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EP 1 551 269 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
(45) |
Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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25.06.2008 Bulletin 2008/26 |
(22) |
Date of filing: 02.07.2003 |
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(51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC):
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(86) |
International application number: |
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PCT/SE2003/001154 |
(87) |
International publication number: |
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WO 2004/004535 (15.01.2004 Gazette 2004/03) |
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(54) |
NOISE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENT FOR A VACUUM CLEANER
LÄRMDÄMPFUNGSANORDNUNG FÜR EINEN STAUBSAUGER
DISPOSITIF DE DIMINUTION DU BRUIT POUR ASPIRATEUR
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(84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
(30) |
Priority: |
04.07.2002 SE 0202109
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(43) |
Date of publication of application: |
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13.07.2005 Bulletin 2005/28 |
(73) |
Proprietor: AKTIEBOLAGET ELECTROLUX |
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105 45 Stockholm (SE) |
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(72) |
Inventors: |
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- NILSSON, Göran
593 52 Västervik (SE)
- ANDERSSON, Tommy
593 32 Västervik (SE)
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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).
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising at least one dust collector
and one flow generator. The dust collector comprises means for collecting particles
transported by an airflow that flows into the collector via a first inlet and out
of the collector via a first outlet The flow generator comprises a second inlet through
which the air flow from the first outlet flows into the flow generator and a second
outlet through which the air flows out of the flow generator, which also comprises
an electric motor assembly, a motor cover and a motor housing. The flow generator
comprises at least a third outlet through which a substantial part of the airflow
from the second inlet flows, the third outlet being substantially covered by an air
permeable material through which a substantial part of said airflow from the third
outlet flows.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
[0002] Vacuum cleaners are characterised by their properties to suck up particles. Improved
suction performance is, among other ways, achieved by increasing the suction power
of the vacuum cleaner. A natural way of increasing the power is to increase the power
of the electric motor that is installed in the vacuum cleanser. However, increased
motor power creates problems with electrical interference such as electromagnetic
fields and harmonics. Efficiency is also considered when selecting the electric motor.
The motor assembly does normally not only comprise a motor but also a rotating fan
part and a motor enclosure. The rotating fan part forces the air to move and thereby
generates the air flow, while the enclosure forces the air sucked in by the fan part
to pass the motor assembly in a preferred way and then to flow out of the motor assembly
through one or many outlets. The properties of the enclosure results in, amongst other
things, that the air will cool the electric motor and that the air velocity inside
the motor assembly assumes required levels. The efficiency is here defined as the
proportion of the electric power that results in a suction effect of the motor assembly.
[0003] Other possible ways to improve the suction power are to improve the possibility for
the air to flow through the vacuum cleaner from the nozzle to the vacuum cleaner body's
outlet, through which the air flows out of the body. One important way is to make
the vacuum cleaner as tight as possible, in which the air does not choose other flow
paths than the one intended, i.e. the one that can be controlled and influenced. The
tightness is significant and sometimes difficult to achieve, especially at transitions
from the hose to the vacuum cleaner housing and between the components of the vacuum
cleaner body. Another way is to reduce the pressure drop of the flow. The air flows
along and through different parts of the vacuum cleaner. The smoothness of the surfaces
that the air is coming in contact with influences the pressure drop. Sharp edges,
uneven inner surfaces of the vacuum cleaner hoses and long, curved flow paths result
in increased air turbulence, which increases the pressure drop and thereby the loss
of suction power. Surfaces that do not result in air turbulence are to be strived
for. Pressure drop is also created when the air is passing through the vacuum cleaner
bag or other materials that can be penetrated by air.
[0004] The suction power of the vacuum cleaner frequently stands in contradiction to the
noise level it generates. Noise reduction is an essential aspect in the development
of vacuum cleaners. Vacuum cleansers have mainly three noise sources. The predominant
noise source is the electric motor in the motor-fan assembly, which generates the
airflow. The motor itself radiates in a broad noise spectrum. The air turbulence,
generated by aerodynamic imperfections along the air's flow path, also generates noise.
Turbulence means that the air has varying velocity and direction in different parts
of the same cross section. Particularly at higher air velocities (unit m/s) and airflows
(unit liter/s), there is a risk for turbulence. A third noise generator is vibrating
surfaces coming into contact with air. When much air with high velocity collides with
the walls, they start to vibrate and generate noise. If the wall vibrates at its resonance
frequency, the noise will be amplified to a higher degree.
[0005] The development efforts to reduce the noise levels are ongoing. The unit for noise
is dB and each dB of noise reduction achieved is a big step forward. Already two to
three dB of noise reduction is noticeable for the user. Taking the entire vacuum cleaner
into account, there are a certain portions of the air's flow path where measures can
be applied, such as the nozzle, the hose, the dust collector and the flow generator
(the compartment of the vacuum cleaner where, amongst other things, the motor-fan
assembly is situated). The invention is mainly aimed at noise reducing measures in
the flow generator.
[0006] The flow generator comprises a motor-fan assembly, suspensions, noise reducing material,
air absorbing material and air channels. By working at improving the cooperation between
these parts, noise reduction can be achieved. The suspensions reduce the vibration
levels and the noise reducing materials screen off noise created within the flow generator.
The air turbulence is reduced, i.e. laminar flow is created, by means of letting the
airflow through air-penetrable materials. Furthermore, the material increases the
cross sectional area through which the air passes, which means decreased air velocity.
Besides, the material decreases the suction power of the vacuum cleaner. The ducts
in the flow generator are aerodynamically shaped in order to achieve a more laminar
flow. By giving the ducts a large cross sectional area, the velocity of the airflow
is also reduced.
[0007] EP 0528451 discloses one solution where an air permeable material is used to dampen the noise.
[0008] The problem with present solutions is that efforts to screen off noise from the motor-fan
assembly have not been sufficient. Besides, the airflow in present solutions creates
rather substantial vibrations in the materials of the vacuum cleaner. Furthermore,
the turbulence is rather high due to the velocity of the airflow. The intention of
the present invention is therefore to achieve a flow generator that generates less
noise.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention relates to lowering the vacuum cleaner's noise generating properties
by means of changing the air's flow path in the flow generator. That is achieved by
letting the air flow have one essential first direction when flowing into the material,
and letting it have one essential second direction that significantly differs from
the first direction when it continues to flow out of the material.
DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0010] The invention is described in further detail in conjunction with the preferred embodiment
and with reference to the enclosed drawings.
Fig.1 shows an exploded view of a flow generator and a dust collector in accordance
with the invention.
Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the dust collector in accordance with fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the front suspension of the flow generator in accordance
with fig. 1.
Fig. 4 shows a front view of the front suspension in accordance with fig. 3.
Fig.5 shows an exploded view of the motor-fan assembly, the rubber bushing and the
diffuser of the flow generator in accordance with fig. 1.
Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the flow generator's motor cover in accordance
with fig. 1.
Fig. 7 shows a side view of the motor cover in accordance with fig. 6.
Fig. 8 shows a front view of the motor cover in accordance with fig. 6.
Fig. 9 shows a cross section of the motor cover in accordance with fig. 6.
Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the absorbent in the flow generator in accordance
with fig. 1.
Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the flow generator's motor housing in accordance
with fig. 1.
Fig. 12 shows the airflow through a cross section of the flow generator in accordance
with fig. 1.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0011] The figures show an example of an embodiment of a flow generator in accordance with
the invention. The example of the embodiment shall not be interpreted as a limitation
of the invention but its only purpose is to concretely shed light on a type of flow
generator, which achieves the objective of the application. The aim is to clarify
the thought behind the invention.
[0012] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a dust collector 10 and a flow generator including
its parts. The parts comprise a motor-fan assembly 11, a rear rubber bushing 12 and
a diffuser 13. Furthermore, the flow generator comprise a motor cover 20, two outer
rubber bushings 25, an absorbent 28 and in addition a front suspension 30 and a motor
housing 40.
[0013] Fig. 2 shows further detail of the dust collector. The collector in the embodiment
example is intended to be used primarily together with a vacuum cleaner bag. The air
is flowing into the collector via the vacuum cleaner hose connected to a first inlet
in a cover part (not shown), which, placed over the aperture 14, encloses the interior
15 of the dust collector. The cover part and the dust collector shall co-operate in
order to seal the interior in the best possible way. The tightness is important to
achieve high suction power. The air flowing into the interior passes through the vacuum
cleaner bag (not shown) and subsequently flows out through a first outlet 16. The
bag can be replaced or complemented by a cyclone separator for collection of particles.
The outlet is covered by a star-shaped grid 17, which acts as a protection against
unintended contact and directs the airflow out through the outlet. In front of the
grid there is also a catastrophe filter (not shown), which collects the particles
if for instance the bag should break.
[0014] The intention with the front suspension 30 in fig. 3 - 4 is to carry the front part
of the motor-fan assembly 11 and the motor cover 20 at the dust collector 10 and the
motor housing 40. The suspension has rings 31 embodied at the front (the side directed
towards the dust collector). These co-operate with the back of the dust collector
(not shown), against which the suspension rests. Thereby the first outlet 16 is sealed
against the second inlet 32 formed by the suspension, exiting in towards the flow
generator so that no air chooses to flow in an alternative route than into the motor-fan
assembly. The intention with the holes 33 is to facilitate to arrange the motor housing
40 at the dust collector 10 by means of trough-going screws/bolts. Fig. 4 shows the
back of the suspension, towards which the motor-fan assembly 11 rests. The side is
shaped 35 so that no air can escape other than through the assembly. Four guide parts
34 integrated into one piece with the suspension 30 supports the assembly against
the motor cover's 20 inner side when the flow generator is assembled.
[0015] Simultaneous with the seal at the first outlet 16 and the second inlet 32, the front
suspension 30, placed between the motor cover 20 and the dust collector 10, seals
so that no air escapes out of the cover that way. In addition, the suspension, placed
between the motor housing 40 and the dust collector, seals so that no air escapes
out of the housing that way.
[0016] The front suspension 30 is intended to serve as an elastic suspension of the motor-fan
assembly 11 and the motor cover 20, which vibrate during operation. By means of the
suspension, vibration propagation to other parts is avoided. The suspension is, in
order to achieve an elastic, compact and suitable solution, made from foamed PUR (Polyurethane)
with air-bubbles. PUR is a soft integral foam that combines softness with shape stability.
It is chock absorbing and wear resistant. By puncturing some of the air-bubbles, the
PUR in this form can absorb some water. By using PUR, which has good stability properties,
increased suspension thickness can be achieved without supporting arrangements.
[0017] Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of the motor-fan assembly including accompanying rear
rubber bushing 12 and diffuser 13. The motor-fan assembly comprises an electric motor
and rotating fan blades. An enclosing cover has an aperture 18, in through which the
air from the second inlet 32 in the suspension 30 flows. The airflow through the vacuum
cleaner is generated by the motor-driven fan blades. The air flows through the entire
assembly and passes on its way at the same time the motor. Subsequently the air flows
out through apertures (not shown) in the rear, narrower part of the assembly. When
the motor-fan assembly is placed in the motor cover 20, the blades 19 of the diffuser
cover the apertures in the rear part of the assembly. The air thereby passes straight
through the diffuser and out at the rear side. The diffuser consists of a cloth made
of foam plastic. The cloth is very air permeable and does basically not create any
pressure drop. The rear rubber bushing, made of synthetic rubber (EPDM, TPE), is,
when the assembly in the cover is arranged in the in the rear part of the assembly,
also located at the inside of the motor cover. Thus vibration propagation from the
assembly to the cover is avoided.
[0018] Fig. 6 - 9 show the motor cover 20. The shape of the cover comprises an essential
part of the invention. The cover encloses the motor-fan assembly 11 and is, together
with the assembly, sealed by the front suspension 30. The cover's front rectangular
edge 21 co-operates with the guide parts 34 of the suspension to elastically fasten
the front part of the assembly. By means of its rectangular shape, it can also co-operate
with standard types of dust collectors 10. The shape of the assembly implies that
it is guided into the cover by means of grooves 22 in the cover. The rear part 23
of the cover is narrowing. Fig. 7 shows the underside of the cover. There a two fastening
points 24 in the rear part of the cover, which together with outer rubber bushings
25, made of synthetic rubber, co-operate with the inside of the motor housing 40 when
the cover is placed inside the motor housing. The cover is thereby elastically fastened
to the housing and propagation of vibration from the cover to the housing is avoided.
[0019] There is a flange at the cover's underside, i.e. a protrusion in the cover, by means
of which an even edge 26 at the cover's underside is achieved. By an even edge is
meant that if a plane disc is placed on the flange, then the plane disc shall essentially
be in contact with principally the entire U-shaped edge. The flange protrudes somewhat,
whereby a clearance of a few millimetres is created between the disc and the edge
21, over which the disc protrudes. Possibly the disc is parallel with the edge 21.
The main purpose of the edge is to enable the absorbent 28 (described below) to seal
the entire aperture. The flange encloses a bigger aperture consisting of a third outlet
27 out of the motor cover 20. The outlet extends between the edges of the flange at
the flange's rear part. The aperture's front part is defined by a screen 29, which
is also enclosed by the flange. Fig. 8 shows a frontal view of the motor cover and
fig. 9 a vertical cross section of the motor cover 20, depicted in fig. 6, the cross
section placed in the middle of the cover.
[0020] When the motor cover 20 is placed in the motor housing 40, it is partly enclosed
by the absorbent 28, see fig. 1 and 10. The absorbent thereby fills the entire space
between the edges 26 of the flange and the inside of the motor housing. Using an absorbent
in this manner constitutes an essential part of the thought behind the invention.
The absorbent sees to, by its location, that air, flowing out of the motor cover through
the third outlet 27, will be forced to pass through the absorbent in a special way.
The absorbent is made of polyester and in original condition approximately 15 mm thick.
When compressed in the motor housing it is 10 -12 mm thick. The absorbent does not
have the same air permeation as the diffuser 13. The important thing is that it is
sufficiently tight to reduce the air velocity and filter away noise. However, the
tightness must not be so great that the pressure drop becomes too high. The vacuum
cleaner must not loose too much suction power. Suitable absorbent specification is
450 grams per square metre. The airflow including results are described below in further
detail. In the motor housing there is furthermore a second outlet 41, over which an
outer absorbent (42 in fig. 12) is placed.
[0021] Fig. 12 shows a vertical cross section of the flow generator with most parts shown,
such as the motor-fan assembly 11, the front suspension 30, the motor cover 20 and
the motor housing 40. Furthermore a cross section of the vacuum cleaner chassis 43
is shown, in which the flow generator is arranged. The rear 12 and the outer 25 rubber
bushings with accompanying brackets 24 and the diffuser 13 are missing. The airflow
is illustrated by means of two arrows 44. The flow paths and results, as regards flow
properties and noise generation are presented below:
[0022] Prior to describing the flow path of the air, it is important to understand that
the flowing air is transporting a lot of the noise generated along the flow path.
The noise sources are air turbulence, vibrations in walls and directly radiated noise
from the electric motor. The airflow generated by the motor-fan assembly 11 begins
in the vacuum cleaner nozzle and continues via the vacuum cleaner hose into the dust
collector 10. In the dust collector's interior 15, a cyclone separator or a vacuum
cleaner bag collects the particles brought in by the airflow via the hose. Since the
interior is tight when the lid is closed, no air leaks out from the interior in the
ideal case. Consequently the air does not lose any energy. The particle-free air flows
out of the interior via the first outlet 16 and the grid 17. The catastrophe filter,
placed before the outlet, catches some of the particles that have passed the dust
collector. The filter might also assist in creating laminar airflow, which is somewhat
turbulent after passing through the collector 10. The dust collector walls may possibly
vibrate due to the airflow.
[0023] The air, including some noise, then flows in through the inlet 18 into the motor-fan
assembly 11. The front suspension 30 makes sure that no air leaks out other ways.
The air passes between the rotating fan blades in the assembly and then passes the
electric motor. Thus the motor gets cooled. The rotating fan blades add the energy
that causes the air to flow. The air flowing out of the assembly via outlets in its
rear part is turbulent. The turbulence implies that the vacuum cleaner loses suction
power. The air also transports the noise radiating from the assembly's motor and the
fan blades. The turbulence and to a certain extent the noise are filtered away by
the diffuser 13, whereby the air loses some suction power. The laminar flow is then
finding its way towards the flange and the third outlet 27. Because of the cross sectional
area of the air duct formed between the assembly 11 and the motor cover 20 being larger
then the outlets of the motor, the velocity of the airflow is decreased. The flow
is consequently less likely to generate turbulence. Furthermore the inner walls of
the cover are not exposed to the same velocity, thereby reducing their tendency to
vibrate and emit noise. Besides, the walls of the cover are screening off a lot of
the noise trying to penetrate out through the walls.
[0024] The relatively laminar air from the third outlet 27 penetrates into the absorbent
28. Due to the fact that the absorbent covers the entire third outlet 27, all air
will pass through the absorbent. Because the absorbent fills the entire space between
the edges 26 of the flange and the inner wall of the motor housing 40, the airflow
will bend 90 degrees and move in the right direction, upwards and inwards in fig.
12. Once outside the edges of the flange, where there is a free duct, the air flows
out from the absorbent. The flow path of the air and the relatively large cross sectional
area of the flow duct through the absorbent (the air flows in many directions) means
that the inner wall of the motor housing does not vibrate due to the air flowing out
of the third outlet and further lamination of the airflow. In addition, quite a lot
of the noise transported by the air out of the motor cover is filtered. The result
is that the air flowing out the absorbent 28 has lower velocity, less turbulence and
transports less noise than with previous solutions. However, the absorbent implies
loss of suction power.
[0025] An air duct with a large cross sectional area has been created in the space between
the motor cover 20 and the motor housing 40. Furthermore, the absorbent 28 is located
along the inner walls of the motor housing. These features in combination means decreased
airflow velocity. In addition, the absorbent prevents the air from bouncing between
the walls of the air duct and absorbs a certain amount of noise. The air flows out
of the motor housing through the second outlet 41 and the absorbent 42. Thereby further
noise and particles are filtered away. Finally the air passes out from the vacuum
cleaner chassis 43 via an outlet filter.
[0026] Using an absorbent 28 together with a large third outlet 27 constitutes the thought
behind the invention. The location of the absorbent forces the air to flow through
the absorbent in a certain direction. Besides, the large outlet reduces the velocity.
These features in combination mean that the slower flow passing through the absorbent
generates less vibration, less turbulence and, above all, that quite a lot of noise
is filtered away. Placing the absorbent over the outlet from the motor cover shall
not be considered as limiting the thought behind the invention. The absorbent could
as well be located somewhere else along the flow path of the air. Furthermore, many
absorbents after each other and located in the same way could be used. Placing one
or many absorbents so that the airflow is influenced according to above constitutes
the thought behind the invention. The condition is just that the third outlet or third
outlets is large and the absorbents are located so that all air passes through them,
which reduces turbulence, velocity and noise. Further embodiments are therefore contained
within the thought of invention as specified in patent claim 1. The invention is consequently
not limited to what is described above or to the embodiment shown in the drawings,
but the arrangement can be used within all areas where noise reducing absorbents are
used.
1. Vacuum cleaner comprising at least one dust collector (10) and one flow generator,
the dust collector comprising means for collecting particles transported by an airflow
(44) which flows into the collector via a first inlet and out of the collector via
a first outlet (16), the flow generator comprising a second inlet (32) through which
the airflow (44) from the first outlet (16) flows into the flow generator and a second
outlet (41) through which the airflow (44) flows out of the flow generator, whereby
the flow generator comprises an electric motor-fan assembly (11), a motor cover (20)
and a motor housing (40), the flow generator comprises at least a third outlet (27)
through which a substantial part of the airflow from the second inlet (32) flows,
the third outlet (27) being substantially covered by an air permeable material (28)
through which a substantial part of said airflow from the third outlet (27) flows,
characterised in that
the airflow (44) when flowing into the material (28) has one essential first direction
and when it continues to flow out of the material (28) has one essential second direction
that significantly differs from the first direction.
2. Vacuum cleaner according to patent claim 1 characterised in that the first direction is essentially perpendicular to and/or opposed to the second
direction.
3. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the previous patent claims characterised in that the dust collector's (13) means for collection constitutes a dust filter preferably
comprising a vacuum cleaner bag.
4. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the patent claims 1 - 2 characterised in that the dust collector's (13) means for collection constitutes at least a cyclone separator.
5. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the previous patent claims characterised in that the electric motor-fan assembly (11) generates the airflow (44).
6. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the previous patent claims characterised in that the motor cover (20) entirely or partly encloses the motor-fan assembly (11), whereby
the assembly (11) is elastically arranged at the motor cover (20) by means of assembly
suspensions (12,30).
7. Vacuum cleaner according to the patent claim 6 characterised in that the assembly suspension relates to at least one rear rubber bushing (12) arranged
at the motor-fan assembly (11) and the motor cover (20) and at least one front suspension
(30), which contributes to that the airflow (44) does not partly flow from the first
outlet (16) into the space between the assembly (11) and the motor cover (20) without
first passing through the assembly (11).
8. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the previous patent claims characterised in that the motor housing (40) entirely or partly encloses the motor-fan assembly (11) and
the motor cover (20), whereby the motor cover (20) is elastically arranged at the
motor housing (40) by means of cover suspensions (24,25).
9. Vacuum cleaner according to the patent claim 8 characterised in that the cover suspension relates to at least one outer rubber bushing (25) arranged at
the motor cover (20) and the motor housing (40) and/or at least a front suspension
(30), which contributes to that the airflow (44) does not partly flow from the first
outlet (16) into the space between the motor cover (20) and the motor housing (40)
without fist passing through the motor-fan assembly (11).
10. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the patent claims 7 and 9 characterised in that the front suspension (30) is made of polyurethane.
11. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the previous patent claims characterised in that at least one absorbent (28) is arranged at least in parts of the space between the
motor cover and the motor housing, whereby at least a portion of the airflow flows
through the absorbent (28).
12. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the previous patent claims characterised in that the third outlet (27) constitutes an aperture (26) in the motor cover (20), whereby
the airflow (44) flows from the electric motor-fan assembly (11) out through the aperture
(27).
13. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the previous patent claims characterised in that the air permeable material (28) fills the entire space between the third aperture
(27) and the surface that the aperture is directed towards.
14. Vacuum cleaner according to any of the previous patent claims characterised in that the air permeable material (28) constitutes a fluffy material made of polyester.
1. Staubsauger, der mindestens einen Staubsammler (10) und einen Strömungsgenerator umfasst,
wobei der Staubsammler ein Mittel zur Aufnahme von Partikeln aufweist, die von einem
Luftstrom (44) transportiert werden, der über einen ersten Einlass in den Sammler
einströmt und über einen ersten Auslass (16) aus dem Sammler ausströmt, wobei der
Strömungsgenerator einen zweiten Einlass (32) umfasst, durch den der Luftstrom (44)
vom ersten Auslass (16) in den Strömungsgenerator strömt, und einen zweiten Auslass
(41), durch den der Luftstrom (44) aus dem Strömungsgenerator heraus strömt, wobei
der Strömungsgenerator eine Elektromotor-Gebläsebaugruppe (11), eine Motorabdeckung
(20) und ein Motorgehäuse (40) umfasst und der Strömungsgenerator mindestens einen
dritten Auslass (27) umfasst, durch den ein wesentlicher Teil des Luftstroms vom zweiten
Einlass (32) strömt, wobei der dritte Auslass (27) im wesentlichen von einem luftdurchlässigen
Material (28) bedeckt ist, durch das ein wesentlicher Teil des Luftstroms vom dritten
Auslass (27) strömt,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Luftstrom (44) beim Einströmen in das Material (28) eine wesentliche erste Richtung
verfolgt, und beim Weiterströmen aus dem Material (28) heraus eine wesentliche zweite
Richtung, die sich von der ersten Richtung signifikant unterscheidet.
2. Staubsauger gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Richtung im wesentlichen vertikal zur zweiten Richtung und/oder dieser
entgegen gesetzt ist.
3. Staubsauger gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Aufnahmemittel des Staubaufnehmers (13) einen Staubfilter konstituiert, der vorzugsweise
einen Staubsaugerbeutel umfasst.
4. Staubsauger gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 - 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Aufnahmemittel (13) des Staubaufnehmers mindestens einen Zentrifugalabscheider
umfasst.
5. Staubsauger gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Elektromotor-Gebläsebaugruppe (11) den Luftstrom (44) erzeugt.
6. Staubsauger gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Motorabdeckung (20) die Motor-Gebläsebaugruppe (11) gänzlich oder teilweise einschließt,
wobei die Baugruppe (11) an der Motorabdeckung (20) elastisch mittels Baugruppen-Aufhängungen
(12, 30) angeordnet ist.
7. Staubsauger gemäß Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Baugruppen-Aufhängung in Beziehung zu mindestens einer hinteren Gummibuchse (12),
die an der Motor-Gebläsebaugruppe (11) angeordnet ist, und der Motorabdeckung (20)
und mindestens einer vorderen Aufhängung (30) steht, was dazu beiträgt, dass die Luftströmung
(44) nicht teilweise vom ersten Auslass (16) in den Raum zwischen der Baugruppe (11)
und der Motorabdeckung (20) strömt, ohne vorher die Baugruppe (11) durchströmt zu
haben.
8. Staubsauger gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Motorgehäuse (40) die Motor-Gebläsebaugruppe (11) und die Motorabdeckung (20)
vollständig oder teilweise einschließt, wobei die Motorabdeckung (20) mittels Abdeckungs-Aufhängungen
(24, 25) elastisch am Motorgehäuse (40) angeordnet ist.
9. Staubsauger gemäß Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Abdeckungs-Aufhängung in Beziehung zu mindestens einer äußeren Gummibuchse (25),
die an der Motorabdeckung (20) angeordnet ist, und dem Motorgehäuse (40) und/oder
mindestens einer vorderen Aufhängung (30) steht, was dazu beiträgt, dass die Luftströmung
(44) nicht teilweise vom ersten Auslass (16) in den Raum zwischen der Motorabdeckung
(20) und dem Motorgehäuse (40) strömt, ohne vorher die Motor-Gebläsebaugruppe (11)
durchströmt zu haben.
10. Staubsauger gemäß einem der Ansprüche 7 und 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die vordere Aufhängung (30) aus Polyurethan gefertigt ist.
11. Staubsauger gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Absorptionselement (28) zumindest in Teilen des Raums zwischen der
Motorabdeckung und dem Motorgehäuse angeordnet ist, wobei mindestens ein Teil des
Luftstroms durch das Absorptionselement (28) strömt.
12. Staubsauger gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der dritte Auslass (27) eine Öffnung (26) in der Motorabdeckung (20) konstituiert,
wobei der Luftstrom (44) von der Elektromotor-Gebläsebaugruppe (11) durch die Öffnung
(27) ausströmt.
13. Staubsauger gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das luftdurchlässige Material (28) den gesamten Raum zwischen der dritten Öffnung
(27) und der Oberfläche füllt, gegen die die Öffnung gerichtet ist.
14. Staubsauger gemäß einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das luftdurchlässige Material (28) ein flauschiges Material aus Polyester konstituiert.
1. Aspirateur comprenant au moins un collecteur de poussières (10) et un générateur de
flux, le collecteur de poussières comprenant des moyens pour collecter des particules
transportées par un flux d'air (44) qui s'écoule dans le collecteur par une première
entrée et hors du collecteur par une première sortie (16), le générateur de flux comprenant
une deuxième entrée (32) à travers laquelle le flux d'air (44) provenant de la première
sortie (16) s'écoule dans le générateur de flux et une deuxième sortie (41) à travers
laquelle le flux d'air (44) s'écoule hors du générateur de flux, de telle sorte que
le générateur de flux comprend un ensemble moteur-ventilateur électrique (11), un
couvercle de moteur (20) et un boîtier de moteur (40), le générateur de flux comprend
au moins une troisième sortie (27) à travers laquelle une partie substantielle du
flux d'air provenant de la deuxième entrée (32) s'écoule, la troisième sortie (27)
étant sensiblement recouverte par un matériau perméable à l'air (28) à travers lequel
une partie substantielle dudit flux d'air provenant de la troisième sortie (27) s'écoule,
caractérisé en ce que
le flux d'air (44), quand il s'écoule dans le matériau (28), a une première direction
essentielle et, quand il continue à s'écouler hors du matériau (28), a une deuxième
direction essentielle qui diffère de manière significative de la première direction.
2. Aspirateur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la première direction est essentiellement perpendiculaire à et/ou opposée à la deuxième
direction.
3. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de collecte du collecteur de poussières (13) constituent un filtre à poussières
comprenant de préférence un sac d'aspirateur.
4. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1-2, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de collecte du collecteur de poussières (13) constituent au moins un séparateur
à cyclone.
5. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'ensemble moteur-ventilateur électrique (11) génère le flux d'air (44).
6. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le couvercle de moteur (20) enferme entièrement ou partiellement l'ensemble moteur-ventilateur
électrique (11), de telle sorte que l'ensemble (11) est agencé élastiquement sur le
couvercle de moteur (20) au moyen de suspensions d'ensemble (12, 30).
7. Aspirateur selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que la suspension d'ensemble concerne au moins une douille arrière en caoutchouc (12)
agencée sur l'ensemble moteur-ventilateur électrique (11) et sur le couvercle de moteur
(20) et au moins une suspension avant (30), qui contribue à ce que le flux d'air (44)
ne circule pas partiellement à partir de la première sortie (16) dans l'espace entre
l'ensemble (11) et le couvercle de moteur (20) sans passer d'abord à travers l'ensemble
(11).
8. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le boîtier de moteur (40) enferme entièrement ou partiellement l'ensemble moteur-ventilateur
électrique (11) et le couvercle de moteur (20), de telle sorte que le couvercle de
moteur (20) est agencé élastiquement sur le boîtier de moteur (40) au moyen de suspensions
de couvercle (24, 25).
9. Aspirateur selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que la suspension de couvercle concerne au moins une douille en caoutchouc extérieure
(25) agencée sur le couvercle de moteur (20) et sur le boîtier de moteur (40) et/ou
au moins une suspension avant (30), qui contribue à ce que le flux d'air (44) ne circule
pas partiellement à partir de la première sortie (16) dans l'espace entre le couvercle
de moteur (20) et le boîtier de moteur (40) sans passer d'abord à travers l'ensemble
moteur-ventilateur (11).
10. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 et 9, caractérisé en ce que la suspension avant (30) est en polyuréthane.
11. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un absorbant (28) est agencé au moins dans des parties de l'espace entre
le couvercle de moteur et le boîtier de moteur, de telle sorte qu'au moins une partie
du flux d'air s'écoule à travers l'absorbant (28) .
12. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la troisième sortie (27) constitue une ouverture (26) dans le couvercle de moteur
(20), de telle sorte que le flux d'air (44) sort de l'ensemble moteur-ventilateur
(11) à travers l'ouverture (27).
13. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le matériau perméable à l'air (28) remplit tout l'espace entre la troisième ouverture
(27) et la surface vers laquelle l'ouverture est dirigée.
14. Aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le matériau perméable à l'air (28) constitue un matériau pelucheux composé de polyester.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description