Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The present invention provides a vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises: a suction nozzle for supporting against the surface; a chamber for receiving particulate matter entering the vacuum cleaner through the nozzle; a suction device for providing a flow of air into the suction nozzle; and a conduit connecting the nozzle to the chamber, where the conduit comprises a sorbent in a honeycomb form, the sorbent having a plurality of channels separated from each other by channel walls, and where the honeycomb sorbent comprises activated carbon. Use of the adsorbent in honeycomb form in a conduit of a vacuum cleaner is also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an appliance for cleaning indoor environments, in particular a vacuum cleaner, comprising an adsorbent in the form of a honeycomb. The invention also relates to the use of an adsorbent in the form of a honeycomb in such an appliance. Background Art

[0002] The air of the environment, particularly indoor environments, may have unpleasant odors, and cleaning appliances may be designed to remove these odors. In addition, unwanted particles removed by the cleaning appliance may accumulate within the appliance, causing the generation and / or accumulation of unpleasant odors therein. Adsorbents may be incorporated into cleaning appliances to remove such odors.

[0003] While it is known to incorporate sorbents into cleaning appliances to remove odors, there remains a need to provide alternative solutions that overcome or at least ameliorate the above-mentioned problems and other disadvantages. Summary of the invention

[0004] In one aspect, a vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface is provided, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises: a nozzle for supporting against the surface; a chamber for receiving particulate matter entering the vacuum cleaner through the nozzle; a suction device for providing an air flow into the nozzle; and a conduit connecting the nozzle to the chamber, wherein the conduit comprises an adsorbent in the form of a honeycomb, the adsorbent having a plurality of channels separated from each other by channel walls, and wherein the honeycomb adsorbent comprises activated carbon.

[0005] Advantageously, once air is drawn into the disclosed vacuum cleaner, unpleasant odors may be removed. Further advantageously, particulate matter accumulated in the chamber may be freed of or have reduced concentrations of unpleasant odors and / or harmful pollutants (such as volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and formaldehyde). Further advantageously, due to the integral structure of the honeycomb adsorbent, the honeycomb adsorbent may be treated, such as heated, to release molecules adsorbed on its surface, thereby providing a regenerable filter element.

[0006] In another aspect, there is provided use of an adsorbent in the form of a honeycomb in a duct of a vacuum cleaner, wherein the duct connects a suction nozzle to a chamber for receiving particulate matter entering the vacuum cleaner through the suction nozzle, wherein the honeycomb adsorbent has a plurality of channels separated from each other by channel walls, and wherein the honeycomb adsorbent comprises activated carbon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The accompanying drawings show:

[0008] Figure 1 A vacuum cleaner 100 according to one embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0009] Figure 2 A vacuum cleaner 100 ′ according to another embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0010] Figure 3 A cell 200 is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Cleaning appliances containing activated carbon adsorbents may include vacuum cleaners, dust collectors, and indoor and outdoor air filtration systems or air purifiers, which remove dust, dirt, and other particulate matter from gaseous or polluted air streams.

[0012] Activated carbon, also known as activated carbon or charcoal, can come in a variety of forms. The form of activated carbon used may depend on the requirements and / or the appliance in which it is used.

[0013] The activated carbon may take the form of a honeycomb as disclosed herein, and is therefore referred to herein as a "honeycomb adsorbent."

[0014] Activated carbon in granular form includes powdered activated carbon and granular activated carbon. Granular activated carbon can be used as a filling layer or loose fill in a shell, container or bag.

[0015] Activated carbon can be incorporated into the filter medium. The activated carbon can be attached, coated, impregnated or otherwise fixed to fabric, wool or other types of fibers. The indoor air purifier may include a filter medium comprising a plurality of layers, one of which is an activated carbon layer. The filter medium may be pleated to increase the surface area. Alternatively or in addition, in the case where the air flow through the indoor air purifier is directed through a conduit (e.g., at an air outlet pipe), activated carbon in the form of a honeycomb as disclosed herein may be contained in the conduit.

[0016] For a vacuum cleaner, a suitable conduit for arranging the honeycomb adsorbent therein comprises a conduit connecting the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner to a chamber for receiving particulate matter contained in air drawn into the vacuum cleaner through the nozzle.

[0017] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. Figure 1 A conventional vacuum cleaner 100 is shown, wherein the vacuum cleaner is powered by a plug (not shown) connected to a power source. Figure 2A cordless vacuum cleaner 100' is shown, which is powered by a battery (not shown) contained in the vacuum cleaner 100'. Cordless vacuum cleaners are also called upright vacuum cleaners. The vacuum cleaner 100, 100' comprises a suction nozzle 102, which extends in the direction of the surface to be cleaned so as to be supported against the surface. The vacuum cleaner 100, 100' also comprises a chamber 104 for receiving particulate matter entering the vacuum cleaner 100, 100' through the suction nozzle 102. The chamber 104 may be arranged at an end of the duct 110 opposite to the end of the duct 110 connected to the suction nozzle 102, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The chamber 104 may be arranged in other suitable areas of the vacuum cleaner, such as in the duct 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100'. Figure 2 The vacuum cleaner 100, 100' further comprises a suction device 106 for providing an air flow into the suction nozzle 102. The suction device 106 may be included in the chamber 104, such as Figure 1 As shown, or may be included in other suitable areas of the vacuum cleaner, such as the handle 108, as shown Figure 2 As shown. The suction device 106 typically includes a fan (not shown) that creates a vacuum to draw air from the environment into the vacuum cleaner 100, 100' through the suction nozzle 102. The environment may include air in the area of ​​the surface to be cleaned. The air may include particulate matter to be removed, including but not limited to dust, dirt, liquids or droplets entrained in the air, object fragments and insects. The particulate matter may rest on the surface or be contained in the air around the surface. The particulate matter contained in the air entering the vacuum cleaner 100, 100' may be separated by a bag or a centrifugal separator (not shown), and the separated particulate matter is received in the chamber 104. Exhaust air containing little or substantially no particulate matter may leave the vacuum cleaner 100, 100' through an air outlet (not shown).

[0018] The flow path within the vacuum cleaner 100, 100' begins at the suction nozzle 102 and ends at the air outlet. In terms of flow, the chamber 104 is arranged downstream of the separator to receive the particulate matter separated by the separator. A duct 110 is arranged between the suction nozzle 102 and the chamber 104, which provides a flow path for air therebetween. The duct 110 may be rigid or flexible or a combination of both. For example, Figure 1 The vacuum cleaner 100 includes a rigid portion 110b and a flexible portion 110a for easy operation. Figure 2 The duct 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100 ′ shown in FIG. 1 is rigid.

[0019] The conduit 110 includes an adsorbent 120 in the form of a honeycomb. The honeycomb adsorbent 120 may be disposed within any portion of the conduit disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the honeycomb adsorbent is disposed in a rigid portion of the conduit. Alternatively or additionally, the honeycomb adsorbent may be contained in a chamber or air outlet. Alternatively or additionally, adsorbents in other forms may be incorporated into a vacuum cleaner or other cleaning appliance. For example, granular activated carbon may be provided in a porous bag in a chamber of a vacuum cleaner.

[0020] In terms of flow, the honeycomb adsorbent may be arranged downstream of the suction nozzle 102. The honeycomb adsorbent may be arranged upstream of the chamber 104 and / or upstream of the suction device 106 and / or upstream of the separator. In the case where the chamber 104 is arranged in the duct 110, the honeycomb adsorbent may be arranged downstream of the chamber 104 and upstream of the suction device 106.

[0021] The adsorbent may include adsorbent compounds other than activated carbon, such as other physical adsorbents and / or chemical adsorbents, as long as the honeycomb structure is maintained. Other adsorbent compounds may be included depending on which compounds need to be adsorbed in the environment to be cleaned. Examples of other physical adsorbents and chemical adsorbents that may be included are silica gel, activated alumina, molecular sieves, desiccants such as clay, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, potassium permanganate, potassium carbonate, phosphoric acid or citric acid. Adsorbents, such as honeycomb adsorbents, may be chemically modified to improve the adsorption efficiency of the compounds to be adsorbed. Chemical modification may include coating, impregnation, treatment or other suitable types of modification, such as using acids, bases, metal salts or organic amines.

[0022] The adsorbent may be extruded into a honeycomb structure. The honeycomb adsorbent may be an extruded article. The adsorbent may be a shaped integral article having a honeycomb structure. An extrudable composition comprising carbon particles from a carbon precursor may be extruded to produce a honeycomb structure. Alternatively, the extruded article may include an adsorbent, such as clay, with activated carbon and / or other adsorbents coated on the extruded article.

[0023] The activated carbon may be derived from a carbon precursor. The carbon precursor may be selected from the group consisting of wood, wood chips, wood flour, cotton linters, peat, coal, lignite, petroleum pitch, petroleum coke, coal tar pitch, carbohydrates, coconut shells, kernels, fruit pits, nut shells, nut pits, sawdust, palm, vegetables, synthetic polymers, natural polymers, cellulosic materials, lignocellulosic materials, and combinations thereof.

[0024] The honeycomb structure disclosed in this article is Figure 3 Shown in. Figure 3 A honeycomb 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The honeycomb 200 includes a plurality of channels 202 separated from each other by channel walls 204. The plurality of channels 202 may extend substantially parallel to each other.

[0025] The appearance or overall shape of the honeycomb 200 is Figure 3 200 is shown as a quadrilateral. In other embodiments, the shape of the honeycomb 200 can be any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the honeycomb adsorbent has a shape corresponding to the appliance in which it is arranged. In some embodiments, the honeycomb adsorbent has a shape corresponding to the internal volume of the duct in which it is arranged. The honeycomb 200 can be shaped to fit the internal volume of the duct 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100, 100'. The honeycomb 200 can be shaped so that the channel wall 204 forming the outer shape of the honeycomb 200 is close to the inner wall of the duct, so that the air flow needs to pass through the honeycomb 200.

[0026] The honeycomb adsorbent may be adhered or otherwise attached to the inner wall of the conduit.The honeycomb adsorbent may be housed in a frame adhered or otherwise attached to the inner wall of the conduit.

[0027] Since it is desirable that the air flow pressure drop between the suction device and the suction nozzle is as small as possible, the honeycomb can advantageously be a flow-through honeycomb. In addition, the noise level generated by the air flow through the flow-through honeycomb can advantageously be lower than the noise level generated by other forms of adsorbents.

[0028] Each channel 202 in the plurality of channels may present a uniform cross-section. Suitable cross-sections may be selected from the group consisting of triangular, quadrilateral, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, spherical, and elliptical cross-sections. Alternatively, it is contemplated that one channel 202 may present a different cross-section than another channel 202.

[0029] The honeycomb may have a cell density in the range of 10 cells per square inch to 650 cells per square inch. The cell density may be selected based on the desired adsorption efficiency and pressure drop.

[0030] The channel wall 204 may have a substantially uniform thickness along the entire length of the channel 202. The channel 202 may have a substantially uniform cross-sectional inner diameter along its entire length. Each channel 202 or multiple channels 202 may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the conduit. Advantageously, the air flow traveling through the conduit and into the channel 202 of the honeycomb adsorbent is not unnecessarily bent or redirected.

[0031] The length of the plurality of channels 202 can be selected based on the desired adsorption efficiency and capacity. For example, the length of the plurality of channels 202 can be selected to maintain sufficient turbulent air flow within the channels 202 so that the air has sufficient contact time with the channel walls 204 containing the adsorbent.

[0032] The vacuum cleaner or other cleaning appliance may further include a particle filter, which is arranged before or upstream of the honeycomb adsorbent in terms of air flow. The particle filter may filter out coarse particles or particles of an effective size that may clog the channels of the honeycomb adsorbent.

[0033] The present disclosure provides for the use of an adsorbent in the form of a honeycomb in a duct of a vacuum cleaner, wherein the duct connects a suction nozzle to a chamber for receiving particulate matter entering the vacuum cleaner through the suction nozzle. The adsorbent may be an adsorbent disclosed herein. Suitable adsorbents and honeycomb adsorbents are commercially available from MANN+HUMMEL.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface, wherein: The vacuum cleaner comprises: for supporting a nozzle against a surface; a chamber for receiving particulate matter that enters the vacuum cleaner through the nozzle; suction means for providing a flow of air into the suction nozzle; and Connect the nozzle to the chamber's tubing. wherein the conduit comprises an adsorbent in the form of a honeycomb having a plurality of channels separated from one another by channel walls, and wherein the honeycomb adsorbent comprises activated carbon.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels extend substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the duct. 3 . The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the honeycomb adsorbent has a shape corresponding to the inner volume of the duct.

4. A vacuum cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein the cells are flow-through cells.

5. A vacuum cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein the honeycomb has a cell density in the range between 10 cells per square inch and 650 cells per square inch.

6. A vacuum cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein the honeycomb adsorbent is an extruded article.

7. A vacuum cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein the activated carbon is derived from a carbon precursor selected from the group consisting of wood, wood chips, wood flour, cotton linter, peat, coal, lignite, petroleum pitch, petroleum coke, coal tar pitch, carbohydrates, coconut shells, kernels, fruit pits, nut shells, nut pits, sawdust, palm, vegetables, synthetic polymers, natural polymers, cellulosic materials, lignocellulosic materials and combinations thereof.

8. A vacuum cleaner according to any preceding claim, further comprising a particle filter arranged before the honeycomb sorbent in terms of air flow.

9. Use of an adsorbent in the form of a honeycomb in a duct of a vacuum cleaner, in, A conduit connects the nozzle to a chamber for receiving particulate matter entering the vacuum cleaner through the nozzle. The honeycomb adsorbent has a plurality of channels separated from each other by channel walls, and Among them, the honeycomb adsorbent includes activated carbon.

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