EP2659817B1 - 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, for example 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. 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 DE 198 20 628 C1 relates to a sweeper with a rotating, drivable brush roller, which is rotatably mounted at both ends in a frame. The drive takes place here via a toothed wheel which engages with its teeth in driver recesses in the brush roller at one end and which forms the bearing of the relevant brush roller in this end.

The DE 41 39 693 A1 finally relates to a vacuum cleaner mouthpiece with an exchangeably 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 mounted on at least one side in a semicircular recess of a bearing element fixed to the housing and the axle or shaft end is held in the recess by a detachable latching element.

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 at least 25% of a width of the nozzle housing.

The publications also disclose US 2003/0 145 424 A1 and US 2007/0 209 135 A1 an arrangement for mounting a floor cleaning roller in a nozzle housing of a vacuum cleaner by means of a mandrel with which the floor cleaning roller can be fastened in the nozzle housing.

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 according to the invention for a floor cleaning device, for example a vacuum cleaner, comprises a nozzle housing, a floor cleaning roller which can be removed from the nozzle housing and reinserted into it and which can be rotated about an axis of rotation with respect to the nozzle housing during operation of the floor cleaning device. The nozzle further comprises an at least partially substantially cylindrical body which extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation at least during operation of the floor cleaning device, the floor cleaning roller and the cylindrical body being designed in such a way that the floor cleaning roller when removed and when inserted onto the cylindrical Body can be applied, and wherein the cylindrical body extends over at least 25% of a width of the nozzle housing. Furthermore, the floor cleaning roller comprises a substantially cylindrical roller body section with a substantially round, disk-shaped guide section, the guide section having a larger diameter than the roller body section. This enables the floor cleaning roller to be pre-aligned, for example with the aid of structurally simple means.

Such a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment is based on the knowledge that an improvement in a removal or insertion process of the floor cleaning roller in the nozzle can be achieved by providing a cylindrical body to which the floor cleaning roller in question can be applied and which has a certain minimum length having. At least 25% of the width of the nozzle housing has proven to be a reasonable lower limit. The width of the nozzle housing is measured parallel to or along the axis of rotation of the floor cleaning roller.

Thus, the removal or the insertion can in principle initially be improved as the length of the relevant cylindrical body increases. If this extends, for example, along the axis of rotation over at least 30% of the width of the nozzle housing, over at least 35%, over at least 40% or over at least 45% of the width of the nozzle housing, the relevant removal or insertion process can be further facilitated, if necessary, since the floor cleaning roller is guided in the nozzle through the cylindrical body over a greater distance.

However, it can make sense to limit the distance over which the cylindrical body extends in relation to the width of the nozzle housing upwards, since a structure of the floor cleaning roller may otherwise come into contact with peripheral structures of the nozzle housing or other components of the nozzle can.

In other words, the cylindrical body serves not least to guide the floor cleaning roller in the nozzle housing. The floor cleaning roller and the cylindrical body are therefore generally designed in such a way as to enable or create a corresponding guidance of the floor cleaning roller.

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 the case of a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the cylindrical body can be attached to a side of the nozzle housing facing a first side surface of the nozzle housing. It can therefore be attached to a point attached from a central plane through the nozzle housing or the nozzle, the central plane being perpendicular to the axis of rotation. To put it another way, the cylindrical body can thus be fastened asymmetrically in the nozzle housing. This enables easier removal or insertion from a side surface of the nozzle housing or the nozzle, if necessary.

In such a nozzle, according to an exemplary embodiment, the nozzle housing can at least partially comprise an insertion opening for inserting and removing the floor cleaning roller on a second side surface of the nozzle housing facing away from the first side surface. A design that is better matched to an air flow which flows through the nozzle during operation of the floor cleaning device can thus be implemented through such a lateral inlet opening. Likewise, if necessary, easier removal through a possible lateral pulling out and / or possibly a mechanically more stable solution can be implemented, which can lead to a longer service life of the nozzle.

In such a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the inlet opening can have a round shape, at least in sections. The floor cleaning roller can accordingly be shaped on a side facing the first side surface in the inserted state in such a way that the floor cleaning roller can be guided along the nozzle housing at least at the beginning of the introduction of the same into the nozzle housing. As a result, the pre-alignment of the floor cleaning roller can be achieved when it is reinserted, whereby the insertion process can be carried out more easily if necessary.

In the case of a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the floor cleaning roller can have a substantially cylindrical roller body section and a closure structure for the inlet opening, the closure structure facing the roller body section is rotatably mounted. The closure structure can be designed in such a way as to close the inlet opening after the floor cleaning roller has been inserted. In such an exemplary embodiment, the closure structure and the roller body section are connected to one another due to the rotatable mounting, so that the insertion of the floor cleaning roller can be simplified in this case, since the user only has to operate a single component, namely the floor cleaning roller.

In the case of a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the floor cleaning roller can have a substantially cylindrical roller body section with a plurality of brushes fastened therein. The floor cleaning roller can be enclosed by a smallest circumferential cylinder jacket surface with a cylinder diameter, the nozzle housing having a recess facing a floor to be cleaned during operation. The floor cleaning roller can be arranged in the nozzle housing during operation of the floor cleaning device in such a way that the brushes can penetrate the recess when the floor cleaning roller rotates. The cylinder diameter of the circumferential cylinder jacket surface can be greater than an extension of the recess perpendicular to the axis of rotation. With such a nozzle, the above-described need arises in a particularly clear manner, since the floor cleaning roller itself is no longer easily removable due to the described geometry of the recess and the described geometry of the floor cleaning roller itself through the recess facing the floor to be cleaned.

In such an exemplary embodiment, a diameter of the disk-shaped guide section described above can be smaller than the cylinder diameter of the smallest circumferential cylinder jacket surface. In this way, the construction of the nozzle can optionally be simplified in that the guide section enables the previously explained guidance of the floor cleaning roller, but the brushes of the floor cleaning roller essentially determine the cylinder diameter of the circumferential cylinder surface. These can therefore penetrate the recess and thus be in contact with the floor to be cleaned, without this also applying to the guide section.

In such an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the guide section can also be greater than an extension of the recess perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Through this the guide section can serve not only for guiding, but also optionally as a safeguard against the floor cleaning roller inadvertently falling out of the nozzle housing if it has not yet come into contact with the cylindrical body. This also makes it easier to insert or remove the floor cleaning roller from the nozzle or the nozzle housing.

In the case of a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the floor cleaning roller can have an essentially centrally running recess which is designed in such a way as to receive the cylindrical body when the floor cleaning roller is in the inserted state. In this way, a mechanically simple to implement and thus typically stable construction can be achieved, which enables the above-described guidance of the floor cleaning roller through the cylindrical body.

In the case of a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the cylindrical body can be designed in such a way that it can rotate completely or partially when the floor cleaning roller rotates. This can reduce wear on the floor cleaning roller or the cylindrical body, if necessary. Any additional noise development can also be reduced if necessary.

In the case of a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the floor cleaning roller can be driven via a mutual toothing with a transmission component, for example via a turbine driven by an air flow from the floor cleaning device. In this way, the previously described complete co-rotation of the floor cleaning roller with the cylindrical body can optionally be implemented. In this way, wear and tear or even the development of noise can possibly be reduced.

In such a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment, the mutual toothing can be designed in such a way that it acts in a self-centering manner when the floor cleaning roller is inserted. In this way, the insertion of the floor cleaning roller can be simplified, since the requirements for alignment with regard to an angle about the axis of rotation during insertion are reduced.

In such a nozzle, according to an exemplary embodiment, the floor cleaning roller can have a funnel-shaped and / or inclined toothing and the transmission component can have a conical and / or tapering toothing. As a result, the self-centering effect mentioned above can be achieved with the aid of mechanically simple methods.

In the case of a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment with such a transmission component, the cylindrical body with the transmission component can be non-positively, positively and / or materially bonded, for example via an adhesive bond and / or a press fit with or without an optional knurling on the cylindrical body and / or the transmission component, be connected. In this way, a connection of the transmission component and the cylindrical body can thus be achieved in turn with mechanically simple means and thus typically in a stable manner.

In a nozzle according to one embodiment, the nozzle housing, the roller body section of the floor cleaning roller, the guide section of the floor cleaning roller, the closure structure of the floor cleaning roller, but also the brushes of the floor cleaning roller and the cylindrical body can be made of a plastic, for example an injection-mouldable plastic. The cylindrical body can also be made of a metal, a metal alloy or another suitable material.

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 Querschnittsdarstellung durch eine Düse gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 2

zeigt eine Seitenansicht einer Bodenreinigungswalze einer Düse gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 3

zeigt eine Querschnittsdarstellung durch die in Fig. 2 gezeigte Bodenreinigungswalze;

Fig. 4

zeigt eine Aufsicht auf die in den Fig. 2 und 3 gezeigte Bodenreinigungswalze mit ihrer Verzahnung;

Fig. 5

zeigt eine Aufsicht auf ein Übertragungsbauteil einer Düse gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 6

zeigt eine vergrößerte Querschnittsdarstellung durch die Bodenreinigungswalze im Bereich ihrer Verzahnung, wie sie in Fig. 3 gezeigt ist;

Fig. 7

zeigt eine vergrößerte Querschnittsdarstellung durch die Bodenreinigungswalze und das Übertragungsbauteil in einem zusammengesetzten Zustand;

Fig. 8

zeigt eine Seitendarstellung des Übertragungsbauteils; und

Fig. 9

zeigt eine Querschnittsdarstellung durch das Übertragungsbauteil.

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

Fig. 1

shows a cross-sectional view through a nozzle according to an embodiment;

Fig. 2

shows a side view of a floor cleaning roller of a nozzle according to an embodiment;

Fig. 3

shows a cross-sectional view through the in Fig. 2 Floor cleaning roller shown;

Fig. 4

shows a top view of the in the Figs. 2 and 3 Floor cleaning roller shown with its teeth;

Fig. 5

shows a plan view of a transmission component of a nozzle according to an embodiment;

Fig. 6

FIG. 11 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view through the floor cleaning roller in the area of its toothing, as shown in FIG Fig. 3 is shown;

Fig. 7

shows an enlarged cross-sectional view through the floor cleaning roller and the transfer member in an assembled state;

Fig. 8

Figure 3 shows a side view of the transmission member; and

Fig. 9

shows a cross-sectional view through the transmission component.

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 occur several times in an embodiment or in a drawing, but are described together with regard to one or more features. Components or objects that are described with the same or summarizing reference symbols can be identical with regard to individual, several or all features, for example their dimensions, but possibly also different, unless the description explicitly or implicitly results in something else.

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view through a nozzle 100 according to an embodiment for a floor cleaning device, which is more precisely a vacuum cleaner and, more precisely, a household vacuum cleaner. As mentioned briefly at the beginning, a nozzle 100 is also referred to as a cleaning head, suction head or vacuum cleaner mouthpiece.

Thus, the nozzle 100 has a nozzle housing 110 which can, for example, be produced at least partially from an injection-mouldable plastic in the context of an injection molding process. In the nozzle housing 110, a turbine 130 is rotatably arranged in an air guide region 120 facing a fan of the floor cleaning device. For this purpose, the turbine 130 has shafts 140, by means of which the turbine 130 is rotatably mounted via bearings 150. If the fan of the floor cleaning device thus effects an air flow through the air guiding area 120, the turbine 130 is set in rotation.

A first belt pulley 160, via which a first belt 170 is set in motion due to the movement of the turbine 130, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the shaft 140 of the turbine 130. The first belt 170 is in engagement with a second belt pulley 180, via which a further shaft 190 is set in rotation due to a rotationally fixed connection of the second belt pulley 180 with the latter. A third belt pulley 200 is non-rotatably connected to the further shaft 190, which in turn engages with a second belt 210, which in turn is mechanically connected to a transmission component 220, which is also a belt pulley 230, so that it can rotate the turbine 130, the transmission component 220 is also set in rotation. For this purpose, both the transmission component 220 and the further shaft 190 are each rotatably mounted in the nozzle housing 110. With the one shown here and described embodiment, the pulleys are designed as toothed belt pulleys and the corresponding belts as toothed belts. The power transmission is thus based on a combination of force-fit and form-fit transmission. In the case of pulleys and corresponding belts, on the other hand, there is primarily a force-fit transmission.

The nozzle housing 110 has a suction chamber 240 which is fluidically connected to the air guiding area 120 in such a way that an air flow caused by the fan of the floor cleaning device passes through the suction chamber 240 to the turbine in the air guiding area 120 before it is passed on to the fan. The suction chamber 240 here has an in Fig. 1 Not shown recess or opening which faces the floor to be cleaned during operation of the floor cleaning device and the associated nozzle 100 and through which the particles to be sucked up, ie dirt, grime and other contaminants are sucked up.

In the suction chamber 240, an at least partially essentially cylindrical body 250 extends into it, which in the present exemplary embodiment is non-rotatably connected to the transmission component 220. The transmission component 220 is made of a plastic, while the cylindrical body 250 is made of a metallic material, for example a metal or a metal alloy. In the present exemplary embodiment, the cylindrical body 250 is fastened to the transmission component 220 via a force-locking and form-locking connection, namely with the help of a knurled press fit.

The transmission component 220 is arranged in the area of a first side surface of the nozzle housing 110, so that the cylindrical body 250 extends into the suction chamber 240 only from one side, that is to say asymmetrically. The cylindrical body 250 extends along an axis of rotation over at least 25% of a width of the nozzle housing 110 along the axis of rotation 270.

The cylindrical body 250 and a floor cleaning roller, which will be described in more detail in connection with the further figures, are designed in such a way that the floor cleaning roller can be applied to and from the cylindrical body to be led. The cylindrical body is thus designed together with the floor cleaning roller in such a way that it can be applied to the cylindrical body when it is removed and inserted.

Because the cylindrical body 250 extends over at least 25% of the width of the nozzle housing 110 along the axis of rotation 270, the floor cleaning roller is picked up by the cylindrical body at a comparatively early stage and guided accordingly. As a result, the floor cleaning roller is therefore already guided to the transmission component 220 at an early stage.

In order to facilitate receiving or threading of the floor cleaning roller onto the cylindrical body 250, the latter has a bevel 280 at an end facing away from the transmission component 220 which, due to its taper, enables the floor cleaning roller to be picked up more easily.

To drive the floor cleaning roller, the transmission component 220 also has a toothing 290, via which a form-fitting connection with the floor cleaning roller for transmitting a torque. The floor cleaning roller has, as for example in connection with the Fig. 3 , 4th , 6 and 7 will be explained in more detail, a corresponding counter-toothing.

In order to enable the floor cleaning roller to be guided at the beginning of the insertion process and thus easier to insert it into the nozzle housing 110, the nozzle housing 110 also has one or more guide surfaces 300 on which a corresponding guide section of the floor cleaning roller glides or along can be performed. As a result, the floor cleaning roller can at least partially be guided in the interior of the nozzle housing, more precisely in the area of the suction chamber 240, at an early stage.

The guide surface 300 is arranged on a second side surface 310 of the nozzle housing 110, which is opposite the first side surface 260 along the axis of rotation 270. The guide surfaces 300 are arranged in the area of an insertion opening 320, which creates an access to the suction chamber 240 through which the in Fig. 1 Floor cleaning roller, not shown, is insertable.

A nozzle 100 as shown in Fig. 1 is shown, thus enables an improvement in the roller guidance of a floor cleaning roller and an improvement in the roller finding within the framework of such a vacuum cleaner nozzle, which is also referred to as a turbo nozzle due to its configuration with a turbine 130. As below in connection with Fig. 2 will be explained below, the floor cleaning nozzle in question can be, for example, a brush or bristle roller, in which a plurality of brushes come into contact with the floor to be cleaned.

In the nozzle 100, which is a vacuum cleaner nozzle, the turbine 130 is moved due to the air flow of the fan. The in Fig. 1 Driven floor cleaning roller, not yet shown. How Fig. 2 will show, this is equipped with bristles or brushes, which are at least partly responsible for the dust and fiber absorption.

When certain particles are sucked in, for example long fibers, hair and / or animal hair, however, these can wrap themselves around the floor cleaning roller or its roller body. In order to clean this again, it is often advisable to be able to remove the roller from the nozzle 100, also referred to as the “turbo brush”, by means of a latching mechanism.

If the floor cleaning roller has now been cleaned, it is reinserted into the nozzle housing 110. When the floor cleaning roller is reinserted into the nozzle 100, the floor cleaning roller should again engage positively with the transmission component 220 and its toothing 290 in order to create the torque transmission to it. In order to make this possible in the simplest possible way, the nozzle 100 or its transmission component 220 as well as the floor cleaning roller described below have some structural details which are explained in more detail below.

However, even the cylindrical body 250 with its previously described length of at least 25% of the width of the nozzle housing 110 along the axis of rotation 270 the possibility that the floor cleaning roller can simply be threaded. The cylindrical body 250 thus represents a long roller guide. The self-finding of the splines of the toothing 290 described below can therefore possibly reduce the user's attention when threading the floor cleaning roller, since it can engage more easily.

Correspondingly, in other exemplary embodiments, the cylindrical body 250 can of course also be designed to be longer than 25% of the width of the nozzle housing 110 along the axis of rotation 270. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40% or at least 45% of a width of the nozzle housing 110 can be used. However, it may possibly be advisable to limit an upper length of the cylindrical body 250 in order to prevent components of the floor cleaning roller 330 from getting caught with components of the nozzle housing 110 or the nozzle 100 when the floor cleaning roller is removed or inserted.

Fig. 2 FIG. 13 shows a side view of the floor cleaning roller 330 already mentioned but not shown. Here, FIG Fig. 2 the floor cleaning roller 330 in an assembled state, in which this is in positive contact with the transmission component 220, which will be described in more detail below. Like a comparison with Fig. 1 shows, the transmission component 220 is arranged in the area of the first side surface 260 of the nozzle housing 110. Fig. 2 shows the floor cleaning roller 330, which is also referred to as a brush roller, with the transmission component 220 and the pulley 230 designed as a toothed belt pulley in the right part of the illustration.

On a side opposite the transmission component 220, the floor cleaning roller 330 has a bearing 340, via which a substantially cylindrical roller body section 350 can be rotated on an in Fig. 2 Not shown locking component or a locking structure not shown there is rotatably mounted and fastened. The floor cleaning roller 330 is thus rotatably arranged in the nozzle housing 110 via the transmission component 220 and the bearing 340 of the closure structure. Due to the design features that will be described below, the Floor cleaning roller 330 can be removed from the nozzle housing 110 and reinserted into this later. In the Fig. 2 The closure structure (not shown) is connected to the nozzle housing 110 in the inserted state and is designed in such a way that it closes the insertion opening 320.

As already mentioned, the floor cleaning roller 330 has the roller body section 350 in which a plurality of brushes 360, which are also referred to as bristles, are inserted. The brushes 360 can be made of any material suitable for the respective cleaning purpose. The brushes 360 can accordingly be bundles of individual fibers, but also larger, for example essentially cylindrical structures made of a plastic or a rubber. The brushes 360 are here along the line also in Fig. 2 The axis of rotation 270 shown, around which the floor cleaning roller 330 rotates during operation of the nozzle 110, is arranged in a circumferential V-shape. A tip of the V-shaped arrangement is arranged in the area of a center plane 370 of the nozzle 100 when the floor cleaning roller 330 is installed. The axis of rotation 270 is perpendicular to the measuring device 370.

As already mentioned in connection with Fig. 1 has been explained, the floor cleaning roller 330 has a guide structure 380, which is round and disk-shaped, at an end facing the first side surface 260 in the inserted state, that is to say the transmission component 220. The floor cleaning roller 330 can come into contact via the guide section 380 with the introduction opening 320, which is essentially round at least in sections, or the corresponding guide surfaces 300, in order to facilitate the introduction of the floor cleaning roller 330.

For this purpose and in order to create a mechanically simple and easily producible structure in which the brushes 360 nevertheless represent the structures of the floor cleaning roller 330 furthest away from the axis of rotation 270, the guide section 380 has a diameter which is greater than that of the roller body 350. Because the brushes 360 are not arranged continuously, it is advisable to define the diameter of the floor cleaning roller 330 via a circumferential cylinder jacket surface 390, which represents the smallest circumferential cylinder jacket surface. Your cylinder diameter is both larger than the diameter of the guide section 380 as well as that of the roller body section 350.

The circumferential cylinder jacket surface 390 is the smallest circumferential cylinder jacket surface if it has an axis of symmetry which coincides with the axis of rotation 270 and is precisely dimensioned with regard to its cylinder diameter in such a way that on the one hand the floor cleaning roller 330, in particular with its brushes 360, lies completely inside the circumferential cylinder jacket surface, but no other Circumferential cylinder jacket surface 390 can be defined, which has a smaller cylinder diameter and is also coaxial with the axis of rotation 270 and includes all components of the floor cleaning roller 330 in its interior.

Of course, instead of the described geometry of the floor cleaning roller 330 with a recessed roller body section 350, floor cleaning rollers 330 configured differently can also be used. For example, instead of a V-shaped arrangement of the brushes 360, the roller body section 350 can also be essentially completely covered with corresponding brushes 360, so that these have an almost uniform structure, possibly, however, also permeated by patterns. If necessary, brushes that are not uniform, but rather different ones, for example with different degrees of hardness or different mechanical properties, can be used.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view through the already in Fig. 2 Floor cleaning roller 330 shown. So shows Fig. 3 that the floor cleaning roller 330 has an essentially centrally running recess 400 which is just designed to receive the cylindrical body 250 in the inserted state of the floor cleaning roller 330 in the nozzle housing 110. Correspondingly, the centrally running recess 400 extends essentially collinearly to the axis of rotation 270 and corresponds to at least a length which also corresponds to that of the cylindrical body 250. Depending on the specific configuration, it may be advisable here to make the centrally running recess 400 somewhat deeper or longer than the cylindrical body 250. The centrally running recess 400 thus offers space for the extended axis, that is to say the cylindrical body 250, which serves as a roller guide.

In addition, on a side facing away from the guide section 380, that is to say in the area of the bearing 340, the floor cleaning roller 330 has a further centrally running recess 410 into which a bearing pin 420 of the bearing 340 is introduced. A non-positive, positive and / or material connection can be created between the bearing pin 420 and the roller body of the floor cleaning roller 330. Typically, the mechanical connection between the bearing pin 420 and the floor cleaning roller 330 is based on an essentially non-positive connection through a corresponding selection of the diameter of the bearing pin 420 and the further centrally running recess 410. This can, if necessary, be further increased by an optional knurling of the bearing pin 420.

In addition, shows Fig. 3 in the area of the guide section 380, that is to say in the area of the toothing 290, the corresponding counter-toothing structure 430, which is described below in connection with Fig. 4 is described in more detail.

Fig. 3 shows the floor cleaning roller 330 with its splines in section.

So shows Fig. 4 a plan view of the floor cleaning roller 330 from the side of the toothing 290. So shows Fig. 4 a top view of the fitting teeth of the floor cleaning roller 330, which enables rollers to be found on the basis of their internal teeth or counter-teeth 430. The counter-tooth structure 430 has a plurality of regularly arranged recesses 440 into which corresponding teeth of the tooth system 290 of the transmission component 220 can engage. In order to enable the toothed structure of the transmission component 220 to be introduced more easily, the counter-toothed structure 430 has, adjacent to the recesses 440, beveled surfaces 450 which can be oriented clockwise or counterclockwise. In the present exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning roller 330, these are oriented clockwise. The toothing structure here is funnel-shaped and tapered, although in other exemplary embodiments if necessary, only a funnel-shaped or only angled configuration with the corresponding beveled surfaces 450 can take place.

In the case of the floor cleaning roller 330 shown here, however, the counter-toothing structures 430 are designed to be both funnel-shaped and inclined. The inclined toothing is achieved here by the beveled surfaces 450, while Fig. 4 Shows parts of the side surfaces 460 of a recess in which the corresponding counter-tooth structure 430 is arranged.

Fig. 5 shows a top view of the transmission component 220, i.e. the belt pulley 230. The transmission component 220 has an arrangement of toothed structures 470 which is adapted to the recesses 440 of the floor cleaning roller 330 and which together with the counter-toothed structures 430 of the floor cleaning roller 330 form the toothing 290. As below in connection with the Figures 7 to 9 will be explained in more detail, the toothing structures 470 are here conical and tapered to a point, as shown in FIG Fig. 5 already suggests. The transmission component 220 thus enables the floor cleaning roller 330 to be found and threaded due to its external toothing.

Before, however, in connection with the Figures 7 to 9 the configuration of the toothing 290 on the side of the transmission component 220, that is to say the toothing structure 470 is to be described in more detail, will first be described in connection with FIG Fig. 6 the counter-tooth structure 430 of the floor cleaning roller 330 is described in more detail. As already explained above, this is designed funnel-shaped and inclined. The counter-tooth structure 430 thus has an angle α with respect to the axis of rotation 270 in the outer area, which allows the floor cleaning roller 330 to slide easily onto the transmission component 220. This can, for example, assume any value in the angular range between 10 ° and 80 °, an angle between 30 ° and 75 ° having been selected in the present case. Thus, on the one hand, these angles enable the counter-toothing structure 430 to be brought into contact with the toothing structure 470 in a targeted manner even in the event of an imprecise introduction, but without creating expansively deep counter-toothing structures 430. For example, an angle of approximately 68 ° has been used in the present case. So can with the angle used here For example, a depth d of the counter-tooth structure of less than 15 mm, more precisely in the present case of 9.5 mm, can be used.

The counter-tooth structure 430 has, starting from a lateral surface 480 of the floor cleaning roller 330, a first section in which the counter-tooth structure 430 has the aforementioned angle α in order to enable the correct floor cleaning roller position to be found as easily as possible. This is followed by a second section in which the side walls of the counter-tooth structure 430 run essentially parallel to the axis of rotation 270. This is now followed by a third section, which has a length d1 along the axis of rotation 270, which is typically in the range of less than 5 mm, and in which the counter-tooth structure 430 again tapers conically to the centrally running recess 400 and its diameter . In the present exemplary embodiment, the distance d1 is approximately 1.5 mm. The three sections together have the aforementioned depth d.

In order to illustrate the interaction between counter-tooth structure 430 and tooth structure 470 in more detail, FIG Fig. 7 an enlarged cross-sectional view of the floor cleaning roller 330 and the transmission member 220 in the assembled state. So shows Fig. 7 that the floor cleaning roller 330 with its counter-toothing structure 430 forms an outer fitting toothing, which enables a form-fitting, torque-transmitting connection to the transmission component 220 and its toothing structure 470. The tooth structure 470 here forms the inner fitting tooth system.

Fig. 8 now shows a side view of the transmission component 220 or the belt pulley 230, which in the present case is designed as a toothed belt pulley. On the one hand, the transmission component 220 has the toothed structure 470, its teeth having an angle β with respect to the axis of rotation 270 in the outer area, which is smaller than the angle α of the floor cleaning roller 330 Finding the toothing and producing the appropriate form-fitting Connection can be realized. The angle β here is typically in the range of less than 45 °. In the present exemplary embodiment, it is approximately 26.6 °.

In addition, shows Fig. 8 It is clear that the belt pulley 230, that is to say the transmission component 220, is a toothed belt pulley. Thus, on a side facing away from the toothed structure 470, the transmission component 220 has a running surface 490 provided with a toothed structure, in which the second belt 210, which is accordingly a toothed belt, engages and thus provides a non-positive and positive connection for transmitting the To provide torque from the third pulley 200 to the transmission member 220.

Fig. 9 Finally, FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view through the transmission component 220 or the belt pulley 230. The toothed structure 470 in the outer area has an angle Υ relative to the axis of rotation 270, which has only a slight inclination of typically less than 25 °, often less than 15 °. In the present case, it has an angle of only 3.1 °. The tooth flanks of the toothed structure 470 have an angle δ with respect to the axis of rotation 270 which, depending on the orientation, is at least 100 ° or at most 80 °. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the angle is more precisely approximately 128.7 ° or 38.7 °.

In the transition area between these corresponding sections, the toothed structures 470 in the present case have rounded areas which are designed with a radius r that is typically at least a factor 2 smaller than an overall length e of the toothed structure 470. The overall length of the toothed structure 470 is based on this the total length d of the counter-tooth structure 430 and is typically designed to be smaller than this. In the present exemplary embodiment, the total length e of the toothed structure 470 has a length of approximately 8.75 mm, the rounding r having a radius of approximately 3 mm.

Of course, in other exemplary embodiments, however, the structural features described here, in particular with regard to the angles, spacings and distances used, can be implemented differently. Likewise, less can also complex or more complex tooth structures 470 and counter-tooth structures 430 are used.

Due to the configuration of the nozzle 100 according to an embodiment described here, when the floor cleaning roller 330 is reinserted into the turbo brush 100, it can engage positively in a spline in order to be driven via the turbine 130 or another drive mechanism in another embodiment. The drive side of the toothing 290 sits on the transmission component 220, that is to say the toothed belt pulley or belt pulley 230, which is driven by the turbine 130 via corresponding belts or toothed belts 170, 210. The transmission component 220 is held in the bearing via the cylindrical body 250, which serves as an axis for the corresponding bearing of the transmission component 220. The axis is thus extended as a cylindrical body 250 through the transmission component 220 and serves as a guide for the floor cleaning roller 330. By means of this long guide, the floor cleaning roller 330 can be threaded in early.

The toothing 290 here forms a fitting toothing which, on the drive side, comprises an inner toothing, the toothing structure 470, which is arranged on the transmission component 220. On the output side, it further comprises an external toothing, the counter-toothing structure 430, which is arranged in the floor cleaning roller 330. The two toothed structures are designed in such a way that they find each other independently and align with one another when the floor cleaning roller 330 is correspondingly inserted through the insertion opening 320. In the exemplary embodiment described here, this is made possible by the previously explained conical and tapered toothing on the side of the transmission component 220 and the funnel-shaped and inclined toothing on the side of the floor cleaning roller 330.

The nozzle 100 thus has a roller guide and roller guide for the floor cleaning roller 330, which is also referred to as a bristle roller. The nozzle that has been shown and described here so far represents a turbo nozzle. However, other drive technologies can also be used.

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

Air flow area

130

turbine

140

wave

150

warehouse

160

first pulley

170

first strap

180

second pulley

190

another wave

200

third pulley

210

second strap

220

Transmission component

230

Pulley

240

Suction chamber

250

cylindrical body

260

first side face

270

Axis of rotation

280

chamfer

290

Interlocking

300

Guide surface

310

second side face

320

Insertion opening

330

Floor cleaning roller

340

warehouse

350

Roller body section

360

brush

370

Middle plane

380

Guide section

390

Circumferential cylinder surface

400

centrally running recess

410

further centrally running recess

420

Bearing pin

430

Counter-tooth structure

440

Recess

450

beveled face

460

Side face

470

Tooth structure

480

lateral surface

490

Tread

Claims (12)

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

   a nozzle housing (110);

   a floor cleaning roller (330), which can be removed from the nozzle housing (110) and re-inserted back into it, and can rotate about an axis of rotation (270) in relation to the nozzle housing (110) during operation of the floor cleaning appliance; and

   a body (250) that is substantially cylindrical, at least in sections, which extends substantially in parallel with the axis of rotation (270), at least during the operation of the floor cleaning appliance,

   wherein the floor cleaning roller (330) and the cylindrical body (250) are embodied such that the floor cleaning roller (330) can be attached to the cylindrical body (250) during removal and during insertion; and

   wherein the cylindrical body (250) extends over at least 25% of a width of the nozzle housing (110),

   characterised in that the floor cleaning roller (330) comprises a substantially cylindrical roller body section (350) with a substantially round disk-shaped guide section (380), wherein the guide section (380) has a larger diameter than the roller body section (350).
2. Nozzle (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the cylindrical body (250) is fastened to a side of the nozzle housing (110) that faces towards a first side area (260) of the nozzle housing (110).
3. Nozzle (100) according to claim 2, characterised in that the nozzle housing (110), on a second side area (310) of the nozzle housing (110) that faces away from the first side area (260), at least partially comprises an insertion opening (320) for inserting and removing the floor cleaning roller (330).
4. Nozzle (100) according to claim 3, characterised in that the insertion opening (320) has a round shape, at least in sections, and wherein the floor cleaning roller (330), on a side facing towards the first side area (260) in the inserted state, is shaped such that the floor cleaning roller (330), at least at the start of the insertion thereof, can be guided into the nozzle housing (110) along the nozzle housing (110).
5. Nozzle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that directing areas (300) are arranged on the second side area (310) of the nozzle housing (110) in the region of the insertion opening (320) and are configured for the insertion of the floor cleaning roller (330) into the nozzle housing, wherein they come into contact with the guide section (380).
6. Nozzle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the floor cleaning roller (330) has a substantially cylindrical roller body section (350) with a plurality of brushes (360) fastened thereto, wherein the floor cleaning roller (330) can be surrounded by a smallest peripheral cylinder lateral area (390) with a cylinder diameter, and the nozzle housing (110) has a recess (440) that faces towards a floor to be cleaned during the operation, wherein the floor cleaning roller (330), during the operation of the floor cleaning appliance, is arranged in the nozzle housing (110) such that the brushes (360) are able to penetrate the recess (440) when the floor cleaning roller (330) rotates, and wherein the cylinder diameter is larger than an extension of the recess (440) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (270).
7. Nozzle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the floor cleaning roller (330) has a recess (440), which runs substantially centrally and is embodied to receive the cylindrical body (250) in an inserted state of the floor cleaning roller (330).
8. Nozzle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cylindrical body (250) is designed such that it can co-rotate fully or partially when the floor cleaning roller (330) is rotated.
9. Nozzle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the floor cleaning roller (330) is driven via a mutual toothing (290) with a transfer part, for example via a turbine (130) driven by an air flow of the floor cleaning appliance.
10. Nozzle (100) according to claim 9, characterised in that the mutual toothing (290) is embodied as self-centring when the floor cleaning roller (330) is inserted.
11. Nozzle (100) according to claim 10, characterised in that the floor cleaning roller (330) has a toothing (290) that is funnel-shaped and/or comes in at an angle, and the transfer part (220) has a toothing (290) that is conical and/or tapers off at a point.
12. Nozzle (100) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the cylindrical body (250) is connected to the transfer part (220) in a non-positive fit, positive fit and/or materially bonded manner, for example via an adhesive bond and/or an interference fit with or without an optional knurling.

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