EP1784106B1 - Vacuum cleaner with receptacle for accessories - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a housing, a receptacle (13) for at least one accessory, and a dust compartment which can be obturated by a dust compartment cover (7). In its position obturating the dust compartment, said cover at least partially covers the receptacle (13). The aim of the invention is to provide a receptacle for at least one accessory, which, in a position in which the dust compartment cover (7) obturates the dust compartment, is at least partially covered and at the same time allows to remove or insert the accessories even when the dust compartment cover is closed. For this purpose, the housing is configured in such a manner that an access (12) to the receptacle (13) remains when the dust compartment cover obturating the dust compartment is closed, thereby allowing to remove or insert the at least one accessory when the dust compartment cover (7) is closed.

Description

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with a receptacle for at least one accessory according to the preamble of claim 1.

Out DE 199 62 008 A1 is a vacuum cleaner with a device housing, a vacuum chamber tightly closing dust chamber cover and at least one receptacle for an accessory known in which the dust chamber cover covers the vacuum chamber and arranged on a housing portion outside of the vacuum chamber recording. At the local dust chamber cover a this extending and the receiving cross-lid portion is formed. A disadvantage of this prior art, however, is that the accessories can not be removed or used during operation of the vacuum cleaner. The local accessories can namely only be removed from the receptacle when the dust chamber lid is open. When the dust chamber lid is open, however, operation of the vacuum cleaner is not possible. When the dust chamber lid is closed, the accessories can not be removed from the prior art vacuum cleaner.

The object of the invention is to provide a receptacle for at least one accessory which is at least partially covered in a position closing the dust chamber by the dust chamber cover, but the accessories can be removed or used even when the dust chamber cover is closed.

This object is achieved in that for the removal and insertion of the at least one accessory with a closed dust chamber lid in the dust chamber closing position of the dust chamber lid remaining access to the receptacle is formed. Due to the configuration of the invention on the one hand, the accessories can be removed or used outside the operating times of the vacuum cleaner by opening the dust chamber lid in a simple manner and on the other hand, the accessories can also be removed or used during operation of the vacuum cleaner with closed dust chamber cover. The invention has the further advantage that for the arranged outside the dust chamber recording no separate cover is required. Although the dust chamber cover is used for preferential optical covering of the recording, it is not absolutely necessary in the invention to open the dust chamber cover to get to the accessories can. In spite of the closed dust compartment cover and the substantially optically covered accessories, when the dust space cover is closed and the vacuum cleaner is ready for use, access to the receptacle remains, so that the accessories can be removed or inserted, in particular during operation of the vacuum cleaner.

Preferably, the access between the housing and the dust chamber cover is formed. This has the advantage that the remaining access according to the invention need not be formed as a separate opening in the housing or in the dust chamber cover. For the formation of the remaining access, it is sufficient if the shape of the housing or the contour of the dust chamber cover is designed such that a gap-like opening remains between the housing and the dust chamber cover, which forms the access.

In the embodiments in which the dust chamber cover is mounted pivotably about an axis of rotation on the housing, it is particularly advantageous if the access to an opposite end of the axis of rotation of the housing is formed open. In the case of a dust chamber cover pivotably mounted on the housing about an axis of rotation, a locking element or an actuating means for opening the dust chamber cover is preferably located in an ergonomic manner at the end of the housing opposite the axis of rotation. Now, according to the invention, the remaining access to the recording of the accessory at the opposite end of the rotation axis of the housing, the user is made aware of the remaining access in self-explanatory manner, at least when the user the actuating means for unlocking the dust chamber cover per Hand operated. The user is also clearly indicated that it is not necessary for removal and insertion of the accessory to open the dust chamber cover by pressing the locking mechanism. Due to the constructive arrangement of the remaining access in the vicinity of the dust compartment lid lock, the user is provided with the above-described reminder function of its own accord.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the receptacle for substantially horizontally holding a crevice nozzle on a first niche, which is designed for pulling and inserting the crevice nozzle in the direction of its longitudinal extent. This special design of the niche for pulling out and inserting the crevice nozzle in the direction of its longitudinal extension, it is sufficient to form the remaining access slightly larger than the cross section of the crevice nozzle. This has the advantage that the remaining access to the recording can be made as small as possible.

On the housing, a first holding means for the crevice nozzle may be provided, which is designed for insertion or removal of the crevice nozzle in two different, in particular perpendicular, mutually arranged directions. This retaining means according to the invention prevents the crevice nozzle from accidentally falling out of the receptacle beyond the remaining access. In addition, the crevice nozzle is secured against falling out when the dust chamber lid is open. It does not make sense if the crevice nozzle or any accessory can fall out immediately when the dust compartment cover is opened. The opening of the dust chamber lid is not only required for the removal of an accessory, but also for replacing, for example, a dust filter bag. If a user only wants to replace a filled vacuum cleaner bag with a new vacuum cleaner bag, but without removing or using an accessory, it is advantageous if a holding means for the accessories or for the crevice nozzle is provided even with the dust compartment lid open, which the accessory or the crevice still holds in the receptacle, even if the dust compartment lid is open.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the remaining access is at one of the axis of rotation of a pivotally mounted on the housing dust chamber lid opposite end of the housing, which preferably forms the rear of the vacuum cleaner. The rear region of the vacuum cleaner is designed as a substantially horizontal rear wall, in which the remaining access is formed and from which the accessories can be removed in a substantially horizontal direction. On the other hand, the inclusion of the accessories in the housing is additionally designed to be open at the top, so that the accessories or the crevice nozzle when the dust chamber cover is open upwards in a substantially vertical direction can be removed. Thus, each accessory can be removed optionally with the dust compartment lid open in a particular vertical direction and with the dust compartment lid closed in a direction different from the vertical, in particular in a substantially horizontal direction, preferably to the rear.

In a specific embodiment, the first holding means is formed by at least two opposite projections of an inner wall of the first niche, which forms a clamping portion for a narrow end portion of the crevice nozzle. The first holding means is formed in this particular embodiment of the invention as an alternative to a latching connection as a clamping connection. This has the advantage that no special locking means or counter-locking means must be provided at the crevice nozzle. If suitable clamping sections are provided on the niche or on the housing, a conventional crevice tool according to the prior art can be clamped in the niche according to the invention. In the preferred embodiment according to the invention, the clamping sections are formed as at least two opposing projections of an inner wall of the first niche. However, the clamping sections according to the invention may also be provided in other structural configurations on the niche or the receptacle or at a suitable location of the housing. Thus, for example, two opposite inner walls of the receptacle or the niche may not be parallel to each other but wedge-shaped running towards each other, so that a conventional crevice nozzle can be clamped between the wedge-shaped towards each running inner walls without relying on projections to be.

Preferably, the receptacle has a second niche for holding a cushion nozzle substantially horizontally, wherein the niche for pulling out or pushing in of the upholstery nozzle is formed in a direction parallel to the cushion nozzle width direction. Analogous to the extraction and insertion of the crevice nozzle in the direction of its longitudinal extent, the extraction and insertion of the upholstery nozzle in a direction parallel to the upholstery nozzle width direction is advantageous because the present invention remaining access can then be made as small as possible. So it is not necessary to make the remaining access so large that the upholstery nozzle over its entire width away from the remaining Access is removable. In general, since the depth and height of the upholstery nozzle is substantially less than the width thereof, preferably the upholstery nozzle should be able to be withdrawn from the remaining access according to its height or depth.

The housing may have a second holding means, which is designed for latching insertion or detent removal of the upholstery nozzle in two different, in particular mutually perpendicular directions. In a manner analogous to the crevice nozzle, the upholstery nozzle can then be inserted or removed via the remaining in a preferably horizontal direction and can be removed from the receptacle or niche with the dust chamber cover open in a direction different therefrom, in particular vertically upwards. The holding means also serves here to prevent the upholstery from accidentally falling out of the remaining access during operation of the vacuum cleaner or unintentionally falling out when the dust cover is opened during replacement of the vacuum cleaner bag.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second holding means comprises first locking means in a groove provided on the bottom side of the second niche groove, which serves to guide the upholstery nozzle along one of its outer edges, which has a protruding rib to form a counter-locking means which in the inserted position of the upholstery nozzle first locking means engages behind. The first latching means may be designed for latching the upholstery nozzle in a preferably horizontal direction and a second latching means for latching the upholstery nozzle in a preferably horizontal direction. Preferably, the second locking means is a cushioning nozzle from above partially overlapping locking projection. The first and the second latching means or the protruding rib and the latching projection can be formed directly on the housing or the niche or on the upholstery nozzle. If the parts are made of plastic, they can be molded in particular by plastic injection molding.

In all embodiments of the invention, the dust chamber cover can preferably be designed to completely cover the receptacle in the vertical direction at the top. In the vast majority of cases, the vacuum cleaner will be designed as a floor-mounted vacuum cleaner and the user this vacuum cleaner standing or going to use. In such a use, therefore, the optical impression of the vacuum cleaner is essentially characterized by its upper deck surface. To make the recording of accessories for the user in a visually appealing manner, the recording should be concealed during operation of the vacuum cleaner. It is advantageous if the receptacle is completely or at least largely covered by the dust chamber cover, in particular in the vertical direction, that is, upwards.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Staubsauger in perspektivischer Darstellung;

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht des Staubsaugers aus Figur 1 von hinten;

Figur 3

eine Draufsicht auf den Staubsauger aus Figur 1 mit geöffnetem Staubraumdeckel und zugänglicher Aufnahme zu den Zubehörteilen;

Figur 4

eine zeichnerische Darstellung auf die Aufnahme für Zubehörteile aus Figur 3 in der Draufsicht;

Figur 5a

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Fugendüse;

Figur 5b

eine Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Polsterdüse;

Figur 5c

eine Ansicht von unten auf die Polsterdüse aus Figur 5b.

A concrete embodiment in the invention is in the following FIGS. 1 to 5 explained in more detail. Show it:

FIG. 1

a plan view of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention in a perspective view;

FIG. 2

a side view of the vacuum cleaner FIG. 1 from the back;

FIG. 3

a plan view of the vacuum cleaner FIG. 1 with open dust compartment lid and accessible intake to the accessories;

FIG. 4

a graphic representation of the recording for accessories FIG. 3 in the plan view;

FIG. 5a

a perspective view of a crevice nozzle according to the invention;

FIG. 5b

a plan view of a cushion nozzle according to the invention;

FIG. 5c

a view from below of the upholstery FIG. 5b ,

An in FIG. 1 shown as an embodiment vacuum cleaner has a lower housing half 1, in the not shown functional components of the vacuum cleaner, such as, for example, a blower unit or a cable drum, is added. The lower housing half 1 is cup-shaped and has a handle portion 2 in a front area. In a rear end portion of the lower housing half 1 opposite the handle portion 2, an impeller seat 3 is formed. Approximately the rear half of the lower housing half 1 includes the not shown Functional components of the vacuum cleaner, which are enclosed by a housing cap 4. The housing cap 4 has in the rear area of the vacuum cleaner above the in FIG. 1 Front wheel 3 illustrated a power plug receptacle on. The front half of the lower housing half 1 has a dust chamber 6, which is closed by a dust chamber cover 7. The dust chamber cover 7 is pivotally mounted in the region of the handle portion 2 on the lower housing half 1. In a front region of the dust chamber cover 7 in the vicinity of the handle portion 2, an intake opening 8 is integrated into the dust chamber cover 7, to which a non-illustrated connection piece of a suction hose can be connected. In a central central region of the surface of the dust chamber cover 7, a filter change indicator 9 is provided. Concentrically around the filter change indicator 9, a plurality of blow-out for exhaust air in the dust chamber cover 7 are formed, which extend over an approximately circular arc-shaped segment portion. In the rear region of the vacuum cleaner, an actuating means 10 for releasing a locking of the dust chamber cover 7 is integrally formed on a rear end of the dust chamber cover 7. A rear lid edge 11 forms both an additional handle portion and an upper boundary of an access 12 to a receptacle 13 for a crevice nozzle 14 and a cushion nozzle 15th

In the FIG. 2 shown rear view of the vacuum cleaner FIG. 1 shows the access 12 between the housing cap 4 and the dust chamber cover 7. The receptacle 13 comprises a first niche 16 in which the crevice nozzle 14 is received and a second niche 17 in which the upholstery nozzle 15 is received. The FIG. 2 illustrates that when the dust chamber cover 7 is closed, the crevice nozzle located in the first niche 16 14 can be removed by horizontally pulling the crevice nozzle 14 from the first niche 16. At the end of the first niche 16, a latching hook 18 is integrally formed on the housing cap 4. The latching hook 18 engages behind a rear end of the crevice nozzle 14, so that unintentional falling out of the crevice nozzle 14 from the first niche 16 is prevented. Analogous to the first niche 16, the second niche 17 is formed in the housing cap 4. Like the crevice nozzle 14, the upholstery nozzle 15 can also be removed by pulling it horizontally backwards out of the second niche 17 when the dust chamber cover 7 is closed.

The integration of the first niche 16 and the second niche 17 in the housing cap 4 is in FIG. 3 shown. The first niche 16 is formed directly in the housing cap 4 and has a shape corresponding to the crevice nozzle 14. In the same way, the second niche 17 is formed in the housing cap 4 and adapted in shape to the shape of the upholstery nozzle 15. Furthermore, a locking hook 19 is integrally formed on the housing cap 4. If the dust chamber 6 is closed by the dust chamber cover 7, the locking hook 19 locks on the actuating element 10. If the actuating element 10 is moved in the direction of the pivot axis of the dust chamber cover 7, the actuator releases from the locking hook 19 and the dust chamber cover 7 can be opened to allow access to the dust chamber 6.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the housing cap 4 with the molded first niche 16 and the molded second niche 17. A narrow portion 20 of the first niche 16 has two spaced apart parallel inner walls 21 and 22. The distance from the inner wall 21 and the inner wall 22 corresponds to the narrow width of the crevice nozzle 14. Each inner wall 21, 22 has a projection 23 and 24. The projection 23 is disposed opposite to the projection 24. The narrowest distance of projection 23 and projection 24 is slightly narrower than the narrow width of the crevice nozzle 14 spaced so that the inserted into the first niche 16 crevice 14 is clamped between the projections 23 and 24. The projections 23 and 24 thereby form a clamping portion 25 through which the crevice nozzle is removable both in the closed dust chamber cover 7 in the horizontal direction via the access 12 and when the dust chamber cover 7 in the vertical direction upwards. As an indication of the horizontal extraction of the crevice nozzle 14 with the dust chamber cover 7 closed, an arrow mark 26 is attached to the access 12 facing the end of the first niche 16. An analogous arrow mark 27 is also attached to the second niche 17 for the upholstery nozzle 15 in the same way. At the bottom of the second niche 17 of the contour of the upholstery nozzle 15 following step portion 28 is formed. At a second step 17 opposite the inner end of the second niche 17, a second holding means 29 is integrally formed on the housing cap 4. The second holding portion 29 serves to fix the upholstery nozzle 15 and prevents unintentional falling out of the upholstery nozzle 15 from the second niche 17.

As in FIG. 5a shown, the crevice nozzle 14 may be formed according to the prior art. In contrast, the upholstery nozzle 15 according to the invention has at least one rib 30 which engages behind in a storage position of the upholstery nozzle 15 in the second niche 17 of the second holding means 29. To facilitate the insertion of the upholstery nozzle 15 in the second niche 17 via the access 12 in a substantially horizontal direction, a groove 31 is formed in the housing cap 4 bottom side of the second niche 17 along a longitudinal edge 32 of the upholstery nozzle 15 is guided. By guiding the longitudinal edge 32 in the groove 31, the rib 30 of the upholstery nozzle 15 is reliably fed to the second holding means 29 on the housing cap 4.

As in FIG. 5c shown in a view from below of the upholstery nozzle 15, the ribs 30 not only serve the latching with the second retaining means 29 of the second niche 16 but also form a plurality of spacers, which in the use of the upholstery nozzle 15 has a flow gap between the bottom of Form upholstery nozzle 15 and a surface to be sucked. Between two ribs 30 and a longitudinal edge 32 a Fadenaufnehmer 33 is attached.

Claims (12)

1. Vacuum cleaner with a housing, a receptacle (13) for at least one accessory and a dust chamber closable by a dust chamber cover (7), which in its position enclosing the dust chamber at least partly covers the receptacle (13), characterised in that for removal and insertion of the at least one accessory when the dust chamber cover (7) is closed an access (12), which remains when the dust chamber cover is in the position closing the dust chamber, to the receptacle (13) is formed.
2. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterised in that the access (12) is formed between housing and dust chamber cover (7).
3. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, characterised in that the dust chamber cover (7) is mounted on the housing to be pivotable about an axis of rotation and the access (12) is formed to be open towards an end of the housing opposite the axis of rotation.
4. Vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the receptacle (13) has, for substantially horizontal retention of an attachment nozzle (14), a first niche (16) constructed for withdrawal or insertion of the attachment nozzle (14) in the direction of its length.
5. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, characterised in that the housing has a first retaining means for the attachment nozzle (14), which retaining means is formed for insertion or removal of the attachment nozzle (14) in two different directions, particularly directions arranged perpendicularly to one another.
6. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 5, characterised in that the first retaining means is formed by at least two opposite projections (23, 24) of an inner wall (21, 22) of the first niche (16), which projections form a clamping section (25) for a narrow end section of the attachment nozzle (14).
7. Vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the receptacle (13) has, for substantially horizontal retention of an upholstery nozzle (15), a second niche (17) which is constructed for withdrawal of the upholstery nozzle (15) in a direction extending parallel to the upholstery nozzle width.
8. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, characterised in that the housing has a second retaining means (29) which is constructed for insertion, with detenting, or removal, with detent release, of the upholstery nozzle (15) in two different directions, particularly directions arranged perpendicularly to one another.
9. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, characterised in that the second retaining means (29) comprises first detent means in a channel (13), which is provided at the base of the second niche (17) and which serves for guidance of the upholstery nozzle (15) along one of its outer edges, which for formation of a counter-detent means has a protruding rib (30) which in the inserted position of the upholstery nozzle (15) engages behind the first detent means.
10. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, characterised in that the first detent means is constructed for detenting the upholstery nozzle (15) in level direction and a second detent means is constructed for detenting the upholstery nozzle (15) in horizontal direction.
11. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the second detent means is a detent projection partly engaging over the upholstery nozzle (15) from above.
12. Vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dust chamber cover (7) is constructed to completely cover the receptacle (13) in vertical direction upwardly.

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