EP2659818A2 - Nozzle for a floor cleaning machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The nozzle (100) has a drive unit (130) provided with an output shaft (160) to displace a bottom cleaning roller in rotation. The bottom cleaning roller is rotated around a rotational axis (310) during operation of the nozzle. A disk-shaped display element (320) i.e. vane wheel (330), is mechanically connected with the output shaft of the drive unit and displays rotation of the output shaft of the drive unit. A separated chamber is completely arranged in an inner space of a housing (110) of the nozzle and located at an outer confinement surface of the nozzle.

Description

Background of the invention

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

State of the art

In the field of floor cleaning equipment, so for example in the field of vacuum cleaners, users often encounter stubborn dirt, which aroused the desire early to remove them not only by suction from the respective surfaces, but also by the use of brushes before sucking at least to solve. For example, sweeping machines are used for cleaning public areas, in which a corresponding brush roller "turns away" impurities from the floor to be cleaned.

But also in other areas of soil cleaning arise similar challenges, which is why there rotating brush rollers are used to mechanically remove, for example, dirt, dust, dirt and other contaminants, which include, for example, fibrous particles before, for example, by sucking from the surface be removed.

Thus, for example, in vacuum cleaners, but also in other floor cleaning devices in which a cleaning effect is based at least partially on a suction or blowing off by means of an air or gas flow, appropriate brush rollers used in their nozzles. The term "nozzle" refers here, for example, in a vacuum cleaner, but also in other floor cleaning equipment, an essay, which is brought into contact with the soil to be cleaned and over which the corresponding air or gas stream is passed. So For example, nozzles are also referred to as suction cups, vacuum cleaner nozzles or cleaning heads.

If appropriate nozzles have such brush rollers, they can be set in rotation by means of different approaches. Thus, for example, a brush mounted in the region of the nozzle electric motor, the brush roller directly or indirectly, for example via a transmission driven. In addition, the brush roller can also be driven solely by the relative movement of the nozzle to the ground to be cleaned. Similarly, so-called turbo nozzles are used, which are vacuum cleaner nozzles, in which by means of air or gas flow, a turbine is moved, which drives the brush roller. The brush roller is often covered with bristles, which improve the dust and fiber absorption.

If such a nozzle is placed on a carpet during operation of the floor cleaning device, often reduces - for example, due to a smaller amount of air flowing through the turbine - a speed of the turbine and thus the brush roller. The user of the floor cleaning device can often perceive this effect only acoustically. Here, the acoustic impression can go so far that the user can be tempted to believe that the turbo nozzle would stop even though it continues to rotate. The user may thus get the impression that the brush roller would no longer work and therefore no more dirt would be picked up by the nozzle, although this is typically not the case.

Conventional nozzles attempt to counteract this impression by providing a transparent cover around the brush which allows the user of the vacuum cleaner to optically control the rotation and function of the brush. For example, the GB 2 426 918 A to a brush assembly whose cover is made transparent in the brush. However, the use of transparent sections or transparent housing components can lead to lifetime problems, since these materials are often more sensitive to damage than non-transparent components.

Also the US 5,467,501 refers to a vacuum cleaner with an illuminated viewing window for a belt drive of a brush roller. When this vacuum cleaner is the belt used to drive the brush roller is illuminated via a light guide and can be seen through a viewing window.

Embodiments underlying task

Conventional solutions, however, often suffer from the fact that they do not allow a complete and satisfactory detection of the movement of the brush roller over the longest possible service life of the brush. There is therefore a need to provide a nozzle for a floor cleaning device, which allows a lighter and over a longer period of reliable detection of movement in the nozzle.

solution

This requirement is borne by a nozzle according to claim 1. The reference numbers in all claims here have no limiting effect, but are only intended to improve their readability.

A nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning appliance, for example a vacuum cleaner, comprises a floor cleaning roller which is designed to be in contact with a floor to be cleaned during an operation of the nozzle during a rotation about an axis of rotation. It further comprises a drive unit having an output shaft configured to rotate the floor cleaning roller, and a substantially disc-shaped display member mechanically connected to the output shaft of the drive unit and configured to rotate the output shaft of the drive unit display.

A nozzle according to one embodiment is based on the finding that a lighter and over a longer period more reliable detection of movement in the nozzle is achieved in that the display element is mechanically connected to the drive unit. As a result, it may be possible, for example, to arrange the display element at a position of the nozzle which is more remote from the floor cleaning roller, whereby the display element is made, for example, of a region which is mechanically loaded by impacts, impacts and other movements can be moved out. Likewise, this may result in a typically larger and more easily recognizable display element, which is configured substantially disc-shaped, whereby not least the improved recognizability is achieved.

Hereinafter, a disk is understood to mean an object which can be rewritten by a smallest mathematical cylinder having a circular area, wherein the circular area has a larger diameter than a height of the cylinder perpendicular to the circular area.

Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims. The reference numerals in the claims have no limiting effect but are merely intended to improve their readability. The substantially disc-shaped configuration of the display element can also allow a more natural recognizability of the rotational movement of the floor cleaning roller and / or the output shaft of the drive unit.

In a nozzle according to an embodiment, the display element may be mounted on the output shaft of the drive unit such that the display element rotates about a rotation axis substantially coincident with the output shaft upon rotation thereof. As a result, if necessary, a construction of such a nozzle can be mechanically simplified by arranging the display element directly on the output shaft of the drive unit. Alternatively or additionally, it may possibly be possible thereby to make the display element larger and / or to attach it to a more protected position. As a result, the recognizability of the display element and thus the recognizability of the rotational movement or rotation over a longer period can be improved.

In the case of a nozzle according to one exemplary embodiment, the display element may have a surface configuration and / or color design such that this makes it easier to detect the rotation of the display element. In other words, the display element may be, for example, geometric Design, optionally supplementarily or alternatively to promote the easier recognizability of the rotational movement by its color design.

Thus, in the case of a nozzle according to one exemplary embodiment, the display element can be designed as an impeller, disk or as a spoke wheel. Additionally or alternatively, the display element may have a plurality of regularly or irregularly arranged around its circumference striven-shaped structures. Likewise, in addition or alternatively, the display element may have a printed or glued spiral, a plurality of color segments and / or bar marks. By means of these and possibly also other features of the surface and / or color design, it is thus possible for a user to be detected from unusual angles of view on the nozzle, possibly by detecting the rotational movement.

In the case of a nozzle according to one exemplary embodiment, this can be designed such that it can flow through a particle-laden gas stream. The display element may then be arranged in a space substantially completely separated from the particle-laden gas stream. In this way, if appropriate, an improved detection can be achieved over a longer period, since a mechanical interaction of the particles with the display element, but possibly also with its infrastructure, can be reduced, if not completely eliminated.

Thus, in such a nozzle according to an embodiment of the separated space can be arranged substantially completely in an inner space of a housing of the nozzle. As a result, if appropriate, easier recognizability over a longer period of time can be achieved since the interaction of the particles from the air or gas stream with the display element itself, but also with a housing of the nozzle, is further reduced. In other words, the display element may be substantially encapsulated.

In a nozzle according to an embodiment in which the display element is arranged in a separate space, the separated space may be arranged on an outer boundary surface of the nozzle and at least partially covered by a transparent housing portion. This can if appropriate, the separation of the separated space in which the display element is arranged can be further improved without significantly impairing the recognizability of the display element.

In such a nozzle according to an embodiment of the transparent housing portion may be formed such that the display element at an angular range of at least 150 ° relative to a rotation of the nozzle about a perpendicular to the floor to be cleaned reference axis is recognizable. Thus, the transparent housing portion may thus be formed such that even under possibly unusual viewing angles to the nozzle, the display element is recognizable by the user. Thus, in other exemplary embodiments, the transparent housing section may, for example, be designed such that it allows recognition of the display element over an angular range of at least 175 °, at least 180 ° or at least 185 °. Here, a recognizability is understood to mean the possibility of seeing whether the display element is in rotation or not.

In a nozzle according to an embodiment having a transparent housing portion, the display element may be configured to indicate rotation by rotation about an axis of rotation, the transparent housing portion comprising a transparent first portion substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and the transparent one Housing portion further comprises a substantially parallel to the axis of rotation extending transparent second portion, which adjoins the first portion. In other words, the transparent housing section may be at least partially pot-shaped, with the first section defining a bottom region of the pot and the second section defining a side surface region.

As a result, if appropriate, the display element can be formed with structurally simple means and a structurally easily designed transparent component. This can be made, for example, by an injection molding process based on an injection-moldable, transparent plastic.

In such a nozzle according to an embodiment, the first portion may be made substantially circular and the second portion at least extend partially around the first section. In this way, therefore, the transparent section can at least partially simulate a geometric shape of the display element and thus facilitate easier recognizability, if appropriate, in that the transparent section is arranged comparatively narrowly around the display element.

In a nozzle according to an embodiment, the drive unit may comprise a turbine and / or an electric motor. Especially with such drive units, the provision of such a disc-shaped display element may be interesting.

In a nozzle according to an embodiment, the output shaft may be further coupled to a pulley and / or a toothed pulley engaged by a belt via which the floor cleaning roller is driven directly or indirectly by the drive unit. Thus, this may optionally provide a decoupling of the display element of the necessary infrastructure for driving the floor cleaning roller infrastructure, so that due to mechanical stress, abrasions and other aging effects, the visibility of the display element is not or only slightly affected.

Components of a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment can in this case be produced, for example, as injection-molded components in the context of an injection molding process from a corresponding injection-moldable material, for example an injection-moldable plastic. As a result, if appropriate, an easy and efficient production of a nozzle according to an exemplary embodiment may be possible.

This is a frictional or frictional connection by stiction, a cohesive connection by molecular or atomic interactions and forces and a positive connection by a geometric connection of the respective connection partners come about. The static friction thus presupposes in particular a normal force component between the two connection partners.

Embodiments can thus enable easier and longer-term reliable detection of movement in the nozzle. This can for example, done with structurally simple means in a visually pleasing manner.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

zeigt eine Querschnittsdarstellung durch eine Düse gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 2

zeigt eine Teildarstellung der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Düse mit der Antriebseinheit und dem Anzeigenelement;

Fig. 3

zeigt eine Seitenansicht einer Bodenreinigungswalze der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Düse gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und

Fig. 4

zeigt eine vergrößerte Querschnittsdarstellung durch die Düse aus Fig. 1 mit einem transparenten Gehäuseabschnitt.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described and explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

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

Fig. 2

shows a partial view of in Fig. 1 shown nozzle with the drive unit and the display element;

Fig. 3

shows a side view of a floor cleaning roller of Fig. 1 shown nozzle according to an embodiment; and

Fig. 4

shows an enlarged cross-sectional view through the nozzle Fig. 1 with a transparent housing section.

Detailed description of embodiments

In the following description of the attached figures showing embodiments, like reference numerals designate like or similar components. Further, summary reference numbers are used for components and objects that occur multiple times in one embodiment or in a drawing, but are described together in terms of one or more features. Components or objects which are described by the same or by the same reference numerals may be the same, but possibly also different, in terms of individual, several or all features, for example their dimensions, unless otherwise explicitly or implicitly stated in the description.

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view through a nozzle 100 according to an embodiment of a floor cleaning device, which is more specifically a vacuum cleaner and more particularly a household vacuum cleaner. The nozzle 100 is also referred to herein as a cleaning head, suction head or vacuum cleaner mouthpiece.

The nozzle 100 has a nozzle housing 110, which can be produced, for example, from an injection-moldable plastic as part of an injection molding process. The nozzle comprises an air guide region 120, in which a drive unit 130 is arranged. The drive unit 130 comprises a turbine 140, which is arranged in the air guide region 120 such that one of a fan of the in Fig. 1 not shown floor cleaning device generated air or gas flow can be offset in a rotation about an axis of rotation 150 of the drive unit 130.

For this purpose, the turbine 140 is mechanically non-rotatably connected to an output shaft 160 of the drive unit 130, along the axis of rotation 150 of the drive unit 130 in the embodiment of a nozzle 100 shown here on both sides of each of a bearing 170-1, 170-2 relative to the Nozzle housing 110 is guided. The output shaft 160 is also referred to as a turbine axle or turbine shaft due to the turbine 140. The output shaft 160 is in this case coupled on the side of the bearing 170-1 with a first pulley 180. The first pulley 180 is disposed between the bearing 170-1 and the turbine 140 and rotatably coupled to the output shaft 160. Via a first belt 190, which is in contact with the first pulley 180 and connected by means of a non-positive and / or positive connection with this, the turbine 140 can drive a further shaft 200 via a second pulley 210, with the first Belt 190 is also in non-positive and / or positive connection. The second pulley 210 is also connected to the other shaft 200 rotatably.

The further shaft 200 further has a third pulley 220, which is rotatably connected thereto at a side remote from the second pulley 210 of the further shaft 200. A fourth belt pulley 230, which is non-positively and / or positively in communication with the third belt pulley 220, drives a fourth belt pulley 240 on. For this purpose, the second belt 230 is also positively and / or non-positively connected to the fourth pulley 240.

The further shaft 200 is in this case supported by further bearings 250-1, 250-2 in the nozzle housing 100. The fourth pulley 240 is in this case equipped with a designed as an elongated cylindrical body receptacle 270 for a in Fig. 1 not shown floor cleaning roller rotatably connected. The receptacle 270 is in this case mechanically non-rotatably connected to a connecting structure 280, via which the floor cleaning roller is coupled to the fourth pulley 240 and thus via the second belt 230 and the first belt 190 to the output shaft 160 of the drive unit 130. The receptacle 270, the connecting structure 280 and the fourth pulley 240, which are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner, are likewise guided and supported in a rotationally fixed manner in the nozzle housing 110 via a receiving bearing 290.

In the embodiment shown here, the pulleys 180, 210, 220, 240 are more specifically designed as a toothed belt pulleys. Correspondingly, the first belt 190 and also the second belt 230 are a toothed belt which, if appropriate, can be in contact with the toothed belt pulleys both positively and positively. In the case of an implementation as pulleys without support by corresponding tooth structures, in this case the force or torque transmission takes place essentially on the basis of a frictional connection.

Via an opening 300, the in Fig. 1 Floor cleaning roller, not shown, are introduced into the nozzle housing and thus into the nozzle, so that during operation of the nozzle, the floor cleaning roller is in contact with a floor to be cleaned during rotation about a rotation axis 310 in such a way that it causes dirt particles from the floor to be cleaned by the rotation absorbs or relaxes. Along the axis of rotation 310 in this case the opening 300 is arranged on a side facing away from the receptacle 270 and the connecting structure 280 side of the nozzle housing 110. About this, the floor cleaning roller can be inserted into the nozzle housing 110, where it rotatably via the connecting structure 280, for example via a positive connection, but optionally also via a non-positive connection or a combination thereof with the drive unit 130 is coupled to the drive unit 130th to be rotated.

In this case, the axis of rotation 310 is aligned substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 150 of the drive unit 130, but offset parallel thereto and perpendicular to the axes of rotation 150, 310. The same applies to the in Fig. 1 unspecified rotation axis of the other shaft 200th

A substantially disc-shaped display element 320 is also mechanically connected to the output shaft 160 so that it is driven by the output shaft 160 during rotation thereof and accordingly indicates a rotation of the output shaft 160 and thus of the turbine 140. More specifically, in this case, the display element 320 is directly mounted on the output shaft 160 of the drive unit 130, so that the display element 320 also rotates about the rotation axis 150 of the drive unit 130 upon rotation thereof.

The display element 320 is configured as an impeller 330 in the embodiment of a nozzle 100 shown here. It thus has a plurality of curved, strut-shaped structures 340 which are connected to a hub of the impeller 330 and the disc-shaped display element 320, respectively. The display element 320 thereby has a surface configuration which allows easy recognizability of rotation thereof. Here, the strut-shaped structures 340 are arranged substantially regularly along a circumference of the display element 320.

Of course, in other embodiments, the strut-shaped structures 340 may also be distributed irregularly around the circumference, if implemented at all. For example, the display element 320 may also be designed as a spoke wheel or as a disk. It can have such different surface configurations that allow a corresponding easy recognizability of a rotation of the same.

Alternatively or in addition to this, the display element 320 may also have a corresponding color design, which allows such an easy recognizability. For example, a spiral may be printed on or glued to the display element. Likewise, the display element 320 may include a plurality of color segments and / or stroke marks.

Irrespective of this, however, in one exemplary embodiment of a nozzle 100, the display element 320 is configured substantially disc-shaped. A disk here means an object which can be rewritten by a smallest mathematical cylinder having a circular area, wherein the circular area comprises a larger diameter than a height of the cylinder perpendicular to the circular area.

The nozzle housing 110 has a partition wall 350, which separates the display element 320 from a residual space of the nozzle housing 110, in which, for example, the turbine 140 or the drive unit 130 is disposed. The partition 350 in this case has an opening through which the output shaft 160 is connected to the display element 320. For example, the display element 320 may be arranged by a space substantially completely separated from the particle-laden gas stream. When displayed in Fig. 1 Here, however, the cover of the room in question is not shown. This is related to Fig. 4 explained in more detail. However, it should already be noted that the nozzle housing 110 in a directly adjacent to the partition 350 area has a side projection 360, via which a in Fig. 1 Not shown cover is stülpbar and can be locked with this. Of course, a corresponding cover can also be connected to the rest of the nozzle housing 110 by means of another connection technique, that is, for example, a non-positive, positive and / or cohesive connection technique. Thus, for example, a corresponding cover can also be glued to the side projection 360 of the nozzle housing 110.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the drive unit 130 and connected to these shafts, pulleys and the receptacle 270th Fig. 2 however, does not show the nozzle housing 110 and the structures in contact therewith. So illustrated Fig. 2 For example, not only the axis of rotation 150 of the drive unit 130 and the axis of rotation 310 of the receptacle 270 to the in Fig. 2 also not shown floor cleaning roller is rotatably mounted, parallel. It thus shows a plan view of the drive unit 130 of the nozzle 100 with the impeller 330.

Fig. 2 also illustrates the position of the previously mentioned axis of rotation 370 of the other shaft 200. These also runs parallel to the aforementioned axes of rotation 150, 310, but is perpendicular to these spaced from the aforementioned axes of rotation. As a result, and by the described arrangement of the pulleys 180, 210, 220 and 240, a rotational movement of the drive unit 130 and its output shaft 160 perpendicular to the axes of rotation 310 can be transmitted to the receptacle 270.

In addition illustrated Fig. 2 in that the indicator element 320 has a spherical hub section 380 in the region of the connection to the output shaft 160 of the drive unit 130, that is to say in the region of a piercing point of the axis of rotation 150 of the drive unit 130 by the impeller 330.

Fig. 3 FIG. 10 shows a side view of a floor cleaning roller 390 in a receptacle 270 (not shown in FIG Fig. 3 ) recorded state. So shows Fig. 3 For example, the receiving bearing 290 and the fourth pulley 240, wherein Fig. 3 clearly the interlocking of the same reveals. Thus, the fourth pulley 240 is a toothed pulley.

The floor cleaning roller 390 in this case comprises a substantially cylindrical roller body 400 to which or in which a plurality of brushes 410 are introduced or applied, which are also referred to as bristles. These are arranged along two lines along the roller body 400 such that they meet in a central region 420 on each other at a comparatively acute angle.

In addition, shows Fig. 3 a further receiving bearing 430, which is arranged on a receiving bearing 290 along the axis of rotation 310 opposite side. The further receiving bearing 430 can in this case be designed, for example, as part of a housing section which can be removed together with the floor cleaning roller 390 from the nozzle 100 or its nozzle housing 110.

Fig. 4 finally shows a Fig. 1 similar cross-sectional view of the nozzle 100. This shows Fig. 4 an enlarged view of the area of the drive unit 130, however due to the selected cutting plane is not or only partially visible. Fig. 4 11 shows a side view of a section substantially along the output shaft 160.

So shows Fig. 4 in particular, the previously mentioned partition wall 350, which limits the previously mentioned, substantially separated space 440 to the drive unit 130, not shown, out. This has the previously also mentioned opening 450, through which the output shaft 160 of the drive unit 130 extends therethrough.

In the space 440, the display element 320 is shown with the hub portion 380. The hub portion 380 in this case has a recess 490, in which the output shaft 160 protrudes and forms a non-positive, positive and / or cohesive connection technology, the rotationally fixed connection of the display element 320 to the output shaft 160.

The nozzle 100 has the previously mentioned cover 470, which has a first portion 480, which is substantially perpendicular to the not in Fig. 4 shown axis of rotation 310 of the floor cleaning roller 390 extends. Accordingly, the first portion 480 is also substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation 150 of the drive unit 130 arranged vertically.

The first section 480 is adjoined by a second section 490 extending substantially perpendicular thereto, so that the two sections 480, 490 provide a substantially pot-shaped structure of the cover 470. In this case, the first section 480 is essentially circular, with the second section 490 extending at least partially around the first section 480.

The cover 470 in this case has on the second portion 490 along the partition wall 350 in the assembled state facing groove 500, which is formed such that this together with the side projection 360 of the partition wall 350 and the nozzle housing 110 creates a connection to the nozzle housing 110. The cover 470 is in this case integrally formed and can be made for example of a transparent material, that is, for example, from a transparent plastic. The cover 470 thus forms a transparent housing portion 510, by which the display element 320 is at least partially, in the present case, even completely covered. The Cover 470, that is to say the transparent housing section 510, is arranged or forms on an outer boundary surface of the nozzle 100. As a result, the display element 320 is arranged substantially completely in an interior of the nozzle housing 110.

As previously mentioned, in the present embodiment, the cover 470 forms a transparent housing portion, which may be made of a transparent plastic, for example. For example, the cover 470 can be produced from a transparent and injection-moldable plastic as part of a corresponding injection molding process. As a result, a corresponding cover 470 can be produced with comparatively simple design and production methods. Since the display element 320 is implemented as an impeller in the embodiment shown here, the cover 470 is therefore also referred to as a transparent impeller cover.

In order to allow a view of the display element to a user of the floor cleaning device even under possibly unusual angles, the transparent housing portion 510 is just shaped so that the display element 320 over an angular range of at least 150 ° with a rotation of the nozzle about a perpendicular to the makes clearing ground standing reference axis recognizable. Not least, the substantially pot-shaped configuration, ie the embodiment with the two aforementioned sections 480, 490 of the cover 470 contributes to this. The design of the cover allows a user of the floor cleaning device to recognize straight, whether the display element is in rotation or not.

Due to the configuration with the above-described sections 480, 490, the display element 320 may optionally also be recognizable in some embodiments over a larger than the aforementioned angular range of at least 150 °. For example, in the present exemplary embodiment, the display element 320, that is to say the impeller 330, can also be recognizable over an angular range of at least 175 °, of at least 180 ° or even possibly of 185 °.

As has already been explained in the introduction, a nozzle 100 according to one exemplary embodiment makes it possible to visualize the rotational movement of the turbine 140, that is to say the output shaft 160 of the drive unit 130. Because of its implementation with a turbine 140, the nozzle 100 is also referred to as a turbo nozzle.

In other embodiments, instead of the turbine 140 and a drive unit 130 may be used, for example, includes an electric motor. As a result, if appropriate, an independent of the air or gas flow control, regulation or adjustment of a speed of the floor cleaning roller done.

A nozzle 100 according to an exemplary embodiment may thus, if appropriate, make it possible to remedy the problems with transparent components that frequently occur in conventional nozzles, or at least to reduce them. These problems are often that they are prone to breakage. To alleviate this problem, in a nozzle 100 according to one embodiment, an additional impeller 330, generally a disk-shaped display element 320, is attached to the output shaft 160, also referred to as a turbine axle, which indicates the rotational movement of the turbine 140 and the output shaft 160, respectively.

The display element 320 in this case sits laterally on the nozzle housing 110 and is protected by the transparent cover 470. The cover does not have to be designed as large as a complete brush cover and is less prone to breakage. In addition, by the use of the display element 320 this may also be displaced to a position at which damage to the transparent cover 470 can optionally be further reduced by the display element 320 is just directly connected to the output shaft 160, so for example mounted on this is. Damage caused by inadvertent treatment of the nozzle 100 during operation of the floor cleaning appliance can be further reduced if necessary.

For example, one embodiment of a nozzle 100 may allow the user to control the function of the nozzle 100 not only acoustically, but optically as well. In this case, if necessary, the transparent cover 470 of the optical Indicator (display element 320) are constructed comparatively small. This can benefit the longevity of the nozzle 100.

An exemplary embodiment of a nozzle 100 can therefore be implemented, for example, as a turbo nozzle with a visible impeller 330 as an optical control device. It comprises an additional display element in the form of the impeller 330, which visualizes the rotational function of the nozzle 100. The impeller is in this embodiment neither completely nor partially in the suction air flow of the floor cleaning device, so the vacuum cleaner arranged. The display element 320 is directly coupled to the shaft of the turbo-wheel to drive it. In this case, the display element 320 is covered transparently by the cover 470 and simultaneously encapsulated.

Thus, a nozzle 100 according to an embodiment may not only represent an alternative embodiment to a floor nozzle in which the rotational movement of an air turbine is visible to the user, but may also allow safer operation and / or easier assembly and manufacture of the nozzle 100.

The nozzle 100, as in the Fig. 1 to 4 is a floor nozzle with a drive of a brush, a transparent window, which allows the visualization of the rotational movement of the floor cleaning roller 390 with its brushes 410. It is arranged on the side of the output of the air turbine 140. In her case, the drive is done for example by the suction air flow through the turbine 140, but can for example also be done by an electric motor. The cover 470 is transparent and sealed from the environment. Instead of or in addition to the configuration as an impeller, the display element 320 can also be implemented with printed spiral, color segments or a bar code, such as a flipbook comparable.

As a result of the special arrangement of the display element 320, it is thus possible, for example, to keep the recognizability or display of the functionality of the drive unit 130 dust-free over an extended period of time, possibly over the entire service life of the nozzle 100. The transparent window, formed by the cover 470 in the embodiment shown here, may thus optionally be free from abrasion by dust, which can happen in a conventional solution in which the window is in the suction flow. In addition, due to the separate design of the floor cleaning roller 390 a replaceable floor cleaning brush are realized, as previously explained. A nozzle 100 may thus allow optical control of the rotational function of the brush.

Embodiments can thus enable easier and longer-term reliable detection of movement in the nozzle. This can be done, for example, with structurally simple means in a visually pleasing manner.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the appended claims and the appended figures may be taken to be and effect both individually and in any combination for the realization of an embodiment in its various forms. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES </ b> 100 jet 110 nozzle housing 120 Air management 130 drive unit 140 turbine 150 Rotary axis of the drive unit 160 output shaft 170 camp 180 first pulley 190 first belt 200 another wave 210 second pulley 220 third pulley 230 second belt 240 fourth pulley 250 another camp 260 additional warehouse 270 admission 280 connecting structure 290 reception camp 300 opening 310 axis of rotation 320 disc-shaped display element 330 impeller 340 strut-shaped structure 350 partition wall 360 lateral projection 370 Rotary axis of the shaft 380 hub area 390 Floor cleaning roller 400 roller body 410 brush 420 the central region 430 another reception center 440 room 450 opening 460 recess 470 cover 480 first section 490 second part 500 groove 510 transparent housing section

Claims (12)

Nozzle (100) for a floor cleaning appliance, for example a vacuum cleaner, having the following features: a floor cleaning roller (390) adapted to be in contact with a floor to be cleaned during operation of the nozzle (100) upon rotation about a rotation axis (310); a drive unit (130) having an output shaft / 160) configured to rotate the floor cleaning roller (390); and a substantially discoid display member (320) mechanically coupled to the output shaft (160) of the drive unit (130) and configured to indicate rotation of the output shaft (160) of the drive unit (130). The nozzle (100) of claim 1, wherein the display element (320) is mounted on the output shaft (160) of the drive unit (130) such that the display element (320) is rotatable about an axis of rotation (150) substantially coincident with the output shaft (160). rotated during a rotation of the same. A nozzle (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display element (320) has a surface finish and / or color design such as to allow easy recognition of the rotation of the display element (320). A nozzle (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display element (320) is formed as an impeller (330), spoke or spoked wheel, and / or wherein the display element comprises a plurality of strut-like structures regularly or irregularly arranged around its circumference ( 340), and / or wherein the display element is a printed one or glued spiral, a plurality of color segments and / or bar marks. A nozzle (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle (100) is adapted to pass a particle-laden gas stream, the indicator member (320) substantially completely separated in a particle-laden gas stream Room (440) is arranged. The nozzle (100) of claim 5, wherein the separated space (440) is substantially completely disposed in an interior of a housing (110) of the nozzle (100). A nozzle (100) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the separated space (440) is disposed on an outer periphery of the nozzle (100) and at least partially covered by a transparent housing portion (510). The nozzle (100) of claim 7, wherein the transparent housing portion (510) is formed such that the indicator member (320) has an angular range of at least 150 ° with respect to rotation of the nozzle (100) about a floor perpendicular to the floor to be cleaned standing reference axis is recognizable. A nozzle (100) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the display member (320) is adapted to indicate rotation by rotation about an axis of rotation (150), the transparent housing portion (510) having a transparent first portion (480). which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation (150), and wherein the transparent housing portion (510) further comprises a transparent second portion (490) extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (150) and adjacent to the first portion (4). 480). The nozzle (100) of claim 9, wherein the first portion (480) is substantially circular, and the second portion (490) extends at least partially around the first portion (480). A nozzle (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive unit (130) comprises a turbine (140) and / or an electric motor. A nozzle (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the output shaft (160) is further coupled to a pulley (180) and / or a toothed pulley engaged by a belt (190) or toothed belt over which the floor cleaning roller (160) 390) is driven indirectly or directly by the drive unit (130).

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