Surface treatment apparatus with pivotable handle
By adopting a cylindrical support area and an eccentric fixing area design in the surface treatment equipment, and using fixing elements and locking elements to achieve automatic fixing of the handle, the problem of inconvenient handle fixing in the prior art is solved, and the ease of operation and space utilization efficiency of the equipment are improved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2021-10-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing handle fixing solutions for surface treatment equipment require additional operating steps and are not intuitive enough, making them difficult to use efficiently in limited spaces.
The handle is automatically fixed by using a cylindrical support area and an eccentrically arranged fixed area, and by using the fixing element to generate friction in the circumferential and radial directions. Combined with the locking element, the stability of the handle in the end position is ensured.
It achieves automatic fixing and stabilization of the handle, reduces operation steps, improves space utilization efficiency, and ensures the safety and convenience of the equipment.
Smart Images
Figure CN114365968B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a surface treatment apparatus having an apparatus housing and a handle pivotally supported on the apparatus housing by a hinge, wherein the hinge has an apparatus portion belonging to the apparatus housing and a handle portion belonging to the handle, the apparatus portion and the handle portion being fixable relative to each other in at least two positions by means of a fixing element. Background Technology
[0002] Surface treatment apparatuses are well known in the art. They typically have a pivotally supported handle to allow for space-saving storage of the surface treatment equipment or to enable the user to perform different treatment tasks, such as those in ground-level areas or above-ground areas. For example, the handle may be oriented along an extension of the equipment housing for ground-level treatment, or it may pivot onto the equipment housing to achieve, for example, a compact surface treatment apparatus for above-ground treatment. To fix the desired position, the handle is held in place by means of a fixing element, wherein locking or compression connections are known to be used. For example, documents EP 2 220 986 B1 (US 8,028,373 B2) and DE 10 35330 B disclose surface treatment apparatuses with pivotable handles.
[0003] Furthermore, clamping bands are known in the machine tool industry for securing the handle relative to the base device. For example, document DE 102011 010 039 A1 discloses a power-driven tool having a clamping section to which the handle can be secured by a clamping band. The clamping section and the clamping band also have form-fitting connecting elements that interlock to prevent circumferential displacement of the handle.
[0004] Furthermore, quick clamps are known in the field of bicycle technology for securing two components relative to each other. Quick clamps have an eccentrically designed clamping element that acts with increasing force relative to the component to be secured as it rotates. Summary of the Invention
[0005] For the surface treatment equipment involved here, a feasible solution for implementing a fixed handle can be achieved by integrating it into the handle's hinge (or joint) in a space-saving and intuitive manner, in particular, without requiring the user to perform any additional fixing steps to secure the handle relative to the equipment housing.
[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention proposes that the device part and the handle part of the surface treatment equipment each have a cylindrical support area, the support area being arranged coaxially with respect to its cylindrical axis, wherein the device part and the handle part each have a cylindrical fixing area, the cylindrical axis of the fixing area being eccentrically arranged with respect to the cylindrical axis of the support area, and wherein (multiple) fixing areas are surrounded at least circumferentially by fixing elements.
[0007] According to the invention, the device portion of the device housing and the handle portion of the handle are hinged components and each has a support region and a fixed region, wherein the column axis of the fixed region is not aligned with the column axis of the support region. Conversely, the column axes of the support regions of the device portion and the handle portion are either coaxial with each other or oriented along a common straight line, such that at least their axial extensions overlap each other. The fixed regions of the device portion and the handle portion can, for example, be designed as circular plates, wherein their column axes are located relative to the radial direction beside the column axis of the support region. By rotating the handle portion relative to the device portion, the column axis of the fixed region of the handle moves away from the column axis of the fixed region of the device portion, which is fixed relative to the device housing, starting from a non-fixed release position. The common circumferential profile of the two fixed regions thus widens. During clamping, the fixed region acts from the inside relative to a fixing element that circumferentially surrounds the fixed region. This generates a frictional force suitable for holding the handle portion in a fixed position, similar to the clamping force in the case of a quick clamp with an eccentrically designed clamping element.
[0008] It is particularly recommended that the fixing area have a circumferential surface inclined relative to the column axis of the corresponding fixing area. According to this embodiment, the fixing area has an inclined edge that can clamp relative to the corresponding inner wall of the fixing element. Preferably, a gapless or minimally gapped, shape-corresponding connection is created, which fixes the fixing areas relative to each other radially and axially. The handle can thus be fixed relative to the device housing.
[0009] Preferably, the inclined circumferential surface has an angle of 30 to 60 degrees relative to the axis of the cylinder, particularly an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the axis of the cylinder. The term "approximately" should include slightly different angles, such as 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 degrees, and values intermediate to these. At a 45-degree inclination, the clamping force is preferably evenly distributed axially and radially. The angle of the inclined circumferential surface relative to the axis of the cylinder in the fixed region is preferably chosen such that it coincides with the forces acting on the joint axially and radially.
[0010] It is recommended that the retaining element be designed to correspond to the shape of the retaining areas of the device and handle portions both circumferentially and radially. This means that when the circumferential surface of the retaining area is inclined, the retaining element has an inner wall with a slope that matches the slope of the edge of the retaining area. The retaining area can thus be optimally clamped within the retaining element to preferably achieve a gapless state in a defined end position of the handle. The retaining element can then form a friction-fit connection relative to the retaining area due to its geometry and dimensions.
[0011] Furthermore, it is suggested that the fixing element is a clamping ring, particularly a clamping ring consisting of two or more circumferentially successive clamping ring components, which can move relative to each other to allow the clamping ring to be mounted onto the fixing areas of the equipment section and the handle section. The fixing element can be formed of metal or plastic, for example, consisting of two or more components. The two fixing areas surrounded by the fixing element form a connection such as between two flanges and a clamping ring.
[0012] It is also suggested that the support area of the handle portion is inserted into the support area of the device portion at least relative to the axial segment. Similarly, it is suggested that the support area of the device portion is inserted into the support area of the handle portion at least relative to the axial segment. Preferably, the cylindrical support area of the handle portion overlaps with the cylindrical support area of the device portion by approximately two-thirds along the axial direction. This means, for example, that the support area of the handle portion is inserted into the support area of the device portion relative to two-thirds of its longitudinal extension. Thus, the support area of the device portion serves as a support device for the handle portion. The two support areas, or the handle portion and the device portion, can also be optimally oriented relative to each other so that tilting does not occur when the two support areas rotate relative to each other.
[0013] Preferably, the surface treatment device with the aforementioned hinge is designed such that the handle can pivot to two end positions via the hinge. The two end positions are preferably rotated approximately 180 degrees apart. With this design, the handle can be brought into two opposing positions relative to the device housing of the surface treatment device: for example, a position formed in the longitudinal extension relative to the device housing, and an inwardly pivoted position, wherein the handle is configured substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the device housing. When the handle is pivoted inward, the surface treatment device is preferably usable as a portable device, which, during surface treatment, is lifted from the surface to be treated and guided as a compact unit along a surface above the ground.
[0014] It is also recommended that the surface treatment equipment have a locking element to lock the handle portion in a defined end position relative to the equipment portion. The locking element is an additional component that preferably secures the handle portion in the reached end position without gaps. The user can thus use the surface treatment equipment without worrying about the handle dislodging from the defined position or the surface treatment device slipping from their hand.
[0015] It is particularly recommended that the locking element be a bolt that can move axially into the fixed area of the handle portion. According to this design, the locking element is inserted through the pivotable fixed area of the handle portion and fixed to a local area of the equipment portion that is stationary relative to the equipment housing.
[0016] It is particularly recommended that the fixing areas of the locking element and the device part have corresponding fixing structures. The fixing structure may, for example, have corresponding circumferentially successive rotary locking elements along the cylindrical device part or handle part. Such rotary locking elements may be designed as teeth. In addition to the fixing areas of the locking element and the device part, it may also be specified that the fixing area of the handle part also has such a fixing structure for fixing the handle part. According to this design, the fixing areas of the locking element, the device part, and the handle part have corresponding fixing structures. This allows for a particularly gapless fixing of the handle part relative to the hinged device part. According to one design, the locking element, for example, has teeth in its axial region, which correspond to the teeth on the inner side of the pivotable handle part, particularly designed to be form-fitting with the teeth on the inner side of the pivotable handle part. On the opposite end region of the locking element, for example, a toothed circumferential surface may be constructed, the tooth shape correspondingly engaging with the corresponding teeth on the device part. It is also feasible that the corresponding surface with the fixing structure is constructed as a cone. This further reduces the total clearance of the hinge in the end position of the handle. By axially moving the locking element back from the fixed area of the handle part, the connection corresponding to the shape of the fixed structure can be canceled again, so that the handle part can move relative to the equipment part, especially to the opposite end position of the handle.
[0017] The locking element can be operated, for example, by a button that is axially movable along a fixed area of the handle portion and the device portion. Alternatively, the button can be spring-loaded to allow it to automatically reset to a predetermined initial position. Attached Figure Description
[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments. In the accompanying drawings:
[0019] Figure 1 A surface treatment apparatus according to the invention is shown, having a handle that pivots via a live energy-saving mechanism;
[0020] Figure 2A three-dimensional view of the live joint in the middle position is shown;
[0021] Figure 3 The live joint is shown in an exploded view;
[0022] Figure 4 A side view of the live joint in the first terminal position is shown;
[0023] Figure 5 Showing according to Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the joint;
[0024] Figure 6 Shown in accordance with Figure 2 A side view of the joint in the middle position;
[0025] Figure 7 Showing according to Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the joint;
[0026] Figure 8 A side view of the live joint in the second terminal position is shown;
[0027] Figure 9 Showing according to Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the joint. Detailed Implementation
[0028] Figure 1 An exemplary surface treatment device 1 is shown, which is designed herein as a cleaning device, i.e., a handheld vacuum cleaner. The surface treatment device 1 has a base unit 17 and a connection area 16 for additional equipment. The additional equipment may be, for example, a nozzle and / or cleaning elements, such as a rotating brush roller. The surface treatment device 1 can be operated with or without the additional equipment. For example, the surface treatment device 1 can be used with additional equipment for floor protection treatment, while the surface treatment device 1 can be used alone, i.e., without the attached additional equipment, to advantageously perform cleaning above the ground, such as vacuuming shelves, etc. The base unit 17 also has a handle 4, on which the user can guide the surface treatment device 1 during normal operation, for example, moving it over the surface to be cleaned. Here, the user typically pushes and pulls the surface treatment device 1 alternately in opposite directions of travel. Furthermore, a switching device (not shown in detail here) may be arranged on the handle 4, preferably a switch for the electrical appliance of the surface treatment device 1, such as for a fan or the like. A switching device may also be provided, by which the user can select the power level or treatment intensity. The surface treatment equipment 1 can be connected to a household power supply in a conventional manner via a power plug, and / or has a battery similar to that used to provide energy to electrical appliances.
[0029] The handle 4 can pivot about the hinge 3, which extends outward through the equipment housing 2 of the base device 17. The hinge 3 is used to rotate the handle 4 relative to the equipment housing 2 to, for example, two defined end positions. Figure 1 The first end position of the handle 4 is shown, wherein the handle is oriented along an extension of the longitudinal extension of the surface treatment device 1, allowing the user to guide the surface treatment device 1 vertically, for example, by rolling an auxiliary device (not shown) on the surface to be cleaned. The handle 4 here constitutes an extension of the base device 17, so that the user does not have to bend over to the surface to be cleaned. A further end position of the handle 4 is preferably a pivot angle 180 degrees away, such that a reference... Figure 1 In this view, handle 4 can pivot into the circumferential outline of the base device 17. In this position, the user can preferably use the surface treatment device 1 for applications above the ground, where a compact, portable device with its center of gravity close to the user's hand is advantageous.
[0030] To achieve the pivoting of handle 4 into two terminal positions that are 180 degrees opposite each other, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the hinge 3 has a device portion 5 and a handle portion 6. The device portion 5 is a fixed component of the base device 17 and is permanently arranged on the base device 17. For example, the device portion 5 can be formed on or fixedly connected to the device housing 2 of the surface treatment equipment 1, for example, by means of bonding, screw connection, or locking connection techniques. Importantly, the device portion 5 cannot move relative to the base device 17. Conversely, the handle portion 6 can pivot relative to the device portion 5, and thus also relative to the base device 17, so that when the handle portion 6 moves, the handle 4 also moves. The handle portion 6 is part of the handle 4 and is fixedly connected to it, for example, by an integral design with the handle 4 or by means of bonding, locking connection, screw connection, etc. The device portion 5 and the handle portion 6 are connected to the hinge 3 by means of a fixing element 7. The fixing element 7 enables the rotation of the handle portion 6 relative to the device portion 5, i.e., into... Figure 4 and Figure 8 The two opposite terminal positions are shown. Between these two is... Figure 6 The intermediate position shown is the neutral position (or balanced position), which is the pivot path at half the pivot angle. In addition, the locking element 15 is associated with the hinge 3. The locking element is used to lock the reached end position so that the user can be sure that when the locking element 15 is operated, the handle 4 is fixed and cannot swing around the hinge 3, which would cause the surface treatment device 1 to slip out of the user's hand and cause an accident.
[0031] Figure 3An exploded view of the hinge 3 is shown in detail. The device part 5, handle part 6, and corresponding fixing element 7 are visible. The device part 5 has a support region 8 and a fixing region 11, while the handle part 6 also has a support region 9 and a fixing region 12. The support regions 8 and 9 of the device part 5 and handle part 6 are constructed in a cylindrical shape and each supports a similarly cylindrical, disc-shaped fixing region 11 and 12 at one end. The support regions 8 and 9 are arranged coaxially with respect to their column axes 10, with the support region 9 of the handle part 6 inserted into the support region 8 of the device part 5. Here, the axial overlap between the device part 5 and handle part 6 along the longitudinal direction of the column axis 10 is, for example, two-thirds of the longitudinal extension of the support region 9 of the handle part 6. Therefore, the support region 8 of the device part 5 serves as a support device for the support region 9 of the handle part 6. The aforementioned fixing regions 11 and 12 are eccentrically arranged with respect to the support regions 8 and 9 of the device part 5 or handle part 6 with respect to their column axes 13 (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 4 The fixing element 7 is designed as a clamping ring consisting of two parts, which can be fastened together by fastening devices such as bolts to form a complete ring. The inner wall of the fixing element 7 corresponds to the outer shape of the fixing regions 11 and 12. Here, the fixing regions 11 and 12 are as follows: Figures 4 to 9 The additional feature shown is, for example, an inclined circumferential surface 14. The inclination of the circumferential surface 14 is, for example, 45 degrees. Due to the eccentric arrangement of the fixing regions 11, 12 relative to the columnar axis 10 of the support regions 8, 9, the fixing regions 11, 12 are clamped inside the fixing element 7 when the handle 4 pivots, and therefore also when the handle portion 6 pivots. This is aided by the inclined circumferential surface 14 of the fixing regions 11, 12. By the inclination of the circumferential surface 14, the mutually abutting fixing regions 11, 12 are fixed in the axial and radial directions. The reached end position of the handle portion 6 relative to the device portion 5 can be fixed by the locking element 15, which extends outward, for example, as a button. For this purpose, a partial area of the lower part of the locking element 15 has fixing structures 19, 20. The first fixing structure 19 has teeth that surround the circumference of the locking element 15 for engaging with corresponding teeth of the support region 9 of the handle portion 6. The fixing structure 20 is used to engage with corresponding teeth of the support region 8 of the device portion 5. The locking element 15 can be pressed down against the restoring force of the associated spring element 18, thereby compressing the spring element 18, and the user of the surface treatment equipment 1 can create a gap 21 between the support area 8 of the equipment part 5 and the locking element 15 by pulling up the handle 4 (see...). Figure 7 This releases the retaining structure 19 or 20 and allows the support area 9 of the handle portion 6 to rotate within the support area 8 of the device portion 5. The user can then pivot the handle 4 to the desired other end position and lock it there by pressing the locking element 15. This releases the stress from the spring element 18 again, closes the gap 21, and engages the retaining structures 19 and 20. Especially in Figure 5 , 7 As can be seen in Figures 8 and 9, the support area 8 of the device part 5 and the end area of the locking element 15 are additionally tapered to further reduce the overall gap of the connection.
[0032] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The first position of the live node 3 among two possible terminal positions is shown in detail. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The image shows hinge 3 in a neutral position, centered relative to the pivot angle between the two end positions. Finally, Figure 8 and Figure 9 The live joint 3 is shown at the second terminal position. According to... Figure 7 As can be seen, the column axes 13 of fixed regions 11 and 12 are in contact with each other in the neutral position, and the stress within the fixing element 7 is relieved. In this case, there is the maximum gap between fixed regions 11 and 12 and the inner wall of the fixing element 7. If the handle 4 is moved from the neutral position to one of them according to... Figure 5 or Figure 9 When the fixed area 12 of the handle portion 6 is squeezed from the inside relative to the fixed element 7 in the terminal position, the gap decreases again.
[0033] List of reference numerals
[0034] 1 Surface treatment equipment
[0035] 2 Equipment casing
[0036] 3. Flexible joints
[0037] 4 handles
[0038] 5. Equipment Section
[0039] 6. Handle section
[0040] 7. Fixing components
[0041] 8 Support Area
[0042] 9 Support Area
[0043] 10. Column axis
[0044] 11 Fixed Area
[0045] 12 Fixed Areas
[0046] 13. Column axis
[0047] 14 weeks
[0048] 15 Locking elements
[0049] 16 Connecting Areas
[0050] 17. Basic equipment
[0051] 18 Spring elements
[0052] 19 Fixed structure
[0053] 20 Fixed Structure
[0054] 21 gap
[0055] α Pivot angle
Claims
1. A surface treatment apparatus (1) having an apparatus housing (2) and a handle (4) pivotally supported on the apparatus housing (2) via a hinge (3), wherein, The hinge (3) has a device portion (5) belonging to the device housing (2) and a handle portion (6) belonging to the handle (4), the device portion and the handle portion being fixable relative to each other in at least two positions by means of a fixing element (7), characterized in that the device portion (5) and the handle portion (6) each have cylindrical support regions (8, 9), wherein the support regions (8, 9) are coaxially arranged relative to their cylindrical axes (10), wherein the device portion (5) and the handle portion (6) each have cylindrical fixing regions (11, 12), the cylindrical axes (13) of the fixing regions (11, 12) being eccentrically arranged relative to the cylindrical axes (10) of the support regions (8, 9), and wherein the fixing regions (11, 12) are at least circumferentially surrounded by the fixing element (7), and wherein the fixing regions (11, 12) have relative to their respective fixing regions (11, 12) The column axis (13) of 12) is inclined to the circumferential surface (14), and the fixing element (7) has an inner wall corresponding to it.
2. The surface treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inclined circumferential surface (14) has an angle of 30 to 60 degrees relative to the axis of the column (13).
3. The surface treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inclined circumferential surface (14) has an angle of 45 degrees relative to the axis of the column (13).
4. The surface treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing element (7) is designed to correspond to the shape of the fixing region (11, 12) in both the circumferential and radial directions.
5. The surface treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing element (7) is a clamping ring.
6. The surface treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support area (9) of the handle portion (6) is inserted into the support area (8) of the device portion (5) at least relative to the axis segment, or the support area (8) of the device portion (5) is inserted into the support area (9) of the handle portion (6) at least relative to the axis segment.
7. The surface treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The handle (4) can pivot to two end positions via the hinge (3).
8. The surface treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The rotation angle between the two terminal positions is 180 degrees apart.
9. The surface treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that... A locking element (15) is provided to lock the handle portion (6) in a terminal position defined relative to the device portion (5).
10. The surface treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The locking element (15) is a bolt that can move axially into the fixed area (12) of the handle portion (6).
11. The surface treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The locking element (15) and the fixed area of the equipment part (5) have corresponding fixing structures.
12. The surface treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The locking element (15) and the fixing area (12) of the handle part (6) have corresponding fixing structures (19, 20).
13. The surface treatment apparatus (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The corresponding fixing structures (19, 20) are corresponding circumferentially sequential rotational locking elements.