JP2014057860A - Cleaner head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaner head having a simple and reliable configuration for preventing accidental depression of an actuator.SOLUTION: A cleaner head (1) comprises an agitator (3), a drive assembly (4), and a control assembly (5). The control assembly includes an actuator (18) and pawls (16, 17). When the cleaner head (1) is lifted, the actuator (18) moves to a first position and powers off the drive assembly (4). When the cleaner head (1) is placed on a surface to be cleaned, the actuator (18) moves to a second position and powers on the drive assembly (4). The pawls (16, 17) move to the lock position and permit movement of the actuator (18) from the first position to the second position when the cleaner head (1) is inverted, and move to the unlock position and prevent such movement of the actuator (18) when the cleaner head (1) is righted.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner head for a cleaning appliance.

  Vacuum cleaner heads of cleaning appliances such as vacuum cleaners or floor cleaners often include an agitation device driven by a drive assembly. To increase safety, the cleaner head includes a mechanism that turns off the drive assembly when it is lifted from the cleaning surface. A common type of mechanism has an actuator that projects below the lower surface of the cleaner head. When the cleaner head is lifted from the cleaning surface, the actuator is biased downward, turning off the drive assembly. When the cleaner head is placed on the cleaning surface, the actuator is pushed upward to turn on the drive assembly.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0144621

  The problem with this type of mechanism is that the user may accidentally push the actuator when trying to remove the captured debris from the cleaner head. Configurations that prevent accidental pressing of the actuator are known, but are often complex and / or problematic in reliability.

  The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner head having a stirring device (agitator), a drive assembly for driving the stirring device, and a control assembly for turning on and off the power of the drive assembly. The assembly has an actuator and one or more pawls, the actuator being movable between a first position and a second position, the actuator removing the cleaner head from the cleaning surface. Moves to the first position when lifted, moves to the second position when the cleaner head is placed on the cleaning surface, and the drive assembly is powered when the actuator is in the first position. Turn off and power on when the actuator is in the second position, each pawl is pivotally attached to the actuator and can be moved between the unlocked and locked positions, Is in the unlocked position Allows the actuator to move from the first position to the second position, prevents such movement when it is in the locked position, and the pawl moves to the locked position when the cleaner head is reversed And providing a cleaner head that returns to the unlocked position when the cleaner head is in the correct position.

  Thus, when the cleaner head is inverted, the pawls prevent the actuator from moving. As a result, it can be seen that even if the user flips the cleaner head, the user cannot depress the actuator and thus cannot power on the drive assembly. Therefore, the user can remove the trapped garbage from the cleaner head relatively safely without worrying that the power of the stirrer is accidentally turned on.

  By employing a pawl that locks the position of the actuator, a relatively simple and reliable configuration for locking the position of the actuator is provided. Thus, the safety of the cleaner head is improved in a cost effective manner.

  The control assembly may have a first claw and a second claw that pivot about a common axis. In this case, when the claw moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the first claw pivots clockwise and the second claw pivots counterclockwise. Thereby, it has the advantage that when the vacuum cleaner head is only partially inverted, one of the claws has moved to the locked position. For example, when the cleaner head is reversed clockwise, the first claw has moved to the lock position before the second claw. On the other hand, when the cleaner head is inverted counterclockwise, the second claw has moved to the locked position before the first claw. When the vacuum cleaner head is partially inverted, the claw moves to the locked position, which improves the safety of the vacuum cleaner head.

  Each pawl engages a respective notch in the cleaner head when the pawl is in the locked position. Thereby, even if an excessive force is applied to the actuator, the claw is prevented from sliding out of the locked position. By reducing the chance that the claws will slide out, the safety of the cleaner head is further improved.

  Each of the pawls has a first end and a second free end, the first end is pivotally attached to the actuator, and the mass of the second end is the first end It is larger than the mass of the end. As a result, the center of mass of each nail is positioned closer to the free end of the nail. When the vacuum cleaner head is inverted, each claw is subjected to a large moment of force that helps move the claw to the locked position. The same is true when the vacuum cleaner head is subsequently returned to the correct position, i.e. a large force to return it to the unlocked position helps each nail. Thus, the nail is more sensitive to movement of the cleaner head.

  The drive assembly includes an electric motor or air turbine and a transmission that transmits torque generated by the electric motor or air turbine to the agitator. In this case, the control assembly may include a switch that controls the flow of current to the electric motor or a valve that controls the flow of air through the air turbine. Thereby, the actuator turns off the power of the electric motor or air turbine when the actuator is in the first position, and turns on the power of the electric motor or air turbine when the actuator is in the second position. Acts on a switch or valve.

  In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, embodiments of the present invention will be described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a cleaner head according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the cleaner head control assembly. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the control assembly. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the control assembly when the actuator is in a first position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the control assembly when the actuator is in a second position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the control assembly in the inverted position with the actuator in a first position and the pawl of the control assembly in the locked position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a modified control assembly according to the present invention with the actuator in a second position.

  The vacuum cleaner head 1 of FIG. 1 has a housing 2 in which a stirring device (agitator) 3, a drive assembly 4, and a control assembly 5 are attached.

  The agitator 3 has an elongated body 6 with bristles, flicker strips or other means 7 for agitating the cleaning surface attached to the elongated body 6. This type of stirrer is commonly referred to as a brush bar or beater bar. However, variations of the stirring device may equally be used. As an example, the stirring device 3 may have a rotating disk of the type described in Patent Document 1. One end of the stirring device 3 is attached to a bush 8 seated in a removable cap 9. The opposite end of the stirring device 3 is attached to a transmission portion 11 that forms part of the drive assembly 4.

  The drive assembly 4 includes an electric motor 10 and a transmission unit 11 for transmitting torque generated by the electric motor 10 to the stirring device 3.

  The control assembly 5 has a function of turning on and off the power of the drive assembly 4. In particular, the control assembly 5 turns off the power of the drive assembly 4 when the cleaner head 1 is lifted from the cleaning surface, and the power of the drive assembly 4 when the cleaner head 1 is placed on the cleaning surface. Turn on.

  2 to 6, the control assembly 5 has a casing 13, and the casing 13 accommodates a switch 14, an actuator assembly 15, and a pair of claws 16 and 17.

  The switch 14 controls the supply of current to the electric motor 10. When the switch 14 is opened, the power of the electric motor 10 is turned off. Conversely, when the switch 14 is closed, the power of the electric motor 10 is turned on. Switch 14 is in the form of a microswitch that is biased to open.

  The actuator assembly 15 includes an actuator 18, a torsion spring 19, and a roller 20.

  The actuator 18 is pivotally attached to the casing 13 at one end thereof. Therefore, the actuator 18 can pivot between the first position (FIG. 4) and the second position (FIG. 5). The actuator 18 has a function of moving the switch 14. When the actuator 18 is in the first position, the switch 14 is opened. Conversely, when the actuator 18 is in the second position, the switch 14 is closed. The torsion spring 19 biases the actuator 18 to the first position, and the roller 20 is rotatably attached to the lower portion of the actuator 18.

  The actuator 18 passes through the opening of the casing 13 and the opening of the housing 2 and protrudes beyond the lower surface of the cleaner head 1. As shown in FIG. 4, when the cleaner head 1 is lifted from the cleaning surface, the actuator 18 is biased to the first position by the torsion spring 19. Thereby, the switch 14 is opened and the power of the electric motor 10 is turned off. As shown in FIG. 5, when the cleaner head 1 is placed on the cleaning surface, the cleaning surface pushes the actuator 18 upward against the biasing force of the torsion spring 19, and the actuator 18 is in the second position. Moving. As a result, the switch 14 is closed and the power of the electric motor 10 is turned on.

  When the cleaner head 1 is placed on the cleaning surface, the roller 20 contacts the cleaning surface. As a result, when operating the cleaner head 1 back and forth, the roller 20 rotates to support the actuator 18 above the cleaning surface.

  Referring to the pawls 16, 17, each pawl 16, 17 is pivotally attached to the upper portion of the actuator 18. Each claw 16, 17 pivots between an unlocked position and a locked position. As shown in FIG. 4, when the cleaner head 1 is in the correct posture (ie, when the cleaner head 1 is in the correct orientation for use on the cleaning surface), each pawl 16, 17 is unlocked. In position. As shown in FIG. 5, when the pawls 16 and 17 are in the unlocked position, the pawls 16 and 17 allow the actuator 18 to move from the first position to the second position. As shown in FIG. 6, when the cleaner head 1 is inverted, the claws 16 and 17 move to the lock position. Specifically, the free ends of the claws 16 and 17 fall due to gravity. When each claw 16, 17 is in the locked position, each claw 16, 17 engages with a respective notch 21, 22 on the surface of the casing 13. At this time, the claws 16 and 17 prevent the movement of the actuator 18 from the first position to the second position. In particular, when a downward force (see FIG. 6) acts on the actuator 18, the downward force is transmitted to the casing 13 by the claws 16 and 17. As a result, the actuator 18 is prevented from moving to the second position. Subsequently, when the cleaner head 1 is in the correct posture, the claws 16 and 17 return to the unlocked position. Again, the free ends of the claws 16, 17 fall due to gravity. If the pawls 16 and 17 are in the unlocked position, the actuator 18 is allowed to move from the first position to the second position again.

  Therefore, when the cleaner head 1 is reversed, the claws 16 and 17 prevent the actuator 18 from moving. As a result, it can be seen that even if the user reverses the cleaner head 1, the user cannot depress the actuator 18 and thus cannot turn on the power of the electric motor 10. Therefore, the user can remove the trapped garbage from the cleaner head 1 relatively safely without worrying that the power of the stirring device 3 is accidentally turned on.

  The mass of the free end of each claw 16, 17 is greater than the mass of the opposite end where the actuator 18 is attached. As a result, the center of mass of each claw 16, 17 is located closer to the free end of each claw 16, 17. For this reason, when the cleaner head 1 is reversed, each of the claws 16 and 17 receives a moment of a large force that assists the movement to the lock position. The same can be said when the vacuum cleaner head 1 is subsequently in the correct position, i.e. a large force acting on each pawl 16, 17 to return it to the unlocked position. Therefore, the claws 16 and 17 are very sensitive to the movement of the cleaner head. In this embodiment, a relatively large mass is achieved by expanding the free ends of the claws 16 and 17. However, alternative means or additional means may be used to achieve a relatively large mass.

  The control assembly 5 has two claws 16 and 17. When the cleaner head 1 is inverted, one claw 16 pivots clockwise and the other claw 17 pivots counterclockwise. This has the advantage that when the vacuum cleaner head 1 is only partially inverted, one of the claws 16, 17 moves to the locked position. For example, when the cleaner head 1 is rotated 100 degrees clockwise, the first claw 16 moves to the lock position. On the contrary, when the cleaner head 1 is rotated 100 degrees counterclockwise, the second claw 17 moves to the lock position. Therefore, after rotating the cleaner head 1 by 100 degrees, the claws 16 and 17 prevent the actuator 18 from moving from the first position to the second position. By preventing the movement of the actuator 18 when the vacuum cleaner head is partially inverted, the safety of the vacuum cleaner head 1 is further improved.

  The claws 16 and 17 pivot about a rotation axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the cleaner head 1. As a result, the claws 16, 17 are against movement of the cleaner head 1 when rotating the cleaner head 1 to the left or right (ie, when rotating the cleaner head 1 about its longitudinal axis). Most sensitive. However, it is believed that the user may tilt the cleaner head 1 forward or backward (ie, rotate the cleaner head 1 about its lateral axis). When the cleaner head 1 is tilted 90 degrees backward, the claws 16 and 17 often do not move to the locked position. As a result, the stirring device 3 continues to rotate. Therefore, the control assembly 5 may have pawls that rotate about different rotational axes. This has the advantage that the control assembly 5 is relatively sensitive to movement of the cleaner head 1 about different rotational axes. For example, the control assembly 5 pivots about the laterally extending axis of the cleaner head 1 in addition to the two claws 16, 17 pivoting about the longitudinally extending axis of the cleaner head 1. It is better to have two more nails. In this case, the first pair of claws 16, 17 are sensitive to a rolling motion about the longitudinal axis of the cleaner head 1, and the second pair of claws are Sensitive to pitching about one lateral axis.

  Although having the aforementioned advantages of having two or more pawls 16, 17, the control assembly 5 has a single pawl and the single pawl locks whenever the vacuum cleaner head 1 is reversed. It is also possible to move to a position.

  When the claws 16 and 17 are in the locked position, the claws 16 and 17 are engaged with the notches 21 and 22, respectively. The notches 21 and 22 ensure that the pawls 16 and 17 do not slide out of the locked position even if excessive force is applied to the actuator 18. Nevertheless, there are examples where notches 21 and 22 are unnecessary. For example, although the pawls 16 and 17 may slide out when a force is applied to the actuator 18, the force required to slide the pawls 16 and 17 is relatively large and thus problematic. Not considered. As a modification, sliding out of the claws 16 and 17 may be avoided by other means. For example, the surface of the casing 13 may be covered with a layer of rubber or other anti-slip material.

  When the cleaner head 1 is operated back and forth, the roller 20 supports the actuator 18 above the cleaning surface. Without the roller 20, the actuator 18 is in direct contact with the cleaning surface, causing scratches, marks, or damage to the cleaning surface. Nevertheless, the roller 20 is not essential for normal operation of the control assembly 5, and therefore the roller 20 may be omitted. For example, the roller 20 may be omitted when the cleaner head 1 is intended for use on a surface that is not considered a problem even with scratches or marks, such as carpet. As a modification, the portion of the actuator 18 that contacts the cleaning surface may have a shape that reduces the risk of scratches or marks, and / or the spring constant of the torsion spring 19 that reduces the risk of scratches or marks. May be set.

  Actuator 18 is pivotally attached to casing 13 and thus pivots between a first position and a second position. As a variation, the actuator 18 may be configured to move in a different manner between the first position and the second position. For example, the actuator 18 may translate vertically between the first position and the second position in the vertical direction.

  In the embodiment described above, the switch 14 is biased to open. In that case, when the actuator 18 moves to the second position, the actuator 18 depresses the switch 14 and closes the switch 14. However, equivalently, the switch 14 may be biased to close. In this example, when the actuator 18 moves to the first position, the actuator 18 depresses the switch 14 to open the switch 14. As a further variation, the switch 14 may not be energized, for example, a latch switch. In that case, the actuator 18 operates the switch 14 when moving from the first position to the second position to close the switch 14, and operates the switch 14 when moving from the second position to the first position. Switch 14 is opened. Regardless of how the switch 14 is activated, the switch 14 opens when the actuator 18 is in the first position and closes when the actuator 18 is in the second position.

  FIG. 7 shows an alternative control assembly 5 'that incorporates many of the alternative features described in the previous paragraphs. The same reference numerals have been used to indicate various features of the control assembly 5 '. However, an apostrophe is added to the reference number to distinguish the modified control assembly 5 'from the previously described control assembly. In the modified control assembly 5 ′, the actuator 18 ′ moves vertically up and down between the first position and the second position. In FIG. 7, the actuator 18 'in the second position is shown. The actuator 18 'is biased to the first position by a spring 19' (here a coil spring). The switch 14 is biased to close rather than biased to open. Accordingly, the switch 14 'is closed in FIG. 7 and thus the power of the motor 10 is turned on. When the cleaner head 1 is lifted from the cleaning surface, the spring 19 'biases the actuator 18' downward. Thereby, the horizontal arm forming part of the actuator 18 ′ pushes the switch 14 ′ open to turn off the motor 10. The control assembly 5 'has a single pawl 16' that is pivotally attached to an actuator 18 'as in the previous embodiment. When the cleaner head 1 is inverted, the pawl 16 'pivots to the locked position and engages the notch 21' of the casing 13 '.

  As can be seen from the above, it may be said that the actuator 14 is movable between the first position and the second position. The actuator 14 moves to a first position (for example, by the biasing force of the spring 19) when the cleaner head 1 is lifted from the cleaning surface, and is second when the cleaner head 1 is placed on the cleaning surface. Move to the position. In that case, the switch 14 opens when the actuator 18 is in the first position (turns off the power of the motor 10) and closes when the actuator 18 is in the second position (turns on the power of the motor 10). ). Thereby, one claw or a plurality of claws 16 and 17 allow the actuator 18 to move from the first position to the second position in the unlocked position, and prevent such movement in the locked position.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the drive assembly 4 includes an electric motor 10 and the control assembly 5 includes a switch 14 that controls the supply of current to the electric motor 10. As a variant, the drive assembly 4 may have an air turbine that generates the torque required to drive the stirring device 3. Drive assemblies having an air turbine are currently known. Illustratively, each of the vacuum head of a DC12 vacuum cleaner sold by Dyson and a mini turbine head sold by Dyson as an accessory for removing pet hair are driven with an air turbine. Includes assembly. Thus, turbine power is supplied by air drawn through the cleaner head. In this case, the control assembly 5 may include valves or other means for controlling the air flow in the turbine. For example, the valve has an open position and a closed position, allowing air to flow through the turbine in the open position and preventing air from flowing through the turbine in the closed position. Alternatively, the valve may operate as a bleed, and when the valve is in the open position, air is drawn through the bleed in preference to the turbine. When the valve is in the closed position, the valve covers the bleed and air is again drawn through the turbine.

  Regardless of the means (electric motor or air turbine) employed by the drive assembly 4 that generates the required torque, the means employed by the control assembly 5 to turn the drive assembly 4 on and off. Regardless of (switches, valves, etc.), whenever the actuator 18 is in the first position, the power of the drive assembly 4 is turned off and whenever the actuator 18 is in the second position, Turn on the power. In this case, the one or more claws 16 and 17 allow the movement of the actuator 18 when the cleaner head 1 is in the correct posture, and prevent the movement of the actuator 18 when the cleaner head 1 is reversed.

  Employing the pawls 16, 17 that lock the position of the actuator 18 provides a relatively simple and reliable configuration for locking the position of the actuator 18. Thus, the safety of the cleaner head 1 is improved in a cost effective manner.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vacuum cleaner head 3 Stirrer 4 Drive assembly 5 Control assembly 16, 17 Claw 18 Actuator 21, 22 Notch

Claims (5)

A vacuum cleaner head,
A stirring device;
A drive assembly for driving the stirring device;
A control assembly for turning on and off the power of the drive assembly;
The control assembly includes an actuator and one or more pawls;
The actuator is movable between a first position and a second position, and the actuator moves to the first position when the cleaner head is lifted from a cleaning surface, and the cleaner Moved to the second position when the head is placed on the cleaning surface;
When the actuator is in the first position, the power of the drive assembly is turned off; when the actuator is in the second position, the power of the drive assembly is turned on;
Each pawl is pivotally attached to the actuator and is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, and when the pawl is in the unlocked position, the actuator is moved from the first position. Allowing the actuator to move to the second position, preventing the movement of the actuator when the claw is in the locked position, and moving the claw to the locked position when the cleaner head is reversed. And a cleaner head that returns to the unlocked position when the cleaner head is in the correct position.   The control assembly includes a first claw and a second claw, and when the first claw and the second claw move from the unlocked position to the locked position, the first claw The cleaner head of claim 1, wherein the pawl pivots clockwise and the second pawl pivots counterclockwise.   The cleaner head of claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the pawls engages a respective notch in the cleaner head when it is in the locked position.   Each of the pawls has a first end and a second end opposite thereto, the first end being pivotally attached to the actuator, the second end The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 1, wherein a mass of the part is larger than a mass of the first end part. The drive assembly includes an electric motor or an air turbine, and a transmission unit for transmitting torque generated by the electric motor or the air turbine to the stirring device,
The control assembly includes a switch that controls the flow of current to the electric motor or a valve that controls the flow of air through the air turbine;
The actuator turns off the power of the electric motor or the air turbine when the actuator is in the first position, and the electric motor or the air turbine when the actuator is in the second position The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner head acts on the switch or the valve so as to turn on the power of the vacuum cleaner.

Images