CN111789531A

CN111789531A - Suction head and dust collector comprising same

Info

Publication number: CN111789531A
Application number: CN202010259293.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 安托万·马蒂; 弗雷德里克·唐居伊; 米歇尔·福尔
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2019-04-05
Filing date: 2020-04-03
Publication date: 2020-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-03
Also published as: ES2911882T3; FR3094624A1; EP3725203B1; CN111789531B; EP3725203A1; FR3094624B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a suction head comprising a housing (12) and a rotating brush rotatably mounted by a shaft having a longitudinal axis (23) and supported between two side walls (13) of the housing (12) by bearings, said rotating brush being removable along the longitudinal axis (23) by means of a reversible unlocking system (30) located in one of the side walls (13) of the housing (12). The unlocking system (30) comprises at least one retractable lug movably mounted on the actuator.

Description

Suction head and dust collector comprising same

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of suction devices, such as electric vacuum cleaners of the industrial or domestic type, and in particular to the field of suction heads provided with a rotating brush for such cleaners.

Background

The suction head or nozzle constitutes the end portion of a conduit or suction system which is in contact with the surface to be cleaned. When these surfaces involve a rug, carpet or similar material, it is common practice to equip the cleaner head with a rotating brush for better results. Such rotating brushes generally take the form of a roller, i.e. a substantially cylindrical shape having a longitudinal axis of rotation parallel to the plane of the surface to be cleaned. Thus, cleaning is performed by a dual action, i.e. effectively brushing the surface to be cleaned and sucking in the dust or other residues removed by the brush. The driving of the brush rotation can generally be achieved by means of an inhaled air flow or by means of a motor dedicated to the brush rotation.

The threads, hair or other fibers of the mini-blanket are often entangled with and around the filaments or bristles of the brush. If these fibrous elements are not removed from the brush periodically, the effectiveness of the brush will be reduced. Too much clumping of the fibrous elements can even lead to the brush becoming stuck, especially when the brush is driven by the suction air flow alone. Therefore, in order to ensure effective cleaning, it is necessary to regularly maintain the rotating brush by cleaning, in particular to remove any fibrous elements wound on its rotating shaft. For this purpose, the rotating brush must be detached from the suction head.

Some devices require that one or more screws must be unscrewed to enable the sole plate to be removed from the cleaner head and the rotating brush to be engaged. A problem with these systems is that they require a tool, such as a screwdriver or a coin. To overcome this drawback, various solutions are known in the prior art.

Prior Art

Publication JPH06292647 discloses a suction head equipped with a removable rotating brush. Parallel to the axis of rotation of the brush, the suction head comprises a cover which must be removed in order to gain access to the rotating brush for maintenance. The cover is held in place by a resilient hook which is inserted into an opening provided in the suction head.

Document EP1748719 proposes another solution in which the brush can be detached from the suction head by operating a lever located at one end of the brush. The brush can then be removed through the longitudinal suction openings provided on the lower surface of the sole plate.

Document EP1639932 proposes a solution in which a cylindrical brush is configured to be withdrawn from the suction head laterally along the longitudinal axis of the brush. For this purpose, the end bearing, which is integral with the brush, can be rotated counterclockwise after releasing the snap lock.

Document DE102016119762 also discloses a suction head provided with a roller brush which can be taken out of one of the sides of the suction head. The extraction side of the brush includes a cover integrally connected to the end of the brush. Due to its shape, the cover acts as a locking/unlocking member because it comprises an integrally formed lever and latching hook. The stem and the hook are disposed diametrically opposite to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the brush. Thus, by pivoting the cover about this longitudinal axis, the locking hook can be brought into or out of engagement with a portion of the side of the suction head.

In order to facilitate the removal of the roller brush, it can be seen that many devices use different solutions to avoid the use of tools. However, these solutions use devices such as elastic rods or hooks, which are still fragile, either because they protrude much from the roller brush or because the elements they are made or used are substantially elastically stressed. The protruding members constitute a weak part and are easily broken, especially if the roll brush being handled during maintenance is inadvertently dropped onto the ground. On the other hand, since the elastic properties of the element require a very small profile, the element, such as the elastic hook, which requires the use of a material that is elastic, is also prone to breakage.

Therefore, there is a need to find an effective and more suitable solution that will at least partly solve the above mentioned drawbacks.

Disclosure of Invention

To this end, the invention relates, in a first aspect, to a suction head comprising a housing and a rotating brush rotatably mounted by a shaft having a longitudinal axis supported between two side walls of said housing by bearings, said rotating brush being removable along said longitudinal axis by means of a reversible unlocking system located in one of the side walls of the housing; the suction head is characterized in that the unlocking system comprises at least one retractable lug movably mounted on the actuator.

Advantageously, the unlocking system of the present invention is free of any fragile components (such as locking/unlocking tabs) that remain protruding when the unlocking system of the rotary brush is actuated to enable the rotary brush to be removed from the housing of the suction head. This feature is obtained in particular by the fact that the cam of the unlocking system is a retractable cam which is movably mounted on the actuator of the system. There is thus a relative movability between the boss pin of the unlocking system and the actuator. In other words, the unlocking system is advantageously provided with a locking device (retractable lug) which is movable within the system between two positions, a locking position in which the lug is extended or extended and an unlocking position in which the lug is retracted. This feature also allows to provide a compact and robust unlocking system.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuator is a rotary actuator, i.e. an actuator configured to convert a rotational movement into a translational movement, allowing the protruding pin to extend and retract according to the direction in the rotational movement (clockwise or counterclockwise).

According to a variant, the actuator may be a push rod actuator, i.e. an actuator configured to convert a movement of a longitudinal axis into a translational movement of an axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. Thus, by pressing the push rod of such an actuator, extension or retraction of the boss pin can be achieved.

In another variant, the actuator may be a clamping actuator, i.e. an actuator configured to retract the male pin, for example by a clamping movement acting on a spring which opposes this movement.

In one embodiment, the retractable lug is mounted on the rotary actuator by an eccentric joint. Preferably, the joint is a cylindrical joint.

In one embodiment, the retractable boss pin is mounted for translational movement, or movement substantially similar to translational movement, it being understood that other movements will allow movement from a locked position (boss pin extended) to an unlocked position (boss pin retracted) and, conversely, from an unlocked position (boss pin retracted) to a locked position (boss pin extended). More precisely, this movement is a combination of translational and rotational movements.

In one embodiment, the unlocking system comprises two retractable pins which are otherwise mounted end to end.

In one embodiment, the unlocking system is configured to be arranged in a detachable body which is locked against rotation and for each retractable lug a slot is provided through which the retractable lug can protrude to hold the body against the side wall.

In one embodiment, the unlocking system comprises a guide member configured to guide the retractable lug. Preferably, the guide member is integral with the body.

In one embodiment, the body includes a latching system configured to secure the retractable lug in a retractable lug locking position. Further preferably, the latching system is further configured to secure the retractable lug in a retractable lug unlocked position.

In a possible embodiment, the main body further comprises one of said shaft bearings, on which the rotating brush is rotatably mounted.

In one embodiment, the body further comprises a fixed non-rotatable annular flange configured to close the unlocking system around the actuator.

In one embodiment, the actuator comprises a manual gripping device.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaning head according to one of the embodiments described herein or any possible combination of these embodiments.

Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a suction head according to the invention, wherein a rotating brush is inserted into a suction head housing;

FIG. 2 shows a view similar to FIG. 1, but with the rotating brush removed from the housing;

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the suction head in a horizontal section through section line III-III in FIG. 1;

figure 4 shows a vertical section along the section line IV-IV in figure 3 of the unlocking system in the unlocked position;

FIG. 5 shows a view similar to FIG. 4, but with the unlocking system in the locked position;

FIG. 6 shows a three-dimensional exploded front view of the unlocking system;

fig. 7 shows a view similar to fig. 6, but from the rear.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, which show perspective views of a suction head 10, the suction head 10 comprises a housing 12, a rotating brush 20 being rotatably mounted in the housing 12 by a shaft 22, the shaft 22 having a longitudinal axis 23 and being supported between two side walls 13 of the housing 12 by bearings. The rotating brush 20 is removable along the longitudinal axis 23 by a reversible unlocking system 30 located in one of the side walls 13 of the housing 12. The unlocking system 30 is referred to as reversible because it allows the rotating brush 20 to be unlocked and locked in its housing 12.

Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the suction head 10 in a horizontal section along the section line III-III in figure 1. The left side of the figure shows the unlocking system 30 of the rotatable brush 20 in its housing 12. In another embodiment, the unlocking system 30 can be provided on the opposite side wall 13, i.e. on the right side of the figure, as long as the rotating brush 20 and all the elements supporting it are simply reversed or simply pivoted through 180 °. These elements comprise, in particular, bearings 15, the bearings 15 being designed to support the shaft 22 of the rotating brush 20 between the two side walls 13 of the casing 12. Each of these bearings 15 may typically comprise a ball bearing 16, as shown in the example of fig. 3. In one embodiment, at least one of these bearings 15 may be a drive system, such as a bearing of a motor, or be connected to such a system. However, such a drive system for the shaft 22 of the brush 20 is still optional, since the brush 20 can be driven into rotation simply by the force of the air flow drawn in by the cleaner head 10.

Figures 4 and 5 show views of the unlocking system 30 in vertical section along the section line IV-IV in figure 3, in the unlocked position and in the locked position, respectively. Thus, in these figures, the unlocking system 30 is seen from the inside of the housing 12, rather than from the outside of the housing. Fig. 6 and 7 show perspective exploded views of the unlocking system 30 from the front (i.e., from the outside of the housing 12) and the back (i.e., from the inside of the housing 12), respectively.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the unlocking system 30 comprises at least one retractable lug 31 which is movably mounted on an actuator 35, the actuator 35 preferably being substantially circular and forming part of the unlocking system 30. In the embodiment shown in these figures, the unlocking system 30 comprises two retractable lugs 31 which are additionally mounted end to end on an actuator 35. The number of retractable lugs 31 is not limited and will depend primarily on the space available for movably mounting them on the actuator 35.

Since at least one retractable lug 31 is movably mounted on the actuator 35, the unlocking system 30 has an element in which at least one part is movably mounted relative to the other part. Due to this relative mobility, the unlocking system 30 can adopt a configuration in which the retractable pins 31 are retracted (fig. 4), i.e. in the direction of the central portion of the unlocking system 30, so that these pins no longer protrude from the edges or contours that constitute the overall shape or contour of the unlocking system 30. Advantageously, this increases the compactness of the unlocking system 30, in particular between the locking position (fig. 5) and the unlocking position (fig. 4), and in particular protects the fragile parts of the retractable lug 31. In fact, if the retractable studs remain protruding, they become a component that can break, particularly if the rotating brush 20 accidentally falls on a hard floor after being removed from the housing 12.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in the figures, the actuator 35 is a rotary actuator. According to fig. 4 and 5, each inner end of the retractable lug 31 is connected to a drive pin 36 integral with an actuator 35. By comparing the angular position taken by the axis a-a of the connecting drive pin 36 in fig. 4 and 5, it can be seen that rotation of the actuator 35 by an angular amount allows the retractable lug 31 to extend or retract. The rotary actuator 35 thus enables to transform the rotary movement into a movement substantially similar to the radial translation of the retractable lug 31.

In a variant, the rotary actuator 35 can also be replaced by another type of actuator, such as a push-rod actuator or a clamp actuator. The push rod actuator enables to convert a pressing movement on the push rod into a retracting or extending movement of the retractable male pin 31. On the other hand, the clamping actuator will enable retraction of the pin by a clamping movement of e.g. a finger on the opposing spring mechanism.

Returning to the rotary actuator 35 shown in detail in fig. 4 to 7, it can be seen that the retractable lug 31 is preferably movably mounted on the actuator 35 by means of an eccentric joint 37. The joint 37 is preferably also a cylindrical joint. Thus, as shown in these figures, the joint 37 can be achieved by an eccentric position of the drive pin 36 on the rotary actuator 35 and a rotatably mounted assembly of the inner end of the retractable lug 31 on the drive pin 36. To this end, the inner end has a circular opening 33 with a diameter such that a drive pin 36 can be inserted therein.

As better shown in fig. 6 and 7, the unlocking system 30 is also preferably configured to be arranged in a detachable body 40. The detachable body 40 is blocked against rotation, for example because of its non-circular shape, in this example its lower part comprising a flat edge 42 facing the ground, and at least one flat face 42' formed in the hole, below a support 44 better seen in fig. 7. For each retractable lug 31, the removable body 40 is also provided with a slot 41 through which the retractable lug 31 can protrude to hold the body 40 against the side wall 13 to lock the unlocking system 30. Conversely, to unlock the system, retractable lug 31 is slid through slot 41 to retract inside body 40 so that it no longer protrudes from body 40, as shown in fig. 4.

To accompany the movement of the retractable lug 31 through the slot 41, the unlocking system 30 preferably comprises a guide member 45 configured to guide the retractable lug 31. The guide member 45 is preferably also integral with the main body 40 and consists of at least one guide wall, typically two walls, forming a guide channel for the retractable lug 31.

In one embodiment, body 40 includes a latching system 46, the latching system 46 configured to secure retractable lug 31 in its locked position. The latching system 46 is best shown in fig. 6, and its operation can be better understood using fig. 4 and 5. In the embodiment shown in these figures, the blocking system 46 is substantially composed of one or more teeth 47, each tooth 47 being a cambered projection of small thickness arranged on the inner edge of the body 40. This tooth 47 is intended to latch the finger 48 of the actuator 35 in a position that may be the locked and/or unlocked position of the unlocking system 30. However, the small thickness and arcuate shape of the teeth 47 also enables the fingers 48 to pass over it. Indeed, despite the presence of the tooth 47, the finger 48 may pass over the tooth 47 when sufficient and therefore voluntary force is applied to the actuator 35 to rotate it. In this manner, the actuator 35 may then return to the second position, which may be the unlocked position of the unlocking system 30. Furthermore, as shown at the bottom of fig. 5, a stop 49 may be arranged near the tooth 47 in order to limit the rotational progress of the actuator 35 in one direction or the other once the actuator 35 has reached the locked or unlocked position.

Returning to fig. 3, in a preferred embodiment, the body 40 may also include one of the bearings 15 of the shaft 22, with the rotating brush 20 rotatably mounted on the shaft 22. As better shown in this figure, the bearing 15 may be housed inside the body 40. In a variant, the bearing 15 may be arranged externally to the body 40, for example on a support 44 of the body 40, the support 44 being better shown in figures 6 and 7.

As shown in fig. 1-2 and 6-7, the body 40 further includes an annular flange 43. The flange is preferably mounted in a fixed non-rotatable manner, for example by means of an elastic lug engaging, and configured to close the unlocking system 30 around the actuator 35. This annular flange 43 thus makes it possible to protect the unlocking system 30 from any foreign elements (dust, fibres, small solid elements, etc.) that may enter from the side of the side wall 13. In addition, the annular flange 43 may also serve to improve the closure or sealing of the housing 12, thereby increasing the suction at the floor and the rotating brush 20. In addition, the annular flange 43 is mounted in a fixed, non-rotatable manner and may be marked with a graphic or legend (fig. 6) to indicate in which direction to manipulate the actuator 35 to move it from the locked position to the unlocked position and vice versa (fig. 6).

Preferably, the actuator 35 further comprises manual gripping means 38, which manual gripping means 38 make it easier to grip by bare hands.

Advantageously, the solution proposed by the present invention makes it possible in particular to remove the brush by simply rotating the actuator 35, without the use of tools, such as screwdrivers, coins or other accessories. Furthermore, in contrast to most brush extraction systems known in the prior art, the rotation of the actuator 35 is advantageously not performed on the seal, which prevents any premature wear of such a seal. It is also advantageous that the solution of the invention, in at least one of its embodiments, also makes it possible to dispense with any metal spring. The unlocking system 30 can therefore advantageously be obtained with plastic parts, for example, all of which can therefore be obtained by means of moulding or injection moulding of this material. Furthermore, the absence of any metal springs also simplifies assembly and installation of the unlocking system 30, since such a system of parts does not need to be added and provided in the system to operate.

In a second aspect, the invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head 10 according to one of the embodiments described above in this specification, or according to any possible combination of these embodiments. Typically, such cleaners may be of the broom, canister or central type, to name a few.

Although the subject matter of the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, various obvious modifications and/or improvements may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Suction head comprising a housing (12) and a rotating brush (20), the rotating brush (20) being rotatably mounted by a shaft (22) having a longitudinal axis (23) supported between two side walls (13) of the housing (12) by means of bearings (15), the rotating brush (20) being removable along the longitudinal axis (23) by means of a reversible unlocking system (30), the unlocking system (30) being located in one of the side walls (13) of the housing (12), characterized in that the unlocking system (30) comprises at least one retractable male pin (31) movably mounted on an actuator (35).

2. A suction head according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (35) is a rotary actuator.

3. A suction head according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (35) is a push rod actuator.

4. A suction head according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (35) is a clamping actuator.

5. A nozzle according to claim 2, characterized in that the retractable lug (31) is mounted on the rotary actuator (35) by means of an eccentric joint (37).

6. A nozzle according to claim 5, characterized in that said joint (37) is a cylindrical joint.

7. A nozzle according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the unlocking system (30) comprises two retractable lugs (31), which are additionally mounted end to end.

8. Suction head according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the unlocking system (30) is configured to be arranged in a detachable body (40), the body (40) being locked against rotation and that for each retractable lug (31) there is a slot (41) through which the retractable lug (31) can protrude to hold the body (40) against the side wall (13).

9. The pipette tip of any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the unlocking system (30) comprises a guide member (45) configured to guide the retractable lug (31).

10. A pipette tip according to claim 9 when dependent on claim 8, characterised in that the guide member (45) is integral with the body (40).

11. The pipette tip of any of claims 8 to 10 wherein the body (40) includes a latching system (46), the latching system (46) being configured to secure the retractable lug (31) in a locked position of the retractable lug (31).

12. A nozzle according to any of claims 8-11, characterized in that the body (40) further comprises one of the bearings (15) of the shaft (22) on which the rotating brush (20) is rotatably mounted.

13. The pipette tip of any of claims 8 to 12 wherein the body (40) further comprises an annular flange (43), the annular flange (43) being fixed against rotation and configured to close the unlocking system (30) around the actuator (35).

14. A nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said actuator (35) comprises a manual gripping device (38).

15. A vacuum cleaner, characterized in that it comprises a cleaning head (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.