Water filter abstract
Vacuum cleaner with water filter constituted by an aspirator connected
to an air inlet conduit controllable by an operator, and by a filtering
chamber interposed between the conduit and the aspirator. The filtering
chamber has in its own lower portion a tank for containing the water
and dirt. Above the maximum level of filling of the containment
tank the filtering chamber also has a first air inlet section connected
to the inlet conduit, and an air outlet section connected to the
aspirator. The filtering chamber further comprise at least a second
air inlet section. The aspirator is also provided with first means
for spraying the water contained in the containment tank towards
the main path of the air that goes from the first inlet section
to the outlet section, associated to the first inlet section, and
second means for spraying the water contained in the containment
onto the air flowing along the main path, and operatively connected
to the second inlet section.
Water filter claims
What is claimed is:
1. Vacuum cleaner with water filter comprising an aspirator; a
filtering chamber having at least a tank for containing the water
and the dirt located in a lower portion of said chamber, a first
air inlet section and at least an air outlet section, said aspirator
being operatively connected to said air outlet section, inside said
filtering chamber being identified a main path for the air developing
from said first inlet section to said outlet section; an air inlet
conduit associated to said first inlet section; and first means
for spraying the water contained in said containment tank onto the
flow of air, located along said main path of the air; wherein said
filtering chamber further comprises at least a second air inlet
section, and second means for spraying the water contained in said
containment tank on the air flowing along said main path, operatively
connected to said second inlet section.
2. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second spraying
means comprise a first conduit having a lower end inserted in said
containment tank and in communication with said containment tank,
and an upper end positioned above said containment tank; a second
conduit having a first end connected to said second inlet section
and a second end positioned above said containment tank; and a mixing
chamber connected to said second ends of the first and of the second
conduit, and having a spraying section oriented towards the main
path of the air.
3. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second conduit
has smaller section than said air inlet conduit.
4. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second spraying
means (11) further comprise a dirt filter positioned between said
containment tank and said lower end of said first conduit.
5. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 4 further comprising automatic
means for shutting off said outlet section to prevent the exit of
water from said containment tank towards the aspirator if the level
of the water in the containment tank exceeds the maximum level allowed.
6. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first spraying
means comprise a venturi tube positioned in correspondence with
said first inlet section, and operatively connected to said first
inlet section and to said containment tank.
7. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 6 further comprising automatic
means for shutting off said outlet section to prevent the exit of
water from said containment tank towards the aspirator if the level
of the water in the containment tank exceeds the maximum level allowed.
8. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second spraying
means comprise a tube having a lower portion constituting said first
conduit, and an upper portion constituting said mixing chamber,
at least said second end of the second conduit being positioned
internally to said tube in correspondence with the transition area
between the first and the second portion.
9. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 8 further comprising automatic
means for shutting off said outlet section to prevent the exit of
water from said containment tank towards the aspirator if the level
of the water in the containment tank exceeds the maximum level allowed.
10. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first spraying
means comprise a venturi tube positioned in correspondence with
said first inlet section, and operatively connected to said first
inlet section and to said containment tank.
11. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 10 further comprising automatic
means for shutting off said outlet section to prevent the exit of
water from said containment tank towards the aspirator if the level
of the water in the containment tank exceeds the maximum level allowed.
12. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first spraying
means comprise a venturi tube positioned in correspondence with
said first inlet section, and operatively connected to said first
inlet section and to said containment tank.
13. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 12 further comprising automatic
means for shutting off said outlet section to prevent the exit of
water from said containment tank towards the aspirator if the level
of the water in the containment tank exceeds the maximum level allowed.
14. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2 further comprising automatic
means for shutting off said outlet section to prevent the exit of
water from said containment tank towards the aspirator if the level
of the water in the containment tank exceeds the maximum level allowed.
15. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first spraying
means comprise a venturi tube positioned in correspondence with
said first inlet section, and operatively connected to said first
inlet section and to said containment tank.
16. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 15 further comprising automatic
means for shutting off said outlet section to prevent the exit of
water from said containment tank towards the aspirator if the level
of the water in the containment tank exceeds the maximum level allowed.
17. Vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 further comprising automatic
means for shutting off said outlet section to prevent the exit of
water from said containment tank towards the aspirator if the level
of the water in the containment tank exceeds the maximum level allowed.
Water filter description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with water filter
of the type comprising the characteristics expressed in the preamble
to claim 1.
In the sector of vacuum cleaners, over the past few years, vacuum
cleaners characterized by their comprising a so-called water filter
instead of traditional filters have become widespread.
Said vacuum cleaners are provided with a filtering chamber in which
the flow of air aspirated by the vacuum cleaner is washed with a
jet of water.
The chamber comprises inferiorly a containment tank which is filled
with water, and above the tank an air inlet section, connected to
the aspiration conduit, and an outlet section in turn connected
to the aspirator.
In correspondence with the inlet section the air flow passes through
a venturi-shaped tube portion, into which also ends a conduit in
communication with the containment tank.
In this way, at steady state, the flow of air passing through the
venturi creates a vacuum that causes the suction of water from the
containment tank.
Said water hits the flow of air, capturing the particles of dirt
suspended therein.
To facilitate the fall of the water back into the tank, bulkheads
may also be provided inside the tank itself, whereon water can condense
more easily.
Vacuum cleaners built in accordance with the prior art described
above have at least one major drawback.
Whilst they do guarantee an excellent air filtering action when
they function at steady state, the same cannot be said during transitory
phases.
The term "transitory phases" means all those situations
in which, while the vacuum cleaner is in use, the flow of air is
interrupted as a result of an occlusion of the intake conduit, to
be resumed after an interval.
It is common knowledge that it is extremely easy to occlude the
intake conduit, for instance by excessively pressing its inlet against
the surface to be cleaned, or by aspirating a piece of paper or
a rag.
Each interruption of the flow of air, however, causes a consequent
interruption of the water jet because the suction effect provided
by the venturi is no longer available.
In this way, when the aspiration resumes, for a few moments the
jet remains inactive and the dirty air passes beyond the filtering
chamber without being appropriately filtered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In this situation the technical task constituting the basis for
the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner with water
filter that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.
In particular, a technical task of the present invention is to
provide a vacuum cleaner with water filter that assures a constant
filtering of the air even if the flow of air through the aspiration
conduit is accidentally interrupted.
Another technical task of the present invention is to provide a
vacuum cleaner with water filter that is usable also within a washing-drying
machine, in combination with a steam generator.
The specified technical task and the indicated aims are substantially
achieved by a vacuum cleaner with water filter, as described in
the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the invention shall become more
readily apparent from the detailed description that follows of a
preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of a vacuum cleaner with
water filter, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a partially section lateral schematic view with some
parts removed the better to highlight others of a vacuum cleaner
with water filter according to the present invention; and
FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the accompanying figures, the reference number
1 globally indicates a vacuum cleaner with water filter according
to the present invention.
The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises an aspirator 2 operatively active
on an air inlet conduit 3 controllable by an operator.
Between the aspirator 2 and the conduit 3 is provided an air filtering
chamber 4.
Said air filtering chamber 4 has at least a first air inlet section
5 connected to the conduit 3 and an air outlet section 6 connected
to the aspirator 2.
In a first lower portion 7 the filtering chamber 4 also has a tank
8 for containing water and dirt, whose maximum filling level is
below both the first inlet section 5 and the outlet section 6.
Inside the filtering chamber 4 is identified a main path for the
air, which extends from the first inlet section 5 to the outlet
section 6.
The vacuum cleaner 1 further comprises first means 9 for spraying
the water contained in the containment tank 8 on the flow of air,
located along the main path of the air (in the illustrated embodiment,
in correspondence with the first inlet section 5).
The filtering chamber further comprises at least a second inlet
section 10 for the air whereto are associated second spraying means
11.
In the illustrated embodiment, the second inlet section 10 is in
communication with the exterior through an opening 12 obtained in
the outer case 13 of the vacuum cleaner 1.
The second spraying means 11 spray the water contained in the containment
tank 8 on the air flowing along the main path when, during utilization,
aspiration through the air conduit 3 is interrupted.
Said second spraying means 11 comprise a first conduit 14 having
a lower end 15 inserted in the containment tank 8 and in communication
with the containment tank 8 itself, and an upper end 16 in communication
with a mixing chamber 17 positioned above the top level of the containment
tank 8.
Into the mixing chamber 17 also ends a second extremity 18 of a
second conduit 19 whose first extremity 20 is connected to the second
inlet section 10.
The mixing chamber 17 further comprises a spray section 21 oriented
towards the main path of the air, in correspondence with an intermediate
portion of the path itself.
The dimensioning of the first conduit 14 of the second conduit
19 and of the mixing chamber 17 must be such that, at steady state,
the flow of air entering from the second inlet section 10 is negligible
relative to the flow of air entering from the first inlet section
5.
This implies that the cross section of the second conduit 19 must
be smaller than that of the air inlet conduit 3.
A filter 23 is provided between the containment tank 8 and the
lower end 15 of the first conduit 14 in order to avoid the aspiration
into the first conduit 14 of the dirt present in the water contained
in the containment tank 8.
In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the
first conduit 14 and the mixing chamber 17 are constituted respectively
by a first and by a second portion 24 25 of a same tube 26.
In the first portion 24 of the tube 26 itself is also inserted
the second conduit 19 whose second extremity 18 is located in correspondence
with the transition area 27 between the first and the second portion
24 25 of the tube 26.
In other embodiments, the mixing chamber 17 can be constituted
by a venturi conduit (similarly to the first spraying means 9 described
below.
In regard to the first spraying means 9 in the preferred embodiment
they comprise a venturi tube 28 positioned in correspondence with
the first inlet section 5.
A third conduit 29 is connected between the containment tank 8
and the vacuum area 30 of the venturi tube 28. Between the third
conduit 29 and the containment tank 8 the same filter 23 which
is interposed between the first conduit 14 and the containment tank
8 is interposed, in order to avoid the suction in the third conduit
29 of the dirt present in the water contained in the containment
tank 8.
In order to access inside the filtering chamber 4 both to supply
clean water and to eliminate dirty water, the filtering chamber
4 itself is provided with a removable upper lid 31 which internally
has a bulkhead 32 for condensing the water present in the flow of
air.
In order to prevent water from exiting from the filtering chamber
4 towards the aspirator 2 a device 33 for shutting off the outlet
section 6 is provided, which is automatically activated when the
containment tank 8 is filled beyond the maximum allowed level.
Said shut-off device 33 is constituted by a rigid structure 34
mounted in sliding fashion on a substantially vertical fourth conduit
35 extending from the outlet section 6 towards the interior of the
filtering chamber 4.
On the rigid structure 34 are mounted an element 36 for closing
the free end 37 of the fourth conduit 35 and a float 38 inserted
in the containment tank 8.
The travel of the rigid structure 34 along the fourth conduit is
limited by an end stop 39.
A filter 40 mounted in the fourth conduit 35 prevents the aspiration
towards the aspirator 2 of any water droplets still in suspension
in the flow of air.
The vacuum cleaner described above can indifferently constitute
either an independent aspirating unit, or constitute the aspirating
part of washing and drying machines, in which case it can be associated
to a steam generator, in a manner wholly similar to vacuum cleaners
built according to traditional types.
The operation of the vacuum cleaner 1 with water filter, described
thus far from the structural viewpoint, is as follows.
During operation, the aspirator 2 causes air to be drawn into the
filtering chamber 4 through the two inlet sections.
In steady state operation, given the different size of the two
inlet sections, the flow of air entering from the first inlet section
5 has a far greater flow rate than the flow of air entering from
the second inlet section 10.
The passage of air in the venturi conduit causes the water contained
inside the containment tank 8 to be drawn into the venturi conduit
itself through the third conduit 29.
When the user causes the obstruction of the air conduit 3 the
flow of air through the first inlet section 5 is stopped, whilst
the flow of air through the second inlet section 10 remains active.
The passage of air in the mixing chamber 17 causes, due to the
pressure differences that are created, water to be drawn towards
the first conduit 14. Said water is sprayed towards the main path
of the air.
When the flow of air through the conduit 3 and the first inlet
section 5 is restored, the filtering of the dirt in the transitory
phase is assured by the water sprayed by the spraying section 21
of the mixing chamber 17.
The present invention achieves important advantages.
In the first place the vacuum cleaner 1 with water filter of the
present invention assures a constant filtration of the air even
if the flow of air through the aspiration conduit is interrupted.
Moreover, said vacuum cleaner is usable either by itself or combined
with a steam generator inside a washing-drying machine.
It should also be noted that the present invention is relatively
easy to implement and that also the cost connected to the implementation
of the invention is not very high.
The invention thus conceived can be subject to numerous modifications
and variations, without thereby departing from the scope of the
inventive concept that characterizes it.
All components can be replaced by other technically equivalent
elements and in practice all materials used, as well as the shapes
and dimensions of the various components, can be any depending on
requirements. |