Vacuum cleaner attachment and vacuum cleaner

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum mop attachment for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: - a base body (1) with a suction nozzle (2), - a mopping component with several mop carriers (7), - a contour (6) on which the mopping component is guided, - a control lever (9) which, when actuated, is configured to guide the mopping component on the contour (6) so that the several mop carriers (7) can be moved into a vacuum mop position in which the several mop carriers (7) and the suction nozzle (2) rest on the floor, and into a mopping position in which the several mop carriers (7) rest on the floor and the suction nozzle (2) is spaced from the floor and at least partially covered by the several mop carriers (7). The invention further relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising the vacuum mop attachment.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vacuum-mopping attachment and a vacuum cleaner. In particular, the invention relates to a vacuum-mopping attachment comprising a base body with a suction nozzle and a wiping component with a plurality of wiping supports, as well as to a vacuum cleaner comprising the vacuum-mopping attachment.

[0002] Vacuum mop attachments that have a suction nozzle as the suction area in a front area relative to the direction of travel of the vacuum mop attachment cannot wipe the entire edge of a room. Due to the suction nozzle in the front area, the mop supports, each equipped with a wiping cloth, can only wipe up to the suction nozzle, leaving 2-3 cm or more of the edge of a room uncleaned.

[0003] Furthermore, (vacuum) mop attachments are known that have a mop component with rotating mop supports. These mop attachments can have a suction nozzle, but are often designed without one. If a suction nozzle is present in an area in front of the mop supports in relation to the direction of travel, a peripheral area of ​​a room cannot be mopped. In addition, protective devices must be provided for any puddles of water that may be present to prevent the vacuum cleaner equipped with the vacuum / mop attachment from sucking in liquid, as this would lead to fan damage. If the mop attachment does not have a suction nozzle, several devices are required for room cleaning: one for vacuuming, another for mopping.

[0004] The invention therefore addresses the problem of providing a vacuum-mopping attachment and a vacuum cleaner that allow a user to choose between a vacuum-mopping mode, in which vacuuming and mopping are performed, and a mopping mode, in which mopping is performed. Furthermore, edge cleaning should be possible in the mopping mode.

[0005] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a vacuum-mopping attachment having the features of patent claim 1 and a vacuum cleaner having the features of patent claim 7. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the following subclaims.

[0006] The advantages achievable with the invention, in addition to the ability to wipe the edge of a room to be cleaned, include giving the user the option of choosing between wiping and vacuuming. The advantages of wiping mode are that it is possible to wipe right up to the edge, as there is no suction channel limiting the distance to the edge of the vacuum and mop attachment; that a vacuum cleaner fan can be switched off so that no liquid is sucked up; that more water can be made available for stubborn dirt without running the risk of water being sucked in; and that it also prevents dirt from accumulating on the edges of the suction mouth; and that switching off a vacuum cleaner fan extends the battery life of a battery-operated vacuum cleaner.The advantages of the vacuum-mopping mode are that the loose dirt on the floor to be cleaned does not have to be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner before being mopped with another device, and that the loose dirt is vacuumed and mopped immediately afterwards, thus saving a lot of time in cleaning the room.

[0007] The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner attachment for a vacuum cleaner, comprising a base body with a suction mouth, a wiping component with a plurality of wiping supports, a contour on which the wiping component is guided, a control lever which is designed to guide the wiping component on the contour when actuated, so that the plurality of wiping supports can be moved into a suction-wiping position in which the plurality of wiping supports and the suction mouth rest on the floor, and into a wiping position in which the plurality of wiping supports rest on the floor and the suction mouth is at a distance from the floor and is at least partially covered by the plurality of wiping supports.

[0008] The mop supports are each designed to accommodate a mop cloth designed for wet or damp mopping. Position and direction specifications refer to the normal operating position of the vacuum mop attachment.

[0009] The vacuum and mop attachment can be operated in a vacuum and mop mode, in which vacuuming and mopping occurs simultaneously, and in a mop mode, in which mopping but not vacuuming occurs. In the vacuum and mop mode, the mop supports are arranged in the vacuum and mop position so that the plurality of mop supports rest on the floor to be cleaned and the suction mouth rests on the floor. This enables simultaneous vacuuming and mopping. In the mop mode, the plurality of mop supports are arranged in the mop position so that the plurality of mop supports rest on the floor to be cleaned and the suction mouth is at a distance from the floor and is at least partially covered by the mop supports. This allows the vacuum and mop attachment to mop in the area in which the suction mouth is located, enabling edge cleaning.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the control lever is designed to cause a displacement of the plurality of wiper supports in an X and Z direction. The X direction is a travel direction of the vacuum and mop attachment. Preferably, the plurality of wiper supports are displaceable in the X and Z directions in the range of 5 to 30 mm. Preferably, the suction mouth is arranged in front of the wiper supports in the travel direction. The travel direction is preferably a forward direction. This provides for suction of loose dirt and subsequent wiping in the vacuum and mop mode. Preferably, the plurality of wiper supports are displaceable in the X and Z directions between the vacuum and mop position and the mop position. Preferably, the contour is designed as a trajectory curve. This enables easy guidance.

[0011] The control lever can be operated manually or electromechanically.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the wiping component comprises a plurality of drivers, each configured to separately drive one of the plurality of wiper carriers, and a drive mounting plate to which the drivers are mounted. The drive mounting plate is preferably guided on the contour. It is preferably connected to the control lever via a shaft mounted in the contour.

[0013] The drivers are preferably connected to the wiper supports via a drive shaft. The wiper supports can be designed as passive or active wiper supports. An active wiper support is designed to move automatically and has corresponding devices. For example, they can move in a rotational manner. This further improves the cleaning effect. A passive wiper support is designed to move only through the movement of the vacuum and mop attachment. This eliminates the need for additional devices for automatically moving the wiper supports, thus saving costs. The wiper supports preferably have a circular or rectangular cross-section.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, a front edge of the vacuum mop attachment and the plurality of mop supports form a plane when the plurality of mop supports are in the mopping position. This further supports edge cleaning.

[0015] The control lever is preferably designed to guide the wiping component along the contour when actuated, such that the plurality of wiping supports can be moved into a parking position in which the plurality of wiping supports are arranged at a distance from the floor on which the vacuum and mop attachment is arranged in its ready-to-use position. Advantages of the different height levels of the parking mode, the vacuum and mop mode, and the mop mode are: In the parking mode, the wiping supports are arranged in the parking position. In the parking position, the ambient air allows the wiping component to dry, and waterlogging and damage to the floor are avoided. Furthermore, in the parking position, the wiping supports have no contact with the floor during storage, so that flattening of the wiping supports is avoided. The vacuum and mop mode combines the advantages of vacuuming and mopping.In mop mode, only the benefits of mopping are available, but mopping is also possible in peripheral areas of the room to be cleaned. In mop mode, the fan is switched off, as it is not needed, and also serves as motor protection against moisture that could be sucked in during mop mode. Mop mode also allows for mopping up larger amounts of water.

[0016] The base body preferably further comprises a water tank. It preferably comprises the suction nozzle in the front region and a water tank in the rear region. The water tank is preferably configured to moisten the wiping textiles located on the wiping supports in the suction-wiping mode and the wiping mode.

[0017] The invention further relates to a vacuum cleaner having a vacuum-mopping attachment according to one or more of the previously described embodiments.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum cleaner further comprises a servomotor and a handle with an actuating element. The actuating element is preferably designed to activate the servomotor upon actuation, which is designed to electromechanically actuate the control lever. This makes it easier for the user to operate the vacuum cleaner.

[0019] Preferably, the vacuum cleaner further comprises sensors configured for floor detection and a control device configured and designed to automatically control the control lever depending on parameters obtained by the sensors. Such an automatic mode makes it easier for the user to operate the vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, it can prevent the vacuum cleaner from sucking in liquid, for example, if there are puddles of water on the floor.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the control device is designed to control the control lever such that the plurality of wiping supports are arranged in the wiping position when the sensors detect a water quantity greater than a predetermined threshold. This can automatically prevent the vacuum cleaner from sucking in water, as this would lead to fan damage. Alternatively or additionally, the control device is designed to control the control lever such that the plurality of wiping supports are raised in the Z-direction when the sensors detect an edge and / or a boundary. This automatically wipes the edge or boundary. The boundary can be, for example, a piece of furniture.

[0021] Preferably, the control device is designed to switch off a fan of the vacuum cleaner when it is in wiping mode. This prevents liquid from being sucked up. In this case, no additional sensors need to be installed to protect the motor. Switching off the fan extends the battery life of the vacuum cleaner, provided it is battery-operated.

[0022] An embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows schematically and not to scale. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum mop attachment according to the invention in a vacuum mop mode; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment in the vacuum mop mode; Fig. 3 a bottom view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment in the vacuum mop mode; Fig. 4 a perspective view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment; Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment in a mop mode; Fig. 6 a top view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment in the wiping mode; Fig. 7 a bottom view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment in the wiping mode; Fig. 8 a perspective view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment in the wiping mode; and Fig. 9 a further bottom view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment in the vacuum mop mode and the one in Fig. 5 shown vacuum mop attachment in the mop mode.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a vacuum and mop attachment according to the invention in a vacuum and mop mode. The vacuum and mop attachment is provided for a vacuum cleaner. It comprises a base body 1 with a suction mouth 2 in a front area and a water tank 4 in a rear area, and a mop component. The mop component comprises a plurality of mop supports 7, a plurality of drivers 5, each of which is designed to drive one of the plurality of mop supports 7 separately, and a drive holding plate 8, to which the drivers 5 are fastened. The vacuum and mop attachment further comprises a control lever 9, which, when actuated, is designed to guide the drive holding plate 8 on a contour 6 by means of a shaft 10, so that the plurality of mop supports 7 can be moved into a vacuum and mop position, which is shown here, and into a mop position, which is shown in Fig. 5 is shown.

[0024] The control lever 9 is designed to cause a displacement of the plurality of wiper carriers 7 in a Z direction and an X direction, wherein the X direction is a working direction of the vacuum mop attachment and the Z direction is a height direction, as indicated.

[0025] In Fig. 1 bis 4 The vacuum mop attachment is shown in the vacuum mop mode, and in the Fig. 5 bis 8 The vacuum and mop attachment is shown in mop mode. A coordinate system is provided in each figure.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the Fig. 1 The vacuum-mopping attachment shown in the vacuum-mopping mode. The vacuum-mopping attachment has a connection point 11 that can be coupled to a vacuum cleaner. It also has two mop supports 7 and two drivers 5, each of which is designed to drive one of the mop supports 7.

[0027] Fig. 3 shows a bottom view of the Fig. 1 The suction and mop attachment shown in the suction and mop mode. The two mop supports 7 each have a circular cross-section. They can be designed to rotate during operation. The suction nozzle 2 is arranged in front of the mop supports in the travel direction, which is the X direction.

[0028] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum and mop attachment. Lever 9 can be operated in several positions.

[0029] Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment in the mop mode. The Fig. 5 shown vacuum mop attachment corresponds to the one in Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment with the difference that the mop supports 7 are moved into the mop position by moving them in the X and Z directions. In the mop position, the mop supports 7 are Fig. 1 pushed forward in the X direction.

[0030] Fig. 6 shows a top view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment in the mop mode. Fig. 5 shown vacuum mop attachment corresponds to the one in Fig. 2 shown suction mop attachment with the difference that the control lever 9 has a different position due to the actuation and that the mop supports are shifted in the Z direction, so that the suction mouth 2 does not rest on a floor to be cleaned (not shown), but only the mop supports 7.

[0031] Fig. 7 shows a bottom view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment in the wiping mode. In the wiping position, the wiper supports 7 are in comparison to the Fig. 3 pushed forward in the X-direction so that they at least partially cover the suction mouth 2

[0032] Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment in the mop mode. The Fig. 8 shown vacuum mop attachment corresponds to the one in Fig. 4 shown vacuum mop attachment with the difference that the control lever 9 has a different position due to the actuation and that the shaft 10 is arranged differently in the contour 6.

[0033] Fig. 9 shows another bottom view of the Fig. 1 shown vacuum mop attachment in the vacuum mop mode and the one in Fig. 5 shown vacuum and mop attachment in the wiping mode. A direct comparison of the bottom views shows that the mop supports 7 are displaced forward by a length x1 from the vacuum and mop position to the wiping position, so that they at least partially cover the suction mouth 2. List of reference symbols

[0034] 1Main body 2Suction mouth 4Water tank 5Driver 6Contour 7Wiper carrier 8Drive retaining plate 9Control lever 10Shaft 11Connection point

Claims

1. Vacuum and mop attachment for a vacuum cleaner, comprising - a base body (1) with a suction mouth (2), - a wiping component with a plurality of wiping supports (7), - a contour (6) on which the wiping component is guided, - a control lever (9) which, when actuated, is designed to guide the wiping component on the contour (6) so that the plurality of wiping supports (7) can be moved into a vacuum and mop position in which the plurality of wiping supports (7) and the suction mouth (2) rest on the floor, and into a mop position in which the plurality of wiping supports (7) rest on the floor and the suction mouth (2) is at a distance from the floor and is at least partially covered by the plurality of wiping supports (7).

2. Vacuum mop attachment according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe suction mouth (2) is arranged in front of the plurality of wiper supports (7) with respect to a direction of travel of the suction and mop attachment, and in that the control lever (9) is designed to effect a displacement of the plurality of wiper supports (7) in an X and Z direction, wherein the plurality of wiper supports (7) are preferably each displaceable in the X and Z direction in the range of 5 to 30 mm.

3. Vacuum mop attachment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contour (6) is designed as a trajectory curve.

4. Vacuum mop attachment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wiping component has a plurality of drivers (5), each of which is designed to drive one of the plurality of wiper carriers (7) separately, and a drive holding plate (8) on which the drivers (5) are fastened, wherein the drive holding plate (8) is preferably guided in the contour (6).

5. Vacuum mop attachment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatits front edge and the plurality of wiper supports (7) form a plane when the plurality of wiper supports (7) are in the wiping position.

6. Vacuum mop attachment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control lever (9) is designed, when actuated, to guide the wiping component on the contour (6) so that the plurality of wiping supports (7) can be moved into a parking position in which the plurality of wiping supports (7) are arranged at a distance from the ground.

7. Vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum-mopping attachment according to one of the preceding claims.

8. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, characterized by a servomotor and a handle with an actuating element, wherein the actuating element is designed to activate the servomotor upon actuation, which is designed to actuate the control lever (9) electromechanically.

9. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 7 or 8, characterized bySensors designed for ground detection, and a control device which is arranged and designed to automatically control the control lever (9) as a function of parameters obtained by means of the sensors.

10. Vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, characterized in that the control device is designed to control the control lever (9) such that the plurality of wiper supports (7) are arranged in the wiping position when the sensors sense a water quantity that is greater than a predetermined threshold value and / or when the sensors sense an edge and / or a boundary.

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