Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Vacuum Cleaner
The present invention is directed to a vacuum cleaner. In more
detail, the invention is directed to a cyclone type vacuum
cleaner.
Cyclone type vacuum cleaners are widely known because of their
benefit in bagless dust collection. Bagless or cyclone type vac-
uum cleaners or respective cyclone dust separating units are
known for example from documents EP 1 042 981 Al, EP 1774887 Al,
EP 1 688 078 A2, EP 1 952 745 A2 and WO 2011/058365.
Cyclone type vacuum cleaners, in particular mentioned in the
state of technology documents listed before, are still compara-
tively large in size and provide comparatively complicated air
guiding and dust collecting devices and units.
Therefore, it is one of the objects of the present invention to
provide a cyclone type vacuum cleaner having a comparatively
compact design. Further, the vacuum cleaner shall have enhanced
usability and operability, in particular with respect to dust
separation and dust collecting chambers.
These and further objects, are solved by the features of claim
1. Embodiments and variants result from the dependent claims.
According to claim 1, a vacuum cleaner is provided which com-
prises a horizontal type cleaner body having a bottom, top,
front and back side. The term "horizontal type cleaner body" in
m particular shall refer to the orientation of the cleaner body in
normal or intended use. Such a horizontal type cleaner body may
comprise, as already implemented with known devices, wheels at-
tached thereto and provided for easily moving the vacuum cleaner
over the floor underneath during vacuum-cleaning.
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A horizontal type vacuum cleaner in the meaning of the present
application is for example shown in EP 1 774 887 Al. Aside from
the horizontal type vacuum cleaners there also exist vertical
type constructions generally comprising a handle to which the
cleaner body is mounted to and by which the cleaner body is
moved in concert with vacuum-cleaning operations. One example of
such a vertical type vacuum cleaner is shown in WO 2011/058365.
The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 further comprises a suc-
tion blower unit accommodated in or within the cleaner body.
In addition, at least one primary stage cyclone dust separator
is provided. The primary stage cyclone dust separator has an air
inlet opening which is fluidly coupled to the suction blower
unit, in more detail to an outlet opening of the suction blower
unit.
In operation, the suction blower unit in general generates a
suction effect at an inlet opening to which a suction hose may
be coupled. Dust laden air sucked in is blown towards and into
subsequent dust separators fluidly connected to the suction
blower unit. In the present case the dust separator comprises at
least a primary stage cyclone dust separator.
If appropriate, one or more secondary dust separation stages may
be provided, favorably arranged downstream the primary stage cy-
clone dust separator and fluidly connected thereto. The second-
ary dust separator stages may also be of cyclone type. In a cy-
clone type dust separator dust is separated from air by a cy-
m clone effect, which is generally known in the state of technolo-
gy-
The primary stage cyclone dust separator may be provided and
adapted to separate coarse dust, debris and other particulate
matter from air. Secondary stage cyclone dust separators may be
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adapted to separate fine dust from air, in particular dust that
either could not be separated in the first stage or that is too
fine to be separated in the first stage. Hence, combining sever-
al dust separation stages adapted to separate dust particles of
different sizes enhances the overall cleaning efficiency.
It shall be noted, that more than two dust separation stages may
be combined in series in order to enhance dust separation effi-
ciency. As an example, one of the higher order dust separating
W steps, e. g. a third dust separation step, may be a filter type
separation adapted to retain residual dust particles. Hence,
comparatively clean air will be blown out into the environment.
With the vacuum cleaner as proposed in claim 1, in a bottom to
top direction the primary stage cyclone dust separator is posi-
tioned, or mounted, over, in particular above, the suction blow-
er unit. Note that the term above in particular relates to the
bottom to top direction of the cleaner body. Such an arrangement
allows a comparatively compact design of the vacuum cleaner, in
particular cleaner body, in particular with respect to front to
back dimension.
With the proposed vacuum cleaner it is further provided that the
air inlet opening and an air outlet opening of the primary stage
cyclone dust separator are respectively located towards the back
side and front side. This shall mean that the air inlet opening
of the primary stage cyclone dust separator is positioned to-
wards the back side, and the dust outlet opening of the primary
stage cyclone dust separator is positioned, in particular ori-
ented, towards the front side. This arrangement and implementa-
tion of the primary stage cyclone dust separator has been found
to enable a compact, yet efficient design.
With the proposed configuration it is possible to implement
counterflowing main air streams in the suction blower unit and
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primary stage cyclone dust separator. A main air stream in the
suction blower unit may be oriented from front to back, whereas
an input main air stream between the air inlet opening and dust
outlet opening of the primary stage cyclone dust separator may
be oriented from back to front. In particular, this type of air
guidance and arrangement of suction blower unit and primary
stage cyclone dust separator has proven optimal for obtaining
comparatively compact design.
W According to an embodiment of the vacuum cleaner, the suction
blower unit comprises a fan coupled to a fan drive motor which,
with regard to front to back direction, is installed behind the
fan. This in particular means that the fan is positioned towards
the front side whereas the drive motor is positioned towards the
back side. As the proposed position of the air inlet of the pri-
mary stage cyclone dust separator is near or towards the back
side, interference between the air inlet opening and fan can be
greatly prevented. This, by the way, also contributes to a more
compact arrangement of respective components, in particular both
in back to front and bottom to top direction. In all, it is pos-
sible to compact the arrangement of suction blower unit and pri-
mary stage cyclone dust separator.
In a further embodiment of the vacuum cleaner it is provided
that in front to back direction or orientation, the air inlet
opening of the primary stage cyclone dust separator is arranged
and positioned offset and behind the fan. In this configuration
a comparatively compact arrangement, in particular with respect
to bottom to top and front to back extension can be obtained.
Further, interference between air outlet of the fan and air in-
let opening of the primary stage cyclone dust separator can be
prevented. The air inlet of the primary stage cyclone dust sepa-
rator may be freely arranged and oriented. Advantageously, the
air inlet opening of the primary stage cyclone dust separator
is, with respect to the longitudinal extension of the primary
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stage cyclone dust separator arranged and oriented tangentially.
This in particular supports the build-up of a proper airflow in
a cyclone type manner within the primary stage cyclone dust sep-
arator.
In a further arrangement, an air outlet of the fan and the air
inlet opening are fluidly connected to an intermediate air cham-
ber. The air chamber preferably at least partially encompasses
and/or encases the fan drive motor. Providing an intermediate
W air chamber is a comparatively easy way to fluidly connect the
fan to the primary stage cyclone dust separator, in particular
to pass dust laden air from the fan to the dust separator irre-
spective of their relative arrangement. Further, and in particu-
lar with respect to the arrangement of suction blower and prima-
ry stage cyclone dust separator, an optimal usage of space can
be obtained, resulting in compact and space saving design.
In one further embodiment it is provided that a dust outlet of
the primary stage cyclone dust separator is fluidly connected to
a dust collecting chamber. It is of advantage if the dust col-
lecting chamber is positioned and arranged at the front side, in
particular immediately at the front side of the vacuum cleaner.
In particular with respect to emptying the dust collecting cham-
ber it is, according to a further embodiment, favorable to
removably connect or mount the dust collecting chamber to the
primary stage cyclone dust separator and/or cleaner body. It may
be advantageous if the dust outlet of the primary stage cyclone
dust separator is oriented towards the front side.
If the dust collecting chamber is positioned at the front side
section of the vacuum cleaner it is of particular advantage that
at least a translucent inspection window is provided in a front
side section of the dust collecting chamber.
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In more general terms in accordance with a further embodiment,
the dust collecting chamber positioned at the front side may
comprise a front side fill level indicator, preferably a trans-
lucent or transparent fill level inspection window. In this con-
nection, the term "front side fill level indicator" shall mean
that the fill level indicator is accessible and visible at and
from the front side of the vacuum cleaner.
The fill level indicator, in particular inspection window, in
W particular when arranged immediately at the front side, is ef-
fective in presenting the filling level of the dust collecting
chamber to a user, and will contribute to adequate emptying in-
tervals, which in turn secures optimal cleaning efficiency of
the vacuum cleaner. Note that the inspection window may be im-
plemented as a translucent or transparent wall section of the
dust collecting chamber.
Providing the dust collecting chamber, and fill level inspection
window at the front side in particular leads to simplified and
more efficient handling and operability of the vacuum cleaner.
In another embodiment it is provided that the primary stage cy-
clone dust separator is implemented and installed such that in
intended or normal use operation of the vacuum cleaner a main
air flow through the primary stage cyclone dust separator is
oriented essentially parallel to the front to back or back to
front direction, in particular horizontally if operated on a re-
spective ground. Implementing the primary stage cyclone dust
separator in such a way leads to a comparatively compact design,
in particular with respect to bottom to top dimensions.
In the previous embodiment, the primary stage cyclone dust sepa-
rator is designed such that a cyclone type dust separating air
flow, i. e. a main air flow direction, is oriented from back to
front. In this way, dust particles, debris and other particulate
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matter removed in the primary stage can be best conveyed to the
dust outlet opening provided at and towards the front side. In
addition, the primary stage cyclone dust separator preferably is
implemented such that a backflow of dust unladen air takes place
in the center region of the primary stage cyclone dust separator
and is oriented from front to back.
The dust unladen air exiting the primary stage dust separator
may be fed into a further separating step or stage, such as for
W example a secondary stage cyclone dust separator and/or a filter
unit. Secondary stage cyclone dust separator and/or filter may
be adapted to remove comparatively fine dust, debris and partic-
ulate matter not discharged in the primary stage.
is In a preferred further embodiment, a dust collecting volume of
the dust collecting chamber is, with regard to top to bottom,
arranged and positioned below the outlet of the primary stage
cyclone dust separator. Preferably, a major dust collecting vol-
ume of the dust collecting chamber is positioned below the pri-
20 mary stage cyclone dust separator, and more preferably is level
or essentially level with the suction blower unit, in particular
fan and fan drive motor.
The dust collecting chamber may be positioned at the front side
25 of the vacuum cleaner, and, with respect to a back to front ori-
entation, in front of the suction blower unit. Such a configura-
tion in particular leads to a comparatively compact bottom to
top design and also allows efficient dust collecting.
30 In a refinement embodiment of the vacuum cleaner, it is provided
that an angle of inclination, i. e. a gradient angle, between
the main flow direction of the primary stage cyclone dust sepa-
rator, in normal operation mode essentially corresponding to the
vertical direction, and a center or main axis of the dust col-
35 lecting chamber lies in the range between 40 and 80 degrees,
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preferably 60 degrees. Arranging or positioning the dust col-
lecting chamber in accordance with the proposed angle or angular
range in particular means that, with regard to bottom to top di-
rection, the main axis of the dust collecting chamber is tilted
against the vertical direction towards the back side by an angle
between 10 and 50 degrees, preferably 30 degrees. The proposed
tilt angle leads to a configuration in which, with regard to
front to back direction, in particular horizontal direction, the
top section of the dust collecting chamber is closer to the pri-
mary stage cyclone dust separator, in particular dust outlet,
than a bottom section of the dust collecting chamber.
The proposed geometry in particular allows a compact design, ef-
ficient dust collection and optimal bidirectional airflow in the
primary stage cyclone dust separator. Further, the tilted ar-
rangement of the dust collection chamber has the advantage that
a fill level inspection window or the like arranged at the front
side faces upwards and can readily be inspected by a user stand-
ing in front of the vacuum cleaner.
In a further embodiment, the primary stage cyclone dust separa-
tor and, where applicable, the dust collecting chamber, are cen-
tered about a back to front vertical center plane of the cleaner
body. The term back to front vertical plane shall mean a center
plane which is parallel to the vertical direction, more specifi-
cally parallel to the bottom to top and top to bottom direction
respectively, and which is parallel to the back to front and
front to back direction, respectively. Such an arrangement al-
lows a comparatively compact design with respect to the lateral
dimension, i. e. the dimension perpendicular to back to front
and front to back direction.
In a further embodiment, the vacuum cleaner comprises at least
one secondary stage cyclone dust separator installed downstream
the primary stage cyclone dust separator. The at least one sec-
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ondary stage cyclone dust separator may be positioned or placed,
in lateral direction, closely to the primary stage cyclone dust
separator and/or dust collection chamber. A secondary cyclone
dust separating stage may lead to a higher separating efficiency
Exemplary embodiments will now be described in connection with
the annexed figures, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner;
Fig. 2 shows a perspective front view of the vacuum
cleaner; and
Fig. 3 and 4 show cross sectional views of the vacuum
cleaner;
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner 1. The vacu-
um cleaner 1 comprises a horizontal type cleaner body 2 with a
bottom 3, top 4, front 5 and back side 6. The term horizontal
type shall mean that in the ordinary and intended position of
use on a corresponding underground, the cleaner body 2 is posi-
tioned essentially horizontally, or in more general terms, is
positioned essentially parallel to the ground underneath. Note
that in the figures, the vacuum cleaner is shown in its ordinary
horizontal use position.
The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a primary stage cyclone dust sep-
arator 7. The primary stage cyclone dust separator 7 is coupled
to a dust collecting chamber 8. The dust collecting chamber 8,
which may also be designated as a dust collecting container, is
positioned and arranged at the front side 5 of the cleaner body
2.In a front side section, the dust collecting chamber 8 has a
fill level indicator, which in the present case is implemented
as a transparent wall section arranged and visible from the
front. In one implementation, essentially the whole dust col-
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lecting container, at least walls at the front side, are made
from a transparent material. Here, a user can easily observe the
fill level of the dust collecting container 8, recognize inade-
quately high filling levels and, as a consequence, will timely
empty the dust container.
The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises wheels 9 arranged at/in or on the
lateral side walls and bottom side of the cleaner body 2, re-
spectively. The wheels 9 are arranged and adapted such that the
W vacuum cleaner 1 during normal and ordinary operation can be
easily moved on the surface underneath. The vacuum cleaner 1 may
comprise other elements, such as handles and the like, which
will not be described in further detail.
At the front side 5 of the vacuum cleaner 1, an interface 10 is
provided which is adapted and configured to connect a flexible
suction hose (not shown).
Further details of the vacuum cleaner will become apparent in
connection with Fig. 2 to Fig. 4.
As can be seen from the vertical plane cross sectional view in
Fig. 3, the primary stage cyclone dust separator 7 has an air
inlet opening 11 adapted to feed air, in particular dust laden
air, into the primary stage cyclone dust separator 7.
The vacuum cleaner 1 further comprises a suction blower unit 12
which comprises an electric drive motor 13 which is coupled to a
fan 14. The suction blower 12, in more detail the fan 14, gener-
ates, when driven by the drive motor 13, a suction force at the
interface 10. If a suction hose is coupled to the interface 10,
the suction force propagates through the hose and finally is ef-
fective at a nozzle end of the hose.
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In operation, the fan 14 sucks in air and forces, i. e. blows,
the air towards the primary stage cyclone dust separator 7. In
the present case, in between a fan outlet (not explicitly shown)
and the air inlet opening 11 of the primary stage dust cyclone
dust separator 7 there is provided an intermediate air chamber
16. The fan 14 and the primary stage cyclone dust separator 7
are fluidly connected to the intermediate chamber 16 such that
an airflow between fan 14 and primary stage cyclone dust separa-
tor 7 is possible.
Note that a fluid connection between the fan 14 and primary
stage cyclone dust separator 7 may be implemented in any other
way, without an intermediate chamber 16. In particular, any type
of ducting may be used to fluidly connect the air outlet of the
fan 14 to the air in let opening 11 of the primary stage cyclone
dust separator 7. If adequate, it may also be considered to di-
rectly connect the air outlet 14 to the air inlet opening 11.
The arrangement and design of the suction blower unit 12 is such
that in bottom to top direction, i. e. in a direction from the
bottom side 3 to the top side 4, the primary stage cyclone dust
separator 7 is positioned over the suction blower unit 12. This
can be seen best from Fig. 3, where a section of the primary
stage cyclone dust separator 7, oriented towards the back side 6
of the vacuum cleaner 1, is positioned over, in more detail
above, the suction blower unit 12. Such an arrangement in par-
ticular allows a space saving design.
The primary stage cyclone dust separator 7 is arranged and im-
plemented such that the air inlet opening 11 is located at a
back side end section of the primary stage cyclone dust separa-
tor 7. The air inlet opening 11 is presently arranged at some
distance above the drive motor 13.
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With regard to front to back direction, the air inlet opening 11
is arranged and located offset and behind the fan 14. The aper-
ture of air inlet opening 11 of the primary stage cyclone dust
separator 7 in the present case is oriented and directed later-
ally, i. e. sidewards, which greatly contributes to the build up
of a cyclonic, dust separating airflow within the primary stage
cyclone dust separator 7.
At the front side end of the primary stage cyclone dust separa-
tor 7, in particular near or at a lower part of the front side 5
face side of the primary stage cyclone dust separator 7, there
is provided a dust outlet opening 17. The dust outlet opening 17
is positioned and adapted such that dust, debris and other par-
ticulate matter separated in the primary stage cyclone dust sep-
arator 7 is forced towards and unloaded at or near the dust out-
let opening 17.
The dust outlet opening 17 is connected, i. e. opens into, the
dust collecting chamber 8 in which dust and the like is collect-
ed. The dust outlet opening 17 may be coupled to a corresponding
dust inlet opening (not shown) of the dust collecting chamber 8.
An intermediate seal to be positioned between the openings may
be provided to avoid escape of dust at the transition between
primary stage cyclone dust separator 7 and dust collecting cham-
ber 8.
Dust unladen air leaves the primary stage cyclone dust separator
7 via an air outlet section 18. Note that the air flow within
the vacuum cleaner is indicated by dotted arrows in Fig. 3.
In general it can be seen from Fig. 3, that the primary stage
cyclone dust separator 7 is implemented and installed such that
in intended use operation, as shown throughout Fig. 1 to Fig. 3,
a main air flow through the primary stage cyclone dust separator
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7 is oriented essentially horizontally, presently corresponding
to front to back and back to front directions.
Air leaving the primary stage cyclone dust separator 7 may be
discharged to the environment. However, for the reason of more
efficient dust removal it may be desirable to provide one or
several further, in particular secondary, dust removing stages
downstream the primary stage dust cyclone separator 7. The sec-
ondary stages may be of cyclone type and/or filter type.
With the vacuum cleaner 1 as shown and described in connection
with Fig. 1 to 3, it may be provided that the dust collecting
chamber 8 together with the primary stage cyclone dust separator
7 are removably connected to the cleaner body 2. It may be pro-
vided that both parts can be removed as a whole from the cleaner
body 2. However, it is also be possible, that the primary stage
cyclone dust separator 7 and/or the dust collecting chamber 8
are handleable as separate parts, i. e. that they can be mounted
and removed independently from each other.
With the embodiments shown in the Figures, it can be seen, that
the primary stage cyclone dust separator 7 works with a horizon-
tal air flow, which is advantageous for a space saving design.
Further, it can be seen that, with regard to top to bottom di-
rection, at least a main part of the dust collecting chamber 8
is arranged below the dust outlet opening 17 and/or primary
stage cyclone dust separator 7. Such an arrangement is a compar-
atively good compromise between space saving/compact design and
high dust separating efficiency in the primary stage cyclone
dust separator 7.
In particular with respect to dust separating efficiency, and
also with respect to comfortable operation of the vacuum cleaner
1 it has been proven advantageous to tilt the dust collecting
chamber 8 against the primary stage cyclone dust separator 7.
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With particular reference to Fig. 4, it can be seen that with
regard to the back to front direction a center axis 19 of the
dust collecting chamber 8 is tilted downwards by an angle a of
about 60 degrees. In other words, an angle spanned between back
side of the primary stage cyclone dust separator 7, front side
of the primary stage cyclone dust separator 7 and bottom of the
dust collecting chamber 8 amounts 180 - a, i. e. 120 degrees.
Note that the tilt angle a may lie in the range from 40 to 80
W degrees. The adjacent angle 180 - a therefore may lie in the
range from 100 to 140 degrees. Such tilt angles have been proven
to be efficient in dust deposition within the dust collecting
chamber 8, and to provide a good visibility of the fill level of
the dust collecting chamber 8 from a position in front of the
vacuum cleaner 1.
As can in particular be seen from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the primary
stage cyclone dust separator 7 and dust collecting chamber 8 are
centered about a back to front vertical center plane of the
cleaner body 2. In other words the primary stage cyclone dust
separator 7 and dust collecting chamber 8 are centered with re-
gard to the lateral dimension of the cleaner body 2. Such an ar-
rangement allows a comparatively compact overall design and ef-
ficient air flow. Remaining space not occupied from the elements
mentioned so far can advantageously be used for positioning ad-
ditional elements, such as grips and handles or stowage compart-
ments for accessories, and others.
In all, it can be seen, that the proposed vacuum cleaner pro-
vides a compact design, enhanced usability and satisfactory
cleaning efficiency.
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List of reference numerals
1 vacuum cleaner
2 cleaner body
3 bottom side
4 top side
front side
6 back side
7 primary stage cyclone dust separator
8 dust collecting chamber
9 wheel
interface
11 air inlet opening
12 suction blower unit
13 drive motor
14 fan
16 intermediate air chamber
17 dust outlet opening
18 air outlet section
19 center axis
