Suction device with a cooling channel and method for operating the suction device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a suction device with a channel for supplying cooling air to at least one component of the suction device, wherein the at least one component of the suction device is arranged within a housing of the suction device. The channel is designed such that cooling air is drawn in from an interior space of the housing of the suction device and passed by the at least one component of the suction device. This allows for a cooling channel with a particularly short loss path, through which the cooling air can be passed by the at least one component of the suction device with minimal loss of cooling capacity. In this way, particularly effective cooling of the at least one component of the suction device can be achieved. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating such a suction device, which enables optimal cooling of the at least one component of the suction device.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a suction device with a duct for providing cooling air for at least one component of the suction device, wherein the at least one component of the suction device is arranged within a housing of the suction device. The duct is designed such that cooling air is sucked in from an interior of the housing of the suction device and guided past the at least one component of the suction device. This makes it possible to provide a cooling duct with a particularly short loss path, with which the cooling air can be guided past the at least one component of the suction device with minimal loss of cooling power. In this way, particularly effective cooling of the at least one component of the suction device can be achieved. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating such a suction device, with which optimal cooling of the at least one component of the suction device can be enabled. Background of the invention:

[0002] Vacuum cleaners are known in the prior art for removing dirt, dust, or drilling mud, for example, on construction sites. Such industrial or construction site vacuum cleaners typically have a housing ("vacuum cleaner housing") in which the components of the vacuum cleaner are located. Some of these components must be cooled due to heat generation during operation of the vacuum cleaner. In conventional vacuum cleaners, as known from the prior art, the air used to cool the components of the vacuum cleaner ("cooling air") is often drawn in from the area surrounding the vacuum cleaner. However, drawing in cooling air from the area surrounding the vacuum cleaner is often associated with comparatively large losses, as a long supply duct into the interior of the vacuum cleaner is often required. Furthermore, such "external" cooling air can allow dust or dirt to enter the interior of the vacuum cleaner.

[0003] Furthermore, conventional vacuum cleaners often exhibit a cooling deficit for the relevant components, as the components to be cooled are often located within the vacuum cleaner in such a way that they are poorly or insufficiently reached by the cooling air. For example, the vacuum cleaner's electronics unit is often located in close proximity to a power supply device if the vacuum cleaner is battery-operated. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner's power cables often run entirely or partially outside the well-cooled area within the vacuum cleaner.

[0004] The object underlying the present invention is to overcome the above-described deficiencies and disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a suction device whose components can be optimally cooled so that damage to the components and their failures can be effectively avoided.

[0005] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the independent claims can be found in the dependent claims. Description of the invention:

[0006] According to the invention, a suction device is provided with a duct for providing cooling air for at least one component of the suction device, wherein the at least one component of the suction device is arranged within a housing of the suction device. The duct is designed such that cooling air is sucked in from an interior of the housing of the suction device and guided past the at least one component of the suction device. This advantageously makes it possible to provide a suction device whose components to be cooled can be cooled as optimally as possible and in which the intake of ambient air for cooling the suction device components can be dispensed with. In particular, the cooling air can be sucked in diffusely from the interior of the suction device housing and guided past the at least one component of the suction device to be cooled. Within the meaning of the invention, it is preferred that the duct for providing cooling air is referred to as a cooling (air) duct.

[0007] It has been shown that the invention can provide a particularly short cooling path that the cooling air has to travel on its way to the components of the suction device that are to be cooled. The invention thus departs from the prior art, in which long supply paths for cooling air from outside are regularly used to transport the cooling air into the area of ​​the components of the suction device that are to be cooled. It is particularly preferred within the meaning of the invention that the cooling air is sucked in diffusely from the interior of the suction device. Within the meaning of the invention, this preferably means that existing air from the interior of the suction device can be sucked in diffusely into the area of ​​the components of the suction device that are to be cooled, without long transport paths within the suction device being necessary. This allows the cooling air to be sucked in with particularly low losses.In addition, the risk of unwanted contamination can be significantly reduced if “internal cooling air” is used to cool individual components of the vacuum cleaner.

[0008] Within the meaning of the invention, it is preferred that the components of the suction device to be cooled are electrical and / or electronic components of the suction device. In particular, these can be the electronics of the suction device and / or power-carrying cables within the suction device. The improved cooling of power-carrying cables represents an important advantage of the present invention, since the conductivity of cables decreases with increasing temperature. Accordingly, larger and more expensive cables must be used if sufficient cooling of the cables cannot be provided. Through the optimized cooling of the electrical and / or electronic components to be cooled, such as the cables within the suction device, the conductivity of the cables used can be better utilized, so that with the aid of the invention, comparatively small, thin cables can be used in the suction device.The improved cooling of the control electronics represents another important advantage of the present invention in order to avoid temperature-related failures of the electronics.

[0009] Preferably, the air only has to travel a short distance before reaching the area of ​​the components to be cooled, thereby providing particularly high cooling performance. This is because cooling performance losses can be kept particularly low and optimal cooling of the components of the vacuum cleaner to be cooled can be enabled. According to the invention, it is preferred that the air flow through the cooling channel begins in the area of ​​the at least one component of the vacuum cleaner to be cooled. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the air flow through the motor cooling begins, for example, in the area of ​​the electronics unit of the vacuum cleaner.

[0010] The at least one component of the vacuum cleaner to be cooled can, for example, be an electronics unit of the vacuum cleaner. This electronics unit is preferably also referred to as "electronics" within the meaning of the invention. It can comprise a circuit board and electronic components with which the operation of the vacuum cleaner can be controlled. The at least one component of the vacuum cleaner to be cooled can alternatively or additionally also be lines for conducting electrical energy, data and / or control signals. Within the meaning of the invention, it is preferred that the vacuum cleaner comprises at least one line for conducting electrical energy, data and / or control commands, wherein the lines for conducting electrical energy, data and / or control commands can be arranged between an electronics unit and a suction motor of the vacuum cleaner.In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, these lines can be or comprise the power cables of the suction device.

[0011] According to the invention, it is preferred that the lines for conducting electrical energy, data, and / or control commands are arranged between an electronic unit and a suction motor of the vacuum cleaner. In other words, the lines can be configured to conduct and / or transmit electrical energy, data, and / or control signals from the electronic unit to the suction motor of the vacuum cleaner, or vice versa. The lines can be power-carrying cables that, for example, ensure a power supply to the components of the vacuum cleaner. However, they can also be data or signal lines that enable an exchange of data and / or control signals between the components of the vacuum cleaner.

[0012] The suction motor of the vacuum cleaner can be designed, for example, as a turbine, fan, or blower, whereby the suction motor can generate a negative pressure and a suction flow for sucking in dirt, dust, or drilling mud. The suction motor can preferably comprise components such as a turbine, a fan, or a blower. Within the meaning of the invention, it is preferred that the suction motor is configured not only to generate a suction flow for sucking in dirt, dust, or drilling mud, but also an air flow for cooling the components of the vacuum cleaner. In this way, the suction motor with its fan and / or blower can, for example, also cool the electronics as a component of the vacuum cleaner to be cooled.

[0013] According to the invention, it is preferred that the at least one component of the vacuum cleaner, in particular the electronics unit of the vacuum cleaner, is arranged in an inlet area of ​​the cooling channel. The cooling channel preferably has the function of transporting or directing cooling air into the area of ​​the components of the vacuum cleaner to be cooled. Therefore, according to the invention, the cooling channel can preferably also be referred to as the "motor cooling" of the vacuum cleaner. For example, the vacuum cleaner's suction motor can also be considered a component of the vacuum cleaner to be cooled.

[0014] Preferably, the electronics of the vacuum cleaner can be located directly at the inlet of the cooling duct or the engine cooling system. This allows the cooling air to reach the area of ​​the electronics unit via a short path and effectively cool it. This is because the air sucked in as cooling air initially preferably has a comparatively low temperature, resulting in a particularly large temperature difference between the vacuum cleaner component to be cooled. Due to this temperature difference, the electronics of the vacuum cleaner, for example, which are preferably located in the inlet area of ​​the cooling duct, can be cooled particularly effectively by the cooling air.

[0015] In other words, within the meaning of the invention, it may be preferred that the at least one component of the suction device, in particular the electronics unit of the suction device, is arranged in an inlet region of the duct. By arranging the component of the suction device to be cooled in the inlet region of the cooling duct, the cooling paths and the loss path of the cooling air can be kept particularly short, so that the cooling air, when it reaches the region of the component to be cooled, has a comparatively low temperature and therefore a high cooling capacity. Within the meaning of the invention, it is preferred that the electronics unit of the suction device has cooling fins. By providing cooling fins, the heat exchange between the electronics unit and the cooling air can be further improved.

[0016] According to the invention, it is preferred that the at least one component of the suction device, in particular the electronics unit of the suction device, is arranged at an inclination angle α within the cooling channel, wherein the inclination angle α lies in a range between 0 and 90°. If the electronics unit is arranged on one of the side regions of the cooling channel, a cooling air inlet into the cooling channel can, for example, form an angle of 0 to 90° with an imaginary vertical axis that runs through the suction device. For example, the components of the suction device can be arranged in the suction device aligned with this imaginary vertical axis. The imaginary vertical axis can, for example, form a central axis or run parallel to it, which runs centrally through the suction motor of the suction device.For example, the cooling channel can have a central section whose side sections also run parallel or substantially parallel to the imaginary vertical axis of the suction device. In other words, it is preferred within the meaning of the invention that a central section of the channel is formed substantially parallel to an imaginary vertical axis.

[0017] Preferably, the side sections in the inlet region of the cooling channel form an angle with the side sections of the central section of the cooling channel, wherein this angle preferably corresponds to the angle of inclination α at which the electronics of the suction device can be arranged in the cooling channel. In the context of the invention, this preferably means that an inlet region of the channel is inclined by an angle of inclination α. ​​Due to the inclined arrangement of the electronics in the cooling channel or its inlet region, the cooling air can be optimally guided past the electronics of the suction device, thus achieving particularly good heat exchange and thus a good cooling effect for the component of the suction device to be cooled.

[0018] According to the invention, it is preferred that the angle of inclination α lies in a range between 0 and 90°. For example, ranges between 0 and 30° or between 30 and 90° may be preferred. In particular, with an angle of inclination in a range between 0 and 30°, it has been shown that the preferably electrical and / or electronic components of the suction device to be cooled can be cooled particularly well. The inclination of the component arranged in the cooling channel, for example the electronics unit, is preferably specified in relation to an imaginary vertical axis of the suction device. Likewise, the inclination of the inlet region of the cooling channel can be specified in relation to the imaginary vertical axis. The imaginary vertical axis preferably runs parallel or substantially parallel to the side sections of the central region of the cooling channel or parallel or substantially parallel to an axis running centrally through the suction motor.

[0019] Due to the preferably inclined arrangement of the electronics in the inlet area of ​​the cooling channel, the lines for conducting electrical energy, data, and / or control commands can be designed to be particularly short and, in particular, routed within the cooling channel. In other words, the power cables, which are preferably arranged between the vacuum motor and the electronics of the vacuum cleaner, can be designed to be so short that they run essentially entirely within the cooling channel and can thus be optimally cooled. A further advantage of the invention has been shown to be that the particularly short lines also allow the undesirable effects of electromagnetic interference to be significantly reduced.

[0020] According to the invention, it is preferred that the cooling channel is formed by a first side region and a second side region, wherein at least one of the side regions has means for receiving and / or holding the at least one component of the suction device, in particular the electronics unit of the suction device. In other words, the first and / or the second side region of the cooling channel can have means for receiving and / or holding the at least one component of the suction device, in particular the electronics unit of the suction device. For example, a shaft or a receiving space can be provided on one of the side regions of the cooling channel, into which the electronics unit or another component of the suction device can be inserted. The electronics unit or the other component of the suction device can be received by the shaft or the receiving space and thus fastened in the cooling channel.Alternatively or additionally, the cooling channel can have retaining means, such as clamps or the like, with which the electronics unit or another component of the vacuum cleaner can be attached to at least one of the side areas of the cooling channel. The side areas of the cooling channel can thus form a housing for the vacuum cleaner's electronics unit, so that this "electronics housing" of the vacuum cleaner can simultaneously ensure the guidance of the cooling air for the vacuum motor or the other components of the vacuum cleaner to be cooled.

[0021] It is preferred according to the invention that the channel and / or the side regions of the channel are in sealing engagement with a seal of the suction motor. It is preferred according to the invention that the seal is designed to seal a space between the working air and an electronics side of the suction device. Such a seal is particularly important when using the invention in a universal vacuum cleaner or wet / dry vacuum cleaner to protect the sensitive electrical and / or electronic components of the suction device, which are preferably arranged on an "electronics side of the suction device," from moisture and humidity.

[0022] According to the invention, it is preferred that the electronics unit, together with the suction motor, the cooling channel, and / or the seal of the suction motor, form an assembly that can advantageously be installed as a unit in the suction device. This advantageously significantly simplifies the production of the proposed suction device.

[0023] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating such a suction device. The terms, definitions, and technical advantages introduced for the suction device preferably apply analogously to the operating method for the suction device. In the operating method, cooling air is drawn in from an interior space of a housing of the suction device and guided past at least one component of the suction device, so that the cooling air is advantageously guided past the at least one component of the suction device with minimal loss of cooling capacity.

[0024] According to the invention, it is preferred that the at least one component of the suction device is arranged at an angle of inclination α within the duct, wherein the angle of inclination α lies in a range between 0 and 90°, so that the cooling air is guided past the at least one component of the suction device with minimal loss of cooling power. Preferably, the at least one component of the suction device can be arranged in an inlet region of the duct, so that the cooling air is guided past the at least one component of the suction device with minimal loss of cooling power. According to the invention, it can also be preferred that the at least one component of the suction device is arranged between an electronics unit and a suction motor of the suction device, so that the cooling air is guided past the at least one component of the suction device with minimal loss of cooling power.

[0025] Further advantages emerge from the following description of the figures. The figure, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into further meaningful combinations.

[0026] In the figure, identical and similar components are numbered with the same reference numerals.

[0027] It shows: Fig. 1View of a preferred embodiment of the proposed suction device Examples of implementation and description of figures:

[0028] Figure 1shows a possible embodiment of the proposed suction device 10. The suction device 10 has a housing 18 in which the components 16 of the suction device 10 are arranged. The components 16 of the suction device 10 include, for example, the suction motor 30, which can generate a suction flow for sucking in dirt, dust, and sludge, the electronics unit 12, and lines 28 for transporting electrical energy, data, and / or control signals. The components 16 of the suction device 10 are cooled with the aid of cooling air 14, which can be guided to the components 16 of the suction device 10 via a cooling air duct 12. The cooling duct 12 can comprise at least two side regions 32, 34. The first side region 32 and the second side region 34 can form halves of the cooling duct 12, from which the cooling duct 12 is assembled.The cooling channel 12 can have an inclined inlet region 24 and a central region 42, the side sections of which are formed essentially parallel to an imaginary vertical axis 40 of the suction device 10. In the preferably inclined inlet region 24 of the cooling channel 12, for example, the electronics unit 22 can be arranged as the component 16 of the suction device 10 to be cooled. The electronics unit 22 is preferably arranged on a side region 32, 34 of the cooling channel 12, so that an angle of inclination α is also formed with respect to the imaginary vertical axis 40. As a result, the electronics unit 22 as the component 16 of the suction device 10 to be cooled is preferably also arranged at an angle or incline in the suction device 10. In the in . Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the electronics unit 22 is also arranged in an inlet region 24 of the cooling channel 12. The inlet region 24 of the cooling channel 12 is also inclined relative to the imaginary vertical axis 40, for example by the angle of inclination α.

[0029] In the context of the present invention, the cooling air 14 is preferably sucked in from the interior 20 of the housing 18 of the suction device 10. This advantageously eliminates the need to suck in air as cooling air 14 from the surroundings of the suction device 10.

[0030] The electronics 22 may have cooling fins 26, which may increase the surface area of ​​the electronics unit 22 to improve its cooling by the cooling air 14.

[0031] Furthermore, lines 28 can also be arranged in the cooling channel 12 as the component 16 of the suction device 10 to be cooled. The lines 28 can be configured, for example, to transmit electrical energy, such as current or power, data, and / or control signals. The lines 28 can, for example, be designed as power cables and arranged between the suction motor 30 and the electronics unit 22.

[0032] Due to the specific arrangement of the components 16 of the suction device 10, the lines 28 are advantageously arranged entirely or to a large extent in the cooling channel 12, so that they can be cooled by the cooling air 14.

[0033] The electronics unit 22 can be attached to one of the side regions 32, 34 of the cooling channel 12 using receiving or holding means 36. For example, the electronics unit 22 can be accommodated in a receiving means 36 designed as a shaft or receiving area, so that the electronics unit 22 is arranged in one of the side regions 32, 34 of the cooling channel 12. If the receiving or holding means 36 are arranged in a preferably inclined inlet region 24 of the cooling channel 12, an inclined arrangement of the electronics unit 22 within the suction device 10 or within the cooling channel 12 can also be achieved by attaching the electronics unit 22 to one of the side regions 32, 34.

[0034] The suction motor 30 of the suction device 10 can be sealed against a clean side and / or a dirty side of the suction device 10 by means of a seal 38. The seal 38 can engage the side regions 32, 34 of the cooling channel 12, so that the side regions 32, 34 of the cooling channel 12 form the seal 38 of the suction motor 30. List of reference symbols

[0035] 10Suction device 12Cooling channel 14Cooling air 16Suction device component 18Suction device housing 20Interior of the suction device housing 22Electronics unit 24Inlet area of ​​the cooling channel 26Cooling fins 28Lines 30Suction device motor 32First side area 34Second side area 36Receiving or holding means 38Seal 40Imaginary vertical axis 42Central area of ​​the cooling channel

Claims

1. Suction device (10) with a channel (12) for providing cooling air (14) for at least one component (16) of the suction device (10), wherein the at least one component (16) of the suction device (10) is arranged within a housing (18) of the suction device (10), characterized in that the channel (12) is designed such that cooling air (14) is sucked in from an interior space (20) of the housing (18) of the suction device (10) and is guided past the at least one component (16) of the suction device (10).

2. Suction device (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that the at least one component (16) of the suction device (10) is an electronic unit (22) of the suction device (10).

3. Suction device (10) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the at least one component (16) of the suction device (10), in particular the electronics unit (22) of the suction device (10), is arranged at an angle of inclination α within the channel (12), wherein the angle of inclination α lies in a range between 0 and 90 °.

4. Suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the at least one component (16) of the suction device, in particular the electronic unit (22) of the suction device (10), is arranged in an inlet area (24) of the channel (12).

5. Suction device (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that the electronics unit (22) of the suction device (10) has cooling fins (26).

6. Suction device (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that the suction device (10) comprises at least one line (28) for conducting electrical energy, data and / or control commands.

7. Suction device (10) according to claim 6 characterized in that the lines (28) for conducting electrical energy, data and / or control commands are arranged between an electronic unit (22) and a suction motor (30) of the suction device (10).

8. Suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in thatthe channel (12) is formed by a first side region (32) and a second side region (34), wherein at least one of the side regions (32, 34) has means (36) for receiving and / or holding the at least one component (16) of the suction device (10), in particular the electronics unit (22) of the suction device (10).

9. Suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the channel (12) and / or the side regions (32, 34) of the channel (12) are in sealing engagement with a seal (38) of the suction motor (30).

10. Suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that an inlet region (24) of the channel (12) is inclined by an angle of inclination α.

11. Suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that a central section (42) of the channel (12) is formed substantially parallel to an imaginary vertical axis (40).

12. Method for operating a suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that Cooling air (14) is sucked in from an interior space (20) of the housing (18) of the suction device (10) and passed past at least one component (16) of the suction device (10).

13. Method for operating a suction device (10) according to claim 12 characterized in that the at least one component (16) of the suction device (10) is arranged at an angle of inclination α within the channel (12), wherein the angle of inclination α lies in a range between 0 and 90 °, so that the cooling air (14) is guided past the at least one component (16) of the suction device (10) with minimal loss of cooling power.

14. Method for operating a suction device (10) according to claim 12 or 13 characterized in thatthe at least one component (16) of the suction device (10) is arranged in an inlet region (24) of the duct (12) so that the cooling air (14) is guided past the at least one component (16) of the suction device (10) with minimal loss of cooling power.

15. Method for operating a suction device (10) according to one of claims 12 to 14 characterized in that the at least one component (16) of the suction device (10) is arranged between an electronics unit (22) and a suction motor (30) of the suction device (10), so that the cooling air (14) is guided past the at least one component (16) of the suction device (10) with minimal loss of cooling power.

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