EP2459042B1 - Suction cleaner with a detachable cover - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with a housing and a lid, wherein the lid is connected via a hinge to the housing and adapted for positively covering a chamber in the housing, the joint has a first hinge part and a second hinge part, which via a hinge connection with each other are movably connected, and the first hinge part is fixedly connected to the housing. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a cover for such a vacuum cleaner.

Background of the invention

From the DE8506191 U1 a vacuum cleaner according to the preamble of claim 1 is known. This discloses, inter alia, a hinge assembly for the dust chamber cover of a vacuum cleaner. The cover is biased towards its hinge point on a double joint hinge by means of a clamping element in the closing direction.

Another example of a vacuum cleaner with a lid for closing a vacuum cleaner bag chamber is shown in US patent US 4,554,700 known. The lid is attached via a hinge with a stop directly on the housing. The hinge comprises a slider attached to the lid which runs in a guide provided in a channel in the housing.

Similarly, from US patent US 5,233,722 It is known to connect a cover to the housing via a pivot joint integrated in the cover. In this case, the hinge itself is designed to release the connection in case of incorrect operation. For this purpose, a pin of the joint can be levered out of the housing-mounted socket joints.

Furthermore, from the German utility model DE 9100758 U1 a vacuum cleaner with a hinged on a pivot on the housing lid known in which a formed on the lid hinge arm runs in a guide of the housing. By cooperating with a stop edge on the housing stop lug a release of the cover from the housing at normal force is prevented. At elevated The action of force can release the stop lug from the stop edge by the elasticity inherent in the hinge arm and the guide and release the cover in order to prevent damage.

The GB 2108377 A shows a vacuum cleaner with a detachable filter bag holder, which is adapted to receive a filter bag. An intermediate piece of a joint between the holder and the vacuum cleaner housing has brackets, by means of which the intermediate piece together with the holder can be detached from the housing.

The DE 812108 C discloses a closure for a vacuum cleaner lid. The closure consists of a resiliently placed on the center of the lid bracket, the end of which are pressed by means of clamping claws or similar fastening means to exert on the lid a central closing pressure. A stirrup with reinforcing side edges is loosely attached to the lid by means of a bolt, the bolt enclosing a rubber washer between the lid and the stirrup.

From the US 3,159,862 is a vacuum cleaner in a stool known. The lid of the stool is connected via a hinge with a side wall of the stool.

The problem underlying the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved vacuum cleaner. For example, the vacuum cleaner should have an improved tolerance against incorrect operation of a lid and can facilitate the replacement of a damaged lid. Furthermore, the invention has for its object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved vacuum cleaner cover.

Inventive solution

The reference numbers in all claims have no limiting effect but are only intended to improve their readability.

The solution of the problem with respect to the vacuum cleaner is achieved by a vacuum cleaner with the features of claim 1.

Under a vacuum cleaner in the present case are understood to be powered by electrical energy devices for receiving dust and small parts, with both mains powered and battery or battery powered devices are included. Vacuum cleaners usually have chambers which serve, for example, for storing various nozzle attachments, for receiving a vacuum cleaner bag or a dust filter for filtering the escaping air. Such chambers are usually covered with lids for protection as well as for aesthetic reasons. The chambers may for example be formed by the housing or be limited in part by the housing wall and one or more other elements of the vacuum cleaner. Common to such chambers is that they are covered with a lid.

In operation, such lids are usually closed, but must be accessible to the article in the chamber, e.g. to replace a filter, to change a Saugansatzes or to change the vacuum cleaner bag can be opened.

Some known lids may be damaged by improper handling. For example, a lid may be exposed to a defective load when the lid is moved or loaded beyond the intended opening angle. Another example of a defective load may be the action of a force that does not correspond to the direction of joint movement. In addition to damaging the lid, coupling of the lid to the vacuum cleaner, e.g. the connection producing joint or the joint fixing component of the vacuum cleaner, the risk of damage be exposed.

In order to come before any damage to such a lid or the articulated coupling before or to facilitate the replacement of a damaged lid, the invention is based on the idea to perform the connection between the lid and joint detachable. Under a releasable connection in this case is a compound to understand that can be solved by the action of an external force on the lid. Examples of such a releasable connection include a plug connection, a snap-in connection, a clamping connection and a magnetic connection. The connection is designed such that the lid detaches from the second hinge part at a predetermined force approach to the lid. By the particular design of the connection, the force required to release the detachable connection, i. to release the cover from the second hinge part, be predetermined. For example, the second connector can be made of elastically deformable material, which allows the solution of the compound due to its deformation from the predetermined force approach.

It is another achievable advantage of the invention that, in the case of otherwise damaged lid solved by deliberately exerting a force on the lid and thus on the detachable connection, the connection between the lid and vacuum cleaner and then, for example, the damaged lid can be replaced by another.

In embodiments of the vacuum cleaner, this has a housing and a lid. In this case, the lid is connected via a hinge to the housing and designed for the positive covering a chamber in the housing. The joint comprises a first joint part and a second joint part. The first joint part and the second joint part are movably connected to each other via a hinge connection. The first Joint part can be directly or indirectly connected to the housing. The second hinge part is releasably connected to the lid via a detachable connection.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

The compound can e.g. be designed as a plug-in connection, snap-in connection, clamp connection or magnetic connection. It is also possible for a plurality of connections to be provided, preferably at several points, wherein these connections can be made with the same or with different types of connection. For example, two connectors can be present at a certain distance.

In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the first hinge part may be at least partially formed by the housing. Then, at least a part of the first joint part is formed as a structural unit with a portion of the housing. Alternatively or to a certain extent, a part of the first joint part can be formed by an independent component that is firmly connected to the housing.

In some embodiments of the invention, the housing is designed such that it covers the first hinge part at least partially towards the outside. In this case or in other embodiments, the first hinge part can not be arranged accessible from the outside within the housing. This can be a pleasant aesthetic Appearance of the vacuum cleaner can be achieved. Furthermore, in this way, the joint itself can be protected from external influence.

Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner can comprise a component arranged in the interior of the housing and the first joint part can be fixedly connected via the component to the vacuum cleaner, preferably to the housing of the vacuum cleaner. By this embodiment of the invention, the assembly of the vacuum cleaner can be facilitated by making it possible that first the hinge is mounted on the lid and then the hinge with lid on the first hinge part is firmly connected to the vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments of the invention, the second hinge part comprises a hinge axis and the first hinge part is designed to guide the hinge axis. In general, the joint may e.g. be designed as a hinge in which the hinge axis is rotatable about a rotation axis.

In some embodiments, the second hinge part has a first tab and the lid has a first mating tab. In this case, the first plug-in lug and the first mating lug can form at least a part of the detachable connection in the assembled state. For this purpose, the plug-in projection and the counter-plug approach, for example, have an interacting combination of a Einrastzahn in one of the lugs and an opening for receiving the Einrastzahns in the associated approaches.

Advantageously, in some embodiments, the second hinge part and the lid in the assembled state of the lid are detachably connected to each other in two places. In this case, the compounds may have different directional characteristics in terms of their solubility at an acting force at the two locations. For example, a further outward position (based on, for example, the attachment of a centrally arranged dust tube) can be formed such that, in the event of a lateral force application and a point located further inwardly, it will release in the event of a force direction in the direction of the opening movement.

In another aspect of the invention, covers for vacuum cleaners of the type described above have an attachment for releasable connection to a second hinge portion of a cover and housing connecting hinge.

The present invention can provide, by simple, constructive and inexpensive means, the provision of vacuum cleaners which permit easy replacement of a lid to cover a chamber. In particular, such vacuum cleaner can have a reduced susceptibility to damage of lids.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantageous embodiments are described below with reference to several illustrated in the drawings embodiments, to which the invention is not limited, described in more detail.

Fig. 1:

Eine Aufsicht auf einen Staubsauger;

Fig. 2:

Einen schematischen Schnitt durch einen Teil des Staubsaugers von Fig. 1;

Fig. 3:

Eine perspektivische Darstellung der Verbindung zwischen Deckel und zweitem Gelenkteil in einem gelösten Zustand;

Fig. 4:

Eine Schnittdarstellung durch die Verbindungsstellen der Fig. 3;

Fig. 5:

Eine perspektivische Darstellung des Deckels und des zweiten Gelenkteils aus Fig. 3 in montiertem Zustand;

Fig. 6:

Eine Schnittdarstellung durch die Verbindungsstellen der Fig. 5;

Fig. 7:

Eine Steckverbindung mit einem Einrastvorsprung;

Fig. 8:

Eine Verbindung mit federnder Manschette; und

Fig. 9:

Eine Magnetsteckverbindnug.

They show schematically:

Fig. 1:

A top view of a vacuum cleaner;

Fig. 2:

A schematic section through a part of the vacuum cleaner of Fig. 1 ;

3:

A perspective view of the connection between the cover and the second hinge part in a released state;

4:

A sectional view through the joints of the Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5:

A perspective view of the lid and the second hinge part Fig. 3 in assembled condition;

Fig. 6:

A sectional view through the joints of the Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 7:

A plug connection with a latching projection;

Fig. 8:

A connection with resilient cuff; and

Fig. 9:

A magnetic plug.

Detailed description with reference to several embodiments

In the Fig. 1 to 6 a first embodiment of a vacuum cleaner 10 is shown. Additional examples of releasable connections are given on the basis of Fig. 7 to 9 explained.

In Fig. 1 For example, the vacuum cleaner 10 has a housing 12 that essentially determines the external shape of the vacuum cleaner 10. The vacuum cleaner 10 further comprises a dust separating unit 14 for filtering dust particles and minute particles from the sucked air. The air is sucked in, for example through a suction pipe, which can be attached to a suction pipe 16 approach. The suction force of the vacuum cleaner 10 is determined by a knob 18.

The vacuum cleaner 10 is additionally provided with two symmetrical chambers. In a first chamber, covered by a cover 20A, there is for example a fine dust filter for the exiting air of the vacuum cleaner 10. In a second chamber, covered by a cover 20B, there are, for example, different suction approaches for the suction tube. Lids 20A and 20B are articulated via hinges 22A and 22B (the arrows in Figs Fig. 1 indicate the position) each releasably secured to the housing. Joints 22A and 22B are covered outwardly by covers 24A and 24B, for example, to give the vacuum cleaner a nice shape pattern and / or to prevent damage to joints 22A and 22B.

Fig. 2 shows a section through the vacuum cleaner 10 according to the line II - II, in Fig. 1 , The lid 20A covers the chamber and is connected to the housing 12 via the hinge 22A. The hinge 22A comprises a first hinge part which is formed by the cover 24A on the one hand and by a socket 26A on the other hand. A hinge axis 32 of a second hinge part 30A is supported in the socket 26A. The second hinge part 30A is detachably connected to the lid 20A.

Fig. 3 shows cover 20A and the second hinge part 30A in the separated state and detached from the vacuum cleaner 10. The second hinge part 30A is formed as a hollow body and has a hinge axis 32 which connects two male lugs 34 and 36 together. To form a plug connection with the plug projections 34 and 36 are located on the lid 20 A two mating plug 38 and 40, which can enter into a latching plug connection with the plug lugs 34 and 36. For this purpose, the plug-in lugs 34 and 36 in the region of the plug-in engagement teeth 42 and 44. Each associated openings for receiving the latching teeth 42 and 44 are provided in counter-plug approaches 38 and 40.

Fig. 4 shows a section through the lid 20A and the second hinge part 30A in the region of the lugs 34 and 36 and mating projections 38 and 40 according to Fig. 3 , For plug 34 and mating neck 38, the opening 46 and the latching tooth 42 can be seen in section, whereas the opening 48 and the latching tooth 44 for the combination of the plug 36 and the mating projection 40 can not be seen in section, since the orientation of the opening 48th and the Einrastzahns 44 with respect to the orientation of the combination of the male lug 34 and the mating projection 38 is rotated by 90 °.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show the lid 20A and the second hinge part 30A in the assembled state in a perspective view and in section through the lugs 34 and 36 and the mating projections 38 and 40. The lugs 34 and 36 extend into the mating projections 38 and 40 into, and the latching teeth 42 and 44 are hooked into the openings 46 and 48.

A release of the two parts, ie, a separation, can only by shifting along the common axis (in Fig. 5 along the Z direction). In this case, however, the detachment of the cover 20A can be triggered by force in different directions. If, for example, a force acts in the XY plane, plug-in projection 34 can deform with a correspondingly elastic choice of material in such a manner that the engagement of latching tooth 42 is released and thereby the detachment process, ie also disengagement of latching tooth 40, is triggered. The different arrangement and orientation of the latching teeth 42 and 44 makes it possible to define a directional characteristic for the load capacity of the lid from different directions.

Fig. 7 shows a modified embodiment of a snap-in connector between a cover and a second hinge part. An insertion projection 70 of a lid has an annular notch. In the connected state, the plug-in lug 70 is releasably connected to a mating projection 72 of the second hinge part. The mating projection 72 in this case has an inwardly directed annular projection 76 of a ring, which projects in the inserted state into the annular notch 74 and slips out of the notch 74 only after a certain force. The force required for the dissolution process is determined inter alia by the elasticity of the ring.

Fig. 8 shows a further connector with a plug neck 80 and a counter-plug formed by a prestressed cuff 82. The spring force of the sleeve on the surface of the plug neck 80 causes a connected to the mating plug 82 lid solves only from a certain force. A directional characteristic of the force application can result, for example, from an asymmetrical spring force of the sleeve or a non-rotationally symmetrical design of the sleeve. Further, for example, the materials of the male lug 80 and the mating male lug 82 may be selected to determine stiction.

Fig. 9 shows a magnetic connector with a plug neck 90 and a mating tab 92, which are each provided with a magnet 94 and 96, respectively. Depending on the magnitude of the present magnetic force, a predetermined force is necessary to release the magnetic connector. An asymmetrically formed rim may further cause an asymmetrical directional characteristic of the force required to release the connection.

With the vacuum cleaner according to the invention and the lid according to the invention advantageously damage to the vacuum cleaner can be counteracted by incorrect operation. In addition, the replacement of a damaged lid can be facilitated.

The features disclosed in the preceding description, the following claims and the drawings can be used individually or in any combination for the Realization of the invention in its various embodiments of importance.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

vacuum cleaner

12

casing

14

Staubabscheideeinheit

16

Saugrohransatz

18

adjustment

20A, 20B

cover

22A, 22B

joint

24A, 24B

cover

26A, 26B

socket

30A, 30B

Second joint part

32

joint axis

34, 36

plug-in projections

38, 40

Mating plug approaches

42, 44

ratchet teeth

46, 48

openings

70

plug-in projection

72

Mating plug approach

76

head Start

80

plug-in projection

82

Mating plug approach

90

plug-in projection

92

Mating plug approach

94, 96

magnets

Claims (12)

1. Suction cleaner (10) having a housing (12) and a cover (20A, 20B), wherein the cover (20A, 20B) is connected to the housing (12) via a joint (22A, 22B) and is designed to cover a chamber in the housing (12) in a form-fitting manner, the joint (22A, 22B) has a first joint part and a second joint part (30A) which are connected movably to each other via a link joint, and the first joint part is connected fixedly to the housing (12), wherein the second joint part (30A) is connected releasably to the cover (20A, 20B) via a connection,
   characterised in that the connection is embodied such that the cover (20A, 20B) releases from the second joint part (30A) with a predetermined force applied to the cover (20A, 20B).
2. Suction cleaner (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the second joint part (30A) is embodied elastically deformable such that it enables release of the connection on account of its deformation once the predetermined force has been applied.
3. Suction cleaner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connection has at least one connection from the group comprising plug-in connection, snap-in connection, clamping connection and magnetic connection.
4. Suction cleaner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first joint part is formed at least partly from the housing (12).
5. Suction cleaner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing (12) externally covers the first joint part.
6. Suction cleaner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first joint part is arranged inside the housing (12) so as to be inaccessible from the outside.
7. Suction cleaner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction cleaner (10) includes a component arranged inside the housing (12) and the first joint part is connected fixedly to the suction cleaner (10) via said component.
8. Suction cleaner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second joint part (30A) includes a hinged axis (32) and the first joint part is embodied to guide the hinged axis (32).
9. Suction cleaner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second joint part (30A) has a first plug-in attachment (34, 35, 70, 80, 90) and the cover (20A, 20B) has a first mating plug-in attachment (38, 40, 72, 82, 92), wherein the first plug-in attachment (34, 36, 70, 80, 90) and the first mating plug-in attachment (38, 40, 72, 82, 92) form at least part of the releasable connection in the assembled state.
10. Suction cleaner (10) according to claim 9, characterised in that the plug-in attachment (34, 36, 70, 80, 90) and the mating plug-in attachment (38, 40, 72, 82, 92) have a first interacting combination comprising a snap-in tooth (42, 44) and an opening (46, 48) for receiving the snap-in tooth (42, 44) in the assembled state of the cover (20A, 20B).
11. Suction cleaner (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second joint part (30A) and the cover (20A, 20B) are connected releasably to one another at two points when the cover (20A, 20B) is assembled.
12. Suction cleaner (10) according to claim 11, characterised in that the releasable connection exhibits different directional characteristics at two points with respect to a force effecting the direction.

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