Cleaning unit for suction head

Abstract

The cleaning unit (11) comprises a rotating brush (12) configured to be removably mounted in a suction chamber of a suction head (2), and a closing cap (16) configured to close a passage opening (13) provided on the suction head (2) and through which the rotating brush (12) is adapted to be removed from the suction chamber. The closing cap (16) comprises a cap body (17); a locking member (18) movable between locking and unlocking positions; and a gripping member (27) configured to move the locking member (18) from the locking position to the unlocking position and to move axially away from the cap body (17) upon movement of the gripping member (27) from a first position to a second position. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Cleaning unit for suction head Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction head for sucking up dust and waste present on a surface to be cleaned. State of the art

[0002] Vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction head are well known on the market, these allowing surfaces to be cleaned by suction for the removal of dust and waste resting on them. The surface to be vacuumed can for example be tiles, parquet, laminate, carpet or a rug.

[0003] A suction head comprises, in a known manner, a main body comprising a sole provided with a lower face and a suction mouth opening into the lower face of the sole. The lower face of the sole is intended to be positioned adjacent to the surface to be vacuumed during use of the suction head.

[0004] In order to improve the cleaning performance of a suction head, it is known to equip the latter with a cleaning unit comprising:

[0005] - a rotating brush which is rotatable about an axis of rotation and which is removably mounted in a suction chamber delimited by the main body of the suction head, and

[0006] - a closure cap which is configured to at least partially close a passage opening provided on the main body and through which the rotating brush is adapted to be introduced into and removed from the suction chamber, the rotating brush being rotatable relative to the closing cap.

[0007] In order to ensure retention of the rotating brush in the suction chamber, the closing cap advantageously comprises a cap body and locking means provided on the cap body and configured to lock the cap body onto the main body.

[0008] Document FR3094624 discloses a closure cap whose locking means comprise several locking members movable relative to the cap body between a locking position in which the locking members are configured to cooperate with locking elements, such as locking grooves, provided on the main body so as to prevent withdrawal of the rotating brush from the suction chamber, and an unlocking position in which the locking members are configured to release the locking elements. rusting so as to allow removal of the rotating brush from the suction chamber.

[0009] The closure cap described in document FR3094624 further comprises a gripping member provided with several drive pins engaged respectively in circular openings provided on the locking members, and mounted to move in rotation relative to the cap body between a first actuating position and a second actuating position. The actuating member and the locking members are configured such that a movement of the actuating member from the first actuating position to the second actuating position causes a movement of the locking members from the locking position to the unlocking position, and such that a movement of the actuating member from the second actuating position to the first actuating position causes a movement of the locking members from the unlocking position to the locking position.

[0010] Such a configuration of the closure cap allows locking / unlocking of the cap body only by moving the actuating member between the first and second actuating positions.

[0011] However, the gripping member, due to its configuration, can only be manipulated by a user with the ends of two or three fingers, and therefore does not allow a firm and ergonomic grip of the gripping member, which may make it difficult, in particular for some users, to remove the rotating brush from the suction chamber. Summary of the invention

[0012] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0013] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing a cleaning unit for a suction head which is of simple and economical structure, while ensuring reliable locking of the cap body on the main body of the suction head and easy and ergonomic removal of the rotating brush from the suction chamber.

[0014] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a cleaning unit for a suction head, comprising:

[0015] - a rotating brush which is rotatable about an axis of rotation and which is configured to be removably mounted in a suction chamber delimited by a main body of the suction head, and

[0016] - a closure cap which is configured to at least partially close a passage opening provided on the main body and through which the rotating brush is adapted to be introduced into the suction chamber and withdrawn from the suction chamber, the rotating brush being rotatable relative to the closing cap, the closing cap comprising: • a plug body, • locking means configured to lock the plug body onto the main body, the locking means comprising at least one locking member which is movable relative to the plug body between a locking position in which the at least one locking member is configured to cooperate with at least one locking element provided on the main body so as to prevent removal of the rotating brush from the suction chamber and an unlocking position in which the at least one locking member is configured to release the at least one locking element so as to allow removal of the rotating brush from the suction chamber, and • a gripping member configured to be grasped by a user, the gripping member being mounted to move relative to the cap body between a first position and a second position, the gripping member and the at least one locking member being configured such that a movement of the gripping member from the first position to the second position causes a movement of the at least one locking member from the locking position to the unlocking position.

[0017] The gripping member is mounted to move relative to the cap body according to a displacement movement comprising at least one displacement component, and more particularly a translation component, extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush, and for example along the axis of rotation of the rotating brush, and in that the gripping member is configured to move axially away from the cap body during a movement of the gripping member from the first position to the second position.

[0018] In other words, the gripping member is configured such that a separation distance between the cap body and the gripping member, measured in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush, increases upon movement of the gripping member from the first position to the second position.

[0019] Such a configuration of the gripping member, and in particular the fact that it moves away from the cap body when the gripping member is moved from the first position to the second position, gradually promotes the gripping and handling of the gripping member by a user when moving the gripping member to the second position and thus allows easy and ergonomic removal of the rotating brush from the suction chamber. Indeed, the removal of the rotating brush out of the suction chamber requires exerting a pulling force on the closing cap, and it is easier to exert this pulling force on the closing cap when a firm grip on the gripping member is possible.

[0020] The cleaning unit may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping member is configured to move axially closer to the cap body during a movement of the gripping member from the second position to the first position. In other words, the gripping member is configured such that the separation distance between the cap body and the gripping member, measured in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush, decreases during a movement of the gripping member from the second position to the first position.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping member is configured to be moved from the first position to the second position when a rotational torque is applied to the gripping member by a user.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping member is configured to extend axially beyond the body of the cap, i.e. to project from the cap body, when the gripping member occupies the second position.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closing cap comprises a receiving cavity in which the gripping member is received when the gripping member occupies the first position. These arrangements make it possible to avoid the gripping member catching on an obstacle when the suction head is moved over a surface to be cleaned.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member is movable relative to the cap body according to a locking / unlocking movement which is distinct and different from the movement of movement of the gripping member relative to the cap body.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking / unlocking movement of the locking member relative to the plug body comprises at least one radial displacement component, i.e. one which extends radially relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the movement of displacement of the gripping member relative to the cap body further comprises a rotation component about the axis of rotation of the rotating brush, i.e. a component which is tangent to a circle centered on the axis of rotation of the rotating brush and perpendicular to said axis of rotation. The fact that the movement of displacement of the gripping member relative to the cap body comprises a displacement component which extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush makes it possible to axially move the gripping member away from the cap body for better gripping of the gripping member and to facilitate the removal of the rotating brush, while the fact that the movement of movement of the gripping member relative to the cap body comprises a rotation component makes it possible to easily move the at least one locking member between the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the movement of displacement of the gripping member relative to the cap body comprises a translation component, also called an axial displacement component, extending along the axis of rotation of the rotating brush, and a rotation component around the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the movement of displacement of the gripping member relative to the cap body is substantially helical around the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closure cap comprises a guide device configured to guide the gripping member relative to the cap body in a displacement movement which is substantially helical during a displacement of the gripping member between the first position and the second position, the guide device comprising at least one guide element provided on the gripping member and at least one guide member provided on the cap body and configured to cooperate with the at least one guide element.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide device is more particularly configured to guide the gripping member relative to the stopper body according to a first helical displacement movement and in a first direction of winding around the axis of rotation during a displacement of the gripping member from the first position to the second position, and to guide the gripping member relative to the stopper body according to a second helical displacement movement and in a second direction of winding around the axis of rotation, reversed relative to the first direction of winding, during a displacement of the gripping member from the second position to the first position.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, one of the at least one guide member and the at least one guide element is a guide groove, and the other of the at least one guide member and the at least one guide element is a guide lug slidably mounted in the guide groove.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one guide member is a guide groove, and the at least one guide element is a guide lug slidably mounted in the guide groove.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide lug extends radially outwards from the closing cap relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the plug body comprises a cylindrical portion centered on the axis of rotation of the rotating brush, the guide groove being provided on an internal face of the cylindrical portion.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide groove comprises at least one groove portion which extends substantially helically around the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprise a drive part mounted to be movable in rotation relative to the plug body around a drive axis which is substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of the rotating brush, the gripping member being configured to drive the drive part in rotation around the drive axis and in an unlocking direction when the gripping member is moved from the first position to the second position, and the at least one locking member being fixed to the drive part and being configured to be moved from the locking position to the unlocking position when the drive part is driven in rotation around the drive axis and in the unlocking direction.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping member is configured to rotate the drive part around the drive axis and in a locking direction, opposite to the unlocking direction, when the gripping member is moved from the second position to the first position, and the at least one locking member is configured to be moved from the unlocking position to the locking position when the drive part is rotated around the drive axis and in the locking direction.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping member is rotationally integral with the drive part.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping member comprises a gripping portion configured to be grasped by a user, and an actuating portion which is rotationally coupled to the driving portion and which is configured to rotate the driving portion about the driving axis when the gripping member is moved between the first position and the second position.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping member is mounted to move in translation relative to the drive part in a translation direction which is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one guide element is provided on the actuating part.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuating part comprises at least one actuating tab extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush and being offset relative to the axis of rotation, the at least one actuating tab extending through a through-orifice provided on the drive part.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cap body comprises a bottom wall having a first face oriented towards the at least one locking member and a second face oriented towards the rotating brush, the at least one actuating tab projecting from the second face of the bottom wall.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive part bears on the first face of the bottom wall.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one guide element is provided on the at least one actuating tab, and for example on an external face of the at least one actuating tab.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuating part comprises several actuating tabs distributed, and for example regularly distributed, around the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member and the gripping member are distinct from one another.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member is elastically deformable.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member is configured to be elastically compressed when the at least one locking member is moved towards the unlocking position and to elastically relax towards the locking position when the at least one locking member occupies the unlocking position.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the at least one locking member is moved towards the unlocking position, the at least one locking member is configured to be elastically compressed in a compression direction having at least one component oriented radially towards the inside of the closing cap relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush, and, when the at least one locking member occupies the unlocking position, the at least one locking member is configured to relax at least partially, towards the locking position, in a relaxation direction having at least one component oriented radially towards the outside of the closing cap relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the plug body comprises at least a deformation surface configured to elastically deform the at least one locking member when the at least one locking member is moved into the unlocked position.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the plug body comprises at least one deformation ramp comprising the at least one deformation surface.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one deformation surface, preferably the at least one deformation ramp, is curved. The at least one deformation surface, preferably the at least one deformation ramp, may for example have the shape of an arc of a circle or have a progressive radius of curvature. Such a configuration of the at least one deformation surface ensures smooth deformation of the at least one locking member, and limits the risks of the latter breaking.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the at least one locking member occupies the unlocking position, the at least one locking member is configured to elastically bias the gripping member towards the first position. Such a configuration of the closing cap ensures automatic movement of the gripping member from the second position to the first position, without requiring the presence of an additional return member. These arrangements make it possible, on the one hand, to simplify the structure of the closing cap, and therefore to limit the manufacturing costs of the latter, and, on the other hand, to guarantee automatic, easy and ergonomic locking of the cap body on the main body of the suction head.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member comprises a connecting branch which extends from the drive part, and for example from an external peripheral surface of the drive part, and which is elongated and elastically deformable, and a locking part which extends from the connecting branch and which is configured to cooperate with the at least one locking element provided on the main body.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting branch extends at least partially around the drive part.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking portion is formed at a distal end of the at least one locking member.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting branch is connected to the drive part at a connecting zone, the locking part and the connecting zone being angularly offset relative to the axis of rotation. These arrangements make it easier for the locking part to move relative to the plug body when the at least one locking member is moved between the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking portion of the at least one locking member comprises a chamfer configured to cooperate with the main body when inserting the closure cap into the passage opening, so as to urge the at least one locking member towards the unlocking position. Such a configuration of the locking means allows a user to insert the cleaning unit into the suction chamber without requiring prior movement of the gripping member into the second position, which further facilitates locking the closure cap onto the main body.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking portion has a first maximum width and the connecting branch has a second maximum width which is less than the first maximum width. These arrangements make it easier for the connecting branch to deform elastically when the at least one locking member is moved between the locking position and the unlocking position, while ensuring secure locking of the locking cap when the at least one locking member occupies the locking position.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting branch is configured to slide on the at least one deformation surface such that, when the gripping member is moved from the first position to the second position, the connecting branch deforms elastically towards the axis of rotation and causes a movement of the at least one locking member towards the unlocking position.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member comprises a first curved portion having a concavity which is oriented towards the inside of the closure cap, and a second curved portion having a concavity which is oriented towards the outside of the closure cap. These arrangements give greater elasticity to the at least one locking member, and limit the risks of the latter breaking.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member is configured to protrude, for example substantially radially, from an external periphery of the plug body when the at least one locking member occupies the locking position.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking member is configured to be located set back from or to be substantially flush with the external periphery of the plug body when the at least one locking member occupies the unlocking position.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closure cap comprises an angular travel limiting device configured to limit an angular travel of the gripping member relative to the cap body.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the invention, the stroke limiting device angular comprises a first end stop configured to prevent rotation of the gripping member, in a first direction of rotation, beyond the second position, and a second end stop configured to prevent rotation of the gripping member, in a second direction of rotation, beyond the first position. These provisions in particular prevent the at least one locking member from penetrating entirely inside the cap body and becoming buttressed in the cap body, which would be likely to render the closure cap inoperative. Thus, such a configuration of the closure cap gives it greater reliability.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second end-of-travel stops is provided on the plug body or on a damping element fixed to the plug body, and for example received in the cylindrical portion of the plug body.

[0069] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one actuating tab comprises a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface configured to come into abutment respectively against the first and second end-of-travel stops.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprise several locking members which are distributed around the axis of rotation of the rotating brush. Such a configuration of the locking means ensures optimal locking of the closing cap on the main body.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking members extend in the same extension plane. Such a configuration of the locking means gives great compactness to the closing cap. The extension plane may for example extend substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

[0072] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotating brush is configured to be removably mounted in the suction chamber in a mounting direction that extends transversely, and preferably perpendicularly, to a direction of movement of the suction head.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closure cap comprises a cover which is fixed to the cap body, the cover and the cap body delimiting at least in part an internal housing in which the at least one locking member is housed at least in part. Advantageously, the cover delimits at least in part the receiving cavity in which the gripping member is received when the gripping member occupies the first position.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover is integral in rotation with the drive part. Advantageously, the drive part and the cover are made in one piece, that is to say are monobloc.

[0075] The present invention further relates to a suction head comprising:

[0076] - a main body comprising a suction chamber opening into one face lower part of the main body which is configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned, a passage opening opening into the suction chamber, and at least one locking element, and

[0077] - a cleaning unit according to the invention, the rotating brush being mounted in such a way removable in the suction chamber and being capable of being introduced into and removed from the suction chamber via the passage opening, the closing cap at least partially closing the passage opening and the at least one locking member cooperating with the at least one locking element.

[0078] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking element comprises at least one stop surface against which the at least one locking member is configured to bear when the at least one locking member occupies the locking position, the at least one stop surface being configured to prevent movement of the closing cap relative to the main body in a direction of withdrawal of the rotating brush from the suction chamber.

[0079] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking element comprises at least one locking housing, such as a locking groove, a locking notch or even a circular locking hole for example, in which the at least one locking member is configured to engage when the at least one locking member occupies the locking position. Advantageously, the at least one locking housing extends at least partly around the passage opening.

[0080] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction head comprises a keying device configured to impose a relative angular orientation between the closing cap and the main body when inserting the cap body into the passage opening.

[0081] According to the embodiment of the invention, the passage opening is provided on a lateral face of the main body. Brief description of the figures

[0082] In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawings representing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this suction head.

[0083] [Fig.l] is a top perspective view of a suction head according to the present invention.

[0084] [Fig.2] is a top perspective view of the suction head of [Fig.l] showing a rotating brush of the suction head partially removed.

[0085] [Fig.3] is a partial perspective sectional view of the suction head of [Fig.l].

[0086] [Fig.4] is a partial perspective view of the suction head of [Fig.l], in which a suction head cleaning unit has been removed.

[0087] [Fig.5] is a longitudinal sectional view of the suction head of [Fig.l].

[0088] [Fig.6] is a front perspective view of the closure cap, showing locking members in the locking position.

[0089] [Fig.7] is a front perspective view of the closure cap, showing the locking members in the unlocked position.

[0090] [Fig.8] is a top view of the closure cap, showing the locking members in the locking position.

[0091] [Fig.9] is a top view of the closure cap, showing the locking members in the unlocked position.

[0092] [Fig. 10] is a rear perspective view of the closure cap, showing the locking members in the locking position.

[0093] [Fig. 11] is a longitudinal sectional view, in perspective, of the closure cap, showing the locking members in the locking position.

[0094] [Fig. 12] is a perspective cross-sectional view of the closure cap, showing the locking members in the locking position.

[0095] [Fig. 13] is a partial perspective view of the closure cap.

[0096] [Fig. 14] is a rear perspective view of a plug body belonging to the closing cap.

[0097] [Fig. 15] is a partial rear perspective view of the closure cap.

[0098] [Fig. 16] is a front perspective view of a hood and locking members belonging to the closing cap.

[0099] [Fig. 17] is a rear perspective view of the hood and locking members belonging to the closing cap.

[0100] [Fig. 18] is a front perspective view of a gripping member belonging to the closure cap. Detailed description

[0101] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term “substantially” means, in this document, “exactly or to within 10% or 10°”.

[0102] Figures 1 to 18 represent a suction head 2 comprising a connection sleeve 3 to which is intended to be connected a tip of a rigid or flexible tube, itself connected to a suction system of a vacuum cleaner (not shown). Various variants of vacuum cleaners already exist on the market and can be used with the suction head 2 according to the invention; these variants being known to those skilled in the art, they are not detailed in the present patent application.

[0103] The suction head 2 comprises a main body 4 configured to be moved over a surface to be cleaned. The connecting sleeve 3 is advantageously mounted in a pivot connection relative to the main body 4 so as to allow the connecting sleeve 3 to pivot, relative to the main body 4, forwards and backwards when the suction head 2 is moved in a direction of movement DI.

[0104] The main body 4 comprises a sole 5 provided with a lower face 6 configured to be oriented towards the surface to be cleaned, and a suction mouth 7 opening onto the lower face 6. The suction mouth 7 communicates with the connecting sleeve 3 in particular by means of a suction duct formed at least in part for example by a flexible connecting duct. The suction mouth 7 may for example have an elongated shape and extend transversely, and for example perpendicularly, to the direction of movement DI of the suction head 2.

[0105] The main body 4 further comprises a suction chamber 9 which opens into the lower face 6 of the sole 5 via the suction mouth 7, and which is fluidically connected to the suction duct.

[0106] The suction head 2 also comprises a cleaning unit 11 comprising a rotating brush 12 which is mounted to rotate in the suction chamber 9 along an axis of rotation A which coincides with the central longitudinal axis of the rotating brush 12. Advantageously, the rotating brush 12 is removably mounted in the suction chamber 9, and is configured to be introduced into and removed from the suction chamber 9 along a mounting direction D2. The mounting direction D2 extends transversely, and preferably perpendicularly, to the direction of movement DI of the suction head 2.

[0107] As shown in [Fig.4], the main body 4 has a passage opening 13 opening into the suction chamber 9 and through which the rotating brush 12 can be introduced into and removed from the suction chamber 9. Advantageously, the passage opening 13 is provided on a side face of the main body 4.

[0108] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the rotating brush 12 comprises a brush body 14 which is for example tubular, and bristles 15 provided on the external surface of the brush body 14. Advantageously, the brush body 14 is cylindrical with a circular section, and the rotating brush 12 comprises one or more rows of bristles extending for example helically around the longitudinal axis. central part of the rotating brush 12. The rotating brush 12 could comprise, for example, at least one row of bristles and at least one elastically deformable strip. According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the rows of bristles could be replaced by a foam cleaning sleeve.

[0109] The cleaning unit 11 further comprises a closing cap 16 which is configured to at least partially close the passage opening 13 when the rotating brush 12 is mounted in the suction chamber 9.

[0110] The closure cap 16 comprises a cap body 17 and locking means configured to lock the cap body 17 onto the main body 4.

[0111] The locking means comprise at least one locking member 18, advantageously three locking members 18, which are mounted to move, relative to the plug body 17, between a locking position in which the locking members 18 cooperate with at least one locking element 19, and for example three locking elements 19, provided on the main body 4 so as to prevent the rotating brush 12 from being withdrawn from the suction chamber 9, and an unlocking position in which the locking members 18 release the locking elements 19 so as to allow the rotating brush 12 to be withdrawn from the suction chamber 9.Advantageously, each locking member 18 is mounted to move relative to the plug body 17 according to a locking / unlocking movement comprising at least one radial displacement component, i.e. which extends radially relative to the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12.

[0112] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking elements 19 are angularly offset from each other relative to the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12, and each locking element 19 is formed by a locking housing opening into the passage opening 13, and each locking member 18 is configured to engage in the respective locking housing when the locking members 18 occupy the locking position. According to another embodiment of the invention, the locking means could comprise a single locking element 19, for example formed by a locking housing, such as a locking groove, extending at least partly around the passage opening 13.

[0113] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each locking element 19 comprises one or more abutment surfaces 190 (see [Fig. 3]) against which the locking members 18 are configured to bear when the locking members 18 occupy the locking position. The abutment surface(s) 190 is (are) configured to prevent movement of the closure cap 16 relative to the main body 4 in a direction of removal of the rotating brush 12 from the suction chamber 9. The or each stop surface 190 may for example have a normal which is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12.

[0114] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking members 18 are distributed around the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12, and extend in the same extension plane which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12. Advantageously, each locking member 18 generally has an S shape, and comprises a first curved portion 18.1 having a concavity which is oriented towards the inside of the closing cap 16, and a second curved portion 18.2 having a concavity which is oriented towards the outside of the closing cap 16.

[0115] The locking members 18 are configured to protrude from the outer periphery 21 of the plug body 17 when the locking members 18 occupy the locking position (see FIGS. 6, 10 and 12), and are configured to be located set back from or to be substantially flush with the outer periphery 21 of the plug body 17 when the locking members 18 occupy the unlocking position (see [Fig. 7]). According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the plug body 17 has a plurality of passage holes 22, provided on the outer peripheral surface of the plug body 17, and each of the locking members 18 is configured to protrude through a respective passage hole 22 when the locking members 18 occupy the locking position.

[0116] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking means further comprise a drive part 23 (see in particular figures 12 and 17) mounted to move in rotation relative to the plug body 17 around a drive axis which coincides with the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12. Advantageously, the plug body 17 comprises a bottom wall 24, for example circular, having a first face oriented towards the locking members 18 and a second face oriented towards the rotating brush 12, the drive part 23 bearing on the first face of the bottom wall 24.

[0117] Each locking member 18 is fixed to the drive portion 23 and is configured to be moved from the locking position to the unlocking position when the drive portion 23 is rotated about the drive axis and in an unlocking direction SI (see [Fig. 12]).

[0118] As shown more particularly in Figures 12 and 17, each locking member 18 extends partly around the drive part 23, and comprises a connecting branch 181 which extends from the drive part 23, and for example from an external peripheral surface of the drive part 23, and which is elongated and elastically deformable, and a locking part 182 which extends from the respective connecting branch 181 and which is configured to cooperate with the respective locking element 19 provided on the main body 4. Advantageously, each connecting branch 181 is connected to the drive part 23 at a respective connecting area 183, and each locking part 182 and the respective connecting area 183 are angularly offset relative to the axis of rotation A.

[0119] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking portion 182 of each locking member 18 is formed at a distal end of the respective locking member 18, and takes the form of a lock bolt. As shown in [Fig. 12], the locking portion 182 of each locking member 18 has a maximum width which is greater than the maximum width of the respective connecting branch 181.

[0120] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the plug body 17 comprises a plurality of deformation ramps 25 each comprising a deformation surface 26 configured to elastically deform the connecting branch 181 of a respective locking member 18 when the locking members 18 are moved into the unlocking position. Advantageously, each deformation surface 26 extends transversely to the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12, and is curved. Each deformation surface 26 may for example have an arcuate shape or have a progressive radius of curvature. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each deformation surface 26 extends to a respective passage orifice 22.

[0121] The deformation surfaces 26 and the locking members 18 are more particularly configured such that, when the locking members 18 are moved towards the unlocking position, each locking member 18 is elastically compressed by the respective deformation surface 26 in a compression direction having at least one component which is oriented radially relative to the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12 and towards the inside of the closing cap 16, and such that, when the locking members 18 occupy the unlocking position, each locking member 18 is configured to relax elastically and automatically, towards the locking position, in a relaxation direction having at least one component which is oriented radially relative to the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12 and towards the outside of the closing cap 16.

[0122] The closure cap 16 also comprises a gripping member 27 which is configured to move the locking members 18 from the locking position to the unlocking position, and which is manually operable from outside the suction head 2 when the cap body 17 is locked onto the body main 4. Advantageously, the gripping member 27 and the drive part 23 are distinct from each other, and the gripping member 27 is movable relative to the plug body 17 according to a displacement movement which is distinct and different from the locking / unlocking movement of each locking member 18.

[0123] The gripping member 27 is more particularly mounted to be movable relative to the plug body 17 between a first position (see [Fig. 6]) and a second position (see [Fig. 7]), and the gripping member 27 and the locking members 18 are configured such that a movement of the gripping member 27 from the first position to the second position causes a movement of the locking members 18 from the locking position to the unlocking position. Advantageously, the gripping member 27 is configured to be moved from the first position to the second position when a rotational torque is applied, by a user, to the gripping member 27.

[0124] More specifically, when the gripping member 27 is moved from the first position to the second position, the connecting branch 181 of each locking member 18 slides on the respective deformation surface 26, elastically deforms towards the axis of rotation A and causes a movement of the respective locking portion 182 towards the unlocking position. Advantageously, when the locking members 18 occupy the unlocking position, the locking members 18 are configured to elastically bias the gripping member 27 towards the first position.

[0125] As shown in Figures 11 and 18, the gripping member 27 comprises a gripping portion 28 configured to be grasped by a user, for example to allow removal of the rotating brush 12 from the suction chamber 9, and an actuating portion 29 which is rotationally coupled to the driving portion 23 and which is configured to rotate the driving portion 23 about the driving axis and in the unlocking direction when the gripping member 27 is moved from the first position to the second position.

[0126] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the actuating part 29 comprises several actuating tabs 31, for example three actuating tabs 31, distributed, for example regularly distributed, around the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12. Each actuating tab 31 extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12 and is offset relative to the axis of rotation A. Advantageously, each actuating tab 31 extends through a respective through-orifice 32 provided on the drive part 23 and through a respective through-hole 33 provided on the bottom wall 24 of the plug body 17, and projects from the second face of the bottom wall 24.

[0127] Advantageously, the gripping member 27 is integral in rotation with the drive part 23, and is mounted to move in translation relative to the drive part 23 in a translation direction which is parallel to the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12.

[0128] As a result, the gripping member 27 is mounted to move relative to the plug body 17 according to a displacement movement comprising a translation component, also called an axial displacement component, extending along the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12, and a rotation component around the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12. Advantageously, the displacement movement of the gripping member 27 relative to the plug body 17 is substantially helical around the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12.

[0129] For this purpose, the closing cap 16 comprises a guide device configured to guide the gripping member 27 relative to the cap body 17 according to this displacement movement during a displacement of the gripping member 27 between the first position and the second position.

[0130] The guide device more particularly comprises several guide elements 34 provided on the actuating part 29, and several guide members 35 provided on the plug body 17 and configured to cooperate respectively with the guide elements 34.

[0131] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each guide element 34 is provided on a respective actuating tab 31, and for example on an external face of the respective actuating tab 31, and is formed by a guide lug extending radially outwardly of the closing cap 16 relative to the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12, and each guide member 35 is formed by a guide groove in which the respective guide lug is slidably mounted. Advantageously, each guide groove is provided on an internal face of a cylindrical portion 36 with which the cap body 17 is provided, and comprises at least one groove part which extends substantially helically around the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12.

[0132] As seen in Figures 8 and 9, the gripping member 27 is configured to move axially away from the plug body 17 during a movement of the gripping member 27 from the first position to the second position, and to move axially closer to the plug body 17 during a movement of the gripping member 27 from the second position to the first position. In other words, the gripping member 27 is configured such that a separation distance between the plug body 17 and the gripping member 27, measured in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12, increases during a movement of the gripping member 27 from the first position to the second position, and decreases during a movement of the gripping member 27 from the second position to the first position. Such a configuration of the gripping member 27 makes it easier to grip it during a movement of the latter towards the second position.

[0133] Advantageously, the closing cap 16 comprises a receiving cavity 37, for example in the form of a bowl, and the gripping member 27 is configured to be received in the receiving cavity 37 when the gripping member 27 occupies the first position, and to extend axially beyond the body of the cap, i.e. to protrude from the receiving cavity 37, when the gripping member 27 occupies the second position

[0134] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the closing cap 16 comprises a cover 38, for example annular, which is fixed to the cap body 17 and which delimits, with the cap body 17, at least in part an internal housing 39, for example annular, in which the locking members 18 are housed at least in part. Advantageously, the cover 38 delimits the receiving cavity 37 in which the gripping member 27 is received when the gripping member 27 occupies the first position, and is integral in rotation with the drive part 23. The drive part 23 and the cover 38 can for example be made in a single piece, that is to say be in one piece.

[0135] The closure cap 16 also comprises an angular travel limiting device 27 configured to limit an angular travel of the gripping member 27 relative to the cap body 17.

[0136] The angular travel limiting device 27 comprises more particularly (see in particular [Fig. 13]) at least one first end-of-travel stop 41 configured to prevent rotation of the gripping member 27, in a first direction of rotation, beyond the second position, and at least one second end-of-travel stop 42 configured to prevent rotation of the gripping member 27, in a second direction of rotation, beyond the first position. Each of the first and second end-of-travel stops 41, 42 may for example be provided on the plug body 17 or on a damping element 43 fixed to the plug body 17, and for example received in the cylindrical portion 36 of the plug body 17. Advantageously, each actuating tab 31 comprises a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface configured to come into abutment respectively against respective first and second end-of-travel stops 41, 42.

[0137] Advantageously, the suction head 2 comprises a keying device 44 configured to impose a relative angular orientation between the closure cap 16 and the main body 4 when the cap body 17 is inserted into the passage opening 13. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the keying device 44 comprises a keying element, such as a rib keying, provided on the plug body 17, and the passage opening 13 has a non-circular shape.

[0138] The suction head 2 also comprises a rotation drive device 45 configured to rotate the rotating brush 12 about the axis of rotation A of the latter. The rotation drive device 45 may for example comprise an electric drive motor 46 whose output axis may be substantially aligned with the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the electric drive motor 46 is housed in the brush body 14 of the rotating brush 12.

[0139] Advantageously, the rotating brush 12 comprises a first end portion 12.1 supported by a support ring which is fixed to the first end portion 12.1 and which is mounted to be movable in rotation relative to the main body 4, and a second end portion 12.2 supported by the closing cap 16 and mounted to be movable in rotation relative to the closing cap 16.

[0140] In order to remove the rotating brush 12 from the suction chamber 9, for example to clean the rotating brush 12 or replace the latter, the user applies a rotational torque to the gripping part 28 so as to move the gripping member 27 into the second position. Such a movement of the gripping member 27 causes a movement of the locking members 18 into the unlocking position. The user can then easily remove the rotating brush 12 from the suction chamber 9 by exerting a pulling force on the gripping part 28 in order to clean or replace the rotating brush 12.

[0141] When the user wishes to reposition the rotating brush 12 in the suction chamber 9, he inserts the rotating brush 12 into the suction chamber 9 until the latter mates with the rotational drive device 45 and the closing cap 16 at least partially closes the passage opening 13. At this moment, the locking members 18 elastically and automatically relax towards the locking position so as to lock the cap body 17 on the main body 4 of the suction head 2. Such deformation of the locking members 18 causes a displacement of the gripping member 27 into the first position, due to the cooperation of each of the connecting branches 181 with the respective deformation surface 26.

[0142] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking portion 182 of each locking member 18 comprises a chamfer 182.1 configured to cooperate with the main body 4 when inserting the closing plug 16 into the passage opening 13, so as to urge the respective locking member 18 towards the unlocking position. Such a configuration of the locking means allows a user to insert the cleaning unit 11 into the suction chamber 9 without requiring prior movement of the gripping member 27 into the second position, which further facilitates locking of the closing cap 16 onto the main body 4.

[0143] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given only as an example. 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 unit (11) for suction head (2), comprising: - a rotating brush (12) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (A) and which is configured to be removably mounted in a suction chamber (9) delimited by a main body (4) of the suction head (2), and - a closing cap (16) which is configured to at least partially close a passage opening (13) provided on the main body (4) and through which the rotating brush (12) is adapted to be introduced into the suction chamber (9) and removed from the suction chamber (9), the rotating brush (12) being rotatable relative to the closing cap (16), the closing cap (16) comprising: • a plug body (17), • locking means configured to lock the plug body (17) onto the main body (4), the locking means comprising at least one locking member (18) which is movable relative to the plug body (17) between a locking position in which the at least one locking member (18) is configured to cooperate with at least one locking element (19) provided on the main body (4) so ​​as to prevent removal of the rotating brush (12) from the suction chamber (9) and an unlocking position in which the at least one locking member (18) is configured to release the at least one locking element (19) so as to allow removal of the rotating brush (12) from the suction chamber (9), and • a gripping member (27) configured to be grasped by a user, the gripping member (27) being mounted to move relative to the cap body (17) between a first position and a second position, the gripping member (27) and the at least one locking member (18) being configured such that a movement of the gripping member (27) from the first position to the second position causes a movement of the at least one locking member (18) from the locking position to the unlocking position, characterized in that the gripping member (27) is mounted to move relative to the plug body (17) according to a displacement movement comprising at least one displacement component extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (A) of the rotating brush (12), and in that the gripping member (27) is configured to move axially away from the plug body (17) during a displacement of the gripping member (27) from the first position to the second position.

2. A cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1, wherein the gripping member (27) is configured to extend axially beyond the body of the cap when the gripping member (27) occupies the second position.

3. A cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one locking member (18) is movable relative to the cap body (17) in a locking / unlocking movement which is distinct and different from the movement of movement of the gripping member (27) relative to the cap body (17).

4. A cleaning unit (11) according to claim 3, wherein the locking / unlocking movement of the locking member (18) relative to the plug body (17) comprises at least one radial displacement component.

5. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the movement of movement of the gripping member (27) relative to the plug body (17) further comprises a rotational component about the rotational axis (A) of the rotating brush (12).

6. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the displacement movement of the gripping member (27) relative to the plug body (17) is substantially helical about the axis of rotation (A) of the rotating brush (12).

7. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the closure cap (16) comprises a guide device configured to guide the gripping member (27) relative to the cap body (17) in a displacement movement which is substantially helical during a displacement of the gripping member (27) between the first position and the second position, the guide device comprising at least one guide element (34) provided on the gripping member (27) and at least one guide member (35) provided on the plug body (17) and configured to cooperate with the at least one guide element (34).

8. A cleaning unit (11) according to claim 7, wherein one of the at least one guide member (35) and the at least one guide element (34) is a guide groove, and the other of the at least one guide member (35) and the at least one guide element (34) is a guide pin slidably mounted in the guide groove.

9. Cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the locking means comprise a drive portion (23) mounted to rotate relative to the plug body (17) about a drive axis which is substantially coincident with the rotation axis (A) of the rotating brush (12), the gripping member (27) being configured to rotate the drive portion (23) about the drive axis and in an unlocking direction when the gripping member (27) is moved from the first position to the second position, and the at least one locking member (18) being fixed to the drive portion (23) and being configured to be moved from the locking position to the unlocking position when the drive portion (23) is rotated about the drive axis and in the unlocking direction.

10. A cleaning unit (11) according to claim 9, wherein the gripping member (27) comprises a gripping portion (28) configured to be grasped by a user, and an actuating portion (29) which is rotatably coupled to the driving portion (23) and which is configured to rotate the driving portion (23) about the driving axis when the gripping member (27) is moved between the first position and the second position.

11. Cleaning unit (11) according to claims 7 and 10, wherein the at least one guide element (34) is provided on the actuating portion (29).

12. A cleaning unit (11) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the actuating portion (29) comprises at least one actuating tab (31) extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (A) of the rotating brush (12) and being offset from the axis of rotation (A), the at least one actuating tab (31) extending through a through-hole (32) provided on the driving portion (23).

13. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 15. 12, in which the at least one locking member (18) and the gripping member (27) are distinct from each other.

14. Cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the at least one locking member (18) is elastically deformable.

15. A cleaning unit (11) according to claim 14, wherein the at least one locking member (18) is configured to be elastically compressed when the at least one locking member (18) is moved to the unlocking position and to elastically relax to the locking position when the at least one locking member (18) occupies the unlocking position.

16. A cleaning unit (11) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the plug body (17) comprises at least one deformation surface (26) configured to elastically deform the at least one locking member (18) when the at least one locking member (18) is moved into the unlocked position.

17. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein, when the at least one locking member (18) occupies the unlocking position, the at least one locking member (18) is configured to resiliently bias the gripping member (27) towards the first position.

18. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the at least one locking member (18) is configured to protrude from an outer periphery (21) of the plug body (17) when the at least one locking member (18) occupies the locking position.

19. Cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the locking means comprise a plurality of locking members (18) which are distributed around the axis of rotation (A) of the rotating brush (12).

20. Suction head (2) comprising: - a main body (4) comprising a suction chamber (9) opening into a lower face (6) of the main body (4) which is configured to be oriented towards a surface to be cleaned, a passage opening (13) opening into the suction chamber (9), and at least one locking element (19), and - a cleaning unit (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, the rotating brush (12) being removably mounted in the suction chamber (9) and being able to be introduced into and removed from the suction chamber (9) via the passage opening (13), the closing cap (16) at least partially closing the passage opening (13) and the at least one locking member (18) cooperating with the at least one locking element (19).

Images