ES2907927T3 - Vacuum cleaner comprising a movable connector part - Google Patents

Abstract

Vacuum cleaner (2) comprising a first element (3) and a second element (4) configured to be assembled together according to an assembly direction (D), the first and second elements (3, 4) being equipped respectively with a first connector part (12) and a second connector part (13) of an electrical connector (15) that establishes an electrical connection between the first and second elements (3, 4) when the first and second elements (3, 4) are assemble together, characterized in that at least one of the first and second connector parts (12, 13) is mounted movable transversely to the direction (D) of assembly.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Vacuum cleaner comprising a movable connector part

technical field

The present invention relates to the field of domestic vacuum cleaners that allow the suction of dust and debris of small granulometry present on a surface to be cleaned, which can be, for example, a tiled floor, a parquet, a laminate, a carpet or a rug.

State of the art

A vacuum cleaner comprises, in a known manner, a first element and a second element configured to be assembled with one another according to an assembly direction, the first and second elements being respectively provided with a first connector part and a second connector part of an electrical connector that establishes an electrical connection between the first and second elements when the latter are assembled together.

The first and second elements may be for example respectively a main body and a handle of the vacuum cleaner, the main body containing a suction motor configured to generate a flow of air through a cleaning head of the vacuum cleaner. An example of a vacuum cleaner according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in GB2527127 A.

Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner makes it possible to ensure an electrical connection between, for example, the suction device provided on the main body and the control buttons arranged on a grip of the handle of the vacuum cleaner. However, the assembly of the first and second elements can be complex given the need to match the first connection terminals belonging to the first connector part with the second connection terminals belonging to the second connector part during this assembly step.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing a vacuum cleaner with a simple and cheap structure, while ensuring easy assembly of the first and second elements.

To this end, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a first element and a second element configured to be assembled together according to an assembly direction, the first and second elements being respectively provided with a first connector part and with a second connector part of an electrical connector establishing an electrical connection between the first and second elements when the first and second elements are assembled together, characterized in that at least one of the first and second connector parts is mounted movable transversely to the direction assembly.

Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner, and in particular the fact that at least one of the first and second connector parts is mounted movably transversely to the assembly direction, ensures self-centering of the first connector part with respect to the second connector part during the assembly of the first and second elements, and thus allows the connection terminals provided on the first connector part to be easily matched with the connection terminals provided on the second connection part.

Thus, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention ensures an easy and rapid assembly of the first and second elements.

The vacuum cleaner may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first element comprises a first connection part, and the second element comprises a second connection part that is configured to be mechanically connected to the first connection part.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first connection part is a female connection part and the second connection part is a male connection part.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first and second connector parts is movably mounted along at least one direction of displacement transverse to the assembly direction.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a maximum displacement path of at least one of the first and second connector parts in the direction of displacement is less than 5 mm, advantageously less than 2 mm, and is, for example, approximately 1 mm.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first and second connector parts is mounted to be movable in an additional direction of displacement that is transverse to the assembly direction, the direction of travel and the further direction of travel being substantially perpendicular to each other.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a maximum displacement path of at least one of the first and second connector parts according to the direction of additional displacement is less than 5 mm, advantageously less than 2 mm, and is, for example, approximately 1mm

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first connector part comprises a connector support and a plurality of first connection terminals fixed to the connector support, and the second connector part comprises a plurality of second connection terminals, being configured each first connection terminal to cooperate with a respective second connection terminal when the first and second elements are assembled together.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connector support is movably mounted, with respect to the first element, transversely to the assembly direction.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connector support is mounted to be movable, relative to the first element, in the direction of movement.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connector support is mounted to be movable, with respect to the first element, in the direction of movement and in the direction of further movement.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first connection terminals extend in an extension plane that is substantially parallel to the direction of travel.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second connector part comprises a plurality of connection housings opening into a front face of the second connector part, each connection housing being configured to receive a respective first connection terminal when the first and second elements are assembled with each other.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each first connection terminal is a male connection terminal, and each second connection terminal is a female connection terminal.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each male connection terminal is a connection plug.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connector support comprises a centering wall that is configured to cooperate with the second connector part when the first and second elements are assembled together, to center the first connector part with respect to the second connector part. Such configuration of the connector support further improves the self-centering of the first connector part with respect to the second connector part during assembly of the first and second elements.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering wall at least partially delimits a receiving housing, and the second connector part comprises an insertion portion configured to be received in the receiving housing when the first and second elements are assembled. each.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering wall is configured to cooperate with the insert portion when the first and second elements are assembled together, to center the first connector part with respect to the second connector part.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering wall comprises an internal centering surface, and the insert portion includes an external centering surface configured to cooperate with the internal centering surface when the first and second elements are assembled together. .

According to an embodiment of the invention, the insertion portion has a complementary shape to the centering wall.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the insertion portion comprises the plurality of connection housings.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each first connection terminal projects into the receiving housing.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering wall has a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering wall comprises a flared insertion edge.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering wall comprises a first side portion, a second side portion, and a connecting portion that is substantially flat and connects the first and second side portions to each other.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connector support comprises a bottom wall from which the centering wall extends.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering wall and the bottom wall delimit the receiving housing.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connecting portion is substantially parallel to the direction of travel.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first connector part comprises a centering pin configured to be inserted into a centering seat provided in the second connector part when the first and second elements are assembled together. Such a configuration of the first connector part further improves the self-centering of the first connector part relative to the second connector part when the first and second members are assembled.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering housing opens into the front face of the second connector part.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering pin extends substantially parallel to the first connection terminals.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the centering pin is integral with the centering wall and, for example, with the connection portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connector support comprises the centering pin.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering pin extends into the receiving housing. According to an embodiment of the invention, the connector support is immobile, with respect to the first element, in the assembly direction.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connector support is provided with a plurality of mounting recesses, each first connection terminal being mounted in a respective mounting recess.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the connector support comprises a plurality of retention elements configured to retain the first connection terminals in the connector support.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each retaining element is associated with a respective mounting housing and is elastically deformable between an insertion position in which the respective first connection terminal can be mounted in the respective mounting housing and a retention position in which the retention element retains the respective first connection terminal in the respective mounting housing. According to an embodiment of the invention, the first connector part comprises a locking member and the second locking part comprises a locking member configured to cooperate with the locking member when the first and second members are assembled together, to lock the first and second elements in an assembly position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, one of the locking member and of the locking element comprises a locking tongue, and the other of the locking member and of the locking element comprises a locking hole configured to at least partially receive the tongue. lock.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking tab is elastically deformable between a locking position and a release position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a main body that forms the first element and a handle that forms the second element.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the main body contains a vacuum motor configured to generate an air flow through a cleaning head of the vacuum cleaner.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner is a broom-type vacuum cleaner.

Brief description of the figures

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the attached schematic drawings which show, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this vacuum cleaner.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of a handle of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of a main body and a cleaning head of the vacuum cleaner of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged-scale view of a detail of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the main body of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 showing more particularly an electrical connector of the vacuum cleaner.

Figure 7 is a partial exploded perspective view of the electrical connector of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 with the handle of the vacuum cleaner removed.

Detailed description

Figure 1 represents a domestic vacuum cleaner 2, and more particularly a broom-type vacuum cleaner, comprising a main body 3, a handle 4 mechanically attached to the main body 3, and a cleaning head 5, also called a suction head, which is arranged to be in contact with a floor to be cleaned. The handle 4 includes in particular a handle 6 at its upper end.

The household vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a debris separating and storage device 7 which is removably mounted on the main body 3 for cleaning.

The main body 3 contains a suction device (not shown in the figures) comprising in particular a suction motor, also called a fan-motor, configured to generate an air flow through the cleaning head 5 . Advantageously, the domestic vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a rechargeable battery (not shown in the figures) configured to power the suction motor electrically. The rechargeable battery can be housed in the main body 3 or in the handle 4.

As shown in Fig. 1, the main body 3 and the handle 4 are configured to be assembled with each other according to an assembly direction D. For this purpose, the main body 3 comprises a first connection part 8, and the handle 4 comprises a second connection part 9 which is configured to be mechanically connected to the first connection part 8. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first connection part 8 is a female connection part and the second connection part 9 is a male connection part. However, according to a variant embodiment of the invention, the first connection part 8 could be a male connection part and the second connection part 9 could be a female connection part.

To ensure an electrical connection between the handle 4 and the main body 3, and in particular between control buttons 11 provided on the handle 6 and the suction device, the main body 3 and the handle 4 are respectively provided with a first part 12 of a connector and of a second connector part 13 of an electrical connector 15 which establishes an electrical connection between the main body 3 and the handle 4 when the main body 3 and the handle 4 are assembled together.

As shown more particularly in figures 4 and 7, the first connector part 12 comprises a connector support 16, for example of plastic material, and a plurality of first connection terminals 17 fixed to the connector support 16.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first connection terminals 17 extend in an extension plane, and each first connection terminal 17 is a male connection terminal, in the form of a connection plug.

As shown in Figure 7, the connector support 16 comprises a centering wall 18 comprising an inner centering surface 19 and at least partially delimiting a receiving housing 21 into which each first connection terminal 17 protrudes.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the centering wall 18 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and comprises a first lateral portion 18.1, a second lateral portion 18.2 and a connecting portion 18.3 that is substantially flat and that connects the first and second side portions 18.1, 18.2 with each other. Advantageously, the centering wall 18 also comprises an introduction edge 18.4 which is flared.

Connector support 16 further comprises a bottom wall 22 from which centering wall 18 extends. Advantageously, the centering wall 18 and the bottom wall 22 delimit the receiving housing 21.

The connector support 16 further comprises a centering pin 23 which extends into the receiving housing 21. Advantageously, the centering pin 23 is fixed to the centering wall 18 and, for example, to the connection portion 18.3, and extends parallel to the first connection terminals 17.

More particularly, the connector support 16 is movably mounted, relative to the main body 3, transversely to the assembly direction D. Advantageously, the connector support 16 is mounted to be movable along a displacement direction D1 that is transverse to the assembly direction D, and for example perpendicular to the assembly direction D. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the connection portion 18.3 and the extension plane of the first connection terminals 17 are substantially parallel to the displacement direction D1.

The maximum travel of the connector support 16 along the displacement direction D1 is less than 5 mm, advantageously less than 2 mm, and is, for example, of the order of 1 mm. Thus, the connector support 16 can, for example, be displaced along a clearance J of ±0.5 mm with respect to a central position shown in figure 8.

According to a variant embodiment of the invention, the connector support 16 could also be mounted movable, with respect to the main body 3, according to an additional displacement direction D2 that is also transverse to the assembly direction D, and for example perpendicular to the assembly direction D. The displacement direction D1 and the further displacement direction D2 are advantageously perpendicular to each other, and define a displacement plane that is perpendicular to the assembly direction D.

However, advantageously, the connector support 16 is mounted immobile, with respect to the main body 3, according to the assembly direction D.

As shown in figures 2, 6 and 7, the second connector part 13 comprises a plurality of second connection terminals 24. Each second connection terminal 24 is configured to cooperate with a respective first connection terminal 17 when the main body 3 and the handle 4 are assembled with each other. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each second connection terminal 24 is a female connection terminal.

The second connector part 13 further comprises a plurality of connection housings 25, each of which opens into a front face 26 of the second connector part 13. Each connection housing 25 is configured to receive a respective first connection terminal 17 when the main body 3 and handle 4 are assembled together. Each second connection terminal 24 extends more particularly at least partially into a respective connection housing 25 to ensure an electrical connection with the respective first connection terminal 17 when the main body 3 and the handle 4 are assembled together.

The second connector part 13 also comprises an insertion portion 27 configured to be received in the receiving housing 21 when the main body 3 and the handle 4 are assembled together.

The insertion portion 27 advantageously has a complementary shape to the centering wall 18, and comprises an external centering surface 28 that is configured to cooperate with the internal centering surface 19 when the main body 3 and the handle 4 are assembled together. . Insertion portion 27 is more particularly configured to cooperate with centering wall 18 to center first connector part 12 with respect to second connector part 13, when main body 3 and handle 4 are assembled together.

The insertion portion 27 also comprises a centering housing 29 which opens into the front face 26 of the second connector part 13 and which is configured to receive the centering pin 23 when the main body 3 and the handle 4 are assembled together. .

Advantageously, the connection housings 25 are provided in the insertion portion 27, and the second connection terminals 24 are provided in the insertion portion 27.

According to the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the first connector part 12 comprises a locking member 31, such as a locking hole, and the second connector part 13 comprises a locking element 32, such as a locking tab, configured to cooperate with locking member 31 when main body 3 and handle 4 are assembled together, to lock main body 3 and handle 4 in an assembly position. Advantageously, the locking element 32 is elastically deformable between a locking position in which the locking element 32 cooperates with the locking member 31 to lock the main body 3 and the handle 4 in the assembly position, and a position of release in which the locking element 32 allows a separation of the main body 3 and the handle 4.

Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the described and illustrated embodiment which has been given solely by way of example. Modifications are still possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. Vacuum cleaner (2) comprising a first element (3) and a second element (4) configured to be assembled with each other according to an assembly direction (D), the first and second elements (3, 4) being respectively equipped with a first connector part (12) and a second connector part (13) of an electrical connector (15) that establishes an electrical connection between the first and second elements (3, 4) when the first and second elements (3, 4) ) are assembled together, characterized in that at least one of the first and second connector parts (12, 13) is mounted movable transversely to the assembly direction (D). Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 1, in which at least one of the first and second connector parts (12, 13) is mounted movable according to at least one direction (D1) of displacement that is transverse to the direction ( D) assembly. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 2, in which at least one of the first and second connector parts (12, 13) is mounted movable according to a direction (D2) of further displacement that is transverse to the direction (D ) of assembly, the direction (D1) of displacement and the direction (D2) of additional displacement being substantially perpendicular to each other. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the first connector part (12) comprises a connector support (16) and a plurality of first connection terminals (17) fixed to the support ( connector 16), and the second connector part (13) comprises a plurality of second connection terminals (24), each first connection terminal (17) being configured to cooperate with a respective second connection terminal (24) when the first and second elements (3, 4) are assembled together. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 4, in which the connector support (16) is mounted movably, with respect to the first element (3), transversely to the assembly direction (D). Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 4 or 5, in which the first connection terminals (17) extend in an extension plane that is substantially parallel to the direction (D1) of displacement. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, in which the second part (13) of the connector comprises a plurality of connection housings (25) that lead to a front face (26) of the second part connector (13), each connection housing (25) being configured to receive a respective first connection terminal (17) when the first and second elements (3, 4) are assembled together. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein each first connection terminal (17) is a male connection terminal and each second connection terminal (24) is a female connection terminal. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, in which the connector support (16) comprises a centering wall (18) that is configured to cooperate with the second connector part (13) when the first and second elements (3, 4) are assembled with each other, to center the first connector part (12) with respect to the second connector part (13). Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 9, in which the centering wall (18) at least partially delimits a receiving housing (21), and the second connector part (13) comprises an insertion part (27) configured to be received in the receiving housing (21) when the first and second elements (3, 4) are assembled together. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to claim 10, wherein the centering wall (18) comprises an internal centering surface (19), and the insert portion (27) comprises an external centering surface (28) configured to cooperate with the inner centering surface (19) when the first and second elements (3, 4) are assembled together. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the centering wall (18) has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which the first connector part (12) comprises a centering pin (23) configured to be inserted into a centering housing (29) provided in the second connector part (13) when the first and second elements (3, 4) are assembled together. Vacuum cleaner (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a main body (3) that forms the first element, and a handle (4) that forms the second element.