Device for emptying the dirt collection container of a vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for emptying a dirt collection container (2) of a vacuum cleaner (3), comprising at least one housing (4), at least one blower (9) arranged in the housing (4) for generating a suction airflow, at least one suction air duct (10) for directing the suction airflow from at least one intake opening (11, 24, 25) to at least one exhaust opening (12), at least one dirt collection container (15) arranged in the housing (4) for receiving the dirt particles (13), wherein the dirt collection container (15) is arranged between the intake opening (11) and the exhaust opening (12), and at least one connecting element (7) arranged on the outside of the housing (4) for fluidically connecting the dirt collection container (2) of the vacuum cleaner (3) with at least one intake opening (11, 24, 25).wherein dirt and dust particles (13) located in the dirt collection container (2) of the vacuum cleaner (3) are conveyed by the suction airflow via the connecting element (7) to the dirt collection container (15) of the device (1). In order to create a device that is not only ready for use in a predefined assembly position, it is provided according to the present invention that the position of the connecting element (7) on the outside of the housing (7) is changeable.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The device serves to empty the dirt collection container of a vacuum cleaner and comprises at least one housing and at least one blower arranged in the housing to generate a suction airflow. Furthermore, the device comprises at least one suction air duct for directing the suction airflow from at least one intake opening to at least one exhaust opening. At least one dirt collection container is arranged in the housing to collect the dirt particles, with the dirt collection container positioned between the intake opening and the exhaust opening.On the outside of the housing, a connecting element is arranged for the fluidic connection of the dirt collection container of the vacuum cleaner with at least one suction opening, wherein dirt and dust particles located in the dirt collection container of the vacuum cleaner can be conveyed to the dirt collection container of the device via the connecting element under the influence of the suction airflow.

[0003] Devices for emptying the dirt collection container of a vacuum cleaner are already well-known in the art. Typically, these devices are adapted to a specific type of vacuum cleaner or to particular vacuum cleaner models, so they are not available for use with a wide variety of vacuum cleaner models.

[0004] The present application is therefore based on the task of creating a device that is not only ready for use in a predefined setup position.

[0005] The underlying problem is solved according to the invention by means of a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in dependent claims 2 to 15.

[0006] The device according to the invention is characterized in that the position of the connecting element on the outside of the housing is changeable. In this way, the position of the connecting element can be adapted to the geometry of the vacuum cleaner, so that the device according to the invention can be adapted more flexibly to vacuum cleaners of different designs.

[0007] In cases where the vacuum cleaner, whose dirt collection container is to be emptied by the device, is a cordless stick vacuum cleaner, various mounting positions for the dirt collection container are known. For example, it is known that the dirt collection container is arranged in an area near a handle located at the top of the vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaners are also known whose dirt collection container is arranged near a floor nozzle.

[0008] The device allows the dirt collection containers of both previously described vacuum cleaner types to be emptied. This is made possible by the fact that the position of the connecting element for the fluid connection between the vacuum cleaner's dirt collection container and the suction opening of the device's dirt collection container is adjustable, particularly in terms of its height relative to the floor surface to be cleaned. In this way, the device can advantageously be used with vacuum cleaners of different designs.

[0009] In a further development of the device according to the invention, the suction air channel is formed, at least in sections, by a hose whose length can be varied. The variable hose length allows the position of the connecting element to be changed without requiring modifications to other components of the device. The length of the hose can thus be adapted to the position of the connecting element.

[0010] Advantageously, each end of the hose is assigned to an air guide element, wherein the air guide element preferably deflects the suction airflow by 90° relative to a longitudinal axis of the hose. This gives the device according to the invention compact and space-saving dimensions.

[0011] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the hose is guided in a linear guide, wherein at least one end of the hose is movable in its position along a guide axis of the linear guide. This allows stepless adjustment of at least one end of the hose, which in turn provides flexibility for the arrangement of a vacuum cleaner for emptying the dirt collection container.

[0012] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if at least one air guide element is fluidically connected to the connecting element. In this way, the connecting element is also used as a component for the air guide.

[0013] In this respect, it is particularly advantageous if one end of the hose is fluidically connected to the connecting element, so that the length of the hose changes when the position of the connecting element is changed.

[0014] For the user, it is particularly convenient if the connecting element can be repositioned by sliding it. Furthermore, it can be designed so that the sliding action is stepless. Alternatively, a detent mechanism can be provided, allowing the connecting element to lock into various predefined positions.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if the dirt collection container of the device and / or the vacuum cleaner is designed in the form of a dust bag.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device has an exhaust air filter arranged between the blower and the exhaust opening. Thus, the air exiting the device is free of dust particles, preventing contamination of the air at the device's installation location.

[0017] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the housing has at least two predetermined positions for holding the connecting element.

[0018] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if the intake air duct has at least two intake openings, each with a corresponding closing element, the closing element being transferable between an open and a closed position. Thus, one intake opening can always be activated by moving it to the closed position, while the other intake openings remain in their closed position.

[0019] Regarding the intake openings, it is further advantageous if the connecting element can be coupled to the intake opening, in particular if it can be inserted into the intake opening. Inserting the connecting element achieves the desired assembly position of the device, allowing it to be connected to a vacuum cleaner for emptying the dirt collection container.

[0020] It is particularly advantageous if the closing elements can be moved from the closed position to the open position by means of the connecting element, especially by inserting the connecting element into the intake opening. The connecting element thus serves to open the respective intake opening.

[0021] In this context, it is advantageous if only the closing element of the intake opening coupled to the connecting element is in the open position, while the other closing elements are in the closed position. Thus, when using the device according to the invention, there is no need to check the other intake openings.

[0022] To make emptying a dirt collection container particularly easy for one person, it is especially practical if the connecting element is designed to hold the vacuum cleaner against the device. Therefore, it is not necessary for a person to hold the vacuum cleaner during the emptying process.

[0023] Two embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings and are described in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 and Fig. 2: each a three-dimensional view of a first device according to the invention, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4: each a vertical section through the device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6: each a vertical section through the device according to Fig. 1 with attached vacuum cleaner, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8: each a three-dimensional view of a second device according to the invention, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10: each a vertical section through the device according to Fig. 7 and Fig. 11 and Fig. 12: each a vertical section through the device according to Fig. 7 with attached vacuum cleaner.

[0024] The Fig. Figures 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for emptying a dirt collection container 2 of a vacuum cleaner 3, wherein the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional representation. The device 1 has a housing 4, which in this case is cylindrical. The cylindrical housing 4 is vertically oriented and has a cover 5 at one upper end. In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 On an outer surface of the housing 4, i.e., on the lateral surface of the housing 4, a slot 6 and a connecting element 7 arranged therein can be seen. While the connecting element 7 is in the Fig. When 1 is positioned at an upper end of slot 6, the connecting element 7 is located in the Fig. 2 at a lower end of slot 6. It becomes clear that the connecting element 7 can be adjusted up and down in the direction of arrow 8.

[0025] In the vertical sections of the device 1 according to the invention, Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows that a blower 9 for generating a suction airflow and a suction air duct 10 are arranged in the housing 4. On one side facing the connecting element 7, the suction air duct 10 has an intake opening 11, and on one underside of the housing 4, the suction air duct 10 has an exhaust opening 12. To ensure that no dirt or dust particles 13 leave the device 1, an exhaust air filter 14 is arranged upstream of the exhaust opening 12 in the direction of airflow.

[0026] Furthermore, the device 1 according to the invention has a dirt collection container 15 which is arranged in the direction of flow of the suction air stream upstream of the blower 9, wherein the dirt collection container 15 is held on a retaining plate 16 in the device 1. In the present case, the dirt collection container 15 of the device 1 is formed by a dust bag which is replaceable.

[0027] Starting from the intake opening 11, the suction airflow is first guided via a first air guide element 17, which is horizontally oriented, into a hose 18, which has a vertical orientation. From the hose 18, the suction airflow enters a second air guide element 19, which is again horizontally oriented, so that the suction airflow is deflected by 90° both when entering and exiting the hose 18.

[0028] Overall, the suction airflow describes the following path: Starting from the connecting element 7, the suction airflow is directed via the intake opening 11 into the first air guide element 17, then into the hose 18, and from there into the second air guide element 19. From there, the suction airflow enters the dirt collection container 15, passes the blower 9, the exhaust air filter 14, and exits the device 1 via the discharge opening 12. It is understood that sections 20 of the suction air duct 10 run between the dirt collection container 15 and the blower 9, between the blower 9 and the exhaust air filter 14, and between the exhaust air filter 14 and the discharge opening 12, thus providing a fluid flow connection between the aforementioned elements.

[0029] The hose 18, which is variable in length, allows the connecting element 7 to be moved vertically within the slot 6, which is made possible by a linear guide 21 arranged in the slot 6. Thus, the connecting element 7 can be moved to different positions along a guide axis 22 of the linear guide 21. Fig. 4 The connecting element 7 is positioned at the lower end of the slot 6, so that the hose 18 has a significantly increased length. In the Fig. 4 it is clearly evident that one end of the hose 18 assigned to the connecting element 7 is movable, whereas one end assigned to the second air guide element 19 is fixed in its position.

[0030] The Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the device 1 according to the invention, on which a vacuum cleaner 3 is arranged for emptying its dirt collection container 2, wherein the vacuum cleaner 3 does not have to be held manually, since the device 1 has means, not shown in the figure, that enable the vacuum cleaner 3 to be held on the device 1. In the Fig. 5 The dirt collection container 2 of the vacuum cleaner 3 is located at an upper end of the vacuum cleaner 3, so that the upper position of the connecting element 7 of the device 1 is suitable for emptying. In the case of the vacuum cleaner 3 in the Fig. 6 the dirt collection container 2 is located at a lower end of the vacuum cleaner 3, so that the lower position of the connecting element 7 is suitable for emptying.

[0031] In the Fig. Figures 7 to 12 show a second embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for emptying a dirt collection container 2 of a vacuum cleaner 3.

[0032] Apart from the means for changing the position of the connecting element 7, the construction of the device 1 corresponds to the Fig. 7 to 12 with the construction of the device 1 according to the Fig. 1 to 6 are identical, therefore only the features relating to the connecting element 7, which can be changed in its position, will be described below.

[0033] The housing 4 of the device 1 has two predetermined positions 23 for holding the connecting element 7, each in the form of an opening into which the connecting element 7 can be inserted, wherein the connecting element 7 is in the Fig. 7 is inserted into an upper opening and in the Fig. 8 in a lower opening.

[0034] It should be noted that it is also possible for the housing to have three, four or more predetermined positions for holding the connecting element, which may be spaced apart from each other in both vertical and horizontal directions.

[0035] The predetermined positions 23 each coincide with an intake opening 24, 25, which can be moved from an open position 27 to a closed position 28 by means of an associated closing element 26. In the present example, the closing element 26 is designed as a rotatable, pre-tensioned flap, which in its rest position is in the closed position 28, in which the associated intake opening 24, 25 is closed. To move the closing element 26 to the open position 27, the connecting element 7 must be inserted into the opening, thereby flipping the flap and releasing the intake opening 24, 25. It can be seen that the connecting element 7 includes the first air guide element 17, which is inserted into the respective intake opening 24, 25 to open the closing element 26.

[0036] In the Fig. 9 The connecting element 7 is positioned with the first air guide element 17 in the upper opening, so that the upper closing element 26 is in the open position 27 and releases the upper intake opening 24. The lower opening, or rather the associated intake opening 25, is closed by means of the closing element 26. In the Fig. Figure 10 shows the reverse case.

[0037] In contrast to the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 6, the device 1 has according to the Fig. 7 to 12 do not have a hose for air supply, but rather a rigid channel 29 which is opened as needed depending on the position of the closing elements 26. According to Fig. Only a section of the duct 29, extending from the upper intake opening 24 to the second air guide element 19, serves for airflow, while the remaining section of the duct 29 does not carry air. In the Fig. 10 The entire channel 29 serves for airflow.

[0038] In contrast to the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 6, the outflow opening 12 of the device 1 is arranged laterally.

[0039] In the Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 shows the device 1 according to the invention with a vacuum cleaner 3 held to it, wherein the dirt and dust particles 13 are indicated and the suction airflow is illustrated by means of arrows 30. Reference symbol list 1 device 2 dirt collection containers vacuum cleaner 3 vacuum cleaners 4 cases 5 lids 6 slots 7 Connecting element 8 Arrow 9 blowers 10 Suction air duct 11 Intake opening 12. Outflow opening 13 dirt and dust particles 14 exhaust air filters 15 Dirt collection container device 16 Mounting plate 17 First air guide element 18 hose 19 Second air guide element Section 20 21 Linear guide 22 Guide axis 23rd position 24 Upper intake opening 25 Lower intake opening 26 Locking element 27 Disclosure 28 Closed position 29 Channel 30 Arrow

Claims

[1] Device (1) for emptying a dirt collecting container (2) of a vacuum cleaner (3), comprising - at least one housing (4), - at least one fan (9) arranged in the housing (4) for generating a suction air flow, - at least one suction air duct (10) for directing the suction air flow from at least one intake opening (11, 24, 25) to at least one discharge opening (12), - at least one dirt collection container (15) arranged in the housing (4) for receiving the dirt particles (13), wherein the dirt collection container (15) is arranged between the intake opening (11) and the discharge opening (12), - at least one connecting element (7) arranged on the outside of the housing (4) for the fluidic connection of the dirt collecting container (2) of the vacuum cleaner (3) with at least one suction opening (11, 24, 25), - wherein dirt and dust particles (13) located in the dirt collection container (2) of the vacuum cleaner (3) can be guided via the connecting element (7) to the dirt collection container (15) of the device (1) under the effect of the suction air flow, characterized by , that - a position of the connecting element (7) on the outside of the housing (7) can be changed. [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the suction air channel is formed at least in sections by a hose (18) whose length is variable. [3] Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that ends of the hose (18) are each assigned to an air guide element (17, 19), wherein the air guide element (17, 19) deflects the suction air flow preferably by 90° relative to a longitudinal axis of the hose (18). [4] Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized bythat the hose (18) is guided in a linear guide (21), wherein at least one end of the hose (18) is movable in its position along a guide axis (22) of the linear guide (21). [5] Device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that at least one air guide element (17, 19) is fluidically connected to the connecting element (7). [6] Device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by that one end of the hose (18) is fluidically connected to the connecting element (7), so that the hose (18) is changed in its length when the position of the connecting element (7) is changed. [7] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connecting element (7) can be changed in its position by moving it. [8] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the dirt collecting container (15) of the device (1) and / or the vacuum cleaner (3) is designed in the form of a dust bag. [9] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an exhaust air filter (14) arranged between the fan (9) and the outlet opening (12). [10] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (4) has at least two predetermined positions (23) for holding the connecting element (7). [11] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the suction air duct has at least two suction openings (24, 25), wherein the suction openings (24, 25) each have an associated closing element (26), wherein the closing element (26) can be transferred between an open position (27) and a closed position (28). [12] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the connecting element (7) can be coupled to the suction opening (24, 25), in particular can be inserted into the suction opening (24, 25). [13] Device (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by that the closing elements (26) can be transferred from the closed position (28) into the open position (27) by means of the connecting element (7), in particular by inserting the connecting element (7) into the suction opening (24, 25). [14] Device (1) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by that only the closing element (26) of the suction opening (24, 25) which is coupled to the connecting element (7) is in the open position (27), the remaining closing elements (26) being in the closed position (28). [15] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connecting element (7) is designed to hold the vacuum cleaner (3) to the device (1).

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