EP1488726A1 - Suction nozzle for vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The nozzle has two lateral sides (5, 6) forming a suction point and is open towards a surface that is to be cleaned by two suction channels (19, 20) arranged in a base (11) and along the lateral sides. Each suction channel is bordered by front and rear brushes (56,57), which are situated on both sides of the respective channel by extending parallel to the channel.

Description

The present invention relates to a dust vacuum cleaner nozzle, and in particular an improvement in the efficiency of waste collection.

The vacuum cleaner nozzles are the collection organs for waste contaminating the surface to be cleaned. They are therefore the subject of numerous improvements aimed in particular at improving such collection.

Many triangular nozzles have already been proposed by the past. The patent FR 2773456 in the name of the Applicant presents in particular the advantage of having a front orifice in the tip of the nozzle, allowing the suction of the waste slightly in front of the squeegee, which, in more than the appropriate tapered shape of the crevice tool easily the nooks and crannies of the parts to be cleaned. However, such a sucker, according to this patent, does not have retractable brushes.

Such brushes are found in other documents, in particular the US Patent 2,394,798 where the edge of the squeegee sole has two brushes arranged inside the edges forming the nozzle tip triangular and partly delimiting the central suction opening. These brushes are however fixed and do not allow to have a brushing of the surface to clean with suction only when the nozzle is moved forward.

In patent application EP 0606169, the vacuum cleaner nozzle triangular shape has two suction channels arranged along the edges forming the tip of the squeegee. These channels are each bordered, in the inner part of the nozzle, with a fixed brush. Such brushes cannot therefore retract according to the nature of the soil to be treated. In addition, brushing the floor treatment is immediately followed by aspiration only when the squeegee is moved backwards.

The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by presenting a triangular nozzle with improved performance in having in particular a multiplicity of brushes, which can be retractable by a simple device allowing to keep a compact shape to the nozzle.

The present invention is achieved using a vacuum cleaner nozzle substantially triangular in shape, in particular having two lateral edges forming the tip of the nozzle, said nozzle being open towards the surface to be cleaned by at least two suction channels arranged in the sole of the nozzle and arranged along the two lateral edges forming the tip of the nozzle, characterized in that each suction channel is bordered by a front brush and a rear brush, said brushes being located on either side of the channel extending substantially parallel thereto.

By bordering each suction channel with brushes, improve the suction efficiency at the channel level since the latter are somehow closed by said brushes. In addition, the two floor brushing operations to be treated followed immediately by vacuuming will produce whatever the direction of movement of the squeegee, whether towards forward or backward.

Advantageously, the squeegee is isosceles in shape with an edge rear joining the side edges, and in that the two channels arranged the along the side edges meet in the front part of the squeegee.

Such a configuration allows greater stability of the nozzle facilitating its movement. Furthermore, the junction of the two channels in the front of the squeegee somewhat simplifies the design and manufacture of the crevice since the common area is open at the sole of the nozzle.

According to a preferred embodiment, the brushes can occupy two positions: a position where they are prominent in relation to the sole of the crevice and a position where they are slightly set back from said sole, the two positions being controlled by a mechanism actuated by a pedal located at the nozzle cover.

This realization makes it possible to obtain different contact surfaces depending on the soil to be treated and / or the actions envisaged. It is indeed interesting to be able to use brushes from time to time to solicit the surface of the soil to be treated, for example the carpet, in order to extract the waste therefrom attached to the fibers. The exit and return of the brushes are facilitated by a pedal can be actuated at the foot while being disposed on the cover of the nozzle.

• deux basculeurs portant les brosses et mobiles verticalement par rapport à la semelle contre la force de rappel de deux ressorts,
• deux chariots mobiles horizontalement et susceptibles d'interagir chacun avec l'un des basculeurs par l'intermédiaire d'une surface de came inclinée lors de ce mouvement horizontal,
• une tige de liaison liant la pédale de commande aux deux chariots.

According to a preferred embodiment, the mechanism comprises:

• two rockers carrying the brushes and movable vertically with respect to the sole against the return force of two springs,
• two carriages movable horizontally and capable of interacting each with one of the rockers via a cam surface inclined during this horizontal movement,
• a connecting rod connecting the control pedal to the two carriages.

Transformation of the horizontal movement of carriages into movement vertical tilters carrying brushes using a cam surface inclined allows, by this simple device, to give the nozzle a look compact due to the small size of the device.

According to this arrangement, the pedal is advantageously mounted in rotation on the squeegee sole, the rod being linked, on the one hand to the pedal by a portion parallel to the axis of rotation of the pedal, and on the other hand to carriages by portions substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pedal, so that such rotation of the pedal causes displacement horizontal trolleys.

Advantageously, the rockers and carriages are symmetrical by with respect to a median vertical plane at the squeegee, which makes it possible to distribute equitably the efforts on each sub-assembly formed by a carriage, a rocker, a front brush and a rear brush. This symmetry guarantees a uniform movement of the different brushes.

According to a preferred embodiment, the brushes on the back of the channels meet at the junction of the two lateral channels in forming an inverted V.

The presence of this rear brush extending sinuously from one edge to the other of the nozzle allows, when the brushes are out, good stability of the nozzle on the floor to be treated without the risk of tilting forwards or backwards the squeegee when moving. The squeegee stays flat on the ground to clean.

According to this last configuration, each rocker has the points of one of the front brushes and part of the support points of the rear brush.

Advantageously, the front edge of the squeegee has at least one front orifice intended to ensure suction in a direction substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned, said front suction orifice being connected to one suction channels.

One of the advantages of this structure is, not only to be able physically place the nozzle in the corners of the parts to be cleaned, but also to really suck at the tip and even slightly in front of this point, by the front opening thus formed. Such a ease of use mainly avoids the use of small accessories cleaning that is available in place of the squeegee to access places narrow such as the nooks and crannies.

Furthermore, it has proven to be very practical and easy to direct the point towards the objects to be picked up or the corners to be cleaned, since this point is in the axis of the tube, therefore in the axis of the thrust when the nozzle is moved. The interest is then to be able to target any object in free field and not only in the corners.

• la figure 1 présente, dans une vue schématique de dessus, un suceur conforme à la présente invention,
• la figure 2 présente une vue de dessous d'un suceur selon l'invention,
• les figures 3 et 4 représentent, en perspective, respectivement une vue de dessus et de dessous de certaines parties constitutives d'un suceur selon l'invention,
• les figures 5 et 6 représentent, dans une vue en élévation latérale, respectivement une vue du suceur brosses sorties et une vue du suceur brosses rentrées, la semelle du suceur ayant été omise,
• les figures 7 et 8 présentent dans une vue de profil, respectivement une vue du suceur brosses sorties et une vue du suceur brosses rentrées,
• la figure 9 est une vue éclatée du suceur selon l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, taken by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended figures in which:

• FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic top view, a nozzle according to the present invention,
• FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of a nozzle according to the invention,
• FIGS. 3 and 4 show, in perspective, respectively a top view and a bottom view of certain constituent parts of a nozzle according to the invention,
• FIGS. 5 and 6 represent, in a side elevation view, respectively a view of the nozzle brushes extended and a view of the nozzle brushes retracted, the sole of the nozzle having been omitted,
• FIGS. 7 and 8 show in a side view, respectively a view of the nozzle brushes extended and a view of the nozzle brushes retracted,
• Figure 9 is an exploded view of the nozzle according to the invention.

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle 1. Such a sucker has a connecting tube 2 for connection to a vacuum cleaner body, not shown, including a motor fan capable of creating a air suction flow.

The connecting tube 2 opens at the level of the sole 11 of the nozzle contact with the floor 4 to be cleaned, via connection 3. These conduits lead to the suction channels. These channels are generally configured according to the shape of the squeegee, in order to optimize suction efficiency. In the example presented where the nozzle is shaped triangular, the suction channels, as represented by the dotted lines 10, extend partly along the two edges 5, 6 forming the tip of the nozzle, as well as in said nozzle tip after joining in the part central nozzle.

Advantageously, the angular zone forming the tip of the nozzle has a front opening 7 intended to ensure suction in a direction substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned.

Furthermore, in the embodiment presented, the nozzle has retractable brushes actuated by a pivoting pedal 8. This pedal 8 is accessible at the cover 12 of the squeegee. The latter, in this exemplary embodiment, essentially presents only functions aesthetic and environmental protection.

Indeed, the suction channels are closed, on the one hand by a internal structure produced in part during the manufacture by molding of the soleplate, such as the parts of the suction channels extending along the edges and opening through the opening 7, but also through an upper part 14 which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is a viewing area produced in making the triangular piece attached to the sole transparent.

Such a feature makes it possible to visualize the waste 16 on the surface during cleaning. Depending on the shape of the squeegee and the channel (s) this viewing area can cover a larger field than that of the suction channel, in order to adjust the aim of the waste to be extracted from the ground.

Advantageously, the viewing area has a magnifying glass effect, with a convex shape. So the waste under the area of visualization are magnified, thus improving the visualization of the surface to clean.

Figure 2 shows the squeegee seen from below. So the sole 11 of nozzle has several suction channels: a channel 19 substantially parallel to the edge 6 of the nozzle, a channel 20 substantially parallel to the edge 5 of the nozzle. These channels meet in the central region 21 of the nozzle. The channels 19 and 20 have front openings, i.e. in the vertical edges of the sole, respectively 36 and 35, allowing a lateral suction substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned.

The triangular shape is completed, at the back of the nozzle, by a part full 40 comprising two locations 42 of means promoting the displacement of the squeegee, which can be either PTFE type pads or wheels, such as the wheels 43 visible in FIG. 9.

The squeegee also comprises a blade 23 extending in the region 21, from edge 5 of the squeegee to edge 6, thereby defining a front channel 18 and a rear channel 22, the front channel 18 opening at the tip of the nozzle by the front opening 7. This blade 23 has an area 24 where a thread-pulling fabric as it is known per se.

This blade 23 connects the edge 5 to the edge 6 like a bridge, providing a space between the face opposite zone 24 and the upper part 14. This blade is preferably parallel to the rear edge 9 of the nozzle.

A second zone 124 carrying a thread-pulling fabric can be provided on an edge of the channel 22, symmetrically to the zone 24 carrying the wire puller.

Channels 19 and 20 each have scraper blades 46 and 45 extending respectively from edge 6 and edge 5 towards each other edge in the suction channel. According to the example proposed, these blades are fixed and coming from the bottom crevice plate, extending substantially parallel to the rear edge 9 over a distance close to half the width of the channel. Preferably, these blades are not or are few prominent in relation to the lower crevice plate.

According to the invention, the nozzle has brushes 55, 56, 57, said brushes brushes being retractable through the sole. Brush 55 is disposed between the suction channel 20 and the edge 5, while the brush 56 is disposed between the suction channel 19 and the edge 6. The channels 19 and 20 are joining the front part of the squeegee forming an inverted V, the rear brush 57 follows this shape along the border defined by the two channels and their meet. As shown in Figure 3 and 4, the rear brush has in particular a notch 157 in the middle of the brush, that is to say in the bowl shape of said brush, in order to facilitate the aspiration of the waste which can be accommodated in this form of the brush at the time of backward movement of the squeegee.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 show, taken in isolation, the brushes and the output control mechanism of said brushes. A remarkable fact of device is, in addition to the arrangement of the pedal, its perfect symmetry with respect to a vertical median plane perpendicular to the squeegee.

The pedal 8 comprises a lateral stud 81 intended for its connection with the nozzle nozzle, via a vertical part 82, visible in FIG. 9 and having a hole in which is housed said stud. The nipple thus housed in the part 82 constitutes a pivot axis of the pedal. This last also has a hollow extension 83.

Furthermore, the pedal 8 is linked to a rigid rod 28 for transmitting movement, this rod being fixed to the pedal in the extension of the axis of rotation of the pedal, that is to say in the extension of the nipple 81, as it is clearly visible in figure 4. This rod has several bends constituting a specific form whose particularity is to remain flat by constituting in particular a horizontal part 280 which is the connecting part with the pedal, and two substantially vertical parts 282. The latter are located at each end of the rod and are each linked with a carriage 85, 86. The vertical part 282 located under the pedal 8 passes through the hollow part of the extension 83 of the pedal which thus constitutes a guide for the rod and ensures the transmission of the force to the rod.

The rod 28 is also carried by two vertical supports 128 from of the sole.

The carriages 85, 86 are two identical L-shaped pieces in having a fairly long horizontal part facing the front of the squeegee and a shorter vertical part directed downwards. These carts are subject between the squeegee soleplate and the cover so that it can only move horizontally, towards the front or towards the rear of the squeegee. Two arches 194 from the sole and through which the carriages 85, 86 are mounted, allow in particular to prohibit any vertical movement of said carriages.

Each carriage 85, 86 has, at the front end of their part horizontal, a beveled shape, respectively 185, 186. These portions bevelled constitute cam surfaces capable of interacting with parts 125, 126 beveled identically in independent parts 75, 76 in correspondence called rockers, during horizontal displacement said carts. The bevelled parts 125, 126 open, in their part upper, on a substantially horizontal flat portion, respectively 25, 26.

Thus each carriage 85, 86 is capable of interacting with the rocker 75 and the rocker 76 respectively. The rockers are substantially flat parts which are mounted in the nozzle by presenting a degree of freedom in a vertical direction, being maintained in their horizontal travel mainly by the squeegee sole, for example using sliding pins 192 coming from the sole and on which can slide the rockers through openings 175, 176 in correspondence of the pawns 192. In order to minimize the friction between the rockers and the sole, each piece or some of them can be fitted with studs or small vertical bulges to facilitate translation vertical rockers.

Advantageously, the sole will also be fitted with studs under each carriage allowing the carriages to be held in the position for exiting the brushes to prevent accidental triggering of the mechanism.

As shown in Figure 9, a spring 165, 166 is mounted between each rocker 75, 76 and the squeegee sole.

Each rocker has housings 65, 66 for the brushes 55, 56, each brush being held in the housing, essentially by elastic clamps of the clip type 95, 96. Furthermore, the downward stop of the rockers is carried out by zones for stopping the vertical movement towards the bottom of rockers, formed by the perimeter of the brush housing. The contact thus created with corresponding parts of the squeegee sole ensures a good seal.

The rear brush 57 is held for half by each rocker, at using clips 97, 98, and, as with brushes 55, 56, the stop down rockers when the brushes come out is made by the contact between the around the brush housing and the soleplate.

In operation, starting from a position where the brushes are re-entries, corresponding to FIGS. 6 and 8, the bevelled parts 125, 126 of the rockers and the bevelled parts 185, 186 of the carriages are substantially at the same level, side by side.

When the user wishes to take out the brushes, he actuates the pedal in pressing on the back of it. The pedal pivots clockwise on the Figures, which causes rotation of the rod 28 in the same direction.

The substantially vertical portions 282 also pivot, causing a forward movement of the carriages 85, 86 linked to the ends 282 of said rod. This advance of the carriages leads to the cooperation of the parties bevelled trolleys with those of rockers. Given the impossibility of vertical movement of the carriages and the impossibility of horizontal movement of the rockers, the latter under the movement towards the front of the carriages, undergo a vertical downward movement against the return force of springs 165, 166, the play of the slopes causing the rockers 75, 76 under the carriages 85, 86, the latter being supported respective on the flat parts 25, 26.

This vertical downward movement of the rockers allows the brushes of the plane defined by the lower part of the sole.

When the user wishes to retract the brushes, by rotating in the counterclockwise the pedal, the ends 282 of the rod are brought back towards the rear, causing the same movement of the carriages 85, 86. As soon as the bevelled parts of the carriages and rockers are in correspondence, the spring return force, by its action on the rockers, allows to accelerate the rise of the rockers and the return to the rear of the carriages.

The invention is not limited to the precise embodiment illustrated, but includes technical equivalents. In particular, the rear brush 57 can be reduced to two separate straight portions, each simply held by their respective rocker. We can also consider fitting out two pedals each on either side of the connecting tube 2, each pedal acting on its carriage, or even directly on its respective rocker.

Claims (9)

Vacuum nozzle (1) of substantially triangular shape, in particular having two lateral edges (5, 6) forming the tip of the nozzle, said nozzle being open towards the surface (4) to be cleaned by at least two suction channels (19 , 20) formed in the sole (11) of the squeegee (1) and arranged along the two lateral edges (6, 5) forming the tip of the squeegee, characterized in that each suction channel (19, 20) is bordered by front brushes (56, 55) and rear brushes (57), said brushes being located on either side of the channel extending substantially parallel to the latter. Vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is isosceles in shape by presenting a rear edge (9) joining the lateral edges (5, 6), and in that the two channels (20, 19) arranged along the lateral edges (5, 6) meet in the front part (21) of the squeegee (1). Vacuum nozzle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brushes (55, 56, 57) can occupy two positions: a position where they are prominent relative to the sole (11) of the nozzle ( 1) and a position where they are slightly set back from said sole (11), the two positions being controlled by a mechanism actuated by a pedal (8) located at the level of the cover (12) of the squeegee (1). Vacuum nozzle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the mechanism comprises: two rockers (75, 76) carrying the brushes (55, 56, 57) and movable vertically relative to the sole (11) against the restoring force of two springs (165, 166), two carriages (85, 86) movable horizontally and capable of interacting each with one of the rockers (75, 76) via an inclined cam surface (125, 126, 185, 186), during this horizontal movement, a connecting rod (28) connecting the control pedal (8) to the two carriages (85, 86). Squeegee (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pedal (8) is rotatably mounted on the sole (11) of the squeegee (1) and in that the rod (28) is linked, on the one hand to the pedal (8) by a portion parallel (280) to the axis of rotation of the pedal, and on the other hand to the carriages (85, 86) by portions (282) substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pedal (8), so that such rotation of the pedal (8) causes a horizontal movement of the carriages (85, 86). Squeegee (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rockers (75, 76) and carriages (85, 86) are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane median to the squeegee (1). Vacuum nozzle (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the brushes (57) at the rear of the channels (19, 20) meet at the junction (21) of the two channels lateral by forming an inverted V. Squeegee (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each rocker (75, 76) comprises the support points (95, 96) of one of the front brushes and a part (97, 98) of the back brush support (57). Squeegee (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front edge of the squeegee has at least one front orifice (7) intended to ensure suction in a direction substantially parallel to the surface (4) to be cleaned, said front suction port (7) being connected to one of the suction channels (19, 20, 21).

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