(19)
(11) EP 3 809 938 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
13.12.2023 Bulletin 2023/50

(21) Application number: 19727662.9

(22) Date of filing: 29.05.2019
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A47L 9/00(2006.01)
(52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
A47L 9/00
(86) International application number:
PCT/EP2019/063994
(87) International publication number:
WO 2019/243013 (26.12.2019 Gazette 2019/52)

(54)

A VACUUM CLEANER WITH CLEANING HEAD

EIN STAUBSAUGER MIT REINIGUNGSKOPF

UN ASPIRATEUR AVEC TÊTE DE NETTOYAGE


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30) Priority: 19.06.2018 TR 201808667

(43) Date of publication of application:
28.04.2021 Bulletin 2021/17

(73) Proprietor: Arçelik Anonim Sirketi
34445 Istanbul (TR)

(72) Inventors:
  • CIMEN, Fatma Nur
    34950 Istanbul (TR)
  • DERIN, Nilufer
    34950 Istanbul (TR)
  • YAGCI, Alper
    34950 Istanbul (TR)
  • SEVEN, Oner
    34950 Istanbul (TR)
  • GURER, Ensar
    34950 Istanbul (TR)


(56) References cited: : 
ES-U- 1 045 274
US-A1- 2006 000 053
US-A1- 2005 120 512
US-B2- 7 350 268
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention particularly relates to enhancing dust collection performance of a cleaning head used in vacuum cleaners.

    [0002] Vacuum cleaners are appliances which have considerably low efficiencies. The portion of a vacuum cleaner's power utilized to clean dust from a surface is very low. Therefore, there is a need for vacuum cleaners functioning with much higher efficiency and having maximal dust collection capacity.

    [0003] In addition to efficiency of a power source used in a vacuum cleaner such as a motor and the like, the design of the cleaning head used in performing vacuum cleaning on a surface, is of utmost importance. In vacuum cleaners with high overall performance and high suction power, a high vacuum pressure occurs between a cleaning head and a surface due to high suction power, creating an adhesion effect between the cleaning head and the surface. This effect makes it challenging for the users to vacuum clean, leading to user complaints.

    [0004] In the state of the art, at least one suction port is provided on the base of the cleaning heads used in vacuum cleaners. Channels are grooved on the base of the cleaning head, to provide an equal pressure distribution and a homogeneous suction throughout the base. Upon being detached from the surface due to the suction power of the vacuum cleaner, the dust collected from the surface is directed towards a suction port by means of the channels provided on the cleaning head base. An equal and homogeneous suction is thus provided along the entire base of the cleaning head. However, current vacuum cleaner cleaning heads comprise a single suction port. High vacuum pressure occurring during usage of vacuum cleaners with high suction power, causes the cleaning head to adhere to the surface and the user to fail performing an effective vacuum cleaning.

    [0005] State of the art United States patent no. US9737184 discloses a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaning head having a movable base for reducing the resistance arising from vacuum pressure.

    [0006] State of the art United States patent no. US7631394 discloses a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaning head having a base intended for reducing the motion resistance between a cleaning head and a surface.

    [0007] Another state of the art embodiment is disclosed in the German patent application no. DE3337117. In this embodiment, three suction ports provided on the base of a cleaning head, are directly connected to a pipe by means of tubes independent of each other.

    [0008] Another state of the art embodiment is disclosed in the international patent application no. WO0165991. This patent application discloses a vacuum cleaner comprising a diverter provided in a cleaning head, enabling the sucked waste to be effectively directed towards a suction port.

    [0009] Another state of the art United States patent no. US 2006/000053 discloses a vacuum cleaner having a suction port. Another state in the art can be seen in US7,350,268 which discloses a first and a second suction port provided on the same base of the cleaning head. The second port however is not directly connected via a second channel to the pipe but via a conduct to the main suction space which however is connected to the first suction inlet.

    [0010] The aim of the present invention is to realize a vacuum cleaner in which the high vacuum pressure occurring between a surface and a cleaning head is homogenized.

    [0011] The vacuum cleaner realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, comprises a first suction port and at least one second suction port provided on the base of a cleaning head, a first channel extending through the cleaning head to the pipe and directly connecting the first suction port to a pipe, and at least one second channel extending through the cleaning head to the pipe and directly connecting the second suction port to the pipe and further comprises at least one orifice interposed between the body side wall and the second suction port, at least one lid controlled by the user, enabling the orifice to be opened and closed, and a movement mechanism enabling actuating the lid. By means of the movement mechanism, the user opens and closes the orifice opening outside, and thereby performs an effective vacuum cleaning. By this, in cases when it is not desired to distribute the vacuum effect in vacuuming a flat ground without a carpet or a typical carpet, the user actuates the lid by means of the movement mechanism and enables closing the orifice. When vacuuming light items such as a runner, rug and the like, the orifice is opened by actuating the lid again, preventing the cleaning head from adhering due to vacuum effect to the item to be vacuumed.

    [0012] Air flows through the cleaning head from the vacuum cleaned surface to the vacuum source by means the channels via the cleaning head base. Air flow rate to be transmitted to the body is realized through three paths by means of the suction port design with three channels. This design enables vacuum pressure to be homogeneously transmitted to the pipe via three separate suction ports and channels. By this, high vacuum pressure effect is not observed and the user is not subjected to an extreme resistant force during vacuum cleaning.

    [0013] The movement mechanism enables the user to shift the lid placed on the second suction port, to open or closed position. The second suction port is thus enabled to function efficiently.

    [0014] The first suction port is preferably disposed in the middle of the cleaning head, and two second suction ports are provided on both sides of the first suction port. Problems related to usage difficulties are thus eliminated by homogenizing high vacuum effect on the cleaning head base by three separate suction ports in the vacuum cleaner cleaning head with an unmovable base.

    [0015] The first channel is "L"-shaped and interconnects the first suction port and the pipe. The second channel forms a corner in between when interconnecting the second suction port and the pipe.

    [0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the first and the second suction ports are annular. Preferably, the diameter of the suction ports is 5 cm. In an embodiment of the invention, the first and the second suction ports are rectangular. Preferably, the length of the shorter edges is 6 cm and the length of the longer edges is 7 cm.

    [0017] The movement mechanism comprises a spring extending from beside the body of the cleaning head towards the second suction port, whose one end is fastened to the lid, a pusher enabling the spring to be compressed and released, whose one end is fastened to the spring, and a trigger to which the pusher is connected, shifting the lid to open or closed position by actuating the pusher and the spring upon being triggered by the user from beside the cleaning head.

    [0018] The invention enables improving performance of the cleaning head and facilitates usage. The invention reduces the high vacuum pressure which in fact makes usage more challenging. The second channel enables achieving a homogeneous vacuum pressure distribution on the base by transmitting the vacuum effect between the cleaning head base and a surface not through a single channel but through the second channels. Said homogenizing eliminates the usage problems arising from vacuum pressure. The present invention enables homogenizing vacuum pressure without modifying the size of current cleaning heads. In addition, dust collection capability is enhanced by means of the cleaning head comprising three channels.

    [0019] A vacuum cleaner realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

    Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning head.

    Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning head, from below.

    Figure 3 is a view of the cleaning head, from below.

    Figure 4 is a sectional perspective view of the cleaning head.

    Figure 5 is a sectional view of the cleaning head, from behind.

    Figure 6 is a sectional perspective view of the cleaning head, from above.



    [0020] The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.
    1. 1. Cleaning head
    2. 2. Body
    3. 3. Base
    4. 4. First suction port
    5. 5. Second suction port
    6. 6. Pipe
    7. 7. First channel
    8. 8. Second channel
    9. 9. Lid
    10. 10. Movement mechanism
    11. 11. Spring
    12. 12. Pusher
    13. 13. Trigger
    14. 14. Orifice
    15. 15. Seat


    [0021] The vacuum cleaner comprises at least one vacuum source, a cleaning head (1) having a base (3) settling on the surface to be cleaned and a body (2), and a pipe (6) interconnecting the cleaning head (1) and the vacuum source, and further comprises a first suction port (4) provided on the base (3) of the cleaning head (1), at least one second suction port (5) provided on the same base (3) with the first suction port (4), a first channel (7) extending through the cleaning head (1) to the pipe (6), directly connecting the first suction port (4) to the pipe (6), at least one second channel (8) extending through the cleaning head (1) to the pipe (6), directly connecting the second suction port (5) to the pipe (6), at least one orifice (14) interposed between the body (2) side wall and the second suction port (5), at least one lid (9) controlled by the user, enabling the orifice (14) to be opened and closed, and a movement mechanism (10) enabling actuating the lid (9) (Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3).

    [0022] When the vacuum cleaner is activated, the vacuum source, which is preferably a motor, activates and the air sucked through the first and the second suction ports (4 and 5) provided on the cleaning head (1) base (3) reach the pipe (6) by means of the first and the second channels (7 and 8) provided in the cleaning head (1) independently of each other. The movement mechanism (10) enables the user to shift the lid (9) to open or closed position. The vacuum pressure occurring between a surface and the cleaning head (1) is thus enabled to be homogenized. By means of the movement mechanism (10), the user opens and closes the orifice (14) opening outside, and thereby performs an effective vacuum cleaning. By this, in cases when it is not desired to distribute the vacuum effect in vacuuming a flat ground without a carpet or a typical carpet, the user actuates the lid (9) by means of the movement mechanism (10) and enables closing the orifice (14). When vacuuming light items such as a runner, rug and the like, the orifice (14) is opened by actuating the lid (9) again, preventing the cleaning head (1) from adhering due to vacuum effect to the item to be vacuumed.

    [0023] The first suction port (4) is preferably disposed in the middle of the cleaning head (1), and two second suction ports (5) are provided on both sides of the first suction port (4). Problems related to usage difficulties are thus eliminated by homogenizing high vacuum effect on the cleaning head (1) base (3) by three separate suction ports (4 and 5) in the vacuum cleaner cleaning head (1) with an unmovable base (3).

    [0024] The first channel (7) is "L"-shaped and interconnects the first suction port (4) and the pipe (6).

    [0025] The second channel (8) forms a corner in between when interconnecting the second suction port (5) and the pipe (6).

    [0026] In an embodiment of the invention, the first and the second suction ports (4 and 5) are annular.

    [0027] In an embodiment of the invention, the first and the second suction ports (4 and 5) are rectangular.

    [0028] The movement mechanism (10) comprises a spring (11) extending from beside the body (2) of the cleaning head (1) towards the second suction port (5), placed in a cylindrical seat (15) with the orifice (14) on its end, whose one end is fastened to the lid (9); a pusher (12) enabling the spring (11) to be compressed and released, whose one end is fastened to the spring (11); and a trigger (13) to which the pusher (12) is connected, shifting the lid (9) to open or closed position by actuating the pusher (12) and the spring (11) upon being triggered by the user from beside the cleaning head (1). Light items are enabled to be vacuum cleaned without adhesion to the cleaning head (1) by reaching atmospheric pressure by means of the orifice (14) opening to the second suction port (5) by the lid (9) being opened (Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6).

    [0029] The invention enables improving performance of the cleaning head (1) and facilitates usage. The invention reduces the high vacuum pressure which in fact makes usage more challenging. The second channel (8) enables achieving a homogeneous vacuum pressure distribution on the base (3) by transmitting the vacuum effect between the cleaning head (1) base (3) and a surface not through a single channel but through the second channels (8). Said homogenizing eliminates the usage problems arising from vacuum pressure. The present invention enables homogenizing vacuum pressure without modifying the size of current cleaning heads (1). In addition, dust collection capability is enhanced by means of the cleaning head (1) comprising three channels (7 and 8).

    [0030] The first suction port (4) is preferably disposed in the middle of the cleaning head (1), and two second suction ports (5) are provided on both sides of the first suction port (4). Problems related to usage difficulties are thus eliminated by homogenizing high vacuum effect on the cleaning head (1) base (3) by three separate suction ports (4 and 5) in the vacuum cleaner cleaning head (1) with an unmovable base (3).

    [0031] The first channel (7) is "L"-shaped and interconnects the first suction port (4) and the pipe (6).

    [0032] The second channel (8) forms a corner in between when interconnecting the second suction port (5) and the pipe (6).

    [0033] In an embodiment of the invention, the first and the second suction ports (4 and 5) are annular.

    [0034] In an embodiment of the invention, the first and the second suction ports (4 and 5) are rectangular.

    [0035] The movement mechanism (10) comprises a spring (11) extending from beside the body (2) of the cleaning head (1) towards the second suction port (5), placed in a cylindrical seat (15) with the orifice (14) on its end, whose one end is fastened to the lid (9); a pusher (12) enabling the spring (11) to be compressed and released, whose one end is fastened to the spring (11); and a trigger (13) to which the pusher (12) is connected, shifting the lid (9) to open or closed position by actuating the pusher (12) and the spring (11) upon being triggered by the user from beside the cleaning head (1). Light items are enabled to be vacuum cleaned without adhesion to the cleaning head (1) by reaching atmospheric pressure by means of the orifice (14) opening to the second suction port (5) by the lid (9) being opened (Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6).

    [0036] The invention enables improving performance of the cleaning head (1) and facilitates usage. The invention reduces the high vacuum pressure which in fact makes usage more challenging. The second channel (8) enables achieving a homogeneous vacuum pressure distribution on the base (3) by transmitting the vacuum effect between the cleaning head (1) base (3) and a surface not through a single channel but through the second channels (8). Said homogenizing eliminates the usage problems arising from vacuum pressure. The present invention enables homogenizing vacuum pressure without modifying the size of current cleaning heads (1). In addition, dust collection capability is enhanced by means of the cleaning head (1) comprising three channels (7 and 8).


    Claims

    1. A vacuum cleaner comprising at least one vacuum source, a cleaning head (1) having a base (3) settling on the surface to be cleaned and a body (2), and a pipe (6) interconnecting the cleaning head (1) and the vacuum source, a first suction port (4) provided on the base (3) of the cleaning head (1), at least one second suction port (5) provided on the same base (3) with the first suction port (4), a first channel (7) extending through the cleaning head (1) to the pipe (6), directly connecting the first suction port (4) to the pipe (6), at least one second channel (8) extending through the cleaning head (1) to the pipe (6), directly connecting the second suction port (5) to the pipe (6), at least one orifice (14) interposed between the body (2) side wall and the second suction port (5), characterized by at least one lid (9) controlled by the user, enabling the orifice (14) to be opened and closed, and a movement mechanism (10) enabling actuating the lid (9).
     
    2. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterized by the first suction port (4) provided in the middle of the base (3) of the cleaning head (1), and by two suction ports (5) provided on both sides of the first suction port (4).
     
    3. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 and 2, characterized by the first channel (7) interconnecting the first suction port (4) and the pipe (6).
     
    4. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 and 2, characterized by the second channel (8) interconnecting the second suction port (5) and the pipe (6).
     
    5. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the first and the second suction ports (4 and 5) being annular.
     
    6. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized by the first and the second suction ports (4 and 5) being rectangular.
     
    7. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, characterized by the movement mechanism (10) having a spring (11) extending from beside the body (2) of the cleaning head (1) towards the second suction port (5), placed in a cylindrical seat (15) with the orifice (14) on its end, whose one end is fastened to the lid (9); a pusher (12) enabling the spring (11) to be compressed and released, whose one end is fastened to the spring (11); and a trigger (13) to which the pusher (12) is connected, shifting the lid (9) to open or closed position by actuating the pusher (12) and the spring (11) upon being triggered by the user from beside the cleaning head (1).
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Ein Staubsauger umfasst mindestens eine Vakuumquelle, einen Reinigungskopf (1) mit einer Basis (3), die sich auf der zu reinigenden Oberfläche absetzt, einen Körper (2) und ein Rohr (6), das den Reinigungskopf (1) und die Vakuumquelle verbindet, einen ersten Sauganschluss (4), die an der Basis (3) des Reinigungskopfes (1) vorgesehen ist, mindestens einen zweiten Sauganschluss (5), der auf derselben Basis (3) wie der erste Sauganschluss (4) vorgesehen ist, einen ersten Kanal (7), der sich durch den Reinigungskopf (1) zum Rohr (6) erstreckt und den ersten Sauganschluss (4) direkt mit dem Rohr (6) verbindet, mindestens einen zweiten Kanal (8), der sich durch den Reinigungskopf (1) zum Rohr (6) erstreckt und den zweiten Sauganschluss (5) direkt mit dem Rohr (6) verbindet, mindestens eine Öffnung (14), die zwischen der Seitenwand des Körpers (2) und der zweiten Sauganschluss (5) angeordnet ist, gekennzeichnet ist er dadurch, dass mindestens ein Deckel (9) vom Benutzer gesteuert wird, der das Öffnen und Schließen der Öffnung (14) ermöglicht, und ein Bewegungsmechanismus (10), der die Betätigung des Deckels (9) ermöglicht.
     
    2. Ein Staubsauger, wie in Anspruch 1 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Sauganschluss (4) in der Mitte der Basis (3) des Reinigungskopfes (1) vorgesehen ist, und durch zwei Sauganschlüsse (5), die auf beiden Seiten des ersten Sauganschlusses (4) vorgesehen sind.
     
    3. Ein Staubsauger, wie in Anspruch 1 oder 2 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Kanal (7) den ersten Sauganschluss (4) und das Rohr (6) miteinander verbindet.
     
    4. Ein Staubsauger, wie in Anspruch 1 und 2 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Kanal (8) den zweiten Sauganschluss (5) und das Rohr (6) miteinander verbindet.
     
    5. Ein Staubsauger, wie in einem der vorherigen Ansprüchen aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die ersten und zweiten Ansaugöffnungen (4 und 5) ringförmig sind.
     
    6. Ein Staubsauger, wie in den Ansprüchen 1 bis 4 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die ersten und zweiten Ansaugöffnungen (4 und 5) rechteckig sind.
     
    7. Ein Staubsauger, wie in Anspruch 1 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Bewegungsmechanismus (10) eine Feder (11) aufweist, die sich von der Seite des Körpers (2) des Reinigungskopfes (1) zur zweiten Sauganschluss (5) hin erstreckt und in einem zylindrischen Sitz (15) angeordnet ist, an dessen Ende sich die Öffnung (14) befindet und dessen eines Ende am Deckel (9) befestigt ist; einen Schieber (12), der das Zusammendrücken und Lösen der Feder (11) ermöglicht und dessen eines Ende an der Feder (11) befestigt ist; und einen Auslöser (13), mit dem der Schieber (12) verbunden ist, der den Deckel (9) durch Betätigung des Schiebers (12) und der Feder (11) in eine offene oder geschlossene Position bringt, wenn er vom Benutzer von der Seite des Reinigungskopfes (1) ausgelöst wird.
     


    Revendications

    1. Un aspirateur comprenant au moins une source de vide, une tête de nettoyage (1) ayant une base (3) reposant sur la surface à nettoyer et un corps (2), et un tuyau (6) interconnectant la tête de nettoyage (1) et la source de vide, un premier orifice d'aspiration (4) prévu sur la base (3) de la tête de nettoyage (1), au moins un second orifice d'aspiration (5) prévu sur la même base (3) que le premier orifice d'aspiration (4), un premier canal (7) s'étendant à travers la tête de nettoyage (1) jusqu'au tuyau (6), reliant directement le premier orifice d'aspiration (4) au tuyau (6), au moins un second canal (8) s'étendant à travers la tête de nettoyage (1) jusqu'au tuyau (6), reliant directement le second orifice d'aspiration (5) au tuyau (6), reliant directement le premier orifice d'aspiration (4) au tuyau (6), au moins un second canal (8) s'étendant à travers la tête de nettoyage (1) jusqu'au tuyau (6), reliant directement le second orifice d'aspiration (5) au tuyau (6), au moins un orifice (14) interposé entre la paroi latérale du corps (2) et le second orifice d'aspiration (5), caractérisé par au moins un couvercle (9) contrôlé par l'utilisateur, permettant d'ouvrir et de fermer l'orifice (14), et un mécanisme de mouvement (10) permettant d'actionner le couvercle (9).
     
    2. Un aspirateur selon la déclaration 1, caractérisé par le premier orifice d'aspiration (4) prévu au milieu de la base (3) de la tête de nettoyage (1), et par deux orifices d'aspiration (5) prévus de part et d'autre du premier orifice d'aspiration (4).
     
    3. Un aspirateur selon les déclarations 1 et 2, caractérisé par le premier canal (7) interconnectant le premier orifice d'aspiration (4) et le tuyau (6).
     
    4. Un aspirateur selon les déclarations 1 et 2, caractérisé par le second canal (8) interconnectant le second orifice d'aspiration (5) et le tuyau (6).
     
    5. Un aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des déclarations précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que le premier et le deuxième orifice d'aspiration (4 et 5) sont annulaires.
     
    6. Un aspirateur selon l'une quelconque des déclarations 1 à 4, caractérisé par le fait que le premier et le deuxième orifice d'aspiration (4 et 5) sont rectangulaires.
     
    7. Un aspirateur selon la déclaration 1, caractérisé par le mécanisme de mouvement (10) comportant un ressort (11) s'étendant à côté du corps (2) de la tête de nettoyage (1) vers le deuxième orifice d'aspiration (5), placé dans un siège cylindrique (15) avec l'orifice (14) à son extrémité, dont une extrémité est fixée au couvercle (9) ; un poussoir (12) permettant de comprimer et de relâcher le ressort (11), dont une extrémité est fixée au ressort (11) ; et un déclencheur (13) auquel le poussoir (12) est relié, faisant passer le couvercle (9) en position ouverte ou fermée en actionnant le poussoir (12) et le ressort (11) sur déclenchement par l'utilisateur à côté de la tête de nettoyage (1).
     




    Drawing














    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description