Vacuum cleaning apparatus and cleaning method

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaning apparatus (10), more particularly dry vacuum cleaner, wet vacuum cleaner or the like, and to a cleaning method for cleaning surfaces or air, using a vacuum cleaning apparatus. The vacuum cleaning apparatus has a housing (11), a chassis (12), a filter (13) and a turbine, wherein: a suction air duct is formed inside the housing and connects a suction air inlet, particularly for connection of a suction hose to the housing, to a suction air outlet; the turbine can produce a suction air stream in the suction air duct; the suction air duct is formed such that it conducts the suction air stream in the filter; the chassis has casters (24) and / or wheels to move the vacuum cleaning apparatus on a surface; and the chassis is in the form of an annular travelling gear (23) on which the housing is rotatably mounted relative to the annular travelling gear.

Description

[0001] Vacuum cleaners and cleaning methods

[0002] The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, in particular a vacuum cleaner, a water vacuum cleaner or the like, and to a cleaning method for cleaning surfaces or air, in particular in buildings, vehicles or the like, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a housing, a chassis, 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 suction air duct is formed within the filter for conducting the suction air flow, wherein the chassis is formed with rollers and / or wheels for moving the vacuum cleaner over a surface.

[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 or water filters. Such vacuum cleaners also have nozzles for cleaning floors, upholstered furniture, or the like. The nozzle can be formed or attached directly to the vacuum cleaner housing. In this case, the vacuum cleaner or its housing is always moved manually during a cleaning process with the nozzle. Such vacuum cleaners are generally referred to as handheld vacuum cleaners, suction vacuum cleaners, or stick vacuum cleaners.It is also known to connect such a nozzle to the vacuum cleaner housing via a suction hose, so that the nozzle can be manually moved independently of the housing during a cleaning process. The suction hose is then always flexible and easily bendable. The vacuum cleaner housing is usually mounted on rollers or wheels and can, if necessary, be easily pulled across a floor using the suction hose. Such vacuum cleaners are generally also referred to as canister vacuum cleaners. However, other types of vacuum cleaner can also have a suction hose, for example, as an accessory that can be exchanged for a rotating brush.

[0004] A generic floor vacuum cleaner is known, for example, from CN 202023321732 U. A disadvantage of such vacuum cleaners is that while cleaning a floor, the vacuum cleaner has to be regularly moved by manually pulling on the suction hose if the cleaning process is not to be interrupted. The housing of the vacuum cleaner is then often located behind a person operating the vacuum cleaner and, with alternating movements of the suction hose or the person, is gradually moved in the direction in which the person is cleaning the floor with the suction hose or a nozzle attached to it. Movement of the housing is therefore often jerky and the housing can easily hit furniture, walls or other objects on the floor. Depending on the shape of the housing, the housing may slide more or less favorably along the furniture, walls or objects.However, this can often lead to damage to furniture, walls, corners of the room and objects, especially if the vacuum cleaner is used repeatedly.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the following invention to propose a vacuum cleaner and a cleaning method with which safe handling is easier.

[0006] This object is achieved by a vacuum cleaner having the features of claim 1 and a cleaning method having the features of claim 15.

[0007] The vacuum cleaner according to the invention, in particular a vacuum cleaner, water vacuum cleaner or the like, comprises a housing, a chassis, 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 suction air duct is formed within the filter for conducting the suction air flow, wherein the chassis is formed with rollers and / or wheels for moving the vacuum cleaner over a surface, wherein the chassis is formed as a chassis on which the housing is arranged so as to be rotatable relative to the chassis.

[0008] The suction hose of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention can be included in the vacuum cleaner, wherein the suction hose is then designed to be flexible and bendable at least in sections. A plug-in connection can be formed between the suction air inlet and the suction hose, which enables the suction hose to be connected and disconnected from the housing. The plug-in connection can then be designed such that a pulling force can be exerted on the housing of the vacuum cleaner via the suction hose when a person handles the suction hose during a cleaning process. The housing can then be pulled manually using the suction hose or moved across the surface or floor. The vacuum cleaner is then moved via the chassis, which is arranged underneath the housing of the vacuum cleaner. The chassis has rollers and / or wheels that enable the housing to be pulled or moved across the surface.

[0009] According to the invention, the chassis is designed as a wheel rim that is located underneath or on the housing. The wheel rim is arranged on the housing in such a way that the wheel rim can rotate relative to the housing. This makes it possible to separate movement of the housing from movement of the chassis when the suction hose is pulled. The housing can then always align itself according to a pulling force acting on the housing via the suction hose, regardless of the position of the chassis or the rollers or wheels. It is also then possible to pull the vacuum cleaner using the suction hose without the vacuum cleaner initially being moved in a direction deviating from the pulling direction due to the alignment of the rollers or wheels. This makes the vacuum cleaner easier to handle overall and prevents any unintentional collisions between the vacuum cleaner and furniture, walls or other objects on the floor.It is particularly advantageous if the wheel rim extends beyond the housing, at least in part, in a radial direction. This prevents the housing from coming into contact with furniture, walls, or other objects, but initially only the wheel rim. Potential damage can then be minimized.

[0010] The housing can be designed to rotate freely relative to the rolling ring. Free rotation means rotation of >360 degrees around a vertical axis of the vacuum cleaner or the housing. A rotation axis of the rolling ring can then be aligned with the vertical axis of the housing. If the rolling ring collides with a piece of furniture, a wall or other object, the rolling ring can roll along the piece of furniture, the wall or other object in a rotating movement, whereby the housing can then be pulled further in the direction of the suction hose. By rolling the rolling ring, scratching or scraping at the relevant contact points can be avoided, which can further reduce the occurrence of damage.

[0011] Three, four or more bogies can be rotatably arranged on the running gear, whereby the bogies can be arranged equidistantly along an outer circumference of the running gear. Accordingly, the bogies can in turn be connected to the running gear via pivot bearings and can thus themselves be rotatably arranged on the running gear. The bogies can each have one or more wheels or rollers, for example double rollers. These can be designed to rotate easily or with resistance, adapted to the respective surface. When the vacuum cleaner moves, the wheels or rollers can align themselves in the direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner thanks to the rotatable arrangement on the running gear.

[0012] Radial projections can be formed on the wheel rim that project radially beyond the housing, with the bogies being arranged on the projections. The projections can then come into contact with furniture, walls or other objects on the ground. As the wheel rim is designed to rotate relative to the housing, the projections cannot get caught on any obstacles, as the projections can then be deflected by a rotating movement of the wheel rim on the housing during movement of the housing in the direction of the suction hose and can be moved past the obstacle. The projections can also be designed to project so far that the housing does not come into direct contact with the obstacle in question.An elastic material, such as rubber or similar, can be attached to the extensions to prevent damage to furniture, walls, or other objects and / or to prevent abrasion and thus potentially leaving marks on these objects. The elastic material can then form a shock absorber on each extension. These shock absorbers can be replaceably attached to the extensions or be integrally molded onto the extensions.

[0013] A coupling can be formed between the wheel hub and the housing, whereby the wheel hub and the housing can be detachably connected by means of the coupling. The coupling can allow the housing to be separated from the wheel hub. This can be advantageous if the housing or the vacuum cleaner is intended to be used stationary alone. The vacuum cleaner can also be easily disassembled for transport by removing the housing from the wheel hub.

[0014] The coupling can be implemented as a bayonet lock, a magnetic coupling, or a snap-in connection. A bayonet lock, a magnetic coupling, or a snap-in connection enable a particularly easy-to-use form of a positive connection between the housing and the drive ring. The magnetic coupling can be implemented as at least one or more magnets on the housing and / or the drive ring, as well as ferromagnetic coupling elements, enabling easy-to-use fixation or connection of the drive ring and the housing.

[0015] The locking connection can be formed with locking elements on the housing which can engage behind an annular radial projection formed on the running gear, wherein the locking elements can be designed to be manually movable in a radial direction such that the projection can be released. In principle, the locking elements can also be formed on the running gear and the projection on the housing. The locking elements can be arranged equidistantly with respect to a circumference of the running gear. In a particularly simple embodiment, two or more locking elements can be provided. When connected to the running gear, the housing can then be placed on the running gear and connected to it in such a way that the locking elements lock onto the radial projection such that a positive-locking connection between the housing and the running gear is formed.The locking connection can be designed such that the housing can be placed on the chassis and connected to it at any desired position, relative to a circular angle of a circumference of the projection of 360°. To separate the housing and the chassis, the locking elements can be moved manually in the radial direction, for example against a spring force, such that the locking elements can be guided past the radial projection when the housing is separated from the chassis again. The locking elements can be actuated, for example, electromechanically via a switch, a cable pull or another mechanical actuation. The cable pull can, for example, be connected to a handle of the suction cup on the top side of the housing. A lever or button for unlocking, i.e. for actuating the locking elements, can also be located on the top side of the housing.To create a particularly secure locking connection, the locking elements can be lamella-shaped or designed like a rim, allowing the projection to be engaged behind a relatively large area. The projection itself can be formed on the wheel rim, at least in sections but preferably over the entire inner circumference. This allows the housing to lock onto the wheel rim in any desired position relative to a vertical axis.

[0016] The coupling can be designed with a centering device to center the housing on the traveling ring. The centering device can be formed, for example, by a cam and a correspondingly designed recess or by bevels or chamfers on the housing and the traveling ring. The housing can then slide along a bevel of the traveling ring, for example with locking elements, and be securely guided into a connecting position. This makes it much easier to bring the housing and traveling ring together. The traveling ring can be formed from a lower part and a turntable rotatably mounted on the lower part. It can be provided that the housing is connected to the turntable or is designed so that it can be connected. The relative movement between the housing and the traveling ring can then be carried out by rotating the turntable on the lower part.Although it is in principle possible for the housing to be directly rotatable in a connection area with the travel ring, it has been found that rotation is made considerably easier if a bearing is specifically designed for this purpose between the lower part and the turntable.

[0017] A bearing with bearing rollers can be formed between the turntable and the lower part for radial and / or axial mounting of the turntable on the lower part. In this case, it can also be provided that a plurality of bearing rollers are arranged equidistantly on the drive ring or between the turntable and the lower part relative to a circumference of the drive ring. On the one hand, the bearing rollers can be designed such that the weight of the suction cup housing is transferred via the turntable to the lower part, and transverse movement of the turntable on the lower part is prevented by the axial mounting of the turntable.

[0018] The bearing rollers can therefore be arranged on a radial edge of the turntable and / or beneath a base of the turntable. The bearing roller can be inserted into a simple recess on the base or the turntable at the base of the turntable. The bearing roller can also be designed such that the bearing roller is designed in the manner of a wheel with an axle, preferably in one piece, which is fastened to the turntable or the lower part with the axle. Simple fastening can be achieved by inserting the axle into a recess on the lower part, for example. The turntable can then rest on the bearing roller. The travel ring can be designed with a cover that holds the turntable to the lower part. The cover can be annular, so that the cover overlaps the turntable on its outer circumference to some extent and thus prevents the turntable from becoming detached from the lower part.The cover can also be used to radially guide the turntable when the turntable rotates on the lower part.

[0019] The carriage can be designed with a tank for holding a liquid, wherein the tank can be inserted into a receiving space in the turntable and detachably connected to the turntable. The vacuum cleaner can be designed such that it has a spray device for applying cleaning liquid, water or the like to a surface. This liquid can then be stored in the tank. The tank can have a central removal opening through which liquid in the tank can be sucked into the housing. A pump or the like can then be provided in the housing. Advantageously, the tank can be inserted into the receiving space of the turntable and can also be removed from it again. This allows the tank to be easily refilled with liquid without the turntable having to be transported together with the tank to a water tap.The receiving space in the turntable can have an inner contour that is essentially adapted to an outer contour of the tank, so that the tank can only be inserted into the receiving space in a predetermined position. This also prevents unwanted slipping of the tank in the receiving space.

[0020] The filter can be designed as a liquid filter with a filter housing, bagless or with a filter bag. A housing opening can be formed on the housing, within which the filter can be accommodated. The filter can then be removed through the housing opening and reinserted. If the filter is designed as a liquid filter, a filter housing of the filter can be filled with a liquid or filter fluid, such as water. This water can be easily replaced to clean the liquid filter. The suction air duct then runs through the filter housing, in which suction air is mixed with the water and dust particles in the suction air can be wetted with the water and thus bound. Furthermore, the filter housing can be designed with bagless filter technology, for example as a centrifugal separator or so-called cyclone filter.Alternatively, the filter can be designed with a filter bag, which is also arranged in a filter housing. The filter bag is then equipped with a membrane for separating dust particles from the suction air.

[0021] In the cleaning method according to the invention for cleaning surfaces or air, in particular in buildings, vehicles or the like, the method is carried out with a vacuum cleaner, in particular a vacuum cleaner, water vacuum cleaner or the like, comprising a housing, a chassis, 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, via the filter and the turbine to a suction air outlet, wherein a suction air flow is formed in the suction air duct with the turbine, wherein the suction air flow is guided through the suction air duct within the filter, wherein the vacuum cleaner is moved over a surface with rollers and / or wheels of the chassis, wherein the housing is arranged on a chassis of the chassis and is rotated relative to the chassis.For the advantageous effects of the cleaning method according to the invention, reference is made to the description of the advantages of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention.

[0022] 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. They show:

[0024] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a suction cup;

[0025] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the

[0026] Suction cup from Fig. 1 ;

[0027] Fig. 3a to 3c show a plan view of the suction device from Fig. 1 in different positions while guiding the suction device along an obstacle;

[0028] Fig. 4 a top view of a wheel of the suction device from

[0029] Fig. 1 ;

[0030] Fig. 5 is a plan view of a lower part of the wheel assembly of Fig. 4;

[0031] Fig. 6 a longitudinal section view of the wheel rim from

[0032] Fig. 5;

[0033] Fig. 7 shows a detailed view VII from Fig. 6.

[0034] 1 to 7 shows a vacuum cleaner 10, comprising a housing 11, a chassis 12, a filter 13 and a turbine (not visible here). Within the housing 11, a suction air duct 14 is formed, which connects a suction air inlet 15 for connecting a suction hose 16 to the housing 11 and a suction air outlet 17, which here is formed by slots 18 in the housing 11. The filter 13 is designed here as a liquid filter 19 with a filter housing 20 and is inserted into a housing opening 21 in the housing 11. The housing opening 21 is designed as a through-opening 22 and the filter housing 20 can be inserted into or removed from the housing opening 21. The housing opening 21 is formed directly below the turbine, not shown here, and the turbine comprises an electric motor and a turbine wheel, which is located directly above the liquid filter 19.The chassis 12 is designed as a wheel 23 with rollers 24. The housing 11 is connected to the wheel 23 by a locking connection 25 and is freely rotatable relative to the wheel 23. The wheel 23, in turn, has four bogies 26, which are rotatably mounted on the wheel 23 and each have two rollers 24. The bogies 26 are arranged on extensions 27 projecting radially beyond the housing 11. A shock absorber 28 made of an elastic material is molded onto each extension 27.

[0035] The travel ring 23 is further formed from a lower part 29 and a turntable 30 rotatably mounted on the lower part 29, as well as a cover 31. Bearing rollers 32, which are formed from a wheel 33 with an axle 34, are arranged between the lower part 29 and the turntable 30. The turntable 30 rests with a peripheral edge 35 on the bearing rollers 32 and is thus rotatably mounted about an axis 36 of the turntable 30. A radial guide for the turntable 30 is formed by a collar 37 of the cover 31, which engages over the peripheral edge 35 and rests against a circumference 38 of the turntable 30 with a certain amount of play. The collar 37 ensures that the turntable 30 cannot accidentally become detached from the lower part 29.

[0036] Furthermore, the turntable 30 forms a receiving space 39 for a tank 40, which is formed by a liquid container 41 that can be inserted into and removed from the receiving space 39. The liquid container 41 has a filling opening 42, recessed grips 43 for easy handling, and a connecting piece 44 for connection to a liquid line (not shown here) in the housing 11. The tank 40 can be filled with, for example, a cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid can be applied to a surface to be cleaned through the housing 11 and a spray nozzle (not shown) on the suction hose 16.

[0037] The lower part 29 has a ring 45 on the turntable 30. The ring 45 forms a radial projection 46. Latching elements 47 are arranged on the housing 11, which engage behind the annular projection 46 with an edge 48 when the housing 11 is connected to the traveling ring 23. The latching connection 49 thus formed is produced by bringing together the housing 11 and the traveling ring 23, wherein the edges 48 are formed with a chamfer 50 and the projection 46 with a chamfer 51, such that the chamfers 50 and 51 allow centering of the housing 11 on the ring 45, wherein the edges 48 are pressed into the housing 11 against a spring force and slide along the projection 46 until they latch with the projection 46 behind it.

[0038] The housing 1 1 can be removed from the driving ring 23 again by manually actuating an actuating element 52 on an upper side 53 of the housing 1 1 and, via a cable pull (not shown here), moving the edges 48 on a bottom 54 of the housing 1 1 radially back into the housing so far that the housing 1 1 can be removed from the driving ring 23 again using a handle 55.

[0039] Because the housing 11 is freely rotatable on the wheel 23, the vacuum cleaner 10 can be pulled across a surface or floor by the suction hose 16, as shown in Figs. 3a to 3c. The housing 11 always remains aligned in one direction of the suction hose 16 or in a pulling direction. The wheel 23 comes into contact with an obstacle 56 on the floor, as shown in the example in Fig. 3a. Initially, an extension 27 with a rotating frame 26 comes into contact with the obstacle 56 as the vacuum cleaner 10 moves. During further movement of the vacuum cleaner 11, as can be seen from Fig. 3b, the wheel 23 is rotated clockwise relative to the housing 11 and the extension 27 slides along the obstacle 56, as shown in Fig. 3c. This prevents the suction cup 10 from getting stuck on the obstacle 56 and prevents damage to the suction cup 10 and the obstacle 56.Since the bogies 26 always align themselves according to a pulling direction of the suction hose 16, even though the driving ring 23 is rotated relative to the housing 11, the suction device 10 does not change its direction of movement, so that an unintentional collision with other objects not shown here cannot occur due to a continued movement of the suction device.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Vacuum cleaner (10), in particular a vacuum cleaner, water vacuum cleaner or the like, comprising a housing (11), a chassis (12), a filter (13) and a turbine, wherein a suction air duct (14) is formed within the housing and connects a suction air inlet (15), in particular for connecting a suction hose (16) to the housing, and a suction air outlet (17), wherein a suction air flow can be formed in the suction air duct by means of the turbine, wherein the suction air duct is formed within the filter for conducting the suction air flow, wherein the chassis is formed with rollers (24) and / or wheels for moving the vacuum cleaner over a surface, characterized in that the chassis is formed as a chassis (23) on which the housing is arranged so as to be rotatable relative to the chassis.

2. Suction device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (11) is designed to be freely rotatable relative to the driving ring (23).

3. Suction device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that three, four or more bogies (26) are rotatably arranged on the driving ring (23), wherein the bogies are arranged equidistantly along an outer circumference of the driving ring.

4. Suction device according to claim 3, characterized in that radially projecting projections (27) over the housing are formed on the running gear (23), the bogies (26) being arranged on the projections.

5. Suction device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a coupling is formed between the driving ring (23) and the housing (11), wherein the driving ring and the housing can be releasably connected by means of the coupling.

6. Suction cup according to claim 5, characterized in that the coupling is formed by a bayonet lock, a magnetic coupling or a snap-in connection (25).

7. Suction device according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking connection (25) is formed with locking elements (47) on the housing (11) which engage behind an annular radial projection (46) formed on the driving ring (23), wherein the locking elements are designed to be manually movable in a radial direction such that the projection can be released.

8. Suction device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the coupling for centering the housing (11) on the wheel rim is designed with a centering device.

9. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driving ring (23) is formed from a lower part (29) and a turntable (30) rotatably mounted on the lower part.

10. Suction device according to claim 9, characterized in that between the rotary plate (30) and the lower part (29) bearings with bearing rollers (32) are formed for radial and / or axial mounting of the rotary plate on the lower part.

11. Suction device according to claim 10, characterized in that the bearing rollers (32) are arranged on a radial edge (35) of the turntable (30) and / or below a bottom of the turntable.

12. Vacuum cleaner according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the driving ring (23) is formed with a cover (31) which holds the turntable (30) on the lower part (29).

13. Suction device according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the wheel rim (23) is designed with a tank (40) for receiving a liquid, wherein the tank is inserted into a receiving space (39) in the turntable (30) and is detachably connectable to the turntable.

14. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter (13) with a filter housing (20) is designed as a liquid filter (19), bagless or with a filter bag.

15. A cleaning method for cleaning surfaces or air, in particular in buildings, vehicles or the like, carried out with a vacuum cleaner (10), in particular a vacuum cleaner, water vacuum cleaner or the like, comprising a housing (11), a chassis (12), a filter (13) and a turbine, wherein a suction air duct (14) is formed within the housing, which connects a suction air inlet (15), in particular for connecting a suction hose (16) to the housing, via the filter and the turbine to a suction air outlet (17), wherein a suction air flow is formed in the suction air duct with the turbine, wherein the suction air flow is guided through the suction air duct within the filter, wherein the vacuum cleaner is moved over a surface with rollers (24) and / or wheels of the chassis, characterized in that the housing is arranged on a wheel rim (23) of the chassis and is rotated relative to the wheel rim.

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