Suction head cleaning unit

Abstract

The cleaning unit (11) comprises a rotating brush (12) configured to be removably attached to the receiving housing of the suction head (2), and a closure cap (16) configured to close a passage opening (13) provided on the suction head (2) and adapted for the rotating brush to be removed from the receiving housing. The closure cap (16) comprises a cap body (17), a locking member (18) that is elastically deformable and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and an actuating member (23) configured to displace the locking member (18) from the locked position to the unlocked position.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners, equipped with a suction head making it possible to suck up dust and dirt present on the surface to be cleaned. [Background technology]

[0002] technical level Vacuum cleaners with suction heads are well known on the market because they make it possible to clean surfaces by suction, removing small particle size dust and debris that settles on said surfaces, for example tiles, parquet, laminate, carpets or rugs.

[0003] The suction head comprises, in a known manner, a body including a soleplate with an underside and suction orifices opening into the underside of the soleplate, the underside of the soleplate being intended to be placed adjacent to the surface to be sucked when the suction head is in use.

[0004] In order to improve the cleaning performance of the suction head, it is known to equip the suction head with a cleaning unit, which a rotating brush that is rotationally movable about a rotation axis and removably mounted within a receiving housing defined by the body of the suction head; The device includes a closure cap configured to at least partially close a passage opening provided in the main body, through which a rotating brush can be inserted into and removed from the receiving housing, and the rotating brush is rotatable relative to the closure cap.

[0005] To ensure retention of the rotary brush in the receiving housing, the closure cap advantageously comprises a cap body and locking means provided on the cap body and configured to lock the cap body to the main body.

[0006] Patent document 1 discloses a closure cap whose locking means includes a plurality of locking members movable relative to the cap body, and the locking members are movable between a locked position in which the locking members are configured to cooperate with locking elements such as locking grooves provided in the body to prevent the rotary brush from being removed from the storage housing, and a released position in which the locking members are configured to release the locking elements to allow the rotary brush to be removed from the storage housing.

[0007] The closure cap described in Patent Document 1 further includes an actuating member having a plurality of drive pins each engaged with a circular opening provided in the locking member, the actuating member being attached to the cap body so as to be rotatably movable between a first actuating position and a second actuating position. The actuating member and the locking member are configured such that displacement of the actuating member from the first actuating position to the second actuating position results in displacement of the locking member from the locked position to the released position, and displacement of the actuating member from the second actuating position to the first actuating position results in displacement of the locking member from the released position to the locked position.

[0008] Such a configuration of the closure cap allows locking / unlocking of the cap body simply by displacing the actuating member between the first and second actuating positions, which ensures easy and ergonomic removal of the rotating brush from the receiving housing.

[0009] Furthermore, such a configuration of the closure cap ensures effective retention of the cap body in the passage opening and therefore of the rotating brush in the receiving housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] French Patent Application Publication No. 3094624 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] However, the assembly of such a closure cap is complicated due to the large number of components that make it up, which increases the manufacturing costs of such a closure cap.

[0012] Furthermore, if a user wants to reposition the rotating brush in the receiving housing, for example after cleaning it, he must first fully insert the rotating brush into the receiving housing and then displace the actuating member into the first actuating position to lock the closure cap onto the body of the suction head. Moreover, such manipulation of the actuating member after insertion of the rotating brush into the receiving housing is not necessarily intuitive for all users and may therefore be forgotten by some users, which may result in subsequent deterioration of the rotating brush due to poor coupling between the rotating brush and its rotary drive. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] Summary of the Invention The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0014] The technical problem underlying the present invention is, in particular, to provide a cleaning unit for a suction head that is of simple and economical construction, while ensuring a simple and ergonomic locking of the cap body to the body of the suction head.

[0015] To this end, the invention relates to a cleaning unit for a suction head, the cleaning unit comprising: a rotating brush rotatably movable about a rotation axis and configured to be removably mounted within a receiving housing defined by the body of the suction head; a closure cap configured to at least partially close a passage opening provided in the body, through which a rotating brush can be inserted into and removed from the receiving housing, the rotating brush being rotatable relative to the closure cap, the closure cap comprising: A cap body, a locking means configured to lock the cap body to the main body, the locking means including at least one locking member movable relative to the cap body between a locked position, in which the at least one locking member is configured to cooperate with at least one locking element provided on the main body to prevent removal of the rotating brush from the receiving housing, and a released position, in which the at least one locking member is configured to release the at least one locking element to allow removal of the rotating brush from the receiving housing; an actuating member movably mounted relative to the cap body between a first actuating position and a second actuating position, the actuating member and the at least one locking member configured such that displacement of the actuating member from the first actuating position to the second actuating position results in displacement of the at least one locking member from a locked position to a released position.

[0016] The at least one locking member is elastically deformable, and the closure cap is configured such that when the at least one locking member is displaced toward the released position, the at least one locking member is elastically compressed, and when the at least one locking member occupies the released position, the at least one locking member is elastically relaxed toward the locked position.

[0017] When a user wants to reposition the rotating brush of the cleaning unit according to the invention in the receiving housing defined by the body of the suction head, for example after cleaning or replacing the rotating brush, and lock the cap body to the body of the suction head, he simply inserts the rotating brush into the receiving housing through the passage opening until the closure cap at least partially closes the passage opening, at which point the at least one locking member elastically and automatically relaxes towards the locked position, locking the cap body to the body of the suction head.

[0018] Such a configuration of the closure cap therefore ensures an automatic, easy and ergonomic locking of the cap body to the body of the suction head.

[0019] The cleaning unit may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination:

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one locking member extends at least partially around the actuation member.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the at least one locking member is displaced towards the release position, the at least one locking member is configured to have at least one component that is elastically compressed in a compression direction and oriented radially towards the inside of the closure cap relative to the rotation axis of the rotating brush, and when the at least one locking member occupies the release position, the at least one locking member is configured to be at least partially relaxed in a relaxation direction towards the locking position and oriented radially towards the outside of the closure cap relative to the rotation axis of the rotating brush.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member is motionally fixed relative to the actuating member at least during displacement of the actuating member from the first actuating position to the second actuating position.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the actuating member is mounted so as to be rotationally movable about an actuating axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the actuation axis and the rotation axis are substantially coaxial.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the actuating member is rotationally movable between a first actuating position and a second actuating position, and the at least one locking member is rotationally fixed relative to the actuating member during displacement of the actuating member from the first actuating position to the second actuating position.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member and the actuating member are integrally formed, i.e., the at least one locking member and the actuating member are a single body, e.g., are integrally molded. This provision significantly simplifies the assembly of the closure cap and therefore allows for a significant reduction in the manufacturing costs of the closure cap.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cap body includes at least one deformation surface configured to elastically deform the at least one locking member when the at least one locking member is displaced to the release position.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cap body includes at least one deformation ramp with at least one deformation surface.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the cap body includes a deformation pin with at least one deformation surface.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one deformation surface extends transversely to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one deformation surface, preferably at least one deformation ramp, is curved. The at least one deformation surface, preferably at least one deformation ramp, may have, for example, an arc shape or a gradual radius of curvature. Such a configuration of the at least one deformation surface ensures smooth deformation of the at least one locking element and limits the risk of breakage of the locking element.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member is configured to resiliently bias the actuating member toward the first actuating position when the at least one locking member is in the release position. Such a configuration of the closure cap ensures automatic displacement of the actuating member from the second actuating position to the first actuating position without the need for an additional return member. These provisions further simplify the structure of the closure cap, thus further reducing the manufacturing costs of the closure cap.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member includes an elongated, elastically deformable connecting branch extending from the actuating member, for example from an outer peripheral surface of the actuating member, and a locking portion extending from the connecting branch and configured to cooperate with at least one locking element provided on the body.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting branch extends at least partially around the axis of rotation.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting branch extends at least partially around the actuation member.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking portion is formed at the distal end of the at least one locking member, advantageously in the form of a locking bung formed at the distal end of the at least one locking member.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting branch is connected to the actuating member at a connection region, and the locking portion and the connection region are angularly offset with respect to the rotation axis, such an arrangement facilitating the displacement of the locking portion relative to the cap body when the at least one locking member is displaced between the locked position and the released position.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one locking member has a width that varies along its length.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion has a first maximum width and the connecting prongs have a second maximum width that is narrower than the first maximum width. This arrangement makes it easier for the connecting prongs to be elastically deformed when the at least one locking member is displaced between the locked position and the released position, while ensuring stable locking of the locking cap when the at least one locking member is in the locked position.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting branch is configured to slide on at least one deformation surface, and when the actuating member is displaced, advantageously rotationally from the first actuating position towards the second actuating position, the connecting branch is elastically deformed towards the rotation axis, resulting in the at least one locking member being displaced towards the release position.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member comprises a first curved portion with a recess oriented toward the inside of the closure cap and a second curved portion with a recess oriented toward the outside of the closure cap, which arrangement provides the at least one locking member with great resilience and limits the risk of breakage of the locking member.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member has a generally S-shape.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member, more particularly the locking portion of the at least one locking member, is configured to protrude, e.g., substantially radially, from the outer periphery of the cap body when the at least one locking member occupies the locked position.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member, more particularly the locking portion of the at least one locking member, is configured to be retracted from or substantially flush with the outer periphery of the cap body when the at least one locking member occupies the released position.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the cap body is locked to the main body, the actuation member can be manually actuated from outside the suction head.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cap body includes at least one passage orifice, for example provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body, through which the at least one locking member protrudes when the at least one locking member occupies the locked position.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cap body includes at least one guide member, e.g., a guide wall, configured to guide, e.g., substantially radially, the locking portion of the at least one locking member when the at least one locking member is displaced between the locked position and the released position. Advantageously, the guide member extends substantially to the at least one passage orifice.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one deformation surface extends substantially to the at least one passage orifice.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one deformation surface and the at least one guide member are arranged on either side of the at least one passage orifice.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the closure cap includes an angular stroke limiting device configured to limit the angular stroke of the actuating member relative to the cap body. The angular stroke limiting device includes a first end stop configured to prevent rotation of the actuating member in a first rotational direction beyond a second actuating position, and a second end stop configured to prevent rotation of the actuating member in a second rotational direction beyond the first actuating position. This arrangement, in particular, prevents the at least one locking member from completely penetrating the interior of the cap body and becoming stuck between the actuating member and the inner circumferential wall of the cap body, which would likely render the closure cap inoperable. Therefore, this configuration of the closure cap provides the closure cap with improved reliability.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second travel end stops is provided on the cap body.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second end stops comprises a contact area adapted to abut a respective abutment surface rotationally fixed to the actuating member, the two abutment surfaces being provided, for example, on abutment lugs provided on the actuating member.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the actuating member comprises a grip adapted to be grasped by a user, for example when removing the rotating brush from the storage housing, the presence of such a grip on the one hand facilitating the displacement of the actuating member between the first and second operating positions and on the other hand making it possible to facilitate the removal of the rotating brush from the storage housing, for example for cleaning the rotating brush.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuation member is configured to be displaced by a user from the first actuation position towards the second actuation position when a torque is applied to the grip.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the locking portion of the at least one locking member comprises a chamfer configured to cooperate with the body to press the at least one locking member towards the release position when the closure cap is inserted into the pass-through opening. Such a configuration of the locking means allows the user to insert the cleaning unit into the receiving housing without requiring prior displacement of the actuating member to the second actuating position, which further facilitates locking of the closure cap to the body.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprises a plurality of locking members angularly offset from one another with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotary brush. Such a configuration of the locking means ensures optimal locking of the closure cap on the body.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking members extend in the same extension plane. Such a configuration of the locking means confers great compactness on the closure cap.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the extension surface extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotating brush is rotationally guided in or around the cap body.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the closure cap comprises a fixed cover fixed to the cap body and partially covering the actuation member. The fixed cover and the cap body advantageously define a mounting housing in which the actuation member is mounted. The fixed cover may be provided with an access opening, for example configured to allow access to a grip provided on the actuation member.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the actuating member includes a reading mark and the closure cap includes a release mark that is non-rotatable relative to the cap body, the reading mark being arranged opposite the release mark when the actuating member occupies the second actuating position. Advantageously, the release mark is provided on the fixed cover.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotating brush is configured to be removably mounted on the receiving housing in a mounting direction extending transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the displacement direction of the suction head.

[0063] The present invention further relates to a suction head, comprising: a body including a receiving housing that opens to a lower surface of the body and is configured to be oriented toward a surface to be cleaned, a passage opening emerging within the receiving housing, and at least one locking element; A cleaning unit according to the present invention, comprising: a rotating brush removably mounted within a receiving housing; a closing cap at least partially closing the passage opening; and at least one locking member cooperating with at least one locking element.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking element includes at least one stop surface configured to be abutted by the at least one locking member when the at least one locking member occupies the locked position, the at least one stop surface configured to prevent displacement of the closure cap relative to the body in a direction to remove the rotating brush from the receiving housing.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one stop surface has a normal substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating brush.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking element comprises at least one lock housing configured to be engaged by the at least one locking member when the at least one locking member occupies the locked position. Advantageously, the at least one lock housing is partially defined by a stop surface.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one lock housing extends at least partially around the passage opening.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one lock housing is a lock groove, a lock notch, or a circular lock hole.

[0069] According to another embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking element comprises a locking rib or a locking lug with a stop surface.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one locking member and the cap body are non-rotatable relative to the receiving housing when the cap body is locked to the body.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the suction head includes a foolproof device configured to enforce a relative angular orientation between the closure cap and the body when the cap body is inserted into the passage opening.

[0072] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the foolproof device includes at least one foolproof element, such as a foolproof rib, provided on the closure cap, and at least one foolproof member, such as a foolproof groove, provided on the body.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the invention, the passage opening is provided in a side surface of the body.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the suction head includes a drive device configured to drive the rotary brush in rotation about the axis of rotation.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotating brush includes a first end configured to be rotationally coupled to a drive device and a second end supported by the closure cap and mounted so as to be rotationally movable relative to the closure cap.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the body comprises a sole plate with a lower surface adapted to be directed towards the surface to be cleaned and with a suction orifice opening on the lower surface. Advantageously, the receiving housing opens on the lower surface of the sole plate via the suction orifice.

[0077] In any event, the invention will be better understood by means of the description that follows, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings which show, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this suction head. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0078] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a partial three-quarter front view of a suction head according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial three-quarter front view of the suction head of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of the suction head of FIG. 1, with the fixing cover of the closure cap of the suction head removed; FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a partial perspective view of the suction head of FIG. 1, with the cleaning unit of the suction head removed; FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the suction head of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of the closure cap showing the locking member in a locked position. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view of the closure cap showing the locking member in a locked position. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the closure cap showing the locking member in a locked position. [Figure 9]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an actuating member and a locking member belonging to the closure cap. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cap body of the closure cap. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the closure cap showing the locking member in a locked position. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the closure cap showing the locking member in the released position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0079] Detailed Description 1-12 show a suction head 2 with a connecting sleeve 3, to which the end of a rigid or flexible tube is intended to be connected, which is itself connected to the 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, but these variants are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail in the present patent application.

[0080] The suction head 2 comprises a body 4 configured to be placed on the surface to be cleaned. The body 4 comprises a sole plate 5 with a lower surface 6 configured to be oriented towards the surface to be cleaned, and a suction orifice 7 opening into the lower surface 6. The suction orifice 7 communicates, in particular with the connection sleeve 3, at least in part by means of a connecting passage formed, for example, by a flexible connecting conduit. The suction orifice 7 may, for example, have an elongated shape and extend transversely, for example perpendicularly, to the direction of displacement D1 of the suction head 2.

[0081] The body 4 further comprises a receiving housing 9 which opens onto the underside 6 of the sole plate 5 via a suction orifice 7 and which is fluidly connected to the connecting passage. Thus, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, the receiving housing 9 forms a suction chamber.

[0082] The suction head 2 also comprises a cleaning unit 11 including a rotating brush 12 which is rotationally movably mounted in the receiving housing 9 along a rotation axis A substantially coinciding with the central axis of the rotating brush 12. Advantageously, the rotating brush 12 is removably mounted in the receiving housing 9 and configured to be inserted into and removed from the receiving housing 9 along a mounting direction D2 which extends transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the direction of displacement D1 of the suction head 2.

[0083] 4, the main body 4 includes a passage opening 13 that opens into the receiving housing 9, through which the rotating brush 12 can be inserted into and removed from the receiving housing 9. Advantageously, the passage opening 13 is provided on a lateral surface of the main body 4.

[0084] 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 outer surface of the brush body 14. Advantageously, the brush body 14 is cylindrical with a circular cross section, and the rotating brush 12 comprises one or more rows of bristles, which for example extend spirally around the central axis of the rotating brush 12. According to an embodiment not shown, the row of bristles could be replaced by an elastically deformable strip or a foam cleaning sleeve.

[0085] The cleaning unit 11 further comprises a closure cap 16 configured to at least partially close the passage opening 13 when the rotating brush 12 is mounted in the receiving housing 9 .

[0086] The closure cap 16 comprises a cap body 17 and locking means configured to lock the cap body 17 to the main body 4 .

[0087] The locking means includes at least one locking member 18, advantageously three locking members 18, which are movably mounted relative to the cap body 17 between a locked position in which the locking member 18 cooperates with at least one locking element 19, for example a single locking element 19, provided on the body 4 to prevent the rotary brush 12 from being removed from the receiving housing 9, and a released position in which the locking member 18 releases the locking element 19 and allows the rotary brush 12 to be removed from the receiving housing 9.

[0088] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the locking element 19 is formed by a single lock housing, such as a lock groove, extending at least partially around the through opening 13, and each locking member 18 is configured to engage within the lock housing when the locking member 18 occupies the locked position. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the locking means may comprise a plurality of locking elements 19, for example formed by lock housings, such as lock grooves, that are angularly offset from one another with respect to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12 and into each of which a respective locking member 18 would be intended to be received.

[0089] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking element 19 comprises one or more stop surfaces 190 (see FIG. 3 ) configured to be abutted by the locking member 18 when the locking member 18 occupies the locked position. The stop surfaces 190 are configured to prevent displacement of the closure cap 16 relative to the body 4 in a direction that would remove the rotating brush 12 from the receiving housing 9. The or each stop surface 190 may, for example, have a normal that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the rotating brush 12.

[0090] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking elements 18 are distributed around the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12 and extend in the same extension plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation A of the rotating brush 12. Advantageously, each locking element 18 has an overall S-shape and comprises a first curved portion 18.1 with a recess oriented towards the inside of the closure cap 16 and a second curved portion 18.2 with a recess oriented towards the outside of the closure cap 16.

[0091] The locking members 18 are configured to protrude from the outer peripheral surface 21 of the cap body 17 when the locking members 18 occupy the locked position (see Figures 6-8), and are configured to be recessed from or substantially flush with the outer peripheral surface 21 of the cap body 17 when the locking members 18 occupy the released position (see Figure 12). According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the cap body 17 includes a plurality of passage orifices 22 provided in the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 17, and each of the locking members 18 is configured to protrude through a respective passage orifice 22 when the locking members 18 occupy the locked position.

[0092] Advantageously, when the cap body 17 is locked to the main body 4 , the locking member 18 and the cap body 17 are non-rotatable relative to the receiving housing 9 .

[0093] The closure cap 16 also comprises an actuating member 23 configured to displace the locking member 18 from a locked position to a released position, the actuating member 23 being manually actuable from outside the suction head 2 when the cap body 17 is locked to the main body 4. Advantageously, the locking member 18 is rotatably fixed to the actuating member 23. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking member 18 and the actuating member 23 are integrally manufactured, i.e. are a single piece.

[0094] 9 and 11 , each locking member 18 extends partially around the actuating member 23 and includes an elongated, resiliently deformable connecting branch 181 extending from the actuating member 23, for example from the outer circumferential surface of the actuating member 23, and a locking portion 182 extending from the respective connecting branch 181 and configured to cooperate with at least one locking element 19 provided on the body 4. Each connecting branch 181 extends at least partially around the actuating member 23, and thus around the rotation axis A. Advantageously, each connecting branch 181 is connected to the actuating member 23 at a respective connection region 183, and each locking portion 182 and the respective connection region 183 are angularly offset with respect to the rotation axis A.

[0095] According to the illustrated embodiment, the locking portion 182 of each locking member 18 is formed at the distal end of the respective locking member 18. Advantageously, each locking portion 182 takes the form of a locking bung formed at the distal end of the respective locking member 18.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 11, the locking portion 182 of each locking member 18 has a maximum width that is greater than the maximum width of the respective connecting branch 181.

[0097] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the actuating member 23 is mounted to be rotationally movable relative to the cap body 17 between a first actuating position (see FIG. 2) and a second actuating position (see FIG. 12) about an actuating axis that is colinear with the rotation axis A of the rotating brush 12. The actuating member 23 and the locking member 18 are configured such that rotation of the actuating member 23 from the first actuating position to the second actuating position causes displacement of the locking member 18 from the locked position to the released position.

[0098] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the cap body 17 includes a plurality of deformation ramps 24, each including a deformation surface 25 configured to elastically deform the connecting branch 181 of the respective locking member 18 when the locking member 18 is displaced into the release position. Advantageously, each deformation surface 25 extends transversely to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12 and is curved. Each deformation surface 25 may, for example, have an arc shape or a gradual radius of curvature. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each deformation surface 25 extends substantially to the respective passage orifice 22.

[0099] More specifically, the deformation surfaces 25 and the locking members 18 are configured such that, when the locking members 18 are displaced toward the released position, each locking member 18 is elastically compressed by the respective deformation surface 25 in a compression direction and has at least one component oriented radially with respect to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12 and toward the inside of the closure cap 16, and when the locking members 18 occupy the released position, each locking member 18 is elastically and automatically relaxed in a relaxation direction toward the locked position and has at least one component oriented radially with respect to the rotation axis A of the rotary brush 12 and toward the outside of the closure cap 16. Furthermore, when the locking members 18 occupy the released position, the locking members 18 are configured to elastically bias the operating member 23 toward the first operating position.

[0100] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the connecting branch 181 of each locking member 18 is configured to slide on the respective deformation surface 25, and when the actuating member 23 is displaced from the first actuating position to the second actuating position, the connecting branch 181 is elastically deformed towards the rotation axis A, resulting in the displacement of the respective locking portion 182 to the release position.

[0101] Advantageously, the cap body 17 further comprises a plurality of guide members 26, such as guide walls, each extending substantially to a respective passage orifice 22. Each guide member 26 is configured to guide, for example substantially radially, the locking portion 182 of the respective locking member 18 when the respective locking member 18 is displaced between the locked position and the released position. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the deformation surfaces 25 and the guide members 26 associated with the same passage orifice 22 are arranged on either side of the passage orifice 22.

[0102] The closure cap 16 also includes an angular stroke limiting device configured to limit the angular stroke of the actuating member 23 relative to the cap body 17. The angular stroke limiting device more particularly includes a first end-of-travel stop configured to prevent rotation of the actuating member 23 in a first rotational direction beyond a second operating position, and a second end-of-travel stop configured to prevent rotation of the actuating member 23 in a second rotational direction beyond the first operating position. Advantageously, each of the first and second end-of-travel stops includes a contact area configured to abut against a respective abutment surface provided on the cap body 17 and rotationally fixed to the actuating member 23. The two abutment surfaces may be provided, for example, on abutment protrusions provided on the actuating member 23.

[0103] The closure cap 16 further includes a grip portion 28 configured to be gripped by a user, for example, to enable removal of the rotary brush 12 from the receiving housing 9. The grip portion 28 may have, for example, a rectangular shape or another shape. More particularly, the grip portion 28 is configured to displace the actuating member 23 from the first actuating position to the second actuating position when a rotational torque is applied to the grip portion 28 by the user.

[0104] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the closure cap 16 comprises a fixed cover 29 fixed to the cap body 17. The fixed cover 29 and the cap body 17 define a mounting housing 31 to which the actuating member 23 and the connecting branch 181 are mounted. Advantageously, the fixed cover 29 includes an access opening 32 configured to partially cover the actuating member 23 and to allow access to the grip 28 provided on the actuating member 23.

[0105] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the actuating member 23 includes a read mark, which may be formed, for example, by one end of the gripping portion 28, and the fixed cover 29 includes a release mark 34. The read mark is configured to be positioned opposite the release mark 34 when the actuating member 23 occupies the second actuated position.

[0106] Advantageously, the suction head 2 comprises a foolproof device 35 configured to impose a relative angular orientation between the closure cap 16 and the body 4 when the cap body 17 is inserted into the passage opening 13. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the foolproof device 35 comprises a pair of foolproof elements, such as two foolproof ribs, provided on the cap body 17, and the passage opening 13 has a non-circular shape.

[0107] The suction head 2 also includes a drive device 36 configured to drive the rotating brush 12 in rotation about its axis of rotation A. The drive device 36 more particularly comprises an electric drive motor 37, the output axis of which can 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 37 is housed in the brush body 14 of the rotating brush 12. Advantageously, the rotating brush 12 includes a first end portion 12.1 configured to be supported by a support element provided on the body 4 and mounted so as to be rotationally movable relative to it, and a second end portion 12.2 supported by the closure cap 16 and mounted so as to be rotationally movable relative to it.

[0108] To remove the rotating brush 12 from the receiving housing 9, for example to clean or replace the rotating brush 12, a user applies torque to the grip portion 28 to displace the actuating member 23 to the second actuated position. Such displacement of the actuating member 23 results in displacement of the locking member 18 to the release position. Thereafter, the user can easily remove the rotating brush 12 from the receiving housing 9 by applying a pulling force to the grip portion 28 in order to clean or replace the rotating brush 12.

[0109] When the user wishes to reposition the rotating brush 12 in the receiving housing 9, he inserts the rotating brush 12 into the receiving housing 9 until it engages with the drive 36 and the closing cap 16 at least partially closes the passage opening 13. At this time, the locking member 18 elastically and automatically relaxes towards the locked position and locks the cap body 17 to the main body 4 of the suction head 2. Such deformation of the locking member 18, in cooperation with the respective deformation surfaces 25 of each connecting branch 181, causes the displacement of the actuating member 23 into the first actuating position.

[0110] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking portion 182 of each locking member 18 includes a chamfer 182·1 configured to cooperate with the main body 4 to bias each locking member 18 towards the release position when inserting the closure cap 16 into the through-opening 13. Such a configuration of the locking means allows the user to insert the cleaning unit 11 into the receiving housing 9 without requiring prior displacement of the actuating member 23 into the second actuated position, which further facilitates locking of the closure cap 16 to the main body 4.

[0111] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the described and illustrated embodiments, which are provided by way of example only: modifications remain possible, in particular in terms of the arrangement of the various elements or by the substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning unit (11) for a suction head (2), said cleaning unit (11) comprising: a rotating brush (12) rotatably movable about a rotation axis (A) and configured to be removably mounted in a receiving housing (9) defined by the body (4) of said suction head (2); a closure cap (16) configured to at least partially close a passage opening (13) provided in the main body (4), through which the rotating brush (12) can be inserted into and removed from the receiving housing (9), the rotating brush (12) being rotatable relative to the closure cap (16), the closure cap (16) comprising: A cap body (17); a locking means configured to lock the cap body (17) to the main body (4), the locking means including at least one locking member (18) movable relative to the cap body (17) between a locked 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) to prevent removal of the rotating brush (12) from the receiving housing (9), and a released position, in which the at least one locking member (18) is configured to release the at least one locking element (19) to allow removal of the rotating brush (12) from the receiving housing (9); an actuating member (23) movably mounted to the cap body (17) between a first actuating position and a second actuating position, the actuating member (23) and the at least one locking member (18) being configured such that displacement of the actuating member (23) from the first actuating position to the second actuating position causes displacement of the at least one locking member (18) from the locked position to the released position; The cleaning unit (11) is characterized in that the at least one locking member (18) is elastically deformable, and the closure cap (16) is configured such that when the at least one locking member (18) is displaced toward the release position, the at least one locking member (18) is elastically compressed, and when the at least one locking member (18) occupies the release position, the at least one locking member (18) is elastically relaxed toward the lock position.

2. 2. A cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that when the at least one locking member (18) is displaced towards the release position, the at least one locking member (18) is configured to be elastically compressed in a compression direction and has at least one component oriented radially with respect to the rotation axis (A) of the rotating brush (12) and towards the inside of the closure cap (16), and when the at least one locking member (18) occupies the release position, the at least one locking member (18) is configured to be at least partially relaxed in a relaxation direction towards the locking position and has at least one component oriented radially with respect to the rotation axis (A) of the rotating brush (12) and towards the outside of the closure cap (16).

3. 3. A cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one locking member (18) is movably fixed relative to the actuating member (23) at least during displacement of the actuating member (23) from the first actuating position to the second actuating position.

4. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one locking member (18) and the actuating member (23) are integrally formed.

5. 5. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 1, wherein the cap body (17) includes at least one deformation surface (25) configured to elastically deform the at least one locking member (18) when the at least one locking member (18) is displaced to the release position.

6. 6. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when the at least one locking member (18) occupies the release position, the at least one locking member (18) is configured to elastically bias the actuating member (23) towards the first actuating position.

7. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one locking member (18) comprises an elongated, elastically deformable connecting branch (181) extending from the actuating member (23), and a locking portion (182) extending from the connecting branch (181) and configured to cooperate with the at least one locking element (19) provided on the main body (4).

8. 8. A cleaning unit (11) according to claim 7, characterized in that the connecting branch (181) extends at least partially around the actuating member (23).

9. 9. A cleaning unit (11) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the locking portion (182) is formed at a distal end of the at least one locking member (18).

10. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the connecting branch (181) is connected to the actuating member (23) at a connection region (183), and the locking portion (182) and the connection region (183) are angularly offset with respect to the rotation axis (A).

11. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the locking portion (182) has a first maximum width, and the connecting branch (181) has a second maximum width that is narrower than the first maximum width.

12. 12. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one locking member (18) comprises a first curved portion (18.1) having a recess oriented towards the inside of the closure cap (16) and a second curved portion (18.2) having a recess oriented towards the outside of the closure cap (16).

13. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the at least one locking member (18) has a general S-shape.

14. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the at least one locking member (18) is configured to protrude from an outer periphery (21) of the cap body (17) when the at least one locking member (18) is in the locked position.

15. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the actuating member (23) is mounted so as to be rotationally movable about an actuating axis that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis (A) of the rotating brush (12).

16. 16. A cleaning unit (11) according to claim 15, characterized in that the closure cap (16) includes an angular stroke limiting device configured to limit the angular stroke of the actuating member (23) relative to the cap body (17).

17. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the actuating member (23) includes a grip portion (28) configured to be grasped by a user.

18. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the locking means comprises a plurality of locking members (18) angularly offset from one another with respect to the rotation axis (A) of the rotating brush (12).

19. 19. The cleaning unit (11) according to claim 18, characterized in that the locking members (18) extend in the same extension plane.

20. A suction head (2), comprising: a body including a receiving housing (9) opening on the underside (6) of the body and configured to be directed towards the surface to be cleaned, a passage opening (13) emerging in said receiving housing (9), and at least one locking element (19); 20. A cleaning unit (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it comprises a rotating brush (12) removably mounted in the receiving housing (9), a closing cap at least partially closing the passage opening (13), and at least one locking member (18) cooperating with the at least one locking element (19).

21. 21. The suction head (2) according to claim 20, wherein the at least one locking element (19) comprises at least one stop surface against which the at least one locking member (18) abuts when the at least one locking member (18) occupies a locked position, the at least one stop surface being configured to prevent displacement of the closure cap (16) relative to the main body (4) in a direction to remove the rotating brush (12) from the receiving housing (9).

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