SE2000243A1 - Nozzle for a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

A nozzle 10 for a vacuum cleaner is disclose. The nozzle comprising a housing 12, a suction opening 16 formed within the housing and a sealing member arranged outside of the suction opening 16, facing the surface to be cleaned.The sealing member is adapted to open, at least a part of the sealing member, to let larger dust particles enter into the suction opening.A vacuum cleaner for such a nozzle is also disclosed.

Description

NOZZLE FOR A VACUUM CLEANER AND A VACUUM CLEANER Technical field The present disclosure relates to vacuum cleaner nozzle and in particular a vacuumcleaner nozzle having a sealing member.

Background Vacuum cleaner nozzles for vacuum cleaners can be provided with a suction mouthsurrounded wholly or partly by a seal that can be placed on a surface to be cleaned.

Such vacuum cleaner nozzles are designed to be placed on a surface to be cleanedand to connect, typically indirectly via a pipe, a hose and other devices of the vacuumcleaner, to a suction fan of a vacuum cleaner. ln order to clean a recess in thesurface, such as a crack, groove or joint, as effectively as possible, the suction mouthis surrounded by a seal so that a high vacuum can be generated in the suctionopening defined by the seal between the suction mouth and the surface. lf thevacuum cleaner nozzle is moved over the recess in the ground, air flows at highspeed through the recess into the suction opening, whereby the recess is effectivelycleaned.

However, such a seal can be disadvantageous when the vacuum cleaner nozzle ismoved in the sealed state on the surface, because larger dirt particles can then bepushed / swept in front of the seal, both in front stroke and in back stroke of thenozzle, making it difficult or impossible to have large dirt particles entering into thenozzle and thereby cleaned form the surface.

Therefore, there is a constant desire to improve vacuum cleaners to make them moreefficient.

Summary One object of the present disclosure is therefore to provide a vacuum cleaning nozzlethat is more efficient than existing vacuum cleaning nozzles and which is able togenerate an under pressure in the nozzle and at the same time allow for picking uplarger dirt particles. This object is achieved by a vacuum cleaner nozzle and a sealingmember for a vacuum cleaner nozzle as set out in the appended claims.

As has been realized by the inventor, it would be advantageous to provide a vacuumcleaner nozzle that allows a better pickup of big particles without negatively impactingdust pick up by the under pressure formed in the nozzle. ln accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner isprovided. The vacuum cleaner preferably being a household vacuum cleaner, suchas for example a canister vacuum cleaner, a stick or upright vacuum cleaner or a Classified as Internal robotic vacuum cleaner. The nozzle comprises a housing and a suction openingformed within the housing. Further, a sealing member is provided on the outside ofthe suction opening. The sealing member can typically be located on the front sideand/or back side of the nozzle in the direction that the nozzle is intended to move.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a nozzle for avacuum cleaner comprising a housing, a suction opening formed within the housing,a sealing arranged outside of the suction opening, facing the surface to be cleaned,wherein the sealing member is adapted to open, at least a part of the sealingmember, to let larger dust particles enter into the suction opening.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a nozzle whereinthe sealing member comprises a rotating sealing member.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a nozzle whereinthe sealing member is arranged on the same axis as he rear wheels.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a nozzle whereinthe sealing member is a paddle wheel.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a nozzle whereinthe sealing member comprises a moveable flaps arranged in front or behind thesuction opening.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a nozzle whereinthe flap extends along the whole front or back of the suction opening.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a nozzle accordingwherein the flap is in an extended position during hard floor cleaning and a retractedposition during carpet cleaning.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a nozzle whereinthe sealing member comprises a number of moveable flaps arranged behind thesuction opening.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a nozzle whereinthe flap extends along the whole back of the suction opening.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a nozzle whereinthe flap is in an extended position during hard floor cleaning and a retracted positionduring carpet cleaning.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a nozzle whereinthe housing comprises a base plate having a sealing member comprises a first line oftriangular protrusions and a second line of triangular protrusions, the first line ofprotrusion is arranged closer to the suction opening than the second line.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a nozzle whereinthe distance (d) between two triangular protrusions of the first line is equal or lessthat the base of a triangular protrusion of the second line.

According to an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a vacuum cleanercomprising such a nozzle.

Classified as Internal Brief description of the drawings The invention will now be described in more detail by means of examples and withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner Fig. 2 shows a cross section of an embodiment of a nozzle according to Fig 1,Fig 3 shows an underside of a nozzle according Fig 2.

Fig 4a-c shows a nozzle according an embodiment of a nozzle according to Fig 1 Fig 5a-b shows the bottom plate of a nozzle according an embodiment of a nozzleaccording to Fig 1 Fig. 6a-c shows a cross section of an embodiment of a nozzle according to F ig 1,Fig 7a-b shows an underside of an embodiment of a nozzle according Fig 1 Fig. 8 shows a vacuum cleaner and a nozzle according to Fig 1 Detailed description Aspects of the present invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers referto like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will notnecessarily be described in detail for ease of understanding and/or clarity. lt is furtherto be understood that the features described can be combined in any suitablemanner to meet different implementational needs.

Fig. 1 discloses a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner. The nozzle 10 comprises aconnection part 11 for connection to a vacuum cleaner, a housing 12 and supportwheels 15. The nozzle has a front 14 and a back 13. The intended movementdirection, principal movement direction, of the nozzle 10 is typically forward F. Duringuse the nozzle is typically moved back and forth in a forward stroke and a backwardstroke, respectively, in a generally forward moving direction.

The nozzle also comprises a base plate 18 facing the surface to be cleaned. Thebase plate comprises a suction opening 16 in fluid connection with an air channel 19inside the nozzle ending in the connection part 11 for connection to the suction pathof the vacuum cleaner.

The nozzle 10 has a housing 12 and inside the housing 12 a suction opening 16 isformed as is well known in the art. The suction opening 16 can be placed in fluidconnection with a suction fan of a vacuum cleaner to create under pressure in the Classified as Internal suction opening whereby dirt can be sucked into the suction opening and onwards tothe vacuum cleaner as is also well known in the art. ln accordance with some embodiments the nozzle 10 can be supported by wheels15. The wheels 15 can be arranged in any suitable configuration. ln Fig. 1, the nozzleis supported by a pair of rear wheels 15. This configuration, with one pair of wheelssupports a movement back and forth over an underlying surface.

Further a brush 17 can be provided in the suction opening 16. The brush can bearranged to brush against the surface to be cleaned and thereby free dirt and otherparticles from the surface to be cleaned to facilitate suction of dirt from the surface tobe cleaned. The brush 17 can in some embodiments be rotatably arranged in thesuction opening 16.

The nozzle 10 further has a sealing member (not shown in Fig 1) provided outside ofthe suction opening 16.

Fig 2-3 discloses an embodiment of a nozzle 10 for a vacuum cleaner. The nozzle 10has a housing 12 and inside the housing a suction opening 16 is formed as is wellknown in the art. The suction opening 16 can be placed in fluid connection with asuction fan of a vacuum cleaner to create under pressure in the suction openingwhereby dirt can be sucked into the suction opening and onwards to the vacuumcleaner as is also well known in the art. ln accordance with some embodiments the nozzle 10 can be supported by wheels(not shown). The wheels can be arranged in any suitable configuration, eg the nozzlemay be supported by a pair of rear wheels and/or a pair of front wheels. Thisconfiguration, with one or two pairs of wheels supports a movement back and forthover an underlying surface.

Further a brush 17 can be provided in the suction opening 16. The brush can bearranged to brush against the surface to be cleaned and thereby free dirt and otherparticles from the surface to be cleaned to facilitate suction of dirt from the surface tobe cleaned. The brush 17 can in some embodiments be rotatably arranged in thesuction opening 16.

The nozzle 10 in the embodiment of Fig. 2.-3 further has a sealing member 21provided on the outside of the suction opening 16. The intended movement direction,principal movement direction, of the nozzle 10 is typically fon/vard F. During use the Classified as Internal nozzle is typically moved back and forth in a fon/vard stroke and a backward stroke,respectively, in a forward moving direction.

Fig 2-3 discloses an embodiment of the nozzle shown in Fig. 1. Located behind thesuction opening 16 is a sealing member 21. The sealing member 21 comprises apaddle wheel 21. The paddle wheel is fixed at the same axis as the support wheel15. The wheels take the main load of the weight from the cleaner during use. Thepaddle wheel however allows big particles to move into the nozzle at backstroke atthe same time as it seals off.

When starting at a backstroke, big particles can move into the nozzle opening and bepicked up instead of being pushed be the nozzle. The paddle wheel 21 works like arotating sealing. ln the embodiment the paddle wheel is fixed to the same axis as the support wheel/s.Thereby, the support wheel can take the most of the load from the nozzle andvacuum cleaner to avoid that the paddle wheel will stop rotating during back stroke.The paddle wheel is a rotating sealing that sweeps in larger particles into the nozzle.

Fig 4a-c discloses an embodiment of a nozzle. The nozzle 10 is, either passive butpreferably an active nozzle, ie with a rotating brush or similar. The nozzle has a backedge 34 and a front edge 33 of the suction opening 16 of the nozzle.

The nozzle comprises a sealing 31,32 arranged outside the suction opening, andpreferably act as the front edge 33 and/or back edge 34 of the suction opening 16.The sealing 31 ,32 comprises moveable flap/s 31,32, preferably with a rounded edgethat is facing in towards the suction opening.

The rounded flap/s 31 ,32 are arranged so that they can rotate between two distinctpositions around an axis. The down position of the flaps, that occurs when the nozzleis used on hard floor, is defined by that the flaps will be angled towards the floor to becleaned, but not touching the floor. Thus, avoiding risk of leaving markings. The smalldistance will also create a jet stream between the floor and the flap. This jet streamwill create a drag force around bigger particles and help them lift the flap and go intothe nozzle.

When the nozzle 10 is used on a carpet, the rounded shape of the flaps will ensurethat the flaps are lifted up into their upper position letting the suction opening, and ifthere is an active brush 17, go deep into the carpet. At the same time, the front and Classífied as Internal back end of the nozzle is smooth, ensuring that big particles are let inside the nozzleand following the air channel 11 into the vacuum cleaner and dust separation. Thenozzle preferably also has sealings along the edges towards the floor to ensure goodcrevice pick up.

The Flaps 31,32 preferably has rounded edges that is facing in towards the nozzlethat can let in bigger particles in back stroke and front stroke without touching andscraping the floor. On carpet, they easily fold away.

Fig 5a-b discloses the underside facing the floor during cleaning of a part of a nozzle.The nozzle 10 comprises a sealing comprising a number of moveable flaps 41 in therear part of the nozzle. The flaps are individually moveable around an axis betweenan extended/lower position in which the flaps are extended out from the nozzle, andan upper position in which they are retracted inside the nozzle.

The flaps 41 will be in its lower position unless affected by large particles.

During front stroke of the nozzle all flaps 41 will be in the lower position. This ensuresthat the nozzle opening is sealed against the floor.

During back Stroke all flaps 41 will be in the lower position unless it is in contact withlarge particles. The large particles will push the flaps to its upper position, temporary,when passing the large particle.

The nozzle 10 can have one or several flaps. By using a number of flaps, it ispossible to keep a good sealing against the floor and still pick up large particles. Thesealing is only opened at a single flap and the rest of the nozzle is sealed.

Fig 6a-c disclose a vacuum cleaner nozzle 10, active or passive, and preferablyhaving a hard floor mode and a carpet mode.

The nozzle comprises a motor (not shown) inside a rotating brush 17. The brush 17is arranged inside a rotatable suction opening 16. Said suction opening 16 adjustsitself according to the movement direction of the nozzle 10.

The nozzle further comprises a rotary friction damper 53 placed on the support wheel15 provides the directional force needed to move the suction inlet 16.

Classified as internal Thereby, the nozzle uses the friction in combination with a gear to harness enoughforce to rotate the air channel without compromising the rotation of the wheels.

On front stroke the nozzle tilts so that the nozzle rear part creates a closed wallbehind the brush and directs the airflow to the front.

On back stroke the nozzle closes in front and directs the airflow to the back. When oncarpet, the air channel adjusts itself parallel to carpet level to increase the vacuumarea towards the carpet.

The nozzle is thereby self-adjusting. No need for manually changing from carpet tohard floor mode to ensure good cleaning performance on different surfaces. Thenozzle only needs a sealed air channel not a seal around the whole nozzle opening.

The nozzle is self-adjusting to different surfaces, allowing to pick up big particles butalso fine dust.

Fig 7 discloses a vacuum cleaner nozzle. The nozzle could be of a passive type or anactive type, e.g. having a rotating brush roll.

The nozzle 10 comprises a housing 12 and a suction opening 16 as in Fig 1.

The nozzle 10 also comprises a base plate 18, having a first part 71 in front of thesuction opening and a second part 72 behind the suction opening 16. The secondpart 72 comprises protrusions 73,74 forming a labyrinth. ln Fig 7a-b the protrusions73,74 has a triangular shape. The triangular shaped protrusions will guide larger dustparticles into the air channel of the nozzle.

The triangular shaped protrusions are arranged in two or more lines. ln theembodiment disclosed in Fig 7a-b a first line comprises a number of larger sizedtriangular protrusions 73 pointing backwards arranged closer to the suction opening.A second line comprises a number of smaller sized triangular protrusions 74 alsopointing backwards. The second line triangular protrusions 74 are arranged betweenthe first line triangular protrusions 73 and substantially has a base (b) equal thedistance (d) between two protrusions 73 of the first line. ln this way the triangularprotrusions will seal the nozzle so that the total opening in the back of the nozzle islimited. This will increase the nozzles capability to have large particle entering thesuction opening on back stroke.

Classified as Internal Fig 8 discloses a vacuum cleaner 100 for a nozzle 10 according to the embodiments.

Classifíed as Internal