CN101336817B - Suction nozzle with battery unit for a vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nozzle (1) for a dust collector (2). The nozzle comprises the following components: a casing (3); a suction opening (4) which is located on a base-side of the casing (3); a cleaning roller (6) which is rotatably supported in the casing (5) and is driven by an electric motor (5); and an accumulator apparatus (8) which supplies electricity for the electric motor (5). According to the invention, the electric motor (5) has a standard horsepower between 50 watt and 100 watt, and furthermore, the accumulator apparatus (8) has an energy density larger than 200 watt-hour/liter (Wh/l) relative to the total volume.

Description

Suction nozzles for vacuum cleaners

technical field

The invention relates to a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: a housing; a suction opening arranged on the underside of the housing; a cleaning roller which is mounted rotatably in the housing and driven by means of an electric motor; and a battery device, which supplies power to the motor. The suction nozzle can be connected to the suction pipe or the suction hose of the vacuum cleaner through the connecting piece at the rear. In such a suction nozzle, the cleaning of the floor covering is achieved in a particularly effective manner by the combination of the suction air flow through the suction nozzle and the movement of the cleaning roller. Since the suction nozzle is equipped with an accumulator device for energy supply, it does not need to be connected to an external power source during operation, so the suction nozzle can be used and operated flexibly.

Background technique

Suction nozzles having the aforementioned features are known from documents DE 3900577A1 and DE 29802879U1 and are implemented in various ways in practice. Unlike suction nozzles with cleaning rollers, which are connected to an external power source, according to the usual design criteria, such suction nozzles are equipped with a battery unit that supplies a relatively small drive motor with an electrical power of up to 30 watts. When designing the suction nozzle, in addition to the cost of the electric motor and battery device, especially the weight, reliability and overall volume of the suction nozzle also play a decisive role. In the known suction nozzle, the suction air flow is decisively used. To achieve the cleaning effect, but only to a certain extent with the help of cleaning rollers to support. In the case of known suction nozzles with battery-driven cleaning rollers, the air power in the suction nozzle is therefore significantly greater than the electrical power of the electric motor in a typical design.

Contents of the invention

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a suction nozzle with the features mentioned at the outset, which has improved cleaning performance and is easy to handle.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the electric motor has a rated power of 50 W to 100 W and the battery arrangement has an energy density of more than 200 Wh/l (Watt hours per liter) relative to its total volume. The present invention is based on the recognition that in suction nozzles of the known type the synergistic effect of both the electrically driven cleaning roller and the suction air flow cannot be utilized optimally. According to the invention, the rated power of the motor is made to be between 50 W and 100 W, whereby very reliable and thorough cleaning is possible on different textile floor coverings. Cleaning rollers typically have helical brush strips which are arranged around the circumference. In addition or alternatively, however, it is also possible, for example, to provide a thin layer of elastic material. Through the higher electrical power according to the invention, the penetration depth of the cleaning elements of the brush roller can also be increased. A high energy density of more than 200 Wh/l for the battery arrangement not only improves the cleaning effect but also enables a compact design of the suction nozzle and good handling properties of the suction nozzle.

Within the scope of a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the energy capacity of the battery device is greater than 40 Wh (Watt hours), particularly preferably 50 Wh to 100 Wh. The suction nozzle according to the invention is suitable for cleaning almost all commercially available floor coverings and can achieve good cleaning results especially on carpets and carpeted floors. Only extremely high-pile carpets (its fibers may become entangled with the cleaning roller) are not suitable for cleaning with the suction nozzle of the present invention. The energy capacities of the electric motor and the battery arrangement are preferably adjusted to each other in such a way that, independently of the type of floor covering to be cleaned by the suction nozzle, an operating time of at least 30 minutes is ensured by a single battery charge. By making the operating time sufficiently long, it is possible to avoid stopping to charge or replace the accumulator device when the suction nozzle is typically used in private housing areas. When preferably used in private housing areas, the operating time does not need to exceed 1 hour in most cases, so the maximum operating time achievable from a single battery charge should typically be 30 minutes to 1 hour. In addition to the total weight, which is preferably less than 2.5 kg and particularly preferably less than 1.5 kg in the ready state of the suction nozzle, an even weight distribution is also aimed at for better handling . Thus, the electric motor and the battery arrangement can be arranged on opposite sides of the housing in order to balance the suction nozzle, for example. It can also be provided within the scope of the invention that the battery arrangement has differently formed batteries which are arranged individually at locations spaced apart from one another. By designing the battery arrangement in this way, the available installation space can be used particularly efficiently and the weight can be distributed particularly evenly.

Within the scope of the present invention, the accumulator device can be arranged without limitation fixedly or movably on the housing or in the housing. The accumulator device can, for example, be inserted into the housing or fastened to an external support. Thus, an exchangeable design is possible, whereby a faulty or dead battery unit can be easily replaced by an existing, charged backup unit, with the result that, if required, the operating duration can also be increased immediately . In the design of the replaceable battery unit, charging can be carried out in an external charging station. In the design of the replaceable battery device, it is also preferably provided that the charging is additionally also carried out during interruptions of operation without separation from the suction nozzle. Depending on the design of the suction nozzle, the housing or the accumulator device has a conveniently accessible charging connection. Finally, as an accessory, a stand can be provided for the suction nozzle, which at the same time serves as a charging station.

The motor is usually connected to the cleaning roller through a transmission mechanism such as a belt or a gear arrangement. In principle, however, a direct drive is also conceivable even in a coaxial arrangement, the electric motor being arranged at the end of the cleaning roller or integrated in the cleaning roller. Preferably, an electronic controller is also provided for speed and/or torque control of the electric motor. The forces acting on the cleaning roller can thus depend to a very large extent on the floor to be cleaned, for example for a high-pile carpet floor, resulting in a strong frictional effect. The rotational speed and/or torque control can take place as a function of sensor signals of the suction nozzle taking into account the current intensity determined by measuring technology and/or taking into account manual inputs. Thus, for example, sensors can be provided on the housing underside of the suction nozzle, which sensors determine the floor properties or the degree of soiling. It is also conceivable to provide a switch on the upper side of the housing, whereby the user can select different working modes.

Within the scope of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the battery arrangement is based on a lithium-ion system. The battery arrangement can therefore consist of at least one lithium-ion battery, a lithium-polymer battery, a lithium-manganese dioxide battery or a lithium/lithium cobalt oxide battery. The cell structure of the lithium-polymer accumulator allows the production of thin film cells, so that the lithium-polymer accumulator can be produced in almost any shape, especially inhomogeneous shapes. Lithium-polymer batteries can fill irregular gaps and make optimal use of the space. Lithium-manganese dioxide batteries are distinguished by their particularly high operational reliability, so that no special protective circuits are necessary. In addition, lithium-manganese dioxide accumulators are relatively inexpensive to produce and do not contain heavy metals, so that they can be disposed of relatively easily in the event of waste and failure.

When the accumulator device is based on a lithium-ion system, in a preferred development of the invention, the accumulator device can comprise an accumulator with electrodes, the surfaces of which are provided with nanostructures and which are larger than smooth surfaces At least 5 times, preferably at least 10 times larger. The maximum charge and discharge current is primarily determined by the surface of the electrodes. Enlargement of the surface by nanostructuring allows very large charge and discharge currents to be obtained in accumulators with large capacities and correspondingly large amounts of electroactive material. For suction nozzles, rapid charging is possible in a very short time, for example less than 10 minutes, in particular less than 5 minutes. In addition, a higher discharge current is also provided in a particularly advantageous manner for a short time, for example for cleaning heavily soiled floor sections. Within the scope of the described battery configuration with nanostructured electrodes, it can be designed, for example, as a lithium-nanophosphate battery.

Within the scope of a further alternative embodiment, the battery arrangement is formed from at least one nickel-metal hydride battery. Furthermore, other battery types are also suitable in principle, which are able to achieve the energy densities set by the invention of greater than 200 Wh/l.

In order to make optimal use of the space, it can also be provided that the battery arrangement has a battery with thick-walled and thin-walled sections and/or a different shape than a rod-shaped battery. This profile is adapted to the shape of the installation space present in the housing. In contrast to conventional rod-shaped accumulators, the design described makes it possible to arrange them in gaps that would otherwise not be available, thus improving the volume utilization and reducing the external dimensions of the suction nozzle. Furthermore, it is known from the field of entertainment appliances with lithium-ion batteries in portable devices that the battery and the device itself can be damaged by using a replacement battery that is not exactly matched to the charger. In extreme cases, batteries can explode or catch fire. Due to the irregular, non-standard shape of the accumulator device and the corresponding receiving space, the use of non-licensed substitute accumulators can largely be avoided.

In addition to the measures described, it is also possible to optimize the suction nozzle from a flow technology point of view. To this end, continuous transitions can be provided along the flow path of the intake air to reduce turbulence and friction. Furthermore, the suction performance can also be increased by minimizing the leakage air component that enters not through the suction opening but through gaps and gaps in the housing. For this purpose, housing seals can be provided, for example, between individual parts of the housing or sealing lips or sealing strips can be provided at the articulated connection. The connection piece on the rear side of the suction nozzle is typically connected to the housing by means of an articulation connection. In order to prevent leakage air from entering at the joint, the suction air path in the joint can be bridged by means of a flexible, airtightly inserted suction hose.

Description of drawings

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, which only show exemplary embodiments. These figures show schematically:

Fig. 1 suction nozzle of the present invention;

FIG. 2 The suction nozzle placed in the charging station and connected to the floor vacuum cleaner.

Detailed ways

1 shows a suction nozzle 1 according to the invention for a vacuum cleaner 2, which has: a housing 3; a suction opening 4 arranged on the bottom side of the housing 3; a rotatably mounted in the housing 3 and a cleaning roller 6 driven by means of an electric motor 5; The electric motor 5 has a rated power of 50 watts to 150 watts. The accumulator device formed by the larger first accumulator 7a and the smaller second accumulator 7b has an energy density greater than 200Wh/l (watt-hour per liter) relative to its total volume, and therefore, despite its compact structure, it Has an energy capacity greater than 40 Watt hours, preferably 50 Watt hours to 100 Watt hours. Via the battery arrangement 8 , the suction nozzle 1 can be operated for more than 30 minutes with one battery charge, independent of the type of floor covering. Within the scope of the invention, the accumulators 7 a , 7 b can be designed, for example, as nickel-metal hydride accumulators, or can also be based on a lithium-ion system. For example, lithium-ion batteries, lithium-polymer batteries, lithium-manganese dioxide batteries, lithium-nanophosphate batteries or lithium-lithium/lithium cobalt compound batteries are suitable.

The batteries 7 a , 7 b of the battery arrangement 8 are inserted replaceably from the rear into the housing 3 , the first larger battery 7 a being arranged opposite the electric motor 5 , the second smaller battery 7 b and the electronic controller 9 . This arrangement results in a uniform weight distribution. Furthermore, a total weight of the suction nozzle 1 of less than 1.5 kg facilitates good maneuverability. An electronic controller 9 , which may also be connected to a sensor of the suction nozzle 1 , is used for speed and torque control of the electric motor 5 . In this case, the electric motor 5 is connected to the cleaning roller 6 via a toothed belt 10 . The cleaning roller 6 is designed as a brush roller having brush strips 11 arranged helically on the circumference.

In order to also optimize the cleaning action of the suction air, flow-optimized air ducts with continuous flow transitions are provided inside the suction nozzle 1 . Furthermore, a housing seal 14 is arranged between the upper part 12 and the lower part 13 of the housing 3, and a flexible suction hose 16 is arranged in the region of the pivotal articulation between the housing 3 and the suction pipe connection 15, in order to Minimize air leakage.

The replaceable design of the battery arrangement 8 formed by the two batteries 7a, 7b basically allows the batteries 7a, 7b to be charged in the removed state or can also be replaced in a particularly simple manner by a corresponding spare battery. Preferably, however, the accumulator device 8 can be recharged during interruptions in operation even without being separated from the suction nozzle 1 . FIG. 2 shows the suction nozzle 1 placed on the charging station 17 and connected to the vacuum cleaner 2 via the suction pipe 18 during an interruption of work. When the vacuum cleaner 2 is not in use, the suction nozzle 1 remains in the charging station 17 in which the charging and maintenance of the battery device 8 takes place by charging electronics (microflow charging). By storing the suction nozzle 1 in the charging station 17, the accumulator device 8 can always be fully charged and can also achieve a long service life.

Claims (3)

1. A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, having: a housing (3); a suction opening (4) arranged on the bottom side of the housing (3); a cleaning roller (6), which is rotatably supported Inside the housing (3) and driven by the electric motor; the accumulator device (8), which supplies power to the electric motor (5); and the rear connector (15), to which the suction hose of the vacuum cleaner can be connected connected; it is characterized in that the motor (5) has a rated power of 50 watts to 100 watts; wherein the accumulator device (8) consists of at least one lithium-ion-accumulator, one lithium-polymer-accumulator, one lithium-manganese dioxide - accumulators, a lithium-nanophosphate-accumulator or a lithium/lithium cobalt oxide-accumulator consist of an energy density greater than 200 Wh/l (watt-hour per liter); An external structure adapted to the shape of the installation space present in the housing. 2. The suction nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy capacities of the electric motor (5) and the accumulator device (8) are adjusted to each other in such a way that it is independent of the floor to be cleaned by the suction nozzle The type of cladding that ensures at least 30 minutes of working time on one battery charge. 3. Suction nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the battery arrangement (8) has differently formed batteries (7a, 7b), which are arranged independently at positions spaced apart from one another.

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