(19)
(11)EP 1 106 132 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
17.12.2003 Bulletin 2003/51

(21)Application number: 00850189.2

(22)Date of filing:  06.11.2000
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC)7A47L 9/24, A47L 13/40, A47L 7/00, A47L 13/502

(54)

Vacuum cleaner

Staubsauger

Aspirateur


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

(30)Priority: 03.12.1999 SE 9904400

(43)Date of publication of application:
13.06.2001 Bulletin 2001/24

(73)Proprietor: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
105 45 Stockholm (SE)

(72)Inventors:
  • Lindquist, Tommy
    123 48 Farsta (SE)
  • Nyberg, Curt
    135 54 Tyresö (SE)
  • Zita, Johann
    116 64 Stockholm (SE)

(74)Representative: Schmerer, Sven Erik 
c/o AB ELECTROLUX, Corporate Patents & Trademarks
105 45 Stockholm
105 45 Stockholm (SE)


(56)References cited: : 
DE-A- 19 644 589
US-A- 1 785 873
US-A- 2 247 549
GB-A- 2 274 052
US-A- 2 240 107
US-A- 2 335 460
  
  • PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1997, no. 04, 30 April 1997 (1997-04-30) -& JP 08 336494 A (IEIRI KOKI;MAEZAWA KIZO), 24 December 1996 (1996-12-24)
  
Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


Description


[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having a vacuum source that is connected to an inlet channel and an outlet channel for air flowing through the vacuum cleaner.

[0002] Vacuum cleaners are used to remove dust and dirt particles from floors by means of conventional floor nozzles. Different accessories are also know for removing dust and dirt from furniture, shelves and other types of objects. These accessories usually include a brush nozzle that is placed on the vacuum cleaner tube handle. The tube handle is, via a flexible hose, connected to the vacuum cleaner housing. This brush nozzle is however, together with the associated hose and tube handle, often regarded as too cumbersome and indelicate to be used for cleaning of shelves and other surfaces on which fragile objects are tightly stored. Instead, dusters or feather-dusters are used for cleaning such surfaces.

[0003] Feather-dusters have the advantage that they have many light and flexible thread and/or fiber shaped elements that bend away when touching the objects such that the feather-duster can reach in between and more or less surround the objects being cleaned. The feather-dusters and some dusters, so called micro fiber dusters, are designed such that they are charged with static electricity when being used. This means that dust particles, when being removed from the surface, adhere to the feather-duster or the micro fiber duster. However, a disadvantage with this type of feather-dusters or micro fiber dusters is that the electrostatic charge is not sufficiently large to achieve an effective dust removal. A further disadvantage with feather-dusters as well as with all kind of dusters is that the operator frequently has to go to a space where the feather-duster or the duster can be shaken such that the dust which is stuck on the duster is loosened.

[0004] JP 08336494A discloses an accessory for a vacuum cleaner for cleaning a feather-duster as well as a separate means for subsequent recharging the feather-duster with static electricity.

[0005] The present invention is directed toward a system for using a feather-duster or a micro fiber duster together with the vacuum cleaner wherein the feather-duster or the duster is, in a simple way, charged electrostatically in order to improve the capacity of removing dust from objects at the same time as the feather-duster or duster is cleaned. According to the present invention, the two stages, vacuum cleaning and dusting, are integrated into a combined rational operation.

[0006] These and further features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view showing a vacuum cleaner according to the invention; and,

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the charging means.



[0007] The vacuum cleaner 10 shown in Fig. 1 has a vacuum cleaner housing 11 with a vacuum source 12, preferably a motor-fanunit, communicating with a separation container 13. The separation container 13 surrounds an air permeable bag 14, a cyclone separator or the like in which the dust and the dirt particles are separated from the dust-laden air flow. The dust-laden air flow flows from a nozzle 15 via a tube shaft 16, a tube handle 17, and a hose 18 into the separation container 13. Thus, the lastmentioned parts 15,16,17,18 and 13 form an inlet channel for the dust laden air. The air passage after the motor-fan unit, as seen in the flow direction, forms an outlet channel for the cleaned air entering the atmosphere.

[0008] The tube shaft 16 supports a holder 19 for a feather-duster 20 close to the tube handle 17. The holder 19 preferably forms a cylindrical chamber 21 that, at its upper wall part, has several tangentially directed air inlets 22 and, at its lower wall part, additional air inlets 23. The holder 19 also has a closed bottom part 24 and a roof part 25 having a central opening 26 through which the feather-duster 20 can be inserted into the holder.

[0009] The holder 19 and the feather-duster 20 are preferably made of materials such that the flexible threads and/or fibers of the feather-duster are charged with static electricity when being rubbed against one another and the side walls of the holder.

[0010] Between the tube shaft 16 and the holder 19 there is an outlet 27 through which air can flow from the chamber 21 to the tube shaft 16. The outlet 27 is, during normal vacuum cleaning operation, closed by a cover 28 that is turnably supported by a hinge 29. The cover is connected to a flap 30 that, during normal vacuum cleaning operation, does not prevent air from flowing through the tube shaft 16. The cover 28 is under the influence of a spring 31 that biases the cover 28 toward a closed position. The cover also comprises an extending flange 32 to be acted on by the feather-duster.

[0011] The vacuum cleaner operates in the following manner. During a normal vacuum cleaning operation the feather-duster is stored in the holder in a partly inserted position. In the partly inserted position the feather-duster 20 does not engage the flange 32. This means that the dust laden air can freely flow through the tube shaft 16 from the nozzle 15 to the vacuum source 12. When the operator comes to a place where the feather-duster 20 is to be used, the feather-duster is drawn out from the holder and the dusting operation is effected. Thereafter, the feather-duster is again inserted into the holder 19.

[0012] The operator may choose to insert the feather-duster partly into the holder, which means that the feather-duster will not be cleaned and vacuum cleaning can be made as before. Alternatively, the operator may choose to insert the feather-duster completely into the holder. If the feather-duster is inserted completely into the holder it will, during its movement, act on the flange 32 such that the cover 28 and hence the flap 30 is turned clockwise about the hinge 29 to the position shown in Fig. 2 in order to open the outlet 27. If the vacuum cleaner is now activated, air will be drawn in through the inlet 22 and 23, flow through the chamber 21, further through the outlet 27 to the upper part of the tube shaft 16, and then through the tube handle and the hose into the bag 14.

[0013] The air flowing through the chamber will thus remove the dust from the feather-duster and simultaneously shake the feather-duster with its flexible thin threads and/or fibers. Accordingly, the dust collected by the feather-duster is taken up by the air flow and is later separated in the bag 14. Simultaneously, the threads and/or fibers are charged electrostatically because they, when being shaken, are rubbed against the surrounding wall. The duster-feather can then be partly removed from the holder which means that the cover 28 is closed such that the air flow through the chamber ceases. Thereafter, the feather-duster is again ready to be used.

[0014] The threads and/or fibers of the feather-duster should be manufactured by a material that differ from the material of the surrounding wall. The choice of material is such that the different materials are heavily separated from one another in the so called triboelectrical serie in order to achieve a high static charging of the feather-duster.

[0015] Even if the embodiment describes a method for cleaning a feather-duster, the same method can be used for cleaning a micro fiber duster. Then it is, of course, suitable to adapt the holder 19, the chamber 21, and the opening 26 to the shape of the duster as well as providing the holder or the duster with means for securing the duster to the vacuum cleaner during the vacuum cleaning and charging operation.

[0016] The holder is preferably placed close to the hands of the operator but can, of course, be placed at a suitable location on the vacuum cleaner. With regard to the function of the valve, it can, instead, be activated by direct manual action or by other means. It is also possible to provide the vacuum cleaner with some kind of electrically or pneumatic driven means that can be activated in order to shake the duster or the feather-duster during the cleaning operation. It is also within the scope of the invention to use conventional electrically driven charging means for charging the feather-duster or the micro fiber duster with static electricity.

[0017] It should also be mentioned that even if the embodiment described above relates to so called canister vacuum cleaners it could as well relate to so called upright vacuum cleaners.

[0018] In case a feather-duster is used it is preferably provided with a telescopic shaft by means of which the length of the shaft can be adjusted such that it suits the actual use.

[0019] It is also possible to use the cylindrical chamber as a holder for the feather-duster or duster for so called cyclone vacuum cleaners, i.e. such vacuum cleaners in which the dust is separated from the air flow in a cylindrical chamber by means of cyclone effect, during the cleaning and/or charging stage.


Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum source (12) that is connected to an inlet channel and an outlet channel for air flowing through the vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner (10) includes means for charging a feather-duster (20) or a micro fibre type duster with static electricity.
 
2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a holder (19) for the feather-duster (20) or the duster.
 
3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, characterized in that the holder (19) is the charging means.
 
4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the holder (19) defines a chamber (21) in which at least a part of the feather-duster (20) or the duster is inserted and vibrated.
 
5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, characterized in that the vibrations are achieved by means of at least a portion of the air flowing through vacuum cleaner (10).
 
6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the chamber (21) is provided with at least one air inlet (22,23) and one air outlet (27), the air outlet (27) being arranged to communicate with at least one of said inlet channel and said outlet channel.
 
7. The vacuum cleaner according to any of claims 4-6, characterized in that the duster (20) is a feather duster having several thread shaped elements of a length such that, when air flows through the chamber (21), the thread shaped elements are in vibrating engagement with the walls of the chamber (21) (21) to electrostatically charge the elements.
 
8. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that said charging means is an electrically driven charger.
 


Ansprüche

1. Staubsauger, welcher eine Unterdruckquelle (12) umfasst, die mit einem Eintrittskanal und einem Austrittskanal für die durch den Staubsauger strömende Luft verbunden ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Staubsauger (10) Mittel für die Aufladung eines Federstaubwedels (20) oder eines Staubtuches vom Mikrofasertyp mit statischer Elektrizität enthält.
 
2. Staubsauger gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er mit einer Halterung (19) für den Federstaubwedel (20) oder das Staubtuch ausgestattet ist.
 
3. Staubsauger gemäß Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Halterung (19) das aufladende Mittel ist.
 
4. Staubsauger gemäß Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Halterung (19) eine Kammer (21) festlegt, in welcher mindestens ein Teil des Federstaubwedels (20) oder des Staubtuches eingeführt und in Schwingung versetzt wird.
 
5. Staubsauger gemäß Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schwingungen mit Hilfe von zumindest einem Teil der durch den Staubsauger (10) strömenden Luft erreicht wird.
 
6. Staubsauger gemäß Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kammer (21) mit mindestens einem Lufteintrittsöffnung (22, 23) und einer Luftaustrittsöffnung (27) ausgestattet ist, wobei die Luftaustrittsöffnung (27) so angeordnet ist, dass sie mit mindestens einem von dem besagten Eintrittskanals und besagten Austrittskanal in Verbindung steht.
 
7. Staubsauger gemäß einem der Ansprüche 4 - 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Staubtuch (20) ein Federstaubwedel ist, welcher mehrere fadenförmige Elemente einer solchen Länge aufweist, dass, wenn die Luft durch die Kammer (21) strömt, sich diese fadenförmigen Elemente in einem schwingenden Kontakt mit den Wänden der Kammer (21) befinden, damit diese Elemente elektrostatisch aufgeladen werden.
 
8. Staubsauger gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das besagte Mittel zur Aufladung ein elektrisch betriebenes Aufladegerät ist.
 


Revendications

1. Aspirateur comprenant une source de vide (12) qui est reliée à un conduit d'entrée et à un conduit de sortie pour l'air circulant à travers l'aspirateur, caractérisé en ce que l'aspirateur (10) comprend des moyens pour charger d'électricité statique un plumeau (20) ou un chiffon à poussière du type à microfibre.
 
2. Aspirateur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il est pourvu d'un support (19) pour le plumeau (20) ou le chiffon à poussière.
 
3. Aspirateur selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le support (19) est le moyen de charge.
 
4. Aspirateur selon la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que le support (19) délimite une chambre (21) dans laquelle on insère et fait vibrer au moins une partie du plumeau (20) ou du chiffon à poussière.
 
5. Aspirateur selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que les vibrations sont obtenues au moyen d'au moins une partie de l'air circulant à travers l'aspirateur (10).
 
6. Aspirateur selon la revendication 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce que la chambre (21) est dotée d'au moins une entrée d'air (22, 23) et une sortie d'air (27), la sortie d'air (27) étant disposée de manière à communiquer avec au moins un dudit conduit d'entrée et dudit conduit de sortie.
 
7. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 6, caractérisé en ce que le chiffon à poussière (20) est un plumeau ayant plusieurs éléments en forme de fil d'une longueur telle que, quand l'air circule à travers la chambre (21), les éléments en forme de fil sont en contact vibrant avec les parois de la chambre (21), de manière à charger les éléments d'électricité statique.
 
8. Aspirateur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen de charge est un chargeur alimenté électriquement.
 




Drawing