EP2116165B1 - Suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a suction nozzle for vacuum cleaner, which is universally applicable to smooth floors and textile floor coverings. The basic structure of the suction nozzle includes a housing, which is based on the suction direction front and rear rollers supported, and extending over the entire width of the housing suction chamber with a bottom open suction mouth, its orientation to the bottom surface by a pivoting movement to one to the suction transversely and the bottom surface parallel pivot axis is variable. In the housing, a suction channel is arranged, which opens at its suction direction relative to the front end into the suction chamber and has at its rear end a pivotable Saugrohranschlussstück. The suction nozzle can be a static nozzle without rotating internals or a brush attachment with a brush roller driven by an air turbine or an electric motor. Instead of rollers, it is also possible to use other support elements known to the person skilled in the art, e.g. Slider, be provided.

A static suction nozzle with the features described above is known from DE 42 43 244 C2 known, which describes the features of the preamble of independent claim 1. A brush attachment, which has a pivotally mounted suction chamber is in the DE 199 38 325 A1 described. The known embodiments of the suction nozzles have the common disadvantage that soils, which are polluted even with coarse dirt particles of different grain size up to the dimension of a pea, can not or only very poorly cleaned with these nozzles. The reason for this is essentially that during the reciprocation of the suction nozzle when sucking the dirt particles do not get under the nozzle, but are moved in front of the nozzle on the floor. The displacement of the dirt particles is on the one hand to their elimination and on the other can damage sensitive floor coverings by scratches.

Tilting the nozzle relative to the bottom surface to increase the ground clearance at one of the sides of the nozzle, as for example in the DE 102 01 961 A1 is described in this case provides no remedy, for example, as the rotating brush of a brush attachment would lose ground contact by tilting the device. The brush roller would not only lose their cleaning effect, but it would increase the speed of the brush roller due to the lack of ground contact immediately significantly, which would have a disturbing and not acceptable in practice noise development.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a suction nozzle for vacuum cleaner, whose properties are significantly improved with respect to their Grobschmutz- and dust removal both with and without rotating brushes over conventional nozzles with the smallest possible design effort.

The object is achieved according to claim 1 according to the invention by a suction nozzle, the suction mouth is reversibly fixed in a functional position for absorbing coarse dirt by means of an accessible on the outside of the housing actuator and whose suction mouth is inclined in this designated as coarse dirt position functional position to the bottom surface such that a front suction mouth has sufficient for sucking coarse dirt distance to the bottom surface, said distance is in particular more than 3 mm and preferably 5 mm to 10 mm.

Due to the fact that the suction head on the front and back on rollers is guided over the floor so that the distance of the housing bottom from the ground surface in the executed suction movements of the suction head in Substantially always remains constant, and in that the suction mouth frontally on the underside of the housing in the locked coarse dirt position of the bottom surface has an increased distance, it is possible to remove even coarse dirt particles with the suction nozzle from the floor covering. It is irrelevant whether the floor is smooth or covered with a textile material, such as a carpet. By the distance of the front suction mouth from the ground surface of up to 10 mm, coarse particles can be removed from the suction nozzle from the ground, the size of which corresponds approximately to that of a pea.

Preferably, the suction mouth of the suction nozzle is firmly connected to the suction chamber. In this case, the suction chamber is rotatably mounted about the pivot axis. The suction nozzle is preferably designed so that its housing has a substantially rectangular plan, so that the suction chamber extends approximately over the entire longitudinal side of the housing. In an alternative variant of the suction nozzle is provided that on the suction chamber a suction nozzle is pivotally mounted, which forms the suction mouth.

In a preferred embodiment of the suction nozzle according to the invention, the fixation of the suction mouth in the coarse dirt position is effected by a non-positive or positive locking of the pivotable element, which can be designed in particular as a releasable latching connection. The embodiments described make it possible to fix the suction mouth in one or more positions. In the context of the invention it is that the rocker arm of the pivotable element with an accessible, for example, at the top of the housing actuator is adjustable and can be adapted to the degree of contamination of the soil with coarse particles. It is understood that the actuator also elsewhere, z. B. on the front, the back or even on the underside of the suction head can be arranged. In a further embodiment of the suction nozzle according to the invention, the actuating device has a foot switch, so that the user of the suction nozzle can easily change during the suction in the coarse dirt position.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that sealing elements are arranged in the suction nozzle according to the invention on its underside along the housing edges, which seal the suction space between the suction nozzle and the bottom surface. Due to the bottom-side sealing of the suction chamber, a sufficient negative pressure is set on the underside of the housing, which is necessary for receiving both fine and coarse dust particles. The sealing elements are designed in particular as bristle strips or as flexible plastic lips. Preferably, the sealing element in the region of the front longitudinal side of a softer, more flexible material than the material from which the sealing element is formed in the region of the rear longitudinal side. As a result, the penetration of coarse dirt particles into the suction space between the housing underside and the floor surface is facilitated at the front. During a forward movement, the coarse dirt particles are run over and reach the suction chamber below the suction nozzle. The stiffer-shaped sealing element on the rear longitudinal side collects dirt particles that have already reached the area below the suction nozzle, but have not yet been detected by the suction air flow.

According to a preferred embodiment of the suction nozzle according to the invention, the suction chamber in a section perpendicular to its pivot axis at least over part of its circumference on a cylindrical cross-sectional profile which is flattened expediently between the Saugmundkanten. Both in terms of manufacturing as well as the pivotable mounting of the suction chamber within the housing offers a cylindrical shape advantages.

In a further embodiment, the invention teaches that the pivotable suction chamber or the suction mouth pivotable on the suction chamber in the region of the rear suction mouth has a support element which rests in the coarse dirt position on the bottom surface to be sucked, the suction head in the coarse dirt position on the support member and the back Rolling is supported and thereby adjusts a larger ground clearance on the front side of the suction head. The locking of the suction chamber or the suction nozzle in the coarse dirt position also causes a front-side lifting of the housing so that coarse dirt particles can easily get into the suction chamber on the underside of the housing with a forward movement of the suction nozzle. The support element ensures a secure guidance of the suction nozzle on the floor covering and prevents tilting of the nozzle and thus the formation of lateral suction air leakage flows, which would have a deterioration of the suction property in particular with respect to fine dust particles result. The support member may be formed as a skid, on the bottom side preferably a textile covering, a felt, a plush fabric or a composite material produced using such a material is attached. Thus, the runner of the support element slides smoothly over the floor covering without damaging it. On the support member and one or more support rollers may be rotatably mounted, the common axis of rotation extends parallel to the pivot axis of the suction chamber. These support rollers are also effective on textile floor surfaces and improve the sliding properties of the suction nozzle in the functional position for coarse dirt absorption, in which the support member of the suction chamber has contact with the bottom surface.

Preferably, a brush roller is rotatably mounted in the suction chamber. In this case, the axis of rotation of the brush roller and the axis of rotation of the suction chamber may for example be arranged in alignment. The brush roller is a turbine wheel driven by the suction air flow or an electric motor arranged in the suction head are assigned as a drive. The design of the nozzle with a arranged in the pivotable suction chamber brush roller offers over a nozzle without brush roller insofar an improvement in the suction properties, as is cleaned by the brush roller flooring not only by the Saugluftströmung of dirt, but also by the brushing action of the rotating roller. When using the suction nozzle in a coarse dirt position, the effect of the brush roller is combined with the advantages of the coarse dirt suction properties.

Fig. 1

einen Schnitt durch eine Saugdüse mit Bürstenwalze in einer Funktionsstellung zur bevorzugten Aufnahme von Staub und feinteiligen Partikeln,

Fig. 2

die Saugdüse gemäß Fig. 1 in einer anderen, der Grobschmutz-beseitigung dienenden Funktionsstellung,

Fig. 3

eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Saugdüse, ebenfalls in der Funktionsstellung zur Grobschmutzbeseitigung,

Fig. 4

eine Saugdüse mit schwenkbarem Saugmundstück,

Fig. 5

eine Saugdüse ohne Bürstenwalze.

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

Fig. 1

a section through a suction nozzle with brush roller in a functional position for the preferred absorption of dust and finely divided particles,

Fig. 2

the suction nozzle according to Fig. 1 in another functional position, which serves for the removal of coarse dirt,

Fig. 3

a further embodiment of the suction nozzle, also in the functional position for coarse dirt removal,

Fig. 4

a suction nozzle with a pivotable suction nozzle,

Fig. 5

a suction nozzle without brush roller.

For the basic structure of the suction nozzle shown in the figures includes a housing 1, which is based on the suction direction X front and back on rollers 2, 2 'supported. The housing 1 may have a in Have substantially rectangular floor plan. The suction nozzle can be connected to a suction tube 3 and a suction hose to a vacuum cleaner. In addition, the suction nozzle comprises a suction chamber 4, which extends transversely to the cutting plane substantially over the entire width of the housing. The suction chamber 4 has a bottom open suction port 5, the orientation of the bottom surface by a pivoting movement about a transverse to the suction X and the bottom surface parallel pivot axis S is variable. In the housing 1, a suction channel 6 is arranged, which opens at its front end in the suction direction X into the suction chamber 4 and at its rear end has a pivotable Saugrohranschlussstück 7. On the outside of the housing 1, a running as a foot switch actuator 8 is accessible, with which the position of the suction chamber 4 is reversibly fixed. Preferably, the actuating device 8 is arranged on the upper side of the housing 1.

In Fig. 1 the suction mouth 5 is firmly connected to the suction chamber 4. The suction chamber 4 is rotatably mounted about the pivot axis S. The in the in Fig. 1 shown position of the suction chamber 4 is preferably suitable for cleaning soils that are mainly contaminated with fine dust particles, since both the front and the rear suction mouth 9, 9 'have a small distance from the ground surface. The suction chamber 4 together with the suction mouth 5 is preferably pivotable in this functional position, so that the Saugmundkanten 9, 9 'can adjust to uneven floors and always align optimally to the bottom surface when the rollers 2, 2', for example, sink into a deep pile carpet or the suction nozzle is lifted slightly in a backward movement by pulling the suction tube 3 from the bottom surface. Due to the low ground clearance of Saugmundkanten 9, 9 'is required for efficient removal of particulate matter high suction air flow between the Suction mouth edges 9, 9 'and the ground surface guaranteed. At the bottom of the housing sealing elements 10 z. B. be arranged in the form of flexible plastic lips, which seal the suction chamber between the suction nozzle and the bottom surface and help ensure that, in particular when sucking smooth flooring housing underside adjusts a sufficient negative pressure. In the suction chamber 4, a rotatably mounted brush roller 11 is arranged, which is driven by a motor 12 or alternatively by a turbine wheel rotating in the suction air flow. In this case, the suction chamber 4 in a section perpendicular to the pivot axis at least over part of its circumference on a cylindrical cross-sectional profile, wherein the profile between the suction mouth edges 9, 9 'is flattened.

The Fig. 2 shows the suction nozzle according to the invention in a functional position for absorbing coarse dirt. The suction chamber 4 and the suction mouth 5 fixedly connected thereto are reversibly fixed in this functional position by means of the actuating device 8 arranged on the upper side in this embodiment in such a way that the front suction mouth 9 has a distance a sufficient to suck coarse dirt 13. In this designated as coarse dirt position position of the suction chamber 4 firmly connected to the suction mouth 5, the distance a of the front suction mouth 9 to the bottom is at least 3 mm. Preferably, a distance a between 5 mm and 10 mm can be set. By pressing the foot switch 8, the suction chamber 4 can be fixed or the fixation can be solved again. The fixation is preferably carried out by a releasable latching connection or another suitable frictional or positive connection. By fixing the suction mouth 5 together with the suction chamber 4 in the coarse dirt position and by the thus enlarged distance a of the front suction mouth 9 to the ground, For example, coarse dirt particles 13 may be removed from the suction nozzle when vacuuming floors having a smooth or textile floor covering.

In Fig. 3 a suction nozzle is shown, at the back Saugmundkante 9 'of the suction chamber 4 firmly connected suction mouth 5, a support member 14 is arranged, which rests on the bottom surface to be sucked when the pivotable suction chamber 4 is pivoted together with the suction mouth 5 in the coarse dirt position. Here, the suction head in the coarse dirt position on the support member 14 and the back rollers 2 'is supported, which adjusts a larger ground clearance a on the front side of the suction head. The support member 14 consists of a skid, which may be covered with a textile covering, plush, felt or the like, or support rollers whose common axis of rotation 15 extends parallel to the pivot axis S. By the front side increased distance of the suction head to the ground coarse dirt particles can easily get under the front-side sealing element in the suction space between the housing bottom and bottom surface and be removed from the suction nozzle.

Fig. 4 shows a suction nozzle, in which in the suction chamber 4, a suction nozzle 16 is pivotally mounted, which forms the suction mouth 5. Thus, only a pivoting movement of the suction nozzle 16 is necessary to adapt the Saugmundstellung to the degree of contamination of the soil. This can be reversibly fixed with an actuating device 8, which is accessible on the outside of the housing 1.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 5 a suction nozzle without rotating internals is shown, which has a pivotally mounted suction chamber 4 with firmly connected suction mouth 5. The suction chamber 4 and with it the suction mouth 5 are fixed in a functional position for absorbing coarse dirt. The pivoting is done by a on the outside of the housing 1 accessible foot switch 8. At the bottom of the housing 1 is located in the rear region, a sealing element 10, which z. B. is formed in the form of a bristle strip or a rubber lip.

Claims (16)

1. A suction nozzle for floor vacuum cleaners, comprising
   a housing (1), which is supported on rollers (2, 2') on the front side and on the back side, based on the suction direction,
   a suction chamber (4), which extends substantially across the entire width of the housing (1), comprising a suction port (5), which is open on the floor side and the orientation of which to the floor surface can be changed by means of a pivot movement about a pivot axis (S), which runs at right angles to the suction direction and parallel to the floor surface,
   wherein in the housing (1), a suction channel (6) is arranged, which leads into the suction chamber (4) at its front end in relation to the suction direction and which encompasses a pivotably movable suction pipe connector (7) on its back end, characterized in that the suction port (5) can be fixed reversibly in a functional position for vacuuming coarse dirt by means of an actuating device (8), which can be accessed at the exterior of the housing, and that the suction port (5), in this functional position, which is identified as coarse dirt position, is inclined to the floor surface such that the suction port edge (9) on the front side encompasses a distance (a) to the floor surface, which is sufficient for vacuuming coarse dirt.
2. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance (a) of the suction port edge (9) of the suction port (5) on the front side to the floor surface is more than 3 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 10 mm, when the suction port (5) is fixed in the coarse dirt position.
3. The suction nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the suction port (5) is fixedly connected to the suction chamber (4) and that the suction chamber (4) is supported so as to be rotatably movable about the pivot axis (S).
4. The suction nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a suction port piece, which forms the suction port (5), is supported on the suction chamber (4) so as to be pivotably movable.
5. The suction nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fixing of the suction port (5) in the coarse dirt position takes place by means of a non-positive or positive locking of the pivotably movable element (4, 5), in particular by means of a disengageable latching connection.
6. The suction nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the actuating device (8) encompasses a foot switch.
7. The suction nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that sealing elements (10), which seal the suction chamber between the suction nozzle and the floor surface, are arranged on the floor side of the housing (1) along the housing edges.
8. The suction nozzle according to claim 7, characterized in that the sealing elements (10) are embodied as bristle strips or as flexible plastic lips.
9. The suction nozzle according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, in the area of the longitudinal front side, the sealing element (10) consists of a softer, more flexible material than the material, from which the sealing element is formed in the area of the longitudinal back side.
10. The suction nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, in a section perpendicular to the pivot axis (S), the suction chamber (4) encompasses a cylindrical cross section profile at least across a part of the periphery thereof.
11. The suction nozzle according to claim 10, characterized in that, in the area of the suction port (5), the suction chamber (4) encompasses a profile, which is flattened between the suction port edges (9, 9').
12. The suction nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, in the area of the back suction port edge (9'), the pivotable suction chamber (4) or the suction port piece, which can be pivoted on the suction chamber, encompasses a support element (14), which rests on the floor surface, which is to be vacuumed, in the coarse dirt position, wherein the suction head is supported on the support element (14) as well as on the rollers (2) on the back side in the coarse dirt position and a larger floor distance (a) is thus set at the front side of the suction head.
13. The suction nozzle according to claim 12, characterized in that the support element (14) is embodied as a runner, to which preferably a textile cover, a felt, a plush fabric or a composite material, which is produced using such a material, is fastened on the floor side.
14. The suction nozzle according to claim 12, characterized in that one or a plurality of support rollers, the common axis of rotation (15) of which runs parallel to the pivot axis (S) of the suction chamber (4), are supported on the support element (14).
15. The suction nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a brush roller (11) is rotatably supported in the suction chamber (4).
16. The suction nozzle for floor vacuum cleaners according to claim 15, characterized in that a turbine wheel, which is driven by the vacuum air flow, or an electric motor, which is arranged in the suction head, is assigned to the brush roller (11) as drive (12).

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