FR3119525A1 - Sled-type suction unit equipped with a hatch for access to a rechargeable battery - Google Patents

Abstract

The vacuum assembly includes a vacuum housing (3); a suction unit (9); first and second main wheels which are rotatably mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing (3); a rechargeable battery (21) configured to electrically power an electric motor of the suction unit, the rechargeable battery (21) being disposed in a battery compartment (22) located in a lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing (3) ; an access hatch (26) pivotally mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing (3) between a closed position in which the access hatch (26) closes an access opening of the vacuum cleaner housing (3) and prevents removal of the rechargeable battery (21) from the battery compartment (22), and an open position in which the access hatch (26) releases the access opening and allows removal of the rechargeable battery (21) out of the battery compartment (22). The suction assembly (1) comprises an additional wheel (38) which is mounted on the access door (26). Figure 3

Description

Sled-type suction unit equipped with a hatch for access to a rechargeable battery

The present invention relates more particularly to domestic vacuum cleaners of the canister type making it possible to suck up dust and waste of small particle size present on a surface to be cleaned, which can for example be tiling, parquet, laminate, carpet or a carpet.

In the present description, by vacuum cleaner or sled-type suction assembly, reference is made to a vacuum cleaner or suction assembly that can move by rolling on the ground, for example using wheels or rollers when the vacuum cleaner is in use. In a canister vacuum cleaner, a suction nozzle is connected to the suction assembly via a suction tube comprising a rigid part and a flexible part. During a cleaning operation, the user of a canister vacuum cleaner holds the suction nozzle via a handle provided on the rigid part of the suction tube or integral with the suction tube. A canister vacuum cleaner is generally pulled by the user via the handle and the flexible part of the suction tube, this mode of movement is at the origin of the name "canister vacuum cleaner". The name sled vacuum cleaner or sled suction set also covers vacuum cleaners with motorized wheels or casters capable of following the movements of the suction nozzle, the handle or the user.

State of the art

Document EP3424391 discloses a sled-type suction assembly, comprising a vacuum cleaner housing; an aeraulic circuit; a suction unit arranged on the aeraulic circuit, the suction unit comprising an electric motor and a fan coupled to the electric motor to generate a flow of air in the aeraulic circuit; first and second main wheels which are rotatably mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing and which are arranged on either side of the vacuum cleaner housing; a rechargeable battery configured to electrically power the electric motor, the rechargeable battery being disposed in a battery compartment which is delimited at least in part by the vacuum cleaner housing and which is located in a lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing, the battery rechargeable being removable and being configured to be removed from the battery compartment and to be introduced into the battery compartment via an access opening which is provided in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing and which opens into the battery compartment; an access hatch disposed at the rear of the suction assembly and pivotally mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing around a hatch pivot axis, the access hatch being movable between a closed position wherein the access door at least partially closes the access opening and prevents removal of the rechargeable battery from the battery compartment, and an open position in which the access door releases the opening from access and allow removal of the rechargeable battery from the battery compartment; and a rear wheel which is disposed between the first and second main wheels and which is configured to roll on the ground.

Such a configuration of the suction assembly, and more particularly the positioning of the rechargeable battery in a lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing, makes it possible to lower the center of gravity of the suction assembly, and therefore to improve its stability.

In addition, the presence of the rear wheel further improves the stability of the suction unit.

However, the rear wheel being rotatably mounted on a rear wheel support which is fixed to an underside of the vacuum cleaner housing, it is necessary to provide for a removal of the rechargeable battery towards the rear of the suction assembly via an access hatch and an access opening which are located above the rear wheel support, which does not allow the rechargeable battery to be positioned as close as possible to the ground when the first and second main wheels rest on the ground.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing a suction assembly with increased stability.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a sled-type suction assembly, comprising:
- a vacuum cleaner box,
- a suction nozzle through which outside air can be sucked in by the suction assembly and which is arranged on a front part of the suction assembly,
- at least one exhaust port through which air cleaned by the suction assembly can exit the suction assembly,
- an aeraulic circuit extending between the suction nozzle and the at least one exhaust orifice,
- a suction unit arranged on the ventilation circuit, the suction unit comprising an electric motor and a fan coupled to the electric motor to generate an air flow in the ventilation circuit,
- first and second main wheels which are rotatably mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing and which are arranged on either side of the vacuum cleaner housing,
- a rechargeable battery configured to electrically power the electric motor, the rechargeable battery being arranged in a battery compartment which is delimited at least in part by the vacuum cleaner box and which is located in a lower part of the vacuum cleaner box, the rechargeable battery being removable and being configured to be removed from the battery compartment and to be introduced into the battery compartment via an access opening which is provided in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing and which opens into the battery compartment , And
- an access hatch pivotally mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing around a hatch pivot axis and between a closed position in which the access hatch at least partially closes the access opening and prevents a removal of the rechargeable battery from the battery compartment, and an open position in which the access hatch releases the access opening and allows removal of the rechargeable battery from the battery compartment.

The suction assembly includes an additional wheel which is mounted on the access hatch and which is configured to be able to roll on the ground when the access hatch is in the closed position.

Such a positioning of the additional wheel on the access hatch makes it possible to lower the position of the access hatch. The positioning of the additional wheel on the access hatch thus makes it possible to position the rechargeable battery as close as possible to the ground, and therefore to further lower the center of gravity of the suction assembly, which gives increased stability to the suction assembly according to the present invention compared to the suction assemblies of the prior art.

The suction assembly may additionally have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the additional wheel is a rear wheel of the suction assembly.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the center of gravity of the suction assembly is located substantially in the median vertical longitudinal plane of the suction assembly. Such an arrangement of the center of gravity makes it possible to further increase the stability of the suction assembly.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the additional wheel is located at least partly below the rechargeable battery, and in particular at least partly below a rear part of the rechargeable battery. Such an arrangement makes it possible to further increase the stability of the suction assembly.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the hatch pivot axis is substantially horizontal when the first and second main wheels rest on a horizontal surface.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the access hatch is pivotally mounted on the vacuum cleaner box, and advantageously on a lower part of the vacuum cleaner box.

According to one embodiment of the invention, when the first and second main wheels rest on a horizontal surface, the access opening is oriented towards the horizontal surface. Such a configuration of the access opening allows removal of the rechargeable battery from the bottom of the suction assembly, and therefore to optimize the position of the rechargeable battery.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the hatch pivot axis is located behind the axes of rotation of the first and second main wheels.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the hatch pivot axis is located at the rear of the rechargeable battery.

According to one embodiment of the invention, when the first and second main wheels rest on a horizontal surface, the distance between the hatch pivot axis and the horizontal surface is smaller than the distance between the axes of rotation of the first and second main wheels and the horizontal surface.

According to one embodiment of the invention, when the first and second main wheels and the additional wheel rest on a horizontal surface, the axis of rotation of the additional wheel is closer to the horizontal surface than the axis of pivoting of hatch.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the rechargeable battery is arranged below the suction unit and the center of gravity of a subassembly comprising the rechargeable battery and the suction unit is located in a vertical plane which lies behind and at a distance from the axes of rotation of the first and second main wheels. The rechargeable battery and the suction unit are among the heaviest functional elements in a suction set. These arrangements make it possible to ensure that the center of gravity of the suction assembly remains located behind the axes of rotation of the first and second main wheels, despite the variations in mass caused by the filling or emptying of a zone of collection of waste from the suction assembly. These provisions allow the suction assembly to remain preferably resting on the ground by its first and second main wheels and by its additional wheel and to prevent the suction assembly from tilting too often from rear to before due for example to variations in acceleration during longitudinal displacements, in particular forwards, of the suction assembly.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction assembly comprises a wheel support which is mounted articulated on the access hatch around a hinge pin, the additional wheel being mounted so as to be able to rotate with respect to to the wheel support around an axis of rotation which is transverse, and for example substantially perpendicular, to the axis of articulation. These arrangements make it easier to maneuver the suction assembly, in particular to circumvent an obstacle encountered by the suction assembly.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the access hatch comprises a battery slot in which the rechargeable battery is removably mounted, the access hatch being configured to move the rechargeable battery at least partially out of the battery compartment when the access hatch is moved to the open position and for inserting the rechargeable battery into the battery compartment when the access hatch is moved to the closed position. These provisions make it easier to insert and remove the rechargeable battery in and out of the vacuum cleaner housing, and also to ensure optimal positioning of the rechargeable battery in the vacuum cleaner housing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the rechargeable battery is configured to be removed from the battery slot according to a withdrawal movement which is directed towards the front of the suction assembly.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the access hatch comprises first guide means configured to cooperate with second guide means provided on the rechargeable battery when inserting the rechargeable battery into the battery slot , so as to guide the rechargeable battery in a guide direction. These arrangements make it even easier to insert and remove the rechargeable battery in and out of the vacuum cleaner housing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide direction is substantially perpendicular to the hatch pivot axis.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first guide means comprise at least one guide groove provided on the access hatch, and for example on a side wall of the access hatch, and the second guide means comprise at least one guide rib provided on the rechargeable battery, and for example on a side wall of the rechargeable battery, and configured to be received in the at least one guide groove.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one guide rib is rectilinear.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first guide means comprise two guide grooves provided on two opposite side walls of the access hatch, and the second guide means comprise two guide ribs provided on two opposite side walls rechargeable battery.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the access hatch comprises first retaining means configured to cooperate, for example elastically, with second retaining means provided on the rechargeable battery when the rechargeable battery is received in the slot battery, so as to retain the rechargeable battery in the battery slot. These provisions make it possible in particular to prevent the rechargeable battery from falling when the access hatch is moved to the open position, and therefore to preserve the integrity of the rechargeable battery.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first retaining means comprise at least one male retaining member, such as a retaining finger or a retaining lug, provided on the access hatch, and the second retainers include at least one female retainer, such as a retainer housing, provided on the rechargeable battery and configured to receive the at least one male retainer when the rechargeable battery is received in the battery slot. Advantageously, the at least one female retaining member is provided on the at least one guide rib, and may for example be formed by a retaining notch.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one male retainer projects into the at least one groove of the guide.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the rechargeable battery comprises a first electrical connector configured to cooperate with a second electrical connector mounted on the vacuum cleaner housing, the suction assembly being configured such that, when the battery rechargeable battery is received in the battery slot, the first electrical connector is automatically connected to the second electrical connector when the access door is moved from the open position to the closed position. These provisions make it possible to ensure an easy, quick and optimal electrical connection of the rechargeable battery when it is inserted into the battery compartment.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first electrical connector is located on a front part, and for example on a front end face, of the rechargeable battery.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction assembly comprises a locking member mounted to move between a locking position in which the locking member locks the access door in the closed position and a locking position. unlocking in which the locking member allows movement of the access hatch into the open position. These provisions make it possible to avoid involuntary opening of the access hatch.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking member is configured to be moved into the locking position according to a movement of movement directed towards the rear of the suction assembly. These arrangements make it possible to avoid accidental opening of the access hatch when using the suction assembly, and in particular when moving the suction assembly forward.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking member is movably mounted, for example sliding, on the access hatch and is configured to cooperate with at least one additional locking element provided on the vacuum cleaner housing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking member is mounted on a front end part of the access hatch. These provisions make it possible to ensure effective locking of the access hatch in the closed position.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking member comprises two hooking fingers arranged on either side of a median vertical longitudinal plane of the suction assembly, and for example arranged symmetrically relative to the median vertical longitudinal plane of the suction assembly.

Advantageously, when the locking member occupies the locking position, each of the hooking fingers is configured to come into abutment on a respective abutment surface provided on the vacuum cleaner housing, and for example to rest on the surface respective stop.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking member is curved.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the access door comprises a stop member, such as a stop finger or a stop lug, which is configured to come into abutment against a stop part, which is fixed relative to the vacuum cleaner housing, when the access hatch is moved into the open position, so as to limit the opening stroke of the access hatch. The abutment part can for example be formed by the vacuum cleaner housing or a suction casing in which the electric motor and the fan are housed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the access hatch is configured to be moved into the open position by being lowered downwards.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the access hatch comprises a bottom wall and two side walls, for example generally planar, which are located opposite each other and which extend on either side. either side of the back wall. Advantageously, the two side walls of the access hatch are substantially parallel to each other, and extend for example substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the bottom wall of the access hatch is curved.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the bottom wall and the two side walls of the access hatch delimit the battery location.

According to one embodiment of the invention, when the suction assembly is moved forward, the axis of rotation of the additional wheel is substantially parallel to the hatch pivot axis.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the axis of rotation of the additional wheel is located between the axes of rotation of the first and second main wheels and the hatch pivot axis. In other words, the axis of rotation of the additional wheel is located to the front of the hatch pivot axis and to the rear of the axes of rotation of the first and second main wheels.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the additional wheel is located between the first and second main wheels, and advantageously in the median vertical longitudinal plane of the suction assembly.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction assembly comprises a waste separation and collection device, for example of the cyclonic type, which is arranged on the aeraulic circuit upstream of the suction unit and which is crossed by the air flow generated by the fan when the suction assembly is in operation.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the rechargeable battery is arranged below the waste separation and collection device and/or the suction unit.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation and collection device comprises a waste collection container and a cyclonic separation chamber which is delimited externally by a side wall of the waste collection container.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second main wheels are annular and rotate respectively around first and second fixed wheel hubs which are integral with the vacuum cleaner housing and which are arranged on either side of the housing. of vacuum cleaner.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the fan is configured to generate a flow of air in the aeraulic circuit from the suction nozzle to at least one exhaust orifice.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner housing and the first and second main wheels form at least in part an assembly of generally spherical shape.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation and collection device is removably mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction unit is arranged in a rear part of the vacuum cleaner housing. Advantageously, the suction unit is arranged at the rear of the waste collection container. Such an arrangement of the suction unit makes it possible to limit the size of the suction assembly.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the first and second main wheels are side wheels of the suction assembly.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction assembly includes a front wheel which is configured to roll on the ground. Advantageously, the front and additional wheels are located in the median vertical longitudinal plane of the suction assembly. Such an arrangement of the front and additional wheels makes it possible to further increase the stability of the suction assembly.

Brief description of figures

The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which :
There is a front three-quarter view of a suction assembly according to the present invention showing a grip handle in a first handle position;
There is a side view of the suction assembly of the ;
There is a longitudinal sectional view of the suction assembly of the ;
There is a rear view of the suction assembly of the ;
There is a partial perspective view from below of the suction assembly of the showing an access hatch in the closed position and a locking member in the locked position;
There is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the suction assembly of the showing the locking member in the locking position;
There is a partial bottom view of the suction assembly of the showing the locking member in the locking position;
There is a partial bottom view of the suction assembly of the showing the locking member in the unlocked position;
There is a partial perspective view from below of the suction assembly of the showing the access hatch in the open position;
There is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the suction assembly of the showing the access hatch in the open position;
There is a partial side view of the suction assembly of the showing the access hatch in the open position;
There is a partial perspective view from below of the suction assembly of the showing the access hatch in the open position;
There is a partial perspective view from below of the suction assembly of the showing the access hatch in the open position;
There is a partial perspective view, truncated, of the suction assembly of the showing the access hatch in the open position;
There is a partial perspective view, truncated, of the suction assembly of the showing a rechargeable battery being removed from a battery slot provided on the access hatch.

detailed description

Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention are represented. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

It will be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "height", "top", "top" used to describe the suction assembly or the main body are references to the suction assembly in use when it rests by its wheels on a floor to be cleaned which is flat and horizontal.

Figures 1 to 15 show a suction assembly 1 of the sled type.

• un boitier d’aspirateur 3 comprenant une surface extérieure de boitier 4, par exemple de forme partiellement sphérique,
• un embout d’aspiration 5 par lequel de l’air extérieur peut être aspiré par l’ensemble d’aspiration 1, et
• un orifice d’échappement 6 par lequel de l’air nettoyé par l’ensemble d’aspiration 1 peut sortir de l’ensemble d’aspiration 1.

The suction assembly 1 comprises a main body 2 comprising in particular:

• a vacuum cleaner housing 3 comprising an outer surface of the housing 4, for example of partially spherical shape,
• a suction nozzle 5 through which outside air can be sucked in by the suction assembly 1, and
• an exhaust port 6 through which air cleaned by the suction assembly 1 can exit from the suction assembly 1.

The suction nozzle 5 is advantageously arranged at one end of the vacuum cleaner housing 3 which corresponds to the front of the vacuum cleaner housing 3.

The main body 2 further comprises an aeraulic circuit 7 which extends between the suction nozzle 5 and the exhaust orifice 6, and a waste separation and collection device 8 and a suction unit 9 which are arranged on the aeraulic circuit 7.

The suction unit 9 comprises an electric motor and a fan coupled to the electric motor to generate a flow of air in the aeraulic circuit 7 from the suction nozzle 5 to the exhaust port 6. advantageously, the suction unit 9 is arranged in a rear part of the vacuum cleaner housing 3.

The waste separation and collection device 8 is arranged on the aeraulic circuit 7 upstream of the suction unit 9 and is crossed by the air flow generated by the fan when the suction assembly 1 is in operation. functioning. Advantageously, the waste separation and collection device 8 is removable.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the waste separation and collection device 8 is of the cyclonic type, and comprises a waste collection container 11 provided with a side wall 12 of generally tubular shape, and a cyclonic separation 13 which is annular and which is delimited externally by the side wall 12 of the waste collection container 11. The cyclonic separation chamber 13 is configured to be fluidically connected to the suction nozzle 5. Advantageously, the The suction unit 9 is arranged at the rear of the waste collection container 11.

The waste separation and collection device 8 also comprises a cover 14 which is mounted so as to move with respect to the waste collection container 11 between a closed position in which the cover 14 at least partially closes an emptying opening 15 of the waste collection container. waste collection 11, and an open position in which the lid 14 releases the emptying opening 15 of the waste collection container 11.

Advantageously, the cover 14 comprises an aeraulic connection pipe (not visible in the figures) configured to fluidically connect the waste separation and collection device 8 to the suction unit 9.

The suction assembly 1 further comprises first and second main wheels 17, 18 mounted to rotate relative to the vacuum cleaner housing 3. The first and second main wheels 17, 18 are arranged on either side of the vacuum cleaner housing 3. More specifically, the first and second main wheels 17, 18 are side wheels with respect to the vacuum cleaner housing 3.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first and second main wheels 17, 18 are annular and rotate respectively around a first fixed wheel hub 19 and a second fixed wheel hub 20 which are integral with the gearbox. vacuum cleaner 3 and which are arranged on either side of the vacuum cleaner housing 3. Advantageously, the first and second main wheels 17, 18 are of the omnidirectional type, and the first and second fixed wheel hubs 19, 20 s extend from the vacuum cleaner box 3 respectively beyond the first and second main wheels 17, 18.

Advantageously, the first and second main wheels 17, 18, the first and second fixed wheel hubs 19, 20 and the outer surface of the casing 4 partly form an assembly of generally spherical shape.

The suction assembly 1 further comprises a rechargeable battery 21 configured to electrically power the electric motor of the suction unit 9. The rechargeable battery 21 is arranged in a battery compartment 22 which is delimited at least in part by the vacuum cleaner housing 3 and which is located in a lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing 3. Advantageously, the rechargeable battery 21 is arranged partly below the waste separation and collection device 8 and partly below of the suction unit 9.

The rechargeable battery 21 comprises a battery case 210 and a plurality of electric accumulators 211 disposed in the battery case 210. The rechargeable battery 21 further comprises a first electrical connector 23 configured to cooperate with a second electrical connector 24 mounted on the vacuum cleaner box 3. Advantageously, the first electrical connector is located on a front part, and for example on a front end face, of the battery box 210.

The rechargeable battery 21 is removable and is configured to be removed from the battery compartment 22 and to be introduced into the battery compartment 22 via an access opening 25 which is provided in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing 3 and which opens into the battery compartment 22. Advantageously, when the first and second main wheels 17, 18 rest on a horizontal surface, the access opening 25 is oriented towards the horizontal surface. In other words, the access opening 25 is oriented towards the bottom of the suction assembly 1.

The suction assembly 1 also comprises an access hatch 26 pivotally mounted on a lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing 3 around a hatch pivot axis A26 and between a closed position (see in particular the ) in which the access hatch 26 at least partially closes the access opening 25 and prevents removal of the rechargeable battery 21 from the battery compartment 22, and an open position (see in particular the ) in which the access hatch 26 releases the access opening 25 and allows the rechargeable battery 21 to be removed from the battery compartment 22. Advantageously, the access hatch 26 is configured to be moved in the open position by being lowered downwards.

Advantageously, the hatch pivot axis A26 is located behind the axes of rotation of the first and second main wheels 17, 18. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, when the first and second main wheels 17 , 18 rest on a horizontal surface, the hatch pivot axis A26 is horizontal and the distance between the hatch pivot axis A26 and the horizontal surface is smaller than the distance between the axes of rotation of the first and second wheels main 17, 18 and the horizontal surface. Advantageously, the hatch pivot pin A26 is located behind the rechargeable battery 21 and below the suction unit 9.

The access door 26 comprises a bottom wall 26.1 which is configured to at least partially close the access opening 25, and two side walls 26.2, for example generally planar, which are located opposite one of the another and which extend on either side of the bottom wall 26.1. Advantageously, the two side walls 26.2 of the access hatch 26 are parallel to each other, and extend substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 26.1. The bottom wall 26.1 of the access hatch 26 can for example be curved and have a convex outer surface.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the bottom wall 26.1 and the two side walls 26.2 of the access hatch 26 delimit a battery slot 27 in which the rechargeable battery 21 is removably mounted. The access hatch 26 is more particularly configured to move the rechargeable battery 21 at least partly out of the battery compartment 22 when the access hatch 26, equipped with the rechargeable battery 21, is moved into the open position and to introduce the rechargeable battery 21 in the battery compartment 22 when the access hatch 26, equipped with the rechargeable battery 21, is moved into the closed position. In addition, the suction assembly 1 is configured such that the first electrical connector 23 is automatically connected to the second electrical connector 24 when the access door 26, equipped with the rechargeable battery 21, is moved from the position of open to closed position.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the rechargeable battery 21 is configured to be removed from the battery slot 27 according to a withdrawal movement M1 which is directed towards the front of the suction assembly 1.

Advantageously, the access hatch 26 comprises first guide means configured to cooperate with second guide means provided on the rechargeable battery 21 when inserting the rechargeable battery 21 into the battery slot 27 and when the removal of the rechargeable battery 21 from the battery slot 27, so as to guide the rechargeable battery 21 along a guide direction D which is substantially perpendicular to the hatch pivot axis A26.

The first guide means may for example comprise two guide grooves 28 provided respectively on the two side walls 26.2 of the access hatch 26, and the second guide means may for example comprise two guide ribs 29 provided on two side walls of the battery box 210 and configured to be received respectively in the guide grooves 28. Advantageously, the guide ribs 29 and the guide grooves 28 are rectilinear.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the access hatch 26 comprises first retaining means configured to cooperate, for example elastically, with second retaining means provided on the rechargeable battery 21 when the rechargeable battery 21 is received in the battery slot 27, so as to retain the rechargeable battery 21 in the battery slot 27.

Advantageously, the first retaining means comprise two male retaining members 30, such as retaining fingers or retaining lugs, provided on the access door 26 and each projecting into a respective guide groove 28, and the second retaining means comprise two female retaining members 31, such as retaining housings, respectively provided on the guide ribs 29 and each configured to receive a respective male retaining member 30 when the rechargeable battery 21 is received in the battery slot 27. Advantageously, each retaining housing is formed by a retaining notch.

The suction assembly 1 further comprises a locking member 32 movably mounted, for example sliding, on the access hatch 26 between a locking position in which the locking member 32 cooperates with a locking element 33 provided on the vacuum cleaner housing 3 and locks the access hatch 26 in the closed position, and an unlocked position in which the locking member 32 releases the locking element 33 and allows the hatch to move access 26 in the open position. The locking member 32 can for example be curved, and have a radius of curvature substantially identical to the radius of curvature of the bottom wall 26.1 of the access hatch 26.

Advantageously, the locking member 32 is mounted on a front end portion of the access hatch 26, and is configured to be moved into the locking position according to a displacement movement M2 which is directed towards the back of the suction assembly 1.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking member 32 comprises two hooking fingers 320 arranged symmetrically with respect to a median vertical longitudinal plane P of the suction assembly 1, and the lock 33 comprises two abutment surfaces 330 which are provided on the vacuum cleaner housing 3 and which are also arranged symmetrically with respect to the median vertical longitudinal plane P of the suction assembly 1. Advantageously, when the locking member 32 occupies the locking position, each of the hooking fingers 320 is configured to rest on a respective abutment surface 330.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the access door 26 comprises a stop member 34, such as a stop finger or a stop lug, which is configured to come into abutment against a stop part 35, which is fixed relative to the vacuum cleaner housing 3, when the access hatch 26 is moved into the open position, so as to limit the opening stroke of the access hatch 26. The stop portion 35 can for example be formed by the vacuum cleaner housing 3 or a suction casing 36 in which the electric motor and the fan are housed.

The suction assembly 1 also comprises a wheel support 37 which is hingedly mounted on the access hatch 26 around a hinge axis A37 which is perpendicular to the hatch pivot axis A26, and a wheel additional 38 which is rotatably mounted relative to the wheel support 37 around an axis of rotation A38 which is transverse, and for example substantially perpendicular, to the axis of articulation A37. Advantageously, the additional wheel 38 is a rear wheel of the suction assembly 1.

The additional wheel 38 is located at least partly below the rechargeable battery 21, and in particular at least partly below a rear part of the rechargeable battery 21. The additional wheel 38 is located between the first and second wheels main 17, 18, and advantageously in the median vertical longitudinal plane P of the suction assembly. Advantageously, the additional wheel 38 is located behind the axes of rotation of the first and second main wheels 17, 18.

The additional wheel 38 is configured to roll on the ground when the access door 26 occupies the closed position and when the suction assembly 1 resting on the ground to be cleaned is for example pulled by the user. Advantageously, when the suction assembly 1 is moved forwards, the axis of rotation A38 of the additional wheel 38 is substantially parallel to the hatch pivot axis A26.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, when the first and second main wheels 17, 18 and the additional wheel rest on a horizontal surface, the axis of rotation A38 of the additional wheel 38 is closer to the horizontal surface than the hatch pivot pin A26. Advantageously, the axis of rotation A38 of the additional wheel 38 is located between the axes of rotation of the first and second main wheels and the axis of pivoting of the hatch A26.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (17)

Sled-type suction assembly (1) comprising:
- a vacuum cleaner box (3),
- a suction nozzle (5) through which outside air can be sucked in by the suction assembly (1) and which is arranged on a front part of the suction assembly (1),
- at least one exhaust port (6) through which air cleaned by the suction assembly (1) can exit the suction assembly (1),
- an aeraulic circuit (7) extending between the suction nozzle (5) and the at least one exhaust orifice (6),
- a suction unit (9) arranged on the aeraulic circuit (7), the suction unit (9) comprising an electric motor and a fan coupled to the electric motor to generate a flow of air in the aeraulic circuit ( 7),
- first and second main wheels (17, 18) which are rotatably mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing (3) and which are arranged on either side of the vacuum cleaner housing (3),
- a rechargeable battery (21) configured to electrically power the electric motor, the rechargeable battery (21) being arranged in a battery compartment (22) which is delimited at least in part by the vacuum cleaner housing (3) and which is located in a lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing (3), the rechargeable battery (21) being removable and being configured to be removed from the battery compartment (22) and to be inserted into the battery compartment (22) via a access opening (25) which is provided in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing (3) and which opens into the battery compartment (22),
- an access hatch (26) pivotally mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing (3) about a hatch pivot axis (A26) and between a closed position in which the access hatch (26) closes at least partially the access opening (25) and prevents removal of the rechargeable battery (21) from the battery compartment (22), and an open position in which the access door (26) releases the access opening (25) and allows removal of the rechargeable battery (21) from the battery compartment (22),
characterized in that the suction assembly (1) comprises an additional wheel (38) which is mounted on the access hatch (26) and which is configured to be able to roll on the ground when the access hatch (26 ) occupies the closed position. Suction unit (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, when the first and second main wheels (17, 18) rest on a horizontal surface, the access opening (25) is oriented towards the horizontal surface . Suction assembly (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hatch pivot axis (A26) is located behind the rotation axes of the first and second main wheels (17, 18). Suction assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the first and second main wheels (17, 18) rest on a horizontal surface, the distance between the hatch pivot axis ( A26) and the horizontal surface is smaller than the distance between the axes of rotation of the first and second main wheels (17, 18) and the horizontal surface. Suction unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rechargeable battery (21) is arranged below the suction unit (9) and the center of gravity of a sub- assembly comprising the rechargeable battery (21) and the suction unit (9) is located in a vertical plane which is behind and at a distance from the axes of rotation of the first and second main wheels (17, 18). Suction assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction assembly (1) comprises a wheel support (37) which is hingedly mounted on the access hatch (26) about an articulation axis (A37), the additional wheel (38) being mounted so as to be able to rotate relative to the wheel support (37) about an axis of rotation (A38) which is transverse to the axis d joint (A37). Suction assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the access hatch (26) comprises a battery slot (27) in which the rechargeable battery (21) is removably mounted, the hatch door (26) being configured to move the rechargeable battery (21) at least partially out of the battery compartment (22) when the access door (26) is moved to the open position and to insert the battery rechargeable battery (21) in the battery compartment (22) when the access hatch (26) is moved to the closed position. Suction assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rechargeable battery (21) is configured to be withdrawn from the battery slot (27) according to a withdrawal movement (M1) which is directed towards the front of the suction assembly (1). Suction assembly (1) according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the access hatch (26) comprises first guide means configured to cooperate with second guide means provided on the rechargeable battery (21) when inserting the rechargeable battery (21) into the battery slot (27), so as to guide the rechargeable battery (21) along a guide direction (D). Suction assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the guide direction (D) is substantially perpendicular to the hatch pivoting axis (A26). Suction assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the access hatch (26) comprises first retaining means configured to cooperate with second retaining means provided on the rechargeable battery (21) when the rechargeable battery (21) is received in the battery slot (27), so as to retain the rechargeable battery (21) in the battery slot (27). Suction assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the rechargeable battery (21) comprises a first electrical connector (23) configured to cooperate with a second electrical connector (24) mounted on the vacuum cleaner housing (3), the suction assembly (1) being configured such that, when the rechargeable battery (21) is received in the battery slot (27), the first electrical connector (23) is automatically connected to the second electrical connector (24) when the access door (26) is moved from the open position to the closed position. Suction assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction assembly (1) comprises a locking member (32) mounted to move between a locking position in which the locking member locking (32) locks the access hatch (26) in the closed position and an unlocking position in which the locking member (32) allows movement of the access hatch (26) into the opening. Suction assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the access hatch (26) is configured to be moved into the open position by being lowered downwards. Suction assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction assembly (1) comprises a waste separation and collection device (8), for example of the cyclonic type, which is arranged on the aeraulic circuit (7) upstream of the suction unit (9) and which is traversed by the flow of air generated by the fan when the suction assembly (1) is in operation. Suction assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rechargeable battery (21) is arranged below the waste separation and collection device (8). Suction assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional wheel (38) is a rear wheel of the suction assembly (1).