EP2837316A2

EP2837316A2 - Handheld suction cleaner

Info

Publication number: EP2837316A2
Application number: EP13185773.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Changai Guo; Davide Barlotti
Original assignee: Hoover Ltd
Current assignee: Hoover Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-13
Filing date: 2013-09-24
Publication date: 2015-02-18
Also published as: CN104367266A; CN104367266B; EP2837316A3

Abstract

A handheld suction cleaner, in particular for hard surface such as windows, glass doors and similar, comprises a suction nozzle (8) designed for sucking a mixture of liquid and air from a hard surface, a suction unit (6) in fluid communication with the suction nozzle (8) through an air flow path, a separating chamber (10) provided in the air flow path, a suction duct (9) connected to the suction nozzle (8) and having an outflow opening (9b) placed into the separating chamber (10), and a vacuum duct (11) connected to the suction unit (6) and in fluid communication with the separating chamber (10). The separating chamber (10) communicates with the vacuum duct (11) through a communication opening (12) arranged at least in part above the outflow opening (9b) relative to an upright position of the handheld suction cleaner.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention refers to a handheld suction cleaner, in particular to a suction cleaner suitable for cleaning hard surface such as windows, glass doors, and similar.

BACKGRUOND OF THE INVENTION

The handheld suction cleaner of the present invention is of the type capable of sucking a mixture of liquid (such as water or other cleaning liquids) and air and storing the sucked liquid within the cleaner for its subsequent removal. This type of handheld suction cleaner has the collecting tank, the suction nozzle and the air suction unit provided within a case suitable for being hand-held, hand-transported and hand-operated by a user. To this end, these handheld suction cleaners present low dimensions and contain all the devices necessary for their functioning within a single case.
A further peculiarity of the handheld suction cleaners resides in the liquid separation from the sucked air-liquid mixture, in order to allow the dirty liquid to be stored within a tank contained in the cleaner case. When the liquid has been separated from the air-liquid mixture, the air is expelled from the cleaner. To this end, the handheld suction cleaners comprise a suction nozzle designed for sucking a mixture of air-liquid and a suction duct connected to the suction nozzle for feeding the sucked mixture within the case of the cleaner. The depression necessary for sucking the mixture is provided by a suction fan, contained in the case of the cleaner, which is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle. Downstream the suction duct are provided separation means for performing the above cited separation between air and liquid, so that the separated liquid can be collected in the tank and the separated air can reach the suction fan for being expelled from the cleaner.
Document US 4894882 discloses a first example of handheld suction cleaner having separation means for separating dirty liquid from air. This document discloses a main body case housing a fan motor and having intake and discharge openings, a dust case having a suction part and removably attached to the main body case around the intake opening, a filter housing removably installed in the dust case and having a filter accommodated therein to cover the intake opening with the filter, and a seal member peripherally interposed between the dust case and the main body case and/or filter housing, wherein the filter housing has on the intake or suction side thereof an annular wall which projects in an annular form toward the suction part and forms a well for water drawn in from the suction part, and also has a through hole positioned above the annular wall which permits the passage of air drawn in from the suction part. The filter housing has a specific annular wall which forms a well for water drawn in from the suction part. Because of this structure, most water remaining in the dust case collects in the well and stays there but does not flow into the main body case of the cleaner via the through hole when the cleaner is stood upright with the suction part above the dust case.
This type of handheld suction cleaner is unsuitable for being used with the dust case above the suction part, since in this configuration the water would flow into the main body case of the cleaner via the through hole. In other words, the disclosed handheld suction cleaner is unsuitable for cleaning windows, glass doors, and similar.
A second example of handheld suction cleaner is disclosed by document EP 2230980 . This document discloses a suction nozzle in flow communication with a suction unit wherein the suction nozzle leads to a separating chamber. Within the separating chamber is provided an impact wall. Immediately below the impact wall is positioned a front end portion of a vacuum conduit leading to the suction unit. The front end portion of the vacuum conduit faces an end portion of the suction nozzle and the impact wall is positioned between the end portion of the suction nozzle and the front end portion of the vacuum conduit. A tank is in fluid communication with the separating chamber through a filling device comprising a filling duct penetrating into the tank and having openings at opposed ends. The filing device is placed below the impact wall, laterally to the vacuum conduit and below the front end portion of the vacuum conduit (when the suction cleaner is in upright position). In use, the sucked mixture of air-liquid impacts the impact wall allowing the liquid to follow the surface of the impact wall and to fall into the filling duct and then into the tank. The air turns around the impact wall and is sucked into the vacuum conduit, so achieving a separation between air and liquid. The disclosed handheld suction cleaner is operable independently from its spatial orientation during its use, since the filling duct, extending deeply into the tank, prevents from any backflow. However this handheld suction cleaner requires a very complex device, namely the filling duct, for transferring the separated liquid into the tank.
In this context, the Applicant has tackled the problem of providing a handheld suction cleaner suitable for cleaning hard surface such as windows, glass doors and similar which guarantees a correct air-liquid separation and an easy separated liquid collection into the related tank.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Applicant found that the above mentioned problem can be solved by designing the separating chamber in such a way to avoid specific and complex filling duct for transferring the separated liquid from the separating chamber to the collecting tank.
In particular, the Applicant has understood that if the air-liquid mixture is introduced in the separation chamber in such a way that the mixture is forced to follow an uprising free path within the separation chamber, separation of the liquid from the air can be efficiently achieved without interposing any device or element in such a free path. This leaves a good freedom in the separating chamber design.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a handheld suction cleaner, in particular for hard surface such as windows, glass doors and similar, comprising a suction nozzle designed for sucking a mixture of liquid and air from a hard surface, a suction unit in fluid communication with said suction nozzle through an air flow path, a separating chamber provided in said air flow path, a suction duct connected to said suction nozzle and having an outflow opening into said separating chamber, and a vacuum duct connected to said suction unit and in fluid communication with said separating chamber, wherein said separating chamber communicates with said vacuum duct through a communication opening arranged at least in part above said outflow opening relative to an upright position of the handheld suction cleaner.
The term "upright position" as used herein refers to a position of the handheld suction cleaner wherein the suction nozzle lies above the suction unit, namely wherein the suction nozzle is the uppermost portion of the cleaner.
The term "arranged at least in part above" as used therein refers to a position where the lowermost portion of an element (i.e. the communication opening) rests above the lowermost portion of another element (i.e. the outflow opening) relative to the upright position of the suction cleaner; the position of the uppermost portions of such two elements being irrelevant.
The relative arrangement of the outflow opening (designed for introducing the sucked air-liquid mixture into the separating chamber) and of the communication opening (designed for allowing the air to leave the separating chamber) forces the sucked mixture of air and liquid to follow an uprising free path within the separation chamber so actuating a separation of the liquid from the air (the liquid is unable to properly follow such a uprising path) without the need of dedicated devices positioned within the separating chamber. The separating chamber can thus be designed for efficiently directing the separated liquid into a related tank.
In this respect, the separating chamber has at least a portion having a conical shape and presents a base hole for discharging the separated liquid into a collecting tank. The conical shape of the separating chamber allows easily directing the separated liquid towards the collecting tank, avoiding the need of providing specific filling device for collecting the separated liquid into the tank.
The outflow opening is designed for directing, in operation, the sucked mixture of air and liquid into the separating chamber towards a first direction which is substantially opposite to a second direction defined by the direction followed by the sucked air passing through the communication opening, so increasing the above liquid-air separation effect. To this end, preferably the suction duct comprises a terminal portion having said outflow opening; said terminal portion being hook shaped for directing the air flow path along said first direction. In particular, said hook shaped terminal portion of the suction duct has a lateral wall, a curved lower wall and a lateral opening defining the outflow opening; the outflow opening and the communication opening resting on opposite sides with respect to the lateral wall of the terminal portion of the suction duct.
The handheld suction cleaner comprises a collecting space in fluid communication with said separating chamber, the latter and the collecting space resting on opposite sides with respect to said outflow opening, so that the separated liquid can be temporarily collected in the collecting space in case the suction cleaner is used upside down.
The suction nozzle extends upwardly and is sidewise inclined relative to an upright position of the handheld suction cleaner, so facilitating the use of the cleaner in cleaning vertical or horizontal surfaces.
The handheld suction cleaner comprises a case provided with a handle portion, a mechanical and/or electromechanical devices containing portion and a suction portion, so allowing an easy transportation and use of the cleaner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be now described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross section view of a handheld suction cleaner, according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the handheld suction cleaner of figure 1; and
FIG. 3 is a transverse cross section view of the handheld suction cleaner of figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms "below", "above", "lateral", "sidewise", "uppermost", "lowermost" and similar as used herein for indicating a relative positions between elements of the cleaner should be intended having regard to the upright position of the suction cleaner.
With reference to the annexed figures, reference 1 globally denotes a handheld suction cleaner in accordance with the present invention.
The handheld suction cleaner 1 comprises a case 2 provided with a handle portion 3, a mechanical and/or electromechanical devices containing portion 4 and a suction portion 5. Within the mechanical and/or electromechanical devices containing portion 4 is provided a suction unit 6 designed for generating an air flow. The suction unit 6 is preferably a fan 6a having one or more impellers rotating around a rotational axis of a electric motor 6b. The electric motor is fed by a power source which, in the preferred embodiment, is a rechargeable battery 6c stored within the mechanical and/or electromechanical devices containing portion 4 of the case 2. The suction unit 6 is activated by a command button 7 preferably provided in the handle portion 3 of the case 2.
The suction portion 5 of the case 2 comprises a suction nozzle 8 designed for sucking a mixture of liquid and air from a hard surface such as a windows, a glass door and similar. The suction nozzle comprises a suction head having a lip 8a designed for contacting a hard and planar surface. The suction nozzle 8 extends upwardly from the case 2 and is sidewise inclined. From the suction nozzle 8 develops a suction duct 9 which comprises an inflow opening 9a directly connected to the suction nozzle 8 and an outflow opening 9b opposite to the inflow opening 9a. In the preferred embodiment, the suction duct 9 comprises two elements connected each other, namely the suction duct 9 is not made of one piece, so allowing to assemble quickly and easily the hand suction cleaner.
Downstream the suction duct 9 is provided a separating chamber 10 wherein the liquid of the mixture of air and liquid sucked by the suction nozzle 8 is separated from the air. The outflow opening 9b of the suction duct 9 is placed within the separating chamber 10, so that the sucked air-liquid mixture reaches the separating chamber 10 following a confined path (the suction duct 9).
The suction portion 3 of the case 2 further comprises a vacuum duct 11 connected to the suction unit 6 and in fluid communication with the separating chamber 10. Therefore, the air flow generated by the suction unit 6 follows a path P which starts from the suction unit 6 and reaches the suction nozzle 8.
The separating chamber 10 is in fluid communication with the vacuum duct 11 through a communication opening 12. The separating chamber 10 is in fluid communication with a collecting tank 13 designed for collecting the separated liquid. The separated liquid flows into the collecting tank 13 from the separating chamber 10 through a base hole 10a provided in the separating chamber 10. In particular, the communication opening 12 is arranged at least in part above the outflow opening 9b relative to an upright position of the handheld suction cleaner. By this arrangement, the mixture of air and liquid entering the separating chamber 10 is forced to follow an uprising free path, namely a path upward directed and not confined by a duct. The base hole 10a is arranged below the outflow opening 9b relative to an upright position of the handheld suction cleaner. Preferably, there are provided more than one base hole 10a, preferably at least three base hole 10a, in order to improve the liquid discharging effect. The liquid droplets contained in the sucked mixture tend to fall in a downward direction (so reaching the base hole 10a), while the air contained in the sucked mixture tends to follow the upwardly directed free path for entering the communication opening 12. The liquid is thus separated from the air.
The communication opening 12 is defined by an inflow opening of the vacuum duct 11, as shown in figure 3. The communication opening 12 does not directly faces the separating chamber 10. In this respect, a baffle 12a is arranged between the communication opening 12 and the separating chamber 10. Preferably, the baffle 12a emerges from a wall of the separating chamber 10 and extends upwardly. Preferably, the baffle 12a presents a transversal dimension that is at least of equal size as the transversal dimension of the communication opening 12, as shown in figure 3. The term "transversal dimension" as used therein refers to a dimension measured along a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction defining the upright position of the suction cleaner. Any case, the baffle 12a presents a transversal dimension that is shorter than the transversal dimension of the portion of separating chamber 10 provided with the baffle. By this configuration two gaps 12b are provided laterally to the baffle 12a for allowing the sucked air leaving the separating chamber and reaching the communication opening 12 (figure 3). Note that the transversal dimension of the baffle 12a forces the sucked mixture to turn around the baffle 12a for reaching the communication opening 12, so further increasing the separation effect.
Preferably, the vacuum conduit 11 is arranged laterally to the separating chamber 10 and is adjacent to the tank 13.
The separating chamber 10 has a portion 14, which extends below the communication opening 12, having a conical shape. Preferably the conical portion 14of the separating chamber 10 surrounds the outflow opening 9b. The base hole 10a is arranged in the lowermost portion of the separating chamber 10, namely in the vertex of the conical portion 14. By this arrangement, the lower portion of the separating chamber, namely the conical portion of the separating chamber 10, acts as a funnel for directing the separated liquid into the collecting tank 13. The separating chamber 10 only contains the terminal portion of the suction duct 9 having the outflow opening 9b. The conical portion 14 is at least partially integral with the collecting tank 13. In particular, the upper portion of the tank 13 is delimited by the conical portion 14 of the separating chamber 10. Preferably the separating chamber 10 comprises a collecting space 15 positioned above the outflow opening 9b and designed for temporarily storing the separated liquid in case the suction cleaner is used upside down, namely with the suction unit above the suction nozzle. The collecting space 15 is a prolongation of the conical portion 14 and extends upward from the outflow opening 9b. The collecting space 15 is adjacent to, and partially surrounds, the suction duct 9. As illustrated in figure 2, the base hole 10a does not directly face the outflow opening 9b and directly faces the collecting space 15. Preferably, the collecting space 15 is constrained to the conical portion 14. Moreover, the collecting space 15 comprises a central sleeve extending from its uppermost portion towards the conical portion 14 designed for receiving and housing a portion of the suction duct 9.
The collecting tank 13 surrounds at least in part the conical portion of the separating chamber 10, so functionally presenting a lateral storage portion 13a surrounding the separating chamber 10 and a lower storage portion 13b extending below the separating chamber 10. When the suction cleaner in in the upright position, the collected water rests in the lower storage portion, while when the suction cleaner is tilted, the collected water tends to fill the lateral storage portion. The collecting tank 13 is provided with a stopper 13c emerging from the case 2 for allowing the emptying of the tank 13. As above mentioned, the tank 13 is delimited in its upper portion by the conical portion 14 of the separating chamber 10. Laterally, the tank 13 is delimited by the vacuum duct 11 and by the wall of the case 2. A lower wall of the tank 13 divides the latter from the fan 6a of the suction unit 6 (figure 2).
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the outflow opening 9b is designed for directing, in operation, the sucked mixture of air and liquid into the separating chamber 10 towards a first direction which is substantially opposite to a second direction defined by the direction followed by the sucked air passing through the communication opening 12. This arrangement allows to increase the air-liquid separation effect. As an example, according to figure 2, the sucked mixture of air and liquid enters the separating chamber 10 along a first direction directed from right to left, while the separated air pass through the communication opening 12 along a second direction directed from left to right. To this end, the terminal portion of the suction duct 9 presenting the outflow opening 9b is hook shaped. The hook shaped terminal portion 9c of the suction duct 9 has a lateral wall, a curved lower wall and a lateral opening which defines the outflow opening 9b. Note that the outflow opening 9b and the communication opening 12 rest on opposite sides with respect to the lateral wall of the terminal portion 9c of the suction duct. In other words, the outflow opening 9b and the communication opening 12 face opposite surfaces of the lateral wall of the terminal portion 9c. In particular, the outflow opening 9b faces the side of the cleaner towards which the suction head 8a is inclined, as illustrated in figure 2.
In use, the handheld suction cleaner is preferably oriented in the cited upright position, since its main purpose is to clean vertical surface such as windows, glass doors and similar. The sucked mixture of air and liquid enters the suction duct 9 and is led towards the outflow opening 9b. When the mixture reaches the outflow opening 9b, it flows outward from the suction duct 9 into the separating chamber 10. At this point, the mixture flow is no longer guided by a solid duct. The suction unit 6 draws the mixture towards the communication opening 12, so forcing the mixture to follow an uprising free path. This causes the separation of the liquid from the air, since the droplets of liquids tend to fall into the conical portion 14 of the separating chamber. On the contrary, the air follows the free uprising path, reaches the communication opening and enters into the vacuum duct 11. The liquid droplets descend the conical portion 14 of the separating chamber, pass through the base hole 10a and reaches the collecting tank 13.

Claims

Handheld suction cleaner, in particular for hard surface such as windows, glass doors and similar, comprising a suction nozzle (8) designed for sucking a mixture of liquid and air from a hard surface, a suction unit (6) in fluid communication with said suction nozzle (8) through an air flow path, a separating chamber (10) provided in said air flow path, a suction duct (9) connected to said suction nozzle (8) and having an outflow opening (9b) placed into said separating chamber (10), and a vacuum duct (11) connected to said suction unit (6) and in fluid communication with said separating chamber (10), characterized in that said separating chamber (10) communicates with said vacuum duct (11) through a communication opening (12) arranged at least in part above said outflow opening (9b) relative to an upright position of the handheld suction cleaner.
Handheld suction cleaner according to claim 1, comprising a collecting tank (13) in fluid communication with said separating chamber (10); said collecting tank (13) defining a collecting space at least partially surrounding said separating chamber (10).
Handheld suction cleaner according to claim 2, wherein said separating chamber (10) has at least a portion (14) having a conical shape and presents at least one base hole (10a) for discharging the separated liquid into the collecting tank (13).
Handheld suction cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the outflow opening (9b) is designed for directing, in operation, the sucked mixture of air and liquid into the separating chamber (10) towards a first direction which is substantially opposite to a second direction defined by the direction followed by the sucked air passing through the communication opening (12).
Handheld suction cleaner according to claim 4, wherein said suction duct (9) comprises a terminal portion (9c) having said outflow opening (9b); said terminal portion (9c) being hook shaped for directing the sucked mixture of air and liquid along said first direction.
Handheld suction cleaner according to claim 5, wherein said hook shaped terminal portion (9c) of the suction duct (9) has a lateral wall, a curved lower wall and a lateral opening defining the outflow opening (9b); the outflow opening (9b) and the communication opening (12) resting on opposite sides with respect to the lateral wall of the terminal portion (9c) of the suction duct.
Handheld suction cleaner according to claim 2, comprising a collecting space (15) in fluid communication with said separating chamber (10); said collecting tank (13) and said collecting space (15) resting on opposite sides with respect to said outflow opening (9b).
Handheld suction cleaner according to claim 1 wherein, relative to an upright position of the handheld suction cleaner, said suction nozzle (8) extends upwardly and is sidewise inclined; said outflow opening (9b) facing said side towards which the suction nozzle is inclined.
Handheld suction cleaner according to claim 1 wherein said communication opening (12) is defined by an inflow opening of said vacuum duct (11).
Handheld suction cleaner according to claim 9, comprising a baffle (12a) arranged between the communication opening (12) and the separating chamber (10); said baffle (12a) presenting a transversal dimension that is at least of equal size as the transversal dimension of said communication opening (12).
Handheld suction cleaner according to claim 1, comprising a case (2) provided with a handle portion (3), a mechanical and/or electromechanical devices containing portion (4) and a suction portion (5).
Handheld suction cleaner according to claim 11, wherein said mechanical and/or electromechanical devices containing portion (4) contains said suction unit (6) and a rechargeable battery pack (6c) for said suction unit (6).