EP2510852B1 - Cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cleaning device.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Although applicable to any cleaning equipment, the present invention and its underlying problem will be described below with reference to a designed as a vacuum cleaner cleaning device, but without limiting the invention to the effect.

A vacuum cleaner is a cleaning device that is designed to suck dust and smaller debris into the cleaner and to collect the dust and smaller debris in the device. The most widely used vacuum cleaners in home use are so-called bag vacuum cleaners, which are provided with an air-permeable dust bag. Such a dust bag collects dust and smaller dirt particles and filters them out of the air stream supplied to the vacuum cleaner. With increasing level of the dust bag, the performance of the vacuum cleaner decreases, which requires a replacement or emptying of the dust bag.

In addition to the above-mentioned bag vacuum cleaners exist so-called cyclone vacuum cleaners. In this type of vacuum cleaner, the incoming air flow is displaced by a corresponding air guide in a cyclone, whereby the dust and the dirt particles are pressed due to the centrifugal force to the outside and fall into a receptacle. In the GB 2 420 073 A Such a cyclone vacuum cleaner is described in which the receptacle is covered by a lid which is formed integrally with the cyclone housing. In this type of cyclone vacuum cleaner, the opening and closing of the receptacle is relatively cumbersome because it also has to move the entire housing. In this construction, there may be an undesirable escape of dust and debris from the receptacle, since the housing is covered by a single lid.

The EP 1 495 710 B1 relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a main body with a suction device therein and a recessed portion. In the recessed portion, a dust collecting chamber is provided which is provided for collecting dusts by a cyclone operation.

The US 2077/0137153 A1 refers to a cleaning robot having a dust collection unit with a cyclone section. In this, the dust is separated from dust-laden air using a centrifugal force.

The EP 0 468 065 A1 refers to a vacuum cleaner with a filter cartridge that can be used in a dust chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the present invention has the object to provide a better cleaning device.

This object is achieved by a cleaning device having the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, a cleaning device is provided with a housing which has a housing cover which covers and closes housing, with a receptacle which is provided in the housing and which has a container cover covering and closable container cover, with a mounted on the housing cover first locking device with one attached to the receptacle second locking device which cooperates with the first locking device such that when closing the housing cover, the first locking device locked with the second locking device and at the same time the second locking device locked with the container cover.

The idea underlying the present invention is to provide the housing cover and the container cover of a cleaning device with a common closing mechanism, which is suitable, both covers with a secure closure of the single closing process. According to the invention, the first latching device interacts with the second latching device in such a way that, when the housing cover is closed, the receptacle is also closed at the same time. The particular advantage is that even a container cover not properly closed receptacle is still securely closed by closing the housing cover. Thus, improper closure of the receptacle is prevented and dust can not come out of the receptacle during operation.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments will become apparent from the other dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.
In a preferred embodiment, the housing cover and / or the container cover has a positioning device which, when the housing cover is closed, positions the container cover with respect to the receptacle. For example, the positioning device is designed as a plurality of stop devices, which are arranged between the housing cover and the container cover and which press the container cover when closing the housing cover on the receptacle. Furthermore, guide rails can also be arranged on the housing cover and / or on the container cover, which force the container cover into a position, so that the container cover closes the receptacle flush. By providing such a positioning device can be ensured that the container cover is always fixed in a correct position on the receptacle. This prevents unwanted dust, protective parts and the like from coming out of the receptacle. Furthermore, such a positioning device facilitates the operation of the cleaning device considerably, since no complex steps for a correct positioning of the container cover on the receptacle are necessary.

In a further embodiment, the positioning device is at least partially elastically elastic. For example, the positioning device may be made of an elastic plastic, for example a urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer. Due to the elastic design of the positioning device, the cleaning device or their housing parts preferably protected against damage in case of improper closing.

In a further embodiment, the first and second locking device are rotatably mounted. For example, the first locking device and the second locking device are rotatably mounted in a sliding bearing or a rolling bearing. As a plain bearing, for example, plastics can be used with a very low coefficient of friction. A rotatable mounting of the first and second locking devices simplifies the design, manufacture and handling of the covers of the cleaning device.

In a further embodiment, the first and second latching device latched positively and / or non-positively with the housing cover and the container cover. For example, the first latching device and / or the second latching device on locking lugs, which can engage in corresponding latching noses or locking grooves which are arranged on the receptacle or on the container cover. Furthermore, it is of course also possible to frictionally lock the first and second latching devices, ie in particular by friction, with the container cover and the other latching device. Preferably, however, a combination of positive and non-positive locking is provided.

In a further embodiment, the container cover closes the receptacle dust-tight. For this purpose, the container cover and / or the receptacle on circumferential sealing lips.

In a further embodiment, the receptacle is designed as a dust collecting container or has a dust collecting container. Such a design of the receptacle is particularly well with a cyclone vacuum cleaner. Of course, the receptacle may also be designed as a dirty water collection container or the like.

In a further preferred embodiment, the housing, the housing cover, the receptacle, the container cover, the first latching device and / or the second latching device are at least partially made of plastic. When Plastic are especially suitable thermoplastics or thermosetting plastics, which have a high wear resistance.

In a further embodiment, an operating lever is provided on the first latching device. Alternatively, the first locking device can also be designed as an operating lever. For example, the operating lever is directly connected to the first locking device. This results in a particularly simple opening mechanism of the housing cover. Preferably, the first locking device and the operating lever are formed as one-piece plastic injection-molded part, which is in the sense of reducing the cost of an advantage.

In a further, particularly advantageous embodiment, the cleaning device is designed as a cyclone vacuum cleaner, for example in a simple cyclone or in a multi-cyclone technique.

The above embodiments and developments can, if appropriate, combine with each other as desired. Further possible refinements, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

CONTENT OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1

ein Schnittbild einer Gehäuseabdeckung und eines Aufnahmebehältnisses eines erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsgeräts;

Fig. 2

ein Schnittbild eines Ausschnittes einer Gehäuseabdeckung und eines Aufnahmebehältnisses bei einem Schließvorgang;

Fig. 3

ein Schnittbild eines Aufnahmebehältnisses und einer Behältnisabdeckung;

Fig. 4

ein Schnittbild einer Gehäuseabdeckung und eines Aufnahmebehältnisses im vollständig geschlossen Zustand.

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments indicated in the schematic figures of the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a sectional view of a housing cover and a receptacle of a cleaning device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a sectional view of a section of a housing cover and a receptacle in a closing operation;

Fig. 3

a sectional view of a receptacle and a container cover;

Fig. 4

a sectional view of a housing cover and a receptacle in the fully closed state.

The accompanying drawings are intended to provide further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the stated advantages will become apparent with reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale to each other.

In the figures of the drawing are the same, functionally identical and same-acting elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated - each provided with the same reference numerals.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a housing cover 4 and a receptacle 3 of a cleaning device according to the invention. The cleaning device, which is only partially shown here, is designated by reference numeral 1.

The cleaning device 1 has an in Fig. 1 not shown housing, a container cover 2, a receptacle 3 and a housing cover 4 on. The housing cover 4 has a first latching device 5, which in the illustration in Fig. 1 is attached to the right end of the housing cover 4. The first latching device 5 is rotatably connected via a bearing 7 with the housing cover 4. The bearing 7 may be, for example, a sliding bearing or a rolling bearing. The first latching device 5 has a latching lug 9. Furthermore, the latching device 5 has an operating lever 11, which in this embodiment is formed integrally with the first latching device 5. Furthermore, the first latching device 5 has a projection 18 whose function in the description of the figures Fig. 2 is explained.

Furthermore, the housing cover 4 has a positioning device 12, which in the illustration in Fig. 1 is arranged on the underside of the housing cover 4.

The positioning device 12 may be formed integrally with the housing cover 4 or attached as a separate part to the housing cover 4.

This in Fig. 1 shown receptacle 3 acts, for example, as a dust receptacle in a cyclone vacuum cleaner and can be removed from the housing of the cleaning device by means of eg a carrying handle 14 in a simple manner. The receptacle 3 is covered by the container cover 2. On the right side of the receptacle 3, a second locking device 6 is shown. The second locking device 6 here in the form of a right-angled triangle and is also connected via a bearing 8 rotatably connected to the receptacle 3. The bearing 8 can - as well as the bearing 7 - be a plain bearing or a rolling bearing. Preferably, the two bearings 7, 8 are formed of a plastic, which has a particularly low coefficient of friction.

The first locking device 5 and the second locking device 7 preferably have a biasing device, which the locking devices 5, 6 each in the closed position (see Fig. 4 ). The biasing device is formed for example as a compression spring or coil spring. The second latching device 6 has a latching lug 10 which cooperates with a latching lug 16 of the container cover 2. By the engagement of the locking lug 10 of the second locking device 6 and the locking lug 16 of the container cover 2, the container cover 2 is securely fixed on the receptacle 3. A further fixation of the container cover 2 on the receptacle 3 is effected by a connection between a groove 21 which is formed in the container cover 2, and an edge 20 which is formed at the upper end of the receptacle 3. In order to cover the receptacle 3 dust-proof, the container cover 2 also has a sealing lip 13, which seals the receptacle 3 both laterally and in the axial direction of the receptacle 3 dust-tight.

The second locking device 6 has an operating surface 15 which can be actuated or pressed by a user to rotate the locking device 6 clockwise about the bearing 8 and thus the locking between the locking lug 16 of the container cover and the locking lug 10 of the second locking device 6 to suspend. This makes it possible to detach the container cover 2 from the receptacle 3.

Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of a housing cover 2 and a receptacle 3, wherein the housing cover 4 in the state before the complete closure of the two locking devices 5, 6 is shown. In the illustration in Fig. 2 the first locking device 5 is slightly counterclockwise rotated. This is done, for example, by pulling the operating lever 11 in an upward direction. To limit this rotational movement of the first latching device 5, the housing cover 4 has a stop 19.

From the illustration in Fig. 2 It can be seen that the positioning device 12 of the housing cover 4 with the container cover 2 is engaged and the positioning device 12 presses the container cover 2 in the correct position on the receptacle 3. Furthermore, it can be seen that the latching lug 9 of the first latching device 5, with the latching lug 17 of the second latching device 6 in a further slight depression of the housing cover 4 will come into engagement. The locking lug 17 is a part of the second locking device 6, but not rotatably mounted with respect to the receptacle 3. The detent 17 may also be provided on the housing of the cleaning device 1. The projection 18 of the first latching device 5 is in this position with an operating surface 15 of the second latching device 6 in engagement. By exerting a pressure of the projection 18 of the first locking device 5 on the control surface 15 of the second locking device 6, the second locking device 6 is rotated clockwise, so that the locking lug 10 of the second locking device 6 and the locking lug 16 of the container cover 2 are no longer engaged. This allows a correct placement of the container cover 2 on the receptacle 3.

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the receptacle 3 and the container cover 2 in an isolated view. In the Fig. 3 the receptacle 3 is not completely covered by the container cover 2. This occurs, for example, if the user does not arrange the container cover 2 correctly on the receptacle 3. In this illustration, it can be seen that the detent 17 may be part of the second detent device 6, but is not directly connected to it and therefore is not rotatably mounted. Furthermore one recognizes from the Fig. 3 in that a positioning device 12, which is suitable for centering the container cover 2 with respect to the housing cover 4, can likewise be arranged on the container cover 2. Preferably, the positioning device 12 is made of a resilient material, such as a thermoplastic, formed. In the housing cover 4, a respect to the in Fig. 3 illustrated positioning device 12 may be formed corresponding recess formed, which with the positioning device 12 in Fig. 3 interacts.

Fig. 4 represents the housing cover 4, the receptacle 3 and the container cover 2 in a completely closed state. In Fig. 4 It can be seen that the locking lug 10 of the second locking device 6 engages in the latching lug 16 of the container cover 2 and the receptacle 3 securely closes with the container cover 2. The receptacle 3 is thus sealed dust-tight from the container cover 2. Thus, no more dust or dirt can escape from the receptacle 3.

In order to increase the tightness of the receptacle 3 further, a sealing lip 13 nestles in the radial direction of the receptacle 3 at. The positioning device 12 of the housing cover 4 is here with the container cover 2 in engagement and the container cover 2 is positioned with respect to the position of the housing cover and the receptacle 3.

The locking lug 9 of the first latching device 5 is also fully engaged with the latching lug 17 and secures the housing cover 4 with respect to the receptacle 3. By a simple operation of the first latching device 5 thus closing the housing cover and a simultaneous closing of the container cover 2 is possible.

All in the Fig. 1-4 shown parts, in particular the housing cover 4, the receptacle 3, the container cover 2, the locking devices 5 and 6, etc., may be formed of a plastic. However, of course, other materials for forming these parts are possible.

Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but is modifiable in a variety of ways.

For example, the receptacle is not suitable exclusively for cleaning equipment and in particular for cyclone vacuum cleaner. The idea underlying the invention that two different, separate covers with only a single operation of a single locking device can be securely closed, for example, in other household applications and thus in other household appliances, such as juicers, coffee machines, food processors , etc., find use.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cleaner

2

safe cover

3

receptacle

4

housing cover

5

first locking device

6

second locking device

7

Bearing of the first locking device

8th

Bearing of the second locking device

9

Latching the first locking device

10

Latching the second locking device

11

Operating lever of the first locking device

12

positioning

13

sealing lip

14

Carrying handle of the receptacle

15

Operating lever of the second locking device

16

Latch of the container cover

17

locking lug

18

Projection of the first locking device

19

attack

20

edge

21

groove

Claims (12)

1. Cleaning device (1),

   - with a housing, which has a housing cover (4) which covers the housing and can be closed off,

   - with a receptacle (3), which is provided in the housing and which has a receptacle cover (2) which covers the receptacle (3) and can be closed off,

   - with a first latching apparatus (5) attached to the housing cover (4), and

   - with a second latching apparatus (6; 17) attached to the receptacle (3),

   characterised in that
   the second latching apparatus (6; 17) interacts with the first latching apparatus (5), such that when the housing cover (4) is closed, the first latching apparatus (5) latches with the second latching apparatus (6; 17) and at the same time the second latching apparatus (6; 17) latches with the receptacle cover (2).
2. Cleaning device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the housing cover (4) and/or the receptacle cover (2) has a positioning apparatus (12), which positions the receptacle cover (2) relative to the receptacle (3) when the housing cover (4) is closed.
3. Cleaning device (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the positioning apparatus (12) is embodied to be at least partly resilient.
4. Cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and second latching apparatus (5; 6) are mounted in a rotatable manner.
5. Cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first latching apparatus (5) is connected to the receptacle (3) in a rotatable manner about a bearing (7).
6. Cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second latching apparatus (6) is connected to the receptacle cover (4) in a rotatable manner about a further bearing (8).
7. Cleaning apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and second latching apparatus (5; 6) are embodied to latch to the housing cover (4) and the receptacle cover (2) in a form-fit and/or force-fit manner.
8. Cleaning apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receptacle (2) is designed to close the receptacle (3) in a dust-proof manner.
9. Cleaning apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receptacle (3) is embodied as a dust collection container for receiving dust and dirt particles or has a dust collection container.
10. Cleaning apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the entire housing, the housing cover (4), the receptacle (3), the receptacle cover (2), the first latching apparatus (5) and/or the second latching apparatus (6; 17) are at least partly embodied as made of plastic.
11. Cleaning apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an operating lever (11) is provided at the first latching apparatus (5) or the first latching apparatus (5) is embodied as an operating lever (11).
12. Cleaning apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cleaning apparatus (1) is embodied as a cyclone vacuum cleaner.

Images