WO2022033916A1

WO2022033916A1 - Portable vacuum cleaner provided with a removable filter

Info

Publication number: WO2022033916A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/071614
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bertrand ESCALETTES
Original assignee: Seb S.A.
Priority date: 2020-08-11
Filing date: 2021-08-03
Publication date: 2022-02-17
Also published as: JP2023537118A; CN116209380A; KR20230048629A; EP3954261C0; EP3954261A1; ES2952232T3; US20230371764A1; FR3113365A1; FR3113365B1; EP3954261B1

Abstract

A portable vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a vacuum cleaner housing (2), a gripping handle (3) connected to the vacuum cleaner housing (2), a suction inlet (4) through which the air can be drawn in by the portable vacuum cleaner (1), at least one exhaust port (5) through which the cleaned air may exit the portable vacuum cleaner (1), an aeraulic circuit (6) which extends between the suction inlet (4) and the exhaust port (5), a suction unit (7) arranged on the aeraulic circuit, the suction unit (7) comprising an electric motor (7.1) and a fan (7.2) coupled to the electric motor (7.1) to generate an air flow in the aeraulic circuit (6) from the suction inlet (4) to the exhaust port (5), a device for separating the waste (8) which is arranged on the aeraulic circuit (6) upstream of the suction unit (7) and which is passed through by an air flow generated by the suction unit (7) when the portable vacuum cleaner (1) is being operated, a removable bowl (9) for receiving the waste separated by the waste separation device (8) and which is removably attached to the vacuum cleaner housing, a suction unit housing (12) comprising a first wall (12.3) which at least partially covers the suction unit (7). The suction unit housing (12) comprises a second wall (12.4) which at least partially covers the first wall (12.3). The second wall (12.4) is formed at a distance from the first wall (12.3) in order to at least partially define an internal space (15) of the portable vacuum cleaner (1) which extends between the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4).

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Portable vacuum cleaner equipped with a removable filter

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners making it possible to suck up dust and fine-grained waste present on a surface to be cleaned, which can for example be tiles, parquet, laminate, carpet or a rug.

State of the art

A vacuum cleaner, and more particularly a portable vacuum cleaner, comprises in known manner:

❖ a vacuum cleaner box,

❖ a grip handle connected to the vacuum cleaner box,

❖ a suction inlet through which air can be sucked in by the portable vacuum cleaner,

❖ at least one exhaust port through which the cleaned air can exit the portable vacuum cleaner,

❖ an aeraulic circuit which extends between the suction inlet and the exhaust port,

❖ a suction unit arranged on the aeraulic circuit, the suction unit comprising an electric motor and a fan to generate a flow of air in the aeraulic circuit from the suction inlet to the orifice of 'exhaust,

❖ a waste separation device placed on the aeraulic circuit upstream of the suction unit and which is crossed by a flow of air generated by the suction unit when the portable vacuum cleaner is in operation,

❖ a suction unit casing which at least partially covers the suction unit. A vacuum unit housing generally serves to position and hold the vacuum unit in the handheld vacuum and also serves to protect the vacuum unit. By waste separation device, reference is made to a separation device, for example of the filter type using at least one filter medium or of the cyclonic type using at least one cyclone, which is capable of separating waste and/or dust from the flow. of air sucked in. Waste and/or dust are hereinafter referred to as waste.

For this type of portable vacuum cleaner, a compromise has been sought for several years between suction efficiency, waste storage capacity in the removable bowl, compactness and lightness so that the portable vacuum cleaner can remain handy.

To reduce the mass of portable vacuum cleaners and reduce their external bulk, some manufacturers have, for example, sought to reduce the thicknesses of the internal and external walls of portable vacuum cleaners while others have sought to reduce the mass of the unit. suction. The reduction in the thicknesses of the internal or external walls of portable vacuum cleaners is generally done to the detriment of their robustness, generally reducing the life of portable vacuum cleaners which are, for example, more sensitive to shocks. Reducing the mass of suction units without changing engine technology is often accompanied by a drop in suction power and a decrease in suction performance.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing a portable vacuum cleaner whose lightness and compactness are improved without otherwise altering the robustness of the device and the performance of the vacuum cleaner.

To this end, the present invention relates to a portable vacuum cleaner comprising:

❖ a vacuum cleaner box,

❖ a grip handle connected to the vacuum cleaner box,

❖ a suction inlet through which air can be sucked in by the portable vacuum cleaner, ❖ at least one exhaust port through which the cleaned air can exit the portable vacuum cleaner,

❖ a suction unit arranged on the aeraulic circuit, the suction unit comprising an electric motor and a fan coupled to the electric motor to generate a flow of air in the aeraulic circuit from the suction inlet to the exhaust port,

❖ a removable bowl intended to receive the waste separated by the waste separation device and which is removably attached to the vacuum cleaner housing,

❖ a suction unit casing comprising a first wall which at least partially covers the suction unit.

According to the present invention, the suction unit housing comprises a second wall which at least partially covers the first wall. The second wall is formed at a distance from the first wall to define, at least in part, an internal space of the portable vacuum cleaner which extends between the first wall and the second wall.

The present invention makes it possible to provide an internal space to the portable vacuum cleaner which adjoins the suction unit. This internal space is formed in the housing of the suction unit. In other words, the walls of the housing of the suction unit make it possible both to form a protective housing around the suction unit and to create an internal space in the portable vacuum cleaner which is functional for the vacuum cleaner, that is to say an internal space which is intended to form an air duct or to receive a functional sub-assembly of the portable vacuum cleaner such as for example a noise attenuator or absorber, an electronic circuit board control or command of the portable vacuum cleaner or a filter forming part of the aeraulic circuit, etc. The formation of such an internal space directly in the suction unit casing which is functional for the portable vacuum cleaner makes it possible to reduce the number of walls which would have been necessary to create such an internal space not integrated into the casing suction unit and finally makes it possible to lighten and make the portable vacuum cleaner more compact while preserving the robustness of the device and without altering the performance of the vacuum cleaner.

The portable vacuum cleaner may additionally have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

Advantageously, the first wall and the second wall of the suction unit casing are obtained by manufacturing in one piece. The first wall and the second wall are for example obtained by injection under pressure of plastic material.

This feature has the effect of simplifying the manufacture of the suction unit housing.

Advantageously, the electric motor comprises an output shaft having an axis of rotation, the output shaft being coupled to the fan.

The first wall and the second wall are of partially annular shapes around the axis of rotation. The first wall and the second wall then delimit an internal space of partially annular shape around the suction unit. According to this configuration, the internal space does not extend all around the suction unit. The internal space could for example have a “C” shape which partially extends around the suction unit. For the needs of certain configurations of vacuum cleaners, an internal space in the shape of a "C" makes it easier, for example, to provide passages for electrical cables or passages for aeraulic pipes which do not pass through the internal space. This configuration therefore makes it possible to optimize the internal space in the presence of constraints such as, for example, passages of electrical cables or passages of aeraulic pipes which cannot pass through the internal space.

Advantageously, the first wall and the second wall are of annular shapes, for example tubular or tapered, substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation. The first wall and the second wall then delimit, at least in part, an annular internal space which extends around the suction unit.

This configuration makes it possible to optimize the internal space that extends all around the suction unit. It is for example possible to place in this annular internal space a functional sub-assembly of large dimensions such as a dust filter while limiting the impact on the external diameter of the portable vacuum cleaner.

Advantageously, the first wall and the second wall are connected by at least one connecting wall, the first wall, the second wall and the connecting wall are made in one piece, preferably in one piece obtained by plastic injection. Thanks to this configuration, the suction unit housing is simple to manufacture.

Advantageously, the connecting wall extends radially, relative to the axis of rotation of the electric motor, between the first wall and the second wall.

Advantageously, the connecting wall has the shape of an annular disc.

In a variant embodiment, the first wall and the second wall are connected by connecting arms. In this case, the first wall, the second wall and the connecting arms are advantageously made in a single piece, preferably in a single piece obtained by plastic injection.

Advantageously, the suction unit housing includes an access opening for accessing the internal space. The connecting wall is preferably formed on a side of the suction unit housing which is opposite the access opening.

The access opening makes it possible to easily introduce or remove a subassembly of the vacuum cleaner which would be of the removable type such as for example a removable filter. The access opening also makes it possible to be able to unmold more easily and therefore to manufacture the suction unit casing more easily, in particular when the latter is obtained by plastic injection under pressure in a single piece. Advantageously, the internal space formed between the first wall and the second wall forms a chamber or a pipe located on the aeraulic circuit. The chamber or duct is traversed by a flow of air generated by the suction unit when the portable vacuum cleaner is in operation. When the internal space forms a duct, the latter is typically an aeraulic duct making it possible to convey the air in the portable vacuum cleaner. When the internal space forms a chamber, the latter can be used to house a functional subassembly of the portable vacuum cleaner such as, for example, a filter, an attenuator or a noise absorber forming part of the aeraulic circuit. The internal space as defined can therefore carry out or receive functions essential to the portable vacuum cleaner.

Advantageously, the internal space which extends between the first wall and the second wall forms a filtration chamber in which is placed a filter, preferably a removable filter, the filtration chamber and the filter being arranged on the aeraulic circuit and being crossed by a flow of air generated by the suction unit when the portable vacuum cleaner is in operation. The filtration chamber and the filter are placed on the aeraulic circuit downstream of the suction unit.

Although the internal space is also adapted to receive a filter which belongs to an upstream part of the aeraulic circuit, that is to say upstream of the suction unit, the fact that the internal space is formed at side or around the suction unit makes it possible to further optimize the aeraulic circuit in terms of pressure drops and overall size when this internal space is used for a filtration chamber and a removable filter which belong to the downstream part of the aeraulic circuit, i.e. the part of the aeraulic circuit which is located downstream of the suction unit.

Advantageously, the filtration chamber is delimited at least partially by the first wall, the second wall and the connecting wall. The access opening allows installation or removal of the filter.

Advantageously, the filtration chamber and the filter have an annular shape which extends around the suction unit. Advantageously, the filtration chamber comprises at least one air inlet formed in the connecting wall. The air inlet of the filtration chamber is in aeraulic communication with an air outlet of the suction unit, and the filtration chamber comprises at least one air outlet which is formed in the second wall.

Advantageously, the first wall has no opening.

Advantageously, at least a portion of the second wall forms at least one wall of the vacuum cleaner housing.

This configuration makes it possible to delimit the internal space between the walls that preexist in a conventional vacuum cleaner. The internal space can therefore be formed with fewer walls than in a conventional vacuum cleaner, which makes it possible to further lighten the portable vacuum cleaner and make it more compact. This configuration also makes it possible to maximize the internal space between the protective casing of the suction unit and the vacuum cleaner housing. Furthermore, the first wall and the second wall forming part of the same one-piece piece, the fact of forming the internal space between the protective casing of the suction unit and the vacuum cleaner housing does not alter the sturdiness of the portable vacuum cleaner at this location.

When the second wall forms a wall of the vacuum cleaner housing, said at least one air outlet is the exhaust port. This configuration makes it possible to limit the number of ducts in the portable vacuum cleaner and to simplify the latter.

Advantageously, the second wall of the suction unit housing is, in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the motor, arranged between the removable bowl and a rear part of the vacuum cleaner housing.

Advantageously, the access opening which gives access to the internal space faces the removable bowl.

According to this configuration of the invention, a functional subassembly of the vacuum cleaner, such as a removable filter, can be easily removed from the internal space through the access opening when the removable bowl is detached from the housing. 'vacuum. When the removable bowl is attached to the vacuum housing, the filter removable is made inaccessible and cannot be removed from the internal space through the access opening.

Advantageously, the separation device is housed in the removable bowl so that it can be separated from the vacuum cleaner housing with the removable bowl.

This construction makes it possible to remove the separating device with the removable bowl so that the separating device can then be removed and cleaned more easily.

Advantageously, the removable bowl is removably attached to the vacuum cleaner housing and comes into contact with the vacuum cleaner housing via a contact surface formed on the vacuum cleaner housing.

Advantageously, the contact surface is substantially annular, the internal space and the access opening are formed radially inside the substantially annular contact surface.

Advantageously, the contact surface is formed by a substantially annular axial end of the second wall of the suction unit casing.

The substantially annular contact surface is simple to make on the second wall of the vacuum unit housing and allows evenly distributed contact of the removable bowl to the vacuum cleaner housing when the bowl is attached to the vacuum housing . Uniformly distributed contact of the removable bowl on the vacuum cleaner housing makes it easier to achieve seals in this contact area.

The removable bowl can be attached in various ways to the vacuum cleaner housing, in particular by clipping, using at least one notch and a locking latch, by a bayonet-type fixing means, by screwing or any other means known to those skilled in the art.

Advantageously, the separation device is a cyclonic separator having a main axis which is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the output shaft of the electric motor.

Brief description of figures The following description highlights the features and advantages of the present invention. This description is based on figures, among which:

[Fig. 1] Figure 1 illustrates an overview of a portable vacuum cleaner according to a particular embodiment;

[Fig. 2] Figure 2 illustrates the portable vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 in a longitudinal sectional view;

[Fig. 3] Figure 3 illustrates the portable vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 in a perspective view, three-quarters front, without the removable bowl and without the separator;

[Fig. 4] Figure 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the rear of the portable vacuum cleaner of Figure 3;

[Fig. 5] Figure 5 illustrates the portable vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 in a three-quarter front perspective view without the removable bowl and without the separator, with the removable filter partially removed from the filtration chamber;

[Fig. 6] Figure 6 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the rear of the portable vacuum cleaner of Figure 5;

[Fig. 7] Figure 7 illustrates the portable vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 in a three-quarter front perspective view without the removable bowl and without the separator, with the removable filter completely removed from the filtration chamber;

[Fig. 8] Figure 8 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the rear of the portable vacuum cleaner of Figure 7;

[Fig. 9] Figure 9 illustrates the suction unit housing of the portable vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 in a three-quarter front perspective view;

[Fig. 10] Figure 10 illustrates the suction unit housing of Figure 1 in longitudinal section.

detailed description

In the remainder of the description, the portable vacuum cleaner is referred to as a vacuum cleaner.

Figures 1 to 10 show a vacuum cleaner 1 comprising a vacuum cleaner housing 2, a gripping handle 3 connected to the vacuum cleaner housing 2, a air suction inlet 4 through which air can be sucked in by the vacuum cleaner 1, several air exhaust ports 5 through which the cleaned air can exit the vacuum cleaner 1. The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises furthermore an aeraulic circuit 6 which extends between the suction inlet 4 and the exhaust orifices 5. The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a suction unit 7 arranged on the aeraulic circuit 6. The suction unit 7 comprises an electric motor 7.1 and a fan 7.2 (shown in Figures 2 and 4) coupled to the electric motor 71 to generate an air flow in the aeraulic circuit 6 from the suction inlet 4 to the orif ices exhaust 5. The grip handle 3 can be obtained by manufacturing in one piece with the vacuum cleaner housing 2 or be attached thereto.

The vacuum cleaner 1 also comprises a waste separation device 8 disposed on the aeraulic circuit 6 upstream 6.1 of the suction unit 7. The waste separation device 8 is traversed by an air flow generated by the suction unit 7 when the vacuum cleaner 1 is in operation. The vacuum cleaner comprises 1 a removable bowl 9, also known as a waste storage container, intended to receive and accumulate the waste separated by the waste separation device 8 and which is removably attached to the vacuum cleaner housing. 2. The waste separation device 8 is advantageously arranged in the removable bowl 9. The removable bowl 9 in this case forms a separation chamber. Preferably, the waste separation device 8 is detachable from the removable bowl 9 to be able to more easily empty the contents of the removable bowl 9 when the latter is detached from the vacuum cleaner housing 2. The air suction inlet 4 is connected to the separation chamber, corresponding to the interior of the removable bowl 9 by an air intake pipe 4.1 (shown in Figure 2).

The vacuum cleaner 1 preferably comprises a battery pack 10 in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner. A lower surface 10.1 of the battery pack 10 allows the vacuum cleaner to rest on a horizontal surface when the vacuum cleaner 1 is not in use (see FIG. 2). The gripping handle 3 extends between the battery pack 10 and the vacuum cleaner housing 2 advantageously at the level of a rear part 13 of the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a button 11 for operating the vacuum cleaner controlling in particular the operation of the suction unit 7 when it is actuated by the user.

The electric motor 7.1 comprises an output shaft 7.3 (shown in figures 2, 4, 6 and 8) having an axis of rotation X. The output shaft 7.3 is coupled to the fan 7.2.

Advantageously, and as shown in Figures 1 to 10, the separation device 8, the fan 7.2 and the electric motor 7.1 are aligned. More specifically, the waste separation device 8, the fan 7.2 and the electric motor 7.1 are aligned and centered on the axis of rotation X of the electric motor 7.1. The axis of rotation X is in this configuration a main axis of the vacuum cleaner 1 .

The suction unit 7 belongs to the rear part 13 of the vacuum cleaner 1 and the waste separation device 8 is located in front of the suction unit 7. Figures 4 and 6 show the rear part 13 of the vacuum cleaner 1 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, the suction inlet 4 of the vacuum cleaner 1 forms a front end of the portable vacuum cleaner 1. This suction inlet 4 advantageously projects forwards with respect to the rest of the portable vacuum cleaner 1, in particular with respect to the removable bowl 9.

The vacuum cleaner 1 further comprises a suction unit casing 12 which at least partially covers the suction unit 7. More specifically, the suction unit casing 12 comprises a first wall 12.3 which covers at least partially the suction unit 7.

The suction unit housing 12 is visible in Figures 2 to 10 and more specifically in Figures 9 and 10. The suction unit housing 12 is used in particular to position and hold the suction unit 7 in the vacuum cleaner 1 and also to protect the suction unit 1.

As shown in the figures, the suction unit 7 may comprise an intermediate casing 7.4 which, with respect to the axis of rotation X of the electric motor 7.1, is arranged radially inside the suction unit casing 12. The suction unit casing 12 comprises an air inlet opening 12.1 and an air outlet opening 12.2 which are in aeraulic communication with the suction unit 7 and which are arranged on either side. another of the suction unit 7 in the direction of the axis of rotation X. The air inlet opening 12.1 communicates with an upstream part 6.1 of the aeraulic circuit 6 and the air outlet 12.2 communicates with a downstream part of the aeraulic circuit 6. In other words, the upstream part 6.1 of the aeraulic circuit 6 is located upstream of the suction unit 7 and extends between the suction inlet 4 and the suction unit 7 The downstream part 6.2 of the aeraulic circuit 6 is located downstream of the suction unit 7 and extends between the suction unit 7 and the exhaust orifices 5.

The separation device 8 is arranged in the upstream part 6.1 of the aeraulic circuit 6.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 10, the separation device 8 is advantageously a cyclonic separator having a main axis which is coaxial with the axis of rotation X of the output shaft of the electric motor. In a variant embodiment not shown and without departing from the scope of the invention, the separation device could be produced by a filter comprising a porous filter medium to let air pass and prevent waste from passing through it.

To limit the suction of dust into the suction unit 7, the vacuum cleaner may comprise, in addition to the waste separation device 8, an upstream filter 13 which in the aeraulic circuit is placed between the waste separation device 8 and the suction unit 7. This upstream filter 13 is preferably of the removable type, it is of frustoconical shape and is housed in a central part of the cyclonic separator.

To limit or prevent dust from coming out of the exhaust orifices 5, the vacuum cleaner 1 preferably comprises, in addition to the waste separation device 8, a downstream filter 14 which is arranged in the downstream part 6.2 of the aeraulic circuit 6 .

As shown more particularly in Figures 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10, the suction unit housing 12 comprises a second wall 12.4 which at least partially covers the first wall 12.3. The second wall 12.4 is formed at distance from the first wall to delimit 12.3, at least in part, an internal space 15 of the portable vacuum cleaner 1 which extends between the first wall 12.3 and the second wall 12.4.

The first wall 12.3 and the second wall 12.4 are advantageously of annular shapes coaxial with the axis of rotation X of the output shaft 7.3 of the electric motor 7.1. The first wall 12.3 and the second wall 12.4 delimit, at least in part, the internal space 15 which of annular shape extends around the suction unit 7. In the embodiment of the figures, the first wall 12.3 and the second wall 12.4 are more specifically of tubular shapes. In a variant embodiment not shown, the first wall and second wall could just as well be of substantially frustoconical shapes.

In another variant embodiment not shown, the first wall and the second wall are of partially annular shape around the axis of rotation of the electric motor such that the first wall and the second wall delimit an internal space of partially annular shape. around the suction unit. According to this variant, the internal space could have, for example, the shape of a section of a ring or a section whose shape would be “C” (unclosed ring).

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first wall 12.3 and the second wall 12.4 are connected by a connecting wall 12.5. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the first wall 12.3, the second wall 12.4 and the connecting wall 12.5 are advantageously made in one piece, preferably in one piece obtained by plastic injection.

Advantageously, the connecting wall 12.5 extends radially relative to the axis of rotation X of the electric motor 7.1 and the connecting wall 12.5 extends between the first wall 12.3 and the second wall 12.4. As shown in Figures 9 and 10 the connecting wall 12.5 has the shape of an annular disc. In a variant as previously described where the first wall and the second wall are of partially annular shape around the axis of rotation of the electric motor, the connecting wall does not necessarily have a shape annular, it could for example have the shape of a disc section or a substantially rectangular or trapezoidal shape or a "C" shape.

In another variant embodiment (not shown) the first wall and the second wall could be connected by connecting arms extending radially between the first wall and the second wall. According to this variant, the first wall 12.3, the second wall 12.4 and the connecting arms would advantageously be made in one piece, preferably in one piece obtained by plastic injection

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the suction unit housing 12 comprises an access opening 12.6 for accessing the internal space 15. The connecting wall 12.5 is formed on one side of the unit housing suction 12 which is opposed to the access opening 12.6. Thus the internal space 15 is defined by walls 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5 of the suction unit casing 12 which over a half-section, for example a half-section of Figure 10, substantially form a "U". This U-shape is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 10 and bears the reference 15.1. The access opening 12.6 faces the removable bowl 9.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the internal space 15 forms a filtration chamber in which a filter is placed. The filtration chamber and the filter are arranged on the aeraulic circuit 6 and are crossed by a flow of air generated by the suction unit 7 when the vacuum cleaner 1 is in operation.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the filtration chamber 15 is arranged on the downstream part 6.2 of the aeraulic circuit 6 and the filter is a downstream filter 14 as previously described.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the filtration chamber 15 and the downstream filter 14 have an annular shape which extends around the suction unit 7.

The downstream filter 14 is preferably removable and the access opening 12.6 makes it possible to place the filter 14 in the filtration chamber or to remove the filter 14 when the removable bowl 9 is detached from the vacuum cleaner housing 2. Figures 1 and 2 show the vacuum cleaner 1 in working order, that is to say with the removable filter 14 in place in the filtration chamber and the removable bowl 9 attached to the vacuum cleaner housing 2. Figures 3 to 8 show 3 stages of successive dismantling of the downstream filter 14 until the complete removal of the downstream filter 14.

Indeed, Figures 3 and 4 show the vacuum cleaner 1 in a first dismantling step where the removable bowl 9 is detached and where the downstream filter 14 is still in place in the filtration chamber. Figures 5 and 6 show the vacuum cleaner, in a second dismantling step where the downstream filter 14 is partially removed from the filtration chamber following a translational movement of the removable filter along the main axis X. Figures 7 and 8 show the vacuum cleaner, in a third dismantling step where the downstream filter 14 is completely removed from the filtration chamber.

In variant embodiments not shown, the internal space could receive, instead of a downstream filter, an upstream filter (belonging to the upstream part 6.1 of the aeraulic circuit 6) or another functional subassembly of the portable vacuum cleaner such as, for example, a noise attenuator or absorber, an electronic control or command card for the portable vacuum cleaner, etc. The internal space could also be used to define an air duct.

The filtration chamber formed by the internal space 15 comprises at least one air inlet 12.7 formed on the connecting wall 12.5. As shown in Figure 9, several air inlets 12.7 are advantageously formed on the connecting wall 12.5. The air inlets 12.7 are in aeraulic communication with the air outlet 12.2 and with the suction unit 7. The filtration chamber comprises at least one air outlet which is formed on the second wall 12.4. Advantageously, the filtration chamber comprises several air outlets formed on the second wall 12.4.

The first wall 12.3 advantageously has no opening.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, two portions of the second wall 12.4 form two walls 2.1 and 2.2 of the vacuum cleaner housing 2 and the air outlets made in the second wall 12.6 form the exhaust orifices 5 which are, in the present embodiment formed on the walls 2.1 and 2.2. The walls 2.1 and 2.2 are arranged symmetrically on one side and the other of the vacuum cleaner 1.

The second wall 12.4 which forms walls 2.1 and 2.2 of the vacuum cleaner housing 2 is, in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation A of the electric motor 7.1, arranged between the removable bowl 9 and a rear part 2.3 of the housing of vacuum cleaner 2.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the removable bowl 9 is removably attached to the vacuum cleaner housing 2 via a contact surface 12.8 formed by a substantially annular axial end of the second wall 12.4 of the suction unit housing 12.

The removable bowl 9 is attached in a reversible manner to the vacuum cleaner housing 2. The removable bowl 9 can be attached in various ways to the vacuum cleaner housing 2, in particular by clipping, by a bayonet-type fixing means, by screwing or as shown for example in Figure 1 with at least one notch 19 and a locking latch 20,

Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given by way of example only. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1 . Portable vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a vacuum cleaner housing (2), a gripping handle (3) connected to the vacuum cleaner housing (2), a suction inlet (4) through which air can be sucked by the portable vacuum cleaner (1), at least one exhaust orifice (5) through which the cleaned air can exit from the portable vacuum cleaner (1), an aeraulic circuit (6) which extends between the inlet of suction (4) and the exhaust port (5), a suction unit (7) arranged on the aeraulic circuit, the suction unit (7) comprising an electric motor (7.1) and a fan (7.2 ) coupled to the electric motor (7.1) to generate a flow of air in the aeraulic circuit (6) from the suction inlet (4) to the exhaust orifice (5), a device for separating the waste (8) disposed on the aeraulic circuit (6) upstream of the suction unit (7) and which is traversed by a flow of air generated by the suction unit (7) when the portable vacuum cleaner (1) is in operation, a removable bowl (9) for receiving waste separated by the waste separation device (8) and which is removably attached to the vacuum cleaner housing, a suction unit housing (12) comprising a first wall (12.3) which at least partially covers the suction unit (7), wherein the suction unit housing (12) comprises a second wall (12.4) which at least partially covers the first wall (12.3), and in that the second wall (12.4) is formed at a distance from the first wall (12.3) to delimit, at least in part, an internal space (15) of the portable vacuum cleaner (1) which extends between the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4), characterized in that the electric motor (7.1) comprises an output shaft (7.3) having an axis of rotation (X), the output shaft (7.3) being coupled to the fan (7.2), and in which the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) are of partially annular around the axis of rotation (X), the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) delimiting an internal space (15) of partially annular shape around the suction unit (7).

2. Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) are obtained by manufacturing in one piece.

3. Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electric motor (7.1) comprises an output shaft (7.3) having an axis of rotation (X), the output shaft (7.3) being coupled to the fan (7.2), in which the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) are annular in shape, for example tubular or tapered, substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation (X), and in which the first wall ( 12.3) and the second wall (12.4) delimit, at least in part, an internal space (15) of annular shape which extends around the suction unit (7).

4. Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) are connected by at least one connecting wall (12.5), the first wall (12.3) , the second wall (12.4) and the connecting wall (12.5) are made in one piece, preferably in one piece obtained by plastic injection.

5. Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 4, wherein the connecting wall (12.5) extends radially, relative to the axis of rotation of the electric motor, between the first wall (12.3) and the second wall ( 12.4).

6. Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 4, wherein the connecting wall (12.5) has the shape of an annular disc.

7. Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first wall (12.3) and the second wall (12.4) are connected by connecting arms, the first wall (12.3), the second wall (12.4) and the connecting arms are made in one piece, preferably in one piece obtained by plastic injection.

8. A portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the suction unit housing (12) comprises an access opening 19

(12.6) to access the internal space (15), the connecting wall (12.5) being preferably formed on a side of the suction unit housing (12) which is opposite to the access opening ( 12.6).

9. Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the internal space (15) forms a chamber or a pipe located on the aeraulic circuit (6) and which is crossed by a flow of air generated by the suction unit (7) when the portable vacuum cleaner (1) is in operation.

10. Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the internal space (15) forms a filtration chamber in which is placed a filter (14), the filtration chamber and the filter ( 14) being arranged on the aeraulic circuit (6) and being traversed by a flow of air generated by the suction unit (7) when the portable vacuum cleaner (1) is in operation.

11 . Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the filtration chamber and the filter (14) are arranged on the aeraulic circuit (6) downstream of the suction unit (7).

12. Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to claims 4, 8 and one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the filtration chamber is delimited at least partially by the first wall (12.3), the second wall (12.4) and the connecting wall (12.5), the access opening (12.6) allowing the fitting or removal of the filter (14).

13. Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, in which the filtration chamber and the filter (14) have an annular shape which extends around the suction unit (7).

14. Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 12 wherein the filtration chamber comprises at least one air inlet (12.7) formed in the connecting wall, the air inlet of the filtration chamber being in aeraulic communication with an air outlet of the suction unit (7), and the filter chamber comprises at least one air outlet which is formed on the second wall (12.4). 20

15. Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least a portion of the second wall (12.4) forms at least one wall (2.1, 2.2) of the vacuum cleaner housing (2).

16. Portable vacuum cleaner (1) according to claims 14 and 15, wherein said at least one air outlet of the filtration chamber is said at least one exhaust port (5).