DE102010038575A1 - Centrifugal separator with upstream impact surface - Google Patents

Abstract

A bagless floor care appliance (1) with a centrifugal separator (2), which has a separation chamber (5) with an air inlet (3), an air outlet (6) and an ejection window (16), wherein in the separation chamber an air guiding device (8) with a Impact surface (9) is arranged for air flow. The ejection window (16) is open in a wall (15) of the separation chamber (5) in its radially lateral direction, and the impact surface (9) is arranged at least partially in front of the ejection window (16) as seen from the air inlet (3) the edge (17) of the ejection window (16) facing the air inlet (3). Such an arrangement increases the separation efficiency, especially of the smallest particles, while maintaining constant volume flow and without additional losses of the pressure difference in the centrifugal separator.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a bagless floor care apparatus having a centrifugal separator, which has an air inlet, a separation chamber, an air outlet and an ejection window, wherein in the separation chamber, an air guide device is arranged with a baffle.

Background of the invention

Such bagless floor care appliances, in particular vacuum cleaners, are known from the prior art. Components of such a floor care device are essentially one or more nozzles for receiving the dust, a suction pipe, which is designed as part of a Saugluftführung depending on the structure of the vacuum cleaner as a canister, hand or so-called upright vacuum cleaner shorter or longer and rigid or telescopic, a connector that connects the suction tube with a flexible suction hose as a further element of Saugluftführung as another element of Saugluftführung, one or more dust container, wherein such a dust container may be part of the centrifugal or the centrifugal or is designed as a separate dust collection, a vacuum chamber over the air is sucked by a motor-blower unit, and optionally a fine dust filter for final cleaning of the exiting air.

From the prior art, for example, the DE 10 2006 012 795 B3 which comprises a dedusting device for a vacuum cleaner having a container with an air inlet and an air outlet. A filter chamber is mounted inside the container while a cyclone chamber is again mounted inside the filter chamber. The cyclone chamber is a conical drum with a narrow upper end, a wider lower end and vortex air inlet attached thereto. The air inlet on the container and the vortex air inlet on the cyclone chamber are separated by the filter chamber. An air outlet tube is located at the top of the cyclone chamber and communicates with the air outlet. On the bottom side, in the cyclone chamber, opposite the air outlet, there is an impact body with a conical baffle surface extending up to the edge of the cyclone chamber. In a peripheral region on the baffle surface edge of the baffle there is an annular dust collection opening, which allows dust to penetrate into a bottom-side container. In order to be able to discharge with the dust through the dust collecting opening penetrating air flow, the tip of the conical baffle has a return flow.

Next is on the DE 10 2004 056 076 A1 , the GB 2 435 626 A and the DE G 91 05 213 U1 directed. These relate in each case to vacuum cleaners with cyclone separation devices, in which a more or less uniformly cylindrical separation space opens on the upper side an air inlet channel in order to allow suction air to flow in from a lateral direction. In addition, an immersion tube protrudes into the separation space through an upper-side wall in order to guide air out of the separation space. Also, embodiments show air flows in the reverse flow direction. On the bottom side, a baffle surface of a baffle body is arranged in the separation spaces such that its baffle surface edge extends adjacent to a wall of the separation space. Between the baffle edge and the wall of the separation chamber are passage openings which extend into a container arranged underneath and allow passage of dirt particles and the like into the container. This circumferential area surrounding the baffle edge thus leads directly into a rear container.

From the EP 0 018 197 A1 is a vacuum cleaner with two series centrifugal separators known. One of these centrifugal separators has an upwardly tapered separating chamber, wherein an air inlet channel and an air outlet are arranged on the bottom side. At the top, the separation chamber is designed to be open and, with its open and tapered circumferential wall, forms a kind of ejection window. Through the ejection window protrudes from above a bolt as a pedestal into the separation chamber. On the base, an impact body with a downwardly tapered cone-shaped impact surface is arranged on the front side and within the separation chamber. Between a baffle surface edge of the baffle body and the wall of the separation chamber, an annular opening remains, through which a part of the air flow can laterally reach the rear side of the baffle surface or from the viewpoint of the separation chamber.

The problem underlying the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a bagless floor care device with an improved centrifugal separator, which is intended to increase a separation efficiency with respect to especially small particles in particular in an open in the radial direction ejection window.

Inventive solution

The solution of the problem is achieved by a bagless floor care device in which the ejection window is open in a wall of the separation chamber in the radially lateral direction and at the baffle surface is at least partially disposed in front of the ejection window when viewed from the air inlet or at least reaches the edge of the ejection window facing the air inlet.

Thus, although the air reversal can take place at least partially before the ejection window, the separation efficiency does not decrease, as one might expect, but can even increase. Both cyclone and cyclone separators are to be regarded as centrifugal separators, centrifugal forces acting on the particles in the centrifugal separator and accelerating them radially outward. In a preferred centrifugal separator, the rotationally-displaced air separates the dust by means of the centrifugal forces into the dust-collecting area of the separating chamber, which is in particular beyond the ejection window. The air outlet, which communicates with the separation chamber via a dip tube, usually carries the cleaned air to another downstream filter unit or to the environment. Such centrifugal separators can both be an integral part of a vacuum cleaner as well as be used as a separate unit in a collecting space. The ejection window preferably leads to an ejection container in which particles precipitated from the air are collected. Appropriately, such a discharge container can be emptied or removed for emptying.

Usually, the air intake is on one side and the ejection window is on the other side of the separation chamber. In the case of a laterally arranged air inlet and possibly assisted by further air guiding means, air flowing in via the air inlet and contaminated with dust, dirt or other particles flows inside the separating space, preferably in a helical line, in the direction of the impact body with the baffle surface and is deflected at the baffle surface as a central flow to the dip tube and through this to flow out of the separation chamber. By means of a suitable structuring of the baffle surface, a particularly interference-free air flow is provided, which allows a helical flow path which flows adjacent to the baffle surface along the separation wall and a cylindrical air column flow to the air outlet or the dip tube.

Such an arrangement can increase the separation efficiency, especially of the smallest particles, while maintaining a constant volume flow and without additional losses of the pressure difference in the centrifugal separator.

The floor care appliance is preferably a vacuum cleaner, and the invention can be used in particular in both dry and wet vacuum cleaners, in particular canister, hand or upright vacuum cleaners.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims. The reference numbers in all claims have no limiting effect, but are only intended to improve their readability.

Preferably, the entire baffle is seen from the air inlet in front of the ejection window or at the level of the air inlet facing edge of the ejection window. In other words, the ejection window begins only after the baffle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the baffle surface of the air guide device is arranged so that an air reversal takes place in the separation chamber from the air inlet in front of the ejection window open in the radially lateral direction or at the level of the edge of the ejection window facing the air inlet. Preferably, at least a main part, that is, more than half of, particularly preferably substantially all, the air flowing into the separation chamber is deflected by the impact surface in the direction of the air outlet. In this case, particles entrained by the approaching air are preferably pressed against the impact surface and guided along the latter to the edge thereof, from where they can be led out into the lateral and rearward space of the impact body and from there through the ejection window.

Expediently, the separation chamber, viewed from the air inlet, has a bottom on the baffle surface, the air guiding device connecting a baffle body with the baffle surface on the back via a base to the base. The base preferably has a smaller diameter than a baffle surface edge of the baffle surface. In particular, the base has an at least 20% smaller diameter than a baffle surface edge of the baffle surface. Due to the arrangement with the bottom of the separation chamber is closed on the back and supports a sidestream movement of the air flowing past the baffle, so that with such a side stream, a removal of the particles from the baffle surface edge is supported by the back space and the ejection window. The flow supportive and at the same time saving material is thereby, when the impact body is supported on a pedestal, which is narrower compared to the baffle surface edge. This can advantageously be created an enlarged free back space.

Preferably, the base and / or the baffle surface, radially symmetrical in design, particularly preferably radially symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the separation chamber, which extends from the air inlet to the ejection window. As a result, it is advantageously possible to bring about a substantially radially symmetrical general (ie without consideration of the twist) transport direction of the air. The separation chamber is preferably cylindrical. This form has shown in experiments a particularly good Staubabscheideleistung. But other embodiments are conceivable, for. B. frustoconical separation spaces, wherein the radius z. B. in the direction of extension of the air inlet to the ejection window decreases or, alternatively, increases.

Advantageously, an ejection window height of the ejection window extends in the backward direction to the floor. In the case of a bottom which extends planar across a longitudinal direction of the separation chamber, and an ejection window which extends to the bottom of the baffle, then corresponds to a preferred base height of the base of the ejection window height. The height of the connection formed by the base of the baffle body at the bottom is thus preferably the same width or height as the ejection window height. It is preferred that a transition portion of the base to the bottom and a transition portion of the base are formed to a rear side of a baffle body with the baffle as radii. Such curved transition portions may promote a circular flow of a side stream in the back space of the baffle body and thereby improve dust collection. In particular, it is advantageous if the floor or if the floor and the wall are formed as closed surfaces. This advantageously achieves that the particles entrained in this space are guided in a targeted manner to the ejection window.

In a manner known per se, it is preferred that the baffle surface is formed on the front side essentially in the shape of a cone or truncated cone, the conical tip preferably pointing to the side of the separation chamber on which the air inlet is located. For the purposes of the present invention, "front" and "rear" are always to be understood as being from the side of the separation chamber on which the air inlet is located. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the baffle surface forms seen from the air inlet from the front and spaced from the baffle edge edge starting a cone. By such a configuration, the air guiding device is formed by a kind of mushroom head, which has as a central part of its baffle a cone, which is particularly preferably directed in the direction of an oppositely arranged in the separation compartment dip tube. Also parabolic or hyperbolic conical shapes are advantageous implemented.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer diameter of the baffle surface up to its baffle edge is 50% to 80% of an inside diameter of the separation chamber. As a result, an almost complete air reversal at the baffle plate can advantageously be achieved.

The length of the separation space in the direction of extent from the air inlet to the ejection window is preferably in the ratio 1: 2 to 1: 3 greater than a mean diameter of the separation space. The invention has proven to be particularly effective in the separation of dust in such separation space lengths. Advantageously can be less burdened by such embodiments by the higher separation efficiency downstream fine dust filter. The maintenance intervals of such downstream particulate matter filter can therefore be extended advantageously. There is also more dust in the receptacle, which means a more successful suction experience for the customer since more dirt has been absorbed in visible form.

Thus, an embodiment with an apex cone, that is to say the deflection unit for the air flow, which is upstream of the discharge opening of the vortex tube separator, is particularly preferred. The apex cone with its baffle surface is preferably spaced over a cylinder stub as the base of one end of the eddy current separator.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantageous embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to one / two / three ... in the drawings illustrated embodiment, to which the invention is not limited.

They show schematically:

1 a vacuum cleaner according to the invention with its components;

2 a centrifugal separator according to the invention with a separation chamber;

3 a centrifugal separator in a partially sectioned view;

4 an air guide device with an attached thereto wall of a separation chamber according to a first preferred embodiment in a partially sectioned view;

5 the air guide device acc. 2 in perspective view; and finally

6 an air-conditioning device of a second embodiment, modified in contrast thereto.

Detailed description based on two embodiments

In the following description of two preferred embodiments of the present invention, like reference characters designate like or similar components.

In the 1 is a bagless floor care device according to the invention 1 , in particular in an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner, shown in the dust-laden air via a floor nozzle and a suction air duct 4 consisting of a suction tube, a connector and a flexible suction hose, is sucked into the interior of a housing of the vacuum cleaner. To separate the dust from the dust-laden air is the ground care device 1 , as in 2 to see, with a centrifugal separator 2 equipped in 3 as well as in the 4 to 6 is shown in more detail. The centrifugal separator 2 has a tubular or elongated air inlet duct 3 on, so to the suction air 4 of the floor care appliance 1 connects that through him the air from the Saugluftführung 4 preferably tangentially in the centrifugal separator 2 or in its separation room 5 flows. From the air intake duct 3 From the air enters the cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical separation space 5 , in which, similar to a centrifuge according to the principle of centrifugal force, the dust from the air is deposited. An air outlet 6 of the centrifugal separator 2 or from its separation space 5 is over a dip tube 7 with the separation room 5 connected, with the dip tube 7 from a particular bottom side underside of the separation chamber 5 in the separation room 5 protrudes. Especially in the bottom-side section around the dip tube 7 around can be arranged an air guide means which the incoming air in a helical movement along an inner side of a wall 15 of the separating room 5 leads towards its opposite wall.

The incoming air is on a helical, about a longitudinal axis 13 of the separating room 5 extending and paraxial to the longitudinal axis 13 from the air inlet duct 3 Guided away leading lane. The loaded with dust and particles air thus flows helically along the cylindrical surface covering forming wall 15 the separation chamber in preferably upward movement. In principle, use is also possible with a different orientation of the centrifugal separator, for example, in the horizontal orientation of the longitudinal axis 13 or in alignment with the air intake duct in reverse 3 at the top.

On the the air intake duct 3 and the dip tube 7 opposite side is the separation chamber 5 preferably by a top side in the illustration 14 locked. From the ground 14 protrudes in the direction of the dip tube 7 an air guide device 8th , The air guiding device 8th consists of one from the ground 14 axially to the longitudinal axis 13 leading socket 12 in the form of a cylindrical body. Front side, that is from the ground 14 turned away, goes the pedestal 12 in a baffle over, which consists of a flat disc with a front baffle 9 and a circumferential baffle edge 10 is trained. This arrangement thus forms a mushroom-shaped body. On the baffle 9 sits, preferably axially parallel to the longitudinal axis 13 running, one in the direction of the dip tube 7 tapering cone 11 , This arrangement of the air guide device 8th causes the helically along the inside of the wall 15 air to be moved on the baffle body entirely or at least largely through the baffle surface 9 and the apex cone-shaped cone 11 deflected and in a particular straight and to the longitudinal axis 13 axis-parallel flow into the dip tube 7 is directed.

The baffle edge 10 is from the inside of the wall 15 of the separating room 5 spaced so far that particles and optionally a secondary air flow between the baffle edge 10 and the wall 15 in the upper direction, that is, in the rear direction of the impact body can pass between them. The back of the baffle is in the wall 15 an ejection window 16 educated. Particles which enter the rear space of the impact body pass through the ejection window 16 in an ejection container 18 , which is preferably emptied or removable. How out 3 and 4 it can be seen here is the baffle with its baffle edge 10 so far in the separation room 5 that one through the baffle 9 concerned air reversal in the vortex pipe separator before or preferably at the first ejection window edge 17 of the ejection window 16 he follows.

Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous when the extension of the separation space 5 in a ratio of 1: 2 to 1: 3 of a diameter 24 of the separating room 5 to its Abscheideraum-tube length 28 is. As 4 and 5 can be removed in more detail, is such an air guide device 8th Also adapterartig ausgestaltbar with its own mounting base 25 , which front side, that is in the direction of the impact body, the ground 14 formed. In the peripheral area of the mounting base 25 are preferably locking elements or other fastening device 26 for the vortex tube or for the wall 15 of the separating room 5 for its attachment to the mounting base 25 , The back has the mounting base 25 For example, illustrated latching, holding or other guide elements 27 which can be used in particular for mounting in the floor care appliance.

The preferred socket 12 points in the transition area to the ground 14 and in its transition region to the baffle rounded transitions with radii R1, R2 to the ground or to the impact body.

A pedestal height 20 of the pedestal 12 In this case, it preferably corresponds to an ejection window height 19 of the ejection window 16 , As a result, the baffle body or in particular the baffle edge lies 10 and / or a lower edge of the impact body at the level of a first ejection window edge 17 of the ejection window 16 , In addition, forms in such an embodiment in the case of a flat, flat bottom 13 the floor also has a second ejection window edge.

A diameter 23 the baffle 9 is in relation to the inside diameter 24 of the separating room 5 Preferably chosen so that a broadening of the leaked truncated cone or the baffle surface of about 50% to 80% of the inner diameter of the vortex tube results.

In from the perspective of the longitudinal axis 13 radial direction thus remains a distance 21 between the wall 15 and the baffle edge 10 , This distance 21 between the wall 15 and the baffle edge 10 is preferably smaller, in particular significantly smaller, than a distance considered in the radial direction 22 between the wall 15 and the outer periphery of the socket 12 ,

Based on 3 to 5 is the air guide device with a substantially planar at least in the peripheral area body as the first portion of the baffle 9 and a cone forming another baffle portion 11 shown in the central area of the body. Compared to this first embodiment shows 6 a modified embodiment or embodiment in which the cone 11 * to the bumper edge 10 widening extends. This modified cone 11 * is preferably slightly hyperbolic. While in the first embodiment, the flat outer baffle 9 for a direction of the air flow from or in the reverse flow direction to the surrounding wall above the air outlet 6 ensures, leads in the second embodiment, the slightly hyperbolic configuration of the cone 11 * to such a flow of air.

The present invention facilitates the realization of a centrifugal separator with simple and constructive means 2 , in which a degree of separation or a separation efficiency, in particular the smallest particles are achieved at the same time constant volume flow and without loss of pressure difference.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings may be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vacuum cleaner

2

cyclone

3

Air inlet duct

4

suction air

5

separating chamber

6

air outlet

7

dip tube

8th

Air guide device

9

baffle

10

Baffle edge

11, 11 *

cone

12

base

13

longitudinal axis

14

ground

15

wall

16

ejection window

17

first ejection window edge

18

Reject bin

19

Ejection window height

20

base height

21

Distance wall to baffle edge

22

Distance wall to pedestal

23

Diameter of the baffle

24

Inside diameter of the separation chamber

25

mounting base

26

Fastening device for vortex tube

27

guide element

28

Separating chamber-tube length

R1

Radius to the ground

R2

Radius to the impact body

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102006012795 B3 [0003]
• DE 102004056076 A1 [0004]
• GB 2435626 A [0004]
• DE 9105213 U1 [0004]
• EP 0018197 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Bagless floor care device ( 1 ) with a centrifugal separator ( 2 ), which has a separation space ( 5 ) with an air inlet ( 3 ), an air outlet ( 6 ) and an ejection window ( 16 ), wherein in the separation chamber an air guiding device ( 8th ) with a baffle surface ( 9 ) is arranged for air guidance, characterized in that the ejection window ( 16 ) in a wall ( 15 ) of the separation chamber ( 5 ) is open in its radially lateral direction and that the impact surface ( 9 ) from the air intake ( 3 ) at least partially in front of the ejection window ( 16 ) or at least at the air inlet ( 3 ) facing edge ( 17 ) of the ejection window ( 16 ). Floor care device ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the entire baffle surface ( 9 ) from the air inlet ( 3 ) seen in front of the ejection window ( 16 ) or at the level of the edge of the ejection window facing the air inlet ( 16 ) arranged. Floor care device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the separation space ( 5 ) from the air intake ( 3 ) from the back of the baffle ( 9 ) a floor ( 14 ) and that the air guiding device ( 8th ) an impact body with the baffle surface ( 9 ) at the back via a base ( 12 ) with the ground ( 14 ), the base ( 12 ) has a smaller diameter than a baffle edge ( 10 ) of the baffle ( 9 ) having. Floor care device ( 1 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that an ejection window height ( 19 ) of the ejection window ( 16 ) in the backward direction to the bottom ( 14 ). Floor care device ( 1 ) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a transition section of the base ( 12 ) to the ground ( 14 ) and a transition section of the base ( 12 ) to a rear side of an impact body with the baffle surface ( 9 ) are formed as radii (R1, R2). Floor care device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the bottom ( 14 ) or that the ground ( 14 ) and the wall are formed as closed surfaces. Floor care appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the impact surface ( 9 ) at the front as a cone ( 11 * ) is formed. Floor care appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outer diameter ( 23 ) of the baffle ( 9 ) to its baffle edge ( 10 ) 50% to 80% of an inside diameter ( 24 ) of the separation chamber ( 5 ) is. Floor care appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a separation space pipe length ( 28 ) of the separation chamber ( 5 ) in the ratio 1: 2 to 1: 3 larger than a diameter ( 24 ) of the separation chamber ( 5 ). Floor care appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separation chamber is cylindrical.

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