CN102908106B - For the metal tube of the extension of vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention describes the metal tube of a kind of extension for vacuum cleaner etc. Described metal tube is configured to the instrument that is attached to, another pipe or linking device. Described metal tube is included in the depression portion extended in the radial direction towards the inside of described pipe on its sidewall and near end. Described depression portion has closing bottom and sidewall, and described closing bottom is connected to the sidewall of described pipe by described sidewall. One of described sidewall is essentially perpendicular to longitudinal axis of described pipe.

Description

For the metal tube of the extension of vacuum cleaner

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to portion's section of household electrical appliance. In particular, it relates to the metal tube of the household electrical appliance for such as vacuum cleaner etc. Even in particular, it relates to have for the metal tube of aspirator or the joint device of linking device for being shaped to of vacuum cleaner. Pipe can be the pipe of such as telescopic extension part.

Background technology

For the purposes of the present invention, term " vacuum cleaner " will be used for meaning widely so that comprising all for the utensil being undertaken cleaning by suction of professional purpose or domestic applications. Therefore, term " vacuum cleaner " will comprise the vacuum cleaner of standard, electric broom, so-called heavy drum-type wheel vacuum cleaner and steam distribution and suction apparatus. Describe by Primary Reference telescopic extension part in process at this, but the invention is not restricted to the pipe of these extensions.

Become known for the telescopic extension part of household electrical appliance, such as, in WO2007/112839 and EP1,092,383, EP0,520,534, EP0,987,976 of same Applicant name. These telescopic extension parts generally comprise the inner and outer tubes sealably slided within another.

According to the direction of suction, input end and output end are defined in telescopic extension part. Input end is generally connected to the aspirator of such as so-called cleaning brush or suction nozzle in a movable manner. Brush from surface to be cleaned process and suck solid and/or the liquid of such as dust, dirt, chip or water. The material sucked from ground enters in telescopic extension part by input end and leaves telescopic extension part by output end. The latter is generally connected to another pipe (such as rigidity or flexible screw pipe) in a movable manner, and next described rigidity or flexible screw pipe are connected to suction unit.

More specifically, according to pumping direction, input end and the output end of inner and outer tubes also it is defined for. In fact, the input end of interior pipe is corresponding with the input end of telescopic extension part and the output end of outer tube overlaps with the output end of telescopic extension part.

Some telescopic extension part use linking device so that the input end of interior pipe is connected to aspirator in a movable manner. Similar linking device can be used with the pipe output end of outer tube being connected in a movable manner with aspirate unit and be connected. Linking device generally can be made up of plastic material. These linking devices are assembled to inner and outer tubes respectively near the end of inner and outer tubes.

Each linking device is assembled to respective pipe removablely. Especially, it is contemplated that have reversible joint system for preventing removing of linking device.

The window that joint system comprises the fixed teeth of the internal surface projection from linking device and cuts the surface, side of pipe and/or outer tube in telescopic extension part. Tooth is configured to engagement windows, thus prevent linking device extract out and its relative to pipe (described linking device is assembled on described pipe) rotate.

Disadvantageously, the existence cutting the unlimited window in the surface of pipe can not guarantee the gas-tight seal between pipe and linking device. Owing to sealing is not airtight, therefore gas is escaped by window. The gas of this escape has the effect of the suction performance worsening vacuum cleaner. In principle, it is possible to compensate this poor performance by increasing pumping power and electric energy that thus vacuum cleaner consumes. But this increase is less desirable, because desirably the power consumption of household electrical appliance should be low as much as possible.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, the object of the present invention is for providing the metal tube of a kind of household electrical appliance, and such as, for the pipe of telescopic extension part of vacuum cleaner, the gas-tight seal wherein managed and be assembled between the linking device on pipe is best.

According to an aspect, the present invention provides a kind of for the metal tube of vacuum cleaner or the extension (such as telescopic extension part) of similar household electrical appliance. Metal tube is configured to the instrument that is attached to, another pipe or linking device. Metal tube is included in the depression portion extended in the radial direction towards the inside of described pipe on its sidewall and near end. Depression portion has closing bottom and sidewall, and closing bottom is connected to sidewall by described sidewall. The sidewall in depression portion is essentially perpendicular to longitudinal axis of pipe. Advantageously, metal tube can comprise protuberance further near its 2nd end, and described protuberance is in radial directions towards the exterior protrusions of described metal tube. Protuberance is provided for the advantageous arrangement hindering linking device to rotate. Such as, the rotation managed between nozzle is advantageously prevented.

Preferably, the sidewall of the sidewall and metal tube that are essentially perpendicular to the depression portion of longitudinal axis of pipe forms the radius-of-curvature being less than 0.5 millimeter. Preferably, radius-of-curvature is contained between about 0.1 millimeter to about 0.3 millimeter.

Preferably, closing bottom be flat and there is rectangular shape substantially.

Preferably, the length of closing bottom is less than or equal to the radius of described metal tube near its end. More preferably, length is contained between about 60% to about the 80% of radius.

Preferably, the width of closing bottom is less than or equal to about the 50% of radius. More preferably, width is contained between about 20% to about the 30% of radius. Preferably, protuberance has longitudinal axis, and this axis is arranged in the position that the axis with described depression portion longitudinally aligns along the direction with the longitudinal axis parallel of described metal tube.

Metal tube can comprise another protuberance, for arranging more reliably of the rotation being provided between obstruction instrument (such as nozzle) and metal tube.

Another protuberance can extend contraryly with other protuberance radial directions described.

According to the 2nd aspect, the present invention provides the assembly of metal tube described above and the linking device that is assembled on metal tube, wherein linking device comprises tooth, and the described indented joint depression portion when linking device is assembled on metal tube is so that prevent linking device to be removed from metal tube.

Accompanying drawing explanation

From the following detailed description read with reference to accompanying drawing, the present invention will more clearly manifest, and the described non-limiting example that is described through in detail is provided, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates telescopic extension part according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 a, 2b and 2c are respectively the stereographic map of the output end of outer tube, longitudinal sectional view and the sectional view along C-C plane view; Fig. 2 d is the orthographic plan in the depression portion of outer tube;

Fig. 3 a and 3b is two views of the tubulose element of linking device according to an embodiment of the invention; And

Fig. 4 a, 4b, 4c and 4d are four views for engaging and depart from the element of linking device.

Embodiment

Fig. 1 illustrates telescopic extension part 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

Telescopic extension part 1 comprises interior pipe 2, outer tube 3, sleeve 4, restraint device (not illustrating in FIG), advances slide unit (not illustrating in FIG) and operation button 5.

Interior pipe 2 has the first end (or input end) 2' and the 2nd end (or output end) (not illustrating in the drawings). Outer tube 3 has the first end (or input end) 3' and the 2nd end (or output end) 3 ". Telescopic extension part 1 therefore have the interior pipe 2 as input end input end 2' and as the output end 3 of outer tube 3 of output end ".

Interior pipe 2 has cross section circular substantially. The recess 22 that the outside surface of interior pipe 2 comprises axial groove 20, row's predetermined shape with diapire 21 is formed in described diapire 21.

Interior pipe 2 and outer tube 3 can one slide with sealing in another. Unshowned seal arrangement is between interior pipe 2 and outer tube 3.

Interior pipe 2 and outer tube 3 are made up of the steel plate of such as chromium plating or trypsin method. Interior pipe 2 and outer tube 3 by annular close steel bar and the edge of longitudinal measure steel bar and formed.

Sleeve 4 is fixed in outer tube 3 at the input end 3' place of outer tube 3. Such as restraint device and the propelling slide unit of cylindrical member are supported in sleeve 4 removablely. Operation button 5 is operatively connected to propelling slide unit. Advance slide unit to be coordinated with restraint device by elasticity device (it is contained in sleeve 4 equally), and force especially in the recess 22 that restraint device remains on interior pipe 2, so that interior pipe 2 is locked in outer tube 3.

Next operation 5, button is configured to make the disengaging of propelling slide unit and restraint device, thus enable restraint device freely move radially and from the recess 22 of interior pipe 2 out. By this method, interior pipe 2 departs from outer tube 3 and can be slided to adjust the length of extension 1 relative to outer tube 3.

Telescopic extension part 1 preferably also comprises the output end 3 being assembled to outer tube 3 " on the first linking device 6a and the 2nd linking device 6b that is assembled on the input end 2' of interior pipe 2. In other embodiments, telescopic extension part 1 can comprise single linking device. In other embodiments, telescopic extension part 1 can not comprise linking device.

Two linking devices 6a, 6b have the function being connected to telescopic extension part 1 respectively, and pipe (such as flexible pipe) is next connected to suction unit and the aspirator of such as cleaning brush or suction nozzle.

Fig. 2 a and 2b illustrates the output end 3 of outer tube 3 ". In this output end 3 " place, outer tube 3 turns into minimum radius RMIN by short transition section 31' from maximum radius RMAX. Radius R MAX can be contained in such as between 1.2 centimetres to 2.4 centimetres. Minimum radius RMIN can be contained in such as between 1 centimetre to 2 centimetres. The downstream of transition section has end segments 31. End segments 31 can have constant radius R MIN or be decreased to the radius of the open end of outer tube 3 a little. End segments 31 has longitudinal axis X and cross section circular substantially.

The end segments 31 of outer tube 3 is preferably on the outside surface of its sidewall 34 and in output end 3 " near there is depression portion 32. Depression portion 32 is insert, i.e. its inside projection diametrically. Depression portion 32 comprises closing bottom 321. Preferably the closing bottom 321 in depression portion 32 be flat and there is rectangular shape substantially.

As shown in Fig. 2 a, 2b and 2c, depression portion 32 is taking sidewall 322,323,324 and 325 as boundary. Wall 322 is arranged in the plane vertical with longitudinal axis X of outer tube 3 substantially and as the longitudinal retaining wall for linking device 6a, will illustrate as following. Wall 323 and wall 322 longitudinally relative and when linking device 6a is assembled on outer tube 3 as the guidance surface for linking device 6a. Depression portion 32 becomes complete by wall 324 and 325.

Longitudinal retaining wall 322 sentences the outside surface that little radius-of-curvature (being preferably less than 0.5 millimeter) is connected to outer tube 3 at top. More preferably, radius-of-curvature is contained between about 0.1 millimeter to 0.3 millimeter. Such as, radius-of-curvature can equal about 0.1 millimeter, 0.2 millimeter, 0.3 millimeter or 0.4 millimeter.

Preferably, wall 323 tilts relative to axis X with angle [alpha] (being preferably less than about 45 ��).

Fig. 2 d illustrates the orthographic plan of the closing bottom 321 in depression portion 32. Closing bottom 321 has length LMAX and width LMIN.

Applicant has carried out various test to determine the optimum length LMAX and width LMIN of closing bottom 321. In fact the size of closing bottom 321 must make to guarantee the best maintenance of the tooth of linking device 6a, will illustrate as following. In addition, the size of closing bottom 321 must guarantee that longitudinal retaining wall 322 does not have in practice the excessive height being difficult to implement. Meanwhile this highly must be only little, because can not guarantee the maintenance of the tooth of linking device 6a in this case.

Applicant confirms, obtains the optimum size of closing bottom 321 when the length LMAX of bottom 321 is less than or equal to the minimum radius RMIN of outer tube 3. Preferably, the width LMIN of bottom 321 must be less than or equal to about the 50% of the minimum radius RMIN of outer tube 3. Preferably, the length LMAX of bottom 321 is less than about the 90% of minimum radius RMIN. More preferably, the length LMAX of bottom 321 is contained between about 60% to about the 80% of minimum radius RMIN. Preferably, the width LMIN of bottom 321 is less than about the 40% of minimum radius RMIN. More preferably, the width LMIN of bottom 321 is contained between about 20% to about the 30% of minimum radius RMIN.

Depression portion 32 is formed preferably by the cold deformation of the metal sheet of outer tube 3.

In addition, end segments 31 is included in the radial direction towards at least one protuberance of exterior protrusions of outer tube 3. In embodiment shown in Fig. 2 a and 2b, end segments 31 comprises the first protuberance 33a and the 2nd protuberance 33b. Preferably, the first protuberance 33a is formed in the position longitudinally alignd with depression portion 32 along the direction parallel with longitudinal axis X. In addition, the first protuberance 33a and the 2nd protuberance 33b is preferably located in the position radial contrary relative to longitudinal axis X. Preferably, the first protuberance 33a and the 2nd protuberance 33b has the parallelepiped form of band sidewall, and described sidewall tilts a little and has fillet.

By the mode of all fours, the interior pipe 2 shown in Fig. 1 can also comprise the depression portion with above-mentioned depression portion 32 and protuberance 33a, 33b and protuberance (not illustrating in FIG) near its input end 2'. Therefore, will be omitted it to describe in detail.

In an embodiment of the present invention, linking device 6a comprises tubulose element 7 (as shown in Figure 3 a and 3b shown) and engages and depart from element 8 (as shown in Fig. 4 a, 4b, 4c and 4d).

Tubulose element 7 comprises the 2nd tapered portion 72 of first part 71 cylindrical substantially and truncated cone substantially. 2nd tapered portion 72 is configured to interference and is connected to and such as manages, next described pipe is connected to suction unit, will describe more in detail as following.

First part 71 preferably has at least one the depression portion longitudinally extended in tubulose element 7 at its free end place. In embodiment as shown in Figure 3 a and 3b shown, the internal surface of first part 71 has the first depression portion 73a and the 2nd depression portion 73b that longitudinally extend in tubulose element 7. Two depression portions 73a, 73b are arranged in position diametrically. The outside surface of tubulose element 7 preferably has and each relative respective protruding 74a, the 74b in these longitudinal direction depression portions 73a, 73b.

In addition, first part 71 comprises the window 75 being formed on its thickness. Window 75 preferably longitudinally aligns with the protruding 74a corresponding to the first depression portion 73a. Window 75 has rectangular shape substantially.

In addition, first part 71 preferably comprises seat 76 on its outer surface, and one of described seat 76 lateral sides being positioned at window 75 is upper and is positioned at especially on the sidepiece relative with tapered portion 72 of window 75. The form that seat 76 has a parallelepiped substantially, the form of described parallelepiped at top place be hollow and be configured to the fulcrum that bearing engages and departs from element, will describe more in detail as following.

Joint shown in Fig. 4 a, 4b, 4c and 4d and disengaging element 8 comprise center rod body 81, whisker 82 and Abdeckteil 83.

Central body 81 comprises blind hole 84, and whisker 82 is positioned at described blind hole 84. In addition, central body 81 comprises the tooth 85 and fulcrum 86 with parallelepiped shape substantially. In the illustrated embodiment, fulcrum 86 comprise have semicircular in shape one to tooth 86. Tooth 86 performs the function of pivotable, as hereafter more elaborating. Central body 81 finally also has wall 87, it is possible to apply pressure on described wall 87 with lifting tooth 85.

The outside surface of wall 87 has annular knurl 88, and described annular knurl 88 is configured to be convenient to clamp joint and disengaging equipment 8 by user.

Engage and the central body 8 of disengaging equipment 8 and Abdeckteil 83 and tubulose element 7 are made by plastic material.

In order to be assembled to by linking device 6a on telescopic extension part 1 (output end 3 of such as outer tube 3 "), first tubulose element 7 is assembled in the end segments 31 of outer tube 3. Especially, the free end of the first part 71 of the general cylindrical of tubulose element 7 is by towards output end 3 " mobile and tubulose element 7 slid in end segments 31 so that the first depression portion 73a engages the first protuberance 33a and the 2nd depression portion 73b engages the 2nd protuberance 33b. By this method, advantageously, tubulose element 7 can slide in a longitudinal direction on outer tube 3, but cannot rotate relative to outer tube 3. In addition, once protuberance 33a, 33b of outer tube 3 engagement concave portions 73a, 73b, window 75 is just orientated as relative substantially with the depression portion 32 of outer tube 3. At this some place, the central body 81 of joint and disengaging element 8 is mounted on tubulose element 7, so that tooth 86 is engaged in seat 76 and tooth 85 also engagement windows 75 and depression portion 32 below. In addition, Abdeckteil 83 is fixed to tubulose element 7 so that spring 82 presses between the internal surface and the bottom of blind hole 84 of Abdeckteil 83. In this way, by the effect of spring 82, tooth 85 is held in depression portion 32.

The edge of tooth 85 therefore out against the longitudinal retaining wall 322 vertical with bottom 321 so that preventing linking device 6a from extracting out from outer tube 3. By this method, advantageously, linking device 6a and outer tube 3 firmly lock together. In other words, linking device 6a cannot slide along the end segments 31 of outer tube 3 or rotate relative to end segments 31 in a longitudinal direction.

Once linking device 6a has engaged outer tube 3, so that it may with by this pipe being connected to linking device 6a by being applicable to extension 1 to be connected in the 2nd tapered portion 72 of shrink-fit ground, the end tubular element 7 of another pipe of suction unit.

In order to make linking device 6a and outer tube 3 depart from, it may also be useful to the wall 87 engaged and depart from element 8 is pressed against on tubulose element 7 by the direction indicated by person's arrow that letter " A " marks in by Fig. 4 a. By performing the pivotal action around fulcrum 86, tooth 85 is lifted. The pressure engaging by maintaining and departing from element 8 on the direction indicated by arrow " A " subsequently, linking device 6a can in a longitudinal direction in the tapered portion 31 of outer tube 3 by slip and can be extracted out from pipe itself.

By the mode with above-mentioned all fours, linking device 6b can the input end 2' place of interior pipe 2 engage in pipe 2 and depart from interior pipe 2. Once linking device 6b has engaged interior pipe 2, so that it may with by aspirator being connected to linking device 6b by the 2nd tapered portion 72 of the end of aspirator tubular element 7 with interference.

Advantageously, the existence with the depression portion 32 of closing bottom and wall 322 allows that linking device 6a and outer tube 3 lock together stablely, and described depression portion 32 forms little radius with the outside surface of outer tube 3. In fact, guarantee the locking of the tooth 85 of linking device 6a with the wall 322 of the bottom vertical in depression portion 32, so that the tooth 85 preventing linking device 6a is extracted out from outer tube 3 in a longitudinal direction. In addition, the existence of protuberance 33a, the 33b on outer tube 3 also prevents linking device 6a from rotating relative to outer tube 3. , advantageously, in addition closed depression portion 32 allows that linking device 6a engages outer tube 3 and escapes from pipe itself without gas. Therefore gas-tight seal between outer tube 3 and linking device 6a is best. This guarantees to comprise the maximum aspiration efficiency of the household electrical appliance (such as vacuum cleaner) of telescopic extension part 1 and its power consumption of minimumization simultaneously.

In addition, advantageously, when in aspirator (such as brush or suction nozzle) is separated with interior pipe 2 and directly uses by user, pipe 2 is for suction operation (such as in the position using brush or nozzle to be difficult to arrival), the existence closing depression portion 32 guarantees that gas is not escaped from interior pipe 2. This assists in ensuring that maximum pumping efficiency under any operating conditions of the household electrical appliance comprising telescopic extension part 1 and its power consumption of minimumization simultaneously.

Claims (11)

1. the metal tube (3) of the extension for vacuum cleaner (1), described metal tube (3) is configured to be attached to instrument, it is attached to another pipe or it is attached to linking device (6a), wherein said metal tube (3) is included in, near upper and end (3 "), the depression portion (32) extended towards the inside of described metal tube (3) in the radial direction at its sidewall (34), described depression portion (32) has closing bottom (321) and sidewall (322, 323, 324, 325), the sidewall (322 in described depression portion, 323, 324, 325) described closing bottom (321) is connected to the described sidewall (34) of described metal tube (3), the sidewall (322 in wherein said depression portion, 323, 324, 325) sidewall (322) in is essentially perpendicular to longitudinal axis (X) of described metal tube (3), and the radius-of-curvature being less than 0.5 millimeter is formed with the described sidewall (34) of described metal tube (3), wherein said metal tube (3) comprises protuberance (33a) further near described end (3 "), described protuberance (33a) is in radial directions towards the exterior protrusions of described metal tube (3).

2. metal tube according to claim 1 (3), wherein: described radius-of-curvature is contained between 0.1 millimeter to 0.3 millimeter.

3. metal tube according to claim 1 (3), wherein: that described closing bottom (321) is flat and there is rectangular shape substantially.

4. metal tube according to claim 3 (3), wherein: the length (LMAX) of described closing bottom (321) is less than or equal to the radius (RMIN) near described metal tube (3) end (3 ") described in it.

5. metal tube according to claim 4 (3), wherein: described length (LMAX) is contained between the 60% to 80% of described radius (RMIN).

6. metal tube (3) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: the width (LMIN) of described closing bottom (321) is less than or equal to the 50% of described radius (RMIN).

7. metal tube according to claim 6 (3), wherein: described width (LMIN) is contained between the 20% to 30% of described radius (RMIN).

8. metal tube according to claim 1 (3), wherein: described protuberance (33a) has longitudinal axis, and longitudinal axis of described protuberance be arranged in the position that axis with described depression portion (32) longitudinally aligns along the direction parallel with longitudinal axis (X) of described metal tube (3).

9. metal tube according to any one of claim 1 to 5 (3), wherein: also comprise another protuberance (33b).

10. metal tube according to claim 9 (3), wherein: described another protuberance (33b) extends contraryly with described protuberance (33a) radial direction.

11. 1 kinds of assemblies, the linking device (6a) that described assembly comprises the metal tube according to above-mentioned any claim (3) and is assembled on described metal tube (3), wherein said linking device (6a) comprises tooth (85), and when described linking device (6a) is assembled on described metal tube (3), described tooth (85) engages described depression portion (32) so that preventing described linking device (6a) to be removed from described metal tube (3).