Surface cleaning attachment

Abstract

A surface cleaning attachment is attachable to a suction cleaner for use. The surface cleaning attachment includes a housing having a head portion and a tail portion distal from one another, a suction nozzle disposed at the head portion, an interface disposed at the tail portion, the interface being connectable to the suction cleaner, a fluid path extending from the suction nozzle to the interface, the fluid path including a suction passage downstream of the suction nozzle and an openable sump downstream of the suction passage, wherein the suction passage includes at least a first passage segment defining a first direction of fluid flow, and the sump has a sump inlet defining a second direction of fluid flow into the sump and a sump outlet defining a third direction of fluid flow out of the sump, the second direction being at least 150° relative to the first direction, and the third direction being at least 150° relative to the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cleaning equipment technology, and in particular to a surface cleaning attachment that can be attached to a vacuum cleaner. Background Technology

[0002] Vacuum cleaners are a common cleaning device that uses a suction motor to create negative pressure, sucking up debris and other waste from the surface to be cleaned. Vacuum cleaners can also be attached with various surface cleaning attachments to achieve different cleaning effects. However, to ensure the proper functioning of the suction motor, vacuum cleaners need to avoid sucking in liquids, which limits their applicability. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to solve the aforementioned technical problem of vacuum cleaners needing to avoid inhaling liquids, the object of the present invention is to provide a surface cleaning attachment that can be attached to a vacuum cleaner, which can collect and store liquids in a fluid.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a surface cleaning attachment, which can be attached to a vacuum cleaner for use, the surface cleaning attachment comprising: a housing having a head and a tail portion that are spaced apart from each other; a suction nozzle disposed on the head; an interface disposed on the tail portion, the interface being capable of fluid communication with the vacuum cleaner; and a fluid path extending from the suction nozzle to the interface, the fluid path including a suction channel adjacent to the suction nozzle and a collection chamber located downstream of the suction channel, the collection chamber being configured to be openable; wherein, the suction channel includes at least a first channel segment, the first channel segment being configured such that fluid flows inside in a first direction, the collection chamber having a collection chamber inlet defining fluid inflow in a second direction and a collection chamber outlet defining fluid outflow in a third direction, the second direction being rotated at least 150° relative to the first direction, and the third direction being rotated at least 150° relative to the second direction.

[0005] Compared to existing technologies, the surface cleaning attachment provided by this invention, when attached to a vacuum cleaner, allows liquid-laden airflow to enter the attachment and undergo multiple turns at the suction channel and liquid collection chamber, thus achieving gas-liquid separation. The separated liquid is stored in the liquid collection chamber, preventing the vacuum cleaner from inhaling liquid and thereby expanding the vacuum cleaner's application range.

[0006] In the above technical solution, preferably, the fluid path further includes an intermediate cavity, and the liquid collecting cavity and the intermediate cavity are in fluid communication via the liquid collecting cavity outlet; at least a portion of the intermediate cavity is located below the liquid collecting cavity when the head is higher than the tail, so as to receive the liquid flowing out from the liquid collecting cavity outlet. Further preferably, the intermediate cavity is provided with a partition plate that divides the intermediate cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber, and the partition plate is provided with a connecting port connecting the first chamber and the second chamber; the liquid collecting cavity outlet, the first chamber, the connecting port, and the second chamber are in fluid communication sequentially; the connecting port is located above the first chamber when the head is higher than the tail.

[0007] In the preferred embodiment described above, and even more preferably, the intermediate cavity further includes an intermediate cavity outlet for fluid outflow, the intermediate cavity outlet being disposed in the second chamber, and the intermediate cavity outlet and the liquid collection cavity outlet being separated by the partition plate. Even more preferably, the fluid path further includes a tail channel extending from the intermediate cavity outlet to the interface, and a second check valve is disposed on the fluid path to restrict unidirectional fluid flow, the second check valve being disposed within the intermediate cavity or the tail channel. This second check valve prevents fluid from flowing back into the intermediate cavity from the tail channel.

[0008] In the preferred embodiment described above, it is further preferred that the partition plate and the housing are constructed as an integral component.

[0009] In the above technical solution, preferably, a float capable of floating with the liquid level in the collection chamber is provided inside the collection chamber. The float is configured to close the outlet of the collection chamber when the liquid level in the collection chamber reaches a set level. This preferred solution can cut off the fluid path when the collection chamber is close to saturation, preventing liquid from overflowing the collection chamber.

[0010] In the preferred embodiment described above, and even more preferably, the housing further includes an openable flip-top located at the head, with at least a portion of the liquid collection chamber defined by the flip-top. This flip-top design facilitates the user in emptying the liquid from the collection chamber and cleaning the chamber.

[0011] In the above technical solution, preferably, a first check valve is further provided on the fluid path. The first check valve is located at the inlet of the liquid collecting chamber and limits the unidirectional flow of fluid. This first check valve can prevent the fluid in the liquid collecting chamber from flowing back into the suction channel.

[0012] In the above technical solution, preferably, the head of the shell is further provided with a brush bristle, which is close to the suction nozzle.

[0013] In the above technical solution, preferably, the suction channel further includes a second channel segment located between the first channel segment and the liquid collection chamber inlet, the second channel segment being configured such that fluid flows inside along the second direction, and the path length of the second channel segment being shorter than the path length of the first channel segment. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the surface cleaning attachment provided by the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Rear view of the surface cleaning attachment shown;

[0016] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Side view of the surface cleaning attachment shown;

[0017] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A side sectional view of the surface cleaning attachment shown;

[0018] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified view of point A shown below;

[0019] Figure 6 for Figure 4 The enlarged view of point B shown;

[0020] Figure 7 for Figure 4 A magnified view of point C shown. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To illustrate the technical content, structural features, achieved objectives, and effects of the invention in detail, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. In the following description, for illustrative purposes, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a detailed description of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the invention. However, various exemplary embodiments may also be implemented without these specific details or in one or more equivalent arrangements. Furthermore, the various exemplary embodiments may differ, but are not necessarily exclusive. For example, the specific shape, construction, and characteristics of the exemplary embodiments may be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the inventive concept.

[0022] In the following description, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0023] Furthermore, in this application, spatial relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “below,” “down,” “above,” “above,” “higher,” and “side” (e.g., as in a “sidewall”) are used to describe the relationship between one element and another (other) element as shown in the accompanying drawings. Spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use, operation, and / or manufacture other than those depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is flipped, an element described as “below” or “under” another element or feature would then be positioned “above” said other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can include both above and below orientations. Furthermore, the device may be otherwise positioned (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), thus interpreting the spatial relative descriptive terms used herein accordingly.

[0024] In this context, the term "downstream" refers to an object being located downstream of another object in terms of the direction of fluid flow. For example, "suction channel located downstream of the suction nozzle" means that the suction channel is located downstream of the suction nozzle in terms of the direction of fluid flow.

[0025] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term "connection" shall be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it may be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium.

[0026] Figure 1 A surface cleaning attachment 100 provided by the present invention is shown, which can be attached to a corresponding vacuum cleaner for use. Figure 4-5 The surface cleaning accessory 100 includes a housing 1 with a head 11 and a tail 12 that are spaced apart from each other, a suction nozzle 2 disposed on the head 11, an interface 3 disposed on the tail 12, and a fluid path extending from the suction nozzle 1 to the interface 3. The fluid path includes a suction channel 41, a collection chamber 42, an intermediate chamber 43, and a tail channel 44 that are fluidly connected in sequence. The suction channel 41 is connected to the suction nozzle 2, and the tail channel 44 is connected to the interface 3.

[0027] The housing 1 forms the outer contour of the surface cleaning accessory 100 and includes a first housing portion 13, a second housing portion 14 detachably connected to the first housing portion 13, a front end cover 15 detachably connected to the second housing portion 14, and a flip cover 16 disposed on the head 11. Figure 5 As shown, the suction nozzle 2 is formed on the front cover 15, and the second shell portion 14 is located in front of the first shell portion 13 and close to the suction nozzle 2. The second shell portion 14 is also fixedly connected to a brush bristle 17 on one side of the head 11. The brush bristle 17 extends outward and contacts the surface to be cleaned to clean the surface.

[0028] See Figure 4-6 The suction channel 41 includes a first channel section 411 in fluid communication with the suction nozzle 2 and a second channel section 412 in fluid communication with the collection chamber 42. The first channel section 411 is defined by the front cover 15 and the second shell 14, and the second channel section 412 is formed separately by the second shell 14. The length of the second channel 412 is shorter than the length of the first channel 411. The first channel section 411 is configured such that the internal fluid flows in a first direction W1, and the second channel section 412 is configured such that the internal fluid flows in a second direction W2, the second direction W2 being rotated at least 150° relative to the first direction W1.

[0029] The liquid collecting chamber 42 is defined by the first shell portion 13, the second shell portion 14, and the flip cover 16. The flip cover 16 is rotatably connected to the first shell portion 13 and is provided with an interlocking mechanism 18 between the flip cover 16 and the first shell portion 13 (see...). Figure 4 When the flip cover 16 is opened, the liquid collection chamber 42 is exposed to the outside, so as to facilitate the user to pour out the liquid in the liquid collection chamber 42 and clean the liquid collection chamber 42.

[0030] The collection chamber 42 is adjacent to the head 11 of the housing 1 and includes a collection chamber inlet 421 in fluid communication with the second channel section 412, a collection chamber outlet 422 in fluid communication with the intermediate chamber 43, and a float 423 located within the collection chamber 42. The collection chamber inlet 421 is configured to limit the flow of fluid into the collection chamber 42 in a second direction W2 and is provided with a first check valve 424 that limits the unidirectional flow of fluid. The float 423 can float with the liquid level in the collection chamber 43 and is configured to close the collection chamber outlet 422 when the liquid level in the collection chamber 42 reaches a set liquid level. This configuration can cut off the fluid path when the liquid level in the collection chamber 42 is too high, preventing liquid in the collection chamber 42 from entering the interior of the corresponding vacuum cleaner with the airflow and causing vacuum cleaner malfunction. The collection chamber outlet 422 is configured to limit the flow of fluid out of the collection chamber 42 in a third direction W3, which is rotated at least 150° relative to the second direction W2.

[0031] Combination Figure 7A partition plate 431 integrally connected to the first shell 13 is provided at the intermediate cavity 43. The partition plate 431 divides the intermediate cavity 43 into a first chamber 432 that is in fluid communication with the liquid collection chamber outlet 422 and a second chamber 433 with an intermediate cavity outlet 436. The partition plate 431 is L-shaped and separates the liquid collection chamber outlet 422 from the intermediate cavity outlet 436 to prevent liquid in the liquid collection chamber 42 from dripping directly from the liquid collection chamber outlet 422 to the intermediate cavity outlet 436 when the surface cleaning accessory 100 is rotated to a certain angle.

[0032] A connecting port 434 is provided on the partition plate 431, through which the liquid collection chamber outlet 422, the first chamber 432, the connecting port 343, and the second chamber 433 are in sequential fluid communication. The connecting port 343 is configured such that when the head 11 of the housing 1 is higher than the tail 12 (i.e., the user holds the head 11 upwards, with the tail 12 below the head 11), the connecting port 434 is located at the upper part of the intermediate chamber 43. This arrangement allows the first chamber 432 to receive and store liquid from the liquid collection chamber 42 when the surface cleaning accessory 100 is inverted (e.g., supported on a surface by the tail 12), preventing liquid in the liquid collection chamber 43 from flowing out of the surface cleaning accessory 100 along the fluid path.

[0033] The tail passage 44 extends from the intermediate cavity outlet 436 to the interface 3. The second chamber 433 is also provided with a second check valve 435 near the tail passage 44 to limit the unidirectional flow of fluid. In other embodiments, the second check valve may also be provided in the tail passage.

[0034] The working principle of the surface cleaning attachment 100 is explained below: When the surface cleaning attachment 100 is attached to the corresponding vacuum cleaner, under the negative pressure of the vacuum cleaner, fluid is drawn from the surface to be cleaned. The drawn fluid enters the suction nozzle 2 and successively passes through the first channel section 411 along the first direction W1, through the second channel section 412 along the second direction W2 and enters the liquid collection chamber 42, and then flows out of the liquid collection chamber 42 along the third direction W3 and reaches the intermediate chamber 43. During this process, the fluid makes multiple turns, and the liquid carried in the fluid separates from the gas under its own inertia and is stored in the liquid collection chamber 42. Subsequently, the remaining gas enters the corresponding vacuum cleaner through the tail channel 44 and the interface 3.

[0035] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning attachment for use with a vacuum cleaner, characterized in that, The surface cleaning accessory (100) includes: The shell (1) has a head (11) and a tail (12) that are far apart from each other. A suction nozzle (2) is provided on the head (11); Interface (3) is provided at the tail (12), and interface (3) can be fluidly connected to the vacuum cleaner; and A fluid path extends from the suction nozzle (2) to the interface (3), the fluid path including a suction channel (41) adjacent to the suction nozzle (2) and a collection chamber (42) located downstream of the suction channel (41), the collection chamber (42) being configured to be openable; The suction channel (41) includes at least a first channel segment (411), which is configured such that fluid flows within it in a first direction (W1). The collection chamber (42) has a collection chamber inlet (421) that defines the inflow of fluid in a second direction (W2) and a collection chamber outlet (422) that defines the outflow of fluid in a third direction (W3). The second direction (W2) is rotated at least 150° relative to the first direction (W1), and the third direction (W3) is rotated relative to the second direction. (W2) rotated at least 150°; the fluid path further includes an intermediate cavity (43) and a tail passage (44) extending from the intermediate cavity outlet (436) to the interface (3), the collection cavity (42) and the intermediate cavity (43) being in fluid communication via the collection cavity outlet (422); at least a portion of the intermediate cavity (43) is located below the collection cavity (42) when the head (11) is higher than the tail (12) in order to receive the liquid flowing out from the collection cavity outlet (422); the The intermediate cavity (43) is provided with a partition plate (431), which divides the intermediate cavity (43) into a first chamber (432) and a second chamber (433). The partition plate (431) is provided with a communication port (434) connecting the first chamber (432) and the second chamber (433). The liquid collection chamber outlet (422), the first chamber (432), the communication port (434) and the second chamber (433) are in sequential fluid communication. 4) When the head (11) is higher than the tail (12), it is located at the upper part of the first chamber (432); a second check valve (435) is provided on the fluid path to limit the unidirectional flow of fluid, and the second check valve (435) is provided in the intermediate chamber (43) or the tail channel (44); the housing (1) also includes an openable flip cover (16), the flip cover (16) is provided at the head (11), and at least part of the liquid collection chamber (42) is defined by the flip cover (16).

2. The surface cleaning accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intermediate cavity (43) further includes an intermediate cavity outlet (436) for fluid to flow out. The intermediate cavity outlet (436) is located in the second chamber (433). The intermediate cavity outlet (436) and the liquid collection cavity outlet (422) are separated by the partition plate (431).

3. The surface cleaning accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that, The partition plate (431) and the shell (1) are constructed as an integral component.

4. The surface cleaning accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid collecting chamber (42) is provided with a float (423) that can float with the liquid level in the liquid collecting chamber (42). The float (423) is configured to close the outlet (422) of the liquid collecting chamber when the liquid level in the liquid collecting chamber (42) reaches a set liquid level.

5. The surface cleaning accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first check valve (424) is also provided on the fluid path. The first check valve (424) is located at the inlet (421) of the liquid collection chamber and limits the unidirectional flow of the fluid.

6. The surface cleaning accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that, The head (11) of the housing (1) is also provided with a brush (17) which is close to the suction nozzle (2).

7. The surface cleaning accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that, The suction channel (41) further includes a second channel segment (412) located between the first channel segment (411) and the liquid collection chamber inlet (421), the second channel segment (412) being configured such that fluid flows inside along the second direction (W2), the path length of the second channel segment (412) being shorter than the path length of the first channel segment (411).

Images