Patent Publication Number: US-2012024316-A1

Title: Suction cup for a mobile cleaning device and a mobile suction system with such a suction cup

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of European Patent Application Serial No. 10007540.7, filed Jul. 21, 2010, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a suction cup for a mobile cleaning device for cleaning hose filters, with a base body which has an outer circumference, which matches the inner circumference of a hose filter opening, and a longitudinal axis. The present invention also relates to a suction system with such a suction cup and to a cleaning device with a suction system and a suction cup, and finally to a method for cleaning horizontally installed hose filters using the suction cup, suction system and cleaning device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Suction cups for a use for cleaning hose filters are not known from the prior art. Suction devices are regularly positioned only in the vicinity of a hose filter opening to extract a dust fraction in the air which occurs there during the cleaning process. To this end, suction systems are used which are known from technical fields in which relatively large amounts of dust are regularly produced during material processing, which dust must be extracted. For example, such suction devices are known in wood processing. In a mobile use for hose filter cleaning, the free end of a suction hose is simply positioned in the vicinity of the hose filter opening. 
     The suction systems known from the prior art do not form a unit with a cleaning device during operation, as they are not physically connected to each other. In cleaning devices, rotating cleaning heads are generally used, which are difficult to handle when cleaning horizontally installed hose filters when there is no unit between the suction system and the cleaning device. Needs exist for a suction cup for a mobile cleaning device. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is to the above-described needs that the present invention is directed. The present invention can create a suction cup, which during operation forms a connection between a suction system and a cleaning device and allows cleaning of hose filters which is essentially dust-free with respect to the environment. 
     In a first example embodiment a first felt seal is applied to the outer circumference and the base body has a through-opening for a cleaning element, wherein a second felt seal is applied to the inner circumference of the through-opening. 
     With the suction cup according to the invention it is possible to produce a leakproof connection between an inner circumference of a hose filter opening and an outer circumference of the base body of the suction cup. It is also possible to produce a leakproof connection between a cleaning element and the base body of the suction cup. The suction cup can thereby form a sealing coupling element for a cleaning device during operation, as part of a suction system or in connection with a suction system. It is also made possible for the cleaning element in the through-opening of the base body to receive a guide which ensures a controlled path of movement. This is significant in particular for the cleaning of horizontally installed hose filters. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that the through-opening runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base body. The guide length of the through-opening for the cleaning element is optimised by this measure. This is also particularly advantageous when cleaning horizontally installed hose filters. This is however also advantageous for vertically installed hose filters. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that the base body is divided into an upper cup part and a lower cup part in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis, the first felt seal being applied to the outer circumference of the lower cup part. The division of the base body into an upper cup part and a lower cup part makes it possible to adapt the suction cup to different hose filter diameters. It is therefore not necessary to keep the whole suction cup in different sizes. Rather, it is sufficient to keep a series of different lower cup parts in order to carry out an adaptation to the respective hose filter opening. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that the lower cup part has a head plate to which a third felt seal is applied in order to form a seal between the head plate and a base plate of the upper cup part. 
     The third felt seal ensures that no dust particles can exit at this connection point either. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that the first felt seal has a variable thickness in order to be able to seal different hose filters and supporting bodies. This measure means that identical lower cup parts can be brought to different outer diameters in order to be adapted to the respective inner diameter of a hose filter opening. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that the base body has a connection for a suction system. The suction cup can be handled separately from a suction system thanks to this measure. This makes the mobile use of the suction cup easier, for example when changing between cleaning of horizontally installed and vertically installed hose filters. 
     The invention is also achieved by a suction system with a suction cup according to the invention. It is particularly advantageous if the suction system is configured to be mobile. Then horizontally installed and vertically installed hose filters can be cleaned on site practically in the same manner and with the same system. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that the suction system has an earth cable for preventing static charge. This ensures that all the dust particles are extracted and do not adhere to the unit and/or to parts of the unit due to static charge. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that a control unit for controlling the operation of the system has a foot pedal for activating and deactivating the suction system. By activating and deactivating the suction system by means of a foot pedal, the user can keep his/her hands free in order for example to operate a cleaning device. 
     The invention also includes a cleaning device with a suction system according to the invention and a suction cup according to the invention. 
     It is also advantageous for the cleaning device to be mobile. Then it can be used with the mobile suction system and the separate suction cup for any use for cleaning hose filters, regardless of whether they are horizontally installed or vertically installed. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that a cleaning element is guided through the through-opening of the suction cup and can be moved back and forth. The actual coupling between the cleaning device, suction system and hose filter takes place by means of this measure. Cleaning can be carried out without dust getting into the environment thanks to the leakproof connection of the suction cup to the hose filter and of the suction cup to the cleaning element. The whole piece of equipment can thereby also be used in cleanrooms or at least in rooms to be kept largely dust-free. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that a cleaning head with at least one cleaning nozzle is arranged at the free end of the cleaning element. A cleaning nozzle allows a controlled volumetric flow for cleaning a dirty hose filter. It is particularly advantageous that the cleaning head and/or the at least one cleaning nozzle is set in rotation during operation. Such rotary nozzles, as they are known, allow optimal cleaning over the entire circumference of the hose filter. 
     The invention further includes a method for cleaning horizontally installed hose filters. It has not been previously known to use rotary nozzles for horizontally installed hose filters. Cleaning with a rotary nozzle is however possible without dust escaping into the environment even with horizontally installed hose filters with the suction cup, suction system and cleaning device according to the invention. 
     These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in more detail below using the drawings. In the figures: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a cleaning device, suction cup, suction system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a suction cup according to the invention with different lower cup parts; and 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an upper cup part of the suction cup in  FIG. 2 , according to the present invention with a through-opening for a cleaning element with a felt seal. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
     Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. 
     With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  schematically shows a complete piece of cleaning equipment. The cleaning equipment comprises a suction cup  100 , a suction system  200  and a cleaning device  300 . 
     The suction cup  100  has a base body  101  which in the present embodiment is composed of an upper cup part  103  and a lower cup part  105 . In other embodiments, the base body  101  can also be composed in one part or from any number of parts. The base body  101  has a longitudinal axis  107 . A through-opening  109  runs through the base body  101  parallel to the longitudinal axis  107  and in the present embodiment also concentrically to the latter (see  FIG. 3 ). The through-opening  109  runs through the entire base body  101 , that is, both the upper cup part  103  and the lower cup part  105 . 
     A connecting piece  111  for connecting the suction system  300  is formed laterally on the base body  101  and in the present embodiment on the upper cup part  103 . The connecting piece  111  extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis  107 , so that an acute angle is enclosed between the base body  101  or the upper cup part  103  and the connecting piece  111 . It can be seen in  FIG. 1  that the connecting piece  111  runs diagonally upwards in relation to the base body  101  when the suction cup  100  is aligned in its operating function for cleaning a vertically installed hose filter. When the suction cup is arranged to clean a horizontally installed hose filter, the connecting piece  111  would point diagonally backwards. 
     A first felt seal  113  is applied to the base body  101  and in the present embodiment to the lower cup part  105 . The first felt seal  113  completely surrounds the lower cup part  105 . The first felt seal  113  is fixed for example by adhesive or else in an advantageous manner mechanically with the aid of a clamping element  115 . The lower cup part  105  has a head plate  117  and the upper cup part  103  has a base plate  119  which abuts the head plate  117 . A second felt seal  121  is attached between the head plate  117  and the base plate  119 . 
     A third felt seal  123  is attached in the through-opening  109  (see  FIG. 3 ). The third felt seal  123  surrounds the inner diameter of the through-opening  109  in an entry region for a cleaning element. 
     The lower cup part  105  is attached such that it can be replaced with respect to the upper cup part  103 , for example by screw-fastening.  FIG. 1  shows another lower cup part G which has a smaller outer diameter than the lower cup part  105 . The suction cup  100  as a whole can be adapted to a different inner diameter of a hose filter by connecting different lower cup parts  105 /G to the upper cup part  103 . Further adaptation is possible if the thickness of the first felt seal  113  is varied. 
       FIG. 1  also shows the suction system  300 . The suction system  300  comprises a conventional suction device with an electric motor  301  and a collection bag  303 . A suction hose  307  is arranged between a housing  305 , to which the electric motor  301  is attached, and the connecting piece  111  of the suction cup  100 . The suction hose  307  is flexible and can be stretched in length to a certain extent. The suction hose  307  is connected to the connecting piece  111  by usual connection elements, for example hose clamps. In the connected state the suction cup  100  forms a connection piece of the suction system  300  for connecting to a hose filter. The suction system  300  comprises wheels  311  on its housing  309  so that it is mobile. The suction system  300  also comprises an earth cable  313  with which static charge is prevented. 
     The cleaning equipment also comprises a cleaning device  200  with a cleaning element  201  which in the present case is a cleaning hose. In other embodiments, the cleaning element  201  can also be a fixed rod. 
     The cleaning hose  201  is flexible and connected to a control unit  203 . The control unit  203  comprises a usual electric device for opening and closing a compressed air supply and for activating and deactivating the cleaning device and where necessary also the suction system  300 . 
     A foot pedal  205  is provided for operating the control unit  203 . The foot pedal  205  is connected to the control unit  203  via electric cables, the control unit  203  in turn being connected to the suction system  300  where necessary via electric cables (not shown). The compressed air supply can be switched on or off on the one hand and the cleaning device and/or the suction system can be activated or deactivated on the other hand by actuating the foot pedal  205 . Of course, the control unit can also comprise a multiplicity of other functions which can at least partially be switched on or off by means of the foot pedal  205 . The control technology is state of the art and does not form the subject matter of the present invention. A cleaning head (not shown) with at least one cleaning nozzle is attached to a free end of the cleaning element  201 . In the present embodiment, the cleaning head or the at least one cleaning nozzle should rotate during operation. Of course, non-rotating cleaning heads or cleaning nozzles can also be used in other embodiments. 
       FIG. 2  schematically shows the suction cup  200  with different lower cup parts  105 .  FIG. 3  schematically shows how the third felt seal  123  is arranged in the region of the entry of the cleaning hose  201  on the inner circumference of the through-opening  109  of the upper cup part  103  or base body  101 . By varying the thickness of the felt seal  123  it is possible to produce a seal with respect to cleaning elements  201  of differing thickness.  FIG. 2  also clearly shows the second felt seal  121 . 
     For a cleaning process, the suction system  300  is connected to the suction cup  100  and to the cleaning device  200 . The mobile suction system  300  according to the invention has a maximum volumetric flow of 1100 m 2 /h at a pressure of 1750 Pa. Residual dust from the filter hoses is not released but extracted. The cleaning hoses  201  are designed for a pressure of up to 20 bar. There is a maximum temperature resistance of 180° C. Cleaning of filter systems in the high-temperature range in N-1 operation (without stopping) is thus also possible. The compressed air hoses have a steel mesh liner and are additionally earthed by means of earth cables. Earthing is thus provided here too to prevent static charge and sparks. The control unit  203  has a foot pedal  205  for each cleaning head (not shown) and thus each suction system  300 . 
     To carry out cleaning, the cleaning element  201  of the cleaning device  200  is introduced through the suction cup and the hose filter opening into the hose filter. The control unit  203  is then activated and the cleaning element  201  is moved in the hose filter, for example moved back and forth. After the cleaning process is finished, the control unit  203  is deactivated, for example by means of the foot pedal  205 . The cleaning element  201  is then pulled out of the hose filter. The suction system  300  is then removed from the hose filter by pulling the suction cap  100  out of the hose filter opening. 
     When cleaning horizontally or vertically installed hose filters, cleaning elements with rotary nozzles are used in the present embodiment. Rotary nozzles are generally known from the prior art and do not form part of the present invention. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.