Collecting vessel and vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The invention relates to a collection container (115) for a vacuum cleaner (100), wherein the collection container (115) has a filter unit (300) for separating particles from an airflow and a separator container (310) separated from the filter unit (300) by a separating plate (325) for receiving the particles separated from the airflow, wherein the separator container (310) is designed to be linearly slid away from the filter unit (300) together with the separating plate (325) for emptying the separator container (310).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a collection container for a vacuum cleaner according to the main claim.

[0002] Some collection containers have separate separation chambers and collection chambers. Emptying the container is often considered unhygienic by users, or it can lead to contamination of the surrounding area due to particles falling out of the container.

[0003] The approach presented here aims to create an improved collection container for a vacuum cleaner and an improved vacuum cleaner.

[0004] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a collection container having the features of claim 1 and by a vacuum cleaner according to claim 15. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the respective dependent claims that follow.

[0005] The advantages achievable with the invention consist of making the emptying of the collection container more efficient, as the number of steps a user needs to perform to empty the collection container is reduced.

[0006] The advantage over current state-of-the-art solutions lies in the fact that the separate collection area achieves good compression of dust or particles in general, and also makes emptying less complex. Furthermore, the problem of the user coming into contact with dirt or particles in general is no longer an issue.

[0007] There are currently no known solutions on the market for emptying a separator with a separate collection area in such a way that both areas are cleaned in one step.

[0008] The approach presented here enables the user to significantly reduce the number of steps required for hygienic emptying and to make this emptying process more efficient.

[0009] According to the approach presented here, a collection container for a vacuum cleaner has a filter unit for separating particles from an airflow and a separator container for receiving the particles separated from the airflow, separated from the filter unit by a separating plate, wherein the separator container is designed to be slid linearly away from the filter unit together with the separating plate for emptying the separator container.

[0010] A collection container can be a part of the vacuum cleaner through which air containing particles sucked up by the vacuum cleaner flows, filtering these particles from the air and collecting or conveying them to a designated area for later disposal. A filter unit can comprise elements of the collection container that serve the purpose of filtering the particles from the air, such as a pleated filter or a porous membrane. A separator can be a section of the collection container where the filtered particles accumulate.

[0011] By linking the movement of the separator container with the movement of the divider plate, particles in the separator container are moved directly away from the filter unit, allowing for hygienic emptying of the separator container. The divider plate can act as a kind of lid to prevent unforeseen particle escape from the separator container as much as possible. Simultaneously, moving the divider plate also opens up a section of the filter unit, thus facilitating cleaning of that area.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the filter unit can comprise a centrally arranged filter element and a vortex chamber between an outer wall and the filter element. The partition plate can have a discharge opening that connects the vortex chamber and the collection container. Alternatively or additionally, a bypass can be provided by means of which particles from the vortex chamber around the partition plate can be discharged into the collection container.

[0013] A vortex chamber can be the entire area of ​​the filter unit where the particles sucked up by the vacuum cleaner are swirled around by an airflow, causing the particles to accumulate on the walls or the filter element. A filter element can be any type of filter. A discharge opening can be an opening through which particles filtered from the air pass into the collection container. The discharge opening can be located at the end of the separator plate that abuts the outer wall. Alternatively or additionally, a bypass can be provided to direct the particles around the separator plate into the collection container.

[0014] The discharge opening and / or bypass offers the advantage that particles heavy enough to accumulate on the outer wall during airflow in the vortex chamber can be directly discharged or directed into the collection container without having to be introduced by a user or mechanism. This improves the hygienic handling of the particles.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the filter element can have a cylindrical central filter for separating smaller particles from the particles that can be separated from the airflow in the vortex chamber.

[0016] A central filter can be designed, for example, as a pleated filter and / or a fabric filter. This central filter serves to filter out particles that are too fine to be separated by other filter elements in the airflow chamber. This further improves particle separation in the vacuum cleaner. The central filter ensures that even these smaller particles are captured and separated, preventing them from being carried back out of the collection container by the airflow.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the central filter can have an air outlet opening located on the side opposite the separator container. A maximum spatial distance between the separator container and the air outlet opening helps to settle the particles within the separator container.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the collection container can have an inlet nozzle arranged in the outer wall such that an airflow introduced into the vortex chamber through the inlet nozzle is guided spirally through the vortex chamber. Due to the spiral flow of the airflow through the vortex chamber, the particle-laden air travels the longest possible path within the filter unit, thus ensuring efficient separation of the particles from the air. Centrifugal forces, as the particles pass through the vortex chamber, press them against the outer wall and thus separate them from the airflow by purely physical means.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the collection container has a scraper designed to remove particles from an inner wall of the swirl chamber opposite the outer wall. The scraper can, for example, be a rubber lip. Very light particles, such as hair or dust, tend to adhere to the filter element, which over time leads to a reduction in filter function and clogging of the filter unit. This has the disadvantage that the user is forced to manually remove these particles from the filter element to restore efficient filtration, which can be time-consuming as it involves disassembling and cleaning individual elements. Conversely, cleaning without disassembling individual elements can be very laborious, especially since the relevant elements may be difficult to reach by hand.The wiper eliminates these problems because the user doesn't need to clean the filter element by hand; instead, they simply move the wiper over the filter element for efficient and effortless cleaning. A further advantage is the improved hygiene, as the user no longer comes into direct contact with the dirt.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the scraper can be coupled to the separating plate and the separator container in such a way that, when the separator container is pushed away from the filter unit, the scraper is moved towards the separator container and across the surface of the inner wall to remove particles from the inner wall. Coupling these two movements further reduces the number of steps required to clean the filter elements and empty the separator container, thus making this process more efficient.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the wiper can be designed as a cylindrical wiper, in particular one arranged circumferentially around the inner wall. The cylindrical shape around the inner wall ensures that the entire surface is cleaned by the wiper.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the collection container can have an actuating element for pushing and / or releasing the separator container from the filter unit. An actuating element can be a component that, when actuated by a user, for example by pulling, turning, or pushing, and / or by a preceding process, performs a specific function. In the embodiment described in more detail below, the actuating element is used to push or release the separator container. An actuating element can be easily accessible to a user on the outside of the collection container, which has the advantage that the entire cleaning and emptying process can be carried out without the user having to come into direct contact with the internal components or the dirt.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the collection container can have a bottom flap designed to form the separator container together with the divider plate, particularly wherein the bottom flap can be opened for emptying the separator container. The simultaneous function of the divider plate as the lid of the separator container results in a simpler construction of the collection container, as fewer individual components are required. At the same time, the particles can be safely stored in the separator container. Furthermore, only the divider plate needs to be moved to slide the separator container linearly away from the filter unit and then, for example, to empty the particles from the separator container.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the bottom flap can be engaged in the closed position by a hook assembly on the filter unit and / or the separator plate. A hook assembly can comprise a hook and a follower, which will be described in more detail later. The hook assembly can serve to hold the bottom flap on the filter unit and / or the separator plate, thereby keeping the separator container closed. Such a hook assembly represents a simple form of locking mechanism.

[0025] According to one embodiment, at least one plunger can be arranged on a side of the filter unit facing away from the separator container. This plunger is designed to hold a driver of the hook unit in a tensioned state, so that a hook of the hook unit holds the bottom flap in the closed position. A plunger can be a simple extension on the scraper. A driver can be an element that forms a geometric or mechanical connection between the plunger and the hook unit, thereby transmitting movement from the plunger to the hook unit.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the plunger can be coupled to the separator container in such a way that a movement of the separator container relative to the filter unit causes a movement of the plunger, in particular a movement of the plunger of the same type. Coupling the movement of the separator container with the movement of the plunger, and thus also with the movement of the drive mechanism, has the advantage that one step or actuation triggers several processes, making the emptying of the collection container simple, hygienic, and efficient.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the collection container can have a spring designed to push the plunger and / or the drive mechanism toward the separator container. The spring ensures that moving the separator container causes the drive mechanism to move, thus opening the bottom flap, regardless of the position and orientation of the collection container, since the drive mechanism's direction of movement is not dependent on gravity. At the same time, it is ensured that the collection container is closed when the drive mechanism has not been actuated.

[0028] The invention further relates to a vacuum cleaner with a collection container according to one of the embodiments described above. The vacuum cleaner is preferably designed as a bagless vacuum cleaner and comprises a monocyclone or a multicyclone as a separator.

[0029] Although the described approach is based on a household appliance, the approach described here can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device.

[0030] 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 household appliance as a vacuum cleaner with an embodiment of a collection container; Figure 2 shows an external view of an embodiment of a collection container; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a collection container with the bottom flap closed; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a collection container with the bottom flap open and the separator partially pushed away from the filter unit; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a collection container with the bottom flap open and the separator completely pushed away from the filter unit; Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the plunger and drive in the engaged position; and Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the plunger and drive with the plunger moved away.

[0031] In the following, identical and / or functionally equivalent elements may be designated with the same reference numerals. The absolute values ​​and dimensions given below are only exemplary and do not constitute a limitation of the invention to such dimensions.

[0032] Figure 1Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a household appliance 100, which is designed here as a vacuum cleaner, and therefore both terms can be used synonymously. The vacuum cleaner 100 includes a floor nozzle 105 at its base for vacuuming particles from the floor. On the side of the floor nozzle 105 facing away from the floor, a suction tube 110 is arranged for transporting the vacuumed particles to a collection container 115, also referred to synonymously as a separator. Further components 125 are arranged on the collection container 115. These can, for example, include a fan and an associated electric motor for operating the suction function. For ease of use by a user, a handle 120 is arranged at one end of the vacuum cleaner 100 opposite the floor nozzle 105. The vacuum cleaner 100 is preferably designed as a cordless handheld vacuum cleaner, so-called cordless stick vacuum.

[0033] Figure 2Figure 1 shows an external representation of an exemplary embodiment of a collection container 115. A handle 205 is attached to the casing of the collection container 115 for easy handling by the user. The visible inlet nozzle 210 serves to receive the air sucked up by the vacuum cleaner and direct it into the collection container 115. At one end, the collection container 115 has a bottom flap 215 which opens into Figure 2 The bottom flap 215 is closed. It is held closed by a hook 220, which connects the bottom flap 215 to the rest of the body of the collection container 115. The collection container 115 is suitable for both monocyclone and multicyclone separators. The separator for a monocyclone is shown and described below. When used as a multicyclone, the functional components are present multiple times.

[0034] Figure 3Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of a collection container 115 with a closed bottom flap 215. The collection container 115 comprises a filter unit 300, also called a separation chamber or separation area, and a separation container 310, also referred to as a collection chamber or collection area. A filter element 315 with a central filter 320 is arranged centrally in the filter unit 300. The filter unit 300 and the separation container 310 are separated from each other by a partition plate 325. The filter unit 300 forms a vortex chamber 327 through which the air drawn in by the vacuum cleaner is guided in a spiral motion. During operation of the vacuum cleaner, particles collect on an outer wall 330 of the vortex chamber 327 as the airflow is conveyed, from where they pass through a discharge opening 335 or a bypass into the separation container 310.Smaller particles than those that collect on or at the outer wall 330 due to centrifugal force are carried by the airflow towards the central filter 320 and settle on a porous inner wall 340 of the vortex chamber 327. Particles that are too fine to be separated by the inner wall 340 are captured by the central filter 320, so that the air flows out of the filter unit 300 through an outlet opening 345 as free of particles as possible.

[0035] A removable bagless separation system for a vacuum cleaner 100, specifically for a cordless vacuum cleaner, can therefore be constructed as follows: It has a separator 115, which is closed on the underside by a movable bottom flap 215, also referred to as a flap, and has an outlet opening 345, also called an air outlet, on the top, leading towards the blower. The separator 115 also has a handle 205, also referred to as a grip, or a comparable handling element. The interior of the separator 115 is designed so that the contaminated air flows in through the upper part. This air intake leads into the separation chamber 300. Inside the separation chamber 300 is the inner wall 340, also referred to as a pre-filter, with a scraper located on it, which will be described in more detail below. The separation chamber 300 is spatially separated from the collection area 310 below by the separating plate 325.The two areas are connected by an ejection opening 335 or by a bypass not explicitly shown here.

[0036] In principle, the system works as follows: the contaminated air, introduced tangentially into the vortex chamber and extracted centrally, is set into a vortex flow. Heavier particles are thus transported outwards to the outer wall 330, or container wall, and then downwards through the discharge opening 335 into the collection area 310. Lighter particles and hair are carried along by the airflow and settle on the surface of the pre-filter 340, which has openings filled with a fine porous medium. Even finer particles are separated by a downstream central filter 320.

[0037] With a bagless collection container 115, which has a filter unit 300 and a separation container 310, it is possible to achieve very good stabilization and compression of the collected particles or dust. This can be further improved by measures such as optimized backflow from the collection to the separation area. However, the separation of the two areas also presents the problem that emptying is not possible in one step due to the geometric constraints. This problem is exacerbated if the collection area 310 becomes overfilled and the dust accumulates in the separation area 300.

[0038] However, the approach presented here offers both the advantages of a separator solution with separate collection area 310, compression and calming of the dust, and those of hygienic emptying of the separator 115 with a single movement.

[0039] Figure 4Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional representation of an embodiment of the collection container 115 with the bottom flap 215 open and the separator container 310 partially pushed away from the filter unit 300. The separator container 310 of the collection container 115 is pushed away from the filter unit 300 by means of the actuating element 400. A scraper 405, which rests directly on the inner wall 340 of the vortex chamber, is also coupled to this movement. Thus, when the movement is triggered and / or released by actuating the actuating element 400, the separator container 310 and the scraper 405 perform a similar linear movement along a central axis 410 away from the outlet opening 345. With this movement, the scraper 405 is pushed over the inner wall 340 of the vortex chamber, thereby scraping off all or most of the particles that have collected on the inner wall 340 and pushing them towards the separation container 310.On the side of the scraper 405 facing away from the separator 310, a cover 415 is arranged, extending from the scraper 405 to the outer wall 330 of the vortex chamber. The cover 415 pushes all particles scraped from the inner wall 340 by the scraper 405 towards the separator 310, thus ensuring that no particles remain in the vortex chamber when the collection container 115 is emptied. A mechanism, described in more detail later, releases the locking mechanism of the bottom flap 215 via the hook 220, causing the bottom flap 215 of the collection container 115 to fold away from the separator plate 325. Firstly, this empties all particles that have previously landed in the separator container 310 via the discharge opening 335, and secondly, an opening is created between the separating plate 325 and the hook 220, through which the particles that are scraped off the inner wall 340 by the scraper 405 can be emptied.

[0040] To achieve effective emptying, the separator 115 in the solution described here is constructed as follows, for example. The partition plate 325, which separates the two main parts of the separator 115, is mounted within the separator 115 so as to be longitudinally displaceable. A section of the wall of the separator 115 is double-walled. Here, the inner part is connected to the partition plate 325. A cylindrical part is also connected to this section, which engages the pre-filter 340. This part forms the scraper 405, which, for example, engages the pre-filter 340 with a rubber lip. When the scraper 405 is pushed downwards by the actuating element 400, it moves across the pre-filter 340 and scrapes off contaminants adhering to it. In addition to the scraper 405, the partition plate 325 also moves in the same direction.This opens the separation between the separation chamber 300 and the collection chamber 310. The connection of the pre-filter 340 to the separation plate 325 is also interrupted, giving the pre-filter 340 a free end.

[0041] Figure 5Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional illustration of an embodiment of a collection container 115 with the bottom flap 215 open and the separator container 310 completely pushed away from the filter unit 300. When the separator container 310 is completely pushed away, the scraper 405 protrudes beyond the inner wall 340. The scraper 405 thus scrapes the entire surface of the inner wall 340, ensuring that no area forms on the inner wall 340 where particles can adhere and that all particles are pushed towards the separator container 310 for emptying. At least one plunger 500 is arranged on the side of the end cap 415 facing away from the scraper 405, which moves with the end cap 415 and the scraper 405. The movement of the plunger 500 initiates a process that releases the locking mechanism of the bottom flap 215 by the hook 220. This process is described in Figure 6 described in more detail.

[0042] The scraper 405 has a travel distance long enough to completely remove the separating plate 325 from the container and to allow the scraper 405 to extend slightly beyond the end of the pre-filter 340. Cleaning is further aided by the downward movement of the upper end 415, which also removes any contamination from the space between the container, the outer wall 330, and the pre-filter 340. This allows both the upper separating chamber 300 and the pre-filter 340 to be emptied in a single step.

[0043] Figure 6Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the plunger 500 and a driver 600 in the engaged state. In the initial position, in which the bottom flap 215 of the collection container 115 is closed, the plunger 500 holds the driver 600, which is connected to the hook 220, in a position where the hook 220 is tensioned and thus keeps the bottom flap 215 closed.

[0044] To ensure the most convenient emptying for the user, the release mechanism for the flap 215 at the bottom of the separator 115 is mechanical. On the upward-facing side of the scraper 405, in the area of ​​the inflow, there are one or more plungers 500 which, when closed, hold a driver 600, also referred to as a slide gate, upwards. This slide gate 600 is guided on the outside of the separator 115 and is covered by an element.

[0045] Figure 7Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the plunger 500 and driver 600 with the plunger 500 in a displaced position. The movement of the plunger 500 releases the driver 600 from its position. A spring (not shown) pushes the driver 600 towards the separator 310. The removal of the counter-pressure from the plunger 500 causes the driver 600 to move towards the separator 310. This releases the tension on the hook 220 and disengages the locking mechanism of the bottom flap 215. Thus, movement of the separator 310 triggers movement of the scraper 405, and consequently movement of the plunger 500 and then of the driver 600, causing the bottom flap 215 to open. Accordingly, all processes necessary for emptying the collection container 115 are initiated by a single movement triggered or released by the actuating element 400.

[0046] When the scraper 405 is pushed downwards via the actuating element 400, the plungers 500 no longer hold the slide 600 in an upper position. A compression spring on the slide 600 moves it downwards without the counter-support of the plungers 500. The slide 600 is connected in the lower part of the separator 115 to the hook 220, also referred to as the locking mechanism. This locking mechanism 220 ensures that the flap 215 of the separator 115 remains closed. When the slide 600 moves from the upper to the lower position, it moves the locking mechanism 220 with it. The locking mechanism 220 is connected to the separator 115 via a pivot joint. When the locking mechanism 220 is moved via the slide 600, it performs a rotational movement that results in the flap 215 no longer being secured. Due to the position of the hinge point of flap 215, it swings open when the safety lock is released.Thus, the flap 215 is opened by pushing down the scraper 405.

Claims

1. Collection container (115) for a vacuum cleaner (100), wherein the collection container (115) has a filter unit (300) for separating particles from an airflow and a separator container (310) separated from the filter unit (300) by a separating plate (325) for receiving the particles separated from the airflow, wherein the separator container (310) is designed to be linearly slid away from the filter unit (300) together with the separating plate (325) for emptying the separator container (310).

2. Collection container (115) according to claim 1, wherein the filter unit (300) comprises a filter element (315) arranged centrally in the filter unit (300) and a vortex chamber (327) between an outer wall (330) and the filter element (315), in particular wherein the partition plate (325) has a discharge opening (335) or a bypass connecting the vortex chamber (327) and the separation container (310) or wherein a bypass is provided by means of which particles can be discharged from the vortex chamber (327) around the partition plate (325) into the separation container (310).

3. Collection container (115) according to claim 2, wherein the filter element (305) has a cylindrical central filter (320) for separating smaller particles from the particles that can be separated from the airflow in the vortex chamber (327).

4. Collection container (115) according to claim 3, wherein the central filter (320) has an air outlet opening (345) which is arranged on a side opposite the separator container (310).

5. Collection container (115) according to claims 2 to 4 with an inlet nozzle (210) which is arranged in the outer wall such that an airflow admitted through the inlet nozzle (210) into the vortex chamber (327) is guided spirally through the vortex chamber (327).

6. Collection container (115) according to one of claims 2 to 5 with a scraper (405) which is designed to scrape particles off an inner wall (340) of the vortex chamber (327) opposite the outer wall (330).

7. Collection container (115) according to claim 6, wherein the scraper (405) is coupled to the separating plate (325) and the separator container (310) such that when the separator container (310) is pushed away from the filter unit (300) the scraper (405) is pushed towards the separator container (310) and over the surface of the inner wall (340) to scrape particles from the inner wall (340).

8. Collection container (115) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the scraper (405) is designed as a cylindrical scraper (405), in particular arranged circumferentially around the inner wall (340).

9. Collection container (115) according to one of the preceding claims with an actuating element (400) for pushing away and / or releasing a pushing away of the separator container (310) from the filter unit (300).

10. Collection container (115) according to one of the preceding claims with a bottom flap (215) which is designed to form the separator container (310) together with the separator plate (325), in particular wherein the bottom flap (215) is hinged for emptying the separator container (310).

11. Collection container (115) according to claim 10, wherein the bottom flap (215) is engaged in the closed state by a hook unit on the filter unit (300) and / or the separating plate (325).

12. Collection container (115) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one plunger (500) is arranged on a side of the filter unit (300) facing away from the separator container (310), which is designed to hold a driver (600) of the hook unit in a tensioned state, so that a hook (220) of the hook unit holds the bottom flap (215) in a closed position.

13. Collection container (115) according to claim 12, wherein the plunger (500) is coupled to the separator container (310) in such a way that a movement of the separator container (310) relative to the filter unit (300) causes a movement of the plunger (500), in particular a similar movement of the plunger (500).

14. Collection container (115) according to claim 12 or 13 with a spring configured to push the plunger (500) and / or the driver (600) towards the separator container (310).

15. Vacuum cleaner (100) with a collection container (115) according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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