Canister vacuum cleaner comprising a gripping handle provided with a remote control

Abstract

The vacuum cleaner (1) comprises a vacuum housing (2); a suction nozzle disposed on the vacuum housing (2); a suction motor disposed in the vacuum housing (2); a suction tube (8) fluidly connected to the suction nozzle; a handle (13) attached to the suction tube (8); a remote control (14) attached to the handle (13) and configured to emit control signals; and a control device provided in or on the vacuum housing (2), the control device being configured to receive the control signals emitted by the remote control (14) and to control the operation of the suction motor according to the control signals received by the control device. The handle (13) has a housing cavity, and the remote control (14) is removably mounted in the housing cavity.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates more particularly to domestic vacuum cleaners of the sled type for vacuuming up dust and waste present on a surface to be cleaned, which may for example be tiles, parquet, laminate, carpet or a rug.

[0002] In this description, a canister vacuum cleaner refers to a vacuum cleaner that can move by rolling on the floor, for example using wheels or casters when the vacuum cleaner is in use. In a canister vacuum cleaner, a suction nozzle is generally connected to a vacuum cleaner housing via a suction tube that is rigid and a suction hose that is flexible. During a cleaning operation, the user of a canister vacuum cleaner holds the suction nozzle via a gripping handle attached to the suction tube. A vacuum cleaner housing of a canister vacuum cleaner is generally pulled by the user via the gripping handle and the suction hose; this method of movement is the origin of the name "canister vacuum cleaner".The term sled vacuum cleaner also covers vacuum cleaners with motorized wheels or casters capable of following the movements of the suction nozzle, the grip handle or the user. State of the art

[0003] Document DE29825019 discloses a sled-type vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum cleaner housing, a suction nozzle arranged on the vacuum cleaner housing and through which air carrying waste can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner housing, a suction motor which is arranged in the vacuum cleaner housing and which is configured to generate an airflow through the suction nozzle, a suction tube fluidly connected to the suction nozzle, a gripping handle attached to the suction tube and configured to be grasped by a user, a remote control removably attached to the gripping handle and configured to output control signals, and a control device provided in or on the vacuum cleaner housing, the control device being configured to receive the control signals output by the remote control and to control the operation of the suction motor in accordance with the control signals received by the control device.

[0004] The remote control of such a vacuum cleaner more particularly comprises two retaining arms which are configured to each extend over a portion of the outer circumference of the grip handle and to grip the grip handle. Such a configuration of the retaining arms allows a user to be able to detach the remote control from the grip handle.

[0005] However, such an attachment of the remote control to the grip handle has the major drawback that the remote control is likely to collide with an obstacle when the user manipulates the grip handle during a floor cleaning phase and also when the vacuum cleaner is stored by the user, for example, in a dedicated location. Such a collision may harm the integrity of the remote control, but also cause the remote control to separate from the grip handle and therefore lead to loss of the remote control.

[0006] Document EP 1 121 891 A2 discloses a sled-type vacuum cleaner according to the preamble of claim 1. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0008] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing a sled-type vacuum cleaner which is of simple and economical structure, while increasing the life of the remote control.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a sled-type vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum cleaner housing, a suction nozzle disposed on the vacuum cleaner housing and through which air carrying waste can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner housing, a suction motor which is disposed in the vacuum cleaner housing and which is configured to generate an airflow through the suction nozzle, a suction tube fluidly connected to the suction nozzle, a gripping handle attached to the suction tube and configured to be grasped by a user, a remote control attached to the gripping handle and configured to output control signals, and a control device provided in or on the vacuum cleaner housing, the control device being configured to receive the control signals output by the remote control and to control the operation of the suction motor in accordance with the control signals received by the control device.

[0010] The vacuum cleaner comprises a handle comprising a main handle portion which is elongated and which is mechanically connected to the suction tube, the handle further comprising the gripping handle which is attached to the main handle portion.

[0011] The grip handle has a housing cavity and the remote control is removably mounted in the housing cavity.

[0012] Mounting the remote control in a housing cavity provided on the grip handle allows the latter to protect all or part of the remote control by interposing itself between the remote control and any obstacle encountered by the grip handle, for example when moving a suction nozzle attached to the suction tube over a floor to be cleaned.

[0013] The remote control is configured to be withdrawn from the housing cavity in a withdrawal direction that is substantially rectilinear. Such a configuration of the remote control allows for easy withdrawal of the remote control from the housing cavity.

[0014] The remote control is configured to be withdrawn from the housing cavity in a translational movement which is substantially rectilinear and which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main handle portion.

[0015] The vacuum cleaner may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the remote control is configured to communicate wirelessly with the control device.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the handle is mounted articulated relative to the suction tube between at least a first position of use in which the main part of the handle extends substantially parallel to the suction tube, and a second position of use in which the main part of the handle is inclined relative to the suction tube.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the remote control is configured to be withdrawn from the housing cavity in a withdrawal direction that is oriented away from the main handle portion. Such a configuration of the remote control makes it possible to prevent the latter from being inadvertently withdrawn from the housing cavity when the user manipulates the grip handle during a floor cleaning phase.

[0019] The withdrawal direction is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main handle portion. These arrangements allow a user to remove the remote control from the receiving cavity by holding the handle with one hand and grasping the remote control with the other hand, then exerting opposite, parallel forces of substantially the same intensity respectively on the handle and the remote control. The forces exerted by the user are in particular distributed symmetrically over the user's two hands, which greatly facilitates the removal of the remote control from the receiving cavity. Similarly, the aforementioned distinctive features greatly facilitate the insertion of the remote control into the receiving cavity. Such a configuration of the vacuum cleaner therefore makes it possible to attach and detach the remote control from the handle of the vacuum cleaner in an easy and ergonomic manner.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing cavity has a peripheral edge that surrounds the periphery of the remote control when the remote control is mounted in the housing cavity. Such a configuration of the housing cavity makes it possible to further improve the protection of the remote control provided by the grip handle.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping handle comprises a bent portion, the housing cavity being formed at least partly in the bent portion. Such an arrangement of the housing cavity makes it even easier to remove the remote control from the housing cavity and provides an ergonomic position for finger manipulation of the remote control.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the remote control comprises a retaining member configured to cooperate with a complementary retaining member provided on the grip handle so as to retain the remote control in the housing cavity. These arrangements make it possible to avoid any risk of involuntary removal of the remote control from the housing cavity.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining member and the complementary retaining member are configured to retain the remote control in the housing cavity in a retaining direction which is substantially perpendicular to the withdrawal direction.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the remote control is elongated and extends generally in an extension direction.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the withdrawal direction is substantially parallel to the extension direction of the remote control.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining direction is substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the remote control.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining member and the complementary retaining member each have a cross-section which is generally T-shaped.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the remote control comprises an outer remote control surface that is accessible by a user when the remote control is mounted in the housing cavity, the outer remote control surface being flush with at least one outer surface of the grip handle when the remote control is mounted in the housing cavity. Such a configuration of the remote control and the grip handle makes it possible to further improve the protection of the remote control provided by the grip handle.

[0029] Advantageously, the outer surface of the remote control corresponds to an upper surface of the remote control.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the outer surface of the remote control comprises a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge of the housing cavity surrounding the peripheral edge of the outer surface of the remote control when the remote control is mounted in the housing cavity. Such a configuration of the peripheral edge of the housing cavity makes it possible to protect all or part of the remote control by interposing itself between the remote control and any obstacle encountered by the gripping handle, and also to avoid snagging the remote control when handling the gripping handle.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the remote control comprises a plurality of control buttons configured to control operation of the suction motor according to different operating modes.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control buttons are provided on a main surface portion of the outer surface of the remote control. Advantageously, the retaining direction is substantially perpendicular to the main surface portion.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner comprises a sound signal generating device configured to generate a sound signal when the remote control is inserted into the housing cavity. These arrangements make it possible to inform a user when the remote control is correctly inserted into the housing cavity, and in particular prevents the remote control from subsequently falling due to incorrect positioning of the remote control in the housing cavity.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound signal generating device comprises an elastically deformable tab which is provided on the gripping handle and which is provided with a lug projecting into the housing cavity, and a receiving recess which is provided on the remote control and which is configured to receive the lug when the remote control is mounted in the housing cavity.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the remote control comprises at least one electrical energy storage element, such as an electric battery or a rechargeable electric accumulator.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the remote control comprises a remote control housing comprising an internal housing in which the at least one electrical energy storage element is housed, and an access hatch which is mounted to move relative to the remote control housing between a closed position in which the access hatch prevents removal of the at least one electrical energy storage element from the internal housing and an open position in which the access hatch allows removal of the at least one electrical energy storage element from the battery housing. The presence of such an access hatch allows easy replacement of the at least one electrical energy storage element.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the access hatch is located in a lower part of the remote control housing. Thus, when the remote control is arranged in the housing cavity provided on the grip handle, the access hatch is hidden, which prevents accidental opening of the access hatch.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the access hatch is pivotally mounted on the remote control housing around a pivot axis.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the access hatch is mounted in a captive manner on the remote control box.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner further comprises a suction hose which is flexible and which is connected, for example removably, to the suction nozzle, the suction hose fluidly connecting the suction tube to the suction nozzle.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction hose is removably connected to the suction tube.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction tube is rigid, and may for example be telescopic.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner further comprises a floor cleaning accessory, such as a suction nozzle, which is attached, for example removably, to a lower end of the suction tube. Brief description of the figures

[0044] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which: There Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention; The Figure 2is a longitudinal sectional view of a suction assembly of the vacuum cleaner of the Figure 1 ; There Figure 3 is a side view of a handle and suction tube of the vacuum cleaner of the Figure 1 showing the handle in the unfolded position; The Figure 4 is a partial side view of the handle and suction tube of the Figure 3 showing the handle in the folded position; The Figure 5 is a perspective view of the handle of the Figure 3 ; There Figure 6 is an enlarged scale view of a detail of the Figure 5 ; There Figure 7 is a perspective view of the handle of the Figure 3 showing a remote control being removed; The figure 8 is an enlarged scale view of a detail of the Figure 7 ; There Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the handle of the Figure 3 according to a secant cutting plane with the remote control; The Figure 10 is a partial top view of the handle of the Figure 3in which the remote control was placed; The Figure 11 is a bottom view of the remote control showing an access hatch in the open position. Detailed description

[0045] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

[0046] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "lower" and "upper" used to describe in particular the remote control, the handle and the suction tube, refer to these elements in use, that is to say when they are handled by the user under normal conditions of use.

[0047] THE Figures 1 to 11 represent a sled-type vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present invention.

[0048] The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises in particular a vacuum cleaner housing 2, and a suction nozzle 3 arranged on the vacuum cleaner housing 2 and through which air carrying waste can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner housing 2.

[0049] The vacuum cleaner 1 further comprises a suction motor 4 which is arranged in the vacuum cleaner housing 2. The suction motor 4 comprises an electric motor and a fan which is coupled to the electric motor and which is configured to generate an air flow through the suction nozzle 3.

[0050] The vacuum cleaner 1 also comprises a control device 6 which is provided in the vacuum cleaner housing 2 and which is configured to control the operation of the suction motor 4. The control device 6 more particularly comprises an electronic control unit provided in particular with an electronic card.

[0051] The vacuum cleaner 1 also comprises a floor cleaning accessory 7, such as a suction nozzle, also known as a suction head, and a suction tube 8 having a lower end to which the floor cleaning accessory 7 is attached, for example removably. Advantageously, the suction tube 8 is rigid, and may for example be telescopic.

[0052] The vacuum cleaner 1 further comprises a suction hose 9 which is flexible. The suction hose 9 has a first end which is connected, for example removably, to the suction nozzle 3, and a second end which is connected, for example removably, to the suction tube 8. The suction hose 9 may for example be provided with a cleaning brush located near the second end of the suction hose 9.

[0053] The vacuum cleaner 1 also comprises a handle 11 comprising a main handle portion 12 which is elongated and which is mechanically connected to the suction tube 8. The handle 11 further comprises a gripping handle 13 which is provided at an upper end of the main handle portion 12 and which is configured to be grasped by a user so as to allow the latter to manipulate the handle 11 and therefore the suction tube 8. According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping handle 13 may be integral with the main handle portion 12.

[0054] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the handle 11 is mounted articulated relative to the suction tube 8 between at least a first position of use (see the figures 1 And 3), also called the unfolded position, in which the main handle portion 12 extends substantially parallel to the suction tube 8, and a second use position (see the Figure 4 ), also called the folded position, in which the main handle part 12 is inclined relative to the suction tube 8, for example at an angle of inclination between 90 and 135°.

[0055] The vacuum cleaner 1 further comprises a remote control 14 which is removably mounted in a housing cavity 15 provided on the gripping handle 13, and which is configured to communicate wirelessly with the control device 6. Advantageously, the housing cavity 15 is formed at least partly in a bent portion 13.1 of the gripping handle 13.

[0056] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the remote control 14 is elongated and extends generally in an extension direction D1, and the housing cavity 15 is also elongated.

[0057] The remote control 14 is configured to be removed from the housing cavity 15 by a translational movement which is substantially rectilinear and in a withdrawal direction D2 which is substantially rectilinear. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the withdrawal direction D2 is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main handle portion 12 and to the extension direction D1 of the remote control 14. Advantageously, the remote control 14 is configured to be removed from the housing cavity 15 in a withdrawal direction S which is oriented away from the main handle portion 12.

[0058] In order to prevent involuntary removal of the remote control 14 from the housing cavity 15, the remote control 14 advantageously comprises a retaining member 16 which is configured to cooperate with a complementary retaining member 17 provided on the gripping handle 13 so as to retain the remote control 14 in the housing cavity 15 in a retaining direction which is substantially perpendicular to the withdrawal direction D2.

[0059] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the retaining member 16 and the complementary retaining member 17 each have a cross-section which is generally T-shaped. Advantageously, the retaining member 16 is a T-shaped retaining groove, and the complementary retaining member 17 is a T-shaped retaining lug.

[0060] As shown more particularly on the figures 6 And 8, the remote control 14 has an outer remote control surface 18 which is accessible by a user when the remote control 14 is mounted in the housing cavity 15, and the housing cavity 15 has a peripheral edge 19 which surrounds a peripheral edge 21 of the outer remote control surface 18. Advantageously, the outer remote control surface corresponds to an upper surface of the remote control 14.

[0061] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, when the remote control 14 is mounted in the housing cavity 15, the outer surface of the remote control 18 is flush with an outer surface 22 of the grip handle 13 which extends around the peripheral edge 19 of the housing cavity 15.

[0062] The remote control 14 further comprises a plurality of control buttons 23 provided on a main surface portion 18.1 of the outer surface of the remote control 18. Advantageously, the retaining direction is substantially perpendicular to the main surface portion 18.1.

[0063] The remote control 14 also comprises a transmitter (not visible in the figures), such as a radio wave transmitter, configured to transmit control signals to the control device 6, which is provided in the vacuum cleaner housing 2, when the control buttons 23 are activated by a user. Advantageously, the control device 6 comprises a receiver (not visible in the figures) configured to receive the control signals transmitted by the transmitter of the remote control 14, and the electronic control unit is configured to control the operation of the suction motor 4 according to the control signals received by the receiver.

[0064] The plurality of control buttons may for example comprise several rotation speed selection buttons 23.1, 23.2, 23.3, for example three in number, configured to control, when activated by a user, an operation of the suction motor 4 according to different operating modes in which the suction motor 4 is rotated at different rotation speeds. For example, the rotation speed controlled by the rotation speed selection button 23.2 is greater than the rotation speed controlled by the rotation speed selection button 23.1, and the rotation speed controlled by the rotation speed selection button 23.3 is greater than the rotation speed controlled by the rotation speed selection button 23.2.

[0065] The plurality of control buttons may further comprise a standby button 23.4 configured to control a standby of the suction motor 4 when the standby button 23.4 is activated by a user.

[0066] The plurality of control buttons may also comprise an activation button 23.5 configured to control an operation of the suction motor 4 according to an enhanced operating mode in which the suction motor 4 is rotated at a rotational speed which is higher than the rotational speeds of the operating modes controllable by the rotational speed selection buttons 23.1, 23.2, 23.3. Advantageously, the control device 6 is configured to control the operation of the suction motor 4 according to the enhanced operating mode only when the activation button 23.5 is held down by the user.

[0067] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a sound signal generating device configured to generate a sound signal when the remote control 14 is correctly inserted into the housing cavity 15, i.e. when the remote control 14 has reached a predetermined receiving location.

[0068] Advantageously, the sound signal generating device comprises an elastically deformable tab 24 (see Figure 10) which is provided on the gripping handle 13 and which is provided with a lug 25 projecting into the housing cavity 15. The sound signal generating device further comprises a receiving recess 26 which is provided on the remote control 14 and which is configured to receive the lug 25 when the remote control 14 is mounted in the housing cavity 15, i.e. when the remote control 14 is in the predetermined receiving location. Advantageously, the receiving recess 26 is provided on a lower surface of the remote control 14.

[0069] The sound signal generating device is configured such that, upon insertion of the remote control 14 into the housing cavity 15, the elastically deformable tab 24 is elastically deformed into a deformed position due to the cooperation of the lug 25 with the lower surface of the remote control 14, and such that, when the lug 25 is located opposite the receiving recess 26, the elastically deformable tab 24 returns to its rest position and the lug 25 enters the receiving recess 26. Such movement of the lug 25 causes the latter to impact against the inner wall of the receiving recess 26 and thus generates a sound signal which informs the user that the remote control 14 has reached the predetermined receiving location.

[0070] The remote control 14 further comprises an electrical energy storage element 27, such as an electric battery or a rechargeable electric accumulator, which is housed in an internal housing 28 delimited by a remote control housing 29 of the remote control 14.

[0071] Advantageously, the remote control 14 comprises an access hatch 31 which is pivotally mounted relative to the remote control housing 29 around a pivot axis and between a closed position in which the access hatch 31 prevents removal of the electrical energy storage element 27 from the internal housing 28 and an open position in which the access hatch 31 allows removal of the electrical energy storage element 27 from the internal housing.

[0072] Advantageously, the access hatch 31 is located in a lower part of the remote control housing 29. The access hatch 31 can, for example, be mounted captively on the remote control housing 29.

[0073] Of course, the 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 canister-type vacuum cleaner (1) comprising: - a vacuum cleaner housing (2), - a suction nozzle (3) arranged on the vacuum cleaner housing (2) and through which air carrying waste can be sucked into the vacuum cleaner housing (2), - a suction motor (4) arranged in the vacuum cleaner housing (2) and configured to generate an airflow through the suction nozzle (3), - a suction tube (8) fluidly connected to the suction nozzle (3), - a gripping handle (13) attached to the suction tube (8) and configured to be grasped by a user, the gripping handle (13) including a housing cavity (15) - a remote control (14) attached to the gripping handle (13) and configured to emit control signals, the remote control (14) being removably mounted in the housing cavity (15), - a control device (6) provided in or on the vacuum cleaner housing (2), the control device (6) being configured to receive the control signals emitted by the remote control (14) and to control the operation of the suction motor (4) according to the control signals received by the control device (6), and - a handle (11) comprising a main handle part (12) which is elongated and which is mechanically connected to the suction tube (8), the handle (11) further comprising the gripping handle (13) which is attached to the main handle part (12), characterized in that the remote control (14) is configured to be withdrawn from the housing cavity (15) in a withdrawal direction (D2) which is substantially rectilinear and which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main handle part (12).

2. The vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 1, wherein the remote control (14) is configured to be removed from the housing cavity (15) according to a removal direction (S) which is oriented away from the main handle part (12).

3. The vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing cavity (15) includes a peripheral edge (19) which surrounds the periphery of the remote control (14) when the remote control (14) is mounted in the housing cavity (15).

4. The vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gripping handle (13) includes an angled portion (13.1), the housing cavity (15) being formed at least partly in the angled portion (13.1).

5. The vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the remote control (14) includes a retaining member (16) configured to cooperate with a complementary retaining member (17) provided on the gripping handle (13) so as to retain the remote control (14) in the housing cavity (15).

6. The vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 5, wherein the retaining member (16) and the complementary retaining member (17) are configured to retain the remote control (14) in the housing cavity (15) according to a retaining direction which is substantially perpendicular to the withdrawal direction (D2).

7. The vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the retaining member (16) and the complementary retaining member (17) each have a generally T-shaped cross-section.

8. The vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the remote control (14) includes a remote control external surface (18) that is accessible by a user when the remote control (14) is mounted in the housing cavity (15), the remote control external surface (18) being flush with at least one external surface of the gripping handle (13) when the remote control (14) is mounted in the housing cavity (15).

9. The vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which includes a sound signal generating device configured to generate a sound signal when the remote control (14) is inserted into the housing cavity (15).

10. The vacuum cleaner (1) according to claim 9, wherein the sound signal generating device includes an elastically deformable tab (24) which is provided on the gripping handle (13) and which is provided with a lug (25) protruding into the housing cavity (15), and a receiving recess (26) which is provided on the remote control (14) and which is configured to receive the lug when the remote control (14) is mounted in the housing cavity (15).

11. The vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the remote control (14) includes at least one electrical energy storage element (27).

12. The vacuum cleaner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which further includes a suction hose (9) which is flexible and which is connected to the suction nozzle (3), the suction hose (9) fluidly connecting the suction tube (8) to the suction nozzle (3).

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