Cleaning head with optimized thrust

Abstract

The present application discloses a cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner or the like, comprising: a substrate having a substrate channel open toward a surface to be sucked; a suction conduit in fluid communication with the substrate channel; a joint at one end of the suction catheter; a cover body; an opening in the surface of the suction conduit allows air to pass therethrough. The cleaning head provides reduced thrust.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning head to be connected to a vacuum cleaning appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, an electric broom, a canister vacuum cleaner, a bagless cordless stick vacuum cleaner or a robotic vacuum cleaner, in order to suck up dust and / or fluids and / or debris from a surface.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a cleaning head that provides improved handling while maintaining high suction efficiency. Even more particularly, the present invention provides a solution to reduce the so-called thrust, ie the force required to push the cleaning head forwards or backwards. Background Art

[0003] As is well known, vacuum cleaners, electric brooms or similar vacuum cleaning appliances include a cleaning head for sucking dust, debris or fluid from a surface. In the field of household appliances, a cleaning head is usually defined by the term "brush". Therefore, for the purpose of this specification, the terms "cleaning head", "suction head" and "brush" are considered to be equivalent. Still for the purpose of the present invention, the term "vacuum cleaner" will be used in a broad sense to include all appliances for cleaning by suction, professional or domestic use. Therefore, the term "vacuum cleaner" will include vacuum cleaners, trailer vacuum cleaners, electric brooms, so-called box vacuum cleaners, bagless cordless stick vacuum cleaners, robot vacuum cleaners, centralized suction systems for household or industrial use, and combined suction and steam / detergent delivery devices.

[0004] Basically, known cleaning heads include a base plate shaped so as to have at least one base plate channel opening towards the surface to be suctioned, a suction duct (or even just "duct") which is integral with the base plate in use and in fluid communication with the base plate channel, and possibly a cover which can be connected to the base plate-suction channel assembly. The other end of the suction duct is usually in communication with the suction pipe via a rotatable joint. Cleaning heads are also known in which the suction duct is integral with the cover in use.

[0005] In the present description and claims, the expression "suction efficiency" shall essentially mean the ratio (percentage) between the material sucked and the material to be sucked. The suction test was performed in accordance with the instructions of the EN60312-1:2017 standard.

[0006] Although various cleaning heads are available on the market, which perform the function of sucking dust and / or fluid and / or debris from a surface in a sufficiently efficient manner, the applicant has felt the need to improve the performance of known cleaning heads. In particular, the applicant has felt the need to improve the handling, thereby maintaining a high efficiency in sucking dust or debris from a surface.

[0007] In fact, in order to improve the suction performance, manufacturers tend to design the base plate and the base plate channels so that there is high adhesion and most of the suction air is not wasted. Basically, the main goal of the manufacturers is to improve the suction, but on the other hand, the brush is "sealed" on the surface to be vacuumed and it is difficult to move forward or backward in normal use. The thrust is therefore high and the force on the user's body is correspondingly high.

[0008] DE 10 2018 107 424 A1 discloses a vacuum cleaner floor nozzle attachment for reducing the thrust of a vacuum cleaner floor nozzle, the vacuum cleaner floor nozzle having a suction opening on the bottom side, the vacuum cleaner floor nozzle attachment comprising at least partially form-fitting receptacles for the vacuum cleaner floor nozzle, one of which is associated with the suction opening. Summary of the invention

[0009] The applicant has investigated the problem of reducing thrust in a brush for a vacuum cleaner.

[0010] For the purposes of this specification and claims, the term "suction conduit" or "conduit" is meant to include the portion of tubing between the base plate channel and the fitting.

[0011] The applicant has thought that the most practical, efficient and economical solution to reduce the thrust is to provide one or more openings in the duct. According to the present invention, the opening (or openings) in the duct is manufactured in the duct molding stage, and preferably, its size is optimized for the intended use of the cleaning head and is optimized based on other technical characteristics (e.g., the performance of the vacuum cleaner).

[0012] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner or the like, comprising:

[0013] - a base plate having base plate channels opening towards the surface to be pumped,

[0014] - a suction conduit in fluid communication with the substrate channel,

[0015] - a connector at one end of the suction catheter,

[0016] - cover body,

[0017] - An opening in the surface of the suction duct, typically in a side surface, to allow air to pass through.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the surface of the suction duct where the opening is present at least partially faces the inner surface of the cover body.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the surface of the suction conduit is at a distance of between about 1 mm and about 7 mm, such as between about 1 mm and about 3 mm, from the inner surface of the cover.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the cleaning head comprises a noise reduction element in order to reduce the noise caused by the passage of air through the opening. The noise reduction element is also used to avoid dust from possibly leaving the opening.

[0021] The noise reduction element may comprise a sponge-like material, such as a layer of resilient polyurethane foam.

[0022] The noise reduction element may comprise a mesh, a felt, a nonwoven fabric layer or any natural and / or synthetic fiber layer.

[0023] The opening may include at least one elongated opening.

[0024] The catheter may include a removable closure.

[0025] The removable closure may include a curved portion and a concave hemispherical portion configured to mate with a corresponding convex hemispherical component.

[0026] The opening may be provided at the bent portion.

[0027] The removable closure may include through holes for securing the closure to other components of the cleaning head by means of screws or other fixing systems.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the area of ​​the opening is between 1% and 5% of the area of ​​the mouth opening (ie the footprint of the substrate channel 3 on the floor to be vacuumed).

[0029] In embodiments, the area of ​​the opening is between 1.5% and 3% of the area of ​​the mouth opening. In other embodiments, the area of ​​the opening is between about 1.8% and about 2.5% of the area of ​​the mouth opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which is given hereafter purely by way of non-limiting example, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] - Figure 1.1 is an exploded view of a cleaning head according to the prior art;

[0032] - Figure 1.2 yes Figure 1.1 an enlarged view of a portion of a cleaning head;

[0033] - Figure 1.3 yes Figure 1.1 An axonometric view of a base plate of a cleaning head;

[0034] - Figure 2.1 is an exploded view of a cleaning head according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] - Figure 2.2yes Figure 2.1 an enlarged view of a portion of a cleaning head;

[0036] - Figure 2.3 yes Figure 2.1 An axonometric view of a base plate of a cleaning head;

[0037] - Figure 3.1 is an exploded view of a cleaning head according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] - Figure 3.2 yes Figure 3.1 A detailed view of a portion of a cleaning head;

[0039] - Figure 3.3 yes Figure 3.1 Still another detailed view of a portion of the cleaning head;

[0040] - Figure 3.4 is an axonometric view of a portion of a cleaning head channel according to the present invention, also as Figure 3.1 , 3.2 As shown in 3.3;

[0041] - Figure 4.1 is an exploded view of another cleaning head according to the prior art, which cleaning head can be modified to have a cleaning head according to the present invention;

[0042] - Figure 4.2 yes Figure 4.1 A detailed view of a portion of a cleaning head;

[0043] - Figure 5.1 is an exploded view of yet another cleaning head according to the prior art, which cleaning head can be modified to have a cleaning head according to the present invention;

[0044] - Figure 5.2 yes Figure 5.1 Detailed view of a portion of the cleaning head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In the various figures, some components that are not considered essential to the present invention are not shown (or not disclosed in detail) for the sake of clarity.

[0046] Figure 1.1 The known cleaning head is generally indicated by reference numeral 1. The cleaning head 1 is also Figure 1.2 and 1.3 Indicated in.

[0047] The cleaning head 1 comprises a base plate 2, a base plate channel 3, a conduit 4, a joint 5 and a cover 6. The cover 6 is usually connected to the base plate 2 and / or the conduit 4 in a removable manner.

[0048] During use of the cleaning head 1, the base plate 2 faces the surface to be sucked. The base plate channel 3 is generally formed like an inverted U and opens toward the surface to be sucked. A conduit 4 is connected to the channel 3 and terminates at a joint 5. A structure is also shown, which includes a crankshaft 7 supported by a bracket protruding upward from the base plate for moving the rubber rod or brush rod (a component for hard floor cleaning) upward and downward.

[0049] According to the cleaning head of the prior art, the duct 4 has a closed side surface.

[0050] In FIG. 2 , similar reference numerals are used, with 10 added thereto.

[0051] Figure 2.1 , Figure 2.2 and Figure 2.3 A cleaning head according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0052] While the prior art cleaning head 1 has a duct 4 having a closed side surface, the cleaning head 11 according to the invention has a duct 14 having one or more openings 18 at the lateral side.

[0053] according to Figure 2.1 , Figure 2.2 and Figure 2.3 In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conduit 14 has an elongated opening 18 and possibly at least one further opening.

[0054] When the cleaning head is finally also assembled with the cover member 16 , the one or more openings 18 face the inner surface of the cover member 16 .

[0055] Preferably, the opening 18 and the inner surface of the cover member 16 are at a short distance from each other. The distance can be between 1 mm and 10 mm. The distance can also be within a smaller range, such as between about 2 mm and about 9 mm or even smaller, such as between about 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the space between the opening 18 of the conduit 14 and the inner surface of the cover 16 is substantially free of any other parts or components.

[0057] However, according to yet another embodiment, a noise reduction element 19 is disposed in the space between the opening 18 of the conduit 14 and the inner surface of the cover 16. The noise reduction element 19 can include a sponge-like material, such as a layer of resilient polyurethane foam, such as the type derived from the polymerization of toluene diisocyanate. In other embodiments, the noise reduction element 19 includes a mesh, a felt, a layer of nonwoven fabric, or any layer of natural and / or synthetic fibers.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2 , the opening 18 includes two openings.

[0059] The area of ​​the upper air opening of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is preferably 50 mm 2 and 90mm 2 Between, for example, 60mm 2 and 80mm 2 In one embodiment, about 70 mm 2 .

[0060] The area of ​​the lower air opening of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is preferably 10 mm 2 and 25mm 2 Between, for example, 15mm 2 and 20mm 2 In one embodiment, about 17 mm 2 .

[0061] In one embodiment, the total area is approximately 87 mm 2 .

[0062] Based on the mouth opening area of ​​approximately 4982mm 2 In fact, the area of ​​the opening 18 is approximately 1.75% of the area of ​​the mouth opening.

[0063] The applicant has carried out a number of tests on nozzles mounted on different types of vacuum cleaners from different manufacturers and with different powers.

[0064] Based on tests performed, the applicant has concluded that it is preferred to have the area of ​​the opening 18 in a particular relationship to the footprint of the substrate channel 3 on the floor to be evacuated (also referred to as the "mouth opening area").

[0065] In particular, applicants have obtained good results in reducing thrust when the area of ​​the opening is between 1% and 5% of the area of ​​the mouth opening. In an embodiment, the area of ​​the opening is between 1.5% and 3% of the area of ​​the mouth opening. In a further embodiment, the area of ​​the opening is between about 1.8% and about 2.5% of the area of ​​the mouth opening.

[0066] When the area of ​​the opening is in the above relationship with the mouth opening area, the thrust is reduced by about 35% to 40%, even up to 45%. The applicant has experienced a thrust value reduction from 62N to 41N, even more to about 37N-38N.

[0067] However, even at this low thrust, suitable dust pickup is achieved. The dust pickup losses are approximately 3%-5%, more precisely approximately 4%.

[0068] In FIG. 3 , similar reference numerals are used, which are incremented by 30 .

[0069] Figure 3.1 A cleaning head 31 according to the invention is shown.

[0070] The cleaning head 31 includes a base plate 32 having a base plate channel, a conduit 34 and a joint 35. In the cleaning head of the present invention, the side surface of the conduit 34 is provided with one or more openings 38. According to the illustrated embodiment, the conduit 34 includes a removable closure 341, which is also Figure 3.2 , Figure 3.3 and Figure 3.4 Shown in.

[0071] The closure member 341 includes a curved portion 345 and a concave hemispherical portion 346 configured to mate with a corresponding convex hemispherical component.

[0072] The closing piece 341 comprises a through hole 343 for fixing the closing piece to other components of the cleaning head 31 , for example, by means of a screw 342 .

[0073] The cleaning head of FIG. 3 improves maneuverability by appropriately reducing thrust due to the opening 38 .

[0074] According to an embodiment, the noise reduction element 39 can be disposed between the closure and the cover 36. The noise reduction element 39 can include a sponge-like material, such as a layer of resilient polyurethane foam, such as the type derived from the polymerization of toluene diisocyanate. In other embodiments, the noise reduction element 39 includes a mesh, a felt, a layer of nonwoven fabric, or any layer of natural and / or synthetic fibers.

[0075] according to Figure 3.4 In the embodiment of the present invention, one or more openings 38 are provided at the bent portion 345. For example, the openings 38 can include an upper opening and a lower opening.

[0076] The opening 38 can be elongated.

[0077] The openings 38 can have substantially parallel axes.

[0078] According to other embodiments, the space between the opening 38 of the conduit 34 and the inner surface of the cover 36 is substantially free of any other parts or components.

[0079] Preferably, the opening 38 and the inner surface of the cover 36 are at a short distance from each other. The distance can be between 1 mm and 10 mm. The distance can also be within a smaller range, such as between about 2 mm and about 9 mm or even smaller, such as about 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 3 , the opening 38 includes two openings.

[0081] The area of ​​the upper air opening of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is preferably 35 mm 2 and 65mm2 between, for example, 45mm 2 and 55mm 2 In one embodiment, about 50 mm 2 .

[0082] The area of ​​the lower air opening of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is preferably 60 mm 2 and 90mm 2 between, for example, 65 mm 2 and 85mm 2 In one embodiment, about 75 mm 2 .

[0083] In one embodiment, the total area is approximately 126 mm 2 .

[0084] Based on the mouth opening area of ​​approximately 5227mm 2 In fact, the area of ​​opening 38 is approximately 2.41% of the area of ​​the mouth opening.

[0085] The considerations given above in conjunction with the embodiment of FIG. 2 are still valid for the embodiment of FIG. 3 .

[0086] It will now be apparent that the present invention provides one or more openings in a conduit.

[0087] The opening in the duct can also be provided in a cleaning head of a different shape than that shown in the above figures.

[0088] In FIG. 4 , similar reference numerals are used, which are incremented by 40 .

[0089] For example, refer to Figure 4.1 and 4.2 , the opening 48 can be disposed at any location on the conduit 44 , as shown.

[0090] The number, location and area of ​​the openings can be determined by the manufacturer during the design process based on specific assessments including the power of the vacuum cleaner's motor.

[0091] In FIG. 5 , similar reference numerals are used, with 50 added to them.

[0092] refer to Figure 5.1 and 5.2 , the opening 58 can be disposed at any location of the conduit 54 , as shown.

[0093] The number, location and area of ​​the openings 58 can be determined by the cleaning head manufacturer during the design process based on specific assessments including the airflow and / or other parameters of the vacuum cleaner.

[0094] The invention offers several advantages over known solutions. In particular, it should be noted that the opening in the duct is obtained by modifying the mould only. Obviously, working on only one mould allows (with interchangeable inserts) to optimise the nozzle performance at the design stage based on the airflow rates of the different customers' vacuum cleaners. Thus, the end user does not need to perform manual nozzle settings during cleaning operations.

Claims

1. A cleaning head (11, 31) for a vacuum cleaner or the like, the cleaning head comprising: A base plate (12, 32) having base plate channels (13, 33) open toward a surface to be pumped; a suction conduit (14, 34) in fluid communication with the substrate channel (13, 33); a connector (15, 35) at one end of the suction conduit (14, 34); Cover (16, 36); An opening (18, 38) is formed in the surface of the suction conduit (14, 34) to allow air to pass therethrough.

2. The cleaning head (11, 31) according to claim 1, wherein: The surface of the suction conduit where the opening (18, 38) is present at least partially faces the inner surface of the cover (16, 36).

3. The cleaning head (11, 31) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The distance between the surface of the suction conduit and the inner surface of the cap is between about 1 mm and about 7 mm, such as between about 1 mm and about 3 mm.

4. The cleaning head (11, 31) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: A noise reduction element (19, 39) is provided to reduce noise caused by the passage of air through the opening (18, 38) and / or to prevent dust particles from being discharged through the opening (18, 38).

5. The cleaning head (11, 31) according to claim 4, wherein: The noise reduction element (19, 39) comprises a sponge-like material, such as a layer of resilient polyurethane foam.

6. The cleaning head (11, 31) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The noise reduction element comprises a mesh, a felt, a nonwoven fabric layer or any natural and / or synthetic fiber layer.

7. A cleaning head (11, 31) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The opening (18, 38) includes at least one elongated opening.

8. A cleaning head (11, 31) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The suction catheter (14, 34) includes a removable closure (341).

9. The cleaning head (11, 31) according to claim 8, wherein: The removable closure (341) comprises a curved portion (345) and a concave hemispherical portion (346) arranged to mate with a corresponding convex hemispherical component, the opening (18, 38) being arranged at the curved portion (345).

10. The cleaning head (11, 31) according to claim 9, wherein: The removable closure member (341) comprises a through hole (343) for fixing the closure member (341) to other components of the cleaning head (31) by means of screws (342).

11. A cleaning head (11, 31) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The area of ​​the opening is between 1% and 5% of the area of ​​the mouth opening.

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