Device for connecting an electrical coupling element

Abstract

A combination of a cleaning device (2), an electrical cable (4), and a device (1) for connecting an electrical coupling element (5) of the electrical cable (4) to an electrical coupling element (6) of the cleaning device (2), wherein the electrical cable (4) can be guided in a guide tube (3) of the cleaning device (2) to the electrical coupling element (6) of the cleaning device (2), wherein the guide tube (3) has a recess (8) which allows access to the electrical coupling element (5) of the electrical cable (4) from outside the guide tube (3), characterized in that the device (1) can be arranged on the guide tube (3) at least partially encompassing it, wherein the device (1) has a device nose (10) which can engage at least partially in the recess (8) to displace the electrical coupling element (5) of the electrical cable (4).

Description

field of technology

[0001] The invention relates to a combination of a cleaning device, an electrical cable and a device for connecting an electrical coupling element of the electrical cable to an electrical coupling element of the cleaning device, wherein the electrical cable can be guided in a guide tube of the cleaning device to the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device, wherein the guide tube has a recess which allows access to the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable from outside the guide tube.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for connecting an electrical coupling element of an electrical cable with an electrical coupling element of a cleaning device, wherein the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable is guided within a guide tube of the cleaning device in the direction of the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device and connected to it. State of the art

[0003] Cleaning devices within the meaning of the invention include, for example, vacuum cleaners or wet mops. In particular, the invention relates to handheld vacuum cleaners in which the cleaning device has a guide tube with a handle for guiding the cleaning device by a user. The guide tube can be telescopic, allowing the user to adjust its length to a convenient length. During use, the cleaning device is typically connected to an attachment, which may be, for example, a power brush or similar device.

[0004] It is known to route the electrical cable for connecting the cleaning device to an electrical mains supply through the guide tube to a section of the cleaning device in which a blower or other electrical component is typically located. To facilitate the passage of the electrical cable or its electrical coupling element through the guide tube, the electrical coupling element in the prior art comprises a device formed integrally with the electrical coupling element, which projects outwards through the opening in the guide tube and serves as a handle for the user of the cleaning device.

[0005] From DE 102 00 914 A1, a combination of a cleaning device, an electrical cable, and a device for connecting an electrical coupling element of the electrical cable to an electrical coupling element of the cleaning device is known, wherein the device is arranged inside the guide tube. A device for connecting an electrical coupling element of an electrical cable to an electrical coupling element of a cleaning device as such is known, for example, from US 2013 / 0 277 524 A1. In this context, reference should also be made to the prior art according to WO 2005 / 082 221 A1 and DE 72 06 843 U. Summary of the invention

[0006] Starting from the aforementioned prior art, the object of the invention is to create an alternative combination of a cleaning device, an electrical cable and a device for connecting an electrical coupling element of the electrical cable to an electrical coupling element of the cleaning device, which in particular offers improved functionality.

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problem, the invention initially proposes a combination of a cleaning device, an electrical cable, and a device for connecting an electrical coupling element of the electrical cable to an electrical coupling element of the cleaning device, wherein the electrical cable can be guided in a guide tube of the cleaning device to the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device, wherein the guide tube has a recess which allows access to the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable from outside the guide tube, and wherein the device can be arranged on the guide tube in a manner that at least partially surrounds the guide tube, and wherein the device has a device nose which can at least partially engage in the recess to exert a displacement effect on the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable.

[0008] According to the invention, the device for connecting the electrical coupling elements is not part of the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable itself, but rather a separately designed tool which is applied to the guide tube from the outside and, through the recess, causes the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable to be displaced. According to the invention, the device can be arranged on the guide tube from the outside, whereby the device can be clipped or slid onto the guide tube in the manner of a clamp that at least partially encompasses the guide tube. For example, the device can be made of a flexible material, in particular a thermoplastic, so that when pressed against the guide tube, the device is bent open and snaps onto the guide tube.A flexible design of the device simultaneously provides overrun protection, as the device can expand beyond the fully connected position of the two electrical coupling elements in the event of excessive, progressive force being applied to the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable, thus preventing damage to the electrical coupling elements and / or the cleaning device.

[0009] Furthermore, it is proposed that the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable has a coupling lug for displacement by means of the device lug. The electrical coupling element of the electrical cable and the device are thus designed to correspond to each other such that, when the device is in contact with the guide tube of the cleaning device, the device lug of the device can engage the coupling lug of the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable. This allows the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable to be displaced within the guide tube in the direction of the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device. Analogous to the previously proposed design of the device lug as a projection on the contact surface, the coupling lug of the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable can also be designed as a projection.When the device is moved within the guide tube, the two projections come into contact with each other, so that the movement is achieved by means of the device.

[0010] Furthermore, the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable, in relation to the electrical cable guided in the guide tube, can have a locking element, in particular a locking spring, between the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device and the coupling nose, for locking with the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device. The locking element of the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable serves to lock with the corresponding electrical coupling element of the cleaning device. As the two electrical coupling elements approach each other, the locking element of the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable is moved into the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device and locked into place. The locking of the locking element provides the user of the device with an audible and / or tactile signal indicating that the connection of the two electrical coupling elements has been successfully established.Preferably, the locking element is designed as a locking spring (e.g., a leaf spring). A flexible design of the locking element can be achieved, for example, by using a flexible material such as a metal or a thermoplastic elastomer. When the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable moves within the guide tube toward the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device, the locking element precedes the coupling lug. The device's nose engages the side of the coupling lug facing away from the locking element and propels the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable forward until the locking element engages with the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device.The locking element and the coupling nose are preferably two separate elements, so that the required flexibility of the locking element does not simultaneously affect the mechanical stability of the coupling nose, and vice versa.

[0011] It may be designed so that the coupling nose and / or the locking element can engage at least partially in the recess of the guide tube. If the coupling nose engages at least partially in the recess, there is optimal overlap of the coupling nose and the device nose in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the guide tube, so that the force for displacing the electrical cable's coupling element can act over the largest possible area. This also prevents the coupling nose and the device nose from being moved past each other without contact. Furthermore, the engagement of the coupling nose and / or the locking element in the recess can be used to define the orientation of the electrical cable's coupling element, meaning that the electrical cable's coupling element can only be inserted into the cleaning device's guide tube with a specific orientation.Furthermore, the recess serves to guide the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable, thus providing greater security against tilting of the electrical coupling element within the guide tube.

[0012] Advantageously, the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable has an engagement area between the coupling lug and the locking element for the engagement of the device lug. This engagement area between the coupling lug and the locking element serves to receive the device lug after it has overcome the coupling lug. As the force exerted by the device lug on the coupling lug, and thus also on the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable, increases, the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable is moved further and further towards the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device until the locking element finally engages within the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device. If the force exerted by the device lug on the coupling lug exceeds this point, the device lug can overcome the coupling lug and enter the engagement area.This creates a tactile and / or audible signal for the user, informing them that the locking mechanism of the electrical coupling elements has been engaged. If the user does not release the force applied to the electrical coupling element of the power cable, the device's nose comes into contact with the locking element. As a result, the device expands due to the increasing circumference of the electrical coupling element and ultimately slips off the electrical coupling element or the guide tube of the cleaning device. This provides effective over-locking protection, preventing damage to the electrical coupling elements, the cleaning device, and / or the device itself.

[0013] Preferably, it is proposed that the coupling nose, relative to the electrical cable guided in the guide tube, has a ramp on the side facing away from the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device, rising in the direction of the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device. This ramp facilitates the device nose's passage over the coupling nose. As the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable is progressively moved by the device (and thus the frictional resistance increases), the device nose is displaced along the guide tube along the rising ramp as the device expands until the coupling nose is finally overcome and the device nose advantageously engages in the engagement area between the coupling nose and the locking element.Because the ramp is advantageously formed only on the side of the coupling nose facing away from the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device, the coupling nose cannot be overcome by the device nose in the opposite direction. If the electrical coupling elements of the electrical cable and the cleaning device are to be separated again later, this separation can be achieved by repositioning the device nose in the opposite direction.

[0014] A device for connecting an electrical coupling element of an electrical cable to an electrical coupling element of a cleaning device in one of the described combinations can be designed in a G-shape in cross-section, wherein a first end region of the G-shape has an inwardly pointing device nose, and wherein a second end region has an outwardly pointing, in particular straight, extension.

[0015] The device nose is formed on the inwardly facing contact surface of the device, so that, according to the invention, it can engage through the recess into the guide tube and cause a displacement of the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable. It is recommended that the contact surface of the device rest as completely as possible against the guide tube of the cleaning device, so that, for example, tilting of the device relative to the guide tube is prevented. If the guide tube has a round cross-section, the device should also have a round cross-section with a corresponding diameter. If, on the other hand, the guide tube has a rectangular cross-section, the device should also have a corresponding rectangular cross-section.The device's shape, corresponding to the guide tube, ensures that the device's nose engages in the guide tube's recess automatically when the device is placed against it, without any further user intervention. This is particularly effective when the device is designed to correspond to the guide tube in such a way that only one orientation of the device on the guide tube is possible. This is achieved most easily by making the guide tube and / or the device asymmetrical, thus limiting the device's orientation to a single point. Alternatively, the user can visually determine which side of the guide tube has the recess and, consequently, which side the device's nose should be oriented on.

[0016] The G-shaped curved contact surface of the device allows it to rotate around the guide tube, thus correcting any misalignment between the recess and the device's nose. This eliminates the need for the user to pay particular attention to ensuring the device's nose engages in the recess from the outset when mounting the device to the guide tube. The G-shaped cross-section of the device features a circumferential opening that allows it to be clipped onto the guide tube. Furthermore, the device, while exhibiting flexible properties, forms an elastic clamp that at least partially surrounds the guide tube.In particular, the mounting surface of the device can also have two opposing projections along its circumference, each engaging in recesses arranged oppositely on the guide tube. This eliminates the need for a specific orientation of the device on the guide tube for the device nose to engage in the recess. Rather, a mirror-image mounting of the device on the guide tube is also possible. This applies especially if the cross-sectional shape is not circular, but rather oval or similar.

[0017] Furthermore, it is proposed that the device be made of an elastically deformable material, in particular plastic. Plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or similar materials are especially suitable. However, it is also possible to manufacture the device from a metal or composite material.

[0018] Furthermore, it is proposed that the device, with respect to its cross-section, has a widest diameter of 30 mm to 60 mm, in particular 40 mm, and a smallest diameter of 10 mm to 30 mm, in particular 20 mm, and a length perpendicular to the cross-section of 10 mm to 60 mm, in particular 30 mm. The aforementioned dimensions are optimal for mounting the device externally on a guide tube of a cleaning device and for providing the user of the device with a sufficient surface area to grip. The aforementioned cross-section refers to a section perpendicular to a viewing direction in which the G-shape is recognizable. This corresponds to the end face of the G-shape.

[0019] To facilitate handling for the user, the device can also have an outward-facing handle, in particular an edge arranged transversely to the direction of displacement. This advantageously provides the user with an engagement element along the entire circumference of the device to effect the displacement of the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable. This particularly improves the force transmission into the device and the force acting upon the electrical coupling element.

[0020] Finally, the invention also proposes a method for connecting an electrical coupling element of an electrical cable to an electrical coupling element of a cleaning device, wherein the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable is guided within a guide tube of the cleaning device in the direction of the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device and connected to it, wherein a device for displacing the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable from the outside is arranged on the guide tube such that the device at least partially encompasses the guide tube and a device nose of the device engages at least partially in a recess of the guide tube and thus acts on a coupling nose of the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable in such a way that the electrical coupling element of the electrical cable is displaced in the direction of the electrical coupling element of the cleaning device.The advantages of the method according to the invention are explained in relation to the device and the combination of a cleaning device and the device. Short description of the drawings

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. They show: Fig. 1. A cleaning device in a perspective exterior view, Fig. 2 the cleaning device in a longitudinal section, Fig. 3 a device according to the invention in a perspective external view, Fig. 4 the device according to a cross-section, Fig. 5 an electrical coupling element of an electrical cable in a first view, Fig. 6 the electrical coupling element according to a second view, Fig. 7 an electrical coupling element of the cleaning device, Fig. 8 the cleaning device with partially inserted electrical cable, Fig. 9 the cleaning device with partially inserted electrical cable and device attached to it, Fig. 10 an enlarged section of the cleaning device according to Fig. 9 in the area of ​​the device. Description of the embodiments

[0022] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows different views of a cleaning device 2, which is designed here as a handheld household vacuum cleaner. The cleaning device 2 has a telescopic guide tube 3 with a handle 16 located at one end. A thumb-operated switch 17 is located in the handle 16. An electrical cable 4 is guided in the handle 16 and the guide tube 3, extending along a longitudinal axis 7 of the guide tube 3 to an electrical coupling element 6 of the cleaning device 2. The electrical coupling element 6 of the cleaning device 2 is designed here as a plug. Correspondingly, the electrical cable 4 has an electrical coupling element 5, which is designed here as a socket.

[0023] The cleaning device 2 has a housing 18 with a chamber 19 for receiving a filter and a blower 20. The housing 18 also has a pipe coupling 21 (not shown) which provides a flow connection to a suction nozzle 25 of the cleaning device 2 that can be detached from the cleaning device 2. The suction nozzle can, for example, be a suction / brush nozzle whose brushes can be set in rotation by a separate drive. The guide tube 3 of the cleaning device has a recess 8 formed in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7, which allows access to the electrical coupling element 5 of the electrical cable 4 guided in the guide tube 3. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 The electrical coupling element 5 of the electrical cable 4 and the electrical coupling element 6 of the cleaning device 2 are connected (plugged into each other).

[0024] The Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows various views of a device 1 for connecting the electrical coupling elements 5, 6. The device 1 is essentially G-shaped in cross-section, with a first end region 22 of the G-shape having a device nose 10 on an inwardly directed contact surface 11. A second end region 23 of the G-shape has a straight extension 24, typical of a G-shape, projecting from the otherwise curved line. This extension serves as an engagement element when attaching or detaching the device 1 from the guide tube 3. On the outwardly directed side, the device 1 has a handle 15 for use by a user. The handle 15 is designed as an edge perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 7 of the guide tube 3 (relative to a state of the device 1 in contact with the guide tube 3), so that it forms a support for the user's hand when applying force.The device 1 is made of a flexible material, here a thermoplastic polymer, so that the device 1 can be expanded and the end regions of the G-shape can be spaced apart from each other.

[0025] The Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the electrical coupling element 5 of the electrical cable 4 from two mutually perpendicular views. The electrical coupling element 5 has a coupling lug 9 designed as a projection and a flexible locking element 12. A gripping area 13 is formed between the coupling lug 9 and the locking element 12, which serves to receive the device lug 10 of the device 1 during assembly. The coupling lug 9 has a ramp 14 on the side facing away from the locking element 12, rising in the direction of the locking element 12.

[0026] Fig. Figure 7 shows a section of the housing 18 of the cleaning device 2 facing the guide tube 3. As mentioned previously, the electrical coupling element 6 of the cleaning device 2 is designed as a plug, the contacts of which point towards the guide tube 3 and thus also towards the electrical coupling element 5 of the electrical cable 4. Of course, it is also possible to design the electrical coupling element 6 of the cleaning device 2 as a socket and the electrical coupling element 6 of the electrical cable 4 as a plug.

[0027] The Fig. 8 and Fig. Figure 9 shows two different positions of the electrical coupling element 5 of the electrical cable 4 inside the guide tube 3 of the cleaning device 2. Fig. 8 The electrical coupling element 5 is located in a transition area between guide tube 3 and handle 16. In Fig. 9 The electrical coupling element 5 is in a position approaching the housing 18 of the cleaning device 2. The device 1 for acting on the electrical coupling element 5 of the electrical cable 4 is arranged on the guide tube 3. By means of the device 1, the electrical coupling element 5 of the electrical cable 4 can be guided further towards the housing 18 of the cleaning device 2.

[0028] The following section explains in more detail the functioning of the invention when connecting the electrical coupling elements 5, 6 using the device 1.

[0029] First, the user of the cleaning device 2 inserts the electrical cable 4 with the electrical coupling element 5 into the handle 16 and the guide tube 3 of the cleaning device 2. Through the Fig.The form of the electrical coupling element 5 shown in Figure 6 allows for only one orientation of the electrical coupling element 5 within the handle 16 and the guide tube 3. Due to the predetermined orientation of the electrical coupling element 5 within the guide tube 3, the coupling lug 9 and the locking element 12 automatically move into the area of ​​the recess 8 of the guide tube 3, so that they are visible through the recess 8 and / or accessible through the device 1. The user first moves the electrical cable 4 within the guide tube 3 by continuing to push (guide) the electrical cable 4 into the handle 16. As soon as the electrical coupling element 5 of the electrical cable 4 reaches the area of ​​the electrical coupling element 6 of the cleaning device 2, the user attaches the device 1 to the guide tube 3.To do this, the user presses the device 1 with the opposing legs of the G-shape against the guide tube 3, so that the device 1 expands due to its flexural elasticity and at least partially engages the guide tube 3. If necessary, the user rotates the device 1 about the longitudinal axis 7 of the guide tube 3 until the device nose 10 engages in the recess 8 of the guide tube 3. However, due to the essentially oval cross-section of the guide tube 3, the device 1 adjusts itself accordingly, so that when positioning the device 1 on the guide tube 3, the user only needs to ensure that the device 1 is brought into contact with the recess 8 of the guide tube 3 with its leg extended.

[0030] The user then moves the device 1 along the guide tube 3 towards the housing 18 of the cleaning device 2, i.e., towards the electrical coupling element 6 of the cleaning device 2. This presses the device nose 10 of the device 1 against the coupling nose 9 of the electrical coupling element 5 of the electrical cable 4, causing the electrical coupling element 5 of the electrical cable 4 to move. As the device 1 continues to move towards the electrical coupling element 6 of the cleaning device 2, the device nose 10 moves along the ramp 14 of the coupling nose 9, spreading the device 1. Simultaneously, the locking element 12 of the coupling element 5 of the electrical cable 4 engages with the electrical coupling element 6 of the cleaning device 2. This produces a clicking sound that the user can hear.Likewise, the overcoming of the coupling nose 9 by the device nose 10 and the engagement of the device nose 10 in the engagement area 13 of the electrical coupling element 5 of the electrical cable 4 is noticeable to the user.

[0031] Should the user exert a force on the device 1 beyond the locking position of the electrical coupling element 5, 6 in the direction of the electrical coupling element 6 of the cleaning device 2, the device 1 will bend open again, causing it to slip out of the engagement area 13 over the locking element 12 and off the guide tube 3.

[0032] Although the aforementioned invention has been described in relation to a handheld vacuum cleaner, it can also be applied to other cleaning devices 2, such as wet mops or similar devices. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the guide tube 3 to be telescopically arranged on the housing 18 of the cleaning device 2. In principle, the invention is not limited to handheld vacuum cleaners. Rather, the device 1 can also be used to connect an electrical coupling element 5 of an electrical cable 4 to a housing 18 separated from an attachment by a suction hose. List of reference symbols 1 device 2 cleaning device 3 guide tube 4 electrical cables 5 electric coupling element 6 electrical coupling element 7 Longitudinal axis 8 recess 9 Clutch nose 10 Device nose 11 Plant area 12 locking elements 13 Intervention area 14 Ramp 15 Handling 16 handle 17 switches 18 cases 19th Chamber 20 blowers 21 Pipe coupling 22 first end area 23 second end area 24 extension 25 attachment device

Claims

[1] Combination of a cleaning device (2), an electric cable (4) and a device (1) for connecting an electric coupling element (5) of the electric cable (4) to an electric coupling element (6) of the cleaning device (2), wherein the electric cable (4) can be guided in a guide tube (3) of the cleaning device (2) to the electric coupling element (6) of the cleaning device (2), wherein the guide tube (3) has a recess (8) which allows access to the electric coupling element (5) of the electric cable (4) from outside the guide tube (3), characterized by that the device (1) can be arranged on the guide tube (3) so as to at least partially encompass the guide tube (3), wherein the device (1) has a device nose (10) which can at least partially engage in the recess (8) for the purpose of exerting a displacing action on the electrical coupling element (5) of the electrical cable (4). [2] Combination according to claim 1, characterized bythat the electrical coupling element (5) of the electric cable (4) has a coupling nose (9) for displacing action by means of the device nose (10). [3] Combination according to claim 2, characterized by that the electrical coupling element (5) of the electrical cable (4) has a locking element (12), in particular a locking spring, for locking with the electrical coupling element (6) of the cleaning device (2) in relation to the electrical cable (4) guided in the guide tube (3) between the electrical coupling element (6) of the cleaning device (2) and the coupling nose (9). [4] Combination according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the coupling nose (9) and / or the locking element (12) can engage at least partially into the recess (8) of the guide tube (3). [5] Combination according to claim 3 or 4, characterized bythat the electrical coupling element (5) of the electrical cable (4) has an engagement area (13) for engagement of the device nose (10) between the coupling nose (9) and the locking element (12). [6] Combination according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by that the coupling nose (9) has, with respect to the electric cable (4) guided in the guide tube (3), on the side facing away from the electric coupling element (6) of the cleaning device (2), a ramp (14) rising in the direction of the electric coupling element (6) of the cleaning device (2). [7] Device (1) for connecting an electrical coupling element (5) of an electric cable (4) to an electrical coupling element (6) of a cleaning device (2) in a combination according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized bythat the device (1) is G-shaped with respect to a cross-section, wherein a first end region (22) of the G-shape has an inwardly facing device nose (10) and wherein a second end region (23) has an outwardly facing, in particular straight, extension (24). [8] Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that the device (1) is made of an elastically deformable material, in particular plastic. [9] Device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the device (1) has, in relation to a cross section, a widest diameter of 30 mm to 60 mm, in particular 40 mm, and a smallest diameter of 10 mm to 30 mm, in particular 20 mm, and a length perpendicular to the cross section of 10 mm to 60 mm, in particular 30 mm. [10] Method for connecting an electrical coupling element (5) of an electrical cable (4) to an electrical coupling element (6) of a cleaning device (2), wherein the electrical coupling element (5) of the electrical cable (4) is guided within a guide tube (3) of the cleaning device (2) in the direction of the electrical coupling element (6) of the cleaning device (2) and is connected thereto, characterized bythat a device (1) for displacing the electrical coupling element (5) of the electrical cable (4) from the outside is arranged on the guide tube (3) in such a way that the device (1) at least partially encompasses the guide tube (3) and a device nose (10) of the device (1) at least partially engages in a recess (8) of the guide tube (3) and acts on a coupling nose (9) of the electrical coupling element (5) of the electrical cable (4) in such a way that the electrical coupling element (5) of the electrical cable (4) is displaced in the direction of the electrical coupling element (6) of the cleaning device (2).

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