DE102017119588A1 - Sweeping brush for a self-propelled cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sweeping brush (1) for an automatically moving cleaning device (2), wherein the sweeping brush (1) has a rotation axis receptacle (3) for receiving a rotation axis (4) of the cleaning device (2) and at least one starting from the rotation axis receptacle (3). 3) radially outwardly extending bristle tufts (5) comprising a multiplicity of bristles (7) connected to one another at a tuft end (6), the tuft end (6) having an undercut caused by a change in a tuft diameter (D) relative to its longitudinal extent (FIG. 8). In order to enable optimal positioning and sealing of the tuft end (6) of the bristle tufts (5) in, for example, an injection mold, it is proposed that the undercut (8) has a rectangular diameter change relative to a longitudinal section of the tuft (5).

Description

Field of engineering

The invention relates to a sweeping brush for a self-propelled cleaning device, wherein the sweeping brush has a rotational axis recording for receiving a rotation axis of the cleaning device and at least one starting from the rotational axis recording radially outwardly extending bristle tufts of a plurality of interconnected at a tuft end bristles, wherein the Tendril has related to its longitudinal extension caused by a change in a tuft diameter undercut.

The invention further relates to a self-propelled cleaning device having a sweeping brush rotatable about a rotation axis, having a rotational axis receptacle for receiving a rotation axis of the cleaning device and at least one bristle tufts extending radially outwardly from the rotational axis receptacle and comprising a multiplicity of bristles connected to a tuft end , wherein the tuft end has a relation to its longitudinal extent caused by a change of a tuft diameter undercut.

In addition, the invention relates to a method for producing a bristle tuft for a sweeping brush, wherein a plurality of bristles are combined and end connected together to form a bristle tufts.

State of the art

Sweeping brushes for cleaning devices of the aforementioned type and methods for producing a bristle tuft for such sweeping brush are known in the art.

Cleaning devices of the aforementioned type are known in particular in the form of autonomously operating suction and / or sweeping robot, which find particular application in a household. In this regard, it is known to equip the cleaning devices for improved edge cleaning at room boundaries or obstacles with a sweeping brush whose rotation axis is oriented substantially vertically during a cleaning operation. Such cleaning devices show, for example, the EP 1 437 958 B1 and DE 10 2010 037 672 A1 ,

With regard to sweeping brushes in general, it is for example from the DE 44 15 886 A1 It is known to join a plurality of bristles into a bristle tuft by fusing together the end portions of the bristles to form a thickened tuft end in the manner of a drop.

From the EP 0 149 996 A2 It is also known to inject bristle tufts with welded tufts ends in a brush body. The bristle tufts initially have tufts whose diameter is not greater than the diameter of the bristle tufts otherwise. The tuft end has an arcuate taper. To connect the bristle tufts with the brush body, the tuft end is then popped with a slider, so that the diameter of the tuft end increases. Thereafter, the tuft end is placed in an injection mold, the mold cavity is ejected with thermoplastic material. The result is a brush body, which envelops the tufts of bristle tufts.

A disadvantage of the brushware described above is that the tufts have profiles with curved contours, which make it difficult to optimally insert the bristle tufts into an injection mold. Furthermore, a seal against the injection molding tool is difficult. In addition, due to the curved contours, the bristle tufts can be pulled out of the brush body relatively easily.

Summary of the invention

Based on the aforementioned prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide a sweeping brush, a self-propelled cleaning device with a sweeping brush and also a method for producing a bristle tuft, in which an optimal handling during the production of the sweeping brush is possible. In addition, compared to the state of the art, increased forces are required in order to pull out a bristle tuft from the main body of the sweeping brush.

To solve this problem, a sweeping brush is first proposed according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the undercut of the tuft end has a rectangular diameter change relative to a longitudinal section of the bristle tufts.

According to the invention, the tuft end of the bristle tufts now has a profile with rectangular contours, so that the tuft end can be precisely fitted into an injection mold to be embedded there in the main body of the sweeping brush, namely the axis of rotation recording. The undercut has a 90 ° sloping edge, which can be used for adjusting the tuft end in the injection molding tool. Not least, the rectangular offers Undercut within the injection mold also has a defined geometry, which makes it possible to seal on the bristle tufts. In addition, the undercut also provides optimum support of the bristle tufts within the material of the rotational axis recording. In particular, the undercut leads to higher forces being necessary in relation to the prior art in order to pull the bristle tuft out of the rotational axis receptacle. After an encapsulation of the tuft end holds the connection between the bristle tufts and the body of the sweeping brush, for example, forces of at least 50 N.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the undercut is part of a paragraph with respect to the longitudinal section rectangular paragraph with a rising edge and a falling edge. According to this embodiment, the profile of the bristle tufts has both a rising and a falling edge, before or behind which material of the body of the sweeping brush can be injected. Within an injection molding tool, the bristle tufts are thus encapsulated with respect to opposite directions and later held by the cured material.

In particular, it is proposed that the shoulder viewed in the longitudinal direction from the free ends of the bristles to the tuft end precedes a taper of the tuft diameter. Based on the tuft diameter of the bristles combined as bristle tufts, the tuft end is thus initially tapered before the step, so that the diameter of the tuft end is smaller in this area than in the preceding area. In the direction of the end facing away from the free ends of the bristles of the bristle tufts behind the taper of the paragraph, which in turn has an enlarged diameter.

In particular, it can be provided that a paragraph diameter of the paragraph corresponds to the tufts diameter. Incidentally, the diameter of the tuft end is the same on both sides of the taper.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the tuft end has a plurality of undercuts formed one behind the other in the longitudinal direction. The profile of the tuft end can thus have several gradations, which can be used for the advantageous adjustment of the tuft end within an injection molding tool or later for fixing in the main body of the sweeping brush. The undercuts can be identical in terms of their shape and size.

In particular, it is proposed that the tuft end has several paragraphs with the same Absatzdurchmessem. In addition, the tuft end may have various shapes relative to a cross section (transverse to the longitudinal direction), for example round, angular, oval, polygonal and others. In particular, a rotationally symmetrical design is recommended, so that the bristle tufts can be inserted in different rotational positions in an injection molding tool without a user having to observe a specific orientation.

Furthermore, it is proposed that a height of the undercut is approximately one twentieth to one fifth of the tuft diameter. In particular, the height may correspond to approximately one tenth of the tuft diameter. As a result of this configuration, the greatest possible material thickness also remains in the narrowing of the tuft end, so that the tuft end is relatively robust against deformation, in particular kinking, or damage during handling. At the same time, however, a sufficiently large taper remains at this height to hold the tuft end securely within a brush body.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the tuft end is encapsulated by the material of the rotational axis recording and / or glued into the material and / or is welded thereto and / or locked with it. The tuft end can thus be connected in different ways with the basic body formed by the rotation axis recording. In particular, the encapsulation is a common method. However, the same holding forces of the bristle tufts within the main body can also be achieved by gluing the tuft end into a prefabricated base body, welding or latching it with it. In particular, the tuft end is held by the material of a radially outwardly extending receiving arm starting from the rotational axis receptacle. In this embodiment, the sweeping brush on the rotational axis recording trained receiving arms which extend over a central, preferably round body of the rotational axis recording outward and protrude beyond this. The receiving arms protrude when using the sweeping brush in a cleaning device preferably down to the surface to be cleaned and each carry a bristle tufts. The receiving arms form a mechanical stabilization for the bristle tufts, since the free length of the bristles outside the main body or the receiving arms can thus be reduced.

In addition to the above-described sweeping brush with the invention further comprises a self-propelled cleaning device with a to proposed a rotary axis rotatable sweeping brush, wherein the sweeping brush has a rotary axis recording for receiving a rotation axis of the cleaning device and at least one starting from the rotational axis recording radially outwardly extending bristle tufts of a plurality of interconnected at a tuft end bristles, wherein the tuft end with respect to its longitudinal direction of a has due to a change in a tuft diameter conditional undercut, which has a rectangular diameter change with respect to a longitudinal section of the bristle tufts. The proposed cleaning device has in particular a sweeping brush according to one of the embodiments described above. Thus, the advantages and features described above apply accordingly for a cleaning device with such sweeping brush.

Furthermore, a method for producing a bristle tuft for a sweeping brush is proposed, wherein a plurality of bristles are combined and end connected to a bristle tufts, wherein the bristles are melted end in a mold and a tuft end of the bristle tufts within the mold to form a related is converted to a longitudinal extension direction of the bristle tufts caused by a change in a tuft diameter diameter undercut.

A plurality of bristles, for example more than 100 or more than 200 pieces, are gathered into a tuft of bristles and melted within a mold by a thermal process, with the material of the tuft end taking the shape of the mold. Within the mold, the bristle end hardens with the corresponding profile, which has a, with respect to the longitudinal extent of the bristle tufts, change the tufts diameter, which forms an undercut. In a subsequent manufacturing step, the profiled bristle tufts are removed from the mold and connected to a main body of the sweeping brush, for example, the rotation axis of the sweeping brush. In particular, the tuft end of the bristle tuft is inserted into an injection mold and encapsulated by the material of the base body. Likewise, the bristle tufts can be connected to a base body by these glued together, welded or locked. For producing the profiled tuft end, in addition to the coalescing of the bristles, a method is also suitable in which the bristles combined into a tufts of bristles are encapsulated in a molding tool. The cast bristle tuft can then be inserted again into an injection mold or glued, welded or latched to a base body.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the bristle tufts are supplied to the mold as endless goods, wherein an end region lying in front of the mold is held by a guide element. After completion of the profiled tuft end, a bristle tuft of defined length is separated from the endless fabric and the mold is opened to remove the finished bristle tufts.

list of figures

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsgerätes von unten,
• 2 einen Teilbereich des Reinigungsgerätes mit einer Kehrbürste,
• 3 ein Borstenbüschel der Kehrbürste,
• 4 ein Borstenbüschel aus einer Vielzahl von einzelnen Borsten vor dem Einlegen in ein Formwerkzeug,
• 5 das Borstenbüschel vor der Einlage in das Formwerkzeug in einer Seitenansicht,
• 6 ein Einschmelzen und Umformen des Büschelendes des Borstenbüschels innerhalb des Formwerkzeugs,
• 7 die Entnahme des profilierten Borstenbüschels aus dem Formwerkzeug,
• 8 die Entnahme des Borstenbüschels aus dem Formwerkzeug und Ablängen des Borstenbüschels,
• 9 einen axialen Längsschnitt des Borstenbüschels mit profiliertem Büschelende,
• 10 einen Längsschnitt des Borstenbüschels gemäß 9 eingebettet in einem Grundkörper.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a cleaning device according to the invention from below,
• 2 a portion of the cleaning device with a sweeping brush,
• 3 a bristle tuft of the sweeping brush,
• 4 a bristle tuft of a plurality of individual bristles prior to insertion into a mold,
• 5 the bristle tufts before insertion into the mold in a side view,
• 6 melting and reshaping the tufts of the bristle tufts within the mold,
• 7 the removal of the profiled bristle tufts from the mold,
• 8th removing the bristle tufts from the mold and cutting the bristle tufts to length
• 9 an axial longitudinal section of the bristle tufts with profiled tuft end,
• 10 a longitudinal section of the bristle tufts according to 9 embedded in a basic body.

Description of the embodiments

1 shows a cleaning device according to the invention 2 , which is designed here as a vacuum robot. The cleaning device 2 can automatically move over a surface and has one inside a housing 13 of the cleaning device 2 arranged navigation and self-locating device (not shown), with which the cleaning device 2 within premises and self-locate. The cleaning device 2 has two wheels 14 and two cleaning elements, namely one rotating about a substantially horizontal axis cleaning roller 15 and one about a substantially vertical axis of rotation 4 rotating sweeping brush 1 , The wheels 4 , the cleaning roller 15 and the sweeping brush 1 are each driven by an electric motor. The cleaning device 2 on the one hand rests on the wheels 14 and on the other hand via the cleaning roller 15 on the surface to be cleaned, with the cleaning roller 15 and the sweeping brush 1 perform a mechanical cleaning of the surface. Through the cleaning roller 15 and the sweeping brush 1 dirt loosened from the surface passes through a suction mouth 18 into a suction bag. This is the suction mouth 18 subjected to the negative pressure of a motor-blower unit.

The navigation and self-locating device of the cleaning device 2 has one in the housing 13 of the cleaning device 2 arranged distance measuring device (not shown), which distances to obstacles within the environment of the cleaning device 2 measures. The distance measuring device is, for example, an optical triangulation measuring device which can measure distances to obstacles preferably in an angular range of 360 °.

In the 1 and enlarged in 2 illustrated sweeping brush 1 has a rotation axis recording 3 as the main body of the sweeping brush 1 on. The rotation axis recording 3 provides a hub for receiving the axis of rotation 4 of the cleaning device 2 and has a substantially circular plan, which five formed at regular intervals along the circumference of the circular outline receiving arms 11 which extends from the axis of rotation 4 extend in the radial direction to the outside. Each pickup arm 11 has a tuft of bristles 5 from a variety of bristles 7 on, here preferred in each case about 200 bristles 7 , The bristles 7 of bristle tufts 5 are either in the pickup arm 11 anchored or over the entire length of the pick-up arm 11 passed through this and in the main body of the rotational axis recording 3 anchored. The free ends 10 protrude from the pickup arm 11 out and serve for mechanical action on a surface to be cleaned.

The sweeping brush 1 is one over the axis of rotation 4 on the rotation axis recording 3 associated electric motor (not shown). The arrangement of the sweeping brush 1 relative to the housing 13 is chosen so that the rotation axis recording 3 within the floor plan of the housing 13 lies, the free ends 10 the bristle tufts 5 however, at least partially over the through the housing 13 protrude predetermined edge contour and thus can perform a cleaning along baseboards or obstacles. The pickup arms 11 serve to stiffen a longitudinal portion of the bristle tufts 5 , The pickup arms 11 are directed radially outward, elongated, more preferably tubular. Alternatively, however, it would also be possible in principle, the bristle tufts 5 without intermediate arrangement of a pickup arm 11 directly in the axis of rotation 3 to fix. The bristles 7 including, if necessary, a pickup arm 11 can be measured from the free ends 10 up to the rotational axis recording 3 have a length of, for example, 30 mm to 80 mm. The thickness of the bristles 7 is for example 0.2 mm. The length fraction between a pickup arm 11 and a portion of the bristle tufts 5 outside the pickup arm 11 is basically freely selectable, for example, a ratio of 1: 3 to 3: 1 is recommended.

3 shows a in a pickup arm 11 anchored bristle tufts 5 , The bristle tufts 5 is with a tuft end 6 in the pickup arm 11 anchored while the free ends 10 the bristles 7 of bristle tufts 5 protrude outward. The tuft end 6 is formed profiled and has two in the longitudinal direction of the tuft end 6 one behind the other undercuts 8th with paragraphs 9 on. Starting from the free ends 10 the profile has a taper of a tuft diameter D _B on which a rectangular diameter change with a steep flank of the paragraph 9 follows. The flank has a height H on. Paragraph 9 has a paragraph diameter D _A on which the tuft diameter D _B equivalent. Paragraph 9 also has a falling edge with the same height H on. Behind a subsequent rejuvenation is again a second paragraph 9 arranged with a rising edge, which also has a rectangular shape. Relative to a longitudinal section, shown in the 9 and 10 , points the tuft end 6 a profile with rectangular diameter changes, with the rising edges of the paragraphs 9 which the undercut 8th form a 90 ° angle to the longitudinal extent of the bristle tufts 5 exhibit. The bristle tufts 5 , including the tuft end 6 with the paragraphs 9 and the intervening tapers, has a round cross-sectional shape. Alternatively, however, other cross-sectional shapes are conceivable, wherein a rotational symmetry is advantageous. The height H the undercut 8th Here, for example, is one-tenth of the tuft diameter D _B ,

The 4 to 8th describe the method of making the profiled tuft finish 6 a bristle tuft 5 ,

4 shows a method step in which a bristle tufts 5 as an endless product to a mold 12 with two mold halves 17 is introduced. The bristle tufts 5 is by a guide element 16 held, with a specific Length of the bristles 7 from the guide element 16 sticking out and into one of the mold halves 17 can be inserted.

As in 5 shown, have the mold halves 17 a profiled structure, which on the bristle tufts 5 pretending to be produced profile. The bristle tufts 5 gets into one of the mold halves 17 inserted. Subsequently, the mold halves 17 for closing the mold 12 connected with each other.

As in 6 pictured, the tuft end becomes 6 of bristle tufts 5 then inside the mold 12 heated, leaving the material of the bristles 7 of the tufting end 6 melts and that through the mold 12 predefined profile adopts. After curing or cooling of the tuft end 6 becomes the bristle tufts 5 then as in 7 shown from the open mold 12 taken. The bristle tufts 5 is from the in the guide element 16 held endless goods separated.

8th shows the finished bristle tufts 5 with the reshaped tufts 6 , Which related to the longitudinal section of the bristle tufts 5 having rectangular diameter changes.

The bristle tufts 5 can then with his tuft end 6 be placed in an injection mold, in which the tuft end 6 with the material of the rotation axis recording 3 the sweeping brush 1 is overmoulded. The profile of the tuft end 6 allows the bristle tufts 5 optimally adjusted to insert in the injection mold and seal this. Alternatively to the encapsulation of the tuft end 6 can the tuft end 6 Alternatively glued into a base body, welded or locked with this.

Although in the embodiment according to the 5 to 7 not the case, can the tuft end 6 of bristle tufts 5 alternatively also be formed by that to a bristle tufts 5 combined bristles 7 be encapsulated in a mold and formed into a profile according to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

sweeping brush

2

cleaner

3

Rotational axes Recording

4

axis of rotation

5

tufts

6

tuft end

7

bristles

8th

undercut

9

paragraph

10

Free end

11

pickup

12

mold

13

casing

14

wheel

15

cleaning roller

16

guide element

17

Mold half

18

saugmund

D _A

Paragraph diameter

D _B

Tuft diameter

H

height

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1437958 B1 [0005]
• DE 102010037672 A1 [0005]
• DE 4415886 A1 [0006]
• EP 0149996 A2 [0007]

Claims (10)

Sweeping brush (1) for a self-propelled moving cleaning device (2), wherein the sweeping brush (1) a rotational axis recording (3) for receiving a rotation axis (4) of the cleaning device (2) and at least one radially from the rotation axis recording (3) Having externally extending bristle tufts (5) of a plurality of at a tufts end (6) interconnected bristles (7), wherein the tuft end (6) with respect to its longitudinal extent by a change of a tuft diameter (D _B ) conditional undercut (8) , characterized in that the undercut (8) with respect to a longitudinal section of the bristle tufts (5) has a rectangular diameter change. Sweeping brush after Claim 1 , characterized in that the undercut (8) is part of a relative to the longitudinal section rectangular paragraph (9) with a rising edge and a falling edge. Sweeping brush (1) after Claim 2 characterized in that the step (9) viewed in the longitudinal direction of the free ends (10) of the bristles (7) to the tuft end (6) precedes a tapering of the tuft diameter (D _B ). Sweeping brush (1) after Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that a shoulder diameter (D _A ) of the heel (9) corresponds to the tuft diameter (D _B ). Sweeping brush (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tuft end (6) has a plurality of longitudinally successively formed undercuts (8). Sweeping brush (1) after one of Claims 2 to 5 , characterized in that the tuft end (6) has a plurality of paragraphs (9) with the same paragraph diameters (D _A ). Sweeping brush (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a height (H) of the undercut (8) corresponds to approximately one twentieth to one fifth of the tuft diameter (D _B ), in particular one tenth of the tuft diameter (D _B ). Sweeping brush (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tuft end (6) of the material of the rotational axis recording (3), in particular of the material of a starting from the rotational axis recording (3) radially outwardly extending receiving arm (11), is encapsulated and / or glued into the material and / or welded thereto and / or locked it. Self-propelled cleaning device (2) with a sweeping brush (1) rotatable about a rotation axis (4), in particular with a sweeping brush (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sweeping brush (1) has a rotation axis receptacle (3) for receiving a rotation axis (3). 4) of the cleaning device (2) and at least one bristle tufts (5) extending radially outward from the rotational axis receptacle (3) comprising a plurality of bristles (7) connected to a tuft end (6), the tuft end (6) in relation to its longitudinal extension, an undercut (8) conditioned by a change in a tuft diameter (D _B ), characterized in that the undercut (8) has a rectangular change in diameter with respect to a longitudinal section of the bristle tuft (5). A method for producing a bristle tuft (5) for a sweeping brush, wherein a plurality of bristles (7) are combined and end connected to a bristle tuft (5), characterized in that the bristles (7) in a mold (12) melted end and a tuft end (6) of the bristle tufts (5) inside the mold (12) is formed under formation of an undercut (8) related to a longitudinal extent of the bristle tufts (5) by a change of a tuft diameter (D _B ).

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