VACUUM CLEANER HAVING TUBE AND HOSE

Abstract

Vacuum cleaner, comprising a tube having a first diameter, a hose having a second diameter exceeding the first diameter by at least 15%, and a transition piece (T) having a first end (1) arranged for being connected to the tube, and a second end (2) arranged for being connected to the hose, wherein the transition piece (T) has a curved part that has a non- circular cross-section, the curved part having a first part (I) in which in a direction from the first end (1) to the second end (2), a first dimension (R1) of the cross-section increases to a diameter exceeding the first diameter by 15%, the first dimension (R1) being in a radial direction of the curved part, while a second dimension (R2) of the cross-section, perpendicular to the first dimension (R1), does not exceed the first diameter by more than 10%. Preferably, the transition piece (T) has a second part (II), between the first part (I) and the second end (2), the second part (II) having a non-circular cross-section where the second part (II) meets the first part (I), and a circular cross-section where the second part meets the second end (2). Advantageously, in the first part (I), in a direction from the first end (1) to the second end (2), the first dimension (R1) of the cross-section increases to a diameter exceeding the second diameter, while the second dimension (R2) stays below the second diameter.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: a tube having a first diameter, a hose having a second diameter exceeding the first diameter by at least 15%, and a transition piece having a first end arranged for being connected to the tube, and a second end arranged for being connected to the hose, wherein the transition piece has a curved part that has a non-circular cross-section, the curved part having a first part in which in a direction from the first end to the second end, a first dimension of the cross-section increases to a diameter exceeding the first diameter by 15%, the first dimension being in a radial direction of the curved part, while a second dimension of the cross-section, perpendicular to the first dimension, does not exceed the first diameter by more than 10%.

2. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transition piece has a second part, between the first part and the second end, the second part having a non-circular cross-section where the second part meets the first part, and the second part having a circular cross-section where the second part meets the second end.

3. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the first part, in a direction from the first end to the second end, the first dimension of the cross-section increases to a diameter exceeding the second diameter, while the second dimension stays below the second diameter.

4. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second diameter exceeds the first diameter by at least 25%.

5. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second diameter exceeds the first diameter by at least 35%.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a transition piece according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0013] FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a transition piece according to an embodiment of the invention, which will be positioned between a tube and a hose of a vacuum cleaner.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows two views of the transition piece. The left view shows that the dimension R2 is substantially constant, while the right-hand view shows that the dimension R1 increases from a first end of the transition piece that is to be connected to the tube of the vacuum cleaner towards a second end of the transition piece that is to be connected to a hose of the vacuum cleaner. Herein, R1 is in a radial direction of a curved part of the transition piece, while R2 is in a direction perpendicular to R1.

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates example values of R1 and R2 at several places of the transition piece, for use with a tube that has a diameter of about 14 mm and a hose that has a diameter of about 20 mm. In the example shown, it is clear that during the curve R1 increases, while R2 remains substantially constant ate about 14 mm. R2 is not exactly constant because of manufacturing constraints: there needs to be a draft angle to be able to get the product separated from the molding tools. In particular, it appears from the example values in FIG. 2 that R1 increases from the tube diameter value of about 14 mm to a value of 23 mm that exceeds the hose diameter of about 20 mm, whereafter in a final part of the transition piece the value of R1 is reduced from 23 mm to 20.2 mm while at the same time, the value of R2 increases from 14 mm to 20.2 mm. In this way, the surface of the area defined by R1 and R2 remains about the same, thereby reducing the possibilities for undesired turbulences that would jeopardize the ability to suck dust at today's limited power specifications for vacuum cleaners.

[0016] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The notion non-circular includes not only an oval but also an ellipse. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. Measures recited in mutually different dependent claims may advantageously be used in combination.