EP3326504A1 - Anti-blockage accessory for vacuum cleaning a carpet or mat which can be adapted to a vacuum cleaner suction head - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an accessory (1) suction head (100) vacuum cleaner, said suction head comprising a suction duct (101) and a sole (102) provided with an outer face and a cavity which communicates with the suction duct. The accessory (1) comprises a plate (2) provided with an inner face, an outer face (4) and a lumen which opens on said inner and outer faces. Assembly means (7) of the plate under the sole of the suction head allow the light to correspond with the cavity during said assembly. Air channeling means are configured to open upstream on the contour of the plate and downstream on the light. The invention also relates to a vacuum suction head (100) equipped with such an accessory (1).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction head for vacuuming dust and small-size waste. The invention is particularly intended to overcome the problems of blocking the suction head during the suction of a carpet-like surface or carpet having long fibers.

State of the art

Aspirators equipped with a suction head are well known on the market, they allow to clean surfaces by suction for the evacuation of dust and small size waste based on them.

The suction head traditionally comprises a body provided with a suction duct and a sole comprising an outer face and a cavity extending transversely on the head, said cavity communicating with the suction duct. The outer face of the soleplate is positioned adjacent to the surface to be sucked during the use of the suction head, with a very slight spacing with respect to the latter thanks to the presence of at least one wheel bearing on the surface to be sucked, which avoids the plating of said outer face on said surface. This at least one wheel can be arranged on the sole or on the body, below the suction head. The cavity forms with the outer face two transversely extending ridges, said edges being more or less sharp to allow the sole to scratch the surface sucked during the movements of the suction head.

When the surfaces to be sucked are of the carpeted or carpet type having long fibers, there is frequently a phenomenon of blocking of the suction head on the surface during suction.

Indeed, the long fibers rush into the cavity of the sole and close it or even the suction duct, producing a suction phenomenon.

Furthermore, this engulfment of long fibers can generate a total blockage of the suction head on the suction surface, since the sharp edges of the sole abut against the long fibers engulfed carpet or carpet.

The applicant is aware of prior art JP2001008867A and US2015121649A1 .

In the document JP2001008867A , the sole of the suction head comprises, in addition to the above-mentioned features, orifices arranged transversely on each side of the cavity, said orifices being housed in recesses on the soleplate so that when the soleplate rests on the surface to be sucked, these orifices are clear of said surface. These orifices communicate with the suction duct. Thus, when the fibers rush into the cavity and clog, the air flow continues to flow through the orifices, which prevents the aforementioned sucker phenomenon. Although beneficial when aspiring carpeted surfaces or carpet having long fibers, this implementation has the disadvantage of reducing the intake air flow rate in other cases of use where it is necessary to Aspirate smooth surfaces or coated with short fibers.

The implementation described in the document US2015121649A1 this aforementioned disadvantage of loss of flow is remedied by the presence of orifices on the lateral sides of the suction head which communicate with the suction duct, said orifices being closed by valves in normal mode of function, these valves being opening during a suction phenomenon. However, there remains the risk of blockage of the suction head when the long fibers are engulfed in the cavity and sharp edges abut these fibers.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned sucking and blocking phenomena during the suction of carpet type surfaces or carpets based on long fibers.

To this end, the invention relates to a vacuum suction head attachment, said suction head comprising a suction duct and a sole provided with an outer face and a cavity, said cavity communicating with the duct. suction.

The accessory comprises a plate provided with an inner face, an outer face and a light which opens on said inner and outer faces and which defines an opening of substantially identical shape to the cavity.

The accessory also comprises means for assembling the plate under the sole of the suction head. These assembly means are configured so that the light corresponds with the cavity during said assembly.

In addition, the accessory comprises air channeling means configured to open upstream on the contour of the plate and downstream on the light. Upstream and downstream are defined by the direction of air flow that occurs from the outline of the plate to the light.

The mounting of the accessory on the suction head ensures a continuous supply of air to the cavity during suction, which avoids any phenomenon of suction.

In addition, removing the accessory from the suction head avoids an unnecessary flow reduction when it comes to vacuum other types of more or less smooth surfaces for which there is no risk of phenomenon suction cup during aspiration.

Moreover, the presence of the accessory on the suction head allows to add a thickness under the sole, which reduces the risk of fouling long fibers of the carpet or carpet in the cavity. This prevents the suction head from being blocked during suction.

According to the accessory object of the invention, the air channeling means comprise grooves arranged on the inner face of the plate. These grooves extend from the outline of the plate to the light.

In one embodiment, the grooves extend from a leading edge of the platen to a leading edge of the lumen. Alternatively or additionally, the grooves extend from the rear edge of the plate to the rear edge of the light. Alternatively or in addition, the grooves extend from the side edges of the plate to the respective side edges of the light.

According to the accessory object of the invention, the channeling means comprise obstacle parts at the contour of the plate. These obstacles are configured to block the introduction of large waste that can obstruct the passage of air.

According to the accessory object of the invention, the assembly means comprise two tabs arranged on the lateral edges of the plate and extending on the side of the inner face. These tabs are configured to snap onto the suction head. Alternatively or additionally, the assembly means comprise at least one tab arranged on a contour of the light and extending on the side of the inner face, said at least one tab being configured to snap inside the the cavity.

According to the accessory object of the invention, the assembly means comprise pads arranged on the inner face of the plate, said pads being configured to fit into existing screw holes on the sole. This allows to properly center the plate under the sole, the interlock also participating in the maintenance of the accessory on the suction head.

According to the accessory object of the invention, the light defines with the outer face of the plate a front edge and a rear edge, said edges being softened.

This further reduces the risk of blockage of the suction head during the engulfment of long fibers in the cavity.

According to the accessory object of the invention, the outer face of the plate comprises two panels disposed respectively at the front and rear of the light, said panels being inclined outwards in the direction of the light. This allows the light to be closer to the surface to be sucked in order to scratch it during the movements of the suction head.

According to the accessory object of the invention, the plate comprises at least one opening for the passage of at least one wheel arranged under the suction head.

According to the accessory object of the invention, the outer face comprises ribs which extend from the outline of the plate to the light. These ribs also promote the infiltration of air into the cavity during aspiration.

According to the accessory object of the invention, the light comprises reinforcements that stiffen the plate.

The invention also relates to a suction suction head comprising a suction duct and a sole comprising an outer face and a cavity extending transversely on the suction head, said cavity communicating with the suction duct.

The suction head further comprises an accessory having one and / or the other of the aforementioned characteristics, said accessory being removably assembled under the sole. The light on the plate of the accessory corresponds with the cavity on the sole during assembly of said elements.

Brief description of the figures

• Les figures 1 et 2 illustrent un mode de réalisation de l'accessoire objet de l'invention selon deux angles de vues différents ;
• La figure 3 illustre un mode de réalisation de la tête de succion d'un aspirateur en position retournée ;
• Les figures 4 et 5 illustrent deux vues de la tête de succion avec l'accessoire monté dessus ;
• Les figures 6 et 7 illustrent deux vues de la tête de succion avec l'accessoire monté dessus, en position retournée.

The features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of an embodiment of the accessory and the suction head based on figures, among which:

• The Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the accessory object of the invention according to two different angles of view;
• The figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the suction head of a vacuum cleaner in the inverted position;
• The Figures 4 and 5 illustrate two views of the suction head with the accessory mounted on it;
• The Figures 6 and 7 illustrate two views of the suction head with the accessory mounted on it, in the inverted position.

detailed description

Traditionally, as illustrated by figure 3 , a suction head 100 of the vacuum cleaner (not shown) comprises a suction duct 101 and a flange 102 constituting the lower part of said head. This sole has an outer face 103 which is adjacent to the surface to be sucked during use of the vacuum cleaner. This sole 102 also has a cavity 104 on the outer face 103, this cavity 104 communicating with the suction duct 101. Two wheels 105, 106 are projecting on this outer face 103, which allows to maintain a spacing between said outer face 103 and the surface to be sucked. The sole 102 comprises four holes 107-110 distributed on the outer face 103, these four holes 107-110 allowing the passage of fixing screws for the assembly of said sole 102 on said suction head 100.

During the use of the vacuum cleaner on normal surfaces, that is to say without long fibers, the suction head 100 is directly used, without accessories, the suction duct 101 being connected to a connecting piece on body of the vacuum cleaner (not shown) either directly or through a rigid tube or hose.

On the other hand, when it is necessary to suck up surfaces with long fibers, for example carpets or carpets, the accessory 1 which is the subject of the invention is mounted on the suction head 100, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 4 to 7 .

As illustrated on Figures 1 and 2 , the accessory 1 comprises a plate 2 provided with an inner face 3, an outer face 4 and a light 5 which extends transversely on the plate 2 and which passes through the thickness of the plate 2 to open on one side on the inner face 3 and the other on the outer face 4. This light 5 is provided with reinforcements 6 to stiffen said platinum 2.

As illustrated on Figures 1, 2 , and 4 to 7 , the accessory 1 comprises two tabs 7, 8 which extend on the side of the inner face 3 at the lateral ends 2a, 2b of the plate 2. The ends 7a, 8a of these tabs 7, 8 are bent towards the inside the plate 2 so as to be arranged vis-à-vis. When the accessory 1 is mounted on the suction head 100, the tabs 7, 8 are respectively positioned on the lateral sides 100a, 100b of said head and the ends 7a, 8a snap on the upper edges 111a, 111b of said sides. lateral 100a, 100b. During the assembly of the accessory 1 on the suction head 100, the inner face 3 of the plate 2 is disposed against the outer face 103 of the sole 102, the corresponding light 5 with the cavity 104. accessory variant 1 with a central lug (not shown) arranged at the level of the light 5 and extending on the side of the inner face 3, said central lug being configured to snap into the cavity 104 configured for this purpose, when assembling the accessory 1 with the suction head 100.

As illustrated with regard to Figures 1 and 2 , the accessory 1 includes four 9-11 studs (only three are illustrated on the figure 1 ) which extend from the side of the inner face 3 on the plate 2, these pins 9 corresponding with and fitting into the four holes 107-110 on the outer face 103 of the sole 102 during assembly of the accessory 1 on the suction head 100. This reinforces the assembly between these two elements.

As illustrated with regard to Figures 1, 2 and 6 , the plate 2 comprises two openings 12, 13 which respectively receive the two wheels 105, 106 during the assembly of the accessory 1 on the suction head 100. Note on the figures 3 , 6 and 7 that the wheels 105, 106 slightly exceed the outer face 4 of the plate 2 once the assembly between said elements made. This makes it possible to maintain a very slight spacing between the light 5 and the surface to be sucked and facilitates the displacement of the suction head 100 provided with the accessory 1, on this surface to be sucked.

As illustrated with regard to Figures 1, 2 , 6 and 7 , the plate 2 comprises first grooves 14 arranged on the inner face 3. These first grooves 14 extend from a front edge 2c of the plate 2 to a front edge 5a of the light 5. These first grooves 14 open on the one hand on first orifices 15 on the front edge 2c of the plate 2 and, on the other hand, on the second orifices 16 on the front edge 5a of the light 5.

Similarly, the plate 2 comprises second grooves 17 arranged on the inner face 3. These second grooves 17 extend from a rear edge 2d of the plate 2 to a rear edge 5b of the light 5. These second grooves 17 open on the one hand on third holes 18 on the rear edge 2d of the plate 2 and, on the other hand, on fourth holes 19 on the rear edge 5b of the light 5.

When the accessory 1 is mounted on the suction head 100 and the vacuum cleaner is running, the air is sucked mainly by the light 5 to then enter the cavity 104 and the suction pipe 101. In case of entrapment of long fibers in the light 5 and the cavity 104, the air continues to infiltrate into said cavity 104 through the first grooves 14 and the second grooves 17, which prevents the suction phenomenon .

In a similar manner to the above, third and fourth grooves (not shown) could be envisaged on the inner face 3 of the plate 2, extending from the lateral edges 2a, 2b of said plate 2 to the lateral edges 5c , 5d respective of the light 5.

On the figure 2 , it is found that the first orifices 15 are of reduced size on the front edge 2c of the plate 2, which allows said front edge 2c to prevent the introduction of large waste between the inner face 3 of the plate 2 and the outer face 103 of the sole 102 so as not to obstruct the first grooves 14.

Similarly, we see on the figure 1 the third ports 18 are separated from each other by bars 20 which constitute obstacles on the rear edge 2d of the plate 2, preventing the introduction of large waste in the second grooves 17 to not obstruct them.

As illustrated with regard to figures 2 , 6 and 7 , the plate 2 comprises on its outer face 4 front ribs 21 which extend from the front edge 2c of said plate 2 to the front edge 5a of the light 5. Similarly, the rear ribs 22 extend from the rear edge 2d of the plate to the rear edge 5b of the light on this outer face 4. Similarly, lateral ribs 23, 24 extend respectively between the lateral edges 2a, 2b of the plate 2 and the lateral edges 5c, 5d 5. These grooves 21-24 also promote the introduction of air into the cavity.

As illustrated in figure 2 , the light 5 and the outer face 4 define two front and rear edges 26 at the front edges 5a and 5b of said rear light 5. Preferably, these front edges 25 and rear 26 are softened to further reduce the risks of blocking long fibers that can rush into said lumen 5 and into the cavity 104, which prevents the blocking of the suction head 100 with the accessory 1 during the suction of the surface.

As illustrated on figures 2 , 6 and 7 light 5 separates the outer face 4 of the plate into two sides 4a, 4b. These two sections 4a, 4b are inclined slightly outwards in the direction of the light 5, which promotes the scraping of the suctioned surface during the displacement of the suction head 100 provided with the accessory 1.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, torn-or-fiber textile strips are positioned on either side of the light 5.

During the use of the vacuum cleaner, the suction head 100 may be used alone to suck a surface, for example tiled or parquet. When the surface to be sucked changes and suction phenomena occur, especially when the user begins to suck a rug or carpet, the accessory 1 can be reported very simply by snapping on the suction head 100, thus mitigating said suction phenomenon.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment is not limiting in nature. Thus, many variants may be considered in the context of the invention.

Claims (15)

Accessory (1) suction head (100) of vacuum cleaner, said suction head comprising a suction duct (101) and a sole (102) provided with an outer face (103) and a cavity (104) ) which communicates with the suction duct, characterized in that it comprises: - a plate (2) provided with an inner face (3), an outer face (4) and a slot (5) which opens on said inner and outer faces, - Assembly means (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) of the plate under the sole of the suction head, said connecting means being configured so that the light corresponds with the cavity during said assembly, and air channeling means (14, 17) configured to open upstream on the contour (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) of the plate and downstream on the light. Accessory (1) according to claim 1, wherein the air channeling means comprise grooves (14, 17) arranged on the inner face (3) of the plate (2) which extend from the contour (2a, 2b , 2c, 2d) from the stage to the light (5). Accessory (1) according to claim 2, wherein the grooves (14) extend from a front edge (2c) of the plate (2) to a front edge (5a) of the light (5). Accessory (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the grooves (17) extend from the rear edge (2d) of the plate (2) to the rear edge (5b) of the light (5). ). Accessory (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the grooves extend from the lateral edges (2a, 2b) of the plate (2) to the respective lateral edges (5c, 5d) of the light (5). Accessory (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the channeling means comprise obstacle parts (20) at the contour (2c, 2d) of the plate (2) configured to block the introduction large garbage can obstruct the passage of air. Accessory (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly means comprise two lugs (7, 8) arranged on the lateral edges (2a, 2b) of the plate (2) and extending on the side of the inner face (3), said tabs being configured to snap onto the suction head (100). Accessory (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly means comprise at least one tab arranged on the contour (5a, 5b) of the light (5) and extending on the side of the inner face ( 3), said at least one tab being configured to snap into the cavity (104). Accessory (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly means comprise pads (9, 10, 11) arranged on the inner face (3), said pads being configured to fit into holes ( 107-110) of existing screws on the sole (102). Accessory (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light (5) defines with the outer face (4) of the plate (2) a front edge (25) and a rear edge (26), said edges being softened. Accessory (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer face (4) of the plate comprises two sides (4a, 4b) respectively disposed at the front and rear of the light (5), said temples being inclined outwards towards the light. Accessory (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate (2) comprises at least one opening (12, 13) for the passage of at least one wheel (105, 106) arranged under the suction head ( 100). Accessory (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer face (4) comprises ribs (21-24) which extend from the contour (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) of the plate (2) to the light (5). Accessory (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light (5) comprises reinforcements (6). Vacuum suction head (100) comprising a suction duct (101) and a flange (102) comprising an outer face (103) and a cavity (104) extending transversely on the suction head, said cavity communicating with the suction duct, said suction head comprising an accessory (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14 removably assembled under the sole, the light (5) on the plate (2) of the corresponding accessory with the cavity on the sole during assembly of said elements.

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