CN108024675B

CN108024675B - Ground suction nozzle

Info

Publication number: CN108024675B
Application number: CN201580083021.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朱莉娅·鲍姆加特; 斯特凡·西格尔; 克里斯托夫·赫尔施; 罗格·尼
Original assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2015-09-09
Filing date: 2015-09-09
Publication date: 2021-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-09
Also published as: EP3346894A1; EP3346894B1; CN108024675A; WO2017041837A1

Abstract

A floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner is provided, comprising a base body (68), at least one suction opening (70) which is arranged on the base body (68) and is fluidically connected to a suction unit (31) or can be fluidically connected to the suction unit (31), and an abutment device (74) which can be placed on a surface (72) to be cleaned and which surrounds the at least one suction opening (70), wherein, when the abutment device (74) is in abutment on the surface (72) to be cleaned, a suction space (78) is formed between the surface (72) to be cleaned and the abutment device (74), into which suction space the suction opening (70) opens, and wherein the abutment device (74) has an opening (98) on at least one side (80) which opens into the suction space (78), wherein at least one movable slat (104) is assigned to the at least one side (80) which has the opening (98), the at least one movable slat (104) has at least two positions (108, 114), wherein the first position (108) is a closed position in which the opening (98) is covered and the second position (114) is a released position in which the opening (98) is released, and a movement mechanism (116) for the at least one movable slat (104) is provided, which movement mechanism relates the position of the at least one movable slat (104) to the travel of the floor nozzle over the surface (72) to be cleaned.

Description

Ground suction nozzle

Technical Field

The invention relates to a floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, comprising a base body, at least one suction opening which is arranged on the base body and is or can be fluidically connected to a suction unit, and an abutment device which can be placed on a surface to be cleaned and which surrounds the at least one suction opening, wherein, when the abutment device is in abutment against the surface to be cleaned, a suction space is formed between the surface to be cleaned and the abutment device, into which the suction opening opens, and wherein the abutment device has an opening on at least one side which opens into the suction space.

Background

DE 10003883C 1 discloses a cleaning head for a floor cleaning appliance, comprising a suction housing with a suction channel leading into a suction opening and a carrier part which holds the suction housing. The suction housing can be moved relative to the carrier part counter to the feed direction, and the cleaning head has a transmission means for converting the movement of the suction housing into a lifting and lowering movement of the wiping lip.

DE 102008010897 a1 discloses a nozzle for a floor cleaner with a chassis having a rearward chassis section with at least one roller and a front section projecting in the suction direction for engaging a suction head. The suction head is mounted on the front section of the chassis so as to be movable in a tilting manner about a horizontal axis.

DE 10105371 a1 or EP 1228732B 1 disclose suction heads for domestic floor cleaners which have a sliding region which is fastened rigidly or in a tiltably movable manner on the upper part of the housing and which has a suction opening which extends transversely to the working direction.

DE 2846847 a1 discloses a floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, which has a joint base that can be moved in an inclined manner as a suction tube receptacle.

A floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner is described in International patent application PCT/EP2015/054764, not previously published, No. 3/6, 2015. Reference is made in detail to this document.

Disclosure of Invention

The object on which the invention is based is to provide a floor nozzle of the type mentioned at the outset, which has an extended functionality.

This object is achieved according to the invention in the floor nozzle mentioned at the outset in that at least one movable slat is assigned to at least one side with an opening, which has at least two positions, wherein a first position is a closed position in which the opening is covered and a second position is a release position in which the opening is released, and a movement mechanism for the at least one movable slat is provided which links the position of the at least one movable slat to the stroke of the floor nozzle over the surface to be cleaned.

The opening in the bearing device serves to allow dirt particles to pass from an external space outside the suction space through the opening into the suction space and to be sucked away.

In the release position of the at least one movable slat, the opening is released, so that it is just possible to pass dirt particles through the abutment device into the suction space.

In the closed position the opening is covered. Thereby, the suction space can be well sealed and a high suction force is provided.

In this way, gaps and the like on the surface to be cleaned can be effectively cleaned.

The first position or the second position can be set by the movement mechanism depending on the travel of the floor nozzle. The operator can thus set, by means of a corresponding stroke, whether it is desirable to have an increased suction force for the suction gap or whether it is desirable to release the opening in the normal suction operation in order to be able to achieve a high dirt pick-up of dirt particles on the surface to be cleaned.

This results in an extended functionality for the floor nozzle according to the invention.

It is particularly advantageous if the movement mechanism is designed such that the position of the at least one movable slat is linked to the direction of travel of the floor nozzle over the surface to be cleaned. In particular, a correlation with the forward stroke direction and the reverse stroke direction is provided. When the opening is released for forward stroke movement, "normal" dirt holding is possible. When covering the opening, for example for a backward stroke movement, gaps and the like can be effectively sucked clean. Depending on which direction the operator moves the floor nozzle over the surface to be cleaned, the corresponding function occurs automatically.

In an embodiment, the abutment device has a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side spaced apart from the first longitudinal side, a first transverse side arranged between the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side, and a second transverse side spaced apart from the first transverse side, the second transverse side being arranged between the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side, wherein the opening is arranged on the first longitudinal side and/or the second longitudinal side, and wherein the first longitudinal side and/or the second longitudinal side is assigned at least one movable slat. Longitudinal and transverse sides are formed on the respective longitudinal and transverse elements. They form walls for the suction space. Whereby an effective suction effect can be achieved.

In a forward stroke of the floor nozzle, the floor nozzle is moved, in particular, in a direction parallel to a direction from the second longitudinal side to the first longitudinal side, and in a rearward stroke of the floor nozzle, the floor nozzle is moved in a direction parallel to a direction from the first longitudinal side to the second longitudinal side, wherein the first longitudinal side is assigned with at least one movable slat, and the movement mechanism is configured in such a way that in the forward stroke the at least one movable slat is in the release position and in the rearward stroke the at least one movable slat is in the closed position. In this way, the at least one movable slat is brought into and held in the release position or the closed position depending on the forward stroke or the rearward stroke. An extended functionality is obtained, wherein the switching possibilities are preset in a simple manner by the operator by a change in the direction of travel.

The at least one movable slat is positioned in particular between the first longitudinal side and a front wall of the floor nozzle adjacent to the first longitudinal side and/or between the second longitudinal side and a rear wall of the floor nozzle adjacent to the second longitudinal side. At least one movable slat is positioned adjacent to the longitudinal side with the opening in order to enable an effective covering.

It can be provided that the abutment device has one or more brush bars and/or one or more lip bars with one or more elastic lip elements.

Accordingly, the at least one movable strip is in particular designed as a lip strip or brush strip with one or more elastic lip elements.

In an embodiment, the movement mechanism has a first arm which is supported pivotably relative to the base body (and is supported, for example, on the base body) and on which at least one movable slat is arranged, wherein a pivoting movement of the first arm results in a movement of the at least one movable slat. The first arm holds at least one movable slat and is able to effect a change in position or to remain in a first or second position.

In an embodiment, it is furthermore provided that the second arm is articulated on the first arm, wherein the second arm is coupled to a device of the floor nozzle which is movable relative to the base body, wherein the positioning of the device relative to the base body is dependent on the travel of the floor nozzle over the surface to be cleaned. The travel of the floor nozzle over the surface to be cleaned and in this case in particular the direction of travel determine the positioning of the device relative to the base body. Thereby again determining the positioning of the second arm. The positioning of the second arm in turn determines whether the second position or the first position of the at least one movable slat is present. By means of the device which can be moved relative to the base body, it is detected to a certain extent which stroke is present and in particular which direction of stroke is present. Depending on the direction of travel, the positioning of the movable device relative to the base body is different. Thereby, the relative positioning of the second arm with respect to the bottom body is also different. The positioning of the second arm relative to the base body in turn dictates the positioning of the first arm. It is thereby provided in turn that the at least one movable slat is in its second position or in its first position. The change in the direction of travel results in a movement of the device, wherein the slats, which are enabled to move by the second arm and the first arm, are brought into their new position (starting from the first position into the second position or starting from the second position into the first position).

In particular, it is provided that the device which is movable relative to the base body comprises a roller device, and in particular the second arm is coupled with the movable device in the region of the roller device. By means of the roller device, it is possible in a simple manner to "detect" which direction of travel is present, and the detection result can be transmitted in a simple manner by the coupling of the second arm, which is preferably coupled with the movable device in the region of the roller device, to the first arm and thus to the at least one movable slat.

The first arm and the second arm are articulated to one another, in particular, by means of a guide device which enables a relative movement between the first arm and the second arm, wherein the guide device comprises, in particular, a notch-pin guide (chute guide). In this way, a relative linear movement or a relative linear movement component of the floor nozzle in the stroke movement can be converted by the second arm into a pivoting of the first arm.

In particular, a simple design is achieved by the recess-pin guide.

Advantageously, the guide means define the release position and in particular the abutment of the pin of the notch-pin-guide against the boundary of the notch-pin-guide defines the release position. Thereby, the excellent release position can be defined as the second position in a simple manner.

In particular, at least one tilting joint is provided, which has a tilting axis parallel to the pivot axis of the first arm. In this way, a good contact of the floor nozzle with the surface to be cleaned can be achieved for a good suction effect.

In the closed position of the at least one movable slat, the end face of the at least one movable slat facing the surface to be cleaned advantageously lies at least approximately in a plane with the corresponding end face of the contact means. In this way, the suction force can be optimized in particular for the suction gap or the like.

In an embodiment, a fixing device is provided, by means of which the first position and/or the second position can be determined. In this way, the predetermined position of the at least one movable slat can be blocked, which is automatically changed depending on the travel of the floor nozzle. It is thereby possible that the first position and/or the second position is "always" ensured. The mobility of at least one slat is blocked by the fixing device.

The fixing device comprises in particular a switch. Through the switch, whether the operator wants automatic operation can be set, and the method comprises the following steps: depending on the stroke movement of the floor nozzle, the first or second position of the at least one movable slat is set, or whether a constant position of the movable slat is desired, independently of the stroke movement of the floor nozzle.

In an embodiment, the fastening device comprises at least one movable element, in particular in the form of a pin element, which acts at a notch-pin guide, wherein the movement mechanism has a first arm which is mounted so as to be pivotable relative to the base body and on which at least one movable slat is arranged, wherein a pivoting movement of the first arm leads to a movement of the at least one slat, and wherein a second arm is articulated on the first arm, and the first arm and the second arm are articulated to one another by means of the notch-pin guide, which enables a relative movement between the first arm and the second arm. The element can engage in the recess and block the relative movability, and thus define a defined position of the first arm and thus also of the at least one movable web.

The mentioned at least one movable element, in particular a pin element, is advantageously coupled with a switch that can be operated by an operator. The positioning of the pin element is defined by the respective switch position and it is further provided whether there is a fixation of the at least one movable slat, i.e. the slat is immobilized, or the movability is released.

The construction according to the invention with at least one movable slat can be integrated into a floor nozzle described in PCT/EP2015/054764, No. 3/6 in 2015. Reference is made in detail to this document. The elements described in the mentioned international patent application can be integrated into a floor nozzle according to the invention.

Drawings

The following description of the preferred embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, which are included to illustrate the invention in detail. Wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a floor nozzle according to the invention in a parking position;

fig. 2 shows a front view (in the forward stroke) of a variant of the floor nozzle according to fig. 1 in the release position of the movable slat;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a front view as in FIG. 2 in a closed position of the movable slat;

fig. 5 shows a sectional view along the line 5-5 according to fig. 4 (in a backward stroke); and

fig. 6 shows an overlapping view of the sectional views according to fig. 3 (solid line) and fig. 5 (dashed line).

Detailed Description

The exemplary embodiment of a floor nozzle shown in fig. 1 to 6 and indicated there by 10 comprises a housing 12. The housing 12 has a front wall 14, a rear wall 16 spaced from the front wall 14, a first side wall 18, and a second side wall 20 spaced from the first side wall 18. The first side wall 18 is connected to the front wall 14 and the rear wall 16. In addition, a second side wall 20 is connected to the front wall 14 and the rear wall 16.

The housing 12 furthermore has a housing cover 22. The housing cover 22 defines an upper side 24 of the housing 12.

The housing 12 has a lower side 26 (fig. 3, 5, 6) opposite the upper side 24.

A housing interior space 28 is formed between the front wall 14, the rear wall 16, the first side wall 18, the second side wall 20, and the housing cover 22. The housing interior 28 is covered laterally by the

side walls

18, 20, forwardly by the front wall 14, rearwardly by the rear wall 16 and upwardly by the housing cover 22.

In an embodiment, the housing 12 has an at least approximately square outer shape.

The housing 12 is assigned a connection 30 for a suction line. The suction tube can be inserted into the connector 30 and a fluid-operated connection can thus be established with the suction unit 31 of the vacuum cleaner. The floor nozzle 10 can also be mechanically fastened to the respective suction pipe by means of the coupling 30.

In the exemplary embodiment, a roller device 32 is arranged on the housing 12 outside the housing 12 in the region of the rear wall 16. The roller arrangement 32 includes one or more rollers by which the floor nozzle 10 can be supported on the floor. The roller or rollers of the roller arrangement 32 are rotatable about an axis 34. Axis 34 is oriented parallel to front wall 14.

The interface 38 is located on the holder 36 for the roller or rollers of the roller arrangement 32, on which interface the joint 30 is in turn located. The fitting 30 here includes a fitting body 40 in which a recess 42 is formed. The recess 42 is cylindrical. The suction tube can be inserted and can be fastened in the recess.

The recess 42 is formed, for example, in a tube 44 located on the fitting body 40.

The tube 44 is connected to a flexible hose 46 which extends from the tube 44 to the housing interior 28 and leads to a port 47.

In the exemplary embodiment, the connector body 40 has a side 48, which is designed in such a way that the housing of the vacuum cleaner on which the suction tube is positioned outside the housing can be placed in a defined position and in particular in a standing position. The side 48 forms an abutment surface for the housing of the vacuum cleaner.

In an embodiment, the retainer 36 for the roller device 32 is securely connected to the joint body 40.

A tilting joint 52 is formed on the holder 36. The tilting joint 52 is formed, for example, in such a way that the holder 36 has a cylindrical region 54 on which an element 56 is pivotably located, on which the interface 38 is in turn firmly located. The elements 56 are guided on the cylindrical region 54 in a track.

The axis of the cylindrical region 54 coincides with the axis 34 of the roller arrangement 32 for the rotational movement of the roller or rollers. Correspondingly, a tilting axis 58 is formed, which coincides with the axis 34.

In the embodiment (fig. 1), spaced apart channels 60 are disposed on the front wall 14 of the housing 12, the channels extending between the upper side 24 and the lower side 26. The channels 60 form flow channels. They are formed, for example, by grooves in the front wall 14.

When the floor nozzle 10 is pushed onto the wall with the front wall 14, air can flow from the upper side 24 through the channel 60 to the lower side 26. This makes it possible to provide a sufficient suction flow in order to achieve good suction results near the wall even when the floor nozzle 10 is in contact with its front wall 14 on the (room) wall.

The channel 60 is oriented perpendicularly in particular with respect to a lower edge 62 of the front wall 14 on the underside 26.

The channels are not shown in fig. 2 to 6.

When the floor nozzle 10 is in use, a forward stroke direction 64 (displacement direction) is provided (fig. 1, 3, 6), which corresponds to the direction from the rear wall 16 to the front wall 14. Further, a reverse stroke direction 66 (pulling direction) is provided, which is opposite to the forward stroke direction 64.

Fig. 1 shows the floor nozzle in a "storage position" (stop position), in which the pipe piece 44 is oriented with a pipe axis perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the axis 34. Fig. 2 to 6 show an operating position of the floor nozzle 10 in which the tube axis of the tube 44 is at an acute angle to the axis 34 and the surface 72 to be cleaned.

A bottom body 68 is arranged in the housing interior 28. The bottom body 68 is in particular plate-shaped. The base body 68 is here arranged firmly in the housing interior 28, wherein the base body can be designed in multiple parts with mutually movable parts or parts that cannot be moved relative to one another.

The port 47 is formed on the bottom body 68 or is disposed on the bottom body 68.

Suction openings 70 are formed in the openings 47, through which dirt particles can be sucked off from the surface 72 to be cleaned.

An abutment 74 is associated with the suction port 70. The abutment 74 surrounds the suction opening 70 and abuts with its end face 76 against the surface 72 to be cleaned. When the abutment 74 abuts on the surface 72 to be cleaned, a suction space 78 is formed between the surface 72 to be cleaned and the bottom body 68. The suction port 70 opens into the suction space 78.

The abutment 74 includes a first longitudinal side 80 formed on the first longitudinal member. The first longitudinal side 80 is in particular straight.

The abutment device furthermore comprises a second longitudinal side 82 spaced apart from the first longitudinal side 80. The second longitudinal side 82 is formed on the second longitudinal element and is in particular oriented parallel to the first longitudinal side 80.

The direction from the first longitudinal side 80 to the second longitudinal side 82 is parallel to the direction of the rearward stroke 66. The direction from the second longitudinal side 82 to the first longitudinal side 80 is parallel to the forward stroke direction 64.

The abutment device 74 furthermore has a first transverse side 84 and a second transverse side 86 (see fig. 2), which are formed on the respective transverse element and are, for example, respectively straight and spaced apart from one another in parallel. The first transverse side 84 and the second transverse side 86 connect the first longitudinal side 80 and the second longitudinal side 82 in this sense, so that the abutment 74 forms a closed circumferential wall around the suction port 70, which delimits the suction space 78. The connection between the first lateral side 84 and the second lateral side 86 is designed to be fluid-tight. The first and second lateral sides 84, 86 may be securely attached to the first and second

longitudinal sides

80, 82, respectively, or loosely joined to one another in a fluid tight condition.

The wall of the contact means 74 formed by the longitudinal side 80, the second longitudinal side 82, the first transverse side 84 and the second transverse side 86 has, for example, a rectangular or approximately rectangular shape at its end side which contacts the surface 72 to be cleaned.

The abutment device 74 can comprise brush strips and/or lip strips with elastic lips (and in particular rubber lips) on its

longitudinal sides

80, 82 and on its transverse sides 84, 86.

In an embodiment, the first longitudinal side 80 is formed on the brush bar 88 and the second longitudinal side 82 is formed on the lip bar 90.

First and second lateral sides 84 and 86, respectively, are formed on the lip strip in embodiments.

The abutment device 74 is used when the surface 72 to be cleaned is a hard surface. For cleaning textile formations and in particular carpet floors, a textile surface cleaning function is provided in which the contact means 74 does not come into contact with the surface 72 to be cleaned.

The abutment 74 is arranged for this purpose on the carrier 92. The carrier 92 is movable. Which is coupled by a mechanism 94 to a switch 96 disposed on the housing cover 22. In fig. 1, the switch 96 is shown in a position in which the floor nozzle 10 is in a hard surface cleaning function.

The first longitudinal side 80 of the abutment 74 is provided with an opening 98 (see fig. 2). The opening 98 fluidly connects the exterior space 100 with the suction space 78. Dust particles may be sucked away from the external space 100 through the opening 98 and into the suction space 78.

The openings 98 spaced apart from one another accordingly form free spaces relative to the end faces 96, i.e. the openings 98 each project over the end face 76 as far as the envelope 102 of the first longitudinal side 80 (fig. 1). Thus, when the abutment device 74 is in abutment against the surface 72 to be cleaned, the opening 98 is open at the surface 72 to be cleaned, so that, as mentioned above, in particular when the floor nozzle 10 is pushed in the forward stroke direction 64, the dirt particles can be moved from the outer space 100 into the suction space 78.

At least one movable strip 104 is assigned to the abutment device 74, which serves to cover the opening 98. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a movable strip 104 is assigned to the first longitudinal side 80 of the abutment device 74 with the opening 98.

The movable strip 104 is arranged in the illustrated embodiment between the first longitudinal side 80 of the abutment 74 and the front wall 14. The slats are in particular arranged between the bottom body 68 and the front wall 14. The slats are here positioned at least partially in the housing interior 28.

The movable slats 104 have one or more cover elements 106 that can cover the openings 98.

In an embodiment, the covering element 106 is configured continuously in the longitudinal direction of the movable slat 104 so as to provide a closed face. The cover element 106 can be designed as a brush element or as a lip element with an elastic lip and in particular a rubber lip.

In principle, it is also possible for the movable slats 104 to have covering elements only in the region of the openings 98.

A first position 108 (fig. 4, 5, 6) is provided for the movable slat 104, which is a covering position or a closed position for the opening 98. In the first position 108, the suction space 98 is also closed at the opening 98 when the abutment device 74 is in abutment, due to the abutment of the movable strip 104 against the end face 110 of the surface 72 to be cleaned.

In the first position 108 (covering position), the gap 112 (shown in fig. 5) on the surface 72 to be cleaned can effectively be "sucked off".

The movable slat 104 has a second position 114 (fig. 2, 3, 6), which is a release position. In the release position 114, the movable slats 104 do not cover the opening 98, so that dirt particles can pass from the exterior space 100 through the opening 98 into the suction space 78.

The movable slat 104 is movable between a first position 108 and a second position 114 or between the second position 114 and the first position 108. For this purpose, a movement mechanism 116 is provided. The movement mechanism 116 is in turn designed in such a way that it is linked to the stroke of the floor nozzle 10, and in particular to the stroke direction of the floor nozzle 10. The movable slat 104 is brought into the second position 114 (release position) by the travel of the floor nozzle 10 in the forward travel direction 64 and is held there. By the floor nozzle 10 being moved in the rearward stroke direction 66, the movable slat 104 is brought into the first position 108 (covering position) and is held there.

The kinematic mechanism 116 comprises a first arm 118 (fig. 3, 5, 6) which is arranged on the base body 68 in a pivotable manner about a pivot axis 120 above a pivot joint 122 and is therefore arranged on the housing 12 in a pivotable manner relative to the housing 12.

The first arm 118 is configured as a bending element. This bending element of the first arm 118 comprises a first region 124a articulated on the bottom body 68 by means of a pivot joint 122 and a second region 124b oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the first region 124 a.

On the second region 124b, a movable slat 104 is fastened, for example, on a hook element 126 (fig. 3).

The pivotal movement of the first arm 118 causes movement of the movable slat 104 between the first position 108 and the second position 114 or between the second position 114 and the first position 108.

The movement mechanism 116 furthermore has a second arm 128, which is articulated to the first arm 118.

The second arm 128 is coupled here to a device 160 that can be moved relative to the base body 68. The positioning of the device 160 relative to the bottom body 68 determines the positioning of the second arm 128 and, in turn, the first arm 118, and, in turn, the position of the movable slat 104. The coupling of the second arm 128 to the device 160 provides, to some extent, a "control signal" into which position (108 or 114) the movable slat 104 is brought.

The movable device 160 is movable relative to the base body 68. The device 160 has a first position 162 (fig. 5 and 6) in the rearward stroke direction 66 of the bottom nozzle 10. The first position 162 of the device 160 corresponds to the first position 108 of the movable slat 104.

The device 160 furthermore has a second position 164 in the forward stroke direction 64 of the bottom nozzle 10 (fig. 3 and 6). The second position 164 of the device 160 relative to the bottom body 68 corresponds to the second position 114 of the movable slat 104.

The first position 162 of the device 160 and the second position 164 of the device 160 differ in the spacing 166 of the tilt axis 58 of the tilt joint 52 from the base body 68 or housing 12 (in fig. 6, the spacing 166 is the spacing between the axis 34 and the rear wall 16).

The means 160 for enabling movement relative to the base body 68 includes the roller means 32 and the joint body 40. The hose 46 is secured to the fitting body 40 and the base body 68. Its flexible configuration allows for relative mobility of the device 160 with respect to the bottom body 68.

The second arm 128 is fastened, for example, to the cylindrical region 54 and projects from there into the housing interior 28. The housing 12, which is firmly connected to the base body 68, can be moved relative to the cylindrical region 54, which is connected to the device 160. Thereby providing relative movability between the second arm 128 and the housing interior 28. The movability includes a linear movement component.

The second arm 128 is articulated on the first region 124a of the first arm 118 and is articulated in such a way that a relative movement of the second arm 128 with respect to the housing interior 28 can lead to a movement of the movable slat 104 from the first position 108 into the second position 114 or from the second position 114 into the first position 108, or to a maintenance of the

respective position

114 or 108.

The second arm 128 connects the device 160 with the housing 12, wherein the connection is movable (moveable).

In order to articulate the second arm 128 on the first arm 118, a guide device 130 is provided, which is designed in such a way that a linear movement of the second arm 128 or a linear movement component of the second arm 128 relative to the housing interior 28 can be converted into a pivoting movement of the first arm 118.

The guide 130 is in particular designed as a notch-pin guide 132 (slotted guide). Which for this purpose comprises a recess 134, for example on the first arm 118. The recess 134 is configured as a longitudinal slit.

The pin 136 is sunk into the recess 134. When the notch 134 is formed on the first arm 118, the pin is disposed on the second arm 128.

In principle, the pin 136 is movable in the recess 134, wherein the movement results in a pivoting movement about the pivot axis 120 of the first arm 118.

The recess/pin guide 132 is designed in such a way that it reaches the release position (second position 114) when the pin 136 bears against a limiting wall 138 of the recess 134 (fig. 3). Thus inhibiting the first arm 118 from continuing to pivot away from the bottom body 68.

The movement mechanism 116 operates here in the following manner (see fig. 3, 5 and 6):

when the floor nozzle 10 is pushed in the forward stroke direction 64 (fig. 3), a force 140 is exerted which is oriented obliquely to the surface 72 to be cleaned on which the floor nozzle 10 travels (in the case of a correspondingly oblique orientation of the tube axis of the tube 44 relative to the surface 72). The device 160 is moved toward the housing 12 until a final orientation (second orientation 164) is reached. The relative movement is caused by friction between the bottom body 68 and the surface 72 to be cleaned, wherein the bottom body 68 is sucked in during the suction operation. The force is transmitted to the first arm 118 through the second arm 128. When the movable slat 104 is not in the second position 114 (the release position), it is brought into the second position 114. When the slat has been located in the second position 114, it remains in the second position 114.

The surface 72 to be cleaned can then be suctioned with a forward stroke movement, wherein dirt particles can enter the suction space 78 through the opening 98.

When the floor nozzle 10 is pushed over the surface 72 to be cleaned in the rearward stroke direction 66, a force 142 (fig. 5) is exerted, which is oriented almost opposite to the force 140 in the movement in the forward stroke direction 64. The device 160, along with the second arm 128, is moved away from the housing 12 until the final position (first position 162) is reached. The relative movement is caused by friction between the bottom body 68 and the surface 72 to be cleaned, wherein the bottom body 68 is sucked in during the suction operation. The force is transmitted to the first arm 118 through the second arm 128. When the first arm 118 is not in the first position 108 (the covering position), a pivoting movement of the first arm 118 towards the bottom body 68 is caused, which brings the movable slat 104 into the first position 108 (the covering position).

When the movable slat 104 is already in the first position 108, it is held in the first position 108.

The opening 98 is then covered by its cover element or elements 106 by the movable slat 104. Thereby, an at least approximately fluid-tight wall is formed around the suction space 78. In this way, gaps or the like on the surface 72 to be cleaned can be effectively cleaned.

Depending on the forward stroke direction 64 or the rearward stroke direction 66, it is possible for the operator of the respective vacuum cleaner having the floor nozzle 10 to set by means of the stroke direction whether the opening 98 (first position 108 of the movable slat 104) is to be covered or the opening 98 (second position 114 of the movable slat 104) is to be released, by means of the movable slat 104 and the movement mechanism 116.

In fig. 6, a first position 162 (in phantom) and a second position 164 of the device 160 are drawn overlappingly. The resulting positions 108 (in dashed lines) or 114 of the movable slat 104 are also depicted, wherein the first position 108 of the movable slat 104 corresponds to the first position 162 of the device 160 and the second position 114 of the movable slat 104 corresponds to the second position 164 of the device 160.

This results in an extended use possibility.

The floor nozzle can be designed in principle in the same way as the floor nozzle described in the non-prepublished national application PCT/EP2015/054764, No. 3/6/2015 of the applicant, wherein the floor nozzle 10 has the additional functionality of the movable panel 104 compared to the floor nozzle described in PCT/EP 2015/054764.

In a cleaning operation of the vacuum cleaner provided with the floor nozzle 10, the floor nozzle 10 is placed onto a surface 72 to be cleaned. In the hard-surface cleaning function, the abutment 74 is brought into its active position, so that it touches the surface 72 to be cleaned with its end face 76.

Depending on whether the floor nozzle 10 is moved in the forward stroke direction 64 ("push-in") or in the backward stroke direction 66 ("drag") over the surface to be cleaned, the movable slat 104 is located in the second position 114 (release position) or in the first position 108 (covering position).

In the release position 114 of the movable slat 104, dirt particles can enter the suction space 78 through the opening 98 and be sucked away.

In the covering position 108 of the movable slat 104, the opening 98 is covered and a closed suction space 78 is provided. Thereby effectively sucking up the slit 112 and the like.

The operator can thus set in which position (108 or 114) the movable slat 104 is located by means of the direction of travel of the floor nozzle 10 on the surface 72 to be cleaned. The positioning of the slats 104 is automatically set by the direction of travel. The automatic setting is effected according to "natural application", so that the operator does not have to take into account the positioning setting, but the correct positioning occurs automatically as mentioned.

The operator can provide an increased suction force, in particular for clean suction gaps and the like, by bringing the movable slats 104 into the covering position 108 via the rearward stroke direction 66.

The movement mechanism 116 is depicted in association with the first arm 118 and the second arm 128. It may be provided that a plurality of elements spaced apart from one another are arranged in correspondence with the first arm 118. It is also possible for a plurality of elements spaced apart from one another to be arranged in correspondence with the second arm 128. The at least one movable slat 104 is then held by the first arm 118. Accordingly, one or more second arms 128 are coupled with the first arm 118.

In the exemplary embodiment, a fastening device 170 (see fig. 2) is provided, which serves to define the first position 108 and/or the second position 114, so that the slats, which are movable themselves, do not move even in the event of a change in the direction of travel. In this way, it can be provided, in particular under operator control, in which position the strip 104 is held firmly. In an embodiment, the fixing device 170 is configured in such a way that the second position 114 can be defined. Thereby, the slats 104 are specified "in the non-operative position".

In an alternative embodiment, provision is made for the first position 108 to be defined. Thus, the movable slat 104 is continuously located in the operating position independent of whether the floor nozzle 10 is performing a forward stroke or a backward stroke.

In further embodiments, the operator may specify both the first position 108 and the second position 114 as an alternative.

By means of the fastening device 170, the automatic setting of the positioning of the movable strip 104 in its first position 108 or its second position 114, which is effected in dependence on the direction of travel of the floor nozzle 10, can be "switched off" to a certain extent. The movement mechanism 116 is locked.

It can be provided here that the fastening device 170 comprises a switch 172 that is accessible to the operator. The switch 172 is disposed, for example, on the upper side 24 or side of the housing 12, such as the first sidewall 18.

The switch 172 is coupled to an element 174 which acts on the movement mechanism 116 and can result in a corresponding disabling of the movability of the slats 104.

In an exemplary embodiment, the element 174 is a pin element which is supported in the housing 12 so that it can act on the recess 134 of the recess/pin guide 132.

The element is in particular movably supported.

With the element 174 nested in the recess 134 in the second position 114 of the slat 104, the element 174 inhibits the pivotability of the first arm 118, as the slat is shown in fig. 3. Thereby defining a second position 114.

To inhibit pivotability, the element 174 is sunk into the recess 134 so that the pin 136 can no longer move in the recess 134.

By means of the movable mounting of the element 174, the operator can set, via the switch 172, whether the pin element 174 is sunk into the recess 134 and has an inhibiting effect (and thus specifies the second position 114), or whether the pin element 174 projects out of the recess 134 and thus enables an automatic adjustment of the position of the strip 104 depending on the direction of travel.

In principle, it can also be provided that the pin element 174 is arranged and dimensioned in such a way that it inhibits the first position 108 (fig. 5). In this case, the pin element 174 can likewise be lowered into the recess 134, wherein the lowering capability is controlled by the switch 172. The pivotable mobility of the first arm 118 is inhibited in such a way that the pin element 174 inhibits a relative movement of the pin 136 with respect to the recess 134.

In fig. 2, a sinking direction 176 for the pin element 174 is shown. As mentioned above, the element 174 is mounted so as to be movable in the immersion direction 176 in order to be able to achieve an immersion capability or an extension capability into the recess 134.

Depending on the embodiment, the support of the element 174 makes it possible to define the second position 114 or to define the first position 108.

A plurality of, and in particular two, corresponding elements 174 can also be provided, wherein one element is used to define the second position 114 and one element is used to define the first position 108.

For this purpose, a single element can alternatively be provided, which corresponds to the element 174 and which also has a mobility transverse to the insertion direction 176, in order to be able to achieve the defined first position 108 or second position 114 depending on the position of the switch 172, in particular of the rotary switch. (in an additional switch orientation, element 174 is oriented in such a way that it does not act on notch-pin-guide 132.)

List of reference numerals

10 floor nozzle

12 casing

14 front wall

16 rear wall

18 first side wall

20 second side wall

22 casing cover

24 upper side

26 underside

28 inner space of casing

30 joint

31 suction unit

32-roller device

34 axis of rotation

36 holder

38 connection part

40 joint body

42 recess

44 pipe fitting

46 flexible pipe

47 pass-through

Side 48

52 tilt joint

54 column region

56 element

58 inclined axis

60 channel

62 lower edge

64 forward stroke direction

66 direction of rearward travel

68 bottom body

70 suction port

72 side to be cleaned

74 abutting device

76 end side

78 suction space

80 first longitudinal side

82 second longitudinal side

84 first lateral side

86 second lateral side

88 brush strip

90 lip strip

92 carrier

94 mechanism

96 switch

98 opening

100 outer space

102 envelope curve

104 movable slats

106 covering element

108 first position of the movable slat 104

110 end side

112 gap

114 of the movable slat 104

116 movement mechanism

118 first arm

120 pivot axis

122 pivot joint

124a first region

124b second region

128 second arm

130 guide device

132 notch-pin-guide

134 recess

136 pin

138 delimiting wall

140 force

142 force

160 device

162 first position of device 160

164 second position of device 160

166 space apart

170 fixing device

172 switch

174 element

176 direction of sinking

Claims

1. Floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, comprising a base body (68), at least one suction opening (70) which is arranged on the base body (68) and is fluidically connected to a suction unit (31) or is fluidically connected to a suction unit (31), and an abutment device (74) which can be placed on a surface to be cleaned (72) and surrounds the at least one suction opening (70), wherein a suction space (78) is formed between the surface to be cleaned (72) and the abutment device (74) when the abutment device (74) is in abutment on the surface to be cleaned (72), into which suction space the suction opening (70) opens, and wherein the abutment device (74) has an opening (98) on at least one side which opens into the suction space (78), characterized in that at least one movable slat (104) is associated with at least one side with an opening (98), the at least one movable slat (104) having at least two positions (108, 114), wherein a first position (108) is a closed position in which the opening (98) is covered and a second position (114) is a release position in which the opening (98) is released, and a movement mechanism (116) for the at least one movable slat (104) is provided, which mechanism links the position of the at least one movable slat (104) to the stroke of the floor nozzle over the surface to be cleaned (72),

the movement mechanism (116) has a first arm (118) which is mounted so as to be pivotable relative to the base body (68) and on which the at least one movable slat (104) is arranged, wherein a pivoting movement of the first arm (118) causes a movement of the at least one movable slat (104).

2. A floor nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement mechanism (116) is configured such that the position of the at least one movable slat (104) is linked to the direction of travel (64, 66) of the floor nozzle over the surface to be cleaned (72).

3. Floor nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the abutment device (74) has a first longitudinal side (80), a second longitudinal side (82) spaced apart from the first longitudinal side (80), a first transverse side (84) arranged between the first longitudinal side (80) and the second longitudinal side (82), and a second transverse side (86) spaced apart from the first transverse side (84), the second transverse side being arranged between the first longitudinal side (80) and the second longitudinal side (82), wherein the opening (98) is arranged on the first longitudinal side (80) and/or the second longitudinal side (82), and wherein the at least one movable web (104) is assigned to the first longitudinal side (80) and/or the second longitudinal side (82).

4. Floor nozzle according to claim 3, characterized in that, during the forward stroke of the floor nozzle, the floor nozzle is moved in a direction (64) parallel to a direction from the second longitudinal side (82) to the first longitudinal side (80), and in a rearward stroke of the floor nozzle, the floor nozzle is moved in a direction (66) parallel to a direction from the first longitudinal side (80) to the second longitudinal side (82), wherein the first longitudinal side (80) is assigned to the at least one movable slat (104), and the movement mechanism (116) is configured in such a way that, in a forward stroke, the at least one movable slat (104) is located in the release position (114), and in a rearward stroke, the at least one movable slat (104) is located in the closed position (108).

5. Floor nozzle according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one movable slat (104) is positioned between the first longitudinal side (80) and a front wall (14) of the floor nozzle adjacent to the first longitudinal side (80) and/or between the second longitudinal side (82) and a rear wall (16) of the floor nozzle adjacent to the second longitudinal side (82).

6. Floor nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the abutment device (74) has one or more brush strips (88) and/or one or more lip strips (90).

7. Floor nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one movable slat (104) is configured as a lip strip or brush strip.

8. A floor nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that a second arm (128) is articulated on the first arm (118), wherein the second arm (128) is coupled with a device (160) of the floor nozzle which is movable relative to the bottom body (68), wherein the positioning of the device (160) relative to the bottom body (68) depends on the travel of the floor nozzle over the surface (72) to be cleaned.

9. Floor nozzle according to claim 8, characterized in that the means (160) movable relative to the bottom body (68) comprise a roller means (32).

10. A floor nozzle according to claim 9, characterized in that the second arm (128) is coupled with a movable device (160) in the region of the roller device (32).

11. A floor nozzle according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the first arm (118) and the second arm (128) are mutually articulated by means of a guide device (130) which enables a relative movement between the first arm (118) and the second arm (128).

12. A floor nozzle according to claim 11, characterized in that the guiding means (130) comprises a notch-pin-guide (132).

13. A floor nozzle according to claim 11, characterized in that the guiding means (130) defines a release position (114).

14. A floor nozzle according to claim 12, characterized in that the abutment of the pin (136) of the notch-pin-guide (132) at the limit (138) of the notch (134) of the notch-pin-guide (132) defines the release position (114).

15. Floor nozzle according to one of claims 1 and 8 to 10, characterized by at least one tilting joint (52) having a tilting axis (58) parallel to the pivot axis (120) of the first arm (118).

16. Floor nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the closed position (108) of the at least one movable slat (104), an end side (110) of the at least one movable slat (104) facing the surface (72) to be cleaned lies in a plane with the respective end side (76) of the abutment means (74).

17. Floor nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a fixing device (170) is provided, by means of which the first position (108) and/or the second position (114) can be defined.

18. A floor nozzle according to claim 17, characterized in that said securing means (170) comprises a switch (172).

19. Floor nozzle according to claim 18, characterized in that a second arm (128) is articulated on the first arm (118), wherein the second arm (128) is coupled with a device (160) of the floor nozzle which is movable relative to the bottom body (68), wherein the positioning of the device (160) relative to the bottom body (68) is dependent on the travel of the floor nozzle over the surface (72) to be cleaned, the fixing device (170) comprising at least one movable element (174) which acts at a notch-pin guide (132), wherein the movement mechanism (116) has a first arm (118) which is supported in a pivotable manner relative to the bottom body (68) and on which the at least one movable slat (104) is arranged, wherein a pivoting movement of the first arm (118) causes a movement of the at least one movable slat (104), and wherein the first arm (118) and the second arm (128) are articulated to each other by means of the notch-pin-guide (132) which enables a relative movement between the first arm (118) and the second arm (128).