CN210520896U

CN210520896U - Dust collector suction nozzle and dust collector comprising same

Info

Publication number: CN210520896U
Application number: CN201920223156.4U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 多纳西安·弗罗
Original assignee: SEB SA
Current assignee: SEB SA
Priority date: 2018-02-23
Filing date: 2019-02-22
Publication date: 2020-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-22
Also published as: CN110179394A; FR3078244B1; ES2935277T3; CN110179394B; FR3078244A1; EP3530168A1; EP3530168B1

Abstract

The utility model relates to a dust catcher suction nozzle, its design is used for treating the dust absorption and removes on the surface, and the suction nozzle includes first head, and first head includes first dust absorption pipe, and first dust absorption pipe connection is to first dust absorption mouth, and first dust absorption mouth is arranged on the lower surface of first head. The suction nozzle includes a second head extending the first head forward, and the second head includes a second dust suction duct connected to a second dust suction port disposed on a lower surface of the second head. The suction nozzle further comprises a hinge system arranged between the second head and the first head, the hinge system being configured so as to allow the under surface of the first head to tilt relative to the surface to be cleaned while keeping the orientation of the under surface of the second head substantially fixed relative to the surface to be cleaned during movement of the suction nozzle from front to back and vice versa, i.e. from back to front.

Description

Dust collector suction nozzle and dust collector comprising same

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a dust catcher field especially relates to the design of dust catcher suction nozzle, and this suction nozzle also is called suction head or dust absorption head, carries out the dust absorption through this suction nozzle.

The aim of the invention is to design a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner which ensures optimum suction over the entire surface to be cleaned despite possible obstacles.

Background

Conventionally, a cart type cleaner or a broom type cleaner includes a suction nozzle constituted by a head having either a rectangular shape or a triangular shape.

Newly designed suction nozzles with rectangular heads allow to effectively remove dust from all types of surfaces, such as carpets, slippery floors, floors or others, on which the most difficult performance to achieve is on the carpet. In particular, the application of energy tags in the field of vacuum cleaners has prompted manufacturers to reduce the power of the motor of the vacuum cleaner and thus the suction air flow rate and to develop suction nozzles with rectangular heads which maintain maximum suction performance at a smaller suction air flow rate.

However, such a nozzle with a rectangular head does not allow proper access in the corner of a room and along a skirting board. In fact, dust removal in room corners or along skirting boards is more efficient by using suction nozzles with triangular heads.

It is therefore desirable to equip each cleaner with two suction nozzles, one consisting of a rectangular head and the other consisting of a triangular head, in order to obtain optimum performance in all cases (without obstructed surfaces or in the presence of obstacles such as room corners, skirting boards or furniture).

Some designs of suction nozzles with rectangular heads attempt to overcome this drawback.

In patent US3936903, a suction nozzle with a rectangular head is described, the air flow of which can be modified to promote suction in the corners of a room.

In patent US7051401, a nozzle with a rectangular head is described, which nozzle also comprises a suction device in the corner, which suction device is positioned on the side of the rectangular head.

In patent GB2402329A, the suction nozzle is constituted by a suction head comprising two rectangular side members which can be folded for suction in the corners of a room.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The object of the present invention is to devise a suction nozzle which allows to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.

To this end, the invention relates to a suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner, which is designed to be moved over a surface to be cleaned. The suction nozzle comprises a first head, advantageously rectangular, comprising a first suction duct connected to a first suction port arranged on a lower face of the first head.

According to the present invention, the suction nozzle comprises a second head, advantageously triangular, which makes the first head elongate forward. The second head includes a second dust suction duct connected to a second dust suction port disposed on a lower surface of the second head.

Further, according to the present invention, the suction nozzle comprises a hinge system, which is arranged between the second head and the first head. The hinge system is configured to allow the under surface of the first head to be tilted at least once relative to the surface to be cleaned while maintaining the orientation of the under surface of the second head substantially fixed relative to the surface to be cleaned during movement of the suction nozzle from front to back and vice versa, i.e. from back to front.

The lower surface of the first head being inclined relative to the surface to be cleaned means that the first head is free to pivot in at least one direction relative to the surface to be cleaned. Advantageously, the second head is pivotable about an axis parallel to the surface to be cleaned, and preferably about an axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the nozzle over the surface to be cleaned from front to back.

Thus, the first head of the suction nozzle according to the invention can be operated and positioned on the surface to be cleaned in a manner that is substantially independent of the second cleaning head. Thus, the first cleaning head may operate in a similar manner to the way it would behave if it were not associated with the second head. This feature thus allows to obtain a suction nozzle with two suction heads, including a first suction head having the shape and the main constituent elements of a suction head whose performance has been qualified when it is used alone as a suction nozzle, and to associate a second suction head with this first suction head without this interfering too much with the behavior of the first head in its reciprocating movement and without reducing too much the performance of the first head on the surface to be cleaned.

The suction nozzle according to the present invention therefore has the advantage of being constituted by a first head, which can be standard and commercialized in large numbers without being associated with a second head, which allows to distinguish the suction nozzle according to the present invention from suction nozzles constituted by a single first head and allows to provide additional functions, such as dust removal to difficult-to-access areas. Reusing the first head for the established performance allows to reduce the development and production costs of the suction nozzle according to the invention.

In particular, the suction nozzle thus realized may comprise a first head having all the advantageous functions of the currently existing suction nozzles, in particular suction nozzles with a rectangular head, for example functions allowing angular adjustment of the head, for example for scraping a surface while vacuuming the surface.

According to an embodiment of the hinge system, the hinge system comprises at least one link, both ends of which are pivotally mounted on the first head and on the second head, respectively. Preferably, the hinge system comprises two links.

According to the utility model discloses the theme the suction nozzle, the ground clearance of second head is greater than the ground clearance of first head. This allows the overall dust removal efficiency to be maintained, especially when vacuuming a felted surface; this large ground clearance of the second head, which is arranged in front of the first head, in fact ensures that the lower face of said second head does not contact said surface, especially in the case of a carpet, which has the effect of keeping dust on the surface during suction through the first head.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the suction nozzle comprises a distribution device which allows modifying the distribution of suction between the first suction opening and the second suction opening.

This feature allows to have a nozzle whose suction performance and ergonomics of use can be greatly modified by modifying the suction distribution between the two heads. It is thus possible to obtain a suction nozzle having suction performance close to that of the first head used alone, the second head used alone or a mixture of the two heads.

According to a preferred design of the suction nozzle, the distribution means can occupy a first position, in which the distribution means allow suction through only the first suction opening, and at least one second position, in which the distribution means allow suction through at least the second suction opening.

Such a nozzle has the advantage that it can be used in a position of the dispensing device where suction is performed only through the first head, allowing suction performance to be obtained that is similar to a nozzle that is normally constituted only by the first head.

Thus, the nozzle can combine the performance of a first head, which may be the subject of intensive research, and the performance of a second head, which allows to provide complementary functions, such as dust removal of difficult-to-access areas, with the performance of the first head having been optimized to successfully pass various performance tests.

Depending on the design of the nozzle, in the second position the dispensing device may occupy a position in which it allows suction through only the second suction opening.

According to another design of the suction nozzle, the second head comprises obstacle detection means, the dispensing device being automatically moved to the second position when an obstacle is detected by the detection means.

This feature allows the suction nozzle to preferentially suck dust as close to obstacles, such as skirting boards, when they encounter them.

According to another design of the suction nozzle, the first head has a trapezoidal shape, advantageously a rectangular shape.

This feature allows to have a suction nozzle with a first head of a usual shape and configuration, the performance of which has been checked on other suction nozzles.

According to another design of the suction nozzle, the second head has a smaller dimension in width than the first head.

This feature allows to obtain a suction nozzle having both a first head with a width sufficient to ensure suction over a large width and a second head, arranged in front of the first head, with a smaller width, in order to make easier the suction in room corners or in concealed corners.

Depending on the design of the suction nozzle, the second head has a shape converging towards a front end portion of reduced width, the second head advantageously having a triangular shape.

This feature allows to further optimize the ability of the nozzle to suck dust in corners.

According to the design of the mouthpiece, the dispensing device comprises a switching system comprising:

an intermediate duct comprising a front end portion and a rear end portion, the front end portion being connected to the rear end portion of the second dust suction duct and the rear end portion simultaneously opening into an aperture arranged on the first dust suction duct;

a closure configured to move to a closed position of the aperture and an open position of the aperture;

control means which allow the closure to be moved from its closed position to its open position and vice versa, i.e. from its open position to its closed position.

According to the design of the suction nozzle, the control device comprises:

stopper means disposed on both side portions in the vicinity of the front end portion of the second head;

a transmission device arranged between the stop device and the closure and configured for moving the closure to its closed position under normal use conditions and to move the closure to its open position when the stop device is in contact with the obstacle.

Under normal use conditions, that is to say when the surface to be cleaned is not obstructed (no obstacle), only the first head ensures cleaning of the surface, and cleaning by the second head is inhibited. When the nozzle meets an obstacle such as a corner of a room, a skirting board along a wall or furniture, either only the second head ensures that the cleaning of the surface is inhibited, cleaning by the first head is inhibited, or both the first and second heads ensure cleaning.

According to the design of the mouthpiece, the second head is triangular and the stop means comprise two stop bars, respectively arranged along the two sides forming the tip of the triangular head. Preferably, the two stop levers are mounted at the tip of the triangular head in a pivotal connection with each other. Other stop devices can be envisaged within the scope of the present invention.

According to this preferred design of the suction nozzle, the aperture is preferably arranged in a curved portion of the first dust suction duct.

According to this preferred design of the mouthpiece, sealing means are implemented between the closure and the aperture to ensure a sealed closure of the aperture. This tightness allows to optimize the suction performance through said first head.

According to this preferred design of the suction nozzle, at least a part of the intermediate duct is flexible to preserve freedom of movement between the first head and the second head. This freedom of movement enables the first head to work freely and correctly during the cleaning of surfaces that are not sheltered, without interfering with the second head.

According to this preferred design of the suction nozzle, in a first embodiment variant, the closure is constituted by a pivotally mounted valve which is configured to be pivoted into a closed position of the aperture or into an open position of the aperture, the valve being configured for closing the first suction port in its open position of the aperture. Thus, the nozzle allows suction through only the second suction opening when the triangular head abuts against an obstacle.

According to this first embodiment of the closure, in the presence of the above-mentioned sealing means, the sealing means are configured for ensuring a seal between the valve and the first dust suction port in the open position of the valve.

According to this first embodiment of the closure, the transmission means comprise at least one arm which lengthens the valve forward and at least one rod which is pivotally mounted and arranged between the at least one arm and the stop means, the actuation of the stop means upon contact with an obstacle causing the valve to pivot to the open position of the aperture. Preferably, the transmission means comprise two arms located on the valve and two levers respectively arranged between the two arms and the two stop levers.

According to this first embodiment of the closure, the transmission means comprise a resetting element for resetting the valve to the closed position of the aperture. Therefore, when the suction nozzle is cleared of the obstacle, the suction nozzle cuts off the dust suction mode through the second head and immediately returns to the dust suction mode through the first head.

According to a preferred design of the mouthpiece, in a second embodiment variant, the closure comprises a shutter mounted in translation in the intermediate duct, the shutter being configured for translation to a closed position of the orifice or to an open position of the orifice. Thus, the nozzle allows suction through the first suction opening and through the second suction opening simultaneously when the triangular head encounters an obstacle.

According to this second embodiment variant of the closure, the transmission means comprise a rotary member and at least one link arranged between the rotary member and the stop means, the activation of the stop means upon contact with an obstacle causing the rotation of the rotary member. In addition, the transmission means comprises a cable arranged between the rotary member and the shutter, the rotation of the rotary member enabling the cable to translate the shutter to the open position of the hole.

According to this second embodiment variant of the closure, the actuator comprises a resetting element for resetting the shutter into the closed position of the aperture. Therefore, when the suction nozzle is cleared of the obstacle, the suction nozzle cuts off the dust suction mode through the second head and immediately returns to the dust suction mode through only the first head.

According to the utility model discloses, the suction nozzle includes the attach fitting that is connected to rigid or flexible pipe, simultaneously, the articulate is connected to the rear end portion of first dust absorption pipe.

According to another feature of the invention, the connection joint is carried by a trolley comprising two wheels mounted on an axis.

According to another feature of the invention, the hinge system is configured for enabling the second head to pivot about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel.

According to another feature of the invention, the trolley comprises a fork, the rear part of which is mounted, on the one hand, in a pivot connection along the axis of the wheel and, on the other hand, the front part of which is mounted, on the pivot connection, with respect to the first head.

The present invention also relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising a suction nozzle with one and/or the other of the above mentioned features. The cleaner is preferably a cart type cleaner or a broom type cleaner, which is well known to those skilled in the art.

Drawings

The following description highlights features and advantages of the invention. The description is based on the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows an overall view of a suction nozzle according to a first embodiment, having a first head, advantageously rectangular, and a second head, advantageously triangular;

FIG. 2 shows the nozzle of FIG. 1 in a side sectional view in a suction mode through a rectangular head only;

FIG. 3 shows the nozzle of FIG. 1 in a side sectional view in a suction mode with only a triangular head;

FIG. 4 highlights the design of the closure sealing off the aperture on the first dust extraction duct of the rectangular head;

figures 5 and 6 highlight the stop means and the design of the transmission means between the closure and said stop means;

figures 7 to 9 highlight the variant of the closure and the stop means, as well as the design variant of the transmission between the closure and said stop means, the suction being performed only by the rectangular head in the position shown in figure 8, and simultaneously by the rectangular head and by the triangular head in the position shown in figure 9.

Detailed Description

In the following description, the vacuum cleaner nozzle is referred to as a nozzle. In addition, according to the various embodiment variants described, the same reference numerals are used to define the same technical features.

In fig. 1, the suction nozzle 1 includes a first head 2 and a second head 3, the first head 2 being constituted by a rectangular head, and the second head 3 being constituted by a triangular head. The triangular head 3 defines a pointed shape comprising a rectangular shaped suction opening 4, which suction opening 4 enables the suction nozzle 1 to more easily reach a surface to be cleaned in a corner of a room or along a skirting board.

The pointed shape of the suction nozzle 1 defines a front side; thus, the triangular head 3 lengthens the rectangular head 2 forward. During the cleaning of the surface 5, the suction nozzle 1 is moved from the rear to the front and vice versa, i.e. from the front to the rear.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the rectangular head 2 includes a first dust suction duct 6 and a dust suction port 7, and the dust suction port 7 is connected to a front end portion 6a of the first dust suction duct 6. As can be seen in fig. 2 and 3, the first dust extraction duct 6 is bent approximately ninety degrees (90 °). The suction opening 7, referred to as the first suction opening, has a rectangular shape, which opens onto a lower surface 8 of the rectangular head 2.

Similarly, as shown in fig. 1 to 3, the triangular head 3 includes a second dust suction duct 9, and the front end portion 9a of the second dust suction duct 9 is connected to the dust suction port 4 referred to as the second dust suction port as described above. The second dust suction opening 4 of triangular shape opens into the lower face 10 of the triangular head 3.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the suction nozzle 1 comprises a connection joint 11, which connection joint 11 is designed to receive, by nesting, a rigid or flexible tube (not shown) of a vacuum cleaner (not shown), which may be a trolley type vacuum cleaner or a broom type vacuum cleaner. The features of such a vacuum cleaner and the nesting principle between the pipe and the connection joint are known to the person skilled in the art and are not the main object of the invention, and are therefore not described in detail below. The connection joint 11 is connected to the rear end 6b of the first dust suction duct 6 of the rectangular head 2 by means of a flexible pipe 12, schematically shown in dashed lines in fig. 2. The connection joint 11 is fastened to a trolley 13, which trolley 13 comprises two

wheels

14a, 14b, which two

wheels

14a, 14b are mounted on the same axis 15. The trolley 13 comprises a fork 16, on the one hand the rear part of which 16 is mounted pivotally along the axis 15 of the

wheels

14a, 14b and on the other hand the front part of which 16 is mounted pivotally along the axis 17 with respect to the body 18 of the rectangular head 2.

As shown in fig. 1, the rectangular head 2 and the triangular head 3 are connected to each other by two

links

19, 20,

rear end portions

19a, 20a of the two

links

19, 20 being pivotally mounted along an axis 17 relative to a main body 18 of the rectangular head 2, and

front end portions

19b, 20b of the two

links

19, 20 being pivotally mounted along an axis 21 relative to a main body 22 of the triangular head 3. During the movement of the suction nozzle 1 from front to back and vice versa, i.e. from back to front, the rectangular head 2 can be tilted or raised slightly; the

links

19, 20 ensure that the triangular head 3 moves flat relative to the rectangular head 2. In other words, the triangular head 3 can advance or retreat with respect to the rectangular head 2 while keeping the lower surface 10 of the triangular head 3 parallel to the surface 5 to be cleaned.

As shown with reference to fig. 1 to 4, the first dust suction duct 6 of the rectangular head 2 comprises an aperture 23, which aperture 23 is arranged in an upper curved portion 24 of said first dust suction duct 6. The intermediate duct 25 comprises a rigid rear portion 250, the rear end portion 250a of the rigid rear portion 250 communicating with the holes 23 of the first dust suction duct 6 of the rectangular head 2. The intermediate duct 25 further comprises a flexible front portion 251, the flexible front portion 251 lengthening the rigid rear portion 250, and the flexible front portion 251 comprising a front end portion 251a, the front end portion 251a being connected to the rear end portion of the second suction duct 9 of the triangular head 3. As mentioned above, this flexible front portion 251 of the intermediate duct 25 enables the triangular head 3 to move flat from front to back and vice versa, i.e. from back to front, with respect to the rectangular head 2.

As shown with reference to fig. 2 to 6, the mouthpiece 1 comprises a valve 26, which valve 26 has a curved shape which enables the valve 26 to suitably fit the aperture 23 into its closed position, as shown in fig. 2 and 4. The valve 26 comprises a rigid body 27 and a lip 28, the lip 28 being arranged on the edge of the body 27. This lip 28 is for example made of an elastic material and allows to ensure a seal with the edge 29 of the hole 23, on which edge 29 of the hole 23 the lip 28 is affixed in the closed position of said hole 23. The valve 26 is mounted pivotally along an axis 30 relative to the first dust duct 6 of the rectangular head 2, which enables the valve 26 to be pivoted either to a closed position of the aperture 23, as shown in figures 2, 4 and 5, or to an open position of the aperture 23, as shown in figure 3, along which the lip 28 of the valve 26 abuts against a curved lower portion 31 of said first dust duct 6 to seal the first dust duct 6 closed and thus close the first dust suction opening 7 of the rectangular head 2. Therefore, when the valve 26 is in the closed position of the aperture 23, suction is performed only through the first suction port 7 of the rectangular head 2 (indicated by arrow 32 in fig. 2). And when the valve 26 is in the open position of the aperture 23, suction is effected only through the second suction port 4 of the triangular head 3 (indicated by arrow 33 in figure 3).

When the triangular head 3 comes into contact with an obstacle, such as a corner of a room or a skirting along a wall, the valve 26 moves from the closed position shown in fig. 2 to the open position shown in fig. 3. For this purpose, the triangular head 3 comprises two stop levers 34, 35, which two stop

levers

34, 35 extend along two

side portions

36, 37, respectively, of the main body 22 forming the tip 38 of the suction nozzle 1. The two stop levers 34, 35 are mounted at the tip 38 in a pivoting connection with one another along an axis 39. The

rear end portions

34a, 35a of the

stopper rods

34, 35 include

fingers

40, 41, respectively. As shown with reference to fig. 1 and 6, the two

links

42, 43 are fastened to each other by means of a shaft 44 and are mounted pivotally connected along an axis 45 with respect to the body 22 of the triangular head 3. The two connecting

rods

42, 43 each comprise a

front portion

42a, 43a, which

front portions

42a, 43a are equipped with

front rollers

46, 47, which

front rollers

46, 47 are supported below the

fingers

40, 41 of the stop levers 34, 35, respectively. The valve 26 is extended forward by two

arms

48, 49, each of the two

arms

48, 49 having a hook shape, as shown in fig. 6. The

arms

48, 49 are integral with the valve 26. These two

arms

48, 49 respectively house two

rear rollers

50, 51, which two

rear rollers

50, 51 are arranged on the

rear portions

42b, 43b of the

links

42, 43, as shown in fig. 5 and 6. When one or the other, or even both, of the stop levers 34, 35 comes into contact with the obstacle, it pivots along the axis 39 to the tip 38, which enables the

respective finger

40, 41 to abut against the respective

front roller

46, 47, thus pivoting the

rear portion

42b, 43b of said

link

42, 43 upwards, which thus enables the

rear roller

50, 51 to abut against the

lower surface

52, 53 of the

arm

48, 49, this

rear roller

50, 51 or

arm

48, 49 swinging upwards and thus pivoting the valve 26 downwards to the open position of the aperture 23. Return springs (not shown) enable the stop levers 34, 35 to return to their normal positions when they are out of contact with the obstacle, which enables the

fingers

40, 41 to disengage from the

front rollers

46, 47. Other return springs (not shown) enable the

links

42, 43 to pivot their

rear portions

42b, 43b downwardly. These

rear portions

42b, 43b each comprise a

lateral stop

54, 55, these lateral stops 54, 55 respectively abutting against inclined faces 56, 57 arranged on the upper portion of the

arms

48, 49, thus enabling said

arms

48, 49 to pivot downwards under the action of the downward pivoting of the

rear portions

42b, 43b, which brings the valve 26 back into the closed position of the hole 23.

In the variant of fig. 7 to 9, the suction nozzle 1 follows the same features as previously described with reference to fig. 1 to 6, except that the closure formed by the valve 26 is replaced by a closure formed by an elastically deformable membrane 58. The diaphragm 58 is mounted in a chamber 59, which chamber 59 is arranged on a rigid rear portion 250 of the intermediate duct 25 (the flexible front portion 251 of the intermediate duct 25 is not shown in figures 7 and 8, in order to better see the other parts). In the idle state, the membrane 58 has a default shape, as shown in fig. 8, wherein the edge of the membrane has a lip 580, which lip 580 rests on the edge of the hole 23. In this initial position, which corresponds to the closed position of the aperture 23, suction is performed only through the first suction port 7 of the rectangular head 2.

In this variant of fig. 7 to 9, the membrane 58 can be deformed to be brought back into the open position of the hole 23, as shown in fig. 9, by applying an upward traction force to this membrane 58 by means of a cable 60 slidably mounted in a sheath 61. When the diaphragm 58 is deformed upwards in the chamber 59 to occupy the open position of the aperture 23, suction is simultaneously effected through the first suction port 7 of the rectangular head 2 and through the second suction port 4 of the triangular head 3. A first end 60a of the cable 60 is fixed to the membrane 58 and a second end 60b of the cable 60 is fixed to the rotary member 62. Rotation of the rotary member 62 in a first direction allows pulling of the cable 60 and thus the membrane 58 to be deformed upwards in the chamber 59. Rotation of the rotary member 62 in the second direction allows the cable 60, and therefore the traction on the membrane 58, to be released, so as to restore the membrane 58 to its original shape, which closes the hole 23. Rotation of the rotary member 62 in the first direction is ensured when one or the other, or even both, of the detent levers 34, 35 is in contact with an obstacle. For this purpose, two

links

63, 64 are arranged between the rotary piece 62 and the

rear end portions

34a, 35a of the two

stopper rods

34, 35, respectively. When the triangular head 3 encounters an obstacle, these

links

63, 64 convert the pivoting of one and/or the other of the stop levers 34, 35 along the axis 39 to the tip 38 into a rotation of the rotary member 62 in the first direction. When the triangular head 3 leaves the obstacle, the rotation of the rotary member in the second direction is ensured by the helical return spring. This rotation of the rotary member 62 in the second direction ensures the return to its normal position of the stop levers 34, 35 through the

links

63, 64.

In the preferred embodiment, according to the two variants described above, even for the other variants, the ground clearance of the triangular head 3, i.e. the space separating its lower surface 10 from the surface 5, is greater than the ground clearance of the rectangular head 2, i.e. the space separating its lower surface 8 from the surface 5. This increase in the ground clearance of the triangular head 3 is intended to avoid keeping dirt at the second suction opening 4, particularly when the surface 5 to be suctioned is a carpet, which may be of varying pile length.

The features described above for the two variants of the suction nozzle 1 are not limiting and other variants are conceivable.

For example, the pivotal connection between the two stop levers 34, 35 may be replaced by a translational mounting of these stop levers 34, 35 with respect to the

sides

36, 37 of the body 22 of the triangular head 3. In this case, it is also possible to replace each of the stopping

rods

34, 35 with a plurality of stopping elements. Of course, adaptation to the transmission that allows actuation of the valve 26 or the flap 60 is appropriate.

The two embodiment variants described with reference to fig. 1 to 8 ensure a changeover in the suction, i.e. either suction through the first suction opening 7 of the rectangular head 2 (in the case of the valve 26 or the shutter 60 in the closed position of the aperture 23), suction through the second suction opening 4 of the triangular head 3 (in the case of the valve 26 in the open position of the aperture 23), or suction through both the first suction opening 7 of the rectangular head 2 and the second suction opening 4 of the triangular head 3 (in the case of the shutter 60 in the open position of the aperture 23). Other switching systems are contemplated. For example, the first suction duct 6 of the rectangular head 2 and the second suction duct 9 of the triangular head 3 can be connected to two inlets of a collector comprising an outlet connected to the connection joint 11 of the suction nozzle 1, said collector comprising a valve allowing swinging to the first and/or the second inlet to suck dust either through the first suction port 7 of the rectangular head 2 or through the second suction port 4 of the triangular head 3, or even through both suction ports 7, 4 simultaneously. Proximity sensors are then arranged on the

sides

36, 37 of the body 22 of the triangular head 3, instead of the stop levers 34, 35, and allow the activation of the actuators acting on the valves in the collector.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the previously described and illustrated embodiments, which are given by way of example only. Modifications can be made, in particular from the point of view of the construction of the various elements or by replacing technical equivalents, without however departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Thus, in a variant of embodiment not shown, the second head may be connected directly to the wheel axis of the trolley by means of a hinge or to a connection joint instead of the first head.

In an embodiment variant of the invention, which is not shown, the first head may therefore have a different shape from that described in the embodiment shown above. For example, the first head may have a generally trapezoidal shape with a rear edge slightly larger than a front edge. The side edges of the first head may also be slightly curved. The first head may also have an elliptical shape. The second head may itself have a rear edge having a width less than or equal to the front edge of the first head, and the rear edge having a shape converging towards a front end of smaller width. Thus, the second head may have an arcuate shaped front edge having, for example, a semi-circular shape.

In a variant embodiment not shown, therefore, the distribution means, which allow modifying the distribution of the suction between the first suction opening and the second suction opening, may comprise an electric valve or electric closure which is electrically controlled by a switch associated with a stop lever provided on the front end of the second head. In an embodiment variant, the electric valve or electric closure can also be controlled by an electronic card according to signals emitted by obstacle detection means, which advantageously comprise proximity sensors carried by the suction nozzle, which may be constituted, for example, by optical, capacitive or ultrasonic sensors. In a further embodiment variant, which is not shown, the obstacle detection device can also request an image analysis by means of a camera.

In another embodiment variant, not shown, the dispensing device may comprise a valve or closure, the positioning of which is controlled mechanically or electrically by means of a control button which allows the user to manually select the operating mode of the mouthpiece he wishes to use, among the different operating modes proposed as follows: dust is sucked only by the first head, only by the second head, or by a combination of both heads.

Claims

1. A suction cleaner nozzle designed for being moved over a surface (5) to be cleaned, said nozzle (1) comprising a first head (2), said first head (2) comprising a first suction conduit (6), said first suction conduit (6) being connected to a first suction opening (7), said first suction opening (7) being arranged on a lower surface (8) of said first head, characterized in that said nozzle (1) comprises:

a second head which lengthens the first head (2) forward and which comprises a second dust suction duct (9), the second dust suction duct (9) being connected to a second dust suction opening (4), the second dust suction opening (4) being arranged on a lower face (10) of the second head; and

a hinge system arranged between the second head and the first head (2),

the hinge system is configured so as to allow at least one tilting of the lower face (8) of the first head relative to the surface to be cleaned (5) while keeping the orientation of the lower face (10) of the second head substantially fixed relative to the surface to be cleaned during a movement of the nozzle from front to back and vice versa, i.e. from back to front.

2. A nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that said hinge system comprises at least one link (19, 20), both ends (19a, 19b, 20a, 20b) of said link (19, 20) being pivotally mounted on said first head (2) and on said second head, respectively.

3. A nozzle according to any one of claims 1-2, characteri zed in that the ground clearance of the second head is larger than the ground clearance of the first head (2).

4. A nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the nozzle (1) comprises a distribution device which allows modifying the distribution of suction between the first suction opening (7) and the second suction opening (4).

5. A nozzle according to claim 4, characterized in that, in said second position, said dispensing device allows suction through said second suction opening (4) only.

6. A nozzle according to claim 4, characterized in that said dispensing device is able to occupy a first position, in which it allows suction through only said first suction opening (7), and at least one second position, in which it allows suction through at least said second suction opening (4).

7. A nozzle according to claim 6, characterized in that, in said second position, said dispensing device allows suction through said second suction opening (4) only.

8. A nozzle according to claim 5, wherein said second head comprises obstacle detecting means, and said dispensing means is automatically moved to said second position when an obstacle is detected by said detecting means.

9. A nozzle according to claim 4, characterized in that said first head (2) has a trapezoidal shape.

10. A nozzle according to claim 4, characterized in that said first head (2) has a rectangular shape.

11. A suction nozzle according to claim 4, characterized in that the second head has a dimension smaller in width than the first head (2).

12. A suction nozzle as claimed in claim 11, wherein said second head has a shape converging towards a front end portion of decreasing width.

13. The suction nozzle as set forth in claim 11 wherein said second head has a triangular shape.

14. A nozzle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the dispensing device comprises a switching system comprising:

an intermediate duct (25), said intermediate duct (25) comprising a front end connected to the rear end of the second dust suction duct (9) and a rear end which opens into an aperture (23) arranged on the first dust suction duct (6);

stop means arranged on both side portions (36, 37) near the front end portion of the second head;

a transmission device arranged between the stop device and the closure and configured for moving the closure to its closed position under normal use conditions and to move the closure to its open position when the stop device is in contact with an obstacle.

15. A nozzle as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that said second head is triangular and said stop means comprise two stop levers (34, 35), said two stop levers (34, 35) being arranged along said two side portions (36, 37) respectively forming the tips of said triangular head.

16. A nozzle according to claim 14, characterized in that said closure is constituted by a pivotally mounted valve (26), said valve being configured to be pivoted to a closed position of said aperture (23) or to an open position of said aperture, said valve being configured for closing said first dust suction port (7) in its open position of said aperture.

17. A nozzle according to claim 16, characterized in that said transmission means comprises at least one arm (48, 49) and at least one lever (42, 43), said arm (48, 49) extending said valve (26) forward, said lever (42, 43) being pivotally mounted and arranged between said at least one arm and said stop means, activation of said stop means upon contact with an obstacle causing said valve to pivot to the open position of said aperture (23).

18. A nozzle according to claim 17, characterized in that said transmission means comprise a return element for returning said valve (26) to the closed position of said orifice (23).

19. A vacuum cleaner, characterized in that it comprises a nozzle (1) according to any one of claims 1-18.