Vacuum cleaner nozzle

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) with a suction head (2) and a suction opening (4) arranged on the underside of the suction head, which connects to a suction channel (6) arranged in the suction head (2). The suction opening (4) extends in a transverse direction (y) and is bounded by a suction opening edge (5a) located forward in a working direction (x) and a suction opening edge (5b) located rearward in the working direction (x). The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) has a suction connection port (3) located rearward in the working direction (x) and which is fluidically connected to the suction channel (6). The suction connection port (3) is pivotally mounted on the suction head (2) about a pivot axis (s) extending through the suction head (2) in the transverse direction (y). According to the invention, the pivot axis (s) is displaceable on the suction head (2) between a front upper position (first position) and a lower rear position (second position).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle with a suction head having a suction mouth arranged on the underside of the suction head in a vertical direction, which suction mouth connects to a suction channel arranged in the suction head. The suction mouth extends in a transverse direction and is delimited by a front suction mouth edge in a working direction and a rear suction mouth edge in the working direction. The vacuum cleaner nozzle further has a suction connection piece arranged behind the suction mouth in the working direction, which is fluidically connected to the suction channel. The suction connection piece is articulated on the suction head - directly or indirectly - about a pivot axis running through the suction head in the transverse direction.

[0002] The vacuum cleaner nozzle can be connected to a vacuum cleaner via the suction connection piece. For this purpose, the suction connection piece is fluidically connected to the vacuum cleaner directly and / or via a suction line. The suction line can, in particular, comprise a preferably telescopic suction pipe, a handle, and / or a suction hose. In particular, it is provided that a suction fan for generating a suction air stream and at least one dirt collection chamber for separating dirt particles entrained in the suction air stream are arranged in the vacuum cleaner.

[0003] The suction air blower, which is fluidically connected to the vacuum cleaner nozzle, is designed to generate a suction air stream that enters the suction channel of the vacuum cleaner nozzle via the suction port. In doing so, it can loosen and entrain dirt particles located on or within a material to be cleaned, particularly a floor surface. The dirt particles are then separated and collected in the dirt collection chamber.

[0004] Typically, the vacuum cleaner nozzle is not directly controlled by a user, but rather by the vacuum cleaner and / or a suction air duct connecting the vacuum cleaner to the nozzle. Typical application scenarios involve the vacuum cleaner being designed as a handheld device, which is directly connected to the vacuum cleaner nozzle's connection piece by a rigid suction tube. This configuration is referred to as a "stick cleaner." Another common application involves a flexible suction hose attached to a floor-standing vacuum cleaner housing, which is also connected to the suction connection piece via a handle and, if necessary, a vacuum cleaner tube.

[0005] In each of these application scenarios—to which the invention is not limited—the force for moving and controlling the vacuum cleaner nozzle is introduced into the suction head via the rear suction connection piece. The respective orientation and positioning of the vacuum cleaner nozzle then results from the interaction of the introduced force moments with its own weight and any support on a surface to be cleaned. A key aspect of the development of vacuum cleaner nozzles is to achieve a permanently optimal positioning of the suction nozzle relative to the surface to be cleaned within these boundary conditions.

[0006] Such an adaptation can be achieved within the framework of known concepts, such as those known from EP 3 042 597 A1 and WO 03 / 039 315 A1. In order to increase the physical suction efficiency, however, particularly small distances are increasingly being provided between the suction mouth and the adjacent surface. This means that adequate dirt pickup - especially on air-permeable and / or jointed surfaces - can be achieved even with a relatively low volume flow and / or negative pressure of the suction air flow. This leads to particularly strong suction, especially during the forward stroke, i.e. when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is moved in the working direction, which is associated with increased sliding resistance. This makes it more difficult for the user to handle the vacuum cleaner nozzle and is therefore also detrimental to the cleaning result.

[0007] Double-jointed nozzles are known from EP 1 875 846 A2 and FR 2 965 164 A1, in which the pivot axis is fixedly arranged on the suction head.

[0008] Against this background, the invention is based on the object of simplifying the handling of a vacuum cleaner nozzle of this type and, in particular, reducing the sliding resistance during a forward stroke. The subject matter of the invention and the solution to this object are a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent subclaims.

[0009] Based on the generic vacuum cleaner nozzle, the invention provides that the pivot axis is displaceable between a front upper position (first position) and a lower rear position (second position) on the suction head. This means that in the first position, the pivot axis is located further forward in the working direction and further up in the vertical direction than in the second position. The vertical device is oriented, in particular, perpendicular to the working direction and the transverse direction.

[0010] The position of the pivot axis is crucial for the force transmission from the suction connection piece to the suction head. Depending on the position, different tilting moments are transmitted to the suction head. Because the pivot axis has a horizontal offset (front / rear position) in the working direction between the first and second positions, it can automatically move to the first position during a forward stroke – i.e., a pushing movement in the working direction – and to the second position during a reverse stroke – i.e., a pulling movement opposite to the working direction.

[0011] The amount of torque transmitted during the power transfer from the suction connection to the suction head depends largely on the length of the lever arm—that is, the distance between the force application points. The abutment, or the first force application point for the generation of torque, is located at the contact point between the vacuum cleaner nozzle and the surface to be cleaned—that is, at the underside of the suction head, which houses the suction nozzle. At high contact pressure—which leads to undesirably strong sliding resistance—this underside can exert particularly strong braking forces.

[0012] The inventive feature of raising the pivot axis in the first position increases this lever arm, thereby increasing the torque. Consequently, within the scope of the inventive design—at least in the case of high sliding resistance—the rear edge of the suction mouth can be raised to increase the inflow cross-section and thereby reduce the contact pressure. During a reverse stroke, the pivot axis is deliberately guided at a smaller vertical distance from the suction mouth, so that lower torques are applied and the vacuum cleaner nozzle can be guided optimally along the floor surface to be cleaned.

[0013] The suction head can be formed in one piece or from several parts firmly connected to one another. In particular, the suction head comprises at least an upper housing part and a sliding base arranged on the underside, in which the suction mouth is located. The sliding base can be rigidly connected to the upper housing part or mounted so that it can move relative to it—in particular, pivot about an axis extending in the transverse direction.

[0014] The invention provides that the pivot axis is movable relative to the sliding base between the first position and the second position. The relative positioning of the pivot axis to the suction mouth (formed in the sliding base) and its edges is particularly important for the inventive effect.

[0015] According to the invention, the pivot axis can be pivoted between the first position and the second position by means of a toggle lever. The toggle lever is a single-part or multi-part coupling member which, on the one hand, can be pivoted about a toggle lever axis fixed to the suction head and running in the transverse direction. On the other hand, the pivot axis is fixed relative to the toggle lever and can be pivoted together with it. The toggle lever is therefore pivotably coupled (directly or indirectly) to the suction connection piece (about the pivot axis). The coupling mechanism of the toggle lever, thanks to its pivoting mobility, enables the pivot axis to be easily shifted between the first position and the second position.

[0016] The toggle lever can, in particular, have two sections that are mirror-symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal center plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle (running perpendicular to the transverse direction). These sections are particularly preferably coupled to one another in a synchronous manner to enable parallel pivoting of the pivot axis. Particularly preferably, the first section and the second section are formed from a single piece.

[0017] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the toggle lever can be pivoted between the first position and the second position by an angle of at least 30°, in particular at least 60° and at most 90°. A pivoting movement within this particularly preferred angular range enables a particularly large displacement in both the vertical and horizontal directions. This allows a particularly large torque change to be achieved with regard to the tilting moment within the scope of the inventive solution.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the pivot axis is arranged above or behind the toggle lever axis in the first position with respect to the working direction. Furthermore, the pivot axis is arranged at the same height or above the toggle lever axis in the second position with respect to the vertical direction. The toggle lever is expediently mounted on the suction head so as to be pivotable about a toggle lever axis extending in the transverse direction.

[0019] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the distance between the toggle lever axis and the pivot axis is between 20 mm and 35 mm. A distance between the two axes of 20 mm or more enables a significant change in the tilting moment acting on the vacuum cleaner nozzle. At the same time, with a tilt lever length of no more than 35 mm, the displacement of the pivot axis is small enough that it is not perceived as annoying by the user or causes any design disadvantages.

[0020] The toggle lever axis is preferably arranged at a distance of between 8 mm and 20 mm from a suction mouth plane defined by the front suction mouth edge and rear suction mouth edge. By arranging the toggle lever axis at a low position in this way, a particularly low torque can be achieved during a reverse stroke. Accordingly, the torque increase in the forward stroke is correspondingly greater. The suction mouth plane is to be understood as a support plane on which the underside of the suction head can rest against a flat floor surface. In particular, the suction mouth plane is oriented perpendicular to the vertical direction and extends in the working direction and the transverse direction. Preferably, but not necessarily, both the front suction mouth edge and the rear suction mouth edge extend largely - in particular essentially completely - within the suction mouth plane.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the toggle lever axis - projected onto the suction mouth plane - is arranged between the front suction mouth edge and the rear suction mouth edge. If the suction mouth edges are not (fully) linear, the average position in the working direction must be taken into account. The suction mouth edges usually form the lowest point in the vertical direction of the sliding sole arranged on the underside of the suction head. These are therefore crucial for the force introduction between the sliding sole and the floor surface to be cleaned. As a result, any torques arise with respect to one or both suction mouth edges as abutments. The function of the toggle lever axis as a displacement point of the pivot axis is improved by this preferred arrangement.

[0022] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the pivot axis is arranged vertically above the toggle lever axis in the first position—within a tolerance range of ± 5 mm in the working direction. This maximizes the height of the pivot axis—and thus the achievable torque in relation to the suction port—in the first position.

[0023] According to the invention, the pivot axis is guided on the suction head by means of a slotted guide. For this purpose, at least one guide track is formed on the suction head, in particular, into which guide track engages a pivot pin formed concentrically around the pivot axis and / or a projection formed and pivotably connected to the suction head about the pivot axis - in particular a coupling part or the suction connection piece. The pivot pin or the projection can be guided on the guide track in a form-fitting manner directly or via a sliding block. By displacing the pivot axis along the guide track, the mobility of the pivot axis between the first position and the second position is enabled. The guide track preferably runs within a longitudinal plane perpendicular to the transverse direction.

[0024] According to a preferred variant, the link guide is designed to be straight at least in sections (preferably completely). The relative displacement of the pivot axis in the straight guideway thus occurs linearly on the suction head.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, the slotted guide can be designed, at least in sections (preferably entirely), in the shape of a circular arc. The circular arc is formed in a longitudinal plane—i.e., perpendicular to the transverse direction. The relative movement of the pivot axis to the suction head occurs analogously to a pivoting movement of a toggle lever arrangement. The advantage of a slotted guide with a circular arc is that it can also have additional sections with a different curvature (preferably no curvature or a curvature in the opposite direction). Furthermore, with a circular arc-shaped guideway, it is possible to emulate pivoting movements whose center of the arc lies outside the suction head. In particular, the circular arc path can have a center point located below a suction mouth plane.

[0026] Conveniently, the suction channel is connected to the suction connection piece by a length-adjustable line element, in particular a hose such as a corrugated hose. Alternatively or in addition to a hose, the fluidic connection between the suction channel and the suction connection piece can comprise a plurality of telescopically interlocking and relatively movable components.

[0027] The length-adjustable line element can, in particular, compensate for a change in the relative distance between the suction channel and the suction connection piece by shifting the pivot axis and / or pivoting the suction connection piece around the pivot axis. Furthermore, adjustments regarding the relative alignment can also be compensated.

[0028] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the pivot axis is arranged between the front edge of the suction mouth and the rear edge of the suction mouth in the first position and the second position—as well as in all intermediate positions therebetween. As a result, the pivot axis always rests stably above the suction mouth in the first position, in the second position (and in the intermediate positions therebetween). Tilting due to its own weight or a vertically acting force is thus prevented.

[0029] Particularly preferably, the pivot axis is arranged in the first position in the area of ​​the front suction mouth edge. This area includes positions arranged vertically above the front suction mouth edge in the vertical direction, as well as 5 mm in front and behind it in the working direction. This ensures optimal utilization of the introduced torque.

[0030] To achieve sufficient torque to safely lift the rear edge of the suction mouth, it is preferably provided that the pivot axis in the first position has a height between 25 mm and 60 mm, preferably between 40 mm and 50 mm, in particular approximately 30 mm - relative to the front edge of the suction mouth or the suction mouth plane. A correspondingly positioned pivot axis can be easily integrated within the suction head.

[0031] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the suction connection piece is pivotably mounted on a connecting piece about a transversely extending rear tilting axis, which is pivotably mounted on the suction head about the pivoting axis. This embodiment is also referred to as a double-jointed nozzle. This enables optimal alignment of the suction head regardless of the thrust and tensile forces applied to the suction connection piece.

[0032] In the case of a double-jointed nozzle in combination with a toggle lever, the latter is preferably shorter than the connecting piece. In this case, the axial distance, i.e. the distance between the toggle lever axis and the pivot axis on the toggle lever and the distance between the pivot axis and the rear tilt axis with respect to the connecting piece, is taken into account. The connecting piece is particularly preferably designed to be a factor of 2, in particular a factor of 3 to 5, longer than the toggle lever. This ensures that the connecting piece is only displaced by a small angle when the position (of the toggle lever) changes between the first position and the second position. In general, the essentially horizontal force introduction of the connecting piece onto the pivot axis is maintained.

[0033] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the connecting piece has at least one ground support. The ground support decouples vertical force components from a pushing force introduced at the suction connection piece. These can be diverted directly into the ground. Only force components that are essentially horizontal in the working direction are transmitted to the suction head via the pivot axis. The ground support can preferably be a roller, in which area the rear tilting axis is arranged so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis. Particularly preferably, the rotation axis of the roller is aligned with the rear tilting axis.

[0034] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the ground support defines a minimum ground clearance of the rear tilting axis, which is greater than the height of the pivot axis in the first (upper) position. This establishes the general orientation of the intermediate piece in a downward direction toward the suction head.

[0035] Particularly preferably, the pivot axis is arranged in all positions—especially in the second position—above a plane extending from the front edge of the suction mouth through the rear tilt axis. This ensures that, when a pushing force is applied (during a forward stroke), the pivot axis can be shifted from the second position to the first position. The invention is explained below with reference to drawings that merely represent exemplary embodiments. They show schematically: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the invention, Fig. 2 a bottom view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle from Fig. 1 , Fig. 3A a simplified side view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle in the first position according to the invention, Fig. 3B a view corresponding Fig. 3A in the second position according to the invention, Fig. 4A, 4BViews corresponding Fig. 3A , 3B and Fig. 5A, 5B a representation corresponding Fig. 3A , 3B

[0036] The Fig. 1 shows a vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 according to the invention with a suction head 2 and a suction connection piece 3 arranged at the rear in a working direction x. As can be seen from a comparison with the Fig. 2 removes, a suction mouth 4 is arranged on the underside of the suction head 2, which extends in a transverse direction y perpendicular to the working direction x and is limited in the working direction by a front suction mouth edge 5a and a rear suction mouth edge 5b.

[0037] The suction mouth 4 is formed in an underside of the suction head 2, designed as a sliding base 2a. The underside is to be understood with respect to a vertical direction z perpendicular to the working direction x and the transverse direction y. The suction mouth 4 forms a suction opening through which a suction air flow can enter the interior of the suction head 2. The interior of the suction head 2 is designed as a suction channel 6, which is fluidically connected to the suction connection piece 3. The suction connection piece serves for the fluidic and mechanical coupling to an associated suction device, in particular a canister cleaner or a stick cleaner.

[0038] The figures show that the vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 is designed as a so-called double-jointed nozzle. The suction connection piece 3 is pivotally mounted on a connecting piece 7 about a rear tilting axis k extending in the transverse direction y. The fluidic connection between the suction channel 6 and the suction connection piece 3 is provided by a corrugated hose 8.

[0039] The connecting piece 7 - and thus indirectly also the suction connection piece 3 - is articulated on the suction head 2 about a pivot axis s running in the transverse direction y through the suction head 2. According to the invention, the pivot axis s is arranged between a - in the Fig. 3A , 4A and 5A shown - front upper first position and one - in the Fig. 3B , 4B and 5Bshown - second lower rear position. The connecting piece 7 has a floor support in the form of two rollers 9, the axis of rotation of which is aligned with the rear tilting axis k.

[0040] In the Fig. 3A and 3B The mobility of the pivot axis s is realized via a toggle lever 10. The toggle lever 10 is pivotally connected to the intermediate piece 7 about the (displaceable) pivot axis s. In addition, the toggle lever 10 is pivotally mounted on the suction head 2 about a toggle lever axis a running in the transverse direction y. The toggle lever axis a and the pivot axis s have a distance I 1 of between 20 mm and 35 mm, also referred to as the toggle lever length.

[0041] In the Fig. 3B is the detail from Fig. 3A shown schematically in the second position. It can be seen that the pivot axis is displaced by pivoting the rocker arm 10 through an angle α of approximately 45° relative to the suction head 2, both downwards in the vertical direction z and backwards in the working direction x.

[0042] In the Fig. 3A It can be seen that the front suction mouth edge 5a and the rear suction mouth edge 5b define a suction mouth plane 11. This corresponds to the support plane of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 in the stationary, force-free state. Compared to this suction mouth plane 11, the toggle lever axis a has a height h 1 of between 8 mm and 20 mm. The vertical height of the pivot axis s varies in the illustrated embodiment between a first height H 1 of 35 mm in the first position and a second height H 2 of 15 mm in the second position.

[0043] In the Fig. 4A The displaceability of the pivot axis s is realized by a slotted guide 12. This is designed in the shape of a circular arc. A slotted nut 13, in which the pivot axis s is guided, engages in the slotted guide 12. The slotted guide is limited in such a way that the pivot axis s, in the first position and the second position, is arranged between the front suction mouth edge 5a and the rear suction mouth edge 5b - projected onto the suction mouth plane 11. In the first position, the pivot axis s is arranged vertically in the area above the front suction mouth edge 5a.

[0044] In the Fig. 5A und 5B is a variation of the Fig. 3A and 3BThe vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 is designed as a single-joint nozzle. The suction connection piece 3 is mounted on the suction head 2 so that it can pivot directly about the pivot axis s running through the suction head 2. An intermediate piece is omitted. The solution shown again has a toggle lever 10. Alternatively, the pivot axis s could also be shifted via a guide rail on the housing 2.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) with a suction head (2), with a suction mouth (4), which is arranged on the underside of the suction head (2) and which adjoins a suction channel (6) arranged in the suction head (2), wherein the suction mouth (4) extends in a transverse direction (y) and is limited by a front suction mouth edge (5a) in a working direction (x) and a rear suction mouth edge (5b) in a working direction (x), and with a suction connecting fitting (3), which is arranged behind the suction mouth (4) in the working direction (x) and which is fluidically connected to the suction channel (6), and wherein the suction connecting fitting (3) is articulated on the suction head (2) about a pivot axis (s), which runs through the suction head (2) in the transverse direction (y), wherein the pivot axis (s) can be displaced on the suction head (2) between a front upper position (first position) and a lower rear position (second position), characterized in that the pivot axis (s) can be pivoted between the first position and the second position by means of a toggle lever (10).

2. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the toggle lever (10) can be pivoted about an angle (α) of at least 30°, in particular between 60° and 90°, between the first position and the second position.

3. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the toggle lever (10) is mounted on the suction head (2) so as to be pivotable about a toggle lever axis (a), which runs in the transverse direction.

4. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the toggle lever axis (a) has a distance (I1) of between 20 mm and 35 mm from the pivot axis (s).

5. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the toggle lever axis (a) has a height (h1) of between 8 mm and 20 mm from a suction mouth plane (I1), which is spanned by the front suction mouth edge (5a) and rear suction mouth edge (5b).

6. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the toggle lever axis (a) is arranged between the front suction mouth edge (5a) and the rear suction mouth edge (5b).

7. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the toggle lever axis (a) is arranged in the region of the front suction mouth edge (5a).

8. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that in the first position, the pivot axis (s) is arranged vertically above the toggle lever axis (a).

9. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) with a suction head (2), with a suction mouth (4), which is arranged on the underside of the suction head (2) and which adjoins a suction channel (6) arranged in the suction head (2), wherein the suction mouth (4) extends in a transverse direction (y) and is limited by a front suction mouth edge (5a) in a working direction (x) and a rear suction mouth edge (5b) in a working direction (x), and with a suction connecting fitting (3), which is arranged behind the suction mouth (4) in the working direction (x) and which is fluidically connected to the suction channel (6), and wherein the suction connecting fitting (3) is articulated on the suction head (2) about a pivot axis (s), which runs through the suction head (2) in the transverse direction (y), wherein the pivot axis (s) can be displaced on the suction head (2) between a front upper position (first position) and a lower rear position (second position), characterized in that the pivot axis (s) is guided on the suction head by means of a slotted guide (12).

10. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the slotted guide (12) is formed in a straight manner.

11. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the slotted guide (12) is formed in a circular arc-shaped manner.

12. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the suction channel (6) is connected to the suction connecting fitting (3) by means of a guide element (8), which is variable in length, in particular a corrugated hose.

13. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that in the first position and the second position, the pivot axis (s) is arranged between the front suction mouth edge (5a) and the rear suction mouth edge (5b).

14. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that in the first position, the pivot axis (s) is arranged in the region of the front suction mouth edge.

15. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that in the first position, the pivot axis (s) has a height (H1) of between 25 mm and 60 mm, preferably between 40 mm and 50 mm, in particular approx. 30 mm.

16. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the suction connecting fitting (3) is articulated on a connecting piece (7) so as to be pivotably movable about a rear tilt axis (k), which runs in the transverse direction (y), which connecting fitting is mounted on the suction head (2) so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis (s).

17. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to claim 16 and one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the toggle lever (10) is shorter than the connecting piece (7), in particular shorter than half the connecting piece.

18. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the connecting piece (7) has at least one floor support (9), in particular a caster, which is arranged in the region of the rear tilt axis (k).

19. The vacuum cleaner nozzle (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that the floor support (9) specifies a minimum floor clearance of the rear tilt axis (k), which is larger than the height (H1) of the pivot axis in the first position.

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