EP3651628B1 - Vacuum cleaner utensil - Google Patents
Vacuum cleaner utensil Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3651628B1 EP3651628B1 EP18739809.4A EP18739809A EP3651628B1 EP 3651628 B1 EP3651628 B1 EP 3651628B1 EP 18739809 A EP18739809 A EP 18739809A EP 3651628 B1 EP3651628 B1 EP 3651628B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- vacuum cleaner
- elements
- utensil
- central area
- cleaner utensil
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000010407 vacuum cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 5
- 210000003746 feather Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/06—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
- A47L9/066—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like with adjustably mounted brushes, combs, lips or pads; Height adjustment of nozzle or dust loosening tools
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0461—Dust-loosening tools, e.g. agitators, brushes
- A47L9/0466—Rotating tools
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/06—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/06—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
- A47L9/0693—Specially shaped nozzles, e.g. for cleaning radiators, tubes, fans or the like; Dusters
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L2201/00—Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
Definitions
- the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner utensil (e.g. a vacuum cleaner nozzle or a robot vacuum cleaner), and to a vacuum cleaner (e.g. of the canister or stick type) provided with a nozzle formed by such a vacuum cleaner utensil.
- a vacuum cleaner utensil e.g. a vacuum cleaner nozzle or a robot vacuum cleaner
- a vacuum cleaner e.g. of the canister or stick type
- JPH10113315 discloses a dust sucking nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, arranged to catch and suck dust correctly even when the dust scatters during cleaning and protect the surface to be cleaned.
- the nozzle case is a double tube structure having an outer tube part having a top plate formed with a connection port connected to the connection part and, the peripheral wall opened with the dust sucking port connected to the connection part and lower open part, and an inner tube body having a sucking port connected to the connection part and the brush part on its bottom and the feather brush part extending outward from the lower open edge of the outer tube body.
- the feather brush member is formed by directing each backward bent tip end side of many feathers outward, which are arranged around the inner tube body, and their base ends contacted with the periphery of the inner tube body are wound and fastened by a tying member.
- the field of quick/flexible vacuum cleaning is gaining more and more popularity.
- the set of requirements for a nozzle is changing in those quick vacuum cleaners, as they are used mainly for cleaning coarse dirt particles in tight spaces, small areas and under furniture.
- Known vacuum cleaner nozzles are usually rectangular and stiff. This is may not be the optimal shape when cleaning small spaces.
- Current nozzles suck up dirt through multiple openings divided evenly along the perimeter of the nozzle. There is an airflow through all of these holes, while there is only airflow necessary in the direction of movement. This is a waste of suction power and therefore not efficient.
- Embodiments of the invention introduce flexible and moving parts that drag over the floor and follow the direction of movement, creating a suction hole and coarse dirt guides that are always in the current front of the nozzle, which current front is determined by what is the current movement direction.
- Embodiments of the invention are largely based on the insight that a traditional rectangular vacuum cleaner nozzle is designed for covering large areas, and that this requirement is not valid in the application area 'quick/flexible cleaning'. In quick/flexible cleaning it is important to be able to maneuver easily and to have a lightweight appliance (save energy).
- the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises a plurality of elements Lx, in this embodiment six leaves or petals L1 - L6, preferably made out of flexible material, which each rotate around respective axes ( ⁇ ) A in the middle of the nozzle, preferably around respective axes A regularly distributed around a center of a central area C from where dirty air leaves the nozzle through a suction tube T towards the fan of a canister or stick-type vacuum cleaner.
- the drag force of the movement causes the leaves L1 - L6 to stay behind, creating a suction hole in a movement direction MD while closing openings at other sides of the nozzle. If the leaves L1 - L6 are hollow (as shown in Fig.
- the suction caused by the vacuum cleaner's fan at the other end of the suction tube T will cause under-pressure in the leaves L1 - L6, which increases the drag force and thus improves the operation of the nozzle in that the leaves will move such that a suction hole will only remain in the movement direction MD.
- Another way to increase the drag force is the selection of the material of the leaves (or at least, the part of the leaves that touch the floor). For example, rubber provides sufficient friction with the floor, seals under-pressure on hard floors, and drags on soft floors.
- the leaves L1 - L6 When encountering furniture like a table leg TL or a chair leg, the leaves L1 - L6 will bend to create suction around the object, as illustrated in Fig. 3 .
- the central area C of the nozzle can freely rotate around its center.
- the leaves L1 - L6 are hollow and suction channels are in line with the leaves L1 - L6, as illustrated in Fig. 4 . In this way, the entire diameter D of the nozzle is used to suck dirt from crevices CV.
- the axes A could be mounted to pull springs, thereby allowing the leaves L1 - L6 to be pulled out of the center.
- the nozzle could be positioned closer to walls, which improves its ability to clean around a corner and along a plinth. So, in normal motion, the front leaves would form a V having an opening angle of e.g. 90° guiding dirt towards the suction opening, but when pushed close to a wall, the pull springs would allow the front leaves to form an opening angle of 180°.
- Figs. 5A and 5B show another embodiment of the invention.
- each element Lx first has a relatively thin part that provides the flexible element with flexibility, followed by a relatively thick part that ensures that if the flexible elements Lx are pushed together as a result of the nozzle being moved (see e.g. Fig. 5B in which the nozzle is moved to the left, as a result of which the flexible elements are moved to the right), only at a side of the nozzle corresponding with the movement direction (in Fig.
- each element Lx may have a relatively thin part that may help to guide dirt particles towards the central air inlet (in Fig. 5B , between the elements L14 and L15) and that may help to provide a drag force (e.g. as a result of friction with the floor) that results in the elements Lx assuming the position shown in Fig. 5B starting from the neutral positions shown in Fig. 5A .
- the elements Lx can rotate around the central axis Ac so as to allow for a mop-like flexible way of moving the nozzle around objects like table or chair legs.
- Figs. 6A - 6C show yet another embodiment of the invention.
- the 21 flexible elements L1 - L21 in the embodiment of Figs. 6A and 6B are mounted to a single central axis Ac, and close to that axis Ac they have relatively thin flexible parts, as shown in Fig. 6B .
- the elements Lx now have walls defining hollow bottoms, and closed roofs, so that under-pressure in the hollow parts of the elements Lx can provide an additional drag force improving the formation of a central suction opening between the elements L1 and L21 corresponding to the movement direction MD, and the closing off of other openings between the elements L1 - L2 .. L20 - L21.
- the walls have heights exceeding the heights of the relatively thin flexible parts, except where the walls are covered by the central area C where the walls have a reduced height leaving a distance to the floor.
- the circle in Fig. 6B illustrates that when the flexible elements are pushed together as a result of the drag force, no opening is left between the walls of the flexible elements.
- the roofs extend beyond the walls of the elements Lx, as this allows for a better vacuuming along plinths, as below the extended parts of the roofs there is an air flow channel to suck up dirt close to the plinths P, as schematically shown by the arrows in Fig. 6C .
- the elements Lx are so flexibly mounted, that - when pushed together as a result of the drag force - the roofs of neighboring elements Lx overlap each other, as illustrated in Fig. 6A .
- Fig. 6A further shows on top of the central area C a hinge H made from a small piece of flexible tube (about 4 cm in length). Because the nozzle is attaching itself to the floor as a result of the suction and the elements Lx being hollow, it feels unnatural to push it forward like a traditional vacuum cleaner nozzle.
- the hinge H allows for some flexibility in every direction, allowing the user to operate the nozzle like a mop, with two hands, while the hinge H ensures that the elements Lx are not released from the floor.
- Embodiments provide an omnidirectional vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a plurality of movable parts Lx that ensure that an opening is only present in the movement direction MD, e.g. as illustrated in the drawings.
- Embodiments provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle that comprises a central area C from which dirty air can leave the vacuum cleaner nozzle; and a plurality of elements Lx arranged and flexibly mounted to the central area C in such a way to thereby provide a suction opening at a side of the central area C currently corresponding to a current movement direction MD of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, while reducing a possibility for air to enter the central area C from other directions.
- the central area C is circular, but it may have other forms, e.g. it may be square.
- the central area (C) is rotatable around its center.
- the elements Lx can rotate with reference to respective axes A provided on the central area C, and preferably, the axes A are regularly distributed around a center of a central area C.
- the elements Lx are flexible.
- the elements Lx are mounted to a single axis Ac, and have a flexible first part having a first thickness, followed by a second part having a second thickness exceeding the first thickness, wherein - when pushed together as a result of movement - the second parts of neighboring elements Lx reduce a possibility for air to enter the central area C from between the neighboring elements.
- the elements Lx have side walls and roofs extending beyond the side walls.
- the elements Lx are arranged for collecting dirt from crevices CV over an entire operating diameter D of the vacuum cleaner utensil as defined by the elements Lx.
- the invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle formed by such a vacuum cleaner nozzle, and may relate to a robot vacuum cleaner formed by such a vacuum cleaner utensil.
- Embodiments of the invention show the following characteristics: omnidirectional nozzle, with a circular central area having a suction channel, and flexible and rotating flaps that block-unblock the suction channel in drag direction and that do not block the suction channel in a sense to create more pressure (varying the width of the channel) but just expose the correct portion of the suction channel based on the drag movement. While a conventional nozzle has to be manipulated to clean in various directions so that the suction channel is in correct orientation, in the omnidirectional nozzle provided by embodiments of this invention, the suction channel is automatically oriented based on drag.
- the flexible flaps or leaves are preferably hollow to create under pressure to offer optimum motion resistance/ drag so that the leaves are oriented naturally
- the central area C will just be a central area close to the dirty air inlet on the bottom of the robot vacuum cleaner.
- the expression "flexibly mounted” covers the idea shown in Fig. 1 that an element Lx can rotate with reference to a respective axis A, the idea that the element Lx is mounted by means of a pull spring, and/or the idea shown in Figs. 5A and 6B that the elements Lx are connected to a single central axis Ac, the flexible elements each having a relatively thin part that can easily be bent.
- the wording "a plurality of elements Lx flexibly mounted to a central area C" covers both the situation shown in Figs.
Description
- The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner utensil (e.g. a vacuum cleaner nozzle or a robot vacuum cleaner), and to a vacuum cleaner (e.g. of the canister or stick type) provided with a nozzle formed by such a vacuum cleaner utensil.
- JPH10113315 (A) discloses a dust sucking nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, arranged to catch and suck dust correctly even when the dust scatters during cleaning and protect the surface to be cleaned. Solution: On a bottom of a nozzle case connected to a cleaner hose through a connection part, a brush part and a feather brush part extending outward from the nozzle case are provided, and a dust sucking port connected to the connection part is opened in the peripheral wall of the nozzle case. The nozzle case is a double tube structure having an outer tube part having a top plate formed with a connection port connected to the connection part and, the peripheral wall opened with the dust sucking port connected to the connection part and lower open part, and an inner tube body having a sucking port connected to the connection part and the brush part on its bottom and the feather brush part extending outward from the lower open edge of the outer tube body. The feather brush member is formed by directing each backward bent tip end side of many feathers outward, which are arranged around the inner tube body, and their base ends contacted with the periphery of the inner tube body are wound and fastened by a tying member.
- The field of quick/flexible vacuum cleaning is gaining more and more popularity. The set of requirements for a nozzle is changing in those quick vacuum cleaners, as they are used mainly for cleaning coarse dirt particles in tight spaces, small areas and under furniture.
- Known vacuum cleaner nozzles are usually rectangular and stiff. This is may not be the optimal shape when cleaning small spaces. Current nozzles suck up dirt through multiple openings divided evenly along the perimeter of the nozzle. There is an airflow through all of these holes, while there is only airflow necessary in the direction of movement. This is a waste of suction power and therefore not efficient.
- It is, inter alia, an object of the invention to provide a vacuum cleaner utensil that offers improved efficiency and omnidirectional flexibility to the user. The invention is defined by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
- Embodiments of the invention introduce flexible and moving parts that drag over the floor and follow the direction of movement, creating a suction hole and coarse dirt guides that are always in the current front of the nozzle, which current front is determined by what is the current movement direction.
- These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.
-
-
Figs. 1-3 show behavior of an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner nozzle in accordance with the present invention; -
Fig. 4 shows another view of an embodiment in accordance with the invention; -
Figs. 5A and 5B show another embodiment of the invention; and -
Figs. 6A - 6C show yet another embodiment of the invention. - Embodiments of the invention are largely based on the insight that a traditional rectangular vacuum cleaner nozzle is designed for covering large areas, and that this requirement is not valid in the application area 'quick/flexible cleaning'. In quick/flexible cleaning it is important to be able to maneuver easily and to have a lightweight appliance (save energy).
- In one embodiment, the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises a plurality of elements Lx, in this embodiment six leaves or petals L1 - L6, preferably made out of flexible material, which each rotate around respective axes (●) A in the middle of the nozzle, preferably around respective axes A regularly distributed around a center of a central area C from where dirty air leaves the nozzle through a suction tube T towards the fan of a canister or stick-type vacuum cleaner. The drag force of the movement causes the leaves L1 - L6 to stay behind, creating a suction hole in a movement direction MD while closing openings at other sides of the nozzle. If the leaves L1 - L6 are hollow (as shown in
Fig. 4 ), the suction caused by the vacuum cleaner's fan at the other end of the suction tube T will cause under-pressure in the leaves L1 - L6, which increases the drag force and thus improves the operation of the nozzle in that the leaves will move such that a suction hole will only remain in the movement direction MD. Another way to increase the drag force is the selection of the material of the leaves (or at least, the part of the leaves that touch the floor). For example, rubber provides sufficient friction with the floor, seals under-pressure on hard floors, and drags on soft floors. - Bigger particles are guided towards this hole by the shape of the leaves. This creates a vacuuming experience that is close to mopping, as illustrated in
Figs. 1 and 2 . As illustrated in the drawings, when the nozzle is moving to the left, only at the left there is an open channel, and all airflow will go to channel at the left. Airflow from other directions is blocked by the leaves L1 - L6 being forced to sit closely together. The leaves that - as a result of the movement direction MD - happen to be at the front (i.e. L1 and L6 in the movement illustrated byFig. 1 , and L4 and L5 in the movement illustrated inFig. 2 ) guide coarse dirt towards the suction opening between these front leaves. - When encountering furniture like a table leg TL or a chair leg, the leaves L1 - L6 will bend to create suction around the object, as illustrated in
Fig. 3 . Preferably, to facilitate moving the nozzle in a mop-like way around objects like a table leg, the central area C of the nozzle can freely rotate around its center. - Under-pressure under the leaves L1 - L6 ensures that crevices CV in the floor F can be sucked empty. For this purpose, in an embodiment, the leaves L1 - L6 are hollow and suction channels are in line with the leaves L1 - L6, as illustrated in
Fig. 4 . In this way, the entire diameter D of the nozzle is used to suck dirt from crevices CV. - In an even more flexible embodiment, the axes A could be mounted to pull springs, thereby allowing the leaves L1 - L6 to be pulled out of the center. In that way, the nozzle could be positioned closer to walls, which improves its ability to clean around a corner and along a plinth. So, in normal motion, the front leaves would form a V having an opening angle of e.g. 90° guiding dirt towards the suction opening, but when pushed close to a wall, the pull springs would allow the front leaves to form an opening angle of 180°.
-
Figs. 5A and 5B show another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, there are 20 flexible elements L1 - L20 mounted to a single central axis Ac in the middle of the central area C. Starting from the axis Ac, each element Lx first has a relatively thin part that provides the flexible element with flexibility, followed by a relatively thick part that ensures that if the flexible elements Lx are pushed together as a result of the nozzle being moved (see e.g.Fig. 5B in which the nozzle is moved to the left, as a result of which the flexible elements are moved to the right), only at a side of the nozzle corresponding with the movement direction (inFig. 5B , between the elements L14 and L15) it is possible for air to enter the central area C of the nozzle, while at all other sized the nozzle is substantially air-tight. Beyond its relatively thick part, each element Lx may have a relatively thin part that may help to guide dirt particles towards the central air inlet (inFig. 5B , between the elements L14 and L15) and that may help to provide a drag force (e.g. as a result of friction with the floor) that results in the elements Lx assuming the position shown inFig. 5B starting from the neutral positions shown inFig. 5A . Advantageously, the elements Lx can rotate around the central axis Ac so as to allow for a mop-like flexible way of moving the nozzle around objects like table or chair legs. -
Figs. 6A - 6C show yet another embodiment of the invention. Like in the previous embodiment ofFigs. 5A and 5B , the 21 flexible elements L1 - L21 in the embodiment ofFigs. 6A and 6B are mounted to a single central axis Ac, and close to that axis Ac they have relatively thin flexible parts, as shown inFig. 6B . However, different from the previous embodiment, beyond those relatively thin flexible parts, where the elements Lx are no longer covered by the central area C, the elements Lx now have walls defining hollow bottoms, and closed roofs, so that under-pressure in the hollow parts of the elements Lx can provide an additional drag force improving the formation of a central suction opening between the elements L1 and L21 corresponding to the movement direction MD, and the closing off of other openings between the elements L1 - L2 .. L20 - L21. - As illustrated in
Fig. 6B , to be able to get this under-pressure, the walls have heights exceeding the heights of the relatively thin flexible parts, except where the walls are covered by the central area C where the walls have a reduced height leaving a distance to the floor. The circle inFig. 6B illustrates that when the flexible elements are pushed together as a result of the drag force, no opening is left between the walls of the flexible elements. - Advantageously, the roofs extend beyond the walls of the elements Lx, as this allows for a better vacuuming along plinths, as below the extended parts of the roofs there is an air flow channel to suck up dirt close to the plinths P, as schematically shown by the arrows in
Fig. 6C . The elements Lx are so flexibly mounted, that - when pushed together as a result of the drag force - the roofs of neighboring elements Lx overlap each other, as illustrated inFig. 6A . -
Fig. 6A further shows on top of the central area C a hinge H made from a small piece of flexible tube (about 4 cm in length). Because the nozzle is attaching itself to the floor as a result of the suction and the elements Lx being hollow, it feels unnatural to push it forward like a traditional vacuum cleaner nozzle. The hinge H allows for some flexibility in every direction, allowing the user to operate the nozzle like a mop, with two hands, while the hinge H ensures that the elements Lx are not released from the floor. - The above embodiments provide an omnidirectional vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a plurality of movable parts Lx that ensure that an opening is only present in the movement direction MD, e.g. as illustrated in the drawings. Embodiments provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle that comprises a central area C from which dirty air can leave the vacuum cleaner nozzle; and a plurality of elements Lx arranged and flexibly mounted to the central area C in such a way to thereby provide a suction opening at a side of the central area C currently corresponding to a current movement direction MD of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, while reducing a possibility for air to enter the central area C from other directions. Preferably, the central area C is circular, but it may have other forms, e.g. it may be square. Advantageously, the central area (C) is rotatable around its center. Preferably, the elements Lx can rotate with reference to respective axes A provided on the central area C, and preferably, the axes A are regularly distributed around a center of a central area C. Advantageously, the elements Lx are flexible. Advantageously, the elements Lx are mounted to a single axis Ac, and have a flexible first part having a first thickness, followed by a second part having a second thickness exceeding the first thickness, wherein - when pushed together as a result of movement - the second parts of neighboring elements Lx reduce a possibility for air to enter the central area C from between the neighboring elements. Preferably, the elements Lx have side walls and roofs extending beyond the side walls. Advantageously, the elements Lx are arranged for collecting dirt from crevices CV over an entire operating diameter D of the vacuum cleaner utensil as defined by the elements Lx. The invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle formed by such a vacuum cleaner nozzle, and may relate to a robot vacuum cleaner formed by such a vacuum cleaner utensil.
- Embodiments of the invention show the following characteristics: omnidirectional nozzle, with a circular central area having a suction channel, and flexible and rotating flaps that block-unblock the suction channel in drag direction and that do not block the suction channel in a sense to create more pressure (varying the width of the channel) but just expose the correct portion of the suction channel based on the drag movement. While a conventional nozzle has to be manipulated to clean in various directions so that the suction channel is in correct orientation, in the omnidirectional nozzle provided by embodiments of this invention, the suction channel is automatically oriented based on drag. The flexible flaps or leaves are preferably hollow to create under pressure to offer optimum motion resistance/ drag so that the leaves are oriented naturally
- In a robot vacuum cleaner embodiment, the central area C will just be a central area close to the dirty air inlet on the bottom of the robot vacuum cleaner. In this specification, the expression "flexibly mounted" covers the idea shown in
Fig. 1 that an element Lx can rotate with reference to a respective axis A, the idea that the element Lx is mounted by means of a pull spring, and/or the idea shown inFigs. 5A and6B that the elements Lx are connected to a single central axis Ac, the flexible elements each having a relatively thin part that can easily be bent. In the claims, the wording "a plurality of elements Lx flexibly mounted to a central area C" covers both the situation shown inFigs. 1-4 that the flexible elements Lx are individually mounted to the central area C, and the situation shown inFigs. 5A - 6C in which the flexible elements Lx are all connected to a central point Ac in the central area C. It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The word" a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. 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 (13)
- A vacuum cleaner utensil comprising:
a plurality of elements (Lx) arranged and flexibly mounted to a central area (C) in such a way to thereby provide a suction opening at a side of the central area (C) corresponding to a current movement direction (MD) of the vacuum cleaner utensil out of a plurality of possible movement directions, while reducing a possibility for air to enter the central area (C) from a plurality of other directions. - A vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central area (C) is circular.
- A vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the central area (C) is rotatable around its center.
- A vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the elements (Lx) are rotatable with reference to respective axes (A) provided on the central area (C).
- A vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in claim 4, wherein the axes (A) are regularly distributed around a center of a central area (C).
- A vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the elements (Lx) are flexible.
- A vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in claim 6, wherein the elements (Lx) are mounted to a central point (Ac), and have a flexible first part having a first thickness, followed by a second part having a second thickness exceeding the first thickness, whereby the second parts of neighboring elements (Lx) are arranged to reduce a possibility for air to enter the central area (C) from between the neighboring elements (Lx) when pushed together as a result of movement of the vacuum cleaning utensil.
- A vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in claim 7, wherein the central point (Ac) is an axis around which the elements (Lx) can rotate.
- A vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the elements (Lx) are hollow.
- A vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in claim 9, wherein the elements (Lx) have side walls and roofs extending beyond the side walls.
- A vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the elements (Lx) are arranged for collecting dirt from crevices (CV) over an entire operating diameter (D) of the vacuum cleaner utensil as defined by the elements (Lx).
- A vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle formed by a vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in any of the preceding claims.
- A robot vacuum cleaner formed by a vacuum cleaner utensil as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1-11.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL18739809T PL3651628T3 (en) | 2017-07-14 | 2018-07-04 | Vacuum cleaner utensil |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP17181533.5A EP3427624A1 (en) | 2017-07-14 | 2017-07-14 | Vacuum cleaner nozzle |
PCT/EP2018/068023 WO2019011731A1 (en) | 2017-07-14 | 2018-07-04 | Vacuum cleaner utensil |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3651628A1 EP3651628A1 (en) | 2020-05-20 |
EP3651628B1 true EP3651628B1 (en) | 2021-02-17 |
Family
ID=59350811
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17181533.5A Withdrawn EP3427624A1 (en) | 2017-07-14 | 2017-07-14 | Vacuum cleaner nozzle |
EP18739809.4A Active EP3651628B1 (en) | 2017-07-14 | 2018-07-04 | Vacuum cleaner utensil |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17181533.5A Withdrawn EP3427624A1 (en) | 2017-07-14 | 2017-07-14 | Vacuum cleaner nozzle |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20210137331A1 (en) |
EP (2) | EP3427624A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6945793B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR102203182B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN110913737B (en) |
PL (1) | PL3651628T3 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2728745C1 (en) |
UA (1) | UA124951C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019011731A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH0397423A (en) * | 1989-09-12 | 1991-04-23 | Toray Ind Inc | Suction tool of vacuum cleaner |
JP2896643B2 (en) * | 1995-08-28 | 1999-05-31 | 義夫 渡辺 | Vacuum broom device |
JPH10113315A (en) * | 1996-10-14 | 1998-05-06 | Shigechika Yamamoto | Dust sucking nozzle for vacuum cleaner |
FR2792817B1 (en) * | 1999-04-29 | 2001-06-29 | Seb Sa | VACUUM CLEANER WITH RECLAMATION BLADE |
US6802104B1 (en) * | 2002-04-02 | 2004-10-12 | Katherine B. Redd | Vacuum hose attachment |
US7571514B2 (en) | 2007-06-21 | 2009-08-11 | Tung-Han Shih | Dust absorption head of a vacuum cleaner |
US10952587B2 (en) | 2010-04-16 | 2021-03-23 | Unger Marketing International, Llc | Dusting devices |
GB2481387B (en) | 2010-06-21 | 2014-07-30 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Attachment for a vacuum cleaning appliance |
DE102015108157A1 (en) * | 2015-05-22 | 2016-11-24 | Vorwerk & Co. Interholding Gmbh | Suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner |
CN205181235U (en) * | 2015-11-27 | 2016-04-27 | 江苏美的清洁电器股份有限公司 | Clean auxiliary and dust catcher |
-
2017
- 2017-07-14 EP EP17181533.5A patent/EP3427624A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2018
- 2018-07-04 KR KR1020207004332A patent/KR102203182B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2018-07-04 CN CN201880046786.7A patent/CN110913737B/en active Active
- 2018-07-04 WO PCT/EP2018/068023 patent/WO2019011731A1/en unknown
- 2018-07-04 JP JP2019571003A patent/JP6945793B2/en active Active
- 2018-07-04 PL PL18739809T patent/PL3651628T3/en unknown
- 2018-07-04 RU RU2020107021A patent/RU2728745C1/en active
- 2018-07-04 US US16/629,589 patent/US20210137331A1/en active Pending
- 2018-07-04 UA UAA202000885A patent/UA124951C2/en unknown
- 2018-07-04 EP EP18739809.4A patent/EP3651628B1/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20200023484A (en) | 2020-03-04 |
CN110913737B (en) | 2021-10-26 |
PL3651628T3 (en) | 2021-10-04 |
CN110913737A (en) | 2020-03-24 |
UA124951C2 (en) | 2021-12-15 |
EP3427624A1 (en) | 2019-01-16 |
JP2020524057A (en) | 2020-08-13 |
RU2728745C1 (en) | 2020-07-30 |
KR102203182B1 (en) | 2021-01-15 |
WO2019011731A1 (en) | 2019-01-17 |
US20210137331A1 (en) | 2021-05-13 |
EP3651628A1 (en) | 2020-05-20 |
JP6945793B2 (en) | 2021-10-06 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
JP5433718B2 (en) | Surface treatment head | |
JP5600509B2 (en) | Surface treatment head | |
US8544145B2 (en) | Surface treating head | |
JP5346325B2 (en) | Surface treatment head | |
KR101760208B1 (en) | Suction apparatus for cleaner | |
EP3651628B1 (en) | Vacuum cleaner utensil | |
KR20190025573A (en) | Flexible lightweight vacuum cleaner head | |
GB2471920A (en) | A surface treating head | |
US11786090B2 (en) | Floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner | |
US9848747B2 (en) | Floor cleaning device | |
JPS6349247Y2 (en) |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE |
|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20200214 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
DAV | Request for validation of the european patent (deleted) | ||
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20200831 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602018012755 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1360334 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20210315 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: FP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG9D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210617 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210517 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210517 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210518 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1360334 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20210217 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210617 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602018012755 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20211118 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20210731 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210731 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210731 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210617 Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210704 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210704 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210731 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230530 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20180704 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Payment date: 20230623 Year of fee payment: 6 Ref country code: PL Payment date: 20230622 Year of fee payment: 6 Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20230726 Year of fee payment: 6 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210217 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20230725 Year of fee payment: 6 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: PD Owner name: VERSUNI HOLDING B.V.; NL Free format text: DETAILS ASSIGNMENT: CHANGE OF OWNER(S), ASSIGNMENT; FORMER OWNER NAME: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V. Effective date: 20231108 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20230725 Year of fee payment: 6 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20230726 Year of fee payment: 6 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R081 Ref document number: 602018012755 Country of ref document: DE Owner name: VERSUNI HOLDING B.V., NL Free format text: FORMER OWNER: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V., EINDHOVEN, NL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: 732E Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20231214 AND 20231220 |