ES2875227B2 - CENTRAL BRUSH FOR CLEANING DEVICE AND ELECTRIC CLEANING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

CENTRAL BRUSH FOR CLEANING DEVICE AND ELECTRICAL DEVICE

CLEANING

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention refers to an automatic or semi-automatic electric cleaning device, self-moving or not, and, more particularly, refers to the cleaning element installed in the body of said automatic or semi-automatic electric cleaning device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Suction devices, self-moving or not, are widely known as surface cleaning devices, in whose head or body, where the suction and/or dirt collection is carried out, includes a cavity in which a rotating roller is housed that normally occupying the entire width of the suction port, said roller of the cleaning apparatus includes a core defining a longitudinal axis of rotation and a number of bristles arranged along a circumference of the brush core.

Document CN207220762U belongs to the state of the art. This document provides a roller for a vacuum cleaner, this roller comprises a plurality of bristles and rotates inversely to the axis of the drive motor. The utility model reveals that this roller allows the outer diameter to maintain sufficient torque to provide acceptable cleaning performance. The roller described in this document is not capable of capturing particles of dimensions greater than those of the dust deposited on the surface of the floor, such as chick peas, large accumulations of dirt and nuts.

Finally, document CN203898204 belongs to the state of the art, which refers to a roller that includes a plurality of hard bristles and other non-hard bristles. Said hard and non-hard bristles are grouped, and the diameter of the tufts of the hard bristles is greater than the diameter of the tufts of the non-hard bristles.

As can be seen in the state of the art, there are numerous rollers cleaning, with different configurations, which are optimized for the collection of dirt on different surfaces. So, depending on the type of floor and/or surface to be cleaned, the user is forced to change the central brush manually.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem that the present invention intends to solve is to achieve a brush in a cleaning device that allows a variation of the external diameter of the roller so that the final result is a continuous displacement of the head unit, which can vary its external configuration automatically. , without the need for user participation, so that with a single brush optimal cleaning of surfaces is achieved, whatever their characteristics.

To achieve this objective, the cleaning roller has an internal mechanism that achieves the variation of its exterior geometry, being able to alternate it between a position that maintains the cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape, and a position in which cavities are generated on its exterior. for the collection of large particles.

The brush object of the present invention comprises: means for coupling to an electrical device, drive means, and at least one external cleaning surface. And it is characterized in that it additionally comprises a rigid structure and a flexible structure, which will be solidly connected to each other thanks to their construction elements.

It will also comprise drive means for the internal mechanism of the brush itself, which will be responsible for alternating between a first position and a second position.

In this way, by rotating the brush assembly, a deformation of the outer diameter of the brush would be achieved when encountering an obstacle and/or a change in the type of surface, improving the sweeping action.

It also achieves an optimization of the cleaning process and time, since the user is not forced to stop cleaning and change the type of brush to improve cleaning. effectiveness of the collection of dirt depending on its type or depending on the collected surface, but it will be the brush itself that will vary its geometry while carrying out the cleaning process itself, reducing cleaning times.

Initially, the motor independent of the rotation of the roller is activated while the motor that transmits the rotation to the roller is stopped. This produces the torsion of the silicone ribs located inside the roller, producing an internal traction of the roller surface at the points of union of the ribs, sinking those points, generating grooves whose space allows the capture of larger particles.

This process and its inverse will be responsible for alternating the geometry of the brush, according to the requirements of the cleaning process, between at least two work positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, where for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Next:

- Figure 1. General view of the cleaning brush

- Figure 2. General view of the rigid tubular structure

- Figure 3. General view of the flexible tubular structure

- Figure 4. Section of the rigid tubular structure

- Figure 5. Section of the flexible tubular structure

- Figure 6. Views of the rigid cover

- Figure 7. View of an example of a first operating position - Figure 8.- View of an example of a second operating position

List of references:

1. Rigid tubular structure

2. Rigid shaft

3. Rigid base

4. Outgoing

5. Guide

6. Flexible tubular structure

7. Tubular shaft

8. Cross wall

9. Cross guide

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which there are shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be used and logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and/or chemical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. To avoid details not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to carry out the detailed description should therefore not be taken in a limiting sense.

Specifically, the present invention refers to a central brush for a cleaning device comprising: means for coupling to an automatic or semi-automatic electric cleaning device, and at least one external cleaning surface, characterized in that it comprises:

• at least one rigid tubular structure 1 which, in turn, comprises: a rigid shaft 2, a rigid base 3, at least one projection 4, and at least one guide 5

• at least one flexible tubular structure 6 which, in turn, comprises: at least one tubular shaft 7, at least one transverse wall 8, and at least one transverse guide 9, • at least one rigid cover (not shown in the figures )

• at least system drive means (not shown in the figures) where:

• the external surface of the flexible tubular structure 6 covers substantially the entire external surface of the rigid tubular structure 1,

• the rigid shaft 2 of the rigid tubular structure 1 is placed inside the tubular shaft 7 of the flexible tubular structure 6, by means of a solidary coupling • the transverse walls 8 of the flexible tubular structure 6 are placed inside the guides 5 of the rigid tubular structure 1,

• the projections 4 of the rigid tubular structure 1 are placed inside the transverse guides 9 of the flexible tubular structure 6,

• the rigid cover is located in the opposite position to the rigid base 3 of the rigid tubular structure 1, closing the assembly.

• the actuating means comprise at least two different positions, referring to at least two operating modes of the system,

• the drive means of the system are coupled to the rigid shaft 2 of the rigid tubular structure 1.

According to this embodiment, a brush assembly is achieved that is made up of two clearly differentiated structures that achieve a rigid structural part, giving consistency to the assembly, and a flexible structural part, that is, that can be deformed according to the user's requirements.

In this way, and since the rigid shaft 2 is inserted inside the tubular shaft 7, it can be said that the rigid shaft 2 has a rotational movement that is integral to that of the tubular shaft 7.

It can also be stated that there is a perfect coupling between the rigid structure 1 and the flexible structure 6 thanks to the transverse walls 8 of the flexible structure 6 and the guides 5 of the rigid structure 1. Which is reinforced by the coupling between the projections 4 of the rigid structure 1 and the transverse guides 9 of the flexible structure 6.

On the other hand, the rigid cover provides structural consistency and resistance to the assembly, closing it on the opposite side of the rigid base 3 of the rigid structure 1.

Lastly, and as can be seen, the drive means of the system will be coupled to the rigid shaft 2 of the rigid tubular structure 1, in such a way that a rotational movement is transmitted which, due to the integral coupling between parts, will also be transmitted to the tubular shaft 7 of the flexible tubular structure 6.

In a preferred embodiment, the central brush for a cleaning device according to the preceding claim, comprises two operating modes.

A first mode of operation, which corresponds to a first position of the drive means, in which the flexible tubular structure 6 is in the rest position, with the transverse walls 8 in an extended position, forming a circular or substantially circular shape in the brush section.

And a second mode of operation, corresponding to a second position of the drive means, in which the flexible tubular structure 6 is in the working position, with the transverse walls 8 in the contracted position, configuring a star-shaped or substantially star-shaped polygon in the brush section. Polygon in which the vertices are formed by the projections 4 of the rigid tubular structure 1, and where the sides are formed by the outer surface of the flexible tubular structure 6 deformed due to stress.

According to this embodiment, in a first mode of operation, the brush is configured to clean certain surfaces that, due to their own configuration or the size of the particles to be collected, require a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical configuration of the cleaning brush of the device. electrical, such as smooth, hard surfaces or the collection of small dust particles.

In the second mode of operation, the brush is configured to clean certain surfaces that, due to their own configuration or the size of the particles to be collected, require a special configuration of the cleaning brush of the electrical appliance, in which cavities that improve the efficiency of collecting dirt from surfaces, such as carpets or the collection of dirt of a certain size.

In a preferred embodiment, to change from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, the drive means will be used, which transmit a rotation to the rigid shaft 2 and to the tubular shaft 7, thanks to the couplings between them, and the movement of rotation of the tubular shaft 7 causes a torsion of the transverse walls 8 of the flexible structure 6, generating a traction on the outer surface of the roller in the joint areas between the transverse walls 8 and the outer surface of the flexible tubular structure 6, attracting them into the interior of central brush, and generating slits on the outer surface of the central brush, configuring the aforementioned star-shaped or substantially star-shaped polygon.

In other words, using the action of the drive means, it would be possible to contract part of the surface of the flexible tubular structure 6, keeping the contact areas between the flexible tubular structure 6 and the projections 4 of the rigid tubular structure 1 in the same position. , so that the star shape is configured with cavities on its outer surface, which would facilitate the collection of larger dirt.

On the other hand, to change from the second operating mode to the first operating mode, the drive means transmit a rotation to the rigid shaft 2 and to the tubular shaft 7, preferably in the opposite direction to that of the previous movement, and the movement of the tubular shaft 7 relaxes the torsional stress to which the transverse walls 8 of the flexible structure 6 are subjected, avoiding the traction generated on the outer surface of the roller in the joint areas between the transverse walls 8 and the outer surface of the flexible tubular structure 6 , configuring a circular or substantially circular shape in the section of the brush and, with it, the cylindrical configuration of the brush.

In other words, using the action of the drive means, it would be possible to return the surface of the flexible tubular structure 6 to a first cylindrical configuration, due to the release of the traction tension of the outer surface of the flexible tubular structure 6, which it would return to its extended position, eliminating the cavities.

In a preferred embodiment of the central brush for a cleaning device, the flexible tubular structure 6 will be made of a polymeric material, such as a silicone or some deformable plastic at room temperature.

In a preferred embodiment of the central brush for a cleaning device, the rigid tubular structure 1 will be made of metallic material or some other type of resistant material.

In a preferred embodiment, the drive means of the system are comprised of an electric drive motor.

In a preferred embodiment, the brush object of the present invention may be included in an automatic or semi-automatic electric cleaning device comprising: cleaning means, cleaning means activation means, electrical connection means or battery, and means manual and/or autonomous displacement. Such as manual broom or sled vacuum cleaners, or robot vacuum cleaners.

The industrial application of the present invention is clear, since it allows us to obtain a cleaning roller for an electrical appliance that can perform the functions of two different brushes, since it allows the cleaning of smooth surfaces and/or the collection of small dirt. in one of its operating modes; and allows the cleaning of irregular surfaces and/or the collection of larger particles in its second mode of operation, without the need for the user to change the brush installed in the electric cleaning device.

Claims (5)

1. Central brush for cleaning apparatus comprising: • means of coupling to an electric automatic or semi-automatic cleaning device • at least one external cleaning surface characterized by comprising: • at least one rigid tubular structure (1) which, in turn, comprises: Yo. a rigid axle (2) ii. a rigid base (3) iii. at least one protrusion (4) IV. at least one guide (5) • at least one flexible tubular structure (6) which, in turn, comprises: i. at least one tubular shaft (7) ii. at least one transverse wall (8) iii. at least one cross guide (9) • at least one hard cover • at least system drive means where: • the external surface of the flexible tubular structure (6) covers the entire external surface of the rigid tubular structure (1), • the rigid shaft (2) of the rigid tubular structure (1) is placed inside the tubular shaft (7) of the flexible tubular structure (6), by means of a solidary coupling, • the transverse walls (8) of the flexible tubular structure (6) are placed inside the guides (5) of the rigid tubular structure (1), • the projections (4) of the rigid tubular structure (1) are placed inside the transverse guides (9) of the flexible tubular structure (6), • the rigid cover is located in the opposite position to the rigid base (3) of the rigid tubular structure (1), closing the assembly, • the drive means comprise at least two different positions, referring to at least two operating modes of the system, • the drive means of the system are coupled to the rigid shaft (2) of the rigid tubular structure (1). 2. Central brush for cleaning apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the flexible tubular structure (6) is made of a polymeric material. 3. Central brush for cleaning apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rigid tubular structure (1) is made of a metallic material. 4. Central brush for cleaning apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive means of the system are comprised of an electric motor. 5. Automatic or semi-automatic electric cleaning apparatus comprising: or cleaning media o actuation means of the cleaning means o means of electrical connection o battery or and means of manual and/or autonomous movement characterized in that it comprises a central brush like the one in the previous claims.