CN110234259B

CN110234259B - Surface cleaning device

Info

Publication number: CN110234259B
Application number: CN201880009295.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 理查德·大卫·沃特斯; 史蒂文·詹姆斯·罗杰斯; 盖·劳伦斯·纽瑟姆; 达伦·大卫·福尔摩斯; 马修·詹姆斯·沃德; 詹姆斯·大卫·雷诺兹
Original assignee: TTI Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd
Current assignee: TTI Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd
Priority date: 2017-01-31
Filing date: 2018-01-31
Publication date: 2021-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-31
Also published as: GB2562698B; GB201701587D0; EP3576590A1; GB2562698A; EP3576590B1; US20200022542A1; AU2018216090A1; AU2018216090B2; WO2018142121A1; CN110234259A

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus (10) comprising: a dirt collection container (18 b); an inlet passage (99) leading to the dirt collection container (18 b), through which inlet passage (99) dirt-laden air is drawn in by the suction source; and a movable blocking member (120) located in the channel (99); wherein the blocking member (120) is movable between a blocking position, in which the passage (99) is blocked or substantially blocked, and a non-blocking position, in which air may pass through the passage (99), wherein the apparatus comprises a receiving structure (130) for accommodating at least a portion of the movable blocking member (120) when the blocking member is in its non-blocking position.

Description

Surface cleaning device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

a dirt collection container;

a passage leading to a dirt collection container through which dirt-laden air is drawn by a suction source; and

a movable blocking member located within the channel;

wherein the blocking member is movable between a blocking position, in which the passage is blocked or substantially blocked, and a non-blocking position, in which air may pass through the passage,

wherein the device comprises a receiving structure for receiving at least a portion of the movable blocking member when the blocking member is in its non-blocking position.

Other features of the various aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying claims.

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 a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an opposite side view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a housing of the device of FIG. 1, the housing being operable as a hand-held surface cleaning device;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the housing of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an opposite side view of the housing of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the housing of the device of FIG. 1 with a portion removed to show some of the internal components;

FIG. 9 is a further perspective view of the housing of the device of FIG. 1 with a portion removed to show some of the internal components;

FIG. 10 is a close-up view of a portion of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is another side view of the housing of the device of FIG. 1 with a portion removed to show some of the internal components;

FIG. 12 is a further side view of the housing of the device of FIG. 1 with a portion removed to show some of the internal components;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the housing;

FIG. 14 is a further end view of the housing;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the device through the central plane of its shield; and

fig. 16 and 17 are side views of the blocking member and receiving structure of the device with various other components removed to facilitate viewing of the components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT (S) OF INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a surface cleaning apparatus 10 according to the present invention. The apparatus 10 includes a floor head 12, a housing 16, and an elongate member 14 connecting the floor head 12 to the housing 16. In this example, the housing 16 is operable as a hand-held surface cleaning apparatus, commonly referred to as a hand-operated vacuum cleaner, when the elongate member 14 and the floor head 12 are not connected to the housing 16. The housing 16 supports a suction source, a dirt collection container 18 and a cyclonic separator. In this example, the suction source is an electric motor that drives a rotatable fan, but any suitable suction source may be used. All that is necessary is that the suction source be able to draw air through the floor head 12 and elongate member 14 towards the dirt collection container.

In this example, the housing 16 supports or contains a battery to provide power to the suction motor and other components of the device 10. In an alternative embodiment, the device 10 may be mains powered.

Although in the present embodiment the apparatus 10 includes a cyclonic separator to separate dirt from air flowing through the apparatus 10, this is not essential. Indeed, embodiments are contemplated wherein the apparatus 10 includes a filter bag to collect dirt, or any other suitable device to separate dirt from air. Other embodiments are contemplated in which dirt is collected in a container, similar to that shown in the figures, but the airflow in the collection chamber is not cyclonic.

The device 10 includes a pivotally movable door 18a that enables a user to empty dirt collected in a dirt collection chamber 18 b.

The elongate member 14 includes a passage for carrying dirt laden air from the floor head 12 to the dirt collection chamber 18 b. In this example, the floor head 12 includes a motor for driving the rotatable floor-agitating member or brush, and thus the elongate member 14 includes another passage through which the cable may extend to provide an electrical connection between the housing 16 and the motor in the floor head.

The floor head 12 may be separable from the elongate member 14 so that, for example, another tool may be connected to the free end of the elongate member 14. The elongate member 14 may also be separated from the housing 16 by a manually operated switch 17. This enables the housing 16 to be used as a hand-held surface cleaning device and has the option of being able to connect another tool to a location where the elongate member 14 is removed.

The housing 16 comprises a handle for holding the device 10, said handle comprising a first user grippable portion 20 and a second user grippable portion 21, which are connected to each other substantially at right angles. A first end of the first user graspable portion 20 is connected to the housing 16 and extends generally rearwardly away from the housing 16 and the elongate member 14. A first end of the second user gripable portion 21 is connected to the housing 16 and extends generally upwardly from the housing 16. Respective second ends of the first and second user-

grippable portions

20, 21 are connected to each other. Basically, the first and second user

grippable portions

20, 21 form an L-shaped handle which provides two positions, each sized such that it can be fully grasped by a user's hand. A device 22 for "turning on" the apparatus, e.g. a switch, is located at the interconnection of the second ends of the first 20 and second 21 user grippable portions.

In this embodiment, the generally cylindrical body 18 has an elongate axis a and is provided at one end with a dirt collection chamber 18b and an adjacent separation chamber 18 c. Within the separation chamber 18c is located cyclonic separating apparatus comprising a shroud 100, the shroud 100 also having an elongate axis which is coaxial with the axis a about which dirt-laden air is caused to rotate as it passes through the apparatus 10 and around the shroud 100. The shield 100 is connected to the separation chamber 18c at one end and free at the opposite end. The main body 18 includes an inlet passage 99, and dirt-laden air is drawn into the separation chamber 18c through the inlet passage 99. The inlet passage 99 is configured to direct incoming dirt-laden air into the generally cylindrical portion of the separation chamber 18c such that it travels circumferentially around the inner surface 18d of the separation chamber 18 c. The elongate axis a is substantially horizontal in normal use. Although in this embodiment the elongate axis of the dirt collection chamber 18b and the elongate axis of the shroud 100 are coaxial or substantially coaxial, they need not be. For example they may be parallel and offset or inclined relative to each other. Alternatively, the shroud 100 may be positioned substantially in the center of the substantially cylindrical portion of the separation chamber 18 c.

The shroud 100 comprises a frame for supporting a mesh or the like (not shown) and is generally cylindrical with an opening 104 therein for the passage of air to an outlet through which clean air exits the separation chamber. Other configurations of the shroud 100 are contemplated, such as removing the mesh cover, while making the openings 104 smaller and more numerous.

The present embodiment preferably provides a movable blocking member 120, one purpose of which is to prevent any dirt collected in the device from falling out through the inlet passage 99 when the device is not in operation. Typically, especially in hand-held devices such as the apparatus depicted in the figures, once the user has finished using the device and thus has switched off the power to the suction source, dirt may fall out of the inlet passage under the influence of gravity. To prevent this from happening, the present embodiment provides a blocking member 120 located in a tangential portion of the inlet passage 99. The blocking member 12 is located at the inlet to the tangential portion of the inlet passage 99 (in the direction of flow of the dirt laden air) near the location of the connection between the elongate member 14 and the housing 16.

The blocking member 120 is movable between a blocking position, in which the inlet passage 99 is blocked or substantially blocked, and a non-blocking position, in which air may pass therethrough to the dirt collection chamber 18 b. The blocking position of the blocking member 120 is shown in fig. 8, 11, 13 and 16. The non-blocking position of the blocking member 120 is shown in fig. 9, 10, 12, 14 and 17.

The blocking member 120 is flexible. The blocking member 120 is preferably made of an elastically deformable material, such as rubber or a rubber-like material. The barrier member 120 is secured at one end, a lower end 121, to a portion of the housing forming the inlet passage 99 by a suitable fastener 140 (although it may be adhered or attached in any suitable manner). The blocking member 120 has generally opposed free ends 122, the free ends 122 being freely movable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position. The blocking member 120 is angularly movable between its blocking and non-blocking positions. In one embodiment, as shown in the figures, the blocking member 120 is pivotally movable between its blocking and non-blocking positions by means of its fixed end 121. In this embodiment, the blocking member 120 is pivotally movable about an axis a which extends in a direction transverse (preferably perpendicular) to the flow direction of the dirt-laden air drawn in through the inlet passage 99. The free end 122 of the blocking member 120 is curved when viewed from above (see reference numeral 123). In some embodiments, such as the one shown in the figures, the free end 122 of the blocking member 120 is arcuate, preferably shaped substantially as an arc of a circle. The advantages of this shape will be discussed later.

The blocking member 120 is movable towards its unblocking position under the action of the suction source, against its inherent resilience. Due to the material from which it is made, the resilience of the blocking member 120 causes the blocking member 120 to be resiliently biased towards its blocking position. Thus, the blocking member 120 is resiliently biased towards its blocking position, such that the blocking member 120 is automatically in its blocking position without any suction. As shown in fig. 16 and 17, the blocking member 120 includes a thin wall portion 124 near its connection with the housing to assist in pivoting the blocking member 120 toward its non-blocking position. However, such a thin wall portion is not necessary.

Thus, when the suction source is activated, the suction generated causes the blocking member 120 to be pulled away from its blocking position and pivots the blocking member 120, thereby causing its free end 122 to move downwardly, e.g., toward the floor surface being cleaned, in the direction of arrow D in fig. 16.

Preferably, the blocking member 120 is moved towards the receiving structure 130 and at least partially received in the receiving structure 130, the receiving structure 130 serving to conceal or shield the blocking member 120 from the air flow through the inlet passage 99 to reduce unwanted turbulence in the air flow. The receiving structure 130 is a recess having a shape that generally corresponds to the shape and size of the received portion of the blocking member 120. Thus, the receiving structure has an end 131 that is bent in a similar manner to the free end 122 of the blocking member 120.

As can be seen in the figure, the dirt-laden air passage 110, which conveys air towards the blocking member 120 and the inlet passage 99, is substantially circular in cross-section. When the blocking member 120 is in its blocking position, the bent end 123 of the blocking member 120 ensures that the passage 110 is properly sealed, which means that any dirt 150 behind the blocking member 120 cannot escape.

The receiving formation 130 is provided (in some embodiments wholly; or in other embodiments partly) as a ramp formation 135, the ramp formation 135 directing air into the cyclonic separating apparatus. Thus, the incoming dirt-laden air travels circumferentially around the inner surface 18d of the cyclonic separating apparatus. Preferably, in this embodiment, the blocking member 120 provides an additional part of the ramp structure 135 when in its non-blocking position to assist in directing incoming dirt-laden air towards the cyclonic separating apparatus.

In some embodiments, the ramp structure 135 is located in the housing 16. Thus, the ramp structure 135 is located downstream of the elongate member 14 and upstream of the cyclonic separating apparatus. More particularly, for example, the ramp structure 135 forms part of an inlet passage 99, the inlet passage 99 being located between a connection portion connecting the housing 16 to the elongate member 14 (or another cleaning implement connected to the housing 16 via the connection portion) and an inlet of the cyclonic separating apparatus. In other words, the ramp structure 135 and the inlet passage 99 provide an air flow passage between the portion of the housing 16 connected to the elongate member 14 (or another cleaning tool) and the portion of the housing 16 that allows dirt-laden air to enter the separation chamber 18 c.

The inlet passage 99 (including the ramp structure 135) is located externally of (and generally adjacent to) the main cylindrical surface of the housing 16 (i.e. the inlet passage 99 is located externally of the main cylinder forming the cyclonic separating apparatus) and provides a passage for dirt-laden air to enter the separating chamber 18c in a generally circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, the inlet passage 99 and the connecting portion are located on a side of the housing 16 (and hence the cyclonic separating apparatus) generally opposite the second user grippable portion 21.

Although the preferred blocking member and its associated receiving structure are described with reference to its use in a hand-held cleaner and a hand-held cleaner which is connectable to a floor head by an elongate member, it will be appreciated that the blocking member and its associated receiving structure may be used on any surface cleaning apparatus which relies on a suction source to draw dirt-laden air into a collection container (or bag located therein). Such a blocking member and its associated receiving structure may be utilized with a cylinder cleaner or an upright cleaner, for example. In addition, the blocking member need not be located adjacent or near the dirt collection container of the device. It is only necessary to locate the blocking member and its associated receiving structure in the airflow between the dirt collection container and the inlet passage to the means for drawing dirt from the floor surface. Thus, in the presently described embodiment, the blocking member 120 may be positioned at the lower end of the elongate member 14 (when the device is used in this configuration). Additionally, or alternatively, the device 10 described above may have two such blocking members-one positioned generally as shown and the other positioned at the lower end of the elongate member 14. This will enable the advantages of the operation of the blocking member 120 to exist regardless of the configuration in which the user wishes to use the device.

The terms "comprises" and "comprising," and variations thereof, as used in the specification and claims, are meant to encompass the specified features, steps or integers. These 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, comprising:

a dirt collection container;

a passage leading to the dirt collection container through which dirt-laden air is drawn by a suction source;

cyclonic separating apparatus for separating dirt from an airflow passing through the apparatus, the apparatus being in communication with the passage and the dirt collection container; and

a movable blocking member located within the channel;

wherein the blocking member is movable between a blocking position in which the passage is blocked or substantially blocked, and a non-blocking position in which air may pass through the passage,

wherein the apparatus comprises receiving structure for receiving at least part of the moveable blocking member when the blocking member is in its non-blocking position, the receiving structure being provided wholly or partially as a ramp structure which directs air into the cyclonic separating apparatus, the ramp structure directing incoming dirt-laden air so that it travels circumferentially around the inner surface of the cyclonic separating apparatus.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the blocking member is moved toward its non-blocking position by the suction source.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the blocking member is resiliently biased toward its blocking position.

4. A device according to claim 3, characterised in that the blocking member is resiliently biased towards its blocking position, such that it automatically assumes its blocking position in the absence of any suction.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the blocking member is fixed at one end and has generally opposed free ends.

6. A device according to claim 5, characterised in that when the blocking member is moved towards its non-blocking position, its free end moves downwardly towards the surface to be cleaned.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the free end of the blocking member is curved or arcuate.

8. A device according to claim 5, characterised in that the free end of the blocking member is curved or arched when viewed in the direction of the receiving structure.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the movable blocking member is angularly or pivotably movable between its blocking and non-blocking positions.

10. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the blocking member is movable about an axis which extends transversely to the direction of flow of the dirt-laden air drawn through the passage.

11. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the blocking member is movable about an axis which extends perpendicular to the direction of flow of the dirt-laden air drawn through the passage.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the receiving structure further comprises a recess having a shape generally corresponding to a shape and size of the received portion of the blocking member.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the blocking member is flexible.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the blocking member is formed of a rubber material.

15. The device of claim 1, comprising a passage for dirt laden air that carries the air towards the blocking member, and wherein the passage is substantially circular in cross section.

16. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member provides an additional part of the ramp structure when the blocking member is in its non-blocking position to assist in directing incoming dirt laden air towards the cyclonic separating apparatus.

17. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the passage directing dirt laden air to the cyclonic separating apparatus comprises a tangential portion and wherein the blocking member is located at the inlet to the tangential portion.

18. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising:

a floor head;

a housing supporting a suction source; and

an elongated member connecting the floor head to the housing, the elongated member including a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the dirt collection container.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a connection portion connecting the housing to the elongate member, the ramp structure being located downstream of the connection portion and upstream of the cyclonic separating apparatus.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the connecting portion forms an inlet for a passage for dirt-laden air drawn into the housing and towards the cyclonic separating apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the housing includes a portion of the passage leading to the dirt collection container and the ramp structure is located in the portion of the passage.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the elongated member is detachable from the floor head.

23. The device of claim 18, wherein the elongated member is detachable from the housing.

24. The device of claim 19, wherein the elongated member is separable from the housing at a connection portion.

25. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the elongated member and the floor head are separable from the housing, the housing being operable as a hand-held surface cleaning apparatus when the elongated member and the floor head are separated from the housing.