DK2567647T3

DK2567647T3 - Suction Hard surface

Info

Publication number: DK2567647T3
Application number: DK12195326.9T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Ralph Diehl; Michael Schütz; Günter Rauscher; Michael Scharmacher
Original assignee: Kaercher Gmbh & Co Kg Alfred
Priority date: 2008-01-11
Filing date: 2008-12-18
Publication date: 2016-05-30
Also published as: DK2230980T3; CN101909500B; DE102008004964B3; EP2230980A1; PT2230980E; PL2230980T3; ES2399090T3; WO2009086892A1; CN101909500A; ES2566936T3; EP2567647A1; EP2567647B1; PL2567647T3; EP2230980B1

Description

The invention relates to a hard surface suction cleaner having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

Hard surface suction cleaners comprising a suction nozzle and a suction unit in flow communication via a flow path with the suction nozzle for sucking a liquid-air mixture from a hard surface, and comprising a separating device for separating liquid from the liquid-air mixture, and comprising a dirty-liquid tank for receiving the separated liquid can be used for vacuuming hard surfaces, in particular tiled walls or floors, or also for removing a water film from window panes or glass doors. To this end, a suction flow can be achieved by the suction unit so that dirt particles and water droplets can be suctioned from the hard surface through the suction nozzle and transferred to the dirty-liquid container. Such hard surface suction cleaners are known for example from US patent specifications Nos. 3,254,360 and 3,118,165. Moreover, such hard surface suction cleaners are described in DE 2555648 Al.

Furthermore, a hard surface suction cleaner of this type is disclosed in US 6,347,428, wherein the hard surface can not only be vacuumed, but can alternatively be cleaned with a rotatable brush. To this end, the suction flow generated by the suction unit can be passed either through a suction mouth of the suction nozzle or through a rotor which drives the brush via a gear. To vacuum the hard surface, the suction flow, starting from the suction mouth of the suction nozzle, is passed through the dirty-liquid tank, with liquid droplets being separated from the liquid-air mixture within the dirty-liquid tank. This is disadvantageous in that the separation effect is dependent on the liquid level inside the dirty-liquid tank. US patent specification No. 6,691,369 describes a hard surface suction cleaner in which the dirty-liquid tank is separated from the flow path between the suction nozzle and the suction unit by the use of a float. The separation effect is therefore not negatively affected by the liquid level of the dirty-liquid tank. However, there is a risk of liquid contained in the dirty-liquid tank exiting through the suction nozzle again if the hard surface suction cleaner is oriented at an incline with respect to the vertical. Therefore, care must be exercised by the user, in particular when transporting the hard surface suction cleaner after it has been used, to hold the hard surface suction cleaner in a predetermined position. A hard surface suction cleaner having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from US patent specification No. 4,894,882. It comprises within a housing upper part a dirty-liquid tank which is combined with a separating device. A suction unit is arranged below the dirty-liquid tank, and the dirty-liquid tank has a fill duct which carries a suction nozzle at its free end. The dirty-liquid tank and the separating device are not structurally separate. A hard surface suction cleaner of similar configuration is known from EP Publication No. 0 663 176 Al. The hard surface suction cleaner described therein likewise comprises a dirty-liquid tank that is combined with a separating device and is not structurally separate therefrom. A fill duct protrudes into the dirty-liquid tank which carries a suction nozzle at the free end thereof facing away from the dirty-liquid tank and is surrounded by an alternate space within the dirty-liquid tank which receives liquid from a collecting space of the dirty-liquid tank when pivoting the hard surface suction cleaner from the vertical position.

It is an object of the present invention to improve a hard surface suction cleaner of the type mentioned at the outset such that it creates a constant suction flow independent of the fill level in the dirty-liquid tank and without the risk of liquid contained within the dirty-liquid tank spilling out of it again.

This object is achieved by a hard surface suction cleaner having the features of patent claim 1.

In the hard surface suction cleaner constructed in accordance with the invention, the separation of liquid from the liquid-air mixture drawn thereinto takes place within a separating chamber which is arranged in the flow path between the suction nozzle and the suction unit and is connected to the dirty- liquid tank. The separated liquid accumulates inside the dirty-liquid tank without this interfering with the suction flow induced by the suction unit. The suction flow does not travel through the dirty-liquid tank and is therefore independent of the fill level inside the dirty-liquid tank. The separation effect is not dependent on the liquid level of the dirty-liquid tank, because the separation process takes place external to the dirty-liquid tank.

In order to ensure that liquid residing in the dirty-liquid tank cannot spill out of it again if the user pivots the hard surface suction cleaner from the upright position to for example a horizontal position or even a tip-down position, there is provided a filling device including a fill duct which has a fill opening. Liquid that has been separated from the liquid-air mixture in the separating chamber can pass into the dirty-liquid tank via the fill opening. The dirty-liquid tank forms a collecting space for separated liquid below the fill opening. Furthermore, the dirty-liquid tank comprises an alternate space in the area surrounding the fill duct, said alternate space receiving liquid from the collecting space when pivoting the hard surface suction cleaner from the vertical position. Thus, liquid that has passed from the separating chamber via the fill opening into the dirty-liquid tank cannot flow out of the dirty-liquid tank again by tilting the hard surface suction cleaner; rather, starting from the collecting space arranged below the fill opening, it collects within the alternate space surrounding the fill duct. Thus, even if the user holds the hard surface suction cleaner in a position in which the suction nozzle is located below the suction unit, there is no danger of liquid issuing from the dirty-liquid tank. This greatly simplifies the handling of the hard surface suction cleaner.

In order to allow liquid to flow into the dirty-liquid tank during operation of the hard surface suction cleaner, it is necessary to allow air contained in the dirty-liquid tank to escape from the tank. To this end, it is provided in accordance with the invention that the filling device has a vent duct extending into the dirty-liquid tank, said vent duct, on the side facing away from the fill opening, protruding beyond the fill duct and, inside the dirty-liquid tank, comprising a vent opening. The dirty-liquid tank can be vented via the vent duct. Because the vent duct protrudes beyond the fill duct in a direction of the separating chamber, i.e. on the side facing away from the fill opening of the fill duct, liquid from the separating chamber can flow around the end region of the vent duct facing towards the separating chamber in order to pass into the dirty-liquid tank via the fill duct. At the same time, air is allowed to escape freely from the dirty-liquid tank via the vent duct.

Preferably, the fill duct protrudes into the dirty-liquid tank and the fill opening is arranged within the dirty-liquid tank. The area surrounding the fill duct within the dirty-liquid tank thus forms the alternate space which, if the hard surface suction cleaner is pivoted from the vertical, can receive the liquid residing in the collecting space. Alternatively, provision may also be made for the fill duct to be arranged external to the dirty-liquid tank, wherein the dirty-liquid tank at least partially surrounds the fill duct in a circumferential direction in order to form the alternate space.

It is advantageous for the volume of the alternate space to be at least the same as the volume of the collecting space, because this allows the collecting space to be completely filled with liquid, and when the hard surface suction cleaner is pivoted from its upright position, all of the liquid residing in the collecting space can be received by the alternate space.

In a preferred embodiment, the fill opening is arranged at a level approximately midway of the height of the dirty-liquid tank with respect to an upright position of the hard surface suction cleaner. The collecting space receiving the separated liquid when the hard surface suction cleaner is in the upright position can extend from a bottom wall of the dirty-liquid tank to the lower edge of the fill opening arranged at a level halfway of the height of the dirty-liquid tank, and the alternate space receiving liquid from the collecting space when the hard surface suction cleaner is pivoted from the vertical position can extend from an upper edge of the fill opening to a top wall or also for example to a filler piece or generally to the upper boundary of the interior space of the dirty-liquid tank.

In order to allow the fill level of the dirty-liquid to be readily ascertained by the user, it is advantageous for the dirty-liquid tank to be transparent and to have marker elements for reading the fill level. By way of example, the marker elements can be configured in the form of marking ridges integrally formed on the outside of the dirty-liquid tank. An uppermost marker element can be arranged at the level of the fill opening and thereby indicate the maximum fill level to the user.

It is advantageous for the vent opening of the vent duct arranged within the dirty-liquid tank to be arranged at the same level as the fill opening of the fill duct relative to the vertical. This is advantageous in that the above-described collecting space for separated liquid is located below the vent opening and the alternate space for liquid, surrounding the fill duct, is located above the vent opening. Therefore, there is also no risk of liquid leaving the dirty-liquid tank via the vent duct.

Preferably, the vent duct is arranged laterally beside the fill duct, because this allows the vent device to be of particularly compact design. In particular, provision may be made for the vent duct to be rigidly connected to the fill duct. The two ducts can thereby support each other and form a mechanically loadable component.

It is advantageous for the fill duct together with vent duct to form a shaped plastic part made in one piece. This can be fabricated from an ABS material for example.

Preferably, the filling device is inserted in a housing of the dirty-liquid tank. This facilitates the assembly of the hard surface suction cleaner.

It is particularly advantageous for the filling device to be detachably connected to the housing of the dirty-liquid tank. This affords the user the possibility to disconnect the filling device from the dirty-liquid tank in order for example to empty the interior space of the dirty-liquid tank completely or clean it out.

In order for the filling device on the one hand to be reliably retainable on the housing of the dirty-liquid tank and on the other hand to be easily detachable from the housing of the dirty-liquid tank when required, an advantageous embodiment provides for a bayonet connection to be established between the filling device and the housing of the dirty-liquid tank.

It is advantageous for the filling device to have a fill trough receiving separated liquid from the separating chamber, said fill trough being adjoined by the fill duct. Liquid that has been separated from the liquid-air mixture in the separating chamber can readily flow into the dirty-liquid tank via the fill trough. The fill trough can have a relatively large cross-section so that a relatively large passage can be provided between the separating chamber and the filling device via which the liquid that has been separated in the separating chamber can flow into the fill trough.

It is particularly advantageous for the vent duct to extend through the fill trough. In particular, provision may be made for the end of the vent duct facing towards the separating chamber to project beyond the upper edge of the fill trough facing towards the separating chamber.

In a preferred configuration, the fill trough is inserted in an inlet piece of the housing of the dirty-liquid tank. Here, a sealing element, in particular a seal ring, can be arranged between the fill trough and the inlet piece.

In an advantageous embodiment, the fill trough is surrounded by a support ring which is mounted on the inlet piece of the housing of the dirty-liquid tank. The support ring thus forms a stop which can rest in contact with a front face of the inlet piece. This makes inserting the filling device in the dirty-liquid tank a very easy task which can be readily accomplished even by the novice user.

Preferably, the fill trough has a fill funnel protruding thereinto, said fill funnel being arranged at a drain opening of the separating chamber. The fill funnel may taper in a direction of the fill trough. The fill trough provides a simple way of ensuring that the liquid separated in the separating chamber can flow into the fill trough and, via the fill duct adjoining it, into the dirty-liquid tank.

As has already been explained, provision may be made for the dirty-liquid tank to be capable of being emptied by removing the filling device. Alternatively or additionally, provision may be made for the dirty-liquid tank to have a discharge opening which is tightly closed by a lid. The discharge opening allows the user to empty the dirty-liquid tank without having to remove the vent device from the dirty-liquid tank for this purpose.

Preferably, the lid closing the discharge opening is captively held on the housing of the dirty-liquid tank.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the dirty-liquid tank is detachably connectable to a basic housing of the hard surface suction cleaner which receives the suction unit. The dirty-liquid tank can thus be easily removed from the basic housing. To this end, the basic housing can have a receiving compartment into which the dirty-liquid tank can be inserted. Preferably, the dirty-liquid tank can be latched together with the basic housing.

The basic housing is preferably capable of receiving, in addition to the suction unit, at least one rechargeable battery, in particular a lithium-ion battery, via which the suction unit can be supplied with energy.

The separating chamber is preferably configured as a separate component that is detachably connectable to the basic housing receiving the suction unit. By way of example, a snap-type or a latch-type connection can be used for establishing the detachable connection. Provision may also be made for the separating chamber to be screwed together with the basic housing. The user can therefore easily disconnect the separating chamber from the basic housing, for example to clean the separating chamber. When assembling the hard surface suction cleaner, it is merely necessary to connect, for example latch, the separating chamber to the basic housing.

It is advantageous for the suction nozzle to be detachably connectable to the separating chamber. By way of example, provision may be made for the suction nozzle to be connectable to the separating chamber by way of a snap-type or latch-type connection. Alternatively, a screw connection in particular can also be used.

It is particularly advantageous for the hard surface suction cleaner to have a basic housing receiving the suction unit and also a rechargeable battery in particular, said basic housing being detachably connectable to a separating chamber configured as a separate component, said separating chamber being in turn detachably connectable to a suction nozzle comprising a suction mouth and a suction duct, and to have, in addition thereto, a dirty-liquid tank likewise configured in the form of a separate component, said dirty-liquid tank being detachably connectable to the basic housing and/or the separating chamber.

It is particularly advantageous for the suction nozzle to have suction duct which has a rear end region thereof protruding into the separating chamber and is surrounded along at least a portion of its circumference by one or more intermediate storage regions within the separating chamber. Such a configuration has the advantage of the hard surface suction cleaner being also operable in a position in which the suction nozzle is located below the suction unit. In this case, liquid separated within the separating chamber can first collect in the at least one intermediate storage region which surrounds within the separating chamber at least a portion of the suction duct protruding into the separating chamber. If, at a later time, the hard surface suction cleaner is operated in an upright position again in which the suction nozzle is located above the suction unit, the liquid that has first been collected in the intermediate storage region beside the suction duct can drain away into the dirty-liquid tank.

Preferably, the suction unit is in flow communication with the separating chamber via a vacuum conduit, wherein a front end region of the vacuum conduit protrudes into the separating chamber and is surrounded by an annular intermediate storage region in a circumferential direction within the separating chamber. Such a configuration also allows liquid separated within the separating chamber to be collected when the hard surface suction cleaner is oriented in a position inclined at an angle relative to the vertical, in particular in a horizontal position in which the suction nozzle and the suction unit are approximately at the same level, said liquid being then allowed to drain away into the dirty-liquid tank upon subsequent return of the hard surface suction cleaner to the upright position.

It is advantageous for at least one of the intermediate storage regions to diverge in a direction of the separating device arranged in the separating chamber. This facilitates draining away any liquid that has temporarily been collected in the intermediate storage region.

The provision of at least one of the intermediate storage regions in the separating chamber allows the hard surface suction cleaner to be operated in any position relative to the vertical. It is therefore particularly suited to suctioning a water film from window panes. It can be run along the window pane by the user in the same way he/she is used to from handling customary window cleaning apparatuses in which liquid applied to the window pane is removed manually from the window pane by use of a squeegee with a rubber lip. There is no risk of liquid escaping from the separating chamber or from the dirty-liquid tank even if the hard surface suction cleaner is moved to a tip-down position. Even in such a position, an effective suction flow develops so that dirt particles and liquid droplets can be reliably removed from a hard surface.

The separating device arranged in the separating chamber preferably comprises an impact wall which overlies the end of the vacuum conduit arranged in the separating chamber. This allows for a particularly effective separation effect to be achieved.

The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the drawing, serves to explain the invention in greater detail. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hard surface suction cleaner;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the hard surface suction cleaner from

Figure 2; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a dirty-liquid tank including a filling device employed in the hard surface suction cleaner from Figure 1.

The drawing is a schematic representation of a portable hard surface suction cleaner 10 which can be used to suction liquid from a hard surface, for example a window pane. The hard surface suction cleaner 10 can be held by a handle 12 with one hand of the user and run along the hard surface in the manner of a customary squeegee having a rubber lip.

The hard surface suction cleaner 10 comprises a basic housing 14 which forms the handle 12 and receives a suction unit 16 including a suction turbine 17 and an electric motor 18. Arranged within the basic housing 14 is at least one rechargeable battery 19 for energizing the electric motor 18. The underside of the basic housing 14 forms a standing surface 21 for placing the hard surface suction cleaner 10 on a supporting surface.

On the side facing away from the handle 12, the basic housing 14 forms a receiving compartment 23 which receives a dirty-liquid tank 25 which is removable from the basic housing 14 and can be latched together with the basic housing 14 via releasable latch means known per se and therefore not shown in the drawing. The dirty-liquid tank 25 has a tank housing 26 of substantially cuboid shape which is configured in the form of a one-piece shaped plastic part and is transparent. It comprises a bottom wall 27, with a front wall 28 and a rear wall 29 extending upwards, i.e. in a direction facing away, from the bottom wall 27. The front wall 28 and the rear wall 29 are connected to each other via two side walls which are likewise integrally connected to the bottom wall 27 and of which only one side wall 31 is visible in the drawing (Figure 1). On the upper side facing away from the bottom wall 27, the tank housing 26 forms a hollow-cylindrical inlet piece 30. Adjacent to the inlet piece 30 and integrally formed in the front wall 28 is a discharge opening 32 which is tightly closable by a lid 33 that is captively held on the front wall 28. Integrally formed on the lid 33, in spaced relation to the discharge opening 32, is a holding pin 34 for captively holding the lid 33, said holding pin 34 being sealingly passed through a holding opening 35 of the front wall 28 and engaging behind the holding opening 35 within the tank housing 26 by way of a mushroom-shaped extension 36. The lid 33 has in its upper end region facing away from the holding pin 34 a grip tab 37 which can be easily grasped by the user in order to open the discharge opening 32.

Protruding into the tank housing 26 is a filling device 40 which is fabricated as a one-piece shaped plastic part from a thermoplastic material, such as an ABS (acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene) material, and forms a fill trough 42 which is inserted in the inlet piece 30 with a sealing ring 43 interposed therebetween. The fill trough 42 forms with its edge region that protrudes out of the inlet piece 30 a support ring 44 which mounts on the free front face 46 of the inlet piece 30. Integrally formed on and directed radially outward from the support ring 44 are two diametrically opposed holding wings, with only one holding wing 48 being visible in Figure 3. The holding wings 48 in combination with corresponding holding elements integrally formed on the outside of the inlet piece 30 form a bayonet joint known per se and therefore not shown in more detail on the drawing, the filling device 40 being detachably connectable to the tank housing 26 via the bayonet joint.

The fill trough 42 has a trough bottom 49 which is adjoined within the tank housing 26 by a fill duct 50. The fill duct 50 extends into the tank housing 26 and has a fill opening 51 at its end facing away from the fill trough 42. The fill opening 51 is located approximately midway between the bottom wall 27 of the tank housing 26 and the inlet piece 30. The tank housing 26 forms a collecting space 55 below the fill opening 51, and the fill duct 50 is surrounded within the tank housing 26 by an annular alternate space 56 between the fill opening 51 and the trough bottom 49. The volume of the alternate space 56 is at least the same as the volume of the collecting space 55. The importance of the collecting space 55 and the alternate space 5 will be discussed in more detail below.

On its outside, the transparent tank housing 26 bears a marking 52 including a plurality of marking ridges 53 integrally formed on the tank housing 26 and from which the user can read the fill level of the tank housing 26. An uppermost marking ridge 54 is arranged at the level of the lower edge 58 of the fill opening 51 and indicates the maximum admissible fill level of the dirty-liquid tank 25. The collecting space 55 extends from the bottom wall 27 to the level of the uppermost marking ridge 54. The alternate space 56 extends from an upper edge 59 of the fill opening 51 to the trough bottom 49 of the fill trough 42.

The fill duct 50 is integrally connected to a vent duct 60 of the filling device 40 which extends parallel to the fill duct 50. The vent duct 60 has a vent opening 61 at the level of the fill opening 51. The vent duct 60 extends through the trough bottom 49, and the upper end 62 thereof facing away from the vent opening 61 protrudes beyond the support ring 44 of the fill trough 42.

On the upper side, the basic housing 14 and the dirty-liquid tank 25 are adjoined by a separating chamber 65 which is connected to the basic housing 14 via a releasable latch connection. Arranged on the outside of the separating chamber 65 are press buttons 66 for releasing the latch connection. The separating chamber 65 has exterior walls in the form of a concavely curved front wall 68 adjoining the front wall 28 of the tank housing 26, a convexly curved rear wall 69 adjoining the handle 12, and in the form of side walls integrally connecting the front wall 68 and the rear wall 69, only one side wall 70 being visible in the drawing, namely in Figure 1. Each of the side walls 70 has a press button 66 positioned thereon. The latch connection between the separating chamber and the basic housing 14 can be released by simultaneously pressing both press buttons 66.

Arranged within the separating chamber 65 is a separating device in the form of an impact wall 72 which is arcuately curved. On the upper side, the separating chamber 33 is bounded by a top wall 73 integrally connecting together the front wall 68, the rear wall 69 and the two side walls 70, said top wall 73 having integrally formed thereon a receiving socket 75 that protrudes into the separating chamber 65.

On the upper side, the separating chamber 65 is adjoined by a suction nozzle 80 which has a suction duct 81. The suction duct 81 extends from a suction mouth 83 which is defined by a first flexible wiper lip 84 and a second flexible wiper lip 85 and extends with a rear end region 87 thereof into the receiving socket 75. Arranged on the mouth opening 88 of the suction duct 81 facing away from the suction mouth 83 is a holding element 90 which carries a plane impact plate 91 in spaced relationship to the mouth opening 88 within the separating chamber 65.

Departing from the handle 12, the suction nozzle 80 increases in width in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the handle 12 so that the two wiper lips 84, 85 extend across a width that is a multiple of the width of the basic housing 14 and are therefore capable of covering a large surface area of a hard surface, in particular a window pane, to be vacuumed.

The separating chamber 65 can have a vacuum applied thereto by the suction unit 16. To this end, the suction unit 16 is in flow communication with the separating chamber 65 via a vacuum conduit 94 extending through the handle 12. A front end region 95 of the vacuum conduit 94 is configured in the form of a pipe section 96 and protrudes on the side of the impact wall 72 facing away from the suction duct 81 into the separating chamber 65. The impact wall 72, convexly curved in a direction of the suction duct 81, overlies the mouth opening 97 of the vacuum conduit 94. As a result of the separating chamber 65 having a vacuum applied thereto, a suction flow develops starting from the suction mouth 83, proceeding via the suction duct 81, the separating chamber 65 and the vacuum conduit 94. The drawn suction air can escape from the basic housing 14 via exhaust air openings 99 integrally formed in the basic housing 14 at a lateral side thereof.

As has already been explained, the hard surface suction cleaner 10 can be run along a hard surface in the manner of squeegee for cleaning a hard surface, in particular a window pane or a glass door, in order to suction off liquid therefrom. In this process, a liquid-air mixture passes via the suction mouth 83 and the suction duct 81 into the separating chamber 65, where it first impacts against the impact plate 91 arranged in spaced relationship to the mouth opening 88 of the suction duct 81, a portion of the entrained liquid separating out on the impact plate 91. Subsequently, the liquid-air mixture strikes the impact wall 72, on which the remainder of the entrained liquid separates out, whereas the drawn air flows around the impact wall 72 and is led via the vacuum conduit 94 to the suction unit 16. The liquid separated within the separating chamber 65 can flow into the dirty-liquid tank 25 via the fill trough 42 and the fill duct 50. To this end, the separating chamber 65 has a drain opening 101 having a drain funnel 102 arranged thereat. The drain funnel 102 tapers in a direction of the dirty-liquid tank 25. Arranged below the drain funnel 102 is the filling device 40 including the fill trough 42 and the fill duct 50.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the hard surface suction cleaner 10 in an upright position in which the suction nozzle 80 assumes a position above the suction unit 16 relative to the vertical. In this position, if the hard surface suction cleaner 10 is run along a surface to be vacuumed, liquid that has been separated within the separating chamber 65 can readily reach the drain opening 101 and, passing through the filling device 40, enter the dirty-liquid tank 25. The liquid collects in the collecting space 55 arranged below the fill opening 51 of the fill duct 50. The user can read the fill level of the dirty-liquid tank 25 from the external marking 52. When the maximum fill level 54 is reached, the user can empty the dirty-liquid tank 25 via the discharge opening 32.

If the hard surface suction cleaner 10 is operated in a horizontal position in which the suction nozzle 80 is located at substantially the same level as the suction unit 16 relative to the vertical or if the hard surface suction cleaner 10 is operated tip down such that the suction nozzle 80 is located below the suction unit 16 relative to the vertical, then the liquid separated within the separating chamber 65 can first collect in intermediate storage regions 104, 105, 106 of the separating chamber 65 until the hard surface suction cleaner 10 is operated in the upright position again as shown in Figures 1 and 2. A first intermediate storage region 104 is arranged between the front wall 68 of the separating chamber 65 and the receiving socket 75, and a second intermediate storage region 105 is positioned between the rear wall 69 of the separating chamber 65 and the receiving socket 75. The two intermediate storage regions 104, 105 diverge continuously in a direction towards the impact wall 72. The two intermediate storage regions 104, 105 each extend in a circumferential direction over a portion of the rear end region 87 of the suction duct 81. A third intermediate storage region 106 extends annularly within the separating chamber 65 along the entire circumference of the pipe section 96. The third intermediate storage region 106 also diverges continuously in a direction towards the impact wall 72.

The first and second intermediate storage regions 104, 105 receive liquid separated within the separating chamber 65 in particular when the hard surface suction cleaner 10 is in tip-down position, and the third intermediate storage region 106 receives liquid separated in the separating chamber 65 in particular when the hard surface suction cleaner 10 is positioned horizontally, without there being any danger of separated liquid reaching the suction mouth 83 via the suction duct 81 or reaching the suction unit 16 via the vacuum conduit 94. In addition, even in such a position of the hard surface suction cleaner 10, a reliable suction flow is maintained from the suction mouth via the suction duct 81 and the separating chamber 65 to the suction unit 16. If subsequently the hard surface suction cleaner 10 is operated in the upright position again, the liquid that has collected in the meantime flows off the intermediate storage regions 104, 105 and 106 and enters the dirty-liquid tank 25 via the drain opening 101 and the filling device 40.

Since the fill opening 51 is arranged at a level approximately midway of the height of the dirty-liquid tank 25 relative to the upright position shown in Figures 1 and 2, there is no risk of liquid that has already entered the dirty-liquid tank 25 being spilled out of the dirty-liquid tank 25 again, even if the hard surface suction cleaner 10 is operated in a horizontal or tip-down position. Rather, when the hard surface suction cleaner 10 is operated in a horizontal or tip-down position, the liquid residing within the dirty-liquid tank 25 collects in the alternate space 56 of the dirty-liquid tank 25, which surrounds the fill duct 50.

The vent duct 60 extending parallel to the fill duct 50 allows the dirty-liquid tank 25 to be vented in any position of the hard surface suction cleaner 10 so that air can escape from the dirty-liquid tank 25 at any time; this air can then be drawn off the separating chamber 65 via the vacuum conduit 94.

The hard surface suction cleaner 10 can thus be operated in any position relative to the vertical, wherein liquid separated in the separating chamber 65 either can reach the dirty-liquid tank 25 directly via the filling device 40 or is first stored in intermediate storage regions 104, 105 and 106 of the separating chamber 65 until the hard surface suction cleaner 10 re-assumes an upright position. The intermediate storage regions 104, 105 and 106 can each have a volume of more than 10 ml, in particular a volume of approximately 20 ml. Independent of the position assumed by the hard surface suction cleaner 10 relative to the vertical, there is no danger of liquid already present in the dirty-liquid tank 25 being spilled out of it again. Rather, dirty liquid residing in the collecting space 55 when the hard surface suction cleaner is in an upright position is received by the alternate space 56 of the dirty-liquid tank 25 as the hard surface suction cleaner is pivoted from the vertical. Because the volume of the alternate space 56 is at least the same as the volume of the collecting space 55, the collecting space 55 can be filled to the maximum without the risk of liquid flowing out of the dirty-liquid tank 25. The volume of the collecting space can be at least 100 ml for example.

Claims

1. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) med en sugedyse (80) og et sugeaggregat (16), som står i strømningsforbindelse med sugedysen (80) via en strømningsvej, til opsugning af en væske-luftblanding fra en hård flade, og med en udskillelsesindretning (72) til udskillelse af væske fra væskeluftblandingen, samt med en snavsvæsketank (25) til optagelse af den udskilte væske; hvor der er anbragt et udskillelseskammer (65) i strømningsvejen mellem sugedysen (80) og sugeaggregatet (16), som optager udskillelsesindretningen (72), og som er forbundet med snavsvæsketanken (25); hvor sugeindretningen til hårde flader (10) har en påfyldningsindretning (40) med en påfyldningskanal (50), som har en påfyldningsåbning (51); og hvor snavsvæsketanken (25) udgør et opsamlingsrum (55) til udskilt væske, som er anbragt neden under påfyldningsåbningen (51) i forhold til en opretstående stilling af sugeindretningen til hårde flader (10), samt et undvigelsesrum (56), som omgiver påfyldningskanalen (50), og som ved svingning af sugeindretningen til hårde flader (10) fra den vertikale stilling optager væske fra opsamlingsrummet (55); kendetegnet ved, at strømningsvejen fører fra sugedysen (80) til sugeaggregatet (16) forbi snavsvæsketanken (25), og påfyldningsindretningen (40) har en ventilationskanal (60), som rager ind i snavsvæsketanken (25), og som rager ud over påfyldningskanalen (50) uden for snavsvæsketanken (25), og omfatter en ventilationsåbning (61) inden i snavsvæsketanken (25).A hard surface suction device (10) having a suction nozzle (80) and a suction assembly (16) communicating with the suction nozzle (80) via a flow path for aspirating a liquid-air mixture from a hard surface, and having a separating device (72) for separating liquid from the liquid-air mixture, and with a dirty liquid tank (25) for receiving the separated liquid; wherein a separating chamber (65) is arranged in the flow path between the suction nozzle (80) and the suction assembly (16) which receives the separating device (72) and which is connected to the dirty liquid tank (25); wherein the hard surface suction device (10) has a filling device (40) with a filling channel (50) having a filling opening (51); and wherein the dirt liquid tank (25) comprises a secreted liquid collection chamber (55) located below the filling opening (51) relative to an upright position of the hard surface suction device (10), and an evacuation space (56) surrounding the filling channel (50) and which, when pivoting the suction device to hard surfaces (10) from the vertical position, absorbs liquid from the collection space (55); characterized in that the flow path leads from the suction nozzle (80) to the suction unit (16) past the dirty liquid tank (25), and the filling device (40) has a ventilation duct (60) which projects into the dirty liquid tank (25) and which extends beyond the filling duct (25). 50) outside the dirty liquid tank (25), and comprises a vent opening (61) within the dirty liquid tank (25).

2. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 1, kendetegnet ved, at ventilationsåbningen (61) i forhold til vertikalen er anbragt i samme højde som påfyldningsåbningen (51).Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the ventilation opening (61) relative to the vertical is arranged at the same height as the filling opening (51).

3. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 1 eller 2, kendetegnet ved, at ventilationskanalen (60) er anbragt sideværts ved siden af påfyldningskanalen (50).Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ventilation duct (60) is arranged laterally next to the filling duct (50).

4. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 1, 2 eller 3, kendetegnet ved, at påfyldningskanalen (50) og ventilationskanalen (60) tilsammen udgør en plaststø bedel ud i et.Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the filler duct (50) and the ventilation duct (60) together form a plastic mold in one piece.

5. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at påfyldningsindretningen (40) er indsat i et hus (26) af snavsvæsketanken (25).Hard surface suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling device (40) is inserted into a housing (26) of the dirty liquid tank (25).

6. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 5, kendetegnet ved, at påfyldningsindretningen (40) er forbundet løsbart med snavsvæsketankens (25) hus (26).Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the filling device (40) is releasably connected to the housing (26) of the dirty liquid tank (25).

7. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 6, kendetegnet ved, at påfyldningsindretningen (40) er forbundet løsbart med snavsvæsketankens (25) hus (26) via en bajonetforbindelse (48).Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the filling device (40) is releasably connected to the housing (26) of the dirty liquid tank (25) via a bayonet connection (48).

8. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at påfyldningsindretningen (40) har et påfyldningskar (42), som optager en udskilt væske fra udskillelseskammeret (65), og som grænser op til påfyldningskanalen (50).Hard surface suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling device (40) has a filling vessel (42) which receives a separated liquid from the separating chamber (65) and which adjoins the filling channel (50). ).

9. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 8, kendetegnet ved, at ventilationskanalen (60) griber fat i påfyldningskarret (42).Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the ventilation duct (60) engages the filling vessel (42).

10. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 8 eller 9 i forbindelse med krav 5, kendetegnet ved, at påfyldningskarret (42) er indsat i en indgangsstuds (30) af snavsvæsketankens (25) hus (26).Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 8 or 9 in connection with claim 5, characterized in that the filling vessel (42) is inserted into an inlet nozzle (30) of the housing (26) of the dirty liquid tank (25).

11. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 10, kendetegnet ved, at påfyldningskarret (42) er omgivet af en støttering (44), som er sat oven på indgangsstudsen (30).Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the filling vessel (42) is surrounded by a support ring (44) which is mounted on top of the inlet socket (30).

12. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge et af kravene 8 til 12, kendetegnet ved, at en påfyldningstragt (102), der er anbragt på en udløbsåbning (101) af udskillelseskammeret (65), rager ind i påfyldningskarret (42).Hard surface suction device (10) according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that a filling funnel (102) arranged on an outlet opening (101) of the separating chamber (65) projects into the filling vessel (42).

13. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at påfyldningskanalen (50) rager ind i snavsvæsketanken (25), og påfyldningsåbningen (51) er anbragt indeni snavsvæsketanken (25).Hard surface suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling channel (50) projects into the dirty liquid tank (25) and the filling opening (51) is arranged inside the dirty liquid tank (25).

14. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at undvigelsesrummets (56) volumen er mindst lige så stort som opsamlingsrummets (55) volumen.Hard surface suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the evacuation room (56) is at least as large as the volume of the collection space (55).

15. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 13, kendetegnet ved, at påfyldningsåbningen (51) er anbragt i halv højde af snavsvæsketanken (25) i forhold til en opretstående stilling af sugeindretningen til hårde flader (10).Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the filling opening (51) is arranged at half height of the dirty liquid tank (25) relative to an upright position of the hard surface suction device (10).

16. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at snavsvæsketanken (25) er transparent og har markeringselementer (53, 54) til aflæsning af væskeniveauet.Hard surface suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dirt liquid tank (25) is transparent and has marking elements (53, 54) for reading the liquid level.

17. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at snavsvæsketanken (25) har en afløbsåbning (32), som er lukket tæt ved hjælp af et dæksel (33).Hard surface suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dirt liquid tank (25) has a drain opening (32) which is closed tightly by means of a cover (33).

18. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 17, kendetegnet ved, at dækslet (33) er fastholdt på snavsvæsketankens (25) hus (26), så det ikke kan mistes.Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 17, characterized in that the cover (33) is held on the housing (26) of the dirty liquid tank (25) so that it cannot be lost.

19. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at snavsvæsketanken (25) er forbundet aftageligt med et basishus (14) af sugeindretningen til hårde flader (10), hvilket basishus optager sugeaggregatet (16).Hard surface suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dirty liquid tank (25) is removably connected to a base housing (14) of the hard surface suction device (10), which base housing accommodates the suction unit (16).

20. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 19, kendetegnet ved, at udskillelseskammeret (65) er forbundet aftageligt med basishuset (14).Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 19, characterized in that the separating chamber (65) is removably connected to the base housing (14).

21. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 20, kendetegnet ved, at sugedysen (80) er forbundet aftageligt med udskillelseskammeret (65).Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 20, characterized in that the suction nozzle (80) is removably connected to the separating chamber (65).

22. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at sugedysen (80) har en sugekanal (81), hvor et bagerste endeområde (87) af sugekanalen (81), der rager ind i udskillelseskammeret (65), er omgivet i det mindste delvist af et eller flere mellemlagerområder (104, 105) inden i udskillelseskammeret (65).Hard surface suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction nozzle (80) has a suction duct (81), a rear end region (87) of the suction duct (81) projecting into the separating chamber (10). 65), is surrounded at least partially by one or more intermediate storage areas (104, 105) within the separation chamber (65).

23. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 22, kendetegnet ved, at det bagerste endeområde (87) af sugekanalen (81) går ind i en optagelsesskakt (75), som rager ind i udskillelseskammeret (65), hvor optagelsesskakten (75) og mindst en ydervæg (68, 69) af udskillelseskammeret (65) definerer det ene eller mindst et af mellemlagerområderne (104, 105).Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 22, characterized in that the rear end region (87) of the suction duct (81) enters a receiving shaft (75) which projects into the separating chamber (65), wherein the receiving shaft (75) ) and at least one outer wall (68, 69) of the separating chamber (65) defines one or at least one of the intermediate storage regions (104, 105).

24. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at sugeaggregatet (16) står i strømningsforbindelse med udskillelseskammeret (65) via en undertryksledning (94), hvor et forreste endeområde (95) af undertryksledningen (94) rager ind i udskillelseskammeret (65) og inden i udskillelseskammeret (65) er omgivet af et ringformet mellemlagerområde (106) i omkredsretningen.Hard surface suction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction unit (16) is in flow communication with the separating chamber (65) via a negative pressure line (94), wherein a front end region (95) of the negative pressure line (94) ) protrudes into the separating chamber (65) and within the separating chamber (65) is surrounded by an annular intermediate storage region (106) in the circumferential direction.

25. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge et af kravene 22 til 24, kendetegnet ved, at det ene eller mindst et af mellemlagerområderne (104, 105, 106) udvider sig i retning mod udskillelsesindretningen (72).Hard surface suction device (10) according to one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that one or at least one of the intermediate storage areas (104, 105, 106) extends in the direction of the separating device (72).

26. Sugeindretning til hårde flader (10) ifølge krav 24 eller 25, kendetegnet ved, at udskillelsesindretningen (72) har en anslagsvæg (72), som dækker over den ende (97) af undertryksledningen (94), som er anbragt i udskillelseskammeret (65).Hard surface suction device (10) according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the separating device (72) has an abutment wall (72) which covers the end (97) of the negative pressure line (94) arranged in the separating chamber ( 65).