CN107205598B

CN107205598B - Surface cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN107205598B
Application number: CN201580075576.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·W·卡特; T·R·哈里斯; F·麦戈文; S·M·波厄尔; M·威尔逊; D·D·霍尔姆斯
Original assignee: Techtronic Industries Co Ltd
Current assignee: Techtronic Industries Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-12-23
Filing date: 2015-09-28
Publication date: 2021-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-28
Also published as: WO2016102911A1; US20180140150A1; GB2533623A; EP3236828B1; EP3236828A1; CN107205598A

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus having a dirt collection container which is removable from the remainder of the apparatus, wherein the dirt collection container is held in a storage position relative to the remainder of the apparatus by a holding means, the holding means comprising: a first mating member disposed within or on or connected to the dirt collection container; and a second cooperating member provided within or on or connected to the remainder of the apparatus, wherein movement of the dirt collection container towards its stored position causes the first and second cooperating members to engage with one another and cause either: rotation of the first mating member relative to the dirt collection container; and/or rotation of the second mating member relative to the remainder of the apparatus.

Description

Surface cleaning apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus which uses a suction source to draw dirt and the like from a surface to be cleaned and store the dirt in a chamber which can be evacuated by a user. Such surface cleaning apparatus are commonly referred to as "vacuum cleaners".

Disclosure of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus having a dirt collection container which is removable from the remainder of the apparatus, wherein the dirt collection container is held in a storage position relative to the remainder of the apparatus by a holding means, the holding means comprising:

a first mating member disposed within or on or connected to the dirt collection container; and

a second mating member disposed within or on or connected to the remainder of the apparatus,

wherein movement of the dirt collection container towards its storage position engages the first and second cooperating members with one another and causes either:

rotation of the first mating member relative to the dirt collection container; and/or

Rotation of the second mating member relative to the remainder of the apparatus.

Further aspects of the invention are set out below.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dirt collection container and retaining device of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the component parts shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is yet another perspective view of the component parts shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the components shown in FIG. 3 (from the opposite end of the container);

FIG. 7 is another view of the component part shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is yet another view of the component part shown in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 are side cross-sectional views of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the dirt collection container in a stored condition;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are side cross-sectional views of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the dirt collection container in an ejected condition;

figures 14 to 16 are perspective views of a dirt collection container and retaining means of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;

figures 17 to 19 are side views of the components shown in figure 14, with the container in a stored condition in figures 17 and 18 and in an ejected condition in figure 19;

FIG. 20 is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the second embodiment with the dirt collection container in a stored condition;

FIG. 21 is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the second embodiment with the dirt collection container in an ejected condition;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a component part of the apparatus of the first embodiment with the dirt collection container in an ejected condition; and

fig. 23 is an end view of the apparatus of the first embodiment.

Detailed Description

Referring initially to fig. 1-13, an apparatus 10 is shown in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Surface cleaning apparatus 10 is commonly referred to as a vacuum cleaner. In this embodiment, although not necessary, the apparatus 10 is generally cylindrical and includes first and

second wheels

40 and 42, respectively, located at respective ends of the housing 11 of the apparatus 10. Each

wheel

40, 42 comprises an annular member 43, the annular member 43 being supported for rotation by an outer surface of a portion of the housing 11. In use, the housing 11 is pulled over a floor surface by a user with the

wheels

40, 42 rolling thereon.

As shown in fig. 9-13, the apparatus 10 is generally symmetrical about a plane X extending through the middle of the axis a extending through the

wheels

40, 42.

The apparatus 10 includes a suction source, in this example a motor 140 and a fan 150, for drawing dirt-laden air into the apparatus 10 through the main air inlet 120. The primary inlet 120 is connected to a pipe/hose and then to a floor head, which may include a motor driven brush bar as is known in the art.

In this example, although not required, dirt is separated from the air drawn into the apparatus 10 by a cyclonic separator, generally indicated at 90. In other embodiments, a second or subsequent stage with single or multiple cyclones or dirt collection bags or the like may be used. The cyclonic separator 90 includes an inlet 91 communicating with the main air inlet 120 and a dirt outlet 92 communicating with the dirt collection container 12. The end of the dirt collection container 12 located within the wheel 40 includes a moveable cover 17 which is pivotally moveable about a hinge 17 a. The dirt collection container 12 includes a locking mechanism 17b, the locking mechanism 17b allowing a user to open the lid 17 to empty the container 12 of its contents.

As can be seen from the drawings, the dirt collection container 12 can be removed from the remainder of the apparatus 10 in a direction parallel/coaxial with the axis of rotation a of the

wheels

40, 42. It will also be noted that the dirt collection container 12 can be removed through an opening in the end of the housing 11 which is located in the space enclosed by the annular member 43. As previously described, once the lid 17 is moved to its open condition, the dirt collection container 12 can be removed from the remainder of the appliance 10 so that the dirt therein can be emptied.

The apparatus 10 includes a retaining device for retaining the dirt collection container 12 in a storage position (i.e. within the housing 11) relative to the remainder of the apparatus 10. In this embodiment, the storage position of the container 12 corresponds to its position shown in fig. 1, within the end of the housing 11. In this position, the clean air outlet 93 from the separator 90 communicates with the motor 140 and fan 150 through the disc-shaped filter element 80 and the passage 50. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments different forms of filters may be used, the same form of filter may be used, and the flow of clean air from the separator to the motor 140 and fan 150 does not necessarily have to be directed through the cord retraction system 160 (as shown in this embodiment).

The holding device comprises a plurality of component parts which are formed in the dirt collection container 12 and the rest of the device 10 or are connected to the dirt collection container 12 and the rest of the device 10. An advantage of the retaining device according to the present invention is that movement of the dirt collection container 12 to its storage position (e.g. by a user pushing the container 12 into the end of the housing 11) engages the cooperating members of the retaining device with one another, thereby locking/retaining the container 12 in the storage state. Thus, the user does not have to place the container in its storage position and then press any kind of additional member or lock to secure the device therein.

Before discussing the working parts of the holding means of the apparatus 10, it should be noted that in this embodiment the dirt collection container 12 is only able to move towards the rest of the apparatus 12, i.e. towards its storage position (in one of its rotational orientations). In other words, the dirt collection container 12 can only be inserted into the open end of the housing 11 in one rotational position. This ensures that the dirt collection container 12 only moves linearly, in this embodiment axially along axis a, relative to the remainder of the apparatus 10 when it is moved to its storage position. Thus, in this embodiment, there is no relative rotation between the dirt collection container 12 and the remainder of the apparatus 10, although embodiments of such relative rotation are envisaged.

To prevent or at least inhibit rotation of the dirt collection container 12 as it moves towards its stored condition, the apparatus 10 includes one or more protrusions or recesses which are engageable with a corresponding one or more recesses or protrusions on the remainder of the apparatus. The protrusions and recesses allow insertion of the dirt collection container 12 into the housing 11 in only one orientation of the container 12, but also prevent relative rotation of the container 12 with respect to the remainder of the apparatus 10.

In this embodiment, the relevant convex and concave portions are shown in fig. 22 and 23. It can be seen that the outer surface of the container 12 is provided with

protrusions

201a, 201b of different widths and facing each other. These protrusions engage with

corresponding recesses

202a, 202b in the inner surface of the housing 11 enclosed by the wheel 40. Since the

recesses

202a, 202b are dimensioned according to their

respective projection

201a, 201b, it is not possible for a user to insert the dirt collection container 12 in an incorrect rotational position. Furthermore, the

recesses

202a, 202b comprise substantially parallel walls which extend into the housing 11 and thus guide the dirt collection container 12 in a linear/axial path to its storage position. Advantageously, each

recess

202a, 202b comprises at its entrance a

curved guide wall

203a, 203b, which helps to guide the dirt collection container 12. The

curved guide walls

203a, 203b allow for slight rotational misalignment of the dirt collection container 12 with the rest when the user pushes the container 12 to its storage position.

It should be noted that other configurations/protrusions/recesses in other locations may of course be used. Likewise, a convex portion may be provided on the inner surface of the housing 11 and a concave portion may be provided on the dirt collection container 12.

As mentioned above, the apparatus 10 includes retaining means for retaining the dirt collection container 12 in a storage position relative to the remainder of the apparatus 10. In this embodiment, the retaining means comprises a plurality (three in this example, although there may be more or fewer) of first cooperating members 18, the first cooperating members 18 being provided on the outer surface of the container 12. The first fitting members 18 are positioned substantially 120 degrees apart from each other about the axis a and are wedge-shaped in side view, the purpose of which will become apparent from the following description. The member 18 tapers in the same rotational direction, which is clockwise when viewing the apparatus 10 from the end of the wheel 40. The tapered surface 18a of each member 18 faces axially inward toward the motor 140.

The retaining means comprises a second cooperating member in the form of an annular portion 16 which is supported relative to the remainder of the apparatus. The annular portion 16 is supported by the housing 11 and is rotatable relative to the housing 11. The annular portion 16 includes three elongated openings 61, the openings 61 receiving protrusions 62, the protrusions 62 being connected to the housing 11. The bosses 62 are generally cylindrical and are located within respective elongate openings 61 and allow but restrict rotational movement of the member 16 relative to the housing 11 about axis a.

As can be seen from fig. 3, 4 and 5, the annular portion 16 comprises three further openings 63. Each opening 63 is positioned adjacent a respective one of the openings 61 and receives, in use, a respective one of the members 18. The entrance to the opening 63 includes an inclined circumferentially extending portion 63a that tapers in a circumferential direction opposite the tapered surface 18a of the member 18. As will be discussed in detail later, when the container 12 is moved to its storage position, the

inclined surfaces

18a, 63a engage one another and cause rotation of the member 16 about the axis a.

Each opening 63 is generally L-shaped and includes an inlet 63c connected to a circumferentially extending portion 63 d. The portion 63d of the opening 61 extends in the opposite circumferential direction to the portion 63 a.

As can be seen in fig. 3 to 6, the device 10 comprises a container ejection button 100 (although it need not be movable in this direction) that is movable in directions D and E parallel to axis a. In this embodiment, the button 100 is biased in the direction E by a spring (not shown). Extending downwardly from the button 100 towards the axis a is a projection 101, the end of which engages the angled opening 64 in the annular portion 16. Opening 64 extends at an angle relative to axis a such that when button 100 is moved in direction D, member 101 and member 64 act as a cam and cam follower to effect rotation of member 16 about axis a.

In this embodiment, the apparatus includes biasing means 30 for biasing the dirt collection container 12 away from its storage position. Fig. 2, 10, 12 and 13 show the biasing device of this embodiment in more detail. The biasing means comprises an annular member 35, the annular member 35 being positioned within the housing 11. The annular member 35 is supported relative to the housing 11 by a plurality of spring-biased

supports

32, 33, which allow the annular member 35 to be biased toward the motor 140 while the annular member 35 is biased away from them to extend to an extended position (as shown in fig. 2). The opening 34 in the annular member 35 provides space for receiving the inwardly facing end of the dirt collection container 12 so that the filter 80 passes through the opening 34 when the container 12 is in its storage condition. When the container 12 is moved to its storage condition, the annular member 35 engages the axially facing surface 12a of the container 12.

The operation of the holding device will not be described in more detail. In fig. 3 and 6, the dirt collection container 12 is shown in its storage state with the engagement members 18 each positioned in a portion 63d of each respective opening 63. In this position, the dirt collection container 12 is held in its storage position relative to the remainder of the apparatus 10. When the user wishes to remove the container 12 in order to empty its contents or access the filter 80, the user moves the button 100 in the direction of arrow D, which causes the member 16 to rotate in the direction of arrow R2 (see fig. 3). When the button 100 is moved in direction D, the portion 16 is rotated to the position shown in fig. 4 and 7. In this position, the rotational movement of the member 16 means that the member 18 is no longer located in the portion 63d of the recess 63. In other words, there is now no engagement between the member 18 and the component 16, which means that the container 12 will be biased outwardly by the annular member 35. This makes it easier for the user to grasp the outwardly projecting end of the container 12 to remove it completely from the remainder of the apparatus 10.

In order to re-engage the container 12 with the remainder of the apparatus 10 and move it back to its storage position (e.g. after emptying its contents), all the user has to do is to position the container 12 so that the

protrusions

201a, 201b are correctly aligned with the

recesses

202a, 202 b. The user then moves the dirt collection container 12 axially to the remainder of the apparatus 10 which ultimately causes the

inclined surfaces

18a, 63a to engage one another. Further movement of the container 12 into the housing 11 causes the member 16 to rotate whilst the

surfaces

18a, 63a slide past each other. Thus, the component 16 is caused to rotate in the direction R2 until the

inclined surfaces

18a, 63a no longer engage one another. Further movement of the container 12 into the housing 11 causes the part 18a to move towards the bottom of the recess 63 and eventually to abut the portion 63 d. When the push button 100 is biased in the direction of arrow E, the pair of members 16 generates a biasing rotational force that causes them to return to their original position, i.e., rotate in the direction R1 (see fig. 5). Thus, once the part 18 reaches the bottom of the recess 63, the part 16 rotates in the direction of R1, which causes the part 18 to be located in the portion 63d of the recess 63 (as shown in fig. 3 and 6). In this position, container 12 is held in the storage position with first mating member 18 and second mating member 16 engaged with one another.

Thus, the above-described embodiment is configured such that when the dirt collection container 12 is moved towards its storage position, the member 16 is caused to rotate relative to the dirt collection container 12 and, in this particular embodiment, relative to the housing 11. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the member 16 or equivalent may be disposed on the container 12 itself, while the member 18 or equivalent is disposed on the housing 11 or attached to the housing 11.

The retaining device of the present invention allows the user to easily dock and undock the container 12 because the user need only move the button 100 in the direction of arrow D and only push the container 12 axially into the end of the housing 11 when reconnecting the container 12. The relative rotation of the

parts

16, 18 ensures effective locking of the container 12 in its storage condition.

Although not shown in this particular embodiment, the first and second cooperating members may each be movable (preferably rotatably movable) in opposite or substantially opposite directions relative to each other, with each member being biased towards its locating condition which ensures locking of the container within the apparatus.

Fig. 14 to 21 show a device according to a second embodiment of the invention. Features that are the same as or similar to those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals but with the addition of a representative symbol ('), and are not discussed in detail herein. In a similar manner to the first embodiment, the apparatus 10 'comprises a holding device having an annular member 16' rotatably supported relative to the housing 11 'by a plurality of supports 62'. The user's actual button 100' includes an axially projecting peg 101' that engages in the arcuate channel 64' in the annular member 16 '. The container 12' is provided with three generally equally spaced wedge-shaped portions 18', each having a tapered surface 18a '.

Fig. 14 and 17 show the container 12' in its storage state, in which the component 18' is located inside the annular member 16 '. Their engagement with the inwardly facing surface of the annular member 16 'ensures that the dirt collection container 12' is retained in its storage condition. Depression of the button 100 'by the user rotates the annular member 16' in the direction R2', which direction R2' aligns the opening 63 in the member 16 'with the boss 18'. This ensures that the dirt collection container 12' can be freely removed from the apparatus. In this particular embodiment, the biasing means 30' is used to eject the dirt collection container 12a from the remainder of the apparatus 10' when the button 100' is fully depressed. This can be seen in fig. 15 and 18.

When the user wishes to move the dirt collection container 12' back to its storage state (e.g., after emptying), the user moves the dirt collection container 12' axially into the interior of the apparatus 10 '. Fig. 16 and 19 show how the inclined surfaces 18a 'and 65' engage each other. Axial movement of the dirt collection container 12 'towards the housing 11' causes rotation of the annular member 16 'in the direction of arrow R1', allowing the members 18 'to pass through the openings 63 in the annular component 16' until they reach the position shown in figures 13 and 17. As with the first embodiment, a spring 130 'is provided to bias the button 100' to its undepressed position, which has the effect of providing a biasing force to rotate the annular member 16 'in the direction of arrow R2', thereby locking the dirt collection container 12 'within the apparatus 10'.

The terms "comprising" and "having," and variations thereof, as used in the specification and claims, are meant to encompass the specified features, steps or details. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning apparatus, characterized in that the surface cleaning apparatus comprises:

a housing having a dirt collection container recess for receiving a dirt collection container;

a first wheel at or near a first end of the housing and a second wheel at or near a second end of the housing;

a wheel opening on one of the first wheel and the second wheel, the wheel opening capable of providing access to the dirt collection container recess;

a dirt collection container removably disposed on the housing, the dirt collection container being axially movable relative to the housing through the inlet toward a storage position,

a retaining device for retaining the dirt collection container in the storage position, the retaining device comprising:

a first mating member disposed on or connected to the dirt collection container; and

an annular portion that rotates about an axis relative to the housing, wherein one of the first fitting member and the annular portion includes at least one convex portion, and the other of the first fitting member and the annular portion includes at least one concave portion that fits with the convex portion;

a first biasing means for biasing the ring portion to a condition in which the ring portion retains the dirt collection container in the storage position;

wherein movement of the dirt collection container towards its stored position engages the first co-operating member and the ring portion with one another and causes rotation of the ring portion to prevent or at least inhibit removal of the dirt collection container.

2. Surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said projections comprises a plurality of projections and at least one of said recesses comprises a plurality of recesses, each of said plurality of projections being engageable with a corresponding one of said plurality of recesses.

3. Surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 in which each projection projects radially outwardly or radially inwardly.

4. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein each recess has an axially facing opening.

5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein each recess has a radially facing opening.

6. Surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 in which each recess has a circumferentially extending channel or passage which communicates with the opening to receive the projection.

7. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the lobes and at least one of the valleys act as a cam and cam follower assembly.

8. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising second biasing means for biasing the dirt collection container away from the storage position.

9. A surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the second biasing means comprises at least one spring member which acts directly or indirectly on an inwardly facing part of the dirt collection container.

10. Surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 in which the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a motor and fan for drawing dirt-laden air into the apparatus.

11. Surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 10 in which dirt is separated from the dirt-laden air by one or more cyclonic separators and/or dirt collection bags.

12. The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 1, 2, and 7 wherein each of the first and second wheels comprises an annular member supported for rotation by an outer surface of a portion of the housing.

13. The surface cleaning apparatus of any one of claims 1, 2 and 7 wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is generally cylindrical.

14. The surface cleaning apparatus of any of claims 1, 2, and 7 wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is generally symmetrical and generally symmetrical with respect to a plane extending through the middle of an axis extending through the first and second wheels.

15. The surface cleaning apparatus of any one of claims 1, 2 and 7 wherein the dirt collection container is removable from the housing in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of at least one of the first and second wheels.

16. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first and second wheels rotate about coaxial axes.

17. A surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 7 wherein the dirt collection container is movable towards the housing in only one rotational orientation of the dirt collection container.