Hose coupling system for a vacuum cleaner

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a hose coupling system comprising an inlet fitting and a connector. The inlet fitting is to be arranged or is arranged on a vacuum cleaner. The connector is to be connected or is connected to a suction hose. The connector can be inserted coaxially into the inlet fitting and can be pulled out coaxially from the inlet fitting.

[0002] Hose coupling systems of the type mentioned above are generally known from the prior art. For example, DE 10 2010 039 282 A discloses a connecting piece with a locking element for a vacuum cleaner, wherein the connecting piece can be connected to a suction hose and a suction opening of a vacuum cleaner part.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a hose coupling system for a vacuum cleaner which facilitates a comparatively simple connection of the connector to the inlet fitting.

[0004] The object is achieved in that the hose coupling system has an actuatable locking element with which the connecting piece can be held in a form-fitting manner in the inlet fitting and released again as required, wherein the locking element is designed as a spring-loaded retaining bracket and the spring-loaded retaining bracket has retaining lugs in order to hold the retaining bracket in a housing of the vacuum cleaner.

[0005] The invention includes the recognition that connectors for suction hoses typically have a conical shape which, in conjunction with a corresponding conical configuration of the inlet fitting, leads to frictional engagement between the connector and the inlet fitting. While such a conical configuration minimizes any potential air leakage into the inlet fitting, the conical connector typically sits relatively firmly within the inlet fitting, which is a disadvantage. In order to remove such a prior art connector from the inlet fitting, a relatively high pull-out force must be applied. In addition to the high level of force typically required for removal, the connector also disadvantageously requires that it be sufficiently large so that a user can grasp it with their hand and pull it out.In addition to the already mentioned large amount of force required, the large amount of space required in the area of ​​the vacuum cleaner's inlet fitting is also problematic.

[0006] These disadvantages can be avoided by the hose coupling system according to the invention. The hose coupling system according to the invention thus provides the basis for a compact vacuum cleaner design and an easy-to-remove, yet secure and largely airtight connection.

[0007] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the connector is held in the inlet fitting with a positive fit when the locking element is not actuated. The locking element is designed as a spring-loaded retaining bracket, which preferably includes an external actuating surface. The term "external actuating surface" refers, in particular, to a surface actuable by a human finger or hand. The area of ​​the external actuating surface is preferably at least 4 cm².

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting piece has a circumferential locking rim with which the spring-loaded retaining bracket positively engages when the latter is in the unactuated state. The locking rim preferably completely surrounds the connecting piece. The spring-loaded retaining bracket preferably has a locking edge designed to engage with the locking rim. The locking edge can be located between the locking rim and the first support ring when the spring-loaded retaining bracket is in the unactuated state.

[0009] It has proven advantageous if the spring-loaded retaining bracket has two retaining lugs to hold the retaining bracket in a housing of the vacuum cleaner.

[0010] Particularly preferably, the locking rim has a sloping flank to facilitate engagement of the spring-loaded retaining bracket.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment, the connecting piece has at least one, preferably two, circumferential support rings in order to align the connecting piece in the inlet fitting essentially without play.

[0012] It has proven advantageous if the connector has an annular face that, when the connector is received and locked into the inlet fitting, rests on a corresponding annular face of the inlet fitting. During suction operation, the corresponding annular faces draw each other in, preventing, or at least minimizing, unwanted leakage.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment, the connecting piece has a cylindrical sealing surface which, when the connecting piece is received and locked in the inlet fitting, rests against a corresponding cylindrical sealing surface of the inlet fitting. Advantageously, such corresponding sealing surfaces minimize undesirable

[0014] Leakage air. On the other hand, an additional hose, for example, for a vacuum cleaner's blower function, can be connected to the cylindrical sealing surface or the annular opening defined by it in the inlet fitting. It has proven advantageous if the corresponding cylindrical sealing surface of the inlet fitting extends no more than one-third of the total length of the inlet fitting.

[0015] It has proven advantageous if the connecting piece is held exclusively in a form-fitting manner, in particular free of a conical pairing in the inlet fitting.

[0016] The invention also leads to a vacuum cleaner with a suction hose and a hose coupling system according to the type described above, wherein the inlet fitting is arranged on the vacuum cleaner and the connecting piece is connected to the suction hose.

[0017] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. Various embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the figures. The figures, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0018] In the figures, identical and similar components are numbered with the same reference numerals. They show: Fig. 1 shows a section through a preferred embodiment of a hose coupling system according to the invention, which is arranged in a vacuum cleaner, wherein an unactuated state of the retaining bracket is shown; Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of the Fig. 1 with actuated retaining bracket; Fig. 3 the connecting piece of the preceding embodiment in detail; Fig. 4 the connecting piece in a perspective view; Fig. 5 the locking element designed as a spring-loaded retaining bracket of the embodiment of the Figures 1 and 2 ; and Fig. 6 a perspective view of a section through a hose coupling system, wherein the locking element is in the unactuated state. Examples of implementation:

[0019] A preferred embodiment of a hose coupling system 100 according to the invention is shown in Figure 1The hose coupling system 100 is equipped with an inlet fitting 10 and a connector 25. The connector 25 has been inserted into the inlet fitting 10 in the coaxial direction R and is supported therein.

[0020] The inlet fitting 10 is arranged on a vacuum cleaner 200, more precisely, it is installed in a housing 210 of the vacuum cleaner. On the left side, the inlet fitting 10 is bounded by a manifold 29 of the vacuum cleaner 200. The manifold 29 leads to a suction turbine (not shown here).

[0021] A suction hose 20 to be connected to the connector 25 is located on the right side of the Figure 1 shown only schematically. Such a connecting hose 20 is preferably designed as a spiral-shaped suction hose and is in turn preferably held in a spiral passage 20' formed within the connecting piece 25.

[0022] According to the invention, the hose coupling system 100 has an actuatable locking element 15, by means of which the connecting piece 25 can be held in a form-fitting manner in the inlet fitting 10 and can be released again if necessary.

[0023] In the presently illustrated embodiment, the locking element 15 is designed as a spring-loaded retaining bracket 16 with an outer actuating surface 17. The spring-loaded retaining bracket 16 will be described later with reference to Figure 5 explained in more detail.

[0024] In Figure 1 The locking element 15, designed as a spring-loaded bracket 16, is shown in section. Figure 1 the unactuated state UZ, i.e. the compression spring 19 against whose force the locking element 15 is to be actuated, is in the maximally expanded state. Figure 1In the unactuated state UZ shown, the connecting piece 25 is held positively in the inlet fitting 10. This is achieved by the connecting piece 25 having a circumferential locking rim 26 with which the spring-loaded retaining bracket 16 is positively engaged. This positive engagement is in Figure 1 highlighted by an ellipse. In this locked state, the connector 25 cannot be pulled out of the inlet fitting 10 in the coaxial direction R. Clearly visible in Figure 1 is also that the locking rim 26 has an oblique flank 28 in order to facilitate the locking of the spring-loaded retaining bracket 16 when the connecting piece 25 is inserted into the inlet fitting 10.

[0025] The Figure 1The preferred connector 25 shown further comprises two circumferential support rings 27, 27', which align the connector 25 in the inlet fitting 10 with essentially no play. In other words, these two support rings 27, 27' prevent the connector 25 from rattling within the inlet fitting 10.

[0026] Furthermore, leakage air is minimized by a gap ZR defined between the inclined flank 28 and the inlet fitting 10, since this space essentially represents a labyrinth for any leakage air.

[0027] Again Figure 1can be removed, the connecting piece 25 is held exclusively in a form-fitting manner and in particular free of a conical pairing between the inlet fitting 10 and the connecting piece 25. Due to this cone-free pairing, further design measures are provided in order to minimize unwanted leakage air as much as possible. For example, the connecting piece 25 has an annular end face 21 which, when the connecting piece 25 is received and locked in the inlet fitting 10 as shown, rests on a corresponding annular end face 21 of the inlet fitting 10. During suction operation, these corresponding annular end faces 21, 21' are sucked onto one another. Thus, with reference to the coaxial direction R, an annular vertical contact surface is realized.

[0028] As a further design measure to minimize leakage, the connecting piece 25 has a cylindrical sealing surface 23 which, when the connecting piece 25 is received and engaged in the inlet fitting 10 as shown, rests against a corresponding cylindrical sealing surface 24 of the inlet fitting 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the cylindrical sealing surface 23 has a constant cross-sectional area along a moving cross section in the coaxial direction R. Alternatively, at least the cylindrical sealing surface can have a conical shape along the coaxial direction R, for example, to attach a hose with a blowing function.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1 As shown in the preferred embodiment shown, the corresponding cylindrical sealing surface 24 of the inlet fitting 10 extends at most over one third of the total length GL of the inlet fitting 10.

[0030] Figure 2 now shows the hose coupling system 100 of the Figure 1 , wherein the locking element 15 designed as a spring-loaded retaining bracket 16 is shown in the actuated state BZ.

[0031] This actuated state BZ is achieved by applying an actuating force F to the outer actuating surface 17 of the spring-loaded retaining bracket 16. The actuating force F counteracts a spring force of the compression spring 19. It should be noted that a spring-loaded retaining bracket 26 does not necessarily have to be achieved via a compression spring 19. Alternatively, leaf springs, disc springs, or the like can be used as spring elements.

[0032] By means of the applied actuating force F, the spring-loaded retaining bracket 16 is brought into the actuated state BZ shown, wherein the locking edge 13 is no longer in engagement with the locking rim 26, or more precisely, is no longer located in the space between the locking rim and the first support ring 27.

[0033] Again Figure 1 can be removed, the spring-loaded retaining bracket 16 has a locking edge 13 which is in engagement with the locking rim 16, more precisely in the shown unactuated state OZ is located between the locking rim 26 and the first support ring 27.

[0034] In this Figure 2 In the actuated state BZ shown, the connecting piece 25 can be easily pulled out of the inlet fitting 10 in the axial direction R. This is particularly the case because the connecting piece 25 is held free of a conical pairing in the inlet fitting 10.

[0035] Figure 3now shows the preferred connecting piece 25 in detail. The connecting piece is cylindrical in shape with respect to the coaxial direction R. The locking rim 26 and its flank 28, as well as the first support ring 27 and the second support ring 27', are clearly visible. The locking edge 13 is schematically indicated on the underside. In the unactuated state UZ, it is arranged between the locking rim 26 and the first support ring 27, thus preventing the connecting piece 25 10 from being pulled out of the inlet fitting 10 (not shown here) in the coaxial direction.

[0036] Figure 4 now shows the connecting piece 25 in perspective. The annular end face 21, which serves to seal the connecting piece 25 against the inlet fitting 10, is clearly visible (cf. Figure 1 and 2). Also clearly visible is the cylindrical sealing surface 23, which is formed at the end of the connecting piece 25 and interacts with the corresponding cylindrical sealing surface 24 of the inlet fitting 10 (cf. Figure 1 and 2 ) also serves to minimize leakage of air.

[0037] Figure 5 Finally, the locking element 15, designed as a spring-loaded retaining bracket 16, is shown in detail. The retaining bracket 16 is made in one piece from plastic. The retaining bracket 16 has an outer actuating surface 17, which Figure 5 is clearly visible on the upper side. This is partially trough-shaped to facilitate operation by the human finger, or more precisely, to prevent slipping. In the presently illustrated embodiment, the actuating surface 17 has a surface area of ​​at least 4 cm2.

[0038] The retaining bracket 16 has a base body GK through which the connecting piece 25 can be pushed, at least in sections. In the lower region of the base body GK, opposite the actuating surface 17, the locking edge 13 is arranged, which serves to positively lock the connecting piece 25. It should be noted that the locking edge 13 does not necessarily have to be designed as a discrete, protruding locking edge, but can, as can be seen from the exemplary embodiment shown here, be part of the base body GK itself. The compression spring 19, against whose compressive force the retaining bracket 16 is to be actuated via the actuating surface 17, can be clearly seen on the underside of the base body GK.

[0039] The spring-loaded retaining bracket 16 further comprises two retaining lugs 18, 18' to hold the retaining bracket in a housing 210 of the vacuum cleaner 200.

[0040] When the connecting piece 25 is arranged and locked in the inlet fitting 10, the connecting piece 25 is located at least partially within the lumen L completely enclosed by the base body GK.

[0041] Figure 6 now shows a perspective view of the hose coupling system 100 installed in a vacuum cleaner housing 210. The locking element, designed as a spring-loaded retaining bracket 16, is in the unactuated state UZ, with the locking edge 13 of the retaining bracket 16 resting on a surface OF of the connecting piece 25. Pulling the connecting piece 25 out of the inlet fitting 10 is not possible in this unactuated state UZ, since the locking edge 13 rests against the locking rim 26. Due to the sectional view chosen here, the locking rim 26 is not visible, but the first support ring 27 can be seen, which, on the other hand, forms the space between the locking rim 26 and the first support ring. List of reference symbols

[0042] 10Inlet fitting 13Locking edge 15Locking element 16Spring-loaded retaining bracket 17Actuating surface 18, 18'Retaining lug 19Compression spring 20Suction hose 20'Spiral thread 21Annular end face 22'Corresponding annular end face 23Sealing surface 24Corresponding sealing surface 25Connecting piece 26Locking rim 27, 27'Support rings 28Flank 29Elbow 200Vacuum cleaner 210Housing FActuating force GLTotal length GKBase body LLumen OFSurface RCoaxial direction BZActuated state UZuDeactuated state ZRGap

Claims

1. Hose coupling system (100) comprising an inlet fitting (10), which is to be arranged or is arranged on a vacuum cleaner (200), and comprising a connection piece (25), which is to be connected or is connected to a suction hose (20), wherein the connection piece (25) is to be inserted into the inlet fitting (10) in the coaxial direction (R), wherein the hose coupling system (100) has an actuable latching element (15) by means of which the connection piece (25) can be held in the inlet fitting (10) in a form-fitting manner and can be released again as required, wherein the latching element (15) is in the form of a spring-mounted holding clip (16) with an outer actuating surface (17), characterized in that the spring-mounted holding clip (16) has two holding lugs (18, 18') in order to hold the holding clip (16) in a housing (210) of the vacuum cleaner (200).

2. Hose coupling system (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connection piece (25) is held in the inlet fitting (10) in a form-fitting manner when the latching element (15) is unactuated.

3. Hose coupling system (100) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection piece (25) has a preferably encircling latching rim (26) with which the spring-mounted holding clip (16) is in engagement in a form-fitting manner when said holding clip is in an unactuated state.

4. Hose coupling system (100) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the latching rim (26) an oblique flank (28) in order to facilitate latching-in of the spring-mounted holding clip (16).

5. Hose coupling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection piece (25) has at least one, preferably two encircling support rings (27, 27') in order to align the connection piece (25) in the inlet fitting (10) in a manner substantially free from play.

6. Hose coupling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection piece (25) has a ring end surface (21) which, when the connection piece (25) is accommodated in the inlet fitting (10) and latched therein, rests on a corresponding ring end surface (21)' of the inlet fitting (10).

7. Hose coupling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection piece (25) has a cylindrical sealing surface (23) which, when the connection piece (25) is accommodated in the inlet fitting (10) and latched therein, rests on a corresponding cylindrical sealing surface (24) of the inlet fitting (10).

8. Hose coupling system (100) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the corresponding cylindrical sealing surface (24) of the inlet fitting (10) extends at most over one third of the total length (GL) of the inlet fitting (10).

9. Hose coupling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection piece (25) is held in the inlet fitting (10) exclusively in a form-fitting manner, in particular in a manner free from a conical pairing.

10. Vacuum cleaner (200) comprising a suction hose (20) and a hose coupling system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet fitting (10) is arranged on the vacuum cleaner (100), and the connection piece (25) is connected to the suction hose (20).