CN113545698A

CN113545698A - Cleaning unit for suction head

Info

Publication number: CN113545698A
Application number: CN202110429555.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 保罗·德·斯沃特
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2020-04-23
Filing date: 2021-04-21
Publication date: 2021-10-26
Also published as: FR3109514B1; ES2940743T3; FR3109514A1; EP3900596B1; EP3900596A1

Abstract

The invention provides a cleaning unit (11) comprising: a rotating brush (12) configured to be removably mounted in a receiving recess of the suction head, and a closing plug (16) configured to close a passage opening (13) through which said rotating brush (12) is adapted to be introduced into and withdrawn from the receiving recess, the closing plug (16) comprising a plug body (17) and at least one locking member (18) movable with respect to the plug body (17) between a locking position, in which said at least one locking member (18) cooperates with at least one locking element provided on the suction head to prevent the rotating brush (12) from being withdrawn from the receiving recess, and a release position, in which the at least one locking member (18) releases the at least one locking element to allow the rotating brush (12) to be withdrawn from the receiving recess (9).

Description

Cleaning unit for suction head

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction head for suctioning dirt and small particulate waste present on a surface to be cleaned.

Background

Vacuum cleaners equipped with a cleaner head are well known in the market, which allow cleaning of surfaces by suction to remove dust and small particulate waste that has settled on the surface. The surface to be sucked may be, for example, a tile, parquet, laminate, carpet or rug.

In a known manner, a cleaner head comprises a main body which includes a sole plate having a sole surface and a suction opening which opens at the sole surface of the sole plate. During use of the cleaner head, the underside of the sole plate will be positioned adjacent the surface to be suctioned.

In order to improve the cleaning performance of a cleaner head, it is known to equip the cleaner head with a cleaning unit comprising:

a rotating brush which is rotatably movable about a rotation axis and is mounted in a detachable manner in a receiving recess defined by the body of the suction head, an

A closing plug configured to at least partially close a passage opening provided on the body, through which the rotating brush is adapted to be introduced into and withdrawn from the receiving recess, the rotating brush being rotatable with respect to the closing plug.

In order to ensure that the rotating brush remains in the receiving recess, the closure plug advantageously comprises a plug body and a locking device arranged on the plug body and configured to lock the plug body to the main body. The locking means may for example comprise a thread configured to cooperate with an internal thread provided on the body.

This configuration of the closure plug makes it difficult for a user to lock the plug body to the main body of the cleaner head. Furthermore, this configuration requires the user to exert a force to screw the closure plug onto the body, which makes the locking of the closure plug on the body uncertain. In fact, the closing plug is screwed or screwed tightly or loosely on the body, depending on the intensity of the screwing force applied by the user. If the closure is not screwed tight enough, the vibrations generated by the rotation of the rotating brush can cause the closure to loosen until it completely falls off. On the other hand, if the closure plug is tightened too tightly, an unusually high loosening torque may be required to loosen the closure plug, thereby making it difficult or impossible for the user to loosen it.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these disadvantages.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is, inter alia, to provide a cleaning unit for a suction head which ensures simple and ergonomic locking and unlocking of a stopper body on a suction head body.

To this end, the invention relates to a cleaning unit for a suction head, comprising:

a rotating brush which is rotatably movable about a rotation axis and is configured to be mounted in a detachable manner in a receiving recess defined by the body of the suction head, an

A closing plug configured to at least partially close a passage opening provided on the body, through which the rotating brush is adapted to be introduced into and withdrawn from the receiving recess.

The rotating brush is rotatable relative to the closure plug.

The closure plug includes a plug body and a locking device configured to lock the plug body to the main body.

The locking device comprises at least one locking member movable with respect to the plug body between a locking position, in which the at least one locking member cooperates with at least one locking element provided on the main body to prevent the rotating brush from being extracted from the receiving recess, and a release position, in which the at least one locking member releases the at least one locking element to allow the rotating brush to be extracted from the receiving recess.

The closure plug includes an actuating member movable between a first actuating position and a second actuating position.

The actuating member includes at least one cam surface and the at least one locking member includes at least one contact surface that contacts the cam surface and is configured to move along the cam surface such that when the actuating member is moved between the first and second actuating positions, the contact surface moves along the cam surface to drive the at least one locking member to move between the release position and the locking position.

This configuration of the closure plug ensures that the plug body is easily and ergonomically locked to the main body of the cleaner head. Thus, the cleaning unit according to the invention provides a higher comfort of use for the user.

Furthermore, this configuration of the closure plug ensures that the plug body is effectively retained in the passage opening, so that the rotating brush is effectively retained in the receiving recess.

Furthermore, this configuration ensures a reliable locking, the locking force exerted by the user for locking the closure plug being reduced in comparison with the aforementioned prior art solutions.

The cleaning unit may also have one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

Advantageously, the actuating member and the at least one locking member are configured such that movement of the actuating member from the first actuating position to the second actuating position drives movement of the at least one locking member from the release position to the locking position and such that movement of the actuating member from the second actuating position to the first actuating position drives movement of the at least one locking member from the locking position to the release position. This configuration of the closure plug allows to lock/unlock the plug body only by moving the actuation member between the first and second actuation positions, which notably ensures an easy and ergonomic extraction of the rotating brush from the receiving recess.

This configuration also helps to ensure a reliable locking, the locking force exerted by the user to lock the closure plug being reduced compared to the aforementioned solutions of the prior art.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuating member is mounted to be rotatable about an actuating axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable brush.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the axis of rotation of the rotatable brush substantially coincides with the central axis of the rotatable brush.

Advantageously, the actuation axis is substantially coaxial with the rotation axis.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member is movable relative to the plug body along a movement direction extending transverse to the rotational axis of the rotating brush.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the direction of movement of the at least one locking member is substantially radial with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotatable brush.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member is slidably mounted with respect to the plug body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member is configured to protrude radially from an outer circumference of the plug body when the at least one locking member is in the locking position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member is configured to be recessed from or substantially flush with the outer periphery of the plug body when the at least one locking member is in the release position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuating member has a substantially disc shape.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one cam surface extends transversely to the rotational axis of the rotatable brush. This arrangement contributes to achieving compactness of the cleaning unit.

Advantageously, the generatrix of the cam surface is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable brush. This arrangement helps to simplify the cleaning unit.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one contact surface is formed by an outer surface of a protruding pin protruding from the locking member and configured to slide on the at least one cam surface. This embodiment contributes to the simplification of the cleaning unit.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the protruding pin protrudes from the locking member in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating brush.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuating member comprises at least one cam groove in which the at least one cam surface is formed.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one cam groove extends transversely to the rotational axis of the rotatable brush. This arrangement contributes to achieving compactness of the cleaning unit.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one cam groove is formed by at least two preferably parallel groove sides, each groove side having a generatrix substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating brush.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the two groove sides forms at least one cam surface.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the boss pin is received in and slides in the cam groove such that when the actuating member is moved between the first actuating position and the second actuating position, the boss pin moves in the cam groove by sliding on at least one cam surface and drives the locking member between the release position and the locking position. This arrangement contributes to the compactness and reliability of the cleaning unit, and more specifically of the subassembly formed by the locking means and the actuating member, while ensuring the mechanical reliability of the connection between the locking means and the actuating member.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one cam surface, preferably at least one cam groove, is curved. The at least one cam surface, preferably the at least one cam groove, may for example have a circular arc shape or have a progressive radius of curvature.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one cam surface, preferably the at least one cam groove, is substantially straight.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one cam slot includes a first cam surface configured to move the at least one locking member from the release position to the lock position when the actuating member is moved from the first actuating position to the second actuating position, and a second cam surface configured to move the at least one locking member from the lock position to the release position when the actuating member is moved from the second actuating position to the first actuating position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second cam surfaces is curved. Each of the first and second cam surfaces may, for example, have a circular arc shape or have a progressive radius of curvature.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second cam surfaces is substantially straight.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first side of the slot forms a first cam surface for pushing the lug and the locking member radially outwards of the plug body when the actuating member is moved from the first to the second actuating position, and wherein the second side of the slot forms a second cam surface for pulling the lug and the locking member radially inwards of the plug body when the actuating member is moved from the second to the first actuating position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the contact surface is formed by an outer circumferential surface of a roller which is rotatably movably mounted on the locking member and which is configured to roll on the cam surface.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuating member is manually actuatable from outside the cleaner head when the plug body is locked to the main body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprise a plurality of locking members angularly offset from each other with respect to the rotation axis of the rotating brush, preferably three locking members, the actuating member comprising a corresponding number of cam surfaces. When the locking device has three locking members, the corresponding number of cam surfaces is, for example, 3 or 6. The plurality of locking members ensures reliable locking. The presence of three locking members is preferred as it allows for a three point locking and thus a statically stable locking with no or less play compared to a statically indeterminate locking comprising more than three locking points. This reduces vibrations due to the connection between the locking member of the cleaning unit and the at least one locking element provided on the cleaner head body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the closure plug comprises a grip configured to be gripped by a user.

The presence of such a grip facilitates the user to remove the rotating brush from the receiving recess, for example to facilitate cleaning thereof.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the grip is movable between a rest position and a gripping position in which the grip is configured to be gripped by a user. These arrangements facilitate the removal of the rotating brush from the receiving recess while limiting the volume of the closing plug and thus the cleaning unit on the suction head.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the grip is mounted pivotable about a pivot axis between a rest position and a gripping position. The pivot axis of the grip is, for example, substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the grip is mounted on the actuation member. These arrangements make it possible to improve the grip of the closure plug, in particular to perform the locking/unlocking of the plug body on the body of the suction head.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the grip is configured to move the actuating member between the first and second actuating positions when the grip is actuated by a user.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the grip is configured to transmit a rotational torque to the actuation member.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuation member is configured to move from the first actuation position to the second actuation position when a user applies a first rotational torque to the grip in a first rotational direction, and the actuation member is configured to move from the second actuation position to the first actuation position when a user applies a second rotational torque to the grip in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the closure plug comprises a fastening cap fastened to the plug body and partially covering the actuating member. The securing cap and the plug body advantageously define a mounting recess in which the actuating member is mounted. The fastening cover may be annular, for example.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the actuating member comprises a reading mark and the closure plug comprises a locking mark and a release mark angularly offset with respect to the rotation axis of the rotating brush, the locking mark and the release mark being fixed against rotation with respect to the plug body, the reading mark being configured to be located opposite the release mark when the actuating member is in the first actuating position and opposite the locking mark when the actuating member is in the second actuating position. Advantageously, the locking flag and the release flag are provided on the fastening cover.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the rotating brush comprises a tubular brush body. Advantageously, the brush body is cylindrical with a circular cross-section.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the rotating brush is rotatably guided in or around the plug body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rotating brush has bristles disposed on an outer surface of a brush body. Advantageously, the rotatable brush comprises at least one row of bristles arranged on an outer surface of the brush body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking members are evenly distributed around the rotation axis of the rotating brush.

The invention also relates to a suction head comprising:

a main body comprising a receiving recess opening in a bottom surface of the main body, the bottom surface being configured to face a surface to be cleaned, a passage opening in the receiving recess, and at least one locking element, and

according to the cleaning unit of the invention, the rotating brush is detachably mounted in the receiving recess, the closing plug at least partially closes the passage opening, and the at least one locking member cooperates with the at least one locking element.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking element comprises at least one locking groove, the at least one locking member being configured to engage in the locking groove when the at least one locking member is in the locking position. Advantageously, the at least one locking groove extends at least partially around the passage opening.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking element comprises a plurality of locking grooves which are angularly offset from each other with respect to the rotation axis of the rotating brush and in each of which a respective locking member is intended to be received.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member and the plug body are fixed against rotation relative to the receiving recess when the plug body is locked to the main body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the suction head comprises a mistake-proofing device configured to impose a relative angular orientation between the closure plug and the main body when the plug body is inserted into the passage opening.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the error protection comprises at least one error protection element, such as an error protection rib, provided on the closure plug and at least one error protection member, such as an error protection groove, provided on the body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the passage opening is provided on a side face of the body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the suction head comprises a drive device configured to drive the rotating brush in rotation about the axis of rotation.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the rotating brush comprises a first end configured to be rotatably coupled to the drive means and a second end supported by the closure plug and mounted rotatably movable with respect to the closure plug.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive means comprises a drive motor, the output shaft of which may be substantially aligned with the rotational axis of the rotating brush or may be offset from the rotational axis of the rotating brush.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the main body comprises a sole plate provided with a floor face configured to face a surface to be cleaned, and a suction opening which opens in the floor face. Advantageously, the receiving recess opens in the underside of the sole plate via the suction opening.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the suction opening has an elongated shape and extends transversely, e.g. perpendicularly, to the direction of movement of the cleaner head.

Drawings

The invention will be better understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which show, by way of non-limiting example, embodiments of such a suction head.

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a cleaner head according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the cleaner head of figure 1, showing the cleaning unit of the cleaner head partially removed.

Figure 3 is a partial side view of the cleaner head of figure 1, showing the locking plug of the cleaning unit in a locked position.

Figure 4 is a partial side view of the suction head of figure 1 showing the locking plug in an unlocked position.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the cleaner head of figure 1.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a closure plug of the cleaning unit of fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit showing the grip in a gripping position and the locking member in a release position.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit showing the handle in a rest position and the locking member in a locked position.

Fig. 9 is a front perspective view of the closure plug shown in the locking member locking position.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the closure plug showing the locking member in a released position.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the closure plug showing the locking member in a locked position.

Detailed Description

Figures 1 to 11 show a cleaner head 2 comprising a connecting sleeve 3 to which a joint of rigid or flexible tubing is designed to be connected, the rigid or flexible tubing itself being connected to a suction system of a vacuum cleaner (not shown). There are a variety of different models of vacuum cleaner available on the market which can be used with a cleaner head 2 according to the invention; these different models are not described in detail in this patent application, since they are known to the person skilled in the art.

The cleaner head 2 comprises a body 4, the body 4 being configured to move over a surface to be cleaned. The connection sleeve 3 is advantageously mounted pivotably in relation to the main body 4, so as to allow the main body 4 to pivot forwards and backwards when the suction head 2 is moved in the direction of movement D1.

The main body 4 includes a bottom plate 5, the bottom plate 5 being provided with a bottom surface 6, the bottom surface 6 being configured to face a surface to be cleaned, and a suction opening 7 opening on the bottom surface 6. The suction opening 7 communicates with the connecting sleeve 3, in particular via a connecting channel which is formed at least in part, for example, by a flexible connecting tube. The suction opening 7 may, for example, have an elongate shape and extend transversely, for example perpendicularly, to the direction of movement D1 of the cleaner head 2.

The main body 4 further includes a receiving recess 9, and the receiving recess 9 is opened in the bottom surface of the bottom plate 5 via the suction port 7 and is fluidly connected with the connection passage. Thus, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, the receiving recess 9 forms a suction chamber.

The cleaner head 2 further comprises a cleaning unit 11, the cleaning unit 11 comprising a rotating brush 12, the rotating brush 12 being rotatably movably mounted in the receiving recess 9 along a rotation axis a substantially coinciding with a central axis of the rotating brush 12. Advantageously, the rotating brush 12 is mounted in a removable manner in the receiving recess 9 and is configured to be introduced into and removed from the receiving recess 9 along the mounting direction D2. The mounting direction D2 extends transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the direction of movement D1 of the cleaner head 2.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the body 4 has a passage opening 13, the passage opening 13 opening into the receiving recess 9, through which passage opening 13 the rotating brush 12 can be introduced into and removed from the receiving recess 9. Advantageously, the passage opening 13 is provided on the side of the body 4.

According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the rotating brush 12 includes a brush body 14, for example, having a tubular shape, and bristles 15 provided on the outer surface of the brush body 14. Advantageously, the brush body 14 is cylindrical with a circular cross-section, and the rotating brush 12 comprises a plurality of rows of bristles, for example extending helically around the central axis of the rotating brush 12. According to an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the rows of bristles may be replaced by resiliently deformable lamellae or foam cleaning sleeves.

The cleaning unit 11 further comprises a closing plug 16, which closing plug 16 is configured to at least partially close the passage opening 13 when the rotating brush 12 is mounted in the receiving recess 9.

The closure plug 16 comprises a plug body 17 and locking means configured to lock the plug body 17 to the main body 4.

The locking means comprise at least one locking member 18, advantageously three locking members 18, the locking members 18 being movably, preferably slidably, mounted on the plug body 17 between a locking position, in which the locking members 18 cooperate with at least one locking element provided on the main body 4 to prevent the rotating brush 12 from being extracted from the receiving recess 9, and a releasing position, in which the locking members 18 release the at least one locking element to allow the rotating brush 12 to be extracted from the receiving recess 9. Advantageously, each locking member 18 is a latch.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking element only has a locking groove 19 extending at least partially around the passage opening 13, and each locking member 18 is configured to engage in the locking groove 19 when the locking member 18 is in the locking position. According to another embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking element comprises a plurality of locking grooves 19, which locking grooves 19 are angularly offset from each other with respect to the rotation axis a of the rotating brush 12 and in each locking groove 19 are intended to receive a respective locking member 18.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking members 18 are evenly distributed around the rotation axis a of the rotating brush 12, and each locking member 18 is movably mounted with respect to the plug body 17 in a movement direction extending substantially radially to the rotation axis a of the rotating brush 12.

When the locking member 18 is in the locking position (see fig. 9 and 11), the locking member 18 is configured to protrude radially from the outer periphery 21 of the plug body 17, and when the locking member 18 is in the releasing position (see fig. 7 and 10), the locking member 18 is configured to be recessed from the outer periphery 21 of the plug body 17 or substantially flush with the outer periphery 21 of the plug body 17.

Advantageously, when the plug body 17 is locked to the main body 4, the locking member 18 and the plug body 17 are fixed against rotation with respect to the receiving recess 9.

The closure plug 16 further includes an actuating member 22, the actuating member 22 being configured to move the locking member 18 between the locking position and the release position. The actuating member 22 may be, for example, generally disc-shaped.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the actuating member 22 is mounted rotatably movable relative to the plug body 17 about an actuation axis substantially coaxial with the rotation axis a of the rotatable brush 12 between a first actuation position (see fig. 7) and a second actuation position (see fig. 8), and the actuating member 22 and the locking member 18 are configured such that movement of the actuating member 22 from the first actuation position to the second actuation position drives movement of the locking member 18 from the release position to the lock position, and such that movement of the actuating member 22 from the second actuation position to the first actuation position drives movement of the locking member 18 from the lock position to the release position. This configuration of the closing plug 16 allows to lock/unlock the plug body 17 solely by moving the actuating member 22 between the first and second actuating positions, ensuring easy and ergonomic extraction of the rotating brush 12 from the receiving recess 9.

As shown in fig. 10 and 11, the actuating member 22 has at least one cam surface, advantageously formed by a cam groove 23, advantageously by three cam grooves 23, in each of which grooves 23 a projecting pin 24 provided on the respective locking member 18 is housed. Each cam groove 23 extends transversely to the axis of rotation a of the rotatable brush 12.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each cam groove 23 is curved and has a generally circular-arc shape. Each cam groove 23 may have a constant radius of curvature or a progressive radius of curvature. However, according to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, each cam groove 23 may be straight.

Each cam slot 23 comprises a first cam surface 23.1 and a second cam surface 23.2, the first cam surface 23.1 being configured to move the respective locking member 18 from the release position to the locking position when the actuating member 22 is rotationally moved from the first actuating position to the second actuating position, the second cam surface 23.2 being configured to move the respective locking member 18 from the locking position to the release position when the actuating member 22 is rotationally moved from the second actuating position to the first actuating position. The first cam surface 23.1 is formed by a first groove flank and the second cam surface 23.2 is formed by a second groove flank. Advantageously, the second slot side is parallel to the first slot side and the width of the cam slot 23 is substantially larger than the width/diameter of the boss pin 24, so that the boss pin 24 is guided in the cam slot 23 when the actuating member 22 is rotationally displaced.

Advantageously, each cam pin 24 is in sliding contact alternately on the first cam surface 23.1 and then on the second cam surface 23.2, so that said cam pin 24 is in sliding movement on the first cam surface 23.1 when the actuating member 22 is moved from the first to the second actuating position, and said cam pin 24 is in sliding movement on the second cam surface 23.2 when the actuating member 22 is moved from the second to the first actuating position.

In an alternative embodiment, each cam pin 24 may be in sliding contact on both the first and second cam surfaces 23.1, 23.2.

In an alternative embodiment, only one cam surface is provided per locking member. In this embodiment, a return means, such as a spring, allows each of the pins to remain in contact with the cam surface.

In an alternative embodiment, each locking member 18 may carry a roller rotatably movably mounted on each locking member 18 to achieve rolling contact on a respective cam surface of the actuating member or on the first or second cam surface 23.1, 23.2 formed by the cam groove 23. In other words, in this alternative embodiment, the locking member does not slide on the cam surface but rather rolls on the cam surface of the actuating member 22 when the actuating member 22 is moved, for example, from the first actuating position to the second actuating position.

The closure plug 16 further comprises a grip 25, which grip 25 is configured to be gripped by a user, for example, to allow the rotary brush 12 to be extracted from the receiving recess 9. The grip 25 may for example have a semi-circular shape or any other shape.

Advantageously, the grip 25 is pivotally mounted on the actuating member 22 about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis a of the rotating brush 12, between a rest position (see fig. 8) and a gripping position (see fig. 7). The grip 25 and the actuation member 22 are more specifically configured to define a gripping channel adapted to receive at least one finger of a user when the grip 25 is in the gripping position.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the actuation member 22 comprises a grip recess 22.1, the grip 25 extending at least partially into the grip recess 22.1 when the grip 25 is in the rest position.

Advantageously, the grip 25 may comprise a grip protrusion protruding from the grip recess 22.1 when the grip 25 is in the rest position and configured to be gripped by a user when the grip 25 is in the rest position, so as to be able to move the grip 25 from the rest position to the grip position.

More specifically, grip 25 is configured to move actuation member 22 from the first actuation position to the second actuation position when a user applies a first rotational torque on grip 25 in a first rotational direction, and to move actuation member 22 from the second actuation position to the first actuation position when a user applies a second rotational torque on grip 25 in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the closure plug 16 comprises a securing cap 26 secured to the plug body 17. The securing cap 26 and the plug body 17 define a mounting recess in which the actuating member 22 is mounted and are configured to only allow rotational movement of the actuating member 22 relative to the plug body 17. Advantageously, the securing cap 26 is annular, extends around the actuating member 22 and partially covers the actuating member 22.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the actuating member 22 comprises a reading mark 27 and the securing cap comprises a locking mark 28 and a release mark 29, which are angularly offset with respect to the rotation axis a of the rotating brush 12. The reading indicia 27 is configured to be located opposite the release indicia 29 when the actuating member 22 is in the first actuating position and opposite the locking indicia 28 when the actuating member 22 is in the second actuating position.

The suction head 2 comprises a mistake proofing device 31, which mistake proofing device 31 is configured to impose a relative angular orientation between the closure plug 16 and the main body 4 when the plug body 17 is inserted into the passage opening 13. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the error-proofing means comprise a pair of error-proofing elements 32, for example two error-proofing ribs, provided on the plug body 17, and the passage opening 13 has a non-circular shape.

The suction head 2 further comprises a drive device 33, which drive device 33 is configured to drive the rotating brush 12 in rotation about its axis of rotation a. More specifically, the drive means 33 comprise an electric drive motor 34, the output shaft of which may be substantially aligned with the rotation axis a of the rotating brush 12. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the electric drive motor 34 is accommodated in the brush body 14 of the rotating brush 12. According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the electric drive motor 34 may be offset from the axis of rotation a of the rotatable brush 12.

Advantageously, the rotating brush 12 comprises a first end 12.1 and a second end 12.2, the first end 12.1 being configured to be rotatably coupled to the drive means 33, the second end 12.2 being supported by the closure plug 16 and being mounted rotatably movable with respect to the closure plug 16. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive means 33 comprise a coupling member 35, which coupling member 35 is rotationally integrally connected with the output shaft of the electric drive motor 33 and is rotationally coupled with the first end 12.1 of the rotating brush 12.

To remove the rotating brush 12 from the receiving recess 9, for example to clean the rotating brush 12 or replace the rotating brush 12, the user moves the grip 25 to the gripping position and applies a rotational torque on the grip 25 to move the actuating member 22 to the first actuating position. This movement of the actuating member 22 drives the locking member 18 to move to the release position. The user can then easily remove the rotating brush 12 from the receiving recess 9 by exerting a pulling force on the grip 25 in order to subsequently clean or replace the rotating brush 12.

When the user wants to reposition the rotating brush 12 in the receiving recess 9, the user inserts the rotating brush 12 into the receiving recess 9 until the receiving recess 9 is coupled with the coupling member 18, and then applies a rotational torque on the grip 25 in order to move the actuating member 22 to the second actuating position. This movement of the actuating member 22 drives the locking member 18 to move to the locking position. Finally, the user repositions the grip 25 in the rest position.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, which are provided as examples only. Modifications are possible, particularly in respect of the construction of the various elements or by substitution of equivalent techniques, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning unit (11) of a suction head, comprising:

-a rotating brush (12) which is rotatably movable about a rotation axis (a) and is configured to be mounted in a removable manner in a receiving recess (9) defined by the body (4) of the nozzle, and

-a closing plug (16) configured to at least partially close a passage opening (13) provided on the main body (4), through which passage opening the rotating brush (12) is adapted to be introduced into the receiving recess (9) and to be withdrawn from the receiving recess (9), the rotating brush (12) being rotatable with respect to the closing plug (16), the closing plug (16) comprising a plug body (17) and locking means configured to lock the plug body (17) to the main body (4),

characterized in that said locking means comprise at least one locking member (18) movable with respect to said plug body (17) between a locking position, in which said at least one locking member (18) cooperates with at least one locking element provided on said main body (4) to prevent the extraction of said rotating brush (12) from said receiving recess (9), and a release position, in which said at least one locking member (18) releases said at least one locking element to allow the extraction of said rotating brush (12) from said receiving recess (9),

and the closure plug (16) comprises an actuating member (22) movable between a first actuating position and a second actuating position,

and the actuating member (22) comprises at least one cam surface (23.1, 23.2), and

and the at least one locking member (18) comprises at least one contact surface contacting the cam surface (23.1, 23.2) and configured to move along the cam surface (23.1, 23.2) such that when the actuating member (22) moves between the first and second actuating positions, the contact surface moves along the cam surface (23.1, 23.2) to drive the at least one locking member (18) to move between the release position and the locking position.

2. Cleaning unit (11) according to the preceding claim, wherein the actuating member (22) is mounted rotatably movable about an actuating axis substantially parallel to the rotation axis (a) of the rotating brush (12).

3. Cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one locking member (18) is movable relative to the plug body (17) along a movement direction extending transverse to the rotational axis (a) of the rotating brush (12).

4. Cleaning unit (11) according to the preceding claim, wherein the direction of movement of the at least one locking member (18) is substantially radial with respect to the rotation axis (a) of the rotating brush (12).

5. Cleaning unit (11) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one locking member (18) is configured to protrude radially from the outer circumference of the plug body (17) when the at least one locking member (18) is in the locking position.

6. Cleaning unit (11) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the at least one locking member (18) is slidably mounted with respect to the plug body (17).

7. Cleaning unit (11) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cam surface (23.1, 23.2) extends transversely to the rotational axis (A) of the rotating brush (12).

8. Cleaning unit (11) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one contact surface is formed by an outer surface of a protruding pin (24) protruding from the locking member (18) and configured to slide on the at least one cam surface (23.1, 23.2).

9. Cleaning unit (11) according to the preceding claim, wherein the protruding pin (24) protrudes from the locking member (18) in a direction parallel to the rotation axis (a) of the rotating brush (12).

10. Cleaning unit (11) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation member (22) comprises at least one cam groove (23) in which the at least one cam surface (23.1, 23.2) is formed.

11. Cleaning unit (11) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one cam groove (23) extends transversely to the rotation axis (a) of the rotating brush (12).

12. Cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the boss pin (24) is accommodated in the cam groove (23) and slides in the cam groove (23) such that when the actuating member (22) is moved between the first and second actuating positions, the boss pin (24) is moved in the cam groove (23) by sliding on the at least one cam surface (23.1, 23.2) and drives the locking member (18) to move between the release position and the locking position.

13. Cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 10-12, wherein the at least one cam groove (23) comprises a first cam surface (23.1) configured to move the at least one locking member (18) from the release position to the locking position when the actuation member (22) is moved from the first actuation position to the second actuation position and a second cam surface (23.2) configured to move the at least one locking member (18) from the locking position to the release position when the actuation member (22) is moved from the second actuation position to the first actuation position.

14. Cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the contact surface is formed by an outer circumferential surface of a roller which is rotatably movably mounted on the locking member (18) and which is configured to roll on the cam surface (23.1, 23.2).

15. Cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein the locking means comprise a number of locking members (18) angularly offset from each other with respect to the rotation axis (a) of the rotating brush (12), preferably three locking members, the actuating member (22) comprising a corresponding number of cam surfaces (23.1, 23.2).

16. The cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the closure plug (16) comprises a grip (25) configured to be gripped by a user.

17. Cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1-16, wherein the rotating brush (12) is rotatably guided in the plug body (17) or around the plug body (17).

18. A pipette tip, comprising:

-a body (4) comprising a receiving recess (9) opening in a bottom face of the body (4), which bottom face is configured to face a surface to be cleaned, a passage opening (13) opening in the receiving recess (9), and at least one locking element, and

-a cleaning unit (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, the rotating brush (12) being detachably mounted in the receiving recess (9), the closing plug (16) at least partially closing the passage opening (13), and the at least one locking member (18) cooperating with the at least one locking element.

19. The pipette tip of claim 18 wherein the at least one locking element includes at least one locking slot (19) in which the at least one locking member (18) is configured to engage when the at least one locking member (18) is in the locked position.

20. A pipette tip according to claim 18 or 19, wherein said at least one locking member (18) and said plug body (17) are fixed against rotation relative to said receiving recess (9) when said plug body (17) is locked onto said main body (4).