Tube for vacuum cleaner and portable vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a tube for a vacuum cleaner, the tube comprising a first end connectable to a main unit of the vacuum cleaner; a second end connectable to a cleaning head of the vacuum cleaner, the first end being opposite the second end; the pipe comprises a first pipe, a second pipe and a spiral connection structure, one of the first pipe and the second pipe can be connected in the other of the first pipe and the second pipe along a common axis through the spiral connection structure, and the first pipe and the second pipe can be selectively spirally connected to each other in a connection position. Or selectively rotating relative to each other to disconnect. The utility model further provides a portable vacuum cleaner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a tube for a vacuum cleaner and a portable vacuum cleaner. Background Technology

[0002] Portable vacuum cleaners, as a common household cleaning device, are widely used in various scenarios such as homes, offices, and vehicles. Traditional canister vacuum cleaners typically consist of a main body connected to a surface cleaning head via a rigid hose, forming a fluid flow channel. The rigid hose contains an airflow duct that transfers dirty air from the cleaning head to a separation device within the main body. The surface cleaning head is usually pivotable, allowing users to flexibly adjust the cleaning angle. However, to facilitate standing cleaning of large surfaces such as floors, the hose or cleaning stick needs to be long enough to extend at an angle to the ground. This design faces a significant problem in practical applications: if the extension rod is too long, while it meets the need for standing operation, it increases the difficulty of storing the device, especially for small portable vacuum cleaners, making storage inconvenient and becoming a bottleneck for the user experience; conversely, if the extension rod is too short, it cannot achieve the purpose of standing cleaning, requiring users to bend over or squat, leading to fatigue during prolonged use.

[0003] Furthermore, existing extension rods mostly employ plug-in or snap-on connections. While simple in structure, these connections are prone to loosening or even accidental detachment during practical use. These issues not only affect cleaning efficiency but can also lead to equipment damage or user inconvenience. Therefore, a new extension rod design is urgently needed that can meet the needs of standing cleaning while ensuring connection stability and convenient storage. Utility Model Content

[0004] One aspect of this disclosure provides a tube for a vacuum cleaner, the tube including a first end connectable to a main unit of the vacuum cleaner; and a second end connectable to a cleaning head of the vacuum cleaner, the first end being opposite to the second end.

[0005] The tube includes a first tube, a second tube, and a spiral connection structure, wherein one of the first tube and the second tube can be connected to the other of the first tube and the second tube along a common axis by the spiral connection structure, and the first tube and the second tube can be selectively spirally connected to each other at the connection position, or selectively rotated relative to each other to disengage.

[0006] According to one example of this disclosure, the first tube and the second tube have overlapping portions, and the spiral connection structure is located within the overlapping portions.

[0007] According to one example of this disclosure, the spiral connection structure includes a first element and a second element having respective spiral portions, the spiral portions being configured to be provided between the first tube and the second tube along the axes of the first tube and the second tube, respectively.

[0008] According to one example of this disclosure, the first element is an external thread and the second element is an internal thread.

[0009] According to one example of this disclosure, the outer diameter of the first tube and the outer diameter of the second tube are substantially the same.

[0010] According to one example of this disclosure, the first element and the second element are inelastically biased relative to each other.

[0011] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a portable vacuum cleaner is provided, including a separator, a vacuum generator, a handle for operating the portable vacuum cleaner in use, and a cleaning head for contacting a surface to be cleaned in use; characterized in that it further includes a tube having a first end connectable to the main unit of the vacuum cleaner and a second end connectable to the cleaning head of the vacuum cleaner, the first end being opposite to the second end;

[0012] The tube includes a first tube, a second tube, and a spiral connection structure, wherein one of the first tube and the second tube can be connected to the other of the first tube and the second tube along a common axis by the spiral connection structure, and the first tube and the second tube can be selectively spirally connected to each other at the connection position, or selectively rotated relative to each other to disengage.

[0013] According to one example of this disclosure, the first tube and the second tube have overlapping portions, and the spiral connection structure is located within the overlapping portions.

[0014] According to one example of this disclosure, the spiral connection structure includes a first element and a second element having respective spiral portions, the spiral portions being configured to be provided between the first tube and the second tube along the axes of the first tube and the second tube, respectively.

[0015] According to one example of this disclosure, the outer diameter of the first tube and the outer diameter of the second tube are substantially the same. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary examples of this disclosure and, together with its description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure. These drawings are included to provide a further understanding of this disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.

[0017] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of a portable vacuum cleaner according to an example of this disclosure.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the portable body of a portable vacuum cleaner according to an example of this disclosure.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a tubular extension rod of a portable vacuum cleaner according to an example of this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first tubular extension portion according to an example of this disclosure.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a second tubular extension according to an example of this disclosure.

[0022] Specific examples

[0023] The present disclosure will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific examples described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0024] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the examples and features in this disclosure can be combined with each other. The technical solutions of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0025] Unless otherwise stated, the exemplary examples / embodiments shown are to be understood as providing exemplary features of various details that provide ways in which the technical concepts of this disclosure can be implemented in practice. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, the features of the various examples / embodiments may be additionally combined, separated, interchanged and / or rearranged without departing from the technical concepts of this disclosure.

[0026] Portable vacuum cleaners have become indispensable tools for cleaning homes, offices, and vehicles due to their portability, flexibility, and ease of use. Compared to traditional canister vacuum cleaners, portable vacuum cleaners are smaller and lighter, making them especially suitable for cleaning narrow or hard-to-reach areas. However, current portable vacuum cleaners have significant shortcomings when cleaning floors: the lack of a sufficiently long extension rod requires users to bend over or squat, leading to fatigue over time. Furthermore, while some products do include extension rods, these often use plug-in or snap-on connections, resulting in insecure connections, easy loosening, or difficulty in disassembly. Additionally, an extension rod that is too long increases storage difficulty, while one that is too short cannot meet the needs of standing cleaning.

[0027] This disclosure presents a tubular extension rod for a portable vacuum cleaner and its matching cleaning device. The extension rod achieves quick assembly and disassembly through a spiral connection structure while ensuring a secure connection.

[0028] Figure 1 A portable vacuum cleaner 2 is shown, comprising a portable body 4 and a cleaning assembly 6. The cleaning assembly 6 consists of a tubular extension tube 8 and a cleaning head 10, designed for efficient cleaning of various surfaces, such as floors, carpets, or furniture surfaces. The portable body 4 is compact and lightweight, making it easy for users to carry and use. The portable body 4 is equipped with a nozzle 12, an airflow generator (not shown) at one end of the nozzle 12, and a power source (not shown) at the rear of the airflow generator. The power source includes an outer contour that forms a handle 14. This layout allows the user to comfortably grip the handle 14, supporting the entire portable vacuum cleaner 2, while maneuvering the cleaning head 10 along the surface to be cleaned. The handle 14 is strategically positioned at the rear of the portable body 4, placing the device in front of the user during use, enhancing ease of operation and control.

[0029] Combination Figure 2 As shown, the portable body 4 also includes a separator 16 in the form of a cyclone separator and a first connector 20. The first connector 20 is located at the front end of the portable body 4, and the separator 16 is located between the first connector 20 and the handle 14, ensuring efficient airflow and debris separation during operation. The extension tube 8, a key component of the cleaning assembly 6, has a second connector 22 at one end, which engages with the first connector 20 to fix the extension tube 8 to the portable body 4, thereby achieving fluid communication between the portable body 4 and the extension tube 8. At the other end of the extension tube 8, a third connector 24 is provided, which connects to a fourth connector 26 on the cleaning head 10. The fourth connector 26 is essentially the same in design as the second connector 22, allowing the cleaning head 10 to be directly connected to the first connector 20 of the portable body 4, enhancing the versatility of the device.

[0030] like Figure 3 and combined Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the portable body 4 is connected to the tubular extension tube 8 to extend the cleaning head to the ground and facilitate airflow between the cleaning head and the portable body 4. In some examples of this disclosure, the extension tube 8 is not a single rigid structure, but rather consists of multiple tubular sections interconnected by a helical connection structure. Specifically, the extension tube 8 includes a first tubular extension portion 81 and a second tubular extension portion 82, which are helically joined at their overlapping portions by a helical connection mechanism. The solution of this disclosure provides sufficient length for users to stand and clean the floor with the portable vacuum cleaner, while also ensuring convenient and compact storage of the extension tube 8 when not in use.

[0031] In some examples, the first tubular extension 81 and the second tubular extension 82 are configured to engage coaxially along a common longitudinal axis, the connection being achieved via a helical connection structure. In a typical embodiment, the second tubular extension 82 is inserted into the first tubular extension 81 to form an overlapping region that accommodates the helical connection mechanism. This mechanism includes a first element and a second element, each having a corresponding helical portion. In one example, the first element and the second element are respectively an external thread 84 (located outside the second tubular extension 82) and an internal thread 83 (located inside the first tubular extension 81). These threads are aligned along the axes of the two portions, allowing selective engagement or disengagement through rotational movement. The helical connection structure includes an external thread 84 at the junction of the first tubular extension 81 or the second tubular extension 82 and an internal thread 83 at the junction of the first tubular extension 81 or the second tubular extension 82.

[0032] In one example, the connecting portion of the first tubular extension 81 has an internal thread 83, and the connecting portion of the second tubular extension 82 has an external thread 84. Therefore, the second tubular extension 82 can be connected to the first tubular extension 81, so that the tubular extension tube 8 can form a whole and have a certain joint rigidity.

[0033] Specifically, the connecting portion of the first tubular extension 81 is a threaded connector with a circular receiving portion 28. The receiving portion 28 has a longitudinal axis that defines the engagement axis A1 of the connecting portion of the first tubular extension 81. The inner surface of the receiving portion 28 forms an internal thread 83 that extends in a plane substantially orthogonal to the engagement axis A1.

[0034] The connecting portion of the second tubular extension 82 is an external threaded connector with a cylindrical engagement portion 27. The cylindrical engagement portion 27 can be inserted into the receiving portion 28 of the first connector 20. The cylindrical engagement portion 27 has a longitudinal axis that defines the engagement axis A2 of the second connector 22. The outer surface of the cylindrical engagement portion 27 forms a threaded groove that extends in a plane substantially orthogonal to the engagement axis A2.

[0035] When the first tubular extension 81 and the second tubular extension 82 are connected, the meshing axes 1 and A2 are aligned. The meshing axes 1 and A2 correspond to the direction in which the connecting portion of the second tubular extension 82 is inserted into the connecting portion of the first tubular extension 81.

[0036] After the meshing shafts A1 and A2 are aligned, the overlapping portion of the first tubular extension 81 and the second tubular extension 82 forms a channel 42, which extends along the cylindrical joint 27 and is parallel to the meshing shafts A1 and A2.

[0037] In some examples, during use, the user rotates the second tubular extension 82 clockwise relative to the first tubular extension 81 to engage and lock the threads, forming a rigid, elongated extension tube 8. Conversely, counterclockwise rotation disengages the connection, allowing the two parts to separate or retract for storage. The thread specification is typically M30×1.5 with a pitch of 1.5 mm and a thread length of approximately 20 mm, ensuring sufficient engagement strength. The mechanical strength of the threaded engagement allows the connection to withstand tensile and torsional forces during cleaning, such as external forces when the cleaning head 10 encounters an obstacle.

[0038] In some instances, the outer diameters of the first tubular extension portion 81 and the second tubular extension portion 82 of the tubular extension tube 8 are configured to be the same. A spiral connection structure is located at the junction of the first tubular extension portion 81 and the second tubular extension portion 82, so that when the first tubular extension portion 81 and the second tubular extension portion 82 of the tubular extension tube 8 are connected together, the tubular extension rods from the first connector 20 to the second connector 22 have substantially the same profile. In one example, the outer diameters of both the first tubular extension portion 81 and the second tubular extension portion 82 are 30 mm, resulting in a smooth and uniform appearance after connection. This consistency ensures the overall aesthetic harmony of the extension tube 8 while maintaining the continuity of the internal airflow channels, avoiding turbulence or suction loss. Unlike traditional connection mechanisms that rely on elastic biases (such as springs or snap-fits), this design avoids such components, relying instead on the mechanical strength and precision of the threads. This enhances durability and simplifies assembly; the user can operate the tube simply by manually rotating it without overcoming spring resistance.

[0039] In use, the user holds the main body of the first tubular extension 81 and the second tubular extension 82 respectively and rotates them relative to each other to disassemble the first tubular extension 81 and the second tubular extension 82. In some instances, there is no elastic offset between the joint of the first tubular extension 81 and the second tubular extension 82, and the user can easily align them and rotate them relative to each other to bring them together.

[0040] The portable vacuum cleaner 2 is simple and intuitive to operate. Users can assemble, use, and disassemble it by following these steps:

[0041] 1) Insert the second connector 22 of the first tubular extension 81 into the first connector 20;

[0042] 2) Insert the external thread 84 of the second tubular extension 82 into the internal thread 83 of the first tubular extension 81, and rotate clockwise 3 to 5 turns to lock it in place;

[0043] 3) Align the fourth connector 26 of the cleaning head 10 with the third connector 24 and rotate to secure them.

[0044] Step 2) above can also be performed before step 1) or 3).

[0045] When in use, the user holds handle 14 and starts the airflow generator.

[0046] The standing cleaning head 10 has a total extension rod length of 110 cm and a tilt angle of approximately 30 to 45 degrees, making it suitable for most users' heights.

[0047] After use, the user should turn off the airflow generator.

[0048] Then, i) operate the first connector 20 and the second connector 22 to remove the extension tube 8 from the portable body 4;

[0049] ii) Operate the third connector 24 and the fourth connector 26 to remove the cleaning head 10 from the extension tube 8;

[0050] iii) Rotate the second tubular extension 82 counterclockwise to remove it from the first tubular extension 81;

[0051] iv) Store each part separately.

[0052] The spiral connection mechanism allows users to clean while standing, avoiding bending over and improving comfort. When disassembled, the extension tube is divided into two parts, reducing storage space requirements and making it suitable for small homes. The threaded design without inelastic components ensures a durable connection, and users can easily assemble and disassemble using a simple rotation operation.

[0053] The above description of embodiments of this disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to its precise forms. Those skilled in the art will understand that many modifications and variations are possible based on the above disclosure.

[0054] Certain portions of this description use notation to represent algorithms and information operations to describe embodiments of this disclosure. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are commonly used by those skilled in the art of data processing to effectively communicate the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. While these operations are described functionally, computationally, or logically, they are understood to be implemented through computer programs or equivalent circuits, microcode, or similar programs. Furthermore, it is sometimes convenient to refer to these operations as modules without loss of generality. The operations and their associated modules may be embodied in software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof.

[0055] Any step, operation, or process described in this disclosure may be performed or implemented by one or more hardware or software modules, alone or in combination with other devices. In one embodiment, the software module is implemented by a computer program product including a computer-readable medium containing computer program code executable by a computer processor to perform any or all of the steps, operations, or processes described.

[0056] Embodiments of this disclosure may also relate to means for performing the operations described herein. Such means may be specifically constructed for the desired purpose, and / or it may comprise a general-purpose computing device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. This computer program may be stored in a non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage medium, or any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions, which may be connected to a computer system bus. Furthermore, any computing system mentioned in the specification may include a single processor or may employ a multi-processor architecture to enhance computing power.

[0057] Embodiments of this disclosure may also relate to products generated by the computational processes described herein. Such products may include information generated by the computational processes, wherein the information is stored on a non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage medium, and may include any embodiment of the computer program product or other data combination described herein.

[0058] Finally, the language used in this specification has been chosen primarily for readability and instructional purposes and may not have been chosen to define or limit the subject matter of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited to this detailed description, but rather to any claims made on this basis. Thus, the disclosure of embodiments of this specification is intended to illustrate, not limit, the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A tube for a vacuum cleaner, characterized in that, The tube includes a first end connectable to a main unit of the vacuum cleaner; a second end connectable to a cleaning head of the vacuum cleaner, the first end being opposite the second end; The tube includes a first tube, a second tube and a screw connection structure, one of the first and second tubes being connectable along a common axis within the other of the first and second tubes by the screw connection structure, the first and second tubes being selectively screw connectable to each other at a connected position or selectively rotatable relative to each other to disengage the connection.

2. A wand for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterised in that, The first and second tubes have an overlapable portion with each other, the screw connection structure being located within the overlapable portion.

3. A wand for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterised in that, The screw connection structure includes a first element and a second element having respective screw portions configured to provide between the first and second tubes along an axis of the first and second tubes, respectively.

4. A tube for a vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, characterised in that, The first element is an external thread and the second element is an internal thread.

5. The wand for a vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein, The first tube has an outer diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of the second tube.

6. The tube for a vacuum cleaner of claim 3, the first and second elements being not resiliently biased relative to each other.

7. A portable vacuum cleaner comprising a dirt separator, a suction generator, a handle for manipulating the portable vacuum cleaner in use, a cleaning head for contacting a surface to be cleaned in use; characterised in that, Also included is a tube including a first end connectable to a main unit of the vacuum cleaner; a second end connectable to a cleaning head of the vacuum cleaner, the first end being opposite the second end; The tube includes a first tube, a second tube and a screw connection structure, one of the first and second tubes being connectable along a common axis within the other of the first and second tubes by the screw connection structure, the first and second tubes being selectively screw connectable to each other at a connected position or selectively rotatable relative to each other to disengage the connection.

8. The portable vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein, The first and second tubes have an overlapable portion with each other, the screw connection structure being located within the overlapable portion.

9. The portable vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein, The screw connection structure includes a first element and a second element having respective screw portions configured to provide between the first and second tubes along an axis of the first and second tubes, respectively.

10. The portable vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein, The first tube has an outer diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of the second tube.

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