EP2320782B1 - Floor care device with opening device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a floor care appliance, in particular domestic vacuum cleaner, with a base body which has at least one space for at least one removable, mobile or detachable functional element such as Staubabscheideeinheit, filter device and / or accessory; with at least one housing part, which at least partially closes the at least one space in the base body, wherein the housing part is arranged articulated on the base body; an opening means which releases the at least one housing part from a closed position; and at least one force-generating element which moves the housing part from the closed position to the open position via an opening path, wherein the force-generating element (s) is / are arranged outside the hinge.

State of the art

There are known on-the-market floor care equipment, which store a Staubabscheideeinheit, filter devices or different Kleinzubehör under a non-powered lid, a flap or a blind. These covers can usually be unlocked via an opening means and then opened by hand and bring into an end position, the lid arrives at a stop and / or locked in the end position. A disadvantage of such an arrangement is that with the lid open and jerky movements on the floor care device, the lid can be solved undesirable from its stop or the latching at the end position and can fall back to the main body by gravity. Sometimes injuries to the hands can not be ruled out.

Further, for hinged in particular on the main body arranged lid with known opening means in an opening operation of the lid only so far raised that the lid is released to a subsequent manual operation opening operation. Such an arrangement is for example in the GB 782 805 A disclosed. A disadvantage of such an arrangement is that in such only by the opening means slightly raised and opened lid of the User can not be reliably detected whether the lid is already open or still closed. This has the consequence that partially sucked with the lid open and an unsatisfactory suction is performed due to false air.

Further, in the closing operation, the lid may fall unrestrained into the opening means and hit the base body. This has on the one hand in addition to the possibility of injury further to the detriment that loud falling and closing noises occur.

From the DE 41 32 969 A1 and the DE 90 16 337 U1 It is known to attach to a rotatably mounted accessory compartment a spring in or on a rotary joint, which moves the lid automatically after actuation of a locking device in an open position. A disadvantage of such a device is that the lid to be moved opens abruptly and hits hard on the end position. Another disadvantage is that a coupled to the hinge spring is visible in the joint and is exposed to environmental influences such as moisture and dust. This contaminates and corrodes the spring, which is undesirable.

task

The invention has for its object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved ground care device of the type described in more detail. In particular, storage of the housing part and force-generating element are to be mounted independently of each other, opening and closing noises reduced and / or injuries and incorrect operation can be largely avoided.

solution

The solution of the object is achieved by a floor care device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

The floor care appliance according to the invention builds on generic floor care appliances by virtue of the fact that the force-generating element (s) is / are arranged outside the joint. Such an arrangement of the force-generating element has the

Advantage that the functions of joint and force-generating element are separated. The two functions can advantageously be mounted independently of one another and, if necessary, subsequently adapted or newly adapted to one another such that the force-generating element generates such a large force that the hinged housing part is reliably moved into an open position at least from the closed position.

Through the transmission also different design options for lifting the lid can be implemented.

Preferably, at least one force-generating element is arranged laterally on the housing part and / or base body. Having the force-generating element outboard of the joint laterally allows the space thus provided to be available in the center of the floor care device for other functional elements, such as the dust bin, and the force-generating element can be integrated into otherwise unused space.

Depending on the size and configuration, the force-generating element can be arranged adjacent to the opening means on the housing part and / or base body. Such arrangements prove to be advantageous, since at least one force-generating element can be used here, especially with back hinged lids due to a long lever arm to the joint with low forces and thus also with small dimensions.

It may also be advantageous that the transmission is a one-sided or two-sided mounted lever element. One-sided or two-sided mounted lever elements are characterized by a simple design for the storage and the connection of the force-generating element. Next is made possible by a change in position of bearing and / or force introduction a simple structural adaptation to given space conditions. With a flat configuration of the lever element is a simple integration of the lever in the surface of the body allows avoiding interfering edges or steps. Furthermore, the lever element can be arranged above a fastening screw and thereby at the same time fulfills a covering function.

Expediently, at least one force-generating element exerts a force on the housing part over the entire opening path from the closed position into the open position. Such an embodiment has the advantage that the force-generating element moves the housing part entirely into the end position and no additional manual movement is necessary. The housing part can lock in the end position in a latch, or rest only on a stop.

To achieve different opening variants / opening effects, at least one force-generating element preferably exerts a force on the housing part, in particular a housing cover, only along a part or section of the opening path from the closed position to an open position. The opening movement, esp. Of a housing cover with a suction, is advantageously only chosen so large that due to the relative movement between the housing cover and dust bag no unwanted suction effect between the suction and the dust bag is formed. This prevents that already sucked dust can escape due to a suction effect. Further, this avoids that the bag flange is pulled out at a rapid opening movement through the suction nozzle from the holder. The open position of such housing cover can on the one hand be chosen so small that the suction nozzle still remains in contact with the dust bag. On the other hand, the open position is chosen so far that it is reliably recognized by the user that the housing part is already open. Furthermore, it can advantageously be achieved that a continuously closed design surface is designed by the opening means over the housing part, without an intervention recess being made in the opening means for the fingers of the hand. The housing part is already raised by the force-generating element so far that such a large distance between the housing part and the base body has been generated, that the housing part itself can be attacked by the user's hand and raised further.

Depending on the size and design of the force-generating element is a pressure, tension and / or leg spring. These spring elements are inexpensive and in different Geometries produced, as well as easy to handle in the assembly. Next, the geometric shape and / or the desired force can be easily selected on different sized areas.

Further development of the invention is preferably provided to provide at least one force-generating element as a gas spring. Gas springs can generate much larger forces, so that a lid opening with attached suction hose is possible. Next can be dispensed with gas springs advantageously on a separate end stop, as this stop is already included constructively in the gas spring.

The at least one force-generating element is preferably designed such that it ensures a uniform velocity course at least along a portion of the opening path between the closed position and the open position. In particular, in conjunction with gas springs is also advantageous that over the entire stroke a comparatively constant force is exerted. As a result, a uniform opening movement is achieved and achieved a uniform opening noise. In alternative embodiments with additional connected lines to the moving housing part, such. As an electrical cable for a motor-driven nozzle or a pressure query on the suction, the mechanical stresses on these compounds are kept low.

According to the invention, the housing part is preferably a closure element such as a cover, a flap or a pivoting part. These housing parts are advantageously suitable for facilitating the handling of mobile functional elements in the floor care appliance.

The present invention facilitates the construction of housing parts on a base body of a vacuum cleaner with simple constructive and cost-effective means and allows different opening movements as well as advantageously avoids unnecessary noise and dust emission in an opening or closing operation. Furthermore, incorrect operation and injuries are avoided.

embodiment

Further advantageous embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing, to which the invention is not limited.

Fig. 1

ein Bodenpflegegerät mit einem Öffnungsmittel und einem Gehäuseteil in Schließstellung;

Fig. 2

ein Bodenpflegegerät mit einem Öffnungsmittel und einem Gehäuseteil in Offenstellung;

Fig. 3

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines krafterzeugenden Elements mit einem einseitig gelagerten Hebelelement mit einem Gehäuseteil in einer Schließstellung;

Fig. 4

das krafterzeugende Element gemäß Fig. 3 in der Offenstellung;

Fig. 5

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel eines krafterzeugenden Elements mit einer Gasdruckfeder in einer Schließstellung; und

Fig. 6

das krafterzeugende Element gemäß Fig. 5 in einer Offenstellung;

They show schematically:

Fig. 1

a floor care device with an opening means and a housing part in the closed position;

Fig. 2

a floor care device with an opening means and a housing part in the open position;

Fig. 3

a first embodiment of a force-generating element with a cantilevered lever element with a housing part in a closed position;

Fig. 4

the force-generating element according to Fig. 3 in the open position;

Fig. 5

A second embodiment of a force-generating element with a gas spring in a closed position; and

Fig. 6

the force-generating element according to Fig. 5 in an open position;

In the following descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, like reference characters designate like or similar components.

Fig. 1 shows a floor care device 1 with a base body 12. On the base body 12, a housing part 3 is arranged articulated. The housing part 3 is in Fig. 1 shown in a closed position 4. The hinged housing part 3 can - as shown - be a cover 5 of the floor care device 1. The hinge 9 of the hinged housing part 3 is located at the back of the main body 12. The housing part 3 can be brought with the aid of an opening means 2 from the closed position 4 in an open position 6 become. The visible surfaces of the opening means 2 and the cover 5 form a handle-recess-free continuous common design surface.

Fig. 2 shows the floor care device 1 with an opening means 2 and a now unlocked housing part 3 in an open position 6. The opening 8 is so large that a user with his fingers under the cover 5 and move with a subsequent movement into an end position 7.

Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of a force-generating element 10 with a gear 20, which is arranged as a cantilevered lever member 11 in the base body 12, wherein the hinged housing part 3 is in a closed position 4. The lever member 11 is rotatably supported on the base body 12 on the right bottom side 13 via a pin-like bearing 14, not shown. On the left side 13 of the lever member 11, a rib-like element 15 is formed. The force-generating element 10 is formed, for example, by a spiral spring 16, which is attached to the end of the rib-like element 15 in a press fit. At the opposite end of the coil spring 16, for example, this is supported on the head of a screw 17 which is screwed in the base body 12 or a component (not shown) arranged therein. From the hinged housing part 3 presses a cross-shaped spacer 18 perpendicular to the top 19 of the lever member 11. The cross-shaped spacer 18 engages on the opposite side of the bearing 14, and presses in the closed position 4 of the lid 5, the spring element 11 attached to the coil spring 16 together ,

Fig. 4 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 3 in an open position 6. The coil spring 16 is noticeably relaxed, the lever member 11 is in a rotated position to its in Fig. 3 illustrated starting position. The upper side 19 of the lever element 11 is raised in contact with the cross-shaped spacer 18 and through the housing part 3. The size of the open position 6 of the housing part 3 can be influenced on the one hand by the rotational movement of the lever element 11. On the other hand, the size of the open position 6 can be influenced by the position of the lever element 11 in relation to the pivot point of the housing part 3. The closer the lever element 11 is arranged on the hinge 9 of the housing part 3, the larger the open position 6 of the housing part 3 and vice versa.

Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of a force-generating element 10 in the form of a gas spring 30, which is arranged between the base body 12 and the housing part 3, wherein in Fig. 5 the hinged housing part 3 is again shown in its closed position 4. As a hinged housing part 3, the lid 5 of a floor care appliance 1 is again shown here, but it can also be another deflected component such as an accessory lid (not shown). The gas spring 30 is rotatably mounted on one side with the base body 12 of the cylinder vacuum cleaner 1. On the opposite side of the gas spring 30, it is rotatably connected to the hinged housing part 3. For better illustration, the side surface of the canister vacuum cleaner 1 is shown broken up.

Fig. 6 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 5 Clearly recognizable corresponds to the end position 7 of the housing part 3 the maximum opening 8 of the housing part 3. The covered by the housing part 3 room 32 is now freely accessible, so that the mobile or detachable functional elements 31 of a floor care device 1 are easily removed by the user can.

The present invention facilitates with simple constructive and inexpensive means the assembly of housing parts 3 on a base body 12 of a vacuum cleaner 1 and allows different opening movements 6, 7, 8 as well as it advantageously avoids unnecessary noise and dust emission at an opening or closing operation. Furthermore, operating errors and injuries are advantageously avoided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Land maintenance equipment

2

opening means

3

housing part

4

closed position

5

cover

6

open position

7

end position

8th

Opening stroke

9

joint

10

force-generating element

11

lever member

12

body

13

bottom

14

storage

15

rib-like element

16

spiral spring

17

screw

18

cross-shaped spacer

19

top

20

transmission

30

Gas spring

31

functional element

32

room

Claims (9)

1. Floor care device (1), in particular domestic vacuum cleaner, with

   - a base body (12), having at least one space (32) for at least one removable, mobile or releasable function element (31) such as a dust separation unit, a filter device and/or an accessory part;

   - at least one housing part (3), which seals off the at least one space (32) in the base body (12) at least partly, with the housing part (3) being arranged articulated on the base body (12);

   - an opening means (2), which releases the at least one housing part (3) from a closed position (4); and

   - at least one power-producing element (10), which moves the housing part (3) from the closed position (3) along an opening path (8) into an open position (6);

   wherein the power-producing element(s) (10) is/are arranged outside the hinge (9), characterised in that the at least one power-producing element (10) is effectively connected to at least one transmission (20), wherein the transmission (20) is connected to the housing part (3) or the base body (12) in order to enable a conversion of forces or torques with an adaptation to the available space.
2. Floor care device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one power-producing element (10) is arranged laterally on the housing part (3) and/or base body (12).
3. Floor care device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one power-producing element (10) is arranged adjacent to the opening means (2) on the housing part (3) and/or base body (12).
4. Floor care device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the transmission (20) is a lever element (11) supported on one side or on two sides.
5. Floor care device (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the at least one power-producing element (10) exerts a force on the housing part (3) along the entire opening path (8) from the closed position (4) into the open position (6).
6. Floor care device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the at least one power-producing element (10) exerts a force on the housing part (3) merely along a part or section of the opening path (8) from the closed position (4) into the open position (6).
7. Floor care device (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the at least one power-producing element (10) is a compression, tension and/or torsion spring (16).
8. Floor care device (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the at least one power-producing element (10) is a gas strut (30).
9. Floor care device (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the housing part (3) is a closure element such as a cover (5), a flap or a hinged part.

Images