Cleaning unit for a suction nozzle or a cleaning robot

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning unit (1) for a device (2) for cleaning a surface, comprising at least one motor (3) and at least one first working element (4), wherein the first working element (4) is connectable to the motor (3) such that the first working element (4) can be directly rotated by the motor (3). A cleaning unit (1) for a device (2) for cleaning a surface, in which both good edge cleaning with simplified brush changes and simultaneously increased energy efficiency are ensured, is realized by providing at least one second working element (5), and by connecting the second working element (5) to the motor (3) such that the second working element (5) can be directly rotated by the motor (3). The invention further relates to a suction nozzle and a cleaning device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning unit for a device for cleaning a surface, comprising at least one motor and at least one first working body. The first working body can be connected to the motor in such a way that the first working body can be directly rotated by the motor.

[0002] Generic cleaning units are used, for example, in household appliances, such as floor nozzles for vacuum cleaners or cleaning robots. The working element is directly rotatable by a motor and serves, for example, to convey dirt toward a suction channel or to remove dirt from the surface. The working elements are designed, for example, as brush bodies or slatted rollers. These cleaning devices are used, for example, for cleaning carpets or hard floors.

[0003] DE 10 2018 119 181 A1, for example, discloses a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner for cleaning a floor. The brush rollers are driven by a motor via a gear box to remove dirt from a carpet and feed it into a suction channel.

[0004] CN 105 125 141 A discloses a cleaning unit for a vacuum cleaner in which two working bodies are arranged on a pneumatically driven impeller 2. The impeller is designed as a radial turbine.

[0005] EP 0 947 155 A2 discloses a rotating brush unit for a vacuum cleaner. The motor is arranged such that it directly drives the working body, which is designed as a roller. The motor is also designed as an electric motor.

[0006] US 2002 / 129462 A1 discloses a vacuum cleaner with a floor unit having a plurality of rotating brushes. The brushes of the floor unit are driven by an electric motor connected to the cleaning rollers via a gear.

[0007] DE 10 2014 114 813 A1 discloses a surface cleaning machine and a method for operating a surface cleaning machine. The surface cleaning machine has two rotatable cleaning rollers that can be driven by a drive element. The drive motor is arranged orthogonally to the rotational axis of the cleaning rollers in the housing and is connected to the cleaning rollers via a gear mechanism.

[0008] DE 102 42 257 A1 discloses a self-propelled floor dust collector and a combination of such a collector with a base station. The collector has a rotating brush on the underside, which is driven by an electric motor.

[0009] The cleaning units known from the state of the art have the disadvantage that they either ensure good edge cleaning with easy brush changes or good energy efficiency, especially in the case of battery-operated devices.

[0010] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a cleaning unit for a device for cleaning a substrate, in which both good edge cleaning with simplified brush changes and, at the same time, increased energy efficiency are ensured.

[0011] The above-mentioned object is achieved in a generic cleaning unit with the feature content of the characterizing part of claim 1, namely in that at least one second working body is present, and that the second working body can be connected to the motor in such a way that the second working body can be rotated directly by the motor, wherein the motor is designed as an electric motor.

[0012] Suction nozzles for vacuum cleaners are usually connected to the suction device in a flow-tight manner via a flexible suction hose and / or a handling tube. In so-called handheld vacuum cleaners, the suction nozzle is also provided with a direct flow-tight connection to the suction device. Such suction nozzles are usually arranged with at least one rotatable working body which loosens dirt from the surface or, for example, removes dirt from a carpet. For this purpose, a suction nozzle has in particular at least one cleaning unit according to the invention which has at least one motor and at least one first working body and at least one second working body. The first working body and the second working body are connected to the motor in such a way that both the first working body and the second working body can be rotated directly by the motor."Direct" in this context means that a rotation of the motor is transmitted to the first working body and the second working body without the presence of a gearbox.

[0013] The first working body and the second working body are preferably arranged at a distance from one another on the cleaning unit. The first working body and the second working body are, for example, rotatably mounted on the cleaning unit such that the rotation axis or axes of the first working body and the second working body are aligned substantially parallel to a surface to be treated in the operating state. The cleaning unit is held in the assembled state such that the first and second working bodies at least partially touch a surface to be treated in the operating state.

[0014] Devices for cleaning a surface within the meaning of the present invention, in which a cleaning unit can be arranged, are, for example, suction nozzles, in particular floor nozzles, for vacuum cleaners, nozzles for hand-held vacuum cleaners or cleaning devices that move autonomously in a cleaning environment, for example vacuum robots or mop robots or vacuum / mop robots.

[0015] The present invention therefore also relates to a floor nozzle, a nozzle and / or a cleaning robot, with a cleaning unit described above or below.

[0016] A direct drive of two working elements according to the invention has the advantage over a drive with a gearbox in that it offers significantly better energy efficiency and requires a lower operating speed. The increased energy efficiency contributes to a longer battery life for battery-powered devices, and the lower operating speed contributes to better acoustic properties. The use of two working elements facilitates replacement and improves cleaning performance in peripheral areas.

[0017] According to a first embodiment of the cleaning unit according to the invention, it has proven advantageous if the first working body and / or the second working body is / are designed as a cleaning tool. For example, the first working body and / or the second working body are designed as a cleaning brush, in particular as a brush roller. A cleaning brush, for example, has a plurality of filaments attached thereto, such as bristles. These filaments can be arranged in the form of individually arranged tufts or in the form of brush strips or wave-shaped brush strips.

[0018] Furthermore, it is also provided that a cleaning roller has a plurality of cleaning projections or cleaning lamellae. For example, the first working body or the second working body is formed at least partially, e.g., at least cleaning projections or cleaning lamellae, from silicone.

[0019] In particular, in order to advantageously enable the direct drive of the first working body and / or the second working body by the motor, a further embodiment of the cleaning unit provides that the first working body and / or the second working body can be directly connected to at least one rotor of the motor. For example, the first working body is connected to a first rotor of the motor and the second working body is connected to a second rotor of the motor. The connection between the working bodies and the respective rotor is, for example, form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or force-form-fitting. For example, the first rotor is held on a first end face of the motor so as to be rotatable about a motor axis, and the second rotor is held on a second end face of the motor so as to be rotatable about the motor axis. The first working body is connected to the first rotor and the second working body is connected to the second rotor.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, the motor comprises at least one shaft, and the first working body and / or the second working body can be connected, preferably directly, to the shaft. The shaft is preferably connected to the at least one rotor. The connection between the first working body or the second working body and the shaft is, for example, positively locking and / or non-positively locking. For example, the shaft comprises at least one projection or geometry by means of which a torque can be transmitted to the first working body and / or the second working body.

[0021] The first working body and / or the second working body are in any case connected to the rotor of the motor and / or to the shaft in such a way that a torque can be transmitted, i.e. the first working body and / or the second working body can be rotated directly by the motor.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the cleaning unit, it is particularly preferred that the first working body and / or the second working body be detachably connected to the shaft and / or detachably connected to the at least one rotor of the motor. The detachability of the connection between the first working body or the second working body and the rotor and / or the shaft ensures the interchangeability of the first working body and / or the second working body, allowing different working bodies to be used for different cleaning tasks or to replace a worn working body.

[0023] For example, a first rotor of the motor and / or a second rotor of the motor has at least one shaft interface for coupling to a first shaft or a second shaft, respectively. The first shaft is, for example, part of the first working body and the second shaft part of the second working body, wherein the first working body and / or the second working body can be coupled to the respective rotor via the shaft interface. The shaft interface is designed such that rotation of the rotor can be transferred to the first shaft or the second shaft, respectively. For example, the first shaft and the second shaft are mounted on the cleaning unit and / or the cleaning device.

[0024] A further embodiment of the cleaning unit provides that a single shaft is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotor of the motor, in particular to a first and a second rotor of the motor. For example, the shaft is connected to a rotor or rotors in a form-fitting, material-fitting, and / or force-fitting manner. Advantageously, the shaft has at least one projection that interacts in a form-fitting manner with at least one rotor or one of the rotors of the motor. The shaft is connected to at least one rotor, preferably to both rotors, in such a way that a torque can be transmitted from the rotors to the shaft.

[0025] The first working body and the second working body can be exchanged particularly advantageously if, according to a further embodiment of the cleaning unit, there is a single shaft and the shaft has a first free end and a second free end. Preferably, the first working body can be arranged on the first free end and the second working body on the second free end. The free ends preferably each protrude from the first rotor and the second rotor, respectively, so that the first working body and the second working body can be easily plugged on. Preferably, the first working body is latched onto the first free end and the second working body is latched onto the second free end.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the cleaning unit, the motor is arranged, in particular along the shaft, preferably centrally, between the first working body and the second working body. The shaft preferably passes through the motor in such a way that it protrudes from the motor on both sides and has the same length. This forms the free ends of the shaft, onto which the first working body and the second working body can be mounted. The shaft is preferably mounted within the motor.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, it is preferably provided that the first working body and the second working body are arranged coaxially on a single shaft. The first working body and the second working body thus rotate together on the shaft. The shaft is preferably arranged on the cleaning device in such a way that the first working body and the second working body rotate essentially parallel to the surface to be cleaned.

[0028] With regard to the shaft bearings, it has proven advantageous if the shaft is supported by at least one bearing, in particular by at least two bearings. Preferably, the shaft is supported in a stator of the motor, namely by the shaft protruding from the motor on both sides. The stator preferably contains two spaced-apart bearings, in particular plain bearings or ball bearings, which support the shaft. The shaft is preferably made of corrosion-resistant steel.

[0029] In particular, to enable the first working body and the second working body to move relative to the surface, the motor, in particular the stator of the motor, is held on a rocker arm. The rocker arm holds the motor and both working bodies so that when the rocker arm moves, the working bodies and the motor are moved. The rocker arm is preferably spring-mounted so that, in the assembled state, a spring force is exerted in the direction of a surface to be cleaned. If a user lifts the device with the cleaning unit, the weight of the motor as well as the working body and the spring force cause the cleaning unit to be moved slightly in the direction of the surface. For assembly, the cleaning unit can preferably be attached to a cleaning device using the rocker arm.

[0030] The rocker arm is preferably designed such that it completely encompasses at least the stator of the motor. The motor is particularly mounted on the rocker arm such that the shaft mounted in the motor protrudes from the rocker arm on the right and left sides. The working bodies are thus arranged to the right and left of the rocker arm. The rocker arm is arranged centrally between the first working body and the second working body.

[0031] A further embodiment of the cleaning unit provides for the motor to be designed, for example, as an axial flux machine, particularly a permanent-magnet machine, or as a radial flux machine. The axial flux machine ensures a compact design. A rotor can be arranged on each end face of the axial flux machine, so that each working body is assigned a rotor. A radial flux machine is designed, for example, as an internal rotor or external rotor.

[0032] According to a further embodiment of the cleaning unit, at least one rotor of the motor, preferably both rotors of the motor, each have at least one permanent magnet or at least one coil. Each rotor preferably has at least two, three or four permanent magnets that are distributed around the circumference at a distance from one another. A further embodiment of the cleaning unit provides that the stator of the motor is designed in one or two parts. It is preferably provided that the stator is split axially in the middle. Depending on the design of the cleaning unit, it is also provided that the stator is designed in one piece, for example at least partially from sintered metal powder or from electrical steel sheet.

[0033] The invention further relates to a cleaning device, in particular a vacuum and / or wiping robot, with at least one cleaning unit according to one of the previously described embodiments.

[0034] Furthermore, the invention relates to a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, in particular a floor nozzle, comprising at least one cleaning unit according to one of the previously described embodiments.

[0035] Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a cleaning unit, preferably according to one of the exemplary embodiments described above or below, with at least one motor, at least one first working body and at least one second working body, wherein the motor is designed as an electric motor, wherein the first working body and the second working body are directly rotatable by the motor, wherein the motor is arranged centrally between the first working body and the second working body, for arrangement in a cleaning device, in particular a cleaning robot or a floor nozzle, for cleaning a surface.

[0036] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the following description of the figures and the dependent subclaims.

[0037] They show: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a cleaning unit in a suction nozzle, Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of a cleaning unit in a suction nozzle, Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a cleaning unit in a vacuum robot, and Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a motor for a cleaning unit.

[0038] In the various figures of the drawing, identical parts are always provided with the same reference symbols.

[0039] With regard to the following description, it is claimed that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and not to all or several features of described combinations of features, but rather each individual partial feature of the / each exemplary embodiment is also important for the subject matter of the invention, even independently of all other partial features described in connection therewith, and also in combination with any features of another exemplary embodiment.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a cleaning unit 1 in a device 2 for cleaning a surface, which here is designed as a suction nozzle, in particular a floor nozzle, for a vacuum cleaner (not shown). The cleaning unit 1 has a motor 3, a first working body 4, and a second working body 5. In this embodiment, the first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are designed as roller-shaped cleaning brushes with bristles 6. The motor 3 has a stator 7 and two rotors 8 arranged on the end faces of the stator 7.

[0041] The motor 3 further comprises a shaft 9 extending centrally through the motor 3, so that it protrudes from the motor 3 on both sides. The shaft 9 thus has a first free end 9a and a second free end 9b. The first free end 9a is connected to the first working body 4, and the second free end 9b is connected to the second working body 5 by the working bodies 4, 5 being plugged onto the free ends 9a, 9b. The first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are detachably connected to the respective rotor 8 and the shaft 9, so that the first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are interchangeable.

[0042] The shaft 9 is rotationally fixed to the two rotors 8, so that the shaft 9 always rotates at the same speed when the rotors 8 move. The first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are arranged coaxially and spaced apart from each other on the shaft 9. The motor 3 is arranged centrally along the shaft 9 between the first working body 4 and the second working body 5.

[0043] The shaft 9 is mounted in the stator 7 of the motor 3 by means of two bearings 10, which in this exemplary embodiment are designed as ball bearings. The stator 7 has a central recess 11 for the arrangement of the bearings 10 and for the passage of the shaft 9. The motor 3, in particular the stator 7 of the motor 3, is held in a spring-mounted rocker arm 12. The cleaning unit 1 is mounted on the floor nozzle 2 by means of the spring-mounted rocker arm 12. The spring-mounted rocker arm 12 enables the cleaning unit 1 to deflect relative to a surface to be cleaned. The rocker arm 12 completely surrounds the stator 7 of the motor 3. The stator 7 of the motor 3 has eight coils 13 to which a current can be applied. The rotors 8 each have four permanent magnets 14 distributed around the circumference of the rotors 8.

[0044] Fig. 2shows a further embodiment of a cleaning unit 1 for a device 2 for cleaning a surface. In this embodiment, the device 2 is designed as a suction nozzle, in particular a floor nozzle, for a vacuum cleaner (not shown). The device 2 has first rollers 15 and second rollers 16 for guidance on a surface (not shown). Furthermore, the device 2 has an interface 17 to a vacuum cleaner suction pipe (not shown) for discharging the suction air.

[0045] The cleaning unit 1 is arranged in a suction chamber 18. The first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are rotatably mounted on a shaft 9. The shaft 9 protrudes on both sides from the motor 3, which is mounted on a rocker 12. The first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are designed as brush rollers with lamellae. The bristles 6 are arranged in a wave-like manner. The first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are detachably mounted on a first free end 9a and a second free end 9b of the shaft 9.

[0046] The cleaning unit 1 is surrounded by the suction chamber 18, from which the dirt removed by the working elements 4, 5 is sucked along the path 18a and transferred to a vacuum cleaner suction pipe (not shown) at the interface 17. The rocker 12 is spring-mounted on a rocker shaft 19, with a spring unit 20 acting on the rocker shaft 19. The spring unit 20 ensures sufficient contact pressure of the cleaning unit 1 on the surface to be cleaned and also allows the working elements 4, 5 to deflect relative to the surface.

[0047] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a cleaning unit 1 in a device 2, which in this embodiment is designed as a cleaning robot, here a vacuum robot, that moves autonomously in a cleaning environment. The device 2 has first rollers 15 and second rollers 16 for movement on a surface (not shown). The first rollers 15 are driven.

[0048] The cleaning unit 1 is arranged in a suction chamber 18. The first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are rotatably mounted on a shaft 9. The shaft 9 protrudes on both sides from the motor 3, which is mounted on a rocker 12. The first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are designed as brush rollers with lamellae. The bristles 6 are arranged in a wave-like manner. The first working body 4 and the second working body 5 are detachably mounted on a first free end 9a and a second free end 9b of the shaft 9.

[0049] The cleaning unit 1 is surrounded by the suction chamber 18, from which the dirt removed by the working elements 4, 5 is sucked along the path 18a and collected in a dirt collection container arranged in the housing 22 of the device. The rocker 12 is spring-mounted on a rocker shaft 19, with a spring unit 20 acting on the rocker shaft 19. The spring unit 20 ensures sufficient contact pressure of the cleaning unit 1 on the surface to be cleaned and also allows the working elements 4, 5 to deflect relative to the surface.

[0050] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a motor 3 for a cleaning unit 1, for example according to one of the embodiments according to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3The motor 3 has a stator 7 with a total of eight coils 13, each wound around a coil core 13a. The motor 3 shown is a permanent-magnet axial flux machine, in which the rotors 8 are arranged at the front of the stator 7. The two rotors 8 each have four permanent magnets 14, which are distributed as arcuate segments around the circumference of the rotors 8. A shaft 9 - see Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 - can be mounted in a central recess 11 in the stator 7 and can be connected to the rotors 8 in recesses 21.

[0051] The invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments, but also encompasses all equivalent embodiments within the meaning of the invention. It is expressly emphasized that the embodiments are not limited to all features in combination; rather, each individual feature may also have inventive significance in isolation from all other features. List of reference symbols

[0052] 1 Cleaning unit 2 Device (floor nozzle?) 3 Motor 4 First working body 5 Second working body 6 Bristles 7 Stator 8 Rotor 9 Shaft 10 Bearing 11 Central recess 12 Rocker arm 13 Coils 14 Permanent magnets 15 First rollers 16 Second rollers 17 Interface 18 Suction chamber 18 a Path 19 Rocker arm shaft 20 Spring unit 21 Recesses 22 Housing

Claims

1. Cleaning unit (1) for a device (2) for cleaning a surface, comprising at least one motor (3) and at least one first working body (4), wherein the first working body (4) can be connected to the motor (3) in such a way that the first working body (4) can be directly rotated by the motor (3), wherein the motor (3) is designed as an electric motor, characterized in that at least one second working body (5) is present, and in that the second working body (5) can be connected to the motor (3) in such a way that the second working body (5) can be directly rotated by the motor (3).

2. Cleaning unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first working body (4) and / or the second working body (5) is designed as a cleaning tool, in particular as a cleaning brush or a cleaning roller.

3. Cleaning unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first working body (4) and / or the second working body (5) can be connected to the at least one rotor (8) of the motor (3).

4. Cleaning unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the motor (3) has at least one shaft (9) connected to the at least one rotor (8), and in that the first working body (4) and / or the second working body (5) can be connected to the shaft (9), in particular can be connected in a form-fit and / or force-fit and / or force-form-fit manner.

5. Cleaning unit (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the first working body (4) and / or the second working body (5) can be detachably connected to the shaft (9) and / or detachably connected to at least one rotor (8) of the motor (3).

6. Cleaning unit (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the shaft (9) is connected to a rotor (8) of the motor (3) in a torque proof manner, in particular to a first and a second rotor (8) of the motor (3).

7. Cleaning unit (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the shaft (9) has a first free end (9a) and a second free end (9b), in particular in that the first working body (4) can be arranged on the first free end (9a) and the second working body (5) can be arranged on the second free end (9b).

8. Cleaning unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the motor (3) is arranged, in particular axially along a shaft (9), preferably centrally, between the first working body (4) and the second working body (5).

9. Cleaning unit (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the first working body (4) and the second working body (5) are arranged coaxially on the shaft.

10. Cleaning unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the motor (3), in particular the stator (7) of the motor (3), is held on a, preferably resiliently mounted, rocker (12).

11. Cleaning unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the motor (3) is designed as an axial flux machine, in particular with permanent magnet excitation, or as a radial flux machine, for example in that a stator (7) of the motor (3) is designed in one or two parts.

12. Cleaning unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one rotor (8) of the motor (3) has at least one permanent magnet (14) or at least one coil, in particular at least two, three or four permanent magnets (14).

13. Cleaning robot, in particular vacuum and / or mopping robot, with at least one cleaning unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Suction nozzle, in particular floor nozzle, for a vacuum cleaner, comprising at least one cleaning unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

15. Use of a cleaning unit (1), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 12, having at least one motor (3), at least one first working body (4) and at least one second working body (5), wherein the motor (3) is designed as an electric motor, wherein the first working body (4) and the second working body (5) can be rotated directly by the motor (3), and wherein the motor (3) is arranged centrally between the first working body (4) and the second working body (5), for arrangement in a cleaning device (2), in particular a cleaning robot or a floor nozzle, for cleaning a surface.

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