HK1072354A1 - Suction nozzle for vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The nozzle has two lateral sides (5, 6) forming a suction point and is open towards a surface that is to be cleaned by two suction channels (19, 20) arranged in a base (11) and along the lateral sides. Each suction channel is bordered by front and rear brushes (56,57), which are situated on both sides of the respective channel by extending parallel to the channel.

Description

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner vacuum cleaner, and in particular to an improvement in the efficiency of waste collection.

As vacuum cleaners are collectors of waste that contaminates the surface to be cleaned, they have been subject to many improvements, particularly to improve this collection.

The applicant's patent FR 2773456 has the advantage of having a front opening in the tip of the suction cup, which allows the waste to be sucked up slightly in front of the suction cup, which, in addition to the suction cup's appropriate tapered shape, makes it possible to reach the corners of the parts to be cleaned easily.

Such brushes are found in other documents, notably US Patent 2,394,798 where the edge of the sucker sole has two brushes arranged inside the edges forming the triangular sucker tip and partially delimiting the central suction opening.

In the case of the triangular vacuum cleaner in application EP 0606169, the vacuum cleaner has two suction channels arranged along the edges forming the suction tip. Each of these channels is lined on the inside of the suction cup by a fixed brush. Such brushes cannot therefore slip out depending on the nature of the soil to be treated.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the previous technology by presenting a triangular suction cup with improved performance, in particular by presenting a multiplicity of brushes, which can be dismountable by a simple device to keep the suction cup compact.

The present invention is made by means of a vacuum cleaner suction cup having a substantially triangular shape, in particular, two side edges forming the suction cup tip, the suction cup being opened to the cleaning surface by at least two suction cups arranged in the suction cup sole and arranged along the two side edges forming the suction cup tip, characterized by each suction cup being bordered by a front brush and a back brush, the said brushes being located on either side of the cup and extending substantially parallel to the latter.

The brushes along each suction channel improve the suction efficiency of the channels, since they are closed by the brushes themselves, and the two operations of brushing the soil to be treated immediately after the suction will be carried out in any direction, whether forward or backward.

The advantage of the suction cup is that it is isocellar in shape, with a back edge joining the side edges, and the two channels arranged along the side edges joining in the front of the suction cup.

This configuration allows for greater stability of the sucker, which facilitates its movement, and the junction of the two channels in the front of the sucker simplifies the design and manufacture of the sucker somewhat, since the common area is open at the sucker's sole.

Depending on the preferred method of manufacture, the brushes may be in two positions: one position where they are prominent in relation to the sucker's sole and one position where they are slightly removed from the sucker's sole, both positions being controlled by a mechanism operated by a pedal at the sucker's hood.

This makes it possible to obtain different contact surfaces depending on the soil to be treated and/or the actions envisaged. It is indeed interesting to be able to have brushes to apply pressure to the surface of the soil to be treated, for example the carpet, in order to extract the waste from the surface.

Depending on the preferred mode of implementation, the mechanism shall include: two brush-bearing and sliding swings vertically in relation to the sole against the two-spring pull,two horizontally moving trolleys each capable of interacting with one of the swings by means of a cam surface inclined during this horizontal movement,a link rod linking the control pedal to the two trolleys.

The transformation of the horizontal movement of the trolleys into the vertical movement of the brush-bearing swings by means of an inclined cam surface makes it possible, with this simple device, to give the sucker a compact gait by the small size of the device.

According to this arrangement, the pedal is conveniently mounted in rotation on the sucker's sole, the stem being connected to the pedal by a portion parallel to the pedal's axis of rotation and to the carriages by portions substantially perpendicular to the pedal's axis of rotation, so that such a rotation of the pedal causes the carriages to move horizontally.

The advantage is that the swings and trolleys are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane midway to the sucker, which allows the effort to be evenly distributed over each subset of a trolley, a swings, a front brush and a rear brush.

According to a preferred embodiment, the brushes at the back of the channels join at the junction of the two side channels to form an inverted V.

The presence of this back brush, which extends by a sinuous bend from one end of the suction cup to the other, allows the suction cup to be well fixed on the floor to be treated when the brushes are out of the cup without the risk of the suction cup being tilted forward or backward when moving, thus keeping the suction cup flat on the floor to be cleaned.

In this latter configuration, each rocker has the support points of one of the front brushes and part of the support points of the rear brush.

The front edge of the suction cup should preferably have at least one front opening for suction in a direction which is substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned, this front opening being connected to one of the suction channels.

One advantage of this structure is that not only can the suction cup be physically placed in the corners of the parts to be cleaned, but also that it can be sucked at the point and even slightly forward of the point, through the front opening thus kept.

It has also proved very practical and easy to point the tip at the objects to be picked up or the corners to be cleaned, since this point is in the axis of the tube, and therefore in the axis of the thrust when the suction is moved.

Other features and advantages of the invention are shown in the following description, taken as a non-limiting example, with reference to the figures in the annex, in which: Figure 1 shows, in a schematic view from above, a suction cup conforming to the present invention,Figure 2 shows a view from below a suction cup according to the invention,Figures 3 and 4 represent, in perspective, respectively, a view from above and from below of certain constituent parts of a suction cup according to the invention,Figures 5 and 6 represent, in a side view, respectively, a view from the suction cup according to the brushes out and a view from the suction cup according to the brushes out, the suction cup having been shredded,Figures 7 and 8 show a view from the profile, respectively, of the brush and a view from the brush, respectively, of the brushes out, and Figure 9 shows a view from the brush, which is a view from the back of the invention.

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner sucker 1 such sucker has a connection tube 2 to a vacuum body, not shown, including a motor fan capable of creating an air intake flow.

The connecting tube 2 is at the level of suction hose 11 in contact with the ground 4 to be cleaned, via connecting ducts 3. These ducts are at the suction ducts. These ducts are usually configured according to the suction duct shape, in order to optimize suction efficiency. In the example shown where the suction duct is triangular in shape, the suction ducts, as shown by the dots 10, extend partly along the two edges 5, 6 forming the suction duct tip, as well as in the suction duct after joining in the central part of the suction duct tip.

The advantage is that the angular area forming the tip of the suction cup has a frontal orifice 7 designed to ensure suction in a direction which is substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned.

In addition, in the present example the sucker has removable brushes operated by a pivoting pedal 8 which is accessible from the sucker's hood 12.

The suction channels are closed, firstly by an internal structure partly formed during the production by moulding of the sole, such as the parts of the suction channels extending along the edges and leading out through the opening 7, but also by an upper part 14 which, according to the example of construction, is a viewing area made transparent by rendering the triangular part resting on the sole.

This feature allows the waste 16 to be visualised on the surface being cleaned, and depending on the shape of the suction cup and the suction channel (s), this area of view may cover a larger area than the suction channel, in order to adjust the aim of the waste to be extracted from the soil.

The advantage of the view area is that it has a magnifying effect, as it is convex in shape, so that the debris under the view area is enlarged, thus improving the view of the surface to be cleaned.

The suction cups are located in the lower part of the suction cup, and the suction cups are located in the lower part of the suction cup, which is the upper part of the suction cup.

The triangular shape is completed at the back of the suction cup by a full section 40 containing two slots 42 of suction cup mobility devices, which may be either PTFE-type skates or wheels, such as the wheels 43 shown in Figure 9.

The sucker also has a blade 23 extending in region 21 from edge 5 of the sucker to edge 6, thus defining a front channel 18 and a rear channel 22, the front channel 18 leading to the tip of the sucker through the front opening 7.

This blade 23 connects edge 5 to edge 6 like a bridge, leaving a space between the side opposite to zone 24 and the top piece 14.

A second area 124 with a wire strip may be provided on a channel 22 edge symmetrically to area 24 with a wire strip.

The 19th and 20th channels each have 46 and 45 scraping blades extending from edge 6 and edge 5 respectively towards the other edge in the suction channel. According to the example given, these blades are fixed and originate from the lower suction plate by extending appreciably parallel to the rear edge 9 for a distance of about half the width of the channel. Preferably, these blades are not or are only slightly prominent from the lower suction plate.

According to the invention, the suction cup has brushes 55, 56, 57 which can be removed through the sole. The brush 55 is placed between the suction cup 20 and the edge 5, while the brush 56 is placed between the suction cup 19 and the edge 6. The channels 19 and 20 join in part in front of the suction cup forming an inverted V, the rear brush 57 follows this shape along the edge defined by the two channels and their meeting. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the brush has a clearance 157 in the middle of the brush, i.e. in the bucket shape of the brush, in order to facilitate the suction of the waste that may be lodged in this shape when the back of the suction cup moves.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 show, taken separately, the brushes and the output control mechanism of these brushes.

The pedal 8 has a lateral nipple 81 designed to be connected to the sucker's sole by means of a vertical piece 82 visible in Figure 9 and containing a hole in which the nipple is housed.

In addition, the pedal 8 is connected to a rigid 28 rod of motion transmission, this rod being fixed to the pedal in the extension of the axis of rotation of the pedal, i.e. in the extension of the nipple 81, as is clearly visible in Figure 4. This rod has several elbows constituting a specific shape whose peculiarity is to remain flat, in particular constituting a horizontal part 280 which is the part of connection with the pedal, and two substantially vertical parts 282. These are located at each end of the rod and are in connection with a carriage 85, 86.

The 28 rod is supported by two vertical supports 128 from the sole.

The 85, 86 trolleys are two identical L-shaped pieces with a fairly long horizontal part facing the front of the sucker and a shorter vertical part facing downwards. These trolleys are secured between the sucker sole and the hood so that they can only move horizontally, either forward or backwards.

Each cart 85, 86 has, at the front end of its horizontal part, a bisected shape, respectively 185, 186. These bisected portions constitute cam surfaces capable of interacting with parts 125, 126 bisected identically in independent parts 75, 76 correspondingly called oscillators, when the cart is moving horizontally.

Thus each cart 85, 86 is likely to interact with the 75 and 76 rocker respectively. Rockers are relatively flat pieces that are mounted in the sucker by presenting a degree of freedom according to a vertical direction, being kept in their horizontal swing mainly by the sucker sole, for example by means of 192 sliding pions from the sole and on which the rockers can slide through openings 175, 176 corresponding to the pions 192.

The advantage is that the sole will also be fitted with paddles under each cart to keep the cart in the brake out position to prevent the mechanism from unintentionally starting.

As shown in Figure 9, a spring 165, 166 is mounted between each swing 75, 76 and the suction cup sole.

Each rocker has housing 65, 66 for brushes 55, 56, each brush being held in the housing, mainly by elastic bolts of type clips 95, 96.

The rear brush 57 is held in half by each swing by means of clips 97, 98 and, as with brushes 55, 56, the downward plunge of the swingers when the brushes are removed is achieved by contact between the brush housing perimeter and the sole.

In operation, starting from a position where the brushes have been inserted, corresponding to Figures 6 and 8, the cross-sectional parts 125, 126 of the swingers and the cross-sectional parts 185, 186 of the carts are at a similar level, side by side.

When the user wants to remove the brushes, he operates the pedal by pressing on the back of the brush, which rotates clockwise on the figures, causing the rod 28 to rotate in the same direction.

The significantly vertical sections of the 282 also pivot, causing a forward movement of the 85, 86 wagons connected to the 282 ends of the said rod. This advance of the wagons causes the cooperation of the bisected parts of the wagons with those of the tillers.

This vertical downward movement of the swings allows the brushes to be removed from the plane defined by the bottom of the sole.

When the user wishes to retract the brushes, by turning the pedal counterclockwise, the 282 ends of the rod are brought back, causing the same movement of the carriages 85, 86.

The invention is not limited to the precise method of manufacture illustrated, but includes technical equivalents. In particular, the rear brush 57 can be reduced to two distinct straight portions, each simply held by their respective swingers. It may also be considered to arrange two pedals on each side of the coupling tube 2, each pedal acting on its carriage or even directly on its respective swingers.

Claims (9)

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) of substantially triangular shape presenting in particular two side walls (5, 6) forming the tip of the nozzle, said nozzle being open towards the surface (4) for cleaning via at least two suction channels (19, 20) formed through the soleplate (11) of the nozzle (1) and arranged along the two side walls (6, 5) forming the tip of the nozzle, the nozzle being characterized in that each suction channel (19, 20) is bordered by front brushes (56, 55) and rear brushes (57), said brushes being situated on either side of the channel and extending substantially parallel thereto.
2. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is in the form of an isosceles triangle presenting a rear edge (9) interconnecting the side edges (5, 6), and in that the two channels (20, 19) arranged along the side edges (5, 6) meet in the front portion (21) of the nozzle (1).
3. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the brushes (55, 56, 57) are capable of occupying two positions: a position in which they project relative to the soleplate (11) of the nozzle (1), and a position in which they are retracted a little behind said soleplate (11), said two positions being controlled by a mechanism actuated by a pedal (8) situated on the cover (12) of the nozzle (1).
4. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the mechanism comprises:

   two rockers (75, 76) carrying the brushes (55, 56, 57) and movable vertically relative to the soleplate (11) against the return force of two springs (165, 166);

   · two horizontally-movable carriages (85, 86) each suitable for interacting with a respective one of the rockers (75, 76) via an inclined cam surface (125, 126, 185, 186) during said horizontal movement; and

   · a link rod (28) linking the control pedal (8) to the two carriages (85, 86).
5. A nozzle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pedal (8) is mounted to turn relative to the soleplate (11) of the nozzle (1), and in that the rod (28) is connected firstly to the pedal (8) by a portion (280) that is parallel to the axis of rotation of the pedal, and secondly to the carriages (85, 86) by portions (282) that are substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pedal (8), such that such turning of the pedal (8) causes the carriages (85, 86) to move horizontally.
6. A nozzle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rockers (75, 76) and the carriages (85, 86) are symmetrical about a vertical midplane of the nozzle (1).
7. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the brushes (57) at the rear of the channels (19, 20) meet at the junction (21) between the two side channels, forming an upside-down V-shape.
8. A nozzle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each rocker (75, 76) has the bearing points (95, 96) for one of the front brushes, and some (97, 98) of the bearing points of the rear brush (57).
9. A nozzle (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the front rim of the nozzle presents at least one front orifice (7) for performing suction in a direction that is substantially parallel to the surface (4) for cleaning, said front suction orifice (7) being connected to one of the suction channels (19, 20, 21).