WO2022089711A1

WO2022089711A1 - Sealing member for a vacuum cleaner nozzle

Info

Publication number: WO2022089711A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/079629
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter MIAN
Original assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
Priority date: 2020-11-02
Filing date: 2020-11-02
Publication date: 2022-05-05
Also published as: EP4236747A1

Abstract

Described is a nozzle (100) for a vacuum cleaner comprising a housing (110) and a suction space (120) formed within the housing. A sealing (130) member is provided on the outside of the suction space. The sealing member comprises, on the same side of the suction space, a first sweep line closer to the suction space and a second sweep line distanced from the first sweep line and further away from the suction space than the first sweep line. The first sweep line and the second sweep line being essentially parallel to each other, wherein at least one of the first sweep line and the second sweep line comprises projections extending towards the surface to be cleaned with openings between the projections.

Description

SEALING MEMBER FOR A VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to vacuum cleaner nozzle and in particular a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a sealing member, and to such a sealing member.

Background

Vacuum cleaner nozzles for vacuum cleaners can be provided with a suction mouth surrounded wholly or partly by a seal that can be placed on a surface to be cleaned.

Such vacuum cleaner nozzles are designed to be placed on a surface to be cleaned and to connect, typically indirectly via a pipe, a hose and other devices of the vacuum cleaner, to a suction fan of a vacuum cleaner. In order to clean a recess in the surface, such as a crack, groove or joint, as effectively as possible, the suction mouth is surrounded by a seal so that a high vacuum can be generated in the suction space defined by the seal between the suction mouth and the surface. If the vacuum cleaner nozzle is moved over the recess in the ground, air flows at high speed through the recess into the suction space, whereby the recess is effectively cleaned.

However, such a seal can be disadvantageous when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is moved in the sealed state on the surface, because larger dirt particles can then be pushed I swept in front of the seal, making it difficult or impossible to vacuum the large dirt particles.

EP 2939582 describes a vacuum cleaner nozzle designed to enable both generation of sufficient negative pressure in the suction chamber for effective cleaning of recesses in the surface to be cleaned and also absorption of larger dirt particles when moving the vacuum cleaner nozzle on the surface.

In EP 2939582, a vacuum cleaner nozzle is provided with a suction mouth having a sealing member that can be placed on a surface to be cleaned. The sealing member is formed by at least one elastic sealing lip, which is designed such that it has a lower rigidity when bent in a direction towards the suction mouth than in the opposite direction. There is a constant desire to improve vacuum cleaners to make them more efficient.

Summary

One object of the present disclosure is therefore to provide a vacuum cleaning nozzle that is more efficient than existing vacuum cleaning nozzles and which is able to generate an under pressure in the nozzle and at the same time allow for picking up larger dirt particles. This object is achieved by a vacuum cleaner nozzle and a sealing member for a vacuum cleaner nozzle as set out in the appended claims.

As has been realized by the inventor, it would be advantageous to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle that allows a better pickup of big particles without negatively impacting dust pick up by the under pressure formed in the nozzle.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner preferably being a household vacuum cleaner, such as for example a canister vacuum cleaner, a stick or upright vacuum cleaner or a robotic vacuum cleaner. The nozzle comprises a housing and a suction space formed within the housing. Further, a sealing member is provided on the outside of the suction space. The sealing member can typically be located on the front side and/or back side of the nozzle in the direction that the nozzle is intended to move. The sealing member comprises, on the same side of the suction space, a first sweep line closer to the suction space and a second sweep line distanced from the first sweep line and further away from the suction space than the first sweep line. The first sweep line and the second sweep line are essentially parallel to each other, and at least one of the first sweep line and the second sweep line comprises projections extending towards the surface to be cleaned with openings between the projections. Hereby a sealing that allows for large particles to pass through the sealing is provided that at the same time provides for a good sealing against the surface to be cleaned. The first sweep line and the second sweep line can advantageously be oriented transverse the intended direction of movement of the nozzle so as to sweep over a large area when the nozzle is moved over the surface to be cleaned. In accordance with one embodiment, both the first sweep line and the second sweep line comprise projections extending towards the surface to be cleaned. Hereby a labyrinth through which the large particles can enter the suction space can be created whereby the large particles more easily can enter the suction space.

In accordance with one embodiment the projections are formed by flaps. The flaps can hang downwards to create the projections of the first and or sweep line. Hereby one easy way to implement arrangement for creating the projections of the sweep line(s) is provided.

In accordance with one embodiment, the sweep lines are formed by ribs having cutouts forming projections between the cutouts.

. In other words, a rib can be provided with cutouts. Hereby projections will be formed between the cutouts. The rib with cutouts will then form a sweep line that is easy to manufacture.

In accordance with one embodiment the projections of the first sweep line completely covers openings of the second sweep line in a line of sight. Hereby a more efficient sealing of the suction space can be achieved. This is because, when the nozzle is moved over the surface to be cleaned, the sweep lines are arranged so that the projections of the respective sweep lines covers the respective openings of the other sweep line in the movement direction of the nozzle of the surface to be cleaned.

In accordance with one embodiment the projections of the first sweep line are longer than the projections of the second sweep line.

In accordance with embodiments a first sealing member is provided forward of the suction space, or a second sealing member is provided rearward of the suction, in the principal movement direction of the nozzle over the surface to be cleaned. Alternatively, two sealing members are provided, a first sealing member forward of the suction space and a second sealing member rearward of the suction space. By providing a sealing member both forward and rearward of the suction space in the principal movement direction of the nozzle over the surface to be cleaned, a more efficient pick up of large particles can be obtained since large particles can be picked up both during a forward stroke and during a backward stroke and at the same time keep an efficient sealing of the suction space both during the forward stroke and during the backward stroke.

In accordance with some embodiments the projections are rectangular. Hereby the projections can be easily manufactured and can be made easy to overlap in a line of sight.

In accordance with some embodiments the openings between rectangular projections have circularly shaped formations in the corners thereof. Hereby the projections are made more robust and less likely to be damaged.

In accordance with some embodiments the openings between the projections are at least 2 mm wide, preferably between 2-16 mm. Hereby it can be ensured that even very large particles can enter the suction space.

In accordance with some embodiments the openings between the projections in the second sweep line are wider compared to the openings in the first sweep line.

In accordance with some embodiments the openings between the projections in the first sweep line are between 2-12 mm wide, and preferably 6-10 mm wide.

In accordance with some embodiments the openings between the projections in the second sweep line are between 4-15 mm wide, and preferably 10-14 mm wide

In accordance with some embodiments the first sweep line and the second sweep line are spaced apart 0 - 4mm, and preferably at least 2mm. Hereby large particles can enter the space between the first sweep line and the second sweep line when passing through the first and second sweep line to enter the suction space.

In accordance with some embodiments a brush is provided in the suction space. Hereby the pick-up of particles, in particular large particles, in the suction space can be improved. In accordance with some embodiments, projections of the first sweep line are more flexible than the projections of the second sweep line in the forward and/or backward movement direction. Hereby a more efficient sealing against the surface to be cleaned can be obtained.

In accordance with some embodiments, the projections of the first sweep line extend all the way to the surface to be cleaned. Hereby an improved sealing for the suction space can be achieved.

In accordance with some embodiments, the projections of the first sweep line are longer in a direction towards the surface to be cleaned than projections of the second sweep line. Hereby an improved configuration of projections can be obtained that enables improved pick up of large particles.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention a sealing member as set out above is provided. The sealing member can be a spare part for the nozzle and be easy to exchange if damaged or if another type of sealing member is to be used. For example, if different sealing members are available that are optimized for different surfaces.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail by means of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner from the side,

Fig. 2 is a view of a sealing member from the side,

Fig. 3 is a front view of a sealing member,

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective from below of a sealing member,

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of ribs for a sealing member. Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner moving forward from the side,

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner moving backward from the side, and

Fig. 8 is an area cross sectional views of a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner with two sealing members moving forward and backward, respectively.

Detailed description

Aspects of the present invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for ease of understanding and/or clarity. It is further to be understood that the features described can be combined in any suitable manner to meet different implementational needs.

The present disclosure relates to a nozzle 100 for a vacuum cleaner, as illustrated in Fig 1 . The nozzle 100 has a housing 110 and inside the housing 110 a suction space 120 is formed as is well known in the art. The suction space 120 can be placed in fluid connection with a suction fan of a vacuum cleaner to create under pressure in the suction space whereby dirt can be sucked into the suction space and onwards to the vacuum cleaner as is also well known in the art.

In accordance with some embodiments the nozzle 100 can be supported by wheels 170, 180. The wheels 170, 180 can be arranged in any suitable configuration. In Fig.

1 , the nozzle is supported by a pair of rear wheels 170 and a pair of front wheels 180. This configuration supports a movement back and forth over an underlying surface.

Further a brush 160 can be provided in the suction space 120. The brush can be arranged to brush against the surface to be cleaned and thereby free dirt and other particles from the surface to be cleaned to facilitate suction of dirt from the surface to be cleaned. The brush 160 can in some embodiments be rotatably arranged in the suction space 120. The nozzle 100 in the embodiment of Fig. 1 further has a sealing member 130 provided on the outside of the suction space as seen in the intended movement direction of the nozzle 100. The intended movement direction, principal movement direction, of the nozzle 100 is typically forward (see Fig 6). During use the nozzle is typically moved back and forth in a forward stroke and a backward stroke, respectively, in a forward moving direction Thus, in the embodiment of Fig. 1 , located directly behind the suction space 120 is the sealing member 130. The sealing member acts to improve the under pressure in the suction space 120 and at the same time allow for larger dirt and particles to enter the suction space 120 as will be described in more detail below.

In Fig. 2 an exemplary sealing member 130 is depicted in a side view. The sealing member comprises two sweep lines. A sweep line can be any line of members acting to sweep over the surface to be cleaned. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 the sweep lines are formed by ribs 132, 134. Thus, the first sweep line is here formed by a first rib 132, and a second sweep line is here formed by a second rib 134. A first rib 132 is arranged closer to the suction space and a second rib 134 is located distanced from the first rib and further away from the suction space than the first rib 132. The first rib 132 and the second rib 134 are being arranged transverse the intended direction of movement of the nozzle and essentially parallel to each other. Thus, the first rib 132 and the second rib 134 will move together over the surface to be cleaned while being oriented transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the movement of the nozzle so as to sweep over the surface to be cleaned. For example, if the nozzle is arranged to move back and forth, the first rib 132 and the second rib 134 can be oriented laterally from side to side of the nozzle 100.

The first rib 132 and second rib 134 can be placed in a holder 135. The holder can be a separate replacement having an inside flange 137 and an outside flange 139. The inside flange 137 can be curved outwards from the first rib 132. Similarly, the outside flange 139 can be curved outwards from the second rib 134.

In Fig. 3, the sealing member 130 is shown in a front view. As can be seen the holder 135 of the sealing member 130 can be provided with at least one connector 138. Hereby, the sealing member can easily be replaced by a replacement sealing member if the sealing member is worn out or if another type of sealing member is required for example for cleaning another type of surface. For example, there can be different stiffness of the ribs 132, 134 that suits different types of surfaces such as carpets or different hard floors.

In Fig. 4, a view in perspective from below of the sealing member 130 is shown. As can be seen, the ribs 132, 134 of the sealing members are provided with cutouts as will be described in more detail below.

In Fig. 5, the first rib 132 and second rib 134 are shown in more detail in a front view. Here both the first rib 132 and the second rib 134 are provided with cutouts 142 and 144, respectively. The cutouts 142, 144 are advantageously provided such that when laid over each other, the portions of the ribs 132, 134 forming projections 143, 145 extending between the cutouts cover the cutouts of the other rib. In other words, when the nozzle moves over the surface to be cleaned, large dirt particles cannot go straight into the suction space because when the particles enters between the cutouts of the outer rib, there will be extending portions (projections) 143, 145 of the inner rib preventing the large dirt particle from going in a straight line in the direction of movement of the nozzle into the suction space.

In other words, the projections 143, 145 of the two sweep lines will overlap in a line of sight. Thus, the projections 143 of the first sweep line completely covers openings 144 of the second sweep line in a line of sight. Instead the large dirt particle will have to move sideways between the first rib and second rib to find its way into the suction space. However, it is also envisaged that only one of the ribs 132, 134 is provided with cutouts.

In accordance with some embodiments the cutouts 142 of the first rib 132 are cut deeper than the cutouts of the second rib. Hereby, the projections 143 of the first rib will be longer than the projections of the second rib 134. The cutouts 142 of the first rib 132 can for example be at least 5 mm deep and the cutouts 144 of the second rib 144 can be at least 2 mm deep.

The cutouts are typically generally rectangular, but other shapes can be envisaged such semi-circular or similar shapes. In accordance with some embodiments, the rectangular cutouts have circularly shaped formations 148 in the comers of the cutouts. In accordance with some embodiments the cutouts are at least 2 mm wide and in some embodiments 2.5 mm wide. However, the cutouts can be wider, such as at least 5 mm or even at least 8 - 10 mm. The projections will then be spaced apart accordingly.

In accordance with some embodiments, the first rib 132 and the second rib 134 are spaced apart at least 2 mm or at least 3 mm in the intended direction of movement of the nozzle. The intended direction of movement is typically forward or backwards over the surface to be cleaned. Thus, the nozzle will either be moved forward in a forward stroke or backwards in a backward stroke.

Further, in accordance with some embodiments the first rib 132 can be more flexible, i.e. be more easily bent, than the second rib 132. Also, the first rib 132 can extend longer, closer to the surface to be cleaned than the second rib 134. Thus, the projections of the first sweep line are more flexible than the projections of the second sweep line in the forward and/or backward movement direction.

In Fig. 6, the function of the sealing member 130 is illustrated. The sealing member of the nozzle is here shown when the nozzle is moved in a forward stroke in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 6. As can be seen, the inner, first, rib will then move towards the outer, second rib of the sealing member to seal the back side of the suction space 120 as seen in the direction of movement of the nozzle. No dirt particles, in particular no larger dirt particles will then exit the suction space at the rear side of the suction space when the nozzle is moved forward since the first rib and the second rib of the sealing member 130 cooperate to seal the rear side of the suction space 120.

In Fig. 7, the function of the sealing member 130 is illustrated when the nozzle is moved in the opposite, backwards direction. The sealing member 130 of the nozzle is here shown when the nozzle is moved in a backwards stroke in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 7. As can be seen, the inner, first, rib will then move away from the outer, second rib of the sealing member to open a path into the suction space 120 for dirt particles as seen in the direction of movement of the nozzle 100. Thus, dirt particles, in particular larger dirt particles can now enter the suction space at the rear side of the suction space when the nozzle is moved backwards since the first rib and the second rib of the sealing member 130 cooperate to open the rear side of the suction space 120.

In Fig. 8 views similar to the views in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are shown. The arrows in the upper and lower views of Fig. 8 indicate the direction of movement of the nozzle. The nozzle 100 is moved forwards (in the upper view) and backwards (in the lower view). In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 two sealing members 130 and 150 are provided. In addition to the rear sealing member at the rear side of the suction space 120, a front sealing member 150 is provided at the front side of the suction space 120. The forward sealing member 150 acts in the corresponding way as the rear sealing member and is placed so that the first rib is located closest to the suction space 120. When two sealing members are provided, the sealing member leading in the direction of movement will be open to allow dirt to enter whereas the other sealing member trailing in the direction of movement will seal the suction space. Hereby an improved pick up of large particles can be provided and at the same time a high under pressure can be maintained inside the suction space 120.

In the above description, the sweep lines have been exemplified by ribs having cutouts. The ribs will then have projections formed between the cutouts that extend downwards towards the surface to be cleaned. However, it is envisaged that such projections can be formed in a number of different ways. For example, flaps can be arranged that hang downwards along a line to form a sweep line. The sealing member will thus comprise two sweep lines where at least one sweep line, when in use, has projections extending downwards towards the surface to be cleaned.

Also, it is to be understood that the dimensioning of the sweep lines can be varied to meet different implementational needs. For example, the distance between the sweep lines can be 1 mm or 2mm or more such as at least 3mm. Also, the distance between the projections of the sweep lines can be varied. For example, the distance can be a few mm such as 5mm or more such as at least 8mm. The distance can be different for the different sweep lines. For example, the distance between projections can be longer for the second sweep line. Further the thickness of the different sweep lines can be in the order of 1 mm. Such as at least 0.5 mm or at least 0.75 mm. The different sweep lines can have different thickness.

Claims

1 . A nozzle (100) for a vacuum cleaner comprising:

-a housing (110),

- a suction space (120) formed within the housing,

- a sealing (130) member provided on the outside of the suction space, wherein the sealing member comprises, on the same side of the suction space, a first sweep line (132) closer to the suction space and a second sweep line (134) distanced from the first sweep line and further away from the suction space than the first sweep line, the first sweep line and the second sweep line being essentially parallel to each other, wherein at least one of the first sweep line and the second sweep line comprises projections (143, 145) extending towards the surface to be cleaned with openings (142, 144) between the projections.

2. The nozzle according to claim 1 , wherein both the first sweep line and the second sweep line comprises projections (143, 145) extending towards the surface to be cleaned.

3. The nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the projections are formed by flaps.

4. The nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sweep lines are formed by ribs having cutouts (142, 144) forming projections between the cutouts.

5. The nozzle according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the projections of the first sweep line completely covers openings of the second sweep line in a line of sight.

6. The nozzle according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the projections of the first sweep line are longer than the projections of the second sweep line.

7. The nozzle according to any one of claims 1 - 6, wherein, a first sealing member is provided forward of the suction space and/or a second sealing member is provided rearward of the suction space in the principal movement direction of the nozzle over the surface to be cleaned.

8. The nozzle according to anyone of claims 1 - 5, wherein the projections (143, 145) are rectangular.

9. The nozzle according to claim 8, wherein the openings have circularly shaped formations (148) in the comers thereof.

10. The nozzle according to anyone of claims 1 - 9, wherein the openings (142, 144) are at least 2 mm wide, preferably between 2-16 mm.

11. The nozzle according to anyone of claims 1 - 10, wherein the openings (142,144) between the projections in the second sweep line are wider compared to the openings in the first sweep line.

12. The nozzle according to anyone of claims 1 - 11 , wherein the sweep line and the second sweep line are spaced apart at least 2 mm.

13. The nozzle according to any one of claims 1 - 11 , wherein projections of the first sweep line are more flexible than the projections of the second sweep line in the forward and/or backward movement direction.

14. The nozzle according to any one of claims 1 - 12, wherein the projections of the first sweep line extend all the way to the surface to be cleaned.

15. The nozzle according to any one of claims 1 - 14, wherein the projections of the first sweep line are longer in a direction towards the surface to be cleaned than projections of the second sweep line.

16. The nozzle according to any one of claims 1 - 15, wherein the first sweep line and the second sweep line are oriented transverse the intended direction of movement of the nozzle.

17. A sealing member (130) configured to be provided on the outside of the suction space of a vacuum cleaner nozzle, comprising a first sweep line (132) arranged to be located closer to the suction space and a second sweep line (134) distanced from the first sweep line and arranged to be further away from the suction space than the first sweep line, the first sweep line and the second sweep line being essentially parallel to each other, wherein at least one of the first sweep line and the second sweep line comprises projections (143, 145) extending towards the surface to be cleaned with openings (142, 144) between the projections.