Cleaning device equipped with a waste guide channel

Abstract

The cleaning device (2) comprises a main body (3) having a suction mouth (6) and a suction chamber fluidly connected to the suction mouth (6); a waste guide channel (16) which is open downwards and which has a front opening (17), a rear opening (18) opening into the suction chamber and two side guide walls (19) located on either side of the rear opening (18) and converging towards each other in the direction of the rear opening (18) so as to direct waste, coming into contact against the side guide walls (19) during a forward movement of the cleaning device (2), towards the rear opening (18). Each of the side guide walls (19) has a lower edge (19.1) having an inclination, relative to a transverse direction, which increases in the direction of the rear opening (18). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Cleaning device equipped with a waste guide channel Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners for vacuuming dust and waste present on a surface to be cleaned, which may for example be tiles, parquet, laminate, carpet or a rug. State of the art

[0002] Document US9161666 describes a cleaning device, and more particularly a vacuum cleaner nozzle, comprising:

[0003] - a main body having a lower face configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned, and a suction inlet opening into the lower face of the main body, the main body delimiting a suction chamber fluidly connected to the suction inlet,

[0004] - a waste guide channel which is located in front of the suction mouth and which is configured to be open downwards, the waste guide channel comprising a front opening which has a width, measured parallel to a transverse direction extending perpendicular to a median longitudinal plane of the main body, greater than or equal to at least 50%, and for example at least 70%, of the width, measured parallel to the transverse direction, of the suction mouth, a rear opening which opens into the suction chamber and two lateral guide walls which are located on either side of the rear opening and which each extend from the front opening to the rear opening, the two lateral guide walls converging towards each other in the direction of the rear opening so as to direct waste, coming into contact against the lateral guide walls during a forward movement of the cleaning device, towards the rear opening.

[0005] Thus, when certain types of waste, such as rice grains or lentils, enter the waste guide channel from the front opening, this waste is guided, in particular by sliding against the two side guide walls, to the rear opening, and is then sucked into the suction chamber.

[0006] However, in order to avoid an accumulation of waste on the side guide walls (and thus a risk of scratching the floor if such waste were to pass under the lower edge of one of the side guide walls, and therefore under the sole of the main body), the angle of inclination of the lower edge of each side guide wall, relative to a transverse direction, must be relatively large in order to promote the sliding of waste to the rear opening. However, such an angle of inclination has the consequence of significantly increasing the distance between the front edge of the cleaning device and the suction inlet, and therefore of significantly increasing the size of the cleaning device in front of the suction inlet and also of reducing the suction efficiency of the cleaning device.

[0007] Furthermore, when a significant amount of large waste, such as rice grains or lentils, is present on the surface to be cleaned, such an inclination angle is likely to induce saturation of the rear opening (due to the high sliding speed of this waste on the side guide walls) which may impair the cleaning performance of the cleaning device. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0009] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing a cleaning device which is of simple, economical and compact structure, while having high cleaning performance.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a cleaning device comprising:

[0011] - a main body having a lower face configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned, and a suction inlet opening into the lower face of the main body, the main body delimiting a suction chamber fluidly connected to the suction inlet,

[0012] - a waste guide channel which extends under the main body and in front of the suction mouth and which is configured to be open downwards, i.e. towards the surface to be cleaned when the cleaning device rests on said surface to be cleaned, the waste guide channel comprising a front opening which has a width, measured parallel to a transverse direction extending perpendicular to a median longitudinal plane of the main body, greater than or equal to at least 50%, and for example at least 70%, of the width, measured parallel to the transverse direction, of the suction mouth, a rear opening which opens into the suction chamber and two lateral guide walls which are located on either side of the rear opening, the two lateral guide walls converging towards each other in the direction of the rear opening so as to direct waste, coming into contact against the lateral guide walls during a forward movement of the cleaning device,towards the rear opening. ,

[0013] Each of the side guide walls has a lower edge having an inclination, relative to the transverse direction, which increases towards the rear opening, and more particularly from the front opening to the rear opening.

[0014] Such a configuration of the lower edges of the side guide walls makes it possible on the one hand to limit the speed of circulation of the waste along the side guide walls, and therefore to limit the risks of saturation of the rear opening, and on the other hand to significantly reduce the risks of accumulation of waste on the side guide walls, and therefore the risks of scratching the surface to be cleaned.

[0015] Thus, the cleaning device according to the present invention ensures efficient guidance of the waste, having entered the waste guide channel from the front opening, towards the rear opening, while limiting the size of the cleaning device in front of the suction mouth.

[0016] The cleaning device may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device is a vacuum cleaner nozzle or an autonomous cleaning robot, and more particularly a robot vacuum cleaner.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste guide channel has a width, measured parallel to the transverse direction, which decreases towards the rear opening, and more particularly from the front opening to the rear opening.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two lateral guide walls each extend from the front opening to the rear opening.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste guide channel extends under a front portion of the main body.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device comprises a single waste guide channel, and therefore a single rear opening. Such a configuration of the cleaning device makes it possible to limit the number of passages provided in the lower face of the main body, which promotes the suction effect (depression) generated by the cleaning device and therefore makes it possible to improve the cleaning performance of the cleaning device.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front opening opens into a front face of the main body.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste guide channel has a funnel shape. More particularly, the waste guide channel has a shape converging from the front to the rear and from the front opening to the rear opening.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste guide channel is symmetrical with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inclination of the lower edge of each of the lateral guide walls varies, relative to the transverse direction, between 0° and 90°, and for example between 1° and 45°.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste guide channel has a height which decreases towards the rear opening, and more particularly from the front opening to the rear opening. Such a configuration of the waste guide channel ensures efficient suction of the waste which has entered the waste guide channel, without significantly impacting the suction performance at the suction mouth.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower edge of each of the side guide walls is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the cleaning device rests on a horizontal surface.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front opening is substantially centered relative to the median longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear opening is substantially centered relative to the median longitudinal plane of the main body. Such an arrangement of the rear opening ensures efficient suction of waste having entered the waste guide channel.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower edge of each of the lateral guide walls is curved. According to such an embodiment of the invention, for each point of the curve defining the lower edge of a lateral guide wall, the inclination of said lower edge at this point corresponds to the slope of the curve at this point and therefore to the tangent to the curve at this point.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower edge of each of the side guide walls has a progressive curvature. Such a configuration of the lower edges of the side guide walls ensures a progressive increase in the speed of circulation of the waste along each of the side guide walls and towards the rear opening, and therefore makes it possible to further reduce the risks of saturation of the rear opening and the risks of accumulation of waste on the side guide walls.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower edge of each of the lateral guide walls has a generally elliptical shape.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the lateral guide walls comprises a first lateral guide surface and a second lateral guide surface which are substantially planar and which are inclined relative to each other, the two first lateral guide surfaces converging towards each other in the direction of the rear opening, and the two second lateral guide surfaces being arranged between the two first lateral guide surfaces and converging towards each other in the direction of the rear opening. Advantageously, each first lateral guide surface forms a first lateral guide ramp, and each second lateral guide surface forms a second lateral guide ramp.

[0034] In this document, by a substantially planar lateral guide surface is meant a lateral guide surface which extends between two theoretical (fictitious) planes which are parallel and less than 5 mm apart, preferably less than 2.5 mm. This tolerance is also known as a flatness deviation or a flatness defect.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second lateral guide surfaces of the same lateral guide wall are different and have different profiles, such that a superposition of said first and second lateral guide surfaces does not allow one of said first and second lateral guide surfaces to be confused with the other of said first and second lateral guide surfaces.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second lateral guide surfaces is planar.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second lateral guide surfaces is twisted longitudinally, such that the two lateral edges of the same first lateral guide surface have, with respect to the horizontal, a different inclination and for example a difference in inclination of less than 20° (and advantageously less than 15° and for example approximately 10°), and such that the two lateral edges of the same second lateral guide surface have, with respect to the horizontal, a different inclination and for example a difference in inclination of less than 20°.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, each first lateral guide surface is concave, and / or each second lateral guide surface is concave.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two second lateral guide surfaces are arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second lateral guide surfaces comprises a lower edge which is substantially rectilinear. By substantially rectilinear lower edge is meant a lower edge formed by a line which is included in a fictitious cylinder with a diameter of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower edge of each first lateral guide surface is rectilinear.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower edge of each second is concave, and for example concave with a defect of 0.4 mm (concavity depth 0.4 mm).

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower edge of each first lateral guide surface is inclined, relative to the transverse direction, according to a first angle of inclination, and the lower edge of each second lateral guide surface is inclined, relative to the transverse direction, according to a second angle of inclination which is greater than the first angle of inclination.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first angle of inclination is between 1 and 30°, advantageously between 1 and 10°, even more advantageously between 1 and 5°, and for example between 1 and 3°. Such a configuration of the lower edges of the first lateral guide surfaces makes it possible to further reduce the risks of saturation of the rear opening.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second angle of inclination is between 15 and 90°, advantageously between 15 and 30°, and for example approximately 20°. Such a configuration of the lower edges of the second lateral guide surfaces makes it possible to further reduce the risks of waste accumulation on the lateral guide walls.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, each first lateral guide surface extends from a respective lateral edge of the front opening, and each second lateral guide surface extends to a respective lateral edge of the rear opening.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, each second lateral guide surface extends from the respective first lateral guide surface.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second lateral guide surfaces of the same lateral guide wall are inclined relative to each other by an angle of inclination which is greater than 5°, advantageously greater than 10°, and for example between 10 and 15°. Such a configuration of the first and second lateral guide surfaces makes it possible to further limit the risks of saturation of the rear opening and the risks of accumulation of waste on the lateral guide walls, while giving the cleaning device an acceptable depth compactness.

[0049] When the first and second lateral guide surfaces of the same lateral guide wall have flatness defects, the angle of inclination, between said first and second lateral guide surfaces, corresponds to the angle of inclination between a first average extension plane defined by said respective first lateral guide surface and a second average extension plane defined by said second lateral guide surface.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, each first lateral guide surface is configured such that, when the cleaning device rests on a surface to be cleaned, the distance between the surface to be cleaned and an upper edge of said first lateral guide surface decreases towards the rear opening.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, each second lateral guide surface is configured such that, when the cleaning device rests on a surface to be cleaned, the distance between the surface to be cleaned and an upper edge of said second lateral guide surface decreases towards the rear opening.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, each first lateral guide surface has a width, measured parallel to the transverse direction, of between 25 and 40%, advantageously between 30 and 40% and for example approximately 35%, of the width, measured parallel to the transverse direction, of the front opening. Such a dimension of each first lateral guide surface further limits the risks of accumulation of waste on the lateral guide walls.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two second lateral guide surfaces and the rear opening have a cumulative width, measured parallel to the transverse direction, of between 20 and 40%, advantageously between 25 and 35% and for example approximately 30% of the width, measured parallel to the transverse direction, of the front opening. Such a dimension of each second lateral guide surface and of the rear opening further promotes the suction having penetrated into the waste guide channel, without significantly impacting the suction performance at the suction mouth.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear opening has a width, measured parallel to the transverse direction, of between 1 and 10% of the width, measured parallel to the transverse direction, of the front opening. Such a dimension of the rear opening makes it possible to maintain high suction performance at the suction mouth.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear opening has a width, measured parallel to the transverse direction, which is less than the width, measured parallel to the transverse direction, of each of the second lateral guide surfaces.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, each first lateral guide surface is configured to be inclined relative to the horizontal at a first slope angle of between 20° and 60°, advantageously between 40° and 60°, and for example between 40° and 55°, when the cleaning device rests on a horizontal surface. Such a configuration of each first lateral guide surface ensures increased guidance of the waste, coming into contact against the lateral guide walls, towards the rear opening.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first slope angle of each first lateral guide surface varies along a direction of extension of said first lateral guide surface, and for example increases in the direction of the rear opening. Such a configuration of the first side guide surfaces further reduces the risk of waste accumulation on the side guide walls.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first slope angle of each first lateral guide surface is constant along the direction of extension of said first lateral guide surface.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, each second lateral guide surface is configured to be inclined relative to the horizontal at a second slope angle of between 25° and 90°, advantageously between 25° and 55°, and for example between 30° and 55°, when the cleaning device rests on a horizontal surface. Such a configuration of each second lateral guide surface ensures efficient suction of the waste, having entered the waste guide channel, at the rear opening.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second slope angle of each second lateral guide surface varies along a direction of extension of said second lateral guide surface, and for example decreases in the direction of the rear opening. Such a configuration of the second lateral guide surfaces further limits the risks of saturation of the rear opening.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second slope angle of each second lateral guide surface is constant along the direction of extension of said second lateral guide surface.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second lateral guide surfaces of the same lateral guide wall have respectively different first and second average slope angles. In the present document, the term "average slope angle" means the average of the different slope angle values ​​measured along the respective lateral guide surface.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device is configured such that, for each lateral guide wall, the first slope angle of the respective first lateral guide surface has, at a middle portion of said first lateral guide surface, a first slope angle value, and such that the second slope angle of the respective second lateral guide surface has, at a middle portion of said second lateral guide surface, a second slope angle value which is less than the first slope angle value. Such a configuration of the first and second lateral guide surfaces ensures further increased guidance of the waste, coming into contact against the lateral guide walls, towards the rear opening.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste guide channel comprises an upper guide wall which extends from the front opening to the rear opening and which is configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned. when the cleaning device rests on said surface to be cleaned, the upper guide wall being configured such that the distance between the surface to be cleaned and the upper guide wall decreases towards the rear opening.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper guide wall extends from substantially a first lateral edge of the front opening to substantially a second lateral edge of the front opening.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper guide wall comprises a first upper guide surface which extends from an upper edge of the front opening and which is curved, and a second upper guide surface which extends to an upper edge of the rear opening and which is substantially planar.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first upper guide surface has a radius of curvature of between 15 and 25 mm, and for example approximately 19 mm.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second upper guide surface is inclined backwards and downwards.

[0069] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second upper guide surface is configured to be inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination of between 5 and 30°, and for example between 10 and 20°, when the cleaning device rests on a horizontal surface.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second upper guide surface extends from the first upper guide surface.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower face of the main body comprises two lower connecting surfaces which are located on either side of the rear opening, each lower connecting surface extending along a respective lateral guide wall and from the lower edge of a respective lateral guide wall to a front transverse edge of the suction inlet, each lower connecting surface being substantially planar and being configured to extend substantially horizontally when the cleaning device rests on a horizontal surface. Such a configuration of the lower face of the main body ensures satisfactory suction, at the rear opening, of the waste guided by the lateral guide walls to the rear opening, without appreciably impacting the suction performance of the cleaning device at the suction inlet.

[0072] According to one embodiment of the invention, each lower connecting surface extends over the entire length of the respective lateral guide wall.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device further comprises a rotating cleaning brush housed in the suction chamber and mounted mobile in rotation around a brush rotation axis.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the invention, the brush rotation axis extends substantially perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rear opening has a minimum height, measured from a front transverse edge of the suction mouth, of between 3 mm and 10 mm, and advantageously between 4 mm and 5 mm, and for example approximately 4.5 mm.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front opening has a maximum height, measured from a front transverse edge of the suction mouth, of between 10 mm and 30 mm, advantageously between 10 mm and 20 mm, and for example approximately 15 mm.

[0077] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction mouth has an elongated shape and extends in the transverse direction which is substantially perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the main body.

[0078] The present invention further relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaning device according to the invention. Brief description of the figures

[0079] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of several embodiments of the invention presented as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0080] [Fig.l] is a perspective view from above of a cleaning device, and more particularly of a vacuum cleaner nozzle, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0081] [Fig.2] is a perspective view from below of the cleaning device of the [Fig.l];

[0082] [Fig.3] is a view, on an enlarged scale, of a detail of [Fig.2];

[0083] [Fig.4] is a view, on an enlarged scale, of a detail of [Fig.2];

[0084] [Fig.5] is a partial front view of the cleaning device of [Fig.l];

[0085] [Fig.6] is a longitudinal sectional view of the cleaning device of [Fig.l] according to a section plane merged with a median longitudinal plane of the cleaning device;

[0086] [Fig.7] is a bottom view of the cleaning device of [Fig.l];

[0087] [Fig.8] is a bottom view of the cleaning device of [Fig.l];

[0088] [Fig.9] is a sectional view along line AA of [Fig.8];

[0089] [Fig. 10] is a sectional view along line BB of [Fig.8];

[0090] [Fig. 11] is a sectional view along line CC of [Fig.8];

[0091] [Fig. 12] is a sectional view along line DD of [Fig.8];

[0092] [Fig. 13] is a sectional view along line EE of [Fig.8];

[0093] [Fig. 14] is a sectional view along line JJ of [Fig.8];

[0094] [Fig. 15] is a bottom view of a cleaning device according to a second embodiment of the invention Detailed description

[0095] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

[0096] It will be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower" and "upper" used to describe the cleaning device or the main body refer to the cleaning device in use when it rests by its wheels on a floor to be cleaned which is flat and horizontal.

[0097] In this document, the terms "front" and "rear" are defined relative to a direction of movement of the cleaning device.

[0098] In this document, the term "median longitudinal plane" means a vertical plane which is parallel to the direction of movement and which divides the main body into two substantially equal parts.

[0099] Figures 1 to 14 represent a cleaning device 2, and more particularly a vacuum cleaner nozzle, comprising a main body 3 configured to be moved over a surface to be cleaned. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 14, the main body 3 has, seen from above in a substantially vertical orientation, a generally rectangular shape. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the main body 3 could have a completely different shape, and for example a triangular shape.

[0100] The main body 3 comprises a sole 4 provided with a lower face 5 intended to be positioned adjacent to a surface to be cleaned during use of the cleaning device 2, and a suction mouth 6 which opens into the lower face 5. Advantageously, the suction mouth 6 is elongated and extends in a transverse direction DI which is perpendicular to a median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3.

[0101] As shown in [Fig.6], the main body 3 delimits a suction chamber 7 which opens into the lower face 5 of the sole 4 via the suction mouth 6.

[0102] The cleaning device 2 further comprises a rotating cleaning brush 8 housed in the suction chamber 7 and mounted to move in rotation about a brush rotation axis A1 which extends perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3, and which is therefore substantially horizontal when the cleaning device cleaning 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0103] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 14, the rotary cleaning brush 8 comprises a brush body 9 configured to be rotated in a predetermined direction of rotation and around the brush rotation axis A1, and one or more rows of bristles 11, for example two rows of bristles, provided on an outer peripheral surface of the brush body 9 and extending over at least part of the length of the brush body 9. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the rotary cleaning brush 8 could further comprise, or instead of the rows of bristles 11, one or more cleaning strips, for example elastically deformable or rigid, provided on the outer peripheral surface of the brush body 9.

[0104] The cleaning device 2 also comprises a drive mechanism (not visible in the figures) which is configured to rotate the brush body 9 around the brush rotation axis A1.

[0105] The cleaning device 2 further comprises a connecting sleeve 12 fluidically connected to the suction mouth 6 in particular by means of a suction duct 13 and a flexible connecting duct (not visible in the figures). Advantageously, the suction duct 13 opens into a rear part of the suction chamber 7.

[0106] The connecting sleeve 12 is intended to be connected to an accessory of a vacuum cleaner (not shown). Various variants of vacuum cleaners already exist on the market and can be used with the cleaning device 2 according to the invention; these variants being known to those skilled in the art, they are not detailed in this document.

[0107] The cleaning device 2 further comprises a hinge device 15 which mechanically connects the connecting sleeve 12 to the main body 3 and which is configured to allow the connecting sleeve 12 to tilt forwards and backwards relative to the main body 3 and also to tilt the connecting sleeve 12 to the left and to the right relative to the main body 3.

[0108] The cleaning device 2 further comprises a waste guide channel 16 which is located in front of the suction mouth 6 and which is configured to be open downwards, i.e. towards the surface to be cleaned when the cleaning device 2 rests on said surface to be cleaned.

[0109] The waste guide channel 16 more particularly has a funnel shape, and thus has a width, measured parallel to a transverse direction DI extending perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3, which decreases towards the rear. Advantageously, the waste guide channel waste 16 is symmetrical with respect to the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3, and has a height which decreases towards the rear.

[0110] The waste guide channel 16 comprises a front opening 17 which opens into a front face of the main body 3 and which has a width, measured parallel to the transverse direction D1, greater than or equal to at least 50%, and for example at least 70%, of the width, measured parallel to the transverse direction D1, of the suction mouth 6. Advantageously, the front opening 17 has a maximum height, measured from a front transverse edge of the suction mouth 6, of between 10 mm and 30 mm, advantageously between 10 mm and 20 mm, and for example approximately 15 mm.

[0111] The waste guide channel 16 further comprises a rear opening 18 which opens into the suction chamber 7. Advantageously, the rear opening 18 is centered relative to the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3, and has a minimum height, measured from a front transverse edge of the suction mouth 6, of between 3 mm and 10 mm, and advantageously between 4 mm and 5 mm, and for example approximately 4.5 mm.

[0112] The waste guide channel 16 further comprises two lateral guide walls 19 which are located on either side of the rear opening 18 and which each extend from a respective lateral edge of the front opening 17 to a respective lateral edge of the rear opening 18. The two lateral guide walls 19 converge towards each other in the direction of the rear opening 18 so as to direct waste, coming into contact against the lateral guide walls 19 during a forward movement of the cleaning device 2, towards the rear opening 18.

[0113] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, each of the side guide walls 19 has a lower edge 19.1 which has an inclination, relative to the transverse direction D1, which increases from the front opening 17 towards the rear opening 18. The inclination of the lower edge 19.1 of each of the side guide walls 19 can vary, relative to the transverse direction D1, between 0° and 90°, and for example between 1° and 45°. Advantageously, the lower edge 19.1 of each of the side guide walls 19 is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the cleaning device 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0114] According to the first embodiment of the invention, each of the lateral guide walls 19 comprises, from the outside towards the median longitudinal plane P, a first lateral guide surface 21 which extends substantially from a respective lateral edge of the front opening 17, and a second lateral guide surface 22 which extends from the respective first lateral guide surface 21 and up to a respective lateral edge of the rear opening 18. Thus, the two second lateral guide surfaces 22 are arranged between the two first lateral guide surfaces 21, and are arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane P of the main body 3.

[0115] As shown more particularly in [Fig.7], the two first lateral guide surfaces 21 converge towards each other in the direction of the rear opening 18, and the two second lateral guide surfaces 22 converge towards each other in the direction of the rear opening 18.

[0116] Each of the first and second lateral guide surfaces 21, 22 is substantially planar, i.e. extends between two respective theoretical (fictitious) planes which are parallel and less than 5 mm apart, preferably less than 2.5 mm. According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 14, each first lateral guide surface 21 extends between two respective theoretical planes which are parallel and less than 1 mm apart, and each second lateral guide surface 21 extends between two respective theoretical planes which are parallel and less than 2.5 mm apart.

[0117] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 14, each of the first and second lateral guide surfaces 21, 22 is twisted longitudinally, such that the two lateral edges of the same first lateral guide surface 21 have, with respect to the horizontal, a different inclination and for example a difference in inclination of less than 20° (and advantageously less than 15° and for example approximately 10°), and such that the two lateral edges of the same second lateral guide surface 22 have, with respect to the horizontal, a different inclination and for example a difference in inclination of less than 20°.

[0118] Each of the first lateral guide surfaces 21 has a lower edge 21.1 which is substantially rectilinear, and each of the second lateral guide surfaces 22 has a lower edge 22.1 which is substantially rectilinear. According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 14, the lower edge 21.1 of each first lateral guide surface 21 is rectilinear, and the lower edge 22.1 of each second lateral guide surface 22 is curved but has a very large radius of curvature. The maximum distance between the apex of curvature of the lower edge 22.1 of a second lateral guide surface 22 and a theoretical rectilinear line joining the two ends of the lower edge 22.1 of said respective second lateral guide surface 22 is less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm and for example approximately 0.4 mm.

[0119] As shown more particularly in Figures 7 and 8, the lower edge 21.1 of each first lateral guide surface 21 is inclined, relative to the transverse direction D1, according to a first angle of inclination al of between 1 and 30°, advantageously between 1 and 10°, even more advantageously between 1 and 5°, and for example between 2 and 3°, while the lower edge 22.1 of each second lateral guide surface 22 is inclined, relative to the transverse direction D1, according to a second angle of inclination a2 between 15 and 90°, advantageously between 15 and 30°, and for example approximately 20°.

[0120] The first and second lateral guide surfaces 21, 22 of the same lateral guide wall 19 are more particularly inclined relative to each other by an angle of inclination which is greater than 5°, advantageously greater than 10°, and for example between 10 and 15°. When the first and second lateral guide surfaces 21, 22 of the same lateral guide wall 19 have flatness defects, such an angle of inclination corresponds to the angle of inclination between a first average extension plane defined by the respective first lateral guide surface 21 (and located between the two respective theoretical planes between which said first lateral guide surface 21 extends) and a second average extension plane defined by the respective second lateral guide surface 22 (and located between the two respective theoretical planes between which said second lateral guide surface 22 extends).

[0121] As shown more particularly in Figures 9 to 14, each first lateral guide surface 21 is configured to be inclined relative to the horizontal at a first slope angle [31 when the cleaning device 2 rests on a horizontal surface, and each second lateral guide surface 22 is configured to be inclined relative to the horizontal at a second slope angle [32 when the cleaning device 2 rests on a horizontal surface. The first slope angle [31 of each first lateral guide surface 21 is between 20° and 60°, advantageously between 40° and 60°, and for example between 40° and 55°, while the second slope angle [32 of each second lateral guide surface 22 is between 25° and 90°, advantageously between 25° and 55°, and for example between 30° and 55°.

[0122] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first slope angle [31 of each first lateral guide surface 21 varies along the direction of extension of said first lateral guide surface 21, and for example increases towards the rear opening 18 (see Figures 12 to 14), and the second slope angle [32 of each second lateral guide surface 22 varies along the direction of extension of said second lateral guide surface 22, and for example decreases towards the rear opening 18 (see Figures 9 to 11).

[0123] As is more particularly apparent from Figures 10 and 13, the cleaning device 2 is configured such that, for each lateral guide wall, the first slope angle [31 of the respective first lateral guide surface 21 has, at a middle portion of said first lateral guide surface 21, a first slope angle value and such that the second slope angle [32 of the respective second lateral guide surface 22 has, at of a middle portion of said second lateral guide surface 22, a second slope angle value which is less than the first slope angle value.

[0124] However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first slope angle [31 of each first lateral guide surface 21 could be constant along the direction of extension of said first lateral guide surface 21, and the second slope angle [32 of each second lateral guide surface 22 could be constant along the direction of extension of said second lateral guide surface 22.

[0125] As shown more particularly in [Fig.7], each first lateral guide surface 21 has a width, measured parallel to the transverse direction D1, of between 25 and 40%, advantageously between 30 and 40% and for example approximately 35%, of the width, measured parallel to the transverse direction D1, of the front opening 17, and the two second lateral guide surfaces 22 and the rear opening 18 have a cumulative width, measured parallel to the transverse direction D1, of between 20 and 40%, advantageously between 25 and 35% and for example approximately 30% of the width of the front opening 17.

[0126] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the rear opening 18 has a width, measured parallel to the transverse direction D1, which is between 1 and 10% of the width of the front opening 17, and which is less than the width of each of the second lateral guide surfaces 22.

[0127] According to the first embodiment of the invention, each first lateral guide surface 21 is configured such that, when the cleaning device 2 rests on a surface to be cleaned, the distance between the surface to be cleaned and an upper edge of said first lateral guide surface 21 decreases in the direction of the rear opening 18, and each second lateral guide surface 22 is configured such that, when the cleaning device 2 rests on a surface to be cleaned, the distance between the surface to be cleaned and an upper edge of said second lateral guide surface 22 decreases in the direction of the rear opening 18.

[0128] The waste guide channel 16 further comprises an upper guide wall 23 which extends from the front opening 17 to the rear opening 18 and which is configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned when the cleaning device 2 rests on said surface to be cleaned. The upper guide wall 23 is more particularly configured such that the distance between the surface to be cleaned and the upper guide wall 23 decreases in the direction of the rear opening 18. Advantageously, the upper guide wall 23 extends from substantially a first lateral edge of the front opening 17 to substantially a second lateral edge of the front opening 17.

[0129] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the upper guide wall 23 comprises a first upper guide surface 24 which extends from an upper edge of the front opening 17 and which is curved, and a second upper guide surface 25 which extends from the first upper guide surface 24 and to an upper edge of the rear opening 18 and which is substantially planar.

[0130] Advantageously, the first upper guide surface 24 may have a radius of curvature of between 15 and 25 mm, and for example of approximately 19 mm.

[0131] As shown in [Fig.6], the second upper guide surface 25 is inclined backwards and downwards, and is configured to be inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination of between 5 and 30°, and for example between 10 and 20°, when the cleaning device 2 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0132] As shown in [Fig.7], the lower face 5 of the main body 3 comprises two lower connecting surfaces 26 which are substantially planar and which are located on either side of the rear opening 18. Each lower connecting surface 26 extends along a respective side guide wall 19 and from the lower edge 19.1 of a respective side guide wall 19 to the front transverse edge of the suction mouth 6, and is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the cleaning device 2 rests on a horizontal surface. Such a configuration of the lower face 5 of the main body 3 ensures satisfactory suction, at the rear opening 18, of the waste guided by the side guide walls 19 to the rear opening 18, without appreciably impacting the suction performance of the cleaning device 2 at the suction mouth 6.

[0133] [Fig. 15] shows a cleaning device 2 according to a second embodiment which differs from the first embodiment essentially in that the lower edge 19.1 of each of the lateral guide walls 19 is curved and has a progressive curvature. Advantageously, the lower edge 19.1 of each of the lateral guide walls 19 has a generally elliptical shape. According to such an embodiment of the invention, for each point of the curve defining the lower edge 19.1 of a lateral guide wall 19, the inclination of said lower edge at this point corresponds to the slope of the curve at this point and therefore to the tangent to the curve at this point.

[0134] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have been given only as examples. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Cleaning device (2) comprising: - a main body (3) having a lower face (5) configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned, and a suction mouth (6) opening into the lower face (5) of the main body (3), the main body (3) delimiting a suction chamber (7) fluidly connected to the suction mouth (6), - a waste guide channel (16) which extends under the main body (3) and in front of the suction mouth (6) and which is configured to be open downwards, the waste guide channel (16) having a front opening (17) which has a width, measured parallel to a transverse direction (Dl) extending perpendicular to a median longitudinal plane (P) of the main body (3), greater than or equal to at least 50% of the width, measured parallel to the transverse direction (Dl), of the suction mouth (6),a rear opening (18) which opens into the suction chamber (7) and two lateral guide walls (19) which are located on either side of the rear opening (18), the two lateral guide walls (19) converging towards each other in the direction of the rear opening (18) so as to direct waste, coming into contact with the lateral guide walls (19) during a forward movement of the cleaning device (2), towards the rear opening (18), characterized in that each of the lateral guide walls (19) has a lower edge (19.1) having an inclination, relative to the transverse direction (Dl), which increases in the direction of the rear opening (18).,

2. Cleaning device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the inclination of the lower edge (19.1) of each of the lateral guide walls (19) varies, relative to the transverse direction (Dl), between 0° and 90°.

3. Cleaning device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the waste guide channel (16) has a height which decreases towards the rear opening (18).

4. A cleaning device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower edge (19.1) of each of the side guide walls (19) is configured to extend substantially horizontally when the cleaning device (2) rests on a surface

5.

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12.

13.

14. horizontal. Cleaning device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rear opening (18) is substantially centered relative to the median longitudinal plane (P) of the main body (3). Cleaning device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lower edge (19.1) of each of the side guide walls (19) is curved. Cleaning device (2) according to claim 6, wherein the lower edge (19.1) of each of the side guide walls (19) has a progressive curvature. A cleaning device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the side guide walls (19) comprises a first side guide surface (21) and a second side guide surface (22) which are substantially planar and which are inclined relative to each other, the two first side guide surfaces (21) converging towards each other in the direction of the rear opening (18), and the two second side guide surfaces (22) being arranged between the two first side guide surfaces (21) and converging towards each other in the direction of the rear opening (18). Cleaning device (2) according to claim 8, wherein the two second lateral guide surfaces (22) are arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane (P) of the main body (3). Cleaning device (2) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein each of the first and second lateral guide surfaces (21, 22) has a lower edge which is substantially rectilinear. Cleaning device (2) according to claim 10, wherein the lower edge (21.1) of each first lateral guide surface (21) is inclined, relative to the transverse direction (Dl), at a first inclination angle (al), and the lower edge (22.1) of each second lateral guide surface (22) is inclined, relative to the transverse direction (Dl), at a second inclination angle (a2) which is greater than the first inclination angle. Cleaning device (2) according to claim 11, wherein the first angle of inclination (al) is between 1 and 30°. Cleaning device (2) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the second angle of inclination (a2) is between 15 and 90°. Cleaning device (2) according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the first and second lateral guide surfaces (21, 22) of a same lateral guide wall (19) are inclined relative to each other by an angle of inclination which is greater than 5°.

15. Cleaning device (2) according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein each first lateral guide surface (21) has a width, measured parallel to the transverse direction (Dl), of between 25 and 40% of the width, measured parallel to the transverse direction (Dl), of the front opening (17).

16. Cleaning device (2) according to any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein each first lateral guide surface (21) is configured to be inclined relative to the horizontal at a first slope angle ([31) of between 20° and 60°, when the cleaning device (2) rests on a horizontal surface.

17. Cleaning device (2) according to any one of claims 8 to 16, wherein each second lateral guide surface (22) is configured to be inclined relative to the horizontal at a second slope angle ([32) of between 25° and 90°, when the cleaning device (2) rests on a horizontal surface.

18. A cleaning device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the waste guide channel (16) comprises an upper guide wall (23) which extends from the front opening (17) to the rear opening (18) and which is configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned when the cleaning device (2) rests on said surface to be cleaned, the upper guide wall (23) being configured such that the distance between the surface to be cleaned and the upper guide wall (23) decreases towards the rear opening (18).

19. Cleaning device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, which further comprises a rotating cleaning brush (8) housed in the suction chamber (7) and mounted to rotate about a brush rotation axis (Al).

20. A vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaning device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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