WO2014146732A1

WO2014146732A1 - A vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a rear brush mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2014146732A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/063277
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johan WADELIUS
Original assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
Priority date: 2013-03-21
Filing date: 2013-06-25
Publication date: 2014-09-25
Also published as: CN105163638A; CN105163638B; EP2975993B1; EP2975993A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle (10) comprising a brush movement mechanism (19) for moving at least a rear brush holder with respect to a suction plate. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (10) comprises a suction plate (1) having an inlet side (11) and an outlet side (12), an air duct (30) having a duct wall (31), wherein said air duct extends through said suction plate (1) from a suction opening (13) on the inlet side (11) to the outlet side (12), a rear brush holder (18) adapted to comprise a rear brush (17), adapted to engage with a surface to be cleaned and for at least partly sealing said suction opening (13) against said surface being cleaned, said rear brush holder (18) extending at least partly along said outlet side (12). The nozzle (10) further comprises a brush movement mechanism (19) interconnected with at least said rear brush holder (18), wherein said brush movement mechanism (19) is adapted to move at least said rear brush holder (18) with respect to said suction plate (1), wherein said brush movement mechanism (19) comprises a movement translation device (33), adapted to transform a rotational force acting on said movement translation device into a translational movement of said rear brush holder (18), such that said rear brush holder (18) is moved with respect to said suction plate (1).

Description

TITLE

A vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a rear brush mechanism.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a rear brush mechanism for moving at least a rear brush holder with respect to a suction plate, and a vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional nozzles for vacuum cleaners normally comprise means, such as brushes, supporting and spacing the bottom part of the nozzle with respect to the surface to be cleaned. In particular, such brushes may be used when cleaning hard surfaces, such as floors. When the nozzle is operated on the floor, the airflow generated by the fan unit of the vacuum cleaner enters the suction inlet of the nozzle generally via the space between the floor and the front, rear and lateral edges of the nozzle. For cleaning soft surfaces, such as carpets, brushes are normally not used. The brushes may then be retracted in the nozzle. When a nozzle is used on hard floor it's needed to be lifted up from the floor a pre-defined distance to create a space for the particles between the nozzle plate and floor. Typically this is done by a front and rear brush attached to a common holder that can be operated up and down; or a single front brush attached to a holder that can be moved up and down together with wheels fixated to the nozzle plate. Commonly, the nozzle comprises a mechanism for operating the front and rear brush up and down.

In US2005262659 A1 an example of a mechanism for moving a wiping/raising insert of a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner is described. The suction nozzle comprises a base plate. The mechanism for moving the insert comprises an operating pedal and a frame for supporting the insert and for bringing this insert from a first working position into a second rest position. The pedal is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and the frame is rotatable about a second axis of rotation.

In EP1924185 another example of a vaccum cleaner nozzle is disclosed. The invention relates to a floor nozzle for a vaccum cleaner comprising a control device and a brush, wherein said brush adopts a first position during a first control position of the control device and a second position during a second control position of the control device. The aim of the invention is to improve the operation of said nozzle. According to the invention, the control device comprises a third control position wherein the brush can automatically adopt the first and the second position.

In WO07025906 A1 yet another example of a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a mechanism for moving a brush up and down is disclosed. The nozzle has a bristle which is movable between a first position and a second position.

The inventors of the present invention have identified a need for a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising an improved mechanism for moving the brushes up and down, which vacuum cleaner nozzle is less expensive, easy and straightforward to manufacture.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle with an improved mechanism for moving the rear brush up and down.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle which provides a cost effective way of operating a rear brush up and down.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-mentioned objects are achieved by the present invention according to the independent claim. Different embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

The present invention relates to a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner designed for picking up dust from hard floor and carpet, and in particular to a nozzle comprising a rear brush attached to a rear brush holder to the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The rear brush holder is designed as a separate piece or unit and is movably attached to the nozzle via a brush movement mechanism. According to a further aspect, the nozzle may comprise a front brush and a rear brush. In such case, the rear brush holder and the front brush holder, comprising a rear brush and a front brush, are separate pieces or units. The rear brush holder and the front brush holder are then preferably attached or interconnected via the brush movement mechanism, such that the front brush holder and the rear brush holder may be operated by the same brush movement mechanism.

Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention, the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises a brush movement mechanism for moving at least a rear brush holder with respect to a suction plate. The vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises a suction plate having an inlet side and an outlet side, an air duct having a duct wall, wherein said air duct extends through said suction plate from a suction opening on the inlet side to the outlet side, and a rear brush holder adapted to comprise a rear brush, adapted to engage with a surface to be cleaned and for at least partly sealing said suction opening against said surface being cleaned, said rear brush holder extending at least partly along said outlet side. The vacuum cleaner nozzle further comprises a brush movement mechanism interconnected with at least said rear brush holder, wherein said brush movement mechanism is adapted to move at least said rear brush holder with respect to said suction plate, wherein said brush movement mechanism comprises a movement translation device, adapted to transform a rotational force acting on said movement translation device into a translational movement of said rear brush holder, such that said rear brush holder is moved with respect to said suction plate. The rear brush holder comprising the rear brush then advantageously moves linearly up and down between a lowered and a retracted position.

In other words, the brush movement mechanism is configured to move at least said rear brush holder linearly up and down with respect to said suction plate, i.e. such that a translational movement of the rear brush holder is achieved. Thus, the rear brush holder has a lowered position and a retracted position. In the retracted position the rear brush, which is arranged in the rear brush holder, is retracted in an elongated recess in said suction plate, such that the rear brush is essentially flush with the suction plate, or such that the rear brush is fully retracted in said elongated recess. The brush movement mechanism may comprise a foot pedal for activating the brush movement mechanism. When the foot pedal is pressed, a rotational force acts on the movement translation device. The movement translation device then transforms or changes the rotational force into a translational movement, such that said rear brush holder moves with a translational movement or motion, i.e. linearly up and down.

The invention is based on the insight that, in a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a separate rear brush holder, it is advantageous to move the rear brush holder up and down linearly, i.e. in a translational movement, by transforming a rotational force acting on the brush movement mechanism into a translational force, such that a translational motion of the rear brush holder is achieved. This provides a cost effective way of operating the rear brush up and down. The brush movement mechanism preferably comprises a foot pedal, and when the foot pedal is pressed said rotational force is achieved. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner nozzle further comprises a front brush holder, the front brush holder may then be moved up and down with a rotational movement. As mentioned above, this may be done by activating the brush movement mechanism by pressing a foot pedal attached to an elongated shaft in the brush movement mechanism. The shaft then rotates and the front brush holder interconnected with said shaft then moves downwards or upwards with a rotational motion. In addition to the above mentioned insight, the present invention is further based on the insight that this rotational motion achieved by the rotational force may also be used to move the rear brush holder up and down. This provides for a vacuum cleaner nozzle which is less expensive, easy and straightforward to

manufacture.

In one embodiment said rear brush holder is attached to said movement translation device such that said rotational force is transformed to a

translational movement in a direction up and down with respect to said suction plate. The rear brush holder then advantageously moves linearly between a retracted and a lowered position.

In one embodiment said movement translation device is an elongated shaft rotatably mounted at an upper side of said vacuum cleaner nozzle. The elongated shaft translates the rotational force acting on the shaft to the rear brush holder.

In one embodiment said rear brush holder comprises at least one attachment portion. The attachment portion, or attachment portions, or guiding bracket (s), are adapted to attach the rear brush holder to the movement translation device, i.e. the elongated shaft, such that the force is translated to the rear brush holder.

In one embodiment each attachment portion is slidably arranged in a guiding pocket arranged in said vacuum cleaner nozzle. Advantageously, the guiding pocket ensures that the movement of the rear brush holder is linear, i.e. that the movement of the rear brush holder is a translational movement. According to one embodiment, there is a plurality of guiding pockets arranged in the vacuum cleaner nozzle. Preferably, the nozzle comprises two guiding pockets adapted to receive a first and a second attachment portion of said rear brush holder. In one embodiment said guiding pocket is through going and extends from said lower side of said vacuum cleaner nozzle to said upper side of said vacuum cleaner nozzle. The attachment portion(s) or guiding bracket(s) are then arranged in said guiding pockets, such that they extend from the lower side of the nozzle to the upper side of the nozzle. At the upper side of the nozzle the attachment portion(s) or guiding bracket(s) are attached to the movement translation device of the brush movement mechanism.

In one embodiment said attachment portion or guiding bracket is attached to said movement translation device via a movement translation lever. The lever aids in translating the rotational motion acting on the movement translation device into a translational movement acting on the rear brush holder.

In one embodiment said movement translation lever is arranged at an end portion of said movement translation device. As mentioned above, according to one embodiment, the movement translation device is an elongated shaft. In such case, the shaft preferably comprises a first movement translation lever and a second movement translation lever, the first and the second movement translation levers being arranged at a respective end portion of said elongated shaft.

In one embodiment said movement translation lever is attached to said attachment portion such that said lever forces said attachment portion to slide linearly up and down in said guiding pocket, when said rotational force acts on said movement translation device. Thus, the movement translation levers are rigidly attached to said movement translation device, i.e. the elongated shaft, at one end and slidably attached to a respective attachment portion or guiding bracket at the other end. When the elongated shaft rotates the movement translation levers advantageously forces the respective attachment portion to slide downwards or upwards in the guiding pockets, wherein a translational movement of the rear brush holder is achieved. As mentioned above, according to one embodiment, said nozzle further comprises a front brush adapted to engage with a surface to be cleaned and for at least partly sealing said suction opening against said surface being cleaned, said front brush extending at least partly along said inlet side, and said front brush being arranged in a front brush holder. The front brush may be detachably arranged in said front brush holder such that the front brush may be changed if said front brush becomes worn or damaged. In a similar way the rear brush may be detachably arranged in the rear brush holder.

In one embodiment said front brush holder and said rear brush holder are separate pieces. The front brush holder and the rear brush holder are preferably interconnected via the brush movement mechanism. The front brush holder may then advantageously be lowered and retracted with a rotational movement and the rear brush holder may be lowered or retracted with a translational movement simultaneously.

In one embodiment said front brush holder is attached to said movement translation device. Thus, the front brush holder and the rear brush holder are then moved simultaneously when a rotational force is applied to the brush movement mechanism. The movement translation device is preferably an elongated shaft and the front brush holder is attached to the shaft. When the shaft is rotated, when a rotational force acts on the elongated shaft, a rotational movement of the front brush holder is achieved, such that the front brush holder is lowered or retracted. Thus, the brush movement mechanism comprising the movement translation device translates the rotational force into a translational movement of the rear brush holder. According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any of the above described embodiments. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDED DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a brush movement mechanism and a rear brush holder, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a brush movement mechanism, a front brush holder and a rear brush holder, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising the brush movement mechanism, a front brush holder and a rear brush holder, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a brush movement mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle, according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the application the word "front" refers to the part located furthest away with respect to a nozzle outlet, and the term "rear" refers to the part located closest in respect of the nozzle outlet 32 (see Figure 4). Furthermore, the term "upper side" refers to the part located furthest away with respect to a surface to be cleaned, and the term "lower side" refers to the part located closest in respect of the surface to be cleaned. The nozzle 10, according to the present invention, is a nozzle 10 for vacuum cleaners designed for picking up dust from hard floor and carpet. Figure 1 shows the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 comprising the brush movement mechanism 19, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 1 , the nozzle 10 comprises a brush movement mechanism 19, which is adapted to achieve a linear movement up and down of the rear brush 17 and the rear brush holder 18. The rear brush 17 is preferably assembled from bottom, i.e. from the lower side 24 of the nozzle, having linear guiding brackets (i.e. attachment portions 20, 21 ) sliding in pockets 35 in the nozzle plate, i.e. the suction plate 1 . The rear brush holder 18 is positioned straight under the mechanism 19 having the linear guiding brackets, or attachment portions 20, 21 , attached to the rear brush holder 18 connected to the mechanism 19 on the sides, i.e. the end portions 36, of the mechanism 19. An elongated shaft 33, i.e. a movement translation device 33, comprised in the rotating brush movement mechanism 19 is connected to slots in the attachment portions 20, 21 , i.e. the linear guiding brackets, of the rear brush holder 18 allowing the rotating movement of the mechanism 19 to be translated into a linear movement of the rear brush holder 18. The rear brush holder 18 being connected to the sides of the mechanism 19 is advantageous in that a rotational movement of the brush movement mechanism 19 thereby is translated in to a linear movement up and down of the rear brush holder 18.

Thus, the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 comprises a brush movement mechanism 19 for moving a rear brush holder 18 with respect to a suction plate 1 . The vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 comprises a suction plate 1 having an inlet side 1 1 and an outlet side 12, and an air duct 30 having a duct wall 31 , wherein the air duct 30 extends through the suction plate 1 from a suction opening 13 (illustrated in Figure 3) on the inlet side 1 1 to the outlet side 12. The rear brush holder 18 comprising the rear brush 17, is adapted to engage with a surface to be cleaned and is adapted to at least partly seal the suction opening 13 against the surface being cleaned, the rear brush holder 18 extending at least partly along the outlet side 12. As mentioned above, the brush movement mechanism 19 is interconnected with at least the rear brush holder 18, such that the brush movement mechanism 19 is adapted to move at least the rear brush holder 18 with respect to the suction plate 1 . The brush movement mechanism 19 comprises the movement translation device 33, which is adapted to transform a rotational force acting on the movement translation device 33 into a translational movement of the rear brush holder 18, such that the rear brush holder 18 is moved linearly with respect to the suction plate 1 . As further seen in Figure 1 , the movement translation device 33 is an elongated shaft rotatably mounted at an upper side 25 of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10. The foot pedal 2 is attached to the movement translation device 33, i.e. to the elongated shaft.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , the rear brush holder 18 comprises a first attachment portion 20 and a second attachment portion 21 , each one being attached to a respective end portion 36 of the movement translation device 33, i.e. the elongated shaft. The attachment portions 20, 21 are slidably arranged in a respective guiding pocket 35 arranged in the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 2-3, the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 comprises two brushes 15, 17, operated by a foot pedal 2. The brushes 15, 17 are used when picking up dust from hard floor. The brushes 15, 17 set the distance from the floor to the air inlet on the suction plate 1 creating a vacuum force. The front brush holder 16 and the rear brush holder 18, comprising the attachment portions 20, 21 or guiding brackets, are connected to a single mechanism 19 moving the front brush holder 16 and the rear brush holder 18 up and down in relation to the suction plate 1 . Thus, the front brush 15 and the rear brush 17 are attached to separate holders, i.e. the front brush holder 16 and the rear brush holder 18. However, the front brush holder 16 and a rear brush holder 18 are operated by same brush movement

mechanism 19. The front brush holder 16 is moving up and down with a rotating movement and the rear brush holder 18 is moving linearly up and down.

Thus, in Figures 2-3 the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10, in addition to the rear brush 17, comprises a front brush 15 adapted to engage with a surface to be cleaned and for at least partly sealing the suction opening 13 against the surface being cleaned. The front brush 15 extends partly along the inlet side 1 1 , and the front brush 15 is arranged in the front brush holder 16. As mentioned above, the front brush holder 16 and the rear brush holder 18 are separate pieces or units, and the front brush holder 16 and the rear brush holder 18 are interconnected via the brush movement mechanism 19.

Furthermore, the front brush holder 16 is attached to the movement translation device 33.

As illustrated in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 -2, a movement translation lever 34 is arranged at a respective end portion 36 of the movement translation device 33, i.e. the elongated shaft. Each movement translation lever 34 is attached to the respective attachment portion 20, 21 , such that the lever 34 forces the attachment portions 20, 21 to slide linearly up and down in the guiding pockets 35, when the rotational force acts on the movement translation device 33. Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 comprising the brush movement mechanism 19, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 3, the guiding pockets 35 are through going and extends from the lower side 24 of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 to the upper side 25 of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10. Furthermore, the attachment portions 20, 21 are arranged to extend through the guiding pockets 35 and are attached to the movement translation device 33, i.e. the elongated shaft, via a movement translation lever 34, at the upper side of the nozzle 10.

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 10 according to one embodiment, the nozzle 10 comprising a total of approximately 18 parts. Figure 4, shows the rear brush holder 18 with the rear brush 17, and comprising the first attachment portion 20 arranged at a first end 22 and the second attachment portion 21 arranged at a second end 23, the front brush holder 16 with the front brush 15, the guiding pockets 35 arranged in the nozzle 10, the foot pedal 2 arranged on an elongated shaft 33, a cover 37, and a nozzle outlet 32. At the nozzle outlet 32 a nozzle outlet air channel arrangement is adapted to be arranged. The nozzle outlet air channel arrangement 38 comprises an air channel created by a plurality of non flexible parts connected by at least two hinged connections and one rotating connection.

Figure 5 shows a vacuum cleaner 100 comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle 10, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appending claims.

Claims

1 . A vacuum cleaner nozzle (10) comprising a brush movement mechanism (19) for moving at least a rear brush holder with respect to a suction plate, said vacuum cleaner nozzle (10) comprising:

- said suction plate (1 ) having an inlet side (1 1 ) and an outlet side (12);

- an air duct (30) having a duct wall (31 ), wherein said air duct extends through said suction plate (1 ) from a suction opening (13) on the inlet side (1 1 ) to the outlet side (12);

- a rear brush holder (18) adapted to comprise a rear brush (17), adapted to engage with a surface to be cleaned and for at least partly sealing said suction opening (13) against said surface being cleaned, said rear brush holder (18) extending at least partly along said outlet side (12);

- a brush movement mechanism (19) interconnected with at least said rear brush holder (18), wherein said brush movement mechanism (19) is adapted to move at least said rear brush holder (18) with respect to said suction plate (1 ); wherein said brush movement mechanism (19) comprises a movement translation device (33), adapted to transform a rotational force acting on said movement translation device (33) into a translational movement of said rear brush holder (18), such that said rear brush holder (18) is moved with respect to said suction plate (1 ).

2. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1 , wherein said rear brush holder (18) is attached to said movement translation device (33) such that said rotational force is transformed to a translational movement in a direction up and down with respect to said suction plate (1 ).

3. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any of claims 1 -2, wherein said movement translation device (33) is an elongated shaft rotatably mounted at an upper side (25) of said vacuum cleaner nozzle.

4. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any of claims 1 -3, wherein said rear brush holder (18) comprises at least one attachment portion (20, 21 ).

5. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 4, wherein each

attachment portion (20, 21 ) is slidably arranged in a guiding pocket (35) arranged in said vacuum cleaner nozzle (10).

6. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 5, wherein said guiding pocket (35) is through going and extends from said lower side (24) of said vacuum cleaner nozzle (10) to said upper side (25) of said vacuum cleaner nozzle (10).

7. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any of claims 4-6, wherein said at least one attachment portion (20, 21 ) is attached to said movement translation device (33).

8. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any of claims 4-7, wherein said attachment portion (20, 21 ) is attached to said movement translation device (33) via a movement translation lever (34).

9. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 8, wherein said movement translation lever (34) is arranged at an end portion (36) of said movement translation device (33).

10. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any of claims 8-9, wherein said movement translation lever (34) is attached to said attachment portion(s) (20, 21 ) such that said lever (34) forces said attachment portion(s) (20, 21 ) to slide linearly up and down in said guiding pocket (35), when said rotational force acts on said movement translation device (33).

1 1 . A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any of claims 1 -10, wherein said nozzle (10) comprises a front brush (15) adapted to engage with a surface to be cleaned and for at least partly sealing said suction opening (13) against said surface being cleaned, said front brush (15) extending at least partly along said inlet side (1 1 ), and said front brush (15) being arranged in a front brush holder (16).

12. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1 1 , wherein said front brush holder (16) and said rear brush holder (18) are separate pieces.

13. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any of claims 1 1 -12, wherein said front brush holder (16) is attached to said movement translation device (33).

14. Vacuum cleaner (100) comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 -13.