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Title:
CLEANING DEVICE FOR USE WITH A HAND-HELD POWER DRILL
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2020/114867
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a cleaning device for use with a hand-held power drill. The cleaning device comprises an elongate shaft, a connecting unit, and a cleaning element.

Inventors:
FISCHER NIELS (DK)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2019/082817
Publication Date:
June 11, 2020
Filing Date:
November 27, 2019
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
NCF HOLDING APS (DK)
International Classes:
A46B11/06; A46B13/00; B60S3/04
Foreign References:
GB300709A1928-11-22
FR608649A1926-07-30
KR20110126370A2011-11-23
FR2384558A11978-10-20
GB175241A1922-09-14
CN108065591A2018-05-25
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
LARSEN & BIRKEHOLM A/S (DK)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1. A cleaning device (100) for use with a hand-held power drill comprising:

- an elongate shaft (1 10) with one or more channels of a first type (1 1 1 ) formed therein and extending along the length of the shaft (1 10); the shaft (1 10) comprising a closed first end (1 12), and an open second end (1 14); wherein the first end (1 12) is adapted for connection to the chuck of a hand-held power drill;

- a connecting unit (120) rotatably connected to the shaft (110) and adapted for connecting a water hose (10) with the one or more channels of a first type (1 1 1 );

- a cleaning element (130) comprising a) a base unit (132) connected to the second end (1 14) of the shaft (1 10) and b) a plurality of bristles (134) and/or lamellae extending away from the base unit (132);

wherein the base unit (132) comprises one or more channels of a second type (136) formed therein, in communication with the one or more channels of a first type (1 1 1 ), and which opens on the surface of the base unit (132); and

- a handle (140) rotatably connected to the shaft (110).

2. A cleaning device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting unit (120) comprises an inner chamber (124) adapted for receiving a part of the shaft (1 10), and an amount of water from the water hose (10); wherein the part of the shaft (1 10) being rotatably connected to the connecting unit (120) comprises perforations (1 16) in its wall, thereby providing water communication between the one or more channels of a first type (1 1 1 ) and the inner chamber (124).

3. A cleaning device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the total area of the perforations (1 16) is equal to or greater than the area of the inner cross section of the water hose (10) being connected to the connecting unit (120).

4. A cleaning device (100) according to any one of the claims 1 -3, wherein the handle (140) comprises one or more bearings, such as ball bearings.

5. Use of a cleaning device according to any one of the claims 1 -4 for cleaning vehicle rims.

6. A system for cleaning vehicle rims, the system comprising:

- a hand-held power drill comprising a chuck; and

- a cleaning device adapted for use with the hand-held power drill;

characterized in that the cleaning device (100) comprises:

- an elongate shaft (1 10) with one or more channels of a first type (1 1 1 ) formed therein and extending along the length of the shaft (1 10); the shaft (1 10) comprising a closed first end (1 12), and an open second end (1 14); wherein the first end (1 12) is adapted for connection to the chuck of said hand-held power drill;

- a connecting unit (120) rotatably connected to the shaft (110) and adapted for connecting a water hose (10) with the one or more channels of a first type (1 1 1 );

- a cleaning element (130) comprising a) a base unit (132) connected to the second end (1 14) of the shaft (1 10) and b) a plurality of bristles (134) and/or lamellae extending away from the base unit (132);

wherein the base unit (132) comprises one or more channels of a second type (136) formed therein, in communication with the one or more channels of a first type (1 1 1 ), and which opens on the surface of the base unit (132); and

- a handle (140) rotatably connected to the shaft (110).

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the handle (140) comprises one or more bearings, such as ball bearings.

Description:
Cleaning device for use with a hand-held power drill

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of cleaning devices for vehicles, and more particularly to cleaning devices for vehicle rims.

Background of the invention

Today, the cleaning of vehicle rims is subject to a considerable effort, especially due to particles from the brake wear, which adhere very firmly thereto. In order to get into smaller spaces, the vehicle owner often uses a toothbrush or the like.

In an automatic car wash the cleaning of rims also takes place, which is performed by rotating brushes. The cleaning result is extremely poor, since only the surface of the rims is cleaned.

Object of the Invention

The objective of the present invention is to provide an improved solution for the vehicle user to clean the rims of his or her vehicle.

Description of the Invention

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a cleaning device for use with a hand-held power drill comprising:

- an elongate shaft with one or more channels of a first type formed therein and extending along the length of the shaft; the shaft comprising a closed first end, and an open second end; wherein the first end is adapted for connection to the chuck of a hand-held power drill;

- a connecting unit rotatably connected to the shaft and adapted for connecting a water hose with the one or more channels of a first type; and

- a cleaning element comprising a) a base unit connected to the second end of the shaft and b) a plurality of bristles and/or lamellae extending away from the base unit;

wherein the base unit comprises one or more channels of a second type formed therein, in communication with the one or more channels of a first type, and which opens on the surface of the base unit.

The shaft is hollow to lead the water from the water hose towards the cleaning element. A channel of a first type defines its core and runs along the length of the shaft. The shaft is preferably non-flexible to better transfer the rotational forces from the hand-held power drill to the cleaning element. To provide a stiff shaft, the channel of a first type may be provided with stiffening partition walls, e.g. thereby forming a plurality of channels of a first type. The first end of the shaft is adapted for connection to the chuck of a hand-held power drill. To lead the water towards the cleaning element, the first end of the shaft is closed, i.e. the channel of a first type is closed in the end facing the first end. The opposing second end is open such that water may enter from the channel of the first type and into the cleaning element.

The connecting unit rotatably connected to the shaft and adapted for connecting a water hose with the one or more channels of a first type. The connecting unit rotatably connected to the shaft to avoid that the hose will spin around the cleaning device as it operates, i.e. as the hand-held power drill is rotating the shaft.

In one or more embodiments, the connecting unit comprises an inner chamber adapted for receiving a part of the shaft.

In one or more embodiments, the connecting unit comprises an inner chamber adapted for receiving a part of the shaft; wherein the part of the shaft being rotatably connected to the connecting unit comprises perforations in its wall, thereby providing water communication between the one or more channels of a first type and the inner chamber. In one or more embodiments, the connecting unit comprises an inner chamber adapted for receiving a part of the shaft, and an amount of water from the water hose; wherein the part of the shaft being rotatably connected to the connecting unit comprises perforations in its wall, thereby providing water communication between the one or more channels of a first type and the inner chamber.

The connecting unit may be provided with watertight seals adapted for flanking the shaft. Furthermore, the connecting unit may be provided with one or more bearings, such as ball bearings, to reduce wear and tear.

The cleaning element comprises a base unit connected to the second end of the shaft. It may be releasably attached to be able to attach different shapes of cleaning elements depending on the type of vehicle rim that needs cleaning. In one or more embodiments, the cleaning element is configured to be releasably attached to the walls of the one or more channels of a first type. The walls of the one or more channels of a first type may be configured with cavities, and the cleaning element with means adapted for engaging with said cavities.

The cleaning element comprises a plurality of bristles and/or lamellae extending away from the base unit. The base unit also comprises one or more channels of a second type formed therein, and, when attached to the shaft, in communication with the one or more channels of a first type. The channel of a second type opens on the surface of the base unit such that water may lubricate the bristles and/or lamellae.

In one or more embodiments, the total area of the perforations is equal to or greater than the area of the inner cross section of the water hose being connected to the connecting unit. This configuration avoids that the water leaving the surface of the base unit through the openings of a channel of a second type will avoid splashing out of said openings. Rather, this configuration allows for a controlled lubrication of the bristles and/or lamellae. In one or more embodiments, the cleaning device further comprises a handle rotatably connected to the shaft. This configuration allows for two-handed control of the device, i.e. one hand on the hand-held power drill and one hand indirectly in the shaft. The shaft can thereby unhindered rotate within the handle.

In one or more embodiments, the handle comprises one or more bearings, such as ball bearings to avoid wear and tear.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a cleaning device according to the present invention for cleaning vehicle rims.

A third aspect relates to a system for cleaning vehicle rims, the system

comprising:

- a hand-held power drill comprising a chuck; and

- a cleaning device adapted for use with the hand-held power drill;

wherein the cleaning device comprises:

- an elongate shaft with one or more channels of a first type formed therein and extending along the length of the shaft; the shaft comprising a closed first end, and an open second end; wherein the first end is adapted for connection to the chuck of said hand-held power drill;

- a connecting unit rotatably connected to the shaft and adapted for connecting a water hose with the one or more channels of a first type;

- a cleaning element comprising a) a base unit connected to the second end of the shaft and b) a plurality of bristles and/or lamellae extending away from the base unit;

wherein the base unit comprises one or more channels of a second type formed therein, in communication with the one or more channels of a first type, and which opens on the surface of the base unit; and

- a handle rotatably connected to the shaft. In one or more embodiments, the handle comprises one or more bearings, such as ball bearings.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning device in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

References

10 Hose

100 Cleaning device

1 1 1 Channel of a first type

1 12 First end

1 14 Second end

1 16 Perforation

120 Connecting unit

122 Ball bearing

124 Inner chamber 130 Cleaning element

132 Base unit

134 Bristles

136 Channel of a second type

137 Side branch

138 Connecting means

140 Handle

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred cleaning device in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The cleaning device 100 comprises a shaft 1 10, a connecting unit 120, a cleaning element, and a handle 140.

The shaft 1 10 is elongate and comprises a channel of a first type 1 1 1 formed therein and extending along the length of the shaft 1 10. The shaft 1 10 has a closed first end 1 12, and an open second end 1 14. The first end 1 12 is adapted for connection to the chuck of a hand-held power drill (not shown).

The connecting unit 120 is rotatably connected to the shaft 110 and adapted for connecting a water hose 10 with the one or more channels of a first type 1 1 1.

The connecting unit 120 comprises an inner chamber 124 adapted for receiving a part of the shaft 110, and an amount of water received from the water hose 10. The part of the shaft 1 10 being rotatably connected to the base unit 132 comprises perforations 1 16 in its wall, thereby providing water communication between the one or more channels of a first type 1 1 1 and the inner chamber 124. The connecting unit 120 is provided with watertight seals (not shown) adapted for flanking the shaft. Furthermore, the connecting unit 120 is provided with two ball bearings 124.

The cleaning element 130 comprises a base unit 132 connected to the second end 1 14 of the shaft 1 10, and a plurality of bristles 134 extending away from the base unit 132. The base unit 132 comprises a main channel of a second type 136 with four (only two are shown) branches 137 formed therein. The main channel of a second type 136 is in water communication with the channel of a first type 1 1 1. The side branches open on the surface of the base unit 132.

The cleaning device 100 also comprise a handle 140 rotatably connected to the shaft 1 10.