PORTABLE VACUUM CLEANER EQUIPPED WITH A REMOVABLE FILTER

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners for vacuuming dust and small particle size waste present on a surface to be cleaned, which can for example be tiles, parquet flooring, laminate flooring, carpet or rug. State of the art

[0002] A vacuum cleaner, and more specifically a handheld vacuum cleaner, typically comprises a suction hose, a waste separation device, and a housing containing a suction motor configured to generate an airflow through the suction hose and the waste separation device. The housing includes an exhaust system through which the airflow generated by the suction motor is expelled from the housing. Advantageously, the exhaust system may be equipped with a removable filter.

[0003] The noise generated during the operation of such a portable vacuum cleaner can, however, be significant, which can make the use of such a portable vacuum cleaner unpleasant.

[0004] CN206934037U discloses a handheld vacuum cleaner with a suction motor featuring a perforated motor housing to vent air. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0006] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular of providing a portable vacuum cleaner which is simple and economical in structure, while significantly reducing the noise generated by the portable vacuum cleaner during its use.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a portable vacuum cleaner comprising a suction duct, a waste separation device and a housing containing a suction motor configured to generate an airflow through the suction duct and the waste separation device, the housing comprising an air exhaust circuit through which the airflow generated by the suction motor is evacuated to the outside of the housing, the air exhaust circuit being equipped with a filter which is removable, characterized in that the air exhaust circuit has an air diffusion nozzle and in that the filter has a cylindrical cartridge shape and laterally surrounds the air diffusion nozzle.

[0008] Such a configuration of the air diffusion nozzle and the filter ensures diffusion of the airflow exiting the suction motor towards a generally cylindrical internal surface of the filter which then forms a sound insulation wall extending around the air diffusion nozzle.

[0009] Thus, the specific configuration of the filter according to the present invention, combined with the presence of an air-diffusing nozzle upstream of the filter, significantly reduces the noise generated by the handheld vacuum cleaner, making its use much more pleasant.

[0010] The handheld vacuum cleaner may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filter comprises a cylindrical, pleated filtration section, the filtration section laterally surrounding the air diffusion nozzle. This filter configuration further improves the filter's acoustic attenuation performance, and thus further reduces the noise generated by the handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air diffusion nozzle has a generally cylindrical shape and includes lateral openings, each of the lateral openings being configured to diffuse a portion of the airflow generated by the suction motor towards the filter.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the lateral openings is configured to diffuse a portion of the airflow generated by the suction motor towards the filtration part of the filter, and more particularly towards an internal peripheral surface of the filtration part.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air diffusion nozzle comprises an internal chamber fluidly connected to an air discharge orifice of the suction motor, each of the lateral openings of the air diffusion nozzle opening into the internal chamber.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air discharge orifice of the suction motor opens, for example axially, into the internal chamber of the air diffusion nozzle.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, each lateral opening is elongated and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the air diffusion nozzle.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air diffusion nozzle and the filter are arranged coaxially.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lateral openings are angularly offset from each other.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lateral openings are distributed, and advantageously regularly distributed, around the longitudinal axis of the air diffusion nozzle.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing and the air diffusion nozzle define a receiving chamber into which the filter is removably received. Advantageously, the receiving chamber is annular.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lateral openings of the air diffusion nozzle open into the receiving chamber.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the handheld vacuum cleaner includes a removable cover that is removably attached to the housing. The removable cover is configured to prevent access to the filter when it is attached to the housing and to allow access to the filter when it is removed. These arrangements allow easy access to the filter and its removal from the housing for maintenance, particularly for cleaning or replacement.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the removable cover is removably fixed to the housing by at least one locking element which is elastically deformable between a locking position in which the removable cover is able to be locked onto the housing and a release position in which the removable cover is able to be removed.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one locking element comprises a support portion configured such that, when a support force is exerted by a user on the support portion, at least one locking element is elastically deformed from the locking position to the release position.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the removable cover includes at least one locking element.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one locking element comprises a locking part which is configured to cooperate with the housing, and for example with a locking housing provided on the housing, when at least one locking element is in the locked position.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking part is formed by a locking lug.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one locking element is a locking tab.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one locking element extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the suction motor.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the removable cover is removably attached to the housing by two elastically deformable locking elements located opposite each other. These arrangements allow a user to easily unlock the removable cover by applying pressure to the two locking elements with their thumb and forefinger, respectively.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the removable cover is arranged on a rear face of the portable vacuum cleaner housing, a front face of the housing receiving the waste separation device.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filter is removably attached to the removable cover. This arrangement allows a user to remove the filter from the housing to check its level of soiling simply by removing the cover, while preventing the user from touching the filter if it is not sufficiently dirty to be cleaned. This filter configuration (removal of the filter is simultaneous with removal of the cover) is therefore very hygienic. Furthermore, if the filter needs to be replaced, it is necessary to replace only the filter itself and not the entire filter / removable cover assembly, which would be the case if these two elements were made from a single piece.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filter is configured to be fixed to the removable cover in a direction of attachment which extends transversely, and for example perpendicularly, to the longitudinal axis of the filter.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the removable cover includes at least one immobilizing element configured to immobilize the filter on the removable cover.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the removable cover is arranged in the longitudinal axis of the suction motor.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filter and the suction motor are arranged coaxially.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air diffusion nozzle and the suction motor are arranged coaxially.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the handheld vacuum cleaner includes at least one energy storage element, such as a rechargeable battery, configured to electrically power the handheld vacuum cleaner, and in particular the suction motor.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one energy storage element is housed in the casing.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation device is of the cyclonic type.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air exhaust circuit includes at least one air evacuation opening provided on an external surface of the housing and through which the airflow generated by the suction motor is evacuated to the outside of the housing.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing includes a passage opening leading into the receiving chamber, the removable cover being configured on the one hand to close the passage opening and prevent access to the filter when the removable cover is attached to the housing and on the other hand to free the passage opening and allow removal of the filter through the passage opening when the removable cover is removed.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the removable cover includes a closing part configured to close the passage opening and prevent access to the filter when the removable cover is attached to the housing.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closing part is understood to be transverse to the longitudinal axis of the suction motor.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one locking element extends from the closing part.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction motor comprises a motor housing in which a motor-fan is disposed.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the engine casing includes the air discharge port.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation device extends along a first axis of extension, and the suction motor extends along a second axis of extension which is transverse to the first axis of extension. Advantageously, the first axis of extension is substantially perpendicular to the second axis of extension.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air diffusion nozzle is fixed to the engine casing.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air diffusion nozzle and the engine casing are made of a single piece.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation device is removably mounted on the housing.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the case includes a gripping handle. Brief description of the figures

[0053] In any case, the invention will be well understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the attached schematic drawings representing, by way of non-limiting examples, two embodiments of this vacuum cleaner. There figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable vacuum cleaner according to the invention. figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the portable vacuum cleaner of the figure 1 . There figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the portable vacuum cleaner of the figure 1 . There figure 4is a cross-sectional view of the portable vacuum cleaner of the figure 1 . There figure 5 is a side view of a filter and removable cover of the handheld vacuum cleaner figure 1 . There figure 6 is a perspective view of the filter of the figure 5 . There figure 7 is a perspective view of the removable hood of the figure 5 . Detailed description

[0054] THE figures 1 to 7 represent a handheld vacuum cleaner 2 comprising a housing 3 equipped with a gripping handle 4, a waste separation device 5 mounted removably on the housing 3, and a suction motor 6 housed in the housing 3.

[0055] The waste separation device 5 is advantageously of the cyclonic type, and includes in particular a waste storage container 7, and a separator filter 8 housed in the waste storage container 7. The waste storage container 7 more particularly includes an air inlet opening 9 and an air outlet 11.

[0056] As shown on the figures 3 and 4 The suction motor 6 includes a motor housing 12 and a motor-fan 13 disposed in the motor housing 12. In a known manner, the motor-fan 13 includes a fan and an electric motor configured to drive the fan in rotation.

[0057] The suction motor 6 further includes an air inlet port 14 and an air discharge port 15 which are advantageously provided on the motor housing 12, and the handheld vacuum cleaner 2 further includes a connecting tube 16 which fluidly connects the air inlet port 14 of the suction motor 6 to the air outlet port 11 of the waste separation device 7.

[0058] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the waste separation device 5 extends along a first extension axis A, and the suction motor 6 extends along a second extension axis B which is transverse to the first extension axis A, and advantageously perpendicular to the first extension axis A.

[0059] The handheld vacuum cleaner 2 further includes an energy storage element 17, such as a rechargeable battery, configured to electrically power the motor-fan 13. The energy storage element 17 is advantageously housed in the casing 3, and for example in the gripping handle 4.

[0060] The housing 3 further includes a suction duct 18 to which the air inlet opening 9 of the waste separation device 5 is fluidly connected, and an air exhaust circuit 19 through which the airflow generated by the suction motor 6 is evacuated to the outside of the housing 3.

[0061] As shown more specifically on the figure 2The air exhaust circuit 19 includes an air diffuser nozzle 21 having a generally cylindrical shape. Advantageously, the air diffuser nozzle 21 and the suction motor 6 are arranged coaxially. The air diffuser nozzle 21 can, for example, be attached to the motor housing 12. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the air diffuser nozzle 21 and the motor housing 12 are made as a single piece.

[0062] The air diffusion nozzle 21 and the housing 3 define a receiving chamber 22 which is advantageously annular and whose function is defined below.

[0063] The air diffusion nozzle 21 has an internal chamber 23 into which the air discharge orifice 15 of the suction motor 6 opens axially, and also lateral openings 24 which each open on one side into the internal chamber 23 and on the other into the receiving chamber 22. The lateral openings 24 are more particularly provided on a lateral surface 25, which is generally cylindrical, of the air diffusion nozzle 21.

[0064] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the lateral openings 24 are angularly offset from each other, and are advantageously regularly distributed around the longitudinal axis of the air diffusion nozzle 21. Each lateral opening 24 can, for example, be elongated and extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the air diffusion nozzle 21.

[0065] The air exhaust circuit 19 is also equipped with a filter 26 which is removably mounted in the receiving chamber 22. The filter 26 has a cylindrical cartridge shape and laterally surrounds the air diffusion nozzle 21. Advantageously, the air diffusion nozzle 21, the filter 26 and the suction motor 6 are arranged coaxially.

[0066] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the filter 26 includes a filtration part 27 which is cylindrical and pleated, and which laterally envelops the air diffusion nozzle 21, and more particularly the lateral surface 25 of the air diffusion nozzle 21 on which the lateral openings 24 are provided.

[0067] Thus, each of the lateral openings 24 is configured to diffuse a part of the airflow generated by the suction motor 6 towards the filtration part 27, and more particularly towards an internal peripheral surface of the filtration part 27.

[0068] The air exhaust circuit 19 further includes air exhaust openings 28 provided on an external surface of the housing 3 and through which the airflow generated by the suction motor 6 is exhausted to the outside of the housing 3.

[0069] The handheld vacuum cleaner 2 also includes a removable cover 29 which is removably attached to the housing 3, and which is configured to prevent access to the filter 26 when the removable cover 29 is attached to the housing 3 and to allow access to the filter 26 when the removable cover 29 is removed. The removable cover 29 is located on a rear face of the housing 3 of the handheld vacuum cleaner 2 that is situated opposite the suction duct 18. Advantageously, the removable cover 29 is located along the longitudinal axis B of the suction motor 6.

[0070] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the housing 3 has a passage opening 31 leading into the receiving chamber 22, and the removable cover 29 is configured on the one hand to close the passage opening 31 and prevent access to the filter 26 when the removable cover 29 is fixed to the housing 3, and on the other hand to free the passage opening 31 and allow removal of the filter 26 through the passage opening 31 when the removable cover 29 is removed.

[0071] The removable cover 29 more particularly includes a closing part 32 configured to close the passage opening 31 and prevent access to the filter 26 when the removable cover 29 is attached to the housing 3, and two locking elements 33, such as locking tabs, each extending from the closing part 32 and configured to allow locking of the removable cover 29 onto the housing 3.

[0072] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the closing part 32 is understood to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B of the suction motor 6, and each of the locking elements 33 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis B of the suction motor 6. Advantageously, the two locking elements 33 are located opposite each other, and are therefore diametrically opposed when the closing part 32 has an overall circular shape.

[0073] Each locking element 33 includes a locking part 33.1, such as a locking lug, and is elastically deformable between a locking position in which the locking part 33.1 is able to cooperate with the housing 3, and for example with a locking housing provided on the housing 3, so as to lock the removable cover 27 onto the housing 3 and a release position in which the locking part 33.1 is able to release the housing 3 so as to allow removal of the removable cover 29.

[0074] Each locking element 33 may also include a bearing part 33.2, for example provided with a footprint, configured such that, when a bearing force is exerted by a user on the bearing part 33.2, the respective locking element 33 is elastically deformed from the locking position to the release position.

[0075] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the filter 26 is removably fixed to the removable cover 29. For this purpose, the removable cover 29 has two locking elements 34, such as locking tabs, configured to immobilize the filter 26 on the removable cover 29. Each locking element 34 can, for example, be located on an internal surface of a respective locking element 33.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the invention, the filter 26 is configured to be fixed on the removable cover 29 in a fixing direction D which extends transversely, and for example perpendicularly, to the longitudinal axis C of the filter 26.

[0077] The operation of the vacuum cleaner 2 will now be described. When the motor-fan 13 is electrically powered, it creates a vacuum, particularly in the waste separation device 5, such that air and waste are drawn in through the suction duct 18. The air laden with waste then enters the waste storage container 7 via the air inlet 9, which may, for example, open tangentially into the waste storage container 7. The air is thus set in motion, and the waste is centrifuged outwards and collected by the waste storage container 7.

[0078] The airflow then flows successively through the air outlet 11, the connecting tube 16, and the air inlet 14 and the air discharge 15 of the suction motor 6. Then, the airflow is diffused radially towards the filter 26 through the lateral openings 24, and flows through the filtration part 27 before escaping out of the housing 3 through the air exhaust openings 28.

[0079] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition 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 (2) comprising a suction pipe (18), a waste separation device (5), and a casing (3) containing a suction motor (6) configured to generate an airflow through the suction pipe (18) and the waste separation device (5), the casing (3) comprising an air emission circuit (19) through which the airflow generated by the suction motor (6) is discharged outwards from the casing (3), the air emission circuit (19) being equipped with a removable filter (26), characterised in that the air emission circuit (19) comprises an air diffusion nozzle (21) and in that the filter (26) has a cylindrical cartridge shape and laterally envelopes the air diffusion nozzle (21), in that the air diffusion nozzle (21) has a mainly cylindrical shape and comprises side openings (24), each of the side openings (24) being configured to diffuse some of the airflow generated by the suction motor (6) to the filter (26), in that the air diffusion nozzle (21) comprises an internal chamber (23) fluidically connected to an air backflow orifice (15) of the suction motor (6), each of the side openings (24) of the air diffusion nozzle (21) opening into the internal chamber (23), and in that the air backflow orifice (15) of the suction motor (6) opens axially into the internal chamber (23) of the air diffusion nozzle (21).

2. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1, wherein the filter (26) comprises a filtering part (27) which is cylindrical and pleated, the filtering part (27) laterally enveloping the air diffusion nozzle (21).

3. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the casing (3) and the air diffusion nozzle (21) delimit a receiving chamber (22) wherein the filter (26) is removably received.

4. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which comprises a removable cap (29) which is removably fixed to the casing (3), the removable cap (29) being configured to prevent an access to the filter (26) when the removable cap (29) is fixed to the casing (3) and to enable an access to the filter (26) when the removable cap (29) is deposited.

5. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 4, wherein the removable cap (29) is removably fixed to the casing (3) by at least one locking element (33) which is resiliently deformable between a locking position, wherein the removable cap (29) is capable of being locked on the casing (3) and a release position, wherein the removable cap (29) is capable of being deposited.

6. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 5, wherein the removable cap (29) is removably fixed to the casing (3) by two locking elements (33) which are resiliently deformable and which are located opposite one another.

7. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the removable cap (29) is disposed on a rear face of the casing (3) of the portable vacuum cleaner, a front face of the casing (3) receiving the waste separation device (5).

8. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the filter (26) is removably fixed to the removable cap (29).

9. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the removable cap (29) is disposed in the longitudinal axis (B) of the suction motor (6).

10. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the filter (26) and the suction motor (6) are coaxially disposed.

11. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which comprises at least one energy storage element (17) configured to electrically power the portable vacuum cleaner.

12. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the waste separation device (5) is of the cyclone type.

13. Portable vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the air emission circuit (19) comprises at least one air discharge opening (28) provided on an external surface of the casing (3) and through which the airflow generated by the suction motor (6) is discharged outwards from the casing (3).