CN105916426B - Surface cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A kind of surface cleaning apparatus, comprising: cleaning head；Support water container, the housing parts of steam generator and steam (vapor) outlet including one or more heating elements；And the elongated member of the connection cleaning head and the housing parts, the elongated member includes the fluid channel being connected to the steam (vapor) outlet with for steam to be oriented to cleaning head, wherein the elongated member can be releasably attached to the cleaning head.

Description

surface cleaning equipment

technical field

The present invention relates to a surface cleaning device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a surface, such as a floor or a wall, using a steam source.

Background technique

The use of steam cleaners to clean floors and other surfaces is well known. Steam cleaners for cleaning floor surfaces typically have a cleaning head comprising a body that can be moved by the user over the surface to be cleaned, the body being adapted to carry cleaning elements which may be or include fabric/textile or Other materials that are vapor permeable absorbent. Steam (or very hot water) is emitted from the body and contacts the surface to be cleaned through the cleaning head, which has the effect of loosening dirt on the surface. Dirty water condensed from steam on this surface is absorbed by the cleaning elements.

In order to enable the cleaning head to be maneuvered over the surface to be cleaned, the cleaning head may be connected to the wand and steam may be supplied to the cleaning head from a separate steam generator through a hose. Alternatively, the wand itself may have a steam generator and water supply to form a self-contained steam cleaning device, sometimes referred to as a "stick" or "tow" style steam cleaner.

For such devices, the steam generator typically includes a water storage container (eg, a tank that is filled by a user), an electric pump (controlled by a user-operated switch), and one or more heating elements. In use, water is supplied by the pump from the tank to the heating element where it is then heated. The resulting steam (or very hot water) then flows from the heating element to the cleaning head and thus onto the surface to be cleaned.

Another known function of such steam cleaners is the ability to store cleaning agents (such as solutions of suitable detergents) to assist in steam cleaning operations.

Contents of the invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a surface cleaning device comprising:

cleaning head;

Housing parts, which support:

water storage container;

steam generators including one or more heating elements;

steam outlet; and

an elongated member connecting the cleaning head and the housing member, the elongated member including a fluid channel in communication with the steam outlet for directing steam to the cleaning head,

Wherein, the elongated member is releasably connectable to the cleaning head.

Other characteristics of the invention are contained in the appended claims.

Description of drawings

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus of one embodiment;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 3 is a side perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 4 is another front perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 5 is a side view of the surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 6 is a front view of the surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 7 is another side view of the surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 8 is a rear view of the surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 9 is a side view of the surface cleaning device without the cleaning head attached;

Figure 10 is a side view of the housing components of the surface cleaning appliance;

Figure 11 is a top view of the surface cleaning apparatus; and

Figure 12 is a bottom view of a cleaning head of a surface cleaning appliance.

Detailed ways

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 10 according to the present invention. Device 10 has a cleaning head 12 , a housing member 14 and an elongated member 16 extending between cleaning head 12 and housing member 14 . The cleaning head 12, the elongate part 16 and the housing part 14 are interconnected in this order, wherein the housing part 14 is arranged furthest from the floor surface to be cleaned. Although not shown in the figures, the cleaning head 12 is adapted to carry a cleaning element that is or includes fabric/textile or other material that is vapor permeable absorbent, as is known in the art.

In this example, housing member 14 supports and houses a water storage container, a steam generator including one or more heating elements, and a pump (although a pump is not required) for delivering water from the storage container to the steam generator. . Since these components are well known in the art, they are not shown in the figures, nor are they discussed in more detail here. The housing part 14 also includes a user-graspable handle formation 18 that includes a hand aperture 19 and one or more controls 20a, 20b for operating the device 10 . For example, the controls 20a, 20b are used to power the pump and steam generator (which may be a mains power source or batteries supported or housed in the housing part 14). Other controls may be used and their positions changed if desired without departing from the scope of the present invention. The housing part 14 has a steam outlet 35 which communicates with the steam generator.

The cross-section of the elongated member 16 is generally circular. Elongated member 16 connects cleaning head 12 to housing member 14 and includes a fluid channel (not shown) in communication with steam outlet 35 for directing steam to cleaning head 12 . While in this embodiment the elongate member 16 is a single member (albeit formed from many parts), it is envisioned that in some embodiments the elongate member comprises two or more parts joined end to end. elements, preferably the elements are releasably connected to each other. The elongated member 16 is connected to the cleaning head by a universal joint 9 which allows a 360° articulation between the elongated member 16 and the cleaning head. Other types of hinges may be used in some embodiments, such as those that allow less than 360° of articulation. The universal joint 9 has a storage position holding the elongated member 16 in a generally vertical position, with the center of gravity of the device 10 located within the footprint of the cleaning head 12 . As such, device 10 is capable of self-supporting in this position (although it does not necessarily need to be arranged in this manner).

Advantageously, the elongate member 16 has a steam outlet 37 (see FIG. 9 ) which is releasably connected to the steam inlet 11 of the cleaning head 12 (see FIG. 7 ) via the first retaining means 22 . The first retaining means 22 comprises a first locking member 24 supported on the cleaning head 12, the first locking member 24 being pivotally movable at position 25 between a locked position and an unlocked position. The end of the locking member 24 is engageable with a first formation provided on the elongated member 16 in the form of a wedge-shaped protrusion 26 . In use, the user applies downward pressure with the foot (or hand) to the extension 28 of the locking member 24 to pivot the member 24 out of engagement with the boss 26 .

It should be understood that in other embodiments, the first locking member may be supported on or by the elongated member 16 and the protrusion may be provided on the cleaning member 12 . In either configuration, the first locking member 24 may engage a recess rather than a protrusion.

Advantageously, the steam inlet 17 (see FIG. 7 ) of the elongated part 16 is releasably connected to the steam outlet 35 of the housing part 14 via the second retaining means 30 . The second holding device 30 is functionally similar to the first holding device 22 .

The second retaining means 30 comprises a second locking member 32 supported on the elongated member 16, the second locking member 32 being pivotally movable at a position 33 between a locked position and an unlocked position. The end of the locking part 32 can engage with a second formation provided on the housing part 14 in the form of a wedge-shaped projection 34 . In use, a user manually applies downward pressure on the extension 36 of the locking member 32 to pivot the member 32 out of engagement with the boss 34 .

It should be understood that in other embodiments, the second locking member may be supported on or by the housing member 14 and the protrusion may be provided on the elongated member 16 . In either configuration, the second locking member 32 may engage the recess rather than the protrusion.

Advantageously, the first locking member 24 and the second locking member 32 are biased into their locked positions by respective springs (not shown), although this is not necessary in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the locking member is, for example, slidingly movable rather than pivotally movable.

An advantage of the releasable connections between housing member 14, elongate member 16 and cleaning head 12 is that they allow device 10 to be easily disassembled for storage. Furthermore, this allows the device 10 to be used in many configurations, each suitable for a particular type/location of steam cleaning. For example, it can be seen from FIG. 9 that without the cleaning head 12 attached, the elongated member 16 and the housing member 14 can still be used for steam cleaning (such as spot cleaning of floors/walls or small, hard-to-reach locations) . Additionally, when neither the cleaning head 12 nor the elongate member 16 are attached (see FIG. 10), the housing member 14 can be used as a hand-held surface cleaning device. In the latter example, the cleaning head 12 could be attached directly to the housing member 14 (without the elongated member 16), if desired. In the arrangement shown in Figures 9 and 10, an optional tool for cleaning is connected to the steam outlets 35, 37 to assist cleaning. For example, the tool may include a brush to aid in the removal of dirt from the surface being cleaned.

Although not shown in the embodiments in the figures, in some embodiments the housing component may support a detergent storage container. In such an embodiment, the housing part may comprise a detergent outlet in communication with a separate detergent channel provided in the elongated part for directing detergent towards the cleaning head. The detergent channel and the fluid channel in the elongated member may be arranged side by side, for example, on either side of the axis of the elongated member, wherein the cross-sectional area of the fluid channel is larger than the cross-sectional area of the detergent channel (although this is not necessary).

In some embodiments, the detergent is mixed with the steam at or before the mixture exits the elongated member through the steam outlet to the cleaning head, so that it is the detergent/steam mixture that enters the cleaning head. In other embodiments, the detergent may be mixed with the steam before or as the mixture exits the housing part through the steam outlet to the fluid channel of the elongated part, so that a separate detergent channel in the elongated part is not necessary.

In other embodiments, the cleaning head may support the detergent reservoir (instead of being located in the housing part). In such an embodiment, the detergent may be mixed with the steam as or before the detergent/steam mixture exits the cleaning head to the floor surface.

The terms "comprising" and "comprising" and variations thereof when used in the present description and claims mean that the specified features, steps or characteristics are included. These terms are not to be interpreted as excluding the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the above description or the appended claims or drawings (either through their specific configuration or in the form of means for realizing the disclosed functions) or in any combination may be suitably used alone or in any combination. The methods or steps for obtaining the disclosed effects can be used to realize the present invention in different forms.

Claims (28)

1. A surface cleaning device comprising: a cleaning head having a universal joint; Housing parts, which support: water storage container; Steam generators including heating elements; steam outlet; and an elongated member connecting the cleaning head and the housing member, the elongated member including a fluid channel in communication with the steam outlet for directing steam to the cleaning head, It is characterized in that the elongated member can be releasably connected to the cleaning head, the universal joint allows a 360° hinge between the elongated member and the cleaning head, and the universal joint having a stored condition that maintains the elongate member in an upright position such that the center of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus is within the footprint of the cleaning head; wherein said surface cleaning apparatus comprises first retaining means for retaining said elongate member relative to said cleaning head; Wherein, the first holding device includes a first locking member supported on or supported by one of the elongated member and the cleaning head, and the first A locking member is pivotally movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the first locking member is spring-biased to the locked position, the first locking member is capable of cooperating with the elongated member and the engaging a first formation on the other of the cleaning head or in the other of the elongated member and the cleaning head; Wherein, the first locking member can be pivotally moved to an unlocked position by applying downward pressure on the extension of the first locking member by a user's foot, so that the first locking member is pivotally disengaged from the locking member. engagement of the first configuration. 2. The surface cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the housing member includes a user graspable handle configuration and one or more controls for operating the surface cleaning appliance. 3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first formation is a recess or a protrusion. 4. Surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elongate member is releasably connected to the housing member. 5. Surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the surface cleaning apparatus comprises second retaining means for retaining the elongate member relative to the housing member. 6. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein said second retaining means is supported by one of said elongated member and said housing member or is supported by said elongated member and said housing member. A supported second locking member in the housing member, the second locking member is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the second locking member is capable of cooperating with the elongated member and the housing A second formation on or provided in the other of the elongated member and the housing member engages. 7. Surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second formation is a recess or a protrusion. 8. The surface cleaning appliance of claim 6, wherein the second locking member is spring biased into its locked position. 9. The surface cleaning appliance of claim 8, wherein the second locking member is pivotally movable between its corresponding locked and unlocked positions. 10. Surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elongated member includes a steam outlet releasably connectable to a steam inlet of the cleaning member. 11. Surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the steam outlet of the housing member is releasably connectable to the steam inlet of the elongate member. 12. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said housing member is operable as a handheld surface cleaning device once said housing member is disconnected from said elongated member. Equipment. 13. A surface cleaning appliance as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing part supports a detergent storage container. 14. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein the housing member includes a detergent outlet in communication with a detergent passage provided in the elongate member for Detergent is directed towards the cleaning head. 15. Surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the detergent channel and the fluid channel are arranged side-by-side in the elongate member. 16. The surface cleaning appliance of claim 14, wherein the fluid passage has a greater cross-sectional area than the detergent passage. 17. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein the detergent is mixed with the steam at or before the detergent and steam mixture exits the elongate member through the steam outlet to the cleaning head. 18. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein the detergent is mixed with the steam at or before the detergent and steam mixture exits the housing member through the steam outlet to the fluid passage of the elongate member. 19. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 18, wherein the fluid passage of the elongate member is adapted to direct a cleaning agent and steam mixture to the cleaning head. 20. The surface cleaning appliance of claim 13, wherein the cleaning head supports a detergent reservoir and includes a detergent outlet. 21. The surface cleaning appliance of claim 20, wherein detergent is mixed with the steam at or before the detergent and steam mixture exits the cleaning head. 22. Surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elongate member is generally circular or oval in cross-section. 23. A surface cleaning appliance as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the steam outlet of the housing part is releasably connectable to the steam inlet of the cleaning part. 24. Surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elongate member comprises two or more members joined end to end. 25. Surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the two or more parts are releasably connectable to each other. 26. Surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said cleaning head, said elongate member and said housing member are interconnected in sequence, wherein the housing member is provided furthest from the floor surface to be cleaned. 27. Surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising one or more tools for cleaning, each tool having a steam outlet connectable to the housing and/or Or a pipe connectable to the steam outlet of said elongate member. 28. Surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a pump for supplying water from the water storage container to the steam generator.