TW201739400A - Suction nozzle of vacuum cleaner that comprises rollers in the form of spoke wheels including spokes connected blade-like elements that causes an intake airflow to deflect - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner for cleaning a floor surface, comprising a suction chamber having an elongated suction opening and a suction tube joint that is connected through a suction channel to the suction chamber, and also comprising a plurality of rollers that support the suction nozzle on the floor surface. According to the present invention, the rollers or at least two of the rollers are arranged such that the respective rotation axis thereof is extended in the suction chamber, wherein the rollers are rollers that allow the flow to move therethrough, and are preferably embodied as spoke wheels. Although the rollers are at least extended partly within the range of the clear internal cross-section of the suction chamber, the suction nozzle of the present inventions still realizes a relatively high suction power. Preferably, in the spoke wheel of one of the rollers that allow for flow to move therethrough, at least multiple ones are connected through blade-like elements. These elements cause an intake airflow to deflect so as to for example draw in more dust from obliquely extended cracks.

Description

Vacuum cleaner nozzle

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner for cleaning a floor surface, comprising a suction chamber having an elongated suction port, and a suction pipe joint connected to the suction chamber through a suction passage, and comprising A plurality of rotating wheels are provided for supporting the nozzle on the floor surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Such nozzles, also known as floor nozzles or vacuum cleaner nozzles, have various conventional embodiments.

The force to be applied to drive such a nozzle is highly dependent on the number of support points and the design at which the gravitational and suction forces acting towards the floor are transmitted to the floor. In the suction mode, the maximum force acts in the region of the suction opening towards the floor, so that the support member (support member) is usually provided before and/or after the suction port. These support elements are typically rotating wheels, rotating rolls, slides, bristle bars and/or sealing lips.

The rotating wheel and the rotating roller reduce the sliding force to be applied to the floor nozzle and generally have a relatively large diameter to ensure a sufficient distance between the floor nozzle bottom surface and the floor surface to be cleaned. Conventional nozzle rotating or rotating rollers are usually constructed of solid material or have closed disks in which the rotating or rotating rollers are mounted in the suction or inhalation as viewed in the sliding (feeding) direction. On the axis behind the channel (see for example the hard floor nozzle sold under the name "kobold HD50" by the applicant).

In order to separate the dirt, the active floor nozzle (for example the floor nozzle sold under the name "Kobold EB370" on the applicant's side) has an additional rotary brush cylinder which, depending on the function, needs to be cleaned Floor contact. To this end, the active floor nozzle has a relatively small ground clearance. In order to achieve a lower sliding force as in the case of a conventional (passive) floor nozzle in the case of a reduced ground clearance, the force acting in the direction of the floor is distributed to a plurality of rotating wheels which are reduced in size. In the case of "Kobold EB370", the rotating wheel and the rotating roller are arranged in pairs in a first axis located before the suction port and a second axis located behind the suction port.

The rotating wheel or the rotating roller is usually arranged such that it (especially in the side end region of the suction port) does not hinder the flow of the sucked air and avoids an unnecessary increase in the width of the floor nozzle. Therefore, in principle, the arrangement of the rotating wheel or the rotating roller on the side end of the suction port is not employed, or at best, this arrangement is achieved in case of tolerating a large performance loss.

In addition, the following situation exacerbates the problem: as of September 1, 2014, all commercially available vacuum cleaners must be marked with a new EU energy label for vacuum cleaners. The core efficiency characteristics of this energy label include the hard floor cleaning grade, which is based on the so-called "scratch test" in accordance with DIN EN 60312-1. In this test, at the maximum suction level, the dust collection rate of a wooden board having a scratch extending obliquely from the feed direction of the floor nozzle is measured, and the scratched section below the floor nozzle The amount of dust inside is related. The results show that the wider the floor nozzle, the more dust needs to be absorbed to achieve 100% cleaning efficiency. Accordingly, a higher level of hard floor cleaning (a vacuuming rate greater than 100%) can be achieved only when additional suction is applied to a portion of the dust located in the scratch on the left and/or right side of the floor nozzle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a nozzle of the type described in the opening paragraph which has a rotating wheel which extends at least partially within the range of the inner cross section of the suction opening and which still achieves a relatively high suction capacity.

The solution to achieve the above object of the present invention is a nozzle having the features disclosed in claim 1. Preferred and advantageous designs of the nozzle of the present invention are referred to the accompanying items.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner for cleaning a floor surface, comprising a suction chamber having an elongated suction port, and a suction pipe joint connected to the suction chamber through the suction passage, and including a plurality of rotations a wheel for supporting the nozzle on the floor surface, wherein at least two of the rotating wheels or the rotating wheels are disposed such that their respective rotating shafts extend within the suction chamber, wherein the rotation The wheel is implemented by a rotatable turning wheel, preferably a spoke wheel.

The rotating wheel of the nozzle or at least two of the rotating wheels are arranged such that their respective rotating shafts extend in the suction chamber, and the rotating wheels are respectively opened by the openable rotating wheel The implementation, therefore, enables an additional degree of freedom in the geometric design of the nozzle in situations where the suction capacity efficiency is as high as possible or even better.

The flowable open rotating wheel extending in the suction chamber preferably has a relatively large outer diameter for achieving uneven floor and/or floor with open seams or scratches. The nozzle has the lowest possible vibrational transition characteristics. Correspondingly, according to an advantageous embodiment of the nozzle of the present invention, the outer diameter of each of the rotating wheels extending in the suction chamber is compared with the outer width of the suction port which is measured transversely to the axis of rotation. It is at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, and particularly preferably at least 60%. Thus, the rotating wheel described can be placed in a space-saving manner in or on the side ends of the suction chamber and still have a relatively large outer diameter.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spokes of at least one of the rotating wheels are in the form of a plate or a strip. In this way, the open flow cross section of the rotating wheel can be made relatively large if the stability of the associated rotating wheel is sufficiently high. The plate or strip spokes can in particular be arranged such that the spokes exhibit a relatively small flow resistance for the air that needs to be drawn in from the environment of the side end of the suction opening. The thickness (plate thickness or sheet thickness) of each of the plate-like or strip-shaped spokes is preferably smaller than the radial thickness of the rim (rim) of the associated rotating wheel. Therein, the rotating wheel can have, for example, three, four, five, six or more spokes.

The width of the rotating wheel in which the rotating shaft extends in the suction chamber falls, for example, in the range of 5 mm to 25 mm, preferably 10 mm to 20 mm. In terms of the comfortable operating characteristics of the nozzle, it is particularly advantageous if the ratio of the width of the rotating wheel to its outer diameter falls within the range of 0.2 to 0.5.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the spokes of at least one of the rotating wheels are embodied in the form of blades. The blade-like spokes can positively influence the flow of air as the environment from the side end of the suction port is drawn into the suction chamber through the rotatable rotating wheel. To this end, the spokes are also embodied in the form of a plate or strip, wherein each spoke defines a main plane which is inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the associated rotating wheel.

According to a further advantageous refinement of the invention, at least a plurality of the spokes of one of the rotating wheels are connected by a blade-like element which deflects the inhaled air flow. With this design, the direction of the laterally inhaled airflow can be deflected in such a way that more suction from a floor dent, in particular from a floor dent that extends obliquely relative to the direction of movement (sliding direction) of the nozzle dust.

In this regard, according to another embodiment of the invention, each of the blade-like elements divides an open area defined by two adjacent spokes into at least two openings. To this end, each of the blade-like elements may be curved, wherein an edge of the blade-shaped element facing away from the suction opening of the nozzle and a rim (rim) of the associated rotating wheel define a first opening at which the rotating wheel The area of the opening on the side facing away from the suction port is several times smaller than the area of the opening on the side of a second opening that is radially adjacent (which is preferably closer to the hub than the first opening).

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the respective blade-shaped element rises radially from its end facing the suction opening toward its end facing away from the suction opening. With this design, it is also possible to deflect the direction of the laterally inhaled airflow so as to draw more dust from a floor indentation, in particular from a floor indentation that extends obliquely with respect to the direction of movement of the nozzle.

According to a further advantageous refinement of the invention, at least one of the flow-through rotating wheels has at least one adjusting element for adjusting the internal net opening area of the open area defined by two adjacent spokes. Therefore, the openable area of the associated rotating wheel can be completely or partially reclosed as needed to provide more pumping capacity for other cleaning tasks. In this way, the nozzle of the invention can be quickly and easily adjusted according to different cleaning tasks.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the adjusting element can be embodied, for example, with a cover or with at least one cover, the cover being able to at least define an opening area defined by two adjacent spokes of the rotating wheel. Partially closed. To this end, the cover preferably has at least one opening that can overlap the open area defined by two adjacent spokes of the rotating wheel, wherein the cover is rotatable relative to the rotating wheel.

The spokes of the rotatable rotating wheel can also be designed to be rotatable so that the open area defined by the spokes can be reclosed as needed.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a rotary brush body is provided in the suction chamber of the nozzle. The bristle body improves the cleaning effect of the nozzle, wherein the bristle body separates dust and dirt particles from the floor surface to be cleaned, in particular, the floor surface of the self-laying carpet, thereby efficiently performing the suction airflow The particles are exported. The bristle body is preferably provided with an electric or pneumatic actuator. The flowable rotating wheel disposed in the side end or the side end of the suction chamber supports the suction nozzle in the suction port area relative to the floor to be cleaned, and the weight thereof is largely affected by the brush body and The drive impact of the connection. These flowable rotating wheels reduce the sliding force that needs to be applied for the feed and retraction of the nozzle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The nozzle 1 shown in Fig. 1 is preferably implemented by an attachment (not shown) for a vacuum cleaner. It can be releasably connected to a suction pipe (not shown) of a vacuum cleaner through an articulated support member 2. The suction tube can be directly connected to a hand-held vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, the suction tube can be connected to a horizontal vacuum cleaner via a flexible suction hose.

The connecting member 2 pivotable about a horizontal axis comprises an arcuate suction passage section which extends a suction passage 40 formed in the underframe of the suction nozzle 1 and is coupled to a joint integrated in the connecting member 2. Connected to the joint with or connected to the suction pipe of the vacuum cleaner. The suction passage 40 constructed in the chassis is attached to a suction chamber 30 having a suction port 3 which extends substantially over the entire width of the nozzle 1. Seals 4, 5 protruding from the bottom surface of the suction nozzle 1 are provided before and after the suction port 3. The seals 4, 5 extend substantially parallel to the elongated suction opening 3. The seals 4, 5 are preferably implemented as flexible lip seals. As an alternative or in addition to the rear lip seal 5, a strip-shaped bristle seal 5 can also be provided on the underside of the nozzle 1.

The rear seal 5 consists of a plurality of sealing sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 arranged in series along the longitudinal direction, or has a plurality of generally vertically extending slits 6 which face the edge of the seal 5 facing the floor B to be cleaned. Start on. The front seal 4 then has a substantially increased number of substantially vertically extending slits 7 which begin on the edge of the seal 4 facing the floor F to be cleaned. By means of the plurality of slits 7 of the front seal 4, it is possible to cause the coarse dirt particles to pass through the flexible seal 4 toward the suction port 3 during the feeding of the suction nozzle 1 while maintaining a high sealing effect.

A sealing member, preferably a lip seal, is provided on the side (cross-sectional) of the elongated suction port 3 (see Figs. 1 and 2). Each such seal 8 preferably defines at least one recess (suction opening) 9 for drawing dust from the side of the nozzle 1 into the suction chamber 30 through the suction port 3 to the environment. The seal 8 terminates on or near the seal 4 before extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (longitudinal extension) of the suction port 3, and also on or near the seal 5 after also extending generally parallel to the suction port 3.

The nozzle 1 preferably has a plurality of rotating wheels 10, 11. Two rotating wheels 10 are disposed in the area behind the nozzle 1. A pivotable connector 2 is located between the rotating wheels 10. The axis of rotation of the rotating wheel 10 extends parallel to the horizontal pivot axis of the connector 2.

The suction nozzle 1 also has a front rotating wheel 11 whose rotating shaft extends in the suction chamber 30 parallel to the longitudinally extending portion of the suction opening 3. These rotating wheels 11 are implemented as open-flowing rotating wheels that are flowable, preferably by spoke wheels.

The section or spoke 14 of each of the rotatable rotating wheels 11 that connects the hub 12 to the rim (rim) 13 is preferably in the form of a plate or strip, wherein the plane or main defined by the plate or strip spokes 14 The plane is, for example, substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating wheel 11 (see Figures 2 and 3).

As shown in Fig. 1, a cylindrical bristle body 15 may be provided in the suction chamber 30 of the nozzle 1 of the present invention. The rotary brush body 15 is rotated by an electric motor or a turbine. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the bristle body 15 has two sections 15.1, 15.2 which are plugged onto a shaft body coupled by a transmission means 16.

The rotatable rotating wheel 11 preferably has a larger outer diameter than the outer width A of the suction port 3. For example, the outer diameter D of each of the flowable rotating wheels 11 is at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, compared to the outer width A measured by the suction port 3 transversely to the axis of rotation. Especially good is at least 60%. However, the outer diameter D of the rotating wheel 11 may also be equal to or larger than the outer width A of the suction port 3. For example, the value of the outer diameter D of the rotatable wheel 11 can fall within the range of 25 mm to 42 mm, preferably 30 mm to 40 mm.

The thickness of the plate-like or strip-shaped spokes 14 measured transversely to the axis of rotation of the rotatable rotating wheel 11 falls, for example, in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. The thickness of the spokes 14 is preferably less than the radial thickness of the rim 13 (see Figure 3).

The ratio of the width B of the rotatable wheel 11 to its outer diameter D preferably falls within the range of 0.2 to 0.5. The width B of the rotating wheel 11, in particular the width B of the rim 13 of the rotatable rotating wheel 11, for example falls within the range of 8 mm to 20 mm, preferably 10 mm to 15 mm.

As shown in FIG. 2, the radial distance between the hub 12 of the rotating wheel 11 and the rim (rim) 13 is preferably at least equal to, or even greater than, the recess or suction opening 9 provided in the lateral seal 8. Vertical height. Therefore, the flowable rotating wheel 11 provided on the lateral side or in the elongated suction chamber 30 is almost unobstructed, or only minimally hinders the lateral suction of dust particles.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the spokes 14 of the rotatable rotating wheel 11' are implemented in the form of blades. In this case, the spokes 14 are also in the form of plates or strips. The difference from the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 is that the plane or principal plane defined by each spoke 14 is inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotating wheel 11'.

The rotatable rotating wheels 11, 11' shown in Figures 3 and 4 can be provided with additional vanes or deflection elements. In the embodiment shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the spokes 14 of the rotating wheel 11" connecting the hub 12 to the rim 13 are connected through a blade-like member 17, which allows for lateral suction on the suction port 3 during operation of the cleaner. The airflow is deflected. Therein, each blade-like element (deflection element) 17 divides an open area defined by two adjacent spokes 14 into two openings 18.1, 18.2. The blade-like member (deflection member) 17 is preferably curved. However, these deflection elements 17 can also be implemented as flat sheets. In the two designs, in the mounted state of the rotating wheel 11 ′′, each deflection element 17 is lifted radially from its end facing the suction opening 3 or the suction chamber 30 towards its end facing away from the suction opening or the suction chamber (see Figures 5a and 5b). The through-opening opening 18.1, which is formed on the radially outer side, has a smaller opening area on the side of the rotating wheel 11" which faces away from the suction opening 3 than the through-flow opening 18.2 which is formed on the radially inner side. These additional vanes (deflection elements) 17 enable more dust to be drawn from the floor scratches.

Figures 6a to 6e show another embodiment of a flow-through rotating wheel 11"' for use in one of the two side ends of the suction port 3 of the nozzle 1 shown in Figure 1. The flow-through rotating wheel 11''' differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 5b in that the rotating wheel has means for adjusting the internal clear opening area of the open area defined by two adjacent spokes 14. . Therefore, the through-flow rotating wheel 11"" can be partially or completely closed as needed. This allows for variable adjustment of the lateral suction airflow to provide more pumping capacity for specific cleaning tasks.

6a to 6e schematically show a rotating wheel 11"' also having a hub 12, a rim (rim) 13 and a wheel 19 connecting the rim 13 to the hub 12. A plurality of through holes 18 are formed in the wheel 19 . The section 14 of the wheel 19 between the through holes 18 may also be referred to as a spoke. The through hole 18 of the rotating wheel 11''' and the section (spoke) 14 taper from the rim 13 toward the hub 12 in a wedge-like manner.

On the side of the wheel 19 or of the spoke 14 which is mounted away from the suction opening 3 or the suction chamber 30 in the mounted state of the rotary wheel 11"", an adjustment element 20 is provided which is connected to a cover or defines a cover. The adjustment element or cover 20 also has a through hole 21. The shape of the through holes 21 preferably corresponds generally to the shape of the through hole 18 formed in the wheel 19 of the rotating wheel 11"'.

The adjusting member or cover portion 20 is rotatably held on the rotating wheel 11"" so that the through hole 21 of the cover portion 20 and the through hole (opening region) defined by the spokes 14 of the rotating wheel 11"" can be made. 18 overlap. On the other hand, the through holes 18 defined by the spokes 14 of the rotating wheel 11"' can be partially or completely closed by the cover portion 20, wherein the cover portion 20 is relatively rotated relative to the wheel 11"" or the wheel 19 rotation. For this purpose, the hub 12 has, for example, a threaded bore 22 that communicates on its outer end face, into which a screw 23 is screwed, the head 24 of the screw projecting radially from the central opening 25 of the disc-shaped adjustment element 20 (see figure) 6b).

Further, the hub 12 has an annular groove 26 or a ring groove 26 coaxially surrounding the threaded bore 22 on its outer end surface. A stop or stop element 27 is formed in this recess 26, which corresponds to a stop or stop element 28 provided on the inner side of the adjustment element or cover 20. By virtue of this, the stop or stop elements 27, 28 define the rotatability of the opposing rotating wheel 11"" of the adjusting element or cover 20, or prevent unintended rotational movement of the opposing rotating wheel 11"' of the adjusting element 20. .

Furthermore, a smaller projection 29, such as a rib, is provided on the outer side of the generally disc-shaped cover portion 20, which simplifies the cover portion during the rotation of the cover portion 20 relative to the rotating wheel 11"" Manipulation.

Embodiments of the invention are not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. In particular, various variants of the illustrated embodiment can also be used, which are also used by the invention disclosed in the patent application.

1‧‧‧ nozzle
2‧‧‧Connecting parts
3‧‧‧Inhalation
4‧‧‧ front seals
5‧‧‧After seals
5.1, 5.2, 5.3‧‧ ‧ sealing section
6, 7‧‧‧ slitting
8‧‧‧Seal
9‧‧‧ Notch
10,11,11',11'',11'''‧‧‧ Turning wheel
12‧‧·wheels
13‧‧‧ rims
14‧‧‧ spokes
15‧‧‧breast body
15.1, 15.2‧‧‧Brush body segment
16‧‧‧Transmission
17‧‧‧blade-like components, deflection elements
18‧‧‧through hole
18.1, 18.2‧‧
19‧‧‧ Roulette
20‧‧‧Adjustment components, cover
21‧‧‧through hole
22‧‧‧Threaded holes
23‧‧‧ screws
24‧‧‧ head
25‧‧‧ center hole
26‧‧‧ annular groove, ring groove
27, 28‧‧‧stop, stop element
29‧‧‧Protruding
30‧‧‧Inhalation chamber
A‧‧‧External width of the suction inlet
B‧‧‧Rotating wheel width
D‧‧‧Rotary wheel outer diameter

The invention is described below in conjunction with the drawings which illustrate the various embodiments. 1 is a bottom view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle, which is provided with a rotating wheel on a side end of the suction port; FIG. 2 is a side view of the front section of the nozzle shown in FIG. 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the rotating wheel of the nozzle shown in Figure 1; Figures 5a and 5b are another embodiment of the rotating wheel of the nozzle shown in Figure 1. 6a and 6b are a side view and a cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of the rotating wheel of the nozzle shown in Fig. 1; and Figs. 6c to 6e are perspective views of the rotating wheel of Figs. 6a and 6b, wherein Fig. 6c shows an open state of the rotating wheel, Fig. 6d shows a partially closed state of the rotating wheel, and Fig. 6e shows an open state of the rotating wheel.

11'‧‧‧Rotating wheel

12‧‧·wheels

13‧‧‧ rims

14‧‧‧ spokes

18‧‧‧through hole

Claims (10)

A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner for cleaning a floor surface, comprising a suction chamber having a long strip suction port, and a suction pipe joint connected to the suction chamber through a suction passage, and comprising a plurality of rotating wheels for The nozzle is supported on the floor surface, wherein at least two of the rotating wheels or the rotating wheels are disposed such that their respective rotating shafts extend within the suction chamber, wherein the rotating wheels are It is implemented by a rotatable wheel, preferably a spoke wheel. The nozzle of claim 1, characterized in that, compared with the outer width of the suction port which is measured transversely to the axis of rotation, each of the rotatable wheels which can flow through and the rotating shaft extends in the suction chamber The diameter is at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, and particularly preferably at least 60%. A nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spokes of at least one of the flowable rotating wheels are in the form of a plate or a strip. A nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ratio of the width of the rotatable rotating wheel to its outer diameter falls within the range of 0.2 to 0.5. A nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spokes of at least one of the flowable rotating wheels are implemented in the form of blades. A nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least a plurality of the spokes of one of the flowable rotating wheels are connected by a blade-like element which causes the inhaled airflow Deflection occurs. A nozzle according to claim 6, wherein each of the blade-like members divides an open area defined by two adjacent spokes into at least two openings. A nozzle according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the blade-like elements are curved. A nozzle according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that each of the blade-like elements is lifted radially from its end facing the suction opening toward its end facing away from the suction opening. A nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the flowable rotating wheels has at least one internal net for an open area defined by two adjacent spokes An adjustment element that adjusts the opening area.