Suction cleaner and method for changing a filter

Abstract

The invention relates to a suction cleaner (10) and to a method for changing a filter (12) of the suction cleaner, in particular a dry vacuum cleaner, wet vacuum cleaner, or the like. The suction cleaner comprises a housing (11), a filter (12), and a turbine, wherein a suction air channel is formed within the housing, said suction air channel connecting a suction air inlet (14), in particular for connecting a suction hose (15) to the housing, and a suction air outlet (16), and a suction air flow can be formed in the suction air channel by means of the turbine. The filter is formed with a filter housing (18), as a liquid filter (19), without a bag, or with a filter bag, within which the suction air channel is formed in order to conduct the suction air flow. The housing is formed with a housing opening (20) for removing the filter from the housing and introducing the filter into the housing, and the turbine is arranged in the housing above the filter. The suction cleaner has a filter closure (22) for releasably securing the filter in the housing.

Description

[0001] Vacuum cleaner and method for changing a filter

[0002] The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner and a method for changing a filter of a vacuum cleaner, in particular a vacuum cleaner, water vacuum cleaner or the like, comprising a housing, a filter and a turbine, wherein a suction air duct is formed within the housing and connects a suction air inlet, in particular for connecting a suction hose to the housing, and a suction air outlet, wherein a suction air flow can be formed in the suction air duct by means of the turbine, wherein the filter is formed with a filter housing as a liquid filter, bagless or with a filter bag, within which the suction air duct is formed for conducting the suction air flow, wherein the housing is formed with a housing opening for removing the filter from the housing and inserting the filter into the housing.

[0003] Vacuum cleaners are well known and are regularly used as mobile devices for cleaning surfaces, particularly floor coverings. A turbine for generating a suction air flow and a filter are usually arranged within the housing of the vacuum cleaner. A distinction is made in particular between vacuum cleaners with filter bags, bagless vacuum cleaners and vacuum cleaners with liquid filters or water filters. Here, too, different types of liquid filters are known. These filters are always arranged within the housing of the vacuum cleaner and can be replaced as intended when the filter performance decreases or the filter becomes filled with dirt. This is done via a housing opening in the housing, whereby the housing opening is usually also provided with a housing cover for closing the housing opening. This is particularly advantageous if the suction air duct runs through the housing opening within the housing.The housing cover can then form a seal against the housing or the housing opening. Furthermore, the housing opening in question is always positioned on the housing in such a way that the filter can be easily removed from the housing, for example, by having the housing opening on the top side of the housing and being accessible via the housing cover.

[0004] One of the disadvantages is that the position of the vacuum cleaner must be changed when the filter needs to be replaced or cleaned. Such a vacuum cleaner is, for example,

[0005] CN 202023321732 U. Here, a suction hose on the housing must first be removed before a housing cover can be opened and the filter removed. Another disadvantage is that, particularly when liquid filters are used, liquid can possibly get into the housing opening or the housing. This is particularly problematic if the turbine is located next to or below the housing opening, as the liquid could then also get into the area of ​​the turbine. In any case, it is not possible to change a filter without opening the housing opening or positioning the vacuum cleaner in such a way that the housing opening is accessible from above for removing the filter. It is therefore the object of the present invention to propose a vacuum cleaner and a method for changing a filter of a vacuum cleaner which enables a simple and safe filter change.

[0006] This object is achieved by a vacuum cleaner having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 16.

[0007] The vacuum cleaner according to the invention, in particular a vacuum cleaner, water vacuum cleaner or the like, comprises a housing, a filter and a turbine, wherein a suction air duct is formed within the housing, which connects a suction air inlet, in particular for connecting a suction hose to the housing, and a suction air outlet, wherein a suction air flow can be formed in the suction air duct by means of the turbine, wherein the filter is formed with a filter housing as a liquid filter, bagless or with a filter bag, within which the suction air duct is formed for conducting the suction air flow, wherein the housing is formed with a housing opening for removing the filter from the housing and inserting the filter into the housing, wherein the turbine is arranged in the housing above the filter, wherein the vacuum cleaner has a filter closure for releasably fastening the filter in the housing.

[0008] Accordingly, the filter is arranged within the housing opening or housing and, when the vacuum cleaner is in use, the filter is located below the turbine in the housing. The filter can be removed through the housing opening and reinserted. In particular, when the filter with the filter housing is designed as a liquid filter, the filter housing can be filled with a liquid or filter liquid, such as water. This water can be easily replaced to clean the liquid filter. The suction air duct then runs through the filter housing, where the suction air is mixed with the water and dust particles in the suction air are wetted with the water and thus bound. Alternatively, the filter is designed with a filter bag, which is also arranged in a filter housing. The filter bag is then designed with a membrane for separating dust particles from the suction air.Furthermore, the filter housing can be designed with a bagless filter technology, for example as a centrifugal separator or so-called cyclone filter.

[0009] In any case, it is an advantage that the filter is located below the turbine, as this ensures that neither liquid nor dust can get back into the housing opening before the filter is changed, as can often be the case with housing openings accessible from above. This also prevents liquid or dust from getting directly into the turbine, as this is located above the filter. The vacuum cleaner also has a filter lock which allows the filter to be detachably fastened in the housing. The filter or its filter housing can then be fixed within the housing opening using the filter lock. This also makes it possible to do without a housing cover, as the filter can be held in the housing opening by the filter lock alone. The suction air duct can then run through the filter housing alone and not through the housing opening.The filter lock can be designed to ensure a positive fit of the filter in the housing opening. This also makes it possible to change the filter without having to remove a suction hose from a housing cover. Overall, the filter lock and the filter arrangement simplify filter changes and improve the handling of the vacuum cleaner.

[0010] The filter closure can be designed with a mechanical lifting device, wherein the filter housing can be brought into a use configuration and into a removal configuration on the housing by means of the lifting device, wherein in the use configuration the filter housing is raised relative to the housing and in the removal configuration the filter housing is lowered relative to the housing. For example, it can then also be provided that the housing opening is formed on a side surface of the housing. In this case, the housing can then also surround the filter in sections. The movement of the filter housing relative to the housing can then also be understood in such a way that the filter housing is raised or lowered relative to the turbine or an upper part of the housing. Since the lifting device allows the filter to be removed from the housing in a horizontal direction, the filter is significantly easier for an operator to handle.This is especially true when using a liquid filter filled with a liquid. Lateral loading and unloading of the filter is then easier to control manually, as the liquid level can be more easily balanced during handling. When removing a liquid filter in a vertical direction, it is comparatively more difficult to balance the liquid level, so there is a greater risk of unwanted liquid leakage during a filter change.

[0011] Furthermore, in the use configuration, the filter housing can come into sealing contact with a channel opening of the suction air channel, wherein in the removal configuration a play can be formed between the upper opening and the channel opening, which allows free movement of the filter housing in the housing opening. In the use configuration, the filter housing can then be pressed against an inner side of the housing opening above the filter housing and below the turbine by means of the lifting device. The upper opening formed in the filter housing can then be substantially aligned with the channel opening of the suction air channel formed in the housing opening and come into sealing contact with it. In this case, it can be provided that a flexible sealing element is arranged at the upper opening and / or at the channel opening.Using the lifting device, the filter housing can be lowered into the removal configuration, allowing the resulting clearance to allow easy removal of the filter housing from the housing opening. This clearance can be up to 5 mm, 10 mm, or 15 mm, for example.

[0012] The lifting device can be designed with a lifting mechanism, wherein the lifting mechanism can be designed with a lever by means of which a slider of a coupling gear engaging a coupling, a wedge on an inclined plane, or a lifting spindle can be actuated. The force required to actuate the lifting mechanism can easily be applied manually via the lever. The lifting mechanism can be designed in various embodiments, for example with the slider engaging the coupling. The coupling can be arranged on a fixed bearing, wherein the slider then engages the coupling and can be moved by means of the lever essentially in the longitudinal direction of the slider. The slider can thus pivot the coupling, which in turn can execute at least a partial movement in the vertical direction.Furthermore, the lifting mechanism can also be designed with the wedge on the inclined plane, whereby a movement in the vertical direction can be effected by a horizontal movement of the wedge. The lifting mechanism can also be designed with a lifting spindle, which can effect the vertical movement by a simple rotation about an axis of the lifting spindle. The lever can then be arranged, for example, directly on the lifting spindle so that the lifting spindle can be rotated by means of the lever.

[0013] It is advantageous if the lifting mechanism is located below the filter housing. The lifting mechanism can then engage the filter housing directly or via intermediate components and raise or lower it vertically.

[0014] The coupling mechanism can be formed from the slide and a plurality of couplings pivotally mounted on the slide, wherein a first coupling can be pivotally mounted on a base plate and a second coupling can be pivotally mounted on a lifting plate of the housing such that a linear movement of the slide arranged between the lifting plate and the base plate causes a movement of the lifting plate in a vertical direction relative to the base plate. The lifting plate can be arranged on a guide which determines the movement in the vertical direction. The first coupling and the second coupling can each be arranged on the slide via a joint and opposite one another. Furthermore, the first coupling can be arranged on the base plate via a joint and the second coupling can be arranged on the lifting plate via a joint. The linear movement of the slide then causes a movement of the lifting plate relative to the base plate.A maximum distance between the lifting plate and base plate is achieved when the first coupling and the second coupling are aligned orthogonally relative to the slide. Furthermore, it is advantageous if two first couplings and two second couplings are arranged on the slide. The first couplings and also the second couplings can be arranged parallel to one another. The first couplings and the second couplings then form a guide for the slide such that the slide can be moved linearly in a horizontal direction. The lifting movement of the lifting plate relative to the base plate then runs in the vertical direction or orthogonally to the linear movement of the slide.

[0015] The lifting mechanism can be designed to be self-locking in an end position. The self-locking can be achieved, for example, in the coupling gear by moving the couplings beyond a maximum deflection so that the slider reaches a stop or an end position and the couplings are then slightly inclined relative to the vertical direction, for example by 1 to 5 degrees. If a lifting plate is used, this is then lowered by, for example, 0.5 to 1 mm. In order to fully lower the lifting plate, it must be raised again by this amount so that the couplings of the coupling gear are aligned in the vertical direction and the maximum possible deflection can be overcome. The lever can be arranged with a lever arm on a side surface or on a top side of the housing so that it can be manually operated, whereby the lever arm can be pivoted relatively transversely to a vertical axis of the suction cup.The lever can be pivoted or tilted around an axis, although the axis does not actually have to be present. It is sufficient if the lever is mounted on the housing. Furthermore, the lever can be connected directly to the slide of the coupling gear or via a pull rod to the slide of the coupling gear. It is particularly advantageous if the lever is long enough that a lever arm for manual operation is formed all the way to the top of the housing. The lever arm can also run along the top so that the lever arm forms an angle or arc at the top. For example, actuating the lever arm by tilting it by 15 degrees relative to the vertical axis is sufficient to operate the lifting mechanism to lower a lifting plate below the filter housing. The lifting mechanism can then be operated manually from the top of the vacuum cleaner particularly easily.

[0016] The housing opening can be formed by a recess in the side of the housing, preferably a through-hole. With a through-hole, the filter housing can be inserted into or removed from the housing from two sides. This makes the vacuum cleaner easy to use for both left- and right-handed users.

[0017] A centering cam that engages in a recess in the filter housing, or a recess that engages in a centering cam in the filter housing can be formed in the housing opening. If, for example, the lifting device is designed with a lifting mechanism and a lifting plate, the centering cam or the recess can be formed in the lifting plate. The centering cam and the recess make it possible to position the filter housing correctly in the housing opening so that when the filter housing is inserted into the housing opening, it is arranged directly below a channel opening in the housing opening. Furthermore, when the filter housing is lifted up to the channel opening, it can then be securely fixed in a usage configuration or usage position because the centering cam then positively engages with the recess.

[0018] The housing opening and the filter housing can be designed with a geometry that matches at least in sections, by means of which the filter housing can be arranged in a defined position in the housing opening. The filter housing can be designed such that filter housing walls rest against the walls of the housing opening with a small amount of play when the filter housing is inserted into the housing opening in a usage configuration. Slipping of the filter housing in the housing opening can thus be prevented. Furthermore, a shape of the filter housing and the housing opening can also be selected such that the filter housing can only be arranged in a single possible position in the housing opening. For example, a projection can be formed in the housing opening that engages in a recess that is formed in the filter housing in a matching manner.Conversely, a projection can be formed on the filter housing that engages a recess formed in the housing opening. The respective geometries can thus be designed asymmetrically, making it impossible to insert the filter housing into the housing opening in any position other than the intended one.

[0019] The housing opening can be designed with or without a housing cover covering the housing opening. If the filter lock allows the filter housing to be locked in the housing opening, a housing cover can be omitted. This significantly simplifies operation of the vacuum cleaner. However, it is also possible, for example for aesthetic reasons, to cover the housing opening with a housing cover. The filter housing can then be stored inside the housing.

[0020] The liquid filter can also be formed from a liquid container with a liquid bath located therein for separating particles from the suction air stream. The liquid bath or filter liquid can be water, for example. This water can be easily replaced to clean the liquid filter. Furthermore, the liquid filter can comprise a jet pump, a diffuser, or the like, through which the suction air channel runs. The suction air stream can then be used as a propellant, with which the atomized water is mixed with the suction air in the liquid container, whereby dust particles in the suction air are then wetted with water and thus bound.

[0021] The turbine can be formed from an electric motor with a fan wheel to generate the suction air flow in the suction air duct. The electric motor and fan wheel can be dimensioned to generate a volume flow in the suction air duct that is optimized for cleaning efficiency. The electric motor or fan wheel can then be arranged with a rotation axis parallel to a vertical axis of the vacuum cleaner. The electric motor is then located at a relatively large, safe distance from the filter arranged below the fan wheel if the filter is designed as a liquid filter.

[0022] In the method according to the invention for changing a filter of a vacuum cleaner, in particular a vacuum cleaner, water vacuum cleaner or the like, the vacuum cleaner comprises a housing, the filter and a turbine, wherein a suction air duct is formed within the housing, which connects a suction air inlet, in particular for connecting a suction hose to the housing, and a suction air outlet, wherein the turbine forms a suction air flow in the suction air duct, wherein the filter is formed with a filter housing as a liquid filter, bagless or with a filter bag, within which the suction air duct is formed and the suction air flow is passed, wherein the filter is removed from the housing via a housing opening of the housing and inserted into the housing, wherein the turbine is arranged in the housing above the filter, wherein the filter is detachably fastened to the housing by means of a filter closure of the vacuum cleaner.For the advantages of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the description of the advantages of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention. Further advantageous embodiments of the method emerge from the descriptions of the features of the subclaims referring back to claim 1.

[0023] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] They show:

[0025] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner with a filter in a use configuration;

[0026] Fig. 2 the vacuum cleaner from Fig. 1 with the filter in a removal configuration;

[0027] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner from Fig. 1 with the filter removed;

[0028] Fig. 4 the vacuum cleaner from Fig. 3 without a filter;

[0029] Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the suction device of Fig. 2;

[0030] Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the suction cup of Fig. 1.

[0031] A summary of Figures 1 to 6 shows a vacuum cleaner 10, comprising a housing 11, a filter 12 and a turbine (not shown here). Formed within the housing 11 is a suction air duct 13 which connects a suction air inlet 14 for connecting a suction hose 15 to the housing 11 and a suction air outlet 16, which is formed here by slots 17 in the housing 11. The filter 12 is designed as a liquid filter 19 with a filter housing 18 and can be inserted into or removed from a housing opening 20, which is designed here as a through-opening 21. The housing opening 20 is formed below the turbine (not shown here).

[0032] Furthermore, a filter closure 22 for detachably fastening the filter 12 in the housing 11 is formed on the suction device 10. The filter closure 22 is formed with a mechanical lifting device 23, with which the filter housing 18 can be moved into a use configuration according to Figs. 1 and 6 and into a removal configuration according to

[0033] Fig. 2, 3 and 5 can be brought.

[0034] In the use configuration, the filter housing 18 is raised relative to the housing 11, and in the removal configuration, the filter housing 18 is lowered relative to the housing 11. The filter housing 18 is formed with an upper opening 24, which in the use configuration comes into sealing contact with a channel opening 25 of the suction air channel 13. The turbine is arranged above the channel opening 25 and sucks air from the filter housing 18. A further upper opening 26 is formed on the filter housing 18, which then then seals against a further channel opening 27 in the housing 11 or the housing opening 20. A diffuser or the like, for example, can be inserted into the further upper opening 26, via which suction air is then sucked from the further channel opening 27, which is connected to the suction hose 15, into the filter housing 18 and the liquid bath (not shown here) located therein, which liquid bath can be formed by water.This causes the liquid bath to swirl with the suction air, resulting in the separation of particles not visible here from the suction air stream. A seal 28 is formed between the upper opening 24 and the channel opening 25, and a further seal 29 is formed between the further upper opening 26 and the further channel opening 27. The filter housing 18 thus forms a liquid container 30, which can be brought into sealing contact with the housing 11 or in the housing opening 20 using the filter closure 22.

[0035] The lifting device 23 is designed with a lever 31, a pull rod 32 and a slide 33 of a coupling gear 34 with first couplers 35 and second couplers 36. The couplers 35 and 36 are each pivotally mounted on joints 37 on the slide 33 and on joints 38 and 39 respectively on a base plate 40 and a lifting plate 41. Actuation of the lever 31 by pivoting the lever 31 transversely to a vertical axis 42 of the suction device 10 then causes the slide 33 to move in a horizontal direction via the pull rod 32 and, due to the mounting of the first couplers 35 and the second couplers 36, to lower the lifting plate 41, as shown in Fig. 5. In this removal configuration, the filter 12 or the filter housing 18 can then be easily removed from the housing opening 20. If the lever 3 1 is, as shown in Fig.6, pivoted parallel to the vertical axis 42, a tensile force is exerted on the slide 33 via the pull rod 32 in such a way that the first couplers 35 and the second couplers 36 are pivoted or spread apart, so that the lifting plate 41 is raised and the filter housing 18 is pressed sealingly against the upper opening 24 or the further upper opening 26. During this movement, the first couplers 35 and the second couplers 36 are also aligned parallel to the vertical axis 42 and pivoted a little further beyond it, so that the lifting plate 41 is self-holding in this position. The lever 31 is formed with a curve 43 which extends to an upper side 44 of the vacuum cleaner 10. The lever 31 can therefore be operated particularly conveniently from the upper side 44.

[0036] A centering cam 45 is formed on the lifting plate 41 and engages in a recess 46 in the filter housing 18. Furthermore, a projection 47 is formed in the housing opening 20, and a correspondingly formed recess 48 is formed in the filter housing 18. This ensures that the filter housing 18 can only be inserted into the housing opening 20 in a single, defined position. The precise position of the filter housing 18 below the upper opening 24 or the further upper opening 26 is determined by the centering cam 45 engaging in the recess 46.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A vacuum cleaner (10), in particular a vacuum cleaner, water vacuum cleaner, or the like, comprising a housing (11), a filter (12), and a turbine, wherein a suction air duct (13) is formed within the housing, which connects a suction air inlet (14), in particular for connecting a suction hose (15) to the housing, and a suction air outlet (16), wherein a suction air flow can be formed in the suction air duct by means of the turbine, wherein the filter is formed with a filter housing (18) as a liquid filter (19), bagless or with a filter bag, within which the suction air duct is formed for conducting the suction air flow, wherein the housing is formed with a housing opening (20) for removing the filter from the housing and inserting the filter into the housing, characterized in that the turbine is arranged in the housing above the filter,wherein the vacuum cleaner has a filter closure (22) for releasably securing the filter in the housing., 2. Suction device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the filter closure (22) is designed with a mechanical lifting device (23), wherein by means of the lifting device the filter housing (18) can be brought into a use configuration and into a removal configuration on the housing (11), wherein in the use configuration the filter housing is raised relative to the housing and in the removal configuration the filter housing is lowered relative to the housing.

3. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, characterized in that the filter housing (18) in the use configuration with at least one upper opening (24, 26) comes into sealing contact with a channel opening (25, 27) of the suction air channel (13), wherein in the removal configuration a play is formed between the upper opening and the channel opening, which allows a free movement of the filter housing in the housing opening (20).

4. Suction device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the lifting device (23) is designed with a lifting mechanism, wherein the lifting mechanism is designed with a lever (31), by means of which a slide (33) of a coupling gear (34) engaging a coupling (35, 36), a wedge on an inclined plane or a lifting spindle can be actuated.

5. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, characterized in that the lifting mechanism is arranged below the filter housing (18).

6. Suction device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that that the coupling mechanism (34) is formed from the slide (33) and a plurality of couplings pivotally mounted on the slide, wherein a first coupling (35) is pivotally mounted on a base plate (40) and a second coupling (36) is pivotally mounted on a lifting plate (41) of the housing (11), such that a linear movement of the slide arranged between the lifting plate and the base plate causes a movement of the lifting plate relative to the base plate.

7. Suction cup according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the lifting mechanism is designed to be self-holding in an end position.

8. Suction device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the lever (31) is arranged with a lever arm on a side surface or on an upper side (44) of the housing (11) so as to be manually operable, wherein the lever arm is pivotable relative transversely to a vertical axis (42) of the suction device (10).

9. Suction device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing opening (20) is formed by a recess formed laterally in the housing (11), preferably a through opening (21).

10. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a centering cam (45) which engages in a recess (46) in the filter housing (18) or a recess which engages in a centering cam in the filter housing is formed in the housing opening (20).

11. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing opening (20) and the filter housing (18) are designed with a geometry that matches at least in sections, by means of which the filter housing can be arranged in a defined position in the housing opening.

12. Suction device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing opening (20) is designed with or without a housing cover covering the housing opening.

13. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid filter (19) is formed from a liquid container (30) with a liquid bath located therein for separating particles from the suction air flow.

14. Vacuum cleaner according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the filter housing (18) has a centrifugal separator for separating particles from the suction air flow and a container for receiving the separated particles.

15. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turbine is formed from an electric motor with a fan wheel for forming the suction air flow in the suction air duct (13).

16. A method for changing a filter (12) of a vacuum cleaner (10), in particular a vacuum cleaner, water vacuum cleaner, or the like, comprising a housing (11), the filter, and a turbine, wherein a suction air duct (13) is formed within the housing, which connects a suction air inlet (14), in particular for connecting a suction hose (15) to the housing, and a suction air outlet (16), wherein the turbine forms a suction air flow in the suction air duct, wherein the filter is formed with a filter housing (18) as a liquid filter (19), bagless or with a filter bag, within which the suction air duct is formed and the suction air flow is passed, wherein the filter is removed from the housing via a housing opening (20) of the housing and inserted into the housing, characterized in that the turbine is arranged in the housing above the filter,wherein the filter is detachably fastened in the housing by means of a filter closure (22) of the vacuum cleaner.,

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