EP0526694B1 - Active vacuum cleaner nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

The active vacuum cleaner nozzle of the invention has a two-part housing (1, 2) with a suction tube connector (8, 9, 10) moulded on. At their end located opposite the suction tube connector, the two housing parts (1, 2) are connected to one another in an articulated manner so as to be pivotable, the separation joint between the two housing parts extending at least into the region of the suction tube connector. On the suction tube connector, a locking sleeve (13) is arranged so as to be displaceable and lockable between a position which allows the housing to be opened and a locking position.

Description

The invention relates to an active vacuum cleaner nozzle in Preamble of claim 1 Art.

Compared to so-called static vacuum cleaner nozzles, i.e. Nozzles, who only have suction cleaning without auxiliary elements, have so-called active vacuum cleaner nozzles, i.e. Nozzles prevailed inside the nozzle itself in addition to the suction effect generate an active cleaning effect. Are common to this Purpose of electric motor or pneumatically driven brush rollers in use.

In this sense, the present invention relates specifically a vacuum cleaner nozzle with an additional, driven brush roller.

Active vacuum cleaner nozzles of this type must be used for comfort the discomfort of an improved cleaning effect maintenance of the nozzle. Through the improved The nozzle's absorption capacity does not only reach the finest Dust particles, but also coarser particles, threads and matted Fibers in the nozzle, especially in the brush area and, particularly in the case of turbine drives, also in the turbine area to impair the free rotation of the Can roll or the turbine wheels.

From the unpublished German patent application DE 41 21 130.8 is a generic active vacuum cleaner nozzle known, consisting essentially of a two-part housing with upper housing part and lower housing part, where purpose Maintenance of the interior of the housing around the housing Axis of rotation of the brush roller from a closed position to Open position can be pivoted. The locking of the Housing in the closed position takes place with a Suction pipe connection piece provided housing part of the drive housing, the one running parallel to the brush axis Turbine axis of rotation is pivotable. The opening takes place the lock and thus the nozzle housing by pivoting of the intake manifold and thus via the intake manifold connection piece of the turbine housing part in a maintenance position, while the Locking takes place in that the suction pipe in the working or Operating position is brought.

This vacuum cleaner nozzle is admittedly lightweight Maintenance of the interior of the housing is quite satisfactory; however is an unwanted unlocking and thus opening of the nozzle housing not under all conditions, especially not when carrying the entire vacuum cleaner with suction pipe and nozzle, reliably avoiding the nozzle being lifted off the floor.

A generic active vacuum cleaner nozzle with a two-part housing is also known from EP-A-61826.

Based on this state of the art, it is the task of present invention, an active vacuum cleaner nozzle of the entry to create the kind mentioned, which besides a comfortable, user-friendly maintenance and accessibility of the whole At the same time, the interior of the nozzle is absolutely secure of the housing and thus reliable protection against unwanted Open offers.

This task is performed by an active vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the Teaching of claim 1 solved.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of Subclaims.

The active vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the present invention has a two-part housing in which at least one Brush roller, a drive and a gearbox, the torque transmits the drive to the brush roller, are arranged. The drive can be both electric and pneumatic, for example by a turbine wheel known per se, which is driven by the suction air of the vacuum cleaner, respectively. Gear means in the sense of the present invention usually, but by no means exclusively, one Timing belt drive. The upper housing part is opposite Lower housing part between an access to the interior of the housing allowing first position and a lockable, the second position closing the housing pivotable stored, the pivot axis at least parallel runs to the axis of rotation of the brush roller, but preferably coincides with this. Especially in the last embodiment provides optimal access to the interior of the housing enables all of its functional elements.

The gap between the two housing parts extends according to the present invention at least into the range of the intake manifold connection. "At least" means that in extreme cases, the intake manifold connection through the division joint can also be completely axially divided. With others Words, part remains when the nozzle housing is opened of the intake manifold connection piece on the upper part of the housing and the second Part of the intake manifold connector on the lower part of the housing. On the Intake manifold connection piece is an axial locking sleeve, i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the intake manifold connection, movable arranged, the displaceability at least between a first position allowing the opening of the housing and a locking position must be ensured. Here the locking position is characterized in that the Locking sleeve in this position both areas of the intake manifold connection piece, i.e. both the area on the upper part of the housing and also encompasses the area on the lower housing part and thus preventing the housing from opening.

To secure against unintentional axial displacement the locking sleeve from the locking position to the Open position and thus to secure against an unwanted Opening the housing has at least one of the two housing parts a first in the area of the intake manifold connection Locking element that in the closed position with a complementary second locking element of the locking sleeve can be brought into releasable engagement. Such Locking elements can be on the top or bottom of the housing or else arranged on both housing parts be.

According to a preferred embodiment, the intake manifold connection piece overall essentially cylindrical. As explained above, the parting line over the entire axial length of the intake manifold connection piece run. However, the dividing line preferably runs in such a way that that only the axially inner, that is from the intake manifold side End of the intake manifold connection the parting line is divided such that a substantially cylindrical half-shell-like area of the intake manifold connection piece arises, which connects to the first of the two housing parts, for example, is molded onto the upper housing part, while the remaining part of the intake manifold connection part of the second Housing part, here for example the lower housing part is. In this embodiment, there is the intake manifold connection area on the lower part of the housing from an intake manifold side cylindrical, circular closed area, the over a cylinder half-shell-like area, which for Upper housing part is open, molded onto the lower housing part is. When you close the case, the two cylindrical half-shell-like areas on the upper housing part and the lower part of the housing again to a cylindrical shape closed area of the intake manifold connection.

In the above embodiment, the first locking element preferably as a resilient locking tongue on the cylinder half-shell Area of the first housing part, the, or their restricted area, in a recess of the Locking sleeve can be brought into releasable engagement. The Recess of the locking sleeve is the second to first locking element complementary locking element represents.

The latching tongue can be easily done by two slit-like Incisions in the intake pipe-side end of the cylinder half-shell-like Area are formed; the real thing Locking element is formed by a locking button on the projecting free end of the latching tongue radially outward is arranged.

The recess receiving the locking button of the locking spring tongue the locking sleeve can in any way be designed as long as the locking effect is reliable is secured. However, this recess is preferably as extending in the circumferential direction circular arc-shaped slot-like Sleeve slot formed, which on the one hand the Locking action in the axial direction and thus the locking action reliable against pulling down the locking sleeve is secured and on the other hand a limited rotation of the Locking sleeve on the intake manifold connection allows becomes. The rotatability is dependent on one angle limited by the length of the sleeve slot. A such rotatability of the locking sleeve relative to the Intake pipe connection piece and thus opposite the vacuum cleaner nozzle is particularly advantageous if the locking sleeve in addition to their locking effect at the same time Connection of the nozzle to the suction pipe of a vacuum cleaner serves as then the locking sleeve as a known hinge acts that improves the manageability of the vacuum cleaner.

According to a further embodiment of the invention the second housing part, that is, the housing part that is not a locking element has, essentially on the intake manifold side Arranged end of the intake manifold connection Stop element on that in a substantially direction of the intake manifold connector extending second slot-like Sleeve slot of the locking sleeve engages. Stop element and second slot-like sleeve slot are preferably, but by no means exclusively, the locking element, for example the detent spring, in substantially diametrically opposite. Through this pairing stop element - The second sleeve slot is an axial guide Locking sleeve on the intake manifold connection allows the length of this sleeve slot being the axial displacement the locking sleeve after approval by resilient locking tongue limited. In other words, the stop element acts together with the second sleeve slot Protection against inadvertent sliding down the Locking sleeve from the intake manifold connection piece.

To ensure that it can be rotated despite the axial guidance and securing the locking sleeve on the intake manifold connection in the Enable closed position and thus working position, the locking sleeve preferably has a third slot-like circular arc in the circumferential direction Sleeve slot in the locking sleeve on the with the second sleeve slot is connected T-shaped, its Length at least the length of the first sleeve slot, with the resilient locking tongue cooperates corresponds. It is the position of the T-shaped slot pair in the Locking sleeve or the position of the stop element so too choose that the intersection of the two T-shaped arranged Sleeve slots in the closed position, i.e. when locked Latching spring lies at the axial height of the stop element.

As described above, the stop element acts on second housing part as security against an unwanted Falling or pulling off the locking sleeve from the intake manifold connection piece. To nevertheless, be it for cleaning or too Repairs, a removal of the locking sleeve from the To enable the intake manifold connection piece, the locking sleeve in its inner wall a closed radially outward substantially axially parallel to the second sleeve slot running groove. This groove runs from the third Sleeve slot to the nozzle end of the sleeve and opens there. In other words, this groove is continuous Connection between the third sleeve slot and the environment forth. The stop element has in this embodiment a radial height that is at least slightly lower than the radial depth of the groove. The width of the groove is included of course to choose so that the stop element at least slide with little lateral play in the groove can.

Removing the locking sleeve from the intake manifold connection piece happens in the following way: First the Locking button actuated and thus gives the recess the locking sleeve free. This will move the Locking sleeve allows in the axial direction, the Locking sleeve with the second axially extending sleeve slot slides along the stop element. The axial Shift takes place up to the stop of the stop element at the end of the second sleeve slot, being in this Position of the intake manifold area of the locking element having released housing part and opening the Housing is made possible. After opening the locking sleeve again axially shifted towards the nozzle body until the stop element with the third circumferentially extending Sleeve slot comes into engagement. In this position there is a rotation of the locking sleeve on the intake manifold connection piece to a position in which the stop element can slide into the groove in the inner wall of the sleeve, whereby pulling the sleeve off the intake manifold connection piece is made possible.

The locking sleeve itself can be in the simplest way single-walled, embracing the intake manifold connection outside Be sleeve formed. In this embodiment, the Inner diameter of the intake manifold connection to the outer diameter of the suction pipe onto which the vacuum cleaner nozzle is attached should correspond. According to a preferred embodiment the invention, however, is the locking sleeve as double-walled sleeve formed, the clear inner diameter essentially the outer diameter of the to be connected Suction pipe corresponds, the wall of the suction pipe connection piece inside of the inside wall and outside of the Outer wall of the locking sleeve with little radial play is encompassed and the sleeve slots and / or the groove in the Sleeve outer wall are provided. This will particularly in Connection with the detachability of the locking sleeve from Intake manifold connection in addition to the advantage of secure locking of the nozzle housing also an easy adaptability of the Vacuum cleaner nozzle to different suction tube diameters allows that with the nozzle unchanged only the removable Locking sleeve replaced or with a sleeve appropriate inner diameter needs to be replaced.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Seitenansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Staubsaugerdüse in den Zugang zum Innenraum ermöglichender aufgeklappter Stellung;

Fig. 2

ebenfalls in schematischer Seitenansicht das Ausführungsbeispiel nach Fig. 1 in geschlossener und verriegelter Stellung;

Fig. 3

in Ansicht von unten das Ausführungsbeispiel nach Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

in Aufsicht von oben die Verriegelunghülse gemäß vorstehendem Ausführungsbeispiel; und

Fig. 5

im Axialschnitt die doppelwandige Verriegelungshülse gemäß vorstehendem Ausführungsbeispiel.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner nozzle in the open position allowing access to the interior;

Fig. 2

likewise in a schematic side view, the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 in the closed and locked position;

Fig. 3

in view from below the embodiment of FIG. 2;

Fig. 4

in top view the locking sleeve according to the above embodiment; and

Fig. 5

in axial section the double-walled locking sleeve according to the above embodiment.

1 shows an embodiment according to the invention in Open position shown. The active vacuum cleaner nozzle has one two-part housing, consisting of a lower housing part 1 and an upper housing part 2. There is a drive 3 in the housing in the form of a turbine wheel, shown only schematically, a gear 4 in the form of a pinion 4 and a Brush roller 5 arranged. The upper housing part 2 is opposite the lower housing part 1 about the axis of rotation 6 of the brush roller 5 between a closed position and the one shown here Open position swiveling. There is a total of one on the case Manifold connection piece 8,9,10 formed in one piece, the Intake manifold connection 8,9,10 through the division joint 7 between upper housing part 2 and lower housing part 3 in two Areas is separated. The intake manifold connection 8,9,10 overall has a cylindrical shape in cross section on. A cylinder half-shell-like area 8 of the intake manifold connection piece 8,9,10 is part of the upper housing part 2; of the remaining area of the intake manifold connector 8,9,10 is part of the lower housing part 1 and consists of an axially inner cylindrical half-shell-like area 9, in the closed position with the cylinder half-shell-like area 8 of the upper housing part 1 again to an overall cylindrical closed Area is supplemented, and an axially outer cylindrical circular closed area 10.

The cylindrical half-shell-like area 8 of the upper housing part 2 has a locking element in the form of a resilient locking tongue 11 on its radial outside on its free end a radially projecting locking button 12 carries. The resilient locking tongue 11 is the simplest Way by two extending in the axial direction slot-like incisions in the intake pipe-side end of the cylinder half-shell Area 8 formed. The spring action the locking tongue 11 is carried out by the elastic restoring force of the material of the housing parts 1, 2, which are preferably made of Plastic.

On the intake manifold connector 8,9,10 is a locking sleeve 13 attached. This locking sleeve 13 can be between the open position, as shown in Fig. 1, and the Locked position, as can be seen, for example, from FIG. 2, in the axial direction on the intake manifold connection piece 8,9,10 shift.

The locking sleeve 13 has a recess in the form of a extending in the circumferential direction circular arc-shaped slot-like Sleeve slot 14 on. The width of this sleeve slot 14 corresponds essentially to the diameter the locking button 12. If the housing by pivoting the two housing parts 1 and 2 from the open position shown in Fig. 1 is pivoted into the closed position, can the locking sleeve 13 axially in the direction of the resilient Move latch 11; due to the spring action the locking button 12 is forced radially inward so that the Slide the locking sleeve 13 over the locking button 12 can.

In the locking position shown in Fig. 2 are the Snap button 12 and the sleeve slot 14 axially in register brought so that due to the elastic restoring force resilient locking tongue 11 of the locking button 12 radially outwards snaps into the sleeve slot 14. This is the locking sleeve 13 against axial sliding down from the intake manifold connection piece 8,9,10 secured, at the same time one reliable locking effect with respect to the housing parts 1 and 2 is achieved.

Due to the circular arc length of the sleeve slot 14 can in the locking position shown in Fig. 2, the locking sleeve 13 compared to the housing of the vacuum cleaner nozzle twist a limited angle. This is particularly out 4 can be seen.

The lower housing part 1, as best seen in the illustration 3 can be seen at the intake pipe end of Intake manifold connector 8,9,10 a stop element in the form a radially projecting pin 15. The pin 15 stands with two T-shaped sleeve slots 16 and 17 the locking sleeve 13 in engagement. The arc length of the Sleeve slot 17 is dimensioned at least as the arc length of the first sleeve slot 14 to the rotatability the locking sleeve 13 not to hinder. Of the axially extending sleeve slot 16 interacts with the pin 15 when unlocking and thus pushing back axially the locking sleeve 13 is a stop, the one unintentional loosening of the locking sleeve from the intake manifold connection piece reliably prevented. The length of the sleeve slot 16 is to be chosen in any case that in the End position both the release of the resilient locking tongue 11 as also the cylinder half-shell-like area 8 of the intake manifold connection piece the top of the housing 2.

The locking sleeve is located after unlocking the housing on the intake manifold connection in the in Fig. 1st shown position. In this position there is a twisting of the Locking sleeve due to the axially extending sleeve slot 16 not possible. After folding up the upper part of the housing 2, the locking sleeve 13 can be axially move inward to a position approximately equal to the Locking position corresponds; this position is through the axial striking of the pin 15 on the axially outer Longitudinal wall 18 of the sleeve slot 17 causes. In this Position can now be the locking sleeve 13 by one Angle corresponding to the arc length of the sleeve slot 17, twist.

The locking sleeve 13 has one in its inner wall radially closed outside essentially parallel to the sleeve slot 16 extending groove 19 on, as in the illustration Fig. 3 is indicated by dashed lines. The groove 19 stands with its axially outer end with the sleeve slot 17 in connection and ends at its axially opposite end nozzle-side end 20 of the locking sleeve 13. The height of the Pin 15 and the radial depth of the groove 19 are so matched that the pin 15 in without hindrance the groove 19 is movable. By turning the locking sleeve 13 with the housing open, the locking sleeve can now 13 with respect to the pin 15 in one position bring in which the locking sleeve 13 from the intake manifold 8,9,10 can be deducted completely. There pulling off a conscious rotation of the locking sleeve assumes that accidental sliding is so good how excluded.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings is the locking sleeve 13 as a double-walled sleeve an inner wall 21 and an outer wall 22 are formed. The slot-like sleeve slots 14, 16, 17 and the groove 19 formed in the sleeve outer wall 22. The locking sleeve 13 is plugged onto the intake manifold connection piece 8,9,10, the wall of the intake manifold connection inside from the inner wall 21 and outside from the outer wall 22 of the locking sleeve 13 is encompassed with little radial play. The inside diameter d of the locking sleeve 13 corresponds essentially the outer diameter of the not shown suction pipe of a vacuum cleaner to which the vacuum cleaner nozzle to be connected. Preferably, can the inner diameter d of the locking sleeve in a manner known per se 13 Remove conically inwards.

Claims (9)

1. An active vacuum cleaner nozzle having a two-part housing exhibiting a suction pipe connecting socket, in which housing there are disposed at least one brush roller, a drive system and a gear system transmitting the torque of the drive system to the brush roller, the housing top part being pivotable, in relation to the housing bottom part, about the rotational axis of the brush roller or about an axis running parallel to said axis, between a first position allowing access to the housing interior and a lockable second position which closes the housing, wherein the dividing joint (7) between the two housing parts (1,2) extends at least into the area of the suction pipe connecting socket (8,9,10) and a locking sleeve (13) essentially surrounding the suction pipe connecting socket (8,9,10) is disposed axially displaceably on the suction pipe connecting socket (8,9,10) between a position enabling the housing to be opened and a locking position, at least one of the two housing parts (2) exhibiting in the area of the suction pipe connecting socket (8) a first locking element (11,12), which in the closed position can be detachably engaged with a complementary second locking element (14) of the locking sleeve (13).
2. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction pipe connecting socket (8,9,10) is, in total, essentially cylindrical, at least the axially inward pointing nozzle-side area of the suction pipe connecting socket (8,9,10) being divided by the dividing joint (7) of the housing in such a way that an essentially cylindrical-semimonocoque area (8) is attached to the first of the two housing parts (2), whilst the other part (9,10) of the suction pipe connecting socket is part of the second housing part (1).
3. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking element (11,12) is configured as a resilient catch tongue (11) on the cylindrical-semimonocoque area (8) of the first housing part (2), which tongue can be detachably engaged into a recess (14) of the locking sleeve (13).
4. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the catch tongue (11) is formed by two slot-like indentations in the suction pipe-side end of the cylindrical-semimonocoque area (8) and carries on its free end a radially outward projecting catch button (12).
5. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the recess of the locking sleeve (13) receiving the catch button (12) of the catch spring tongue (11) is configured as an arc-shaped, long-hole-type sleeve slot (14) extending in the peripheral direction, as a result of which, in total, the locking sleeve (13) is disposed on the suction pipe connecting socket (8,9,10) such that it can be twisted about an angle which is limited as a function of the length of the sleeve slot (14).
6. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, which has a stop element (15) essentially at the suction pipe-side end of the suction pipe connecting socket (8,9,10) on the second housing part (1), which stop element engages into a second long-hole-type sleeve slot (16) of the locking sleeve (13), running essentially in the direction of the suction pipe connecting socket (8,9,10), the length of this sleeve slot (16) limiting the axial displaceability of the locking sleeve (13) following its release by the resilient catch tongue (11).
7. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, which has a third long-hole-type, arc-shaped sleeve slot (17) in the locking sleeve (13), running in the peripheral direction, which sleeve slot is connected in a T-shape to the second sleeve slot (16) and the length of which corresponds at least to the length of the first sleeve slot (14).
8. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, which has a groove (19), closed in the radially outward direction and running axially essentially parallel to the second sleeve slot (16), in the inner wall of the locking sleeve (13), which groove runs from one end of the third sleeve slot (17) to the nozzle-side end (20) of the locking sleeve (13) and opens out into there, the stop element (15) exhibiting a radial height which is at least slightly less than the radial depth of the groove (19).
9. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the locking sleeve (13) is configured as a twin-walled sleeve, the clear inner diameter (d) of which essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the suction pipe to be connected, the wall of the suction pipe connecting socket (8,9,10) being surrounded internally by the inner wall (21) and externally by the outer wall (22) of the locking sleeve (13), with a small radial play, and the sleeve slots (14,16,17) and/or the groove (19) being provided in the sleeve outer wall (22).

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