SUCTION APPARATUS AND SEPARATING UNIT FOR A SUCTION APPARATUS HAVING A FLAP

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of German Patent Application DE 10 2024 203 003.1, filed Mar. 28, 2024; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a suction apparatus and a separating unit for a suction apparatus, in particular for a wireless and/or hand-held vacuum cleaner.

A suction apparatus, in particular a handheld vacuum cleaner, typically includes a suction unit that can be carried and guided by a user by hand. The suction unit has a fan that is operated using electrical energy from an electrical energy storage device of the suction unit. The fan is configured so as to generate a suction air flow in order to suck impurities through the suction mouth of the suction unit into the separating unit of the suction unit, wherein the separating unit has a collection container for impurities. In order to increase the suction power of the suction unit, the suction air flow is preferably introduced into the separating unit and/or guided within the separating unit in such a manner that the suction air flow within the separating unit flows in a cyclonic manner around the central filter unit of the separating unit.

German Patent Application DE 10 2021 203 242 A1 describes a dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner having a guide element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a suction apparatus and a separating unit for a suction apparatus having a flap, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and which further optimize the inflow of the suction air flow into the separating unit of a suction apparatus, in particular in order to improve the absorption of coarse dirt and/or the suction performance.

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a separating unit for a suction apparatus, the separating unit comprising a collection container that is enclosed by a housing wall, the collection container has an inlet opening that is disposed on the housing wall and is closed using a flap, the flap has a total surface for covering the inlet opening, the flap is fastened to the housing wall at a main edge of the total surface, the flap has a main desired bending point on the main edge, which enables the total surface to be bent about a main bending axis, the flap has an additional linear desired bending point, which enables a partial area of the total surface, which faces away from the main edge, to be bent about an additional bending axis, and the flap is configured in such a manner that the partial area of the total surface of the flap is bent away from the housing wall by a force that acts on the flap from the outside, thereby exposing a partial area of the inlet opening that corresponds to the partial area of the total surface.

Advantageous embodiments are defined in particular in the dependent claims, described in the following description or illustrated in the attached drawing.

In accordance with one aspect, a separating unit for a suction apparatus is described. The separating unit includes a collection container that is enclosed by a housing wall. The separating unit can have a longitudinal axis, and the housing wall of the collection container can be configured as a (circular) cylinder around the longitudinal axis. The housing wall can, for example, correspond to the shell surface of a hollow cylinder. The collection container also has an inlet opening that is disposed on the housing wall and is closed using a (flexible) flap. The inlet opening is preferably disposed on the upper side of the collection container (which is intended to be oriented upwards during operation).

The separating unit can further include a filter unit that is disposed in the collection container and is configured so as to retain dirt particles from a suction air flow (that has entered the collection container through the inlet opening) on the surface of the filter unit. The separating unit is preferably configured in such a manner that the suction air flow that enters the collection container through the inlet opening flows in a cyclonic manner around the filter unit. The separating unit can be configured for this purpose in such a manner that the suction air flow that enters the collection container through the inlet opening has a flow direction that runs substantially in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis.

The flap at the inlet opening can have a total surface for (completely) covering the inlet opening. Further, the flap can be fastened to the housing wall at a main edge of the total surface. The main edge can be oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis.

The flap has a linear desired bending point, which enables a partial area of the total surface of the flap, which faces away from the main edge, to be bent about an additional bending axis. The desired bending point is spaced apart from the main edge of the total surface. Furthermore, the desired bending point (and the associated additional bending axis) can subdivide the total surface of the flap into the partial area and into a remainder that is complementary thereto. The desired bending point can be configured in such a manner that the partial area can be bent (in particular rotated) about the additional bending axis with respect to the rest of the total surface.

The desired bending point can be implemented as a local (linear) thinning and/or by a locally changed material of the flap. In particular, the flap can have a thinner and/or different material locally along the additional bending axis (compared to the areas of the total surface without a desired bending point). The linear desired bending point can be configured in particular as a film hinge, in particular if the flap is made of a plastic, in particular a flexible plastic.

The desired bending point can be implemented by a localized (linear) profiling of the flap, in particular the surface of the flap. The profiling can be disposed on the outer side of the flap (which faces away from the collection container) and/or on the inner side of the flap (which faces the collection container). In this manner, a desired bending point can be provided in a particularly flexible and efficient manner.

The flap is configured in such a manner that the partial area of the total surface of the flap is bent away from the housing wall (into the collection container) by a force that acts on the flap from the outside (in the radial direction), thereby exposing a partial area of the inlet opening that corresponds to the partial area of the total surface. The flap can in particular be configured in such a manner that the partial area of the total surface of the flap is bent away from the housing wall and into the collection container by the suction air flow that acts on the flap from the outside and/or by a (relatively large) dirt particle that is carried along by the suction air flow.

By providing a dust retention flap on the collection container of a separating unit, which has one or more additional desired bending points, the quality of the separating unit can be increased in an efficient and reliable manner in relation to the reception of coarse dirt and in relation to the optimized orientation of the flow direction of the suction air flow (in order to increase the suction power).

The flap can have multiple linear desired bending points, which in each case enable a partial area of the total surface, which faces away from the main edge, to be bent about in each case an additional bending axis. The different desired bending points can each have a different distance from the main edge. For example, multiple desired bending points that are disposed parallel to the main edge can be provided at different distances from the main edge. By using a flap having multiple desired bending points, the quality for receiving dirt particles of different sizes can be further improved.

The flap can have two linear desired bending points, which each have an additional bending axis, wherein the additional bending axes are oriented differently from one another, and optionally intersect (on the flap). In this manner, it is possible to cause a particularly precise orientation of one or more partial areas of the total surface in order to further optimize the flow direction of the suction air flow.

The flap can have a main desired bending point (directly) on the main edge, which enables the total surface to be bent about a main bending axis. The main bending axis can run parallel to the longitudinal axis. It is thus possible to enable a bending of the total surface about the main bending axis. In addition, it is possible to enable a further bending of the partial area of the total surface about the additional bending axis. The partial area can thus have a total bending (for example with a total bending angle), which is composed of the bending of the total surface about the main bending axis (with a first bending angle) and the additional bending of the partial area about the additional bending axis (with a second bending angle).

The additional bending axis can run parallel to the main bending axis. In this manner, the separating unit can be optimized for the reception of different large dirt particles.

Alternatively, the additional bending axis can run obliquely with respect to the main bending axis, in particular at an angle of between 10° and 45° with respect to the main bending axis. By using a desired bending point with an obliquely running additional bending axis, the flow direction of the suction air flow can be further optimized.

The additional bending axis can be oriented in relation to the longitudinal axis in such a manner that the partial area of the total surface of the flap, which is bent about the additional bending axis, causes an impulse on the suction air flow in the direction of the longitudinal axis. For this purpose, the additional bending axis is oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis, in particular at an angle of 5° or more with respect to the longitudinal axis. In this manner, a suction air flow can be caused in an efficient manner within the collection container, which flows in a helical manner around the filter unit and to an end face of the collection container, with the result that the dirt particles from the suction air flow are concentrated on the end face of the collection container. In this manner, the durability of the separating unit (between emptying processes) can be increased in an efficient and reliable manner.

The flap can be configured in such a manner that the bending of the partial area about the additional bending axis has a greater bending angle than the bending of the total surface about the main bending axis, in particular if the volume flow of the suction air flow that is acting on the flap from the outside is equal to or less than a predefined volume flow threshold value (i.e., in particular if the suction air flow has a relatively small volume flow). In this manner, it is possible to cause a particularly optimal flow direction of the suction air flow within the collection container.

With the objects of the invention in view, there is concomitantly provided a suction apparatus, in particular a hand-held vacuum cleaner, which includes the separating unit described in this document. The suction apparatus further includes a fan that is configured so as to cause a suction air flow from the suction mouth of the suction apparatus, through the inlet opening of the separating unit, through the filter unit and to the fan.

It should be noted that any aspects of the separating unit described in this document and the suction apparatus described in this document can be combined with one another in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined with one another in a variety of ways.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a suction apparatus and a separating unit for a suction apparatus having a flap, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of an exemplary suction apparatus having a suction unit, a suction pipe and a nozzle;

FIGS. 2a to 2c are different perspective views of a suction unit and the separating unit of a suction unit;

FIGS. 3a to 3b are different plan and perspective views of flexible flaps for covering the inlet opening of a separating unit; and

FIG. 3c includes a plan view and a side view of a flap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As explained in the introduction, the present document deals with causing a particularly advantageous inflow of the suction air flow into the separating unit of a suction apparatus, in particular in order to ensure a permanently high suction performance and a reliable absorption of coarse dirt.

Referring now in this context to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen an exemplary (handheld) vacuum cleaner 100 (as an example of a suction apparatus), which has a suction unit 110 with an electrical energy storage device 111. The suction unit 110 has a (hand) grip 112 that can be gripped by a user with one hand in order to hold the suction unit 110. The fan of the suction unit 110 causes a suction air flow through the suction mouth 114 of the suction unit 110, via the separating unit 113 of the suction unit 110, to the fan. The suction unit 110 can be configured so as to be used independently as a suction apparatus.

An accessory 120, 130 can be connected to the suction unit 110 via a coupling 121. In the illustrated example, the suction unit 110 is connected via a coupling 121 to a suction pipe 120, which in turn is connected via a coupling 121 to a floor nozzle 130.

FIGS. 2a to 2c illustrate different views of a suction unit 110 and a separating unit 113. The suction air flow 112 that is caused by the fan 230 is sucked through the suction mouth 114 of the suction unit 110 into the separating unit 113. The separating unit 113 has an outer housing wall 227, which encloses a filter unit 225. A collection container is formed by the housing wall 227. The suction air flow 112 is sucked through an (inlet) opening 211 that is formed on the housing wall 227 into the collection container that is enclosed by the housing wall 227. In this case, the suction air flow 112 is preferably oriented during introduction into the collection container in such a manner that the suction air flow 112 circulates in a cyclonic manner around the (circular-cylindrical) filter unit 225. The suction air flow 112 is further sucked through the surface of the filter unit 225 toward the central longitudinal axis 220 of the separating unit 113. In this case, the impurities from the suction air flow 112 are retained on the surface of the filter unit 225, and remain in the collection area 226 that is formed between the filter unit 225 and the housing wall 227.

The (circular-cylindrical) collection container that is formed by the housing wall 227 extends along the longitudinal axis 220 from a first end face 221 (which faces the fan 230) to a second end face 222 (which faces away from the fan 230). A cover 224, which covers the collection container, can be disposed on the second end face 222. The cover 224 can be opened (for example, unfolded), with the result that impurities can be removed from the collection area 226 via the second end face 222 from the collection area 226 of the collection container.

An ejection and/or compression element 240 that is configured so as to be moved along the longitudinal axis 220 can be disposed within the collection container. The ejection and/or compression element 240 can, as illustrated in FIG. 2b, be configured as a ring that is disposed around the filter unit 225. The ejection and/or compression element 240 can extend in the radial direction (in relation to the longitudinal axis 220) from the surface of the filter unit 225 to the inside of the housing wall 227.

In a basic state, the ejection and/or compression element 240 can be disposed on the first end face 221 of the collection container. In addition, the ejection and/or compression element 240 can be configured so as to be moved along the longitudinal axis 220 from the first end face 221 to the second end face 222, with the result that the impurities that are disposed in the collection area 226 are pushed towards the second end face 222 by the ejection and/or compression element 240. In this manner, it can be rendered possible during the operation of the suction unit 110 to compress the impurities that are disposed in the collection area 226 (in the area of the second end face 222), with the result that the surface of the filter unit 225 is substantially free of impurities, and thus a high suction power is still available. In addition, impurities can be conveniently pushed out of the collection container along the longitudinal axis 220 via the second end face 222 (and the opened cover 224) by the ejection and/or compression element 240 in order to empty the collection container.

As illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2b, the housing wall 227 of the collection container has a frame 210 that surrounds the opening 211 to the collection area 226 of the collection container. In this case, the frame 210 is preferably disposed in the immediate vicinity of the first end face 221 of the collection container. A flexible flap 200 is disposed within the frame 210, which is configured in such a manner that the flap 200 closes the opening 211 that is bordered by the frame 210 when no suction air flow 212 is caused by the fan 230, i.e. when no forces act on the flap 200 in the radial direction from the outside into the collection container. The collection container can thus be closed by the flexible flap 200, with the result that it is possible to reliably avoid that impurities can fall out of the collection container through the opening 211 (for example, when the separating unit 113 is separated from the suction unit 110 in order to empty the separating unit 113).

The flap 200 can have a pretension that pushes the flap 200 through to the frame 210. In this manner, it can be caused in a particularly reliable manner that the flap 200 is closed when no suction air flow 212 is caused.

The flap 200 is preferably made of a flexible material (for example, a flexible plastic), with the result that the flap 200 is bent away from the frame 210 towards the filter unit 225 under the influence of a force that acts on the flap 200 from the outside (which is caused, for example, by the suction air flow 212), thereby exposing at least part of the opening 211. In this manner, the suction air flow 212 can be caused to pass into the collection container from the outside.

As can be seen from FIG. 2b, the suction unit 110 can be configured in such a manner that the suction air flow 212, starting from the suction mouth 114, initially has a flow direction that is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 220. At the inlet opening 211 and/or at the frame 210, the flow direction of the suction air flow 212 is deflected by approximately 90°, with the result that the suction air flow 212 flows into the collection container in the circumferential direction (and thus substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 220) through the inlet opening 211.

During the suction operation, the inlet opening 211 is preferably disposed (in relation to the circumferential direction) on the top side of the housing wall 227 of the collection container. In this manner, it can be caused that gravity acts on the impurities in the suction air flow 212 in order to transport the impurities into the collection container. On the other hand, due to the orientation of the inlet opening 211, it can happen that (in particular relatively large) dirt particles remain on the outside of the flap 200 and accumulate increasingly on the outside of the flap 200 and possibly lead to clogging of the inlet opening 211.

The dirt that is disposed on the outside of the flap 200 can possibly fall off when the separating unit 113 is separated from the suction unit 110, which can be perceived as unpleasant by a user. In addition, the suction operation must be interrupted in the presence of a blockage of the inlet opening 211, and the separating unit must be cleaned, which can also be perceived as uncomfortable.

The flap 200 preferably has one or more desired bending points 201, 202 (as shown by way of example in FIGS. 3a to 3b), through the use of which it is possible to increase the opening angle of at least a partial area of the flap 200. A desired bending point 201, 202 can be configured in particular as a (film) hinge. The flap 200 can have a main hinge 201 that runs along a (main) edge of the frame 210 and that enables the entire flap 200 (i.e., the total surface of the flap 200) to be opened. In addition, the flap 200 has one or more (linear) desired bending points 202, which each enable an additional opening of a respective partial area of the flap 200.

The flap 200 can, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3c, have a total surface 300, for example, a rectangular total surface, wherein the total surface 300 completely covers the inlet opening 211. The total surface 300 is delimited by a main edge 301 and one or more (in particular three) secondary edges 302. The main edge 301 is typically fixedly connected to the frame 210 of the inlet opening 211, with the result that the flap 200 cannot be moved away from the frame 210 at the main edge 301. The one or more secondary edges 302 are not connected to the frame 210 of the inlet opening 211, and can be moved away from the frame 210 (due to influence of a radial force) in order to open the inlet opening 211.

A linear main desired bending point 201 (for example, in the form of a film hinge), which enables a rotational movement of the total surface 300 of the flap 200 about the linear main desired bending point 201 (i.e. main bending axis), can be disposed on the main edge 301. The angle of rotation that is enabled by the main desired bending point 201 is typically limited (for example, to 45° or less, or to 30° or less) with the result that the total surface 300 of the flap 200 can only be opened up to a certain opening angle by the force of the suction air flow 212. This has the advantage that the flow direction of the suction air flow 121 through the inlet opening 211 has a particularly large directional component in the circumferential direction and only a relatively small directional component in the radial direction. In this manner, a robust cyclonic suction air flow 212 can be caused in a reliable manner within the collection container of the separating unit 113.

On the other hand, the limitation of the opening angle of the main desired bending point 201 at the main edge 301 of the flap 200 can lead to relatively large dirt particles getting stuck on the outside of the flap 200.

The flap 200 can therefore have at least one further (linear) desired bending point 202, which enables an additional rotation or bending of a partial area 305 of the total surface 300 of the flap 200 about the respective desired bending point 200 (i.e. about the respective bending axis). A further desired bending point 202 (in particular a further film hinge) thus renders it possible for a partial area 305 of the total surface 300 (which faces away from the main edge 301) to be able to move away from the frame 210 in addition (in particular under the influence of a relatively large dirt particle). As a result, the inlet opening 211 can be opened further in the corresponding partial area of the inlet opening 211, with the result that even relatively large dirt particles can get into the collection container.

The additional bending or turning away of a partial area 305 of the total surface 300 of the flap 200 is typically not caused by a suction air flow 212, which has only relatively small dirt particles. It is thus possible to ensure that the flow direction of the suction air flow 212 has a directional component, which is as large as possible, in the circumferential direction and only a relatively small directional component in the radial direction. On the other hand, the additional bending or turning away of the partial area 305 of the total surface 300 of the flap 200 can be caused if a relatively large dirt particle, carried by the suction air flow 212, acts on this partial area 305 of the total surface 300 (and thereby causes a relatively large force in the radial direction).

By additionally introducing one or more film hinges 202, which are disposed transversely, longitudinally, diagonally, on the front and/or on the rear side or also in a wide variety of combinations on the flexible or elastic dust retention flap 200, it is thus possible for the flap 200, in the case of relatively large particles and/or in the case of a relatively large amount of dirt in the suction air flow 212, to open further at least in one or more partial areas 305 of the total surface 300 and thus for no dirt to remain stuck between the flap 200 and the inlet opening 211 of the collection container. In addition, the wall orientation of the air flow 212 (towards the inside of the housing wall 227) continues to exist for better dust separation. This wall orientation is produced (in the case of relatively high amounts of air) by the main film hinge 201 (which runs, for example, along the longitudinal axis 220). In the case of relatively smaller amounts of air, one or more subsequent longitudinally extending further film hinges 202 can cause the flap 200 (at least one or more partial areas 305) to open. In this manner, even with a relatively small amount of air, it is possible to ensure a good wall orientation of the inflowing suction air.

During the suction operation of the suction unit 110, the first end face 211 of the collection container of the separating unit 113 is typically oriented upward, while the second end face 212 of the collection container is oriented downward. Gravity thus acts on the impurities (for example, dust particles) that are disposed in the collection area 226 during the suction operation, as a result of which at least some of the impurities are moved towards the second end face 212. As a result, during the suction operation, fewer impurities tend to be disposed in the vicinity of the first end face 211 than in the vicinity of the second end face 212. In order to maintain the highest possible suction power, it is therefore typically advantageous if the inlet opening 211 for the inlet of the suction air flow 212 into the collection container is disposed as close as possible to the first end face 211 of the collection container.

In order to keep the collection area 226 of the collection container of the separating unit 113 as free of impurities as possible in the area of the inlet opening 211, and in order to thereby provide a permanently high suction power, it is advantageous if the suction air flow 212 flows in a helical manner around the filter unit 225 and towards the second end face 212. For this purpose, the flap 200 at the inlet opening 211 can be configured so as to orient the suction air flow 212 that flows through the inlet opening 211 in such a manner that the directional vector of the movement direction of the suction air flow 212 has a first vector component in the circumferential direction and a second vector component in the longitudinal direction 220. The pitch of the helical flow direction of the suction air flow 212 can be defined by the ratio between the first vector component and the second vector component.

The flap 200 can have one or more (linear) desired bending points 202, which render it possible to bend or rotate one or more corresponding partial areas 305 of the total surface 300 of the flap 200 about a respective (bending) axis, wherein the respective (bending) axis runs obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis 220. The normal vector that is perpendicular to the bending axis of a desired bending point 202 can, in particular, have a directional component that is oriented towards the second end face 222 of the collection container. In this manner, it is possible to cause the suction air flow 212 to be deflected towards the second end face 222 by the partial area 305 of the total surface 300 of the flap 200, which partial area is bent about this bending axis, so that a helical suction air flow 212 is thereby caused in the collection container of the separating unit 113.

FIG. 2b illustrates an exemplary flap 200 having a (linear) desired bending point 202, which defines a bending axis that is oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis 220 in such a manner that the flow direction of the suction air flow 212 is oriented (by a certain angle) towards the second end face 222 of the collection container by the partial area 305 of the flap 200, which is bent about the bending axis. In this manner, it is possible for impurity to accumulate increasingly at the second end face 222 of the collection container, and that the inlet opening 211 remains free for the reception of additional impurities. As a result, a permanently high suction power can be caused.

The (dust) flap 200 at the inlet 211 of the collection container of the separating unit 113 can thus be configured in such a manner that the flap 200 can be opened in dependence upon the air flow. At its free end, the flap 200 can in particular have one or more further defined desired bending points 202. The flap 200 can thus be configured so as to be flexible in itself.

The one or more profilings 202 (i.e. desired bending points) of the flap 200 can cause only an outer region of the inlet opening 211 to be completely exposed by the flap 200 in the case of a relatively weak air flow 202, so that the air flow 202 flows reliably into the collection container on the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collection container (which is advantageous for the suction power of the suction unit 110). On the other hand, the one or more profilings 202 can cause relatively large particles to be able to pass the flap 200.

By using an obliquely disposed profiling 202 (i.e. desired bending point) of the flap 200, in addition to a flow 212 of the suction air in the circumferential direction around the filter unit 225, it is possible to generate an additional swirl of the flow (as is shown by way of example by the dotted flow course illustrated in FIG. 2b), as a result of which the separating effect of the separating unit 113 can be further improved.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated exemplary embodiments. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are intended to illustrate only the principle of the separating unit 113 and/or the suction apparatus 100.

The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: