ES2911882T3 - suction head - Google Patents

Abstract

Suction head (10) comprising a casing (12) and a rotating brush (20) mounted in rotation through a shaft (22), of longitudinal axis (23), supported by bearings (15) between two side walls ( 13) of the aforementioned casing (12), the aforementioned rotating brush (20) being removable along the aforementioned longitudinal axis (23) by means of a reversible unlocking system (30) located on one of the side walls (13) of the casing ( 12), characterized in that said unlocking system (30) comprises at least one retractable lug (31) mounted movably on an actuator (35).

Description

DESCRIPTION

suction head

technical area

The present invention relates generally to the field of suction devices such as electric vacuum cleaners of the industrial or domestic type, and in particular to that of suction heads provided with rotating brushes for such vacuum cleaners.

A suction head, or nozzle, constitutes the terminal part of the duct or suction system that is in contact with the surface to be cleaned. When these surfaces refer to carpets, rugs or similar materials, it is common to equip the suction head with a rotating brush for better efficiency. This rotating brush typically adopts a roller shape, that is to say, an essentially cylindrical shape, with a longitudinal axis of rotation, parallel to the plane of the surface to be cleaned. Cleaning is therefore carried out by a double action, namely an effective brushing of the surface to be cleaned and a suction of the dust or other residues removed by the brush. The rotational drive of the brush can typically be obtained by the flow of sucked air or by a motor specifically dedicated to the rotation of the brush.

Carpet strands, hair or other fibers regularly catch on the brush filaments or bristles and wrap around the brush. If the brush is not regularly freed from these fibrous elements, its effectiveness will be reduced. An excessively large mass of fibrous elements can even lead to blockage of the brush, in particular when it is driven by the sole suction of the air flow. Thus, to ensure effective cleaning, it is necessary to regularly clean the rotating brush, in particular to remove any fibrous element that has wound around its rotation shaft. To do this, the rotating brush must be removed from the suction head.

Some devices require unscrewing one or more screws in order to remove the suction head soleplate before accessing the rotating brush. The problem with these systems lies in the fact that they require a tool, such as a screwdriver or a coin. To overcome this drawback, various prior art solutions are known.

prior art

Publication JPH06292647 discloses a suction head provided with a removable rotating brush. Parallel to the axis of rotation of the brush, the suction head comprises a cover that must be removed to access the rotating brush in order to proceed with its maintenance. The lid is held by elastic hooks inserted into openings provided in the suction head.

Document EP1748719 suggests another solution in which the brush can be separated from the suction head by actuating a lever located at one end of the brush. The latter can then be extracted through the longitudinal suction opening provided on the underside of the sole.

Document EP1639932 suggests a solution in which the cylindrical brush is configured to be laterally extracted from the suction head, along the longitudinal axis of the brush. To do this, an end bearing attached to the brush can be rotated counterclockwise after a bayonet locking device has been unlocked.

Document DE102016119762 also discloses a suction head provided with a roller brush that can be removed from one of the lateral faces of the suction head. The extraction side face of the brush comprises a cover integral with the end of the brush. Thanks to its shape, this cover acts as a locking/unlocking element since it comprises, forming a single piece, a lever and a locking hook. This lever and this hook are arranged diametrically opposite to the longitudinal axis of the brush. Thus, a pivoting of the cover, around this longitudinal axis, allows the locking hook to be hooked or unhooked from a portion of the lateral part of the suction head.

Seeking to facilitate the removal of roller brushes, it can be seen that numerous devices adopt different solutions intended to dispense with tools. However, these solutions make use of means, such as elastic levers or hooks, which remain fragile, either because they protrude a great deal from the roller brush, or because they constitute or use elements that are essentially stressed in elasticity. The projecting elements constitute fragile parts that can easily break, in particular when the roller brush, handled during its maintenance, accidentally falls to the ground. On the other hand, elements such as elastic hooks, which act on the elasticity of their material, are also likely to break easily due to their small section necessary for their elastic nature.

Consequently, there is an interest in finding an efficient and more suitable solution that allows, at least in part, to solve the aforementioned drawbacks.

Summary of the invention

To this end, the present invention refers in a first aspect to a suction head comprising a casing and a rotating brush mounted in rotation through a shaft, with a longitudinal axis, supported by bearings between two side walls of said casing, said rotating brush being removable along said longitudinal axis by means of a reversible unlocking system located on one of the side walls of the casing; this suction head being characterized in that said unlocking system comprises at least one retractable lug movably mounted on an actuator.

Advantageously, the unlocking system of the invention does not have any fragile part, such as a locking/unlocking lug, which remains protruding when the rotating brush unlocking system is actuated in order to extract the latter from the suction head casing. This feature is obtained in particular by the fact that the stud of this unlocking system is a retractable stud movably mounted on an actuator of this system. In this way, there is a relative mobility between the stud and the unlocking system actuator. In other words, the unlocking system is advantageously provided with a locking means (retractable stud) that is mobile, within this system itself, between two positions, namely a locked position in which the stud is unfolded or is in extension and an unlocking position in which the lug is retracted. This feature also makes it possible to obtain a release system that is both compact and solid.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuator is a rotary actuator, that is, an actuator configured to transform a rotation movement into a translation movement that allows the extension and retraction of the lug depending on the direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) impregnated to the rotational movement.

In a variant, the actuator could be a push-button actuator, that is, an actuator configured to transform a movement of the longitudinal axis into a movement of translation of the axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. Thus, by pressing a button of such an actuator, it would be possible to obtain extension or retraction of the lug.

In another variant, the actuator could be a clamping actuator, that is, an actuator configured, for example, to retract the lug by a clamping movement that acts on a spring opposing this movement.

In one embodiment, said retractable lug is mounted via an eccentric joint on the rotary actuator. Preferably, said joint is a cylindrical joint.

In one embodiment, said retractable lug is mounted to move in translation, or according to a movement substantially similar to a translation, knowing that other movements would make it possible to go from a locked position (lug extended) to an unlocked position (lug retracted). and vice versa. More precisely, this movement is a combination of translational and rotational movements.

In a preferred embodiment, the unlocking system comprises two retractable lugs also mounted feet against the head.

In one embodiment, said unlocking system is configured to be arranged in an extractable body locked in rotation and provided, for each retractable lug, with a slot through which said retractable lug can protrude to retain the body against the side wall.

In one embodiment, the unlocking system comprises a guide element configured to guide said retractable lug. Preferably, said guide element is integral with said body.

In one embodiment, the body comprises a locking system configured to immobilize said retractable stud in a retractable stud locking position. Still preferably, said locking system is further configured to immobilize said retractable stud in a retractable stud unlocked position.

In a possible embodiment, the body further comprises one of the aforementioned bearings of the shaft on which the rotating brush is mounted to rotate.

In one embodiment, the body also includes an annular flange, fixed in rotation, configured to close the unlocking system around the actuator.

In one embodiment, said actuator comprises a manual grip means.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a suction head according to one of the embodiments described in the present disclosure or according to any possible combination of these embodiments.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a suction head according to the invention in which the rotating brush is inserted in the casing of the suction head;

Figure 2 represents a view similar to that of Fig. 1 but in which the rotating brush is extracted from the casing;

Figure 3 represents a view from below of the suction head in a horizontal section passing through the section line MI-MI of Fig. 1;

Figure 4 represents a vertical section, according to section line IV-IV of Fig. 3, of the unlocking system in an unlocked position;

Figure 5 represents a view similar to Fig. 4 but in which the unlocking system is in a locked position;

Figure 6 represents an exploded three-dimensional view of the unlocking system seen from the front;

Figure 7 represents a view similar to Fig. 6 but in a rear view.

Detailed description

With reference to figures 1 and 2, these represent a perspective view of a suction head 10 comprising a casing 12 inside which a rotating brush 20 is mounted for rotation through a shaft 22, with longitudinal axis 23 , supported by bearings between two side walls 13 of the casing 12. The rotating brush 20 is removable along the longitudinal axis 23 by means of a reversible unlocking system 30, located on one of the side walls 13 of the casing 12. The system of unlocking 30 is said to be reversible because it allows both the rotating brush 20 to be unlocked in its casing 12 and to be locked.

Fig. 3 represents the suction head 10 in a view from below according to a horizontal section that passes through the section line III-III of Fig. 1. To the left of this figure the unlocking system 30 of the brush is illustrated. swivel 20 inside its casing 12. In another embodiment, this unlocking system 30 could be located on the opposite side wall 13, that is to say to the right of this figure, by a simple inversion or a simple pivoting of 180 ° of the rotating brush 20 and of all the elements that allow it to be supported. These elements comprise in particular bearings 15 intended to support the shaft 22 of the rotating brush 20 between the two side walls 13 of the casing 12. Each of these bearings 15 can typically incorporate a ball bearing 16, as illustrated by way of example in Fig. 3. In one embodiment, at least one of these bearings 15 may be that of a drive system, such as a motor, or be connected to such a system. However, such a drive system for the shaft 22 of the rotating brush 20 remains optional because the latter could simply be driven in rotation by the force of the air flow sucked in by the suction head 10.

Figures 4 and 5 represent the unlocking system 30 in a vertical section, according to section line IV-IV of Fig. 3, respectively in an unlocked position and in a locked position. In these figures, the unlocking system 30 is therefore seen from inside the casing 12 and not from outside the latter. Figures 6 and 7 represent the unlocking system 30 in exploded perspective views, respectively from the front, that is, from the outside of the casing 12, and from the rear, that is, from the inside of this same casing 12.

As is well illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the unlocking system 30 comprises at least one retractable pin 31 movably mounted on an actuator 35 which, preferably, is essentially circular in shape and forms part of the unlocking system 30. In the mode of embodiment illustrated by these figures, the unlocking system 30 comprises two retractable lugs 31, which are also mounted feet against the head on the actuator 35. The number of retractable lugs 31 is not limiting and will depend mainly on the space available to be able to mount them mobile on actuator 35.

Since at least one retractable lug 31 is movably mounted on this actuator 35, the unlocking system 30 has elements of which at least one part is movably mounted with respect to another. Thanks to this relative mobility, the unlocking system 30 can adopt a configuration in which the retractable lugs 31 are retracted (Fig. 4), that is, inserted towards the central part of the unlocking system 30 so that they no longer protrude from the edges or contours that constitute the general shape or outline of the unlocking system 30. Advantageously, this makes it possible to increase the compactness of the unlocking system 30, in particular between the locked (Fig. 5) and unlocked (Fig. 4), and in particular to protect the fragile parts which are the retractable lugs 31. Indeed, if these lugs remain protruding, they would then constitute parts exposed to the risk of breakage, in particular in the event of an unexpected fall of the rotating brush 20 on a hard floor after removing it from its crankcase 12.

In a preferred embodiment and as illustrated in the attached figures, the actuator 35 is a rotary actuator. According to figures 4 and 5, each of the inner ends of the retractable lugs 31 is connected to a drive pin 36 integral with the actuator 35. Comparing the angular positions adopted by the axis line AA connecting the drive pins 36 in figures 4 and 5, it can be seen that the rotation of the actuator 35 of a certain angular value makes it possible to obtain an extension or a retraction of the retractable lugs 31. Thus, the rotary actuator 35 allows a transformation of a rotary movement into a movement which is substantially similar to a radial translation of the retractable lugs 31.

Alternatively, it would be possible to replace the rotary actuator 35 with an actuator of another type, such as a push-button actuator or a pinch actuator. The push-button actuator would make it possible to convert a pressure movement on a push button into a retraction or extension movement of the retractable lugs 31. As for the clamping actuator, it would allow the retraction of the lugs to be obtained by a pinching movement of the fingers applied against an opposing spring mechanism for example.

Returning to the rotary actuator 35 illustrated in detail in Figures 4 to 7, it is noted that the retractable lug 31 is preferably mounted to move on the actuator 35 via an eccentric joint 37. Preferably, this joint 37 is also a cylindrical joint. Thus and as shown in these figures, the articulation 37 can be obtained by the eccentric position of the drag pin 36 on the rotary actuator 35 and by the assembly, freely mounted in rotation, of the inner end of the retractable lug 31 on the drag pin. 36. To do this, this inner end has a circular opening 33 whose diameter is such that it allows the skid 36 to be inserted into it.

As better illustrated in figures 6 and 7, the unlocking system 30 is also preferably configured to be arranged inside an extractable body 40. The latter is locked in rotation, for example due to its non-circular shape, which , in the present example, comprises in its lower part a flat edge 42 oriented towards the ground, as well as at least one plane 42' arranged in a hole, below a support surface 44 better visible in Fig. 7. This body 40 is further provided, for each retractable lug 31, with a slot 41 through which the retractable lug 31 can protrude in order to retain the body 40 against the side wall 13 and thus block the unlocking system 30. Conversely, to unlock this system, the retractable lug 31 slides through this slot 41 to retract inside the body 40 so that it no longer protrudes from the latter, as well illustrated in Fig. 4.

To accompany the movement of the retractable pin 31 through the slot 41, the unlocking system 30 preferably comprises a guide element 45 configured to guide the retractable pin 31. Preferably still, this guide element 45 is integral with the body 40 and is consisting of at least one guide wall, typically two walls that form a guide passageway for the retractable lug 31.

In one embodiment, the body 40 comprises a locking system 46 configured to immobilize the retractable lug 31 in a locking position of the latter. This locking system 46 is better illustrated in Fig. 6 while its operation can be better understood with the help of figures 4 and 5. In the embodiment illustrated by these figures, this locking system 46 essentially consists of one or several teeth 47 each constituting a convex protrusion of small thickness, arranged on an inner edge of the body 40. This tooth 47 is intended to block a finger 48 of the actuator 35 in a position that can be the blocking position and/or release of the release system 30. However, the small thickness and the rounded shape of this tooth 47 also allow this finger 48 to pass the latter. Indeed, when a sufficient and therefore voluntary force is applied to the actuator 35 to make it rotate despite the presence of a tooth 47, it is possible to pass the finger 48 over the tooth 47. Thus, the actuator 35 can then be found in a second position that can be the unlocking position of the unlocking system 30. In addition, and as is well illustrated in the lower part of Fig. 5, a stop 49 can be arranged in the vicinity of the tooth 47 to limit the progression of the rotation of the actuator 35 in one direction or the other, that is, once the actuator 35 has reached the locked or unlocked position.

Returning to Fig. 3, the body 40 may further comprise, in a preferred embodiment, one of the bearings 15 of the shaft 22 on which the rotating brush 20 is rotatably mounted. As best illustrated in this figure, this bearing 15 can be housed inside the body 40. In a variant, the bearing 15 could be arranged outside this body 40, for example, on the bearing surface 44 of this body 40, bearing surface 44 seen best in figures 6 and 7

As shown in Figures 1-2 and 6-7, the body 40 further comprises an annular flange 43. This flange is preferably mounted fixed in rotation, for example by engagement by means of elastic lugs, and is configured to close the release system 30 around the actuator 35. This annular flange 43 thus makes it possible to protect the release system 30 against any foreign element (dust, fibers, small solid elements, etc.) that could enter it from the side of the side wall 13. Likewise, this annular flange 43 also makes it possible to improve the closure or sealing of the casing 12 and thus increase the suction force at the level of the soleplate and of the rotating brush 20. In addition, thanks to the fact that it is mounted fixed in rotation, this flange ring 43 also makes it possible to receive indications, such as pictograms or inscriptions (Fig. 6), which make it possible to identify in which direction the actuator 35 must be manipulated to go from a blocking position to a closed position. unlock and vice versa.

Preferably, the actuator 35 further comprises a manual grip means 38 that facilitates its grip with the bare hand.

Advantageously, the solution proposed by the present invention allows, in particular, to remove the brush by simple rotation of the actuator 35 without the need for a tool, such as a screwdriver, a coin or another accessory. Furthermore, contrary to most of the brush extraction systems known from the state of the prior art, the rotation of the actuator 35 is advantageously not done on a seal, which avoids premature wear of said gasket. Still advantageously, the solution of the present invention allows, at least in one of its embodiments, to dispense with any metal spring. Due to this, the unlocking system 30 can advantageously be obtained from parts of plastic material, for example, all of which can thus come from a molding or injection process of such material. Likewise, the absence of any metal spring also makes it possible to simplify the assembly and assembly of the unlocking system 30 because it is not necessary to add and tighten such a part in this system to make it operational.

In a second aspect, the present invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a suction head 10 according to one of the embodiments described earlier in the present disclosure or according to any possible combination of these embodiments. Typically, such a vacuum cleaner may be of the broom type vacuum cleaner, canister vacuum cleaner or central vacuum cleaner, to cite just a few examples.

Although the objects of the present invention have been described with reference to specific examples, various obvious modifications and/or improvements could be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. Suction head (10) comprising a casing (12) and a rotating brush (20) mounted to rotate through a shaft (22), with a longitudinal axis (23), supported by bearings (15) between two walls (13) of said casing (12), said rotating brush (20) being removable along said longitudinal axis (23) by means of a reversible unlocking system (30) located on one of the side walls (13) of the casing (12), characterized in that said unlocking system (30) comprises at least one retractable lug (31) movably mounted on an actuator (35). 2. Suction head (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuator (35) is a rotary actuator. Suction head (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuator (35) is a push-button actuator. 4. Suction head (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuator (35) is a clamping actuator. 5. Suction head (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said retractable lug (31) is mounted via an eccentric joint (37) on the rotary actuator (35). 6. Suction head (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that said articulation (37) is a cylindrical articulation. Suction head (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the release system (30) comprises two retractable lugs (31) also mounted feet against the head. Suction head (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said unlocking system (30) is configured to be arranged inside a removable body (40) locked in rotation and provided, for each lug (31), with a slot (41) through which said retractable lug (31) can protrude to retain the body (40) against the side wall (13). Suction head (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unlocking system (30) comprises a guide element (45) configured to guide said retractable lug (31). 10. Suction head (10) according to claim 9, with reference to claim 8, characterized in that said guide element (45) is integral with said body (40). 11. Suction head (10) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that said body (40) comprises a locking system (46) configured to immobilize said retractable lug (31) in a locking position of the retractable lug (31). Suction head (10) according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that said body (40) further comprises one of said bearings (15) of the shaft (22) on which the brush is mounted in rotation swivel (20). Suction head (10) according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that said body (40) further comprises an annular flange (43), fixed in rotation, configured to close the release system (30) around of the actuator (35). Suction head (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuator (35) comprises a manual gripping means (38). Vacuum cleaner comprising a suction head (10) according to one of the preceding claims.