Sponge change interface and sponge change attachment for a handheld electrical device, handheld electrical device and method for attaching a cleaning utensil

Abstract

The invention relates to a sponge exchange interface (32) for a handheld electrical device (10), in particular an electrical multi-purpose device or an electrical cleaning device, with at least one sponge receiving area (12). It is proposed that the sponge exchange interface (32) comprises at least one pair of collets (22) having a first collet (16) pivotably mounted about a first pivot axis (14) and a second collet (20) mounted about a second pivot axis (18), which is designed to clamp a cleaning utensil (24), in particular a sponge, preferably a pad sponge, for mounting it in the sponge receiving area (12) by contacting each of the collets (16, 20) with each of two opposite outer surfaces (26, 28) of the cleaning utensil (24).

Description

State of the art

[0001] A sponge-changing interface for an electric brush with at least one sponge-receiving area has already been proposed. Various cleaning pads or sponges are attached to the electric brush using Velcro. Disclosure of the invention

[0002] The invention relates to a sponge changing interface for a handheld electrical device, in particular an electrical multi-purpose device or an electrical cleaning device, having at least one sponge receiving area.

[0003] It is proposed that the sponge changing interface comprises at least one pair of collets having a first collet mounted pivotably about a first pivot axis and a second collet mounted about a second pivot axis, which pair is provided for clamping a cleaning utensil, in particular a sponge, preferably a pad sponge, for its installation in the sponge receiving area by contact between one of the collets in each case and one of two opposite, in particular lateral, outer sides of the cleaning utensil. This advantageously enables simple assembly and disassembly of various cleaning utensils, in particular various sponges, on the electrical device. This advantageously makes it possible to achieve a high level of user-friendliness.Furthermore, cost-effectiveness for the user can be achieved, especially since a wide variety of commercially available cleaning utensils / sponges can be used with the handheld electrical device. For example, commercially available pad sponges can be used with the handheld electrical device. This can advantageously provide a high degree of versatility and / or flexibility for the handheld electrical device. This can also facilitate easy handling.

[0004] The handheld electrical device can be designed in particular as a multi-purpose electrical device, such as a multi-tool or the like, or as an electrical cleaning device, such as an electric brush or the like. Preferably, the handheld electrical device is intended for hand-held operation and / or is designed as a hand-held power tool. In particular, the handheld electrical device is designed as a portable electrical device. In particular, the sponge changing interface is provided at least for changing a separable sponge, e.g. a pad sponge. In addition to sponges, the sponge changing interface can also be provided for receiving other cleaning utensils. The sponge receiving area is thus provided at least for receiving, in particular a fixed receiving, a sponge, e.g. a pad sponge, although other cleaning utensils could also be installed in the sponge receiving area instead of a sponge.The cleaning utensil, in particular the sponge, is located in the sponge receiving area of ​​the sponge changing interface, in particular of the electrical device, in a cleaning operating state.

[0005] The collets in particular have a function and / or design similar to that of a hair clip (see also “hairclaw” or “hairclip”) with two legs that are pre-tensioned towards one another and tend to assume a closed state. In particular, the two collets are pre-tensioned in such a way that, in a state free from external forces, they tend to move towards one another. In particular, the two collets are pre-tensioned in such a way that they tend to assume a position that results in the smallest possible sponge holding area. In particular, the collets are intended to contact the cleaning utensil at points or side surfaces that are different from the main working surfaces / main cleaning surfaces of the cleaning utensil. Preferably, the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are arranged parallel to one another.Alternatively, however, an arrangement of the two pivot axes in relation to one another that deviates from parallel is also conceivable. In particular, each of the collets has a holding surface which is intended to at least partially touch the cleaning utensil when attached. A pad sponge is preferably designed as a commercially available dishwashing sponge or scouring sponge. The pad sponge can have different main working surfaces / main cleaning surfaces on two sides. For example, the pad sponge could have a soft and smooth sponge surface on one side. For example, the pad sponge could have a rough scouring surface on the opposite side. However, alternative cleaning utensils and pad sponge designs are also conceivable. “Intended” should be understood in particular to mean specially programmed, designed and / or equipped.The fact that an object is intended for a specific function should be understood in particular to mean that the object fulfils and / or executes this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0006] Furthermore, a sponge changing attachment with the sponge changing interface and with an electrical device interface for interchangeable mounting on a handheld electrical device designed as an interchangeable power tool is proposed. This advantageously allows a high level of flexibility to be achieved, particularly for hand-held power tools designed as interchangeable power tools. In particular, the interchangeable power tool is provided to accommodate further attachments, in particular tool attachments, with electrical device interfaces, in addition to the sponge changing attachment. The use of various electrical device interfaces known to those skilled in the art is conceivable. An interchangeable power tool is, in particular, a hand-held power tool with an interface that is provided for mounting various tool attachments, in particular tool attachments having the appropriate electrical device interface.It is conceivable that the hand-held electrical device is provided for a rotational movement and / or a rotary back and forth movement of the attachment mounted on the interface, in particular the sponge changing attachment.

[0007] It is also proposed that at least one of the collets, preferably both collets, have a retaining bracket running transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to a central axis of the electrical device interface and / or at least substantially parallel to at least one of the pivot axes of the collets. This advantageously makes it possible to achieve good support for a large number of different cleaning utensils within the sponge receiving area. Advantageously, high flexibility can be achieved. Advantageously, a high level of security against loss for clamped cleaning utensils can be achieved. In particular, the retaining bracket is arranged at one of the longitudinal ends of the first collet and / or the second collet. In particular, the retaining bracket of the respective collet runs at least substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the respective collet and / or to the pivot axis of the other collet.In particular, the retaining brackets of the collets run at least substantially parallel to one another. By “substantially parallel” we mean, in particular, an alignment of a direction relative to a reference direction, in particular in a plane, wherein the direction has a deviation from the reference direction of, in particular, less than 8°, advantageously less than 5°, and particularly advantageously less than 2°. The expression “substantially perpendicular” we mean, in particular, an alignment of a direction relative to a reference direction, wherein the direction and the reference direction, in particular viewed in a projection plane, enclose an angle of 90°, and the angle has a maximum deviation of, in particular, less than 8°, advantageously less than 5°, and particularly advantageously less than 2°.

[0008] If the holding bracket(s) has(es) a maximum extension parallel to the pivot axis associated with the same collet, which is at least twice as large, preferably at least three times as large, as a maximum extension of other external parts of the respective collet, a compact and slim design can advantageously be achieved which nevertheless offers good and secure hold for cleaning utensils. A high level of flexibility for holding different cleaning utensils can advantageously be achieved. External parts of the collets are parts that can be touched by a user without having to disassemble the sponge changing attachment. In particular, the external parts of the collets are formed by legs which connect the respective holding bracket to the articulation device which is provided for the pivotable articulation of the respective collet to a base unit of the sponge changing attachment.

[0009] It is also proposed that the first collet and the second collet be at least substantially identical to one another. This advantageously ensures a uniform distribution of force for holding cleaning utensils. Furthermore, a particularly simple and / or cost-effective design can be achieved. This advantageously enables easy operation. In particular, the collets are mounted on the base unit in a mirrored manner. "Substantially identical" is understood to mean identical, in particular, apart from manufacturing tolerances.

[0010] Furthermore, it is proposed that the collets at least substantially form an S-shape. This advantageously maximizes the sponge receiving area. A clamping function can advantageously be optimized. An "S-shape" is understood, in particular, to mean a shape that, from at least one perspective, resembles the capital letter "S." Preferably, the S-shape, viewed from this perspective, comprises two rounded, oval, or polygonal curves of more than 90° connected by a reversal point.

[0011] Furthermore, it is proposed that the sponge changing interface or the sponge changing attachment have a reset unit which mounts the collets in each case, in particular on the base unit, in such a way that a deflection of the collets generates a reset force which tends to automatically return the collets to a home position. This advantageously allows a holding force acting on the cleaning utensil to be generated and / or transmitted in a simple and / or reliable manner. Easy operation can advantageously be enabled. The reset unit preferably comprises at least one reset element for each collet. The reset elements of the reset unit can be designed as spring elements, for example as torsion springs, leg springs, spiral flat springs, roller springs or the like.The home position preferably corresponds to the position of the collets in the sponge changing interface in which the collets, in particular the retaining brackets of the collets, have the smallest possible distance from one another. The home position preferably corresponds to the position of the collets in which the return elements of the collets are maximally relaxed, depending on the design of the sponge changing interface. The cleaning utensils, preferably sponges, are either wider than the minimum possible distance between the retaining brackets in the home position or have a groove or the like whose surroundings / edges are larger than the minimum possible distance between the retaining brackets in the home position.

[0012] If the collets each have an actuating element at one longitudinal end, which is provided for manually pivoting the collets and / or in particular for manually clamping a return unit acting on the collets, a high level of user-friendliness and / or particularly simple and / or intuitive operability can advantageously be achieved. The actuating element of the respective collet is in particular formed in one piece, preferably monolithically, with the retaining bracket of the respective collet. “Integral” should be understood in particular to mean materially connected, for example by a welding process and / or gluing process, etc., and particularly advantageously molded, such as by production from a single cast and / or by production using a single-component or multi-component injection molding process. In particular, the S-shape of the collet has two ends.In particular, the actuating element is arranged at a first end of the S-shaped collet. In particular, the retaining bracket is arranged at a second end of the S-shaped collet. The actuating element has an engagement surface provided for manual actuation of the collet. The actuating element protrudes from the base unit. The actuating element is arranged in a part of the collet which, viewed relative to the pivot axis, is opposite a part of the collet in which the retaining bracket is arranged.

[0013] The pivot axis of the clamping element is located in the clamping element between the retaining bracket and the actuating element.

[0014] Furthermore, a handheld electrical device, in particular a multi-purpose electrical device or an electrical cleaning device, comprising the sponge changing interface or the sponge changing attachment is proposed. This advantageously allows for a high degree of versatility. Advantageously, the use of a commercially available sponge, in particular a pad sponge, as a tool for the handheld electrical device can be enabled.

[0015] In addition, a method for attaching a cleaning utensil, in particular a sponge, preferably a pad sponge, to a handheld electrical device, in particular an electrical multi-purpose device or an electrical cleaning device, by means of the sponge changing interface or the sponge changing attachment is proposed, wherein in one method step a sponge receiving area located between two pivotable collets of a collet pair is enlarged by pivoting the collets, in particular manually, wherein in a further method step the cleaning utensil is introduced into the enlarged sponge receiving area, in particular manually, and wherein in a further method step the sponge receiving area is reduced again by a further, in particular automatic, pivoting back of the collets,so that the cleaning utensil is held at least captively in the sponge receiving area by a clamping contact between each of the collets and one of two opposite outer sides of the cleaning utensil. This advantageously enables easy assembly and disassembly of various cleaning utensils, in particular various sponges, on the electrical device. This advantageously achieves a high level of user-friendliness. Furthermore, cost-effectiveness for the user can be achieved, especially since a wide variety of commercially available cleaning utensils / sponges can be used with the handheld electrical device.

[0016] The sponge changing interface according to the invention, the sponge changing attachment according to the invention, the handheld electrical device according to the invention, and the method according to the invention are not intended to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the sponge changing interface according to the invention, the sponge changing attachment according to the invention, the handheld electrical device according to the invention, and the method according to the invention can have a number of individual elements, components, units, and method steps that differs from the number stated herein in order to fulfill a functionality described herein. Furthermore, in the value ranges specified in this disclosure, values ​​within the stated limits are also to be considered disclosed and can be used arbitrarily. drawing

[0017] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0018] They show: Fig. 1 A schematic perspective view of an exemplary handheld electrical device, Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of a sponge changing attachment for the handheld electrical device with a sponge changing interface to a replaceable holder for cleaning utensils, wherein the sponge changing interface is in a basic state, Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of a cleaning utensil and the sponge changing attachment with the sponge changing interface in a state different from the basic state, Fig. 4 a schematic perspective view of the sponge changing attachment with the cleaning utensil clamped in the sponge changing interface and Fig. 5 a schematic flow diagram of a method for attaching the cleaning utensil to the handheld electrical device by means of the sponge exchange interface. Description of the embodiment

[0019] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary handheld electrical device 10. The handheld electrical device 10 is designed as a multi-purpose electrical device. The handheld electrical device 10 is designed as a changeable power tool. The handheld electrical device 10 is designed as an electrical cleaning device. The handheld electrical device 10 is designed as an electrical brush. The handheld electrical device 10 is battery-operated. Fig. In Figure 1, the handheld electrical device 10 is shown, by way of example, with a brush attachment 64. The brush attachment 64 is detachable and replaceable. The brush attachment 64 is detachably mounted on an interface (not shown in detail) of the handheld electrical device 10.

[0020] As an alternative to the brush attachment 64, a sponge replacement attachment 30 can be mounted on the interface of the handheld electrical device 10. Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the sponge changing attachment 30. The sponge changing attachment 30 has an electrical device interface 34. The electrical device interface 34 is provided to enable interchangeable mounting of the sponge changing attachment 30 on the handheld electrical device 10.

[0021] The sponge changing attachment 30 has a sponge changing interface 32. The sponge changing interface 32 has a sponge receiving area 12. The sponge receiving area 12 is provided for receiving a cleaning utensil 24 (see Fig. 4) The sponge receiving area 12 is designed to receive at least one sponge, preferably a pad sponge, as shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is shown. The sponge changing interface 32 comprises a pair of collets 22. The pair of collets 22 comprises a first collet 16. The pair of collets 22 comprises a second collet 20. The pair of collets 22 is intended to hold the cleaning utensil 24 in the sponge receiving area 12 by clamping it. For this purpose, the collets 16, 20 flank the sponge receiving area 12 on opposite sides. The cleaning utensil 24 is clamped in the sponge receiving area 12 by contact with one of the collets 16, 20 on each of two opposite outer sides 26, 28 of the cleaning utensil 24 (cf. Fig. 4). The first collet 16 and the second collet 20 are identical in design. The first collet 16 forms an S-shape. The second collet 20 forms an S-shape.

[0022] The sponge changing attachment 30 has a base unit 52. The base unit 52 includes the electrical device interface 34. The collets 16, 20 are each pivotally connected to the base unit 52. The collets 16, 20 are attached / hinged to the base unit 52 in a mirror-inverted manner. The collets 16, 20 are attached / hinged to the base unit 52 on opposite sides of the base unit 52. The first collet 16 is pivotally mounted about a first pivot axis 14. The first collet 16 is pivotally mounted / hinged to the base unit 52. The second collet 20 is pivotally mounted about a second pivot axis 18. The second collet 20 is pivotally attached / hinged to the base unit 52. The sponge changing attachment 30 has a pivoting device 50. The respective collet chuck 16, 20 is connected to the base unit 52 by means of the linkage device 50.

[0023] The first collet 16 has a retaining bracket 38. The second collet 20 has a retaining bracket 40. The retaining bracket 38 of the first collet 16 and / or the retaining bracket 40 of the second collet 20 runs transversely to a central axis 36 of the electrical device interface 34 and / or the base unit 52. The retaining bracket 38 of the first collet 16 and / or the retaining bracket 40 of the second collet 20 runs perpendicular to the central axis 36 of the electrical device interface 34 and / or the base unit 52. The retaining bracket 38 of the first collet 16 and / or the retaining bracket 40 of the second collet 20 runs parallel to at least one of the pivot axes 14, 18 of the collets 16, 20.The retaining bracket 38 of the first collet 16 and / or the retaining bracket 40 of the second collet 20 has a maximum extension 42 parallel to the pivot axis 14, 18 associated with the same collet 16, 20, which is more than twice as large as a maximum extension 44 of further external parts of the respective collet 16, 20, in particular a central part of the collet 16, 20 connecting the respective retaining bracket 38, 40 to the respective pivot axis 14, 18.

[0024] The sponge changing attachment 30 has a return unit 46. The return unit 46 mounts the collets 16, 20 in such a way that upon deflection of the collets 16, 20, a return force is generated, which tends to automatically return the deflected collets 16, 20 to a home position 48 of the sponge changing attachment 30, in particular of the collet pair 22. The return unit 46 can have a return element, such as a torsion spring (not shown), for each of the collets 16, 20 to generate the return force. Fig. 2 shows the sponge changing attachment 30, in particular the collet pair 22, as an example in the basic position 48. In the Fig. 3, the collets 16, 20 of the collet pair 22 are strongly deflected from the basic position 48. In the Fig. 4, the collets 16, 20 clamp a cleaning utensil 24 and are thus as close to the home position 48 as a compression of the cleaning utensil 24 by the force generated by the return unit 46 allows.

[0025] The collets 16, 20 each have an actuating element 54, 56 at a longitudinal end 66. The actuating elements 54, 56 of the collets 16, 20 are each provided for manually pivoting the collets 16, 20. The actuating elements 54, 56 of the collets 16, 20 are each provided for manually clamping the return unit 46 acting on the collets 16, 20. By pressing the actuating elements 54, 56 of the collets 16, 20, as is exemplified by two horizontal arrows 68, 70 in the Fig. 3, the collets 16, 20 of the collet pair 22 are pivoted relative to each other, so that the retaining brackets 38, 40 of the collets 16, 20 are moved away from each other and thus open and enlarge the sponge receiving area 12. In this enlarged sponge receiving area 12, as indicated by a vertical arrow 72 in the Fig. 3, the cleaning utensil 24 is inserted. By removing the force acting on the actuating elements 54, 56, the collets 16, 20 are deflected back towards the home position 48 by means of the return unit 46 and the cleaning utensil 24 is clamped in the sponge receiving area 12, as is exemplified in the Fig. 4 is shown.

[0026] The Fig.5 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for attaching a cleaning utensil 24, in particular a sponge, preferably a pad sponge, to a handheld electrical device 10 by means of the sponge changing interface 32 and / or by means of the sponge changing attachment 30. In at least one method step 58, the sponge receiving area 12 located between the two pivotable collets 16, 20 of the collet pair 22 is enlarged. The sponge receiving area 12 is enlarged by manually pivoting the collets 16, 20 by means of the actuating elements 54, 56 of the collets 16, 20. In at least one further method step 60, the cleaning utensil 24 is then introduced into the enlarged sponge receiving area 12. In at least one further method step 62, the actuation of the actuating elements 54, 56 is canceled.This causes the collets 16, 20 to pivot back, which again reduces the sponge receiving area 12. As a result of the collets 16, 20 pivoting back, the cleaning utensil 24 is held in the sponge receiving area 12 at least captively, preferably in a force-locking and / or positive-locking manner, by a clamping contact between each of the collets 16, 20 and one of two opposite outer sides 26, 28 of the cleaning utensil 24.

Claims

[1] Sponge changing interface (32) for a handheld electrical device (10), in particular an electrical multi-purpose device or an electrical cleaning device, with at least one sponge receiving area (12), characterized by at least one pair of collets (22) having a first collet (16) pivotably mounted about a first pivot axis (14) and a second collet (20) pivotably mounted about a second pivot axis (18), which pair is provided for clamping a cleaning utensil (24), in particular a sponge, preferably a pad sponge, for its installation in the sponge receiving area (12) by contact of one of the collets (16, 20) with one of two opposite outer sides (26, 28) of the cleaning utensil (24). [2] Sponge changing attachment (30) with a sponge changing interface (32) according to claim 1 and with an electrical device interface (34) for interchangeable mounting on a hand-held electrical device (10) designed as an interchangeable machine tool. [3] Sponge changing interface (32) according to claim 1 or sponge changing attachment (30) according to claim 2, characterized by that at least one of the collets (16, 20), preferably both collets (16, 20), has a retaining bracket (38, 40) extending transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to a central axis (36) of the electrical device interface (34) and / or at least substantially parallel to at least one of the pivot axes (14, 18) of the collets (16, 20). [4] Sponge changing interface (32) or sponge changing attachment (30) according to claim 3, characterized by that the retaining bracket(s) (38, 40) has / have a maximum extension (42) parallel to the pivot axis (14, 18) associated with the same collet chuck (16, 20), which is at least twice as large, preferably at least three times as large, as a maximum extension (44) of further external parts of the respective collet chuck (16, 20). [5] Sponge changing interface (32) or sponge changing attachment (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first collet (16) and the second collet (20) are at least substantially identical to one another. [6] Sponge changing interface (32) or sponge changing attachment (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the collets (16, 20) form at least substantially an S-shape. [7] Sponge changing interface (32) or sponge changing attachment (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a return unit (46) which supports the collets (16, 20) in such a way that a deflection of the collets (16, 20) generates a return force which tends to automatically deflect the collets (16, 20) back into a home position (48). [8] Sponge changing interface (32) or sponge changing attachment (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the collets (16, 20) each have an actuating element (54, 56) at a longitudinal end (66), which is provided for manually pivoting the collets (16, 20), in particular for manually clamping a return unit (46) acting on the collets (16, 20). [9] Handheld electrical device (10), in particular a multi-purpose electrical device or an electrical cleaning device, comprising a sponge changing interface (32) or a sponge changing attachment (30) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Method for attaching a cleaning utensil (24), in particular a sponge, preferably a pad sponge, to a hand-held electrical device (10), in particular an electrical multi-purpose device or an electrical cleaning device, by means of a sponge changing interface (32) or a sponge changing attachment (30), preferably according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein in a method step (58) a sponge receiving area (12) located between two pivotable collets (16, 20) of a collet pair (22) is enlarged by pivoting the collets (16, 20), in particular manually, wherein in a further method step (60) the cleaning utensil (24) is introduced into the enlarged sponge receiving area (12), in particular manually, and wherein in a further method step (62) the sponge receiving area (12) is reduced again by a, in particular automatic, pivoting back of the collets (16, 20), so that the cleaning utensil (24) is held at least captively in the sponge receiving area (12) by a contact, clamping the cleaning utensil (24), of each of the collets (16, 20) with each of two opposite outer sides (26, 28) of the cleaning utensil (24).

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