Separator device for a vacuum cleaner, vacuum cleaner and method for filtering an air flow using a separator device

Abstract

The invention relates to a separator device (115) for a vacuum cleaner (100). The separator device comprises a container (200) with an inlet opening for introducing an airflow to be filtered, wherein the container (200) has a separation chamber (205) for separating particles from the airflow and a collection area (210) for collecting the particles, and a pre-filter (220) which is arranged in the separation chamber (205) and has on one end face a backflow filter (230) for introducing the filtered air from the collection area (210) through the end face of the pre-filter (220) into the pre-filter (220).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a separator device for a vacuum cleaner, a vacuum cleaner and a method for filtering an airflow using a separator device.

[0002] A bagless vacuum cleaner is equipped with a separator device for filtering particles from an intake airflow.

[0003] The approach presented here aims to create an improved separator device for a vacuum cleaner, an improved vacuum cleaner, and an improved method for filtering an airflow using a separator device.

[0004] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a separator device for a vacuum cleaner, a vacuum cleaner, and a method for filtering an airflow using a separator device with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] The advantages achievable with the invention consist of an improved flow behavior of the airflow through the separator device, especially in an optimized frontal backflow and thus in a more efficient separation of particles and better compression of the dust.

[0006] A separator device for a vacuum cleaner has the following features: a container with an inlet opening for introducing an airflow to be filtered, wherein the container may have a separation chamber for separating particles from the airflow and a collection area for collecting the particles; and a pre-filter which may be arranged in the separation chamber and may have on an end face a backflow filter for introducing filtered air from the collection area through the end face of the pre-filter into the pre-filter.

[0007] The separation chamber can be a section of the separator where the airflow is swirled to collect particles against the container wall using centrifugal force, thus separating them from the airflow. The collection chamber can be another section of the separator where the separated particles are directed and collected for subsequent disposal. The pre-filter can be a component that filters out particles too light to be propelled against the container wall by centrifugal force, such as hair. This filtering function can be achieved using a porous medium, such as a perforated sheet. The return flow filter can also be designed using a porous medium.The backflow filter can be positioned at the front of the pre-filter and filter the air flowing into the pre-filter from there, allowing the airflow to enter and be filtered from all sides. Positioning the backflow filter at the front of the pre-filter can promote an airflow pattern where the air flows directly from the front through the length of the pre-filter, thus also facilitating the attraction of particles from the separation chamber through the surface area of ​​the pre-filter.

[0008] The pre-filter can have a collar on its front face, which can be shaped as an extension of the pre-filter's outer surface and project beyond the backflow filter. The collar can be made of a permeable material, allowing particles from the airflow to be filtered out of the space enclosed by the collar as it flows back into the separation chamber. The collar can be shaped as a ring made of the same material as the pre-filter's outer surface and have small holes to ensure filtration. The ring can have the same diameter as the pre-filter. The space enclosed by the collar and backflow filter can serve as a kind of collection area where particles that are difficult to separate, such as fibers and hair, can accumulate, preventing them from floating freely in the separation chamber.

[0009] The pre-filter can have an outlet opening on one side opposite the end face, through which the airflow can be directed after the particles have been separated from the separator. Positioning the outlet opening on the end face, and thus on the side of the pre-filter opposite the backflow filter, can facilitate the attraction of light particles from the separation chamber into the pre-filter through the pre-filter's surface area, since the airflow can be directed along the entire length of the pre-filter.

[0010] The collection area can be spatially separated from the separation chamber by a partition plate. This spatial separation of the separation chamber and collection area can promote the settling and compression of separated particles and prevent particles from returning from the collection area to the separation chamber.

[0011] The pre-filter can extend from the front edge of the backflow filter through a recess in the partition plate and into the collection area. The recess can be located centrally in the partition plate. Such an arrangement can promote an airflow pattern in which the airflow is directed into the collection area and then subsequently into the pre-filter.

[0012] The partition plate can have a centrally located outlet filter, with the outlet filter and the return filter being arranged one behind the other in the direction of airflow entering the pre-filter. Like the return filter, the outlet filter can be made of a porous material. The outlet filter can serve as a path for the airflow from the collection area back into the separation chamber, filtering the airflow simultaneously.

[0013] The separating plate can have a ring around the outlet filter, which may be conical, particularly in a shape that widens towards the collection area. One wall of the ring can, for example, be at an angle of 1° to 89° to the plane of the outlet filter. Due to the conical shape, the collection area can be partially enclosed by the separating plate, thus promoting the compression and settling of the particles. Furthermore, this design can prevent the backflow of air into the separation area via a path other than through the outlet filter, thereby enabling the controlled direction of the airflow into the collection area and back through the outlet filter into the separation chamber.

[0014] The separation chamber and the collection area can be connected by a discharge area that runs alongside the separating plate. The discharge area can be designed as a channel tangentially connected to an outer wall of the separation device. Positioning the discharge area on the outer wall of the separation device can facilitate the transport of particles that have been stirred up against the wall in the separation chamber into the collection area.

[0015] The diameter of the baffle plate can be larger than the diameter of the separation chamber, and the container can have a bulge in the discharge area. The walls of the bulge can be parallel to the angled portion of the baffle plate. This bulge allows the discharge area to curve, so that the airflow is guided around the baffle plate in a curved path as it travels toward the collection area. Such an airflow path can prevent the airflow from flowing back into the separation chamber through the discharge area, instead directing it from the discharge area through the outlet filter and then directly through the return filter into the pre-filter.

[0016] A gap may be arranged between the separating plate and the pre-filter. The gap may have a width that is at least equal to the height of the discharge opening.

[0017] A shape of the gap, where the gap is at least as wide as the height of the opening of the discharge area, can promote the fact that the part of the airflow that may flow back from the collection area into the separation chamber through the discharge area can be drawn towards the gap as much as possible, so that when the airflow flows into the pre-filter, it at least passes through the backflow filter and can thus travel as long a path as possible through the pre-filter to the outlet opening.

[0018] The pre-filter can contain a central filter for filtering out fine particles from the air. This central filter can be a further filter medium that filters out finer particles than those separated by the pre-filter, the outlet filter, and the backflow filter, so that as few particles as possible escape from the separator device through the outlet opening with the airflow.

[0019] The pre-filter can have recesses on one of its outer surfaces to allow filtered air from the separation chamber to pass through the surface of the pre-filter and into the pre-filter itself. A porous medium can be placed within these recesses, which serves to filter particles from the airflow as it circulates within the separation chamber, when these particles are drawn into the pre-filter by the airflow. In this way, particles can also be separated via the surface of the pre-filter.

[0020] The separator device can be designed to be detachably attached to a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner may be a cordless model. The ability to remove the separator device from the vacuum cleaner can facilitate emptying the dust from the separator. A vacuum cleaner can be very heavy, which can make it difficult to carry the entire unit to a waste container to empty the separator device. The length and shape of a vacuum cleaner can also make such handling difficult.

[0021] A vacuum cleaner has a separator device, as described above. This separator device enables good dust compression and efficient filtration of difficult-to-remove particles, such as hair or fibers.

[0022] A method for filtering an airflow using the separator device comprises the following steps: Introducing the airflow through the inlet opening into the separation chamber of the separator device; swirling the airflow around in the separation chamber; guiding the airflow into the collection area; and redirecting the airflow through the backflow filter into the pre-filter.

[0023] The air can be introduced using a blower that creates a negative pressure within the separator. Swirling motion can be achieved by a spiral movement of the airflow through the separation chamber. This method can facilitate efficient filtration of the airflow.

[0024] Although the described approach is based on a household appliance, the approach described here can be applied accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device, for example a medical device, such as a cleaning or disinfection device.

[0025] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of a separator device; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a separator device; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of another embodiment of a separator device; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of a separator device; Figure 6 shows a perspective perspective view of another embodiment of a separator device; Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of a separator device; Figure 8 shows an embodiment of a pre-filter;and Figure 9 shows a method for filtering an airflow using an embodiment of a separator device.

[0026] Figure 1Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner 100, which is exemplified as a cordless vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner 100 has a floor nozzle 105 at one end facing the floor, which serves to vacuum up dust from the floor. A suction tube 110 is arranged on the side of the floor nozzle 105 facing away from the floor, which serves to transport the dust vacuumed up by the floor nozzle 105 to a separator device 115, also referred to as a separator. A blower unit 120 is arranged at one end of the separator device 115, which, for example, comprises a blower and an electric motor for the suction operation of the vacuum cleaner 100. A battery housing 125 is arranged on one side of the blower unit 120, in which a battery is arranged that provides the energy for the blower unit 120.At one end of the suction tube 110 opposite the floor nozzle 105, a handle 130 is arranged, which can be gripped by a user to handle the vacuum cleaner 100 with one hand.

[0027] Figure 2Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of a separator device 115. The separator device 115 comprises a container 200 in which a separation chamber 205, also referred to as a cyclone separation chamber, and a collection area 210, alternatively also referred to as a collection chamber, are arranged. The separation chamber 205 and the collection area 210 are spatially separated by a partition plate 215, also referred to as a partition plane. A pre-filter 220 is arranged centrally in the separation chamber 205, in which a central filter 225 is arranged. A return flow in the form of a return flow filter 230 is arranged at the end face of the pre-filter 220. A return flow in the form of an outlet filter 235 is also arranged centrally in the partition plate 215. The outlet filter 235 and the backflow filter 230 are arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal axis 240 of the separator device 115.

[0028] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a separator device as described in Figure 2 The cross-section in side view is described. According to the embodiment in Figure 2 and 3 A gap 300 is arranged between the outlet filter 235 and the return flow filter 230.

[0029] The portion of the separating plate 215 that forms a ring around the outlet filter 235 is angled at an angle α to the plane of the outlet filter 235. The angle α can be between 1° and 89°. The separating plate 215 thus forms a conical cover for the collection area 210.

[0030] A discharge area 305 leads along the wall of the container 200 from the separation chamber 205 into the collection area 210. The discharge area 305 is shaped as a channel that leads around the angled part of the separating plate 215. In the area of ​​the discharge area 305, the container 200 forms a bulge 310, shown with dashed lines, wherein the wall of the container 200 in the area of ​​the discharge area 305 is arranged parallel to the angled part of the separating plate 215.

[0031] A separator device 115 in a vacuum cleaner 100 with a separate collection chamber 210 is, according to one embodiment, constructed such that a gap 300 exists between the end face of the pre-filter 220 and an end face of the separation chamber 205. The separation chamber 205 and the collection chamber 210 are connected, firstly, via a defined discharge area 305, through which the separated dirt is conveyed from the separation chamber 205. This discharge area 305 is a channel tangentially connected to the outer wall of the cyclone separator. Furthermore, the two areas are connected by a backflow in the form of the outlet filter 235, which is introduced into the end face of the separation chamber 205. This outlet filter 235 is in the form of a porous medium, for example, perforated sheet metal.

[0032] The openings thus connect the separation chamber 205 and the collection area 210. As a result, not all of the air flowing back from the collection area 210 also flows back through the discharge area 305. Due to the perforated structure, fibers, for example, get trapped and no longer return to the separation chamber 205, leading to significantly improved separation.

[0033] A further backflow in the form of the backflow filter 230 is incorporated into the front face of the pre-filter 220. This is also implemented using a porous medium. As on the outer surface of the pre-filter 220, there is a connection here to the central filter 225. This front end of the pre-filter 220 is positioned at a distance from the outlet filter 235 in the partition plate 215 between the separation chamber 205 and the collection chamber 210. This distance is at least as large as the height of the opening of the discharge area 305.

[0034] The separating plate 205 between the areas ideally has a conical shape in the part where the outlet filter 235 is not located, widening towards the collection area 210. The angle α of the conical shape is between 1° and 89°, for example between 20° and 50°.

[0035] The axially arranged combination of the two return flows in the form of the outlet filter 235 and the return flow filter 230 and the inclined separating plate 215 achieves not only improved separation but also significantly higher compression of the suction material.

[0036] Figure 4Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of another embodiment of a separator device. According to this embodiment, the pre-filter 220 is extended towards the collection area 210 such that the pre-filter 220, together with the backflow filter 230, extends through a central recess in the separating plate 215 into the collection area 210.

[0037] The airflow to be filtered flows through the suction pipe 110 to an inlet opening 400 in the container 200 of the separator device 115 and thus enters the separation chamber 205. The air is swirled around in the separation chamber 205, causing particles to be flung from the air to the wall by centrifugal force and thus separated. The airflow continues along the wall of the container 200 and flows around the partition plate 215 into the collection area 210, where the separated particles collect. From there, the airflow passes through the return flow filter 230 in the front face of the pre-filter 220, which in this design projects through the partition plate 215 into the collection area 210, and into the pre-filter 220. The return flow filter 230 filters, for example, hair and fibers from the airflow before it enters the pre-filter 220.In the pre-filter 220, the airflow passes through the central filter 225 on its way towards the blower unit 120, which filters small particles from the airflow before the airflow leaves the separator unit 115.

[0038] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a separator device as described in Figure 4 The cross-sectional view in side view is described. At one end of the pre-filter 220 opposite the backflow filter 230, an outlet opening 500 is arranged, through which the airflow from the separator device 115 is drawn to the blower device 120.

[0039] The separator device 115 with separate collection area 210 is designed, according to one embodiment, such that the pre-filter 220 extends to the partition plate 215 between the separation chamber 205 and the collection area 210. The two areas are connected by the discharge area 305, which serves to convey the separated dust into the collection area 210. A further connection is established via the front face of the pre-filter 220, which projects into the collection area 210. Here, a deliberate backflow is implemented through the backflow filter 230 and introduced in the form of a porous medium.

[0040] Figure 6Figure 1 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a separator device. According to this embodiment, the container 200 is cylindrical. In this embodiment, the separator device does not have a partition plate 215, meaning that the collection area 210 is not separated from the separation chamber 205. Figure 6 Recesses 600 are visible in the pre-filter 220. A porous medium, for example perforated sheet metal, is installed in the recesses 600, through which air is filtered as it flows into the pre-filter 220 over its outer surface.

[0041] A collar 605 is arranged on the front side of the pre-filter 220, which is shaped as an extension of the outer surface of the pre-filter 220 and protrudes over the backflow filter 230.

[0042] An alternative design according to the present approach is such that the separator device 115 does not have a spatially separated collection area 210. In this design, the separator device 115 is extended axially, thus forming an area that serves as the collection area 210. Normally, this area is very uneven, or ribs are incorporated as obstructions. Contaminants can then accumulate on these ribs. Another solution would be to incorporate a partition plate 215, which separates the two areas, separation chamber 205 and collection chamber 210, as shown in Figures 2 to 5 The described separators are formed from each other. Such separating plates 215 have a larger diameter than the pre-filter 220. The disadvantage here is that contaminants, such as hair, located above the separating plate 215 are difficult to remove.

[0043] In the present version in Figure 6 The pre-filter 220 is extended by a collar 605, which, however, does not widen in diameter. This collar 605 is designed to allow backflow in the form of a porous medium in the recesses 600, both on the outer side and on the end face in the form of the backflow filter 230. These two perforated structures retain the separated contaminants within the backflow area, which is described in more detail below. Here, too, the targeted guidance of the air, which is moved along with the separated dust, results in strong compression of the separated contaminants, especially fibers.

[0044] The separator device 115 according to the described embodiment provides an efficient separator device 115 in a compact design.

[0045] Figure 7shows an embodiment of a separator device 115 as described in Figure 6 The cross-section in side view is described.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the collar 605 fulfills a similar function to the angled ring of the separating plate 215 in the embodiments described in Figures 2 to 5 as described. Accordingly, the interior space 700 enclosed by the collar 605 and the backflow filter 230 performs a similar function to the collection area 210 in the preceding embodiments. The collar 605 has similar recesses to the recesses 600 in the outer surface of the pre-filter 220, in which a porous medium is also installed to filter the air that flows from the interior space 700 back into the separation chamber 205. This traps, for example, hair, preventing it from moving freely within the separation chamber.

[0047] Figure 8shows an embodiment of a pre-filter 220 with a collar 605 as it is in Figure 6 and 7 The detailed view describes the porous medium attached to collar 605 and the interior 700 of collar 605. Clearly visible here are the porous medium and the interior 700 of collar 605.

[0048] In a bagless separation system of a vacuum cleaner 100 with the separator device 115 according to one of the described embodiments, fibers and / or hairs are optimally separated or are not drawn back from the collection chamber 210 into the separation chamber 205.

[0049] A further advantage of the present solution is that the collection area 210 does not necessarily have to be located below the separation chamber 205, or even mostly below it. This would be the case for separation devices with flow recirculation via the outer surface of the separation chamber 205, as it would otherwise not be possible to implement the flow recirculation via the outer surface of the separation chamber 205.

[0050] The present approach therefore results in a smaller volume. A second advantage is that the backflow area does not clog as quickly, even without countermeasures such as filter frames.

[0051] The solutions described also significantly improve the service life of the separator device 115 and thus the usable volume for the customer. Furthermore, the solutions offer significantly improved hair separation.

[0052] Figure 9Figure 900 shows a representation of a method 900 for filtering an airflow using an embodiment of a separator device as described with reference to the preceding figures.

[0053] In step 905, the particle-containing airflow is introduced through the inlet opening in the container of the separator device, whereby the airflow enters the separation chamber.

[0054] In a further step 910, the airflow in the separation chamber is swirled around, causing particles to be separated from the airflow by centrifugal force and thrown against the wall of the container.

[0055] In step 915, the airflow is directed into the collection area of ​​the separator device, with the airflow being guided along the wall of the container through the discharge area around the separating plate into the collection area.

[0056] Furthermore, in step 920, the airflow is redirected through the return filter 230 into the pre-filter 220. The airflow flows from the collection area 210 through the outlet filter 235 of the partition plate 215 and into the gap 300, and from there through the return filter 230 into the pre-filter 220. Alternatively, in an embodiment according to the Figures 4 and 5 The airflow flows directly from the collection area 210 through the return flow filter 230 into the pre-filter 220, which protrudes into the collection area 210 with its front side.

Claims

1. Separator device (115) for a vacuum cleaner (100), wherein the separator device (115) has the following features: a container (200) with an inlet opening (400) for introducing an airflow to be filtered, wherein the container (200) has a separation chamber (205) for separating particles from the airflow and a collection area (210) for collecting the particles; and a pre-filter (220) which is arranged in the separation chamber (205) and has on an end face a backflow filter (230) for introducing filtered air from the collection area (210) through the end face of the pre-filter (220) into the pre-filter (220).

2. Separator device (115) according to claim 1, wherein the pre-filter (220) has a collar (605) on its end face, which is formed as an extension of a lateral surface of the pre-filter (220) and projects beyond the backflow filter (230), wherein the collar (605) is made of a permeable material, so that particles from the airflow are filtered out of an interior space (700) enclosed by the collar (605) into the separation chamber (205) when flowing back.

3. Separator device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-filter (220) has an outlet opening (500) on a side opposite the end face, through which the airflow is directed after the separation of the particles from the separator device (115).

4. Separator device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the collection area (210) is spatially separated from the separation chamber (205) by a separating plate (215).

5. Separator device (115) according to claim 4, wherein the pre-filter (220) extends through a recess in the separating plate (215) into the collection area (210) at the end face with the backflow filter (230).

6. Separator device (115) according to claim 4, wherein the separating plate (215) has a centrally arranged outlet filter (235), wherein the outlet filter (235) and the return flow filter (230) are arranged one behind the other in the direction of flow of the airflow into the pre-filter (220).

7. Separator device (115) according to claim 6, wherein the separating plate (215) has a ring around the outlet filter (235) which has a conicity, in particular in a shape widening towards the collection area (210).

8. Separator device (115) according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the separation chamber (205) and the collection area (210) are connected to each other by a discharge area (305) passing by the separating plate (215).

9. Separator device (115) according to claim 8, wherein the diameter of the separating plate (215) is larger than the diameter of the separation chamber (205) and the container (200) has a bulge (310) in the area of ​​the discharge area (305).

10. Separator device (115) according to one of claims 4 to 9, wherein a gap (300) is arranged between the separating plate (215) and the pre-filter (220).

11. Separator device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a central filter (225) for filtering out fine particles from the air is arranged in the pre-filter (220).

12. Separator device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-filter (220) has recesses (600) on a shell surface for filtered introduction of the air from the separation chamber (205) through the shell surface of the pre-filter (220) into the pre-filter (220).

13. Separator device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separator device (115) is designed to be detachably attached to a vacuum cleaner (100).

14. Vacuum cleaner (100) with a separator device (115) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Method (900) for filtering an airflow using a separator device (115) according to claims 1 to 13, the method comprising the following steps: introducing (905) the airflow through the inlet opening (400) into the separation chamber (205) of the separator device (115); swirling (910) the airflow in the separation chamber (205); guiding (915) the airflow into the collection area (210); and redirecting (920) the airflow through the backflow filter (230) into the pre-filter (220).

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