EP1713370B1 - Floor nozzle for vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a floor nozzle (1) for vacuum cleaner, comprising a suction chamber delimited at the front and at the rear, in the advancing direction (r) by delimiting elements (5, 5') for example, runners, a rotary brush (6) being optionally mounted inside the suction chamber (2). The invention aims at improving a vacuum cleaner nozzle of this type, particularly in terms of maneuverability for carpet vacuum cleaning. Therefor, the delimiting elements (5') are designed to be vertically mobile, over a partial zone and said delimiting elements (5') can be automatically lifted, depending on the substrate present in the suction chamber (2) and/or depending on a forward (r) or backward (r') movement of the floor nozzle (1).

Description

The invention relates to a floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner 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 pile and provide 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.

The prior art is also based on the Patents Abstract of Japan, Publication Number 2001218710 , Application Number 2000034737 to refer.

From this it is known in a floor nozzle of a vacuum cleaner to provide in the front region curtain means which are vertically movable in response to a negative pressure in the suction chamber.

Many operating cases of such a vacuum cleaner can only be made favorable by the reaction to the negative pressure.

With regard to the prior art described above, the object of the invention is a floor nozzle of the type in question, especially with regard to the handling in the suction treatment of carpets to improve.

This problem is solved in the subject matter of claim 1.

It is possible to limit the negative pressure in the suction chamber to a maximum value. This value is chosen so high that the dust, ie the cleaning effect, is still ensured, on the other hand, the negative pressure is chosen so low that the pushing forces are in the tolerable for the user area. The air additionally flowing in through the selected regulation of the limiting means slides close over the carpet, so that dirt lying on the carpet at this point can be better absorbed. The liftable or lowerable provided limiting means are in the manner of a slide approximately vertically displaceable formed, wherein further the width of such Nutzluftschiebers or Grobschmutz- or purge air slider is selected to be smaller than the total width of the floor nozzle, so that on both sides of the movable limiting means of the carpet to be processed is further held down by adjacent, non-movable limiting means such as a bottom plate or skids. It is conceivable in this regard, a width of 50 to 200 mm of the movable portion of the limiting means or the slider. About the latter, the amount of air flowing into the suction chamber can be regulated, so from completely closed, the lower edge of the slider or the limiting means shoot down with the floor to be cleaned, to a desired maximum opening, which by the desired cleaning performance or through the geometric conditions is limited. Preferably, the lower edge of the slider or the vertically movable limiting means is formed as a sealing lip or as a kind of skid. The opening which adjusts when the limiting means are raised can also be designed as a coarse material holder. For optimization with regard to the removal of slits from cracks, this large opening is closed by the limiting means, the latter also being able to consist of bristle strip segments or sealing lips. It is preferred in this regard further that the limiting means are biased in the lowering direction. It is also proposed that a rocker-like probe is arranged in the suction nozzle, which by a in the suction chamber drawn underground section, in particular sucked carpet section, is deflected and that the deflection of the button controls an increase in the limiting means. In particular, when vacuuming dense carpets, the negative pressure in the suction chamber may increase so much that the carpet or the suction chamber is approximately sucked downwards de carpet section strongly sucked so that the carpet pile penetrates deep into the suction chamber. Here, the rocker button is acted upon and deflected, about which a lifting of the limiting means for regulating the negative pressure in the suction chamber is brought about. The negative pressure in the suction chamber is regulated in favor of a lower pushing force. In this regard, it is further preferred that a deflection response threshold of the probe is adjustable. According to this embodiment, a negative pressure threshold value can be set, from which only the lifting means for regulating the negative pressure is raised. Advantageously, the probe can be given by a arranged in the suction chamber, rocker-like movable brush. The latter is in this case about a outside of the suction chamber, aligned parallel to the brush rotation axis tilt axis rocker-like displaced, which tilting axis can also be the axis of rotation of the brush, for example. Via a toothed belt driving electric motor. If a carpet section is drawn into the suction chamber in the course of suction processing, the brush is raised over this. The brush serving as a button at the same time causes, after exceeding a threshold, the raising of the limiting means for regulating the negative pressure in the suction chamber. Also, the negative pressure acting in the suction chamber can be converted even into a lifting force for the limiting means. Thus, the negative pressure acting in the suction chamber can be measured continuously. The exceeding of a predetermined threshold leads to an opening of the limiting means. Basically, regardless of the embodiment, the vertical displacement of the limiting means is proportional to the measured negative pressure or proportional to the deflection path of the button. It can also be provided that the negative pressure acts on a vacuum piston, which is firmly connected to an action part of a force acting on the limiting means bnwirkungsmittels. As a result, a mechanical solution is realized which derives the vertical position of the movable limiting means from the vacuum prevailing in the suction chamber. Alternatively or in combination with the solutions described above, it can also be provided that a rocker-like feeler is provided in the suction nozzle, which is transferred alternately to the forward movement and return movement of the suction nozzle. Usually, a coarse material intake takes place in the forward stroke of the suction movement, while for the extraction of cracks, which requires a relatively high negative pressure, both pre-return and return stroke are used. According to the invention, the opening in the forward stroke for a coarse material intake is automatically released via the provided in the suction nozzle rocker-like, ie the vertically movable limiting means raised, while in the return stroke automatically formed by the vertically movable limiting means curtain is closed. The relevant button is a lever-like design, wherein the background, ie, the base to be sucked remote lever portion of the button controls the movement of the limiting means. Alternatively, the distinction between forward movement and return movement can also be done by detecting the direction of rotation of any rollers or other co-rotating components. The mentioned, acting on the limiting means acting means may be a lever linkage or a Bowden cable, wherein the latter is further proposed that the connection of the Bowden cable due to the lever portion of the probe in one position more to a fixed bearing of the limiting means than in the other position. With respect to the cooperating with the ground, in alternation with the forward movement and return movement of the suction nozzle umlegbaren lever-type probe is further proposed that its axis of rotation to compensate for overflow deflection Finally, it is proposed that the movable limiting means are additionally liftable by a slider acting on the operative means. Consequently, it is possible for the user to permanently open the useful air opening to be released by lifting the vertically movable limiting means completely or in an intermediate position so as to be able to pick up coarse material better, for example. If, despite control by the user, the negative pressure in the suction chamber become too high, the above-described means (deflectable probe in the suction chamber or underpressure-dependent control) will continue to open the useful air opening.

Fig.1

eine erfindungsgemäße Bodendüse für einen Staubsauger in einer perspektivischen Darstellung;

Fig. 2

den schematischen Schnitt gemäß der Linie II-II in Fig. 1, eine erste Ausführungsform der Erfindung betreffend;

Fig. 3

eine der Fig. 2 entsprechende Darstellung, jedoch bei eingezogenem Teppichabschnitt und hieraus resultierendem Anheben von vertikal beweglichen Begrenzungsmitteln;

Fig. 4

eine weitere der Fig. 2 entsprechende Darstellung, jedoch eine zweite Ausführungsform betreffend;

Fig. 5

eine weitere Schnittdarstellung gemäß Fig. 2, eine dritte Ausführungsform betreffend bei angehobenen Begrenzungsmitteln im Zuge einer Vorlaufbewegung der Saugdüse;

Fig. 6

die Herausvergrößerung des Bereiches VI in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7

die Herausvergrößerung des Bereiches VII in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8

eine der Fig. 5 entsprechende Darstellung, jedoch bei abgesenkten Begrenzungsmitteln im Zuge einer Rücklaufbewegung der Saugdüse.

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

Fig.1

a floor nozzle according to the invention for a vacuum cleaner in a perspective view;

Fig. 2

the schematic section along the line II-II in Fig. 1 relating to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3

one of the Fig. 2 corresponding representation, but with retracted carpet section and the resulting lifting of vertically movable limiting means;

Fig. 4

another one Fig. 2 corresponding representation, however, concerning a second embodiment;

Fig. 5

a further sectional view according to Fig. 2 a third embodiment concerning raised limiting means in the course of a forward movement of the suction nozzle;

Fig. 6

the enlargement of the area VI in Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 7

the enlargement of the area VII in Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 8

one of the Fig. 5 corresponding representation, but with lowered limiting means in the course of a return movement of the suction nozzle.

Shown and described first with reference to the representation in Fig. 1 a floor nozzle 1 for a vacuum cleaner, not shown. This floor nozzle 1 is designed in the form of an attachment which can be assigned both electrically and fluidically to the vacuum cleaner.

The floor nozzle 1 has in the usual way a transversely to the usual direction of movement r extending suction chamber 2, which is assigned to the frontal region of the floor nozzle 1 almost over the entire width of the same. The suction chamber 2 opens towards the floor 3 to be cleaned in a suction mouth 4.

The suction chamber 2 and the suction mouth 4 in the usual direction of movement r upstream and downstream associated with each one parallel to the suction chamber 2 extending limiting means 5, so for example. In the form of a bristle strip or a sealing lip. These limiting means 5 limit the suction chamber 2 in the same longitudinal extent. On both sides of the front side of the suction chamber 2 is bounded by housing-side wall sections.

Furthermore, a rotationally drivable brush 6 is arranged in the suction space 2 for brushing the floor 3 to be cleaned, the brush axis being oriented transversely to the usual travel direction r. Further, the brush 6 is arranged so that its bristles 7 are in contact with the floor over the device floor 8 project down.

A portion 5 'of the end face of the floor nozzle 1 associated limiting means 5 are designed to be vertically movable, wherein in the associated end wall 9 of the floor nozzle 1 is provided to the widthwise extension of the movable portion 5' of the limiting means 5 broadly adapted window 10. The transverse to the usual direction of travel r measured width of the movable limiting means 5 'and consequently the corresponding width of the window 10 corresponds in the illustrated example about two-thirds of the total floor nozzle width, so that on both sides of the movable limiting means 5' fixed, d. H. not vertically movable limiting means 5 are arranged.

In the in the Fig. 2 to 4 shown first and second embodiments, the movable limiting means 5 'has a transverse to the direction of displacement of the same aligned boom 11, to which another end attached to the housing of the floor nozzle 1 tension spring 12 engages. The latter loads the movable limiting means 5 'in the lowering direction, ie in the contact position to the ground to be processed. 3

In the region of the free end of the arm 11 is in the first embodiment according to the Fig. 2 and 3 a set in the direction of movement of the limiting means 5 'aligned adjusting screw 13, via which a deflection threshold is adjustable and the brush wear is taken into account.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment according to the Fig. 2 and 3 arranged in the suction chamber 2 brush 6 rocker-like displaced. For this purpose, a rocker arm 14 engages on the brush 6 in the region of its axis, which is pivotable outside the suction space 2 about a tilting axis x extending parallel to the brush axis. This pivot axis x can coincide with the motor axis of rotation of the brush 6, for example, via a belt drive driving electric motor 15. Also conceivable is an embodiment in which, as shown, the electric motor 15 can be tilted together with the rocker arm 14 about the axis x.

The arrangement is further selected so that the brush 6 with its bristles 7 weighted self-loading always in contact with the soil to be processed 3 see. About the rocker assembly, the brush 6, for example. React to uneven floors.

In addition, a button 16 is formed approximately in extension of the rocker arm 14, which is arranged rotationally fixed to the rocker arm 14

The movable limiting means 5 'are automatically liftable depending on the pressure prevailing in the suction chamber vacuum. When sucking on dense carpets 3, the negative pressure in the suction chamber 2 increases due to the seal on the limiting means 5 such that the suction located here in the carpet section 17 is strongly sucked, which in turn raising the rocker-like brush 6 and, consequently, the According to rocker arm 14 has. After exceeding an adjustable threshold via the set screw 13, the rocker button 16 acts on the screw 13, which via this and the boom 11 to a vertical displacement of the movable limiting means 5 'leads (see. Fig. 3 ). This shift By raising the movable limiting means 5 ', the housing-side window 10 is opened in a gap, wherein the gap height is dependent on the pressure prevailing in the suction chamber 2 vacuum and concomitant suction height of the carpet section 17. By opening the window 10 can side air inflow, which has a decrease in the negative pressure in the suction chamber 2 in favor of a lower sliding force According to the incoming air takes away dust from the carpet 3 or lying on the carpet 3 dirt. As a result, the secondary air is not sucked in unused, but is used to clean the carpet.

In addition to this automatic vacuum control, the user can also permanently open the useful air opening to be released via the movable limiting means 5 'to a desired extent. For this purpose, a slider 18 is provided on the device upper side, which acts on an action means 19 for vertical displacement of the movable limiting means 5 '. This action means 19 is both in the in the Fig. 2 and 3 shown first embodiment and in the in Fig. 4 shown second embodiment, a lever linkage 20 which is acted upon at one end by the slider 18 and the other end at the upper free end of the movable limiting means 5 'engages. By displacement of the slider 18, the movable limiting means 5 'is displaced against the force of the tension spring 12 and independently of the vacuum prevailing in the suction chamber 2 or independently of a vertical displacement of the brush 6 in a desired position via the lever linkage 20. As a result, there is the possibility to leave the Nutzluftöffnung permanently open to the desired extent, so as to take, for example, better coarse material.

Alternatively or in combination with the first embodiment, as shown in FIG Fig. 4 Also, the negative pressure acting in the suction chamber 2 are converted directly into a lifting force for the limiting means 5 '. For this purpose, the suction chamber-side negative pressure acts on a vacuum piston 21, which is connected to the loading side opposite fixed to a force acting on the aforementioned action means 19 and the lever linkage 20 acting part 22. This action part 22 may be a lever which is articulated and acts on the lever arm of the lever linkage 20 interacting with the slider 18 at the same time.

In this embodiment, the size of the Nutzluftöffnung to be released is not controlled by a brush rocker, so on the measure of Teppicheinsaugens, but rather directly on the negative pressure in the suction chamber 2. About the vacuum piston 21, depending on the level of negative pressure, the lever linkage 20 such schwenkverlagert that over here the movable limiting means 5 'is raised against the force of the tension spring 12. Also in this system, it is possible to keep the useful air opening permanently in an open position via the slide 18.

The Fig. 5 to 8 show a third embodiment, in which case the movable limiting means 5 'in response to a forward and backward movement of the floor nozzle are automatically raised. Again, according to the first two embodiments, a movable portion 5 'in the usual suction direction r front limiting means 5 can be raised to release a Nutzluftöffnung 23. Also this movable limiting means 5' is in a lowered position, ie spring-biased in a ground contact position, here by means of a compression spring 24.

The movable limiting means 5 'is connected via a designed as a Bowden cable 25 acting agent 19 with a rocker-like button 26, which latter contacted the soil to be processed and alternately to the forward movement r and return movement r' of the floor nozzle 1 is transferred. The probe always contacting the ground to be cleaned 26 is preferably formed in the form of a sealing element.

In the illustrated embodiment, the probe 26 is pivotable about an aligned transversely to the running direction of the floor nozzle 1 axis y, which is formed on a vertically movable, laterally guided lever portion 27. The latter is biased by a compression spring 28 in a directed to the housing base 8 basic position.

On the lever portion 27, one end of the soul of the Bowden cable 25 is attached.

The button 26 sets itself in response to the selected direction of movement of the floor nozzle 1 automatically overflowing a dead center, with both Schwenkendstellungen the button 26 are stop-limited. Here, the button 26 takes in a forward movement in the direction of the arrow r (see. Fig. 5 ) a more inclined position than in the pivoted position in return movement according to the arrow r '(see. Fig. 8 ). Consequently, the vertical position of the lever portion 27 is different in the two directions of movement. In the forward movement according to Fig. 5 the movable limiting means 5 'is raised via the lever element 27 remaining in a lowermost position and via the Bowden cable 25 to release the useful air opening 23. In the return stroke, ie in return movement of the floor nozzle and concomitant pivoting of the button 26, the lever section 27 is raised, which over the Bowden cable 25 lowering the movable Limiting means 5 'causes in a ground contact position. The Nutzluftöffnung 23 is hereafter closed.

According to this embodiment, raising and lowering of the limiting means as a function of the running movement of the floor nozzle 1 is achieved in the simplest manner. As an alternative to the convertible button 26, the direction of rotation of any rollers or other co-rotating components of the floor nozzle 1 can be used to distinguish between forward and return stroke.

Claims (13)

1. Floor nozzle (1) for a vacuum cleaner, the floor nozzle having a suction space (2) delimited in a direction of advance (r) by boundary means (5, 5'), for example by sliding blades to the front and rear, a rotatable brush (6) optionally being disposed within the suction space (2), the boundary means (5') being vertically movable over a partial region, characterised in that the boundary means (5') can be raised automatically in dependence on a forward (r) and reverse movement (r') of the floor nozzle (1).
2. Floor nozzle (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that a rocker-type sensing device (16) is disposed in the floor nozzle (1), the sensing device being pivoted by a portion of the surface underneath the nozzle, in particular a portion (17) of carpet which is pulled into the suction space (7), and in that the pivoting of the sensing device (16) controls raising of the boundary means (5').
3. Floor nozzle according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the boundary means (5') is biased in the downward direction.
4. Floor nozzle according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that an action threshold for pivoting of the sensing device can be adjusted.
5. Floor nozzle according to any of Claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the sensing device (16) is constituted by a brush (6) which is disposed in the suction space (2) and is displaceable in a rocker-type manner.
6. Floor nozzle according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the reduced pressure acting in the suction space (2) is converted into a lifting force for the boundary means (5').
7. Floor nozzle according to Claim 6, characterised in that the low pressure acts on a low pressure piston (21) which is fixedly connected to an operating part (22) of an operating means (19) that acts on the boundary means (5').
8. Floor nozzle according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a rocker-type sensing device (26) is provided in the floor nozzle, the sensing device changing over in accordance with change towards movement of advance (r) or towards movement in reverse (r') of the floor nozzle.
9. Floor nozzle according to Claim 8, characterised in that the sensing device (26) is in the form of a lever and that a lever portion (27) of the sensing device (26) which is directed towards the surface underneath the nozzle controls the movement of the boundary means (5') by way of operating means (19).
10. Floor nozzle according to Claim 9, characterised in that the operating means (19) is a lever rod (20) or a Bowden cable (25).
11. Floor nozzle according to Claim 10, characterised in that, on account of the lever portion (27) of the sensing device (26), the connection of the Bowden cable (25) is in one position closer to a fixed bearing of the boundary means (5) than it is in the other position.
12. Floor nozzle according to any of Claims 8 to 11, characterised in that a pivot axis (y) of the lever-like sensing device (26) is vertically movable in order to compensate for over-dead-centre pivoting against a spring force.
13. Floor nozzle according to any of Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the movable boundary means (5') can in addition be raised by a slide (18) acting on the operating means (19).

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