CHARGING BASE FOR A VACUUM CLEANER

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners for vacuuming dust and waste present on a surface to be cleaned, which may for example be tiles, parquet, laminate, carpet or a rug. State of the art

[0002] A vacuum cleaner, and in particular a portable vacuum cleaner, comprises, in a known manner, a main casing equipped with a suction duct; a waste separation and collection device mounted on the main casing; a suction motor housed in the main casing and configured to generate an air flow through the suction duct and the waste separation and collection device; a gripping handle; and a rechargeable battery configured to electrically power the vacuum cleaner and housed in a battery box fixed, for example removably, to the main casing.

[0003] During the periods of non-use of such a vacuum cleaner, the latter is generally stored on a charging base comprising, in a known manner: a support body configured to be fixed to a wall and to support the vacuum cleaner in a storage position, the support body comprising a receiving housing configured to receive at least in part the battery case of the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is in the storage position, and an angled male electrical connector fixed in an insertion housing defined by the support body, the male electrical connector protruding into the receiving housing and being configured to cooperate with a female electrical connector, provided on the battery case, when the battery case is received in the receiving housing.

[0004] It is known to fix the male electrical connector in the insertion housing via an insertion opening opening in a rear face of the support body. Such a configuration of the charging base requires, for fixing the male electrical connector, the following steps: positioning a free end of a connection portion of the male electrical connector opposite a passage opening provided on the support body and configured to be oriented vertically when the support body is fixed to a wall, the passage opening opening on the one hand into the receiving housing and on the other hand into the insertion housing, tilting the male electrical connector forward so as to align a longitudinal axis of the connection portion of the male electrical connector with the central axis of the passage opening, and sliding the connection portion into the passage opening.

[0005] Since these different steps are carried out in a low-height insertion housing (in order to limit the height requirement of the support body) and via an insertion opening opening into a rear face of the support body, fixing the male electrical connector to the support body is complex and tedious.

[0006] EP 3 772 305 A1 discloses a wall mount for a battery-powered vacuum cleaner. JP 2021 019762 A discloses a vacuum cleaner stored in a charging stand. WO 2020 / 136366 A1 discloses a storage base for a battery-powered vacuum cleaner. WO 2015 / 070322 A1 discloses a portable vacuum cleaner and device for connecting it to a central vacuum system. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0008] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing a charging base for a vacuum cleaner which is of simple, reliable and economical structure.

[0009] To this end, the present invention relates to a charging base for a vacuum cleaner, comprising at least: a support body configured to be fixed to a wall, the support body comprising a receiving housing configured to receive at least in part a battery case of the vacuum cleaner, a male electrical connector configured to be electrically connected to a female electrical connector, provided on the battery case, when the battery case is received in the receiving housing, the male electrical connector being angled and being fixed in an insertion housing delimited by the support body, a locking member, such as a locking tab, configured to lock the male electrical connector in the insertion housing, the locking member being configured to allow insertion of the male electrical connector in the insertion housing in an insertion direction when the male electrical connector has a first angular orientation relative to a pivot axis which is substantially parallel to the insertion direction,and to then allow pivoting of the male electrical connector, relative to the support body and along the pivot axis, from the first angular orientation to a second angular orientation which is different from the first angular orientation, the locking member being configured to lock the male electrical connector in translation relative to the support body and along the insertion direction when the male electrical connector is received in the insertion housing and is in the second angular orientation.

[0010] Such a configuration of the charging base according to the present invention allows easy and reliable assembly of the male electrical connector on the support body, while significantly reducing the manufacturing costs of the charging base.

[0011] In addition, the presence of such a locking device limits the risk of inadvertent disassembly of the male electrical connector.

[0012] Furthermore, such a configuration of the locking member avoids in particular any risk of displacement of the male electrical connector in the direction of insertion, in particular when the battery case is inserted into or removed from the receiving housing and the female electrical connector cooperates directly with the male electrical connector, and therefore ensures a reliable connection between the female electrical connector and the male electrical connector.

[0013] The charging base may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivot axis, and therefore the insertion direction, extends substantially vertically when the support body is fixed to a wall. Such a configuration of the charging base allows the locking member to lock the male electrical connector in translation in a vertical direction and thus avoids any risk of the male electrical connector sliding upwards or downwards relative to the support body.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the male electrical connector is configured to cooperate with, and therefore be inserted into, the female electrical connector, i.e. to be directly electrically connected to the female electrical connector, when the battery case is received in the receiving housing.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support body is configured to support the vacuum cleaner in a storage position, the receiving housing being configured to at least partially receive the battery housing of the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is in the storage position.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second angular orientations are angularly offset relative to the pivot axis by a pivot angle greater than or equal to 5°, preferably greater than 45° and for example approximately 90°.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the male electrical connector is pivoted from the first angular orientation to the second angular orientation, a portion of the male electrical connector is moved, and for example slid, between the locking member and a guide surface which is provided on the support body and which is located opposite the locking member. Such a configuration of the locking member blocks the male electrical connector in translation in a vertical direction and prevents any risk of the male electrical connector sliding upwards or downwards. More specifically, such a configuration of the locking member prevents any risk of sliding downwards, in particular when the battery case is received in the receiving housing, and also any risk of the male electrical connector sliding upwards when removing the battery case from the receiving housing.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking member is configured to lock the male electrical connector in rotation relative to the support body and along the pivot axis when the male electrical connector is in the second angular orientation. Advantageously, in the second angular orientation, the part of the male electrical connector, located between the locking member and the guide surface, is weakly constrained between the locking member and the guide surface. In other words, in the second angular orientation, said part of the male electrical connector is clamped between the locking member and the guide surface with a clamping force intensity which allows manual disassembly.These provisions limit the risks of inadvertent pivoting of the male electrical connector from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation and thus further limit the risks of inadvertent disassembly of the male electrical connector while still allowing manual disassembly.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking member is elastically deformable and comprises a latching finger configured to cooperate with the male electrical connector when the male electrical connector is in the second angular orientation, so as to prevent pivoting of the male electrical connector towards the first angular orientation. These arrangements further limit the risks of inadvertent disassembly of the male electrical connector.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking member is integral with the support body. Such a configuration of the charging base facilitates the manufacture of the latter, and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the male electrical connector comprises a first connector portion and a second connector portion which extend substantially perpendicular to each other, the first connector portion having a central longitudinal axis and being configured to cooperate with the female electrical connector provided on the battery housing of the vacuum cleaner.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, a central longitudinal axis of the first connector portion is configured to extend substantially vertically when the support body is attached to a wall and the clamping stress of the male electrical connector portion between the locking member and the guide surface is exerted substantially vertically.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking member is configured to extend below the second connector portion when the support body is fixed to a wall. Such a configuration of the locking member notably avoids any risk of the male electrical connector sliding downwards, in particular when the battery case is inserted into the receiving housing in a downward vertical displacement movement and the male electrical connector cooperates directly with the female electrical connector.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the separation distance between the guide surface and the locking member corresponds substantially to the thickness of the second connector part. Advantageously, a ratio of the thickness of the second connector part to the separation distance is between 1 and 1.1.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the central longitudinal axis of the first connector part is substantially collinear with the pivot axis.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the central longitudinal axis of the first connector portion is configured to extend substantially vertically when the support body is attached to a wall.

[0028] According to the embodiment of the invention, the insertion housing comprises a first housing portion configured to house the first connector portion and a second housing portion configured to house the second connector portion.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the male electrical connector is configured to be inserted into the insertion housing in an insertion direction oriented from bottom to top.

[0030] According to the embodiment of the invention, the locking member partly delimits an insertion opening opening into the receiving housing, the male electrical connector being configured to be inserted into the receiving housing via the insertion opening.

[0031] According to the embodiment of the invention, the insertion opening opens into a lower face of the support body, i.e. is oriented downwards.

[0032] According to the embodiment of the invention, the locking member is offset, for example backwards or forwards, relative to the first housing part.

[0033] According to the embodiment of the invention, the insertion opening is located opposite the first housing part. These arrangements further facilitate the insertion of the male electrical connector into the insertion housing.

[0034] According to the embodiment of the invention, the second housing part comprises a bottom wall into which the first housing part opens. Advantageously, the guide surface is provided on the bottom wall.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the insertion housing is arranged below the receiving housing.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the insertion housing, and for example the first housing part, opens into the receiving housing, and the male electrical connector projects into the receiving housing.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the charging base further comprises a protective portion configured to be fixed, for example removably, to the support body, the protective portion is configured to make the male electrical connector inaccessible when the protective portion is fixed to the support body and the support body is fixed to a wall. The presence of such a protective portion avoids any risk that a child, for example, could access the male electrical connector during use of the charging base, i.e. when a rechargeable battery is being charged on the charging base.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective portion is configured to be attached to a lower portion of the support body.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective portion comprises a protective wall configured to be located opposite the insertion housing and the male electrical connector when the protective portion is attached to the support body.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective portion is configured to extend partly below the blocking member.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective part is a protective cover.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the charging base comprises an accessory holder configured to support at least one vacuum cleaner accessory, the accessory holder being configured to be attached to the support body and comprising the protective portion.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the charging base comprises a locking member configured to lock the protective portion onto the support body when the protective portion is attached to the support body. Advantageously, the locking member is integral with the protective portion.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking member is elastically deformable between a locking position in which the locking member is configured to cooperate with the support body so as to prevent removal of the protective portion of the support body, and a release position in which the locking member is configured to release the support body so as to allow removal of the protective portion of the support body.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking member comprises a manipulation portion, such as a manipulation tab, configured to be manipulated by a user so as to elastically deform the locking member into the release position.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the handling portion is configured to be accessible from a rear face of the support body, and therefore when the support body is not fixed to a wall.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support body comprises at least one fixing hole provided on the support body and configured to be passed through by a fixing screw, so as to fix the support body to the wall.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one fixing hole is accessible from a front face of the support body.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the charging base comprises a power supply unit, also called a mains adapter, configured to be electrically connected to an electrical power outlet, such as a mains socket and in particular a wall socket, the power supply unit being connected to the male electrical connector by a power cable.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support body is configured to support the vacuum cleaner in an upright storage position.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving housing is open upwards.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the insertion housing opens into a lower face of the support body. In other words, the insertion housing is open downwards.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support body and the male electrical connector are configured such that a fixing of the male electrical connector in the insertion housing comprises a first fixing phase during which the male electrical connector is inserted into the insertion housing in an insertion direction and a second fixing phase during which the male electrical connector is pivoted relative to the support body in a pivot axis which is substantially parallel to the insertion direction.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support body and the male electrical connector are configured such that, during the second fixing phase, the male electrical connector is pivoted, relative to the support body and along the pivot axis, by a pivot angle greater than or equal to 5°, preferably greater than 45° and for example approximately 90°.

[0055] The present invention further relates to a suction assembly comprising a charging base according to the present invention, and a vacuum cleaner comprising a battery housing configured to be received in the receiving housing.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery housing is configured to be inserted into the receiving housing in a mounting direction which is substantially vertical.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protective portion is configured to be assembled to the support body in an assembly direction which is substantially perpendicular to the mounting direction.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner is a portable vacuum cleaner.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises: a main housing equipped with a suction duct, a waste separation and collection device mounted on the main housing, a suction motor housed in the main housing, the suction motor being configured to generate an airflow through the suction duct and the waste separation and collection device, and a gripping handle.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery housing is connected to the grip handle.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a rechargeable battery housed in the battery housing and configured to electrically power the vacuum cleaner.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the charging base and the vacuum cleaner are configured such that the suction duct extends substantially vertically when the vacuum cleaner is in the storage position.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation and collection device is of the cyclonic type.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping handle has a median longitudinal axis which is inclined relative to a motor axis of the suction motor.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation and collection device extends along an extension axis which is substantially parallel to the motor axis of the suction motor. Brief description of the figures

[0066] In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawings representing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this suction assembly. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a suction assembly according to the present invention. Figure 2is a longitudinal sectional view of the suction assembly of the figure 1 . Figure 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the suction assembly of the figure 1 . Figure 4 is a top view of a charging base belonging to the suction assembly of the figure 1 . Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the charging base of the figure 4 . Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the charging base of the figure 4 . Figure 7 is a front view of the charging base of the figure 4 . Figure 8 is a rear view of the charging base of the figure 4 . Figure 9 is an enlarged scale view of a detail of the figure 8 . Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the charging base of the figure 4 . Figure 11 is a front perspective view of the charging base of the figure 4 showing a protective part being assembled. Figure 12is a rear perspective view of the charging base of the figure 4 showing the protective part being assembled. Figure 13 is a bottom view of a support body of the charging base of the figure 4 . Figure 14 is a partial bottom view of the charging base of the figure 4 . Figure 15 is a front perspective view of a charging base according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Figure 16 is a front perspective view of the charging base of the figure 13 equipped with several vacuum cleaner accessories. Detailed description

[0067] In this document, the terms "front", "rear" and "top" are defined in relation to use of the vacuum cleaner in which the user holds the vacuum cleaner by the grip handle and keeps it substantially horizontally, and the suction opening of the suction duct is located away from the user.

[0068] In this document, the terms "front", "rear", "vertical", "upper" and "lower" in relation to the charging base are defined with respect to a use of the charging base during which the latter is fixed to a wall and is adapted to support the vacuum cleaner in an upright storage position.

[0069] THE figures 1 to 16 depict a vacuum assembly 1 comprising a vacuum cleaner 2, such as a handheld vacuum cleaner, and a charging base 3 configured to support the vacuum cleaner 2 in an upright storage position.

[0070] The vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a main casing 4 comprising a suction duct 5 through which outside air can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner 2. Advantageously, the suction duct 5 is arranged in a front part of the main casing 4.

[0071] The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a gripping handle 6 allowing the vacuum cleaner 2 to be gripped by a user. Advantageously, the gripping handle 6 is elongated and has a median longitudinal axis A.

[0072] The vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a waste separation and collection device 7 which is removably mounted on the main casing 4 and which is fluidly connected to the suction duct 5. The waste separation and collection device 7 is advantageously of the cyclonic type, and comprises in particular a waste storage container 8, and a tubular separation member (not visible in the figures) housed in the waste storage container 8 and delimiting with the latter a cyclonic separation chamber. The waste storage container 8 more particularly comprises an air intake opening 9 which is fluidly connected to the suction duct 5. Advantageously, the suction duct 5 extends along an external surface of the waste separation and collection device 7.

[0073] As shown on the figure 2, the vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a suction motor 10 which has a motor shaft B and which is housed in the main casing 4. The suction motor 10 is configured to generate an air flow through the suction duct 5 and the waste separation and collection device 7. The suction motor 10 more particularly comprises a fan and an electric motor configured to drive the fan in rotation.

[0074] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the median longitudinal axis A of the gripping handle 6 is inclined relative to the motor axis B, and the waste separation and collection device 7 extends along an extension axis C which is substantially parallel to the motor axis B, and which may for example be collinear with the motor axis B. Advantageously, the suction motor is located at the rear of the median longitudinal axis A of the gripping handle 6, and the suction duct 5 extends substantially parallel to the motor axis B.

[0075] As shown on the figure 2, the vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a rechargeable battery 11 configured to electrically power the vacuum cleaner 2, and in particular the suction motor 10. The rechargeable battery 11, also called a battery pack, comprises several battery cells. The rechargeable battery 11 is advantageously housed in a battery housing 12 connected to the gripping handle 6, and more particularly to a lower part of the gripping handle 6. Advantageously, the main casing 4 comprises an upright 13 which extends substantially parallel to the gripping handle 6 and between the battery housing 12 and the main casing 4.

[0076] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the vacuum cleaner 2 also comprises a connection sleeve 14 fluidly connected to the suction duct 5 and to which various vacuum cleaner accessories can be connected, and in particular a nozzle of a suction tube, which can itself be connected to a suction head provided with a sole intended to be oriented towards a floor to be cleaned.

[0077] As shown more particularly on the figures 3 to 12 , the charging base 3 comprises a support body 15 configured to be fixed to a wall. For this purpose, the support body 15 comprises several fixing holes 16 configured to be respectively crossed by fixing screws, so as to fix the support body 15 to the wall. Advantageously, each fixing hole 16 is accessible from a front face of the support body 15.

[0078] The support body 15 further comprises a receiving housing 17 configured to at least partially house the battery housing 12 of the vacuum cleaner 2. Advantageously, the receiving housing 17 is open upwards, and the battery housing 12 is configured to be inserted into the receiving housing 17 in a mounting direction D1 which is substantially vertical and in a translational movement which is oriented from top to bottom.

[0079] As shown on the figure 16 , the battery box 12 can be received in the receiving housing 17 after being removed from the main housing 4. However, the battery box 12 can also be received in the receiving housing 17 while being connected to the main housing 4 (see figure 1 ). In this case, the support body 15 is then configured to support the vacuum cleaner 2 in a storage position, and preferably in a vertical storage position.

[0080] The charging base 3 further comprises a male electrical connector 18 configured to cooperate with a female electrical connector 19, provided on the battery housing 12, when the battery housing 12 is received in the receiving housing 17. The male electrical connector 18 is angled and comprises a first connector portion 18.1 and a second connector portion 18.2 which extend substantially perpendicular to each other. The first connector portion 18.1 has a central longitudinal axis E and is configured to cooperate with the female electrical connector 19 provided on the battery housing 12. Advantageously, the second connector portion 18.2 is flexible or elastically deformable.

[0081] As shown in particular on the Figure 5, the first connector part 18.1 protrudes into the receiving housing 17, and the central longitudinal axis E of the first connector part 18.1 is configured to extend substantially vertically when the support body 15 is fixed to a wall.

[0082] The charging base 3 further comprises a power supply unit (not visible in the figures), also called a mains adapter, configured to be electrically connected to a power supply socket, such as a mains socket and in particular a wall socket. The power supply unit is connected to the second connector part 18.2 by a power cable 21.

[0083] As shown on the figure 3, the male electrical connector 18 is fixed in an insertion housing 22 delimited by the support body 15. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the insertion housing 22 is arranged below the receiving housing 17 and opens into a lower face of the support body 15.

[0084] The insertion housing 22 more particularly comprises a first housing part 22.1 which opens into the receiving housing 17 and which is configured to house the first connector part 18.1, and a second housing part 22.2 configured to house the second connector part 18.2 and comprising a bottom wall 23 into which the first housing part 22.1 opens.

[0085] The support body 15 and the male electrical connector 18 are configured such that a fixing of the male electrical connector 18 in the insertion housing 22 comprises a first fixing phase during which the male electrical connector 18 is inserted into the first housing part 22.1 in an insertion direction D2 until the second connector part 18.2 abuts against the bottom wall 23 of the second housing part 22.2, and a second fixing phase during which the second connector part 18.2 is pivoted in the second housing part 22.2 and relative to the support body 15 along a pivot axis which is substantially parallel to the insertion direction D2.

[0086] As shown on the figures 3 And 9, the charging base 3 further comprises a locking member 24, such as a locking tab, which is located opposite the bottom wall 23 of the second housing part 22.2 and which is spaced from said bottom wall 23. The locking member 24 is configured to extend below the second connector part 18.2 when the support body 15 is fixed to a wall. Advantageously, the locking member 24 is integral with the support body 15. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the locking member 24 could be attached to and fixed to the support body 15.

[0087] The locking member 24 is offset rearwardly relative to the first housing portion 22.1, and partially delimits an insertion opening 25 opening into the receiving housing 17 and located opposite the first housing portion 22.1. Advantageously, the insertion opening 25 is delimited by the locking member 24 and the support body 15.

[0088] The locking member 24 is more particularly configured to allow insertion of the male electrical connector 18 into the insertion housing 22 via the insertion opening 25 when the male electrical connector 18 has a first angular orientation relative to the pivot axis, and to then allow pivoting of the male electrical connector 18, relative to the support body 15 and along the pivot axis, from the first angular orientation to a second angular orientation which is different from the first angular orientation. The locking member 24 is further configured to block in translation the male electrical connector 18 relative to the support body 15 and along the insertion direction D2 when the male electrical connector 18 is in the second angular orientation.Such a configuration of the locking member 24 in particular avoids the risks of the male electrical connector 18 sliding downwards, in particular when the battery housing 12 is received in the receiving housing 17 and the female electrical connector 19, plugged around the first connector part 18.1, tends to push the male electrical connector 18 downwards.

[0089] Advantageously, the central longitudinal axis E of the first connector part 18.1 is substantially collinear with the pivot axis.

[0090] The first and second angular orientations are angularly offset relative to the pivot axis by a pivot angle greater than or equal to 5°, preferably greater than 45° and for example approximately 90°. Thus, the support body 15 and the male electrical connector 18 are configured such that, during the second fixing phase, the male electrical connector 18 is pivoted, relative to the support body 15 and along the pivot axis, by a pivot angle greater than or equal to 5°, preferably greater than 45° and for example approximately 90°.

[0091] Advantageously, when the male electrical connector 18 is pivoted from the first angular orientation to the second angular orientation, the second connector part 18.2 is moved, and for example slid, between the locking member 24 and a guide surface 230 which is provided on the bottom wall 23 of the second housing part 22.2 and which therefore faces the locking member 24.

[0092] Advantageously, in the second angular orientation, the second connector part 18.2 is slightly constrained, in a vertical direction, between the locking member 24 and the guide surface 230. In other words, in the second angular orientation, the second connector part 18.2 is clamped between the locking member 24 and the guide surface 230 with a clamping force intensity which allows manual disassembly of the male electrical connector 18. These arrangements limit the risks of involuntary pivoting of the male electrical connector 18 from the second angular orientation to the first angular orientation and therefore limit the risks of inadvertent disassembly of the male electrical connector 18 while allowing manual disassembly of the latter.

[0093] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking member 24 is also configured to prevent pivoting of the male electrical connector 18 relative to the support body 15 and along the pivot axis when the male electrical connector 18 is in the second angular orientation. For this purpose, the locking member 24 is elastically deformable and comprises, at its free end, a latching finger 26 (see figure 9 ) configured to cooperate with the second connector portion 18.2 when the male electrical connector 18 is in the second angular orientation, so as to prevent pivoting of the male electrical connector 18 towards the first angular orientation.

[0094] As shown on the figures 11 and 12, the charging base 3 further comprises a protective portion 27 configured to be fixed, for example removably, to a lower portion of the support body 15 and to make the male electrical connector 18 inaccessible when the protective portion 27 is fixed to the support body 15 and the support body 15 is fixed to a wall. According to the embodiment shown in the figures 1 to 14 , the protective part 27 is formed by a protective cover.

[0095] The protective part 27 more particularly comprises a protective wall 28 configured to be located opposite the insertion housing 22 and the male electrical connector 18 and to extend partly below the locking member 24 when the protective part 27 is fixed to the support body 15.

[0096] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the protective part 27 is configured to be assembled to the support body 15 in an assembly direction D3 which is substantially perpendicular to the mounting direction D1.

[0097] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the charging base 3 further comprises a locking member 29, such as a locking tab, configured to lock the protective portion 27 onto the support body 15 when the protective portion 27 is fixed to the support body 15. Advantageously, the locking member 29 is integral with the protective portion 27, and is elastically deformable between a locking position in which the locking member 29 is configured to cooperate with the support body 15 so as to prevent removal of the protective portion 27 from the support body 15, and a release position in which the locking member 29 is configured to release the support body 15 so as to allow removal of the protective portion 27 from the support body 15.

[0098] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking member 29 comprises a handling portion 31, such as a handling tab, configured to be handled by a user so as to elastically deform the locking member 29 into the release position. Advantageously, the handling portion 31 is configured to be accessible from a rear face of the support body 15, and therefore only when the support body 15 is not fixed to a wall. Such a configuration of the locking member 29 avoids any risk of dismantling the protective portion 27 when the support body 15 is fixed to a wall, and therefore any risk that a child, for example, could access the male electrical connector 18 during use of the charging base 3, i.e. when the rechargeable battery 11 is being charged.

[0099] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in the figures 15 and 16, the charging base 3 could comprise an accessory holder 32 configured to support one or more vacuum cleaner accessories 33. According to such an alternative embodiment of the invention, the accessory holder 32 comprises the protective part 27 and a support part 34 configured to support the vacuum cleaner accessory(ies) 33. For this purpose, the support part 34 may for example comprise one or more mounting holes 35 in which or each of which a respective vacuum cleaner accessory 33 can be mounted, and a connecting element 36 to which a vacuum cleaner accessory 33 can be connected.

[0100] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only as an example. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A charging base (3) for a vacuum cleaner (2), including at least: - a support body (15) configured to be fastened to a wall, the support body (15) including a receiving housing (17) configured to at least partially receive a battery case (12) of the vacuum cleaner (2), - a male electrical connector (18) configured to be electrically connected to a female electrical connector (19), provided on the battery case (12), when the battery case (12) is received in the receiving housing (17), the male electrical connector (18) being angled and being fastened in an insertion housing (22) delimited by the support body (15), the charging base (3) further includes a blocking member (24) configured to block the male electrical connector (18) in the insertion housing (22), characterized in that the blocking member (24) is configured to allow insertion of the male electrical connector (18) into the insertion housing (22) along an insertion direction (D2) when the male electrical connector (18) has a first angular orientation relative to a pivot axis which is substantially parallel to the insertion direction (D2), and to then allow pivoting of the male electrical connector (18), relative to the support body (15) and along the pivot axis, from the first angular orientation to a second angular orientation which is different from the first angular orientation, the blocking member (24) being configured to block in translation the male electrical connector (18) relative to the support body (15) and along the insertion direction (D2) when the male electrical connector (18) is received in the insertion housing (22) and is in the second angular orientation.

2. The charging base (3) according to claim 1, wherein the support body (15) is configured to support the vacuum cleaner (2) in a storage position, the receiving housing (17) being configured to at least partially receive the battery case (12) of the vacuum cleaner (2) when the vacuum cleaner (2) is in the storage position.

3. The charging base (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second angular orientations are angularly offset relative to the pivot axis by a pivot angle greater than or equal to 5°, preferably greater than 45°.

4. The charging base (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, when the male electrical connector (18) is pivoted from the first angular orientation to the second angular orientation, a part of the male electrical connector (18) is moved between the blocking member (24) and a guide surface (230) which is provided on the support body (15) and which is located facing the blocking member (24).

5. The charging base (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the blocking member (24) is configured to block in rotation the male electrical connector (18) relative to the support body (15) and along the pivot axis when the male electrical connector (18) is in the second angular orientation.

6. The charging base (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the blocking member (24) is elastically deformable and includes a latching finger (26) configured to cooperate with the male electrical connector (18) when the male electrical connector (18) is in the second angular orientation, so as to prevent the male electrical connector (18) from pivoting towards the first angular orientation.

7. The charging base (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the blocking member (24) is made in one piece with the support body (15).

8. The charging base (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the blocking member (24) partially delimits an insertion opening (25) emerging into the receiving housing (17), the male electrical connector (18) being configured to be inserted into the receiving housing (17) via the insertion opening (25).

9. The charging base (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the male electrical connector (18) includes a first connector part (18.1) and a second connector part (18.2) which extend substantially perpendicular to each other, the first connector part (18.1) having a central longitudinal axis (E) and being configured to cooperate with the female electrical connector (19) provided on the battery case (12) of the vacuum cleaner (2).

10. The charging base (3) according to claim 9, wherein the central longitudinal axis (E) of the first connector part (18.1) is substantially colinear with the pivot axis.

11. The charging base (3) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the central longitudinal axis (E) of the first connector part (18.1) is configured to extend substantially vertically when the support body (15) is fastened to a wall.

12. The charging base (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the insertion housing (22) is disposed below the receiving housing (17) when the support body (15) is fastened to a wall.

13. The charging base (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the insertion housing (22) emerges into the receiving housing (17), and the male electrical connector (18) projects into the receiving housing (17).

14. The charging base (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which further includes a protective part (27) configured to be fastened to the support body (15), the protective part (27) is configured to render the male electrical connector (18) inaccessible when the protective part (27) is fastened to the support body (15) and the support body (15) is fastened to a wall.

15. The charging base (3) according to claim 14, which includes an accessory support (32) configured to support at least one vacuum cleaner accessory (33), the accessory support (32) being configured to be fastened to the support body (15) and including the protective part (27).

16. A suction assembly (1) including a charging base (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, and a vacuum cleaner (2) including a battery case (12) configured to be received in the receiving housing (17).