Suction head with perforated support ring

Abstract

The suction head comprises: a main body (4); the rotating brush (11) comprises a brush body (12); the driving motor (17) is accommodated in a motor accommodating cabin (21) defined by the brush body (12) and is configured to drive the brush body (12) to rotate around a rotation axis; a bearing support (31) fixed with respect to the main body (4); a bearing (28) mounted on the bearing support (31); and a support ring (26) interposed between the bearing (28) and the inner circumferential surface of the brush body (12) and including at least one through hole (44) through which an air flow can flow.

Description

Field of the Invention

[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 allow the cleaning of surfaces by suction to remove the dust and waste that has settled thereon. For example, the surface to be suctioned can be tiles, parquet, laminate, carpet or doormat.

[0003] The suction head includes a body in a known manner, which body includes a bottom plate provided with a lower surface and a suction opening that opens into the lower surface of the bottom plate. The lower surface of the bottom plate is positioned adjacent to 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:

[0005] - a rotary brush that includes a brush body that is rotatable about a rotation axis and is, for example, removably mounted in a suction chamber defined by the body of the suction head, the brush body including a first end that defines a motor housing and a second end that is positioned opposite the first end,

[0006] - a first support ring and a second support ring, the first support ring being fixed to the first end of the brush body and configured to support the first end, and the second support ring being fixed to the second end of the brush body and configured to support the second end,

[0007] - a first bearing (such as a rolling bearing) and a second bearing (such as a rolling bearing), the first bearing being configured to guide the rotation of the first support ring, the second bearing being configured to guide the rotation of the second support ring, and

[0008] - a drive device that is configured to drive the brush body to rotate about the rotation axis, the drive device including a drive motor disposed in the motor housing defined by the first end of the brush body.

[0009] During the operation of such a suction head that rotates the rotary brush, due to the rotational speed of the first support ring and the proximity of the drive motor, the first bearing tends to heat up, which may impair the operation of the first bearing and thus the reliability of the suction head. Summary of the Invention

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

[0011] The technical problem on which the present invention is based lies in particular in providing a suction head provided with a rotary brush and a brush drive motor, which suction head is simple and economical in construction and at the same time ensures satisfactory cooling of the brush bearing located near the brush drive motor.

[0012] To this end, the present invention relates to a suction head, which comprises:

[0013] - a body, which comprises a suction chamber opening into the lower surface of the body, which lower surface is configured to be oriented towards the surface to be cleaned,

[0014] - a rotary brush, which comprises a brush body having a generally tubular shape and having a central longitudinal axis, the brush body being mounted to rotate in the suction chamber about a rotation axis substantially coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the brush body,

[0015] - a drive device, which is configured to drive the brush body to rotate about the rotation axis, the drive device comprising a drive motor, which is at least partially and, for example, completely received in a motor housing at least partially delimited by the brush body,

[0016] - a support ring, which is arranged inside the brush body, the support ring being configured to support the brush body and comprising a first axial face facing the drive motor and a second axial face opposite the first axial face,

[0017] - a bearing support fixed relative to the body,

[0018] - a bearing, such as a rolling bearing and, for example, a ball bearing, which is mounted on and supported by the bearing support, the support ring being inserted between the bearing and the inner peripheral surface of the brush body.

[0019] The support ring comprises at least one through hole, which respectively opens into the first axial face and the second axial face of the support ring, the suction head being configured such that when the suction head is in the use configuration, in particular when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber and / or when the drive motor is running, an air flow can flow through the at least one through hole and, for example, from the first axial face of the support ring to the second axial face of the support ring.

[0020] This configuration of the support ring, in particular the presence of the at least one through hole, ensures that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber, an air flow flows through the at least one through hole, thereby cooling the support ring and the bearing located near the drive motor by heat conduction. This cooling allows limiting the heating of the bearing, thus maintaining its integrity, thereby conferring increased reliability on the suction head according to the invention and also allowing the use of bearings of smaller dimensions, thus reducing the radial bulk of the rotary brush.

[0021] The suction head may also have one or more of the following features individually or in combination.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one through - hole is fluidly connected to the suction chamber.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the support ring is fixed to the end of the brush body on the side of the drive motor.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the brush body includes a first end portion that at least partially defines the motor housing and a second end portion positioned opposite the first end portion. The support ring is fixed to the first end portion of the brush body and is configured to support the first end portion.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the support ring is disposed in the first end portion of the brush body.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one through - hole opens into the motor housing.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bearing is a rolling bearing and includes an inner ring fixed to the bearing support and extending around the bearing support and an outer ring fixed to the support ring, and the support ring extends around the outer ring of the bearing. Thus, the presence of at least one through - hole particularly ensures the cooling of the outer ring of the bearing.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the suction head includes an additional support ring that is fixed to the second end portion of the brush body, for example, by gluing or welding, and is configured to support the second end portion of the brush body. This configuration of the suction head ensures optimized rotational guidance of the rotary brush, which significantly limits the generation of vibrations within the suction head and the risk of the rotary brush jamming.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the drive motor is axially disposed between the support ring and the additional support ring.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the drive motor is closer to the support ring than to the additional support ring. Advantageously, the drive motor is axially disposed between the support ring and the intermediate vertical plane of the suction head. Therefore, it is necessary to cool the support ring, which, due to its proximity to the drive motor, heats up faster than the additional support ring.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the suction head includes an additional bearing, such as a rolling bearing and, for example, a ball bearing, which is configured to guide the rotation of the additional support ring.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bearing support, the bearing, and the support ring are arranged substantially coaxially with the central longitudinal axis of the brush body.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the suction head includes an air circulation cooling circuit that is at least partially defined by a support ring and fluidly connected to the suction chamber. The suction head is configured such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber, air is drawn from the outside of the rotary brush into the air circulation cooling circuit and circulates in the air circulation cooling circuit. Such an air circulation cooling circuit ensures further enhanced cooling of the bearing, particularly of the outer ring of the bearing, because the air circulating in the air circulation cooling circuit flows near the support ring.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air circulation cooling circuit is at least partially also defined by the brush body.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air circulation cooling circuit includes at least one intake opening and at least one exhaust opening. Through the at least one intake opening, air can be drawn into the air circulation cooling circuit, and through the at least one exhaust opening, the air flowing in the air circulation cooling circuit can be discharged from the air circulation cooling circuit. The at least one exhaust opening is formed by at least one through hole provided in the support ring. Thus, the suction head is configured such that the air drawn into the air circulation cooling circuit is discharged from the air circulation cooling circuit via at least one through hole provided in the support ring.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one intake opening is provided on the side wall of the main body, and for example, on the side wall of the main body located on the bearing support side, and advantageously, the bearing support is fixed to this side wall.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one intake opening is oriented substantially axially, that is, substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the brush body. This orientation of the at least one intake opening limits the risk of dust being drawn into the air circulation cooling circuit, which allows a significant reduction in the risk of the air circulation cooling circuit being contaminated or even blocked, and thus ensures optimal cooling of the bearing and the drive motor when the air circulation cooling circuit is at least partially defined by the drive motor.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the drive motor includes a motor housing. The drive motor further includes a rotor and a stator accommodated in the motor housing.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air circulation cooling circuit is at least partially defined by the drive motor such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber, the air circulating in the air circulation cooling circuit flows into or near the drive motor.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air circulation cooling circuit is at least partially defined by the support ring, the brush body, and the drive motor.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air circulation cooling circuit includes at least one air inlet opening and at least one air outlet opening. The at least one air inlet opening is provided on the circumferential wall of the motor housing of the drive motor, and the air that circulates in the air circulation cooling circuit when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber can enter the drive motor through the at least one air inlet opening. The at least one air outlet opening is provided on the end wall of the motor housing, and the air that has entered the drive motor can flow to the outside of the drive motor through the at least one air inlet opening. This configuration of the air circulation cooling circuit ensures the conduction cooling of the drive motor, which allows maintaining the integrity of the drive motor and further limiting the heating of the bearings.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one air inlet opening of the motor housing is substantially radially oriented, and at least one air outlet opening of the motor housing is substantially axially oriented.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the suction head includes a motor chamber that is fixed to the bearing support and is at least partially disposed in the motor compartment, and the drive motor is at least partially and, for example, completely disposed in the motor chamber.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air circulation cooling circuit includes a first circuit portion that is partially defined by the drive motor and a second circuit portion that is partially defined by the motor chamber and the brush body and is located downstream of the first circuit portion.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air circulation cooling circuit is configured such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber, the air that circulates in the air circulation cooling circuit flows away from the support ring and into the first circuit portion, and flows towards the support ring and into the second circuit portion.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air circulation cooling circuit is configured such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber, the air that circulates in the first circuit portion flows at least partially inside the drive motor, and the air that circulates in the second circuit portion flows at least partially between the motor chamber and the brush body. Under operating conditions, the drive motor has a temperature significantly higher than that of the motor chamber. Therefore, the fact that the air that circulates in the air circulation cooling circuit first flows inside the drive motor and then along the outer surface of the motor chamber allows limiting the heating of the air flow that circulates in the first circuit portion before entering the drive motor, thus ensuring an optimized heat exchange between the drive motor and the air flow (due to the large temperature difference). This optimized heat exchange ensures the optimized cooling of the drive motor.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air circulation cooling circuit is configured such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber, the air circulating in the first circuit portion flows in contact with the rotor and / or stator of the drive motor, and for example, flows in contact with the stator winding and / or rotor winding.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first circuit portion is configured such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber, the air flowing inside the drive motor flows in a flow direction substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the brush body.

[0049] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air circulation cooling circuit is configured such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber, the air circulating in the second circuit portion flows substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the brush body.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bearing support defines an air flow duct that partially forms the air circulation cooling circuit, for example, partially forms the first circuit portion, and the bearing extends around the air flow duct. This configuration of the bearing support ensures cooling of the bearing support and the bearing by heat conduction, particularly cooling of the outer ring of the bearing. Advantageously, the air flow duct is fluidly connected to at least one air inlet opening.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air flow duct extends substantially coaxially with the bearing.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the motor chamber defines an internal compartment that is fluidly connected to at least one air inlet opening belonging to the air circulation cooling circuit, particularly to the air flow duct defined by the bearing support.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one air inlet opening provided on the motor housing opens into the internal compartment defined by the motor chamber.

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the motor chamber and the brush body define a connection chamber that is axially positioned opposite the support ring with respect to the drive motor and is configured to fluidly connect the first circuit portion to the second circuit portion. Advantageously, at least one air outlet opening is fluidly connected to the connection chamber.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the motor chamber includes a motor cover that extends around the drive motor and a motor cover support that is fixed to the bearing support and is configured to support the motor cover. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the motor cover includes an open end, and the motor cover support at least partially closes the open end of the motor cover.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the motor housing includes a tubular wall that extends around the drive motor and is substantially coaxial with the motor axis of the drive motor, and an end wall that is positioned opposite to the motor housing support, the end wall being provided with a central opening through which the output shaft of the drive motor projects.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the suction head includes a damping element that is axially inserted between the drive motor and the motor housing support.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the drive motor is positioned at a distance from the side wall of the main body and is particularly axially offset with respect to the side wall of the main body on which the bearing support is fixed. This arrangement of the drive motor ensures a better balance of the mass within the main body, particularly around the central longitudinal axis.

[0059] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support ring is rotationally integral with the brush body, and at least one through hole provided in the support ring is at least partially defined by at least one deflector wall that is inclined with respect to the central axis of the support ring and is configured to generate a negative pressure within the at least one through hole when the drive motor operates and drives the rotary brush to rotate. This configuration of the support ring increases the air flow rate in the air circulation cooling circuit and thus further promotes the cooling of the bearing.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one deflector wall forms a deflector fin, also known as a blade.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one deflector wall has an axial dimension and a radial dimension that is smaller than the corresponding axial dimension.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one through hole provided in the support ring is at least partially defined by two deflector walls that are inclined with respect to the central axis of the support ring and face each other, and the two deflector walls that at least partially define the at least one through hole are configured to generate a negative pressure within the at least one through hole when the drive motor operates.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support ring is rotationally integral with the brush body, the support ring forms a turbine, the turbine is provided with deflector fins distributed around the central axis of the support ring, each pair of adjacent deflector fins partially defines a corresponding through hole, and the support ring forming the turbine is configured to generate a negative pressure within at least one through hole when the drive motor operates and drives the rotary brush to rotate. Thus, when the brush body is driven to rotate, the support ring that forms the turbine and is rotationally integral with the brush body is also driven to rotate, such that the turbine can suck air from the first axial face of the support ring towards the second axial face of the support ring. In other words, the support ring forming the turbine allows air to be forced from the inside of the rotary brush towards the outside of the rotary brush when it is driven to rotate by the rotation of the rotary brush.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each deflector fin has an axial dimension and a radial dimension that is less than the corresponding axial dimension. This configuration of the support ring allows for optimizing the radial volume of the support ring, thereby reducing the radial volume of the rotary brush or increasing the radial dimension of the bearing, thereby increasing its lifespan.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support ring includes an inner wall that is generally cylindrical and extends around and in contact with the bearing, for example, extends around and in contact with the outer ring of the bearing. The inner wall of the support ring includes at least one radial perforation that extends radially and opens into at least one through-hole provided in the support ring and is positioned facing the bearing, and for example, facing the outer ring of the bearing. This configuration of the support ring allows for further promoting the cooling of the bearing, particularly its outer ring, by the airflow passing through at least one through-hole.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner wall of the support ring includes a plurality of radial perforations distributed around the central axis of the support ring, each radial perforation opening into a corresponding through-hole provided in the support ring and being positioned facing the bearing, for example, facing the outer ring of the bearing.

[0067] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the suction head includes fixing means configured to fix the bearing to the support ring.

[0068] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing means includes at least one elastically deformable fixing lug provided on the support ring, the at least one fixing lug being configured to cooperate with the bearing, more specifically with the outer ring of the bearing, so as to fix the bearing to the support ring.

[0069] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one fixing lug extends substantially parallel to the central axis of the support ring.

[0070] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support ring includes at least one stop member, such as a stop rib, which is provided with an axial stop surface against which the bearing abuts when the bearing is fixed to the support ring.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support ring includes a bearing housing in which the bearing is received.

[0072] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one fixing lug includes a retaining portion configured to retain the bearing in the bearing housing.

[0073] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one fixing lug is configured to axially fix the bearing relative to the support ring.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing device includes a plurality of fixing lugs distributed around the central axis of the support ring.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the support ring includes a plurality of through holes distributed around the central axis of the support ring, each through hole opening respectively in the first axial surface and the second axial surface of the support ring, and configured to allow air flow to pass through the at least one through hole.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotary brush further includes coupling means arranged in the brush body, the coupling means being configured to be rotatably coupled to complementary coupling means belonging to the drive means, the complementary coupling means being rotatably coupled to the output shaft of the drive motor.

[0077] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the brush body is configured to be detachably mounted in the suction chamber, for example along an installation direction extending substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the suction head.

[0078] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the main body includes a channel opening opening into the suction chamber, the brush body can be introduced into and removed from the suction chamber through the channel opening, the suction head includes a closing plug, the closing plug being configured to at least partially close the channel opening, and the brush body is rotatably mounted relative to the closing plug.

[0079] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the channel opening is provided on the side wall of the main body.

[0080] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second end of the brush body is supported by the closing plug and is mounted to be rotatable relative to the closing plug.

[0081] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotary brush includes bristles provided on the outer surface of the brush body. Advantageously, the rotary brush includes at least one row of bristles provided on the outer surface of the brush body.

[0082] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the main body includes a bottom plate provided with a lower surface and a suction opening opening into the lower surface, the lower surface being configured to face the surface to be cleaned. Advantageously, the suction chamber leads to the lower surface of the bottom plate through the suction opening.

[0083] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the suction opening has an elongated shape and extends substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the suction head. Description of the Drawings

[0084] In any way, the present invention will be clearly understood by means of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of the suction head.

[0085] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the suction head according to the present invention.

[0086] Figure 2 is Figure 1 A top perspective view of the suction head, showing the rotary brush of the suction head with a part removed.

[0087] Figure 3 is Figure 1 A top perspective view of the suction head.

[0088] Figure 4 is Figure 1 A longitudinal cross - sectional view of the suction head.

[0089] Figure 5 is Figure 1 A longitudinal cross - sectional view of the suction head, showing the rotary brush of the suction head with a part removed.

[0090] Figure 6 is Figure 4 An enlarged view of the details.

[0091] Figure 7 belongs to Figure 1 A perspective view of a sub - assembly of the suction head, including a drive device, a motor hood support, a bearing, a bearing support, and a support ring.

[0092] Figure 8 belongs to Figure 1 A perspective view of the support ring of the suction head.

[0093] Figure 9 is Figure 8 A frustum perspective view of the support ring.

[0094] Figure 10 is Figure 1 A longitudinal cross - sectional view of the suction head, where the left and right parts of the suction head are cut along two longitudinal sections offset from each other. Detailed implementation

[0095] In the absence of a contrary provision, the term "substantially" in this document means "exactly or within an error of 10% or 10°".

[0096] Figures 1 to 10 Showing the suction head 2 including the connecting sleeve 3, to which the end piece of a rigid or flexible tube is connected, and this end piece itself is connected to the suction system of a vacuum cleaner (not shown). Various variants of vacuum cleaners already exist on the market and can be used with the suction head 2 according to the present invention; since these variants are known to those skilled in the art, they are not described in detail in this patent application.

[0097] The suction head 2 includes a body 4 which is configured to move over a surface to be cleaned. The connecting sleeve 3 is advantageously mounted pivotally relative to the body 4 so as to allow the connecting sleeve 3 to pivot forward and backward relative to the body 4 during the movement of the suction head 2 in the movement direction D1.

[0098] The body 4 includes a bottom plate 5 which is provided with a lower surface 6 and a suction opening 7. The lower surface is configured to face the surface to be cleaned, and the suction opening opens onto the lower surface 6. The suction opening 7 communicates with the connecting sleeve 3 in particular via a suction pipe which is at least partly formed, for example, by a flexible connecting pipe. The suction opening 7 may, for example, have an elongated shape and extend transversely and, for example, perpendicular to the movement direction D1 of the suction head 2.

[0099] The body 4 further includes a suction chamber 9 which leads to the lower surface 6 of the bottom plate 5 via the suction opening 7 and is fluidly connected to the suction pipe.

[0100] The suction head 2 further includes a rotary brush 11 which includes a brush body 12 having a generally tubular shape and having a central longitudinal axis A. The brush body 12 is mounted to rotate in the suction chamber 9 about a rotation axis coaxial with the central longitudinal axis A of the brush body 12.

[0101] Advantageously, the brush body 12 is removably mounted in the suction chamber 9 and is configured to be introduced into and removed from the suction chamber 9 in the mounting direction D2. The mounting direction D2 extends transversely and preferably perpendicular to the movement direction D1 of the suction head 2.

[0102] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the body 4 includes a channel opening 13 opening into the suction chamber 9 through which the brush body 12 can be introduced into and removed from the suction chamber 9. Advantageously, the channel opening 13 is provided in the side wall of the body 4.

[0103] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the rotary brush 11 includes bristles 14 provided on the outer surface of the brush body 12. Advantageously, the brush body 12 is generally cylindrical with a circular cross-section, and the rotary brush 11 includes, for example, multiple rows of bristles extending helically around the central longitudinal axis A of the brush body 12. According to a variant embodiment not shown in the figures, the multiple rows of bristles may be replaced by an elastically deformable sheet or a foam cleaning sleeve. According to another variant embodiment not shown in the figures, the rotary brush 11 may include at least one row of bristles and at least one elastically deformable sheet.

[0104] The suction head 2 further includes a closing plug 15 which is configured to at least partly close the channel opening 13 when the brush body 12 is mounted in the suction chamber 9.

[0105] The suction head 2 further includes a drive device 16 configured to drive the brush body 12 to rotate about a rotation axis. The drive device 16 more specifically includes a drive motor 17, which is preferably electric and includes an output shaft 18 coaxial with the rotation axis of the brush body 12.

[0106] The drive motor 17 is received in a motor chamber 19 fixed to the side wall of the main body 4, and the motor chamber 19 and the drive motor 17 are provided in a motor accommodation chamber 21 defined by the brush body 12. In a known manner, the drive motor 17 includes a motor housing 22 and a rotor and a stator (not shown in the figure) received in the motor housing 22. Advantageously, the drive motor 17 is positioned at a distance from the side wall of the main body 4. Advantageously, the drive motor 17 is eccentric with respect to the middle vertical plane of the main body 4 and is arranged between the middle vertical plane of the main body 4 and one of the two side walls.

[0107] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the brush body 12 includes a first end 12.1 and a second end 12.2. The first end is located near the drive device 16 and defines the motor accommodation chamber 21, and the second end is supported by a closing plug 15 and is mounted to be rotatable relative to the closing plug 15.

[0108] The rotary brush 11 further includes a coupling portion 24 arranged in the brush body 12 and configured to be rotatably coupled to a complementary coupling portion 25, which belongs to the drive device 16 and is rotatably coupled to the output shaft 18 of the drive motor 17. According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the coupling portion 24 is a female coupling portion and the complementary coupling portion 25 is a male coupling portion. However, according to a variant embodiment of the present invention, the coupling portion 24 may be a male coupling portion and the complementary coupling portion 25 may be a female coupling portion.

[0109] The suction head 2 further includes a support ring 26 and an additional support ring 27. The support ring is fixed to the first end 12.1 of the brush body 12 and is configured to support the first end 12.1. The additional support ring is fixed to the second end 12.2 of the brush body 12, for example, by gluing or welding, and is configured to support the second end 12.2. Advantageously, the support ring 26 and the additional support ring 27 are arranged coaxially with the central longitudinal axis A of the brush body 12, and the drive motor 17 is arranged axially between the support ring 26 and the additional support ring 27.

[0110] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the drive motor 17 is closer to the support ring 26 than the additional support ring 27. Advantageously, the drive motor 17 is arranged axially between the support ring 26 and the middle vertical plane of the brush body 12.

[0111] The suction head 2 further includes a bearing 28, such as a rolling bearing and for example a ball bearing, which is configured to guide the rotation of the support ring 26, and an additional bearing 29, such as a rolling bearing and for example a ball bearing, which is configured to guide the rotation of the additional support ring 27. Advantageously, the additional bearing 29 is inserted between the additional support ring 27 and the support portion belonging to the closing plug 15.

[0112] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the suction head 2 includes a bearing support 31, which is fixed to the side wall of the body 4 and is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis A, and the bearing 28 is mounted on and supported by the bearing support 31.

[0113] The bearing 28 more specifically includes an inner ring 28.1 and an outer ring 28.2. The inner ring is fixed to the bearing support 31 and extends around the bearing support 31. The outer ring 28.2 is rotatable relative to the inner ring 28.1 and is fixed to the support ring 26. Advantageously, the support ring 26 is arranged in the first end portion 12.1 of the brush body 12 and is inserted between the outer ring 28.2 of the bearing 28 and the inner peripheral surface of the brush body 12.

[0114] As Figure 8 more specifically shown, the support ring 26 includes an inner wall 32 and an outer wall 33. The inner wall is generally cylindrical and extends around and in contact with the outer ring 28.2 of the bearing 28. The outer wall is generally cylindrical and mates with the inner peripheral surface of the brush body 12.

[0115] The suction head 2 advantageously includes fixing means configured to fix the bearing 28 to the support ring 26. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the fixing means includes a plurality of fixing lugs 34, which are provided on the support ring 26, distributed around the central axis of the support ring 26, and extend substantially parallel to the central axis of the support ring 26. The fixing lugs 34 are configured to cooperate with the bearing 28, more specifically with the outer ring 28.2 of the bearing 28, in order to fix the bearing 28 to the support ring 26, in particular to axially fix the bearing 28 relative to the support ring 26. Advantageously, the support ring 26 includes a bearing receptacle 35, in which the bearing 28 is received, and each fixing lug 34 is elastically deformable and includes a retaining portion configured to retain the bearing 28 within the bearing receptacle 35.

[0116] The support ring 26 may for example include a plurality of stop members 36, such as stop ribs, which are distributed around the central axis of the support ring 26 and extend circumferentially. Each stop member 36 partially defines the bearing receptacle 35 and is provided with an axial stop surface against which the bearing 28 abuts when the bearing 28 is received in the bearing receptacle 35.

[0117] As Figure 6As shown, the motor chamber 19 is fixed to the bearing support 31, and the bearing 28 is axially clamped between a first stop surface provided on the bearing support 31 and a second stop surface provided on the motor chamber 19.

[0118] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the motor chamber 19 includes a motor hood 37 extending around the drive motor 17, and a motor hood support 38 fixed to the bearing support 31 and configured to support the motor hood 37. The motor hood 37 more specifically includes a tubular wall 37.1 and an end wall 37.2, the tubular wall extending around the drive motor 17 and being substantially coaxial with the motor axis of the drive motor 17, the end wall being positioned opposite the motor hood support 38 and provided with a central opening through which the output shaft 18 of the drive motor 17 projects. The motor hood 37 further includes an open end that is at least partially closed by the motor hood support 38. Advantageously, the suction head 2 includes a damping element 39 axially inserted between the drive motor 17 and the motor hood support 38.

[0119] The suction head 2 further includes an air circulation cooling circuit 41 that is at least partially defined by the bearing support 31, the drive motor 17, the motor chamber 19, the brush body 12, and the support ring 26, and is fluidly connected to the suction chamber 9. The suction head 2 is configured such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber 9, air is drawn from the outside of the rotary brush 11 into the air circulation cooling circuit 41 and circulates in the air circulation cooling circuit 41 to ensure the cooling of, in particular, the drive motor 17 and the bearing 28.

[0120] The air circulation cooling circuit 41 includes at least one intake opening 42 through which air can be drawn into the air circulation cooling circuit 41. Advantageously, the intake opening 42 is provided on the side wall of the body 4, more specifically on the side wall of the brush body to which the bearing support 31 is fixed.

[0121] The air circulation cooling circuit 41 further includes a plurality of exhaust openings through which the air flowing in the air circulation cooling circuit 41 can be discharged from the air circulation cooling circuit 41. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the exhaust openings are formed by through-holes 44 provided in the support ring 26 and are configured to fluidly connect the motor compartment 21 to the suction chamber 9 and thus to the suction duct.

[0122] As Figure 8As shown, the through-holes 44 are distributed around the central axis of the support ring 26, and each through-hole 44 opens respectively in the first axial face 26.1 and the second axial face 26.2 of the support ring 26. The first axial face is oriented towards the drive motor 17 and partially defines the motor housing 21, and the second axial face is located outside the brush body 12 and is oriented towards the side wall of the main body 4 to which the bearing support 31 is fixed. Each through-hole 44 is more specifically configured to allow an air flow to pass through said at least one through-hole 44 and from the first axial face 26.1 of the support ring 26 (and thus from the motor housing 21) towards the second axial face 26.2 of the support ring 26 (and thus towards the outside of the rotary brush 11).

[0123] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, each through-hole 44 provided in the support ring 26 is defined by the inner wall and the outer walls 32, 33 of the support ring 26 and two flow-guiding walls 45 which are inclined with respect to the central axis of the support ring 26 and face each other. Advantageously, the flow-guiding walls 45 are regularly distributed around the central axis of the support ring 26 and are configured to mechanically connect the inner wall and the outer walls 32, 33 of the support ring 26 to each other.

[0124] The two flow-guiding walls 45 which partially define the respective through-hole 44 are more specifically configured to generate a negative pressure in the respective through-hole 44 when the drive motor 17 operates and drives the rotary brush 11 and the support ring 26 to rotate. Thus, each flow-guiding wall 45 provided in the support ring 26 forms a flow-guiding fin, and the support ring 26 forms a turbine provided with flow-guiding fins distributed around the central axis of the support ring 26. Advantageously, each flow-guiding fin and thus each flow-guiding wall 45 has an axial dimension and a radial dimension smaller than the respective axial dimension.

[0125] The air circulation cooling circuit 41 more specifically comprises a first circuit portion 41.1 and a second circuit portion 41.2. The first circuit portion includes at least one air intake opening 42 and is partially defined by the bearing support 31, the motor cover support 38, the drive motor 17 and the motor cover 37. The second circuit portion 41.2 includes an exhaust opening (formed by the through-holes 44) which is partially defined by the motor chamber 19 and the brush body 12 and is located downstream of the first circuit portion.

[0126] As Figure 6 shown, the air circulation cooling circuit 41 is configured such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber 9, the air circulating in the air circulation cooling circuit 41 flows into the first circuit portion 41.1 away from the support ring 26 (and thus towards the closing plug 15), and flows towards the support ring 26 into the second circuit portion 41.2.

[0127] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the bearing support 31 is hollow and includes an air flow duct 46 that extends substantially coaxially with the bearing 28 and partially forms the first circuit portion 41.1. Advantageously, the air flow duct 46 is fluidly connected to at least one air intake opening 42, and the bearing 28 extends around the air flow duct 46.

[0128] The air flow duct 46 is fluidly connected to the internal cavity defined (and partially forming the first circuit portion 41.1) by the motor chamber 19 through at least one through hole 31.1 (see Figure 10 ) and at least one air flow channel 38.1 (see Figure 6 and Figure 10 ). The at least one through hole 31.1 is provided on the bearing support 31 and opens into the air flow duct 46, and the at least one air flow channel 38.1 is provided on the motor cover support 38 and fluidly connects the at least one through hole 31.1 to the internal cavity defined by the motor chamber 19.

[0129] Advantageously, the air circulation cooling circuit 41 is configured such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber 9, the air circulating in the first circuit portion 41.1 at least partially flows inside the drive motor 17. For this purpose, the first circuit portion 41.1 includes at least one air inlet opening 49 and at least one air outlet opening 50. The at least one air inlet opening 49 is provided on the peripheral wall of the motor housing 22, and the air circulating in the air circulation cooling circuit 41 when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber 9 can enter the drive motor 17 through the at least one air inlet opening 49. The at least one air outlet opening 50 is provided on the end wall of the motor housing 22 (which is positioned opposite to the support ring 26), and the air that has entered the drive motor 17 through the at least one air inlet opening 49 can flow out of the drive motor 17 through the at least one air outlet opening 50. Advantageously, the at least one air inlet opening 49 is substantially radially oriented and opens into the internal cavity defined by the motor chamber 19, and the at least one air outlet opening 50 is substantially axially oriented.

[0130] As Figure 6 shown, the motor chamber 19 and the brush body 12 define a connection chamber 52, which is axially positioned opposite to the support ring 26 with respect to the drive motor 17 and is configured to fluidly connect the first circuit portion 41.1 to the second circuit portion 41.2. Advantageously, the at least one air outlet opening 50 provided on the motor housing 22 is fluidly connected to the connection chamber 52 through at least one connection hole 51 (see Figure 10 ) provided on the motor cover 37, more specifically on the end wall 37.2 of the motor cover 37.

[0131] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the air circulation cooling circuit 41 is configured such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber 9, the air circulating in the second circuit section 41.2 flows between the outer surface of the motor chamber 19 and the inner surface of the brush body 12 before reaching the through holes 44 provided in the support ring 26. Advantageously, the air circulation cooling circuit 41 is configured such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber 9, the air circulating in the second circuit section 41.2 flows substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis A of the brush body 12.

[0132] The cooling of the bearing 28 and the drive motor 17 by the air circulation cooling circuit 41 is described below.

[0133] Under the operating conditions of the suction head 2 according to the invention, in particular when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber 9, in particular due to the negative pressure generated in each through hole 44 provided in the support ring 26, air is sucked into the air circulation cooling circuit 41 via at least one intake opening 42. The air circulating in the air circulation cooling circuit 41 then flows into the air flow duct 46, where the air ensures the cooling of the bearing support 31 and the inner ring 28.1 of the bearing 28 by heat conduction. Then the air flows through the bearing support 31 and the motor housing support 38 (through at least one through hole and at least one flow channel) and enters the drive motor 17 (via the air inlet opening 49), where the cooling of the rotor and / or stator of the drive motor 17 is ensured by heat conduction. Then, the air is discharged from the drive motor 17 via at least one air outlet opening 50, enters the connection chamber 52 via at least one connection hole, flows towards the support ring 26 through the annular longitudinal channel defined between the motor chamber 19 and the brush body 12, and is discharged from the rotary brush 11 via the through holes 44 and sucked into the suction duct. By flowing through the through holes 44, the air ensures the cooling of the support ring 26 and the outer ring 28.2 of the bearing 28 by heat conduction.

[0134] As Figure 9 shown, the inner wall 32 of the support ring 26 includes a plurality of radially perforated holes 54 distributed around the central axis of the support ring 26. Each radially perforated hole 54 extends radially and opens into a corresponding through hole 44 provided in the support ring 26 and is positioned facing the bearing 28, more specifically facing the outer ring 28.2 of the bearing 28. This configuration of the support ring 26 allows the cooling of the bearing 28 to be further promoted by the air flow through the through holes 44.

[0135] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the described and shown embodiments, which are given only by way of example. Modifications are still possible without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, in particular from the perspective of the constitution of the various elements or by the replacement of technical equivalents.

Claims

1. A suction head (2), comprising: - A body (4), the body including a suction chamber (9) that opens into the lower surface (6) of the body (4), the lower surface being configured to be oriented towards the surface to be cleaned, - A rotary brush (11), the rotary brush including a generally tubular brush body (12) and having a central longitudinal axis (A), the brush body (12) being mounted to be rotatable about a rotation axis that is substantially coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the brush body (12) in the suction chamber (9), - A drive device (16), the drive device being configured to drive the brush body (12) to rotate about the rotation axis, the drive device (16) including a drive motor (17) that is at least partially received in a motor accommodation (21) that is at least partially defined by the brush body (12), - A support ring (26), the support ring being arranged within the brush body (12), the support ring (26) being configured to support the brush body (12) and including a first axial face (26.1) oriented towards the drive motor (17) and a second axial face (26.2) opposite to the first axial face (26.1), - A bearing support (31), the bearing support being fixed relative to the body (4), and - A bearing (28), the bearing being mounted on and supported by the bearing support (31), the support ring (26) being inserted between the bearing (28) and the inner peripheral surface of the brush body (12), characterized in that the support ring (26) includes at least one through hole (44), the at least one through hole opening respectively in the first axial face and the second axial face (26.1, 26.2) of the support ring (26), the suction head (2) being configured such that when the suction head (2) is in a use configuration, an air flow can pass through the at least one through hole (44).

2. The suction head (2) according to claim 1, including an air circulation cooling circuit (41), the air circulation cooling circuit being at least partially defined by the support ring (26) and fluidly connected to the suction chamber (9), the suction head (2) being configured such that when a negative pressure is generated within the suction chamber (9), air is inhaled from the outside of the rotary brush (11) into the air circulation cooling circuit (41) and circulates within the air circulation cooling circuit (41).

3. The suction head (2) according to claim 2, wherein, The air circulation cooling circuit (41) includes at least one intake opening (42) through which air can be inhaled into the air circulation cooling circuit (41), and at least one exhaust opening through which air flowing within the air circulation cooling circuit (41) can be discharged from the air circulation cooling circuit (41), the at least one exhaust opening being formed by at least one through hole (44) provided in the support ring (26).

4. The suction head (2) according to claim 3, wherein, The at least one intake opening (42) is provided on the side wall of the body (4).

5. The suction head (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The at least one intake opening (42) is substantially axially oriented.

6. The suction head (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The air circulation cooling circuit is at least partially defined by the drive motor (17) such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber (9), the air circulating in the air circulation cooling circuit (41) flows into or near the drive motor (17).

7. The suction head (2) according to claim 6, wherein, The air circulation cooling circuit (41) includes: at least one air inlet opening (49) provided in the peripheral wall of the motor housing (22) of the drive motor (17), and when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber (9), the air circulating in the air circulation cooling circuit (41) can enter the drive motor (17) through the at least one air inlet opening; and at least one air outlet opening (50) provided in the end wall of the motor housing (22), and the air that has entered the drive motor (17) through the at least one air inlet opening (49) can flow out of the drive motor (17) through the at least one air outlet opening.

8. The suction head (2) according to claim 7, wherein, The at least one air inlet opening (49) of the motor housing (22) is substantially radially oriented, and the at least one air outlet opening (50) of the motor housing (22) is substantially axially oriented.

9. The suction head (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein, The bearing support (31) defines an air flow duct (46), and the air flow duct partially forms the air circulation cooling circuit (41), and the bearing (28) extends around the air flow duct (46).

10. The suction head (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a motor chamber (19) fixed to the bearing support (31) and at least partially disposed in the motor housing (21), and the drive motor (17) is at least partially arranged in the motor chamber (19).

11. The suction head (2) according to claims 2 and 10, wherein, The air circulation cooling circuit (41) includes a first circuit portion (41.1) partially defined by the drive motor (17) and a second circuit portion (41.2) partially defined by the motor chamber (19) and the brush body (12) and located downstream of the first circuit portion (41.1).

12. The suction head (2) according to claim 11, wherein, The air circulation cooling circuit (41) is configured such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber (9), the air circulating in the air circulation cooling circuit flows away from the support ring (26) and into the first circuit portion (41.1), and flows towards the support ring (26) and into the second circuit portion (41.2).

13. The suction head (2) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The air circulation cooling circuit (41) is configured such that when a negative pressure is generated in the suction chamber (9), the air circulating in the first circuit portion (41.1) at least partially flows inside the drive motor (17), and the air circulating in the second circuit portion (42.2) at least partially flows between the motor chamber (19) and the brush body (12).

14. The suction head (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, The support ring (26) is rotationally integral with the brush body (12), and at least one through hole (44) provided in the support ring (26) is at least partially defined by at least one flow guiding wall (45) that is inclined with respect to the central axis of the support ring (26) and is configured to generate a negative pressure in the at least one through hole (44) when the drive motor (17) operates and drives the rotary brush (11) to rotate.

15. The suction head (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, The support ring (26) is rotationally integral with the brush body (12), the support ring (26) forms a turbine provided with flow guiding fins distributed around the central axis of the support ring (26), each pair of adjacent flow guiding fins partially defines a corresponding through hole (44), and the support ring (26) forming the turbine is configured to generate a negative pressure in at least one through hole (44) when the drive motor (17) operates and drives the rotary brush (11) to rotate.

16. The suction head (2) according to claim 15, wherein, Each flow guiding fin has an axial dimension and a radial dimension smaller than the corresponding axial dimension.

17. The suction head (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein, The support ring (26) includes an inner wall (32) that is generally cylindrical, extends around the bearing (28), and contacts the bearing. The inner wall (32) of the support ring (26) includes at least one radial perforation (54) that extends radially, opens into at least one through hole (44) provided in the support ring (26), and is positioned facing the bearing (28).

18. The suction head (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising fixing means configured to fix the bearing (28) to the support ring (26).

19. The suction head (2) according to claim 18, wherein, The fixing means includes at least one fixing lug (34) capable of elastic deformation, which is provided on the support ring (26), and the at least one fixing lug (34) is configured to cooperate with the bearing (28) so as to fix the bearing (28) to the support ring (26).

20. The suction head (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein, The bearing (28) is a rolling bearing and includes an inner ring (28.1) fixed to and extending around the bearing support (31) and an outer ring (28.2) fixed to the support ring (26), and the support ring (26) extends around the outer ring (28.2) of the bearing (28).

21. The suction head (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein, The drive motor (17) is eccentric with respect to the intermediate vertical plane of the suction head (2) and is arranged between the intermediate vertical plane of the suction head (2) and the support ring (26).

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