EP3240464B1

EP3240464B1 - Vaccum cleaner nozzle with tilt adjusting element

Info

Publication number: EP3240464B1
Application number: EP14828482.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erik Dahlbeck; Roger Karlsson
Original assignee: Electrolux AB
Current assignee: Electrolux AB
Priority date: 2014-12-29
Filing date: 2014-12-29
Publication date: 2019-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-29
Also published as: CN107105954B; CN107105954A; WO2016107634A1; EP3240464A1

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of passive nozzles for vacuum cleaners. In particular, the present invention relates to nozzles that can be tilted.

Background or the invention

A vacuum cleaner is a device that uses a suction force generated by a fan or motor unit to create a particular vacuum or underpressure to suck up objects like dust, particles, fibres, hair etc. from surfaces such as e.g. floors and carpets. Typically, this is done by means of a vacuum cleaner nozzle that is connected via a nozzle outlet to an extension tube and/or suction hose to a dust compartment, in which dust can be separated from a dust laden air stream.
Efforts have been made to increase the performance, such as the dust pick up capacity, of the nozzles and to comply with energy efficiency requirements and energy labels. The dust pick up of a vacuum cleaner may e.g. be determined by the underpressure and the air flow at the nozzle. There is however a need for a balance between those parameters, since the underpressure is associated with motion resistance of the nozzle and the air flow associated with energy consumption of the motor unit.
In WO 02/26097 A1 , a vacuum cleaner nozzle is disclosed which is pivotally mounted with respect to a nozzle outlet, such that movement of the vacuum cleaner nozzle across the surface being vacuumed brings one of two working edges of the vacuum cleaner nozzle into closer contact with the surface in order to improve the dust pick up performance. As one of the working edges are brought into closer contact with the floor surface, the other raises slightly to allow air to bleed into the nozzle so as to reduce the motion resistance of the nozzle.
Another example is given in DE2364750 .
Although different vacuum cleaner nozzles and vacuum cleaning techniques are known, there is a need for improved vacuum cleaner nozzles that are more user friendly and more flexible with regard to various types of surfaces, motion resistance and/or dust pick up.

Summary of the invention

To better address one or more of the above mentioned concerns, a passive vacuum cleaner nozzle having the features defined in the independent claim is provided. Preferable embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
Hence, according to a first aspect, a passive nozzle for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The nozzle comprises an outlet part adapted to be coupled to a hose of the vacuum cleaner, an intermediate part hingedly or pivotally connected to the outlet part, and an inlet part having a suction opening. The inlet part is hingedly connected to the intermediate part so as to allow for the inlet part to tilt relative to the intermediate part. The nozzle further comprises a tilt adjusting element, which can be arranged in a first position in which it allows a tilting motion of the inlet part within a first range, and in a second position in which it limits the tilting motion of the inlet part within a second range that is smaller than the first range.
According to a second aspect, a vacuum cleaner is provided, comprising a nozzle according to the first aspect.
During operation of the nozzle, i.e. during vacuuming of a surface of e.g. a flooring or a carpet, the nozzle may be pushed and pulled across the surface in a reciprocating movement in which an underside of e.g. a suction plate of the nozzle, i.e. a side or portion at which the suction opening of the nozzle may be located, may be arranged substantially horizontal or parallel to the surface. Hence, the tilting motion of the inlet part may be realised as a relative change in angle between the underside of the inlet part and the surface being vacuumed. By tilting the inlet part or its underside by a certain angle relative to the surface, the inlet part, or at least a portion or edge of the inlet part, may be raised slightly from the surface to allow air to bleed or flow into the nozzle. As a result, the air flow at the nozzle may be increased, which may reduce the underpressure and hence the motion resistance.
The nozzle may be arranged in a first mode of operation, in which the tilt adjusting element is arranged in the first position, and a second mode of operation in which the tilt adjusting element is arranged in the second position.
In the first mode, the inlet portion and its underside may assume larger tilting angles to the surface as compared to the allowed tilting angles in the second mode. In other words, the maximum tilt angle, i.e. the tilt angle at a stop or end position of the inlet part, may be increased in the first mode so as to allow for the maximum air flow into the nozzle to be increased. As a result, the motion resistance of the nozzle may be reduced in the first mode.
In the second mode, the allowed range of the tilting angles of the inlet portion relative to the surface may be limited by the tilt adjusting element such that the maximum tilt angle or the tilt angle at the stop or end position is reduced. Hence, the nozzle in the second mode may be more horizontal or parallel to the surface as compared to the second mode, thereby reducing the maximum air flow entering the nozzle. In other words, a more aggressive or sealed engagement with the surface, such as e.g. a carpet, may be achieved. This may increase not only pick up of e.g. dust and fibrous material, but also motion resistance of the nozzle. Further, by reduced the angle to the surface a smoother movement of the nozzle may be achieved as it is pulled in a backwards direction towards the user.
If the power to the fan unit is reduced, e.g. for complying with energy efficiency requirements and energy labels, the reduction in dust pick up that may follow from this change may be at least partly compensated or counteracted by arranging the nozzle in the second mode. The reduced fan unit power, or suction power, may hence be compensated by the more aggressive or tighter sealed engagement of the nozzle with the surface.
Thus, a nozzle is achieved which allows a user to choose between at least two different modes of operation - a first mode in which the nozzle may have a reduced motion resistance and hence is easier and more convenient for a user to move, and a second mode in which the suction power or energy consumption of the motor unit may be reduced without impairing dust pick up of the nozzle.
It will however be realised that the preferred mode of operation may vary depending on the type of surface to be vacuumed and the desired effect or efficiency of the cleaning. The first mode may e.g. be used for reducing motion resistance on long-haired carpets, whereas the second mode may be used for deep cleaning of such carpets.
The term "tilt adjusting element" may refer to any element or structure capable of limiting the tilting motion of the inlet part from a first range to a second, smaller range. The tilt adjusting element may e.g. be formed of an end-stop or a block that in its second position may be arranged to define a maximum tilt angle by mechanically or physically obstruct or prevent further motion of the inlet part relative to the intermediate part. The tilt adjusting element may e.g. be adapted to limit or stop the tilting motion, as the inlet part is at an end position of the tilting range, by exerting a counteracting force on at least a portion of the inlet part. Thus, the tilt adjusting element, when arranged in the second position, may restrict a tilting space for the inlet part compared to the tilting space provided when the tilt adjusting element is in the first position. The counteracting force may e.g. be realised by the tilt adjusting element abutting or engaging with the inlet part and/or intermediate part at least at the end position of the tilting motion range.
The tilt adjusting element may be arranged at, or attached to, the inlet part or the intermediate part, or arranged as a separate part that can be introduced between a portion of the inlet part and the intermediate part.
Further, the tilt adjusting element may be movable or retractable into its first position, in which it may be adapted to define a first range of the tilting motion in a similar way as described above with reference to the second position. It will however be appreciated that the tilt adjusting element may be adapted to allow the first range of the tilting motion by simply not interacting or engaging with the inlet part and/or intermediate part as the tilt adjusting element is arranged in its first position.
The first mode of the nozzle, i.e. wherein the tilt adjusting element is arranged in the first position, may e.g. be used on carpets and other surfaces associated with a relatively high motion friction and for which a reduced motion resistance may be desired. The second mode of operation, in which the tilt adjusting element is arranged in the second position, may be used on surfaces associated with relatively low motion resistance or on surfaces or in situations for which an increased dust pick up is wanted.
According to an embodiment, the tilt adjusting element may be arranged to limit the tilting motion of the inlet part when the nozzle is moved in a forward stroke. During the forward stroke of the nozzle, the inlet part may tilt such that a rear portion of its underside may be slightly raised from, or at least exert a reduced pressure on, the surface being vacuumed. Consequently, air may be allowed to flow through a gap between the rear portion of the underside of the inlet part so as to reduce the underpressure at the nozzle and hence the motion resistance during the forward stroke. Thus, the present embodiment allows for an adjustment of the maximum tilt angle relative to the surface during the forward stroke, and hence for an adjustment of the maximum gap between the rear portion of the underside of the inlet part and the surface.
According to an embodiment, the tilt adjusting element may, when arranged in the first position, allow a maximum tilt angle of 10° or less between the inlet part and the surface to be cleaned or vacuumed.
According to an embodiment, the tilt adjusting element may, when arranged in the second position, allow a maximum angle of 5° or less between the inlet part and the surface.
According some embodiments, the tilt adjusting element may comprise a blocking portion arranged to limit the tilting motion of the inlet part by engaging with a portion of the inlet part and/or a portion of the intermediate part when the inlet part is in an end position of the second range. Additionally, the blocking portion may be arranged to engage with the portion of the inlet part and/or the intermediate part when the inlet part is in an end position of the first range.
According to an embodiment, the portion of the inlet part, with which the tilt adjusting element may engage to limit the tilting motion, may be a rear portion of the inlet part. The tilting motion may hence be limited during a forward stroke, in which the rear portion of the inlet part may be tilted or slightly raised from the surface and moved towards a portion of the intermediate part. By arranging the tilt adjusting element between the intermediate part and the rear portion of the inlet part, the maximum tilting between those part during a forward stroke may hence be limited as the tilt adjusting element is arranged in the second position.
According to an embodiment, the tilt adjusting element may further comprise an actuator portion coupled to the blocking portion and operable by a user to switch the tilt adjusting element between the first and second positions. The actuator portion may e.g. be formed as, or at least be connected to, a button or slider that may be readily accessible to a user and can be used for switching the nozzle between e.g. a first, user friendly mode and a second, power saving mode and vice versa.
According to an embodiment, the intermediate part may comprise a support portion arranged to support the intermediate part on a surface to be cleaned. The support portion may e.g. comprise at least one wheel or roller, which reduces the risk of the intermediate part or support portion scratching the surface being vacuumed. Alternatively, or additionally, the support portion may comprise at least one sliding surface adapted to slide on the surface.
It is noted that embodiments of the invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other aspects will now be described in more detail in the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings.

Figure 1 is a side view of a nozzle according to an embodiment.
Figures 2a-d are side views of an inlet part according to an embodiment.
Figures 3a and b are top views of an inlet part of a nozzle according to another embodiment.
Figure 4 is a top view of the inlet part of figures 3a and b.

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the description.

Detailed description of embodiments

Figure 1 is a side view of a passive nozzle for a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment. The nozzle 100 comprises an inlet part 130, an intermediate part 120 and an outlet part 110 which may be adapted to be coupled to an extension tube or suction hose of the vacuum cleaner (not shown). The outlet part 110 and the inlet part 130 may be hingedly or pivotally coupled to the intermediate part 120 so as to allow a rotational or tilting motion around the respective connection. The intermediate part 120 may comprise a support portion 122, such as e.g. at least one wheel or roller 122, arranged to support the nozzle 100 on the surface S being vacuumed during operation of the vacuum cleaner. Further, the nozzle 100 may comprise a tilt adjusting element which can be arranged to limit a tilting motion of the inlet part 130 relative to the intermediate part 120. The tilt adjusting element will be described in more detail with reference to figures 2a -d and 3a and b.
The inlet part 130 may comprise a suction plate 132 having an underside at which a suction opening 134 may be arranged. During operation, underpressure may be created at the underside of the inlet part 130, thereby allowing an air flow between the surface S being vacuumed and the underside of the nozzle 100. The air flow may enter the nozzle 100 and the suction hose via the suction opening.
The hinged connection between the inlet part 130 and the intermediate part 120 allows for rotational or tilting movement of the inlet part 130 relative to the intermediate part 120. As a result, a rear portion or rear working edge 136 of the underside of the inlet part 130 may be slightly raised from the surface during a forward stroke of the nozzle. Similarly, a front portion or front working edge 138 of the nozzle 100 may be slightly raised from the surface during a backward stroke of the nozzle 100. The hinged connection between the inlet part 130 and the intermediate part 120 hence allows for a tilting motion of the inlet part relative to the surface being vacuumed, such that a gap may be formed or varied between at least a portion of the underside of the inlet part 130 and the surface. The size of the gap, which may be determined by a tilting angle of the inlet part 130, may affect the size of the air flow entering the suction opening 134 of the nozzle 100, the underpressure at the nozzle and a motion resistance during e.g. a forward or a backward stroke of the nozzle across the surface.
Figures 2a to d show tilting positions of the inlet part 230 relative to the intermediate part 220 and to a surface S being cleaned. The nozzle 200 may comprise an outlet part (not shown), and intermediate part 220 and an inlet part 230, and may be similarly configured as the nozzle described with reference to figure 1.
The tilt adjusting element 240 may be arranged in a first position, in which the tilt adjusting element 240 allows the inlet part 230 to tilt within a first tilting range, and a second position, in which the tilting range of the inlet part 230 is limited to a second range that is smaller than the first range.
Figures 2a and b show the tilt adjusting element 240 in its first position, in which it is arranged so as to allow the inlet part 230 to move in a first tilting range. In figure 2a, the underside of the inlet part 230 is arranged substantially horizontally or parallel to the surface S to be vacuumed. The tilting angle between the inlet part 230 and the surface S may hence be approximately 0°, and there may be a tilting space d₁ between the inlet part 230 and the tilt adjusting element 240 allowing a tilt movement of the inlet part 230.
As the nozzle 200 is being moved in a forward direction, the motion resistance between the inlet part 230 and the surface S may cause the inlet part 230 to rotate or tilt such that a rear portion 236 of the underside of the inlet part 230 is slightly raised from the surface. As a result, a rear portion 231 of the inlet part may be moved towards a blocking portion 241 of the tilt adjusting element 240 during the tilting motion, until the rear portion 231 and the blocking portion 241 are brought in mechanical contact with each other. As shown in figure 2b, the maximum tilt angle α₁ may hence be defined by end position of the inlet part 230 in which the rear portion 231 of the inlet part 230 abuts the blocking portion 241 of the tilt adjusting element 240. In the end position, the tilt adjusting element 240 may exert a force on the inlet part 230 via the blocking portion 241 so as to counteract or prevent further tilting motion of the inlet part 230. Hence, the tilt adjusting element 240 may define a maximum tilt angle α₁ or gap between the inlet part 230 and the surface S. In one example, the maximum tilt angle α₁ between the inlet part 230 and the surface may be 10° or less.
Figures 2c and d shows the tilt adjusting element 240 in its second position, in which the tilt adjusting element 240 may be arranged to reduce or restrict a tilting space d₂ or tilting range for the inlet part 230 compared to the tilting space d₁ provided when the tilt adjusting element 240 is in the first position (as shown in figures 2a and b). According to the present embodiment, the tilt adjusting element 240 may be pivotally connected to the intermediate part 220 and rotatable such that the blocking portion 241 of the tilt adjusting element 240 in the second position may be arranged closer to the rear portion 231 of the inlet part 230. In other words, a gap or tilting space d₂ between the blocking portion 241 of the tilt adjusting element 240 and the rear portion 231 of the inlet part 230 may be reduced such that the maximum tilt angle α₂ or gap between the inlet part 230 and the surface S may be reduced accordingly. In one example, the maximum tilt angle α₂ to the surface may be 5° or less. As the rear portion 231 of the inlet part is moved towards the blocking portion 241 of the tilt adjusting element 240 during the tilting motion, the rear portion 231 may be brought in mechanical contact with the blocking portion 241 such that further tilting motion of the inlet part 230 is prevented or counteracted.
Figure 3a and b are top views of an inlet part 330 of a nozzle that may be similarly configured as the nozzles described with reference to figure 1 and 2. However, according to the present embodiment, the tilt range of the inlet part 330 may be defined by a gap between a protruding portion 321 of the intermediate part (omitted in figures 3a and b) and a tilt adjusting element 340 that is attached to the inlet part 330. The tilt adjusting element 340 may be rotationally fixed to the inlet part 330 and adapted to be slid along a length extension of the inlet part 330 (indicated by arrow A). Further, the tilt adjusting element 340 may comprise blocking portions, such as a first and a second flange 341, that can be arranged to interact with a first and a second protruding portion 321, respectively, of the intermediate part 320 so as to limit the tilting motion of the inlet part 330 relative to the intermediate part 320.
Figure 3a shows the tilt adjusting element 340 in the first position, wherein the flanges 341 of the tilt adjusting element 340 are arranged to not abut or mechanically interact with the protruding portion 321 of the intermediate part 320 as the inlet part 330 is tilted. In figure 3b, the tilt adjusting element 340 is slid into a second position, in which the flanges 341 are arranged abreast of a respective protruding portion 321. Hence, an end position of the tilt range of the inlet part 330 may be defined by the tilt angle at which the protruding portions 321 abut the flanges 341.
Figure 4 is a top view of an inlet part 330 of a nozzle similarly configured as the nozzle described with reference to figures 3a and b.
According to the embodiment depicted in figure 4, the the tilt adjusting element may comprise an actuator portion, such as a slider 342, coupled to the blocking portion (not shown in figure 4) and operable by a user to switch the tilt adjusting element between the first and second positions. The slider 342 may be arranged on an upper side portion of the inlet part 330 such that the slider 342 can be readily accessed and operated by a user. The user is hence allowed to select a first, more user friendly mode in which a wider tilt angle range is allowed to reduce motion resistance, and a second, mode in which a limited tilt angle ranged is provided to reduce air flow into the nozzle and to increase dust pick up.
In summary, a passive nozzle is disclosed, comprising an outlet part adapted to be coupled to a hose of the vacuum cleaner, an intermediate part connected to the outlet part, and an a inlet part hingedly connected to the intermediate part such that the inlet part is allowed to tilt relative to the intermediate part. Further, the nozzle comprises a tilt adjusting element by means of which the nozzle is arrangable in the first mode, wherein a tilting motion of the inlet part is allowed within a first range, and a second mode, wherein the first tilting range is limited to a smaller, second tilting range. Thus, the user is allowed to choose between at least two different modes of operation based on e.g. a desired motion resistance, ease of use, energy consumption and dust pick up.
The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.
Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

A passive nozzle (100, 200) for a vacuum cleaner, the nozzle comprising:
an outlet part (110) adapted to be coupled to a hose of the vacuum cleaner;

an intermediate part (120, 220) hingedly connected to the outlet part;

a inlet part (130, 230, 330) comprising a suction opening (134) and being hingedly connected to the intermediate part such that a tilting motion of the inlet part is allowed relative to the intermediate part; and characterized in that

a tilt adjusting element (240, 340) arrangable in at least:
a first position, in which the tilt adjusting element is arranged to allow the tilting motion of the inlet part within a first range, and

a second position, in which the tilt adjusting element is arranged to limit the tilting motion of the inlet part within a second range being smaller than the first range.
The nozzle as defined in claim 1, wherein the tilt adjusting element is arrangable to limit the tilting motion of the inlet part when the nozzle is moved in a forward stroke.
The nozzle as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the tilt adjusting element, when arranged in the second position, restricts a tilting space (d₂) for the inlet part compared to the tilting space (d₁) provided when the tilt adjusting element is in the first position.
The nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tilt adjusting element, when arranged in the first position, allows a maximum tilt angle of the inlet part relative to a surface (S) to be cleaned of 10º or less.
The nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tilt adjusting element, when arranged in the second position, allows a maximum tilt angle of the inlet part relative to a surface to be cleaned of 5º or less.
The nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tilt adjusting element comprises a blocking portion (341) arranged to limit the tilting motion of the inlet part by engaging with a portion (231) of the inlet part when the inlet part is in an end position of the second range.
The nozzle as defined in any one claims 1 to 5, wherein the tilt adjusting element comprises a blocking portion arranged to limit the tilting motion of the inlet part by engaging with a portion of the intermediate part when the inlet part is in an end position of the second range.
The nozzle as defined in claim 6 or 7, wherein the tilt adjusting element further comprises an actuator portion (342) coupled to the blocking portion and operable by a user to switch the tilt adjusting element between the first and second positions.
The nozzle as defined in any one of claims 6-8, wherein the tilt adjusting element is attached to the inlet part and/or the intermediate part.
The nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate part comprises a support portion (122) arranged to support the intermediate part on a surface to be cleaned.
A vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding claims.