Sled type suction assembly

Abstract

A sleigh-type suction assembly comprising: a vacuum cleaner housing (3); a suction unit (9); a first main wheel and a second main wheel rotatably and movably mounted with respect to the cleaner housing (3); a rechargeable battery (21) configured to supply power to a motor of the suction unit, the rechargeable battery (21) being provided in a battery accommodation portion (22) located in a lower portion of the cleaner case (3); an access flap (26) pivotally mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing (3) between a closed position in which the access flap (26) closes an access opening (25) of the vacuum cleaner housing (3) and prevents the rechargeable battery (21) from being removed from the battery housing (22), and an open position in which the access flap (26) closes the access opening (25) of the vacuum cleaner housing (3); in the open position, the access flap (26) releases the access opening and permits removal of the rechargeable battery (21) from the battery housing (22). The suction assembly (1) comprises an additional wheel (38) mounted on the access flap (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present utility model more specifically relates to a sled - type household vacuum cleaner, which allows for the suction of small - sized dust and waste present on a surface to be cleaned, which can be, for example, a tiled floor, a floorboard, a laminate, a rug, or a carpet.

[0002] In this specification, a sled - type vacuum cleaner or suction assembly refers to a vacuum cleaner or suction assembly that can be displaced by rolling on the ground, for example, by means of wheels or casters when the vacuum cleaner is in use. In a sled - type vacuum cleaner, the suction nozzle is connected to the suction assembly through a suction tube including a rigid part and a flexible part. During a cleaning operation, the user of the sled - type vacuum cleaner holds the suction nozzle by means of a handle disposed on the rigid part of the suction tube or integral with the suction tube. The sled - type vacuum cleaner is typically pulled by the user through the handle and the flexible part of the suction tube, and this displacement mode gives rise to the name "sled - type vacuum cleaner". The name of the sled - type vacuum cleaner or sled - type suction assembly also includes a vacuum cleaner with electric wheels or casters and capable of tracking the displacement of the suction nozzle, the handle, or the user. Background Art

[0003] Document EP3424391 discloses a sled - type suction assembly, which includes: a vacuum cleaner housing; a pneumatic circuit; a suction unit disposed on the pneumatic circuit, the suction unit including an electric motor and a ventilator coupled to the electric motor to generate an air flow in the pneumatic circuit; a first main wheel and a second main wheel, the first main wheel and the second main wheel being rotatably movably mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing, and the first main wheel and the second main wheel being disposed on both sides of the vacuum cleaner housing; a rechargeable battery configured to supply power to the electric motor, the rechargeable battery being disposed in a battery accommodation portion, the battery accommodation portion being at least partially defined by the vacuum cleaner housing, and the battery accommodation portion being located in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing, the rechargeable battery being removable and configured to be removed from the battery accommodation portion and configured to be introduced into the battery accommodation portion through an access opening, the access opening being disposed in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing and leading to the battery accommodation portion; an access flap, the access flap being pivotally mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing about a flap pivot axis, the access flap being displaceable between a closed position and an open position, in the closed position, the access flap at least partially closes the access opening and prevents the rechargeable battery from being removed from the battery accommodation portion, in the open position, the access flap releases the access opening and permits the rechargeable battery to be removed from the battery accommodation portion; and a rear wheel, the rear wheel being disposed between the first main wheel and the second main wheel, and the rear wheel being configured to roll on the ground.

[0004] This configuration of the suction assembly, more specifically the positioning of the rechargeable battery in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing, allows for a reduction in the center of gravity of the suction assembly and thus an improvement in the stability of the suction housing.

[0005] In addition, the presence of the rear wheels allows for further improvement of the stability of the suction assembly.

[0006] However, since the rear wheels are rotatably mounted on a rear wheel support fixed to the lower surface of the vacuum cleaner housing, it is necessary to provide for the removal of the rechargeable battery towards the rear of the suction assembly through an access flap and an access opening located above the rear wheel support, which does not allow the rechargeable battery to be positioned as close to the ground as possible when the first and second main wheels are resting on the ground. SUMMARY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0007] The present utility model aims to overcome these drawbacks.

[0008] The technical problem on which the present utility model is based lies in particular in providing a suction assembly with improved stability.

[0009] To this end, the present utility model relates to a sled-type suction assembly, which comprises:

[0010] - a vacuum cleaner housing;

[0011] - a suction end piece through which external air can be sucked into the suction assembly, and which is provided on the front part of the suction assembly;

[0012] - at least one exhaust hole through which the air cleaned by the suction assembly can leave the suction assembly;

[0013] - a pneumatic circuit which extends between the suction end piece and the at least one exhaust hole;

[0014] - a suction unit provided on the pneumatic circuit, the suction unit comprising an electric motor and a ventilator coupled to the electric motor to generate an air flow in the pneumatic circuit;

[0015] - a first main wheel and a second main wheel, the first main wheel and the second main wheel being rotatably movably mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing, and the first main wheel and the second main wheel being provided on both sides of the vacuum cleaner housing;

[0016] - a rechargeable battery configured to supply power to the electric motor, the rechargeable battery being provided in a battery accommodation part which is at least partially defined by the vacuum cleaner housing, and the battery accommodation part being located in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing, the rechargeable battery being removable and configured to be removed from the battery accommodation part and configured to be introduced into the battery accommodation part through an access opening provided in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing and leading to the battery accommodation part; and

[0017] - An access valve, which is pivotally mounted about a valve pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the access valve at least partially closes the access opening and prevents the rechargeable battery from being removed from the battery receiving portion; in the open position, the access valve releases the access opening and permits the rechargeable battery to be removed from the battery receiving portion.

[0018] The suction assembly includes an additional wheel mounted on the access valve, and the additional wheel is configured to roll on the ground when the access valve occupies the closed position.

[0019] This positioning of the additional wheel on the access valve allows the position of the access valve to be lowered. Therefore, the positioning of the additional wheel on the access valve allows the rechargeable battery to be positioned as close to the ground as possible, and thus further lowers the center of gravity of the suction assembly, which imparts to the suction assembly according to the present utility model an improved stability compared to the suction assemblies of the prior art.

[0020] The suction assembly may also have one or more of the following features, which are used alone or in combination.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the present utility model, the additional wheel is the rear wheel of the suction assembly.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the center of gravity of the suction assembly is substantially located within the middle vertical longitudinal plane of the suction assembly. This setting of the center of gravity allows for further improvement in the stability of the suction assembly.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the additional wheel is at least partially located below the rechargeable battery, particularly at least partially below the rear of the rechargeable battery. This setting allows for further improvement in the stability of the suction assembly.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, when the first main wheel and the second main wheel are resting on a horizontal surface, the valve pivot axis is substantially horizontal.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the access valve is pivotally mounted on the vacuum cleaner housing, and is advantageously mounted on the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, when the first main wheel and the second main wheel are resting on a horizontal surface, the access opening is oriented towards the horizontal surface. This configuration of the access opening allows the rechargeable battery to be removed through the bottom of the suction assembly, and thus optimizes the position of the rechargeable battery.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the valve pivot axis is located behind the rotational axes of the first main wheel and the second main wheel.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the valve pivot axis is located at the rear of the rechargeable battery.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, when the first main wheel and the second main wheel are resting on a horizontal surface, the distance between the valve pivot axis and the horizontal surface is less than the distance between the rotation axes of the first main wheel and the second main wheel and the horizontal surface.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, when the first main wheel, the second main wheel and the additional wheel are resting on a horizontal surface, the rotation axis of the additional wheel is closer to the horizontal surface than the valve pivot axis.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the rechargeable battery is disposed below the suction unit, and the center of gravity of the sub-assembly including the rechargeable battery and the suction unit is located within a vertical plane that is behind and at a certain distance from the rotation axes of the first main wheel and the second main wheel. The rechargeable battery and the suction unit are part of the heaviest functional elements in the suction assembly. These arrangements allow ensuring that the center of gravity of the suction assembly remains behind the rotation axes of the first main wheel and the second main wheel, even though there are mass changes caused by filling or emptying the waste collection area of the suction assembly. These arrangements allow the suction assembly to preferably rest against the ground through its first main wheel, second main wheel and additional wheel and avoid the suction assembly from swaying too frequently from back to front due to changes in acceleration, for example, during longitudinal displacement of the suction assembly, especially during forward displacement.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the suction assembly includes a wheel support member that is pivotally mounted on the access valve about a hinge axis, and the additional wheel is rotatably movably mounted relative to the wheel support member about a rotation axis that is transverse to, for example, substantially perpendicular to the hinge axis. These arrangements allow for easy manipulation of the suction assembly, especially to bypass obstacles encountered by the suction assembly.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the access valve includes a battery position where the rechargeable battery is removably mounted. The access valve is configured to displace the rechargeable battery out of the battery receiving portion when the access valve is displaced to the open position, and is configured to introduce the rechargeable battery into the battery receiving portion when the access valve is displaced to the closed position. These arrangements allow for easy insertion and removal of the rechargeable battery into and from the vacuum cleaner housing, and also ensure the optimal positioning of the rechargeable battery within the vacuum cleaner housing.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the rechargeable battery is configured to be removed from the battery position according to a removal movement directed towards the front of the suction assembly.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the access flap includes a plurality of first guiding devices configured to cooperate with a plurality of second guiding devices provided on the rechargeable battery when the rechargeable battery is inserted into the battery position, so as to guide the rechargeable battery according to a guiding direction. These arrangements further facilitate the insertion of the rechargeable battery into and removal from the vacuum cleaner housing.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guiding direction is substantially perpendicular to the flap pivot axis.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first guiding devices include at least one guiding groove provided on the access flap, for example, on the side wall of the access flap, and the plurality of second guiding devices include at least one guiding rib provided on the rechargeable battery, for example, on the side wall of the rechargeable battery, and configured to be received in the at least one guiding groove.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one guiding rib is straight.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first guiding devices include two guiding grooves provided on two opposite side walls of the access flap, and the plurality of second guiding devices include two guiding ribs provided on two opposite side walls of the rechargeable battery.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the access flap includes a plurality of first retaining devices configured to cooperate, for example, elastically with a plurality of second retaining devices provided on the rechargeable battery when the rechargeable battery is received in the battery position, so as to retain the rechargeable battery in the battery position. These arrangements in particular allow avoiding the rechargeable battery from falling when the access flap is displaced to the open position, and thus maintaining the integrity of the rechargeable battery.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first retaining devices include at least one male retaining member, such as a retaining finger or a retaining pin, provided on the access flap, and the plurality of second retaining devices include at least one female retaining member, such as a retaining receptacle, provided on the rechargeable battery and configured to receive the at least one male retaining member when the rechargeable battery is received in the battery position. Advantageously, the at least one female retaining member is provided on the at least one guiding rib and can be formed, for example, by a retaining notch.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one male retaining member projects into the at least one guiding groove.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present utility model, a rechargeable battery includes a first electrical connector configured to cooperate with a second electrical connector mounted on a vacuum cleaner housing. The suction assembly is configured such that when the rechargeable battery is received at the battery position, when the inlet valve is displaced from the open position to the closed position, the first electrical connector is automatically connected to the second electrical connector. These arrangements allow ensuring an easy, quick, and optimal electrical connection of the rechargeable battery when the rechargeable battery is inserted into the battery receiving portion.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the present utility model, the first electrical connector is located on the front portion of the rechargeable battery, for example, on the front end surface.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the present utility model, the suction assembly includes a locking member movably mounted between a locked position and an unlocked position. At the locked position, the locking member locks the inlet valve in the closed position; at the unlocked position, the locking member permits the inlet valve to be displaced to the open position. These arrangements allow avoiding accidental opening of the inlet valve.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present utility model, the locking member is configured to be displaced to the locked position according to a displacement pointing towards the rear portion of the suction assembly. These arrangements allow avoiding accidental opening of the inlet valve during use of the suction assembly, especially when the suction assembly is displaced forward.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the present utility model, the locking member is movably mounted, for example, slidably, on the inlet valve and is configured to cooperate with at least one complementary locking element provided on the vacuum cleaner housing.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present utility model, the locking member is mounted on the front end portion of the inlet valve. These arrangements allow ensuring effective locking of the inlet valve in the closed position.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the present utility model, the locking member includes two hooking fingers provided on both sides of the middle vertical longitudinal plane of the suction assembly and, for example, symmetrically arranged with respect to the middle vertical longitudinal plane of the suction assembly.

[0050] Advantageously, when the locking member occupies the locked position, each of the hooking fingers is configured to abut against a corresponding abutment surface provided on the vacuum cleaner housing and, for example, configured to rest on the corresponding abutment surface.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present utility model, the locking member is curved.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the access flap includes a stop member, such as a stop finger or a stop pawl, which is configured to stop against a stop portion fixed relative to the vacuum cleaner housing when the access flap is displaced to the open position, so as to limit the opening stroke of the access flap. The stop portion may be formed, for example, by the vacuum cleaner housing or the suction housing in which the motor and the ventilator are accommodated.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the access flap is configured to be displaced to the open position by being lowered downward.

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the access flap includes a bottom wall and two side walls, such as integrally flat side walls, which face each other and extend on both sides of the bottom wall. Advantageously, the two side walls of the access flap are substantially parallel to each other and, for example, extend substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom wall of the access flap is curved.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom wall and the two side walls of the access flap define a battery position.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the suction assembly is displaced forward, the rotation axis of the additional wheel is substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the flap.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rotation axis of the additional wheel is located between the rotation axes of the first main wheel and the second main wheel and the pivot axis of the flap. In other words, the rotation axis of the additional wheel is located in front of the pivot axis of the flap and behind the rotation axes of the first main wheel and the second main wheel.

[0059] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the additional wheel is located between the first main wheel and the second main wheel and, advantageously, in the middle vertical longitudinal plane of the suction assembly.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the suction assembly includes a waste separation and collection device, such as a cyclone waste separation and collection device, which is provided upstream of the suction unit in the pneumatic circuit, and when the suction assembly is operating, the air flow generated by the ventilator passes through the waste separation and collection device.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rechargeable battery is provided below the waste separation and collection device and / or the suction unit.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waste separation and collection device includes a waste collection container and a cyclone separation chamber, which is externally defined by the side wall of the waste collection container.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the first main wheel and the second main wheel are annular and rotate around the first fixed hub and the second fixed hub respectively. The first fixed hub and the second fixed hub are integral with the vacuum cleaner housing, and the first fixed hub and the second fixed hub are disposed on both sides of the vacuum cleaner housing.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the ventilator is configured to generate an air flow in the pneumatic circuit from the suction end member to at least one exhaust hole.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the vacuum cleaner housing and the first main wheel and the second main wheel at least partially form an assembly with an overall spherical shape.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the waste separation and collection device is detachably mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing.

[0067] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the suction unit is disposed in the rear part of the vacuum cleaner housing. Advantageously, the suction unit is disposed in the rear part of the waste collection container. This arrangement of the suction unit allows the size of the suction assembly to be limited.

[0068] According to an advantageous feature of the present utility model, the first main wheel and the second main wheel are side wheels of the suction assembly.

[0069] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the suction assembly includes a front wheel configured to roll on the ground. Advantageously, the front wheel and the additional wheel are located in the middle vertical longitudinal plane of the suction assembly. This arrangement of the front wheel and the additional wheel allows the stability of the suction assembly to be further improved. Description of the Drawings

[0070] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the objects, aspects and advantages of the present utility model will be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments of the present utility model presented by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

[0071] Figure 1 is a three-quarter front view of the suction assembly according to the present utility model, showing the gripping handle in the first handle position;

[0072] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a side view of the suction assembly of

[0073] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a longitudinal sectional view of the suction assembly of

[0074] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a rear view of the suction assembly of

[0075] Figure 5 is Figure 1 A partial perspective bottom view of the inhalation assembly, showing the inlet valve in the closed position and the locking member in the locked position;

[0076] Figure 6 is Figure 1 A partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inhalation assembly, showing the locking member in the locked position;

[0077] Figure 7 is Figure 1 A partial bottom view of the inhalation assembly, showing the locking member in the locked position;

[0078] Figure 8 is Figure 1 A partial bottom view of the inhalation assembly, showing the locking member in the unlocked position;

[0079] Figure 9 is Figure 1 A partial perspective bottom view of the inhalation assembly, showing the inlet valve in the open position;

[0080] Figure 10 is Figure 1 A partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inhalation assembly, showing the inlet valve in the open position;

[0081] Figure 11 is Figure 1 A partial side view of the inhalation assembly, showing the inlet valve in the open position;

[0082] Figure 12 is Figure 1 A partial perspective bottom view of the inhalation assembly, showing the inlet valve in the open position;

[0083] Figure 13 is Figure 1 A partial perspective bottom view of the inhalation assembly, showing the inlet valve in the open position;

[0084] Figure 14 is Figure 1 A truncated partial perspective view of the inhalation assembly, showing the inlet valve in the open position;

[0085] Figure 15 is Figure 1 A truncated partial perspective view of the inhalation assembly, showing the rechargeable battery during removal from the battery location provided on the inlet valve. Detailed Description

[0086] Only the elements necessary for understanding the present utility model are shown. For ease of reading the drawings, identical elements are given the same reference numerals in different figures.

[0087] Note that, in this text, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "down", "up", "height", "top", "upper" used to describe the suction assembly or the body refer to the use of the suction assembly when it is resting on a flat and horizontal floor to be cleaned by means of its wheels.

[0088] Figures 1 to 15 A sled - type suction assembly 1 is shown.

[0089] The suction assembly 1 includes a body 2 which particularly includes:

[0090] · A vacuum cleaner housing 3 which includes a housing outer surface 4 having, for example, a partially spherical shape;

[0091] · A suction end piece 5 through which external air can be sucked into the suction assembly 1; and

[0092] · An exhaust hole 6 through which the air cleaned by the suction assembly 1 can leave the suction assembly 1.

[0093] The suction end piece 5 is advantageously arranged at one end of the vacuum cleaner housing 3 corresponding to the front part of the vacuum cleaner housing 3.

[0094] The body 2 further includes a pneumatic circuit 7, a waste separation and collection device 8 and a suction unit 9. The pneumatic circuit 7 extends between the suction end piece 5 and the exhaust hole 6, and the waste separation and collection device 8 and the suction unit 9 are arranged on the pneumatic circuit 7.

[0095] The suction unit 9 includes an electric motor and a ventilator coupled to the electric motor to generate an air flow in the pneumatic circuit 7 from the suction end piece 5 to the exhaust hole 6. Advantageously, the suction unit 9 is arranged in the rear part of the vacuum cleaner housing 3.

[0096] The waste separation and collection device 8 is arranged on the pneumatic circuit 7 upstream of the suction unit 9, and when the suction assembly 1 is operating, the air flow generated by the ventilator passes through the waste separation and collection device 8. Advantageously, the waste separation and collection device 8 is detachable.

[0097] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the waste separation and collection device 8 is of the cyclone type and includes a waste collection container 11 and a cyclone separation chamber 13. The waste collection container 11 is provided with side walls 12 having an integral tubular shape. The cyclone separation chamber 13 is annular and is externally bounded by the side walls 12 of the waste collection container 11. The cyclone separation chamber 13 is configured to be fluid - connected to the suction end piece 5. Advantageously, the suction unit 9 is arranged in the rear part of the waste collection container 11.

[0098] The waste separation and collection device 8 further includes a cover 14 which is movably mounted relative to the waste collection container 11 between a closed position and an open position. In this closed position, the cover 14 at least partially closes the evacuation opening 15 of the waste collection container 11; in this open position, the cover 14 releases the evacuation opening 15 of the waste collection container 11.

[0099] Advantageously, the cover 14 includes a pneumatic connection pipe (not visible in the figure) configured to fluidly connect the waste separation and collection device 8 to the suction unit 9.

[0100] The suction assembly 1 further includes a first main wheel 17 and a second main wheel 18 which are rotatably movably mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing 3. The first main wheel 17 and the second main wheel 18 are disposed on both sides of the vacuum cleaner housing 3. More precisely, the first main wheel 17 and the second main wheel 18 are side wheels relative to the vacuum cleaner housing 3.

[0101] In the illustrated embodiment, the first main wheel 17 and the second main wheel 18 are annular and respectively rotate around a first fixed hub 19 and a second fixed hub 20 which are integral with the vacuum cleaner housing 3, and the first fixed hub 19 and the second fixed hub 20 are disposed on both sides of the vacuum cleaner housing 3. Advantageously, the first main wheel 17 and the second main wheel 18 are omnidirectional, and the first fixed hub 19 and the second fixed hub 20 respectively extend from the vacuum cleaner housing 3 beyond the first main wheel 17 and the second main wheel 18.

[0102] Advantageously, the first main wheel 17 and the second main wheel 18, the first fixed hub 19 and the second fixed hub 20, and the outer surface 4 of the housing partially form an assembly with an overall spherical shape.

[0103] The suction assembly 1 further includes a rechargeable battery 21 configured to supply power to the motor of the suction unit 9. The rechargeable battery 21 is disposed in a battery housing portion 22 which is at least partially defined by the vacuum cleaner housing 3, and the battery housing portion 22 is located in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing 3. Advantageously, the rechargeable battery 21 is partially disposed below the waste separation and collection device 8 and partially disposed below the suction unit 9.

[0104] The rechargeable battery 21 includes a battery housing 210 and a plurality of storage batteries 211 disposed in the battery housing 210. The rechargeable battery 21 further includes a first electrical connector 23 which is configured to cooperate with a second electrical connector 24 mounted on the vacuum cleaner housing 3. Advantageously, the first electrical connector is located on the front portion of the battery housing 210, for example, on the front end surface.

[0105] The rechargeable battery 21 is removable and configured to be removed from the battery housing 22 and introduced into the battery housing 22 through an access opening 25, which is provided in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing 3 and leads to the battery housing 22. Advantageously, when the first main wheel 17 and the second main wheel 18 rest on a horizontal surface, the access opening 25 is oriented towards the horizontal surface. In other words, the access opening 25 is oriented towards the bottom of the suction assembly 1.

[0106] The suction assembly 1 further includes an access flap 26, which is pivotally mounted about a flap pivot axis A26 on the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing 3 between a closed position (see in particular Figure 5 ) and an open position (see in particular Figure 9 ). In the closed position, the access flap 26 at least partially closes the access opening 25 and prevents the rechargeable battery 21 from being removed from the battery housing 22; in the open position, the access flap 26 releases the access opening 25 and permits the rechargeable battery 21 to be removed from the battery housing 22. Advantageously, the access flap 26 is configured to be displaced to the open position by being lowered downwards.

[0107] Advantageously, the flap pivot axis A26 is located behind the rotational axes of the first main wheel 17 and the second main wheel 18. According to the embodiment shown in the figure, when the first main wheel 17 and the second main wheel 18 rest on a horizontal surface, the flap pivot axis A26 is horizontal, and the distance between the flap pivot axis A26 and the horizontal surface is less than the distance between the rotational axes of the first main wheel 17 and the second main wheel 18 and the horizontal surface. Advantageously, the flap pivot axis A26 is located behind the rechargeable battery 21 and below the suction unit 9.

[0108] The access flap 26 includes a bottom wall 26.1 and two side walls 26.2, the bottom wall 26.1 being configured to at least partially close the access opening 25, the two side walls 26.2 being, for example, integrally flat, the two side walls 26.2 facing each other and extending on both sides of the bottom wall 26.1. Advantageously, the two side walls 26.2 of the access flap 26 are parallel to each other and extend substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 26.1. The bottom wall 26.1 of the access flap 26 can be, for example, curved and have a convex outer surface.

[0109] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the bottom wall 26.1 and the two side walls 26.2 of the access flap 26 define a battery position 27, in which the rechargeable battery 21 is removably mounted. The access flap 26 is more specifically configured to at least partially displace the rechargeable battery 21 out of the battery housing 22 when the access flap 26 equipped with the rechargeable battery 21 is displaced to the open position, and is configured to introduce the rechargeable battery 21 into the battery housing 22 when the access flap 26 equipped with the rechargeable battery 21 is displaced to the closed position. In addition, the suction assembly 1 is configured such that when the access flap 26 equipped with the rechargeable battery 21 is displaced from the open position to the closed position, the first electrical connector 23 is automatically connected to the second electrical connector 24.

[0110] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the rechargeable battery 21 is configured to be removed from the battery position 27 according to a removal movement M1 directed towards the front of the suction assembly 1.

[0111] Advantageously, the access flap 26 includes a plurality of first guiding devices configured to cooperate with a plurality of second guiding devices provided on the rechargeable battery 21 when the rechargeable battery 21 is inserted into the battery position 27 and when the rechargeable battery 21 is removed from the battery position 27, so as to guide the rechargeable battery 21 according to a guiding direction D substantially perpendicular to the flap pivot axis A26.

[0112] The plurality of first guiding devices may include, for example, two guiding grooves 28 respectively provided on the two side walls 26.2 of the access flap 26, and the plurality of second guiding devices may include, for example, two guiding ribs 29 provided on the two side walls of the battery housing 210 and configured to be respectively received in the guiding grooves 28. Advantageously, the guiding ribs 29 and the guiding grooves 28 are straight.

[0113] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the access flap 26 includes a plurality of first retaining devices configured to cooperate, for example elastically, with a plurality of second retaining devices provided on the rechargeable battery 21 when the rechargeable battery 21 is received at the battery position 27, so as to retain the rechargeable battery 21 at the battery position 27.

[0114] Advantageously, the plurality of first retaining devices include two male retaining members 30, such as retaining fingers or retaining pins, provided on the access flap 26 and each protruding into a corresponding guiding groove 28, and the plurality of second retaining devices include two female retaining members 31, such as retaining receptacles, respectively provided on the guiding ribs 29 and each configured to receive a corresponding male retaining member 30 when the rechargeable battery 21 is received at the battery position 27. Advantageously, each retaining receptacle is formed by a retaining notch.

[0115] The suction assembly 1 further includes a locking member 32 which is movably, e.g., slidably, mounted on the inlet valve 26 between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking member 32 cooperates with a locking element 33 provided on the vacuum cleaner housing 3 and locks the inlet valve 26 in the closed position; in the unlocked position, the locking member 32 releases the locking element 33 and permits the inlet valve 26 to be displaced to the open position. The locking member 32 may be, for example, curved and have a radius of curvature substantially the same as that of the bottom wall 26.1 of the inlet valve 26.

[0116] Advantageously, the locking member 32 is mounted on the front end portion of the inlet valve 26 and is configured to be displaced to the locked position according to a displacement M2 directed towards the rear of the suction assembly 1.

[0117] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the locking member 32 includes two hooking fingers 320 which are symmetrically arranged with respect to the middle vertical longitudinal plane P of the suction assembly 1, and the locking element 33 includes two stop surfaces 330 which are provided on the vacuum cleaner housing 3 and which are also symmetrically arranged with respect to the middle vertical longitudinal plane P of the suction assembly 1. Advantageously, when the locking member 32 occupies the locked position, each of the hooking fingers 320 is configured to rest on a corresponding stop surface 330.

[0118] According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the inlet valve 26 includes a stop member 34, e.g., a stop finger or a stop pawl, which is configured to stop against a stop portion 35 fixed relative to the vacuum cleaner housing 3 when the inlet valve 26 is displaced to the open position, so as to limit the opening stroke of the inlet valve 26. The stop portion 35 may be formed, for example, by the vacuum cleaner housing 3 or the suction housing 36 in which a motor and a ventilator are accommodated.

[0119] The suction assembly 1 further includes a wheel support 37 and an additional wheel 38. The wheel support 37 is pivotally mounted on the inlet valve 26 about a pivot axis A37 perpendicular to the valve pivot axis A26, and the additional wheel 38 is rotatably movably mounted relative to the wheel support 37 about a rotation axis A38 transverse to, e.g., substantially perpendicular to, the pivot axis A37. Advantageously, the additional wheel 38 is the rear wheel of the suction assembly 1.

[0120] The additional wheel 38 is at least partially located below the rechargeable battery 21, in particular at least partially below the rear part of the rechargeable battery 21. The additional wheel 38 is located between the first main wheel 17 and the second main wheel 18 and is advantageously located within the intermediate vertical longitudinal plane P of the suction assembly. Advantageously, the additional wheel 38 is located behind the rotational axes of the first main wheel 17 and the second main wheel 18.

[0121] The additional wheel 38 is configured to roll on the ground when the inlet valve 26 occupies the closed position and when the suction assembly 1 resting on the ground to be cleaned is pulled, for example, by a user. Advantageously, when the suction assembly 1 is displaced forward, the rotational axis A38 of the additional wheel 38 is substantially parallel to the valve pivot axis A26.

[0122] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, when the first main wheel 17, the second main wheel 18 and the additional wheel are resting on a horizontal surface, the rotational axis A38 of the additional wheel 38 is closer to the horizontal surface than the valve pivot axis A26. Advantageously, the rotational axis A38 of the additional wheel 38 is located between the rotational axes of the first main wheel and the second main wheel and the valve pivot axis A26.

[0123] Of course, the present utility model is by no means limited to the described and illustrated embodiments given only by way of example. Modifications can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present utility model, especially from the viewpoint of the construction of various elements or by substituting technical equivalents.

Claims

1. A sled - type suction assembly (1), which comprises: - A vacuum cleaner housing (3); - A suction end piece (5), through which outside air can be sucked into the suction assembly (1), and the suction end piece (5) is arranged on the front part of the suction assembly (1); - At least one exhaust hole (6), through which the air cleaned by the suction assembly (1) can leave the suction assembly (1); - A pneumatic circuit (7), which extends between the suction end piece (5) and the at least one exhaust hole (6); - A suction unit (9) arranged on the pneumatic circuit (7), the suction unit (9) includes an electric motor and a ventilator coupled to the electric motor to generate an air flow in the pneumatic circuit (7); - A first main wheel (17) and a second main wheel (18), the first main wheel (17) and the second main wheel (18) are rotatably and movably mounted relative to the vacuum cleaner housing (3), and the first main wheel (17) and the second main wheel (18) are arranged on both sides of the vacuum cleaner housing (3); - A rechargeable battery (21) configured to supply power to the electric motor, the rechargeable battery (21) is arranged in a battery accommodation part (22), the battery accommodation part (22) is at least partially defined by the vacuum cleaner housing (3), and the battery accommodation part (22) is located in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing (3), the rechargeable battery (21) is detachable and configured to be removed from the battery accommodation part (22) and configured to be introduced into the battery accommodation part (22) through an access opening (25), the access opening (25) is arranged in the lower part of the vacuum cleaner housing (3), and the access opening (25) leads to the battery accommodation part (22); - An access flap (26), the access flap (26) is pivotally mounted about a flap pivot axis (A26) and is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the access flap (26) at least partially closes the access opening (25) and prevents the rechargeable battery (21) from being removed from the battery accommodation part (22); in the open position, the access flap (26) releases the access opening (25) and permits the rechargeable battery (21) to be removed from the battery accommodation part (22), characterized in that the suction assembly (1) includes an additional wheel (38), the additional wheel (38) is mounted on the access flap (26), and the additional wheel (38) is configured to roll on the ground when the access flap (26) occupies the closed position.

2. The suction assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flap pivot axis (A26) is located behind the rotation axes of the first main wheel (17) and the second main wheel (18).

3. The suction assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that When the first main wheel (17) and the second main wheel (18) are resting on a horizontal surface, the access opening (25) is oriented towards the horizontal surface.

4. The suction assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein, the valve pivot axis (A26) is located behind the rotational axes of the first main wheel (17) and the second main wheel (18).

5. The suction assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when the first main wheel (17) and the second main wheel (18) are resting on a horizontal surface, the distance between the valve pivot axis (A26) and the horizontal surface is less than the distance between the rotational axes of the first main wheel (17) and the second main wheel (18) and the horizontal surface.

6. The suction assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the rechargeable battery (21) is arranged below the suction unit (9), and the center of gravity of the sub - assembly including the rechargeable battery (21) and the suction unit (9) lies in a vertical plane which is behind the rotational axes of the first main wheel (17) and the second main wheel (18) and at a certain distance from the rotational lines of the first main wheel (17) and the second main wheel (18).

7. The suction assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the suction assembly (1) includes a wheel support (37) which is pivotally mounted on the access valve (26) about a hinge axis (A37), and the additional wheel (38) is rotatably movably mounted relative to the wheel support (37) about a rotational axis (A38) transverse to the hinge axis (A37).

8. The suction assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the access valve (26) includes a battery position (27) where the rechargeable battery (21) is removably mounted. The access valve (26) is configured to at least partially displace the rechargeable battery (21) out of the battery housing (22) when the access valve (26) is displaced to the open position, and is configured to introduce the rechargeable battery (21) into the battery housing (22) when the access valve (26) is displaced to the closed position.

9. The suction assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein, the access valve (26) includes a plurality of first guiding devices which are configured to cooperate with a plurality of second guiding devices provided on the rechargeable battery (21) when the rechargeable battery (21) is inserted into the battery position (27) so as to guide the rechargeable battery (21) according to a guiding direction (D).

10. The suction assembly (1) according to claim 9, wherein, the guiding direction (D) is perpendicular to the valve pivot axis (A26).

11. The inhalation assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, the rechargeable battery (21) is configured to be removed from the battery position (27) according to a removal movement (M1) directed towards the front of the inhalation assembly (1).

12. The inhalation assembly (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that, the access valve (26) includes a plurality of first guiding devices configured to cooperate with a plurality of second guiding devices provided on the rechargeable battery (21) when the rechargeable battery (21) is inserted into the battery position (27), so as to guide the rechargeable battery (21) according to a guiding direction (D).

13. The inhalation assembly (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, the guiding direction (D) is perpendicular to the valve pivot axis (A26).

14. The inhalation assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, the access valve (26) includes a plurality of first retaining devices configured to cooperate with a plurality of second retaining devices provided on the rechargeable battery (21) when the rechargeable battery (21) is received at the battery position (27), so as to retain the rechargeable battery (21) at the battery position (27).

15. The inhalation assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, the rechargeable battery (21) includes a first electrical connector (23) configured to cooperate with a second electrical connector (24) mounted on the vacuum cleaner housing (3), and the inhalation assembly (1) is configured such that when the rechargeable battery (21) is received at the battery position (27), when the access valve (26) is displaced from the open position to the closed position, the first electrical connector (23) is automatically connected to the second electrical connector (24).

16. The inhalation assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the inhalation assembly (1) includes a locking member (32) movably mounted between a locking position and an unlocking position, at the locking position, the locking member (32) locks the access valve (26) in the closed position; at the unlocking position, the locking member (32) permits the access valve (26) to be displaced to the open position.

17. The inhalation assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the access valve (26) is configured to be displaced to the open position by being lowered downward.

18. The inhalation assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the inhalation assembly (1) includes a waste separation and collection device (8) provided on the pneumatic circuit (7) upstream of the inhalation unit (9), and when the inhalation assembly (1) operates, the air flow generated by the ventilator passes through the waste separation and collection device (8).

19. The inhalation assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the inhalation assembly (1) comprises a cyclone waste separation and collection device (8), the waste separation and collection device (8) being arranged on the pneumatic circuit (7) upstream of the inhalation unit (9), and when the inhalation assembly (1) is in operation, the air flow generated by the ventilator passes through the waste separation and collection device (8).

20. The inhalation assembly (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that, the rechargeable battery (21) is arranged below the waste separation and collection device (8).

21. The inhalation assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the additional wheel (38) is the rear wheel of the inhalation assembly (1).

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