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(11) | EP 1 074 213 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Suction cleaning apparatus |
| (57) Cleaning apparatus comprising an accumulation container (12), a suction assembly
(11), an air suction conduit (19) and means to damp the dust, said damper means (20)
comprising at least a tank (13), autonomous and distinct from said accumulation container
(12), able to contain a clean liquid (14), and conduit means (30) able to remove a
quantity of clean liquid (14) from said tank (13) and to inject a jet (21) of fluid
inside said conduit (19) in a zone located upstream of said accumulation container
(12). |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention concerns a suction cleaning apparatus of the liquid bath type, wherein particles of dust and dirt are filtered and separated from the air sucked in by means of damping means able to deliver, in a liquid, nebulized, vaporized or mixed form, a jet of fluid in a defined zone of the air-intake path.
[0002] The particles of dust and dirt damped down by this jet of fluid are then collected, mixed with the fluid, in an accumulation container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The state of the art includes liquid bath vacuum cleaners comprising a suction assembly associated with an accumulation container able to contain a defined quantity of water, the function of which is to retain the particles of dust and dirt which are conveyed into the accumulation container through a suction conduit to which cleaning accessories, such as brushes, nozzles or similar, may be selectively coupled.
[0004] This type of apparatus is very widespread at present, since, thanks to the presence of the liquid, the particles of dust and dirt are retained inside the accumulation container more efficiently than in the containers and paper bags used in conventional vacuum cleaners.
[0005] In liquid bath vacuum cleaners, in fact, the particles of dust and dirt mix with the water and therefore cannot return to a suspended state in the air. At the end of the cleaning operations, or when necessary, the water contained in the accumulation container is thrown away and the particles of dust and dirt are thrown away with it.
[0007] One of these is that, before use, the accumulation container must necessarily be filled with water, otherwise the dust sucked in is not retained, and so it arrives in the suction assembly and exits without being filtered.
[0008] Moreover, these liquid bath vacuum cleaners must necessarily have intake paths which allow the air sucked in to transit in proximity with the surface of the water, or through the water, so that most of the particles of dust and dirt suspended in the air sucked in are retained by the water before the air reaches the suction assembly to be sent back into the environment again.
[0009] Document DE-U-298 12 110 describes a liquid bath vacuum cleaner which provides to spray water onto the stream of air and dirt passing through the suction tube in order to determine a first damping down of the particles of dust and dirt. In this document, there is a pump which removes water from the tank where the dirt is collected and injects it inside the suction tube in cooperation with a spray device.
[0010] One disadvantage of this embodiment is that the water used to damp down the dirt along the suction tube is the same water mixed with dust and dirt contained in the accumulation container; the consequence of this is that the dust and dirt are put back into circulation, thus reducing the efficiency of the damping process and possibly creating blockages in the suction.
[0011] FR-A-2.745.169 provides to remove water from the dirt accumulation container by means of a Venturi effect, to separate a part of the water which is used to generate steam and then to mix water and steam to inject the mixture into the suction tube.
[0012] EP-A-768.058 provides to remove a certain quantity of water from the dirt accumulation container by means of a Venturi effect created by removing a jet of air from the delivery pipe of the suction turbine, and to spray the water into the suction tube upstream of the accumulation container itself.
[0013] DE-U-9105213 provides to use a pump suitable to put water taken from the accumulation container into circulation and to inject it into the immediate proximity of the suction turbine.
[0014] All these documents have the disadvantage that for the pre-filtering and pre-damping processes they use the same water contained in the accumulation container for the dust and dirt.
[0015] This is an obvious limitation, since the dirt can cause blockages in the mixer assemblies, if there are any, and reduces the efficiency of the filtering process; moreover, in the event that detergents are used for cleaning, this causes foamy substances to be put back into circulation which can contaminate the delivery circuit and the relative components.
[0016] The present Applicant has designed and embodied this invention to overcome these shortcomings with a solution which is very efficient and simple from a constructional and functional point of view, and to obtain further advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other innovative characteristics of the invention.
[0018] The purpose of the invention is to achieve a suction cleaning apparatus of the liquid bath type which is simple to make and to function, economic, functional and which allows to efficiently damp the particles of dust and dirt from the air sucked in before it is expelled into the environment.
[0019] Another purpose of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus able to function in an optimum manner for long periods of time, where the user is only required to empty an accumulation container and to refill a tank which is distinct and autonomous from the accumulation container.
[0020] A further purpose is to limit the emission into the atmosphere of unpleasant odors caused by the particles of dust and dirt sucked in.
[0021] Another purpose of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus able to automatically sanitize the accumulation container while the apparatus is in use, without needing outside intervention on the part of the user.
[0022] In accordance with these purposes, a cleaning apparatus according to the invention comprises, in its essential parts, a suction assembly, dust damping means able to separate and pre-filter the particles of dust and dirt suspended in the air sucked in and an accumulation container able to collect the particles of dust and dirt damped, and to complete the separation process.
[0023] To be more exact, the dust damping means are able to inject a jet of fluid, which may be in liquid, nebulized, vaporized or mixed form, into a defined zone of the intake path arranged in a desired position upstream of the accumulation container.
[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, the dust damping zone is provided immediately upstream of the accumulation container.
[0025] According to a variant, in correspondence with the damping zone there is at least a change in direction in the flow of air taken in, so as to encourage the creation of vortexes and turbulence which facilitate the damping of the particles of dust and dirt.
[0026] According to one characteristic of the invention, the fluid injected upstream of the accumulation container is taken from an autonomous tank, separate and distinct from the accumulation container, inside which a desired quantity of clean liquid is contained. This liquid can be pure water, water with additives or specific liquids.
[0027] The fluid is removed from the autonomous tank, in a first embodiment, by means of pump means associated with a delivery conduit, the terminal element of which consists of a nozzle which, according to the different cases, can nebulize, divide or in some way spray the jet of fluid in a desired manner.
[0028] According to another embodiment, the fluid is removed directly, without pump means, thanks to the depression created by the suction tube.
[0029] In this case, according to another embodiment, along the conduit which puts the autonomous tank in communication with the suction tube, there are means to limit the flow, the function of which is to meter the jet of fluid injected into the suction tube and to prevent excessive suction from causing too abundant a flow of liquid.
[0030] In a preferential embodiment of the invention, the flow control means are of the self-regulating type, since they exert a more or less accentuated action of flow reduction which is in a direct ratio to the intensity of the suction.
[0031] In the cleaning apparatus according to the invention, therefore, the jet of fluid fulfils the function of a conventional filter of a vacuum cleaner device of a conventional type, with the difference that the jet of fluid needs neither maintenance nor replacements, and is much more efficient and reliable.
[0032] In another form of embodiment, there is at least a boiler able to heat the liquid contained in the tank to a defined temperature or to vaporize said liquid before sending it to the damping zone. The steam can be injected alone into the suction tube upstream of the accumulation container, or two conduits can be provided, one for the steam and one for the water, the two streams being injected simultaneously into said suction tube.
[0033] According to a variant, the two streams of steam and water are pre-mixed upstream of the suction tube and the mixture thus obtained is then injected into the suction tube upstream of the accumulation container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] These and other characteristics of the invention will become clear from the following description of some preferred forms of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached drawings wherein:
- Fig. 1
- shows a working diagram of a suction cleaning apparatus according to the invention;
- Fig. 2
- shows a variant of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3
- shows one form of embodiment of a suction cleaning apparatus according to the invention;
- Fig. 4
- shows the enlarged detail A of Fig. 3;
- Fig. 5
- shows another embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 6
- shows a variant of Fig. 5;
- Fig. 7
- is a section view of a detail of Figs. 5 and 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] With reference to the attached drawings, a suction cleaning apparatus 10 according to the invention comprises, in its essential parts, a suction assembly 11 of a conventional type, in this case consisting of a motor 11a and a fan 11b, an accumulation container 12, also of a conventional type, and a damper assembly 20 able to separate the particles of dust and dirt from the air taken in, indicated by the arrows 29, before it reaches the suction assembly 11.
[0036] The suction assembly 11 is able to create, inside the accumulation container 12, a depression so that the particles of dust and dirt deposited on any surface which is to be cleaned can be sucked in through a main conduit 19.
[0037] The main suction conduit 19 ends in an inlet mouth 19a to which any type of cleaning accessory can be selectively coupled.
[0038] According to the invention the damper assembly 20 is able to deliver, in correspondence with a defined segment of the suction conduit 19, at least a jet of fluid 21 able to pre-filter and separate the particles of dust and dirt mixed in with the air 29 sucked in, so that what reaches the accumulation container 12 is substantially pure air and a mixture 114 consisting of the fluid delivered by said assembly 20 and the already damped particles of dust and dirt.
[0039] In this way we avoid the danger that particles of dust and dirt might reach the suction assembly 11 and then be expelled into the environment again, particularly after the apparatus 10 has been in prolonged use, when the damping capacity of the liquid bath has been reduced.
[0040] According to the invention, the jet of fluid 21 is obtained by removing liquid 14 from an appropriate tank 13, distinct and separate from the accumulation container 12, and delivering it by means of a conduit 30, which is equipped at the end with a delivery nozzle 18 facing into said main suction conduit 19.
[0041] Since it is separate from the accumulation container 12, the tank 13 can be refilled with fresh liquid 14 every time this is necessary, without entailing complex operations of opening, dis-assembling and removing the equipment located above and/or near the accumulation container 12.
[0042] Moreover, using a liquid 14 which is always clean guarantees, for as long as the cleaning apparatus 10 is used, that a mixture 114 is formed which produces fewer odors than the stagnant mixture which is found in liquid bath vacuum cleaners of a conventional type.
[0043] It is possible to further reduce the production of odors, moreover, by adding perfumes and/or sanitizing substances to the liquid 14.
[0044] Moreover, it eliminates the possibility that dirty and/or foamy particles might be sent into circulation again, which can block parts of the conduit 30 used for the pre-filtering fluid.
[0045] In the functional diagram shown in Fig. 1, the damper assembly 20 comprises the autonomous tank 13, able to contain a liquid 14, a pump 17 associated with the delivery conduit 30 and a nozzle 18.
[0046] The pump 17 is connected by means of a first tube 23 to the tank 13 and by means of a second tube 24 to the nozzle 18 which is coupled with the suction conduit 19.
[0047] In the segment where it couples with the nozzle 18, the suction conduit 19 is provided with an elbow-shaped bend 19b able to encourage the creation of vortexes and turbulences in the flow of air sucked in, which make the damping of the particles of dust and dirt even more efficacious.
[0048] The nozzle 18 may be of any type and is able to determine the type of jet 21 (for example full, divided, nebulized) and its form (for example tapered, fan-shaped or otherwise).
[0049] In the functional diagram shown in Fig. 2, the damper assembly 20 comprises not only the autonomous tank 13 and the pump 17, but also a boiler 25 and an electrovalve 26.
[0050] In a first embodiment, the boiler 25 is able to vaporize the liquid 14 so that, when the electrovalve 26 is opened, the nozzle 18 delivers a jet 21 consisting of steam.
[0051] According to a variant, on the contrary, the boiler 25 is able to heat the liquid 14 until it reaches a defined temperature, below vaporization temperature, so that, when the electrovalve 26 is opened, the nozzle 18 delivers a jet 21 of hot liquid.
[0052] In this case, the tank 13 is equipped with a level probe 28 able to signal to the user, by means of an electronic circuit which is not shown here, that the tank 13 needs refilling and possibly that the accumulation container 12 needs emptying.
[0053] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, there are no pump means included and the liquid 14 is delivered from the autonomous tank 13 through the conduit 30 thanks to the suction created in the main suction conduit 19.
[0054] Along the conduit 30, in this case, there is a device 31 to limit the flow, the function of which is to divide the flow of liquid 14 sucked in, preventing an excess quantity of liquid from being introduced into the main conduit 19 due to too strong a suction.
[0055] In one embodiment, the flow control device 31 has the self-regulating configuration shown in section in Fig. 7.
[0056] The device 31 comprises a first channel 36 to introduce clean liquid 14 at inlet, an introduction slit 35 which introduces the liquid into a regulation chamber 33, one wall of which is defined by an elastic membrane 34, and a second channel 32 from which the liquid 14 exits towards the conduit 19. The function of the elastic membrane 34, dilating and compressing according to the entity of the suction, is to automatically regulate the flow of liquid exiting from the second channel 32, preventing too copious a flow from forming.
[0057] In the further embodiment shown in Fig. 6, in cooperation with the autonomous tank 13 of clean liquid 14, apart from the conduit 30 which removes the liquid, there is another conduit 130 associated with a pump 17, a boiler 25 and an electrovalve 26.
[0058] In this embodiment, the damper assembly 20 is able to generate two separate streams, one of clean liquid and one of steam, which are injected into the suction conduit 19 through the respective nozzles 18. The delivery of the respective streams is regulated, respectively, by the flow control device 31 in the case of the liquid, and by the electrovalve 26 in the case of the steam.
[0059] In a variant which is not shown here, the two streams of liquid and steam are mixed before they are introduced into the suction conduit 19.
[0060] With this embodiment, it is thus possible to inject only water, only steam, water and steam separately or water and steam mixed together before injection.
[0061] Fig. 3 shows a form of embodiment which can be used both to achieve the functional diagram as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, Figs. 5 and 6, wherein the accumulation container 12, the suction assembly 11 and the damper assembly 20, including the autonomous tank 13, are enclosed in a single containing structure 27, possibly equipped with handles and wheels which are not shown here.
[0062] In Fig. 3 it can be seen how the tank 13, by means of the relative stopper 37 protruding from the structure 27, can be easily and quickly filled with fresh clean liquid when the level sensor 28 signals that the liquid is about to finish.
[0063] In the preferential embodiment of the invention, the containing structure 27 is equipped with support means able to accommodate the accumulation container 12 in such a way that it can be removed, so as to facilitate filling and emptying operations.
[0064] It is obvious that modifications and/or additions may be made to the cleaning apparatus 10 as described heretofore, but these shall remain within the field and scope of the invention.
[0065] For example, the conduit 30, or the tube 24 may be directly connected to the suction conduit 19, without needing to use a nozzle 18.
1. Suction cleaning apparatus (10) comprising an accumulation container (12), at least
a suction assembly (11) able to create a depression inside said accumulation container
(12), a main air suction conduit (19) having a first end (19a) connected to an inlet
of said accumulation container (12) and means to damp the dust contained in said air
sucked in, said apparatus including at least a containing structure (27), the apparatus
being characterized in that said means (20) to damp the dust comprise at least a tank
(13), autonomous and distinct from said accumulation container (12), able to contain
a clean liquid (14), and conduit means (30) able to remove a quantity of clean liquid
(14) from said tank (13) and to inject a jet (21) of fluid, obtained from said liquid
(14), inside said conduit (19) in a zone located upstream of said accumulation container
(12).
2. Apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that said conduit (30) is able to remove
clean liquid (14) from said tank (13) thanks to the depression created along said
main suction conduit (19).
3. Apparatus as in Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises flow control means (31)
arranged along said conduit (30) and able to divide the delivery of the jet (21) of
fluid injected, according to the entity of the depression generated in said main suction
conduit (19).
4. Apparatus as in Claim 3, characterized in that said flow control means (31) are of
the self-regulating type, providing elastic membrane means (34) able to automatically
regulate the delivery of fluid at outlet, according to the intensity of the suction.
5. Apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises pump means (17) arranged
along said conduit (30) and able to remove clean liquid (14) from said tank (13).
6. Apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises boiler means (25) able
to heat said clean liquid (14) removed from said tank (13) to a temperature around
that of vaporization.
7. Apparatus as in Claim 6, characterized in that it comprises electrovalve means (26)
arranged downstream of said boiler means (25) and able to deliver on command a desired
jet of steam inside said main conduit (19).
8. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said conduit (30) is
associated at the end with a nozzle (18) facing said main suction conduit (19), said
nozzle (18) being able to deliver a full, divided or nebulized jet (21) inside said
main conduit (19).
9. Apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises second conduit means (130)
associated with pump means (17), with boiler means (25) and with electrovalve means
(26), able to deliver a jet (21) of steam inside said main conduit (19), said second
conduit means (130) being arranged in parallel to said first conduit means (30).
10. Apparatus as in Claim 9, characterized in that the jets of said first (30) and second
(130) conduit means are delivered alternately inside said main conduit (19).
11. Apparatus as in Claim 9, characterized in that the jets of said first (30) and second
(130) conduit means are delivered simultaneously and separately inside said main conduit
(19).
12. Apparatus as in Claim 9, characterized in that the jets of said first (30) and second
(130) conduit means are mixed together before they are injected inside said main conduit
(19).
13. Apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that said main suction conduit (19) has
at least a change of direction (19b) arranged immediately downstream from the zone
where said jet of fluid (21) is injected.
14. Apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that said tank (13) of clean liquid (14)
is arranged inside said containing structure (27) and is equipped with at least a
stopper (37) so that said containing structure (27) is easily accessible from the
outside for filling.
15. Apparatus as in Claim 1, characterized in that said tank (13) of clean liquid (14)
is equipped with at least a level probe (28) associated with means to signal to the
user.
16. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said clean liquid (14)
consists of water to which perfumed and/or sanitizing substances have been added.