Suction device for a domestic vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The suction device (9) comprises a main housing (12) including an air intake portion (14) provided with air passage openings (15); a suction motor (17) disposed in the main housing (12) and including an air inlet opening (18) located opposite the air passage openings (15); and a sound absorption element (21) fixed to the main housing (12) and covering at least part of the air passage openings (15), the sound absorption element (21) being made of porous material and having at least one through orifice (25) which is located opposite at least part of the air passage openings (15).

Description

Technical field

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

[0002] A domestic vacuum cleaner comprises, in a known manner, a suction device comprising: a main housing comprising an air passage opening, and a suction motor disposed in the main housing and comprising an air inlet opening located opposite the air passage opening, the suction motor being configured to generate an air flow through the air passage opening and the air inlet opening.

[0003] Such a configuration of the suction device generates significant turbulence upstream of the air inlet opening and therefore the flow of a turbulent air flow through the air inlet opening of the suction motor. Thus, the noise generated by the air flow circulating upstream of the suction motor is significant, as is the noise generated by the suction motor, which is a source of discomfort for the user. In addition, such turbulence induces high pressure losses within the suction device, and therefore has a detrimental impact on the suction performance of the suction device.

[0004] Document EP 4 056 087 A1 discloses a suction device for a domestic vacuum cleaner according to the preamble of claim 1. 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 in providing a suction device which is of simple and economical structure, while limiting the noise generated by such a suction device and while having improved suction performance.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a suction device for a domestic vacuum cleaner, comprising: a main casing comprising an air intake portion, such as an air intake grille, provided with a plurality of air passage openings, a suction motor arranged in the main casing and comprising an air inlet opening located opposite at least a portion of the air passage openings provided on the air intake portion, the suction motor being configured to generate an air flow through the air passage openings and the air inlet opening, and a sound absorption element fixed to the main casing and arranged upstream of the air intake portion, the sound absorption element being made of porous material and at least partially covering the air passage openings, the sound absorption element comprising a first face oriented towards the air passage openings and a second face opposite the first face,the sound absorption element comprising at least one through orifice which opens respectively into the first and second faces of the sound absorption element and which is located opposite at least part of the air passage openings.

[0008] In other words, said at least one through-orifice has a diameter which is such that the section of the through-orifice covers several air passage openings.

[0009] The presence of the sound absorption element limits turbulence upstream of the air inlet opening and homogenizes the air flow circulating around the periphery of the air inlet opening and towards the inside of the suction motor. The noise generated by the air flow circulating upstream of the suction motor is thus reduced by the elimination of this turbulence.

[0010] Furthermore, the air flow, passing through the sound absorption element and then the air passage openings provided on the air intake part, is made uniform at the inlet of the fan blades equipping the suction motor.

[0011] This helps reduce load noise due to stationary aerodynamic forces acting on the fan blades and noise from shear stresses in the turbulent flow around the blades.

[0012] In addition, the combination of the sound absorption element and the perforated air intake part (which then form a sort of Helmholtz resonator) makes it possible to attenuate the amplitude of the sound waves, which propagate upstream of the suction motor, over a significant frequency spectral band.

[0013] Thus, the specific configuration of the suction device according to the present invention makes it possible to significantly reduce the noise generated by the airflow flowing through the suction device and the noise generated by the suction motor, while limiting the pressure losses generated within the suction device.

[0014] The presence of at least one through-hole also makes it possible to avoid any blockage of the air flow through the sound absorption element in the event of the latter becoming clogged.

[0015] The suction device may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one through-orifice is cylindrical or truncated cone-shaped.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one through-orifice has a circular section.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first face of the sound absorption element bears against the air intake portion.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound absorption element has a maximum transverse dimension which is greater than the maximum transverse dimension of the air intake portion.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound absorption element has a maximum transverse dimension which is greater than the diameter of the air inlet opening.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound absorption element has a generally rectangular shape.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air intake portion is substantially planar and has a generally circular shape.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air intake portion and the air inlet opening are arranged substantially coaxially. Such a configuration of the suction device makes it possible to attenuate the amplitude of the sound waves, which propagate upstream of the suction motor, over an even larger frequency spectral band.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound absorption element is an acoustic foam.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound absorption element is made of porous material with open cavities.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the acoustic absorption element is acoustically porous, and is advantageously made of acoustically porous material.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second faces of the sound absorption element are substantially parallel.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound absorption element is generally parallelepipedal.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound absorption element has a thickness of between 5 and 40 mm.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one through-orifice is located at least partly opposite the air inlet opening. In other words, an orthogonal projection of the at least one through-orifice onto a reference plane, which is perpendicular to the motor axis of the suction motor, is at least partly coincident with an orthogonal projection of the air inlet opening onto said reference plane. Such a configuration of the sound absorption element makes it possible to further improve the acoustic performance of the sound absorption element.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the motor axis of the suction motor intersects with the at least one through-hole.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one through-orifice and the air inlet opening are arranged substantially coaxially. Such a configuration of the suction device makes it possible to attenuate the amplitude of the sound waves, which propagate upstream of the suction motor, over an even larger frequency spectral band.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one through orifice has a diameter of between 10% and 150%, and advantageously between 100% and 140%, of the diameter of the air inlet opening.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the ratio of the diameter of the at least one through orifice to the diameter of the air inlet opening is between 1 and 1.5, and for example between 1 and 1.35.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the through-orifice has a passage section which is substantially identical to the passage section of the air inlet opening.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one through-orifice has a diameter of between 30 and 40 mm.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, each air passage opening has a diameter of between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air inlet opening and the air intake portion are spaced apart from each other by a separation distance which is less than or equal to 2 cm.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound absorption element has a thickness greater than the separation distance.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main casing comprises a receiving housing in which the sound absorption element is housed.

[0041] Such a configuration of the main housing ensures a stable position for the sound absorption element.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main casing comprises a retaining wall extending around the air intake portion and the sound absorption element, the air intake portion and the retaining wall at least partially delimiting the receiving housing.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining wall has a shape complementary to that of the sound absorption element. Such a configuration of the main casing allows easy and inexpensive fixing of the sound absorption element on the main casing.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining wall comprises a flow guiding portion which is located upstream of the sound absorption element and which is configured to guide the air flow, generated by the suction motor, towards the sound absorption element. Advantageously, the flow guiding portion converges towards the sound absorption element.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining wall delimits an insertion opening opening into the receiving housing, the acoustic absorption element being configured to be inserted into the receiving housing via the insertion opening.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction motor has a motor axis and the sound absorption element extends substantially perpendicular to the motor axis.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction motor comprises a fan and an electric motor configured to drive the fan in rotation.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction device comprises an air discharge circuit comprising at least one air discharge opening provided on the main casing and through which the air flow generated by the suction motor is discharged to the outside of the suction device, and an air discharge duct which fluidically connects an air outlet opening of the suction motor to the at least one air discharge opening.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air exhaust circuit further comprises a filtration element configured to filter the air flow flowing through the at least one air exhaust opening.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound absorption element comprises a single through-orifice. However, according to another embodiment of the invention, the sound absorption element could comprise several through-orifices. Such through-orifices may be distributed, for example regularly distributed, around the central axis of the air inlet opening.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air intake portion is formed by a perforated plate.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction device is configured such that at least a portion of the air flow, generated by the suction motor, flows through the sound absorption element and towards the air passage openings.

[0053] The present invention further relates to a domestic vacuum cleaner, such as a canister vacuum cleaner, comprising a suction device according to the present invention.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the domestic vacuum cleaner comprises: a housing comprising an engine compartment in which the suction device is housed, and a suction nozzle arranged on the housing and through which air carrying waste can be sucked into the housing, the air inlet opening being fluidically connected to the suction nozzle.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction nozzle is arranged in a front part of the housing.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction motor is configured to generate an airflow through the suction nozzle and the air inlet opening.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the domestic vacuum cleaner comprises a waste separation and collection device located upstream of the suction motor and configured to retain waste transported by the air flow generated by the suction motor. Advantageously, the waste separation and collection device is removably mounted on the housing.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation and collection device is of the cyclonic type.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the domestic vacuum cleaner comprises a connecting duct configured to fluidically connect an air outlet of the waste separation and collection device to the air passage openings provided on the main casing.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one air discharge opening is oriented towards the waste separation and collection device.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound absorption element is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the housing rests, for example by its wheels, on a horizontal surface.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the motor shaft is configured to extend substantially vertically when the housing rests, for example by its wheels, on a horizontal surface. Brief description of the figures

[0063] In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawings representing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this cleaning head. Figure 1is a partial perspective view from above of a household vacuum cleaner according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the domestic vacuum cleaner of the Figure 1 . Figure 3 is a perspective view of a suction device belonging to the domestic vacuum cleaner of the Figure 1 . Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the suction device of the Figure 3 . Figure 5 is a top view of the suction device of the Figure 3 . Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the suction device of the Figure 3 . Figure 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the suction device of the Figure 3 . Figure 8 is a perspective view of a suction motor belonging to the suction device of the Figure 3 .

[0064] In this document, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are defined in relation to the direction of flow of the airflow generated by the suction motor.

[0065] THE figures 1 to 8 represent a domestic vacuum cleaner 2, such as a cylinder vacuum cleaner, comprising in particular a housing 3, also called a vacuum cleaner body, comprising a suction nozzle 4 through which air carrying waste is intended to be sucked into the housing 3. Advantageously, the suction nozzle 4 is arranged in a front part of the housing 3. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the housing 3 is equipped with wheels 5 to ensure the movement of the housing 3 on a surface to be cleaned.

[0066] The domestic vacuum cleaner 2 may also comprise a flexible hose (not shown in the figures) connected, for example in a removable manner, to the suction nozzle 4, and a suction accessory (not shown in the figures) such as, for example, a rigid telescopic tube which can receive, at its end opposite the flexible hose, a removable suction head.

[0067] The domestic vacuum cleaner 2 also comprises a waste separation and collection device 6 which can for example be removably mounted on the housing 3. Advantageously, the waste separation and collection device 6 is of the cyclonic type, and comprises a waste collection container 7, and a cyclonic separation chamber 8 which is annular and which is delimited externally by a side wall of the waste collection container 7.

[0068] The domestic vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a suction device 9 which is housed in a motor compartment 11 delimited by the housing 3 and which is located downstream of the waste separation and collection device 6.

[0069] The suction device 9 comprises a main casing 12 delimiting an internal housing 13. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the main casing 12 comprises a lower fairing 12.1 and an upper fairing 12.2 assembled to each other for example by screwing or snap-fastening.

[0070] The main casing 12 comprises an air intake portion 14, such as an air intake grille, fixed to the upper fairing 12.2 and provided with several air passage openings 15. Each air passage opening 15 may for example have a diameter between 1 mm and 3 mm. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the air intake portion 14 is planar and has a circular shape. The air intake portion 14 may for example be formed by a perforated plate attached to the upper fairing 12.2.

[0071] As shown on the Figure 2 , the domestic vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a connecting duct 16 configured to fluidically connect an air outlet of the waste separation and collection device 6 to the air passage openings 15 provided on the main casing 12.

[0072] The suction device 9 further comprises a suction motor 17, also called a motor-fan, which is arranged in the internal housing 13 of the main casing 12 and which comprises an air inlet opening 18 fluidically connected to the suction nozzle 4 and located opposite at least a portion of the air passage openings 15 provided on the air intake portion 14. Advantageously, the air intake portion 14 and the air inlet opening 18 are arranged coaxially.

[0073] The suction motor 17 is configured to generate an air flow through the suction nozzle 4, the waste separation and collection device 6, the connecting duct 16, the air passage openings 15 and the air inlet opening 18. In known manner, the suction motor 17 comprises a fan 17.1 and an electric motor 17.2 configured to rotate the fan 17.1. The suction motor 17 may further comprise a fan cover 19 at least partially covering the fan 17.1 and defining the air inlet opening 18.

[0074] The suction motor 17 also comprises at least one air outlet opening 20 through which the air flow is intended to leave the suction motor 17 and can flow into the internal housing 13. The or each air outlet opening 20 may for example be provided in a lower part of the motor housing of the suction motor 17.

[0075] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the suction motor 17 has a motor axis A which extends substantially vertically when the housing 3 rests, by its wheels 5, on a horizontal surface.

[0076] The suction device 9 also comprises a sound absorption element 21 fixed to the main casing 12 and arranged upstream of the air intake part 14.

[0077] The sound absorption element 21 is made of porous material, for example a porous material with open cavities. Thus, the pores, also called cavities or cells, of the sound absorption element 21 are filled with air and operate by dissipating the acoustic energy of the incident acoustic waves into heat in the structure of the porous material. Advantageously, the sound absorption element 21 is an acoustic foam, such as a cellular polyurethane foam and in particular an open-cell polyurethane foam.

[0078] The sound-absorbing element 21 may, for example, have a net density of between 26 and 30 kg / m 3 < (measured according to ISO 845), a compressive strength at 40% deflection of between 2.0 and 4.0 kPa (measured according to ISO 3386 / 1), a tensile strength of between 190 and 210 kPa (measured according to ISO 1798), and for example approximately 200 kPa, an elongation at break of between 320 and 370% (measured according to ISO 1798), and for example approximately 350%, and a cell diameter of between 440 and 450 µm (measured according to the Recticel / T.013.4 method).

[0079] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the main casing 12, and more particularly the upper fairing 12.2, comprises a retaining wall 22 extending from an outer surface of the upper fairing 12.2 and extending around the air intake portion 14 and the sound absorption element 21. The air intake portion 14 and the retaining wall 22 delimit at least in part a receiving housing 23 in which the sound absorption element 21 is housed.

[0080] As shown on the Figure 4 , the retaining wall 22 delimits an insertion opening 24 which opens into the receiving housing 23. The sound absorption element 21 is configured to be inserted into the receiving housing 23 via the insertion opening 24.

[0081] Advantageously, the retaining wall 22 comprises a retaining portion 22.1 which extends substantially parallel to the motor axis A and which is configured to cooperate with the sound absorption element 21, and a flow guiding portion 22.2 which is located upstream of the sound absorption element 21 and which is configured to guide the air flow, generated by the suction motor 17, towards the sound absorption element 21. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the flow guiding portion 22.2 converges in the direction of the retaining portion 22.1 and therefore in the direction of the sound absorption element 21.

[0082] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the sound absorption element 21 extends perpendicular to the motor axis A, and is configured to extend horizontally when the housing 3 rests, for example by its wheels 5, on a horizontal surface. The sound absorption element 21 may for example be generally parallelepipedal, and have a generally rectangular shape. The sound absorption element 21 may for example have a thickness of between 5 and 40 mm.

[0083] The sound absorption element 21 comprises a first face 21.1 facing the air passage openings 15 and a second face 21.2 opposite the first face 21.1. Advantageously, the first and second faces 21.1, 21.2 of the sound absorption element 21 are substantially parallel, and the first face 21.1 of the sound absorption element 21 bears, i.e. rests, against the air intake portion 14 such that the sound absorption element 21 at least partially covers the air passage openings 15. Thus, the suction device 9 is configured such that at least a portion of the air flow, generated by the suction motor 17, flows through the sound absorption element 21 and towards the air passage openings 15.

[0084] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the sound absorption element 21 comprises a single through-orifice 25 which opens respectively into the first and second faces 21.1, 21.2 of the sound absorption element 21 and which is located opposite at least a portion of the air passage openings 15. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the through-orifice 25 is cylindrical in shape and circular in section. Advantageously, the through-orifice 25 and the air inlet opening 18 are arranged coaxially.

[0085] The through-orifice 25 may for example have a diameter of between 10% and 150% of the diameter of the air inlet opening 18. Advantageously, the ratio of the diameter of the through-orifice 25 to the diameter of the air inlet opening 18 is between 1 and 1.5, and more particularly between 1 and 1.35. The through-orifice 25 may have a passage section which is substantially identical, and for example identical, to the passage section of the air inlet opening 18. The through-orifice 25 may for example have a diameter of between 30 and 40 mm.

[0086] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the air inlet opening 18 and the air intake portion 14 are spaced apart from each other, and are separated by a separation distance which is less than or equal to 2 cm. Advantageously, the sound absorption element 21 has a thickness greater than the separation distance.

[0087] The suction device 9 also comprises an air discharge circuit 26 comprising an air discharge opening 27 (see Figure 6 ) opening into an external surface of the main casing 12 and through which the air flow generated by the suction motor 17 is discharged to the outside of the suction device 9. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the air discharge opening 27 is oriented towards the waste separation and collection device 6.

[0088] The air exhaust circuit 26 further comprises an air exhaust duct 28 which fluidically connects the internal housing 13, and therefore the air outlet opening 20 of the suction motor 17, to the air exhaust opening 27.

[0089] The air discharge circuit 26 further comprises a filtration element 29 configured to filter the air flow flowing through the air discharge opening 27. The filtration element 29 may for example be housed at least partly in the air discharge opening 27, and be located at the rear of the waste separation and collection device 6.

[0090] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the sound absorption element 21 could comprise several through-orifices 25 which each open respectively into the first and second faces 21.1, 21.2 of the sound absorption element 21. Such through-orifices 25 can be distributed, for example regularly distributed, around the central axis of the air inlet opening 18. Such through-orifices 25 could also be arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through the central axis of the air inlet opening 18.

[0091] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only as an example. 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. A suction device (9) for a domestic vacuum cleaner (2), comprising: - a main casing (12) comprising an air intake part (14) provided with several air passage openings (15), - a suction motor (17) disposed in the main casing (12) and comprising an air inlet opening (18) located opposite at least a part of the air passage openings (15) provided on the air intake part (14), the suction motor (17) being configured to generate an air flow through the air passage openings (15) and the air inlet opening (18), and - a sound absorption element (21) fastened to the main casing (12) and disposed upstream of the air intake part (14), the sound absorption element (21) being made of porous material and at least partially covering the air passage openings (15), the sound absorption element (21) comprising a first face (21.1) oriented towards the air passage openings (15) and a second face (21.2) opposite the first face (21.1), characterized in that the sound absorption element (21) includes at least one through orifice (25) which emerges respectively into the first and second faces (21.1, 21.2) of the sound absorption element (21) and which is located opposite at least a part of the air passage openings (15).

2. The suction device (9) according to claim 1, wherein the first face (21.1) of the sound absorption element (21) bears against the air intake part (14).

3. The suction device (9) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sound absorption element (21) has a maximum transverse dimension that is greater than the maximum transverse dimension of the air intake part (14).

4. The suction device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air intake part (14) is substantially planar and has a generally circular shape.

5. The suction device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air intake part (14) and the air inlet opening (18) are disposed substantially coaxially.

6. The suction device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sound absorption element (21) is an acoustic foam.

7. The suction device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one through orifice (25) is located at least partially opposite the air inlet opening (18).

8. The suction device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one through orifice (25) is cylindrical or frustoconical in shape.

9. The suction device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one through orifice (25) has a circular cross-section.

10. The suction device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one through orifice (25) and the air inlet opening (18) are disposed substantially coaxially.

11. The suction device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one through orifice (25) has a diameter comprised between 10% and 150% of the diameter of the air inlet opening (18).

12. The suction device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each air passage opening (15) has a diameter comprised between 1 mm and 3 mm.

13. The suction device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the air inlet opening (18) and the air intake part (14) are spaced apart from each other by a separation distance that is less than or equal to 2 cm.

14. The suction device (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the main casing (12) includes a receiving housing (23) in which the sound absorption element (21) is housed.

15. The suction device (9) according to claim 14, wherein the main casing (12) includes a retaining wall (22) extending around the air intake part (14) and the sound absorption element (21), the air intake part (14) and the retaining wall (22) at least partially delimiting the receiving housing (23).

16. A domestic vacuum cleaner (2) including a suction device (9) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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