EP0552652A1 - Vacuum cleaner nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

In a floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners, which comprises a housing and a brush strip mounted vertically adjustably therein, two suction channels located in the bottom plate are separated, running transversely to the pushing direction, by an intermediate strip. This intermediate strip is constructed as a rigid furrow web and is arranged between a front and a rear cleaning edge and, due to its digging-in effect into the pile fabric to be cleaned, thus opens the latter into the front or rear suction channel depending on the direction of movement. <IMAGE>

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners according to the preamble of claim 1.

A known floor nozzle of this type (DE-GM 73 43 139) has a suction channel extending across the width of the nozzle in the front area of the lower part of the nozzle. In the middle, this channel is divided into two subchannels by a flexible transverse strip, the flexible or elastic strip being interrupted in the area of the suction opening in the nozzle base. In the rest position, the elastic strip protrudes slightly above the nozzle base and, due to its elasticity, is able to swivel away either backwards or forwards, depending on the direction of movement, so that it fits snugly against the entire surface to be cleaned, and it is also possible to achieve such a system against uneven surfaces. The main reason for the elastic formation is that the lateral deflection of the strip, which is preferably made of an elastic material, requires less pushing force, since this, when viewed in the pushing direction, simply tilts backwards.

It is also known (DE-GM 19 43 044) to form a vacuum cleaner nozzle with two suction slits one behind the other in the working direction of the nozzle, these suction slits each with front and rear longitudinal edges sliding on the surface to be cleaned and between the respective inner longitudinal edges of the suction slits over the The entire width of the nozzle is provided, open air duct is provided on the end faces of the nozzle. This is intended to ensure that the air flowing freely on both sides of this intermediate channel, which is not connected to the nozzle suction opening, can also be sucked in from the inside, so to speak, from the inside through the suction slots, so that, in the end, there is a suction air flow to the suction opening via four on the surface to be cleaned there are sliding longitudinal edges, all of which lie in a common plane.

In addition, a thread pick-up known per se, for example in the form of a comb, can also be arranged in the open air duct open to the outside.

The problem with these known suction nozzles especially for cleaning carpets or other high-pile materials, to open the pile and to achieve a deep cleaning effect, however, cannot be solved in this way, since both the elastic transverse stripes in DE-GM 73 43 139 and necessarily the four longitudinal edges of the DE-GM 19 43 044 on the surface to be cleaned and this does not just slide open.

Further embodiments of known vacuum cleaner floor nozzles result from the following publications in accordance with DE-OS 32 41 213, DE-OS 29 39 353, EP 01 63 772, DE-OS 32 28 644, AT 236 595, DE-GM 88 09 802, GB 22 00 538, DE-OS 34 31 164 and DE-GM 78 13 344.

In DE-OS 32 41 213 adjustable runners are provided, which hold strips between them, each of which is provided with a soft coating. The runners act as supporting elements that are set back in the rest position by a predetermined amount compared to the contact surfaces of the strips, by which they each protrude from this contact surface in the working position. In the strips, channels running transversely to the longitudinal axis are arranged with a gap with respect to the channels in adjacent strips.

It is also known from DE-GM 88 09 802 to design a vacuum cleaner nozzle mounted on rear support rollers 9 in such a way that the pivot axis for the connecting piece is located vertically above the axis of rotation of the support rollers, while the tilt axis of the Mouthpiece part is arranged below the axis of rotation of the support rollers and in the horizontal direction in front of these rollers towards the longitudinal central axis. Therefore, when the vacuum cleaner mouthpiece is pushed, there is a tilting moment on an intermediate channel part. This tilting moment generates a vertically downward force on the mouthpiece part, which force is introduced into the mouthpiece part via the tilting axis and presses it against the surface to be extracted. However, as is sometimes attempted, an operator is not able to press this more firmly against the work surface by exerting a stronger contact pressure over the connecting piece with which the vacuum cleaner mouth is guided by the operator over the floor, which would be desirable since all forces acting vertically downwards, exerted by the operator, are absorbed by the bearing rollers.

In another known vacuum cleaner mouthpiece (DE-OS 28 17 512) run on both sides of a central suction opening in the base plate, which merges into the pivoting suction nozzle via a suction channel, fork-like opening suction channels that are formed as impressions of the base plate and from all sides are surrounded by surfaces which in the carpet suction position also form the contact surfaces for the mouthpiece plate. Extendable brush strips for hard floor processing run across the entire width of the vacuum cleaner mouthpiece in the direction of displacement at the front and rear, with a conventional thread pick-up rectangle being arranged behind the suction opening when viewed in the forward sliding movement is, which consists of a carpet pile-like inclined bristle fabric.

In another vacuum cleaner mouthpiece in accordance with European Patent Specification 0 151 739, a pair of wheels, which is usually provided and on which the pipe coming from the handle and connected to the floor nozzle via the suction nozzle is supported, is arranged coaxially with the pivot axis of the suction nozzle articulated on this floor nozzle, which is intended to achieve that the penetration depth of the working edges delimiting the suction opening is optimally adapted to the different floor coverings and in particular cannot be influenced by the force exerted on the mouthpiece. Such a floor nozzle therefore does not react to the support force exerted by the user during the suction process with further penetration or greater pressure on the ground to be worked, since this support force is completely absorbed by the pair of support wheels. However, this can be viewed as problematic in certain circumstances if the user expressly tries to increase the cleaning effect by pressing firmly.

It is also known (European Patent Specification 0 163 772) to simplify the height adjustment of the brush strip arranged in front of the front working edge of the mouthpiece sole in that the brush strip is arranged on a rocker arm pivotably mounted in the rear region of the mouthpiece housing. This rocker is pivotable in the usual way by means of an adjusting element provided on the mouthpiece housing repositioned and locked in the position reached. The various positions of the adjustable brush strip, thread lifter or thread take-up as well as certain contact surfaces to one another are predetermined by the fact that three control slides are combined to form a single control part by means of connecting parts, with the individual functional parts of the vacuum cleaner mouthpiece being adjusted by adjusting one of the control parts the geometry of the individual interconnected control slide fixed position are brought together.

The invention has set itself the goal of achieving a significant improvement in cleaning performance, in particular on pile floors, with a floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners.

Advantages of the invention

The invention achieves this goal with the features of claim 1 and the features of subclaims and has the advantage that a particularly good cleaning effect on flooring, even in heavily soiled cases, is possible with a consistently low, in any case not noticeably increased pushing force, since by a rigid middle so-called plow bar in this case two plowing channels of the pile floor is plowed over so to speak and air is sucked out effectively on both sides of this central web.

This digging of the central web into the pile, which, when the floor nozzle is moved forwards or backwards when working with it, leads to successively upstanding pile threads first being bent, i.e. so to speak, unfolded with constantly acting suction on both sides, and then snap back to their normal position after being released by the central web, whereby the finest dust particles are thrown out of the threads and fibers and from the strong negative pressure effect across the entire width of the floor nozzle, acting on both sides of the medium plow bridge prevails, be vacuumed.

Here there is also the advantage that the rigid, downwardly narrow and possibly comb-like jagged design of the plow bridge as a central cleaning edge further increases its digging effect into the pile, with additional cleaning edges seen on both sides, i.e. towards the front and back are present, which results in two suction channels parallel to each other across the entire width of the floor nozzle, which are optimally placed under negative pressure by a large central suction opening that funnel-shaped to improve the air flow, also with inclined connecting surfaces and that opens separately into the two suction channels. Therefore, at least two of the available three cleaning edges always work optimally in both directions of movement of the floor nozzle when you count the plow ledge, and the third with a good cleaning effect.

The new measures listed in the subclaims and in the description below enable a large number of advantageous developments and improvements of the invention specified in the independent or main claim, although a reference must be made here that only relates to the European patent granting process - other patent offices are not affected.

The new development on which this description is based is explained without extensive knowledge of the known prior art, so that other features come to the fore and in particular can replace the features which currently form the main claim. These are therefore also dispensable, as expressly pointed out, and, depending on the position that the subject of this development in relation to the state of the art occupies, can also be replaced in part or in full by features which are explained below and which are again also alone or partially combined with each other or fully summarized form important aspects of this new development. In other words, this means that it is not possible at the present time to define the concept of the invention and to thereby also define it. It is expressly refused to present a so-called subject of the invention, which means a final binding.

So it is also advantageous that by a horizontal axis displacement of the nozzle linkage with respect to the support rollers or wheel bearing axis by a predetermined Amount is given the possibility, with greater pressure exerted on the handle by the user, to generate a stronger application force of the nozzle in any case when pushing forward, so that it is possible to achieve an even stronger pressing of the base nozzle sole by the user through his own targeted additional force, the digging effect to strengthen the cleaning edges and to achieve a greater suction force effect on the surface to be cleaned. Since the axis offset remains within predetermined limits, on the other hand, there is also a limit to the endeavors of the user, so that excessive digging-in action in connection with strong braking of the floor nozzle when working against the pushing force is stopped.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in the fact that the base plate has a downwardly projecting, practically closed circumferential sealing lip in the rear area, which adjoins and then merges into the front, in the direction of sliding away from the user, the transition to the front cleaning edge, forms a seal in the sense of a practically closed suction chamber, which is particularly important for hard floors. This closed suction chamber only opens on both sides of the suction channels through consciously dimensioned openings that are matched to the overall behavior of the floor nozzle.

This almost tightly sealed suction chamber conveys the further advantage that the air flows at high speed across the entire width of the floor nozzle through the front and rear cleaning edges in the direction of the central plow bar.

Since, according to a further advantage, the front and rear cleaning edges, which enclose the two suction channels between them at the front and rear, form suction edges which are rounded downwards, the sucked-in air can be drawn under these round suction edges near the base fabric, so that an optimal cleaning effect is achieved the depth already as a result of this and then in particular behind the plow web acting as a pile opening rib.

Another advantage is that all moving parts experience their storage via cranked stub axles for the support wheels, the cranking serves to ensure the axial offset between the nozzle linkage and the wheel bearing. In this context, an additional brush strip carrying rocker or swivel plate with at least two, in an advantageous embodiment with four bearing arms, reaches back to the stub axles for the support wheel bearings, includes these outside the support wheels in a fork-like manner and thus forms the rear pivot point for the swivel plate while simultaneously securing the Axle stubs in their position because the fork-like swivel bars on the swivel plate are clipped onto the cranked stub axles. In this way, they form locking rings for the stub axles.

Another feature of the present new development is that the vacuum guide coming from the articulated suction nozzle and running through the floor nozzle in the area of the suction hole, which opens into the two suction channels, is formed by corresponding bevels which ensure that the necessary air deflection does not have a right angle Bends, but following a gradual inclined transition ensures as little flow loss and turbulence in this area as possible, so that the negative pressure propagating into the suction channels is thereby significantly increased and improved.

Another feature includes the mounting of a rocker in the upper part of the floor nozzle, through which the swivel plate position can be changed depending on the type of floor to be worked; This rocker is formed by a multi-cranked tube, which extends across the width of the floor nozzle, which is held at various points in bearing blocks and, when pivoted, acts on both sides of the swivel plate with webs which exert an eccentric effect and evenly engages them without tilting downwards presses, so that the brush strip can emerge from the base plate, while at the same time on the opposite side of the rocker a display device recognizable by the transparent plastic material of the base nozzle housing indicates the respective rocker position and thus also the swivel plate position, to determine whether the base nozzle for processing hard floors or from floorboards suitable is.

Another feature relates overall to the simple structure of the floor nozzle, which consists of only three and, if you add the two support wheels with their axes, five individual parts, which are reinforced and interlocked by the appropriate shape of the plastic housing and plate parts used exclusively here are designed so that the assembly can be carried out without much effort.

drawing

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine Ausführungsform einer Bodendüse oder eines Staubsaugermundstücks mit gestrichelter Darstellung des inneren vom Saugstutzen zum Saugloch führenden Saugkanals sowie der Umschalteinrichtung für die Bürstenleisten-Schwinge;

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Ausführungsform einer Bodendüse von unten (erste Ausführungsform),

Fig. 3

den Oberteil des die Bodendüse bildenden Gehäuses in einer Ansicht von unten bei weggenommener Bodenplatte, wobei auf der rechten Seite noch Teile der inneren Schwinge oder Schwenkplatte für das Ausfahren der Bürstenleiste erkennbar sind,

Fig. 4

die Darstellung eines gekröpften Lagerzapfens für die gleichzeitige Lagerung von Stützrädern und Schwenkplatte,

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf die die Bürstenleiste tragende Schwenkplatte als Mittelplatte der Bodendüse;

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht der Schwenkplatte nach Fig. 5,

Fig. 7

einen Schnitt durch den oberen Gehäuseteil der Bodendüse längs der Linie VII-VII der Fig. 1 bei weggelassenem Anschlußstutzen,

Fig. 8

einen Querschnitt ähnlich der Darstellung der Fig. 7 durch den oberen Gehäuseteil mit unten angesetzter Bodenplatte bei weggelassener Mittelplatte bzw. Schwenkplatte einer abgewandelten Ausführungsform, bei der ein vorderer Fadenaufnehmer innerhalb eines vorderen Saugkanals in der Bodenplatte angeordnet ist;

Fig. 9

zeigt eine ähnliche Querschnittdarstellung wie die Fig. 7 und 8 mit teilweise weggelassenen Komponenten (Bereich Saugkanal und Pflugleiste) zur besseren Darstellung der Wippe der Umschalteinrichtung und ihrer Wirkungsweise zur Verstellung der Schwenkplatte,

Fig.10

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf die doppelt gekröpfte Verstellachse für die Umschalteinrichtung der Schwenkplatte, während die

Fig.11

schematisiert ein Schaubild zum besseren Verständnis der sich ergebenden Saugwirkungen mit mittlerem Pflugsteg und sich beidseitig anschließenden, abgerundeten vorderen und hinteren Reinigungskanten angibt;

Fig. 12

zeigt eine Variante der Bodenplattenansicht mit noch nicht eingesetztem mittlerem Pflugsteg;

Fig. 13

zeigt einen Schnitt durch die Bodenplatte der Fig. 12 längs der Linie XIII-XIII und

Fig. 14

zeigt schließlich in seitlicher Einzeldarstellung eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines Pflugstegs, wie er mit seitlichen Verrastungshäkchen in eine Aufnahmenut der Bodenplatte eingeschnappt werden kann.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

Fig. 1

a plan view of an embodiment of a floor nozzle or a vacuum cleaner mouthpiece with a broken line of the inner suction channel leading from the suction nozzle to the suction hole and the switching device for the brush bar rocker;

Fig. 2

2 shows a view of the embodiment of a floor nozzle shown in FIG. 1 from below (first embodiment),

Fig. 3

the upper part of the housing forming the floor nozzle in a view from below with the base plate removed, parts of the inner rocker or swivel plate for extending the brush strip still being visible on the right-hand side,

Fig. 4

the representation of a cranked bearing pin for the simultaneous storage of support wheels and swivel plate,

Fig. 5

a plan view of the swivel plate carrying the brush strip as the central plate of the floor nozzle;

Fig. 6

5 shows a side view of the swivel plate according to FIG. 5,

Fig. 7

2 shows a section through the upper housing part of the floor nozzle along the line VII-VII of FIG. 1 with the connecting piece omitted,

Fig. 8

a cross-section similar to the illustration of Figure 7 through the upper housing part with the bottom plate attached below with omitted center plate or swivel plate of a modified embodiment in which a front thread pickup is arranged within a front suction channel in the base plate.

Fig. 9

7 shows a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIGS. 7 and 8 with partially omitted components (area of the suction channel and plow strip) for better illustration of the rocker of the switching device and its mode of operation for adjusting the swivel plate,

Fig. 10

shows a plan view of the double cranked adjustment axis for the switching device of the swivel plate, while the

Fig. 11

schematized a diagram for better understanding indicates the resulting suction effects with a medium plow bar and rounded, front and rear cleaning edges adjoining on both sides;

Fig. 12

shows a variant of the bottom plate view with the middle plow bar not yet inserted;

Fig. 13

shows a section through the base plate of Fig. 12 along the line XIII-XIII and

Fig. 14

finally shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of a plow bridge, as it can be snapped into a receiving groove of the base plate with lateral latching hooks.

Description of the embodiments

• die Ausbildung der Grundplatte mit zwei parallelen, lediglich durch einen Pflugsteg getrennten Saugkanälen, die beide mit dem einen zum Saugstutzen führenden Saugloch verbunden sind,
• die Ausbildung des mittleren Pflugstegs als starre, schmale Reinigungskante zum Öffnen des Flors und vorzugsweise mit kammartig gezackter unterer, auf den Flor gerichteter Randkante,
• die beiden jeweils vorderen bzw. hinteren Saugkanten, die zwischen sich die beiden Saugkanäle sowie den mittleren Pflugsteg einschließen, mit nach unten auf den Flor gerichteten abgerundeten Kanten, so daß Luftströmungen unterhalb dieser runden Saugkanten jeweils von vorn und hinten aus der Umgebung über die gesamte Breite der Saugkanten möglich ist,
• die Anordnung einer verschwenkbaren Bürstenleiste vor den mindestens zwei parallelen Saugkanälen von Schmalseite zu Schmalseite gradlinig verlaufend,
• die Ausbildung der Schwenkplatte als Trägerplatte für den Bürstenkranz in Form einer Schwinge, die für ihre Schwenklagerung bis zur Achslagerung der Stützräder zurückgreift,
• die Ausbildung der Lagerzapfen für die Stützräder in Form gekröpfter Achsstummel, die zusätzlich zur Lagerung der Schwinge und der Stützräder auch die Schwenkanlenkpunkte für den Saugstutzen bilden,
• die Ausnutzung der gekröpften Achsstummel zur Verlagerung der Schwenkachse für den Saugstutzen nach vorn aus der Drehachse für die Stützräder heraus zur gewollten Ausnutzung von über den Handhabungsstiel aufgebrachten Druckkräften (Achsversatz),
• die Anordnung einer den Saugraum nach hinten, also zur Stützrollenseite hin abschließenden, umlaufenden Dichtung in Form einer erhabenen Randumrandung in der Bodenplatte,
• die Anordnung von Fadenaufnehmerflächen vor und hinter den beiden unabhängigen Saugkanälen mittig der Bodendüse mit der fakultativen Möglichkeit, die vordere Fadenaufnehmerfläche aus dem Bereich der insofern dann unterbrochenen Bürstenleiste in den Verlauf des vorderen Saugkanals zu verlegen,
• die Bildung von jeweils aufeinander zu gerichteten offenen Lagerböckchen an der nach unten gerichteten Innenseite des Oberteils des Bodendüsengehäuses und der nach oben gerichteten Innenseite der Bodenplatte, die zusammen die runden Achslagerungen für die quer durchlaufende Schwenkachse der Umschalteinrichtung bilden, ferner
• die Ausbildung des inneren Saugkanals vom Saugstutzen übergehend zum Saugloch mit schrägen, von der Bodenplatte gebildeten Begrenzungen derart, daß sonst notwendig werdende abrupte rechtwinklige Umlenkungen des Luftstroms mit entsprechender Wirbelbildung und Verlusten vermieden sind,
• die doppelwandige Ausbildung von rückwärts greifenden Gehäuseoberteilen zur Achsstummelaufnahme, wobei gabelartig am Ende sich öffnende Schwenkhebel der Schwenkplatte in diese Doppelwandungen zurückgreifen bis zu den Achsstummeln und an diesen durch Einklipsen gelagert sind und gleichzeitig für diese Sicherungsringe bilden, schließlich
• die Ausbildung der Schwenkachse für die Umschalteinrichtung auf der einen Seite mit von außen zugänglicher Betätigungswippe und mit auf der anderen Seite der Bodendüse durch deren transparentes Gehäuse erkennbarer Anzeigeeinrichtung für die jeweilige, von der Schwenkplatte eingenommene Position.

Basic ideas of the innovation presented here concern:

• the formation of the base plate with two parallel suction channels separated only by a plow web, both of which are connected to the one suction hole leading to the suction nozzle,
• the formation of the middle plow web as a rigid, narrow cleaning edge for opening the pile and preferably with a comb-like serrated lower edge directed towards the pile,
• the two respective front and rear suction edges, which enclose the two suction channels and the middle plow web between them, with rounded edges directed downward towards the pile, see above that air flows below these round suction edges are possible from the front and rear from the surroundings over the entire width of the suction edges,
• the arrangement of a pivotable brush strip in front of the at least two parallel suction channels running from narrow side to narrow side in a straight line,
• the design of the swivel plate as a support plate for the brush ring in the form of a rocker arm, which uses its swivel bearing up to the axle bearing of the support wheels,
• the formation of the bearing journals for the support wheels in the form of cranked stub axles which, in addition to the mounting of the rocker arm and the support wheels, also form the pivoting pivot points for the suction port,
• the use of the cranked stub axles to shift the swivel axis for the suction nozzle forward out of the axis of rotation for the support wheels for the intended use of pressure forces applied via the handle (axis offset),
• the arrangement of a circumferential seal in the form of a raised edge border in the bottom plate that closes the suction chamber to the rear, that is to say to the support roller side,
• the arrangement of thread take-up surfaces in front of and behind the two independent suction channels in the middle of the floor nozzle with the optional possibility of moving the front thread take-up surface from the area of the brush strip then interrupted in the course of the front suction channel,
• the formation of open bearing blocks facing each other on the downward facing inside of the upper part of the floor nozzle housing and the upward inside of the base plate, which together form the round axle bearings for the transverse pivot axis of the switching device, further
• the formation of the inner suction channel from the suction nozzle to the suction hole with oblique boundaries formed by the base plate in such a way that abrupt, right-angled deflections of the air flow, which would otherwise become necessary, are avoided with corresponding eddy formation and losses,
• the double-walled design of rearward-reaching upper housing parts for stub axle mounting, with fork-like pivot levers of the swivel plate which reach into the double walls at the end and which are mounted on the stub axles and clipped onto them and at the same time form locking rings for these, finally
• the formation of the pivot axis for the switching device on one side with an externally accessible operating rocker and on the other side of the floor nozzle through its transparent housing recognizable display device for the respective position assumed by the pivot plate.

It is pointed out again, and this remark is also intended exclusively for the European application, search and examination procedure that the inventor sees himself unable to do so, without, prior to the state of the art, significantly new features forming an "invention" Define knowledge of the state of the art. The innovation is explained below without preference to certain features; the claims merely represent a compilation of these features. A definition of certain features from the outset by the wording of the main claim is rejected - all features are mandatory, that is, optional. A work of the floor nozzle with one, some, in whatever combination, or all features of the features presented above without chronological reference and without preference is guaranteed.

The bottom nozzle 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 from above and from below, which can also be referred to as a vacuum cleaner mouthpiece, essentially comprises three main parts, namely the upper deck housing part 11 visible in FIG. 1, a middle swivel plate 12, which also and in particular a front brush strip 13 is supported and is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5-9, and a lower base plate 14, also called the mouthpiece sole or lower nozzle plate.

Reference is first made to FIG. 2, which shows the underside of the floor nozzle 10 and mainly gives details of the floor plate 14.

The following is pointed out first. The terms frequently used in the following, front and rear or rearward, refer to a direction of movement in which the floor nozzle 10 is pushed forward, that is to say by the user, via a handle, not shown, which is attached to the suction nozzle 15; rear or rear means adjacent to the intake port 15.

The floor nozzle has at least two suction channels 16a, 16b which are separate from one another and extend over the entire width and which are separated from one another and merge centrally (separately) into a common suction hole 17. Both suction channels 16a, 16b are enclosed by cleaning edges, including a central continuous web forming a cleaning edge 18 acting on both sides, which is referred to below as a plow bar and which also clearly separates the two suction channels 16a, 16b from one another, also with reference to the air flows, since, as can be seen, each of the suction channels 16a, 16b opens separately into a respective partial suction hole 17a ', 17b' which unite only further inside to form the then common suction hole 17.

To the front and to the rear, the two suction channels 16a, 16b are delimited by further cleaning edges, namely a front cleaning edge 19 and a rear cleaning edge 20, which in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 can also be interrupted in the middle by a front thread pickup cushion 21 and a rear one Thread pick-up cushions 22. These thread pick-ups 21, 22 usually consist of a known, suitable carpet-pile-like slanted bristle material or the like. Compared to the cleaning edges 19, 20 and the plow strip 18, the surfaces of the thread pick-ups are slightly set back into the interior of the brush. Otherwise there are no other raised sliding surfaces in the sole area that could prevent a plow strip digging effect.

In this embodiment, the two interrupt Thread pick-up pillows 21 and 22 the continuous shape of the front and rear cleaning edges 19 and 20, so that these are divided into two sections 19a, 19b and 20a, 20b. The suction hole 17 opens into the suction channels 16a, 16b in a funnel shape on both sides, so that the suction part holes 17a, 17b each form opening slopes 23. Even before the front cleaning edge 19 is the brush strip 13 already mentioned above, which, as is known per se, is designed to be extendable and is therefore mounted on the movable swivel plate 12, which cannot be seen in FIG. 2.

The bottom plate is embedded on the edge side in the upper deck housing part 11, which in the illustration in FIG. 2 only appears as a peripheral edge 11a, with 26 in each case denoting screw openings at any position with which the bottom plate in preferably raised, cylindrical, protruding screw base approaches of the upper deck housing part is screwed.

On the narrow sides of the floor nozzle, the suction channels 16a, 16b can also have edge openings 27 which are matched in size in order to facilitate the entry of air at these points from the outside.

The base plate preferably consists of a uniform plastic part, preferably injection molded plastic, the remaining, not yet mentioned surfaces receding from the cleaning edges, so that the cleaning edges are the only parts of the base plate that protrude downwards in the normal position of the floor nozzle and also form the sliding surfaces. For hard floors, which is common with such floor nozzles, the brush strip 13 is extended downwards. The cleaning edges 18, 19 can taper downward to form run-on slopes on one or both sides, but are preferably rounded off (see FIG. 11), as a result of which the floor nozzle is able to slide sufficiently even over heavy, florid floor tissue. In this context, the center bar of the central plow bar 18 plays an essential role for the significantly improved dirt and dust absorption capacity, because the plow bar 18 penetrates into the pile fabric in both directions of movement, loosens it, depending on the direction of movement, piles up and opens pile fibers the pile either in the front suction channel 16a or the rear suction channel 16b, with the best suction options both when advancing and retracting the floor nozzle. Reference is made to the schematic functional diagram of FIG. 11; It can be seen that the rounding 25 of the front cleaning edge 19 and the rear cleaning edge 20 ensures a low pushing force in both directions, but on the other hand, due to the somewhat tightly sealed suction chamber, air currents are able to close under the rounded suction edges near the base fabric to flow the suction channels 16a, 16b, so that there is an optimal cleaning effect in connection with the pile opening effect by the plow bar 18. While the two front and rear cleaning edges 19 and 20 slide over the pile due to their round design and air currents allow by the pile near the base fabric, the more pointed, comb-shaped middle plow bar 18 opens the pile threads recognizably to the base fabric, so that there is a particularly good depth effect. When advancing, the front cleaning edge 19 opens the pile area that it has processed or run over into the suction channel 16a, while in this case the middle plow strip 18, which is effective on both sides, opens the pile to the suction channel 16b. This is reversed when the floor nozzle 10 is withdrawn. In both directions of movement, both suction channels are fully effective, and two of the cleaning edges are involved in the opening work for the pile, so that a particularly effective and effective type of cleaning and dirt pick-up results, without one of the directions of movement of the floor nozzle being disadvantaged.

This effect can also be achieved in particular because no other supports or sliding surfaces are involved in the support of the base plate 14 except for support wheels to be explained below but which are located outside the sealing area.

From the illustration in FIG. 2 one can see the formation of bearing points on both sides for the support wheels 28a, 28b. For this purpose, the edge 11a of the deck housing part 11 in the storage area for the support wheels is folded back on itself so to speak and forms in addition to double through holes 29a, 29b on both sides of each of the support wheels between the two wall parts 11a 'and 11a''(FIG. 2) Receiving spaces 30, in which the ends of the shown Exemplary embodiment four pivot levers 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d of the pivot plate 12 protrude (see also FIGS. 5 to 8). This will be discussed further below. The support wheels are mounted by means of cranked stub axles 31, which are received and held by the bearing wall regions 11a ', 11a''of the housing on both sides, as can best be seen from the illustration on the right-hand side of FIG. 3.

4 comprises a larger longitudinal part 31a for mounting the respective support wheel 28a, 28b and a pivot pin 31b which is offset with respect to the longitudinal part and which serves to pivot the suction nozzle 15.

The side view of FIGS. 7 and 8 in conjunction with FIG. 3 shows that the two wall pieces 33 of the two inner bearing wall regions 32a, 32b of the deck housing part 11 facing one another have an elongated hole configuration 34, which makes it possible for the cranked axes 31 from the inside with intermediate support of the support wheels 31 and using the slot configuration 34 of the inner part walls 33 into the axle holes formed by the double walls and first pushed through until the outer axle stub surface 34 of each cranked axle 31 is essentially flush with the inner wall parts. You can then insert the socket 15 with its receiving blind holes in the space 35 between the axle bearings and then press the cranked axles 31 inwards from both outer sides until the axle pins 31b pivotally support the neck.

It can be seen first of all that this results in an approximately horizontal axial displacement of the pivot axis of the suction nozzle 15 to the axis of rotation of the support wheels 31, namely the pivot axis of the suction nozzle is offset forward by the extent of the offset, so that it is possible for the user is, by applying greater pressure to the handle connected to the suction port 15, to exert a pressure force on the floor nozzle during special cleaning efforts.

Another function of the cranked axles is that the axles also form pivot bearings for the pivot plate 12 carrying the brush bar 13, which is shown in Fig. 5 and which merges rearwards into pivot arms 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d, which, as one 6 can be seen from the side view of FIG. 6, opening towards the rear with a jaw opening 34 in such a way that the respective jaw openings 34 utilize the free spaces 30 formed by the double walls 11a ', 11a' '(FIG. 2) up to there transversely extending axes 31 and then clipped to these so to speak. This results on the one hand in a far recessed pivot axis bearing for the flap, which can therefore carry out a practically parallel lowering in the front area with the least effort and on the other hand at the same time clipping and locking the cranked axes 31 against transverse movement.

The swivel plate 12 can preferably also be constructed in a manner of its own accord from a suitable injection-molded plastic; in the embodiment of FIG. 5, it forms next to a plurality of forwards extending reinforcing webs 13e also surrounded by reinforcing webs sub-areas 12f, which also have a molded cross 12g for compression springs. As a result, the swivel plate 12 is pushed up, in the illustration of FIGS. 2 and 5 down into the plane of the drawing, as a result of which the brush bar 13 connected to the swivel plate 12 remains drawn into the interior of the floor nozzle for this normal position. In the normal position of the nozzle plate, compression springs 36 (FIG. 9) are supported downward on the inner surface of the base plate screwed to the cover housing part 11.

The inner suction channel guide of the floor nozzle can best be seen from the illustration in FIGS. 1, 3 in conjunction with the cross-sectional illustration in FIG. 7; The box-shaped inner suction channel 43 runs forwards from the pivotably articulated suction nozzle 15 and opens, initially only related to the deck housing part 11 and formed by it, in an opening border 44. From this border 44, an inward-directed from the base plate then takes over 14 outgoing and can be plugged together with the border 44, which can best be seen from the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8, the continuation of the air flow up to the two-part suction hole opening 17a, 17b, the suction hole opening 17 to the suction channels 16a, 16b further forward can have inclined surfaces 23 already mentioned, which open downwards in the shape of a funnel into the suction channels. Furthermore, inclined wall regions 44a 'of the bottom plate end border 44' are provided, which, as shown in FIG. 8, enable trouble-free, invertebrate as possible and therefore low-loss deflection of the air flow to the suction port according to the course of arrows A, A 'from the front suction channel 16a and the rear suction channel 16b.

The swivel plate 13 is changed over by means of a switchover device 45 (see FIG. 1) which essentially comprises the swivel axis 46 shown in FIG. 10; with a central bend 46a which bypasses the box of the inner suction channel (see FIG. 7) and on one side of the deck housing part 11 comprises a rocker 48 which is accessible through an opening 47 therein and which is also accessible for foot adjustment.

The pivot axis 46 is held at various points by an open bearing block 49a (FIG. 1) forming a semicircular recess in the deck housing part or starting from the base plate, the two respective partial bearing blocks forming a closed curve for the pivot axis 46 when the base plate is inserted.

As seen in FIG. 9, sliding surfaces 50 extending downward from the swivel axis in the normal position of the floor nozzle 10 move along a counter sliding surface 51 of the swivel plate 12 to a stop which, for the rocker 48, is pulled inwards, for example Wall part 49 of the upper deck housing part can be formed, whereby the brush strip 13 is pressed into the downwardly extended position against the pressure of the biasing spring 36.

It is understood that these inclined sliding surfaces 50 are present on both sides of the pivot axis 46; in the area of the rocker 48, these inclined surfaces 50 responsible for the movement of the swivel plate can be one-piece approaches of the rocker 48; On the opposite side, a suitable one-piece pressure surface 50 ′ is formed, which acts on a counter surface of the swivel plate 12. It is advantageous if the respective position assumed by the swivel plate 12 is displayed to the outside; Therefore, on the side opposite the actuating rocker 48, a suitable pivot surface 51 bearing markings or symbols is also provided as a display device, which can be recognized by the transparent cover housing part.

Since all the parts mentioned are preferably made of a suitable solid, optionally transparent plastic, it is advisable to provide the cleaning edges 19, 20, as can also be seen clearly in FIGS. 2 and 12, with attached metallic profiled skids, which the reproduce the respective curves well.

A further embodiment finally consists in arranging an optical dust detector in the inner suction channel, which can detect the respective dust throughput by measurement. Such an optical dust detector is known per se and usually consists of at least one light transmitter (infrared diodes) and at least one light receiver (phototransistor), the output signals of which work on an evaluation circuit, with the amount of dust accumulating in the evaluation circuit trigger repeatedly and prevent it from tipping over into a second state.

The evaluation circuit can therefore include at least one bistable or monostable element, which is repeatedly triggered by dust signals and controls a first indicator light in one position and a different indicator light in the other position, so that the user is in a position that is easily visible to him Floor nozzle can easily recognize whether there is still dust on the area he is working with the vacuum cleaner, so that the work must be continued there or whether he can work on another part of the flooring.

From the top view of FIG. 12 from below onto the base plate, in the embodiment shown there, the raised sealing lip 24, which projects downwards in the position of use and is preferably formed in one piece with the material of the base plate, can also be seen (see also FIG. 13 ), which leads to an almost tightly sealed suction chamber. In conjunction with FIG. 14, FIG. 12 also shows that the middle plow bar 18 is preferably manufactured separately with hooking legs 37a, 37b, which project laterally projecting noses, which lie opposite one another and which in correspondingly assigned openings 38 of a receiving groove 52 for the plow ledge 18 are arranged.

It can also prove to be advantageous, immediately adjacent to the rear cleaning edge Arrange 20 openings 53 in the form of narrow slots in the base plate.

FIG. 14 shows the preferred embodiment of the middle plow ledge with a grid comb-like structure, that is to say a serrated or serrated structure 18a, which improves the opening effect on the pile. The air flow ensuring the cleaning performance of the plow bar 18 flows in from both sides under the round shapes 25 of the front and rear cleaning edges 19, 20.

Finally, for special reasons, it may prove advantageous to interrupt the plow bar in the area of the suction opening 17. The border 24 is particularly suitable as an air brake for hard floors.

In conclusion, it is pointed out that the claims and in particular the main claim attempts to formulate the invention without extensive knowledge of the prior art and therefore without restrictive prejudice. It is therefore reserved to consider all the features shown in the description, the claims and the drawing both individually and in any combination with one another as essential to the invention and to lay them down in the claims and to reduce the main claim in its feature content.

Claims (23)

Floor nozzle for vacuum cleaner, with a housing, a height-adjustable brush strip (13) mounted in it by a swivel plate (12), two suction channels in the base plate (14), which run transversely to the sliding direction and are separated by an intermediate strip, and support means arranged on the housing (Support wheels, runners) in the area of a swivel mounting for suction ports, characterized in that the intermediate strip is designed as a rigid plow bar (18) which is arranged between a front and a rear cleaning edge (19, 20) and by its digging effect into pile fabric to be cleaned this opens depending on the direction of movement in the front or rear suction channel. Floor nozzle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the front and rear cleaning edges (19, 20) have a rounded configuration when they are directed downwards onto the surface to be cleaned, while avoiding any other ones formed by the nozzle base plate Support or sliding surfaces. Floor nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the front and rear cleaning edges (19, 20) and the middle plow ledge (18) are raised in relation to the remaining surfaces of the base plate and the middle plow ledge (18) adjoining the front and rear Fluidically separates suction channels, which in the middle part merge into respectively assigned partial suction holes (17a, 17b), which unite inwards to form a common suction hole (17). Floor nozzle according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the middle plow bar is narrow-lipped compared to the rounded sliding edges of the front and rear cleaning edges (19, 20) and has a toothed or comb-like shape. Floor nozzle according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the pivot axis, on which a handling nozzle engages the floor nozzle, is displaced horizontally in front of the axis of rotation of the support rollers in such a way that pressure effects exerted by an operator via the handling nozzle result in an additional contact effect of the Result in a floor nozzle on the surface to be worked. Floor nozzle according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that a (one-piece) projecting Border (24) in the form of a sealing lip is provided in the base plate. Floor nozzle according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that a brush strip (13) for hard floor processing is arranged in front of the suction channels (16a, 16b), viewed in the direction of movement forward of the floor nozzle. Floor nozzle according to claim 7, characterized in that the brush strip (13) is interrupted by a first front thread pickup cushion (21) and that behind the rear cleaning edge (20) and adjacent to the rear suction part hole (17b) there is also a further thread pickup cushion (22) is arranged in the center of the floor nozzle. Floor nozzle according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the swivel plate (12) for extending the brush strip (13) is arranged between an upper cover housing part (11) and the (screwed) bottom plate (14) connected to it. Floor nozzle according to claim 9, characterized in that the cover housing part (11) and base plate (14) are connected to one another by labyrinth seals. Floor nozzle according to one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the upper deck housing part (11) is folded backwards to itself, bearing walls formed on each side between each of the free spaces (30) to form a support means (Support wheels 28a, 28b) in the region of the pivotable articulation of the suction nozzle (15). Floor nozzle according to claim 11, characterized in that cranked bearing axles (31) for the support wheels (28a, 28b) are guided through the double bearing wall areas, that the cranked bearing axles (31) penetrate the free spaces (30) formed by the double wall areas, that in protrude into these areas from the swivel plate and to the rear are swivel levers (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) which, with jaw openings (34 '), encompass the bearing axles (31). Floor nozzle according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, relative to the bearing axles (31), cranked axle journals (31b), each projecting towards one another, form the pivot bearing for the suction nozzle (15). Floor nozzle according to one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the jaw openings (34 ') of the pivoting levers (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) emanating from the pivoting plate (12) are clipped onto the cranked bearing axles (31) and these like retaining rings lock against lateral shifting. Floor nozzle according to one of claims 1-14, characterized in that the swivel plate is supported on the inside against the floor plate by means of compression springs (36) and is actuated by a switching device which is accessible from the outside as an operating rocker (48), which extends over the width of the floor nozzle with a pivot axis (46) and with sliding surfaces (50) sliding on counter sliding surfaces (51) of the pivot plate (12) causes the adjustment thereof. Floor nozzle according to one of claims 1-15, characterized in that an inner box-shaped suction channel (43) is formed by the deck housing part, which is taken over by the base plate by a further border (44 ', 44a') extending upwards from it to form the suction hole (17) dividing into two partial suction holes (17a, 17b). Floor nozzle according to claim 16, characterized in that at least the borders (23, 44a ') formed by the base plate (14) and passing into the two partial suction holes (17a, 17b) run both bevelled inwards and backwards to form gradual curves Guide surfaces for the air currents while avoiding disturbing eddy formation. Floor nozzle according to one of claims 1-17, characterized in that the pivot axis (46) of the switching device (45) of respective half bearing blocks in the deck housing part or in the base plate is rotatably mounted and has a central offset (46a) for bypassing the inner, the cover housing part (11) formed suction channel (43). Floor nozzle according to one or more of claims 1-18, characterized in that when the brush strip (13) runs through, the front thread pick-up cushion (21 ') is displaced in the middle interrupting the front suction channel (16a), below the front thread pick-up cushion funnel-shaped obliquely towards the center and rearward sloping air duct walls (52). Floor nozzle according to one of claims 1-19, characterized in that an optical dust detector, consisting of light transmitter and light receiver, is arranged in the inner suction channel (43), which is followed by an evaluation circuit which, depending on the dust throughput measured, controls different indicator lights which are perceptible from the outside, a mains-independent power supply (battery, rechargeable battery) is arranged inside the floor nozzle. Floor nozzle according to claim 20, characterized in that the evaluation circuit acted upon by the optical dust detector has transmitting means (infrared lamp), the output signal for regulating the vacuum cleaner power is received by a control circuit controlling the vacuum cleaner motor. Floor nozzle according to claim 21, characterized in that the floor nozzle emits an infrared all-round radiation of the dust detector signals with the arrangement of more than one infrared lamp (light emitting diode) radiating outwards. Floor nozzle according to one of claims 1-22, characterized in that the plow web is interrupted in the mouth region of the suction channel (s).

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