FR2856267A1 - VACUUM CLEANER - Google Patents

Abstract

The nozzle has two lateral sides (5, 6) forming a suction point and is open towards a surface that is to be cleaned by two suction channels (19, 20) arranged in a base (11) and along the lateral sides. Each suction channel is bordered by front and rear brushes (56,57), which are situated on both sides of the respective channel by extending parallel to the channel.

Description

VACUUM CLEANER

  The present invention relates to a dust vacuum cleaner nozzle, and more particularly to an improvement in the efficiency of waste collection.

  Vacuum cleaner nozzles are waste collection devices that soil the surface to be cleaned. They are therefore the subject of numerous improvements aimed in particular at improving such collection.

  Numerous triangular nozzles have already been proposed in the past. The patent FR 2773456 in the name of the Applicant has in particular the advantage of having a front orifice in the tip of the nozzle, making it possible to aspirate the waste slightly in front of the nozzle, which, in addition to the appropriate tapered shape of the nozzle, allows in particular to easily reach the nooks and crannies of the parts to be cleaned. However, such a nozzle, according to this patent, does not have retractable brushes.

  Such brushes are found in other documents, in particular US Pat. No. 2,394,798 o the edge of the squeegee soleplate has two brushes arranged inside the edges forming the tip of the triangular squeegee and partially delimiting the central opening d suction. These brushes 20 are however fixed and do not allow brushing of the surface to be cleaned followed by suction until the nozzle is moved forward.

  In patent application EP 0606169, the vacuum cleaner nozzle of triangular shape has two suction channels arranged along the edges forming the tip of the nozzle. These channels are each bordered, in the interior part of the nozzle, by a fixed brush. Such brushes cannot therefore be retracted depending on the nature of the soil to be treated. In addition, brushing of the soil to be treated is immediately followed by a vacuum only when the nozzle is moved backwards.

  The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by presenting a triangular nozzle with improved performance by presenting in particular a multiplicity of brushes, which can be retractable by a simple device making it possible to keep the nozzle compact.

  The present invention is achieved using a suction nozzle of substantially triangular shape, in particular having two lateral edges 5 forming the tip of the nozzle, said nozzle being open towards the surface to be cleaned by at least two suction channels. formed in the squeegee sole and arranged along the two lateral edges forming the tip of the squeegee, characterized in that each suction channel is bordered by a front brush and a rear brush, said brushes being located on either side of the channel 10, extending substantially parallel to the latter.

  By bordering each suction channel with brushes, it is possible to improve the suction efficiency at the level of the channels since the latter are somehow closed by said brushes. Furthermore, the two operations of brushing the ground to be treated followed immediately by aspiration will occur regardless of the direction of movement of the nozzle, whether forwards or backwards.

  Advantageously, the squeegee is isosceles in shape by presenting a rear edge joining the side edges, and in that the two channels arranged along the side edges meet in the front part of the squeegee.

  Such a configuration allows greater stability of the nozzle making it easier to move. Furthermore, the junction of the two channels in the front part of the squeegee somewhat simplifies the design and manufacture of the squeegee since the common area is open at the level of the sole of the squeegee.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the brushes can occupy two positions: a position where they are prominent relative to the squeegee sole and a position where they are slightly set back from said sole, the two positions being controlled by a mechanism actuated by a pedal located at the nozzle cover.

  This embodiment makes it possible to obtain different contact surfaces according to the floors to be treated and / or the actions envisaged. It is indeed advantageous to be able to have occasional brushes making it possible to apply the surface of the floor to be treated, for example the carpet, in order to extract the waste 5 attached to the fibers. The output and re-entry of the brushes is facilitated by a pedal which can be actuated by the foot while being disposed on the cover of the nozzle.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the mechanism comprises: - two rockers carrying the brushes and movable vertically with respect to the sole against the restoring force of two springs, - two carriages movable horizontally and capable of interacting each with one rockers via a tilted cam surface during this horizontal movement, - a connecting rod connecting the control pedal to the two carriages.

  The transformation of the horizontal movement of the carriages into the vertical movement of the rockers carrying the brushes using an inclined cam surface makes it possible, by this simple device, to give the nozzle a compact appearance due to the small size of the device.

  According to this arrangement, the pedal is advantageously mounted in rotation on the sole of the squeegee, the rod being connected, on the one hand to the pedal, by a portion parallel to the axis of rotation of the pedal, and on the other hand to the carriages by portions substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pedal, so that such rotation of the pedal causes horizontal movement of the carriages.

  Advantageously, the rockers and carriages are symmetrical with respect to a vertical median plane at the nozzle, which makes it possible to distribute the forces equitably on each sub-assembly formed by a carriage, a rocker, a front brush and a rear brush. This symmetry guarantees uniform movement of the different brushes.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the brushes at the rear of the channels meet at the junction of the two lateral channels by forming an inverted V.

  The presence of this rear brush extending by curving from one edge to the other of the squeegee allows, when the brushes are out, good stability of the squeegee on the ground to be treated without risking tilting forwards or backwards the squeegee when moving. The squeegee remains flat on the floor to be cleaned.

  According to this latter configuration, each rocker comprises the support points 10 of one of the front brushes and part of the support points of the rear brush.

  Advantageously, the front edge of the squeegee has at least one front orifice intended to ensure suction in a direction substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned, said front suction orifice being connected to one of the suction channels.

  One of the advantages of this structure is, not only to be able to physically place the nozzle in the corners of the parts to be cleaned, but also to really suck at the point and even slightly in front of this point, through the opening frontal thus formed. Such ease of use mainly avoids the use of small cleaning accessories which are available in place of the nozzle for accessing narrow places such as corners and recesses.

  Furthermore, it has proven to be very practical and easy to direct the point towards the objects to be picked up or the corners to be cleaned, since this point is in the axis of the tube, therefore in the axis of the thrust when the squeegee is moved.

  The interest is then to be able to target any object in free field and not only in the corners.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, taken by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended figures in which: - Figure 1 shows, in a schematic view from above, a nozzle according to the present invention, - Figure 2 shows a bottom view of a nozzle according to the invention, - Figures 3 and 4 show, in perspective, respectively a top view and from below of certain constituent parts of a nozzle according to the invention, - Figures 5 and 6 show, in a side elevation view, respectively a view of the nozzle brushes out and a view of the nozzle brushes retracted, the sole of the nozzle having been omitted, - Figures 7 and 8 show in a side view, respectively a view of the nozzle brushes extended and a view of the nozzle brushes retracted, - Figure 9 is an exploded view of the nozzle according to the invention.

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle 1. Such a nozzle has a connecting tube 2 for connection to a vacuum cleaner body, not shown, in particular having a motor-fan capable of creating an air suction flow.

  The connecting tube 2 opens at the level of the sole 11 of the nozzle in contact with the soil 4 to be cleaned, by means of connection conduits 3. These conduits open onto the suction channels. These channels are generally configured according to the shape of the nozzle, in order to optimize the suction efficiency. In the example presented where the nozzle is of triangular shape, the suction channels, as represented by the dotted lines 10, 25 extend partly along the two edges 5, 6 forming the tip of the nozzle, as well as in said nozzle tip after joining in the central part of the nozzle.

  Advantageously, the angular zone forming the tip of the nozzle has a front orifice 7 intended to ensure suction in a direction substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment presented, the nozzle has retractable brushes actuated by a pivoting pedal 8. This pedal 8 is accessible at the level of the cover 12 of the nozzle. The latter, in this embodiment, essentially presents only aesthetic and environmental protection functions.

  Indeed, the suction channels are closed, on the one hand by an internal structure produced in part during the manufacture by molding of the sole, such as the parts of the suction channels extending along the edges and opening out by the opening 7, but also by an upper part 14 10 which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is a viewing area produced by making the triangular part attached to the sole transparent.

  Such a feature makes it possible to view the waste 16 on the surface during cleaning. Depending on the shape of the squeegee and the suction channel (s), this viewing area can cover a larger field than that of the suction channel, in order to adjust the aim of the waste to be extracted from the ground.

  Advantageously, the viewing area has a magnifying glass effect, having a convex shape. Thus, the waste under the viewing area is magnified, thereby improving the viewing of the surface to be cleaned.

  Figure 2 shows the squeegee seen from below. Thus the soleplate 11 of the nozzle comprises several suction channels: a channel 19 substantially parallel to the edge 6 of the nozzle, a channel 20 substantially parallel to the edge 5 of the nozzle. These channels meet in the central region 21 of the nozzle. The 25 channels 19 and 20 have front openings, that is to say in the vertical edges of the soleplate, respectively 36 and 35, allowing a lateral suction substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned.

  The triangular shape is completed, at the rear of the nozzle, by a solid part 40 comprising two locations 42 of means favoring the displacement of the nozzle, which can be either PTFE type pads, or wheels, such as the wheels 43 visible in Figure 9.

  The squeegee also comprises a blade 23 extending in the region 21, from the edge 5 of the squeegee to the edge 6, thereby defining a front channel 18 and a rear channel 22, the front channel 18 opening out at the tip of the squeegee through the 'front opening 7. This blade 23 has an area 24 o is disposed a thread-pulling fabric as it is known per se.

  This blade 23 connects the edge 5 to the edge 6 like a bridge, leaving a space between the face opposite the zone 24 and the upper part 14. This blade is preferably parallel to the rear edge 9 of the nozzle.

  A second zone 124 carrying a wire-stripping fabric may be provided on an edge of the channel 22, symmetrically with the zone 24 carrying the wire-pulling device.

  The channels 19 and 20 each have scraper blades 46 and 45 extending respectively from the edge 6 and the edge 5 in the direction of the other edge in the suction channel. According to the example proposed, these blades are fixed 15 and come from the bottom plate of the nozzle by extending substantially parallel to the rear edge 9 over a distance close to half the width of the channel. Preferably, these blades are not or are not very prominent relative to the bottom plate of the nozzle.

  According to the invention, the nozzle comprises brushes 55, 56, 57, said brushes being retractable through the sole. The brush 55 is arranged between the suction channel 20 and the edge 5, while the brush 56 is arranged between the suction channel 19 and the edge 6. The channels 19 and 20 meet at the front of the nozzle forming an inverted V, the rear brush 57 follows this shape along the border defined by the two channels and their meeting. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rear brush has in particular a notch 157 in the middle of the brush, that is to say in the bowl-shaped shape of said brush, in order to facilitate the aspiration of the waste which can be housed in this shape of the brush at the time of the backward movement of the squeegee.

  Figures 3, 4 and 5 show, taken in isolation, the brushes and the outlet control mechanism of said brushes. A remarkable fact of the device is, in addition to the arrangement of the pedal, its perfect symmetry with respect to a vertical median plane and perpendicular to the nozzle.

  The pedal 8 comprises a lateral stud 81 intended for its connection with the nozzle nozzle, by means of a vertical part 82, visible in FIG. 9 and comprising a hole in which said stud is housed. The stud thus housed in part 82 constitutes an axis of pivoting of the pedal. The latter also includes a hollow extension 83.

  Furthermore, the pedal 8 is linked to a rigid rod 28 for transmitting movement, this rod being fixed to the pedal in the extension of the axis of rotation of the pedal, that is to say in the extension of the stud 81 , as it is clearly visible in FIG. 4. This rod has several elbows constituting a specific shape, the particularity of which is to remain flat, in particular constituting a horizontal part 280 which is the connecting part with the pedal, and two substantially vertical parts. 282. The latter are located at each end of the rod and are each connected to a carriage 85, 86. The vertical part 282 located under the pedal 8 passes through the hollow part of the extension 83 of the pedal which thus constitutes a rod guide and ensures the transmission of force to the rod.

  The rod 28 is also carried by two vertical supports 128 coming from the sole.

  The carriages 85, 86 are two identical L-shaped parts with a fairly long horizontal part directed towards the front of the squeegee and a shorter vertical part directed downwards. These carriages are secured between the sole of the squeegee and the cover so that they can only move horizontally, towards the front or towards the rear of the squeegee. Two arches 194 coming from the sole and through which the carriages 85, 86 are mounted, make it possible in particular to prohibit any vertical movement of said carriages.

  Each carriage 85, 86 has, at the front end of their horizontal part, a beveled shape, respectively 185, 186. These beveled portions constitute cam surfaces capable of interacting with parts 125, 126 beveled identically in independent parts 75, 76 in correspondence called rockers, during the horizontal movement of said carriages. The bevelled parts 125, 126 open, in their upper part, onto a substantially horizontal flat portion, respectively 25, 26.

  Thus each carriage 85, 86 is capable of interacting with the rocker 75 and the rocker 76 respectively. The rockers are substantially flat parts which are mounted in the squeegee with a degree of freedom in a vertical direction, being kept in their horizontal movement essentially by the nozzle sole, for example using sliding pins 192 coming from the sole and on which the rockers can slide by openings 175, 176 in correspondence with the pins 192. In order to minimize friction between the 15 rockers and the base, each pin or some of them may be fitted with studs or small vertical bulges in order to facilitate the vertical translation of the rockers.

  Advantageously, the soleplate will also be fitted with studs under each carriage allowing the carriages to be held in the exit position of the 20 brushes in order to avoid the involuntary triggering of the mechanism.

  As shown in Figure 9, a spring 165, 166 is mounted between each rocker 75, 76 and the nozzle sole.

  Each rocker has housings 65, 66 for the brushes 55, 56, each brush being held at the housing, essentially by elastic clamps of the clip type 95, 96. Furthermore, the downward stop of the rockers is produced by zones stopping the vertical downward movement of the rockers, constituted by the circumference of the brush housing. The contact thus created with corresponding parts of the squeegee sole ensures good sealing.

  The rear brush 57 is held for half by each rocker, using clips 97, 98, and, as for brushes 55, 56, the downward stop of the rockers when the brushes exit is achieved by the contact between the perimeter of the brush housing and the soleplate.

  In operation, starting from a position where the brushes are retracted, corresponding to FIGS. 6 and 8, the bevelled parts 125, 126 of the rockers and the bevelled parts 185, 186 of the carriages are substantially at the same level, side by side.

  When the user wants to take out the brushes, he activates the pedal by pressing on the back of it. The pedal pivots clockwise in the 10 figures, which causes the rod 28 to rotate in the same direction.

  The substantially vertical portions 282 also pivot, causing the carriages 85, 86 to move forward linked to the ends 282 of said rod. This advance of the carriages leads to the cooperation of the bevelled parts of the carriages with those of the rockers. In view of the impossibility of vertical movement of the carriages and the impossibility of horizontal movement of the rockers, the latter, under the forward movement of the carriages, undergo a vertical downward movement against the return force of the springs 165, 166, the play of the slopes sliding the rockers 75, 76 under the carriages 85, 86, the latter being in respective abutment on the flat parts 25, 26.

  This vertical downward movement of the rockers allows the brushes to come out of the plane defined by the lower part of the sole.

  When the user wishes to retract the brushes, by turning the pedal anti-clockwise, the ends 282 of the rod are brought back 25, causing the same movement of the carriages 85, 86. As soon as the bevelled parts carriages and rockers are in correspondence, the return force of the springs, by its action on the rockers, makes it possible to accelerate the rise of the rockers and the return towards the rear of the carriages.

  The invention is not limited to the specific embodiment illustrated, but includes technical equivalents. In particular, the rear brush 57 can be reduced to two separate rectilinear portions, each simply held by their respective rocker. One can also consider fitting two pedals each on either side of the connecting tube 2, each pedal acting on its carriage, or even directly on its respective rocker.

Claims (9)

  1. vacuum nozzle (1) of substantially triangular shape, in particular having two lateral edges (5, 6) forming the tip of the nozzle, said nozzle being open towards the surface (4) to be cleaned by at least two suction channels (19, 20) formed in the sole (11) of the nozzle (1) and arranged along the two lateral edges (6, 5) forming the tip of the nozzle, characterized in that each suction channel (19, 20 ) is bordered by front brushes (56, 55) and rear brushes (57), said brushes being located on either side of the channel extending substantially parallel to the latter.   2. Sucker (1) of vacuum cleaner according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is isosceles in shape by presenting a rear edge (9) joining the lateral edges (5, 6), and in that the two channels (20, 19) arranged along the lateral edges (5, 6) meet in the front part (21) of the nozzle (1).   3. vacuum cleaner (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brushes (55, 56, 57) can occupy two positions: a position where they are prominent relative to the sole (11) of the squeegee (1) and a position where they are slightly set back from said sole (11), the two positions being controlled by a mechanism actuated by a pedal (8) located at the level of the cover (12) of the squeegee (1) .   4. Vacuum nozzle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the mechanism comprises: - two rockers (75, 76) carrying the brushes (55, 56, 57) and movable vertically relative to the sole (11 ) against the restoring force 30 of two springs (165,166), - two carriages (85, 86) movable horizontally and capable of interacting each with one of the rockers (75, 76) via a surface of inclined cam (125, 126, 185, 186), during this horizontal movement, a connecting rod (28) connecting the control pedal (8) to the two carriages (85, 86).   5. nozzle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pedal (8) is rotatably mounted on the sole (11) of the nozzle (1) and in that the rod (28) is linked, of a part to the pedal (8) by a portion 10 parallel (280) to the axis of rotation of the pedal, and secondly to the carriages (85, 86) by portions (282) substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pedal (8), so that such rotation of the pedal (8) causes a horizontal movement of the carriages (85, 86).   6. nozzle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the 15 rockers (75, 76) and carriages (85, 86) are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane median to the nozzle (1).   7. vacuum cleaner (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the brushes (57) at the rear of the channels (19, 20) meet at the junction (21) of two lateral channels forming an inverted V 20.   8. nozzle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each rocker (75, 76) comprises the support points (95, 96) of one of the front brushes and a part (97, 98) of the points of the rear brush (57).   9. nozzle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front edge of the nozzle has at least one front opening (7) intended to ensure suction in a direction substantially parallel to the surface (4) to be cleaned , said front suction opening (7) being connected to one of the suction channels (19, 20, 21).