Description NOZZLE FOR CLEANER

Technical Field

[1] This document relates to a nozzle for a cleaner.

Background Art

[2] Generally, a cleaner is an appliance which cleans a room floor and the like by using a sucking force of a suction motor. Recently, various kinds of cleaners, such as a steam cleaner which removes a foreign substance of a floor by injecting steam thereon, have been introduced.

[3] And, a nozzle of the steam cleaner is configured that a cleaning element is attached to the nozzle in order to remove the foreign substance of the floor.

[4] However, according to a nozzle of prior art, since a steam-discharge part, through which steam is discharged, is not tightly connected to the cleaning element and the generated steam is not flowed to the cleaning element but some of the steam is leaked through a gap, there is a problem that the cleaning efficiency is deteriorated.

[5] Also, in case of a nozzle which is configured to suck air, there is a problem that steam is not moved to the cleaning element but sucked into the nozzle. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] The present invention is derived to resolve the above and other disadvantages of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle for a cleaner, which maximizes the amount of the steam moved to the cleaning element.

[7] Also, another object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle for a cleaner, which prevents steam from introducing into the nozzle via an intake port. Technical Solution

[8] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a nozzle for a cleaner includes a body in which at least one steam-discharge hole for discharging steam is formed; a cleaning element connecting part to which a cleaning element for receiving the steam is connected; and a steam guide part in which at least some of it is disposed between the cleaning element connecting part and the cleaning element to guide the steam into the cleaning element.

[9] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a nozzle for a cleaner includes a body in which at least one steam-discharge hole for discharging steam is formed; a cleaning element which is provided at the outside of the body to receive the steam discharged through the steam-discharge hole; and a steam guide part which is

protruded and formed around the steam-discharge hole to form a passage through which the steam is moved to the cleaning element, wherein the steam guide part is tightly connected to the cleaning element.

[10] In accordance with further another aspect of the present invention, a nozzle for a cleaner includes a body in which at least one steam-discharge hole for discharging steam is formed; a cleaning element connecting part, to which a cleaning element is connected, connecting to the body; and a steam guide part which is protruded from the cleaning element to guide the steam discharged through the steam-discharge hole into the cleaning element.

[11] In accordance with further another aspect of the present invention, a nozzle for a cleaner includes a body in which an intake port and at least one steam-discharge hole for discharging steam are formed; a cleaning element for receiving the steam discharged through the steam-discharge hole; and a steam guide part which is disposed between the body and the cleaning element to guide the steam discharged through the steam-discharge hole into the cleaning element, wherein at least some of the steam guide part is disposed between the intake port and the steam-discharge hole to block the steam discharged through the steam-discharge hole from flowing.

Advantageous Effects

[12] According to the proposed embodiments of the present invention, the steam, which is generated in the steam generating device by the steam guide part, may be smoothly supplied into the cleaning element. [13] Also, since the whole steam is supplied into the cleaning element, the efficiency of the steam is increased and the cleaning performance of the nozzle is improved. [14] Also, since the steam is moved into the cleaning element along the steam guide part, the steam is prevented from moving into the intake port.

Brief Description of the Drawings [15] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a nozzle for a cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[16] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the nozzle.

[17] Fig. 3 is a bottom view of a body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [18] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cleaning element connecting part according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [19] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a relationship between the cleaning element connecting part and the body. [20] Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a relationship among the body, the cleaning element connecting part and the cleaning element.

[21] Fig. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a cleaning element connecting part according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [22] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a relationship between the cleaning element connecting part and the nozzle according to third embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for the Invention [23] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [24] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a nozzle for a cleaner according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the nozzle. [25] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a nozzle 1 for a cleaner according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention sucks air containing particles of the floor and discharges steam. And, the nozzle 1 includes a body defining an external appearance and a connecting pipe 30 connected a rear part of the body. The connecting pipe 30 guides the air sucked by the nozzle 1 to a cleaner body (not shown). [26] The body includes a base 10 defining an external appearance of a lower surface, and a cover element 20 connected to an upper part of the base 10. And, a cleaning element connecting part 40, to which a cleaning element 50 is attached, is connected to a lower part of the base 10. For example, a floorcloth may be used as the cleaning element 50. [27] Particularly, an intake port 102 (see Fig. 3) for sucking the air containing foreign substances of the floor is formed in the middle of a front end of the base 10. And, the intake port 102 (see Fig. 3) and the connecting pipe 30 are connected by an air guide pipe 130. The air guide pipe 130 is extended in a back- and- forth direction of the nozzle

1. [28] Further, the connecting pipe 30 is seated on the base 10 and is disposed at a rear part of the air guide pipe 130. And, the connecting pipe 30 can be upwardly or downwardly rotated relative to the air guide pipe 130. [29] Therefore, the air suck by the intake port 102 (see Fig. 3) is introduced into the cleaner body via the air guide pipe 130 and the connecting pipe 30. [30] A Roller 140 for facilitating movement of the nozzle 1 is installed at a rear side of the base 10. And, a pair of auxiliary rollers 142 (see Fig. 3) are installed at both sides of a front end of the base 10. [31] Meanwhile, a steam generating device 110 for generating steam by heating water is installed in the base 10. [32] In particular, the steam generating device 110 is disposed between the base 10 and the air guide pipe 130. [33] Further, the steam generating device 110 includes a steam case 112 defining a space

in which water for generating steam is stored, and a heater 118 for generating steam by heating the water stored in the steam case 112. [34] More particularly, a plurality of connecting stages 112a are formed at a side of the steam case 112 along a circumferential direction, and a plurality of connecting projections 103, which are upwardly protruded from an inner lower surface, are formed in the base 10. [35] Further, the steam generating device 110 is initially connected to the base, as the connecting stages 112a of the steam case 112 are connected to the connecting projections 103 of the base 10. And, screws are fastened in a state that the connecting stages 112a and the connecting projections 103 are connected to each other, so that the steam generating device 110 is completely fixed thereon. [36] Also, the steam case 112 is composed of an upper case 113 and a lower case 114 which is to be connected to the upper case 113. [37] A water inlet 115, through which water is supplied from the outside, is formed in the case 114, and the water inlet 115 is opened or closed by an inlet valve 60 in a state that the cover element 20 is connected to the base 10. [38] Also, a plurality of protrusions 117 are formed in the upper case 113. The protrusions 117 prevent the water stored in the steam case 112 from overflowing through the water inlet 115 when the nozzle 1 is inclined while the water inlet 115 is opened. [39] In addition, the protrusions 117 secure a space, which is sufficiently large to generate steam in the steam case 112. [40] Meanwhile, the heater 118 generates heat by using a power source applied from the outside. And, the water stored in the steam case 112 is converted into steam by the heat given off from the heater 118. And, the heater 118 is horizontally disposed in the steam case 112, and the heater 118 is seated on the steam case 112 in a state that it is connected with a heater connecting part 119. [41] Here, the heater connecting part 119 serves to stably fix the heater 118 as well as to make the heater 118 seated on the steam case 112. [42] Further, the heat of the heater 118 is transferred to the heater connecting part 119 as they are closely connected. Therefore, the heater connecting part 119 is preferably made of a material with a heat resistance capable of withstanding the heat of the heater

118. [43] Also, an operation of the heater 118 is controlled by a control unit 190 provided at the upper part of the steam generating device 110. That is, heating value, temperature and operating time of the heater 118 are controlled by the control unit 190. [44] Meanwhile, a steam-discharge pipe 116 (see Fig. 6) for discharging the steam generated in the steam case 112 to the outside is formed at the lower case 114.

[45] Particularly, the steam-discharge pipe 116 is upwardly and downwardly protruded from the lower case 114 by a predetermined height, and the steam-discharge pipe 116 is a hollow shaft in which a passage is formed. The lower end of the steam-discharge pipe 116 penetrates the base 10.

[46] Here, the steam-discharge pipe 116 penetrates the base 10 so that steam flowed along the the steam-discharge pipe 116 is supplied to the cleaning element 50 provided at the lower part of the base 10.

[47] Therefore, the steam generated in the steam case 112 is flowed to the lower part of the lower case 114 via the steam-discharge pipe 116.

[48] Meanwhile, a guide hole 202, which allows the movement of the connecting pipe

30, is formed at a rear part of the cover element 20. Therefore, the connecting pipe 30 can be tilted within the guide hole 202.

[49] Also, a valve seat portion 206, on which the inlet valve 60 is seated, is downwardly depressed in one side of the cover element 20. And, a valve perforated-hole 204, through which the bottom of the inlet valve 60 is passed, is formed at the middle of the valve seat portion 206.

[50] Therefore, the inlet valve 60 may be connected to the water inlet 115 via the valve perforated-hole 204 when the cover element 20 is connected to the base 10.

[51] Figure 3 shows a bottom view of a body according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a cleaning element connecting part according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a relationship between the cleaning element connecting part and the body, and Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view of a relationship among the body, the cleaning element connecting part and the cleaning element.

[52] Refering to Figs. 3 to 6, the cleaning element connecting part 40 is connected to a lower part of the base 10, and the cleaning element 50 is attached to a lower part of the cleaning element connecting part 40.

[53] Particularly, a seat portion 104, on which the cleaning element connecting part 40 is seated, is depressed in the base 10. And, the seat portion 104 is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the cleaning element connecting part 40.

[54] Further, a plurality of connecting ribs 150 for connecting with the cleaning element connecting part 40 seated on the seat portion 104 are downwardly protruded from the lower part of the base 10.

[55] Particularly, the first connecting parts 150 are formed in a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of connecting holes 152 are formed therein. And, a plurality of second connecting parts 420 provided in the cleaning element connecting part 40 are selectively inserted in the connecting holes 152 when the cleaning element connecting part 40 is connected thereto.

[56] Also, a steam-discharge part 160 for discharging the steam generated in the steam generating device 110 is horizontally formed in the middle of the lower surface of the base 10. And, the steam-discharge part 160 is disposed at a rear of the intake port 102.

[57] Particularly, the steam-discharge part 160 deviates steam, which is moved to the lower part of the base via the steam-discharge pipe 116, in a horizontal direction. And, a plurality of steam-discharge holes 162 are formed in a lower surface of the steam- discharge part 160.

[58] Therefore, the steam guided by the steam-discharge part 160 is discharged through the steam-discharge holes 162, and the discharged steam is supplied to the cleaning element 50 attached to the lower part of the cleaning element connecting part 40.

[59] Further, a steam guide part 164 for guiding the discharged steam to the cleaning element 50 is downwardly extended and formed in the edge of the bottom of the steam-discharge part 160.

[60] Further, the steam guide part 164 forms a passage, through which the steam discharged through the steam-discharge hole 162 is moved to the cleaning element 50.

[61] Here, in order to supply the whole quantity of steam generated in the steam generating device 110 into the cleaning element 50, the steam guide part 164 is preferably formed at a length capable of being tightly connected to the cleaning element 50 when the cleaning element connecting part 40 is connected to the base 10. More preferably, the steam guide part 164 is formed at a length capable of pressing the the cleaning element 50.

[62] In this case, as shown in Fig. 6, if the cleaning element connecting part 40 is connected to the base 10, the steam guide part 164 is protruded into the lower part of the cleaning element connecting part 40 at a predetermined length. That is, some of the steam guide part 164 is disposed between the cleaning element connecting part 40 and the cleaning element 50.

[63] Further, in a state that the cleaning element connecting part 40 is connected to the base 10, the steam guide part 164 and the cleaning element 50 are tightly connected as the steam guide part 164 presses the cleaning element 50.

[64] Further, according to the present embodiment, it is described that the steam guide part 164 is formed on the edge of the steam-discharge part 160 and covers the periphery of the respective steam-discharge hole 162, however it is also possible that the respective steam guide part 164 is formed around the respective steam-discharge hole 162, respectively.

[65] Also, the steam guide part 164 may be formed around the plurality of steam- discharge holes 162. That is, the number of the steam guide part 164 may be equal or less than that of the steam-discharge hole 162.

[66] Here, there is an advantage in that the steam is diffused into a larger area when the

steam guide part 164 is formed in the periphery of the steam-discharge part 160, and there is an advantage in that the steam is concentrated on one portion of the cleaning element 50 when the steam guide part 164 is formed around the steam-discharge hole 162.

[67] Further, some of the steam guide part 164 is disposed between the steam-discharge hole 162 and the intake port 102. Therefore, the steam discharged through the steam- discharge hole 162 is prevented from moving into the intake port 102. Here, since the steam guide part 164 blocks the team discharged through the steam-discharge hole 162 from moving into the intake port 102, the steam guide part 164 may be referred to as a blocking part.

[68] Meanwhile, the cleaning element connecting part 40 is selectively seated on the seat portion 104. And, attachment parts 450, to which the cleaning element 50 is attached, are formed on a lower surface of the cleaning element connecting part 40.

[69] For example, a velcro may be used as the attachment part 450.

[70] Also, a perforated-hole 410 through which the steam-discharge part 160 is passed is perforated and formed in the middle of the cleaning element connecting part 40. And, the width of the perforated-hole 410 is formed to correspond to that of the steam- discharge part 160.

[71] Therefore, the lower surface of the steam-discharge part 160 is exposed to the outside of the cleaning element connecting part 40 via the perforated-hole 410. And, as described in the above, the steam guide part 164 is protruded out of the cleaning element connecting part 40.

[72] Further, a detachment lever 408 is backwardly protruded from one side of the rear end of the cleaning element connecting part 40.

[73] The detachment lever 408 is used to detach the cleaning element connecting part 40 from the base 10. The detachment lever 408 is formed, as it is upwardly bent from the rear end of the cleaning element connecting part 40 at a right angle and then it is backwardly bent at a right angle.

[74] Also, an insert groove 405, in which the connecting rib is inserted, is formed in the cleaning element connecting part 40. And, a plurality of latch elements 420 are provided in the cleaning element connecting part 40, and a part of the respective latch element 420 is protruded into the insert groove 405. And, the part of the respective latch element 420, which is protruded into the insert groove 405, is inserted into the insert hole 152 of the connecting ribs 150 which is inserted into the insert groove 405.

[75] Hereinafter, an operation of the nozzle 1 will be explained.

[76] First, the sucking force is generated by the suction motor provided in the cleaner body when the cleaner body connected to the nozzle 1 is operated, and therefore air containing particles of the floor is sucked through the intake port 102.

[77] Further, air sucked through the intake port 102 is flowed to a rear of the nozzle 1 along the air guide pipe 130, and it is moved to the cleaner body via the connecting pipe 30.

[78] Meanwhile, users may clean up the floor by using steam depending on their needs.

[79] To clean up the floor by using steam, water from the outside is supplied via the water inlet 115 after users open the water inlet 115 by rotating the inlet valve 60. And, if an appropriate amount of water is received in the steam case 112, the water inlet 115 is closed by the inlet valve 60.

[80] Next, if power source is applied from the outside, the steam generating device 110 starts to operate. That is, the heater 118 generates heat as the power source from the outside is supplied thereto.

[81] Further, if the heater 118 generates heat, water stored in the steam case 112 is heated. Here, water which is instantaneously heated by the heater 118 is not the whole water stored in the steam case 112 but the water adjacent to the heater 118.

[82] Further, steam generated by the heater 118 is moved to the lower part via the steam- discharge pipe 116 and is introduced into the steam-discharge part 160. And, the steam introduced into the steam-discharge part 160 is horizontally diffused and is discharged to the lower part via the plurality of steam-discharge holes 162.

[83] Further, steam, which is outwardly discharged through the steam-discharge holes

162, is guided by the steam guide part 164 and supplied into the cleaning element 50.

[84] That is, the whole quantity of steam generated in the steam generating device 110 is supplied into the cleaning element 50 by the steam guide part 164. And, steam dischrged through the steam-discharge holes 162 is not allowed to move into the intake port 102 by the steam guide part 164.

[85] Accordingly, the cleaning element 50 contains high temperature steam, and therefore the particles sticked to the floor are easily separated and removed therefrom by the cleaning element 50 when cleaning the floor.

[86] Figure 7 shows a bottom perspective view of a cleaning element connecting part according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[87] The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, except for difference in the position of formation of the steam guide part. Therefore, detailed description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted, and the characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described.

[88] Referring to Fig. 7, a perforated-hole 410, through which the steam-discharge part

160 is passed, is formed in the cleaning element connecting part 40 according to the present embodiment. And, a steam guide part 430, which is to guide the discharged steam to the cleaning element 50 attached to the cleaning element connecting part 40, is formed in the edge of the perforated-hole 410.

[89] The steam guide part 430 is downwardly protruded into the lower surface of the cleaning element connecting part 40 at a predetermined length. That is, the steam guide part 430 is disposed between the cleaning element connecting part 40 and the cleaning element 50. And, if the cleaning element connecting part 40 is attached to the cleaning element 50, the steam guide part 430 is tightly connected with the cleaning element 50 or it presses the cleaning element 50.

[90] Here, since the steam-discharge part 160 passes through the perforated-hole 410, it could be understood that the steam is discharged through the perforated-hole 410 in view of the flow of the steam.

[91] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a relationship between the cleaning element connecting part and the nozzle according to third embodiment of the present invention.

[92] The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, except for difference in that the cleaning element is directly connected to the body. Therefore, detailed description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted, and the characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described.

[93] Referring to Fig. 8, a cleaning element connecting part 71 to which the cleaning element 50 is connected is formed in a body 70 according to the present embodiment. And, a plurality of steam-discharge holes 72 through which the steam is discharged and a plurality of attachment parts 79 to which the cleaning element 50 is attached are formed in the lower surface of the cleaning element connecting part 71.

[94] Further, the plurality of steam-discharge holes 72 are perforated and formed in the lower surface of the body 70. And, a steam guide part 74 for guiding the steam discharged through the steam-discharge holes 72 to the cleaning element 50 is formed around the steam-discharge holes 72. And, the steam guide part 74 is downwardly protruded and formed in the lower surface of the body 70.

[95] Therefore, the steam guide part 74 is disposed between the cleaning element 50 and the cleaning element connecting part 71, and the steam guide part 74 presses the cleaning element 50 in a state that the cleaning element 50 is connected to the cleaning element connecting part 71. Industrial Applicability

[96] According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, as the generated steam is smoothly moved into the cleaning element, the efficiency of the steam is increased and the cleaning performance of the nozzle is improved, so that its industrial applicability is very high.