CN114727728A

CN114727728A - Vacuum cleaner apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN114727728A
Application number: CN202080079031.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 卢西亚诺·西西安; 伊曼纽尔·马佐洛
Original assignee: De Longhi Appliances SRL
Current assignee: De Longhi Appliances SRL
Priority date: 2019-09-13
Filing date: 2020-09-11
Publication date: 2022-07-08
Also published as: IT201900016304A1; WO2021048889A1; EP4027848A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner device comprising a suction collection unit (12) provided with a suction duct (11), a collection container (18) connected to the suction duct (11), and a motorised head (16) configured to suck in an air flow (A) and dirt from the outside through the suction duct (11), to convey the dirt towards the collection container (18), and to return the air flow (A) to the outside, and a handle unit (24).

Description

Vacuum cleaner apparatus

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a cordless type vacuum cleaner apparatus, preferably for home use, provided with an adjustable handle to allow a user to adapt himself to his height in a comfortable posture, thereby minimizing fatigue when using the vacuum cleaner apparatus.

Background

Household cordless vacuum cleaner devices or electric brooms, which can be used to reach and clean certain kinds of surfaces, are known in the art and are increasingly popular.

Such surfaces may be vertical, such as windows or walls of a room, horizontal, such as a ceiling or floor of a room, or may be surfaces of furniture parts.

Often, certain surfaces to be cleaned may be located in unusual locations and/or have obstacles or other obstructions that make them difficult to reach, such as areas under beds or chairs, or may be located on surfaces at a location slightly above the floor, such as a bookcase, shelf, sofa, or other piece of furniture.

Known vacuum cleaner apparatuses generally comprise a collecting container, a motor unit generating a suction flow to suck and draw material (i.e. dust and dirt) into the collecting container, and a handle by which a user can grip and manipulate the vacuum cleaner apparatus.

The vacuum cleaner device further comprises a suction head for contacting, in use, a surface to be cleaned, the suction head being connectable to the collection container via a suction tube.

In the above-described vacuum cleaner device or electric broom, the motor unit, the collecting container and the handle define a unit which can be used per se by means of special attachments or connected to the suction head by means of the suction tube, and which can thus be used in a similar way to a conventional broom.

To allow such dual mode use, the motor unit and the collection unit are positioned in line with the handle such that the user's arm has to support a large part of the weight of the vacuum cleaner device.

In addition, in mobile units there are also typically battery packs that power the motor units, which in turn increases the weight of the mobile unit, adding to the user's fatigue.

Generally, the positions of the suction collection unit, the motor unit and the handle are fixed with respect to each other.

A drawback of this type of solution is that the user must take an unnatural or incorrect posture of the hands, waist, arms or back, etc. in order to reach the surface to be cleaned.

In an effort to overcome such drawbacks, patent document WO2018/128371a1 discloses a vacuum cleaner apparatus comprising a first part defined by a dust collecting unit, a second part comprising a motor unit and a handle, and a third part positioned between the first and second parts, such that the three parts are rotatable relative to each other.

Therefore, the third portion serves as a hinge between the dust collection unit and the motor.

A drawback of this known solution is that the motor unit is positioned above the handle, whereby the vacuum cleaner device is heavy and inconvenient for the user to use.

Another drawback is that the weight distribution of the vacuum cleaner device is unbalanced and cleaning becomes difficult, especially not easy to clean vertical surfaces.

A further drawback consists in that this solution is not very convenient and has limited functionality for the user, since the user must use both hands, one to support the device and the other to actuate the gripping elements positioned in the third portion, in order to change from a fixed configuration in which the longitudinal axes of the first and second portions are parallel to each other to a rotated configuration in which the longitudinal axes are inclined with respect to each other.

Patent document CN107397508A describes a vacuum cleaner device comprising a suction body provided with a suction air flow inlet, a dust collecting container and a battery connected to the suction body, and a handle connected to the suction body by an electric rotating device. This solution is not very convenient for the user, since all the weight is concentrated on the side opposite to the rotating means, whereas on the user side there is only the handle. In addition, the presence of the electric rotation means does not allow a continuous free mutual rotation between the suction body and the handle.

Patent document US2017/0296022a1 describes a portable device for air movement, which includes a suction body provided with a housing in which a motor is arranged, an impeller for generating an intake flow or an exhaust flow, and a handle portion rotatable relative to the suction body. This solution also has the drawback of concentrating the weight on one side. Furthermore, the handle portion is configured such that in each use position, the user's wrist and arm are located above the device, not allowing for optimal weight distribution.

Accordingly, there is a need to optimize a vacuum cleaner apparatus that overcomes at least one of the deficiencies of the prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner device that allows the user to adapt it to his own height or to his needs of use, so that basically no incorrect posture is assumed in any use situation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device with an adjustable handle that can be easily and quickly adapted to the height of the user.

It is a further object of the present invention to enable the use of a vacuum cleaner device that is adaptable to a variety of different heights, allowing for multi-functional use.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a vacuum cleaner device having a better load distribution than the known solutions, which is therefore lighter and easier to handle than the known solutions.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner apparatus that does not burden the user's arm excessively.

The applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain the foregoing and other purposes and advantages.

Disclosure of Invention

The subject matter and features of the invention are referred to in the independent claims. Further features of the invention or variants of the main inventive idea are referred to in the dependent claims.

In accordance with the above purposes, a vacuum cleaner device comprises a suction collection unit comprising a collection container and a motor unit or motorised head configured to suck in an air flow and dirt from the outside, to convey it towards the collection container, and to return the air flow to the outside.

The vacuum cleaner apparatus further comprises a handle unit connected to the suction collection unit and configured to allow gripping by a user.

The handle unit includes a grip portion and a battery connected to the grip portion.

According to some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device further comprises a suction head which is connectable to the suction tube of the collection container by means of a suction duct, so that the vacuum cleaner device can be used as a conventional broom. Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner module defined by the suction collection unit and the handle unit may be used as a stand-alone module.

According to an aspect of the invention, the handle unit is rotatable relative to the suction collection unit, so that the user can adapt his posture relative to the suction collection unit to his needs, for example to his height or to the position of the surface to be cleaned.

In particular, the handle unit is configured to rotate relative to the motor unit, i.e. relative to the motorised head.

According to some embodiments, the handle unit may be rotated in a discrete manner with respect to the suction collection unit, each time being clampable by the clamp at a predetermined angle to a determined position.

According to some variants, the handle unit can be rotated continuously within a predetermined angular interval with respect to the suction collection unit.

According to some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device comprises a rotation unit configured to connect the handle unit with the suction collection unit.

The rotation unit is configured to fluidly and mechanically separate the handle unit from the suction circuit and the motor.

According to some embodiments, the rotation unit is arranged between the motorised head and the handle unit.

In this way, the weight difference between the suction collection unit and the handle unit facilitates the adjustment of the handle unit, thus making the adjustment simpler and easier.

In particular, the total weight of the vacuum cleaner device is distributed on one side and the other side of the rotary unit, since the weight of the battery and motor unit is not concentrated on one side, but is distributed on the opposite sides of the rotary unit.

In other words, the rotary unit substantially divides the vacuum cleaner device into two parts.

In this way, the position of the centre of gravity of the vacuum cleaner device is below the grip portion, generating a moment of inertia which is advantageous for the user to use.

In particular, the relative weight distribution of the battery and the motor unit allows to advantageously exploit the force of gravity in order to facilitate the adjustment of the handle unit, in particular when the vacuum cleaner device is used in association with a suction duct and the suction head is placed in contact with a surface.

According to some embodiments, the rotation unit comprises a first rotation member integrated with the motorised head and a second rotation member integrated with the handle unit, the second rotation member being rotatable with respect to the first rotation member.

The rotation unit further comprises a clamping element which can be selectively actuated by a user to allow or prevent mutual rotation between the first and second rotation members, thereby allowing the two to rotate freely relative to each other or to clamp each other in a fixed position.

According to some embodiments, the first rotation element comprises a ring-shaped body, the central axis of which substantially defines the rotation axis of the handle unit.

According to some embodiments, the second rotation element may comprise a pivot body which, in use, is arranged coaxially with the annular body and is rotatable relative to the annular body.

According to some embodiments, the annular body comprises, on a lateral surface thereof, a first coupling tooth and the clamping element comprises a second coupling tooth configured to cooperate with the first coupling tooth and to achieve a conformal coupling therewith.

According to some embodiments, the bracket is rotatably pivoted with respect to the handle unit and comprises a first section provided with the second coupling tooth and a second section angled to the first section. According to some embodiments, the pivot axis is arranged at the connection point between the first and second sections and is parallel to the rotation axis.

The grip member further comprises a resilient mechanism associated with the second segment, which allows the first segment to move away from the annular body to disengage from the coupling teeth during activation of the grip element by a user, while allowing the handle unit to rotate to re-couple the teeth to each other during deactivation of the grip element.

According to some embodiments, the rotation unit comprises at least one through channel therethrough through which a cable may be passed for data connection and power supply between the handle unit and the suction collection unit.

In this way, the cable does not pass through the rotation point and is not subjected to stress.

According to some embodiments, the motor unit and the suction collection unit are assembled to be axially connected to each other. In this way, the motor unit is positioned with its crankshaft at substantially 90 degrees to the intake flow of exhaust gases.

This arrangement and the direct connection of the two components allow to reduce the loss of hydrodynamic load inherent to the change of direction of the flow of the air itself, increasing the overall efficiency of the vacuum cleaner device.

Drawings

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a side elevational view of a vacuum cleaner apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention in a first configuration of use;

figure 1a is a side elevational view of the vacuum cleaner device of figure 1 in a second configuration of use;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a partially exploded detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail section view of FIG. 3 showing a cable transit zone;

figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the vacuum cleaner device of figure 1;

fig. 6a to 6c are side sectional views of the detail in fig. 5 in different use configurations.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals may be used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is to be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the figures. The examples are merely illustrative of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention. For instance, one or more features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on or in conjunction with other embodiments to yield a still further embodiment. It is to be understood that the invention may include all such modifications and alterations.

The embodiment illustrated by the drawings relates to a vacuum cleaner apparatus, generally indicated by reference numeral 10 in figures 1 and 1 a.

According to some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device 10 comprises a suction collection unit 12 configured to draw in the air flow a and dirt from the outside.

The suction collection unit 12 comprises a collection container 18 connected to the suction duct 11 and a motor unit or motorised head 16 configured to move the air flow a.

The collection container 18 defines a collection chamber 19 in which dirt drawn in by the air flow a can deposit.

The vacuum cleaner device 10 further comprises a handle unit 24, the handle unit 24 being connected to the suction collection unit 12 and configured to allow gripping by a user.

The handle unit 24 comprises a grip portion 32 and a power supply means 40, such as a rechargeable battery pack.

According to some embodiments, the handle unit 24 has a housing 31, possibly formed by two half-shells, inside which a compartment 36 is obtained.

According to some embodiments, the case 31 is shaped to define a grip portion 32 shaped to be grasped by hand and a housing portion 34 configured to house the power supply device 40.

The connection between the handle unit 24, i.e. the housing part 34, and the power supply device 40 may be realized, for example, by a snap coupling. This enables, for example, the power supply device 40 to be quickly replaced with a powered power supply device when power is off, or the power supply device 40 to be charged.

Some embodiments may provide that there is a connection element 42 for connecting the vacuum cleaner device to an electric network for charging the power supply device 40.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the handle unit 24 is rotatable relative to the suction collection unit 12 to facilitate the user's ability to adapt the vacuum cleaner device to his or her own height or position of the surface to be cleaned without the user's arms being burdened.

Specifically, the handle unit 24 is rotatable and swivelable relative to the motor assembly or motorised head 16.

According to some embodiments, the suction collection unit 12 and the handle unit 24 connected thereto define a separately usable vacuum cleaner module 50.

According to some possible embodiments, as shown in fig. 1 and 1a, the vacuum cleaner device 10 further comprises a suction head 43, which suction head 43 is arranged to be close to and possibly in contact with the surface to be cleaned. The vacuum cleaner device 10 may comprise a suction duct 44 having a first end connected to the suction head 43 and a second end opposite the first end connected to the suction duct 11.

In this way, the vacuum cleaner device 10 can be used as a conventional broom.

According to some embodiments, motorised head 16 is configured to suck in an air flow and dirt from the outside through a suction duct, to convey the dirt towards a collection container, and to return air flow a to the outside.

The motorised head 16 comprises an electric motor member 17 and an impeller 45 equipped with blades, the impeller 45 being configured to be driven in rotation by the motor member 17 and to generate a suction air flow a.

The motor 17 and the impeller 45 may be at least partially enclosed in a housing 16a of the motorised head 16.

The receiver 16a has a plurality of holes 46, and the suction air flow a returns to the outside through these holes 46.

According to some embodiments, motorised head 16 and collection container 18 may be assembled axially relative to each other.

The collection container 18 delimits and defines a collection chamber 19 in which the dirt drawn in by the air flow a can deposit.

According to some embodiments, inside the collection chamber 19 a filtering unit 13 may be arranged, which filtering unit 13 is configured to filter the air flow a and the dirt in order to return the air to the outside after separating the heavier material from the air.

According to some embodiments, motorised head 16 is arranged above collection container 18 and is in fluid connection with collection chamber 19.

According to some embodiments, the impeller 45 is positioned between the collection container 18 and the motor member 17.

According to some embodiments, the motor 17 and the impeller 45 are arranged along an axis substantially orthogonal to the suction duct 11 and therefore to the direction of entry of the air flow a.

This configuration allows for reduced motorised head losses and, in turn, for a stronger airflow a, resulting in a more efficient vacuum cleaner apparatus 10.

According to some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device 10 may comprise a rotation unit 20, the rotation unit 20 being arranged between the suction collection unit 12 and the handle unit 24 and configured to allow mutual rotation therebetween.

According to some embodiments, the rotation unit 20 is arranged to be connected between the motorised head 16 and the handle unit 24.

In particular, the rotary unit 20 substantially divides the vacuum cleaner device 10 into two parts, such that the total weight of the vacuum cleaner device 10 is distributed on one side and the other side of the rotary unit 20, with the motor 17 on one side and the power supply device 40 on the other side.

With reference to fig. 1a and 1, it has been highlighted how the relative weight characteristics of the battery 40 (i.e. the power supply means) and of the motor unit 17 of this product configuration allow to advantageously exploit the force of gravity in order to adjust the handle unit 24.

According to some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner device 10 comprises a clamping element 26, which clamping element 26 is selectively actuated by the user to allow or prevent mutual rotation between the handle unit 24 and the motorised head 16 (fig. 3), so as to allow continuous free rotation between the two components within a predetermined angular interval, or to clamp them in a desired position.

According to some embodiments, the gripping element 26 includes an actuating portion 26a, the actuating portion 26a being actuatable by the user and being disposed in line with the grip portion 32 such that the user can easily actuate the gripping element 26 with the hand that is holding the grip portion 32 by himself.

According to some embodiments, the handle unit 24 may be configured to rotate separately with respect to the suction collection unit 12, and the gripping element 26 may be actuated whenever the handle unit 24 is to be gripped to a determined predetermined angular position.

For example, three or more predetermined angular positions may be provided, for example angularly displaced by 10 ° to 20 °, for example 12 °, 15 ° or 18 °. This allows good versatility and adaptability of the vacuum cleaner apparatus 10 for persons of different heights and for non-continuous surfaces such as steps or at least partially vertical surfaces.

According to some embodiments, the handle unit 24 is configured to rotate continuously with respect to the suction collection unit, and the gripping element 26 may be actuated each time the handle unit 24 is to be gripped to a desired position.

With continuous rotation, the handle 24 follows the user's motion, allowing the user to maintain a generally stable and comfortable posture even if the surface to be cleaned has a series of obstacles that can cause fatigue and continuous posture adjustment.

Thus, the vacuum cleaner device 10 according to the present invention allows a user to change the position of the handle unit 24 relative to the suction collection unit 12 or the motorised head 16, thereby adapting the handle unit 24 to the needs of the use of the vacuum cleaner device 10.

According to some embodiments, the handle unit 24 and the motorised head 16 may be rotated relative to each other about the axis of rotation R by an angle α, for example an angle of 0 to 45 degrees between end-of-travel positions.

According to some embodiments, an angle α may be defined between a side surface of collection container 18 and an outer surface of battery pack 40.

For example, figures 1 and 1a show how the vacuum cleaner device 10 can be adapted to users of different heights, allowing the user to use the vacuum cleaner device in an upright position, thereby not causing fatigue to the limbs and back supporting the vacuum cleaner device.

In the configuration of fig. 1, the suction collection unit 12 and the handle unit 24 are at a minimum angle α 1 to each other, whereas in the configuration of fig. 1a, the suction collection unit 12 and the handle unit 24 are at an angle α 2 to each other, the angle α 2 being greater than the minimum angle α 1.

Advantageously, adjusting the position of the handle unit 24 allows the resistive torque to be minimized depending on the configuration of use, so the rotational movement allows for fatigue relief for the user.

In the configuration of the minimum angle α 1, the user must simultaneously overcome the weight of the suction collection unit 12 and the moment determined by the inclination of the handle 24 with respect to the floor. In the configuration of the larger angle α 2, the user need only overcome the weight force of the suction collection unit 12 and not the moment, since the center of gravity of the suction collection unit 12 including the motor 17 is lowered.

According to some embodiments, the rotation unit 20 comprises a first rotation member 21 integral with the motorised head 16 and a second rotation member 22 integral with the handle unit 24, the second rotation member 22 being rotatable about the rotation axis R with respect to the first rotation member 21.

In some embodiments, rotary unit 20 is removably associated with motorised head 16 and/or handle unit 24, facilitating possible maintenance interventions.

According to some embodiments, the first rotation element 21 comprises an annular body 23, the central axis R of the annular body 23 substantially defining the rotation axis of the handle unit 24.

According to some embodiments, the second rotation element 22 may comprise a pivoting body 25, which pivoting body 25 is arranged, in use, coaxially with the annular body 23 and is rotatable with respect to the annular body 23. Such a displacement facilitates obtaining a better weight distribution in the vacuum cleaner device 10, while facilitating the rotation of the handle unit 24.

According to some embodiments, the annular body 23 may comprise, on a lateral surface thereof, a first coupling tooth 27a, and the clamping element 26 comprises a second coupling tooth 27b, the second coupling tooth 27b being configured to cooperate with the first coupling tooth 27a and to achieve a conformal coupling therewith.

The selective activation/deactivation of the gripping element 26 determines the disengagement or engagement between the first coupling tooth 27a and the second coupling tooth 27b, respectively.

According to some embodiments, the number of second coupling teeth 27b is less than the number of first coupling teeth 27a, thus allowing mutual coupling at different positions.

For example, the first coupling tooth 27a may extend over an angular range corresponding to a maximum rotation angle α, while the second coupling tooth 27b may extend over an angular range corresponding to a fraction of a minimum angle, depending on the desired number of predetermined positions.

According to some embodiments, the clamping element 26 comprises a bracket 28 pivotally rotatable with respect to the handle unit 24. According to some embodiments, the bracket 28 is rotatably pivoted with respect to the handle unit 24 and comprises a first section 28a provided with a second coupling tooth 27b and a second section 28b, the second section 28b being arranged at an angle to each other with respect to the first section 28a, for example an angle of 80 ° to 100 °.

According to some embodiments, the second section 28b partially protrudes from a seat 31a formed on the casing 31, defining the actuation portion 26a of the gripping device 26.

According to some embodiments, the second section 28b is disposed at least partially longitudinally along the grip portion 32 so as to project in a position that facilitates contact with, for example, a user's finger (fig. 3).

According to some embodiments, the pivot axis X of the bracket 28 is arranged at the connection point between the first section 28a and the second section 28b, and is parallel to the rotation axis R.

According to some embodiments, the gripping element 26 further comprises a resilient means 37 associated with the activation portion 26 a.

In particular, the elastic means 37 can be associated with the second segment 28 b.

According to some embodiments, the elastic means 37 are attached to the grip portion 32 on one side and to the second segment 28b on the opposite side.

After activation of the gripping element 26, the elastic means 37 pass from an extended condition, which determines the engagement between the first coupling tooth 28a and the second coupling tooth 28b, to a compressed condition, which allows disengagement between the first coupling tooth 28a and the second coupling tooth 28b and rotation between the pivoting body 25 and the annular body 23 (fig. 6 b).

When the gripping element 26 is deactivated, i.e. when the gripping element 26 is not actuated by the user, the elastic means 37 return to the stretched condition, determining the mutual engagement between the first coupling tooth 28a and the second coupling tooth 28b (fig. 6a and 6 c).

In other words, when the user presses the second segment 28a, the bracket 28 rotates about the pivot axis X, compressing the elastic means 37 and moving the first segment 28a away from the annular body 23.

The handle unit 24 can be in different positions along the angle α, which positions can be defined by the number of first coupling teeth 27a and second coupling teeth 27 b.

The invention proposes that, in the event of the release and deactivation of the gripping element 26 during the continuous rotation, the action of the elastic means can determine that the first coupling tooth 27a and the second coupling tooth 27b are coupled corresponding to the closest position.

Fig. 6a shows the grip unit 24 clamped in a first end-of-stroke position relative to the motorised head 16. In this position, the angle α 1 has a minimum value, and it can be seen that there is a conformal coupling between the first coupling tooth 27a and the second coupling tooth 27b in the vicinity of the initial portion of the first coupling tooth 27 a.

Fig. 6b shows the situation in which the clamping element 26 is deactivated and the first and

second rotation members

21, 22 are disengaged from each other to allow a continuous free rotation of the angle α of the handle unit 24 with respect to the motorised head 16. In the present figure, the amplitude of the angle α is greater than the minimum angle α 1, which means that the angle α can be any angle within a predetermined range in this state of the clamping element 26. In this case, the elastic mechanism 37 is compressed.

According to some embodiments, the first coupling member 21 and the second coupling member 22 have to be uncoupled in order to allow the handle unit 24 to be rotated, for example, to the position shown in fig. 6c, when the angle α 3 is larger than α 1 shown in fig. 6 a. In this case, the second coupling tooth 27b is coupled with the first coupling tooth 27a at an intermediate position.

According to some embodiments, the housing 16a and the casing 31 comprise respective through openings suitable for putting the respective housing compartments in communication with each other for the passage of the data and/or power cables 41.

According to some embodiments, the first coupling member 21 may be configured to include at least one through-passage 30 therethrough through which an electrical cable 41 may be passed between the handle unit 24 and the suction collection unit 12 (fig. 4 and 5) to provide power from the battery pack 40 to the motorised head 16.

Advantageously, this solution allows to keep the cables 41 free from rotational movements, protecting them from possible stresses and/or tensions and thus reducing the occurrence of faults.

According to some variants, the through channel 30 is located outside the first coupling member 21.

According to some embodiments, the power cable 41 in the handle unit 24 is advantageously arranged inside the compartment 36.

Some embodiments provide that a compensation spring 38 may be used, configured to facilitate changing from a configuration in which the handle unit 24 is at a larger angle α to a configuration at a smaller angle α, to assist the user in overcoming the gravitational component of moving the handle 24.

According to some embodiments, the handle unit 24 may include a head 33.

In some embodiments, the head 33 is shaped to receive the second rotation element 22 and to couple with the first rotation element 21 by means of a complementary shape, possibly at least partially surrounding the first rotation element 21.

Head 33 is also configured to be at least partially inserted into a concave surface provided on receptacle 16a of motorised head 16, so as to allow mutual rotation.

According to some embodiments, head 33 may have an aperture for communicating handle unit 24 with motorised head 16.

According to some embodiments, the handle unit 24 does not comprise mechanical parts of the motor 17, and may not even comprise heavy parts, which may limit or in any case affect the use of the vacuum cleaner device 10 by a user.

In fact, the corresponding excessive weight of the handle unit 24 may lead to difficulties in handling, which may be more pronounced if the vacuum cleaner device 10 is used on a surface that requires continuous position adjustment (i.e. based on the above-specified requirements).

Some embodiments also provide that the handle unit 24 does not even include any parts of the suction circuit 14.

Therefore, the handle unit 24 according to the above embodiment allows its design mainly in consideration of ergonomics. In this way, the user can comfortably and easily grip the handle unit 24 without straining his or her limbs from manipulating the handle unit.

In addition, the absence of mechanical parts of the motor 17 and the suction circuit 14 in the handle unit 24 allows for a reduction in the generation of annoying heat and/or disturbing air flow towards the user, thereby making the use of the vacuum cleaner device 10 more ergonomic.

According to some embodiments, the handle unit 24 has a suitable mechanism corresponding to the housing 34 of the power supply device 40 to electrically communicate the power supply device 40 with the connection cable 41.

According to some embodiments not shown herein, the handle unit 24 may comprise control means configured to allow a user to interact with, i.e. control the functions of, the vacuum cleaner apparatus 10.

Such means may be of known type, such as buttons, knobs, switches, etc.

In particular, the control means may be positioned in the vicinity of the grip portion 32, for example on the head 33, so as to be easily activated, for example with the thumb of the hand that is holding the grip portion.

According to some embodiments, the handle unit 24 may be provided with means for displaying user-entered control information and/or functional parameter information of the vacuum cleaner device 10.

For example, information about inhalation, power regulation, charge level, etc. may be displayed.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the vacuum cleaner apparatus as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of vacuum cleaner device, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner apparatus comprising:

a suction collection unit (12) provided with:

a suction pipe (11);

a collection container (18) connected to the suction tube (11);

-a motorised head (16) provided with an electric organ (17), said motorised head (16) being configured to suck in an air flow (a) and dirt from the outside through said suction duct (11), to convey it towards said collection container (18), and to return said air flow (a) to the outside; and a handle unit (24) comprising a grip portion (32) and a power supply (40),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the handle unit (24) being rotatable relative to the motorised head (16), the vacuum cleaner device comprising: a rotation unit (20) arranged between the motorised head (16) and the handle unit (24), and a grip element (26) selectively actuatable by a user to allow or prevent continuous free rotation between the handle unit (24) and the motorised head (16) within a predetermined angular interval.

2. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the motorised head (16) and the collecting container (18) are assembled axially with respect to each other.

3. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the swivel unit (20) comprises a plurality of predetermined angular positions, the gripping element (26) being drivable each time the handle unit (24) is to be gripped in one of the predetermined angular positions.

4. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the gripping element (26) comprises an activation portion (26a) which is actuatable by the user and which is arranged in line with the grip portion (32).

5. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotation unit (20) comprises a first rotation member (21) integral with said motorised head (16) and a second rotation member (22) integral with said handle unit (24), said second rotation member (22) being rotatable with respect to said first rotation member (21).

6. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that said first rotating member (21) comprises an annular body (23) having a central axis (R) substantially defining the rotation axis of said handle unit (24), said second rotating member (22) comprising a pivoting body (25) arranged coaxially with said annular body (23) and rotatable with respect to said annular body (23) in use, said gripping element (26) being selectively drivable to allow or prevent a mutual rotation between said annular body (23) and said pivoting body (25).

7. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that said annular body (23) comprises a first coupling tooth (27a) and said gripping element (26) comprises a second coupling tooth (27b), said second coupling tooth (27b) being configured to cooperate with said first coupling tooth (27a) and to achieve a conformal coupling therewith.

8. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that said gripping element (26) comprises a bracket (28), said bracket (28) being rotatably pivoted with respect to said handle unit (24) and comprising a first section (28a) provided with said second coupling tooth (27b) and a second section (28b), said second section (28b) being mutually angled with respect to said first section (28a) to define an activation portion (26a) which can be actuated by the user.

9. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to any of the claims 4-8, characterized in that the gripping element (26) comprises a resilient mechanism (37) associated with the activation portion (26a), the resilient mechanism (37) being configured to change from a compressed state during activation of the gripping element (26) by a user to an extended state when the gripping element (26) is not activated.

10. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claims 8 and 9, characterised in that the resilient means (37) is attached to the grip portion (32) on one side and to the second section (28b) on the opposite side.

11. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to any one of claims 5-10, characterised in that the first rotation member (21) comprises at least one through-going passage (30) therethrough, through which an electric cable (41) can be passed for data connection and power supply between the handle unit (24) and the motorised head (16).