EP1342444A1

EP1342444A1 - Improvement in suction nozzles of vacuum cleaners

Info

Publication number: EP1342444A1
Application number: EP02078963A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Halil Katircioglu
Original assignee: Ozguer Lastik Sanayi Ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Ozguer Lastik Sanayi Ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2002-03-08
Filing date: 2002-09-25
Publication date: 2003-09-10

Abstract

A suction nozzle used in vacuum cleaners wherein the rotation movement of a fan (28), which rotates with the suction force provided by a motor, is transmitted to a cleaning apparatus (45,46,48) by means of transmission means (33,34,35) and thereby said cleaning apparatus (45,46,48) is rotated accordingly, comprising : at least one shaft (43,44) having at least one eccentric shaft segment (43.1,44.1) with an axis not aligned with the initial axis of the shaft, at least one plain shaft segment (43.2,44.2) having an axis congruent with the initial axis of the shaft (43,44), at least one brushing member (48) and/or at least one beating member (45,46) which are placed on one or more plain (43.2,44.2) and/or eccentric (43.1,44.1) segments of said shaft (43,44).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to suction nozzle embodiments utilized in vacuum cleaning members.
The present invention is particularly related to vacuum cleaners' suction nozzles, wherein the rotation movement of a fan, which rotates with the suction force provided by a motor, is transmitted to a cleaning apparatus by means of transmission means and thereby said cleaning apparatus is rotated accordingly.
Presently, vacuum cleaners are widely in use. One of the objectives in this technical field is to provide an embodiment, which is capable to entirely suck dust and dust-like materials, along with small living beings settled down in piles of especially carpets and thus to perform a full cleaning. Regarding this art, various attempts have been made to achieve said objective. In context of these works, examples are given hereunder.
As it is known, in the vacuum cleaners, the suction power is provided by means of the rotation of a motor in the main body of the cleaner and desired surfaces are cleaned by means of a suction nozzle attached to a hose. As an alternative to this state, various researches are being performed to gain an optimal cleaning by increasing the suction power, i.e. the motor power. On the other hand, increasing the motor power leads to many drawbacks such as noise, size, and cost factors and an absolute result can still not be acquired.
In another embodiment, instead of increasing the motor power; the rotation action of a fan, that is rotating by the suction power provided by a motor, is transmitted to a brush by transmission means to rotate said brush around its own axis in order to firstly raise piles or materials on the surface and then to suck them. This embodiment, however, has also some drawbacks.
Since, for example, the brush is always in contact with the upper surface while rotating, it can not separate the piles adequately and can not reach the carpet's bottom completely, thus, the aforementioned objective can not be realized. Also since the brush is always in contact with the cleaned surface, it becomes pretty difficult to move the suction nozzle on the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention seeks to find out the ways to bring forth a novel vacuum cleaner that is capable to overcome the entire disadvantages specified above.
Before starting to describe the present invention, it will be better to clarify some terms in order to make said invention more understandable. Accordingly, the term "eccentric motion", as used here in this description, means a motion of an axis of an object around another axis parallel to axis thereof. The term "rotational motion", as used here in this description, means around of an object around its own axis.
The main scope of the present invention is to provide a suction nozzle that has a novel cleaning apparatus having both brushing and also beating and scraping capabilities. In this way; it becomes possible to realize a suction nozzle mechanism that is capable to provide a full cleaning by first separating the piles, of especially a carpet and then by sucking debris both on the surface and on the bottom thereof.
In order to achieve the scope; the present invention comprises at least one shaft having at least one eccentric shaft segment with an axis not aligned with the initial axis of the shaft and at least one plain shaft segment having an axis congruent with the initial axis of the shaft; at least one brushing member and/or at least one beating member which are placed on one or more segments of said plain and or eccentric shaft. In this manner, once the shaft is rotated, the brushing and/or beating member/s placed on the eccentric shaft segment make eccentric motion while those placed on the plain shaft are making rotational motion; whereby both the eccentric and rotational motion are obtained at the same time.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention; said cleaning apparatus preferably comprises one primary beating member, one secondary beating member, and one brushing member embodied between the primary and secondary beating member.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; said brushing member is placed in a way that it is adjacent to both the primary and secondary beating members.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; the frontal edges of said primary and secondary beating members, that are in contact with the floor are structured with recesses and/or projections for separating the piles of carpets and of similar materials effectively.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; said beating members are preferably manufactured from ABS plastic material.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; said brushing member is a roller brush with a cylindrical shape and number of sweeping bristle groups on its outer surface.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; said shaft comprises two separate, but almost identical shafts, as the primary and secondary shafts, in order to ensure easiness in assembly.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; the primary shaft comprises a drive-receiving end connected to the transmission means, which is providing the necessary power to said cleaning apparatus, an eccentric shaft segment where the primary beating member is placed; and a plain shaft segment where the brushing member is placed.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; the secondary shaft comprises a freely rotating end, an eccentric shaft segment where the secondary beating member is placed, and a plain shaft segment where the brushing member is placed.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; the axes of the eccentric segments and of the plain segments of two shafts may be congruent or may be at different points. When said axes are not congruent, the frontal edges of beating members come in contact with the surface to be cleaned not simultaneously, but at different times.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; a bridge is realized for surrounding the cleaning apparatus and forming one apiece vertical channels on opposing inner-lateral surfaces thereof and directing the sucked air to the fan.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; one apiece pin slot is formed on the opposing lateral surfaces of said primary and secondary beating members and an apiece of pin are placed into these slots by projecting outwardly from lateral surfaces of the members.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; the cleaning apparatus is placed between the lower casing and the sliding plate in order to prevent the beating members from bouncing back after beating the surface to be cleaned or to maintain their vertical positions; whereas the pins on said beating members are assembled so that to engage into the vertical channels of the bridge, and thereby the beating members are prevented from rotating around their own axis while operating on one end, by the primary shaft drive-receiving end and a pin and from the other end, by the secondary shaft's free end and the other pin.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; at least one wedge is embodied between the brushing member and the plain shaft segments of the primary and secondary shafts for transmitting the rotational motion of the primary shaft to the brushing member and thus to the secondary shaft via the brushing member.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention; at least one wedge is realized on the drive-receiving end of the primary shaft for receiving the actuation of the transmission means.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; said transmission means comprises a threaded shaft connected to the fan; a threaded shaft bearing accommodating the shaft; a minor gear connected to the threaded shaft; a threaded belt driven by the minor gear; and a major gear driven by the threaded belt and engaged to the primary shaft.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention; the rotation velocity of the beating and/or the brushing member is adjusted by a knob that ensures the suction power to be increased.
The advantageous of the embodiments and of their supplemental elements under the present invention shall be better understood by referring to the below defined Figures; whereas these Figures are to be taken into account in evaluating the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Figure 1 gives a disassembled view of an embodiment used in the prior art.
Figure 2a gives a disassembled view of a suction nozzle embodiment having only the beating feature.
Figure 2b gives a detailed view of the inner surface of the bridging structure.
Figure 3 gives a disassembled view of a suction nozzle embodiment having both the cleaning feature and the beating feature.
Figure 4 gives a detailed view of the beating and cleaning apparatus.
Figure 5 gives a side view of an assembled suction nozzle embodiment.
Figure 6 gives a view of the eccentric motion of the beating members.
Figure 7a gives a view of the matching parts of one beating member.
Figure 7b gives a view of inner surfaces of the matching parts of one beating member.
Figure 8a gives a view of the lateral surface of matching parts of one beating member
Figure 8b gives a view of the lateral surface of the brushing member.

PARTS AND SEGMENTS CONSTITUTING THE INVENTION

1.: Adjustment knob
2.: Upper casing
3.: Joint
4.: Tap
5.: Sliding plate
6.: Bridge
7.: Segment
8.: Fan
9.: Washer
10.: Bush
11.: Bearing
12.: Threaded shaft
13.: Minor gear
14.: Threaded belt
15.: Major gear
16.: Brush
17.: Pin
18.: Lower casing
19.: Major wheel
20.: Minor wheel
21.: Adjustment knob
22.: Upper casing
23.: Joint
24.: Tap
25.: Sliding plate
26.: Bridge
26.1: Vertical channel
26.2: Lateral outer surface
26.3: Lateral inner surface
26.4: Shaft slot
27.: Segment
28.: Fan
29.: Washer
30.: Bush
31.: Threaded shaft bearing
32.: Threaded shaft
33.: Minor gear
34.: Threaded belt
35.: Major gear
36.: Beating shaft
37.: Pin
37.1: Pin slot
38.: Beating member
39.: Beating edge
40.: Screw
41.: Lower casing
41.1: Shaft supporting bas
42.: Major wheel
42.1: Wheel slots
43.: Primary shaft
43.1: Eccentric shaft segment
43.2: Plain shaft segment
43.3: Axis sliding point
43.4: Shaft's drive-receiving end
44.: Secondary shaft
44.1: Eccentric shaft segment
44.2: Plain shaft segment
44.3: Axis sliding point
44.4: Free shaft end
45.: Primary beating member
45.1: Matching part
45.2: Upper corner
45.3: Lateral surface
46.: Secondary beating member
46.1: Matching part
46.2: Upper corner
46.3: Lateral surface
47.: Beating contact surface
48.: Brushing member
49.: Bristle groups
50.: Assembly orifices
51.: Screw
52.: Shaft bearing
52.1: Eccentric shaft bearing
52.2: Plain shaft bearing
53.: Inner surface protrusions
54.: Plain shaft wedge
55.: Driver end wedge
56.: Cleaning surface

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a suction nozzle embodiment of vacuum cleaners used in the prior art. In this embodiment, the air that is sucked from the lower casing (18) is directed towards the joint (3) within the bridge (6) and revolves the fan (8) by passing through it. The threaded shaft (12) attached to the fan transmits the rotational action to the brush (16) positioned between the lower casing (18) and the bridge (6) by means of the threaded belt (14) and the major gear (15). Thanks to this action, the brush makes a rotational motion around itself and provides support in cleaning the floor.
Figure 2a gives a disassembled view of the cleaning nozzle used in suction nozzles having merely a beating feature. As it can also be understood from this figure, a beating member (38) is used in place of the brush (16) that was used in the prior art to rotate around itself; said beating member being capable to make a eccentric motion in an elliptic orbit (A) and thus to separate the fibers in carpets and similar materials to perform a beating action. The beating edge (39) of said beating member (38) that is in contact with the floor is realized so as to have recesses and protrusions thereon.
The drive that is necessary for the rotational action is obtained by an embodiment that is similar to that explained under Figure 1 and that was also used in the prior art. Accordingly, by the driving force of the air that is sucked through the lower casing (41) and that is directed into a bridge (26), a fan (28) with a number of wings starts to rotate and this rotation is transmitted to a threaded belt (34) through a threaded shaft (32) and a minor gear (33) that is assembled to the free end of the threaded shaft (32) connected to said fan (28). This threaded belt (34) transmits the rotational action that it gains from the fan (28) to the beating shaft (36) via a major gear (35). The other end of said beating shaft (36) is connected to the beating member (38) and thanks to the eccentric structure of the beating shaft (36), the beating member (38) starts to rotate on a certain elliptical axis, in place of its own axis. The rotational velocity of the fan (28) and thus of the beating member (38) or of the beating members or brushing member (48) can be adjusted by means of a sliding plate (25) that is driven by an adjustment knob (21). As it can again be seen from this Figure; the cleaning apparatus is settled into the lower casing (41) during mounting the disassembled elements and the bridge (26) is placed as elaborated hereunder and then said cleaning apparatus is connected with the action transmission mechanism.
Figure 2b gives a detailed view of the lateral surface (26.2, 26.3) of the bridge (26) embodiment used in the present invention. Accordingly, one apiece vertical channel (26.1) and one apiece shaft slot (26.4) are formed on two opposing lateral-inner surfaces (26.3) of the bridge (26).
A pin (37) element can also be seen in Figure 2a; this pin (37) being placed into a pin slot (37.1) that is formed on one end of beating members (45, 46) or the beating member (38) of the cleaning apparatus so as to have a certain protrusion. During assembling the cleaning apparatus, the pins are placed into said vertical channel (26.1) and the drive-receiving end (43.4) of the primary shaft and the free end (44.4) of the secondary shaft are placed into said shaft slots (26.4). In exactly this manner, the pins (37) move down and up in this vertical channel (26.1) during a eccentric motion (A) and at the same time, the drive-receiving end (43.4) of the primary shaft and the free end (44.4) of the second shaft rotate within the shaft slots (26.4). In this way, the vertical positioning of the beating member (38) or of the primary or secondary beating members (45, 46) is ensured in operation. At the same time, the width of said vertical channel (26.1) is of a magnitude to not to obstruct an eccentric motion (A).
Figure 3 gives a view of a cleaning apparatus having both the cleaning and beating features. As it can also be seen in this Figure; the drive required by the cleaning apparatus is provided by the action transmission mechanism that transmits the action of the fan that rotates as a result of the sucked air through a gear-belt structure to a shaft, as it is the case of the beating embodiment given under Figure 2a. The most significant difference between them is that a cleaning apparatus is used in place of the beating member (38) given under Figure 2, said apparatus being explained in any details hereunder.
Figure 4 gives a detailed view of the cleaning apparatus providing the suction nozzle with beating and cleaning features. Accordingly, said cleaning apparatus contains the primary and secondary beating members (45, 46) and brushing member (48), which is positioned in between the beating members (45, 46), which is in contact with said beating members (45, 46) so that its rotational action is not obstructed, and which is preferably of a cylindrical structure with many bristle groups (49) thereon. Primary and secondary beating members (45, 46) and the brushing member(48) are structured on two specifically designed shafts (43, 44). The beating contact surfaces (47) of said beating members (45, 46) that are in contact with the floor to be cleaned have a recessed and protruded structure, as is the case for the one-piece beating embodiment. Additionally, in case of locating a beating member on the plain shaft segment for having rotational motion, two opposite surface of the beating member may have said recessed and protruded structure.
The two shafts (43, 44) mentioned above are the primary shaft (43) and secondary shaft (44), which are separate, but almost identical. The primary shaft (43) contains a drive-receiving end (43.4) that is engaged to the major gear (35) and that receives the rotational action that the threaded shaft (32) connected to the fan (28) transmits through the threaded belt (34); an eccentric shaft segment (43.1) that is passed through the primary beating member (45); and a plain shaft segment (43.2) that is passed through the brushing member(48). As for the secondary shaft (44); it contains a free end (44.4) of the shaft that rotates freely on the shaft supporting base (41.1) on the lower casing; an eccentric shaft segment (44.1) passing through the secondary beating member (46); and a plain shaft segment (44.2) passing through the brushing member(48). The axes of the plain shaft segments (43.2, 44.2) and of the eccentric shaft segments (43.1, 44.1) on the primary and secondary shafts are congruent with each other, respectively.
The eccentric and plain shaft segments (43.1, 43.2, 44.1, 44.2) are formed once the axes of the primary and secondary shafts (43, 44) are away from the axis sliding points (44.3) and then are brought back to their former positions. Regarding the primary shaft (43), for instance, for a more detailed description; this shaft becomes eccentric after the first axis sliding point, and by extending in such a manner for a while, it makes up the first eccentric shaft segment (43.1); then it turns back into its former straight position on the second axis sliding point, and then by extending in such a manner for a while, it makes up the plain shaft segment (43.2).
In alternative embodiments of the present invention; different shaft structures are utilized where more or less of the axis sliding points (44.3) on the present shaft (44) are contained in order to easily bring forth cleaning apparatuses having a different amount of beating and brushing members. In another alternative embodiment; the primary and secondary shaft can also be realized so that the axes of straight and eccentric shaft segments of each of these are positioned differently. In this manner; the beating members (45, 46) get in contact with the cleaning surface (56) not simultaneously, but at different times.
A driver-end wedge (55) is present preferably on the drive-receiving end (43.4) of the primary shaft; where this wedge is placed into a cavity opened preferably by a milling machine on the primary shaft (43) -as a power transmission element- in order to transmit the action of the major gear (35) to the primary shaft (43). In the same way, a plain shaft wedge (54) is present between the outer surface of the plain shaft segment (43.2) of the primary shaft and the inner surface of the brushing member (48) in order to drive the brushing member (48) from the first shaft (43) and to transmit this action to the secondary shaft (44).
Figure 5 clearly shows the eccentric motion (A) that the beating members (45, 46) perform around a perpendicular elliptical plane in respect of the surface (56) to be cleaned and how the cleaning apparatus is surrounded by the bridge (26).
Figure 6 gives a close view of the primary beating member (45) and of the eccentric motion (A) it performs. Figure 7a gives a view of the matching parts of one beating member. As is also seen in this Figure; the beating members (45, 46) are formed by combining two identical matching parts (45.1, 46.1). This combining process is ensured by driving the screws (51) in assembly orifices (50) formed on the matching parts' upper corners (45.2, 46.2). Figure 7b gives a view of the inner surfaces of the matching parts (45.1). A number of inner surface protrusions (53) that are realized with certain intervals on the inner surface of each beating member's matching part (45.1, 46.1) are present in said inner surfaces in order to place the primary and secondary shafts (43, 44) into the beating member.
Figure 8a gives a view of the lateral surfaces (45.3, 46.3) of the beating members (45, 46). The eccentric shaft bearing (52.1) wherein segments of the eccentric shaft (43.1, 44.1) are settled can be seen in this Figure. This bearing (52.1) is formed once said matching parts (45.1, 46.1) are combined so that the inner surface protrusions (53) thereof (45.1, 46.1) face each other to constitute a circular shape. Pin slots (37.1) that are formed on lateral surfaces of each beating members (45, 46) can also be seen in this Figure.
Figure 8b gives a view of the lateral surface of the brushing member (48). The flat shaft bearing (52.2) wherefrom the plain shaft segment (44.2) is passed can be seen from this Figure, said segment (44.2) constituting the rotation axis of the brushing member (48).
The present invention can not be restricted with the foregoing descriptions. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art may -in the light of the preferred embodiments disclosed both under the description and in the Figures- easily produce a cleaning apparatus with the beating and cleaning elements capable of making both eccentric and rotational motion, which constitute the basic logic of the present invention, by using elements that are different from those disclosed here in the description.

Claims

A suction nozzle used in vacuum cleaners wherein the rotation movement of a fan, which rotates with the suction force provided by a motor, is transmitted to a cleaning apparatus by means of transmission means and thereby said cleaning apparatus is rotated accordingly, comprising : at least one shaft having at least one eccentric shaft segment with an axis not aligned with the initial axis of the shaft, at least one plain shaft segment having an axis congruent with the initial axis of the shaft and at least one brushing member and/or at least one beating member which are placed on one or more plain and/or eccentric segments of said shaft.
A suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning apparatus comprises one primary beating member (45), one secondary beating member (46), and one brushing member (48) embodied between the primary (45) and secondary beating member (46).
A suction nozzle according to claims 1 and 2, wherein said brushing member (48) is placed in a way that it is adjacent to both the primary and secondary beating members (45, 46).
A suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein contact surfaces of said primary and secondary beating members (47), that are in contact with the floor, are structured with recesses and/or projections for separating the piles of carpets and of similar materials effectively.
A suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said primary and secondary beating members (45, 46) are manufactured from ABS plastic material.
A suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said brushing member (48) is a roller brush with a cylindrical shape and number of sweeping bristle groups on its outer surface.
A suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said shaft comprises two separate, but almost identical shafts, as the primary (43) and secondary shafts (44) for ensuring easiness in assembly.
A suction nozzle according any of the preceding claims, wherein the primary shaft (43) comprises a drive-receiving end (43.4) connected to the transmission means, an eccentric shaft segment (44.1) where the primary beating member (45) is placed; and a plain shaft segment (44.2) where the brushing member (48) is placed.
A suction nozzle according any of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary shaft (44) comprises a freely rotating end (44.4), an eccentric shaft segment (44.1) where the secondary beating member (46) is placed, and a plain shaft segment (44.2) where the brushing member (48) is placed.
A suction nozzle according any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one wedge (54) is embodied between the brushing member (48) and the plain shaft segments (43.2, 44.2) of the primary and secondary shafts for transmitting the rotational motion of the primary shaft (43) to the brushing member (48) and thus to the secondary shaft (44) via the brushing member (48).
A suction nozzle according any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one driver end wedge (55) is realized on the drive-receiving end (43.4) of the primary shaft for receiving the actuation of the transmission means.
A suction nozzle according any of the preceding claims, wherein said transmission means comprises a threaded shaft (32) connected to the fan (28), a threaded shaft bearing (31) accommodating the threaded shaft (32), a minor gear (33) connected to the threaded shaft (32), a threaded belt (34) driven by the minor gear (33) and a major gear (35) driven by the threaded belt (34) and engaged to the primary shaft (43).
A suction nozzle according claim 1, wherein a bridge (26) is realized for surrounding the cleaning apparatus and forming one apiece vertical channels (26.1) on opposing inner-lateral surfaces (26.3) thereof and directing the sucked air to the fan.
A suction nozzle according to claim 1, wherein one apiece pin slot (37.1) is formed on the opposing lateral surfaces of said primary and secondary beating members (45.3, 46.3) and an apiece of pin (37) are placed into the pin slots (37.1) by projecting outwardly from lateral surfaces of the members (45.3, 46.3).
A suction nozzle according to claims 1, 13 and 14, wherein the cleaning apparatus is placed in a way that the pins (37) on said beating members (45, 46) are engaged into the vertical channels (26.1) of the bridge, and that the primary shaft drive-receiving end (43.4) and the secondary shaft's free end (44.4) are engaged disposed to the shaft slots (26.4), whereby the vertical position of the beating members (45, 46) with reference to the cleaning surface (56) are maintained.
A suction nozzle according any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotation velocity of the beating members (45, 46) and/or the brushing member (48) is adjusted by a knob (21) that ensures the suction power to be increased.