EP2975991B1

EP2975991B1 - Vacuum cleaner nozzle

Info

Publication number: EP2975991B1
Application number: EP13730907.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johan WADELIUS; Bo Pilsmo
Original assignee: Electrolux AB
Current assignee: Electrolux AB
Priority date: 2013-03-20
Filing date: 2013-06-25
Publication date: 2018-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2033-06-25
Also published as: EP2975991A1; CN105163639B; WO2014146731A1; CN105163639A

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a rear brush holder, and a vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional nozzles for vacuum cleaners normally comprise means, such as brushes, supporting and spacing the bottom part of the nozzle with respect to the surface to be cleaned. In particular, such brushes may be used when cleaning hard surfaces, such as floors. When the nozzle is operated on the floor, the airflow generated by the fan unit of the vacuum cleaner enters the suction inlet of the nozzle generally via the space between the floor and the front, rear and lateral edges of the nozzle. For cleaning soft surfaces, such as carpets, brushes are normally not used. The brushes may then be retracted in the nozzle.
When a nozzle is used on hard floor it's needed to be lifted up from the floor a pre-defined distance to create a space for the particles between the nozzle plate and floor. Typically this is done by a front and rear brush attached to a common holder that can be operated up and down, or a single brush, e.g. a front brush, attached to a holder that can be moved up and down together with wheels fixated to the nozzle plate.
In US2004216267 A1 an example of a vacuum cleaner nozzle for floors and carpets, is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner nozzle has a housing comprised of an upper part and a slide sole, a pivotable rocker located in the housing on a rear segment in working direction and an actuating lever to operate the rocker. Strip-shaped gasket elements are attached to the rocker, which are arranged in working direction in front of and behind a suction port formed into the slide sole and can be retracted and moved out of openings on the lower side of the housing with a pivoting movement of the rocker. Thus, both the front and the rear strip-shaped gasket elements are attached to the same rocker element.
In WO0154555 A1 another example of a cleaning head for a floor-cleaning device is disclosed. The cleaning head comprises: at least one nozzle, which can be connected to a cleaning product supply for applying a cleaning product in vapor or liquid form to a floor surface to be cleaned; a front suction opening and a back suction opening (in relation to the direction of advancement of the cleaning head) for taking up dirt and used cleaning product, which can be connected to a suction assembly; and front and back squeegee-type lip elements which are associated with the suction openings and which can be lowered onto or raised from the floor surface according to the advancing movement. The suction housing can be displaced in relation to the bearing part, towards the direction of advancement, and the cleaning head has gear elements for converting the displacement of the suction housing into a movement raising or lowering the squeegee lip elements.
In EP 158145 A1 another example of a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The nozzle has brushes comprising a holder bar having bristles.
In WO07025906 A1 yet another example of a vacuum cleaner nozzle is disclosed. The nozzle has a bristle which is movable between a first position and a second position.
The inventors of the present invention have identified a need for an improved vacuum cleaner nozzle which is less expensive, easy and straightforward to manufacture.
Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle which provides a cost effective and improved way of sealing off the air inlet of the nozzle against hard floor.
A further object is to provide an improved vacuum cleaner nozzle which is less expensive, easy and straightforward to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-mentioned objects are achieved by the present invention according to the independent claim.
Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.
The present invention relates to a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner designed for picking up dust from hard floor and carpet, and in particular it relates to adding a rear brush attached to a separate holder to the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The rear brush holder and the front brush holder being separate pieces. The rear brush holder and the front brush holder may be attached or interconnected via a brush movement mechanism. Thus, in one embodiment, the front brush holder and the rear brush holder are operated by the same brush movement mechanism.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises a suction plate having an inlet side and an outlet side, said vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising, an air duct having a duct wall, wherein said air duct extends through the suction plate from a suction opening on the inlet side to the outlet side, a front brush adapted to engage with a surface to be cleaned and for at least partly sealing said suction opening against said surface being cleaned, said front brush extending at least partly along said inlet side and said front brush being arranged in a front brush holder. The nozzle further comprising a rear brush adapted to engage with a surface to be cleaned and for at least partly sealing said suction opening against said surface being cleaned, said rear brush extending at least partly along said outlet side, wherein said rear brush is arranged in a rear brush holder, and wherein said front brush holder and said rear brush holder are separate pieces.
In other words, the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises at least a first and a second brush holder, whereof the first brush holder extends along a front side (in relation to the direction of advancement of the cleaner nozzle) of the nozzle, and the second brush holder, i.e. the rear brush holder, extends along a rear side of the cleaner nozzle (closest to a nozzle outlet). The first and second brush holders, i.e. the front brush holder and the rear brush holder are, and are preferably manufactured, as separate pieces or units, and are thus not a single entity or unit. The front brush holder and the rear brush holder are further mounted separately in the vacuum cleaner nozzle. However, the holders may be interconnected with each other via a common brush movement mechanism. The brush movement mechanism may be configured such that the front and rear brush holders moves simultaneously when the mechanism is activated, or it may be configured such that the front brush holder and the rear brush holder may be moved up and down between a lowered and a retracted position one by one, independent from each other.
The invention is based on the insight that manufacturing the front and rear brush holders as separate pieces or units, and not as a single piece or unit, is more cost effective and provides a more flexible end-use product. For example, when having a front brush holder and a rear brush holder being separate pieces or units attached or mounted separately in the vacuum cleaner nozzle, the holders may be moved up and down one by one, independently from each other and thus not necessarily simultaneously. Thus, the front brush holder with the front brush may be in a lowered position and the rear brush holder with the rear brush may be in a retracted position, or vice versa. The the front and rear brush holders being separate pieces or units provides easier and more straightforward manufacturing and assembly of the nozzle.
Thus, in one embodiment, said rear brush holder is movably arranged, with respect to said suction plate, in said vacuum cleaner nozzle. The rear brush is mounted in said rear brush holder and thereby the rear brush may be moved up and down, with respect to said suction plate, between the lowered and the retracted position.
In one embodiment said vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises a brush movement mechanism, adapted to move at least said rear brush holder up and down with respect to said suction plate. The brush movement mechanism, when being activated, is configured to move at least the rear brush holder, and thus the rear brush, from the lowered position to the retracted position, and the reverse.
In one embodiment said front brush holder and said rear brush holder are interconnected via said brush movement mechanism. The brush movement mechanism may then advantageously move both the front brush holder with the front brush and the rear brush holder comprising the rear brush, between lowered and retracted position.
In one embodiment said rear brush holder comprises at least one attachment portion. The attachment portion is adapted to be attached to the brush movement mechanism, such that when the brush movement mechanism is activated, e.g. by pressing a foot pedal, the brush movement mechanism transfers the movement from the pedal to the rear brush holder, wherein the rear brush holder changes position, from retracted to lowered or the reverse. Thus, in one embodiment said at least one attachment portion is attached to said brush movement mechanism.
In one embodiment said rear brush holder comprises a first and a second attachment portion, said first and a second attachment portions respectively being arranged essentially at a first and a second end of said rear brush holder. Providing the rear brush holder with two or more attachment portions provides a more secure and solid attachment of the rear brush holder to the brush movement mechanism.
In one embodiment said rear brush holder is adapted to be mounted to the nozzle from a lower side of said nozzle. The vacuum cleaner nozzle may then be provided with an elongated recess or elongated pocket at said lower side of said nozzle, wherein said rear brush holder is adapted to be arranged in said elongated recess or pocket. The rear brush holder is then mounted in said elongated recess or elongated pocket such that said rear brush holder comprising said rear brush may be fully retracted in said elongated recess or pocket when being in said retracted position. Mounting the rear brush from the lower side facilitates assembly of the nozzle and thus provides a more cost effective way of manufacturing a vacuum cleaner nozzle.
In one embodiment, said attachment portion(s) is adapted to extend through said nozzle, essentially from said lower side to an upper side of said nozzle.
In one embodiment, said attachment portion(s) is attached to said brush movement mechanism at said upper side of said nozzle. This advantageously provides easy access to the attachment portion(s) at the upper side of the nozzle. Thereby, mounting of the rear brush holder to the brush movement mechanism, is facilitated.
According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any of the above described embodiments.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDED DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and in particular the lower side of the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a rear brush arranged in a rear brush holder, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows the rear brush when being arranged in a rear brush holder according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows the upper side of the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a rear brush arranged in a rear brush holder according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a rear brush holder and a front brush holder according to one embodiment of the present invention
Figure 5 shows a vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a rear brush holder, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Throughout the figures the same reference signs designate the same, or essentially the same features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the application the word "front" refers to the part located furthest away with respect to a nozzle outlet, and the term "rear" refers to the part located closest in respect of the nozzle outlet.
Furthermore, the term "upper side" refers to the part located furthest away with respect to a surface to be cleaned, and the term "lower side" refers to the part located closest in respect of the surface to be cleaned.
The nozzle 10 according to the present invention is a nozzle for vacuum cleaners designed for picking up dust from hard floor and carpet.
Figure 1 shows the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 from a lower side of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The nozzle 10 comprises a rear brush 17 arranged in a rear brush holder 18. The vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 comprises a suction plate 1 having an inlet side 11 and an outlet side 12. The vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 further comprises an air duct 30 having a duct wall, wherein the air duct extends through the suction plate 1 from a suction opening 13 on the inlet side 11 to the outlet side 12. The rear brush holder 18 comprises a first attachment portion 20 and a second attachment portion 21. The attachment portions 20, 21 are preferably attached directly to a brush movement mechanism 19 (not shown in Figure 1).
Figure 2 shows the rear brush holder 18, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 2, the nozzle 10 is omitted for sake of simplicity. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the rear brush holder 18 comprises a first attachment portion 20 and a second attachment portion 21. The first and a second attachment portion 20, 21 respectively being arranged essentially at a respective first end 22 and second end 23 of the rear brush holder 18. However, the attachment portions 20, 21 may be arranged more to the centre of the elongated rear brush holder 18. The rear brush 17 may be detachably attached in the rear brush holder 18. Advantageously, the rear brush 17 may then be changed to a new brush 17 if the brush 17 becomes worn or damaged.
According to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the nozzle 10 comprises a front brush 15 adapted to engage with a surface to be cleaned and for at least partly sealing the suction opening 13 against the surface being cleaned. The front brush 15 extends along the inlet side 11 and the front brush 15 is arranged in a front brush holder 16. The nozzle 10 further comprises a rear brush 17 adapted to engage with a surface to be cleaned and for at least partly sealing the suction opening 13 against the surface being cleaned. The rear brush 17 extends along the outlet side 12. The rear brush 17 is arranged in a rear brush holder 18, and the front brush holder 16 and the rear brush holder 18 are separate pieces, i.e. separate holder units. Thus, the front brush holder 16 is one single unit and the rear brush holder 18 is one single unit.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the rear brush holder 18 is movably arranged with respect to the suction plate 1 in the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10. Thus, the rear brush holder 18 is movable between a lowered and a retracted position. As seen in Figure 3, the front brush 15 and the front brush holder 16 are also movable between a lowered and a retracted position.
In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the rear brush holder 18 is adapted to be mounted to the nozzle 10 from a lower side 24 of the nozzle 10. In particular Figure 1, illustrates the rear brush holder 18 when being mounted from the lower side 24 of the nozzle 10. As seen in the Figures 1 and 3, the attachment portions 20, 21 are adapted to extend through the nozzle 10, from the lower side 24 to an upper side 25 of the nozzle 10.
According to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the first attachment portion 20 and the second attachment portion 21 are attached to the brush movement mechanism 19 at the upper side 25 of the nozzle 10. The brush movement mechanism 19 achieves a linear movement up and down of the rear brush 17 and the rear brush holder 18. As also mentioned above, the rear brush 17 and the rear brush holder 18 are assembled from bottom, i.e. the lower side 24 of the nozzle 10, having linear guiding brackets, i.e. first and second attachment portions 20, 21, sliding in pockets 31 the nozzle 10. The rear brush holder 18 is positioned straight under the brush movement mechanism 19 having the linear guiding brackets, i.e. the first attachment portion 20 and the second attachment portion 21, on the rear brush holder 18 connected or attached to the brush movement mechanism 19 on the sides of the mechanism 19. The brush movement mechanism 19 comprises a rotating mechanism comprising at least one shaft 32. The shaft 32 of the rotating mechanism is connected to slots in the holder linear guiding brackets, i.e. in the first attachment portion 20 and the second attachment portion 21, allowing the rotating movement of the mechanism 19 to be translated into a linear movement of the rear brush holder 18, and thus the rear brush 17. When the rear brush holder 18 is connected to the sides of the mechanism 19 a rotational movement of the mechanism 19 is translated in to a linear movement up and down of the rear brush holder 18.
Thus, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 comprises a brush movement mechanism 19, adapted to move at least the rear brush holder 18 up and down with respect to the suction plate 1. The brush movement mechanism 19 is preferably adapted to move both the front brush holder 16 and the rear brush holder 18 up and down with respect to the suction plate 1. As seen in Figure 3, the front brush holder 16 and the rear brush holder 18 are then interconnected via the brush movement mechanism 19. The front brush holder 16 and the rear brush holder 18 are operated by a foot pedal 2. The brushes are used when picking up dust from hard floor, thus when being used on carpets or the like, the front brush holder 16 comprising the front brush 15 and the rear brush holder 18 comprising the rear brush 17 are preferably retracted with respect to the suction plate 1 by pressing the pedal 2. Advantageously, the front brush 15 and the rear brush 17 sets the distance from the floor to the air inlet on the plate 1, which creates a vacuum force.
Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 according to one embodiment, the nozzle 10 comprising a total of approximately 18 parts. Figure 4, shows the rear brush holder 18 with the rear brush 17, and comprising the first attachment portion 20 arranged at the first end 22 and the second attachment portion 21 arranged at the second end 23, the front brush holder 16 with the front brush 15, the sliding pockets 31 arranged in the nozzle 10, the foot pedal 2 arranged on an elongated shaft 32, a cover 33, and a nozzle outlet 34. At the nozzle outlet 34 a nozzle outlet air channel arrangement is adapted to be arranged. The nozzle outlet air channel arrangement 35 comprises an air channel created by a plurality of non flexible parts connected by at least two hinged connections and one rotating connection.
Figure 5 shows a vacuum cleaner 100 comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle 10, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appending claims.

Claims

A vacuum cleaner nozzle (10) comprising a suction plate (1) having an inlet side (11) and an outlet side (12), said vacuum cleaner nozzle (10) comprising:
- an air duct (30) having a duct wall, wherein said air duct extends through the suction plate (1) from a suction opening (13) on the inlet side (11) to the outlet side (12);

- a front brush (15) adapted to engage with a surface to be cleaned and for at least partly sealing said suction opening (13) against said surface being cleaned, said front brush (15) extending at least partly along said inlet side (11) and said front brush (15) being arranged in a front brush holder (16);

- a rear brush (17) adapted to engage with a surface to be cleaned and for at least partly sealing said suction opening (13) against said surface being cleaned, said rear brush (17) extending at least partly along said outlet side (12); wherein said rear brush (17) is arranged in a rear brush holder (18), and wherein said front brush holder (16) and said rear brush holder (18) are separate pieces

- a brush movement mechanism (19), adapted to move at least said rear brush holder (18) up and down with respect to said suction plate (1), wherein said rear brush holder (18) comprises at least one attachment portion (20, 21), wherein said at least one attachment portion (20, 21) is attached to said brush movement mechanism (19), characterised by that said rear brush holder (18) is adapted to be mounted to the nozzle (10) from a lower side (24) of said nozzle (10).
A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said rear brush holder (18) is movably arranged, with respect to said suction plate (1), in said vacuum cleaner nozzle (10).
A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said front brush holder (16) and said rear brush holder (18) are interconnected via said brush movement mechanism (19).
A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any of claims 1-3, wherein said rear brush holder (18) comprises a first attachment portion (20) and a second attachment portion (21), said first and a second attachment portion (20, 21) respectively being arranged essentially at a first end (22) and a second end (23) of said rear brush holder (18).
A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 4, wherein said attachment portion(s) (20, 21) is adapted to extend through said nozzle (10), essentially from said lower side (24) to an upper side (25) of said nozzle (10).
A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 3, wherein said attachment portion(s) (20, 21) is attached to said brush movement mechanism (19) at said upper side (25) of said nozzle (10).
Vacuum cleaner (100) comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 1- 6.