EP1711096B1 - Floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The rotating brush (6) is positioned in a suction area limited by the housing shape (9) and the sliding shoe (10) when the head (1) is moving forward but when reversed the movement causes the shoe to lift to increase the suction volume (3) to be limited by a fixed lip (11).

Description

The invention relates to a floor nozzle according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Floor nozzles of the type in question are known. The example. In the form of skids front and back of the suction chamber arranged limiting means occur in particular in the processing of carpets in effect, the floor nozzle is supported on the skids on the Flor and they offer an approximately sealing completion of the suction chamber. In this case, it proves disadvantageous that a high negative pressure builds up in particular on dense and / or high-pile carpets in the suction chamber, which leads to an increase in the sliding forces due to increased friction. These increased pushing forces complicate the use of the vacuum cleaner.

From the DE-A 4412 988 is known a floor nozzle, which has a spring-biased in the closed position, in cross-section approximately Y-shaped flap. With the help of this flap, it is possible to drive over rough dirt better. The flap inevitably reacts to such coarse dirt by being moved by the forces exerted by it into a folding position, but once the coarse dirt is within the nozzle, the flap is returned to its original position due to the spring force.

Based on the cited prior art, the invention has the object to provide a floor nozzle of the type in question, which is improved in particular with regard to the handling in the suction processing of carpets.

This object is achieved in the subject matter of claim 1. It should be noted that in any case the front in the usual feed direction limiting means is fixed over a portion of the width of the suction chamber and movable over a portion of the width like a slide. According to this embodiment, a floor nozzle is provided, which by slide-like configuration of a movable portion of the front limiting means with respect to the in the suction chamber
prevailing negative pressure is adjustable. Preferably, this front first limiting means is a skid. The slider-like movable part of this skate can release a Grobgutöffnung in the frontal region of the floor nozzle through which on the one hand secondary air for vacuum regulation and thus to the sliding force regulation can flow. On the other hand, coarse material can reach the region of the vacuum-laden suction chamber through the released opening in the region of the slider-like-movable part of the front limiting means. The incoming secondary air also tears on the carpet in the area of the released secondary air opening lying dirt, which offers a further benefit According to the invention is not only a secondary air opening for negative pressure regulation in the suction openable by the formation of a slider-like movable part of the front limiting means, but also, that the limiting means is preferably the front skid, given the possibility of improved coarse material intake, since these non-movable skids these obstruct the coarse material access to the suction chamber. It is further preferred that the movable part of the limiting means are arranged centrally between two fixed parts of the limiting means. Thus, it is further provided that the width of the movable, slide-like limiting means corresponds to 0.25 to 0.5, preferably one third of the bottom nozzle width. The movable part of the limiting means is the center of the end face facing the floor nozzle, which further proves to be advantageous in that users usually tend to approach coarser dirt center. Due to the limited width of the movable part of the restricting means, preferably of the order of about one third of the total bottom nozzle width, suction and buckling of loose and / or dense carpet sections into the opening is prevented. In an advantageous development of the subject invention it is provided that in any case upstream of the movable part of the limiting means in the feed direction, a second Is assigned limiting means. This upstream second limiting means is further preferably formed like a lip and consists, for example, of an elastically resilient material, such as in the form of a sealing lip. This second limiting means also extends transversely to the usual feed direction of the floor nozzle. Furthermore, the second limiting means, such as a sealing lip, may be provided only in the region associated with the movable part of the first limiting means. However, preference is given to an embodiment in which the second limiting means extends over the entire width of the floor nozzle and thus upstream of both the movable part and the fixed part of the first limiting means. In this regard, it is further proposed that the second limiting means undergoes a support in the lowered state of the movable part of the first limiting means. This support is more preferably also in the allocation area to the fixed parts of the first limiting means. The second limiting means, such as, for example, a sealing lip, in terms of its cross-section and elasticity at least in the region of the movable part of the first limiting means designed so that this only allows a low air flow when supported by the first limiting means on so-called standard carpets. As a result, an almost complete sealing of the suction chamber is achieved. Increases the sliding force due to an increased negative pressure in the suction chamber to a user-handling-heavy value, so the rear support of the associated second limiting means or the associated portion of the second limiting means is repealed by slider-like displacement of the movable part of the first limiting means, as a result, increased air in the suction chamber is sucked in via the released useful air opening or secondary air opening, the second limiting means or the sealing lip bending away in the direction of flow. This also has the advantage that coarse material now get under the sealing lip ago can and is no longer hindered in this area by the first limiting means or the runner. In addition, the second limiting means is still more or less permanently engaged with the carpet pile. Thus, a consistent product image is generated on the entire nozzle width on writing carpets. In the case of excessive negative pressure air flows under the sealing lip or the second limiting means forth on the carpet, which air flow is also used for loosening and transport of dirt. Advantageously, the movable part of the first limiting means for supporting the second limiting means is formed with a support back. The latter has in the direction of the ground, ie the soil to be maintained, a smaller extent than the first limiting means, for example the skid. Consequently, the support back is selected so that it does not enter a contact position to be cared for floor. Between the first and the second limiting means, a gap is further preferably formed. In order to further improve the flexible deflection of the second limiting means in the absence of the rear support by the first limiting means is provided in a development of the subject invention that the second limiting means is slotted in any case in the region of the movable part of the first limiting means to form flap-like portions. Alternatively, this, the movable part of the first limiting means associated portions of the second limiting means may be formed in the form of a bristle strip. It can also be provided in an alternative embodiment, that over the width of the floor nozzle, two movable parts of the first limiting means are formed, which are each arranged between two fixed parts of the first limiting means. This results in two spaced apart in the width direction of the Bo dendüse each other movable portions of the first limiting means, which may well have a common carrier or the like. Partial sections, so that these simultaneously and
are evenly sliding relocatable. Thus, a central, fixed portion of the first limiting means may be provided, which is preferably designed wedge-shaped in plan, with a pointing in the feed direction wedge tip. As a result, the central fixed portion of the first restricting means is formed like a snow pusher. Arrives in the course of the forward displacement of the floor nozzle, this after relocation of the moving parts of the first limiting means in a Grobgutöffnungen releasing position, coarse material against this to be designated as a supporting chute fixed portion of the first limiting means, this coarse material is left or right over into the suction, supported derived by forward stroke and the air flow. With the help of this fixed, central portion of the first limiting means also the free span of the carpet is approximately halved in the total area of the released by the moving parts of the first limiting means Nebenluft- or Grobgutöffnungen. The carpet or carpet section is held down by the central fixed section, so that it can not be sucked into the suction chamber. As a result, the apertures released by the moving parts of the first restrictor remain open even on denser carpets. The user can move the movable part of the first limiting means via a control slide, wherein preferably the latter is arranged on the upper outer surface of the floor nozzle. Thus, the user can respond to an increase in the pushing force, for example, by foot-operated slide displacement, by means of which the movable part of the first limiting means is raised or lowered more or less. This makes it possible for the user to minimize the negative pressure in the suction chamber and, where appropriate, continue to work in a maximum power level of the vacuum cleaner without negatively influencing the cleaning performance, such as, for example, the fiber absorption. Finally it is suggested that the movable Part of the first limiting means is guided on a circular arc portion, wherein more preferably the circular arc center is located on the axis of rotation of the arranged in the suction chamber, electric motor driven brush.

Fig 1.

in perspektivischer Einzeldarstellung eine erfindungsgemäße Bodendüse;

Fig. 2

den schematischen Schnitt gemäß der Linie II-II in Fig. 1, eine ab- gesenkte Stellung eines schieberartig beweglichen Teils eines er- sten Begrenzungsmittels betreffend;

Fig. 3

eine der Fig. 2 entsprechende Darstellung, jedoch die Stellung des beweglichen Begrenzungsmittels nach einer Schiebeverlagerung desselben;

Fig. 4

eine Ausschnittsdarstellung in einer Unteransicht der Bodendüse, eine zweite Ausführungsform betreffend;

Fig. 5

die Stirnansicht gegen die Bodendüse gemäß der zweiten Ausfüh- rungsform;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Detaildarstellung der zweiten Ausführungs- form, die abgesenkte Stellung des beweglichen Teils betreffend;

Fig. 7

eine der Fig. 6 entsprechende perspektivische Detaildarstellung, jedoch die angehobene Stellung des beweglichen Begrenzungs- mittels zeigend.

The invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate only two embodiments, explained in more detail. It shows:

Fig. 1

in perspective detail view of a floor nozzle according to the invention;

Fig. 2

the schematic section along the line II-II in Fig. 1 , a lowered position of a slider-like movable part of a first limiting means concerning;

Fig. 3

one of the Fig. 2 corresponding representation, but the position of the movable limiting means after a shift shift of the same;

Fig. 4

a sectional view in a bottom view of the floor nozzle, relating to a second embodiment;

Fig. 5

the front view against the floor nozzle according to the second embodiment;

Fig. 6

a detailed perspective view of the second embodiment, concerning the lowered position of the movable part;

Fig. 7

one of the Fig. 6 corresponding perspective detail view, however, showing the raised position of the movable Begrenzungs- means.

Illustrated and described first with reference to the Fig. 1 to 3 a first embodiment of a floor nozzle 1 according to the invention for a vacuum cleaner, not shown. The floor nozzle 1 is designed as a front attachment, which is connectable both electrically and fluidly with the vacuum cleaner via a connecting piece 2.

The connecting piece 2 is in fluid communication with a - in the feed direction r considered - frontal suction chamber 3, which extends transversely to the feed direction r in the floor nozzle 1 and down, d. H. turned to the floor to be cared 4 forms a slot-like suction mouth 5.

In the suction chamber 3, an electric motor driven, rotatable brush 6 is further arranged, which also extends transversely to the feed direction r almost over the entire Saugraumbreite. The bristles of the brush 6 project on the underside over the device base 7 through the suction mouth 5 for brushing the bottom 4.

The suction chamber 3 and the suction mouth 5 is viewed in the feed direction r and backward delimited by also transverse to the feed direction r extending first limiting means 8. These are in the form of skids 9, which contact the bottom 4 to be processed with their, the suction mouth 5 bounding, rounded edges.

The skids 9 are formed in a circular section in cross section and arranged concentrically to the brush axis x, further limiting the down over the device bottom 7 projecting skids 9 to the device interior while maintaining the circular section shape the suction chamber. The relevant Saugraumwandungsabschnitte are provided with the reference numeral 10.

Furthermore, a second limiting means 11 in the form of a sealing lip 12 is arranged at a distance from the forward runner 9 in the feed direction r, the latter consisting of an elastically resilient material such as a rubber material. Such a sealing lip 12 or such a second limiting means 11 is also provided in the feed direction r behind the rear runner 9. Both sealing lips 12 are fixed to the device housing 13 or in the region of the device base 7 and extend equal to the first limiting means 8 over the entire width of the floor nozzle 1. Furthermore, the second limiting means 11 extend in cross-section perpendicular to the floor to be maintained 4 pointing , wherein a, for example, in cross-section pointed free edge of each sealing lip 12 is slightly seated on the floor 4 to be cleaned or runs at a small distance to this. Due to the arrangement of the two second limiting means 11, the suction space 3 formed between them is almost delimited to build up a vacuum required for suction processing.

A viewed over the width of the floor nozzle 1 central portion of the front in the feed direction r first limiting means 8 is designed as a slider-like movable part 14, which is guided on a concentric with the brush axis x extending arc section. The measured in the width direction of the floor nozzle 1 length of this movable part 14 corresponds to about one third of the bottom nozzle width.

The movable part 14 is positioned centrally between two fixed parts 15 of the first limiting means 8.

On the side facing away from the suction chamber, the movable part 14 of the first limiting means 8 further comprises an integrally formed support back 16. This serves in the lowered position of the movable part 14 of the first limiting means 8 as shown in FIG Fig. 2 the rearward support of the associated front second limiting means 11 or sealing lip 12, to which the latter in the associated portion has a bead 17 contacting the supporting back 16.

The second limiting means 11 or the sealing lip 12 is slotted over the width of the movable part 14 of the first limiting means 8 to form flap-like subregions.

The movable part 14 of the first limiting means 8 is connected via a lever linkage 18 to a control slide 19 arranged on the upper outer surface 18 of the floor nozzle 1. About the latter is manually by the user, the movable part 14 of the first limiting means 8 from a vertical lowermost position as shown in FIG Fig. 2 displaced into an upper position.

The movable part 14 of the first limiting means (8) is designed as a Nutzluftschieber and formed at the same time in this area the skid 9. In addition, a part, namely the support back 16 of this slider supports the front sealing lip 12 inwards. The latter is selected from the cross-section and material at least in the region of the movable part 14 so that with the help of the support back 16 on so-called standard carpets not too much air passes inwardly into the suction chamber 3. Will now, as in Fig. 3 represented the slider or the movable part 14 of the first limiting means 8 moves upward on a circular path, so the associated sealing lip 12 lacks the supporting effect inwards. As a result, if the vacuum is too high, air can flow into the suction chamber 3, with the sealing lip 12 buckling inwards. This results in a reduction of the sliding forces. In addition, this has the advantage that coarse material can now get under the sealing lip 12 forth and is no longer hindered in this area by a skid, as it is shifted upwards. In addition, the sealing lip 12 is still more or less permanently engaged with the carpet pile. Thus, a consistent product image is generated on the entire nozzle width on so-called writing carpets. In the case of excessive negative pressure, air flows under the sealing lip 12 over the carpet, which is also used for loosening and transporting dirt into the suction chamber.

About the lock slider 19, the sliding force by negative pressure influence is regulated by the movable part 14 of the first limiting means 8 is more or less raised or deflected.

In the Fig. 5 to 7 a second embodiment of the floor nozzle according to the invention 1 is shown, which differs from the previously described embodiment in that over the width of the floor nozzle 1, two movable parts 14 of the first limiting means 8 are formed, each disposed between two fixed parts 15 of the first limiting means 8 are. Here, a central, fixed portion 20 of the first limiting means 8 is provided, which is wedge-shaped in plan, with a pointing in the feed direction r wedge point 21. This central fixed part 20 of the first limiting means 8 is connected via a bridge 22 with the two outer fixed parts 15 connected.

As a result of this arrangement, two portions, which can be used as useful air openings, emerge on the face side of the floor nozzle 1 in the region of the front first limiting means 8. The latter releasing moving parts 14 of the first limiting means 8 are connected to each other above the Gleitknfenausgestaltung and jointly via the lever linkage 25 and the lock slider 19 displaced according to the first embodiment.

The shape of the middle fixed part 20 of the first limiting means 8 is similar to a snow plow. Does coarse material with Grobgutschieber open, d. H. raised movable limiting means 14 against the wedge tip 21 of the central part 20, the coarse material is discharged to the left and right of the fixed part 20 in the suction chamber 3 supported by forward stroke and air flow. Due to the arrangement of the central fixed part 20, the free span of the carpet to be processed in the Nutzluftöffnungs area, d. H. in the area to be released by lifting the movable parts 14 is approximately halved, so that sucking in particular of denser carpet sections into the suction mouth 5 is counteracted. The central fixed part 20 thus acts as a hold-down.

Claims (15)

1. Floor nozzle (1) for a vacuum cleaner, comprising a suction chamber (3) which is delimited at the front and rear in the feed direction (r) by first delimiting means (8), for example by runners (9), a rotatable brush (6) optionally being arranged inside the suction chamber (3), and the suction chamber (3) having a width corresponding to the extension of said chamber transverse to the conventional feed direction (r), characterised in that in each case the first delimiting means (8), which is at the front in the conventional feed direction (r), is fixed over part of the width of the suction chamber (3), which extends transverse to the feed direction (r), and is movable in the manner of a slide over part of the width.
2. Floor nozzle according to claim 1, characterised in that the movable part (14) of the delimiting means (8) is arranged centrally between two fixed parts (15) of the delimiting means (8).
3. Floor nozzle according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that in each case a second delimiting means (11), positioned in front in the feed direction (r), is associated with the movable part (14) of the delimiting means (8).
4. Floor nozzle according to claim 3, characterised in that the second delimiting means (11) is formed in the manner of a lip.
5. Floor nozzle according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that the second delimiting means (11) consists of a resilient material.
6. Floor nozzle according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that when the movable part (14) of the first delimiting means (8) is in the lowered position, the second delimiting means (11) comes to be supported thereon.
7. Floor nozzle according to anyone of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the movable part (14) of the first delimiting means (8) is formed with a support surface to support the second delimiting means (11).
8. Floor nozzle according to claim 7, characterised in that the support surface (16) has a smaller extension than the first delimiting means (8) in the direction towards the ground.
9. Floor nozzle according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterised in that an intermediate space is formed between the first (8) and the second delimiting means (11).
10. Floor nozzle according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterised in that in each case the second delimiting means (11) is supported in the region of the movable part (14) of the first delimiting means (8) to form tab-like sub-regions.
11. Floor nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that two movable parts (14) of the first delimiting means (8) are formed over the width of the floor nozzle (1) and are each arranged between two fixed parts (15) of the first delimiting means (8).
12. Floor nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the movable part (14) of the first delimiting means (8) can be moved via an adjustment slide (19).
13. Floor nozzle according to claim 12, characterised in that the adjustment slide (19) is arranged on the upper outer surface (18) of the floor nozzle (1).
14. Floor nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the movable part (14) of the first delimiting means (8) is guided on a circular arc segment.
15. Floor nozzle according to either claim 1 or claim 14, characterised in that the front, first delimiting means is movable in the manner of a slide over 0.25 to 0.5 of the width of the suction chamber.

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