Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a handle (1), a power unit (2), a suction tube with a tube axis and a floor nozzle (4), wherein the power unit (2) has a first basic position and a second basic position, wherein in the first basic position the power unit (2) is arranged in an upper position relative to the second basic position in the direction of the handle (1) and in front of the suction tube (3), so that a center of gravity (5) of the vacuum cleaner is located in front of the tube axis near the handle (1), and wherein in the second basic position the power unit (2) is arranged in a lower position relative to the first basic position in the direction of the floor nozzle (4) and in front of the suction tube (3) and is arranged rotated so that the center of gravity (5) of the vacuum cleaner is located in the direction of the floor nozzle (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. In particular, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a handle, a power unit, a suction tube with a tube axis, and a floor nozzle. The power unit preferably comprises an accumulator and a separator unit, so that the vacuum cleaner can be used bagless by one user.

[0002] Such vacuum cleaners can have different designs, each suited to different uses. Some models have their main weight concentrated in the lower part of the vacuum, making them ideal for cleaning large areas since the weight isn't in your hand. Other models have their main weight concentrated at the top, near the handle. This makes tasks like vacuuming ceilings or under furniture much easier. This design also allows for easy handheld use, without the extension tube or floor nozzle.

[0003] One way to cover these various applications with a vacuum cleaner is the 3-in-1 principle of the Miele Triflex (Miele & Cie. KG, Gütersloh, Germany). Here, the position of the main unit can be reconfigured from bottom to top, allowing for effective coverage of different uses. However, this requires physically swapping components, which is somewhat cumbersome for the user. Ideally, a vacuum cleaner should be adaptable for different applications with a single movement.

[0004] The Electrolux AEG FX9 vacuum cleaner (Electrolux Hausgeräte GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany) is also well-known. In this vacuum cleaner, a suction unit, which constitutes the main mass of the vacuum, slides from top to bottom along a rail. A disadvantage is the size of the system. This is particularly problematic when using the vacuum in handheld mode, as it requires two hands to operate. Furthermore, the arrangement of the masses is merely shifted; the masses are not optimally positioned for this configuration.

[0005] The invention thus addresses the problem of providing a vacuum cleaner in which changing the assembly position is significantly simplified and in which the mass-determining elements are optimally arranged for the respective assembly position.

[0006] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a vacuum cleaner with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the following dependent claims.

[0007] The advantages achievable with the invention, besides the simple convertibility without dismantling individual components, are that the appropriate mounting position can be chosen individually and situationally by a user.

[0008] The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a handle, a power unit, a suction tube with a tube axis and a floor nozzle, wherein the power unit has a first basic position and a second basic position, wherein in the first basic position the power unit is arranged in an upper position relative to the second basic position in the direction of the handle and in front of the suction tube, so that a center of gravity of the vacuum cleaner is located in front of the tube axis near the handle, and wherein in the second basic position the power unit is arranged in a lower position relative to the first basic position in the direction of the floor nozzle and in front of the suction tube and is arranged rotated so that the center of gravity of the vacuum cleaner is located in the direction of the floor nozzle.

[0009] Position and direction specifications refer to the vacuum cleaner's standard operating position. During vacuuming, the user stands behind the vacuum cleaner relative to it, while the suction unit is positioned in front of the suction tube in both the first and second basic positions. In the first basic position, the suction unit is positioned higher relative to the second basic position, pointing towards the handle. In the second basic position, it is positioned lower relative to the first basic position, pointing towards the floor nozzle, and is rotated accordingly. Furthermore, in the first basic position, the vacuum cleaner's center of gravity is located in front of the tube axis, close to the handle relative to the second basic position. In the second basic position, the vacuum cleaner's center of gravity is located relative to the first basic position, pointing towards the floor nozzle.

[0010] In stick vacuum mode, the vacuum cleaner features, starting from the floor, the floor nozzle, followed by the suction tube, then the power unit, and finally the handle. In this configuration, the power unit can be positioned in two basic positions. A handheld mode is also available, in which the vacuum cleaner operates without the suction tube and floor nozzle. Furthermore, in the first basic position, the vacuum cleaner is designed to lie very flat. This allows for excellent cleaning under furniture such as sofas. This is made possible because, in this flat position, all components of the power unit are located above the suction tube. In the second basic position, the power unit is also positioned in front of the suction tube, but significantly further towards the floor nozzle.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the handle is positioned such that its axis of action lies close to the center of gravity. This axis of action forms a rotational axis between the hand and the joint of the floor nozzle. This allows for rotation with minimal effort at the wrist. The axis of action is preferably identical or substantially identical in both the first and second basic positions.

[0012] Preferably, the center-of-gravity components of the vacuum unit are oriented towards the floor nozzle in the second basic position. The vacuum unit is preferably rotated relative to the first basic position in this second basic position so that the center-of-gravity components are oriented towards the floor nozzle. This also shifts the center of gravity further towards the floor compared to the first basic position. This shift in the center of gravity, combined with the arrangement in front of the suction tube, allows the vacuum cleaner to stand upright independently in the second basic position. Another advantage of this configuration is that the weight of the vacuum cleaner is not borne by the hand, making vacuuming larger areas significantly more relaxed and effortless. The center-of-gravity components preferably include a separator, a fan, and an accumulator.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the assembly unit comprises a first main part, which includes a pipe section, and a second main part, which includes a separator, a blower, an accumulator, and electronics. Preferably, the second main part is rotatably connected to the pipe section via an air passage of the separator. Preferably, one axis of rotation of the separator is oriented at 90° to the pipe section.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the tube section has two ends. Preferably, the tube section is designed such that one end, preferably its lower end, can be connected to the suction tube, and the other end, preferably its upper end, can be connected to the handle. When the vacuum cleaner is set up in stick vacuum mode, its lower end is connected to the suction tube and its upper end is connected to the handle. Preferably, the tube section is designed such that, in an operational working position in stick vacuum mode, the suction tube connects to its lower end and the handle connects to its upper end. The connectable parts can be detachably or permanently connected.

[0015] Preferably, the second main part is designed such that the separator is arranged at a front end of the pipe section, and the blower is arranged along the air path, the blower being positioned eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation, so that the accumulator is located below the blower within a housing shell of the unit. This makes it possible to keep the center of gravity as close as possible to the pipe axis.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum cleaner further comprises a confirmation element designed to allow movement of the unit from the first home position to the second home position and vice versa when actuated, the actuating element preferably being designed as a push button. This prevents the unit from moving independently from its current home position.

[0017] Preferably, the second main part is designed to be pivoted downwards from the first basic position via a rotatable connection to the pipe section and then moved linearly towards the floor nozzle to be positioned in the second basic position. Preferably, the second main part is further designed to be positioned from the second basic position to the first basic position by reversing the aforementioned movement sequence. Thus, a changeover between the first and second basic positions is possible with just one movement and without detaching any components. This is further facilitated by keeping the center of gravity as close as possible to the pipe axis.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the handle position is adjustable in handheld mode, where the vacuum cleaner is set up without a suction tube and floor nozzle. It is advantageous that an optimal handle position can be selected even for handheld mode, thus ensuring optimal handling of the vacuum cleaner in any setup position. Preferably, the handle can be folded down against the power unit in the handheld position. This shifts the effective axis between the handle surface and the now exposed nozzle of the power unit (without the suction tube) further along the center of gravity. Furthermore, this moves the handle closer to the power unit, thereby reducing the leverage effect. This is particularly relevant in handheld mode, as there is no support from the floor nozzle and suction tube. In handheld mode, the center of gravity of the vacuum cleaner is preferably located close to the handle.

[0019] Preferably, the vacuum cleaner should be bagless. This eliminates the need for a vacuum cleaner bag, thus saving costs.

[0020] An embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It is shown schematically and not to scale. Fig. 1 a side view of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention in a first basic position; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown in the first basic position; Fig. 3 another perspective view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown in the first basic position; Fig. 4 a perspective view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown in a second basic position; Fig. 5 another perspective view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown in the second basic position; Fig. 6 a perspective partial view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown in the first basic position; Fig. 7 a perspective partial view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown in the second basic position; Fig. 8, Fig. 9 to Fig. 10 a sequence of movements of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown from the first basic position to the second basic position, each in perspective view; Fig. 11 a perspective partial view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown; Fig. 12 a perspective view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown in handheld mode; Fig. 13 another perspective view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown in the first basic position; and Fig. 14 another perspective view of the in Fig. 1 vacuum cleaner shown in the second basic position.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of a vacuum cleaner according to the invention in a first basic position. It has a handle 1, a power unit 2, a suction tube 3 with a tube axis (not shown), and a floor nozzle 4. In the first basic position, the power unit 2 is arranged in an upper position relative to a second basic position (not shown) in the direction of the handle 1 and in front of the suction tube 3, so that a center of gravity 5 of the vacuum cleaner is located in front of the tube axis near the handle 1.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the in Fig. Figure 1 shows the vacuum cleaner in its first basic position. The vacuum cleaner is shown in its operating position. The power unit 2 is also in the first basic position, in the upper position towards the handle 1 and in front of the suction tube 3.

[0023] Fig. Figure 3 shows another perspective view of the in Fig. Figure 1 shows the vacuum cleaner in its first basic position. The vacuum cleaner is also shown in another operational working position. In this position, it can easily be maneuvered under a piece of furniture.

[0024] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the in Fig. 1. Vacuum cleaner shown in a second basic position. In Fig. Figure 4 shows the vacuum cleaner in a standing position where it can see itself. The aggregate unit 2 is in the second basic position relative to the one shown in Figure 4. Fig. 1 first basic position shown in a lower position in the direction of the floor nozzle 4 and in front of the suction tube 3 and arranged in such a way that the center of gravity 5 of the vacuum cleaner is in the direction of the floor nozzle 4.

[0025] Fig. 5 shows another perspective view of the in Fig. Figure 1 shows the vacuum cleaner in its second basic position. The vacuum cleaner is shown in a standard operating position. The unit 2 remains in the second basic position, in the lower position relative to the first basic position and in front of the suction tube 3, pointing towards the floor nozzle 4.

[0026] Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective partial view of the in Fig. Figure 1 shows the vacuum cleaner in its first basic position. The unit 2 has a first main part (not shown) with a tube part and a second main part comprising a separator (not shown), a blower 6, an accumulator 7 and electronics (not shown), with a housing shell covering the accumulator 7 and the blower 6 being omitted.

[0027] Fig. Figure 7 shows a perspective partial view of the in Fig. Figure 1 shows the vacuum cleaner in its second basic position. The accumulator 7 is located under the blower 6 within a housing shell of the unit 2, which is omitted here.

[0028] Fig. 8, Fig. 9 to Fig. 10 show a sequence of movements of the in Fig. The vacuum cleaner shown in Figure 1 can be moved from its first basic position to its second basic position, each in a perspective view. After actuating an actuating element (not shown), the second main part (not shown) of the unit 2, which is in the first basic position, can be pivoted downwards from the first basic position via a rotatable connection to the tube part (not shown), as shown in the illustrations. Fig. 8 and Fig. as indicated by the 9 arrows shown. Then, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 10 with the arrow, the second main part can be moved linearly towards the bottom nozzle 4 to position the aggregate unit 2 in the second basic position. By reversing the above movement sequence from the second basic position to the first basic position, the aggregate unit 2 can be moved from the second basic position to the first basic position.

[0029] Fig. Figure 11 shows another perspective partial view of the in Fig. Figure 1 shows the vacuum cleaner in its first basic position. The compressor unit 2 is located near the handle 1. The center of gravity 5 is located in front of the tube axis (not shown) near the handle 1.

[0030] Fig. Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the in Fig. Figure 1 shows the vacuum cleaner in handheld mode. In handheld mode, the vacuum cleaner is configured as a handheld 10, consisting only of the power unit 2 and the handle 1 during use; that is, it is set up without a suction tube or floor nozzle. The position of the handle 1 is adjustable in handheld mode. The handle 1 can be folded against the power unit 2 in the direction of the arrow. The center of gravity 5 is located near the handle 1.

[0031] Fig. Figure 13 shows another perspective view of the in Fig. Figure 1 shows the vacuum cleaner in its first basic position. The center of gravity 5 is located in front of the tube axis 11 and near the handle 1. The grip position of the handle 1 is designed such that an effective axis 12, which represents a rotation axis between the hand and the joint of the floor nozzle, is located as close as possible to the center of gravity 5.

[0032] Fig. Figure 14 shows another perspective view of the in Fig. The vacuum cleaner shown in Figure 1 is in its second basic position. The pipe axis 11 and the effective axis 12 essentially correspond to those shown in Figure 1. Fig. 13 pipe and working axes shown. Reference symbol list 1 handle 2 aggregate units 3 Intake manifold 4 floor nozzles 5 Focus 6 blowers 7 Accumulator 8 Direction of rotation 9 Shift 10 Handheld 11 Pipe axis 12 Effective axis

Claims

Vacuum cleaner comprising a handle (1), a power unit (2), a suction tube with a tube axis and a floor nozzle (4), wherein the power unit (2) has a first basic position and a second basic position, wherein in the first basic position the power unit (2) is arranged in an upper position relative to the second basic position in the direction of the handle (1) and in front of the suction tube (3), such that a center of gravity (5) of the vacuum cleaner is located in front of the tube axis near the handle (1), and wherein in the second basic position the power unit (2) is arranged in a lower position relative to the first basic position in the direction of the floor nozzle (4) and in front of the suction tube (3) and is arranged rotated such that the center of gravity (5) of the vacuum cleaner is located in the direction of the floor nozzle (4). Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that a grip position of the handle (1) is designed such that an effective axis (12) is located close to the center of gravity (5). Vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the center of gravity components of the aggregate unit (2) are aligned in the second basic position in the direction of the floor nozzle (4). Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aggregate unit (2) has a first main part comprising a pipe part and a second main part comprising a separator, a blower (6), an accumulator (7) and electronics. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, characterized in that the second main part is rotatably connected to the pipe part via an air path of the separator, wherein preferably an axis of rotation of the separator is 90° to the pipe part. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the tube part is designed such that its lower end can be connected to or is connected to the suction tube (3) and its upper end can be connected to or is connected to the handle (1). Vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that the second main part is designed such that the separator is arranged at a front end, and following the air path the blower (6) is arranged, wherein the blower (6) is arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation, so that the accumulator (7) is arranged under the blower (6) within a housing shell of the aggregate unit (2). Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a confirmation element which is designed to allow movement of the aggregate unit (2) from the first basic position to the second basic position and vice versa when actuated, wherein the actuating element is preferably designed as a push button. Vacuum cleaner according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the second main part is designed to be pivoted downwards from the first basic position about a rotatable connection to the tube part and then moved linearly in the direction of the floor nozzle (4) in order to be arranged in the second basic position, and that the second main part is designed to be arranged from the second basic position in the first basic position by means of a reversal of the above movement sequence. Vacuum cleaner according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a handheld mode in which the vacuum cleaner is constructed without suction tube and floor nozzle, a position of the handle (1) can be changed, preferably the handle (1) can be folded onto the unit (2).

Images