Cleaning unit for suction head

Abstract

The invention provides a cleaning unit (11) comprising a rotary brush (12) configured to be mounted in a detachable manner in a receiving recess of a suction head, and a closure plug (16) configured to close a passage opening (13) through which the rotary brush (12) is adapted to be introduced into and removed from the receiving recess, the closure plug (16) having a grip handle (25) movable between a rest position and a gripping position, in which gripping position the grip handle is configured to be gripped by a user, thereby enabling operation of the closure plug.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction head for sucking up dust and small-particle waste present on a surface to be cleaned. BACKGROUND

[0002] Vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction head are well known on the market, they allow to clean a surface by suction, to remove dust and small-particle waste resting on the surface. The surface to be sucked can be for example a tile, a parquet, a laminate, a carpet or a rug.

[0003] The suction head comprises in a known manner a main body comprising a bottom plate provided with a lower surface and a suction mouth opening onto the lower surface of the bottom plate. During use of the suction head, the lower surface of the bottom plate will be positioned in the vicinity of the surface to be sucked.

[0004] To improve the cleaning performance of the suction head, it is known to equip the suction head with a cleaning unit comprising:

[0005] - a rotating brush movable in rotation about a rotation axis and mounted in a removable manner in a receiving recess defined by the main body of the suction head, and

[0006] - a closure plug configured to at least partially close a passage opening provided on the main body, through which the rotating brush is adapted to be introduced into and extracted from the receiving housing, the rotating brush being rotatable relative to the closure plug.

[0007] To allow the user to operate the closure plug, in particular when extracting the rotating brush for example to perform a cleaning, it is known to equip the closure plug with two gripping flaps diametrically opposite the rotation axis of the rotating brush and projecting from a front surface of the closure plug.

[0008] However, this configuration of the closure plug increases the volume of the closure plug, thus the volume of the cleaning unit, and can cause the closure plug to be unintentionally unlocked when for example the closure plug hits an obstacle.

[0009] To limit the volume of the closure plug, it is conceivable to reduce the size of the two gripping flaps, which in turn makes it difficult for some users to operate the closure plug. SUMMARY

[0010] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0011] The basic technical problem of the invention is in particular to provide a cleaning unit of a suction head which ensures simple and ergonomic operation of the closure plug, while ensuring reliable locking of the closure plug on the main body of the suction head.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a suction head cleaning unit comprising:

[0013] - a rotary brush which is movable in rotation about a rotation axis and which is configured to be mounted in a removable manner in a receiving recess defined by the main body of the suction head, and

[0014] - a closure plug which is configured to at least partially close a passage opening provided on the main body through which the rotary brush is adapted to be introduced into and extracted from the receiving recess, the rotary brush being rotatable relative to the closure plug.

[0015] The closure plug comprises a grip handle which is movable between a rest position and a gripping position, in which gripping position the grip handle is configured to be gripped by a user, thereby enabling the closure plug to be operated and, for example, the rotary brush to be extracted from the receiving recess when the rotary brush is mounted in the receiving recess.

[0016] This configuration of the grip handle ensures, inter alia, that the rotary brush is easily and ergonomically extracted from the receiving recess when the grip handle is in the gripping position, while limiting the bulk of the closure plug and, consequently, of the cleaning unit on the suction head when the grip handle is in the rest position. Furthermore, this configuration of the grip handle, and in particular the fact that the grip handle is in the rest position under normal conditions of use of the suction head, largely limits the risk of accidental unlocking of the closure plug.

[0017] The cleaning unit can also have one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the application, the grip handle is configured to at least partially define, when the grip handle is in the gripping position, a gripping channel adapted to receive at least one finger of a user.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the application, the grip handle extends substantially in a rest plane when the grip handle is in the rest position, the rest plane extending transversely, for example substantially perpendicularly, to the rotation axis of the rotary brush.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the application, the grip handle extends substantially in a gripping plane when the grip handle is in the gripping position, the gripping plane extending substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary brush.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the application, in the rest position of the grip handle, the grip handle is housed in a grip handle recess formed by a cavity of the closure plug.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the application, in the rest position of the handle, the handle is housed in a handle recess formed by the cavity of the closure plug and is arranged substantially flush with or recessed from the outer surface of the closure plug. Said outer surface surrounds the cavity of the plug. In other words, in the rest position, the handle is housed in the cavity of the closure plug and is arranged so as not to protrude or only slightly protrude beyond the outer surface of the closure plug which surrounds the cavity of the closure plug. In fact, due to assembly tolerances and operating clearances, in the rest position of the handle, the handle can protrude slightly, by about tenths of a millimeter to about 1 mm, beyond the outer surface of the closure plug which surrounds the cavity of the closure plug. Therefore, the term "substantially flush" includes that the handle protrudes by less than 1 mm from the outer surface of the closure plug which surrounds the cavity of the plug in the rest position.

[0023] Therefore, in the rest position, the handle is unobtrusive. This configuration limits the risk of accidental jamming of the handle when the suction head is moved on the ground to be sucked.

[0024] In an alternative to the embodiment just mentioned, in the rest position of the handle, the handle is housed in a handle recess formed by the cavity of the closure plug and is arranged substantially flush with or recessed from the outer surface of the closure plug which surrounds the cavity of the closure plug, except for a gripping protrusion of the handle which is configured to be gripped by the user when the handle is in the rest position, thus enabling the movement of the handle from the rest position to the gripping position.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the application, the handle is mounted to pivot about a pivot axis between the rest position and the gripping position.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the application, the pivot axis of the handle is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotary brush.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the application, the closure plug comprises a plug body and a locking device configured to lock the plug body to the main body.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the application, the locking device comprises at least one locking member movable with respect to the plug body between a locking position, in which the at least one locking member cooperates with at least one locking element provided on the main body to prevent the rotary brush from being extracted from the receiving recess, and a release position, in which the at least one locking member releases the at least one locking element to allow the rotary brush to be extracted from the receiving recess.

[0029] This configuration of the closure plug ensures that the plug body is easily and ergonomically locked onto the main body of the suction head. Furthermore, this configuration of the closure plug ensures that the plug body is effectively retained in the passage opening, so that the rotating brush is retained in the receiving recess and vibrations generated by the rotating brush during its rotation are largely limited. Thus, the cleaning unit according to the application largely limits the transmission of vibrations from the rotating brush to the main body of the suction head and provides a higher degree of use comfort for the user.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the application, the at least one locking member is movable relative to the plug body along a movement direction extending transversely to the rotation axis of the rotating brush.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the application, the movement direction of the at least one locking member is substantially radial relative to the rotation axis of the rotating brush.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the application, the rotating brush is configured to be detachably mounted in the receiving recess along a mounting direction extending transversely and preferably perpendicularly to the movement direction of the suction head.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the application, the at least one locking member is a latch.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the application, the rotation axis of the rotating brush substantially coincides with a central axis of the rotating brush.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the application, the at least one locking member is configured to radially protrude from the outer circumference of the plug body when the at least one locking member is in the locking position.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the application, the at least one locking member is configured to be recessed from or substantially flush with the outer circumference of the plug body when the at least one locking member is in the release position.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the application, the at least one locking member is slidably mounted relative to the plug body.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the application, the closure plug comprises an actuation member configured to move the at least one locking member between the locking position and the release position.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the application, the actuation member is manually actuatable from outside the suction head when the plug body is locked to the main body.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the application, the actuation member is movably mounted relative to the plug body between a first actuation position and a second actuation position, the actuation member and the at least one locking member are configured such that movement of the actuation member from the first actuation position to the second actuation position drives movement of the at least one locking member from the release position to the locking position, and such that movement of the actuation member from the second actuation position to the first actuation position drives movement of the at least one locking member from the locking position to the release position. This configuration of the closure plug allows to lock / unlock the plug body by moving the actuation member between the first and second actuation positions only, which ensures that the rotary brush is easily and ergonomically taken out of the receiving recess.

[0041] This configuration also contributes to ensure a reliable locking without relying on the force with which the user applies to lock the closure plug.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the application, the actuation member is mounted rotatable about an actuation axis which is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary brush.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the application, the actuation axis is substantially coaxial to the rotation axis.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the application, the actuation member has a substantially disc shape.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the application, the actuation member has at least one cam surface which is contacted by a portion of the at least one locking member.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the application, the actuation member has at least one cam groove in which at least one cam surface is formed, and the portion of the at least one locking member which contacts the at least one cam surface is a cam pin which is provided on the at least one locking member and accommodated in the at least one cam groove.

[0047] Advantageously, the cam pin is in sliding contact on the at least one cam surface, such that when the actuation member is moved between the first actuation position and the second actuation position, the cam pin is moved relative to the at least one cam groove by sliding on the at least one cam surface and drives the at least one locking member to move between the release position and the locking position.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the application, the at least one cam groove extends transversely to the rotation axis of the rotary brush.

[0049] According to an embodiment of the application, the at least one cam surface, preferably the at least one cam groove, is curved. The at least one cam surface, preferably the at least one cam groove, may, for example, have a circular arc shape or have a gradually varying radius of curvature.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the application, the at least one cam surface, preferably the at least one cam groove, is substantially straight.

[0051] According to embodiments of the application, the at least one cam groove comprises a first cam surface configured to move the at least one locking member from the release position to the locking position when the actuation member is moved from the first actuation position to the second actuation position, and a second cam surface configured to move the at least one locking member from the locking position to the release position when the actuation member is moved from the second actuation position to the first actuation position.

[0052] According to embodiments of the application, the handle is movably mounted on the actuation member. These arrangements facilitate locking / unlocking of the plug body on the suction head body.

[0053] According to embodiments of the application, the handle is configured to move the actuation member between the first actuation position and the second actuation position when the handle is actuated by a user.

[0054] According to embodiments of the application, the handle is configured to transmit a rotational torque to the actuation member.

[0055] According to embodiments of the application, the handle is configured to move the actuation member from the first actuation position to the second actuation position when a first rotational torque is exerted on the handle by a user in a first rotational direction, and to move the actuation member from the second actuation position to the first actuation position when a second rotational torque is exerted on the handle by a user in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

[0056] According to embodiments of the application, the closure plug comprises a fastening cap fastened to the plug body and partially covering the actuation member. Advantageously, the fastening cap and the plug body define a mounting recess in which the actuation member is mounted. The fastening cap may, for example, be annular.

[0057] According to embodiments of the application, the actuation member comprises a reading mark, and the closure plug comprises a locking mark and a release mark angularly offset relative to the rotation axis of the rotary brush, the locking mark and the release mark being fixed non-rotatably relative to the plug body, the reading mark being configured to be located opposite the release mark when the actuation member is in the first actuation position and to be located opposite the locking mark when the actuation member is in the second actuation position. Advantageously, the locking mark and the release mark are arranged on the fastening cap.

[0058] According to embodiments of the application, the rotary brush comprises a tubular brush body. Advantageously, the brush body is cylindrical with a circular cross-section.

[0059] According to embodiments of the application, the rotary brush is rotatably guided in or around the plug body.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the application, the rotating brush has bristles provided on an outer surface of the brush body. Advantageously, the rotating brush comprises at least one row of bristles provided on the outer surface of the brush body.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the application, the locking device comprises a plurality of locking members which are angularly offset from each other with respect to the rotation axis of the rotating brush.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the application, the locking device comprises three locking members.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the application, the locking members are uniformly distributed around the rotation axis of the rotating brush.

[0064] The application also relates to a suction head comprising:

[0065] - a body having a receiving recess open in a bottom face of the body, the bottom face being configured to face a surface to be cleaned, and a passage opening open in the receiving recess, and

[0066] - a cleaning unit according to the application, the rotating brush being mounted in the receiving recess in a removable manner, and the closure plug at least partially closing the passage opening.

[0067] According to an embodiment of the application, the at least one locking element comprises at least one locking groove in which the at least one locking member is configured to engage when said at least one locking member is in the locking position. Advantageously, the at least one locking groove extends at least partially around the passage opening.

[0068] According to an embodiment of the application, the at least one locking element comprises a plurality of locking grooves which are angularly offset from each other with respect to the rotation axis of the rotating brush, and in each of which a respective locking member is intended to be housed.

[0069] According to an embodiment of the application, when the plug body is locked to the body, the at least one locking member and the plug body are fixed against rotation with respect to the receiving recess.

[0070] According to an embodiment of the application, the suction head comprises a mistake-proofing device configured to impose a relative angular orientation between the closure plug and the body when the plug body is inserted into the passage opening.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the application, the mistake-proofing device comprises at least one mistake-proofing element, for example a mistake-proofing rib, provided on the closure plug, and at least one mistake-proofing member, for example a mistake-proofing groove, provided on the body.

[0072] According to an embodiment of the application, the passage opening is provided on a lateral face of the body.

[0073] According to an embodiment of the application, the suction head comprises a drive device configured to drive the rotary brush in rotation about a rotation axis.

[0074] According to an embodiment of the application, the rotary brush comprises a first end configured to be rotatably coupled to the drive device and a second end supported by the closure plug and mounted in rotatable movement with respect to the closure plug.

[0075] According to an embodiment of the application, the drive device comprises a drive motor whose output shaft can be substantially aligned with the rotation axis of the rotary brush or can be offset from the rotation axis of the rotary brush.

[0076] According to an embodiment of the application, the main body comprises a bottom plate provided with a bottom face configured to face the surface to be cleaned and a suction mouth opening in the bottom face. Advantageously, the receiving recess opens in the bottom face of the bottom plate via the suction mouth.

[0077] According to an embodiment of the application, the suction mouth has an elongated shape and extends transversely, for example perpendicularly, to the direction of movement of the suction head. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0078] The application will be well understood thanks to the following description, made in reference to the schematic drawings, which show embodiments of such a suction head by way of non-limiting example.

[0079] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a suction head according to the application.

[0080] Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the suction head of Figure 1 , showing the cleaning unit of the suction head partially extracted.

[0081] Figure 3 is a partial side view of the suction head of Figure 1 , showing the locking plug of the cleaning unit in the locked position.

[0082] Figure 4 is a partial side view of the suction head of Figure 1 , showing the locking plug in the unlocked position.

[0083] Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the suction head of Figure 1 .

[0084] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the closure plug of the cleaning unit of Figure 2 .

[0085] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit, showing the handle in the gripping position and the locking member in the released position.

[0086] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the cleaning unit, showing the handle in a stationary position and the locking member in a locked position.

[0087] Figure 9 This is a front perspective view of the closure plug, showing it in the locked position of the locking component.

[0088] Figure 10 This is a rear perspective view of the closure plug, showing the locking member in the released position.

[0089] Figure 11 This is a rear perspective view of the closure plug, showing the locking member in the locked position. Detailed Implementation

[0090] Figures 1 to 11 A suction head 2 including a connecting sleeve 3 is shown, with a connector for a rigid or flexible tube designed to connect to the connecting sleeve 3, the rigid or flexible tube itself being connected to the suction system of a vacuum cleaner (not shown). Various different models of vacuum cleaners are available on the market that can be used with the suction head 2 according to the invention; since these different models are known to those skilled in the art, they are not described in detail in this patent application.

[0091] The suction head 2 includes a body 4 configured to move on the surface to be cleaned. The connecting sleeve 3 is advantageously pivotally mounted relative to the body 4, thereby allowing the body 4 to pivot forward and backward as the suction head 2 moves in the direction of movement D1.

[0092] The main body 4 includes a base plate 5, which has a bottom surface 6 configured to face the surface to be cleaned, and a suction port 7 with an opening in the bottom surface 6. The suction port 7 is in particular in communication with the connecting sleeve 3 through a connecting channel formed at least partially, for example, by a flexible connecting tube. The suction port 7 may, for example, have an elongated shape and extend transversely to, for example, perpendicularly to, the direction of movement D1 of the suction head 2.

[0093] The main body 4 also includes a receiving recess 9, which opens in the bottom surface of the base plate 5 via a suction port 7 and is fluidly connected to a connecting channel. Therefore, according to the embodiment shown in the figure, the receiving recess 9 forms a suction chamber.

[0094] The suction head 2 also includes a cleaning unit 11, which includes a rotating brush 12 rotatably mounted in a receiving recess 9 along a rotation axis A that substantially coincides with the central axis of the rotating brush 12. Advantageously, the rotating brush 12 is detachably mounted in the receiving recess 9 and configured to be introduced into and removed from the receiving recess 9 along an installation direction D2. The installation direction D2 extends transversely to, and preferably perpendicularly to, the movement direction D1 of the suction head 2.

[0095] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the main body 4 has a passage opening 13 which opens in the receiving recess 9 through which the rotary brush 12 can be introduced into and removed from the receiving recess 9. Advantageously, the passage opening 13 is provided on a lateral face of the main body 4.

[0096] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the rotary brush 12 comprises a brush body 14, for example tubular, and bristles 15 provided on the outer surface of the brush body 14. Advantageously, the brush body 14 is cylindrical with a circular cross section and the rotary brush 12 comprises a plurality of rows of bristles, for example extending helically around the central axis of the rotary brush 12. According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the rows of bristles can be replaced by elastically deformable lamellae or foam cleaning sleeves.

[0097] The cleaning unit 11 further comprises a closure plug 16 configured to at least partially close the passage opening 13 when the rotary brush 12 is mounted in the receiving recess 9.

[0098] The closure plug 16 comprises a plug body 17 and a locking device configured to lock the plug body 17 to the main body 4.

[0099] The locking device comprises at least one locking member 18, advantageously three locking members 18, movably, preferably slidably, mounted on the plug body 17 between a locking position, in which the locking members 18 cooperate with at least one locking element provided on the main body 4 to prevent the rotary brush 12 from being removed from the receiving recess 9, and a release position, in which the locking members 18 release the at least one locking element to allow the rotary brush 12 to be removed from the receiving recess 9. Advantageously, each locking member 18 is a latch.

[0100] According to an embodiment of the application, the at least one locking element has only one locking slot 19 extending at least partially around the passage opening 13 and each locking member 18 is configured to be engaged in the locking slot 19 when the locking member 18 is in the locking position. According to another embodiment of the application, the at least one locking element comprises a plurality of locking slots 19 which are angularly offset from each other with respect to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12 and in each of which a respective locking member 18 is intended to be housed.

[0101] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking members 18 are uniformly distributed around the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12 and each locking member 18 is movably mounted with respect to the plug body 17 in a direction of movement extending substantially radially to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12.

[0102] When the locking members 18 are in the locking position (see Figure 9 and Figure 11), the locking members 18 are configured to project radially from the outer periphery 21 of the plug body 17, and when the locking members 18 are in the release position (see Figure 7 and Figure 10 ), the locking members 18 are configured to recess from the outer periphery 21 of the plug body 17 or to be substantially flush with the outer periphery 21 of the plug body 17.

[0103] Advantageously, when the plug body 17 is locked onto the main body 4, the locking members 18 and the plug body 17 are fixed against rotation with respect to the receiving recess 9.

[0104] The closure plug 16 further comprises an actuation member 22 configured to move the locking members 18 between the locking position and the release position. The actuation member 22 may, for example, be generally disc-shaped.

[0105] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the actuation member 22 is mounted in rotatable movement about an actuation axis with respect to the plug body 17 between a first actuation position (see Figure 7 ) and a second actuation position (see Figure 8 ), the actuation axis being substantially coaxial with the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12, and the actuation member 22 and the locking members 18 being configured such that movement of the actuation member 22 from the first actuation position to the second actuation position drives movement of the locking members 18 from the release position to the locking position, and such that movement of the actuation member 22 from the second actuation position to the first actuation position drives movement of the locking members 18 from the locking position to the release position. This configuration of the closure plug 16 allows the plug body 17 to be locked / unlocked simply by moving the actuation member 22 between the first and second actuation positions, thus ensuring that the rotary brush 12 is easily and ergonomically extracted from the receiving recess 9.

[0106] As illustrated in Figure 10 and Figure 11 , the actuation member 22 has at least one cam groove 23, advantageously three cam grooves 23, in each of which a lobe 24 provided on a respective locking member 18 is housed. Each cam groove 23 extends transversely to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12.

[0107] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, each cam groove 23 is curved and has a generally circular arc shape. Each cam groove 23 can have a constant radius of curvature or a progressive radius of curvature. However, according to an alternative embodiment not illustrated in the figures, each cam groove 23 can be straight.

[0108] Each cam groove 23 comprises a first cam surface 23.1 configured to move the respective locking member 18 from the release position to the locking position when the actuation member 22 is rotationally moved from the first actuation position to the second actuation position, and a second cam surface 23.2 configured to move the respective locking member 18 from the locking position to the release position when the actuation member 22 is rotationally moved from the second actuation position to the first actuation position.

[0109] Advantageously, each protrusion 24 alternately or simultaneously slides in contact on the first and second cam surfaces 23.1, 23.2 formed by the respective cam groove 23, so that when the actuation member 22 is moved between the first and second actuation positions, said protrusions 24 are moved with respect to the respective cam groove 23 by sliding on the first and second cam surfaces 23.1, 23.2 and drive the respective locking member 18 to move between the release and locking positions.

[0110] The closure plug 16 further comprises a handle 25 configured to be grasped by a user, for example to allow the removal of the rotary brush 12 from the receiving recess 9. The handle 25 can for example have a semi-circular or any other shape.

[0111] Advantageously, the handle 25 is pivotally mounted on the actuation member 22 about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12, between a rest position (see Figure 8 ) and a grasping position (see Figure 7 ). The handle 25 and the actuation member 22 are more particularly configured to define a grasping passage adapted to receive at least one finger of a user when the handle 25 is in the grasping position.

[0112] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the closure plug 16, advantageously the actuation member 22, comprises a handle recess 22.1 formed by a cavity of the closure plug 16, advantageously of the actuation member 22, into which the handle 25 at least partially extends when the handle 25 is in the rest position.

[0113] Advantageously, in the rest position of the handle 25, the handle 25 is housed in the handle recess 22.1 and is arranged substantially flush with or recessed from the outer surface of the closure plug 16, for example the outer surface 22.2 (see Figure 9 ) of the actuation member, which surrounds the cavity forming the handle recess 22.1.

[0114] Advantageously, the handle 25 can comprise a grasping protrusion (not shown) protruding from the handle recess 22.1 when the handle 25 is in the rest position and configured to be grasped by a user when the handle 25 is in the rest position, thereby enabling the movement of the handle 25 from the rest position to the grasping position.

[0115] More specifically, the handle 25 is configured to move the actuation member 22 from the first actuation position to the second actuation position when a first rotational torque is exerted by the user on the handle 25 in a first rotational direction, and to move the actuation member 22 from the second actuation position to the first actuation position when a second rotational torque is exerted by the user on the handle 25 in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

[0116] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the closure plug 16 comprises a fastening cap 26 fastened to the plug body 17. The fastening cap 26 and the plug body 17 define a mounting recess in which the actuation member 22 is mounted, and are configured to allow only a rotational movement of the actuation member 22 with respect to the plug body 17. Advantageously, the fastening cap 26 is annular, extends around the actuation member 22 and partially covers the actuation member 22.

[0117] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the actuation member 22 comprises a reading mark 27, and the fastening cap comprises a locking mark 28 and a release mark 29, which are angularly offset with respect to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12. The reading mark 27 is configured to be located opposite the release mark 29 when the actuation member 22 is in the first actuation position, and to be located opposite the locking mark 28 when the actuation member 22 is in the second actuation position.

[0118] The suction head 2 comprises a foolproof device 31 configured to impose a relative angular orientation between the closure plug 16 and the main body 4 when the plug body 17 is inserted in the passage opening 13. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the foolproof device comprises a pair of foolproof elements 32, for example two foolproof ribs, provided on the plug body 17, and the passage opening 13 has a non-circular shape.

[0119] The suction head 2 further comprises a drive device 33 configured to drive the rotary brush 12 in rotation about its rotation axis A. More specifically, the drive device 33 comprises an electric drive motor 34, the output shaft of which can be substantially aligned with the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the electric drive motor 34 is housed in the brush body 14 of the rotary brush 12. According to alternative embodiments not shown in the figures, the electric drive motor 34 can be offset from the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12.

[0120] Advantageously, the rotary brush 12 comprises a first end portion 12.1 configured to be rotatably coupled to the drive device 33, and a second end portion 12.2 supported by the closure plug 16 and mounted in rotatable movement with respect to the closure plug 16. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive device 33 comprises a coupling member 35 which is rotationally integral with the output shaft of the electric drive motor 33 and is rotationally coupled to the first end portion 12.1 of the rotary brush 12.

[0121] To remove the rotary brush 12 from the receiving recess 9, for example to clean the rotary brush 12 or to replace the rotary brush 12, the user moves the handle 25 into the gripping position and exerts a rotational torque on the handle 25 in order to move the actuating member 22 into the first actuating position. This movement of the actuating member 22 drives the locking member 18 into the release position. Then, the user can easily remove the rotary brush 12 from the receiving recess 9 by exerting a pulling force on the handle 25 in order to clean or replace the rotary brush 12 next.

[0122] When the user wants to reposition the rotary brush 12 in the receiving recess 9, the user inserts the rotary brush 12 into the receiving recess 9 until the receiving recess 9 is coupled with the coupling member 18 and then exerts a rotational torque on the handle 25 in order to move the actuating member 22 into the second actuating position. This movement of the actuating member 22 drives the locking member 18 into the locking position. Finally, the user repositions the handle 25 into the rest position.

[0123] Of course, the application is not limited to the described and shown embodiment, which is provided by way of example only. There can be modifications in particular with regard to the configuration of the various elements or by substitution with equivalent technologies, without departing from the scope of protection of the application.

Claims

1. A cleaning unit (11) of a suction head, comprising: - a rotary brush (12) movable in rotation about an axis of rotation (A) and configured to be mounted in a removable manner in a receiving recess (9) defined by a main body (4) of the suction head, and - a closure plug (16) configured to at least partially close a passage opening (13) provided on the main body (4) through which the rotary brush (12) is adapted to be introduced into and extracted from the receiving recess (9), the rotary brush (12) being rotatable with respect to the closure plug (16), the closure plug (16) comprising a grip handle (25) movable between a rest position and a grip position in which the grip handle (25) is configured to be gripped by a user so as to be able to operate the closure plug (16), characterized in that the closure plug (16) comprises a plug body (17) and at least one latch (18) configured to lock the plug body (17) to the main body (4), the at least one latch (18) being movable with respect to the plug body (17) between a locking position and a release position allowing the rotary brush (12) to be extracted from the receiving recess (9), wherein the at least one latch (18) is slidably movable with respect to the plug body (17) along a direction of movement extending transversely to the axis of rotation (A) of the rotary brush (12), wherein the at least one latch (18) is configured to radially protrude from an outer periphery of the plug body (17) when the at least one latch (18) is in the locking position, wherein the closure plug (16) comprises a disc (22) having a cam surface configured to move the at least one latch (18) between the locking position and the release position, wherein the disc (22) having a cam surface is mounted rotatably movable about an actuation axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (A) of the rotary brush (12), wherein the disc (22) having a cam surface has at least one cam surface with which a portion of the at least one latch (18) is in contact.

2. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1, wherein The grip handle (25) is configured to at least partially define a grip channel adapted to receive at least one finger of a user when the grip handle (25) is in the grip position.

3. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein In the rest position of the grip handle (25), the grip handle (25) is accommodated in a grip handle recess (22.1) formed by a cavity of the closure plug (16) and is arranged substantially flush with or recessed from an outer surface (22.2) of the closure plug (16) surrounding the cavity of the closure plug (16).

4. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein In the rest position of the handle (25), the handle (25) is housed in a handle recess (22.1) formed by the cavity of the closure plug (16) and is arranged substantially flush with or recessed from the outer surface (22.2) of the closure plug that surrounds the cavity of the closure plug (16), except for a gripping protrusion of the handle (25) that is configured to be gripped by a user when the handle (25) is in the rest position, thereby enabling the movement of the handle (25) from the rest position to the gripping position.

5. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The handle (25) is mounted to pivot about a pivot axis between the rest position and the gripping position.

6. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 5, wherein The pivot axis of the handle (25) is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotary brush (12).

7. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1, wherein The at least one latch (18) is movable relative to the plug body (17) between a locked position, in which the at least one latch (18) cooperates with at least one locking slot provided on the main body (4) to prevent the rotary brush (12) from being extracted from the receiving recess (9), and a released position, in which the at least one latch (18) releases the at least one locking slot to allow the rotary brush (12) to be extracted from the receiving recess (9).

8. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1, wherein The cammed disc (22) is movably mounted relative to the plug body (17) between a first actuation position and a second actuation position, the cammed disc (22) and the at least one latch (18) being configured such that movement of the cammed disc (22) from the first actuation position to the second actuation position drives movement of the at least one latch (18) from the released position to the locked position, and such that movement of the cammed disc (22) from the second actuation position to the first actuation position drives movement of the at least one latch (18) from the locked position to the released position.

9. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1, wherein The handle (25) is movably mounted on the cammed disc (22).

10. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 8, wherein The handle (25) is configured to move the cammed disc (22) from the first actuation position to the second actuation position when a user applies a first rotational torque on the handle (25) in a first rotational direction, and to move the cammed disc (22) from the second actuation position to the first actuation position when a user applies a second rotational torque on the handle (25) in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

11. A suction head comprising: - a main body (4) having a receiving recess (9) open in a bottom face of the main body (4) configured to face a surface to be cleaned, and a passage opening (13) open in the receiving recess (9), and - a rotary brush (12) mounted in the passage opening (13) of the main body (4) and having a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom face of the main body (4), the rotary brush (12) being configured to be extracted from the receiving recess (9) of the main body (4) by pivoting about the rotation axis of the rotary brush (12), and - a closure plug (16) mounted in the passage opening (13) of the main body (4) and having a plug body (17) configured to be arranged in the passage opening (13) of the main body (4) and to cover the rotary brush (12), the plug body (17) having a cavity configured to receive the rotary brush (12), the plug body (17) having a handle recess (22.1) formed by the cavity of the plug body (17) and configured to receive a handle (25) of the closure plug (16), the handle (25) being configured to be moved between a rest position and a gripping position, the handle (25) being configured to be moved from the rest position to the gripping position by a user, the handle (25) being configured to be moved from the gripping position to the rest position by a user, the handle (25) being configured to be moved from the rest position to the gripping position by a user applying a first rotational torque on the handle (25) in a first rotational direction, the handle (25) being configured to be moved from the gripping position to the rest position by a user applying a second rotational torque on the handle (25) in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, the handle (25) being configured to move a cammed disc (22) of the closure plug (16) from a first actuation position to a second actuation position when a user applies the first rotational torque on the handle (25) in the first rotational direction, the handle (25) being configured to move the cammed disc (22) from the second actuation position to the first actuation position when a user applies the second rotational torque on the handle (25) in the second rotational direction, the handle (25) being configured to move the cammed disc (22) from the first actuation position to the second actuation position when a user applies the second rotational torque on the handle (25) in the second rotational direction, the handle (25) being configured to move the cammed disc (22) from the second actuation position to the first actuation position when a user applies the first rotational torque on the handle (25) in the first rotational direction, the handle (25) being configured to move at least one latch (18) of the closure plug (16) from a released position to a locked position when the cammed disc (22) is moved from the first actuation position to the second actuation position, the handle (25) being configured to move the at least one latch (18) from the locked position to the released position when the cammed disc (22) is moved from the second actuation position to the first actuation position, the handle (25) being configured to move the at least one latch (18) from the released position to the locked position when the cammed disc (22) is moved from the second actuation position to the first actuation position, the handle (25) being configured to move the at least one latch (18) from the locked position to the released position when the cammed disc (22) is moved from the first actuation position to the second actuation position, the handle (25) being configured to be moved from the rest position to the gripping position by a user applying a first rotational torque on the handle (25) in a first rotational direction, the handle (25) being configured to be moved from the gripping position to the rest position by a user applying a second rotational torque on the handle (25) in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, the handle (25) being configured to move a cammed disc (22) of the closure plug (16) from a first actuation position to a second actuation position when a user applies the first rotational torque on the handle (25) in the first rotational direction, the handle (25) being configured to move the cammed disc (22) from the second actuation position to the first actuation position when a user applies the second rotational torque on the handle (25) in the second rotational direction, the handle (25) being configured to move the cammed disc (22) from the first actuation position to the second actuation position when a user applies the second rotational torque on the handle (25) in the second rotational direction, the handle (25) being configured to move the cammed disc (22) from the second actuation position to the first actuation position when a user applies the first rotational torque on the handle (25) in the first rotational direction, the handle (25) being configured to move at least one latch (18) of the closure plug (16) from a released position to a locked position when the cammed disc (22) is moved from the first actuation position to the second actuation position, the handle (25) being configured to move the at least one latch (18) from the locked position to the released position when the cammed disc (22) is moved from the second actuation position to the first actuation position, the handle (25) being configured to move the at least one latch (18) from the released position to the locked position when the cammed disc (22) is moved from the second actuation position to the first actuation position, the handle (25) being configured to move the at least one latch (18) from the locked position to the released position when the cammed disc (22) is moved from the first actuation position to the second actuation position. - The cleaning unit (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, said rotating brush (12) being mounted in said receiving recess (9) in a detachable manner and said closure plug (16) at least partially closing said passage opening (13).

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