CN116942007A

CN116942007A - Cleaning unit for a suction nozzle or a cleaning robot

Info

Publication number: CN116942007A
Application number: CN202211360136.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 丹尼斯·胡尔斯曼
Original assignee: Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
Current assignee: Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
Priority date: 2021-11-05
Filing date: 2022-11-02
Publication date: 2023-10-27
Also published as: EP4176788A1

Abstract

The application relates to a cleaning unit (1) for a floor cleaning device (2), comprising at least one motor (3) and at least one first working body (4), wherein the first working body (4) can be connected to the motor (3) in such a way that the first working body (4) can be rotated directly (3) by the motor. A cleaning unit (1) for a floor cleaning device (2) in which both good edge cleaning and improved energy efficiency are ensured by means of a simplified brush exchange is achieved in that at least one second working body (5) is present and the second working body (5) can be connected to a motor (3) in such a way that the second working body (5) can be rotated directly (3) by the motor. The application also relates to a suction nozzle and a cleaning device.

Description

Cleaning unit for a suction nozzle or a cleaning robot

Technical Field

The application relates to a cleaning unit for a device for cleaning floors, comprising at least one motor and at least one first working body. The first working body can be connected to the motor in such a way that it can be rotated directly by the motor.

Background

Such cleaning units are used, for example, for floor suction nozzles of household appliances, such as vacuum cleaners or cleaning robots. The working body can be rotated directly by the motor and is used, for example, for transporting dirt in the direction of the suction channel or for separating dirt from the floor. The working body is designed, for example, as a brush body or a sheet-like roller. These cleaning devices are used, for example, for cleaning carpets or hard floors.

DE 10 2018 119 181 A1 discloses, for example, a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner for cleaning floors. The brush roller is driven by a motor through a transmission to remove dirt from the carpet and deliver it to the suction channel.

A disadvantage of the cleaning units known from the prior art is that they either ensure good edge cleaning and at the same time facilitate replacement of the brush or ensure good energy efficiency, in particular in battery-powered devices.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present application is therefore to provide a cleaning unit for a floor cleaning device in which both good edge cleaning by means of a simplified brush change and an increase in energy efficiency are ensured.

In a cleaning unit of this type having the features of the characterizing part of claim 1, the above-mentioned task is solved in that at least one second working body is present and can be connected to the motor in such a way that the second working body can be rotated directly by the motor.

Suction nozzles for vacuum cleaners are usually connected in a sealing manner with the cleaning apparatus by means of flexible suction pipes and/or treatment pipes. In the case of so-called hand cleaners, the suction nozzle is also provided in a sealed manner directly connected to the cleaning apparatus. At least one rotatable working body is usually arranged on such suction nozzles, which working body can remove dirt from the floor or, for example, from carpets. For this purpose, the suction nozzle has, in particular, at least one cleaning unit according to the application, which has at least one motor and at least one first working body and at least one second working body. The first working body and the second working body are connected to the motor in such a way that both the first working body and the second working body can be rotated directly by the motor. By "directly" is meant herein that the rotation of the motor is transmitted to the first working body and the second working body in the absence of a transmission.

The first working body and the second working body are preferably arranged at a distance from one another on the cleaning unit. For example, the first working body and the second working body are rotatably held on the cleaning unit in such a way that one or more rotational axes of the first working body and the second working body are oriented substantially parallel to the floor surface to be treated in the operating state. In the installed state, the cleaning unit is held such that the first working body and the second working body at least partially contact the floor surface to be treated in the operating state.

A device for cleaning floors in the sense of the application, in which a cleaning unit can be arranged, is for example a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, in particular a floor suction nozzle, a suction nozzle for a hand-held vacuum cleaner or a cleaning appliance that moves autonomously in a cleaning environment, for example a dust-collecting robot or a wiping robot or a dust-collecting/wiping robot.

The application thus also relates to a floor nozzle, a suction nozzle and/or a cleaning robot having a cleaning unit as described above or in the following.

The direct drive of the two working bodies according to the application has the advantage of a significantly higher energy efficiency and a lower operating speed than a drive with a transmission. Improving energy efficiency helps to extend battery life of the battery powered device, and lower operating speeds help to achieve better acoustic characteristics. The use of two working bodies facilitates replacement and improves the cleaning performance of the edge area.

According to a first embodiment of the cleaning unit according to the application, it has proven to be advantageous if the first working body and/or the second working body are/is provided as cleaning means. For example, the first working body and/or the second working body are designed as cleaning brushes, in particular as brush rolls. For example, a plurality of filaments, for example bristles, are arranged on the cleaning brush, said filaments being fastened to the cleaning brush. The filaments may be arranged in the form of individually arranged bundles or in the form of brush strips or wavy arranged brush strips.

Furthermore, it is provided that the cleaning roller comprises a plurality of cleaning projections or cleaning foils. For example, the first working body or the second working body is at least partially formed of silicon, for example at least the cleaning projections or the cleaning foils.

In particular, in order to advantageously achieve a direct drive of the first working body and/or the second working body by means of the motor, according to a further embodiment of the cleaning unit, the first working body and/or the second working body can be connected directly to at least one rotor of the motor. For example, the first working body is connected to a first rotor of the electric machine and the second working body is connected to a second rotor of the electric machine. For example, the connection between the working body and the rotors is positive and/or force-fitting. For example, the first rotor is rotatably held on a first end side of the motor around the motor shaft, and the second rotor is rotatably held on a second end side of the motor around the motor shaft. The first working body is connected with the first rotor, and the second working body is connected with the second rotor.

Alternatively or additionally, the motor has at least one shaft, and the first working body and/or the second working body can be connected, preferably directly, to the shaft. The shaft is preferably connected to at least one rotor. The connection between the first working body or the second working body and the shaft is, for example, designed to be positive and/or force-fit. For example, the shaft has at least one projection or a geometry, by means of which a torque can be transmitted to the first working body and/or the second working body.

The first working body and/or the second working body are in each case connected to the rotor and/or the shaft of the electric machine in such a way that a torque can be transmitted, i.e. the first working body and/or the second working body can be rotated directly by the electric machine.

In a further embodiment of the cleaning unit, the first working body and/or the second working body can be detachably connected to the shaft and/or to at least one rotor of the electric motor. The removability of the connection between the first working body or the second working body and the rotor and the shaft ensures the removability of the first working body and/or the second working body in order to use different working bodies or to replace worn working bodies in different cleaning tasks.

For example, a first rotor of the electric machine and/or a second rotor of the electric machine has at least one shaft interface to couple with the first shaft and/or the second shaft. For example, the first shaft is part of a first working body and the second shaft is part of a second working body, wherein the first working body and/or the second working body may be coupled to the respective rotor via a shaft interface. The shaft interface is designed such that the rotation of the rotor can be transmitted to the first shaft or the second shaft. For example, the first shaft and the second shaft are mounted on the cleaning unit and/or on the device for cleaning.

A further embodiment of the cleaning unit provides that the single shaft is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotor of the electric motor, in particular to the first and second rotor of the electric motor. For example, the shaft is connected to the rotor or rotors in a form-fitting, material-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. Advantageously, the shaft has at least one projection which interacts with at least one rotor of the electric machine or a corresponding one of the rotors in a form-fitting manner. The shaft is connected to at least one rotor, preferably to both rotors, so that torque can be transmitted from the rotors to the shaft.

According to a further embodiment of the cleaning unit, it is provided that a single shaft is present and has a first free end and a second free end, whereby the first working body and the second working body can be replaced particularly advantageously. Preferably, the first working body may be arranged on the first free end and the second working body may be arranged on the second free end. Preferably, the free ends extend from the first rotor and the second rotor, respectively, so that the first working body or the second working body can be assembled in a simple manner. Preferably, the first working body is locked on the first free end and the second working body is locked on the second free end.

According to a further embodiment of the cleaning unit, the motor is arranged between the first working body and the second working body, in particular in the direction of the axis, preferably in a central position. The shaft preferably passes through the motor in such a way that it protrudes from the motor on both sides of the motor and has the same length each. Thereby forming a free end of the shaft on which the first working body and the second working body can be arranged. Preferably, the shaft is mounted within the motor.

According to a further embodiment, the first working body and the second working body are preferably arranged coaxially on a single shaft. The first working body and the second working body thus rotate together on the shaft. The shaft is preferably arranged on the cleaning device in such a way that the rotation of the first working body and the second working body is substantially parallel to the floor to be cleaned.

The support of the shaft proves to be advantageous when the shaft is arranged to be supported by at least one bearing, in particular by at least two bearings. Preferably, the shaft is mounted in the stator of the motor, i.e. in such a way that the shaft protrudes from the motor on both sides. Preferably, two bearings, in particular plain bearings or ball bearings, are arranged in the stator at a distance from one another in order to support the shaft. Preferably, the shaft is made of corrosion resistant steel.

In particular, in order to achieve that the first working body and the second working body can be moved relative to the ground, a motor, in particular a stator of the motor, is provided, which is held on a rocker arm. The rocker arm holds the motor and the two working bodies such that the working bodies and the motor move when the rocker arm moves. Preferably, the rocker arm is elastically supported such that in the installed state a spring force is induced in the direction of the floor surface to be cleaned. When the user lifts the device with the cleaning unit, the gravity and spring force of the motor and the working body causes the cleaning unit to move slightly in the direction of the floor. For ease of installation, the cleaning unit may preferably be fixed to the device for cleaning by means of a rocker arm.

The rocker arm is preferably designed such that it at least completely surrounds the stator of the electric machine. In particular, the motor is held on the rocker arm in such a way that the shaft supported in the motor protrudes from the rocker arm on the right and left. Thus, the working bodies are arranged on the right and left sides of the rocker arm. The rocker arm is arranged in a central position between the first working body and the second working body.

Another embodiment of the cleaning unit provides that the electric motor is designed as an electric motor. For example, the electrical machine is designed as a permanent-magnet-excited axial flux machine or as a radial flux machine. A compact design can be ensured by the axial flux machine. On each end side of the axial flux machine, a rotor can be arranged, so that a rotor is assigned to each working body. Radial flux machines are designed as inner or outer rotors, for example.

According to a further embodiment of the cleaning unit, at least one rotor of the electric machine, preferably both rotors of the electric machine, each has at least one permanent magnet or each has at least one coil. Preferably, each rotor has at least two, three or four permanent magnets, which are distributed circumferentially at intervals from each other.

A further embodiment of the cleaning unit provides that the stator of the electric motor is designed to be composed of one or two parts. Preferably, the stator is divided into sections axially centrally. Depending on the construction of the cleaning unit, it is also provided that the design stator is one-piece, for example at least partly made of sintered metal powder or of electrical steel sheet.

The application also relates to a cleaning device, in particular a dust-absorbing and/or wiping robot, having at least one cleaning unit according to one of the above-described embodiments.

Furthermore, the application relates to a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, in particular a floor nozzle, having at least one cleaning unit according to one of the above-described embodiments.

The application also relates to a use of a cleaning unit, preferably according to one of the embodiments described above or below, having at least one motor, at least one first working body and at least one second working body, wherein the first working body and the second working body can be rotated directly by the motor, wherein the motor is arranged in a central position between the first working body and the second working body for arrangement in a cleaning device, in particular in a cleaning robot or a floor nozzle, for cleaning a floor surface.

Drawings

Further advantageous embodiments of the application are obtained from the following description of the figures and the dependent claims.

Showing:

figure 1 shows an embodiment of a cleaning unit in a suction nozzle,

figure 2 shows another embodiment of the cleaning unit in the suction nozzle,

figure 3 shows an embodiment of a cleaning unit in a dust-absorbing robot, and

fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a motor for a cleaning unit.

Like parts are marked throughout the various figures of the drawings with like numerals.

Reference numerals

1 cleaning Unit

2 device (floor suction nozzle)

3 motor

4 first working body

5 second working body

6 bristles

7 stator

8 rotor

9-axis

10 bearing

11 center groove

12 rocker arm

13 coil

14 permanent magnet

15 first roller

16 second roller

17 interface

18 dust collection chamber

18a path

19 rocker arm shaft

20 spring unit

21 groove

22 outer casing

Detailed Description

For the following description it is mentioned that the application is not limited to these embodiments and is not limited to all or a plurality of the features of the described feature combinations, rather that any individual sub-feature of the/each embodiment is also individually indicated to be separate from all other sub-features described in connection therewith and also to be combined with any feature of the other embodiments to represent the subject matter of the application.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a cleaning unit 1 of a device 2 for cleaning floors, which is designed here as a suction nozzle, in particular a floor suction nozzle, for a vacuum cleaner (not shown). The cleaning unit 1 has a motor 3, a first working body 4 and a second working body 5. In the present embodiment, the first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are designed as roller-shaped cleaning brushes with bristles 6. The electric machine 3 has a stator 7 and two rotors 8 arranged on the end sides of the stator 7.

The motor 3 also has a shaft 9 which extends centrally through the motor 3 so that it protrudes from the motor 3 on both sides. Thus, the shaft 9 has a first free end 9a and a second free end 9b. The first free end 9a is connected to the first working body 4 and the second free end 9b is connected to the second working body 5 in such a way that the working bodies 4, 5 are mounted on the free ends 9a, 9b. The first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are detachably connected with the respective rotor 8 and shaft 9, so that the first working body 4 and the second working body 5 can be replaced.

The shaft 9 is connected to the two rotors 8 in a rotationally fixed manner, so that when the rotors 8 are moved, the shaft 9 always rotates at the same rotational speed. The first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are coaxial and are arranged at a distance from each other on the shaft 9. The motor 3 is arranged along the shaft 9 in an intermediate position between the first working body 4 and the second working body 5.

The shaft 9 is supported in the stator 7 of the electric machine 3 by means of two bearings 10, which in the present embodiment are designed as ball bearings. The stator 7 has a central recess 11 to arrange the bearing 10 and to pass the shaft 9. The motor 3, in particular the stator 7 of the motor 3, is held in an elastically supported rocker arm 12. The cleaning unit 1 is mounted on the floor shower head 2 by means of the resiliently supported swing arm 12. The resiliently supported rocker 12 allows the cleaning unit 1 to be deflected relative to the floor surface to be cleaned. The rocker arm 12 completely surrounds the stator 7 of the motor 3. The stator 7 of the motor 3 has eight coils 13 to which a current can be applied. The rotors 8 each have four permanent magnets 14 distributed over the circumference of the rotor 8.

Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of a cleaning unit 1 of a device 2 for cleaning floors. In the present embodiment, the device 2 is designed as a suction nozzle, in particular a floor suction nozzle, for a vacuum cleaner (not shown). The device 2 has a first roller 15 and a second roller 16 for guiding on the ground (not shown). Furthermore, the device 2 has an interface 17 leading to a suction pipe (not shown) of the cleaner for discharging suction.

The cleaning unit 1 is arranged in a suction chamber 18. The first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are rotatably held on one shaft 9. The shaft 9 extends on both sides of the motor 3 which is mounted in a rocker arm 12. The first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are designed as brush rolls with lamellae. The bristles 6 are arranged here in a wave-like manner. The first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are detachably held on the first free end 9a and the second free end 9b of the shaft 9.

The cleaning unit 1 is surrounded by a suction chamber 18 from which dirt separated by the working bodies 4, 5 is sucked along a path 18a and diverted at an interface 17 to a suction pipe (not shown) of the cleaner. The rocker arm 12 is resiliently supported on a rocker arm shaft 19 in such a way that a spring unit 20 acts on the rocker arm shaft 19. The spring unit 20 ensures a sufficient pressing force of the cleaning unit 1 on the floor to be cleaned and a displacement of the working bodies 4, 5 relative to the floor.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a cleaning unit 1 in a device 2, which in this embodiment is designed as a cleaning robot, here a dust-collecting robot, that moves autonomously in a cleaning environment. The device 2 has a first roller 15 and a second roller 16 for movement over the ground (not shown). The first roller 15 is driven.

The cleaning unit 1 is surrounded by a suction chamber 18 from which dirt separated by the working bodies 4, 5 is sucked along a path 18a and is accommodated in a dirt collection container arranged in a housing 22 of the device. The rocker arm 12 is resiliently supported on a rocker arm shaft 19 in such a way that a spring unit 20 acts on the rocker arm shaft 19. The spring unit 20 ensures a sufficient pressing force of the cleaning unit 1 on the floor to be cleaned and a displacement of the working bodies 4, 5 relative to the floor.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a motor 3 for a cleaning unit 1, for example according to one of the embodiments of fig. 1 to 3. The motor 3 has a stator 7 with a total of eight coils 13, which are each wound around a coil core 13 a. The illustrated electric machine 3 is a permanently excited axial flux machine, in which a rotor 8 is arranged on the end side on a stator 7. The two rotors 8 each have four permanent magnets 14 which are distributed in the form of arcuate segments over the circumference of the rotor 8. A shaft 9 (see fig. 1 to 3) may be mounted in the central recess 11 of the stator 7 and may be connected with the rotor 8 in the recess 21.

The application is not limited to the examples shown and described, but also includes all embodiments which function identically in the sense of the application. It is emphasized that embodiments of the present application are not limited to combining all of the features together, rather each individual sub-feature, when separated from all other sub-features, is still of inventive significance. Furthermore, the application is not limited to the combination of features defined in claim 1 so far, but can also be defined by each of any different combinations of certain of all the individual features disclosed. This means that in principle each individual feature of claim 1 can be omitted in practice or can be replaced by at least one individual feature disclosed at other locations of the application.

Claims

1. A cleaning unit (1) for a floor cleaning device (2) having at least one motor (3) and at least one first working body (4), wherein the first working body (4) can be connected to the motor (3) in such a way that the first working body (4) can be rotated directly by the motor (3),

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

at least one second working body (5) is present, and the second working body (5) can be connected to the motor (3) in such a way that the second working body (5) can be directly rotated by the motor (3).

2. Cleaning unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that,

the first working body (4) and/or the second working body (5) are designed as a cleaning tool, in particular a cleaning brush or a cleaning roller.

3. Cleaning unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that,

the first working body (4) and/or the second working body (5) can be connected to at least one rotor (8) of the electric machine (3).

4. A cleaning unit (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that,

the electric machine (3) has at least one shaft (9) connected to the at least one rotor (8), and the first working body (4) and/or the second working body (5) can be connected to the shaft (9), in particular can be connected in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner.

5. A cleaning unit (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that,

the first working body (4) and/or the second working body (5) can be detachably connected to the shaft (9) and/or to at least one rotor (8) of the electric machine (3).

6. Cleaning unit (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that,

the shaft (9) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotor (8) of the electric machine (3), in particular to a first and a second rotor (8) of the electric machine (3).

7. Cleaning unit (1) according to one of the claims 4 to 6, characterized in that,

the shaft (9) has a first free end (9 a) and a second free end (9 b), in particular the first working body (4) can be arranged on the first free end (9 a) and the second working body (5) can be arranged on the second free end (9 b).

8. Cleaning unit (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that,

in particular, the motor (3) is arranged axially in the direction of the shaft (9), preferably in a central position, between the first working body (4) and the second working body (5).

9. Cleaning unit (1) according to one of the claims 4 to 8, characterized in that,

the first working body (4) and the second working body (5) are coaxially arranged on a shaft.

10. Cleaning unit (10) according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that,

the electric motor (3), in particular the stator (7) of the electric motor (3), is held on a preferably elastically mounted rocker arm (12).

11. Cleaning unit (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that,

the electric machine (3) is designed as an electric motor, preferably the electric machine (3) is designed as an axial flux machine, in particular excited by permanent magnets, or as a radial flux machine, for example the stator (7) of the electric machine (3) is designed to be composed of one or two parts.

12. Cleaning unit (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that,

at least one rotor (8) of the electric machine (3) has at least one permanent magnet (14) or at least one coil, in particular at least two, three or four permanent magnets (14).

13. Cleaning robot, in particular a dust-absorbing and/or wiping robot, having at least one cleaning unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, in particular a floor suction nozzle, having at least one cleaning unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

15. Use of a cleaning unit (1), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 12, with at least one motor (3), at least one first working body (4) and at least one second working body (5), wherein the first working body (4) and the second working body (5) can be rotated directly by the motor (3), wherein the motor (3) is arranged in a central position between the first working body (4) and the second working body (5) for arrangement in a cleaning device (2), in particular in a cleaning robot or a floor nozzle, for cleaning a floor.