CN110934540A

CN110934540A - Suction device for household dust collector and household dust collector comprising same

Info

Publication number: CN110934540A
Application number: CN201910891969.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 费比安·大卫; 罗曼·科莱; 帕特里克·莫林
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2018-09-24
Filing date: 2019-09-18
Publication date: 2020-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-18
Also published as: FR3086154B1; EP3626146A1; ES2875385T3; CN110934540B; EP3626146B1; FR3086154A1; CN211511639U

Abstract

A suction device (12) for a household cleaner (2) comprises: a motor case (13); a suction motor (15) disposed in the motor case (13) and configured to generate a suction flow; a pneumatic sealing element (18) comprising a first annular sealing portion (19) and a second annular sealing portion (21), said first annular sealing portion (19) being configured to sealingly cooperate with said motor casing (13), said second annular sealing portion (21) being configured to sealingly cooperate with said suction motor (15); and a suspension system (43) configured to support the suction motor (15), the suspension system (43) comprising a plurality of damping elements (45) distributed around the suction motor (15) and at least one compensation spring configured to compensate the weight of the suction motor (15), each damping element (45) having a substantially S-shaped cross section.

Description

Suction device for household dust collector and household dust collector comprising same

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of household vacuum cleaners allowing the suction of dust and small-sized waste present on a surface to be cleaned, which may be, for example, a tile floor, a laminate, a carpet or a carpet.

Background

A household cleaner comprises, in a known manner, a suction device comprising:

a motor case;

a suction motor disposed in the motor case and configured to generate a suction flow;

a pneumatic sealing element comprising a first annular sealing portion configured to sealingly engage with the motor housing and a second annular sealing portion configured to sealingly engage with the suction motor housing; and

a suspension system configured to support the suction motor relative to the motor housing, the suspension system including, for example, a plurality of damping elements disposed about the suction motor and configured to engage the motor housing.

However, the large weight of the suction motor causes compression of the damping element disposed below the suction motor and extension of the damping element disposed above the suction motor. As a result, the large weight of the suction motor causes eccentricity of the suction motor and therefore axial asymmetry of the stresses exerted at the pneumatic sealing element and at the suspension system, which impairs the decoupling of the suction motor with respect to the motor casing of the vacuum cleaner. Thus, the noise generated by such a household cleaner may increase significantly over time.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to overcome all or part of these disadvantages.

The object of the present invention is in particular to provide a suction device which ensures an optimum decoupling of the suction motor with respect to the housing of the vacuum cleaner, while limiting the manufacturing costs of the suction device.

To this end, the invention relates to a suction device for a household cleaner, comprising:

a motor case;

a pneumatic sealing element including a first annular sealing portion configured to sealingly engage with the motor housing and a second annular sealing portion configured to sealingly engage with the suction motor; and

a suspension system configured to support the suction motor, in particular with respect to the motor housing,

characterized in that the suspension system comprises a plurality of damping elements distributed around the suction motor, each damping element having a substantially S-shaped cross section, and at least one compensation spring configured to compensate the weight of the suction motor.

This configuration of the damping element allows the use of a very flexible damping element and thus limits the transmission of vibrations generated by the suction motor to the housing of the vacuum cleaner and thus ensures improved decoupling of the suction motor with respect to the housing of the vacuum cleaner. In particular, the S-shape of the damping element ensures a great flexibility for the damping element, mainly in the radial direction and in a direction tangential with respect to the longitudinal axis of the suction motor, which allows to greatly limit the transmission of the vibrations generated by the suction motor to the casing of the household cleaner.

Furthermore, the presence of the compensation spring allows to keep the suction motor "floating", so that the damping element can work substantially under the same conditions and therefore ensure an optimal decoupling of the suction motor with respect to the housing of the vacuum cleaner.

Furthermore, the presence of the compensation spring allows the use of a damping element with a high degree of flexibility, without this impairing the decoupling of the suction motor with respect to the housing of the vacuum cleaner.

The suction device according to the invention thus ensures an optimum decoupling of the suction motor with respect to the housing of the vacuum cleaner, while limiting the manufacturing costs of the suction device.

The inhalation device may also have one or more of the following features, used alone or in combination.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the compensation spring has a suitable stiffness such that the mass/spring system produced therefrom has a natural frequency which is as low as possible and preferably less than 10 Hz. For example, the stiffness of the spring may be selected such that the natural frequency of the mass/spring system is about 5 Hz.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the damping elements are regularly distributed around the suction motor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the suspension system further comprises a support member supporting the suction motor, the damping element being interposed between the support member and the motor case, for example between the support member and a rear fairing of the motor case.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the supporter defines a receiving portion in which the suction motor is mounted.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the support comprises an annular support portion extending around the suction motor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the support further comprises a rear portion extending at the rear of the suction motor and a connecting branch connecting the annular support portion to the rear portion.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said connection branches extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said suction motor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each damping element comprises a first fixing portion fixed to the motor case, for example, to the rear fairing section of the motor case, a second fixing portion fixed to the support, for example, to the annular support section, and a damping portion connecting the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion, the damping portion having an S-shaped cross section.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second fixing portions of each damping element are fixed to the motor case and to the support, respectively, by shape complementation.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the damping elements are substantially circumferentially aligned.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each damping element extends substantially tangentially to the suction motor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the damping element extends substantially in an extension plane, which is transverse and preferably substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the suction motor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each damping element is elongated and extends in an extension direction.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each damping element is flexible.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each damping element is elastically deformable. Advantageously, each damping element is made of an elastically deformable material and may, for example, be made of an elastomer.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the compensation spring is interposed between the support and the motor case.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the compensation spring comprises a first end portion fixed to the motor casing, for example to the rear fairing, and a second end portion fixed to the support, for example to the annular support portion.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the compensation spring extends substantially vertically.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the compensation spring is located above the suction motor and is formed, for example, by an extension spring.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pneumatic sealing element is annular and flexible.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pneumatic sealing element is integral.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the second annular sealing portion is configured to sealingly abut and be held against the suction motor when the suction motor is powered and generating a suction flow. In other words, when the suction motor is powered and a suction flow is generated, the resultant of the forces exerted on the second annular sealing portion causes the second annular sealing portion to sealingly abut and be held against the suction motor. This configuration of the pneumatic sealing element allows to ensure the performance and the sealing of the pneumatic sealing element at the suction motor without the addition of additional components and therefore to reduce the manufacturing costs of the suction device and to simplify the installation of the suction device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pneumatic sealing element is configured to guide a suction flow from a through opening provided on the motor housing to an air inlet opening provided on the suction motor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the second annular sealing portion comprises an annular sealing lip extending from an annular sealing rib around the air inlet opening, the annular sealing rib being configured to sealingly cooperate with the suction motor, the annular sealing lip comprising a support rib extending below the annular sealing lip. In particular, the support rib is configured to abut against the suction motor to locally raise the annular sealing lip and to allow a negative pressure generated by a suction flow to be applied below the annular sealing lip up to the edge of the annular sealing rib when the suction motor is powered and generates a suction flow. These support ribs therefore allow to improve the mechanical properties of the annular sealing rib and therefore the seal between the pneumatic sealing element and the suction motor in the conditions of use of the suction device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the annular sealing lip comprises an annular sealing rib configured to sealingly cooperate with the suction motor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second annular sealing portion has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the first annular sealing portion.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pneumatic sealing element further comprises an annular intermediate portion located between the first and second annular sealing portions, the annular intermediate portion comprising a first tubular portion extending from the first annular sealing portion towards the suction motor and a second tubular portion extending from the second annular sealing portion away from the suction motor, the first and second tubular portions being substantially concentric and axially offset with respect to each other.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the annular intermediate portion further comprises at least one radial fold oriented substantially radially with respect to the central axis of the pneumatic sealing element and at least one annular fold substantially concentric with the central axis of the pneumatic sealing element. Such a configuration of the pneumatic sealing element, in particular the presence of the at least one radial fold and of the at least one annular fold, allows to greatly limit the transmission of the vibrations generated by the suction motor to the casing of the household cleaner. In fact, said at least one radial fold allows to increase the flexibility of the pneumatic sealing element in the tangential direction and therefore to significantly reduce the transmission to the casing of the vacuum cleaner of the vibrations generated by the electromagnetic forces resulting from the operation of the suction motor and from the interaction between the rotor and the stator of the suction motor, while said at least one annular fold allows to increase the flexibility of the pneumatic sealing element in the radial direction and therefore to significantly reduce the transmission to the casing of the vacuum cleaner of the vibrations generated by the unbalance of the suction motor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first annular sealing portion is overmoulded (surmoule) on a front fairing of the motor casing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first annular sealing portion is further configured to sealingly engage with a housing of the vacuum cleaner.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction motor comprises a ventilator and an electric motor configured to drive the ventilator in rotation.

The invention also relates to a household vacuum cleaner comprising a suction device according to any one of the preceding features.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the household cleaner comprises a housing comprising a filtering compartment and a motor compartment, the filtering compartment and the motor compartment being separated by a partition wall, the suction device being housed in the motor compartment. Advantageously, the pneumatic sealing element is configured to guide a suction flow generated by the suction motor from a communication hole provided on the partition wall to the air intake opening.

Drawings

The invention will be better understood by means of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of non-limiting example, embodiments of an inhalation device.

Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of a home cleaner according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a housing of the home cleaner of fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of a suction device belonging to the cleaner of figure 1.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the inhalation device of figure 3.

Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the front fairing and the pneumatic sealing element belonging to the inhalation device of figure 3.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the forward fairing and pneumatic seal element of FIG. 5.

Fig. 7 and 8 are front and rear perspective views of the pneumatic sealing element of fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a rear perspective view of a front fairing and a suction motor belonging to the suction device of fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is a rear view of the front fairing and suction motor of fig. 9.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 10 show a household cleaner 2, which household cleaner 2 comprises, in particular, a casing 3, also called cleaner body, which casing 3 comprises, in a known manner, a filtering compartment 4 and a motor compartment 5, said filtering compartment 4 and said motor compartment 5 being separated by a partition wall 6 provided with a communication hole 7. The filtering compartment 4 is intended to receive filtering means (not shown in the figures), such as a filter bag or cyclonic separating means, which allow the retention of the waste sucked into the casing 3.

The housing 3 further comprises an air inlet 8 through which air conveying the waste is drawn into the housing 3, and an air outlet 9 through which air previously cleaned of waste by the filter means is expelled from the housing 3. The housing 3 is advantageously equipped with wheels 11 to ensure the movement of the household cleaner 2.

The household cleaner 2 may further comprise a flexible tube (not shown in the figures), preferably removably connected to the air inlet 8 of the housing 3, and a suction attachment (not shown in the figures), such as a rigid telescopic tube capable of housing a removable suction head at its end opposite the flexible tube.

The household cleaner 2 further comprises a suction device 12, which suction device 12 is accommodated in the motor compartment 5. The suction device 12 includes a motor housing 13. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the motor casing 13 comprises a front fairing 13.1 and a rear fairing 13.2 and a through opening 14, the front fairing 13.1 and the rear fairing 13.2 being assembled to each other, for example by means of a screw connection or a locking mechanism, said through opening 14 being arranged on the front fairing 13.1.

The suction device 12 further comprises a suction motor 15, also referred to as an electric ventilator, which suction motor 15 is arranged in the motor housing 13 and is configured to generate a suction flow. In a known manner, the suction motor 15 comprises a ventilator and an electric motor configured to drive the ventilator in rotation. The suction motor 15 may further comprise a ventilator cover 16, which ventilator cover 16 at least partly covers the ventilator and defines an air inlet opening 17.

The inhalation device 12 further comprises a pneumatic sealing element 18, which pneumatic sealing element 18 is integral and configured to guide the inhalation flow from the through opening 14 to the air inlet opening 17.

As shown more particularly in fig. 6 to 8, the pneumatic sealing element 18 is annular and flexible, and comprises a first annular sealing portion 19, a second annular sealing portion 21 and an annular intermediate portion 22, the first annular sealing portion 19 being configured to sealingly cooperate with the motor casing 13, the second annular sealing portion 21 being configured to sealingly cooperate with the suction motor 15, the annular intermediate portion 22 being located between the first annular sealing portion 19 and the second annular sealing portion 21. Advantageously, the first annular sealing portion 19 and the second annular sealing portion 21 are axially offset with respect to each other.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first annular sealing portion 19 extends around the through opening 14 and is overmoulded on the front fairing 13.1 of the motor casing 13. Advantageously, the first annular sealing portion 19 extends on the front face of the frontal fairing 13.1, which is located opposite the suction motor 15.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the forward fairing 13.1 includes a retaining portion 23 over which the first annular sealing portion 19 is over-molded. The retaining portion 23 advantageously comprises an annular retaining ring 24, which annular retaining ring 24 defines a body 25 connected to the forward fairing 13.1 through the opening 14 and by means of a connecting lug 26. Advantageously, the connecting lugs 26 extend radially and are angularly spaced apart from one another so as to form, together with the annular retaining ring 24 and the main body 25 of the frontal fairing 13.1, through holes 27 which are angularly offset from one another and are distributed around the through opening 14. Advantageously, the through holes 27 extend in the shape of a circular arc and are circumferentially aligned.

As shown in fig. 6 and 8, the first annular seal portion 19 includes an annular seal projection 28, the annular seal projection 28 extending around the through opening 14 and projecting relative to the suction motor 15. The annular seal projection 28 is configured to extend around the communication hole 7 and sealingly engage with the partition wall 6. Advantageously, the annular sealing protrusion 28 covers the through hole 27.

The annular sealing protrusion 28 comprises an annular wall 29, which annular wall 29 is thin and curved. The annular wall 29 comprises a first curved annular surface 29.1 and a second curved annular surface 29.2, the first curved annular surface 29.1 being concave and oriented towards the suction motor 15, the second curved annular surface 29.2 being convex and oriented away from the suction motor 15, that is to say, towards the partition wall 6.

The annular sealing protrusion 28 further comprises a plurality of connecting walls 31, the plurality of connecting walls 31 being angularly offset from each other and distributed around the through opening 14. Each connecting wall 31 extends from the first curved annular surface 29.1 and faces a respective connecting lug 26 and is fixed to this connecting lug 26 by overmoulding. Thus, each connecting wall 31 advantageously extends radially.

As shown in fig. 3, the second annular sealing portion 21 extends around the air inlet opening 17 and has an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the first annular sealing portion 19.

The second annular sealing portion 21 more specifically includes an annular sealing lip 32, the annular sealing lip 32 extending transversely with respect to the central axis a of the pneumatic sealing element 18 and configured to sealingly engage with the suction motor 15, and more specifically with the ventilator cover 16.

The annular seal lip 32 is configured to abut against the suction motor 15 when the suction motor 15 is at a stop, and to sealingly abut against and be held against the suction motor 15 when the suction motor 15 is powered and generates a suction flow. In other words, when the suction motor 15 is energized and suction flow is generated, the resultant of the forces exerted on the annular sealing lip 32 causes the annular sealing lip 32 to sealingly abut and hold against the suction motor 15.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the annular sealing lip 32 comprises an annular sealing rib 33, this annular sealing rib 33 being configured to sealingly cooperate with the suction motor 15. The annular sealing rib 33 is advantageously arranged at the outer peripheral edge of the annular sealing lip 32 and extends substantially parallel to the central axis a of the pneumatic sealing element 18.

As shown in fig. 8, the second annular seal portion 21 also includes support ribs 34, these support ribs 34 extending from the annular seal lip 32 and being configured to abut against the suction motor 15, and for example against the outer surface of the ventilator cover 16. Advantageously, the support rib 34 extends around the air inlet opening 17 and radially with respect to the central axis a of the pneumatic sealing element 18. The support rib 34 is more specifically configured to distribute the pressure exerted on the annular sealing lip 32 when the suction motor 15 is energized and generates a suction flow. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the support rib 34 extends on the one hand to the annular sealing rib 33 and on the other hand to the inner peripheral edge of the annular sealing lip 32.

As shown more particularly in fig. 6, the annular intermediate portion 22 of the pneumatic sealing element 18 comprises a first tubular portion 35 and a second tubular portion 36, the first tubular portion 35 extending from the first annular sealing portion 19 towards the suction motor 15, the second tubular portion 36 extending from the second annular sealing portion 21 away from the suction motor 15. The first and second

tubular portions

35, 36 are concentric with the central axis a of the pneumatic sealing element 18 and are axially offset with respect to each other. Advantageously, the second tubular portion 36 is located radially inside the first tubular portion 35, and the first and second

tubular portions

35, 36 partially overlap in the axial direction.

The annular intermediate portion 22 further comprises an annular connecting portion 37, which annular connecting portion 37 is located between the first and second

tubular portions

35, 36 and connects the first and second

tubular portions

35, 36 to each other so as to define two

annular folds

38, 39 concentric with the central axis a of the pneumatic sealing element 18. The two

annular folds

38, 39 are advantageously oriented in two opposite directions, so that the annular median portion 22 has a substantially Z-shaped longitudinal section.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the annular median portion 22 also comprises a plurality of radial folds 41, the plurality of radial folds 41 being substantially radially oriented with respect to the central axis a of the pneumatic sealing element 18 and advantageously each extending substantially along a plane oriented radially with respect to the central axis a. The radial folds 41 are angularly offset from each other and advantageously are regularly distributed around the central axis a.

Each radial fold 41 advantageously comprises a concave surface 41.1 and a convex surface 41.2, the concave surface 41.1 being oriented towards the outside of the pneumatic sealing element 18 and the convex surface 41.2 being oriented towards the inside of the pneumatic sealing element 18.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each radial fold 41 is advantageously arranged partly on the second tubular portion 36 and partly on the annular connection portion 37.

The suction device 12 further comprises (see in particular fig. 9 and 10) a suspension system 43, which suspension system 43 is configured to support the suction motor 15. The suspension system 43 comprises more specifically a support 44 fixed to the suction motor 15 and a plurality of damping elements 45, the plurality of damping elements 45 being interposed between the support 44 and the motor casing 13 and distributed around the suction motor 15.

The support 44 may for example comprise an annular support portion 44.1, a rear portion 44.2 and connecting branches 44.3, the annular support portion 44.1 extending around the suction motor 15, the rear portion 44.2 extending at the rear of the suction motor 15, the connecting branches 44.3 extending longitudinally and connecting the annular support portion 44.1 to the rear portion 44.2. Advantageously, the support 44 can thus define a housing in which the suction motor 15 is mounted.

Advantageously, each damping element 45 has a substantially S-shaped cross section and comprises a first fixing portion 45.1 and a second fixing portion 45.2, the first fixing portion 45.1 being fixed to the motor casing 13, for example to the rear fairing 13.2, the second fixing portion 45.2 being fixed to the support 44. The suspension system 43 may for example comprise four damping elements 45, the four damping elements 45 being regularly distributed around the suction motor 15.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the suspension system 43 further comprises a compensation spring 46, the compensation spring 46 being configured to compensate the weight of the suction motor 15. The compensation spring 46 can be located, for example, above the suction motor 15 and be formed by an extension spring. According to one embodiment variant, the compensation spring 46 can be located below the suction motor 15 and be formed by a compression spring.

The compensation spring 46 is more specifically interposed between the support 44 and the motor case 13. The compensating spring 46 therefore advantageously comprises a first end 46.1 and a second end 46.2, the first end 46.1 being fixed to the motor housing 13, for example to the rear fairing 13.2, and the second end 46.2 being fixed to the support 44.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the described and illustrated embodiments given by way of example. Modifications can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the invention, in particular from the construction of the various elements or by substituting technical equivalents.

Claims

1. A suction device (12) for a household cleaner (2), comprising:

a motor case (13);

a suction motor (15) disposed in the motor case (13) and configured to generate a suction flow;

a pneumatic sealing element (18) comprising a first annular sealing portion (19) and a second annular sealing portion (21), said first annular sealing portion (19) being configured to sealingly cooperate with said motor casing (13), said second annular sealing portion (21) being configured to sealingly cooperate with said suction motor (15); and

a suspension system (43) configured to support the suction motor (15),

characterized in that the suspension system (43) comprises a plurality of damping elements (45), a plurality of damping elements (45) being distributed around the suction motor (15), each damping element (45) having a substantially S-shaped cross section, and the suspension system (43) further comprises at least one compensation spring (46), the compensation spring (46) being configured to compensate the weight of the suction motor (15).

2. An inhalation device (12) according to claim 1 characterised in that the damping elements (45) are regularly distributed around the inhalation motor (15).

3. An inhalation device (12) according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the suspension system (43) further comprises a support (44) supporting the inhalation motor (15), the damping element (45) being interposed between the support (44) and the motor housing (13).

4. An inhalation device (12) according to claim 3 characterised in that the support (44) defines a housing in which the suction motor (15) is mounted.

5. An inhalation device (12) according to claim 3 or 4 characterised in that the support (44) comprises an annular support portion (44.1) extending around the inhalation motor (15).

6. An inhalation device (12) according to one of claims 3 to 5 characterised in that each damping element comprises: the motor includes a first fixing portion fixed to the motor case, a second fixing portion fixed to the support, and a damping portion connecting the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion, the damping portion having an S-shaped cross section.

7. An inhalation device (12) according to one of claims 3 to 6 characterised in that the compensation spring (46) is interposed between the support (44) and the motor housing (13).

8. An inhalation device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the compensation spring (46) is located above the inhalation motor (15).

9. An inhalation device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that the second annular sealing portion (21) is configured to sealingly abut and be held against the inhalation motor (15) when the inhalation motor (15) is powered and produces an inhalation flow.

10. An inhalation device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterised in that the second annular sealing portion (21) has an outer diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the first annular sealing portion (19).

11. An inhalation device (12) according to any of claims 9 to 10 characterised in that the pneumatic sealing element (18) further comprises an annular intermediate portion (22), the annular intermediate portion (22) being located between the first annular sealing portion (19) and the second annular sealing portion (21), the annular intermediate portion (22) comprising a first tubular portion (35) and a second tubular portion (36), the first tubular portion (35) extending from the first annular sealing portion (19) towards the inhalation motor (15), the second tubular portion (36) extending from the second annular sealing portion (21) away from the inhalation motor (15), the first tubular portion (35) and the second tubular portion (36) being substantially concentric and axially offset with respect to each other.

12. A household vacuum cleaner (2), characterized in that it comprises a suction device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.