SE2330232A1

SE2330232A1 - Stick vacuum cleaner system

Info

Publication number: SE2330232A1
Application number: SE2330232A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Josef Isaksson
Original assignee: Electrolux Ab
Priority date: 2023-05-23
Filing date: 2023-05-23
Publication date: 2024-11-24
Also published as: WO2024242602A1

Abstract

Described is a system (60) for emptying a dust container (4) of a vacuum cleaner (1) is provided. The system comprises a stick vacuum cleaner comprising a dust container for collecting particles sucked into the vacuum cleaner. The dust container has at least one curved side wall and wherein the dust container has an opening located on the curved side wall thereof. The opening is closable by a lid. The system further comprises a docking station (50). The docking station is provided with a suction opening configured to match with the opening of the dust container when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station. Hereby the suction opening of the docking station can be positioned at a height that matches the height of the opening of the dust container such that the interface between the two openings are at the same height. Hereby no vertical movment of the vacuum cleaner is required when placing the vacuum cleaner in the dockig station for initiating an emptying procedure of the dust container of the vacuum cleaner.

Description

Technical field The present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner in particular to a system used for emptying the vacuum cleaner.

Background A vacuum cleaner is typically a device having a fan motor generating a suction power and configured to suck particles, such as dust, together with air through the suction power generated by the fan motor, separate and co||ect the suctioned particles from the air so that cieaning is performed. ln order to co||ect the suctioned particles, the vacuum cleaner can include a dust collecting container for collecting particles. However. the user then needs to remove the particles from the dust collecting container. When the user removes the particles from the dust collecting container, the particles may be scattered, which may increase the concentration of dust in the room and otherwise the user come in contact with the particles which is not desired.

To solve this problem, vacuum cleaners, such as battery powered stick vacuum cleaners, can be provided with different types of arrangements for emptying dust therefrom. For example, US2021068603 sets out a solution where a docking station can be provided where the dust collecting container can be emptied. The docking station includes a suction device configured to move air from the dust collecting container to an inside of the docking station, a collector configured to co||ect a foreign substance that is moved together with the air by driving of the suction device, a suction flow path along which air moves inside the docking station. Dust from the dust container of the battery powered vacuum cleaner can then be moved to the docking station without being scattered into the room.

Classified as Internal Depending on type and mix of dust, particles and hair the emptying of the dust container and even parts of the separating system is difficult. Therefore, it is a constant desire to improve the way to empty the vacuum cleaner.

There is a constant desire to improve vacuum cleaners to make them more efficient and user-friendly.

Summary One object of the present disclosure is therefore to provide an improved stick vacuum cleaner.

This object and or others are achieved by the system as set out in the appended claims. ln accordance with the invention a system for emptying a dust container of a vacuum cleaner is provided. The system comprises a stick vacuum cleaner comprising a handle, a suction nozzle, a battery powered motor, and a suction fan driven by the battery powered motor. The stick vacuum cleaner also comprises a dust container for collecting particles sucked into the vacuum cleaner. The dust container has at least one curved side wall and wherein the dust container has an opening located on the curved side wall thereof. The opening is closable by a lid. The system further comprises a docking station. The docking station is provided with a suction opening configured to match with the opening of the dust container when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station. Hereby the suction opening of the docking station can be positioned at a height that matches the height of the opening of the dust container such that the interface between the two openings are at the same height. Hereby no vertical movment of the vacuum cleaner is required when placing the vacuum cleaner in the dockig station for initiating an emptying procedure of the dust container of the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner can therefore be easily rolled into the docking station without any vertical lift required by the user. ln addition the Classified as Internal interface for emptying the dust container by the docking station will have a configuration that allows for a horizontal air flow from the dust container during the emptying procedure. The horizontal air flow can provide for a more efficient emptying of the dust container and also for improved cleaning of filters and the like of the vacuum cleaner.

The lid of the dust container can be implemented in different configurations to meet specific implementation needs. For example, the lid can be hinged, or the lid can be formed by a member slidable over the opening located on the curved side wall or the lid can be formed by a flap of an elastic material.

Further, the opening of the dust container can be provided with a sealing. Hereby the risk for dust being scattered during the emptying procedure can be reduced. ln accordance with one embodiment, the docking station comprises means for opening the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station. Hereby the lid of the dust container needs only to be opened when the vacuum cleaner is placed in the docking station so that scattering of dust is prevented in that the lid can be always closed when the vacuum cleaner is not in the docking station.

The means for opening the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station comprises a manual button or the means for opening the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station is configured to automatically open the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station. Hereby different mechanisms for opening the lid of the dust container when being placed in the docking station. ln accordance with one embodiment, the docking station comprises means for locking the lid in an open position when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the Classified as Internal docking station. Hereby it can be ensured that the lid is in a safe open position during the emptying procedure of the dust container. ln accordance with some embodiments the docking station comprises means for closing the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station. For example, the means for closing the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station can comprise a manual button. The manual button can activate a mechanism to close the lid. Also, the means for closing the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station can be configured to automatically close the lid when the vacuum cleaner is released from the docking station. Hereby, the lid can be safely closed before the vacuum cleaner is released from the docking station so that the lid is always closed when the vacuum cleaner is not in the docking station.

This can prevent scattering of dust and the like. ln accordance with one embodiment, the docking station comprises a motor for creating an air flow through the dust container and the opening, into the suction opening of the docking station. The air flow is driven further into a docking station dust separator for separating dust and particles from the dust container from the air flow, passing the motor and exiting the docking station through a docking station air outlet. Hereby an efficient emptying mechanism for the dust container can be provided.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will now be described in more detail by means of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 is a general view in perspective of a stick vacuum cleaner, - -Figs. 2a - 2b illustrate a dust container according to a first embodiment, - Fig. 3 illustrate a dust container according to a second embodiment, - Fig. 4 illustrate a dust container according to a third embodiment, and Classified as Internal - Fig. 5 illustrate a vacuum cleaner placed in a docking station.

Detailed description Aspects of the present invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for ease of understanding and/or clarity. lt is further to be understood that the features described can be combined in any suitable manner to meet different implementational needs.

The present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner and in particular a stick vacuum cleaner system. ln Fig. 1, a vacuum cleaner 1 is placed in a stand 2. The vacuum cleaner 1 is of a type where a part of the vacuum cleaner can be separated from the rest of the vacuum cleaner to form a hand-held unit. ln Fig. 1. The vacuum cleaner 1 is a of a stick type and the top part of the vacuum cleaner 1 can be separated to form a hand-held unit (main unit) 3. However, the vacuum cleaner could be of any type.

For example, the vacuum cleaner can be a stick, canister or robotic vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a stick/tube 5 and a suction nozzle 6. The dust sucked by the vacuum cleaner from the nozzle 6, passes a dust separation device and can there be collected in a dust container 4. The dust separation device may also have a fine-dust filter for filtering our fine dust from the air flow, The vacuum cleaner is driven by a motor, a battery powered motor (not visible) and has a suction fan (not visible) driven by the battery powered motor to provide suction at the suction nozzle 6.

The dust separator is typically a cyclone separator, preferably a two-stage cyclone separator. The first cyclone separator typically separates larger particles and hair. The second cyclone typically separates smaller particles and fine dust. The dust and particles from both cyclones end up in a dust container.

Classified as Internal The dust container 4 is typically generally cylindrical and in particular the dust container 4 is provided with a curved side wall 8. The curved side wall 8 is typically in a vertical position when the vacuum cleaner 1 is in use and is also typically in a vertical position when the dust container 4 is emptied as described in more detail below.

When the dust container 4 is filled with dust and other particles, the dust container 4 should be emptied. The emptying procedure should preferably, as set out above, be performed such that no or a minimal amount of dust is scattered during the emptying procedure. ln Fig. 2a, a first view of a dust container 4 is shown. The dust container 4 is provided with an opening 41 for emptying the dust container 4. The opening 41 is provided on the curved side wall 8 of the dust container 4. ln particular, the opening 41 can be located on the lower part of the curved side wall 41 as seen when the vacuum cleaner is held in an upright position with the nozzle pointing in a downwards direction. ln Fig. 2a, the opening is closed by a lid 42 formed by a slidable member. The lid 42 can be opened by some suitable mechanism. For example, the lid 42 can in accordance with one embodiment be slid to the side by rotating the lid 42. ln accordance with another exemplary embodiment the lid 42 is slid by pushing or pulling the lid 42 to open the opening 41.

Fig. 2b is similar to Fig. 2a and shows the opening 41 in an open position with the lid 42 slid away from the opening 41. As can be seen in Fig. 2b, the opening 41 can be provided with a sealing 46 to seal against an opening of a docking station as described in more detail below.

Classified as Internal ln Fig. 3 shows another embodiment with the opening 41 placed at the curved side wall 8. ln the embodiment of Fig. 3, a lid 43 is provided by a ﬂap formed by an elastic material such as a rubber material to close the opening 41 on the dust container 4. The lid 43 can be aligned with the shape of the dust container 4. The lid 43 stays in place and close the opening 41 when the pressure inside the dust container is less (or equal) to the outside pressure. When the pressure outside is lowered, for example by applying a suction force as described in more detail below, the lid 43 opens and the dust container 4 can be emptied. ln Fig. 4, yet another embodiment is shown. ln the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the lid 44 is a hinged lid 44. The hinged lid 44 can be opened by applying a suction force in the corresponding manner as the elastic lid 43. For example, a spring force can be overcome by a suction force to open the hinged lid 44. ln an alternative embodiment a lock is provided on the hinged lid 44 that can be unlocked when the dust container is to be emptied.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view illustrating emptying of the dust container 4 in a docking station 50. Fig. 5 shows a system 60 comprising a vacuum cleaner 1 placed in the docking station 50. When placed in the docking station, the lid 42, 43, 44 can be opened to allow the dust/ particles in the dust container 4 to be emptied to the docking station 50 via the opening 41. A sealing of the opening 41 can ensure that no dust is scatter when dust laden air is emptied from the dust container 4 via opening 41 to the docking station 50. The docking station 50 typically has a motor/fan unit 52 for providing a suction force to draw dust and particles from the dust container 4. The docking station 50 also typically has a dust compartment 54, preferably a dust bag, where the dust can be collected. ln Fig. 5, air flow in the vacuum cleaner 1 and docking station 50 is shown by arrows during emptying of the dust container 4. Thus, air is drawn by the motor/fan unit 52 from the dust container 4 via the opening 41 to the dust compartment 54 such that Classified as Internal dust from the dust container 4 is moved to the dust compartment 54 of the docking station 50 during an emptying procedure. ln an emptying procedure, the user places the vacuum cleaner 1 in the docking station 50. Because the opening 41 of the dust container 4 of the vacuum cleaner is located on the side wall of the dust container 4, it is easy for the user to place the vacuum cleaner in the docking station with the opening of the dust container locked to a suction opening of the docking station 50 to where the dust of the dust container is unloaded /emptied. For example, if the vacuum cleaner is a stick vacuum cleaner as shown in Fig, 1, the user can simply roll the vacuum cleaner into the docking station 50 and the user does not need to lift the vacuum cleaner to place the vacuum cleaner 1 in the docking station 50 in a position where the dust container 4 can be emptied into the docking station 50.

Thus, during the emptying procedure in the docking station 50, the docking station is configured to drive a docking station motor/fan unit 53 for creating an air flow through the vacuum cleaner dust container and the opening 41, into the suction opening of the docking station. The air flow is then force further into a docking station dust separator, for separating dust and particles from the dust container from the air flow. The air flow passes the motor/fan unit and exits the docking station 50 through a docking station air outlet. The dust from the dust container is thereby moved into the docking station. During the entire emptying procedure, it is ensured that dust is not scattered as will be described in more detail below.

When the vacuum cleaner 1 is placed in the docking station 50, the dust container 4 can be emptied. The triggering of the emptying can be either manual or automatic. ln accordance with some embodiments the emptying of the dust container 4 is manual. For example, the user can manually open the lid 42, 43, 44 of the dust container when the vacuum cleaner is in the docking station and then start emptying by activating the motor 53 of the docking station.

Classified as Internal ln accordance with some embodiments the emptying of the dust container 4 is automatic and can start when the vacuum cleaner 1 is placed in the docking station 50 _ For example, placing of the vacuum cleaner 1 in the docking station can cause a switch in the docking station 50 to start the motor 52. When the lid 42, 43, 44 is of a type that opens in response to a suction force this will cause the lid 42, 43, 44 to open and dust/particles can be sucked into the docking station 50 to empty the dust container. ln another embodiment, placing of the vacuum cleaner 1 in the docking station 50 can cause the docking station to mechanically open the lid 42, 43, 44. For example, the lid 42, 43, 44 can be pushed/unlocked or othen/vise maniplulated by the docking station 50 when placed therein such that the lid 42, 43, 44 is in an open position when the vacuum cleaner is in the docking station 50. The lid 42, 43, 44 can be secured (locked) in an open position by the docking station when the lid has been opened to ensure that the lid is open during the entire emptying procedure.

Further, the docking station 50 can comprise a means for closing the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station or when the vacuum cleaner is released from the docking station. For example, the means for closing the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station can comprise a manual button. The manual button can activate a mechanism to close the lid. ln accordance with some embodiments the button to close the lid is the same button as the button opening the lid and the button is then operated in reverse. Also, the means for closing the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station can be configured to automatically close the lid when the vacuum cleaner is released from the docking station. For example, the same switch used to detect that a vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station can be used to sense that the vacuum cleaner is released, and the lid can then be closed in response to this action by the docking station. For example, the mechanism used to open the lid can then be executed in reverse. Hereby, the lid can be safely closed before the vacuum cleaner is released from the docking station so that the lid is always closed when the vacuum cleaner is not in the docking station. This can prevent scattering of dust and the like.

Classified as Internal By providing a vacuum cleaner, such as a stick vacuum cleaner with a dust container having an opening at it curved side wall, it is made easy to empty the dust container in a docking station because the opening 41 can be made to match with a suction opening of the docking station with minimum effort from the user. Hence the user can simply roll the vacuum cleaner into the docking station. ln other words, the suction opening of the docking station can be positioned at a height that matches the height of the opening of the dust container such that the interface between the two openings are at the same height. Hereby no vertical movment of the vacuum cleaner is required when placing the vacuum cleaner in the dockig station for initiating an emptying procedure of the dust container of the vacuum cleaner. The dust container can then easlily be emptied without risking to scatter dust during the emptying since the dust container is only open while the vacuum cleaner is connected to the docking station.

Further, the docking station can be configured to charge a battery in the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station.

Furthermore, by providing for a vertical interface between the vacuum cleaner and the docking station where the opening of the docking station matches with a vertically oriented opening of the dust container, the air flow created during the emptying procedure will be a horizon airflow. This can be advantageous because if for example a cyclone with a filter shroud, e.g., filter with a mesh and/or hole structure, is used, an air flow that can facilitate removal dust that has adhered to the filter shroud. Also, such a horizontal air flow can more easily remove dust and other particles that have stuck to the or the inner wall of the dust bin.

Claims

1. A. system (60) for emptying a dust container of a vacuum cleaner comprising: a stick vacuum cleaner (1) comprising - a handle (7) - a suction nozzle (6) - a battery powered motor, - a suction fan driven by the battery powered motor, and - a dust container (4) for collecting particles sucked into the vacuum cleaner, the dust container (4) having at least one curved side wall (8) wherein the dust container (4) has an opening (41) located on the curved side (8) wall thereof, the opening being closable by a lid (42, 43, 44), and - a docking station (50), wherein the docking station (50 is provided with a suction opening configured to match with the opening (41) of the dust container (4) when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station (50).

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the lid (44) is hinged.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the lid is formed by a member (42) slidable over the opening located on the curved side wall.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the lid is formed by a flap (43) of an elastic material.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the opening is provided with a sealing (46).

6. Classified as Internal6. The system according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the docking station comprises means for opening the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the means for opening the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station comprises a manual button.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the means for opening the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station is configured to automatically open the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station.

9. The system according to any one of claims 6 - 8, wherein the docking station comprises means for locking the lid in an open position when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 - 9, wherein the docking station comprises means for closing the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station comprises a manual button.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the means for closing the lid when the vacuum cleaner is positioned in the docking station is configured to automatically close the lid when the vacuum cleaner is released from the docking station.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 - 11, wherein the docking station comprises (50) a motor (53) for creating an air flow through the dust container and the opening (41), into the suction opening of the docking station, and further into a docking station dust separator, for separating dust and particles from the dust container from the air flow, passing the motor (53) and exiting the docking station through a docking station air outlet.