CN111202467A

CN111202467A - Multifunctional vacuum cleaner nozzle

Info

Publication number: CN111202467A
Application number: CN201911147861.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: H·斯塔夫; N·伊克斯托姆
Original assignee: Electrolux AB
Current assignee: Electrolux AB
Priority date: 2018-11-21
Filing date: 2019-11-21
Publication date: 2020-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-21
Also published as: EP3656267B1; EP4062815A1; EP4062815B1; CN111202467B; EP3656267A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle with a nozzle head (103) having at least one suction opening through which suction opening air can enter the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The vacuum cleaner nozzle further comprises at least one movable sled (108) and at least one retractable brush (109) configured to slide over the surface to be cleaned in at least one mode of operation. The vacuum cleaner nozzle is configured to be selectively operable in at least three modes of operation. Each of the at least three modes of operation is achieved by moving at least one of the retractable brush and the at least one slide plate with respect to the nozzle head. The movement will typically be vertical when the nozzle head is used on a horizontal surface. Thereby, a plurality of operation modes is achieved in an efficient way which is capable of providing different operation modes adapted to different surfaces. Different modes of operation can be achieved by moving only the retractable brush and the sled. Thus, there is no need for any additional arrangement of, for example, configurable wheels to provide multiple (at least three) modes of operation.

Description

Multifunctional vacuum cleaner nozzle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner. More particularly, the present invention relates to a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner which is operable in a plurality of operating modes.

Background

A common nozzle for vacuum cleaners usually comprises a brush which is retractable into the nozzle head of the nozzle in order to adapt the nozzle to different surfaces to be cleaned. The nozzle is adapted for use with carpets when the brush is retracted and for use with hard floors when the brush is extended.

There are also vacuum cleaner nozzles having three modes of operation. For example, EP3151711 describes a mechanism arranged to set the brush and the supporting means to three different settings: in a first setting the brush and the support means are fully retracted into the nozzle head; in a second setting, at least a part of the brush is partly retracted into the nozzle head and the support means extends further out of the nozzle head than said part of the brush, so that a gap is formed between said part of the brush and the surface to be cleaned; and in a third setting, the brush is fully extended.

There is a continuing desire to improve various aspects of the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved vacuum cleaner nozzle.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vacuum cleaner nozzle.

This and/or other objects are achieved by the device defined in the appended claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner nozzle is provided. The vacuum cleaner may include a nozzle head having at least one suction inlet through which suction inlet air enters the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The vacuum cleaner nozzle further comprises at least one movable sled configured to slide over the surface to be cleaned in at least one mode of operation and at least one retractable brush. The vacuum cleaner nozzle is configured to be selectively operable in at least three modes of operation. Each of the at least three modes of operation is achieved by moving at least one of the retractable brush and the at least one slide plate relative to the nozzle head. When the nozzle head is used on a horizontal surface, the movement will typically be vertical. Thereby, a plurality of operation modes can be achieved in an efficient manner, i.e. different modes can be provided which are adapted to different surfaces. Different modes of operation are achieved by moving only the retractable brush and the sled. Thus, no additional arrangements (e.g. configurable wheels) are required to provide multiple (at least three) modes of operation.

According to one embodiment, in a first mode of operation, the vacuum cleaner nozzle is configured to bring the at least one retractable brush into an engaged position contacting the surface to be cleaned. Thereby, an operation mode is achieved which is advantageous for use on hard ground.

According to one embodiment, in the second mode of operation, the vacuum cleaner nozzle is configured to have the at least one slidable plate in a floating position. Thereby, a multifunctional mode of operation is obtained, which is effectively used for surfaces with different properties or as a multipurpose mode for hard floors and/or carpets.

According to one embodiment, in a third mode of operation, the vacuum cleaner nozzle is configured to have the at least one sled in an engaged position contacting the surface to be cleaned. Thereby, an operation mode is achieved which is advantageously used on carpets or the like.

According to one embodiment, the slide plate is spring-loaded by a spring. Thereby, an efficient mechanism is obtained which can achieve the movement of the slide. The force of the spring may be set in response to the vacuum force of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

According to one embodiment, the slide is provided with an indication of one brush opening. Thereby, the brush, in particular the front brush, may extend through the sledge.

According to an embodiment, the at least one retractable brush is configured to move through the at least one brush opening. Hereby, an efficient setting of the mode selection of the operation mode of the vacuum cleaner nozzle is achieved by positioning the brush in different positions with respect to the sledge in different operation modes.

According to an embodiment, the at least one retractable brush is configured to seal the at least one brush opening when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is in the second mode of operation. Thus, the second mode of operation may reduce noise and may also provide efficiency.

According to one embodiment, the brush end of the at least one retractable brush is flush with the slide plate when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is in said second mode of operation. Thereby, an effective seal is obtained.

According to one embodiment, the at least three operating modes are configured to be selectable using a selector located on a top surface of the nozzle head. Thus, the user can easily select different operation modes.

According to one embodiment, the slide plate is provided with a rounded front section. Thereby, the slide plate can more easily walk on the carpet and more easily collect large particles under the slide plate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising at least one suction inlet through which suction inlet air may enter the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The vacuum cleaner nozzle has at least one skid plate and at least one brush. At least one brush extends through at least one brush opening in the sled. Thereby, an efficient vacuum cleaner nozzle is obtained. For example, it is convenient to implement multiple modes of operation.

According to one embodiment, the at least one brush is retractable. Thereby, a retracted mode of operation of the brush is achieved such that the sled contacts the surface.

According to an embodiment, in one mode of operation, the at least one retractable brush is configured to seal the at least one brush opening. Thereby, a silent operation mode is obtained.

According to one embodiment, the at least one retractable brush is flush with the slide plate when in an operational mode in which the at least one opening is sealed. Thereby, an efficient silent operation mode is obtained.

The invention also extends to a vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle according to the above.

Drawings

The invention will be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a general view of a vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a plurality of settings;

figures 3 and 4 are views showing the vacuum cleaner nozzle in a first setting for a first mode of operation;

figures 5 and 6 are views showing the vacuum cleaner nozzle in a second setting for a second mode of operation;

figures 7 and 8 are views showing the vacuum cleaner nozzle in a third setting for a third mode of operation;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a spring-loaded slide plate;

figure 10 is a bottom view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

Detailed Description

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided as examples to provide full and complete disclosure, and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, the same or similar components of different embodiments may be interchanged between different embodiments. For example, when three modes of operation are given, additional modes of operation are contemplated. Also, while the nozzle is shown as having four wheels, other numbers of wheels are possible. Certain components may be omitted in different embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

In fig. 1, a general view of a vacuum cleaner 100 is shown. The vacuum cleaner 100 is provided with a vacuum cleaner nozzle 101.

In fig. 2, the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 is depicted in more detail. The vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 comprises a nozzle head 103 and a connector outlet 102, the connector outlet 102 being for connecting the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 to a wand (wand) or hose of the vacuum cleaner 100. The connector outlet 102 may be provided with a locking mechanism for maintaining a locked connection of the vacuum cleaner nozzle to the wand or hose. The vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 further comprises a selector 104, the selector 104 being arranged to selectively set the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 in at least three different operating modes. The selector 104 is advantageously arranged on the top side of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 for easy access by the user. By operating the selector 104, the user can choose to selectively operate the vacuum cleaner in at least three operating modes. According to embodiments described herein, each of the at least three modes of operation is achieved by moving at least one of the retractable brush and the at least one sled relative to the nozzle head 103 when the vacuum cleaner is used on a horizontal surface to be cleaned. Movement of the retractable brush and/or the at least one sled is effected by operation of the selector 104. The different modes of operation of the alternative vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 will now be described in more detail in connection with figures 3-8.

In fig. 3, a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 along the section a-a in fig. 2 is shown. In fig. 3, the selector 104 is in the first position. When the selector is in the first position, the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 is configured to operate in a first mode of operation. This first mode of operation may be referred to as a hard-ground mode. The vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 is provided with a slide plate 108, the slide plate 108 forming the bottom side of the nozzle head 103. When the vacuum cleaner 100 is in use, the sled 108 faces the surface to be cleaned. In the hard floor mode, the nozzle head 103 is supported by

several wheels

105, 106 and the nozzle head 103 can roll on the floor by means of the

wheels

105, 106. In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 3, the nozzle head has 4 wheels, two rear wheels 105 and two front wheels 106. Other wheel configurations and numbers are possible. Also, the rear brush 107 may be fixedly attached to the nozzle head 103 and contact the floor when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is operating in a hard floor mode.

In fig. 4, a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 along the section C-C in fig. 3 is shown. In the hard floor mode, the retractable front brush 109 is in an extended position, wherein the front brush 109 extends through at least one opening in the skid plate 108. The front brush 109 is then arranged to contact the surface to be cleaned and the nozzle head 103 is rolled over the

wheels

105, 106. When in the hard floor mode, the sled 108 may be in a fixed retracted position. Thus, in the hard floor mode, the selector may be adapted to extend the front brush 109 through the opening(s) in the slide plate and simultaneously bring the slide plate 108 in a fixed position relative to the nozzle head 103. The slide plate 108 has a smooth front edge. The smooth front edge forms a rounded front section 118 of the sled 108. The rounded front section 118 makes it easier for the sled 108 to walk on the carpet and to collect large particles below the sled 108. For example, the bottom side of the rounded front section 118 has a front tip that is 1-5mm higher, especially 2-3mm higher, than the rest of the skateboard base. The entire bottom of the sled is continuous and smooth from the front end back, and particularly back to the rear brush 109.

In fig. 5, a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 along the section a-a in fig. 2 is shown. In fig. 5, the selector 104 is in the second position. When the selector is in the second position, the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 is configured to operate in a second mode of operation. The second mode of operation may be referred to as a smart/float mode. In the smart/float mode, the nozzle head 103 is supported by

several wheels

105, 106, and the nozzle head 103 can be rolled on the ground, as in the ground mode, by means of the

wheels

105, 106. Also, optionally, the rear brush 107 may be fixedly attached to the nozzle head 103 and contact the floor when the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 is operating in the smart mode.

In fig. 6, a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 along the section D-D in fig. 5 is shown. In the smart mode, the retractable front brush 109 is in a retracted position, wherein the front brush 109 is retracted above the sled 108. The nozzle head 103 rolls on

wheels

105, 106. The slide plate 108 is in a levitated, spring-loaded mode. This will be described in more detail in connection with fig. 9. In such a levitation mode, the slide plate 108 is configured to move generally vertically between different positions, which is achieved under the influence of the vacuum force created by the air blown through the nozzle head 103 and under the reaction exerted by the spring. Thereby, a floating position may be created, wherein the slide plate is able to move between different positions. For example, the slide plate 108 may be suspended a few millimeters (e.g., 2-5mm or about 3-4mm) above the ground surface as the nozzle head 103 rolls over the ground surface. On the other hand, when the nozzle head 103 is moved over the carpet, the vacuum force becomes greater than the spring force and the spring-loaded slide plate 108 contacts the carpet to effectively clean the carpet. The smart mode will therefore be used to provide effective cleaning for different types of surfaces. This is due to the ability of the slide plate to be moved between different positions and also due to the ability of the front brush to extend through the slide plate. The spring force will be sized in response to the vacuum force. Thus, the spring force of the spring may be adapted such that the sledge has different positions for different surfaces, since the vacuum force will be different due to the difference of the surfaces.

In fig. 7, a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 along the section a-a in fig. 2 is shown. In fig. 7, the selector 104 is in the third position. When the selector is in the third position, the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 is configured to operate in a third mode of operation. This third mode of operation may be referred to as a carpet mode. In the carpet mode, the sled 108 is placed in the locked extended position by the selector 104. Also, optionally, the rear brush 107 may be fixedly attached to the nozzle head 103 and contact the floor when the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 is operating in carpet mode.

In fig. 8, a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 of section B-B in fig. 5 is shown. In the carpet mode, the retractable front brush 109 is placed in a position in which the brush end of the front brush 109 is flush with the opening of the sled 108. By placing the brush end of the front brush flush with the opening of the sled, the front brush will act as a seal for the opening. Thereby, a reduction of the noise level is achieved. Also, the suction capacity is increased because the loss through the opening is reduced.

In fig. 9, a cross-sectional view of section F-F in fig. 6 is shown. According to the exemplary embodiment of fig. 9, a spring 110 suspending the slide plate may be attached to a hook 111 holding the slide plate. The spring 110 may be sized to provide a spring biasing force that suspends the sled. The spring force may be such that the slide plate is in a retracted position when the nozzle head 103 is moved over the floor. The downward force of the vacuum on the slide plate increases as the nozzle head moves over the carpet or the like, at which time the vacuum force is greater than the spring force and the slide plate moves to a more extended position.

In fig. 10, a bottom view of the nozzle head 103 of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 101 is shown. The vacuum cleaner nozzle 103 has a suction inlet 113, and suction inlet air enters the vacuum cleaner nozzle through the suction inlet 113. Fig. 10 shows the brush opening 112 in the sled 108. The brush opening 112 provides space for the front brush to extend through (and retract through) the sled 108. Any suitable number of brush openings 112 may be provided in the sled 108, for example, 1-10 brush openings may be provided. In particular, 3-6 brush openings may be provided. In the example shown in fig. 10, 5 brush openings 112 are provided. The brush opening is preferably elongate in shape and may be provided as a slit in the slide plate 108. The size of the brush opening 112 preferably matches the size of the front brush. Thus, the brush end of the front brush is set to be flush with the sled as described above, and the front brush may seal the brush opening 112 in the sled 108.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (101), the vacuum cleaner nozzle (101) comprising:

-a nozzle head (103), the nozzle head (103) having at least one suction opening (113), suction opening air entering the vacuum cleaner nozzle through the at least one suction opening (113),

-at least one movable sled (108), the at least one movable sled (108) being configured to slide over a surface to be cleaned in at least one mode of operation,

-at least one retractable brush (109),

the vacuum cleaner nozzle is configured to be selectively operable in at least three modes of operation, and wherein each of the at least three modes of operation is achieved by moving at least one of:

-the retractable brush (109), and

-the at least one skid plate (108), wherein

In a first mode of operation, the vacuum cleaner nozzle is configured such that the at least one retractable brush is in an engaged/extended position to contact a surface to be cleaned,

in a second mode of operation, the vacuum cleaner nozzle is configured such that the at least one sled is in a floating position and the at least one retractable brush is in a retracted position so as not to engage a surface to be cleaned,

in a third mode of operation, the vacuum cleaner nozzle is configured such that the at least one sled is in an engaged position to contact a surface to be cleaned.

2. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of claim 1, wherein the at least one retractable brush is disposed in front of the suction opening.

3. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of any one of claims 1-2, wherein, in the third mode of operation, the at least one retractable brush is in a retracted position to not engage a surface to be cleaned.

4. A vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any of claims 1-3, wherein a rear brush (107) is fixedly attached to the nozzle head behind the suction opening.

5. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of any one of claims 1-4, comprising a spring (110), the spring (110) being adapted to spring-load the sliding plate into the floating position.

6. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of claim 5, wherein the spring has a spring force that is sized in response to a vacuum force in the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

7. The vacuum cleaner nozzle according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the skid plate is provided with at least one brush opening (112).

8. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of claim 7, wherein the at least one retractable brush is configured to move through the at least one brush opening.

9. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the at least one retractable brush is configured to seal the at least one brush opening when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is in the second or third mode of operation.

10. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of claim 9, wherein a brush end of the at least one retractable brush is flush with the sled when the vacuum cleaner nozzle is in the second or third mode of operation.

11. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the at least three operating modes are configured to be selectable using a selector (104) located on a top surface of the nozzle head.

12. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the sled (108) has a rounded front section (118).

13. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the nozzle head comprises two or more wheels that support the nozzle head against a surface to be cleaned in at least one mode of operation.

14. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of claim 13, wherein the two or more wheels support the nozzle head in the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation.

15. A vacuum cleaner nozzle (101), the vacuum cleaner nozzle (101) comprising:

-at least one suction opening (113), through which suction opening (113) suction opening air can enter the vacuum cleaner nozzle,

-at least one slide plate (108),

-at least one brush (109),

wherein the at least one brush extends through at least one brush opening in the sled.

16. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of claim 15, wherein the at least one brush is retractable.

17. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of claim 16, wherein the at least one retractable brush is configured to seal the at least one brush opening in one mode of operation.

18. The vacuum cleaner nozzle of claim 15, wherein a brush end of the at least one retractable brush is flush with the sled when in an operational mode in which the at least one brush opening is sealed.

19. A vacuum cleaner (100), the vacuum cleaner (100) comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle (101) according to any of the claims 1-18.