Suction nozzle for vacuum cleaner

Abstract

Vacuum cleaner nozzle, comprising: - at least one first suction nozzle arranged to be opposite a floor to be cleaned and to be connected to a vacuum cleaner suction circuit, - at least one second suction nozzle, separate from the first suction nozzle, arranged to be opposite the floor to be cleaned and to be connected to the vacuum cleaner suction circuit, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner nozzle includes at least one inspection hatch, arranged between the first suction nozzle and the second suction nozzle and mounted removably on the vacuum cleaner nozzle to allow a user to access an internal duct of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a vacuum cleaner nozzle and a vacuum cleaner equipped with such a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Technical field of the invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a vacuum cleaner nozzle for a household vacuum cleaner, in particular a cylinder vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the present invention must allow efficient cleaning of floors, while presenting good ergonomics of use and maintenance. State of the art

[0003] Document EP0783865A2 discloses a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a removable module consisting of a dust collection container containing a filter. However, this system has the disadvantage of being complex to manufacture and complex to use, with the nozzle filter and the vacuum cleaner filter having to be maintained, cleaned and replaced.

[0004] Document EP1021120A1 discloses a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a hatch for accessing the suction channel. However, this system has the disadvantage of being ineffective in terms of cleaning floors. Presentation of the invention

[0005] An aim of the present invention is to address the drawbacks of the prior art documents mentioned above and in particular, first of all, to propose a vacuum cleaner nozzle which provides effective cleaning of floors, while presenting good ergonomics of use and maintenance.

[0006] For this purpose, a first aspect of the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle, comprising: at least one first suction inlet arranged to face a floor to be cleaned and to be connected to a suction circuit of the vacuum cleaner, at least one second suction inlet, separate from the first suction inlet, arranged to face the floor to be cleaned and to be connected to the suction circuit of the vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises at least one inspection hatch, arranged between the first suction mouth and the second suction mouth and removably mounted on the vacuum cleaner nozzle to allow a user to access an internal duct of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

[0007] The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the present implementation comprises two suction inlets, which allows for efficient cleaning of floors. In addition, the inspection hatch according to the present implementation allows a user to access the internal duct of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, between the two suction inlets, where there is the greatest probability of finding debris or objects stuck or retained in the internal ducts of the vacuum cleaner nozzle. Indeed, between the two suction inlets, the geometry and flows are complex, so that waste can become stuck there or nearby.

[0008] Advantageously, the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises means for distributing a suction flow between the first suction inlet and the second suction inlet, and at least part of the distribution means are mounted on the inspection hatch. Access to the internal conduit is facilitated, since the removal of the inspection hatch results in the removal of part of the distribution means.

[0009] Advantageously, the distribution means comprise a valve arranged to occupy: a first position in which it allows suction only through the first suction inlet and at least a second position in which it allows suction at least through the second suction inlet. The user can adjust the distribution to optimize cleaning.

[0010] Advantageously, in the second position, the valve allows suction only through the second suction mouth.

[0011] Advantageously, the valve is mounted on the inspection hatch. Access to the internal conduit is facilitated, because removing the inspection hatch causes the valve to be removed, and therefore its articulation (typically a pivot connection), and the user can easily view, manipulate and clean the valve or its articulation.

[0012] Advantageously, the nozzle or inspection hatch includes sealing means, such as a peripheral seal. This helps maintain suction performance. The seal can be separated from the nozzle or hatch, and therefore removable.

[0013] Advantageously, the vacuum cleaner nozzle includes means for locking the inspection hatch on the nozzle.

[0014] Advantageously, the locking means comprise means for gripping the inspection hatch. A grip handle, a control wheel, or at least a fin or a grip tab that the user can easily pinch between his index finger and thumb may be provided.

[0015] Advantageously, the locking means comprise a control handle or a control wheel, and comprise a locking interface of the quarter-turn type, or of the bayonet type, or of the elastic interlocking type such as a clip-on interlocking.

[0016] Advantageously, the locking means comprise at least one cam track, so as to compress the sealing means when locking the inspection hatch on the vacuum cleaner nozzle. A locking hook or tab may be provided whose thickness is not constant, so that during locking, a sealing gasket will be gradually compressed.

[0017] Advantageously, the vacuum cleaner nozzle includes: a first suction part with a first sole, and a second suction part with a second sole, and distinct from the first suction part, and the first suction mouth opens onto the first sole, and the second suction mouth opens onto the second sole.

[0018] Advantageously, the first sole comprises at least one first suction channel, and / or the second sole comprises at least one second suction channel.

[0019] Advantageously: the first suction part is a triangular head, arranged in front of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and the second suction part is of substantially rectangular shape, arranged behind the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

[0020] Advantageously, the inspection hatch is arranged on an upper face of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

[0021] Advantageously, the inspection hatch is arranged on a lower face of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

[0022] A final aspect of the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, in particular a cylinder vacuum cleaner, comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the first aspect of the invention. Description of the drawings

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: There figure 1 represents a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention, with a first suction part and a second suction part; The figure 2 represents a sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of the figure 1 , with a valve in a first position, to allow suction only through a first suction mouth of the first suction part; The figure 3 represents a sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of the figure 1 , with the valve in a second position, to allow suction only through a second suction mouth of the second suction part; The figure 4 represents a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of the figure 1 , with a removed inspection hatch, to allow access to an internal duct of the suction nozzle; The figure 5 represents a perspective view of the inspection hatch shown figure 4 . Detailed description of the invention

[0024] There figure 1 represents a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention without its covering casings, with a first suction part 10 arranged in front of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and a second suction part 20 arranged behind the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

[0025] The first suction part 10 has a generally triangular shape, and comprises a first sole 11, with a first visible suction mouth 12 figure 2 , which opens onto a suction channel formed in the first sole 11. The second suction part 20 has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises a second sole 21 with a second visible suction mouth 22 figure 2 , which opens onto a suction channel arranged in the second sole 21.

[0026] The first suction part is air-connected to the second suction part by a flexible tube 41, at an inspection hatch 30. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises a brush control 42 for raising / lowering a scraping brush, rollers 43 and an articulated connection tube 44, to allow connection of the vacuum cleaner nozzle to a vacuum cleaner tube.

[0027] There figure 2 represents a sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of the figure 1 , with the inspection hatch 30 which comprises a valve 31 in a first position (or low position), to allow suction only through the first suction mouth 12.

[0028] There figure 3 represents a sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of the figure 1 , with the valve 31 in a second position (or high position), to allow suction only through the second suction mouth 22.

[0029] The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the present invention therefore comprises two suction inlets 12 and 22, and the valve 31 makes it possible to modulate and direct the suction flow from one suction inlet to the other, which provides efficient cleaning of the floors. The valve 31 is typically rotatably mounted on the inspection hatch 30, and its position can vary according to the distribution setting desired by the user. However, due to the waste that passes through and the geometry of the area between the first suction inlet 12 and the second suction inlet 22, this waste can accumulate, become blocked or become snagged on the mechanism of the valve 31 or nearby.

[0030] In order to be able to easily clean the internal ducts of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, it is proposed to be able to remove the inspection hatch 30, as shown in figure 4 The inspection hatch 30 can therefore be detached from the vacuum cleaner nozzle and the user can therefore easily handle it to remove waste and remedy any blockage of the on-board valve 31.

[0031] Furthermore, the removal of the inspection hatch 30 leaves free access to the internal conduits of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, in particular at the level of the zone between the first suction mouth 12 and the second suction mouth 22, so that the user can access them, especially since the valve 31 being fitted on the inspection hatch 30, it does not hinder access.

[0032] In summary, the inspection hatch 30, located between the first suction inlet 12 and the second suction inlet 22, allows free access to this area, precisely where there may be accumulations or blockages of waste (due to the geometry and complex flows which take place there), so that maintenance and servicing are greatly facilitated.

[0033] There figure 5 represents an enlarged perspective view of the inspection hatch 30 removed from the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

[0034] The inspection hatch 30 comprises a control wheel 32 with a thin wall to be pinched between the thumb and index finger of the user, who can then rotate the control wheel 32 around an axis of rotation 32A. Two lugs 34 are integral with the control wheel 32 and can engage with hooks 35 of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, visible figure 4 .

[0035] There figure 4 also shows a peripheral seal 33 (an elastomer O-ring) which helps to eliminate air leaks when the inspection hatch 30 is mounted on the vacuum cleaner nozzle. A slope or chamfer may be provided on the hooks 35, or a variable thickness on the lugs 34, in order to compress the peripheral seal 33, when locking the inspection hatch 30. In other words, a cam track is provided on the locking means to compress the sealing means.

[0036] Finally, the figure 5 also shows the rotation axis 31A of the valve 31, not visible on this figure 5 . Furthermore, the inspection hatch also includes a mechanism for controlling the position of the valve 31, not shown.

[0037] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0038] In particular, reference is made to access from the top of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, but provision may be made to install the inspection hatch 30 in the lower part, to provide access from the lower face of the nozzle.

[0039] Furthermore, the nozzle comprises a first sole and a second separate sole, but there could be only one sole, with two suction mouths, or only a Y connection between two suction channels.

Claims

1. Vacuum cleaner nozzle, comprising: - at least one first suction inlet (12) arranged to face a floor to be cleaned and to be connected to a suction circuit of the vacuum cleaner, - at least one second suction inlet (22), separate from the first suction inlet (12), arranged to face the floor to be cleaned and to be connected to the suction circuit of the vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises at least one inspection hatch (30), arranged between the first suction mouth (12) and the second suction mouth (22) and removably mounted on the vacuum cleaner nozzle to allow a user to access an internal duct of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

2. Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the preceding claim, comprising means for distributing a suction flow between the first suction mouth (12) and the second suction mouth (22), in which at least part of the distribution means are mounted on the inspection hatch (30).

3. Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the preceding claim, in which the distribution means comprise a valve (31) arranged to occupy: - a first position in which it allows suction only through the first suction mouth (12) and - at least a second position in which it allows suction at least through the second suction mouth (22).

4. Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the preceding claim, wherein, in the second position, the valve (31) allows suction only through the second suction mouth (22).

5. Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to one of claims 3 or 4, in which the valve (31) is mounted on the inspection hatch (30).

6. Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to one of the preceding claims, in which the nozzle or the inspection hatch (30) comprises sealing means, such as a peripheral seal (33).

7. Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to one of the preceding claims, comprising means for locking the inspection hatch (30) on the nozzle.

8. Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the preceding claim, in which the locking means comprise means for gripping the inspection hatch (30).

9. Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to one of claims 7 or 8, in which the locking means comprise a control handle or a control wheel (32), and comprise a locking interface of the quarter-turn type, or of the bayonet type, or of the elastic interlocking type such as a clip-on interlocking.

10. Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to one of claims 7 to 9 in their dependence on claim 6, in which the locking means comprise at least one cam track, so as to compress the sealing means when locking the inspection hatch (30) on the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

11. Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a first suction part (10) with a first sole (11), and - a second suction part (20) with a second sole (21), and separate from the first suction part (10), in which the first suction mouth (12) opens onto the first sole (11), and in which the second suction mouth (22) opens onto the second sole (21).

12. Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the preceding claim, wherein the first sole (11) comprises at least one first suction channel, and / or the second sole (21) comprises at least one second suction channel.

13. Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection hatch (30) is arranged on an upper face of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

14. Vacuum cleaner nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the inspection hatch (30) is arranged on a lower face of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

15. Vacuum cleaner, in particular a cylinder vacuum cleaner, comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to one of the preceding claims.

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