SUCTION APPARATUS AND SEPARATING UNIT FOR A SUCTION APPARATUS WITH A SHIELDING EJECTION AND/OR COMPACTING ELEMENT

Abstract

A separating unit for a suction apparatus includes a collecting container for particles of dirt, which is surrounded by a housing wall. The collecting container extends along a longitudinal axis. The separating unit also includes an ejection and/or a compacting element which is configured to be moved inside the collecting container, starting from an initial position along the longitudinal axis to a compacting position in order to compact particles of dirt disposed in the collecting container and/or to eject them from the collecting container. The separating unit is configured in such a way that a radial force, with which the ejection and/or compacting element acts in the radial direction on the inside of the housing wall, is lower at the compacting position than at the initial position. A suction apparatus having the separating unit is also provided.

Claims

1. A separating unit for a suction apparatus, the separating unit comprising: a housing wall having an inside, said housing wall surrounding a collecting container for particles of dirt; said collecting container extending along a longitudinal axis; at least one of an ejection or compacting element configured to be moved inside said collecting container, starting from an initial position, along said longitudinal axis to a compacting position, for at least one of compacting particles of dirt disposed in said collecting container or ejecting the particles of dirt from said collecting container; and said at least one of an ejection or compacting element acting on said inside of said housing wall with a radial force in a radial direction, said radial force being lower at said compacting position than at said initial position.

2. The separating unit according to claim 1, wherein said inside of said housing wall has a diameter being greater at said compacting position than at said initial position.

3. The separating unit according to claim 2, wherein said diameter of said inside of said housing wall is between 1% and 5% greater at said compacting position than at said initial position.

4. The separating unit according to claim 1, wherein said radial force, with which said at least one of an ejection or compacting element acts in the radial direction on said inside of said housing wall, decreases smoothly or linearly, along a movement path from said initial position to said compacting position.

5. The separating unit according to claim 1, wherein: said inside of said housing wall is conical and defines a vertical axis of said conical inside of said housing wall; said longitudinal axis corresponds to said vertical axis; and said inside of said housing wall and said longitudinal axis form an angle therebetween.

6. The separating unit according to claim 5, wherein said angle between said inside of said housing wall and said longitudinal axis is between 0.5 and 2.5.

7. The separating unit according to claim 1, wherein: said housing wall has a thickness in the radial direction, said thickness being lower at said compacting position than at said initial position; and said thickness of said housing wall decreases smoothly or linearly along said longitudinal axis.

8. The separating unit according to claim 1, wherein: said at least one of an ejection or compacting element has a side wall facing said inside of said housing wall; said side wall of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element at said initial position and at said compacting position, is at least one of spaced apart from said inside of said housing wall of said collecting container or does not touch said inside of said housing wall of said collecting container; said at least one of an ejection or compacting element has a surface facing said compacting position, said surface has a shield extending in the radial direction beyond said side wall of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element to said inside of said housing wall of said collecting container; and said shield of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element acts on said inside of said housing wall in the radial direction with a radial force being lower at said compacting position than at said initial position.

9. The separating unit according to claim 8, wherein said side wall of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element is at least one of spaced apart from said inside of said housing wall of said collecting container or does not touch said inside of said housing wall of said collecting container, along an entire movement path from said initial position through to said compacting position.

10. The separating unit according to claim 8, wherein: said side wall of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element has a total diameter in the radial direction; and said shield extends by at least 1% of said total diameter of said side wall of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element in the radial direction beyond said side wall of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element.

11. The separating unit according to claim 10, wherein said shield extends by between 1% and 5% of said total diameter of said side wall of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element in the radial direction beyond said side wall of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element.

12. The separating unit according to claim 8, wherein: said at least one of an ejection or compacting element has a total height along said longitudinal axis; and said shield has a height of 5% or less of said total height of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element along said longitudinal axis.

13. The separating unit according to claim 12, wherein said shield has a height of between 1% and 5% or less of said total height of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element along said longitudinal axis.

14. The separating unit according to claim 8, wherein: said shield and said side wall of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element are made of the same material; or said shield is made of an elastic sealing material.

15. The separating unit according to claim 1, wherein: said collecting container has a total length, a first front side and an opposing second front side, and said collecting container extends along said longitudinal axis from said first front side through to said second front side; said collecting container has a total length from said first front side through to said second front side; said at least one of an ejection or compacting element is disposed closer to said first front side in said initial position than in said compacting position; said at least one of an ejection or compacting element is disposed closer to said second front side in said compacting position than in said initial position; and said compacting position and said initial position are spaced apart from one another along said longitudinal axis by at least 50% of said total length of said collecting container.

16. The separating unit according to claim 15, wherein said compacting position and said initial position are spaced apart from one another along said longitudinal axis by at least 70% of said total length of said collecting container.

17. The separating unit according to claim 1, wherein: said housing wall of said collecting container runs cylindrically or circular-cylindrically around said longitudinal axis; and said at least one of an ejection or compacting element runs annularly along said inside of said housing wall around said longitudinal axis.

18. The separating unit according to claim 1, wherein: said collecting container has an inlet opening disposed at said housing wall for a suction air flow; said at least one of an ejection or compacting element has a surface acting on the suction air flow having entered said collecting container when said at least one of an ejection or compacting element is disposed in said initial position; and said surface of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element runs, at least in a segment, helically along said inside of said housing wall around said longitudinal axis.

19. The separating unit according to claim 1, wherein: said collecting container has an inlet opening disposed at said housing wall for a suction air flow; said at least one of an ejection or compacting element has a surface acting on the suction air flow having entered said collecting container when said at least one of an ejection or compacting element is disposed in said initial position; said surface has an inclined section, in which a normal vector of said surface is disposed obliquely relative to said longitudinal axis; and in said initial position, said inclined section of said surface of said at least one of an ejection or compacting element is disposed flush with said inlet opening in the radial direction.

20. The separating unit according to claim 1, which further comprises: a filter unit disposed in said collecting container, said filter unit having a surface; and said at least one of an ejection or compacting element being annular and having an inner edge facing said surface of said filter unit for cleaning said surface of said filter unit upon said annular at least one of an ejection or compacting element being moved along said longitudinal axis in a direction of said compacting position.

21. A suction apparatus, comprising: the separating unit according to claim 1 having an inlet opening and a filter unit; a fan; and a suction mouth; said fan configured to induce a suction air flow from said suction mouth, through said inlet opening and through said filter unit to said fan.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of an exemplary suction apparatus with a suction unit, a suction tube and a nozzle;

[0040] FIGS. 2a to 2c are different perspective views of a suction unit and the separating unit of a suction unit;

[0041] FIGS. 3a and 3b are perspective views showing different positions or settings of the ejection and/or compacting element of a separating unit;

[0042] FIGS. 4a to 4d are different perspective views of the flap abutting a contact surface (of the ejection and/or compacting element) of the separating unit;

[0043] FIGS. 5a to 5c are different perspective views of an exemplary ejection and/or compacting element; and

[0044] FIG. 5d is a graph showing an exemplary characteristic of the height of the edges of the ejection and/or compacting element along the circumferential direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] As outlined in the introduction, the present document deals with inducing a particularly reliable and convenient compaction and/or ejection of particles of dirt in or from the collecting container of a suction apparatus, in particular in order to provide a high suction power even after relatively long use of the suction apparatus.

[0046] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen, in this connection, an exemplary (upright) vacuum cleaner 100 (as an example of a suction apparatus) which has a suction unit 110 with an electrical energy storage device 111. The suction unit 110 has a (hand) grip 112 which a user can encompass with their hand in order to hold the suction unit 110. The fan of the suction unit 110 induces a suction air flow through the suction mouth 114 of the suction unit 110, via the separating unit 113 of the suction unit 110 through to the fan. The suction unit 110 can be embodied to be used separately as a suction apparatus.

[0047] An attachment 120, 130 can be connected to the suction unit 110 via a coupling 121. In the represented example, the suction unit 110 is connected via a coupling 121 to a suction tube 120 which is in turn connected via a coupling 121 to a floor nozzle 130.

[0048] FIGS. 2a to 2c show different views of a suction unit 110 and a separating unit 113. The suction air flow 212 induced by the fan 230 is sucked through the suction mouth 114 of the suction unit 110 into the separating unit 113. The separating unit 113 has an outer housing wall 227 which encloses a filter unit 225. The housing wall 227 forms a collecting container. The suction air flow 212 is sucked through an (inlet) opening 211 formed on the housing wall 227 into the collecting container enclosed by the housing wall 227. Upon entering the collecting container, the suction air flow 212 is preferably oriented in such a way that the suction air flow 212 orbits or circulates around the (circular-cylindrical) filter unit 225 in a cyclone-like manner. The suction air flow 212 is sucked further through the surface of the filter unit 225 in the direction of the central longitudinal axis 220 of the separating unit 113. The dirt particles from the suction air flow 212 are retained at the surface of the filter unit 225, and remain in the collecting area 226 formed between the filter unit 225 and the housing wall 227.

[0049] The (circular-cylindrical) collecting container formed by the housing wall 227 extends along the longitudinal axis 220 from a first front side 221 (facing the fan 230) through to a second front side 222 (remote from the fan 230). A cover 224 can be disposed at the second front side 222, which covers the collecting container. The cover 224 can be opened (for example, folded open), so dirt particles from the collecting area 226 can be removed via the second front side 222 from the collecting area 226 of the collecting container.

[0050] An ejection and/or compacting element 240 can be disposed inside the collecting container, and this element is embodied to be moved along the longitudinal axis 220. The ejection and/or compacting element 240 can, as represented in FIG. 2b, be embodied as a ring which is disposed around the filter unit 225. The ejection and/or compacting element 240 can extend in the radial direction (in relation to the longitudinal axis 220) from the surface of the filter unit 225 through to the inside of the housing wall 227.

[0051] The ejection and/or compacting element 240 can be disposed in an initial position at the first front side 221 of the collecting container. Furthermore, the ejection and/or compacting element 240 can be embodied to be moved along the longitudinal axis 220 from the first front side 221 in the direction of the second front side 222, so the dirt particles disposed in the collecting area 226 are pushed in the direction of the second front side 222 by the ejection and/or compacting element 240. This thus makes it possible to compact the dirt particles disposed in the collecting area 226 (in the region of the second front side 222), so the surface of the filter unit 225 is substantially free from dirt particles, and thus a high suction power is still provided. Further, dirt particles can be conveniently pushed along the longitudinal axis 220 via the second front side 222 (and the open cover 224) out of the collecting container by the ejection and/or compacting element 240 in order to empty the collecting container.

[0052] As represented, for example, in FIG. 2b, the housing wall 227 of the collecting container has a frame 210 which surrounds the (inlet) opening 211 to the collecting area 226 of the collecting container. The frame 210 is preferably disposed in the immediate vicinity of the first front side 221 of the collecting container. Disposed inside the frame 210 is preferably a flexible flap 200 which is embodied in such a way that the flap 200 closes the opening 211 bordered by the frame 210 when the fan 230 does not induce a suction air flow 212, that is to say, when no forces are acting on the flap 200 in the radial direction from outside into the collecting container. The collecting container can thus be closed by the flexible flap 200, so it is possible to reliably prevent dirt particles from falling out of the collecting container through the opening 211 (for example, when the separating unit 113 is separated from the suction unit 110 in order to empty the separating unit 113).

[0053] The flap 200 can have a pre-tensioning which presses the flap 200 in the direction of the frame 210. It is thus particularly reliably possible for the flap 200 to be closed when no suction air flow 212 is being induced.

[0054] The flap 200 is preferably made of a flexible material (for example, of a flexible plastics material), so the flap 200 is bent away from the frame 210 in the direction of the filter unit 225 under the influence of a force acting externally on the flap 200 (which is induced, for example, by the suction air flow 212), and uncovers at least part of the opening 211 in the processes. The suction air flow 212 can thus pass from outside into the collecting container.

[0055] As can be seen from FIG. 2b, the suction unit 110 can be embodied in such a way that the suction air flow 212, starting from the suction mouth 114, initially has a flow direction which is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 220. At the inlet opening 211 and/or at the frame 210 the flow direction of the suction air flow 212 is deflected by approximately 90, so the suction air flow 212 flows in the circumferential direction (and therewith substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 220) through the inlet opening 211 into the collecting container.

[0056] During suction operation, the inlet opening 211 is preferably disposed (in relation to the circumferential direction) at the top of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container. Gravity thus acts on the dirt particles in the suction air flow 212 in order to convey the dirt particles into the collecting container.

[0057] The flap 200 preferably has one or more predetermined bending point(s) 201, 202 by way of which the opening angle of at least one section of the flap 200 can be increased. A predetermined bending point 201, 202 can be embodied, in particular, as a (film) hinge. The flap 200 can have a main hinge 201 which runs along a (main) edge of the frame 210, and which makes opening of the entire flap 200 possible (that is to say, the entire surface of the flap 200). Furthermore, the flap 200 can have one or more further (linear) predetermined bending point(s) 202 which in each case make additional opening of a respective section of the flap 200 possible.

[0058] FIG. 4a shows an exemplary separating unit 113 with a flexible flap 200 which is pressed away from the frame 210 of the inlet opening 211 into the collecting container by the influence of the suction air flow 212. The flexible flap 200 is supported on a support surface 403 inside the collecting container. In particular, the (first) section of the flap 200, which faces the first front side 221 of the collecting container, is supported on a support surface 403.

[0059] The support surface 403 can be embodied in such a way that the flap 200 supported on the support surface 403 has a normal vector (perpendicular to the surface of the flap 200) with a directional component along the longitudinal axis 220. This can be achieved, in particular, by the support surface 403 having a normal vector which has a directional component along the longitudinal axis 220 and a directional component in the radial direction.

[0060] As outlined above, the suction air flow 212 typically flows in the circumferential direction through the inlet opening 211. As a consequence of this, the flap 200 is bent around the main bending axis of the main bending point 201 (running parallel to the longitudinal axis 220). Without provision of a support surface 403 the normal vectors on the bent surface of the flap 200 would only have directional components in the circumferential direction and in the radial direction. The support surface 403, which acts on the (first) section of the flap 200 facing the first front side 221 of the collecting container, bends the flap 200 in such a way that the normal vectors of the bent surface of the flap also have a directional component along the longitudinal axis 220 in the supported (first) section, with this directional component facing the second front side 222 of the collecting container.

[0061] A flap 200 oriented in this way can induce the flap 200 to induce a pulse on the suction air flow 212 flowing through the inlet opening 211, which turns the flow direction of the suction air flow 212 (at least slightly) in the direction of the second front side 222 of the collecting container, so, apart from a directional component in the circumferential direction, the flow direction also has a directional component along the longitudinal axis 220 (in the direction of the second front side 222). Thus a helical suction air flow 212 can be efficiently and reliably induced inside the collecting container, which can prevent particles of dirt from finding their way to the back of the ejection and/or compacting element 240.

[0062] The support surface 403 can be particularly efficiently provided by the ejection and/or compacting element 240. The ejection and/or compacting element 240 can have an outer edge 401 which faces the inside of the housing wall 227 and an inner edge 402 which faces the surface of the filter unit 225. The support surface 403 can be formed by the surface of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 which faces the second front side 222 of the collecting container and which runs from the inner edge 402 to the outer edge 401 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240. This surface of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 typically serves to push the dirt particles in the collecting area 226 of the collecting container in the direction of the second front side 222 of the collecting container.

[0063] FIG. 4b shows the support surface 403 in a view through the inlet opening 211 of the collecting container. FIGS. 4c and 4d show how the flexible flap 200 is supported on the support surface 403 formed by the ejection and/or compacting element 240, and is consequently bent in the direction of the second front side 222 of the collecting container.

[0064] FIGS. 5a to 5c show further details of an exemplary (annular) ejection and/or compacting element 240. As can be seen, in particular, from FIG. 5b, in order to provide the support surface 403 for the flexible flap 200, the (annular) surface 503 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240, which faces the second front side 222 of the collecting container, can have an orientation 520 which runs obliquely to the longitudinal axis 220, so the orientation 520 (that is to say, the normal vector) of the surface 503 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 does not run parallel to the longitudinal axis 220 and instead has a directional component which points outwards in the radial direction.

[0065] In the region of the support surface 403, the outer edge 401 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 can have an outer edge distance 511 from a reference plane 510 (which is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 220). The reference plane 510 can correspond, for example, to the back of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 (which faces the first front side 221). In the region of the support surface 403, the inner edge 402 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 can have an inner edge distance 512 from the reference plane 510. The inner edge distance 512 is greater than the outer edge distance 511, so the support surface 403 running (substantially linearly) between the inner edge 402 and the outer edge 401 is inclined outwards in the radial direction.

[0066] As outlined below, the surface 503 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 which faces the second front side 222 can be used to directly influence the flow direction of the suction air flow 212. It is therefore advantageous to restrict the inclined orientation 520 of the surface 503 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 to the section (in particular to the angular range) of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 which is disposed along the radial direction directly below the inlet opening 211. In other sections (in particular in other angular ranges) of the ejection and/or compacting element 240, it can be advantageous to orient the surface 503 parallel to the longitudinal axis 220.

[0067] FIG. 5d shows an exemplary distance 501 of the outer edge 401 (broken lines) and an exemplary distance 502 of the inner edge 402 (dotted line) as a function of the angular position 530 around the longitudinal axis 220. The inclined support surface and/or the inclined section 403 is provided in the angular range between the first angular position 531 and the second angular position 532. The orientation 520 of the surface 503 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 changes smoothly from a maximum angle (for example, 20) relative to the longitudinal axis 220 (at the first angular position 531) through to a parallel arrangement to the longitudinal axis 220 (at the second angular position 532). This is advantageous for guiding the suction air flow 212 induced by the surface 503 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240. From the second angular position 532 the orientation 520 of the surface 503 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 can be oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 220.

[0068] As emerges from FIG. 5d, the outer edge 401 between the first angular position 531 and the second angular position 532 has a constant first distance value 541 from the reference plane 510. Otherwise, the inner edge distance 512 of the inner edge 502, starting from a relatively high second distance value 542 (at the first angular position 531), is smoothly (possibly linearly) reduced to the first distance value 541 (at the second angular position 532).

[0069] The obliquely abutting flap 200 can induce a spiral-shaped suction air flow 212 which is oriented in the direction of the second front side of the collecting container. As a consequence of this, the volume flow of the suction air flow 212, which acts on the back of the flap 200, and consequently induces a closing force in order to close the inlet opening 211, can be reduced. As a consequence of this, the effective degree of opening of the inlet opening 211 can be increased, as a result of which the flow resistance of the inlet opening 211 is reduced, and as a result of which the suction power is increased.

[0070] The spiral-shaped suction air flow 212 can also induce dirt particles to be conveyed in the direction of the second front side 222 of the collecting container, and thus to not find their way to the first front side 221 behind the ejection and/or compacting element 240.

[0071] The inclined support of the flap 200 on a support surface 403 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 makes it possible for the ejection and/or compacting element 240 to also be actuated during suction operation of the suction unit 110 in order to compact dirt particles (without having to switch off the fan 230). The convenience of the suction unit 110 can thus be increased further.

[0072] As outlined in connection with FIG. 5d, the surface 503 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 can have an inclined section 403 in which the normal vector of the surface 503 runs obliquely to the longitudinal axis 220. The inclined portion 403 can serve, at least in regions, as a support surface for the flap 200.

[0073] The normal vector of the inclined portion 403 of the surface 503 can have a directional component in the radially outward direction (out of the collecting container). Further, the normal vector of the inclined portion 403 of the surface 503 can have a directional component in the axial direction along the longitudinal axis 220 in the direction of the second front side 222 of the collecting container. The angle between the longitudinal axis 220 and the normal vector of the inclined portion 403 can be smoothly reduced, starting from a maximum value (for example, 20) at the first angular position 531 to 0 at the second angular position 532. The second angular position 532 can be spaced apart from the first angular position 531 by about approximately 90 along the circumferential direction. Such a characteristic of the surface 503 can particularly reliably and efficiently induce a helical suction air flow 212 inside the collecting container (in order to prevent particles of dirt from making their way to the back of the ejection and/or compacting element 240).

[0074] As can be seen, in particular, from FIG. 5d, the surface 503 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 can be embodied in such a way that the distance value of the inner edge distance 512 and of the outer edge distance 511 (that is to say, of the distance of the surface 503 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240) from the reference plane 510 increases as the angular position 530 increases, so a spiral-shaped ramp is provided in the circumferential direction. In the example represented in FIG. 5d, the distance 511, 512 of the surface 503 increases smoothly (for example, with a constant gradient in the circumferential direction) from the second angular position 532 through to the third angular position 533, starting from the first distance value 531 through to a third distance value 543. The third distance value 532 can be greater, for example by up to 20% of the total length of the collecting container (along the longitudinal axis 220), than the first distance value 531. The third angular position 533 can correspond, for example, to an angle between 340 and 360. The flow direction of the suction air flow 212 which has entered the collecting container can be changed particularly reliably by the provision of a ramp-like surface 503 in order to induce a helical or spiral-shaped suction air flow 212.

[0075] In the example represented in FIG. 5d, optionally between the third angular position 533 and a fourth angular position 534 the surface 503 constantly has the third distance value 543. The fourth angular position 534 can be spaced apart, for example between 2 and 10, from the third angular position 533. The gradient of the ramp-like surface 503 and the height (along the longitudinal axis 220) of the step 500 formed thereby can be flexibly adjusted by the provision of a region of the surface 503 flattened in this way in order to induce an optimized change in the flow direction of the suction air flow 212.

[0076] Between the fourth angular position 534 and the first angular position 531 the distance value of the distance 511, 512 of the surface 503 is reduced relatively abruptly to the first distance value 531 (at the outer edge 401) or to the second distance value 532 (at the inner edge 402), so a step 500 is produced.

[0077] The first (lower) edge 501 of the step 500 can be disposed at the first angular position 531, and the second (upper) edge 502 of the step 500 can be disposed at the fourth angular position 534. The surface 503 can run substantially linearly between the first edge 501 and the second edge 502. In particular, the inner edge 402 and the outer edge 401 between the first edge 501 and the second edge 502 can in each case run substantially linearly.

[0078] A separating unit 113 is thus described which is embodied to induce (in particular by way of an appropriately embodied ejection and/or compacting element 240) a helical suction air flow 212 inside the collecting container, and consequently convey particles of dirt in the direction of the second front side 222. It is thus possible to prevent particles of dirt from making their way to the back 510 (facing the first front side 221) of the ejection and/or compacting element 240, as a result of which the compacting and/or ejecting function of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 can be impaired.

[0079] FIG. 3a shows a separating unit 113, in which the ejection and/or compacting element 240 is disposed in the initial position (at the first front side 221 of the collecting container). FIG. 3b shows a separating unit 113, in which the ejection and/or compacting element 240 was shifted along the longitudinal axis 220 to the second front side 222, for example in order to compact particles of dirt. The position of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 represented in FIG. 3b can be referred to as a compacting position.

[0080] The ejection and/or compacting element 240 has a (cylindrical) side wall 320 which faces the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container, which side wall has a specific distance 321 from the inside of the housing wall 227. The distance 321 can be, for example, between 1 mm and 4 mm. In particular, the side wall 320 of the (annular) ejection and/or compacting element 240 can have a diameter (in the radial direction) which is less than the diameter 322 of the inside of the housing wall 227. It is thus possible to ensure that the ejection and/or compacting element 240 can be moved inside the collecting container along the longitudinal axis 220 (between the initial position and the compacting position) without jamming in order to enable reliable and convenient compaction and/or ejection of particles of dirt.

[0081] Furthermore, at the surface 503 which faces the second front side 222 the ejection and/or compacting element 240 has a shield 330 which extends in the radial direction from the side wall 320 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 in the direction of the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container. The shield 330 can be embodied as a(n) (annular) web which runs around the (cylindrical) side wall 320 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240. The width of the shield 330 in the radial direction can substantially correspond to the distance 321 between the side wall 320 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 and the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container at the initial position of the ejection and/or compacting element 240.

[0082] The shield 330 can efficiently be made of the same (non-deformable) material (for example, plastics material) as the ejection and/or compacting element 240. Otherwise, the shield 330 can be made of an elastic sealing material, and this typically further facilitates the movement of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 along the longitudinal axis 220.

[0083] Particles of dirt can be reliably prevented from making their way to the back 510 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 by the provision of a shield 330 on the surface 503 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240, in particular when the ejection and/or compacting element 240 is disposed in the initial position. This can thus induce consistently reliable operation of the separating unit 113.

[0084] The (circular) cylindrical inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container can be conically embodied in such a way that the diameter 322 of the inside of the housing wall 227 enlarges in the direction of the second front side 222. For example, the diameter 322 of the inside of the housing wall 227 at the second front side 222 can be 1% to 5% larger than at the first front side 221. As a consequence of this, the ejection and/or compacting element 240 can be conveniently and reliable pushed in the direction of the second front side 222 even in the presence of a (sealing) shield 330.

[0085] As represented in FIG. 3b, the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container can be conically embodied in such a way that the shield 330 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 (just) does not touch the inside of the housing wall 227 in the compacting position which faces the second front side 222 (and possibly has a specific distance 331 from the inside of the housing wall 227), and that the shield 330 of the ejection and/or compacting element 240 does touch the inside of the housing wall 227 in the initial position which faces the first front side 222.

[0086] The conical construction of the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container can be efficiently induced by the thickness 341 of the housing wall 227 (in the radial direction) being greater at the first front side 221 than at the second front side 222 and being reduced (for example, linearly) therebetween along the longitudinal axis 220.

[0087] In order to prevent dirt and/or dust from making its way between and behind the ejection and/or compacting element or compacting and ejection ring 240, an annular shield 330 can thus be provided at the front side (which faces the second front side 222 of the collecting container) of the ring 240. Further, the collecting container can have a conical construction on the inside. The angle between the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container and the longitudinal axis 220 can be, for example, between 1 and 2, for example approximately 1.4.

[0088] In the starting position (that is to say, in the initial position) of the ring 240, the shield 330 can thus be induced to abut the ring 240 as completely as possible at the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container and thus no dirt can make its way behind the shield 240. After movement of the compacting and ejection ring 240 in the direction of the second front side 222, the shield 330 no longer has any contact with the inside of the housing wall 227 and consequently no longer generates any friction either. Consequently, the process of compacting and ejecting is simplified.

[0089] The sealing function of the compacting and ejection ring 240 is thus possibly provided only over a subsection of the movement of the compacting and ejection ring 240. As a result of the sealing function which acts at the beginning of the movement, the deposited dust accumulates at the front 503 (which faces the second front side 222) of the compacting and ejection ring 240. This accumulated dust then itself acts as a seal from the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container when the compacting and ejection ring 240 no longer abuts the inside of the housing wall 227 of the collecting container.

[0090] The measures described in this document can induce particularly reliable and convenient compaction and ejection of dirt in or from a collecting container in order to optimize the dust load of the collecting container of a separating unit 113 and to guarantee consistently high suction of a suction apparatus 100.

[0091] The present invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are only intended to illustrate the principle of a separating unit 113 and/or a suction apparatus 100.

[0092] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0093] 100 suction apparatus (suction-wiper) [0094] 110 suction unit [0095] 111 electrical energy store [0096] 112 grip [0097] 113 separating unit [0098] 114 suction mouth [0099] 120 attachment (suction tube) [0100] 121 coupling [0101] 130 nozzle [0102] 200 (dust-retaining) flap [0103] 201 main bending point (film hinge) [0104] 202 further bending point (film hinge) [0105] 210 frame [0106] 211 inlet opening (collecting container) [0107] 212 suction air [0108] 220 longitudinal axis [0109] 221 first front side (collecting container) [0110] 222 second front side (collecting container) [0111] 224 cover [0112] 225 filter unit [0113] 226 collecting area [0114] 227 housing wall [0115] 240 ejection and/or compacting element [0116] 320 side wall (ejection and/or compacting element) [0117] 321 distance [0118] 322 diameter [0119] 330 shield (ejection and/or compacting element) [0120] 331 distance [0121] 341 thickness (housing wall) [0122] 401 outer edge [0123] 402 inner edge [0124] 403 inclined section/support surface [0125] 500 step [0126] 501 first (lower) edge [0127] 502 second (upper) edge [0128] 503 surface of the ejection and/or compacting element [0129] 510 reference plane (back) [0130] 511 outer edge distance [0131] 512 inner edge distance [0132] 520 normal vector or orientation (surface) [0133] 530 angular position [0134] 531, 532, 533, 534 different angular positions [0135] 541, 542, 543 distance values