floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners as well as vacuum cleaners

Abstract

floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners as well as vacuum cleaners The present invention relates to a floor nozzle (1) for vacuum cleaners, comprising - at least one suction head (2), wherein the suction head (2) comprises at least one suction mouth for picking up dust and dirt particles from a floor surface (3) to be cleaned, - at least one suction pipe connection piece (4) for the flow-related connection of the suction head (2) with at least one suction pipe of a vacuum cleaner, - at least two wheels for moving the floor nozzle (1) over the floor surface (3) to be cleaned, - wherein the suction pipe connection piece (4) is designed to be rotatable about a horizontal axis, - wherein the suction pipe connection piece (4) can be switched between a stationary state and a suction state, - wherein the suction pipe connection piece (4) is essentially vertically oriented when in the stationary state, - wherein the suction pipe connection piece (4) is aligned at an angle (8) to the vertical when in the suction state. In order to provide a floor nozzle (1) that is characterized by particularly simple operation and at the same time enables the setup of a connected vacuum cleaner, according to the invention at least two extension devices (9) are provided, which are designed to be movable relative to the suction head (2) and each is associated with a wheel (5, 6) for moving the wheels relative to the suction head (2), wherein the suction pipe connection piece (4) is coupled to the extension devices (9) by means of at least one gear (10) such that moving the suction pipe connection piece (4) from the suction state to the stand-up state increases and moving the suction pipe connection piece (4) from the suction state to the stand-up state decreases a distance (11) between the wheels and the suction head (2), so that an effective contact surface of the floor nozzle (1) can be changed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner according to claim 12.

[0002] The floor nozzle comprises at least one suction head. The suction head comprises at least one suction nozzle designed to collect dust and dirt particles from a floor surface to be cleaned by the vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, the floor nozzle comprises at least one suction pipe connector designed to fluidly connect the suction head to a suction pipe of the vacuum cleaner. Known vacuum cleaners typically have a fan for generating a suction air flow. This air flow can be transferred to the suction nozzle via the suction pipe connector.

[0003] The suction tube connector is designed to rotate around a horizontal axis. This allows the vacuum cleaner's suction tube to be moved relative to the suction head, which typically remains in constant contact with the floor during the cleaning process. For this purpose, the floor nozzle also features two wheels that allow the floor surface to be moved across the floor to be cleaned.

[0004] The suction tube connection piece can be converted between a standing position and a vacuuming position. When the suction tube connection piece is in the standing position, it is essentially aligned vertically. When the floor nozzle is resting on the floor surface, the suction tube connection piece is aligned perpendicular to the floor surface. Typically, the suction tube connection piece is converted to the standing position when the vacuum cleaner is to be put away or stored after cleaning. In the vacuuming position, however, the suction tube connection piece is aligned at an angle to the vertical. This makes vacuuming easier, as the associated suction tube and any handle on the vacuum cleaner can be adjusted to the posture and anatomy of the person operating the vacuum cleaner.

[0005] Freestanding vacuum cleaners typically have a floor nozzle. To ensure the vacuum cleaner remains stable, the floor nozzle usually has a correspondingly large footprint.

[0006] However, it has been found that a disadvantage of this type of floor nozzle is that it makes it difficult to maneuver the vacuum cleaner, especially the floor nozzle, around furniture. It has also been found that a floor nozzle with a smaller footprint is significantly better suited for such movements.

[0007] Vacuum cleaners with a small footprint are also known. However, such vacuum cleaners are not self-supporting. Typically, such vacuum cleaners are stored after use using a suitable holder, for example, attached to a wall.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a floor nozzle which is characterized by particularly simple operation and at the same time enables the installation of a connected vacuum cleaner.

[0009] The above object is achieved by a floor nozzle of the type described above with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments emerge from subclaims 2 to 12.

[0010] The floor nozzle according to the invention is characterized by at least two extension devices, which are designed to be movable relative to the suction head and are each assigned to a wheel, for moving the wheels relative to the suction head, wherein the suction pipe connection piece is coupled to the extension devices by means of at least two gears, each assigned to a wheel, in such a way that transferring the suction pipe connection piece from the suction state to the stationary state causes an increase and transferring the suction pipe connection piece from the suction state and into the stationary state causes a reduction of a distance between the wheels and the suction head, so that an effective contact surface of the floor nozzle can be changed.

[0011] For the purposes of the present invention, an "effective contact surface" is understood to mean the contact surface resulting from the contact points of the wheels and the suction head. The floor nozzle does not necessarily rest completely on a floor surface in the contact surface area. Rather, it can be provided that only the wheels and a part of the floor nozzle, in particular the suction nozzle, are in contact with the floor surface.

[0012] The floor nozzle according to the invention has many advantages. In particular, when coupled with a vacuum cleaner, the floor nozzle enables the vacuum cleaner to be designed as a stand-alone unit. This is due to the fact that the floor nozzle has an enlarged footprint, at least when in its upright position. This footprint can preferably be selected just so that the vacuum cleaner can be set up independently. This ensures that the vacuum cleaner can be set up without any additional tools.

[0013] Another advantage of the floor nozzle is that it has a smaller footprint, at least when in vacuuming mode. This makes it easier to guide the floor nozzle around furniture placed on the floor to be cleaned when coupled with a vacuum cleaner. Advantageously, the maneuverability of the vacuum cleaner is optimized due to the improved pivoting of the floor nozzle. This can improve the vacuum cleaner's cleaning results.

[0014] The floor nozzle is suitable for all types of vacuum cleaners. In particular, however, the floor nozzle can be coupled with a so-called handheld vacuum cleaner, in which the housing can typically be connected to the floor nozzle by means of an air guide in the form of a rigid suction tube.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extension devices each have an extension guide assigned to the suction head and an extension element guided in the extension guide, wherein the extension element is connected to a wheel in a force-transmitting manner, such that a movement of the extension element relative to the extension guide can be transmitted to the wheel. In other words, each wheel is coupled to an extension element in a force-transmitting manner, such that a movement of the extension element can be transmitted to the respective wheel. A movement of the extension element preferably occurs when the suction pipe connection piece is moved, which is preferably the case when the suction pipe connection piece is pivoted relative to the floor surface.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the gears comprises three gears and a rack. An advantageous embodiment of the invention further provides that a first gear is coupled to the suction pipe connection piece in such a way that the transfer of the suction pipe connection piece between the suction state and the stationary state causes a rotation of the first gear. The rotational movement caused by the movement of the suction pipe connection piece can ultimately be converted into a rotational movement of the first gear coupled to the rotation axis. A particularly advantageous further development of the floor nozzle according to the invention further provides that a second gear engages with the first gear, such that the rotational movement of the first gear causes a rotational movement of the second gear.Preferably, the first gear meshes with a second gear, which in turn is preferably fixedly connected to a third gear. The third gear can be coupled to the rack. A further embodiment of the invention provides that the rack is connected to the extension element in a force-transmitting manner, so that rotation of the first gear causes a linear movement of the extension element. Due to the coupling of the extension element to a wheel, the wheel is also displaced linearly. This type of gear design has proven particularly advantageous for converting the rotational movement of the suction pipe connection piece into a linear movement of the wheels and thus increasing the effective contact surface of the floor nozzle.

[0017] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if the floor nozzle comprises a locking element for locking the suction pipe connection piece in the stationary state. The locking element can be used to ensure that the suction pipe connection piece remains in the stationary state after being moved into the stationary state. This is particularly advantageous because a vacuum cleaner which comprises the floor nozzle can thus be set up without the floor nozzle automatically moving back into the suction state due to gravity. It can preferably be provided that the locking element locks the floor nozzle automatically, i.e. without manual intervention, in the stationary state, while releasing the floor nozzle from the stationary state is only possible by actuating the locking element. The locking element can preferably be designed in the form of a receptacle for receiving one end of the suction pipe connection piece.

[0018] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the intake manifold connector is rotatable about the horizontal axis by means of a fork, wherein the fork is connected to the intake manifold connector in a force-transmitting manner. The intake manifold connector can be connected to the fork via an integrated joint, wherein the rotational movement of the intake manifold connector is transmitted to the transmission via the fork. The joint enables the rotational movement of the intake manifold connector.

[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance between the suction head and the wheels is maximized when the suction tube connector is in place in the stationary position. This ensures that the wheels are positioned behind the center of gravity of the vacuum cleaner equipped with the floor nozzle, so that the vacuum cleaner can be set up on its own and remains safely in the stationary position.

[0020] A further embodiment of the invention provides that the distance between the suction head and the wheels is minimal when the suction tube connector is present during the vacuuming operation. With a reduced distance between the wheels and the suction head, the effective contact surface is reduced. This makes it more difficult to set up the vacuum cleaner on its own. However, the reduced distance allows for improved maneuverability of the floor nozzle during a cleaning process. This makes it easier to maneuver around furniture on the floor to be cleaned.

[0021] The object mentioned above is further achieved by a vacuum cleaner having the features according to claim 12. The advantages mentioned with regard to the floor nozzle apply analogously to the vacuum cleaner according to the invention.

[0022] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows: Fig. 1 A schematic view of a floor nozzle according to the invention in a stationary state. Fig. 2 A detailed view of a gearbox of the floor nozzle from Fig. 1. Fig. 3 Remove the floor nozzle Fig. 1 when present in a suction state.

[0023] An example of implementation that is shown in the Fig. 1 to 3 shows a floor nozzle 1 for vacuum cleaners according to the invention. The floor nozzle 1 comprises a suction head 2 and a suction pipe connector 4 for connecting the suction head 2 to a vacuum cleaner. The suction head 2, in turn, has a suction nozzle (not shown in the figures) designed to collect dust and dirt particles from a floor surface 3 to be cleaned. The vacuum cleaner to be connected can, in particular, be a stick vacuum cleaner.

[0024] The intake manifold connector 4 is hollow. Furthermore, the intake manifold connector 4 is connected to a fork 19 via a joint 20. The joint 20 enables rotation of the intake manifold connector 4 about a horizontally oriented axis 7.

[0025] The floor nozzle 1 further comprises two extension devices 9, each of which is assigned to an arm 21 of the fork 19. Each of the extension devices 9 comprises an extension guide 12 and an extension element 13. The extension elements 13 are each guided in the associated extension guide 12, so that the extension elements 13 are designed to be movable relative to the suction head 2. The fork 19 is coupled to the extension guides 12.

[0026] Furthermore, the floor nozzle 1 has two wheels 5, 6 to enable the floor nozzle 1 to be moved over the floor surface 3 to be cleaned. The two extension devices 9 each connect a wheel 5, 6 of the floor nozzle 1 to the suction head 2. For this purpose, the wheels 5, 6 are connected to the corresponding extension elements 13 by means of a respective gear 10.

[0027] The suction pipe connection piece 4 is between a stationary state, which is in the Fig. 1, and a suction state, which is shown in the Fig. 3 is shown.

[0028] It is intended that the suction pipe connection piece 4 is moved into the standing position when the vacuum cleaner connected to the floor nozzle 1 is to be set up, for example to store the vacuum cleaner after cleaning.

[0029] However, if the vacuum cleaner is to be used to clean the floor surface 3, the suction pipe connection piece 4 is to be switched to the suction state.

[0030] When the suction pipe connector 4 is in the stationary position, the wheels 5, 6 of the floor nozzle 1 are in a position at the maximum distance from the suction head 2. In other words, a distance 11 between the wheels 5, 6 and the suction head 2 is maximum.

[0031] When the suction pipe connection piece 4 is in the suction state, however, the wheels 5, 6 are arranged at a smaller distance 11 from the suction head 2.

[0032] In the upright position, the effective contact surface of the floor nozzle 1 is maximized. This allows the vacuum cleaner to be set up as a freestanding unit.

[0033] In the suction state, however, the effective contact surface of the floor nozzle 1 is reduced, so that the suction head 2 can be guided more easily over the floor surface 3, in particular around objects standing on the floor surface 3, such as pieces of furniture.

[0034] The transfer between the suction state and the stationary state is made possible by means of the gear 10 assigned to a respective extension device 9. Each gear 10 comprises three intermeshing gears 14, 15, 16 and a rack 17. The gear 10 is in the Fig. 2 shown in detail.

[0035] A first gear 14 is assigned to the extension guide 12. An axis of rotation 22 of the first gear 14 is coupled to the axis 7 of the intake manifold connecting piece 4, such that a rotational movement of the intake manifold connecting piece 4 when transferring it between the stationary state and the suction state causes a rotational movement of the first gear 14. A second gear 15 is assigned to the first gear 14, which engages with the first gear 14, such that a rotation of the first gear 14 is transmitted to the second gear 15. A third gear 16 is assigned to the second gear 15, which is fixedly connected to the second gear 15. The third gear 16 rests on the second gear 15 and shares an axis of rotation 23 with the second gear 15. The third gear 16, in turn, is assigned the rack 17, which engages with the third gear 16. The rack 17 is connected to a wheel 5 in a force-transmitting manner.As a result of the rotation of the third gear 16 and the coupling with the rack 17, the two wheels 5, 6 are moved linearly by means of the associated extension element 13. The above description of the first gear 10 applies analogously to the second gear, not shown in the figures.

[0036] Depending on the direction of rotation of the fork 19, the wheels 5, 6 move towards the suction head 2 or away from it. The distance 11 between the wheels 5, 6 is reduced when transferring the floor nozzle 1 from the stationary state to the suction state, as can be seen from a comparison of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 is recognizable.

[0037] In order to fix the floor nozzle 1 in the standing position, the floor nozzle 1 has a locking element 18. When the floor nozzle 1 is transferred to the standing position, the locking element 18 fixes the floor nozzle 1 automatically, i.e. without manual intervention, in the standing position. In order to transfer the floor nozzle 1 from the standing position to the suction state, the locking element 18 must be actuated. In this way, it can be prevented that the floor nozzle 1 is unintentionally transferred from the standing state to the suction state. Transfer is only possible by actuating the locking element 18. The locking element 18 is designed in the form of a receptacle such that it can accommodate one end 24 of the suction pipe connection piece 4. List of reference symbols 1 floor nozzle 2 suction heads 3 Floor area 4 intake manifold connector 5 wheel 6 wheel 7 Axis 8 angles 9 Extension device 10 gearboxes 11 Distance 12 Extension guide 13 Extension element 14 gear 15 gear 16 gear 17 Rack 18 Locking element 19 Fork 20 joint

Claims

[1] Floor nozzle (1) for vacuum cleaner, comprising - at least one suction head (2), wherein the suction head (2) comprises at least one suction mouth for collecting dust and dirt particles from a floor surface (3) to be cleaned, - at least one suction pipe connection piece (4) for the fluidic connection of the suction head (2) to at least one suction pipe of a vacuum cleaner, - at least two wheels for moving the floor nozzle (1) over the floor surface to be cleaned (3), - wherein the suction pipe connection piece (4) is designed to be rotatable about a horizontal axis, - wherein the suction pipe connection piece (4) can be transferred between a stationary state and a suction state, - wherein the suction pipe connection piece (4) is substantially vertically aligned when in the stationary state, - wherein the suction pipe connection piece (4) is aligned at an angle (8) to the vertical when in the suction state, characterized by - at least two extension devices (9) designed to be movable relative to the suction head (2) and each associated with a wheel (5, 6) for moving the wheels relative to the suction head (2), - wherein the suction pipe connection piece (4) is coupled to the extension devices (9) by means of at least one gear (10) in such a way that transferring the suction pipe connection piece (4) from the suction state and into the stationary state causes an increase and transferring the suction pipe connection piece (4) from the suction state and into the stationary state causes a reduction of a distance (11) between the wheels and the suction head (2), so that an effective contact surface of the floor nozzle (1) can be changed. [2] Floor nozzle (1) according to claim 1, characterized byin that the extension devices (9) each have an extension guide (12) assigned to the suction head (2) and an extension element (13) guided in the extension guide (12), wherein the extension element (13) is connected in a force-transmitting manner to a wheel (5, 6) so that a movement of the extension element (13) relative to the extension guide (12) can be transmitted to the wheel (5, 6). [3] Floor nozzle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that each gear (10) comprises three gears (14, 15, 16) and a rack (17). [4] Floor nozzle (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that a first gear (1514) is coupled to the intake manifold connection piece (4) in such a way that the transfer of the intake manifold connection piece (4) between the suction state and the stationary state causes a rotation of the first gear (1514). [5] Floor nozzle (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized bythat a second gear (15) is coupled to the first gear (14) in such a way that a rotational movement of the first gear (14) causes a rotational movement of the second gear (15). [6] Floor nozzle (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by that the second gear (15) engages with a third gear (16), wherein the third gear (16) engages with the rack (17) so that a rotational movement of the second gear (16) causes a linear movement of the rack (17). [7] Floor nozzle (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by that the rack (17) is connected to the extension element (13) in a force-transmitting manner, so that a rotation of the first gear (14) causes a linear movement of the extension element (13). [8] Floor nozzle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a locking element (18) for locking the suction pipe connection piece (4) in the stationary state. [9] Floor nozzle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the suction pipe connection piece (4) is rotatable about the horizontal axis (7) by means of a fork (19), wherein the fork (19) is connected to the suction pipe connection piece (4) in a force-transmitting manner. [10] Floor nozzle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the distance between the suction head and the wheels is maximum when the suction pipe connection piece is present in the stationary state. [11] Floor nozzle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the distance (11) between the suction head (2) and the wheels (5, 6) is minimal when the suction pipe connection piece (4) is in the suction state. [12] Vacuum cleaner comprising at least one floor nozzle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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