CN100534372C

CN100534372C - Cleaning appliance

Info

Publication number: CN100534372C
Application number: CNB2005800150991A
Authority: CN
Inventors: W·R·J·怀特
Original assignee: Dyson Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd; Dyson Ltd
Priority date: 2004-05-13
Filing date: 2005-04-21
Publication date: 2009-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2025-04-21
Also published as: EP1748717A1; US20070226944A1; GB0410700D0; EP1748717B1; AU2005244378A1; WO2005110178A1; MY142449A; AU2005244378B2; CA2567214A1; ATE450184T1; GB2413943A; GB2413943B; CN1976619A; JP2007535354A; DE602005018041D1

Abstract

The invention provides a cleaning appliance (10; 50) having a main body (12; 52) and a hose (20; 60) attached thereto, the hose (20; 60) being attached to the main body (12; 52) by means of a connector (30; 70). The connector (30; 70) is movable between a first position in which the hose (20; 60) is stored on the main body (12; 52) and a second position in which the hose (20; 60) is usable for carrying a dirty airflow to the main body (12; 52) for cleaning purposes. When the connector (30; 70) is in the second position, the hose (20; 60) extends away from the main body (12; 52) in a plane which passes through the centre of the main body (12; 52). This improves the balance of the main body (12; 52) during use.

Description

Cleaning appliance

The present invention relates to a kind of cleaning appliance, specifically but exclusively do not relate to a kind of vacuum cleaner.

Vacuum cleaner is generally vertical or pillar (cylinder).Cylinder type vacuum cleaner is used for air-flow being drawn into the main body of motor in the main body and fan unit and dirt and dust being taken out and the separator that it is handled is formed from air-flow by comprising.Separator can be cyclonic arrangement, bag or filter or their composition.Flexible pipe and bar assembly are connected in the import of main body, and have suction inlet be the floor tool form near be connected on the end of the bar that is away from main body, thereby suction inlet can be operated and passes user's clean Surface.Vertically dust catcher generally includes the cleaner head that for good and all is fixed on the operated vacuum cleaner main body, and it and main body are passed the surface that will be cleaned together.Yet many vertical type dust collectors also can be operated in the mode of pillar machine by flexible pipe and bar assembly detachable or that discharge, wherein said assembly can with for example be connected for the annex of floor tool.In this case, flexible pipe and bar leave on the main body of vacuum cleaner.Also can become more popular is, by it being wound on around the main body flexible pipe of the vacuum cleaner of pillar is deposited on the main body.

The defective that the known arrangements of hose storing on vacuum cleaner main body existed is, the connection between flexible pipe and the main body is designed to or is the structure that is fit to deposit usefulness, or is the structure when being suitable for using.The design that is suitable for depositing the structure of usefulness provides connection between flexible pipe and main body, and this will make this machine occur unsettled situation in use.And the design of the structure when being suitable for using will be difficult to deposit.

The invention provides a kind of cleaning appliance, it has main body and is connected the main body top hose, this flexible pipe is by being connected on the main body by movable connector between the primary importance and the second place, this connector comprises the bool of the elbow shape that links to each other with flexible pipe with main body, wherein when the primary importance place, hose storing is on main body, and the purpose that flexible pipe is used to clean when second place place is transported to main body with dirty air-flow, it is characterized in that, when connector was in the second place, flexible pipe was away from main body and extends in passing the plane of main center.

Being provided with of flexible jumper allow flexible pipe when this device is in use with the center-aligned of main body, thereby degree of stability is maximized, and when this device does not use, leave on the main body effectively.For upright machines, can imagine that this connector forms the elbow shape, it is basically with right-angle bending, and for the pillar machine, described angle is roughly 135 °.This preferred arrangements of pillar machine is when especially effectively solution is provided when hose reeling is deposited around the main body.

In a preferred embodiment, connector forms flexible pipe and passes wherein sleeve.Directly flexible pipe is connected on this device main body then, preferably rotatably, thereby the activity of connector is regulated by flexible pipe.This has just been avoided providing independent flexible pipe or pipeline between connector and main body, thereby has reduced cost.

Now with embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the perspective view according to cylinder vacuum cleaner of the present invention, and it shows the flexible pipe (for the sake of clarity only showing the part flexible pipe) that is under the deposit position;

Fig. 2 is and the similar perspective view of Fig. 1 that it shows the flexible pipe that is under the operating position;

Fig. 3 forms the vertical view of parts for the connector with the vacuum cleaner among the Fig. 1 shown in the ratio of amplifying;

Fig. 4 is the back perspective view according to upright vacuum cleaner of the present invention, and it shows the flexible pipe that is under the deposit position; And

Fig. 5 is and the similar perspective view of Fig. 4 that it shows the flexible pipe that is under the operating position.

Vacuum cleaner illustrated in figures 1 and 2 is a cylinder type vacuum cleaner 10.Just as known in the art, vacuum cleaner 10 has main body 12, and it accommodates and is used for air-flow is drawn into motor (not shown) in the Cyclonic separating apparatus 14.Main body 12 have allow main body 12 during carrying out clean operation, to be operated to pass will clean Surface wheel 16.Motor places in the main body of taking turns between 16.Cyclonic separating apparatus 14 shown in the embodiment utilizes centrifugal force that dirt and dust particles are screwed out through outside the air-flow of vacuum cleaner.Yet the Cyclonic separating apparatus 14 that illustrates here can be easily by other separator, and for example filter, bag or the combination of these two substitute.Therefore the characteristic of separator is unsubstantiality for the present invention, further instruction no longer here

Vacuum cleaner 10 also has the flexible pipe 20 that is connected in Cyclonic separating apparatus 14 imports 18.This flexible pipe 20 usually by can be operated pass will clean Surface floor tool or other cleaning attachment be connected on the bar (not shown).In use, dirt and dust are by floor tool or other annex is picked up and be transported to import 18 along bar and flexible pipe.Separate from air-flow then, wherein it was brought in the Cyclonic separating apparatus 14 before the motor of flowing through for cooling purpose, was discharged in the atmosphere then.

The present invention relates to the connection between flexible pipe 20 and the main body 12.Though flexible pipe 20 is communicated with the import 18 of Cyclonic separating apparatus 14, is used for supports hoseline 20 and its connector that leads 30 is arranged on the main body 12 that approaches main body 12 front ends.This connector 30 is by being rigidly fixed on the main body 12 or being bearing on the main body 12 with main body 12 integrated prominent arms 22 and having the cylindrical shape axle collar 24 that forms in its end.Fig. 3 together illustrates the connector 30 and the axle collar 24.

Connector 30 comprises bending part 31, can rotate in the axle collar 24 like a cork thereby this bending part 31 has first cylindrical ends, 32 these first cylindrical ends 32 that adapt to the axle collar 24 inside.Therefore first cylindrical ends 32 and the axle collar 24 have common axis 34.This bending part 31 also has second cylindrical ends 36, and this end has axis 38.

Axis

34,38 intersects with angle a.Between first and second

cylindrical ends

32,36, bending part 31 is followed a level and smooth crooked route.The inside dimension of bending part 31 such as Fig. 1 and be configured to flexible pipe 20 is held.Therefore bending part 31 is sleeve-shaped, and flexible pipe 20 passes wherein.

First cylindrical ends 32 comprises resilient clip 40, by this resilient clip first cylindrical ends 32 is bearing in the axle collar 24.This connection allows first cylindrical ends 32 to rotate in the axle collar 24, and stops it to carry out axially-movable, unless described clamp 40 is discharged.Second cylindrical ends 36 comprises and is used to make flexible pipe 20 to bond to the hole 42 of the device location on the connector 30, thus bonding carry out process after, do not have relative motion between flexible pipe 20 and the connector 30.

The simple friction that is connected between flexible pipe 20 and the import 18 cooperates, and this cooperation allows the generation between flexible pipe 20 and the import 18 to rotate relatively.Therefore, if flexible pipe 20 will be around the distortion of its longitudinal axis, its end that is positioned at import 18 with under the situation of its generation disengaging be not distorted yet so.

Connector 30 can being rotated between the primary importance and the second place in the axle collar 24 move by first cylindrical ends 32, wherein at the primary importance place, hose storing is on the main body of machine as shown in Figure 1, at second place place as shown in Figure 2, flexible pipe is used for dirty air-flow is transported to main body for the purpose that cleans.When primary importance,, can understand that the main body 12 that flexible pipe 20 is wrapped in vacuum cleaner 10 is used to deposit though Fig. 1 only shows part flexible pipe 20 on every side.The position of the shape of connector 30 and the axle collar 24 allows flexible pipe 20 to be wrapped in around the front portion of main body 12 dexterously and abides by the shape of main body, and therefore when flexible pipe 20 is stored, vacuum cleaner structure is compact and neatly.

When purpose that vacuum cleaner 10 is used to clean, flexible pipe 20 discharges from deposit position as shown in Figure 1.Position when Fig. 2 shows its use can find out that from this figure flexible pipe 20 extends forward along main body 12 basically.In order to make flexible pipe 20 arrive this position, connector 30 is simply by moving with respect to the axle collar 24 around first cylindrical ends 32 of axis 34 rotations with respect to the axle collar 24.Second cylindrical ends 36 moves to position shown in Figure 2 thus, and its axis 38 is directly extended and passed the center of main body 12 to the place aheads of main body 12.More specifically, axis 38 is in the perpendicular of the mid point between third wheel 16.During normal use this makes main body 12 obtain balance, wherein in use relate to be used for to flexible pipe 20 apply pulling force and operating main body 12 make its through the surface.Described pulling force has reduced machine along the middle position of its axis that applies 38 and unbalanced possibility occurred.

If axis 38 is through the barycenter of main body, it is more favourable to become so.In many cases, barycenter determines that by the position of motor described motor is parts the heaviest in the vacuum cleaner main body dramatically.In the embodiment shown, motor is being taken turns between 16 as mentioned above.Therefore, preferably, the plane that axis 38 is positioned at it with aim at as the barycenter of the main body of determining by the position of motor 12.

In order to make connector 30 move to as shown in Figure 2 the second place from primary importance shown in Figure 1, connector 30 is only with respect to the axle collar 24 rotations.Because flexible pipe 20 bonds on the connector 30 as mentioned above, so the motion of connector 30 causes flexible pipe 30 to take place to move around the coiling of its longitudinal axis.Simple connection the between the import 18 of Cyclonic separating apparatus 14 and the end of the flexible pipe 20 that approaches main body 12 most allows this coiling motion to be regulated by the rotation of the flexible pipe 20 in the import 18.Therefore can not produce distortion in the flexible pipe 20 between connector 30 and import 18.

Flexible pipe 20 is bonded on the connector 30, and connector 30 is axially fixed on the axle collar 24, just mean that any pulling force that is applied on the flexible pipe 20 all can pass to main body 12 through prominent arm 22.Because the user applies pulling force to flexible pipe 20, therefore there is not the axial force can be along the flexible pipe transmission of the downstream part of connector 30.Because it allows the connection between flexible pipe 20 and the import 18 to keep simple as much as possible and reduced cost, so this is favourable.The fact that flexible pipe 20 passes connector 30 inside means that an independent segment length of flexible pipe can be used between load carrying floor instrument or the bar and import 18 near other, and wherein said connector mainly is the relevant portion sleeve on every side that has formed flexible pipe 20.This has just reduced required the number of parts, thereby has reduced the danger that leakage takes place in the machine.The fact that while connector 30 is detachably connected on the axle collar 24 means that by clamp 40 is disassembled, flexible pipe 20 and connector discharge the purpose that is used for required packing, deposits or removes tamper together from main body 12.

Under the situation of the cylinder vacuum cleaner shown in Fig. 1 to 3, the angle a between axis 34 and the axis 38 is much larger than 90 ° and less than 180 °.Be that if flexible pipe 20 need be wrapped in around the main body 12 symmetrically, angle a is essentially 135 ° ideally.Yet, for flexible pipe 12, always do not need it to be wrapped in symmetrically around the main body 12, some variation of angle a also is acceptable so.In the embodiment shown, angle a is roughly 115 °.Can predict, angle a can change between 110 ° to 150 ° under with the prerequisite of carrying out its required function in the applicability that does not influence connector 30.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show second embodiment.In this embodiment, install and be upright vacuum cleaner 50, just as known in the art, it has and comprises main body 52, the Cyclonic separating apparatus 54 that is contained in the motor in the motor shell 53 and be rotatably installed in Floor nozzle of duster 55 on the motor shell 53.Wheel 56 is installed on the motor shell 53 of motor either side equally.Releasable flexible pipe and bar assembly 57 are positioned on the main body 52.When dust catcher 50 during as shown in Figure 4 vertical type dust collector, flexible pipe and bar assembly 57 are deposited on the main body 52, thereby bar forms handle 59, and by this handle, operation dust catcher 50 makes it through will clean Surface.When dust catcher 50 was used for the cleaning of top, floor as shown in Figure 5 with cylinder mode, flexible pipe and bar assembly 57 discharged from main body 52 in known manner.

The flexible pipe 60 of flexible pipe and bar assembly 57 is fixed on the main body 52 by connector 70.The upstream extremity of connector 70 is connected to the downstream end of flexible pipe 60.Thereby this connection can form rigidly or rotatably allow relative motion to occur between flexible pipe 60 and the connector 70.Connector 70 downstream are rotatably connected on the main body by the import 58 that communicates with Cyclonic separating apparatus 54.Connection between the downstream of connector 70 and the import 58 allows connector 70 rotate around axis with respect to import 58, and described axis defines the flow direction that air passes through connector 70 downstream.This allows connector 70 to move between the primary importance and the second place, and wherein at the primary importance place, flexible pipe is deposited on the main body 12 as shown in Figure 4, at second place place, and the flexible pipe purpose that is used to clean as shown in Figure 5.If necessary, flexible pipe 60 is releasably connected on the connector 70.In addition, connector 70 also is connected with import 58 releasedly.

The position of connector 70 makes that flexible pipe 60 extends away from main body when flexible pipe and bar assembly 57 are released the cleaning that is used for above the floor in to the plane of cuing open main body 12.The center of gravity of main body 52 also is positioned at this plane, and wherein this center of gravity is mainly determined by the position of motor.This structure means, when being used for that flexible pipe 60 imposed pulling force, the direction of active force is passed the gravity plane of main body 52, and this has just reduced main body 52 and the accident unbalanced danger of tumbling or become vertically vertically occurred around it.

As shown in Figure 4, connector 70 mainly is made up of bending part, and its corner of wherein said bending part is approximately 90 °.Connector 70 is essentially horizontal direction with respect to import 58 around the axis of its rotation, and flexible pipe 60 is positioned at vertical basically position when it is in deposit position simultaneously.Connector 70 can form simple bend pipe, and this elbow-shaped becomes the continuous of flexible pipe 60.

Be anticipated that above-mentioned

connector

30,70 can be made by plastic material by injection molding method economically.

Will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the fine detail of the foregoing description.It all is tangible being out of shape to those skilled in the art and improving.For example, the attribute that is used for the separator of vacuum cleaner does not need for cyclone type, can adopt the separator of any suitable type.Be anticipated that also the takeup type hose storing system of type can be used in the upright vacuum cleaner if necessary as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Claims

1. cleaning appliance, it has main body and is connected the main body top hose, this flexible pipe is by being connected on the main body by movable connector between the primary importance and the second place, this connector comprises the bending part of the elbow shape that links to each other with flexible pipe with main body, wherein when the primary importance place, hose storing is on main body, and the purpose that flexible pipe can be used for cleaning when second place place is transported to main body with dirty air-flow, it is characterized in that, when connector was in the second place, flexible pipe was away from main body and extends in passing the plane of main center.

2. cleaning appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein when connector was in the second place, flexible pipe was away from main body along the straight line through the main body barycenter and extends.

3. cleaning appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein connector is rotatably connected on the main body.

4. the cleaning appliance of any one as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the corner of bending part is approximately 90 °.

5. cleaning appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the corner of bending part is between 110 ° to 150 °.

6. cleaning appliance as claimed in claim 5, wherein the corner of bending part is approximately 135 °.

7. cleaning appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein connector comprises that flexible pipe passes sleeve wherein.

8. cleaning appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein flexible pipe removably connects by on main body.

9. cleaning appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, when connector was in primary importance, the purpose that flexible pipe is used to deposit was wound on around this utensil body.

10. cleaning appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said utensil are vacuum cleaner.