Vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a rear seal member defining a lateral passageway

Abstract

The cleaner nozzle (2) comprises a floor (5) comprising a suction opening (7) opening into a lower surface of the floor (5), the lower surface comprising a front sliding surface (16) located forward of the suction opening (7), the cleaner nozzle (2) being configured such that, when the floor (5) rests on a surface to be cleaned, the front sliding surface (16) extends forward away from the surface to be cleaned, a rear sealing member (21) located rearward of the suction opening (7), and two rear wheels (18) located rearward of the rear sealing member (21). The rear sealing member (21) delimits two lateral passages (26) fluidically connected to the suction opening (7) and located on either side of the rear sealing member (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners, which allow the suction of dust and waste present on a surface to be cleaned, such as a tile floor, floorboard, laminate, carpet, or rug. Background Technology

[0002] Vacuum cleaners equipped with suction nozzles, also known as suction heads, are well-known in the market. These vacuum cleaners allow surfaces to be cleaned by suction to remove dust and debris that has fallen onto the surface. Surfaces to be vacuumed can be, for example, tiled floors, wood floors, laminate floors, carpets, or rugs.

[0003] Knownly, a vacuum cleaner nozzle includes a base plate equipped with a lower surface configured to be oriented toward a surface to be cleaned and a suction port leading to the lower surface of the base plate, the lower surface of the base plate including a front sliding surface and a rear sliding surface located on both sides of the suction port.

[0004] The front sliding surface is more specifically configured to guide waste (such as rice grains or lentils) encountered by the base plate as the vacuum cleaner nozzle moves forward toward the suction port, while the rear sliding surface is more specifically configured to guide waste (such as rice grains or lentils) encountered by the base plate as the vacuum cleaner nozzle moves backward toward the suction port.

[0005] In order to guide the waste encountered by the base plate toward the suction port, each of the front and rear sliding surfaces is typically flat and is inclined or rounded relative to the horizontal plane when the vacuum cleaner nozzle rests on the horizontal surface, such that the distance between the sliding surface and the surface to be cleaned gradually decreases toward the suction port.

[0006] While this construction of the front and rear sliding surfaces ensures that the vacuum cleaner nozzle can easily pass through waste (such as rice grains or lentils), the seal between the front sliding surface and the surface to be cleaned, or between the rear sliding surface and the surface to be cleaned, may prove inadequate when the vacuum cleaner nozzle moves forward or backward on a hard surface, especially when the vacuum cleaner nozzle moves on a hard surface. This can impair the suction performance of the vacuum cleaner nozzle on hard surfaces, or even on grooved surfaces (such as a floor made of wood planks with longitudinal grooves between the planks).

[0007] To overcome this drawback, it is conceivable that the lower surface of the base plate is equipped with a rear sealing member, which is located behind the rear sliding surface and configured to mate with the surface to be cleaned.

[0008] However, when a vacuum cleaner nozzle equipped with such a rear seal is moved backward and displaced on a hard surface, some of the waste encountered by the nozzle is subsequently pushed away by the rear seal instead of being sucked up by the suction port. Therefore, the presence of the aforementioned rear seal impairs the cleaning performance of the vacuum cleaner nozzle on hard surfaces. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention aims to overcome all or part of these disadvantages.

[0010] The technical problem upon which this invention is based is particularly to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle that has a simple and reliable structure, while providing enhanced cleaning performance regardless of the type of floor to be cleaned.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle, comprising: - A base plate, the base plate including a lower surface configured to be oriented toward a surface to be cleaned and a suction port leading to the lower surface of the base plate, the lower surface of the base plate including a front sliding surface located in front of the suction port, the vacuum cleaner nozzle being configured such that when the base plate is placed on the surface to be cleaned, the front sliding surface extends away from the surface to be cleaned and toward the front of the vacuum cleaner nozzle; - A rear sealing member, located behind the suction port and extending transversely to, for example perpendicularly to, the central longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, the rear sealing member projecting from the lower surface of the base plate and including a deformable portion configured to mate with the surface to be cleaned; and - Two rear wheels, located behind the rear sealing member and used for rolling on the surface to be cleaned, the two rear wheels are mounted to be rotatable about a wheel axis that extends transversely to, for example perpendicularly to, the intermediate longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle; The rear sealing member at least partially defines two lateral passages that are fluidly connected to the suction port and are located on both sides of the rear sealing member.

[0012] In other words, each of the lateral passages is at least partially defined by the corresponding outer edge of the rear sealing member.

[0013] This construction of the vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention, and in particular the presence of the front sliding surface, allows waste (e.g., rice grains or lentils) encountered by the base plate as the vacuum cleaner nozzle moves forward to be guided toward the suction port. If large waste is not sucked up by the suction port, it is subsequently blocked by the rear sealing member and sucked up during the subsequent rearward movement of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

[0014] The construction of the vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention, and in particular the specific construction of the rear sealing member, allows waste encountered by the base plate when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is displaced rearward to be removed by the suction port via the suction port disposed on each side of the rear sealing member, while limiting the effect on the seal, especially the rear seal, i.e. the seal between the base plate and the surface to be cleaned.

[0015] Therefore, these configurations endow the vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention with increased suction performance whether moving forward or backward, and regardless of the type of floor to be cleaned.

[0016] The vacuum cleaner nozzle may also have one or more of the following features, which may be used individually or in combination.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the deformable portion is elastically deformable or flexible.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner nozzle is configured such that when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is placed on a smooth surface, the rear sealing member contacts the smooth surface.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member is configured to elastically deform and, for example, flex upon contact with the surface to be cleaned as the vacuum cleaner nozzle is displaced on the surface to be cleaned.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the two rear wheels are located behind the rear edge of the base plate.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lateral passage has a cumulative width measured along a measurement direction perpendicular to the intermediate longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The cumulative width represents at least 25% of the length of the suction port measured along the measurement direction, and at most 60% of the length of the suction port, and, for example, at most 50% of the length of the suction port. This configuration of the lateral passage ensures optimal passage of waste toward the suction port when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is rearward, while limiting the impact on the seal, particularly the rear seal, i.e., the seal between the suction port and the surface to be cleaned.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member is positioned at least partially facing (i.e., oriented towards) the rolling surface of each of the rear wheels. Therefore, any waste not sucked up by the suction port and theoretically in the path of the rear wheels as the vacuum cleaner nozzle moves forward is blocked by the rear sealing member and is unlikely to be crushed by the rear wheels. Thus, the specific construction of the rear sealing member limits the risk of blockage on the rear wheels.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member extends at least 50% of the width of the rolling surface of each of the rear wheels, and for example extends the entire width of the rolling surface of each of the rear wheels.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the rear wheels includes an intermediate longitudinal plane intersecting the rear sealing member.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member includes: a first end portion extending laterally beyond the outer surface of one of the two rear wheels, and for example, beyond a first plane encompassing the outer surface of one of the two rear wheels; and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, extending beyond the outer surface of the other of the two rear wheels, and for example, beyond a second plane encompassing the outer surface of the other of the two rear wheels. In other words, the outer edges of the rear sealing member are each located outside the outer surface of the rear wheel. These arrangements further limit the risk of rear wheel clogging.

[0026] In this document, "outer surface of the rear wheel" is defined as the surface facing the outside of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, i.e., the surface opposite to the central longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two lateral passages are laterally offset relative to the two rear wheels.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member has a length measured along a measuring direction perpendicular to the intermediate longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, the length being greater than the distance between the two rear wheels, and for example greater than the distance between the intermediate longitudinal planes of the two rear wheels.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member has a length that is measured along a measuring direction perpendicular to the intermediate longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and the length is less than the length of the suction port measured along the measuring direction.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member does not have a passage opening facing the rear wheel positioning. These features further limit the risk of rear wheel blockage.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front sliding surface is configured to guide waste (e.g., rice grains or lentils) encountered by the base plate as the vacuum cleaner nozzle moves forward toward the suction port.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front sliding surface has a front edge and a rear edge, the front edge and the rear edge being offset relative to each other along the main displacement direction of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is placed on a horizontal surface, the front edge of the front sliding surface is raised relative to the rear edge of the front sliding surface.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front sliding surface is convex and curves from the rear edge of the front sliding surface toward the front edge of the front sliding surface.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front sliding surface extends from the front edge of the suction port. Therefore, the rear edge of the front sliding surface is formed by the front edge of the suction port.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a front scraping edge is formed at the junction between the rear edge of the front sliding surface and the front edge of the suction port.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front sliding surface extends to the front edge of the base plate.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower surface of the base plate includes a rear sliding surface located behind the suction port. Advantageously, the rear sliding surface extends from the rear edge of the suction port.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sliding surface is flat and slopes backward and upward.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is placed on a horizontal surface, the rear sliding surface is tilted relative to the horizontal surface at an angle between 6° and 30°.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sliding surface extends over the entire length of the suction port and extends, for example, from the first lateral edge of the base plate to the second lateral edge of the base plate.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rear sealing member is disposed on the rear sliding surface or behind the rear sliding surface.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing member extends continuously or discontinuously between its two opposite ends.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member has a height between 5 mm and 10 mm.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member includes, for example, a rigid, for example, detachably fixed portion to the base plate, and the deformable portion extends from the fixed portion.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the deformable portion is formed of a plurality of bristles or of woven or non-woven entangled or clustered fibers.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing portion is, for example, detachably fixed in a fixing groove, the fixing groove being disposed on the lower surface of the base plate.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member is a rear brush, and in particular a rear brush bristle.

[0048] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the bristles of the rear brush are configured to interact with the surface to be cleaned as the vacuum cleaner nozzle is displaced on the surface to be cleaned.

[0049] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the rear sealing member is a rear soft sheet formed of a flexible material.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member and the rear edge of the suction port are spaced apart from each other by a distance between 5 mm and 20 mm, advantageously between 5 mm and 15 mm, for example, about 9 mm. This arrangement of the rear sealing member ensures effective suction of waste encountered by the base plate as the vacuum cleaner nozzle moves backward, while preventing some waste (e.g., rice grains) from getting stuck between the rear edge of the suction port and the rear sealing member. In fact, positioning the rear sealing member too close to the rear edge of the suction port may cause excessive lifting of the rear portion of the base plate, thus impairing the suction performance of the vacuum cleaner nozzle, and positioning the rear sealing member too far from the rear edge of the suction port may cause some waste to get stuck between the rear edge of the suction port and the rear sealing member.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two lateral passages are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle. This arrangement of the two lateral passages limits turbulence within the suction port and thus limits pressure head loss.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member generally has a V-shape, the V-shape having a top oriented toward the rear of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rear sealing member includes: a first branch, the first branch being elongated and extending along a first extending direction; and a second branch, the second branch being elongated and extending along a second extending direction.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second extending directions are tilted relative to each other at an angle between 156° and 175°.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second extension directions is inclined at an angle of less than 15°, for example less than 12°, advantageously between 5° and 12°, relative to the extension direction of the suction port.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second branches are separate and spaced apart from each other, and the inner edges of the first and second branches at least partially define a central passage that is fluidly connected to the suction port.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member extends along the rear edge of the suction port.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first end of the rear sealing member is located at a certain distance from the first lateral edge of the base plate, and the second end of the rear sealing member is located at a certain distance from the second lateral edge of the base plate.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member is straight.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sealing member is fixed relative to the nozzle body.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction port is elongated and extends along the extension direction.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the extending direction is substantially perpendicular to the intermediate longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member extends substantially parallel to the extension direction of the suction port.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front edge and the rear edge of the front sliding surface are substantially parallel to each other. Advantageously, the front edge and the rear edge of the front sliding surface extend substantially parallel to the extending direction of the suction port.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member includes a lower surface that is upward and backward tilted when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is placed on a horizontal surface.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cleaner nozzle includes a connecting sleeve, the vacuum cleaner suction tube is fixed to the connecting sleeve, and the connecting sleeve is fluidly connected to the suction port.

[0067] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the rear sealing member defines a single first lateral passage and a single second lateral passage.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the invention, the base plate defines a suction chamber fluidly connected to the suction port, and the vacuum cleaner nozzle includes a rotating cleaning brush housed in the suction chamber and mounted to be rotatable about a brush rotation axis.

[0069] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the two rear wheels are disposed on both sides of the central longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

[0070] The present invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner, such as a sled vacuum cleaner, including a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0071] The objects, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, and from the following description of several embodiments of the invention, shown by way of non-limiting example, in which: Figure 1 This is a perspective top view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A 3D top view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle along a plane perpendicular to the center longitudinal plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A bottom view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle; Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle along a section that coincides with the longitudinal plane of the middle of the vacuum cleaner nozzle. Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A 3D bottom view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Detailed Implementation

[0072] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. For ease of reading the drawings, the same elements in each figure are represented by the same reference numerals.

[0073] It should be noted that in this document, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “lower,” and “upper” used to describe a vacuum cleaner nozzle or body refer to the use of the vacuum cleaner nozzle when it is resting on a flat and level surface to be cleaned via its wheels.

[0074] It will be noted that in this document, the term “lateral extension” means “extending horizontally”, and in particular includes expressions such as “extending at an angle to” and “extending perpendicular to”.

[0075] In this document, the terms “front” and “back” are defined relative to the main displacement direction of the cleaner nozzle.

[0076] In this document, the "intermediate longitudinal plane" can be understood as a vertical plane that divides the component it involves (such as a vacuum cleaner nozzle or rear wheel) into a left and right section.

[0077] In this document, the sealing component can be understood as any component, such as a brush or bristles, a flexible material scraper, or a soft sheet, that comes into contact with the floor as the vacuum cleaner nozzle passes over the floor to be cleaned to enhance the seal between the nozzle and the floor and to facilitate cleaning. The brush bristles are made of flexible bristles with a fixed first end and a free second end. The flexible material scraper may be partially made of woven or non-woven fibers that are intertwined or formed into clumps. The soft sheet may be made of an elastomeric material.

[0078] Figures 1 to 6 A vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 is shown, which includes a connecting sleeve 3 for connecting a rigid or flexible suction tube to which the suction tube itself is connected to the suction system of a vacuum cleaner (not shown). Various variations of vacuum cleaners are already available on the market and can be used with the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 according to the invention; these variations are known to those skilled in the art and are not described in detail in this patent application.

[0079] The vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 includes a body 4 configured to displace on the surface to be cleaned. A connecting sleeve 3 is advantageously mounted to be pivotally connected relative to the body 4, so as to allow the connecting sleeve 3 to pivot forward and backward as the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 displaces along the main displacement direction D1.

[0080] The main body 4 includes a base plate 5, which is equipped with a lower surface 6 configured to be oriented toward the surface to be cleaned and a suction port 7 leading to the lower surface 6 of the base plate 5. The suction port 7 may, for example, have an elongated shape and extend along an extension direction D2, which is perpendicular to the main displacement direction D1 of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 and is also perpendicular to the intermediate longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2.

[0081] The main body 4 also includes a suction chamber 8, which extends via a suction port 7 to the lower surface 6 of the base plate 5, and the suction chamber 8 is fluidly connected to the connecting sleeve 3, particularly by means of a suction conduit 9, which may be formed, for example, at least partially, by a flexible connecting conduit. Advantageously, the suction conduit 9 extends to the rear of the suction chamber 8.

[0082] The vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 also includes a rotating cleaning brush 11, which is mounted to rotate and move within the suction chamber 8 about a brush rotation axis that extends substantially parallel to the extension direction D2 of the suction port 7.

[0083] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the rotating cleaning brush 11 includes a plurality of bristle rows 12, such as two bristle rows, and a plurality of cleaning blades 13, such as two cleaning blades, which are elastically deformable or rigid. Advantageously, the bristle rows 12 and cleaning blades 13 alternate around the periphery of the rotating cleaning brush 11. However, according to a variation of the invention, the rotating cleaning brush 11 may include a single bristle row 12 and a single cleaning blade 13, or may not have bristle rows 12 or cleaning blades 13.

[0084] The vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 also includes a rotary drive mechanism 14 (see Figure 3 The rotary drive device 14 is configured to drive the rotary cleaning brush 11 to rotate around the brush rotation axis at a rotational speed, for example, between 2000 rpm and 8000 rpm.

[0085] The rotary drive unit 14 more specifically includes a drive motor 15, preferably electrically powered, which is rotatably coupled to the rotary cleaning brush 11. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive motor 15 includes an output shaft that is substantially collinear with the axis of rotation of the brush, and the drive motor 15 is housed within the rotary cleaning brush 11.

[0086] In one embodiment of the invention, the drive motor 15 may be disposed in the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 outside the rotating cleaning brush 11. According to this embodiment, the output shaft of the drive motor 15 may be coupled to the rotating cleaning brush 11, for example, via a gear chain or via a slotted belt.

[0087] More specifically, Figure 6 As shown, the lower surface 6 of the base plate 5 includes a front sliding surface 16 located in front of the suction port 7 and a rear sliding surface 17 located behind the suction port 7. Advantageously, the front sliding surface 16 extends from the front edge 7.1 of the suction port 7 toward the front edge of the base plate 5 (and extends, for example, to the front edge of the base plate 5), and the rear sliding surface 17 extends from the rear edge 7.2 of the suction port 7 toward the rear edge of the base plate 5.

[0088] The front sliding surface 16 is more specifically configured to guide waste (e.g., rice grains or lentils) encountered by the base plate 5 as the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 moves forward toward the suction port 7, while the rear sliding surface 17 is more specifically configured to guide waste (e.g., rice grains or lentils) encountered by the base plate 5 as the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 moves backward toward the suction port 7.

[0089] Advantageously, the front sliding surface 16 extends substantially the entire length of the suction port 7 and, for example, extends from the first lateral edge of the base plate 5 to the second lateral edge of the base plate 5 opposite to the first lateral edge. Similarly, the rear sliding surface 17 extends substantially the entire length of the suction port 7 and, for example, extends from the first lateral edge of the base plate 5 to the second lateral edge of the base plate 5.

[0090] According to an embodiment of the invention, the rear sliding surface 17 is flat and tilted relative to the horizontal surface at an angle, for example, between 6° and 30°, when the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 rests on the horizontal surface. More specifically, the rear sliding surface 17 is tilted rearward and upward.

[0091] The vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 is configured such that when the base plate 5 is placed on the surface to be cleaned, the front sliding surface 16 extends away from the surface to be cleaned and toward the front of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2.

[0092] More specifically, the front sliding surface 16 has a front edge 16.1 and a rear edge 16.2, which are parallel to each other and extend parallel to the extending direction D2 of the suction port 7. Advantageously, the rear edge 16.2 of the front sliding surface 16 is formed by the front edge 7.1 of the suction port 7, and a front scraping edge is formed at the junction between the rear edge of the front sliding surface 16 and the front edge 7.1 of the suction port 7.

[0093] The front edge 16.1 and rear edge 16.2 of the front sliding surface 16 are offset relative to each other along the main displacement direction D1 of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 by a separation distance, for example, between 15 mm and 40 mm.

[0094] Furthermore, when the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 is placed on a horizontal surface, the front edge 16.1 of the front sliding surface 16 is raised relative to the rear edge 16.2 of the front sliding surface 16, and the front edge 16.1 and the rear edge 16.2 of the front sliding surface 16 are vertically offset relative to each other by an offset distance of, for example, greater than 3 mm and advantageously less than or equal to 10 mm.

[0095] Advantageously, the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 is configured such that when the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 is placed on a horizontal surface, the rear edge 16.2 of the front sliding surface 16 is located at a predetermined distance from the horizontal surface, the predetermined distance being between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

[0096] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the front sliding surface 16 is convex and curves from the rear edge 16.2 of the front sliding surface 16 toward the front edge 16.1 of the front sliding surface 16. The front sliding surface 16 has, for example, a radius of curvature between 30 mm and 120 mm.

[0097] The vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 also includes two rear wheels 18, which are located behind the rear edge of the base plate 5 and are used to roll on the surface to be cleaned. The two rear wheels 18 are preferably symmetrically arranged on both sides of the central longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2.

[0098] More specifically, the two rear wheels 18 are mounted so that they can rotate and move on the body 4 about a wheel axis that extends transversely to and, for example, perpendicularly to the central longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2.

[0099] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 includes additional wheels 19 mounted to be freely rotatable relative to the body 4, and two additional wheels 19 disposed, for example, in front of the suction port 7. Advantageously, the rear wheel 18 and the additional wheels 19 ensure a minimum gap between the ground on which the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 rests and the rear edge 16.2 of the front sliding surface 16, which is advantageously between 0.5 and 2 mm.

[0100] The vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 also includes a rear sealing member 21, which is located behind the suction port 7 and extends laterally and, for example, perpendicularly to the central longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2.

[0101] The rear sealing member 21 is configured to contact the surface to be cleaned when the base plate 5 rests on the surface to be cleaned. Advantageously, the rear sealing member 21 is configured to elastically deform and, for example, flex when in contact with the surface to be cleaned as the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 is displaced on the surface to be cleaned.

[0102] More specifically, the rear sealing member 21 protrudes from the lower surface 6 of the base plate 5 by a distance greater than 1 mm, for example, greater than or equal to 2 mm.

[0103] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the rear sealing member 21 is straight and extends continuously between its two opposite ends. Advantageously, the rear sealing member 21 extends along the rear edge 7.2 of the suction port 7 and parallel to the extending direction D2 of the suction port 7.

[0104] The rear edge 7.2 of the rear sealing member 21 and the suction port 7 can be spaced apart from each other by a distance between 5 mm and 15 mm, for example, about 9 mm.

[0105] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the rear sealing member 21 is disposed on the rear sliding surface 17. However, according to a variation of the invention, the rear sealing member 21 may be located behind the rear sliding surface 17.

[0106] The rear sealing member 21 includes, for example, a fixed portion 22 rigidly fixed to the base plate 5, and a deformable portion 23 extending from the fixed portion 22. The fixed portion 22 may, for example, be fixed, or if necessary, detachably fixed in a fixing groove provided on the lower surface 6 of the base plate 5.

[0107] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the deformable portion 23 is formed of a plurality of bristles or bristle clusters, and the rear sealing member 21 thus forms a rear brush capable of rubbing against the ground. However, according to a variation of the invention, the rear sealing member 21 may be a soft sheet formed of a flexible material, such as an elastomer.

[0108] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the rear sealing member 21 includes a lower surface that is inclined upward and backward when the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 rests on a horizontal surface. However, according to a variation of the invention, the lower surface of the rear sealing member 21 may extend substantially horizontally when the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0109] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the rear sealing member 21 is positioned at least partially facing, i.e., facing the rolling surface 24 of each of the rear wheels 18. Advantageously, each of the rear wheels 18 includes an intermediate longitudinal plane P1 that intersects with the rear sealing member 21.

[0110] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the rear sealing member 21 includes: a first end portion 21.1 that extends laterally beyond the outer surface 25 of one of the two rear wheels 18, and for example beyond a first plane containing the outer surface 25 of one of the two rear wheels 18; and a second end portion 21.2 opposite to the first end portion 21.1 that extends beyond the outer surface 25 of the other of the two rear wheels, and for example beyond a second plane containing the outer surface 25 of the other of the two rear wheels 18. In other words, the outer edges of the rear sealing member 21 are each laterally located outside the outer surface of the rear wheel 18.

[0111] The rear sealing member 21 has a length that is measured along a measuring direction perpendicular to the middle longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2. This length is greater than the distance between the two rear wheels 18, and for example greater than the distance between the middle longitudinal plane P1 of the two rear wheels 18, and is less than the length of the suction port 7 measured along the measuring direction.

[0112] like Figure 6 As shown, the rear sealing member 21 at least partially defines two lateral passages 26 that are fluidly connected to the suction port 7, and these two lateral passages 26 are located on both sides of the rear sealing member 21. Advantageously, the two lateral passages 26 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the central longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2. More specifically, the two lateral passages 26 are laterally offset outward with respect to the two rear wheels 18.

[0113] Advantageously, the lateral passage 26 has a cumulative width that is measured along a measurement direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal plane P of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2. This cumulative width represents at least 25% of the length of the suction port 7 measured along the measurement direction, and at most 60% of the length of the suction port 7, and at most 50% of the length of the suction port 7, for example.

[0114] The specific construction of the rear sealing member 21, and in particular the presence of the two lateral passages 26, allows waste encountered by the base plate 5 as it moves backward from the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2 to pass through the suction port 7 via each side of the rear sealing member 21, while limiting the impact on the seal, especially the rear seal, i.e. the seal between the base plate 5 and the surface to be cleaned.

[0115] According to one embodiment of the invention, which is not shown in the figure, the rear sealing member 21 may extend discontinuously between its two opposite ends.

[0116] According to another embodiment of the invention not shown in the figure, the rear sealing member 21 may have a generally V-shaped shape with a top oriented toward the rear of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 2.

[0117] According to this embodiment of the invention, the rear sealing member 21 includes: a first branch, which is elongated and extends along a first extending direction; and a second branch, which is elongated and extends along a second extending direction. More specifically, the first and second extending directions are inclined relative to each other at an angle, for example, between 156° and 175°.

[0118] Each of the first and second extension directions may, for example, be tilted at an angle of less than 12° relative to the extension direction D2 of the suction port 7, advantageously between 5° and 12°.

[0119] The first and second branches may be, for example, separate and spaced apart from each other, so as to at least partially define the central passage through which the fluid is connected to the suction port.

[0120] Of course, the present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described and illustrated as examples only. Modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of protection of the invention, especially in terms of the composition of various elements or by substitution with technical equivalents.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (2), comprising: - A base plate (5), the base plate (5) including a lower surface (6) configured to be oriented toward the surface to be cleaned and a suction port (7) leading to the lower surface (6) of the base plate (5), the lower surface (6) of the base plate (5) including a front sliding surface (16) located in front of the suction port (7), the vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) being configured such that when the base plate (5) is placed on the surface to be cleaned, the front sliding surface (16) extends away from the surface to be cleaned and toward the front of the vacuum cleaner nozzle (2); - A rear sealing member (21) is located behind the suction port (7) and extends laterally to the middle longitudinal plane (P) of the vacuum cleaner nozzle (2). The rear sealing member (21) protrudes from the lower surface (6) of the base plate (5) and includes a deformable portion (23) configured to engage with the surface to be cleaned. as well as - Two rear wheels (18) located behind the rear sealing member (21) and for rolling on the surface to be cleaned, the two rear wheels (18) being mounted to be rotatable about a wheel axis that extends transversely to the intermediate longitudinal plane (P) of the vacuum cleaner nozzle (2); The rear sealing member (21) at least partially defines two lateral passages (26) that are fluidly connected to the suction port (7) and are located on both sides of the rear sealing member (21).

2. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The lateral passage (26) has a cumulative width that is measured along a measurement direction extending perpendicular to the intermediate longitudinal plane (P) of the vacuum cleaner nozzle (2), and the cumulative width represents at least 25% of the length of the suction port (7) measured along the measurement direction and at most 60% of the length of the suction port (7).

3. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The rear sealing member (21) is positioned at least partially on the rolling surface of each of the rear wheels (18).

4. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Each of the rear wheels (18) includes an intermediate longitudinal plane that intersects with the rear sealing member (21).

5. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The rear sealing member (21) includes: a first end (21.1) that extends laterally beyond the outer surface (25) of one of the two rear wheels (18); and a second end (21.2) that is opposite to the first end (21.1) and extends beyond the outer surface (25) of the other of the two rear wheels (18).

6. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The two lateral passages (26) are laterally offset relative to the two rear wheels (18).

7. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The rear sealing member (21) has a length that is measured along a measuring direction extending perpendicular to the intermediate longitudinal plane (P) of the vacuum cleaner nozzle (2), and the length is greater than the distance between the two rear wheels (18).

8. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The rear sealing member (21) has a length that is measured along a measuring direction perpendicular to the intermediate longitudinal plane (P) of the vacuum cleaner nozzle (2), and the length is less than the length of the suction port (7) measured along the measuring direction.

9. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The lower surface (6) of the base plate (5) includes a rear sliding surface (17) located behind the suction port (7).

10. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The base plate (5) defines a suction chamber (8) which is fluidly connected to the suction port (7). The vacuum cleaner nozzle (2) includes a rotating cleaning brush (11) which is housed in the suction chamber (8) and mounted to be rotatable about a brush rotation axis.

Images