WO2015185139A1

WO2015185139A1 - Nozzle with three settings

Info

Publication number: WO2015185139A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/061693
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Karlsson; Håkan MIEFALK; Mats NYBONDE
Original assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
Priority date: 2014-06-05
Filing date: 2014-06-05
Publication date: 2015-12-10
Also published as: CN106163359B; EP3151711B1; EP3151711A1; CN106163359A

Abstract

Anozzle (1)for a vacuum cleaneris provided comprising a nozzle head (2), at least one brush(17)retractable into the nozzle head, and at least one support means (21, 22) arranged to support the nozzle head on a surface to be cleaned(26, 27)and being retractable into the nozzle head. The nozzle further comprises a mechanism(30)arranged to set the brush and the support means in: a first setting, in which the brush and the support means are fully retracted in the nozzle head, a second setting, inwhich at least a portion(15, 16)of the brush is partly retracted in the nozzle head and the support means is projected further out from the nozzle head than said portion of the brush so as to form a gap between said portion of the brush and the surface to be cleaned, anda third setting, in which the brush is fully projected.

Description

NOZZLE WITH THREE SETTINGS

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of nozzles for vacuum cleaners. In particular, the present invention relates to nozzles with a retractable brush. Background of the invention

Conventional nozzles for vacuum cleaners normally comprise a brush, which is retractable into a nozzle head of the nozzle so as to adapt the nozzle to different surfaces to be cleaned. When the brush is retracted, the nozzle is adapted to carpets and when the brush is projected, the nozzle is adapted to hard floors. Efforts have been made to make nozzles adaptable to multiple kinds of surfaces to be cleaned. For example, US 3821831 shows a nozzle with a brush, which is adjustable to three separate positions for cleaning of high pile carpets, bare floors and low pile carpets respectively. A drawback with such a nozzle is that, in the hard floor setting when the brush is projected, dirt tends to be swept in front of the brush instead of passing the brush to be picked up by the suction port of the nozzle. In order to reduce such a drawback the brush can be provided with cutouts forming gaps between the floor and portions of the brush. However, such cutouts impair the suction power of the nozzle, whereby the performance for cleaning e.g.

crevices, or other surface structures requiring a concentrated suction force, is impaired.

Summary of the invention

It would be advantageous to achieve a nozzle overcoming, or at least alleviating, the above mentioned drawbacks. In particular, it would be desirable to enable a nozzle with improved adaptability to different kinds of surfaces to be cleaned as well as being more user friendly.

To better address one or more of these concerns, a nozzle having the features defined in the independent claim is provided. Preferable

embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Hence, according to an aspect, a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The nozzle comprises a nozzle head, at least one brush retractable into the nozzle head, and at least one support means arranged to support the nozzle head on a surface to be cleaned and being retractable into the nozzle head. The nozzle further comprises a mechanism arranged to set the brush and the support means in: a first setting, in which the brush and the support means are fully retracted in the nozzle head, a second setting, in which at least a portion of the brush is partly retracted in the nozzle head and the support means is projected further out from the nozzle head than said portion of the brush so as to form a gap between said portion of the brush and the surface to be cleaned, and a third setting, in which the brush is fully projected.

As the brush and support means are fully retracted in the first setting, the underside of the nozzle head may glide directly on the surface to be cleaned, which facilitates cleaning of soft surfaces, such as carpets. The brush and the support means may not get entangled (or stuck) in the carpet and the distance from a suction port of the nozzle head and the carpet is reduced (or even zero), whereby the suction force is more concentrated, which improves the carpet cleaning performance of the nozzle. Using the first setting on hard floors may imply a risk of scratching the floor. In the third setting, the nozzle is adapted to cleaning of hard floors with crevices or the like features requiring a more concentrated suction force. As the brush is fully projected, only a small, or even no gap between the brush and the surface to be cleaned is provided, which makes the suction force of the nozzle more concentrated, whereby the dust pick up of the nozzle is improved. As the nozzle head does not rest directly on the floor, the risk of the nozzle scratching the floor is reduced. Using the third setting on flat hard floor may cause dirt to be swept in front of the brush instead of passing the brush to be picked up by the nozzle at the suction port.

In the second setting, the gap between the portion of the brush being partly retracted and the surface to be cleaned allows dust to pass under the portion of the brush being partly retracted to be picked up by the suction port of the nozzle head instead of being swept in front of the brush. Further, as the portion of the brush is merely partly retracted (i.e. it is partly projected), the suction force of the nozzle is more concentrated compared to if the brush would be fully retracted. Moreover, moving the nozzle over carpets is facilitated as at least a portion of brush is not completely projected, thereby reducing the risk of the brush getting stuck on the carpet. Hence, the second setting provides an all-around setting, which may be used on various surfaces, whereby the nozzle is more user friendly.

The three settings of the nozzle according to the present aspect increase the adaptability of the nozzle to different surfaces, thereby improving the cleaning performance on each surface, and/or make the nozzle more user friendly.

The portion of the brush being "fully retracted" may mean that most, or even all, of the brush is retracted into the nozzle head so as to allow the underside of the nozzle head to rest on the surface to be cleaned. Further, the brush being "fully projected" may mean that it is at least more projected than when it is partly retracted, and preferably that it is projected such that no, or just a small (such as less than 1 mm) gap is provided between the brush and the surface to be cleaned.

According to an embodiment, the portion of the brush being partly retracted in the second setting may include at least a front portion and/or at least a rear portion of the brush. Hence, the front and/or rear portions of the brush may be slightly raised over the surface to be cleaned in the second setting, thereby allowing dust do pass the brush during the frontward and/or backward stroke, respectively, of the nozzle during vacuum cleaning. It will be appreciated that the front portion of the brush means the portion of the brush facing in a forward direction when the nozzle is moved away from the user (during the forward stroke). Consequently, the rear portion of the brush is the portion of the brush facing backwards when the nozzle is moved away from the user.

According to an embodiment, the support means may be arranged to support at least a front portion and/or at least a rear portion of the nozzle head on the surface to be cleaned in the second setting. In case of merely the front portion of the nozzle head being supported by the support means, the rear portion of the brush may be arranged to support the rear portion of the nozzle head (e.g. by being fully projected) and the front portion of the brush may be partly retracted so as to allow dirt to pass under the front portion of the brush during the forward stroke of the nozzle. In case of merely the rear portion of the nozzle head being supported by the support means, the front portion of the brush may be arranged to support the front portion of the nozzle head (e.g. by being fully projected) and the rear portion of the brush may be partly retracted so as to allow dirt to pass under the rear portion of the brush during the backward stroke of the nozzle. In case of both of the front and rear portions of the nozzle head being supported by the support means, both of the front and rear portions of the brush (or even the entire brush) may be partly retracted so as to allow dirt to pass under the brush during both the forward and backward strokes of the nozzle, whereby the cleaning performance of the nozzle is improved. Further, the risk of the brush getting stuck on a carpet is further reduced.

It will be appreciated that the front portion of the nozzle head is the portion of the nozzle head facing in a forward direction when the nozzle is moved away from the user (during the forward stroke). Consequently, the rear portion of the nozzle head is the portion of the nozzle head facing backwards when the nozzle is moved away from the user.

According to an embodiment, the portion of the brush may be a first portion, and wherein, in the second setting, a second portion of the brush may be fully projected so as to support at least a portion of the nozzle head on the surface to be cleaned. According to an embodiment, the at least one support means may comprise at least one wheel (which also may be referred to as a roller), which reduces the risk of the support means scratching the surface to be cleaned.

Alternatively, the support means may comprise at least one sliding surface adapted to slide on the surface to be cleaned.

According to an embodiment, the at least one support means may be formed by at least two wheels arranged to support a front portion of the nozzle head or a rear portion of the nozzle head on the surface to be cleaned in the second setting. In similarity with the previously described embodiment, the portion of the nozzle head not being supported by the wheels may be supported by a portion of the brush.

According to an embodiment, the at least one support means may be formed by at least four wheels arranged to support a front portion of the nozzle head and a rear portion of the nozzle head on the surface to be cleaned in the second setting. For example, one wheel may be arranged at each corner of the nozzle head. The present embodiment allows having the entire brush (or at least the front and rear portions of the brush) partly retracted in the second setting, which is advantageous in that dust may pass under the brush during both the forward and the backward stroke of the nozzle, thereby improving the cleaning performance of the nozzle. Further, the risk of the brush getting stuck on a carpet is further reduced.

According to an embodiment, the entire brush may be partly retracted and a front portion of the brush may be more retracted than a rear portion of the brush in the second setting. The present embodiment is advantageous in that passing of relatively large pieces of dirt or dust under the front portion of the brush during a forward stroke of the nozzle is facilitated while the lower rear portion of the brush concentrates the suction power of the nozzle, thereby improving the cleaning performance of the nozzle. During normal usage, the user tends to pick up dust more in the forward direction than in the backward direction, as the forward movement is typically in focus during vacuum cleaning. Therefore, it is advantageous to facilitate for dust (in particular relatively large pieces of dust or dirt) to pass under the brush in particular during forward motion of the nozzle.

According to an embodiment, the brush may be resiliently suspended in the nozzle head, which facilitates moving the nozzle over carpet edges and the like. Hence, the user friendliness of the all-around second setting is further increased.

According to an embodiment, the support means may be projected so as to support the nozzle head on the floor in the third setting. For example, the support means may be equally, or just slightly more, projected compared to the brush in order to reduce the gap between the brush and the surface to be cleaned so as to make the suction force more concentrated in the third setting, thereby improving the dust pick up of the nozzle. The present embodiment is advantageous in that it reduces the risk of the resiliently suspended brush to collapse under the suction force, as the nozzle head is spaced from the surface to be cleaned by the support means.

According to an embodiment, the support means may be more projected in the third setting than in the second setting or equally projected in the third and second settings..

According to an embodiment, the brush may be a passive brush. A passive brush, in contrast to an active brush, is a non-driven brush, i.e. the brush is not adapted to move (such as rotate) in order to agitate dirt at the surface to be cleaned. As nozzles with passive brushes rely merely on the suction force for picking up dust (as no agitation of dust is provided), it is more important to improve the suction power of the nozzle compared to nozzles with active brushes. Further, in nozzle of the active type, the rotating brush is typically used for agitating dirt in carpets and may preferably be turned off during cleaning of hard floor for reducing the risk of the rotating brush scratching the floor. Brushes of the passive type is generally better suited for concentrating the suction force compared to active brushes, as they facilitate making the passage between the nozzle head and the surface to be cleaned more air tight. Alternatively, the brush may be an active brush, i.e. a driven brush adapted to agitate dirt at the surface to be cleaned.

According to an embodiment, the mechanism may comprise a single actuator arranged to actuate projection and retraction of both of the support means and the brush, which facilitates for a user to change between the three different settings since merely one actuator has to be operated. For example, the actuator may comprise a (rotary) control knob, which is advantageous in that a control knob may be smaller in size compared to e.g. a slide control adapted for three different settings. Hence, the nozzle may be made more compact in size.

According to an embodiment, the mechanism may comprise at least one first suspension means for suspending the brush in the nozzle head, at least one slidable first cam portion arranged to cooperate with the at least one first suspension means for determining a level of projection of the brush, at least one second suspension means for suspending the support means in the nozzle head, and at least one slidable second cam portion arranged to cooperate with the at least one second suspension means for determining a level of projection of the support means. The first and second cam portions may be operable by means of the actuator. The profiles of the first and second cam portions may be adapted to determine the degree of

projection/retraction of the brush and the support means in the three different settings. The first and second cam portions may be incorporated in the same part or arranged as part of separate parts.

According to an embodiment, a vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner may comprise a nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding embodiments. For example, the vacuum cleaner may be a canister vacuum cleaner.

According to an embodiment, the brush may comprise bristles. For example, the bristles may be compact, whereby the brush is more airtight, which improves (concentrates) the suction power of the nozzle. Alternatively, the brush may comprise a rubber wiper arranged to wipe the surface to be cleaned.

It is noted that embodiments of the invention relates to all possible

combinations of features recited in the claims. Brief description of the drawings

This and other aspects will now be described in more detail in the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a nozzle according to an embodiment.

Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the nozzle shown in Figure 1 .

Figure 3 is a side view of the nozzle shown in Figure 1 set in a first setting.

Figure 4 is a side view of the nozzle shown in Figure 1 set in a second setting. Figure 5 is a side view of the nozzle shown in Figure 1 set in a third setting.

Figure 6 is a side view of a nozzle set in a second setting according to another embodiment.

Figure 7 shows the nozzle shown in Figure 1 without cover.

Figure 8 is a cross-section of the nozzle set in the third setting taken along line A-A in Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a cross-section of the nozzle set in the first setting taken along line B-B in Figure 3.

Figure 10 shows a vacuum cleaner comprising a nozzle according to an embodiment. All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the description. Detailed description of embodiments

A nozzle 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 showing the nozzle 1 from above and from below,

respectively. The nozzle 1 comprises a nozzle head 2 and an outlet 3 for connecting the nozzle to a wand or a hose of a vacuum cleaner. The underside of the nozzle 1 may be formed by a sole plate 7 adapted to slide on a surface to be cleaned. The nozzle head 2 may comprise a suction port 25 formed in the underside of the nozzle head 2, such as in the sole plate 7. The nozzle head 2 may further comprise a cover 6 for covering at least an upper side of the nozzle head 2. The nozzle 1 is adapted to be operated in a reciprocating manner in a forward direction away from the user (indicated by arrow 10), which may be referred to as a forward stroke, and in a backward direction towards the user, which may be referred to as a backward stroke. The nozzle 1 further comprises at least one retractable (and projectable) support means 21 , 22 for supporting the nozzle head 2 on the surface to be cleaned, as illustrated in Figure 2. The support means 21 , 22 may

alternatively be referred to as supports. In the present embodiment, the support means 21 , 22 comprises four wheels, namely a pair of front wheels 21 for supporting a front portion 13 of the nozzle head 2, and a pair of rear wheels 22 for supporting a rear portion 14 of the nozzle head 2. For example, the support means 21 , 22 may be arranged so as to be projectable out of the sole plate 7 (i.e. from the underside of the nozzle head 2).

The nozzle 1 may optionally comprise a pair of stationary rear wheels 4 for supporting the nozzle 1 on the surface to be cleaned. The stationary rear wheels 4 may be arranged on a rear side of the nozzle head 2.

The nozzle 1 further comprises at least one retractable (and projectable) brush 17 arranged so as to be projectable from the underside of the nozzle head 2 as illustrated in Figure 2. For example, the brush 17 may be arranged so as to at least partially surround the edges of the sole plate 7. The brush 17 may be resiliently suspended in the nozzle head 2. The brush 17 may preferably be a passive brush, i.e. it may be arranged to not rotate, or in any other way move, for the purpose of agitating dust from the surface to be cleaned. The brush 17 may comprise a front portion 15 extending along a front edge of the front portion 13 of the nozzle head 2, and a rear portion 16 extending along a rear edge of the rear portion 14 of the nozzle head 2.

Optionally, the brush 17 may further comprise side portions 18 extending along the side edges of the nozzle head 2 between the front and rear portions 15, 16 of the brush 17. As illustrated in Figure 2, each side portion 18 may optionally comprise a front part and a rear part. The brush 17 may e.g.

comprise a row of bristles. The brush 17 may be arranged such that different portions (such as the front and rear portions 15, 16) of the brush 17 may be retracted to different levels. For example, the front portion 15 of the brush 17 may be retracted half way into the nozzle head 2 while the rear portion 16 of the brush 17 may be almost fully projected. The nozzle 1 may further comprise a mechanism (not shown in Figures 1 and 2) arranged to set the brush 17 and the support means 21 , 22 in at least three different settings. The mechanism may be arranged to adjust the level of retraction and projection of the support means 21 , 22 and different portions of the brush 17. The mechanism may comprise a user operable actuator 12, which in the present embodiment comprises a rotary control knob, for actuating retraction and projection of the support means 21 , 22 and the brush 17. The actuator 12 may preferably be arranged on the upper side of the nozzle head 2.

The tree different settings of the nozzle 1 according to the present

embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

When a user operates the actuator 12, e.g. by turning the control knob to a first position 31 (shown in Figure 1 ), the mechanism sets the brush 17 and the support means 21 , 22 in a first setting, which is illustrated in Figure 3. In the first setting, the brush 17 as well as the support means 21 , 22 are both fully retracted into the nozzle head 2, whereby the nozzle head 2 rests directly on the surface to be cleaned 26. Hence, substantially no gap is provided between the sole plate 7 and the surface to be cleaned 26. The first setting is suitable for cleaning soft surfaces such as carpets. As the brush 17 and the support means 21 , 22 are fully retracted, they may not get stuck in the carpet and the close fit between the suction port and the surface to be cleaned 26 concentrates the suction force of the nozzle 1 , which improves the dust pick up of the nozzle 1 from the carpet.

When a user operates the actuator 12, e.g. by turning the control knob to a second position 32 (shown in Figure 1 ), the mechanism sets the brush 17 and the support means 21 , 22 in a second setting, which is illustrated in Figure 4. In the second setting, the brush 17 is partly retracted in the nozzle head 2 and the support means 21 , 22 are projected further out from the nozzle head 2 than the brush 17 so as to form a gap between the brush 17 and the surface to be cleaned 27. The brush 17 being "partly retracted" means that the brush 17 is neither fully retracted nor fully projected. In the present embodiment, both of the front and rear portions 15, 16 of the brush 17 (preferably the entire brush 17) are partly retracted into the nozzle head 2. The front portion 15 of the brush 17 may be (slightly) more retracted than the rear portion 16 of the brush 17 such that a gap between the front portion 15 of the brush 17 and the surface to be cleaned 27 is (slightly) larger than a gap between the rear portion 16 of the brush 17 and the surface to be cleaned 27. Further, the front and rear wheels 21 , 22 may preferably be projected to (at least almost) the same level and further out from the nozzle head 2 as compared to both of the front and rear portions 15, 16 of the brush 17. The second setting is suitable for all-around use on both hard floors and carpets. As the brush 17 is slightly raised above the surface to be cleaned 27, dirt may pass below the brush 17 and may then be picked up by the suction port. Further, as the brush is also partly projected, the suction force of the nozzle 1 is improved. In the present example, the larger gap between the front portion 15 of the brush 17 is in particular adapted to facilitate dirt (in particular, relatively large pieces of dirt and dust) to pass under the brush 17 during a forward stroke of the nozzle 1 (i.e. when the user operates the nozzle 1 in the forward direction 10), while the smaller gap between the rear portion 16 of the brush 17 and the surface to be cleaned 27 is adapted to contribute to concentrating the suction force. For example, the gap between the front portion 15 of the brush 17 and the surface to be cleaned 27 may be between 5 and 2 mm, and preferably between 3,5 and 3 mm. Further, the gap between the rear portion 16 of the brush 17 and the surface to be cleaned 27 may be between 3 and 0,5 mm, and preferably between 1 ,5 and 0,5 mm. The gap between the brush 17 and the surface to be cleaned facilitates moving the nozzle 1 over carpet edge.

When a user operates the actuator 12, e.g. by turning the control knob to a third position 33 (shown in Figure 1 ), the mechanism sets the brush 17 and the support means 21 , 22 in a third setting, which is illustrated in Figure 5. In the third setting, the brush 17 may be even further projected compared to in the second setting. Preferably, the entire brush 17 may be fully projected. For example, the brush 17 may be projected so as to support the nozzle head 2 on the surface to be cleaned 27. The support means 21 , 22 may then be partly or fully retracted. Alternatively, the support means 21 , 22 may be projected just slightly more than, or equally as far as the brush 17 so as to contribute to the support of the nozzle head 2 on the surface to be cleaned 27. This is in particular advantageous in case where the brush 17 is resiliently suspended in the nozzle head 2, whereby the capability of the brush 17 to support the nozzle head 2 on the surface to be cleaned 27 is reduced. The support means 21 , 22 may be slightly less retracted in the third setting than in the second setting. For example, the brush 17 may be projected from the nozzle head 2 so as to form a gap of around 5 to 2 mm, such as around 4 to 3 mm between the portion of the sole plate 7 defining the suction port and the surface to be cleaned 27. The third setting is suitable for use on hard floor with crevices or other surfaces requiring a concentrated suction force. As the brush 17 is fully projected, the gap between the brush 17 and the surface to be cleaned 27 is reduced (or even zero), which concentrates the suction force of the nozzle 1 . Further, as the nozzle head 2 does not rest with the sole plate 7 directly on the surface to be cleaned 27, the risk of scratches in the surface to be cleaned 27 by the sole plate 7 is reduced.

Hence, with the nozzle 1 according to the present embodiment, the user may select the setting of the nozzle 1 for improving (or even optimizing) the cleaning performance of the nozzle 1 for soft surfaces or for crevices, or for providing a more user friendly all-around setting allowing cleaning of both hard floors and carpets and providing an improved dust pick up of the nozzle 1 on hard floors. In an alternative embodiment, the nozzle 60 may comprise two instead of four wheels, as illustrated in Figure 6. The two wheels 61 may be arranged so as to support the front portion 63 of the nozzle head 62. In the second setting, the two wheels 61 may be projected and the front portion 65 of the brush 67 may be partly retracted such that a gap is formed between the front portion 65 of the brush 67 and the surface to be cleaned 69 for allowing dirt to pass under the front portion 65 of the brush 67 during the forward stroke of the nozzle 60. Further, the rear portion 66 of the brush 67 may be fully projected so as to support the rear portion 64 of the nozzle head 62 on the surface to be cleaned, whereby the suction force of the nozzle 60 is further improved. Alternatively, the two wheels may be arranged so as to support the rear portion of the nozzle head and the front portion of the brush may be arranged to support the front portion of the nozzle head in the second setting (not shown). The first and third setting of the nozzle 60 according to the present embodiments may be similar to the first and third setting of the nozzle according to the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

The mechanism 30 for retracting and projecting the brush 17 and the support means 21 , 22 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figure 7 shows the nozzle 1 without cover, Figure 8 shows a cross-section of the nozzle 1 taken along line A-A in Figure 5 (i.e. when the nozzle 1 is set in the third setting), and Figure 9 shows a cross-section of the nozzle 1 taken along line B-B in Figure 3 (i.e. when the nozzle 1 is set in the first setting). Portions of the nozzle 1 with cross-sections illustrated with the same inclination of the section lining represent the same component.

The mechanism 30 may comprise a first suspension means 31 (which may be referred to as a first suspension part) for suspending the brush 17, such as the front and rear portions, and optionally also the side portions 18 of the brush, in the nozzle head 2. The first suspension means 31 will in the following be referred to as the brush suspension means 31 . The brush suspension means 31 may be urged downwards (i.e. towards a projected mode) by a first spring 33, which preferably may be supported between the brush suspension means 31 and the cover 6. The mechanism 30 may further comprise a second suspension means 32 (which may be referred to as a second suspension part) for suspending the support means 21 , 22 in the nozzle head 2. The second suspension means 32 will in the following be referred to as the wheel suspension means 32. The wheel suspension means 32 may be urged upwards (i.e. towards a retracted mode) by a second spring 34, which preferably may be supported between the wheel suspension means 32 and a portion 38 of the sole plate 7.

The mechanism 30 may further comprise a cam part 39 slidable sideways relative to the brush and wheel suspension means 31 , 32 upon actuation of the actuator 12. For example, the cam part 39 may comprise a plurality of teeth 45 arranged to cooperate with a toothed wheel of the actuator 12 (not shown), such that when the actuator 12 is rotated, the cam part 39 moves sideways in the nozzle head 2.

The cam part 39 may comprise a first cam portion 36, which in the following may be referred to as a brush cam portion 36, which is arranged to cooperate with the brush suspension means 31 . In the present example, the first spring 31 urges the brush suspension means 31 towards the brush cam portion 36. The cam part 39 may further comprise a second cam portion 37, which in the following may be referred to as a wheel cam portion 37, which is arranged to cooperate with the wheel suspension means 32. In the present example, the second spring 32 urges the wheel suspension means 32 towards the wheel cam portion 37.

When the actuator 12 is rotated to its third position for setting the nozzle 1 in the third setting, the cam part 39 moves sideways such that the brush suspension means 31 engages the brush cam portion 36 at a third position 53 along the cam profile, as illustrated in Figure 8. As the brush and wheel suspension means 31 , 32 are urged at opposite directions by the first and second springs 33, 34, moving of the brush and wheel suspension means 31 , 32 over the brush and wheel cam portions 36, 37 is facilitated. The level of the third position 53 in the cam profile determines the level of projection of the brush 17 in the third setting, which is full projection. Further, as the cam part 39 moves sideways, the wheel suspension means 32 engages the wheel cam portion 37 at a third position 43 along the cam profile. The level of the third position 43 in the cam profile determines the level of projection of the wheels 21 in the third setting, which is (at least almost) full projection according to the present example.

Similarly, when the actuator 12 is rotated to its first position for setting the nozzle 1 in the first setting, the cam part 39 moves sideways such that the brush suspension means 31 engages the brush cam portion 36 at a first position 51 along the cam profile, as illustrated in Figure 9. The level of the first position 51 in the cam profile determines the level of retraction of the brush 17 in the first setting, which is fully retracted. Further, as the cam part 39 moves sideways, the wheel suspension means 32 engages the wheel cam portion 37 at a first position 41 along the cam profile. The level of the first position 41 in the cam profile determines the level of retraction of the wheels 21 in the first position, which is full retraction according to the present example. Similarly, the brush and wheel suspension means 31 , 32 may be moved to second positions 52, 42 of the brush and wheel cam portions 36, 37 respectively, thereby determining the level of projection of the brush 17 and the wheels 21 in the second setting.

The cam part 39 may comprise cam portions with different profiles for determining different level of projections of the front and rear portions of the brush 17 (merely the brush cam portions for the front brush are visible in Figures 7 to 9.), thereby enabling e.g. the front portion of the brush 17 to be more retracted than the rear portion of the brush 17.

Accordingly, the user may change between the three different settings by simply switching the actuator 12. Figure 10 shows a vacuum cleaner 100 comprising a nozzle 101 according to an embodiment. The nozzle 101 may be similarly configured as the nozzle according to any one of the embodiments described above.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

Nozzle (1 ) for a vacuum cleaner (100), the nozzle comprising:

a nozzle head (2);

at least one brush (17) retractable into the nozzle head; at least one support means (21 , 22) arranged to support the nozzle head on a surface to be cleaned (26, 27) and being retractable into the nozzle head; and

a mechanism (30) arranged to set the brush and the support means in:

- a first setting, in which the brush and the support means are fully retracted in the nozzle head,

- a second setting, in which at least a portion (15, 16) of the brush is partly retracted in the nozzle head and the support means is projected further out from the nozzle head than said portion of the brush so as to form a gap between said portion of the brush and the surface to be cleaned, and

- a third setting, in which the brush is fully projected.

2. The nozzle as defined in claim 1 , wherein said portion of the brush includes at least a front portion (15) and/or at least a rear portion (16) of the brush.

3. The nozzle as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the second setting, the support means are arranged to support at least a front portion (13) and/or at least a rear portion (14) of the nozzle head on the surface to be cleaned.

4. The nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one support means comprises at least one wheel.

5. The nozzle as defined in claim 4, wherein the at least one support means is formed by at least two wheels (61 ) arranged to support a front portion (63) of the nozzle head (62) or a rear portion (64) of the nozzle head on the surface to be cleaned (69) in the second setting.

6. The nozzle as defined in claim 4, wherein the at least one support means is formed by at least four wheels arranged to support a front portion of the nozzle head and a rear portion of the nozzle head on the surface to be cleaned in the second setting.

7. The nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the second setting, the entire brush is partly retracted and a front portion of the brush is more retracted than a rear portion of the brush.

8. The nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brush is resiliently suspended in the nozzle head.

9. The nozzle as defined in claim 8, wherein, in the third setting, the

support means is projected so as to support the nozzle head on the floor.

10. The nozzle as defined in claim 9, wherein the support means are more projected in the third setting than in the second setting or equally projected in the third and second settings.

1 1 .The nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brush is a passive brush.

12. The nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said mechanism comprises a single actuator (12) arranged to actuate projection and retraction of both of the support means and the brush.

13. The nozzle as defined in claim 12, wherein said actuator comprises a control knob.

14. The nozzle as defined in claim 12 or 13, wherein said mechanism comprises:

at least one first suspension means (31 ) for suspending the brush in the nozzle head,

at least one slidable first cam portion (36) arranged to cooperate with the at least one first suspension means for determining a level of projection of the brush,

at least one second suspension means (32) for suspending the support means in the nozzle head, and

at least one slidable second cam portion (37) arranged to cooperate with the at least one second suspension means for determining a level of projection of the support means,

wherein the first and second cams are operable by means of the actuator.

15. A vacuum cleaner (100) comprising a nozzle as defined in any one of the preceding claims.