EP3906831B1 - Hand-guided cyclone vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner, which is referred to below as a vacuum cleaner for the sake of simplicity. In particular, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner which has a separating container for receiving suction material and a drive unit container which has a drive unit which is designed to generate a suction air flow during operation.

Such a vacuum cleaner is from the WO 2017/046 559 A1 known. The vacuum cleaner has two filter stages, which are implemented using cyclone technology, so that they are designed as a multi-cyclone. The vacuum cleaner also has a third filter stage, which is connected downstream of the multi-cyclone in terms of flow technology and is built around an encapsulated radial fan. An axial outflow from the fan is directed through an exhaust air filter. The flow to the various filter stages, however, requires a relatively large installation space.

Out of EP 3 718 452 A1 A hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner for cleaning and maintaining floor surfaces is known. This has a drive unit for generating a negative pressure for collecting suction material by means of a suction air flow. This vacuum cleaner also has a separation unit for separating suction material from the suction air flow, the separation unit comprising a drive unit for generating a suction air flow. The separation unit also has a first filter stage in the form of a cyclone, a second filter stage and a third filter stage. The drive unit in this vacuum cleaner is arranged downstream in the suction air flow of the second filter stage and upstream of the third filter stage in the suction air flow in a drive unit housing.

The US 2017/290479 A1 discloses a hand-held cyclone separator with a third filter stage, which is arranged between the separator and the drive unit. The suction air flow generated by the drive unit flows through the drive unit after passing the third filter stage. The WO 2008/070965 A1 , WO 2020/168417 A1 and the EP 2 581 012 A1 reveal hand-held vacuum cleaners whose drive units are only passed through by the suction air flow.

The invention therefore addresses the problem of providing a hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner that has several filter stages that are implemented in a compact installation space. In addition, the filter stages should be easier for the user to access. Furthermore, simple, automatic cleaning of filter stages should be possible.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner with the features of claim 1. Because the generated suction air flow first passes the first filter stage, then the second filter stage and finally a further filter stage, the drive unit being flowed around by the suction air flow generated during operation of the drive unit, the third filter stage being arranged behind the further filter stage in terms of flow and having an exhaust air filter element, a hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner can be provided which has several filter stages in a compact installation space. The drive unit housing in which the drive unit is integrated is flowed around by the generated suction air flow. Installation space is saved because the drive unit located in the drive unit housing can be flowed around by the suction air flow. The drive unit housing in which the drive unit is arranged is advantageously arranged downstream of the second filter stage and upstream of the third filter stage. The additional filter stage, which is arranged fluidically upstream of the third filter stage, allows the installation space required for the third filter stage to be significantly reduced. The invention therefore relates to a hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner, having a separation unit for collecting suction material, which has a drive unit for generating a suction air flow, a first filter stage, a second filter stage and a third filter stage; the drive unit is arranged downstream of the second filter stage and upstream of the third filter stage in a drive unit housing, the drive unit being surrounded by the suction air flow generated when the drive unit is in operation. The drive unit is arranged spatially between the second filter stage and the additional filter stage in a drive unit housing.

The invention provides a vacuum cleaner in a compact design that has several filter stages. The implementation of several filter stages enables a particularly effective separation unit with a particularly selective first filter stage. At the same time, all filter stages of the separation unit that require periodic cleaning are arranged so that they are easily accessible for the user.

The term "hand-held" means that the vacuum cleaner is operated by hand by the user. For this purpose, the vacuum cleaner preferably also has a handle. The handle is preferably firmly connected to the separation unit or can be connected.

The term "cyclone vacuum cleaner" refers to a vacuum cleaner that is bagless and in which the suction air flow in the separation unit forms a vortex current, which functions to separate dust and dirt particles from the suction air flow under the influence of gravity.

The term "bagless" means that the suction material in the vacuum cleaner is collected directly in the separation unit or separated from the suction air flow without a bag or similar replaceable filter medium being arranged in the latter to collect suction material, so that the user does not remove a bag or similar from the separation container to empty the suction material from the separation unit. However, the vacuum cleaner has several filter media that prevent suction material from reaching the drive unit arranged in the drive unit housing.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the following subclaims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can also be combined with one another in any technologically reasonable manner and thus show further embodiments of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the drive unit is arranged such that an inflow direction of the suction air flow into the drive unit is opposite to a flow direction of the suction air flow from the second filter stage to the further filter stage. The suction air flow generated therefore also changes direction by 180° during its path within the vacuum cleaner. The drive unit, which is preferably designed as a fan, is preferably rotated by 180° with respect to a suction pipe of the vacuum cleaner, into which the suction air flow enters the vacuum cleaner before entering the filter stages. This means that a flow direction of the suction air flow flowing into the suction pipe is opposite to a further flow direction of the suction air flow entering the drive unit.

Preferably, the first filter stage has a cyclone generated by the drive unit during operation, the second filter stage has a pre-filter and the further filter stage has a central filter. Preferably, the central filter has a storage medium designed to store dust. It is preferably designed as a fine filter. The pre-filter essentially serves as filter protection for the central filter and is essentially designed to prevent coarse particles from entering a space between the second filter stage and the further filter stage.

Preferably, the pre-filter and the central filter are arranged axially along the longitudinal axis of the separation unit. Preferably, the separation unit extends along a longitudinal axis. Preferably, the pre-filter and the central filter each extend parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the first filter stage, the second filter stage and the further filter stage are arranged one behind the other in the specified order. This means that that the generated suction air flow first passes the first filter stage, then the second filter stage and finally the further filter stage.

In a preferred embodiment, the first filter stage further comprises an inlet slot which is arranged such that during operation the suction air flow from the inlet slot is guided tangentially to an inner wall of the separating vessel, so that a cyclone forms in the first filter stage during operation. The cyclone vortex forms in the first filter stage during operation, so that particles are separated with a certain pressure loss and a certain separation grain. The first filter stage preferably comprises the inlet slot, the inner wall and a dip tube. The dip tube is preferably firmly connected to the inner wall and arranged on a side of the inner wall which faces away from the second filter stage. The inlet slot preferably has a rectangular cross-section.

The vacuum cleaner preferably has the suction pipe from which the suction air stream flows into the inlet slot during operation. The suction pipe preferably has a circular cross-section. The suction pipe can preferably be connected to a floor nozzle and/or an extension pipe. The suction pipe has a longitudinal axis which lies at the center of its circular cross-section and extends along the entire length of the suction pipe.

The second filter stage preferably has a pre-filter. The pre-filter is preferably made of a fabric gauze, a plastic sieve, a punched grid or a metal gauze. The second filter stage preferably also has an inner tube which is connected to the pre-filter. The inner tube is preferably arranged behind the pre-filter and before the third filter stage in terms of flow. The pre-filter is preferably arranged between the inner wall and the inner tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the central filter is a cylindrical filter that is sealed to the drive unit and to a separating unit outer housing. The central filter preferably has a storage medium that is designed to store dust. It is preferably designed as a fine filter. The pre-filter essentially serves as filter protection for the central filter and is essentially designed to prevent coarse particles from entering a space between the second filter stage and the further filter stage.

Preferably, the further filter stage is arranged in such a way that the suction air flow generated during operation flows axially into the drive unit. This enables a compact design of the vacuum cleaner.

In a preferred embodiment, the second filter stage can be removed from the separation unit in a removal direction that is opposite to a further Removal direction in which the further filter stage can be removed from the separation unit. Due to the parallel arrangement of the second filter stage and the further filter stage, both can be removed independently of one another. Preferably, the pre-filter is detachably connected to the inner wall of the first filter stage, which is connected to the dip tube, so that the second filter stage can be removed from the separation container by removing the dip tube.

The vacuum cleaner has a third filter stage, which is arranged fluidically behind the other filter stage and which has an exhaust air filter element. The exhaust air filter element is preferably designed as a filter or a flap in an outer housing of the separation unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the separation unit has a drive unit container and a separation container, wherein the drive unit container contains the drive unit housing, the drive unit and the further filter stage and the separation container has the first and the second filter stage. Preferably, the drive unit container and the separation container are arranged adjacent to one another and extend along parallel longitudinal axes. Preferably, the separation container and the drive unit container are non-detachably connected to one another.

Preferably, the drive unit housing is surrounded by a circular segment-shaped flow cross-section through which the suction air flow flows during operation before it reaches the further filter stage. This means that the vacuum cleaner is still provided in a compact manner. However, the circular segment-shaped flow cross-section can be partially interrupted by functional geometry(s). Preferably, the drive unit housing, the flow cross-section and the central filter are designed and arranged in such a way that the suction air flow flows around the further filter stage during operation.

Preferably, a suction pipe diameter of the suction pipe is substantially equal to a cross-sectional area of the inlet slot with a rectangular cross-section. Preferably, the suction pipe diameter is substantially equal to a filter stage diameter of the inner pipe of the second filter stage and/or equal to a diameter of the pre-filter. An area of the flow cross-section between the drive unit housing and the drive unit container outer housing is preferably approximately equal to the area of the suction pipe diameter. The diameters refer in particular to inner diameters.

Preferably, the diameter of the suction pipe is in the range of 20 to 40 mm, preferably 25 to 35 mm. Preferably, the first filter stage has the following dimensions: Preferably, the cyclone has a diameter in the range of 90 to 100 mm, a height of the Cyclone, which is defined as a dimension between the inlet slot and the inner wall, is preferably in the range of 80 to 140 mm, preferably 110 to 130 mm. A height of the dip tube, which represents a longitudinal extension of the dip tube starting from the inner wall, is preferably in the range of 20 - 60 mm, more preferably 30 to 50 mm, and a diameter of the dip tube is preferably 35 - 60 mm, more preferably 40 to 50 mm. A width of the inlet slot is preferably 14 - 30 mm, preferably 18 to 26, while a height of the inlet slot is preferably 20 - 52 mm, preferably 30 to 40 mm, wherein the height and width of the inlet slot define a cross section of the inlet slot. The smaller the diameter of the prefilter, the better the separation between the second and the further filter stage and the better their separation performance.

Preferably, the drive unit container is connected to the handle. In a normal operating position, the drive unit container is preferably located at a rear or rear end of the vacuum cleaner, which means that it is closer to the user's hand and further away from the surface to be vacuumed than the separation container.

The vacuum cleaner is preferably a battery-operated vacuum cleaner. This means that the vacuum cleaner has a battery and is designed to be operated using the battery as a power source. The battery can be connected to the suction container and/or the device body, preferably the device body.

Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner can have an extension tube that can be connected to the suction tube. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner can have a floor nozzle that can be connected to the suction tube and the extension tube.

The drive unit is preferably designed as a fan.

A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that the first filter stage of the separation unit of the cyclone vacuum cleaner forms a longitudinal axis, wherein during operation of the drive unit the suction air flow forms a vortex flow around the longitudinal axis of the first filter stage, wherein the longitudinal axis of the first filter stage is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of a suction pipe. The parallel alignment of the longitudinal axes of the first filter stage and the suction pipe are advantageous for the realization of a vacuum cleaner with a compact design.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the further filter stage has a central filter through which the generated suction air flow flows from the outside to the inside. A central filter has a preferably cylindrical basic shape, wherein a filter medium, preferably pleated, is arranged along the cylinder shape and has a The inner area of the central filter is separated from the outer area of the central filter. When the air flows through the central filter from the outside to the inside, dirt particles from the suction air flow are separated on the outside of the filter medium and the cleaned suction air flow flows into the inner area of the central filter. Automatic cleaning of the dirt particles deposited on the outside can be easily set up.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a mechanical cleaning device is provided for removing dirt adhering to the filter medium of the central filter, the cleaning device having a cleaning axis rotating in the central filter to remove the adhering dirt, which is provided with pulse generators designed to apply pulses to the filter medium from the rotational movement of the cleaning axis to remove the adhering dirt. With such a mechanical cleaning device, removing dirt adhering to the filter medium is easy, since the pulses triggered knock off the dirt particles. The dirt particles removed by the pulses fall off the filter medium of the central filter and can thus be removed from time to time from the filter chamber in which the central filter is arranged.

A particularly preferred embodiment provides that the central filter is arranged in a separating tank outer housing, wherein the separating tank outer housing is provided with an opening that can be covered by a lid and through which the central filter can be removed from the separating tank outer housing for filter replacement and/or for filter cleaning and/or for emptying the separating tank outer housing, wherein the lid is provided with an actuating element via which the cleaning axis is actuated to loosen the adhering dirt in the central filter accommodated in the separating tank outer housing. The central filter can be easily removed from the separating tank outer housing through the opening for replacement or manual cleaning. The actuating element in the lid also enables simple, mechanical cleaning of the central filter without having to remove it from the separating tank. To do this, the cleaning axis is simply rotated over the actuating element to loosen the adhering dirt. Cleaning the central filter without removing it is a simple hygiene concept, as direct contact with the dust is minimized. Furthermore, the performance of the vacuum cleaner in separating dirt is maintained for longer or restored with little time expenditure.

Fig. 1

eine Teil-Querschnittsansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Staubsaugers;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Staubsaugers;

Fig. 3

eine Querschnittsansicht des in Fig. 2 gezeigten Staubsaugers;

Fig. 4

eine weitere Querschnittsansicht des in Fig. 2 gezeigten Staubsaugers;

Fig. 5

eine weitere Teil-Querschnittsansicht des in Fig. 2 gezeigten Staubsaugers;

Fig. 6

eine weitere Querschnittsansicht des in Fig. 2 gezeigten Staubsaugers;

Fig. 7

eine weitere Querschnittsansicht des in Fig. 2 gezeigten Staubsaugers;

Fig. 8

eine weitere Querschnittsansicht des in Fig. 2 gezeigten Staubsaugers;

Fig. 9

eine weitere Teil-Querschnittsansicht des in Fig. 2 gezeigten Staubsaugers;

Fig. 10

Filterbaugruppe; und

Fig. 11, a, b

Filterbaugruppe in Abscheidebehälter-Außengehäuse.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the drawings. An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the following drawings and is described in more detail below. Corresponding objects or elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures. It shows

Fig.1

a partial cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention;

Fig.2

a perspective view of the Fig.1 shown vacuum cleaner;

Fig.3

a cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner;

Fig.4

another cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner;

Fig.5

another partial cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner;

Fig.6

another cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner;

Fig.7

another cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner;

Fig.8

another cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner;

Fig.9

another partial cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner;

Fig.10

filter assembly; and

Fig. 11, a, b

Filter assembly in separator tank outer housing.

Fig.1 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention. The vacuum cleaner 100 has a separation unit 18 which has a separation container 3 and a drive unit container 2 which are permanently connected. The separation container 3 is designed to separate and collect suction material, while the adjacent drive unit container 2 contains a drive unit 5 which is designed to generate a suction air flow 19. The separation container 3 has a first filter stage 6 and a second filter stage 7, while the drive unit container 2 has a further filter stage 8. The first filter stage 6 has a cyclone generated during operation, while the second filter stage 7 has a pre-filter and the further filter stage 8 has a central filter.

The first filter stage 6, the second filter stage 7 and the further filter stage 8 are arranged one behind the other in terms of flow in the order given. The pre-filter and the central filter are arranged axially. The first filter stage 6 has an inner wall 10 and a dip tube 17. The drive unit container 2 has a drive unit container outer housing 12, into which the third filter stage 9 in the form of an exhaust air filter is optionally integrated. The drive unit container 2 also has a drive unit housing 15, into which the drive unit 5 is installed.

During operation, the drive unit 5 generates a suction air flow 19, which is partially indicated by the arrows. First, the suction air flow 19 passes through the first filter stage 6, where it hits the inner wall 10 and a cyclone is formed. The coarse dirt is collected in the separator container 3 and the air of the suction air flow 19 flows back to the second filter stage 7. Then the suction air flow 19 passes through the second filter stage 7, which is provided with a fabric gauze, a plastic sieve, a punched grid or a metal gauze. can be. The suction air flow 19 then flows further inside the second filter stage 7 into a rear part of the vacuum cleaner 100. The suction air flow 19 then flows around the drive unit housing 15, preferably over an annular cross-sectional area 28 ( Fig.7 ) is guided around the drive unit 5 encapsulated by the drive unit housing 15. The annular cross-sectional area 28 ( Fig.7 ) can be partially derived from functional geometries 29 ( Fig.7 ) interrupted. The annular cross-sectional area 28 ( Fig.7 ) can be between 180°-270° on the circumference of the drive unit housing 15. The suction air flow 19 is then directed to the further filter stage 8 and flows around it. The air of the suction air flow 19 is preferably guided by means of an air guide geometry, e.g. a ramp, ribs or similar, into a 360° ring-shaped cross-sectional area around the central filter of the further filter stage 8 and can then flow around the further filter stage 8 in its entirety. The further filter stage 8 is a cylindrical filter which is sealed to the drive unit 5 and to the outside. The further filter stage 8 can also be a filter assembly 30 ( Fig.10 ), consisting of a first frame element 31 ( Fig.10 ) with a central opening 32 ( Fig.10 ) and a sealing element 33 ( Fig.10 ) to the drive unit housing 15, a second frame element 34 ( Fig.10 ) and a filter medium 35 ( Fig.10 ), which is inserted between the two frame elements 31, 34 ( Fig.10 ) and can preferably be held in its shape without additional support elements. The first frame element 31 ( Fig.10 ) can have different construction forms. A one-piece construction form can consist entirely of a hard component, including the sealing element, or entirely of a soft component. Furthermore, this first frame element 31 ( Fig.10 ) can be designed as a 2-component component, with a soft component area 36 ( Fig.10 ) the central opening 32 ( Fig.10 ) with the corresponding sealing element 33 ( Fig.10 ). Another design could include a two-part version of the first frame element. In this case, a soft component, which forms the central opening with the corresponding sealing element, is inserted into a hard component and formed into a unit by clamping or locking. Another two-part version could consist of a 2-component component, with the soft component area forming the central opening with the corresponding sealing element, which then forms a unit with an additional element by fastening. In addition, it is possible to form the first frame element from three components. In this case, a soft component, which forms the central opening with the corresponding sealing element, is installed between two hard components. The second frame element 34 ( Fig.10 ) contains the possibility of holding the filter medium 35 ( Fig.10 ), and a centrally arranged penetration geometry 37 ( Fig.10 ) for the cleaning axis 23 ( Fig.10 ), which is connected to the external actuating element 27 ( Fig.10 ) is also connected to a all-round collar 38 ( Fig.10 ), which is immersed in the separator tank outer housing 15. To ensure a tight seal between the central filter 8 and the drive unit housing 15, the sealing element 33 ( Fig.10 ). This sealing element 33 ( Fig.10 ) may be designed as a lip seal or H-shaped seal made of a rubber material or the like. Alternatively, the second frame element 34 ( Fig.10 ) can be designed as a 2-component component, consisting of a hard component as a carrier part and a soft component on the front side facing the device, which also creates a seal with the drive unit housing 15. The air of the suction air flow 19 flows through the further filter stage 8 and flows axially into the drive unit 5 on the inside. After passing through the further filter stage 8, the suction air flow 19 reaches a space defined by the drive unit housing 15, in which the drive unit 5 is located, and can exit from this space through the third filter stage 9 and thus leave the vacuum cleaner 100.

Fig.2 shows a perspective view of the Fig.1 shown vacuum cleaner 100. The vacuum cleaner 100 has a handle 1 which is connected to the drive unit container 2. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner 100 has a suction pipe 4 which can also optionally be connected to an extension pipe 11 or a floor nozzle (not shown). The first filter stage 6 ( Fig.1 ) of the separation unit 18 ( Fig.1 ) of the cyclone vacuum cleaner 100 forms a longitudinal axis 20 ( Fig.1 ), whereby during operation of the drive unit 5 ( Fig.1 ) the suction air flow 19 ( Fig.1 ) an eddy current around the longitudinal axis 20 ( Fig.1 ) of the first filter stage 6 ( Fig.1 ), with the longitudinal axis 20 ( Fig.1 ) of the first filter stage 6 ( Fig.1 ) is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis 21 of the suction pipe 21. This parallel alignment of the longitudinal axes 20, 21 of the first filter stage 6 ( Fig.1 ) and the suction pipe 4 is advantageous for the realization of a vacuum cleaner 100 with a compact design.

During operation, the suction air flow 19 first flows through the extension pipe 11, passes the suction pipe 4, then flows from the suction pipe 4 into the separation container 3 and then from there into the drive unit container 2 and then leaves the vacuum cleaner 100.

Fig.3 shows a cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner 100 along the line III-III. The suction pipe 4 is arranged in front of the first filter stage (not shown) and has a circular cross-section with a suction pipe diameter D.

Fig.4 shows another cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner 100 along the line IV-IV. The suction pipe 4 is connected to the separating container 3 via an inlet slot 14, which runs tangentially into the latter and the first filter stage 6. During operation, the suction air flow 19 from the suction pipe 4 is directed tangentially to the inner wall (not shown) of the separating container 3, so that a cyclone (not shown) is formed in the first filter stage 6.

Fig.5 shows another partial cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner 100 through the inlet slot 14. The inlet slot 14 has a rectangular cross-section with a width b and a height h. The rectangular cross-section has an area which is approximately equal to the area of the in Fig.3 shown intake manifold diameter.

Fig.6 shows another cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner 100 along the line VI-VI. The pre-filter or an inner tube (not shown) of the second filter stage 7 located downstream of the pre-filter has a circular cross-section with a filter stage diameter d. The filter stage diameter d has an area that is approximately equal to the area of the Fig.3 shown intake manifold diameter.

Fig.7 shows another cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner 100 along the line VII-VII. Before the further filter stage (not shown), the drive unit 5 is arranged in the drive unit housing 15. An area of the cross section between the drive unit housing 15 and the drive unit container outer housing 12 is approximately equal to the area of the Fig.3 shown suction pipe diameter. The drive unit container 2 is connected to the handle 1. During operation, the suction air flow 19 flows between the drive unit housing 15 and the drive unit container outer housing 12 in a circular segment-shaped flow cross-section which is interrupted by functional geometries (not shown).

Fig.8 shows another cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner 100 along the line VIII-VIII. The further filter stage 8 is arranged in the drive unit container 2 and surrounded by the drive unit outer housing 12. It is designed as a central filter. The drive unit housing 15 has an opening 16. During operation, the suction air flow 19 flows through the central filter and then through the opening 16 into the drive unit housing 15.

Fig.9 shows another partial cross-sectional view of the Fig.2 shown vacuum cleaner 100. The second filter stage 7 can be removed in the direction of the arrow from the separating container 3, while the further filter stage 8 can be removed in the direction of the arrow from the drive unit container 2. The second filter stage 7 and the further filter stage 8 can therefore be removed in opposite directions.

Fig.10 shows the removable, further filter stage 8 as filter assembly 30 in a single view, while the Fig. 11 this filter assembly 30 is shown inserted in the drive unit container outer housing 12. The filter assembly 30 of the further filter stage 8 consists of a first frame element 31 with a central opening 32 and a sealing element 33 to the drive unit housing 15 ( Fig.1 ), a second frame element 34 and a Filter medium 35, which is glued between the two frame elements 31, 34 and can also preferably be kept stable in its shape without further support elements. The design of the first frame element 31 shown here, which in the detailed view of Fig. 11b can be seen enlarged, represents a 2-component component, with a soft component area 36 forming the central opening 32 with the corresponding sealing element 33. On the second frame element 34, in addition to the receptacle for the filter medium 35, a centrally arranged penetration geometry 37 is provided for the cleaning axis 23. The cleaning axis 23 is thereby connected to the external actuating element 27. In addition, the second frame element has a circumferential collar 38, which is inserted into the separating container outer housing 15 ( Fig. 11 ). The flow direction of the filter medium 35 from the outside to the inside causes the fine dust to be deposited on the outside of the filter medium 35. The central filter of the further filter stage 8 has a cylindrical basic shape, with the filter medium 35 being pleated, arranged along the cylindrical shape and separating an inner area of the central filter 8 from an outer area of the central filter 8. With the flow through the central filter 8 from the outside to the inside, dirt particles are removed from the suction air flow 19 ( Fig.1 ) is separated on the outside of the filter medium 35 and the cleaned suction air flow 19 ( Fig.1 ) flows into the interior of the central filter 8. For the back-cleaning of the filter medium 35, a mechanical pulse is provided which loosens the adhering dirt on the outside of the filter. This is done here by a rotation mechanism 23, 24, 27 inside the filter assembly 30. The cleaning axis 23, which is connected to the external actuating element, preferably designed as a rotary knob 27, dips backwards into the filter medium 35 with several blades 24. This mechanical cleaning device 22 for loosening dirt adhering to the filter medium 35 of the central filter 8 has a cleaning axis 23 which rotates in the central filter 8 to loosen the adhering dirt and which is provided with blades as pulse generators 24. These are designed to exert pulses on the filter medium 35 from the rotational movement of the cleaning axis 23 which loosen the adhering dirt. This makes it easy to remove dirt adhering to the filter medium 35, since the triggered impulses knock off the dirt particles. If the user of the vacuum cleaner 100 rotates the cleaning axis 23, preferably manually, using the rotary knob 27, the collected dust is released from the filter medium 35. The dirt particles released by the impulses fall off the filter medium 35 of the central filter 8 and can thus be removed from time to time from the filter chamber in which the central filter 8 is arranged. By opening a drain flap on the drive unit container 2, the drive unit container outer housing 12 can be opened and the dust that has fallen off the filter medium 35 of the further filter stage 8 as a result of the back cleaning can be passed past the drive unit housing 15 via the drive unit container 2 can be emptied together with the dirt separated via the first filter stage 6 and the second filter stage 7. Cleaning the central filter 8 without removing it provides a simple hygiene concept, as direct contact with the dust is minimized. Alternatively, the filter assembly 30 of the further filter stage 8 can be removed from the separating container 3 for cleaning. The sealing element 33, which is in Figure 11a is shown in an enlarged detailed view. This sealing element 33 can be designed as a lip seal or H-shaped seal made of a rubber material or the like.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. Further embodiments are possible without departing from the basic idea.

List of reference symbols

b

Width

d

Filter stage diameter

D

Intake manifold diameter

H

Height

1

Handle

2

Drive unit container

3

Separation tank

4

Intake manifold

5

Drive unit

6

first filter stage

7

second filter stage

8th

further filter stage

9

third filter stage

10

Interior wall

11

Extension tube

12

Drive unit container outer casing

13

Separator tank outer casing

14

Inlet slot

15

Drive unit housing

16

opening

17

Dip tube

18

Separation unit

19

Suction air flow

20

Longitudinal axis (first filter stage)

21

Longitudinal axis (intake manifold)

22

Cleaning device

23

Cleaning axis

24

Impulse generator

25

Lid

26

opening

27

Actuator

28

annular cross-sectional area

29

Functional geometries

30

Filter assembly

31

first frame element

32

central opening

33

Sealing element

34

second frame element

35

Filter medium

36

Soft component area

37

Diving geometry

38

collar

100

Vacuum cleaner

Claims (10)

1. Hand-held cyclone vacuum cleaner (100) for cleaning and caring for floor surfaces, comprising a drive unit (5) for generating a vacuum for picking up suctioned material by means of a suction air flow (19), a separator unit (18) for separating suctioned material from the suction air flow (19), the separator unit (18) having the drive unit (5) for generating a suction air flow (19), and at least a first filter stage (6), a second filter stage (7) and a third filter stage (9);

   the drive unit (5) being arranged downstream in the suction air flow (19) of the second filter stage (7) and upstream of the third filter stage (9) in the suction air flow (19) in a drive unit housing (15), the generated suction air flow (19) first passing through the first filter stage (6), then the second filter stage (7) and finally a further filter stage (8), the suction air flow (19) generated during operation of the drive unit (5) flowing around the drive unit (5), the third filter stage (9) being arranged fluidically downstream of the further filter stage (8) and having an exhaust air filter element,

   characterised in that the drive unit (5) is arranged in the drive unit housing (5) such that an inflow direction of the suction air flow (19) into the drive unit (5) is opposite to a flow direction of the suction air flow (19) from the second filter stage (7) to the further filter stage (8).
2. Vacuum cleaner (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first filter stage (6) has a cyclone generated by the drive unit (5) during operation, the second filter stage (7) has a prefilter and the further filter stage (8) has a central filter, and the prefilter and the central filter being arranged axially, the first filter stage (6), the second filter stage (7) and the further filter stage (8) being fluidically arranged one behind the other in a specified sequence.
3. Vacuum cleaner (100) according to either of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second filter stage (7) can be removed from the separator unit (18) in a removal direction which is opposite to a further removal direction in which the further filter stage (8) can be removed from the separator unit (18).
4. Vacuum cleaner (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the exhaust air filter element is preferably designed as a filter or a flap in an outer housing of the separator unit (18).
5. Vacuum cleaner (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the separator unit (18) has a drive unit container (2) and a separator container (3), the drive unit container (2) containing the drive unit housing (15), the drive unit (5) and the further filter stage (8), and the separator container (3) having the first and the second filter stage (6, 7), and the drive unit container (3) and the separator container (3) being arranged adjacent to one another and each extending along parallel longitudinal axes.
6. Vacuum cleaner (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drive unit housing (15) is surrounded by a circular segment-shaped flow cross-section through which the suction air flow (19) flows during operation before it reaches the further filter stage (8).
7. Vacuum cleaner (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first filter stage (6) of the separator unit (18) of the cyclone vacuum cleaner forms a longitudinal axis (20), the suction air flow (19) forming, during operation of the drive unit (5), an eddy current around the longitudinal axis (20) of the first filter stage (6), the longitudinal axis (20) of the first filter stage (6) being aligned in parallel with the longitudinal axis (21) of a suction pipe (4).
8. Vacuum cleaner (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the further filter stage (8) has a central filter through which the generated suction air flow (19) flows from the outside to the inside.
9. Vacuum cleaner (100) according to claim 8, characterised in that a mechanical cleaning device (22) is provided for loosening dirt which adheres to the filter medium of the central filter (8), the cleaning device (22) having a cleaning shaft (23) which rotates in the central filter (8) to loosen the adhering dirt and is provided with pulse generators (24) which are designed to exert pulses on the filter medium which loosen the adhering dirt from the rotational movement of the cleaning axis (23).
10. Vacuum cleaner (100) according to claim 9, characterised in that the central filter (8) is arranged in a separator container outer housing (13), the separator container outer housing (13) being provided with an opening (26) which can be covered by a lid (25), via which opening the central filter (8) can be removed from the separator container outer housing (13) for filter replacement and/or for filter cleaning and/or for emptying the separator container outer housing (13), the cover (25) being provided with an actuating element (27), via which the cleaning shaft (23) is actuated for loosening the adhering dirt in the central filter (8) accommodated in the separator container outer housing (13).

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