EP1875846A2 - Nozzle for floor vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The nozzle has a suction head (5) movably mounted on a front section of a chassis (1) around a horizontal tilting axis (6) in a tiltable manner. A floor surface is formed by front and rear suction mouth edges (7, 7`), where distance between the horizontal tilting axis and the surface, is larger than 35 millimeter. The suction head is tilted in a contact position towards the front section of the chassis at a maximum fifteen degree with respect to a rest position. The front and rear suction mouth edges lie in a plane in the rest position of a contact point (13) of a roller (3).

Description

The invention relates to a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner with a chassis, which has a rear chassis section with at least one roller and a front projecting in the suction direction front portion for connection of a suction head, with a suction head which is tiltably mounted about a horizontal tilting axis at the front portion of the chassis and at the bottom has a suction mouth bounded by a front suction mouth edge and a rear suction mouth edge and with a Saugrohranschlussstück which is pivotable about a horizontal hinge axis in a fixed pivoting range on the chassis, wherein the tilting movement of the suction head about the horizontal tilt axis forward through a first stop position and is limited to the rear by a second stop position of the suction head.

Nozzles with the features described above are available in various designs from practice and the document EP 0 353 546 A1 known. By means of a suction pipe connected to the suction pipe connecting piece, the nozzle is moved forwards and backwards during suction, wherein due to the double-joint design of the nozzle with the horizontal tilting axis on the one hand and the horizontal hinge axis on the other hand, the suction head is largely decoupled from the pulling and pushing forces exerted via the suction pipe. Thus, with a forward movement of the nozzle, the obliquely downward sliding force is largely absorbed by the rear chassis section with the at least one roller, wherein the tiltably mounted on the front portion of the chassis suction head slides over the floor to be cleaned. In order to avoid a strong tilting of the suction head in the known nozzles, which have a single slot as a suction mouth, the tilting axis is arranged as low as possible and in particular in the vertical direction below the hinge axis. That in connection with the resistance to movement resulting tilting moment can be kept low, so that the limited of the suction mouth edges Saugmund rests flat on the surface to be cleaned. The first stop position and the second stop position, which limit the tilting movement of the suction head about the horizontal tilting axis, are not reached in a normal suction movement, in which the suction mouth rests flat on the surface to be cleaned. Only in extreme suction situations, for example, when crossing edges, the suction head is tilted so much that he can reach the stop positions.

The invention has for its object to provide a nozzle for vacuum cleaner with the features described above, which is easy to handle in a forward and backward stroke and has better suction properties.

The object is achieved in that the distance between the horizontal tilt axis and the surface formed by the front and rear Saugmundkante is greater than 35 millimeters and that in the first stop position of the suction head relative to the front portion of the chassis by a maximum of 15 ° with respect is tilted to a rest position, wherein lie in the rest position, the front and rear suction mouth edge and the contact point of the roller in a plane. Also, the specified distance for the tilting axis assumes that the suction head is in the rest position, and corresponds to the distance to a flat horizontal, hard floor surface. According to the invention, a defined tilting of the suction head relative to the front portion of the chassis is effected by the large distance between tilting axis and suction mouth in a reciprocating suction movement on a textile floor covering compared with the prior art. On a return stroke, the suction head reaches the first stop position. Regarding the relative alignment of suction head and front section in the rest position, the suction head relative to the front portion thereby tilted forward by a maximum of 15 °, preferably by a maximum of 13 °. In the backward stroke, an obliquely upward force is usually applied to the landing gear, the suction head being held by the suction air flow on the surface to be cleaned. By the counteracting forces of the rear chassis section can be raised with the roller and the front portion of the chassis relative to the surface to be cleaned are tilted. The acute angle, which thereby forms between the suction mouth and the surface to be cleaned is thus smaller than the tilt angle of the suction head relative to the front portion of the chassis and is preferably less than 2 °.

Even with a forward stroke, a controlled, well-defined tilting is generated, wherein the suction head arrives in the second stop position. In the second stop position of the suction head relative to the front portion of the chassis is typically set at a maximum of 10 °, preferably at most 7 ° with respect to the rest position obliquely. When cleaning a soft ground, such as a high-pile carpet, the roller can be pressed by the obliquely downwardly acting thrust in the forward stroke in the ground, whereby the front portion of the chassis is tilted relative to the ground. According to the tilting of the front section relative to the ground, the angle formed between the suction mouth and the base is reduced in the second stop position of the suction head.

The angle relative to the horizontal, in which the force acts on the landing gear during a forward stroke or during a backward stroke, results essentially from the length of a suction pipe connected to the suction pipe connection piece and the handle height when using the vacuum cleaner with the nozzle according to the invention. For a typical pipe length of more as 100 cm and less than 150 cm and a handle height of about 80 cm results in the introduction of force into the nozzle about an angle of 35 °. However, in order to allow different tube lengths and grip heights as well as comfortable handling of the nozzle in different suction situations, the suction tube connecting piece arranged on the running gear around the horizontal articulation axis must have a sufficient pivoting range. On the other hand, the interaction of the horizontal articulation axis and the horizontal tilting axis, which according to the invention causes the suction head to tip over during a forward and backward stroke, is decisively determined by the angle of introduction of the force into the nozzle. The total pivoting range is therefore typically limited to a value between 40 ° and 70 °, preferably to a value between 50 ° and 60 °.

For the function of the nozzle according to the invention in addition to the height of the horizontal tilt axis and the configuration of the first and the second stop position and the further geometric design is crucial. To always ensure a tilting of the suction head to one of the stop positions during a lifting movement, the horizontal hinge axis in the vertical direction is advantageously arranged below the horizontal tilt axis. The vertical distance between the horizontal hinge axis and the support point of the roller is preferably in a range of 15 mm to 30 mm. The design of the roller is not limited within the scope of the invention. Particularly advantageous, however, is an embodiment in which, in the rest position, the axis of rotation of the roller is arranged in the vertical direction above the horizontal articulation axis and particularly preferably below the horizontal tilting axis. The horizontal distance between the tilt axis and the hinge axis is preferably in a range of 80 mm to 130 mm, particularly preferably in a range of 90 to 110 mm.

According to the invention, the vertical portion of the acting thrust force is absorbed by the rearward chassis section with the at least one roller during a forward stroke. Due to the forward movement and the friction of the suction head on the substrate to be cleaned, the suction head reaches the second stop position, whereby the rear suction mouth is raised and the sliding force of the nozzle is significantly reduced. In particular, on uneven surfaces or on certain carpets can cause an undesirable Hin and Herklappen the suction head occur, which is also referred to as rubbing. To reduce the rubbing tendency, the invention teaches in a further embodiment that extends from its center at least partially at an acute angle α obliquely to the transverse direction of the suction head in the direction of the front edge of the suction head, the front Saugmundkante. The outer ends of the front suction mouth edge are thus closer to the front edge of the suction head, which surprisingly, even at small angles α a significant reduction in the rubbing tendency is achieved. In the context of this embodiment, the front Saugmundkante can extend starting from its center arrow-shaped in the direction of the front edge of the suction head. Preferably, however, it is provided that the front suction mouth edge has a central portion which extends in the transverse direction, wherein in the direction of the lateral edges of the suction head end portions of the suction mouth adjoin each other at an acute angle α obliquely to the transverse direction of the suction head in the direction of the front Extend edge of the suction head. The angle α is within the scope of the described embodiments typically in a range of 1.5 ° and 6 °, preferably in a range between 2 ° and 4 °.

The embodiment of the suction mouth is not limited within the scope of the invention. The suction mouth may for example be formed by a single suction channel which is delimited by the front and the rear suction mouth edge. In the context of the invention, however, is also that the suction mouth is formed by a front suction channel and a rear suction channel, wherein the front suction channel and the rear suction channel are separated by a web. The web can be provided either in the transverse direction continuously or only laterally of a suction port sections. While the front suction channel preferably extends in the transverse direction over the entire width of the suction head, the rear suction channel typically has a slightly smaller width. Also by design, the distance between the front suction mouth edge, which limits the front suction channel in the direction of the front edge of the suction head, and the rear suction mouth edge, which limits the rear suction channel in the direction of the rear edge of the suction head, comparatively large. Due to the large distance between the front suction mouth edge and the rear suction mouth edge, the suction head has a reduced tilt tendency overall. Surprisingly, however, by the inventive design of the nozzle with the arrangement of the horizontal tilting axis in a height of more than 35 mm, even with a suction head whose suction port is formed by a front and a rear suction, in a forward and backward stroke, the previously described controlled Tilting can be achieved. The distance between the front suction channel and the rear suction channel bridged by the web can change along the course of the suction channels in the transverse direction, wherein the edges of the web can be optimized from a fluidic point of view.

Fig. 1a und 1b

die erfindungsgemäße Düse in der Ruheposition bei unterschiedlicher Stellung des Saugrohranschlussstückes,

Fig. 2

die erfindungsgemäße Düse bei einem Rückwärtshub,

Fig. 3

die erfindungsgemäße Düse bei einem Vorwärtshub,

Fig. 4

eine vorteilhafte Ausgestaltung der Düse in einer Ansicht von unten,

Fig. 5

eine alternative Ausgestaltung der Düse in einer Ansicht von unten,

Fig. 6

die Düse gemäß Fig. 5 in einer Schnittdarstellung entsprechend der Fig. 1a.

The invention will be explained in the following with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment. They show schematically:

Fig. 1a and 1b

the nozzle according to the invention in the rest position with different position of the Saugrohranschlussstückes,

Fig. 2

the nozzle according to the invention in a backward stroke,

Fig. 3

the nozzle according to the invention in a forward stroke,

Fig. 4

an advantageous embodiment of the nozzle in a view from below,

Fig. 5

an alternative embodiment of the nozzle in a view from below,

Fig. 6

the nozzle of FIG. 5 in a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1a.

1a and 1b show a nozzle according to the invention for vacuum cleaner with a chassis 1, which has a rear chassis section 2 with at least one roller 3 and a projecting in the direction of suction front portion 4 for connecting a suction head 5. The suction head 5 is mounted tiltably about a horizontal tilting axis 6 on the front portion 4 of the chassis 1 and has at the bottom of a front suction mouth 7 and a rear suction mouth 7 'limited suction mouth 8. A Saugrohranschlussstück 9 of the nozzle is pivotally mounted on the chassis 1 about a horizontal hinge axis 10. The pivoting range β about the horizontal hinge axis 10 between a minimum and a maximum pivoting angle of the Saugrohranschlussstücks 9 is typically more than 40 ° and less than 70 °, preferably more than 50 ° and less than 60 °. Fig. 1a shows the Saugrohranschlussstück 9 at the maximum tilt angle and Fig. 1b, the Saugrohranschlussstück 9 at a minimum tilt angle. The suction head 5 is tiltably inserted about the horizontal tilting axis 6 in an associated receptacle 11 of the front portion 4 of the chassis 1, wherein a first stop position and a second stop position, the tilting movement of the suction head. 5 limit, are defined by a first stop 12 and a second stop 12 'of the suction head. The distance h ₁ between the horizontal tilting axis 6 and the surface formed by the front and rear suction mouth edges 7, 7 'is approximately 40 mm in the rest position shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. The horizontal hinge axis 10 is disposed in the rest position below the horizontal tilt axis 6, wherein the distance h ₂ between the horizontal hinge axis 10 and the support point 13 of the roller 3 is about 20 mm. The axis of rotation 14 of the roller 3 is in the rest position about 32 mm above the support point 13 of the roller 3 and thus between the horizontal tilt axis 6 and the horizontal hinge axis 10. The horizontal distance I between tilt axis 6 and hinge axis 10 is about 100 mm.

Fig. 2 shows the nozzle according to the invention in a backward stroke. Compared to the rest position shown in Fig. 1a and 1b, the suction head 5 is tilted relative to the front portion 4 of the chassis by about 13 ° and is in the first stop position. Since on the one hand the suction head 5 is held by the suction air flow on the ground and on the other hand, an obliquely upward pulling force acts on the rear chassis section 2, this is lifted with the roller 3 of the ground to be cleaned, with the front section 4 of the chassis. 1 tilted towards the ground. Although the suction head 5 is in the first stop position, due to the raised chassis 1 of the suction 8 is almost flat on the surface to be cleaned. The forming between the suction port 8 and the surface to be cleaned angle is preferably less than 2 °.

Fig. 3 shows the nozzle in a forward stroke. The suction head 5 is in the second stop position, in which it is tilted with respect to the front portion 4 of the chassis by a maximum of 10 °, preferably by a maximum of 7 °, with respect to the rest position. The rear suction mouth edge 7 'is lifted off the ground, whereby the pushing force of the only sliding on the front suction mouth edge 7 nozzle is significantly reduced. Particularly advantageous suction properties can be achieved if the region 15 extends obliquely upward in front of the front suction mouth edge 7 and the region 15 'behind the rear suction mouth edge 7' viewed in the longitudinal direction.

Fig. 4 shows an advantageous embodiment of the nozzle for vacuum cleaner according to the invention in a view from below. The suction mouth 8 opens centrally in a suction opening 16. In the region of the suction opening 16, a thread lifting strip 17, 17 'is arranged in front of and behind the suction mouth 8. The front suction mouth edge 7 has a transversely extending middle section 18 in the area of the front thread lifting strip 17. The adjacent to the central portion 18 end portions 19 of the front suction mouth edge 7 each extend at an acute angle α obliquely to the transverse direction of the suction head 5 in the direction of the front edge 20. Already by a slightly oblique configuration of the front Saugmundkante 7, the scratching tendency of the nozzle certain carpets are significantly reduced. The angle α is typically in a range of 1.5 ° to 6 ° and preferably in a range of 2 ° to 4 °.

While in Fig. 1a to Fig. 4, the suction mouth 8 is formed by a single suction channel 21, Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the nozzle according to the invention in a view from below, wherein the suction mouth of a front suction channel 21a and a rear suction channel 21st b is formed. The front suction mouth edge 7 delimits the front suction channel 21a in the direction of the front edge 20 of the suction head 5 and the rear suction mouth edge 7 'delimits the rear suction mouth channel 21b in the direction of a rear edge 20' of the suction head 5. The front suction channel 21a and the rear suction channel 21b are laterally separated from the suction opening 16 by the portions of a web 22 whose width is corresponding to the shape of the suction channels 21 a, 21 b changes in the transverse direction. The further embodiment of the nozzle shown in Fig. 5 results from the description of Fig. 1a to 4.

Fig. 6 shows the nozzle of FIG. 5 in a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1a in the rest position. As in the embodiment of the suction mouth 8 with a single suction channel 21 is provided in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, that in front of the front suction mouth edge 7 and behind the rear suction mouth edge 7 'areas 15, 15' are provided, viewed in the longitudinal direction obliquely run up. The edges of the web can have an aerodynamically optimized shape in cross-section, wherein it should be taken into account that these are typically lifted off the floor covering to be cleaned during a forward or backward stroke as well as one of the two suction mouth edges 7, 7 '.

Claims (11)

Nozzle for vacuum cleaner with a chassis (1) having a rear chassis section (2) with at least one roller (3) and a front section (4) projecting in the suction direction for connecting a suction head (5), - A suction head (5) which is tiltably mounted about a horizontal tilting axis (6) on the front portion (4) of the chassis (1) and at the bottom of a front Saugmundkante (7) and a rear Saugmundkante (7 ') has limited suction mouth (8) and a suction pipe connection piece (9) which is arranged pivotably about a horizontal joint axis (10) in a fixed pivoting area on the chassis (1), wherein the tilting movement of the suction head (5) about the horizontal tilting axis (6) to the front by a first stop position and to the rear by a second stop position of the suction head (5) is limited, characterized in that the distance (h ₁ ) between the horizontal tilt axis (6) and the surface formed by the front and rear suction mouth (7, 7 ') is greater than 35 millimeters and that in the first stop position of the suction head (5) relative to the front portion (4) of the chassis (1) by a maximum 15 ° tilted with respect to a rest position,
wherein in the rest position of the support point (13) of the roller (3), the front and the rear suction mouth edge (7, 7 ') lie in a plane. Nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that in the second stop position, the suction head (5) is tilted with respect to the front portion (4) of the chassis (1) by a maximum of 10 ° with respect to the rest position. Nozzle according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the suction head (5) relative to the front portion (4) of the chassis (1) in the first stop position by a maximum of 13 ° and in the second stop position by a maximum of 7 ° with respect to the rest position is tilted. Nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fixed pivoting range, in which the Saugrohranschlussstück (9) about the horizontal hinge pocket (10) relative to the chassis (1) is pivotable, between 40 ° and 70 °, preferably between 50 ° and 60 °. Nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the vertical distance (h ₂ ) between the horizontal hinge axis (10) and the support point (13) of the roller (3) is in a range of 15 mm to 30 mm. Nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the horizontal distance (I) between the tilting axis (6) and the hinge axis (10) in a range of 80 mm to 130 mm, preferably 90 mm to 110 mm. Nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the front suction mouth edge (7) starting from its center at least in sections at an acute angle α obliquely to the transverse direction of the suction head (5) in the direction of the front edge (20) of the suction head (5) extends. Nozzle according to claim 7, characterized in that the front suction mouth (7) has a central portion (18) extending transversely, end portions (19) of the front suction mouth (7) joining in the direction of the lateral edges of the suction head each extend at an acute angle α obliquely to the transverse direction of the suction head (5) in the direction of the front edge (20) of the suction head. Nozzle according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the angle α is in a range between 1.5 ° and 6 °, preferably in a range between 2 ° and 4 °. Nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the suction mouth (8) is formed by a single suction channel (21). Nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the suction mouth (8) of a front suction channel (21 a) and a rear suction channel (21 b) is formed, wherein the front suction channel (21 a) and the rear suction channel (21 b) are separated at least laterally of a suction opening (16) by a web (22).

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