Nozzle arrangement for a self-guiding vacuum cleaner

• US 5,781,960 A
• Filed: 04/09/1997
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
• Original Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
• Inventors: Haegermarck, Anders, Riise, Bjorn, Kilstrom, Lars
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/838,555
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 15/340.1, 15/340.3, 15/354, 15/319
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/30 with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0411 driven by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0444 for conveying motion by endless flexible members, e.g. belts
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0494 Height adjustment of dust-loosening tools

Abstract

A self-guiding vacuum cleaner having a chassis (10) supporting a brush nozzle (50) facing the floor and having a nozzle opening (51) communicating with a chamber (16) in which a dust container (17) is arranged, the chamber being connected to the inlet side of a fan unit (33). The vacuum cleaner has a drive system for driving the vacuum cleaner on the floor, the drive system including at least two drive wheels (35) which are also arranged to guide the vacuum cleaner on the floor by relative motion of the wheels. The chassis (10) and the nozzle (50) are provided with cooperating means (48, 49) by means of which the nozzle (50) is such supported in the chassis for vertical movement.

Claims

1. A self-guiding vacuum cleaner comprising a chassis (10) supporting a brush nozzle (50) facing the floor and having a nozzle opening (51) communicating with a chamber (16) in which a dust container (17) is arranged, said chamber being connected to the inlet side of a fan unit (33), a drive system for driving the vacuum cleaner on the floor, said drive system comprising at least two drive wheels (35) which are also arranged to guide the vacuum cleaner on the floor by relative motion of the wheels and an electric control system, wherein the chassis (10) and the nozzle (50) cooperate to provide means (48, 49) for supporting the nozzle (50) in the chassis for vertical movement relative to said chassis.

2. A self-guiding vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a mainly horizontal arm (48) on which the nozzle (50) is arranged, said arm being pivotably secured to the chassis.

3. A self-guiding vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the arm (48) is capable of vertical, oscillating movement relative to said chassis and turning movement about an axis extending in a length direction of the arm.

4. A self-guiding vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the nozzle opening (51) is placed in front of a brush roll (52), as seen in the direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner, and wherein a direction of rotation of the brush roll is such that the direction of movement of the brush roll over the floor is opposite to the direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner.

5. A self-guiding vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle opening (51) is placed in front of a brush roll (52) , as seen in the direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner, and wherein a direction of rotation of the brush roll is such that the direction of movement of the brush roll over the floor is opposite to the direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner.

6. A self-guiding vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle (50) supports a driving motor (55) of a brush roll.

7. A self-guiding vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle is provided with a sleeve (25) communicating with the nozzle opening (51) and which, by means of a sealed opening (23), extends into said chamber (16).

8. A self-guiding vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle supporting point (49) at the chassis is placed in the front part of the vacuum cleaner whereas the brush roll (52) is disposed between a central part and a rear part of the vacuum cleaner.

9. A self-guiding vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle comprises an arm (48) and said supporting means comprises a ball joint (49), said arm being supported in said ball joint such that said arm can turn vertically about said ball joint and about a horizontal axis extending in a length direction of said arm.

10. A self-guiding vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the nozzle opening (51) is placed in front of a brush roll (52), as seen in the direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner, and wherein a direction of rotation of the brush roll is such that the direction of movement of the brush roll over the floor is opposite to the direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner.

11. A self-guiding vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the ball joint (49) is disposed at a front part of the vacuum cleaner and a brush roll is disposed between a central and rear part of the vacuum cleaner.