WO2014163595A1

WO2014163595A1 - Vacuum cleaner with water filter

Info

Publication number: WO2014163595A1
Application number: PCT/TR2014/000102
Authority: WO
Inventors: Balkan MAHMUT
Original assignee: Dada Ev Aletleri̇ San. Ve Ti̇c. Ltd. Sti̇.
Priority date: 2013-03-30
Filing date: 2014-03-28
Publication date: 2014-10-09

Abstract

The said- invention relates to a vacuum cleaner operating by a filtering method that enables the air drawn into the vacuum cleaner to discharge by removing the dust, particles, etc. therein. The air and dust particles drawn from an air intake orifice (6) initially strike an air softening receptacle (42) on the lid (4) of the water tank via a tube filter (21). The air and particles strike the lid are directed to the water at the bottom of the water tank (3) with a gentle circulation. An air curtain (22) is disposed to the rear side of the water tank (3) and before the hepa filter (31). This air curtain (22) is for blocking an excessive water accumulation on the hepa filter by avoiding the water particles and the water splashes caused by the air that stroke the water before they reach to the hepa filter (31).

Description

DESCRIPTION

VACUUM CLEANER WITH WATER FILTER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner operating by a filtering method that enables the air drawn into the vacuum cleaner to discharge by removing the dust, particles, etc. therein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, a variety of vacuum cleaners are manufactured, particularly the vacuum cleaners with dust bags and liquid tanks. In the vacuum cleaners with dust bag there is a bag having a modular structure. After filling of the bag it is emptied or replaced by a new bag. The drawbacks of the vacuum cleaners with dust bag are the fact that the dust-laden air drawn into the vacuum cleaner is provided to the environment again without subjecting any cleaning procedure with a sensitive filter. This leads to cleaning concerns and to the health problems due to particles that is contained in the air and that can be provided to the environment again but cannot be seen with naked eye. That is, dust that is invisible can be spread from the vacuum cleaner to the air again when the air drawn during surface cleaning with the vacuum cleaners is discharged without being filtered.

Therefore the vacuum cleaners with water tanks or water filters are developed as an alternative to the vacuum cleaners with dust bags. Generally, the operation mode of the vacuum cleaners with water tanks is as follows. The dust particles and hazardous particles drawn with the air are collected into a water tank in the vacuum cleaner and are cleaned by treatment with water. Only the water tank is emptied and cleaned after use. Substantially most part of the air drawn is cleaned and bacteria, dust mite and pollens present in the dust are trapped in the water owing to the hepa filter of the system as well as cleaning of the surfaces swept. In this way in the vacuum cleaners with water filters the dust and hazardous particles in drawn-in air are separated from the air, so the air emitted is made clean. This is beneficial both for health and environmental cleaning. The vacuum cleaners with water filters used in the present technology have some disadvantages. An immediate foaming and splashing are caused when the air is mixed with the water because of fast air circulation during directing contaminated air towards the water-after it is taken in by the air inlet orifieer This leads to an increase in the amount of water carried by the air entering the engine section, and this water causes malfunctions and even can be dangerous if it reaches to the engine without being filtered. A variety of filtering systems have to be used to avoid these problems. However, the filtering systems may be insufficient since the air circulation is fast and intense. Therefore it is needed to have additional improvements.

The vacuum cleaners having superior filtering systems are manufactured to overcome these drawbacks. More particularly, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter used in the new vacuum cleaner models is able to filter 99,97% of microscopic dust having a size of 0.3 microns or more. Most of the vacuum cleaners fail to keep allergens having a size below 20 microns in their dust bags since they have larger porous dust bags. HEPA filters prevent these dusts from mixing with the air. In addition the water particles carried by the air are prevented from reaching the engine. However the filtering process with this hepa filter may not be sufficient and the water particles carried by the air may condense on the hepa filter and pass to the engine.

The vacuum cleaners with water filters of the present technology have different operation principles and operation systems. For example, a utility model application No. 2007/02757 discloses a vacuum cleaner apparatus having a filter and an inclined conduction sheet metal. The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising: a casing; a water tank having a wall inclined towards inside and a water tank removable from the casing, which may take water for removing dust and dirt; a vertical conduction sheet metal near the inclined wall; an inclined conduction sheet metal which may be connected to the vertical conduction sheet metal and form an angle with it; and a convoluted tube that may direct at least the air current towards the tank along with the dust and that has an outlet facing to the wall inclined towards inside.

A utility model application No. 2008/02751 relates to an improvement in the filtering methods with liquid in the drum vacuum cleaners. A vacuum mechanism such as engine housing is located on the upper body of the drum vacuum cleaner of the invention whereas the parts belonging to the filtering system with liquid is placed onto the drum. The drum and the upper body are fastened to each other by a body lock bolt.

The invention of another application, utility model application No. 2010/02417, relates to an engine protective cabinet and a water discharge system for the vacuum cleaners with water filters. According to this invention after the air drawn upon driving of the engine is filtered with water this air reaches to the engine fan channel through the engine air inlet grid along with the water particles and the water particles came to the hepa filter via discharge port are collected in the discharge tank without being filtered. Accumulated water is discharged from the discharge aperture by lifting the ball by means of buoyancy of water. Dry air passes through the engine cooling fan via air inlet orifice and air channels to cool the engine and exits from exhaust port by crossing the safety wall. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The said invention relates to a vacuum cleaner operating by a water filtering method that enables the air drawn into the vacuum cleaner to discharge by removing the dust, particles, etc. therein.

The said invention provides benefit for the health and safety status of a user.

The object of the invention is to minimize the amount of the water particles carried by the air passed through water by making an improvement in the step of water filtering of the dust and hazardous particles carried by the air drawn into the vacuum cleaner and thereby, to prevent the air that may reach to the air inlet of the engine from causing any malfunction and technical problem.

Another object of the invention is to prevent water from splashing during passage of air current circulating in the vacuum cleaner through water by being softened and thereby, to reduce probability of water accumulation during filtering process.

A further object of the invention is to form an additional water retaining screen to avoid problems caused by an increase in the amount of water carried by the air during unusual situations although many solutions are provided. Thus, separation of air from water and dust particles by retaining water in the hepa filter is facilitated and problems such as leakage, flooding, etc. are avoided.

This invention will be fully understood by the examples and accompanying drawings below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure-1 is an exploded technical view illustrating all of the elements in the vacuum cleaner according to the invention.

Figure-2 is an exploded technical view of the water tank.

Figure-3 is a perspective view of the water tank lid.

Figure-4 is a perspective view of a part of the tube filter.

Figure-5 is a perspective view of a part of the air curtain.

Figure-6 is a front view of the water tank.

Figure-7 is a side view of the water tank.

Figure-8 is a perspective top view of the water tank without lid.

Figure-9 is overall side view of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention.

Figure-10 is a top view of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention.

Figure-1 1 is a top view of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention without water tank lid.

Figure-12 is a sectional side view of the flow chart of the vacuum cleaner operation according to the invention.

Figure-13 is a bottom view of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS OF THE ELEMENTS IN THE DRAWINGS

1. Lower body

2. Upper body

3. Water tank

4. Water tank lid

5. Body carrying handle

6. Air intake orifice

11. Air outlet orifice

12. Handle for locking and carrying the water tank lid 13. On/Off button

15. Cord winding button

17. Engine cooling outlet

18. Water discharge aperture of the hepa filter

19. Engine cooling inlet

21. Tube filter

22. Air curtain

23. Air outlet orifice

24. Seal of the tank lid

25. Elbow seal

26. Upper body of the engine

27. Lower body of the engine

28. Air inlet orifice

29. Tube filter recess

31. Body of the hepa filter

32. Lid of the hepa filter

33. Air intake elbow

34. Cord winder

41. Vacuum engine

42. Air softening receptacle

43. Water screen blades (right and left)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The said vacuum cleaner with water filter of the invention consists of four major sections: a water tank (3), a lower body (1 ), an upper body (2) and an engine section.

The water tank (3) is a portion placed in the front portion of the upper body (2) from above. The water tank lid (4) and locking and carrying handle (12) of the water tank lid are located on the water tank (3). There are a tube filter (21) placed in the middle of the water tank (3) and a tube filter recess (29) receiving drawn air and particles at the bottom portion of this tube filter. The middle section of the water tank lid (4) has an oval, sloping and protruding structure in the middle. This is because the air and dust particles entered the water tank (3) by being drawn from the air intake orifice (6), and sprayed towards the lid (4) via the tube filter (21) are directed to the water at the bottom of the water tank (3) by striking the lid and rotating gently to the right and left. A seal (24) is placed between the water tank lid (4) and the tank (3) to avoid leaking.

The air and dust particles drawn from the air intake orifice (6) initially strike the air softening receptacle (42) on the water tank lid (4) via the tube filter (21 ). The air and particles stroke the lid are directed towards the water at the bottom of the water tank (3) by rotating gently. The air running through the water passes through the hepa filter (31 ) placed between the water tank (3) and the engine section before passing to the engine intake fan after it is purged from the particles thereon. The object of the hepa filter (31 ) is to prevent the small particles and water particles that may present in the air running through the water from being drawn by the engine. Upon an improvement within the scope of the invention an air curtain (22) is disposed to the rear side of the water tank (3) and before the hepa filter (31 ). This air curtain (22) is for blocking an excessive water accumulation on the hepa filter (31) by avoiding the water particles carried by the air and the water splashes caused by the air that stroke the water before they reach to the hepa filter (31 ) and thereby, for preventing the problems such as flooding, leakage, etc. that could occur during unusual operation situations.

There are two air inlet orifices (28) near the upper portion of the air curtain (22), one is in the left and the other is in the right. The air completed its rotation in the water tank

(3) enters the air curtain (22) leaving the water particles present therein into the water tank (3). Also, there is an air outlet orifice (23) for the hepa filter at the bottom portion of the air curtain (22) facing to the hepa filter (31 ). The air passing through the air curtain (22) reaches to the hepa filter (31) from this outlet. The air passing through the hepa filter (31) enters the engine intake fan, leaving the water particles and invisible dust therein into the hepa filter (31 ). Clean and purge air spreads to the atmosphere air by emanating from the air outlet orifice (1 1).

There is one discharge aperture (18) for discharging the water retained in the hepa filter (31).

The air movement is separated into the right and left directions via water screen blades (43) disposed around the air softening receptacle (42) located within the water tank lid

(4) in order to prevent the air entered from the air intake orifice (6) at the vacuum cleaner inlet from directly reaching to the air outlet of the water tank (3) in a pressured manner. In this way circulation is made gentle and water foaming is avoided.

The engine is placed between- the lower body (27) of the engine and the upper body (26) of the engine. The engine section is also placed at the rear side of the water tank (3) and between the lower body (1) of the vacuum cleaner and the upper body (2) of the vacuum cleaner as a whole. A cord winder (34) is located between the upper body (26) of the engine and the upper body (2) of the vacuum cleaner such that it corresponds to the top portion of the engine, and an on/off button (13), a cord winding button (15) and a body carrying handle (5) is located onto the upper body (2) of the vacuum cleaner.

An engine cooling inlet (19) is located such that it is in alignment with the engine in the lower body (1) of the vacuum cleaner to enable the engine to cool itself apart from the intake fan for the protection from unusual operation situations and an engine cooling outlet (17) is located such that it is in alignment with the engine in the upper body (2) of the vacuum cleaner. Thus, overheating is avoided and the vacuum cleaner continues to operate properly.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner with water filter, characterized in that it comprises a water tank (3), a water tank lid (4), a tube filter (21), a tube filter recess (29) located to the bottom of the tube filter (21), a handle (12) for locking and carrying the lid of the water tank, an air softening receptacle (42) located within the water tank lid (4), water screen blades (43) located on the receptacle, an air curtain (22) located on upper rear side of the water tank (3), a hepa filter (31) between the water tank section (3) and the engine section, a discharge aperture (18) for the hepa filter, an engine cooling inlet (19) on the lower body (1) of the vacuum cleaner, an engine cooling outlet (17) on the upper body (2) of the vacuum cleaner.

2. The vacuum cleaner with water filter according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a hepa filter (31 ) preventing the water particles carried by the air entering from the air intake orifice (6) and passing through the water in the water tank (3) from entering the engine.

3. The vacuum cleaner with water filter according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a water tank (3) containing water and enabling the air and dust particles to enter the air intake orifice (6) and to pass through the water with a circulation, wherein the water tank has a tube filter (21) and an air curtain (22) therein, as well as an air softening receptacle (42) and water screen blades (43) on the lid section.

4. The vacuum cleaner with water filter according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises an air softening receptacle (42) enabling the air passing through the water tank (3) via the tube filter (21) to strike and to mix with the water at the bottom of the water tank (3) by returning in a softy manner.

5. The vacuum cleaner with water filter according to claims 1 , 3 and 4 characterized in that upper portion of the air softening receptacle (42) located on the water tank lid (4) is inclined in such a manner that it enables it to reach to the water by softening the air.

6. The vacuum cleaner with water filter according to claims 1 , 3 and 4 characterized in that it comprises water screen blades (43) disposed around the air softening receptacle (42) to prevent the air entered from the air intake orifice (6) at the vacuum cleaner inlet from directly reaching to the air outlet of the water tank (3) in a pressured manner, to soften the circulation and to avoid the water foaming.

The vacuum cleaner with water filter according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that it comprises an air curtain (22) through of which the air entered from the water tank (3) and purged from dust by passing through the water therein is passed, wherein the air curtain avoids water accumulation that could form in the hepa filter (31) by blocking the water particles carried by the air or splashed due to an air current.

The air curtain (22) according to claims 1 and 3 characterized in that it comprises at least one air inlet orifice (221) disposed on the air curtain (22) preventing the water particles carried by the air from entering the hepa filter (31), and an air outlet orifice (23) enabling the air passing therefrom to enter the hepa filter (31).

The vacuum cleaner with water filter according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises an engine cooling inlet (19) which is disposed on the lower body (1 ) of the vacuum cleaner such that it corresponds to the engine and which enables the engine to cool apart from the intake air, and an engine cooling outlet (17) which is disposed on the upper body (2) of the vacuum cleaner such that it corresponds to the engine.