JP2024506009A - Cleaning device with protective structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A floor cleaning device (1) comprising a body (2), said body (2) comprising a case (3) delimited at least partially by an outer wall (4) and a fluid source from outside said case (3). a fluid inlet (5) for receiving a flow and at least one means arranged in said case (3) intended to act on said fluid flow received through said fluid inlet (5); Be prepared. The cleaning device (1) includes at least two main wheels (10, 11) rotatably mounted on the main body (2). The cleaning device (1) includes a protective structure (20) configured to protect the main wheels (10, 11), the protective structure being arranged outside the case (3) and protecting the outer wall. (4), said protective structure (20) covers a part of the tread of each main wheel (10, 11).

Description

The present invention comprises a body having a fluid inlet intended to receive a fluid flow; at least one means disposed within the body intended to act on the fluid flow received through the fluid inlet; The present invention relates to the field of floor cleaning devices, comprising wheels rotatably and movably mounted on the floor, making it possible to move the cleaning device over the floor to be cleaned.

More specifically, the invention provides a thread-type cleaning system that makes it possible to pick up dust and debris with a fine particle size present on the surface to be cleaned, which can be, for example, tiles, flooring, laminate, rugs or carpets. Regarding household vacuum cleaners.

A sled-type suction assembly or vacuum cleaner refers to a vacuum cleaner or suction assembly that can be moved by rolling on the ground, for example using wheels or rollers when the vacuum cleaner is in use. In sled vacuum cleaners, the suction nozzle is generally connected to the suction assembly via a suction tube that includes a rigid portion and a flexible portion. During a cleaning operation, the user of a sled vacuum cleaner generally holds the nozzle via a handle provided on or attached to a rigid portion of the tube. Sled vacuum cleaners are generally pulled by the user through a flexible portion of the handle and tube, and this mode of movement is where the name "sled vacuum cleaner" comes from. Sled vacuum cleaners or sled suction assemblies also include vacuum cleaners with a suction nozzle, a handle, or motor-driven wheels or casters that can track the movement of the user.

A sled vacuum cleaner makes it possible to pick up dust and dirt with a fine particle size that is present on the surface to be cleaned, which can be, for example, tiles, flooring, laminate, rugs or carpets.

In particular, from Patent Document 1, the above-mentioned cleaning device, more specifically a sled-type vacuum cleaner, is equipped with at least two main wheels arranged on both sides of the main body, the outer diameter of which is equal to the tread surface of the main wheels. Corresponding to the diameter, it is known to be relatively large compared to the external dimensions of the body. Such a main wheel may, for example, have an outer diameter greater than 2/3 of the height of the body measured from the horizontal plane in which the main wheel is arranged. Such a main wheel diameter facilitates the crossing of obstacles such as door thresholds or carpet edges.

However, although very practical for overcoming some obstacles, such large-diameter main wheels can be used more specifically for frontal impacts, i.e. for cleaning devices following forward movement. , are exposed to greater impact when encountering obstacles in front of them, such as wall corners, table legs, or the bottom edge of legged furniture (sideboards, coffee tables, etc.). Therefore, during such forward movement, it is not uncommon for one of the main wheels to hit a frontal obstacle, ie an obstacle in front of the cleaning device. If these shocks are repeated, one of the main wheels may be damaged, causing at least some discomfort to the user. The inconvenience caused to the user may be due to vibrations transmitted from a damaged wheel or the inability of the body to maintain a straight trajectory, for example one or more frontal impacts on at least one of the main wheels. This may be due to lack of parallelism of the main wheels. If more serious damage occurs, the cleaning device may become unusable, for example when one of the main wheels jams or breaks after one or more frontal impacts.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-345693

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

The original technical problem of the invention is that the main wheels of the floor cleaning device, especially the main wheels with a large diameter, take into account the obstacles that the cleaning device may encounter when moving over the floor to be cleaned. consists of prolonging the lifespan of

To this end, the invention relates to a floor cleaning device that includes a body that includes:

- a case delimited at least partially by an external wall;
- a fluid inlet for receiving fluid flow from outside the case;
- at least one means arranged in the case and intended to act on the fluid flow received through the fluid inlet.

The cleaning device includes at least two main wheels rotatably mounted on the body, each main wheel having a tread so that the cleaning device can rest and roll over the floor to be cleaned. However, the main wheels are placed on either side of the body. The cleaning device further includes a protective structure configured to protect the main wheels. The protective structure is arranged on the outside of the case and extends at a distance from the outer wall. The protective structure covers a portion of the tread of each main wheel.

By covering a portion of the tread of each main wheel, the protective structure can protect each main wheel by interposing between the main wheel and any obstacles encountered by the cleaning device during its movement over the floor to be cleaned. Allows to protect all or part of the main wheels. According to the invention, the protective structure is arranged on the outside of the case and extends at a distance from the outer wall. Therefore, the protective structure is not coupled to the outer wall of the main case. By being placed on the outside of the case and extending a certain distance from the outer wall, the protective structure makes it possible to at least partially protect large diameter wheels without making the case too large.

The expression "tread" refers to the circular surface or set of surfaces forming the generally circular outer circumference of each main wheel, which is brought to roll over the floor being cleaned during movement of the cleaning device. It will be done. The protective structure thus covers a circular or generally circular portion of each tread.

The device may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination:

Advantageously, the protective structure covers an angular sector of each tread constituted by greater than 90°, advantageously between 90° and 130°. This angular width protection makes it possible to protect the wheels from most of the impacts that occur during the movement of the cleaning device.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the protective structure is connected to the body by means of a connection, such as a connection wall, a connection arm or an intermediate connection part.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the protective structure forms a handle assembly that can be grasped by a user. Thus, according to this feature, the protective structure is in the form of one or more gripping handles that can be gripped by the user to grip and move the body. The protective structure thus makes it possible both to protect all or part of the main wheel and to provide the user with at least one gripping surface.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the handle assembly consists of one single handle of substantially annular shape or "U" shape or open ring shape. With this substantially annular or "U" shaped or open ring shaped handle shape, the protective structure provides multiple gripping zones for a user wishing to grip and move the body. The protective structure then forms a particularly ergonomic handle for the user.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the handle assembly is composed of at least two separate handles that are substantially parallel and each cover a portion of the tread of one of the main wheels. In other words, according to this feature, the protective structure of the main wheel is advantageously formed from two handles that extend at a distance from each other and at a distance from the outer wall of the main case. Each grip covers the tread portion of one main wheel.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the protective structure covers the upper part of the main wheel. In other words, the protective structure covers the tread portion located on the top of each main wheel. In fact, the top of the main wheel may come into contact with the top of the main wheel when the cleaning device partially hits under a low-legged obstacle that has its lower end at the height of the top of the main wheel, such as a coffee table or sideboard. Exposure to shock when possible. The protective structure covers the top of the main wheels, thereby protecting them from this type of collision with low obstacles.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the fluid inlet is arranged in the front part of the body, ie in a part of the body corresponding to the front part of the body. Advantageously, the front part is the front end of the body. The fluid inlet is also called the air inlet end piece when the cleaner is a suction assembly. The protective structure covers the top of the main wheel and extends forward of the main body to at least partially cover the front of the main wheel. Thanks to this arrangement, the protective structure is protected not only from impacts from low obstacles, such as the lower edge of a coffee table or sideboard with legs, but also from frontal obstacles, such as table legs or wall corners that come in front of the cleaning device. Also allows to protect the main wheels.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the protective structure has at least two outer surfaces extending in front of and above the main wheel, the two outer surfaces extending in the direction of the axis of rotation of the main wheel and They are sloped so that they gradually diverge from each other as they extend in the axial direction. These sloping outer surfaces make it easier to avoid obstacles. In fact, by contacting the sloped outer surface of the protective structure, the obstruction is brought to slide on the sloped outer surface as the cleaning device continues its forward movement.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the main wheel is an annular wheel rotating around a fixed hub fixed to the body. Since this type of main wheel is in the form of an annular wheel, it is possible to easily create a main wheel with a large diameter while leaving an internal space inside the main wheel. Advantageously, an interior space is provided inside each fixed hub. This configuration serves to optimize the volume within the fixed hub and/or the body so that functional parts of the cleaning device, such as, for example, a filter or an air duct of the cleaning device, can be advantageously arranged. However, this type of annular wheel is more fragile than, for example, a solid main wheel mounted on a rotating shaft. The protective structure according to the invention, placed on the outside of the case and extending at a certain distance from the outer wall, rotates around a fixed hub, because the protective structure can effectively protect the main wheel of this type of annular wheel shape. Particularly suitable for annular main wheels.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, each fixed hub has an outer surface in the form of a spherical cap. The spherical cap shape is also known as the dome shape. The spherical cap-shaped outer surface of each fixed hub allows a frontal obstacle contacting the protective structure to slide on the protective structure and then on the spherical cap of the fixed hub. The cleaning device is then deflected from its trajectory, thereby preventing obstacles from hitting the annular wheels attached to this same stationary hub.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the body, the annular wheel and the stationary hub form an assembly having a generally spherical shape. According to this configuration, the protective structure extends partially around the generally spherical shape and extends at a distance from the generally spherical shape.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the main wheels are omnidirectional wheels. This type of wheels allows the body to move laterally by rotating to better avoid obstacles that come into contact with the protective structure. This type of wheel is also called a holonomic wheel. However, these omnidirectional main wheels are more fragile than traditional non-omnidirectional main wheels. The aforementioned protective structure is particularly suitable for effectively protecting main wheels of this type.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, each main wheel comprises a plurality of rotating rollers distributed around each main wheel. A plurality of rotating rollers distributed around each wheel form the tread of each main wheel. According to this configuration, the protective structure covers several rotating rollers.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the rotating rollers of the annular wheel can rotate freely and have an axis of rotation that is not parallel and preferably not perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the main wheel carrying the rotating rollers. can.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the main wheel preferably has an inclined rotation axis converging towards the top of the body.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the main wheel has an outer diameter that is greater than 2/3 of the height of the body measured from the horizontal plane in which the main wheel is arranged. The outer diameter corresponds to the diameter of the tread. The height of the body is measured without taking into account the additional height that the protective structure may represent. These large diameter main wheels can easily overcome low obstacles such as door thresholds and carpet edges.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the main wheels are side wheels of the cleaning device.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the protective structure comprises at least one internal protective surface directly facing a portion of the tread of each main wheel. In other words, the internal protective surface and therefore the protective structure covers a part of the tread of each main wheel without the presence of any part or part of the body intervening or located between the protective surface and said part of the tread. , face to face.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, each internal protective surface is concave and curved around the tread portion of each main wheel. This concave and curved inner protective surface better follows the circular shape of the tread in order to better protect the part of the tread covered by the inner protective surface.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, each internal protective surface preferably has a minimum distance of less than 5 cm between the tread of the main wheel and the internal protective surface, measured radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the main wheel. extends so close to the main wheel that it is less than 2 cm. This proximity between the tread of the main wheel and the internal protective surface makes it possible to better protect the tread portion covered by the internal protective surface.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the cleaning device is a sled-type suction assembly, which comprises an aerolic circuit inside the body that extends between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the suction assembly. At least one means intended to influence said flow comprises:
- a dust separation device, such as a cyclone separator or filter, arranged on the aerolic circuit;
- arranged on the aerodynamic circuit, comprising an electric motor and a fan coupled to the electric motor, for generating airflow within the aerodynamic circuit when the vacuum cleaner is in operation; A motor fan unit.

Objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention, disclosed by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. .
FIG. 1 is a front three-quarter view of the suction assembly. 2 is a side view of the suction assembly of FIG. 1; 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the suction assembly of FIG. 1; 4 is a front view of the suction assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a top view of the suction assembly of FIG. 1; 6 is a rear view of the suction assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. 7a is a top view of the suction assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating an obstacle avoidance situation according to a first step; FIG. FIG. 7b is a top view of the suction assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating an obstacle avoidance situation according to a second step. FIG. 7c is a top view of the suction assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating an obstacle avoidance situation according to a third step. FIG. 7d is a top view of the suction assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating an obstacle avoidance situation according to a fourth step.

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

As used herein, the terms "horizontal," "vertical," "bottom," "top," "height," "top," and "bottom" are used to describe a cleaning device or suction assembly or body. Note that this term refers to a cleaning device or suction assembly in use when placed by wheels on a flat, horizontal floor to be cleaned.

FIG. 1 shows a floor cleaning device 1 including a main body 2 in a three-dimensional and three-quarter front view.
- a case 3 delimited at least partially by an outer wall 4;
- a fluid inlet 5 intended to receive fluid flow from the outside of said case 3;
- at least one means arranged in the case 3 and intended to act on the fluid flow received through the fluid inlet 5;
including.

The cleaning device 1 further includes at least two main wheels 10, 11 rotatably mounted on the main body 2. Each main wheel includes a tread 12, 13, so that the body 2 can rest and roll on the floor to be cleaned. Main wheels 10 and 11 are arranged on both sides of main body 2. More specifically, the main wheels 10 and 11 are wheels in a direction transverse to the main body 2. Main wheels 10 and 11 have rotation axes A10 and A11.

More specifically, the cleaning device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 is a threaded suction assembly 100. The cleaning device 1 shown in FIGS.

Suction assembly 100 includes a body 2 that includes an aerolic circuit 7 extending between a fluid inlet 5 and a fluid outlet 6 of suction assembly 100 . In the threaded suction assembly 100, the fluid inlet 5 is also known as the connection end piece or the air inlet end piece, and the fluid outlet 6 is also known as the exhaust outlet and may include one or more holes. .

Generally, the body 2 comprises several means intended to affect the fluid flow. In the threaded suction assembly 100, these means include, inter alia (see FIG. 3) a dirt separation device 8, such as a cyclone separator or filter, and an air flow in the aerolic circuit 7 when the suction assembly is in operation. A motor fan unit 9 is provided which includes an electric motor and a fan coupled to the electric motor. The dust separator 8 and the motor fan unit 9 are arranged on the aerodynamic circuit 7 in such a way that they are intersected by the suctioned air flow when the suction assembly 100 is in operation. Generally, the dust separator 8 is arranged in the aerodynamic circuit 7 upstream of the motor fan unit 9. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7, the trash separator 8 is arranged in the trash collection bowl 14. In the embodiment of FIGS. The garbage collection bowl 14 is removable to be pulled away from the main body 2 in order to more easily drain the garbage accumulated in the garbage collection bowl 14 and to clean the garbage separation device 8. For easier removal, the garbage collection bowl 14 is provided with a central handle 15.

In operation, a suction nozzle (not shown), also known as a suction head, is usually connected to the fluid inlet 5 by a suction tube (not shown), which generally includes a rigid part and a flexible part. The suction assembly 100, suction nozzle, and suction tube form a sled vacuum cleaner. During a floor cleaning operation, a user of a sled vacuum cleaner generally holds the nozzle via a handle provided on or attached to a rigid portion of the tube. If the main wheels of the sled vacuum cleaner are not motor-driven, the handle and the suction tube allow the user to pull the suction assembly 1 rolling over the floor to be cleaned thanks to the main wheels 10, 11.

The suction nozzle and suction tube are part of a sled vacuum cleaner known to those skilled in the art. This is why the suction nozzle and suction tube are not shown in the figures or explained in more detail in this description.

The suction assembly 100 is disposed outside the case 3 of the main body 2, extends a certain distance from the outer wall 4 of the case 3, and further includes a protection structure 20 for protecting the main wheels 10, 11. The protective structure 20 covers portions 12a, 13a of the treads 12, 13 of each main wheel.

The body 2, the main wheels 10, 11 and the protective structure 20 form a suction assembly 100.

More specifically, the protective structure 20 covers the circularly shaped portions 12a, 13a of each tread 12,13. Advantageously, the protective structure 20 covers an angular sector S1 of each tread comprised by more than 90°, advantageously between 90° and 130°. In the example of FIG. 2, the coverage angle sector is approximately 115°. The protective structure 20 thus makes it possible to protect the main wheels 10, 11 from part of the shocks that may be received when an obstacle is encountered during the movement of the suction assembly 100 of the floor to be cleaned. . The protective structure 20 thus makes it possible to protect the main wheels 10, 11 and increase the service life of the main wheels 10, 11. The protective structure 20 is particularly suitable when the main wheels 10, 11 are large diameter wheels as shown in the figures. In fact, the main wheels 10, 11 with a larger diameter are more exposed to shocks when the suction assembly moves over the floor to be cleaned. Furthermore, the protective structure 20 is arranged on the outside of the case 3 and extends at a distance from the outer wall 4, so that the main wheels 10, 11 at least have a large diameter without making the case 3 of the main body 2 too large. Allows partial protection.

In the context of the invention, it is assumed that the outer diameter of each main wheel 10, 11, which corresponds to the diameter of the tread 12, 13, is 2 of the height H of the main body 1, measured from the horizontal plane on which the main wheels 10, 11 rest. /3, the main wheels 10, 11 are considered to have a large diameter. The height H of the main body 2 is measured from the horizontal ground on which the main wheels 10, 11 are arranged. The height H of the body 2 is measured without taking into account the additional height that the protective structure 20 may represent.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6, the protective structure 20 is connected to the body 2 by connecting arms 21. As shown in FIGS. In a variant not shown, the connecting arm can be replaced by any other means that make it possible to connect the protective structure to the body, in particular its case. In some variations, the connection may be achieved by connecting walls or by intermediate connecting parts. The protective structure may be attached to the body, for example to the body's case. In one variant, the protective structure may be manufactured in whole or in part together with at least one part of the casing, for example by injection under pressure of a plastic material.

Advantageously, protective structure 20 forms a handle assembly that can be grasped by a user. Accordingly, the protective structure 20 is in the form of a handle assembly that can be grasped by a user to lift and move the suction assembly 100. The protective structure thus makes it possible both to protect all or part of the main wheels 10, 11 and to provide the user with at least one gripping surface.

A fluid inlet 5, also called an air inlet nozzle in the suction assembly, is arranged on a part of the body 2 corresponding to the front side of the body 2, advantageously on the end of the body 2.

As shown in the figure, the handle assembly formed by the protective structure 20 has a substantially annular shape 1 extending from the top of the body 2 to the front of the body 2 where the fluid inlet 5 is located. It may consist of two single handles. The protective structure 20 therefore provides multiple grip areas for a user who wishes to grip and move the body 2. The protective structure 20 then forms one single handle that is particularly ergonomic for the user.

Additionally, the substantially annular shape of the handle allows for a central opening 200 to be formed in the center of the handle. This central opening, bounded by the radially inner circumference 201 of the annular handle, is large enough to allow the garbage collection bowl 14 to be withdrawn through the central opening 200. Therefore, the garbage collection bowl 14 can be grasped by the user through the central opening 200 formed in the center of the annular shape of the handle and easily pulled out.

As shown in the figures, the shape of the handle, and thus the shape of the protective structure 20, is not necessarily completely annular, but may be substantially oval or extending from the top of the body 2 towards the front of the body 2. Preferably, the protective handle has a substantially curved shape around the main wheels 10,11.

Furthermore, on the front side of the body 2, a protective structure 20 having a substantially annular shape advantageously extends up to the air inlet nozzle 5, the protective structure 20 extending on both sides of the air inlet nozzle 5.

In some variants not represented, the handle formed by the protective structure may have other shapes, such as a "U" shape or an open ring-like shape.

More specifically, as shown in the figure, the protective structure 20 covers the upper portions of the main wheels 10 and 11 and extends over the front portion of the main body 2 so as to at least partially cover the front portions of the main wheels 10 and 11. extends towards. In other words, the angular sector S1 of each tread 12, 13 covered by the protective structure extends from above the main wheels 10, 11 to the front of the main wheels 10, 11 (see FIG. 2). Thanks to this arrangement, the protective structure 20 rests on the legs of a coffee table or sideboard with its lower end at a height from the top of the main wheels 10, 11, which could collide with the top of the main wheels 10, 11. This makes it possible to protect the main wheels 10, 11 from impact against low obstacles such as the lower part of the vehicle. The protective structure 20 also makes it possible to protect the main wheels 10, 11 from impacts from frontal obstacles, such as table legs or wall corners, which may be encountered by the suction assembly 1 during forward movement. The forward movement of the suction assembly 100 corresponds to the movement when the suction assembly 100 is pulled by a user, for example to clean a floor.

As shown in particular in FIGS. 1 and 4, the protective structure 20 has at least two outer surfaces 22, 23 extending in front of and above the main wheels 10, 11. The two outer surfaces 22, 23 extend in the direction of the rotation axes A10, A11 of the main wheels 10, 11, and are inclined so that A11 gradually deviates from each other by extending in the direction of the rotation axis A10. . The angle of inclination α (see FIG. 4) between the outer surfaces 22, 23 may be variable along the protective structure. Advantageously, the angle of inclination α is configured between 100 and 170 degrees. The sloped outer surfaces 22, 23 make it possible to avoid obstacles. In fact, during the forward movement of the suction assembly, the obstacles that come into contact with the sloping outer surface 22 (23) are , slides on the inclined outer surface 22 (23) and causes a lateral displacement L of the suction assembly 100. The sloping outer surfaces 22, 23 thus allow the suction assembly 100 to more easily clear itself from the obstruction and prevent the suction assembly 100 from remaining blocked behind this obstruction. .

Advantageously, the main wheels 10, 11 are annular wheels rotating around fixed hubs 18, 19 fixed to the body 2. For each main wheel 10, 11 there is one fixed hub 18, 19 of annular shape. The annular wheel allows the main wheels 10, 11 to be made with a large diameter while opening up the internal space, ie the radial interior of the important main wheels 10, 11. Advantageously, an internal space is formed inside each fixed hub 18,19. In at least one of the two interior spaces it is possible to arrange functional components of the suction assembly 100, such as, for example, a filter (not shown) or all or part of the intake pipe.

However, this type of annular wheel is more fragile than, for example, a conventional solid wheel mounted on a rotating shaft. The protective structure 20 according to the invention, which is arranged on the outside of the case 3 and extends at a distance from the outer wall 4 of the case 3, has an annular shape that rotates around a fixed hub 18, 19 and is connected to the main wheels 10, 11. Particularly suitable for effectively protecting

In the embodiment shown in the figures, each fixed hub 18, 19 has an outer surface 18a, 19a shaped as a spherical cap, ie a dome. The outer surface 18a, 19a in the form of a spherical cap of each fixed hub 18, 19 is such that the frontal obstruction in contact with the outer surface 22, 23 of the protective structure 20 first slides on the outer surface 22, 23 and then the fixed hub 18 (19) to slide along and come into contact with the outer surface 18a (19a). While continuing to move the AV forward, the suction assembly 100 is deflected from its trajectory by a lateral displacement L, whereby an obstacle collides with the main wheel 10 (11) attached to this same fixed hub 18 (19). prevent it from happening. A front obstacle is an obstacle encountered and in contact with the suction assembly 100 as the suction assembly 100 moves forward through the AV.

Figures 7a-7d illustrate obstacle avoidance in four steps. For example, this consists of avoiding table legs placed in front of the suction assembly 100. According to the first step shown in Figure 7a, the suction assembly 100 moves the AV forward. An obstacle 30 is in the path of the suction assembly 1 and in front of one of the main wheels 10, 11.

According to the second step represented in FIG. 7b, the suction assembly 100 continues its forward movement AV and comes into contact with the obstacle 30. More specifically, the outer surface 22 of the protective structure 20 first contacts the obstruction 30. Therefore, the protective structure 20 is interposed between the obstacle 30 and the main wheel 10, thereby preventing the obstacle 30 from colliding with the main wheel 10.

According to a third step, represented in FIG. 7c, the suction assembly 100 continues its forward movement AV and the outer surface 22 slides over the obstacle 20. Because of the slope of the outer surface 22, as the suction assembly 100 moves forward across the AV, the rolling suction assembly also moves laterally.

According to the fourth step, represented in FIG. 7d, the suction assembly 100 continues its forward movement AV and the outer surface 22 leaves the obstacle 30. After sliding on the outer surface 22, the obstruction 30 passes over the outer surface 22 and contacts the outer surface 18a of the fixed hub 18. The outer surface 18a of the stationary hub 18 is in a top view of the suction assembly 100 substantially in extension of the outer surface 22. The outer surface 18a of the fixed hub projects from the main wheel 10 in an annular shape and from the rest of the body 2, and the outer surface 18a is shaped as a spherical cap, so that the relative sliding of the obstacle 30 on the outer surface 18a is , on the one hand, to keep the suction assembly 100 moving laterally as the AV is moved forward, and on the other hand, to prevent obstacles 30 from hitting the rear part of the main wheel 10, especially the annularly shaped main wheel 10. It has the effect of removing the obstacle 30 from. Obstacle avoidance according to the above four steps is achieved for the first time thanks to the protective structure 20, and the combined effect of the protective structure 20 and the fixed hubs 18, 19 shaped as spherical caps improves the obstacle avoidance and mainly To effectively protect wheels 10 and 11 with an annular shape.

As shown in the figures, the body 2, the annular wheels 10, 11 and the fixed hubs 18, 19 advantageously form an assembly having a generally spherical shape. According to this configuration, the protective structure 20 extends partially around the generally spherical shape and extends at a distance from the generally spherical shape. This configuration allows suction assembly 100 to more easily avoid obstacles encountered.

As shown in the figure, the main wheels 10, 11 are omnidirectional wheels. This type of wheels allows the suction assembly 100 to move laterally L by rotating in order to better bypass obstacles 30 that come into contact with the protective structure (see: Figures 7a-7b) . This type of wheel is also called a holonomic wheel. However, these main wheels 10, 11 of the omnidirectional type are more fragile than conventional wheels, ie wheels that are not of the omnidirectional type. A protective structure 20 as described above is particularly suitable for effectively protecting main wheels 10, 11 of this type.

Each omnidirectional main wheel 10, 11 includes a plurality of rotating rollers 10a, 11a distributed around each main wheel 10, 11. A plurality of rotating rollers 10a, 11a distributed around each main wheel 10, 11 form a tread surface 12, 13 of each main wheel. According to this configuration, the protective structure 20 covers several rotating rollers 10a, 11a.

Advantageously, the rotating rollers 10a, 11a of the main wheels 10, 11 are able to rotate freely and have an axis of rotation on which they depend that is not parallel to the axis of rotation A10, A11 of the main wheels 10, 11. I can do it. Advantageously, as shown in the figure, the axis of rotation of the rotating rollers 10a, 11a is perpendicular to the axis of rotation A10, A11 of the main wheels 10, 11 carrying the rotating rollers 10a, 11a.

As shown in FIG. 5, the main wheels 10, 11 have rotation axes A10, A11 that are inclined with respect to each other. Preferably, the rotation axes A10, A11 converge towards the top of the body and form an angle P of less than 180° at the top (see FIG. 4).

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the protective structure 20 comprises an internal protective surface 24, 25 (see FIG. 6) for each main wheel 10, 11. Each internal protective surface 24, 25 directly faces a portion 12a, 13a of the tread 12, 13 of each main wheel 10, 11.

In other words, the internal protective surfaces 24, 25 and therefore the protective structure 20 are defined as any part of the body 2 or Covers portions 12a and 13a of the treads 12 and 13 of each of the main wheels 10 and 11, without partially existing.

Each internal protective surface 24, 25 is concave and curved around a portion 12a, 13a of the tread 12, 13 of each main wheel 10, 11. This concave and curved internal protective surface 24, 25, in accordance with the circular shape of the tread 12, 13, makes it possible to better protect the part of the tread 12, 13 covered by the internal protective surface 24, 25.

Advantageously, each outer surface 22, 23 is an outer surface and each inner protective surface 24, 25 is an inner surface. Preferably, the inner and outer surfaces are parallel so that they form a part between them of the protective structure 20 in the form of a protective strip or band (FIGS. 2, 3).

As shown in the figure, each internal protective surface 24, 25 is connected to the tread surface 12, 13 of the main wheel 10, 11, measured radially with respect to the axis of rotation A10, A11 of the main wheel 10, 11, and the internal protective surface 24, 25. It extends close to the main wheels 10, 11 such that the minimum distance D between the surfaces 24, 25 is less than 5 cm, preferably less than 2 cm. (See Figure 2). This proximity between the treads of the main wheels 10, 11 and the internal protective surfaces 24, 25 makes it possible to better protect the parts 12a, 13a of the treads 12, 13 covered by the internal protective surfaces 24, 25. do.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the described and illustrated embodiments, which are given by way of example only. Modifications are still possible, in particular with respect to the configuration of the various elements or by substituting technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Therefore, in a variant not shown, instead of a vacuum cleaner, the cleaning device is a cleaning appliance that can wet and clean the floor to be cleaned or that can send steam to the floor to be cleaned. It is a vaporization device that can be used.

In another unrepresented variant, instead of the main wheels being of annular shape, the main wheels are solid, each with a central shaft mounted for rotational movement relative to the body.

In another unrepresented variant, the protective structure forms a handle assembly consisting of at least two separate handles that are substantially parallel and cover a portion of the tread of each main wheel. In other words, according to this variant, the protective structure of the main wheel is advantageously formed from two handles extending at a distance from the outer wall of the main case and each covering a part of the tread of the main wheel. be done.

Claims (16)

A floor cleaning device (1) including a main body (2), the main body (2) comprising:
- a case (3) delimited at least partially by an outer wall (4);
- a fluid inlet (5) for receiving fluid flow from the outside of said case (3);
- at least one means arranged in the case (3) and intended to act on the fluid flow received through the fluid inlet (5);
The cleaning device (1) includes at least two main wheels (10, 11) rotatably mounted on the main body (2), each main wheel (10, 11) The cleaning device (1) has treads (12, 13) so that it can rest and roll on the floor to be cleaned, the main wheels are arranged on both sides of the main body (2), and the cleaning device (1) , comprising a protective structure (20) configured to protect the main wheels (10, 11), the protective structure being arranged on the outside of the case (3) and spaced apart from the outer wall (4). A cleaning device (1), characterized in that the protective structure (20) covers a portion (12a, 13a) of the tread (12, 13) of each main wheel (10, 11). Cleaning device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective structure (20) is connected to the main body (2) by means of a connection, such as a connection wall, a connection arm or an intermediate connection part. Cleaning device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protective structure (20) forms a handle assembly that can be grasped by a user. Cleaning device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the handle assembly consists of one single handle of substantially annular shape or U-shape or open ring shape. Cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protective structure (20) covers the upper part of the main wheels (10, 11). The fluid inlet (5) is arranged at the front of the body (2), and the protective structure (20) covers the upper part of the main wheels (10, 11) and extends to the front of the body (2). Cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it at least partially covers the front part of the main wheels (10, 11). The protective structure (20) has at least two outer surfaces (22, 23) extending in front of and above the main wheels (10, 11), and the two outer surfaces (22, 23) The wheels extend in the direction of the rotation axes (A10, A11) of the wheels (10, 11), and are inclined so as to gradually deviate from each other when extending in the direction of the rotation axes (A10, A11). A cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6. One of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the main wheels (10, 11) are annular wheels rotating around fixed hubs (18, 19) fixed to the main body (2). The cleaning device (1) described in Section 1. Cleaning device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that each fixed hub (18, 19) has an outer surface (18a, 19a) in the form of a spherical cap. The body (2), the annular wheels (10, 11) and the fixed hub (18, 19) form an assembly having a generally spherical shape, and the protective structure (20) Cleaning device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that it extends partially around and at a distance from said generally spherical shape. The cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the main wheels (10, 11) are omnidirectional wheels. Each main wheel (10, 11) is provided with a plurality of rotating rollers (10a, 11a) distributed around each main wheel (10, 11) and forming a tread surface of each main wheel (10, 11), Cleaning device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the protective structure (20) covers several rotating rollers (10a, 11a). The main wheels (10, 11) are characterized in that they have an outer diameter larger than 2/3 of the height (H) of the main body measured from the horizontal plane on which the main wheels (10, 11) are arranged. A cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12. Said protective structure (20) comprises at least one internal protective surface (24, 25) directly facing a portion (12a, 13a) of the tread (12, 13) of each main wheel (10, 11). Cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: Claim characterized in that each internal protective surface (24, 25) is concave and curved around a portion (12a, 13a) of the tread (12, 13) of each main wheel (10, 11). The cleaning device (1) according to item 14. The cleaning device (1) is a threaded suction assembly (100), and the body (2) is an aerodynamic fluid extending between the fluid inlet (5) and the fluid outlet of the suction assembly (100). At least one means comprising a circuit (7) and intended to act on said flow comprises:
- a dust separation device (8), such as a cyclone separator or filter, arranged on said aerolic circuit;
- on the aerodynamic circuit, comprising an electric motor and a fan coupled to the electric motor, for generating airflow within the aerodynamic circuit when the suction assembly (100) is in operation; Cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a motor fan unit (9) arranged.

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