阅读说明：本技术 吸头用的旋转刷 (Rotary brush for suction head ) 是由 保罗·德·斯沃特 安托万·马蒂 于 2021-04-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种旋转刷(11),包括：刷体(12),其具有围绕中心轴(A)的大致管状形状；定心装置(22),其设置在刷体(12)中,并被构造成与属于驱动装置(16)的互补定心装置(23)配合,以使刷体(12)相对于驱动轴杆(18)定心,该驱动轴杆联接到属于驱动装置(16)的驱动马达(17)；以及联接装置(24),其设置在刷体(12)中,并被构造成与互补联接装置(25)可旋转地联接,所述互补联接装置属于驱动装置(16)并且可旋转地联接到驱动轴杆(18)。(The invention provides a rotary brush (11) comprising: a brush body (12) having a substantially tubular shape surrounding a central axis (A); -centring means (22) arranged in the brush body (12) and configured to cooperate with complementary centring means (23) belonging to the drive means (16) to centre the brush body (12) with respect to a drive shaft (18) coupled to a drive motor (17) belonging to the drive means (16); and a coupling device (24) provided in the brush body (12) and configured to be rotatably coupled with a complementary coupling device (25) belonging to the drive device (16) and rotatably coupled to the drive shaft (18).)

1. A rotating brush (11) for a suction head (2), comprising: -a brush body (12) having a substantially tubular shape around a central axis (a), the brush body (12) being intended to be mounted in a receiving recess (9) provided on the suction head, the brush body (12) being configured to be driven in rotation around a rotation axis by a drive means (16) belonging to the suction head, the rotation axis of the brush body (12) being substantially coaxial with the central axis (a) of the brush body (12), characterized in that the rotating brush (11) further comprises:

-centring means (22) arranged in the brush body (12) and configured to cooperate with complementary centring means (23) belonging to the drive means (16) to centre the brush body (12) with respect to a drive shaft (18) coupled to a drive motor (17) belonging to the drive means (16), and

-coupling means (24) provided in the brush body (12) and configured to be rotatably coupled with complementary coupling means (25) belonging to the drive means (16) and rotatably coupled to the drive shaft (18).

2. The rotatable brush (11) of claim 1 wherein the coupling means (24) is offset from the centering means (22) in a direction parallel to a central axis (a) of the brush body (12).

3. The rotatable brush (11) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling means (24) comprise a coupling portion (28) configured to cooperate with a complementary coupling portion (29) belonging to the complementary coupling means (25).

4. A rotatable brush (11) according to claim 3, wherein the coupling portion (28) comprises at least one drive surface (31) extending substantially parallel to the central axis (a) of the brush body (12) and configured to cooperate with at least one complementary drive surface (33) provided on the complementary coupling portion (29) and extending substantially parallel to the drive shaft (18).

5. The rotatable brush (11) of any of claims 3-4 wherein the coupling portion (28) is a female coupling portion and the complementary coupling portion (29) is a male coupling portion.

6. Rotating brush (11) according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the centering means (22) are arranged around the coupling means (24).

7. The rotatable brush (11) of any of claims 1-6 wherein the centering device (22) is radially disposed between the coupling device (24) and an inner wall (27) of the brush body (12).

8. The rotating brush (11) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the centering device (22) comprises a frustoconical centering wall (26) configured to converge away from the drive shaft (18).

9. The rotating brush (11) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the brush body (12) defines a motor recess (21) in which the drive motor (17) is intended to be at least partially housed.

10. A suction head (2) comprising:

-a body (4) having a receiving recess (9) opening at a bottom face of the body (4), the bottom face being configured to face a surface to be cleaned,

-a rotating brush (11) according to any of the preceding claims, said rotating brush (12) being mounted in said receiving recess (9), and

-a drive device (16) configured to drive the brush body (12) in rotation about the rotation axis, the drive device (16) comprising:

a drive motor (17),

a drive shaft (18) coupled to the drive motor (17),

-complementary centring means (23) provided in the brush body (12) and configured (12) to cooperate with centring means (22) provided on the rotating brush (11) to centre the brush body (12) with respect to the drive shaft (18), and

-complementary coupling means (25) rotatably coupled to said drive shaft (18) and provided in said brush body (12), said complementary coupling means (25) being configured to rotatably couple with coupling means (24) provided on said rotating brush (11).

11. Suction head (2) according to claim 10, wherein the complementary coupling means (25) are offset from the complementary centring means (23) in a direction parallel to the central axis (a) of the brush body (12).

12. Pipette tip (2) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said complementary coupling means (25) are distinct from said complementary centring means (23) and separate from them.

13. Suction head (2) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the drive means (16) comprise a coupling member (39) which is integral and comprises the complementary coupling means (25) and the complementary centring means (23).

14. Pipette tip (2) according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the complementary centring means (23) are arranged around the complementary coupling means (25).

15. Pipette tip (2) according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the complementary centring means (23) comprise at least one elastically deformable centring element.

16. Suction head (2) according to claim 15, wherein the drive device (16) and the rotating brush (11) are configured such that, when the brush body (12) is inserted into the receiving recess (9), the at least one elastically deformable centering element contacts a centering device (22) provided on the rotating brush (11) and is elastically deformed, thereby centering the brush body (12) relative to the drive shaft (18).

17. Pipette tip (2) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said at least one elastically deformable centring element is a centring collar which is elastically deformable and substantially coaxial with said drive shaft (18).

18. Pipette tip (2) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said at least one elastically deformable centring element comprises a plurality of elastically deformable centring tabs (37) angularly offset from one another with respect to said drive shaft (18).

19. Suction head (2) according to claim 18, wherein each centring tab (37) is inclined with respect to the drive shaft (18).

20. Suction head (2) according to claim 19, wherein, in the rest position, each centring flap (37) is inclined with respect to the drive shaft (18) by an angle of inclination greater than the half-angle at the vertex of the frustoconical centring wall (26).

21. Suction head (2) according to any one of claims 10 to 20, wherein the main body (4) has a passage opening (13) which opens into the receiving recess (9), through which passage opening the brush body (12) is adapted to be introduced into and removed from the receiving recess (9), the suction head (2) comprising a closing plug (15) which is configured to at least partially close the passage opening (13), the brush body (12) being rotatably mounted with respect to the closing plug (15).

22. The nozzle (2) of any of claims 10 to 21, wherein the drive shaft (18) is coupled to an output shaft of the drive motor (17).

23. The nozzle (2) according to any of the claims 10 to 21, wherein said drive shaft (18) is an output shaft of said drive motor (17).

24. Suction head (2) according to any of claims 10 to 23, wherein the drive motor (17) is at least partially accommodated in the brush body (12).

25. A nozzle (2) according to any of the claims 10-22, wherein the output shaft of the drive motor (17) is parallel to the drive shaft (18) and the drive motor (17) is arranged outside the rotating brush.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners equipped with a suction head for suctioning dirt and small-particle waste present on a surface to be cleaned.

Background

Vacuum cleaners equipped with a cleaner head are well known in the market, which allow cleaning of surfaces by suction to remove dust and small particulate waste that has settled on the surface. The surface to be sucked may be, for example, a tile, parquet, laminate, carpet or rug.

In a known manner, a cleaner head comprises a main body which includes a sole plate having a sole surface and a suction opening which opens at the sole surface of the sole plate. During use of the cleaner head, the underside of the sole plate will be positioned adjacent the surface to be suctioned.

In order to improve the cleaning performance of a cleaner head, it is known to provide the cleaner head with:

a rotating brush comprising a brush body which is rotatably movable about a rotation axis and is detachably mounted in a receiving recess defined by the main body of the suction head, and

-a drive device configured to drive the brush body in rotation about the rotation axis, the drive device comprising a drive motor provided with an output shaft.

The drive means further comprises a drive shaft substantially coaxial with the central axis of the brush body. The drive shaft may be formed by or may be coupled to the output shaft of the drive motor. The drive device further comprises a coupling member rotatably coupled to the drive shaft and configured to rotatably couple with a coupling device provided on the brush body in order to transmit a rotational torque from the output shaft of the drive motor to the brush body.

When the rotating brush is placed in its receiving recess, the misalignment of the drive shaft relative to the coupling means provided on the brush body may make it difficult to place the rotating brush in its receiving recess, cause the rotating brush to be incorrectly locked in its receiving recess, or cause the coupling means or the drive means to be damaged.

Furthermore, in the configuration in which the drive motor is provided inside the rotary brush, the brush body easily contacts the outer cylindrical surface of the motor chamber provided on the main body and generally housed at least partially in the brush body, in the event of misalignment between the central shaft of the brush body and the output shaft of the drive motor during operation of the suction head when the rotary brush is rotating. The risk of the brush rubbing against the motor chamber is particularly high when the radial clearance provided between the brush and the motor chamber is reduced.

Such friction of the brush body with the motor compartment leads to an increased consumption of electrical energy and even to a risk of hindering the rotation of the rotating brush around the motor compartment.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these disadvantages.

In particular, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a rotating brush for suction heads, which has an increased service life and which also leads to an increased service life of the suction head.

To this end, the invention relates to a rotating brush for a suction head, comprising:

a brush body having a substantially tubular shape around a central axis, the brush body being intended to be mounted in a receiving recess provided on the suction head, the brush body being configured to be driven in rotation around a rotation axis by a drive device belonging to the suction head, the rotation axis of the brush body being substantially coaxial with the central axis of the brush body,

-a centering device arranged in the brush body and configured to cooperate with a complementary centering device belonging to the drive device for centering the brush body with respect to a drive shaft coupled to a drive motor belonging to the drive device, and

-coupling means provided in the brush body and configured to be rotatably coupled with complementary coupling means belonging to the drive means and rotatably coupled to the drive shaft.

Such a configuration of the rotating brush, in particular the presence of the centering means, makes it possible to automatically center the central axis of the brush body with respect to the drive shaft coupled to the drive motor from an eccentric position of the brush body, in particular when the brush body is inserted into a receiving recess provided on the suction head. This arrangement facilitates the placement of the rotating brush in its receiving recess and avoids misalignment between the brush body and the drive shaft and increases the service life of the coupling means provided in the brush body and the complementary coupling means belonging to the drive means.

The expression "complementary centring means" means centring means having at least one shape complementary to the shape of the centring means provided on the rotating brush.

The expression "complementary coupling means" means coupling means having at least one shape complementary to the shape of the coupling means provided on the rotating brush.

The rotating brush may also have one or more of the following features, either alone or in combination.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering device is configured to automatically center the central axis of the brush body with respect to the drive shaft from an eccentric position of the brush body, in particular when the brush body is inserted into a receiving recess provided on the suction head.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling means are offset from the centering means in a direction parallel to the central axis of the brush body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling device comprises a coupling portion configured to cooperate with a complementary coupling portion belonging to a complementary coupling device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling portion extends coaxially with the central axis of the brush body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling part comprises at least one driving surface extending substantially parallel to the central axis of the brush body and configured to cooperate with at least one complementary driving surface provided on the complementary coupling part and extending substantially parallel to the driving shaft.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one drive surface is substantially flat.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling part has at least one guiding surface configured to cooperate with at least one complementary guiding surface provided on the complementary coupling part so as to position the at least one driving surface facing and, for example, against the at least one complementary driving surface when the brush body is inserted in the receiving recess. These arrangements ensure a relative prepositioning of the coupling part and the complementary coupling part before the drive motor is started.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one guiding surface extends substantially helically around the central axis of the brush body and the at least one complementary guiding surface extends substantially helically around the drive shaft.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one guide surface is defined by a drive groove provided on the coupling part and the at least one complementary guide surface is defined by a drive rib provided on the complementary coupling part.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling portion comprises a plurality of drive surfaces, e.g. three, which are angularly offset from each other with respect to a central axis of the brush body, each drive surface being configured to cooperate with a respective complementary drive surface provided on the complementary coupling portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling portion comprises a plurality of guiding surfaces, for example three or six, which are angularly offset from each other with respect to a central axis of the brush body, each guiding surface being configured to cooperate with a respective complementary guiding surface provided on a complementary coupling portion. Advantageously, the guide surfaces face in the same direction.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each driving surface is arranged between the leading edge and the trailing edge of two adjacent guiding surfaces.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the guide surfaces are arranged substantially equidistant with respect to a central axis of the brush body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling part is a female coupling part and the complementary coupling part is a male coupling part.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coupling part is a male coupling part and the complementary coupling part is a female coupling part.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering device is arranged around the coupling device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering means are radially arranged between the coupling means and the inner wall of the brush body. More specifically, the centering means is arranged in an annular region extending around the coupling means.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering means connect the coupling means to the inner wall of the brush body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering device comprises a frustoconical centering wall configured to converge away from the drive shaft. These arrangements provide effective centring of the brush body with centring means which are relatively simple to manufacture.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a frustoconical centering wall extends from the inner wall of the brush body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the frustoconical centering wall is coaxial with the central axis of the brush body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the brush body defines a motor recess in which the drive motor is intended to be at least partially accommodated. Advantageously, the drive motor is entirely accommodated in the brush body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the brush body includes a first end portion configured to be located near the driving device, and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first end portion at least partially defines a motor recess in which the drive motor is intended to be at least partially accommodated.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the brush body is configured to be detachably mounted in a receiving recess provided on the suction head, for example in a transversely extending mounting direction, preferably perpendicular to the displacement direction of the suction head.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rotating brush includes bristles disposed on an outer surface of a brush body. Advantageously, the rotatable brush comprises at least one row of bristles arranged on an outer surface of the brush body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the brush body is cylindrical with a circular cross-section.

The invention also relates to a suction head comprising:

a main body having a receiving recess opening in a bottom surface of the main body, the bottom surface being configured to face a surface to be cleaned,

a rotating brush as described above, the brush body being mounted in the receiving recess, an

-a drive device configured to drive the brush body in rotation about the rotation axis, the drive device comprising:

the speed of the motor is set to a value,

a drive shaft coupled to the drive motor,

a complementary centring device provided in the brush body, the centring device being configured to cooperate with a centring device provided on the rotating brush to centre the brush body relative to the drive shaft, and

a complementary coupling means rotatably coupled to the drive shaft and provided in the brush body, the complementary coupling means being configured to rotatably couple with a coupling means provided on the rotating brush.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the complementary coupling means are offset from the complementary centering means in a direction parallel to the central axis of the brush body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the complementary coupling means are distinct from the complementary centering means and are separate from the complementary centering means.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive means comprise a coupling member which is integral and comprises complementary coupling means and complementary centering means. These arrangements allow the centring of the brush body to be achieved without adding any additional components.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the complementary centering means are arranged around the complementary coupling means.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the complementary centering means comprise at least one elastically deformable centering element.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive means and the rotatable brush are configured such that, when the brush body is inserted into the receiving recess, the at least one elastically deformable centering element contacts a centering means provided on the rotatable brush and elastically deforms, thereby centering the brush body relative to the drive shaft.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one elastically deformable centering element is a centering collar which is elastically deformable and substantially coaxial with the drive shaft.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering collar protrudes axially from the trailing edge of the complementary coupling part, i.e. from the edge of the complementary coupling part on the side of the drive motor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one elastically deformable centering element comprises a plurality of elastically deformable centering tabs which are angularly offset from each other with respect to the drive shaft.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each centering fin projects axially from the trailing edge of the complementary coupling portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering fins are arranged substantially equidistant with respect to the drive shaft.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of centering fins comprises a first group comprising a plurality of first centering fins and a second group comprising a plurality of second centering fins, each first centering fin being arranged between two adjacent second centering fins. The first set of first centering tabs allows positioning of the rotating brush by exerting axial pressure thereon during insertion of the rotating brush, while the second set of second centering tabs act as stops when the first set of centering tabs are compressed.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering fins are evenly distributed around the drive shaft.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering fins extend from the outer periphery of the complementary coupling parts.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each centering fin is inclined with respect to the drive shaft.

According to an embodiment of the invention, in the rest position each centring tab is inclined with respect to the drive shaft by an inclination angle greater than the half angle at the apex of the frustoconical centring wall.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the complementary coupling part comprises a frustoconical central portion, provided at one end of the complementary coupling part, configured to cooperate with a frustoconical central recess provided on the coupling part, so as to center the coupling part with respect to the complementary coupling part.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the main body has a passage opening which opens into the receiving recess, through which passage opening the brush body is adapted to be introduced into and removed from the receiving recess, and the suction head comprises a closure plug which is configured to at least partially close the passage opening, the brush body being rotatably mounted relative to the closure plug.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the passage opening is provided on a side face of the body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive shaft is an output shaft of the drive motor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive motor is at least partially accommodated in the brush body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive shaft is coupled to an output shaft of the drive motor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the output shaft of the drive motor is parallel to the drive shaft, and the drive motor is arranged outside the rotating brush. Advantageously, the output shaft of the drive motor is parallel to the drive shaft and is coupled to the drive shaft by means of a gear chain or by means of a possibly toothed belt.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second end of the brush body is supported by the closure plug and is rotatably mounted with respect to the closure plug.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a closure plug comprises a plug body and a locking device configured to lock the plug body to a main body.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the main body comprises a sole plate provided with a floor face configured to face a surface to be cleaned, and a suction opening which opens in the floor face. Advantageously, the receiving recess opens in the underside of the sole plate via the suction opening.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the suction opening has an elongated shape and extends transversely, for example perpendicularly, to the direction of movement of the cleaner head.

Drawings

The invention will be best understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of non-limiting example, embodiments of such a suction head.

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a cleaner head according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the suction head of fig. 1, showing the rotating brush of the suction head partially removed.

Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the cleaner head of figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through the cleaner head of figure 1.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the suction head of figure 1, showing the rotating brush of the suction head partially removed.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a detail of fig. 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a coupling member belonging to the suction head of figure 1.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the coupling member of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a front view of the coupling member of fig. 7.

Detailed Description

Figures 1 to 9 show a cleaner head 2 comprising a connecting sleeve 3 to which a joint of rigid or flexible tubing is designed to be connected, the rigid or flexible tubing itself being connected to a suction system of a vacuum cleaner (not shown). There are a variety of different models of vacuum cleaner available on the market which can be used with a cleaner head 2 according to the invention; these different models are not described in detail in this patent application, since they are known to the person skilled in the art.

The cleaner head 2 comprises a body 4, the body 4 being configured to move over a surface to be cleaned. Advantageously, the connecting sleeve 3 is pivotally mounted relative to the main body 4 so as to allow the main body 4 to pivot forwards and backwards when the cleaner head 2 is moved in the direction of movement D1.

The main body 4 includes a bottom plate 5, the bottom plate 5 being provided with a bottom surface 6, the bottom surface 6 being configured to face a surface to be cleaned, and a suction opening 7 opening on the bottom surface 6. The suction opening 7 communicates with the connecting sleeve 3, in particular via a connecting channel 8 which is formed at least in part, for example, by a flexible connecting tube. The suction opening 7 may, for example, have an elongate shape and extend transversely, for example perpendicularly, to the direction of movement D1 of the cleaner head 2.

The main body 4 further includes a receiving recess 9, and the receiving recess 9 is opened in the bottom surface of the bottom plate 5 via the suction port 7 and is fluidly connected with the connecting passage 8. Thus, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, the receiving recess 9 forms a suction chamber.

The suction head 2 further comprises a rotating brush 11, the rotating brush 11 comprising a brush body 12, the brush body 12 having a substantially tubular shape and extending along the central axis a. The brush body 12 is rotatably mounted in the receiving recess 9 about a rotational axis which is substantially coaxial with the central axis a of the brush body 12. Advantageously, the brush body 12 is detachably mounted in the receiving recess 9 and is configured to be introduced into and removed from the receiving recess 9 along the mounting direction D2. The mounting direction D2 extends transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the direction of movement D1 of the cleaner head 2.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the main body 4 has a passage opening 13, the passage opening 13 opening into the receiving recess 9, and the brush body 12 can be introduced into and removed from the receiving recess 9 through the passage opening 13. Advantageously, the passage opening 13 is provided on the side of the body 4.

According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the rotating brush 11 has bristles 14 disposed on the outer surface of the brush body 12. Advantageously, the brush body 12 is substantially cylindrical with a circular cross-section, and the rotatable brush 11 comprises a plurality of rows of bristles, for example extending helically around a central axis a of the brush body 12. According to an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the rows of bristles may be replaced by resiliently deformable lamellae or foam cleaning sleeves.

The suction head 2 further comprises a closing plug 15, which closing plug 15 is configured to at least partially close the passage opening 13 when the brush body 12 is mounted in the receiving recess 9.

The suction head 2 further comprises a drive device 16, which drive device 16 is configured to drive the brush body 12 in rotation about an axis of rotation. More specifically, the drive means 16 comprise a drive motor 17, preferably an electric motor, comprising an output shaft 18. In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 4-6, the output shaft 18 forms a drive shaft that is substantially aligned with the rotational axis of the brush body 12. The drive motor 17 is accommodated in a motor chamber 19 defined by the main body 4, and the motor chamber 19 and the drive motor 17 are disposed in a motor recess 21 defined by the brush body 12.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the drive motor 17 is arranged in the suction head outside the rotating brush. According to this alternative, the output shaft of the drive motor 17 extends parallel to a drive shaft which is aligned with the rotational axis of the brush body 12. The output shaft of the drive motor 17 may then be coupled to the drive shaft by means of a gear train or by means of a belt, for example of the toothed type.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the brush body 12 comprises a first end 12.1 and a second end 12.2, the first end 12.1 being located in the vicinity of the drive means 16 and defining a motor recess 21, the second end 12.2 being supported by the closure plug 15 and being mounted rotatably movably with respect to the closure plug 15.

The rotatable brush 11 further comprises centering means 22 arranged in the brush body 12, which centering means 22 are configured to cooperate with complementary centering means 23 belonging to the drive means 16, so as to center the brush body 12 with respect to the drive shaft 18; and a coupling means 24, which coupling means 24 is also provided in the brush body 12 and is configured to be rotatably coupled with a complementary coupling means 25, which complementary coupling means 25 belongs to the drive means 16 and is rotatably coupled to the drive shaft 18.

Advantageously, also complementary centring means 23 and complementary coupling means 25 are provided in the brush body 12. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the coupling means 24 are axially offset from the centering means 22 in a direction parallel to the central axis a of the brush body 12, and the complementary coupling means 25 are axially offset from the complementary centering means 23 in a direction parallel to the drive shaft 18.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the centering means 22 comprise a frustoconical centering wall 26 extending from an inner wall 27 of the brush body 12 and converging away from the drive shaft 18. In the embodiment of fig. 4 to 6, a frustoconical centering wall 26 extends from an inner wall 27 of the brush body 12 and converges away from the drive motor 17, i.e. towards the closing plug 15. Advantageously, the frustoconical centering wall 26 is coaxial with the central axis a of the brush body 12 and is closer to the first end 12.1 than to the second end 12.2.

The coupling device 24 comprises a coupling portion 28 configured to cooperate with a complementary coupling portion 29 belonging to the complementary coupling device 25. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the coupling part 28 is a female coupling part and the complementary coupling part 29 is a male coupling part. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the coupling part 28 may be a male coupling part and the complementary coupling part 29 may be a female coupling part.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, a frustoconical centering wall 26 is provided between the coupling portion 28 and an inner wall 27 of the brush body 12. Advantageously, a frustoconical centring wall 26 connects the coupling portion 28 to the inner wall 27 of the brush body 12.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the coupling portion 28 extends coaxially with the central axis a of the brush body 12 and comprises a plurality of drive surfaces 31, for example six, which extend substantially parallel to the central axis a of the brush body 12 and are angularly offset from each other with respect to the central axis a of the brush body 12. Advantageously, the drive surface 31 is substantially flat and evenly distributed about the central axis A of the brush body 12.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the complementary coupling portion 29 extends coaxially with the drive shaft 18 and has a plurality of complementary drive surfaces 33, for example six, which extend substantially parallel to the drive shaft 18 and are angularly offset from each other with respect to the drive shaft 18. Advantageously, the complementary drive surfaces 33 are substantially flat and evenly distributed around the drive shaft 18.

Each complementary drive surface 33 is configured to cooperate with a respective drive surface 31 in order to transfer torque from the output shaft 18 of the drive motor 17 to the coupling portion 28.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the complementary coupling portion 29 comprises a plurality of drive ribs 35, which drive ribs 35 extend substantially parallel to the drive shaft 18 and are angularly offset from each other with respect to the drive shaft 18. Advantageously, each driving rib 35 extends radially with respect to the driving shaft 18.

Each drive rib 35 defines a respective complementary drive surface 33 and is more specifically configured to be inserted into a respective drive slot 36, which drive slot 36 is provided on the coupling portion 28 and defines a respective drive surface 31.

Advantageously, each driving rib 35 has a leading portion, the thickness of which decreases towards the leading end of said driving rib 35. The leading portion of each drive rib 35 is more particularly configured to cooperate with, and more particularly slide against, the inner wall of the respective drive groove 36, so as to position each drive surface 31 facing and, for example, abutting a respective complementary drive surface 33 when the brush body 12 is inserted into the receiving recess 9.

According to an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the complementary coupling portion 29 may comprise a frustoconical central portion configured to cooperate with a frustoconical central recess provided on the coupling portion 28, so as to center the coupling portion 28 with respect to the complementary coupling portion 29.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the complementary centring means 23 are provided around the complementary coupling means 25, more particularly around the complementary coupling portion 29, and comprise a plurality of centring flaps 37, the centring flaps 37 being elastically deformable and angularly offset from each other with respect to the drive shaft 18. Advantageously, the centring tabs 37 are evenly distributed around the drive shaft 18, are arranged substantially equidistant with respect to the drive shaft 18 and extend from the outer periphery 38 of the complementary coupling portion 29.

As shown more specifically in fig. 7 to 9, each centering fin 37 protrudes axially from the rear edge of the complementary coupling portion 29, i.e., from the edge of the complementary coupling portion 29 on the side of the drive motor 17.

Advantageously, when the centering flap 37 is in the rest position, i.e. when it is not elastically deformed, said centering flap 37 is inclined with respect to the drive shaft 18 by an inclination angle greater than the half-angle at the vertex of the frustoconical centering wall 26.

The drive means 16 and the rotating brush 11 are more particularly configured so that, when the brush body 12 is inserted in the receiving recess 9, the centring flaps 37 contact the centring means 22 provided on the rotating brush 11, more particularly the frustoconical centring wall 26, and are elastically deformed so as to self-centre the central axis a of the brush body 12 with respect to the drive shaft 18 from an eccentric position of the brush body 12.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the plurality of centring tabs comprises a first group comprising a plurality of first centring tabs 37.1 and a second group comprising a plurality of second centring tabs 37.2, each first centring tab 37.1 being arranged between two adjacent second centring tabs 37.2.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive means 16 comprise a coupling member 39 (see fig. 7 to 9) which is integral and comprises the complementary coupling means 25 and the complementary centring means 23, more specifically the complementary coupling portion 29 and the centring tabs 37. The coupling member 39 may be made of plastic, for example.

However, according to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the complementary coupling means 25 can be distinct and separate from the complementary centring means 23.

According to another alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the centring flaps 37 can be replaced by an annular centring ring which can be elastically deformed and is substantially coaxial with the output shaft of the drive motor. Advantageously, the centering collar will protrude axially from the rear edge of the complementary coupling portion 29.

According to another alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the coupling portion 28 may comprise, instead of the aforementioned drive ribs, a plurality of guide surfaces, for example three guide surfaces, these guide surfaces extend substantially helically about the central axis a of the brush body 12, and are angularly offset from each other relative to the central axis a of the brush body 12, and the complementary coupling portion 29 may comprise, instead of the aforementioned drive ribs, a plurality of complementary guide surfaces, for example three, these guide surfaces extend substantially helically around the drive shaft 18 and are angularly offset from each other relative to the drive shaft 18, each guide surface being configured to cooperate with, and more particularly slide against, so as to position each drive surface 31 facing and, for example, abutting against a respective complementary drive surface 33 when the brush body 12 is inserted in the receiving recess 9.

Advantageously, the guide surfaces are oriented in the same direction and are evenly distributed about the central axis a of the brush body 12, and each drive surface 31 is more particularly arranged between the leading and trailing edges of two adjacent guide surfaces.

Advantageously, the complementary guide surfaces are oriented in the same direction and are evenly distributed around the drive shaft 18, and each complementary drive surface is arranged between the leading and trailing edges of two adjacent complementary guide surfaces.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, which are provided as examples only. Modifications are possible, particularly in respect of the construction of the various elements or by substitution of equivalent techniques, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.