Cleaning device including a self-cleaning accessory

Abstract

Cleaning apparatus comprising a housing (1) and a nozzle (3) that can be moved relative to the housing (1), the housing (1) comprising a cleaning fluid reservoir (6) having a filling orifice (60) and a dust and fluid collector (2) connected to the nozzle (3) by a suction circuit comprising a suction source (4), said suction circuit comprising a flexible hose (5) connected on one side to the housing (1) and on the other side to the nozzle (3), allowing the fluid aspirated by the nozzle (3) to be sent into the recovery reservoir (6), said apparatus comprising a self-cleaning accessory (8) intended to be coupled to the hose (5) or the nozzle (3) to allow cleaning of the suction circuit, characterized in that said self-cleaning accessory (8) comprises a nozzle (81) inserted into the supply reservoir (6) through the filling orifice (60),said nozzle (81) comprising a suction opening for drawing cleaning fluid from the suction circuit. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 6,

Description

Title of the invention: Cleaning device comprising a self-cleaning accessory. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cleaning devices comprising a housing and a nozzle that can be moved relative to the housing, the housing having a cleaning fluid reservoir and a dust and fluid collector connected to the nozzle by a suction circuit including a suction source. The present invention relates more particularly to cleaning devices comprising a self-cleaning accessory for cleaning the suction circuit. State of the art

[0002] As is known from documents EP 3 466 313 and EP3 016 567, a cleaning apparatus comprising a self-cleaning accessory intended to be mounted in place of the suction nozzle to allow cleaning of the suction circuit. Such accessories divert the cleaning fluid sent by the pump from the supply circuit and reinject it into the suction circuit. Thus, the cleaning efficiency using this accessory has the disadvantage of being dependent on the pump flow rate. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention aims to remedy this drawback.

[0004] To this end, the invention relates to a cleaning device comprising a housing and a nozzle that can be moved relative to the housing, the housing having a cleaning fluid reservoir with a filling orifice and a dust and fluid collector connected to the nozzle by a suction circuit comprising a suction source, said suction circuit having a flexible hose, connected on one side to the housing and on the other side to the nozzle, allowing the fluid sucked up by the nozzle to be sent into the recovery tank, said device having a self-cleaning accessory intended to be coupled to the hose or the nozzle to allow the cleaning of the suction circuit, characterized in that said self-cleaning accessory includes a nozzle inserted into the supply tank through the filling orifice, said nozzle having a suction opening allowing the cleaning fluid to be sucked up from the suction circuit.

[0005] Thus, the cleaning of the suction circuit is carried out by drawing the cleaning liquid directly from the cleaning liquid reservoir so that the quantity of cleaning liquid aspirated during the self-cleaning session is solely dependent on the power of the suction source.

[0006] The device may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0007] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the nozzle is removably coupled to one end of the pipe and the self-cleaning accessory is coupled in place of the nozzle, at the end of the pipe.

[0008] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the filling orifice is provided on an upper part of the tank.

[0009] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the nozzle has a length adapted to be able to be immersed to the bottom of the cleaning fluid reservoir. In other words, the length of the nozzle is greater than the height of the reservoir.

[0010] Such a feature makes it possible to draw the cleaning fluid even when the cleaning fluid reservoir is almost empty.

[0011] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the nozzle has a tubular shape adapted to be inserted through the filling orifice.

[0012] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the nozzle has a substantially circular passage section.

[0013] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the nozzle has an end having at least one lateral notch allowing the passage of the cleaning fluid when the nozzle rests against the bottom of the cleaning fluid reservoir.

[0014] Such a feature makes it possible to provide a passage section for the passage of the liquid even when the nozzle rests flat against the bottom of the reservoir.

[0015] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the self-cleaning accessory includes at least one air intake opening remaining outside the cleaning fluid reservoir when the nozzle is immersed in the latter.

[0016] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the filling orifice is provided in the bottom of a cavity formed on an upper face of the cleaning fluid reservoir.

[0017] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the cleaning fluid reservoir includes a removable closing cap allowing the filling orifice to be closed.

[0018] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the suction cup supports a diffusion nozzle connected to the cleaning fluid reservoir by a supply circuit comprising a pump.

[0019] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the nozzle allows cleaning liquid to be diffused in the vicinity of the suction cup. Brief description of the figures

[0020] The objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0022] Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cleaning apparatus of Fig. 1

[0023] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cleaning head that can be fitted the cleaning device of the [Fig.1];

[0024] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cleaning accessory intended to be coupled to the automatic hose fitting;

[0025] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus equipped with the self-cleaning accessory in the operating position;

[0026] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device along line VLVI of Fig. 5;

[0027] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cleaning accessory shown. alone.

[0028] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading the drawings, the same elements bear the same reference numerals from one figure to another.

[0029] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "transverse", used to describe the cleaning device refer to this device in use, when it is lying flat on its base.

[0030] Figures 1 and 2 represent a domestic appliance for cleaning flat surfaces such as, for example, floors or windows, comprising a housing 1 conventionally including a dust and liquid collector 2 connected to a nozzle 3 by a suction circuit. The suction circuit includes a suction motor-fan unit 4 located inside the housing 1, which is connected by a duct 40 to a chimney 20 extending vertically from the bottom of the collector 2 to open near its top. The collector 2 also includes, in a manner known per se and as described, for example, in EP4 059 406, a second chimney, not visible in the figures, which is connected to a duct in the housing that communicates with a flexible hose 5 connecting the nozzle 3 to the housing 1.Thus, when the motor-fan unit 4 is in operation, the manifold 2 is subjected to the vacuum generated by the motor-fan 4, such that the liquid sucked up by the nozzle 3 is drawn into the manifold 2.

[0031] The manifold 2 is equipped, in a manner known per se, with a device for separating the liquid from the aspirated airflow so that the liquid drawn in by vacuum into the manifold 2 remains stored there and is not drawn in by the airflow through the motor-fan assembly 4

[0032] The cleaning device also includes a cleaning fluid reservoir 6 with a filling opening 60 closed by a removable cap 61. The filling opening 60 is advantageously provided on an upper face of the reservoir 6, and is preferably located in a recess 60A in which the cap 61 is pivotally mounted between a closed position, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and an open position illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

[0033] The reservoir 6 is connected by a supply circuit to a nozzle 7 arranged on the suction cup 3, the supply circuit including in particular an injection pump 70 and a supply conduit 71, partially visible on [Fig.6], which runs along a wall of the pipe 5, and which allows the nozzle 7 to be fluidly connected to the pump 70.

[0034] The device also includes means for controlling the suction motor-fan unit 4 and the injection pump 70, the device being supplied with electrical current by means of a power cord 10 allowing the device to be connected to the domestic electrical network.

[0035] Preferably the collector 2 and the reservoir 6 are mounted removably on the housing 1, the housing 1 having feet 11 allowing it to rest flat on the ground.

[0036] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, the device includes at least one nozzle 3 which can be removably connected to an automatic fitting 50 carried by a portion of rigid tube 51 fixed to the end of the hose 5. According to [Fig.4], the automatic fitting 50 has a hydraulic connector 72 which allows the connection of the nozzle 3 to the supply circuit of the device and a semi-circular suction conduit 50A which communicates with the hose 5 of the suction circuit.

[0037] Preferably, the portion of rigid tube 51 forms a gripping handle and includes a trigger 52 which, when pressed, allows the diffusion of cleaning liquid through the connector 72. For this purpose, the trigger 52 actuates a valve 53, visible on [Fig.6], located upstream of the connector 72 on the supply circuit.

[0038] According to [Fig.3], the nozzle 3 forms a cleaning head conventionally comprising a front face including a lower part equipped with a series of bristles 30 intended to rub against the surface to be cleaned and an upper part equipped with several suction orifices 31 which communicate with the suction circuit.

[0039] The nozzle 7 is advantageously arranged in a cavity of the crevice tool 3, which is recessed from the front face, and is oriented so as to diffuse the cleaning liquid towards the surface to be cleaned. In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle 7 is adapted to diffuse the cleaning liquid into an area adjacent to the lower part of the crevice tool 3, which receives the bristles 30.

[0040] The suction cup 3 is also equipped with a pivotally mounted release button 32 which is returned by a spring to a rest position in which the locking button 32 cooperates with a counterform 54, visible on the [Fig.4], provided on the automatic fitting 50 to prevent the suction cup 3 from being uncoupled from the automatic fitting 50.

[0041] More particularly according to the invention, the device includes a self-cleaning accessory 8 intended to be connected in place of the nozzle 3 to allow cleaning of the suction circuit.

[0042] According to figures 4 and 7, this self-cleaning accessory 8 has a body comprising a connection part intended to connect to the automatic fitting 50 located at the end of the pipe 5.

[0043] For this purpose, the connection part includes a semi-circular conduit 80 which protrudes from the side of the self-cleaning accessory 80 and which enters the suction conduit 50A, which is complementary in shape to the automatic connector 50, when the self-cleaning accessory 8 is coupled to the automatic connector 50. Similar to the nozzle 3, the self-cleaning accessory includes a locking button 84 intended to cooperate with the counterform 54 provided on the automatic connector 50 to secure the coupling of the self-cleaning accessory 80 to the automatic connector 50.

[0044] The body of the self-cleaning accessory 8 also includes a tubular nozzle 81 that forms an angle of approximately 70° with respect to the axis of the semi-circular conduit 80 and has a cross-section slightly smaller than the cross-section of the filling orifice 60, so that the tubular nozzle 81 can penetrate the filling orifice 60. This tubular nozzle 81 communicates with the semi-circular conduit 80 and thus forms a suction tube when the self-cleaning accessory 8 is connected to the automatic fitting 50.

[0045] Advantageously, the tubular nozzle 81 extends over a height greater than the height of the cleaning fluid reservoir 6 so that the end of the tubular nozzle 81 can rest on the bottom of the cleaning fluid reservoir 6 when the nozzle 81 is inserted into the filling orifice 60.

[0046] Preferably, the end of the tubular nozzle 81 has notches 82 which ensure a passage of fluid when the nozzle 81 rests in the bottom of the cleaning fluid reservoir 6.

[0047] The nozzle 81 also advantageously includes air intake openings 83 located near the connection portion, which are designed to remain outside the reservoir 6 when the nozzle 81 rests on the bottom of the cleaning fluid reservoir 6. These openings 83 have the advantage of allowing an airflow that facilitates the suction of the fluid from the bottom of the reservoir 6, particularly when the reservoir 6 is almost empty.

[0048] The operation of the cleaning device will now be described.

[0049] When the user wishes to use the device to clean a surface, he couples the nozzle 3 to the automatic connector 50 and then switches on the device so that the power unit and the pump 70 are put into operation.

[0050] He then simply has to press the trigger 52 so that cleaning liquid is projected from the nozzle 7 onto the surface to be cleaned, the user can then successively rub the surface with the bristles 30 and suck up the liquid by means of the suction orifices 31. The sucked-up liquid then passes through the suction circuit to be stored in the dust and liquid collector 2.

[0051] Once the device has been used with the nozzle 3, the suction circuit has the disadvantage of being contaminated by soiled liquid, which can eventually lead to the development of bad odors.

[0052] To remedy this drawback, the user can start a self-cleaning session after filling the reservoir 6 at least partially with cleaning fluid and emptying the collector 2. This self-cleaning session is carried out by connecting the self-cleaning accessory 8 in place of the nozzle 3, immersing the nozzle 81 of the accessory in the reservoir 6 of cleaning fluid, and then starting the appliance so that the starting of the motor-fan unit 4 causes the cleaning fluid to be drawn through the nozzle 81 of the self-cleaning accessory 8, and then the circulation of this cleaning fluid through the suction circuit.

[0053] In particular, the use of such a cleaning accessory has the advantage of allowing the cleaning fluid to be drawn in at a high flow rate, dependent solely on the power of the motor-fan unit, which optimizes the cleaning of the suction circuit. This high flow rate also has the advantage of reducing the time required for the suction circuit cleaning process.

[0054] In addition, drawing the cleaning liquid directly from the reservoir using the self-cleaning accessory has the advantage of allowing this cleaning session to be carried out without operating the pump, which reduces the energy consumption of the device during this session.

[0055] Of course, the invention is by no means limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without going outside the scope of protection of the invention.

[0056] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the accessory may have a different shape and cross-section than that described above, but allowing it to be inserted into the filling orifice to draw cleaning liquid.

[0057] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the device may also include a rechargeable battery allowing the device to be operated without the need to connect the device to the domestic electrical network.

Claims

Demands

1. A cleaning device comprising a housing (1) and a nozzle (3) movable relative to the housing (1), the housing (1) having a cleaning fluid reservoir (6) with a filling port (60) and a dust and fluid collector (2) connected to the nozzle (3) by a suction circuit comprising a suction source (4), said suction circuit having a flexible hose (5) connected on one side to the housing (1) and on the other side to the nozzle (3), allowing the fluid drawn in by the nozzle (3) to be sent to the recovery reservoir (6), said device having a self-cleaning accessory (8) for coupling to the hose (5) or the nozzle (3) to allow cleaning of the suction circuit, characterized in that said self-cleaning accessory (8) has a nozzle (81) inserted into the supply reservoir (6) through the port (60) of filling,said nozzle (81) comprising a suction opening for drawing cleaning fluid from the suction circuit.

2. Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle (3) is removably coupled to one end of the hose (5) and in that the self-cleaning accessory (8) is coupled in place of the nozzle (3) to the end of the hose (5).

3. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said filling orifice (60) is provided on an upper part of the reservoir (6).

4. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said nozzle (81) has a length suitable for being able to be immersed to the bottom of the cleaning fluid reservoir (6).

5. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said nozzle (81) has a tubular shape adapted to be inserted through the filling orifice (60).

6. Cleaning device according to claim 5, characterized in that the nozzle (81) has a substantially circular passage section.

7. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the nozzle (81) has an end featuring at least one lateral notch allowing the passage of cleaning fluid when the nozzle (81) rests against the bottom of the cleaning fluid reservoir (6).

8. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the self-cleaning accessory (8) has at least one air intake opening remaining outside the cleaning fluid reservoir (6) when the nozzle (81) is immersed in the latter.

9. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the filling orifice (60) is provided in the bottom of a cavity formed on an upper face of the cleaning fluid reservoir (6).

10. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cleaning fluid reservoir (6) has a removable closing cap (61) allowing the filling orifice (60) to be closed.

11. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the nozzle (3) supports a diffusion nozzle (7) connected to the cleaning fluid reservoir (6) by a supply circuit comprising a pump (8).

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