EP2417889A2 - Connection pipe with spring element - Google Patents

Abstract

The connecting piece (10) has a spring element (40) e.g. spring ring, for exerting resetting force on a locking element (30) for moving the locking element from an unlocking position to a locking position. The connecting piece is detached from a suction opening in the unlocking position and fixed at the suction opening by the locking element in the locking position. The spring element partially encloses free cross-section of the piece, and the locking element is arranged at a support part (11). The spring element is provided at an inner surface (19) of the piece in the locking position.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a connection piece for a vacuum cleaner, wherein the connection piece is connectable to a suction hose and a suction opening of a vacuum cleaner part, and has a free cross section, which can flow through the suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner, and on the connection piece a latching element and a spring element is arranged, and the spring element can exert a restoring force on the latching element in order to bring the latching element from an unlocking position, in which the connecting piece is detachable from the suction opening, into a locking position, in which the connecting piece can be fixed to the suction opening by the latching element.

Background of the invention

For example, in US 2 444 888 A discloses a hose connection releasably connected to a vacuum cleaner housing. A coil spring presses an elastic latching member against a portion of a collet so as to fix the position of a catching portion of the latching member which projects through an opening of the collet.

Next is from the European patent application EP 1 356 756 A1 a coupling sleeve for the detachable connection of a suction hose with a vacuum cleaner housing, in which the one sleeve end for the fixed attachment of the suction hose and the other sleeve end for insertion into a complementary receiving recess of the housing is formed. The coupling sleeve is constructed of two parts made separately by injection molding, namely a tubular outer part and a tubular inner part. The suction hose is firmly connected by an adhesive introduced to the coupling sleeve, the adhesive at the same time outer part and inner part firmly connects. On the wall of the outer part formed elastically bendable locking tongues are each supported on a stationary in the coupling sleeve support projection with bias. The support projections are formed in height so that they support the locking tongues with bias, whereby the locking tongues undergo a slight outward elastic bending deformation.

Next is in the European patent specification EP 0 803 225 B1 an arrangement for releasably connecting a suction nozzle described. By a locking element of the arrangement of the suction nozzle is releasably coupled to the suction port. The locking element has an annular part on which two radially outwardly projecting locking cams are formed, which engage under a formed on a wall portion of the suction opening of the vacuum cleaner latching projection, so that the suction nozzle is held on the vacuum cleaner housing in the suction opening.

Finally, the German Offenlegungsschrift discloses DE 10 2004 038 630 A1 a coupling having a first tubular coupling element, which has a latching groove and a second tubular coupling element which has two opposite latching lugs which engage in the coupled state of the coupling in the latching groove. A groove flank facing the second coupling element during coupling of the coupling elements has two opposite sections which are elastically movable inwardly due to U-shaped interruptions and thus resulting tongues. A decoupling is prevented when the relative rotational position of the first coupling element and the second coupling element is selected so that the locking lugs do not completely overlap the inwardly movable portions of the groove flank of the locking groove.

The problem underlying the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved connection. In particular, a simply constructed Connecting pieces can be provided. Next, the spring element should be easy to mount to the connection piece.

Inventive solution

The reference numbers in all claims have no limiting effect, but are only intended to improve their readability.

The solution of the problem is achieved by a connecting piece with the features of claim 1.

Through a connection piece, a connection for a suction air flow between a suction opening of a vacuum cleaner part and a suction hose can be made. The vacuum cleaner part may e.g. be the housing of the vacuum cleaner, in which the suction air flow can be passed through the suction port to a Staubabscheideeinheit. The vacuum cleaner part may also be a handle, a suction pipe or a nozzle. Typically, a spigot has two openings, so that the suction air, when the connection piece is connected to the vacuum cleaner part, can flow from the suction hose to the suction opening. The free cross section is the portion or the partial area of the cross section of the connecting piece, which can be traversed by the suction air. The free cross section may e.g. be determined by a nozzle or the suction hose.

The latching element can be brought into the unlocked position and into the locking position, that is to say movable relative to the connecting piece, in order to enable a detachable connection between the suction hose and the vacuum cleaner part. Of course, between the locking position and the unlocking position, the locking element can assume further intermediate positions, in which the connecting piece is likewise fixed by the locking element in the suction opening.

Advantageously, a safer fixation of the connection benefit at the suction opening can be achieved by the spring element. In fact, it can be achieved that the restoring force which can be exerted by the spring element must be overcome in any case, to bring the locking element in the unlocked position and to solve the connection of the suction port.

The inventors have recognized that the construction of the connecting piece can be simplified by a spring element which at least partially encloses the free cross section. Because the spring element can, in order to exert the restoring force, advantageously be supported without additional design measures. For example, the spring element can be supported on opposite sides of the connection piece, on a latching element and on an opposite side or on opposite latching elements. In addition, the spring element can be easily mounted on the connection piece, as it is e.g. does not have to be screwed or glued to the connection piece. The spring element then at least partially encloses the free cross section when the spring element encloses more than half of the circumferential line of the free cross section. In this case, the spring element can extend from at least one side of the connecting piece to the opposite side. The peripheral line of the free cross-section is the edge which determines the partial area or the partial area of the cross-section of the connecting piece through which the suction air can flow.

Next, the inventors have recognized that the construction of the connecting piece can also be simplified by the latching element according to the invention, since the latching element can exert a restoring force on a plurality of latching elements. It is therefore achievable that even with a connecting piece with more than one locking element, only one spring element is needed to bring the locking element in the locked position. Of course, more than one spring element can be arranged on the connecting piece, e.g. to increase the restoring force.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring element is annular and may be circular, elliptical or parabolic. The annular spring element may also be referred to as a spring ring, and be formed as an open or closed ring. In an open spring ring, the spring ring extends over an angle which is greater than 180 °. That is, the distances that lead from the center of gravity of the spring ring to the two ends include an angle greater than 180 °, the angle being determined along the spring ring. Advantageously, an open spring element can easily be elastically deformed, since the two ends of the spring element can be moved relative to one another until they meet one another. Particularly preferably, the ends of the spring element are offset from each other in the axial direction of the connecting piece. This makes it achievable that the spring element can be further deformed. Because the ends can be moved beyond the position where they are axially at the same height. Embodiments of the invention are also conceivable in which the spring element is designed as a helical or spiral spring and surrounds the free cross section.

In a further preferred embodiment, the connecting piece has a first neck part and a second neck part, wherein the locking element is arranged on the first neck part. Such a two-piece connecting piece can be easy to manufacture. Thus, for example, the first and second nozzle part can be manufactured separately from each other and then connected to each other. The first and second neck part can be locked or glued together. Particularly preferably, the spring element surrounds the second nozzle part at least partially. Here, the suction air flow can be performed, for example, through the second nozzle part. In a particularly preferred connection stub, the first stub part at least partially encloses the second stub part. In such an embodiment, the first nozzle part may be referred to as an outer nozzle and the second nozzle component as an inner nozzle.

The invention further development is preferably provided that the spring element in the locking position at least partially rests against an inner surface of the connecting piece. Particularly preferably, the spring element in the locking position is at least partially against an inner surface of the first neck part. By the voltage applied to the inner surface of the spring element, the path of the spring element can be limited be because the spring element is only so far moved until the locking position of the locking element is reached. Another movement is prevented by the inner surface. When the latching element is brought from the unlocked position into the locking position, that is, the latching element can not be moved beyond the locking position. As a result, a connection piece can be reached, which can be easily rotated in the suction opening. In addition, the construction of the connecting piece can be simplified because no device must be mounted to prevent movement of the locking element beyond the locking position addition. Particularly preferably, the spring element presses with a biasing force against the inner surface. The spring element can thus be biased in the locking position to increase the restoring force.

According to the invention, it is preferably provided that a part of the inner surface against which the spring element bears in the locking position is formed by the latching element. As a result, the construction of the connecting piece and thus its manufacture can be further simplified. Namely, a continuous inner surface can be made possible, which can lead, for example, to a simplified removal from the mold after an injection molding step.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least one fixing element is arranged on the connecting piece in order to prevent slippage of the spring element with respect to the locking element. By the at least one fixing element, e.g. slipping of the spring element in the axial direction of the connecting piece can be prevented. Particularly preferably, the at least one fixing element is arranged on the first neck part. The fixing element may e.g. be designed as a rib.

In one embodiment of the connecting piece, the spring element is arranged between a first and a second nozzle part. This can prevent a user from inadvertently displacing the spring element during handling of the connection piece, eg in order to remove it from the suction opening. So it can be a safe operation of the connecting piece, in which the locking element can be safely brought by the spring element in the locked position, guaranteed. Further, by the between the first and second nozzle part arranged spring element allows a smooth outer surface of the connection piece, so that the user can better embrace the connection piece. The invention further development is preferably provided that the latching element has a latching means and is connected at a connection point with the connecting piece, and engages the spring element at a second location between the latching means and the connection point to the latching element. In this way, a strong spring can be used, which cover little way, yet can allow easy actuation of the locking means. In an alternative embodiment, the spring element engages the latching element at a location between the latching means and a movable free end of the latching element. The latching element thus has a free end, on which the user can depress the latching element, for example, in order to bring it into the unlocked position. Advantageously, a latching means is arranged on the latching element, by which the connection piece can be fixed to the suction opening, so that the connection piece can be securely held in the suction opening. The latching means may for example be designed as a latching hook, which may engage, for example, in a corresponding latching groove of the suction opening.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking element is connected via a hinge with the connecting piece. The point at which the joint is located, can be referred to as a connection point between the locking element and the connecting piece. Particularly preferably, the locking element is connected via the joint with the first nozzle part. Through the joint, the movement of the locking element between the locking position and the unlocked position can be determined. The joint can be designed as a film hinge in a locking element which is integrally formed on the connecting piece or the first nozzle part. However, the locking element can also be elastically deformed to be brought into the unlocked position and the locking position. Of course, the locking element according to the invention connected via a hinge and at the same time be elastically deformable.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the latching element is integrally formed on the connecting piece. Particularly preferably, the latching element is integrally formed on the first nozzle part. "Integrally formed" means that the locking element and the connecting piece or the locking element and the first nozzle part of a made of uniform material and form a common component, so are one piece. In this way, the latching element and the connecting piece or the first nozzle part can be produced in a production step, so that a faster production can be made possible. Next, the connection piece with the locking element or the first nozzle part with the locking element in the usual processes, for example by injection molding, can be easily produced.

The invention further development is preferably provided that the locking element is tongue-shaped. The tongue-shaped locking element is connected to the tongue root with the connecting piece or the first nozzle part. The junction is thus at the tongue root. Particularly preferably, the tongue-shaped locking element is connected via a joint with the connecting piece or the first nozzle part. The spring element is arranged in a tongue-shaped latching element, on which a latching means is arranged, particularly preferably between the tongue root and the latching means.

In a preferred embodiment of the connecting piece, the spring element is spaced in the locking position to the second nozzle part. Due to the distance is reached that the spring element, at least in the locking position, the second nozzle part is not touched and thus the locking element can be moved with the spring element against the restoring force in the direction of the second nozzle part.

In a further preferred embodiment of the connecting piece, the spring element is spaced in the unlocked position to the second nozzle part. Particularly preferably, the spring element also does not touch the second neck part in the intermediate positions between the locking position and the unlocking position. The unlocking position of the detent element may e.g. be determined by the fact that the locking element touches the second nozzle part.

The present invention makes it possible with simple structural and inexpensive means to provide a connection piece for a vacuum cleaner, the construction of which can be simplified. In particular, the connecting piece can be easily rotatably fixed in the suction opening, whereby material wear can be avoided can. Further, a connection piece can be provided with a spring element, which can be easily mounted on the connection piece.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantageous embodiments are described below with reference to two embodiments illustrated in the drawings, to which the invention is not limited, described in more detail.

Fig. 1

einen Anschlussstutzen des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels in einer Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 2

einen Anschlussstutzen in einer Schnittdarstellung entlang der Linie A-A aus Fig.1;
und schließlich

Fig. 3

einen Anschlussstutzen des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels in einer Schnittdarstellung.

They show schematically:

Fig. 1

a connecting piece of the first embodiment in a sectional view;

Fig. 2

a connecting piece in a sectional view taken along the line AA Fig.1 ;
and finally

Fig. 3

a connecting piece of the second embodiment in a sectional view.

Detailed description based on two embodiments

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

The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG Fig. 1 and 2 explained. Fig. 1 shows a connection piece 10 for a vacuum cleaner, which is connectable to a suction hose and a suction opening of a vacuum cleaner part. The connecting piece 10 is constructed from a first 11 and a second nozzle part 13, wherein at the second Neck part 13, a first 21 and a second opening 23 is formed. Via the first opening 21 of the second neck part 13, a fluid connection for suction air to a suction hose, via the second opening 23, a fluid connection to a vacuum cleaner part can be made. On the side of the first opening 21, a flexible end piece 25 is integrally formed on the second neck part 13, through which a suction hose without kinking can be securely connected to the connecting piece 10. The end of the connecting piece with the second opening 13 can be inserted into the suction opening of the vacuum cleaner part.

The first 11 and the second nozzle part 13 are cylindrical and thus tubular, wherein the second nozzle part 13 is enclosed by the first nozzle part 11. The first nozzle part 11 is thus an outer, the second nozzle part 13 an inner nozzle. The cross section of the connecting piece 10 is in Fig. 2 shown a section along the line AA Fig. 1 is. Out Fig. 2 It can be seen that the free cross section 15 of the connecting piece 10, which can be traversed by the suction air flow of the suction suction, is circular and is determined by the second nozzle part 13. The free cross section 15 of the connecting piece 10 is enclosed by a circular circumferential line 17.

Further, two radially opposing locking elements 30 and a spring element 40 are arranged on the first nozzle part 11 and thus on the connecting piece 10. The latching elements 30 each have a locking means 39 designed as a latching hook, which can engage in a corresponding latching groove of the suction opening. The locking elements 30 are tongue-shaped and integrally formed on the first nozzle part 11 and thus on the connecting piece 10. In this case, the latching elements 30 are each connected via a hinge 31 formed as a hinge 31 at a junction 33 with the first nozzle part 11 and thus with the connection nozzle 10. By running as a film hinge joint 31, the locking elements 30 are each movable relative to the first nozzle part 11, in an unlocking position in which the connecting piece 10 is detachable from the suction opening and in a locking position in which the connecting piece 10 by the locking means 39 and so that it can be fixed by the latching element 30 at the suction opening, can be brought. For reasons of illustration, only the locking position is shown in the figures.

The ring-shaped spring element 40 is designed as an open spring ring, which extends over an angle of about 340 °, and thus over an angle which is greater than 180 °. The annular spring element 40 surrounds the second neck part 13 except for an opening 43 formed between the two ends 41 of the spring element 40, so that the spring element 40 at least partially encloses the free cross section 15 of the connecting piece 10. In this case, more than half of the circumferential line 17 of the free cross section 15 is enclosed. Due to the fact that the spring element 40 partially encloses the free cross section 15, the spring element 40 can only be removed from the connecting piece 10 in the axial direction without being deformed. Removal in a radial direction is not possible without deformation of the spring element 40.

In the locking position of the latching element 30, the spring element 40 bears against an inner surface 19 of the first socket part 11 and against the latching element 30. A part of the inner surface 19, on which the spring element 40 bears in the locking position, is thus also formed by the latching elements 30. The locking elements 30 can be brought by a user from the locking position to the unlocked position to remove the connection piece 10 of the suction opening can. For this purpose, the user can depress the locking elements 30 at the tongue end 35 in the direction of the second neck part 13. If the locking element 30 is brought from the locking position into the unlocking position, the spring element 40 is compressed, wherein the two ends 41 of the spring element 40 are moved to each other and the spring element 40 can be supported on both locking elements 30. The spring element 40 is in this case elastically deformed and exerts a radially outwardly acting restoring force on the latching elements 30. Due to the restoring force of the spring element 40, the two latching elements 30, after the user has released them after compression, are brought back by the spring element 40 from the unlocked position back into the locking position.

The spring element 40 is spaced in the locking position and the unlocking position of the locking elements 30 to the second nozzle part 13, so that the locking elements 30 can be easily moved. In addition, the spring element 40 is arranged between the first 11 and the second neck part 13, so that a user can not move the spring element and the outer surface of the connecting piece 10 is smooth. As in Fig. 1 shown, the spring element 40 engages at a location between the latching means 39 and the connection point 33, on which the latching elements 30 are respectively connected to the first nozzle part 11 and thus to the connecting piece 10, to the respective latching element 30 at. Further, two rib-shaped fixing elements 20 are arranged on the first neck part 11 and thus on the connecting piece 10 in order to prevent slippage of the spring element 40 with respect to the locking element 30. The two fixing elements 20 are annular and surround the second nozzle part 13 and thus the free cross section 15 of the connecting piece 10th

In a second embodiment, shown in FIG Fig. 3 which otherwise does not differ from the first embodiment, the spring element 40 is designed as a spiral spring. Here, the free cross section 15 of the connecting piece 10 is completely enclosed by the spring element 40.

The present invention makes it possible with simple structural and inexpensive means to provide a connection piece for a vacuum cleaner, the construction of which can be simplified. In particular, the connection piece can be easily rotatably fixed in the suction opening, whereby material wear can be avoided. Further, a connection piece can be provided with a spring element, which can be easily mounted on the connection piece.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings may be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

spigot

11

first neck part

13

second neck part

15

free cross section

17

peripheral line

19

palm

20

fixing

21

first opening

23

second opening

25

tail

30

locking element

31

joint

33

junction

35

tongue end

37

Zungenwurzel

39

latching means

40

spring element

41

The End

43

opening

Claims (13)

Connecting piece (10) for a vacuum cleaner, wherein the connecting piece (10) with a suction hose and a suction opening of a vacuum cleaner part is connectable, and a free cross-section (15), which can flow through the suction air flow of the vacuum cleaner, and at the connecting piece (10) Latching element (30) and a spring element (40) is arranged, and the spring element (40) can exert a restoring force on the latching element (30) to the latching element (30) from an unlocking position, in which the connecting piece (10) of the suction opening is releasable, in a locking position, in which the connecting piece (10) by the latching element (30) is fixable to the suction opening to bring, characterized in that the spring element (40) at least partially surrounds the free cross-section (15). Connecting piece (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring element (40) is annular. Connecting piece (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting piece (10) has a first nozzle part (11) and a second nozzle part (13), wherein the latching element (30) is arranged on the first nozzle part (11). Connecting piece (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (40) in the locking position at least partially against an inner surface (19) of the connecting piece (10). Connecting piece (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that a part of the inner surface (19) on which the spring element (40) rests in the locking position, by the latching element (30) is formed. Connecting piece (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the connecting piece (10) at least one fixing element (20) is arranged to prevent slipping of the spring element (40) relative to the latching element (30). Connecting piece (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (40) between a first (11) and a second nozzle part (13) is arranged. Connecting piece (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element (30) has a latching means (39) and at a connection point (33) with the connecting piece (10) is connected, and the spring element (40) at one point between the latching means (39) and the connection point (33) engages the latching element (30). Connecting piece (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element (30) via a hinge (31) with the connecting piece (10) is connected. Connecting piece (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element (30) is integrally formed on the connecting piece (10). Connecting piece (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element (30) is tongue-shaped. Connecting piece (10) according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the spring element (40) in the locking position to the second nozzle part (13) is spaced. Connecting piece (10) according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the spring element (40) in the unlocked position to the second nozzle part (13) is spaced.

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