewise cylindrical inner wall 13 of the dust collecting space 12. Down the dust collection chamber 12 is closed by a dust collection chamber floor 14.

The inner diameter D of the outer wall 7, in the embodiment games in the region of the separation rib 10 has a dimension of 192 mm and in practice is usually between 180 mm and 220 mm. In principle, however, the invention is also applicable to Staubabscheideeinrichtungen whose dimensions are outside this range of values.

With reference to the longitudinal axis 15 of the dust separation device 5, which is vertical in the use position, the entire arrangement is substantially rotationally symmetrical. On the outer wall 7, a handle 16 is also provided, which serves to remove the Staubabscheideeinrichtung 5 from the vacuum cleaner 1 and their transport for the purpose of emptying. The unit of inner wall 8, separating lip 10 and Abscheideraumdeckfläche 9 on the one hand and the unit of the outer wall 7 and inner wall 13 of the dust collection chamber 12 on the other hand are each fixed, preferably in one piece, interconnected. Both units are releasably coupled to each other by a shutter mechanism, not shown, and can be separated from one another by opening the shutter mechanism to empty the dust collection chamber 12.

In the upper region of the separation chamber 6, an air inlet 17 penetrating the outer wall 7 opens into the separation chamber 6, through which the dust-laden suction air enters the separation chamber 6 in a tangential direction and is set in rotation there. As a result of centrifugal force entrained by the suction dust particles are forced to the outer wall 7 and then fall in the direction of gravity through the gap 1 1 in the dust collection chamber 12. The upper part of the inner wall 8 is formed impermeable to air and serves as a dip tube 18. The located below the dip tube 18 Area of the inner wall 8 is provided with windows having a mesh-like Plastic fabric are equipped and served as a lint filter 19 for separating filament or fibrous impurities. Through the lint filter 19, the suction air passes from the separation chamber 6 in a created by the inner wall 8 cylindrical filter chamber through which the purified air flow from the Staubabscheideeinrichtung 5 is discharged in the direction of the motor-blower unit 2.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the gap S is uniformly encircling 1, 3 mm. With a diameter D of 192 mm, this results in a ratio S / D between the radial extension (gap S) of the gap 11 and the inner diameter D of the peripheral outer wall 7 of 0.00677 or 0.677%. Based on the inner radius of the peripheral outer wall 7, which is 96 mm, the ratio 2S / D is thus 0.0135 or 1.35%. The axial extent of the gap 1 1 (column height H = thickness of the separation rib 10 in the region of the gap 1 1) corresponds to 1, 5 mm approximately the gap width S. Such a narrow gap 1 1 leads to a particularly good flow calming in the dust collection chamber 12, too a good filling of the Staubabscheidebereichs and at a higher speed at the separating lip 10, whereby the deposition of fine dust particles is positively influenced. When testing appropriately equipped vacuum cleaner with a suction air flow rate of 40 L / s using test dust DMT8 has a inner diameter D of 192 mm, a gap width S of 1, 3 mm also proved to be particularly favorable.

The radial extent (gap width S) of the gap 1 1 is chosen in this case, however, with uniformly circumferential 4.0 mm significantly larger, the axial Extension (gap height H) of the gap 1 1 is still about 1, 5 mm. With a diameter D of 192 mm, this results in a ratio S / D between the radial extension (gap S) of the gap 11 and the inner diameter D of the peripheral outer wall 7 of 0.021 or 2.1%. Based on the inner radius of the peripheral outer wall 7, which is 96 mm, the ratio 2S / D is thus 0.042 or 4.2%. A gap S in the upper range of the invention allows a particularly good dust removal in the dust collection room, especially of coarse dust. It is avoided that coarse dust particles accumulate above the separating lip 10 and clog downstream filter units. The filling of the dust collecting area is less favorable compared to the embodiment according to FIG. 2, but still better than in the devices known from the prior art.

In order to be able to cope with various suction applications particularly successfully, it is envisaged that the radial extent (gap width S) of the gap 11 can be changed. In a corresponding to Fig. 3, equipped with a relatively large gap width S Staubabscheideeinrichtung 5, this can be done, for example, by the fact that on the Abscheiderippe 10, a ring member 20 can be placed, as shown in Fig. 4. By attaching the ring member 20, the gap 1 1 narrows from an original gap width S1 of 4 mm to a modified gap width S2 of 1, 3 mm, the gap height H remains approximately the same. The Staubabscheideeinrichtung 5 can thus of a suction, which in a special way requires the inclusion of coarse dust and for which therefore a gap 1 1 is favorable with relatively large gap width S1, be switched to an improved separation of fine dust, for which a narrow gap width S2 preferred becomes. The ring member 20 has on its inner circumference a lower collar 21 for lower abutment on the Abscheiderippe 10 and an overlying, circumferential radial groove 22 which receives the spherically shaped, radial end of the Abscheiderippe 10 positively and thus a releasable locking connection between Abscheiderippe 10 and ring element 20 generated. The elastic properties of the separating lip 10 and the ring element 20 are selected such that damage to the separating rib 10 and / or the ring element 20 during release or attachment of the ring element 20 is avoided. When not in use, the ring element 20 can be stowed in an axialnutförmigen, accessible from the outside receptacle in the Abscheideraumdeckfläche 9. As a result, the invention thus enables a better separation of dust in the Staubabscheideeinrichtung the vacuum cleaner, depending on the configuration, a particularly good coarse dirt or a particularly good particulate matter separation can be achieved. The invention can advantageously be implemented with only minor structural changes in a conventional dust collecting device. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings may be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 vacuum cleaner

2 motor-blower unit

3 suction air flow

4 dust chamber

5 Staubabscheideeinrichtung

6 separation room

7 outer wall

8 inner wall of the separation chamber

9 separating room cover surface

10 separating lip

1 1 gap

12 dust collection room

13 Inner wall of the dust collection room

14 dust collection room floor

15 longitudinal axis

16 handle

17 air intake

18 dip tube

19 lint filter

20 ring element

21 collar

22 radial groove

(inner) diameter (outer wall) gap width (radial extension of the gap) gap height (axial extension of the gap)

Claims

claims

A dust removal device (5) for a vacuum cleaner (1), having a separation chamber (6) provided for the rotation of the dust-laden, through an air inlet (17), a circumferential outer wall (7), a circumferential inner wall (8) and an upper Abscheideraumdeckfläche (9), as well as with a flow-calm, below the separation chamber (6) located dust collection space (12) which is connected via an annular gap (1 1) with the separation chamber (6), characterized in that the radial extent (S) of the gap (1 1) is less than 4.5 mm.

Staubabscheideeinrichtung according to claim 1, characterized in that the radial extent (S) of the gap (1 1) is between 1 mm and 3 mm.

Staubabscheideeinrichtung according to claim 2, characterized in that the radial extent (S) of the gap (1 1) is approximately 1, 3 mm.

A dust removal device (5) for a vacuum cleaner (1), having a separation chamber (6) provided for the rotation of the dust-laden, through an air inlet (17), a peripheral outer wall (7), a circumferential inner wall (8) and an upper Abscheideraumdeckfläche (9), as well as with a flow-calm, below the separation chamber (6) located dust collecting space (12) which is connected via an annular gap (1 1) with the separation chamber (6), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized the ratio between the radial extent (S) of the gap (1 1) and the inner diameter (D) of the peripheral outer wall (7) is between 0.0045 and 0.02. Staubabscheideeinrichtung according to claim 4, characterized in that the

Ratio between the radial extent (S) of the gap (1 1) and the inner diameter (D) of the circumferential outer wall (7) is between 0.006 and 0.0075.

Staubabscheideeinrichtung according to claim 5, characterized in that the

Ratio between the radial extent (S) of the gap (1 1) and the inner diameter (D) of the circumferential outer wall (7) is approximately 0.0068.

Staubabscheideeinrichtung according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gap (1 1) between the outer wall (7) and one on the inner wall (8) arranged in the direction of the outer wall (7) facing the separating lip (10) is formed.

Staubabscheideeinrichtung according to claim 7, characterized in that the

The precipitation rib (10) projects at right angles and horizontally from the inner wall (8) in the direction of the outer wall (7).

Staubabscheideeinrichtung according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radial extension (gap width (S)) of the gap (1 1) is provided changeable.

Staubabscheideeinrichtung according to claim 9, characterized in that the

Changing the radial extent (gap width (S)) of the gap (1 1) by placing a ring member (20) on the Abscheiderippe (10) can be brought.

Vacuum cleaner having a motor-blower unit (2) and a dust collecting device (5) arranged in a dust chamber (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor-blower unit (2) for a suction power between 35 l / s and 45 l / s, in particular of approximately 40 l / s, is provided.