Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
  • A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
  • A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
  • A47L5/24—Hand-supported suction cleaners
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
  • A47L9/32—Handles
  • A47L9/322—Handles for hand-supported suction cleaners

Definitions

• Embodiments described here concern a vacuum cleaner device, preferably for domestic use, of the cordless type, provided with an adjustable handle to allow a user to adapt it to his/her own height in such a way as to adopt comfortable positions and therefore reduce fatigue to a minimum when using the vacuum cleaner device.
• Vacuum cleaner devices or electric brooms, for domestic use and of the cordless type, which can be used to reach and clean a certain variety of surfaces, are known and increasingly widespread.
• These surfaces can be vertical, such as for example windows or walls, or horizontal, such as for example ceilings or floors of a room, or possibly surfaces of furniture elements.
• certain surfaces to be cleaned may be in unusual positions and/or have obstacles or other impediments that make it difficult to reach them, such as zones underneath beds or chairs for example, or surfaces located at a greater height than the floor, for example a piece of furniture such as a bookcase, a shelf, a sofa, or other.
• vacuum cleaner devices usually comprise a collection container, a motor unit, which generates a suction flow to suck in and draw material, that is, dust and dirt, up to the collection container, and a handle by means of which the user can grip and maneuver the vacuum cleaner device.
• the vacuum cleaner device also comprises a suction head which, during use, comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned, which can be connected to the collection container by means of a suction pipe.
• the motor unit, the collection container and the handle define a unit that can itself be used by means of special accessories, or connected by means of the suction pipe to the suction head, in such a way that it can be used in a similar way to a traditional broom.
• the motor unit and the collection unit are therefore positioned in correspondence with the handle, so that most of the weight of the vacuum cleaner device has to be supported by the user’s arm.
• the mobile unit there is usually also a battery pack to power the motor unit, which contributes to increasing its weight, aggravating the user’s fatigue.
• suction and collection unit Usually the suction and collection unit, motor unit and handle are positioned in a fixed manner with respect to each other.
• a vacuum cleaner device is known from WO 2018/128371 A1 which comprises a first portion defined by a dust collection unit, a second portion, comprising a motor unit and a handle, and a third portion, positioned between the first and second portion in such a way that one can rotate with respect to the other.
• the third portion therefore acts as a hinge between the dust collection unit and the motor.
• Another disadvantage is that the distribution of the weight of the vacuum cleaner device is not balanced, making cleaning difficult, especially on vertical surfaces.
• a further disadvantage is that this solution is inconvenient and not very versatile for the user, since to pass from a fixed configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the first part and of the second part are parallel, to a rotation configuration in which the respective longitudinal axes are inclined with respect to each other, the user necessarily has to use two hands, one to support the device, and one to drive a clamping element positioned in the third part.
• Document CN107397508A describes a vacuum cleaner device which comprises a suction body provided with an inlet port for the flow sucked in, a dust collection container and a battery connected to the suction body, and a handle, which is connected to the suction body by means of an electric rotation device.
• This solution is not very comfortable for the user, since all the weight is concentrated on one side with respect to the rotation device, and on the user side there is only the handle. Furthermore, the presence of an electric rotation device does not allow free and continuous reciprocal rotation of the suction body and the handle.
• US 2017/0296022 A1 describes a portable apparatus for moving air, which comprises a suction body provided with a housing in which a motor is disposed, and an impeller to create an inlet or outlet flow of air, and a handle portion that can rotate with respect to the suction body.
• This solution also has the disadvantage that the weight is concentrated on one side.
• the handle portion has a conformation such that the user’s wrist and arm are disposed above the apparatus and the suction body in every position of use, and does not allow optimal distribution of the weight.
• one purpose of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device that allows a user to adapt it to his/her own height, or to the needs of use, without therefore assuming incorrect positions, in substantially any condition of use.
• Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device provided with an adjustable handle that can be adapted to the user’s height simply and quickly.
• Another purpose of the invention is to make available a vacuum cleaner device which is adaptable to a plurality of different heights, allowing great versatility of use.
• Another purpose of the invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device which has a better distribution of loads than known solutions, and is therefore lighter and easier to handle than them.
• Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner device which does not overload the user’s arm.
• a vacuum cleaner device comprises a suction and collection unit comprising a collection container and a motor unit, or motorized head, configured to suck in a flow of air and dirt from the outside, convey it toward the collection container, in which the dust and dirt carried by the flow of air deposit, and return the flow of air to the outside.
• the vacuum cleaner device also comprises a handle unit connected to the suction and collection unit and configured to allow a user to grip it.
• the handle unit comprises a gripping portion and a battery connected to the gripping portion.
• the vacuum cleaner device further comprises a suction head which can be connected, by means of a suction tube, to a suction pipe of the collection container, so that the vacuum cleaner device can be used as a traditional broom.
• the vacuum cleaner module defined by suction and collection unit and handle unit can be used as a stand-alone module.
• the handle unit is rotatable with respect to the suction and collection unit, so that the user can adapt its position with respect to the suction and collection unit as a function of his/her own needs, for example as a function of his/her height, or the position of the surfaces to be cleaned.
• the handle unit is configured to rotate with respect to the motor unit, that is, to the motorized head.
• the handle unit can rotate in a discreet manner with respect to the suction and collection unit, and can be clamped on each occasion into determinate positions at predetermined angles by means of a clamping member.
• the handle unit can rotate continuously with respect to the suction and collection unit within a predefined angular interval.
• the vacuum cleaner device comprises a rotation unit configured to connect the handle unit and the suction and collection unit.
• the rotation unit is configured in such a way that the handle unit is fluidically and mechanically separated from the suction circuit and the motor.
• the rotation unit is disposed between the motorized head and the handle unit.
• the difference in weight between the suction and collection unit and the handle unit favors the adjustment of the handle unit which is simpler and easier as a result.
• the overall weight of the vacuum cleaner device is distributed on one side and the other of the rotation unit, since the weight of the battery and of the motor unit are not concentrated only on one side, but divided on opposite sides of the rotation unit.
• the rotation unit substantially divides the vacuum cleaner device into two parts.
• the center of gravity of the vacuum cleaner device is positioned below the gripping portion, generating a moment of inertia that is favorable to the use by a user.
• the opposite distribution of the weights of the battery and of the motor unit allows to advantageously exploit the force of gravity, facilitating the adjustment of the handle unit, particularly when the vacuum cleaner device is used in association with the suction tube and the suction head is resting in contact with a surface.
• the rotation unit comprises a first rotation member integral with the motorized head, and a second rotation member integral with the handle unit and rotatable with respect to the first rotation member.
• the rotation unit also comprises a clamping element selectively drivable by a user in order to allow, or prevent, the reciprocal rotation between the first and the second rotation member which can therefore rotate freely with respect to each other, or be clamped to each other in a fixed position.
• the first rotation member comprises an annular body whose central axis substantially defines an axis of rotation of the handle unit.
• the second rotation member can comprise a pivoting body disposed, during use, coaxial to the annular body and rotatable with respect thereto.
• the annular body comprises, on a lateral surface thereof, first coupling teeth
• the clamping element comprises a bracket provided with second coupling teeth configured to cooperate with the first coupling teeth, creating a same-shape coupling therewith.
• the bracket is pivoted in a rotatable manner with respect to the handle unit, and comprises a first segment provided with the second coupling teeth and a second segment drivable by a user, angled with respect to the first segment.
• the pivoting axis is disposed at the connection point between the first and second segment, and develops parallel to the axis of rotation.
• the clamping member also comprises elastic means associated with the second segment, which during the activation of the clamping element by the user allow the first segment to move away from the annular body, so as to disengage the coupling teeth and allow the rotation of the handle unit, while during the deactivation of the clamping element they take the respective teeth back into reciprocal coupling.
• the rotation unit comprises at least one passage channel passing through it, through which can pass cables for data connection and power supply between the handle unit and the suction and collection unit.
• the motor unit and the collection unit are connected and assembled axially to each other. In this way, the motor unit is positioned with its shaft substantially at 90° with respect to the entry flow of the exhausted air.
• - fig. 1 is a lateral elevation view of a vacuum cleaner device in accordance with some embodiments described here in a first configuration of use;
• - fig. la is a lateral elevation view of the vacuum cleaner device of fig. 1 in a second configuration of use;
• - fig. 2 is a lateral view of an enlarged and partly exploded detail of fig. 1 ;
• - fig. 3 is a section view of fig. 2;
• - fig. 4 is a section view of a detail of fig. 3 showing the zone for the passage of cables;
• - fig. 5 is a perspective view of a part of the vacuum cleaner device of fig. 1 ;
• - figs. 6a-6c are lateral section views of a detail of fig. 5 in different configurations of use.
• Embodiments described using the attached drawings concern a vacuum cleaner device, indicated as a whole with reference number 10 in figs. 1, 1a.
• the vacuum cleaner device 10 comprises a suction and collection unit 12 configured to suck in a flow A of air and dirt from the outside.
• the suction and collection unit 12 comprises a collection container 18 connected to a suction pipe 11, and a motor unit, or motorized head 16, configured to move the flow of air A.
• the collection container 18 defines a collection chamber 19 in which the dirt drawn by the flow of air A can deposit.
• the vacuum cleaner device 10 also comprises a handle unit 24, connected to the suction and collection unit 12, and configured to allow a user to grip it.
• the handle unit 24 comprises a gripping portion 32 and a power supply device 40, for example a battery pack of the rechargeable type.
• the handle unit 24 has a casing 31, possibly formed by two half-shells, inside which a compartment 36 can be obtained.
• the casing 31 is shaped so as to define the gripping portion 32, having a shape suitable to be gripped by a hand, and a housing portion 34 configured to house the power supply device 40.
• connection between the handle unit 24, that is, the housing portion 34, and the power supply device 40 can occur, for example, by means of a snap-in coupling. This makes it possible to quickly replace the power supply device 40, for example when it is without charge, in order to replace it with a charged one, or to put it on charge.
• connection elements 42 can connect the vacuum cleaner device to an electrical network in order to recharge the power supply device 40.
• the handle unit 24 can be rotated with respect to the suction and collection unit 12 so that the user can adapt the vacuum cleaner device 10 as a function of his/her height, or the position of the surfaces to be cleaned, without tiring his/her arm.
• the handle unit 24 is rotatable and rotary with respect to the motor assembly, or motorized head 16.
• the suction and collection unit 12 and the handle unit 24 connected to it define a vacuum cleaner module 50 that can be used in and of itself.
• the vacuum cleaner device 10 also comprises a suction head 43, configured to approach and possibly contact the surfaces to be cleaned.
• the vacuum cleaner device 10 can comprise a suction tube 44 connected with respect to a first end to the suction head 43 and with respect to a second end, opposite the first end, to the suction pipe 11.
• the vacuum cleaner device 10 can be used as a traditional broom.
• the motorized head 16 is configured to suck in the flow A of air and dirt from the outside through the suction pipe 11, convey it toward the collection container 18, and return the flow A of air to the outside.
• the motorized head 16 comprises a motor member 17 and an impeller 45 equipped with blades, configured to be made to rotate by the motor member 17 and generate the suctioned flow of air A.
• the motor member 17 and the impeller 45 can be at least partly enclosed in a containing body 16a of the motorized head 16.
• the containing body 16a has a plurality of holes 46, through which the suctioned flow of air A is returned to the outside.
• the motorized head 16 and the collection container 18 can be assembled and connected axially with respect to each other.
• the collection container 18 delimits and defines a collection chamber 19 in which the dirt drawn by the flow of air A can deposit.
• a filtration unit 13 can be disposed, configured to filter the flow A of air and dirt, facilitating the separation of the heavier material from the air, before returning it to the outside.
• the motorized head 16 is disposed above the collection container 18 and is put in fluidic connection with the collection chamber 19.
• the impeller 45 is positioned between the collection container 18 and the motor member 17.
• the motor member 17 and the impeller 45 are disposed along an axis substantially orthogonal to the suction pipe 11 and therefore to the direction of entry of the flow of air A.
• This conformation allows to reduce head losses, and therefore allows to obtain a stronger flow A, making the vacuum cleaner device 10 more efficient.
• the vacuum cleaner device 10 can comprise a rotation unit 20 disposed between the suction and collection unit 12 and the handle unit 24, configured to allow the reciprocal rotation between them.
• the rotation unit 20 is disposed and connected between the motorized head 16 and the handle unit 24.
• the rotation unit 20 substantially divides the vacuum cleaner device 10 into two parts, so that the overall weight of the vacuum cleaner device 10 is distributed on one side and on the other side of the rotation unit 20, the motor 17 being on one side and the power supply device 40 on the other.
• the vacuum cleaner device 10 comprises a clamping element 26 selectively drivable by a user in order to allow or prevent the reciprocal rotation between the handle unit 24 and the motorized head 16 (fig. 3), allowing a free and continuous rotation between the two components for a predefined angular interval, or clamping them in a desired position.
• the clamping element 26 comprises an activation portion 26a drivable by a user, which is disposed in correspondence with the gripping portion 32, in such a way that a user can easily drive it with the same hand with which he/she holds the gripping portion 32.
• the handle unit 24 can be configured to rotate discreetly with respect to the suction and collection unit 12, and the clamping element 26 can be drivable on each occasion in order to clamp the handle unit 24 into determinate predefined angular positions.
• three or more predefined angular positions can be provided, for example offset by an angle comprised between 10° and 20°, for example 12°, 15° or 18°.
• This allows a good versatility and adaptability of the vacuum cleaner device 10 both to people with different heights, and also to surfaces that are discontinuous, such as steps, or at least partly vertical.
• the handle unit 24 is configured to rotate continuously with respect to the suction and collection unit, and the clamping element 26 is drivable on each occasion in order to clamp the handle unit 24 into the desired position.
• the handle 24 follows the movements of the user allowing him/her to maintain a substantially stable and comfortable posture even when the surface to be cleaned has a series of obstacles that would lead to tiring and continuous posture adjustments.
• the vacuum cleaner device 10 therefore allows a user to modify the position of the handle unit 24 with respect to the suction and collection unit 12, or to the motorized head 16, in order to adapt it according to the needs deriving from the use of the vacuum cleaner device 10.
• handle unit 24 and motorized head 16 can rotate with respect to each other with respect to an axis of rotation R, by an angle a, for example comprised between 0° and 45° between respective end-of-travel positions.
• the angle a can be defined between a lateral surface of the collection container 18 and an external surface of the battery pack 40.
• Figs. 1 and la show how a vacuum cleaner device 10 can adapt to users of different heights allowing them to use it in an upright position that does not tire the limb that supports it or the back.
• suction and collection unit 12 and handle unit 24 are angled by a minimum angle al with respect to each other, while in the configuration of fig. la, suction and collection unit 12 and handle unit 24 are angled by an angle a2 greater than the minimum angle al .
• the rotation movement allows to reduce the user’s fatigue thanks to the fact that the adjustment of the position of the handle unit 24 allows to reduce the resistant moment to a minimum according to the conformations of use.
• the user has to overcome both the weight force of the suction and collection unit 12, and also a torque determined by the inclination of the handle 24 with respect to the floor.
• the user is instead required to overcome only the weight force of the suction and collection unit 12 and no torque, since the center of gravity of the suction and collection unit 12 that comprises the motor member 17 is lowered.
• the rotation unit 20 can comprise a first rotation member 21 integral with the motorized head 16, and a second rotation member 22 integral with the handle unit 24, which can be rotated with respect to the first rotation member 21 with respect to the axis of rotation R.
• the rotation unit 20 can be removably associated with the motorized head 16 and/or with the handle unit 24 in such a way as to facilitate possible maintenance interventions.
• the first rotation member 21 comprises an annular body 23 whose central axis R substantially defines the axis of rotation of the handle unit 24.
• the second coupling member 22 can comprise a pivoting body 25 disposed, during use, coaxial to the annular body 23 and rotatable with respect thereto. This disposition is advantageous for obtaining a better distribution of the weights in the vacuum cleaner device 10, and at the same time facilitating the rotation of the handle unit 24.
• the annular body 23 can comprise, on a lateral surface thereof, first coupling teeth 27a, and the clamping element 26 can be provided with second coupling teeth 27b configured to cooperate with the first coupling teeth 27a creating a same-shape coupling with them.
• the selective activation/deactivation of the clamping element 26 determines respectively the disengagement or the engagement between the first coupling teeth 27a and the second coupling teeth 27b.
• the number of the second coupling teeth 27b is smaller than that of the first coupling teeth 27a, thus allowing a reciprocal coupling in different positions.
• the first coupling teeth 27a can extend for an angular extension corresponding to a maximum angle of rotation a
• the second coupling teeth 27b can extend for an angular extension corresponding to a fraction of the maximum angle, as a function of the number of predefined positions desired.
• the clamping element 26 comprises a bracket 28 rotatably pivoted with respect to the handle unit 24.
• the bracket 28 is rotatably pivoted with respect to the handle unit 24 and comprises a first segment 28a provided with the second coupling teeth 27b, and a second segment 28b disposed angled with respect to the first segment 28a, for example at an angle comprised between 80° and 100°.
• the second segment 28b partly protrudes through a seating 31a made in the casing 31, defining the activation portion 26a of the clamping device 26.
• the second segment 28b develops at least partly longitudinally along the gripping portion 32 in such a way that it is protruding in a position that is advantageous for being contacted, for example by a finger of a user (fig. 3).
• the pivoting axis X of the bracket 28 is disposed in the connection point between the first 28a and the second segment 28b, and develops parallel to the axis of rotation R.
• the clamping element 26 also comprises elastic means 37 associated with the activation portion 26a.
• the elastic means 37 can be associated with the second segment 28b.
• the elastic means 37 are attached on one side to the gripping portion 32, and on the opposite side to the second segment 28b.
• the elastic means 37 pass from an extended condition, in which they determine the engagement between the first and the second coupling teeth 28a 28b, to a compressed condition in which they allow the disengagement of the first 27a and second coupling teeth 27b and the rotation between pivoting body 25 and annular body 23 (fig. 6b).
• the bracket 28 rotates around the pivoting axis X, compressing the elastic means 37 and moving the first segment 28a away from the annular body 23.
• the handle unit 24 can assume different positions along the angle a, positions that can be defined by the number of first 27a and second coupling teeth 27b.
• the action of the elastic means determines the coupling of the first and second teeth 27a, 27b in correspondence with the closest position.
• Fig. 6a shows the handle unit 24 clamped with respect to the motorized head 16 in a first end-of-travel position. In this position, the angle al has a minimum value, and the same-shape coupling between the first 27a and second coupling teeth 27b in the proximity of an initial portion of the first teeth 27a can be seen.
• Fig. 6b shows a condition in which the clamping element 26 is deactivated, and the first 21 and second rotation member 22 are not engaged with each other allowing a free and continuous rotation of the handle unit 24 with respect to the motorized head 16 by an angle a.
• the angle a is shown with an amplitude greater than the minimum angle al, meaning, however, that in this condition of the clamping member 26, the angle a can assume any value whatsoever within a predefined range.
• the elastic mean 37 is compressed.
• the decoupling of the first 21 and second coupling member 22 is necessary in order to rotate the handle unit 24 to take it, for example, to the position shown in fig. 6c where the angle a3 is greater than the angle al in fig. 6a.
• the second coupling teeth 27b are coupled in an intermediate position with the first teeth 27a.
• the containing body 16a and the casing 31 comprise respective passage apertures suitable to put the respective containing compartments in reciprocal communication, for the passage of data and/or power supply cables 41.
• the first coupling member 21 can be conformed in such a way as to comprise at least one passage channel 30 passing through it, through which the cables 41 can pass between the handle unit 24 and the suction and collection 12 unit (figs. 4-5), so as to supply the energy of the battery pack 40 to the motorized head 16.
• such a solution allows to keep the cables 41 protected from the rotational movement, preserving them from possible stresses and/or tensions, thus reducing the occurrence of malfunctions.
• the passage channel 30 is outside the first coupling member 21.
• the electrical cables 41 in the handle unit 24 are advantageously ordered inside the compartment 36.
• Some embodiments can provide to use a compensation spring 38 configured to facilitate the passage from a conformation of the handle unit 24 with a greater angle a to a conformation with a smaller angle a, providing the user with help in overcoming the gravitational component while moving the handle 24.
• the handle unit 24 can comprise a head portion 33.
• the head portion 33 is shaped so as to house the second rotation member 22 and couple by complementarity of shape with the first rotation member 21 and, possibly, at least partly surround it.
• the head portion 33 is also conformed so as to be at least partly inserted into a concavity provided in the containing body 16a of the motorized head 16 in order to allow the reciprocal rotation.
• the head 33 can have an aperture to put the handle unit 24 in communication with the motorized head 16.
• the handle unit 24 does not comprise mechanical parts of the motor 17, possibly even heavy ones, which can limit or in any case influence the use of the vacuum cleaner device 10 by the user.
• an excessive weight in correspondence with the handle unit 24 causes poor handling, which can manifest itself to a greater extent in cases in which the vacuum cleaner device 10 is used on surfaces which require continuous position adjustments, that is, based on particular requirements as previously described.
• Some embodiments also provide that the handle unit 24 does not even comprise parts of the suction circuit 14.
• a handle unit 24 according to the embodiments described therefore allows it to be designed mainly taking into account ergonomics. In this way, it is possible to make a handle unit 24 that is comfortable and easy to grip for a user and that does not tire the limb used to handle it.
• the absence of mechanical parts of the motor 17 and of the suction circuit 14 in the handle unit 24 allows to reduce the generation of vexing heat and/or vexing flows of air toward the user, further improving the ergonomics of use of the vacuum cleaner device 10.
• the handle unit 24 has, in correspondence with the housing 34 for the power supply device 40, suitable means to put the power supply device 40 in electrical communication with the connection cables 41.
• the handle unit 24 can comprise control devices configured to allow the user to interact with, that is, control the functions of, the vacuum cleaner device 10.
• Such devices can be devices of a known type such as buttons, knobs, switches or suchlike.
• control devices can be positioned in the proximity of the gripping portion 32, for example on the head portion 33, so as to be easy to actuate, for example with the thumb finger of the same hand that grips the gripping portion 32.
• the handle unit 24 can possibly be provided with devices for displaying the information of the controls entered by the user and/or of the functioning parameters of the vacuum cleaner device 10.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)
• Filters For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
• Addition Polymer Or Copolymer, Post-Treatments, Or Chemical Modifications (AREA)
• Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)

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Family Applications (1)

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Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 2019
  • 2019-09-13 IT IT102019000016304A patent/IT201900016304A1/it unknown
• 2020
  • 2020-09-11 EP EP20781109.2A patent/EP4027848A1/en active Pending
  • 2020-09-11 WO PCT/IT2020/050222 patent/WO2021048889A1/en unknown
  • 2020-09-11 CN CN202080079031.4A patent/CN114727728A/zh active Pending

Patent Citations (3)

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