Suction nozzle with a cleaning device for a lateral cleaning element

Abstract

A suction nozzle (130) for a suction device (100) is described. The suction nozzle (130) comprises a base unit (201) and a cleaning unit (202), wherein the cleaning unit (202) is pivotably mounted on the base unit (201) via a pivot axis (203) so that the cleaning unit (202) can be pivoted from an operating position to a cleaning position. The cleaning unit (202) has a suction opening (136) which is designed to be guided over a suction surface. Furthermore, the cleaning unit (202) has at least one lateral cleaning element (205) which is designed to act on an adjacent surface arranged perpendicular to the suction surface when the suction opening (136) is guided over the suction surface while the cleaning unit (202) is in the operating position.The base unit (201) has a cleaning device (210) which is configured to clean the cleaning element (205) when the cleaning unit (202) is in the cleaning position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a suction nozzle for a suction device. The invention relates in particular to the cleaning of a lateral cleaning element of a suction nozzle of a suction device.

[0002] A suction device, in particular a handheld vacuum cleaner, typically comprises a suction unit that can be carried and guided by a user. The suction unit has a fan that is powered by electrical energy from an electrical energy storage device within the suction unit. The fan is designed to generate a suction airflow to draw contaminants through the suction nozzle of the suction unit into the collection container of the suction unit. The suction nozzle of the suction unit is typically designed as a coupling through which one accessory from a set of different accessories can be connected to the suction unit. Examples of accessories include a suction tube and a suction nozzle, in particular a floor nozzle.

[0003] A suction nozzle typically has a suction opening that can be guided over a surface to be cleaned, such as the floor. Furthermore, the suction nozzle may have one or more actively driven cleaning elements (e.g., brushes and / or discs) arranged laterally to the suction opening, designed to act on a secondary surface that is essentially perpendicular to the suction surface. For example, the one or more cleaning elements can act on the baseboards along a wall when the suction nozzle is guided over the floor.

[0004] The one or more actively driven cleaning elements can become dirty during operation of the suction nozzle. This document addresses the technical challenge of achieving efficient and thorough cleaning of the one or more actively driven, lateral cleaning elements of a suction nozzle.

[0005] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments are defined in particular in the dependent patent claims, described in the following description, or illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

[0006] According to one aspect, a suction nozzle, in particular a floor nozzle, for a suction device is described. The suction nozzle comprises a base unit and a cleaning unit. The base unit can be configured to be fluidly connected to the suction unit of the suction device. The base unit can, for example, have an inlet opening that can be fluidly coupled to the suction nozzle of the suction unit. The inlet opening arranged in the base unit can be fluidly connected to the suction nozzle of the suction nozzle via a main air duct, the suction nozzle being located on the cleaning unit of the suction nozzle. During suction operation, a suction airflow can be created by the suction unit from the suction nozzle of the cleaning unit, via the main air duct and the inlet opening of the base unit, to the suction unit.

[0007] The cleaning unit is designed to be guided with its suction nozzle over a suction surface, e.g., a floor. The cleaning nozzle can be guided along a longitudinal axis (referred to as the x-axis in this document) across the suction surface.

[0008] The cleaning unit is pivotally mounted on the base unit via a pivot axis, allowing it to be pivoted from an operating position to a cleaning position. The operating position and the cleaning position may be separated by (exactly) a 90° rotation around the pivot axis. The pivot axis may be essentially perpendicular to the suction surface and / or the suction nozzle (and may, in particular, correspond to the z-axis used in this document).

[0009] In the operating position, the cleaning unit can be arranged transversely, particularly perpendicularly, to the longitudinal axis. Conversely, in the cleaning position, the cleaning unit can be aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis. The cleaning unit can, for example, have a main axis and a secondary axis (perpendicular to the main axis). The cleaning unit can be longer along the main axis (e.g., by a factor of 2 or more) than along the secondary axis. In the operating position, the main axis can be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the secondary axis can be arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis. In the cleaning position, the main axis can be arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the secondary axis can be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0010] The suction nozzle is preferably designed such that the cleaning unit can be pivoted (essentially smoothly) back and forth about the pivot axis between the operating position and the cleaning position. Furthermore, the suction nozzle can be designed such that, during suction operation of the suction device, a main suction airflow is generated through the suction opening of the cleaning unit in the operating position, in one or more intermediate positions, particularly in all intermediate positions, between the operating position and the cleaning position, and (optionally also) in the cleaning position.

[0011] The suction nozzle can therefore have a cleaning unit that can be flexibly pivoted around a swivel axis (perpendicular to the suction surface), in particular to reduce the width of the suction nozzle (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis) when necessary. This allows a suction surface, e.g., a floor, to be cleaned in a particularly flexible and convenient manner.

[0012] The cleaning unit has at least one lateral cleaning element designed to (mechanically) act on a secondary surface arranged perpendicular to the suction surface when the suction nozzle is moved over the suction surface while the cleaning unit is in the operating position. The cleaning element can, for example, have bristles. The cleaning element can be designed as a (rotating) disc, with, for example, bristles arranged on the disc.

[0013] The cleaning unit can have one side extending along the secondary axis. In particular, the cleaning unit can have two opposite sides, each extending along the secondary axis. A cleaning element can be arranged on at least one side. Preferably, a cleaning element is arranged on each side of the cleaning unit.

[0014] The base unit features a cleaning device designed to clean the cleaning element when the cleaning unit is in the cleaning position. In particular, the cleaning device is preferably configured such that the cleaning element is only cleaned when the cleaning unit is in the cleaning position. Conversely, the cleaning element is preferably not cleaned by the cleaning device when the cleaning unit is in the operating position and / or in any intermediate position. This allows for efficient and convenient cleaning of the one or more lateral cleaning elements of the cleaning unit without impairing the suction power of the suction nozzle and / or the cleaning quality of the suction device.

[0015] The suction nozzle can include a drive unit (e.g., with an electric motor) designed to drive the cleaning element into a rotational movement around a rotational axis. The rotational axis can be parallel to the suction opening and / or parallel to the suction surface and / or perpendicular to the secondary surface and / or parallel to the main axis of the cleaning system. Providing at least one driven cleaning element can further improve the cleaning efficiency of the suction nozzle. Furthermore, the effectiveness with which the one or more cleaning elements can be cleaned by the cleaning device can be further enhanced.

[0016] The cleaning unit can include a cleaning roller designed to mechanically act on the suction surface through the suction opening. The cleaning element can be arranged on one end face of the cleaning roller. In particular, a cleaning element can be arranged on each of the two end faces of the cleaning roller. The cleaning element, together with the cleaning roller, can be driven (by the drive unit) into a rotational movement around the axis of rotation. This allows the cleaning efficiency of the suction nozzle to be further improved.

[0017] The cleaning device can be designed, in particular by means of a scraper element and / or a comb, to act mechanically on the cleaning element when the cleaning unit is in the cleaning position. The contaminants on the cleaning element can then be mechanically removed. The contaminants can fall from the adjacent surface onto the suction surface and can subsequently be sucked up through the suction opening of the cleaning unit. In this way, the one or more cleaning elements (especially when using one or more driven cleaning elements) can be cleaned in a particularly reliable manner.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning device can be designed to clean the cleaning element by means of a suction airflow (in particular by means of a cleaning and / or secondary suction airflow) when the cleaning unit is in the cleaning position. The suction airflow for cleaning the cleaning element can be generated based on the (total) suction airflow present at the inlet opening of the suction nozzle (and which can be generated by the blower of the suction unit of the suction device).

[0019] The cleaning device can have a cleaning suction nozzle, which is implemented, for example, as an opening in the base unit. The cleaning device can be designed such that a (cleaning and / or secondary) suction airflow is generated through the cleaning suction nozzle to clean the cleaning element when the cleaning unit is in the cleaning position. The cleaning device is preferably designed such that the (cleaning and / or secondary) suction airflow is directed towards the cleaning element. selectively occurs only when the cleaning unit is in the cleaning position; and / or is not achieved when the cleaning unit is not in the cleaning position and / or when the cleaning unit is in the operating position.

[0020] The cleaning device may have a movable cover element which is moved to a cover position and / or held in the cover position by a return element (e.g. by a return spring), in which the cover element covers the cleaning suction nozzle and, in particular, seals it (essentially) fluid-tight when the cleaning unit is not in the cleaning position (especially when the cleaning unit is in the operating position).

[0021] The suction nozzle can further be designed such that the cover element, in particular by an actuating element of the cleaning unit, is moved into an open position against the restoring force caused by the restoring element, in which the cover element releases the cleaning suction mouth, so that the (cleaning and / or secondary) suction airflow for cleaning the cleaning element can be effected through the cleaning suction mouth when the cleaning unit is moved from the operating position to the cleaning position.

[0022] By vacuuming the one or more cleaning elements, a particularly efficient and reliable cleaning of the one or more cleaning elements can be achieved.

[0023] As previously explained, the suction nozzle can have a main air channel for the primary suction airflow, running from the suction mouth to the inlet opening of the suction nozzle. Furthermore, the suction nozzle can have a secondary air channel for the secondary suction airflow (i.e., for the cleaning suction airflow), running from the cleaning device, specifically from the cleaning suction mouth of the cleaning device, to the inlet opening of the suction nozzle. This allows for particularly efficient and reliable suction of the one or more cleaning elements (by the cleaning device), thus further improving the cleaning quality.

[0024] The suction nozzle can be designed to (completely) close the secondary air channel (so that no suction airflow occurs through the secondary air channel, in particular through the cleaning suction nozzle of the cleaning device) when the cleaning unit is in the operating position. Alternatively or additionally, the suction nozzle can be designed to open the secondary air channel, in particular the cleaning suction nozzle of the cleaning device, only when the cleaning unit is in the cleaning position (so that a suction airflow occurs through the secondary air channel, in particular through the cleaning suction nozzle of the cleaning device).

[0025] The suction nozzle can be designed, for example, to direct the total suction airflow at the nozzle's inlet opening completely through the main air duct, so that the main suction airflow corresponds to the total suction airflow when the cleaning unit is in the operating position (and / or in an intermediate position). Alternatively or additionally, the suction nozzle can be designed to direct the total suction airflow at the nozzle's inlet opening at least partially, and in particular completely, through the secondary air duct, especially through the cleaning suction nozzle of the cleaning device, when the cleaning unit is in the cleaning position. If necessary, the total suction airflow at the nozzle's inlet opening can also continue to be partially directed through the main air duct (to the suction nozzle's suction nozzle) when the cleaning unit is in the cleaning position.

[0026] The cleaning and / or secondary suction airflow for cleaning a cleaning element can therefore only be selectively activated when the cleaning unit is in the cleaning position. This ensures reliable cleaning of the cleaning element without impairing the suction power of the nozzle.

[0027] The cleaning unit preferably has a first lateral cleaning element on its first side and a second lateral cleaning element on its opposite second side. The cleaning unit can be designed so that its pivot axis can be pivoted into a first cleaning position for cleaning the first cleaning element (using the cleaning device) and into a second cleaning position for cleaning the second cleaning element (using the cleaning device). The first and second cleaning positions are preferably spaced apart by (exactly) 180° about the pivot axis. This ensures efficient cleaning of both cleaning elements.

[0028] The suction nozzle can include an actuator designed to automatically move the cleaning unit from the operating position to the cleaning position (and thereby automatically (via the actuating element) open the cleaning suction opening of the cleaning device). Alternatively or additionally, the suction nozzle can be designed such that the cleaning unit can be manually moved by a user from the operating position to the cleaning position (and thereby the cleaning suction opening of the cleaning device is opened (via the actuating element)). This allows for particularly convenient cleaning of one or more cleaning elements.

[0029] According to another aspect, a suction device is described which includes the suction nozzle described in this document. The suction device further includes a suction unit coupled to the suction nozzle via a fluid-carrying connection, which is designed to create a (total) suction airflow through the suction nozzle.

[0030] It should be noted that any aspects of the suction nozzle and suction device described in this document can be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the patent claims can be combined in a variety of ways.

[0031] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawing.

[0032] This shows: Figure 1 shows an exemplary suction device with a suction unit, a suction tube and a nozzle; Figures 2a to 2c show different views and positions of a suction nozzle with a cleaning device for an actively driven cleaning element; and Figures 3a to 3d show different views of a suction nozzle with a cleaning suction mouth.

[0033] As stated at the outset, this document deals with achieving efficient and thorough cleaning of one or more actively driven (lateral) cleaning elements of a suction nozzle. In this context, it shows Fig. 1 An exemplary (handheld) vacuum cleaner 100 (as an example of a suction device) has a suction unit 110 with an electrical energy storage device 111. The suction unit 110 has a (hand) handle 112, which can be gripped by a user with one hand to hold the suction unit 110. The blower of the suction unit 110 creates a suction airflow through the suction nozzle 114 of the suction unit 110, via a separator unit 113 of the suction unit 110, and up to the blower.

[0034] The suction unit 110 can be designed to be used independently as a suction device.

[0035] An accessory 120 or 130 can be connected to the suction unit 110 via a coupling 121. In the illustrated example, the suction unit 110 is connected via a coupling 121 to a suction tube 120, which in turn is connected via a coupling 121 to a floor nozzle 130, or more generally, a suction nozzle. The suction nozzle 130 has a suction opening 136, which can be guided over a surface to be cleaned, in particular the floor, in order to vacuum up contaminants from this surface. The contaminants are drawn through the suction opening 136 into the housing 135 of the suction nozzle 130 and from there via the coupling 121 (on which an inlet opening of the suction nozzle 130 is arranged) to the suction unit 110. On the underside of the housing 135, one or more wheels 132 can be arranged, which make it possible to guide the suction nozzle 130 over the suction surface to be cleaned in a particularly comfortable and stable manner.

[0036] In the housing 135, in particular at the suction mouth 136, the suction nozzle 130, a cleaning roller (in particular a brush roller) 131 can be arranged, which is typically driven by a drive unit, e.g. by an electric motor (not shown), and which is designed to act mechanically on the suction surface in order to remove contaminants from the suction surface and thus further increase the cleaning quality of the suction device 100.

[0037] The suction nozzle 130 is typically positioned along the x-axis (i.e., along the longitudinal axis) of the [unclear text]. Fig. 1 The Cartesian coordinate system shown is guided over the suction surface. The rotation axis of the cleaning roller 131 can correspond to the y-axis. The z-axis can be perpendicular to the suction surface.

[0038] An actively driven cleaning element can be arranged on one or both side walls of the suction nozzle 130, wherein a cleaning element is designed to act on an adjacent surface to be cleaned while the suction nozzle 130 is guided over the suction surface. For example, a cleaning element can be arranged on one or both end faces of the cleaning roller 131. The suction surface is located in the Fig. 1 The illustrated example is spanned by the x-axis and the y-axis. The secondary surface can be arranged perpendicular to the suction surface and can, in particular, be spanned by the x-axis and the z-axis. The secondary surface can, for example, be a baseboard if the suction nozzle 130 is guided over a floor.

[0039] A cleaning element can, for example, be designed as a rotatable (circular) disc on which bristles are arranged that act on the adjacent surface. Contaminants can accumulate on the cleaning element during operation. This document describes measures that enable the efficient and reliable cleaning of an actively driven cleaning element in order to provide a suction device with consistently high cleaning performance.

[0040] Fig. 2a shows a top view (along the z-axis) of an example suction nozzle 130. In Fig. 2b The suction nozzle 130 is shown in a clean state. Fig. 2c shows a side view (along the y-axis) of the suction nozzle 130 in its cleaned state.

[0041] The suction nozzle 130 comprises a (stationary) base unit 201 and a (pivotally mounted) cleaning unit 202. The cleaning unit 202 can be pivotally mounted on the base unit 201 via a pivot axis 203. The pivot axis 203 can be arranged parallel to the z-axis (i.e., perpendicular to the suction surface). The cleaning unit 202 includes the suction nozzle 136, which is guided over the suction surface. Furthermore, the cleaning unit 202 can include the cleaning roller 131. A cleaning element 205 (preferably actively driven) can be arranged on one or both side surfaces of the cleaning unit 202. Each cleaning element 205 can be rotated about a rotary axis, the rotary axis being perpendicular to the side surface of the cleaning unit 202.As already explained, a cleaning element 205 can be arranged on an end face of the cleaning roller 131 such that the axis of rotation of the cleaning element 202 corresponds to the axis of rotation of the cleaning roller 131. The one or more cleaning elements 205 and, if applicable, the cleaning roller 131 can be driven by a drive unit, e.g., by an electric motor (not shown).

[0042] During suction operation, the cleaning unit 202 is preferably arranged substantially parallel to the y-axis (i.e., perpendicular to the direction of movement of the suction nozzle 130). This position can be referred to as the operating position. The suction nozzle 130 can be moved along the x-axis across the suction surface to draw up contaminants from the surface via the suction opening 136. Furthermore, at least one lateral cleaning element 205 can act on a secondary surface to mechanically engage it. This mechanical action dislodges contaminants from the secondary surface, causing them to fall onto the suction surface, where they can then be drawn up via the suction opening 136 of the cleaning unit 202.

[0043] Fig. 2a The cleaning unit 202 is shown in an intermediate position between the operating position and a cleaning position, whereby the operating position and the cleaning position can be offset from each other by (exactly) 90°. It may be possible to bring about an intermediate position of the cleaning unit 202 during vacuuming operation, e.g., to guide the suction nozzle 130 over a relatively narrow suction area.

[0044] The cleaning unit 202 can be moved from the operating position to the cleaning position about the pivot axis 203. The suction nozzle 130 can have an actuator 204 configured to automatically effect the movement of the cleaning unit 202 about the pivot axis 203. As shown in Fig. 2b As shown, the (main axis of the) cleaning unit 202 is essentially aligned along the x-axis in the cleaning position, so that the axis of rotation of one or more cleaning elements 205 runs parallel to the x-axis.

[0045] The base unit 201 has a cleaning device 210 configured to clean a cleaning element 205 when the cleaning unit 202 is in the cleaning position. The cleaning device 210 can then be oriented towards the contaminated cleaning element 205. The cleaning device 210 can, for example, have a scraper element and / or a comb that mechanically acts on the cleaning element 205. The cleaning element 205 can rotate about the axis of rotation so that its surface is guided over the scraper element and / or the comb of the cleaning device 210 and thereby cleaned.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning device 210 can have a cleaning suction nozzle which is connected, for example, via a secondary air channel to the inlet opening of the suction nozzle 130 (and thus to the suction unit 110), so that the suction airflow caused by the suction unit 110 is at least partially or completely directed through the cleaning suction nozzle of the cleaning device 210, and thus vacuums the surface of the cleaning element 205.

[0047] In the Figuren 3a bis 3d A suction nozzle 130 is shown, which, as part of the cleaning device 210, has a cleaning suction opening 310 through which a cleaning suction airflow 315 can be generated to suction and thus clean a cleaning element 205. The cleaning suction airflow 315 can be generated by the blower of the suction unit 110 of the suction device 100. Fig. 3a The suction nozzle 130 is shown in an intermediate position between the operating position and the cleaning position. Fig. 3b Figure 1 shows the suction nozzle 130 in the cleaning position. The suction nozzle 130 is preferably designed such that the cleaning suction opening 310 is closed when the suction nozzle 130 is not in the cleaning position (especially when the suction nozzle 130 is in the operating position). Furthermore, the suction nozzle 130 is preferably configured to selectively open the cleaning suction opening 310 when the suction nozzle 130 is moved into the cleaning position and / or when the suction nozzle 130 is in the cleaning position.

[0048] In the Figuren 3a bis 3d In the illustrated example, the base unit 201 of the suction nozzle 130 has a movable cover element 311 designed to cover the cleaning suction opening 310. The movable cover element 311 can be moved into a position and / or held in a position by a return element (e.g., a spring) 312, in which the cover element 311 covers the cleaning suction opening 310 and thus seals it (fluid-tight). This ensures that the entire suction airflow (generated by the blower of the suction unit 110) is directed over the (main) suction opening 137 of the suction nozzle 130 and is thus available for the cleaning operation of the suction device 100.

[0049] On the other hand, the cover element 311 can be moved against the force exerted by the return element 312 in order to release the cleaning suction nozzle 310. For this purpose, the cleaning unit 202 of the suction nozzle 130 can have an actuating element 320 which is configured to act on the cover element 311 and thereby move the cover element 311 when the suction nozzle 130 is moved into the cleaning state. Fig. 3c shows the base unit 201 of the suction nozzle 130 with the covered cleaning suction mouth 310 and Fig. 3d Figure 1 shows the base unit 201 of the suction nozzle 130 with the open cleaning suction mouth 310, through which the cleaning suction airflow 315 is directed to extract the cleaning element 205 arranged on the cleaning device 210. This allows for efficient and reliable cleaning of one or more (lateral) cleaning elements 205 of the suction nozzle 130.

[0050] By opening the cleaning suction nozzle 310, a secondary air channel can be opened, through which the cleaning suction airflow 315 (also referred to in this document as the secondary suction airflow) can be directed from the open cleaning suction nozzle 310 to the inlet opening of the suction nozzle 130. At the inlet opening of the suction nozzle 130, a total suction airflow can be generated (by the blower of the suction unit 110). The cleaning suction airflow 315 can be a portion of the total suction airflow. Optionally, the suction nozzle 130 can be configured to selectively close (and open) the main air channel running from the inlet opening of the suction nozzle 130 to the suction nozzle 136 when the suction nozzle 130 is in the cleaning position. In this case, the cleaning suction airflow 315 can correspond to the total suction airflow at the inlet opening of the suction nozzle 130.This allows for particularly reliable cleaning of one or more (lateral) cleaning elements 205 of the suction nozzle 130.

[0051] A floor cleaning nozzle 130 (possibly also as part of a cleaning robot) can thus have a laterally arranged, actively driven cleaning brush or disc (i.e., a cleaning element) 205. The cleaning element 205 can have a rotational axis that is arranged parallel to the surface to be cleaned. Furthermore, the cleaning element 205 can be designed such that, due to geometric or energetic conditions, it is not caught by the suction airflow of the suction device 100 during its rotation and therefore cannot be cleaned. As a result, dirt can accumulate on the cleaning element 205 during use, which can impair cleaning performance (e.g., on baseboards).This document describes measures by which a lateral cleaning element 205 can be efficiently freed from dirt without using a permanent energy input (e.g. in the form of a redirected airflow and / or in the form of a permanently engaged scraper edge) during normal use (i.e. during suction operation) of the suction nozzle 130.

[0052] The described suction nozzle 130 has a multi-part nozzle design that allows the cleaning unit 202, also referred to as the nozzle head, to be pivoted relative to the rest of the nozzle body (i.e., relative to the base unit 201) about a pivot axis 203 arranged vertically to the floor. The cleaning unit 202 can also be pivoted about the pivot axis 203 during suction operation, if necessary, to adjust the outer nozzle geometry (in particular the width perpendicular to the x-axis) so that narrow passages can be navigated.

[0053] The combination of a swiveling floor nozzle 130 and a side cleaning element 205 allows for targeted cleaning of the side cleaning element 205 as soon as the nozzle 130 is moved into the folded cleaning position (e.g., by the user). In this way, the cleaning element 205 can be cleaned during regular use (every time the cleaning unit 202 is folded into the cleaning position) without the user having to perform this process separately (possibly manually). In the case of relatively heavy soiling during normal operation, the user can repeat this cleaning process by selectively folding the nozzle head 202 (into the cleaning position) until the desired result is achieved.

[0054] The cleaning element 205 can be cleaned mechanically, e.g., by a scraper edge or comb that touches the cleaning element 205 in the folded-in cleaning position. Alternatively or additionally, a mechanism can be activated (selectively in the cleaning position) that opens a secondary air channel to clean the cleaning element 205 by means of a targeted (suction) airflow. In the case of the scraper edge, which causes the dirt to fall onto the floor at a certain point, the dirt can be cleaned by passing the nozzle 130 over this point (e.g., during the return stroke of the nozzle 130).

[0055] This allows for particularly convenient and reliable cleaning of one or more actively driven side cleaning elements 205 of a flexible floor nozzle 130 (possibly during normal use, i.e., during vacuuming operation of the nozzle 130). By eliminating the need for manual cleaning of the one or more side cleaning elements 205 by the user, the overall cleaning time can be reduced. Since the cleaning mechanism (i.e., the cleaning device 210) is only activated when the cleaning unit 202 is folded (into the cleaning position), particularly efficient cleaning can be achieved (without affecting the suction power of the vacuum device 100).

[0056] A dynamic nozzle 130 (in particular with a driven roller 131) with at least one side cleaning element 205, driven about a horizontally oriented rotary axis, is thus described. The cleaning element 205 can be cleaned in a cleaning position of the nozzle 130. In particular, the nozzle 130 can have a nozzle body (i.e., a cleaning element) 202, which can be pivoted and locked by ±90° from a position horizontal in the working direction (with respect to the x-axis) (i.e., the operating position) to move the nozzle body 202 into the cleaning position. A cleaning element 210 is arranged on the base unit 201 of the nozzle 130 such that (selectively, only) in the cleaning position one of the two side cleaning elements 205 can be cleaned.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are intended only to illustrate the principle of the suction nozzle 130 and / or the suction device 100. Reference symbol list

[0058] 100 Suction device (vacuum cleaner) 110 Suction unit 111 Electrical energy storage 112 Handle 113 Separation unit 114 Suction nozzle 120 Accessory (suction tube) 121 Coupling 130 Nozzle 131 Cleaning roller 132 Wheel 135 Housing (nozzle) 136 Suction nozzle 201 Base unit (nozzle) 202 Cleaning unit (nozzle) 203 Swivel axis 204 Actuator 205 (Side) cleaning element 210 Cleaning device 310 Cleaning suction nozzle 311 Cover element (cleaning suction nozzle) 312 Return element (spring) 315 Cleaning suction airflow 320 Actuating element

Claims

1. Suction nozzle (130) for a suction device (100); wherein - the suction nozzle (130) comprises a base unit (201) and a cleaning unit (202); - the cleaning unit (202) is pivotably mounted on the base unit (201) via a pivot axis (203) so that the cleaning unit (202) can be pivoted from an operating position to a cleaning position; - the cleaning unit (202) has a suction mouth (136) configured to be guided over a suction surface; - the cleaning unit (202) has at least one lateral cleaning element (205) configured to act on an ancillary surface arranged perpendicular to the suction surface when the suction mouth (136) is guided over the suction surface while the cleaning unit (202) is in the operating position; and - the base unit (201) has a cleaning device (210) configured to clean the cleaning element (205) when the cleaning unit (202) is in the cleaning position.

2. Suction nozzle (130) according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device (210) is configured to clean the cleaning element (205) by means of a suction air stream (315) when the cleaning unit (202) is in the cleaning position.

3. Suction nozzle (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the cleaning device (210) has a cleaning suction mouth (310); and - the cleaning device (210) is designed such that a suction airflow (315) for cleaning the cleaning element (205) is effected through the cleaning suction mouth (310) when the cleaning unit (202) is in the cleaning position.

4. Suction nozzle (130) according to claim 3, wherein - the cleaning device (210) has a movable cover element (311) which is moved to a cover position and / or held in the cover position by a return element (312), in which the cover element (311) covers the cleaning suction mouth (310) and in particular seals it substantially fluid-tight when the cleaning unit (202) is not in the cleaning position; and - the suction nozzle (130) is designed such that the cover element (311), in particular by an actuating element (320) of the cleaning unit (202), is moved into an open position against a restoring force effected by the restoring element (312), in which the cover element (311) releases the cleaning suction mouth (310), so that the suction airflow (315) for cleaning the cleaning element (205) can be effected through the cleaning suction mouth (310) when the cleaning unit (202) is moved from the operating position to the cleaning position.

5. Suction nozzle (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the suction nozzle (130) comprises a main air channel for a main suction airflow from the suction mouth (136) to an inlet opening of the suction nozzle (130); - the suction nozzle (130) is configured to be coupled via the inlet opening to a suction unit (110) of the suction device (100), through which the suction airflow is effected; - the inlet opening is arranged, in particular, on the base unit (201) of the suction nozzle (130); and - the suction nozzle (130) comprises a secondary air channel for a secondary suction airflow (315) from the cleaning device (210), in particular from a cleaning suction mouth (310) of the cleaning device (210), to the inlet opening of the suction nozzle (130).

6. Suction nozzle (130) according to claim 5, wherein the suction nozzle (130) is configured to: - close the secondary air channel, in particular the cleaning suction mouth (310) of the cleaning device (210), when the cleaning unit (202) is in the operating position; and / or - open the secondary air channel, in particular the cleaning suction mouth (310) of the cleaning device (210), only when the cleaning unit (202) is in the cleaning position.

7. Suction nozzle (130) according to one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the suction nozzle (130) is configured to: - direct the total suction airflow at the inlet opening of the suction nozzle (130) completely through the main air duct, so that the main suction airflow corresponds to the total suction airflow when the cleaning unit (202) is in the operating position; and / or - direct the total suction airflow at the inlet opening of the suction nozzle (130) at least partially, in particular completely, through the secondary air duct, in particular through the cleaning suction mouth (310) of the cleaning device (210), when the cleaning unit (202) is in the cleaning position.

8. Suction nozzle (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the cleaning unit (202) has a cleaning roller (131) which is designed to act mechanically on the suction surface through the suction mouth (136); - the cleaning element (205) is arranged on an end face of the cleaning roller (131); and - the cleaning element (205) is driven, in particular together with the cleaning roller (131), to a rotational movement about a rotational axis.

9. Suction nozzle (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the suction nozzle (130) comprises a drive unit configured to drive the cleaning element (205) to a rotational movement about an axis of rotation; and - the axis of rotation is in particular parallel to the suction mouth (136) and / or parallel to the suction surface and / or perpendicular to the adjacent surface.

10. Suction nozzle (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (210) is designed, in particular by means of a scraper element and / or a comb, to act mechanically on the cleaning element (205) when the cleaning unit (202) is in the cleaning position.

11. Suction nozzle (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating position and the cleaning position are spaced apart by a 90° rotation about the pivot axis (203).

12. Suction nozzle (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the suction nozzle (130) is designed such that - the cleaning unit (202) can be pivoted back and forth substantially smoothly between the operating position and the cleaning position about the pivot axis (203); and - during a suction operation of the suction device (100) in the operating position, in the intermediate positions, in particular in all intermediate positions, between the operating position and the cleaning position, and in the cleaning position, a main suction airflow is effected through the suction mouth (136).

13. Suction nozzle (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivot axis (203) is substantially perpendicular to the suction surface and / or to the suction mouth (136).

14. Suction nozzle (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the cleaning unit (202) has a first lateral cleaning element (205) on a first side of the cleaning unit (202) and a second lateral cleaning element (205) on an opposite second side; - the cleaning unit (202) is configured to pivot the pivot axis (203) into a first cleaning position for cleaning the first cleaning element (205) and into a second cleaning position for cleaning the second cleaning element (205); and - the first cleaning position and the second cleaning position are spaced apart from each other, in particular by a rotation of 180° about the pivot axis (203).

15. Suction nozzle (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the suction nozzle (130) comprises an actuator (204) configured to automatically transfer the cleaning unit (202) from the operating position to the cleaning position; and / or - the suction nozzle (130) is configured such that the cleaning unit (202) can be manually transferred by a user from the operating position to the cleaning position.

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