VACUUM CLEANER

Abstract

The present invention provides a vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface, the vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction nozzle for contact with the surface; a chamber for receiving particulate material that enters the vacuum cleaner through the suction nozzle; a suction device for providing an airflow into the suction nozzle; and a conduit connecting the suction nozzle to the chamber, wherein the conduit comprises an adsorbent in the form of a honeycomb with a plurality of channels separated from one another by channel walls, and wherein the honeycomb adsorbent comprises activated carbon. The invention also provides for the use of an adsorbent in the form of a honeycomb within a conduit of the vacuum cleaner.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to devices for cleaning an interior, in particular a vacuum cleaner, which contain 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 devices. Background Art

[0002] Environments, especially indoor air, can contain unpleasant odors that can be removed by cleaning devices. Furthermore, unwanted particles removed by cleaning devices can accumulate within the device, creating and / or becoming trapped in unpleasant odors. Cleaning devices may contain adsorbents to remove such odors.

[0003] While it is known that cleaning devices contain adsorbents to remove odors, there is a need for alternative solutions that overcome or at least mitigate the problem(s) described above and other disadvantages. Summary

[0004] In one aspect, a vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface is provided, the vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction mouth for engagement with the surface; a chamber for receiving particulate material entering the vacuum cleaner through the suction mouth; a suction device for providing an airflow into the suction mouth; and a conduit connecting the suction mouth to the chamber, the conduit comprising an adsorbent in the form of a honeycomb having a plurality of channels separated by channel walls, and the honeycomb adsorbent comprising activated carbon.

[0005] Advantageously, unpleasant odors can be removed as soon as air is drawn into the vacuum cleaner. Another advantage is that the particles accumulating in the chamber can be freed from unwanted odors and / or harmful contaminants such as volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and formaldehyde, or at a lower concentration. Another advantage is that, due to its monolithic structure, the honeycomb adsorbent can be treated, e.g., heated, to release the molecules adsorbed on its surface, creating a regenerable filter element.

[0006] As a further aspect, the use of a honeycomb adsorbent in a duct of a vacuum cleaner is provided, the duct connecting a suction mouth to a chamber for receiving particulate material entering the vacuum cleaner through the suction mouth, the honeycomb adsorbent having a plurality of channels separated from one another by channel walls, and the honeycomb adsorbent comprising activated carbon. Short description of the drawings

[0007] The drawings show: Fig. 1, which shows a vacuum cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2, which shows a vacuum cleaner 100' according to another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3, which shows a honeycomb 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0008] Cleaning devices containing activated carbon adsorbers may include vacuum cleaners, dust collectors, and indoor and outdoor air filtration systems or air purifiers that remove dust, dirt, and other particles from a gaseous or contaminated airstream.

[0009] Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal or charcoal, comes in many forms. The type of activated carbon used depends on the requirements and / or the device in which it is used.

[0010] Activated carbon can be in the form of a honeycomb, as described here, and is therefore referred to here as “honeycomb adsorbents”.

[0011] Particulate activated carbon includes powdered activated carbon and granulated activated carbon. Particulate activated carbon can be used as packed beds or loose fills in a housing, container, or bag.

[0012] Activated carbon may be incorporated into filtration media. The activated carbon may be applied, coated, impregnated, or otherwise immobilized onto fabric, nonwoven fabric, or other types of fibers. Indoor air purifiers may contain filter materials composed of a plurality of layers, one of which is a layer of activated carbon. The filter material may be pleated to increase surface area. Alternatively or additionally, where the airflow through an indoor air purifier is directed through a duct, e.g., at an air outlet duct, honeycomb-shaped activated carbon, as described herein, may be incorporated into the duct.

[0013] In vacuum cleaners, a suitable duct for arranging a honeycomb adsorbent therein comprises the duct connecting the suction mouth of the vacuum cleaner to a chamber for receiving particulate material contained in the air sucked into the vacuum cleaner via the suction mouth.

[0014] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show vacuum cleaners according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 shows a conventional vacuum cleaner 100 connected to a power source via a plug (not shown). Fig. Figure 2 shows a cordless vacuum cleaner 100', which is powered by a battery (not shown) in the vacuum cleaner 100'. Cordless vacuum cleaners are also known as stick vacuum cleaners. The vacuum cleaner 100, 100' has a suction nozzle 102 that extends toward the surface to be cleaned and can thus rest against the surface. The vacuum cleaner 100, 100' also includes a chamber 104 for receiving particulate material that enters the vacuum cleaner 100, 100' through the suction nozzle 102. The chamber 104 can, as in Fig. 1, be arranged at an end of the line 110 opposite the end of the line 110 connected to the suction mouth 102. The chamber 104 can also be arranged at other suitable locations in the vacuum cleaner, e.g. in the line 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100', as shown in Fig. 2. The vacuum cleaner 100, 100' also includes a suction device 106 for directing an air stream into the suction mouth 102. The suction device 106 may be located in the chamber 104, as shown in Fig. 1, or in other suitable areas of the vacuum cleaner, such as a handle 108, as shown in Fig. 2. The suction device 106 typically includes a fan (not shown) that creates a negative pressure to draw air from the ambient environment through the suction mouth 102 into the vacuum cleaner 100, 100'. The ambient environment may contain air near the surface to be cleaned. The air may contain particulate matter to be removed, including, but not limited to, dust, dirt, liquid or liquid droplets borne in the air, broken objects, and insects. The particulate matter may be on the surface or borne in the air around the surface. The airborne particles entering the vacuum cleaner 100, 100' may be separated by a bag or a centrifugal separator (not shown), and the separated particles are collected in the chamber 104.The exhaust air, which contains little or substantially no particulate material, may exit the vacuum cleaner 100, 100' via an air outlet (not shown).

[0015] The flow path within the vacuum cleaner 100, 100' begins at the suction opening 102 and ends at the air outlet. The chamber 104 is provided fluidically behind the separator to receive the particles separated by the separator. A conduit 110 is provided between the suction opening 102 and the chamber 104, forming a flow path for the air therebetween. The conduit 110 can be rigid or flexible, or a combination of both. The vacuum cleaner 100 in Fig. 1 consists, for example, of a rigid part 110b and a flexible part 110a to facilitate maneuverability, while the line 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100' in Fig. 2 is rigid.

[0016] The conduit 110 includes a honeycomb-shaped adsorbent 120. The honeycomb-shaped adsorbent 120 can be disposed in any portion of a conduit as described herein. In some embodiments, the honeycomb-shaped adsorbent is disposed in a rigid portion of the conduit. Alternatively or additionally, the honeycomb-shaped adsorbent can also be contained in the chamber or air outlet. Alternatively or additionally, adsorbent in another form can also be incorporated into a vacuum cleaner or other cleaning device. For example, activated carbon can be provided in the form of particles in a porous bag in a chamber of the vacuum cleaner.

[0017] The honeycomb adsorbent can be arranged downstream of the intake port 102. The honeycomb adsorbent can be arranged upstream of the chamber 104 and / or upstream of the suction device 106 and / or upstream of the separator. If the chamber 104 is arranged in the conduit 110, the honeycomb adsorbent can be arranged downstream of the chamber 104 and upstream of the suction device 106.

[0018] The adsorbent may also contain adsorbents other than activated carbon, e.g., other physisorbers and / or chemisorbents, as long as the honeycomb structure is maintained. Depending on the environment to be purified and the compounds to be adsorbed, other adsorbents may also be used. Examples of other physisorbers and chemisorbents include silica gel, activated alumina, molecular sieves, drying agents such as clays, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, potassium permanganate, potassium carbonate, phosphoric acid, or citric acid. The adsorbent, e.g., the honeycomb adsorbent, may be chemically modified to improve its adsorption efficiency toward the compounds to be adsorbed. Chemical modifications may include coatings, impregnations, treatments, or other suitable types of modification, for example, with acids, bases, metal salts, or organic amines.

[0019] The adsorbent can be extruded into the honeycomb structure. The honeycomb-shaped adsorbent can be an extruded article. The adsorbent can be a molded monolithic article with a honeycomb structure. An extrudable composition containing carbon particles from a carbon precursor can be extruded to create the honeycomb structure. Alternatively, the extruded article can also contain adsorbents such as clay, with activated carbon and / or other adsorbents applied to the extruded article.

[0020] The activated carbon can be obtained from a carbon precursor. The carbon precursor can be selected from the group consisting of wood, wood dust, wood flour, cotton linters, peat, bituminous coal, lignite, petroleum pitch, petroleum coke, coal tar pitch, carbohydrates, coconut shells, fruit kernels, fruit stones, nutshells, nut kernels, sawdust, palm trees, vegetables, synthetic polymers, natural polymers, cellulosic materials, lignocellulosic materials, and combinations thereof.

[0021] The structure of the honeycomb disclosed here is in Fig. 3 shown. Fig. Figure 3 shows a honeycomb 200 according to one embodiment of the invention. The honeycomb 200 includes a plurality of channels 202 separated from one another by channel walls 204. The plurality of channels 202 may extend substantially parallel to one another.

[0022] The outer shape or overall shape of the honeycomb 200 is in Fig.3 as a quadrilateral. In other embodiments, the shape of the honeycomb 200 can have any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the honeycomb adsorbent has a shape that corresponds to the appliance in which it is disposed. In some embodiments, the honeycomb adsorbent has a shape that corresponds to the internal volume of a duct in which it is disposed. The honeycomb 200 can be shaped to fit within an internal volume of the duct 110 of the vacuum cleaner 100, 100'. The honeycomb 200 can be shaped such that the duct walls 204, which form the outer shape of the honeycomb 200, abut the inner walls of the duct, such that an airflow must flow through the honeycomb 200.

[0023] The honeycomb adsorbent may be glued or otherwise attached to the inner walls of the duct. The honeycomb adsorbent may be housed in a frame that is attached to the inner walls of the duct or otherwise connected to them.

[0024] Since it is desirable for the pressure drop of the airflow between the intake device and the intake opening to be as low as possible, the honeycomb can advantageously be a flow-through honeycomb. Furthermore, the noise level generated by the airflow through a flow-through honeycomb can advantageously be lower than with adsorbents in other forms.

[0025] Each channel 202 of the plurality of channels may have a uniform cross-section. Suitable cross-sections may be selected from a group consisting of trigonal, tetragonal, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, spherical, and oval cross-sections. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for one channel 202 to have a different cross-section than another channel 202.

[0026] The honeycomb can have a cell density between 10 cells per square inch and 650 cells per square inch. The cell density can be selected depending on the adsorption performance and the required pressure drop.

[0027] The channel walls 204 may have a substantially uniform thickness along the entire length of the channel 202. The channel 202 may have a substantially uniform internal cross-section along its entire length. Each channel 202 or the plurality of channels 202 may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel. The air flow flowing through the conduit and into the channels 202 of the honeycomb adsorbent advantageously cannot be unnecessarily curved or deflected.

[0028] The length of the plurality of channels 202 can be selected depending on the required adsorption performance and capacity. For example, the length of the plurality of channels 202 can be selected to maintain sufficient turbulent air flow in the channels 202 so that the air has sufficient contact time with the channel walls 204 containing the adsorbent.

[0029] The vacuum cleaner or other cleaning device may also include a particulate filter positioned upstream of the honeycomb adsorbent with respect to the airflow. The particulate filter can filter out coarse particles or particles with effective dimensions that could clog the channels of the honeycomb adsorbent.

[0030] The present disclosure provides for the use of a honeycomb-shaped adsorbent in a duct of a vacuum cleaner, the duct connecting a suction opening to a chamber for receiving particulate material entering the vacuum cleaner through the suction opening. The adsorbent may be any of those described herein. Suitable adsorbents and honeycomb-shaped adsorbents are commercially available from MANN+HUMMEL.

Claims

[1] A vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface, the vacuum cleaner comprising: a suction mouth for contact with the surface; a chamber for collecting particulate material that enters the vacuum cleaner through the suction mouth; an intake device for generating an air flow into the intake opening; and a line connecting the suction mouth to the chamber, wherein the conduit comprises a honeycomb-shaped adsorbent having a plurality of channels separated by channel walls, and wherein the honeycomb-shaped adsorbent comprises activated carbon. [2] A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels are substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel. [3] A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the honeycomb adsorbent has a shape corresponding to an internal volume of the duct. [4] Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the honeycomb is a flow-through honeycomb. [5] A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the honeycomb has a cell density in a range between 10 cells per square inch and 650 cells per square inch. [6] A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the honeycomb adsorbent is an extruded article. [7] A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the activated carbon is derived from a carbon precursor selected from the group consisting of wood, wood dust, wood flour, cotton linters, peat, bituminous coal, lignite, petroleum pitch, petroleum coke, coal tar pitch, carbohydrates, coconut shells, fruit kernels, fruit stones, nutshells, nut kernels, sawdust, palm, vegetables, synthetic polymer, natural polymer, cellulosic material, lignocellulosic material and combinations thereof. [8] A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims further comprises a particle filter arranged upstream of the honeycomb adsorbent with respect to the air flow. [9] Use of an adsorbent in the form of a honeycomb in a duct of a vacuum cleaner, wherein the line connects a suction mouth with a chamber for receiving particulate material entering the vacuum cleaner through the suction mouth, wherein the honeycomb adsorbent has a plurality of channels separated from each other by channel walls, and wherein the honeycomb adsorbent comprises activated carbon.

Images