Cleaning unit for suction head

Abstract

The cleaning unit (11) includes: a rotating brush (12) configured to be detachably mounted in a suction chamber by the suction head (2); and a closing plug (16), which is configured to close a passage opening (13) provided on the suction head (2) and through which the rotary brush (12) can be removed from the suction chamber. The closing plug (16) is provided with: a plug body (17); a locking member (18) movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; and a grip member (27) configured to displace the locking member (18) from the locked position to the unlocked position and axially away from the plug body (17) when the grip member (27) is displaced from the first position to the second position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction head that allows the suction of dust and waste present on the surface to be cleaned. Background Art

[0002] Vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction head are well known in the market, and they allow the cleaning of surfaces by suction to remove dust and waste left on the surfaces. The surface to be suctioned can be, for example, a tiled floor, a parquet floor, a laminate, a rug or a carpet.

[0003] The suction head includes, in a known manner, a body that includes a bottom plate equipped with a lower surface and a suction opening that leads to the lower surface of the bottom plate. The lower surface of the bottom plate is adapted to be positioned against the surface to be suctioned during the use of the suction head.

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

[0005] a rotary brush that is rotatably movable about a rotation axis and that is removably mounted in a suction chamber defined by the body of the suction head; and

[0006] a closing plug that is configured to at least partially close a passage opening provided in the body, and through which the rotary brush can be introduced into and removed from the suction chamber, and the rotary brush can rotate relative to the closing plug.

[0007] To ensure that the rotary brush remains in the suction chamber, the closing plug advantageously includes a plug body and locking means provided on the plug body and configured to lock the plug body to the body.

[0008] Document FR3094624 discloses a closing plug, the locking means of which includes a plurality of locking members that are movable relative to the plug body between a locking position and an unlocking position. In the locking position, the locking members are configured to cooperate with locking elements such as locking grooves provided on the body to prevent the rotary brush from being removed from the suction chamber. In the unlocking position, the locking members are configured to release the locking elements to allow the rotary brush to be removed from the suction chamber.

[0009] The closing plug described in document FR3094624 further includes a gripping member that is provided with a plurality of drive pins that are respectively engaged in circular openings provided in the locking members and is mounted to be rotatably movable relative to the plug body between a first actuation position and a second actuation position. The actuation member and the locking members are configured such that the displacement of the actuation member from the first actuation position to the second actuation position causes the locking members to be displaced from the locking position to the unlocking position, and the displacement of the actuation member from the second actuation position to the first actuation position causes the locking members to be displaced from the unlocking position to the locking position.

[0010] This configuration of the closing plug allows locking / unlocking of the plug body only by displacing the actuating member between a first and a second actuating position.

[0011] However, due to its configuration, the gripping member can only be manipulated by the user with the ends of two or three fingers, thus not allowing a firm and ergonomic hand-held of the gripping member, which can be difficult for some users, especially when removing the rotary brush from the suction chamber. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The present invention aims to overcome the above disadvantages partially or completely.

[0013] Therefore, the technical problem based on the present invention is to provide a cleaning unit for a suction head, which has a simple and economical structure, while ensuring that the plug body is reliably locked on the main body of the suction head, and the rotary brush is easily and ergonomically removed from the suction chamber.

[0014] To this end, the present invention relates to a cleaning unit for a suction head, which comprises:

[0015] A rotary brush, which is rotatably movable about a rotation axis, and which is configured to be detachably mounted in a suction chamber defined by the main body of the suction head; and

[0016] A closing plug, which is configured to at least partially close a channel opening provided in the main body, and through which the rotary brush can be introduced into and removed from the suction chamber, the rotary brush being rotatable relative to the closing plug, the closing plug comprising:

[0017] A plug body;

[0018] Locking means, which are configured to lock the plug body on the main body, the locking means comprising at least one locking member, which is movable relative to the plug body between a locking position and an unlocking position, in the locking position, the at least one locking member being configured to cooperate with at least one locking element provided on the main body to prevent the rotary brush from being removed from the suction chamber, in the unlocking position, the at least one locking member being configured to release the at least one locking element to permit the rotary brush to be removed from the suction chamber; and

[0019] A gripping member configured to be gripped by a user, the gripping member being mounted so as to be movable relative to the plug between a first position and a second position, the gripping member and the at least one locking member being configured such that displacement of the gripping member from the first position to the second position causes the at least one locking member to be displaced from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0020] The gripping member is mounted to move relative to the plug according to a displacement movement including at least one displacement component, more specifically a translation component, substantially parallel to and for example extending along the axis of rotation of the rotary brush, and the gripping member is configured to move axially away from the plug when the gripping member is displaced from the first position to the second position.

[0021] In other words, the gripping member is configured such that the separation distance between the plug and the gripping member, measured in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary brush, increases when the gripping member is displaced from the first position to the second position.

[0022] This configuration of the gripping member, and in particular the fact that the gripping member moves away from the plug when the clamping member is displaced from the first position to the second position, gradually facilitates gripping and holding the gripping member by the user when the gripping member is displaced to the second position and thus allows the rotary brush to be easily and ergonomically removed from the suction chamber. In fact, removing the rotary brush from the suction chamber requires applying a traction force to the closure plug, and it is easier to apply this traction force when the gripping member can be firmly held.

[0023] The cleaning unit may also have one or more of the following features, which may be used alone or in combination.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping member is configured to move axially closer to the plug when the gripping member is displaced from the second position to the first position. In other words, the gripping member is configured such that the separation distance between the plug and the gripping member, measured in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary brush, decreases when the gripping member is displaced from the second position to the first position.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping member is configured to be displaced from the first position to the second position when a rotational torque is applied to the gripping member by a user.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping member is configured to axially extend beyond the plug body when the gripping member occupies the second position, i.e., to protrude from the plug body.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closure plug includes a receiving cavity, and when the gripping member occupies the first position, the gripping member is received in the receiving cavity. These arrangements allow avoiding the gripping member from hooking on obstacles when the suction head is displaced on the surface to be cleaned.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member is movable relative to the plug body according to a locking / unlocking movement, and the locking / unlocking movement is discrete and different from the displacement movement of the gripping member relative to the plug body.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking / unlocking movement of the locking member relative to the plug body includes at least one radial displacement component, i.e., a component that extends radially with respect to the rotation axis of the rotary brush.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the displacement movement of the gripping member relative to the plug body further includes a rotational component about the rotation axis of the rotary brush, i.e., a component that is tangent to a circle centered on the rotation axis of the rotary brush and perpendicular to the rotation axis. The fact that the displacement movement of the gripping member relative to the plug body includes a displacement component that extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary brush allows the gripping member to axially move away from the plug body so as to better grip the gripping member and facilitate the removal of the rotary brush, while the fact that the displacement movement of the gripping member relative to the plug body includes a rotational component allows the at least one locking member to be easily displaced between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the displacement movement of the gripping member relative to the plug body includes a translational component that extends along the rotation axis of the rotary brush, also referred to as an axial displacement component, and a rotational component about the rotation axis of the rotary brush.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the displacement movement of the gripping member relative to the plug body is substantially helical about the rotation axis of the rotary brush.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the closing plug includes a guiding device configured to guide the gripping member relative to the plug body according to a substantially helical displacement movement when the gripping member is displaced between the first position and the second position. The guiding device includes at least one guiding element provided on the gripping member and at least one guiding member provided on the plug body and configured to cooperate with the at least one guiding element.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guiding device is more specifically configured to guide the gripping member relative to the plug body according to a first helical displacement movement and along a first winding direction around the rotation axis when the gripping member is displaced from the first position to the second position, and is configured to guide the gripping member relative to the plug body according to a second helical displacement movement and along a second winding direction around the rotation axis, which is opposite to the first winding direction, when the gripping member is displaced from the second position to the first position.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, one of the at least one guiding member and the at least one guiding element is a guiding groove, and the other of the at least one guiding member and the at least one guiding element is a guiding pin slidably mounted in the guiding groove.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one guiding member is a guiding groove, and the at least one guiding element is a guiding pin slidably mounted in the guiding groove.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guiding pin extends radially outward relative to the rotation axis of the rotary brush towards the outside of the closing plug.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plug body includes a cylindrical portion centered on the rotation axis of the rotary brush, and the guiding groove is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guiding groove includes at least one groove portion that extends substantially helically around the rotation axis of the rotary brush.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking device includes a driving part, the driving part being mounted to be rotatably movable relative to the plug body about a driving axis that substantially coincides with the rotation axis of the rotary brush, the grasping member being configured to drive the driving part to rotate about the driving axis and in the unlocking direction when the grasping member is displaced from the first position to the second position, and the at least one locking member being fixed to the driving part and configured to be displaced from the locking position to the unlocking position when the driving part is driven to rotate about the driving axis and in the unlocking direction.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the grasping member is configured to drive the driving part to rotate about the driving axis and in the locking direction opposite to the unlocking direction when the grasping member is displaced from the second position to the first position, and the at least one locking member is configured to be displaced from the unlocking position to the locking position when the driving part is driven to rotate about the driving axis and in the locking direction.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the grasping member rotates integrally with the driving part.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the grasping member includes a grasping part and an actuating part, the grasping part being configured to be grasped by a user, the actuating part being rotationally coupled to the driving part, and the actuating part being configured to drive the driving part to rotate about the driving axis when the grasping member is displaced between the first position and the second position.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the grasping member is mounted to be translatably movable relative to the driving part in a translation direction that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary brush.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one guiding element is provided on the actuating part.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the actuating part includes at least one actuating lug, the actuating lug extending substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary brush and being offset relative to the rotation axis, the at least one actuating lug extending through a through hole provided in the driving part.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plug body includes a bottom wall having a first surface oriented towards the at least one locking member and a second surface oriented towards the rotary brush, the at least one actuating lug protruding from the second surface of the bottom wall.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the drive part is supported on the first surface of the bottom wall.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one guiding element is arranged on the at least one actuating lug, and for example on the outer surface of the at least one actuating lug.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the actuating part comprises a plurality of actuating lugs which are distributed around the rotation axis of the rotary brush, and are regularly distributed for example.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member and the gripping member are separate from each other.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member is elastically deformable.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member is configured to be elastically compressed when the at least one locking member is displaced to the unlocking position and to elastically relax to the locking position when the at least one locking member occupies the unlocking position.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the at least one locking member is displaced to the unlocking position, the at least one locking member is configured to be elastically compressed along a compression direction having at least one component radially oriented towards the inside of the closing plug with respect to the rotation axis of the rotary brush, and when the at least one locking member occupies the unlocking position, the at least one locking member is configured to at least partially relax to the locking position along a relaxation direction having at least one component radially oriented towards the outside of the closing plug with respect to the rotation axis of the rotary brush.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the plug body comprises at least one deformation surface configured to elastically deform the at least one locking member when the at least one locking member is displaced to the unlocking position.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the plug body comprises at least one deformation ramp, and the at least one deformation ramp comprises the at least one deformation surface.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one deformation surface, preferably the at least one deformation ramp, is curved. The at least one deformation surface, preferably the at least one deformation ramp, may for example have an arc shape or a progressive radius of curvature. This configuration of the at least one deformation surface ensures smooth deformation of the at least one locking member and limits the risk of breakage of the locking member.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the at least one locking member occupies the unlocking position, the at least one locking member is configured to elastically push the gripping member towards the first position. This configuration of the closure plug ensures the automatic displacement of the gripping member from the second position to the first position without the need for an additional return member. These arrangements allow, on the one hand, to simplify the structure of the closure plug and thus limit the manufacturing cost of the closure plug, and on the other hand, to ensure an automatic, easy and ergonomic locking of the plug body on the body of the suction head.

[0059] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member includes a connecting branch and a locking portion, the connecting branch extending from the driving portion, and for example from the outer peripheral surface of the driving portion, and the connecting branch being elongated and elastically deformable, the locking portion extending from the connecting branch, and the locking portion being configured to cooperate with at least one locking element provided on the body.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting branch extends at least partially around the driving portion.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion is formed at the distal end of the at least one locking member.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting branch is connected to the driving portion at a connection region, and the locking portion and the connection region are angularly offset with respect to the rotation axis. These arrangements make it easier for the locking portion to displace relative to the plug body when the at least one locking member is displaced between the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion of the at least one locking member includes a chamfered portion configured to cooperate with the body when the closure plug is inserted into the channel opening so as to push the at least one locking member towards the unlocking position. This configuration of the locking device allows the user to insert the cleaning unit into the suction chamber without the need to pre-displace the gripping member to the second position, which further facilitates locking the closure plug on the body.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion has a first maximum width, and the connecting branch has a second maximum width smaller than the first maximum width. These settings make it easier for the connecting branch to elastically deform when the at least one locking member is displaced between the locking position and the unlocking position, while ensuring the secure locking of the closure plug when the at least one locking member occupies the locking position.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting branch is configured to slide on the at least one deformation surface such that when the gripping member is displaced from the first position to the second position, the connecting branch elastically deforms towards the axis of rotation and causes the at least one locking member to be displaced to the unlocking position.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member includes a first bent portion and a second bent portion, the first bent portion having a recess oriented towards the inside of the closure plug, and the second bent portion having a recess oriented towards the outside of the closure plug. These settings impart greater elasticity to the at least one locking member and limit the risk of breakage of the locking member.

[0067] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member is configured to protrude from the outer periphery of the plug body, for example, protrude substantially radially, when the at least one locking element occupies the locking position.

[0068] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member is configured to be retracted from the outer periphery of the plug body or be substantially flush with the plug body when the at least one locking member occupies the unlocking position.

[0069] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the closure plug includes an angular stroke limiting device configured to limit the angular stroke of the gripping member relative to the plug body.

[0070] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the angular stroke limiting device includes a first end-of-stroke stop and a second end-of-stroke stop, the first end-of-stroke stop being configured to prevent the gripping member from rotating beyond the second position in a first rotational direction, and the second end-of-stroke stop being configured to prevent the gripping member from rotating beyond the first position in a second rotational direction. These settings particularly prevent the at least one locking member from completely penetrating into the inside of the plug body and leaning against the plug body, which may render the closure plug inoperative. Therefore, this configuration of the closure plug imparts greater reliability to it.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second end-of-travel stops is provided on the plug body or on a damping element fixed to the plug body and is received, for example, in the cylindrical portion of the plug body.

[0072] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one actuating lug includes a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface, which are configured to bear against the first and second end-of-travel stops, respectively.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking device includes a plurality of locking members distributed around the axis of rotation of the rotary brush. This configuration of the locking device ensures optimal locking of the closure plug on the body.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking members extend in the same plane of extension. This configuration of the locking device imparts great compactness to the closure plug. The plane of extension may extend, for example, substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotary brush.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotary brush is configured to be removably mounted in the suction chamber in an installation direction extending transversely to and preferably perpendicular to the displacement direction of the suction head.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closure plug includes a cover fixed to the plug body, the cover and the plug body at least partially defining a receiving portion, and the at least one locking member is at least partially received in the receiving portion. Advantageously, the cover at least partially defines the receiving cavity in which the gripping member is received when the gripping member occupies the first position.

[0077] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover rotates integrally with the drive part. Advantageously, the drive part and the cover are made in one piece, i.e., integral.

[0078] The invention also relates to a suction head, which comprises:

[0079] a body, the body including: a suction chamber leading to the lower surface of the body, the suction chamber being configured to be oriented towards the surface to be cleaned; a channel opening leading to the suction chamber; and at least one locking element; and

[0080] a cleaning unit according to the invention, the rotary brush being removably mounted in the suction chamber and being able to be introduced into and removed from the suction chamber via the channel opening, the closure plug at least partially closing the channel opening, and the at least one locking member cooperating with the at least one locking element.

[0081] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking element includes at least one stop surface, and the at least one locking member is configured to abut against the stop surface when the at least one locking member occupies the locking position, and the at least one stop surface is configured to prevent displacement of the closure plug relative to the body in the direction of removal of the rotary brush from the suction chamber.

[0082] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking element includes at least one locking receptacle, such as a locking groove, a locking notch or also, for example, a circular locking hole, and the at least one locking member is configured to engage in the locking receptacle when the at least one locking member occupies the locking position. Advantageously, the at least one locking receptacle extends at least partially around the channel opening.

[0083] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction head includes an error correction device configured to apply a relative angular orientation between the closure cap and the body when the plug body is inserted into the channel opening.

[0084] According to an embodiment of the invention, the channel opening is provided on a side surface of the body. Description of the Drawings

[0085] In any case, the invention will be clearly understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, which show, by way of non-limiting example, embodiments of the suction head.

[0086] Figure 1 is a perspective top view of a suction head according to the invention.

[0087] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective top view of the suction head of, showing the rotary brush of the suction head partially removed.

[0088] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the suction head of.

[0089] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a partial perspective view of the suction head of, in which the cleaning unit of the suction head has been removed.

[0090] Figure 5 is Figure 1 a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the suction head of.

[0091] Figure 6 is a perspective front view of the closure plug, showing the locking member in the locking position.

[0092] Figure 7Is a front perspective view of the closure plug, showing the locking member in the unlocked position.

[0093] Figure 8 Is a top view of the closure plug, showing the locking member in the locked position.

[0094] Figure 9 Is a top view of the closure plug, showing the locking member in the unlocked position.

[0095] Figure 10 Is a rear perspective view of the closure plug, showing the locking member in the locked position.

[0096] Figure 11 Is a longitudinal perspective sectional view of the closure plug, showing the locking member in the locked position.

[0097] Figure 12 Is a transverse perspective sectional view of the closure plug, showing the locking member in the locked position.

[0098] Figure 13 Is a partial perspective view of the closure plug.

[0099] Figure 14 Is a rear perspective view of the plug body belonging to the closure plug.

[0100] Figure 15 Is a partial rear perspective view of the closure plug.

[0101] Figure 16 Is a front perspective view of the cover and the locking member belonging to the closure plug.

[0102] Figure 17 Is a rear perspective view of the cover and the locking member belonging to the closure plug.

[0103] Figure 18 Is a front perspective view of the gripping member belonging to the closure plug. Detailed Description

[0104] In the absence of a contrary provision, the term "substantially" in this document means "exactly or within 10% or 10°".

[0105] Figures 1 to 18 Shows a suction head 2 including a connecting sleeve 3, to which an end piece of a rigid or flexible tube is adapted to be connected, which end piece itself is connected to the suction system of a vacuum cleaner (not shown). Various variants of vacuum cleaners are already available on the market and can be used with the suction head 2 according to the invention; these variants are known to those skilled in the art and are therefore not described in detail in this patent application.

[0106] The suction head 2 includes a body 4 which is configured to be displaced on the surface to be cleaned. The connecting sleeve 3 is advantageously mounted for pivotal connection relative to the body 4 so as to allow the connecting sleeve 3 to pivot forward and backward relative to the body 4 when the suction head 2 is displaced in the displacement direction D1.

[0107] The body 4 includes a bottom plate 5 which is provided with a lower surface 6 configured to face the surface to be cleaned and a suction port 7 leading to the lower surface 6. The suction port 7 communicates with the connecting sleeve 3 via a suction conduit which is at least partially formed, for example, by a flexible connecting conduit. The suction port 7 may have, for example, an elongated shape and extend transversely and, for example, perpendicularly to the displacement direction D1 of the suction head 2.

[0108] The body 4 further includes a suction chamber 9 which leads to the lower surface 6 of the bottom plate 5 via the suction port 7 and which is fluidly connected to the suction conduit.

[0109] The suction head 2 further includes a cleaning unit 11 which includes a rotary brush 12 which is mounted to rotate in the suction chamber 9 about a rotation axis A which coincides with the central longitudinal axis of the rotary brush 12. Advantageously, the rotary brush 12 is removably mounted in the suction chamber 9 and is configured to be introduced into and removed from the suction chamber 9 in an installation direction D2. The installation direction D2 extends transversely and preferably perpendicularly to the displacement direction D1 of the suction head 2.

[0110] As Figure 4 shown, the body 4 includes a channel opening 13 leading to the suction chamber 9 through which the rotary brush 12 can be introduced into and removed from the suction chamber 9. Advantageously, the channel opening 13 is provided on a side surface of the body 4.

[0111] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the rotary brush 12 includes, for example, a tubular brush body 14 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 includes, for example, one or more rows of bristles which extend helically around the central longitudinal axis of the rotary brush 12. The rotary brush 12 may include, for example, at least one row of bristles and at least one elastically deformable sheet. According to an embodiment variant not shown in the figures, the row of bristles may be replaced by a foam cleaning sleeve.

[0112] The cleaning unit 11 further includes a closing plug 16 which is configured to at least partially close the channel opening 13 when the rotary brush 12 is mounted in the suction chamber 9.

[0113] The closing plug 16 includes a plug body 17 and locking means which are configured to lock the plug body 17 to the body 4.

[0114] The locking device includes at least one locking member 18, advantageously three locking members 18, which are mounted to move relative to the cover 17 between a locking position and an unlocking position. In the locking position, the locking members 18 cooperate with at least one locking element 19, for example three locking elements 19, provided on the body 4 to prevent the rotary brush 12 from being removed from the suction chamber 9. In the unlocking position, the locking members 18 release the locking elements 19 to permit the rotary brush 12 to be removed from the suction chamber 9. Advantageously, each locking member 18 is mounted to be movable relative to the cover 17 according to a locking / unlocking movement that includes at least one radial displacement component, i.e., a component that extends radially with respect to the rotational axis A of the rotary brush 12.

[0115] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking elements 19 are angularly offset from each other with respect to the rotational axis A of the rotary brush 12, and each locking element 19 is formed by a locking receptacle leading to a channel opening 13, and each locking member 18 is configured to engage in the corresponding locking receptacle when the locking member 18 occupies the locking position. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the locking device may include a single locking element 19, for example formed by a locking receptacle such as a locking groove, which at least partially surrounds the channel opening 13.

[0116] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each locking element 19 includes one or more stop surfaces 190 (see Figure 3 ), and the locking member 18 is configured to abut against the one or more stop surfaces 190 when the locking member 18 occupies the locking position. The one or more stop surfaces 190 are configured to prevent the closing plug 16 from being displaced relative to the body 4 in the direction in which the rotary brush 12 is removed from the suction chamber 9. The or each stop surface 190 may, for example, have a normal that is substantially parallel to the rotational axis A of the rotary brush 12.

[0117] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking members 18 are distributed around the rotational axis A of the rotary brush 12 and extend in the same extension plane that is substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis A of the rotary brush 12. Advantageously, each locking member 18 generally has an S shape and includes a first curved portion 18.1 and a second curved portion 18.2. The first curved portion has a recess that is oriented towards the inside of the closing plug 16, and the second curved portion 18.2 has a recess that is oriented towards the outside of the closing plug 16.

[0118] The locking member 18 is configured to project from the outer periphery 21 of the plug body 17 when the locking member 18 occupies the locking position (see Figure 6 、 Figure 10 and Figure 12 ), and is configured to be retracted from the outer periphery 21 of the plug body 17 or be substantially flush with the plug body 17 when the locking member 18 occupies the unlocking position (seeFigure 7 )。According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the plug body 17 includes a plurality of through holes 22 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the plug body 7, and each of the locking members 18 is configured to project through the corresponding through hole 22 when the locking member 18 occupies the locking position.

[0119] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the locking device further includes a drive part 23 (see in particular Figure 12 and Figure 17 ), which is mounted to be rotatably movable relative to the plug body 17 about a drive axis coinciding with the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12. Advantageously, the plug body 17 includes, for example, a circular bottom wall 24 having a first surface oriented towards the locking member 18 and a second surface oriented towards the rotary brush 12, and the drive part 23 is supported on the first surface of the bottom wall 24.

[0120] Each locking member 18 is fixed to the drive member 23 and is configured to be displaced from the locking position to the unlocking position when the drive part 23 is driven to rotate about the drive axis and in the unlocking direction S1 (see Figure 12 ).

[0121] As Figure 12 and Figure 17 shown more specifically, each locking member 18 extends partially around the drive part 23 and includes a connecting branch 181 and a locking part 182. The connecting branch 181 extends from the drive part 23, and for example, from the outer peripheral surface of the drive part 23, and the connecting branch 181 is elongated and elastically deformable. The locking part 182 extends from the corresponding connecting branch 181, and the locking part 182 is configured to cooperate with a corresponding locking element 19 provided on the main body 4. Advantageously, each connecting branch 181 is connected to the drive part 23 at a corresponding connection region 183, and each locking part 182 and the corresponding connection region 183 are angularly offset with respect to the rotation axis A.

[0122] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the locking part 182 of each locking member 18 is formed at the distal end of the corresponding locking member 18 and takes the form of a latch. As Figure 12 shown, the maximum width of the locking part 182 of each locking member 18 is greater than the maximum width of the corresponding connecting branch 181.

[0123] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the plug body 17 includes a plurality of deformation ramps 25, each of the plurality of deformation ramps 25 includes a deformation surface 26, and the deformation surface 26 is configured to elastically deform the connecting branch 181 of the corresponding locking member 18 when the locking member 18 is displaced to the unlocking position. Advantageously, each deformation surface 26 extends transversely to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12 and is curved. Each deformation surface 26 may, for example, have an arc shape or a progressive radius of curvature. According to the embodiment shown in the figure, each deformation surface 26 extends into the corresponding through hole 22.

[0124] The deformation surface 26 and the locking member 18 are more specifically configured such that when the locking member 18 is displaced to the unlocking position, each locking member 18 is elastically compressed by the corresponding deformation surface 26 in a compression direction having at least one component that is radially oriented with respect to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12 and towards the inside of the closing plug 16, and such that when the locking member 18 occupies the unlocking position, each locking member 18 is configured to elastically and automatically relax to the locking position in a relaxation direction having at least one component that is radially oriented with respect to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12 and towards the outside of the closing plug 16.

[0125] The closing plug 16 further includes a gripping member 27, the gripping member 27 is configured to displace the locking member 18 from the locking position to the unlocking position, and the gripping member 27 can be manually actuated from the outside of the suction head 2 when the plug body 17 is locked to the main body 4. Advantageously, the gripping member 27 and the driving part 23 are separate from each other, and the gripping member 27 can move relative to the plug body 17 according to a displacement movement that is separate and different from the locking / unlocking movement of each locking member 18.

[0126] The gripping member 27 is more specifically mounted to move relative to the plug body 17 between a first position (see Figure 6 ) and a second position (see Figure 7 ), and the gripping member 27 and the locking member 18 are configured such that the displacement of the gripping member 27 from the first position to the second position causes the locking member 18 to be displaced from the locking position to the unlocking position. Advantageously, the gripping member 27 is configured to be displaced from the first position to the second position when a rotational torque is applied to the gripping member 27 by the user.

[0127] More precisely, when the gripping member 27 is displaced from the first position to the second position, the connecting branch 181 of each locking member 18 slides on the corresponding deformation surface 26, elastically deforms towards the rotation axis A and causes the corresponding locking portion 182 to be displaced to the unlocking position. Advantageously, when the locking member 18 occupies the unlocking position, the locking member 18 is configured to elastically push the gripping member 27 towards the first position.

[0128] As Figure 11 and Figure 18As shown, the gripping member 27 includes a gripping portion 28 and an actuating portion 29. The gripping portion 28 is configured to be gripped by a user, for example, to allow the rotary brush 12 to be removed from the suction chamber 9. The actuating portion 29 is rotationally coupled to the drive portion 23, and the actuating portion 29 is configured to drive the drive portion 23 to rotate about the drive axis and in the unlocking direction when the gripping member 27 is displaced from the first position to the second position.

[0129] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the actuating portion 29 includes a plurality of actuating lugs 31, for example, three actuating lugs. The plurality of actuating lugs 31 are distributed around the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12 and are, for example, regularly distributed. Each actuating lug 31 extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12 and is offset with respect to the rotation axis A. Advantageously, each actuating lug 31 extends through a corresponding through hole 32 provided on the drive portion 23 and through a corresponding through hole 33 provided on the bottom wall 24 of the plug body 17, and projects from the second surface of the bottom wall 24.

[0130] Advantageously, the gripping member 27 rotates integrally with the drive portion 23 and is mounted so as to be translatable relative to the drive portion 23 in a translation direction parallel to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12.

[0131] Therefore, the gripping member 27 is mounted so as to be movable relative to the plug body 17 according to a displacement movement that includes a translation component extending along the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12, also referred to as an axial displacement component, and a rotation component about the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12. Advantageously, the displacement movement of the gripping member 27 relative to the plug body 17 is substantially helical about the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12.

[0132] To this end, the closing plug 16 includes guiding means configured to guide the gripping member 27 relative to the plug body 17 according to this displacement movement when the gripping member 27 is displaced between the first position and the second position.

[0133] The guiding means more specifically includes a plurality of guiding elements 34 provided on the actuating portion 29 and a plurality of guiding members 35 provided on the plug body 17 and configured to cooperate with the guiding elements 34 respectively.

[0134] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, each guiding element 34 is arranged on a corresponding actuating lug 31, and is arranged, for example, on the outer surface of the corresponding actuating lug 31, and is formed by a guiding pin that extends radially outward relative to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12 towards the outside of the closing plug 16, and each guiding member 35 is formed by a guiding groove in which the corresponding guiding pin is slidably mounted. Advantageously, each guiding groove is arranged on the inner surface of a cylindrical part 36 provided on the plug body 17, and each guiding groove includes at least one groove part that extends substantially helically around the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12.

[0135] As Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, the gripping member 27 is configured to move axially away from the plug body 17 when the gripping member 27 is displaced from the first position to the second position, and to move axially closer to the plug body 17 when the gripping element 27 is displaced from the second position to the first position. In other words, the gripping member 27 is configured such that the separation distance between the plug body 17 and the gripping member 27 measured in a direction parallel to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12 increases when the gripping member 27 is displaced from the first position to the second position, and decreases when the gripping member 27 is displaced from the second position to the first position. This configuration of the gripping member 27 allows for easier gripping of the gripping member 27 when it is displaced to the second position.

[0136] Advantageously, the closing plug 16 includes a receiving cavity 37, for example a basin-shaped receiving cavity, and the gripping member 27 is configured to be received in the receiving cavity 37 when the gripping member 27 occupies the first position, and to extend axially beyond the plug body, i.e., to project from the receiving cavity 37, when the gripping element 27 occupies the second position.

[0137] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the closing plug 16 includes a cover 38, for example an annular cover, which is fixed to the plug body 17, and the cover 38 and the plug body 17 together at least partially define a receiving portion 39, for example an annular receiving portion, in which the locking member 18 is at least partially received. Advantageously, the cover 38 defines the receiving cavity 37 in which the gripping member 27 is received when the gripping member 27 occupies the first position, and the cover 38 rotates integrally with the drive part 23. The drive part 23 and the cover 38 can be made, for example, in one piece, i.e., they can be integral.

[0138] The closing plug 16 further includes an angular stroke limiting device 27 that is configured to limit the angular stroke of the gripping member 27 relative to the plug body 17.

[0139] The angular stroke limiting device 27 more specifically includes (especially see Figure 13)At least one first end - stop 41 of the stroke and at least one second end - stop 42 of the stroke. The first end - stop 41 of the stroke is configured to prevent the gripping member 27 from rotating beyond the second position in the first rotation direction, and the second end - stop 42 of the stroke is configured to prevent the gripping member 27 from rotating beyond the first position in the second rotation direction. Each of the first and second end - stops 41, 42 of the stroke can be provided, for example, on the plug body 17 or on a damping element 43 fixed to the plug body 17, and is, for example, received in the cylindrical part 36 of the plug body 17. Advantageously, each actuating lug 31 includes a first support surface and a second support surface, which are configured to abut against the corresponding first and second end - stops 41, 42 of the stroke, respectively.

[0140] Advantageously, the suction head 2 includes an error - correction device 44, which is configured to apply a relative angular orientation between the closing cap 16 and the body 4 when the plug body 17 is inserted into the channel opening 13. According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the error - correction device 44 includes an error - correction element such as an error - correction rib provided on the plug body 17, and the channel opening 13 has a non - circular shape.

[0141] The suction head 2 further includes a rotary drive device 45, which is configured to drive the rotary brush 12 to rotate about the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12. The rotary drive device 45 can include, for example, a drive motor 46, and the output axis of the drive motor 46 can be substantially aligned with the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12. According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the drive motor 46 is received in the brush body 14 of the rotary brush 12.

[0142] Advantageously, the rotary brush 12 includes a first end 12.1 and a second end 12.2. The first end 12.1 is supported by a support ring, which is fixed to the first end 12.1 and is mounted to be rotatably movable relative to the body 4. The second end 12.2 is supported by the closing plug 16 and is mounted to be rotatably movable relative to the closing plug 16.

[0143] To remove the rotary brush 12 from the suction chamber 9, for example, to clean or replace the rotary brush 12, the user applies a rotational torque to the gripping portion 28 to move the gripping member 27 to the second position. This displacement of the gripping member 27 causes the locking member 18 to be displaced to the unlocked position. Then, the user can easily remove the rotary brush 12 from the suction chamber 9 by applying a traction force on the gripping portion 28 in order to clean or replace the rotary brush 12.

[0144] When the user desires to reposition the rotary brush 12 in the suction chamber 9, the user inserts the rotary brush 12 into the suction chamber 9 until the suction chamber 9 is coupled to the rotary drive device 45 and the closing plug 16 at least partially closes the passage opening 13. At this time, the locking member 18 elastically and automatically relaxes towards the locking position so as to lock the plug body 17 to the main body 4 of the suction head 2. Due to the cooperation of each of the connecting branches 181 with the corresponding deformation surface 26, this deformation of the locking member 18 causes the gripping member 27 to be displaced to the first position.

[0145] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking portion 182 of each locking member 18 includes a chamfered portion 182.1 which is configured to cooperate with the main body 4 when the closing plug 16 is inserted into the passage opening 13 so as to push the corresponding locking member 18 towards the unlocking position. This configuration of the locking device allows the user to insert the cleaning unit 11 into the suction chamber 9 without the need to pre-displace the gripping member 27 to the second position, which further facilitates locking the closing plug 16 to the main body 4.

[0146] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the described and shown embodiments given only by way of example. Modifications can still be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, particularly from the point of view of the arrangement and construction of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents.

Claims

1. A cleaning unit (11) for a suction head (2), comprising: a rotating brush (12) which is rotatably movable about a rotation axis (A) and is configured to be detachably mounted in a suction chamber (9) defined by a body (4) of the suction head (2); and A closing plug (16) configured to at least partially close a passage opening (13) provided on the main body (4), and the rotating brush (12) can be introduced into the suction chamber (9) and removed from the suction chamber (8) through the passage opening (13), the rotating brush (12) being rotatable relative to the closing plug (16), the closing plug (16) comprising: Plug body (17); a locking device, the locking device being configured to lock the plug body (17) on the main body (4), the locking device comprising at least one locking member (18), the locking member (18) being movable relative to the plug body (17) between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position, the at least one locking member (18) is configured to cooperate with at least one locking element (19) provided on the main body (4) to prevent the rotating brush (12) from being removed from the suction chamber (9), and in the unlocked position, the at least one locking member (18) is configured to release the at least one locking element (19) to permit the rotating brush (12) to be removed from the suction chamber (9); and a gripping member (27) configured to be gripped by a user, the gripping member (27) being mounted to be movable relative to the plug body (17) between a first position and a second position, the gripping member (27) and the at least one locking member (18) being configured such that displacement of the gripping member (27) from the first position to the second position causes displacement of the at least one locking member (18) from the locked position to the unlocked position, Characterized in that the gripping member (27) is mounted to move relative to the plug body (17) according to a displacement movement including at least one displacement component extending substantially parallel to the rotation axis (A) of the rotating brush (12), and the gripping member (27) is configured to move axially away from the plug body (17) when the gripping member (27) is displaced from the first position to the second position.

2. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1, wherein: The gripping member (27) is configured to extend axially beyond the plug body when the gripping member (27) occupies the second position.

3. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The at least one locking member (18) is movable relative to the plug body (17) according to a locking / unlocking movement which is separate and distinct from the displacement movement of the gripping member (27) relative to the plug body (17).

4. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 3, wherein: The locking / unlocking movement of the locking member (18) relative to the plug body (17) comprises at least one radial displacement component.

5. The cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The displacement movement of the gripping member (27) relative to the plug body (17) also includes a rotational component about the rotation axis (A) of the rotating brush (12).

6. The cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The displacement movement of the gripping member (27) relative to the plug body (17) is substantially helical around the rotation axis (A) of the rotating brush (12).

7. The cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The closure plug (16) comprises a guiding device, which is configured to guide the gripping member (27) relative to the plug body (17) according to a substantially spiral displacement movement when the gripping member (27) is displaced between the first position and the second position, the guiding device comprising at least one guiding element (34) arranged on the gripping member (27) and at least one guiding member (35) arranged on the plug body (17) and configured to cooperate with the at least one guiding element (34).

8. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 7, wherein: One of the at least one guide member (35) and the at least one guide element (34) is a guide groove, and the other of the at least one guide member (35) and the at least one guide element (34) is a guide pin slidably mounted in the guide groove.

9. The cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The locking device comprises a driving portion (23), the driving portion (22) being mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the plug body (17) around a driving axis substantially coinciding with the rotation axis (A) of the rotating brush (12), the gripping member (27) being configured to drive the driving portion (23) to rotate around the driving axis and in an unlocking direction when the gripping member (27) is displaced from the first position to the second position, and the at least one locking member (18) being fixed to the driving portion (23) and being configured to be displaced from the locking position to the unlocking position when the driving portion (23) is driven to rotate around the driving axis and in the unlocking direction.

10. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 9, wherein: The gripping member (27) includes a gripping portion (28) and an actuating portion (29), wherein the gripping portion (28) is configured to be gripped by a user, the actuating portion (29) is rotationally coupled to the driving portion (23), and the actuating portion (29) is configured to drive the driving portion (23) to rotate around the driving axis when the gripping member (27) is displaced between the first position and the second position.

11. The cleaning unit (11) according to claims 7 and 10, wherein: The at least one guide element (34) is arranged on the actuating portion (29).

12. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: The actuating portion (29) comprises at least one actuating lug (31), which extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis (A) of the rotating brush (12) and is offset relative to the rotation axis (A), and the at least one actuating lug (31) extends through a through hole (32) provided on the driving portion (23).

13. The cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The at least one locking member (18) and the gripping member (27) are separate from each other.

14. The cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The at least one locking member (18) is elastically deformable.

15. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 14, wherein: The at least one locking member (18) is configured to be resiliently compressed when the at least one locking member (18) is displaced to the unlocked position and to be resiliently relaxed to the locked position when the at least one locking member (18) occupies the unlocked position.

16. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein: The plug body (17) comprises at least one deformation surface (26) configured to elastically deform the at least one locking member (18) when the at least one locking member (18) is displaced to the unlocked position.

17. The cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein: The at least one locking member (18) is configured to resiliently urge the gripping member (27) toward the first position when the at least one locking member (18) occupies the unlocked position.

18. The cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: The at least one locking member (18) is configured to protrude from the outer periphery (21) of the plug body (17) when the at least one locking member (18) occupies the locking position.

19. The cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein: The locking device comprises a plurality of locking members (18) distributed around the rotation axis (A) of the rotating brush (12).

20. A suction head (2), comprising: A body (4) comprising: a suction chamber (9) opening to a lower surface (6) of the body (4), the suction chamber (9) being configured to be oriented toward a surface to be cleaned; a passage opening (13) leading to the suction chamber (9); and at least one locking element (19); and According to the cleaning unit (11) described in any of the preceding claims, the rotating brush (12) is detachably mounted in the suction chamber (9) and can be introduced into and removed from the suction chamber (9) via the passage opening (13), the closing plug (16) at least partially closes the passage opening (13), and the at least one locking member (18) cooperates with the at least one locking element (19).

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