Separating unit for a suction device with a shielding ejection and / or compression element

Abstract

A separation unit (113) for a suction device (100) is described. The separation unit (113) comprises a collecting container for dirt particles enclosed by a housing wall (227), wherein the collecting container extends along a longitudinal axis (220). The separation unit (113) further comprises an ejection and / or compression element (240) which is designed to be moved within the collecting container from a basic position along the longitudinal axis (220) to a compression position in order to compress dirt particles arranged in the collecting container and / or to eject them from the collecting container. The separation unit (113) is designed such that the radial force with which the ejection and / or compression element (240) acts in the radial direction on the inside of the housing wall (227) is lower in the compression position than in the basic position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a separation unit for a suction device, in particular for a cordless and / or hand-held vacuum cleaner.

[0002] A suction device, in particular a handheld vacuum cleaner, typically comprises a suction unit that can be carried and guided by a user by hand. The suction unit has a fan that is operated with electrical energy from an electrical energy storage device of the suction unit. The fan is designed to generate a suction air flow in order to suck contaminants through the suction mouth of the suction unit into the separation unit of the suction unit, wherein the separation unit has a collection container for contaminants. To increase the suction power of the suction unit, the suction air flow is preferably introduced into the separation unit and / or guided within the separation unit in such a way that the suction air flow flows in a cyclone-like manner around the central filter unit of the separation unit.

[0003] The separation unit may comprise an ejection and / or compression element configured to be moved within the collection container to compress the dirt in the collection container or to convey the dirt out of the collection container.

[0004] GB 25 39 343 B describes a vacuum cleaner with a piston for emptying the vacuum cleaner's collection container. EP 4 410 170 A1 describes a separation unit with a scraper element.

[0005] This document deals with the technical task of enabling particularly reliable and convenient compression and / or ejection of dirt into or from the collection container of the separation unit of a suction unit, in particular in order to provide a permanently high suction power even during prolonged use of the suction unit.

[0006] The object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments are defined in particular in the dependent patent claims, described in the following description, or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0007] According to one aspect, a separation unit for a suction device is described. The separation unit comprises a collecting container enclosed by a housing wall. The separation unit can have a longitudinal axis, and the housing wall of the collecting container can be (circularly) cylindrical around the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis can run centrally within the collecting container. The housing wall can, for example, correspond to the outer surface of a hollow cylinder and / or the longitudinal axis can correspond to the vertical axis of the hollow cylinder. The collecting container can extend from a first end face (e.g., end face or end plane) along the longitudinal axis to a second end face (e.g., end face or end plane). The first end face can face the fan of the suction device. A lid for emptying the collecting container can be arranged on the opposite second end face.

[0008] The collection container can have a specific overall length along the longitudinal axis from the first end face to the second end face (e.g., between 10 cm and 20 cm). Furthermore, the collection container can have a specific overall diameter transverse to the longitudinal axis (i.e., in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis) (e.g., between 8 cm and 12 cm).

[0009] The first end face (where the fan is arranged) can extend substantially entirely within a specific transverse plane arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The second end face (where the lid is arranged) can extend within a plane arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis, wherein the oblique arrangement of the second end face and in particular of the lid can be advantageous for emptying the collecting container.

[0010] The collection container typically has an inlet opening arranged on the housing wall, which is preferably closed and / or covered with a (flexible) flap. The flap can be made of a plastic, in particular of a flexible and / or elastic plastic. The inlet opening is preferably arranged on the top side of the collection container (which is intended to be oriented upwards during operation). Furthermore, the inlet opening is preferably arranged on the first end side of the collection container. At least the inlet opening is preferably closer to the first end side of the collection container along the longitudinal axis than to the opposite second end side of the collection container.

[0011] The separation unit can further comprise a filter unit arranged in the collection container, which is designed to retain dirt particles from the suction air flow (entering the collection container through the inlet opening) on ​​the surface of the filter unit, wherein the surface of the filter unit is preferably (circular) cylindrical around the longitudinal axis. The separation unit is preferably designed such that the suction air flow entering the collection container through the inlet opening flows in a cyclone-like manner (along the circumferential direction) around the filter unit. For this purpose, the separation unit can be designed such that the suction air flow entering the collection container through the inlet opening has a flow direction that runs essentially in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis.

[0012] The (cylindrical) filter unit and the (cylindrical) collection container preferably have the same central longitudinal axis. The collection area for collecting the vacuumed dirt particles is typically located between the surface of the filter unit and the inside of the housing wall of the collection container.

[0013] The separation unit comprises an ejection and / or compression element that is designed to be moved within the collection container in order to compress dirt particles arranged in the collection container and / or to expel them (via the second end face) from the collection container. The ejection and / or compression element can in particular be designed to be moved along the longitudinal axis across the surface of the filter unit (in particular towards the second end face of the collection container) starting from a basic position, e.g. arranged on the first end face. The movement of the ejection and / or compression element can optionally be effected manually by a user using a handle. The handle can be moved, for example, along the longitudinal axis (towards the second end face) in order to move the ejection and / or compression element along the longitudinal axis.

[0014] The ejection and / or compression element can be moved, in particular, along the longitudinal axis from the home position (arranged on the first end face) to a compression position (facing the second end face). The compression position and the home position can be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis by 50% or more, in particular by 70% or more, of the total length of the collection container.

[0015] The ejection and / or compression element is preferably designed as a ring with an inner edge facing the surface of the filter unit and an outer edge facing the housing wall, in particular the inner side of the housing wall. The outer edge of the ejection and / or compression element can, as explained further below, be designed as an (annular) shield. The ejection and / or compression element is typically designed to clean the surface of the filter unit when the annular ejection and / or compression element is moved along the longitudinal axis toward the compression position.

[0016] The separation unit is preferably designed such that the force with which the ejection and / or compression element acts in the radial direction on the inside of the housing wall of the collecting container is lower in the compression position than in the home position. The force acting in the radial direction is referred to in this document as the "radial" force. The separation unit can, in particular, be designed such that the radial force with which the ejection and / or compression element acts in the radial direction on the inside of the housing wall decreases smoothly, in particular linearly, along the movement path starting from the home position to the compression position (e.g., at least in a portion of the movement path or over the entire movement path).

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the separation unit can be designed such that the distance (in the radial direction) between the outer edge of the ejection and / or compression element and the inside of the housing wall of the collecting container is smaller in the home position than in the compression position. In particular, the distance (in the radial direction) can increase smoothly, in particular linearly, along the movement path from the home position to the compression position. The radial distance can be zero, for example, in the home position. On the other hand, the radial distance can be greater than zero in the compression position.

[0018] By adjusting the radial force and / or the radial distance between the ejection and / or compression element and the housing wall along the longitudinal axis, it is possible to reliably prevent dirt particles from reaching the rear side of the ejection and / or compression element (facing the first end face) during suction operation. Furthermore, a convenient and reliable compression and ejection function can be maintained. Overall, this allows for continued high separation efficiency and / or suction performance even after extended use.

[0019] The adjustment of the force and / or distance between the ejection and / or compression element and the housing wall can be achieved particularly efficiently by making the diameter of the inner side of the housing wall larger in the compression position, in particular between 1% and 5% larger, than in the home position. The diameter of the inner side of the housing wall can, for example, increase smoothly, in particular linearly, along the movement path from the home position to the home position.

[0020] In a preferred example, the inner side of the housing wall is conical, with the longitudinal axis corresponding to the vertical axis of the conical inner side of the housing wall. An angle of between 0.5° and 2.5° can be formed between the inner side of the housing wall and the longitudinal axis.

[0021] For example, the housing wall may have a thickness in the radial direction that is less in the compression position than in the home position. The thickness of the housing wall may decrease smoothly, for example linearly, particularly along the longitudinal axis.

[0022] By adjusting the housing wall of the collecting container along the longitudinal axis, the radial force and / or the radial distance between the ejection and / or compression element and the inside of the housing wall can be adjusted in a particularly efficient and reliable manner.

[0023] The (annular) ejection and / or compression element can have a (cylindrical) side wall facing the inside of the housing wall. The ejection and / or compression element is preferably designed such that the side wall of the ejection and / or compression element is spaced from the inside of the housing wall of the collecting container in the home position and in the compression position, in particular along the entire movement path from the home position to the compression position, and / or does not touch the inside of the housing wall of the collecting container.

[0024] The ejection and / or compression element may further comprise, on the surface facing the compression position and / or the second end face of the collecting container, an (annular) shield which extends in the radial direction beyond the side wall of the ejection and / or compression element to the inside of the housing wall of the collecting container.

[0025] The separation unit can be designed such that the radial force with which the shield of the ejection and / or compression element acts in the radial direction on the inside of the housing wall is lower in the compression position than in the home position. The separation unit can, in particular, be designed such that the radial force with which the shield of the ejection and / or compression element acts in the radial direction on the inside of the housing wall decreases smoothly, in particular linearly, along the movement path, starting from the home position to the home position.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the separation unit can be designed such that the distance (in the radial direction) between the shield of the ejection and / or compression element and the inside of the housing wall of the collecting container is smaller in the home position than in the compression position. In particular, the distance (in the radial direction) can increase smoothly, in particular linearly, along the movement path from the home position to the compression position. The radial distance can be zero, for example, in the home position. On the other hand, the radial distance can be greater than zero in the compression position.

[0027] The side wall of the ejection and / or compression element can have a specific overall diameter in the radial direction. The shield can extend, for example, by 1% or more, in particular between 1% and 5%, of the overall diameter of the side wall of the ejection and / or compression element in the radial direction beyond the side wall of the ejection and / or compression element. Alternatively or additionally, the ejection and / or compression element can have a specific (maximum) overall height along the longitudinal axis. The shield can have a height of 5% or less, in particular between 1% and 5%, of the (maximum) overall height of the ejection and / or compression element along the longitudinal axis.

[0028] The radial force and / or the radial distance between the ejection and / or compression element and the housing wall can thus be spatially concentrated by a (sealing) shield of the ejection and / or compression element. This reliably prevents dirt particles from reaching the rear of the ejection and / or compression element during suction operation. Furthermore, the comfort and reliability of the compression and / or ejection function can be further increased.

[0029] The (annular) shield and the side wall of the ejection and / or compression element can be made of the same material in a particularly efficient manner. Alternatively, the (annular) shield can be made of an elastic sealing material, which particularly reliably prevents dirt particles from reaching the rear of the ejection and / or compression element during suction operation and further increases the mobility of the ejection and / or compression element along its longitudinal axis.

[0030] The ejection and / or compression element can have a surface (facing the second end face) (on which the optional shield is also arranged), wherein the surface acts on the suction air flow entering the collection container when the ejection and / or compression element is arranged in the basic position. The surface of the ejection and / or compression element can run helically around the longitudinal axis, at least in a partial section, along the inside of the housing wall. The ejection and / or compression element can thus provide a helical guide surface for the suction air flow entering the collection container. This can cause the suction air flow to flow helically around the longitudinal axis within the collection container.In this way, the dirt particles carried along with the suction air flow can be moved away from the inlet opening (towards the second end face of the collection container) in an efficient and reliable manner, so that the dirt particles cannot reach the back of the ejection and / or compression element.

[0031] The surface of the ejection and / or compression element can have an inclined section in which the normal vector of the surface is arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis. In the initial position, the inclined section of the surface of the ejection and / or compression element can be arranged radially aligned with the inlet opening. By slanting the surface of the ejection and / or compression element, the helical flow direction of the suction air stream can be further reinforced to prevent dirt particles from reaching the rear of the ejection and / or compression element.

[0032] According to a further aspect, a suction device, in particular a handheld vacuum cleaner, is described, which comprises the separation unit described in this document. The suction device further comprises a fan configured to generate a suction air flow from the suction mouth of the suction device, through the inlet opening of the separation unit, through the filter unit, and to the fan.

[0033] It should be noted that any aspects of the separation unit and the suction device described in this document can be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the patent claims can be combined in a variety of ways. Furthermore, the features described in this document for a separation unit can be used individually or in combination in the various described variants of the separation unit.

[0034] The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Showing: Figure 1 shows an exemplary suction device with a suction unit, a suction pipe, and a nozzle; Figures 2a to 2c show different views of a suction unit and the separation unit of a suction unit; Figures 3a and 3b show different positions of the ejection and / or compression element of a separation unit; Figures 4a to 4d show different views of the flap resting against a contact surface (of the ejection and / or compression element) of the separation unit; Figures 5a to 5c show different views of an exemplary ejection and / or compression element; and Figure 5d shows an exemplary profile of the height of the edges of the ejection and / or compression element along the circumferential direction.

[0036] As stated at the beginning, this document is concerned with achieving a particularly reliable and convenient compression and / or ejection of dirt particles into or from the collection container of a vacuum cleaner, in particular to ensure high suction power even after extended use of the vacuum cleaner. In this context, Fig. 1 an exemplary (handheld) vacuum cleaner 100 (as an example of a suction device) comprising a suction unit 110 with an electrical energy storage device 111. The suction unit 110 comprises a (hand) handle 112, which can be grasped by a user with one hand to hold the suction unit 110. The fan of the suction unit 110 creates a suction air flow through the suction mouth 114 of the suction unit 110, via the separation unit 113 of the suction unit 110, and up to the fan. The suction unit 110 can be designed to be used independently as a suction device.

[0037] An accessory 120, 130 can be connected to the suction unit 110 via a coupling 121. In the example shown, the suction unit 110 is connected via a coupling 121 to a suction pipe 120, which in turn is connected via a coupling 121 to a floor nozzle 130.

[0038] Figuren 2a bis 2c show different views of a suction unit 110 and a separation unit 113. The suction air flow 212 caused by the fan 230 is sucked through the suction mouth 114 of the suction unit 110 into the separation unit 113. The separation unit 113 has an outer housing wall 227 which encloses a filter unit 225. A collecting container is formed by the housing wall 227. The suction air flow 212 is sucked through an (inlet) opening 211 formed on the housing wall 227 into the collecting container enclosed by the housing wall 227. When introduced into the collecting container, the suction air flow 212 is preferably directed such that the suction air flow 212 circulates in a cyclone-like manner around the (circular-cylindrical) filter unit 225. The suction air flow 212 is further sucked through the surface of the filter unit 225 towards the central longitudinal axis 220 of the separation unit 113.The contaminants from the suction air flow 212 are retained on the surface of the filter unit 225 and remain in the collection area 226 formed between the filter unit 225 and the housing wall 227.

[0039] The (circular-cylindrical) collecting container formed by the housing wall 227 extends along the longitudinal axis 220 from a first end face 221 (facing the fan 230) to a second end face 222 (facing away from the fan 230). A lid 224 covering the collecting container can be arranged on the second end face 222. The lid 224 can be opened (e.g., folded open) so that contaminants from the collecting area 226 of the collecting container can be removed via the second end face 222.

[0040] An ejection and / or compression element 240 may be arranged within the collection container and is designed to be moved along the longitudinal axis 220. The ejection and / or compression element 240 may, as in Fig. 2b shown, be formed as a ring arranged around the filter unit 225. The ejection and / or compression element 240 can extend radially (relative to the longitudinal axis 220) from the surface of the filter unit 225 to the inside of the housing wall 227.

[0041] The ejection and / or compression element 240 can be arranged in a basic position on the first end face 221 of the collection container. Furthermore, the ejection and / or compression element 240 can be configured to be moved along the longitudinal axis 220 from the first end face 221 to the second end face 222, such that the ejection and / or compression element 240 pushes the contaminants arranged in the collection area 226 toward the second end face 222. This makes it possible to compress the contaminants arranged in the collection area 226 (in the region of the second end face 222) so that the surface of the filter unit 225 is substantially free of contaminants, thus continuing to provide a high suction power.Furthermore, the ejection and / or compression element 240 can conveniently push contaminants out of the collection container along the longitudinal axis 220 via the second end face 222 (and the opened lid 224) in order to empty the collection container.

[0042] Such as in Fig. 2b As shown, the housing wall 227 of the collecting container has a frame 210 that surrounds the (inlet) opening 211 to the collecting area 226 of the collecting container. The frame 210 is preferably arranged in the immediate vicinity of the first end face 221 of the collecting container. A flexible flap 200 is preferably arranged within the frame 210 and is designed such that the flap 200 closes the opening 211 surrounded by the frame 210 when no suction air flow 212 is produced by the fan 230, ie when no forces act on the flap 200 in the radial direction from outside into the collecting container. The collection container can thus be closed by the flexible flap 200, so that it can be reliably prevented that contaminants can fall out of the collection container through the opening 211 (e.g., when the separation unit 113 is separated from the suction unit 110 in order to empty the separation unit 113).

[0043] The flap 200 can have a preload that presses the flap 200 toward the frame 210. This can ensure that the flap 200 is closed in a particularly reliable manner when no suction air flow 212 is generated.

[0044] The flap 200 is preferably made of a flexible material (e.g., a flexible plastic), so that the flap 200 is bent away from the frame 210 toward the filter unit 225 under the influence of a force acting on the flap 200 from the outside (caused, for example, by the suction air flow 212), thereby exposing at least part of the opening 211. This allows the suction air flow 212 to enter the collection container from the outside.

[0045] As from Fig. 2b As can be seen, the suction unit 110 can be designed such that the suction air flow 212, starting from the suction mouth 114, initially has a flow direction that is aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 220. At the inlet opening 211 and / or at the frame 210, the flow direction of the suction air flow 212 is deflected by approximately 90°, so that the suction air flow 212 flows in the circumferential direction (and thus substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 220) through the inlet opening 211 into the collecting container.

[0046] During suction operation, the inlet opening 211 is preferably arranged (with respect to the circumferential direction) at the top of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container. This allows gravity to act on the contaminants in the suction air stream 212 to transport the contaminants into the collecting container.

[0047] The flap 200 preferably has one or more predetermined bending points 201, 202, by means of which the opening angle of at least a partial region of the flap 200 can be increased. A predetermined bending point 201, 202 can in particular be designed as a (film) hinge. The flap 200 can have a main hinge 201 that runs along a (main) edge of the frame 210 and that enables opening of the entire flap 200 (i.e., the entire surface of the flap 200). Furthermore, the flap 200 can have one or more further (linear) predetermined bending points 202, each of which enables additional opening of a respective partial region of the flap 200.

[0048] Fig. 4a shows an exemplary separation unit 113 with a flexible flap 200, which is pressed away from the frame 210 of the inlet opening 211 into the collection container by the action of the suction air flow 212. The flexible flap 200 is placed on a support surface 403 within the collection container. In particular, the (first) portion of the flap 200 facing the first end face 221 of the collection container is placed on a support surface 403.

[0049] The storage surface 403 can be configured such that the flap 200 placed on the storage surface 403 has a normal vector (perpendicular to the surface of the flap 200) with a directional component along the longitudinal axis 220. This can be achieved in particular by the storage surface 403 having a normal vector that has a directional component along the longitudinal axis 220 and a directional component in the radial direction.

[0050] As explained above, the suction air flow 212 typically flows in the circumferential direction through the inlet opening 211. As a result, the flap 200 is bent about the main bending axis of the main bending point 201 (running parallel to the longitudinal axis 220). Without the provision of a support surface 403, the normal vectors on the bent surface of the flap 200 would only have directional components in the circumferential direction and in the radial direction. Due to the support surface 403, which acts on the (first) partial region of the flap 200 facing the first end face 221 of the collecting container, the flap 200 is bent such that the normal vectors of the bent surface of the flap in the supported (first) partial region also have a directional component along the longitudinal axis 220, wherein this directional component faces the second end face 222 of the collecting container.

[0051] By means of a flap 200 oriented in this way, the flap 200 can impart an impulse to the suction air flow 212 flowing in through the inlet opening 211, which (at least slightly) rotates the flow direction of the suction air flow 212 toward the second end face 222 of the collecting container, so that the flow direction, in addition to a directional component in the circumferential direction, also has a directional component along the longitudinal axis 220 (toward the second end face 222). In this way, a helical suction air flow 212 can be efficiently and reliably created within the collecting container, which can prevent dirt particles from reaching the rear side of the ejection and / or compression element 240.

[0052] The storage surface 403 can be provided in a particularly efficient manner by the ejection and / or compression element 240. The ejection and / or compression element 240 can have an outer edge 401 facing the inside of the housing wall 227 and an inner edge 402 facing the surface of the filter unit 225. The storage surface 403 can be formed by the surface of the ejection and / or compression element 240 that faces the second end face 222 of the collection container and that extends from the inner edge 402 to the outer edge 401 of the ejection and / or compression element 240. This surface of the ejection and / or compression element 240 typically serves to push the contaminants in the collection area 226 of the collection container toward the second end face 222 of the collection container.

[0053] Fig. 4b shows the storage area 403 in a perspective through the inlet opening 211 of the collection container. Figuren 4c and 4dshow how the flexible flap 200 is placed on the support surface 403 formed by the ejection and / or compression element 240 and is thereby bent towards the second end face 222 of the collecting container.

[0054] Figuren 5a bis 5c show further details of an exemplary (annular) ejection and / or compression element 240. As particularly shown in Fig. 5b As can be seen, the (annular) surface 503 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 facing the second end face 222 of the collecting container for providing the storage surface 403 for the flexible flap 200 can have an orientation 520 which runs obliquely to the longitudinal axis 220, so that the orientation 520 (ie the normal vector) of the surface 503 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 does not run parallel to the longitudinal axis 220, but has a directional component which points outwards in the radial direction.

[0055] The outer edge 401 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 can have an outer edge distance 511 from a reference plane 510 (which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 220) in the region of the support surface 403. The reference plane 510 can correspond, for example, to the rear side of the ejection and / or compression element 240 (facing the first end face 221). The inner edge 402 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 can have an inner edge distance 512 from the reference plane 510 in the region of the support surface 403. The inner edge distance 512 is greater than the outer edge distance 511, so that the support surface 403, which runs (essentially rectilinearly) between the inner edge 402 and the outer edge 401, is inclined outward in the radial direction.

[0056] As explained further below, the surface 503 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 facing the second end face 222 can be used to directly influence the flow direction of the suction air stream 212. It is therefore advantageous to limit the oblique orientation 520 of the surface 503 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 to the partial region (in particular to the angular region) of the ejection and / or compression element 240 that is arranged directly below the inlet opening 211 along the radial direction. In other partial regions (in particular in other angular regions) of the ejection and / or compression element 240, it may be advantageous to align the surface 503 parallel to the longitudinal axis 220.

[0057] Fig. 5d shows an exemplary distance 501 of the outer edge 401 (dashed line) and an exemplary distance 502 of the inner edge 402 (dotted line) as a function of the angular position 530 around the longitudinal axis 220. The inclined support surface and / or the inclined section 403 is provided in the angular range between the first angular position 531 and the second angular position 532. The orientation 520 of the surface 503 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 is changed smoothly from a maximum angle (e.g., 20°) relative to the longitudinal axis 220 (at the first angular position 531) to a parallel arrangement to the longitudinal axis 220 (at the second angular position 532). This is advantageous for guiding the suction air flow 212 by the surface 503 of the ejection and / or compression element 240.From the second angular position 532, the orientation 520 of the surface 503 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 may be oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 220.

[0058] As from Fig. 5d As can be seen, the outer edge 401 has a constant first distance value 541 to the reference plane 510 between the first angular position 531 and the second angular position 532. On the other hand, the inner edge distance 512 of the inner edge 502 is reduced smoothly (possibly linearly) from a relatively high second distance value 542 (at the first angular position 531) to the first distance value 541 (at the second angular position 532).

[0059] The angled flap 200 can create a spiral-shaped suction air flow 212 directed toward the second end face of the collection container. As a result, the volume flow of the suction air flow 212 acting on the rear side of the flap 200, thereby creating a closing force to close the inlet opening 211, can be reduced. As a result, the effective opening degree of the inlet opening 211 can be increased, thereby reducing the flow resistance of the inlet opening 211 and increasing the suction power.

[0060] The spiral-shaped suction air flow 212 can also cause contaminants to be conveyed to the second end face 222 of the collecting container and thus not reach the first end face 221 behind the ejection and / or compression element 240.

[0061] The inclined placement of the flap 200 on a support surface 403 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 allows the ejection and / or compression element 240 to be activated even during suction operation of the suction unit 110 to compress contaminants (without having to switch off the fan 230). This further increases the comfort of the suction unit 110.

[0062] As in connection with Fig. 5d As explained above, the surface 503 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 may have an inclined section 403 in which the normal vector of the surface 503 runs obliquely to the longitudinal axis 220. The inclined section 403 may serve, at least in part, as a support surface for the flap 200.

[0063] The normal vector of the inclined section 403 of the surface 503 can have a directional component in the radially outward direction (out of the collecting container). Furthermore, the normal vector of the inclined section 403 of the surface 503 can have a directional component in the axial direction along the longitudinal axis 220 toward the second end face 222 of the collecting container. The angle between the longitudinal axis 220 and the normal vector of the inclined section 403 can be smoothly reduced from a maximum value (e.g., 20°) at the first angular position 531 to 0° at the second angular position 532. The second angular position 532 can be spaced approximately 90° along the circumferential direction from the first angular position 531.By such a course of the surface 503, a helical suction air flow 212 can be effected within the collection container in a particularly reliable and efficient manner (in order to prevent dirt particles from reaching the back of the ejection and / or compression element 240).

[0064] As is particularly evident from Fig. 5d As can be seen, the surface 503 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 can be designed such that the distance value of the inner edge distance 512 and the outer edge distance 511 (ie the distance of the surface 503 of the ejection and / or compression element 240) from the reference plane 510 increases with increasing angular position 530, so that a spiral ramp is provided in the circumferential direction. In the Fig. 5d In the example shown, the distance 511, 512 of the surface 503 increases from the second angular position 532 to the third angular position 533, starting from the first distance value 531, smoothly (e.g., with a constant gradient in the circumferential direction) up to a third distance value 543. The third distance value 532 can, for example, be greater than the first distance value 531 by up to 20% of the total length of the collecting container (along the longitudinal axis 220). The third angular position 533 can, for example, correspond to an angle between 340° and 360°. By providing a ramp-shaped surface 503, the flow direction of the suction air flow 212 entering the collecting container can be changed in a particularly reliable manner in order to bring about a helical or spiral-shaped suction air flow 212.

[0065] In the Fig. 5d In the example shown, the surface 503 optionally has a constant third distance value 543 between the third angular position 533 and a fourth angular position 534. The fourth angular position 534 can, for example, be spaced between 2° and 10° from the third angular position 533. By providing such a flattened region of the surface 503, the gradient of the ramp-shaped surface 503 and the height (along the longitudinal axis 220) of the step 500 formed thereby can be flexibly adjusted to effect an optimized change in the flow direction of the suction air flow 212.

[0066] Between the fourth angular position 534 and the first angular position 531, the distance value of the distance 511, 512 of the surface 503 is reduced relatively abruptly to the first distance value 531 (at the outer edge 401) or to the second distance value 532 (at the inner edge 402), so that a step 500 is created.

[0067] The first (lower) edge 501 of the step 500 may be arranged at the first angular position 531, and the second (upper) edge 502 of the step 500 may be arranged at the fourth angular position 534. The surface 503 may be substantially straight between the first edge 501 and the second edge 502. In particular, the inner edge 402 and the outer edge 401 may each be substantially straight between the first edge 501 and the second edge 502.

[0068] Thus, a separation unit 113 is described which is designed (in particular by means of a correspondingly designed ejection and / or compression element 240) to create a helical suction air flow 212 within the collection container, thereby conveying dirt particles toward the second end face 222. This prevents dirt particles from reaching the rear side 510 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 (facing the first end face 221), which could impair the compression and / or ejection function of the ejection and / or compression element 240.

[0069] Fig. 3a shows a separation unit 113 in which the ejection and / or compression element 240 is arranged in the basic position (on the first end face 221 of the collecting container). Fig. 3b shows a separation unit 113 in which the ejection and / or compression element 240 has been displaced along the longitudinal axis 220 to the second end face 222, e.g., to compress dirt particles. Fig. 3b The illustrated position of the ejection and / or compression element 240 can be referred to as the compression position.

[0070] The ejection and / or compression element 240 has a (cylindrical) side wall 320 facing the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collection container, which side wall 320 has a specific distance 321 from the inside of the housing wall 227. The distance 321 can be, for example, between 1 mm and 4 mm. In particular, the side wall 320 of the (annular) ejection and / or compression element 240 can have a diameter (in the radial direction) that is smaller than the diameter 322 of the inside of the housing wall 227. This ensures that the ejection and / or compression element 240 can be moved within the collection container along the longitudinal axis 220 (between the home position and the compression position) without jamming, in order to enable reliable and convenient compression and / or ejection of dirt particles.

[0071] Furthermore, the ejection and / or compression element 240 has a shield 330 on the surface 503 facing the second end face 222, which shield extends radially from the side wall 320 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 to the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container. The shield 330 can be designed as an (annular) web that runs around the (cylindrical) side wall 320 of the ejection and / or compression element 240. The width of the shield 330 in the radial direction can essentially correspond to the distance 321 between the side wall 320 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 and the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container in the home position of the ejection and / or compression element 240.

[0072] The shield 330 can efficiently be made of the same (non-deformable) material (e.g., plastic) as the ejection and / or compression element 240. On the other hand, the shield 330 can be made of an elastic sealing material, which typically further facilitates the movement of the ejection and / or compression element 240 along the longitudinal axis 220.

[0073] By providing a shield 330 on the surface 503 of the ejection and / or compression element 240, it is possible to reliably prevent dirt particles from reaching the rear side 510 of the ejection and / or compression element 240, particularly when the ejection and / or compression element 240 is arranged in the home position. This ensures permanently reliable operation of the separation unit 113.

[0074] The (circular) cylindrical inner side of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container can be conically shaped such that the diameter 322 of the inner side of the housing wall 227 increases toward the second end face 222. For example, the diameter 322 of the inner side of the housing wall 227 can be 1% to 5% larger at the second end face 222 than at the first end face 221. As a result, the ejection and / or compression element 240 can be pushed toward the second end face 222 in a comfortable and reliable manner, even in the presence of a (sealing) shield 330.

[0075] As in Fig. 3bAs shown, the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container can be conical in such a way that the shield 330 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 does not (just) touch the inside of the housing wall 227 in the compression position facing the second end face 222 (and optionally has a certain distance 331 from the inside of the housing wall 227), and that the shield 330 of the ejection and / or compression element 240 touches the inside of the housing wall 227 in the basic position facing the first end face 222.

[0076] The conical design of the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container can be achieved in an efficient manner by making the thickness 341 of the housing wall 227 (in the radial direction) greater at the first end face 221 than at the second end face 222 and reducing it (e.g. linearly) along the longitudinal axis 220 therebetween.

[0077] To prevent dirt and / or dust from entering between and behind the compression and ejection ring 240, an annular shield 330 can be attached to the end face of the ring 240 (facing the second end face 222 of the collecting container). Furthermore, the collecting container can have a conical design on the inside. The angle between the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container and the longitudinal axis 220 can be, for example, between 1° and 2°, e.g., approximately 1.4°.

[0078] This ensures that, in the initial position (i.e., in the basic position) of the ring 240, the shield 330 around the ring 240 rests as completely as possible against the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container, thus preventing dirt from getting behind the shield 240. After the compression and ejection ring 240 is moved toward the second end face 222, the shield 330 no longer has contact with the inside of the housing wall 227 and thus no longer generates friction. This simplifies the compression and ejection process.

[0079] The sealing function of the compression and ejection ring 240 may thus only be provided over a portion of the movement of the compression and ejection ring 240. Due to the sealing function acting at the beginning of the movement, the separated dust accumulates on the front side 503 of the compression and ejection ring 240 (facing the second end face 222). This accumulated dust then acts as a seal against the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container when the compression and ejection ring 240 no longer rests against the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container.

[0080] The measures described in this document can achieve particularly reliable and convenient compression and ejection of dirt into or from a collection container in order to optimize the dust loading of the collection container of a separation unit 113 and to ensure a permanently high suction power of a suction device 100.

[0081] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are intended only to illustrate the principle of a separation unit 113 and / or a suction device 100. List of reference symbols

[0082] 100 Suction device (vacuum wiper) 110 Suction unit 111 Electrical energy storage device 112 Handle 113 Separation unit 114 Suction mouth 120 Accessory part (suction pipe) 121 Coupling 130 Nozzle 200 (Dust retention) flap 201 Main bending point (film hinge) 202 Additional bending point (film hinge) 210 Frame 211 Inlet opening (collection container) 212 Suction air 220 Longitudinal axis 221 First end face (collection container) 222 Second end face (collection container) 224 Cover 225 Filter unit 226 Collection area 227 Housing wall 240 Ejection and / or compression element 320 Side wall (ejection and / or compression element) 321Distance 322Diameter 330Shielding (ejection and / or compression element) 331Distance 341Thickness (housing wall) 401Outer edge 402Inner edge 403Inclined section / storage area 500Step 501First (lower) edge 502Second (upper) edge 503Surface of the ejection and / or compression element 510Reference plane (rear) 511Outer edge distance 512Inner edge distance 520Normal vector orOrientation (surface) 530Angular position 531, 532, 533, 534Different angular positions 541, 542, 543Distance values.

Claims

1. A separation unit (113) for a suction device (100); wherein - the separation unit (113) comprises a collecting container for dirt particles enclosed by a housing wall (227); - the collecting container extends along a longitudinal axis (220); - the separation unit (113) comprises an ejection and / or compression element (240) which is designed to be moved within the collecting container, starting from a basic position along the longitudinal axis (220), to a compression position in order to compress dirt particles arranged in the collecting container and / or to eject them from the collecting container; and - the separation unit (113) is designed such that a radial force with which the ejection and / or compression element (240) acts in the radial direction on an inner side of the housing wall (227) is lower in the compression position than in the basic position.

2. Separation unit (113) according to claim 1, wherein a diameter (322) of the inner side of the housing wall (227) is larger, in particular between 1% and 5% larger, at the compression position than at the basic position.

3. Separation unit (113) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separation unit (113) is designed such that the radial force with which the ejection and / or compression element (240) acts in the radial direction on the inside of the housing wall (227) decreases smoothly, in particular linearly, along the movement path from the basic position to the compression position.

4. Separation unit (113) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the inner side of the housing wall (227) is conical; - the longitudinal axis (220) corresponds to the vertical axis of the conical inner side of the housing wall (227); and - an angle of between 0.5° and 2.5° is formed between the inner side of the housing wall (227) and the longitudinal axis (220).

5. Separation unit (113) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the housing wall (227) has a thickness (341) in the radial direction that is less in the compression position than in the basic position; and - the thickness (341) of the housing wall (227) decreases smoothly, approximately linearly, in particular along the longitudinal axis (220).

6. Separation unit (113) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the ejection and / or compression element (240) has a side wall (320) facing the inside of the housing wall (227); - the ejection and / or compression element (240) is designed such that the side wall (320) of the ejection and / or compression element (240) is spaced from the inside of the housing wall (227) of the collecting container in the home position and in the compression position, in particular along the entire movement path from the home position to the compression position, and / or does not touch the inside of the housing wall (227) of the collecting container; - the ejection and / or compression element (240) has a shield (330) on a surface (503) facing the compression position, which shield extends in the radial direction beyond the side wall (320) of the ejection and / or compression element (240) to the inside of the housing wall (227) of the collecting container;and - the separation unit (113) is designed such that a radial force with which the shield (330) of the ejection and / or compression element (240) acts in the radial direction on the inside of the housing wall (227) is lower in the compression position than in the basic position; 7. Separation unit (113) according to claim 6, wherein - the side wall (320) of the ejection and / or compression element (240) has a total diameter in the radial direction; and - the shield (330) extends by 1% or more, in particular between 1% and 5%, of the total diameter of the side wall (320) of the ejection and / or compression element (240) in the radial direction beyond the side wall (320) of the ejection and / or compression element (240).

8. Separation unit (113) according to one of claims 6 to 7, wherein - the ejection and / or compression element (240) has a total height along the longitudinal axis (220); and - the shield (330) has a height along the longitudinal axis (220) of 5% or less, in particular between 1% and 5%, of the total height of the ejection and / or compression element (240).

9. Separation unit (113) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein - the shield (330) and the side wall (330) of the ejection and / or compression element (240) are made of the same material; or - the shield (330) is made of an elastic sealing material.

10. Separation unit (113) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the collecting container extends along the longitudinal axis (220) from a first end face (221) to an opposite second end face (222); - the collecting container has a total length from the first end face (221) to the second end face (222); - the ejection and / or compression element (240) is arranged closer to the first end face (221) in the basic position than in the compression position; - the ejection and / or compression element (240) is arranged closer to the second end face (222) in the compression position than in the basic position; and - the compression position and the basic position are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis (220) by 50% or more, in particular by 70% or more, of the total length of the collecting container.

11. Separation unit (113) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the housing wall (227) of the collecting container extends cylindrically, in particular circularly cylindrically, around the longitudinal axis (220); and - the ejection and / or compression element (240) extends annularly along the inside of the housing wall (227) around the longitudinal axis (220).

12. Separation unit (113) according to claim 11, wherein - the collecting container has an inlet opening (211) arranged on the housing wall (227) for a suction air flow (212); - the ejection and / or compression element (240) has a surface (503) which acts on the suction air flow (212) entering the collecting container when the ejection and / or compression element (240) is arranged in the basic position; and - the surface (503) of the ejection and / or compression element (240) extends helically around the longitudinal axis (220) at least in a partial section along the inside of the housing wall (227).

13. Separation unit (113) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the collecting container has an inlet opening (211) arranged on the housing wall (227) for a suction air flow (212); - the ejection and / or compression element (240) has a surface (503) which acts on the suction air flow (212) entering the collecting container when the ejection and / or compression element (240) is arranged in the basic position; - the surface (503) has an inclined section (403) in which the normal vector of the surface (503) is arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis (220); and - the inclined section (403) of the surface (503) of the ejection and / or compression element (240) is arranged in the basic position in radial alignment with the inlet opening (211).

14. Separation unit (113) according to one of the preceding claims, - the separation unit (113) comprises a filter unit (225) arranged in the collecting container; and - the ejection and / or compression element (240) has an inner edge (402) facing a surface of the filter unit (225), which is designed to clean the surface of the filter unit (225) when the annular ejection and / or compression element (240) is moved along the longitudinal axis (220) towards the compression position.

15. Suction device (100) comprising - a separation unit (113) designed according to one of the preceding claims; and - a fan (230) designed to cause a suction air flow (212) from a suction mouth (114), through the inlet opening (211) of the separation unit (113), through a filter unit (225) and to the fan (230).

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