Suction apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a suction apparatus (10) comprising a suction device (14) that has: a suction head (38), which comprises at least one suction unit (56, 58) for forming a suction flow; and a dirt-collecting container (34), which is releasably held on a filter means (36), is fluidically connected to the at least one suction device (56, 58) via the filter means (36) and has a suction intake (112) and accommodates a fluid bath (78); wherein a suction connector (96), attached to the suction intake (112) in the flow direction of the suction flow, dips into the fluid bath (78); and wherein a float valve (102), for blocking and opening the flow path on the basis of the fill level of the fluid bath (78), is arranged in the flow path between the suction connector (96) and the filter means (36). In order to develop the suction apparatus (10) such that the dirt-collecting container (34) can more easily be emptied and filled with fluid, according to the invention, the dirt-collecting container (34) comprises a container lower part (74) and a container upper part (76) which can be releasably connected to the container lower part (74) and can be placed on the container lower part (74), wherein the container lower part (74) accommodates the fluid bath (78), and the float valve (102), the suction connector (96) and the suction intake (112) are held on the container upper part (76).

Description

[0001] SUCTION DEVICE

[0002] The invention relates to a suction device which has a suction unit with a suction head which has at least one suction unit for forming a suction flow, and with a dirt collecting container which is detachably held on a filter device and is in flow connection with the at least one suction unit via the filter device and which has a suction inlet and receives a liquid bath, wherein a suction nozzle which adjoins the suction inlet in the flow direction of the suction flow is immersed in the liquid bath, and wherein a float valve is arranged in the flow path between the suction nozzle and the filter device for blocking and releasing the flow path depending on the fill level of the liquid bath.

[0003] Such suction devices are often also referred to as industrial vacuum cleaners and are used, for example, for vacuuming up dust, particularly explosive dust. They have a suction head that includes at least one suction unit for creating a suction flow. They also have a dirt collection container that is in flow connection with the at least one suction unit via a filter device. The dirt collection container has a suction inlet to which a suction line, for example a suction hose, can be connected. Under the effect of the suction flow, suction material can be sucked into the dirt collection container via the suction inlet. The dirt collection container contains a liquid bath, i.e. it can be filled with liquid, for example water or oil, and a suction nozzle that is connected to the suction inlet in the direction of flow of the suction flow is immersed in the liquid bath.This allows the suction flow to be passed through the liquid bath, so that the suction material, especially explosive dusts such as aluminum dust, titanium dust or dust from additive manufacturing, is inerted.

[0004] To prevent the suction device from being accidentally operated with insufficient fill level in the liquid bath or even with no liquid bath at all, a float valve is installed in the suction flow path between the suction nozzle and the filter device. With the help of the float valve, the suction flow path can be blocked or opened depending on the fill level of the liquid bath. If the liquid bath is insufficiently fill level or if there is no liquid bath, the float valve blocks the flow path, i.e. the suction flow is interrupted so that no suction material, especially explosive dust, can be sucked into the dirt collection container. If the liquid bath is sufficiently fill level, the float valve opens the flow path so that suction material, especially explosive dust, can be sucked into the dirt collection container.The suction flow then extends from the liquid bath via the filter device to the at least one suction unit, and the filtered suction air can be released from the at least one suction unit into the environment without any health risk.

[0005] The dirt collection container is detachably attached to the filter unit and can be separated for emptying and filling with liquid. With existing devices, emptying and filling the dirt collection container requires removing the float valve and suction nozzle. This makes handling the suction device difficult.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a suction device of the type mentioned above in such a way that the dirt collection container can be emptied and filled with liquid more easily. This object is achieved according to the invention in a suction device of the type mentioned above in that the dirt collection container has a lower container part and an upper container part that can be detachably connected to the lower container part and placed on the lower container part. The lower container part accommodates the liquid bath, and the float valve, the suction nozzle, and the suction inlet are held on the upper container part.

[0007] For emptying, the dirt collection container can be separated in its entirety from the filter unit. The upper section of the dirt collection container, together with the float valve, the suction nozzle, and the suction inlet, can then be removed from the lower section of the container. This allows the lower section, which contains the liquid bath, to be easily emptied and then refilled with liquid without the float valve and suction nozzle complicating emptying and filling, or without these components having to be dismantled. After the lower section of the container has been refilled, the upper section of the container, together with the float valve, the suction nozzle, and the suction inlet, can be placed onto the lower section of the container and secured to it. This allows the complete dirt collection container to be reconnected to the filter unit in a flow-tight manner.

[0008] The handling of the suction device according to the invention when emptying and filling the dirt collection container is therefore very simple.

[0009] It is advantageous if the suction device has a frame which can be moved along a floor surface and on which the filter device is held, wherein the suction head sits on the filter device and the dirt collection container has an actuating mechanism for raising and lowering the dirt collection container, wherein the dirt collection container in its raised position rests in a flow-tight manner on a lower edge of the filter device and in its lowered position occupies a distance from the filter device and sits on the floor surface. With such a configuration, the entire suction device can be moved along a floor surface. For this purpose, the suction device has a movable frame. The filter device is held on this frame and the suction head sits on the filter device.In such a design, the dirt collection container is located below the filter unit and can be raised and lowered using an actuating mechanism. In the raised position, the dirt collection container rests fluid-tight against a lower edge of the filter unit. The raised position of the dirt collection container therefore corresponds to its operating position. In the lowered position, the dirt collection container is spaced apart from the filter unit and sits on the floor surface. The lowered position of the dirt collection container therefore corresponds to its maintenance position. Starting from the lowered position, the dirt collection container can be removed from the rest of the vacuum cleaner, emptied, and then refilled with liquid. To empty and refill with liquid, the upper section of the container can then be removed from the lower section, as already explained above.After refilling, the dirt collection container can be positioned below the filter unit again and moved into its raised position using the operating mechanism.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the suction device according to the invention, the actuating mechanism has a pivoting bracket that can be pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis and is pivotally mounted on the upper part of the container. To raise and lower the dirt collection container, the pivoting bracket can be pivoted back and forth about the horizontal pivot axis. The pivoting bracket is pivotally mounted on the upper part of the container; this gives the user the option of grasping the pivoting bracket if they wish to remove the upper part of the container from the lower part of the container after previously separating the entire dirt collection container from the rest of the suction device. It is advantageous if the suction device has a sieve basket immersed in the liquid bath, the interior of which is covered by a first droplet separator, wherein the droplet separator has a through-channel through which the suction nozzle can reach.In such a design, the suction flow is guided from the suction inlet via the suction nozzle into the strainer basket, which is immersed in the liquid bath. The interior of the strainer basket is covered by a first droplet separator, which can be used to separate liquid droplets from the suction flow. The suction nozzle extends through a through-channel of the droplet separator, allowing it to be immersed in the liquid bath.

[0011] Advantageously, the first droplet separator forms a lid that can be placed on the screen basket or inserted into an upper area of ​​the screen basket.

[0012] Such droplet separators are also called demisters.

[0013] Advantageously, the first droplet separator comprises a flow-permeable separating material, in particular at least one filter foam element.

[0014] The float valve advantageously comprises a float coupled to a closing body of the float valve, with a guide channel on the outside of the strainer basket that accommodates the float. The float is guided vertically by the guide channel, so that its position is only minimally influenced by any fluid movements in the liquid bath. This prevents the float from performing an unintentional vertical movement due to any fluid movements in the liquid bath, which can be caused, for example, by the suction flow passing through the liquid bath, and thus the closing body of the float valve changing its valve position.

[0015] It is advantageous if a fluid-permeable filter bag can be inserted into the strainer basket, lining the inside of the strainer basket. The filter bag can be made of a filter fleece, for example.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper part of the dirt collection container has an annular body which can be placed on the lower part of the container and detachably connected to the lower part of the container and on which the suction nozzle is held.

[0017] The ring body can preferably be placed on an upper edge of the container base and can be fixed to the container base by means of fastening elements.

[0018] Clamping elements, in particular clamping straps or clamping rings, are preferred as fastening elements.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the suction nozzle passes through an opening in the ring body and protrudes from the ring body, forming the suction inlet with its end protruding from the ring body.

[0020] Preferably, in addition to the annular body, the upper part of the container has a lid part covering the annular body, on which the float valve is held.

[0021] It is advantageous if the cover part can be placed on the ring body and removed from it.

[0022] It is particularly advantageous if the cover part has a second droplet separator with an inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, and with a flow-permeable separating material arranged between the inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening, wherein the inlet opening can be closed and opened by means of the float valve depending on the fill level of the liquid bath. In such an embodiment of the invention, the suction flow is guided through the second droplet separator. With the aid of the second droplet separator, droplets can be separated from the suction flow. The second droplet separator has a flow-permeable separating material arranged between an inlet opening and at least one outlet opening.Depending on the fill level of the liquid bath, the inlet opening can be opened and closed using the float valve. If the fill level of the liquid bath is insufficient or there is no liquid bath, the inlet opening is closed by the float valve, and if the fill level is sufficient, the float valve opens the inlet opening.

[0023] At least one filter foam element is preferably used as separation material for the second droplet separation device.

[0024] The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention serves to explain it in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. They show:

[0025] Figure 1: a perspective view of a suction device;

[0026] Figure 2: a front view of the suction device from Figure 1;

[0027] Figure 3: a sectional view of the suction device along the line 3-3 in Figure 2;

[0028] Figure 4: an enlarged partial view of the sectional view from Figure 3 in the area of ​​a dirt collection container; Figure 5: a perspective view of the dirt collection container from Figure 4;

[0029] Figure 6: a perspective view of the dirt collection container from Figure 5 in the manner of an exploded view;

[0030] Figure 7: a side view of the dirt collection container from Figure 5;

[0031] Figure 8: a sectional view of the dirt collection container taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7.

[0032] The drawing schematically shows an advantageous embodiment of a suction device according to the invention, which is designated overall by the reference numeral 10. The suction device 10 has a frame 12 and a suction device 14, which is held on the frame 12.

[0033] The frame 12 has a base frame 16 which is essentially U-shaped in plan view and on which two front wheels 18, 20 and two steering rollers 22, 24 are rotatably mounted so that the frame 12 can be moved along a floor surface.

[0034] A first support column 26 and a second support column 28 extend vertically upward from the base frame 16. The two support columns 26, 28 are identically designed. The two support columns 26, 28 support a steering frame 30, which is essentially U-shaped in plan view and can be grasped by the user at both the front and rear of the suction device 10 to move it.

[0035] The suction device 14 is arranged between the two support columns 26, 28. It comprises a dirt collection container 34, a filter device 36, and a suction head 38 arranged one above the other. The filter device 36 has a hollow cylindrical filter housing 40 with a lower edge 42 and an upper edge 44. The suction head 38 rests on the upper edge 44 of the filter housing 40 and is releasably secured to the filter housing 40 by means of clamping tabs 46. A clamping ring could also be used instead of the clamping tabs 46.

[0036] The filter housing 40 surrounds a filter element 48, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a star-shaped pleated filter 50. A vibrating element 52 is inserted into the pleated filter 50, which can be moved by the user as needed using a rotary lever 54 protruding from the front of the vacuum cleaner 14 to rotate the pleated filter 50 and thereby clean it.

[0037] The suction head 38 has up to three suction units for creating a suction flow. In the illustrated embodiment, two suction units are used: a first suction unit 56 and a second suction unit 58.

[0038] The dirt collection container 34 is arranged below the filter device 36, and is held on the support columns 26, 28 so that it can be moved back and forth between a raised position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and a lowered position not shown in the drawing. In the raised position, which can also be referred to as the operating position of the dirt collection container 34, the dirt collection container 34 rests in a flow-tight manner against the lower edge 42 of the filter housing 40. In the lowered position, which can also be referred to as the maintenance position, the dirt collection container 34 is spaced from the lower edge 42 and is seated on the floor surface by means of support wheels 60. Such that, starting from its lowered position, it can be moved along the floor surface independently of the rest of the suction device 14, for example to empty the dirt collection container 34 and then refill it with liquid.For raising and lowering, the dirt collection container 34 has an actuating mechanism which, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a pivoting bracket 64 pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis 62. To lower the dirt collection container 34, the pivoting bracket 64 can be pivoted upward from the lower pivot position shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7 into an upper pivot position. To raise the dirt collection container 34, the pivoting bracket 64 can be pivoted back into its lowered pivot position.

[0039] The pivoting bracket 64 is rigidly connected to a lifting mechanism 70, 72 at each of its end sections 66, 68 facing the dirt collection container 34. When positioning the dirt collection container 34 below the filter device 36, the two lifting mechanisms 70, 72 can each be inserted into a receptacle in the support columns 26, 28. When pivoting the pivoting bracket 34, the pivoting bracket 64 is supported by the lifting mechanisms 70, 72 on the receptacles in the support columns 26, 28, so that the dirt collection container 34 can be raised and lowered by a pivoting movement of the pivoting bracket 64.

[0040] The dirt collection container 34 is designed in two parts and has a lower container part 74 and a container upper part 76.

[0041] The container base 74 is designed like a bucket. The support wheels 60 are attached to the container base 74.

[0042] Liquid, for example water, can be filled into the container lower part 74, so that the container lower part 74 receives a liquid bath, the fill level 80 of which is illustrated in Figure 4 by a dashed line.

[0043] A strainer basket 82 can be inserted into the container base 74, into which a filter bag 84, schematically shown in Figure 6, can be inserted. The filter bag is formed by a liquid-permeable filter fleece. The interior of the strainer basket 82 is covered by a first droplet separator 86, which extends into an upper edge portion 88 of the strainer basket 82 and is formed by filter foam elements 90, 92. Such droplet separators are also referred to as demisters.

[0044] The first droplet separator 86 has a central passage 94 through which a suction nozzle 96 extends. The suction nozzle 96 dips into the liquid bath 78. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0045] On the outside of the strainer basket 82, a guide channel 98 is arranged, which is rigidly connected to the strainer basket 82 and into which a float 100 of a float valve 102, explained in more detail below, is immersed.

[0046] The upper container part 76 has an annular body 104, which can be placed onto the lower container part 74 and secured to the lower container part 74 by means of clamping tabs 106 or, alternatively, by means of a clamping ring not shown in the drawing. The suction nozzle 96 is held on the annular body 104, wherein the suction nozzle 96 has a horizontally oriented first section 108 which passes through an opening 110 in the annular body 104 and protrudes laterally from the annular body 104, forming a suction inlet 112 with its protruding end. In Figures 1 to 7, the suction inlet 112 is closed by a plug 114. When the suction device 10 is put into operation, the plug 114 can be removed from the suction inlet 112 and, instead, a suction hose known per se can be connected to the suction inlet 112.

[0047] Within the annular body 114, the first section 108 of the suction nozzle 96 is adjoined by a vertically aligned second section 116 of the suction nozzle 96, which extends through the passage 94 of the first droplet separator 86, as already explained above. In addition to the annular body 104, the upper container part 76 has a cover part 118 that can be placed on the annular body 104 and removed therefrom as needed. The cover part 118 has a second droplet separator 120 with a separation material 122, which in the illustrated embodiment is formed by a filter foam element. The separation material 122 is arranged between a support plate 124 and a cover plate 126.The support plate 124 has an inlet opening 128 through which a suction flow, explained in more detail below, can flow into the second droplet separator 120, and the cover plate 126 has a plurality of outlet openings 130 which are arranged horizontally offset from the inlet opening 128 and through which the suction flow can flow out of the second droplet separator 120.

[0048] The previously mentioned float valve 102 is mounted on the underside of the support plate 124. In addition to the float body 100, the float valve 102 has a closing body in the form of a valve flap 132, which is coupled to the float body 100 via a rocker arm 134 and a valve rod 136 hinged to the rocker arm 134. With the aid of the valve flap 132, the inlet opening 128 of the first droplet separator device 120 can be opened and closed depending on the fill level of the liquid bath 78. If there is no liquid bath or the fill level of the liquid bath is insufficient, the float valve 102 assumes its closed position, in which the valve flap 132 rests sealingly against the inlet opening 128. When the fill level of the liquid bath 78 is sufficient, the valve flap 132 opens the inlet opening 128.

[0049] To operate the suction device 10, the lower container section 74 of the dirt collection container 34 can be filled with liquid. For this purpose, the dirt collection container 34 can be lowered to the floor surface by means of the pivoting bracket 64, as already explained above, and then separated from the rest of the suction device 14. To fill the lower container section 74 with liquid, the cover section 118, together with the float valve 102 attached thereto, can be removed from the annular body 104. Alternatively, the entire upper container section 76, together with the float valve 102 and the suction nozzle 96, can be removed from the lower container section 74. The lower container section 74 is then freely accessible. If necessary, the strainer basket 82, together with the first droplet separator 86, can then be removed from the lower container section 74.After filling the lower container section 74, the strainer basket 82 can be reinserted into the lower container section 74 together with the first droplet separator 84, and then the upper container section 76, together with the float valve 102 and the suction nozzle 96, can be placed onto the lower container section 74, with the float 100 dipping into the guide channel 98 and the second section 116 of the suction nozzle 96 passing through the through channel 94 of the first droplet separator 86. Using the clamping tabs 106, the upper container section 76 can then be secured to the lower container section 74. The dirt collection container 34 can then be positioned below the filter device 36 and subsequently moved into its raised position by means of the pivoting bracket 64, in which it rests fluid-tight against the lower edge 42 of the filter housing 40.

[0050] The suction device 10 can then be put into operation, so that under the action of the suction units 56, 58 a suction flow is formed, which extends from the suction inlet 112 via the suction nozzle 96, the liquid bath 78, the first droplet separator 86 and the second droplet separator 120 to the filter device 36 and via the filter element 48 to the suction units 56, 58. Under the action of the suction flow, suction air contaminated with dirt, in particular explosive dusts, can be sucked into the dirt collection container 34. With the help of the liquid bath 78, the suction material carried along, i.e. in particular explosive dusts, can be rendered inert, and by means of the first droplet separator 86 and the second droplet separator 120, liquid droplets carried along with the suction air can be separated. The two droplet separators 86, 120 thus form two wet filters.The suction air and any solid particles still entrained subsequently reach the filter element 48 of the filter device 36, wherein the solid particles are retained by means of the filter element 48 and the suction air can then be released into the environment via exhaust air openings arranged on the suction head 38.

[0051] Emptying the dirt collection container 34 can be performed in reverse order, by first lowering the dirt collection container 34 to the floor using the swivel bracket 64 and moving it to an emptying point. Subsequently, the upper container section 76, together with the float 100 and the suction nozzle 96, can be removed from the lower container section 74. The strainer basket 82, together with the filter fleece 84 and the first droplet separator 86, can be removed from the lower container section 74, so that the lower container section can be subsequently emptied and then refilled with fresh liquid.

[0052] The suction device 10 is therefore characterized by very easy handling.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS Suction device comprising a suction device (14) with a suction head (38) having at least one suction unit (56, 58) for forming a suction flow, and with a dirt collection container (34) which is detachably held on a filter device (36) and is in flow connection with the at least one suction unit (56, 58) via the filter device (36) and which has a suction inlet (112) and receives a liquid bath (78), wherein a suction nozzle (96) adjoining the suction inlet (112) in the flow direction of the suction flow is immersed in the liquid bath (78), and wherein a float valve (102) is arranged in the flow path between the suction nozzle (96) and the filter device (36) for blocking and releasing the flow path depending on the fill level of the liquid bath (78), characterized inthat the dirt collection container (34) has a lower container part (74) and an upper container part (76) that can be detachably connected to the lower container part (74) and placed on the lower container part (74), wherein the lower container part (74) accommodates the liquid bath (78), and the float valve (102), the suction nozzle (96), and the suction inlet (112) are held on the upper container part (76). Suction device according to claim 1, characterized in that the suction device (10) has a frame (12) that can be moved along a floor surface and on which the filter device (36) is held, wherein the suction head (38) rests on the filter device (36), and the dirt collection container (34) has an actuating mechanism for raising and lowering the dirt collection container (34).wherein the dirt collection container (34) in its raised position rests in a flow-tight manner against a lower edge (42) of the filter device (36) and in its lowered position is spaced apart from the filter device (36) and rests on the floor surface. Suction device according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuating mechanism has a pivoting bracket (64) pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis (62) and pivotally mounted on the container upper part (76). Suction device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction device (14) has a sieve basket (82) immersed in the liquid bath (78), the interior of which is covered by a first droplet separator (86), wherein the first droplet separator (86) receives a through-channel (94) through which the suction nozzle (96) can pass. Suction device according to claim 4, characterized in that the float valve (102) has a floating body (100) coupled to a closing body of the float valve (102), wherein a guide channel (98) is fixed to the outside of the sieve basket (82) and receives the floating body (100).Suction device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a liquid-permeable filter bag (84) can be inserted into the strainer basket (82), the filter bag (84) lining the strainer basket (82) on the inside. Suction device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper container part (76) of the dirt-receiving container (34) has an annular body (104) that can be placed onto the lower container part (74) and detachably connected to the lower container part (74), on which annular body the suction nozzle (96) is held. Suction device according to claim 7, characterized in that the upper container part (76) has a lid part (118) covering the annular body (104) and on which the float valve (102) is held. Suction device according to claim 8, characterized in that the cover part (118) can be placed on the annular body (104) and can be removed therefrom. Suction device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the cover part (118) has a second droplet separator device (120) with an inlet opening (128) and at least one outlet opening (130), and with a separating material arranged between the inlet opening (128) and the at least one outlet opening (130), wherein the inlet opening (128) can be closed and opened by means of the float valve (102) depending on the fill level of the liquid bath (98).

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