GB2358790A

GB2358790A - Articulated suction nozzle for vacuum cleaner with vertical angular displacement limiter

Info

Publication number: GB2358790A
Application number: GB0024881A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dieter Kaffenberger; Thomas Lind
Original assignee: Wessel Werk GmbH
Current assignee: Wessel Werk GmbH
Priority date: 2000-02-03
Filing date: 2000-10-11
Publication date: 2001-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-11
Also published as: SE0100085D0; GB0024881D0; SE518974C2; CN1141908C; HK1038489A1; FR2804593A1; CN1306794A; FR2804593B1; GB2358790B; DE20002474U1; DE10004689C1; SE0100085L

Abstract

A suction nozzle for vacuum cleaners, comprises a housing top part 1, and an integrally formed or attachable suction channel 2, which has inserted therein, a channel connection piece 3 which can swivel relative to the suction nozzle 2 around a, one or multi-piece, spindle 4, and also features an interposed seal 14. Top and bottom edges 9, 10 of an aperture 8 integrally formed on the outside of suction channel 2 form angular displacement limit stops for a bottom front edge 7, of the channel connection piece 3, which projects thererthrough, thus limiting the range of possible relative angular displacements possible between the two components. An underside of the bottom front edge 7 may have a profile suitably shaped to fit over the bottom edge 10 of the aperture 8 which may comprise a rib shaped reinforcement. A bridge 11 may provide a mechanical connection between edges 9, 10 through a interruption in bottom front edge 7. The connection piece 3 may house a wheel 13 which may be mounted on the same spindle 4 which allows swivelling of the connection piece 3 relative to the suction nozzle 2.

Description

2358790 This invention relates to a suction nozzle for floor vacuum

cleaners, comprising - a housing top part, - a suction channel which is integrally formed in one piece or which is attached so that it can move by swivelling, and a channel connection piece which is inserted in the suction channel and which is attached thereto so that it can execute swivelling movements about a one- or multi-piece articulation spindle, wherein the swivelling movement of the channel connection piece is limited in both directions of movement by limit stops. The channel connection piece contains a flow channel which has a rectangular flow cross-section at its suction channel end and which extends into a tubular continuation at its other end. The articulation spindle for the swivelling movement of the channel connection piece can be of one-piece construction in the form of a shaft or can be of multi-part construction in the form of journals.

The arrangement consisting of the channel connection piece and the suction 15 channel is also termed a swivelling joint. This swivelling joint ensures that the contact faces of the suction nozzle, which are definitive for the suction properties, always rest on the floor-covering in the optimum manner, even though the alignment of the suction pipe which is joined to the suction nozzle varies considerably due to the height and posture of the operator and due to the swivelling movements of the operator' s arm when vacuum- cleaning is carried out. The angle of swivel between the channel connection piece and the suction channel is limited due to the construction thereof, and usually ranges between 30' and 90', wherein values greater than 60' are generally only employed as a switch-off position for the vacuum cleaner and are then often associated with an additional latching facility for the switch-off position. Due to the long lever arm of the attached suction pipe, considerable moments are brought to bear when the channel connection piece is moved against one of the limit stop elements. The swivel limit stops which are necessary to withstand these moments should not impair the design of the suction nozzle, i.e. the external visual appearance thereof, and should be constructed in as simple a manner as possible; moreover, it should be possible to manufacture them industrially at low cost. Furthermore, it must be ensured that the parts of the swivelling joint can be made from a customary plastics material which is suitable for mass production.

In order to limit the swivelling movement, it is known that external projections which strike the rear end face of the suction channel can be integrally formed at the rear end of the channel connection piece which is inserted in the suction channel (DE 197 04 796 Cl). However, a design such as this is unsatisfactory as regards its visual appearance, and has the further disadvantage that the articulation spindle has to be approximately centrally disposed between the top and bottom limit stop elements so that a lever arm which is sufficient to withstand the moments is present in each case between the limit stop elements and the axis of rotation. However, a central location of the articulation spindle has the disadvantage that the spindle is either situated in the air flow or the cross-sectional area of the flow channel has to be considerably constricted in the region of the articulation spindle. With this design, an out-of-centre location of the articulation spindle is impossible, since the lever arm of the limit stop becomes so unfavourable on one side that the limit stop element is deformed or is even destroyed by the striking forces which then occur.

if' for constructional reasons, the articulation spindle is disposed out-of- centre with n - -1 respect to the overall height of the swivelling joint, it is more advantageous to employ a limit. stop which acts on the front edge of the channel connection piece which is inserted in the suction channel. The bottom front edge of the channel connection piece can move against limit stop faces which are constructed as projections and which are integrally formed on the channel wall of the counterpart thereof (EP 0 668 045 A I). Here also, the problem arises that the installation region is limited by constructional constraints and that the available swivelling radius, which determines the lever arm between the limit stop face and the axis of rotation, is relatively small. In practice, a maximum swivelling radius of 30 to 35 mm. is generally available. The projections which are constructed as limit stops are subjected to shearing forces. If the plastics components are of thin- walled construction, and if inexpensive plastics which are suitable for mass production are used, it is not always possible to ensure adequate resistance to the aforementioned striking moments.

A basic object of the present invention is to form the limit stops for limiting the swivelling movement of the channel connection part in such a way that considerable moments can be withstood whilst retaining a simple form of construction of the swivelling joint and without limiting the design as regards the visual aspects thereof According to the present invention, there is provided a suction nozzle for floor vacuum cleaners, comprising - a housing top part, - a suction channel which is integrally formed in one piece or which is attached so that it can move by swivelling, and - channel connection piece which is inserted in the suction channel and which is attached thereto so that it can execute swivelling movements about a one- or multi-piece articulation spindle, wherein the bottom front edge of the channel connection piece fits through an aperture in a housing wall which is integrally formed on the suction channel, and the top and bottom edges of the aperture form limit stops for the front edge of the channel connection piece and thus limit the swivelling movement of the channel connection piece in both directions of movement, and wherein furthermore a seal is provided above the aperture for sealing the gap region between the channel connection piece and the suction channel.

Due to the type of arrangement according to the invention, the effective lever arm for the striking moment is increased by at least the wall strength of the housing wall which is provided with the aperture. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom front edge of the channel connection piece is constructed as an angle strip which in the limit stop position fits round the bottom edge of the aperture. Due to its profile, the angle strip is dimensionally stable. It fits round the edge of the aperture and prevents the channel connection piece from slipping off the limit stop elements, even if relatively soft plastics are used. Tests have shown that the striking moments which can be withstood can be increased by about 30 to 50 % by the teaching according to the invention.

When the suction nozzle is manipulated, the bottom limit stop generally has to withstand considerably greater striking moments than those to which the top limit stop is subjected. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least the bottom edge of the aperture comprises a rib-shaped reinforcement. Moreover, in order to withstand greater striking moments, it is advantageous if the aperture is subdivided by a bridge which connects its top edge to its bottom edge. The front edge of the channel connection piece, which fits through the aperture, is interrupted in the region of the bridge. When striking occurs, the bridge which divides the aperture and which increases the stability is placed under tensile loading, which enables considerable forces to be withstood.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the channel connection piece comprises a housing section constructed as a wheel housing in which a running wheel is inserted. The running wheel is disposed on a spindle which at the same time forms the articulation spindle for the channel connection piece. The channel connection piece comprises a wall, which wall surrounds the running wheel in the form of a circular arc and delimits a flow channel, and is constructed at its front end as a strip which performs the function described above by fitting through the aperture in a housing wall which integrally formed on the suction channel.

In all the embodiments of the invention described above, the suction channel can be integrally formed in one-piece on the housing top part. With a design such as this, the aperture, which cooperates as a limit stop element with the front edge of the channel connection piece, is disposed in a wall section of the housing top part. However, in all the embodiments of the invention described above, the suction channel can also be attached to the housing top part so that it can execute swivelling movements. When a design such as this is employed, the suction channel is a separate plastics component which is provided with the aperture described above.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawings, which merely illustrate one example of an embodiment, and where: Figure 1 Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through a suction nozzle according to the invention for floor vacuum cleaners; and is a view from below of the subject illustrated in Figure 1.

The basic construction of the suction nozzle illustrated in the Figures comprises a housing top part 1 having an integrally formed suction channel 2 and having a channel connection piece 3 which is inserted in the suction channel 2 and which is attached thereto so that it can execute swivelling movements about an articulation spindle 4. The channel connection piece 3 contains a flow channel 5, the suction channel connection end of which has a rectangular flow cross-section. At its outlet end, the channel connection piece is constructed as a pipe socket 6 in which an angled pipe section can be inserted so that it can execute rotary movements. The angled pipe section can be connected to a suction pipe.

The arrangement consisting of the suction channel 2 and the channel connection piece 3 is also termed a swivelling joint, the swivelling movement of which in both directions of movement is limited by limit stops. In order to limit the swivelling movement, the bottom front edge of the channel connection piece 3 is constructed as an angle strip 7 which fits through an aperture 8 in a housing wall 9 of the housing top part, which wall is integrally formed on the suction channel 2. The top and bottom edges of the aperture 8 form limit stops for the angle strip. When it strikes the bottom edge 10 of the aperture 8, the angle strip 7 fits round the edge 10 of the aperture, which in the embodiment exemplified and according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a rib-shaped reinforcement.

It can be seen from a comparative examination of Figures 1 and 2 that the aperture 8 is subdivided by a longitudinal bridge 11 which connects its top edge to its bottom edge. The angle strip 7 which fits through the aperture 8 is interrupted in the region of the longitudinal bridge 11. When the angle strip strikes the bottom edge 10 of the aperture 8, the longitudinal bridge is subjected to tensile loading and is capable of withstanding considerable forces.

The channel connection piece 3 comprises a housing section which is constructed as a wheel housing 12, in which a running wheel 13 is inserted. The running wheel 13 is disposed on a spindle which at the same time forms the articulation spindle 4 for the channel connection piece 3. The channel connection piece 3 comprises a wall which surrounds the running wheel 13 in the form of a circular arc, which wall delimits the flow channel and comprises the integrally formed angle strip at its front end. In order to seal the gap region between the channel connection piece 3 and the suction channel 2, sealing lips 14 are provided which are seated against the circularly arcuate face of the channel connection piece. The scaling lips 14 can be constructed in one piece, for example as integrally formed edges which bridge the gap between the parts 2, 3 which can move in relation to each other.

Claims

1.

A suction nozzle for floor vacuum cleaners, comprising - a housing top part, - a suction channel which is integrally formed in one piece or which is attached so that it can move by swivelling, and - a channel connection piece which is inserted in the suction channel and which is attached thereto so that it can execute swivelling movements about a one- or multi-piece articulation spindle, wherein the bottom front edge of the channel connection piece fits through an aperture in a housing wall which is integrally formed on the suction channel, wherein the top and bottom edges of the aperture form limit stops for the front edge of the channel connection piece and thus limit the swivelling movement of the channel connection piece in both directions of movement, and wherein furthermore a seal is provided above the aperture for sealing the gap region between the channel connection piece and the suction channel.

2. A suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the bottom front edge of the channel connection piece is formed as an angle strip which in the limit stop position fits round the bottom edge of the aperture.

A suction nozzle according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the bottom edge of the aperture comprises a rib-shaped reinforcement.

4. A suction nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aperture is subdivided by a bridge which connects its top edge to its bottom edge, and that the front edge of the channel connection piece, which fits through the aperture, is interrupted in the region of the bridge.

5. A suction nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the channel connection piece comprises a housing section constructed as a wheel housing in which a running wheel is inserted, that the running wheel is disposed on a spindle which at the same time forms the articulation spindle for the channel connection piece, and that the channel connection piece comprises a wall, which wall surrounds the running wheel in the form of a circular arc and which delimits a flow channel and is constructed at its front end as a strip which fits through the aperture in a housing wall which is integrally formed on the suction channel.

6. A suction nozzle substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawing(s).