EP2659816B1 - Nozzle for a floor cleaning machine - Google Patents

Description

Background of the invention

Embodiments relate to a nozzle for a floor cleaning device, for example a vacuum cleaner.

State of the art

In the area of floor cleaning devices, such as vacuum cleaners, users often encounter stubborn dirt that prompted the desire not only to remove it from the floor in question by means of suction, but also to at least loosen it by using brushes before the appropriate suction . For example, for cleaning public areas, sweeping machines are used in which a suitable roller brush "sweeps" dirt away from the floor to be cleaned.

However, similar challenges arise in other areas of floor cleaning as well, which is why rotating brush rollers are used there, for example, to mechanically remove dirt, dust and dirt, but also other fibrous or particle-like contaminants before they are sucked in with a vacuum cleaner, for example.

For example, in vacuum cleaners, but also in other floor cleaning devices in which a cleaning effect is based at least partially on suction or blowing by means of a stream of air or gas, appropriate brush rollers are used in the context of their nozzles. For example, in a vacuum cleaner, but also in other floor cleaning devices, the term “nozzle” denotes an attachment which is brought into contact with the floor to be cleaned and through which the corresponding air or gas flow is passed. So For example, nozzles are also referred to as suction heads, vacuum cleaner nozzles or cleaning heads.

If corresponding nozzles have such brush rollers, these can be set in rotation by means of different approaches. For example, the brush roller can be driven directly or indirectly, for example via a gear, via an electric motor attached in the area of the nozzle. In addition, the brush roller can also be driven solely by the movement of the nozzle relative to the floor to be cleaned. In addition, so-called turbo nozzles are used, in which the brush roller is set in rotation with the aid of a turbine and the air or gas flow that is already present.

Regardless of which drive technology is used for such a brush roller, however, when long fibers and / or hairs are sucked in, they may wrap around the corresponding roller body of the brush roller. In order to clean this again, it can therefore be advisable to design the brush roller in such a way that it can be removed from the corresponding nozzle and reinserted into it after a corresponding cleaning. In the case of other cleaning heads, it may also be sufficient if the relevant brush rollers are only accessible in such a way that they can be cleaned again from the said long fibers, for example the already mentioned hair of humans or animals.

the WO 2011/107766 A1 describes such a cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner in which a brush is accessible.

the US 6 226 832 B1 describes a stick vacuum cleaner whose cleaning head has several flaps which are intended to allow one or more accesses for maintenance of individual drive elements or a cleaning roller integrated therein.

the DE 41 39 693 A1 finally relates to a vacuum cleaner mouthpiece with an interchangeably arranged roller body rotatably mounted by means of an axis or shaft. Easier replacement of the roller body is made possible by the fact that the axle or shaft is in a semicircular recess on at least one side a bearing element fixed to the housing and the axle or shaft end is held in the recess by a detachable latching element.

the DE 10 2005 024 748 A1 refers to a sweeper with a removable roller brush. In such a sweeping machine, at least one locking element is provided which in a locking position rotatably fixes the roller brush in a working position and which in an open position releases the roller brush for removal.

From the pamphlet DE 600 11 805 T2 a nozzle for a floor cleaning device of a vacuum cleaner is known which has a nozzle housing with a substantially cylindrical body accommodated therein. A floor cleaning roller can be inserted into and removed from the nozzle housing by placing the floor cleaning roller on the cylindrical body of the nozzle housing. For simple and stable assembly and removal of the floor cleaning roller in the nozzle housing, the cylindrical body extends over a predetermined width of the nozzle housing. A pressure mechanism triggers a closing element of the nozzle housing, so that the closing element and the floor cleaning roller assigned to this closing element are released and can be removed from an opening that is created as a result.

The user can switch the locking element between the locking position and the open position.

The brush roller is typically equipped with bristles or brushes that improve the absorption of dust and fibers. In addition to human hair and other fiber-like particles, these include, in particular, animal hair.

However, it is precisely the fiber-like particles that tend to stick to the brush rollers with a higher probability, and possibly even to wrap themselves around them. It may therefore be necessary or at least advisable to make these partially removable for cleaning purposes. For this purpose, it is often necessary in the case of conventional nozzles to first close the brush roller from the corresponding nozzle with the aid of a tool or with several, possibly complicated, handles remove. In other words, removal of conventional nozzles often requires more than one handle, possibly even the use of a tool.

In these constructions, however, the cleaning or the removal necessary for this and the insertion process to be carried out after cleaning turn out to be comparatively complicated.

The problem underlying the invention

There is thus a need to create an improvement in the process of removing or inserting a floor cleaning roller into a nozzle for a floor cleaning device, that is to say for example a vacuum cleaner.

Solution according to the invention

A nozzle for a floor cleaning device, for example a vacuum cleaner, takes this requirement into account. The reference symbols in all claims do not have a restrictive effect, but are only intended to improve their readability.

The nozzle for solving the task for a floor cleaning device, for example a vacuum cleaner, comprises a nozzle housing with an insertion opening at least partially arranged on one side surface and a floor cleaning roller which can be removed from the nozzle housing via the insertion opening and reinserted into the nozzle housing via the insertion opening, the floor cleaning roller having an in Has a substantially cylindrical roller body section and a closure structure for the insertion opening which is rotatably mounted relative to the roller body section. The locking structure here has a first latching structure and a second latching structure which is essentially opposite the first latching structure. The nozzle housing comprises a first counter-locking structure assigned to the first locking structure and a second counter-locking structure assigned to the second locking structure, which are designed to enable a releasable and re-producible positive connection between the nozzle housing and the closure structure. The first latching structure that The second latching structure, the first counter-latching structure and the second counter-latching structure can be designed and arranged in such a way that they release the floor cleaning roller by pressing on substantially opposite unlocking sections on an outer surface of the closure structure. This can further simplify the handling of the floor cleaning roller, if necessary, since this configuration not only enables the positive connection between the relevant latching structures to be loosened or re-created, the floor cleaning roller can also be operated due to a non-positive connection between the fingers of a user and the corresponding surfaces the closure structure can be easily removed from the nozzle housing. This may save you having to change your grip. In addition or as an alternative, an unnatural movement sequence can also be prevented.

The nozzle is thus based on the knowledge that the floor cleaning roller of the nozzle can be removed and reinserted more easily in that the relevant latching structures are arranged in such a way that they are essentially opposite one another. The two form-fitting latching structures are therefore designed in such a way that they can be opened on one another by means of pressure. However, this corresponds precisely to a natural grip movement of the hand, which is why the removal, handling and reinsertion of the floor cleaning roller can be simplified.

Here, the floor cleaning roller is firmly connected to the closure structure essentially via a rotatable bearing. It thus represents an assembly or a component that can be operated with one hand.

Advantageous training and further developments, which can be used individually or in combination with one another, are the subject of the dependent claims. The reference signs in the claims do not have a restrictive effect, but are only intended to improve their readability.

In a nozzle according to an embodiment, the first latching structure and the first counter-latching structure and the second latching structure and the second counter-latching structure can engage behind one another in a locked state in such a way that the floor cleaning roller is prevented from moving towards the nozzle housing along a removal direction. The first latching structure and the second latching structure can be brought into an unlocked state by moving them along an unlocking path running essentially perpendicular to the removal direction, so that the floor cleaning roller can be moved to the nozzle housing along the removal direction.

In the case of such a nozzle, the first latching structure and / or the first counter-latching structure can be configured in a U-shape. It can therefore have a groove or bead which is formed by two corresponding sections of the latching structure or counter-latching structure. In this way, a mechanically more stable connection, possibly positive in two directions, can be created between the floor cleaning roller and the nozzle housing.

In such a nozzle, the first latching structure can be arranged on a tongue of the closure structure. This can have a length along the removal direction which is greater than its width essentially perpendicular to the removal direction and the unlocking path. In this way, a mechanically comparatively soft and thus clearly compressible locking can be achieved, via which the user is clearly signaled that he is currently removing the floor cleaning roller from the nozzle housing. This can thus enable a more intuitive operation of the nozzle if necessary. In addition or alternatively, in the case of a U-shaped locking structure or counter-locking structure, mechanical stability of the same can be improved, since due to the soft design of the first locking structure, it covers a greater distance when moving along the unlocking path, so that the sections engaging behind one another along the Unlocking path can be carried out longer. In this way, mechanical stability of the latching can be improved if necessary.

In such a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the nozzle housing can have a sliding structure which is designed and arranged in such a way that when the floor cleaning roller is inserted, the tongue of the closure structure is guided along it before the first latching structure latches with the first counter-latching structure. In this way, if the floor cleaning roller is inserted, for example after it has been cleaned, unintentional loading of the tongue can possibly be prevented. The risk of damaging the tongue can thereby possibly be reduced or even avoided. With such a nozzle, the sliding structure can, for example, optionally be formed by two webs.

In a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the second latching structure can be arranged on a further tongue of the closure structure which has a length along the removal direction that is smaller than its width essentially perpendicular to the removal direction and the unlocking path. In this way, a locking can be created that has a lower mechanical flexibility. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to save installation space, so that they are arranged, for example, in the area of an underside of the nozzle which typically faces the floor to be cleaned during operation of the floor cleaning device and the nozzle. In addition, however, the second latching structure can also be used to create an additional mechanical connection between the floor cleaning roller and the nozzle housing, without this being realized immediately by the user, however. In this way as well, handling of the nozzle can therefore optionally be configured in a more intuitive way in addition or as an alternative.

In a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the closure structure in the area of the second latching structure can have at least one guide groove or a guide pin, the nozzle housing correspondingly having a guide pin or a guide groove in the area of the second counter-latching structure. As a result, additional stabilization with respect to further force components that act on the closure structure, the nozzle housing and / or the floor cleaning roller can optionally be added to the corresponding latching structures.

In such a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the guide groove can have a recess which forms the second latching structure or the second counter-latching structure, and the guide pin correspondingly forms the second counter-latching structure or the second latching structure. In this way, a more compact design can be achieved in that the same structures are used to create the second latching and to absorb the additional forces.

In the case of a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of second latching structures, a plurality of second counter-latching structures and / or a plurality of corresponding guides, each with a guide groove and a guide pin, can of course also be implemented.

In a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the floor cleaning roller can furthermore comprise a guide structure which tapers away from the closure structure. In this case, the nozzle housing can furthermore comprise a guide edge, the guide structure and the guide edge being designed in such a way that they enable the floor cleaning roller to be guided and / or centered relative to the nozzle housing when the floor cleaning roller is inserted into the nozzle housing. As a result, there may be a risk of incorrect latching or tilting the floor cleaning roller and the nozzle housing can be reduced. Likewise, if necessary, the introduction of the floor cleaning roller into the nozzle housing can be improved and thus simplified due to the described interaction of the guide structure and the guide edge with one another.

In such a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the guide structure can be designed in one piece or in multiple segments. As an alternative or in addition, the guide structure can be designed to be essentially conical. As an alternative or in addition, the guide structure can extend over an angle of at least 90 ° and at most 359 ° around a removal direction, the floor cleaning roller being removable from the nozzle housing along the removal direction. These configurations not only improve the introduction or removal of the floor cleaning roller from the nozzle housing, but rather, due to the multi-segment and / or inconsistent design of the guide structure, incorrect insertion of the floor cleaning roller into the nozzle housing can be prevented at an early stage.

In the case of a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the closure structure can be designed in one piece with an essentially constant material thickness. In addition or as an alternative, it can be made of an injection-mouldable material, for example in the context of an injection molding process. This not only simplifies the manufacture of the nozzle or its closure structure, it can optionally be possible in connection with the previously defined geometries of the tongue and the further tongue to achieve easier adjustment of the elastic properties of these components due to their widths and lengths.

Here, a non-positive or frictional connection is created through static friction, a material connection through molecular or atomic interactions and forces, and a form-fitting connection through a geometric connection between the relevant connection partners. The static friction therefore requires in particular a normal force component between the two connection partners. Embodiments can thus make it possible to improve a process of removing or inserting the floor cleaning roller from or into the nozzle of a floor cleaning device, for example a vacuum cleaner.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine Aufsicht auf eine Düse gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel für ein Bodenreinigungsgerät, beispielsweise einen Staubsauger;
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine vergrößerte Seitenansicht der Düse 100 mit entfernter Bodenreinigu ngswalze;
• Fig. 3 zeigt eine vergrößerte Querschnittsdarstellung durch die Düse entlang einer Schnittebene, welche die erste Verrastungsstruktur und die erste Gegenverrastungsstruktur näher zeigt; und
• Fig. 4 zeigt eine vergrößerte Querschnittsdarstellung der Düse entlang einer Schnittebene, welche die zweite Verrastungsstruktur und die zweite Gegenverrastungsstruktur näher zeigt.

In the following, exemplary embodiments are described and explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

• Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a nozzle according to an embodiment for a floor cleaning device, for example a vacuum cleaner;
• Fig. 2 Fig. 10 shows an enlarged side view of the nozzle 100 with the floor cleaning roller removed;
• Fig. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional illustration through the nozzle along a sectional plane, which shows the first latching structure and the first counter-latching structure in more detail; and
• Fig. 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the nozzle along a sectional plane, which shows the second latching structure and the second counter-latching structure in more detail.

Detailed description of the drawings

In the following description of the attached figures, which show exemplary embodiments, the same reference symbols designate the same or comparable components. Furthermore, summarizing reference symbols are used for components and objects that appear several times in an exemplary embodiment or in a drawing, but are described jointly with regard to one or more features. Components or objects that are described with the same or summarizing reference symbols can be the same with regard to individual, several or all features, for example their dimensions, but possibly also be carried out differently, unless the description explicitly or implicitly results in something else.

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a nozzle 100 according to an embodiment for a floor cleaning device, more precisely in the present case for a vacuum cleaner for the household sector. The nozzle 100 is therefore sometimes also referred to as a cleaning head, suction head or vacuum cleaner nozzle.

The nozzle 100 here has a nozzle housing 110 and a floor cleaning roller 120, of which, however, in the case of the in Fig. 1 Selected representation only a closure structure 130 is visible. The closure structure 130 is designed in such a way that it covers and closes an insertion opening 140 of the nozzle housing 110 on one of its side surfaces 150.

The closure structure 130 can be made of an injection-mouldable material, for example an injection-mouldable plastic. It can thus be an injection-molded part, that is to say a component that was manufactured in the context of an injection-molding process. The locking structure 130 is, since it also serves to latch the floor cleaning roller 120, also referred to as roller latching for short.

As the following discussion will show, the closure structure 130 here has a first and a second latching structure, to which a first and a second counter-latching structure are correspondingly assigned, which are embodied as part of the nozzle housing 110, that is to say included therein. For operating the corresponding latching structures, the locking structure 130 each has an unlocking section 160, from which in FIG Fig. 1 only one unlocking section 160-1 can be seen. This is provided on the one hand for identification and on the other hand to improve a non-positive connection between the closure structure 130 and a finger of a user of the nozzle 100 with a surface structure 170, which in the present case comprises a plurality of semicircular grooves and an arrow, the arrow indicating a removal direction 180 .

The nozzle housing 110 and the floor cleaning roller 120 are now designed in such a way that the insertion opening 140, which in FIG Fig. 1 is closed or covered by the closure structure 130, the floor cleaning roller 120 with a corresponding roller body can be removed along the removal direction 180 by releasing the aforementioned latching structures and then reinserted in the opposite direction.

The unlocking section 160-1 shows a position of the first latching structure (not shown in FIG Fig. 1 ), i.e. a component of the roller locking.

More precisely, the nozzle 100 is a so-called turbo nozzle, in which a turbine is moved or driven by means of an air flow, which via a corresponding drive mechanism, which can include, for example, toothed belt pulleys, toothed belts and other components, which is described in Fig. 1 also not shown roller body of the floor cleaning roller 120 drives. The air flow is generated here by a fan of the household appliance which, however, is not part of the nozzle 100 or is arranged in the nozzle housing 110. Of course, other drive technologies than the use of a turbine, which in the present case is arranged in the interior of the nozzle housing 110, can also be used. For example, an electric motor can be used to drive the floor cleaning roller 120 within the scope of the nozzle 100 itself or in its immediate vicinity. Likewise, instead of the previously described power transmission via toothed belts, another transmission, for example via gear wheels, belts or other power transmission methods, can be used to transfer the mechanical movement to the floor cleaning roller 120. In addition, a corresponding drive of the floor cleaning roller 120 can optionally also be completely omitted if it is driven, for example, by a movement of the nozzle 100 over the floor to be cleaned itself. This can be rotated faster or slower than would correspond to the movement of the nozzle over the floor, if necessary using a corresponding step-down or step-up, that is to say by using a corresponding gear.

As below in connection with the Figs. 2 to 4 As will be explained below, the use of a nozzle 100 according to an exemplary embodiment may be simpler The floor cleaning roller 120, which is also referred to as a brush roller, can be removed and reinserted more easily into the nozzle 100.

Fig. 2 FIG. 13 shows a side view of the nozzle 100 with the closure structure 130 removed along with the floor cleaning roller 120. So shows Fig. 2 a view through the insertion opening 140 into an interior of the nozzle housing 110 into an area also referred to as suction space 190, in which the aforementioned roller body of the floor cleaning roller 120 is arranged during operation of the nozzle 100 or while the floor cleaning roller 120 is inserted into the nozzle housing 110 is.

The floor cleaning roller 120 is inserted through the insertion opening 140 into an insertion area 200, which includes, for example, a corresponding receiving and guiding of the roller body of the floor cleaning roller 120 on a side of the nozzle housing 110 facing away from the side surface 150.

In addition, shows Fig. 2 a first counter-latching structure 210 of the nozzle housing 110, to which the previously mentioned, but not yet shown in detail, first latching structure of the floor cleaning roller 120 or its closure structure 130 is assigned. The first counter-latching structure 210 here comprises a projection 220, which is engaged from behind by the U-shaped first latching structure of the closure structure 130. In order to enable this engagement from behind, the first counter-latching structure 210 has a recess 230. In addition, the first counter-latching structure 210 has a sliding structure 240 which, in the present case, comprises two webs 250. The webs 250 of the sliding structure 240 are here - starting from the side surface 150 of the nozzle housing 110 - arranged in front of the projection 220, so that when the floor cleaning roller 120 is inserted, a tongue of the locking structure can be guided along the sliding structure 210 before the first latching structure with the first Gegenverrastungsstruktur 210 locked and thus creates the form-fitting connection.

In addition, the nozzle housing 110 has two second counter-latching structures 260-1, 260-2, which in the present case are designed as guide grooves 270-1, 270-2 and also because of their in connection with Fig. 4 described in more detail Structure also serve to lock the rollers. Of course, in other exemplary embodiments, fewer than two counter-latching structures 260, but also more than two corresponding second counter-latching structures 260 can be used. It should be noted here that the second counter-latching structures are essentially identical - apart from a mirror-image arrangement. In principle, more than one counter-latching structure 210 can also be implemented, provided that these are also designed to be essentially identical.

The nozzle housing 110 also has a guide edge 280 which is designed and arranged in such a way that this, together with a tapering guide structure of the floor cleaning roller 120, guides the same when it is inserted into the nozzle housing 110. In the present case, the guide edge 280 is designed essentially in the shape of a segment of a circle and has an angle of approximately 270 °, with respect to which it extends around the removal direction 180 symmetrically to the position of the first counter-latching structure 210 on both sides.

Fig. 3 FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the nozzle housing 110 and the floor cleaning roller 120 in a state inserted into the nozzle housing 110. Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional plane in which the first counter-latching structure 210 and the first latching structure 290 of the locking structure 130 of the floor cleaning roller 120 assigned to it are shown. Due to the in Fig. 2 The lateral offset of the two second counter-latching structures 260 shown in FIG Fig. 3 not shown.

As before in connection with Fig. 2 has been explained, the first latching structure 290 has an essentially U-shaped structure with which it engages behind the projection 220 of the first counter-latching structure 210. The first latching structure 290 is arranged on a tongue 300 which, along the removal direction 180, has a greater length than a width perpendicular to the removal direction 180 and perpendicular to an unlocking path 310. As a result, by pressing the unlocking section 160-1 and the corresponding surface structures 170 along the unlocking path 310, the first latching structure 290 can be moved so that the U-shaped first latching structure 290 and the corresponding first can be reached from behind Gegenverrastungsstruktur 210 in the form of the projection 220 is resolved. The corresponding geometric configuration is further supported by the fact that the closure structure 130 is made in one piece with an essentially constant material thickness. This makes it possible to determine the mechanical properties of the unlocking section 160 - 1 essentially through the geometric configuration of the tongue 300. In addition, the tongue 300 has a groove-shaped depression 320 in the region of its transition to the rest of the closure structure 130, by means of which the mobility of the tongue 300 is additionally improved. The recess 320 defines a kind of pivot point about which the tongue 300 can be moved.

Of course, the tongue 300 moves here together with the first latching structure 290 essentially on an arcuate unlocking path 310. However, since the distance by which the first latching structure 290 moves along the unlocking path 310 is only small, this can be a good approximation as straight Line, as in Fig. 3 is shown.

Merely for the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out at this point that the first latching structure 290 and its associated first counter-latching structure 210 are also referred to as upper latching, since these are arranged on an upper side of the nozzle housing 110.

Fig. 3 also shows the guide edge 270 of the nozzle housing 110 as well as the previously mentioned but not yet shown guide structure 330, which is designed in such a way that it at least partially guides the floor cleaning roller 120 together with the guide edge 270 when the floor cleaning roller 120 is inserted. The guide structure 330 is designed here as a cone, which is why it is also referred to as a guide cone. In this case, it extends at an angle of at least 90 ° and at most 359 ° in order to avoid an incorrectly oriented introduction of the floor cleaning roller 120 as far as possible. The guide structure 330 tapers away from the closure structure 130. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the guide structure 330 extends symmetrically approximately at an angle of a total of 270 ° around the removal direction 180 on both sides of the first latching structure 290 or the first counter-latching structure 210.

Merely for the sake of completeness, it should be noted at this point that Fig. 3 also at least partially shows a bearing 340 with which the in Fig. 3 The roller body (not shown) of the floor cleaning roller 120 is rotatably mounted in the suction chamber 190.

On a side of the locking structure 130 facing away from or opposite to the unlocking section 160-1 Fig. 3 In addition, a further unlocking section 160 - 2, which likewise has a corresponding surface structure 170, in order to make it identifiable as an unlocking section 160. The unlocking section 160-2 can have, for example, a plurality of grooves designed as a concentric ring. The unlocking section 160 can also be arranged on a further tongue 350, which, however, compared to the tongue 300 has a different ratio of its length along the removal direction 180 and its width perpendicular to this and the unlocking path 310. For example, the further tongue 350 can have a shorter length than a width, so that it has a greater rigidity than the tongue 300. If such a force is exerted by the user on the two unlocking sections 160 in the opposite direction, but along the unlocking path 310, the tongue 300 together with the first locking structure 290 will cover a greater distance along the unlocking path 310 than in the case of the second locking structures, which are also mechanically connected to the further tongue 350, will be the case. So it is with a corresponding design of the second latching structure, as it is in connection with Fig. 4 will be described in more detail, although the latching of the second latching structures and their corresponding second counter-latching structures 260 are released, a user will, however, essentially get the impression that only the first latching structure 290 and its corresponding first counter-latching structure 210 have been separated from one another. This may make it possible, without endangering intuitive operation of the closure structure 130, to improve the mechanical stability by providing a plurality of latching structures.

While Fig. 3 essentially a front view of the nozzle 100 in section with the upper roller latching, that is to say the first latching structure 290 and the first Mating latch structure 210, shows Fig. 4 a corresponding sectional view of the nozzle 100 with a parallel to the sectional plane Fig. 3 offset sectional plane in which the second counter-latching structure 260 and one of the two second latching structures 360 of the locking structure 130 implemented here are shown. Merely for the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out at this point that due to the parallel offset of the two cutting planes from the Figs. 3 and 4 the guide structure 330, that is to say the guide cone, is also shown in relation to one another along a different sectional plane, which is why this is shown in the present illustration of Fig. 4 appears thicker and in a different position.

The second interlocking structures 360, also referred to as lower interlocking, and their corresponding second counter-interlocking structures 260 are designed differently from the first interlocking structure 290 and the first counter-interlocking structure 210. Like the representation of the Fig. 2 has shown, the second counter-latching structures 260 are designed as guide groove 270. Correspondingly, the second counter-latching structures 260 or the guide grooves 270 have two sections 370, 380, between which a section 390 of the second latching structure 360 is moved when the floor cleaning roller 120 is inserted. The section 390 thus represents a pin 400 which is moved through the guide groove 270 formed by the two sections 370, 380.

In order to enable the locking of the second locking structure 360 and its corresponding second counter-locking structure 260, the second counter-locking structure 260 has a projection 410 which is introduced into a recess 420 in the pin 400 or the corresponding section 390 of the second locking structure 360. Along the unlocking path 310, the two second latching structures 360 therefore have a significantly smaller overlap area with their corresponding second counter-latching structures 260 than is the case with the first latching structure 290 and the first counter-latching structure 210. The second latching structures 360 therefore not least serve to additionally secure or support the securing of the closure structure 130 against slipping out.

In the case of a nozzle 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, the floor cleaning roller 120, which is also referred to for short as a brush roller, can thus be removed from the side through the insertion opening 140 essentially with a handle. For this purpose, the user of the nozzle 100 presses the closure structure 130, which is also referred to as roller latching, using a thumb and another finger and can then pull the floor cleaning roller 120 out of the nozzle 100 or its nozzle housing 110. The brush roller is rotatably connected to the closure structure 130 and is pulled out at the same time.

When the floor cleaning roller 120 is reinserted into the essentially round introduction area 200 on the side of the nozzle 100, the guide structure 330, designed as a guide cone, contributes to the fact that the closure structure can only engage in one position. As a result, the latching structures are essentially found independently and the risk of incorrect orientation of the same, that is to say a possibility of incorrectly latching the relevant latching structures to one another, is significantly reduced. The guide structure 330 (guide cone) runs along the guide edge 270 and centers the closure structure 130. As explained above, the guide structure in the exemplary embodiment shown here is circular over an angle of approximately 270 ° of the insertion area 200. In addition to this, the two guide grooves 270, into which two guides of the closure structure 130 are inserted, are located in the lower region of the insertion region 200. In these guide grooves 270, two latching points are provided which latch into two recesses or recesses 420 of the closure structure 130. These latching points form the lower latches, that is to say the second latching structures 360.

In the upper region of the closure structure 130, the first latching structure 290 designed as a U latch is implemented, which latches into a nose or a projection 220 in the nozzle housing 110. This forms the upper latching of the closure structure 130. Both latches together ensure that the floor cleaning roller 120 cannot fall out of the side of the nozzle 100 while it is working. The two interlocking latches are designed in such a way that they can be opened by applying pressure to one another, which corresponds to a natural grip movement of the hand. This makes it possible to remove the floor cleaning roller 120 from the nozzle 100 more easily and to insert it again more easily than is the case with conventional nozzles. An exemplary embodiment of a nozzle 100 thus enables a brush roller latching of a turbo nozzle or another nozzle 100 through self-alignment or self-discovery.

Embodiments can thus make it possible to improve a process of removing or inserting the floor cleaning roller from or into the nozzle of a floor cleaning device, for example a vacuum cleaner.

The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawings can be important both individually and in any combination for the implementation of the invention in its various configurations.

List of reference symbols

100

jet

110

Nozzle housing

120

Floor cleaning roller

130

Closure structure

140

Insertion opening

150

Side face

160

Unlocking section

170

Surface structure

180

Direction of removal

190

Suction chamber

200

Introductory area

210

first Gegenverrastungsstruktur

220

head Start

230

Recess

240

Sliding structure

250

web

260

second Gegenverrastungsstruktur

270

Guide groove

280

Leading edge

290

first latching structure

300

tongue

310

Unlocking path

320

deepening

330

Management structure

340

warehouse

350

another tongue

360

second latching structure

370

section

380

section

390

section

400

Cones

410

head Start

420

Recess

Claims (11)

1. Nozzle (100) for a floor cleaning appliance, for example a vacuum cleaner, with the following features:

   a nozzle housing (110) with an insertion opening (140) arranged at least partially on a side area (150); and

   a floor cleaning roller (120) that can be removed from the nozzle housing (110) via the insertion opening (140) and can be re-inserted into the nozzle housing (110) via the insertion opening (140),

   wherein the floor cleaning roller (120) has a substantially cylindrical roller body section and a closure structure (130) for the insertion opening (140) that is mounted such that it can rotate in relation to the roller body section,

   wherein the closure structure (130) has a first latching structure (290) and a second latching structure (360) that lies substantially opposite the first latching structure (290); and

   wherein the nozzle housing (110) comprises a first mating latching structure (210) assigned to the first latching structure (290) and a second mating latching structure (260) assigned to the second latching structure (360), which are embodied so as to enable a positive connection between the nozzle housing (110) and the closure structure (130) that can be released and re-established,

   characterised in that

   the first latching structure (290), the second latching structure (360), the first mating latching structure (210) and the second mating latching structure (260) are embodied and arranged such that they release the floor cleaning roller (120) by pressing on unlocking sections (160), which lie substantially opposite one another, on an outer area of the closure structure (130).
2. Nozzle (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first latching structure (290) and the first mating latching structure (210), as well as the second latching structure (360) and the second mating latching structure (260), engage behind one another in a locked state in such a way that the floor cleaning roller (120) is prevented from moving in relation to the nozzle housing (110) along a removal direction (180), wherein the first latching structure (290) and the second latching structure (360) can be brought into an unlocked state by moving the same along an unlocking path (310) that runs substantially perpendicularly to the removal direction (180), so that the floor cleaning roller (120) can be moved in relation to the nozzle housing (110) along the removal direction (180).
3. Nozzle (100) according to claim 2, characterised in that the first latching structure (290) and/or the first mating latching structure (210) are embodied in a U-shaped manner.
4. Nozzle (100) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the first latching structure (290) is arranged on a tab (300) of the closure structure (130), which has a length along the removal direction (180) that is larger than its width substantially perpendicularly to the removal direction (180) and of the unlocking path (310).
5. Nozzle (100) according to claim 4, characterised in that the nozzle housing (110) has a sliding structure (240) that is embodied and arranged such that, when the floor cleaning roller (120) is inserted, the tab (300) of the closure structure (130) is guided along it, before the first latching structure (290) latches to the first mating latching structure (210).
6. Nozzle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second latching structure (360) is arranged on a further tab (350) of the closure structure (130), which has a length along the removal direction (180) that is smaller than its width substantially perpendicularly to the removal direction (180) and of the unlocking path (310).
7. Nozzle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure structure (130) has at least one guide slot (270) or a guide pin in the region of the second latching structure (360), wherein the nozzle housing (110) accordingly has a guide pin (400) or a guide slot, respectively, in the region of the second mating latching structure (260).
8. Nozzle (100) according to claim 7, characterised in that the guide slot (400) has a recess (420), which forms the second latching structure (360) or the second mating latching structure (260), and wherein the guide pin (400) accordingly forms the second mating latching structure (260) or the second latching structure (360).
9. Nozzle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the floor cleaning roller (120) further comprises a guide structure (330) that tapers away from the closure structure (130), and in which the nozzle housing (110) comprises a guide edge (280), wherein the guide structure (330) and the guide edge (280) are embodied such that they enable a guiding and/or a centring of the floor cleaning roller (120) in relation to the nozzle housing (110) when inserting the floor cleaning roller (120) into the nozzle housing (110).
10. Nozzle (100) according to claim 9, characterised in that the guide structure (330) is designed in a one-piece or multi-segment manner, in which the guide structure (330) has a substantially conical design, and/or in which the guide structure (330) overall extends over an angle of at least 90° and at most 359° about a removal direction (180), wherein the floor cleaning roller (120) can be removed from the nozzle housing (110) along the removal direction (180).
11. Nozzle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure structure (130) is designed with a substantially constant material thickness, for example as part of an injection moulding method, and/or is manufactured from an injection-mouldable material.

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