TWI574659B - Latching connection between vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner attachment - Google Patents

Description

The snap connection between the vacuum cleaner and the vacuum cleaner attachment

The present invention relates to a snap-fit connection between a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner attachment, wherein a plurality of suction passage sections are coupled to each other with a steerable hook on one of the components and a card on the opposite part Hole.

A snap connection of the above type is known to us. Wherein at least one suction channel segment of a snap-on pair (eg, a vacuum cleaner) sinks into a suction channel segment of another snap-fit pair (eg, a vacuum cleaner attachment), wherein the snap-fit pair is preferably directly manipulated by a user The hook (instead of the remote control type) is snapped into the engaging hole of the other engaging pair. Thereby, the axial stability of such a snap connection is ensured. If the snap connection is to be released, the hook is moved from the engaged position toward the engaging hole of the other engaging pair by applying pressure, for example, thereby pulling the vacuum cleaner and the accessory, in particular axially, Thereby achieving the purpose of separating the two.

In view of the above prior art, the technical object of the present invention is to further improve the above-described type of snap connection.

The subject matter of claim 1 is the primary solution to achieve the above objectives, wherein when there is a bending load that is transverse to the longitudinal extent of the suction channel section about the bending axis, the suction channel section is The section of the snap hole exerts a pressure load that causes the suction passage section to tend to be flat, and the snap hole tends to move away from the hook, and the hook is in a plurality of rebound resistant The impact member is engaged behind, and the impact members are moved toward the free hook extension direction in the overload situation caused by the deformation of the housing, and are pressed downward under the further force of the hook. Release the snap. In particular, the design provides a plug-in snap connection for the vacuum cleaner and the accessory, which can be controlled to be tripped in the case of a bending load, in particular to release it, thereby avoiding particularly in the engagement zone. Cause damage inside. Preferably, the suction pipe plug-in connection is provided with a plurality of locking devices which can withstand a high load, for example not exceeding 500 Newtons, under normal axial loads and under normal dusting operating conditions, and are lower in the specified range. In the case of bending load, it can be tripped by itself. In the case of a bending load, the present invention unlocks the axially locked connection without causing damage, and in the case of a bending load, even if multiple trips are performed, it is preferably not in the plugging/bending Further deformation occurred on the pair. The solution of the invention is advantageous in that the snap-fit pair, the hooks, and the area surrounding the snap-in holes need not be made of high-value materials, especially high-value plastics. The bending load of the above form, for example, may occur when the vacuum cleaner attachment is operated under furniture having a small distance from the ground. At this time, for example, the edge of the furniture exerts a bending load on the engagement connection area. In this case, the bending load causes a certain tendency to self-reset after the pressure load is released, wherein the suction passage, in particular, the area of the engaging hole for accommodating the hook tends to be flat, In this case, the engaging hole tends to move at least toward a position where the engagement connection is released. In the region of the engaging hole, preferably in the edge region of the engaging hole, a reboundable impact member for the hook is provided, which facilitates the release of the hook from the engaging hole in the bending load position. In the case of a normal axial load, that is, under the usual load in the operation of the snap connection to the dust suction or the like, the hook does not exert any moving load on the reboundable impact member. In the case of a bending load, since the suction passage is flattened and the reboundable impact member is provided, the reboundable impact member can be further moved to the position of releasing the hook under the action of the hook, thereby releasing the engagement. .

In the case of such an overload of the plug-in device connection, the operator, for example, moves its accessory under the furniture suspension, and the front of the vacuum cleaner will hit the corresponding suspension edge. If a strong horizontal pressure is applied through the vacuum cleaner handle or the vacuum cleaner handle is moved vertically upwards in this state, the handle or the suction pipe of the vacuum cleaner functions as a lever, and the front of the vacuum cleaner supported on the edge of the suspension will be equipped with the device. The connection exerts a strong bending load, which is broken by conventional equipment connections of the prior art at a force of 30 Nm to 40 NM, resulting in at least a white break point and/or a plastic deformation zone.

Other features of the present invention will be described hereinafter, and also in the description of the drawings and the accompanying drawings, and are preferably described in the subject matter of the appended claims. These features may however also have important significance in one or more of the individual features of the patent application scope 1 or any other patent application scope.

According to another preferred embodiment, the component with the hook is provided with a cover flange which thereby covers the embedded section of its opposite component. The hooked component is preferably assigned to the component of the cleaner or to the component of the suction side suction channel section. The cover flange is preferably a rigid component, i.e., a segment that is at least incapable of functional movement. The section cooperates with the opposite section of the opposing component, preferably the opposite section of the attachment side suction channel section, in the dispensing position (ie, the engagement position of the two snap-fit pairs), wherein The embedding section is preferably a component of the suction channel section or a component of another section that is preferably rigidly coupled to the suction channel section. The embedding section cooperates with the opposite embedding section of another component, preferably a vacuum cleaner, in the dispensing position (especially in the snap-fit position), preferably at least in cooperation with the sub-sections assigned to the suction channel. In the event that a bending load is created in the engagement zone, the cover flange covers the embedded section under the corresponding pressure load, thereby preferably contributing to the tendency of the suction passage to flatten.

The embedding section of the opposing component is provided with a guiding bevel in a direction toward the covering flange of the component, and in the case of generating a bending load and applying a pressure load to the section of the suction passage having the engaging hole, Guide the ramp to raise the cover flange to help the suction passage tend to be flat and to cause the snap hole to move to the position where the hook is released. The guiding bevel of the embedding section is preferably spaced as far as possible from the locking point (i.e., the hook that snaps into the engaging hole) to form a lever arm between the guiding bevel and the locking point. In the case of a bending load, a tendency to axial movement is correspondingly produced, and an axial lock formed by the hook and the engaging hole is acted upon. Thus, in the case of a bending load, the covering flange of the component with the hook is supported on the guiding ramp, wherein its movement translates into an axial pulling force for the axial engagement pairs. The engagement zone is axially loaded in such a way that, in the case of the suction channel, it tends to be flat as described above, and under the action of the movement of the impact members, in particular, a snap-fit pair with hooks Tripping occurred. This rapid separation avoids damage to the card pairs. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the section of the insert section is spaced apart from the section of the snap-in hole by a certain upper and lower distance, which helps to extend the effective lever arm in the case of a bending load.

The impact members are preferably separated by a slit extending in the direction in which the suction passage extends. The slit preferably extends freely axially outwardly from the snap-in aperture and extends to the corresponding end face of the suction channel section, in which case the tongue forms a tongue-like reboundable impact member. In order to achieve a certain elasticity, the impact members preferably have a recess extending in the insertion direction in the outer region of the insertion end thereof, and preferably have a recess on each side of the slit. On the one hand, this is advantageous for improving the elasticity of the impact resistant member. On the other hand, it is also possible for the user to observe as large an angular deviation as possible in the bending load.

The closest region of the engaging hole and the recess which is deformed by the material weakening treatment is preferably connected to a line which forms an acute angle with the insertion direction. In the case of a bending load, the reboundable impact members can sink along their bending line, in which case the engaging surface of the hook faces an angle smaller and smaller and can avoid the card The surface of the joint with further pressure. This further strengthens the impact members to sink under the action of the hook until the engagement is released and the snap-fit connection is suddenly separated. This is preferably achieved when the load on the device is approximately 30 Nm to 60 Nm, particularly preferably 40 Nm to 50 Nm, at which point it will not be caused in the area where the bending line B or other components of the engaging pair are located. Rupture or plastic deformation.

The invention will be described in detail below by showing only the drawings of an embodiment.

First, the electric drive vacuum cleaner 1 in the form of a handle-equipped portable device (particularly, a household vacuum cleaner) will be shown and described with reference to FIG. The vacuum cleaner first has a basic housing 2 in which is provided an exhaust fan for generating the necessary negative pressure, and a dust collecting box for depositing the sucked dust, in particular, a dust filter bag. Figure 1 does not show the exhaust fan and filter bag.

A handle 3 for guiding the cleaner 1 is fixed to the basic housing 2. The handle has a handle 4 at the end.

The basic housing 2 is additionally provided with a suction channel 5 leading to the suction fan, the region of which is remote from the handle 3 projecting beyond the basic housing 2 and forming a plug-in region 6. The plug-in area 6 is connected to the suction channel section 7 of the accessory 8 in a fluid-tight manner, preferably also in electrical connection.

In the plugged position of the cleaner 1 and the attachment 8 shown in Fig. 6, the suction passage section 9 of the cleaner 1 is preferably sunk into the suction passage section 7 of the attachment 8 in a manner to be sealed around. The profiles of the suction channel 7 and the suction channel 9 are matched to each other. Such a cross-sectional geometry can be found in DE 44 03 950, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety in its entirety in its entirety in its entirety in The scope of the patent application of this application.

Corresponding electrical contacts are located outside the profile that limits each of the suction channel sections 7 and 9. The entirety of each of the docking regions 6 and 10 is generally oval in cross-section, with a wider surface extent including the profiles of the suction channel segments 7 and 9. In this case, the section, in the broadest sense, forms an arcuate flat portion 11 which, on the top cover side, has a suction channel section 7 or 9 which is spaced apart from the respective suction channel section 7, 9 by a certain distance from the insertion section 13 Separated. The cross section of the flat portion 11 has a slightly arch shape along a circular arc line.

The electrical contact is located in a region between the flat portion 11 and the embedded portion 13 spaced apart from the flat portion.

By snapping the steerable hook 14 into the corresponding engaging hole 15, a reliable snap-fit connection of the cleaner 1 to the attachment 8 is ensured. In this case, the cleaner side of the hook 14 is disposed in the region of the embedded section, which is in a spring compression arrangement for the user to move the hook 14 to the released position. Therein, the hook 14 is provided with a steerable button 16 which is exposed via the housing aperture 17 in the docking zone 6, for example for thumb manipulation.

The engaging hole 15 is disposed in a region where the flat portion 11 of the attachment side insertion region 10 is located, and the contour of the engaging hole is preferably matched with a cross section parallel to the plane of the hook 14. In the snap-fit position, the hook 14 or the support arm supporting the hook 14 sinks between the flat portion 11 and the insertion portion 13, and the hook 14 snaps into the engagement hole 15.

If the snap connection is to be released, a certain force is applied through the button 16, and the hook unit 14 is pulled out because the entire hook unit, preferably the hook unit that is subjected to the spring action toward the engagement position, is rotated. Engagement hole 15. Preferably, the snap-fit is performed in a self-aligning manner. With reference to the pushing direction, a control bevel 18 is provided in the region of the suction channel section 7 at the respective leading edge in front of the engaging hole 15, whereby automatic engagement is achieved.

Starting from the snap-in opening 15 towards the free leading edge of the suction channel section 7, a slit 19 extending in the direction of extension of the suction channel 5 or the suction channel section 7 is provided, which slit divides the impact of the hook 14 into two in the transverse direction. A reboundable impact member 20 extending in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the suction passage section 7. A control bevel 18 is provided on both sides of the slit 19 at the leading edge of the suction passage section 7.

The resilience of the impact resistant member 20 is further enhanced by two recesses 21 spaced apart from the control ramp 18 in the circumferential direction of the suction passage section 7, and the recesses are drawn from the front edge of the suction passage section 7, along the suction The extension of the channel section 7 extends. The contours of the notches 21 are rounded, and the periphery of the apex of the notches is preferably adjacent to the engaging hole 15 for the edge of the impact member for the hook 14.

According to this design, a bending line B is formed between each of the notches 21 and the region of the engaging hole 15 closest to the notch. The curved line B and the cross-sectional plane of the suction passage section 7 are preferably formed at an acute angle of between 5 and 20 degrees.

A guide slope 22 is provided on the top surface of the attachment side insert section 13. In the snap-fit position, the housing-side cover flange 23 of the plug-in area 6 bears against the guide bevel 22 and correspondingly covers the insertion section 13 of the attachment 8.

The aforementioned snap-fit connection can withstand forces of no more than 500 Newtons under typical axle load conditions in a vacuuming operation (generally when the vacuum cleaner is advanced and retracted with the accessory). In the case of a bending load (described in more detail below), the engagement is released within a predetermined load range. Further, the vacuum cleaner 1 and the attachment 8 are unlocked without causing damage.

Figure 3 shows such a bending load condition. In such an overload situation where the plug-in device is connected, the operator, for example, moves the cleaner attachment 8 in the direction of movement r below the furniture hanger 24, and the front portion of the cleaner base housing 2 hits the corresponding suspension edge 25. If the horizontal pressure is applied through the handle 4 or the handle 3 is moved vertically upward (arrow a) in this state, the handle 3 functions as a lever and is connected to the device through the front of the cleaner supported on the edge 25 of the suspension. The zones (plug zones 6 and 10) exert a strong bending load.

The foregoing design regarding the snap-fit pair achieves a solution that avoids damage to the connection zone. In the above-mentioned overload case example, since the cleaner 1 tends to perform a swiveling motion in the arrow direction a (see FIG. 3) with respect to the attachment 8, the connection areas (that is, the mating areas that are engaged with each other) are connected. 6 and 10) apply a bending load transverse to the bending axis x transverse to the suction passage sections 7 and 9. At this time, the vacuum cleaner housing, particularly the cover flange 23 on the attachment side guide slope 22, slides toward the engagement connection, and in the case where the cover flange 23 abuts against the guide slope 22, the abutment region is The fulcrum of the above system. In this case, the distance b between the fulcrum and the axial direction of the engaging passages 7 and 9 in the engaging region for locking, and the radial distance c generated are the following sizes, that is, A lever arm of sufficient length. According to a preferred embodiment, the distance b and the distance c are both about 0.4 to 0.7 times the diameter of the free suction passage.

The cover flange 23 is supported on the guide bevel 22 and a bending load is applied at the same time, so that the load is converted into an axial tensile force opposite to the insertion direction of the engagement pairs. Under the action of this conversion, the cymbal exerts an axial force opposite to the engagement direction on the hook 14 supported on the impact member 20.

During the next force transmission, the suction passage section 9 of the cleaner 1 assigned to the hook 14 presses against the side wall of the suction side section 7 of the attachment side suction passage section 7 and causes the surrounding suction passage section to tend to occur. Deformation. This also results in the flat portion 11 of the suction channel section 7 having the engagement opening 15 extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the suction channel sections and causing the gap 19 provided between the impact members 20 to widen. .

At the same time, the engaging surface of the hook 14 facing the impact member 20 exerts an axial pressure on the impact members. The impact member 20 is elastically deformed around the bending line B under the deformation of the casing and the pressure applied to the impact member.

The impact member 20 now sinks in the direction of the suction channel section 9 along the bending line B. In this case, the engaging surface of the hook 14 faces an angle smaller and smaller, and can be used more and more effectively. The way to avoid the surface of the further pressure of the engagement surface. This further strengthens the impact member 20 to sink under the action of the hook 14 until the engagement is released and the snap connection is suddenly separated. This is preferably achieved when the load on the device is about 40 Nm to 50 Nm, at which point cracking or plastic deformation will not occur in the region where the bend line B or other components are located.

In order to allow the user to observe as large an angular deviation as possible between the latching pairs (the plug-in areas 6 and 10), it is possible to locate the engaging holes 15 and the slits 19 based on a good rounded shape. The internal abutment position and the weakening of the notch 21 are performed. This will convert the high load area into an elastic unit to prevent further deformation.

All the revealed features (ie, themselves) are the essence of the invention. Therefore, the disclosure of the present application also contains all the contents disclosed in the related/attached priority file (copy of the first application), and the features described in the files are also included in the scope of the patent application of the present application. The subsidiary items are characterized by optional side-by-side terms for the features of the prior art improvements of the present invention, the main purpose of which is to make a divisional application on the basis of the claims of the claims.

1. . . vacuum cleaner

2. . . Basic housing

3. . . handle

4. . . handle

5. . . Suction channel

6. . . (vacuum cleaner side) docking area

7. . . (accessory side) suction channel section

8. . . (vacuum cleaner) accessories

9. . . (vacuum cleaner side) suction channel section

10. . . (accessory side) docking area

11. . . Flat part

13. . . (side piece side) embedded section

14. . . Hook

15. . . Engagement hole

16. . . Button

17. . . Housing hole

18. . . Control bevel

19. . . Gap

20. . . Impact resistant parts

twenty one. . . Notch

twenty two. . . (accessory side) guiding bevel

twenty three. . . Cover flange

twenty four. . . Furniture suspension

25. . . Suspended edge

a. . . Arrow

b. . . (axial) distance

B. . . Bending line

c. . . (radial) distance

r. . . Direction of movement

x. . . Bending axis

Figure 1 is a perspective perspective view of the vacuum cleaner and the attached vacuum cleaner attachment.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the connection area between the vacuum cleaner and the accessory.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the attachment and the attached vacuum cleaner when the attachment is in the working position below the obstacle.

4 is a perspective perspective view of the coupling region of the attachment, and a partial cross-sectional view of the coupled opposing member of the cleaner.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the mechanism of Figure 4 in a coupled position.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the snap-fit connection area between the cleaner and the vacuum cleaner attachment.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective perspective view of the area shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a schematic view of the mechanism of Figure 7 in an intermediate position with the engagement zone being subjected to a bending load.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of Figure 9.

Fig. 11 is a view showing a state in which the subsequent engagement connection in Fig. 9 is released due to the bending load of the coupling region.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of Figure 11.

1. . . vacuum cleaner

2. . . Basic housing

5. . . Suction channel

6. . . (vacuum cleaner side) docking area

7. . . (accessory side) suction channel section

8. . . (vacuum cleaner) accessories

9. . . (vacuum cleaner side) suction channel section

10. . . (accessory side) docking area

11. . . Flat part

13. . . (side piece side) embedded section

14. . . Hook

15. . . Engagement hole

16. . . Button

17. . . Housing hole

18. . . Control bevel

19. . . Gap

20. . . Impact resistant parts

twenty one. . . Notch

twenty two. . . (accessory side) guiding bevel

twenty three. . . Cover flange

twenty four. . . Furniture suspension

25. . . Suspended edge

a. . . Arrow

b. . . (axial) distance

c. . . (radial) distance

r. . . Direction of movement

Claims (8)

A snap connection between a vacuum cleaner (1) and a vacuum cleaner attachment (8), the vacuum cleaner (1) having a basic housing (2), wherein a ventilation fan is provided in the basic housing (2) a suction passage (5), and the basic casing (2) or the plurality of suction passage sections (7, 9) of the cleaner attachment (8) are coupled to each other, and a slidable hook is provided on one of the components. (14), the opposite component is provided with an engaging hole (15), characterized in that the suction passage (5) protrudes outside the basic casing (2) and is formed with a plug-in area (6) The plug-in area (6) is in fluid-tight connection with the suction passage section (7) of the vacuum cleaner attachment (8), and further wherein the suction passage section (9) of the basic housing (2) sinks into the The suction passage section (7) of the vacuum cleaner attachment (8); when a bending load occurs around the bending axis (x) transverse to the longitudinal extent of the suction passage section (7, 9), the suction passage section is 7) The section having the engaging hole (15) exerts a pressure load which causes the suction passage section (7) to tend to be flat, and the engaging hole (15) tends to face away from the hook in this case. (14) direction Movement; the hook (14) is engaged behind a plurality of reboundable impact members (20), and the impact members (20) are formed by a slit (19), which is the hook ( 14) The impact portion is divided into two reversible impact members (20) extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the suction passage section (7), and the impact members (20) are attached to the housing In the overload situation caused by deformation, it moves toward the free hook extension direction, and under the further force of the hook (14), it is pressed downward to solve In addition to the snap. A snap-fit connection according to the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the component having the hook (14) is provided with a cover flange (23), and the component is thereby covered by the embedded section of the opposite component (13) ). A snap-fit connection according to item 2 of the patent application, wherein the insert section (13) is provided with a guiding bevel (22) in the direction of the cover flange (23). The snap-fit connection according to item 2 of the patent application, wherein the section of the embedded section (13) is spaced apart from the engaging hole section by a certain upper and lower distance. The snap connection of claim 1 is wherein the impact members (20) are separated by a slit (19) extending in the direction of extension of the suction passage (5). The snap-fit connection of the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the impact-resistant member (20) has a recess (21) extending in the insertion direction in the outer region of its insertion end for achieving a certain elasticity. The snap-fit connection of the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the snap hole (15) and the recess (21) are formed by the material weakening treatment to form the closest region of the bendability, which can be formed through a direction of insertion thereof The acute angle lines (bending line B) are connected. The snap-fit connection of the sixth aspect of the patent application, wherein the snap hole (15) and the recess (21) are formed by the material weakening treatment to form a bendable closest region, which can be formed through a direction of insertion thereof The acute angle lines (bending line B) are connected.