TW201722332A - Cleaning appliance having turnable handle for locking handle at usage position without user's further help and being unlocked again while user released - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning appliance (1), and particularly to a household vacuum cleaner, which, comprises an appliance housing (2) and a handle (3) disposed on the appliance housing (2) for a user to carry the cleaning appliance (1),wherein the handle (3) can be mounted on an axis (4) on the appliance housing (2) in a turnable manner to be turned from a non-usage position to a usage position, and vice versa. In order to provide a cleaning appliance (1) having a handle (3) in which the handle may be locked at the usage position without user's further help and may be unlocked again while the user released the handle (3), the present invention discloses that the handle (3) may be moved to a locked position for preventing the handle from returning to the non-usage position by the gravity of the cleaning appliance (1).

Description

Cleaning device with deflectable handle

The present invention relates to a cleaning device, particularly a household vacuum cleaner, having a device housing and a handle disposed on the device housing for the user to lift the cleaning device, wherein the handle can be wrapped around The yaw axis on the device housing is deflected from the non-use position to the use position and vice versa.

In the prior art, cleaning devices of the above type are well known to us. Such a cleaning device can be, for example, a vacuum cleaner or a wet wipe device, in particular a manual vacuum cleaner, in particular a hand-held vacuum cleaner or a rechargeable vacuum cleaner. The hand-held vacuum cleaner has a body having a manipulation handle and a manipulation handle provided on the manipulation handle, and the manipulation handle is used to manipulate the cleaning device to move on the surface to be cleaned. During cleaning of the face, the body preferably rests on an attachment, such as an electric brush or the like. In addition, the body can also be used to clean the area above the floor (ie, without the attachment), during which the body is held by the body of the device mounted on the body of the body. Move on the clean surface.

The handle is deflected from the non-use position to the use position as needed, and in the non-use position, the handle abuts against the device housing, and in the use position, the handle protrudes from the device housing and is available to the user Hold. Among them, the conventional system locks the handle to the use position that is turned over and turned over, so as to prevent the handle from undesirably returning to the non-use position and injuring the user's hand therebetween.

The publication DE 1 095 479 B, for example, discloses a handle that can be fixed to the end position, which has a fixed position of an automatic latch, which the user can manipulate to unlock the fastening device.

The publication DE 10 2009 010 073 A1 discloses a cleaning device with a deflectable handle which can be fixed in an everted position by a locking device. The locking device includes a release member that is operable by a user to release the handle.

The disadvantage of the above two cases is that in order to release the lock, that is, the user has to unlock the lock by, for example, manipulating a button or the like before the handle returns from the use position to the non-use position.

Based on this, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device with a handle that is locked in the use position without further assistance from the user and that is unlocked again when the user releases the handle.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides that the handle can be displaced to a locked position that prevents the handle from returning to the non-use position, under the force of gravity of the cleaning device, particularly based on the weight acting on the handle.

According to the invention, the handle is not based on the user manually manipulating the locking device to reach the locking position, but is based on the weight of the cleaning device, in particular on the weight of the cleaning device, wherein the lifting device is lifted by the handle This gravity automatically acts on the handle. At the moment the user holds the handle of the cleaning device and lifts the cleaning device, the cleaning device is suspended by gravity on the handle. In this way, the handle is displaced to a locked position that prevents the handle from returning to the non-use position. The displacement of the handle can be, for example, rotation, elongation, linear movement, and the like. In addition, it may be arranged to only displace the handle of the handle, such as the displacement of the spring-acting element, which is moved into a slot when the handle is deflected. Thereby, the grip is locked to the cleaning device, thereby effectively preventing the user's hand from being caught by the handle. The handle is first displaced from the non-use position to the use position and then to the locked position, but the transfer process can be performed undetected by the user so that the user cannot perceive the unlocked use position.

According to the claimed invention, the yaw axis is displaceable relative to the device housing. For example, the center of mass of the cleaning device can be located outside the yaw axis. Therefore, the cleaning device is tilted about the yaw axis when lifted by the user, so that the yaw axis Displacement occurs generally parallel to the surface of the device housing. This applies both to the initial orientation of the cleaning device in an upright position, characterized in that the longitudinal axis of the cleaning device is substantially perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned and also to the initial orientation of the cleaning device when lying flat on the surface to be cleaned, The longitudinal extension of the cleaning device is made substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned. Furthermore, the yaw axis can of course also be displaced perpendicular to the surface of the device housing, in which case the center of mass of the cleaning device can advantageously be located on the yaw axis.

The invention further provides that the device housing has a locking end stop, the handle being displaceable relative to the locking end stop such that the locking end stop projects into the handle when the handle is in the locked position The deflection area of the handle and prevent the handle from returning to the non-use position. In this way, the handle is locked in the locked position, so that the handle touches the locking end stop when moving from the locked position toward the non-use position, so that the handle cannot be rotated. To this end, the locking end stop and the handle are arranged on the device housing as follows, that is, the handle, that is, the yaw axis of the handle, is displaced to the locked position when the gravity of the cleaning device acts on the handle. In this locked position, the handle can touch the locking end stop. The handle is preferably moved relative to the device housing, wherein the partition of the handle enters the area of the locking end stop. Therein, the locking end stop can advantageously be integrally formed with the device housing, for example as a projection that only engages the deflection region with the handle in the locked position.

Advantageously, the locking end stop projects into the deflection region of the handle such that the handle handle portion of the handle acts on the locking end stop when deflected from the locked position toward the non-use position. Wherein, the handle partition is preferably a partition of the handle housing facing the device housing in the use position or the locking position, wherein the locking end stop can be directly disposed on the surface of the device housing. Thereby, a beneficial effect is obtained in the manufacture and stability of the locking end stop.

The invention further provides that the device housing has an end stop that limits the deflection angle of the handle in the use position and/or the locking position, the end stop extending into the deflection of the handle The region is such that the handle handle portion of the handle acts on the use end stop when deflected from the non-use position toward the use position and/or the lock position. This technical solution limits the deflection angle to a clear maximum degree. The maximum deflection angle cannot be exceeded when the handle is turned away from the device housing. As a result, during the conventional cleaning process carried out by the cleaning device, the cleaning device can be tilted, which is generally preferred by the user, relative to the surface to be cleaned. At the same time, the deflection angle and size of the handle are determined such that the user's hand can comfortably extend between the handle and the device housing. Furthermore, the maximum deflection angle specified by the end stop should also be adapted to the position of the centroid and the position of the handle on the device housing, so that the user of the cleaning device can use it particularly comfortably during the cleaning process. cleaning equipment. The end stop is advantageously an end stop that is integrally formed with the device housing, the handle section being in contact with the end stop during the pivoting movement.

Advantageously, the angle of deflection of the handle between the non-use position and the use position or between the non-use position and the locked position is between 30° and 90°, in particular between 30° and 60°. For conventional sized handles, the above angle is sufficient for the user to comfortably extend the hand between the device housing and the handle.

According to the invention, the handle section of the handle is fixed between the locking end stop and the use end stop when in the locked position. This is achieved by the fact that when the handle is in the locked position, it can neither return to the non-use position nor exceed the maximum deflection angle of the use position when the device housing is turned away. In this case, the handle section is displaced in the locked position, preferably on the device housing, in such a way that the handle section is situated between the locking end stop and the end stop. In this way, a locking that is particularly effective and easy to implement from a manufacturing point of view is formed in the two deflection directions.

According to the invention, the handle corresponds to an elastic element, and the restoring force of the elastic element attempts to displace the handle from the use position and/or the lock position toward the non-use position. The resilient element prevents the handle from undesirably leaving the non-use position when the cleaning device is not in use, for example. In addition, the restoring force of the resilient element also presses the handle section against the locking end stop when the handle is in the locked position, thereby further securing the locked position. The resilient element may advantageously be a coil spring that corresponds to both the handle and the device housing. The elastic element is advantageously built into the device housing, that is to say that the elastic element does not protrude beyond the contour of the device housing.

In particular, the invention provides that the device housing has a void that can be at least partially transferred into the gap for displacement to the non-use position. When not in use, the handle is advantageously even fully embedded in the gap of the device housing and does not protrude from the contour of the device housing. On the one hand, the cleaning device is provided with an aesthetic appearance, and on the other hand, the handle is prevented from being caught by the object. The gap can be, for example, a groove corresponding to the shape of the handle. It is also possible to arrange elastic elements that may be present in this gap.

Finally, the invention proposes that the deflection axis is arranged in the gap. In this way, it can be achieved at the same time that the handle and/or the corresponding locking end stop and/or the end stop are also provided in the recess, so that the user of the cleaning device does not touch the deflection axis, thereby reducing Risk of injury. Particularly advantageously, the recess corresponds to a track guide for the deflection axis of the handle, in which the deflection axis can be displaced from the non-use position or the use position to the locking position. The use of an end stop or a locking end stop can be arranged adjacent to this guide to form a displacement and locking device that is as tight as possible.

1‧‧‧Cleaning equipment

2‧‧‧Device housing

3‧‧‧Hands

4‧‧‧ deflection axis

5‧‧‧Lock end stop

6‧‧‧Handle partition

7‧‧‧Use end stops

8‧‧‧Flexible components

9‧‧‧ gap

10‧‧‧ Ontology

11‧‧‧Annex

12‧‧‧Handle

13‧‧‧Control handle

14‧‧‧ vertical axis

15‧‧‧ legs

16‧‧‧Bow section

17‧‧‧Sheel pin

18‧‧‧ leg pin

19‧‧‧Axis housing

20‧‧‧Lock end stop

21‧‧‧Using end stops

The invention is explained in detail below in conjunction with the examples. 1 is a cleaning device in which the handle is in a non-use position; FIG. 2 is a cleaning device in which the handle is in a use position; FIG. 3 is a cleaning device in which the handle is in a locked position; FIG. 4 is a handle in a non-use position; Figure 5 is a first section of the handle shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a second section of the handle of Figure 4; Figure 7 is the handle in the position of use; Figure 8 is the first of the handle shown in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a second section of the handle shown in Figure 7; Figure 10 is the handle in the locked position; Figure 11 is the first section of the handle shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 is the handle of Figure 10 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the end section of the leg of the handle; Figure 14 is a view of the handle in the non-use position opposite to Figure 5; Figure 15 is the handle in the use position opposite to Figure 8 Figure 16 is a view of the handle in the locked position opposite to Figure 11.

The cleaning device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is constructed for manual household vacuuming It can be used to clean the floor surface or to clean the area above the floor. The cleaning device 1 has a device housing 2 and an accessory 11 that is manipulated to move on the surface to be cleaned when the cleaning device 1 is operated in a conventional cleaning mode. When the cleaning device 1 is used to clean an area above the floor, the accessory 11 is typically removed from the cleaning device 1. Furthermore, the cleaning device 1 has a handling handle 12 on which a handling handle 13 for actuating the cleaning device 1 during cleaning of the floor is provided. The cleaning device 1 has a longitudinal axis 14 which is substantially perpendicular to the floor surface when the cleaning device 1 is in a conventional parked position. The handle 12 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 of the cleaning device 1.

The device housing 2 has a recess 9 in which the deflectable handle 3 is correspondingly shaped. The handle 3 is used, for example, for carrying the cleaning device 1 when carrying out cleaning on the floor (Überbodenreinigung). The handle 3 can be turned around the yaw 9 and also into the gap around the yaw axis 4, also provided in the gap 9, as desired. As described below, when the handle 3 is deflected about the yaw axis 4, it can reach three different positions, that is, the non-use position (Fig. 1) which is transferred to the gap 9 and reaches the use position by turning out the gap 9 (Fig. 1) 2), and based on the locked position of the use position, in which the handle 3 is locked without undesirably returning to the non-use position (Fig. 3).

The recess 9 for accommodating the handle 3 is here provided on the front side of the device housing 2, during normal cleaning, that is, during the pushing of the cleaning device 1 in front of the user, the front side is arranged forward in the direction of travel. While the cleaning of the floor is carried out, the front side of the cleaning device 1 generally points upwards, so that the cleaning device 1 is suspended below the handle 3 held by the user. The recess 9 is in the form of a groove here, in which an empty sub-volume is left beside the handle 3, and the user can extend his hand into the sub-volume to manually flip the handle 3 out of the recess 9. The handle 3 is U-shaped in the front view. When the handle 3 is in an inoperative position that is turned inwardly, the handle does not protrude from the contour of the device housing 2.

4 to 6 show the section of the handle 3 and the device housing 2 providing the gap 9. 4 shows a front view of the handle 3 (refer to the cleaning device 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3), and FIGS. 5 and 6 show two different sections of the handle 3 perpendicular to the yaw axis 4. .

The handle 3 can be pivoted about the yaw axis 4 provided on the device housing 2 from the illustrated non-use position to the use position or the locked position. The handle 3 is U-shaped, and the U-shape includes two legs 15 and an arcuate portion 16 connecting the two legs 15. The two legs 15 each have an end region which faces the side of the device housing 2, that is to say, behind the handle 3 in Fig. 4, has a positionally relevant interaction with the partition of the device housing 2. The handle section 6 and the leg pin 18 are used to provide the elastic element 8 between the leg pin 18 and the corresponding housing pin 17 of the device housing 2. Furthermore, each leg 15 also has a shaft housing portion 19 for providing the handle 3 on the yaw axis 4 of the device housing 2. In the top view of the handle 3, the handle section 6 and the elastic element 8 and the corresponding areas and elements of the device housing 2 are generally not visible because the objects are located below the handle 3. Figure 4 shows such objects in dashed lines and is intended only to be understood.

Figure 5 shows a section of the handle 3 in a plane perpendicular to the yaw axis 4 in which the handle section 6 is placed. In the plane perpendicular to the yaw axis 4, the handle section 6 is constructed substantially in the form of a quarter circle which is transferred into the corresponding shape corresponding area of the device housing 2. The handle section 6 has on its circumference a locking end stop 20 for cooperating with the locking end stop 5 of the device housing 2 . For this purpose, the locking end stops 5, 20 correspond in shape. Furthermore, the handle section 6 has an end stop 21 which corresponds to the end stop 7 of the device housing 2 . Figure 5 shows the use of end stops 7, 21 in dashed lines, as shown in the illustration These end stops are located on the back of the handle section 6 and are therefore generally invisible. However, for a better understanding, the end stops are shown here at least in dashed lines. In the illustrated non-use position, the end stops 7, 21 and the locking end stops 5, 20 are not in contact with one another. In addition, the elastic element 8 is in a relaxed state in this position because the elastic element extends in the direction of its restoring force.

Figure 6 shows a section of the plane of the elastic element 8 oriented parallel to Figure 5 . From this, the leg pin 18 provided on the leg 15 and the housing pin 17 provided on the device housing 2 can be seen. When the handle 3 is deflected and thus the leg 15 is also deflected, the leg pin 18 is displaced relative to the housing pin 17 such that the resilient member 8 is compressed from the non-use position to the use position or vice versa from the use position to the non-use position utilized location. As a result, the restoring force of the elastic member 8 acts in the non-use position of the handle 3, so that the preferred position of the handle 3 is the non-use position.

7 to 9 show the handle 3 in the position of use in which the handle is pivoted out of the gap 9 of the device housing 2. In order to reach the use position, the user of the cleaning device 1 extends his hand behind the arcuate portion 16 of the handle 3 located in the gap 9 on the basis of the non-use position shown in FIG. 4, and pulls the handle around the yaw axis 4 Void 9. In the meantime, the elastic member 8 provided between the leg pin 18 and the housing pin 17 is compressed. The handle section 6 is deflected about the deflection axis 4 by a certain deflection angle which is limited by the use of the end stop 21 of the handle section 6 and the use of the end stop 7 of the device housing 2. When the end stops 7, 21 are used for contact, the handle 3 reaches the use position, so that the handle 3 cannot be further turned out of the gap 9. The deflection angle is here approximately 45°. The contact in the position of use using the end stops 7, 21 is illustrated by Figure 8 (dashed line). Figure 9 shows the compression of the resilient element 8 between the housing pin 17 and the correspondingly deflected leg pin 18.

Figures 10 to 12 show the handle 3 in the locked position, in which the lock is In position, the handle 3 is locked and is not affected by the restoring force of the compressed elastic element 8 and returns to the non-use position. Thereby, the handle 3 of the user who cleans the device 1 is prevented from being caught by the returning handle 3 and the device casing 2. On the basis of the position of use shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the handle 3 is displaced perpendicularly to the yaw axis 4. This displacement is achieved by lifting the cleaning device 1 by the handle 3. At the moment when the user holds the handle 3 and lifts the cleaning device 1 from one side, the gravity of the cleaning device 1 acts on the handle. Since the center of mass of the cleaning device 1 is not located on the yaw axis 4 of the handle 3, the device housing 2 is tilted about the yaw axis 4, that is to say also tilted relative to the handle 3. As a result, the cleaning device 1 is inclined toward the surface to be cleaned. In the meantime, the displacement of the device housing 2 causes the yaw axis 4 supported in the preferred rail or slide guide of the device housing 2 to be displaced in a direction opposite to the center of mass of the cleaning device 1, thereby forming The locking end stop 20 on the hand section 6 comes into contact with the locking end stop 5 of the device housing 2. Thereby the handle section 6 is prevented from returning to the non-use position from the locked position. During the cleaning of the device 1 by the user by the handle 3, the elastic element 8 remains compressed and thus does not cause a return of the yaw axis 4 from the locked position to the non-use position. In the locked position, the locking end stop 20 of the handle section 6 and the end stop 21 are used to switch between the locking end stop 5 of the device housing 2 and the end stop 7 for use. As a result, the handle 3 can neither be close to the device housing 2 nor be away from the device housing.

However, when the user places the cleaning device 1 on one side again and releases the handle 3, the restoring force of the elastic member 8 causes the elastic member 8 to stretch and the yaw axis 4 (and thus the handle 3) to The locked position is displaced to the unlocked use position or the non-use position.

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the end section of the leg 15 of the handle 3. A portion of the arcuate portion 16 and a leg 15 are visible therefrom. On the underside of the bow 16 and the legs The bottom surface of each of the 15 is formed with openings which on the one hand can reduce the weight of the handle 3 and, in turn, reduce the weight of the cleaning device 1, and on the other hand make the handle 3 easier to be gripped and improved. ventilation. The leg 15 carries a quarter-circular handle section 6 , a shaft body receiving portion 19 and a leg pin 18 for the elastic element 8 with its end region. As shown, the handle section 6 adopts a three-dimensional design in accordance with the guide slide pattern, wherein the peripheral edge of the handle section 6 that protrudes in the direction of the shaft housing portion 19 provides a locking end stop 20 on the diametrically opposite side. And use the end stop 21.

Finally, FIGS. 14 to 16 show the resulting handle 3 viewed from the intermediate portion of the arcuate portion 16. The illustrated positions correspond to FIGS. 5, 8, and 11. In particular, the end stop 7 of the device housing 2 and the end stop 21 of the handle section 6 which have been previously only shown in dashed lines can be seen.

1‧‧‧Cleaning equipment

2‧‧‧Device housing

3‧‧‧Hands

4‧‧‧ deflection axis

9‧‧‧ gap

10‧‧‧ Ontology

11‧‧‧Annex

12‧‧‧Handle

13‧‧‧Control handle

14‧‧‧ vertical axis

Claims (10)

A cleaning device (1), in particular a household vacuum cleaner, having a device housing (2) and a handle provided on the device housing (2) for the user to lift the cleaning device (1) (3) ), wherein the handle (3) is deflectable from a non-use position to a use position by a deflection axis (4) provided on the device housing (2), and vice versa, characterized in that the handle (3) ) can be displaced by the gravity of the cleaning device (1) to a locked position that prevents the handle from returning to the non-use position. A cleaning device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the yaw axis (4) is displaceable relative to the device housing (2). The cleaning device (1) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the device housing (2) has a locking end stop (5), the handle (3) being displaceable relative to the locking end stop, The locking end stop (5) is extended into the deflecting region of the handle (3) when the handle (3) is in the locked position and prevents the handle from returning to the non-use position. The cleaning device (1) of claim 3, wherein the locking end stop (5) extends into the deflection region of the handle (3) such that the handle portion (6) of the handle (3) is Actuating the locking end stop (5) when deflecting from the locked position in the direction of the non-use position. A cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device housing (2) has a use end that limits the deflection angle of the handle (3) in the use position and/or the locked position a stop (7), the end stop extends into the deflection area of the handle (3) such that the handle section (6) of the handle (3) is from the non-use position toward the use position and / or the use of the end stop (7) when the direction of the locking position is deflected. A cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle of deflection of the handle (3) between the non-use position and the use position and/or the locked position is between 30° and 90° Between, especially between 30° and 60°. The cleaning device (1) of claim 5 or 6, wherein the handle portion (6) of the handle (3) is fixed to the locking end stop (5) and the end portion when the locking position is in the locked position Between the stops (7). A cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle (3) corresponds to an elastic member (8) whose restoring force attempts to bring the handle (3) from the use position and / or the locking position is displaced in the direction of the non-use position. A cleaning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device housing (2) has a void (9) that can be at least partially transferred into the gap for displacement to the non-use position. A cleaning device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the yaw axis (4) is provided in the gap (9).